The two most common questions many of you ask after you’ve booked a trip are about currency (see my post from a few weeks go here: https://pamperedcruiser.com/foreign-exchange-tips/), and telecom.  The internet has caused a communications revolution – remember the old days of collect calls (at $4/minute), and calling cards?

Now… we’re living like the Jetsons – video calls from the middle of the Ocean!

Some questions prevail, however, as some mobile phone providers limit your voice and data when you’re in another country, and others outright gouge you on roaming fees.

Here’s some things you can do prior to your trip abroad to minimize both your costs and your frustration:

• Understand what your cell phone company will charge you and how they might restrict you when you’re abroad.  Keep in mind that this often depends where you’re going.  US territories may not have any implications.  Mexico and Canada are often different than overseas destinations.
• “Global Roaming” – this is a phrase that has been designed by marketers… make sure you understand the fine print, and don’t assume that you can simply use your cell phone like you would at home. 
• Decide how much you need to be connected.  You’re on vacation, and while it’s nice to post the occasional photo, isn’t the purpose of spending a lot of money and going a long way away to DISCONNECT?
• Use Free WiFi.  It really is everywhere, and you may not need to turn on your phone to a cellular network. 
• Don’t count on the ship’s WiFi.  WiFi on board ships is certainly better than it was, but even the latest technology slows down significantly, at certain times when everyone is using it. 
• Foreign SIM cards.  A SIM card is a little computer chip in your device that assigns your phone number to the piece of hardware you’re using.  People often ask if they need a SIM card for the country they are visiting.  They are cheap (normally under $10), so the stakes are low, but it’s probably not necessary if you’re only visiting for a short time, and you don’t need to be connected at all times.  If you’re staying longer, OR you can’t live without permanent real-time connectivity, then you might want to look at it.
• E-SIM.  As the name would imply (“E” stand for “electronic”), this is an APP that makes your phone act as though you went and bought a foreign SIM card, without going to the trouble of buying one.  It will be some version of this that we will all use in the not too distant future.  For now, make sure you understand any subscription costs and limitations. 
• Download in advance.  Maybe you need some maps, a guide book, or a certain APP when you’re away.  These might be really large files, so download them before you leave, so you’re not consuming data on a foreign network.  
• Google Translate.  This is the APP I don’t leave home without.  It’s free, and it goes a long way to bridging the language barrier in other countries.  You also don’t have to be THAT traveller that assumes everyone speaks English. 

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Oceania’s New Fare Structure

The folks at Oceania introduced their new simply MORE fare structure on July 1^st, and really does live up to its name.  It’s definitely easier to understand than the previous structure, and you do get more.  Here’s a short video we produced that explains it:  https://youtu.be/0115RvMoa6M 

Here’s one example:

Oceania Marina – Iceland

• 9-days from Reykjavik to London departing August 20, 2024
• Visit 4 ports in Iceland, the Faroe Islands (Denmark), the Hebrides, Glasgow, Dublin, London.
• Veranda rooms start at $5249.  Air Add-on $1200.  Includes $300 per person Shore Excursion wallet, Beer/wine with meals, all specialty dining, and WiFi on the ship. 

Douro River with Uniworld

• 8-days round-trip from Porto
• Visit Porto, Regua, Entre-os-Rios, Pocinho, Vega de Terron, Salamanca (Spain), Barca d’Alva.  See the steep hillside wineries, quaint villages, medieval castles, and go hiking in the vineyards, or perhaps just do a wine tasting.  
• Includes all meals and beverages on board, wifi, gratuities, and transfers.
• $4699 per person for departures on March 31, April 7, June 30, or July 7, 14, 21, or 28.
• ALL these dates are eligible for the 10% off early booking discount.  

The Douro River is one of the European destinations that was largely sold out for 2023, and 2024 is booking quickly. 

Michigan & Macinac Island with Tauck

People have been asking about domestic options, so If you’d rather stay a bit closer to home, here’s a land-tour that caught my eye: 

• Traverse City (Michigan) to Detroit.  
• Visit Traverse City (2 nights at Traverse City Resort & Spa), sand dunes on Lake Michigan, Mackinac Island, Bay City, Frankenmuth (Bavarian Village), Dearborn (for Ford Museum), and finish in Detroit.  
• Depart on September 9 or 30, for $4490 per person. 
• Includes a private Motown band performance, wine-pairing dinner at a winery, horse-drawn carriage ride at Mackinac Island, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Tall ship sailing expedition on Grand Traverse Bay, City tour of Detroit, 17 meals, gratuities, service charges, taxes, admission fees. 

Panama Canal with Viking Ocean

Viking is throwing in Free Air on this one, but only if it’s booked by July 31.  

• Fort Lauderdale to Panama City (with a full transit of the canal) for 11-days departing November 30.  
• Visit Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan, Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Colon, Full Transit of the Canal, and Panama City.  
• If you want to see the locks from land, you can extend in Panama City for 2 days for $549 per person.  
• Past Viking guests will also get their past passenger discount doubled. 

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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 been to Budapest on your river cruises, and a common comment is the collision of cultures you experience when visiting there.  A Soviet-era train station straight out of the movies, is connected to a brand new shopping mall with all the same designer stores we see in the United States.

It’s worth remembering that only a generation ago Hungary, and all those countries between there are the Black Sea were behind the iron curtain.  Thirty (ish) years later, all these countries are catching up with their own history.

And THAT is why it’s worth sailing the Lower Danube.  

The Lower Danube refers to that area from Hungary to where the river drains into the Black Sea in Romania.  If you catch a river boat in Budapest, and ride it to the Black Sea, you get to see parts of Hungary few people see, as well as Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

A river cruise is a great way to see these countries, because between the language barriers and the infrastructure, it’s not as easy to travel here as in Western Europe.  Cruises through this region offers a bit of something for everyone:

• Roman ruins and archeological sites – Europe’s first settlement dating back to the stone age is here. 
• Farm to table cuisine.
• Visits to vineyards and wineries – we were in Croatia earlier this year, and were blown away by the wineries there.  Some of these wineries have been producing since the Roman era. 
• Scenic Cruising – most notably the Iron Gate (the 83 mile long narrow gorge with enormous limestone cliffs.
• Medieval fortresses and historical sites.
• Centuries old churches and cathedrals (because you are in Europe, after all)
• The modern history of the break-up of Yugoslavia, and the peace that has endured in the region. 
• Transylvania – go visit the castle that inspired the legend of Dracula.
• Nicola Tesla museum – We’ve heard lots about this fellow in the past few years – why not learn about him on his home turf?

There is no doubt that the history we learn and are familiar with is that of our own country, and of Western Europe.  The history and culture of Eastern Europe is every bit as interesting, and it is not as completely overrun with tourists as Western Europe has been this past year. 

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Several River Cruise Companies have itineraries on the Lower Danube:

AMA Waterways — Gems of Southeast Europe

• 7-nights between Budapest to Guirgiu (Romania)
• Depart June 17, 2024 from $3249 per person.  Includes a $150 per person on board credit. 
• Available escorted extensions to:
  • Vienna, Austria for 2 nights.
  • Bucharest, Romania for 2 nights
  • Istanbul for 3 -nights

Uniworld’s Highlights of Eastern Europe

• 10 days between Budapest to Bucharest (Romania)
• Depart in April from $4499.  September from $4999.  Includes a $150 per person on board credit.
• 10% pay in full discount available on new bookings
• Available extensions to Budapest for 2-nights.

Viking Passage to Eastern Europe

• 11-days between Budapest and Bucharest
• Depart in June from $4499.  November from $3599.  Includes a $100 per person on board credit.
• Available extensions to
  • Bucharest/Transylvania for 3 nights from $899.
  • Istanbul for 3 nights from $1399
  • Prague for 3 nights from $1199
  • Vienna for 3 nights from $899

Viking Capitals of Eastern Europe

• This is a great option if you’ve got a bit more time, and includes 3-nights aboard the ship in Vienna.
• 17-days between Vienna and Bucharest
• Depart in June from $5499.  November from $5299. Includes a $100 per person on board credit.

If you’d rather explore this region by small-ship Ocean cruise, here’s one option:

Oceania Vista Aegean & Adriatic Cruise

• 10-nights between Istanbul and Venice departing June 19, 2024
• Visit Istanbul (overnight), Izmir (Turkey), Santorini, Argostoli (Greece), Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Hvar (Croatia), Koper (Slovenia), Trieste (for Venice).  
• Veranda rooms start at $4999.  Includes beer/wine with meals, wifi, a $400 per person shore excursion credit, and all specialty dining.  We can also get you Free Gratuities on this sailing

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

Do you remember Karl Malden advising us all about American Express Traveller’s Checks: “Don’t leave home without them”?!

We were asked recently what type of Travellers’ Checks are best for use in Europe.  I can only assume that this person hadn’t done much international travel in the past couple of decades.  I’m not sure if travellers’ checks still exist, but I know for sure there are much more convenient ways to take money abroad.  

Here are a few ideas if you see yourself travelling overseas in the next year or two:

• Internationally, Euros and US Dollars are well recognized.  You should check where you’re going as to which of these currencies is going to serve you the best.  For the purposes of this conversation, we’ll talk about Europe (but most of these suggestions largely apply to Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and most of the Caribbean Islands).
• In Europe, quite obviously, the Euro is preferred over the US dollar.
• You have two choices for paying for things in Europe (travellers’ checks notwithstanding):  credit cards, or cash.

Cash

• Cash is not all that necessary – Credit cards are widely accepted in Europe, and you can use them just about anywhere.  More on that below.
• Too much cash – The biggest mistake most people make is taking too much currency.  I normally buy about 100 Euros of currency before I leave home, and then top up at ATMs if needed when I’m abroad.  Even though public safety in Europe is excellent, it’s not a good idea to be carrying huge wads of cash anywhere – and it’s not necessary. 
• Plan ahead – Here at home, at some smaller banks you may need to call ahead to get Euros (especially small denominations), so don’t leave it until the last minute. 
• Get small bills – Most often, I find I use cash for tips, so small bills (€5.00) are preferable.  I use my credit card for everything else.
• Get used to coins – the smallest printed currency note in Europe is 5 Euros so you need to get used to carrying more change.  I take a small zippered coin purse so I don’t lose coins (Bob takes a small plastic container – remember the ones we used to use for camera film)?.  And yes… it feels strange at first to tip a tour guide 3 Euros using coins but remember that is our bias – they don’t care.
• Multiple currencies? — The Euro is in use in 20 countries in Europe, but if you find yourself in Switzerland, Hungary, or the Czech Republic (for example), these countries have their own currencies.  Do you need cash for each of them?  It really depends how long you’re staying.  If you’re just there for a day or two, you can get away without it – they will take Euros, you just won’t get the best exchange rate, and they’ll make change in the local currency.  You can use your credit card quite easily in any of the three countries I mentioned above.  If I’m finishing a cruise in Switzerland, for example, and am staying on for a couple of days, I don’t usually bother buying Swiss Francs.  
• Excess foreign currency – If you’re flying home tomorrow, and you look in your wallet and find way too much currency, there’s a few things you can do:
  • Pay part of your hotel bill with local cash, and the balance on your credit card.
  • Buy something at the airport (although that can sometimes be a gouge)
  • Sell local currency for US dollars to a local exchange bureau (maybe at the airport).  You won’t get a great rate, but it will still be far better than what you’ll get if you sell Euros back to the bank at home in the US.
  • Save it for your next trip
  • If you just have a handful of lower value coins left, most international airlines will take them from you, and donate to a charity.
• ATMs – Cash machines are everywhere in Europe.  I look for the ones that are affiliated with my bank at home in the hope that it will minimize the fees.  This is an example of why you’ll want to talk to your bank before you leave.  I also prefer to use an ATM that is in-branch at the larger European banks, and avoid those private kiosk machines that you find at convenience stores.

Credit Cards

• ForEx Fees – Different credit cards have different fees for foreign transactions, so make sure you understand that prior to departure.  You’ll want to skim the 80-page document that accompanied your new credit card.  Or maybe you’ll just want to call them and ask.
• Notify Your Credit Card Provider – Make sure you inform your credit card company in advance of your trip that you’re going to be overseas.  There is nothing worse than getting to a foreign country and having your only credit card declined.
• Leave your Diner’s Club card at home:  In Europe the two most commonly accepted credit cards are Visa and Mastercard.  I take one of each (in case I have trouble with one).  Amex is accepted in some places, but not near as many as the other two.
• Know your credit card PIN – In the US, we lag other advanced economies in the adoption of chip card readers with PIN (personal identification number).  Make sure you know your PIN – many vendors overseas no longer have outdated swiping technology at their point of sale. 

Pay in Local Currency — In Europe, you sometimes have a choice when paying by credit card to pay in US dollars or the local currency.  ALWAYS pick the local currency.  If you choose US dollars, you end up paying the exchange differential twice.

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Regent Seven Seas is an all-inclusive small-ship cruise line that is currently offering a 2-category suite upgrade, AND a $1000 on board credit on select departures.  The catch is it has to be booked by July 21.  Here are two examples:

Athens to Istanbul for 12-nights departing October 29

• Visit Santorini, Rhodes, Alanya (Turkey), Cyprus, Antalya (Turkey), Kos (Greece), Crete, Bodrum (Turkey), Ephesus, Pergamum (Turkey).  
• Fares from $11,699 including round-trip business class air.
• Get a $1000 on board credit, and a 2-category upgrade

Miami round-trip for 7-nights departing November 25.

• Visit Roatan, Harvest Caye (Belize), Costa Maya, Cozumel, Key West
• Fares from $4499 for a Veranda, including round-trip domestic air.
• Get a $1000 on board credit, and a 2-category upgrade

Regent includes round-trip business-class air (on international flights), unlimited shore excursions, open bar, gratuities, speciality dining, transfers, valet laundry service, and wifi on the ship. 

Tauck Scotland Tour from Glasgow to Edinburgh for 8 days

• Visit Stirling Castle and Glenturret Distillery in Glasgow; Inverness and the Highlands; Blair and Cawdor Castles, Edinburgh Castle and a private visit to Holyroodhouse (if the King is not in residence), St. Andrews.
• Fares from $5990 for departures May through September

Tauck Family Tour to Costa Rica for 8-days

 – take the grandchildren.  San Jose to Liberia

• Visit Tortuguero NP, a toucan rescue center, a chocolate making demonstration, river rafting in Arenal, see monkeys, sloths, and turtles on a jungle cruise, a pineapple farm, a zip line ride (or nature walk)  at the Arenal volcano, visit Guanacaste for dolphin spotting and snorkelling. 
• Fares from $4390 for departures March through August.  Take the grandchildren for spring break!

Viking Rome to Athens with Israel

• Departures November 14, 16, 22, 28 or December 6 for 15-days
• Includes round-trip air, Double past-guest discount, all taxes & fees, transfers, shore excursion in every port, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship.
• Visit Rome (overnight), Naples, Heraklion, Jerusalem, Haifa (overnight), Cyprus, Rhodes, Mykonos, Athens (overnight).
• Fares start at $4699 for a veranda room.

Viking Caribbean & Amazon for 13-days between Puerto Rica and Brazil

• Departures on November 26 (from San Juan), or December 8 (from Manaus)
• Includes round-trip air, all taxes & fees, transfers, shore excursion in every port, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship
• Visit San Juan (overnight), Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, French Guiana, Scenic Sailing in the Amazon, Santarem, Parintins, Manaus (overnight)
• Veranda rooms starting at $5599 (including air).

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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

In the rush to travel again, some of you contact us with requests that can be neatly summarized as “Just tell me where I should go next”.  We resist answering such questions (I’ll explain more below), and that has frustrated some of you.

Here’s a personal story that illustrates the point I’m trying to make.  Many years ago, Bob and I were travelling around New Zealand’s North Island.  Bob was really keen to see a geo-thermal power generation project in Rotorua.  This was my idea of a living hell.  Bob spent several years in the energy sector, and thought such things were fascinating.  My father was a hydraulic engineer (also from the energy sector), and I have nightmares of being in the back of the car as a child, while we checked out one more hydro electric project when were on our family “vacation”. 

The moral?  It’s different strokes, for different folks.  Activities some people find completely riveting, others find death in a house fire more appealing.  

Hence, “where should I go next”, will be met with a series of follow up questions from us, rather than an answer.  This question-response is also what differentiates us from the cruise lines’ and travel company’s call centers.  

Let me explain….

There is no doubt that some cruise lines’ call centers are better than others.  The best ones will answer your call right away, and at the other end of the phone is someone that is professional and very well trained to sell their product.  They probably will tell you where you should go next, and be more than happy to sell you their product.  That is their job, and many of them do it very well.

When you call us, and say you want to go on X cruise line from Rome to Barcelona, we are more than happy to book that for you, but we will ask you how you arrived at that decision, and if you want to look at alternatives.  ALL the cruise lines do some variation of that itinerary (and just about all other itineraries), so you probably have more choices than you realize.  

Most of our small-ship ocean and river cruise clients base their decision more on itinerary than they do the cruise line, and we can help you decide what is best for you.  

To put it another way… we are agnostic about what cruise line or packaged land company you choose.  We’re always happy to give you our opinion, but not before we have asked a number of questions so we understand what criteria you value the most.  

Because not everyone loves visiting geo-thermal power projects. 

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Christmas Markets on the Danube with AMA Waterways

• Depart December 11 for 7-nights
• From Vilshofen (Bavaria) to Budapest.  Visit Passau, Linz (for Salzburg OR Cesky Krumlov), Weissenkirchen, and Vienna (overnight).
• 3-night pre-trip extension to Prague available for $900 per person.
• Fares from $3499 per person with a $150 on board credit.

Tulip Cruise with AMA Waterways

• Depart March 28 for 7-nights.  Amsterdam round-trip
• Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Hoorn, Middelburg, Ghent, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Keukenhof gardens.  
• 2 night pre-trip extension in Amsterdam for $750 per person.
• French Balconies from $3859 with a $150 on board credit.

Remember that all AMA cruises include a choice of shore excursion in every port, beer/wine with meals, daily happy hour before dinner, on-board wellness coordinator for complimentary yoga and fitness activities, and wifi on the ship. 

Auckland to Sydney with SilverSea

• Depart January 4 for 14-days.

• Visit Auckland (overnight), Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Kaikoura, Dunedin, Bluff, Milford Sound, Sydney (overnight).
• Prices start at $5400 per person if you take advantage of their pay-in-full discount of 20%.

Hong Kong to Tokyo with SilverSea

• Depart March 14 for 16 days.

• Visit Hong Kong (overnight), Jeju (SK), Seoul (overnight), Busan, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Osaka (overnight).
• Prices start at $6360 per person if you take advantage of their pay-in-full discount of 20%.

SilverSea fares include an open bar, gratuities, a shore excursion in every port, and wifi on the ship.  

Viking Independence Day Sale – ends July 11

Viking is offering FREE AIR on select 2023 departures.  The catch – it has to be booked by July 11.

Panama Canal – Fort Lauderdale to Panama City

• Depart October, November or December for 11-days.
• Visit Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan (Honduras), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Colon (Panama), and a full-transit of the Panama Canal. 
• Verandas start at $2999 with FREE AIR

Antarctica from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

• Depart November or December for 13-days
• 5-days of scheduled landings on the continent.
• Nordic Balcony Fares from $10,495 including FREE AIR

Mississippi River round-trip from New Orleans

• Departures in December for 8-days.
• Visit Darrow, St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, 
• Fares start at $3299 per person with FREE AIR
• Optional pre or post in New Orleans for 2-nights from $899.  

Viking prices include all taxes and fees, airport transfers, a shore excursion in each port of call, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship. 

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).

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

Happy 4^th of July!!  OK – I know it’s a few days from now, but many of you will be celebrating this weekend.  There is much to celebrate, and I hope all of you do so with your friends and family in a way that is meaningful to you.

I thought this was a good opportunity to chat about some trends and other news we’re seeing specific to US Passport holders as we continue to get back out into the world (with a vengeance!).  

• Revenge Travel — In the first quarter of 2023 bookings in the Virtuoso network are up 191% over the same period in 2019 (the last year we have full data for).
• Your top five destinations are the US, Italy, France, Spain, and Canada.
• More International — Although domestic travel is still the highest, it is down 12% from 2019, as more of us opt for overseas trips.  
• Cruise bookings are 55% higher than 2019, and river cruise bookings are 128% higher.
• Hotel costs (Average Daily Rate) are 10% – 15% higher than 2022 (and that was already 10% – 15% higher than 2019).  So, you’ll pay quite a bit more for a hotel room – both domestically and abroad.
• Cruise Prices are NOT seeing the same increases, although cruise operators are subject to the same inflationary pressures as land operators.  This may indicate upward pressure on cruise prices in the future. 
• Visas for Europe – we’re fielding lots of calls about whether US passport holders require Visas to visit the EU or the UK.  The answer: not yet… but it’s coming.  Unfortunately, our TV media has provided incomplete and misleading information on this situation.  Here’s what you need to know:  Sometime in 2024, US Passport holders will need to fill out an electronic form in advance of their travels to Europe.  There will be an accompanying cost of between $7 and $15 depending on where you’re travelling and the prevailing exchange rate at the time.  Some TV “news” stations have attempted to whip viewers into an angry froth by suggesting it’s an unfair cash grab.  For clarity, we imposed an identical requirement on European visitors in 2017, and it costs them over double what they intend to charge us.  Frankly… if a $10 entry fee to Europe is going to set you off, you should probably rethink your trip, because you won’t be very happy once you get there.
• Domestic Cruises — Some of you have asked about the lack of options and expense of cruising inside of the US (Hawaii, River Cruises, Great Lakes).  For any cruise that doesn’t touch a foreign port, the rules are completely different.  All staff need to be legal to work in the United States, and the ship must be owned by an American company, and have been built in the United States.  These protectionist measures may have been imposed with the best of intentions, but it also explains why there are fewer domestic options, and why they can be more expensive than others. 

The bottom line here is that Americans want to travel (both domestically and internationally), and the labor shortage in the hospitality and tourism industries is very real on a global level. This will self-correct, but not in the next several months.  

If you’re travelling this July 4^th Long Weekend, then do so safely.  If you’re staying near home, then make some memories with your friends and family.  In either case, creating tomorrow’s memories is well worth the effort. 

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Introducing Oceania’s ‘Simply MORE’

You may have heard that Oceania is phasing out its O-Life Choice pricing structure starting tomorrow.  This is a good thing.  The O-Life program offered guests “segmented luxury” – meaning you could get a luxury cruise experience, and pay for those things that you valued most.  It was also confusing, so they’ve simplified the structure, and you’ll still have access to their luxury product.  The new pricing structure is called Simply MORE.  Here are the highlights:

• You’ll have the choice of having air included or not.
• Beer, wine, and champagne will be included with your meals (a WIDE range of options, not just ‘red or white’).
• You’ll get a shore-excursion wallet that you can spend exactly as you wish.  It will be enough for a basic excursion in each port of call… but if you’d prefer to spend it all on a helicopter tour and skip the basic excursions, that’s an option too. 
• Oceania’s exceptional culinary program and specialty restaurants will still be included in your fare. 
• Wifi access will continue to be included in your fare.

If you have an existing Oceania booking, then you’re in a great position – you will have the choice of remaining with your current price and O-Life amenities, OR you can choose the new price and amenities.  

Uniworld Flash Sale

If you’re ready to tick off some items on your bucket list this fall, Uniworld is offering some fantastic fares on Exotic River Cruises.  The catch:  must be booked by July 7:

Vietnam, Cambodia and the Mekong

• Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City for 15 days departing November 24, or December 8 on board the spectacular 68-passenger Mekong Jewel.  
• French Balcony (300 square feet) from $5999 per person (regular $8999)
• Spend 2-nights at the Park Hyatt Saigon and then on to visit Ancient Temples, a Vietnamese floating Farmer’s Market, sail up the Mekong to see local villages, and the collision of cultures between ancient Khmer, and colonial French past.  See Buddhist Temples, palaces, and ancient artifacts.  Take a Tuk Tuk ride in Phnom Penh, visit the Killing Fields and genocide museum and visit a local Cambodian school.  See Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Hindu and Buddhist monuments as well as a Hanoi city tour. 

India — Ganges River

• New Delhi to Kolkata for 13-days departing September 28, 2023, on Uniworld’s 56-guest Ganges Voyager II.  
• French Balcony from $5499 per person (regular $8699). 
• Take a rickshaw ride in New Delhi, see the Taj Mahal at sunrise (and sunset!), visit the Amber Palace, as well as Hindu Temples, a Hare Krishna complex, and the Temple of the Vedic planetarium.  Sail the sacred Ganges River, and visit small Indian villages along the way.  Take a horse-drawn buggy ride to the Katra Mosque, and see the former French colony of Mayapur.  Buy flowers at the market in Kolkata, and see Mother Teresa’s home and tomb.

These extremely low prices are subject to availability (and they will sell out), and must be booked before July 7.  

Seabourn Two Category Upgrade Sale

Seabourn is offering a 2-category upgrade and a $500 Air Credit on many of its voyages for those cruises booked before July 10.  Here’s some examples:

Barcelona to Rome

• Departing October 29 for 7-days with fares from $3499.  
• Visit Menorca, Sete (France), Toulon (France), Corsica, Florence/Pisa, Elba (Italy).

Athens round-trip

• Departing October 11, for 11-days with fares from $6499.
• Visit Poros, Sicily, Lipari (Italy), Malta, Crete, Marmaris (Turkey), Bodrum, Ermoupolis (Greece)

Remember that on Seabourn you get a 300 square foot Veranda Suite, and prices include all taxes and fees, port expenses, on-board gratuities, an open bar (including a mini suite stocked with your preferences and replenished daily) and wifi on the ship. 

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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