Despite it being more than a year away, planning ahead and booking soon might be the only way to get on some of these cruises!

An eclipse is a life-changing event.

Why is Eclipse Cruising the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

For a long time, solar eclipse cruises were something only done by small, boutique cruise lines or charters at exceedingly high prices. However, the 2017 eclipse that went across the USA sparked a real interest in eclipses for many Americans. In 2024, a few lines offered an eclipse cruise, which we were a part of, and they were a smash hit. Now a growing list of cruise lines are unveiling total solar eclipse cruises for August 2027.

The rising popularity of eclipse cruises means that lines, such as Princess, are selling out of the itineraries for 2026, and cabins on 2027 sailings are moving just as fast. In the past, we observed an increase in cost the closer eclipse cruises got to the departure date, so if you are interested in doing one, you’ll want to get a deposit in as soon as you can.

Important!

The safest way to secure the best price is to book now but with a REFUNDABLE deposit. Typically, cruise prices will increase over time, sometimes significantly. In the rare event the fare goes down, having a refundable deposit makes it much easier to reprice to the lower cost.

The 2017 eclipse that started the craze.

What Cruises are Available?

Here are some of the announced total solar eclipse sailings for July 2027. Since this is the hottest type of cruise right now, we expect more to be coming. 

Regent Seven Seas has a 2027 solar eclipse cruise. For an exquisite time, Regent is one of the best in small luxury cruising. If you’d like to learn more about the Regent experience, check out our look at it.

Virgin Voyage’s Eleven-night sailing out of Barcelona will be a fantastic time, as they are making sure to be out at sea for the Eclipse proper, as well as going along to Portugal and Morocco.

Cunard is offering a solar eclipse cruise on the Queen Victoria with a ton of stops at beautiful European ports. Departing from England, you will get a wide variety of places including France, Portugal, and Spain.

For something truly unique, Viking River Cruises is offering a Solar Eclipse cruise on the Nile in Egypt. Experiencing ancient Egypt and a cosmically powerful event all in one trip. But don’t get your hopes up as they are currently sold out. But you can still hope spaces open up.

How Do I Get in on the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

If you want to learn more about what sailing a solar eclipse cruise is like, and why it’s one of the hottest cruises right now, check out our blog post of our experience on Princess Cruises off Mexico’s coast. 

While we expect other lines might join in on the eclipse craze, these are available now. They are all selling out quickly. So, if you are even thinking about this, consider reaching out to us to help get pricing and put down a refundable deposit to lock in your cruise now! 

The post What is the Hottest Cruise for 2027? appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Solo travel is becoming one of the most popular types of travel, yet travelers are often plagued with much higher per person costs. Solo travelers are well aware of the dreaded single supplement. Most cruise lines and tour groups require a solo traveler to pay the same as two people sharing a room. This is the 100% single supplement. However, it is possible to find offers that reduce the price of traveling solo. These are the best solo deals available right now.

AMAWaterways. Ever dreamed of a European River cruise?  They are delightful! Book select sailings by March 31 and there is NO single supplement! Explore the Rhine, Bordeaux, the Danube, Moselle and more. You may the same rate as anyone else! Follow this link to explore AMAWaterways solo specials. Before you book, check with us as we can often add additional perks or savings.

It’s no secret we love AMAWaterways.

Beautiful Strasbourg

Looking for an Ocean Cruise? Solo Travel Deals

Regent Seven Seas, one of the world’s most luxurious and all-inclusive lines has reduced single supplements for solo travelers on select voyages. Find one you like and check with us before you book to see what we can add on to enhance your experience.

We are fans of Virgin Voyages. Solo travelers can find reduced single supplement offers from Virgin here. Be sure to check with us before booking as we have many perks and tips to offer. Virgin invites solo travelers to a group dinner early in the cruise, and has other opportunities for singles to meet new friends.

Upscale lines Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Oceania, Seabourn and Ponant are offering select sailings with no single supplement to destinations around the world, including Alaska, Greece, New Guinea, Norway, Iceland, Pitcairn and Easter Islands, Spain, and Polynesia.

Morocco

Solo Travel Deals: Land Based Tours

Two of the best choices for solo travel deals are G Adventures and Intrepid. These tours are very popular with single women as you travel safely with a very small group and guide.

However, if you’d like your own space, you can pay for an individual room on most of our trips.

Intrepid Travel is known for treating solo travelers well. They specialize in small group travel to fascinating destinations. It is perfect for solo travelers. In fact, half or more of Intrepid’s travelers are singles.

Intrepid will pair you with another solo traveler of the same gender. If you wish to room alone, the upcharge is reasonable.

Intrepid’s motto is Go Solo, But Not Alone. The average Intrepid trip has about ten people on it – people of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world. You are guided by a local guide who knows the backstreet bars, cool tapas joint and hidden galleries. They’ll give you tips for your free time exploring, and introduce you to locals. They can help you travel safely.

Intrepid truly covers the world with travels to the polar regions, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, pretty much anywhere you want to go.

Puffins in Iceland!

G Adventures is another great choices for the solo traveler. Known for offering National Geographic and Jane Goodall journeys, they charge no dreaded single supplement. You travel safely with a small group and guide. Visit destinations off the tourist trail such as Pakistan, Tibet, and Madacascar. They too will match you with another traveler of the same gender. And, for a small amount more, you can have your own room. Now they offer “Solo-ish” trips you can choose from too. Everyone in the group will be a solo traveler!

It’s a wonderful world and you can travel solo safely and affordably if you know where to look.

The post Solo Travel Deals Available Now appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Research shows that the average person who plans their own trip spends over 30 hours researching it. That’s almost a whole work week and many people spend more time than that! As travel agents, we devote ourselves to knowing which cruise will be the best cruise for each client, while also saving them time and money.

How can you avoid wasting time and money on your cruise planning, and get to relaxing sooner? Here are some amazing cruise planning tips.

There are 18 cruise lines and almost 800 cruises in Alaska alone – that’s a lot to research. Save yourself time by working with an expert to pick your cruise..

Tip 1: Before You Choose a Cruise, Think!

The most important cruise planning tip is to think before you book! Don’t jump at the first low price or pretty social media post. Ask yourself, what are you looking to get from your cruise. Are you looking for the best cruise line for your family? Or perhaps a romantic trip for two with no kids? Is there a destination you have in mind?

The most important question to ask yourself is what is your budget? Since the pandemic, many travelers have decided to upgrade their travel and splurge on something they might not have before. But it’s about what works for you! We often see people jump at a low advertised price without realizing they will end up paying more in the end than if they had booked a higher priced cruise that included more. We often prepare spreadsheets for our clients so they can compare apples-to-apples.

If you are using a travel advisor, and you should, tell them clearly what you want so they can help you plan your perfect trip.

Questions to answer for planning your cruise:

• Who is traveling? There are cruise lines that specialize in kids and others that don’t allow children. Will it be multi-generational? Cruising solo is popular, is that you?
• Are you restricted to certain dates? If so, you might want to engage a travel agent (also known as a travel advisor), at no cost to you, who can quickly scan your date range and tell you what is available.
• Do you have certain destinations in mind or do you just want to cruise? Alaska is extremely popular and there is much to know to maximize your experience.
• Do you have a budget? See Tip 2.
• When you stay in a hotel do you stay at a Four Seasons, a Motel 6, or something in between? Cruiselines have the same types of differences in luxury and quality. As part of your research, make sure you know you are getting the cruise you want. The more you tell your travel advisor, the better they can match you to the right cruise.
• Make a list of what you will want, such as:
  • Wi-fi
  • Specialty dining
  • Drinks (many lines charge extra for soft drinks as well as wine, alcohol, etc.)
  • Gratuities. While technically optional, you should pay them. They can be as high as $20 per person per day as only a few crusielines include them in the price.
  • Spa services
  • Shore excursions
  • Room service. Many lines charge extra for this.

Tip 2: Consider Value Over Price For A Cruise

All too often, travelers get drawn in by a low advertised price, only to find out at the end of the cruise they owe money for all sorts of things. Watch for items like crew gratuities, wi-fi, soft drinks, even coffees and dining! These costs all add up, and this doesn’t even include shore excursions. This doesn’t mean cruising isn’t a good value–it is!

Speaking of the value of cruising, we often see people who have sticker shock over the price of a cruise. Then they compare a comparable land vacation and realize the value of a cruise.

If you’re planning a cruise, that more expensive looking choice may be a better value. Look behind the curtain of a “good deal” and make an informed decision. We’ve seen far too many people book a “cheap” cruise, then end up spending more money on all the extras, than if they had booked a “more expensive” cruise that included more. Don’t let that happen to you.

We prepare spreadsheets for our clients who are choosing between different cruises so they can see the actual cost and value of each.

Several cruise lines engage in more honest pricing. They will include beverages, Wi-Fi, port fees, crew gratuities, specialty restaurants, and sometimes even shore excursions. Booking a cruise with one of them can result in a much better and more relaxing experience.

Virgin Voyages includes more with Fair and Flexible pricing

Tip 3: How to Choose a Cruise to Get the Best Price?

This is one of our best cruise planning tips. While last minute deals still exist, nowadays the cruise lines often make the best offers to those who book early. We always suggest booking as early as you can with a refundable deposit. With a refundable deposit, it’s easier to get the price reduced if the price drops later. Or, worst case, cancel the booking and start a new one.

Tip 4: Booking The Cruise

Once you’ve decided what cruise you want to take and when you want to take it, now it’s time to book it. That’s not where the stress ends though.

When COVID hit in 2020, we had quite a few clients booked on cruises. Some of these cruises cost tens of thousands of dollars! Worse, they had not purchased travel insurance. After lots of work and hours on hold, we were able to get all of our clients a refund. People who had booked cruises themselves, had to fight for refunds on their own.

Good travel agents fight for their clients in those situations. Car crashes, job loss, and personal or family illness can happen to anyone. By working with us, we can make it easier for you to recover your money if something goes wrong with your trip. And of course it is why we always recommend purchasing trip protection.

Many people are not aware that it doesn’t cost you anything extra to book with a travel agent. There are exceptions to that, as some travel agents do charge an upfront planning fee, but many, like us, do not. In addition, the travel agent will have your back if things don’t go right.

Working with a travel advisor can be the best way to choose a cruise.

Tip 5: Best Cruises for Families

We think a cruise is the perfect way for a group of friends and family to travel together. We’ve done it many times. Everyone gets to the same place at the same time. On board, you can spend as much, or as little, time together as you wish.

It’s great for multi-generational travel as the kids can have fun all day in the children’s program while Mom and Dad visit the spa and Grandma and the aunties play pickleball or take a painting class. Or, all the adults can just sip margaritas by the pool. Some groups only see each other at dinner because they are so busy with their own activities.  And the children’s programs are so much fun it can be hard to get the kids to leave at the end of the day.

The ship’s photographers will be happy to take as many pictures of your group as want with no sitting fees. You only pay for the pictures you want. No obligation!

Finally, if your group is large enough, there may be extra perks and discounts available. A good travel agent can not only help you choose a cruise but can save you many headaches by keeping track of what all the aunts and uncles and nephews and nieces want.

Popular cruises for families are the Royal Caribbean (RCCL) and the Disney Cruise Line (of course). But don’t overlook cruises like Celebrity and Princess who have excellent children and teen programs. Princess especially in great for Alaska and we consider the Princess Plus program to be one of the best values in cruising.

Tip 6: Cabin Selection on a Cruise

Some people care passionately about their cabin location, others not so much. If you don’t care, you can often choose to book a “guarantee” cabin at a slightly lower price. This means they guarantee you a cabin in that category such as a balcony or suite, but you won’t know which exact one it is until just before you board.

When choosing a cabin, here are some things to think about:

• Who will share what kinds of cabins? If the kids are teens, you can book a balcony cabin for the parents and an inside cabin, across the hall, for the kids.
• Do you need the cabins to be close together? Do you need the cabins to have a connecting door?
• Does the cruise ship sail up a coastline? (We’re looking at you, Alaska) If it does, then one side of the ship is going to have far better cabin views than others.

Tip 7: Best Cruises for Adults

Cruise planning tips for sailing without children. Two cruise lines do not allow children at all: Virgin Voyages and Viking Ocean.

Other cruise lines allow children but you will find fewer, depending on the season and itinerary. These include Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, and Oceania. We like Azamara for its extended stays at many ports.

Newcomer Virgin Voyages is winning every award in sight and is winning over veteran cruisers from other lines. Check out our posts about sailing on Virgin.

We also are big fans of Cunard, which offers a sophisticated experience. You can actually sail between New York and England, often for less than the price of flying business class. Seven nights of great food, entertainment and accomodation–and no jet lag!

Tip 8: Upgrades

In the not-too-distant-past, veteran cruisers would sometimes experience the “Upgrade Fairy,” meaning the cruise line gave them a free upgrade. Nowadays, that is incredibly rare. More and more cruise lines have programs in which you make blind bids on upgrades should they become available. Some examples are Princess Upgrades, Royal Caribbean’s Royal Up, Virgin’s Level Up, and Celebrity’s Move Up.

We hope these cruise planning tips help you choose your cruise. If you need suggestions for getting the price on airfare, check out this post.

Check out this recent New York Times article describing why so many people of all ages are taking their first cruise.

If Athens is on your itinerary, be sure to read our article about one of the best museums in the world, the Acropolis Museum.

Ready for More Great Travel Tips?

Every week we share our favorite travel secrets and tips. You can view them all here.

The post Amazing Cruise Planning Tips appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

An eclipse is a life-changing event.

Why is this the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

For a long time, solar eclipse cruises were something only done by small, boutique cruise lines or charters at exceedingly high prices. However, the 2017 eclipse that went across the USA sparked a real interest in people. Then, a few lines did an eclipse cruise for 2024, which we were a part of, and it was a smash hit. Now many cruise lines are unveiling total solar eclipse cruises for August 2026.

Seeing the growing popularity of eclipse cruises, they’ve become the hottest cruises on the market, with several lines, such as Princess, already selling out. These are cruises are likely to increase in cost the closer they get to sailing, so if you are interested in doing one, you’ll want to get a deposit in as soon as you can. 

Important!

The best way to secure the best price is to book now but with a REFUNDABLE deposit. For those most part, prices will increase significantly. In the rare event the fare goes down, having a refundable deposit make it easier to reprice to the lower cost.

The 2017 eclipse that started the craze.

What Cruises are Available?

Here are some of the announced total solar eclipse sailings for August 2026. Since this is the hottest type of cruise right now, we expect more to be coming. 

Azamara Eclipse cruises. Azamara, known for longer experiential port callings and smaller ship luxury, has three sailings. 

Virgin Voyages has two 2026 solar eclipse cruises. One sails for 12-nights from Barcelona to Rome and the other sails 15 nights roundtrip from England with visits to Scotland and Iceland.  

Cunard will have three solar eclipse sailings, and we have special pricing on two of them. We have arranged special group pricing on two Cunard eclipse sailings. These groups allow us to hold prices even if the standard price goes up. 

Finally, two of the smaller cruise lines, Atlas Ocean Voyages and Windstar Iceland have sailings. They are a boutique and luxurious experience small ship experiences. 

As we said before, Princess Cruises, who we sailed with for the April 2024 eclipse and helped cement solar eclipse cruises as the hottest cruises right now. On August 12, 2026, Sky Princess will sail directly into the “path of totality” on a  special 14-night Total Solar Eclipse Cruise which also visits France, Spain and Portugal. The cruise departs Southampton August 8, 2026. It is currently sold out but you may be able to snag a wait-list spot.

How Do I Get in on the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

If you want to learn more about what sailing a solar eclipse cruise is like, and why it’s one of the hottest cruises right now, check out our blog post of our experience on Princess Cruises off Mexico’s coast. 

While we expect other lines might join in on the eclipse craze, these are available now. They are all selling out quickly. So, if you are even thinking about this, consider reaching out to us to help get pricing and put down a refundable deposit to lock in your cruise now! 

The post What is the Hottest Cruise Right Now? appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Imagine the possibilities: explore the Colosseum in Rome and then take a stroll through the streets of Lisbon. After you take in the breathtaking views of the Acropolis in Athens you can enjoy a few days in the vibrant city of Istanbul. You could explore London and then visit beautiful Iceland.

Are you looking for a great way to get the most out of your travel budget? Look no further as here is our airfare secret! Certain airlines allow you to book a round-trip flight to a great destination with a stop-over at your connecting city for up to ten days. You can explore two great destinations for the price of one airfare! This is a great way to maximize your travel budget and get the most out of your trip. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! 

Experience what you’re missing out on during those long-haul flights!

Explore Iceland

When you fly transatlantic with Icelandair, you can choose to add a 1-to-7-day stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare. This airfare secret will let you experience the natural wonder and beauty of Iceland. Icelandair flies from Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Orlando, and New York. Because they fly to popular destinations such as Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Glasgow, and more, you have great choices. To learn more, check out their program here! And be sure to check out our tips for exploring this beautiful country.

Relax in Lisbon or Porto Portugal

If you fly TAP Air Portugal, you can layover in Lisbon or Porto for up to ten days on the same round-trip airfare. This way, you can experience the food, wine and culture of Portugal firsthand on your way to or from your main destination with this airfare secret! To see some of the options for Air Portugual layovers, check out this link! Air Portugal has flights from Boston, Chicago, Miami, Montreal, Toronto, San Francisco, Washington D.C., or New York. It’s a marvelous airfare hack.

TAP even has a surfing program with special discounts on hotels and surfing lessons.

Istanbul Airfare Hack: Free Hotel Too!

Further, Turkish Air does the other programs one better by providing guests a free hotel room with this great airfare hack. Schedule a stopover of 20 hours or more in Istanbul and stay in a contracted hotel. You can explore the city’s historical and cultural activities specific to Istanbul, including the Hagia Sophia. With this, Economy Class passengers may stay one night in a 4-star hotel and Business Class passengers may stay two nights in a 5-star hotel free of charge. To read more about this program, head to this link.

Abu Dhabi

If your next route threads the paths between the East and West, make sure to catch your breath at Abu Dhabi, the sparkling capital of the United Arab Emirates. An oasis of immense splendor, Eithad Air enhances your journey with fascinating stopover packages that offer exclusive discounts of up to 40 per cent off at its most prestigious hotels. Even more exciting, selected three- and four-star establishments in the city are offering complimentary stays of up to two nights. Beyond the luxury, Abu Dhabi beckons with its rich Arabian culture, an impressive display of art and striking iconic landmarks that underscore the city’s traditional roots and modern evolution.

Dubai

As you may know, Dubai is home to the world’s largest building and the world’s largest shopping mall. Further benefits of booking a stopover come from 24-hour hotel check-in and 10 per cent discounts on new flight bookings. Enter multi-city details when booking and contact Emirates to help design a tailor-made stopover package, including the finest hotels and excursions. 

Ready for More Great Travel Tips?

Also, We share our favorite travel secrets and tips every week. You can see them all here.

Check out Tips for Surviving Air

and Tips for Getting the Best Price on airfare.

We tell you When Is The Best Time to Book Travel.

New Travel Restrictions to Know About.

The post 2024 Best Airfare Secret! Two for One Destinations! appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Research shows that the average person who plans their own trip spends over 30 hours researching it. That’s almost a whole work week and many people spend more time than that! We cover the best cruise lines for adults as well as the best cruise lines for families. Keep reading for our tips on how to choose the best cruise lines for you.

How can you avoid wasting time and money, and get to relaxing sooner? Here’s how you can find the best cruises for you.

There are 18 cruise lines and almost 800 cruises in Alaska alone – that’s a lot to research. Save yourself time by working with an expert to pick your cruise..

Tip 1: Before You Choose a Cruise, Think!

Ask yourself, what are you looking to get from your cruise. Are you looking for the best cruise line for families? Or perhaps a romantic trip for two? Is there a destination you have in mind?

The most important question to ask though, what is your budget? Since the pandemic began, more travelers have decided to upgrade their travel and splurge on something they might not have before. But it’s about what works for you!

If you are using a travel agent, and you should, tell them clearly what you want so they can help you plan your perfect trip.

Tip 2: Consider Value Over Price For A Cruise

All too often, travelers get drawn in by a low advertised price, only to find out at the end of the cruise they owe money for all sorts of things. Watch for items like port fees and taxes, crew gratuities, wi-fi, soft drinks, even coffees and dining! These costs all add up, and this doesn’t even include shore excursions. This doesn’t mean cruising isn’t a good value–it is!

If you’re planning a cruise, that more expensive looking choice may be a better value. Look behind the curtain of a “good deal” and make an informed decision. We’ve seen far too many people book a “cheap” cruise, then end up spending more money on all the extras, than if they had booked a “more expensive” cruise that included more. Don’t let that happen to you.

We often prepare spreadsheets for our clients who are choosing between different cruises so they can see the actual cost and value of each.

Several cruise lines engage in, what we feel is more honest pricing. They will include beverages, Wi-Fi, port fees, crew gratuities, specialty restaurants, and sometimes even shore excursions. Booking a cruise with one of them can result in a much better and more relaxing experience.

Tip 3: How to Choose a Cruise to Get the Best Price?

While last minute deals still exist, nowadays the cruise lines often make the best offers to those who book early. We always suggest booking as early as you can with a refundable deposit. With a refundable deposit, it’s easier to get the price reduced if the price drops later.

Doing this trick can be hard to pull off though, since you have to remember to constantly check for price changes. That’s a big advantage that many travel agents, like us, can offer clients. If you book a cruise using a travel agent, we watch for price drops and will reach out if there’s a way to reduce what you pay or even upgrade without increasing the price. And of course, if you discover the better price, let us know so we can go to work for you.

Tip 4: Booking The Cruise

Once you’ve decided what cruise you want to take and when you want to take it, now it’s time to book it. That’s not where the stress ends though.

When COVID hit in 2020, we had quite a few clients booked on cruises. Some of these cruises cost tens of thousands of dollars! We were able to get all of our clients a refund. People who had booked cruises themselves, had to fight for refunds on their own. There are horror stories of people struggling to get their money back for vacations that never happened.

Good travel agents fight for their clients in those situations. And just because COVID is more under control, there are other emergencies that happen. Car crashes, sudden illness, even job loss. By working with us, we can make it easier for you to recover your money if something goes wrong with your trip.

The main thing is, many people are not aware that it doesn’t cost you anything to book with a travel agent. There are exceptions to that, as some travel agents are charging an upfront planning fee, but many, like us, do not. In addition, the travel agent will have your back if things don’t go right.

Working with a travel advisor can be the best way to choose a cruise.

Tip 5: Best Cruises for Families

We think a cruise is the perfect way for a group of friends and family to travel together. We’ve done it many times. Everyone gets to the same place at the same time. On board, you can spend as much, or as little, time together as you wish.

It’s great for multi-generational travel as the kids can have fun all day in the children’s program while Mom and Dad visit the spa and Grandma and the aunties play pickleball or take a painting class. Or all the adults just sip margaritas by the pool. Some groups only see each other at dinner because they are so busy.  And the children’s programs are so much fun it can be hard to get the kids to leave at the end of the day.

The ship’s photographers will be happy to take as many pictures of your group as want with no sitting fees. You only pay for the pictures you want. No obligation!

Finally, if your group is large enough, there may be extra perks and discounts available. A good travel agent can not only help you choose a cruise but can save you many headaches by keeping track of what all the aunts and uncles and nephews and nieces want.

Some of the best cruises for families are the Royal Caribbean (RCCL) fun ships and the Disney Cruise Line (of course). But don’t overlook cruises like Celebrity and Princess who have excellent children and teen programs.

Tip 6: Cabin Selection on a Cruise

Some people care passionately about their cabin location, others not so much. If you don’t care, you can often choose to book a “guarantee” cabin at a slightly lower price. This means they guarantee you a cabin in that category such as a balcony or suite, but you won’t know which exact one it is until just before you board.

When choosing a cabin, here are some things to think about:

• Who will share what kinds of cabins? If the kids are teens, you can book a balcony cabin for the parents and an inside cabin, across the hall, for the kids.
• Do you need the cabins to be close together? Do you need the cabins to have a connecting door?
• Does the cruise ship sail up a coastline? (We’re looking at you, Alaska) If it does, then one side of the ship is going to have far better cabin views than others.

Tip 7: Best Cruises for Adults

Some of the best cruises for adults include Regent Seven Seas, Viking, Seabourn, Silversea, and Oceania. We like Azamara for its extended stays at many ports. Newcomer Virgin Voyages is winning every award in sight and is winning over veteran cruisers from other lines. Check out our posts about sailing on Virgin.

We also are big fans of Cunard, which offers a sophisticated experience. You can actually sail between New York and England, often for less than the price of flying business class. Seven nights of great food, entertainment and accomodation–and no jet lag!

Tip 8: Upgrades

In the not-too-distant-past, veteran cruisers would sometimes experience the “Upgrade Fairy,” meaning the cruise line gave them a free upgrade. Nowadays, that is incredibly rare. More and more cruise lines have programs in which you can make blind bids on upgrades should they become available. Some examples are Princess Upgrades, Royal Caribbean’s Royal Up, Virgin’s Level Up, and Celebrity’s Move Up.

We hope these tips help you choose your cruise. If you need suggestions for getting the price on airfare, check out this post.

Check out this recent New York Times article describing why so many people of all ages are taking their first cruise.

If Athens is on your itinerary, be sure to read our article about one of the best museums in the world, the Acropolis Museum.

Ready for More Great Travel Tips?

Every week we share our favorite travel secrets and tips. You can view them all here.

The post Best Cruises for 2024 appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Imagine the possibilities: explore the Colosseum in Rome and then take a stroll through the streets of Lisbon. After you take in the breathtaking views of the Acropolis in Athens you can enjoy a few days in the vibrant city of Istanbul. You could explore London and then visit beautiful Iceland. The little-known airfare secret is airline stopover programs. You can make the most of your travel budget and experience the best of two worlds. Many nationally owned airlines offer stopovers for up to ten days. Just imagine the possibilities! 

Are you looking for a great way to get the most out of your travel budget? Look no further! Certain airlines allow you to book a round-trip flight to a great destination with a stop-over at your connecting city for as long as ten days. You can explore two great destinations for the price of one airfare! This is a great way to maximize your travel budget and get the most out of your trip. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! 

Experience what you’re missing out on during those long-haul flights!

Explore Iceland

When you fly transatlantic with Icelandair, you can choose to add a 1-to-7-day stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare. This airfare secret will let you experience the natural wonder and beauty of Iceland. Icelandair flies from Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Orlando, and New York. Because they fly to popular destinations such as Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Glasgow, and more, you have great choices. To learn more, check out their program here! And be sure to check out our tips for exploring this beautiful country.

Relax in Lisbon or Porto Portugal

If you fly TAP Air Portugal, you can layover in Lisbon or Porto for up to ten days on the same round-trip airfare. This way, you can experience the food, wine and culture of Portugal firsthand on your way to or from your main destination with this airfare secret! To see some of the options for Air Portugual layovers, check out this link! Air Portugal has flights from Boston, Chicago, Miami, Montreal, Toronto, San Francisco, Washington D.C., or New York.

TAP even has a surfing program with special discounts on hotels and surfing lessons.

Istanbul Airfare Hack: Free Hotel Too!

Further, Turkish Air does the other programs one better by providing guests a free hotel room with this great airfare hack. Schedule a stopover of 20 hours or more in Istanbul and stay in a contracted hotel. You can explore the city’s historical and cultural activities specific to Istanbul, including the Hagia Sophia. With this, Economy Class passengers may stay one night in a 4-star hotel and Business Class passengers may stay two nights in a 5-star hotel free of charge. To read more about this program, head to this link.

Abu Dhabi

If your next route threads the paths between the East and West, make sure to catch your breath at Abu Dhabi, the sparkling capital of the United Arab Emirates. An oasis of immense splendor, Eithad Air enhances your journey with fascinating stopover packages that offer exclusive discounts of up to 40 per cent off at its most prestigious hotels. Even more exciting, selected three- and four-star establishments in the city are offering complimentary stays of up to two nights. Beyond the luxury, Abu Dhabi beckons with its rich Arabian culture, an impressive display of art and striking iconic landmarks that underscore the city’s traditional roots and modern evolution.

Dubai

As you may know, Dubai is home to the world’s largest building and the world’s largest shopping mall. Further benefits of booking a stopover come from 24-hour hotel check-in and 10 per cent discounts on new flight bookings. Enter multi-city details when booking and contact Emirates to help design a tailor-made stopover package, including the finest hotels and excursions. 

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Also, We share our favorite travel secrets and tips every week. You can see them all here.

Check out Tips for Surviving Air in 2023

and Tips for Getting the Best Price on airfare.

We tell you When Is The Best Time to Book Travel.

New Travel Restrictions to Know About.

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Fish and Lamb, Iceland’s Two Big Foods

These are the big two foods in Iceland. Every restaurant will have one or both on their menu. Both are fresh and amazing parts of Iceland’s national food and drink scene.

The lamb is succulent and tender, and the fish is worth the trip alone. When you are here, make sure you have some cod. There is a reason the British fought the Cod Wars with Iceland. Yes, there were cod wars.

Some of our group had cod every single day during our Iceland visit, and they never regretted it.

By the way, the fish and chips at this food truck at the harbor was so good we ate there three times in a week! They have a regular restaurant too, called Vagninn.

Fresh arctic char is another special fish to eat when you visit Iceland. If you have never tried it, it tastes like salmon.

Icelandic Hot Dogs What a Surprise!

When you think Iceland national food and drink, you think hot dogs, right? No? Well, after your Iceland vacation you will. Hot dogs are ubiquitous throughout the country, and they serve them up in their own way. First, they are all Icelandic-made mixing lamb, beef, and pork, and served with two types of onions and two types of sauces. They are fantastic and one of the most affordable meals in the country. Make sure to check out Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. You might not be able to pronounce it, but it is the original, and best, place for dogs on your Iceland vacation. 

Vegetarian Eating on Your Iceland Vacation

There has been a lot of meat in this post, but do not worry! If you abstain from meat and fish, or animal products altogether, you will not be starving on your Iceland visit! Every single restaurant that we visited had a variety vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. So, when you hear about Iceland vacations full of lamb and cod, know that it will be just as easy for the vegetarian traveler! 

Buying Groceries On Your Iceland Vacation

If you are enjoying your Iceland vacation, but want to cook yourself, or even just get a snack, you will want to stop by a grocery. Luckily, Iceland has them readily available. A lot of visitors are surprised by the price of food in Iceland, because it is relatively high. We really liked Bonus, which is a grocery store easily found by their piggy bank logo. It is a lot like an Aldi and has some of the better prices you can find. 

Hákarl and Svið, the Traditional Foods of Iceland

If you are adventurous about food and drink in Iceland, two of the traditional Iceland national food and drinks are Hákarl and Svið. Svið is a boiled sheep head, usually served with potatoes. While it is just as tasty as any of the other lamb in Iceland, its appearance can be off-putting. 

Meanwhile there is Hákarl. This is a fermented shark, typically served in small cubes. The shark is buried and left to rot, then dried in the air for months. It is often served with a shot of the rye liquor called Brennivin (probably to get the taste out of your mouth).  Bennivin’s nickname is “Black Death.” We ended up not trying the Hakarl, because every single server warned us about how nasty it is. It is described as intensely fishy and ammonia rich. If you want to try it on your Iceland visit, don’t say we didn’t warn you!  However, we are happy to attest that the Brennivin is good and potent.

For other travel planning tips for an Iceland vacation read more.

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Iceland has it all: Waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, hiking, hot spring spas, geysers, friendly people, whale-watching, puffins, and more! Be sure to read our post on Iceland’s gorgeous Golden Circle as it a “must do” on every visitor’s list.

The Best Time to Visit Iceland

Most people visit in June, July, or August when the weather is best and there is sunlight almost 24 hours a day.  The shoulder seasons (May and September) are delightful, and things are less crowded. We went in late May and loved it. We think May is the best time to visit Iceland, especially if you want to see the puffins. And you should see the adorable puffins!

Best Time to Visit Iceland for the Northern Lights

If your goal is to see the Northern Lights, you should go in the winter months. You cannot see the Aurora Borealis in the summer due to the sunlight. There are many tour options for seeing the Northern Lights.  Your chances of seeing them are excellent as you are just below the Arctic Circle, but you MUST go during the winter months. This means September through April, but October through March are the best for catching them.

Things To Do Visiting Iceland

There are so many things to do in Iceland! Spectacular waterfalls! Glaciers! Volcanoes! Ice caves! Whale-watching! Geysers! Hot springs and spas! Birdwatching!  Iceland is a hikers’ paradise.

The Blue Lagoon is a famous hot spring spa but there are others as well. By the way, Iceland relies heavily on its abundant geothermal energy. Because of this, don’t be surprised if there is a slight sulfur smell in your shower as they are using water from the hot springs.

We spent over six hours hiking over a still warm lava field at the famous Fagradalsfjall volcano which is not far from Rekyavik. By the way, it has already been covered with new flow.

Iceland’s volcanos are legendary. If you were traveling in Europe in April 2010, as we were, you will recall how air traffic was halted for almost a week due to volcanic ash from Eyjafjallajökull.

Packing for Visiting Iceland

Iceland’s weather is quite variable. Therefore, you should definitely dress in layers. We suggest a T-shirt, a sweater, and a water-proof jacket with a hood.  Take mittens or gloves and a knit hat, especially if you are whale or puffin watching from a boat.

How to Visit Iceland

Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. And, because in school everyone learns English, as well as Icelandic, it is a very easy country for an English-speaking traveler to navigate. Most Icelanders speak three or four languages.

The two best ways to tour Iceland are to take a guided vacation with a group or to rent a car and drive yourself.  There are also ocean cruises that pay shore visits to this amazing land.

For more ideas for your visit to Iceland, we suggest the Official Iceland Tourist Information page.

Iceland’s People

With fewer than 400,000 people, Iceland is Europe’s least densely populated country.  In fact, there are so few people that Icelanders created an app to help people from accidentally dating their cousins!

Iceland has one of the lowest poverty rates in the world. In general, most of the service employees you encounter will be relatively well-paid compared to their American counterparts.

LGBTQ+ Friendly

Everyone finds Iceland to be friendly and welcoming.  This is especially true for LGBTQ+ travelers who report feeling safe and welcome when visiting Iceland.

Money Matters

Tipping is neither customary nor expected. Of course, if you want to reward exceptional service, it is appreciated.

Credit cards are widely accepted. Bring two types, as not all are always accepted (especially American Express).

If you need Icelandic kronur, there are ATMs in the main tourist areas. Bring a debit card for withdrawals as credit card withdrawals can come with hefty fees.

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Food and Drink in Iceland

Iceland’s Golden Circle

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As travel advisors, we know that there is no shortage of travel deals and sales out there. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We take the time to sift through all the offers and select only the best deals that we think are worthy of your consideration. These sales offer the best vacation values and provide amazing experiences at unbeatable prices. So if you’re looking for an unbeatable deal on your next getaway, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be more than happy to help you find the perfect travel sale for you.

Read on for this month’s travel specials:

• The Best of Italy Guided Vacation for under $1200
• Princess cruises for under $100 per day
• Fantastic small ship expedition cruising all over the world for half price
• You can cruise Alaska this summer at some amazing prices

Amazing small ship expedition adventures

Half Price Expedition Cruises

Are you looking for an unforgettable experience that will last a lifetime? Look no further than an expedition cruise on a small ship! We know the perfect line that can make it happen. Plus, for a limited time you can take advantage of an exclusive offer – two can share a cabin for the price of one, and single travelers can still get a 50% discount!

You can choose sailings in Antarctica, Alaska, the Canary Islands, the Galapagos, Greenland, Iceland, or West Africa. Naturalists and expedition crew will be there to make your trip both educational and unforgettable. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to make lifetime memories – contact us today for more information on this exclusive offer!

This sale is not being advertised to the public. This amazing travel deal is only available through select travel advisors. The offer ends June 25.

Princess sails the Panama Canal

Princess Cruises Travel Deals For Under $100

Sail away to breathtaking beaches in the Caribbean, embark on a journey through the Panama Canal, explore the vibrant colors of Canada & New England in the fall, and much more—all for as little as $100 per person per day! In fact, some sailings are less than $60 per person per day.

Cruise with Princess for unbeatable prices, and enjoy accommodations, food, and entertainment all included in the price. Don’t miss out on this incredible offer, available only until July 5th! Contact us to see which voyages are included in this great travel deal.

See the Collosseum, the Vatican, the Tower of Pisa and ride a Venetian Gondola

A Great Vacation Value: A Week In Italy: Rome, Pisa, Florence and Venice

This is the perfect way to explore Italy without having to worry about the details! Starting at just $1,182 per person, this incredible tour package includes 6 nights’ accommodation, 6 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and transportation. Plus, you’ll get to experience a canal cruise in Venice, one of the world’s most romantic cities! You can also opt to add optional excursions or explore on your own – the choice is yours. Don’t miss out on this amazing value – book your dream Italian vacation today!

While you are thinking about all the best travel sales, don’t forget to check out our advice on getting the best deal on airfare, our tips on ocean cruising and more cruising tips. Thinking of a river cruise? Don’t miss our Value Guide to River Cruises.

Alaska On Sale

If you can cruise this summer, there are some amazing last minute Alaska cruise specials available. You can sail Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth for ten nights, including Glacier Bay, for just $899 per person. Or try a seven-night Celebrity cruise for a crazy $299 per person. Princess also has sailings for as low as $299 per person.

What’s the catch? These fares are for interior cabins, based on two people in the cabin. The fares do not include port fees or taxes, air, insurance, shore excursions, etc. However, they are great deals. There are sailings in July, August and September.

And here’s our favorite–On September 6, you can sail the Sapphire Princess with Jeff Corwin on board as your guide for $299 per person.

Be sure to contact us for more information on these great specials.

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