The Caribbean and Mediterranean are the two most frequented cruise destinations in the world, and for that reason, some of our clients prefer to go elsewhere.  Today, we’re going to talk about leaning IN to these destinations, and how you can experience them DIFFERENTLY than you have before.  Imagine visiting the Caribbean or the Med like it was 50 or 60 years ago.  It’s possible… even if you can’t get the Delorean up to 88 miles per hour!

The two biggest objections we get to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean are:

• It’s too crowded.
• Been There.  Done That.

What if you could visit these two compelling destinations, but without the crowds, and explore corners of the region you haven’t previously seen?  It’s possible, but NOT on a mega ship. 

THE CARIBBEAN

At one time the Caribbean was full of unique islands, each with its own language, culture, art, food and music.  Journeys to the Caribbean now are characterized more by floating amusement parks, filled with thousands of people who disembark to visit private islands, with duty free stores and T-shirt shops owned by the cruise line itself.  Not a very authentic experience.  

THE MEDITERRANEAN

If you’ve seen thousands of people lined up for the gondola on Santorini, you’ll quickly understand why several Mediterranean destinations are taking measures to limit visitors.  However, you DON’T have to visit these parts of the Mediterranean.

WHAT DO YOU DO INSTEAD?

One great aspect of increased tourism is more regular air service to these regions.  So starting and ending your journey in places with better airports makes sense:

• CARIBBEAN:  Florida, San Juan, Philipsburg (St. Martin), Jamaica, Grand Cayman.
• MEDITERRANEAN: Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Rome, Venice, Athens, Istanbul

Now, the trick is finding stops between these BOOKEND PORTS where you haven’t been previously, that scratch the itch of what you like to do on vacation.  

For example, In July, we travelled with SEA CLOUD between Monaco and Rome (the bookends), and visited Calvi (Corsica), Ajaccio (Corsica), Alghero (Sardinia), Bonafacio (Corsica), and Porto Cervo (Sardinia).  We went E-biking, sea kayaking, shopped at locally owned businesses, ate at farm houses with the food grown right outside the window, and interacted with the locals.  

It seems the SMALL PORTS are those hidden gems that leave BIG MEMORIES.

Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:

Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about different ways to enjoy and explore the CARIBBEAN and the MEDITERRANEAN even if you’ve been there before: 

https://youtu.be/VjacK8TryTI

In Case You Missed It:

SEA CLOUD – Travelling with Sea Cloud is the closest thing you’ll get to travelling back in time to fewer crowds, and ports without Duty Free and T-Shirt shoppes: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/sea-cloud/

TELECOM ABROAD – Even if you’re travelling to more remote places, you might still want to be connected.  What’s the best way to do so?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/telecom-abroad-e-sims/

VIRTUOSO TRAVEL WEEK:  It’s a bit inside baseball, but for those that like to see behind the curtain in the travel biz, VTW is interesting.  There’s also a direct benefit to our clients when we attend this trade show every August. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/virtuoso-travel-week-why-it-matters-to-our-clients/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

Here’s two things you HAVEN’T done on a cruise ship before:

1. Climb the mast
2. Disembark the ship WHILE IT’S MOVING to get some action photos.

Bob and Sue do both, on board SEA CLOUD SPIRIT:  https://youtu.be/iyRxhlBPGj0 

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there.  It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

SEA CLOUD (A “SALT WATER RIVER CRUISE”)

Sea Cloud is the best way to visit the more remote corners of the Caribbean and Mediterranean.  With a maximum of 136 guests, a Sea Cloud cruise is a lot like a river cruise, and with so few people, guests going ashore do not overwhelm the port when the ship anchors.

See our ‘Introduction to Sea Cloud Cruises’ video here: https://youtu.be/fy7Kfd1i3ZQ?si=eSf7EI88pyCa8VSq 

If you’d like to try a Sea Cloud cruise, why not consider one of these trips?  Save $4000+ per stateroom off the prices listed on the Sea Cloud website when you book by Sept. 30th!

Greek Isles (Athens round trip), departing July 17th/24th/or 31st 2026 (7 nights) 

• Visit Amorgos, Milos, Amorgos, Nauplio, and Poros
• Website Price: starting at $6295 per person
• SPECIAL PRICE (Book by Sept. 30th): From $4295 per person.

Portugal & Spain (Lisbon to Mallorca), departing August 13th 2026 (9 nights) 

• Visit Lisbon (overnight), Cadiz, Marbella (overnight), Valencia, Ibiza, and Palma de Mallorca
• Website Price: starting at $8545 per person
• SPECIAL PRICE (Book by Sept. 30th): From $6545 per person.  

Croatia (Venice round trip), departing August 17th 2026 (7-nights) 

• Visit Vis, Hvar, Korcula, Trogir, Sibenik, and Rovinj
• Website Price: starting at $7195 per person
• SPECIAL PRICE (Book by Sept. 30th): From $5195 per person.  

Costa Rica & Central America (Panama City to Cozumel), departing Mar.13th 2026 (12 nights)

• Visit San Blas Archipelago, Bocas del Toro (Panama), Puerto Limón (Costa Rica), Honduras, and Belize
• Website Price: starting at $7705 per person
• SPECIAL PRICE (Book by Sept. 30th): From $5705 per person.  

Canary Islands (Las Palmas round trip), departing Apr. 18th 2026 (9 nights)

• Visit San Sebastian, Santa Cruz (La Palma), Puerto de la Estaca, and Santa Cruz, Tenerife
• Website Price: starting at $8095 per person
• SPECIAL PRICE (Book by Sept. 30th): From $6095 per person.  

Mediterranean (Livorno, Italy to Malaga, Spain), departing June 29th 2026 (8 nights)

• Visit Alghero, Sardinia (overnight), Mahón, Menorca (overnight), and Ibiza, Spain (overnight)
• Website Price: starting at $7195 per person
• SPECIAL PRICE (Book by Sept. 30th): From $5195 per person.  

Mediterranean (Palma de Mallorca, Spain to Porto Cervo, Sardinia), August 22nd 2026 (10 nights)

• Visit Ibiza, Spain (overnight), Mahón, Menorca (overnight), and Alghero, Sardinia
• Website Price: starting at $9670 per person
• SPECIAL PRICE (Book by Sept. 30th): From $7670 per person.  

Mediterranean (Valletta, Malta to Athens, Greece), June 25th 2026 (8 nights)

• Visit Syracuse (Sicily), Taormina (Sicily), Pylos, Monemvasia, Milos, and Poros (Greece)
• Website Price: starting at $7195 per person
• SPECIAL PRICE (Book by Sept. 30th): From $5195 per person.  

SEA CLOUD is our Vendor of the Month for SEPTEMBER so we can offer you:

• DISCOUNT:  5% off ANY published fare on Sea Cloud, including the ones listed above.
• OBCs: Get $50 USD onboard credit per guest per DAY in on board credits to spend on spa treatments, high-end wines or upgraded shore excursions.  That’s 700 per couple for a one-week cruise.
• ALL INCLUSIVE: open bar, onboard gratuities, 5-star dining, wifi on the ship, and many shore activities.
• ZERO SOLO SUPPLEMENT: Solos pay the same per-person rate compared to 2 people in a room.  If you travel solo, you know this is an amazing deal.

When you layer these offers together, the value is pretty hard to beat… but ONLY this month (expires Sept. 30th), and ONLY through our agency.

OCEANIA 

If you prefer a more traditional cruise ship, with a GREAT culinary experience, OCEANIA has lots of options for both the CARIBBEAN and the MEDITERRANEAN.  PLUS – we can get the House Spirits Beverage Package thrown in!  Here are two examples:

CARIBBEAN: ABC Islands & East Caribbean – Round-trip Miami departing March 9 for 12-days

• Visit Aruba, Curacao (overnight), Grenada, St. Vincent, Martinique, British Virgin Islands.
• Veranda fares from $5949* on the brand new ALLURA

GREEK ISLES & AEGEAN:  Istanbul to Athens departing July 21 for 7-days

• Visit Troy, Lesbos, Izmir, Chios, Kos, Santorini
• Veranda fare from $3420* on the brand new ALLURA

*Includes Specialty Dining, Wifi, Gratuities, and the House Beverage Package.  

OCEANIA just released its schedules through to the middle of 2028.  Here’s the link if you want to shop: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/cruise-finder?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser# 

LAND CRUISES with COLLETTE

Here are two ideas for land tours in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

COSTA RICA: Round-trip San Jose for 12-days

• Visit Tortuguero NP, San Carlos, Arenal, Playa Herradura.
• Go wildlife spotting in the jungle, take in the rainforests, visit coffee plantations, and a sea turtle research station.  
• Departures weekly (year-round) from $4299 per person

ITALY: Rome and the Amalfi Coast for 10-days

• Stay in Rome for 3-nights to visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and just to enjoy the sidewalk vibe in Rome.  Then on to Amalfi, for coastal townships, beaches, Sorrento,  and Pompeii
• Departures June through September from $3799

RIVER CRUISING with TAUCK

TAUCK offers completely All-Inclusive River Cruises (the MOST inclusive of ALL the cruise lines).  You don’t even have to worry about tipping the local guides and bus drivers.  Everything is taken care of for you, so you can put your wallet away and enjoy being completely ‘in the moment’ during your trip.

PORTUGAL & SPAIN on the Douro River for one-week:

• Visit Porto, Douro valley, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Mateus Palace, Guimaraes.
• 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. 
• 2026:  Departures April through October from $5790

PROVENCE, FRANCE: Paris to Arles via Lyon for 10-days

• Visit Paris for two nights, and then take the train to Lyon to take in the culinary scene, and board your ship for 7-nights.  Sail through the Beaujolais wine region, and then to Viviers, Avignon, Chateau Neuf du Pape, Arles.  
• See Roman Ruins, visit the numerous wineries, and experience farm to table food, in this agricultural region of France. 
• 2026: Departures March through October from $6990

AMSTERDAM TO BUDAPEST BY RIVERBOAT (14 days):

Learn More: https://inspires.to/experiences/amsterdam-to-budapest-by-riverboat-2lxro

• October 18 – Nov. 1st, 2026
• Prices from $9390 per person
• Zero solo supplement for Category 1 rooms
• Get a FREE pre- or post-cruise hotel night (your choice).  Tauck uses only 5-star properties, so this complimentary gift from our agency can be worth 100 Euros or more.
• Availability is limited so please inquire as soon as possible!

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Domestic Adventures:

Here are two of the best kept secrets in the country for incredible scenery and outdoor activity:

OREGON & WASHINGTON: Columbia River from Portland to Clarkston for 6-days

• Visit Portland, The Dalles (for Multnomah Falls and fish hatchery), Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla, Palouse River.  Traverse the locks by river boat right here at home!
• Go hiking, kayaking, ride on the zodiacs, visit museums and wineries
• 2026: March $3675, April $5119, September $4335, October $4243

SAN JUAN ISLANDS for 8-days round-trip Seattle

• Visit Victoria BC, Desolation Sound for kayaking and hiking, Alert Bay for First Nations immersion, the Gulf Islands to visit quaint communities, Friday Harbor for the Whale museum, and other islands in Puget Sound. 
• This corner of the country is a well-kept secret.  Visit remote islands to see the sea lions, eagles, humpback and orca whales.  Go for a bike ride in Victoria; kayaking, zodiacs, and paddleboarding in remote bays.  
• 2026: Departures in October from $5954

CRYSTAL – Small Ship OCEAN Cruises

Here are some suggestions from CRYSTAL if you’re looking across the Pacific Ocean, instead of the Atlantic:

NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA: Auckland to Melbourne departing February 19 for 8-nights

• Visit Auckland, Tauranga, Lyttelton, Timaru, Fjordland NP, Melbourne.
• Fares from $5400 (with a $1000 “As You Wish” credit (suite), AND $125 pp OBC).
• OR stay on board for 37-nights, travelling up the Australian East Coast to Indonesia, and then on to Malaysia and the Philippines to finish in Hong Kong from $20,800 (with a $3000 “As You Wish” credit). 

JAPAN:  Seoul to Tokyo departing March 25 for 11-nights

• Visit Busan, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Beppu, Kochi, Kobe, Nagoya
• Fares from $7300 (with a $500 “As You Wish” credit, AND a $250 pp OBC only from our agency).

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, 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 (even if you booked ON BOARD).

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.

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