For several years, Bob was the only NON-Brit working for British Energy in Philadelphia.  He recounts stories of his British colleagues asking him for local travel advice, as they explored North America.  They were on two-year assignments and by the end of their tour had seen more of North America than Bob had.  So today, we’ll chat about exploring our own back yard.

We’ve talked before about the Caribbean cruises, and Alaskan Cruises, so today is about the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, and why they’re overlooked as vacation destinations. 

WHY THE PACIFIC AND THE ATLANTIC COASTS SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR

• The logistics are easy.  If you have to fly at all, it will be relatively short.
• There’s lots to DO and SEE.  It’s different than going abroad, but not boring. 
• Check out a new ship or brand.  If you’re unsure if a product is right for you, check it out on a shorter cruise closer to home. 

THE ATLANTIC COAST

• History:  Our history in North America may be shorter than elsewhere, but the area in and around the St. Lawrence Seaway has much of it.
• French not English?  You know Canada is part French, but if you want to know why the rest of North America isn’t, go to the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City.
• Fall Colors.  The Northeast and St. Lawrence Seaway region attracts visitors from all over the world to witness this annual natural spectacle.
• Canada/New England Cruises.  Usually Montreal or Quebec City to Boston or NYC.
• Southeast Cruises.  There are increasing numbers of itineraries that include the Carolinas, North Florida, and the Inland Waterway. 
• Bermuda.  If you want to truly relax, without much distraction, these cruises are great.

THE PACIFIC COAST

• Scenery:  The Pacific Northwest is different than the Northeast, but every bit as scenic.
• Wine Cruises:  Besides California, there’s lots of wine to be found in Oregon, Washington, and even British Columbia.
• Hawaii:  You have to like sea-days (these cruises are at least 15-days), and go round-trip from either California or Vancouver. 
• Mexican Riviera:  Retrace the Love Boat’s routing between Southern California and the Pacific Coast of Mexico. 

WHO WILL LIKE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC COASTAL CRUISES?

• Those wanting a QUICK GETAWAY, or those that prefer NOT to fly across an ocean.
• Those that appreciate spectacular SCENERY.
• Those wanting to try a ship or cruise line that are new to them. 

If you’re looking to vacation close to home, but not be focused on umbrella drinks and beaches, then take a look at Coastal Cruises.

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode, we break down U.S. coastal cruises — one of the most overlooked (and surprisingly great) ways to travel. From Canada & New England to the California Coast, Bermuda, Hawaii, and beyond, we walk through what these itineraries are really like, who they’re best for, and when to go.

https://youtu.be/6QNDqahDzj4

In Case You Missed It:

EXPLORA JOURNEYS was launched three years ago, and has brought a new concept to luxury small ship cruising.  Here’s a bit more info: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/explora-journeys-explained-is-this-the-new-standard-in-luxury-cruising/

5-YEAR TRAVEL PLAN:  You need to migrate things from your BUCKET List to your NEXT List.  Here’s how:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/off-the-bucket-list-and-on-the-next-list/

MISINFORMATION in TRAVEL:  Algorithms DON’T travel, but they sure like to influence how and where YOU travel.  Here’s some ideas on how to use AI effectively when planning travel:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-planning-in-the-age-of-ai-how-to-separate-facts-from-internet-noise/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

Join Bob for a walk around EXPLORA I, and see why it’s different than other cruise ships.

https://youtu.be/LHjAS0JKCQ0

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

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid025Ej3UtkXhgMHTkzPWsB7XFPGRUv874h25SUYizvFUmBXGtXJJNtwZYSJrACpiWWGl

AMERICA’S COASTS:  Today’s Travel Opportunities

EXPLORA JOURNEYS  — European Luxury Lifestyle

A COASTAL CRUISE is a great way to try out this newer brand without having to fly across an ocean.  Here’s an option on each coast:  

CANADA & EAST COAST:  Quebec City to Miami departing October 15 for 10-nights

• Start in Quebec City and visit La Baie (Saguenay), Sept-Iles, Sydney, Halifax, New York City, and finish in Miami.
• Fares from $5495

WEST COASTER: Los Angeles to Vancouver departing May 3, 2027 for 7-nights

• Start in Los Angeles and visit San Diego, San Francisco, Victoria and finish in Vancouver. 
• Veranda fares from $4860
• Get out in Vancouver OR carry on to Alaska OR take the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff.

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

NatGeo will get you all the remote corners of the world, but here are two close to home the PACIFIC Coast: 

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: September/October from $4778

PACIFIC NORTHWEST: US San Juans & Canadian Gulf 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 $3561
• 2027: Departures in October from $6150

LAND CRUISES with TAUCK

Here’s how to explore some coastal areas WITHOUT a ship:

SOUTHEAST US from Jacksonville to Charleston for 8-days

• Visit St. Augustine, Jekyll Island, Savannah, Beaufort.
• Departures March through December from $5290

NEW YORK to WASHINGTON for 12-days

• New York (dinner at ONE World Observatory, Walking tour of Manhattan, 911 memorial, Central Park), Valley Forge NP, Philadelphia (early access to Museum of American Revolution, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell), Amish Country in Lancaster, Gettysburg National Military Park, Harper’s Ferry, Charlottesville, Jefferson’s Monticello, Richmond, Williamsburg, George Washington’s Estate, Washington DC (National Mall, Early Access to National Archives to see Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights)
• 2026: Departures May through December from $6,990
• 2027: Departures March through May and September & December from $8,190
• Click here for more details: https://www.tauck.com/tours/freedom-footsteps-philidelphia-washington-dc-guided-tour?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser

YOSEMITE, SEQUOIA, & SAN FRANCISCO for 8-days (John Muir’s California)

• Start in San Francisco and visit Muir Woods and Sausalito, The Central Valley to Sequoia National Park, Land of Giants & Moro Rock in Sequoia, Yosemite National Park and more. 
• Departures May through October with fares from $7,290

OTHER TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

If you’re looking to go further afield, here are some suggestions:

AZAMARA Small Ship Experiences

Remember Pacific Princess?  She’s now Azamara Onward, along with her three identical sisters carry just 680 guests.  They offer an affordable way to get on board a smaller ship for a more intimate experience, and better destination immersion: 

GOLF CRUISE in JAPAN: Kobe to Tokyo departing May 6, 2027 for 14-nights

• This one is great for golfers, OR those really wanting to explore Japan. 
• Visit Kobe (overnight), Kochi, Hiroshima, Kitakyushu, Nagasaki, Busan, Sakaiminato, Kanazawa, Niigata, Akita, Aomori, and Toyko (overnight)
• Fares from $5,439 
• GOLF:  5-rounds with all the logistics managed for you: $4395 per person. 

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN: Rome to Barcelona departing October 31, for 7-nights

• Start in Rome and visit Florence and Pisa, Monte Carlo, Nice, Provence (Marseille), Palamos, and finish in Barcelona.
• Veranda Fares from $3359

YACHTING with ATLAS on Cultural Expeditions

These yachts carry less than 200 guests, and offer a cultural and epicurean expeditions: 

SPAIN & PORTUGAL: Las Palmas to Lisbon departing April 27, 2027 for 10-nights

• Start in Las Palmas and visit Canary Islands, Agadir, Casablanca, Tangier, Seville, Portimão and finish in Lisbon. 
• Fares from $5,019

NORTHERN EUROPE:  Dover to Oslo departing May 23, 2027 for 9-nights

• Start in Dover and visit Amsterdam, Harlingen, Kiel Canal, Wismar, Copenhagen, Skagen and finish in Oslo. 
• Fares from $6,599

ITALY, SICILY & MALTA Naples to Valletta departing May 9, 2027 for 7-nights

• Start in Naples and visit Capri, Positano, Lipari (Aeolian Islands), Trapani (Sicily), Porto Empedocle, Gozo, and finish in Valletta
• Fares from $5,437

RIVER CRUISING with AMA Waterways

If you’ve already travelled extensively through Europe, or done a few river cruises, consider the LOWER DANUBE through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania:

EASTERN EUROPE: Budapest to Bucharest departing for 7-nights

• Start in Budapest, and then travel the Lower Danube River through Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania before finishing near Bucharest. 
• Optional extension to Transylvania/Dracula’s Castle and Bucharest.
• 2026: Departures March – December from $3,179
• 2027: Departures March – December from $2,929

Here’s our video from when we did this trip:  https://youtu.be/-OhF7PSrj0c 

MEKONG River: 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. 
• Departures January through April AND August through December from $2299

AMA on the MEKONG.  Kim travelled with Alex Pinelo from AMA Waterways on the Mekong, and put together this video: https://youtu.be/tvA_WHOYuLo 

JAPAN & ALASKA Repositioning Cruise On VIKING OCEAN with FREE AIR

• Vancouver to Tokyo departing September 23 for 23-nights
• You won’t find a lower cost per day on Viking than this, but we have to place a courtesy hold for you by May 17.  
• Start in Vancouver, and then visit 6 ports in Alaska, AND take in 3 scenic cruising days.  Next, cross the date line and spend 2 days in Sapporo, and finish with 2 days in Tokyo on board the ship. 
• Veranda Fares from $5999 with FREE AIR

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