Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Cruise Through Countries...Not Around Them!



River Cruises take you to places ocean cruising can't!



















In recent blogs I have highlighted ocean cruise experiences, comparing big ships carrying thousands of passengers to those much smaller vessels that have, for the most part, positioned themselves in the luxury category.


Today we will examine what factors explain the rapid growth and interest in river cruising. River cruising has been acknowledged as the fastest growing sector of the entire travel industry.

Why is that? Talk to someone who has taken a river cruise and they will extol its virtues in a very different manner than the way in which they may describe their ocean voyages. They don’t seem to be any more or less enthusiastic about them, but they express their satisfaction differently.

It was not until I took my first river cruise on the majestic Rhine that I understood why.

To compare a river cruise to an ocean cruise is like comparing Toronto to Tokyo, a NASCAR race to a 100 yard dash, or downhill to cross country skiing.

The comparisons can be made, but to do so in each example is an injustice to both.

River cruising is by nature a highly social experience. Most river cruise vessels will carry only about two hundred guests. With only one large dining room in an open seating environment clients find themselves with different table mates at almost every meal. By the middle of the journey, guests tend to pick friends and start gravitating to the same tables for many of the dinners.

A single lounge and entertainment area serves as the congregation area between tours and meals. Accordingly, sociability spills over from dinner into the evening as guests intermingle in a come and go fashion, depending upon their interest in partying, or in the performances being presented.

Scenery on a river cruise is a kaleidoscope of constant change; and it frequently represents a documentary of current and past history that is unfolding before you.

While river cruising creates its own definition, the closest comparison to this style of travel may be motor coach touring. The similarity ends when you realize you don’t to go through the ritual of daily packing and unpacking, as most coach tours will drop you off at a different hotel property almost every night.

There are now cruise options on most major rivers around the world, like the Amazon, the Yangtze and the Danube. River cruise itineraries can take you through some of the most popular countries and regions in the world, including China, Egypt, Russia, and South America.

What is dramatically different that ocean cruising is the nature of the itineraries.

Many of these rivers start inland and meander through the centre of the nations where cities have been built along their banks. Cruise ships have no opportunity to enter deeply into most river waters.

Occasionally these rivers are the borders between nations, with different cultures to experience on each side of the river bank. Rivers often wind through the heart of countries, making travelling along them such a unique experience.

In most cases these waterways are still important avenues for commerce with loads of traffic going back and forth on passage ways that range from very wide to narrow.

River cruise boats must traverse under the lowest bridges on the river between and in major cities. As a result, these vessels are much smaller and decidedly narrower than ocean cruise ships. They are sharing river space with commercial barges which use the waterways as a major transportation route between the cities and countries which lay claim to the waters which pass by them.

With the necessity for smaller size, come more compact cabins that can’t match what the other forms of cruise travel are able to offer. Nevertheless the designers have used every inch of space to create as much room and comfort as possible. While balconies did not exist in the first wave of river cruise ships, French balconies allow clients to relax in their cabins with the windows open and watch scenery float by them during every daylight hour. It’s a feature not available on larger ships that move from island to island or country to country over vast bodies of ocean.

The new ship entrants to the river cruise market have accommodated passenger wishes for more space with suite options in cabins that can be well over 400 square feet.

There really is no end to the variety of river cruise options. Each cruise can be as short or long as your time and pocketbook allows. In Europe, the Rhine winds its way through 1320 kilometres, while the Danube is more than double that at 2850 kms.

The Yangtze River is twice as long as the Danube at 6380 kilometres, with the Amazon slightly longer than even the Danube at 6437 kms.

Just these four rivers alone create dozens of itineraries, through places we often only dream of seeing.

River Cruising shows no signs of slowing down its growth. As unique as river cruising is, in the end it is the destinations visited that create lasting memories. And by travelling through the centre of many countries voyageurs are able to visit cities and regions not accessible by ocean cruises.

To book your river cruise call us at 1 800 859-6354 Consider joining my wife Rae and me on our smaller ship Seabourn Sojorn South American Patagonia 15 day cruise leaving January 19, 2013 from Santiago Chili to Buenos Aires Argentina.

See our brochure at http://www.renaissancetravel.ca/content.aspx?id=42230

For the best in travel products go to http://www.journeystravelgear.com/

Labels: Cruises

posted by That Travel Guy @ 3:28 PM  |  1 Comments

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Small Ship Luxury Cruising...Am I In Heaven?

Last week, as the first in a series of blog columns about cruising, I gave an overview of what cruise clients appreciate most about big ship cruising. I tried to provide a balanced overview of the comparative advantages and disadvantages of this size of cruise ship so travelers can assess which kind of cruising is likely to suit their style best.


Next week I will analyze river cruising against other styles. Today’s column will examine the comparative benefits of small ship cruising.

While I will look more closely at those ships that offer fewer than 600 cabins, because the newer 5000 capacity cruise ships have change the definition of what is large, there is now a middle ground of ships that carry between 1200 and 2500 passengers that borrow strengths and weaknesses from each of the small and large ship categories.

Two features best describe the difference in what separates these smaller vessels from their larger sisters. Superior service and luxury tend to be the qualities that most often stand out beyond those that can be associated with the bigger ships. It is not that there is not a strong focus on service, or any attempt to build as much luxury into all major cruise vessels that are most popular in the industry, but the difference in the small ship category is demonstrable.

The passenger to client ratio will always be higher and just about everything clients experience on-board will have extra levels of quality built into them. Most of these small ship cruise brands tend to fall into the luxury category. And in recent years there has been a growing trend towards making them fully all-inclusive.

This is a feature appreciated by patrons who often feel they are ‘nickel and dimed’ by most of the other cruise lines.

Not only are meals included but all alcoholic beverages are as well. Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise, and alcoholic beverages like the wines that are served with meals are of a significantly higher quality than what is offered even at the best 5-star all-inclusive resorts.

The menus are put together by some of the best chefs in the world, and every meal has gourmet plus selections in their daily fare. Most of these smaller luxury class ships offer only outside cabins, with more balcony options than non-balcony, with suite-like accommodations built into most cabins.

There is a genuine sense of personal interaction on small ships that can seldom be duplicated on the bigger ones. And it is not just between the crew and the passengers.

With fewer clients frequenting smaller venues most people who are in the least bit outgoing will easily make new friends on-board.

It is only natural that you will run across the same people on any number of occasions as you move through the smaller lounges, dining rooms, and casino.

The more intimate atmosphere makes it very easy to begin conversations with strangers with whom you are likely to begin dining and drinking with before long.

Where the bars in the mega ships may resemble those of the largest lounges in Manitoba, the small ships may have seats for no more than sixty to seventy-five patrons.

The servers get to know you quickly and, as we found on a recent Silverseas voyage, your favourite beverages are often ready by the time you pick your table. These bartenders take pride in seeing the smile on your face as they greet you by name and with the drink of your choice.

The crew quickly gets to know the personalities of their passengers. Those who like to trade humor will find themselves sparing with a professional storyteller: While the quieter individuals will be greeted with a respectful approach suiting the client who wants to enjoy the surroundings in a more subdued fashion.

The mega ships have been forced to modify itineraries, steering away from ports that cannot handle mooring for these mammoth monsters. The smaller ships are able to sneak into ports that are much more unique and inviting.

They are still big enough to navigate the wide open seas, but can find quiet bays and passage ways that offer views and shore excursions that others cannot even contemplate.

With every attempt is made to build in quality from the beginning to the end of the experience, a cruise on a small luxury ship is likely to be higher priced than other options.

If pre or post hotels are included they tend to be in 5-star properties. While the on-board experience that puts service at a premium at every level must naturally drive up the cruise price, the additional inclusions can often justify the cost.

When potential clients start doing the math on what they save in gratuities, alcohol and other beverage charges, as well as the wider selection of ports of call and cruise alternatives, they often conclude the difference is not as great as they first surmised when first looking at the brochure price.

For those who like to be pampered and spoiled on their holiday of a lifetime, there is just no better choice.

And if you want to be spoiled in the ultimate fashion consider joining my wife Rae and me on our 15 day Patagonian cruise departing from Santiago, Chili in January of 2013.

We will cruise the the Seabourn Sojourn from the Valpariaso to Buenas Aires Argentina with great stops enroute as we go around the horn and past some of the most specactular scenery you will ever see.

Check our information brochure of the cruise online and find great travel tips and information in gerneral at http://www.journeystravelgear.com/

Labels: Cruises, foreign travel; South America

posted by That Travel Guy @ 2:32 PM  |  1 Comments

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Cruising...Big ship, Small Ship, River Cruise. Which is Best For You?

The cruise industry continues to expand with ships of all sizes, as well as with unique itineraries that are created to satisfy most traveler desires.


With no end to its growth in sight today’s consumer can have their pick from are small ships, medium ships, mega vessels, as well as from the many more riverboats that are now sailing up and down the world’s most famous waterways.

Each cruise industry sector will promote their options as the best, often creating consumer confusion, especially for first time cruisers.

Which is best for me? What is the real difference between these choices? These are questions I am frequently asked.

Over this next three weeks I will discuss each separately to try to provide a balanced overview of the comparative advantages of each, and point out why each appeals to some and not to others.

While definitions may vary I will describe the small ship experience relating to those cruises with less than 600 cabins. While there certainly is a mid-range in-between category that could be addressed, there are not many in that category anymore, and they borrow from benefits and disadvantages of each.

I will refer to the big ship category as vessels that carry over 2500 passengers, with about 1300 cabins or more.

River cruises tend to have smaller ships but deserve special attention because of the nature of their necessary construction and dramatically different itineraries that the others cannot duplicate.

Firstly the big ships; what is it that these ever expanding vessels have that attracts the largest majority of cruise passengers?

For the most part these ships are about the quantity of on-board amenities that are offered.

Especially in the new mega-ships the dining and entertainment options seem limitless. From skating rinks, to climbing walls, to water slides the opportunities to keep busy on board are varied and exciting.

So much so that the new strategy for the bigger ships is to down play the port stop itinerary in favour of creating an on-ship resort experience throughout the journey.

While meals are included there is still much more passengers must pay extra for on board. Many of the extra amenities have charges attached to them.

And the costs for alcohol, specialty coffee, and other beverage purchases can add up. Since no cash is exchanged with each purchase, clients are often faced with real sticker shock when they receive their invoice the evening before disembarkation. They add up the chits they have signed for and express astonishment once they confirm that figures are accurate.

There is opulence to the bigger ships that passengers seem to appreciate. With the number of decks available designers are able to create multiple story common areas that create a feeling of luxury and openness. The sense of luxury created by space and uncompromising investment is one of the non-tangible benefits that cruisers will talk about upon returning home.

While the new mega-ships like Royal Caribbean’s new 5000 plus passenger vessels have tried to create a sense of community by creating villages of sorts, the big ship experience can be much less personal, and for a couple travelling alone finding friends can be as challenging as running into someone twice in a week in a small city.

On the other hand the casinos, major revenue producers for cruise lines, can seem as large as those in some Las Vegas properties. They provide a focal point for gathering, and the energy can feel much like that in a major casino.

The exercise room and spa facilities are likely to be as large and comprehensive as you will find anywhere on land.

The primary theatre offers the seat numbers, and with it the quality entertainment you won’t find on cruise lines that operate smaller ships.

On the biggest ships there may be more than one swimming pool, but as at many resorts finding a deck chair during days at sea can be difficult during prime hours.



While the training provided by the cruise lines is professional, the service can often be impersonal since the staff and passengers don’t get the opportunity to interact on- on-one very often. The bigger the ship the more time spent on exploring and participating in the various amenities. In a one week journey it will take some time before passengers settle on their favourite places.

One of the detractions that have occurred as ships have expanded in size is the limitations of getting close to shore at any number of port stops. This can be a significant challenge as passengers’ line up to take their turns to go ashore and then get back to the ship in time for its departure.

The tender process, combined with the additional time on the water, can be slow and cumbersome stealing time from exploring cities or attractions, when the stay at a destination is only a few hours.

In the end one of the biggest attractions is price. The economies of scale truly come in to play in big ships. Prices so far for sailings have been reasonable and given the fact most sailing are sold out consumers may be sharing that view.

If you have travel questions or travel comments forward them to me at askjourneys@journeystravel.com

Listen to my radio show Sundays at noon on CDT on CJOB in Winnipeg live or online. IMy weekly Saturday column in the travel section of the Winnipeg Free Press is also online each Saturday.

Previous columns, travel tips, and previous radio shows with commercials removed can all be found on the Journeys Travel & Leisure SuperCentre website http://www.journeystravelgear.com/ If you like us on Facebook you will receive my blogs as they are posted.

Labels: Cruises

posted by That Travel Guy @ 3:23 PM  |  0 Comments

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Carrying Butane Appliances Across the Border. An Absolute Maybe!

A short time ago I received this email question from a reader. I answered the question in my weekly column in the winnipeg Free Press but after getting more comments on the subject from readers, I thought a wider circulation of the message might be in order.

Question: I have been travelling all over the world and it has never been a problem taking my trusty curling iron fuelled with butane. However, we are going to the states in April and a feel sudden nervousness about this. Americans are rather strange when it comes to “security” and have no compunctions about going through your luggage. Is butane allowed in this circumstance or not?


Answer: From what I have been able to find out, in theory at least, butane tanks are allowed by TSA. They are not specifically banned anywhere I've ever been able to find. But as I review the TSA website there seems to be so many contradictions that I feel there are absolutely no guaranteeing they will be let through.

In a response last year to a traveler inquiry, a TSA email stated, "Passengers may place the curling iron in carry-on or checked baggage. The safety cover must be in place over the heating element. You may not carry any extra butane cartridges in carry-on or checked baggage.”

The email encouraged the questioner to go to the TSA website saying, "The website has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist in preparing for air travel. You can find these tips and more under the Our Travelers heading on our website at www.tsa.gov.”

As I reviewed all the information I did not get a comfortable assurance on butane equipment specifically, and to the contrary there is a clear ‘no’ relating to Aerosols beyond personal care or toiletries. The same restriction is applied to any flammable liquid fuel.

In addition airlines have the right to impose additional restrictions they may deem necessary.

Even if the website suggests in some way it is allowed I think you take a risk, since I could not find absolute clarification. Some TSA agents may make their own decisions as they interpret restrictions.

While it appears you may be very well be allowed to take the appliance with you I would personally not be inclined to test the interpretation.

If you have travel questions or travel comments email me at askjourneys@ journeystravel.com 

If you are looking for a great cruise holiday in January please consider joining my wife and I on our Seabourn voyage from Santiago Chile to Buenas Aries Argentina. See the information on this hosted that has lots of extras added in on our website. 

Labels: Security, travel accessories, Travel Tips

posted by That Travel Guy @ 1:46 PM  |  0 Comments

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Locks that airport security can open without having to cut them.

I received a question from a Canadian reader about locking luggage, one of many I receive on a fairly frequent basis.

I understand there are some kinds of locks that airport security can open, the questioner wrote, without having to chop them off. What are these, he asked?


In this case being Canadian puts us behind technololgy not in step with it. While these locks are widely available and can be used by any number of jurisdictions, Canada so far has not bought into the concept.

The locks, developed in conjunction with the TSA in the United States, are being successfully being deployed by the United States, Great Britain, and a few other nations.

There are two brands, available in North America, which are most widely reconized. The first is called Safe Skies Luggage Locks and the second is branded as Travel Sentry.

Each lock has a specific code which is used by TSA and other security agencies to identify which tool to use to open the lock.

At each location the security people are able to open and then lock the bags again after they have been inspected.

The Travel Sentry website (www.travelsentry.org) points out that an International treaty requires that all luggage must be security screened before being loaded on passenger airplanes.

If security cannot identify objects, they will open the bags but will always leave a note behind informing you they have done so.

Travel Sentry points out that locking your luggage is the smart thing to do and protects your possessions from theft tampering and misuse by smugglers.

Why has Canada not bought into this concept that seems to be working so well in other countries. It is anyones guess. But it is causing a dilemma for Canadian travellers...to lock or not to lock.

My advice is to buy the branded locks anyway. The price is not much different than the old style lock and locked luggage does help prevent theft of opportunity.

In this way you have locks for other international travel even as Canadian security waits to decide if they want to catch up with the times.

You can look at these locks on line at our website. for a broader range of travel products go to http://www.journeystravelgear.com/ There you will also find travel reviews, travel stories, and other travel tips that started with questions from other readers who forwarded their questions, as you can, to http://www.journeystravel.com/

Labels: Security, travel accessories, Travel Products, Travel Tips

posted by That Travel Guy @ 6:47 PM  |  0 Comments

Monday, March 26, 2012

Taking Foodstuffs Across the Border?

A short time back this questiion was posed to me. We now have a son living in the United States and plan to visit him for Easter. I want to take him some of his favorite foods like cakes and pies, along with a few other items.


If I can’t carry them on it’s no use trying to transport them. But I am concerned about what foodstuffs can be carried on and what is restricted. Can you help us?

The answer depends upon which foods and how they are packaged. While this is a common question from those planning to drive over the border, because of the carry-on size restrictions from most airlines it is not as frequent a inquiry from air travelers.

But it seems that many people do like to take favorite foods, or bring back specialty food products they may discover at their destination.

The easiest to isolate are liquids because the rule relating to 100 ml. containers which must fit in only one 1 litre bag has been around a long time now, and most are aware of this.

What many don’t understand is that this includes sauces and spreads, which are at their core mostly liquid. This includes foods like peanut butter, salsas, jams, jellies, and soups. Even the idea of taking a gift of our famous maple syrup can only be take in containers bigger than the 100 ml. size if it is packaged in a checked in bag.

While you can take his favorite cake or pie, you need to know that they may very well be subject to additional screening. Therefore like gifts, don’t overwrap the box you are carrying them in. While not prohibited, there is a chance you will be asked to open the container so security can examine the contents.

I am aware of travellers who have run into serious challenges at the border for simple transgressions of the rules.

Always err on the side of caution.

If you're get set for your travels check out our lines of luggage and travel accessories at http://www.journeystravelgear.com/

posted by That Travel Guy @ 2:32 PM  |  0 Comments

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Let Me Not Forget Los Cabos!

One of the most enjoyable trips we took this winter was our first journey to Los Cabos.

We stayed at the RIU Palace just utside of Cabo San Lucas. It really is an exceptionally will run resort with excellent food and service in all the venues.
We were able to go back and forth from Cabo easily and even got used to using public transit which picked us up at the gate entrance and dropped us off at the same location.

Cabo itself is worth visiting with a large mall, a attractive marina with loads of yachts, as excellent restaurants and bars running along the Marina.

Labels: Mexico, Winter Travel

posted by That Travel Guy @ 10:47 AM  |  0 Comments