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The Pampered Cruiser, 750 East Main Street, Stamford, CT (2026)

10/15/2026

AMA Waterways Colombia – We’ve done our pre-cruise in Medellin and Cartegena, and now we board AMA Melodia for 7-nights on the Magdalena River. We’ll sail between Cartegena and Barranquilla – both cities of over a million people. The port stops in between are MUCH more remote. The charming riverside town of Mompox. Palenque – the first free city for victims of the slave trade in all of the Americas. The fishing villages, and small agricultural communities that line the Magdalena as she makes her way northward to the Caribbean.

We’re in Colombia with AMA Waterways. Visit our homepage to see ALL our posts and follow along.

10/14/2026

Cartagena -- AMA Waterways guests stay at the Sofitel – a former nunnery built in the 1600s in the middle of the old town. This walled city is a UNESCO world heritage site, contains infinite options for restaurants, shopping, music, and public art. All of this on a Caribbean beach, with rows of skyscrapers behind. It’s quite a contrast.

We’re in Colombia with AMA Waterways. Visit our homepage to see ALL our posts and follow along.

10/13/2026

Guatape, Colombia – 700 Stairs… seemed like a good idea at the time to take in some breath-taking views. My eyes and my calves are still debating each other on stairs. La Piedra del Penol (the stairs) is near Guatape on the lake created by a hydro project to provide electricity to Colombia’s 50 million residents. Guatape itself is incredibly colorful, and designed for getting around by foot. A daytrip from Medellin, and provides a small town and countryside contrast to Medellin’s urban scene.

10/12/2026

Medellin – Your preconceived notions of this place probably DON’T include a thriving, modern, clean city of 5 million with spectacular scenery and views. Of course, flying into the Andes, you DO have to consider who you might have to eat if the plane should crash (but that hasn’t happened in a while). We’re staying in El Poblado – a thriving tourist area, that also has a number of residents and businesses. The amount of green space is impressive for a city this big, and the engineering (of building anything in this terrain) is likewise. Comuna 13 is a vibrant community full of colorful street art, live music, restaurants, shopping, and bars. We get around by public transit, that clean, safe and easy to use.

10/11/2026

Colombia? Why? This was a typical reaction when we told people we were visiting this South American nation. It turns out the fiction and misinformation perpetuated by Netflix’s Narcos is the data most people use to make their assessment of this place. Instead, look up Disney’s 2021 Academy Award winning musical INCANTO, and you’ll discover a Colombia that is rich in art, music, culture, scenery, history, and food. Oh yeah… lots of coffee too. We’re here with AMA Waterways on their new ship. Follow us along on our adventure, as we explore this misunderstood country.

10/09/2026

We’ve travelled the section of coastline between Barcelona and Rome countless times. It’s always interesting, but much more so when you stumble into a village or port of call that you’ve never heard of. For those that have travelled a lot in the MED, that should be your goal.

WHY Seek Out Off-the-Beaten-Path Mediterranean?
- The Mediterranean is not somewhere you go once, and put the tick in the box.
- The Mediterranean has been the cradle of Western Civilization for millennia. The history and ruins of ancient civilizations is unparalleled (and you haven’t seen them all)!
- 22 different countries have some coastline on the Mediterranean. - For example, you probably haven’t been to Slovenia, Malta, or Albania (to name a few).
- You’ve seen Greek Ruins in Athens, Roman ruins in Rome, but there’s still much more.

WHAT Makes the Mediterranean Worth the Visit for Repeat Travelers?
- Diversity of Coastal Scenery: The largely undiscovered Dalmatian Coast. Harbors in Amalfi. Charming Greek Isles. Deserts in North Africa.
- Food & W**e: The Mediterranean basin is a Mecca for those seeking culinary excellence.
- Architecture from both modern and ancient cultures.
- Markets and medinas from the North African and Eastern Mediterranean countries.
- Med cruises are “efficient”: See a different country every day: great diversity of ports.
- People, culture and communities. Those living on the Med are much like us, but also very different. There’s lots more to learn and discover.

WHERE You Might NOT Have Visited Yet. The Mediterranean’s Hidden Gems
- Malta: It’s like a Medieval movie set, but with better coffee and fewer sword fights. It’s compact, easy to explore, with both African and British Influences.
- Morocco: A few miles from Spain, this former French colony has Roman ruins, medinas, desert camps with camel rides, and a thriving movie industry (think Game of Thrones).
- Slovenia: Croatia’s been discovered. Slovenia’s next door, and every bit as interesting.
- Corsica (France) & Sardinia (Italy) are less frequented and more scenic.
- Albania: Wedged between Greece and Croatia with the same natural beauty.
- Tunis: Another former French colony in North Africa with lots to discover.

WHO Should Have the Undiscovered Mediterranean on Their Radar?
- If you’ve “been there, done that”. You’ve already visited marquis ports. What’s next?
- Small ship people. The mega-ships only go to mega-ports. Explore in smaller groups.
- People that WANT fewer crowds. If you could do without thousands of tourists.

When it comes to the Mediterranean, less familiar ports may equate with being more memorable for you. Barcelona and Rome are fantastic, but you’ve already been there. The Mediterranean is huge… where haven’t you been yet? Same sea… different story.

The PODCAST: Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED
In this episode of UNPACKED, Bob and Kim look beyond the usual Mediterranean cruise ports and explore some of the region’s lesser-known destinations—the places that can turn a familiar part of the world into an entirely different trip.

https://youtu.be/VM69Eu1xOL4

In Case You Missed It:
CRYSTAL CRUISES will take you to both the big marquis ports, AND the smaller out of the way places. Here’s more information about CRYSTAL:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/inside-crystal-cruises-why-are-its-guests-so-loyal/

TRAVEL MISCONCEPTIONS. We all view the world through our own lens. Here’s some thoughts on what some of those biases may be:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/deprogramming-travel-misconceptions/

WHEN TRAVEL IS YOUR JOB. Our trips might look a bit different than yours. Here’s what we do when we’re away:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-travel-advisors-really-work-and-why-it-matters-for-your-next-journey/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:
OCEANIA REGATTA Ship Tour. Join Bob for a walk around Regatta. One of Oceania’s four R-Class vessels. If you’re a lover of these cozy ships, you’ll want to get on board soon. Oceania is slowly phasing these small beauties out of their fleet:

https://youtu.be/Ryx1_QMD_oE

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

[CLICK for the full article]
https://pamperedcruiser.com/undiscovered-mediterranean-why-you-should-return/
P.S. Give us a call at 800-876-0168 to book your next trip.

10/03/2026

How to Avoid the Biggest Flight Problems

Airlines have a well-earned reputation for poor communication, inconsistent service, confusing rules, and cramped seating. The unintended consequence has been an impressive ability to transform a routine transportation transaction into a group therapy session at Gate B21.

The Air Travel Reality
- We always debrief our clients’ vacations and normally, the trip was great, but getting to and from their vacation is where 90 % of the negative feedback occurs.
- The DOT reports average on-time performance of 77%... not great for tight connections.

WHY Airline Travel is Consistently a Problem
- There’s no true competition. All they have to do is suck a tiny bit less than others.
- Poor Regulations. In an oligopoly, consumers rely on government for regulation. Successive federal governments for the past 50 years have failed their constituents.
- Logistics. Weather and conditions beyond the airlines’ control also have an effect.

STRATEGIES to Minimize Air Travel Pain
- Avoid Codeshare Flights. A codeshare is when you buy your ticket through one airline (ie: United Airlines), but end up on one of their partners’ planes (Lufthansa).
- The most important thing to notice is “OPERATED BY”. Here’s the problem with codeshares:
- You probably WON’T be able to choose your seats prior to check-in.
- The operator controls your loyalty status, baggage rules & check-in counter
- Avoid Third party bookings (such as cruise lines, consolidators, or travel agents)
- Third parties may buy up a block of seats, but those seats may have restrictions on them that don’t recognize your loyalty status with the airline. Last year American Airlines declared that any seat NOT booked directly, would not have the traveller’s loyalty status recognized, nor would they accrue points. They have temporarily backed away from this, but it’s clear which way this is going.
- You want as few layers as possible between you and the airline for rescheduling and credits. Cut out the middleman in an already unpleasant transaction.
- Unless you’re saving A LOT of money, you’re much better booking direct, and it’s better if you’re controlling all the variables.
- Connections: Pay for non-stop if it’s available. If a connection is unavoidable, consider your worst-case scenario. Is there a flight every hour, or once a week?
- Get the Airline’s APP: You’ll get better information, and rebook faster if things go awry.
- Build a BUFFER: Arrive the day BEFORE a cruise. It helps with jetlag too.
- Insurance: Check your Trip Interruption Insurance for help when things go wrong.
- Mind Your MANNERS: It’s not the ticket agent’s fault you’re in this situation, but they might be able to help you solve it. Abuse them at your own peril.
- DON’T BE CHEAP: When you’re spending $20,000 on a vacation, it doesn’t make much sense to save $100 on air if it means a poor routing or connection. That’s NOT a deal.

Air Travel has become a lot like trench warfare. You spend a lot of time sitting in an uncomfortable position before you rush over the threshold, hoping you don’t get picked off. A bit of planning can minimize your risk.

The PODCAST: Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED
In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob to put together a practical air travel coping guide for experienced travelers—especially those flying to Europe for cruises, river cruises, expedition trips and longer vacations.

https://youtu.be/-CIjhwbtCiI

In Case You Missed It:
SPENDING OUR KIDS’ INHERITANCE… and loving every minute of it. How about you?
https://pamperedcruiser.com/spending-our-kids-inheritance-on-family-travel/

NATIONAL PARKS: Spectacular by nature, and often overlooked as a vacation choice. Here’s some different ways to experience these national treasures.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/national-parks-for-cruise-lovers-bucket-list-scenery-wildlife-easy-travel/

EXPLORA JOURNEYS: They’re new, and with a strong focus on the culinary experience, large suites, and a unique entertainment concept, they should be on your radar:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/explora-journeys-explained-is-this-the-new-standard-in-luxury-cruising/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

EXPLORA I SHIP TOUR: Join Bob as he walks through EXPLORA I
https://youtu.be/LHjAS0JKCQ0

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

[CLICK for the full article]
https://pamperedcruiser.com/air-travel-survival-guide-3/
P.S. Give us a call at 800-876-0168 to book your next trip.

09/25/2026

You probably remember CRYSTAL CRUISES from their first iteration. They went bankrupt during the pandemic and were resurrected from the dead by Abercrombie & Kent along with Manfredi Lefevre D’Ovidio (of SilverSea and Sitmar Cruises fame). They are definitely back:

WHAT CRYSTAL CRUISES Does So Well
- FEWER GUESTS. The 2023 refurbishment reduced capacity : Crystal Serenity used to carry over 1000 guests, and now has 730. Crystal Symphony carries only 600.
- SPACE: As a result, your room will be larger, and there is more public space, and a near-absence of line ups on board.
- REFRESHED RESTAURANT options: BEEF BAR and UMI UMA by Nobu, are world-famous land restaurants that are included in your fare on Crystal Cruises. Osteria d’Ovidio by the Michelin rated Alajmo brothers from Italy, is a new addition to your inclusive dining.
- PRE & POST cruise options: The ownership by A & K comes through MOST strongly here. On many voyages you can do luxury pre or post cruise packages with A&K.
- SERVICE: A butler for every room, and service ship-wide is polished and thoughtful.
- NEW BUILD. Crystal’s ocean fleet has been limited to two ships for over two decades. There are 3 more ships on order of similar size, crew and guest complement as Serenity.

Where Do CRYSTAL CRUISES Sail?
- They aren’t in the polar regions, but are everywhere else.
- Crystal Cruises does long and short legs -- so NOT everyone is coming and going the same day. You can stitch together segments to create your own itinerary.

Why are Crystal Cruises clients SO loyal, and what are the cherished aspects of the brand?
- CREW: All the cruise lines say this, but Crystal Cruises is clearly doing something right: it managed to get 90% of the crew to return after a two-year hiatus.
- ITINERARIES: Crystal schedules its itineraries with a series of 6 to 10 day itineraries that don’t repeat ports, so you can stitch together an itinerary that works best for you.
- BUTLERS in every suite – this personalized service is available to everyone on Crystal.
- GUEST to CREW Ratio: Crystal has only 1.1 guests to every crew member.

Who’s a Good Fit for CRYSTAL CRUISES?
- People that like attentive, intuitive service with butlers.
- Those that value space where the staterooms feel more like luxury hotel suites.
- GOLFERS: There’s a PGA Pro on every sailing, and lots of golf-related shore excursions.
- Those that like ALL-INCLUSIVE. You are given the choice of what to spend on shore excursions. Everything else is included in your base fare.
- People that prefer LAND JOURNEYS. The A&K partnership will appeal to non-cruisers.

I was incredulous when A&K decided to resurrect this brand. I thought it was badly damaged during the pandemic, and that they had old ships that wouldn’t appeal to people. I was very clearly wrong… they must be doing some things very well to inspire such loyalty by past guests.

The PODCAST: Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED
Why do Crystal Cruises guests keep coming back—and what makes Crystal different from other luxury cruise lines?
In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob to take a closer look at Crystal Cruises, including Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, and explain why this revived luxury cruise brand has developed one of the most loyal followings in cruising.
https://youtu.be/OL3kfpF-NS8

In Case You Missed It:
HOW TO CHOOSE A RIVER CRUISE LINE: There’s lots of choices (particularly in Europe). Which one is best for YOU?
https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-do-you-choose-a-river-cruise-line/

COACHING YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Bob found himself contemplating the advice he’d give his younger self on a trip back to AUSTRALIA – where he lived and worked for a while as a young guy:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/reconnecting-with-my-21-year-old-self/

JAPAN: The interest and demand for JAPAN sees no signs of abating. So -- what’s the best way to see it?
https://pamperedcruiser.com/japan-destination-focus/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:
CRYSTAL SERENITY SHIP TOUR: Walk around Serenity with Bob:
https://youtu.be/QPyVijoO8Nk

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

[CLICK for the full article]
https://pamperedcruiser.com/inside-crystal-cruises-why-are-its-guests-so-loyal/
P.S. Give us a call at 800-876-0168 to book your next trip.

09/18/2026

Many of you will contact us asking for help “spending our kids’ inheritance”. It’s often intended as a joke, but more often, people hesitate with this idea of spending savings on travel. Much like you, Bob and I try to strike the right balance, so here’s a window in our world.

Bob’s dad once told him and his brothers that when he and Bob’s mom were gone, there would only be debts to settle. There was a small inheritance, but Bob now understands his dad didn’t want to deprive his sons the satisfaction of achievement and making their own way in the world.

So now Bob and I are trying to figure out the balance between enabling our kids (and grandkids) and ticking off things on our own bucket list.

The STATS on Inheritance and How it Relates to Multigenerational Travel
Apparently, we’re not the only ones struggling with this issue:

- Handoff of generational wealth. In the next 20 years, somewhere between $30 Trillion and $100 Trillion will be handed down. That number is too large to fathom.
- The dilemma: People are WAY behind on their bucket list. A Talker Research survey found only 10% of people have completed the amount of travel they thought they would have by this stage of life. 20% are embarrassed by their LACK of travel.
- Travel is Necessary: 72% say travel has a positive effect on emotional well being.
- Multi-Gen and Family Travel. An AARP study found adults over 50 are travelling at a frequency well above pre-pandemic norms, with multi-gen trips leading the way.

What We’ve Learned About Making Travel Memories with our Kids and Grandkids
Here are some things that we are doing to attempt to strike the balance:

- We send our kids/grandkids plane tickets. My younger self wouldn’t have considered this, but tomorrow’s memories have become my most prized possessions today.
- Travel as a LIVING inheritance. You should use your life’s savings to live YOUR life. If you feel guilty, then invite your kids and grandkids along.
- Cruises & Land Tours: Ocean cruises have long been great for multi-gen groups, but there are also products like TAUCK Bridges if you want to explore away from the water.
- We Create Memories: a tent camp in the Sahara, snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands, missing a train in Italy, or swimming in cenotes in Mexico. These stories will last much longer than any THING we could buy our kids or grandkids.

We’ve gotten our heads around the fact that as soon as we die, our kids are going to get rid of all our stuff. The dining room sets and wedding china are all going to good will, because my “prized possessions” are not theirs.

So… that leaves memories. I want to make sure my kids and grandkids have plenty of them. The best part is by creating these memories with them, I get to enjoy my own experience AND create a legacy for them.

It’s double value… seems like a pretty good return on my life’s savings.

The PODCAST: Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED
Is it wrong to spend money on travel instead of saving everything for your kids?

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob about a phrase many of our clients say jokingly—but sometimes with real emotion behind it: “We’re spending our kids’ inheritance!”
https://youtu.be/XqtOuTOCl-E

In Case You Missed It:
WATER LEVELS on the RIVERS IN EUROPE: It’s been a wild summer. What can YOU do if you have a river cruise scheduled?
https://pamperedcruiser.com/river-cruise-low-water-explained-rhine-danube-what-happens-next/

COLLETTE Premium Guided Land Journeys. You can’t go everywhere on a ship, so here’s a look at land-cruises with one of our preferred partners.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/collette-guided-vacations/

EGYPT: Despite all the geo-political headwinds, interest in travelling to Egypt remains at an all-time high. Here’s more information on planning your trip there.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/egypt-its-time-to-experience-it/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:
TAHITI: What a great place for a tropical multi-gen trip! Hawaii gets as many visitors in a week as Tahiti does in a year, and Tahiti is only about 2 hours further by plane. Here’s our video blog from when we visited this island paradise:

https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

[CLICK for the full article]
https://pamperedcruiser.com/spending-our-kids-inheritance-on-family-travel/
P.S. Give us a call at 800-876-0168 to book your next trip.

09/11/2026

Your bucket list probably contains a series of overseas adventures: a river cruise in Eastern Europe, an African Safari, or a cruise around Japan. Don’t overlook some of the spectacular destinations we have on THIS continent. It’s ironic that the Europeans come in droves to experience United States National Parks, when we often overlook them.

WHY a US National Parks Vacation?
- There are 63 National Parks & more than 400 sites covering 85 million acres in 50 states.
- Each park has its own personality, and there might be different motivations to visit.
- National Parks Tours can include glaciers, geysers, red rock canyons, forests, deserts, waterfalls, volcanoes, coastlines, and scenery to meet any taste.
- California has 9 National Parks; Alaska has 8; and Utah has 5.
President Grant designated Yellowstone as the FIRST US National Park in 1872.
- The largest US National Park is Wrangell – St. Elias in Alaska, and it is larger than the 8 smallest states combined! That’s a lot of wilderness!
- The most-visited US National Park is Great Smokey Mountains NP in North Carolina.

Ways to Visit American National Parks
- Do-It-Yourself: Road trip! Could be fun, but the logistics of timed entry reservations, accommodation, parking, crowds, and driving distances should be on your radar.
- National Parks Luxury Tours: We call them land-cruises, but there’s a disappointing lack of ocean in most of them. They manage logistics. You marvel in the majesty of it all.
- National Parks Tour by RAIL – Great for the 5 NPs in Utah, and Moab is your hub.
- Underscoring all of this is figuring out what experience is going to be best for you, and then matching you to the appropriate experience in our National Parks.

WHO National Parks Tours are Perfect For:
- Outdoor people… but you don’t have to be one. Some people like to hike to the floor of the Grand Canyon and go camping. Others stand on its rim and marvel at its beauty.
- Photographers, as well as scenery and wildlife lovers.
National Parks Passport Holders. I was introduced to the National Parks Passport a few years ago in Denali. I aspire to get my passport stamped at all 63 National Parks!
- Those wanting a contrast to urban travel experiences that are about man-made moments and historical sites, with what Mother Nature has created closer to home.

ALSO – Canada is right next door, and they have 48 National Parks whose combined area is even bigger than the US National Parks. Many of those NPs are right near the US border too!

US National Park Vacations offer some of the most impressive natural travel experiences available in the world. They are vast, varied, beautiful, and really easy to underestimate. Best of all: no passport, no jet lag, no forex. Just extraordinary landscapes, thoughtfully planned.

The PODCAST: Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED
Are National Parks only for serious hikers, campers, and rugged outdoor travelers? Not at all.

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob about why U.S. National Parks deserve a serious look from travelers who love scenery, wildlife, photography, well-planned itineraries, and meaningful bucket-list experiences.

https://youtu.be/RwY_GzvrUvI

In Case You Missed It:
TAUCK TOURS: If you want to take a premium guided land journey to the National Parks in the US or Canada, the Tauck has lots of options for you… with the best available accommodation.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/why-tauck-tours-are-different/

DYNAMIC PRICING: The cruise lines are changing their pricing practices. Here’s what you can do about it:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/cruise-dynamic-pricing-explained-why-waiting-can-cost-you/

MULTI-GEN TRAVEL: The National Parks are on the list of places we want to share with our grandchildren. Perhaps this will give you some other ideas of how to connect with your own grandchildren:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/only-18-summers/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:
GREAT LAKES with VIKING: If you’d like a bucket list trip close to home, but prefer a cruise option, here our video blog from when we travelled the GREAT LAKES with VIKING:

https://youtu.be/uDeGzBDb0mM

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

[CLICK for the full article]
https://pamperedcruiser.com/national-parks-for-cruise-lovers-bucket-list-scenery-wildlife-easy-travel/
P.S. Give us a call at 800-876-0168 to book your next trip.

The Pampered Cruiser

10/15/2026

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