It’s Alaska Season!  

You might think this is a bit strange as the last cruise ships are leaving Alaska right now, but most Alaska bookings take place between Labor Day and Christmas.  It’s good you’re planning ahead for Alaska especially now – after effectively having been closed for 2020 and 2021, and 2022 being a half-season due to the Canadian Government dithering on their entry requirements, 2023 was largely sold out.  If you want to go in 2024, things are fine right now, but tighter than normal this far in advance. 

Your questions about Alaska are often about pre and post, so I thought today I’d offer a bit of information about Seattle and Vancouver.

With deference to residents of both Seattle and Vancouver, I would consider the two cities somewhat interchangeable.  They are both naturally spectacular port cities, with their downtown cores both right on the ocean and near the mountains.  The two cities are only 120 miles apart, and if not for an international boundary between them would almost be one continuous city.  

I would not recommend one over the other, and you should visit both cities if you have the opportunity.  The Amtrak connects the two cities (about 4 hours from downtown to downtown including border crossing time) several times a day.  

If you’re looking to differentiate the two, here are a few points:

Seattle probably has the more funky urban vibe.  If you’re a sports fan, the Mariners and the Seahawks dominate the south portion of the downtown core, and with year-round mild weather, it’s easy to get around by foot.  On a sunny day, with snow-capped volcanoes in the backdrop, Seattle isn’t like other American cities.  

Insider Tip:  If your ship departs from the Bell Street Pier (Pier 66), then stay near the Pike Place Market – there’s lots going on there, and you can walk to the cruise ship terminal.  The original Starbucks is in this same neighborhood.  

Vancouver has a much more Asian influence (Canada’s immigration patterns are different than the US) that affects both its culture and its culinary scene.  Vancouver is also somewhat closer to nature than Seattle.  Both cities are about the same size, but in Vancouver, you can walk out of your hotel, and into the rainforest (at Stanley Park) with relative ease.  

Insider Tip:  Vancouver is very compact, so you won’t be far from anything, but if you want views of the ocean, the mountains, and seaplanes taking off, stay near the cruise ship terminal.  There are two Fairmont hotels nearby that both have spectacular views.  Don’t miss Stanley Park and Granville Island. 

Vancouver is the larger of the two ports, and there are more options out of there (still plenty from Seattle).  However, SEATAC Airport is much better served for domestic flights than Vancouver, and there are more round-trip cruises from Seattle than Vancouver.  Lots of our clients use Seattle airport, and then travel independently for a few days before boarding a ship in Vancouver.  It is easily done.  

Finally, if Alaska is a bucket-list trip for you, then make the most of the experience and spend some time in Seattle or Vancouver (or both!).

All the cruise lines are represented in Alaska, so making choices can be a bit overwhelming.  We recently posted this video on our YouTube channel to help people narrow down their options:

Today’s Travel Opportunities

All the cruise lines have some presence in Alaska, so the possibilities are endless. 

Seabourn Odyssey departing Juneau May 17 for 7-days

• Visit Glacier Bay, Wrangell, Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Alert Bay, and Vancouver
• Perfect for those wanting to avoid the more touristy ports in Alaska, or perhaps those that have been previously, and want to see something new.  
• Window suites from $4184 and Veranda suites from $4685.
• All the rooms on Seabourn are suites, and include an open bar, specialty dining, gratuities, and wifi.  Our agency has a host on board this sailing, and all of our guests will receive a $175 per person on board credit.  
• See our ship tour video of Seabourn Sojourn (Odyssey’s identical sister) here: https://youtu.be/RJT7BVFpoqo?si=wOP90Lgdpb0kLxRw 
• See our Seabourn Alaska VLOG playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVGIkLzMGzGDOfx8xOSpC2Vt&si=YRm5q_a6x9eZCJ0H 

Denali Cruise Tour with Princess.  Vancouver to Fairbanks for 13-nights departing May 8:

• Visit by ship (7-nights): Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord. 
• Visit on land (6-nights):  2-nights at McKinley, 2-nights at Denali, 2-nights Fairbanks
• Includes all transportation and accommodation, meals on land, tour of Denali NP, Gold Dredge #8 (Fairbanks), and Chena River Sternwheeler Riverboat (Fairbanks).
• Fares start at $3528, and include Beverage package, as well as wifi and gratuities on the ship.
• See our Princess Alaska Lodges VLOG Playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVEZh4TwDNnSFedD8FOItXHe&si=OTVzhVNa_H66TgC3 

Round-trip from Seattle with Oceania departing August 6 for 10-days

• Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Victoria
• Includes beer/wine with meals, specialty dining, wifi on the ship, and a $400 per person shore excursion credit.
• PLUS:  Free pre-paid on board gratuities (only for our clients!), due to our exclusive arrangement with Oceania. 
• Veranda cabins from $5499 per person.  Ocean views from $3599.

SilverSea Expedition from Nome to Vancouver for 18-days

• Visit St. Matthew Island, St. Paul Island, the Aleutian Islands, Tanaga, Atka Island, Dutch Harbour, Unga Village, Hubbard Glacier, Elfin Cove, Point Adolphus, Sitka, Misty Fjords, Metlakatla.
• Sail on board the 212 guest Silver Wind, and get an additional $300 pp on board credit due to our exclusive arrangement with them. 
• Fares from $12,550 per person.  Includes open bar, gratuities, shore excursions, expedition activities and gear, wifi on the ship. 

Alaska Land-Cruise with Collette

If you’d rather just do the land portion of Alaska, then travel with Collette for 9-days between Fairbanks and Anchorage:

• Visit Fairbanks, Denali, Talkeetna, and Anchorage
• Departures June through September $4999 pp double

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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 of the things you’ve told us is that the travel industry needs to come up with a better word than “Expedition” to describe this exciting new way to travel.  I don’t have a replacement word yet, but there are several similarities between Expedition Cruising and Land Safaris.  

Expedition is the fastest growing segment of the cruise industry – doubling between 2017 and 2022 (and if you remember there was a bit of an interruption for a couple of years in that period).  If the people finding their way to these ships were all Under-35, Everest base-camp type travellers, there’s no possible way such growth could have been realized (and I would likely be ignoring the trend).

Contrary to some popular opinion out there, Expedition Cruises are NOT being booked by young, Olympic athletes.  If you are 55 to 75, moderately mobile, and curious about the world, then you fit the demographic perfectly.  

The fitness requirements are minimal.  Can you walk up two flights of stairs, and get in and out of a bathtub unassisted?  If so, you’ll do just fine on an Expedition cruise. 

The most important criteria is that you are curious about the world around you.  Instead of Vegas style production shows, there will be presentations about the area through which you are sailing, and the living creatures found there.  Instead of a shuffleboard game, there will be scientific research happening on board the ship, which you can participate in.

The food, dining, and accommodation?  This varies by cruise line, but the fact that Seabourn, SilverSea and Viking all have expedition vessels should give you an indication of what to expect on board.  

Where do Expedition cruises go?

Most obviously, these ships are in the polar regions.  Antarctica is the most common Expedition destination, and if you want more information on how to choose an Antarctic cruise, here’s a video we put together a few years ago:  https://youtu.be/3c-2TBXw6ls?si=I8BvO3SsqGub4IpO 

The Galapagos is another destination that is best seen on a smaller expedition ship, and is the most popular choice for first-time Expedition cruisers.

In the Northern Hemisphere: the Norwegian Coast, Greenland, and the Northwest Passage through Canada are popular Expedition destinations.  Greenland and the NW passage are like going on Safari in Africa, although the “game” you’re looking for are mostly sea mammals.  

If you prefer warmer destinations, then Expedition cruises are offered on the Great Lakes, the Kimberly Coast in Western Australia, West Africa, Patagonia (Chile), and the Amazon.  What all these incredible destinations have in common is that they are remote, difficult to get to, and BEST seen by ship.  

We are also seeing some of these ships do “cultural expeditions”.  These usually happen during repositioning season, and take place in Central America, the Caribbean, or the Mediterranean.  If you’ve been to these regions before, but want an opportunity to see the more remote areas that are not normally frequented by tourists, then a cultural expedition is the way to do so (and you only have to unpack once – unlike a land tour).

If you’re curious as to what an expedition ship looks like, Bob and I were on board Viking’s Polaris in June in the Great Lakes.  Here’s a link to our ship tour video:  https://youtu.be/izwAZ6NdFOo?si=-Gu2nJTEE7zhbsIe 

Curious about whether an expedition cruise is right for you, but reluctant to commit to Galapagos or Antarctica? We suggest starting with the Great Lakes to try out this style of travel close to home.  

We’d love to help you select an Expedition Cruise!

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Explora Journeys 

The reviews are in, and this new contemporary European brand is knocking it out of the park.  No main dining room, but a series of (included) specialty restaurants.  You’ll also have a huge 375 square foot veranda room.  Your fare includes an open bar, wifi, specialty dining, and gratuities.  

Due to our exclusive arrangement with them, we can also get you

• 10% off any 2023 departure, or 
• 5% off any 2024 departure.
• Shore Experience credits €300 per person

If you missed our vendor focus on Explora… here’s the link:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/explora-journeys-world-debut/ 

Here are a few sample itineraries from Explora Journeys:

Miami Round-Trip departing December 13 for 10-days.

• Visit Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Spanish Town (BVI), Dominican Republic, Ocean Cay (Bahamas)
• Verandas available at $4700 per person (less 10% – only through us)
• This cruise is a great opportunity to check out this new brand, close to home.  

Panama Canal departing March 18 for 11-nights

• Full transit travelling between Barbados and Panama City
• Visit Bridgetown, Dominica, Curacao, Aruba, Cartagena (overnight), Costa Rica, Panama City (overnight)
• Verandas available at $6050 (less 5% — only through us)

Croatia & Greece departing July 5 for 7-nights

• From Athens to Venice
• Visit Athens, Paros, Kefalonia, Dubrovnik, Split, Rovinj, Venice
• Verandas available at $5250 (less 5% — only through us)

Tauck Family Adventures

You’ve recently been requesting options for travelling with grand-children.  Here’s a couple from Tauck:

National Parks from Jackson WY to Rapid City SD

• Visit Jackson, Grand Teton NP, Snake River Outing, Yellowstone NP, Buffalo Bill Village, Cowboy Ranch, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore,
• From $4990 per person, with regular departures in June, July and August.

Castles on the Rhine River Boat Adventure

• Visit Basel, Lucerne, Mt. Pilatus, Strasbourg, Rhine Gorge, Koblenz, Cologne, Amsterdam
• From $5190 per person in June or July
• We don’t see many river cruises with children on board, so this is a great opportunity.  If you’d rather NOT travel with children, we’re happy to find you alternative dates. 

LAST CHANCE:  AMA Waterways Private Sale

If you’d like to book an AMA Waterways cruise, and take advantage of the extra goodies they’ve thrown at us this month, then we have to get your hold placed by September 30.  Here’s the exclusive benefits:

• $100 per person shipboard credit on ANY AMA Waterways cruise, OR
• $200 per person shipboard credit on select sailings.  We listed several of them here:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/ama-waterways-pay-for-your-river-cruise-90-days-before-departing/
• Free pre-paid gratuities on any 2023 departure

Expedition Offers

Don’t be put off by the word “Expedition”.  If you want to explore the more remote areas of the planet, and go where others don’t often get to, then an Expedition Cruise might be the best way to do that.  Here are a few examples. 

Great Lakes with Viking from Toronto to Milwaukee for 7-nights departing April or May 2024

• Visit Toronto, Port Colborne, Niagara Falls, Point Pelee, Detroit, Alpena (MI), Mackinac Island, and Milwaukee.
• Nordic Balconies from $5995 per person including Air.
• This cruise is a great way to check out Expedition Cruising to see if it’s right for you.  You also get to explore some interesting places in your own backyard.  

Galapagos Islands with Celebrity for 7-nights departing November 30, 2024.

• Round-trip from Baltra visiting Black Turtle Cove, Sullivan Bay, Bartolome Island, Urvina Bay, Tagus Cove, Espinoza Point, Vincente Roca Point, Egas Port, Santa Cruz, El Barrranco, Darwin Bay, North Seymour Island.  
• Fares start at $6039 per person.  For clarity, this is NOT a Celebrity mega-ship (those aren’t allowed in the Galapagos), but rather a 16 passenger catamaran.  

Antarctica with Hurtigruten for 11-nights departing March 10, 2024

• Round-trip from Buenos Aires with 5 scheduled days of landings on the Antarctic continent.  
• Pricing from $7591 per person including flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, and expedition activities.

This is the world’s first hybrid electric powered cruise ship.  See our ship tour video here:  https://youtu.be/1L_ByDqhGR0?si=JOn505oxuQ8zWYA2

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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

Greetings from Southeast Asia!  If you follow us regularly, you’re already aware that Kim (our Head of Sales), and I are on the Mekong River in Vietnam & Cambodia this week, with our friends from AMA Waterways.

That’s me on the left and Kim on the right, along with a couple of our new friends.   As soon as we finished this photo, the little guy in the middle whipped out his own phone and took a selfie with us.

Some of you have asked us previously how we manage the business when we’re travelling, so I thought this was a good opportunity to give you a little window into our world.

For clarity, Bob and rest of our team are at the office this week and are ready to respond to any inquires you may have.  Most often Bob and I travel together (we are married, after all), but there are some times when logistical issues make it better for only one of us to be away.  This is one of those times – the time change between the United States and Asia, and spotty wifi signals, really makes it easier if we do this trip at different times (Bob will have his turn at some point!).  It also gives me a chance to travel with Kim.

This is an industry trip – meaning that there are a number of other travel professionals on board the ship, as well as Alex Pinelo – AMA’s Senior VP of Sales.  So Kim and I will be working this week (although there is no doubt that this is a great thing to be able to call “work”!).

It is critically important that we get out to experience the trips that YOU want to do.  The cruise lines provide excellent training and resources for us about their products, but there is no comparison to experiencing it in person.  It allows us to learn the small tips and tricks that you really only get in person.  

Travelling is also a key competitive advantage for us: the cruise lines’ call centers are filled with people who are usually exceptionally well trained.  However, very few of them have actually travelled on the products they sell.  

So here are some of the lessons we’ve already learned on this ship if you’re considering a trip to the Mekong:

• Stay as long as you can:  There’s no way around the long flight across the Pacific, so you need to stay as long as your time and budget will allow.  The cruise lines all have extensions to make this easy.   There are a ton of things to do and see Ho Chi Minh City, as well as Hanoi and Siem Reap.
• The Visa Process can be frustrating:  It will cost you a few hundred dollars to pay a service to do your visa, and it’s well worth it.  I learned this the hard way… thinking I could handle it myself.  I can, and I did – but not without considerable aggravation.  With the benefit of hindsight, I easily expended more than a few hundred dollars of my own labor (and considerable frustration) doing this on my own. 
• Pack in layers:  We’re getting all kinds of weather.  It is hot and extraordinarily humid, and it rains often, but you also need to be able to cover up to visit religious sites.  Layers of thin, easy-to-pack, combinable clothes are critical.  Also choose a synthetic fabric that doesn’t retain water.  
• Leave the rain gear at home.  AMA has umbrellas and rain ponchos to borrow. 
• Scarves don’t always work for religious sites:  I’ve been to various religious sites with dress codes all over the world, and normally I can use a scarf to cover my head and/or shoulders to be respectful of local customs.  That doesn’t always work here – so I’ve packed a light-weight long sleeve shirt that is very compact and wrinkle-free that I can easily carry and wear as necessary.  It is an expectation to cover shoulders and knees to enter holy sites here.  You’ll also have to remove shoes, so ones that are easy to get on and off are helpful. 
• Credit Cards and US Dollars are widely accepted.  
• The Food is Incredible.  You can definitely spot the French influence in Vietnam.  Expect to gain a few pounds while you’re here.  The food on the ship offers both local cuisine, and standard western fare.  
• It’s NOT a European River Cruise.  The ship doesn’t look anything like the European ships.  This is because the locks and bridges don’t constrain the ships as much here as they do in Europe.  Our ship only holds 124 guests, and the entry level room is a 250 square foot French Balcony.

Book Early:  We are seeing the Mekong trending currently, the same way we saw Egypt, Portugal, and Japan trend 12 to 18 months ago.  Those destinations are extremely tight for 2024 and 2025, and we’re expecting the same interest in the Mekong in the coming months.

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Oceania Upgrade Sale

Oceania has a few days left in its Upgrade Sale that ends September 30.  Here’s a link to the list of applicable sailings: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/upgrade-sale 

Here are 3 examples (there are dozens more at the link above).  On the sailings below, we can get prepaid gratuities added to your reservation due to our exclusive agreement with Oceania:

Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro departing March 5 for 10-days:

• Visit Montevideo, Punta Del Este, Itajai, Sao Francisco Do Sul, Sao Paulo, Parati, Ilha Grande, Buzios.
• Veranda for the price of an Ocean View at $3899.  Includes a $400 per person Shore Excursion credit, beer/wine with meals and on board wifi and gratuities.

Tahiti – Papeete round-trip departing February 9 for 10 days:

• Visit Papeete (overnight), Moorea, Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa, Bora Bora (overnight), Raiatea
• Get a 4-category upgrade.  Ocean View for the Inside price of $3199.  Veranda for Ocean View price of $3899.  Includes a $400 per person Shore Excursion credit, beer/wine with meals and on board wifi and gratuities.

Amsterdam to Oslo departing June 24 for 12-days

• Visit Amsterdam, Antwerp (overnight), Paris, London, St. Peter Port, Cork, Dublin, Glasgow, Stavanger, Arendal, Oslo.
• Veranda for Ocean View price of $4949.  Includes a $400 per person Shore Excursion credit, beer/wine with meals and on board wifi and gratuities.

Uniworld – 2024 10% Early Booking Discount ends September 30.  

Our friends at Uniworld are offering a 10% off early booking discount that ends September 30.  The CATCH:  You can get 10% off any 2024 sailing, but it is payment in full at the time of booking.  Here are a few examples:

Egypt — 12-day packages departing in May 2024

• Visit Cairo (2 nights hotel to visit Egyptian Museum and the pyramids), Luxor, Dendera, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Edfu, Esna, then back to Cairo for 2 hotel nights.
• French Balcony for $6499 per person for May departures LESS 10% early booking discount.
• Optional extensions to the Red Sea, Jerusalem, or Jordan.

Tulips – Amsterdam to Antwerp departing March 26 or 28 for 10 -days

• Visit Amsterdam (overnight on the ship), Haarlem (for Keukenhof Gardens), Hoorn, Nijmegan (for van Gogh’s Kroller-Mueller museum), Rotterdam, Veere, Bruges, Antwerp (overnight).
• Fares from $4399 per person in March, or $4999 in April or May LESS 10% early booking discount. 

Remember that all Uniworld River Cruises offer an open bar, a choice of several shore excursions in every port, transfers, wifi and gratuities on the ship.  Due to our exclusive arrangement with them, we can also get an additional $150 per person on board credit added to your reservation.  

VIETNAM & CAMBODIA:  If you’re interested in the Mekong, here are a few options:

AMA departing September 30, 2024 for 7-nights

• Visit Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Cai be – Sa Dec, Tan Chau, Phnom Penh, Oudong, Kampong Tralach, Oknhatey, Angkor Ban, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap.

• $1999 for a 251 square foot twin balcony.  Price reflects $1000 off per person
• Available 7-night trip extensions to Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Hanoi and/or Halong Bay for $2759 per person

Uniworld Departing February, March, or September for 14-nights

• Visit Ho Chi Minh City for 2-nights, 7-nights on the ship, 3-nights in Siem Reap, and 2-nights in Hanoi.  
• $7499 for a 340 square foot French Balcony on the 68 passenger Mekong Jewel.
• Eligible for 10% off early booking discount

Viking has only a handful of cabins left in 2024 – Please enquire. 

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online or by phone.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line, 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 booking 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).
Also, in case you’re wondering, there is NO fee to work with us.  We get paid commission by the cruise lines after our clients travel.  So, please get in touch to let us know about your existing reservations (including those made while on board).

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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 of the things you have told us is that paying for your river cruise 12 or 15 months ahead of time is an irritation to an otherwise great experience.

AMA Waterways has also heard this feedback, and they think that paying 12 WEEKS ahead of time is a bit more reasonable than 12 months (or more) in advance.  

You’ve probably heard of AMA Waterways, but you might be wondering how they are different than the other river cruise companies out there.

All of the river cruise companies that we deal with in Europe offer a luxury guest experience, so they are LESS differentiated than the ocean cruise lines.  This means you’ll have a fantastic experience regardless of who you travel with, but it does make it confusing if you’re trying to make a decision between river cruise lines.

AMA Waterways fares include transfers, a choice of several different included shore excursions in every port, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship.  

When we’ve travelled with AMA Waterways, there’s a few things that stood out for us:

• The Rooms – there are window rooms available for those looking for the best price, but most of the rooms on decks 2 and 3 are combination veranda and French balcony (you get both!).  So the room feels much larger.
• The Wellness Coordinator – each sailing has a crew member on board that can lead more active shore excursions, as well as offering fitness, yoga and pilates classes on board the ship included in your fare.  There is also a small gym on board for those that wish to stay active.
• Bicycles for Borrowing – it’s nice to be able to go for a bike ride right off the ship in your spare time.  You might even be able to ride along the dike to meet the ship at the next port of call!
• Happy Hour – Beer and wine is included with your meals, and for the hour or so before they start seating for dinner, there is a happy hour in the main lounge where your drinks are also included.  It’s a small thing, but a nice touch.
• Choice of Shore Excursions – in most ports of call, you have a choice between 2, 3 or 4 different included activities.  This works really well if you’re travelling with group of people that may have different interests.  My favorite example of this is in the Rhine port of Rudesheim, where AMA offers a choice of six different included excursions.  You can choose 2 of those excursions.  This is much better than the standard walking tour of the town.  
• Trip Extensions – There are some interesting pre and post cruise land packages, and on many of those, the cruise manager travels with you on the extension.  
• Itineraries – AMA Waterways is the only company operating on the Magdalena River in Columbia, and the Chobe River in Southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa & Zimbabwe).  Imagine doing an African Safari from a River Boat!  

AMA operates on all the main European rivers, as well as Egypt, Viet Nam/Cambodia, South Africa, and Columbia.  They do a number of themed cruises each year, so they are a good choice if you’d like to do a Wine or Golf Themed Cruise.

I am leaving today to travel AMA’s Mekong itinerary in Vietnam and Cambodia… so I’ll have fresh product knowledge to share soon about this exciting itinerary.  I will be travelling with Kim, our Head of Sales, but Bob and the rest of our team is still at our office “minding the store”.  If you have any specific questions about the Mekong or AMA Waterways in general, they’ll be able to respond.  Any detailed questions about the Mekong itinerary, they will collect and send to Kim and me while we’re there, and we’ll chase up the answers for you.

Today’s Travel Opportunities

We have a private sale running with AMA for the month of September.  For any cruises booked this month, we can offer:

• $100 per person on board credit on ANY AMA WATERWAYS cruise
• $200 per person on the select sailings.  Some of these special departures are listed below. 
• If you want to travel in 2023, (there’s still space on some Christmas Markets Cruises) we can get them to throw in Pre-Paid Gratuities.  
• THE CATCH:  Must be booked by September 30.

Christmas Markets on the Danube departing December 11, 2023 for 7-nights

• Visit Vilshofen, Passau, Linz, WEISSENKIRCHEN, Vienna, ESZTERGOM, Budapest
• Prague/Munich pre/post available 
• $3499 for a window.  $5198 Veranda,

Tulips Time Cruise departing March 28 for 7-nights

• Visit Amsterdam, Hoorn, Middelburg, Ghent, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Schoonhoven, 
• Amsterdam pre/post available 
• Window:  $2560.  French Balcony: $3859.  Twin Balcony $4459. Prices reflect 20% off. 

Magna on the Danube departing July 21 or Aug 4, Oct 27 for 7-nights

Magna is twice as wide as a standard European River Boat, but only holds 20% more guests – so the rooms are much bigger, and there’s more public space.

• Visit Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, Linz, Passau, Vilshofen,
• Extensions available to Prague or Budapest
• Window:  $3520, Veranda $5819.  Prices reflect 20% off

Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps departing August 12 or November 4 for 7-nights

• Visit Amsterdam, Cologne, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen (for Speyer or Heidelberg), Strasbourg & Basel
• Pre/Post available to Amsterdam and/or Lake Como, Italy.
• Window $3200, French Balcony $4499, Twin Balcony $5099

WINE CRUISE:  Vineyards of Rhine & Moselle departing June 26 for 7-nights

• Visit Amsterdam, Cologne, Rudesheim, Mainz, Lahnstein, Cochem, Bernkastel, Luxembourg. 
• Pre/post available in Amsterdam and/or Paris
• Window $3499, French Balcony $4898, Dual Veranda:  $5498.  Prices reflect $500 OFF

Portugal: Douro River departing July 6 or November 12 for 7-nights

• Round-trip from Porto.  Visit Entre os Rios, Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Barca d’Alva
• Pre Extension available to Lisbon
• Window: $3799, French Balcony: $5098, Veranda $5698.  Prices reflect $500 off

Mekong River (Vietnam & Cambodia) departing September 30 for 7-nights

• Visit Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Cai be – Sa Dec, Tan Chau, Phnom Penh, Oudong, Kampong Tralach, Oknhatey, Angkor Ban, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap.

• $1999 for a 251 square foot twin balcony.  Price reflects $1000 off per person
• Available trip extensions to Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Hanoi and/or Halong Bay

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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

Many of you have asked about the pending changes for US passport holders for entering Europe.  These are good questions – in large part because as usual, the TV “News” is offering half-truths, partial information, and no context for what is actually happening.

The new entry system is called ETIAS.  Here’s what you need to know:

It’s Not really a Visa.  Some countries require you to send your passport to their embassy in advance of travel, and often you need to hire a lawyer to get it done.  The Europeans are putting in place an Electronic Travel Authorization… not a visa requirement.

It’s no big deal.  Visitors to Australia and New Zealand have been doing this for a couple of decades, and generally find the process to be painless.  We expect the same from the EU.  At this point MOST countries require some form of advance authorizations – this is not new.  

What countries does it cover?  ETIAS will cover all 27 countries in the Schengen Zone.  This covers just about all the countries our clients visit in Europe.  The exceptions are mostly in Eastern Europe (Albania, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Turkey)

What about the UK?  The British chose to leave the European Union, so ETIAS will not cover your trips to the England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.  They will be putting in their own Electronic Travel Authorization soon, so at some point in the future if you have a trip to Europe planned that also includes some time in the UK, you’ll have to get authorization for each separately.  There are lots of opinions around BREXIT – but there little question that this aspect of it makes very little sense.  

What are the requirements?  You need a valid US-Passport, and a credit card to pay the fee.  You will also be asked questions about your previous travel history, and your occupation.  If you have any criminal convictions, you will be required to disclose those.  I have completed many visas and electronic travel authorizations, and these questions are quite standard.  

What’s the process?  Sometime in advance of 96 hours before you go, you’ll need to go to the ETIAS website, and complete your application, and pay the fee (if applicable).  Once you’ve gotten ETIAS authorization it is good for 3-years for multiple entries for up to 90-days.  The system is expected to issue approvals within a few minutes (or up to 24-hours).  They are currently not taking applications, but once this begins, it makes sense to apply well in advance.  

What’s the cost?  €7 if you’re between the ages of 18 and 70.  If you are older or younger, it will be free.  

When does this begin?  There have been several false-starts, but the current time-table is for this to start in 2024.  The have been some media reports that this will start in November of 2023, but there is no mention of this on the official website.  What it does say is that they intend to be forgiving about the whole process for the first few months while they work out the bugs, so for anyone traveling in the next several months, there really is nothing to worry about. 

Don’t be cranky about this.  It’s worth noting that citizens of the EU have been required to get an electronic authorization to visit the USA for more than a decade, and they have to apply every time they come to the US at a cost of $14.  The conditions the Europeans are imposing on us are notably less than we’ve imposed on them.  

Where can I learn more?  https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/faqs-etias_en 

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Oceania

For those that love food, Oceania is the perfect fit – they really do stand out for their culinary program.  They also have a new fare structure that includes all specialty dining, beer/wine with meals, a shore-excursion credit, and wifi on the ship.  If you want to learn more about the new fare structure, here’s a short video we put together:  https://youtu.be/0115RvMoa6M?si=DmJgYzfHkBkTAJPT 

Istanbul to Venice for 10-days departing June 19. 

• Visit Istanbul (overnight), Izmir, Santorini, Argostoli, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Hvar, Slovenia, Venice.
• Veranda rooms from $4999, with a $400 per person shore-excursion credit, and on this sailing, we can get pre-paid gratuities thrown in too. 
• This cruise is on board the brand new Oceania Vista.

Amsterdam to Oslo for 12 days departing  June 24 

• Visit Amsterdam, Antwerp (overnight), Le Havre (for Paris), London, Guernsey, Cork, Dublin, Glasgow, Stavanger, Arendal, Oslo.
• Fares start at $3999 with a $400 shore-excursion credit.
• OR take advantage of upgrade sale, and get veranda for the Ocean View price of $4949.

Explora Journeys

The reviews are in, and this new contemporary European brand is knocking it out of the park.  No main dining room, but a series of (included) specialty restaurants.  You’ll also have a huge 375 square foot veranda room.  Your fare includes an open bar, wifi, specialty dining, and gratuities.  If you missed our vendor focus on Explora… here’s the link:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/explora-journeys-world-debut/ 

Los Angeles to Vancouver for 7-days departing April 12

• Visit SF overnight, Astoria for Portland, Victoria, 
• Verandas start at $3250 per person
• This cruise is a great opportunity to check out this new brand close to home.  Extend your stay in Vancouver before it gets busy for the tourist season. 

Vancouver to Hawaii for 10-days departing April 18

• Visit Hilo (overnight), Honolulu (overnight)
• Verandas start at $7200 per person

SilverSea

SilverSea is the traditional luxury brand with several goodies on offer right now.  The ships have a maximum of 700 people on board, is fully inclusive with every room being a suite. 

• A Suite upgrade in select categories
• $500 per person on board credit
• An exclusive 5% discount that is only available through our agency. 
• THE CATCH:  you must book by September 15 to get all these offers.  

There are nearly 500 cruises that qualify for these offers.  Here’s a link to their website if you’d like to shop:  https://www.silversea.com/best-luxury-cruise-deals/suite-upgrades.html 

Here are a couple of examples.  Remember a further 5% discount is available (on any SilverSea cruise), but it has to be booked through us:

New York – Barbados for 16 days departing November 18

• Visit NYC, Norfolk VA, Hamilton Bermuda (2 nights), San Juan PR, St. Thomas, St Barts, St. Kitts, St. John’s, Martinique, St. Lucia, Bridgetown. 
• Veranda suites start at $7150

Auckland to Sydney for 14-days departing Jan 4

• Visit Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart (overnight), Port Arthur, Burnie, Sydney.
• Windows at $5650.  Verandas start at $7150.

Hong Kong to Toyko departing March 14 for 16 days

• Visit Hong Kong (overnight), Jeju (South Korea), Seoul (overnight), Busan, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Osaka (overnight), Tokyo
• Windows from $7950.  Verandas from $9450

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?  

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online or by phone.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line, 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 booking 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).
Also, in case you’re wondering, there is NO fee to work with us.  We get paid commission by the cruise lines after our clients travel.  So, please get in touch to let us know about your existing reservations (including those made while on board).

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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