Brought to you by Recommend Magazine and Cruising with Donna

There’s a Viking Legend prowling the rivers of Europe, but this one’s carrying 189 guests in 97 staterooms, including two suites (the largest on Europe’s rivers), 90 deluxe doubles and five singles, most featuring a French balcony. 

 Up to 2-FOR-1 Cruise + Up to 2-FOR-1 Air + Wine

For Luxury Cruise Line, adding value pays off

2010 was a tough year for many businesses, but not for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

The Fort Lauderdale-based luxury cruise line is posting its best year ever in revenue and profits.   What’s more, the three-ship company expects 2011 to stay strong, as customers seek value in its packages that include suites with balconies, gourment food, bar drinks and shore excursions, a perk not included in the ticket price of most other cruise lines. <Read More>

The Most Inclusive Luxury Cruise Experience

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
By: Ciara LaVelle

 Resorts in the Caribbean tend to fall into two categories when it comes to decor.  There’s bright and colorful, traditional approach:  floral print fabrics, local paintings of oceans or flamboyant trees, and bamboo furnishings.  Then there’s the modern approach:  white buildings accented by white flowing curtains and white marble floors, the only touch of color being dark mahogany furnishings.  Resort properties come and go, debuting new amenities here and innovative attractions there, but where the aesthetics are concerned, there’s seemingly nothing new under the Caribbean sun.  <Read More>

Hard Rock Punta Cana – Bonus $1,500 Resort Credit

* Additional taxes and fees apply – click for details  

For the first time in its history of family cruises, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has added Alaska cruises. In 2011, the Disney Wonder will offer a summer season with seven-night Alaskan cruises that leave from Vancouver, British Columbia and feature stops at Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.

As I’m sitting here thinking about my Carnival cruise on the Carnival Sensation that is coming up in January 2011, it occurs to me that some new cruisers may not be aware of documents are needed for travel.  Here is some great information that I have received from Carnival Cruise Lines and thought that I would pass along to you. 

For individuals cruising with Carnival Cruise Lines, please remember that U.S. citizens must bring one of the following WHTI (Western Hemispher Travel Initiative) compliant documents in order to sail on a Carnival cruise that departs and end from the same U.S. port:

Valid U.S. Passport

Passport Card

Originial or legible copy of a Birth Certificate (issued by the Department of Vital Statistics)

Certificate of Naturalization

Enhanced Driver’s License

Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card (i.e Nexus Card, Sentri Card or Fast Card)

A Consular Report of Birth Aboard

Copies of the following will NOT be allowed:

US Passports

Naturalization Papers

Originals or copies will NOT be allowed:

Baptismal Certificates

Hopstial issued “Certificate of Birth”

It is always recommended that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel.  Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking cruises (in the Western Hemisphere) that begin and end in the same U.S. port, having a passport does make it easier for you to fly from the U.S to a foreign port should you miss the scheduled embarkation or need to fly back to the U.S. for an emergency. Having all your travel documents NOW (don’t forget your boarding pass )creates less stress later.

For more information go to www.travel.state.gov

Happy Cruising!
Donna

Join me and some friends for a couples cruise.  I went to the Bahamas in May and loved it so much that I decided to go again in January but this time I wanted to take my honey with me.    This will be a great short getaway for couples. 

This is a 3 night cruise departing Port Canaveral on January 6, 2011 on the Carnival Sensation.  I have about 2 OceanView cabins left and about 4 Interior cabins. 

I have decided to take a cruise vacation with my 13 year old daughter, Elizabeth.  At first I was having servious doubts about traveling alone with her.  Let’s face it, a 13 year old doesn’t want to hang out with their mom.     She’ll maybe have dinner with me but that’s about it.  She’ll be in the teenage hang outs.  Then I’ll be forced to be by myself, do things alone.  This can be a little intimidating. Like everyone else, I like staying in my comfort zone, Thank you very much!    Why is it so easy for the younger ones to make new friends or venture out on their own?  They love the adventure of it all.

Then I read an article in Cruise Magazine’s Port Hole. The article was entitled “Table for One” by Janet Groene.  The article is about how going on a cruise alone is an adventure in self discovery.  Getting to really enjoy you trip, learning and discovering your destinations without having to consult others, learning about yourself and the things you love about traveling.  I thought “maybe that’s just what I need”.  I can relax and enjoying just being alive.  Think of it as an adventure, not… (dum dum dum) I’m traveling alone.

Dinner each evening will be a great time to meet new and interesting people that are also on the cruise.  Should always sit next to someone new each night so you get to know different people.  You never know who you will have something in common.

I want to do alot of journaling and taking pictures of the destintions that we’ll be seeing.  Take in some shows alone…THAT is really stepping outside my comfort zone for sure.    I want to see what makes others love these destinations and discover what I love about the destinations.  Most of all I want to relax and enjoy being with my daughter, even if it is just at dinner, and come away with an even closer relationship.

What a great view from the Hard Rock Hotel.  Had meetings there for two days.  Was so beautiful.

This past weekend the U.S. Coast Guard rescued four passengers from a small, capsized boat off the coast of Miami. MSC Poesia was the first point of contact in assisting.

Captain Giacomo Romano of the MSC Poesia alerted the Coast Guard at 9 p.m., two hours after departing Fort Lauderdale on February 6. The four passengers spent 12 hours in the water and all survived.

The MSC Poesia continued on to Key West, her next port-of-call on its seven-night cruise. No further delays were made.

Visit www.msccruiseusa.com.

Article by Meagan Drillinger for Travel Agent Central

With the National Football League playoffs underway and the Super Bowl approaching, sports fans around the country will be looking for travel bargains and packages for the big game. ASTA offers some recommendations for fans evaluating travel packages, including use of a travel agent. ASTA also warns that sporting events present an opportunity for disreputable tour operators and travel scam artists to defraud sports fans of millions of dollars each year. 

“Every year, we hear reports of sports fans whose travel plans were ruined by a questionable organization with an offer that sounded too good to be true,” said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo . “Following some simple advice and asking a few questions can help ensure that fans’ Super Bowl dreams won’t end in heartache.”

ASTA offers the following guidelines – one of a series of consumer information releases sent to national media – to help consumers minimize risks when booking tours in conjunction with special events:

*    Check the tickets. Make sure when booking a sports package that the arrangements include tickets to the desired sporting event. The U.S. government’s ‘Truth in Ticketing’ rules, require that a tour operator advertising a Super Bowl travel package that includes a flight and game tickets must have the game tickets in hand or have a written contract for the tickets before they can even advertise.
*    Plan wisely. Book tour packages through a travel agent or tour operator affiliated with a professional organization, such as ASTA. For example, ASTA is the only travel trade association with a Consumer Affairs function that can mediate some disputes for consumers and ASTA member travel agents.
*    Protect yourself. Make sure the tour operator participates in a consumer protection plan. ASTA’s Tour Operator Program (TOP) helps travel agents and consumers identify ASTA tour operators that meet certain standards. The criteria require that the tour operator be in the business of operating tours for the past three years; have a $1 million Errors & Omissions (E&O) policy naming travel agents as additional insured; and adhere to the ASTA and TOP code of ethics.
*    Read the fine print. Get information about the tour package and tour operator in writing. Read the information carefully and ask your travel agent to explain all the details.

ASTA also offers the following suggestions when evaluating any travel offer to help avoid being a victim of a travel scam.

*    Be extremely skeptical about postcard and phone solicitations saying you’ve been selected to receive a fabulous vacation.
*    Never give out your credit card number unless you initiate the transaction and you are confident about the company with which you are doing business.
*    You should receive complete details in writing about any trip prior to payment. These details should include the total price; cancellation and change penalties, if any; and specific information about all components of the package.
*    If you insist on calling a 900-number in response to a travel solicitation, understand the charges and know the risks.
*    Walk away from high-pressure sales presentations which don’t allow you time to evaluate the offer, or which require that you disclose your income.
*    Be suspicious of companies requiring that you wait at least 60 days to take your trip.
*    Properly vet any tour operator by checking its Better Business Bureau record and by checking to see if the company’s name surfaces on any scam websites.

If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your local Better Business Bureau, your local or state Consumer Affairs Office, state attorney general’s office, or e-mail ASTA’s Consumer Affairs department at consumeraffairs@asta.org for information and assistance.

Visit www.TravelSense.org.

Article written by George Dooley for Travel Agent Central

If you are woman working your own Party Plan Business and you have not contacted Party Plan Divas, you are REALLY missing out.  Lynsey Jones is a passionate woman and loves to teach women how to balance your family and your party plan business.  She will give you daily tips and inspiration.  Check out her website at http://thepartyplancoach.com/. 

2010 is the first annual Party Plan Diva’s Cruise ~ Go All in 2010    We are really excited about this cruise and I’m so happy to be a part of it.

Are You Ready To “Go All In”

for 2010?

Come Aboard for Party Plan Divas Seminar at Sea

Join us for four days of training, team

building, and tanning aboard Carnival

Cruise Lines!

THE DETAILS

Carnival Triumph October 7-11, 2010 from New Orleans

Cruising Into Success Seminar Sample Itinerary

Thursday: Depart New Orleans – Cocktail Hour Meet & Greet

Friday: Fun Day at Sea – Cruising Into Success Seminar Part I

Saturday: Day of Excursions and Shopping in Cozumel, Mexico

Sunday: Fun Day At Sea – Cruising Into Success Seminar Part II

Monday: Arrive in New Orleans

Seminar Fee – Early Bird Special only $75! Will be $125 after February 1, 2010! Save $50!!

INTERIOR CABINS

1st & 2nd Passengers pay $370.08 3rd & 4th Passengers pay $175.08

Total cabin cost for party of two: $740.16 Total cabin cost for party of four: $1,090.32

SUGGESTION: Share a cabin with 3 others and split cost for a total of $272.58 each

Oceanview Cabins available for a nominal fee

For payment schedule contact Donna Conley at www.CruisingWithMsD.com

*Price includes cruise transportation, cabin accommodations, all food, juice, tea, and coffee, taxes and port charges. Carnival Cruises provides entertainment, shows, dancing, music, swimming pools, fitness center, mini golf, youth/child care.

** Not included are gratuities (suggested $10 per person per day) alcoholic beverages, soda, and land excursions. Carnival may add fuel charge to the taxes if fuel price increases.

*** Prices above are subject to change if there is a need to rebook or add additional cabins.

EARN YOUR TRIP FREE

One lucky Diva will earn her Cruise Fair FREE simply by referring new Members to Party Plan Divas.com!

The Diva with the most amount of New Member Referrals will be awarded with a refund check for the entire amount of her cruise the day we set sail from New Orleans!

Sign up to be an Affiliate today and start spreading the word about Party Plan Divas.

Contest runs from December 7th, 2009 to October 1, 2010. Winner must have a minumum of 20 new paid Member Referrals. Refund check is not transferrable and will be endorsed to the Affiliate. Winner must be present on cruise to be elligible to win.

If you have any questions regarding the cruise, please contact me.  If you have questions regarding Party Plan Divas, please feel free to contact Lynsey Jones.

A common concern for travelers is not how much they bring with them, but how much they bring back…on the hips and thighs. To help keep away the extra weight that comes with luxury vacation splurges, Crystal Cruises has come up with 10 ways to stay fit aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.

1. If you’re not busy practicing your golf swing, walk or jog around the 360-degree promenade deck.
2. Opt for fresh fruit or salads at the Trident Grill. Keep in mind that all dining options are trans fat-free.
3. Instead of heavier dinner foods, dine at Nobu for light and healthy sushi or sashimi.
4. Book time with a private trainer.
5. Take advantage of the complimentary bottles of water.
6. Try an aerobics or yoga class.
7. Pamper yourself with detoxifying body wraps at the Crystal Spa.
8. When the ships dock engage in physical activity like kayaking, hiking or snorkeling.
9. Swim laps in the pool.
10. Rejuvenate your body with onboard acupuncture and shiatsu massages.

Article written by Meagan Drillinger for Travel Agent Central