You won’t win a prize, but you’ll have bragging rights if you get all of these right.  You’ll also find some useful information in here too.  At the very least, I hope you find it interesting.  

1. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was damaged by a devastating fire in 2019.  When will it reopen?
2. On a direct flight from Istanbul to Mexico City, which country’s airspace will you spend the most time over?  HINT:  think of a globe…NOT a map.
3. Outside of Florida, what are the world’s busiest cruise ship ports (by passenger volume)?
4. How much does Global Entry cost for a 5-year membership?
5. How many new cruise ship berths are planned globally before the end of the decade? (A berth is defined as one guest spot).
6. Which country comes FIRST on the Global Happiness Index?
7. How many fluid ounces of water will a person typically lose on a 10-hour flight in the dry airplane air?
8. What is currently the longest commercial flight?
9. What were the top three MOST visited countries in 2022 (the last year we have data for)?
10. What country spans the MOST time zones?
11. What European country is smaller than Central Park in New York City?
12. What country has the most miles of coastline?
13. The busiest airport (by passenger count) in the world is Atlanta.  What airport is second?
14. What is the difference between Great Britain and the United Kingdom?
15. What is the world’s largest Spanish-speaking country?

I won’t make you wait until next week to get the answers… scroll the bottom for instant gratification.

Today’s Travel Opportunities

OCEANIA VALUE FARES AVAILABLE

Our friends at Oceania have some compelling fares on select voyages.  The Catch:  these must be booked by May 10:

ICELAND & BRITISH ISLES: Reykjavik to London departing August 20 for 9-days

• Visit 4 ports in Iceland, Faroe Islands, Glasgow, Dublin, Cornwall, London.
• Verandas from $5199 ($1300 off) 

MEDITERRANEAN: Rome to Monte Carlo departing August 25 for 10-days

• Visit Rome, Sorrento, Catania, Malta, Tunisia, Sicily, Sardinia, Florence/Pisa, Corsica, St. Tropez, Monte Carlo.
• Verandas from $5199 (save $900).

JAPAN & ALASKA:  LA to Tokyo departing October 3 for 25-days

• Visit San Francisco, Portland, Victoria, Vancouver, Ketchikan, Sitka, Seward, Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, Hokkaido (overnight), Miyako, Oarai, Tokyo (overnight).
• Verandas from $7099 ($3100 off).

NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA:  round-trip Sydney departing January 25 for 16 days.

• Visit the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Picton, Akaroa, Dunedin, Milford Sound Fjord cruising, Melbourne (overnight), and then back to Sydney
• Fares from $7199.

The Oceania Fares above include all taxes and fees, round-trip air, beer/wine with meals, specialty dining, wifi on the ship, and a shore-excursion credit.  Must be booked by May 10. 

UNIWORLD FLASH SALE – Available to May 10 (or while space lasts)

If you’re ready to travel this year to Europe you can do quite well on Uniworld.  Paris will be very busy this July & August with the Olympic Games, but in the rest of Europe there are some great travel opportunities.  I’ve put a couple of examples below, but if you want to see the whole list:  https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/current-offers/2024-flash 

PORTUGAL & SPAIN:  Porto to Lisbon for 11-days

• Visit Porto, visit wineries in operation since Roman times, see medieval castles and Roman ruins, visit Spain’s Golden City, and spend 3-nights in Lisbon.
• Fares from $3399 – $3899 for departures in July & August (leaves every Wednesday)

BUDAPEST TO AMSTERDAM departing October 19 for 16-days

• Visit Budapest (overnight), Vienna, Wachau Valley, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Frankfurt, Rudesheim, Cologne, Amsterdam (overnight)
• Fares from $5499 ($2000 off)

Uniworld fares include transfers, an open bar, a choice of shore excursions in every port, gratuities, and wifi on the ship.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – Western & Northern Route

• Two nights in Quito followed by 9-nights on board the ship.  Includes 4-hour flight from Quito to Baltra. 
• Visit 9 islands in the Galapagos:  See picturesque landscapes showcasing a range of ecosystems and see many of the species which made these islands so famous.  You’ll get closer to the many natural wonders in small panga boats, kayaks and glass-bottom boat.
• On board the carbon neutral MS Santa Cruz II carrying 90 guests. 
• Includes meals, drinks, gratuities, landing activities, and access to on board science center.
• $7933 per person (including taxes) for departures on September 3 or 17, 2024

TAUCK LAND CRUISES

SOUTHERN CHARMS: 8-days between Savannah, GA and Charleston SC

• Visit Savannah, the Coastal Low Country, Fort Pulaski, Hilton Head, Beaufort (exclusive tour of the Sea Islands), Charleston.  Experience a Sunset Harbor Cruise, Historic plantations and Gardens, se the Davenport House museum, and enjoy a culinary demonstration.
• Departures in September and October from $4890.

Salt Lake City to Denver for 8-days, with 2-days on the rails with Rocky Mountaineer

• Visit Salt Lake City, Park City, Moab, flightseeing over Canyonlands NP, Arches NP, 2 days on board Rocky Mountaineer, and Denver
• Includes all hotels, transfers, Silverleaf PLUS rail car with adjoining Lounge Car, flightseeing, off-road Hummer trip, 16 meals, and gratuities.
• Departures June through October for $7590 per person

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line (or on board), that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.

We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.

We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.

There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).

If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.

Travel Trivia ANSWERS

At least make a guess before checking the answers

1. December 16, 2024 – and the controversy about the restoration has already begun.  Just go and enjoy it!
2. CANADA – We flew Istanbul to Mexico in March, and I was amazed that we were over Canada for several hours.  This is evidence that a) the earth is spherical, and b) Canada is insanely large.  To challenge any flat-earthers… we also flew over most of Europe, the UK, Iceland, Greenland, and the United States, before entering Mexico.
3. Shanghai and Barcelona.  If you weren’t aware, the Chinese are starting to travel again, and with such a huge population, those places of interest to Chinese tourists will be VERY busy.
4. Trick question… it doesn’t matter what you’ve paid in the past.  Global Entry (and Nexus) are increasing to $120 this fall.  You’ve been warned!
5. 100,000 new berths – yep… growing in leaps and bounds.  
6. FINLAND… and they do this consistently.  Most years, the Top 10 rankings include other northern European countries, as well as New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
7. 60 ounces or 1.75 litres.  Stay hydrated people!
8. NYC – Singapore.  It travels 9500 miles, and takes 18.5 hours.  Hopefully they offer a bit of extra space in economy!
9. France, Spain, and Turkey.
10. France has 12 time zones, the United States has 11, and Russia has 9.  This is a bit of a trick question, because we’re counting global territories.  If you only count the site of the main (continguous) country, then France has 1 time zone, and the US has 4.  Russia still has 9 (it really is huge).  
11. Monaco at 514 acres.  Central Park is 843 acres.  Vatican City (121 acres) would also be smaller, but there’s some debate over whether it is considered a “country” (even though it is politically separate from Italy). 
12. Canada – with about 125,000 miles of coast.  That’s a lot of beaches (although many of them are frozen). 
13. Dubai – and its passenger count continues to grow quickly. 
14. Great Britain is comprised of England, Scotland, and Wales.  The United Kingdom includes all of those, PLUS Northern Ireland.  We tend to think of all these places as separate countries.  They are — but not by the same definition used elsewhere.  All the countries of the United Kingdom are ONE nation.  For example, there will be an election in the UK before the end of January 2025 (who knows when!), and the people in all of those countries will elect ONE Federal Government with ONE Prime Minister.  
15. Mexico is the most populous Spanish speaking country with about 125 million people.  Argentina is the largest by area. 

Have something to say about this?

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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

Alaska continues to grow in popularity, and knowing that many of you have previously been there, I thought I’d offer some different ways you can see this naturally spectacular corner of the world.  You can go again, and have a completely different experience.

You probably already know that Alaska is big, but to put it in context, the area of Alaska and British Columbia combined is about the same size as one-third of the lower 48.  Together, Alaska and BC are over one million square miles, and if it were a country, it would be the 10^th largest in the world.  Texas is about 25% this size.  That’s BIG… and if you’ve done a coastal Alaska Cruise, you’ve only seen a small portion of it. 

If you’ve previously been, here are some different ways to experience Alaska:

I WANT TO SEE IT ALL

• You’ve said: “I’m only doing this once”, OR “I’ve been before, but didn’t see everything”
• You only see coastal Alaska by cruise ship (it’s not possible to drive to these communities), then go to Denali (and perhaps a few other lodges), and perhaps into the Yukon Territory of Canada.  
• TIP:  Travel in one direction, which means using Fairbanks Airport, rather than Anchorage.
• Holland America has some itineraries that cover all these bases, and we have a Private Sale until the end of the month that will save you a lot of money.  Here’s the link to that post:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/holland-america-private-sale/ .  The CATCH:  must be booked by April 30. 

I LOVE THE SCENERY, AND WANT GREAT FOOD AND WINE

• Oceania is THE cruise line for FOODIES, and they run itineraries out of both Vancouver and Seattle.  They also visit some less frequented port stops.
• 2024:  This is the last year the 680 passenger REGATTA will be in Alaska, so if you like the Oceania small-ships, this is the last chance.
  • Vancouver to LA departing September 14 for 12-days.
  • Visit Ketchikan, Sitka, Holkham Bay Fjord, Klawock, Prince Rupert, Victoria, and Portland
  • Verandas from $5199 with a $300 per person shore excursion credit.
• 2025:  Oceania Riviera (1200 guests) will be in Alaska next season.  She had a stem to stern refurb last year, and has all the latest Oceania culinary delights, and larger staterooms.
  • Vancouver to Seattle departing June 17, 2025 for 9-days.
  • Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines, Tracy Arm Glacier Cruising, Wrangell, & Victoria.
  • Verandas from $4099 with a $200 per person shore excursion credit.

All Oceania fares include beer/wine with meals, specialty dining, wifi on the ship, and a shore excursion credit as indicated.  On the above two departures, we can also get prepaid gratuities thrown in (only available through our agency). 

I WANT TO SEE REMOTE ALASKA, AND GET UP CLOSE TO NATURE

• You’ve said, “I’ve been there before”, OR “I want to walk, kayak, see wildlife, and visit where others DON’T go”.
• Roald Amundsen (530 guests) is operated by HX, and is the world’s first hybrid-electric cruise ship.  See our ship tour video:  https://youtu.be/1L_ByDqhGR0?si=k6EKNdSgunln85CZ
  • Sail between Vancouver and Anchorage for 13-days.
  • Visit Ivy League Glaciers, Glaciers at Icy Bay, William Henry Bay, Haines, Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Misty Fjords, Sail BC’s Inside Passage, Alert Bay. 
  • 2024:  depart June 22 from $5963 per person
  • 2025:  depart May 29 from $5106 per person

I WANT TO TAKE MY KIDS OR GRANDCHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE ALASKA

• The age of those children, and what they like to do will determine the best option for you.  Here are some options:
• DISNEY:  You will pay a premium for the brand, but there is no denying the Disney magic.  Arguably, a Disney cruise is better for less defined destinations than Alaska, because on Disney, the ship IS the destination.
• ROYAL CARIBBEAN:  Nobody does floating amusement parks better than RCL.  They normally have three ships in Alaska.
• PRINCESS:  Along with their sister-brand, Holland America, they take more people to Alaska, than all the other cruise lines combined.  They own much of the infrastructure on shore, and if you’re going to Denali, they will have many more options than anyone else.  Princess also brings Alaska Park Rangers on board the ship, and your kids will be more immersed in Alaska than any of the other options.  

I’M A VIKING CLIENT, BUT HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO FIND SPACE

• For the first time, Viking will have TWO ships in Alaska in 2025, so you’ll find space easier to find, and the pricing a bit more moderate.
• Viking runs 11-day itineraries between Vancouver and Anchorage, and you’ll visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Yakutat Bay (for glacier cruising), Valdez, and Seward.
  • 2024:  Verandas from $6499
  • 2025:  Verandas from $4799

RESOURCES TO HELP MAKE YOUR DECISION:

• ALASKA: How to Choose video: https://youtu.be/CwWytuiuK8M?si=Bk0XzTgcgdk57cZH 
• ALASKA PRINCESS & HOLLAND AMERICA LODGES Video Blogs:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVEZh4TwDNnSFedD8FOItXHe&si=CNO-BKWSCvGu9_dR 
• COASTAL ALASKA PORTS: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVGIkLzMGzGDOfx8xOSpC2Vt&si=tA76ZQKVTd5EXlX1 
• SEATTLE & VANCOUVER Article: https://pamperedcruiser.com/alaska-pre-post-destination-focus-on-seattle-vancouver/ 

Today’s Travel Opportunities

If Alaska’s not on your radar, here are a few other suggestions:

AMA WATERWAYS FREE LAND PACKAGES

AMA Waterways is a great choice for those that like to be a bit more active on their vacations, for those that want lots of choices for shore excursions, or those really into food.  Here’s our discussion with Kristin Karst if you want to learn more about how AMA differentiates:

They are also offering FREE LAND extensions on select voyages.  Here’s the complete list:

https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/freeland-2024

Here’s one example:

PROVENCE from Arles (Marseilles) to Lyon departing December 12 for 7-nights

• Visit Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Vienne, and Lyon.
• Visit Van Gogh’s house, a Truffle Farm, sample local red wine & chocolate, see the Roman ruins, and do a Beaujolais wine tasting at a vineyard.
• $4698 for a Twin Balcony Room with a $150 per person on board credit.
• Optional extensions to Barcelona (3-nights pre), or Paris (3-nights post). 

We did this cruise in December of 2023.  Here’s a link to our video blog:  https://youtu.be/H2rBL8J7DIU?si=wkaBzaibNhRxtV8B 

COLLETTE LAND-CRUISES

ITALY for 11-days

• Visit Rome, Umbria, Tuscany, Florence & Chianti.
• See the Roman Ruins, visit an olive farm, attend a cooking class, see the gothic cathedrals and medieval palaces, eat at a cheese farm, drink at estate wineries, enjoy farm to table cuisine, and visit a truffle farm
• 2025 departures March through November from $3199
• 2024 departures:  space is tight…enquire.

CROATIA and the Balkan States for 16-days

• Visit Dubrovnik, Kotor, Sarajevo, Karanac, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Ljubljana.
• 2024:  September and October departures from $4399
• 2025:  April to June from $3999

VIKING FREE AIR FOR CANADA & NEW ENGLAND ITINERARIES

• Travel between Montreal, and
  • Boston (13-days) on August 31 from $5999
  • New York (13-days) on September 12 or 24 from $5999
  • Fort Lauderdale (15 days) on September 26 or October 6 from $5999 per person
• Fares include all taxes & fees, round-trip AIR, transfers, beer/wine with meals, a shore excursion in every port, and wifi on the ship.  
• Must be booked by April 30.

Have something to say about this?

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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

You are undoubtedly aware that cruise ship traffic has ceased using the Suez Canal until further notice due to the Houthi drone attacks in the Red Sea.  This has resulted in countless itinerary changes and redeployments, so I thought I’d offer a bit of context to the situation.

First a bit of social studies:

• The modern Suez Canal was built in the 19^th century, and opened officially in 1869.  
• It is about 120 miles in length between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
• This 120 miles saves about 5000 miles of travel if ships had to sail around Africa.
• The canal is located in, and is controlled by Egypt. 

The Logistics of the Suez Canal being unavailable:

• Many clients have asked why such drastic itinerary changes have been required.  Understandably, individual clients are looking at their own cruise in isolation, and haven’t considered how the ship will get to their embarkation port.
• Remember that cruise ships travel at about 20 miles per hour.  To make up an additional 5000 miles is an extra 250 hours of running time, or just over 10 days… and this is without stopping.
• Adding an extra 10-days to your cruise to get in all your port stops is not realistic.
• Cruise ship berthing reservations are made several years in advance, and some ports don’t have extra capacity to accommodate itinerary changes.

What you’re entitled to if the cruise line changes your itinerary as a result of the Suez closure:

• The short answer is “nothing”.
• If you read the 80 or so pages of your contract with the cruise line (don’t worry… I’ve never read it, nor do I know anyone that has), you’ll find the clause on Force Majeure, and you’ll probably also find a clause that gives the cruise line the option to charge you more for the fact they must now go an extra 5000 miles.
• In reality, I’ve never seen the cruise lines levy such a surcharge.  They will likely simply eat the extra expenses to keep their clients happy. 
• Some travellers believe they are entitled to some form of compensation because of the itinerary change.  The cruise lines disagree.
• The bottom line is that the cruise lines ARE liable when something they are reasonably responsible for causes itinerary changes (mechanical failures, for example).  The cruise lines have about as much control as you do over the Houthi attacks, and the fact an extra 5000 miles has been added to the ships’ travel schedule is also a logistic reality they DON’T control.

Rapid Fire Q&A:

• Will the cruise line add a bunch of sea days?  Yes… they have 5000 miles to make up.
• Can I cancel and claim this on my insurance?  Probably not unless you have insurance with a Cancel For Any Reason Clause.
• Why have they not told me yet if there’s going to be a change?  Because they are hoping the situation in Israel and the Red Sea improves, and they can stick with the original itinerary.
• What recourse do I have?  It depends when you leave.  If it’s in the next 4 months, you likely don’t have any.  If it’s beyond that, you need to refer to your cancellation terms. 
• I had a cruise booked from Athens to Barcelona… why did they cancel that?  Because the ship you were scheduled to be on is somewhere off the coast of Africa, trying to make up the extra 5000 miles.  

The people that will cope best with such disruptions, are also the very best travellers.  These are the people that realize that not everything always goes according to plan, and when you get a curve ball thrown your way, you do your best to roll with it, and see what new adventures open up as a result.  

Today’s Travel Opportunities

OCEANIA FREE HOTEL NIGHT

Oceania is offering free pre-cruise hotel night on selected voyages.  I’ve put in a few examples below, but if you want the complete list:  https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/hotel 

New Zealand & Australia round-trip Sydney departing January 25 for 16 days.

• Visit the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Picton, Akaroa, Dunedin, Milford Sound Fjord cruising, Melbourne (overnight), and then back to Sydney
• Free Sydney pre-cruise hotel night.
• Prices from $6799 with a $400 Shore Ex credit.

SOUTH AMERICA: Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires departing January 26 for 21-days

• Visit Rio (overnight), Ilha Grande, Parati, Ilhabela, Sao Paulo, Itajai, Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia (overnight), Punta del Este, BA (overnight).
• Free Rio pre-cruise hotel night
• Verandas from $5099, with $500 Shore Ex credit.

JAPAN INTENSIVE:  Tokyo round-trip departing April 1 for 12 days

• Visit Tokyo, Nagoya, Kochi, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Busan, Hiroshima, Beppu, Kyoto (overnight), Shimizu, Toyko.
• Free Tokyo pre-cruise hotel night.
• Prices from $5499 with a $300 Shore Ex credit.

All OCEANIA cruises fares include all taxes and fees, beer/wine with meals, specialty dining, wifi, and the shore excursion credit as indicated. 

UNIWORLD SALE ON SELECT 2024 ITINERARIES

Uniworld has some really competitive pricing on a number of itineraries on select dates, if you’re ready to go in 2024.  I’ve put a few examples below, and here’s the complete list:

https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/current-offers/2024-cruise-savings

PROVENCE, PARIS & NORMANDY:  Arles to Paris departing October 27 for 15-days

• Visit Arles (overnight), Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Lyon, Beaune, high-speed train to Paris, La Roche Guyon, Vernon, Giverny, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Normandy Beaches, Versailles, Paris (overnight).
• This cruise has wine, roman ruins, and farm to table cuisine, urban experiences in Paris and Lyon, and a visit to the Normandy Landing Beaches. 
• $6799 with a $150 on board credit.  This is great value on a per-day basis. 

NORTHERN ITALY:  Milan to Venice for 10 days (several departures)

• Visit Milan for 2-nights in a hotel, and then transfer to Venice where you board the ship, and visit several places around the Venetian Lagoon including Burano, Mazzorbo, and Chioggia.  Trip includes 4 UNESCO world heritage sites. 
• Optional Lake Como pre-trip extension for 2 nights, AND/OR post-trip extension to Athens & Santorini. 
• Departures July 12 for $3899.  September 6 or 27 for $3199.  

PORTUGAL & SPAIN: Porto to Lisbon for 11-days

• Visit Porto, Entre-os-rios, Regua, Pocinho, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Barca d’Alva, transfer to Lisbon for 3 hotel nights.
• Fares from $3899 on November 17 or 24
• Fares from $2999 on July 21 or 28 (Flash Sale… only while space permits)

Uniworld includes transfers, a choice of shore excursions in every port, an open bar, gratuities, and wifi on the ship. 

HAWAII ONE-WEEK Honolulu ROUND TRIP.

Norwegian is not normally a cruise line we promote, but they are the ONLY ones offering a Hawaiian Cruise that doesn’t require a trans-Pacific stop in Vancouver or Mexico as part of the itinerary.  

• Visit Kahului (Overnight), Hilo, Kona, Kauai (overnight).
• Includes Beverage Package, Specialty Dining, Shore Excursion credit, and Wifi.  ALSO for the next week only, we can get you FREE PREPAID GRATUITIES on Balcony Staterooms and above. This is ONLY available to the 29^th, and only through our agency.  
• December departures from $2449, and January departures from $2699.  This itinerary is available every Saturday, so inquire for pricing on alternate dates. 

IRELAND ONE WEEK LAND-CRUISE with TAUCK

• Shannon to Dublin for 7-nights.  
• Visit Shannon, Cead Mile Failte, Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Blarney, Cork, Kinsale, Ballyknocken, Dublin, Glendalough, Wicklow Hills.
• Spend 2-nights as a guest at Dromoland Castle. 
• Departures June through October form $6390.

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line (or on board), that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.

We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.

We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.

There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).

If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.

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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

You may have noticed we don’t normally talk much about Holland America Line (HAL).  

Apparently they’ve noticed too… but more on that in a minute. (Spoiler Alert – book a Holland America cruise through Pampered Cruiser during the next 2 weeks and get an additional 5-12% discount above and beyond anything publicly available).

On the ocean, we would categorize anything fewer than 1000 guests as a “small ship”.  HAL’s smallest ship falls outside that, with 1400 guests (and their largest ship, the new Rotterdam, holds 2650).  So even though Holland America’s ships do not qualify as ‘small ships’, their LARGEST ship holds fewer than HALF the number of guests compared to those big mega ships offered by other companies.

So why might you want to look at Holland America?  

The most important criteria when selecting a cruise vacation is the itinerary, so if you find a Holland America  itinerary you like, that’s the first and most important reason.  Second, the price point will be lower than a luxury cruise line because HAL’s slightly larger ships give them a price advantage.

Here’s a quick look at why you might want to have Holland America on your radar.

Alaska:

• Most of our business is river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises.  However, we do sell a fair number of HAL cruises – particularly in Alaska where between them and Princess, they pretty much dominate the market for that destination.  If you’re going to Alaska, we will almost always suggest you consider Holland America even if you normally choose a luxury cruise line with smaller ships.
• HAL has 6 ships in Alaska this year, so there are tons of options.  There are literally dozens of different land-sea combinations with HAL in Alaska. 
• HAL has hotel/lodge properties in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Seward, Alyeska, Talkeetna, Whitehorse, Dawson City, and Skagway.  
• HAL’s show-piece in Alaska is the McKinley Chalet Resort in Denali with a 68-acre campus.
• HAL are the only ones offering Cruise Tour options to the Yukon Territory that can be done in conjunction with a visit to Denali.
• HAL has dedicated rail cars exclusively for their clients on the Alaska Rail system.  Every HAL Alaska Cruise Tour includes some time on the rails – the very best way to see the interior of Alaska.

Also:

• HAL’s mid-sized ships are a nice balance between being large enough to have lots of dining and entertainment choices, and small enough you’re not walking the length of three football fields to get to the dining room.
• The entertainment is geared to those of us in the 45+ age range.  A dueling piano lounge, and the BB King Blues Room are examples of this.  They also have the production shows, and a night club, for those looking for the traditional offerings. Bob and I really enjoy the entertainment wherever we travel, and we think the entertainment on board HAL ships is very well done.

Exclusive (Private) Sale Prices:

• HAL wants to work with more Pampered Cruiser clients, so they’ve arranged a 2-week private sale with us that gives YOU the very best value.
• Get 5% to 12% off publicly available rates. This discount is exclusive to our agency (ONLY if you book through Pampered Cruiser within the next 2 weeks), and is not available if you book directly with HAL or another travel agency.  Note: this kind of discount is very unusual.  As you may know, normally when you book through us you’ll pay exactly the same price compared to booking directly with the cruise line (this applies to any cruise line).  We always add extra perks to your reservation compared to booking direct, but a price discount like this is rare indeed.
• The best part about this promotion is that the exclusive price discount IS combinable with all the other publicly available HAL promotions that are offered right now (and there are a lot of them!).  This is unusual and exceptional, because cruise lines often feature “select sailings” OR they don’t allow you to combine promos.  In this case, you don’t have to compare promotions to see which would be a better deal for you.  You can choose ANY cruise and get all the goodies.
• Book a Holland America cruise with us in the next 2 weeks, and here’s what you’ll get:
  • 5% – 12% OFF ‘Have It All’ fares you see on their website.  Cruise-only fares are NOT eligible.
  • ‘Have It All’ Amenities: Beverage Package, Shore Excursion Credit, Specialty Dining.
  • Anniversary Sale Goodies:  Reduced fares and additional onboard credits.
  • Virtuoso and Group Amenities only available through our Agency:  Additional onboard credits, and in Alaska, tickets to the Music of Denali Dinner Theatre.
  • On-Stage Alaska:  Up to $350 in additional on board credits.
  • For 2025 Alaska bookings, we can also get you Free Prepaid Gratuities, and an upgraded wifi and drink package. 
  • Mariner Club Members and Carnival Corporation Shareholders will also get their usual benefits. 

When you layer all these things together, this offer is pretty hard to beat. 

Click for more details: https://www.dtspotlight.com/pamperedcruiser/en/cruise/13771/Limited-Time-Offer-to-Alaska-with-Holland-America

THE FINE PRINT:  Cruises less than 7 days, World Cruises, and Caribbean sailings less than 2 weeks are excluded.  Percentage discount is available on HAVE IT ALL fares only.

2024 Examples:

ALASKA Denali Cruise Tour

• Fairbanks to Vancouver for 12-days departing July 30 (with 3 nights at Denali).
• Visit Fairbanks, Denali (3 nights), Anchorage, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver.
• Verandas from $4749 pp.

ALASKA Yukon & Denali Cruise Tour

• This one is great for those that have perhaps already taken a cruise to Alaska, but not done the land portion.  HAL is the only cruise line visiting Yukon. 
• Vancouver round-trip for 18-days departing July 24 (includes flights on tour)
• Visit Vancouver, Whitehorse, Dawson City, Fairbanks, Denali (3 nights), Anchorage, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver.
• Verandas from $5405 pp.

MEDITERRANEAN: Athens to Rome departing October 19 for 28 days 

• Visit Athens, Mykonos, Istanbul (overnight), Ephesus, Rhodes, Crete, Malta (overnight), Sicily, Olympia, Corfu, Kotor, Split, Venice (overnight), Dubrovnik, Albania, Argostoli, Messina, Naples, Rome.
• Verandas from $4959 pp.

JAPAN:  Tokyo to Hong Kong departing October 27 for 14-days.

• Visit Tokyo, Osaka (overnight), Naha, Ishigaki, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Manila, Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Hong Kong
• Verandas from $4699 pp.

2025 Examples:

ALASKA Denali Cruise Tour

• Seattle round-trip departing May 26, 2025 for 13-days.
• Visit Seattle, Fairbanks, Denali 3, Anchorage, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver, Seattle
• Verandas from $5049 pp.  Includes Pre-Paid Gratuities and upgraded Beverage Package

ALASKA Yukon & Denali Cruise Tour

• Vancouver round-trip departing May 21 for 18-days.
• Visit Vancouver, Dawson City, Fairbanks, Denali (3 nights), Anchorage, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver.
• Verandas from $5919.  Includes Pre-Paid Gratuities and upgraded Beverage Package

NORWEGIAN FJORDS & SCOTLAND departing London (round-trip) June 14, 2025 for 14-days

• Visit Rotterdam, Nordfjordeid, Trondheim, Honningsvag, Tromso, Leknes, Shetland Islands, Invergordon, Edinburgh, London
• Verandas from $4169.  Includes Pre-Paid Gratuities and upgraded Beverage Package

NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA departing February 2, 2025 for 14-nights

• Visit Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch, Picton, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Auckland.
• Verandas from $3098 pp.

Pop-Up Sale with AMA Waterways: Free Gratuities 

If you’re in the market for a European River Cruise in 2024, then we can get free pre-paid gratuities thrown in for bookings made in the next week.  

Click here for more details: https://www.dtspotlight.com/pamperedcruiser/en/cruise/14923/Exclusive-Pop-Up-Sale-with-AmaWaterways

Here are three examples:

Danube River from Budapest to Vilshofen departing August 10 for one week:

• Visit Budapest (overnight), Bratislava, Vienna, Wachau Valley, Linz, Passau, Vilshofen (overnight)
• Fares from $2999 pp (represents $1000 off) with a $150 per person on board credit.

Christmas Markets from Amsterdam to Basel departing December 19 for one week:

• Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Dusseldorf, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel
• French Balconies from $3848 pp ($1500 off per stateroom) with $150 pp OBC.

Provence & Lyon, France departing December 12 for one week:

• Visit Arles (overnight), Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Vienne, Lyon (overnight).
• Bob and I did this itinerary in December 2023 (ie same time of year).  See our video blog here:  https://youtu.be/H2rBL8J7DIU 
• Fares from $3098 pp ($2000 off per stateroom) with a $150 pp OBC.

Have something to say about this?

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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

A few of you have asked recently about products we do and don’t sell, so I thought I’d offer a bit more information here.  Most of our business is cruise, but please do ask, and if we can’t help you, we’ll let you know.  

To make a go of it in travel now, you really do have to be specialized, if for no other reason than our clients are much more educated than they used to be.  The internet really did change the travel business, and (I believe) for the better.  There are still the occasional strip-mall travel agencies that will do whatever you ask them to, but it’s unlikely those folks have travelled much themselves, and it’s IMPOSSIBLE for them to be experts at everything.

• Our Specialty is small ship ocean cruises, river cruises, expedition cruises and “land-cruises”.  Land cruises are those packaged land tours that are structured much like cruises.
• Pre & Post cruise extensions.  Most of our clients add a few days before or after their cruise, and we can help with that.  Most often it is extensions offered by the cruise lines, but some of our clients prefer to do their own thing.
• We share files – you’ll probably speak with Kim or Bob on the phone.  They divide incoming requests based on which one of them has been to a destination most recently.  For the details after you’ve booked, you’ll probably most often deal with me or Peri.  When you contact us, we will direct your request to whomever is most qualified to deal it.
• We DON’T run a call center – we will always get back to you within 24 hours, but it’s unlikely if you phone you’ll get through immediately.  We do our very best, but those requiring instant attention are better suited to dealing with an organization with a call center.
• We’re Mom & Pop… with scale.  We like the personal and small business nature of how we operate.  Our affiliation with Virtuoso enables us to have the benefits of a huge agency, while having the personal touch of a small business
• The Virtuoso Network.  We are part of this invitation-only travel consortium.  This gives us access to additional amenities and benefits that are not available if you book direct.  Virtuoso has about 20,000 travel agents world-wide, and Bob and I have been recognized as “Cruise-Icons” because our sales place us in the top 1% of this group.
• We travel (not all travel agents do) – we think this is critical to providing the best advice and support to our clients.  Our team is large enough now, that when any one of us is travelling, there are still people available to respond to your queries.  Bob and I just got back from the Mediterranean with Viking Ocean, and I’m proud to say nobody really noticed we were gone until we started posting on Facebook!
• We work from wherever there is a good internet connection.  We recently changed our office location to Stamford Connecticut, but we don’t envision being there much.  In the winter months, we spend a lot of time in Mexico, and our summers normally take to Canada, and many points in between.  We are digital nomads… and loving it.  

We’re not trying to be all things to all people (that never works).  Instead we try to be clear on what we do, and don’t do.  

Today’s Travel Opportunities

SEABOURN SAIL BEYOND

Seabourn has a small fleet of ships that hold between 264 and 600.  They differentiate on service with their signature “Seabourn Moments”.  My experience with this is when I walked into the Observation Lounge on the third or fourth day of my cruise, and waiter walked over a couple of minutes later with the drink I had ordered previously… without having to order!  Seabourn doesn’t have butlers, and there are no tuxedos or ball gowns on board.  It’s a high end, casual luxury offering.  

The Seabourn Sail Beyond event nets you a 2 category cabin location upgrade, and a minimum $500 per person on board credit:

CARIBBEAN: Bridgetown, Barbados round-trip departing November 23 for 7 nights

• Visit St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, St. John’s Carambola Beach, Grenada
• Fares start at $4999 per person.

UK & Ireland round-trip from London for 14-nights departing September 7

• Visit Portland, St. Malo, Fishguard, Isle of Man, Belfast, Isle of Bute, Orban, Ullapool, Newhaven, Newcastle, Great Yarmouth.
• Fares start at $8999 per person

JAPAN intensive round-trip Tokyo departing April 13, 2025 for 14 days

• Visit Naha, Taipei (overnight), Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Shimizu, Yokohama 
• Fares from $10,599

Seabourn fares include all taxes and fees, an open bar, gratuities, specialty dining, and Seabourn’s famous luxury service. 

DOMESTIC LAND CRUISES

You’ve been asking for more domestic (and Canada) offers, so here’s a couple to consider.

Southwest National Parks from Phoenix to Rapid City for 11-nights

• Visit 5 National Parks starting in Scottsdale, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Marble Canyon (Navajo Bridge), Zion NP, Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone NP, Cody (Buffalo Bill Center), Mount Rushmore, Rapid City.
• Several departures from May through October from $4999 per person

Canadian Rockies by Rail from Vancouver to Calgary for 8-nights

• Visit Vancouver, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, & Calgary
• Several departures from May through September from $5499 per person

VIKING WORLD CRUISE

These long cruises aren’t for everyone, but if you’re ready to be away for 4 months, early next year, then this one caught my eye:

• LA to London for 121 days departing January 5, 2025
• Visit Hawaii, Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Australia, SE Asia, India, the Mediterranean.  
• See full itinerary here:  https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/world-grand/viking-world-journeys/index.html?startLocation=los-angeles-california&endLocation=london&year=2025 
• Includes all taxes and fees, Business Class air, transfers, a shore excursion in every port, wifi on the ship, Silver Spirits beverage package, specialty dining, gratuities, all visas, luggage shipping, $1000 pp shore-ex credit, and $1000 per person on board credit.
• $44,995 per person for a Deluxe Veranda (more than $10,000 off the listed price) 

If you’re looking for something a bit shorter, here’s a Mediterranean and Africa itinerary for those that have already been there a few times:

• Barcelona round-trip for 16-days
• Visit Marseille, Corsica, Rome, Malta (overnight), Tunisia, Algiers, Casablanca, Seville, Grenada.  
• Several departures November 2024 through March 2025 from $6999 per person

CHRISTMAS MARKETS FOR FAMILIES

Some of you have asked about taking kids or grandchildren on a Christmas Markets cruise.  Here’s one:

Tauck Danube River from Vienna to Passau for 7-nights

• Visit Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Wachau Valley, Salzburg, Passau.
• Besides visits to Christmas Markets, there are also activities planned for younger people.
• 2024:  December 20 or 27 from $4490 per person
• 2025:  December 21, 22, or 28 from $4590 per person

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line (or on board), that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.

We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.

We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.

There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).

If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0zo6tuP1waqTMGAyiBS8Mb8GjK9d3u5C2xKCks3ZKDmNfU5cEMkwwQKeXkuEpEriBl

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley