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August 2025 – 10-Night Alaska Cruise, Roundtrip Seattle This past August, our travel advisor Jennifer Hicks sailed on Oceania’s Riviera  for a 10-night Alaska cruise, roundtrip from Seattle. She came back with wonderful insights and recommendations to share. Easy Start in Seattle Embarkation in Seattle couldn’t have been simpler. The port is right in the heart of the city, so guests can step out of a cab and walk right in. Jennifer described it as one of the easiest boarding processes she’s experienced—no long lines, no stress. First Impressions of the Ship The Riviera  has been recently refreshed, and it truly shows. The entire ship feels fresh, elegant, and elevated. Jennifer stayed in a Verandah Estate Stateroom , which she found gorgeous and thoughtfully designed. Most rooms now feature full-size showers, while some still offer bathtubs as well. She especially loved the private verandah, the perfect spot for taking in Alaska’s dramatic scenery. Dining: A Food Lover’s Dream Oceania is known for having the “finest cuisine at sea,” and Riviera  lived up to the reputation. Jennifer tried all of the dining venues on board and found every meal outstanding: Main Dining Room  – Elegant, though a bit noisy at times. Red Ginger  – Delicious Asian flavors. Tuscan Steak  – Italian favorites with flair. Jacques  – Classic French cuisine by Jacques Pépin. Polo Grill  – A traditional steakhouse experience. Waves Grill - Casual buffet restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She felt the quality of the food and ambiance in each venue showed why Oceania is so focused on being recognized as the top culinary cruise line. Life Onboard Jennifer loved the thoughtful touches throughout the sailing. Afternoon Tea in Horizons Lounge was a daily highlight, followed by Happy Hour, and another late-night Happy Hour at 10 p.m. The pool deck was spacious with plenty of chairs, and the spa received rave reviews from guests. One of the biggest highlights for her was the Culinary Center . She joined a hands-on cooking class led by a chef who had once worked with Julia Child. Each class has a different theme and fills quickly, so she recommends reserving early. For those who prefer watching, culinary demonstrations are also offered. Smooth Sailing & Shore Excursions Disembarkation at each port was seamless—no confusion and no long waits. Excursions were well organized, many with a foodie focus that tied perfectly into Oceania’s culinary identity. An itinerary change meant missing one glacier, but Oceania handled it smoothly by arranging a visit to another, ensuring the experience remained special. What’s Included Jennifer also appreciated Oceania’s inclusions, which add extra value to the journey: Gratuities included Beer and wine with dinner Wi-Fi included Optional upgrade to a fully all-inclusive drink package Insider Tips From the Seattle airport (SEA), taxis are often less expensive than rideshares  to the cruise port. With around 900 guests , Riviera  is ideally sized—big enough to offer variety, but intimate enough to avoid the crowds of a mega-ship. Final Thoughts Jennifer returned impressed by the Riviera’s  elegance, service, and especially its dining. For clients looking for a refined way to explore Alaska—where food, service, and ease of travel are all top priorities—this ship is a fantastic choice.

by Travel Consultant Gwen DeWalt March 2025 A Luxurious and Relaxed Experience Aboard the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Our recent Caribbean cruise with the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection took us on a journey of pure luxury and was a travel experience we’ll cherish for years to come.   A Suite Welcome On Board the Ritz-Carlton Yacht: A Different World Once we stepped aboard the Ritz-Carlton Yacht, it felt like we were in a whole different world. The check-in process at the San Juan port was smooth —just a passport required—and from the moment we embarked and were handed a drink, we felt like royalty.  Dinner reservations are requested and although a bit unusual on luxury ships are a necessary step to ensure guests receive the desired dining experience without any overcrowded venues.  Even though we did have reservations, making changes in time or venue was no problem. Speaking of dining, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht offers an impressive variety. The Evrima Room is the most formal, offering elegant dinner settings with live piano music. Taalat Naan, the Asian restaurant, was a favorite of many guests for its excellent and varied dishes. Then there’s S.E.A., fine dining with an upcharge, and the Pool House, offering continental fare and an atmosphere that doesn’t make one feel like they’re eating poolside. Mistral offers seafood in a beautiful outdoor seating area.  In fact, most of our meals onboard were enjoyed outdoors. A Suite Fit for a King Our Grand Suite was truly a luxurious space. We entered via an entryway with a coat or hat rack, desk, bar, coffee/tea area, and fully stocked refrigerator.  This opened up to a spacious living area and a dining space for up to 6.  The bedroom had two well-equipped walk-in closets, and the bathroom was impressive and beautifully provisioned for all requests.  There was a large soaking tub (a surprise rose-petal bath drawn for me one evening) and a spacious shower. Plenty of thoughtful touches, like a dedicated make-up area, a discreet safe in a drawer and an abundance of storage space accommodated every need.   Features throughout the yacht conveyed the realization of the thought that went into planning all the spaces.  Everything was totally state of the art.  The service overall was a highlight!  We had on call a personal suite attendant and an assistant who seemed to know exactly where we were at all times, ensuring we were comfortable, even escorting us wherever we needed to go and anticipated every need. They were most helpful with the technology in the suite, which was a bit overwhelming at first.  But by the end of the cruise, we were enjoying the many choices!   Onboard Amenities: Everything You Need and More The Ritz-Carlton Yacht offers a wealth of amenities to keep guests entertained. The Living Room is the central hub for guest services, shore excursions, a beverage and snack bar as well as a full-service bar. Here you will often enjoy musical entertainment of varying genres, where you can relax with a drink and enjoy the vibrant or tranquil atmosphere, based on the type of performance. For those seeking relaxation or a chance to work off some calories, the spa and fitness center offer top-tier services. If you’re looking for outdoor activities, the marina offers opportunities for paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming.   A Relaxed Dress Code and Casual Elegance The dress code aboard the Ritz-Carlton Yacht is comfortably luxurious. We noticed that most men opted for collared shirts and khakis for dinner, and only a few wore jackets. On our six-night cruise, there were two theme nights, one an All-White-Attire evening and the other a Havana Night, where guests dressed casually but elegantly and partied late in the specially decorated lounge. Everything is thoughtfully done, from the poolside Frette linen napkins to the impeccable service encountered everywhere aboard. A Few Final Thoughts The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection truly delivered on its promise of luxury, service, and comfort. The ship itself is a floating paradise, with exceptional dining, spacious suites, and a level of service that felt personalized and ultra-attentive. It’s luxury at its finest, and the relaxed yet refined atmosphere makes this cruise unlike any other. We can’t wait to experience one of their other ships.

By Travel Advisor Amy Paderewski Our Kenyan journey began with a flight to Nairobi, where we spent two nights at the stunning Heminway’s Hotel (a Virtuoso property). The hotel grounds were gorgeous, featuring a lovely pool and breathtaking sunset views from the outdoor verandah restaurant. We dedicated a full day to exploring Nairobi, visiting the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Center, and the highlight of the day—the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s private tour, where we interacted with orphaned elephants. From Nairobi, we took a private charter flight with Sky Safari from Wilson Airport to Amboseli National Park. The flight offered incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro and upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by a herd of elephants. We spent two nights at Elewana Tortilis Camp, where we enjoyed thrilling game drives and visited a nearby Masai village and local school. Next, we flew to Meru National Park for a three-night stay at Elewana Elsa’s Kopje, a true wildlife paradise. We encountered amazing animals, including hippos, black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, and even a Kudu. One unforgettable experience was watching the Masai tribe perform traditional cultural dances at sundowners. Our final destination was the Masai Mara National Reserve, where we spent three nights at the luxurious Elewana Sands River Masai Mara Camp. The food was fantastic, and our luxury tented accommodations offered comfort and style. Set on the border between Kenya and Tanzania, the camp provided unparalleled game viewing and a perfect end to our adventure.