THE PROBLEM WITH ONLINE REVIEWS:  You remember a world without the internet (meaning you’re probably as old as, or older, than me).  As the internet developed, wiki sites appeared to be the antidote to the sales and marketing campaigns of big companies.  The definition of “wiki” is a website that allows users to contribute to or edit the content on that website.

Trip Advisor, Cruise Critic, and Facebook Groups are all examples of wiki sites.  What follows is not a comment on those channels, but a caution and suggestion of how they should be used.  

Wiki sites have undoubtedly added a layer of democracy to the information out there, but like anything else, they need to be read with a critical filter – just like the marketing campaigns of travel vendors should be viewed critically.

Here’s a demonstration that will reinforce my point:  Think of the most fantastic vacation or travel experience that you’ve ever had.  Maybe it’s a cruise, maybe it’s a destination, or maybe even a restaurant or attraction.  Go to a wiki site and be amazed by how many reviews have exactly the opposite opinion of yours.  Marvel in how many people say that your perfect experience was the worst-ever for them!

Part of this is the reality that everyone assesses an experience with different criteria.  However, the other consideration is that wiki sites tend to attract participation by those who either have a real axe to grind OR who want to share their perfect experience with everyone.  This leads to a whole bunch of 1-star ratings, and another large group of 5-star ratings, and very little in the middle.  It is binary – it is either the “worst-ever” or the “best-ever”.  Not very useful.

What IS useful are the few comments and reviews that fall between the 1’s and the 5’s – particularly those with specific feedback for how they came up with such an assessment.

Here’s suggestion as to how to use wiki sites to your advantage:

• ELIMINATE all the top and bottom scored reviews.
• ELIMINATE those without comments describing how they came up with that rating.
• IGNORE overall scores – these are easy to manipulate, and not very instructional.
• IGNORE comments that make sweeping declarations (“BEST cruise line ever”).  Anyone who makes such a declaration has almost certainly not been on ALL the others.
• PAY ATTENTION to the very few people out there who are thoughtful enough to objectively state what they like and don’t like and why, and invite others to disagree.

This means there is a very small percentage of the total reviews and comments on any of those wiki sites that you should actually pay attention to.  Consider it like panning for gold – you need to be patient and pay close attention or order to mine out the valuable nuggets.  

Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:

Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about how they use wiki sites, and the precautions to be taken:  https://youtu.be/UrVT7sOVhX0 

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

THEMED RIVER CRUISES with AMA WATERWAYS

If you have a particular interest, wouldn’t it be great to sail with other like-minded individuals on a themed river cruise?  Here’s some ideas from AMA:

Smithsonian Journeys

These cruises are hosted by experts from the Smithsonian Institute, with custom excursion options curated by Smithsonian.

• Paris and Normandy, departing May 14, 2026 for one-week
• Hosted by Lisa Bauman & Chris Ketcherside 
• Fares from $5049

Learn more about Smithsonian Journeys: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/smithsonian-journeys

Celebration of Music 

Focused mostly on Classical Music on select Danube River Cruises.  Hosted by renowned musicians and conductors, with special live performances.

• Danube River round-trip Budapest.  Visit Bratislava, Melk, Linz, Vienna (overnight)
• 2025: Depart September 24 from $4639
• 2026:  Depart April 4 from $3949

Learn more about Celebration of Music Journeys:  https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/music#2025 

Celebration of Beer

• Hosted by a knowledgeable beer expert, with beer tastings, food pairings and lectures
• Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel departing November 8, 2025 from $3139

Learn more about Celebration of Beer Journeys: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/beer-cruises 

Golf Journeys

• These are great if you’d like to play 4 or 5 rounds of golf at different courses along your journey, with all the details taken care of for you.  Especially great for couples with only ONE golfer.
• Danube between Vilshofen (Bavaria) to Budapest.  Visit Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna, Bratislava.
• 2025: Departures May through October from $4389
• 2026: Departures May through October from $3849

Learn about AMA’s Concierge Golf Program: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/explore/golf-cruises 

AMA’s TRIPLE SAVINGS on Select Sailings:

• $2000 Off per Stateroom
• $100 on board credit per Stateroom
• Complimentary Stateroom upgrade

See full list of eligible sailings: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/triple-savings/2025 

AZAMARA

Until April 30th, you can take advantage of AZAMARA’s “Immerse & Discover” promotion for 2025 sailings.  Get up to $1000 on board cabin credit:

Here are some of AZAMARA’s Country Intensive Voyages:

SPAIN from Barcelona to Lisbon departing November 11 for 11-nights 

• Visit Barcelona, Valencia, Majorca, Alicante, Motril, Malaga, Ceuta, Seville (2 nights), Lisbon
• Verandas from $3879 pp

ITALY from Nice to Venice departing October 9 for 11-nights

• Visit Nice, Florence (overnight), Rome, Salerno, Sicily, Crotone, Taranto, Kotor, Venice (overnight)
• Verandas from $4699 pp

CROATIA & GREECE departing October 20 for 10-nights

• Visit Venice, Piran, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Argostoli, Crete, Santorini, Athens
• Verandas $5559 pp

SEACLOUD – A River Cruise on the Ocean?

What if you could experience the intimacy of a river boat, but visit salt-water locations?  SeaCloud sailing vessels hold between 64 and 136 guests, and operate in Spain, Portugal, the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and the Canary Islands.  If you enjoy the river cruising experience with history, art, culture, cuisine, and personal enrichment, then give SeaCloud a look.  We’ll be travelling with them in June… so stay tuned!

Here is a wonderful video introduction to Sea Cloud: https://youtu.be/CHSOfRky-HA?si=3p74-dnXiLf88mke

MEDITERRANEAN: Naples to Nice departing October 6 for 7-nights

• Visit Bastia (Corsica), Viareggio (Italy), Portofino, Menton (France), St. Tropez
• Fares from $4575

CARIBBEAN: Philipsburg (St. Maarten) round-trip departing March 26 for 7-nights

• Visit St. Barts, Dominica, Isles des Saintes, Martinique, Anguilla, 
• Fares from $6495

CROATIA: Venice to Dubrovnik departing August 25, 2026 for 7-nights

• Visit Ravenna, Pula, Korcula, Split, Montenegro
• From $7495

Domestic LAND CRUISES with COLLETTE

SOUTHERN CHARM:  Charleston, Savannah, & Jekyll Island for 7-days

• Visit Antebellum Charleston, and the country’s oldest public market, see historic Savannah, and stay at the Jekyll Island Club, and visit the Sea Turtle Center.  
• Departures March through November from $3149
• 1-minute ‘Southern Charm’ video: https://youtu.be/2EWB9qvQc6c?si=qyFpoKIy265vIUU_

Northern California and Yosemite for 8-days

• Visit Monterey, Carmel, Modesto (for Yosemite), Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, San Francisco
• Departures April through October from $3099
• 2-minute ‘National Parks of America’ video: https://youtu.be/acu-hcuIFHo?si=61mqAf64xIqB-eQd

NEW YORK for 5-days

• Visit Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Chinatown, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial.
• Includes 4-nights at the Sheraton Times Square, 5 meals, and 2 Broadway shows.
• Departures in February & March 2026 from $2399
• 1-minute ‘Spotlight on New York’ video: https://youtu.be/_rRyuJ38vYc?si=CKlmKP0UKvNXTT2j

HOLLAND AMERICA PRIVATE SALE:

If you’re thinking about Australia/New Zealand for this coming winter, or  Alaska in 2026, you have a few days left to take advantage of our Holland America Private Sale.  Here’s the details:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/holland-america-private-sale-in-april/

In Case You Missed It:

GREENLAND – See icebergs, glaciers, whales, wildlife, and indigenous culture… all within a 4-hour flight of New York: https://pamperedcruiser.com/greenland-add-it-to-your-bucket-list/ 

AMA WATERWAYS – Pay just 90 days in advance of departure.  Choose between multiple included shore excursions at every port.  Experience an elevated culinary experience:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/ama-waterways-private-sale-90-day-final-payment/

Our Latest YOUTUBE Video:

ALASKA – WHAT TO PACK:  We’ve been to Alaska several times, and made every packing mistake possible.  So here’s our list of what to pack for a trip to ALASKA:  https://youtu.be/m3APP25a9cE 

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