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Update – September 20, 2019: Hey, Cruise Trek Family!! Below are a couple pieces of important information that were disseminated to all of you already booked for the next three cruises. Including them here again is to serve as reminder and as an announcement to those who are still thinking of joining us on board for Cruise Trek 2019 or for either both or one of our CT family cruises for 2020. Currently, we are readying for a trip to the State of Sinaloa in Mexico for Grandma’s 100th birthday celebration. Goodness, even Grandma will stay up all night along with perhaps 500 more revelers!! Anyway, I only mention all this as after the fiesta, we are going to sail round trip from San Diego on October 13-20th for a week-long Mexico cruise. Anyone want to join us??? There is a really wonderful price for this one!! Not an event – just an opportunity to gather and sail together on a very well-priced, nice, quick getaway once again. If interested, eMail Aaron.cruisetrek@gmail.com. Be well,
(From September 10-15, 2019) To those of you booked for Cruise Trek 2020 for the River Cruise in the Bordeaux Region of France and then for the additional Iceland “Military Tattoo” big ship cruise from Amsterdam, For the Cruise Trek family already booked and/or thinking about doing so, important to know, as to sailing from Amsterdam August 2-16, 2020 – there is a huge gay pride event in the city of Amsterdam the weekend we sail. So, pre-cruise hotels are at a premium. Though, we do have a block of rooms at one hotel (up to CT standards) which is quite a bit less expensive than the cruise line’s option. So, with this – please let us know your hotel needs for Amsterdam ASAP. The other important issue is that shore excursions, and more specifically the Military Tattoo event in Edinburgh, are now available. Be sure to book these ASAP. They will sell out. Email us if you need or better yet, if you have not done so already, go online to book your shore excursions. As an FYI – we have friends and family who have been to this event more than once and are going again – because, as they say – it is just so awesome!! As to the airfares for both of these cruises – they are now open for miles and ticketing. Also, important to know, we have access to very, very good business class airfares these days. Please contact Aaron.cruisetrek@gmail.com for your needs or even tentative needs so he can assist you with these. For coach tickets, Aaron may be able to help as well or at least point you in a good direction. For those of you wanting to book the Amsterdam/Iceland cruise – please use the Bordeaux booking form and simply write in “Amsterdam/Iceland” August 2-16, 2020, on that form, and we will get back to you with current cruise pricing. We are holding a group block – so, in this we will all be able to join together for meals, in our commonality and various gatherings!! For pricing and to book, eMail Aaron.cruisetrek@gmail.com. This itinerary is amazing and on a very new & very exciting ship!! (From September 13, 2019) Hey there, 2019 Mississippi River Cruise Trek family, If you have not done so already – it is time to register online at AQSC for your upcoming Mississippi River Cruise with Cruise Trek. So, following this eMail will be an eMail exclusive to your booking number. Please give us some time to get them all out this weekend. After receipt of your booking number, please go to the www.aqsc.com web site and click on the link for “Your Voyage” – from there, go to the guest registration form and register ASAP. Again, please do this. Thank you! When registering, please be careful not to mess up your roommate or share partner’s information. And at the bottom of the registration form is a place to check whether you have info for another person on the same bk# – for shares say “no” and then your roommate can enter their own. After you register and within this same “Your Voyage” link, there are numerous other links. Such as Shore excursions, which you can book online. And the Essential Travel Guide, which has basically everything you need to know before you go – dining, meals, transfers, what to wear, and so much more. And this guide is/was also attached in our eMail to each of you booked. Couple items to note – when you enter phone numbers – the site only wants numbers, no spaces, no hyphens. And the system seems to not like “no” entry for a middle name. Aaron simply placed “NA”. Remember, our actual sail date is December 2, 2019 – While we have included a New Orleans hotel on December 1 as well. Again, we have not actually sailed on this line or itinerary before. So, we are very much looking forward to exploring a whole new world of cruising! Looks like Jerry & Diane Hardin, along with the Menyuks and the Moores, will be aboard with us all! ;-)) Oh – Jerry will give us a reading of Twain/Samuel Clemens on a humorous version of what it was like in becoming a Steamboat River Captain. As Always – Be well & travel safe,
Update – May 30, 2019: Hello, Cruise Trek family! I hope this Update finds you all very well. It is interesting to me that I started to write this during our “bucket list” month-long cruise from San Diego to Hawaii and Tahiti – and the return. But then I found myself so awestruck in the sheer beauty and/or magnificence that I either only wanted to share those thoughts & images with you, or I found myself just so wrapped up in it that I could not write. Then Aaron, the engineer-educated human that he is, said, “Just get to what needs to be said for the upcoming trip and the new cruise event announcement!” So, here we go! Well, maybe I can share those highlights with you in person? For starters in this Update, it is appropriate to first look at our upcoming CT 2019 Mississippi cruise . . .
~ Things to do in New Orleans ~
Tours and Tickets listed in TripAdvisor TripAdvisor ~ Things to do in Memphis ~ Tours and Tickets listed in TripAdvisor TripAdvisor Yes, it is time to look at flights and additional hotel nights you may desire – if you have not already arranged same. Also, our newly-published updated BIS (Booking Information Sheet) for 2019 has the pre-cruise hotel in New Orleans as the Hilton Riverside Hotel and pricing is $285per room night. And for Memphis, on the post stay, the Sheraton downtown is $185 per night. Both are very fair rates as they include taxes, porterage, tips, transfers and breakfast – and both are booked via the cruise line. Though now we have come up with perhaps another interesting idea for all of us on this intimate sailing – it is that we share Thanksgiving Dinner in New Orleans together on the 28th of November!! Aaron and I, along with our Visual Effects seven-time Grammy award winner Ronald Moore, his wife Barbara, and Eric Menyuk (The Traveler) with wife Laurie are doing just that. So please join us if you can! As such, this will indeed require additional hotel nights, and then there will also be a cost for the dinner. We have one particular very high end venue in mind that will surely be amazing. At supplier cost, it will be approximately $119pp – this includes basically as much as you can eat (from seafood to traditional seasonal plates), unlimited champagne, gratuities and tax. There will be a short walk or Uber ride to the venue from the Hilton Riverside, where most of us will be. However, at this time, the venue could change for dinner. Of course, we will advise on same. As to the post hotel stay in Memphis, we and the Moores are doing two nights post hotel. We are intending on going to the National Civil Rights Museum (hotel where MLK was assassinated is incorporated into museum site) on disembarkation day, as currently it is scheduled to be closed the next day. On a more personal note – this trip is also to honor Ron & Barb’s 50th anniversary celebration, Eric’s 60th Birthday and the Menyuks’ 30th anniversary! Well heck – the short italicized paragraph below I wrote while sailing to Tahiti makes for the perfect segue into our new Cruise Trek destination announcement – and/or is appropriate as to the profound nature of travel – like what we all do!! And yes, if you wish, you can indeed skip the below section in italics and jump to the future CT event details just beyond it. March 15, 2019 – Cruising to Tahiti currently ;-)) Goodness the vastness of the Pacific Ocean – just imagine – nothing but blue seas and blue skies. Not a thing in sight except for this man-made gargantuan of a ship and all its exploring inhabitants. On this cruise with so many days at sea I have been able to consume some really great books! One was the NYT bestseller, Factfulness, the PhD author shared the thought of how amazingly important travel is to truly understanding our world. Albeit, especially as the writer lays out very clearly four different economic levels of human existence. Obviously, I could not agree more. And to “boldly go” always comes to mind. Anecdotally speaking – in my humble opinion, this is a great “pick me up” read if one ever needs. This then all leads me to share a recent email I received from someone having never previously sailed with the Cruise Trek Family. This inquiry seemingly had a tone of frustration, and seemingly and/or simply was having trouble understanding what we are about and/or what we do and/or the culmination of what we have done together. Of course our commonality simply brings us together in almost an unspoken and natural way – which makes it that much more. But, more so, isn’t it true that we take simple commercial or regular tourism a giant step further by learning about or taking in local and different cultures and thus ways of life – and in a much more serious way as opposed to a simpler and albeit perhaps very fun “backyard” Caribbean cruise?? And this is done if not simply by the more learned/different/exotic destinations?? Goodness – while there is so much more and words herein could never describe it all – however, actually being able to go down into the collider tunnel at CERN and to then discuss the science with the very elite group that manages the complex, the magnificence of Cape Horn on a gorgeous day, a traditional family style meal in Romania or in Argentina all comes to mind. Of course we are all getting a bit older which may limit just how far we can physically go in our adventures. Though, I would argue just being able to be part of it and physically see it all, I will still say that is still just simply huge! I bring this all up as we are coming up with some amazing choices to explore by way of travel in 2020. For 2020, we first thought to offer two different river cruises. But then an opportunity presented to us a less physically demanding, perfect mid-summer date, and simply one of the most picturesque and culturally enriching opportunities – that is, a leisurely sailing round-trip from Bordeaux, France. In the Bordeaux region of France, we will casually cruise the Dordogne & Garonne rivers. We were very fortunate to have explored this region & cruise two years ago. It is for sure another chance to boldly go. And even if you are not necessarily a wine aficionado – the extraordinary magnificence of Spain’s Bilbao & San Sebastian, French chateaus, the rolling hills & vast vineyards, walking within Leonardo Da Vinci’s last home in an Amboise chateau and so much more will absolutely fill you up! Arrival choices are varied if not perfect in providing many opportunities to explore more. For example, you can either fly into Bilbao and join us for the pre-package tour. Or you can fly into Paris for a few days and afterwards train (high speed is now an option) down to Bordeaux. Or simply fly into Bordeaux. Again, there are varied options, and the choices are yours. Call us if you need help. Special note for those of you who sailed on the Danube in 2018, we have an added bonus – please contact us via phone for information. Now to the second possible option! Some CT Family members asked Aaron and me to arrange for them a bucket list trip – where perhaps life makes this option more timely and necessary. Have a desire to spend your children’s or family’s inheritance?? This may be a good time! With that CT Family request in mind, we will also have some Cruise Trek family members sailing August 2 - 16, 2020. This itinerary sails round-trip from Amsterdam to the Northern UK Isles and Iceland! The latter destination is a bucket list request as well. During this cruise, the Royal Military Edinburgj ‘Tattoo”? event occurs in Edinburgh. This sailing takes place on Holland America’s latest & grand new ship – yes – this one is just awesome! We have secured cabins starting at about $2799pp. The additional important thing to understand is that it is completely possible to do both – our Bordeaux region river cruise and the round trip sailing from Amsterdam that happens immediately after. Though, if you don’t make this one this year, we are planning at some point to do it again in the future. Please give us a shout out, and we can easily get you booked for same – or send us a booking form, and we can handle all. Another point of what we can now offer – we can help you with business class airfares. Contact Aaron at aaron.cruisetrek@gmail.com. Wishing you all the best, travel well & safe.
Update – February 10, 2019: Hailing Cruise Trek Family of Travelers, We hope this latest update find you and yours very well. We have been busy with travels and as vagabonds. Which have taken us on additional adventures – like a month in the Bahamas on a small cay – though, especially enjoyable was again crashing with Eric & Laurie Menyuk in between travel days! And well it looks like we may continue with another great trip this March – a 28-day cruise from San Diego to Tahiti and back . . . Which again, begs the idea that if any of you hit a time (like maybe after retirement) when you could ever join us on a different adventure – please let us know. We would love to share. In any case, this is our first snail mail piece for our intimate CT family Mississippi River Cruise adventure from New Orleans to Memphis aboard a genuine steamboat paddle wheeler. And with that we have extended our discounts so that they now expire April 15, 2019. Is there any other way we can help you make this trip?? This year we are responding to requests for the Mississippi River in an effort to stay closer to home. Alas, then easy airfares! Please check out the following link for this adventure – Malcolm Oliver’s WaterWorld.. To offer more apt descriptions of this remarkable opportunity is that the lower stretch of the Mississippi, from carefree New Orleans to vibrant Memphis, is the River of Legends – from the history of our beginnings & evolution with the river of centuries-old shaded oak trees, elegant antebellum plantation, cobblestone streets, and Victorian mansions, to hearing the river’s music in rock and roll, blues, and jazz. Here it is necessary to note one change – this itinerary is now with an Antebellum South theme. At the same time, just imagine the opportunities the senses will have to savor the culinary diversity with a host of distinctive Creole and Cajun delights. We will also reflect upon the worlds and words of Mark Twain from his revered book, Life on the Mississippi. So, come celebrate New Orleans’ unabashed and unapologetic joy in the fine restaurants and sidewalk cafes of the French Quarter, the jazz clubs lining Bourbon Street, and the strolling musicians in Jackson Square. Music is also the heart and soul of Memphis – from Elvis’ inspiring Graceland to the blues joints of Beale Street. The city’s National Civil Rights Museum chronicles a very long journey to freedom and is also a must-see. The Smithsonian’s Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum records the rise of a beloved musical art form. And of course, explore the lives of Native Americans with advanced cultures and trading routes building large cities and pyramids. As always, our Web site also has the itinerary and the booking information form for Cruise Trek 2019. For 2020 cruise(s), we are working on them! Please stay in tune to our web site and/or future snail mail pieces. To those of you onboard on the Mississippi cruise, we will see in New Orleans – looking forward to another intimate family Cruise Trek Adventure! Be well, travel safe,
Update – September 27, 2018: Hailing Cruise Trek travelers, We hope this latest update find you and yours very well. While busily readying for our 2018 adventure on the Danube River in Romania, we have found some time to announce next year’s cruise event. Honestly, over the years, we have had many requests to stay closer to home and more so for one of our own North American river destinations. Basically, the opportunities have now come together to do exactly that! So, we proudly announce the 2019 event will be aboard a genuine steamboat paddle wheeler on the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Memphis!
~ Do You Need Travel Insurance? ~
One option is Trip Insurance. There are other choices, but we offer Travel Guard for informational purposes. To offer more apt descriptions of this remarkable opportunity is that the lower stretch of the Mississippi, from carefree New Orleans to vibrant Memphis, is the River of Legends – from the history of our beginnings & evolution with the river of centuries-old shaded oak trees, elegant antebellum plantations, cobblestone streets, and Victorian mansions, to hearing the river’s music in rock and roll, blues, and jazz. Here it is necessary to note that in addition to the Trek aspect of this cruise, there will be a Rock & Roll theme on this sailing! At the same time, just imagine the opportunities the senses will have to savor the culinary diversity with a host of distinctive Creole and Cajun delights. We will also reflect upon the worlds and words of Mark Twain from his revered book, Life on the Mississippi. So, come celebrate New Orleans’ unabashed and unapologetic joy in the fine restaurants and sidewalk cafés of the French Quarter, the jazz clubs lining Bourbon Street and the strolling musicians in Jackson Square. Music is also the heart and soul of Memphis – from Elvis’ inspiring Graceland to the blues joints of Beale Street. The city’s National Civil Rights Museum chronicles a very long journey to freedom and is also a must-see. The Smithsonian’s Memphis Rock ’N‘ Soul Museum records the rise of a beloved musical art form. And of course, explore the lives of Native Americans with advanced cultures and trading routes building large cities and pyramids. You can also see these links for more descriptions of the itinerary and the booking information form for Cruise Trek 2019. Reminder to the 2018 Danube River travelers – cruise documents will be sent out from AMA Waterways directly to US and Canadian addresses 2-3 weeks prior to sailing. The others will receive e-docs. We will also carry to you in Bucharest a similar “hard” doc packet. To those we will see in October this year – see you soon!! Can’t wait!! And to those of you we will see in New Orleans next year – looking forward to that time! Be well, travel safe.
Update – July 1, 2018: Hey there, CT Family, Just an FYI and some of you already know . . . In any case, some months ago we mentioned the opportunity to sail a Trans-Atlantic crossing with us and back from Rome, Italy. This sailing takes place the day after Cruise Trek 2018 Danube II. A great relaxing 2-week cruise at a wonderful price on a newer ship. So, pricing is in . . . Please contact us if you are interested in joining us. Availability and prices are subject to swift changes until booked and paid in full. Reasonable airfares are also available through the cruise line. Best regards,
Update – July 1, 2018: Hey there, CT Tribe, 
Cruise Trek friends setting sail on the 2018 cruise will be wearing this stylish fleece-lined jacket, modeled by our CT family friend Eric Menyuk! We have been busily working on everyone’s files and more. And so a couple questions came up regarding this year’s CT Family garment. Of which we need answers (via eMail, please) from you by July 15th. In any case, we are hoping to produce a fleece-lined coat/jacket for all of us this year. And as an FYI they will run a little larger than normal. This is actually a good thing as then, if needed, you could also wear a sweater underneath as well. Indeed, the idea of “layering” is advisable. We also believe they will be water-resistant (if not better). So, the first question that comes up is because we have a choice of Navy blue (a very dark Navy) or black. Officially, we are going with black. And we will have our embroidered CT info on it, as usual. It is simply better looking. However, if there any of you who would prefer the Navy blue, please let me know before the 15th of July. No guarantee or promises, but we will do our best to accommodate those where we can. Mostly we are constrained by our suppliers. Larger sizes may also be limited in this choice as well. Also, the other important question for you all is that if your size has changed (that which you placed on your booking form), please advise by July 15th so we can adjust. And again, please note these do run slightly larger in their given size. Please note these coats are even nicer than what we have done in the past in that they are more expensive and bulkier to mail/ship. So we will not be ordering extras (as we have done in the past) unless we have paid requests for same by the 15th again. Oh, yes, these coats will be mailed via USPS priority mail prior to your departure for US addresses only. All addresses outside the US will receive their coats in Bucharest or on board. Documents, trip info booklets, bag tags will be sent to all addresses about 2 to 6 weeks prior to sailing. I am sure we will be in touch again before our departure! ;-)) Until then have a great & healthy summer. C & A PS – again, above is subject to change ;-)) Ricky & Dinah – you won’t need these in Grand Cayman – but you will in Europe!! ;-)) Update – March 24, 2018: Hey, Cruise Trek Travelers, We are getting closer to our 2018 adventure and the more we work on the production details, the more excited we get about it all. Visualizing and remembering our own inspection trip we did last year again – a great word for this trip would be “transformative” if not wonderfully “experiential”. Indeed we can all enjoy a fun Caribbean cruise and vacation. But this River cruise and as most of them are – is a true “traveler’s” adventure. And as always, getting to share it all with friends and family is the ultimate culmination of an amazing experience. So with that, we have some quick notes to mention: we still have some very limited cabins . . . and an open Male & Female Trek Share to fill. Interested? Please give us a shout! ;-) And, it is good time to book airfare. We have been helping to direct folks with air arrangements – including the Menyuks and Dominic! Indeed, they are joining us if nothing unforeseen happens. ;-)) For 2019 – working on it and more – and if anyone would like help arranging a different River Cruise for their own enjoyment, please feel free to reach out to us. We wholeheartedly think an Asian trip (on AMA Waterways as well) is a voyage one should do at least once in one’s lifetime. Well, and as a reminder, we also have a Trans-Atlantic cruise to do immediately after this year’s AMA River cruise – anyone want to join us with a “crossing”???? This one by itself is an awesome experience. Want more information – please send us an eMail to get on our eMail list for information. And when it all becomes available, as we are waiting for the super duper offers, we’ll be sure to eMail you! Departure is from Rome on October 28 and arrives in Fort Lauderdale November 11. See you soon! Travel safe & well with curiosity, adventure, and discovery in mind. Charlie & Aaron Prev Page | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Next Page |
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