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• IS IT TRUE? IS THERE REALLY AN AIRLINE THAT CATERS TO DOGS
  Q – (9.4.24) I heard it but I won’t believe it until I hear it from you. There is now an airline that caters exclusively to dogs? Is there a “just cats” airline as well? 

  A – There have been several budget airlines that cater to “mutts” but, yes, BARK Air is now flying. Nothing for cats quite yet. No one is sure that cats would remain in their seats or pay any attention at all to to the  safety drill.

  On its first flight earlier this year, Bark flew from Westchester County, New York to, need you guess, Los Angeles. It was and is a curated luxury experience. On the Inaugural the plane was carrying six dogs and eleven proud owners. The dogs receive calming music, scents, and colors along with belly rubs from the on-board concierge. (a service we recently discovered is not offered to passengers in Business Class on American Airlines) The cuisine included dog-friendly cupcakes as well as chicken-flavored puppucinos, something Starbuck’s marketing department has overlooked. The transcontinental flight was $6,000 per dog and owner. The scheduled JFK to London service is currently priced at $8,000 a ticket and BARK reports that most flights are sold out. This is a very real, new business venture off to a good start.

   

• OFF TO BRUSSELS AND BRUGE IN APRIL, 2025. WILL WE NEED TO GET ETIAS PASS?

  Q – (9.4.24) – Our trip for ten days will take in some fine dining in Brussels and some boating through the center of Bruge in Belgium. But I read that there is this new kind of Passport called ETIAS that is now required for  all Europe-bound Americans. Can you let us know the latest on these requirements?

  A – This is not a big deal – it is a little deal designed to enable European nations to use the internet to bring in some additional revenue for each arriving tourist. It was initially supposed to kick in in 2024 but some disagreements within the European Union postponed its introduction. It appears it will be ready to roll out in 2025 but nothing is certain as of today. This is what we know at this stage:

  Americans will need to apply for a form of travel authorization before being permitted to enter 30 European nations. The authorization can be obtained online and should just take a few minutes. This of this as a toy passport. The cost will likely be 7 Euros but as a special offer for Traveltruth visitors, every European country has reached out to us and agreed to waive the fee for those under 18 and over 70 years of age.  In some cases, the application can take up to four days but that will not be typical. If you want to get the latest details go to travel-europe.europa.eu/etias

  Here is the current list of countries that will require ETIAS Registration:

   

   

• READY TO TRAVEL AND NEED FEEDBACK ON A 32-DAY VIKING CRUISES AUSTRALIA CIRCUMNAVIGATION

  Q –  Good to see that you are keeping up this site. There is really nothing else like it. After some downtime, we are ready to travel with you again. This time, we are thinking about a 32-day itinerary on Viking, recommended by friends, that does a full circumnavigation of Australia.

  Love to know what you think of the line and this particular cruise. As you know, we prefer to be away for two or three weeks at a time.

  A – Great to hear from you. We can discuss in-depth on the phone, but here are some thoughts we would like to share:

  01 – This is a rare and in-depth itinerary. It is designed to attract some guests from the South Pacific and Europe.

  02—Viking is not a Five-star line. Given your cruising history on several of the better all-inclusive lines, I have concerns you might be disappointed in several aspects of the experience. You will note they never use the word “luxury” in their advertising. Viking is not trying to be five-star, and we think that is really an important part of their success.

  03 – As a rule, we feel that trying to see this part of the world by ship is a mistake. If, for instance, you did one of the better land tours with Tauck or Abercrombie & Kent, you would have 4-6 required international flights, just to get to some of the major sites you would miss on a cruise ship that never stops inland.

  04 – This cruise has ten days at sea and Viking is not the best when it comes to sea day stimulations. You are essentially wasting one-third of your time seeing nothing.

  05 – When the election is over and all votes are tabulated, New Zealand is most often preferred to Australia as the most memorable of the two destinations. If you have already spent time in New Zealand, then Australia in-depth makes sense, particularly if the relaxation of many days at sea is attractive. But if you have never been to New Zealand we think it is a major mistake to miss it.

  06—Given that Viking is competitively priced and ultra-modern, this Viking in-depth sailing makes sense if you are willing to spend the days at sea while skipping New Zealand. If you are up to lux touring, I would strongly recommend the Tauck 21-Day Australia/New Zealand Program. It is unique in that it gives you 50% of your time in NZ. A&K also does a similar itinerary that is excellent, and they do not take more than 24 guests.

  07 – Melbourne is actually preferred by many to Sydney.

  Upscale clients seem to love an itinerary we created using some of the best lodges in New Zealand. It can be a separate vacation or an add-on to a cruise or tour. New Zealand is one of the safest, friendliest nations on earth. It is well worth a vacation on its own without a single hour in Australia. 

   

• How Do We Find the Best Travel Insurance Information that Isn’t Biased?

  Q – We have been doing mostly vacations in the West and Southwest – two exotic parts of the world given that we live in South Burlington, Vermont. But now that I have tried my last case I think we are ready to do some intensive travel. I am an information gatherer and am ready to start my “files” on Croatia  as well as a cruise out of Hong Kong to Singapore. Two questions – do I really need to use a travel agent and pay all the fees and how does the consumer get real information about insurance coverage? Really appreciate your efforts on this site. It really is a breadth of fresh travel air. 

  A – There are several myths surrounding the use of a travel agent, advisor, or consultant (they are all somewhat different by the way). The biggest myth is that you pay more to use one. In fact, the full commission tot he agent is built into all pricing, every single travel product the consumer purchases from hotels rooms, to escorted tours, to cruises. You are always paying for the agent so it kind of makes sense to take advantage of what they have to offer. The better advisors normally have access to preferred rates as well – better than what you, representing no one, can negotiate on your own. So, unless you are in the mood to try your case with every cruise line you book and every hotel  where you stay, demanding a refund of that commission because you never used an agent, you are likely better off using a good agent’s services. 

  Here is one quick example: Last year, 91% of our clients did not pay  anything for our services. Our services were free because the commission to our firm is already built into every price. The consumer usually has no understanding as to how this possible and they just don’t demand their proper refund when they book directly because no one ever told them that they could. 

  Insurance is a shorter answer. In virtually every state, it is illegal for a non-registered insurance agent, such as a travel advisor, to “evaluate or interpret the technical terms, benefits, or conditions” of a policy a consumer is considering. There are two ways to conquer insurance:

  01 – Read the best consumer articles about travel insurance in publications like the New York Times or Consumer Reports. 

  02 – Call the Customer Service line at the insurance company you are considering. They will/should answer all of your specific questions.  One final insurance thought: After all the analysis is completed, you are likely going to receive the best coverage from one of the more expensive policies.    
• HEADING TO HAWAII AND PLANNING TOURING BY HELICOPTER – IS IT SAFE?

  Q – My husband and I have been to Hawaii twice before. We went up in a helicopter in Maui once and we were rather pleased although a tad nervous when the wind drafts carried us upward. Now, we are going back to Hawaii for three weeks, in part, because we want to help the local economy which is still very much in the recovery stage. We will, and can, spend money. Everything we do these days since “cash-out” is pretty much five stars. But the one aspect of the trip that causes me some concern is my husband’s pushing me to do five or six helicopter rides. So, given your honesty on so many other matters, just how safe is helicopter touring on the island these days?

  A – We would need to know a bit more about your concerns – but allow us an opinion based on what you have provided. We might suggest one helicopter experience just so you can say you’ve done it and in keeping with your prior experience in the air over Maui. 

  There are some facts we want to share:

  The National Safety Transportation Board has recorded 246 Helicopter crashes since 1983 resulting in 188 deaths and 115 serious injuries. Sixty of those deaths occurred during Helicopter operations in Hawaii. 

  Compare that to commercial airline operations in the United States which has not resulted in a single fatal domestic crash since 2009.

  On that basis, we think your concerns are fully justified. 

   
• SHOULD WE SWITCH OVER OUR CURRENT REGENT BOOKING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW ROUND-TRIP LIMO THAT IS INCLUDED WITH AIR?
  

  Q – We are fairly new to the cruise game – so forgive us a rather basic question. We are, or were, happily booked on a lovely Regent Seven Seas Cruise to Japan in 2026. We live in Arizona and were thrilled to discover we could receive free air with our cruise in Business Class, along with transfers to the hotel and then later to the ship and back to the airport at the end of our cruise. Last week, I received a mailing, with a fair bit of “fine print” that said that the Free Air Program now includes round-trip limousine service from our home from a company called Blacklane. We are traveling with my wife’s sister and her husband and using their local travel agent based in Prescott.  Even though we are not your clients, wonder if you might take a moment to advise if we should switch over to the new program. We all really enjoy this site. 

  A – Thank you for your question and it will be a pleasure to respond. This site was designed to help travelers and travel advisors from all over North America so there is no issue with your using your sister’s agent.

  If you did not take the current offer you would have received an air credit of approximately (depending on date) $2700 per person. The program you reference went into effect on July 1st, 2024. You now pay for the Business Air, upwards of $5,000 + from Phoenix, and, for that, you receive a $500 limo package from Blacklane, a limo company headquartered in Germany.

  This is all rather complex and we have received more than two dozen questions on this specific topic. To make things simple let us break down what you need to know in bullet points. Excuse the lack of flowery sentences:

  • Anyone who was booked under the old, pre-July 1st change has received much more favorable pricing from Regent. If you were to take advantage of the new offer, you would have to cancel your current booking and then re-book at today’s rate which is significantly higher. Although they fail to mention it in their ads, the luxury cruise lines tend to have fare increases every 90-120 days so, as the ship fills up, those who book later pay more. There are always “deals” in mailings and cruise ads. But, the “secret sauce” is that to take advantage of any deal you must re-book at the new rate as of the current date – and it will always be higher, often much higher, than the no-deal rate would have been six months earlier.
  • The included Business Class air program Regent has used for years is no longer sustainable. With plane delivery and supply train issues, seat prices have been going up and the airlines are less willing to enter into reduced fare contracts with cruise lines. This is particularly true when it comes to seats in the often sold out front of the aircraft. 
  • Regent must individually quote each new air offer and it will be based on publicly available fares you can often obtain on your own. Do note that Regent’s quote includes round-trip transfers with a value from Blackstone of $500. If you work directly with an airline you will not get that credit. 
  • If you choose to get to the airport on your own, you can keep the Blacklane credit and use it to provide sightseeing/private drivers in one or more of the ports you will be visiting. But to use Blacklane, you will need to download their App and do everything with them directly online. 
  • Taken together, Regent’s newly-announced Air Program will cost guests several thousands of dollars more than their previous program. Guest’s should now pay particular attention to booking Regent’s lowest “Cruise Only” rates. But, for convenience and ease of use, many guests will continue to ask that their Advisor have Regent include the entire Air Package in their booking.

  So – your case, we would urge you to stick with what you have and give your Prescott Travel Agent our best regards. Hope it is a truly memorable trip – and remember – as you stand on any corner in any major city in Japan, one out of every three women you see under the age of 50 has never, ever been on a date. Japan now has negative population growth which is why they are embracing immigration. 

• REQUESTED AGENCY REFUND FROM HOTEL BUT HAVING TROUBLE GETTING AIRLINE TO RETURN TRAVEL AGENCY COMMISSION

  Q – Thank you! Amazing how much of the “travel truth” escapes media interest given the huge ad spending stats from the industry. My wife and I are in our early forties and we are waiting to travel internationally until we get a bit closer to retirement age. We do most of our own planning, not because we think we are saving money but, rather, because we enjoy the planning part of every domestic journey. 

  We have taken your advice regarding securing rebates of the built in travel agent commission when we book hotels. We have had only moderate success but it has been fun trying and watching them defend charging us the travel agent commission when we never worked with a travel agent.

  But the fun aspect does not apply to the airlines. Our demands for a commission rebate have fallen on deaf and sometimes “rude” ears. Are we missing something?

  A – We admire your tenacity in the light of truth but the airlines are a dead end street when it comes to getting the commission returned to you. The reason is simple – they stopped including the travel agent commission in ticket pricing more than a decade ago. That is why almost all travel agents have to charge ticket fees for the processing of airline tickets. The larger agencies do negotiate override commission deals but the consumer really is not entitled to any commission rebate on air tickets because it is not, as it is with hotels, cruises, and tours, baked into the final pricing. 

• GOING ON A LONGER SEABOURN CRUISE AND WONDERING IF THE DOCTOR’S SERVICES” COME WITH THE FARE?

  Q – (5.14.24) I won’t bore you with my medical history. I am going to be 79 and I have type-2 Diabetes along with several other maladies – some related, some not. We are going to be going on a 54-day sailing on Seabourn in Asia that combines several shorter sailings. Can you confirm that should my wife or I need the on-board doc’s services they are included in the fare. I seem to have read that on so-called Grand Voyages” and the Around-the-World’s” the physician’s services are all included. Can you verify? 

  A  –  No verification here. This must be explored with your travel advisor and Seabourn management. Here is what you need to know and what you need to do:

  • Have your physician prepare a detailed list of your current medical concerns and a full list of your medications. Have your travel advisor submit that list to Seabourn or do it directly for reasons of privacy. The on-board physician will need your medical summary information.
  • Your assumption was, at one time, correct. But cruise lines have been getting away from unrestricted commitments to include medical services on any length of voyage. There are just too many insurance issues. It is more likely that your initial consultation will be included in your fare but additional services will not be complimentary. You need to get this policy in writing. You need to know exactly what will be included in onboard medical services and what won’t be. Your advisor can assist with this.
  • We want you to understand that the ship’s onboard physician does not work for Seabourn. They are independent contractors. Seabourn insurance will not, generally, cover interactions with the shipboard physician. 
  • You need to investigate the potential of a huge medical bill should something unexpected happen. Will Medicare or your private insurance cover you? To what extent? Have you taken out medical insurance? What are its provisions? Have you taken our advice to never take out travel insurance unless it specificifically provides at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage?

  Going on a cruise with Diabetes is not unusual. But going away, anywhere, out-of-country for two months and traveling to areas where the local hospital situation may not be up to US standards, is something we would urge you to consider carefully. Your medical; health issues and paperwork must be in order and you need to know who to notify if you encounter unexpected issues. Your Advisor should be discussing all of this with you in some detail. As you have not mentioned that a professional advisor is involved, the possibility exists that you are not using one or that you are making your arrangements online or directly with the cruise line. Don’t.

  You are going to be paying many thousands of dollars in travel agent’s services even if you don’t use an agent. It makes sense to share your concerns with a specialist who will adviuse you on the above. In your case, you might want to contact someone locally so you can sit down face-to-face to discuss these medical concerns in person.

  Wishing you a smooth, healthy 54 Days seeing some of this planet of ours. 

• IS IT TRUE THAT AMA WATERWAYS HAS BEEN SOLD AND HOW MIGHT THAT AFFECT OUR BOOKING ON TH MEKONG NEXT JANUARY?

  Q – (5.12.24) We can’t wait to sail the AMA Spirit to Vietnam and Cambodia. But a friend who follows social media more closely than I ever will, just advised us that AMA has been sold and that it is no longer an American company. We’ve sailed with them twice before, once on the Duoro in Portugal and once for the Christmas markets along the Rhine. We love the line and the people it attracts. We know that you rate them highly but we now have some worries that the AMA we know will not be what we have experienced in the past. Any advice you can offer?

  A – Yes, we suppose AMA Wasterways will change – for the better!  After all, the founders remain very much in charge but the line now has an infusion of cash that is the ency of  other complanies that compete in the “river trade”.  

  The  French investment firm, L. Catterton, has acquired a significant stake in AMA. The founding owners, Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst, and the Murphy Family are part of a consortium of investors. Centares is the travel and hospitality branch of  L. Catterton,. The investment group has $9.6 billion under management and the company is a part of the family of funds owned by Bernard Arnault in France. Mr. Arnault is said to be the world’s richest man.  Under the Arnault umbrella, AMA will now share ownership with many familiar brands including:

  Tiffany & Company – Louis Vuitton – Christian Dior – Moet & Chandon – Fendi – Bulgari – Givenchy

  Many of the friends of AMA, including those of us who know Rudi, Kristin, and Garry Murphy as three of the most approachable, intelligent and down-to-earth executives in the industry, are thrilled that this group now has the funding to accompany their vision to create products in the river cruise market that will operate in new marlets and at the highest possible levels. AMA will remain a product specifically suited for a majority of American guests although the European market will continue to be an important part of their overall demographics.

  You can now tell your friends to stop believing what they read on social media. You can also tell them that your personal riverboat company has “more money behind it” than any of its competitors. You will love your Mekong River Cruise and when you go to bed at night know that Mr. Arnault will make certain that you continue to have the very best experiences on AMA.

• FREE TIME IN THE SUBURBS OF BUENOS AIRES

  Q – (5.13.24) My partner and I enjoy your fresh take on the waves of travel nonsense that is produced by social media each day. And that, sort of compliment is coming from a team that produces some of that noise for a wide variety of corporate clients. We are, in fact, off next week to Buenos Aires to work with one of those clients in a mid-city high-rise. But we will have some free time and we were wondering where you might suggest we rent a bike and do some neighborhood exploring in safety and with a stop for some great Argentinian coffee every hour or so. I suppose we are interested in seeing the kinds of neighborhoods where successful folks in our business might reside in a nearby suburb. We will get more than ouir fill of city life, food, and entertainment. But we want to explore on our own and sort of get an insider’s view of where locals like us, who do what we do, live and enjoy their weekends. We are thinking upscale housing, parks, and plenty of restauants and cafes that can be explored on a bike. Thanks vcry much for your response.

  A –  There are several great residential neighborhoods surroundiung the core of Buenos Aires but we would first suggest that you head to Palermo, just northwest of the city center.  This is the neighborhood wherte BA’s young professionals and media types are all moving. You will fiund upscale shops and restaurants and sidewalk cafes galore. The neighborhood is admired for jogging and biking and it is considered safe. There are public bike racks available or shops that rent bikes. But don’t stay too long – you may be tempted to put down an apartment deposit. Palermo is that much fun and largely undiscovered by tourists.

• IS IT TRUE THAT WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET AMERICAN MILES WHEN WE BOOK EITHER CELEBRITY OR BACKROADS TOURS?

  

  Q –   We had a long weekend, so my wife and I planned out a cruise we will be booking on Celebrity Cruises to Europe next summer, which we will follow with a Backroads Walking Tour of Spain. We spoke to our travel agent who knows that we always fly American out of Charlotte. I do love collecting those Advantage Miles and have saved enough in the past for some nice weekend getaways. But my agent told me she does not think I will get mileage credit from the cruise line or the hiking company if I purchase the air through them. Does this sound like it could be true? How can I be sure to fly American while still earning my full mileage credits? PS – we always fly Business Class. 

  A – Your travel agent is absolutely correct. This is all a bit technical but let us simplify it a bit. American became the first major airline to say that if you book your air through a third party vendor, like a cruise line or a tour operator, you will no longer be able to earn miles on those flights. This policy went into effect on May 1st, 2024.

  Of course, the math is fairly simple. American has to give out contracted rates and pay commission when a third party sells their tickets. They have made a business decision to, essentially, only grant miles when the customer books direfctly with American either online on the American App. or using the American reservation system. 

  Many travel advisors are waiting to see if the other shoe drops and other airlines match this policy.

  Your alternative is easy – book the air with American yourself directly. And be prepared to relinquish the airport to hotel and hotel to ship transfers that your cruise line would have included in the air package. 

  This is just one more example of why so many millions of folks are wearing those red baseball caps that read “Make American Airlines Great Again”. They even hold their own anti-American Airline rallies. 

• We Have Friends Who Sailed on Regent and Did Not Receive their Luggage Until They Returned Home

  Q— (5.5.24) Our friends recently returned from a Regent Cruise sailing out of Athens. They were booked on a pre-cruise program. Their flight out of New York was canceled, and they ended up with a new schedule that required several flight changes. They arrived in Athens after 38 hours of flying. According to the Apple Air Tag, their luggage was still at Charles DeGaulle. No one from Regent or the Regent-booked hotel could help them. They finally sent an e-mail directly to the CEO of Delta and received word two days later that their luggage would be sent home as they had requested.  Thjey did the cruise with clothing and accessories they had purchased in Athens. 

  We have a cruise planned on Silversea in two months and we are wondering what to do to prepare for such a situation. They told me that the travel agent could not do much because the agent had not done the ticketing. Any advise for those of us who might be worried about a similar experience regarding lost luggage would be appreciated.

  A – As the rater of flight cancellations keeps creeping up, stranded pre-cruise and pre-tour baggage is a growing problem. It is a rather complicated problem to fix when it occurs because the airlines generally refuse to talk to anyone but the booking agent or the customer directly. Most airlines outsource their lost baggage departments these days so formal claims must be filed before departing the airport at one’s final destination. Although cruise lines provide air as a “convenience” to their guests, they are generally unwilling to assume responsibility for lost baggage. They will claim that it is the airline’s responsibility.

  Here are Some Suggestions to Both Prepare and Cope with Lost Luggage During an International Trip: 

  • Use the Apple Air Tags or a similar tracking device so you always know where your bags are at any moment
  • Do not travel without emergency numbers, including the number of your airline’s lost baggage department. Ask for this number when you check in for your first flight.
  • If your bags are lost, you should send a specific email to the lost baggage address. Always include the baggage claim number, the lost baggage report number, and a full description, including size, brand, and color, of your missing luggage. 
  • Try using large baggage tags, including where you are staying and the dates on the back of the tag. That could prove helpful. 
  • Always pack two nights of fresh clothing in your carry-on. 
  • If you are not assigned non-stop flights abroad, seriously consider having your bags shipped directly to your hotel by one of the better luggage shipping services such as “Luggage-Free” (It isn’t) 
  • Forget arriving at your pre-cruise destination one night before boarding the ship. To help avoid boarding without your possessions, start planning three-night pre-cruise stays wherever you are traveling. That extra day and night will help increase the odds that you will receive your bags before boarding your ship. 
  • If you check in to a quality hotel without your luggage, tip the team at the Concierge Desk and nicely solicit their aid. They will often have contacts within the airport. Don’t forget that once your luggage arrives at your destination airport, it still has to be sent to your hotel. There are instances where you would go with a courier from the hotel to secure your luggage from customs personally.
  • Keep a notebook with the dates/times of all conversations and details associated with your lost luggage. Keep all receipts and copies of paperwork in an envelope for easy access. This will be extremely helpful should you decide to file an insurance claim using your “lost luggage” or “trip delay” provisions. 
  • If you have not received your bags do not immediately go on a wild shopping spree as insurance companies have very limited coverage of expenditures for replacement clothing. 
  • Your travel advisor will, hopefully,  be tirelessly working on your behalf. Make certain that you send your advisor a daily status update. It helps if you work with an advisor who has a personal relationship with your cruise line’s management. Because cruise lines do not take responsibility for lost baggage, and the airlines will only deal with the entity that issued the tickets (The Cruise Line or Tour Company Air Departments), your travel advisor will likely be rather restricted in what they can do to help you. If your travel agency personally issued your tickets, they will/should get involved with their airline representatives.
  • One or two of the better air ticketing specialists include assistance with lost baggage in their services. If you use one of these Flight Monitoring Services, such as Cranky Concierge, you will have an advantage as they can deal directly with the airlines and their baggage departments.
  • Always pack anything that is truly important to you and all documentation in your carry-on. 
  • Please try to stay calm. In the vast majority of cases, well over 90% of the time, passengers flying internationally, particularly those in Business or First Class, are eventually reunited with their lost luggage.

   

   

• GETTING A RESERVATION AT ONE OF THE TOP FIFTY RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE

  Q – As my wife and I work, almost continuously, on our Five-Year Travel Planning, we find ourselves drawn to the list you published several months ago of the World’s Top Fifty restaurants. Fine dining seems as good a reason to visit a country as anything else, so we are trying to use two or three in-country firm reservations to guide us in our planning. The question is how to best secure a reservation at one of the restaurants on the list.  Do you recommend that we call or, perhaps, put our request in an e-mail? Should it be addressed to the Head Chef or the owner? We would love to lock several places in Brazil and Japan in for 2026. Is there anything we should tell the restauant about ourselves to make this all go smoothly?

  A –  Good idea but, perhaps, wrong approach. The last thing a world-class restauant wants to do is try to figure out what a US caller is talking about. You have no clout with a foreeign restaurant unless you get screamed ast easch evening by someone named “Gordon”.

  The last thing the really top restauants overseas  want is a reputation for catering to tourists from the USA. It would help kill their local business. We would leave the restaurant reservation portion of your trip-planning to the overseas office used by your travel advisor to do the rest of the tyrip. The owners of your on-site offices live in-country and if the restaurant is on the “Top-Fifty” List it ios likely they have a relationship with management. Leave it to your local contact to fill the restauant in on juist how very important you are. Unless you are a blood relative of Anthony Bourdain  however, they may remain unimpressed. They hear from true VRVIP’s each and every afternoon seeking tables. 

  The rule here is that any reservation needs to be made by a local, fluent speaker of the language or, in the case of the British Isles, by someone with the proper pronounciation.

  There is one exception – if you are a return VIP Guest at one of the very best hotels in town, it is likely that the Lead Concierge at your hotel would also be a good source to score a hard-to-get reservation. 

  May we say that being led on your travels by a desire to dine really well is an idea with a great deal of merit. But beware that that approach may keep you isolated int he more affluent, sophisticated portions of your destination. We would suggest a fifty-fifty mix of fine-dining and dining “a la local” in the countryside.

• WE ARE BOOKING THE GORING HOTEL IN LONDON BUT HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE GETTING THE BEST RATE AVAILABLE?

  Q – It would appear that The Goring in London meets with your approval. We work with a TA and she is a member of one of the major consortium groups. However, I was able to call the hotel directly and get an extremely competitive rate with no hassles. We are collecting countries, 73 to date, and there will be many hotel nights to book as we are in our early fifties. So I suppose I want to ask, on behalf of others who visit this insider site, how do we really know when we are getting the very best hotel rate?  Do I book through my agent, the hotel directly, one of the mega-online agencies, or do I spend my time on Expedia and Priceline? Is there clear advice you can share. It really isn’t the money. It’s more about the principle – if we are spending, on average, in excess of $1,000 per night, how can we be certain that we have been given the best price?

  A – This is, as you realize, a somewhat complex question. But you raise several excellent points and we feel that we want to try to achieve some clarity in our response. So allow us to address your questions with bullet points:

  • The best hotel rates are normally going to be offered by the hotel property, not by some third-party 800-number online entity. One would have to assume that Hotel Owners are idiots were they to allow internet-based sites to beat the pricing they have in their own hotel database. We know what the ads say – but booking anything with a 1-800 Call Center is just a sucker move – yet – seven of the ten largest travel agencies sell online strangers. They are there to sell you a hotel room but, as importantly, they are there to gather your identity and your credit card information which can then be sold several times. The proceeds from the sale of your private information is generally greater than the profit on a hotel room booking – even one at a deluxe property.
  • But you only represent a single booking. your agent may book the Goring several times a year and her consortium may do six figures or more in total annual bookings. So normally, (and believe us the phrase “there are always exceptions” was created by the hotel gods for their profession, the best consortium members receive similar pricing plus a package of amenities. This may include complimentary breakfast, airport transfers, a dinner voucher for the hotel restaurant etc. In other words you agent would not be undercutting the hotel’s direct price but they may have negotiated volume amenities and upgrade offers that are not available to the general public or those who book their accommodations directly. 
  • So – the bottom line:
    • Only book a hotel with an advisor who has a consortium certified contract arrangement with your hotel. That is how you get the best rate – ask if the hotel “Is a Preferred Supplier of your consortium”?
    • If not, your second best option is to book directly with the hotel – not a service desk or a rep firm – the hotel itself
• IS SUNDAY STILL THE BEST DAY OF THE WEEK TO BOOK A DOMESTIC AIRLINE TICKET TO SECURE THE BEST FARE?

  Q—I have a guidebook that says Sunday is the best day of the week to book a flight within the USA. Prices seem to go up on Monday. This sort of makes sense but it also seems too simple to be true.

  Is there a time of day when the average air ticket is lower? We are now at the point where we will be doing more domestic travel to visit kids and grandkids and I am trying to figure out a simple strategy. Thanks very much.

  A – Airline strategies are fun to write about but much of what is written is old by the time it reaches print. You want to book domestic flights between 30-60 days before departure. But there is no one day when rates are lower. The new breed of computer algorithms is changing fares constantly based on availability and sales data streaming in by the millions. There is no way a human can try to predict or even keep up with those changes.

  Wednesday and Thursday may be the best days but that is really hard to certify. We do know that flights that leave between 6:00 and 8:00 am and flights that depart in the evening between 10 PM-1:00 AM tend to have better pricing and better on-time records than mid-day departures. 

   
• IS STOCKHOLM STILL THE COOLEST CITY IN SCANDINAVIA WORTH A ONE WEEK WINTER VISIT?

  Q – We are three friends – all in our thirties, all financially comfortable, and all working for West Coast architectural firms. We ski and take lots of photos, but we travel primarily to be stimulated by new ideas in urban planning, architectural design, and lifestyle planning. We like to go where the world’s happiest people live to try to gain an understanding of how buildings and design can make city living fun again.

  We are now planning a November getaway – possibly to Stockholm. We have already traveled to Copenhagen. We are wondering if you would agree that Stockholm is the obvious choice? Love the site and the lack of ads. 

  A – We would make a strong base for Oslo at the moment. A surplus of  Norwegian oil money has allowed the city mothers and fathers to devote considerable energy to take stodgy Oslo and turn it into a cultural colassus that admirably competes with Stockholm. You will actually see locals enjoy winter sports as you walk downtown in November.Walk to the top floor of the Oslo Opera House where you can climb promenades that slope toward the roof. The public library is not to be believed – they have craft stations with 3-D Printers and home-made crafting, high quality music studios, and movie theaters that are, of course, complimentary. The National Museum is spectacular and is larger than any other museum in Scandinavia.

  Then there’s the Bjorvika District and the new performance center, SALT. But to see the locals enjoying one another’s compnay, you might want to book a short sailon a small Sauna boat that will drop you off in a relatively isolated portion of the fjord. You jump into the frigid water and then soon come back aboard warming up on the boat’s large sauna.

  Sorry Stockholm – the newest hot major Scandinavian city of the moment is Oslo. But not literally “hot” in November. 

   

• IS THERE A SHORTCUT TO FGURE OUT WHAT US AIRPORTS HAVE NON-STOPS TO A CERTAIN DESTINATION?
  

  Q – I travel for business and my husband and I travel as much as possible overseas for pleasure. Inb our early forties, we are somewhere in the world about 60% of any year. But trying to really figure out flight schedules is terribly frustrating. Just wondering if there is a website or specific source you would recommend to help us figure out which airports have non-stop flights to cities where we need to go overseas. I have, of course, fooled around with the Expedia and Kayaks of the world. Simplicity of use is not one of their attributes. Sorry for the bother, buit we just feel we are missing something.

  A – You are certainly not alone. Flight search sites are predicated on the belief that price rather than non-stop flights is the major motivation for visitors. Fortunately, there is “work-arouind” for this problem. Virtually every major airport in the United States now has a page on Wikipedia. Go on the site and scroll down to the section called “Airlines and Destinations.” Under this subject you will find clear listings of which routes from the airport have non-stop service and which airline(s) provide it.  This is a simple fix but it works.

         
• WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH AN OCTOBER CRUISE TO JAPAN? ANY SECRETS TO CLEARING A WAIT-LIST?
  

  Q – This is a rather fascinating site. As a resident of  Manchester U.K. I must admit that some of the cryings about travel displeasure seem uniquely American in nature. I have been planning my own travels with few issues for about twenty-five years. But I have just recently run into a stone wall trying to get confirmed on a Silversea sailing from Tokyo. I wrote a letter to management indicating that I take at least one major trip a year etc. but that has done little for my status. Do you have any suggestions to get the space cleared? Do they work these wait-lists conscientously. Any tips would be appreciated. We Brits do like to mind our manners and keep our place in line – but not necessarily in Manchester. Keep it up.

  A – Let’s look at it this way. You represent a potential booking. One small piece of the cruis line’s annual revenue. Our firm belongs to a consortium group of top-producing agents. It is a “By Invitation Only” organization. In 2023 we did a total of $23 Billion in luxury sales and we are the top-producing group for most of the major luxury brands. Then, drill down a bit to who we are and what specific revenue we might product for a top-ranked cruise line. By failing to take advantage of advocacy and oversite you have placed yourself in a position to lose this soccer match. A bit of advice for getting space cleared:

  • Work with a top-producing travel advisor well known in executive circles at the line. It will cost you nothing and may well get you cleared.
  • Have your advisor help you design a brief bio that highlights your unique ability to generate word-of-mouth bookings for the line. That bio should be submitted with a special request to the travel advisor’s personal sales manager at the line. That won’t clear the space but it very well may move you up on the waiting list.
  • Put it all in perspective: Japan and Iceland along with Grand Voiyages of more than 24 Days are currently booking up faster than the vast majorioty of cruise itineraries in the luxury sector. They should be booked 14-16 months in advance to assure that you will get what you are seeking.

  Good Luck with Liverpool.

• DON’T LIKE SURPRISES? MUST I GO TO DINNER DRESSED AS A PENGUIN?

  Q – We are planning on doing a 14-night Regent Seven Seas Cruise to Australia and New Zealand next winter. I was wondering if you could tell us how many formal nights there will likely be so we can plan on packing.

  A – There will be zero formal nights. Sorry if this is disappointing. Regent does not have formal nights for any sailing of less than 16 nights. But on other competitive lines like Seabourn, Crystal, or Silversea, formal nights are less of an issue than many first-time guests imagine. Every Luxury line offers alternative dining venues on formal nights that do require that male guests try to look as much as possible like members of a Falkland Islands Penguin colony.

• HOW DO I KNOW IF MY FAMILY IS SAFE AS WE WALK OUT OUR HOTEL FRONT DOOR AT NIGHT IN WARSAW, PRAGUE, AND BUDAPEST?

  Q – We are planning a visit to Europe in the Fall that will include Warsaw, Prague, and Budapest. We are not budget travelers at all, so quality hotels are not an issue. But we wonder about making certain that the areas around a hotel we might choose in these cities are safe at night. How do we make certain we are not venturing into unsafe areas? Is this something a travel consultant can help with? Do you advise your clients on such things, or is it up to us to do all of the research? Although we have done many driving trips in the US, as you might be able to tell – we are not well-traveled outside the country.

  A – This is not a silly question. You need to feel safe when you travel. When you work with a professional advisor you should be shown hotel inspection reports that are not available online. These reports will cover any concerns such as unsafe areas around the hotel.

  The truth is that five-star hotels are normally not open in anything like a dangerous area. Part of any hotel stay for visiting tourists is wandering out and finding dining choices that look enticing. The Concierge Desk at your hotel is the overall best source for the most up-to-date safety information. Always feel free to ask questions such as “is there a direction where you would advise we avoid walking”?

  In general, when walking around a strange city, we recommend leaving most of your cash and some of your credit cards, along with your best jewelry, in the hotel safe. And remember, again, that 131 countries in the world are safer to walk around than almost any of America’s largest cities. (Source: 2024 Global Safety Index)

• JUST FOR THE RECORD – IN 2024 WHICH CRUISE LINE RANKS # 1?

  Q – (1-26-24) I just received my issue of Travel & Leisure, and I counted eight cruise lines that were touting the fact that they had won “World’s Best” Awards. Viking claims they have won top line in several categories including Riverboats and Cruises. As we are in the New Year, I wonder if there is any consensus as to which cruise line, based on objective factors, is really the top-rated line in the world. We have only done a four-day cruise to the Bahamas many years ago but are now ready to commit the money to sail the best line at sea. 

  A  – No answer to your question is truly “objective”. We look at many criteria, several of which involve sources  based abroad. We also maintain our own program of CSI Inspectors who sail all of the top ships at full tariff and undercover. We have achieved this by training sophisticated world travelers who have luxury cruise experience. They use the same evaluations and tests that we use when comparing cruise products.

  There are two things to note that are important:

  • Numerous companies sell full sets or partial sets of A!-produced online reviews. For that reason, they are virtually meaningless. 
  • Print Media believes, and studies do show, that “Lists” or “Ratings” increase circulation. The major consumer magazines try to create as many categories as possible so that every potential cruise advertiser has an award to reference. This is all big business and the consumer is supposed to believe that the line they want to sail, or the one their travel agent recommends, is really top-of-the-line. In most cases that is false.

  In 2024, the top-ranked cruise line is Hapag-Lloyd. The top-ranked ship is the Europa 2. Following Hapag-Lloyd there is a close bunching of excellence as Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, and Seabourn battle for second place. 

  Hapag-Lloyd is a German Line and guests who do not speak German may be at a conviviality disadvantage. Silversea is a more formal alternative to Regent Seven Seas. Seabourn does more creative itineraries and Regent is, by a significant margin, the better value as they include round-trip Business Class Air and shore excursions on all sailings.

  When you ask this question next year, we think you will see some major shits in the Cruisetruth Rankings as smaller luxury lines like Four Seasons and Aman begin to launch their products. This will squeeze out non-inclusive higher density lines like Viking from Top Ten consideration. Our team is busy updating our www.cruisetruth.com website where you will soon see the updated rankings. 

• THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A WEAK EXCUSE TO VIST PARIS – STILL AGAIN!

  Q – (1.26.24) – Just so you know ……….there’s Fodor’s, AFAR, TripAdvisor, Travel + Leisure and 10,000 blogs that deal with Parisian Bakeries. But, in good faith, we are coming to you in the hopes that you will take our question sort of seriously. My wife, Marie, is of French background. I have childhood memories of ordering French onion soup on Queens  Boulevard in a borough of that name – when we could afford it.

  Now, I write an occasional screenplay and we jet off to Paris whenever we can come up with anything that remotely resembles a valid excuse. OK – this Fall we are going to spend a week in Paris for the primary purpose of finding out and, just for our friends, documenting, where one might go to uncover the best baguettes in the city. We imagine this will take us into any number of colorful neighborhoods, some away from the tourist hordes. And we will visit the best bakeries with a small cooler filled with local provisions purchased that morning so we can quickly find a park bench and immediately begin the tasting/filming process. We don’t want to waste time and we truly feel this is the place to turn. Really enjoy this ad-free site. Hope you  can monetize it in some way. 

  A – We enjoyed your question and, particularly your premise. Having some sort of good-tasting reason to walk around a city gives one purpose and, best of all, takes you into neighborhoods that one might just never visit on any kind of a touring program. We have a list that we think might be a good start. Please enjoy and, if you have a moment, please share your photos with us at documents@traveltruth.com  Have a memorable visit.

  Maison Landemaine Jules Joffrin With over a dozen locations in Paris, plus one in Lille and a few in Tokyo, Maison Landemaine might not seem like the authentic expression of the artisanal boulangerie, but the hits still hit. The baguette tradition is crusty and chewy in all the right ways, especially paired with cheeses from the nearby Laiterie cheese shop on Rue des Poissonniers. 4 Rue du Poteau, 75018 Paris, France Shinya Pain Montmartre Shinya Inagaki has made bread for some of the most beloved sourdough bakeries in Paris (think Fermentation Générale and the Terroirs d’Avenir boulangerie). At his own operation in Montmartre, Inagaki is making sourdough breads his own way. Olive focaccia, brioches, multigrain breads, and scones are just some of the specials Inagaki scrawls on butcher paper at his tiny storefront on Rue des Trois Frères. 41 Rue des Trois Frères, 75018 Paris, France Maison Julien Les Saveurs de Pierre Demours The 2020 winner of Le Grand Prix de la Baguette de Traditional Française de la Ville de Paris, a coveted award recognizing the city’s best baguette, Taieb Sahal makes a standard-bearer for traditional Parisian baguettes. Crusty, airy, and with a warm yeasty smell, the baguettes at Maison Julien in the 17th represent French bread at its finest. Mamiche You’ll likely encounter a line when visiting the original bakery outpost of Cécile Khayat and Victoria Effantin’s wildly popular Mamiche bakery, but the wait is worth it. Using natural leaven, Mamiche’s breads are excellent, from the hearty pain de campagne to the lightweight pain de mie, as well as a traditional “miche Mamiche.” Don’t miss the babkas and viennoiserie, too. You can’t go wrong with any of it. 45 Rue Condorcet, 75009 Paris, France The French Bastards – St Ferdinand With three locations across Paris and a name that’s fun to say, the French Bastards’ bakery could get by on novelty alone. Thankfully that’s not the case: Breads with honey and figs, hazelnuts, plentiful seeds, rye flour, and more comprise the menu at the three French Bastards locations, and they’re all delicious. Take a hearty loaf to go, and eat a caramel eclair on the way home. 35 Pl. Saint-Ferdinand, 75017 Paris, France The Rue des Martyrs location of Farine&O frequently has a line around lunchtime, with working Parisians picking up sandwiches, pastries, and sodas to go. The line moves fast and the wait pays off: Baguettes, brioche, and rotating daily offerings will satisfy even the most discerning of bread-heads. Don’t forget to pick up a croissant — they’re flaky beyond human understanding. 10 Rue des Martyrs, 75009 Paris, France Levain, Le Vin The concept — and cheeky play on words — at Christophe Fertillet’s Levain, Le Vin is all about pairing great naturally leavened breads with great natural wines. Sit for a planche of breads crafted in-house by Fertillet and charcuterie to match, or take loaves of bread to go along with one of the carefully curated bottles of wine that line the shop’s shelves. 83 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, 75010 Paris, France Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Terroirs d’Avenir Part of the strip of shops on Rue du Nil that make up the sustainable agriculture organization Terroirs d’Avenir (or, terroirs of the future), the boulangerie has sourdough breads that are inspired by the organization’s mission. All manner of breads are on offer, from focaccia to multigrain tin loaves, and since the boulangerie is only a stone’s throw from the primeur (or fresh market), fish shop, and butcher, you can have dinner sorted out before you reach the end of the block. 3 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris, France Boulangerie Utopie While many boulangeries around Paris will sell bread, pastries, and viennoiserie (think anything laminated), most excel at one area or another. At Utopie in the 11th, it’s safe to pick between any of the sourdough croissants, elegant pastries, brioche, and inventive breads made with ingredients like sesame and curry powder; kalamata olives; and guava and cranberry. 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris, France Tout Autour du Pain A baguette at Tout Autour du Pain is a classic option for picnics, parties, or just midday snacks. Perfectly golden and crisp, they’re the platonic ideal of a baguette. Buy one for later and one to eat immediately in the petite plaza directly across from the shop. 134 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France General Fermentation As the name implies, the M.O. at Fermentation Générale in the 11th is everything fermented. From kefir and kombucha to natural wines, ciders, and pickles, the menu is a dream for anyone who loves sour flavors. Sourdough fits perfectly in that mix. Every bread is tangy and tart, with a depth of flavor reminiscent of San Francisco sourdoughs. 37 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011 Paris, France Ten Belles Bread Alice Quillet and Anna Trattles’s sourdough bread bakery Ten Belles Bread was initially confusing to some Parisians, as they didn’t sell baguettes and they used the word “bread” instead of “boulangerie” in the name. The bakery won almost the whole city over with their bread loaves, though. They offer just the right amount of sour, with a custardy inside and crusty outside. Ten Belles sells great coffee, pastries, and lunch specials, too, so you’ll absolutely want to come with an appetite. 17-19 Rue Breguet, 75011 Paris, France Le Bricheton In a tiny storefront in the 20th, Le Bricheton is the choice for the truly devoted bread lover. It has limited hours, and the bread sells fast, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood, this tiny bakery is an essential visit. Breads are made from organic flour, sourced in France, often with ancient grains like 50 Rue de la Réunion, 75020 Paris, France Boulangerie Poilâne You’d be hard-pressed to find a visitor to Paris who isn’t heading to Poilâne at some point during their trip. That’s because the bakery has been making delicious sourdough wheat loaves for almost 100 years. You’ll recognize a Poilâne miche by the signature swoopy “P” scored into the bread before baking, as well as its brown color imparted by the proportion of stone-ground whole wheat in the dough. Looking to make sandwiches with jambon de Paris? The loaves can be sliced to order. 8 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris, France Le Boulanger de la Tour While not every visitor to Paris has the time or money to visit the historic Tour d’Argent restaurant, Le Boulanger de la Tour is more than sufficient as a backup. A rotating menu of breads is available from the famed restaurant’s bakers. They’re so good, you can close your eyes and almost imagine you’ve nabbed a seat in the restaurant’s historic waterfront dining room. 2 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris, France  These bakeries are listed by the highly recommended “Eater” Web group.   
• WE ARE WONDERING WHICH DESTINATIONS SEEM TO BE BENEFITTING FROM WEATHER CHANGES DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING?

  Q – (1.12.24) We are, as we write this, sitting at a table piled with travel brochures we’ve been collecting. We are trying to figure out where we should be headed this coming summer in Europe? This led to some discussion and we are wondering what trends you are seeing at traveltruth? Have people changed their travel destination choices in the past year and do you have any sense as to the better options for summer heat travels in 2024 and 2025.  We live in Rancho Mirage so summer getaways are now an important consideration. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

  A – The data is actually rather startling. The demand for cooler overseas destinations has increased dramatically this past year. Mindset Consulting claims that demand for “cooler destinations” is up 186% at the end of 2023. The search for colder destinations is strongest, according to the research, among residnets of California, Florida, and Georgia.

  So where are they headed? The Netherlands had a 174% growth last year – Ireland was up 154% – and Finland 133%. These examples are being repeated all around northern Europe.  If we were launching a new travel firm today, we might call it “Cooler Climes”.

• SHOULD WE BE BOOKING OUR FUTURE TRAVELS ONLINE?

  Q – (1.12.24) My husband’s Dad passed away a few months ago and we have inherited enough money to do some serious travel going forward. We live in Colorado and we are skiers so we have not felt the need to travel overseas more than once. But as we get older, we want to see Europe, Antarctica, the Maldives, and portions of South America.

  Some of this will, I suppose, be escorted tour travel, some will be cruises (which we have never done) and I still think we have it in us to do a few totally independent journeys to places like Rome and Paris. We still won’t shake our desire to save money while enjoying upscale travel opportunities so my questions is should we be looking at booking our travels online or should we make contact with a travel agent? 

  A –  If you have confidence in your planning skills, it might be fun to do some of your independent travels on your own using trusted internet sites. Currently, Statistica Consumer Insights reports that 53% of travel bookings are made this way because users feel it more convenient and faster than using a traditional travel agent. Online sites can sometimes make it easier to compare pricing.

  Be aware, however, that when you book things online independently you are still charged the built-in travel agency commission which runs from 10-15% on average.

  For your longer, more complex travels, we think you would be most satisfied with the services of a caring travel advisor. Try to choose one that is associated with one of the three or four most trusted consortium groups – their membership requirements are normally quite strict. 

  There are many excellent agencies in major areas of Colorado. You may want to create a face-to-face relationship if you live in an area with an excellent agency. Do let us know if we can ever be helpful. 

• LIKE THE QUESTION ANONYMITY BUT WONDERING WHO IS MINITORING CRUISE OFFERS?

  Q – (1.12.24) – Have enjoyed discovering this one-of-a-kind site. Kudos for forcing all questions to be on subject and anonymous. It surely helps eliminate 90% of the BS encountered on other travel platforms. 

  We cruise at least three times a year since my retirement. We have, I must confess, done Royal Caribbean with the grandkids and we just returned from a stint on the Ritz Carlton Yacht. I have noticed that we keep mailings and e-mail messages telling us about special offers etc. on some of the better lines, including Seabourn which we will be sailing in four months. My question is this: Who is monitoring these new offers and promotions? Is it the travel agent I use, the cruise line, or is it all on me and my own initiative?  Thanking you in advance. I can’t figure out how you make money from this site but I hope it continues while I can still travel. 

  A – Appreciate your observations and your important question:

  • Our entire Media Group, each of our sites, is set up to serve the consumer on a not-for-profit basis. We do not accept online bookings. We do not have amateur or off-subject commentary. Anyone can anonymously ask a question but we want our sites to be honest and informational and we can’t achieve that if we allow amateur “critics” to rant about experiences they may or may not have had. We are also very aware of the likelihood that some of the most-popular sites purchase reviews and AI-generated comments.
  • The bottom line answer to your question is “hopefully your travel advisor is monitoring your pricing – but ultimately, it is the consumer’s responsibility to inquire about new promotions.” Cruise lines will, as a rule, not closely monitor pricing so they can lower the cost of a booked cruise and, therefore, lower their percentage of profit. They have little motivation to do that.
  • Please understand that this has not been a major issue when dealing with four or  five-star rated lines. New promotions tend to be offered in tandem with scheduled price increases which normally occur every 90-120 days. When a booked guest tries to take advantage of an upgrade offer or a new discount, in the vast majority of cases they must pay the cruise fare in effect at the time. In most, but not all, cases the new deal is not as good as the earlier pricing booked. No highly-rated cruise line wishes to offend those top suite guests who booked their cruise earlier than most. Many of the computer programs that control pricing are set up so pricing increases when a ship reaches a certain occupancy level. This is often set at 20-30%.