Early Spring 2026 Newsletter

(Yacht Edition)

Hello!

Four Seasons Yachts, Ritz-Carlton Yachts, Orient Express Yachts, Terra Nova Expeditions, Explora Journeys, Sea Cloud, and Century are all discussed in this Newsletter.  But first…

After almost three years of what seems like, to both you and me, constant travel, my enjoying the winter in Lake Tahoe has been refreshing and rejuvenating (albeit the snow has left early). So while you may have wondered if I am the office or traveling, it will be a total of three months between journeys, departed the Galapagos and Ecoventura in mid-January and attending the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference in Miami Beach, Florida in mid-April where I will be having face-to-face discussions with the top cruise and expedition executives and getting the best inside information so that I can provide you with unique, world-class, service.

After that, I will be sailing on Silversea Silver Endeavour on April 23rd on a Goldring Travel Culinary and Cultural Journey from Dublin, Ireland to Edinburgh, Scotland with a focus on Irish and Scottish cuisine and whiskeys, some beautiful light expedition and historical experiences plus, of course, Silversea’s fresh pastas, amazing service, and a beautiful ship.

Three months later (see the trend?!) in late July, Explora Journeys has invited me on a short Pre-Inaugural Journey on Explora III, followed by Explora III’s Naming Ceremony in Barcelona on August 2, 2026.

One journey I am especially excited for is the October 24, 2026 Goldring Travel Culinary & Cultural Journey in Indonesia and Borneo, ending in Singapore. There may be one stateroom available for anyone interested in this truly unique combination of nature, culture and cuisine. (I am planning some great culinary experiences in Singapore!)

Heading into 2027 (can you believe that…already?!), Goldring Travel has one Expedition and two Culinary & Cultural Journeys on the books that I am inviting you to join me on:

• Terra Nova Expeditions: Antarctica January 16, 2027 – If you are considering exploring Antarctica with a great expedition team and with incredible pricing and and even the option to spend time on a sailboat, this expedition is an exeptional opportunity.

• Explora Journeys Panama Canal to Los Angeles April 22, 2027 – The culinary and cultural opportunities on this journey are incredible…and it is nearby, so easy airlift to your floating resort at sea.

• Century River Cruises – Beijing to Shanghai with an 11-day River Cruise – October 4, 2027 (Only one suite available). China is “hot”, but sailing in October keeps the actual heat away and the exchange rate makes this another incredible value.

Please let me know if you have any interest in any of these sailings!

Finally, as always, I want to sincerely Thank You for your loyalty, business and friendship.

Eric

Four Seasons Yachts is a totally new concept. It is not a cruise, a yacht, or a resort at sea. It is a floating luxury hotel where you book your suite as in a hotel, not by the person. The number of guests permitted in a suite, just as in a hotel, is limited by category and size, with the smallest suite being a huge 473 square feet plus a 64-140 square-foot terrace. (By the way, just like a hotel, children are welcomed and there are activities for them.)

Consistent with the hotel-eque experience, only breakfast is included in your fare. All other meals, beverages, and services are charged à la carte, just as in a Four Seasons hotel. It is anticipated that many guests will want to dine onshore, so the itineraries have late departures. That is not to say you don’t have dining options; there are three: Terrasse for local cuisine, Miuna for an omakase experience, and Sedna for an international experience. There are a total of 11 restaurants and lounges.

Shore Experiences are also available, with many offering a more Four Seasons concierge feel. Yet onboard there is an amazing Marina complete with bar, seating areas, and a launchpad for all the watersport offerings.

The Inaugural sailing for Four Seasons I is scheduled for later this month (after an anticipated delay from January). Bookings, however, are strong with some sailings sold out and, believe it or not, the top suites are sold out on many sailings.

Orient Express Sailing Yachts

Orient Express Corinthian is a cross between a cruising yacht and a sailing yacht; something I am quite familiar with from my days involved in the construction of a 192-foot private motorsailing yacht with similar (and at the time cutting-edge) technological aspirations. This yacht, however, has style that also harkens back to the days of yore, with rich woods, warm tones, and an homage to, well, the classic Orient Express. Pretty sexy!

When she launches (estimated May 2026), the Suite Panoramique, a 506-foot Oceanview affair, is the smallest accommodation. There is an almost mind-boggling array of suites, with the largest being, of course, the Agatha Christie two-bedroom suite with its own fitness room, jacuzzi, and a 1,938-foot terrace.

Restaurants range from the one-table Le Perle and the intimate multi-tabled La Table de l’Orient Express by Yannick Alleno (Michelin-star chef) to Le Celier wine cellar and two more plus eight lounges, including venues such as Le Speakeasy and Le Wagon Bar, the highest levels of culinary experiences are promised.

She will be mostly in the Mediterranean with winters in the Caribbean. Interestingly, many of the Med sailings are only three to four days, though they can be combined. And, as with Four Seasons, reservations are by suite, not per person. Pricing is not shown on the website, but as an example, a seven night Caribbean sailing in December 2026 starts at $38,500 per suite.

Terra Nova Expeditions & Sailing Yacht

For a different type of yachting experience, how about six nights on a six-guest sailing yacht in Antarctica? This true “yachting experience” is available on Terra Nova Expeditions’ Ultimate Antarctica expedition, consisting of a 10-Day Antarctic Expedition on an expedition ship sailing from Ushuaia, then a 6-Day Antarctic Sailing Expedition, and then an 8-Day expedition and cruise sail back to Ushuaia. As an alternative, you can do the 10-Day Expedition with one of those days on the sailing yacht.

You can travel with Goldring Travel on the January 16, 2027 sailing too…and that is with special pricing and some special events! Goldring Travel’s Small Ship Antarctica Expedition on Terra Nova Expeditions’ St. Helena (and Maybe a 6 Guest Sailing Yacht) – January 16, 2027.  

Please let me know if you have any interest. There is limited availability!

Explora Journeys

After reading about all of these amazing luxury cruising yachts, I would be remiss not to mention Explora Journeys and, especially, Explora III with her expanded upscale dining and wining options, as many of the same concepts are embodied in the ships…and, for most, at a more reachable price. Explora Journeys’ Explora III: She’s Almost Ready for Her Debut – Goldring Travel Will Be There! Yes, you do reserve per person, but alas, Explora Journeys has a number of sailings with a zero-single supplement.  

Emerald Yachts

The little sister to Scenic Eclipse, a great luxury expedition option for Antarctica, is the more intimate Emerald Yachts. With two 100-guest yachts, Azzurra and Emerald Sakara currently offered, and the 128-guest Emerald Kaia soon to be sailing, Emerald Yachts offers an upscale but laid-back experience. The yachts offer mostly 291-312 square foot suites up to the 1,194 square foot Owner’s Suites.

Emerald Yachts provides a very inclusive experience, including EmeraldDiscovery, which includes excursions as well as options for more active and exclusive options.

Hopefully, I will be able to experience it soon. They want me to!

Oh, But There’s More.

Less I not mention, there is the true yachting experience, where you charter the entire yacht just for up to 12 guests and two staff plus the captain, crew and private chef. Goldring Travel has a long history of arranging private charters, so if this is of interest, please do contact me!

Finally, but of course, there are more yachts and yacht-like experiences! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Windstar, for example. Others considered Seabourn as their yacht.

The reality is that there are so many experiences, but while some lines are trying to call 1,000+ luxury experiences, others – like those mentioned here – are focused on less than 10% of that.

Please contact Goldring Travel with any and all inquiries. We are Yacht Experts!