Courtney Graham

"I think scenic river cruises are for my grandparents, not young people like my teenage child." How the river cruise industry is adjusting to the changing demographics of travelers? And why is there a shift? One misconception is that a river cruise is exclusive to older guests. River cruising welcomes multi-generational families, with itineraries suitable for children as young as five. This TravelAge West article helps break the misconception that river cruises are exclusive to older guests. How are companies like AmaWaterways River Cruises, Viking and Avalon Waterways River Cruises responding to this shifting and younger age demographic? 3 things I'm noticing: ✅ Reliable Wifi ✅ Immersive experiences like local cooking demonstrations ✅ Emphasis on health and wellness. Raise your hand 🙋🏽‍♂️ 🙋🏽‍♀️ in the comments if you think a river cruise could be for you and your family, no matter your age. The link to the article is in the comments.

4

1 Comment

Calling All River Cruise Enthusiasts! Have you been keeping up with the latest river cruise trends? If not, let me give you a quick rundown from the experts. Travel + Leisure dubbed river cruising the "smartest way to vacation in 2024," while Good Housekeeping U.K. crowned it "the luxury, grown-up alternative to backpacking." The river cruise world has been rapidly evolving with new players, cutting-edge ships, and a fresh wave of explorers taking to the rivers. And with sky-high airfares, savvy travelers are getting creative - booking longer cruises, sailing the shoulder seasons, and taking advantage of packages that bundle airfare into the cruise fare at a flat rate. Speaking of packages, AmaWaterways is going all out to help you get the most cruise for your money. Their AirPlus program makes high airfare sticker shock a thing of the past by rolling flights into an upfront price. And they're sweetening the deal even more with free pre- or post-cruise land packages through June 2024 when you book an European sailing and AirPlus. But that's not all! AmaWaterways is also introducing more 14-day cruises and combo sailings where you can snag 10% off back-to-back cruises. Sign me up! If you want to be in the know on these hot river cruise trends and exclusive offers, give me a follow and shoot me a message. As a professional travel planner, I'll make sure you're first in line for the latest deets straight from the cruise lines. After all, doesn't a grown-up getaway along the rivers of the world sound divine?

5

On this day 17 of 30 #whyrivercruising , I thought I’d share a little about cabin categories on a river cruise ship. The entry level or lead in category (I.e., the most economical) is called a “fixed window.” What is a “fixed window” cabin on a river cruise? The fixed windows cabins are on the lower deck (and note, elevators don’t always go to the lower floor). Fixed window cabins have a window that is 4.5’ - 5’ off the ground. An entry level, or fixed window, cabin has a window that lets in light, but the window does not open. So, there is no fresh air access. Given the height of the window from the ground, you have to stand up to look out the window, and it’s a little like having a basement window in your house (although a river cruise fixed window is about 5’ off the ground, while a basement window might be 7’ off the ground.) This fixed window cabin category is sometimes called a “swan view” because when you look out the window (standing up), you are looking at the water level- so if there are swans on the river, you will see them go by. With a fixed window cabin, when you stand up, you are looking out at the water, but when you lie in bed, you are lying underneath the water line. The attached reel shows video of a fixed window on the Ama Magna, as we are “double docked” (tied up) to another ship; as well as a fixed window on the Scenic Amber, when we are not tied up to another ship. Let me know if you have any questions. #askSheila sheila@lushlife.ca Virtuoso Travel Lush Life Travel #CruiseIcon #RiverCruise #TravelAuthority #cruisinglife #cruise #bucketlist

1

Do you have insights on flight shaming and the challenges of air travel? 🛫 I'm seeking a guest for an upcoming episode of my Travel Devil podcast! 🎙️ If you have valuable experiences or knowledge on this topic, or if you know someone who does, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you're a travel expert, industry professional, or passionate traveler, your voice could make a significant impact. 👇 Comment below with your suggestions or send me a direct message if you’re interested in being a guest! Let's dive into the conversation on sustainable travel and air travel challenges together. #FlightShaming #SustainableTravel #PodcastGuest #AirTravel #carbonemissions

2

Are you afraid to start something right now? Sitting in fear that it won’t go right? Then you might appreciate this nugget from Naval. I happen to agree. There’s usually a set number of things that can go wrong. Prevent and eliminate what doesn’t work and that’s within your control. Want to start a business? Ensure you won’t run out of money. Want to sell something? Make sure you get feedback that people want it and why. Want to start a relationship? Look up the reasons why people struggle and fail. Work on those. Good luck!

1

Not to be dramatic, but if you're the travel planner parent of kid(s) under 18 and you want to raise empathetic, grateful, and responsible travelers, then you NEED this program. Let me break down why this program why this program gives you a MASSIVE ROI on both your time and money... 1️⃣ TIME Time with your kids is your most precious resource. ⏳ Travel gives you the most uninterrupted quality time with your family that you will get during their childhood. Think about your strongest childhood memories - a lot of them were probably on a family trip. You have the opportunity to use travel as a tool to strengthen your family bonds (while also having a ridiculously fun time). Without being intentional about HOW you travel, you are missing out on the most valuable return on your TIME investment of a trip. 💥 The Soul Filling Family Travel program gives you the fast-track framework to *truly* making the most of your precious time together! 2️⃣ MONEY Travel - particularly "big" trips - are a significant financial investment. You want to get the most bang for your buck. Unfortunately, you can spend a LOT of money on a trip and get an average - or even bad - experience. 😬 I've specialized in planning in highly customized trips for clients around the world for 8 years. I know what to look out for and how to design a trip that gives YOU the most value based on your unique preferences and priorities. ✨ I don't want you wasting money on things that you won't value or are just not a good fit for your family! With my personalized guidance I can help you plan a trip that feels made for you - from beginning to end. Don't leave your investment to chance. 💸 Plus, in the program you'll learn how to start earning points quickly and how to maximize their value to get free travel. That could easily save you thousands of dollars on ONE trip - let alone the potential savings on future trips once you get the basics down! I'll be there to guide you, cheer you on, and keep you on track to plan a soul filling trip for your family. ❤️ ⬇️ Comment "SOUL" to see all the details! ✈️ Share this with a friend or coworker that's a travel loving parent that wants to share our amazing world with their kids in a meaningful way.

11

1 Comment

How much should I tip in: Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand To tip or not to tip – and how much – is a question on many American travelers’ minds as they venture abroad this summer. The U.S. is known around the world for its generous tipping culture, but that standard, as much as 20% on some bills in some cities, hasn’t exactly been exported to other locations. In fact, according to Justin Chapman, a travel expert who specializes in safaris at Go2Africa, tipping in some locations may actually be seen as offensive. Here are his rules of thumb depending on where you’re visiting this summer. How much to tip in Europe It varies from country to country, but in general visitors don’t need to leave a huge tip in most of Europe. In some countries it’s becoming increasingly common for a 10-15% service charge to be included in the bills in places like restaurants, while in others, it’s up to the visitor’s discretion. How much to tip in Africa In most of Africa, Chapman said, a 10-15% gratuity on restaurant bills is customary, as are tips equivalent to $10-20 per day for staff at your lodging or any tour guides you may do business with. How much to tip in Central and South America A 10-15% tip is customary in most restaurants in Central and South America, but tips are even more important for tour guides, who Chapman said rely heavily on the extra income. In Colombia, he said, $10-20 per day is appropriate for guides, while $5-10 is alright in most of the rest of the region. Chapman said it’s especially important to tip generously for guides in Brazil. https://lnkd.in/g29wTFNq #tip #abroad #europe #africa #asia #latinamerica #australia #newzealand #travelers #americans #generous #servicecharge #resturants #visitors #summer #thumrule #travel #traveling #traveladvice #travelindustry #travelagent TraveLICE TraveLICE Customercare

1

As travelers, we often encounter unexpected challenges that can derail even the most meticulously crafted plans. It's a common lament among adventurers: our journeys don't always unfold according to the neatly outlined itinerary we painstakingly crafted. Yet, amidst the frustration of deviations from the plan lies a valuable lesson: sometimes, the most extraordinary experiences happen when we relinquish rigid adherence to our schedules. Embracing spontaneity can lead us down unexpected paths, unveiling hidden treasures and serendipitous encounters that we would have otherwise missed. So, let's make plans, but let's also leave room for the magic of the unknown to weave its enchanting tapestry around us. After all, the beauty of travel lies not only in the destinations we reach but also in the unforgettable moments found along the winding, unpredictable roads of adventure..❤💫... #EmbraceTheUnexpected #TravelWisdom #DiscoverTheMagic #TravelTips #BePresent #AdventureAwaits #traveltheworld #linkedingrowth #linkedinforcreators #linkedinforcreators #linkedincreators #linkedinengagement #linkedincommunity #linkedinconnections #linkbuilding #travel #traveller #travelblogger #travelindustry #travelexperience #travelinfluencer #travelgram #travelindia #travelandmore

4

I am the worst about planning my own travel. I can design beautiful, complex, choreographed travel programs all over the world for some of the most discerning clients out there, but somehow I'm always scrambling last-minute to plan trips for my own family. It's kind of like the luxury home builder whose own home renovations take a backseat. Sound familiar? I hear you! Luckily, since I have so much practice planning my own last-minute trips, I can work some pretty good miracles, pretty quickly, to get you on your way to a dreamy summer vacation that rivals those who have planned a year in advance. Don't believe me? How about a full, ultra-luxe program in Paris and Bordeaux to take in the opening ceremonies of the Olympic games with only an 8 week lead time.....and the vast majority of Paris having being booked solid since about Q4 2023 for the Olympic Games. Yep! Done and done. Or something less involved? How about, "Man, we never got around to planning a new place to go for our beach vacation. Guess we'll just have go to 30A again.....for the millionth time." Nope. Not on my watch. Still thinking about that trip you almost planned but never got around to doing? We can help with that. Simple. Easy. Luxurious. Travel.

60

4 Comments

Elevate, inspire, mentor — the hallmarks of leadership. Do you lead, or do you transform? Leaders don’t just lead. They don’t just command. ↓ I experienced this firsthand while working in the travel industry during the pandemic. ➟ The pandemic hit the world of travel unexpectedly, causing chaos. The future seemed bleak. ➟  Bookings evaporated, and uncertainty clouded our days. We were sailing in dark waters, unsure if our company would survive the global shutdown. ➟ Every day brought grim news—airlines halting operations, countries sealing borders, and travellers cancelling plans. In those dire times, leadership was our beacon of hope. The leadership team guided the company through challenges and kept morale high. They faced the same storm, yet their resolve didn’t waver. They acknowledged fears, yet they spoke of resilience. It was a long voyage through rough skies, but our company emerged on the other side, battered but not broken. Leadership has shown us that even in the darkest times, a shared vision and collective strength can carry us through. Looking back, I realize that the pandemic taught us invaluable lessons about leadership. ↳ Leaders stand with their team when the storm hits rather than commanding from a distance. ↳ It’s about showing that every storm will pass, and what matters is how we come out of it—together. Leaders uplift everyone around them: → Leaves a legacy. → Their influence grows people. → A leader's impact continues even in their absence. Leadership isn't a rank. It's a responsibility. • Never shy away from elevating others. • They strive for team success. • Leaders cultivate growth. The three growth accelerators are: → Inspiring: Motivating by example. → Empowering: Encouraging team autonomy. → Mentoring: Offering wisdom and support. For all leaders aiming for greatness, remember: 1. You can empower others: → Celebrate their successes as your own. 2. Leverage your influence: → Promote a culture where everyone thrives. 3. Create spaces for growth: → It might be through coaching or creating open dialogue. Above all, take pride in your work. Leadership is not just a position; it's an honour. _____________ 💡 React to support. 💬 Comment to share your view. ♻️ Share this to inspire your network. ➕ Follow me for more content like this. _____________ P.S. What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned during challenging times?

328

60 Comments

Check out the latest post on my Continental DRIFTER® blog. How do you practice mindfulness in your travels (and in everyday life)? #mindfulness #travel #mindfulandintentional

2