Hello Betty,

Falling Leaves

While some parts of the country are still sweltering, other parts are witnessing the first signs of Fall. This season of transition brings with it a plethora of travel incentives. Virgin Voyages is currently offering 70% off the second guest making their itineraries quite economical. Paul Gaugin is offering a $500 onboard credit while Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America and others all have promotions. What is your favorite cruise line? Call us, and we’ll let you know the latest promotions.

We normally put new adventures at the end of our newsletter, and we do have one there. However, we have just arranged for some balcony group space on the Regal Princess, August 13-25, 2025 which includes the famous Military Tattoo. This event takes place for only three weeks in August at Edinburgh Castle. It is simply one of the most incredible events we have ever seen, and we highly recommend it to you. The ship is already very full, and we can only hold on to the group space for a limited amount of time. Call us as soon as possible to secure your stateroom.

Last month, we mentioned some of the cruise lines offering 2026 voyages that will feature an opportunity to view a total eclipse. Holland America joins the group by announcing three solar eclipse cruises. Three ships will be positioned under the path of totality for the August 12, 2026, total solar eclipse. Oosterdam will take guests to the Mediterranean to witness the eclipse off the eastern coast of Spain, while Nieuw Statendam will explore Northern Europe, sailing off the western coast of Iceland for the eclipse. Guests can also sail on Zuiderdam for the popular Voyage of the Vikings cruise, for the solar eclipse. 

In airline news, more airlines have suspended flights to Israel. Delta and United are the latest to join many other airlines who have already signaled a pause in their flights to this troubled area. In other airline news, the US Department of Justice has preliminarily approved the merger of Alaska Airlines with Hawaiian Airlines. The airlines now await further input from the DOJ to determine what next steps may be required.

When is big too big? We have witnessed passenger capacity balloon from 2500 to 5000 and even 6000. The Carnival Corporation has ordered three new ships to be delivered in 2029, 2031 and 2033. These ships will have 3000 staterooms with a capacity of almost 8000 guests. 8000? Seriously? “For this next generation ship, we are focused on creating innovative guest experiences that will take Carnival Cruise Line into the future with new FUN features,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We are doubling down on the growth of Carnival Cruise Line – our highest-returning brand – to keep up with the incredibly strong demand,” said Carnival Corp CEO, Josh Weinstein.

How’s this for a travel tip? According to Travel+Leisure, you should give your luggage some tub time while on vacation. It states, “In 2023, we experienced a full-blown bed bug epidemic in hotels around the world, though no city seemed to be hit harder than Paris. And while the crisis seems to have subsided, we've learned our lesson. And that's why we can tell you that when you check into a hotel room, do not — under any circumstances — put your luggage on your bed. Instead, put it where you least expect: inside the bathtub. “Sure, tossing your bag in the bathtub might sound like the oddest thing you can do when stepping inside a hotel room. However, by doing this, your luggage stays clear of any fabric surfaces (including carpets, bedding, decor, and drapes) that may harbor tiny fugitive bed bugs hopping in your suitcase to hitch a ride to their next destination.

We have enjoyed several wonderful cruises to Bermuda, and we are going again next year. We invite you to Join Us! on this seven-day voyage, round-trip from New York departing on July 6, 2025. The NCL Getaway includes an Aqua Park, a Sports Complex, a Video Arcade, and a Spa Thermal Suite. In addition to the many activities, the shows onboard are excellent.

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

Betty & Frank Villani

909-980-6040

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.

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.