Ahoy!

Welcome to the latest edition of my Vacation Views from the Crow’s Nest. This week in my Horizon Scan I examine our roles in destination stewardship, share a Traveller Tip on keeping your passport handy, and some latest offerings in my Sail Savings. So, let’s cast off and get started!

Destination Stewardship: Doing Our Part  

In my previous piece on overtourism, I highlighted the pressing need for sustainable tourism practices. Today, I’ll delve into how destination stewardship plays a vital role in preserving the sustainability of various locations. Essentially, destination stewardship is a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders, including the destinations themselves, the broader tourism sector, and the travelers visiting these places. For travellers, education is a crucial starting point. Below, I’ll outline what some cruise lines are doing to support traveller education and how you can promote responsible tourism while enhancing your vacation experience.

The importance of responsible tourism was underscored during the recent Seatrade Cruise Med congress in Malaga, Spain, in a session titled “Protecting & Preserving Destination Heritage.” Panelists from MSC, Princess Cruise Lines, and Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services agreed that both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the unique appeal of cruise ports play a significant role in attracting travellers. They emphasized that the cruise industry must take responsibility for educating guests about appropriate conduct and attire at heritage sites to help travellers prepare for their visits.

So, here are a few cruise lines that I want to draw your attention to that I feel go the extra ‘nautical’ mile to ensure you’re ready for your journey:

• Viking River, Ocean, and Expedition Cruises: Viking boasts an exceptional destination library designed to excite and inform you about your upcoming voyage. Their free online library offers a wealth of resources, including historical information, curated films, videos, expert insights, and readings. To access this treasure trove, visit their website, select a destination, and click on the Resources tab.

• National Geographic Expeditions: This cruise line provides a robust resource library to help travelers understand the destinations they visit and their role in preserving these environments. While not as extensively curated as Viking’s offerings, National Geographic provides a range of readings and videos, along with onboard experts to guide the journey.

• Cunard: Cunard enriches the travel experience with pre-destination information and onboard programs through their Insights program, featuring renowned speakers on destination-specific topics. On a recent Cunard voyage, I attended a fascinating lecture by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society about the ill-fated Franklin Expedition. Additionally, Cunard’s fleet includes impressive libraries with betweeen 6,000 and 8,000 titles - including the largest at sea - allowing guests to research cultutral norms on sea days.

After presenting their passports to gate agents at airports, many travellers place their passports in their carry-on luggage while boarding. I’d like to remind you why this could be a risky move and recommend that you keep your passport with you at all times while traveling.

With the increasing fees for checked luggage, many travellers are opting to pack everything into carry-on bags. Unfortunately, this leads to overcrowded overhead bins, prompting flight crews to gate-check some bags. If your passport is in your carry-on when it gets gate-checked, there’s a chance it could be lost or delayed, leaving you stranded at the baggage carousel without your luggage or passport to clear customs.

To avoid this situation, keep your passport in your personal belongings or on your person so it never leaves your sight.

Sail Savings and other Vacation Values

Here are three sail savings I want to inform you of with additional Expedia Extra offers that I can offer. Please contact me if you would like a quote for your consideration.

1. Viking Cruises – Viking is offering to secure your vacation for as little as a $25.00 deposit.

2. Cunard Cruise Lines –Big Balcony Event continues through September 30 and can include reduced deposit (12%), flexible booking windows and even more on board credits. There may be no better time to book that affordable luxury cruise vacation!

3. Holland America Lines - A big sale on Holland America Lines begins October 1 - 8 with enhanced OBC,

That concludes this edition of my Vacation Views from Crow’s Nest. The next edition will be sent on October 6.  Please reach out to allow me to provide a quote for your next dream vacation and feel free to share this with colleagues and friends!

 Bon Voyage!