Posted by David Porter on November 17, 2017 · 5 Comments
Virtuoso® Luxe Report Reveals What Travelers Will Seek in 2018: Pristine, Unfrequented, and Unique Destinations
A short while ago, Virtuoso sent us (Roaming Boomers Travel) and the other 16,000 travel advisors in the network a survey designed to uncover future travel trends from our bookings.
While the long-standing hotspots are still on the list, one of the trends emerging is that folks are beginning to shy away from the crowds and desiring less-visited destinations.
For example, we received a phone call from a client yesterday asking us to help them plan a trip to Costa Rica for a significant birthday event. And, we’re seeing folks showing significant interest in Iceland, Alaska, South Africa, Ireland, the Baltics, and Antarctic cruises.
On November 8th, Virtuoso released their annual Luxe Report highlighting the top luxury travel destinations for 2018. Let’s take a peek at the report:
NEW YORK (November 8, 2017) – Global luxury travel network Virtuoso® has determined 2018 will be the year for discovering less-visited destinations. Virtuoso’s 2018 Luxe Report, which forecasts what to expect in travel for the year ahead, shows the desire for unspoiled natural beauty continuing to motivate travelers. The annual report, which has firmly established Virtuoso as a recognized trend spotter, reveals consumer preferences in high-end and experiential travel, as discerned from a comprehensive survey of the network’s travel advisors worldwide.
Five must-take trips for 2018, according to Virtuoso advisors:
- Cold is hot. Seasoned travelers in search of fresh destinations are setting their sights on chillier climes. Iceland continues to surge in popularity, placing high in several Luxe Report categories this year. Cruisers are enthusiastic about Alaska, and adventurers about Antarctica and the Arctic. One trip of a lifetime mentioned by Virtuoso’s expert advisors: seeing the Northern Lights.
- Exploring new destinations is the year’s top trip motivator, and travelers are embracing the opportunity to push beyond their comfort zone. Virtuoso advisors suggest that people check out at least one new place a year, and challenge themselves to try something unexpected during their sojourn: swim with marine life like dolphins or mantas, go zip-lining or ballooning, or take a helicopter tour.
- Connecting with family through travel. After topping the list of trends since 2010, multigenerational travel has firmly established itself as a travel niche. Following close behind is travel with immediate family, also a consistent trend that will carry forward in 2018. Whether renting a European villa for a celebration with loved ones, cruising to the Galapagos Islands, or snorkeling at the Great Ba
rrier Reef, a family trip creates lifelong memories, strengthens bonds, and plays a pivotal role in childhood education.
- Experience Africa. From culturally rich SouthAfrica, also 2018’s top adventure destination, to the wilds of Botswana and Kenya, to the souks of Morocco, Africa is one of the world’s most diverse continents. Virtuoso’s advisors say a safari is an integral part of the African experience, particularly with wildlife preservation a priority for today’s sustainably savvy travelers.
- Be a traveler rather than a tourist. Immersive experiences not found in a guidebook or brochure, opportunities to meet locals, wandering neighborhoods and making spontaneous discoveries are the best ways to experience a destination, according to Virtuoso advisors. Whether it is wine tasting, or learning a traditional craft or a new language, travelers will be seeking out the true culture of that area they are visiting.
The desire for experiences that foster genuine human connection is a key driver for today’s travelers. No activity is too unusual for the clients of Virtuoso travel advisors, as some of the more surprising requests show. Travelers are asking for everything from reaching the edge of space in a MiG-29 flight in Russia, to herding cattle in Australia, to hosting a celebration in a private capsule aboard the London Eye. They also seek rare accommodations such as an igloo in Norway, a private castle all to themselves, and sleeping under the stars in the desert – no tent required.
With the focus on far-flung exotic destinations in 2018, it is not surprising that luxury travelers are embarking on international trips of two weeks or longer, which are seeing strong demand. Week-long international trips and three- to five-day domestic trips continue to be popular as well. What is surprising, though, is that Virtuoso advisors also noted more interest in shorter international trips, such as Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands in less than a week. Conversely, some travelers are requesting longer trips of three to five weeks.
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So, how about you? Are you ready to explore a new road-less-traveled destination? Do you desire to look an emperor penguin in the eye? How about witnessing the annual migration on the Serengeti?
As a Virtuoso travel advisor, we’re tapped into a network of highly vetted travel partners in every desirable travel destination in the world.
There is no need for you to spend untold hours on the Internet hoping that you can pull off a trip on your own. If you want to go to Costa Rica, for example, we will arrange a conference call with our travel partner in Costa Rica, and together, the three of us will design your perfect trip of a lifetime.
To learn more about our worldwide travel planning services, 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.
Note: all photographs courtesy of Virtuoso travelers and travel advisors.
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Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on November 9, 2017 · 2 Comments
I’ve got a beef with the travel insurance industry, and it’s got to do with their pre-existing medical condition waivers.
Most of our clients and the readers of this travel blog are baby boomers or older.
Because of this, most of them buy travel insurance to protect themselves primarily from cancellation if they or perhaps someone in their family suffers a serious medical condition or death that might prevent them from traveling and thereby cause them to cancel and lose their travel investment.
And, an important part of this provision is a waiver that protects them from pre-existing medical conditions.
Here’s my beef: these pre-existing medical condition waivers come with strings that can bite you if you aren’t very careful. 🙁
Let’s take a peek at the language from one of the nation’s most popular travel insurance companies.
Travelex Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver Language
The Company will waive the pre-existing medical condition exclusion if the following conditions are met:
(1) This plan is purchased within 21 days of Initial Trip Payment;
(2) The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the Trip at the time of purchase and the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same Trip are insured within 21 days of the date of payment or deposit for any subsequent Trip arrangements;
(3) All Insured’s are medically able to travel when this plan cost is paid;
(4) The Trip Cost does not exceed the maximum Trip Cost limit under Trip Cancellation as shown in the Schedule per person (only applicable to Trip Cancellation/Interruption/ Delay);
This coverage will be terminated and no benefits will be paid under this Pre-existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver coverage if the full costs of all prepaid, non – refundable Trip arrangements are not insured.
Now, lest you think that I am picking on Travelex, please know that this language is common and found in most travel insurance policies.
Folks understand that if they want this waiver, they must purchase the policy shortly after they make their first deposit on the journey. For example, go past 21-days with Travelex and you do not get the waiver.
Here’s the rub: most folks don’t purchase travel packages that are neatly tied in a bow up front that allows them to insure all of their non-refundable payments within the 21-day window up front.
For example, a couple might buy a cruise that sails Australia in January of 2019. With a cruise booked that far out, they can’t yet buy airline tickets and they are also likely to want a pre/post cruise experience in Sydney or Aukland.
So now, when they ultimately deposit on the final pieces of their journey, if they don’t add these pieces to their travel insurance policy with 21-days of the new deposits, then they will forfeit their pre-existing medical condition waiver.
So what’s the problem? Simple. While we point this out to our clients up front and work hard to help them comply with these provisions, the chances of forgetfulness are great and therefore problematic if a claim arises. If a client books their own air six months after their cruise booking and forgets this critical clause, then they can kiss their pre-existing medical condition waiver goodbye.
In my humble opinion, this is burdensome to the client. I’d rather they allow travelers to insure whatever portion they choose and forget all this “insure future bookings within 21-days” nonsense.
While we’ve yet to have this bite one of our clients, I shudder a bit when our clients have future bookings to make to complete their journeys.
See the problem?
Travel Tip: If you desire a pre-existing medical condition waiver clause in your travel insurance policy, then you must pay very strict attention to this hidden little gotcha. Just like anything else, it is important that you read, understand, and remember all of the fine print.
I think whoever created fine print should be slapped profusely about the head and shoulders. Don’t you? After all, why do we need fine print? Just be forthright and put it all out there. Right? And, let’s get rid of the second clause in the above-stated policy requirements.
This now concludes my rant. You may now go about your day. 🙂
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Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on October 27, 2017 · 1 Comment
Conflict Between Spain and Barcelona are coming to a Head
If you’re not aware, the folks in Barcelona have just voted to secede from Spain. Spain says, “no you don’t”.
So now, the world is on pins and needles wondering if this will wind up in a civil war.
To learn more, read this article in the New York Times.
Barcelona is a major hub for Mediterranean cruises. Therefore, if you have travel plans that involve a stop in Barcelona, you should pay close attention to this breaking development.
We have reached out to our travel insurance companies to understand what this might mean from a travel insurance perspective. Also, I’m very certain that if civil unrest does break out in Barcelona, the cruise lines will simply avoid the area and reroute their ships and itineraries.
As we have quite a number of clients cruising in and around Barcelona, we will bring you new information as we receive updates from the media, travel insurance companies and the cruise lines. Stay tuned.
Note: photograph courtesy of the New York Times.
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Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on October 27, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Flying home from overseas? Get to the airport no less than three hours early.
There has been a lot of hubbub in the travel industry this week about new TSA security measures on flights inbound to the United States.
Evidently, chatter has raised concerns with those whose duty it is to protect.
Therefore, additional questioning and random screenings are taking place on those coming into U.S. airports from overseas.
To learn more, watch this three-minute video from a CBS News affiliate in Los Angeles.
Bottom Line: Get to the airport three hours early and bring along a strong dose of patience.
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Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on October 26, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Viking Orders Seven New River Cruise Ships for 2019
River cruising is very popular with baby boomer travelers. And there is no company that has done more to promote river cruising into the American travelers’ psyche than Viking River Cruises.
While Viking River Cruises isn’t a “one size fits all” option, they do cater to a very large swath of the boomer traveling public. In fact, they have grown to become the 800-lb gorilla in the river cruise industry commanding a market share north of 50%.
Carol and I have sailed twice with Viking River Cruises, and we look forward to another journey sometime in the future.
Before I share with you the details of Viking’s new river ships, take a peek at one of our most popular Viking articles:
Viking Cruises Press Release
Los Angeles (October 24, 2017) – Viking® (www.vikingcruises.com) the world’s leading river cruise line, today announced it has placed an order for seven new river ships that will debut in 2019. The newbuild order includes six additional award-winning Viking Longships®, which will sail the company’s most popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, and one additional vessel, inspired by the Longships and specifically designed for Portugal’s Douro River. This announcement comes on the heels of Viking being named the #1 River Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards. With the addition of the new river ships, Viking will operate a fleet of 69 river vessels around the world in 2019. Also by 2019, Viking will welcome its sixth ocean ship and will become the largest small ship ocean cruise line.
“We knew there was an opportunity to do things differently when we started this company 20 years ago,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “In the last two decades, we have led the industry to define what modern river cruising looks like today. We continue to lead the industry with the largest fleet, the widest selection of itineraries and stateroom categories, and the most awards of any river cruise line. The Viking way of exploration has resonated with our target audience of experienced travelers, and this new ship order is a reflection of strong demand for more destination-focused cruises.”
New Viking Longships for 2019
Of the seven vessels on order for 2019, six are Viking Longships, which have amassed a long list of prestigious awards since their debut. Viking’s accolades include recognition by the editors of Cruise Critic as “Best River Cruise Line” and “Best River Itineraries,” with the entire Viking Longships fleet being named “Best New River Ships” in the website’s “Editors’ Picks Awards.” More recently, Viking topped USA Today’s annual Readers’ Choice Cruise Poll for “Best River Cruise Line,” and was named “Best Danube River Cruise Operator” in AFAR magazine’s 2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards.
Viking Longships integrate a patented corridor design and cutting-edge technology with comfortable amenities that reflect guest preferences and current travel trends. These features include a revolutionary all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace that reinvents the onboard lounge experience by bringing the panoramic outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors and allows guests to enjoy the views and dine al fresco.
Accommodating 190 passengers in 95 staterooms, Viking Longships have a patented layout that allows for two Explorer Suites – the largest river cruise suites in Europe – as well as seven two-room Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom; 39 Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas; and 22 French Balcony Staterooms. Staterooms include comfortable amenities such as hotel-style beds, heated bathroom floors, mini-fridge, and both U.S. and EU outlets. Additionally, all Viking Longships have sustainability upgrades, such as onboard solar panels and organic herb gardens, and energy-efficient hybrid engines that also reduce vibrations for a remarkably smooth ride.
New Ship for the Douro River in 2019
Viking’s additional ship on order for 2019 will be designed specifically for the company’s Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary. As a result of high customer demand, the new sister ship will join Viking’s existing fleet of three ships on the Douro. Hosting 106 passengers in 53 staterooms, the Douro ships are smaller than Viking Longships but feature many of the same popular features – including an Aquavit Terrace, a wide variety of stateroom choices, onboard solar panels, and an organic herb garden, as well as Viking’s signature Scandinavian design aesthetic.
The Viking Difference
Designed for discerning travelers, Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. The Viking Difference is providing guests with extraordinarily well-designed cruises that bring them closer to the cultures of the world. Itineraries are designed for maximum time in port, often with late evenings or overnights, so guests can experience local culture at night or evening performances. And only The Viking Way of exploration brings guests itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences.
Link: Viking River Cruises
Carol and I are the #1 Viking booking agents out of 16,000 in Virtuoso, and we’re one of the top five Viking booking agents in the world. Not only can we help you obtain a flawless booking, we have perks to share with you above and beyond Viking’s best offers. To book a fun Viking River 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
The Roaming Boomers
Five must-take trips for 2018, according to Virtuoso advisors: 
