The One Thing Most People Get Wrong About Booking a Cruise
Look at the image AI made me!
But Before We Get Started…Some Travel Updates 🐝🐝🐝
What I’ve Been Up To This Week…I met with one of my favorite partners for Africa and safaris. I also met with my favorite partner for India, where I learned more about safaris in India (TIGERS!). I need to really block my calendar next year so I can do two weeks in Africa and two weeks in India. I also met with Virtuoso, my consortium, to learn about their latest tech advantages. And then I met with a villa company in Europe and a newly relaunched travel tech company for booking global itineraries.
This week, I also tried out the new Travel to The EU app. This is supposed to help you clear the immigration queues in EU countries faster. BUT…it only works for Portugal and Sweden right now. I am flying through Lisbon soon so I decided to download the app and give it a whirl. The pin is dumb — there’s no way to retrieve your PIN if you forget it. Seriously — an app that will be used by millions with no pin recovery feature? But if it can help me skip immigration lines, I’m all for it.
Items Disappeared from Checked Bags. My clients flew from Chicago to Newark to Rome recently. Meta Glasses and four AirTags disappeared from their checked bags. We will probably never know what happened but to quote my dad, most crimes are crimes of opportunity. Don’t pack valuables in your checked bags and always use luggage locks. (Consider using zip ties too, but wait to put them on until you are at the airport.) Another important note: If you get to your destination and notice anything missing from your checked bag, report it to the airline immediately.
But Now, Let’s Talk about Luxury Cruises…
Sometimes people tell me they're "keeping an eye on" a cruise.
Please…stop waiting.
The clients sitting in the nicest suites on the nicest ships didn't find a last-minute deal. They booked 12 to 18 months out, collected early booking bonuses on top of it, and then forgot about it until it was time to pack. I really didn’t realize how seriously serious cruisers take cruising until I got into this industry. People plan AHEAD.
I'm not saying this to pressure you. I'm saying it because I watch it happen every season — someone emails me about a ship they've been thinking about, and the cabin they wanted is gone.
Do you want to know the trick? Many cruise deposits are low. Just deposit on a cruise you want two years from now. Worst case scenario, you lose your deposit. Also, one thing I do for my clients is see if we can reprice just before final payment. Generally, if there is still a cabin in that category available, we can still reprice. (To calm the flurry of emails I am about to receive, this strategy doesn’t work if your cruise is sold out!)
What's worth booking right now, cruise-wise? Quite a bit, actually. Here's what has my attention.
She’s so beautiful! The Orient Express Corinthian
Orient Express Corinthian
The Orient Express is not a cruise line. Or it wasn't, until now. The brand that built its legend on train travel just launched its first ship — and it is, by every measure, extraordinary. The Corinthian is the largest sailing yacht in the world: 720 feet, 54 suites, five restaurants, eight bars, and three 1,500-square-meter rigid sails that can power the ship entirely by wind in the right conditions. It sailed from Saint-Nazaire on May 2nd and is now in the Mediterranean for its inaugural season, running two- to eight-night voyages between ports like Monte-Carlo, Portofino, and Saint-Tropez. This winter it crosses to the Caribbean.
110 guests. That's it. If you want to feel like you have the Mediterranean to yourself, this is it.
What I find fascinating is that they have some very short cruises. I believe I saw a 3 night cruise listed? If you too are intrigued, book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
Check out these itineraries…
The new Regent Seven Seas Prestige
Regent Seven Seas Prestige
Regent's new Seven Seas Prestige launches in December 2026 — the first new ship class from Regent in a decade. At 77,000 tons, it's 40% larger than their existing ships, but carries only 10% more guests. That ratio tells you everything. The signature Regent Suite has been reimagined at 8,794 square feet, making it the largest all-inclusive ultra-luxury suite afloat. The inaugural sailing departs Barcelona on December 13th on a 14-night transatlantic to Miami.
Regent is all-inclusive — flights, excursions, drinks, gratuities, all of it — so the sticker price is not what it looks like. If you've ever thought Regent was too expensive, let me show you what the actual per-day cost looks like when you factor in what's covered.
Check out these itineraries…
The Stunning Explora III
Explora Journeys
If you've avoided cruising because you don't want to feel like you're on a cruise, Explora Journeys is the answer. The line — backed by MSC Group but positioned entirely separately — is built around a boutique hotel concept at sea. No formal dining times, no production shows, no crowds. Explora III joins the fleet this August, christened in Barcelona, with itineraries through Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Three ships now, six by 2028.
Explora tends to attract people who love design hotels and independent travel and want to apply that sensibility to a ship. If that sounds like you, it's worth a conversation. Honestly, this is my dream cruise! If you’re curious about Explora, book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
Check out these itineraries…
Mitsui is a great way to experience Japan
Mitsui Ocean Cruises
Japan is one of the hardest destinations to plan well independently. The language barrier is real, the logistics are complex, and the experiences most people want — the ryokans, the small coastal towns, the cultural depth — are exactly the things that are hardest to access without the right infrastructure around you.
Mitsui Ocean Cruises solves that problem in a way nothing else does. The line is Japanese — the ships run on omotenashi hospitality, the cuisine is authentically Japanese, and the itineraries reach smaller coastal ports that larger ships can't access. The 458-guest Mitsui Ocean Fuji is sailing Japan now through December, with voyages ranging from five to eleven nights out of Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, and Kobe. A second ship, the Mitsui Ocean Sakura, joins the fleet in late 2026.
The Magdalena river in Colombia
AmaWaterways on the Magdalena River, Colombia
This one is genuinely different. AmaWaterways — best known for European river cruising — is now sailing Colombia's Magdalena River, between Cartagena and Barranquilla, aboard the AmaMelodia. The itinerary stops in places like Mompox, a UNESCO-listed colonial town, and communities along jungle-lined shores that haven't seen river cruise tourism in decades. Caimans in the water at 2 a.m. Otters. Afro-Caribbean culture alive in the ports. It is not the Danube.
If you've done Europe and want something that feels genuinely off the beaten path — but with the comfort and service of AmaWaterways — this is the one. Departures are October and November 2026. Availability is limited.
Oceania is now adults-only
One quick note for anyone who's considered Oceania but worried about the family crowd: as of January 2026, Oceania is officially adults-only across all ships and itineraries. Honestly, it was already close — their typical guest is 55+, and many sailings had no children at all. Now it's policy. If the pitch is great food, interesting ports, and an unhurried pace, Oceania just got easier to love.
Check out these itineraries…
Any of these feel right for you? Reply and tell me where you're thinking about going — I'm happy to talk through which one fits. Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
About Krista
I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad and I have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Before building my travel business, I spent 20 years in the investment management industry and over a decade living and working in London, England. I’ve personally traveled to 80 countries and now design thoughtful, highly customized trips for travelers who value expertise, access, and a seamless experience.
I offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation for travelers considering a custom itinerary or luxury cruise.c
For travel inspiration and real-time updates, you can follow along on Instagram or connect with me on Facebook. I also share a curated list of travel products I genuinely use and recommend in my online store.
What I Offer…
Custom itinerary design for complex, multi-stop trips
VIP hotel benefits through Virtuoso and preferred partner programs (including complimentary breakfast, hotel credits, and priority for upgrades where available)
Luxury ocean, river, and expedition cruises with added onboard credits
Vetted villa rentals with concierge services worldwide
Private guides, small-group touring, and unique local experiences
Private aviation and yacht charters through trusted partners
Airport transfers, VIP arrival and departure services, and full ground logistics
Travel protection and support when plans change
I work best with travelers who want expert planning, trusted partnerships, and someone in their corner from start to finish. That’s what I am best at! Ready to talk travel? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
