In my last blog posting, I reviewed Beaches Turks and Caicos, which I recently visited and was very impressed. It is a great resort that offers fabulous amenities for adults and children alike.
When I was a kid, family vacations meant a long drive in the back of the Chevy up to the mountains or a local resort. Times have changed. Family vacations have evolved into much more than an amusement park visit or trip to the shore.
Take a look at this artcle for 50 of the top family resorts. Many of my favorites have made the list.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Review of Beaches Turks and Caicos
As a travel professional, I was always amazed at the high prices at Beaches Turks and Caicos and could never quite figure out if this property is worth the money. Then I stayed at Beaches Turks and Caicos as part of a travel agent familiarization trip.
What is my feedback now--- WOW. Beaches Turks and Caicos is the Rolls Royce of family all inclusive resorts. It is to all inclusive resorts as Disney is to theme parks. I have been to MANY all inclusive properties and was literally blown away by the service level, entertainment, amenities and types of accommodations that this property offers.
This is not to say that I would recommend this resort to everyone but let me share a bit about it and why I would recommend this to the young and the young at heart. If my kids were young, I would want them to experience Beaches Turks and Caicos. I am looking forward to having grandchildren so that I can take my kids and grand kids here. It is just a phenomenal property and I can’t say enough positive about it.
Let’s start with the room accommodations:
My colleague and I were put up in the one of the least expensive rooms- the Caicos Premium rooms with 2 double beds on the 2nd floor of the West Wing in the Caribbean Village. Would I recommend this category of room to my clients? Probably not. Unless they were really stretching their budget to stay here in the first place. The rooms are your typical Sheraton rooms (that is what this block of rooms was originally built as). The rooms are ok, nothing special, nothing that I can gush over. They are a bit dated and I was told that they are scheduled to be updated in the fall of 2010. What you can’t change is the view (garden or pool only- ours was of the basketball court), the smell of sulfur from the pipes and the size. They are adequate for 2 double beds or 1 king bed, an upholstered pull out single sleep chair and a table. The bathroom is ok with a single sink and tub and shower combination. The armoire holds a TV, mini fridge and drawer space. Hopefully the furniture and the soft goods (bedding, blankets, etc) will be replaced soon. The room is basic and as long as my clients realize that it is not a great room, but they want to stay in this resort, they should be ok.
The location of these rooms, however, is very good- right near the kids club, pool, main lobby and a short walk to the beach. Reflections restaurant is just downstairs in the lobby and this was a great place for a buffet breakfast. The meeting space was also in this building. It is a short walk to the water park (which is in between the French and Italian Villages). There are some larger rooms with better views in this village but honestly, if I was spending more money, I would opt for the other, newer villages with nicer and larger rooms.
The French Village is the furthest from the beach but newer than the Caribbean Village. Their entry level room, the luxury room, is similar to the Turquoise Deluxe or Caicos Premium rooms but they have been updated and might be a bit larger.
There are a couple of other room categories, of the 30 different room categories, that don’t offer concierge or butler service.
The rooms that I really liked were the family suites with separate kid’s bedroom in the Italian Village. These rooms had a king bed in the master with a trundle bed, a gorgeous master bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower. The kid’s room has a bunk bed with a trundle, XBOX and game table, TV and a separate closet and bathroom sink and mirror. These rooms can sleep 6 comfortably and offer concierge service. The views ranged from pool and garden views to full ocean views.
Amenities at this resort are just too many to name but the ones I was most impressed with were:
The water park including pirate ship, slides, lazy river and surfing simulator- just a great place to spend lot of time.
The Red Lane Spa-a Sandals/Beaches exclusive.
Camp Sesame for the youngest kids on up to the XBOX “Garage” and the Shadow Lounge for the teens, complete with DJ recording studio. You won’t have to worry that the kids will ever be bored here.
Choice of 16 restaurants (although we only ate at a few- loved Le Chateau for dinner. Wanted to try Kimonos for dinner but had to settle for a couple of pieces of Sushi, instead. Marios- great place for a buffet lunch- great choices and food. Reflections- for breakfast- everything was nice and fresh)
Water sports, including diving, snorkeling, kayaking, hobie cats, aqua trikes and windsurfing
The pools (7 of them)
The beach- just gorgeous
The service
Just to give you an idea of the service, on the first night, we asked about restaurants at the front desk. Not only did the woman at the desk make recommendations, she escorted us to one for us to check out the menu. I was having a bit of trouble with the internet service in the business center, so I called the front desk. In less than 2 minutes, one of the staff was in the business center assisting me and then gave me a $10 free internet card because of the problem. We were in Cricketer’s Pub and my colleague wanted to know the score of the baseball game. The waitress came back 3 times with the score, as soon as she heard it. Every staff member went out of their way to be pleasant and helpful. I was quite impressed with the level of service.
I can’t speak highly enough of Beaches Turks and Caicos. I would, without a doubt, recommend this property to families of all ages, a girl’s getaway, destination weddings and family reunions. I think this is a great choice for any of the vacationers mentioned. I would not recommend this property to couples or honeymooners who want seclusion or a quiet vacation- there are many other resorts for them. The Sesame Street characters are around but not overwhelming so adults can certainly enjoy this property without children and there were many there during out stay. There is enough to do for both kids and adults so that everyone can have a great time.
For more information on Beaches Turks and Caicos, please contact us at mindy@myvacationlady.com
Friday, September 17, 2010
Mexico and US currency
Still a bit sketchy but a new law passed just a few days ago limiting the use of US dollars in Mexico.
This is the latest that My Vacation Lady knows:
You may have heard that a new law has been passed in Mexico effective September 14th regarding transactions done in US dollars. While the interpretation of the law is still unclear we do know a few facts:
1. There will be a limit on US dollar cash transactions of $1500.00 per person per month. We are not sure if this includes converting American dollars at banking institutions or exchange booths.
2. There will be a per transaction limit of $100.00 per person US Dollars. With unlimited transactions up to $1500.00 per person per month. For example: if an item costs $150.00 they can pay $100.00 US dollars with the balance being paid with either credit card, travelers checks, or Mexican pesos.
3. To the best of our knowledge these restrictions do not apply to credit card or travelers checks transactions. They only relate to cash transactions.
Again we are still getting more information; however, you do want to advise your clients travelling to Mexico that they many encounter this situation and to make sure they travel with a credit card or travelers checks. They can also exchange their money into Pesos and purchase items in Mexico using Pesos, which might be a good idea if your clients are high ticket item shoppers.
I will of course keep you up to date as we verify all the little pieces to this new law and get better clarification for you
This is the latest that My Vacation Lady knows:
You may have heard that a new law has been passed in Mexico effective September 14th regarding transactions done in US dollars. While the interpretation of the law is still unclear we do know a few facts:
1. There will be a limit on US dollar cash transactions of $1500.00 per person per month. We are not sure if this includes converting American dollars at banking institutions or exchange booths.
2. There will be a per transaction limit of $100.00 per person US Dollars. With unlimited transactions up to $1500.00 per person per month. For example: if an item costs $150.00 they can pay $100.00 US dollars with the balance being paid with either credit card, travelers checks, or Mexican pesos.
3. To the best of our knowledge these restrictions do not apply to credit card or travelers checks transactions. They only relate to cash transactions.
Again we are still getting more information; however, you do want to advise your clients travelling to Mexico that they many encounter this situation and to make sure they travel with a credit card or travelers checks. They can also exchange their money into Pesos and purchase items in Mexico using Pesos, which might be a good idea if your clients are high ticket item shoppers.
I will of course keep you up to date as we verify all the little pieces to this new law and get better clarification for you
Mexico limiting the use of US $?
This has been tossed around a bit on some of my travel agent boards and I have not found any information on this on the Mexico tourism board or any of my trusted travel agent information sites.
This link is saying that in order to stop money laundering, Mexico is restricting the amount of US$ in cash that vendors can take to $100 per person. If you are purchasing an excursion and the price is $150, you can pay for it with $100 in cash and $50 on a credit card or traveler's check.
For my clients, their packages are prepaid and I always recommend paying any charges to their rooms on a credit card but for those who prefer to use cash, you might want to go back to traveler's checks, just in case, until this is deemed fact or rumor.
Just a tip:
If you are using a credit/debit card and the vendor is using the old fashioned machines that use carbon copies, ALWAYS ask for the carbon paper.
To see the link to the article, click here
This link is saying that in order to stop money laundering, Mexico is restricting the amount of US$ in cash that vendors can take to $100 per person. If you are purchasing an excursion and the price is $150, you can pay for it with $100 in cash and $50 on a credit card or traveler's check.
For my clients, their packages are prepaid and I always recommend paying any charges to their rooms on a credit card but for those who prefer to use cash, you might want to go back to traveler's checks, just in case, until this is deemed fact or rumor.
Just a tip:
If you are using a credit/debit card and the vendor is using the old fashioned machines that use carbon copies, ALWAYS ask for the carbon paper.
To see the link to the article, click here
Monday, September 13, 2010
2 More Reasons to Use a Travel Professional
Your honeymoon is the most important vacation that you will take as husband and wife. Why chance it to booking online without the assistance of a knowledgable travel professional?
These 2 articles were written by a travel writer/ombudsman and he has pointed out in both, that he does recommend using a travel professional, especially for booking honeymoons.
Help! My honeymoon went south
By Christopher Elliott, Tribune Media Services
(Tribune Media Services) -- Loyd Jobe's honeymoon doesn't get off to a good start when his flight is canceled. His airline sends the newlyweds on their vacation the next day, but they must pay for an extra night in their hotel. Is that fair?
Q: My wife and I recently booked a honeymoon in Costa Rica through Apple Vacations. On the morning we were supposed to leave, our flights on Delta Air Lines were canceled, and they didn't have any other flights until two days later.
I called Apple and they simply told me to call the airline. They refused to help. Delta's customer service was only a little more helpful. They ended up getting us to Costa Rica a day later on a different airline.
Because of this we missed one day at an all-inclusive resort and decided to stay an extra day. I again called Apple and asked them to refund our missed day and wanted to book an extra day on the end of our honeymoon. They would not refund any money for the missed day and charged us for the extra day.
I sent a letter to Apple's customer service like they suggested I do. I have not gotten any response from them after two letters. Any advice on this issue?
A: It sounds as if Apple could have done more to save your honeymoon. But let's take a closer look at the facts.
Delta canceled your flight, not Apple. So in a sense, Apple was right: You would have to talk with the airline about rescheduling your flight. At the same time, Apple advertises a "beginning-to-end" vacation experience, which includes employees greeting you at your departure airport and meeting you when you arrive.
Perhaps Apple raised the bar a little high when it promised "the ultimate in a quality vacation experience."
I contacted Apple, and a few other details emerged. First, the company says you were offered travel insurance, which would have protected your vacation investment. You declined, according to Apple.
So technically, the delay wasn't Apple's fault and you didn't buy its insurance. It owed you nothing, in a contractual sense.
But who cares about contracts? This is your honeymoon, and you booked a vacation with a company that you believed would take care of you rather than do just what's legally required of it.
I always recommend that for once-in-a-lifetime vacations like yours, travelers consider the services of a travel agent who specializes in honeymoons. I think an agent would be able to offer this kind of personalized attention you require for your Costa Rica getaway.
It turns out Apple asked your resort for a date swap, which would have allowed you to stay an extra day at your hotel, but it turned them down. I think you might have started a dialogue with your hotel, letting them know that this was your honeymoon and that you didn't really want to lose the last day of a special vacation.
Next time -- and I really hope there isn't a next time -- you might want to either send an e-mail to Apple Vacations or ask for a return receipt from the post office. The company had no record of either of your letters.
Apple contacted your resort again on your behalf and secured a $184 refund for the last night of your vacation. It also sent you two $100 travel certificates.
Help, my honeymoon flight's been canceled!
By Christopher Elliott, Tribune Media Services
(Tibune Media Services) -- Doug Miller's honeymoon flight to Costa Rica is canceled by US Airways, and he's left with only one option: a full refund. The airline later agrees to reschedule him on a flight the following day, but it won't cover his hotel bill. Is it allowed to do that? And is there anything he can do to make US Airways sweeten the offer?
Q: About a month ago, I took advantage of a Travelocity e-mail fare alert for a flight from Minneapolis to Costa Rica. The deal seemed too good to be true: $230 roundtrip on US Airways. I booked the flight for my September honeymoon and then went to a Web site and bid on our accommodations, which I also booked.
A few days ago, US Airways notified me that it had dropped a connecting flight to Costa Rica, and that our only option was a full refund.
I checked the ticket prices to Costa Rica and found that they had tripled. I felt like I was a victim of a bait-and-switch.
I called US Airways, which offered to fly us to Costa Rica a day after we were supposed to leave. But it would involve an overnight stay in Charlotte, which the airline was unwilling to pay for.
I understand that airlines have flight schedule changes, but I also feel that it is their choice and that if they choose to do so, they should be responsible for the consequences. Is there anything you can do?
A: US Airways shouldn't have canceled your flight. But if it did, it should have offered an alternative flight that suited your schedule, rather than leaving you high and dry for the most important vacation of your life.
Did the carrier and its online travel agent, Travelocity, engage in a bait-and-switch? I can see how you would think so. But flight schedules change constantly, and your rights are outlined under US Airways' contract of carriage, the legal agreement between you and the airline.
Section 8.2 of the contract describes your rights in the event US Airways is unable to accommodate you. Basically, you have the right to a refund, or a flight of the airline's choosing -- but nothing more.
While Travelocity and US Airways did all of this by the book, I can understand why you would be disappointed. I mean, it's your honeymoon.
About your reservations ... you booked a too-good-to-be-true special and bid on your accommodations for your honeymoon. Don't you think that's a little risky? I always recommend working with a qualified travel agent who specializes in honeymoons, because you don't want anything to go wrong on this vacation. This is no time to cut corners.
But let's take the honeymoon out of the equation, and just assume it was a late summer vacation. Between US Airways, with its "customer commitment" and Travelocity, with its "guarantee," I just think this could have been handled better.
A brief, politely written appeal to US Airways would have been my first choice to get this resolved. Phoning the airline probably wasn't the most effective way to fix this. I'm surprised Travelocity just passed along the airline's decision without trying to do more, but in the end I think this was a case for US Airways to resolve.
I contacted the airline on your behalf, and it offered you a $75 voucher to cover your hotel bill during your layover in Charlotte.
My Vacation Lady has been helping honeymooners and vacationers, just like you, plan your dream vacations since 1994. We only deal with travel suppliers that offer 24/7 customer service- in case there is a problem or issue. Why risk your vacation to just few clicks of the mouse when you can have the assistance and guidance of an experienced travel professional?
These 2 articles were written by a travel writer/ombudsman and he has pointed out in both, that he does recommend using a travel professional, especially for booking honeymoons.
Help! My honeymoon went south
By Christopher Elliott, Tribune Media Services
(Tribune Media Services) -- Loyd Jobe's honeymoon doesn't get off to a good start when his flight is canceled. His airline sends the newlyweds on their vacation the next day, but they must pay for an extra night in their hotel. Is that fair?
Q: My wife and I recently booked a honeymoon in Costa Rica through Apple Vacations. On the morning we were supposed to leave, our flights on Delta Air Lines were canceled, and they didn't have any other flights until two days later.
I called Apple and they simply told me to call the airline. They refused to help. Delta's customer service was only a little more helpful. They ended up getting us to Costa Rica a day later on a different airline.
Because of this we missed one day at an all-inclusive resort and decided to stay an extra day. I again called Apple and asked them to refund our missed day and wanted to book an extra day on the end of our honeymoon. They would not refund any money for the missed day and charged us for the extra day.
I sent a letter to Apple's customer service like they suggested I do. I have not gotten any response from them after two letters. Any advice on this issue?
A: It sounds as if Apple could have done more to save your honeymoon. But let's take a closer look at the facts.
Delta canceled your flight, not Apple. So in a sense, Apple was right: You would have to talk with the airline about rescheduling your flight. At the same time, Apple advertises a "beginning-to-end" vacation experience, which includes employees greeting you at your departure airport and meeting you when you arrive.
Perhaps Apple raised the bar a little high when it promised "the ultimate in a quality vacation experience."
I contacted Apple, and a few other details emerged. First, the company says you were offered travel insurance, which would have protected your vacation investment. You declined, according to Apple.
So technically, the delay wasn't Apple's fault and you didn't buy its insurance. It owed you nothing, in a contractual sense.
But who cares about contracts? This is your honeymoon, and you booked a vacation with a company that you believed would take care of you rather than do just what's legally required of it.
I always recommend that for once-in-a-lifetime vacations like yours, travelers consider the services of a travel agent who specializes in honeymoons. I think an agent would be able to offer this kind of personalized attention you require for your Costa Rica getaway.
It turns out Apple asked your resort for a date swap, which would have allowed you to stay an extra day at your hotel, but it turned them down. I think you might have started a dialogue with your hotel, letting them know that this was your honeymoon and that you didn't really want to lose the last day of a special vacation.
Next time -- and I really hope there isn't a next time -- you might want to either send an e-mail to Apple Vacations or ask for a return receipt from the post office. The company had no record of either of your letters.
Apple contacted your resort again on your behalf and secured a $184 refund for the last night of your vacation. It also sent you two $100 travel certificates.
Help, my honeymoon flight's been canceled!
By Christopher Elliott, Tribune Media Services
(Tibune Media Services) -- Doug Miller's honeymoon flight to Costa Rica is canceled by US Airways, and he's left with only one option: a full refund. The airline later agrees to reschedule him on a flight the following day, but it won't cover his hotel bill. Is it allowed to do that? And is there anything he can do to make US Airways sweeten the offer?
Q: About a month ago, I took advantage of a Travelocity e-mail fare alert for a flight from Minneapolis to Costa Rica. The deal seemed too good to be true: $230 roundtrip on US Airways. I booked the flight for my September honeymoon and then went to a Web site and bid on our accommodations, which I also booked.
A few days ago, US Airways notified me that it had dropped a connecting flight to Costa Rica, and that our only option was a full refund.
I checked the ticket prices to Costa Rica and found that they had tripled. I felt like I was a victim of a bait-and-switch.
I called US Airways, which offered to fly us to Costa Rica a day after we were supposed to leave. But it would involve an overnight stay in Charlotte, which the airline was unwilling to pay for.
I understand that airlines have flight schedule changes, but I also feel that it is their choice and that if they choose to do so, they should be responsible for the consequences. Is there anything you can do?
A: US Airways shouldn't have canceled your flight. But if it did, it should have offered an alternative flight that suited your schedule, rather than leaving you high and dry for the most important vacation of your life.
Did the carrier and its online travel agent, Travelocity, engage in a bait-and-switch? I can see how you would think so. But flight schedules change constantly, and your rights are outlined under US Airways' contract of carriage, the legal agreement between you and the airline.
Section 8.2 of the contract describes your rights in the event US Airways is unable to accommodate you. Basically, you have the right to a refund, or a flight of the airline's choosing -- but nothing more.
While Travelocity and US Airways did all of this by the book, I can understand why you would be disappointed. I mean, it's your honeymoon.
About your reservations ... you booked a too-good-to-be-true special and bid on your accommodations for your honeymoon. Don't you think that's a little risky? I always recommend working with a qualified travel agent who specializes in honeymoons, because you don't want anything to go wrong on this vacation. This is no time to cut corners.
But let's take the honeymoon out of the equation, and just assume it was a late summer vacation. Between US Airways, with its "customer commitment" and Travelocity, with its "guarantee," I just think this could have been handled better.
A brief, politely written appeal to US Airways would have been my first choice to get this resolved. Phoning the airline probably wasn't the most effective way to fix this. I'm surprised Travelocity just passed along the airline's decision without trying to do more, but in the end I think this was a case for US Airways to resolve.
I contacted the airline on your behalf, and it offered you a $75 voucher to cover your hotel bill during your layover in Charlotte.
My Vacation Lady has been helping honeymooners and vacationers, just like you, plan your dream vacations since 1994. We only deal with travel suppliers that offer 24/7 customer service- in case there is a problem or issue. Why risk your vacation to just few clicks of the mouse when you can have the assistance and guidance of an experienced travel professional?
Friday, September 10, 2010
10 days of clothes in 1 carry on?
Sceptical? So was I but if you watch this step by step pictorial article, you can see how it can be done.
Click here to read and see how a flight attendant can get 10 days worth of clothing into 1 carry on bag.
Click here to read and see how a flight attendant can get 10 days worth of clothing into 1 carry on bag.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Vacations are good for you
How many elderly people, toward the end of their lives, have said "I wish I worked more hours in a day." Or how many say that they wish they spent less time with their friends and family?
This blog from Adam Goldstein, the president of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, put it very well when he said that all of his photos of his dad were from vacations- never of him walking out the door going to work.
How many vacation days do you want to give back to your boss this year?
It's time to take a vacation!
This blog from Adam Goldstein, the president of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, put it very well when he said that all of his photos of his dad were from vacations- never of him walking out the door going to work.
How many vacation days do you want to give back to your boss this year?
It's time to take a vacation!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Are you booking your next vacation online?
This is an article that was published in Travel Weekly, a travel industry magazine and written by a travel professional, Richard Turen. He was able to verbalize what a lot of travel professionals think on a daily basis.
Please read the article and let me know what you think the benefits are of booking your next vacation online.
"To clients considering booking direct
By: Richard Turen
September 06, 2010
Dear client:
I hope and trust that you will book your next vacation with our firm. But we know there are alternatives out there, and we know you are receiving mailings and seeing ads that often urge you to book directly with a travel supplier online.
We enjoy an open and honest relationship with our clients. So I would like to share some straight talk with you about using toll-free numbers or websites to book your vacation directly with the provider.
The best-kept secret in the travel industry is that those who book direct are paying for something they are not receiving: the services of a professional travel consultant.
I realize you are being told that it is easy to book your cruise, tour or airline tickets online. You can do it yourself. Just trust the supplier to take care of everything and have your credit card within easy reach.
Be thrilled that you live in a time when you can just click and travel. It's all so easy, isn't it? Turn over your credit card number and personal information to someone in a cubicle in a reservations factory or, better still, to outsourced labor working out of a call center overseas. Now your credit card information is in Bangladesh, and your vacation will be expertly planned and delivered.
So why use my services?
Well, the first thing you need to know (the industry's best-kept secret) is that you are going to pay my fee or commission when you book directly because it is always -- not sometimes, always -- built into the price of any brochure program. It's the way the industry prices.
Tour operators and cruise lines, even top-grade hotels, love direct bookings because a portion of the travel agent's commission that is built in to every program simply goes into their pockets. They believe that it costs them far less to maintain order-takers in a reservations center.
One hotel chain, years ago, was actually using prisoners on work release to handle phone reservations. Most telephone res agents who work for cruise lines are commissioned salespeople with little knowledge of the industry. Their goal is simple: Try to get a direct booking, earn their smaller commission, and let the company pocket the rest of the total commission built into the fare.
So when you book something directly, you are making a sucker bet that the person on the other end of the line has your best interests at heart, will look out for further discounts and apply them to your record and will be there for you in an emergency.
Imagine what happens when you make a direct booking. Your credit card information is stored, and you receive a computer-generated invoice. That's it. You are now a travel statistic. The computer software that is now your "agent" will notify you when final payment is due, and you will receive final documents.
Of course, you will not receive any of the amenities available through our office, so you might actually be missing out on pricing incentives and advantages.
Let me state it as clearly as I can: With the exception of certain airline and hotel websites that run occasional online "sales," you will never receive preferred pricing on any online site.
If a tour operator or cruise line did not give us pricing that was equal to or better than what they offer on their site, no reputable travel consultant would ever again sell their product. It just never happens. You can always count on the fact that our pricing will be as good or better than any tour or cruise prices you see on direct booking sites.
But frankly, I don't want you to book with us because it is always a better value than booking directly. There are other, more important reasons that have little to do with price.
There is not enough space to list all of the things we provide to our valued clients that are never provided when you book directly with a cruise line or tour operator. But here are just a few to keep in mind:
We are going to compare what competitive companies offer. We are going to advise you on the very best product to meet your needs. We can point out the advantages and disadvantages of several options. Booking directly puts you in touch with a single-product sales person. That is all you get.
We provide special documentation and advice about ports, sightseeing options and even restaurants. We know the best times to do your itinerary, and we might have affiliated offices abroad that can make your vacation truly memorable.
One of the most important things we can do is analyze your travel insurance needs. If you book direct, you get no options, no discussion. You are offered only whatever the site happens to be selling. We offer a universe of options, and that often saves you money.
Suppose something goes wrong? Suppose someone gets sick, and you need help getting home in a hurry? Suppose your vacation experience was unsatisfactory? Who is your advocate if you are dealing directly with the company operating the program? You have none.
Perhaps the most important single thing that we do is give you an honest, unbiased view of both the upside and downside of the vacation option you are considering. Book direct and you get none of that. Everything about the product will be painted in glowing terms. Everything will smell like a strawberry.
Finally, a personal note.
When I go to sleep at night, I am generally aware of where my clients are traveling and what current conditions they are likely to encounter. I worry about my clients. I think about their welfare, and I think about ways that I can enhance their experiences abroad.
I am fairly certain that the direct booking tied up somewhere in a supplier's software booking program is incapable of showing a "booking statistic" much empathy.
Contributing editor Richard Turen owns Churchill and Turen"
Please read the article and let me know what you think the benefits are of booking your next vacation online.
"To clients considering booking direct
By: Richard Turen
September 06, 2010
Dear client:
I hope and trust that you will book your next vacation with our firm. But we know there are alternatives out there, and we know you are receiving mailings and seeing ads that often urge you to book directly with a travel supplier online.
We enjoy an open and honest relationship with our clients. So I would like to share some straight talk with you about using toll-free numbers or websites to book your vacation directly with the provider.
The best-kept secret in the travel industry is that those who book direct are paying for something they are not receiving: the services of a professional travel consultant.
I realize you are being told that it is easy to book your cruise, tour or airline tickets online. You can do it yourself. Just trust the supplier to take care of everything and have your credit card within easy reach.
Be thrilled that you live in a time when you can just click and travel. It's all so easy, isn't it? Turn over your credit card number and personal information to someone in a cubicle in a reservations factory or, better still, to outsourced labor working out of a call center overseas. Now your credit card information is in Bangladesh, and your vacation will be expertly planned and delivered.
So why use my services?
Well, the first thing you need to know (the industry's best-kept secret) is that you are going to pay my fee or commission when you book directly because it is always -- not sometimes, always -- built into the price of any brochure program. It's the way the industry prices.
Tour operators and cruise lines, even top-grade hotels, love direct bookings because a portion of the travel agent's commission that is built in to every program simply goes into their pockets. They believe that it costs them far less to maintain order-takers in a reservations center.
One hotel chain, years ago, was actually using prisoners on work release to handle phone reservations. Most telephone res agents who work for cruise lines are commissioned salespeople with little knowledge of the industry. Their goal is simple: Try to get a direct booking, earn their smaller commission, and let the company pocket the rest of the total commission built into the fare.
So when you book something directly, you are making a sucker bet that the person on the other end of the line has your best interests at heart, will look out for further discounts and apply them to your record and will be there for you in an emergency.
Imagine what happens when you make a direct booking. Your credit card information is stored, and you receive a computer-generated invoice. That's it. You are now a travel statistic. The computer software that is now your "agent" will notify you when final payment is due, and you will receive final documents.
Of course, you will not receive any of the amenities available through our office, so you might actually be missing out on pricing incentives and advantages.
Let me state it as clearly as I can: With the exception of certain airline and hotel websites that run occasional online "sales," you will never receive preferred pricing on any online site.
If a tour operator or cruise line did not give us pricing that was equal to or better than what they offer on their site, no reputable travel consultant would ever again sell their product. It just never happens. You can always count on the fact that our pricing will be as good or better than any tour or cruise prices you see on direct booking sites.
But frankly, I don't want you to book with us because it is always a better value than booking directly. There are other, more important reasons that have little to do with price.
There is not enough space to list all of the things we provide to our valued clients that are never provided when you book directly with a cruise line or tour operator. But here are just a few to keep in mind:
We are going to compare what competitive companies offer. We are going to advise you on the very best product to meet your needs. We can point out the advantages and disadvantages of several options. Booking directly puts you in touch with a single-product sales person. That is all you get.
We provide special documentation and advice about ports, sightseeing options and even restaurants. We know the best times to do your itinerary, and we might have affiliated offices abroad that can make your vacation truly memorable.
One of the most important things we can do is analyze your travel insurance needs. If you book direct, you get no options, no discussion. You are offered only whatever the site happens to be selling. We offer a universe of options, and that often saves you money.
Suppose something goes wrong? Suppose someone gets sick, and you need help getting home in a hurry? Suppose your vacation experience was unsatisfactory? Who is your advocate if you are dealing directly with the company operating the program? You have none.
Perhaps the most important single thing that we do is give you an honest, unbiased view of both the upside and downside of the vacation option you are considering. Book direct and you get none of that. Everything about the product will be painted in glowing terms. Everything will smell like a strawberry.
Finally, a personal note.
When I go to sleep at night, I am generally aware of where my clients are traveling and what current conditions they are likely to encounter. I worry about my clients. I think about their welfare, and I think about ways that I can enhance their experiences abroad.
I am fairly certain that the direct booking tied up somewhere in a supplier's software booking program is incapable of showing a "booking statistic" much empathy.
Contributing editor Richard Turen owns Churchill and Turen"
Monday, September 6, 2010
Making the most of your cruise time in port
This posting was taken and adapted from an article posted on Cruise Critic on Sept 6, 2010
Guide to the Best Cruise Ship Shore Excursions
ERICA SILVERSTEIN
Snorkeling through coral reefs, exploring ancient Roman ruins, hiking on glaciers, shopping at local outdoor markets; all these shoreside activities are as much a part of the cruise experience as enjoying the onboard amenities of your ship. Indeed, half the fun of taking a cruise is exploring exciting new places, tropical islands, bustling metropolises, exotic countries.
So to enhance each port visit, cruise lines offer organized shore excursions on all ships for additional fees. The land-based trips run the gamut from sightseeing city tours to cultural events and active pursuits.
You can take a sunset pleasure cruise in St. Lucia, visit penguin colonies in the Falkland Islands, go wine-tasting in Provence or rollerblade through Copenhagen. The tours can be booked onboard at your ship's excursions desk or online before you depart on your trip.
The benefits of booking ship-sponsored tours are many. You can skip the hassle of arranging your own onshore activities, you'll know the tour provider is licensed and reputable and the ship won't depart until all of its tour buses have returned, even the tardy ones. You may also meet other shipmates whose company you'll enjoy back on the ship.
But ship tours are not always the way to go. The pleasurability and efficiency of tour operators varies from ship to ship, and some tour offerings are simply duds. All too often, shore excursions translate into time-consuming bus rides with drop-offs at shopping centers proffering souvenirs you can live without. Also, please note that the shore excursions offered by the cruise lines, represent a very large profit center for them. Yes, you will have security and ease but not often the best use of your time or money.
For example, after a long, hot (but worthwhile) tour of the Acropolis outside of Athens, passengers who thought they were being driven back to their ship were squirreled into a tacky little shop, belonging to the tour guide's brother-in-law.
To give you the skills to make the best decisions about your days in port, here is our advice on what to expect from a shore excursion and how to make the most of your time ashore.
What the Cruise Lines Offer
Cruise lines offer a mind-boggling array of tours, everything from basic snorkeling trips to more involved, overnight tours to see the Great Pyramids in Egypt. Here's a primer on what you can expect to see on offer.
Active vs. Sightseeing Tours: Shore excursions cover all levels of activity and interest and vary greatly, depending on what's available in each destination. Active tours could be anything from water sports to zip-lining, hiking, biking and dog-sledding. Activity-based trips might feature a day at the spa or beach, a pleasure cruise on a sailboat, wine or food tasting, a cultural performance or a visit to a museum.
Sightseeing excursions are typically bus tours that take passengers to the highlights and shopping areas of the port city or nearby destinations. Remember that excursions look different in different parts of the word. In the Caribbean, you'll find options like snorkeling with sting rays or transportation to private beaches; European tours focus more on sightseeing -- for example, full-day tours from the port of Livorno to the museums and cathedrals of Florence or multi-hour lunches, featuring local produce, meats and wine at a farmhouse in Tuscany.
Full vs. Half-Day Tours: Shore excursions vary in length. Some take up all your time in port, while others are just a few hours of an all-day visit. Choose a full-day tour to see the most you can in one trip or for journeys to destinations outside the port city. A half-day tour might only focus on one specific itinerary -- a three-hour kayak trip or a highlights tour of a city -- but gives you free time to explore the port on your own before or after.
Guided vs. Free Time: Not all shore excursions involve busloads of tourists, dutifully following flag- or umbrella-waving guides. You will find these types of sightseeing tours, as well as athletic endeavors overseen by dive masters or hike leaders. However, some tours simply bring you to a destination where you're free to explore until it's time to meet the bus to go home, while others feature guided components, followed by an hour or two of free time.
Highlights vs. In-Depth: Some shore excursions -- such as daylong trips from Tunis to the marketplace, museum and ancient Carthage -- pack many activities into one trip. Others focus on one destination or activity, like a trip to the Mayan ruins from Cozumel. It's up to you whether you'd prefer to see many things for short amounts of time or focus on one place, in-depth.
Concierge or Boutique: Some of the newest trends in shore excursions include intimate tours that are limited to 25 or so guests. Many lines offer these boutique excursions, which could be cooking classes at a renowned French cooking school or a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. Many lines also offer car-and-driver packages, so you can customize your own tour, or have concierges to arrange shoreside activities exclusively for your travel party. You can skip the caravan of four large tour buses and trade up for a more exclusive experience.
Should You Opt for Independent Exploration?
One of the biggest questions cruisers have is whether or not to take a ship-sponsored shore excursion. The answer banks on your budget, as well as your inclinations. Port tours vary in price, depending on the cruise line, and can run you anywhere from $40 per person for a simple beach break to hundreds of dollars each for such higher-priced options as helicopter rides, golf and day-long or overnight tours. Taking a tour in every port can quickly inflate your onboard bill.
Shore excursions are worth it if you want to venture to attractions that are located far from the pier, learn more about an area through a guide or participate in physical activities where gear is required (biking, diving, golf). However, if all you want to do is walk around town, shop or visit the beach, it could be much cheaper and less time-consuming to get a map and go it on your own. For instance, in St. Thomas, the shops are a stone's throw from the ship, but beaches are a cab ride away. (Keep in mind it still might be less expensive to hail a taxi to the beach than to participate in a tour.) And, in tiny Monte Carlo, the castle, cathedral and casino are all within walking distance of your ship. Don't forget about arranging your own transportation, too. In Hawaii, many ports offer on-site car rentals or rental agency pickups. In Barcelona, you can easily use a combination of local buses, the subway and hop-on, hop-off tourist buses to get around.
However, in big cities like Athens, Rome and Florence -- which are far from the port -- it may make more sense to spring for a tour. It is also wiser to take a shore excursion in any third world country or in foreign ports, where language and customs might prove to be barriers. For example, in Brunei, you would definitely want to take the guided tour to sites like the biggest mosque in Asia -- Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. You'd probably never find it on your own. And, without guidance, you may not realize the necessity to respect local customs by covering your body from head to toe in long pants, long skirts and long sleeves. (Don't laugh -- this happened on a recent visit. Luckily, the locals are used to this and have a few robes on-hand to loan visitors.) In Tunis, you might not wish to participate in the aggressive haggling, conducted by the taxi drivers at the pier. Opt instead, for a ship-arranged tour to the souk or ancient Carthage.
The third option is the hybrid: book your own tour in advance through a local provider. You can often save money by eliminating the cruise-line middleman, or customize the trip to your interests. However, remember that, while the cruise ship will wait for any late-returning, ship-sponsored tours, you run the risk of getting stranded in port if your independent tour gets stuck in traffic and is late returning to the pier.
Just some other points to consider:
1. If you are cruising in Europe and are sailing on a cruise line like Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, the shore excursions you purchase from the cruise line will be in US$ rather than Euros.
2. If you are not very adventurous, sticking to the cruise tours are usually the safer bet.
3. If you are booking with a local vendor you find on line some might require local currency in cash, rather than credit cards. If they do accept credit cards, it might be payment in full prior to arrival. What happens if your ship doesn't make the port of call?
4. In many cases, My Vacation Lady can offer advise and opinions on shore excursions and might be able to offer private (and reliable) companies that offer shore excursions. These may be at a lower price, may offer smaller groups or may be more unique than those offered by the cruise line.
Let us know how we can help enhance your cruise experience with shore excursion assistance.
Guide to the Best Cruise Ship Shore Excursions
ERICA SILVERSTEIN
Snorkeling through coral reefs, exploring ancient Roman ruins, hiking on glaciers, shopping at local outdoor markets; all these shoreside activities are as much a part of the cruise experience as enjoying the onboard amenities of your ship. Indeed, half the fun of taking a cruise is exploring exciting new places, tropical islands, bustling metropolises, exotic countries.
So to enhance each port visit, cruise lines offer organized shore excursions on all ships for additional fees. The land-based trips run the gamut from sightseeing city tours to cultural events and active pursuits.
You can take a sunset pleasure cruise in St. Lucia, visit penguin colonies in the Falkland Islands, go wine-tasting in Provence or rollerblade through Copenhagen. The tours can be booked onboard at your ship's excursions desk or online before you depart on your trip.
The benefits of booking ship-sponsored tours are many. You can skip the hassle of arranging your own onshore activities, you'll know the tour provider is licensed and reputable and the ship won't depart until all of its tour buses have returned, even the tardy ones. You may also meet other shipmates whose company you'll enjoy back on the ship.
But ship tours are not always the way to go. The pleasurability and efficiency of tour operators varies from ship to ship, and some tour offerings are simply duds. All too often, shore excursions translate into time-consuming bus rides with drop-offs at shopping centers proffering souvenirs you can live without. Also, please note that the shore excursions offered by the cruise lines, represent a very large profit center for them. Yes, you will have security and ease but not often the best use of your time or money.
For example, after a long, hot (but worthwhile) tour of the Acropolis outside of Athens, passengers who thought they were being driven back to their ship were squirreled into a tacky little shop, belonging to the tour guide's brother-in-law.
To give you the skills to make the best decisions about your days in port, here is our advice on what to expect from a shore excursion and how to make the most of your time ashore.
What the Cruise Lines Offer
Cruise lines offer a mind-boggling array of tours, everything from basic snorkeling trips to more involved, overnight tours to see the Great Pyramids in Egypt. Here's a primer on what you can expect to see on offer.
Active vs. Sightseeing Tours: Shore excursions cover all levels of activity and interest and vary greatly, depending on what's available in each destination. Active tours could be anything from water sports to zip-lining, hiking, biking and dog-sledding. Activity-based trips might feature a day at the spa or beach, a pleasure cruise on a sailboat, wine or food tasting, a cultural performance or a visit to a museum.
Sightseeing excursions are typically bus tours that take passengers to the highlights and shopping areas of the port city or nearby destinations. Remember that excursions look different in different parts of the word. In the Caribbean, you'll find options like snorkeling with sting rays or transportation to private beaches; European tours focus more on sightseeing -- for example, full-day tours from the port of Livorno to the museums and cathedrals of Florence or multi-hour lunches, featuring local produce, meats and wine at a farmhouse in Tuscany.
Full vs. Half-Day Tours: Shore excursions vary in length. Some take up all your time in port, while others are just a few hours of an all-day visit. Choose a full-day tour to see the most you can in one trip or for journeys to destinations outside the port city. A half-day tour might only focus on one specific itinerary -- a three-hour kayak trip or a highlights tour of a city -- but gives you free time to explore the port on your own before or after.
Guided vs. Free Time: Not all shore excursions involve busloads of tourists, dutifully following flag- or umbrella-waving guides. You will find these types of sightseeing tours, as well as athletic endeavors overseen by dive masters or hike leaders. However, some tours simply bring you to a destination where you're free to explore until it's time to meet the bus to go home, while others feature guided components, followed by an hour or two of free time.
Highlights vs. In-Depth: Some shore excursions -- such as daylong trips from Tunis to the marketplace, museum and ancient Carthage -- pack many activities into one trip. Others focus on one destination or activity, like a trip to the Mayan ruins from Cozumel. It's up to you whether you'd prefer to see many things for short amounts of time or focus on one place, in-depth.
Concierge or Boutique: Some of the newest trends in shore excursions include intimate tours that are limited to 25 or so guests. Many lines offer these boutique excursions, which could be cooking classes at a renowned French cooking school or a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. Many lines also offer car-and-driver packages, so you can customize your own tour, or have concierges to arrange shoreside activities exclusively for your travel party. You can skip the caravan of four large tour buses and trade up for a more exclusive experience.
Should You Opt for Independent Exploration?
One of the biggest questions cruisers have is whether or not to take a ship-sponsored shore excursion. The answer banks on your budget, as well as your inclinations. Port tours vary in price, depending on the cruise line, and can run you anywhere from $40 per person for a simple beach break to hundreds of dollars each for such higher-priced options as helicopter rides, golf and day-long or overnight tours. Taking a tour in every port can quickly inflate your onboard bill.
Shore excursions are worth it if you want to venture to attractions that are located far from the pier, learn more about an area through a guide or participate in physical activities where gear is required (biking, diving, golf). However, if all you want to do is walk around town, shop or visit the beach, it could be much cheaper and less time-consuming to get a map and go it on your own. For instance, in St. Thomas, the shops are a stone's throw from the ship, but beaches are a cab ride away. (Keep in mind it still might be less expensive to hail a taxi to the beach than to participate in a tour.) And, in tiny Monte Carlo, the castle, cathedral and casino are all within walking distance of your ship. Don't forget about arranging your own transportation, too. In Hawaii, many ports offer on-site car rentals or rental agency pickups. In Barcelona, you can easily use a combination of local buses, the subway and hop-on, hop-off tourist buses to get around.
However, in big cities like Athens, Rome and Florence -- which are far from the port -- it may make more sense to spring for a tour. It is also wiser to take a shore excursion in any third world country or in foreign ports, where language and customs might prove to be barriers. For example, in Brunei, you would definitely want to take the guided tour to sites like the biggest mosque in Asia -- Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. You'd probably never find it on your own. And, without guidance, you may not realize the necessity to respect local customs by covering your body from head to toe in long pants, long skirts and long sleeves. (Don't laugh -- this happened on a recent visit. Luckily, the locals are used to this and have a few robes on-hand to loan visitors.) In Tunis, you might not wish to participate in the aggressive haggling, conducted by the taxi drivers at the pier. Opt instead, for a ship-arranged tour to the souk or ancient Carthage.
The third option is the hybrid: book your own tour in advance through a local provider. You can often save money by eliminating the cruise-line middleman, or customize the trip to your interests. However, remember that, while the cruise ship will wait for any late-returning, ship-sponsored tours, you run the risk of getting stranded in port if your independent tour gets stuck in traffic and is late returning to the pier.
Just some other points to consider:
1. If you are cruising in Europe and are sailing on a cruise line like Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, the shore excursions you purchase from the cruise line will be in US$ rather than Euros.
2. If you are not very adventurous, sticking to the cruise tours are usually the safer bet.
3. If you are booking with a local vendor you find on line some might require local currency in cash, rather than credit cards. If they do accept credit cards, it might be payment in full prior to arrival. What happens if your ship doesn't make the port of call?
4. In many cases, My Vacation Lady can offer advise and opinions on shore excursions and might be able to offer private (and reliable) companies that offer shore excursions. These may be at a lower price, may offer smaller groups or may be more unique than those offered by the cruise line.
Let us know how we can help enhance your cruise experience with shore excursion assistance.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Is it safe to go to the Riviera Maya? YES
This article is yet another one that might scare tourists about the safety of Mexico.
Please note, that while I don't mean to downplay the seriousness of this event, it took place outside of the tourist area in a residential area of Cancun. This is the same as telling people not to travel to mid town Manhattan in New York City because of murders in Harlem or the Bronx or Brooklyn or Newark, NJ.
Almost all of my clients that fly into the Cancun airport head down to the Riviera Maya. Just so you can understand some of the distances, Puerto Morelos (where properties like Excellence Riviera Cancun and Secrets Maroma are near) is 36 kilometers or 22.5 miles south of the Cancun airport. Playa del Carmen is 68 kilometers or 42 miles south of the Cancun airport. This event took place NORTH of the Cancun airport so my clients who are traveling to the Riviera Maya, should feel safe on their vacation.
CNN) -- Eight people died early Tuesday after attackers hurled several Molotov cocktails into a Cancun, Mexico, bar, the state attorney general said.
Six women and two men, all Mexican nationals and employees of the tavern, were killed in the 1:30 a.m. strike, now under investigation by judicial police, according to a release from Francisco Alor Quezada, attorney general for the state of Quintana Roo.
Eight men hurled the explosives at the bar and fled in vehicles, the release said. No shots were fired. Although the tavern is just 5 kilometers from the city's tourist stretch, it sits apart from the area frequented by tourists, and the clientele is composed of locals, it said.
Please note, that while I don't mean to downplay the seriousness of this event, it took place outside of the tourist area in a residential area of Cancun. This is the same as telling people not to travel to mid town Manhattan in New York City because of murders in Harlem or the Bronx or Brooklyn or Newark, NJ.
Almost all of my clients that fly into the Cancun airport head down to the Riviera Maya. Just so you can understand some of the distances, Puerto Morelos (where properties like Excellence Riviera Cancun and Secrets Maroma are near) is 36 kilometers or 22.5 miles south of the Cancun airport. Playa del Carmen is 68 kilometers or 42 miles south of the Cancun airport. This event took place NORTH of the Cancun airport so my clients who are traveling to the Riviera Maya, should feel safe on their vacation.
CNN) -- Eight people died early Tuesday after attackers hurled several Molotov cocktails into a Cancun, Mexico, bar, the state attorney general said.
Six women and two men, all Mexican nationals and employees of the tavern, were killed in the 1:30 a.m. strike, now under investigation by judicial police, according to a release from Francisco Alor Quezada, attorney general for the state of Quintana Roo.
Eight men hurled the explosives at the bar and fled in vehicles, the release said. No shots were fired. Although the tavern is just 5 kilometers from the city's tourist stretch, it sits apart from the area frequented by tourists, and the clientele is composed of locals, it said.
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