By Tom Gannon Lynn Travel Inc.
Interest in travel for 2024 is peaking. Many departures are sold out or near capacity. Before offering some recommendations, it is time to take stock and see which travel entities are performing at a level to earn a recommendation from Lynn Travel. We will also suggest how to find check on a company to avoid based on ratings from the Better Business Bureau and others.
In terms of mass market, mega ship cruising we can only recommend Celebrity and Disney.
There are no bad boutique cruises but we believe you will have the best experience on Viking Ocean, Azamara or Oceania. Viking offers the best food, entertainment and service, while Azamara has the best ships.
For river cruises outside of the United States, Ama Waterways is in first place followed by Emerald and Uniworld. Small market share cruises that we can recommend are Amadeus and Collette.
In the United States it is neck and neck between American Cruise Line and American Queen Voyages. Both over a very good product. Reviews of Viking’s entry into this market have not been positive.
For tour operators Collette and Perillo continue to get my vote as the best in terms of price and service. We also like the Trafalgar family of brand including Insight and Cost Saver. CIE owned by the government of Ireland and Celtic Tours are also recommended. In price is not an issue Tauck is a wonderful alternative. For those who want an exclusive, small group experience Odysseys Unlimited deserves consideration. If you so not see the name of a tour operator, here, we suggest you look them up on the Better Business website. To be honest I would not venture too far the names that I have offered unless it is specialty tours such as Country Walkers who incorporate hiking into the itineraries. Don’t use the Internet, randomly, to search for travel, it is dangerous.
The airlines remain a problem. Delta removed sleeper seats from business class and reinstituted first class. Weekly there is news that Delta, United or American are instituting some less friendly, customer practice. I think the ranking has changed slightly in the last year with Delta remaining on top and American moving into second place ahead of United. Don’t expect your airline connections to go as planned. If they do consider yourself lucky. Do expect to pay over $1600 for refundable, economy seats to Europe and the same amount for Alaska and Hawaii. Even if it costs a little more it is important to book your air through the tour operator or cruise line.
Because of the volume business we do with Collette they are offering 2023 pricing on land with air included on the following group departures for next year 2024.
Sunny Portugal April 16-25, 2024 $3749 through October 17th.
Mediterranean Coastal Journey May 11-26 $6999 through October 12th
National Parks of America September 26-October 7,2024 $5599 through March 26, 2024
Spain’s Classics September 20-Oct 1, 2024 $4999 through March 21, 2024
People have asked me for recommendations on tours. Some destinations, I cannot give a personal recommendation to, but travelers are high on Vietnam, Japan. Poland, and South Africa.
Most places I would go to a second, third or fourth time but my top ten with particular attention to the top of the list:
Norway/Scandinavia
Argentina/Iguazu Falls
Croatia/Slovenia
Central European Capitals: Prague, Budapest, Bucharest
Southern Italy Sicily
Australia/New Zealand
Ireland
Spain/Portugal
Iceland
Greece
For those desiring an island destination for a beach destination, I advise you to do your research on the political and health situation in the area you want to visit. Most areas of the Caribbean are fine, but I think for pricing and security that an all-inclusive resort is best. Sandals and their sister operation Beaches are consistently rated at the top. I can recommend most all-inclusive resorts in Antigua. I have been to many Pacific coast and greater Playa del Carmen resorts in Mexico and enjoyed them, but I have mixed feelings about recommending them at this moment. Cozumel is the one exception. I know people love the Dominican Republic, but it has to get my no vote.