You might have heard that Norway is closing its fjords to cruise ship traffic in 2026.  This isn’t entirely accurate, but it will be greatly restricted after next summer.  Some of you have asked, so here are some quick bits about Norway and its fjords.  Some of you know Kim from our office, and she and her husband visited Norway in July!

About Norway:

• It’s about the same size as Montana, and is home to 5.5 million people.  
• Norway has the world’s 2^nd longest coastline (after Canada), so it’s no wonder people want to visit the Norwegian coast.
• Norway’s largest industries are petroleum, fishing, and ship building – so you can see how restricting traffic to the fjords affects all three (imagine the politics!)
• The Norwegians have been a bit smarter than us about their oil industry.  A set amount from each barrel of oil is retained in their “Heritage Fund” that now amounts to $1.62 trillion or about $300,000 for every person in the country.
• We love to celebrate Christopher Columbus (even though he never set foot in the United States), but the Vikings beat Columbus to the New World by about 500 years. 

Are the Norwegian Fjords Closing?

• No… but traffic will be greatly restricted starting in 2026.
• Only cruise ships running on alternative fuels will be allowed after 2025, and ALL vessels will have to be zero-emissions by 2035.
• You MAY be able to take excursions into the fjords via the electric boats that have been operating there for years.  
• Some cruise lines have already begun the shift to liquid natural gas, hybrid-electric, liquid hydrogen, and biofuels.  More to follow in the next few years.

When to go

• Norway is a long way north (Oslo is only slightly south of Anchorage in terms of latitude), so most people visit May through September.
• There are cruise options in the winter (for Northern Lights), but it is mostly dark and cold then (but undoubtedly a fantastic experience). 
• 2025 will offer more choices and options to the Norwegian Fjords until further notice.  Again… the technology will catch up with the regulations, but it might take a few years.

What’s the Attraction?

• Pristine scenery, waterfalls, wildlife and nature
• Charming small townships with well-endowed parks and public space
• Norwegians!  This is a small, but really impressive country.

The bottom line here is that Norway will continue to be a significant cruise destination in Northern Europe, but if you want to get into the fjords on your preferred cruise line, then 2025 is potentially the last year to do that until ALL the cruise lines have upgraded their fleets.  

Today’s Travel Opportunities

SILVERSEA 10% OFF PRIVATE SALE

You’ve got a few more days before this offer disappears at the end of the month.  There are over 200 itineraries that can get you 10% OFF the best price on SilverSea’s website: https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-time-to-try-classic-luxury/ .  

Here are some SilverSea options if you want to visit Norway:

NORWAY: Round-trip from Copenhagen departing August 15 for 12-days

• Visit 7 ports in Norway including Oslo (overnight) and Skagen.
• Fares from $5940

NORWAY & UK:  Edinburgh to Longyearbyen departing May 25 for 18-days

• Visit 3 ports in the Shetland Islands, Noss (Scotland), 12 ports in Norway including Tromso and Svalbard.
• This cruise is on the former Crystal ship, Endeavour — that holds just 200 guests!
• Fares from $23,310

NORWAY & IRELAND: Copenhagen to Dublin departing July 25 for 9-days.

• Visit 3 ports in Norway, Shetland Islands, Noss, Orkney Islands, Shiant Islands, Loch Ewe, Lunga.
• Fares from $5040.  Also available from Dublin to Copenhagen on July 16.

HURTIGRUTEN:  Norwegian Coastal Cruises

As a Norwegian company, Hurtigruten is in the region year round:

NORWAY FJORDS IN SUMMER:  Midnight Sun cruises round-trip from Bergen for 15-days

• 10 port stops in Coastal Norway including Svalbard and Tromso. 
• Departures May through September from $4702.

NORWAY ULTIMATE NORTHERN LIGHTS:  Oslo to Helsinki for 17-days

• First, travel from Oslo to Bergen on the Flam Railway.  Then board the Norwegian Coastal Express for 7-nights in the Fjords.  Do a Reindeer Safari in Northern Finland, visit the Santa Claus Village, do a Husky Safari, stay in a Glass Igloo in Lapland, and finish in Helsinki.
• Departures September 2025 through March 2026 from $6412 pp

AMA WATERWAYS

PORTUGAL & SPAIN departing July 4 for one-week

• Visit Porto, Douro valley, Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Afurada.
• See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
• Optional extensions to Madrid and/or Lisbon. 
• This trip is on the brand new AMA Sintra, carrying just 102 guests
• BONUS: This trip is already offered at 10% off, and we have TWO remaining vouchers for an additional 5% (Up to $300 off).
• Verandas $6268.  Windows $4199

EGYPT for 12-days (4 nights Cairo and 7-nights on the ship)

• See the Pyramids and Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum (with King Tut’s room), Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and a Nile Felucca ride 
• BONUS: Business Class Air for $2499 round-trip
• November 22 or 29, 2024 from $6549
• December 2024 departures from $6149

CANADA LAND-CRUISE WITH TAUCK

Canada is “domestic” in terms of trip logistics, but still offers unique experiences.  Here are two different ways to see our neighbo(u)r to the North: 

URBAN: Canada’s Capital Cities & Niagara Falls for 10-days from Toronto to Quebec City

• Visit Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montreal, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec City
• Do a day cruise on the St. Lawrence, a walking and tasting tour of Old Montreal, see a maple sugar demonstration, see the walled city and citadel at Quebec, and visit the Plains of Abraham (where the epic battle between Wolfe and Montcalm took place (the result of which is why you’re speaking English right now)).
• 2024:  Depart September 28 for $5890
• 2025:  Departures May through October from $5690

MARITIMES:  Round-trip from Halifax for 11-days

• Visit the famous lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, see Lunenburg (a UNESCO site), witness the 38 foot tides at the Bay of Fundy, visit Saint John, do a Lobster Cruise on Shediac Bay, enjoy Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island, see the site of Anne of Green Gables, travel Cape Breton Island, and stop in at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (this Scottish-born Canadian invented a lot more than just the telephone!)
• 2024:  Depart September 27 for $6990
• 2025:  Departures June through September from $5790

ICYMI: 5 -year travel plan:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/off-the-bucket-list-and-on-the-next-list/

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

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

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

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

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

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

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

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

Have you made your plans yet for the next solar eclipse?  If you’re anything like me, the answer is “no”.  During 2024’s celestial event, I found myself about 250 miles from the path of totality, and realized I’d missed a huge opportunity (by only 250 miles!).

There is a mystic quality to an eclipse, and you can see how the event would have confounded those civilizations that were unable to understand what was happening.  It is perhaps partly my caveman brain processing the event, or maybe just the pure awe of nature manifesting itself in temporary darkness that makes me want to be more deliberate the next time a similar opportunity presents itself.  

Some of our cruise vendors have jumped on board to assist in such planning.  The advantage that cruise ships have over land-based resorts is that they have engines and rudders that can put them in the path of totality for such events.  

If you are of like mind, here are a few suggestions, but keep in mind that many of these voyages are already close to sold out, so you’ll need to commit quickly if it’s of interest.  The next total solar eclipse will take place on August 12, 2026, and the path of totality will include Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal (as well as a large swath of the Atlantic Ocean).  

ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES

Barcelona to Monte Carlo departing August 9 for 7-nights

• Visit Valencia, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Solar Eclipse at sea, Banyuls-sur-mer (France), Montpellier, Cannes, Monte Carlo (overnight)
• Verandas from $7349

Reykjavik round-trip departing August 11 for 9-nights

• Visit 4 ports in Iceland, 3 stops in Greenland, and eclipse at sea
• Verandas from $11,199

CUNARD

London to New York departing August 4 for 14-nights

• Visit Bruges, then 4 stops in the Norwegian Fjords, 2 stops in Iceland with an overnight in Reykjavik, and then on to NYC. 
• Fares from $3279pp

London round-trip to Spain & France departing August 9 for 7-nights.

• Visit Santander, La Coruna (for Santiago de Compostela), Gijon, Bordeaux
• Fares from $2299

Rome to Barcelona departing August 10 for 7-nights

• Visit Taragona, Palma de Mallorca, Villefranche, Toulon
• Suites from $5279 (verandas are sold out)

PRINCESS

London round-trip to Spain, Portugal & France departing August 8 for 14-days

• Visit Cherbourg, Billbao, Malaga, Cartagena, Gibraltar, Lisbon, La Coruna
• Fares from $4458

SOLAR ECLIPSE in 2027

Yep… there’s another one coming on August 2, 2027.  The path of totality this time will be southern Spain, Morocco, the Sahara Desert, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and then across the Indian Ocean.  So far, VIKING CRUISES is the only one that has released itineraries (in Egypt), and they are already completely sold out.  Look for the other river cruise lines on the Nile to feature cruises, and I would expect some ocean cruise lines to have some itineraries between Dubai and East Africa (but I am guessing until they release their 2027 plans). 

Today’s Other Travel Opportunities

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION

Uniworld is offering a 10% discount on many of its 2025 itineraries.  Here are two:

Bordeaux, France for 7-nights – Wineries and more:

• Visit Cussac for Medoc (for Oyster tasting), Cadillac (Toulouse-Lautrec’s house), Blaye (for Blaye Fortress a UNESCO site)), Bourg sur Gironde, Libourne (for the Farmer’s Market), Saint Emilion
• Departures April through August from $3779
• Optional extension to Biarritz Basque Country (3-nights PRE) and/or Paris (2-nights post). 

Venice & Northern Italy for 7-nights

• Visit Venice (several spots), Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia.
• Optional extensions to Milan (2-nights pre) and/or Rome (3-nights post)
• Departs every Sunday in April, May, & June from $3779

Here’s a link to our video blog when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/QRIHi6SED6g?si=IJvnYEJlqJt_iV4n 

OCEANIA FLASH SALE

Oceania is running a flash sale until August 26.  Here are two examples: 

Japan, Philippines & Bali departing February 14 for -days

• Visit Tokyo (overnight), Shimizu, Kagoshima, Ishigaki, Manilla, Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Borneo, Brunei, Java, Surabaya, Bali (overnight), Jakarta (overnight), Singapore.
• Fares from $6075 with a $500 shore excursion credit.

Auckland to Sydney departing December 8, 2024 for 14-days

• Visit Rotorua, Napier, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Bluff, Melbourne (overnight), Geelong, Tasmania. 
• Verandas from $5325 with a $400 shore excursion credit

ICYMI: How it affects YOU because the Suez Canal is closed: https://pamperedcruiser.com/the-suez-canal-and-force-majeure/ 

Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?

Earlier this year, Viking replaced its Book on Board program with the BON VOYAGE incentive.  This allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 2 weeks BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:

• $100 per person on board credit
• 6-month final payment date
• $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries. 

We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:  

https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32 
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE

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

AI is a disruptive technology that will impact many aspects of our lives, and how we conduct business.  We just don’t fully understand how at this point.

There have been many shocks to the travel biz, and the closest parallel is probably the introduction of the internet in the mid 1990s.  That was before our time in the industry, but as a traveller, I knew pre-internet travel-planning well.  If you wanted to book a flight or a cruise, you’d head down to the travel agent in the strip mall near your home, and they’d pull out what looked like a phone book, to dig up the information you needed about schedules, itineraries, and costs.  

The travel agent controlled all the information then.  Now… the problem is often TOO MUCH information, as anyone can look up anything from their cell phone. 

I have no idea HOW the travel business will change, or how our interactions with clients will be different.  I DO know I have to learn how to adapt to this disruptive technology if we want to continue to serve clients in the most effective way. 

You come to us because you know we’ve been on THAT ship, or been to THAT destination.  Clients often ask what comparable options there might be.  They want to talk to a real person that has had a similar experience.  We’re happy to look up pricing and itineraries for people, but that’s not the value we add. 

So here is my pledge as to what you can expect from us in how we’ll use AI:

• We WILL use AI to make the considerable back-end work (that you never see) better, faster and more accurate.
• We WON’T use AI to answer the phones.  We’re as frustrated by you talking to a robot that doesn’t speak English (or any other language) very well. 
• We WILL use AI to generate thumbnails (like the one on this blog post).
• We WON’T use AI to write blog posts.  Bob or I write all these posts… the old fashioned way.
• We WILL use AI to schedule responses to you reminding you about final payments (for example).  We already use form letters and templates, HOWEVER, we wrote these standard tools ourselves (after typing the same thing dozens of times).
• We WON’T use AI to replace members of our team, that would mean you’re interfacing with a machine.

The bottom line is that where AI can make us better, more accurate, and faster, I will look to integrate it into our systems and processes.  However, we know you still value human connection, so we’d be crazy to stop providing that.  

Today’s Travel Opportunities

TAUCK RIVER CRUISES

Tauck is the most inclusive of the river cruise lines, and has some interesting itineraries:

Danube Family Bridges River Cruise from Bavaria to Budapest for 7-days

• Fly into Munich and then visit Vilshofen, Passau, Salzburg, Scenic Cruising in Wachau Valley, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest. 
• Why not take the grand-kids on these unique family sailings, with excursions and activities planned for all ages. 
• $5190 per person with departures in June and July 2025.

French Riviera to Switzerland for 14-days

• Fly to Marseille, and visit Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon, Chateau Neuf du Pape, Tain L’hermitage, Macon, Cluny, Chalon sur Saone, Burgundy, Lyon, Geneva, Chamonix.
• Depart April 17 from $8990 OR July 30 from $8390

ATLAS YACHT EXPERIENCES

This company has 3 yachts (launched in 2021, 2022, 2023), all holding 196 guests.  In our winter months, these ships are all in Antarctica, but the rest of year, they are doing “Cultural Expeditions” and “Epicurean Expeditions”.  If you’re ready to travel THIS YEAR, there’s some fantastic pricing for a small ship yacht experience:

Portugal, Morocco, and Canary Islands departing October 19 for 11-nights

• Visit Lisbon, Portimao, Seville, Gibraltar, Casablanca, Safi, Agadir, Arrecife, Santa Cruz and Las Palmas.
• Fares from $4149

South America, Falkland Island and Patagonia departing November 3, for 10-nights

• Visit Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Falkland Islands, Punta Arenas, Garibaldi Glacier, Ushuaia.  

• November 3 for 10-nights $2999
• Visit Montevideo to Ushuaia

Fares includes open bar, daily refresh of minibar in room, prepaid gratuities, specialty dining, butler service, and some shore experiences.

GLOBUS LAND CRUISE– Save $100 pp this week only through us. 

Globus is running a flash sale this week, and we can save you $100 per person. 

Sicily and Southern Italy for 14-days departing April 13, 2025

• Start in Rome, then visit Sorrento, Capri, Naples (for Pompeii), Bari, Alberobello, Reggio Calabria, Taormina Riviera, Palermo.  
• $4099 per person

Portugal & Azores from Porto to Lisbon for 11-days departing May 5

• Visit Coimbra, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada.  See Portugal in depth!
• $3779 per person

Spain in depth – round-trip Madrid for 14-days departing April 7

• Visit Vitoria, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Gibraltar, Seville, and Cordoba.
• $3999 per person

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

This luxury train journey is a great way to see these two incredibly scenic sections of the Rocky Mountains: 

CANADIAN Rockies from Vancouver to Calgary for 8-nights

• Visit Vancouver (2-nights), Kamloops, Lake Louise (2-nights), Banff (2-nights), Calgary
• 2024:  September from $4500.  October from $4133
• 2025:  May from $4444.  July/August $4907

US Rockies from Las Vegas to Denver for  7-nights

• Visit Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon, Moab (2 nights), Glenwood Springs, Denver (2-nights)
• 2024:  a few left on September 9 for $4257
• 2025:  departures in April & May for $4776.  July/Aug for $4959

Reminder: SILVERSEA 10 % OFF PRIVATE SALE

We can get you 10% off a list of over 200 sailings including Antarctica and Galapagos Islands.   Here’s the info:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-time-to-try-classic-luxury/ 

ICYMI:  Global Entry and Frequent Traveller Programs:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/trusted-traveller-programs-which-one/

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

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

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

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

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

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

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid036gTGvXrCg65BUfGs5N4BTcCxXkPWcg1uvCKrFVcv1kehf92omd65jq1HHeraJz36l

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

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

You’ve probably heard of SilverSea, and maybe considered travelling with them.  If they’re on your radar now, your timing is perfect because we have some special pricing exclusive to our agency. More on that in a minute.  

SilverSea is a classic luxury product, and has 12 ships operating on all 7 continents.  Their largest ships carry 728 guests, and the smallest holds just 100.  On ALL the ships you can expect the highest level of quality and service. 

With that as a backdrop, here are 5 reasons you should consider travelling with SilverSea:

1. Service – On the mega-ships, there are almost 4 passengers for each crew member.  On SilverSea, there are 1.5 guests for each crew member.  This means you’ll be well taken care of.
2. Inclusions – The SilverSea fare includes all beverages, gratuities, a choice of several shore excursions in every port, starlink wifi, and specialty dining.  If you purchase your air through them, they’ll even pick you up at your home, and deliver you to the closest airport.
3. Space – There is over twice as much space per guest on a SilverSea ship as you see on the mega ships.  You’ll notice this in your suite (just about all of them are over 300 square feet), but also in the uncrowded public spaces.
4. Itineraries – SilverSea often goes to many places you’ve never been before.  However… they “bookend” your cruise with marquis ports with good air connections wherever possible.  
5. Value – When you consider the cost of the inclusions, and the quality of the product, your value per vacation dollar spent is pretty hard to beat.  PLUS – we can get you 10% off on a list of over 200 voyages. See the full list of eligible voyages here: https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-private-sale/ NOTE: the list is six (6) pages long. To advance between pages, click the arrow at the bottom left that says ‘next page’ or ‘previous page’).  If you want to see an actual price comparison of SilverSea for an Alaskan Cruise versus Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, see my article last week: https://pamperedcruiser.com/travelling-with-the-affluent/   

There’s no doubt if you are willing to travel in a claustrophobic inside room, you can do it cheaper on a mega ship, but if you’re actually comparing apples to apples, then SilverSea is pretty hard to beat. 

10% OFF Silvesea – Private Sale!

There are 212 departures in 2024 and 2025 where this discount applies.  It is NOT available directly from SilverSea, but exclusively through our agency.  The fine print is that it’s only available on new bookings, in select cabin categories, and is capacity controlled (meaning once those cabins sell out, they’re no longer available).  We must place a hold for you before August 31, and (again) your sailing may sell out before that. 

So if you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion, or really just want to try a small luxury ship, then the opportunity isn’t going to get better than this.  Here are a few examples with the price reflecting the 10% private sale discount:

ALASKA: Anchorage to Vancouver departing May 15, 2025 for 7-days

• Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier,  and the Inside Passage. 
• Fares from $2970

AUSTRALIA & NZ: Auckland to Sydney departing January 5, 2025 for 14-days

• Visit Napier (overnight), Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart (overnight), Eden, Sydney (overnight) 
• Fares from $5310

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND: Montreal to NYC departing October 5, 2025 for 11-days:

• Visit Saguenay, Charlottetown, Halifax, Portland, Boston, Newport.
• Fares from $5580

IRELAND & NORWEGIAN FJORDS: Dublin to Copenhagen departing July 16, 2025 for 9-days

• Visit Dublin, Isle of Lunga, Shiant Islands (Outer Hebrides),  Loch Ewe, Kirkwall (Orkney Islands), Sumburgh (Shetland Islands), Fair Isle, Bekkjarvik, Rosendal, Lysefjord.
• Fares from $4860

WESTERN MED (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal): Rome to Lisbon departing May 17, 2025 for 10-days

• Visit Tuscany (overnight), Marseille, Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena, Malaga (overnight), Lisbon
• Fares from $5670

EASTERN MED (Greece, Turkey): Athens round-trip departing October 25 for 7-days

• Visit Nafplion, Syros, Rhodes, Crete, Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Mykonos
• Fares from$3870

PACIFIC ASIA: Singapore to Tokyo departing March 6, 2025 for 14 days

• Visit Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights), Hong Kong, Jeju (South Korea), Seoul (overnight), Kagoshima, Tokyo,
• Fares from $8010

These are just a handful of examples.  There are over 200 eligible sailings where you get 10% off through our agency.  Here’s the complete list of eligible voyages:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-private-sale/ NOTE: the list is six (6) pages long. To advance between pages, click the arrow at the bottom left that says ‘next page’ or ‘previous page’. 

Today’s Other Travel Opportunities

AMA WATERWAYS

PROVENCE, FRANCE:  Lyon to Marseille for 7-nights

• Visit Lyon (overnight), Vienne, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon, Arles (overnight).  Experience farm to table food, wineries, Roman Ruins, and the French countryside.
• See our video from when we did this cruise:  https://youtu.be/H2rBL8J7DIU?si=CBaqj88tYQ4pcywj 
• 2024: December 12 from $3644.  Visit Christmas Markets in Lyon and Avignon!
• 2025:  November 6, $4139.  This one’s a wine themed cruise!
• Full details here: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/destination/europe-river-cruises/2024/colors-of-provence

Mekong River to Vietnam & Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap for 7-nights

• Visit local markets and temples, do a local school visit, get a tuk tuk tour of Phnom Penh, and experience the amazing people, culture and food of the unique part of the world on a fully escorted trip.
• See our ship tour video of AMA’s Mekong River ship:  https://youtu.be/T6YIfrUbDwk?si=oXnRW6fNH9mvO9yX 
• 2024: Depart September 30 from $3209 for a twin balcony room
• 2025: Depart October 20 from $3189 for a twin balcony room. 
• Full details here: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/destination/vietnam-cambodia-river-cruises/2024/charms-of-the-mekong

Rhine River Christmas Markets from Amsterdam to Basel departing December 16 for 7-nights

• There are a handful of spaces left for this year’s Christmas Markets in Europe.
• Visit Amsterdam for a canal cruise, Cologne tour and Christmas Markets, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim Christmas Market, Speyer Christmas Market, Strasbourg Christmas Market, Lucerne Christmas Market and Basel
• Fares from $3972.  
• Full details here: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/destination/europe-river-cruises/2024/rhine-castles-swiss-alps-christmas

LAND CRUISES WITH COLLETTE

Here’s two “domestic” (because technically Canada is foreign) trips, that include scenery, wine, and moderate outdoor activity:

Northern California and Yosemite for 8-days

• Visit Monterey, Carmel, Modesto (for Yosemite), Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, San Francisco
• 2024:  Sept 30 or Oct 14 for $3199
• 2025:  Departures March through October from $3199

Canadian Rockies, Lakes and Wine Country for 9-days

• Discover the best kept secret for wine growing in North America at the Okanagan Valley.
• Visit Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Revelstoke (for Yoho National Park), Kelowna (to enjoy Okanagan Lake, and its many vineyards), and finish in cosmopolitan Vancouver.
• 2024:  September 5, 12, or 19 for $3999

ICYMI:  Travel APPs I Use:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-websites-and-apps-that-i-use/

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

“Who are the affluent, and do I really want to travel with them?”

I’ve had this conversation with some of you a few times lately, so thought it was time to write about it.  People considering luxury travel products are worried they’re going to end up in pretentious dinner time conversation, or they won’t know how to interact with their butler.  They’re worried about feeling like Gilligan on a ship full of Mr. & Mrs. Howells.

So who are these “affluent” that travel on luxury products?  They’re YOU.  

I know how counterintuitive this may seem, and I was surprised the first time I did a 5-star cruise.  Here’s a profile of the people that end up on luxury cruise ships:

• They’ve worked for a living.  They are people that worked hard, lived within their means, saved for retirement, and are now able to afford some of the nicer things.
• Many of the “affluent” had public sector jobs.  Some are small-business entrepreneurs.  Many are retired or semi-retired plumbers, electricians, lawyers or bankers.  
• They are people that make decisions on value, NOT price.  Folks that want the cheapest vacation go on the mega-ships.  The affluent calculate the extra benefit they’ll receive by spending $100 more per day, and decide it’s worth it for them. 
• They don’t want to play dress-up on vacation.  This is the most common objection we get to luxury products (“Will I have to wear a tuxedo?”).  As a general rule, the more you pay for a cruise, the less likely you are to have to dress up.  Formal nights happen on the mega-ships… not so much on the small luxury ships. 

If your perception of a luxury ship is having a pretentious butler with an English accent (his name is probably “Jeeves”), helping you light your Cuban cigar, by burning a $100 bill, and drinking $2000 bottles of champagne (that you secretly hate), while sucking back caviar by the shovel-full.  Well… you’ve got it wrong.  You will find people just like YOU on luxury cruise ships. 

AND…when you look at the value proposition, it actually doesn’t cost that much more than those mega-ship options.  Here’s a quick comparison:  

Alaskan 7-night Cruise in May 2025

	Royal Caribbean Quantum	Celebrity Edge	SilverSea Silver Moon
Number of Guests	4905	2908	596
Tonnage of ship	168,000	129,000	41,000
Guest Space Ratio (tonnage / guests)	34	44	69
Guests per Crew member	3.8	2	1.5
Size of Best Priced Room	101 Sq Feet	181 Sq Feet	335 Sq Feet
Cost per night of Best Priced Room	$138	$141	$500
All-inclusive Premium (drinks, tips, wifi)	$115	$95	Included
Specialty Dining Cost-3 times added to fare	$15	$25	Included
Excursions ($100 X 4 ports added to fare)	$57	$57	Included
TOTAL Daily cost of Fare additions	$187	$177	Included
ACTUAL COST/DAY OF BEST PRICED ROOM	$325	$318	$500
Cost of minimum 350 square foot veranda (equivalent room across all 3 vessels)	$813	$469	$528
ACTUAL COST/DAY OF EQUIVALENT ROOM	$1000	$646	$528

The third and fourth rows above will tell you that you get twice as much space per guest, and more than twice as many crew members per guest on the small ship.  Then you see the price per day, and it looks like you pay A LOT more to be on a small ship.  However, you need to look at the WHOLE cost – the cruise fare AND your on-board charges to get an apples to apples comparison.  If you take the cheapest room on each ship, you’ll still pay $180 more on the small ship (keep in mind the cheapest room looks quite a bit different on each ship).  When you look at comparable rooms – the small ship is actually the best priced option.  

The bottom line is on the small luxury ship, you’ll have more inclusions, more choices, better service, more space, and your incremental cost isn’t that much more (might even be less for those that like to take the big suites on the mega-ships).  

Now you just need to find Mary Ann for dinner conversation (another Gilligan’s Island reference).

Today’s Travel Opportunities

WINDSTAR

We can get you 10% off this small-ship luxury experience, but we have to place a hold before July 31.  Here’s a link if you want more details about WINDSTAR, and some examples: https://pamperedcruiser.com/yacht-cruising-with-windstar/ 

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION

Christmas in July Sale!  Great if you’re ready to travel this year.  The catch: book by July 31.

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

Here are two examples:

Budapest to Amsterdam departing October 19, 2024 for 16-days:

• Visit Budapest (overnight), Vienna (overnight), Wachau Valley, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Rothenburg, Wertheim, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Rudesheim, Cologne, Amsterdam (overnight).
• 2024: Fares from $4999 per person.
• 2025: Departures in July & August from $6299.

Peru & Amazon Rainforest departing September 11, 2024 or October 15, 2024 for 11-days

• Visit Lima for 2-nights, then fly to Iquitos to board the ship.  Make several stops in the Amazon River Basin over the course of 7-nights, and then fly back to Lima.
• Optional pre-trip to Rio de Janeiro & Iguazu Falls.
• 2024: fares from $6999
• 2025: departures every month from $11,699

CHINA with VIKING OCEAN

The folks at Viking sold out their fall 2024 China itineraries very quickly, and they’ve just announced several itineraries for 2025.  Here’s a summary:

• Japan & China for 15-days from $7999
• China from Beijing to Hong Kong for 20-days for $9999
• China, Japan & Tibet for 22-days from $12,999
• China from Beigjin to Hong Kong for 15-days from $6999

If you want all the details:

https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/asia/countries/china/index.html

REMEMBER:  We can get you an extra $100 per person on board credit on ANY Viking cruise. 

TAUCK DOMESTIC LAND CRUISES

Michigan Lakes and Mackinac Island from Traverse City to Detroit for 8-days

• Visit Traverse City (for the sand dunes, vineyards, and sandy beaches), Petoskey, Mackinac island, Midland, Bay City, Frankenmuth Bavarian Village, Dearborn (for Henry Ford Museum), Detroit.
• Limited space from now through October in 2024 from $4890 per person.
• Departures in 2025: May to October from $5290 per person.

Hot Air Balloon Festival in New Mexico from Albuquerque to Santa Fe for one week:

• Visit Albuquerque (historic old town and sawmill district), Pueblo Culture center, and Nuclear Science museum, Bandalier National Monument, Taos, float trip on Rio Grande, Santa Fe, Georgia O’Keeffe museum.
• Be part of the world’s largest hot air balloon festival
• Daily departures October 6 – 13 from $5990 per person

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS WITH HX

• 2-nights in Quito, then fly to Galapagos (included in fare) for 6 nights.  Visit Mosquera Inlet, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station in Port Ayora, Espanola Island, Eden Islet.
• 2024:  $7477 for departures in October, November & December.
• 2025:  $7477 for departures in January, February, or March

ICYMI:  Australia & New Zealand Destination Focus

https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-to-visit-australia-new-zealand/

Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?

Earlier this year, Viking replaced its Book on Board program with the BON VOYAGE incentive.  This allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 2 weeks BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:

• $100 per person on board credit
• 6-month final payment date
• $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries. 

We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:  

https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32 
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE

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