• I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I LANDED IN FRANKFURT

  Q – 12.19.25 – As we have not spoken for two or three weeks, I thought I would submit a question I would normally ask you on the phone in writing. Feel free to respond on the Traveltruth site. As you know, I am a bit of an aircraft nerd. I like to know what I am flying and if I can get the tail number I like to know the history of the bird carrying me from place to place. Last month, flying United into Frankfurt en route to the Rhine River Cruise on Scenic you had arranged (fantastic), I noticed two 747’s parked at the gates, one right alongside us as we pulled in. I couldn’t believe it. Is Lufthansa the only airline still flying this beautiful but elderly aircraft?

  A – The short answer is No. You were looking at the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, the longest running aircraft model currently in commercial operations. It is flown by only three airlines: Lufthansa is, by a wide margin, the largest operator of the 747. It has 19 active aircraft and, despite their lack of fuel efficiency, uses them on international routes. This includes several routes to Germany from the US. Korean Air has four of the aircraft and it uses them on Trans-Pacific flights including Seoul-Los Angeles and Seoul-Atlanta.  Air China also has four 747’s in service primarily between Beijing, Frankfurt, and New York. The last 747 came off the assembly line in 2022
• THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A STRANGE HOBBY BUT . . . . .

  Q – Please be careful how you write this. I have a hobby – I travel a great deal for business, almost all of it international. As I do business on three Continents, I find myself flying many different airlines. About a year ago, I started taking quick photos of some of the better looking flight attendants as they walk the aisles. A business associate who was with me when I did it on an Swiss flight out of Zurich has cautioned me that you can get arrested for photographing a flight attendant. I am always polite and I usually ask permission. Can a paying passenger really get into trouble for collecting photos of beautiful flight attendants. These photos line the living room wall in my apartment but, other than that, they are completely confidential. Please print my question exactly as worded and do not use my name. I am seriously interested in your response.

  A – Unfortunately, we lack the psychological qualifications to deal with your question professionally. Flight attendants are there for your safety – really they are. Photographing them as you might Lions on safari is a degrading activity and we might suggest that you travel less and spend time, instead, on a psychiatrist’s couch. Have you given any thought to how you are making the flight attendants feel when you treat them as objects for your enjoyment? We imagine you live alone with your photo wall. But flight attendants have husbands, wives, and children. 

  Let us stop there – and, instead, give you just one case study as reported by consumer travel writer Gary Leff:

  Nine passengers on a Pegasus Airline flight were arrested by Turkish police after landing in Istanbul. The flight attendant charged that the passengers, all Israeli, took a video of her during the safety announcement. She claimed that this was sexual harassment. Three of the passengers in question were taken to a remote prison “close to the Syrian border.”

  Never photograph any airline employee unless you have received very clear authorization to do so. 

• IS THERE REALLY A MEDICAL CONDITION FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE LARGE CRUISE SHIPS?

  Q – (12.19.25) – My husband is a nurse practitioner who told me at dinner last night that my aversion to large cruise ships is a medical condition and that somewhere buried in the medical literature it has a name. I have no issues with yachts or smaller vessels that carry say, a few hundred passengers. But if we are even parked in sight of a huge ocean liner I get extremely anxious and even a little frightened. Is this a thing or is my husband making it up? Do you have clients who have a medical aversion to these giant cruise ships?

  A –  We have not personally run into this kind of phobia but your husband is not exaggerating. Folks who are afraid of large cruise ships are said to be both Naviphobes and often Megalophobes. This means they have a fear of both ships and extremely large objects. It sounds like you have a rather practical and even mild association with both as you enjoy smaller ships and yachting to floating shopping centers. So do we. Stay well.

• WHEN CAN WE START BOOKING THE NEW CELEBRITY RIVER CRUISES – SHOULD WE?

  Q –  11.29.25  – When will the new Celebrity Riverboat be sailing, and have the books been opened up yet? Is this a river cruise you will be recommending? We are past Celebrity guests in Europe (twice) and we were extremely satisfied. 

  A – Celebrity River Cruises will launch their first sailings in 2027, featuring two new luxury river ships: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker. The initial itineraries will explore the Rhine and Danube rivers, promising immersive cultural experiences, expansive open decks, onboard butler service, and 24-hour dining.

  Past Celebrity guests were allowed to begin booking in September of 2025, and the entire 2027 season sold out in six minutes, according to Celebrity.

  As the vessels have not yet been launched, we cannot make any recommendations. Our Inspectors will be filing reports, and we will begin to determine how Celebrity River Cruises’ quality standards compare with those of the three leading river cruise lines in Europe: Scenic, AMA Waterways, and Tauck.

  

  For now, these are some of the features and characteristics you will find in the new Celebrity River cruise brand:

  Here’s a breakdown of the key features you can expect aboard these 172-guest luxury river ships:

  Signature Design & Outdoor Living • Infinite Veranda Staterooms: Adapted from Celebrity’s ocean ships, these cabins feature floor-to-ceiling glass that transforms into open-air balconies at the touch of a button. • Expansive Open Decks: More outdoor space than any other river vessel, designed for panoramic views and relaxation. • Infinity-Edge Plunge Pool: A dramatic, cantilevered pool extending over the river for a floating sensation. ️ Dining & Social Spaces • Magic Carpet-Inspired Dining Pods: Elevated, cantilevered dining venues offering immersive views and a floating experience reminiscent of the Magic Carpet on Edge-class ships. • Top-Deck Bar & Grill: Al fresco dining and cocktails with 360-degree views, designed for year-round enjoyment.

  Luxury Service & Amenities • Butler Service: Personalized attention in all suite categories, continuing Celebrity’s high-touch hospitality. • 24-Hour Dining: Flexible, upscale culinary offerings around the clock. • Wellness & Enrichment: Programs focused on local culture, history, and cuisine, with onboard experts and curated excursions.

  Itineraries & Immersion • 33 Weeklong Sailings in 2027: Focused on the Rhine and Danube Rivers, with immersive port experiences in cities like Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam, and Basel. • Cultural Deep Dives: Emphasis on local flavors, storytelling, and behind-the-scenes access to Europe’s most iconic destinations.

  Will these ships be tying up to other riverboats at night? In many ports we suspect they will. Will there be extra charge shore-excursions and dining options? Unlike more inclusive competitors we expect that there will. 

   

  Will most of the guests be coming over from Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises? Absolutely yes. So Celebrity River Cruises is looking to become an extension of an existing brand loyalty not normally associated with a TrueLux product on Europe’s rivers.

  But remember this: Royal Caribbean is not playing games here. They have announced a commitment to an initial order of ten new Celebrity riverboats carrying 172 guests each. But TrueLux cruise brand Silversea is also owned by Royal Caribbean and don’t be surprised if you see the development of the ultimate river cruise product under that name and financial umbrella. 

• CAN YOU SIMPLIFY TRAVEL INSURANCE AS IN ‘WHAT SHOULD WE TAKE OUT”?

  Q – Much of what you cover on your “Traveltruth Media” sites makes sense and we feel travel educated when we spend some time reading the postings. But there is an exception. Travel insurance just confuses the hell out of me. I am 71 years old, both my wife and I are cancer survivors, and we both go a full 18 holes a few times a week. So, we are in pretty good shape. As we start doing even more touring around the world, in general, how would you advise us to approach travel insurance? And remember – please keep it simple.

  A – Understood. Technically, it is against the law in most states for a non-licensed insurance agent to make insurance recommendations. Of course, we do it anyway.

  Per your request to keep it simple: Take out a policy with one of the very best private insurance companies that offers at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage. The trick is to use one of the top-grade insurance firms that gives you extended coverage if you take out the policy within three weeks to a month of your deposit. The specific benefit you want is the waiver of pre-existing coverage. That means that if your previous condition acts up and you need to cancel, you would be covered even though the medical reason is based on a recurrence of a prior condition.

  We go a step further with our clients. We urge them to consider the state of medicine in the countries they will be visiting. Would they be comfortable with the level of medical care, surgery, hospitals, etc. if there was a medical emergency during their travels? If the answer is “no,” we think our clients should seriously consider medical evacuation coverage from a company like Med-Jet.

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