The Captain's Blog

Crystal - clearly the best.

2007-11-01T09:21:00.000-05:00

The November issue of Conde Nast Traveler lists the results of its annual reader's poll, and, once again, Crystal Cruises was named the number one cruise line. Crystal is a large ship luxury cruise line. Smaller ship competitors are in the premium/deluxe category.

Crystal Cruises had one of its highest scores ever (94.1)--more than five points ahead of all competition, large ships and small. This year, Crystal has won not only the Conde Nast Traveler award, but the CNT U.K. award, the Travel & Leisure Award and CNT's Best Cruise Line spa award--all voted by travelers.

"Cruise Week" correspondent Art Sbarsky, having returned recently from a Crystal Serenity cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean, highlights several aspects of what differentiates a luxury cruise in today's marketplace, focusing on how the largest luxury ship compares to the premium/deluxe lines.

Sbarsky notes that some of the features formerly associated primarily with luxury cruises--e.g., balconies, exotic itineraries, alternative restaurants--are now available on all kinds of ships, but the luxury lines still have the edge in space ratios and the crew per guest ratios. In the case of Crystal Serenity, space ratio is 63. As for stateroom size, the luxury lines pretty much have the bigger rooms and a higher percentage of balconies.

An overall feeling of quality is important in defining the difference between the top of the quality pyramid and the others. As virtually all ships now have different places to dine for meals, what is it that sets a brand like Crystal apart in that it continues to win the big awards? The answer lies in the immeasurable details.

For example, on Crystal Serenity guests are offered perhaps the best duo of alternative restaurants at sea: first is Silk Road, and its dining room and sushi bar are operated under the auspices of Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa. All of the chefs are from Nobu restaurants around the world; all menu items are as well. The ship's Italian restaurant, Prego, has its menus overseen by Piero Selvaggio. And meals here are offered for the extremely small (gratuity) of $7 per guest, a teeny percent of what it would cost to eat shoreside at the restaurants operated by Nobu or Selvaggio.

And Crystal shines with things like the quality of lecturers. On a particular Crystal Serenity cruise, the two lecturers were both former United States Ambassadors. Their lectures on the history of the region, foreign cultures, the English language, and more are enjoyable and of very high quality. Other high-quality learning activities are featured as well; the wine lectures are certainly a cut above--conducted by a Master Sommelier, one of only eight Americans to be so designated. The sessions are informative and very entertaining.

And then there's the less tangible: staying in touch while at sea has become more important. Crystal has done its fair share to keep up with wi-fi and cell phone access throughout most of the ship. However, certain areas are blocked so as not to disturb the ambience of various areas for the bulk of the guests. The Internet connection, using the same technology as the navy, is absolutely the fastest at sea. It symbolizes the smoothness of the whole experience.

Each traveler has their own set of priorities in defining what is best. Individual opinions count, but the majority opinion is clear – Crystal is the winner – by a long shot.

Pike Place Market - the heart of Seattle

2007-11-01T09:01:00.000-05:00

I fell in love with Seattle quite by accident. In a former life when I worked for Princess Cruises my responsibilities periodically called me to Alaska. In those days our sister company Princess Tours was based in Seattle. It made sense to stop by on my way to or from our giant state in the north. Visiting as an accidental tourist, the Emerald City captured my affection.

Pike Place Market is, in many ways, like a tour of Seattle itself. It is a nice microcosm of what Seattle has to offer.

The market turned 100 this past August, and Seattle celebrated the centennial with a week-long gala in the alley where it all began. To celebrate Pike Place Market is really to celebrate Seattle itself: The city and the market are so organically entwined that it’s impossible to distinguish the two. Pike Place Market is an enduring experiment that defines a city, a perennial coming together of steadfast individuals with a penchant for taking things into their own hands. Modern Seattle has grown up around the market, and much of the city’s vibe can be traced directly back to the DIY attitude that spawned Pike Place.

Pike Place Market is a rowdy and energetic beehive of activity. It’s a maze of fragrant flowers, polished produce, fresh-baked pastries, ethnic delicacies, handmade crafts, cheeses, wines, antiques, and fresh seafood — some fish is packed in ice, some of it flies through the air as workers toss the catch of the day to each other. A cornucopia of aromas greets you, from the bold smell of raw saltwater fish to the soothing redolence of baking bread, blooming plants, and freshly ground coffee.

In the early 1900s, farmers from the Rainier Valley hauled wagons loaded with fruits and vegetables to Produce Row where wholesalers who would sell the produce to grocers, restaurants, hotels, and consumers. The wholesalers were notorious crooks. Farmers rightfully complained they weren’t getting their fair share, and consumers bellowed at the outrageous price increases. When the price of onions rose from 10 cents a pound in 1906 to a dollar a pound in 1907, the outcries from farmers and shoppers poured into city hall. The Seattle City Council designated the newly built boardwalk alongside the Leland Hotel at First Avenue and Pike Street as a public market.

Off to a rocky start on the first market day August 17, 1907, the farmers and buyers quickly worked out the details and Seattle’s Pike Place Market was a quick success – without the middlemen. The farmers were from diverse ethnic backgrounds so the air was filled with Italian, German, Norwegian, and Mandarin dialects, a multi-ethnic cacophony that persists in the market today.

The market now encompasses nine acres of restaurants, shops, and stalls with nearly 200 year-round businesses, 190 craftspeople, 120 farmers, 240 street performers, and 300 apartment units. Also on site you’ll find a dentist, a medical clinic, a barbershop, an herbal apothecary, an optometrist, an Irish pub (in a space that used to be an embalming room), and a child day care: It’s practically a city unto itself.

In short, Pike Place Market is just as much about people as produce. In that sense, the vibe is unmistakably bohemian. “There’s a grittiness to the market that’s appealing, that you don’t get in a mall,” says Scott Davies, public information specialist for Pike Place Market.

With a unique policy called “Meet the Producer” any craftsperson or farmer occupying a day stall at the market must grow or produce what they sell. This guarantees that most of the products are one of a kind and that visitors to the market can meet and talk shop with the producers. The market also encourages family-run businesses; it’s not uncommon to find two or three generations of a family working under one roof.

That grass roots business mentality spilled over into Seattle and spurred impressive list of groundbreaking brands born in and around Seattle including; Boeing, Starbucks, Nordstrom, REI, Eddie Bauer, and UPS, while Microsoft and Nintendo can be found in nearby Redmond. Like Pike Place Market, many of these companies started small: Nordstrom began as a modest shoe store, and UPS was founded with a $100 loan. And like the market, these businesses tend to look out for their own. REI, Starbucks, Nordstrom, and Microsoft were ranked in the top 50 of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work for in 2007.”

But, what about the infamous Seattle rain? It is as synonymous with Seattle as the Space Needle, grunge rock, and coffee. Truth be told, Seattle receives an average of 37 inches of rain per year. But that amount is considerably less than that of a host of U.S. cities, including New York, Atlanta, Houston, Memphis, St. Louis, Mobile, Miami, and of course my hometown in Tampa bay.

My Seattle friends joke that they rust rather than tan. “We have our Seattle mist,” says Jeff Renner, chief meteorologist for Seattle’s KING 5 News. “People just recognize that it’s a fairly constant thing so they tend to go out regardless”. Renner also says that you can tell the tourists in Seattle because they’re the ones carrying umbrellas.

Rain does not keep the locals inside and it shouldn’t hamper your visit. This active city lends itself to walking tours, particularly around the waterfront and Pike Place Market. In addition, 80 percent of the city limits are surrounded by water, so tour boats also abound. To fully enjoy Seattle be prepared to go boating, and bring a comfortable pair of shoes.

If you are lucky enough to visit Seattle for more than a quick stop, plan to be active. It is not a place that fosters couch potatoes. Visitors and locals alike revel in the outdoor activities the city's situation provides for. Seattle sits on the shores of two large lakes and Puget Sound, with remote wilderness less than an hour away, and it is flanked by two major mountain ranges (Olympics and Cascades), with Mount Rainier in full view from the city. It is also within easy reach of the San Juan Islands, Pacific Ocean beaches and major rivers. Adventure opportunities are abundant.

If you are only in Seattle for a brief stay, make Pike Place Market your priority, where you’re likely to encounter a cross-section of Seattle: doctors and rock stars, software programmers and meteorologists, the ultra-rich, and the regular locals. When in Seattle I like to stay at the Four Seasons, opulent in accommodation, and only a short walk away from the heart of Seattle culture, Pike Place market.

How to complain - effectively

2007-11-01T07:52:00.000-05:00

We are exceedingly fortunate in our jobs. Client satisfaction rates are remarkably high. According to our Welcome Home Surveys 92% of our clients rate our preferred suppliers as Excellent, and Clearwater Cruises is rated Excellent by 98% of our clients.

But alas, life is not perfect, and eventually someone encounters something on vacation that does not meet expectations. I personally answer all client complaints, and you are welcome to bring any concerns directly to me. Through years of travel management I have seen my share of complaints from both the supplier side, and the agency perspective. Here are a few things that I have found help to heal a situation gone bad.

First, make your disappointment known to on site personnel at the time it occurs. That may sound a overly basic, but I’m always surprised when a client tells us they did not like something but failed to tell the front desk, purser, or tour escort. If you find the situation embarrassing it may be easier for you to leave your concern in writing for management to act on. Make sure they know how to find you for follow up.

If the situation was not resolved to your satisfaction with the on site personnel you may want to direct your complaint to senior management. This usually means a follow up after you have returned home.

There are two variables that the Customer Service Representative must deal with. Perceptions of good and bad are registered very differently by people in the exact same circumstances. And people have a very wide range of expectations when they file a complaint. These representatives are not clairvoyant so you must tell them what is important to you.

Here is how it works best:

1. Put your complaint in writing. Be specific with dates, times, and names of persons involved.

2. Don’t send your complaint directly to the supplier. Address it to us, your agent. We will add our cover comments, direct it through proper channels for customer service, and copy you on all correspondence. Each travel company has a different procedure, and we make sure it gets to the proper person for response. We most probably have thousands of other customers with this same supplier. That helps validate your complaint and adds additional clout to your concerns.

3. Don’t join in with other travelers for a group complaint. If there is a circumstance that affected other travelers too it may seem like there is strength in numbers, but ganging up on the supplier almost never achieves the objective. Suppliers are reluctant to compensate people in a gang because it can be overly costly to resolve the problem. If they give something to one person, they will have to give the same to everybody, so they get very stingy when compensating groups of people. An individual complaint about the same circumstance is more likely to receive a favorable response.

4. If you feel there is something specific that will make up for your disappointment, be specific and spell out exactly what will make it ok for you.

Clients are often uncomfortable with # 4. It is the most critical part of the process, and satisfaction depends on it. Here is why.

People with complaints generally fit into one of these categories.

They just want to make sure that management is aware of a situation so it does not happen to someone else.
They are disappointed and feel they deserve an apology.
They feel they did not get what they paid for and expect equivalent compensation.
They are looking for a windfall because they are part of the "gotcha" segment of our society who try to turn any perceived shortcoming into their personal profit.

Customer Service representatives must deal with everything from polite informants, to “slip & fall” con artists. In our hyper litigious society they are careful to protect their company’s interest. If you are not specific about what will make you happy the Customer Service representative will have to guess what will be ok for you. Their safe route is to assume that you just wanted them to be aware of the situation, and they will thank you for your input. That’s it.

It does not work to your favor to say: “I’m mad, and you better do something about it”. If you don’t know what will make you happy, they won’t either. If you are not specific about your request, they will offer you the least that they feel they can get away with, which may be disappointing to you. I have never seen them miraculously pop up with a better deal than a client expected, and once an offer of compensation is made they don’t renegotiate. Be honest about what you want – you may get it.

It is never our position to suggest what would make it ok for you. That is personal, and must come from you. If you want an apology, then you need to ask for it. If you expect to travel for free in the Owners Suite for the rest of your life, then you need to ask for it. Customer Service reps respond best to specifics.

We don’t make any promises about results. I can promise you this – if your complaint is legitimate, and you follow these suggestions, we have the greatest probability of correcting your complaint to your satisfaction.

Credit Card Reject

2007-11-01T07:50:00.000-05:00

The complaints dribble in every month or so: Someone runs up a big hotel charge or other bill in Europe, then is caught flat-footed when a vendor won't accept a U.S. credit card. The issue: Many countries in Europe have switched to a "chip and PIN" system, meaning credit cards are embedded with microchips, and instead of signing receipts, users type in a PIN.

Obviously, cards with a magnetic strip -- the old "swipe and sign" cards issued in the United States -- are still widely accepted, or the howls of complaint would be deafening. MasterCard, Visa and American Express representatives say every business that accepts their cards must agree to accept “swipe and sign” as well as “chip and PIN”. So why are problems still reported?

There might be the occasional person at the till who didn't get the memo, so to speak. Insist that the cashier try the card, because it will nearly always work. Ask to speak to a manager. That works too. Also, beware of self-service machines, particularly at train and gas stations. Plan ahead; buy train tickets when stations are staffed, and don't wait until your gas tank is empty to look for a place that takes your card or cash.

End of the Earth, All Over the World, and Outer Space.

2007-10-24T15:43:00.000-05:00

At the risk of "going too far"… may I suggest travel to...

END OF THE EARTH

There is a silly argument regarding the southernmost town on earth. It’s like sibling rivalry, with Punta Arenas and Ushuaia competing for bragging rights as the city at fin del mundo - “the end of the world”. Both towns claim to be the world's southernmost, which matters mainly to people who sell mugs and T-shirts and, this being South America, to passionate locals.

Ushuaia, in Argentina, population 65,000, is a place to eat and sleep and party a little while waiting to grab a ride on an Antarctica-bound excursion vessel or as a base for exploring semi-tamed chunks of Tierra del Fuego. On local signage and souvenirs, Ushuaia declares itself fin del mundo--end of the world.

Punta Arenas, in Chile, population 115,000, is indeed north of Ushuaia. But, here is the catch: "Ushuaia is on an island," notes a veterinarian who happens to be Chilean, specifically Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. Punta Arenas, she further notes, is not. It's on the mainland. "If we allow islands," she ultimately notes, "there is Puerto Williams." It is a modest (population 2,000) settlement south of Ushuaia, on a Beagle Channel island, in Chile. So Chile's Puerto Williams, strictly speaking (and not counting Antarctica, whose largest town is a few shacks with instruments), is at the fin del mundo.

Cruise ships sailing around Cape Horn stop at one or both, and they deserve that. They would even be worth an extra day if the big boats weren't in so much of a hurry. In the era before regularly scheduled airline service, Ushuaia was home to a prison (location, location, location) and was a lively port for exporting wool, timber and a little gold. The prison closed in 1947 and is a museum, the gold didn't last, timber is scarce these days and the wool business isn't what it was, which leaves tourism as the primary local industry. The main drag in Ushuaia, Avenida San Martin, looks like many other tourist strips around the world, a concentration of souvenir shops, lodgings, restaurants, tour offices, photo processors, Internet cafes and places to quench thirst, plus they have a casino.

It is rumored that the the restaurants are a little better in Punta Arenas, which really matters--aside from both being surrounded by Tierra del Fuego and the rest of Patagonia, which counts for something. They also have the closest decent airport to Torres del Paine, the mind-blowing national park a day's drive away. That's reason enough to get down here.

And one last point: Both Ushuaia and Punta Arenas have accessible penguins.

(contains info from an article by Alan Solomon Chicago Tribune, October 14, 2007)

8 Top Adventures – All Over The World.

(this collection first appeared on Forbes.com)

As long as we talking about Antarctica, let’s start there and explore some other adventures All Over the World. Here, listed in alphabetical order, are eight “places you should see before you die”.

Antarctica

Why it's worth it: The Antarctic landscape: enormous icy mountains, icebergs and wildlife, including 17 species of penguin.

How to do it: Book a tour with an established operator like Abercrombie & Kent. Tour prices start around $6,000, not including airfare. From New York, a popular route is to fly into Santiago, Chile, which costs about $1,000 on TAM or LAN airlines--if you don't fly direct ($3,000 if you do). From there, travelers fly to Ushuaia, the port town on the southern tip of Argentina from which most Antarctica-bound vessels leave. Crossing the Drake Passage, the body of water between the southern tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, takes about two days.

Copper Canyon, Mexico

Why it's worth it: Located in Mexico's largest state, Chihuahua, the Copper Canyon actually consists of more than 20 canyons, running over 20,000 square miles and four times as large as the Grand Canyon.

How to do it: Chihuahua City, Mexico, is about ten hours via plane from New York; tickets on Continental are about $600. From Fierro Villalobos, the Chihuahua City airport, it's 30 or 40 minutes to the city center, where the Copper Canyon train terminal is located. The rail journey past Copper Canyon, 406 miles, connects Chihuahua with the Pacific Ocean and passes bridges, tunnels and the spectacular network of canyons on the way. We recommend Tauk tours for this.

Easter Island, Chile

Why it's worth it: This Polynesian island is volcanic, with lush green fields and an endless panorama of blue sky. Odd to think of “Polynesia” and “Chile” in the same context, but there it is. The island is scattered with moai, stone monoliths 13 feet high, carved in the shape of human heads and which scientist believe were created for ceremonial reasons between A.D. 1400 and 1600. Rapanui, the island's inhabitants, number about 2,000.

How to do it: This desolate island in the South Pacific is accessible via direct flight from Santiago, Chile, which is about 2,000 miles away. The cost is just over $1,000 from Santiago on LAN Airlines; a ticket from New York to Santiago also costs about $1,000 on LAN or TAM.

Faroe Islands, Denmark

Why it's worth it: The Faroe Islands are an 18-island archipelago, located midway between Iceland and Norway and technically a self-governing region of Denmark. The main industry is fishing, although tourism accounts for a significant portion of the economy too. The islands' climate is mild, tempered by the Gulf Stream, and the dramatic shore is lined with volcanic basalt cliffs. Ornithologists will be particularly at home with over 300 species of birds to observe. This is a true destination for “oneupsmanship”. When you boast about this adventure it is a fair bet you won’t find anyone who counters your story with their account of “when I was there…”.

How to do it: You can't fly direct from New York; on a typical Continental flight, travelers change planes twice on the way over (once in Germany and then again in Copenhagen) and just once (Copenhagen) on the way back. This journey will cost you $3,400.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Why it's worth it: The islands are teeming with species not found elsewhere; the chance to observe giant tortoises or snorkel with sea cucumbers is reason enough for most. This is a highly ecologically sensitive destination, and the Ecuadorian government is considering limiting tourism here. Get it while you can.

How to do it: From New York, flights to the Ecuadorean city of Quito on Avianca Aerovias cost about $500. Two Ecuadorean airlines, TAME and Aerogal, fly direct to the Galapagos from Quito and Guayaquil. These flights take only 30 to 45 minutes, but because supply is limited (fewer than ten a week), they can cost up to $390. Passengers land in San Cristobal or Baltra, outside of the Galapagos National Park. Approaches by cruise ship are possible too, but there is a wide discrepancy in quality between lines. Once in the Galapagos, if you're traveling independently, you must hire a trained naturalist guide.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Why it's worth it: The Machu Picchu ruins, nestled in the jagged Andes mountain range, were only discovered in 1911. The ruins of the former settlement, thought to have been a royal estate or place of religious significance, once housed about 1,200 people. Today, native Peruvians selling hand-made crafts like scarves and hats crowd the ruins' entrance. Professional guides with archeological backgrounds add depth and meaning to all you see.

How to do it: We recommend hosted tours for ease of travel and security. If you are inclined to travel independently, for about $1,000, Lan Peru flies directly to Cuzco from Miami, and the journey takes about nine hours. From there, travelers take a train to Machu Picchu, which can cost between $70 and $500, depending on the level of luxury required. Several four-day guided hikes are available from Cuzco to Machu Picchu as well, starting at $300 (it's a distance of 43 miles). From Aguas Calientes, the town just outside the ruins, buses or a 45-minute climb will take you to the ruins themselves, where tickets cost about $20.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Why it's worth it: The glacial ice topping Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest free-standing mountain, has begun to disappear in recent years, so go now. Top tour companies such as Abercrombie and Kent include views of this highlight with broader range African tours. If you are high on the adventure scale you can do this independently and add this climb to your log. There are several routes to the top, each of which enjoys spectacular vistas over the surrounding landscape; guides for the week-long journey can be hired at the mountain's base for about $2,000, including lodging.

How to do it: Direct flights are not available from New York to Kilimanjaro International Airport, but multileg journeys are. For example: New York to Nairobi, Kenya, via Dubai on Emirates, and then Nairobi to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, via Precision Air is available for about $1,600. Northwest Airlines and KLM also fly to Kilimanjaro, through Amsterdam. From the airport, Kilimanjaro National Park is about an hour's drive, and guides can be hired at the mountain's base.

Tibet

Why it's worth it: Tibet's Himalayan backdrop is as enchanting as it is austere. The Potala Palace in Lhasa, which dates back to the seventh century A.D., is a major draw, but venturing into Yarlung Valley, with its temples, caves and monasteries, is rewarding as well.

How to do it: Your adventure quota determines what is best for you to experience Tibet. Well structured tours will bring a lot of stability and predictability while still providing fantastic access to this exotic destination. If you really crave an up close and personal experience you can travel Tibet independently – but you need a lot of patience and a high degree of tolerance for travel standards that are very different from home. Most Americans enter Tibet through China; direct flights from New York to Beijing on Continental cost about $800. From Beijing, flights to Lhasa Gonggar airport, about 60 miles from Lhasa, cost as much as $800 on China Eastern Airlines (from Chengdu airport flights are cheaper; you can also take a train to Lhasa). From the airport, travelers rent cars for the drive into the city.

OUTER SPACE - How far can you go?

Let’s take this “ends of the earth” theme all the way. This is for real.

In 2009, Richard Branson will introduce Virgin Galactic, the so-called "world's first spaceline." Departing from the Mojave Desert, the 2.5 hour journey will cost $200,000 per person and be the first commercial venture into outer space; passengers will enter zero gravity, experience weightlessness and view the world from 62 miles above.

Branson is betting the allure of the unknown--as well as the three-day "training" period, where passengers reside in spa-like quarters where they are fitted for space gear and prepared for the journey--will have 'em lining up. You can check it out at their web site http://www.virgingalactic.com/

If you want to book a space flight, let me know. I should have my Accredited Space Agent credentials very soon.

Bahamas, Azamara, 3:1:1

2007-10-09T18:51:00.000-05:00

Bahamas again, and again.
It is Monday and I’m looking out over the harbor in Nassau, for what seems like the hundredth time. I first set foot here about 25 years ago. I thought it was exotic, and beautiful, and full of history, mystery, and adventure. I still do.

As I have spent the past quarter of a century in the travel business I must have heard this statement dozens of times: “I’ve been to the Bahamas. I want to go somewhere different”. That seems curious to me, because every time I visit the Bahamas it is a different place.

Some people seem to approach travel like they are going places to check off squares on a big bingo board. “Been there done that”. I think they miss one of the most valuable travel experiences by not revisiting some destinations. When you revisit the same place over time you build a personal history that ads context to your visit.

I first visited Nassau when I was a young and restless sales rep for Dolphin Cruise Line. We were a one ship cruise line. The Dolphin IV held a few hundred people but when we dropped in on Nassau we really made an impact on downtown enterprises like the straw market – the old one that was informal, outdoors, and full of aggressive craft sellers. My crew mates and I could take over a local watering hole like the Green Shutters Pub and leave an impression that brought recognition when we returned years later.

It is different today. I’m perched in the newly renovated Sheraton Cable Beach hotel, watching mega-ships come and go from the harbor. When the crowds disembark they see a very different Nassau than I remember in the 1980’s. Downtown has grown to accommodate the larger crowds, and enough time has passed that I’m watching from a hotel that was new on my first visit, but has aged through several hotel chains, changed with the fashion of the day, and become a born again beauty today. Everything changes, and it is pretty much all good.

Sure the Bahamas have changed, and I see lots of positives. It is nostalgic to look back on those “old days”, but I must admit that the Bahamas are a better place today. It is safer, cleaner, and truly friendlier. I love the stronger work ethic. The accents have thinned to be more easily understood. It has changed, but that is ok.

And that is just the point. If you only visit a place once, you only have a snapshot of a point in time. When you visit, and revisit, you have history and you get to know a place in context. It is almost like watching kids grow up. To truly appreciate what you see today, it helps to have known them “back when”. And to appreciate some place tomorrow, it helps to experience it today.

I love visiting the Bahamas, again, and again, most especially because I do have some history here. The old Bahamian style still exists if you dig a little. You’ll find more of that style if you visit the Out Islands. That is exactly what I was doing on this trip – setting up some opportunities for a few hundred lucky soles to visit the Out Islands. For their sakes I hope they come back again, and again.

New Cruise Line for special Niche
For those who want to live the high life on the high seas but find most cruise ships too big, a new line of boutique ships from Azamara Cruises could be just the ticket.Azamara, which launched in May, is a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited and Celebrity Cruises. The luxury line’s two 710-passenger vessels, Journey and Quest, aim to raise the bar on personalized service and attention, while simultaneously tapping a growing segment of the industry.

“[We] created Azamara Cruises to target an area of the market that we believe is underserved, and an area this product is ideally suited to fill,” Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO Richard Fain said.

If you’re a traveler wanting some serious comfort and pampering in a relaxed environment, Azamara has what you’re looking for.

On board these floating palaces there are no formal nights -- the dining rooms are open seating. But each stateroom comes with butler service, fresh-cut flowers, fresh fruit, Elemis toiletries, complimentary use of Frette cotton robes, two complimentary pairs of slippers, plasma TV’s and European bedding. As an added perk, guests are invited to a complimentary dinner on each cruise in the ship’s two fee-based specialty restaurants. Passengers have a choice of the Mediterranean-influenced "Aqualina" and the steak and seafood restaurant, "Prime C." Both feature commanding views of the ocean.
It’s the details on these “deluxe” cruises that put them a notch above premium lines such as Carnival’s Holland America and the Princess ships.

Planned itineraries for the remainder of 2007 include Bermuda, Panama Canal and South America. Voyages for the 2008 season include Asia, the Caribbean, South America and Europe. Around-the-world voyages are scheduled to begin in 2010.

(With contributions by Ryan Ruggiero CNBC.com)

Tip of the Week
Air travel is rough these days with so many people in such tight quarters. Lines are long, and they are made longer with increased security measures. We need the increased safety. Those security check points are painful but necessary.

You can ease your pass through the security lines by abiding by the 3:1:1 rule. If you are going to carry personal care items such as aerosols, gels, and liquids in your carry-on bag you should pack accordingly. Pack them in containers no larger than 3 ounces, collected in a 1 quart clear zip lock bag, only one bag per passenger. You won’t be stopped in the security line and you’ll avoid having your stuff confiscated.

Costa Rica - Pura Vida

2007-10-04T08:58:00.000-05:00

La Fortuna – it means “The Lucky Ones”. It describes all the fortunate folks who choose Costa Rica as their vacation destination. It also is Costa Rica’s most popular tourist town, which got its name because they escaped a volcano eruption that buried all the neighboring towns (more on that in a minute).

This place really is paradise, pleasing to the widest array of travelers. Toucans perched atop the palm trees, waterfalls plunging through the rainforests, volcanoes steaming ominously in the background, and some of the worlds most beautiful beaches. Eco-travelers, surfers, sports fishers, beach bums, and adventure seekers of all kind come for “Pura Vida” – the pure life.

But perhaps Costa Rica is most rich in its people—the 4 million friendly Ticos who seem genuinely happy to see you. They want you to relax, to kick back with an Imperial beer and order a “casada,” or “married man’s leftovers” (a preset plate of rice; black beans; plantains; fried yucca; and either chicken, fish, beef or pork). They’d like you to spend at least two weeks in their country to see it all: the highlands, the lowlands, the Pacific and Caribbean sides.

I have found the Costa Ricans to be special. Here is one of my favorite Tico stories.

I believe in magic – the kind that comes from special coincidences beyond all odds. Merlin is a manager at one of my favorite resorts, “Si Como No”. It is an upscale collection of suites that cling to the mountainside overlooking the Pacific coast with a lackadaisical ambiance that reflects the name which translates to “Sure, why not”. I had a meeting scheduled with Merlin but in typical Tico Time he was not available until mid-day. Taking advantage of the local options I spent the morning surfing and lounging on a gorgeous beach shared with two other people and a few howler monkeys that scurried in and out of the jungle backdrop.

Soaking up the tropical sun I chose a cliché book to entertain myself: “A Pirate Looks at Fifty”, by Jimmy Buffet. I say it was cliché because he makes his living off creating a faux tropic experience for a bunch of Yankees who use his songs and a Corona as a substitute for actually experiencing the real world outside their borders. Like the Parrotheads that follow him I always suspected the much of Jimmy’s adventures were the creation of good story telling.

The chapter I happened to read on this particular morning started something like this: “No matter where you happen to be right now, I’m going to take you to Paradise”. Jimmy described a perfect beach, in Costa Rica – the very same beach I was sitting on in Manuel Antonio precisely at that moment. Wow, what a coincidence. But wait, it gets better.
The story develops to a scene of a New Years Eve party at Si Como No – no kidding, I’m heading there later this morning. At the poolside party Jimmy is linked arm-in-arm with other revelers trying to sing in Spanish, but he gets the words wrong. The locals are laughing as he sings: “Felice Anos”. The resort manager, Merlin, politely tells him: “Jimmy, you are wishing them happy assholes. Say it ‘felice anyos’. Wait a minute – I have a meeting with the same Merlin this morning!

I asked Merlin how much of that scene was true, and how much was just good story telling. He assured me that Mr. Buffet’s account was truly accurate. Well, if that story is true, I suppose we can accept his other yarns of adventure too. I know you can count on this for sure – Jimmy, Merlin, and I agree that Costa Rica is perhaps the finest tropical adventure you will ever experience.

The Pacific Coast is awesome. It has some of the world’s best surf, and sport fishing. The mountains run to the sea like a more tropical version of California, but without the development. If you want to visit Si Como No you’ll need to target the small town of Quepos, and head a bit south on the road to the National Park Manuel Antonio. Getting there is not easy, which is probably one reason it remains so special.

Costa Rica can get your adrenalin going. Covered in rainforest, it provides some outrageous zipline—a.k.a. canopy tours—through the rainforests, or balance your way across hanging (and swinging) bridges strung high above the jungle floor, here you can come face to face with howler monkeys, sloth (called “branch potatoes”), toucans, tarantulas and, for the biggest bragging rights, rare, resplendent quetzals or even jaguars and black panthers. Or, target world class white water rafting that runs through Category 5 thrillers.

Live Volcanoes are an asset and Costa Rica likes to show them off. Scattered up and down the isthmus are cauldrons in various stages of development, including Arenal which is one of the 10 most active volcanoes on the planet. The National Park is best visited at night for the full effect. In the silence it sounds like popcorn popping—only it’s lava bubbling from the volcano. Hit the trail so you can see the red lava oozing from its cone at nightfall. As you get closer the popping sounds more like the Fourth of July. Finally, the periodic crescendo: large boulders spurting from the volcano and crashing down the mountain, cracking on impact; sparks flying; and a brilliant red glow lighting the night sky.

In 1968 the volcano erupted burying the nearby villages of Pueblo Nuevo, San Luis and Tabacón. It spared La Fortuna, so they gave it the name of “The Lucky One”. I would bestow that name on all those who visit Costa Rica, and grow to appreciate “Pura Vida” – “The Pure Life”.

Yoga, Oz, Kiwi, Cuba, and more

2007-09-26T15:12:00.000-05:00

Don't just take a vacation. Change your life.
That's the concept resorts are selling to a growing number of people for whom an exotic getaway just isn't enough. The purveyors of yoga and wellness vacations promise more than mere relaxation; they promise transformation.

Ask why someone would choose a yoga vacation – and the meditation, body contortions and discipline that goes with it – and the answer repeats: People go for life-changing experiences.
From luxury hotel resorts to rustic retreats, yoga offerings and yoga-centric vacations have increasingly become a carrot to lure vacationers that want more than a fabulous place to stay and entertainment. The past five years have seen growth in yoga vacations that is emblematic of a larger trend in the travel industry, says Allen Kay, spokesman for the Travel Industry Association. “Wellness and fitness fits right into that pattern of an ever-broadening array of niches that the travel industry is catering to.” Kay said.

Yoga vacations come in many incarnations. The high end can range from packages at luxury resorts to all-inclusive vacations to India, Chile, Bali or elsewhere. The spectrum of choices includes more austere retreats that offer the bare bones – more meditation than amenities – and cost much less.

The number of retreats being offered is booming, the hard part is figuring out what kind of retreat to choose, said Andrea Ferretti, senior editor of Yoga Journal. Others say it's also important to consider the styles of yoga practiced at the retreat, as well as the level of discipline expected, as yoga retreats vary widely in size, scope and purpose.

First-timers should think about where in the world they'd like to go, then ask your local yoga instructor about the teachers at the retreat destination. We can help you organize and lead your own group trips abroad.

(with contirbutions from an article by Lauren Villagran of the Associated Press)

The Land of Oz
On my first trip to Australia nearly 20 years ago it took me a while to figure out that references to “Ozzies” were comments about local folks. In a place with oddities like the Platypus and Tasmanian Devil I thought I might be hearing about yet another mystic beast. It turns out that the charming accent converts “Aussies” to “Ozzies”. Take it a step further and you see how the affectionate term for Australia is the Land of Oz.

Roughly the size of the United States, there is plenty of Australia to appeal to everyone, if you know what to book.

There is the drama of the remote 'Outback', the colorful spectacle of the Great Barrier Reef and its coral islands, the excitement of the cosmopolitan cities, the sun and surf at some of the best beaches in the world, and the tropical rainforests of Western Australia. The list is endless in this diverse land of adventure, which boasts 2,000 national parks and 14 World Heritage-listed areas, along with more than 7,000 beaches.

“Everyone goes there to see kangaroos and koalas,” says Goway Travel Product and Marketing Manager Emma Cottis. “But even kangaroos and koalas become ho hum to kids after a few days, so you have to know how to mix it up to keep things interesting. Australia offers so much for families,” she says. “What child wouldn’t love staying in an underground hotel like the Desert Cave Hotel in Coober Pedy? And then there is the Australia Zoo near Brisbane that Steve Irwin built up and now his little daughter Bindi has made famous. There is so much to do in Australia for families that it is eye-opening, educational and just fun.”

Where to Go, What to See - Sydney is big and metropolitan, Melbourne is cultured, quaint and surprisingly European. If you are visiting the warm waters of the east coast you will no doubt want to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Famed Ayres Rock is, literally, in the middle of nowhere. If you like to collect “been-there-done-that’s” it may be worth effort to head to the center of Oz to see the world’s largest monolith, but personally I think travel time is best spent on the East Coast.

Cruises are a terrific way to visit, and travel between, Cairnes, Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart Tasmania. There are plenty of choices with major lines including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Regent, Crystal Cruises, Oceania, Silversea Cruises, and more. It is really best to get some quality counseling to match the right experience with your personal tastes.

The South Australia Tourism Commission offers some pretty good ideas for how families can have the time of their lives in the land of OZ: Kangaroo Island, located just off the coast of South Australia, combines 19 national and conservation parks, breathtaking scenery, beaches, water activities, and most of all an abundance of wildlife, unmatched anywhere else in the country. Kids can feed pelicans at Kingscote Wharf, and come face-to-face with giant cuttlefish, seahorses, fairy penguins, and more at the KI Marine Center. Older kids can try sand-boarding down the razorback dunes at Little Sahara, or hop aboard the Island Explorer—a rigid inflatable boat normally used by the police and military—and zip along the coast for a stunning view of the island. Grownups can also explore the island’s wineries and everyone is sure to love a visit to the Eucalyptus Distillery, as well as tasting cheese and ice cream at Island Pure Sheep Dairy, and honey from Clifford’s Honey Farm.

Because Australia has so much to offer and so many things that different members of the family might want to do, Arnelle Kendall, a spokesperson for Trafalgar Tours, notes that Trafalgar’s FREE and EASY programs might be of interest. These tours have been designed as family vacations to Australia and offer key Australia sightseeing adventures along with a balance of free time so everyone in the family gets an opportunity to do the things that are important to them.

“Trafalgar includes those ‘must see & do’ activities like visiting an Australian wildlife park or cruising the Great Barrier Reef, but they factor in a lot of free time to keep the balance and allow for choice in alternative activities,” points out Kendall.

So depending on what parts of Australia the family would like to see, from the rugged Outback to the glorious Great Barrier Reef, from the wilds of Tasmania to the wildlife of Kangaroo Island, a good agent can make the right matches for you.

(with contirbutions from an article by Lark Ellen Gould in ModernAgent Magazine)

Kiwi means two great islands in one country.
More curious than “Oz” is the New Zealander choice of moniker – Kiwi. Yeah, I know, Kiwi is a silly little flightless bird, but with a billion sheep in the country one might expect a woollier name. Whatever the name it is one of the most fanciful places on earth.

This is a place of sublime natural beauty, populated nearly exclusively by sheep and hobbits. That reference comes from great exposure this double island nation received from the recent “Lord of the Rings” series filmed in large part among the breathtaking scenery.

New Zealand is the new Eden, with a clean and green image. The two islands have surprisingly different characters. The North Island has dramatic volcanic landscapes and highly active thermal areas, long stretches of beautiful beaches and excellent sailing, ancient indigenous forests and a strong Maori cultural influence. The South Island has a slower pace of life dominated by a magnificent spine of mountains, the snow-covered Southern Alps, and the spectacular scenery of the southern waterways of the fjordlands, with glaciers, deep lakes and verdant forests.

When it comes to lodging there's too much choice. Everyone in New Zealand is a hotelier, or so it can sometimes seem. All you need is a moderately big house in a pretty location (not difficult in this country) with an orange juicer, a couple of en suites, and some misplaced confidence that you know something about travelers' needs and expectations, and you're in business. "These days it just seems everybody's like, 'Hey, I'm going to open a lodge!'" a young Queenstown tourism official declared.

The New Zealand hospitality industry is not celebrated for its culture of professionalism. According to Hugh Stewart of Travel & Leisure Magazine hotel owners make claims about how cozy and informal and familial their establishments are, but it's all really just a cover-up for the fact that they're amateurs and unable to produce a true, complete hotel experience. They run their properties on a lazy B&B model, except that instead of $150 a night, they charge $1,000.
Whether you want to experience Bay of Island, Christchurch, or Queenstown, it pays to do your homework if you are going to travel independently. It can be done, but you might want to consider the advantages of recommended tour operators.

If you are looking for a Kiwi highlights sample it is most easily visited on a cruise with an itinerary that includes both New Zealand and Australia. That’s the right choice for some folks, including my very own parents who will make the trek this February to enjoy the “summer down under”.

(with contirbutions from an article by Hugh Stewart Travel & Leisure Magazine)

Cuba - Today or Tomorrow?
We frequently hear comments from clients like; “I’d like to visit Cuba – When it opens up.” It usually comes as a surprise to find that it is not illegal for Americans to visit Cuba today. That is with two caveats: You cannot fly directly from the U.S., and it is illegal to spend your money there. It’s that funny little clause in the “Trading With The Enemy Act” that makes it tricky to set your sites on a visit to our neighbor to the south.

But thousands of U.S. tourists already travel to Cuba behind Washington's back, and many say being sneaky is part of the fun. Some are scrambling to get to the island while Fidel Castro is still alive, fearing the U.S. government could scrap the travel ban once he's gone and bring profound change to Cuba.

Some Americans sail to Cuba, but most fly through Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas or Jamaica. Cuban tourist cards can be purchased at third-country airports and customs officials usually stamp only these loose-leaf visas, not the permanent pages of U.S. passports. Separately, Cuba said 20,100 Americans visited the country through June of this year, almost all presumably without U.S. permission.

"The fact that you're not supposed to be there, that was the top for me," said Amit, 29, a New York City native who visited Cuba in September 2006, shortly after the 81-year-old Castro fell ill and ceded power to his younger brother. "I was like, 'It's time to go,"' said Amit, who asked that his full name not be published to avoid U.S. fines. "You just don't know what Cuba will be like after Castro's gone."

The American Society of Travel Agents recently estimated that nearly 1.8 million Americans would visit in the first three years following an end to the travel ban.

"We wanted to get here before all the other Americans come and ruin it all," said Bridget, a 20-year-old from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who wandered Old Havana's colonial streets with her friend Erik in August. "It's forbidden treasure," said Erik, also from the Twin Cities. "It will be so Americanized in a few years. Just like Cancun," where U.S. franchises from Hard Rock Cafe to Hooters tend to drown out Mexican culture.

If caught, unauthorized U.S. tourists can face civil fines of up to $55,000, though many settle for smaller amounts. Since January 2006, 19 Americans have paid fines for sneaking to Cuba, including four people involved in making Oliver Stone's documentary about Castro, "Comandante." Fellow filmmaker Michael Moore is now being investigated for filming "Sicko" without permission in Cuba.

Our recent surveys on our website show “Adventure” to be the number one Special Interest Travel. I suppose sneaking into Cuba under the threat of a large fine could be considered adventure. Then again, this is coming from a guy who went to college in Bogota, Colombia before the drug lords switched from blowing each other up to managing their cartels. That was adventure. And I also went to college in Poland in the summer of 1980 and helped germinate the Solidarity movement that eventually brought down the Soviet Union. That was adventure. So, maybe you might not share my sense of adventure.

Anybody have a spare $55,000 they could lend me to risk on a fine?

(with contirbutions from an article by Associated Press)

Tip of the Week - How to fully enjoy your last day on your cruise ... By Susan Russo
We all hate to see the last day of our cruise arrive, and the thought of "having" to have bags packed and set outside our stateroom door by a certain time can be nerve wracking. How can you enjoy your evening if you spend it packing?

Easy!! On the last day of your cruise, after your morning workout and breakfast, go back to your cabin and pack everything that you "shouldn't" need for the remainder of your cruise. This is time that usually has very little shipboard activity, so you won’t miss out on anything. Make sure you leave out clothes for dinner and to get off the ship in the morning, along with your Passports, medications, and personal care items for the morning. By taking care of your packing early, you will be able to enjoy your day, dinner, shows and any other evening activities without having the packing weighing on your mind all day and night.

So, pack early, stay out late and enjoy your cruise.

Boomers prefer vacation recommendations from non-professionals.
Baby boomers planning vacation travel rely heavily on word of mouth and show little brand loyalty, according to a new study from Focalyst, a joint venture of AARP Service and the Kantar Group research firm.

The survey of 30,000 consumers aged 42 and older found that among baby boomers (ages 42-60), recommendations from friends and family were cited 96% of the time as the most-used source of travel information. Among “matures” (age 60 and up), that figure was 88%.

Fifty-seven percent of boomers and 44% of matures also cited those familiar sources as the ones they most valued for travel recommendations. Consumers with household incomes of $75,000 or more exert particular influence in affecting others’ vacation plans.

Now I find that interesting, purely from a social aspect. We send thousands of people on vacation each year, and we pay very close attention to their input about their experiences. We are a treasure vault of independent impressions about limitless destinations and travel products. It is all free for the taking, just ask. Yet this research says that a vacationer would rather trust their neighbor’s opinion.

I suppose the logic runs something like this: “Jane is my friend, and we like similar things. Jane liked this cruise, so I will like it too”.

Does anybody else see the flaw in this?

Travel Tid Bits

2007-09-11T08:19:00.000-05:00

Bits and Pieces - Today’s blog is a medley of travel tidbits. No overriding theme, no groundbreaking story, it is a compilation of a few travel topics I thought you might find useful.

THE PANAMA CANAL is one week into its $5 billion expansion. Ground was broken Sept. 3 on the massive project, which is expected to double the waterway's capacity by 2014. This is the first expansion of the almost 100-year-old, 51-mile canal: The planned work would build one new lane of traffic across the canal by constructing a new set of locks, which would enable longer and wider ships to pass through.

CRUISE LINES TIGHTEN SMOKING RULES. "The non-smokers are thrilled, (but) the smokers are very unhappy," says Mark Conroy, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which is planning to tighten its on board smoking rules in December. Regent is just one of several lines changing the smoking rules in the next few months — and facing the wrath of both smokers and non-smokers (some of whom say the lines aren't going far enough). Just weeks after Regent's announcement, Royal Caribbean said it would snuff out smoking in cabins (though not on balconies) and all but one lounge on each ship by January.

"We are looking at further restrictions," says Shawn Magnuson of Crystal Cruises, which already prohibits smoking in dining rooms and show lounges. "But they probably won't be implemented until 2008."

The flurry of rules comes less than a year after British investigators concluded that a smoldering cigarette was the likely cause of a ship fire last year on the 2,600-passenger Star Princess that killed one passenger and destroyed 79 cabins. Even before the report, several lines had made changes. On the day of the fire, Oceania Cruises, the only major line with a smoking ban in cabins at the time, announced it was adding a zero-tolerance policy. (Passengers caught smoking in cabins are now kicked off.) And two months after the fire, Disney banned smoking in cabins.
"Improperly disposed-of cigarettes are a fire hazard," Conroy says. But that's not the only reason for the changes, he says. Like smoke-free hotels and restaurants, cruise lines also are responding to customers.

U.S. State Dept. Returns to Standard Passport Processing - The U.S. State Department said on Friday that it has restored passport service to the standard six to eight week processing time for routine passport applications, and no more than three weeks for expedited service. To date, the department said it has issued over 16 million passports in fiscal year 2007, which ends on Sept. 30, compared to 12.1 million issued in fiscal year 2006. Throughout the summer, it said its Washington staff and 18 passport agencies have worked "tirelessly" to eliminate the delays in processing that had developed earlier in the year. The department said it plans to expand passport facilities and continue to hire more passport specialists in order to increase production capacity and meet rising passport demand expected in coming years, as passport requirements are extended to land and sea borders. By January 2008, it expects to have hired hundreds of new employees, and production capacity at the National Passport Center in New Hampshire. Longer-term expansion plans include new passport facilities strategically located to enhance customer service around the country. For more information, visit http://www.travel.state.gov/.

Celebrity Cruises is revamping its shipboard dining and will have the new menus and cuisine in place fleetwide by the end of January. Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity's vice president of onboard revenue and entertainment, said the new menus will be more contemporary and will have new presentations "to be more in line with what fine restaurants on land are doing." Overseeing the menu redesign is the Celebrity's new vice president of food and beverage, Jacques Van Staden, who joined the line after working with Blau & Associates, a top restaurant consultant in Las Vegas. Blau is also consulting with Celebrity on the new menus. "We want to take our cuisine further to define Celebrity in a new way," Lutoff-Perlo said. The cuisine will be revamped in all restaurants on all seven ships except for the specialty restaurants, she said.

Looking further down the horizon, Celebrity's second ship in its Solstice class, the Celebrity Equinox, entered life last week in a German shipyard. Royal Caribbean Cruises CEO Richard Fain started the plasma torch that launched the production of the ship's first steel plate at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The 122,000-ton vessel is slated to enter service in 2009. Meyer Werft will build four Solstice-class vessels in all; the first ship in the series, the Celebrity Solstice, is under construction and scheduled for delivery in fall 2008.

Princess Cruises is removing one of my favorite ships. The 1,590 passenger capacity Regal Princess is to enter Singapore's Sembawang Shipyard this October for a near month-long refit which will see the vessel transformed into Pacific Dawn for operation by P&O Cruises (Australia) Ltd. When she re-emerges from the Singapore yard at the end of October this year Pacific Dawn will be the Australia's first 'Super Liner' and the most modern cruise ship ever based year-round in the country. I fondly remember inaugurating this ship when I was gleefully employed as their West Florida District Sales Manager. Time slips by quickly - I wonder if they could rename me and send me off to Australia?

If you have topics and concerns you would like to hear about, please let me know.

Travel Trends - Is this You?

2007-09-05T13:30:00.000-05:00

In travel, just when one trend seems hot, another one takes over. In a vast industry that’s constantly changing, it’s not always easy to find upcoming trends, but industry experts have helped us select a few frontrunners.

Case in point: Five years ago, affluent travelers, tired of staying in luxury hotels for their holidays, starting booking grand villas in the Tuscan countryside, on the beaches of Mexico and in the South of France. Now, hotels around the world are building villas, and vacationers are migrating back.

Another example: It wasn’t too long ago that renting a yacht loaded with amenities was considered a vacation only for the mega-wealthy. Today, however, with prices falling, renting a luxury yacht has become a hot summer vacation for legions of travelers. We recommend The Moorings – just email me for details andy.schramek@cwcruises.com

Today's biggest travel trend is eco-awareness. Travelers today are much more concerned about the environment than they have ever been. A couple of years ago, you didn’t hear about this as much, but now upscale travelers want to do whatever they can to be eco-conscious.
According to research from the Green Hotel Association, a trade organization in Texas that promotes ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry, 43 million U.S. travelers say they are concerned about the environment. And thanks to the widespread effort the travel industry is making to promote green initiatives, it’s not difficult for consumers to be more eco-friendly.

Experts say another trend in upscale travel is private jet charters. Aram Gesar, editor of AirGuide magazine and AirGuideonline.com, says that there are around 500 private jet operators worldwide, up from around 100 just five years ago. Prices to charter your own plane have declined to as little as $2,200 an hour for three to five people, down from $3,800 five years ago. We offer these – just email me andy.schramek@cwcruises.com

One unexpected development in the travel world: Despite the boom of Internet travel sites such as Expedia and Travelocity, consumers are returning to the old-fashioned way of planning trips. "The Internet is obviously a major tool that travelers are using to book their vacations, but surprisingly, affluent travelers want human interaction and are returning to using travel agents," says Bjorn Hanson, a principal in the Hospitality and Leisure Practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers. "As a result, the growth of booking travel on the Internet is slowing."

Hold on to your hat for this one - Upscale travelers often rely on luxury travel consultants who charge fees to plan every aspect of a trip, from securing hotel rooms to scoring concert tickets and dinner reservations. The agents at Altour International charge anywhere between $250 to $1,000 to plan a vacation. Fisher Travel, a members-only travel concierge based in New York City, costs $250,000 just to join, and another $10,000 a year in fees. But you’re out of luck if you’re ready to shell out the dough; there’s a waiting list to join.

Now – doesn’t Clearwater Cruises sound like a bargain?

Another unanticipated trend is the growth in adults-only trips. According to the 2007 National Leisure Travel Monitor from travel marketing firm Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell, six out of 10 vacationers recently took a trip with a spouse or other adult, without children. That's twice the number of adults who took a trip with kids. As a result, hotels are increasingly segregating childless adults from families. "With the increase in the number of adults who don’t have children, this is a growing market," says Peter Yesawich, chief executive of YPB&R. And check out Carnival Cruise Lines new “Serenity Adults Only Retreat”. We have all the best – just email me andy.schramek@cwcruises.com

I’d love to hear what you think are upcoming trends.

Content in this article is from an article by Shivani Vora at Forbes.com

Book Online

2007-08-27T08:27:00.000-05:00

Book Online! It is an interesting term and appears to be straight forward, but I’m not always sure what it means. Many people (myself included) use internet access to make unassisted reservations for air, hotel, and car rentals. Those are certainly “booked online” and you can book those on our site too. However, Travel Industry data confirm that very few people actually make automated cruise or tour bookings.

For cruise and tour reservations most people who use the internet do so to visit sites to gather information, and then use the telephone or email to speak with an agent for advice and to confirm a reservation. Since much of the research and shopping experience was done through the internet people frequently say “I booked it online”. Ok, fair enough.

We have offered online booking since 1996, which is like the Jurassic period of internet commerce. The internet has evolved tremendously in the past decade and so has our online presence. No matter how you define “booking online”, it is our goal to make it the best possible experience for you.

We have made some recent improvements to our site. We know that people visit our sites for different reasons. No matter why you are visiting, it is our objective to make it the quickest most direct way to get what you need.

Hot Deals

Value Deals – for those who want to shop for price sensitive offers.
Elite Offers – for those who want a great deal on an upscale product.

Easy to navigate

All Cruises – so you can compare offers from different cruise lines.
Land Vacations – tours, spas, resorts, and hotel packages.
Air, Hotel, Car – book direct using all major reservations systems.
Groups – go directly to your private group, or join one of ours.
Special Interest Travel – shop for vacations that cater to your personal interests.

Customer Assistance

Live Person - chat online with a professional agents who can assist.
Travel Resources – Currency, weather, alerts, maps, flights, etc.
World Guide – Thousands of Travel and City Guides. Print & save.
Blogs – Informal articles from our team about topics of interest.
Customer Service – How to get in touch with Our Crew.
Forms – Submit your forms online and forget about the snail mail.

Cruise Lines - Go directly to your favorite cruise line’s inventory.

I’d love to know any of your thoughts for improvement on our site http://www.clearwatercruises.com/ . You can always reach me andy.schramek@cwcruises.com

Jamaica Reports Only Slight Damage from Dean

2007-08-22T08:13:00.000-05:00

Jamaican Tourist Board (JTB) offered an update on the status of the island after a near miss by Hurricane Dean. The Jamaica Public Service Company has given its commitment to restore electricity service to most customers by the end of the week. The company began the phased restoration of power supply yesterday on Monday to critical services close to the power plants in Kingston and St. James. These include essential services such as airports, hospitals, and water supply facilities. Jamaica's golf courses are all open with the exception of the Tryall Golf Course which will open on Thursday.

Mount Rosser, Flat Bridge, the South Coast as well as the Negril to Montego Bay routes are all accessible to regular traffic. Treasure Beach roads have also been cleared, but the JTB is advising caution due to downed poles. Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay opened on Aug. 20.

Though all cruise lines cancelled calls for the rest of the week, all seaports are in working order with facilities open for business on Wednesday, Aug. 22. The Port Authority of Jamaica has confirmed that Royal Caribbean's Freedom of Seas will dock in Montego Bay, Aug. 22 with 4,500 passengers. No major damage was reported to tourism infrastructure in Montego Bay.

In Falmouth, a few trees were down and the Falmouth Court House received minimal damage. Most damages reported were to craft markets such as Old Fort, Holiday Village, Success and Bamboo Village. No damage was reported to the Montego Bay Cruise Ship Terminal. Chukka Caribbean Adventures in Montego Bay reported no damage, and operations were up and running by Tuesday including reinstalled canopy tour lines. All seven Sandals Resorts and three Beaches Resorts in Jamaica report no structural damage today as a result of Hurricane Dean. SuperClubs' six resorts and three affiliate hotels are open and fully operational in Jamaica. In the Kingston area the Hilton Hotel suffered water damage to furniture, carpets and foliage. The Pegasus Hotel received minimal damage to foliage and windows. Altamont Court hotel had minimal damage to roof and foliage. In the Ochos Rios area Dolphin Cove, Dunn's River Falls, Prospect Plantation and Green Grotto Cave were opened for business on Wednesday.

The Sunset Jamaica Grande, the Goldeneye and the Sandcastles Resort are open for business. In the South Coast area, the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville reported no damage. In the Portland area the Fern Hill Hotel reported no significant damage, while the Jamaica Palace reported minimal damage. In the Negril area Rick's Café suffered slight damage to the bandstand area. There was landscape damage at the Sunset at the Palms and the Tensing Pen sustained minimal damage and should be open for business by this weekend.

For more information, visit http://www.visitjamaica.com/.
Published in Modern Agent on: August 22, 2007

Cruise Lines Keep Wary Eye on Hurricane Dean

2007-08-17T07:36:00.000-05:00

As Hurricane Dean threatened the Caribbean, cruise lines were keeping a close eye and altering ship itineraries as needed to avoid the storm. Carnival Cruise Lines changed itineraries for the Carnival Destiny and Carnival Miracle. The Destiny will remain at sea today, Aug. 17, instead of a scheduled call at Antigua, and on Aug. 18 will visit Tortola instead of a sea day. The Destiny is scheduled to return to San Juan as scheduled on Aug. 19. The Miracle is set to call at Grand Turk instead of San Juan on Aug. 18, Half Moon Cay instead of St. Thomas on Aug. 19, and Nassau instead of Tortola on Aug. 20. Royal Caribbean International said it is closely monitoring the path and progress of Hurricane Dean but had not altered any itineraries. The line said it would post an update on storm information at 1 p.m. Friday on its website. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com or www.carnival.com.

Holland America Enhances Online Check

2007-08-01T09:53:00.000-05:00

Holland America Line has improved its Signature Preferred Online Check-in process to collect credit card information on its website. The secure online registration process will enhance and simplify the pier check-in process. "Collection of credit card information at the pier takes the most time in the check-in process," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president-marketing, sales and guest programs. "By collecting this information online in advance with other information such as immigration details, we've significantly sped up the process for those guests who choose online check-in."

Guests completing and submitting required information online will print out a Signature Preferred Boarding Pass and proceed to a special line at the pier. Information is quickly verified, identification is checked, and guests are photographed for ship security. They can then proceed to the boarding area with their staterooms keycards. Credit cards are only authorized when information is transferred to the ship just before departure. To access the online check-in, visit www.hollandamerica.com/checkin/loginStart.do.

Your Booking number and last name are required to enter.

Published in "Modern Agent" on August 1, 2007

U.S. House Supports Delay in Passport Regulation

2007-06-19T07:58:00.000-05:00

The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Friday by 379-45 to delay July 2009 new rules requiring passports for U.S. land and sea travelers entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The House provision matches one included in a Homeland Security spending measure approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee last Thursday. The U.S. State Department has been flooded with passport applications since new rules requiring passports for air travelers went into effect in January. The resulting backlog has caused delays of up to three months for passports and ruined or delayed the travel plans of thousands of Americans. In response, the government last week temporarily waived a passport requirement for air travel until Sept. 30, provided travelers can demonstrate they have applied for a passport.

But the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is still pressing ahead to require passports for everyone driving across the border into Canada or Mexico beginning in January 2008, a rule that some experts believe will lead to a fourfold increase in demand for new passports. Last year, the State Department processed 12.1 million passports. This year, officials expect to process about 18 million. The department received one million applications in December, 1.8 million January and 1.7 million in February. "Nobody can say with the straight face that the federal government is ready for this," said Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio). "My amendment simply asks the DHS to slow down and get it right this time."

The passport application surge is the result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that since January has required U.S. citizens to use passports when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean by air. It is part of a broader package of immigration rules enacted after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Lawmakers have been besieged with pleas of help from infuriated constituents who cannot get their passports even though they applied for them up to four months ago.

Last year, Congress gave the departments of Homeland Security and State additional time to get ready for the new passport rules, but they opted not to take advantage of the leniency. Now, increasingly frustrated lawmakers want to mandate the 17-month delay. "The administration is walking blithely toward a cliff with this program, and they're threatening to take millions of Americans with them," said Sen. Pat Leahy (D-Vt.). "Their competence in being able to get this right was already in question, and when they keep insisting they'll be ready in six months, so is their judgment."

On Monday, Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) introduced a bill that would refund passport processing fees and international travel costs that result from unreasonable delays in passport application processing times and other purposes. The Passport and Travel Cost Reimbursement Act of 2007 says the Dept. of State has failed to anticipate the increased level of demand for passports after implementing new WHTI rules required by Congress and that this failure has cost U.S. citizens thousands of dollars in unused or cancelled transportation, accommodation and tour reservations. The bill calls for the State Department's proposal to refund fees for failed expedited processing "insufficient relief." The bill would refund travelers for costs such as an economy class transatlantic ticket for travel between Jan 23 and Dec. 31, 2007, if travelers are unable to timely acquire a passport in order to take the flight.

This article was first published in ModernAgent June 19, 2007

Cruise World Tidbits

2007-06-12T09:14:00.000-05:00

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES launched the Port of San Diego's first year-round cruise program last week when the 2,052-passenger Elation departed on a four-day cruise to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The Elation will operate four- and five-day cruises to Cabo San Lucas departing Thursdays, Mondays and Saturdays. In the winter, the Elation will be joined by the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit, which operates eight-day Mexican Riviera voyages from San Diego between October and April. Combined, the Elation and the Carnival Spirit are expected to carry more than 230,000 passengers annually from the port, the most of any cruise operator.

ALSO HEADING WEST is the Mariner of the Seas, which Royal Caribbean International will send to Los Angeles on Feb. 22, 2009. It will be the largest Royal Caribbean ship, and the first Voyager-class vessel, to be deployed on the West Coast. The vessel will offer 27 seven-day sailings to the Mexican Riviera from its Los Angeles homeport, calling on ports including Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

UNIWORLD joins Cruise Line International Association as the association's 23rd member. With eight ships, each carrying approximately 128 passengers on seven- to 28-day itineraries on major rivers throughout Europe, Uniworld is the first European river cruise company to join CLIA. Worldwide, Los Angeles-based Uniworld Grand River Cruises operates 21 vessels that cruise on four continents, including in Europe, Russia, China and Egypt.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS became the first cruise ship to call at Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada's first aboriginal terminal, on June 5. The Seven Seas Mariner docked at Campbell River's Wei Wai Kum Cruise Ship Terminal, located on the northeastern end of Vancouver Island. Regent said the new cruise destination was an initiative of the Campbell River Indian Band, also known as the Wei Wai Kum. The Seven Seas Mariner will be the only ship to call in Campbell River this year, a destination that Regent said was also known as the "Salmon Capital of the World," on seven-night cruises from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver. Upcoming Regent sailings featuring calls to Campbell River depart on June 13, June 27 and July 11; it will also call there on some 2008 cruises.

That's it for today. I'd love to see your comments here - please submit them.

Do you want to contribute to our Bulletin Board? Just let me know.

Our Site is Better than Their Site

2007-05-24T13:43:00.000-05:00

We have been selling travel online since 1995. That is longer than Travelocity, or Expedia, or Priceline, or... well, just about everybody. Yet we don't really see ourselves as an "Internet Agency".

We know this for sure - there is a lot of added value when our agents help you plan a vacation. The truth is our agents know a lot more than you and I. As an agency owner I am busy running the company. meanwhile, our agents are actively enganged in counseling, researching, and selling vacations all day everyday - they have incredible product knowledge, and insight. That's why I refer all my friends and family to great counselors on our team.

If you think you can get your cruise vacation cheaper on the internet you are fooling yourself. Never happens. Ever. Not once. Airline tickets - sure. Cruises - Never.

To rephrase the Ben Franklin quote about acting as your own lawyer: "The person who books their own travel has a fool for an agent, and an idiot for a client". You should always talk to a professional counselor to make certain your choices are the right decisions for you.

We provide our website to help you. It is a great place to shop, compare, to learn about new options. It is a great place to find special offers, or to join your friends on a special group. If there is some way to improve our site, please let me know.

The Winner's Circle

2007-01-16T06:01:00.000-05:00

What would you do for a free cruise?

Studies show that travel incentives are the strongest motivator when we want to increase sales, performance, or safety records. Most people will say that "cash is king" - they will work harder for more money. However, real life performance shows that travel is the best motivator.

In case studies where a team is split with one half rewarded with cash, and the other half rewarded with travel, the group with travel incentives consistently out perform those working for cash!

How are you rewarded for exceptional performance at work? If your boss does not have a travel incentive for you to earn, you should have them talk to us.

Do you manage a team? If you are charged with the responsibility of making your team perform at their best levels you should consider travel incentives. Travel motivates performance in sales, productivity, and safety.

Best of all - travel incentives pay for themselves. No kidding. They are truly self-funding. No tricks, no creative accounting. We'll show you how. Give us a call 800-440-3267.

Politics, Punditry, and Seabourn

2006-12-20T05:33:00.000-05:00

POWER, POLITICS AND PUNDITRY: WASHINGTON INSIDERS HIGHLIGHT SEABOURN’S 2007 DRESS CIRCLE ENRICHMENTMIAMI

Guests traveling on select cruises aboard The Yachts of Seabourn in 2007 will share their voyages with luminaries from the closely entwined worlds of international politics and investigative journalism. Seabourn has invited a trio of prominent personalities, each possessed of special knowledge on these topics, to sail on board and provide its guests with privileged insights into the inner workings of public policy and the news mePdia, as a part of the Dress Circle onboard enrichment program.

David S. Broder is a Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent for the Washington Post; a syndicated columnist whose insights are carried in over 300 newspapers nationwide, the author of half a dozen books on U.S. politics and a regular commentator on NBC’s Meet the Press; PBS’s Washington Week in Review and CNN’s Inside Politics. He will sail aboard Seabourn Pride’s 13-day cruise of “Rio & the Amazon” departing Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2007.

Robert C. McFarlane is intimately familiar with the corridors of power, having served as national security advisor to President Reagan and in key White House posts in the Ford and Nixon administrations. As founder of Global Energy Systems and a director of the Washington Institute for Near East Studies, he is uniquely suited to join Seabourn Spirit’s 16-day voyage to “Arabia, India & Orchid Isles” departing Dubai on November 20, 2007.

Bob Schieffer was the popular anchor of the CBS Evening News in 2005 and 2006, but his exemplary career as a broadcast journalist includes 20 years as anchor of the Saturday CBS Evening News, 15 years as moderator of the network’s Sunday staple Face the Nation, and much more. As CBS chief Washington correspondent, he has covered presidential campaigns since 1972. He will be on board Seabourn Spirit’s 14-day cruise of “Asian Capitals & Vietnam” departing Singapore on December 6, 2007.On Seabourn’s yacht-like, 208-guest ships, guests will enjoy a privileged proximity to these celebrated experts, whose insights and anecdotes will surely add luster to the fascinating journey that they all will share.

They will also enjoy Seabourn’s Signature Delights including complimentary service of spirits and wines including French champagne throughout every cruise, gourmet cuisine created by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, indulgent Pure Pampering therapeutic bathing selections from Molton Brown and an Exclusively Seabourn complimentary shoreside experience on every cruise.

Seabourn has been the highest-rated cruise line for two consecutive years in Travel + Leisure’s annual “World’s Best Awards” poll. The line has been honored on every Condé Nast Traveler Gold List and placed at the top of the luxury cruise category by readers of Departures, published exclusively for American Express Platinum and Centurion Cardmembers.The Yachts of Seabourn provides the ultimate in ultra luxury cruise vacations to the most desirable destinations on earth.

We're there. Shouldn't you be too?

Do I need a passport?

2006-12-13T08:47:00.000-05:00

Clearwater Cruises only recommends traveling with a passport. We have offered this advice for over a decade, irrespective of current rules or changing rules. It has always been good advice, but now it makes sense for a lot more reasons. Most especially, it eliminates all those ifs, ands, or buts, and clears the way for any upcoming changes. It also helps protect you from unforeseen circumstances.

Do you need a passport? Maybe, or maybe not. It depends on where you are going, and when you are traveling.

All travelers will be required to have passports - including U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. by air from throughout the Western Hemisphere - on January 23, 2007. This new requirement includes Canadians, Americans and others who have previously been exempt from having to carry a passport to enter or re-enter the U.S.

Do I need a passport for my cruise? Maybe, or maybe not. It depends on where your cruise goes, or possibly some unplanned events.

No exact date is set but passports will be required for sea or cruise passengers entering or re-entering the U.S. on the same deadline as for land border crossings - some time before June 1, 2009. Here is a circumstance you may not have considered. What if an unforeseen accident or illness prevented you, or your travel mates from returning with the ship on the planned itinerary? For example; what if you slipped and broke a leg on the last stop in the Bahamas, and the ship left before the doctors got you fixed up in a cast? First, I hope you purchased ITravel insurance to cover the unexpected costs. Second, you will be returning home by air. You are required to have a passport. If you are wise and travel with a passport you won’t have a problem.

Personally, I never leave the U.S. without my passport no matter what itinerary I plan to travel. Whether the rules require it or not, I know this is good planning for unexpected circumstances. They are affordable, easily acquired, and they are valid for 10 years.

Travel Industry Association of America launched a new website -- www.GetAPassportNow.com -- to provide information to travelers about documents and deadlines mandated by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The site also provides links to help U.S., Canadian, and Mexican citizens obtain passports. The message is that if you want to travel to or from the U.S., get a passport, said Roger Dow, president of TIA. According to the group, 40 percent of Canadians and just 27 percent of Americans currently have a passport.

Clearwater Cruises only recommends traveling with a passport, because we care about you.

Cruises and Norovirus

2006-12-07T12:28:00.000-05:00

The recent news stories regarding norovirus incidents aboard cruise ships may cause some to express concern about vacationing at sea. Here is the latest norovirus information at your finger tips. Included are the procedures that cruise lines are taking, plus preventively measures you can take to stay healthy while enjoying their vacation. According to the most recent information, the facts are as follows:

What is norovirus? Norovirus sounds exotic, but it's well known as the "24-hour stomach bug" and is the second most prevalent illness in the U.S., after the common cold. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps that typically last one to two days.

There are numerous incidents of norovirus across the country, but the reason you hear about it with regard to cruise ships is because they are the only ones required to report gastrointestinal illness to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Hotels don't have to report it. Neither do airlines, universities or hospitals!

On cruise ships, the illness is typically spread through person-to-person contact by touching surfaces that someone with the virus previously had contact with, not from the food or water. So, cruisers should heed their mother's advice and wash their hands! The best way to prevent illness is to wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water.

What are the chances of getting norovirus? The CDC estimates that 23 million people in the U.S. (or eight percent of the population) contract norovirus each year; that's 1 in 12 people. In contrast, far less than one percent of all U.S. cruise guests are affected by norovirus annually; that's 1 in 3,600 people. The few cruise guests who experience symptoms should follow the guidance of the ship's medical staff to prevent the spread of the illness to fellow passengers.

In addition to taking individual precautions, you can be sure that cruise lines are vigilant in keeping a clean ship. Rigorous cleaning procedures are idisinfecto disinfect and sanitize public areas including all door handles, railings, elevator buttons and slot machine levers, to name just a few. In fact, according to the CDC, cruise lines have the highest sanitation standards in the world!

Rest assured that the safety and well-being of our guests is the cruise industry's highest priority. Should you seek additional information, including more information on norovirus, tips for staying healthy on a cruise and proper hand-washing techniques, please visit the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program Web site at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp or www.cdc.gov

Oceania Cruises - Chef Jacques Pe'pin

2006-11-30T06:39:00.000-05:00

Oceania Cruises is at the top of the list of my favorite cruise lines. Their special attention to detail make for a more intimate, more personal, cruise atmosphere aboard their lovely mid-size
ships. Check out this special departure with Jacques Pépin Cruise.

World-renowned master chef and Oceania Cruises' Executive Culinary Director, Jacques Pépin hosts a 10-day culinary odyssey, sailing from Barcelona to Athens on April 17, 2007. Guests will delight in exploring Europe's most celebrated ports of call and draw upon the experiences of one of the world's most acclaimed chefs. You will be treated to specially designed menus, culinary demonstrations, engaging lectures, wine tastings and much more. This cruise will present you with an up-close and personal glimpse into the epicurean world of Jacques Pépin and Europe's most glorious ports.

Europe - Inside and Out

2006-11-21T06:28:00.000-05:00

Europe is often a "dream vacation", that some people wait a lifetime to experience. Our American heritage is so heavily influenced by European roots that it remains our number one international destination for vacation travelers.

You can't experience all of Europe in a single trip, even if you spend an entire year trying. The continent is simply to0 large and too diverse to "see everything" in a single vacation. To introduce my kids to Europe we drove from Germany through Italy, Switzerland, and France. We covered diverse highlights such as Munich, Venice, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Monte Carlo, Lucerne, Paris, and Strasbourg. Not to mention local, authentic, and out of the mainstream stays such as a Tuscan farm, Portofino, and friends homes in Bavarian Alps. From first glance it might appear that we pretty much covered the bases. But, having traveled Europe for a quarter century, I know we barely scratched the surface.

So, what is the best way to experience Europe? That would depend on what is important to you. We begin by asking what you want to see, what you want to do, what you want to feel? Since you can't do it all we need to focus on the experiences that are most important to you. Pace is important. My itinerary above was an action packed adventure, which is really appropriate for making the most of it for teenagers. Personally, I'd be happy with an entire summer of lounging around a small Mediterranean village - and I'm not too picky about which one. Here again, your preferences are the most important thing to consider.

If you have a longer list of "must do" and "must see", you should consider visiting Europe on a cruise. This is truly the most efficient way to have a lot of stops on an itinerary. Your "hotel" (aka ship) moves with you so you only unpack once. Land based vacations use a lot of time getting from one point of interest to the next. These itineraries are designed for time intensive visits in port, and transportation at night. Moving from one town to the next while you sleep affords a lot of time for visiting the places you came to see.

There is an abundant variety of cruise itineraries. What is right for you? Western or Eastern Mediterranean, Greece, Adriatic, Great Britain, Scandinavia, Baltic, Russia, Black Sea... oh my there are a lot of choices. Quality and amenities also vary considerably among cruise lines. You might know a lot about what you want, but how do you know you are making the right choice?

Not to worry - we are here to help. Our experts have expansive knowledge about all the nuances. That is what we are here for - to make sure you get the right vacation for your individual needs.

Afraid you might miss something in the Heart of Europe if you choose a cruise? Pre and post cruise packages can add that extra special element to make sure your European experience is complete. Want to spend your entire vacation in Central Europe? If that is right for you, we have your best interests in mind when we help you choose from our wide selection of first class tours. Group tours, motorcoach, independent... you name it, we have it.

If your next destination is Europe, we're there. Let us help plan your dream vacation and we guarantee your experience will be the very best for YOU.

Cruise Values are Relative

2006-11-16T09:51:00.000-05:00

Even when it is my relatives who are cruising.

I received a pre-dawn telephone call this morning. I was happy to see the caller ID was contact from my wife's sister and her husband. They had been on a 5-day Carnival Cruise to celebrate my brother-in-law's 50th birthday, and were scheduled to return this morning. Sure enough, this call was from them, on board, in those idle hours prior to debarkation.

We receive such great client feedback that selling cruises is a joy. Client satisfaction rates are so incredibly high that any complaint must be taken very seriously. So, I was disappointed to hear that my relatives were not 100% satisfied with their cruise. The definitive statement was: "We'll never go on Carnival again".

In this case the disappointment was focused on service. These folks felt that the on board staff was not personable, and not attentive. We are in the top 1% of all agencies selling Carnival, so we get a lot of input regarding their performance. This is not our usual client response.

It is possible that this particular cruise underperformed, but I suspect that our true cause for concern was mismatched expectations. That is our responsibility. We are suppose to match: budget - product - expectations. I take full responsibility for their disappointment.

My relatives got a super fantastic low price on this cruise. That was a priority in the initial purchase because they wanted an inexpensive quick getaway. That is all fine, until we consider that they have some pretty good cruise experiences in their history. Their natural assessment would be to expect the level of service and attention they had previously experienced, but got lucky with a bargain price. Truth is, cruise values are relative.

We should have been more diligent at qualifying the quality of the purchase for this super fantastic low price. It was our responsibility to set expectations to the realistic level of this product. Or, vice versa, if expectations are for higher service levels we should insist on adjusting the budget to a product that will deliver to those expectations.

Carnival really does deliver food, service, and accommodations that are a good value relative to the fares. We simply can't expect Hyatt performance at a Howard Johnson price. I'm committed to making sure we deliver more than just a cheap price - we must also define value relative to expectations. That goes for all of our thousands of clients each and every year.

Alaska Cruise and Tour

2006-11-14T08:42:00.000-05:00

Alaska is my favorite place to visit. I have only been there in the Summer, so maybe that is why I love it so. ALASKA IS NOT COLD, at least not in the Summer. I'm a Florida boy, so this is an especially important issue for me. I cannot understand why anyone in their right mind would voluntarily choose to be an a cold place. I don't "do cold", but I most definitely do Alaska.

Alaska is a land of many extremes. The far north latitude causes a rapid shift from Winter to Summer, with a very very short Spring that lasts about 2 weeks. Summer runs from mid-May to mid-September, with little variation in weather. You can expect about the same weather all summer long. What kind of weather you have depends more on where in Alaska you happen to be.

Alaska is BIG. I mean really really really big. If you superimpose a map of the state of Alaska over the "lower 48" (as they like to call us) it stretches across two-thirds of the contiguous states. Ketchican would be in Florida, the Aeultians run to California, and Prudoe Bay in Minnesota. The enormous size of Alaska has an influence on neary everything we consider in vacation planning.

The weather is not consistent across such a large land mass. During the summer it is rainy and damp in the southeast - Ketchican gets a lot of drizzle, like Seattle. The interior can get quite warm - Fairbanks often runs into the 90s and occasional over 100 degrees. The high elevations are always cooler - altitude does that. The temperature drops when you approach a glacier - well, it is a big wall of ice. So, the summer weather in Alaska depends on where you happen to be. We know what is what, where is where, and we know what to expect with the weather.

What do you want to see and what do you want to do in Alaska? The scenery and the attractions vary across the great state. Do you want to see the fantastic mountains? Alaska has 17 of the 20 highest peaks in North America including Mt McKinley. Do you want to see wildlife? Alaska is home to moose, caribou, grisly bear, and much more. Do you want to see the vast open wilderness? The Alaskan Railroad provides a luxury ride through pristine scenery from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Glaciers are a fascinating phenomena that provide active intrigue as enormous sheets of ice "calf", or fall away, into the sea right in front of your Cruise ship.

So, how do you fit all these experiences into the vacation of a lifetime? That depends on you and your personal lifestyle. There are many different ways to visit Alaska; Cruise, Tour, Train, Lodge, Hotel. There are many different companies to choose from: Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Tours, Royal Caribbean International, Premier Alaska Tours... oh boy, this list goes on, and on, and on...

Sure there are lots of choices, but you don't need to be intimidated. We think variety is a good thing. That is how we make sure you get exactly what is right for you. Let our experts help you plan your vacation of a lifetime and you will experience Alaska as it was meant to be - just for you. 800-440-3267

The Gift of Travel

2006-11-13T11:46:00.000-05:00

Cruise Gift Certificates

Great gift for:Parents,Relatives,Close Friends,Business Acquaintances,Employees,Holiday Party Giveaways or a Special Unexpected Holiday Surprise!

Our Certificates are available in any amount, good for travel on any cruise line.

Don't you know someone who deserves a cruise vacation next year? This holiday you can help make that vacation dream come true. Just call our office, and we'll get you set up. 800-440-3267.

What is the Easiest - Fastest way to book a Cruise?

2006-11-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

CALL A COUNSELOR Let's look at this. I spend a fortune providing you an opportunity to book on line (this website is expensive). It's right there - if you are a " do it yourselves" you can jump right in and book yourself on any cruise you want. So why would I advise calling a Counselor?

What does our site offer? This is the exact same live inventory you would find on the big box stores like Expedia or Travelocity, at the exact same rates you would find at the discount outlets like CruisesOnly or Cruise411. If you know for certain exactly what you want to book, you are the rare individual who should book on line. In fact - if you book it yourself and write "Andy says" in the comments field, I'll put $50 on board credit on your booking.

Why not book direct on the Cruise Line's site? 1) We are cheaper. The cruise lines direct booking protects the highest price in the market, but our high sales volume entitles us to special discounts. 2) Our site is a great place to shop. Want to compare Royal Caribbean vs Carnival? Why access each line separately when our site compares them side-by-side.

What is the fastest way to book? Call a Counselor. Our experts book cruises all day long, every day. They each make thousands of bookings every year. Do you really think you can jump on line, find the best inventory at the best price faster than these experts? Of course not. In fact, I challenge you to try. If you race one one of our Senior Counselors, and can complete your booking faster than they can, I'll pay for your cruise. I'd love to set up that contest!

What is the BEST way to book your cruise? Again, call a Counselor. By "best" I mean getting the right vacation for your particular needs and desires. There is much more to "best" than making a quick and cheap booking. Which cruise line suits you best? Our Counselors know...but you probably don't. That is true because even an avid cruiser has only a few, maybe a dozen, cruise experiences on which to base their insight. But, our Counselors have thousands of cruise experiences as related through our clients. What changed on your favorite line since your last cruise? We know. Which cruise line's food continues to drop in quality? We know. Which cruise line has surprised the industry with an entire renaissance of their cuisine? We know....but chances are you do not.

Let me ask you this? If you decided to do something that you had little experience with, what is the probability that you could "out master" an expert? Let's say you want to remodel your kitchen, and you are pretty handy. Think about the effort necessary to replace all your cabinets and appliances. Put a price on buying the materials, but you are going to supply the labor. What if I told you that I had a carpenter who could provide superior materials and do all the work for you, but it would cost you the same as simply buying the materials yourself. Would you turn down an offer to get a better kitchen, installed by an expert, at the same price as "do it yourself"?

I hear a lot of people say "I got it on the internet" with an infliction that suggests they are a more savvy buyer. Me too! I haven't been to a music store for years, but I continue to buy my favorite songs online. I bought my last car with an internet deal because a new Ford Explorer is the same item no matter where you get it. I even bought the woodflooring for my living room from an online distributor - they sent me samples before I purchased. So - why not buy your cruise online?

If you know exactly what you are going to buy, there is no reason not to. If you are joining "Aunt Helen" on her 70th Birthday celebration cruise, the decision has been made. You already know which ship and departure date. If you have a super favorite cruise line and ship, and this is one more of the same for you, chances are you can handle it yourself on line. Feel free - go ahead - book it right here on our site. In fact - if you book it yourself and write "Andy says" in the comments field, I'll put $50 on board credit on your booking.

But - But - But... if you are assuming cruise lines are similar, if you don't know why there are 16 categories for prices, if you don't already know the name of the on board specialty restaurant, if you can't answer the 10 reasons why this is the best departure to meet your vacation desires, then you are just guessing and you should definitely call a Counselor.

I have a friend who thinks he is pretty smart about "online buying". We have similar successes as I mentioned above. He recently booked a cruise directly with a cruise line. When I asked him why he did it he said: "It was a last minute thing, and it was a good deal". When he returned from the cruise I asked him how he liked it. He said it wasn't much fun: "I don't drink, I don't gamble, and I am on a diet. I don't even know why I was on there".

I had to explain to my friend that it wasn't a "bad cruise", it just was not the right one for him. There are plenty of cruises that fit his lifestyle, but not the one he chose. He didn't know the difference, but we do. A last minute bargain isn't much of a deal if you don't enjoy the experience. My friend has asked us to help plan his 20th Wedding Anniversary celebration in Hawaii. I can promise, he'll like that a lot more, because we know what is right for him.

Your comments are very much encouraged. Think I'm right - please let me know. Think I'm wrong? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Oceania European Cruises: From $2199

2006-11-05T01:40:00.000-05:00

I just found this beautiful cruise from Oceania cruise line. It is on the Insignia ship and it leaves from Rome and goes to Barcelona. Oh, my! Those are the words I have available for this one. Click on this link before time runs out:

Romantic Rivieras Cruise, 10 Day Rome to Barcelona