Wincor Custom Travel and Cruise

06/16/2026

Next week heading to Juneau Alaska for a trip I look forward to every few years! It’s fishing with my boys and relatives/friends! This go around has my younger sons girlfriend, granddaughter, and my longtime friend Gene. So if you want to know any details let me know !

06/01/2026

Having just attended the American Society of Travel Advisors conference in San Diego I decided to start a set of informational posts. This one is about River Cruising!

Hello Friends! Steve Wincor here with some travel information for you! (Sorry for the long post)

Maureen and I just returned from the Annual American Society of Travel Advisors “ASTA”. I would like to share some information that may be useful as you plan future trips. So today is an installment on River Cruising.

So first let me explain what River Cruising is and is not. Usually these ships cruise along inland waterways and lakes. This provides a very relaxed and generally wave free experience. The ships usually have stops each day and sometimes twice a day at local ports. These ships carry from 100-250 guests, and are generally very accessible. They stop in both small and larger towns which allows for cultural immersion. Focus can range from food, people, sights, and historical landmarks.

You may be wondering where do River Cruises go? Over the past 20 years the cruise suppliers have expanded from primarily Europe (Rhine, Danube, Moselle, and many others) to rivers in Colombia, Portugal, Africa, Vietnam, Egypt, and others including ones that operate in the United States.

So you thought there were only a few River Cruise line operators (based on what you have seen on TV)? That was true many years ago, but now there are over 50 River Cruise line operators globally!

What differentiates all these suppliers? One would think that it is cost, but it is far more than that. Travel Advisors can help their clients by finding out exactly what their clients like when they travel ? examples 1. Everything Included - Excursions, Drinks, Gratuities, etc. 2. Just the basics – Room and Board 3. Room and Drinks. There are many combinations that are available from the cruise lines. In additions there are a variety of room options ranging from 150sqft to 500sqft and above!

Selecting a cruise can be daunting for some so finding a qualified travel advisor is essential. (go to ASTA Verified Travel Advisor for help https://verivacation.com/ ). Just a side note that you will find me as one of the Verified Travel Advisors on the list. Different lines offer different amenities from high-end suites with large balconies to basic rooms. From multiple dining options to only a few. From Butler service to a more on your own approach. Clients really need to start with what destination they would like to travel to and then start to figure out if they are looking for a Premium Experience or more of a basic one. Lines are now also offering cooking and wine experiences, adventure hiking, e-bike treks, and much more.

Lastly, River Cruising is one of the more environmentally friendly ways to travel! These ships have a smaller CO2 footprint than other forms of travel. In addition, they continually look to improve how they operate.

So, there are no longer just a few lines operating in Europe as many seem to think…there are many options! In addition, there are many options for locations to travel to, with many suppliers operating Premium to Basic and everything in between... So work with a verified travel advisor to find your next River Cruise! You can always reach out to me if you need help.

10/01/2022

Fog rolling in Aptos! Tomorrow is Poodle Days in Carmel! Usually over 500 poodles of all sizes and types!

09/03/2022

Many have asked what I learn from attending the American Society of Travel Advisor Global Convention that was held last week. The Global Convention highlights recent activities in government that impacts Suppliers, Agents and Agencies, Consumers and others in the travel industry. Major airlines, hotels, resorts and others attend the supplier show and sessions. Its and opportunity to interact with leaders in the travel industry.
We learn about updates from the cruise lines, airlines, etc. This year a focus was on sustainability. Airlines talked about changes with the aircraft such that planes require less fuel but are more efficient. New types of fuel are leading the way on zero omissions. Suppliers talked of their resorts being more mindful of materials being used and how they deal with food and others related things
We got updates from most of the River and Ocean cruise lines. Many new ships and new locations for sailing. They also talked of future cruise locations and specials that they will be offering. Sustainability is also critical for the cruise lines.
As always the speakers talked of how it is best for clients to talk to a travel advisor when planning a trip and booking their travel adventure. All of the speakers talked about utilizing the expertise that advisors have such as knowing the best rooms to meet client needs, access to the latest special pricing, ability to plan out activities (such as cooking classes, private tours, and winery tasting tours).

As a Certified Travel Advisor (CTA) with ASTA) its worth it for me to attend these conventions

07/02/2022

06/18/2022

Hello Followers! Before I even finish with getting my photos together from our recent two trips I wanted to give you an overview of the trips!

Trip 1 - This was a Travel Advisors River Cruise Expo held in Budapest Hungary. First of its kind! Maureen and I ventured 4 days early to this event as we had not been to Hungary before. I hired a private guide through a local recommend agency that was supporting the Expo. Highly recommend doing this in a place that is unfamiliar and with a driver you can easily venture out of the area. We explored many places and then the Expo! Where the Advisors were able to tour 7 river cruise ships, taste their food with either a lunch or dinner, and via a trade show got to meet with their execs and other lines that were in attendance. After the Expo we took the double-wide AMA Magna up the Danube to Vilhofen Germany. Stops were many along the river, such as Bratislava, Vienna, and Passau. I took many pictures of the rooms on all the ships we visited let me know if you want to see any! After the Danube Cruise we flew to Croatia for a land tour and ship inspection of the Katarina lines vessels. Our tour went from the Capital of Zagreb down to Dubrovnik. Stops included two Unesco World Heritage National Parks, Split, Stone and a few other towns. Croatia is truly beautiful even in late winter! Katarina lines did an outstanding job with guides and drivers. If you want any info about Trip 1 let me know.

Trip 2 - We just got back from a 28 day combination land and river cruise tour. This trip started with an 8 day land tour that included the delayed Passion Play from 2020. Also included were Vienna, Salzburg, Castle Neuschwanstein, Munich, and Zurich. Our tour Director from Scenic cruises was outstanding! Then we picked up the Scenic Pearl in Bern Switzerland. This was a 14 day cruise up the Rhine and Mosel rivers with an end location of Amsterdam. Site included the Delta Works storm surge system outside of Vere Netherlands, Antwerp, Strasbourg, Dusseldorf, Heidelberg, and many others. The Mosel offered not only great Riesling wines, but castles, vineyards and lovely small towns. There were many tour options offered at each port, so we picked places we had not visited. Scenic also had electric bikes for both tours, and general use. I would be happy to share any insights about either of these trips. Let me know! Photos in a week...I hope!

05/16/2022

A few guided days in Vienna before the start of the Scenic Cruise and Land Tour including the Passion Plsy in Oberammergau!! Stay tuned!

04/25/2022

Its been awhile since I have posted here. We have been busy traveling! First time in over a year or so. These photos are from the ASTA first ever River Cruise Expo that was held in Budapest Hungary. Maureen and I spent time touring Budapest and surrounding towns/ Post Expo we tools an AMA Waterways river cruise on the Danube aboard the amazing AMA Magna. Lastly we took a private tour with Katarina Lines in Croatia. An amazing diverse country...great food, wine, people, and sites! Hope you enjoy the photos!

02/12/2021

Wincor Custom Travel and Cruise has a brand new web site. Go check it out and let us know how you like it!

Easy Travel Free of Worries At Wincor Custom Travel, our approach to customer service is to ensure that all the “t’s” are crossed and “i’s” dotted. We double check each element of your trip so that you do not have to worry about a lost reservation, …. be