New travel products don’t come along very often – particularly in the cruise sector. Virgin Voyages has attempted it – but that product is not quite right for our clients (although if you’re a 30-something looking to get a tattoo on vacation, it’s perfect!).

Explora Journeys is luxury lifestyle brand being created from scratch. They surveyed 20,000 travellers (only some of whom considered themselves cruisers) about their vacation and travel preferences. They then used this information to create this brand that launches in July of 2023 (with one ship per year coming out until they have 6 vessels in operation).

Here’s what we really love about what Explora Journeys has created:

1. Spacious Suites – the entry-level stateroom on their ships is a 377 square foot suite with a king-sized bed, walk-in closet, and a veranda (or “terrace” as they call them) large enough for 2 chairs AND a daybed for soaking up the sun.
2. Inclusions – the fare includes an open bar (including in-suite mini-bar), all specialty dining, gratuities, transfers, taxes/fees, high speed internet… it really includes everything other than shore excursions (that they call “shore experiences”). This is because the feedback they received in their survey indicated that guests would rather make their own decisions about allocating dollars to shore excursions. To be clear – the cruise lines that include shore excursions are not offering them free – they are simply pre-paid. With Explora you have the choice.
3. Dining – there isn’t a main dining room, where everyone shows up at an appointed time. Instead, much like a land resort, there are a variety of choices (9 of them!) where you can either make a reservation OR come as a “walk up”. One of the restaurants will be themed for the area through which you are travelling (e.g., when you’re in Greece, it will be a Greek restaurant). Frank Garanger, the Head of Culinary, was formerly with Oceania, so we are expecting great things with Explora’s culinary program.
4. Entertainment – much like the restaurant situation, there is no big main theatre that cranks out the Vegas-style production shows. Instead, there are wide variety of smaller venues (10 of them!) with different styles and types of entertainment, that are intended for you to drop in to see (no more setting your watch to rush through dinner to make the show).
5. Size – With 900 guests, the ships are small enough to offer a luxury experience, and large enough to be able to offer the multiple food and entertainment venues mentioned above.
6. Price – Currently the entry level price point (remember, no matter which room you choose, you’ll have a huge veranda suite with a king bed) is between $350 and $600 per person, per day. With all the inclusions, this translates to really good value – particularly when you compare it to a European urban city stay (which it resembles more so than a cruise, in many ways). Explora has already revealed that their prices will increase (not decrease) as the departure date approaches. Right now, with Explora trying to attract new guests, the pricing is at a real sweet spot. Prices are scheduled to increase in mid-December and again in mid-January.
7. Itineraries – Most itineraries start and finish in major ports, making air arrangements very easy. In between, you’ll visit many lesser-known places, which makes this perfect for people who have travelled extensively. You’ll get to the out-of-the-way places, but you don’t have to take a private plane or multiple connections to access them.
8. Itineraries (Part 2) – there are many 6-to-10-day itineraries you can combine with the segment immediately before or after, meaning you can string together cruises if you want to be on board longer (and you won’t repeat any ports). When staying at a hotel, you can pick your check-in and check-out dates… Explora Journeys has come as close you can to replicating that on a moving vessel.
9. Casual European Luxury – often, luxury cruise lines have things like caviar luncheons and butlers with white gloves. Some people love that stuff. Others in that situation (like me) feel like Gilligan on a ship full of Mr. & Mrs. Howells. Explora has struck the perfect balance between luxury, food, beverage, amenities and service that you can enjoy in a golf shirt (not a tuxedo).

Bob and I are amongst a small number of travel agents on the Advisory Board for this exciting new brand. As such, we can get you an exclusive 300 Euro Journey Experience Credit on 7+ night itineraries.

We just posted a new video about Explora Journeys on our YouTube channel. Bob interviews Aimee Price – the Head of Sales for USA West and Canada. Besides participating in an in-depth discussion of what to expect from Explora Journeys, Aimee also provided a bunch of photos and videos about the ships and their amenities. Watch the Video Here: https://youtu.be/qxtqmE94EBg

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel while you’re there!

Bob and I just signed up to travel with Explora Journeys, departing October 3rd, 2023 (10 nights from Quebec City to New York City). Why not join us?

The segment immediately before ours is appealing too – it’s the North American Inaugural Sailing for Explora, which will be an exciting celebration, and the timing is such that the fall colours should be on full display. Depart Sept. 25th, 2023 (8 nights from New York to Quebec City).

We’ve arranged for anyone who books through us on either of these 2 departures to get a 600 Euro per stateroom Journey Experience Credit (instead of the already-good 300 Euro credit mentioned earlier).

This is a good example of how you can combine two itineraries. If you do, you’ll be on board for 18 nights (Sept. 25th – Oct. 13th, 2023), New York round trip and you’ll receive a discount for choosing back-to-back cruises.

You also have the option to save 10% on these cruises (and others) if you choose to pay in full at time of booking.

Bob and I are super excited about Explora Journeys, and we hope you decide to join us on board next fall! Remember, prices will be going up mid-December, and again in mid-January. Lock in today’s ‘value pricing’ with a 25% deposit and Explora’s flexible booking policy which gives you flexibility to make changes if your circumstances change.

Today’s Travel Opportunities

All of today’s travel opportunities are examples from Explora Journeys:

England & Scotland

1. 10-days departing August 24, 2023 (London to Glasgow).
2. Visit Edinburgh (overnight), Newcastle, Invergordon, Stornoway, Greencastle, Liverpool.
3. $6050 per person

Scotland & Iceland

1. 8-days departing September 2, 2023 (Glasgow to Reykjavik).
2. Visit Fort William, Portree, Kirkwall, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands.
3. $3545 per person.

Canada / New England

1. 11-days departing October 3, 2023 (Quebec to NYC).
2. Visit Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, Havre Saint Pierre, Charlottetown, Halifax, overnight in NYC.
3. $5350 per person.

Eastern Caribbean

1. 8-days departing November 10, 2023 (San Juan to Miami)
2. Visit Saint Barthe, Saint Kitts, Dominican Republic, Bahamas,
3. $2750 per person.

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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

One question we are often asked is “when is the best time to book a cruise?”.  This is a really good question in the context of Black Friday & Cyber Monday.  Is this really a good time to buy a cruise or packaged land vacation?

Maybe… but most of it is pure marketing hype when you dig into the details.  Like the retailers you deal with at home, the cruise lines have different pricing strategies that may impact what you’ll pay.  Here’s a look at those strategies, and who employs them:

Book Early to Save.  With these products, the earlier you buy it, the better the price you’ll get.  Companies that employ this strategy actually increase prices the closer to departure.  In some cases, it is done on a calendar basis (prices go up on X-date), or on a capacity basis (the first X cabins are at Y, price, and then it increases after that).  Explora Journey and Oceania use this pricing strategy.

Wait to the Last Minute to Save.  Companies that sell this way, sell as much as they can, and then when it gets close to departure, they mark-down what’s left to try to get something for it.  When a ship leaves, and a cabin is empty, it is the very definition of a “perishable” product.  You can do well if you’re buying this type of product, as long as you’re not set on your dates, or fussy about what type of cabin you want.  The mass-market cruise lines employ this strategy – so it’s worth waiting if you’re flexible.  We see this a lot in the Caribbean market.

Precision Marketing Campaigns – Companies that market this way use big data to finely target their marketing strategies and pricing.  There is normally a set price on these products, but there may be dozens of highly targeted promo or discount codes.  Such promo codes usually offer extra amenities, but sometimes have additional discounts or credits.  Viking is master of such campaigns, but we have seen other companies try their hand at it as well.

Pandemonium Marketing – This is where there is no discernable patterns to the pricing strategy, and the cancellation and rebooking conditions are punitive enough to rule out re-faring.  In this situation, it is possible two different people will pay a radically different price for the same product (which is infuriating).  From the consumer point of view, it looks like mass-confusion, but companies that employ this strategy purposely generate such confusion as a way to maximize their bottom line.  The airlines practice this strategy will great success.

Rotating Promotion with Equal Value – Many of the luxury cruise lines employ this strategy.  The actual price really doesn’t change but they rotate extra goodies, that ultimately means everything works out the same (this way they don’t have re-fare those who booked earlier).  For example, one month it might be a stateroom upgrade, and the next month perhaps an additional onboard credit.  The “book value” is the same… just the specifics change.  This allows them to have “specials” without discounting the product (a big no-no for any luxury brand).

The bottom line for those of us buying cruise and packaged land vacations is to understand the inclusions and how much we value them.  On the mass-market cruise lines, your fare might be $100 per night, but your room charges can easily exceed what you paid to get on the vessel.  The higher-end lines will cost you more to get on board, but maybe you don’t have ANY room charges.

So, is Black Friday worth the hype?

It’s possible you’ll end up with some incredible deal.  Keep in mind that cruise and packaged land vacations are usually structured to make them fully re-bookable (or cancellable) until 3 or 4 months prior to departure.

There is no chance suppliers are going to put themselves in a position of having to re-fare everyone because they have a Black Friday Sale.  What you might see is incredible incentives to travel in the next 3 or 4 months, because the cruise lines are under no obligation to re-fare anyone departing that quickly.  The higher end brands don’t play such games, but if you’re looking for cheap cruise getaway on a floating amusement park, then Black Friday might work out really well for you.

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Oceania Free On-Board Gratuities – Only available till Nov. 30th
Oceania does a very good job of “segmented luxury”.  The onboard product is excellent (particularly the culinary program), and you have the choice of paying cruise only OR their O-Life Package that also includes air and your choice of some goodies.  Get free pre-paid gratuities (value up to $500!) on 61 sailings in 2023 and 2024 – bookings must be made by Nov. 30th.  Here are a few examples:

• Miami round-trip for 8-days departing January 24.  Veranda staterooms at $2399 per person.
• Seattle round-trip for 10-days departing August 18 or 28.  Verandas at $4799 pp.
• New York round-trip to Bermuda for 7-days departing September 20 at $2499 p.  This is a great cruise if you wanted to try out small-ship cruising!!

Uniworld Sale on Spring River Cruises – Only available until Nov 26th
Uniworld’s Boutique River Cruise Collection is running a flash sale until November 26.  Remember that Uniworld includes transfers, a choice of shore excursion in every port, an open bar, and wifi on the ship.  Here’s a few examples:

• Budapest to Passau departing May 7 for 8-days.  Window: $2199 pp / French Balcony $4399 per person.
• Paris to Normandy departing March 26 for 8-days.  W: $2499 pp.  FB: $3899 pp
• Venice & Northern Italy departing May 14 for 8-days.  W: $2299 pp.  FB: $3399 pp

Here’s a link to the complete list of sailings included in the Flash Sale:
https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/current-offers/2023-flash-sale

Hurtigruten
Sail on the first hybrid-electric cruise ship, OR take advantage of Hurtigruten’s Northern Lights Promise if you want to see them from a ship:

• Antarctica and the Falkland Islands for 16-days departing February 24 for $9871 per person.
• Northern Lights Cruise round-trip from Dover (England) departing February 4 for 15-days for $5453 per person.  If you don’t see the Northern Lights, they’ll give you another cruise!!
• Irish Sea round-trip from Glasgow departing April 2 for 7-days for $3405 pp.  Visit Isle of Man, Giant’s Causeway, Belfast, Dublin.

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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

Today is Veterans Day.  So first of all, THANK YOU to all who have served, and to those who continue to serve. 

In the Commonwealth Nations, this day has been observed since the end of the First World War and was originally called “Armistice Day” because it occurred on the anniversary of the end of that horrible war.  Today, they call it “Remembrance Day”, which is a very appropriate name for what we should be doing today.

Many of our clients have taken river cruises that begin or end in Basel, Switzerland.  What makes this little town so interesting is its location in the context of 20th Century history.  Basel is politically inside of Switzerland (which was neutral in both wars), but when you stand in Basel by the Rhine River, you can see across to Germany on one side, and France on the other.  This view was probably very interesting at the height of those two World Wars.

Today in Basel, many of our clients walk from Switzerland to France  to Germany, and then back into Basel without so much as a check point.  This remarkable freedom did not come without a very big price, and we can’t ever stop reminding ourselves of that.

Today, Germany and France share a currency, and the border between the two countries looks more like crossing a state line here at home.  Both these conditions would have seemed preposterous a hundred years ago. 

Some people want to use today as an excuse to comment or argue on the current state of the world, or they argue that it glorifies war.  This misses the point of why we observe Veterans Day.  Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and a handful of US States observe November 11th as a statutory holiday to enable people to attend parades and ceremonies that honors all those young people that went to fight in Europe, Asia, and Africa.  Like the US, their territory was not directly threatened by either war. 

We all sent our sons and daughters anyway… and many of them didn’t come home again.

Today, you can board a river ship in Basel, and sail to Amsterdam with Germany on one side of the ship, and France on the other.

That’s worth remembering… and that’s why we observe Veterans Day.

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Paris and Normandy with Uniworld:

8-day departures round-trip from Paris starting at $3959 per person in April 2023.

1. Visit La Roche Guyon, Vernon (for Monet’s Gardens), Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Normandy Beaches, Versailles, and Paris.  Here’s a link to our YouTube channel from when we did this cruise:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVEP9ouRrZGrhocmhYp7EUPW
2. Uniworld trips include transfers, an open bar, a choice of shore excursions at every port, wifi on the ship, and on board gratuities.  Our Agency can also get you an additional $150 per person on board credit. 

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Land Cruise:

1. 10- days from Edinburgh to London starting at $2999 in August 2023.
2. Visit Edinburgh, York, Chester, Stratford-upon-Avon, and London.
3. See:  Cities, castles, a performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Roman ruins, Shakespeare’s home and grave.

Explora Journeys – if you’d rather see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo by ship:

1. 10-days from London to Glasgow starting at $6050 in August 2023.
2. Visit Edinburgh (overnight), Newcastle, Invergordon, Stornoway, Greencastle, and Liverpool.
3. Explora Journeys’ prices includes the largest suites at sea with a huge veranda, an open bar, specialty dining, on-board gratuities, and wifi on the ship.

Holland America:

1. HAL has ships in just about every cruise ship market in the world, and they are offering an additional $100 on board credit for all active, retired, and veteran military guests.
2. Reach out to us for help choosing the right HAL itinerary for you. 

$500 onboard credit with Viking Cruises:

Viking Ocean is offering an additional $500 on board credit on select departures in 2023.  Here are a few examples:

Hawaii & Polynesia Grand Adventure departing November 10, 2023, round-trip from Los Angeles (33-days)

1. Veranda cabins start at $10,999 per person
2. Visit Hawaii (4 stops), Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti (overnight), Marquesas, and San Diego.

Panama Canal from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles departing October 24, 2023 (18 days)

1. Veranda cabins start at $5999 per person
2. Visit Cozumel, Cartagena, Colon, Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Leon, Cabo San Lucas.

Puerto Rico to Brazil departing November 26, 2023 from San Juan to Manaus (13-days)

1. Veranda Cabins start at $4299 per person
2. Visit Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, French Guiana, Amazon cruise day, Santarem (Brazil), Parintins (Brazil).

Remember we can get you an additional $100 per person onboard credit on any Viking cruise (River/Ocean/Expedition). Already booked direct with Viking? Please get in touch as soon as possible so I can add the onboard credit to your existing reservation.

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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

Bar Harbor, Maine is going through gyrations right now, of considering limiting the number of cruise ship passengers that disembark on a given day.  Bar Harbor joins other coastal communities like Venice, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; and Key West, Florida. 

The media defaults to presenting this as a binary issue (like they do with just about everything), meaning that either:

a. Cruise ship traffic is a significant contributor to local economies, and as such Bar Harbor is out of its collective mind for biting the hand that feeds it, OR

b. Cruise ships are the root of all evil, and harmony will not exist in the universe until they are all sent to the scrap yard.

It is disappointing that an actual discussion, based on fact and nuance is elusive.  I would like to presume there are enough intelligent people out there capable of such a debate. 

Here’s why this is an important discussion (and some of the subtleties that escapes most media commentary about the issue).

1. There is some truth to both A and B above.  Tourist dollars are a vital part of many economies… particularly in smaller cities and towns globally.  Cruise ships bring consumers to places that often otherwise would not get them.
2. These same small towns are not well served when overwhelmed by cruise ship traffic.  Skagway, Alaska is a great illustration of this.  With a permanent population of 800 people, it is entirely overwhelmed several times during the summer when four or more vessels show up and disgorge 15,000 or more passengers.
3. In these small ports, those providing shore excursions or selling T-shirts do fairly well.  However, cruise ship passengers DON’T buy hotel rooms, and they only spend minimally for restaurants or other services they get on their ships. 
4. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Vancouver and Seattle do well – people come in pre/post, and the cruise ships fill up with provisions at these ports.  The small ports… not so much.
5. It’s really difficult to staff businesses that are only viable on days that cruise ships are in port.  Alaska is largely staffed by summer students from Washington and Oregon.

What happens next?

There will not be some big coordinated regulatory change here.  We’re talking about multiple jurisdictions in many countries.  One of the things we learned during the pandemic is that smaller countries are not afraid to exert their authority over who comes and goes from their shores.  This is a good thing.

Instead, decisions will be made at a local level that best suit the interests of the local people.  This is what is happening in Bar Harbor, and what happened in Palm Beach.  The balance between commercial opportunity, and quality of life of the people that live there is also a good thing.

So, what might this mean for cruise ship passengers?  We can look at what has already happened to predict the future:

Venice – After musing about it for years, the Italians went cold turkey, and there are no cruise ships (carrying more than 200 passengers) in the Venetian Lagoon.  When you depart from Venice now, your ship will be docked in Fusina, Chioggia, Bologna, or Genoa.

Private Islands –all the mega-ship cruise lines have them, and it’s a trend that will probably continue in the Caribbean.  It is less clear if it will gain traction in other parts of the world.  The catch:  these port stops are manufactured by the cruise line – it’s really an extension of being on the ship. 

Cruises to Nowhere – We saw some of this during the pandemic.  This works great when the ship is the destination (like most mega-ships operating in the Caribbean).  There is often a “compliance” stop in a foreign port for a few hours, but otherwise, you’re at sea the whole time. 

Rationing of shore excursions – This has been in place in protected sites and National Parks for several years.  It is a trend we could see amplified.  In Antarctica, for example, a maximum of 100 people at a time are permitted on land from ships with a maximum of 500 people.

More delineation in cruising – Big ships will end up at big ship ports, and small ships will visit different ports of call.  This is already happening to a certain degree, so look for this to continue. 

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Oceania FREE Land Packages (choose from 15 cruises)

Oceania is offering free pre- or post-cruise land packages on several 2023 departures.  Here’s a few examples:

South Africa & Namibia

1. Capetown round-trip departing January 6, 2023 (12-days).
2. $4199 per person Ocean View, $5399 per person Veranda. 
3. Visit Walvis Bay Namibia (overnight), Port Elizabeth, Durban (overnight), Richard’s Bay, Mossel Bay
4. Round-trip air add-on $1600 pp
5. FREE 4-days land extension in Capetown with included tours to a penguin colony, wineries at Stellenbosch, and a private game reserve.

Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & Singapore

1. Bangkok to Singapore departing February 19, 2023 (10-days)
2. Visit Bangkok (overnight), Ko Samui, Cambodia, Nha Trang (Vietnam), Saigon (2 nights), Singapore
3. Oceanview $4299 per person, Balcony $5499 per person
4. Round-trip air add-on $1500 pp
5. FREE 4-day land extension to either Ankgor Wat OR Singapore (your choice)

New Zealand & Australia

1. Sydney round-trip departing February 13, 2023 (15-days)
2. Oceanview $6899 per person, Balcony $8999 per person
3. Visit Hobart, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Rotorua, Auckland, Bay of Islands.
4. Round-trip air add-on $1700 pp
5. FREE 4-day land extension to Sydney OR journey to the Blue Mountains (your choice).

I can’t list all the cruises, but if you’ve ever wanted to pre- or post- in the following cities (for FREE), get in touch with us and we can provide more details:

1. Lima, Peru
2. Santiago, Chile
3. Mumbai, India
4. Tokyo, Japan
5. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
6. Dubai, UAE

AMA Waterways FREE Land Packages

Over on the rivers, AMA is offering something very similar.  The overwhelming majority of our clients end up extending their vacations pre or post in Europe anyway, so these are worth a look:

Douro River – Spain & Portugal

1. Round-trip river cruise from Porto in July & August (multiple dates) – 7-nights
2. Prices start at $4099 per person.
3. FREE 3-night land extension to Lisbon.

Rhine River – Switzerland, France, Germany, Netherlands

1. Travel from Basel to Amsterdam for 7-nights.
2. Prices from $2999 per person (March 2023), or $3899 per person (July 2023)
3. FREE 4-night land extension in Switzerland (2-nights Zurich, 2-nights Lucerne)

Saone River – France (Provence)

1. Travel between Lyon and Arles for 7-nights
2. Prices start at $3299 per person (March), or $4199 per person (July or August)
3. FREE 3-night land extension in Paris, OR
4. FREE 3-night land extension in Barcelona.

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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

There are many things about other countries that I never fully understood until I visited them (one of the many benefits of travel), so when we talk to our clients about their trip plans, we sometimes end up offering some trivia in geography and social studies. Alex Trebek has nothing on us!.  Here are some of those discussions. 

Europe is much further north than we perceive.  Venice (in southern Europe) and Montreal (in Canada) are at approximately the same latitude.  The overwhelming majority of Europe is well north of the Canadian border.  Ketchikan, Alaska and Edinburgh, Scotland are at the same latitude!

Alaska is much bigger and further away than you think.  You’re probably aware that Texas is less than one-third the size of Alaska, but did you know that Vancouver is closer to Mexico than it is to Anchorage?  One of our clients wanted to rent a car and drive between Anchorage and Vancouver, until I told her it was 2200 miles – about the same as driving from Chicago to Vancouver.

Ireland is two countries.  The Republic of Ireland is part of Europe, uses the Euro as its currency, and the capital is Dublin.  It is home to 5 million people and the President is Michael Higgins.  Northern Ireland is part of the UK, uses Pound Sterling as its currency, and the capital is Belfast.  It is home to 2 million people, and the Prime Minister is xxxx (insert whoever the PM of the UK is this week – grin). 

The UK is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  Each of these are considered separate countries by those who live there, but they are one political unit (or one nation).  We would consider England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to be States or Provinces, although some citizens there would take exception to this characterization.  There is not a Prime Minister of Scotland; nor is there border control when you go from England to Wales (for example).

Australia is huge.  It is larger than the lower 48 states, but with only 26 million people.  So, there is a lot of wide open space, and there are vast distances between cities.  There is lots to see there, but unless you’ve got a lot of time, you should explore it by air segments, as opposed to driving between places.

Driving on vacation is an “American Thing”.  Renting a car is not the best way to get around most countries.  The United States (and our Interstate Freeway system) is unique.  Driving vacations in the US can make sense (and can be a lot of fun).  Other countries (particularly those in Europe) are better seen by train, or other forms of public transport. 

The speed limit is 100, and 30 degrees is really warm.  The English language is not universal, but the metric system is.  In reality, once you learn the metric system, it is infinitely easier than the old imperial system.

The Pacific Ocean is really large (it’s half the planet).  North America is NOT halfway between Europe & Asia.  For example, Seattle to Sydney is 15 hours by air, or 9 hours to London.  Dubai is closer by air to Seattle than Sydney. 

The Earth is round… flight routes will take you strange places.  If you fly from San Francisco to Sydney, you fly over Alaska to get there.  Our perceptions are based on a map… the reality is based on a globe.

Europe is bigger than the United States.  This may be a blinding flash of the obvious, but we’re often asked, “What’s the weather like in Europe in January?”.  This is the same as asking what the weather is like in the United States in a certain month.  Miami and Minneapolis have radically different weather forecasts.  So it is for Europe.

My Credit Card has a PIN?  Most countries have much more centralization and regulation of their retail banks than the US which has both advantages and disadvantages.  One of the advantages is that technological advancements happen more quickly because of that centralization.  Europe and most other advanced economies switched to chip credit cards 20 years ago, so make sure you know your PIN before you leave home – it will make your life way easier abroad. 

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Viking is throwing in FREE INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE for a few departures.  The Catch?  You need to book by October 31st:

NOTE: Already booked a cruise with Viking? Please get in touch with your booking number so I can add extra onboard credits to your existing reservation!

Tulips and Windmills – Round Trip Amsterdam in late March 2023 for 10-days.

1. Visit Belgium and the Netherlands – including a stop at Keukenhof Gardens.
2. Standard (Window) rooms $3299 pp; French Balcony $3999 pp; Veranda $4799 pp
3. Includes round trip flights and airport transfers, a shore excursion in each port of call, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship.

Paris to Zurich – 12-day package with free air on 2023 departures

1. 2 nights in Paris and 2-nights in Zurich, with 7-nights aboard the ship
2. Visit Trier, Bernkastel, Cochem, Koblenz, Mainz, Speyer, Strasbourg, & Basel.
3. May 2023:  Standard:  $5399 pp ; French Balcony: $6199 pp ; Veranda: $6999 pp
4. November 2023:  Standard:  $3299 pp ; French Balcony: $4299 pp ; Veranda: $4799 pp

Cities of Light – 12-day package with free air on 2023 departures

1. 2 nights in Paris and 2-nights in Zurich, with 7-nights aboard the ship
2. Visit Trier, Bernkastel, Cochem, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Wurzberg, Bamberg, Nuremberg
3. May 2023:  Standard:  $4299 pp ; French Balcony: $5499 pp ; Veranda: $6299 pp
4. November 2023:  Standard:  $3299 pp ; French Balcony: $3799 pp ; Veranda: $4299 pp

AMA Waterways – Wine Immersion Cruise – 28-days departing April 20, 2023

1. If you’re really into wine, this 28-day river cruise in France is for you!
2. Visit the Bordeaux region for one week, Paris to Normandy for one week, and Burgundy/Provence for two weeks – travel on 6 different rivers!
3. Each week is hosted by a different world-renowned wine expert
4. Prices start at $24,392 pp for a French Balcony
5. Activities:  12 wine seminars, guided hikes, bike rides, 12 dinners with wine pairings and farm to table cuisine, 20 wine-themed shore excursions
6. Includes all transportation between ships/regions, laundry (you are away for a month!), a shore excursion in every port, beer/wine with meals, gratuities, and wifi on the ship.

Uniworld Flash Sale

This one is hot off the press and will interest you if you’d like to take a river cruise in the spring of 2023. 

Here’s the link if you want to investigate further:

https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/current-offers/2023-flash-sale

Some of the featured cruises:

1. Danube – from Budapest to Passau from $1999 pp
2. Paris and Normandy from $2299 pp
3. Bordeaux from $1999 pp
4. Venice and Northern Italy from $1999 pp

Remember that Uniworld’s price includes airport transfers, a choice of several shore excursions at all ports, an open bar (at all times), gratuities, and wifi on the ship.

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