Travel — Doug Risser

We are excited to revisit a favorite destination: Holland and Belgium at Tulip Time, March 29-April 12, 2021.

Our introduction to European river cruising was in the spring of 2003 on the inaugural revenue sailing of Amadeus Waterways, now AMA. So wonderful for the culture, the architecture, the flowers, and the people. And it was a wonderful way to welcome in spring—something to anticipate during the winter. And experience has taught us that visiting at this time of the year is so superior to high season with the crowds you would otherwise find in Amsterdam, Bruges, Keukenhof, Antwerp, and elsewhere.

This year we are partnering with the river cruise company on which we have traveled the most: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Our ship is the River Princess, a 130 passenger ship perfect for the smaller waterways we’ll travel. Uniworld offers a tremendous all-inclusive cruise price that includes all meals, accommodations, all beverages (not only with dinner and lunch as some lines do), shore excursions, and gratuities for both on the ship and for shore excursions. And if that’s not sufficient, we’re throwing in another $300 per stateroom onboard credit that could be used for spa services, the gift shop, or anything else you can charge onboard.

Although rescheduled from 2020 due to COVID, we have an excellent price for such a cruise for nine nights for our cruise in 2021. In addition, Uniworld has offered us an additional $1200 per stateroom off the price you would get if you booked directly with Uniworld. Our group air from South Bend runs under $700, significantly less than the published fare.

Because of COVID, availability may be limited, especially for the lead-in “Classic” category for $3599. for the Deluxe category for $4199 per person and for the French Balcony category for $4799. Port charges of $250 per person is are additional.

Our group at present consists of 20 people and we would like an ideal group of 32-36.

Of course, pre- and post-cruise two-night packages are offered as well and include the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and Luxembourg in Belgium.

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I operate as an independent agent in affiliation with Menno Travel, my former employer. I hold numerous professional certifications including Master Cruise Counselor (MCC), Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE), and Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). I hold membership in professional organizations including the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA). and Cruise Lines Industry Association (CLIA).

I was privileged over my career in travel to serve on several advisory boards: the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA, now The Travel Institute), Classic Vacations, Amtrak, and American Express Representative Network.This allowed me the opportunity to build relationships with industry leaders which benefited Menno Travel as well as being fun! I benefited much more than my "advice" was worth!

We have been fortunate as part of the travel industry to have traveled extensively over the years. We've been on 50+ cruises around the world from India to Singapore, around Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, between Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro a couple of times, nine or more European river cruises, Hawaii, and many times in the Caribbean, Baltic, and Mediterranean. We sailed on such current lines as Azamara, Celebrity, Crystal, NCL, Royal Caribbean, Costa, Lindblad Expeditions, Delta Queen, Windstar, Carnival, AMA Waterways, Holland America, Princess, and Uniworld. We previously had sailed on several lines that no longer exist including Premier, Sitmar, Monarch, American Hawaii, Chandris (our first cruise in 1978!), Marco Polo, Ocean Cruise Line, and possibly some others long forgotten.

For a luxury line, we love Uniworld for river cruises and Crystal for blue water cruises. For better quality premium lines we enjoy Azamara. For premium lines, we enjoy Celebrity. For contemporary, it's hard to say but likely either Royal Caribbean or NCL, wherever the right itinerary would fit with price.