Travel tour operators have an overwhelmingly positive outlook for 2018
We’ve been sharing with you for months about how busy the ocean and river cruise industry is right now.
In fact, I was talking with one of our cruise suppliers this morning, and she mentioned that they were already 80% sold-out before we even get into the busy first-quarter wave season.
Travel Tip: book now or get shut out for 2018!
Now, you should also know that this travel boom is not happening in just the ocean and river cruise industry. Tour operators are also proclaiming that sales are very strong as well for 2018.
“December 7, 2017 – At this year’s United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) Annual Conference & Marketplace — held at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Fla., from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 — the 2018 USTOA Executive Committee discussed the results of a recent member survey of travel forecasts and trends.
Among the highlights is an overwhelmingly positive outlook for 2018, with nearly 95 percent of USTOA members anticipating an increase in sales, and 64 percent predicting that 2018 will be a “boom year,” with growth ranging from 7 percent up to more than 10 percent.
According to Terry Dale, president, and CEO of USTOA, this optimism is unprecedented.
“In my seven years with USTOA, it’s the first time when talking with my members that virtually every single one, regardless of the category, is seeing strong single- or double-digit growth,” he said.
Harry Dalgaard, president of Avanti Destinations and the USTOA board’s vice chair, is seeing a 39 percent increase in advance bookings for his company’s FIT tours in Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
“If the market is strong, people feel comfortable and are willing to spend,” he said.”
Carol and I are big fans of small group land journeys. Rather than riding around in a huge bus with 50 people, these small group journey ofttimes have no more than 14-20 people and offer a far more intimate experience.
Before starting our travel agency, Carol and I were honored to be hosted by Abercrombie & Kent on one of their small-group Connections journeys in Spain. To see the video from our journey, CLICK HERE.
Search 4,848 Tours at our Virtuoso Travel Dreams Website
So, how about you? Are you ready to plan a fun small group land journey for 2018? If so, come browse through our website where you will find 4,848 journeys providing customized small group itineraries all around the world.
And, 939 of them come with exclusive, complimentary VIP Virtuoso perks. And most important of all, all of these providers have been in business for years and are annually vetted by Virtuoso.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Central and South America’s only Forbes Five-Star Resort
Click for larger view
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo re-opened four days ago following a USD 35 million renovation that has newly introduced a contemporary “Pura Vida” interpretation of eco-luxury to the only Forbes Five-Star luxury resort in Central and South America.
One of the many things we want our readers and clients to understand is that when it comes to booking luxury resorts around the world, their best offers will always come through a well-connected travel agency.
And, this is particularly true as we are by-invitation-only preferred-partner members with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Click for larger view
Want to enjoy a luxurious getaway to Central and South America’s only Forbes Five-Star Resort?
Take a peek at the complimentary perks we bring when you book your stay with us:
Guaranteed best-available rates
Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
For suite bookings, one complimentary round of golf per guest per stay (including club rentals)
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites, villas, and private residences)
Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms; complimentary premium Internet in all suites
Choice of USD100 Spa credit (not applicable to products) or USD100 golf credit
PLUS, in addition to the benefits above, we can also offer you:
A complimentary third night with every two consecutive paid nights, OR
A complimentary fifth night with every four consecutive paid nights, OR
A $1,000 resort credit with a minimum stay of 5-nights.
Please know that these offers contain some black-out dates over the holidays. But, if you’re looking for a special holiday getaway, they still have a few suites and villas available.
To learn more about this our other exciting Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts special offers, call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we will reach out to you.
If this hotel doesn’t meet your desires, we have preferred partner perks with all of the hotels listed below, and Virtuoso VIP perks at the more than 1,200 hotels at this link.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
While we’ve still got quite a number of wonderful options to explore, next up on our list is Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Come sail Regent Seven Seas Cruises with us. Look below!
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has an interesting value proposition because is nearly impossible to spend a penny on their ships as nearly anything you can think of spending on a cruise is included in your fare.
Take a peek at what is included on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise:
2-for-1 All-Inclusive Fares
Early Booking Savings
FREE Roundtrip Air*
FREE Roundtrip Business Class Air* on European Voyages
FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions
FREE Luxury Hotel Package in Concierge Suites and Higher
FREE Specialty Restaurants
FREE Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits
FREE Open Bars and Lounges PLUS
In-Suite Mini-bar Replenished Daily
FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities
FREE WiFi Throughout the Ship*
FREE Transfers Between Airport and Ship
FREE 24-Hour Room Service
Plus, take a look at these other exciting benefits of sailing on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise:
With an enviable staff-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.5, our mid-sized ships have maximum capacity for only 490 or 700 guests, resulting in stellar service, no lines and no waiting
All-suite accommodations, 97% with private balconies
Up to four gourmet restaurants, including the iconic steakhouse Prime 7, our authentic Italian evening restaurant Sette Mari at La Veranda, haute French cuisine at Signatures and classic Continental dining at Compass Rose, plus casual indoor and outdoor dining at La Veranda and the al fresco Pool Grill
World-famous Canyon Ranch SpaClub®
An enriching onboard experience brought to life through The Smithsonian Collection by Smithsonian Journeys – an engaging enrichment program, spectacular Broadway-style shows, virtuoso performances, culinary demonstrations and wine tastings and Canyon Ranch SpaClub® wellness programs
Wireless internet access available throughout the ship
Elegant Casual Dress Code
The comfort of smoke-free environments throughout almost the entirety of our ships
Enticing voyages to more than 250 ports around the world, with easy access to intimate ports that larger vessels cannot reach
Price Comparison: Regent Seven Seas vs Premium Cruise Lines
One of the mistakes ocean cruisers often make when comparing ocean cruise prices is to simply look at the price. But, if you do that with Regent Seven Seas, you’re making a serious miscalculation.
Take a look at the price comparison below between Regent Seven Seas Cruises and an averaged price of a premium cruise in Alaska.
The first thing to notice is that you will be sailing with far fewer people on a far smaller ship. Plus, you will also enjoy a much higher staff to guest ratio.
Click the image below for a larger view.
So, when you make an apples-to-apples comparison, as you can see, you’re only spending roughly $500/person to move from a floating city (4-star experience) to a small-ship luxury cruise line (5-star experience).
For my money, and the substantial experiential difference, that is money well spent!
For our first Regent Seven Seas Cruises experience, Carol and I have selected the 11-day Season of the Brown Bear Cruise in Alaska embarking on 8/22/18.
This will be our 4th Alaska cruise and we’re happy to keep going back to Alaska because:
it’s close to home
it is stunningly beautiful
Alaska and cold-weather destinations are hot right now (see this article)
and on this trip, I hope to get a Brown Bear in front of my camera lens.
Come Join Us!
Convinced yet? If so, come join us. CLICK HERE to see a flyer on our journey.
We’ve got special perks for our group like a $700 shipboard credit, and as this is also a Virtuoso Voyages sailing, we’ll be hosting and also bringing you the following perks:
An exclusive luxury train car on the White Pass Rail & Yukon Route in Skagway, Alaska. Carol and I have done this journey and it is fabulous!
A private reception aboard ship for Virtuoso Voyages travelers.
Sounds fun. Right?
To learn more, or to book this or any Regent Seven Seas cruise, call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we will reach out to you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Enjoy Complimentary VIP Perks at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is a Preferred Partner member with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Because of this, our clients are privy to the very best rates and offers Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has to offer.
While we have these offers available at all of their more than 100 hotels and resorts, I thought you might enjoy this special offer from the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina.
Exclusive Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina Offer for our Clients
Preferred Partner Rates
Daily Resort Credit of $200
Spa Credit of $100
Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites, villas, and private residences)
Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms; complimentary premium Internet in all suites
Offer Details
Minimum Stay: 2 Nights. Enjoy an additional daily Resort credit of USD 200 for new reservations for travel from November 17, 2017, to January 31, 2018. Offer valid on Oceanfront Rooms and above accommodation categories. Daily credit is applicable towards any Resort charges excluding retail and Concierge services. Blackout dates include December 27 to 31, 2017.
So, if you’re looking for a tropical getaway before or after the holidays, look no further!
To book your stay with our complimentary VIP perks, call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
If this hotel doesn’t meet your desires, we have preferred partner perks with all of the hotels listed below, and Virtuoso VIP perks at the more than 1,200 hotels at this link.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
AmaWaterways inspires solo travelers to get a jump start on 2018 with three ways to book single occupancy stateroom categories with no single supplement.
If I had to name the #1 complaint from the readers of our website and newsletter, it is this: solo travelers are frustrated with the expensive single supplement they have to pay to travel solo.
Well, here’s the good news: act fast and don’t pay the supplement!
Here’s this from our friends at AmaWaterways:
AmaWaterways’ Solo Traveler Promotion: Three Ways
CALABASAS, CA – (November 30, 2017) – Bucket list vacations are within reach for solo travelers this holiday season, with AmaWaterways’ Solo Traveler Promotion.
#1 – Guests traveling by themselves can now reserve a spot on more than 145 departures in 2018 – including 24 Wine Cruises – throughout Europe and Asia, and enjoy the stateroom of their choice without having to pay a single supplement (applies to all stateroom categories excluding suites, A+ and AA+).
#2 – In addition, solo guests booking a base category stateroom (category E and D) on any departure will enjoy a waived single supplement fee with AmaWaterways’ Solo Traveler Program. Combinable with the Past Passenger Privilege and Onboard Future Cruise Benefit Programs, both offers are capacity controlled and guests are encouraged to book early to access the widest choice of itineraries and departure dates. Popular dates still available include magical Christmas Market cruises onboard AmaKristina and AmaLea – the newest editions to the company’s growing fleet of 20 award-winning ships.
Roaming Boomers on AmaWaterways
#3 – AmaWaterways also offers a third option for solo travelers on four ships – AmaDolce, AmaDante, AmaLyra and AmaCello – which have a limited number of specially-designed single occupancy staterooms featuring a French balcony and require no single supplement.
“There’s something liberating about traveling on your own, as it gives you the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in a new culture and meet new people, in many cases making lifelong friends,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “We are always excited to welcome solo travelers onboard and have continued to see tremendous growth in this market. We encourage those traveling on their own to book early in order to benefit from this special offer before we begin to see increased demand during Wave Season in January.”
Renowned for its culinary excellence and warm and friendly service, AmaWaterways ensures solo travelers feel right at home with added attention on board – including an invitation to an exclusive Welcome Cocktail Reception, invite to dine at the Captain’s table in the main dining room and assistance in choosing from up to 20 complimentary shore excursions offered each week.
AmaWaterways’ Solo Traveler Program is not just for those traveling on their own. The program is also very attractive for those seeking the luxury of more stateroom space on a girlfriend getaway or as part of a multigenerational family vacation.
To explore the available solo traveler sailings, CLICK HERE.
For pricing, early-booking promotional offers including this special Solo Traveler Program, call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
The Roaming Boomers
Travel tour operators have an overwhelmingly positive outlook for 2018
So, how about you? Are you ready to plan a fun small group land journey for 2018? If so, come browse through our website where you will find 4,848 journeys providing customized small group itineraries all around the world.
Why We’re Sailing With Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Exclusive Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina Offer for our Clients
AmaWaterways inspires solo travelers to get a jump start on 2018 with three ways to book single occupancy stateroom categories with no single supplement.
