Posted by David Porter on July 5, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Crystal River Cruises Unveils Details and Design Concepts of Four New Build River Yachts Debuting in 2017
If you’re not familiar with Crystal Cruises you might be interested to know that Crystal Cruises is the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line™, having earned more “World’s Best” accolades than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history.
Crystal Cruises has won “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 22 years; been voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 consecutive years; and the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Virtuoso for two-consecutive years (2014 & 2015).
In summer 2015, Crystal embarked on the most significant brand expansion in the history of luxury travel and hospitality, introducing three new classes of cruising – the recently launched Crystal Yacht Cruises (December 2015), Crystal River Cruises (July 2016), Crystal Exclusive Class Ocean Cruises (Fall 2019), Crystal Luxury Air (April 2016) and Crystal AirCruises (2017).
Carol and I have yet to cruise with Crystal Cruises but that will all be changing in a few months when we make our third Alaska cruise, but this time with Crystal Cruises. Well tell you much more about all of that in future posts.
As we mentioned above, Crystal Cruises is undergoing a massive brand expansion, and over the holiday weekend they unveiled the designs concepts of their four new-build river yachts debuting in Europe in 2017.
Here’s the scoop…
New vessels to feature Crystal’s signature luxury, spaces and amenities, plus several ‘Crystal Differences’ that set Crystal River Cruises apart
LOS ANGELES, July 1, 2016 – As Crystal River Cruises prepares to launch the first of its seven luxury river vessels, the fully reimagined Crystal Mozart, the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line is simultaneously announcing design plans for the next phase of its four newly built luxury river yachts. The river yachts are set to embark in spring and summer of next year. As with Crystal’s other recent endeavors (including Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Esprit and Crystal Luxury Air’s Global Express Jet), Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Ravel, Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Mahler will not simply join the ranks of competitors, but will set a new standard of luxury river cruising experiences.
“Emulation has never been part of our formula for success, rather, we have enjoyed a long reputation for innovating and leading the way in luxury travel experiences,” says Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez. “Crystal River Cruises river yachts will showcase the most celebrated parts of the Crystal Experience – stylish and elegant design, creative itineraries and experiences ashore, unmatched genuine service – while also creating a brand new niche in river cruising that will appeal to the world’s most discerning travelers.”
The four new river yachts will boast nearly identical design strategy to Crystal Mozart, with some notable variances due to the difference in the vessels’ size. While Crystal Mozart is the largest river-going ship in Europe (known as the “Queen of Europe’s Rivers”) accommodating 158 guests, the new builds will carry approximately half that number for a more intimate environment. Sailing on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Bach are distinguished as “Rhine Class” yachts, at 135 meters in length with 53 suites for 106 guests; while Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will sail on the Seine, Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde Rivers and are considered “Paris Class” yachts, with a length of 110 meters and guest capacity of 78 guests in 39 suites.
All four river yachts will offer Crystal guests luxurious amenities that surpass the comforts of home, including Crystal’s acclaimed butler service for every suite – suites that reach up to 759 square feet (Crystal Suite) and feature plush king-sized beds that face toward the Panoramic Balcony-Windows are covered with fine Egyptian cotton linens, plus walk-in closets, full-length mirrors, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines.
Additional enticing features include Crystal’s highly-acclaimed cuisine in multiple eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; Cove Bar and Palm Court. Further cementing its differentiator in the river cruise industry, Crystal will offer true open-seating dining, allowing guests to dine where they want, when they want and with whom they want.
Public amenities and services include full-service spa and separate fitness center, equipped with modern machines and cardio equipment as well as free weights – both with dedicated professionals for service and nearly unheard of in the river cruising market. Plus a partial indoor/outdoor pool on the aft of Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler.
“We have ensured that, in designing Crystal River Cruises’ yachts, we remain committed to the cornerstones of the Crystal brand that travelers throughout the world have come to love: service, space, quality and choices,” says Walter Littlejohn, vice president and managing director, Crystal River Cruises. “It is imperative that our guests’ experience aboard these vessels conveys this commitment to the ‘Crystal Difference’.”
In order to give guests the best possible experience, the new river yachts will now offer all-suite accommodations that are located entirely above the waterline, providing spectacular and unobstructed views through the Panoramic Balcony-Windows.
“As part of Crystal’s longstanding tradition of offering the highest standard of luxury experiences, we have incorporated a critical redesign to the river yachts that will enhance the guests’ overall space and experience, allowing all guests to relish in the lush scenery along their journey,” says Rodriguez.
How to Obtain Complimentary Perks on Crystal Cruises
To learn more about Crystal River Cruises offerings, click here and then head to the product list tab. There you will find 589 Crystal Cruises offerings, Crystal’s current promotions, as well as 143 Virtuoso Voyages and 112 complimentary VIP perks we have for you.
For booking information, call our travel agency at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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Posted by David Porter on July 2, 2016 · Leave a Comment
In the world of cruise ships, the RMS Queen Mary 2 stands in a league of its own. While not the world’s largest cruise ship, she is the largest ocean liner ever built.
With an unequaled maritime heritage that dates back to 1840, she is nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall, has a very powerful engine that can go faster backwards than most cruise ships can go forwards. And with her distinctly British panache, was built to offer passengers a sturdy ship designed for transatlantic crossings as well as popular cruising itineraries around the world.
We have complimentary VIP perks for you. Scroll to bottom of page.
The Queen Mary 2 was christened in 2004 by Queen Elizabeth II, and just a week ago set sail on her first voyage following a $132 million refurbishment.
Here’s the press release from Cunard on the recent refurbishment:
June 23, 2016 – Cunard’s flagship liner Queen Mary 2 will set sail this month on her first voyage following an investment in the region of $132 million, one of the most significant refurbishments undertaken by the world’s most venerable passenger shipping line, now marking 176 years in operation.
On 23rd June the remastered liner will sail into Southampton Water flanked by fleet royalty Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, to be greeted by a host of high-profile guests. The vessel will then set sail for New York, continuing her schedule of iconic transatlantic crossings, a unique journey that has been enjoyed across the decades by famous personalities from the Golden Age of Ocean travel including Audrey Hepburn, Clarke Gable and Winston Churchill, to political figures and luminaries of today such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President George H.W. Bush, film maker Wes Anderson, actress Tilda Swinton, James Taylor, and many others.
The luxury liner has been lovingly remastered with new contemporary interior designs and guest experiences, some of which take inspiration from the original Queen Mary that launched at the height of the art-deco movement in the 1930s. Cunard’s investment, marking 80 years since the original liner launched, has ensured every detail from the carpets to the curtains recalls that iconic vessel which became a symbol of British elegance.
The remastering features:
- Redesign and refurbishment of the Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites and restaurants, as well as Britannia staterooms, the latter to be fully complete by the end of the year
- The addition of 30 further Britannia Club staterooms, 15 Britannia single staterooms and five Britannia inside staterooms
- Redesign of key public spaces and restaurants, including the transformation of the former Winter Garden into the Carinthia Lounge, the introduction of The Verandah as the ship’s new specialty restaurant, and the complete refresh and restructuring of the Kings Court, the ship’s popular buffet area
- 10 additional kennels, complete with Liverpool lamp post and New York fire hydrant to make dogs feel at home in the world’s only transatlantic kennel service
- And as befitting the flagship of the Cunard fleet, a complete repaint of the ship exterior and significant technical enhancements and structural changes
Over one million man hours has gone in to the refurbishment, over a 25 day period, 594,000 square feet of luxurious new carpets (the equivalent of 10 British football pitches) has been laid, 4,000 new framed pictures have been brought on board and over 3,900 gallons of paint have been applied to the ship’s hull – are just a few examples of the sheer size and scale of these refurbishments.
The essence of Queen Mary 2 lies in allowing guests to lose themselves in a world of glamour, timeless sophistication and luxury. Alongside brand new dining experiences, guests can sample the delights of the world’s finest wine cellar at sea, with a unique collection of 486 fine wines and a stunning collection of Ports, dating back to 1840.
This modern icon also plays host to some of the finest quintessential British and international brands, with an exclusive co-branded travel collection from Aspinal of London, and sought after Cartier products available for guests to purchase whilst on board.
The Queen Mary 2 experience is revered for its exceptional crew – in its 176 year history Cunard has seen seven of its Commodores knighted, an honour no other shipping company can claim. On board Queen Mary 2 today the level of expertise and tradition is not forgotten, with highly trained and attentive staff, all graduates from the ship’s White Star Service Academy. From skilled personal butlers and concierge teams of the Cunard Grills to the teams of sommeliers and waiting staff across the breadth of dining venues – all are ready to cater for the needs of every guest.
“The significant investment into our flagship, Queen Mary 2, is indicative of our commitment to our guests, and to the special place that the ship holds, not only for those who are passionate about our famed ship, but also for the unique position she holds in the cruise landscape,” said Richard Meadows, president, Cunard, North America. “From her spectacular debut in 2004, to her current remastering, Queen Mary 2 continues to capture the imagination of those who experience her classic ocean liner voyages.”
How to get Complimentary Perks on Cunard Cruises
Our travel agency is a member of the $15 billion/year Virtuoso Travel Network, the world’s leading international luxury travel agency network. And, Cunard is one of the cruise lines in our collection.
Therefore, when you book your Cunard cruise through our travel agency, on top of Cunard’s best available rates, you will enjoy complimentary VIP perks, special Virtuoso Voyages with Cunard, and more.
Listen folks, if I might be so bold, it really would be silly for you to book a Cunard cruise on your own. Not only will we bring you our experience and Cunard’s best offers, but we’ll also bring you valuable perks that you simply can’t get on your own.
To explore all of Cunard’s sailings, Cunard’s current promotions, as well as special Virtuoso Voyages with Cunard and complimentary VIP perks, click here and then click on the product list tab.
For booking information, call our travel agency 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.
Posted by David Porter on June 28, 2016 · 1 Comment
Savvy international travelers know from experience that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world to visit.
In spite of this, London is consistently one of the most visited destinations in the world. And this is particularly true with travelers carrying U.S. passports.
As you can see in my chart to the right, the British Pound Sterling made a substantial crash against the U.S. Dollar after the successful Brexit vote was announced to the world’s financial markets.
British Pound at Lowest Level in 31 Years Against the U.S. Dollar
If I zoom out to the five year chart of the British Pound against the U.S. Dollar, I see that for most of the last half-decade, it took over $1.60 to get a BP, where today it is only $1.33 with many experts convinced that the British Pound has not finished taking its beating.
So what’s the big deal?
Well, that’s puts the United Kingdom on sale for roughly 20% off for travelers with U.S. Dollars. Imagine: every hotel room, every diner out, every cab ride, and every souvenir will be 20% lower in cost for U.S. travelers. When you add that up across the board, this can amount to a substantial savings.
Travel Tip: to take advantage of this rare opportunity, be certain to convert your Dollars into British Pounds, or at the very least, inquire as to whether your travel brand has adjusted their exchange rates to reflect this new savings. Otherwise, you’ll be giving the big savings to an online travel site. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! 😱
What to do now?
If you’ve dreamed of a trip to London, now is the time to do it? Or, have you ever dreamed of golfing in Scotland? These exchange rates haven’t been seen in over 30 years. Act now!
To help you dream a little bit, take a peek at our travel dreams website: click here.
After you get a fairly good idea of what where you’d like to visit in the UK, give us a call at (480) 550-1235 and let us share with you how we can make this all happen for you. There is no obligation to chat with us on the phone, we’re experts on UK travel, and best of all, we don’t bite. 😊
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Posted by David Porter on June 20, 2016 · Leave a Comment
2016 TravelAge West Wave Awards, Trendsetters
Hey, we’re on the cover of the Rolling Stone! I’m gonna buy five copies for my mother.
Well, not really. But we’ll soon be featured as winners in the Trendsetters category of the 2016 TravelAge West Wave Awards. 😊
The official publication isn’t out yet, but here’s a special sneak peek…
Trendsetters
Each year, the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards recognize travel agency leaders who make an impact on the industry and the community. Two finalists in each category are invited to and honored at the WAVE Awards as guests of their sponsor.
Entries are reviewed and voted on by the sponsors and editorial staff of TravelAge West. Furthermore, suppliers who sponsor the Trendsetter Awards do so not just for publicity – they support the travel agent community and wish to honor those who are making significant strides in the industry.
TravelAge West 2016 Trendsetter Award Recipients
Best Group Booking Sales Effort:
Winner: April Schmitt, Divine Destination Weddings
Runner Up: Montrose Travel
Upward Bound, Rock Star Agent Under 40
Winner: Melissa Varela, Modern Romance Travel
Runner Up: Jason Olson, True Vacation Travel
Best Targeted Marketing Idea
Winner: Robin Hawkey, Virtual Honeymoon
Runner Up: Alexis Lee, Avenues of the World Travel
Best Use of Social Media
Winner: David & Carol Porter, The Roaming Boomers (that’s us!)
Runner Up: Tom Chongruk & Lora Chow, Travel 4 Food Fun
When the official publication comes around, we’ll share it with you. But for now, you should know that when you’re working with The Roaming Boomers, you’re now dealing with travel royalty.
Hah….I crack myself up. 😝
No. We’re really pleased to be acknowledged in this way, and we’re not really travel royalty. And we’re certainly not going to get all puffed up and high-minded on you. We’re just two passionate travelers who love to help our readers and clients plan fabulous vacations.
So. Where can we help YOU go?
To inquire, call our travel agency 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 monthly newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Posted by David Porter on June 14, 2016 · 4 Comments
Best Cruise for Glaciers in Alaska’s Inside Passage
I was recently asked by a client which Alaska cruise itineraries might give him the best glacier views.
While there are three popular glacier stops available to Alaska cruisers, my immediate response was Glacier Bay National Park. Let’s take a peek at the three most popular options:
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Note: click images for larger views. ©2012, David A. Porter
When most travelers consider the possibility of viewing a glacier, two things are dominant in their minds: blue ice, and the crashing sound of ice calving into the frigid waters.
I snapped this photograph from the deck of our cruise ship as we sat in front of the Margerie Glacier. As an amateur travel photographer, I can tell you that I was quite excited to capture these scenes. I have nearly 200 photographs from our day in Glacier Bay.
President Calvin Coolidge, in 1925, set aside this area as a national park and preserve and today it covers 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords. Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site—one of the world’s largest international protected areas.
Here’s a few things to expect when you visit:
- You will receive a copy of the park map/guide in your stateroom the evening before your arrival in Glacier Bay.
- Cruise ships typically spend a full day (9-10 hours) in Glacier Bay including a stop at a major tidewater glacier.
- National Park Service park rangers board the ship to provide a narrative about important aspects of the visit, give special presentations about the park, kid’s activities, staff an information desk, and answer all of your questions.
- Cruise ships do not dock anywhere in Glacier Bay National Park.
Glacier Bay is highly protected and therefore the number of ships allowed in the Park is highly regulated each day. Subsequently, not all cruise itineraries include a day in Glacier Bay National Park.
Therefore, if you take our strong recommendation and desire a cruise itinerary that includes Glacier Bay National Park, use our cruise search tool to scan across all cruise lines to find one that suites you and includes a day in Glacier Bay.
Hubbard Glacier
Note: click photos for larger views. ©2014, David A. Porter & Google Maps Image
The Hubbard Glacier, as you can see in the Google Maps image above, is approached from the Pacific Ocean. It is located in eastern Alaska with its beginnings in Yukon, Canada. This glacier is generally included in itineraries that include Sitka, Seward, and Anchorage.
While certainly a spectacular glacier, we were not able to get up as close as we were when we were in Glacier Bay National Park. If you look at my photographs above, we were able to traverse the small ice immediately in front of the ship, but the next line of ice was too large for us to get through. My third photo (above) show you the closest we were able to get to this glacier. While certainly still spectacular to see, we weren’t close enough to witness any ice calving. 😟
Tracy Arm Fjord & Sawyer Glaciers
Click image for large view. Google Maps Image.
Carol and I have yet to visit the Tracy Arm Fjord. Therefore, we don’t have any personal photographs to share with you. If you’re on an 8-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise, and your itinerary doesn’t include Glacier Bay National Park, then chances are very good that you’ll be visiting the Tracy Arm Fjord.
The twin Sawyer Glaciers, North Sawyer and South Sawyer, are featured on a Tracy Arm sailing and are both found at the very end of the fjord. While larger cruise ships can traverse this fjord, its close proximity to Juneau also provides visitors the opportunity to visit this popular area on much smaller expedition ships and kayak up close and personal to the glaciers. If that sound like your cup of tea, consider this as a shore excursion when you visit Juneau.
Bottom Line
When considering an Alaskan cruise, you should give consideration to the glacier experience that most appeals to you.
Again, we highly recommend a cruise that will allow you to spend a day in Glacier Bay National Park & Reserve.
When using our cruise search tool, look in the itinerary for the glacier destination that most appeals to you. In the screen grab to the right, I’ve shown you an example of two Princess Cruises as an example. One of them includes the Tracy Arm and the other includes Glacier Bay.
Our cruise search tool features all of the major cruise lines, and every single sailing available in Alaska. Once you find your desired cruise, give us a jingle to book your cruise as we’re quite likely to have additional perks/special offers available to you on top of what the cruise line might be offering as we’re members of the $15 billion/year Virtuoso Travel Network.
Plus, if you’re reading this article after the first quarter of the year, we’re also quite likely to have unadvertised last-minute cruise offers for you as well.
I hope you enjoyed this article and learned important information about how to pick the right Alaskan cruise for viewing Alaska’s spectacular glaciers. Carol and I love Alaska’s Inside Passage. And, the only way to see it is aboard a cruise ship. In fact, we love it so much, we just booked our third Alaska cruise. Can’t wait!
For our expert help booking an Alaska cruise, and to receive our likely special perks/offers, call our travel agency at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll call you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our monthly newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
The Roaming Boomers
The four new river yachts will boast nearly identical design strategy to Crystal Mozart, with some notable variances due to the difference in the vessels’ size. While Crystal Mozart is the largest river-going ship in Europe (known as the “Queen of Europe’s Rivers”) accommodating 158 guests, the new builds will carry approximately half that number for a more intimate environment. Sailing on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Bach are distinguished as “Rhine Class” yachts, at 135 meters in length with 53 suites for 106 guests; while Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will sail on the Seine, Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde Rivers and are considered “Paris Class” yachts, with a length of 110 meters and guest capacity of 78 guests in 39 suites.
All four river yachts will offer Crystal guests luxurious amenities that surpass the comforts of home, including Crystal’s acclaimed butler service for every suite – suites that reach up to 759 square feet (Crystal Suite) and feature plush king-sized beds that face toward the Panoramic Balcony-Windows are covered with fine Egyptian cotton linens, plus walk-in closets, full-length mirrors, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines.
