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The World’s Top Ten Cruise Lines

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Ratings Last Updated: March 22, 2012

Our ratings are based on our own independent inspections, reports from the thousands of members of The Royal Cruising Society, and the best quality evaluations from both the consumer and industry trade press. Our standings and scores are updated on a bi-monthly basis to include new ships, on-board policies, and product enhancements. Cruise lines do not know when they are being inspected and we do not accept advertising or compensation in conjunction with our product ratings.

There is a great deal of misleading information offered to the public about the relative merits of various cruise lines. The biggest lines have the biggest advertising budgets and, often, the smaller, higher quality cruise lines are not as well known to the general public. We believe that really knowing as much as possible about the world’s top ten rated lines is the best first step to planning a truly memorable cruise vacation.

There are some recent developments and trends that have not been widely reported in the press. This is what the ads won’t tell you:

In order to maintain pricing parity in the Caribbean and elsewhere, the larger, mass markets ships have been under enormous pressure to dramatically increase on-board reveeviously included in the cruise price such as bottled water wine tasting’s, and crew tipping, (Some lines automatically charge $10-$12 per person per day to guests shipboard accounts)
There is intense pressure to purchase gifts from the gift shops, art works of dubious pedigree, and overpriced shore excursion offerings. Drinks are peddled at every turn.
Many of the mass market lines are using flash frozen foodstuffs such as shore side prepared frozen submarine sandwich loaves and low quality hamburgers and hot dogs.
Crewing is one of any cruise line’s largest expenditures and we are seeing cost-cutting in this area on many lines. Western European staff are being replaced with less expensive and less experienced Eastern European staff. We are seeing a significant increase in Russian staff aboard most of the mainstream lines.
Not one of the five largest cruise lines includes drinks. All charge for bottled water and soda.
Because cruise prices on the major lines and the low and mid-range budget categories have not changed significantly since 1992, we are starting to see the clientele aboard many of these ships change. Some of the same people who used to travel by Greyhound are now traveling on cruise ships. One major line recently told us that when sailings feature promotional pricing, some passengers are requesting that cabin attendants not change their sheets or clean the room “because we didn’t bring any tip money”. This has caused some crew discontent.
We are starting to see a myriad of unbundled extra fees for fuel surcharges, security, air taxes etc These extra fees are not added to the cruise prices shown in newspaper and magazine advertising.
Not one of the name brand, mass market lines has made our list of The World’s Top Ten Cruise Lines.
When one looks at the Luxury segment of the cruise industry it is clear that demanding guests will not tolerate cutbacks. In fact, the luxury segment seems to be in a constant state of upgrade in all areas including on-board services, food, and shore excursions. The luxury lines have not yielded to pressures to dramatically increase on-board revenue.
There are lines, such as Cunard, andOceania, that have made our list despite policies that mimic the additional charges of their mainstream, lower-rated competitors. They have made our list because they have maintained a strong on-board product, in all cases low-density and unique, while adhering to a philosophy that each passenger should pay only for what he/she has consumed.
Our strong recommendation is to take a serious look at sailing on one of the top ten lines at a discounted price rather than risk sailing a mega-ship with substandard service, institutional quality food, and 2,000 fellow passengers. The gap between mediocrity and luxury in the cruise industry is widening.
A serious analysis of current cruise pricing will reveal, that when all ‘extras” such as round-trip airfare, are added in to the cost of mainstream cruises, the gap between mainstream and Five-Star cruise pricing narrows considerably. Any potential cruiser would do well to calculate the total per day cost of a cruise with all “extras” added in. When that is done, the cost of a cruise will generally come in at between $500-$800 per person, per day. New cruisers who are not prepared to pay that price ought to look at alternative vacation options to avoid sticker shock when they pay their onboard bill.

Please note that traveltruth.com limits all user comments to frequent cruisers who we have identified and authenticated. Only the opinions of professional reviewers appear in our evaluations.

The most recent commentary appears at the end of each review.

THE OFFICIAL RATINGS OF THE WORLD’S TOP TEN CRUISE LINES

# 1 – THE WORLD OF RESIDENSEA

The problem for The World is that it has no earthly competition. Not only is it the top-rated ship in the world – it has, quite literally, redefined the genre. This is a ship that competes with the world’s best resorts at roughly the same price point for rental guests.

And therein lies the rub. The World, by design, travels the world in silent splendor, never calling attention to itself or the fact that the owners actually have a rental pool that permits cruisers to board and disembark at virtually any port with an airport. While owners, who have paid from $1.4 to $7.9 million dollars for their leasehold “ownership”, have to pay for meals and drinks, renters will find that the price of their cruise includes drinks, all food, and even gratuities. Renters are also spared the current $240,000 annually that owners pay in annual and service fees.

The ship is literally “sold out” for every voyage for the life of the ship. There is no sales force because the only units for sale are offered by current owners. Fewer then two dozen travel firms are favored with selling the World to clients who seek something truly different then mainstream cruising. Word-of-mouth is minimal since no more then 50 or 60 rental guests are sailing at any one time. About 50% of the owners are from the United States.

The World has earned its designation as The World’s Most Luxurious Cruise Experience. Although it could, by most measures, carry 1500 or so passengers, she generally sails with about 175 total guests. This one-of-a-kind ship sails the world, stopping in interesting ports for extended stays. The food is outstanding, although Portraits, the “Gourmet” restaurant did not meet our expectations in terms of the quality of the menu, preparation, or the skill of the staff. However, the ships other dining venues offer the best dining experiences at sea. There are three-bedroom/three-bath apartments, two-bedroom-two bath apartments, one-bedroom apartments and spacious studios. All feature balconies.

“There was this Frenchman. He has a hot plate in his cabin, along with computers and all kinds of electronic gear. He runs his company from his cabin/home office. When he gets to Hong Kong he sends one of the ships tender to pick up potential clients for a nice lunch aboard ship. He lives aboard the Residentsea and has his family out for six or seven weeks of the year. He has cocktails each evening and tries to see if there are any interesting “non-owner” guests aboard. If there are not, he quickly goes back to his cabin. I’m home now, but hardly a day goes by that I don’t think about that Frenchman as he travels the world, working, on that gorgeous ship.”

“I’ve seen them all and this is the ultimate. The design of this ship is like no other. Each accommodation is privately owned and custom designed so no two cabins are alike. This is not the right cruise for those who like bingo, horse racing games, and a nightly talent show. The World is sophisticated and approachable. Sailing her is most akin to gaining membership to the world’s best private club.”

“I expected snobbery – instead all I got was class and comfort. The owners do their own thing but about one-third of them choose to rent out their apartments so guests are treated with respect. But they are not warmly embraced by the owners. In fact, the few renters aboard, thought the owners were unusually cool.”

“The cleaning staff actually cleans every studio and apartment every day even though most of them are unoccupied for long periods of time.”

“I loved the World because it was a chance to see what “real money” is like. But I am extremely comfortable, own two beautiful homes, property, and have savings and stock in the seven figures. Nevertheless, the scope of the wealth aboard this ship was, at times, a bit intimidating. The service on the open decks was not perfect. Dishes were left on tables too long and the wait staff would favor owners. But I will conclude by saying that despite these issues, this ship blows away anything else in the so-called five-star category. The food is excellent, the staff is generally attentive, and you have the feeling that you are almost alone on this most beautiful of ships. So I guess I really wasn’t all that intimidated. We may well return.”

# 2 – HAPAG LLOYD’S – EUROPA

The 450-Guest, 28,890 GRT, pride of the Hapag-Lloyd fleet, has never been a household cruise name. Since its launch in 1999. the vessel has been sold primarily by travel agents in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This is a modern, highly evolved, unusually spacious ship that features some of the finest formal services at sea. Dining is an event and, on certain evenings, even the wait staff works in formalwear.

Although we currently rank the Europa above her mid and small-ship US-based competitors, she is very definitely not for everyone. This is a German-centric experience with German being the ship’s home language. Service is top tier, food is the finest available, and the upscale traveler will notice the quality of the China, the perfection of the glasses, and the comfort of the lounges surrounding the single swimming pool.

Lectures are cultural in nature and are offered in German. But that does not necessarily mean that American guests are not welcomed. The crew speaks English as a second language and, given the interest in the Europa among sophisticated cruisers from Great Britain, certain cruises are designated as bi-lingual English/German sailings.

The décor among this modern feeling ship tends toward the nautical, with a fair number of yacht photos and paintings adorning the walls. That is because the Europa feels like a very private yacht with an unobtrusive staff. Smoking could be an issue for some. The Havana Cigar Lounge will be a plus for those so-inclined. Insider’s marvel at the Europa’s superior riding qualities. She is about as smooth as an ocean-going vessel gets with a rather advanced pod propulsion system.

The Europa remains a mystery to most American cruisers. There are language issues and the fact is that only a handful of American travel agents have experienced this unique luxury product so it is not the first ship normally recommended. But for those who enjoy the small details associated with luxury cruising, in a decidedly European environment, the Europa’s rather strong worldwide itineraries might be worthy of consideration. But only if one is comfortable sailing one of the world’s great yachts in the company of German-speaking European fellow guests.

“We loved the availability of fresh seafood throughout our cruise and the opportunity to dine in the Oriental Restaurant, perhaps the best alternative restaurant at sea. If you sail this ship, be sure to look over the Meissen china – just beautiful. True, our German is rusty, but we found the classical entertainment to be just right after such elegant dining experiences. Perhaps we should not tell anyone about this ship. It is already hard enough to book passage.”

“The Europa is definitely not for everyone. But I suppose I would go again just for the great German sausages they served in the Clipper Bar. The dress thing was fine. Yes, the folks onboard seem to like getting dressed up. But you never felt like they were showing off their jewelry as we have on some of the American ships. A lot of the Germans and Austrians described the ship as a luxury yacht, a feeling we could well understand.

“We made the mistake of doing a three week cruise and it was a really long time to be away from our American movies and television. They tried on board, but you should not sail this ship unless you really want to spend two weeks in a German resort that floats.”

# 3 – REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Regent is the perfect blending of casual sophistication, lots of options, and the largest cabins in its class. The 700 Guest Mariner and Voyager have hit the sweet spot of available space and amenities to match. The Navigator, at 490 guests, is ideal for those seeking a more intimate experience.

Regent now includes a complimentary luxury pre-cruise hotel stay before each cruise. Guests have the option of taking an onboard credit if they choose to pass on the hotel night. Regent also includes so-called “two-for-one inclusive pricing”, free economy air, included shore excursions, drinks, and gratuities. This makes Regent the current leader in terms of inclusions but consumers are always advised to utilize our recommended costing formula to evaluate true value versus marketing hype.

Drinks are included, along with wines. Gratuities are not expected and all of the ships linens have been upgraded. Regent may offer the perfect blend of “not too much formality”, “ships large enough to offer amenities yet small enough to be called intimate”, and dining choices that create pre-meal excitement.

The line’s Mariner and Voyager offer the industry’s perfect blend of size(700 guests) and amenities, all-balcony cabins of 300 sq. ft.+. These are, hands down, the most comfortable and spacious lower-category categories in the luxury market.

When considering Regent for families, it is important to note that the Mariner does not have connecting rooms.

Mariner & Voyager are well equipped with self service laundrettes. Navigator only has two. If planning to do laundry onboard, bring fabric sheets, no fabric softner provided. All laundry services are at no cost to guests. Navigator ‘s two lowest categories (G&H) are window suites. Ocean view window -6.5 feet wide does not open. Cabins that end in the number ’7″ are for triple occupancy. Regent is a member of the “Guild of English Butlers” a company created for the recruitment & training of butlers around the world. The ship’s butlers (for categories B & higher) provide everything from in-suite bar set up, afternoon canapés, packing, unpacking, laundry pressing (for a fee) or any special requests.
Internet use is one of the few services for which there is an additional charge. Passengers can, for a $6.50 daily charge have a copy of their favorite newspaper transmitted electronically delivered to their cabin.
Regent is one of the few luxury cruise lines that genuinely welcomes children & offers a dedicated children’s program during kids school breaks in summer months.
All drinks are included, and guest can request from their steward bottles of wine or liquor(Grey Goose) etc.. to their cabin. The only time there is a charge for liquor is if they request a high end scotch, or an expensive wine/champagne.
Room service is 24 hours & many guests enjoy memorable dinners in-suite on their balcony.
One of the four restaurants, Signatures, is actually operated by Cordon Bleu. Prime 7 is the highly-regarded steakhouse and there are no extra charges for reservations at either of these venues, although guests booked in the lower categories may be disappointed at their inability to book more than one or two nights in the specialty restaurants.

We think it is important to point out that several industry evaluation sources place either Seabourn, Crystal, or Silverseas above Regent in their rankings. In 2010 and 2011, we felt that Regent could not be said to outrank these worthy competitors. In our latest ratings, however, we feel that Regent has one-upped it’s Five Star competitors with the industry’s best accommodations, food that is approachable and keeps getting better, and pricing that is, at this time, the most inclusive in the industry. Not one of their competitors is offering the combination of Free Airfare, Complimentary Shore Excursions, and a Complimentary pre-cruise hotel night. Regent soars to the head of the pack with its consumer-driven amenities that simply make it a superior value for luxury that is less formal but every bit as personal as its competitors.

Regent is the best choice for those seeking a ship with full amenities. and the luxury sectors best cabins. Couple that with the warmth of its crew, the stability of 50,000 ton vessels, and the amenities that a 700 guest ship can provide, and we must conclude that Regent ought to be the first option for the majority of upscale cruisers seeking informality coupled with elegance.

In March of 2012, Regent announced that it was changing the theme of its veranda restaurant to a casual Italian no-reservation required option called Setti Mare. The new restaurant will be located on all three Regent ships and will feature appetizers and house-made pastas at a buffet or tableside, followed by entrees ordered off the menu. Guests who wish to go ashore in the evening will find Setti Mari to be a satisfying experience without the needs for guests to allow more than an hour for their dinner. The majority of guests will want to linger, and the new Italian concept will make that possible with an expansive selection of comfortable yet refined Italian cuisine. The Veranda had previously been a rather difficult to describe “Mediterranean Restaurant.” Guests will also be able to select from a wide selection of premium Italian wines.”

“You should try for additional reservations at Signatures mid-cruise. Some guests feel that the dinners are “too rich” and end up canceling. We thought the dry-cleaning services were way overpriced. All in all, however, our Alaska experience on the Mariner blew away a similar itinerary we took on princess five years ago. The elegance, service, and the way the experience makes you feel about yourself, just can’t be matched by any of the monster ships.”

“Want the truth. I would choose Regent again just for the bathrooms.”

“The best-kept secret for dining is the “almost always available” Terrace restaurant on the upper deck with its floor to ceiling windows, mini-buffet followed by a Mediterranean sit-down menu. We found the guests aboard our three Regent Cruises to be younger then the crowd on Crystal and bit hipper. Since we’re in our forties, this made a difference.”

“There was less staff-guest interaction on our recent Voyager sailing then we expected. The staff made very little effort to learn the guest’s names. At least that was true of the officers. The Indonesian’s in the dining area and around the pool were much friendlier.”

“I really liked the Concierge Desk. We were able to rent a car out of Sorrento and we drove along the coast, stopping at the Hotel San Pietro for a great lunch. One night we were exhausted and we asked to see the dinner menu. That night, as cruised off the coast, we were served dinner in our cabin with the sliding glass doors open and a clear view of the sea. It just doesn’t;t get any better or more romantic then that.”

“Our recent Regent Cruise in the Med featured a former Concorde Pilot and one of the nation’s top sleep experts. I was fascinated by virtually everything these two gentleman had to say. Someone at Regent is doing a good job lining up guest lecturers. We don’t feel that positive about the evening entertainment. We would have preferred more lectures, feature films, or concert videos then the sorry attempt at singing and dancing. Cole Porter is so yesterday.”

We just returned from a marvelous crossing from Lisbon to Ft. Lauderdale on the Voyager. The ship was half empty because most people do not realize that the two larger Regent ships, at 50,000 tons, are bout as big as the Crystal ships and plenty large enough for a crossing of the Atlantic. This is really a good deal for those who like days at sea. I’m not so sure I’d want to do the crossing on the Navigator but for the prices Regent is offering, I might consider it next year.

Having done each of the top three lines on your ratings, we have concluded that we are going to become regulars with Regent. The extra 400 passengers enables the ship to offer many more dining options, better entertainment, and more nooks and crannies to hang out. But best of all, we like Regent’s more casual atmosphere, particularly as compared with what we experienced on Silverseas. The impression we had was that the Regent guests put up with dressing up once or twice during the cruise while the Silverseas crowd couldn’t wait to get in their formalwear. Surprised they didn’t wear their tux around the pool.”

“There are some problems with the propulsion system on the Mariner. These have not been fixed and the ship is not capable of going full speed. Our sailing was able to do all ports on schedule but there was one afternoon off the Alaskan coast when we hit a bit of rough water and one wondered if the fact that one of the pods was messed up had anything to do with it. We had a wonderful cruise and will sail with Regent again. We won’t hesitate to sail the Mariner. But we wish we had been told prior to boarding.”

“There seems to be some confusion about the way Regent handles shore excursions. We just got off an absolutely wonderful cruise with them but we had arrived in a dither because our agent and Regent’s web site reported that all shore excursions were sold out – at least the ones that were complimentary. This caused more than a little anxiety but when we boarded the tour desk said that all but three of the tours were “wide open.”. It turns out, we learned later, that Regent’s shipboard computers “don’t talk” with the computers in their corporate headquarters. At this point, we would advise, that you not believe anything told you in advance about availability. Once onboard, everything worked out beautifully.”

“We loved our recent cruise to Australia on Regent. Things ran smoothly and we were extremely impressed by the strengths of the onboard lecture programs. We learned a lot from a former ambassador and an expert on world hot spots. We also learned how to mix drinks and about current trends in the restaurant industry. The evening entertainment was far better than we had been led to believe by our agent. On the other hand, we were surprised by the amateurish service and the occasional rude waiter in the dining room. The maitre ‘d in Prime 7 was always grouchy and he came back to the table after one of the guests send back a steak to say that he and the chef had tasted it and there was nothing wrong with it. Unlike Crystal, which we have sailed several times, Regent does not seem to have the expectation that the wait staff will interact much with guests or even learn their names. So, in terms of organization, food, entertainment, our cruise met and exceeded our expectations But we were disappointed that we did not receive more personalized service.”

“Having sailed several of the Top-Rated lines, including Seabourn and Silverseas, we would rank Regent just below Seabourn and Silverseas because of the lack of European style and formality in the dining room. The lack of formal dress rules on Regent adds to a lack of true sophistication that we feel should be part of the traditional luxury cruise experience. We do not expect a “relationship” with our waiters or cabin stewards. We think that ratings ought to be based on class and civility. You will find a somewhat more refined group aboard Seabourn and Silverseas We were, quite frankly, rather shocked that Regent has no formal nights at all on any sailing, anywhere in the world, of fewer than sixteen days.”

# 4 – CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal’s fleet of two large (940 guest) ships has won virtually every “best large ship cruise line” award in the industry. The line features the highest standards of dining service and we rank the specialty Prego Italian restaurant among the finest at sea. Crystal caters to a demanding, largely retired, east and west coast clientele and features two-seating dining.

In 2012, Crystal finally went “inclusive” with drinks, wines, and gratuities included in the cruise fare. Currently, Crystal’s inclusions match those of luxury rivals Seabourn and Silverseas but do not include pre-night hotel stays or shore excursions as Regent is currently offering.

Entertainment options abound, including sophisticated stage shows and classical acts, as well as a full screen movie theater. Service, food, and entertainment standards are consistent on both ships but the newer Serenity wins highest marks for layout and design. Those who seek personalized; Four Seasons-style service will appreciate the Crystal experience. Those sailing Crystal for the first time are generally amazed at how much better run these vessels are then the mainstream mega-ships. Crystal still sets the standard for larger, two-seating ships. Most worldwide itineraries are in the 10-14-day range. Guests sailing one of the higher-rated lines often report that Crystal food and service matched or surpassed it’s smaller, single-seating lux competitors. This is the line that many Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America passengers should have selected for cruises of ten days or longer. It seems clear that, at the moment, Crystal has the most comprehensive and successful staff training program in the entire passenger ship industry.

Our most recent inspection of Crystal has reaffirmed our belief that Crystal is the very best cruise option for the majority of upscale cruisers. We believe that there is one under-reported but critical foundation of the line’s success. Crystal is owned by NYK, the huge Japanese shipping conglomerate. NYK-FIL has established the leading crew training facility in the Philippines. Every onboard Crystal service person must graduate from a rigorous six-month program at Crystal’s exclusive training “university”. There are other crew training facilities in the Philippines, but none has the respect or the credentials of the NYK/Crystal school. This, we believe, is the secret weapon that allows Crystal to provide its ships with the best trained and most customer-savvy crews in the industry.

No other cruise line comes close to emulating the combination of caring, personalized service, often memorable cuisine, and the full lecture/entertainment options that form a part of the Crystal experience. Choose any other line and you are going to have to sacrifice at least one of these three pillars of excellence. Anyone seeking to sail on a competitor, needs to ask their travel consultant, “If I don’t sail Crystal, what am I giving up?”

Crystal has a somewhat older demographic than many of its smaller-ship five-star competitors. This has more to do with the length of cruises than any brand factors. Crystal tends to do very few seven-night cruises so the average age goes up accordingly.

The two Crystal ships are extremely well maintained but they are classic cruise liners with 940 guests. The dining room has two seatings. Crystal should not, on paper, rank as high as they do in these ratings. But Crystal earns its grades by outperforming the small ships in the very areas where they excel, personalized service, food, and entertainment. Many guests prefer Crystal because there are more lecture and entertainment options and some of the best alternative “no additional charge” restaurants at sea.

Crystal does have formal nights and waiters will escort ladies into the dining room arm-in-arm in the classic manner. Yet, Crystal lacks some of the European panache of a Silverseas or Seabourn. Those who enjoy formal European service may well prefer another line to Crystal’s more personal, California-vibe style.

Given current pricing and it’s new inclusions policy together with onboard service that produces the industry’s highest repeat factors, we felt Crystal has to be rated above many of it’s more ultra-sophisticated category competitors. Crystal just offers more of what most guests value most.

“We have been on more then twenty cruises but this was the first time my wife and I ever saw crew members standing by on the gangway to hug and kiss guests goodbye. For many, it was their only time off during a very hectic ten-day itinerary. Crystal service is truly caring. We will never sail another line. Perfection does exist.”

“As a past cruiser with Celebrity and Princess, I really could not believe the differences between those cruises and this one. Crystal is worth every penny. The shows are the best we’ve ever seen, the food and service is European-inspired but this is a truly comfortable, American line for affluent cruisers. It seems like we are back in Boca at our country club instead of out at sea on a large ship. The only thing missing is the golf course.”

“We have sailed them all and I’m telling you, Palo is the best restaurant at sea. Do everything you need to do to get a few reservations.”

“You know its good when the toughest place to get a seat is the office of the person booking future cruises. My wife loved being taken by the arm and escorted to the dinner table. They couldn’t be more caring or accommodating and, quite frankly, you never had the feeling they were doing it for tips.”

“The sushi bar at Nobu’s Silk Road was just extraordinary. Three full-time sushi chefs and some of the finest sushi we’ve ever had in our lives. And we’re from LA. Crystal rules” We’ve been following the reviews on traveltruth and, more or less, working our way down your list of top-rated cruise lines. But that’s all over now. We understand that Crystal carries more passengers and has two seating’s etc., but they still ought to be #1 on anyone’s list. We’ve found the one line that gives us everything.”

“It was a lovely cruise in the Med out of Barcelona. But it felt very Four Seasony and we prefer the smaller lines with their true boutique feel. The food though was very good and Prego is, we agree, our favorite restaurant of any of the ships we have tried.”

“Our traveling companions did not like the two seatings, but they said the food was far better then what they had on Seabourn. We won’t sail anything but Crystal. We started with them, thankfully, and we’ll finish with them. It is amazing how the staff remembers you, often by name, from cruise to cruise. We appreciate the honesty of your reviews but we think you make too much of the two seating policy in the dinning room. With the alternative restaurants and the casual option now, for dinner upstairs, we only used the main dining room five times during our cruise. No big deal having two seating’s.”

“I am a service trainer and I sat mesmerized every day of our anniversary cruise. I can’t imagine the service feats these folks pull off. This is probably the world’s best cruise line for anyone who doesn’t want to sit on a tiny ship with nothing to do but read another mystery.. This is big ship excitement with elegant service and amenities. I just don’t see us switching. If our travel consultant stops recommending Crystal, we’ll be changing consultants.”

“Some of the Crystal old-timers, and they number more than a few, seem to think there is some magic way that Crystal can enlarge their standard cabins and make them all suites. They are what they are. But we think, based on our last two Crystal sailings, that the line keeps getting better. They reacted quite well to the discounts from some of their rivals. On our last cruise, Crystal gave us $2,000 to spend any way we want – on tips, shore excursions, or drinks. I far prefer this to the all-inclusive lines that make you pay for other people’s drinking habits. And I like to tip for service. I suspect that is why Crystal’s service receives such high grades on this site and others. Now, we mus5t say we have some concerns about whether Crystal’s service scores will suffer since they have switched to an all-inclusive, gratuities included policy. I just had two friends who returned in February and they said the new policy works well and they could not spot any service declines”

“We didn’t like our Crystal cruise. We loved it. Here are a few things my wife and I noticed, and we come from the hotel industry: On the transfer from the Crystal pre-cruise hotel in Costa Rica to the port, special seats were blocked out for children so they could enjoy the best views. The cruise director was so appealingly non-intrusive that we wondered where he had been trained. PA announcements were dignified, limited, and professionally rendered.

Louis Armstrong’s “It’s A Wonderful World” has become Crystal’s theme song. In each port, Louis’ mesmerizing voice goes out to those confined to a lesser brand as they stare longingly from their white plastic chairs as the Serenity pulls gently away from her berth and heads back out to sea. The specialty restaurants are, in my opinion, the finest at sea. On the Serenity, The Silk Road is guided by famed chef Nobu Matsuhisa. I would book another trip on the Serenity solely on the basis of a chance to try, once again, the chef’s signature broiled black cod with miso. But savvy dinners can sit at the Sushi Bar and order from thirty-five, or so, sushi specials. This is, to put it simply, a $300 dinner experience for two on land and I doubt that the service would be nearly as good or the setting was unique and relaxing.The library is well stocked and staffed by a gentle woman who has, seemingly, read every volume in her care. I heard her make some excellent recommendations to some pretty challenging inquiries.

traveltruth.com is a collaborative effort designed to offer the vacation consumer real world advice without exaggeration, deception, or sales bias. It is the ultimate insider’s view of how things really work, written by an award-winning team of travel consultants and journalists. We are the owners, managers, and staff at Churchill & Turen Ltd.

traveltruth Q&A

DO BOUTIQUE LUXURY HOTELS EXIST IN ATHENS?
Q – We are going to be staying in Athens prior to an upcoming cruise of the Greek islands and Turkey. Having been to Athens before, we understand that there are surprisingly few boutique hotel options. The King George and the Grand Bretagne have great locations on Syntagma Square, but we prefer something on a side street with fewer rooms in a different neighborhood. Any recommendations would really be appreciated. Great site.

A – Athens likely had more operating hotels in the days of Pericles than it does now. Construction costs are quite high and then there is the problem of actually finishing the construction work. But there are three boutique hotels that we recommend. But please note these are less expensive four star properties – they do not compete with the King George or her big sister across the square:

The small Fresh Hotel has a nice bar and swimming pool on its upper floor. There are nine floors and 133 rooms that are rather minimalist and modern. It is located in the fashionable Psiri District about half a mile from the Plaka.

The 65 room Classical Baby Grand is located across Kotzia Square.Ten international artists have transformed this property into a statement of modern art and graffiti. You enter through an impressive “art garden” and the check-in desk is a Mini Cooper that drives you to your room. Those who appreciate Urban Art and a younger vibe will like this property. Traditionalists will hate it.

Periscope is a sixteen room find in the heart of the Kolonaki District. It is minimalist in design and the rooms are small. But the staff is cordial, the rooms are nicely decorated, and the upscale neighborhood is Greek Chic with lots of interesting shopping and dining options.
CAN YOU ENCOURAGE A RETIREE TO BECOME A TRAVEL AGENT?
Q – I am a recently retired consulting engineer in the field of water collection methodologies. We have done some traveling and would like to do more. I think I would be the perfect part-time employee. I’d really appreciate a quick overview of the industry in terms of the issue of survival. I’d want to keep working from five to ten years. Does your firm have any openings? Hope I am not asking too much but this is the only place where I know I’ll get a straight answer.

A – In the mid-nineties, there were 35,m000 travel; agency locations in the United States. In some areas they were as prevalent as gun shops. Today, that number has shrunk down to about 15,000 travel agencies.That would seem to be bad news, but it is just the opposite. The result of the closing of so many agencies is that most of the finks, frogs, and phonies are now running tanning bed salons. They’ve left the business. Those who have remained, tend to be the better agents with real followings and niche specializations. Travel agents, who essentially, by definition, do airline ticketing and serve as “agents” of the airlines, are fast disappearing. They are being replaced by a new breed of consultant. The US travel market is currently generating about $285 billion annually. Travel agents and consultants generate about a third of that. According to a recent piece in the New York Times, agencies in the United States have posted two solid years of strong growth and good agents are very much in demand. Some actually have a waiting list for new clients. Part of this has to do with the fact that travel agents tend to be a mature bunch and members of the profession are dropping like flies with no one to replace their accumulated expertise. But what is really driving the growth in agency production is the growing tendency, as the Times points out, for travelers to seek personalized professional recommendations. Online searching is just so much blah for many and Internet stats for booking travel are actually down as a percentage and have been for 24 months. The fact is that few trust the web enough to purchase travel there.

We don’t hire based on openings. When we find an extraordinary applicant we try to create a job for them based on their personal preferences and our current needs.
ARE MY AA ADVANTAGE MILES SAFE IN MY ACCOUNT?
Q – We’ve been following your responses to questions about American Airlines bankruptcy carefully. Just wondering if anything has changed or if you remain confident we face no danger in letting our miles grow in the account. We’re approaching 500,000 miles. Please try to do less cruise reporting and more on the airlines. We all fly, only a handful of us cruise.

A – The situation at American is changing rapidly since the company petitioned a federal judge to say yes to its plan to make all current labor contracts null and void while also terminating 13,000 jobs. American’s management feels that is what it will take for the airline to emerge from bankruptcy in a position to survive. A dramatic spike in fuel prices would be disastrous for American at this stage.

At this stage, we would recommend that you take 50% of your miles and convert them into a travel certificate which will be good for one year from date of purchase. That will assure that at least half of your miles are protected.

What has changed our mind? In a defiant and unusual move, American’s pilots, flight attendants, and transport workers actually signed a deal with rival US Airways that would secure certain pay raises and protect some job losses if the two airlines merge. The industry is filled with rumors of a pending US Airways and American merger but American is vehemently denying them.

The situation is fluid enough that we think you should take protective steps to insure your miles don’t head skyward.

As to your last point. Close to 12% of the adult population of the US has cruised. Ours is not a consumer cruise site but we are cruise-centric. We estimate, based on the responses we receive, that somewhere between 80-85% of our site guests have cruised, the vast majority on one or more of the Top Ten Rated lines. We’ll try to keep you posted on important consumer developments but there are much better sites out there that are totally devoted to airline news and information.
CAN WE TIE THE KNOT AND AVOID THE CARIBBEAN?
Q – We are frequent visitors to your site. In fact, we decided to get married and ask you about our honeymoon four days ago. Here is our dilemma. We are planning a June 2013 wedding date and we’d love to be legally married aboard a nice cruise ship. But we just don’t want to spend our cruise time on the Caribbean islands. Been there – done that. We’ve got about two weeks. Ideally, some of the immediate family would be with us for a week and the wedding. But what do we do then – throw them overboard? We realize we are early to make arrangements but we wonder what you might suggest. We can’t seem to find anything.

A – For this one we went to our on-staff honeymoon specialist, named “World’s Best” by Conde Nast Traveler. She recommends that you look at a new program unveiled by Cunard Line. Beginning this summer, their Captains can perform legally sanctioned weddings on the New York to Southampton crossings of their “Queens”. So here is the plan: Have the family join you for the six night crossing, the ships are larger enough to hide from them, and have them disembark at the end of six days, flying home from London. This will give you seven or eight nights to enjoy London, Paris or a combination of the two. June in Paris is not a bad way to begin a lifelong friendship.
CAN Y0U BUY CRYSTAL FOR $2305?
Q – We have friends in Portland who claim to have booked a Crystal Cruise for $2305 per person. They’ve been bragging about the great deal they got but we wonder if this is really the rate. I don’t know exactly where they are going but I think they are traveling in April or May. My wife and I find this amazing because we’ve always heard that Crystal was one of the top lines. Can you shed any light on this? Cruise pricing is just one dark tunnel as far as I’m concerned.

A – We know. The best way to handle pricing issues is to understand that cruise lines just don’t go around to different top-producing travel agencies with different price offers. Cruise pricing is a surprisingly level playing field. All of the top agencies get exactly the same rates for their clients. If they didn’t, they would refuse to represent the line.

Your friend was telling you the truth – but not the whole truth. They did find a fare of $2305 in an obstructed view cabin on the Crystal Symphony sailing from Vancouver to on April 29th. That is a truly amazing price for a seven-night inclusive cruise on one of our highest-ranked lines. But there is a little piece of the puzzle missing. This is a cruise that is repositioning the ship from Japan to Los Angeles. The seven-night segment your friends have booked sails from Vancouver to Los Angeles, far from the ideal time to be spending a week in the Pacific Ocean trying to hug the shoreline.

A much better deal can be had in late October when you can book a 12-Day cruise on the Crystal Serenity from Venice to Istanbul for less than $4,000 per person. That means you get a five-star inclusive experience at $334 per day. It should cost between $500-$700 per day. When the consumer media claims that “cruise prices have never been lower”, this is the kind of offer they have in mind.
WILL MIAMI START TO SMELL LIKE AN ASHTRAY?
Q – My wife and I like to gamble and we go on upscale gambling vacations twice a year. We’ve heard that there is something coming to Miami to be built by the Chinese that will be the largest casino in the States. Is there any truth to this? As a suggestion, your coverage of gambling destinations is really inadequate.

A - There are kernels of truth in the rumor but this is by no means a done deal. The problem any major gambling enterprise faces in Florida is that the current Chamber of Commerce Chairman is a top Disney executive. And the Mouse does not approve of gambling.

The project you refer to is the 30-acre Resorts World Miami. This is a design by a Malaysian company called the Gerting Company. Their plans call for 800,000 square feet of gambling space, 5,000 hotel rooms, and 50 restaurants and bars.

We think that the gaming industry is going to be fascinating to watch in the next 24 months as strapped for cash municipalities, wrestle with the temptations to generate cash. Currently twenty-two states have legalized gambling. Miami may be looking at Clark County, home to Las Vegas. 2011 gambling revenues in Clark reached $9.2 billion last year.

If you feel our coverage of gambling issues is “inadequate” we’ll give you your money back. Oh, wait a moment, you didn’t pay us anything.
WHAT HAPPENED TO CRUISES OUT OF MEXICO?
Q – My husband and I and our two children were looking forward to booking a cruise to the Mexican Riviera this year. But when we spoke to our agent, she told us that there just aren’t any cruises that would suit our needs and she suggested we look, instead, at the Western Caribbean. What is really going on here. I can’t believe that the economy is so bad that people can’t afford a one week cruise to Mexico.

A – If you look in any travel-related publication or web site, you will likely see significant advertising by the Mexico Tourism Board. As one of the industry’s largest single advertisers, they have the ability to influence public opinion and they are currently enmeshed in a verbal battle with some of the major cruise lines that have home-ported in Mexico in the past.

The view of the MTB seems to be that the cruise lines have pulled out of ports in Mexico as a result of Califronia’s recession. The cruise lines still offer a restricted number of cruises that call in Mexico but certain ports are being eliminated from current and projected itineraries. As Travel Weekly pointed out in their March 26th issue, the cruise lines clearly feel that they have pulled out of Mazatlan for security reasons, citing specific incidents in the port and current US State Department warnings.

The Tourism Board contention is that Mazatlan is being eliminated because it costs about $17,000 for a ship to use its docking facilities. When a ship uses Cabo San Lucas instead, there is no docking fee because passengers are tendered.

Disney, Carnival, Princess, and Holland America have all cancelled or curtailed port calls in Mazatlan. Last month, a shore excursion group in Puerto Vallarta on a Carnival Cruise Lines hiking excursion was robbed at gunpoint.

Given cruise line’s current view that Mazatlan poses too many risks, Mexican officials are trying to get the lines to consider calling at Guaymas, which is also located along the Sea of Cortez.

You can do a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. Your travel should have known that but we think her advice to consider the Western Caribbean has merit.
ARE WE SAFE UP THERE?
Q – I am desperate to take my wife to see relatives in County Clare, Ireland next summer. But she is absolutely afraid to fly. Any facts you might provide to help me convince her it is safe would be much appreciated.

A – We’re not sure she will care much about our “facts” but we’re here to help. The years 1994-1998 were relatively safe years in terms of air fatalities in the US. But the last five years have seen a 93% decline even in those rates. This translates to a US aircraft having a 1 in 49 million chance of being in an accident that results in fatalities. You literally are safer flying or cruising than you would be had you remained in your house with all of the doors double-locked. Our advice would be to drug her and drag her over.
HOW MANY MORE CRUISE BERTHS ARE BEING BUILT?
Q – I am just wondering about the state of the US Cruise industry. With the economy, and all, are new ships going to be launched in the next several years or are they holding off?

A – Cruise brands based in North America have firm contracts to launch 10 new cruise ships between now and 2015 accommodating a total of 33,744 guests. The largest of these ships, accommodating 4100 each, will be launched by Royal Caribbean in 2014 and 2015. Norwegian Cruise Line will launch the 4,000 passenger Breakaway in 2013, followed by her sister, the Getaway, in 2014.
CAN WE ACTUALLY WALTZ IN THE NEW YEAR?
Q – A quick question about a lifelong dream. I have always wanted to surprise my wife with a lavish New Year Ball celebration, where we can waltz in the New Year in Vienna. Is this even possible? I know that it will not be inexpensive.

A - Yes, you can attend any one of a series of almost 300 Balls held in Austria’s Capital New Years Eve and through Ash Wednesday. The best of these are the famed Opera Ball held in the lovely Vienna State Opera House and the strangely named Ball of the Viennese Coffee House Owners which is held in the Imperial Palace. The best way to book your dance is to arrange a custom vacation through a travel firm associated with an on-site office in Vienna. They will have access to tickets that a US-based travel agent may find challenging to obtain. Live the Dream!
WILL WE BE SHARING OUR CRUISE ACCOMMODATIONS WITH STRANGERS?
Q – We’re turning to traveltruth with a serious concern. We are being urged by family members to join them on a Spring Break cruise next year on Norwegian Cruises Line. But my husband and I have real concerns about bed bugs which we understand is a real problem on cruise ships. How serious a problem is it and what can we do to prevent it – if anything. It really is holding us back from booking. Our travel agent is saying there was a problem on one or two of the ships in the past but the cruise lines are now using pesticides that prevents the problem. Is this true?

A – We are going to try to answer this question as clearly as possible since it has been raised by a number of visitors to our site. Bed bugs are a growing problem in the United States. You are far more likely to get bed bugs in a hotel room than a cruise ship cabin. This has a lot to do with twice-daily crew cleaning practices, use of safe pesticides, and the changing of beds and mattresses on a scheduled basis during dry dock. But it would be dishonest to say that cruise lines have “prevented” the problem. The fact is that the vast majority of bed bug infestations have been reported on four cruise lines, basically the four largest cruise lines and the most familiar names. Now, you could say that they have far more cases than smaller ships because they carry more people. But we suspect that is not the case. The fact is that price dictates many things including what a cruise line is able to spend on housekeeping and maintenance. Price also reflects the kind of people who are hired to do housekeeping and it impacts training. There have been isolated cases of bed bug bites on the World’s Top Ten Cruise Lines but when these are carefully investigated, it almost always turns out that the bugs were brought aboard by guests, usually via their luggage. The mass market lines have, however, had several dozen bed bug outbreaks since 2000. But, in the scheme of things, that is still not a particularly high or worrisome number.

The fact is that bed bugs are an increasing problem in our own country. Most experts say this is connected to the restrictions on the use of several high powered pesticides. In addition to hotel rooms, bed bugs are appearing in apartment buildings, health care facilities, shelters, schools, and furniture rental outlets. Perhaps the most prevalent growth in bed bugs has been in movie theaters and in the seats of aircraft.

The most common form of bed bug is Cimex lectularius, often mistaken for ticks or cockroaches. The females lay several eggs each day, which stick to surfaces. We doubt that any cruise line has eliminated the problem. Aristotle mentioned bed bugs in his writings, so they may be with us for a while. Here is some general advice for any traveler:
- Bed bugs are a more serious problem in the United States than they are in most other parts of the world with the exception of Africa, Eastern Europe, and portions of Asia. Learn to spot bed bugs and always check mattresses and head rests before getting into bed while traveling.
- The problem is more prevalent in hotel rooms with thick carpeting than in rooms with wooden or marble floors. Leaving the lights on or using insect repellents will not work. Learn to look for nests which are characterized by “dark spotting”.
- Never leave your luggage under the bed on a cruise ship or in a hotel room.
- Never unpack your suitcases on a carpet at home. It is best not to bring luggage inside the house.
- Some dry cleaners can sanitize luggage after travel. Always do this after traveling in areas of high risk.
Finally, we would advise you to go on your cruise. The odds are with you and who is to say you would not run into bed bugs in the waiting room upholstery at your doctor’s office? Remember, your life expectancy increases whenever you travel outside the United States, literally. So relax and have a good time.
THE INEVITABLE HARRY POTTER QUESTION
Q – I read this site all the time now and I know you are not particularly child-centered. But please help us. We’ve got eleven year-old Natalie and thirteen year-old George, Muggles one and all. They are begging us to take them to Universal for a week of Harry Potterizing. Has anyone on your staff been there and is it worth it. We can afford to spend more than most but we want our kids to have the best possible adventure and experience so just wondering what you think. We’d stay at a really nice hotel – I figure my husband and I will need it at the end of seven or eight very long days. If you don’t have an opinion, we’ll still be loyal fans and readers.

A – We have an opinion on rice. No worries. We don’t think you should go to Universal in Orlando, despite the fact that they have done an outstanding job creating “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.” Instead, we suspect your kids might appreciate the ultimate adventure in the northwest suburbs of London. It may take a few hours longer to fly to London than Orlando but, ahh, the wonders that await.

Casual American visitors often miss the opportunity because it requires public bus transportation. Pre-book the tour, about $132 USD for a family of four, by going to www.wbstudiotour.co.uk When you set off on your visit make your way to the Watford Junction station in central London and take the bus Northeast to “Harry’s”. Everyone at the station will know the right bus. You’ll be dropped off twenty minutes later.

The studio tour is brand new and features the original sets and props and special effects used in all eight movies. So you get to actually enter Hogwart’s Hall, spend a few moments in the ”Defense Against the Dark Arts” classroom, and seek wisdom in Dumbledore’s Office. The actual make-up studio and prop rooms are fascinating and any any true Potter fan will salivate at the notion of strolling down Diagon Allen.You can even make a deposit in the Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

So, our advice is to get thee to London. The kids can visit Florida when they’re in their nineties.
OUR BEST BALTIC BET
Q – I have avoided cruises for most of my adult life, not wishing to attend any party I would be unable to leave at my choosing. In February, my wife and I accepted an invitation to join her tennis group and their spouses on what seems to have been a stereotypical cruise of the Caribbean aboard what I would categorize as a “mass market” line. The overall experience was good, despite the constant attempts to sell us wine tastings, overpriced aperitifs, gold and silver chains by the inch, photographs of every imaginable type and marked down tee shirts. The important outcome was that we grasped the concept far more positively than anticipated. We very much enjoyed the relaxation, the comfort, the unpacking and packing but once, and would like to expand upon it. Over the last few years we have planned vacations using travel agents from the Wendy Perrin list and were quite pleased. At least one of them was affiliated with Virtuoso. As we consider another cruise opportunity, it makes sense to follow suit, hence this email.

We are interested in a 2013 Baltic cruise utilizing one of the smaller ship cruise lines. Of particular interest are Copenhagen, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg food, comfort and unobtrusive service in a moderately casual setting are important factors, along with excellent shore excursions and compatible people. We enjoy fine dining but don’t feel compelled to dress formally for the experience. It is our hope that friends with whom we’ve traveled for over thirty years will join us. We are very much open to your suggestions.

A – Well you’ve written a fairly accurate description of the hazards of mass market ships. They turn many sophisticated travelers off to the notion of cruising but you, to your credit, have picked up on the infinite possibilities of a vacation at sea ensconced in the bosom of a five star ship and crew. Based on your desire for quality, emphasis on relaxed dress, and our belief that any Baltic cruise ought to properly afford you three full days to enjoy the cultural treasures of St. Petersburg, all arrows in our quiver are pointing in the direction of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

We should probably add one caveat. Cruise lines, even the better ones, almost never operate shore excursions. They contract with local operators in each port, a function of the Port Agent who represents their interests in each port. Port agents usually work for several cruise lines. They negotiate and help select shore excursion offerings based on the criteria of each cruise line’s Shore Excursion Department. But if there is only one bus company in a city with the number of air-conditioned buses and suitable guides to handle hundreds of guests at one time, that is the company the cruise line must use. So in many situations their hands are tied and it ends up that many cruise lines will offer the same basic history tours and overviews. The secret of enjoying a Baltic cruise is to have your days in St. Petersburg handled by a company that really knows what it is doing. We would suggest that you choose a cruise consultant for this particular cruise who is fully capable of making your time in Russia truly memorable.
PONDERING SOUTH AFRICA ON A RIVER CRUISE
Q – We have found a sixteen-day tour to South Africa run by AMA Waterways. I’ve never heard of them or the river cruise boat they are using, a boat called the MS Zambezi Queen. South Africa has been a dream of ours for a very long time. On this trip you get to see Cape Town, then you do a safari cruise through the Okavango Delta and you stay for two nights each in two safari camps. The trip ends with two nights in Victoria Falls. At $12,000 per person not including airfare, this is a considerable investment. Since we’ve never heard of these companies we were wondering what you think we should do? Is this really a smart way to see South Africa and is the boat really reliable. It really looks nice. Can’t wait for your response. Oh, I should add that we’re in our mid-sixties, we live in Tampa, and, sad to say, we’re not as well traveled as many of the people who ask questions on this site. Our doctor says we’re in good shape but what the hell does he know?

A – We really think you have walked or, rather, stumbled into one of the exciting new programs in South Africa. We absolutely love this new itinerary and, as safari programs go, the price is really quite reasonable given that it includes internal flights and some extremely good camps. WE think you should do it with one important caveat. But, first, let’s clear up any confusion about the company involved. AMA Waterways is highly respected but they have made their name primarily as operators of river boats in Europe. They place extremely high in our ratings, ahead of well-known brands such as Viking River and Avalon. But South Africa is a bit new for them. They are actually selling space on the Zambezi Queen. This boat was built in 2009. She is absolutely beautiful with a modern design that allows for maximum viewing of the sight’s along the Chobe River in Botswana. Botswana is considered the best game-viewing location in all of southern Africa. The smallest cabin on the boat is over 200 square feet, larger than most European river boat standard cabins. The itinerary is masterful – you fly into Cape Town, then go to two different safari camps, then a four night cruise, followed by two nights in Victoria. Falls. This is a wonderful collection of experiences.

But we said there was a caveat. The cabins on the Queen are not air-conditioned. Only the public areas are air conditioned. So guests sleep under ceiling fans in their room. This can work well but you need to know this fact. Would we do this program – do we recommend it? Enthusiastically.
IDEAL TIMES TO VISIT CHINA AND THE SILK ROAD
Q – We’re recently retired from the financial sector where, I suppose you could say, quoting that famous Saturday Night Sketch, “we’ve done berry, berry well.” So now it’s time to see the rest of the world excluding Europe, a continent we know well. Our first thoughts are to do, perhaps, two trips to China, one to see the highlights, and the second to do the Silk Road and Tibet. Should we pay to use a travel agent and when should we plan on going. There seems to be conflicting information about the best time to see China. Finally, how do we find an agent who will work with us for our next decade of travel. We’re in our early sixties and anxious to get started. Congratulations on the site. It is wonderful.

A – The sheer size of China makes it somewhat difficult to certify the best months to visit but there certainly are some guidelines. We would suggest you visit in April, May, September, October, or the first half of November for optimum weather. But the northern extremes of the country, including portions of the Silk Road, as well as Tibet are best seen in June, July, and August.

Given the amount of travel you are planning in the next ten years or so, it would be wise to establish a relationship with a nationally-recognized worldwide consultant. That is quite different than a travel agent. A travel agent’s primary job is selling airlines tickets. You need a worldwide vacation planner with worldwide contacts. Interview the firm under consideration. See if there is a comfort and a confidence level. Then, it might be wise to set up an appointment and review your desires and specific needs which will result in the formulation of a five-year Travel Plan, not unlike what financial planners do for their clients. Do not limit yourself to working with someone in the immediate neighborhood or even your own State. The best person for you may be out-of-state but that would still enable you to have Skype, I Chat, or telephone conferences. A good vacation consultant will help you prioritize your travels, an often daunting task. There are definitely, for instance, going to be some destinations you will need to do first because they will require greater stamina. Tibet is such a destination. Thank you berry much.

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