I received a call the other day from someone planning cruise.  We had a pleasant conversation.  We were both driving in rush hour traffic and it was a little hectic.  During our conversation I was asked “Why would I choose you to book a cruise instead of calling the cruise line myself”?   To me, using a travel agent is a no brainer.  Why would you stress out about researching and planning a cruise vacation, when I will gladly do that for you? 

Here are a few of the reasons that I gave to her.

1.  I am YOUR personnal travel agent.  You are able to reach me when you need me.  I treat your vacation as I would planning my own vacation. 

2.  I do the research for you.  We all have so much to do and never have time to stop and research a vacation and the details.  Save you time for the much needed vacation. 

3.  Travel Agents can give you the information that you may not know about cruising.  When to get the best prices, cruise lines that will best suit you and your family, the busiest times to avoid.

4.  Travel Agents have relationships with all the vendors that are needed to make your vacation great.  We wait on hold. 

5.  Travel Agents can advise what  to wear and what not to wear.

6.  Travel Agents are constantly researching destinations.  Can give you important information on your new favorite destination. 

7.  Advise what travel documents are needed for your destination.

8.  Agents advise what you should pack for your cruise.

9.  When planning cruises for my clients, I love to have a gift sent to their room for them. 

10.  This is no charge for my travel planning services.

11.  Take the stress of planning off of YOU. 

The next time your are thinking about planning that cruise vacation.  Give a travel agent a call.  Let us do the work and you keep thinking about that wonderful time you will have. 

I love planning cruise vacations and researching the destinations.  The feeling of helping someone to plan a cruise vacation as a surprise for someone they love is such a great feeling.  I get excited about clients going on their cruise. 

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  

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.

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