In the rush to travel again, some of you contact us with requests that can be neatly summarized as “Just tell me where I should go next”. We resist answering such questions (I’ll explain more below), and that has frustrated some of you.
Here’s a personal story that illustrates the point I’m trying to make. Many years ago, Bob and I were travelling around New Zealand’s North Island. Bob was really keen to see a geo-thermal power generation project in Rotorua. This was my idea of a living hell. Bob spent several years in the energy sector, and thought such things were fascinating. My father was a hydraulic engineer (also from the energy sector), and I have nightmares of being in the back of the car as a child, while we checked out one more hydro electric project when were on our family “vacation”.
The moral? It’s different strokes, for different folks. Activities some people find completely riveting, others find death in a house fire more appealing.
Hence, “where should I go next”, will be met with a series of follow up questions from us, rather than an answer. This question-response is also what differentiates us from the cruise lines’ and travel company’s call centers.
Let me explain….
There is no doubt that some cruise lines’ call centers are better than others. The best ones will answer your call right away, and at the other end of the phone is someone that is professional and very well trained to sell their product. They probably will tell you where you should go next, and be more than happy to sell you their product. That is their job, and many of them do it very well.
When you call us, and say you want to go on X cruise line from Rome to Barcelona, we are more than happy to book that for you, but we will ask you how you arrived at that decision, and if you want to look at alternatives. ALL the cruise lines do some variation of that itinerary (and just about all other itineraries), so you probably have more choices than you realize.
Most of our small-ship ocean and river cruise clients base their decision more on itinerary than they do the cruise line, and we can help you decide what is best for you.
To put it another way… we are agnostic about what cruise line or packaged land company you choose. We’re always happy to give you our opinion, but not before we have asked a number of questions so we understand what criteria you value the most.
Because not everyone loves visiting geo-thermal power projects.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
Christmas Markets on the Danube with AMA Waterways
- Depart December 11 for 7-nights
- From Vilshofen (Bavaria) to Budapest. Visit Passau, Linz (for Salzburg OR Cesky Krumlov), Weissenkirchen, and Vienna (overnight).
- 3-night pre-trip extension to Prague available for $900 per person.
- Fares from $3499 per person with a $150 on board credit.
Tulip Cruise with AMA Waterways
- Depart March 28 for 7-nights. Amsterdam round-trip
- Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Hoorn, Middelburg, Ghent, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Keukenhof gardens.
- 2 night pre-trip extension in Amsterdam for $750 per person.
- French Balconies from $3859 with a $150 on board credit.
Remember that all AMA cruises include a choice of shore excursion in every port, beer/wine with meals, daily happy hour before dinner, on-board wellness coordinator for complimentary yoga and fitness activities, and wifi on the ship.
Auckland to Sydney with SilverSea
- Depart January 4 for 14-days.
- Visit Auckland (overnight), Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Kaikoura, Dunedin, Bluff, Milford Sound, Sydney (overnight).
- Prices start at $5400 per person if you take advantage of their pay-in-full discount of 20%.
Hong Kong to Tokyo with SilverSea
- Depart March 14 for 16 days.
- Visit Hong Kong (overnight), Jeju (SK), Seoul (overnight), Busan, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Osaka (overnight).
- Prices start at $6360 per person if you take advantage of their pay-in-full discount of 20%.
SilverSea fares include an open bar, gratuities, a shore excursion in every port, and wifi on the ship.
Viking Independence Day Sale – ends July 11
Viking is offering FREE AIR on select 2023 departures. The catch – it has to be booked by July 11.
Panama Canal – Fort Lauderdale to Panama City
- Depart October, November or December for 11-days.
- Visit Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan (Honduras), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Colon (Panama), and a full-transit of the Panama Canal.
- Verandas start at $2999 with FREE AIR
Antarctica from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
- Depart November or December for 13-days
- 5-days of scheduled landings on the continent.
- Nordic Balcony Fares from $10,495 including FREE AIR
Mississippi River round-trip from New Orleans
- Departures in December for 8-days.
- Visit Darrow, St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge,
- Fares start at $3299 per person with FREE AIR
- Optional pre or post in New Orleans for 2-nights from $899.
Viking prices include all taxes and fees, airport transfers, a shore excursion in each port of call, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship.
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online or by phone. 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.
We’ll check over your booking 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).
Also, in case you’re wondering, there is NO fee to work with us. We get paid commission by the cruise lines after our clients travel. So, please get in touch to let us know about your existing reservations (including those made while on board).
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
Sue Bradley
