In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken welcomes Lola Vassiliadis of Cruise Holidays of Oakville to discuss her recent AmaWaterways river cruise, Secrets of Egypt and the Nile. Lola provides an in-depth overview of her journey, beginning with a tip for choosing the perfect hotel in Cairo and highlights from her three-day pre-cruise stay in the historic city. She explains how AmaWaterways expertly handles arrivals and departures, ensuring a seamless travel experience. Lola shares her impress...
Dec 05, 2024•30 min
In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with Beth Schulberg, owner of Cruise & Travel Specialists, for part one of a two-part series reviewing their luxury African safari experience. Broadcasting from the stunning Little Governors' Camp in Kenya, Beth and Ken share highlights from the first leg of their journey. The adventure begins with a visit to Victoria Falls, where they discuss their hotel stay and a breathtaking sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. They also describe the ...
Dec 04, 2024•14 min
Breathtaking Swiss Countryside By Train. In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with Kathy Schmauss, a travel advisor with Cruise Holidays of Viera, to review her recent Scenic Switzerland by Train tour with Cosmos. Kathy shares her experience exploring Switzerland's breathtaking landscapes via the Swiss train system, renowned for its efficiency and stunning views. She highlights the beautiful cities of Lucerne, Lausanne, Zermatt, and St. Moritz, and discusses the differences bet...
Nov 03, 2024•20 min
Windstar Or Silversea? Pick The Perfect Cruise For You! In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with Debra Dickerson, a travel advisor with Cruise and Travel Experts, to provide an insightful review of Windstar Cruises and compare its two classes of cruises to the luxury experience offered by Silversea. Debra begins with an overview of Windstar, discussing whether it qualifies as a luxury cruise line and highlighting its unique destinations and smaller guest capacity. She dives in...
Oct 28, 2024•25 min
Celebrity Cruises Vs. Holland America - Which Is Right For You? In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with Mary Ellsworth, a travel advisor with Cruise and Travel Experts, to compare two premium cruise lines: Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line (HAL). Mary provides an insightful overview of how these lines stack up against each other, highlighting Holland America's "Classic" appeal and diving into the differences in package offerings, including the explanation of non-refu...
Oct 27, 2024•24 min
Join us on this episode of Just The Facts as RTE-Travel Talk host Ken welcomes special guest Larry Jackson, a seasoned travel expert from Cruise Holidays of Viera, to explore the differences between Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. Larry contrasts the ship size, guest complements, itineraries, dining, entertainment, service levels, loyalty programs, and price points as well as each cruise lines target audience. Larry has advice on multi-generational cruising with each line pl...
Oct 21, 2024•22 min
In this episode of Just River Cruises, RTE-Travel Talk host Ken sits down with Real Travel Expert Lauren Matthews of Cruise & Travel Specialists to debunk the top five misconceptions about river cruises. If you've ever thought river cruising was only for a certain age group or that it might not offer the excitement and value you're looking for, this episode is for you! Ken and Lauren tackle these myths head-on, providing insights that could change the way you think about river cruising. Epis...
Oct 20, 2024•12 min
In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with Debra Dickerson, a travel advisor with Cruise and Travel Experts, to provide an in-depth review of Tauck Tours, with a special focus on Debra's recent and extraordinary river cruise experience with Tauck. Debra shares the unique highlights of her journey, including themed days inspired by a Taylor Swift concert and a visit to a Formula 1 race track. She discusses the quality and uniqueness of Tauck's excursions, all of which are include...
Oct 14, 2024•26 min
Join us for an insightful episode of RTE-Travel Talk as host Ken sits down with Debbie Albrecht and Peter Whitehead, dedicated cruise managers for AmaWaterways. Discover the vital role they play in enhancing the guest experience on board AmaWaterways ships, ensuring every journey is unforgettable. From personalizing services to sharing heartwarming stories, Debbie and Pete offer a behind-the-scenes look at what makes AmaWaterways truly exceptional. Debbie and Pete share their personal stories wi...
Oct 13, 2024•22 min
In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken is joined by Real Travel Expert Lauren Matthews for another installment of Just River Cruises. Together, they explore their top five Christmas Markets in Europe that are best experienced on a river cruise. Starting with a short overview of these magical markets, Lauren and Ken dive into the festive charm of Vienna, Budapest, Strasbourg, Cologne, and Nuremberg. They also discuss the joy of bringing children along for the journey, Lauren’s thoughts on r...
Sep 28, 2024•11 min
Join Ken on this episode of RTE-Travel Talk as he sits down with Real Travel Expert Larry Jackson, owner of Cruise Holidays of Viera, to discuss the ultimate cruise tour experience in Hawaii. Larry shares his insider knowledge and personal recommendations, starting with his private cruise tour of Hawaii. From the perfect itinerary and luxurious hotels to unique island visits and unforgettable activities, Larry covers it all. Discover the best time to visit, explore iconic destinations like Maui,...
Sep 21, 2024•23 min
Cruise Lines vs Popular Hotels | FIND YOUR BEST CRUISE LINE. In this insightful episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with Lynn Johnson, the owner and founder of Neptune Travel LLC, to explore her unique approach to matching travelers with the perfect cruise line. Lynn shares her journey in the travel industry and reveals her innovative method of comparing cruise lines to popular hotels, making it easier for travelers to find their ideal experience. From diving into detailed comparisons...
Sep 14, 2024•19 min
Join us on "RTE-Travel Talk Just River Cruises" as host Ken sits down with Lauren Matthews, an expert from Cruise & Travel Specialists, to delve into the crucial topic of water levels and their impact on river cruising. Lauren shares her insights on predicting water levels, how often water level issues arise, and the proactive measures river cruise lines such as Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways take to handle such challenges. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility in travel plans ...
Sep 07, 2024•12 min
In this captivating segment of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with Lola Vassiliadis, owner of Cruise Holidays Vacations, to explore two of the world's most exotic river cruise destinations: the Amazon and the Ganges. Lola shares her insights on these extraordinary journeys with Uniworld River Cruises and Avalon Waterways, delving into the unique experiences each offers. They also take an exciting detour to discuss a custom tour of India's sacred triangle, offering viewers a glimpse into the...
Aug 31, 2024•20 min
Sandals Dunn's River: Everything You Need To Know! Join RTE-Travel Talk host Ken as he sits down with Shari Marsh, owner of Cruise Holidays Land and Sea and a Certified Sandals Expert, to review the luxurious Sandals Dunn's River All-Inclusive Resort. Shari shares her expertise and insights, starting with an overview of the resort and how it compares to other Sandals properties. She delves into the exquisite accommodations, discusses the price points, and highlights the diverse dining options av...
Aug 24, 2024•23 min
In this segment of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with Barb Chamberlain of Direct Travel and Neil Dudley from AmaWaterways to discuss families and river cruising - a rising trend. Topics include AmaWaterway's ships with triples, quads, or adjoining suites, entertaining children, child-friendly menu options, best itineraries for families and their collaboration with Adventures By Disney. River cruising with your family is a wonderful option and this podcast explains why.
Aug 18, 2024•22 min
In this segment of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with Ole Nordhavn, owner of Concierge Travel Services, to discuss the best vacation and culinary options for Hawaii. They cover a range of topics, starting with the advantages and unique experiences offered by Hawaii cruises. Ole shares insights into land-based tours and the benefits of renting private home accommodations for a more personalized stay. The discussion also touches on the convenience and appeal of condo rentals. They explore th...
Aug 11, 2024•15 min
Join Ken, the host of RTE-Travel Talk, as he sits down with Barb Young, owner of Cruise Holidays of Port Coquitlam, to discuss her recent river cruise experience with AmaWaterways in Paris and Normandy. Barb shares an in-depth review of the itinerary, highlighting the beautiful staterooms, the exceptional service from the Cruise Manager, and key moments from the journey, including how AmaWaterways expertly resolved any river issues. She provides heartfelt feedback on visiting the war cemeteries ...
Aug 04, 2024•23 min
Join RTE-Travel Talk host Ken as he sits down with Christy Fitzharris, travel expert and founder of Wheels Up Travel Company, to discuss making the most out of your Disney World Resorts vacation by choosing the right resort and tours. In this insightful segment, they cover everything from an overview of Disney World, to the perks of staying at The Contemporary Resort and other resorts along the Monorail line. Discover why Disney luxury is all about convenience, and learn about alternatives to st...
Aug 01, 2024•24 min
In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk's "Just The Facts," host Ken sits down with Larry Jackson, the owner of Cruise Holidays of Viera, to explore the best cruise options for Hawaii. They delve into the advantages of cruising the Hawaiian islands instead of flying between them and why cruising can be a more enjoyable and practical choice. Larry shares insights on the benefits of flying to Hawaii before starting your cruise journey. The discussion also covers the Jones Act and its impact on cruising...
Jul 28, 2024•9 min
Join RTE-Travel Talk host Ken as he sits down with travel expert Jody Ryland of Cruise & Travel Experts to discuss her recent Caribbean cruise with Island Windjammers. Jody shares her insights and experiences, starting with an introduction to Island Windjammers and the charming ship, Vela. She describes the overall atmosphere on board and provides a detailed look at the cozy cabins. Jody also offers a handy booking tip and recounts her delightful pre-stay in Sint Maarten, including a useful ...
Jul 25, 2024•21 min
Welcome to another episode of Just the Facts with Larry! In this episode, RTE-Travel Talk host Ken sits down with Real Travel Expert Larry Jackson of Cruise Holidays of Viera. Together, they share invaluable advice and tips for cruisers, gathered from their extensive experience in the travel industry. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, these insights are sure to enhance your cruise experience. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more travel tips and expert a...
Jul 11, 2024•19 min
Welcome to another episode of Just River Cruises on RTE-Travel Talk! Join host Ken and Real Travel Expert Lauren Matthews of Cruise & Travel Specialists as they unravel the mystery of choosing the perfect river cruise stateroom. Whether you're sailing with Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, or others, this episode will guide you through everything you need to know to select the ideal stateroom for your journey. In this episode: 1. Swan View Rooms - Discover the unique feat...
Jul 07, 2024•12 min
oin RTE-Travel Talk host Ken for another episode of Just the Facts with Larry, as he sits down with Real Travel Expert Larry Jackson from Cruise Holidays of Viera. In this episode, Ken challenges Larry on his Top Ten ways to Save Money on a Cruise list. Larry and Ken dive deep into each of the following items, providing valuable insights and practical tips for budget-conscious travelers: I. BOOK EARLY: Larry explains the benefits of booking your cruise well in advance to secure the best deals an...
Jul 04, 2024•30 min
Join RTE-Travel Talk host Ken as he sits down with luxury travel expert April Powers, owner of April Powers Travel, to explore her top eight luxury travel tips for a seamless luxury vacation, with a special focus on Greece and Italy. In this captivating interview, April shares her expert advice on how to ensure a flawless travel experience, starting with the importance of arranging seamless transfers. She emphasizes the need to take it easy on the first day to unwind and acclimate before diving ...
Jun 30, 2024•25 min
Join RTE-Travel Talk host Ken as he interviews travel experts Rich and Linda Skinner of Cruise Holidays of Woodinville to help you decide between two excellent premium cruise lines: Celebrity Cruises vs Holland America. In this engaging discussion, Ken and his special guests delve into the rich history and overview of Holland America, followed by an insightful look at Celebrity Cruises. They explore whether these lines are "equal" in their premium classification and discuss the notable differenc...
Jun 28, 2024•29 min
In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with travel experts Barb Chamberlain of Direct Travel and Neil Dudley, Product Manager for AmaWaterways, to discuss the remarkable AmaWaterways Africa River Cruise and Safari Wildlife experience. They begin by exploring the "Stars of South Africa" itinerary, highlighting the unique journey and its allure for adventure seekers. The conversation delves into the various extensions available to enhance the river cruise, offering travelers more o...
Jun 23, 2024•26 min
In this insightful episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with Real Travel Expert Tracey Mosser from Discovery Destination Travel Planning to delve into the topic of "Cruising with a Baby." Tracey, drawing from her recent cruise experience with a little one, provides invaluable insights and tips for parents considering embarking on a cruise adventure with their infant. From cruising out of Galveston, TX, to meticulous planning for baby packing, Tracey covers every aspect to ensure a smoo...
Jun 20, 2024•25 min
Join Ken, the host of RTE-Travel Talk, as he sits down with Aimee Price, VP of Sales for Explora Journeys, and Beth Schulberg, owner of Cruise & Travel Specialists on board Explora 1. In this captivating episode, viewers will delve deep into the philosophy and lexicon that define the essence of Explora Journeys, a luxury cruise line redefining the standards of sea travel or as the like to call is an “Ocean State of Mind”. Discover the back story and history of Explora Journeys, and its many ...
Jun 04, 2024•31 min
Join RTE-Travel Talk host Ken for another episode of Just the Facts with Larry, as he sits down with Real Travel Expert Larry Jackson from Cruise Holidays of Viera. In this episode, Ken challenges Larry on his Top Ten ways to Save Money on a Cruise list. Larry and Ken dive deep into each of the following items, providing valuable insights and practical tips for budget-conscious travelers: I. BOOK EARLY: Larry explains the benefits of booking your cruise well in advance to secure the best deals a...
Jun 02, 2024•30 min
