Vienna waits for you—and this past week, it waited for me, too! I had the incredible opportunity to attend the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Vienna, where I joined 1,600+ travel advisors and explored 17 river cruise ships along the Danube. As a Virtuoso Cruise Icon, staying ahead of the latest trends in luxury river cruising is not just a passion—it’s my job!
Diving Deep into River Cruising
The Expo kicked off in true Viennese fashion—waltzing, hors d’oeuvres, and champagne—because when in Vienna, you dance! From there, it was all about getting to work. I toured ships from AmaWaterways, Avalon, Viking, Uniworld, Tauck, Scenic, Emerald, Riviera, and Riverside, seeing firsthand what sets each brand apart. Understanding the nuances of these ships allows me to match my clients with the perfect river cruise experience.
Industry Leaders, Exclusive Insights
The learning didn’t stop at ship tours! Some of the biggest names in river cruising were at the Expo, including:
✅ Rudi Schreiner (AmaWaterways) and Torstein Hagen (Viking) sharing how their early partnership shaped today’s industry giants.
✅ Kristin Karst (AmaWaterways), Steve Smotrys (Tauck), Michelle Palma (Uniworld), and Pam Hoffee (Avalon Waterways) discussing the future of river cruising.
✅ Top travel journalists from AFAR, Travel + Leisure, and Bloomberg Luxury covering key trends in travel.
And I was completely flabbergasted (and maybe blushing a little!) when Michelle Palma, VP of Uniworld, gave me a shoutout from the stage for my work as a travel advisor and river cruise expert on social media!
Putting in the Work for My Clients
Beyond the panels, I rolled up my sleeves and:
📌 Learned about AmaWaterways’ group sales strategies with Co-Founder Kristin Karst.
📌 Explored Avalon’s “discernible differences” in luxury river cruising.
📌 Networked over dinner onboard AmaLea and enjoyed a nightcap on Uniworld—because relationships matter in this business!
This is why I invest in events like ASTA River Cruise Expo—to ensure my clients get the best insights, VIP experiences, and unmatched expertise when planning their river cruise vacations.
Thinking about a river cruise? Let’s chat! I’ve got all the insider knowledge fresh from Vienna, and I’d love to help you find your perfect sailing.
Where will your next journey take you? 🚢✨
Warmly,
Sheila Gallant-Halloran
Lush Life Travel
Ready to plan your next trip? Next Step: Luxury Travel, Booked Wisely
📩 Let’s curate your next unforgettable cruise experience:
🔹 Pre-Consultation Survey: https://tinyurl.com/LushLifeConsultSurvey
🔹 Schedule a Consult: https://tinyurl.com/LushLifeConsult
Exceptional journeys require expert planning. Let’s make your next luxury cruise experience truly extraordinary.
Sheila Gallant-Halloran | Lush Life Travel
🌍 www.lushlife.ca | ✉️ [email protected]