Homer’s two epic poems, The Odyssey and The Iliad, like much of Greek mythology, blur the lines between myth and reality. Stories such as Heracles or the Minotaur, often set fantastical, frequently impossible things within the places of the real world. If you too have been taken with Odyssey fever and discovered a fascination with Greek Mythology, let me tell you how to see the ancient Greek world in person.

Athens

In today’s world, the city of Athens has come to be the most visited spot for those fascinated by Greek history. That’s not surprising, given that it is the capital of Greece today and has a large port that cruise ships frequent. There’s also a decent international airport, making it an ideal location to vacation. Important for the topic of visiting ancient Greek sites is that Athens has continuously been a city for thousands of years. You can scarcely throw a rock without hitting a structure older than 500 years. Although genuine ruins of the ancient Greek world lie all around the city, and under it more often than not, the highlights to see here are among the most visited sites in the world.

The Parthenon at the Acropolis in Athens is a must when you visit Greece.

Most visible and famous is the Parthenon. Sitting above the rest of the Athens, on the Athenian Acropolis (a word which translates to mean the highest point of the city), the Parthenon is arguably the most recognizable feature of Greece culture and history. In its day, it was a temple to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare, where the city takes its name from. The site also has one of my favorite museums anywhere in the world, the aptly named Acropolis Museum. The museum sits above one of the archeological sites at the acropolis and visitors can simply look down and see real excavations going on beneath their feet.

Another ancient place is the Agora, which is a marketplace. The sprawling Agora of Athens contains its own museum that documents the Athenian democracy, housed inside a reconstructed stoa (covered walkway) that dates to 150 BC, temples to the gods Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Apollo, an odeon, a library, and the seat of the ancient Athenian government.

Perhaps obviously, there are many more sites in Athens beyond just these two that are connected with ancient Greece, much less other historic periods over the last 3000 years, but there are entire books dedicated to doing little more than listing things to see in Athens and we don’t have the space to do so here. However, I’ll mention a few of the more noteworthy.

Temple of Hephaestus in the Athens Agora

There’s the first modern Olympic stadium, the Panathenaic stadium, which houses the Olympic flame. Lycabettus Hill, which gives you amazing views of the city, has a bar to grab a drink at, and a conveniently placed church to apologize about the drinking at. Of course, you cannot visit Athens without visiting Plaka, a neighborhood just beneath the Acropolis filled with shops and restaurants for you to stop in as you wander the picturesque streets.

What’s the best way to get to Athens then? Since this is a modern metropolis, there’s all sorts of transportation that can get you here. Arriving by plane is very easy and their airport is smaller and simpler to navigate than many other cities. Hotels and vacation rentals are plentiful, so staying overnight isn’t a problem. Cruises, which often start in Athens and also frequently visit there, are another very easy way to visit the city. How long you want to stay in Athens specifically is the determining factor in what we would recommend.

Lycabettus Hill in Athens, Greece

If all you want to see is the Acropolis and maybe one or two other sites, you can do so in a day. It’ll be a busy day, but you can do it. This might fit best if you want to see as many places in Greece as possible, since vacations only last so long. If that’s what you’re looking to do, then a cruise that starts in Athens, which you should arrive at least 1 day before, might be the trick.

However, for longer stays focused on Athens and the surrounding areas, it may be better to connect with a tour group or arrange for a private tour for several days. Since Athens is so popular for travelers, there’s a booming industry of private drivers and tour guides that will work with you on planning a multi-day trip where they take you around to see the area’s sites. As I mentioned, there’s also pre-planned tours that go in a group and travel by bus through the city and to surrounding areas. These tours can be just a single day or even several days, stopping at multiple places in this part of Greece.

Thessaloniki & Mt Olympus

Greece’s second largest city is Thessaloniki. Although this city does not have as storied a history in ancient Greece as Athens does, it was founded in 315 BC, squarely in the Hellenistic period, and is directly connected with Alexander the Great. Most of the historic sites in the city itself relate to a much later period, that of the Byzantine Empire.

Thessaloniki Waterfront. Photo by Berthold Werner https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71127147

The Byzantines are not a subject frequently taught in US schools, so don’t worry if you’re from there and not familiar. I can’t say what schools in other countries are like on the subject, but here’s a short primer. The Byzantines were the eastern half of the Roman Empire that stuck around for centuries after the collapse of Rome. While their capital was in Byzantium, also known as Constantinople, now know as Istanbul. You see, Istanbul was Constantinople, but now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople. It’s been a long time gone, Constantinople and why they changed it I can’t say. Perhaps people just liked it better that way…

Now that I’ve cleared up the history of the capital, Thessaloniki was the “second city” of the empire, in comedy circles this would be like Chicago or Toronto. Ruins from both the Roman and Byzantine era are all over the city, notably the Arch and Rotunda of Galerius, the Palace of Galerius, and a massive Roman Forum. All of which you can visit and are right in the center of the town.

“But I’m here for Zeus, Athena, and Apollo!” You say! What do you care about some boring old Roman emperors? While Thessaloniki might not be as loaded up with the sort of Greek mythos you’re thinking of, it is a great place from which to visit the major site of Greek myths, Mount Olympus.

Yes, the Seat of the Gods, the place where Zeus and Dionysus threw some of the biggest intergalactic keggers the universe ever knew is just a short distance away from Thessaloniki. It was the first national park in Greece and part of the World Biosphere reserve. Mount Olympus has been the site of pilgrimage since at least 400 BC, and you can make that pilgrimage as well! There are tons of opportunities to go hike the ancient, divine stones of this mountain with guides who will tell you stories and myths that grew out of this amazing location.

Mt Olympus Photo By Cristo Vlahos – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30394901

In addition, you can visit the ruins of Dion, which sits at the foot of Mount Olympus and was the site where Alexander the Great’s Kingdom of Macedonia had their largest shire to Zeus. It was the center of religious power for the Macedonians, and hosted large complexes of baths, shrines, walls, mosaics, and more. They even have a “hydraulis” housed in the museum, which is an ancient bronze pipe organ. The site is a center of power for a lot of Macedonian history, and Alexander himself made enormous sacrifices to Zeus before his ill-fated campaign to Asia.

The best way to get to Thessaloniki is typically to fly in. There are some cruises that stop in the city, but it isn’t a main stop. That means that getting a hotel, for a few nights is the best way to stay. There’s some options for vacation rentals, but they aren’t as plentiful as in Athens. Fortunately, tour groups, drivers, and guides are in no short supply here and they can get you to any of the places you’d like to visit without any hassle.

Thermopylae, Delphi, and Lamia

There is hardly a single Greek myth that doesn’t include a guest appearance of the Fates or Oracles. While Greece was littered with Oracles, Delphi was the biggest of them all. This was where, Apollo had his Pythia deliver their visions of the future, and steer the course of history. To ignore these readings would bring destruction.

When you visit Greece, you can go to Delphi where the Oracle was. This is the Athens Treasury at the site.

The Oracle of Delphi certainly gave the site, nestled into the mountains, a great deal of importance to the Ancient Greeks. However, Delphi’s location was considered to be the center of the world – literally. Its position was marked by an omphalos, a type or religious artifact made of stone. The omphalos is still there today, now moved to the protected space of the site’s beautiful museum to preserve it, although we don’t know if it’s original or not. The point is, that when you visit Delphi, you are visiting the center of the Grecian world.

The facilities the Greeks built around Delphi are substantial. The Oracle was a priestess of Apollo, chosen by the other priestesses of the temple and they all worked together to attend and maintain the temple and deliver the Oracle’s visions. To receive a vision from the Oracle, you had to make an offering to the temple of Apollo. This offering, a reasonable fee if you will, was levied to support the Oracle and the temple’s operations. It takes a lot to make some prophecies after all. The various city states kept treasuries at Delphi to make the payment for these visions easier and these vaults would house their tithes to the oracle in thanks for the victories she led them to. A sort of pay to win system I suppose.

Other than the Oracle, there are many more features in Delphi. A massive ancient theater affords visitors sweeping views of the valley below. There was a gymnasium, which is exactly what is sounds like, and a stadium for sporting events. The stadium is at the highest point of the Delphic ruins, which is a bit of a climb, and it is the most well preserved ancient stadium in Greece.

Nichole above the Odeon at Delphi.

In the same region as Delphi, sits Thermopylae. If you’ve seen the movie 300, you’ve heard of Thermopylae, or the “hot gates”. This is where the 300 Spartans, led by King Leonidas, fought to the last against the invading army of Xerxes, king of the Persians and his overwhelming hordes of deadly immortals. While this is lauded by ancient Greek fans, the reality is that the Spartans had many, many more soldiers than the 300, plus a whole fleet backing them up. Additionally, Xerxes led a multicultural empire that was widely regarded as one of the best places to live in the ancient world.

Although reality paints a very different picture than Mr. Snyder or Mr. Miller, the importance of Thermopylae is undeniable. While there aren’t a lot of ruins, this site is where battles have been fought for thousands of years due to its strategic location. It was a central pivot point in ancient history, not just for Greece, but the entire world, and you can still visit it today. Its hot springs are still active, and modern baths let you enjoy its mineral waters. You don’t even have to get kicked down a well to enjoy them!

Thermopylae Ho Springs By Fkerasar – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1961603

While you can visit both these places from Athens and Thessaloniki, consider staying in nearby Lamia. It’s a truly ancient city, rivaling Athens in age, that sits in a highly strategic location above Thermopylae. It was possibly named after the daughter of Poseidon, though there is some debate around that. While it doesn’t boast the ruins and structures of Athens, it is a beautiful city with many museums and its own unique history.

The only way to get to Lamia, though, is by driving in from one of the larger cities I mentioned above. There are many places to stay, if you value independent travel, and there are many tours that you can sign up for if you like a group experience. Just like almost everywhere in Greece, there’s also private drivers and guides a plenty if you want to go a more personalized or small group route.

Greek Islands

You might be wondering, at this point, where are the islands? Greece is full of islands, and I definitely saw Odysseus riding around in a boat! Well, don’t worry, I have a few islands loaded with ruins, myths, and more for you!

If you’ve ever been called a cretin, don’t take it as an insult, Crete was the center of one of the largest, most important city states in the ancient world… I’m being told that those two words are not in any way related.

Ariel View Of Chania By dronepicr – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=101700513

Anyway, Crete was the center of the Minoan civilization, one of the most technologically advanced places for its time, and Chania was one of its centers. The ancient Minoan palace of Knossos is very near Chania, and that site, specifically, is where we get the tale of the Minotaur from. Talk about being bull-headed, am I right!

In addition to Knossos, Chania was also the seat of the Kydonians, who earn a mention in the Odyssey itself. Because of its distance from mainland Greece, Chania is a wonderful place to visit for several days, or via cruise.

Cape Drastis, Corfu, By Hagai Agmon-Snir https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=121317537

Another great island of Greek history and myth is Corfu on the western side of Greece. Famed for its blue waters, there have been countless battles and naval conquests held here throughout history. Sites to visit include Kardaki temple from 500 BC, the temples of Artemis and Hera, as well as the tomb of Menecrates. The tomb is one of only two sites, the other in Rhodes, of this type that we have found. He seemed to have been an ancient ambassador who was lost at sea and includes a stunning ancient lion sculpture.

If you visit Greece, Rhodes is worth your time. This is a view of the Medieval city part of Rhodes. By Bernard Gagnon – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25041428

Speaking of Rhodes, it was the center of trade in the whole region. If it wasn’t an island, we may have said that all roads lead to Rhodes, and that wealth and influence is how they were able to build the Colossus of Rhodes. If you were hoping to see this wonder of the ancient world, however, you’re just a couple of years too late, as it was destroyed in 226 BC in an earthquake and, abiding by the Oracle of Delphi, it was never reconstructed. That doesn’t mean you can’t get your ancient god fix in Rhodes, for the Temple of Pythian Apollo, ancient theaters and stadiums, and the Acropolis of Rhodes are all scattered around the island. Additionally, impressive medieval castles, such as the Palace of the Grand Master where the Knights Hospitaller were headquartered, and where the Colossus was said to have stood.

Santorini, By Skigo Wedding Stories – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=159090912

Finally, there is Santorini where, because of its volcanic nature, there isn’t a lot to go off. However, we do know the islands were home to the great Minoan city of Akrotiri, and some of its ruins and murals remain. There are three-story buildings, walls, streets, and some of the oldest examples of plumbing we have, all from 3000 to 2000 BC. Unfortunately, especially for the Akrotirians, most of the city was destroyed in an eruption which lasted for weeks and was so large it caused a tsunami. The catastrophic valcano is what gave Santorini the shape it has today, when at least 25 cubic kilometers of stone, ash, and magma, were thrown into the atmosphere. It’s easy to see why Akrotiri, and thus Santorini, is often held up as one of the most likely locations of the mythological city of Atlantis that Plato described over a thousand years after the eruption.

Beyond the Myth

So, you might have noticed at this point that I’ve listed a lot of amazing, interesting locations with ancient ruins, mythologies, and stunning nature. But you might also be thinking, “Odysseus didn’t go there”.  And yes, we started this talking about the Odyssey, but the thing is, Troy is in Turkey, and most of the places that are mentioned on his journey are thought to be in Sicily, and beyond that, they’re mostly made up.

Yes, Scylla is a real place in Sicily, and Ithaca is a place in Greece, but the island of the lotus eaters, Polyphemus, or giant cannibals, these don’t seem to have any real place attached to them. Just like all myths, they are there to transmit ideas, morals, and stories. While all the myths of ancient Greece are enjoyable, being in the real places where they were created, shared, and believed helps understand them on a whole different level. So if you loved the Odyssey, consider a visit to Greece because nothing compares seeing to the genuine thing with your own eyes. Maybe that’s why the Greeks are so mad at the British museum?

The post How to Visit Greece – The World of The Odyssey appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

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.

This was a change that both guests and travel agents were pushing for, ourselves included. The original schedule frustrated so many travelers that they began choosing other cruise lines over Virgin. Obviously, it seems, the company took notice of the comments (read polite, if angry, urging) and made the necessary changes to the schedule.

Why Do So Many People Care?

Scheduling the eclipse day in a port may not immediately be a clear fumble, but it really is the cruise line equivalent of washing red clothes with white towels. Eclipses are amazingly beautiful astronomical events that occur with some regularity, but where they occur shifts quite broadly around the world. If you travel thousands of miles to another part of the globe, specifically to see an eclipse, only to have the weather be cloudy… well, that’s a bit frustrating. Hence, the eclipse cruise.

By viewing the eclipse from sea (if possible), you greatly reduce the chance of it being cloudy because the ship can move. The path of totality, where the complete solar eclipse is experienced, can be more than 100 miles wide. That gives lots of room for a ship to sail away from a band of clouds.

The experience of seeing an eclipse is something that cannot be adequately described with anything less than a novella. However, the land-based eclipse crowds and traffic jams are as irritating as the eclipse is magical. Why, then, would a cruise line schedule a port day for the eclipse? Nobody knows.

Second Time

The most frustrating part of this whole thing is that it’s an unforced error (apologies for my use of baseball terms to all our non-baseball fan readers).

Virgin Voyages already had two other itineraries on their schedule for the 2026 eclipse. Those cruises also had port days during the eclipse and, just like with the 2027 eclipse cruise, many of us had to push them to change the plans. In other words, we’d been through this already.

Fortunately, the plans for the Virgin Voyages eclipse cruises changed and they are now at sea for the eclipse.

If you are interested in sailing on the 2027 eclipse cruise, reach out to us for information. Space is limited, as it has been very popular, but we may be able to book you. Many 2026 solar eclipse cruises for the much shorter eclipse are already sold out.

By the way, in 2024 we were at sea off the coast of Mexico on the Emerald Princess. It was fantastic.

The post Virgin Voyages 2027 Eclipse Cruise: New Update 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.

Okay… we. We don’t actually say that. Still, booking a cruise during Wave Season makes a lot of sense. The cruise lines all roll out strong offers for January through March when most travelers book for the year. It’s consistently the best time to book.

There are plenty of sales that are being offered, but we want to highlight the promotions that we think our clients will have the most interest in. The are presented in alphabetical order, of course.

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Offer: Save up to 30%, a value of up to $10,000 per stateroom. The sale also adds up to $600 onboard credit on select expeditions. Solo travelers also enjoy a Single Supplement from only 125% on many expeditions.

Eligibility: The offer is valid on select 2025 and 2026 expedition sailings. Must book by February 3^rd.

Our opinion: Atlas is a new line and we don’t have a long history to compare and see how “good” of a deal this is. However, we can say that for solo travelers this is quite a nice offer and if you’ve been thinking of trying Atlas, $600 in credit is not a bad deal.

Azamara

Offer: The luxury cruise line known for longer port visits is offering up to $1000 in onboard credit. How much credit you receive is based on which category of stateroom you book. The higher tier of room booked, i.e. suites, the more credit is offered. Lower tiers, such as interior rooms, get less, to a minimum of $200.

Eligibility: The offer is valid on select 2025 sailings and you must book by February 28^th.

Our opinion: We like this sale because it’s straightforward. Onboard credit is a known quantity and that’s always a good thing.

Cunard

Offer: Up to $800 Onboard Credit per stateroom. Plus, a Drinks Package and Hotel and Dining Service Charges are included when you book a Grills Suite.

Eligibility: The offer is valid on all of Cunard’s sailings, but you must book by March 26^th.

Our opinion: Once again, we like this sale because it’s straightforward. The suites earn more credit, but the offer is solid for all categories of stateroom. For a line that costs less than people often imagine, this is a handsome offer.

Princess

Offer: Up to 40% off and up to $200 onboard credit, plus FREE room upgrades and FREE 3rd & 4th guests.

Eligibility: The promotion ends February 28, 2025

Our opinion: The real deal here is the 3^rd and 4^th sailors are free. This means that a family of four can sail Princess for much less during this sale. It’s a great way to take a family vacation and we are impressed with Princess’ kids programs, which is often celebrated by family travelers.

Regent Seven Seas

Offer: Free 2-Category Suite Upgrade, 50% Reduced Deposits, and 20% Savings on Select Voyages

Eligibility: Available on all ships and destinations. Promotion ends February 28, 2025

Our opinion: Regent is the ultimate in all-inclusive cruising and this sale is allowing you to upgrade your suite while booking at a lower suite’s fare. Let’s be honest, if you’re booking Regent, you probably aren’t worried about a sale. Still, the offer is nice.

Seabourn:

Offer: Up to 15% savings, with up to $1,000 USD in shipboard credit per suite, along with reduced deposits on Seabourn Ocean voyages and Expeditions to all seven continents.

Eligibility: The promotion ends February 18, 2025

Our opinion: For those interested in sailing to exotic locations, like Antarctica, or trying a truly luxury cruise, this is a good time to do it. Like we’ve said repeatedly, onboard credit is a dependable offer because you know what you’re getting, and a low deposit isn’t a bad thing either.

Viking:

Offer: Viking is offering reduced fares on river, ocean, and expeditions cruises. There are also additional perks available on select sailings, including free international airfare and a deposit of $25.

Eligibility: Offer ends on January 31^st, 2025.

Our opinion: We can’t say too much about the reduced rates, because rates are always changing, but if you select a cruise with the free airfare, that’s a good deal. Airfare is pricy and that’s a way to save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

If you would like to book Viking ocean with us as your travel advisor, use this link.

Virgin:

Offer: 80% off a 2nd Sailor and up to USD $300 in Bar Tab based on voyage length, with longer voyages awarding more credit.

Eligibility: Available on all 2025 and 2026 voyages. Offer ends on January 30^th, 2025.

Our opinion: Getting any amount of Bar Tab is always good and a very popular promotion for the company. Having sailed Virgin quite a bit myself, $300 can go a long way in drinks.

If you would like to book Virgin with us as your travel advisor, you this link.

Windstar

Offer: Windstar is offering an interesting sale. If you book with them you’ll have a choice of three options; onboard credit of up to $1,000 per suite; a night at a hotel before or after your cruise; a complimentary All-Inclusive experience (only available when booking a  Premium Suite).

Eligibility: Offer ends on March 31^st, 2025.

Our opinion: Since you always want to arrive at least one day before a cruise leaves, this seems like a can’t lose deal. When a luxury cruise line is offering to put you up in a hotel for a night before, take it.

As I said, there are dozens of Wave Season sales from different lines and the ones presented above are from the lines our clients sail the most. If you are interested in offers from lines not listed above, please reach out to us. During Wave Season, many lines run a series of flash sales rather than static offers, making it difficult to present them here.

The post We Love These Wave Season Sales appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

A white Christmas is not your speed? Looking to escape the winter blues? Or are you just looking to take advantage of the kids being off of school for a while? Change the Christmas trees for palms and consider one of the many popular destinations for a Christmas vacation.

Cruising for a Tropical Christmas

While last-minute cruise deals are much harder to find than in the past, they still exist. You do need to be flexible as to dates and cabins. 

Virgin Voyages Bimini Beach is beautiful.

Richard Branson’s new cruise line is winning every award in sight and they do things differently. Virgin Voyages has done away with the main dining room and buffet; every night is specialty dining with 20+ eateries.  And there is no extra charge for any of them! Virgin fares include crew gratuities, wi-fi, group fitness classes, gelato-style ice cream, and much more.  No one under 18 allowed but adults are encouraged to embrace their inner child. Virgin sails the Caribbean out of Miami. Contact us about December sailings, and we will put together some special offers not available by booking directly through the website.

Celebrity Cruises, the upscale cruise line known for its food and excellent service, still has space.  When you sail in December you enjoy traditional holiday meals created by a Michelin-starred chef and decorating with no prep or cleanup. You experience festive holiday shows and carolers. Everyone gets to enjoy downtime during the holidays to spend with those who matter most. Corks pop on New Year’s Eve.

We love Princess Cruises because it not only offers a high-quality cruise experience, but also lets us help you pile up the perks. The December 16 sailing of the new Sky Princess looks especially fun for a tropical Christmas. If booking Princess be sure to consider the high-value Princess Plus add-on.

A Hawaiian Tropical Christmas

If you’re looking to stay in the U.S. for Christmas, look no further than Hawaii for a tropical Christmas vacation.

Hawaii Wants Visitors

After the devasting Maui wildfires, tourism to Hawaii has understandably declined.  As a result, flights and accomodations are much more inexpensive than usual.

Now the islands are asking for the support of the traveling community and are making excellent travel offers for the holiday season. Also, you can our Best Hawaiian Travel Tips. We also share how to choose the best Hawaiian island to visit.

Christmas in Mexico

Because of its strong Christian traditions, Mexico is a fantastic place to get into the Christmas spirit without dealing with the Christmas weather.

A Tropical Christmas in Brazil

As another strongly Catholic nation, Brazil knows how to do Christmas. While not as famous as their Lent celebration, Carnival, there is a lot to do in Brazil for Christmas. And the weather is warm enough to hit the beaches.

Attending a “Missa do Galo” (Midnight Mass) at one of Rio’s historic churches, such as Candelária Church or the Metropolitan Cathedral can be ver memorable.

Merry Christmas for the Santa Chamelon

Subdued Tropical Christmas Choices

If you are looking for a relaxing tropical vacation with fewer Christmas-themed festivities, consider traveling to some of the non-Christian parts of the world. Malaysia and Vietnam offer beautiful views and beaches without decking the halls.

Ready for More Great Travel Tips?

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

The post You Can Still Have a Tropical Christmas in 2024 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.

In 1985, Premier Cruise Lines partnered with Disney to make a cruise. Since then, more and more family and kid focused cruises have come online. But I’m an adult and I don’t have kids of my own and I don’t really want a cruise loaded with a bunch of kids running between wave pools. Fortunately for those of us wanting a kid-free vacation, Virgin Voyages decided to buck the trend. They are an adult only cruise and it’s a great decision. 

The biggest thing is that it makes Virgin Voyages, a very new player in the world of cruising, stand out by offering something different. Without kids on the ship, it allowed Virgin to design a more relaxed, adult focused atmosphere in a lot of ways. We’ve already sailed with Virgin twice because of how nice it is and here’s why. 

Tons Of Options For Food

I know I said that I don’t have kids of my own, but I am the oldest of 5 and I’m the oldest by A LOT. With that sort of age difference, it meant that I helped raise all my younger siblings. Changing diapers, making meals, keeping them clean, picking them up from daycare – I was another parent. One thing I know about kids is that they often like eating the same foods day after day. It’s why buttered noodles and chicken nuggets are on every kids’ menu. As an adult, though, you probably want a little more variety in your meals or at least a little more choice.

Adult tastes are better met on an adults only cruise.

The dining experiences, plural, is where Virgin definitely shines. Unlike many other cruises, a main dining room does not exist. Nor does the buffet (thank God!). I was delighted to see that Virgin Voyages flipped the script on cruise cuisine and offered something I really looked forward to. As an adult only cruise, menus on Virgin are designed with adult tastes and desires. 

Onboard, there are over 22 places to eat – all of them offering a different menu. Everything from quick service counters to sit-down breakfast and dinners is part of the dining experience on Virgin Voyages. The dinners at any of the 6 sit down restaurants feel, and taste, like top-notch date night destinations. The bars are WELL stocked, with excellent selections and variety. 

Everything I just mentioned, except alcohol, is included in your fare. There are no specialty dining restaurants, which cost extra on other lines – often between $60-$100 MORE to eat at one of them. There are a few menu items with an up charge, such as a tomahawk steak, but those are quite rare. 

What Is The Atmosphere On An Adult Only Cruise

It’s hard to pin the atmosphere of a Virgin Voyages cruise as any one thing. Let me give you an example of a typical day at sea to illustrate. 

On a sea day, I’d typically wake up at around 8:30, handle my morning ablutions and go to breakfast by 9AM. Razzle Dazzle had my favorite breakfast menu, so I went there most days. I’d order a refreshing smoothie and drip coffee and then dig in to a delicious buckwheat waffle. By 11 I would be on the outdoor track for a couple miles then switch to a rowing machine for another 30 minutes. 

There’s a more concerted focus on providing excelent fitness options on Virgin Voyages adults only cruises.

After cleaning up, my wife and I would go grab some lunch from one of the various counter service restaurants. Lunch was followed by a magician performance in a champagne lounge and then we played video games in the free arcade until the speed puzzle game. We would rest in our room for a while before dinner, which was typically a relaxed hour and a half affair. The evening closed out with us going to a diva show and then singing karaoke in a private booth. 

A day like that is equally relaxing and exciting and can’t be summed up in a single sentence. More than anything, the general ethos of Virgin seems to be, come on board and relax. If relaxing means the gym, they have a wonderful one. For those who prefer lounging in the sun, you can spend your whole day doing that. People who like parties have plenty to choose from. None of those things dominate the ship but they, and many more things besides, are all available.  

I’ve seen a lot of online chatter trying to discern what a Virgin Voyages cruise is like. I think that’s because there’s a question mark for a lot of people about what “adult only cruise” means. The answer is that an adult only cruise means a mix of sophistication, childish indulgences, and a heavy dose of recharging your batteries. Virgin’s passengers are a diverse bunch, just like the world really is. What we all wanted on the ship was a little “me time” and some nice people to be around. 

Not Having A Dress Code Is Incredibly Relaxing

Another way that Virgin distinguishes itself is there is absolutely no dress code. Well, okay, you do have to wear clothes, but there’s nothing dictating the style. You also can’t wear your swimwear in restaurants, for the very practical reason of Virgin not wanting to soak their seats in pool water. If you want to glam it up for the evening, go for it! Perhaps a tank top, shorts, and thong sandals are more your speed, that’s cool too. Just wear what you want! 

Virgin Voyages is serious about making you feel comfortable, so if you want to wear pajamas up to The Galley restaurants, feel free. I’ll admit, at first, whenever I left my room, I would be dressed like I was going out and running errands or going to a casual dining place. After a day though, I really got into it and began to truly relax. I wore my pjs around in the mornings and shorts with a tank to dinner. I felt more comfortable that way. Other people wore smoking jackets and evening gowns while out for their meals. 

Dressing how you feel is a very liberating thing that I think a lot of us don’t fully appreciate. Being able to just wear what I was comfortable in made me so much calmer. I know it’s seems like a small thing, but I was chatting with a woman one morning at breakfast and I think she hit the nail on the head with this. She was so happy that she could wake up in the morning and she didn’t put on her mom clothes.

What to Learn More About Virgin?

We sail and discuss Virgin often! Check out articles including Everything to Know About Virgin Voyages New Loyalty Program and Virgin Voyages – Learn More and Restore Work Life Balance With A Month Long WFH Cruise and Virgin Voyages Full Review – Virgin Remarkably Sets A New Bar and Food and Drinks on Virgin Voyages. And of course there’s Why I Love Virgin Voyages!

The post You Need To Try Virgin Voyages Unique Adult Only Cruise 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.