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Greetings!
Falling Leaves and Scenic Views
Last minute itineraries are still available for New England and/or Canadian sailings. If you have never experienced the riot of colors in a New England fall, it may be time to treat yourselves to its incredible beauty. Most major cruise lines have limited availability for these select itineraries, so contact us as soon as possible if this is on your bucket list. We can also help you design a land only, driving trip through New England if that is your preference.
Cruise News
Luxury line Seabourn unveiled its first-ever expedition Grand Voyage – a 94-day “Pole to Pole: Grand Expedition” on the purpose-built Seabourn Venture. Departing on 17 August and concluding 19 November 2027, the voyage will span more than 20,500 nautical miles, from the High Arctic to Antarctica. The 94-day voyage begins with an overnight stay in Reykjavik, Iceland, followed by a charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, where guests will board the ship. Over the course of the sailing, Seabourn Venture will offer 60 days of expedition experiences and visits to destinations in 14 countries and territories, including five days in Antarctica, three in South Georgia, and three in the Falkland Islands. This ship has a passenger capacity of only 264, so this adventure will fill quickly. Let us know if you are interested, so we can send you the complete itinerary.
For the first time, Margaritaville at Sea is offering 15% discounts to seniors over 55. So, we are calling all senior Parrotheads to secure your discounts. With 2-4 night sailings out of Palm Beach, 4-5 and 7 night sailings out of Tampa, this cruise line can make all Jimmy Buffet fans happy. We will experience a 7-night cruise out of Tampa which ends in early October, so we’ll provide some insights in a future newsletter.
Interesting news from Regent Seven Seas. We suppose its another sign if the times, but even this upscale cruise line has bowed to the wishes of its clientele by issuing the following statement: “Following careful thought and listening to feedback from our valued guests, we have decided to expand our Elegant Casual evening dress code to reflect today’s wider interpretation of sophisticated fashion. For voyages departing August 2025 forward, refined denim and dress sneakers will now be welcome in all public areas after 6 p.m.” Passengers can still dress more formally, of course, but this statement from such an upscale cruise line certainly reflects the wishes of today’s cruise crowd.
Safety
If you're new to traveling internationally, the unknowns can often make it feel like a scary proposition, and feeling safe is a critical piece of the travel experience. But if you're ready to get out there and start confidently collecting passport stamps, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has a new study you need to see. The company released its annual report showcasing Earth's "safest" countries. As for which nation came in at No. 1 as the safest place to travel in 2025, that honor went to Iceland. Other nations that joined Iceland at the top of the list include Australia at No. 2, followed by Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand, Germany, Norway, Japan and Denmark, rounding out the top 10.
Also in the category of safety is this word of caution: Security experts have published a warning against posting screenshots or photos of boarding passes on social media. In recent years, online scammers and thieves have been able to extract significant personal information from a boarding pass, even if the confirmation number is obscured. As an added precaution, experts also advise not posting photos of luggage tags which can also contain additional personal information and other traveler information.
CLIA Fights Back
Trade group Cruise Lines International Association is suing the state of Hawaii claiming proposed cruise fees are a ‘blatant violation’ of the constitution. The State of Hawaii, the Hawaii Department of Taxation, the County of Kauai, the City and Council of Honolulu, the County of Maui, and the County of Hawaii are named as defendants in the lawsuit. The complaint relates to the ‘green tax’ set to be implemented next year. The new fee schedule expands Hawaii’s 11% transient accommodations tax to cruise ships for the first time. CLIA said, on behalf of its cruise line members, it is unconstitutional. Along with local county taxes, it could represent a rate of 14%. “The cruise industry opposes the extension of Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax to cruise ship passengers. We believe the extension violates both the U.S. Constitution and federal law, while imposing an additional financial burden on passengers already subject to substantial fees and taxes,” CLIA said. “Such a policy risks undermining a critical sector of Hawaii’s economy without justification. That’s why we are pursuing all appropriate means to make sure that doesn’t happen, including filing suit.”
We hope the pushback will be successful!
What’s New?
Planning for 2026 continues here at Exclusive Global Travel. We have secured group space for a Steps of Paul cruise on Celestyal Cruise Line, roundtrip Athens. We will then organize an extension to Rome. You can review the cruise details in this newsletter. Rome extension details will be finalized later.
So, where in the world do you want to go?
Betty & Frank Villani
909-980-6040
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