There are a lot of people out there that will ask why should I use a Travel Agent when I can look up the information myself.  Let’s face it with the Expedia’s and Orbiz there is no use for a Travel Agent right? I say, Wrong.  If you have the time to do all the research yourself, that’s great.  But reality is that most of us just do not have the time.  Planning travel is one thing that Travel Agent can do to take some of the load off.  Below are some other reasons why you should use a Travel Agent.

1.  Personal Relationship:  You have a personnal relationship with your Travel Agent.  You are speaking to the same person each and every time you call and they know you by name and you know them.  

2.  Research Destinations:  Who has time to do endless hours of research online?  A Travel Agent can take care of that for you and give you the information that you are needing

3.  Cruise information that you may not know:  When to get the best prices, cruise lines that will best suit you and your family, the busiest times to avoid.

4. Relationships:  Travel Agents have relationships with all the vendors that are needed to make your vacation great.  We wait on hold so you don’t have to.    We’ve all heard this, “Your approximate wait time is 15 minutes”.  Really??

5. Documentation:  If you are not aware of what is needed to travel to a destination.  The Travel Agent can advise what documents are needed for your destination.

8.  Packing:  Agents advise what you should pack for your cruise.  The clothes and other items you are taking should be appropriate for the season.

9.  Personal Touch:  Travel Agents, including myself, love to have a gift sent to a guests room. 

10.  Planning Fees:  There are some Agents, me included, that do not charge a planning fee.

Travel Agents want to make your vacation as stress free as possible so that you enjoy that special time with your family.

To improve my blog, I’m taking the 31DBBB challange with The Sits Girls.

I decided to accept this challange because I wanted to improve my blog but had no idea of where to start. So I purchased the e-book from ProBlogger and jumped into the challange.

Our first task, started yesterday and was to create an elevator speech. This was an difficult challange for me already. I want to make sure that my blog and my elevator speech are conveying the same message. I worked and worked until I came to something that I was happy with. I know that my blog is a work in progress and will continue to be evolving into what I want it to be.

Today begins Day 2 Challange. Write a List Post. I already have a couple of post on this blog that have lists so I will be re-working one of those.

Wish me luck and I hope to chat with you soon.

Donna

Disney Fantasy starts sailing March 2012.

Disney Fantasy is the fourth family friendly cruise liner in the Disney Cruise Line fleet and designed to reflect the glamour of cruising of the 1930s.  The 130,000 ton vessell accommodates 4,000 passengers along with over 1450 Cast and Crew Members.

The staterooms feature contemporary amenitites, ample space and nautical decor.

Dining includes options of elegant adults-only dining, Main Dining and made-to-order casual fare.

There are 3 pools on board Fantasy on Deck 11. One for kids, one for families and one for just the adults.

These are just a few of the options onboard the Disney Fantasy.  This family friendly cruise line is fun for kids of all ages. 

Book NOW to sail onboard this beautiful ship.

Here is a great article that I found regarding to air travel and how to avoid the most common issues.  Thought this may be helpful to all readers. 

8 common air travel snafus (and how to beat them) – todaytravel – TODAY.com

Today, Thursday March 10 is National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.   This year I ran across a great blog that focuses on education and awareness of HIV/AIDS for women and girls, “The Red Pump Project”.   This is a great blog that brings women and girls together to communicate and educate about HIV/AIDS and how this disease affects us all. 

The reality of HIV/AIDS affecting women and girls is staggering and alarming, here are a few statistics. 

Every 35 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States.

HIV is the 5th leading cause of death in women in the United States, ages 25-44. 

There are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S & almost 280,000 are women.

High-risk heterosexual contact is the source of 80% of these newly diagnosed infections in women.

We have to continue to educate ourselves and our daughters to this very real disease.  

These statistics were from The Center for Disease Control’s website and the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Fact Sheets (which cited the CDC). You can get more information about the effect of the epidemic from these sites

No, it’s no joke. With the gas prices raising daily, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. NCL will raise cruise fares up to 10% on April 1. The good news is, Norwegian will be extending its “Free Upgrades for All” sale through March 31. This sale provides up to a four-category upgrade on select sailings and e-coupons up to $400 in onboard savings.

NCL has seen the exceptional demand of this sale. Based on the demand have planned to increase fares on April 1.

Start booking now to take advantage of the sales event and before the rate increase scheduled for April 1. For individual booking or to block group space, call me at 850.287.3990.

Happy Cruising!
Donna

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.