grand circle cruises 2023

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Grand Circle Cruise Line

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Grand Circle Cruise Line fleet

• MV Arethusa
• MV Corinthian
• MS River Adagio
• MS River Chanson
• MS River Aria
• MS River Harmony
• MS River Rhapsody
• MS River Allegro

Review of Grand Circle Cruise Line

One of the industry's  small cruise companies , GCCL-Grand Circle Cruise Line (gct.com) was established in 1958 as a travel company serving the American Association of Retired People (AARP). Since then, Grand Circle has expanded as an independent cruise company offering meaningful experiences for the "over-50's". Today GCCL offers a full range of cruise tours and land tour programs. The company's main business is discounted, extended-stay travel vacation programs in Europe, most occurring during winter in the south of Spain. Grand Circle also provides escorted tours all around the world, with a strong emphasis on enrichment.

In 1985 the company was acquired by Alan and Harriet Lewis. They took operations to higher levels by building on the company's original base and expanding the destinations and offerings available. A continuing feature has been the right decision to avoid public advertising, focusing on referrals, past guests and direct requests for information. The Program Directors of the company started out as resident hosts, lecturers, and guides and developed over the years into hallmark service for the Grand Circle company. With each new program and destination, regional offices were opened across the globe, providing support and monitoring operations in an area. The new options often came at request or suggestion of past passengers, who form sort of an "alumni" association. 

Starting in 1997, the company began promoting European river sailings on partially or fully chartered ships to its clientele. Due to the enthusiastic response, Grand Circle tried to ensure both excellent qualities of the product and control of the operations by deciding to have its own ships built - River Symphony was the first one in 1998, followed by a series of constantly improved ships over the years in various regions of the Mediterranean, Europe, Russia, and Egypt. Grand Circle also runs chartered operations in Antarctica, Europe, Panama, China, and Burma, under both the Overseas Adventure and Grand Circle brands.

Along with the current operations, mention should be made of company's sense of commitment to responsible tourism in the regions where it operates. During the last 20 years, the Grand Circle Foundation has committed more than US$92 million to advance education and preserving cultural traditions. In Egypt's Valley of the Kings, Grand Circle has funded the construction of shade/information pavilions to make the travel experience more worthwhile. The Foundation also supports around 100 schools in 30 different countries. 

Grand Circle Cruise Experience

Grand Circle Cruise Line offers a full range of small-ship cruises for the over-50 set. 

As with all Grand Circle Cruise Line's programs, company's passengers are over 50, in some cases even much more so. The line doesn't market to families and doesn't accept kids as passengers. Its guests are generally well traveled, with large percentage repeat passengers and members of their Inner Circle loyalty program, an organization for those who have made 3 or more trips with the line. The majority of passengers are married couples, though clusters of friends sailing together and singles are not unusual. Given Grand Circle's focus on learning experiences, most of the company's guests are open-minded and curious, eager to try new things.

Since Grand Circle is an American cruise line and generally does whole-ship trips, the language of the day at all times is the English. The crews, and most especially the company's Program Directors, are at the very least conversationally fluent. Most of Grand Circle passengers are Americans or American-connected.

While the ships of the line are designed for the regions in which they operate, they are as much about comfort as a destination. All cabins are well-appointed and quite spacious. On the ships operating in Western Europe, the upper-deck staterooms have true balconies, while the lower decks feature large windows. Generally, Grand Circle's Europe-based ships have twin beds only. Shipboard bathrooms are excellently fitted out, and rooms are kept spotless. CNN, movies, alternative music, and language channels are available, along with line's onboard info channel.

Dining is also professionally handled. Depending on the ship, there is a mix of a buffet (breakfast and lunch) and served (dinner). Though menu options vary, regional and local specialties are always included. Specialty evenings are also offered - for example, an Egyptian buffet - depending on the itinerary.

General entertainment is casual and low-key. Nobody goes on a cruise by Grand Circle for bingo or karaoke, though both may be offered. Sometimes there may be a costume night, black-and-white dress evening, or passenger talent show. 

The real focus of any voyage by Grand Circle Cruise Line is the chance to experience other histories, traditions, cultures, and people. Through excursions ashore and onboard lectures, meals and talks with local people, demonstrations by or visits with local artisans, passengers truly have the chance to expand their understanding and knowledge of other places. 

Itinerary of Grand Circle Cruise Line

Currently, Grand Circle Cruise Line's fleet includes the following vessels:

• MV Clio (Tere Moana)
• MV Athena (currently CMV Astoria - CMV charter)
• MV Artania (Phoenix Reisen charter)
• MS Provence barge
• MS River Anuket

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All river passenger shipping line companies and their fleets are listed there.

Grand Circle cruises to Cuba

Grand Circle Cruise Line offers Cuba cruises on the MV Clio ship (former Tere Moana). The itineraries are 11-nights in length, leaving one-way from Miami Florida to Havana , or the reverse from Havana to Miami. The sailing part is 7 days, visiting the Cuban ports of call Caibarien, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Remedios, Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad. Passengers will disembark in port Cienfuegos and will be transported overland to the capital Havana (with included 3-night hotel stay there). Then cruise passengers fly back to the USA. The reverse 11-night itinerary starts in Havana and ends in Miami.

• Grand Circle Cruise Line's Cuba cruise prices start at USD 6,800 pp. fares are inclusive of visas, accommodations, meals, guided land tours, gratuities, port fees, airfare (Miami-Havana, or Havana-Miami), also of airport transfers in Miami.
• The 89-passenger MV Clio (formerly known as Tere Moana) was acquired in 2015 from Paul Gauguin Cruises. Grand Circle invested over USD 5 million in the following refurbishment. The vessel entered into service in May 2016.

The list of passenger shipping lines offering cruises to Cuba included:

• Carnival Paradise leaving from Tampa Florida - cheapest prices (from USD 480 pp)
• Royal Caribbean (ship Empress of the Seas , leaving from Miami Florida)
• Holland America (ship Veendam ) leaving from Fort Lauderdale since December 2017
• MSC Cruises (ship MSC Opera , leaving from Havana)
• Oceania Cruises (ships Marina and Regatta ) starting in 2017, Cuba circumnavigation, stops in Cienfuegos and Havana, also part of some Panama Canal transition itineraries.
• NCL (ship Norwegian Sky , 4-day itineraries with Havana overnights - starting May 2017
• Azamara Cruises (ship on Azamara Quest from Miami)
• Thomson UK / Marella Cruises (ship Marella Dream ) 7-day, leaving roundtrip from Jamaica (Montego Bay) to Havana
• Ponant Cruises (superyacht Le Ponant , leaving from Miami Florida)
• Pearl Seas Cruises (ship Pearl Mist , leaving from Fort Lauderdale Florida)
• Lindblad Expeditions (chartered sailing ship MS Panorama II, leaving from Havana)
• Celestyal Cruises (ship Celestyal Crystal , leaving from Havana and Montego Bay Jamaica)
• International Expeditions (leaving from Havana, charter flights out of Miami)
• Victory Cruise Lines - MS Victory I - fly-cruises from Miami to Havana (home-port Cienfuegos /departures)

Note: According to the current Cuban law, US citizens of Cuban origin (born in Cuba) are not allowed to visit the island country (including on cruise ships). Regardless of their US citizenship status, Cuban-born Americans were denied booking on cruise itineraries visiting ports in Cuba. However, the situation changed in April 2016, after Carnival Corporation negotiated with the Cuban government for allowing ships with Cuban-born passengers, as such US citizens are allowed to visit the country on USA-Cuba charter flights. The Carnival-fathom line started Miami to Cuba cruises in May 2016.

Alaska Airlines offers regular nonstop flights to Havana from Los Angeles (California USA). An 80-min ling JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Havana costs less than USD 100. Previously, air travel from the USA to Cuba was thought charter flights only.

• River Cruising

Feedback on Grand Circle cruise line?

By CruiseMark , May 5, 2023 in River Cruising

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I’m considering a Christmas Market cruise with Grand Circle cruise line (River Harmony). It’s hard to find recent reviews or feedback.   

If you have ACTUAL RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH THEM, say within the last two years, I’d love to hear it. Especially around dinner food. Please don’t post opinions on them if you’ve never sailed with them.   

YES, I know they’re a budget line and their ships aren’t anywhere near the luxury of Avalon, Tauck or Uniworld, but I like that they have some unique experiences for Christmas.   

Thanks in advance. 

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We've taken many GCT river cruises (and OAT trips and small ship cruises).  We did both  their Christmas Market cruises on the Rhine and on the Danube, but before Covid.  We loved both of them.  Yes, they're not as fancy as the more  upscale lines, but they focus more on "people to people" activities.  This will include going to local churches for Christmas choral events, home-hosted meals as well as going to the Christmas Markets at each stop.  

Dinner always had three options (meat, poultry, fish) usually with a vegetarian option.  If you have any food issues, let them know, and the chef will speak with you each night to set up the next night's meal.  Of course, you'll have a soup, salad, side dishes, dessert, etc. I am somewhat picky but always found something I liked.   Included wine selections vary in quality, but you do have the option to purchase more "upscale" wines if you wish.  

We had actually planned on doing a Christmas Market cruise (a repeat) this coming December, so we recently looked at all their options.  However, we decided to   do one of their Egypt trips in December  instead.  The world has too many places to visit! 

Thank you so much, @JerseyGem  That’s exactly what I wanted to know. Extremely helpful, thanks. 

We just did the Christmas Markets on Grand Circle on MS River Aria this last December. Nuremburg to Vienna. My parents love GC, and they planned and paid for it. Crew was very nice. There were 4 program directors, and they all pretty good. at least one, I'd say was excellent.

Our biggest issue is with the ship design. We HATE the cabins. The dual fold-down bunks is unacceptable to us.

We found the food meh. 

I didn't find the excursions all that different from Ama, other than the fact that the program directors did a lot more of them where Ama hires local guides. I didn't feel there were more "people to people" activities. In fact, there was nothing like @JerseyGem  describes on our cruise.

My most recent GCT cruise was pre Covid, so things may have changed. Yeap, the separate beds are an issue for some. Food is so subjective. The crew were all friendly and helpful and the Captain was very accessible. I like the GCT model with Program Directors that always accompany the group, even when there is a local guide.   

I took the Rhein cruise, which I think is the itinerary River Harmony does. It looks like this year’s itinerary has changed a bit from the one we took. We didn’t do a stop in Breisach, we did overnight in Strasbourg so it was easy spend time at the Market.  

I remember that there was a home hosted “kaffeeklatch” at one of the stops and a private choral concert at another. Also we were fortunate that one of our Program Directors observed that there was a Christmas choral concert at the Speyer Dom on our evincing there. We were able to attend this public event, and iirc, the ship’s schedule was modified to accommodate our attendance. [edit . . . Kaffeeklatch is on this year’s itinerary. They are having these home hosted visits currently; in the early days post-Covid they were not.]  

As memory serves, we usually (maybe always) had a tour with a local guide in the morning and also an opportunity to visit the Christmas Market later in the day. Typically, the Program Directors set up free time experiences daily for those who wanted something to do with an escort.  

On more than one occasion we  skipped returning to the ship for  a lunch on our own, eating in town in order to maximize our free time.   

If you know someone that has traveled previously with OAT/GCT hit them up for a referral and save a few $$. If you don’t know anyone, feel free to ask me.   😉 👍

Going on my first OAT (non cruise) tour soon!  Never sailed with GCT/OAT, but get a lot of brochures!  I believe they own some and charter some ships, so you may have to internet dig a bit for ship info:

Grand Circle River Harmony Cruise: Expert Review (2023) (cruisecritic.com)   

@CPT Trips I tried to message you to get your referral code, but it says “Feature disabled”. Not sure why. If you could try messaging me with it, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!

Can’t message on this site . . .

@Host Jazzbeau  is it OK to post my referral number here? @CruiseMark  Do you have a spam/junk email that you could post? Format as name at domain dot com, and I’ll send the info. 

Host Jazzbeau

There is no rule to stop you from posting your referral number, but Cruise Critic tries to protect your info and your privacy – that's why the software's PM function is permanently disabled.  The best approach is to use Google [they use you, so turnabout is fair play!] by setting up a dummy email account and posting that here.

[BTW, you will notice that I have done the same – in my signature.  Although I have come to realize lately that not everyone sees the signatures.]

@CPT Trips  I don’t feel comfortable having my email permanently posted here, unfortunately. Oh well. I tried. 

1 hour ago, CruiseMark said: @CPT Trips  I don’t feel comfortable having my email permanently posted here, unfortunately. Oh well. I tried. 

You are clearly not a New Yorker.  'Never leave money on the table!'

@CruiseMark  here’s a throwaway aol account. Do leave any spaces 

let me know here if you email 

12 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said: You are clearly not a New Yorker.  'Never leave money on the table!'

I’m not a New Yorker either, but “why pay retail?”

• 3 weeks later...

We have just finished a Rhine/Mosel river cruise, Antwerp to Basel.  The trip was mostly good, except that many of the pax came down with a viral infection(including us).  They provided room service for those who were sick and confined to their rooms.Pull down single beds were very uncomfortable and gave us back pain.  Food was good.  Wine and beer included in price. Program managers, and staff, including Captain  were  friendly and helpful.

One thing that left a sour taste for us was a bait and switch price.  We booked this trip in May 2020 for May 2021.  GCT cancelled because of Covid.  We had plans for 2022 and rebooked for 2023.  We had paid in full for the 2021 trip.  When we rebooked, they assured me that we would still get the same price and business air fare.  That proved not to be the case.  First they sent me a refund of $1110 and then demanded an additional $7500 because the business class airfare was only price Protected for 1 year.

We don't recommend GCT and will not use them again.  We have used Vantage Travel, but have read of problems with them and many unhappy customers.

Refund was because, unbeknownst to me, we no longer had business class.  They didn't explain that even though I asked.

Business class s fully paid on original booking was $4400

• 1 month later...

On 5/5/2023 at 5:48 AM, JerseyGem said: We've taken many GCT river cruises (and OAT trips and small ship cruises).  We did both  their Christmas Market cruises on the Rhine and on the Danube, but before Covid.  We loved both of them.  Yes, they're not as fancy as the more  upscale lines, but they focus more on "people to people" activities.  This will include going to local churches for Christmas choral events, home-hosted meals as well as going to the Christmas Markets at each stop.     Dinner always had three options (meat, poultry, fish) usually with a vegetarian option.  If you have any food issues, let them know, and the chef will speak with you each night to set up the next night's meal.  Of course, you'll have a soup, salad, side dishes, dessert, etc. I am somewhat picky but always found something I liked.   Included wine selections vary in quality, but you do have the option to purchase more "upscale" wines if you wish.     We had actually planned on doing a Christmas Market cruise (a repeat) this coming December, so we recently looked at all their options.  However, we decided to   do one of their Egypt trips in December  instead.  The world has too many places to visit! 

I have done the Danube Christmas markets two times and will be doing it again this year. Plus I've done the Rhine as well. I'm a big fan of Grand Circle travel. Everything that was listed in the post above is correct. I am not a foodie that's not the focus of my travels, but there is always something I can get if the main menu doesn't have anything to my liking. There's always a sugar-free dessert as well. I don't drink so I can't speak to how the beverages fair compared to other airlines. Another thing that I'm fond of is the fact that they do not use hotel style bedding. If you spend time in your room, you don't have to sit on a bed. The bed folds into the wall and you have a little banquette to sit on ... You can see that in the photos on the website..

NantahalaCruiser

On 5/28/2023 at 3:42 PM, Tom47 said: We have just finished a Rhine/Mosel river cruise, Antwerp to Basel.  The trip was mostly good, except that many of the pax came down with a viral infection(including us).  They provided room service for those who were sick and confined to their rooms.Pull down single beds were very uncomfortable and gave us back pain.  Food was good.  Wine and beer included in price. Program managers, and staff, including Captain  were  friendly and helpful. One thing that left a sour taste for us was a bait and switch price.  We booked this trip in May 2020 for May 2021.  GCT cancelled because of Covid.  We had plans for 2022 and rebooked for 2023.  We had paid in full for the 2021 trip.  When we rebooked, they assured me that we would still get the same price and business air fare.  That proved not to be the case.  First they sent me a refund of $1110 and then demanded an additional $7500 because the business class airfare was only price Protected for 1 year. We don't recommend GCT and will not use them again.  We have used Vantage Travel, but have read of problems with them and many unhappy customers.

Being verbally assured by a sales person is unfortunately generally not assuring.  What did your rebooked invoice show?

On 5/28/2023 at 3:42 PM, Tom47 said: We have used Vantage Travel, but have read of problems with them and many unhappy customers.

As many will already know by now, Vantage Travel is bankrupt and some assets have been sold to a new owner.  There is a plan to give discounts to customers who are owed money from Vantage, but it's  still unclear when the ex-Vantage ships will start sailing again and what the itineraries/service levels will be.

11 hours ago, NantahalaCruiser said: Being verbally assured by a sales person is unfortunately generally not assuring.  What did your rebooked invoice show?

It didn't because airfare was not available.

• 2 months later...

On 5/5/2023 at 12:10 AM, CruiseMark said: If you have ACTUAL RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH THEM, say within the last two years, I’d love to hear it. Especially around dinner food. Please don’t post opinions on them if you’ve never sailed with them.  Thanks in advance. 

We cruised Eastern Europe to the Black Sea in APR/MAY '23.  Thoroughly enjoyed it.  Regarding the food - well, just view my album .

• 6 months later...

marvelous marcia

We are doing romantic blue Danube August 11 to the 25th. Anyone else we have done a number of grand Circle travel trips all have been terrific, especially OAT we did Machu Picchu and the Galapagos. We often followed Viking river cruises and did the same itinerary. Looking for suggestions for free time in Prague or Budapest, Marcia 

Not far from the dock, stop at Ötkert (Zrínyi u. 4/A) and have a #2 Långos (cheese & sour cream). My Hungarian pal took me there, said it was the best and most authentic he'd found, he's lived there nearly his whole life. Have a beer or coffee, too.  Then, St Stephan's Basilica is just up the street, past the bronze cop.

Then, go about 3 blocks north to the Citizen's Holocaust Memorial. Continue across the street to Liberty Square.

I have been on 4 Grand Circle river cruises, 1 with Gate 1 and 1 with AMAwaterways.  Grand Circle was by far the best. And it is all because of the GUIDES.  Your personal guide (and there is usually one guide for every 25-30 passengers) will call you at home before you leave to ask if you have questions and then of course your number will be in his/her phone.  I once got lost in Antwerp and when I dialed our guide, she picked up saying "what's up Linda?"  The guides are also from the area in which you are traveling and extremely knowledgeable.  My AMAwaterways cruise was in the Bordeaux region of France and our guide was from IRELAND, currently living in Hungary.  He knew nothing about the French or their customs and embarrassed us by sending us into a full cafe in the middle of their extremely short lunch hour window, among other shortcomings.   He also had 160 passengers to deal with, although AMA sends you off with a local for whatever tour you picked.  His idea of a port talk the night before a stop was to show you photos of what you were going to see the next day - hello, can you say spoiler alert?  GCT doesn't make you pick your one shore excursion - they simply take you everywhere of interest you need to go.  Occasionally when there is an optional excursion offered, for which you do have to pay additional.  I also thought the food was quite good.

I haven't sailed with GCT since 2018, but I doubt that they changed their modus operandi.

3 minutes ago, Lindancer said: GCT doesn't make you pick your one shore excursion - they simply take you everywhere of interest you need to go.

That's an interesting way of justifying no choice of excursions!  

I much prefer AMA (and Scenic, also in my experience) for an extensive list of excursions that works for those who want a 'postcard' tour as well as those who want to do something off the beaten track [especially useful if you have already visited the area].  I'm sorry you had a poor Cruise Director on AMA (my experience has been better), but as you note the CD doesn't lead the excursions – local guides are hired for that purpose.  I also disagree about the photo previews: seeing the details is very helpful  for those who are still debating between choices. 

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Grand Circle Travel

Global operator

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Trip prices

$1,895 — 4,495

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• Great for : 60+, culturally curious
• Type of travel : relaxed pace, coach travel
• Group size : Large groups, 47 max
• Airfare included!
• Group Tours
• Small Ship & Expedition Cruises
• River Cruises
• North America
• Central America & Caribbean
• South America
• Australia & Pacific

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Editoral Review of Grand Circle Travel

The "older sibling" of Grand Circle Cruise Line, Grand Circle Travel specializes in land tours for Americans of baby boomer age and above (fifty-plus, but leaning toward the plus).

What Makes Grand Circle Travel Stand Out?

• Unique local experiences
• Expert english-speaking guides
• International airfare included
• Relaxed tour pace
• Community feel

Grand Circle Travel was started by the founder of AARP, and as such know their demographic extremely well. Over the years they have established a solid reputation for tours and river cruises that offer good value to destinations around the world.

They also foster a community of dedicated travelers, encouraging you to share your memories, images, and stories with them and the friends you meet along the way.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Grand Circle Travel?

• Budget minded
• Culturally curious
• Grandparents & grandchildren (ages 13 and up are welcome to join)
• Social travelers

If you like the idea of joining a tight knit travel community, with frequent cost cutting options, then Grand Circle could be for you.

This is definitely a travel experience well suited to older American travelers in the 60+ range, seeking a degree of comfort, in their travel experience, within a mid to high budget range. 

Younger couples or families will probably feel out of place among the crowd on a Grand Circle tour. The activities, lectures, and easy pace are all designed for older travelers. If relaxing on the cruise with a book in hand for hours on end, gliding by quiet European shores is your idea of a grand old time then Grand Circle is for you!

If you’d rather have a bit more action, or are after a "see a lot, do a lot" city and country hopping pace, this style of travel is probably not going to hit the right note for you.

Trips are mostly all-inclusive, focusing on comfortable accommodations, informative and easy paced guided walking tours, cultural encounters, learning experiences, and special events that they call their Discovery Series. Itineraries are designed to give you more time in each stop, allowing for a more balanced combination of included activities and independent time.

Solo travelers make up nearly a third of Grand Circle's customers, and they're made to feel more than welcome on group tours, including some price breaks on single supplements.

Itineraries are designed for American travelers, with an aim towards immersive experiences such as visiting local homes, interesting walking tours, in-depth cultural interactions and culinary experiences.

Top Destinations

Grand Circle travels all over the world, with a strong focus in Europe, Aisa and Southeast Asia. They also have limited departures in Africa, South America, the Middle East, South Pacific, North America, Central America, and even Antarctica.

Grand Circle Travel Style

The Grand Circle Travel Style is comfortable, standard river cruises and motorcoaches. On motorcoach tours with Grand Circle you will make frequent stops to stretch your legs, and some longer stops for sightseeing. Groups are between 24-47 people, so expect some company! Because Grand Circle attracts a similar age range, you’re sure to meet new friends with like interests in no time.

Hotels are comfortable and centrally located. Don’t expect extreme luxury or especially unique accommodations however.

You will probably do a fair amount of walking throughout the tour - Grand Circle suggests that travelers be relatively physically fit. Most trips with Grand Circle are, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible.

Their itineraries are designed with individuals in mind. While there are several included activities, you have many options for personalization through optional extensions and plenty of free time in each destination. 

Why Choose a Tour with Grand Circle Travel?

• Leisurely pace
• Flexibility
• Unique cultural interactions
• Large groups of like minded travelers
• Budget friendly
• Airfare included

For the flexibility and comfort aspects, combined with unique experiences at every turn. You might find yourself sharing dinner at the home of a local family or visiting local schools. Plenty of free time is included in the itineraries, and there is a lot of choice among optional tours.

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Solo friendly.

• No single supplement

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About the company.

Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. Established in 1958 by Ethel Andrus, educator and founder of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), we view world travel as a powerful lever for lifelong learning. We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value.

Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress.

Teamwork: We believe in groups of people who work together to create excellent results, solve difficult problems, support each other personally and professionally, and recognize their success. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. Every member must be fully accountable for the team’s and one’s own personal results.

Thriving in Change: In these times of rapid change, global competition, and high volatility in the travel industry, we must be prepared to change course and move forward. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment.

Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance.

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11 Around-The-World Cruises For An Epic Getaway

"Sailing around the world" sounds so romantic, doesn't it? You're sailing to remote islands with like-minded people while chasing sunsets on a distant horizon. Sure, you can just board a plane to, say, New Zealand, but there's something so pure and patient about maritime journeys. Cruises are like floating resorts, which ease their way over the waves. It's the definition of "slow travel." 

Amazingly, in the modern world of jet-setting travel, round-the-world cruises do exist. Voyagers visit dozens of ports over the course of their odyssey, each with its own landscape, climate, and personality. There are lots of ways travelers can experience "the trip of a lifetime," but this kind of circumnavigation outmatches just about all of them -- and in style. However, there are a few things to consider before investigating such cruises. First, what does it actually mean to sail "around the world?"

Many companies use this phrase — and sail thousands of nautical miles — but only around a single ocean or hemisphere. Even when ships do sail a distance equivalent to the equator (or more), they rarely return to their precise port of origin. Also, these epic  cruise vacations can be pricey ; the kind of dream that merits cashing in a 401K, and the time commitment is also substantial, meaning months on the water. But for diehard cruisers, crisscrossing the planet could easily be worth the time and money, and if this sounds like you, these 11 cruise lines are scheduled to sail around the world.

Read more: The Prettiest Waters Around The World

Viking: World Cruise

For 138 days, passengers frog-hop through the Caribbean, pass through the Panama Canal, make their way to the islands of Polynesia, and skirt Australia, Asia, and Europe before finally dropping their anchor in London. On Viking's World Cruise, you can step ashore in 28 different nations and pick from 57 guided tours. Viking has been a prolific, respected cruise line since its founding in 1997, and this three-quarter circumnavigation sets sail in December 2024, so there's still time to book.

Ships are equipped with spas, luxury dining options, and cabin beds that can be separated or combined, among many other touches. Long before stepping aboard, the Viking website has a virtual 360-degree tour, acquainting future travelers with the ship's staterooms. Viking has thoughtfully put together a reading list to help travelers get a deeper understanding of the countries they will visit, which is especially helpful in little-understood destinations like Moorea and Indonesia. The ship also has a sizable library onboard for further research. This, plus its sophisticated tours and dining options that reflect the culture of each port, may explain Viking's moniker, "the thinking person's cruise." Quality does come at a price, with full passage starting at $59,995.

Ambassador: Grand Round The World Cruise

The Ambiance sets off from London, crosses the Atlantic, passes through Panama, and hits Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America before pinging back to the United Kingdom. Not only do you cross all the major oceans, but you actually cross the Atlantic three times. Most of these destinations are warm-weather ports, including Sydney at the height of summer. Sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats are recommended on this largely equatorial route.

Ambassador is new to the cruise scene, having been established in the United Kingdom in 2021, and Ambiance is its flagship vessel. Passengers will spend their 120-night voyage in extreme comfort, traveling to 24 countries and 34 ports of call, with top-notch dining, live entertainment, and about 35,000 nautical miles in between. If you can live without a porthole, opting for an  inside cabin on the cruise , then passage starts at the budget-friendly price of $8,500 per person, making this Ambassador cruise one of the most economical on this list. You can also add on drink packages and arrange tours in advance or onboard through an agent or the Ambassador app. You can also explore the ship before you travel, thanks to a 360-degree virtual tour. The 2024 voyage sets sail on June 6.

Regent: World Cruise

The 2026 Regent World Cruise starts in Miami and ends in Miami, which makes it convenient to coordinate, especially if you're already based in the United States. Regent Seven Seas Cruises was founded in 1992 and is a respected brand in the industry.

The ship, the Seven Seas Mariner, also lives up to its name with a formidable 154-night itinerary: the Panama Canal, points along Central America, a dozen Pacific islands, Australia, South Asia, East Africa, and two Atlantic islands before returning to Florida. The Mariner arrives in many well-trod ports like Cape Town and Acapulco, but the route also includes locations that most travelers would have trouble pinpointing on a map: Lautoka, Abidjan, and Male are all names cruisers will become familiar with. To really explore these places, Regent organizes a whopping 431 free shore excursions across six continents, 77 ports, and 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sailing nearly 40,000 nautical miles with world-class spas, dining, and entertainment aboard doesn't come cheap. While you'll need to contact Regent to request specific prices, passengers can expect to pay nearly $100,000 for passage. Regent's World Cruise is considered a luxury-level experience with first-class airfare, gratuities, and 24-hour room service included. If this is your tax bracket, just wait until you see the suites.

Royal Caribbean: Ultimate World Cruise

Royal Caribbean has been taking tourists to far-flung destinations since the late 1960s, and it's now one of the most recognizable cruise companies in the world, so naturally Royal Caribbean would host a round-the-world voyage. But even for seasoned travelers, the Ultimate World Cruise is pretty, well, ultimate. Royal Caribbean's world cruise lasts 274 nights and arrives in no fewer than 60 countries. In other words, you'll spend nine months at sea and personally visit more than a quarter of the sovereign nations on Earth. The saga starts and ends in Miami, where the Royal Caribbean is headquartered, which should make arrangements easy.

The biggest bragging right of all: This cruise touches on every single continent, including Elephant Island and Paradise Bay in Antarctica. You'll find yourself in both Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia, plus ports you've never even heard of. That said, unless your soul is fueled by pure wanderlust, this itinerary may sound like a lot of cruising, which may explain why Royal Caribbean has divided the journey into four segments. Cruisers don't have to commit to the entire itinerary; they can easily pick from the quarter that most interests them. 

By the time you read this, a segment may be the only option left, as the next Ultimate World Cruise departs in December of 2023. The segments are significantly more affordable as well. An interior stateroom for the full cruise costs at least $60,000 per person, while a segment starts at $12,500.

Cunard: Full World Voyage

When the Queen Mary 2 departs from New York City on January 3, 2024, it won't return to this same harbor for 123 nights. The itinerary isn't exactly "around the world," but rather a crossing of the Eastern Hemisphere — twice. Passengers traverse the Atlantic to the United Kingdom, then ease their way down the eastern coast of Africa before beelining for Australia. The ship boomerangs back, with many stops in Asia, a shortcut through the Suez Canal, and a tour of the Mediterranean before heading back to the U.S.

The voyage comes at the heels of Cunard's 100th anniversary, making it the second-oldest company on the list. The Queen Mary 2 has been Cunard's flagship vessel since 2004, and the company has mastered hospitality over the past century, with exceptional dining, luxury suites, and Broadway-quality performances by the Royal Court Theatre. Cunard also takes pride in its children's facilities, encouraging families to travel together, as well as the great English tradition of afternoon tea. Most of the budget cabins on the Queen Mary 2 were already booked at the time of this writing, but cabins with balconies are still available, starting at the not-ludicrous price of $16,899 per person. 

Oceania: Around The World In 180 Days

When Junes Verne wrote his novel "Around the World in Eighty Days," his Victorian goal was to travel as quickly as possible. Oceania is now advertising the opposite: This journey takes passengers the long way from Los Angeles to New York City, across the Pacific, around Australia, along the coasts of East Asia, and then up through the Middle East, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and even Greenland. The itinerary doesn't spend much time in the "global south," so you'll have to visit Africa and South America another time.

The Miami-based Oceania was founded in 2002 and specializes in long-haul cruises, so they know their system well. This cruise may be especially appealing to foodies. The company takes particular pride in its onboard meals as well as in-country Culinary Discovery Tours. Passengers can also take advantage of The Aquamar Spa & Vitality Center, which can orchestrate a special dietary regimen.

Oceania exudes "small-ship luxury" and caps its total number of passengers at 1,250. Everything about the ship is more intimate than found on its larger cousins, from the live entertainment to the duty-free boutiques. If you like a small-town feel, 180 days should be just enough time to meet all your shipmates. If you can't summon the time or (at least) $47,599 by January 2024, the next ship departs in January 2025.

Princess: 111-Day World Cruise

This Princess cruise is another true circumnavigation, starting in Los Angeles and bearing west until the ship arrives back at its original dock. The 111-day cruise starts on January 18, 2024, and includes all three major oceans, both the Suez and Panama Canals, plus 47 ports along the way. The itinerary is light on Asian and African ports and skips South America altogether, but you can still enjoy visits to Australia, the Middle East, and numerous destinations around Europe.

Princess is a hallowed name in the cruise industry. Not only have its ships been sailing the world since the 1960s, but Princess is still one of the most profitable cruise companies in the world. Passengers can expect onboard enrichment programs, award-winning live performances, and rejuvenating treatments at the Lotus Spa. Each port will also bring its own offerings of special excursions, from river rafting to art tours. 

With its dependable quality of service and nearly four-month itinerary, it's remarkable that base bookings start at only $15,498. Better yet, if you want to circle the globe with the whole family, this Princess itinerary is a family-friendly cruise and offers youth programming, which is not always the case. If you miss this one, no worries. Three more, of varying lengths, are slated for January 2025.

Holland America Line: Grand World Voyage

Fort Lauderdale is the beginning and end point for the Zuiderdam, which spends 128 days making a complete circle around the globe. Holland America's Grand World Voyage is true to its name. Passengers travel across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, making port on five continents. Most of its destinations are clustered around Asia and the Mediterranean, and it skips over Australia. But the Voyage is a rare opportunity to sail up the Amazon River, with visits to inland Brazilian cities most travelers would never think to visit.

Holland America began as a shipping and passenger line in the mid-19th Century, and its history of cruising is nearly as old as the concept. The flagship Zuiderdam is a luxury vessel with a swimming pool and sizable theater. It also boasts several diverse dining areas, including the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, the Italian-themed Canaletto, and the à la carte Lido Market. There's Billboard Onboard, a special room for trivia nights and karaoke, as well as World Stage, a presentation space with a wraparound LED screen. Bookings start at the more expensive rate of $22,499 for an inside cabin, and the 2024 voyage will set sail on January 3, 2024, but you can expect additional Grand World Voyages to be slated in the coming years.

Azamara: World Voyage

Formerly part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, Azamara is now an independent company taking its own journeys. The 2025 World Voyage begins in San Diego and sails westward, across the Pacific, to Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, before passengers disembark in Barcelona. The World Voyage doesn't quite girdle the globe, stopping just short of the Atlantic Ocean, and the only stop in Africa is Giza. But this 155-night expedition should satisfy almost any traveler, especially with its 40 countries and 22 overnights.

Unlike many world cruises, Azamara has divided its full itinerary into segments with clear geographic themes, such as "South Pacific Jewels" and "Mediterranean Icons." These titles can help turn experiences into coherent narratives. For example, "Ancient Pathways" draws a historic and economic line between Mumbai and Athens, along with all ports in between. These themes are coupled with thoughtful excursions, which are often scheduled around local holidays and festivals. The World Voyage for 2024 appears to be sold out, but the 2025 edition sets sail on January 5. Passage starts at a princely $39,999.

Freighter Cruises

Some of us want to keep it simple. No need for late-night show-stoppers, cocktail parties with hundreds of strangers, or daring bets at the roulette wheel. "Freighter cruises" have gone by many names over the years, such as "banana boats" and "cargo cruises," but passengers have hitched rides on commercial ships since the dawn of seafaring. These accommodations come in many forms, and you do have to share your vessel with stacks of massive shipping containers; still, you can expect a comfortable cabin and regular meals, along with friendly and respectful crewmembers from around the world. For travelers with a Jack London streak, the freighter cruise feels raw and adventurous.

The Freighter Travel Club was founded in 1958, and companies like Maris Freighter Cruises and Voyage en Cargo have booked passengers on commercial vessels for years. Maris has arranged round-the-world itineraries in the past, and multi-week journeys are common, as enormous loads are floated from one nation to the next. The pandemic took its toll on this niche industry, and most of these journeys do not precisely travel around the world. But when they're in operation, freighter cruises usually cost a little over $100 per day, and savvy travelers have flexibility in their bookings.

Miray Cruises: Life At Sea

Sure, cruising is fun, but what if you want to turn your ship into a semi-permanent address? Life at Sea Cruises promises three years of luxury seafaring, with stops in 140 countries across all seven continents. By the time you're done with these 382 ports, you'll have more photos to sort through and stories to share than most people will amass in a lifetime.

That sounds life-changing, but we'll have to see whether it's too good to be true. Life at Sea is a brand-new enterprise from Miray Cruises, and the maiden voyage has been fraught with delays. However, at the time of this writing, Life at Sea should get underway by the end of 2023, and most full-voyage passengers should already be sailing by 2024. If all goes well, there are four scheduled embarkation options for travelers who want to hop aboard later on, and more will likely be scheduled.

One of the problems has been the ship itself. For a while, the purchase of the ship was in limbo, pushing back the original sail date. However, the MV Lara now seems ready to sail. The medium-sized vessel has space for 1,266 passengers, with a range of cozy cabins, a wellness center, and a pool deck, among many other amenities. Travelers committed to living at sea for three years should get a lot out of their floating home. Life at Sea is a dreamy concept, so let's hope for calm waters once it finally sets sail. 

Read the original article on Explore .

Grand Island Public Schools announces free meals for students during 2024-25 school year

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - Parents of students at Grand Island Public Schools don’t have to worry about paying for school meals this year. GIPS announced Thursday that breakfast and lunch meals will be available to all students at no cost for the 2024-25 school year.

The district said it’s possible through a program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thanks to Community Eligibility Provision offered by the USDA provided by the Nebraska Department of Education, GIPS is set to be one of the largest districts in Nebraska to provide meals at no cost districtwide.

“All students having access to free breakfast and lunch removes stigmas, increases attendance and guarantees access to one of Maslow’s most basic human needs,” Associate Superintendent Dr. Summer Stephens said. “This core belief that every student means all students is crucial for Grand Island Public Schools to meet its mission.”

The CEP, per the Nebraska Department of Education website, provides an alternative approach for offering school meals to local educational agencies and schools in low income areas, instead of collecting individual applications for free and reduced price meals.

The CEP allows schools that predominantly serve low-income children to offer free, nutritious school meals to all students through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The CEP uses information from other programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Temporary Assistance Program for Needy Families instead of traditional paper applications.

The qualifying formula takes those measures and multiplies by a factor of 1.6 to hit a required minimum percentage of 62% (or higher) schoolwide or districtwide.

In the 2023-24 school year, GIPS had 10 of its 18 schools qualify for CEP.

Opting to be a CEP district – rather than at some individual schools – helps break the stigma of food access for students. More importantly, the district believes offering meals at no cost will increase student wellness, attendance and learning across our district.

In preparation for the 2024-25 school year, GIPS Nutrition Services Director, Kris Spellman, worked directly with NDE to see if the provision could be expanded to the whole district.

“With the help of staff from the No Kid Hungry organization, we were able to forecast a model of what district-wide CEP might look like for GIPS,” Spellman said. “Thanks to their evaluation tools, we saw that this is something that the Nutrition Department would be able to support financially. I look forward to removing barriers so that all children can participate in our meal program without families worrying about completing paperwork or how they will pay for meals.”

In addition to providing school breakfast and lunch at no cost to all GIPS students, making the move to CEP means less of a cost burden on the district. Further, the district may opt-out of the district wide approach if it does not prove to be sustainable.

More information may be found on the GIPS website here .

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