Cheerio!
Cruising the British Isles means unpacking only once, and we loved each and every port, which of course Princess Cruises carefully curated to provide unique experiences.

Cruising the British Isles means unpacking only once, and we loved each and every port, which of course Princess Cruises carefully curated to provide unique experiences.
Certainly, if you find one that doesn't fit, whether because of personal taste or how you perceive the value proposition, then you should use that experience wisely to return to what you love or a reasonable facsimile.
When you go on a vacation, don't waste time looking for the bad elements, because in a world where our minds are bombarded with stimuli from all corners, there certainly will be some negatives if that is where we choose to focus. Concentrating on annoyances rather than embracing the best of all possible consciousness would be Dopey.
It's healthy to leave behind those small problems beyond your control behind while on vacation, and that includes snags encountered during your trip.
Viking has a working lab on the ship, so you can actually assist a team of scientists with studies, if that interests you.
While there are undoubtedly many stories to learn from local perspectives, those fortunate travelers who cruise through this region return with their own stories about the amazing beauty of fjords and natural phenomenon that may not have their equal anywhere on earth.
After all, we have been blessed to live in a time and place where freedom and prosperity rules, but that is only a tiny sliver of the pie chart of human history.
As always, the important part is the cruise or land stay itself, so just remember when those airlines frustrate you, it is still much easier than going across country on a mule or in a covered wagon, or sailing across the sea on a leaky sailboat filled with scurvy-ravaged pirates.
Regardless of travel style or whether you choose an inside passage cruise roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver, a north or south bound voyage between Vancouver and a port for Anchorage, or a longer cruise or cruisetour, you will find yourself on a great adventure in Alaska!
Viking Ocean has apparently taken Princess's holiday port days in Hawaii for cruises from Los Angeles, splitting them between two 16-night cruises, one over Christmas and one over New Year's Eve.
God bless America, where we still have the freedom to travel wherever we can afford to go, thanks to our veterans and those who serve today!
A funny observation I have frequently made is that after returning from any cruise on which I ate rich, delicious foods spread through multi-course meals ending with indulgent desserts at lunch as well as dinner, I somehow end up losing weight.
The fact is that when you choose a cruise that truly appeals to your personal tastes, you'll find yourself among like-minded people enjoying your kind of fun.
If you know the song, perhaps you'll guess where this is going...or should I say this cruise is going?
When you're ready to book your trip, don't labor unnecessarily.
Why not see what's behind door number 3?
A great vacation doesn't just take you away for a week, it changes the way you see for a lifetime!
On Viking and most river cruises, you get a free shore excursion in each port, free-flowing local wine and beer to accompany delicious lunches and dinners plus free wifi onboard to allow you to keep up with events back home.
All Viking cruises include complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner, but Silver Sprits expands that to an open bar any time while on board. Act fast, because this offer expires April 30.
Waiting for someone to give you permission to return to the ongoing adventure of your life is stopping you from the journey of your dreams right now.
For brave souls ready to plan an international cruise for spring or summer, a world of opportunity awaits.
Valued at up to $469 per person, this should be the piece of the puzzle that pulls you into a vacation you have dreamt about for years.
Because you may have concerns about the confusing misinformation out there, Cruise Planners has put together most of the information you need to understand what is going on with different cruise companies and travel vendors in one easy-to-navigate web page.
Vegetate like a cauliflower in a country of carnivores. That's where the real fun lies.
With steady effort, we may accomplish seeing the world over the course of our lifetimes.
Most of us dream of warm weather cruise along the Danube, Rhine or one of the wonderful rivers of France.
Viking is always adults only and carries just 1000 guests, which simplifies the logistics of a long voyage across the Pacific Ocean as compared to Princess mega-ships catering to families during the holidays under ever-changing CDC policies.
...on August 31 at 6 PM Eastern or Pacific you can learn more about the Viking Difference by registering at this link.
The free excursions in each port weave a perfect story of the region that will keep it memorable the rest of your life.
If you're ready to travel now, act today. Give me a call or e-mail. If you want to see how this first wave of post-Covid cruises and international travel plays out, it sure doesn't hurt to book something for September, December, February or next June. Just plan something to look forward to. Get excited.
What could be better than cruising through Portugal or France, savoring delicious food and wines, taking in the amazing countryside and visiting gorgeous castles and cathedrals where history unfolded?
Both of these new Viking itineraries cruise roundtrip from fascinating Malta, a gorgeous island with a strategic stop for Crusaders and many other world powers, creating a fascinating tapestry of history and a unique culture.
So, if you want to travel, get vaccinated and pack your bags. If you aren't willing to take those steps, settle in for another year in lazy town.
"We are so excited to announce that Crystal Cruises, in partnership with the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, will be the first ocean ship to sail from the Americas since the cruise industry’s voluntary halt in operations last year. Crystal Serenity begins sailing from Nassau on July 3, 2021 with a series of 7 day departures through October 2021...prices start at $1,999 per person for Best Available Stateroom." Keep in mind Crystal is a 6-Star, luxury cruise line, so that's a terrific price!
More than ever we realize how precious each vacation day is, so why scrimp? Who knows when some new crisis will pause world travel again?
If you're looking for a family gift that will boost everyone's joy immediately, put a refundable deposit down on a cruise for next summer to take advantage of the assorted travel deals coupled with "Cruise With Confidence" protections for your travel investment.
Sitting at home waiting for a talking head on TV to tell you it's safe to go for a walk? True adventurers don't consider that last one quite as thrilling as the rest, but apparently it is more frighening to the average couch potato.
All of these young men and women must make literal life and death decisions at an age when many young people are confused about what their major should be or which coffee order says the most about who they wish to be seen to be.
The worst part of a vacation is air travel to reach your embarkation port or destination.
Prefer destination where personal connection with other like-minded individuals not cowed by sense of doom prevalent in media and recirculated by well-meaning friends and colleagues.
What if you want to spend a couple of nights in the end points of the trip, or possibly visit a nearby city you've always wanted to visit?
I would love to bring Dad along on a cruise to Alaska or Antarctica to see whales, birds and other wildlife, or snorkeling in Hawaii or the Caribbean among bigger versions of tropical fish he enjoyed in his aquarium that rested on a room divider between our kitchen table and living room.
I'm still optimistic about the second half of 2020 for cruising, and I think the ships and ports will be less crowded, which is a definite plus. In any case, we can all plan amazing vacations in 2021 or 2022, which gives us something to look forward to.
Book select 2020 or 2021 Viking River Cruises and fly free to Europe from major US airports!
We're all in this mess together, and as a philosopher wrote in colorful crayons on the sidewalk we walked along yesterday, when "we" replaces "I," illness becomes wellness.
Summer is just around the corner, and with so much pent-up demand from would-be cruisers stuck in their homes for weeks, those who fail to plan may be sadly disappointed to find that exactly what they want is no longer available when they finally feel free to act.
You don't need to change the world. Just open a different door.
Why not focus on something wonderful in the future, like your next vacation?
If your plan is to sit on your butt at home for two weeks eating pasta, most likely you aren't going to need that toilet paper. Diarrhea is a symptom more associated with Montezuma's Revenge than Coronavirus.
You'll kiss your final stateroom bill and not have any charges you wonder about, except why you bought lederhosen.
It truly can be the trip of a lifetime for those who choose to make the long flights to visit the End of the World.
If you can afford to splurge for a mini-suite or higher, and you definitely want amenities like open bar and free internet, then you probably should be considering more upscale lines as well as whatever your favorite line has always been.
...amazing ship and the wonderful, like-minded souls...
On the West Coast, we also have 5-night cruises that stretch the paradigm by taking us all the way to Cabo.
In honor of all Veterans and their families, we want to invite you to take a cruise to Paris and the Heart of Normandy with Viking River Cruises in July, 2020, with prices starting at just $2,899 per person, including FREE AIR!
"What would I do if I only had six months to live?"
While AmaWaterways will probably never have as many ships as Viking River Cruises, they've carved out a niche for epicurean travelers who appreciate dining.
With Viking, you also get free shore excursions, free internet and free-flowing local wine and beer with lunch and dinner.
...vacations have come to be landmarks of our passing years.
...there is a cure for that: TRAVEL!
If you're ready to try something different, Viking currently has select Danube River cruises in December starting at $1999 with free air.
And wives, if you see this email, make sure you forward it to your husband. Just to be sure he isn't too blunt, make sure to personalize it with a subtle introduction like, "This is what I want as a Mother's Day gift."
Doing a bit of advance research before leaving home not only prepares you for your trip but in some ways stretches your vacation high. I'm always happy to share tips on things to do.
Holland America has some amazing deals for their Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego right now, even for the high-demand spring break time of year, and it seems air from frozen parts of the country to California are relatively low compared to Florida flights this year.
While you may initially feel a bit selfish when you indulge on your first cruise vacation, you are in fact helping others.
Did you know there are river cruises and tours through Russia, allowing you to see more of this country that has been so influential in world affairs despite currently having a gross national product less than that of Texas?
At a certain age --- and I believe I may have reached it --- you need to ask yourself, "If not now, then when?"