If you are regular visitors to our website, you will have read many of our photo narratives of our cruise experiences around the world and learned of our love of unpacking once and watching the world float by in front of you—in unsurpassed luxury.

And if you are new to our site (and thinking of cruising as a vacation option) we hope you will be inspired to learn more about the cruise experience and how it may just change the way you travel in the future.

Here are two exciting new cruise opportunities we just learned learned about:

Discover the ANCIENT wonders of Egypt on A Viking Cruise

We’ve sailed many times with Viking Cruises, both on ocean and river cruises, and the experience never failed to create unforgettable travel memories. Our staterooms were always spacious and comfortable, and it was truly a daily delight to see castles and incredible scenery roll by as we relaxed on our balcony. The included shore excursions were led by outstanding local guides who made history come alive with their insightful commentary.

That being said, we can only imagine experiencing the wonders of Egypt on the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. Guests begin with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Saqqara (also known as “Sakkara”) and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. They then fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River, featuring Privileged Access to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional elementary school. Finally, the journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.

Can you ask for anything more in such an itinerary?

For guests looking to extend their journey, Viking also offers Pre and Post Extensions that provide Privileged Access to archives and exhibits. Additional offerings include a new three-night Pre-Extension in Istanbul, where guests can visit the timeless city and important religious sites including the “Blue Mosque” and the legendary Hagia Sophia. Before their voyage, guests can also choose to extend their journey in Jerusalem, exploring the ancient history and vibrant culture of Israel’s fascinating capital. After concluding the river voyage, guests can also extend the journey with a 4-night Post-Extension to Jordan – Petra, Dead Sea & Amman to view Roman antiquities at Jerash, Crusader-era castles at Kerak or Shobak and experience the lost city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy a Holiday SALE on America’s Scenic Rivers

While European holiday cruises along the rivers are very romantic, and well worth the trip, for some Americans the long flight to Europe and all the logistics involved might be too much trip planning.

Enter the newest promotion from www.AQVoyages.com that can bring you all the joy of the holiday season close to home. The themed voyages, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Cruises, and New Year's Celebration, are curated to bring travelers time-honored traditions, festive entertainment, and authentic culinary specialties.

In addition to traditional holiday festivities, AQV is introducing new Christmas Markets on select Lower Mississippi River voyages. Guests will have the opportunity to explore charming European-styled markets filled with handcrafted gifts, local delicacies, and seasonal treats, offering an authentic taste of holiday shopping as they wander through the decorated stalls.

American Queen Voyages’ all-inclusive fares include a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, ground transfers between the hotel and vessel, unlimited guided tours and experiences, unlimited beverages, open bars and lounges, acclaimed cuisine in multiple venues, in-room dining, unlimited WiFi, live daily onboard entertainment and enrichment, and hiking sticks. Bicycles are included on river voyages. Additionally, AQV cruise fares include port taxes and fees and pre-paid gratuities.

Happy Holidays!

This May, the U.S. celebrates Older Americans month, but it’s clear that age doesn’t curb seniors’ desire to see the world, and travel is currently quite strong in the nation’s mature market.

And it makes sense. We’re talking about a generation that came of age in the ‘60s, rocked to the Beatles, began the Earth Day movement and traveled around the world in droves to discover new destinations and the people of each country, with backpacks in tow and youth hostel guidebooks in hand.

And their sense of adventure hasn’t waned.

Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.), the leader in personalized small group and solo travel for Americans ages 50 and older, encourages travelers to seize this eternal spirit of adventure through its 2024 Small Group Adventures to diverse, discovery-rich locations around the world.

According to an AARP survey of the 50-plus generation, most older travelers (85%) rank travel in their top three priorities for discretionary spending, much higher than other types of expenses. Forty-three percent (43%) plan to take an international trip within the next three years, and 30% anticipate doing so in the next year.

“Older travelers in particular will continue to make up for lost time by exploring the world in 2024,” said Brian FitzGerald, CEO of Overseas Adventure Travel. “Our travelers tell us that unique itineraries at great value are most appealing, and our company continues to deliver that combination.”

From the company’s time-tested favorites, such as its Ultimate Africa safari or Sicily’s Ancient Landscapes and Timeless Traditions, to exciting new destinations, including Romania, Bulgaria, and the Azores, there is a world to discover traveling with the company in 2024. Travelers enjoy a journey off the beaten path in small groups and experience intimate cultural encounters, meeting people where they live and work for a real and unfiltered view of local life. For many, it will be a hark back to the travel experiences they enjoyed during their youth.

Cruising continues to be a popular mode of travel, for obvious reasons both for young and old—unpack once and see the world from the luxury of your cabin, with on shore excursions that take you in comfort to the highlights of each destination. Travelers can explore remote ports from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, enjoying direct access aboard privately owned 50- to 98-passenger small ships in small ports large cruise ships can’t access. O.A.T. travelers step ashore in a small group of no more than 25 travelers for authentic local experiences.

Solo travel remains strong, especially among women travelers

Traveling solo on many cruise ships can be a challenge. But not with O.A.T., which is offering 23,000 single spaces in 2024 across all adventures. For solo travelers, the company’s free or low-cost single supplements translate to hundreds of dollars in savings, making these trips very attractive to solo women. The small group size on these voyages makes it easier for solo travelers to bond with other members of the group. For 2024, O.A.T. is offering 12 exclusive women-only departures of its most popular adventures – an opportunity to enjoy the special camaraderie of exploring with some like-minded intrepid women travelers.

To learn more about O.A.T. or to reserve travel, visit www.oattravel.com or call 1-800-955-1925.

ABOUT OVERSEAS ADVENTURE TRAVEL
Established in 1978, Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) is part of Boston-based Grand Circle Corporation's family of travel companies, which also include Grand Circle Cruise Line and Grand Circle Travel. In 1992, owners Alan and Harriet Lewis established the nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation to support communities in which Grand Circle works and travels, including some 300 humanitarian, cultural, and educational endeavors worldwide—among them, 100 schools, in 50 countries. The Foundation is an entity of the Alnoba Lewis Family Foundation, which has pledged or donated more than $250 million since 1981.

Please note: This post was not compensated by A.O.T travel. In our research of the best cruises for senior travel, this company definitely came up as one of the best!