It’s The Annual Awards Season – Yuk!

Goldring Travel July 10, 2008

Last night I received an email from Crystal trumpeting that it was named the best large ship cruise line for the 13th year by Travel and Leisure Magazine. While I believe Crystal is, in fact, the best large ship cruise line, I take exception to the poll of some “readers” of that publication as being

Cruising French Polynesia

Goldring Travel July 8, 2008

A reader of this blog wants to know what is happening with luxury cruising in French Polynesia in the next few years. The answer is: Something…and it probably will be very good. Regent Seven Seas has announced, after rumors that 2009 would be its last year chartering the Paul Gauguin, that it is again negotiating

Seabourn Announces Godparents for Seabourn Odyssey

Goldring Travel July 2, 2008

What a fantastic idea! Seabourn has announced that every guest on the Seabourn Odyssey’s Maiden Voyage will be her godparent. Each guest’s name will be inscribed on a plaque that will be displayed for her entire life.

Where Did the “Critic” in Cruise Critic Go?

Goldring Travel July 2, 2008

As many of you know, I had posted for years on Cruise Critic under the moniker of Iamboatman. My postings have stopped essentially because the concept of “critical” discussion of cruise lines has become forbidden and anyone who dares challenge a poster’s comments could summarily have his/her posts removed, be suspended or banned. In essence,

The Oceania-fication of Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line

Goldring Travel July 1, 2008

After months of Regent Seven Seas (luxury) claiming that is not and will not be Oceania (premium), and being blasted by loyalists on such message boards as Cruise Critic that I was just stirring the pot, reality is setting in and, to be sure, I was correct; but alas it is bittersweet. As reported in

Seabourn – Double Keel Laying

Goldring Travel June 30, 2008

Seabourn and T. Marrioti held a double ceremony today commencing the laying of the keels for the two sister ships (still unnamed) to the Seabourn Odyssey. By laying the keels for ships to be delivered in 2010 and 2011 Seabourn is making a strong statement that its 32,000 Gross Registered Ton ships that are 650

Travel Agents and Yacht Brokers

Goldring Travel June 30, 2008

During the American Superyacht Forum I spoke on a panel addressing the issue of yacht brokers/agents who are so focused on booking a charter or making a sale that they actually undercut and weaken the very market they are serving. The parallels to travel agents is undeniable. Two concepts quickly took center stage: 1. If

Seabourn Food & Wine Cruise – September 27, 2008

Goldring Travel June 19, 2008

On September 27, 2008 I will be hosting a special Food & Wine Cruise on the all suite, all luxury, Seabourn Spirit cruising from Athens to Istanbul. I have a number of events and tours planned which should make this cruise even better than the one I hosted last year on the Seabourn Legend which

An International Experience – Travel Agents That Is!

Goldring Travel June 18, 2008

One of the most curious, and antiquated, aspects of the travel business is the protectionist approaches of various cruise lines. In this world of international travel and essentially boundary-free internet access, many cruise lines slice up the market so that American travel agents are prohibited from selling cruises to residents of the United Kingdom, Australia,

Windstar’s Wind Surf – Caribbean – January 2014

Goldring Travel Blog – Making Waves

Cruise & Travel News, Reviews, Opinions, Deals & More