Embark on a European Journey with Holland America Cruise Line

If a European cruise is on your travel wish list, you are in good company. Europe offers such a wide range of destinations with cultural and historical delights sure to please any traveler. Many of us long to go “back to the Old Country”, get in touch with our roots, or take a step back in time and experience life in a way which can only be found in Europe. Taking European cruise is one way you can explore multiple ports of call with ease. Going on a Holland American Line cruise around Europe will give you unique opportunities to not only see different countries and cultures, but to feel what makes this region of the world so special.

Holland America Line originated as a European shipping company, which, over the last 140 years has been providing travelers with the chance to change themselves and the world. Holland American Line believes it is “…Our higher purpose to help make the world a better place through opening minds, building connections, and inspiring a shared humanity. With this in mind, they have seven dedicated mid-sized ships ready to take you to the best ports-of-call around Europe.

You will embark on a European journey which will stir your soul, whether you explore the riches of Russia, discover Renaissance art of the Mediterranean, or taste your way through wine the wine countries of the Baltic. Holland America Line European cruises include stops at major capitols and metro centers, such as Venice and Istanbul where you can experience life at the crossroads, where major historical influences can still be seen today.

But there is more to Europe than these major centers. History buffs will be intrigued by the world-famous sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, where the ashes of Mount Vesuvius captured ancient Roman life in one moment of time, forever preserved.

A picturesque retreat is waiting for you along the Aurlandsfjord of Norway, and the quaint town of Flam, home to one of the steepest railroads in the world. It is said as you approach Flam on board the ship, it feels as though you have stepped back to the age of Vikings, so striking are the small mountain villages and rugged mountains around you.

Croatia has become one of the top European destinations over the last several years. With a Holland America Cruise Line, you can not only experience the walled city of Dubrovnik, but you can visit the charming town Mostar, a true Croatian gem. Visitors are awed at the site of the reconstructed Stari-Most Bridge, which was destroyed in the 1990’s during conflicts in the region. This 400-year-old bridge has been resurrected, alongside the peaceful, yet lively culture of Croatians, an experience not to be missed.

Now, through November 14th, 2017, you can get more from your Holland America Line 2018/2019 cruise. They are offering their Explore4 Deal, with their signature beverage package, a 50% savings on your deposit, free or reduced fares for a 3rd or 4th guest, and a special dinner at the Pinnacle Grill on board your ship. Reserve a suite stateroom and you will receive an extra $200 on board spending credit.  Contact C.P. Trips today to find out more, call 503-658-5646 or email cptrips@aol.com.

The agents of C.P. Trips are here to help you plan a vacation full of transformative memories. Enjoy a worry-free journey with the support and care of a local Travel Professional*ǂ. Visit our website, cptrips.com to explore the latest in travel ideas, promotions and more. Call us at (503) 658-5646 or email us at cptrips@aol.com today- Keep Calm and Travel On.

 *We are excited to have the chance to help you with your vacation plans! We understand that you have many options to choose from when it comes to travel. Our standard fee policy is noted below for your reference.

With the time and expertise we give in our researching travel options and destinations for clients and potential customers, along with our continuing education and training, we have non-refundable fees of $ 30.00 for domestic travel research & planning and $ 75.00 for International travel research & planning. 

In addition to our research fee, there is an airline ticket/service fee: $30 per person/ticket for US flights, $75 per person/ticket for International flights. Other fees for certain additional requested bookings such as, but not limited to: lodgings, excursion activities, and destination specialty requests will be applied ($15.00 - $45.00) depending on type of booking completed.  

Initial Research/Planning fee due prior to trip planning; all other fees due at time of invoicing. Thank you, we look forward to helping you make your vacation dreams a reality!

 ǂFee Schedule updated as of August 17, 2017, current format and costs apply; any prior fee schedule listed within a previous blog post is out-of-date and invalid.

Cruising Solo Just Got Easier

Cruising is a great way to take a vacation. There are cruises all around the world fit for any travel budget. Cruise companies offer their own unique style of cruising to appeal to every walk of life. There are specialty cruises with amazing events, and the culinary experiences on board many a ship are spectacular. But there has been one thing that has kept many a solo traveler from enjoying cruising as much as they may like. Until recently it has been standard practice for cruise staterooms to be sold on a double occupancy basis only. This has meant that a solo traveler has had to pay double the rate for a room, yes, that’s right, double the price.

But cruise companies are also hip to new trends and like other industries in travel and tourism, they look for new ways to gain new clients. The latest trend is all about solo travelers. Cruise companies have realized that they can get more solo travelers if they stop making them pay for the extra bed in their stateroom.

More and more cruises are offering solo travelers a solo rate, allowing them easier access to incredible journeys all over the world. Listed below are what some of our Cruise Partners are now offering the solo traveler.

AzamaraClub Cruises has lowered their single occupancy rate to 125% of a double occupancy stateroom. What’s more, the cost includes gratuities for bar, dining and housekeeping staff, saving you even more on your cruise budget.

HollandAmerica Line takes a bit of a different approach to solo travelers. There are several program amenities offered to those cruising on their own, including mixers, parties and cocktail hours for solo travelers, as well as a variety of activities such as their cooking demonstrations, trivia games and wine tastings which any passenger can join. Holland America Line also offers a way for solo

travelers to save money through their SinglePartners Program. You can book a room and get matched with another passenger to share a stateroom. You are guaranteed the lower rate of a double occupancy room even if a match can’t be found.

Norwegian CruiseLine was the first company to include studio cabins, created specifically for the solo traveler. The first were on board their Epic ship, a mega floating entertainment extravaganza. NCL has since added studio cabins to additional ships, and they are all priced without a single supplement fee.

RoyalCaribbean Cruise Line also has studio cabins available with no additional single supplement fee. They offer a variety of staterooms on several of their cruise ships. These include interior staterooms, as well as one with views, and even balcony studios. As a solo traveler on RCCL, you have more options of where you stay on board.

Value River Cruises, is currently offering special deals for solo travelers cruising along the Danube or Rhine rivers in Europe. Typical specials include beverage packages, or on board credit and even discounted shore excursions. Now companies are offering to waive the single supplement fee for solo travelers on select cruises.

With these new options coming more available for the solo traveler, cruising is easier than ever before. For a small fee Cindy Passannante can help you plan your next cruise adventure. Call or email today at 503-658-5646 or cptrips@aol.com