Hello Betty,

Happy New Year! Let wave season begin!

We wish all of you a joyous New Year; we hope 2025 brings with it health, happiness, and, of course, wonderful travel. In fact, this is the time of year cruise lines begin their Wave Season, which comes with some of their best promotions of the year. One example is the 80% off on the second sailor with Virgin Voyages. Wave Season promotions are offered for all of 2025 and at least most of 2026 sailings. A few even extend into 2027. If you have any cruise plans for this year, 2026, or 2027, contact us so we can guide you through the offers by your cruise line of choice. However, Wave Season only lasts through the first months of the year, so let’s do our planning together now.

In addition to the cruise lines, many land tour companies are also offering reduced pricing on their products. Globus, for example, is offering up to $1000 off per couple on select 2025 tours. Tours must be reserved by February 28, 2025, with travel ending no later than December 30, 2025. Most tour companies also offer travel discounts. Let us know where you would like to travel, and we’ll do some research for you.

In some cruise news, Celebrity Cruises has set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, for the first time. Celebrity Equinox has started a season of seven-night Caribbean cruises from the port to the Bahamas, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Belize, and more. With the addition of Port Canaveral, Celebrity Cruises now offers sailings from coast to coast in Florida, providing guests with the choice of four ports in the state.

In other cruise news, Virgin Voyages has announced the arrival of its newest ship, the Brilliant Lady. It will sail to Bermuda in September and October, the Caribbean in October through March 2026, through the Panama Canal in March, to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles in April and May 2026, followed by a California Coastal with Alaskan sailings in May through September 2026.

Speaking of Port Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has announced a new interactive visitor experience. The Gantry at LC-39 reimagines the historic Launch Complex 39 gantry. Slated to open in early 2025, the attraction will showcase LC-39’s location within a national wildlife refuge. Accessible via the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, The Gantry at LC-39 offers a 360° view of the Kennedy Space Center, active launch pads, and a range of exhibits and experiences. Its central theme, Off Earth, For Earth, explores the relationship between technology and nature. “The Gantry at LC-39 is an exciting next step in our mission to inspire and educate the next generation of explorers,” said Therrin Protze, COO of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. 

Since many of you are traveling to Europe this year, we promised to update you on The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The frequently delayed program is now expected to launch in mid-2025. We have requested to be informed when an application can be submitted, and we’ll let you know as the information becomes available. However, starting on January 8, 2025, US citizens will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to travel to the United Kingdom. You can apply for the ETA at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa. The cost is 10 GBP or about $13.00.



As expected, the cruise line industry is less than pleased with Mexico Congress’ vote to impose a $42 Non-Resident Immigration levy applicable for all cruise line guests docking in Mexican ports. The Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which represents dozens of cruise lines, wants the Mexican government to reconsider. “Cruise lines are actively considering significantly altering itineraries, which would reduce the more than 10 million passengers, and 3,300 cruise ship arrivals expected to visit Mexico in 2025,” the FCCA said. The FCCA also warned that ongoing cruise developments could also be halted or scaled back. These could include Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico private destination at Costa Maya and other cruise port investments. The Mexican Association of Shipping Agents also voiced its opposition. “If this measure is implemented, it would make Mexican ports among the most expensive in the world, severely affecting their competitiveness in the Caribbean.” Facing this strong pushback, the Mexican Government has postponed implementation for six months until July 1, 2025. We will keep you apprised as new information becomes available.

Under the “Did You Know” department, Lisbon is famous for its rich culture, stunning architecture, hilly cityscape, and, yes, food. If you've ever visited the Portuguese capital, you know its streets start smelling like sweet vanilla in the early morning as bakers whip up batches of pastries, including the famous pastel da nata. Now, the city is getting the culinary recognition it rightfully deserves, as it was recently awarded Europe's best culinary city destination at the annual World Culinary Awards, held in Dubai. Lisbon beat other notable food cities like Paris, London, Barcelona, Florence, Vienna, and Copenhagen. The winners are chosen by the culinary community, industry experts, and consumers according to the organization's official rules.

We have group space on the new Sun Princess from June 21-28, 2025, from Athens to Barcelona. Yes, this is the same itinerary as our previously announced sailing on the same ship from May 10-17, 2025. Check out the details! Also, take a look at our just-announced Regent Seven Seas cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona!

So, Where in the World Do You Want to Go?

Betty & Frank Villani

909-980-6040

Italy North Classic Tour

March 22 - April 4, 2025

Rome to Milan

This tour will take you to the breathtaking wonders of Italy, including Rome, the Vatican, Sorrento, Florence, Venice, and Milan!

9 Ports: Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan Hiroshima, Japan

Kanmon Straits, Japan

Busan, South Korea

Nagasaki, Japan

Kagoshima, Japan

Matsuyama, Japan

Kochi, Japan

Kobe, Japan

Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji), Japan

Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

7 Day Mediterranean Cruise

Athens to Barcelona

May 10 - 17, 2025 or

June 21 - 28, 2025

Sun Princess

Voyage of the Glaciers

Vancouver to Anchorage

July 5 - 12, 2025

Caribbean Princess

Let Princess take you from Vancouver to these stunning Alaskan ports: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Anchorage. Enjoy scenic cruising of Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord.

7 Day Bermuda Cruise

Round Trip : New York

July 6 -13, 2025

Norwegian Getaway

Join Us!

We're off to beautiful Bermuda again and hope you'll Join Us for this amazing cruise from New York. Enjoy 2 nights docked at the Royal Naval Dockyard - our home base as we explore the sites on this spectacular island.

16-Day Scotland & Ireland Tour

Gate 1

July 16, 2025

This incredible tour includes flights, hotels, transfers, 21 meals, sightseeing, and more!

Visit Edinburgh, Aviemore, Glasgow, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Killarney & Dublin

Polynesian Dreams

Honolulu to Papeete

August 1 - 16, 2025

Oceania Regatta

Experience the wonders of Hawaii by visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Kona, and Hilo. Then, sail to French Polynesia and see Papeete, Tahiti and four other South Pacific islands.

12 Day British Isles Cruise

with Military Tattoo

Round trip : London (Southampton)

August 13 - 25, 2025

Regal Princess

This cruise includes the world famous Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. Be sure to see this spectacular event as well as these stunning ports:

Southampton (for London), England; Cork, Ireland (Cobh - For Blarney Castle) Dublin (Dun Laoghaire), Ireland' Belfast, Northern Ireland' Liverpool, England; Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland; Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland; Orkney Islands (Kirkwall), Scotland; Edinburgh (South Queensferry), Scotland; Le Havre (for Paris/Normandy), France; Southampton (for London), England.

Regent Seven Seas Cruise

Lisbon to Barcelona

September 14 - 24, 2025

Seven Seas Voyager

Sail aboard the luxurious Seven Seas Voyager from Lisbon to these beautiful Spanish ports: Seville (Cadiz), Malaga, Cartagena, Alicante, Ibiza, on to Sete, France and disembark in Barcelona.

Cities of Light River Cruise

Prague to Paris

November 19 - 30, 2025

Viking Alsvin

Sail away on the beautiful Viking Alsvin from Prague to Paris, visiting spectacular ports in the Czech Republic, Germany and France.