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Ocean Cruises

New Travel Ideas for 2023 Awaits You

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someone holding a phone and planning a trip

I’m so excited about what’s to come in 2023! So many new and exciting products and services to suit everyone’s travel desires. Here’s just my shortlist. I can’t possibly list all the ships and hotels and flight routings, but I think you’ll agree these are some great choices picked for you.

Air:

United Airlines is now offering 3 new routings from New York for the summer of 2023 – Malaga Spain, Stockholm, Sweden, and Dubai, UAE. United flies to more destinations across the Atlantic than all other U.S. carriers combined. Maybe the WorldCup has you wanting to visit Qatar. You can also combine with UAE or Saudi Arabia!

And for Bay Area residents, we will have SFO-Rome nonstop starting in May! Italy is the most popular request for Europe. This will make traveling to Italy so easy now!

Delta will have nonstop from Atlanta to Cape Town! Usually, we connect in Europe. But this opens up easy US connections to amazing South Africa. Those safaris are calling!

Hotels and Resorts: Interior of a hale or room at the Kona Village Hotel in Big Island, Hawaii, USA

Have you heard of or stayed at Kona Village in Big Island, Hawaii? It was a well-loved Hawaii resort when I first joined the industry 25 years ago. It distinguished itself with individual hales and it was an all-inclusive resort in Hawaii! However, it was closed after a hurricane and was never reopened. The grounds have now been completely renovated and rebuilt and will become a Rosewood property, still named Kona Village.  On sale from July 2023 onwards.  It will still be stand-alone individual 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom suites.  But it will not be an all-inclusive resort.  Check it out here! https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/kona-village/overview

Four Seasons resort is opening two new spaces on the West Coast of Mexico. They now have luxurious camping tents experience in Punta Mita.  And a brand new Four Seasons Tamarindo resort in a secluded nature reserve! You can read about them here:  https://www.fourseasons.com/openings-and-enhancements-news/

 

Tours

Whether it’s guided tours or custom-tailored trips, I have the right partnerships to help you explore the world. I’m particularly excited about these itineraries:

South Korea is a trending country for all K-pop culture. This Classic Korean itinerary will take you to all the interesting places in the island nation.
https://www.insideasiatours.com/us/south-korea/tailormade-trips/skh001/south-korea-highlights

Iceland Diamond Circle: most first-time visitors are familiar with the Golden Circle of Iceland.  This one explores the Diamond Circle, which is the northeast area of Iceland and combines some of Iceland’s most stunning natural attractions with coastal views looking towards the Arctic Circle…all without the crowds elsewhere in Iceland.

https://www.cietours.com/tours/iceland/icelandic-explorer?package=46651

 

Yachts! 

Image of Ritz Carlton Yacht in the Caribbean Island

This has been a trending small cruise option in the last 8yrs.

Now, more and more brands are adopting this idea to take you to more places in a more intimate setting.  Ponant and Sea Dream have been around for some time. Ritz Carlton’s first yacht, the Evrima, has begun its inaugural sailing in Oct and has received rave reviews. https://www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com/  Four Seasons has plans to follow with new yachts too.

Cruises

Explora Journeys is a brand-new cruise line with new ships, new itineraries, and experiences.

A must for those looking for a pampering sail.  They start sailing in July 2023 in Northern Europe and Iceland.  https://explorajourneys.com/us/en/ships/ships-highlights

Image of Explora cruiseship in Alaska

While not new, Crystal Cruises, after stalling for 2yrs due to financial troubles,  have new ownership! And it’s with A&K, the luxury travel provider worldwide.  A&K has taken over the Crystal ships and I can’t wait for you to experience them.  It’s open for reservations now with special incentives.  https://www.crystalcruises.com/

 

Of course, we also have brand new Disney Wish and currently the largest ship at sea: Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas which just started sailing this year. Many other familiar names like Celebrity, Princess, and Norwegian will unveil new ships in 2023 and 2024 as well.

It’s an exciting time.  So many new experiences to try. Which one will you pick?  Put your thinking cap on this holiday with your friends and family and let’s plan an epic vacation for you in 2023!
More to brainstorm with me?  Go to Plan a Trip page, fill out the form, and schedule a 30 min Vacation Planning Consultation with me! 

 

Will you be on board for an Adult Only Cruise???

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Exterior image of Virgin Voyages Cruise Ship

I know children are cute and fun to be around.  And family vacations are what I try to emphasize and plan the most. However, sometimes, we all crave some adult-only time.  Away from kids.  Enjoy grown-up conversations with other like-minded travelers.  Your wish comes true with Sir Richard Branson’s newest luxury cruise line– Virgin Voyages.  Their Scarlet Lady is the first adult-only cruise ever debuted.  They had inaugural sailing in the U.K. at the beginning of the month and have been sailing there throughout. They are planning to come to the US and operate Caribbean cruises from Oct 2021 onwards. They will also have Mediterranean cruises in the summer of 2022.  So what’s this new cruise line about?

All About Virgin Voyages & Scarlet Lady, the first Adult Only Cruise ship.

Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady ship on the ocean

You must be 18+ to sail.  Currently, they are requiring all guests to be vaccinated. It is a product that wants to disrupt traditional cruising and BE DIFFERENT from the start.  Starting with no kids allowed.

It’s a ship that holds 2700 guests at full capacity.   17 decks. It doesn’t come with the waterslides, roller coasters, zipline, or ropes course. But it’s fun in her own way unlike a very traditional cruise like Holland America or Princess.   They call their guests Sailors and us travel advisors First Mates.

 

Ship & cabin designs: Virgin Voyages Cabin Interior view
The line is definitely focused on design elements and brings in a lot of fun vibes and mood & themed experiences. There is no large atrium but lots of small spaces of seating areas, lounges, and bars, coffee shops, ice cream shop, retail shops, even a tattoo parlor Squid Ink that is always busy. Lots of places for everyone to hang out. Small venues make for an intimate feeling and you don’t feel the actual size of the ship. The standard cabins are quite spacious and modern in décor. The bed can magically turn into a sofa.  Room lighting, curtains, and temp are all changeable to suit your mood.  I highly recommend their RockStar suite for you!

 

Wine & Dine:

There are 20 different venues. They are adamant about not going to have a buffet but they offer 9 different specialty restaurants, all included in the cruise fare.  Alcoholic drinks are not included. No more traditional dining room where you get a set time, table & servers.   There is a real Korean BBQ restaurant where you cook your food at your table and a full-on vegetarian & vegan-only restaurant.  But there are still seafood & steak house, Italian, Mexican, craft beer breweries, etc.  Reviews are that the food is excellent, well presented and the best experience on a large ship this size.

Entertainment:

There is no traditional theater & musical productions like a regular cruise. But still plenty of entertainment options.  A 2 level nightclub that stays open till the early hours.  Acrobatic performances.  Live bands; impromptu pop-up performances by a crew of different talents; cocktail cabernets, comedy, and game shows, and some tend to have some adult innuendos to it.  If you like the traditional routine of dinner and then go watch a show, then, this will not be available.

Wellness:

Really big focus on fitness and wellness on this line.  Of course, has the gym with all the machines, but also a lot of Pilates, yoga, HIIT, spin classes in the fitness club and out on decks. Seminars. Spa. A separate suspended running track just for joggers and a full-size promenade deck.

Itineraries:
The Scarlet Lady is scheduled to sail out of Miami this Oct. for the Caribbean, calling on their private beach club in the Bahamas.  They have another ship Valiant Lady for the Mediterranean in the summer of 2022 that you can start reserving now! Sea Terrace ( balcony) cabins start at $1800 double occupancy and suites start at $2800 for a 4, 5-night cruise in March 2022.

What do you think? Are you onboard?  Click on the Plan A Trip button above or schedule a consultation so we can tell you more and see if you are a good fit for this new cruise line!

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