What a fun ship the Norwegian Epic is! And beautiful too. Check out the video to catch a glimpse of our trip onboard the Norwegian Epic in October 2010 with stops in Costa Maya, Cozumel, and the beautiful Roatan, Honduras.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Staying Safe While Traveling Abroad
Leisure travel is a welcome escape from life's day to day routine. Planning that escape has the power to fill you with energy and the trip itself will often leave you feeling restored. Be sure to follow a few easy tips to keep your trips hassle-free.
*Always travel with a passport when visiting foreign ports by cruise ship. Even though many cruise lines will allow you to board with just a birth certificate and picture ID, you are leaving yourself open to difficulties if something goes wrong in your plans. If someone in your party gets sick, has an accident, or heaven-forbid misses the ship, that person will not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. by flight without a passport.
*Check your destinations for any inoculations that may be suggested, and it never hurts to be up to date on your tetanus shot when traveling.
*When traveling abroad, take advantage of the "STEP" or Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This is a free service that the U.S. Government provides to U.S. citizens who live abroad or travel to a foreign country. You simply register your information about your upcoming trip with the State Department so they can assist you in the unlikely event of an emergency.
*Don't wear your expensive jewelry in destinations that are unknown to you. You don't want to make yourself a target for a robbery. And as you have heard so many times before, stay with the crowd. One block does make a difference when visiting foreign cities. If you take the wrong turn and find yourself in an alley without much foot traffic, turn around and go back. Always be aware of your surrounding. A vacation is no time for your common sense to take time off.
For the most part, you will find people in foreign destinations to be friendly and helpful when you are friendly to them. Travel smart and come home refreshed!
*Always travel with a passport when visiting foreign ports by cruise ship. Even though many cruise lines will allow you to board with just a birth certificate and picture ID, you are leaving yourself open to difficulties if something goes wrong in your plans. If someone in your party gets sick, has an accident, or heaven-forbid misses the ship, that person will not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. by flight without a passport.
*Check your destinations for any inoculations that may be suggested, and it never hurts to be up to date on your tetanus shot when traveling.
*When traveling abroad, take advantage of the "STEP" or Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This is a free service that the U.S. Government provides to U.S. citizens who live abroad or travel to a foreign country. You simply register your information about your upcoming trip with the State Department so they can assist you in the unlikely event of an emergency.
*Don't wear your expensive jewelry in destinations that are unknown to you. You don't want to make yourself a target for a robbery. And as you have heard so many times before, stay with the crowd. One block does make a difference when visiting foreign cities. If you take the wrong turn and find yourself in an alley without much foot traffic, turn around and go back. Always be aware of your surrounding. A vacation is no time for your common sense to take time off.
For the most part, you will find people in foreign destinations to be friendly and helpful when you are friendly to them. Travel smart and come home refreshed!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Deals to Be Found During Wave Season!
Wave Season! Travel agents are familiar with this term, but how many cruise consumers know its meaning? Wave season, is the travel agent's favorite time of year. Historically, most would not relate the winter months to waves and beaches and good times. But to the sellers of cruise travel, the winter season is the time when business picks up and people are planning their summer and fall vacations. "Wave" season is January through March. It propels vacationers toward packed ships in the summer months they can only dream about now. It's a great time to plan ahead and purchase their cruise vacation, because the cruise lines like to take full advantage of the peak buying time. Eager to encourage those on the fence, promotions often abound during this time of year. Early February is an especially nice time to check in with your cruise agent, as many cruise lines will offer a Valentine's special that may not have to be redeemed until later in the year. However, a word of warning in my observations of the travel industry of late. If you are looking for specific accommodations, ships, and pricing, things are "achanging". Planning ahead is key. The recession allowed people to find last minute deals. It changed their mind set to wait for the price to drop lower instead of planning ahead. The analysts are predicting the travel industry to pick up in 2011. When I check pricing for my clients, I usually find the further out they plan, the better price they get. The pendulum is swinging back toward getting better deals by planning in advance. Make sure you don't miss the wave!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Why Use a Travel Agent Instead of Booking Direct?
In 2011, the travel industry is predicting an uptick in cruising and travel. There also seems to be a return to the use of travel agents. "Travel Pulse" recently reported that people are seeking experienced agents who have experienced destinations themselves so they can give firsthand advice. Yet, in this modern age of technology many people feel comfortable searching and booking their travel online. So why use a travel agent? Though the reputation for online deals is far reaching, it may be far exaggerated. If the travel agent one works with is connected to a large agency with "buying power", often the deals that agent can find for their clients are superior to what the client can find for themselves online. At minimum, the agent can almost always match those online deals and provide the personal customer service and advice lacking from the online agencies. But what of the hidden perks and discounts that may be found on occasion by a knowledgeable agent? I'm not saying this will occur with every client and every trip, but as agents get to know their cients they may be able to find those hidden gems that the clients didn't know existed for them. For example, I recently uncovered a little known onboard credit program for honorably discharged military for one of my clients. The cruise line doesn't advertise the program and his previous online agency had never found the program for him. The credit is combinable with all other offers. For his 29 day cruise, this is going to mean an additional $250.00 in his pocket. And what about after the start of your vacation...I, myself, have never had anything gone wrong during a vacation. But just watch the news and you see how frequently the weather or other circumstances can throw a kink into your travel plans. When you're stuck on the road, your travel agent will answer the phone and help you through the trying times, whereas, it will be most difficult to reach that online agency. The best case scenario is for you to find a travel agent you trust - one you can build a long-term relationship with. They should be there as deal hunter, advisor, planner, and friend.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Virgin Gorda: Trekking through The Baths in the British Virgin Isles
What is it about extreme contrasts that are so appealing? That old saying, "Opposites attract" seems to hold true in nature as well as in relationships. As I gaze across the landscape of The Baths in Virgin Gorda, my eyes hasten to take it all in - the cold, smooth surface of the boulders; the hot, grainy surface of the sand; the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea. Steel cold grey set against the blue topaz swimming beneath swirls of white wispy clouds. Here and there a palm tree juts out to make a stark statement. Created by the violence of mother nature, this testament to her power calms my nature and restores me.
Trekking through the crevices, wading through the shimmering pools, and climbing the ladders and boulders of The Baths is a challenge you should not deny when visiting Virgin Gorda. This British Virgin Isle, known as a diver's paradise, is largely unspoiled. So unlike many of the commercialized Caribbean islands. On my recent visit, "Devil's Bay Trail", the path through the Baths was being conquered by young and old alike. The magnificence of the environment brought out a desire in everyone to attempt the challenging trail. This is not a place where you want to be caught in the dark or at high tide, but what a treat when you make it to the end of the path. A large boulder awaits you screaming, "Climb to the top and announce to the world that you have made it through!" Then it's on to the beach for a swim in the rolling surf.
Virgin Gorda: home to coral reefs, the beautiful Baths, and friendly people.
Azamara Journey Ship Review 11/29/10 - 12/11/10
Having just returned from my "azamazing" adventure onboard the Journey for 12 sun-kissed days, I must say I'm having a bit of trouble adjusting to real life. The service onboard this ship was absolutely indulgent. They boast the friendliest crew I've yet to meet. All guests were made to feel as if the crew actually enjoyed making our every wish come true. So impressed with the genuine happiness of the workers onboard, finally, my curiosity got the better of me. "Why do you all seem so much happier than the crew on other ships?", I asked a charming young man making small talk with me while serving my special coffee in the cafe. He explained that they don't work longer than 6 hours at a time. They are also allowed to go onshore much more often than their counterparts on other cruise lines. Aaawww. The secret ingredient. Make your crew happy, and they make your guests happy!
If you are looking for a more intimate experience, look no further. Azamara Club Cruises delivers a small ship experience with extra touches hard to find on other ships. Your special treatment begins on the day of embarkation. Greeted with a glass of champagne as soon as you cross the threshold, feel free to say a toast to yourself for making a great vacation choice. If you've been cruising mega ships in the past, you might be a bit confused as you wonder where the crowds are hiding. Keep looking. You won't find any during the course of your trip. When speaking to fellow cruisers about what they liked best onboard this ship, they often responded: "I love not being nickeled and dimed to death." This exact phrase was repeated by a variety of people from all backgrounds. Not having to sign a slip of paper every time you asked for a glass of wine was a real relief to many. And the wine flowed freely at lunch and dinners as it was included in the cost of the cruise. One of my favorite perks was so simple. As we left the ship each day to go to port, we were offered iced bottles of water to take out with us for the day. Upon our return to the tender, a server with lemonade, water and cool towels awaited us with the greeting, "Welcome Home!"
Let's not forget the importance of the destinations offered by these floating boutique hotels. "Longer Stays and More Overnights". The slow pace allowed for a truly relaxing experience. How many times have you rushed back to your ship in the early afternoon? Azamara wants their guests to experience the ports to the fullest, so they stay later. Want to take advantage of the local cuisine for dinner? On our sailing, we were in Marigot, St. Martin until 11:00 p.m. allowing many aboard to sample authentic French restaurants. Our itinerary also called for an overnight in St. Barths - shopping capitol of the Caribbean. What a great place to spruce up that French wardrobe! Expensive when making the conversion from U.S. dollars to Euros - yes. Fun - definitely!
Entertainment included a guest lecturer, dance classes, a talented cruise director with a voice that should be on Broadway and all your usual cruise fun.
I would recommend this line to anyone looking for a truly relaxing experience who appreciates great food and great service!
If you are looking for a more intimate experience, look no further. Azamara Club Cruises delivers a small ship experience with extra touches hard to find on other ships. Your special treatment begins on the day of embarkation. Greeted with a glass of champagne as soon as you cross the threshold, feel free to say a toast to yourself for making a great vacation choice. If you've been cruising mega ships in the past, you might be a bit confused as you wonder where the crowds are hiding. Keep looking. You won't find any during the course of your trip. When speaking to fellow cruisers about what they liked best onboard this ship, they often responded: "I love not being nickeled and dimed to death." This exact phrase was repeated by a variety of people from all backgrounds. Not having to sign a slip of paper every time you asked for a glass of wine was a real relief to many. And the wine flowed freely at lunch and dinners as it was included in the cost of the cruise. One of my favorite perks was so simple. As we left the ship each day to go to port, we were offered iced bottles of water to take out with us for the day. Upon our return to the tender, a server with lemonade, water and cool towels awaited us with the greeting, "Welcome Home!"
Let's not forget the importance of the destinations offered by these floating boutique hotels. "Longer Stays and More Overnights". The slow pace allowed for a truly relaxing experience. How many times have you rushed back to your ship in the early afternoon? Azamara wants their guests to experience the ports to the fullest, so they stay later. Want to take advantage of the local cuisine for dinner? On our sailing, we were in Marigot, St. Martin until 11:00 p.m. allowing many aboard to sample authentic French restaurants. Our itinerary also called for an overnight in St. Barths - shopping capitol of the Caribbean. What a great place to spruce up that French wardrobe! Expensive when making the conversion from U.S. dollars to Euros - yes. Fun - definitely!
Entertainment included a guest lecturer, dance classes, a talented cruise director with a voice that should be on Broadway and all your usual cruise fun.
I would recommend this line to anyone looking for a truly relaxing experience who appreciates great food and great service!
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