General 2 - Straight Away Travel

The Amsterdam 2026 Port Cap: Why Your “Amsterdam” Cruise Might Actually Start in Zaandam (And How We Handle the Logistics for You)

By:Barb Strait Picture this: You’ve been dreaming of that iconic Dutch skyline for months. You’ve pictured yourself stepping off your luxury river cruise ship, immediately inhaling the scent of fresh stroopwafels, and strolling right into the heart of Amsterdam’s historic Canal Ring. You’ve got your camera ready for those gabled houses and your walking shoes … Read more

A Floral Fairytale: The 80th Dutch Flower Parade & Tulip River Cruises 2027

A Floral Fairytale: The 80th Dutch Flower Parade & Tulip River Cruises 2027 Close your eyes for a second and imagine the scent of a million flowers, sweet hyacinths, crisp daffodils, and the unmistakable, fresh aroma of tulips as far as the eye can see. Now, imagine yourself floating through the Dutch countryside on a … Read more

Discover France in a Whole New Way: Join Our Exclusive AmaCello Charter – August 5, 2027

by Elizabeth Higginbottom We are thrilled to invite you to experience one of our most exciting journeys yet—our exclusive AmaCello Charter departing August 5, 2027. This seven-night river cruise, The Essence of Provence and Bordeaux, sails through some of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of France, from Arles to Lyon. Here is the brochure: AmaCello 8/5/27 … Read more

I’m Stuck in Aruba (and Why I’m Not Stressed): The Truth About Travel Insurance

By- Barb Strait If you’re reading this, I have a confession to make: I am currently “stuck” in Aruba. My flight home was cancelled yesterday, and while most people would be at the gate frantically refreshing their phones and arguing with a gate agent who has no power to change the wind, I am sitting … Read more

Touring El Dorado Water Park in Cap Cana

By Stasi Sherlock While we were in Punta Cana recently, our group had the chance to go see the El Dorado Water Park, and I’m really glad we did. I honestly didn’t know what to expect going in. When you hear “water park,” you usually picture a bunch of slides, concrete, crowds, and average food. … Read more

Mega Ships, Private Islands, and Secret Rates: Your 2026 Royal Caribbean Guide

Let’s Save you some MONEY and Help you have a BLAST!! by: Barb Strait If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately and felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to slide down a 13-story water slide or eat dinner while a digital train window whisks you through the Swiss Alps, don’t worry, you aren’t losing it. … Read more

7 MISTAKES YOU ARE MAKING WITH FAMILY TRAVEL!

BY: ELIZABETH SCHAAF We’ve all seen the commercial: three generations of perfectly put-together humans laughing over a sunset dinner, not a single toddler meltdown or passive-aggressive comment about the dinner bill in sight. It all looks effortless, right? Let’s pull back the curtain for a second. Because what we don’t see is how quickly a … Read more

Rhine vs. Danube: Which River Cruise Should Be Your First?

So, you’ve decided that 2026 is the year you finally trade the mega-ship crowds for a sleek, boutique river cruiser. Great choice! There is truly nothing like waking up in the heart of a European city, walking off the ship, and being steps away from a 600-year-old cathedral or a hidden bakery. But now comes … Read more

Cubes, Canals, and a Superyacht Scandal: Why Rotterdam is the Rhine’s Must-See Stop

by: Barb Strait If you picture a Rhine River cruise, your mind probably drifts toward crumbling medieval castles, rolling vineyards, and half-timbered houses that look like they were pulled straight from a Brothers Grimm fairytale. And while I love a good gothic cathedral as much as the next traveler, I’m coming to you live from … Read more

Appetizers in the Laundry Room? My First Look at Uniworld’s Brand New S.S. Emilie

If you have been following Straight Away Travel for any length of time, you know that I am a firm believer in “boots on the ground” research. I don’t just want to tell you what a brochure says; I want to tell you how the sheets feel, how the coffee tastes at 6:00 AM, and, … Read more

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