Editor and Publisher, January 2012
From the Editor
“Groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon.” The lyrics to that old song keep running through my mind, but I substitute “cruisin’” for “groovin;’” and it’s Monday, not Sunday.
As I write, I’m aboard Crystal Symphony. We just weighed anchor after a gorgeous day off the coast of Santa Barbara. While many of our shipmates opted for land tours, my husband, Kevin, and I decided to settle into a make-believe world where the cruise ship is our private yacht and we don’t share Teo, our attentive butler, with guests in another half-dozen cabins — an easy jump because he effortlessly makes us feel like we’re his top priority.
Truth be told, this is my first-ever cruise, and I was a bit apprehensive. I’m used to setting my own schedule, so I worried about a regimented itinerary, assigned dinner seatings and people everywhere. Experience shows there is no mandatory itinerary; we can dine whenever and wherever we want; and even though the ship is at 80-plus percent occupancy, we enjoyed a gorgeous sunset from an aft deck with no one else around.
Travel, whether business or pleasure, is about embracing new experiences. I always thought that meant stretching the boundaries when it comes to exploring more exotic locations or eagerly anticipating challenges. Aboard Crystal Symphony, I realize it’s also about setting aside expectations and living in the moment.
There ain’t a place I’d like to be instead of cruisin’ on a Monday afternoon.
Lisa Matte
Editor in Chief
From the Publisher
Can you believe we entered 2012 and have firmly placed some distance between the beginning of the economic downturn in 2008 and today?
Here at Global Traveler, we have seen the traditional bell curve in revenue and are nearly back to pre-crash levels. At the same time, virtually all of our competitors have seen significant problems, some closing and others resorting to practices that your friends at GT would never consider.
We owe all of our success to you, our loyal readers. You continued to travel and, in fact, increased your number of trips and upgraded the style in which you traveled during this period. More of you booked first class and business class year over year and diversified your hotel stays.
This year will mark another milestone for GT, with a much-anticipated design change in the spring. We feel it is important to deliver what you want and at the same time perhaps motivate you to see the world as we do. Simply reacting to customers’ demands does not make a great publication; we want to anticipate your wishes — and maybe push you in a direction you were not planning.
Enjoy our first issue of 2012 — and combine it with our app version, website, e-newsletter and blog. I hope you have a joyous new year full of exciting destinations!
Fran Gallagher
Publisher
