Do you ever stay at a hotel or resort, and when you get your final bill, you have to sit down when you see it, because you think you’re either completely misunderstanding or maybe having a stroke?

This happened to me a couple times recently.

Bob and I were doing some domestic travel earlier this year and stayed at various hotel and resort properties along the way. 

Each of the places we stayed was lovely, but I was quickly reminded of the incredible value per dollar you get with cruise vacations.  The transparency of the value equation is also far superior on the water than it is on land.

Now, I am well aware that with some cruise lines, it’s easy to get into a situation where your end-of-cruise charges far exceed the fare you paid to get on the ship in the first place.  But you get what you pay for.  When you’re paying just $75/night for a cruise that includes accommodation, all your meals, and fantastic entertainment, you should expect an upcharge here and there.  If you really dislike this arrangement, then you’ll want to try a more inclusive cruise line.

But back to my original rant…

I have no objection to paying a fair price for quality hotels and resorts.  I just think that for a domestic property (the US is cheap by international standards), once you start paying over $500 per night, they might want to throw in the Wi-Fi.

Foolishly, I thought $500/night would be inclusive (like it is on luxury ships).  I got a few extra surprises on my bill when I checked out:

1. $180 plus tax for parking ($60 per day).
2. $90 plus tax for the resort fee ($30/day).  I still don’t understand the logic of this.  They told me it was for the use of the exercise room, common facilities, and the pool.  They could just bump the rate by $30, but instead they leave me feeling nickel and dimed to death.
3. $5 per day on my invoice for the housekeeping gratuity.  I have no objection to tipping the housekeeper – I just wish they had told me this before I tipped her in the room.  Better yet – how about we pay our housekeepers a living wage like they do in Europe?  Tipping used to be an incentive for better service, now it is something that is automatically added to the bill – which is simply passing the labor cost directly to the consumer. 
4. $10 for “porterage”.  I have no idea what this is.  I’m assuming it was when the bellman whisked away my bags upon check-in, and they showed up in my room.  Again… I have no objection to paying this – if the $10 went straight to the bellman, but perhaps we need to completely reassess who pays the labor in these resorts – see my comments above.

Needless to say, the total cost of my stay was several hundred dollars more than the $500/night I paid to be there.  In fairness, this price was for both of us, but my total charges approached the $350 per person, per night range, and I still had to buy all my meals, and pay for entertainment at external venues, as well as the Uber-fare to get from the resort into town to get to the restaurants and theatres.

For the same $350 per person, per night, I could have sailed on one of the small ship cruise lines and had a much more inclusive experience.  I need to reinforce that I DON’T object to paying – I object to being two-bitted to death with charges that are clearly intended to increase revenue, but NOT enhance the guest experience.  Is it really acceptable in this day and age to charge $15/day for internet access?

To be fair, not all land-based resorts lower themselves to this type of predatory revenue management.  In the future I will seek out those properties that are more transparent and forthcoming with their billing model. 

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Viking Cruises

The folks at Viking have created a marketing machine, and as the pandemic subsides and more travel opportunities open up, Viking is ramping up their marketing even further.  In addition to their publicly visible advertising, Viking also does micro-targeted promotions – meaning they will send a particular promotion to a very small group of people – applicable only to them.  These promotions represent some terrific value, and you are wise to take advantage of these if you receive them.  However please keep in mind that we can improve on any offer you get from Viking.  We can get you an additional $100 per person on board credit on ANY Viking cruise, in addition to any discount or promotional codes they send you directly.  I’m pointing this out because multiple times just this week I’ve had clients ask if they need to book directly with Viking in order to get the deal that’s being offered.  I really appreciate those who asked!  But it also means there are many more of you out there who are under the impression that you must book directly with Viking in order to get the discounted price or extra perks.

What if you’ve already booked?  If you booked directly with Viking in the past 60 days (either on-line, or through their call center), we can still get the extra $100 on board credit added to your reservation.  Contact us directly for details (contact info provided at the bottom of this message).  There is NO extra fee to work with us and everything about your original booking remains exactly the same, including the price, your room number, extra perks, any excursions you’ve reserved etc.  Also, in case you are wondering, when you work with us you do NOT undermine the Viking agent who originally helped you make the reservation.  I encourage you call Viking and discuss this with them – they will assure you that Agency Transfers are everyday occurrences.

American Queen Voyages

If you don’t want to go overseas, the AQV has a number of voyages on the Mississippi River System.  Here are two examples if you’re looking for something to do this summer:

Chicago to St. Louis for 9-days

1. Departing on August 8th or 15th, with fares starting at $2399 per person.
2. Visit Peoria, Havana, and Hannibal with 2 days in Chicago, and 2 days in St. Louis. 

Louisville to Memphis for 9 days

1. Departing June 13th or 20th, with fares starting at $2399 per person.
2. Visit New Madrid, Paducah, Henderson, Owensboro, Brandenburg

Remember that all American Queen fares include a pre-cruise hotel night, unlimited shore excursions, an open bar, and wifi on the ship.  We can add an extra $50 per person onboard credit to any AQV booking.

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/3255495711399587

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

For travellers, the greatest innovation of the past century hasn’t been space travel or insulin, but rather luggage with wheels. 

This has changed everything. 

No longer are you restricted by your own ability to lift and manage your own bags.  You can now bring just about everything you own, and simply be able to push it along a sidewalk until someone much stronger than you can lift it on to a conveyor belt.

This is clearly evident in the fact that new luggage comes in the same sized box as a refrigerator.  If you don’t believe me, take note next time you’re at an airport or cruise ship terminal.  It’s a comedy of errors watching some people attempt to manage their own stuff.

For some, this catastrophe-in-waiting is remedied by packing light.  This has always been my preference.  However, after travelling with my mother-in-law, I quickly realized this is not a course of action that will work for everybody. 

I also had to rethink my luggage strategy recently when we combined a back-packing trip in Morocco followed by a river cruise in Italy.  I didn’t want all the other backpackers to make fun of my garment bag and dress pumps, so I was forced to look at alternatives.

As it turns out, there are several services out there that will pick up your luggage a few days in advance of a cruise (or other types of trips) and will deliver it to your embarkation point. In our case, we got a suitcase full of dress clothes delivered to the hotel where we stayed between the two parts of our trip, and sent home another bag full of hiking boots, rain gear, and dirty laundry. The service we used was Luggage Forward (another similar option is Luggage Free).

Imagine how nice it would be to get up on your travel day, grab your carry-on, and leave for the airport.

No overhead cranes to get your luggage in and out of your trunk; no wheeling through the airport with your half-ton of stuff – it takes away a lot of the pain of travelling.

Think about how much more stuff you can bring!

If want to follow along on our Italy & Morocco trip, we’re posting daily blog posts.  Here’s the link to our Facebook Page:  www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser

Today’s Travel Opportunities

All of today’s travel opportunities are only valid through April 15th, so please contact us as soon as possible if you’re interested in one of them.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

We just stepped off the Uniworld Super Ship La Venezia in Venice, Italy, and as a result, we are able to extend a fantastic (and exclusive) offer to all of our clients:

Get $250 per person off website prices AND $200 per person on board credit on ANY Uniworld Cruise!

I published a few examples last week.  Here’s the link in case you missed it:

Get $500 Discount + $400 Onboard Credit on ANY Uniworld Cruise

In case you’re not familiar with Uniworld, here is a video we created that describes 5 Ways Uniworld is Different than other river cruise lines:

Oceania Cruise – O-Life Ultimate Sale

With Oceania’s standard O-Life Choice offer, you normally get your choice of ONE of three perks.  Between now and April 15th, on selected cruises, you can get ALL THREE PERKS included in the price:

1. Free Shore Excursions
2. Free Beverage Package
3. Free Shipboard Credit

We haven’t seen this offer from Oceania for a long time.

Here are some examples:

Barcelona to Rome for 10 nights departing August 18, 2022

1. Visit Palamos, Marseilles, Monte Carlo, St. Tropez, Livorno (for Pisa, Florence, Tuscany), Sicily, Malta, and Amalfi.
2. Veranda rooms starting at $5299 per person, including round trip flights, 3 shore excursions per person, the beverage package, and a $600 cabin credit ($300 per person).

New York Round-Trip for 7-nights departing July 5 or 12, 2022

1. Cruise out to Bermuda, and spend 3-nights in St. George, and 2-nights in Hamilton
2. This is a great opportunity to check out Oceania!
3. Veranda rooms starting at $3299 per person including round-trip flights, 2 shore excursions per person, the beverage package, and a $400 cabin credit ($200 per person).

Iceland to Paris for 18-nights departing August 9, 2022

1. Visit 3 ports in Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Kirkwall (UK), 2 ports in Norway, an overnight stay in Copenhagen, an overnight in Stockholm, Helsinki, Talinn, and Bruges, Belgium.
2. Ocean view rooms starting at $7899 per person including round-trip flights, 4 shore excursions per person, the beverage package, and an $800 cabin credit ($400 per person).

There are over 20 other cruises that this deal applies to.  Here’s the full list: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/olife-ultimate/

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/3249828405299651

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 Venice!

Bob and I are on a River Cruise in Italy this week, courtesy of our friends at Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. 

We are excited to announce that our clients have been given access to a very special, unadvertised promotion through our relationship with Uniworld – Get $500 off + $400 onboard credit on ANY Uniworld river cruise booked between April 1st – 15th, 2022

Which itinerary to choose? 

You might want to consider the very trip we’re on, which is exclusive to Uniworld: Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy (7 nights round trip from Venice on the Po River).  In addition to Venice, you also get to visit Chioggia, Bologna, and Burano.  There’s also an optional extension to Milan.

See details about this unique itinerary here: https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/river-cruise/italy/venice-and-the-gems-of-northern-italy/2022-venice-to-venice

Uniworld’s gorgeous, newly renovated and re-designed ship La Venezia docks right in the lagoon, close to St. Mark’s Square.  This floating boutique hotel is a way better option for staying in Venice compared to any traditional hotel!

You also have the option to choose one of the River Cruise and Rail combinations that include this itinerary:

1. Milan, Venice & the Swiss Alps (Milan to Zurich – 14 days). Learn more: https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/river-cruise/italy/cruise-and-rail-milan-venice-and-the-swiss-alps/2022-milan-to-zurich
2. Venice & the Swiss Alps (Zurich to Venice – 12 days). Learn more: https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/river-cruise/italy/cruise-and-rail-venice-and-the-swiss-alps/2022-zurich-to-venice
3. Milan, Venice & Istanbul (Milan to Istanbul – 18 days). Learn more: https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/river-cruise/italy/cruise-and-rail-milan-venice-and-istanbul/2022-milan-to-istanbul
4. Venice & Istanbul (Venice to Istanbul – 16 days).  Learn more: https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/river-cruise/italy/cruise-and-rail-venice-and-istanbul/2022-venice-to-istanbul

Your pre- or post-cruise journey on the Golden Eagle Train is the perfect complement to Uniworld’s all-inclusive luxury.  Discover more about Uniworld’s Rail and Cruise program here: https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/cruise-and-rail

Remember, you’ll receive a $500 discount ($250 per person) off the prices listed on the website, if you book by April 15th.  You’ll ALSO receive a $400 onboard credit ($200 per person).  You will not receive this offer if you book directly with Uniworld.

What sets Uniworld apart from other river cruise lines is their boutique ships. Each one is specially designed and decorated for the region through which it sails. The menus are set to immerse guests in the cuisine and culture of the adjacent landscape.

The Uniworld fare is all-inclusive:

1. Private airport transfers
2. Shore excursions in every port (multiple options to choose from each time)
3. Pre-paid gratuities
4. Alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks at all times
5. Uniworld’s famous personal service. 
6. (Plus, Sue’s favourite… a jar of chocolates in your stateroom that is topped up every evening!)

When you consider the inclusions, the onboard credit, and the special discount I mentioned above, it creates a compelling value proposition that’s hard to ignore.

Here are a few examples of current website rates (remember, you will pay $250 per person less):

1. Round-trip Venice Italy as described above:  Depart May 15th, 2022 – $2699 per person ($4399 for a French Balcony)
2. Amsterdam to Nuremberg.  Visiting Cologne, Rudesheim, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, and Volkach.  Depart August 26th, 2022 – $2499 per person.
3. Round-trip Bordeaux.  Visiting France’s wine growing communities.  Depart July 3rd, 2022 – $3199 per person.
4. Peruvian Amazon & Machu Picchu (round-trip Lima) 2 weeks.  2-nights in Lima, then a week on the ship, followed by 4-nights in Cusco (for Machu Picchu), and then one more night in Lima.  Depart October 26th or November 30th, 2022 – $12,499 per person. 

All cruises are 7 nights unless otherwise noted, are based on double occupancy, with the price valid for the date indicated subject to availability.

In addition to the examples given above, Uniworld sails all the rivers in Europe, as well as in India, Egypt, and Vietnam & Cambodia.

Browse all of Uniworld River Cruise Itineraries here: https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us

Remember, this exclusive opportunity to get $500 discount + $400 onboard credit applies to ANY Uniworld cruise.  

Where will YOU go next?

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/3244172355865256

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

Over the last couple of years, TV shows like Zac Efron’s ‘Down to Earth’, and Stanley Tucci’s ‘Searching for Italy’ became instant hits while we were all under “house arrest” and not actually able to travel. 

In that same period, Bob and I dreamed up the idea that we would do short videos from our dining room, re-enacting various river cruises we had taken, pretending to discuss that day’s port of call, so our clients could “travel” with us.

Wait… you didn’t you see these videos? 

That’s because we didn’t produce them!  Here’s why.

First, producing that much video is a lot of work that we had to fit in around rebooking all our clients (sometimes multiple times).  Second (and perhaps more significantly) Viking launched Viking TV.

At the outset, this was obviously a marketing device to keep people engaged with Viking when we couldn’t travel.  But then something happened – they kept adding content, and it’s REALLY GOOD (certainly much better than we could have done ourselves).

Even if you’re not a Viking client, they have all kinds of videos of varying lengths related to travel, and just enjoying life in general.  They are constantly adding to the site with more content, and it’s all on demand (you don’t even need a Netflix membership).  Here’s a peak at some of the content:

1. Destination information
2. Insight into attractions at shore stops
3. Enrichment lecturers that you might experience on one of their cruises.
4. Food and wine education
5. Behind the scenes at Viking – with crew insights, and ship tours
6. Alastair Miller – a professional photographer visits various locations and shares his work.
7. Art & Culture:  some of highlights on travel itineraries.
8. Extraordinary Lives:  Interviews with interesting people
9. Historians’ lectures – from places you might visit on a cruise
10. Music from destinations
11. Information on some of their individual Viking Cruise offerings.

Viking tags itself as “The Thinking Person’s Cruise”, so having such enrichment content available on their website does make sense.  Some of the videos are a few minutes long, while others might be up to an hour.  Either way, you might find it interesting. 

For example, here is one about River Cruising on the Mississippi with Viking: https://www.viking.tv/tv/viking-journeys/viking-mississippi

These HIGHLY anticipated voyages debut later this year.  If you’re thinking of the Mississippi, you’ll want to plan well ahead of time!

See details of Viking’s Mississippi itineraries here: https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/mississippi/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/3238683783080780

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

So… it looks like you might actually make that trip overseas after it was re-scheduled a couple of times (or more).  Are you feeling out of practice?  When’s the last time you crossed multiple time zones?  These questions are top of mind for many of you, so I thought I would dedicate some space to managing jet lag.

In normal (non-pandemic) times, Bob and I are in Europe two or three times per year.  I don’t adjust well… I love my sleep, and I don’t sleep well on planes.  As every year advances, I find it more difficult to make the adjustment.  So, I’ve had to build a more deliberate strategy when I go to Europe or Asia (or really when I’m crossing more than 4 time zones to anywhere).

Here’s my strategy starting about a week before I leave.  The examples I use here are for flying eastward (to Europe), so I have to adjust this list when I fly to Asia or Australia/NZ.

• Advance my “clock” one hour each day, for a week prior to departure.  This is easier said than done, and existing commitments may mean you have to compromise here and there, but essentially, it means going to bed one hour earlier, and getting up one earlier EACH day for the week prior to departure.  I usually fly from the west coast (9-hour time change to Europe), so if you’re flying from the east coast, you can start 4 or 5 days in advance.
• “Live” in the time zone of my destination.  This means earlier meals, as well as adjusted bedtimes for the final days before departure.
• Change my watch to destination time as soon as I board the plane.  The inflight services the airlines provide are timed for their convenience, NOT for helping you adjust your rhythm.  Based on the time at your destination, figure out if you should be eating when the meal cart comes around, or if you should be asleep.
• Sleep on the plane if it’s nighttime at my destination.  This is the one I struggle with the most.  Some people take melatonin or sleeping pills.  Not everyone is willing to do this, and you’ll want to consult your physician and make your own best judgment.  At the very least, earplugs and an eye-mask can greatly increase your chances of getting rest on the plane.
• Drink water, not wine on the plane.  This one I struggle with almost as much as the one above (!!), but I know it’s important to remain hydrated to help my body adjust to the interruption of its circadian rhythms that I’m subjecting it to.
• Consider Premium Economy.  Business Class flights overseas are cost prohibitive for many of us, but Premium Economy is only a few hundred dollars more, and provides much more space than “cattle class”.  It’s easier to sleep, and I’m more comfortable on a long flight.
• Add a one-day buffer at my arrival point.  If I’m doing a cruise or land tour, I always arrive at least one day early, knowing my first day on the ground is not going to be productive.  I usually don’t feel well, so I find it’s best to kick back and allow some time to adjust (hard to do if I schedule myself to hit the ground running).  In some cases, I have even taken an airport hotel for one night upon arrival (much more cost effective in cities like London, Paris, or Rome), and then moved closer into the city the next day to start my trip.
• Hydration and poop.  Sorry… it has to be discussed.  I use rehydration formulas (you can buy them anywhere) for my first 2 or 3 days upon arrival and do my very best to become regular as it relates to all bodily functions.  This may mean altering what I eat the first day or two I’m on the ground.
• Sleep with the drapes open.  I want to be exposed to sunlight in the morning at my destination to quickly adjust my body-clock.  If I can get outside into direct bright sunlight, that’s even better.

The return trip home:  Remember, you get to do this all over again when you return home!  However, most times it’s easier on the return because you can adjust in the comfort of your own home.  The one rule I’ve started to follow on our return journeys:  Never drive home from the airport.

If you’re flying across more than 3 or 4 time zones, you will definitely be compromised.  You will not be as alert as you should be to operate a motor vehicle.  If you can have someone pick you up, that is great, but if not then a taxi or Uber is probably in order.  Its usually costs less than long term parking at the airport, anyway.

We’re overcoming some jet lag ourselves, so we don’t have any specific travel opportunities for this week!

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/3233272896955202

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