Olmste(a)d Group Travel
Travel with others that have a common interest is a nice starting point for an interesting and enjoyable experience. What better way to get to know extended family is to share the experiences of visiting interesting places and learning about the culture of other areas of our world.
If one of these opportunities below do not fit your own schedule or needs, just ask and we will be glad to assist planning something special for you if it is just a couple or with other family and friends joining you. Where would you like to go? Alaska? The Mediterrian or the Baltic in Europe? The South Pacific or Hawaii?
Caribbean Cruise — November 17, 24, 2019
Join us on Holland America Lines newest ship, the beautiful Niew Statendam as we sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Port calls include Half Moon Cay, a private island where you can enjoy the beach, tour the island, or maybe swim with the Dolphins. In Falmouth, Jamaica you might walk up the famous Dunn’s River Falls, tour a Banana Plantation, or go ocean kayaking. We highly recommend a visit to “Sting Ray City” — it is one of my most memorable experiences from cruising. In addition to shopping in Cozumel, taker some time to explore an Aztec ruins or go snorkeling in the brilliant blue waters.
You will enjoy your private stateroom balcony to relax with views of the Caribbean. All meals are included in the Rotterdam Dining Room or the Lido Buffet and their are other choices available including a signature Sushi bar, Pizza served pool side, or 24-hour in-room dining. Relax in one of the many lounges, enjoy the stage shows, visit the casino — there are many opportunities on the Niew Statendam for everyone. The spa and salon offers tempting massages. And now available is the experience in America’s Test Kitchen with cooking from the chefs from the TV show.
We can package everything for you — your round-trip air to Fort Lauderdale including transfers to the ship and a stateroom suited for your needs. There are family staterooms available or have adjacent rooms for the adults and the children.
Ocean view staterooms with balcony start at $1329 including taxes and port charges. Passport required.
River cruising in Europe
Though I have led groups on many typical “ocean cruises” in the past thirty years, though I’ve become a big fan of river cruising. On the big ocean cruise lines you are lost in the gaggle of thousands of other passengers, often never really getting to know others you are traveling with.
On the typical river cruise vessel with less than 200 passengers, you will feel more relaxed while still enjoying a variety of activities. The other big difference between ocean and river cruises is that almost all land excursions are included. And river cruises tend to be more cultural rather than recreational in nature.
Paris to Normandy – Spring 2020
Join us on this fantastic experience sailing on Seine River in France. Included will be visits to the D-Day beaches on the English Channel and the American Cemetery. Visit Monet’s gardens and interesting villages along the route. Roundtrip air to Paris is included.
Full details will be posted by mid-April 2019.
Advance Notice – Rhine River, 2021
Join us in 2021 as we cruise the Rhine and Moselle rivers in Germany from Berne, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Holland.
You will fly overnight from the US arriving in Switzerland. We have discounted international air from 31 gateway cities that includes transfers to the ms River Voyager upon arrival in Berne. If your flight schedule includes a change of planes in Europe, you will be met upon arrival and escorted to the next departure lounge.
Your stateroom has adequate storage space and a large window; you might want to take a short nap to recover from jet lag and adjust to the time change before dinner. You unpack only once and the dress for the cruise is resort casual. Staterooms are double occupancy except for eight single cabins on the lower deck.
For the next 13 days enjoy the vistas as we cruise north along the scenic Rhine and Moselle valleys. Included are a variety of escorted tours such as a visit to the Gutenberg Museum and Freiburg, the “Jewel of the Black Forest.” Visit the UNESCO listed Cathedral in Speyer; enjoy the wine tasting in Bernkastel; ah at the Roman amphitheater in Trier; roam the Reichsburg Castle and sit back on a canal boat ride before the walking tour of Strasbourg. We will spend a full day visiting Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum on the Alstian Wine Route.
All meals during the cruise are included in the open seating dining room where wine is included at dinner each evening. A variety of fare is served every day, some of which features regional choices, or for something more “America” the casual Captain’s Lounge is a nice alternative.
On some days, when docked in a city or village following an escorted group tour you will have time to explore on your own with a walk to visit local shops and taverns or utilize one of the bicycles available at no charge for passengers on the River Voyager. Enjoy the entertainment on many evenings in the main lounge.
On the final morning of our cruise, transfer to the Amsterdam airport for your return flight to the US.
To Join any of these Groups
You are welcome to email or call Walt Steesy (607-532-4204) for more information and help you plan your cruise experience.
Passports are required for cruises outside of the US. Travel Protection/Insurance is not required but highly recommended; I would not travel internationally without it.
Latest update was 4 Apr 2019
