That’s what we said, and that’s what we did last week in Budapest. I hope you were following our social media pages and got to share in the adventure.

ASTA, the American Society for Travel Agents is the leading global advocate for the traveling public and travel agents, as the well as the travel industry in general. You can thank ASTA for several breakthroughs occurring over the past few years that made your travel experiences remarkably better. You can also thank them for putting pressure on the travel industry to treat you fairly when it came to refunds, credits, testing etc. pertaining to the COVID pandemic.

Pam Hoffee, President of Avalon Waterways. Doreen Kyle, Meredith Carrell, Leigh Mobley and Joy Crutchfield, The Joy of Travel. Camille Olivere, Chief Sales Officer for the Globus Family of Brands and Avalon Waterways. Archy Arushanyan, National Director Field Sales the Globus Family of Brands and Avalon Waterways.

ASTA has played a big part in your travel experiences, whether you knew it or not. The Joy of Travel is a member in good standing and a proud supporter of ASTA.

So when ASTA said they were throwing a River Cruise event in Budapest, we knew it would be amazing. We reserved our spaces, bought our airline tickets, and counted the days until we departed.

We arrived two days early in Budapest because, well, why not? Budapest is a gorgeous city, full of incredible architecture, friendly people, delicious cuisine, and an amazing history/heritage.

We spent the first two days walking our legs off, enjoying everything that city had to offer. We especially delighted in our four hour culinary walking tour and will highly recommend it to you on your next trip to Budapest.

Then the ASTA event itself was a huge hit. From a very informative General Session to the vendor showcase, to the ship inspections and onboard meals, everything about this event was first class.

Of course, river cruising is a first-class experience. I think you already knew that.

All of our favorites were there, and several brands about which we had little knowledge or experience.

The way it worked was like this: We each invested almost $5,000, so we were highly incentivized to see and do it all. The brands brought their ships, and we were allowed plenty of time to peruse them. Going in each cabin category, every restaurant, gym, salt room, sauna, upper deck, meeting our reps, doing a deep dive into what made each ship and each brand special. It was a fully immersive experience, and we were delighted with the outcome. We got our money’s worth, I assure you.

What we concluded was this. We, at The Joy of Travel, have had preferred partnerships with who we still believe to be the best of the best. We evaluated them all, and after having done so remain loyal to the brands we think deliver the most amazing experiences, in the most comfort, at the most competitive price points.

Also considered in our partnerships is the support we receive from these brands. It’s a key component that you probably never thought about. If you have an unforeseen complication, it is a critical that we are able to reach someone for assistance. Don’t you agree?

One of the new cruise lines at the event doesn’t even have a phone number. Their CEO literally said, “you just send us an email if you have a problem or want to make a reservation and we’ll get back to you”. Uh, no.

We would never book you into any product that we can’t contact immediately should the need arise.

Another brand is for sale and is in fact leveraged up to their nostrils. It’s a brand we are not overly fond of in the first place, so it doesn’t affect us. But you can bet a financially strapped company is struggling to deliver its’ promised level of service and experience.

On a personal note, I ran into several employees with whom I have traveled on past cruises. In fact, my waiter on the Tulip Time Signature Event in 2022 ran up to me on the pier, grabbed my bag, and welcomed me to the event. Our bartender onboard the Avalon Envision was our bartender on the Avalon View back in December on my Danube Christmas Cruise. And two of our waiters on the Envision cruised with me both on Tulip Time and the Christmas Cruise.

When a river cruise company can maintain their staff, you know they’re doing something right.

The things we learn by attending industry events are always beneficial. But this event, and this year particularly, gleaned some amazing insight.

You can trust the River Cruise specialists at The Joy of Travel to always put you in the product that’s the best fit for you, partnering only with companies that will deliver the product you purchased with integrity and to your utmost satisfaction.

Your River Cruise Advocate,
Joy

Let’s Go See the Best of the Best