When you "spring" for Tokyo, the metropolis is full of not only sakura (cherry blossoms) but hordes of people, millions of them. If you can stand the crowds, spring and autumn are the best times to visit.

I may have just missed the cherry blossoms, but by taking my trip to Tokyo from May 1 to May 9, 2018, I was assured a seat on United Airlines and a room at my hotel, as heavy tourist traffic had let up when the last petal fell. The azaleas were in full bloom, however.

There are two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, in the tiny ocean fleet of Crystal Cruises (Los Angeles, CA; 888/722-0021, www.crystalcruises.com). Pretty much a matched set, with rotating crew, routes and entertainment, they carry roughly 900 passengers each.

My wife and I have taken about three cruises a year with Crystal since 2011. Our most recent cruise on the Serenity was from Lisbon to Florida in November 2018. Our most recent on the Symphony was from Los Angeles to...

Samoa is an authentic tropical South Pacific paradise. My friend John Harmon and I wanted to find the right base of operation that would allow us to truly explore the country and its culture. We ended up experiencing it all in a week at an unbelievably low cost of about $80 per person per day.

On Aug. 31, 2018, we arrived at Lynn's Getaway Hotel (Salanesa Rd., Motootua, Apia, Upolu 1561, Samoa; phone +685 20272, www.lynnsgetaway.com) without any plans or particular expectations,...