Q&A with Kimberly Krol Inlander, Editor-in-Chief
With the holiday season approaching, are you planning to travel? A few years ago my now-husband and I left for a European river cruise the day after Christmas, rang in the New Year in Vienna and returned with memories that have lasted a lifetime. Do you prefer staying close to home for the holidays, or do you use the break to visit a new destination?
Tell us. Email [email protected]
Q&A Time
In our September 2022 issue we asked: Is a cruise in your future travel plans? Which destinations would you recommend, and what regions would you like to sail to that you haven’t explored yet? A few readers responded:
My husband and I are considering domestic cruises that travel along some of the country’s most scenic rivers. While we love international travel and discovering new countries, there’s still so much of the United States we haven’t experienced.
Friends who sailed with American Queen Voyages up the Mississippi came back raving about how different and beautiful the landscape appears from the water.
I would love to take an American Queen Voyages cruise on the Mississippi, Illinois or Ohio rivers, or to try the line’s Great Lakes itineraries. I’ve always wanted to spend time on Lake Michigan. I visited the Great Lakes as a child but never traveled on the water itself; cruising those vast lakes would fulfill a long-held dream.
FATIMA HOOK, VIA EMAIL
© Chattanooga Tourism Co.
Chattanooga’s Record-Breaking Hospitality Jobs
In the Aug. 30 issue of eFlyer, we reported on Chattanooga, Tennessee, reaching a milestone with record-breaking hospitality employment. We asked readers what they like most about Chattanooga. One reader wrote:
As an outdoors-oriented traveler, I enjoyed Chattanooga’s natural attractions—from hiking trails and lakes to scenic overlooks. Highlights for me included Rock City Gardens, Ruby Falls and white-water rafting on the Ocoee River. I’m delighted to hear the city is rebounding after the pandemic and I hope to return soon.
CONNER KRUEGER, VIA EMAIL
Recent Cruises, Future Travel
We spent two wonderful weeks aboard the Queen Mary 2 in May and June—crossing the Atlantic and exploring the Norwegian fjords—followed by a week in Helsinki and Germany. I called it our tour of remarkable symphony halls in Helsinki, Berlin and Hamburg. The new Elbe Philharmonic in Hamburg is especially impressive and has become a cultural catalyst for the city.
Our first experience on a large ship exceeded expectations, and we’re now booked on the new Queen Anne for a Caribbean itinerary in February 2024.
After the cruise we spent a week in Singapore in September, then traveled to Spain and Morocco in late October and early November. We’ll close out 2022 with a week in New York City in mid-December.
We encountered no major problems during our travels, though we were wary about London Heathrow amid British Airways cancellations. I had a backup plan with KLM through Amsterdam, but labor issues there made it uncertain as well, so we kept our original BA flight, which fortunately was not canceled. These days I always find it wise to have a contingency plan when flying.
JONATHAN FUCHS, VIA EMAIL
© Etihad Airways
U.A.E.’s First Female Emirati Captain in Commercial Aviation
In the Sept. 7 issue of eFlyer, we covered Etihad Airways making history with the U.A.E.’s first female Emirati captain in commercial aviation. We asked readers whether an airline’s commitment to gender diversity influences their choice of carrier. One reader shared:
Learning about Capt. Aisha Al Mansoori and seeing her in uniform felt empowering. It’s encouraging to see progress, but it’s also sobering that this milestone is happening only now. I hope her achievement inspires more women to pursue aviation and to feel confident that they can succeed alongside their male peers.
Congratulations to Capt. Al Mansoori; I look forward to following her career.
KHADIJAH MORA, VIA EMAIL