I wish I could tell you how many times I have to give a client news like- the ship is sold out, the property is sold out, the airfare is over $1000 per person.
I hate to have to disappoint clients but when they are looking to book a vacation very close to the departure date, it is happening more and more. People are traveling again. For 2007 summer vacations, Europe and Alaska are more popular than ever. Prices during peak summer months are pretty high and the availablity is getting lower.
I just got 3 calls this week for clients who want to travel in the next 2 1/2 months. Sometimes we can luck out and I can get them what they want for the prices that they want and sometimes I can't.
LB wanted a trans-Atlantic cruise on April 1 and was upset that all of the oceanview cabins were sold out. He had to switch to plan B which was a 10 nite Caribbean cruise. He is looking at a South Pacific cruise in September and I suggested that we book that cruise now as well.
DM wanted to get away for Easter week and go to an adults only all inclusive. The properties have availability but the air is outrageously expensive. She hasn't booked yet and I'm not sure that I'll be able to get her non-stop air to Jamaica at this point.
LS is a new client and she wanted to book the Riviera Maya at the end of February. Normally that is a bit quieter (in between President's week and Spring Break) but the airfare was high and a lot of the hotels that I would have recommended, like the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo and the Maya were already sold out. They were able to get the Aventura Spa Palace and I think they'll be happy there.
I know there will always be clients who can't plan very far ahead. I just wish that I didn't have to disappoint them when I can't get excactly what that want, when they want it.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
Bringing bottles of liquor back from the Caribbean
Until relatively recently, you could go to St Thomas or Nassau on a cruise or vacation package and bring back a few bottles of liquor duty free with no problem.
Well, that was before the airlines imposed a "no liquids in your carry on bags" rule. Our very close friends just got off a cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale this weekend and were heading back to JFK with 6 bottles of a rum that they can't find domestically. When they were in St Thomas, they were told that the store would package it up in heavy duty cardboard boxes so that it could be checked as luggage. That was not what Delta had in mind. So, my friends asked, how could they take this liquor on the flight with them if they couldn't check it as is- in the cardboard box and they couldn't bring it on the plane with them. Delta's answer----- pack it in your luggage.
That's fine- except that Delta charges $50 for each suitcase that is over 50 lbs. They weighed each suitcase individually and if one suitcase was over 50 lbs, you needed to take some clothes out of 1 and put in in the other. Ok, now how do you manage to add 6 heavy bottles of liquor.
A couple of suggestions
1. As ridiculous as this sounds, take 2 pieces of luggage each, instead of 1. Make sure they are packed very loosely so there will be room for your purchases.
2. Pack the liquor bottles in one of these suitcases, mixed with clothes that you don't care much about if one of the bottles breaks and spills.
3. Take an extra carry on with you to put clothes, shoes, etc to then make room for your liquor.
4. If there is ever a good reason to bring towels from home or to "borrow" towels from the hotel or cruise ship, this is it. Wrap the bottles in towels before packing them in your suitcase.
5. If you are only packing a couple of bottles in your luggage, wrap them very well in clothes or towels and put shoes all around them as a hard base.
The only options you have is not to buy the liquor or ask to have it shipped home. That probably will defeat the purposes of buying it in the islands.
What do you think the airline personnel does with all of the liquor that passengers decide not to try to pack????? I would never imply that the airline personnel would do this simply to get the free liquor that passengers leave behind but it does lead to some interesting question.
Well, that was before the airlines imposed a "no liquids in your carry on bags" rule. Our very close friends just got off a cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale this weekend and were heading back to JFK with 6 bottles of a rum that they can't find domestically. When they were in St Thomas, they were told that the store would package it up in heavy duty cardboard boxes so that it could be checked as luggage. That was not what Delta had in mind. So, my friends asked, how could they take this liquor on the flight with them if they couldn't check it as is- in the cardboard box and they couldn't bring it on the plane with them. Delta's answer----- pack it in your luggage.
That's fine- except that Delta charges $50 for each suitcase that is over 50 lbs. They weighed each suitcase individually and if one suitcase was over 50 lbs, you needed to take some clothes out of 1 and put in in the other. Ok, now how do you manage to add 6 heavy bottles of liquor.
A couple of suggestions
1. As ridiculous as this sounds, take 2 pieces of luggage each, instead of 1. Make sure they are packed very loosely so there will be room for your purchases.
2. Pack the liquor bottles in one of these suitcases, mixed with clothes that you don't care much about if one of the bottles breaks and spills.
3. Take an extra carry on with you to put clothes, shoes, etc to then make room for your liquor.
4. If there is ever a good reason to bring towels from home or to "borrow" towels from the hotel or cruise ship, this is it. Wrap the bottles in towels before packing them in your suitcase.
5. If you are only packing a couple of bottles in your luggage, wrap them very well in clothes or towels and put shoes all around them as a hard base.
The only options you have is not to buy the liquor or ask to have it shipped home. That probably will defeat the purposes of buying it in the islands.
What do you think the airline personnel does with all of the liquor that passengers decide not to try to pack????? I would never imply that the airline personnel would do this simply to get the free liquor that passengers leave behind but it does lead to some interesting question.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Some thoughts on passports
One of my clients mentioned this to me yesterday and I thought it was worth passing on.
She is cruising on the Celebrity Century later this month and her 4 year old grandson doesn't have a passport. Right now, he doesn't need one, since the cruise is leaving and returning to a US port. Cruisers are getting a bit of a reprieve. If you are arriving back to the US by plane, you need a passport, but if you are cruising back to a US port, you don't need a passport until sometime in 2008.
Let's use a scenario that happened to my family in 1999. We were cruising from Miami to the Western Caribbean. We were docked in Cozumel when my husband got sick and was taken to a hospital, where he stayed for 4 days while Carnival found a hotel for myself and my kids. Luckily our trip insurance (more on why trip insurance is so highly recommended another time) covered the cost of the hotel and arranged air back to Newark for us. Back then, we didn't need passports to fly back to the US. Fast forward to 2007, my kids might not have been able to get back into the US. They, at that time, didn't have passports.
Remember, we left on a cruise where passports weren't needed but we flew back home where passports are required for proof of citizenship.
My recommendation, get a passport now. Don't wait. Don't worry. A passport is the best known form of ID.
You can get passport applications on my website. www.myvacationlady.com
Click on LINKS and scroll down to passport info.
Print out the form. Get some pretty pictures taken and apply for your passport at most post offices.
Looking to send you away very soon!
She is cruising on the Celebrity Century later this month and her 4 year old grandson doesn't have a passport. Right now, he doesn't need one, since the cruise is leaving and returning to a US port. Cruisers are getting a bit of a reprieve. If you are arriving back to the US by plane, you need a passport, but if you are cruising back to a US port, you don't need a passport until sometime in 2008.
Let's use a scenario that happened to my family in 1999. We were cruising from Miami to the Western Caribbean. We were docked in Cozumel when my husband got sick and was taken to a hospital, where he stayed for 4 days while Carnival found a hotel for myself and my kids. Luckily our trip insurance (more on why trip insurance is so highly recommended another time) covered the cost of the hotel and arranged air back to Newark for us. Back then, we didn't need passports to fly back to the US. Fast forward to 2007, my kids might not have been able to get back into the US. They, at that time, didn't have passports.
Remember, we left on a cruise where passports weren't needed but we flew back home where passports are required for proof of citizenship.
My recommendation, get a passport now. Don't wait. Don't worry. A passport is the best known form of ID.
You can get passport applications on my website. www.myvacationlady.com
Click on LINKS and scroll down to passport info.
Print out the form. Get some pretty pictures taken and apply for your passport at most post offices.
Looking to send you away very soon!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Celebrity Cruises announces the Celebrity Quest
Celebrity has just announced that it has acquired another ship for its Expeditions fleet, bringing the total to three small deluxe cruise ships. Originally sailing as the Renaissance Cruises' R7, and currently sailing for Pullmantur, the Spanish cruise and land tour operator that Royal Caribbean recently aquired, the ship is scheduled to join Celebrity's fleet in October 2007 sailing as the Celebrity Quest.
This 710-passenger ship will undergo a one month-long drydock to add 32 new suites to the ship, including their new category of suite- the Sunset Suites in the aft of the ship. In addition, Celebrity will add two specialty restaurants, new bedding and soft goods, and upgrade the ship to Celebity status by adding public areas that are popular on other Celebrity ships, including AquaSpa by Elemis, Cova Cafe, Michael's Club and Online@Celebrity.
The Celebrity Quest will offer unique 12- and 14-night Caribbean sailings from Miami to St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Turks & Caicos in October and November 2007. In December 2007, the Celebrity Quest will reposition to Acapulco to operate 14-night sailings through the Panama Canal, alternating with embarkation in Acapulco and Miami.
This new addition to Celebrity will offer the cruise line an opportunity to compete with some of the premium cruise lines, such as Oceania, Regent and Crystal by offering some unique itineraries with butler service in every stateroom, expanded spa service and more concierge amenities. This ship will provide its guests with a premium product with a decidely adult atmosphere.
Let me help you plan your new Celebrity Quest cruise. As always, I can help you plan a cruise vacation on any cruise line.
Looking forward to sending you away very soon!
This 710-passenger ship will undergo a one month-long drydock to add 32 new suites to the ship, including their new category of suite- the Sunset Suites in the aft of the ship. In addition, Celebrity will add two specialty restaurants, new bedding and soft goods, and upgrade the ship to Celebity status by adding public areas that are popular on other Celebrity ships, including AquaSpa by Elemis, Cova Cafe, Michael's Club and Online@Celebrity.
The Celebrity Quest will offer unique 12- and 14-night Caribbean sailings from Miami to St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Turks & Caicos in October and November 2007. In December 2007, the Celebrity Quest will reposition to Acapulco to operate 14-night sailings through the Panama Canal, alternating with embarkation in Acapulco and Miami.
This new addition to Celebrity will offer the cruise line an opportunity to compete with some of the premium cruise lines, such as Oceania, Regent and Crystal by offering some unique itineraries with butler service in every stateroom, expanded spa service and more concierge amenities. This ship will provide its guests with a premium product with a decidely adult atmosphere.
Let me help you plan your new Celebrity Quest cruise. As always, I can help you plan a cruise vacation on any cruise line.
Looking forward to sending you away very soon!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Packing for your vacation
There are 2 tips that I stress to my clients all the time about packing for their vacations. I don't tell them what to take with them but I do advise them on what to put in which suitcase.
Now that the airlines are allowing full sized carry on suitcases to be brought on board flights, I always advise my clients to take a complete change of clothes with them. If they are traveling to a warm weather destination, put a bathing suit in the carry on, as well. Why do I suggest taking a complete change of clothes in a carry on? The airlines are notorious for misplacing luggage. We went to Greece and 1 suitcase went to Belgium. Hope it enjoyed the waffles! We went to Hawaii but 1 suitcase stayed in San Francisco. Just recently, my sister in law and her family were going to Maui. Due to delays in NYC, they missed their connection in Atlanta and had to overnite it in Atlanta. Guess what, although she told her family to all pack a change of clothes in their carry on's, my sister in law didn't. Do you want to stay in the same clothes for 48 hours???
Next tip, if you are traveling with family members or someone in your household, share the suitcases you are using. Split the clothes that you are packing in half and put each half in a different suitcase. By putting 1/2 of my clothes in the suitcase with 1/2 of my husband's clothes in one suitcase and the rest in another, we have a better chance of having some clothes for our trip if the airline misplaces 1 of the suitcases. Guess we're still out of luck if they loose all of our luggage, but we still have our complete change of clothes in our carry on.
Check my website for more info on vacations and vacation planning.
The website address is www.myvacationlady.com
Looking forward to sending you away very soon!
Now that the airlines are allowing full sized carry on suitcases to be brought on board flights, I always advise my clients to take a complete change of clothes with them. If they are traveling to a warm weather destination, put a bathing suit in the carry on, as well. Why do I suggest taking a complete change of clothes in a carry on? The airlines are notorious for misplacing luggage. We went to Greece and 1 suitcase went to Belgium. Hope it enjoyed the waffles! We went to Hawaii but 1 suitcase stayed in San Francisco. Just recently, my sister in law and her family were going to Maui. Due to delays in NYC, they missed their connection in Atlanta and had to overnite it in Atlanta. Guess what, although she told her family to all pack a change of clothes in their carry on's, my sister in law didn't. Do you want to stay in the same clothes for 48 hours???
Next tip, if you are traveling with family members or someone in your household, share the suitcases you are using. Split the clothes that you are packing in half and put each half in a different suitcase. By putting 1/2 of my clothes in the suitcase with 1/2 of my husband's clothes in one suitcase and the rest in another, we have a better chance of having some clothes for our trip if the airline misplaces 1 of the suitcases. Guess we're still out of luck if they loose all of our luggage, but we still have our complete change of clothes in our carry on.
Check my website for more info on vacations and vacation planning.
The website address is www.myvacationlady.com
Looking forward to sending you away very soon!
Monday, January 8, 2007
Why I wish Hawaii was closer to the East Coast
I truly think that Hawaii is the perfect vacation destination. Where else in the world can you get sun and surf, great restaurants, world class hotels, gorgeous scenery, great water sports, great soft adventure and a a diversity of activities in each island? In addition, everyone speaks English, they drive on the correct side of the road (at least the Americans think so), and they accept the US dollar? I just wish Hawaii wasn't a 10- 15 hour flight from the East Coast of the US.
It would make the Hawaiian islands so much easier to get to if we could just move it closer to California. Well, enough for dreaming about moving Hawaii closer---- we on the East Coast have to realize that Hawaii is worth the long flight.
It is the perfect honeymoon or romantic destination, soft adventure destination, family destination and, in general, the destination everyone should visit at least once. With the 4 main islands, there is something for everyone to do. Even if you don't want to visit all 4 during one vacation, there are so many things to do in each of the islands, you can stay for multiple days in one or more of the islands and still have plenty more to do.
In general, where you have a week or 3 weeks to spend on vacation, I think Hawaii will fit the bill.
I was just in Ohau and Maui a couple of months ago and we visited over a dozen hotels while we were there. It makes it so much easier for me to recommend a hotel or resort to clients after seeing them.
Email me if you are interested in booking a Hawaii vacation. As a Hawaii Destination Specialist who has just been there, I have the inside scoop on the properties and have met the sales managers who might be able to help with special requests and upgrades.
It would make the Hawaiian islands so much easier to get to if we could just move it closer to California. Well, enough for dreaming about moving Hawaii closer---- we on the East Coast have to realize that Hawaii is worth the long flight.
It is the perfect honeymoon or romantic destination, soft adventure destination, family destination and, in general, the destination everyone should visit at least once. With the 4 main islands, there is something for everyone to do. Even if you don't want to visit all 4 during one vacation, there are so many things to do in each of the islands, you can stay for multiple days in one or more of the islands and still have plenty more to do.
In general, where you have a week or 3 weeks to spend on vacation, I think Hawaii will fit the bill.
I was just in Ohau and Maui a couple of months ago and we visited over a dozen hotels while we were there. It makes it so much easier for me to recommend a hotel or resort to clients after seeing them.
Email me if you are interested in booking a Hawaii vacation. As a Hawaii Destination Specialist who has just been there, I have the inside scoop on the properties and have met the sales managers who might be able to help with special requests and upgrades.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Why I created this Blog
I created this blog as a place to add my thoughts and comments, as well as my clients' feedback, on vacation destinations and cruises. Although I would love to visit every vacation destination and sail on every cruise ship, I can't so I rely on my client's feedback when I make recommendations. This will be an area that my future clients can come to see what others might have thought about certain destinations, resorts and cruise ships. Although I would love to update this blog daily or very regularly, I spend a lot of time helping my clients plan their vacations so check back every so often and see what has been posted. You can always check out my website for more info as well at www.myvacationlady.com. I've been in the travel business since 1994. I started after planning a family vacation to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon way back. I sent my husband into a travel agency to see if they could make any better recommendations in hotels or itinerary. The only thing they did was to take over all of the reservations that I had already made so that they could get a commission. I realized that I could get into this business and really help my friends and family plan their vacations. Guess what?? It blossomed into much more than helping just friends and family. My friends and family recommended me to their friends and family and so on and so on. Right now, 85% of my clients are either repeat, satisfied clients or those who have been recommended to me. I don't advertise. I don't need to. I take time with each client to see what they want out of a vacation. I don't try to push my interests on them. I try to match each one with a destination, resort or cruise line that they will like and that fits their requirements and needs. I spend lots of time talking to my clients - lots of emails and phone calls, some in person- because I want these clients to recommend others to me. So far, it's been working. Email me if you would like my help in planning your vacation, honeymoon, destination wedding, family reunion or group. I'll get back to you quickly. I don't deal with thousands of clients daily. I deal with a couple and I'll make sure that you get the vacation that you want. My motto is: Don't leave your vacation to chance............Book with a Vacation and Cruise Specialist. I look forward to sending you away very soon!
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