Chris Barber from Cruises & Beyond had the chance to tour the Island Princess of Princess Cruises when she was docked in San Francisco. Let's see if the Island Princess still holds her old charm in 2019!
VIDEO: UnCruise Review | Hawaiian Islands
How to “UnCruise” In Hawaii
We recently had the opportunity to experience what it’s like to travel with UnCruise Adventures, the small-ship expedition cruise line based out of Seattle, Washington. It was truly an all-encompassing way to see Hawaii and unlike any other cruise line we’ve traveled on before.
Discovering Moorish Spain with G Adventures
What does it take to get a dedicated independent traveler to join an organized group tour? I have avoided organized tours after a mediocre Chinese-speaking tour of the US East Coast that my parents put me and brothers through; that tour was obviously not a good fit for us English-speaking teenagers. While assisting our clients with their travel plans, I have been on the lookout for tours that would be a better fit for my own travel. Could I find a tour company whose philosophy and touring style would entice me reconsider my reluctance of joining a group tour?
What Is Cruises & Beyond?
Meet Sherri Barber, President of Cruises & Beyond, as she talks about what our travel business is all about. She's been in the travel business for over 30 years now and even started her own agency, Cruises and Beyond, back in 2003. The industry has changed remarkably over three decades, and while she's seen agencies go by the wayside, the vision of Cruises & Beyond still survives and persists. If one thing's for certain, it's that genuine relationships with clients matter regardless of the industry you're in.
Cruises & Beyond was founded in 2003 on the belief that all who travel deserve an attentive and caring concierge to plan for the most memorable trips, and to protect against unforeseen events. It's simple: we have your best interests at heart. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel!
Who Claims The Title Of First Battery Powered Ship?
And the title goes to…….Hurtigruton! Today, the leader in exploration travel revealed images of the world’s first hybrid electric-powered expedition ship, MS Roald Amundsen. The ship features state-of-the-art green technology consisting of large battery packs that compensate for spinning reverse and aid in peak shaving. Extra electric power generated from these batteries will allow the engines to function at optimal levels and in turn reduce fuel usage and CO2 emissions exponentially. The ship can also run at full battery power for short periods of time, adding to its already minimal carbon footprint.
Azamara Undergoes Big Change
Azamara Club Crusies has officially established itself as the premiere destination immersion cruise line after announcing that it will be delivering more than 1,700 land programs. In the same manner, the cruise line has also officially rebranded itself Azamara, dropping the “Club Cruises” portion of its name. Azamara has said the rebranding will reflect the company’s focus on its passengers’ immersion within port destinations.
Airbnb vs. The Travel Agency
An OG of the travel industry with over 30 years invested in the business, Sherri Barber shares her thoughts on Airbnb's recent launch of "Airbnb Adventures" and what it means for the conventional travel agency. We're not throwing shade at Airbnb; we're just asking the logical questions that any of our clients might ask and we're comparing/contrasting the differences between what Airbnb offers vs. what we as a travel agency offer.
A Three Step Hop from Hoi An to Hanoi, Part Two
My initial plans for Vietnam only included Hoi An and Hue, to focus on central Vietnam during my short trip. When booking my flights, I found out I could fly direct from Guangzhou to Da Nang, but no direct flights were offered in the reverse direction. In order to return to Guangzhou to catch my flight home to SFO, I had to travel either south to Hoi Chi Minh or north to Hanoi from Hue. So that’s how I reluctantly wound up in Hanoi, the large, bustling, crowded capital city.
