Hi First name / friend!

 

After a truly terrible experience (my high school senior trip) on the generously named barely sea worthy " Emerald Seas", there was NO WAY I was ever going on another cruise.   I was scarred for life.  

 

As far as I was concerned, a cruise was the Las Vegas Strip On The Water, At 2 AM.   

 

Many people have started off with a drunken mass market ship and concluded that they were one and done with cruises.    

 

Decades after the horrible Emerald Seas experience I was invited on a cruise last year for work.  Sam tagged along.  We had a really great time!  I was so surprised.  

 

And, if you are like me and Sam, and your travel styles don't match,  

go-go-go + nap time = trouble in paradise, a cruise can be a good solution for travel harmony.  

 

When we went to  Iceland with the boys, we needed an option with some

 “ space”.  Those of you who have traveled with your kids will get my drift, and a smaller expedition ship fit the ticket perfectly.  

 

I noticed that my family seems to be in the play together but seperately category.   This sounded kind of familiar, so I did some quick research:

 

In 1932, sociologist Mildren Parten identified SIX stages of children’s play. 

 

We Wammocks seem to stuck in stage 5, Associative Play.  This is when your child starts to show interest in other children as playmates.  Children in this stage may all be playing in the same area and interacting with each other.  

Yep. That's us.   

 

If memory serves, I think this might also be the toddler stage when toy stealing and biting starts…but I digress.   

 

Here is the key to cruises, you must select the correct line and ship.   A vacation can be ruined if you are stuck on a boat that just does not suit you.     What your friends love and rave about you might hate.  

 

Remember Goldilocks?  The ship needs to be JUST RIGHT. 

 

The good news: there is a cruise line for you. There are also cruise lines that are NOT for you.   Call me before you slap down that deposit.   And with Virtuoso I can always add some cool perks or unpublished fares.  

 

I have three cruising options lined up that might nudge you skeptics from 

“I don’t think so…” to “Okay, maybe tell me a little more” 

 

Unless you get sea sick, in which case please skip it.   

River Cruise ships come in all shapes and sizes, from a crewed barge for you and a few other friends, to much larger ships.   This option isn’t new by any means.  

 

Every day is a new destination, and it is easy to hop on, hop off, maybe grab a bike and explore.  Go for a run. 

 

River cruising offers scenic waterways, often docking overnight right in the heart of cities and villages. 

 

 

📌 Iconic rivers like the Rhine, Danube, and Mekong each offer distinct cultural and historical treasures.  From the castles lining Germany’s riverbanks to the floating markets of Southeast Asia, each stop along the way is cultural immersion.

 

📌 With smaller ships, river cruises can access quaint, less-visited locations. Enjoy stops in places like  Budapest and Vienna, offering direct access to  local culture and experiences.  It can be like staying in a floating five star boutique hotel. 

 

 

✅ If you’re a traveler who prefers an intimate, immersive experience with a focus on history, art, and culture, river cruising could be a perfect match. It’s a peaceful way to explore multiple destinations without the rush and crowds. 

 

 

 

You can't miss the weather news lately, flooding one day, droughts the next, locusts...  With travel, there is always the risk of something trying to mess up your vacation.   

 

The terms and conditions of all cruises allow the captain to adjust the itinerary.

 

For river cruises, this can mean water levels might be too high to fit under those charming 16th century bridges.  A drought, well, your boat is just as stuck.   The cruise company will simply bus you to your next destination….oh hell no.   This is not common, but it can happen.

 

Don't totally write off a river cruise, they are fantastic.   Obtain Cancel for Any Reason Insurance (CFAR)  and we will both watch the weather forecast to make sure that you are good to go.  That way we can reschedule.  

The recent election cycle totally make your head explode?  

 

Does exploring remote,  wild places that few travelers have ever seen, with a focus on conservation, hands-on exploration, and learning from on-board naturalists and experts sound REALLY GREAT right now?

 

 Expedition cruising might be your match.

 

An expedition ship is small, around 200 passengers, and all about getting up close to nature and experiencing the world’s most pristine and untouched destinations, from the ice-covered landscapes of Antarctica to the biodiverse islands of the Galápagos. 

 

 

📌 Top expedition routes include Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Galápagos Islands. Each destination offers breathtaking scenery and rare wildlife encounters, from penguin colonies to whale sightings.

 

📌 Expedition cruises include onboard lectures, guided shore excursions, and even opportunities to participate in research activities, providing a deep connection to each place you visit.  Casinos and Broadway shows? No. 

 

 

 

✅ Expedition cruising is for you travelers who want to explore the planet’s most remote corners. If you’re ready to turn off Fox News and CNN for now, and have an adventure that combines learning with unforgettable landscapes, expedition cruising is the way to go.  I call this a win-win. 

 

This is a true adventure, so you have to be flexible if you are visiting some very remote locations.   Ship size is also a VERY important consideration if you want to be able to get off the ship in a Zodiac and explore.  

Ocean cruising might be the default cruise style that most (think) they know of, but the options go far beyond the Caribbean.

 

From adults-only hip and trendy options to destinations you may not have realized were “cruise-able”, ocean cruising offers the freedom to explore a  mix of destinations in a single trip, all while enjoying the top-notch amenities on board.

 

 

📌 Set sail on routes anywhere in the world. Explore  Athens, then wake up the next morning to discover Montenegro.  All while unpacking just once.

 

📌 Ocean cruises are all about choices—whether it's taking in a Broadway-style show, enjoying a world-class meal at a specialty restaurant, or hanging out in the spa, there's something to suit every mood and interest on board.

 

 

✅ Ocean cruising is ideal for travelers who like variety,  entertainment and relaxation. It's particularly well-suited for families, friend groups, and multi-generational travelers who want different daily activities while still being able to come together for shared experiences.  

 

This can also be a very economical way to travel, you can get a lot of bang for your travel buck with some ocean cruises, especially through Virtuoso.