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?

 

Ho ho ho!

Christmas wishes, hand drawn by me. All the best,
Roberta

Capturing Travel Memories

Chiara in Amalfi Coast for Flytographer

Have you ever thought that your special trip deserves more than selfies?

What about one of these... Have you ever:

• Felt disappointed by your travel photos?
• Wish your Instagram travel pics stood out more?
• Been disappointed by the results of a "here, let me take your picture" offer? 
• Wondered if that stranger you asked to take your picture might run off with it?
• Worried that you might lose your camera with all your vacation photos on it?

Flytographer

If you'd like capture your travel memories in a truly unique way, there is a brilliant solution, just waiting for you - right in your destination!

Flytographer is a network of local photographers, worldwide, that you can arrange prior to your arrival, for a private photoshoot.

This isn't your parents' posed photographs... these are casual moments captured during your day, moments of joy or contemplation, meaningful to you.

If you want a photograph of you doing something in particular (think jumping in the air or sharing a kiss), your photographer will help you capture the moment, all while making it feel spontaneous.

Planning a big moment, such as proposal? Flytographer can do that.

All Flytographer photographers are professionals, and you can view their work online before booking, so you know what you are getting. In some locations, there may be multiple photographers available to choose from.

Read more about Flytographer:
12 Ingenious Travel Hacks Everyone Should Know - Oprah.com
I Hired an Instagram Husband For a Day - Elle Magazine
Is Flytographer the Future of Travel Photography? - Condé Nast Traveler


Suggested resources from cruisetravelbug
Holiday Sailings 2016
Emerald Waterways LGBT River Cruise
Island Princess South America Circle Cruise
West Coast Roundtrip Long Voyages

Related resources
Long sailing picks - hand picked by me
Vancouver cruise opportunities - hand picked by me
Unique journeys - sailings with ports you may not otherwise visit
Transatlantic cruises - the best itineraries, picked by me

Holiday Sailings 2016

Wonder if there is still time to book a Christmas or New Year's cruise?

The answer is a resounding YES!

To help you, I've put together my top 5 picks for each of the following scenarios:

• Holiday Cruises: "Both" Christmas and New Years
• Holiday Cruises: "Just" Christmas (8+ nights)
• Holiday Cruises: "Just" Christmas (3-7 nights)
• Holiday Cruises: "Just" New Years (8+ nights)
• Holiday Cruises: "Just" New Years (3-7 nights)
• Holiday Cruises: "Between" the big days (3-5 nights)

At the time of writing, there was still quite a bit of space available on each of these sailings.

Have fun looking over the possibilities.

If you'd like assistance to find and book the perfect sailing for your escape, please contact me. I'd be delighted to help!



Related resources
Long sailing picks - hand picked by me
Vancouver cruise opportunities - hand picked by me
Unique journeys - sailings with ports you may not otherwise visit
Transatlantic cruises - the best itineraries, picked by me

Emerald Waterways LGBT River Cruise

Emerald Waterways has just announced a LGBT river cruise!

July 29, 2017
7 nights
LGBT Danube Explorer
Emerald Sky
Budapest to Nuremberg

Join the Emerald Waterways’ Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender river cruise for a wonderfully unique adventure.

Sailing from Budapest on July 29, 2017, the LGBT Danube Explorer is an exciting way to experience the beauty of the Danube. Enjoy on a seven-night stay on-board the Emerald Sky, an Emerald Star-Ship, complete with a heated indoor pool and evening cinema.

This voyage offers a diverse insight into many cultures.

Immerse yourself in your own personal exploration of eastern Europe as part of an inclusive community.

It's an experience you’ll remember for years to come.

PLUS, as an exclusive for this departure, receive a Premium Drinks Package that includes unlimited beer, wine, and spirits all day long.


Visit destinations steeped in history and tradition while enjoying
fantastic on-board entertainment and activities.

What's included

• 7 nights in a Stateroom or Suite of your choice, all with a river view
• 6 shore excursions, including visits to 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• 2 EmeraldPLUS activities including a home-hosted afternoon tea with a local Slovakian family
• 2 EmeraldACTIVE activities
• 20 on-board meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners including a Welcome Gala Dinner
• Free Premium Drinks Package* value up to $250
• Complimentary tea and coffee on-board
• Complimentary bottled water in your Suite or Stateroom, re-stocked daily
• A variety of on-board evening entertainment
• First-class service from English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on-board
• Complimentary bicycles on-board
• All transfers within Europe
• All port charges
• All tips
• Reduced deposit of just $250 per person

Available from $3,045 CAD per person.

Interested? Contact me at your earliest opportunity for the best choice of cabins. I am LBGT friendly and would be happy to help you!

Cruise Research Resources - from my cruise website
Long sailing picks - hand picked by me
Vancouver cruise opportunities - hand picked by me
Unique journeys - sailings with ports you may not otherwise visit
Transatlantic cruises - the best itineraries, picked by me
Cruise search - search for your dream cruise!

Island Princess South America circle cruise

Here's a trip of a lifetime!

January 24, 2018: 60 nights on the Island Princess
South America circle cruise - see 14 countries!

January 24, 2018
60-Night South America Cruise
From Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Roundtrip)
Princess Cruises - Island Princess
Itinerary details

Which balcony on the Island Princess has your name on it?

It's not really that hard to figure out why I picked this cruise... can you guess?

How does visiting 14 countries in 60 nights sound?

This cruise actually CIRCLES the South American continent! No long flights (just get yourself to Fort Lauderdale). This itinerary is not offered often!

Just look at all this cruise includes:

Itinerary highlights: Argentina (3 ports / 4 days), Brazil (3 ports / 5 days), Chile (5 ports / 2 scenic cruising / 7 days), Colombia (1 port), Costa Rica (1 port), Ecuador (2 ports), Falkland Islands (1 port), French Guiana (1 port), Grenada (1 port), Martinique (1 port), Netherlands Antilles (2 ports), Panama Canal (scenic cruising), Peru (3 ports, 4 days - with Machu Picchu opportunity), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1 port), Trinidad and Tobago  (1 port), Uruguay (1 port).
View the itinerary details.

Bucketlist opportunities: Cape Horn, Iguazu Falls, Machu Picchu, Nascar Lines, Patagonia (penguins!)

Days at sea: 25 (War and Peace?)

PLUS: Book by November 30 to receive these Expedia Extras:

• Free cabin location upgrade
• Free pre-paid gratuities (a value of $800-930 USD per person)
• $375 USD/cabin shipboard credit
• $130 CAD per person refundable deposit
• Aeroplan miles

Interested? Please contact me for a quote on your preferred cabin type.


My recent top itinerary picks - from my cruise blog
From YVR: Volendam, Transpacific, September 27, 2017
To YVR: Nieuw Amsterdam, Panama Canal, April 9, 2017
West Coast Long Roundtrip Voyages
Sailing Westbound from Honolulu
Sailing Eastbound from Honolulu


Cruise Research Resources - from my cruise website
Long sailing picks - hand picked by me
Vancouver cruise opportunities - hand picked by me
Unique journeys - sailings with ports you may not otherwise visit
Transatlantic cruises - the best itineraries, picked by me
Cruise search - search for your dream cruise!