1. 🍷 National Wine Day: Sip, Sail, and Savour the World

🍷 National Wine Day: Sip, Sail, and Savour the World

It’s National Wine Day, and what better way to celebrate than by combining the world’s finest vintages with the world’s most luxurious cruises?

Whether you're dreaming of sipping Bordeaux from the source, toasting with Champagne in a polar ice bar, or enjoying a wine-paired dinner on the Danube, there’s a sailing to match your palate.

Here are three exceptional ways to celebrate vino and voyage in style:

🇫🇷 Ponant & Alain Ducasse: French Elegance at Sea

Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, Ponant’s revolutionary polar icebreaker, wine isn’t just served—it’s elevated. The ship features a Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse restaurant, bringing French culinary artistry to the high seas.

Imagine sipping a grand cru Burgundy while surrounded by Antarctic icebergs. It’s polar luxury, with a perfect pairing.

🍽 Explore Le Commandant Charcot & Ducasse Dining

🍇 AmaWaterways: Wine-Themed River Cruises

AmaWaterways’ Celebration of Wine Cruises are designed for true enthusiasts. Hosted by North American wine experts, these itineraries include vineyard visits, onboard tastings, and wine-paired meals—all while sailing through Europe’s most iconic wine regions.

From the Wachau Valley in Austria to France’s Rhône, these journeys are about more than sightseeing—they’re about tasting your way through the culture.

🚢 Browse AmaWaterways Wine Cruises

🍷 Silversea: Bordeaux and Beyond

Set sail with Silversea on itineraries through France’s famed wine regions, including Bordeaux—where the vineyards are UNESCO-recognized and the vintages world-renowned.

Whether you're wandering through chateaux cellars or enjoying onboard sommelier-led tastings, Silversea offers refined exploration for serious wine lovers.

🥂 Explore Silversea France Cruises

🥂 Let's Toast to Your Next Journey

Wine tells a story of place, time, and passion. And when paired with the right itinerary, it becomes part of your story too.

If you’re dreaming of a wine-focused journey—whether it’s through Burgundy, the Douro, or Bordeaux—let’s find the perfect cruise to suit your taste.

Cheers,
Sheila
Founder, Lush Life Travel
Virtuoso Cruise Icon | River & Small Ship Cruise Specialist
www.lushlife.ca

2. River Cruise Corner - 🚢 River Cruising Revealed: What You Really Need to Know

Over the past two weeks, I’ve been hosting a special Facebook event called River Cruising Revealed: Insider Access—a deep dive into the world of luxury river cruising. If you’ve ever wondered which cruise line fits your travel style, what’s really included, or whether river cruising is just for retirees (spoiler alert: it’s not!), this series is for you.

We covered it all:

✅ Ama vs Uniworld vs Viking – what actually sets them apart

✅ What’s Included – excursions, wine, transfers, dining, wellness

✅ Water Levels Explained – what happens when rivers are too high or low

✅ Who River Cruising Is Really For – milestone birthdays, wellness getaways, history lovers, and active travelers alike

✅ Why Work with a Travel Advisor – insider perks, better cabins, and support when things change

I also shared videos from Budapest and Vienna, tips from ship tours, and insights from the ASTA River Cruise Expo. Plus, you’ll find side-by-side comparisons, reels, polls, and behind-the-scenes looks at life onboard.

🎥 Catch up on the full event here:
👉 River Cruising Revealed: Insider Access Facebook Event

If river cruising is on your travel radar—or even just a curious maybe—this is the perfect place to start learning and dreaming.

Let me help you find your perfect match.

Warmly,
Sheila
Virtuoso Cruise Icon | River & Expedition Cruise Specialist
www.lushlife.ca

3.Adventure Travel Corner- 🍷 Polar Dreams & Polynesian Breezes: A Magical Evening with Ponant & Paul Gauguin

Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting a special dinner at Ottawa’s iconic Fairmont Château Laurier—a truly memorable evening with Ponant and Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Most advisors in attendance were invited to bring four clients. Me? I was fortunate enough to be allowed twelve wonderful guests at my table(s). (Sometimes it’s good to be special 😉)

Joining us were two amazing women I’ve personally sailed with:
– Erica Barbour, my trusted Business Development Manager with Ponant & Paul Gauguin
– Cindy Miller Hopkins, award-winning expedition photographer whose breathtaking work has appeared in National Geographic, Smithsonian, and onboard many Ponant voyages.

I had the privilege of traveling with both Erica and Cindy aboard the groundbreaking Le Commandant Charcot, Ponant’s revolutionary PC2 hybrid-electric polar exploration ship. (Here's a picture of myself and my niece that Cindy took onboard our cruise.)

Le Commandant Charcot is more than a ship—it’s an engineering marvel. She’s the world’s first and only luxury icebreaker, able to reach places others can’t… including a full circumnavigation of Antarctica, which she’ll be doing again in 2028.

💡 Fun fact: The ship’s captain previously led the international naval response to the Somali pirate crisis before taking the helm of this remarkable vessel. (See this article: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/04/somali-pirates200904 )
 

🔗 Explore Le Commandant Charcot

While Ponant transports guests to the ends of the Earth, we also celebrated the warmer side of luxury cruising with Paul Gauguin Cruises. Their single-ship operation in the South Pacific is the ultimate blend of Tahitian warmth, small-ship elegance, and destination-focused cruising through French Polynesia, the Society Islands, and beyond.

🌟 Ongoing Offers You Should Know:

🍁 Paul Gauguin Cruises: 5% Savings for Canadian Residents

👤 No Single Supplement Voyages for Solo Travelers – on 100+ departures across both brands:

🔹 Ponant Explorations: View No Single Supplement Sailings

🔹 Paul Gauguin Cruises: Solo Traveler Savings

🛳 Browse Upcoming Departures:

🔗 Ponant Cruises – Departures through May 2026

🔗 Paul Gauguin Cruises – Departures through May 2026

✨ Why Consider Ponant?

🔗 Explore Ponant Cruises

🇫🇷 European-based, offering cultural depth and global sophistication

🌎 460+ itineraries across all 7 continents, including Canadian sailings

🚢 13 intimate ships, ranging from 12 to 254 guests—including the iconic Le Commandant Charcot

🥐 French flair: refined gastronomy, fine wines, and attentive service

🌐 All-inclusive luxury: meals, open bar, gratuities, zodiac outings, enrichment lectures, and more

🧭 Specialty departures: Smithsonian Journeys, Quintessential Collection

🌱 Leaders in sustainability: Learn about the Ponant Foundation

🤫 Pssst… Want Even More?

There’s a special Ponant offer available right now that I can’t post publicly.
If you’re even thinking about a Ponant expedition, reach out—I’d be happy to share the exclusive details with you privately.

Whether you're longing to kayak beside glaciers or sip champagne in a Tahitian lagoon, I’d love to help you plan something extraordinary.

Let’s turn those dreams into plans.

Warmly,
Sheila
Founder, Lush Life Travel
Virtuoso Cruise Icon | Expedition & Small Ship Cruise Specialist

www.lushlife.ca

4. Wellness Travel Corner-  🌊 Wellness Meets Exploration: A Visit Aboard the Viking Octantis

Last week, I boarded a 4:00 AM train bound for Toronto—because when you're invited to tour the stunning Viking Octantis and meet with my trusted reps Hilary Brown and Barry Johnson, you say yes (even if the coffee hasn't quite kicked in yet).

This beautiful ship, now about three years old, was docked and preparing to begin one of its Great Lakes journeys—a voyage that's as scenic as it is soothing. With space for just 378 guests, it offers an intimate, calm atmosphere perfect for travelers who crave discovery and downtime.

The ship’s standout feature? A floor-to-ceiling theatre that seats 180 guests—perfect for immersive lectures and enrichment programs that are a hallmark of Viking's “thinking person’s cruise” style.

🧘‍♀️ Wellness and Expedition-Lite
While Octantis is larger than the expedition ships I typically recommend for Antarctica (where only 100 guests can step ashore at once), it still offers a taste of adventure. Think of it as expedition-lite—there’s the possibility of a zodiac landing, but the pace is softer, with wellness in mind. No ice-breaking here (she’s a PC6 class ship), but for those wanting a gentler gateway into expedition travel or a relaxing Great Lakes itinerary, she’s a great fit.

Consider this: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/travel/articles/what-its-like-aboard-the-iviking-octantis-i 

And maybe think of a Canada-Greenland sailing onboard the Viking Octantis - see https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/cruises/sailings/16622110/canada-and-greenland-explorer-15sep2025-29sep2025 

And this sailing👍

https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/cruises/sailings/16729717/great-lakes-collection-27jul2026-10aug2026

🌏 Looking Beyond the Lakes?
If this style speaks to you, you may also want to look at Viking’s Australia and New Zealand sailings—they’re thoughtfully curated and offer rich cultural immersion without sacrificing comfort.

Have a look : https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/cruises/255363/australia-and-new-zealand

If you’re dreaming of a Great Lakes voyage—or want to explore the Southern Hemisphere in Viking style—let’s connect. I’d love to match you with the right sailing for your travel style.

To calm waters and bold journeys,
Sheila
Founder, Lush Life Travel
Virtuoso Cruise Icon | Wellness & Expedition Specialist

www.lushlife.ca
✨ #AskSheila | sheila@lushlife.ca 

5. ✨ Why Testimonials Matter: A Client’s First Luxury Cruise Experience

Where will your Lush Life take you next?
✨ #AskSheila | sheila@lushlife.ca

If you're ready to experience stress-free, first-class travel, let's chat!

💬 Read more verified client reviews here.

6A. Travel with Sheila: Ready to Unlock the Secrets of Egypt? Travel With Sheila in 2026! 🏺🌍

Journey Back in Time Along the Nile with AmaWaterways

6B. Travel with Sheila: 🚨 Last Chance: Only 2 Cabins Left for Paris & Normandy River Cruise – Nov 2025!

This is your LAST CHANCE to join my hosted, women-focused river cruise along the Seine — from Paris to Normandy, November 2025. 

I’m holding just 2 Category A twin balcony cabins until Tuesday — after that, they’ll be released.

✅ Current Availability – Twin Balcony Staterooms:

Category A – $6,276 CAD per person (double occupancy)

Solo Rate – $8,574 CAD

These are exclusive private sale rates — roughly $1,500 per person lower than public market pricing. (Cruise booking and management fees are additional.)

💫 Why This Cruise?

✨ Paris – Timeless, magical, and endlessly inspiring
✨ Normandy – Monet’s Giverny, Honfleur’s harbour, Joan of Arc’s Rouen, and the moving D-Day beaches
✨ Remembrance Day Tribute – Thoughtful guided visits to Canadian or American sites on November 11
✨ Château de Bizy – Known as the “Versailles of Normandy”

🛳️ Cruise Snapshot:

Cruise Line: AMA Waterways – aboard the elegant AmaDante

Sailing Dates: November 8–15, 2025

Pre-Cruise Add-On: Optional 2 nights in Paris

Itinerary: Roundtrip from Paris, sailing the Seine 

Would love to welcome you aboard! 

See some additional detail on these preferred HOTEL PROGRAMS

• A&K 100 Club ;  Accor Step & Fairmont ,  Belmond Bellini Club Program ;  
• Couture by Langham;  Dorchester Diamond Club;  
• Four Seasons Preferred, Hilton Impresario;  Hyatt Privé Program; 
• IHG Hotel Program ; Jumeirah’s Passport to Luxury , 
• Kempinski Club 1897; Luminous Hotel Program ,
• Mandarin Oriental Fan Club; Marriott Stars & Luminous , 
• Pearl Partner Oetker;  Peninsula Fan Club , Preferred Hotel Program ; 
• Rocco Forte Knights Program ; Rosewood Elite ; Small Luxury Hotels 

9.  Special Offers from Lush Life Travel, a Direct Travel affiliate & top Virtuoso partner

As the owner of Lush Life Travel, a boutique travel agency affiliated with Direct Travel, I’m delighted to bring you access to exclusive offers through Direct Travel’s status as one of the largest Virtuoso luxury travel network partners.

Here are some fantastic opportunities from a few of our favorite travel supplier partners:  

DESTINATION of the week: 

Malta - https://youtu.be/jtpXWJ7vumQ?si=DSoiui43LtgOqUIl 

SMALL OCEAN CRUISE Partner of the week:

Azamara - Flash Sale - Ultimate Getaways with Azamara

https://my.dt.com/sheilagh/en/cruise/15349/Ultimate-Getaways-with-Azamara

RIVER CRUISE Partner of the week:

Lindblad Expeditions starts European River Cruising: https://www.expeditions.com/expedition-stories/stories/what-to-expect-europe-river-voyages 

EXPEDITION CRUISE Partner of the week:

Seabourn - Set sail for wild wonders https://e.virtuosoemail.com/set-sail-for-wild-wonders-2?ecid=ACsprvsGpjXbdt-vKeYQhfpSMkgk1YSFAasDfGG24eRCyv-mriU_2YF0SwTxUE26C8HhLZ-NKFvj   

TOUR PARTNER of the Week: 

Nomadic Expeditions - Gobi Desert

https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/tours/16172500/from-the-altai-mountains-to-the-gobi-desert-featuring-nadaam-festival

HOTEL of the week: 

Riviera Maya - Casa de lay Playa 

https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/packages/18069205/explore-la-casa-de-la-playa-with-id 

LUXURY experience of the week: 

TCS - 2026 Private Jet Itineraries

https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/travel/luxury-tours/tour-operators/16810276/tcs-world-travel 

Let me know if one of these trips catches your eye—I’d love to help you plan your next unforgettable journey!