Terry Anne Owens Travel Counsellors, UK

19/08/2026

Luxury travel changes all the time.

New cruise lines launch.

Ships become bigger.

Design trends come and go.

Yet Seabourn continues to be one of the cruise lines I recommend most often.

The reason is surprisingly simple.

It knows exactly what it wants to be.

It isn’t trying to compete with family ships packed with attractions or constantly introduce the next headline-grabbing feature.

Instead, Seabourn has remained focused on the things that matter most to its guests.

Exceptional service that feels natural rather than scripted.

Spacious ships where finding a quiet corner is never difficult.

Excellent dining.

Interesting itineraries.

And an atmosphere where you can completely switch off without feeling as though there’s pressure to be doing something every minute of the day.

I think that’s why so many guests return again and again.

Not because Seabourn is trying to be the newest or the boldest.

Because it consistently delivers the kind of holiday people were hoping for in the first place.

Sometimes, that’s exactly what luxury should be.

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18/08/2026

When people tell me about the holidays they’ve never forgotten, they rarely start by talking about the hotel.

They talk about the experiences.

The first time they saw a lion walk past their safari vehicle.

Watching a glacier calve into the sea in Antarctica.

The journey through the Canadian Rockies on Rocky Mountaineer.

Standing in a quiet Kyoto temple before the crowds arrive.

Those are the moments that stay with you.

That’s why, when I’m planning a big trip, I don’t begin with a list of luxury hotels.

I start with the experiences my clients will remember years later.

The hotel matters.

The flights matter.

The itinerary matters.

But they’re all there to support those unforgettable moments.

For me, the very best holidays aren’t simply luxurious.

They’re the ones that give you stories you’ll still be telling long after you’ve unpacked.

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17/08/2026

There are plenty of expedition ships I’d happily recommend.

But Silver Endeavour is one that always stands out.

What makes it so special isn’t just where it goes.

It’s the fact that you can explore some of the most remote places on Earth without giving up the comfort you’d expect from a luxury holiday.

One morning, you might be cruising past glaciers or heading ashore by Zodiac with the expedition team.

A few hours later, you’re back on board enjoying exceptional dining, a spacious suite and a quiet drink while watching icebergs drift past your window.

That contrast is what I love.

Silver Endeavour proves that expedition cruising doesn’t have to mean compromising on comfort.

Whether it’s Antarctica, Svalbard or Greenland, it allows you to experience extraordinary destinations while travelling in genuine luxury.

For travellers who want adventure without sacrificing exceptional service, I think it’s one of the finest expedition ships at sea.

It’s exactly the sort of ship that changes people’s idea of what expedition cruising can be.

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16/08/2026

If I had the budget for one upgrade on a long-haul holiday, it probably wouldn’t be the hotel.

It would be the flight.

When you’re travelling to destinations like Australia, Japan, South Africa or Antarctica, the journey is a significant part of the holiday.

Arriving well rested, having had proper sleep and enough personal space can completely change how you feel when you land.

That’s why I’d usually look at Premium Economy or Business Class before upgrading to the most expensive hotel room.

A comfortable flight can mean you arrive ready to enjoy your first day instead of spending it recovering from the journey.

Of course, every trip is different, and I’d always tailor my recommendation to the holiday and the budget.

But if I had to choose just one upgrade?

Making the journey more comfortable would be at the top of my list.

Sometimes, the best luxury isn’t waiting for you at the destination.

It starts the moment you board the aircraft.

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15/08/2026

I quite often speak to people who have loved sailing with Cunard and are wondering where to go next.

Not because they’re looking for something better.

They’re simply looking for something a little different.

The cruise line I most often introduce at that point is Seabourn.

Why?

Because many Cunard guests already appreciate the things Seabourn does exceptionally well—excellent service, refined dining and elegant surroundings.

The difference is the atmosphere.

Seabourn’s ships are much smaller, which creates a more intimate feel. There are fewer guests on board, more space to relax and the chance to visit ports that larger ships simply can’t reach.

If someone tells me they love the tradition of Cunard but would enjoy a quieter, more contemporary style of luxury, Seabourn is usually the first conversation we have.

Of course, Regent Seven Seas or Silversea might be a better fit depending on the itinerary or what’s most important to you.

That’s why I never recommend a cruise line in isolation.

I always start with the traveller.

The best “next cruise” isn’t about leaving one cruise line behind.

It’s about finding the one that suits the kind of holiday you want now.

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14/08/2026

If someone asked me to recommend just one hotel in Mauritius, I’d find it very difficult to look past LUX* Grand Baie.

What I like most is that it doesn’t feel like a resort where you’re expected to stay in one place all week.

It’s in Grand Baie, so you have the option of exploring local cafés, boutiques and the marina, as well as enjoying everything the hotel has to offer.

The hotel itself strikes a lovely balance between contemporary luxury and a relaxed beach atmosphere.

The suites are beautifully designed, the restaurants are excellent, the rooftop infinity pool is a real highlight, and the beach is exactly what most people picture when they think of Mauritius.

It’s also a hotel that suits different types of travellers.

Couples celebrating something special, honeymooners or anyone simply looking for a stylish escape would all feel at home here.

Mauritius has some exceptional hotels, and there isn’t one that’s right for everyone.

But if you asked me where I’d start, LUX* Grand Baie would be very high on my list.

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13/08/2026

Expedition cruising in luxury!

I've experienced it myself - incredible destinations, amazing adventures, without compromising on comfort. A perfect combination.

When people hear the words expedition cruise, they often picture uncomfortable cabins, basic facilities and having to “rough it”.

The reality can be very different.

Luxury expedition ships, such as those operated by Silversea, combine some of the world’s most remote destinations with the sort of comfort you’d expect from a premium hotel.

After spending the morning exploring by Zodiac or walking ashore with expert guides, you return to a spacious suite, excellent dining and somewhere comfortable to sit with a drink while watching the scenery drift past.

That’s exactly what appeals to me.

You still get the adventure of places like Greenland, Svalbard or Antarctica, but you don’t have to give up the things that make travelling enjoyable.

It’s about experiencing extraordinary destinations without compromising on comfort.

I think that’s why expedition cruising has become so popular with people who would never describe themselves as “adventurers”.

You don’t need to be climbing mountains or sleeping in a tent.

You simply need to be curious enough to visit places that very few people ever get to see.

That’s what expedition cruising is really about.

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12/08/2026

When people ask me where they should go in Australia, my answer is nearly always the same.

Don’t try to see everything.

Australia is simply too big.

Instead, I’d recommend an itinerary that gives you four completely different sides of the country.

I’d start with Sydney. A few days to enjoy the harbour, the beaches, great restaurants and everything that makes it such an easy city to fall in love with.

From there, I’d head to Uluru.

It’s unlike anywhere else in Australia, and spending a couple of nights there lets you experience the changing colours of the rock at sunrise and sunset, as well as learning more about its cultural significance.

The next stop would be Port Douglas.

It’s the perfect base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, giving you two World Heritage sites in one stay. One day you can be snorkelling on the reef, the next walking beneath ancient rainforest.

If time allows, I’d finish with a few nights in Melbourne.

It has a completely different feel to Sydney, with brilliant food, hidden laneways and the option of taking a day trip along the Great Ocean Road or into the Yarra Valley.

For me, that’s an Australia itinerary that feels balanced.

City, outback, reef and rainforest, with every stop bringing something completely different.

It’s the route I’d recommend time and time again.

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11/08/2026

Have you ever wondered about the difference between an Ocean & Expedition cruise? Take a look at my blog....

This is why I love to travel, it reminds me that there is never just one perspective. There is no right or wrong way to explore, just your way!

11/08/2026

One of the biggest advantages of smaller ships isn’t what’s on board.

It’s where they can take you.

That’s one of the reasons I enjoy recommending AmaWaterways.

Rather than docking at large commercial ports, smaller river ships often berth right in the heart of historic towns and cities. You can walk straight off the ship and begin exploring almost immediately, without long coach transfers or spending half the day getting to where you actually want to be.

It changes the whole feel of the journey.

You have more time to wander local markets, discover cafés tucked away on quiet streets, enjoy a leisurely lunch or simply soak up the atmosphere at your own pace.

It’s an advantage that’s easy to overlook when comparing cruise lines, but it can make a huge difference to the overall holiday.

For me, that’s the real appeal of smaller ships.

They don’t just carry fewer guests.

They open up destinations that larger ships simply can’t reach in the same way.

☎️ 01204 897140
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