Monday, August 31, 2009

Celebrity offers Flexible Dining

Celebrity Cruises has been one of the last cruise lines to offer a flexible dining option. Many passengers are more comfortable eating at times other than your standard early and late dining and now Celebrity is offering that option.

"Celebrity Select Dining is our new flexible dining option that allows you to choose when you dine on a day by day basis. You’ll still be seated in the ship’s main dining room, order from the same dinner menu, and enjoy the same amazing service that you’re accustomed to onboard Celebrity Cruises, but with more flexibility.

Once you’ve chosen Celebrity Select Dining in your reservation, you can make your day by day reservations pre-cruise, reserve once onboard or simply come to
the dining room whenever you’d like to have dinner.* Guests onboard Celebrity Equinox, beginning with the September 26,2009 sailing, will be the first to experience Celebrity Select Dining onboard, with all other ships rolling out during the first quarter of 2010.

Celebrity Select Dining allows you to plan your dinner around your daily activities. You’ll no longer have to rush to dinner after your relaxing spa treatment. If you want to spend some extra time sightseeing in one of our many ports of call,
you’ll have the option to dine a little later that evening. Celebrity Select Dining is all about flexibility. You can choose to dine in our Main Dining room at any time between 6:00 and 9:30pm each evening, and better yet, you can dine at a different time every evening if that’s what you choose. In order to ensure the best possible dining experience, we strongly recommend that you make your day by day dining reservations online before your cruise. For your convenience, however, we will also
accept reservations once onboard the ship.

Key Highlights of Celebrity Select Dining:
• Same amazing service as traditional seating
• Same menu as traditional seating
• Still seated in the Main Dining Room
• Pre-paid gratuities are required to participate — this includes tips for your waiter, assistant waiter, dining room management, and all stateroom service.
• You have the choice to either dine with other guests or just with your own party
• Once Celebrity Select Dining is selected in the cruise booking, day by day reservations can be made pre-cruise online on celebritycruises.com
• Reservations are strongly encouraged in order to avoid a delay in seating, and can be made online pre-cruise up to 4 days prior to sailing, or onboard with the Maitre ‘d
• Only groups of 20 or less can be seated at one time
• Celebrity Select Dining is subject to availability"

Friday, August 28, 2009

Iberostar temporarily closes 2 resorts

During low season many properties take advantage of low occupancy to do the upgrades and maintenance that they can't do when guests are present.

This was just announced in one of my travel trade magazines
" Iberostar to Temporarily Close Properties in Mexico, Jamaica
Published on: August 28, 2009

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts has voluntarily chosen to temporarily close two of its Rivera Maya Resorts beginning Aug. 27, 2009, as well as Rose Hall Beach Hotel, part of their Rose Hall Beach & Spa Resort Complex in Jamaica, effective Sept. 1, 2009. “This brief closure will give us the opportunity to perform scheduled upgrades and preventative maintenance,” said John Long, vice president, sales and marketing for Iberostar. Long added that sales are already strong for the reopening of Mexico’s Iberostar Paraiso del Mar and Iberostar Paraiso Beach Resorts. Iberostar’s other five Mexico resorts, including Iberostar Paraiso Lindo, Iberostar Paraiso Maya, Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso, Iberostar Tucan & Quetzal and Iberostar Cozumel, will remain open.


Guests who have booked upcoming stays at Mexico’s Iberostar Paraiso del Mar or Iberostar Paraiso Beach, or are currently staying at the hotels that will be closed, are being informed and upgraded to other nearby Iberostar properties. The following options are available for guests booked for travel Aug. 27 through Sept. 29, 2009: Guests of the Iberostar Paraiso Beach or Del Mar will be upgraded to the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo; guests of the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo will be upgraded to the Iberostar Paraiso Maya; and guests of the Iberostar Paraiso Maya have the option of being upgraded to a Superior Junior Suite or paying a rate of $50 per person per night to be upgraded to the Iberostar Grand Paraiso. These two Mexico properties will reopen on Sept. 30, 2009.


Guests who have booked their vacations at the Rose Hall Beach Hotel will be upgraded to the Rose Hall Suites at no additional cost. Guests currently booked at Rose Hall Suites will be upgraded to oceanfront junior suites. Guests currently booked in oceanfront junior suites will be upgraded to the Grand Hotel Rose Hall. Re-opening dates for the Rose Hall Beach Hotel have not been determined as of yet, however the property will be open for bookings for this high season. Philipp Hofer, managing director of the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort & Spa Complex, said, “While we are temporarily closing the property, guests who have booked holidays at the hotel will still be able to enjoy all of the benefits of an Iberostar experience at Iberostar Rose Hall Suites. During this closure we will continue to make scheduled upgrades to the property and perform preventative maintenance to be ready for our re-opening this coming high season.”

These are great properties that will re-open even better.

Let's Travel Together Newsletter

Togethering

"Getting together" travel has many different categories. One that is becoming increasingly popular in these days is called "togethering". Togethering is defined as: families and friends making collective plans to vacation in an affordable yet fun and casual setting. This is especially popular when loved ones live far away. The trend includes travelers choosing vacation rentals or villas for a better value along with spacious comfort for all under one roof. Different properties include different amenities but all give greater flexibily and a relaxed atmosphere to fit diverse travelers in one group.

Here are just a few of the great places where others have been "togethering":

Hawaiian Islands
New Hampshire Lakes Region
Tennessee Smoky Mountains
Colorado Rocky Mountains
Beach Front San Diego, California
Oregon's Mount Hood
Orlando and Central Florida
Costa Rica

Top 10 Girlfriend Getaways

Looking for the perfect hang-out for you and the girls? Look no further! Whether it's wine tasting, shopping, or even outdoor adventures, you and your girlfriends can escape from the everyday stress with these fun-filled destinations.
Napa Valley
Las Vegas
Miami
Palm Springs
Maui
Santa Fe
New York City
Chicago
Charleston
New Orleans



Man-cations: No girls allowed
A mancation, aka: daddy weekend or golf or fishing trip, is a group of guys with old friends from high school and college (or just life) traveling together enjoying testosterone-infused packages. Keeping in touch is important and doing so while traveling is a great way to bond. They can enjoy poker parties, sporting events, hiking, golf, camping, or nightlife just to name a few interests. Here are a few ideas that will help when planning your next mancation:

New Orleans
Climb Mt. Everest
Backpacking in Europe
Dude Ranch
Las Vegas


Get a Group Discount

What is your first thought when you hear "group travel"? Are you thinking older folks hopping on a bus tour? Or college kids flying south for spring break? Sure, those are groups but they are not the only definition of group travel. As long as you have the same itinerary, the airlines, cruise lines, hotels, and tour companies consider you a group. Groups could mean a destination wedding or family reunion, you and your couple friends taking an island getaway, a bachelor or bachelorette party in Las Vegas, or attending a sporting event. So, if you are planning a trip with others, take a head count and see if you have enough people to qualify for a group discount. Remember the more people the better the deals.


Travel Specialists Are Key

As your Travel Specialist, I offer you:

Buying Power: Having aligned myself with desirable companies and cruise lines affords me access to the latest offers, newest itineraries and advance notice of the best values.

Personal Service: Details in planning a vacation are very important. Don't get lost in a customer service call center. The only phone number you need is mine.

I can save you time and provide expert advice.

Contact me today and let's start planning the vacation of your dreams!

mindy@myvacationlady.com

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

What is a Cruise Cabin Guarantee?

Many times you when booking a cruise, you will be offered a cabin guarantee. What does that mean? Will it save you money? Will you be upgraded? Will you be able to change the cabin if you don't like it?

This is a description from Cruise Critic:
"Guarantee: A "guarantee" cabin selection is one in which you pay for the cabin category you are willing to take but you allow the cruise line to select the cabin for you. You are guaranteed to get accommodated in at least the category you have selected; you will never get a lower category. But, by choosing a guarantee you have an excellent chance of being upgraded to a slightly higher category, usually within the same cabin type (inside to inside, outside to outside, verandah to verandah etc.). Beyond that, while it does happen, it's rare to be upgraded to a higher cabin type. Trust me: Taking the lowest category inside on a guarantee will not result in your being given a deluxe verandah suite. It just won't happen. But ... you might get very lucky and end up with an outside cabin and a lovely big window.

On the other hand, you might not only end up in the category you paid for, you might get a cabin in a location that you just never would have chosen for yourself; at that point, you can't complain about it, either.

Look at it this way: A guarantee category cabin is for gamblers. If you're feeling lucky and you know what the downside might be, and you can accept that, a guarantee can be a really good deal. If, on the other hand, you'd be miserable getting that cabin all the way at the very front of the ship at the lowest level, or that inside that just happens to be next to the crew quarters or the engine room, you'd be better off just choosing your cabin at the outset."

So if you want to save money and feel that a cabin is only for sleeping in, a cabin guarantee might be a way to save some money. If you need a cabin near an elevator or close to friends or family cruising with you, this is not a good option.

It is always best to book your cruise with a travel professional who can guide you toward the ship, the itinerary and the cabin that is right for you.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Beware of Canada's DWI/DUI rules

Please be aware that if you were ever convicted of a DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence) in the United States, Canada may very likely refuse you entrance into their country.

Canada considers these offenses to be a felony and will not allow convicted felons into their country.

This is not a question that most travel agents will ask you, since honestly, it is not our business BUT this is something that you MUST be aware of. Cruise passengers have been denied boarding based on convictions as long ago as 25 years.

Please be aware of these laws when you are traveling. Travel insurance will not cover this if you are turned away at the cruise port.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Newsletter Summer 2009

From the scenic coastlines of Eastern Canada and New England to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda, this issue of Departures brings you ideas for your next getaway—including last-minute bargains to help you stretch your vacation dollar. Everybody loves a good deal, so we’ve highlighted some of the best travel values available during the upcoming months.

As professional travel planners, we know today’s vacation requests are as varied as today’s travelers. That’s why we take the time to help you find the cruise, tour, or vacation package that best meets your needs. Also, we pride ourselves on attention to detail—which makes the difference between a good vacation and a spectacular one.

Wherever in the world you want to go, we’re here to provide you with expert advice that will save you time and money. As you peruse this issue of Departures, we encourage you to sit back, relax, and start planning your next getaway.

Last-Minute Summer Vacation Bargains

When budgets are tight, a summer getaway may seem like an unaffordable luxury. But this year, with the economy still soft, even hotels and cruise lines typically beyond most people’s budgets are offering reasonable rates and deals on dining and activities. Here’s just a sampling of some last-minute bargains available now:

• Home-port Cruises – You don’t have to fly to South Florida to take a cruise. There are dozens of cruises from ports of call that are convenient to various regions of the U.S. For instance, Carnival Cruise Lines offers sailings from Port Canaveral (near Orlando), Tampa, Jacksonville, Mobile, New Orleans, Galveston, Charleston, Norfolk, Baltimore, New York, San Diego, and Los Angeles.

• Las Vegas – Summer days in Vegas are hot, hot, hot—and so are the deals in this fun-filled playground. Getaways such as those available from Pleasant Holidays and Travel Impressions offer the ultimate in savings through packages that include air, accommodations, and airport transfers. You can even purchase show tickets in advance, ensuring you won’t miss out on your first choices.

• Hawaii – This year, Hawaii is more affordable than ever, with great deals on airfare and hotels. Pleasant Holidays, for example, is featuring packages from Los Angeles that include air and a 3-night hotel stay from $299 per person, based on double occupancy. And Travel Impressions has reduced rates, free nights, and more at some of the most popular resorts in the Hawaiian Islands.

• Alaska – If you’ve ever dreamed of cruising through one of the most scenic areas in the world, take advantage of the tremendous bargains that are still available on Alaska cruises this summer. Princess Cruises has 2-for-1 fares on select cruises as well as free upgrades on a variety of Alaska sailings. Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises also have money-saving promotions on Alaska cruises and Cruise tours.

• Barbados – Known for its beautiful beaches and its warm Bajan welcome, Barbados offers options for visitors on tight budgets. It’s not difficult to find moderately priced hotels, dining, and nightlife. And the island’s extensive bus system—just 75 cents per trip—makes getting around Barbados easy and convenient. This summer, both Travel Impressions and Pleasant Holidays have specials on packages to Barbados.

• Escorted Tours – Tour operators such as Trafalgar and Central Holidays feature fully escorted vacations, with guaranteed departures, that save you time, money, and hassles.

Discover the Scenic Coastlines of Eastern Canada and New England

Eastern Canada and New England provide the perfect combination of charming villages, picturesque seaside landscapes, and brilliant fall foliage. One of the most enjoyable ways to experience the captivating beauty of the Canada/New England coastline is from the deck of a modern cruise ship. Once strictly a fall foliage market, the Canada/New England cruise season now lasts from mid-May through October.

Canada & New England cruises offer something for every traveler. These voyages are perfect for family vacations because they feature convenient homeports, historic seaports, exciting cities, and outdoor activities for all age groups. History buffs will enjoy seeing the treasures of the Titanic while visiting Nova Scotia and tracing the path of American independence in Boston. For nature lovers, Acadia National Park offers over 120 miles of ocean and mountain trails. And everyone will enjoy the pleasant summer weather and the spectacular fall colors.

Cruises range from four days to two weeks, so even if you have a limited amount of time, you can still visit delightful towns like Portland, Maine and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Triumph, for example, does 4- to 9-night cruises from New York through the first of October. Holland America Line sails from Boston to Montreal (and the reverse) on 7-day cruises, as well as from New York on longer itineraries. You can even cruise from Quebec to Ft. Lauderdale on a 13- or 14-day sailing in September or October. Norwegian Cruise Line features Canada/New England cruises ranging from 5 days to 14 days. Embarkation cities include New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Quebec City.

If you prefer a land-based vacation, Trafalgar has several tours from which to choose. The 8-day Autumn Colors Discovery Tour, for instance, departs from Boston and visits Bar Harbor, Maine, Acadia National Park, Pinkham Notch and North Conway (New Hampshire), and Woodstock and Killington (Vermont) before arriving in New York State. Highlights in New York include Fort Ticonderoga, Lake Placid, and Albany. The tour ends in Massachusetts, with stops in Springfield plus Lexington and Concord.

Trafalgar also has a 12-day tour called Enchanting Maritimes Discovery Tour that begins in Boston and continues along the New England Coast through New Hampshire before heading inland through the woods of Maine. After crossing the boarder into Canada, you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of the Maritime Provinces. Highlights include famous landmarks in Halifax, Cabot Trail—one of the most scenic drives in the world—Bay of Fundy, Saint John in Newfoundland, and Bar Harbor, Main, where you can visit the shoreline, mountains, woodlands, and lakes of Acadia National Park.

However you decide to explore this exquisite coastline, we’re here to help you plan a memorable vacation.

Spotlight on Bermuda

Located about 600 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and known for sparkling blue water and pink sand beaches, Bermuda is a sophisticated island with gorgeous scenery and plenty of British charm.

One of the most relaxing ways to visit Bermuda is on a cruise ship, and there are several options available for cruising late April to October. Most cruises to Bermuda are for seven nights, and ships typically spend three nights at the island. Some ships stay in one port, while others may visit up to three Bermuda cruise ports. Norwegian Cruise Line, for example, sails to Bermuda from Boston, Charleston, Philadelphia, and New York City. Most NCL seven-day cruises spend 3 nights at St. George’s Island, the oldest continuously inhabited English settlement in the Americas.

On St. George’s Island, you can explore Bermuda’s beautiful reef, which is home to more than 300 shipwrecks. And because of Bermuda’s laws and ordinances protecting these areas, the sites and the marine life around them are immaculately preserved. Another popular shore excursion on St. George’s is the Bermuda Triangle Nightlife Cruise, where underwater spotlights illuminate and bring the undersea world to life.

If you have less than a week, Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas can take you to Bermuda on a 5-night cruise departing from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey or Baltimore. These cruises, which operate May through November, overnight at King’s Wharf, where you can visit visit Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse for breathtaking panoramas of the island and the Crystal Caves to admire glistening stalactites and stalagmites. Popular shore excursions include a deep-sea fishing charter, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a kayak adventure along the beautiful shoreline, with views of uninhabited islands and beaches.

For those who prefer a land-based getaway, Bermuda offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy pristine beaches, golfing, tennis, swimming, diving, fishing, and snorkeling. Travel Impressions, one of our trusted suppliers, offers packages to Bermuda that include air, accommodations, and a choice of optional activities that can be pre-booked. From the charming capital city of Hamilton to the most secluded and romantic getaway nook, you’re never far from outstanding dining, interesting shopping, lively nightspots, and quaint historic attractions.

Whether it’s a cruise to Bermuda or a getaway to one of Bermuda’s lovely resorts, we’ve got just the ticket for you. Give us a call today, and one of our knowledgeable travel consultants will be happy to help you.

Repositioning Cruises Provide Rest and Relaxation

If you enjoy leisurely days at sea and are looking for a bargain, consider a repositioning cruise. “Repo” cruises are available when cruise lines move their ships from one part of the country or world to another to take advantage of the changing seasons. For example, ships that are now in Alaska and Europe will move to warmer waters in the fall.

These unique voyages provide an affordable opportunity to see the world at rates considerably lower than those charged for cruises that embark and disembark in the same port. And because most repo cruises are usually longer than a week and include several sea days, there is ample time to unwind and relax. When the ship does make a port call, you can explore destinations that are frequently off the beaten path.

In addition to unique itineraries and low prices, guests on repositioning cruises can take advantage of the additional activities, entertainment, and themed events that are offered during the cruise. Choose from options such as cooking classes, wine tastings, and lectures by experts in their fields.

Following is just a sampling of repositioning cruises available this fall:

Holland America Zuiderdam – Explore Central America from both the Pacific and Caribbean sides on Holland America’s 18-night Panama Canal cruise. Depart from Vancouver September 26, 2009, and, in addition to cruising the Panama Canal, visit Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Puerto Quetzal, Corinto, San Blas Islands, Santa Marta, Half Moon Cay, and Ft. Lauderdale.

Norwegian Spirit – Take the long route from Boston to New Orleans with a tour of the Caribbean, stopping in Samana, St. Thomas, Antigua, Barbados, Curacao, Aruba, Santo Tomas del Castilla, Belize City, and Costa Maya. This 16-night cruise departs October 23, 2009.

The Ruby Princess - On October 7, 2009, the Ruby Princess departs for Ft. Lauderdale from Venice, with port calls in Naples, Rome, Florence, Marseille, Barcelona, Lisbon, and the Azores Islands in Portugal.

Celebrity Constellation – a 14-night cruise on the Celebrity Constellation departs from Harwich, England, and stops in Le Havre, Cherbourg, Cork, Dublin, Glasgow, Reykjavik, St. John’s (Newfoundland), and Saint John (New Brunswick), before arriving in Cape Liberty, New Jersey.

Carnival Dream – Cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) on October 27, 2009 to New York on the Carnival Dream’s 16-day transatlantic cruise. Ports of call include Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Las Palmas, and King’s Wharf in Bermuda.

For details about the above cruises, or for more repositioning cruise options, contact us today.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

New Royal Caribbean Saving Certificates are announced

Quarterly, Royal Caribbean announces their saving certificates which offer savings of between $50 and $200 per cabin off the price of select ships and sail dates for members of the Crown and Anchor.

Past guests who have previously enrolled with the Crown and Anchor, can use these certificates on the following cruises booked before Sept 30, 2009.

Reserve your cruise by 30-Sep-2009.


10 Night Australia & Barrier Reef Cruise Rhapsody Of The Seas 2009: 01 Dec
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

14 Night Australia And New Zealand Rhapsody Of The Seas 2010: 21 Jan
$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior


3 Night Bahamas Cruise Monarch of the Seas Dec 11, 2009
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

4 Night Bahamas Cruise Monarch of the Seas Dec 14, 2009
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

4 Night Bahamas Cruise Majesty of the Seas Jan 25, 2010
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

5 Night Bahamas Cruise Monarch of the Seas Dec 21, 2009
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior


9 Night Bermuda And Bahamas Cruise Explorer of the Seas May 13, 2010
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

5 Night Bermuda Cruise Explorer of the Seas May 8 2010$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

5 Night Bermuda Cruise Explorer of the Seas April 24, 2010
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

5 Night Bermuda Cruise Explorer of the Seas Nov 7 ,2009$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

10 Night Caribbean & Panama Cruise Jewel of the Seas April 26, 2010
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

10 Night Caribbean & Panama Cruise Jewel of the Seas March 5, 2010
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior


11 Nt Ultimate Caribbean & Panama Cruise Jewel of the Seas 2010:Jan 11, Feb 22, March 15, April 5$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior

12 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Explorer of the Seas 2010: Jan 24, Feb 14$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior

13 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Explorer of the Seas March 28,2010
$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior


4 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Navigator of the Seas Dec 10, 2009, Jan 21, 2010
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

4 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Grandeur of the Seas Dec 17, 2009
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior


5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Navigator of the Seas Jan 11, 25, Feb 8, 22, 2010
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior


5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Grandeur of the Seas Jan 9, 2010
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Navigator of the Seas Jan 16, 30, 2010
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Grandeur of the Seas Jan 18, 2010
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior


6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Independence of the Seas Jan 31, Feb 14, 28, 2010
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Independence Of The Seas 2009: 20 Dec
$50 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$50 USD / Balcony
$50 USD / Outside
$25 USD / Interior

7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Adventure Of The Seas 2009: 20 Dec
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Voyager Of The Seas 2009: 13 Dec
2010: 10 Jan , 24 Jan , 07 Feb , 21 Feb

$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Serenade Of The Seas 2010: 02 Jan $125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

7 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise Freedom Of The Seas 2010: 31 Jan
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Adventure Of The Seas 2010: 10 Jan , 24 Jan , 21 Feb , 07 Mar
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Liberty Of The Seas 2009: 13 Dec
2010: 10 Jan , 24 Jan , 07 Feb , 07 Mar , 21 Mar , 04 Apr

$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior


7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Adventure Of The Seas 2010: 03 Jan
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

8 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise Independence Of The Seas 2010: 23 Jan , 06 Mar , 20 Mar
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

9 Night Bermuda And Caribbean Cruise Explorer Of The Seas 2010: 29 Apr
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

9 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise Explorer Of The Seas 2010: 26 Feb
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

9 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise Enchantment Of The Seas 2010: 06 May , 20 May

$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

10 Night Canary Islands Cruise Independence Of The Seas 2010: 05 May

$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

10 Night Canary Islands Cruise Independence Of The Seas 2010: 25 Apr
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

12 Night Eastern Med & Egypt Cruise Navigator Of The Seas 2010: 24 Apr
$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior


12 Night Eastern Med & Egypt Cruise Navigator Of The Seas 2010: 06 May
$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior

7 Night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise Navigator Of The Seas 2010: 30 May
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

7 Night Mediterranean Cruise Voyager Of The Seas 2010: 09 May , 30 May , 13 Jun
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

7 Night Greek Isles And Turkey Cruise Splendour Of The Seas 2010: 17 Apr
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

10 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise Radiance Of The Seas 2010: 22 Jan , 12 Feb
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

11 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise Radiance Of The Seas 2010: 22 Feb
$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior

11 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise Radiance Of The Seas 2010: 01 Feb
$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior

7 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise Radiance Of The Seas 2010: 05 Mar
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior


7 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise Mariner Of The Seas 2009: 13 Dec
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior

14 Night Suez Canal Cruise Brilliance Of The Seas 2010: 04 Jan
$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior

8 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Enchantment Of The Seas 2010: 11 Apr
$125 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$125 USD / Balcony
$125 USD / Outside
$65 USD / Interior


14 Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise Splendour Of The Seas 2010: 20 Mar
$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior

14 Night Westbound Transatlantic Splendour of the Seas 2009: 01 Dec
$200 USD / Deluxe/Suites
$200 USD / Balcony
$200 USD / Outside
$100 USD / Interior

To book any of these cruises, contact mindy@myvacationlady.com

Monday, August 17, 2009

New Avalon River Cruise- Creativity

River cruising in Europe is booming. Unlike ocean cruises where you might not necessarily dock near the city you would like to visit, the river cruises dock right in town. No need to take expensive shore excursions to see the main attractions in the town since many excursions are included. Many of the river cruises also include wine with dinner, free WiFi and bikes to take into town to explore.

Avalon River Cruises just christened their newest ship- the Creativity.

Here is a review from a travel writer...

Christening Avalon's Creativity
By David Cogswell
Published on: August 17, 2009

Avalon Waterways, the river cruise company that is part of the Globus Family of Brands, earlier this month chose Amsterdam as the site of its christening ceremony for Creativity, the company’s eighth new ship in Europe since 2004. Guests boarded the ship in Amsterdam and then sailed to Volendam, a Dutch fishing village where the naming ceremony took place. The Creativity debuted only two months after Avalon’s last new ship, the Affinity, set sail for the first time. After its christening, Creativity set out on its first cruise, the Romantic Rhine itinerary, an eight-day trip between Zürich and Amsterdam. In 2010 it will move to France where it will sail the Grand France cruise.

Avalon’s newest ship is the latest in the ongoing evolution of river cruising. Creativity embodies a combination of the elements that have proven to be successful in the marketplace. The river cruising product has only taken hold in the American market since the early 1990s after the Main Danube Canal was completed in 1992, making it possible to travel by river from the Rhine delta at Rotterdam, Netherlands, to the Danube delta at the Black Sea. Since then the product has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds, and the handful of companies in the market are hustling to provide enough ships to accommodate the demand.

The architecture of the new Creativity is fundamentally the same as that of the Amalyra of AMA Waterways, on which I sailed a few months ago. The two ships have different styles and interior designs, with some variations in features, but they essentially have the same basic layout. These new entries represent how the product is evolving through the ongoing interaction between suppliers and their customers. The ships of other major competitors, such as Uniworld and Viking River, also incorporate many of the same basic concepts.

The dimensions of river cruisers are determined by the size of the locks on the canals. The canals are 12 meters wide, so at 11.4 meters in width the Creativity is as large as it could possibly be and still get through the canals. It is 110 meters long and six meters high. The ship is long and pencil thin, with three decks of accommodations and a sun deck on top that resembles a narrow football field with gray and green Astroturf.

The Creativity is so long that it would be difficult to maneuver at all if it had a traditional propeller/rudder steering system. But it has a pod propulsion system, which enables it to maneuver with agility. Instead of pushing in one direction and modifying the direction with rudders, the pods can effectively propel the ship any direction the captain chooses, even straight sideways if necessary.

The cabins in Creativity are spacious. Indeed, Avalon claims they are the largest in the market. They would be small for a hotel room, but they are large for a ship’s cabin. The official dimension is 172 square feet and suites are 258 square feet. There is a real bathroom with a real shower. A sliding glass door with railing effectively turns your little living room into a balcony.

My room had a nice warm, red and brown carpet, a functional desk built into the wall, a plush bed, a colorful painting, plenty of closet space and a flat-screen TV. The ship also has a fitness room, library, hair salon, gift shop, Jacuzzi, club room, sky deck, and, of course, a large restaurant with open seating.

Like ocean cruising, river cruising has the advantage of not requiring its passengers to pack up and move from city to city. Like motorcoach touring, river cruising has the advantage of taking you right into the hearts of the cities. You can open up your sliding glass picture window, or even go up on the sun deck and see the landscape without even a pane of glass obstructing you. River cruising is a congenial form of travel and the pricing is also kind. Meals are bundled into the price, and wine, beer or soft drinks are included with dinner.

For the handful of companies that caught on to these possibilities, river cruising is the holy grail of the tour industry, and it has been a mini-gold rush as operators have rushed to dive into the market. Avalon promotes itself as having an advantage because its shore excursions are provided by Globus, a huge worldwide operation with experience in escorted touring going back some 80 years. The company is trying to make the most of its synergies between tour and the river cruise operations. But river cruising is clearly the star, the new baby and most illustrious member of the family.

River cruising is the tour industry’s secret weapon for targeting the vast numbers of dedicated cruisers who take a cruise every year or so. The aquatic aspect of the river cruise product is familiar to people who take ocean voyages. In fact on a small ship you are much closer to the sailing lore than you are on a vast vessel that is more like a floating hotel than an actual sailing experience.

River cruising also is a good product for people who have never bought into the escorted tours model. In many ways, the river cruise culture has more in common with escorted touring than big ship cruising. It is destination-focused, not ship-focused. The ships are surrounded by land at all times. On a river cruise you are always at the destination. You don’t just visit for a little while and then go out onto the vast blue sea again for most of your time.

Besides the sailing experience, however, what river cruises share with big cruises is the freedom to unpack once and not worry about it again till you are going home. Globus is promoting river cruising as not only great in itself, but also a good component to combine with a land tour for a varied vacation.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Royal Caribbean Waiters to take drink orders in the dining room

I guess there were complaints about not getting alcoholic beverages fast enough but Royal Caribbean is making a change to improve that speed and service. By the end of August, dining room waiters will be able to take your drink orders in the dining room on all ships. See the statement from the CEO of Royal Caribbean:

Royal Caribbean to Allow Waiters to Take Drink Orders

Royal Caribbean International is making a change in its dining room service that will allow waiters to take orders for alcoholic beverages. Until now, bar servers roam the dining rooms, averaging about one bar server per 150 guests. Royal Caribbean President and CEO Adam Goldstein wrote in his blog that allowing waiters to take drink orders would reduce that ratio to one server per 24 guests. He said the change would take place fleetwide by the end of August.


“We are confident from our testing of this change that our wait staff will greatly improve the flow and timeliness of beverage service during the dining experience,” Goldstein wrote. “This program further increases guest satisfaction by enabling the waiter to place all cocktail and wine orders on one check. As with many changes, this initiative requires support and training that takes time, and there will be inevitable hiccups. We are implementing a core competency wine and sprits training program and ensuring it is available to all restaurant crew via the Internet. The training encompasses Gold Anchor Standards developed for this initiative. After we overcome the initial learning curve and culture change, we believe this new approach will boost guest satisfaction.”

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Using your credit card/ATM in Europe cheat sheet

I just came across an article on CNN about using an ATM card to get Euros rather than buying Euros in advance and taking them with you or using a credit card. I have been suggesting this to my clients for a while now.

As part of this article, they included a comparison chart of many popular banks and credit card companies.

You might find this very interesting.....

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/latest-currency-conversion-fees-2.aspx

Please note, that all fees are subject to change but this is a good start when considering what credit cards or ATM cards to use during your overseas travels.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Disney World 2010 Vacation Packages are now available

Just a couple of days ago, Walt Disney World theme park prices went from $72 for a daily adult park pass to $75. A similar increase went into effect last August.

On Aug 3, 2010, Disney World released it's 2010 package pricing. " At Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla., Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way packages feature “Magical Extras” that will help clients explore Disney beyond the theme parks. These packages are for arrivals beginning Jan. 1, 2010.

Some new benefits include an array of activities like 15 percent off the regular price of a body treatment or water therapy at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and10 percent off the regular price of all activities at Sammy Duvall’s Water Sports Centre at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Another enhancement feature of Walt Disney Travel Company Packages is the Walt Disney World Resort Marina discount offer. When clients purchase a 60-minute Sea Raycer, Pontoon boat or Montauk rental, they receive an extra 30 minutes of rental time. Guests also receive 10 percent off the regular price of Bass Fishing excursions. Other 2010 benefits include one Disney’s Photopass Professional Portrait session per Magic Your Way Premium Package, one Richard Petty Ride Along (one per person, per reservation for clients 14 years and older) experience and one Disney’s Photopass Professional Portrait session per Magic Your Way Platinum Package."

For those wishing to book for the end of 2009, a modified Free Dining offer is available for most fall dates.

To book, your next Disney vacation, please contact me at mindy@myvacationlady.com

Monday, August 3, 2009

Choose your flights with Royal Caribbean,Celebrity and Azamara

This is good news and may save a considerable amount of money over the standard cruise lines airfare.

"Now you have a new "choice" in booking air with Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises. ChoiceAir is the cruise company's new way for guests to purchase air transportation to and from their cruise. The service allows guests to enjoy greater peace of mind; be able to select preferred airlines and a specific itinerary; and shop for the best prices among published fares and exclusive ChoiceAir specials. Guests will also be able to know their airline itinerary as soon as they are ready to choose it. ChoiceAir will be available to guests from the U.S. and Canada beginning August 3.


Guests will be able to purchase ChoiceAir through a travel agent, directly from Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises contact centers, and online through a new ChoiceAir website. Agents will be able to purchase ChoiceAir for their clients through CruisingPower.com. A cost of $15 per person for domestic and $25 per person for international air travel will apply to ChoiceAir bookings, and will include access to the ChoiceAir support desk, aid in cases of flight delays, and assistance in making alternative flight arrangements in the event of missed embarkation. Guests' cruise and air arrangements will also both be present in a single consolidated booking record, which means agents no longer need to manage two separate and independent bookings. "