Fall Back – I hope everyone has enjoyed an extra hour as we move our clocks back to Standard Time. The sun will rise a bit sooner and the sunset earlier.

I have just returned from two wonderful cruises. One was a 7 night river cruise on Ama Waterways, and the other was a transatlantic on Celebrity. Each a totally different experience and yet special in their own way.

If you have ever thought about a river cruise, do make a point of booking one in the future. It is a different experience than ocean cruising in many ways. Firstly, the low number of passengers aboard the vessel. The atmosphere is less chaotic and relaxed with a focus on wellness and fitness. You walk off the vessel and voila, you are in a city to explore or take an included excursion. Very personalized service with included a Chef Table dinner which was a culinary delight. Traveling on a river cruise is a very smooth ride and during the daytime there are included shore excursions for you choosing. Evenings are quieter than ocean sailings with lower key entertainment. I highly recommend at least one river cruise for everyone. Currently Ama Waterways is offering a $300 shipboard credit to all bookings for 2024. Discounted airfare packages are also available. Let me know what river and a time you would like to sail.

The Celebrity Reflection Transatlantic repositioning from Barcelona to Ft Lauderdale was highlighted with an all Adult Halloween Party. This is such fun when you see people dressed in a wide variety of costumes and having such fun. This was such fun that I have booked ourselves to do it all again but on Celebrity Apex next Oct 23,2024 for 12 nights Southampton to Ft Lauderdale. We visited Marseille and Cartagena, as well as Palma de Mallorca and Gibraltar. Great ports of call. Join us as there are some very good group fares still available.

Coming up I will be sailing on the Valiant Lady later this month. This is Virgin Voyages and an adult only luxury line. They have taken cruising to a new direction and I look forward to experiencing this brand. I will let you know about Virgin Voyages upon my return.

What is happening in the world of cruising? A lot is changing in the world of cruising daily and that is why I send out these newsletters. As a travel agent, I like to help guide and direct my clients for the best possible cruise experiences. Celebrity and Princess are changing up their pricing structures going forward. Even the luxury lines are starting to use addons in their pricing structures. While they are saying all inclusive, there are addons to the base inclusive fares.

Deals: Norway is the hot spot for 2024. This is simply because in 2025, Norway will no longer allow any ship to come into their Fjords that is not a carbon zero vessel. What that means for a consumer is that you will be sailing on vessels that cost a lot more to travel to that destination in 2025. Of course, Norway could change their minds on this, but the 2025 deadline has been the target date even pre covid. I have seen some very good pricing on Celebrity for June and July of 2024.

Princess is changing their pricing structure so that when they release sailings, they will be offering the best price. As the sail date gets closer, the prices will go up. No more last-minute bookings at bargain prices. If they do offer last minute sailings, it will not be a lower price than the early bookings in order to fill a ship. I expect to start seeing other lines do this same thing.

Celebrity is doing away with the All Included fare as we have known it. It will now be Wifi and Drinks with a non-refundable deposit. Luckily, our agency still has group space for 2024 with all three perks and refundable deposits. If you have any destination that is of interest to you for 2024, I suggest that you book before Dec 31, 2023 and get under deposit!  We still have group space that gives you the best value.

Black Friday - I expect to start seeing those promos come out very soon. As soon as I see them, I will pass them along as well.

Customer Appreciation Cruise Very soon our company will be releasing a special sailing on the Sun Princess for Dec 8, 2024. This will be a 7 night sailing and at a nicely discounted price. This will be a perfect way to see the brand new Sun Princess! As soon as this promotion is released, I will send it to you. Space for these sailings go quickly when offered.

While you are adjusting to the time change,grab a cuppa favorite beverage and start dreaming of your next destination.

I know this is a long email, but so much is happening everyday in the cruise world.  Send me an email fill out this form to get a quote.  https://form.jotform.com/221697789660171

I do all forms of travel too, not just cruises. Forward this email to your friends so all of you can start traveling in 2024!

Cheers,

Kathy Hays Cruises