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

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

Anytime you hear the phrase “Repositioning Cruise“, it means that a ship is moving from one region to another between seasons.  You can get some great deals on Repositioning Cruises.  Just remember, when you depart will not be where you will be returning at the end of the cruise.

When we do not take time for ourselves, the family tends to get disconnected. Everyone is doing their own thing and involved in their own world, we don’t even have time to eat dinner together anymore. Make sure to have time together. Stop and plan time together.

Plan a family vacation! Get reconnected and “plugged” in to your family again. A cruise is a great way to vacation. Everyone can have the activities they enjoy during the day and have time when everyone is together in the afternoon and evening. Visit different ports, have dinner where someone else does the dishes, you don’t even have to make your bed in the morning. Ahhhhh, I LOVE IT! When you take these times together, you learn alot about each other.

My very wonderful boyfriend and I went on a short 3 night get away in January to the Bahamas and absolutely loved it. No cell phones, no computers. We didn’t even watch tv. We were able to concentrate completely on each other. What an amazing thing! Of course, everytime I got still on a lounge chair I practically fell alseep instantly. That gentle rocking always rocks me to sleep. Nothing compares to it. At night, my boyfriend Michael did join in the Karaoke. That was interesting, now he had a fan base on the ship. We took in a show, a tribute to 80′s music. This was right up my alley, I’m an 80′s child. Michael didn’t want to go at first but in the end, he loved it. It was a fantastic show.

This was the first time my boyfriend has been to the Bahamas, he was amazed at the ocean. The color, the serenity, the vastness of it all. It’s an awesome feeling being on the water. I love finding those quiet places on the ship where I can sit and look out over the water.

We took a taxi ride in the city, while in port. I think that scared Michael just a little. He wasn’t completely prepared for the driving. Although, I had already warned him. He’ll know for the next time. I think he was a little worried because he had to sit in the front seat. You see, Michael is 6’4 and there was NO WAY he was going be able to sit next to me in the taxi. The taxi is a van with about 8-10 of us crammed inside. The guy sitting behind me was interested in Michael’s height. I tell him that Michael is 6’4. The guy seems to think about this for a moment then sits back. I guess Michael now has another fan. One of the othe passengers asks the driver if drugs are illegal there. Really??? Hmmmm, that wasn’t my first question. We got to see all the local attractions that everyone gets to see. Mainly Atlantis and all the little tidbits about Anna Nicole Smith, the marketplace, Queen’s Staircase, etc.

The weather was absolutely amazing while we were there. We didn’t want to leave but sadly our time had come to an end. I know we will remember this short vacation with fond memories. I love the Bahamas and can’t wait to return.

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

When planning that much needed vacation or when getting ready for that Seminar @ Sea, add a day or two at the beginning of your trip ~ don’t stress yourself by hurrying to get to the cruise port.  Take time  and relax ~ You deserve it!!

Here is another great cruise tip that I uncovered.  If you  have any cruise tips, please share, I’d love to read them.

Take Care Of Your Cabin Steward

One of your best friends on the cruise will be your Cabin Steward. He, or she, will do an excellent job of making up your cabin twice a day and generally taking care of you. This is the person who will also handle any special requests you have, like if you need an iron or extra pillow. We make it a point to get to know our steward on the very first day, and we make sure we tip him (or her) an extra $20. Yes, the daily 10% gratuity that is added to your account does cover the cabin staff, but make no mistake: these guys, who do an excellent job anyway, can add a nice extra dimension to your journey. For example, we like to keep our ice buckets full, and sometimes we even dedicate our sink to holding our beer, which a happy Cabin Steward will keep covered in ice for us all day long. We have received bathrobes, bottles of wine, and cigars from our grateful stewards over the years. Trust us on this one. Whatever tip you lay out will be the best money you spend on the cruise. http://www.dothecaribbean.com.

Article by Fred Tutwiler ID2030 for 1000tips4trips

Plan your cruise a year in advance.  That way you can make smaller payments during the year.

I thought of another tip for you today. 

Make sure to take a carry on bag with you to be assured that you have your essentials.  Change of clothes for dinner, toiletries, etc.  Having a carry on bag assures that you will have what you need in case your luggage gets to your stateroom late in the evening.

I came across a tip on 1000tips4trips.com and thought I would share.  This is a great one concerning hurricane season. 

If you’re planning a Caribbean cruise from June through November you should know that you will be cruising during hurricane season. Why would you choose to cruise during hurricane season? Price is one reason. Typically your best deals are during the fall months from late August to mid December.

Statistically speaking, the chance that your particular cruise is going to be affected by a hurricane is slim. However, it does happen. Cruising during these months requires you to be flexible. Itineraries can be disrupted by even the mere threat of a storm. Usually the cruise line whose Eastern Caribbean itinerary appears to be in the path of the storm will simply switch over to the Western Caribbean schedule and vice versa. If the cruise line can’t find a port, then the ship spends those days at sea. You will not get a refund for the missed ports of call, as the cruise lines reserve the right to change the itinerary. The cruise lines’ strategy has always been to avoid a storm, and they have specific hurricane storm emergency response plans to help them do this.

Best thing to do if you’re cruising during this time is to plan ahead. Arrive at the port of embarkation at least one day prior to departure in case difficulties arise, especially if you’re cruising out of Florida. Also prepare for the possibility that you might arrive home a day or two late. The ship will wait out at sea if the hurricane is threatening Florida.

Buy insurance, whether through the cruise line or an independent provider – and make sure that the policy covers disruption in case of weather-related events. If the cruise is actually canceled, you will get a refund. However, it’s very rare for the cruise lines to cancel a cruise.

Tip posted on www.1000tips4trips.com by Judy Wilson ID1974.  For more information, visit http://www.honeymoonforums.com.