Hello Betty,

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

We extend our warmest thoughts and sincerest wishes for a happy and healthy holiday! It is a special, joyous time of year to spend with family and friends with the countdown to Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Enjoy!!!

Of course, this time of year brings with it a slew of travel specials, providing an excellent opportunity to plan 2025 travel at reduced costs. Regardless of the land or cruise company that sparks your interest, let us know how we can help you plan for that perfect getaway!

According to Silversea, there’s never been a better time to plan a luxury sailing to Antarctica. That’s because one of the leaders in luxury expedition travel recently announced it’s developing a hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile—the southernmost city on Earth—to create an unrivaled experience for guests to explore the rugged landscapes of South America and Antarctica. The new 150-room hotel is currently under construction, with completion scheduled for the end of 2025. Plan your Silversea Antarctica adventure today and be among the first to stay in this incredible new hotel at the edge of the world.

The Royal Caribbean Group confirmed it is buying the Port of Costa Maya, including some adjacent land. It is tied to Royal Caribbean’s planned Perfect Day Mexico private destination. Perfect Day Mexico will have a separate entrance from the port, and Royal Caribbean said rival cruise lines will still be able to call at the port. It is scheduled to open in 2027.

Continuing its comeback from bankruptcy, Crystal has plans for a third ship. Similar to its sister ships, the 690-passenger, 61,800-gross-ton ship will feature a promenade extending through the whole ship’s perimeter, similar to those on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. The new ship will feature all-suite accommodations with private verandas, including a single occupancy category for solo travelers.

Princess Cruises has an extra special fall foliage season lined up for 2026. Princess announced its 2026 Canada & New England season, with Sapphire Princess sailing her first-ever season in the region alongside Majestic Princess. Sapphire Princess offers three departure ports: New York, Boston, and Quebec City. As well as highlights of the northeast and Canada for the fall, Princess is also offering a special revolutionary-themed itinerary taking in America’s historic sites. Marking the 250^th birthday anniversary of the United States in 2026, Sapphire Princess will sail a 14-night Canada & Colonial America cruise from Québec City to Ft. Lauderdale, featuring an overnight in New York City. It includes historic visits to Saguenay, Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Sydney (Cape Breton Island), Halifax, Boston, Newport, and Norfolk (for Williamsburg and Jamestown). This cruise departs October 23, 2026. Additionally, there are two in-depth cruisetours, combining a scheduled 2026 cruise with multiple days on land, including: Historic America Cruisetour – With seven nights on land, guests visit Washington D.C., Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate, Colonial Williamsburg, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and the Gettysburg Battlefield. Then there is the Maple Explorer Cruisetour—Guests visit Niagara Falls, the capital of Canada, Ottawa, and French-flavored Montréal with guided tours of the Canadian Museum of History and the Notre Dame Cathedral. A picturesque cruise through the Thousand Islands is also a highlight. These cruises will be extremely popular, so we suggest contacting us as soon as possible to reserve your stateroom.

Looking for a unique land destination? Córdoba, the capital of the Córdoba province in Andalusia, is one of Spain’s most fascinating destinations. Occupied by the Romans in the 2nd century B.C.E., the city maintains a deep connection to its history and a vibrancy stemming from its multi-cultural connections to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. “When visiting, you can’t help but learn and experience how different civilizations and cultures have lived together for many centuries,” says Noelia Pais, general manager of NH Collection Amistad Córdoba. Some of the best places to discover this side of Córdoba are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In fact, with three total sites—plus one UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Event—Córdoba has more World Heritage Sites than any other city in the world. We can help you plan your visit there!

It is no secret that cruises to Alaska are more popular than ever, so we are pleased to announce that we have secured balcony group space on the Caribbean Princess, departing July 5, 2025. This cruise leaves from Vancouver and ports in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. It includes both Glacier Bay and College Fjord for multiple glacier viewing experiences. As Vancouver is one of our favorite cities, we can assist in planning a few pre-cruise days in this exciting city.

Many of us have French Polynesia on our bucket list. If it is on your bucket list, take a look at our just announced 15-day cruise from Hawaii to Papeete on Oceania’s ship, the Regatta, departing Honolulu on August 1, 2025. With only 670 passengers, this small ship experience is bound to please even the most experienced cruiser. 

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!

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.

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.