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.

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. 

Good evening everyone,

I’m getting everything ready for my short getaway tomorrow.  I’m so excited, it’s been a long week and I long for some quite time and a glass of wine.  We need these short getaways to recharge our batteries and let go of some of that stress.

Let me know……. Where is your favorite getaway when you don’t have a lot of time?

Going to try to have pictures posted on Monday of the place where I’m hiding. 

I was searching for a great travel tip and came across the website of 1000tips4trips.com.  I found a tip that new cruisers may or may not know regarding Alaskan cruises.  If you’re wanting to cruise to Alaska you have probably already done your homework but thought everyone else may like the information too. 

• Alaska Cruise Vacation Tips

   

   

Get more cruise tips at cruisetravel-tips.com.
Armando ID2156

This is my first post for “Ship Highlight”.  I thought it would be interesting to see information regarding ships you have never seen or have never cruised on before.

With the addition of the awesome aquatic amenities of Carnival Water Works, Serenity Adult-only Retreat and a tropical resort-style pool — more than ever — it’s time to stop the wishful thinking and book your cruise aboard CARNIVAL FANTASY. We’ve also refurbished the CARNIVAL FANTASY suites, and added flat screen TVs to the already enhanced staterooms. So relax, and let us make your cruise vacation dreams a reality. Book your Western Caribbean cruise aboard CARNIVAL FANTASY today. Ship’s Registry: Panama.

 Total Staterooms – 1,028
Decks – 10
Passenger capacity – 2,056
Total crew – 920
Officer’s nationality – Italian
Ship size – Large
Tonnage – 70,367
Ship length – 855
Registry – Panama

Some of the great activities onboard are:

 Serenity Adult-Only Retreat ~ Relax in the kid-free oasis

Resort Style Pool~

Carnival Water Works

City Sports Park ~ mini golf and jogging track on the Sun Deck

Spa Carnival ~ Relax and get pampered with soothing treatments and massages

Camp Carnival ~ For kids 2-11

Circle “C” ~  kids 12-14

Club 02! ~ For teenagers 15-17

Window’s on the Sea Bar and Grill~Lido Deck Restaurant

Sushi Bar on Promenade Deck

Internet Café

Cleopatra’s Piano Bar

Browse fine art

Photo Gallery ~ Promenade Deck ~  Pick your favorite and fondest memories

This doesn’t even cover the daily activities onboard while on your cruise:  Hairy chest contest, Ice Carving, Bingo, etc.  There is something for everyone. 

On the Carnival “Fun Ships” it’s aways a fun time!