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.

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

Fall Military Friends & Family: When a military family books a minimum three-night stay at any Beaches Resort location by October 25, 2011 for the time period of August 23,2011 and October 31, 2011, they will receive an extra 15% savings in addition to all existing promotional rates this fall. Military families may also invite their military and non-military friends and families to travel along with them to take advantage of the same savings up to three rooms.

Armed Services Weeks: In addition to the special fall savings, military families who book a minimum three night stay for travel over September 5-30, 2011 will be treated to a weekly meet and greet reception for military families and also receive 10% savings offer from Island Routes Tours.

European Home Port: Barcelona Spain
Home Port: Miami, FL
Length:1,004 feet long
Capacity: 3,690 guests (double occupancy); Total Staff: 1,386

Includes contemporary furnishings and new tropical decor for staterooms

Lauches in June 2012

Dining: two dining rooms, a steakhouse, and Italian family-style fare at Cucina del Capitano

SportSquare
RedFrog Pub
Carnival Waterworks
The adults only relaxation place, Serenity
Features all the best of its sister ships Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic, plus more to be announced over the coming months

Book NOW to secure your reservation onboard the new Carnival Breeze.

At different times of the course, I favor different spots.  Such as, when the ship is first leaving the port, my favorite spot is always up front.  Get a great view as the ship is leaving.

As the cruise gets underway, my favorite spot is always at the back of the ship, with a drink of course.  I love when I find a quiet spot, with no one around. (except my boyfriend of course)  It’s amazing that being onboard a ship there are so many spots where you can be alone.  It’s a time when I can relax and just enjoy being on the ship.  Of course the fact that I can do absolutely “nothing” is always a bonus.

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.

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

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

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