My father-in-law had heard our "river stories" as we came home from other American Cruise Line vacations. (We are ALL IN for small ship cruising!) At the last minute, two weeks before the proposed sailing, we asked him if he wanted to come for his 96th (he is a medical marvel!) birthday. He 'fretted' about whether he would be able to handle the tours and the airport travel. 4 days before we left he finally gave the 'green light' and I booked the trip. As single rooms are often booked quickly (because guests are never lonely even if they start out alone!) we were very fortunate that there was still a single room left.

I couldn't have designed the trip to be more perfect. I am still basking in the utter success and his constant reminders that "I can't thank you enough!"

From the very beginning he felt like a 'rock star." He couldn't get over how attentive all the staff was and how they made him feel "so important". (This was a common response from guests but we made him think he was extra special!) Of course wearing his WWII hat was an instant conversation starter from strangers that would soon be our new friends and companions. (He wasn't the oldest guest - there was a remarkable woman who was 100 cruising with her son!) Read more