It has been a busy week for the Expedition Cruise business!  Silversea had an Antarctic naming ceremony for the Silver Endeavour, Atlas Ocean Voyages had a Patagonian dual naming ceremony for its World Navigator and World Traveller (which I will be on shortly), and Seabourn had an Antarctic naming ceremony for the Seabourn Venture.  Add

As you know, I have been impressed with Explora Journeys from the day I was contacted by Chris Austin, its Chief Sales Officer, right after he left Seabourn. He long had a vision and approach, not just of bringing the concept of having a resort/home at sea, but of finding criticisms constructive rather than an

Recently Four Seasons Hotels announced it was joining Ritz Carlton in what I call “Hotels Coming to Sea”, sailing in 2025. I have not hesitated in expressing my concerns, as those running cruise lines have a much easier (and logical) ability to add hotel-related features than a hotel company has installing cruise line features and

Our next day was a Sea Day and, thus, the perfect time for a Private Wine Experience in one of the Star Legend’s Owner’s Suites, which one of my guests generously donated for the event. Normally I would work with Executive Chef Joseph on the menu, but Windstar’s head of culinary operations was having no

Earlier this week I wrote the article, “Seabourn Cruise Line Has Been Sold!*”.  The attorneys for Seabourn responded with threats of claims for “defamation, every claim available under securities laws, RICO [Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act] violations, and the like” along with a  Cease and Desist Letter demanding – as they did when I

It appears that rough seas are continuing for Ritz Carlton’s Evrima, albeit at least now she is finally sailing.  It is painfully obvious that Ritz Carlton is aware of the situation as the expected celebratory photos and press releases haven’t been forthcoming. The Points Guy has published an article, that while trying to be kind,

Our Culinary & Cultural Cruise on Windstar’s Star Legend continues, but with a change. Due to unforeseen construction issues, the Corinth Canal was closed early so our transiting the canal was cancelled and that required a significant change to our itinerary. But, at least for me, it was actually a big improvement! When traveling flexibility

Windstar’s Star Legend arrived in Santorini, Greece – one of my favorite places in the world – for the second Goldring Travel Culinary & Cultural Cruise Special Event.  An exploration of the wines of Santorini:  5 Unique Wineries and 22 Santorini Variety Wines combined with a plethora of local cuisine. You know the day is

Between the Bosporus Cruise with a full Turkish Breakfast, the Hamam and Grand Bazaar experiences, the Turkish Luncheon with six paired Turkish wines, the Whirling Dervishes…and some canceled flights and luggage issues, it was a very exciting and full two days in Istanbul for Goldring Travel’s guests. Boarding the Star Legend brought some peace, tranquility,

It was finally time to get the Goldring Travel Culinary & Cultural Cruise of Turkey, Greece, and Israel underway.  This is the third time I’ve tried to provide this experience –  with Covid causing the cancelation twice. It also put the suppliers I had made arrangements with to have difficulties, as have most everyone in