The Cruise & Vacation Authority

The Cruise & Vacation Authority We are really proud of the folks here who work tirelessly day after day helping to guide our clients through the choices involved with any vacation.

Our people really care that each component of your vacation is well conceived , is put together for you. On the following pages you'll see a number of awards and accolades we have earned over over 30 years we've been in business. While these are always nice to receive, they are awarded to us by the vendors we represent and organizations we are members of. It is their way to say thanks for putting

a lot of people on their trips and ships. This, however, isn't what The Cruise Authority is about. Of course it's gratifying to be recognized for achieving sales thresholds, but (and pardon the expression here) it isn't what floats our boat. You know what gets us excited? Planning a perfect trip for a client. Pretty simple, right! Except that it isn't so simple. There are so many variations of even the most basic of vacations it can make your head spin. Go ahead, search on the internet for a hotel in say, Rome. You need to ask yourself... where is it? is there an elevator? is there air conditioning? are there any decent restaurants nearby? Is it 3-star, or 4-star, and on who's scale is that measured? Now, put together a couple of different hotels, a cruise, transfers, restaurants, entertainment, tours and your flight and see what happens. Now, out of all of these options try and piece together a memorable vacation - one that is memorable to you. Oh yeah, try not to spend 80 hours doing this! Here's where it gets interesting... and here's where the rubber meets the road. We (Howard Moses and David Bittner, owners) are really proud of the folks here who work tirelessly day after day helping to guide our clients through the myriad choices involved with any vacation. Our travel consultants are not only up on what's going on out there, but they take trips, attend seminars, go through webinar training on an ongoing basis. Quite simply, they are what makes The Cruise Authority great. These are people who really care that every component of your vacation is well conceived and is put together for you. Howard Moses started the company in 1988 and has sailed on almost 180 cruises. Hard to believe, we know. A self-described "lousy employee", he's been at this for a long time and always promised himself that if he ever got to run a business it would be a great place to work and people could just focus on their client relations and avoid many of the "issues and politics" associated with working at a big company. David Bittner, CMA, joined The Cruise Authority in 1997 after tours of duty with the likes of Avis, Williams Printing, and a large Danish company whose name no one in the U.S. could pronounce. Equipped with an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University, and a load of management and finance experience, he managed to coral the zany doings of the company and bring us gleefully into the 21st century. Howard and David have been friends for over 30 years. Both are former band geeks who attended the University of Georgia a long time ago. About 15 years ago a new niche literally fell into our lap - theme cruises. It occurred to us that this is where the travel industry was headed - some people just aren't satisfied sitting by the pool with a cool drink in hand while reading the latest best-seller. We know, crazy, right! But some people just insist on doing things, having new experiences and learning about all kinds of crazy stuff, not to mention hanging out with other crazies like themselves. Today, we spend much of our days creating and implementing theme cruises of all flavors. Let's see, there's the typical cruises... food and wine, religion, politics, music, history, bridge, authors and the like. Then, there's the really spicy stuff which we can't list here because this is a family-friendly web site. (Here's a hint, go to www.themecruisefinder.com and check out the alternative lifestyle heading!)

Our view is that the only accolade that matters is the ones that come from our clients. You're invited to drop in and check out our wall of fame, but its really more interesting to talk with one of our vacation consultants and let them inspire you. Or call David or Howard - they're always ready with a great travel story!

A new cruise trend lets travelers sail rivers and seas togetherWindstar Cruises is launching itineraries that combine ri...
04/07/2026

A new cruise trend lets travelers sail rivers and seas together
Windstar Cruises is launching itineraries that combine river and ocean cruising without switching vessels.
Nathan Diller
USA TODAY
If you’re torn between an ocean and river cruise, why not take both?

Windstar Cruises is leaning into river-to-ocean voyages, allowing guests to explore both kinds of waterways without changing vessels.
Guests can choose from a range of itineraries, with a number of 2027 departures aboard Windstar’s newest yacht, the 224-guest Star Explorer, debuting in December. Those include the eight-night Connoisseur’s Delight: Northern Spain & Portugal sailing through the Garonne and Gironde rivers, the coast of Spain and more, and a 10-night Ireland Circumnavigation, where passengers can explore the River Lee and take in cliffs from beyond the shoreline.

Inside Norwegian Luna: First Look at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Newest Shipby Sarah KutaNow sailing from Miami, the 3,565‑p...
04/02/2026

Inside Norwegian Luna: First Look at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Newest Ship
by Sarah Kuta

Now sailing from Miami, the 3,565‑passenger Norwegian Luna is the 21st ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.
At 1,056 feet long and 156,000 gross tons, Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna are 10 percent larger than the line’s original Prima Class ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.

And while the sister ships are nearly identical, the company’s leaders did make a few subtle changes for Norwegian Luna based largely on guest feedback. They added extra seats in the buffet, installed staircases to help guests more easily navigate between levels, made technological enhancements to some of the games on the Luna Midway and created a new open-air hangout spot called Horizon Park, just to name a few.
The lunar theme is also unique to the vessel. California-based street artist ELLE, who is also the ship’s godmother, brought the moon vibes to life with “La Luna,” a purple and blue celestial-themed motif on the ship’s bow. The color palette and design is repeated throughout the vessel, including in many of the staterooms.
With 1,809 total staterooms, Norwegian Luna offers a wide variety of accommodations—from solo studios and oceanview cabins to spacious family balcony suites.
For travelers looking for a more exclusive experience, Norwegian Luna also offers the brand’s ship-within-a-ship concept, The Haven by Norwegian. Here, guests can retreat to spacious suites, take advantage of personalized butler and concierge service, relax on the private sundeck or take a dip in the infinity pool overlooking the stern. The Haven by Norwegian also has a private lounge and an exclusive bar.

Along with the diverse activities and entertainment offerings available onboard Norwegian Luna, the accommodations were designed with Norwegian’s target market in mind. The brand is primarily hoping to attract premium, multigenerational families made up of grandparents, parents and children who enjoy traveling together but may have different interests and budgets.
Throughout the day, guests can enjoy an array of attractions and activities. Thrill seekers can try out the Aqua Slidecoaster, a cross between a waterslide and rollercoaster, while those looking for a mellower experience can play carnival‑inspired games on the open-air Luna Midway. Retro arcade games take centerstage in the Luna Game Zone, while sports and technology come together in the Glow Court. New for Norwegian Luna is the Moon Climber, a multi‑level obstacle course designed for kids and adults.

The 10 best cruises for chasing the northern lights in Alaska, according to U.S. NewsFind the best Alaska cruises for se...
03/31/2026

The 10 best cruises for chasing the northern lights in Alaska, according to U.S. News
Find the best Alaska cruises for seeing the northern lights in 2026, with itineraries designed to maximize your chances of aurora viewing.

By
Ambia Staley
Seeing the northern lights is one of the most compelling travel experiences on Earth. The aurora borealis forms when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, producing waves of green, purple, and red light that move across the night sky. Alaska is one of the most popular places in the world to witness this phenomenon, particularly in interior regions such as Fairbanks, which lies directly under the auroral oval, the zone where activity is most concentrated. Clear, dark skies between late August and late April provide the best conditions, with peak visibility often occurring between midnight and 4 a.m., according to U.S. News & World Report.

Cruising offers a structured way to pursue the aurora, but itinerary design matters. Most Alaska sailings run from April through September, with September departures offering a strategic advantage. The autumnal equinox increases geomagnetic disturbances, which can improve aurora activity, while longer nights provide more viewing hours. Cruise lines such as Holland America Line and Princess Cruises recommend this period for the best chance.
1. Holland America Classic Denali Tour
2. Holland America Glacier Discovery Northbound
3. Princess Denali Explorer
4. Princess 10-Day On Your Own Tour
5. Celebrity Cruises National Parks Expedition
6. Norwegian Denali Explorer
7. Norwegian Glacier Bay Tour
8. Royal Caribbean Wilderness Spectacular
9. Royal Caribbean Mountain Panorama Adventure
10. Regent Seven Seas

Inside the Four Seasons’ first luxury yachtThe inaugural vessel began its maiden voyage last week in the MediterraneanMa...
03/28/2026

Inside the Four Seasons’ first luxury yacht
The inaugural vessel began its maiden voyage last week in the Mediterranean
Marc Shoffman, Tuesday 24 March 2026
The first luxury cruise ship from the Four Seasons hotel chain has made its debut on the water.

The inaugural vessel, Four Seasons I, began its maiden voyage last week in the Mediterranean.

Features include large suites, private plunge pools, high-end food and access to exclusive ports and yacht-only harbours.

In its debut year, the yacht will offer 32 voyages across 52 sailings, exploring 130 destinations in more than 30 countries.

The Four Seasons hotel chain is bringing its luxury experience to the sea

This New 8-night Luxury Amazon Cruise Lets You Climb Into the Rainforest Canopy and Explore Remote RiversBlack Tomato’s ...
03/27/2026

This New 8-night Luxury Amazon Cruise Lets You Climb Into the Rainforest Canopy and Explore Remote Rivers
Black Tomato’s immersive journey unlocks rarely seen stretches of the Rio Negro with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

By Kathryn Romeyn
Published on March 22, 2026
Imagine ascending 100 feet into the crown of an old-growth tree in the Amazon’s primary rainforest, pausing for a quiet toast in a canopy perch that feels worlds away from everything. Or gliding silently by canoe through a flooded forest so surreal it hardly seems real. These experiences are now within reach thanks to UK-based luxury travel company Black Tomato, which has raised the bar for Amazon exploration with its newly launched charter journey, The Rhythm of Water, offering rare and unprecedented access to one of the planet’s most remote environments.

The journey (available May through November) begins in Rio de Janeiro alongside a private guide and photographer and continues in Manaus Harbor where up to six guests embark on a one-way expedition (the return is by floatplane) on the Amazon River Basin’s Rio Negro in a nostalgic yet upgraded charter boat. Highly sensorial, the eight-night voyage is filled with the songs of native birds, the gentle stirring of leaves, the swing of hammocks, the drift of canoes, and the intriguing natural fragrance of the rainforest.

“The Rio Negro is the starting point, but what this charter actually unlocks are stretches of Amazon rainforest that travelers rarely, if ever, get to see,” Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. In the Brazilian destination, visitors are typically herded to the same accessible areas on fixed routes and timetables. The true beauty of this trip, according to Marchant, is not only accessing usually unreachable pockets of wonder and serenity, but “the freedom to follow the river wherever it leads, to stay longer when something moves you, and yes, to do absolutely nothing at all.”

Aerial view of the Amazon River and Rainforest.
Credit: Black Tomato

How Seabourn’s New Partnership with The Atlantic Will Redefine Enrichment at SeaSeabourn and The Atlantic has launched a...
03/24/2026

How Seabourn’s New Partnership with The Atlantic Will Redefine Enrichment at Sea
Seabourn and The Atlantic has launched a three-year partnership featuring curated events on select itineraries, culminating in a full itinerary takeover in 2028.
The Atlantic will develop programming on topics including culture, business, science, health, and tech, with conversations led by its writers.
Guests on a cruise featuring an Atlantic event will receive free digital access on board and a complimentary three-month subscription after their sailing.
The partnership is part of Seabourn's commitment to enrichment, bringing guests face-to-face with influential voices across culture, science, politics, history, and the arts.

How Princess Is Bringing Alaska to Life with New North to Alaska Experiences   James Shillinglaw,  Mar 20, 2026,  Prince...
03/20/2026

How Princess Is Bringing Alaska to Life with New North to Alaska Experiences James Shillinglaw, Mar 20, 2026, Princess Cruises is introducing four new North to Alaska experiences for the 2026 season, including enrichment programs and cultural presentations.
The expanded program will include eight ships, 180 departures, 19 destinations, and the debut of the newest ship, Star Princess.
New experiences include close-up glacier views, a presentation on Alaskan culture, après-ski themed lounges, concerts, and Alaskan culinary offerings.
Additional offerings include Alaskan Lumberjack shows, a curated speaker series, outdoor stargazing, campfire movies, and children's activities such as Glacier Bay Junior Rangers.

A new Elton John-inspired concert will rocket onto the open seas when the Norwegian Luna, the newest ship from Norwegian...
12/18/2025

A new Elton John-inspired concert will rocket onto the open seas when the Norwegian Luna, the newest ship from Norwegian Cruise Line, sets sail in March.

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Who has an ugly sweater party to go to, or one that you have already gone to this year? I want to see your outfits! This...
12/16/2025

Who has an ugly sweater party to go to, or one that you have already gone to this year? I want to see your outfits! This is my favorite time of year!!!

This is the last week of fall... who wants to take a winter cruise to somewhere warm? Where are we going and when should...
12/13/2025

This is the last week of fall... who wants to take a winter cruise to somewhere warm? Where are we going and when should I book my flight?

Call or email us to book your winter cruise!
800-326-4971 / [email protected]

It was one of nine river vessels Viking welcomed into its fleet on Oct. 21, in ceremonies across six countries and three...
12/09/2025

It was one of nine river vessels Viking welcomed into its fleet on Oct. 21, in ceremonies across six countries and three continents. The company now has 100-plus ships across its river, ocean and expedition categories. Have you ever been on a river cruise? I think it might be time to go on one!

Call or email us to book your next trip!
800-326-4971 / [email protected]

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1760 Powers Ferry Road SE, Ste 100
Atlanta, GA
30067

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