RTE-Travel Talk

Trying to decide between Virgin Voyages and Sandals? In this video, we break down the key differences between these adults-only vacations—from vibe and dining to who each experience is best suited for.

If you're considering an adults-only vacation, you might assume the choice is simple — but when it comes to Virgin Voyages vs Sandals, you're really choosing between two completely different travel experiences.

In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, Ken sits down with Susan Blume of Personal Escapes Travel to break down the most frequently asked questions about both options — helping you decide which one is right for your next getaway.

🧭 What You'll Learn in This Video

The biggest difference between Virgin Voyages and Sandals

Who each vacation is best suited for

The vibe and atmosphere of each experience

Dining comparisons (including The Galley, Test Kitchen & Butch’s Chophouse)

What a typical day looks like at Sandals vs on Virgin Voyages

Value and what's included (and what’s not)

Which is better for couples vs solo travelers

Real-world insights from someone who has experienced both

🧠 Key Takeaway

While both are adults-only vacations,

👉 Sandals is about romance, relaxation, and staying in one beautiful destination

👉 Virgin Voyages is about energy, variety, and exploring multiple destinations

Can you really travel to China in luxury for just $6,000? In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, we explore Century Cruises and the Yangtze River experience to find out if it lives up to the hype.

China is one of the most fascinating — and misunderstood — travel destinations in the world right now.

In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken Lawrence sits down with:

Steven Simao, VP of Sales for Century Cruises

Nanci Ott of Tinker Travel

Together, they break down what it’s really like to travel to China today — including safety, comfort, value, and what makes a Yangtze River cruise such a unique experience.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Is China safe for North American travelers?

What a Century Cruises experience is REALLY like

Why this 14-day China journey starts around $6,000

What’s included (and what’s not)

The biggest surprises travelers experience in China

Must-see highlights like the Terracotta Warriors

Who this trip is best suited for

🚢 From five-star hotels and immersive cultural experiences to surprisingly affordable pricing, this may be one of the best-kept secrets in travel right now.

If you've been wondering about the difference between Scenic Luxury Cruises and Emerald Cruises, this interview is for you.

In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk – Ask a Real Travel Expert, I sit down with Ken Muskat, President of Scenic Group North America, to discuss everything from luxury river cruising and ocean yachts to expedition cruising, Antarctica, and the exciting future of Scenic and Emerald.

You'll learn:

✔ The difference between Scenic and Emerald Cruises

✔ Which brand is best for your travel style

✔ What "truly all-inclusive" really means

✔ Why luxury yacht cruising is one of the fastest-growing segments in travel

✔ Scenic Eclipse expedition yachts

✔ Emerald's boutique luxury yachts

✔ River cruising throughout Europe and Southeast Asia

✔ New destinations including India and the Seychelles

✔ Why small ship cruising offers a completely different experience

Whether you're considering your first luxury cruise or comparing Scenic with other premium cruise lines like Viking, AmaWaterways or Uniworld, this conversation will help you decide which experience is right for you.

Scenic vs Tauck vs Uniworld — which luxury river cruise suite is actually worth it? We compare price per day, inclusions, and real onboard experience to help you decide.

If you’ve ever considered upgrading to the top suite on a luxury river cruise, you’ve probably asked yourself — is it really worth it?

In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, Ken sits down with river cruise experts Beth Schulberg and Lauren Matthews of Cruise & Travel Specialists to compare the highest suite categories across three of the top luxury river cruise lines:

✔ Scenic

✔ Tauck

✔ Uniworld

Focusing on Danube itineraries paired with Prague, this conversation breaks down what travelers actually want to know:

Price per person per day (PPPD)

What’s truly included (and what isn’t)

Differences in suite size, design, and onboard experience

Excursions, group sizes, and touring style

Which cruise line is best for different types of travelers

Plus — we take a look at the AmaMagna, a unique double-wide river ship with larger suites that offers a different approach to luxury river cruising.

👉 If you’re trying to decide which luxury river cruise experience is right for you, this episode will help you make a confident choice.

Is this Canada & New England cruise worth it with only one Canadian port? Lynne Cox and Debra Dickerson review Crystal Serenity’s fall voyage, covering itinerary, food, service, and experience.

In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, Ken sits down with Lynne Cox and Debra Dickerson of Cruise & Travel Experts to review their recent sailing aboard the newly reimagined Crystal Serenity — part of the return of Crystal Cruises.

They share their honest experience sailing this unique itinerary, including stops in:

Newport, Rhode Island

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts

Portland, Maine

Saint John, New Brunswick

👉 Plus, they break down:

What the new Crystal Cruises experience is really like

Whether Crystal still delivers on ultra-luxury expectations

The truth about fall foliage cruising timing

How this itinerary compares to traditional Canada & New England routes

Shore excursions, history, and standout ports

Dining, service, and onboard atmosphere

If you’re considering a Crystal cruise, a New England fall cruise, or wondering which itinerary is right for you — this is a must-listen.

Have you ever wondered why Tauck vacations cost more than many other luxury tours and river cruises?

Is it simply a premium price...or are you actually receiving significantly more value?

In this episode of Ask a Real Travel Expert, I sit down with travel advisor Larry Jackson, who has specialized in Tauck vacations for more than 20 years.

Together we discuss:

✔ What makes Tauck different from other luxury travel companies

✔ Why so many guests become repeat travelers

✔ The surprising value of Tauck's all-inclusive pricing

✔ Exclusive experiences you simply won't find elsewhere

✔ Tauck's exceptional tour directors and personalized service

✔ Why solo travelers often love Tauck

✔ Whether Tauck is really worth the additional investment

If you've been considering a Tauck river cruise or land tour, this conversation may help you decide whether it's the right fit for your travel style.

Trying to choose the best luxury cruise for Japan? We compare Regent Seven Seas, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and Viking Ocean to help you find the perfect Japan cruise experience.

Japan is one of the hottest cruise destinations in the world right now—but which luxury cruise line offers the best experience?

In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with travel expert Christy Fitzharris of Wheels Up Travel to compare three very different ways to cruise Japan: Regent Seven Seas Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and Viking Ocean Cruises.

Together, they break down real itineraries and take a deep dive into:

✈️ What’s driving the surge in Japan travel right now

🚢 How these three luxury cruise lines compare

💰 Pricing and value (cost per person per night)

📍 Ports and itinerary differences (including key destinations like Hiroshima & Nagasaki)

🍷 What’s included—and what’s not

🛳️ Onboard experience and overall vibe

🎯 Which cruise line is best for different types of travelers

If Japan is on your bucket list, this comparison will help you choose the right cruise for your travel style.

Trying to decide between Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line? In this video, we break down the key differences to help first-time cruisers choose the best cruise line.

In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, host Ken sits down with travel expert Brenda Case to break down the seven biggest differences between these three popular cruise lines—so you can decide which one is the best fit for your travel style.

From ship size and onboard activities to dining, entertainment, pricing, and passenger demographics, this is a complete comparison designed especially for first-time cruisers.

If you’re planning your first cruise—or simply trying to decide which cruise line to book next—this video will help you avoid common mistakes and choose with confidence.

🚢 What You’ll Learn:

The biggest differences between Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Norwegian

Which cruise line is best for families, couples, and first-time cruisers

How dining styles compare (Freestyle vs Traditional)

Entertainment and onboard experience differences

What type of travelers each cruise line attracts

How cabins and comfort compare

Which cruise line offers the best value

A simple way to choose the right cruise line for YOU

Thinking about a European river cruise? In this episode, travel expert Nanci Ott compares the Douro River to the Rhine and Danube while reviewing her recent sailing with Avalon Waterways and comparing top cruise lines including AmaWaterways, Scenic, and Viking.

Thinking about booking a European river cruise but not sure whether to choose the Rhine, Danube, or Portugal’s beautiful Douro River?

In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, I’m joined by travel expert Nanci Ott of Tinker Travel, fresh off a sailing aboard Avalon Waterways on Portugal’s stunning Douro River.

Together, we explore:

✔ What makes the Douro River unique

✔ Why the Douro is growing rapidly in popularity

✔ Whether it’s a good first river cruise

✔ The differences between the Douro, Rhine, and Danube

✔ Port wine experiences and Portuguese culture

✔ Avalon Waterways’ Panorama Suites

✔ Shore excursions and accessibility

✔ Scenic landscapes and smaller intimate ships

PLUS…

Nanci compares some of the top cruise lines sailing the Douro River including:

🚢 Avalon Waterways

🚢 AmaWaterways

🚢 Scenic

🚢 Viking

We discuss:

✅ Pricing

✅ Shore excursions

✅ Luxury inclusions

✅ Transfers & gratuities

✅ Best value

✅ Best luxury experience

✅ Best for foodies

✅ Best for active travelers

✅ Best for first-time river cruisers

If you’re considering a Douro River cruise — or any European river cruise — this episode is packed with helpful insights and firsthand experiences.

Trying to decide between Celebrity Cruises and Celestyal Cruises for a Mediterranean vacation? In this episode, Brenda Case compares the onboard experience, itineraries, pricing, excursions, and cultural immersion of these two very different cruise styles.

When most travelers think about cruising the Mediterranean,

Celebrity Cruises is often one of the first names that comes to mind.

But what about

Celestyal Cruises?

In this episode of RTE-Travel Talk, Ken sits down with Brenda Case of Travel Planning by Brenda to compare these two very different Mediterranean cruise experiences.

From modern luxury and Edge Class ships to authentic Greek immersion, smaller ports, overnight sailings, and destination-focused itineraries, this conversation explores what truly separates Celebrity Cruises from Celestyal Cruises.

If you’re planning a Mediterranean cruise and wondering whether you want:

🚢 a ship-focused premium cruise experience

—or—

🌍 a more immersive, culturally focused journey

…this episode is for you.

🛳️ In This Episode:

✔ Celebrity Cruises vs Celestyal Cruises

✔ Mediterranean itinerary differences

✔ Sea days vs overnight sailings

✔ Shore excursions & local immersion

✔ Food, entertainment & onboard atmosphere

✔ Celestyal pricing & inclusions

✔ Balcony cabins vs Infinite Verandas

✔ Who each cruise line is best for

✔ The “Steps of Paul” itineraries

✔ Which line offers the best value?