What is trending in travel right now? Here is what I am seeing.

1. River Cruising
2. More upscale stateroom selections
3. More interest in the ship being the destination
4. More immersion into the culture of destination.

I have been booking river cruises for not only this year, but well into 2026. Especially for Christmas Markets in both years. Is there any interest to book a group river cruise sailing with me? If so, what is your destination or preference?

There is a trend toward more upscale accodations across all forms of travel. More people are wanting more pampering and finer amenities. While booking suites is more expensive, the amount of attention to detail and service is well worth the expense. Many cruise lines offer suite accomadations that give an extra special feel to your holiday. I can make some good recommendations for this type of travel.

Many people have sailed destinations more than once because they like cruising because it is unpack once. And some simply stay onboard the ship to enjoy the ship amenities or like the idea of relaxing by the pool without seeing what is on land. For the most part past guest have seen and done most activities on land and prefer staying on the ship. In this case guest are booking ships that have high entertainment value or a large selection of resturants. To those people it is their reason to take a cruise. This type of guest can benefit from some of the newest ships entering service.

Finally, another group of travelers are really looking at culture immersion or unique experiences. One mainstream line that seems to do a good job with this is Holland America. This company has always been thought as a very old crowd, but that direction is changing with this company. HAL is focusing on destinaton immersion with pretty unique itineraries. The onboard guest lectures and port side tours bring guest closer to the local culture.

BIG NEWS

I now have my own co-branded website with Cruise Brothers!

kathyhays.cruisebrothers.com

This co-branded website is a powerful tool that enhances your travel planning experience by providing instant access to fares and group pricing. Whether you're casually brainstorming a trip with friends or seriously considering your next adventure, this site allows you to research destinations and costs at any time—even late at night or on weekends. It empowers you with the flexibility to explore options, compare prices, and book instantly if you find the perfect getaway. If you prefer a more personalized approach, you can easily contact me to refine your plans. Visit the site often because Cruise Brothers will be showcasing different cruise lines and specials. Remember, tech is good, but I am always here to help you.

The launch of this site is timely as I am getting ready for a transatlantic cruise with our favorite piano player. As I stated before, sometimes a cruise is about the relaxation and entertainment vs the destination.

Cheers to All!

Kathy Hays