Friends! Romans! Countrymen! I am back from an INCREDIBLE week in Riviera Maya Mexico where I met with 30+ Marriott properties in the Caribbean and Latin America. I am somewhat overwhelmed by everything I’ve learned and all the amazing offers I have for you. Curious? I am going to start posting these offers on my professional Facebook page here starting TODAY.

But now…let’s talk about cruising. Because I still get people who say they don’t like cruising. But then…they like boats. So what’s happening?

Many some people are tired of the usual Caribbean loop? The crowds? The rum runners? I get it. That’s not entirely my scene either. Although I am a sucker for a Baked Alaska parade with sparklers.

These cruises below are for travelers who want MORE than buffets and beach chairs—think cultural immersion, wildlife encounters, and scenery you can’t see from a hotel room. These cruises are all a bit more…experiential. Hands-on. Immersive. That’s what we want.

So let me suggest some crazy and unusual cruises to you. By booking any of these cruises through me, you’ll receive onboard credits and other perks you can’t get by booking direct. Ready to talk travel? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

🌿 Zafiro – Amazon River Cruise (Peru)

📍 Iquitos & Pacaya Samiria Reserve | 🛶 Jungle Experiences

Glide into the Peruvian Amazon aboard an all-suite river ship with floor-to-ceiling windows and daily excursions by skiff. Expect monkeys overhead, pink dolphins in the water, and unreal sunsets every night. I am super excited about this cruise because guess what? I will be a guest on the Zafiro later this year! I can’t wait to go and tell you all about it!
👉 Great for: Wildlife lovers, eco-curious travelers, couples who’ve “done” Europe

🪇AmaWaterways – Magic of Colombia (New!)

📍 Magdalena River | 🚤 AmaWaterways

Sail through the heart of Colombia on a stylish new ship designed specifically for this route. You’ll explore colorful river towns, dance to cumbia and vallenato, and enjoy authentic Colombian cuisine onboard. One of my colleagues just returned from Colombia with AmaWaterways and she LOVED the entire experience. AmaWaterways is one of my closest partners so I can really VIP your trip.
👉 Great for: Culture seekers, couples, small groups

Zambezi Queen, part of the AmaWaterways River & Rails itinerary

🦁AmaWaterways – Rivers & Rails of Africa

📍 Chobe River + Rovos Rail | 🚂 + 🚤 Combo Journey

It starts with safari river cruising in Botswana and ends with a bucket-list train journey across South Africa. Bonus: You'll visit Victoria Falls, sip cocktails with elephants nearby, and travel like a colonial-era VIP—minus the colonialism.
👉 Great for: Africa first-timers, adventurous honeymooners, big celebrations

🐢Aqua Blu – Remote Indonesia

📍 Raja Ampat, Spice Islands, Komodo | 🛥️ Aqua Expeditions

From coral gardens to volcanic islands, this is one of the world’s last wild frontiers. Sail aboard a chic expedition yacht with only 15 suites and visit places so remote your friends will have to Google them.
👉 Great for: Divers, explorers, honeymooners

🏝️Ponant – Seychelles & East Africa

📍 Aldabra Atoll, Zanzibar, Seychelles | 🛳️ Ponant

If you're craving rare wildlife and barefoot-luxury beaches, this one’s for you. You'll visit UNESCO-protected atolls, snorkel in turquoise lagoons, and explore Swahili coastal towns—without the crowds. Ponant is one of my newest cruise partners and I can’t wait to VIP your trip with extra perks!
👉 Great for: Nature nerds, island collectors, design-minded travelers

🦎 Lindblad Expeditions: Galápagos on the National Geographic Gemini

📍 Quito, Ecuador to Guayaquil, Ecaudor or the reverse | 🛳️ Linblad/National Geographic

Go with the experts. Lindblad’s partnership with National Geographic means daily excursions with naturalists, underwater photo ops, and intimate wildlife encounters — all aboard a nimble 48-guest expedition ship.
👉 Great for: Animal lovers, nature lovers, experiential families

🌳Seabourn – Into the Amazon

📍 Manaus to Iquitos | 🛳️ Seabourn Expedition Cruise

This isn’t just a cruise—it’s a slow, winding immersion into one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Think chef-prepped Amazonian fare, skiff rides into flooded forests, and luxury suite life at every turn.
👉 Great for: Luxury adventurers, river cruise converts, experiential families

🧡Scenic Eclipse – Kimberley Coast (Australia)

📍 Darwin to Broome | 🚁 Scenic Eclipse Ultra-Luxury Yacht

Cruise past ochre cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and ancient rock art that predates the pyramids. Onboard helicopters and submarines take this expedition cruise to an entirely new level. Scenic is one of my preferred partners; by booking through me, you’ll receive perks you won’t get by booking direct.
👉 Great for: Off-grid luxury seekers, Australia lovers, “been there, done that” travelers

🌊 AQUA the Dahabeya on The Nile

📍 Luxor to Aswan | ⛵ AQUA

Experience the timeless romance of the Nile aboard AQUA, a sumptuous small ship that combines heritage with contemporary luxury. Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, it offers a blend of relaxation and exploration, with stops at iconic historical sites. Before the pandemic, I did a dahabiya cruise of the Nile and it was one of the best vacations of my entire life. The Aqua ship is a lot more modern than what I did, but it looks stunning! (This is a Small Luxury Hotels property where I can VIP your stay.)

Want help picking the right cruise for you?

I’ve sailed and studied these options inside out—and I’ll match you to the one that feels made for you. ✉️ Just contact me to book a quick call.

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso luxury travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to moving to Florida to take care of my elderly mom with Parkinson’s Disease, I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England. My career and personal travel have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others as a Virtuoso travel advisor. I offer a 30 minute complimentary vacation consultation for anyone looking to plan their next trip.

Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
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Ways I Can Help You

Knowledge and experience. I’ve been to 78 countries.
I can offer VIP perks and amenities at thousands of hotels around the world. Virtuoso perks are just the start. I can also upgrade your stay at Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Four Seasons, and Rosewood properties…among others. Think free breakfast, priority for upgrade, a hotel credit, and more! (See my website footer for all the brands I work with.)
I have a huge storehouse of luxury cruises: I partner with all the major cruise lines…Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Viking, Ama Waterways, Tauck and more. I can add onboard credits and other perks that you cannot get by booking direct.
I have vetted villa rentals with concierge service all around the world
Private jets.
Yacht charters.
Small group and private touring through my partners Project Expedition and Tours by Locals.
Airport transfers.
VIP on arrival and VIP on departure airport services. (Get met at the plane door!)
Travel insurance. Don’t leave home without it!

🛳️ Unusual Cruises for Curious Travelers