What did I expect from Poland? I’m not sure; I was just excited to go somewhere new and unexpected. What I brought home from Poland were stories of her extended history, images of her glories and pain, glimpses of her future. We easily could have spent several additional days in each city. With even more time we could have made side trips to Poland’s smaller cities, to the countryside, or to the Tatra Mountains. There was so much to see and learn that I had trouble deciding what to write about for this blog. Picturesque. Modern. Medieval. Poignant. Political. Pragmatic. This old, yet new, country left a deep impression. This newbie to Poland is now hoping to return to discover more about this resilient country.
We recently had the opportunity to experience what it’s like to travel with UnCruise Adventures, the small-ship expedition cruise line based out of Seattle, Washington. It was truly an all-encompassing way to see Hawaii and unlike any other cruise line we’ve traveled on before.
It’s always been a dream of ours to experience Machu Picchu and combine it with a visit to the Galapagos. Recently, this dream came to fruition. Sherri and I just returned from a two-week journey to Peru and Ecuador to visit these magical destinations. Some say it is the “journey” that counts, in our case, it is all about the destination!
Last month, Cruises & Beyond had the priviledge to attend an inaugural preview of the Norwegian Bliss. NCL gave travel agents and consultants alike an opportunity to experience their newest ship shortly before her first sailing to Alaska amidst a two night foray into international waters from Los Angeles. With such little time, it was nearly impossible to check out every corner of the ship, but we saw enough to give you our initial impressions of this unique vessel.
There’s a reason why we like to sell Crystal Cruises to our clients. That’s because we strongly believe Crystal is the top luxury cruise line of them all. You’ll pay a premium to sail on one of their ships, but that’s what helps make Crystal’s all-inclusive splendor happen. From 5-star culinary experiences to the unmatched personal service provided by all staff members aboard their ships, Crystal offers the best there can possibly be. It goes without saying that we love Crystal and our clients do too.
It’s amazing to reflect on how far cruising has come in the past 50 years. The shift in focus from transportation to destination cruising in the 1950s and 60s during the age of booming air travel symbolized the first major evolution. The second evolution came when cruise ships seemingly doubled in size every 10 years while packing even more amenities on board. And now it appears the industry is entering it’s third evolution.
Alaska is a very popular travel destination for families and explorers alike for obvious reasons. The Alaskan landscape is largely untouched and offers epic, fantasy-world vistas nearly unmatched in the world. Big cruise lines sail up to the Alaskan frontier every year when the snow melts and continue through the beginning of fall. One of the most exciting aspects of Alaska is watching the wildlife interact with its natural surroundings. While you may be able to catch glimpses of Alaskan wildlife on big cruise lines, whether from your cabin balcony or a shore excursion at an extra cost, it’s quite rare you’ll actually get an up close look. But there is one way you can.
The new year is here and you’re starting to think about what your next travel destination might be. In an age where leisurely travel seems so readily available, your decision should come down to who can deliver the best on all aspects of hospitality. Without a doubt, our friends at Crystal Cruises are the ones to deliver this service. And they have our full backing.
We’ve already touched on why Crystal is the best of the best when it comes to cruising. But we have what we think is an exceptional value for luxury travel goers who want to either visit the Mediterranean for the first time or return for a different look.
Cruises & Beyond recently joined Visit Flanders on a 7-day Belgian le voyage, fitting in our schedule 5 of the regions major municipalities/attractions while immersing ourselves in the rich cultural legacy that Flanders has to offer. The following is an overview of all the cities/towns we visited, including hotels we stayed at and places we visited. Hopefully this inspires you to travel to Belgium and to follow our footsteps!
For many years, Crystal Cruises has been at the pinnacle of the luxury cruising market, delivering exceptional class and comforts to its esteemed seafaring clients. Not too long ago, Crystal decided to expand their fleet and bring their brand to more travellers, a decision that coincided with the company’s purchase by Genting Hong Kong. With a new parent company at the helm, Crystal successfully expanded into the luxury yacht market, the luxury air market and the luxury river cruise market. With this expansion, Crystal continues to deliver on the quality they have come to be known for. For them, luxury continues to be personal.
Cruises & Beyond has consistently worked with Crystal since our founding in 2003. Many of our clients have sailed with Crystal in the past and have even tried out the new river cruises. So from their perspective and ours, we have to ask the question: does Crystal Cruises still live up to its 5-star luxury service? The answer is a resounding yes. Here are our 5 reasons why cruising with Crystal will change the way you think about hospitality/travel, and why you should consider travelling with them despite the premium cost.
What did I expect from Poland? I’m not sure; I was just excited to go somewhere new and unexpected. What I brought home from Poland were stories of her extended history, images of her glories and pain, glimpses of her future. We easily could have spent several additional days in each city. With even more time we could have made side trips to Poland’s smaller cities, to the countryside, or to the Tatra Mountains. There was so much to see and learn that I had trouble deciding what to write about for this blog. Picturesque. Modern. Medieval. Poignant. Political. Pragmatic. This old, yet new, country left a deep impression. This newbie to Poland is now hoping to return to discover more about this resilient country.
Chris Barber from Cruises & Beyond had the chance to tour the Royal Princess of Princess Cruises when she was docked in San Francisco. The Royal Princess is the first of Princess Cruises' Royal Class cruise ships and is fully equipped with Princess Medallion technology. Join us as we take a quick peek inside! #PrincessCruises #ComeBackNew
Chris Barber from Cruises & Beyond had the chance to tour the Celebrity Eclipse of Celebrity Cruises when she was docked in San Francisco. Celebrity is known for modern luxury and a heightened premium cruising experience. Join us as we take a quick peek inside! #CelebrityCruises
Cruises & Beyond
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Phone Number: 415-753-2189 800-603-8838
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