Bob speaking today. Sue and were in New Zealand and Australia with Silversea in December. We’ve visited NZ a few times in the past several years, but this was my FIRST time back in Australia since I lived there in 1988 and 1989.
Things have changed since then. Most notably, I am older. I lived in Australia before mobile phones or the internet. I made 2 calls home that year, because at $5.00 per minute, writing a letter seemed better.. I would visit the consular offices around Australia to read newspapers from home. The Lonely Planet guidebook was my survival bible in that faraway land.
On this visit, I wandered into the King’s Cross (an inner suburb in Sydney) to see if I might run into my 21-year-old self. When I stayed there in the 80s, it was a dodgy and seedy part of town, but all I could afford. Now, it’s been gentrified with high-end restaurants and art galleries.
In Wellington NZ, I recreated a photo from almost 40 years previous. This got me to thinking what I would say to my much younger self, if I could get the Delorean up to 88 miles per hour, and travel back to that same spot in 1988. Here’s my list:
- Chasing money and status are hollow pursuits.
- Notwithstanding the above, you might want to buy stock in Apple computers.
- If you have to choose between a THING or an EXPERIENCE, choose the experience every single time. Even if it’s a disaster, you’ll learn something.
- Take more calculated risks. Not with your safety… but put yourself out there more.
- People are people. The overwhelming majority of people in this world are good and well-intentioned. If you look for that, that’s what you’ll find. If you go looking for nastiness and treachery… you’ll find that, too.
- Learn from people in other countries. We’re pretty sure we’re the best at anything and everything. This is hubris, and not supported by evidence. We can spare ourselves a lot of pain and energy if we’re willing to learn from others’ successes and failures.
- Spend time with your parents. Yep… it’s sometimes inconvenient, but before you know it, this opportunity will be taken away from you.
- Watch what you eat, and move your body. Fine… you can live on beer and pizza in your 20s, but your body will begin to betray you at some point.
That year abroad was a foundational experience for me, and is undoubtedly the most important contributing factor to being in the travel business today. Fate conspires to put us in certain places at certain times, and it’s only with the benefit of hindsight that we realize what experiences were truly formative.
The photo split above is me, and Kim’s husband Jed, in front of the New Zealand Parliament in 1988, and me in the same spot last month. In the first photo, I’m the one on the right with long, flowing locks of auburn hair (those were the days!).
In Case You Missed It:
TAUCK RIVER. They are the most inclusive river cruise line in Europe, and have some interesting itineraries.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/what-about-tauck/
ANTARCTICA. What type of people go? What are the fitness requirements? What companies offer trips there. All your Antarctica questions answered.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/antarctica-all-the-way-down-under/
GO WHERE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN. If you’ve been seemingly everywhere, here’s some suggestions as to why you look further, and some ideass on where you HAVEN’T yet visited:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/go-visit-places-youve-never-heard-of/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
CRYSTAL SERENITY SHIP TOUR: If you want to know what all the fuss is about with Crystal, take a wander around the ship with us:
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal has more space per passenger than any other cruise line, and the most loyal repeat clients in the business. Here are two opportunities to check them out close to home:
CANADA NEW ENGLAND: Montreal to New York departing October 16 for 10-nights
- Start in Montreal, and visit Quebec City, Iles-de-la-Madeline, Sydney, Halifax, Saint John, Portland, Boston, Newport, and end in New York City
- Fares from $6700 with a $500 ‘As You Wish’ credit
PANAMA CANAL: Fort Lauderdale to San Diego departing November 23 for 28-nights
- Start in Fort Lauderdale, visit Nassau, Samana, San Juan, Jost Van Dyke, Oranjestad, Cartagena, Willemstad, Kralendijk, Santa Marta, Fuerte Amador, Puerto Caldera, San Juan del Sur, Acajutla, Zihualenejo, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, and end in San Diego
- Fares from $13,500 with a $1500 “As You Wish’ Credit
FAMILY RIVER CRUISES with TAUCK
If you’ve ever wanted to travel Europe with children or teens, then Tauck has a number of voyages every year that are designed for families. These itineraries have specially curated excursions for younger guests, and take place during school holidays:
Amsterdam to Basel with departures in June & July for one-week
- Visit the Netherlands, France, Germany and Switzerland
- Fares from $5690
Budapest to Vienna with departures in June & July for one-week
- Visit Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.
- Fares from $5190
Paris to Normandy with departures in June & July for one-week
- Visit Paris, Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, the Normandy Beaches and more.
- Fares from $5690
CHRISTMAS MARKETS on the Danube from Bavaria to Budapest for one-week
- Visit Munich, Regensburg, Passau, Wachau Valley, Melk, Vienna (overnight), Bratislava, Budapest.
- 2026: Depart December 22, 23 or 29 from $4990
Here’s a great overview of Tauck Bridges Family tours: https://inspires.to/experiences/tauck-bridges-family-journeys-1dgpo
ATLAS OCEAN YACHTS
With less than 200 guests, these brand new yachts will get you into small harbors, and other places the big ships can’t go.
MALTA & CROATIA: Valletta to Dubrovnik departing June 2 for 10-nights
- Board in Malta, and then visit Sicily, Crotone, 2 ports in Greece, Kotor, Split, Venice (overnight), and then finish with an overnight stay in Dubrovnik.
- Docking locations right in Venice, AND at the walled old town in Dubrovnik.
- Fares from $8101.
EASTERN CARIBBEAN: From Saint Maarten to Barbados departing October 14 for 7-nights. Go into small harbors where the big ships can’t go:
- Visit Philipsburg, St. Barts, St. Kitts & Nevis, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Vincent/Grenadines, Bridgetown.
- Fares from $5528
ANTARCTICA and the Falkland Islands departing November 12, 2026 for 16-nights
- Visit Buenos Aires, 4 stops in the Falkland Islands, and 5 days of scheduled landings in Antarctica, before finishing in Ushuaia.
- Fares from $17,811
Click here to learn more about the Atlas Ocean Voyages experience: https://inspires.to/experiences/the-atlas-ocean-voyages-experience-wx208
Fares include open bar, daily refresh of minibar in room, prepaid gratuities, specialty dining, butler service, and some shore experiences.
OCEANIA Small Ship Cruising
If you’re looking for an experience focused on the destination and the culinary experience, Oceania is a great choice:
JAPAN: Tokyo round-trip departing March 21, 2027 for 10-Days
- Cherry Blossom Season!
- Start in Tokyo, and then visit Hokkaido, Niigata, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato, Busan, Nagasaki, and Shimizu
- Fares from $4085 with a $600 per person shore excursion credit.
ICELAND round-trip Reykjavik departing July 4, 2027 for 10-days
- Visit 8 ports in Iceland, as well as the Faroe Islands
- Fares from $4099 with a $300 per person shore excursion credit.
Your Oceania fare includes SPECIALTY DINING, GRATUITIES, WIFI, and a choice of a SHORE EXCURSION CREDIT or BEER/WINE with meals.
NATIONAL PARKS with TAUCK
You COULD explore our National Parks on your own, but why not let someone else take care of all the details. Here’s a summary of TAUCK’S itineraries to our National Parks:
- Canyonlands — Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Zion, 1-week March to October from $4990.
- Death Valley & Joshua Tree – from Las Vegas to San Diego for one week from $6390.
- Yellowstone & Grand Teton – Jackson to Rapid City (also includes Mt. Rushmore) for one week from $5890.
- Canyonlands & Arches NP – from Salt Lake City to Denver for 1-week from $7990.
- Sequoia & Yosemite – RT from San Francisco for 1-week from $7290.
- Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, & Canyonlands – from Grand Junction (CO) to Las Vegas for 10-days from $7990
Learn more about visiting the National Parks with Tauck here: https://www.tauck.com/tours-and-cruises/national-parks?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser
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
Sue Bradley
