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?

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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