ASK BOB

CELEBRATING 26 YEARS WITH YMCA ALUMNI; AN EXCITING NEW CHAPTER

Bob Cook is Director of Sales at GO Travel. He has decades of experience advising travelers.

In the spring of 2000, we received a call from the (then) AYR Board asking whether we’d be interested in handling a reunion cruise for February 2003. We said yes—and soon found ourselves meeting the committee at a country club in Winter Haven, Florida.

We came prepared with brochures, facts, figures, and suggestions, along with the business manager from Holland America Cruises and a surprise guest: Barbara Roper. Some of you will remember Barbara as the first female board chair of the YMCA of Central Florida and the YMCA of the USA. That, of course, helped seal the deal!

Fast forward to today: we’re proud to begin our 26th year of working with YMCA Alumni, now in an evolved role. We entered into an exciting agreement last March: every cruise or tour purchased through GO Travel will provide a rebate to YMCA Alumni — not just official alumni group trips, but any cruise or tour you book with us.

That includes family vacations, trips with friends, various chapter events, and YMCA Alumni reunions.

All of these help support YMCA Alumni while giving you the travel experiences you love. Coming soon, we will have an online booking site that will allow you to search travel deals 24/7. We still want to hear from you and provide that personalized touch, but it will be a great planning tool.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to many more adventures together!

JAN. 25 - FEB. 10, 2027

TO PARADISE AND BACK

RELAX ON A ROUND TRIP CRUISE FROM

LOS ANGELES TO HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

"No one has family in Hawaii. Everyone is family in Hawaii."

--Richie Norton, author

Escape on an unforgettable 16-day Pacific paradise journey aboard Emerald Princess, sailing round-trip from Los Angeles Jan. 25, 2027 to the magical Hawaiian Islands, offering lush volcanoes, vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and endless relaxation.

Enjoy signature Princess amenities like Movies Under the Stars, gourmet dining, and world-class entertainment, all while experiencing the Aloha spirit with multiple island stops in Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Ensenada, Mexico on this classic Pacific cruise. 



Call your YMCA Alumni/Go Travel agent for all details, pricing and pre- and post-travel possibilities. Memories, for sure, are made of this. YMCA Alumni members in the western states eliminate the cross-country travel by departing and returning to the Western side of our country.

May 6-14, 2027

'DANUBE DREAM' RIVER CRUISE

PRAGUE, VIENNA, BUDAPEST AND MORE

"Danube so blue and beautiful, you surge through valley and meadow. Vienna greets you, silver ribbon which unites the land."

--Johann Strauss II

Cruise along the peaceful and storied Danube River through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary—stopping at some of Central Europe’s most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way.

Indulge in legendary Central European cuisine on this culinary-focused cruise. We'll sample regional specialties with onboard tastings and with a special dinner featuring a wonderful menu created just for you. Avalon Waterways offers you a complimentary excursion in each port.

Please note: Avalon river ships carry only 166 passengers, so please don't delay registering. This cruise is very popular and will sell out quickly. By using Go Travel's insurance program when you book, you can cancel without penalty in case "life" gets in your way.

Call (407) 774-2229 il for details and to speak to a YMCA Alumni/Go Travel agent. Or send an email inquiry.

NOV. 20 - DEC. 5, 2027

ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

CANARY ISLES AND MOROCO, TOO

“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination,

and brings eternal joy to the soul.”

--Robert Wyland, artist

Embark on a relaxing 16-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the magnificent Enchanted Princess departing from Rome on Nov. 20 and arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Dec. 5, 2027.

This exclusive itinerary combines European charm with North African intrigue, offering a perfect blend of exploration and days at sea.

Ports of call include Cartagena, Spain; Gibraltar, UK; Casablanca, Morocco; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, and delightful days at sea.

This journey, hosted by Patrick and Jan Murphy of the Schreiner Chapter, is the perfect opportunity to experience new cultures while enjoying the exceptional comfort and service of Princess Cruises. Space is limited, so secure your passage today for a memorable transatlantic adventure! Call for details.

WATCH FOR NEWS OF MORE 2027 ADVENTURES

For detailed information and to book, visit our Travel Club page on the YMCA Alumni website or call a knowledgeable GO Travel/YMCA Alumni agent at (407) 774-2229. Be sure to ID yourself as a YMCA Alumni member.

JUNE 5-12, 2026:

ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER

THE THIRD TIME'S A CHARM, TOO

“To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world.“ --John Muir

We'll cruise before the huge summer crowds arrive. This is our Travel Club's third cruise to The Last Frontier and among our most popular offerings ever.

We depart from Vancouver, B.C., and return to Seattle aboard the Celebrity Edge. This is an ideal seven-night trip for bringing family and friends along. Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, cruise the Endicott Arm to the Dawes Glacier, and disembark in Seattle. YMCA Alumni Travel Club pricing from $1,905 to $3,297, depending on stateroom choice.

JULY 20-25, 2026

THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

LUXURY RAIL; GLASS-ENCLOSED COACHES

“While you look out the panoramic windows of the train, the staff’s focus is on serving you fine wines and freshly prepared food. This is one of the most incredible luxury train trips

in the world.”--AFAR Magazine

The Rocky Mountaineer travels through stunning scenery with highlights viewed from the train’s expansive glass-dome coaches. Your journey will be complemented by vibrant storytelling, regionally-inspired cuisine, and exceptional Premier Class service onboard the train.

Arrive in Denver and depart the next morning for Glenwood Springs, heading through the famed Big 10 curve and the Moffat Tunnel, high in the Rockies. Continue your journey west to the unique and iconic desert town of Moab. Travel from Moab to the historically vibrant city of Salt Lake City for our final night.

SEPTEMBER 13-23, 2026

CLASSIC CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND

FALL LEAF-PEEPING AND OCEAN SCENERY

"I always seem to get inspiration and renewed vitality by contact with this great novel land of yours which sticks up out of the Atlantic."

-- Winston Churchill

A colorful 10-day YMCA Alumni fall cruise along Eastern Canada and New England's Atlantic Coast for some unforgettable leaf-peeping and ocean scenery. Our cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess begins in Quebec City -- Le Bijou Boréal (The Boreal Jewel), and ends in historic Boston, MA. Your YMCA Alumni hosts are Patrick and Jan Murphy of the Schreiner Chapter. Balcony cabin range: $2,424 - $2,782 ($240-to-$700 saving from direct booking).

OCT. 4-13, 2026

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF SPAIN

LUXURY MOTOR COACH MADRID TO BARCELONA

"You can't buy happiness but you can go to Spain and that's pretty much the same thing!" -- Unknown

Embark on an unforgettable guided luxury motor coach tour through the marvelous cities of Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona, all while enjoying the benefit of the “All-In-Inclusive” advantage of C.I.E. tours. Our YMCA Alumni trip covers 9 days, 8 nights, and includes 13 meals. Your luggage is taken care of from the coach to your hotel and back each day. Cost: $3,395 pp.

REGISTER EARLY: 2026 TRIPS TO AMERICA'S 250TH IN NY HARBOR AND CANADA AND SCENIC SWITZERLAND BY RAIL BOTH SOLD OUT WITHIN DAYS OF THEIR ANNOUNCEMENTS.

NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF TRAVEL

SEVEN NEW OCEAN CRUISERS TO DEBUT

New ships will take to the ocean waves this year. Disney Adventure will feature the longest roller coaster at sea, will offer 3-4-day cruises, and will be based in Singapore. Norwegian Luna will feature The Drop, a 10-story, free-fall slide and a showroom tribute to Elton John. Four Seasons 1 will be a luxury yacht with full access to the water on marina days and a 1:1 staff ratio. Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas will have a dedicated family area called Surfside and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in the showroom. MSC World Asia features an impressive promenade and will mostly ply the Mediterranean. Viking checks in with the Mira and Libra, two identical new ships. They are the first hydrogen-powered vehicles with zero emissions. --Yahoo.com

HOTELS USE ALGORITHMS FOR PRICES -- NO MORE GUESSING

“Heads in beds.” That simple mantra drove the hotel business for decades. Too many open rooms? Cut the rate. A competitor raised prices? Follow suit. It was a mix of spreadsheets and gut instinct — and it left heaps of money on the table. Now, hotels are overhauling how they set prices. Across the $340 billion U.S. industry, software is replacing instinct with precision. Pricing systems use “teams of algorithms” — models that shift depending on market conditions, much like a baseball manager choosing pitchers for specific situations. --Skift

COSTLY 'SWEET DREAMS' ON EMIRATES

Emirates Airlines is curating the perfect restorative sleep ritual in the sky with new loungewear, indulgent bed linen, and a thoughtful turndown service for First Class customers. Further elevating the transition into relaxation, First Class customers are invited to enjoy premium drinks served in new cut-cystal glassware, relish moments of calm with the latest noise-cancelling headphones, and unwind with a Shower Spa experience. So, looking to splurge? This is your ticket. -Breaking Travel News

RIVER CRUISING KEEPS GOING STRONG

The river cruise industry shows no sign of slowing down in 2026. Some companies report that sales are so strong and demand so high that they are opening bookings earlier than ever for the following year. Viking, the largest on the rivers, reported on a recent earnings call that customers have already booked 62 percent of its 2026 river capacity, with over $2.1 billion in bookings.

OCEANIA NOW ADULTS-ONLY LINE

Oceania Cruises has responded to customer feedback and will now only welcome adults aged 19 and older on board. Any bookings prior to Jan. 9, 2026 will still be honored, but going forward, Oceania joins Viking and Virgin Voyages in the “leave the kids at home” column.

407-774-2229

Be sure to identify yourself as YMCA Alumni

when you call or email us.

Go Travel/YMCA Alumni Travel Club

2811 W. State Rd.

Longwood, FL 32779

ymcaalumni@gotravel.com

GOING PLACES is written, edited and produced by

Craig Altschul and Peggi Simmons

Next issue of GOING PLACES: March 15, 2026

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