My Pick: Rhodes on the Pacific Princess

My pick of the day ~ a lovely cruise to Croatia and Greece, roundtrip from Venice, on the smallest ship in the Princess fleet, the much coveted Pacific Princess, with just 335 cabins.

One of the reasons I adore this itinerary is because it sails to Rhodes, where I have spent quite a bit of time. Rhodos is a well preserved ancient walled city, once the domain of the Knights Templar.

November 11, 2017: 12-Night Mediterranean Cruise, roundtrip Venice, on the Pacific Princess

Want more information? Please contact me.

Top 5 Solo Picks - August 20, 2017

Photo of the 1817 Eclipse

Happy almost-Eclipse day! Thanks for your feedback on last week's email of solo travel deals. I've added prices for my top picks this week.

Here are my Top 5 Solo Cruise Picks today!

Why these sailings? There my be solo cabins, reduced/waived single supplements, a great deal overall, or simply good value on an itinerary solos can't usually afford. Fares below INCLUDE TAXES, and are subject to availability.

September 23, 2017 - 7-Night Caribbean Cruise roundtrip from Miami on the Norwegian Escape
Oceanview - $1779 CAD solo
Inside - $1380 CAD solo

September 25, 2017 - 10-Night "Alaska" Cruise from Vancouver to San Francisco on the Norwegian Sun
Oceanview - $1985 CAD solo
Inside - $1931 CAD solo

September 25, 2017 - 12-Night Mexico Cruise from Vancouver to San Diego on the ms Oosterdam
Obstructed oceanview - $2558 CAD solo + $75 USD SBC
Inside - $2142 CAD solo + $50 USD SBC

October 15, 2017 - 14-Night Transatlantic Cruise from Copenhagen to Miami on the Norwegian Getaway
Oceanview - $2219 CAD solo
Inside - $1295 CAD solo

November 5, 2017 - 14-Night Transatlantic Repositioning Cruise from Barcelona to Tampa on the Rhapsody of the Seas
Oceanview - $2253 CAD solo +$50 USD credit
Inside - $2093 CAD solo +$50 USD credit

If you see something you like, please contact me and I can send you more details.

Cheers,
Roberta

About this newsletter: With so many solo travellers looking for affordable ways to travel, without the dreaded single supplement, I am always watching for specials. Periodically, when I have time, I summarize a few into an email to send to those who may be interested.

Want this news as soon as it comes out? Just email me with the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Actually, any email works fine. A human will read it (this one), not a bot.

Want more?
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cruisetravelbug
"Like" my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cruisewithroberta
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertawestwood/
Request a quote: https://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-CA/RobertaWestwood/contact

Top 5 Solo Picks - August 13, 2017

It has been a long time since I've sent out any solo travel emails. I always said it would be periodic, when I had time, hence the long gap. I'm changing the format somewhat, in an attempt to get these out faster and more frequently. I welcome your feedback!

Here are my Top 5 Solo Cruise Picks today!

Why these sailings? There my be solo cabins, reduced/waived single supplements, a great deal overall, or simply good value on an itinerary solos can't usually afford.

Norwegian Gem on 10/21/2017

ms Nieuw Amsterdam on 10/28/2017

Emerald Princess on 11/26/2017

Celebrity Summit on 12/2/2017

Norwegian Spirit on 12/3/2017

If you see something you like, please contact me and I can send you more details.

Cheers,
Roberta

About this newsletter: With so many solo travellers looking for affordable ways to travel, without the dreaded single supplement, I am always watching for specials. Periodically, when I have time, I summarize a few into an email to send to those who may be interested.

Want this news as soon as it comes out? Just email me with the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Actually, any email works fine. A human will read it (this one), not a bot.

Want more?
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cruisetravelbug
"Like" my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cruisewithroberta
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertawestwood/
Request a quote: https://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-CA/RobertaWestwood/contact

Paris: wandering the city's charming passages

August 14, 2009: Today I began to explore the covered passages of Paris. I travelled to the Bourse Metro stop and walked a couple blocks to the entrance of Passage Panoramas...

I wrote this post in 2009 when I spent a month in Paris. Continue reading: Wandering the charming Passages of Paris

New York City: The Meetles

One of my top picks for New York City is The Meetles.

The Meetles are a Beatles and 60's tribute band, playing in Central Park and other spots in the city. Their music is incredibly good, probably better than any paid concert you could go to.

You can read about the day I first stumbled on The Meetles in Central Park - it will give you a good idea why I plan to seek them out on my future NYC visits.

The Meetles play weekends on the subways, and sunny Sundays in the same spot at the 72nd Street entrance to Central Park (across the street from the Dakota, near Strawberry Fields). You can find their schedule on The Meetles Facebook page.

Able to travel? JUST GO!

I was moved to tears today when I received an email from a client, giving up their bucketlist travel dreams. They'd booked and cancelled, then almost rebooked twice, each time stymied by health issues. Only a week ago, my heart soared upon learning they were well enough to travel, and we put the wheels in motion. At 79, they could finally make their dreams come true. Then today the email saying they realized it was too much, apologizing for wasting my time on their impossible dream. How does one respond to that? With heart, of course, acknowleding what a disappoinment this realization must be. Sadder stil was reading the words of the husband, as it's his health that is the issue, impacting them both. 

THE LESSON: Travel when you can. Have your health, then go. Retired and now able to travel? Book a bunch of trips and go. Beware the temptation to spread out those important trips, one at a time, over many years ~ treat yourself to going now, not later, because you never know. This is hard for people who have worked hard, saved money, and aren't used to spending on themselves. But this is what you saved for. 

Today you can go, so go. Chase your dreams. Do the big trips now, the important ones to you when you can. 

My clients will get over not taking a particular cruise, but this very kind man is living with regrets that he never got to explore his homeland, to visit the villages where his grandparents were born. These are the dreams that matter. You know what dreams are in your heart, what you've always wanted to do. 

PLAN IT, DO IT, CREATE MEMORIES. Don't put it off.

Wave season 2017: looking for some cruise deals

Once again, I was pleased to be interviewed by Paul Marshman, a client of mine and the globetrotter behind the Travelling Boomer blog. This time, the topic was what the cruise industry calls the "wave season". Here's the piece:

Wave season 2017: looking for some cruise deals 

Wave season 2017 is here. And those who love to cruise know what that means: it’s time to plan their cruises for the year ahead. This year, that means looking for ways to add value to your cruise package.

For those who aren’t in the know, wave season is the period between January and March when the cruise lines try to fill their cabins for the season ahead. Since many of the cruises are still a ways off, they try to entice passengers by offering special deals in return for booking early. So, how are the deals in wave season 2017? ... [read the rest of the article].

I hope you found a few good tips from this piece. Paul's blog is loaded with practical travel information - I encourage you to check it out! And, of course, I'd be pleased to help you navigate the wave season offers to find that perfect cabin for you!

You can read the previous Travelling Boomer blog post I was interviewed for here:
Spring brings tempting travel deals in Europe

 

You can contact Paul Marshman here:

The Travelling Boomer blog

@Travel_boomer on Twitter

 

Related resources
Capturing travel memories
Cruise through France with Jann Arden

7 comebacks to "I hate cruising"

Fresh thinking needed for solo cruisers!

What story do you want to tell post-cruise?