Viking’s Popular Your Choice Sale makes this an especially appealing time to plan a river, ocean, or expedition voyage.

For a limited time, Viking is offering valuable savings, a reduced $25 per-person deposit on featured itineraries, and a choice of added onboard benefits. The offer expires October 31, 2026.

More Ways to Add Value

Choose the Benefit That Fits Your Trip

With Viking’s Your Choice Sale, you may select one of two added-value options on qualifying itineraries:

• Shipboard credit: Up to $1,000 per couple, based on cruise length.
• OR
• Complimentary beverage package and included gratuities: A wonderful option for travelers who prefer to have more of their onboard spending handled in advance.

Shipboard credit is based on the length of your voyage:

• Up to 8 days: $500 per couple
• 9 to 12 days: $750 per couple
• 13 days or longer: $1,000 per couple

The beverage-package option is not available on Egypt sailings, and this promotion excludes World Cruise itineraries.

Special Airfare and Cruise Savings

The sale also includes noteworthy offers on select departures. Viking is offering free roundtrip international airfare on select sailings of the Grand European Tour, Pharaohs & Pyramids, and the expedition voyages Antarctic Explorer and Niagara & the Great Lakes.

Select Mississippi River departures, including Mississippi Delta Explorer and Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer, also include free roundtrip airfare.

For ocean travelers, select departures and categories on Alaska & the Inside Passage offer savings of up to $5,000 per couple.

Why We Like Viking for So Many Travelers

Viking continues to offer one of the most consistently thoughtful travel experiences: destination-focused itineraries, comfortable ships, excellent included dining and excursions, and an adult-oriented atmosphere without casinos, children, or the distractions of a large resort-style ship.

Whether you are picturing Europe’s great rivers, Alaska’s Inside Passage, the Mississippi, Antarctica, Egypt, or a favorite ocean destination, this sale can be an excellent opportunity to secure an exceptional Viking experience with meaningful added value.

Because applicable fares, airfare offers, savings, and availability vary by itinerary, sailing date, stateroom category, and gateway city, please contact us before booking. We will help you compare the choices and determine which combination creates the best value for your trip.

Call us to learn whether Viking’s Popular Your Choice Sale applies to the voyage you have in mind.

Links:

• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Viking River Cruises
• Viking Expedition Cruises

Planning Your Trip With Roaming Boomers Travel Services

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Click for the 2027 Luxe Report

Want to know the top 10 2027 cruise itineraries?

Virtuoso’s newly released 2027 Luxe Report offers an early look at the destinations generating the most interest.

Based on insights from more than 3,100 Virtuoso travel advisors in more than 50 countries, the report identifies the world’s 10 most popular cruise itineraries for the year ahead.

The list combines classic favorites, extraordinary expedition voyages, and river journeys that continue to appeal to travelers who want to explore without constantly changing hotels.

The Top 10 2027 Cruise Itineraries

1. Mediterranean

The Mediterranean remains the leading choice for 2027. Its appeal is easy to understand: Italian ports, the French Riviera, Spain, the Adriatic, historic cities, beautiful islands, and remarkable food – often all within one trip. There are wonderful options for every style of traveler, from intimate yacht-style and small luxury ships to larger ocean ships with more amenities.

2. Alaska

Alaska continues to be one of the most compelling cruise destinations for American travelers, especially families traveling together. Glaciers, whales, bears, scenic rail journeys, and time in port make Alaska much more than simply watching scenery pass by from a ship. Choosing the right itinerary and cruise line matters enormously for travelers who want a meaningful Alaska experience.

3. Greek Isles

The Greek Isles stand on their own, separate from the broader Mediterranean category. Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and lesser-known islands offer beautiful water, ancient history, memorable food, and a relaxed pace. This is a destination where small ships can be especially appealing, allowing travelers to visit more intimate ports and spend less time navigating large crowds.

4. Antarctica

Antarctica remains one of the world’s great bucket-list expeditions. Travelers are drawn by the breathtaking scale of the landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, and the rare privilege of visiting somewhere so remote and unspoiled. Expedition cruising is also one of Virtuoso’s leading overall travel trends for 2027, making Antarctica’s high ranking no surprise.

5. Danube River

The Danube is Europe’s grand river journey. Depending on the itinerary, guests may visit Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Melk, Dürnstein, Regensburg, and Nuremberg. It is an excellent choice for travelers who want culture, history, food, wine, and beautiful scenery – without the inconvenience of changing hotels every few days.

6. Caribbean

The Caribbean remains a favorite, but luxury travelers are looking beyond the standard port lineup. Smaller ships, yacht-style cruising, private-island experiences, and less-visited islands can make a Caribbean cruise feel fresh and highly personal. It is also a terrific option for multigenerational families, couples seeking winter warmth, and travelers who want an easy, restorative getaway.

7. Northern Europe

Northern Europe provides a striking contrast to the Mediterranean. Itineraries may include the Norwegian fjords, Baltic capitals, Iceland, Scotland, the British Isles, or the North Cape. Travelers are drawn to dramatic scenery, rich history, charming cities, and a part of Europe that feels distinctly different from the sun-and-sea atmosphere farther south.

8. Japan

Japan is one of the most exciting cruise destinations for 2027. A well-designed itinerary can combine Tokyo, Kyoto-area ports, Hiroshima, smaller coastal towns, and sometimes South Korea or Taiwan. Japan offers an exceptional combination of ancient tradition, extraordinary food, serene landscapes, and modern energy – making it especially rewarding for culturally curious travelers.

9. Rhine River

The Rhine is a classic European river cruise for very good reason. Castles rise above vineyard-covered hills, storybook towns line the riverbanks, and many itineraries connect Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Strasbourg, and Basel. It is an especially strong choice for first-time river cruisers and travelers who want a concentrated taste of several European countries.

10. Nile River

The Nile is one of the world’s most historically rich cruise experiences. A thoughtfully planned journey combines the pyramids and museums of Cairo with a relaxing cruise between Luxor and Aswan, bringing temples, tombs, villages, and ancient landscapes into view. For travelers fascinated by history, Egypt can be truly unforgettable.

What This Means for 2027 Cruise Planning

These top 10 2027 cruise itineraries show that travelers still want the iconic destinations they have dreamed about for years – but they want those experiences to be more personal, immersive, and meaningful.

It is also notable that three river itineraries – the Danube, Rhine, and Nile – made the top 10. River cruising continues to appeal to travelers who value destination-focused days, smaller ships, fewer crowds, included experiences, and the pleasure of waking up close to a new city or region.

For popular journeys such as Alaska, Antarctica, the Greek Isles, Japan, and Europe’s major rivers, the best ships, suite categories, and preferred dates tend to go first. Planning early is not about rushing into a decision. It is about having the widest possible choices and enough time to create a trip that truly fits how you want to travel.

Planning Your 2027 Cruise With Roaming Boomers Travel Services

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Viking river cruise ship sailing the Danube in Durnstein, Austria

European River Cruise Low Water: Best Time to Go?

European river cruise low water is an important consideration when planning a journey on the Danube, Rhine and other European rivers. So, when is the best time to go if you want to reduce the risk?

We generally recommend April through June.

Most European river cruises begin operating in March. By April, winter snowmelt and spring rainfall generally provide good river conditions, making prolonged low-water problems less likely.

Spring isn’t risk-free. Heavy snowmelt and spring rains can occasionally produce high water, which can also disrupt navigation. But when choosing our own river cruises, we’re generally more concerned about the potential for low water later in the summer.

When Does Low Water Become a Concern?

July and August are generally the months when we pay closer attention to low-water conditions on the Danube and Rhine. Prolonged summer heat and insufficient rainfall can cause river levels to fall, sometimes to the point where ships can’t safely navigate certain sections.

And that’s an important point: the entire river doesn’t have to be low. A single shallow section can force a cruise line to modify an itinerary, change docking locations, use motorcoaches or transfer guests between ships.

In particularly dry years, low-water problems can continue into September. Europe experienced significant low-water conditions in 2022, with notable low-water conditions returning again in 2026.

That doesn’t make July, August or September bad months for a river cruise. Many cruises operate normally. It simply means the risk can be greater than it is in spring.

River conditions can also change quickly. Rainfall upstream can improve conditions, while several weeks of hot, dry weather can do the opposite. No one can reliably predict river levels six months or a year before your cruise.

Protect Your River Cruise Investment

For clients booking a Danube or Rhine river cruise in July or August — or September when significant low-water conditions persist — we strongly recommend travel protection with a meaningful Cancel For Any Reason option (CFAR).

We’re not necessarily talking about typical third-party CFAR policies, which we generally don’t recommend to our clients. Some river cruise companies offer their own travel protection programs with valuable cancellation provisions.

Viking is a good example. Viking’s Travel Protection Plan includes a Cancel For Any Reason Waiver. Subject to the plan’s terms and conditions, guests canceling for a reason not otherwise covered by the insurance portion of the plan can receive the nonrefundable portion of their Viking trip cost in Viking travel vouchers.

That can be extremely valuable if significant low-water conditions develop before your departure and you’re concerned that your itinerary may be substantially affected.

Every cruise line’s program is different, and terms and benefits can change. We’ll help our clients understand the applicable protection options when they book.

Carol enjoying a morning coffee on a Rhine River cruise in April

When Do Carol and I Take River Cruises?

Carol and I have taken 14 European river cruises over the past 12 years, and when we’re choosing dates for ourselves, we generally look first at April or very early May.

Water levels are part of the reason. In our experience, we’ve had little concern about low water during this period.

There are other advantages, too. The large summer crowds haven’t arrived, temperatures are generally cooler, and exploring Europe’s cities and riverside towns can be much more pleasant. July and August, by comparison, can be very hot.

So while April through June is our general recommendation for travelers who want to minimize low-water risk, our personal preference is April or very early May.

The Bottom Line

There is no completely risk-free time to take a European river cruise. But if you have flexibility, April through June is our preferred window for the Danube and Rhine.

If you choose July or August, or September during a particularly dry year, understand that low-water risk can be higher and make sure your travel investment is appropriately protected.

Understand the risk. Have an exit strategy. And protect your river cruise investment.

Planning a European River Cruise With Roaming Boomers Travel Services

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Tauck’s new 2027 journeys, cruises, and family travel experiences bring exciting new ways to explore the world—while also expanding the choices in two destinations our clients continue to ask about: Japan and Portugal.

From small-ship cruising and immersive land journeys to intimate family voyages, Tauck’s newest collection is designed for travelers who value exceptional experiences with every detail handled beautifully.

Japan by Small Ship

Japan remains one of the most sought-after destinations in travel, and Tauck’s Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea offers an exceptional way to experience it. This small-ship cruise combines Japan’s extraordinary contrasts—ancient traditions, serene gardens, lively cities, and remarkable cuisine—with time in South Korea. For travelers who want the convenience of unpacking once while experiencing a meaningful cross-section of the region, it is a particularly appealing choice. And for a land journey in Japan, consider Tauck’s Essence of Japan.

Portugal and Spain

Portugal is another destination that continues to capture travelers’ imaginations. Tauck’s Spain and Portugal journey combines two wonderfully distinct countries, bringing together

Portugal’s colorful cities, rich food and wine traditions, and historic character with the energy and artistry of Spain. It is a terrific option for those seeking a deeper European journey beyond the most familiar routes.

New for 2027

Among Tauck’s new 2027 additions, Cruising the Baltic Sea introduces a fresh small-ship route through Northern Europe, including elegant Scandinavian capitals and the medieval charm of Tallinn. A Week In… Champagne & Alsace offers a shorter, highly immersive French escape filled with vineyards, cuisine, and storybook villages.

Families can look forward to Croatian Coast: Family Voyage, a Tauck Bridges adventure aboard the intimate Lupus Mare. With just 15 cabins and room for up to 34 guests, it offers a very personal way for families to discover Croatia’s islands, history, and beautiful Adriatic coastline together.

And closer to home, Bryce & Zion: Sculpted by Time brings Tauck’s thoughtful approach to two of the American Southwest’s most dramatic national parks, including glass-domed accommodations near Bryce Canyon and guided stargazing under famously clear desert skies.

As one of Tauck’s top five travel advisors worldwide, we would be delighted to help you determine which of these journeys is the best fit for you, your family, or the friends you would love to travel with. The most desirable departures can fill early, so now is a wonderful time to start looking ahead.

LINK: Explore Tauck’s New 2027 Journeys, Cruises & Family Travel

Planning Your Trip With Roaming Boomers Travel Services

Roaming Boomers Travel Services is proud to be one of the top five Tauck booking travel advisors in the world and a team of Tauck Certified Advisors. We know the product, the destinations, and the important choices that can turn a very good itinerary into the journey that is right for you.

For clients new to Tauck, booking through us includes an especially valuable benefit: a complimentary one-night pre- or post-journey hotel stay on your first Tauck trip. We will also help you evaluate the best itinerary, departure date, accommodations, air arrangements, and any available savings or travel perks.

For more information or to begin planning your next journey, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request CLICK HERE, and we’ll be in touch.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to stay informed on our latest travel insights, firsthand cruise reviews, exclusive offers, and special opportunities.

This article was written with the aid of ChatGPT. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an independent affiliate of Cadence and a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40

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Human travel advisors still bring something AI cannot: informed judgment grounded in experience and a clear understanding of what matters most to each traveler.

Artificial intelligence can help us research travel faster than ever. It can suggest destinations, compare hotels, summarize reviews, and generate a sample itinerary in seconds. Those are useful tools.

But when it comes time to make meaningful travel decisions, many travelers still want a knowledgeable human involved.

That is not because technology has failed. It is because travel is personal, expensive, and often full of choices that do not have one obvious right answer.

A recent Skift State of Travel 2026 report found that travelers were far less comfortable booking through AI or chatbots than through a travel advisor, packaged tour, or direct supplier. The same report noted that 63% of cruise travelers used a travel advisor to book a trip within the past year.

The message is clear: travelers may use AI to begin the conversation, but they still value a trusted person to help them make the final decisions.

AI Is Helpful, but It Does Not Know You

AI can provide an impressive amount of information. The challenge is that more information is not always more helpful.

A traveler considering a cruise may quickly receive dozens of recommendations, all of which sound appealing. But which itinerary fits the pace they enjoy? Which ship offers the atmosphere, dining, accommodations, and excursions that truly match their expectations? Is the savings on one departure worth giving up a preferred cabin, a better itinerary, or more convenient travel dates?

Those are judgment calls. They benefit from experience, context, and a real understanding of what matters most to the traveler.

At Roaming Boomers Travel Services, we believe the best advice is not simply a longer list of options. It is helping clients sort through the noise and focus on the choices that are most likely to lead to a memorable trip.

The Right Trip Is More Than a Good Price

Online tools are very good at identifying a lower fare. They are not always as good at explaining what is different about the experience.

Two cruises may visit similar ports, for example, yet offer very different ships, shore experiences, levels of service, dining, cabin options, and onboard atmosphere. The same is true with river cruises, expedition journeys, small-ship yachts, and small-group land tours.

For many travelers, the goal is not to find the least expensive option. It is to make a smart decision about where their travel dollars will have the greatest impact.

Skift’s report found that even higher-income travelers are paying close attention to value. But rather than simply trading down, they are more likely to optimize””adjusting travel dates or looking carefully at what is included while protecting the destination and experience they truly want.

That is where an experienced advisor can be especially helpful.

The Best Approach Uses Both

We do not see AI as something travelers should avoid. Used wisely, it can be a helpful research tool. It can spark ideas, answer basic questions, and introduce places or travel styles a traveler may not have considered.

But it cannot replace personal experience, trusted relationships, or thoughtful advice tailored to the individual traveler.

Carol and I believe the best travel planning starts with a conversation. What kind of trip are you hoping to have? What has worked well in the past? What is worth spending a little more for, and what is not important to you?

Technology can help make travel planning more efficient. A human travel advisor helps make it more meaningful.

Planning Your Trip With Roaming Boomers Travel Services

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For frequent international travelers, Global Entry remains one of the most valuable tools for making the trip home a little easier.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has now introduced a new Trusted Traveler app that brings several services into one place, replacing both the former Global Entry app and the older Trusted Traveler Programs app.

The change does not alter your Global Entry membership, eligibility, or benefits. Instead, it gives members a simpler way to manage their Trusted Traveler Programs account and, at participating locations, complete arrival processing from a mobile device.

What Has Changed?

CBP’s new Trusted Traveler app consolidates the functions previously split between two separate mobile apps. It supports Global Entry as well as other Trusted Traveler Programs, including NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST.

For Global Entry members, the app can be used to manage membership information, update a profile, renew membership, and schedule an enrollment interview. It also supports mobile arrival processing at participating U.S. airports and certain CBP Preclearance locations.

Existing members do not need to create a new account or reapply for the program. CBP has indicated that current profile and membership information transfer automatically when users sign in with their existing credentials.

To learn more about the new app directly from CBP, click here.

What This Means for Global Entry Members

The practical takeaway is straightforward: the former Global Entry and Trusted Traveler Programs apps have been replaced by one official CBP app. Before your next international trip, download the new Trusted Traveler app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and sign in using your current Trusted Traveler Programs credentials.

At participating airports, eligible Global Entry members may use the app to confirm their arrival in the United States. The availability of mobile processing varies by airport, so it is still wise to follow airport signage and CBP instructions when you land.

The app is intended to make the experience more convenient, but it is not a replacement for your Global Entry membership itself. Your Known Traveler Number, program status, and TSA PreCheck benefits remain tied to your Trusted Traveler Programs account.

Do You Need the App to Use Global Entry?

No. Global Entry members can continue using the program’s standard airport entry process. The Trusted Traveler app is an additional option at locations where mobile processing is available.

That distinction matters. Travelers should not assume they will use the app at every airport or on every trip. However, for those returning through a participating airport, having the app downloaded and ready may offer a faster, more streamlined way to complete the arrival process.

Renewals and Enrollment Interviews Are Easier to Manage

One of the most useful features of the new Trusted Traveler app is membership management. Rather than relying exclusively on the web portal, members can review account details, begin or manage a renewal, and schedule an enrollment interview from their phone.

Global Entry memberships are valid for five years. Travelers should begin the renewal process before their membership expires, particularly if they have international travel planned. Applying for renewal before expiration can preserve benefits while CBP processes the application, subject to CBP’s current renewal policies.

A Good Time to Check Your Account

This app update is also a helpful reminder to review the information connected to your Global Entry account. Make sure your passport details, home address, and other profile information are current. If you have renewed your passport, changed your name, or received a new legal permanent resident card, update your Trusted Traveler Programs account before traveling internationally.

It is also wise to confirm that your Known Traveler Number is saved correctly in your airline loyalty profiles and upcoming reservations. That is what helps ensure TSA PreCheck appears on your boarding pass when you are eligible.

Final Thoughts

The new Trusted Traveler app does not change the core value of Global Entry. It simply brings account management and mobile arrival processing together in a more convenient format.

For travelers who take several international trips each year, small improvements in the arrival experience can make a meaningful difference. Downloading the official CBP app before your next trip is a simple step that can help you be prepared””while still allowing you to use the standard Global Entry process whenever that is the better option.

For CBP’s current information about participating locations, app features, and supported programs, click here.

Planning Your Trip With Roaming Boomers Travel Services

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Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights?

The question we hear most often is simple: Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights?

For many travelers, seeing the Northern Lights is a lifelong dream. The photos are extraordinary, of course””but nothing quite prepares you for the moment the sky begins to glow, shift, and dance above you.

There are several excellent answers, from Iceland and Norway to Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. But for travelers who want the best combination of strong aurora potential, an authentic Arctic setting, and a thoughtfully planned experience, Churchill, Manitoba, deserves to be near the very top of the list.

Why Churchill Stands Apart

Churchill sits on the western shore of Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba. It is positioned beneath the auroral oval, where the Northern Lights are frequently visible when conditions are right. Winter brings long, dark nights, minimal light pollution, and vast open skies over the tundra.

That combination gives travelers an excellent opportunity to see the aurora borealis. Just as important, Churchill is a destination designed for the experience.

A great Northern Lights trip is not about racing out of a hotel in the middle of the night, standing beside a roadside pull-off, and hoping you have dressed warmly enough. It is about having several nights in a prime location, away from city lights, with the comfort and flexibility to stay out long enough to enjoy the sky when it comes alive.

That is exactly what makes Natural Habitat Adventures’ Northern Lights & Arctic Exploration journey so appealing.

A Better Way to Watch the Aurora

Let’s be honest: Churchill is cold in winter. This is a real Arctic adventure.

But that does not mean travelers need to stand outside for hours, miserable and counting the minutes until they can go back indoors. Nat Hab has designed the experience around a collection of private, heated aurora-viewing locations, all set well away from the lights of town.

Depending on the evening, guests may watch the sky from the glass-roofed Aurora Pod, a heated Aurora Dome, the spacious Aurora Sphere, or the new Boreal Lounge with its clear curved roof and wraparound viewing deck.

Other nights may bring guests to a cozy cabin deep in the boreal forest, reached by snowcoach over a frozen creek, or to a traditional dog musher’s camp. Imagine a lantern-lit tepee, sled dogs nearby, fresh snow underfoot, and the possibility of green and violet light spilling across the sky overhead.

Those settings do far more than provide a place to warm up. They allow travelers to relax and savor the experience. When the lights begin to move, you want to be present””not focused on how cold your hands and feet have become.

Nat Hab also provides the serious cold-weather gear guests need while in Churchill, including a parka, insulated boots, snow pants, mittens, fleece layers, and warmers. That is a meaningful advantage for clients who do not want to buy specialized Arctic gear for a single vacation.

There Is Much More Than The Aurora

The Northern Lights may be the star of the trip, but the days in Churchill are every bit as memorable.

Guests experience the winter landscape by snowshoe and snowcoach, enjoy an authentic dog sled ride, and learn about the area’s people, history, wildlife, and remarkable meeting of ecosystems: Hudson Bay, tundra, and boreal forest.

Natural Habitat Adventures also includes an experienced Expedition Leader, whose knowledge adds important depth to the journey. We believe that is part of what turns a beautiful vacation into a meaningful one. You are not merely looking at a remarkable place; you are beginning to understand it.

The Best Time To Go

This seven-day Churchill journey operates from January through March, when nights are long and the Arctic landscape is at its most dramatic.

No one can guarantee the Northern Lights on a particular evening.

The aurora is a natural phenomenon, shaped by solar activity and cloud cover. But a trip with multiple nights in a prime viewing location, dark skies, expert local support, and comfortable viewing infrastructure gives travelers every possible advantage.

And even on a quieter night, you are still in Churchill””one of North America’s most distinctive winter destinations””enjoying an Arctic adventure few people ever experience.

Is Churchill Right For You?

If seeing the Northern Lights has been on your bucket list, Churchill offers an exceptional way to do it: small-group travel, carefully planned logistics, private viewing locations, and an immersive Arctic experience from beginning to end.

We would be delighted to help you decide whether Natural Habitat Adventures’ Churchill journey is the right fit for you and begin planning a Northern Lights vacation you will never forget.

Planning Your Northern Lights Adventure With Roaming Boomers Travel Services

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Carol and I are thrilled to share some very special news: Carol has been named godmother of Viking Haki””an extraordinary honor and one that means a great deal to both of us.

Over the years, Viking has become far more than an important travel partner to The Roaming Boomers. We have developed deep friendships with so many people throughout the company, and Carol has long admired Viking’s unwavering commitment to thoughtful design, cultural enrichment, and truly exceptional guest experiences.

For thousands of years, it has been a maritime tradition for a new ship to have a ceremonial godmother. The godmother names the ship and offers good wishes for the safety of its guests and crew.

Who Was Haki?

The name Haki reaches back into Norse mythology. Haki was a formidable king who commanded a large force of warriors, defeated the Swedish army at the Battle of FÀ½risvellir, and ruled as King of Sweden for three years.

It is a fitting name for a new Viking Longship””one that connects the ship to the rich Nordic heritage that has always been at the heart of the Viking story. Built in 2026, Viking Haki will welcome just 190 guests, offering the intimate, destination-focused river experience Viking is so well known for.

On October 15, 2026, Carol and I will participate in Viking’s joint naming ceremony in Amsterdam, where Viking Haki will officially join Viking’s growing river fleet.

After the ceremony, Carol and I will sail on a special mini voyage through the waterways of Holland aboard the newly named ship.

I could not be more proud of Carol. This invitation is a beautiful recognition of the relationship we have built with Viking over the many years.

We are deeply honored, enormously grateful, and very much looking forward to sharing this unforgettable experience with you.

Planning Your Viking River Cruise With Roaming Boomers Travel Services

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Viking continues to expand its ocean fleet, and for travelers, that means far more than simply more ships. As Viking Ocean Cruises adds new vessels, the company gains the ability to offer more departures, introduce new itineraries, and bring guests to an expanding collection of destinations around the world.

For 2028″“2029, Viking has announced its largest ocean deployment to date, with more than 700 new departure dates across 80 voyages, visiting 301 ports in 84 countries on six continents.

There is also a practical reason Viking is looking this far ahead. We’ve been watching availability for 2027, and many Viking sailings are already filling quickly. For travelers who want a particular itinerary, departure date, or stateroom category, planning well in advance is becoming increasingly important. Opening 2028 and 2029 gives travelers considerably more choices while availability is still broad.

And Viking will need more ships to accommodate that continued demand.

Two New Viking Ocean Ships Are Coming

The Viking Vega is scheduled to join the fleet in 2028, followed by the Viking Leda in 2029. Both ships will accommodate 998 guests in 499 all-veranda staterooms, maintaining the familiar design and intimate scale Viking ocean guests have come to know.

We think that’s an important part of this story. Rather than building enormous ships carrying thousands more passengers, Viking continues to add vessels based on its established small-ship concept.

And every additional ship gives Viking greater flexibility to expand its destinations and itineraries around the world.

New Alaskan Fjords & the Inside Passage

One of the most interesting additions is Viking’s new 15-day Alaskan Fjords & the Inside Passage, sailing from Vancouver to Whittier.

The voyage expands Viking Ocean Cruises’ presence in Alaska and includes Kodiak along with two new Alaska ports for Viking. Guests will explore the Inside Passage, dramatic fjord landscapes, and Alaska’s wilderness, with opportunities to learn about the region’s Indigenous Tlingit culture.

Viking is also introducing a five-night Denali Explorer extension, taking guests from Anchorage into Denali National Park.

This is a good example of why Viking’s fleet growth matters. More ships give the company the capacity to develop new ways of exploring destinations where it already operates while adding new ports and experiences.

New Mediterranean, Malta & North Africa Itinerary

Viking is also introducing Mediterranean, Malta & North Africa, a new 16-day voyage sailing roundtrip from Rome.

The itinerary visits seven countries and combines Mediterranean destinations with ports in Malta and North Africa. One highlight is an overnight stay in Valletta, Malta’s historic capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The voyage also incorporates destinations in Italy, Spain, France, and Corsica, exploring some of the cultural connections that have shaped the Mediterranean for centuries.

This is the type of itinerary we enjoy seeing from Viking””one that goes beyond connecting familiar European ports and gives travelers a broader perspective on a region.

More Opportunities to Explore Japan

Viking is expanding its opportunities in Asia as well.

Following the response to its recently introduced Japan Discovery itinerary, Viking has added more departures of the 15-day roundtrip Tokyo voyage.

The journey combines major cities with regional ports and cultural destinations in Japan and crosses the Sea of Japan for a visit to South Korea.

For travelers interested in exploring Japan while unpacking once and traveling by small ship, this is an intriguing option. The additional departures also demonstrate another benefit of Viking’s growing fleet: the ability to add capacity where traveler demand is strong.

More Ships Mean More Choices for Viking Travelers

We’ve watched Viking grow from its river-cruise roots into a company offering river, ocean, and expedition voyages around the world. Through that growth, Viking has maintained a remarkably consistent approach to its ocean fleet.

With Viking Vega and Viking Leda joining the fleet, that strategy continues.

For travelers, the real significance isn’t simply two more Viking ships. It’s what those ships make possible: more sailing dates, new ports, new itineraries, and more opportunities to explore destinations around the world in the Viking style.

With more than 700 new departures planned for 2028″“2029, Viking is giving travelers considerably more of the world to choose from.

Explore Viking’s New Ocean Itineraries

The new Alaska and Mediterranean voyages we’ve highlighted are only part of the story. Viking currently has more than 30 new ocean itineraries available to explore, offering travelers even more ways to experience destinations throughout Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond.

With Viking continuing to add ships to its ocean fleet, we expect to see even more new destinations and itineraries in the years ahead.

Explore Viking’s new ocean itineraries: CLICK HERE.

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AmaWaterways AmaNubia is bringing travelers a new way to experience Egypt and the Nile River. The new 76-guest river ship debuts in September 2026, offering an intimate new option for travelers considering an Egypt river cruise.

Purpose-built for this legendary river, AmaNubia will accommodate just 76 guests in 38 staterooms, served by a crew of 65. For travelers considering Egypt in 2027 and beyond, we think AmaNubia deserves serious consideration.

An Intimate New Ship Designed for the Nile

At 236 feet long, AmaNubia is considerably smaller than the river ships many travelers may have experienced in Europe. Its intimate size is well suited to cruising the Nile, while its locally inspired décor is designed to reflect the destination.

Guests will find many of the amenities associated with AmaWaterways, including a Sun Deck, swimming pool, main restaurant, specialty dining at The Chef’s Table, and a private dining room. The ship will also offer an Owner’s Suite and French Balcony staterooms.

We also like the exceptional guest-to-crew ratio. With 65 crew members serving only 76 guests, AmaNubia should provide a highly personalized onboard experience.

Exploring Egypt With AmaWaterways

AmaNubia will sail AmaWaterways’ Secrets of Egypt & the Nile, an 11-night program combining Cairo with a Nile River cruise. The journey includes guided sightseeing with expert Egyptologists and visits to many of Egypt’s celebrated archaeological and cultural treasures.

This combination is important. A journey to Egypt isn’t simply about the ship. It’s about standing before ancient temples and tombs, exploring Cairo and then returning to the comfort of a modern river ship as you travel through the heart of Egypt.

AmaNubia Offers Compelling Value on the Nile

Here’s another reason AmaNubia caught our attention: pricing.

Our team recently compared select February and November 2027 Nile cruise programs from several leading travel brands. Based on the 12-day programs we compared, AmaWaterways’ cruise price per day was approximately 26% to 32% lower than comparable programs from two of its primary competitors.

Fares, accommodations and program inclusions vary by brand and departure date, and pricing is always subject to change. Still, we found the comparison compelling””particularly for a brand-new ship where even the entry-level accommodations feature French Balconies.

We also found AmaNubia to have stronger availability on the dates we researched, while several competing Nile programs had limited availability or were already sold out.

Why AmaNubia Has Our Attention

We’re always looking beyond the marketing brochures to determine where we see genuine value for our clients.

In AmaNubia, we see an interesting combination: a brand-new 76-guest ship, an unusually high crew-to-guest ratio, French Balcony accommodations, a comprehensive Egypt program and very competitive pricing.

For travelers who have Egypt and the Nile on their bucket list, AmaWaterways AmaNubia gives us another compelling reason to consider making that journey in 2027.

Final Thoughts

Egypt is a destination where the right ship, itinerary, and travel partner can make an enormous difference.

AmaWaterways has already established a presence on the Nile with AmaDahlia and AmaLilia, and the arrival of AmaNubia expands that fleet with another intimate option.

With attractive 2027 availability and the competitive pricing we’re currently seeing, AmaWaterways AmaNubia is one we’ll be watching closely””and one we believe is well worth considering for a future journey through Egypt.

Planning Your AmaWaterways Nile River Cruise

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