Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Visiting the "Mariner of the Seas"

WOW, what a weekend we had! We left early Friday morning to hop onto the beautiful Mariner of the Seas in Los Angeles. It was a great pleasure to be invited to view Royal Caribbean's ship on a Cruise Specialist's Only weekend. The Mariner of the Seas will now be sailing on the West Coast out of Los Angeles for a fabulous Mexican Riviera itinerary!

We started Friday off with a great lunch in the Wind Jammer cafe, along with a couple of glasses of Champagne! We toured the entire ship including the suites that were open for viewing. I must say... the next time I am back on the Mariner of the Seas... I want to be in an Owner's Suite! Saturday was spent with the executives of Royal Caribbean and just enjoying everything the ship has to offer... from strolling down the Royal Promenade to having lunch in Johnny Rockets and laying poolside.
The dinners were fantastic and the service outstanding... everyone onboard made us feel like a million bucks and I know that is how our clients feel when we book them onboard Royal Caribbean.

Come Sunday morning, we didn't want to go home as our time onboard was just TOO short! But it was a blast being able to be apart of the experience, I know we'll all be back to sail for a longer period of time.

I'll post some pictures shortly and you can see for yourself what is in store for you, onboard the lovely Mariner of the Seas!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Holland America Line's Signature of Excellence

Spacious, Elegant Ships------------------------------------------------------------
  • Graceful, mid-sized ships, featuring more space per guest than other major premium cruise lines.
  • Spacious public rooms adorned with fresh floral arrangements and fine art and antiques from around the world.
  • Staterooms with more space and verandahs that are the largest of any premium cruise line.
  • "Mariner's Dream" stateroom featuring plush Euro-Top mattresses, flat-screen TVs, DVD players and other find amenities.

Gracious, Award-Winning Service--------------------------------------------------

  • Nearly one crew member for every two guests.
  • 135 years of polished performance and service.

Worldwide Itineraries---------------------------------------------------------------

  • More choices, more destinations and more ports of call than any other premium cruise line.
  • Quick getaways and longer voyages, ranging from seven to more than 100 days.
  • Medallion Shore Excursions featuring unique historical, cultural and naturalist explorations.

Extensive Activities & Enrichment Programs-----------------------------------------

  • Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine, featuring tasting events, demonstrations and cooking classes.
  • Explorations Cafe, powered by The New York Times, offering Internet, music listening stations, over 2000 books more.
  • Explorations Speaker Series on cruises of 10 days or longer.
  • Award-winning Greenhouse Spa & Salon.
  • Lavish world-class production shows.
  • Club HAL, offering a variety of supervised children's activities with special activities and space devoted to teens only.

Sophisticated Five-Star Dining-------------------------------------------------------

  • "As You Wish" dining with flexible times and seating (excluding Grand Voyages).
  • Elegant, two-tier main Dining Room with five-course menus.
  • Intimate reservations-only Pinnacle Grill, featuring aged Sterling Silver Beef, Bvlgari china, Riedel stemware and Frette linens.
  • Complimentary 24-hour in-room service.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Fiesta For Your Eyes... Siesta For Your Soul!!


WELCOME ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL'S "MARINER OF THE SEAS"
7-Night Mexican Riviera departing from Los Angeles, CA
Prices starting from $599 per person!
Call today to find the best date for you and cruise the beautiful Mexican Riviera!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Crystal Cruises Message

Dear cruise enthusiasts! I'm including a letter from the President of Crystal Cruises. They are a fantastic luxury cruise line and should definitely be considered for your future cruise planning. Call us anytime to learn more about the world's best!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



"I’d like to take this opportunity to begin the New Year with a personal message and my sincerest wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.
Today, we find our world in the midst of the most dramatic economic change many of us have ever experienced. And while this time of transition presents a unique set of challenges for each of us, I have noticed an unexpected positive surprise: We are spending more time with family and friends, refocusing our priorities on the people and experiences that reward us with life’s most treasured moments. More than ever, we are giving thoughtful consideration as to how we will spend our money, but equal importance is also being given to how and with whom we will spend our time.
I consider you part of the Crystal family, not only because of your standing in our Crystal Society, but also because of our shared passion for world travel and personal enrichment. I understand that travel is not a frivolous option for you, but rather a valid necessity that provides you with the much-needed and well-deserved time to relax, decompress and rediscover yourself and your loved ones – both friends and family.
As we navigate these uncharted economic waters, I have asked my staff to create new programs, revise existing policies and introduce new lower fares. I know that your vacation is an important investment, and I take that very seriously. Initiatives such as our new 2009 Crystal Assurance Plan allow you to book your vacation with confidence, guaranteeing you the best applicable fare even if it is reduced after you’ve booked, as well as reduced deposits and a relaxed cancellation policy. What’s more, our enhanced Share the Experience plan and popular Crystal Family Memories program allow you to travel with family and friends enjoying even greater rewards and savings.
Close to home or far away, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will continue to explore the world in 2009, offering journeys to virtually every corner of the globe. Equally as exciting, our new Celebration Fares salute 15 years of “World’s Best” accolades by rewarding you with incredible savings on 15 popular Mediterranean, Northern European and Trans-Atlantic voyages in 2009. And, if indeed, you are looking ahead to your 2010 travel calendar, please keep in mind that when you book any 2009 Europe or Trans-Atlantic sailing, including these Celebration Fare cruises, or any Crystal Symphony Asia cruise by March 31, 2009, you will receive a 20 percent savings on most 2010 voyages with our just announced “Save Now. Save Later” program.
Speaking of 2010, our Exploration of Ancient Empires World Cruise 2010 showcases a fascinating 108-day journey through the world’s most exotic empires. I think you will be as intrigued as I am with the must-see maiden calls and new destinations included on this global odyssey. From ancient lands in places like Iran and Bahrain to the natural wonders of Africa and South America, you have the rare chance to truly explore the very cradles of civilization and world history, plus an exciting segment featuring the Black Sea – never before offered on a Crystal World Cruise… all revealed through the comfort and security of our award-winning ships.
In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to send you details on these and any other initiatives we develop to keep you doing what you love most – traveling. Your next issue of Passport will be arriving later this month and includes a wealth of information on our savings plans, itineraries and shipboard news.
I hope the programs highlighted here will provide you with the comfort and assurance you need to make your Crystal travel plans with the utmost confidence. Again, I sincerely appreciate your loyalty and give you my personal commitment that I will work to ensure that your Crystal vacation continues to meet and exceed your highest expectations, and that you always have a place to call home, no matter where in the world your sense of discovery and adventure takes you."

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Regent Seven Seas Cruises




FREE AIR plus FREE UNLIMITED SHORE EXCURSIONS AT SAVINGS UP TO 45%



Regent Seven Seas is offering some amazing deals to Alaska on the Seven Seas Mariner. For a limited time, we are pleased to present you with FREE unlimited shore excursions on select 2009 cruises.

Simply book your sailing by March 31, 2009 and your cruise fare will include complimentary, award-winning shore excursions during your voyage. This is in addition to the all-inclusive cruise experience you have come to expect for the World's Best Cruise Line!

Call us today for details!




Saturday, January 24, 2009

Great Deals with Royal Caribbean and CruiseOne!

Right now, when you book any future sailing, you'll receive a 50% reduced deposit. Plus, when you book an Ocean View or above stateroom you'll also save up to $200 per stateroom on select sailings.

Be sure to book by February 28, 2009!

If that's not enough, when you book an Ocean View or above stateroom on any 7-night or longer sailing before January 31, 2009, you'll also receive a pair of luxurious Royal Caribbean bathrobes!

4-Night W. Caribbean, Sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale
Enchantment of the Seas
Oceanview from $449 and save $50 off

7-Night Mexican Riviera, Sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles
Mariner of the Seas
Oceanview from $749 and save $100 off

7-Night Caribbean, Sailing roundtrip from Miami
Liberty of the Seas
Oceanview from $799 and save $100 off

10-Night Mediterranean, Sailing from Venice to Lisbon
Spendour of the Seas
Oceanview from $1149 and save $200 off

We know you want to get the most value from your hard earned dollars. Call us today and let your personal Cruise Specialist show you how much you can get for so little!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Green Ships At Sea

Most major cruise lines have fleet-wide environmental programs, but this week we are focusing on the Celebrity Solstice!

While Celebrity Cruises uses a fleet-wide sustainability plan to make its ships more environmentally friendly, the newly launched Celebrity Solstice is the first ship to implement all of the initiatives from the get-go, since they were included in the ship's construction. For example, the Solstice is the first cruise ship equipped with solar power technology. It also has glazed, high-efficiency glass windows, which prevent solar heat gain, thus reducing the amount of air conditioning required. Celebrity worked with paint manufacturers to develop environmentally safe silicon coatings for a smoother hull, creating less water resistance. In addition, the Solstice is equipped with common rail diesel engines, which reduce energy consumption and have lower nitrogen oxide content within air emission standards at all engine loads.

Initiatives on the Solstice that are being implemented on other ships in the Celebrity fleet include air-conditioning equipment that results in a 25 to 30 percent improvement in air-conditioning efficiency over ships built as recently as five years ago; Advanced Wastewater Purification (AWP) equipment; chilled river rocks in the buffet area instead of ice beds, reducing water consumption; technology and appliances that reduce the use of water-producing equipment that consumes fuel or electricity; fluorescent and Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting; and high-efficiency appliances.

KUDOS to Celebrity Cruises and all the cruise lines that are being GREEN!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

GOING HOME WITH CHEF'S JAN D'ATRI AND MOMMA!!

Check out the details on this AMAZING opportunity!!

Join Chef's Jan D'Atri and Momma as they cruise the Eastern Mediterranean on the new Celebrity Solstice!

Click on the flyer below for more information on how you can be part of the fun! Call us today: 1-800-570-6407




Mexican Riviera Pictures






























Thursday, December 18, 2008

Back From Our Cruise

We're back from our NCL cruise and had a very nice time! We sailed out of Long Beach, and along with 3 enjoyable sea days, we visited Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta!

Cabo San Lucas is a great town with fun shopping and excursions. We actually swam with the dolphins at their new "Dolphin Center" located right next to the marina where the ship's tender brings you to port. We had a BLAST and would recommend the dolphin swim to anyone. If you haven't done it before... put it on your list! Amazing experience!

Next was the port of Mazatlan where we docked along the pier. My advise would be to definitely sign up for an excursion. You can take a taxi into the downtown area where they have an open-air market and butcher, and that is an experience... but after talking to other cruisers onboard that took an excursion... they had a much better time! We chose to walk around the town and really didn't get to see the beauty the Mazatlan has to offer. Still fun to see!

Puerto Vallarta was our last port on the cruise and such a great place! We jumped on the local bus for $1.00 (for both of us) and rode into downtown. The shopping and great, and the boardwalk along the beach is gorgeous! We also went into Old Town which is a definite must when visiting Puerto Vallarta! It is very charming indeed! We ended up finding the perfect ocean view table in an open air restaurant called "The Cheeky Monkey". Sat and enjoyed the ocean views while having some great Mexican dollar beers. Ahhhh... 'tis the life!

The Norwegian Star was a nice ship, one of their oldest BUT still only built in 2001. NCL definitely has the youngest fleet on the planet. It was interesting experiencing the "Freestyle Dining" option that they have onboard... and while it was enjoyable to not have to be at dinner at any particular time... I have to say that we still prefer traditional dining. There is really something to getting to know your waiters onboard and having them get to know you. It does make the dining experience more fun, personal and special!
We had a nice balcony stateroom. It wasn't the biggest and didn't seem to have as much storage as some of the other ship's we've sailed on but it was nice all the same... and of course Mark and I have a blast no matter what!!!
The nightlife on the Star was fun, and the entertainment was pretty fantastic! Some of the show they had were outstanding!
We probably don't need to cruise on NCL again in the near future, as we do prefer a little more elegance to our cruises... but all in all we really did have a fun time!

It was beautiful and 80 degrees in Mexico... and we came home to snow! What happened?? I'll get the pictures we took uploaded and on the blog soon!

Happy Cruising!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

CRUISING ON NCL

Mark and I are getting excited for our next adventure... cruising the Mexican Riviera on Norwegian Cruise Lines!

We leave this weekend and can't wait to check out their product and report back our thoughts and some pictures. We have cruised many times on (almost) all the other cruise lines, but not NCL so this will be a great opportunity for us to experience Freestyle Cruising!

We will be sailing on the Norwegian Star and we're looking forward to seeing the highlights of this ship. Stay tuned for news upon our return!

Happy Cruising!!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Princess's New RUBY PRINCESS!

Princess Cruises has just taken delivery of their newest addition, Ruby Princess!

The 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing array of performing street entertainers. Passengers will also enjoy Princess' other array of dining venues including the signature Sabatini's Italian restaurant and the Crown Grill Steak and Seafood restaurant, plus a relaxing oasis just for adults called The Sanctuary. Their new ship offers many other innovations that define the Princess experience, including the popular Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, Personal Choice Dining, multiple entertainment venues, a relaxing Asian-style Lotus Spa with fitness center, an extensive children and teen's center, a wedding chapel and nearly 900 staterooms with private balconies.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is so much to be thankful for! Here's wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving day tomorrow.

And remember... Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence! Go Seahawks!!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Royal Caribbean Revises Disembarkation Process

Royal Caribbean International introduced new procedures fleetwide to further ease the departure process on all ships! The company also added programming for guests who are staying onboard for multiple sailings. “We listened to our guests’ feedback regarding the opportunity to transform the departure experience and responded with the launch of a refreshed process fleetwide,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president-hotel operations at Royal Caribbean. “Early testing aboard Freedom of the Seas has yielded very positive guest feedback, with the enhanced communications cited as one of the most helpful tools for our guests on departure day. We also continue to see an increase in guests sailing with us for multiple cruises and our focus on special communications and programming for these guests will also greatly enhance their overall cruise experience.

”On departure day, guests will have extended access to their staterooms, as well as continued in-stateroom TV entertainment. Guests also will receive an “As You Depart” notice, which communicates the new enhancements and the location of departure lounges offering refreshments and light entertainment. Among the departure lounges will be a dedicated Family Zone, which will include refreshments, toys and games geared toward younger cruisers. Guests in suites will be treated to an exclusive continental breakfast hosted by guest services or the concierge. Additionally, there will be a minimal amount of ship-wide public announcements all morning to maintain a relaxing atmosphere, with nearly all departure updates limited to the departure lounges and through the in-stateroom TV programming. Guests may also elect to carry their own luggage as part of the Express Departure option. Express Departure allows guests to disembark the ship first and as soon as the gangway is opened and cleared by local authorities!

Guests sailing on multiple consecutive cruises will receive a special Compass, a variation of the daily Cruise Compass program schedule. The special Compass will offer an overview that includes the following sailing’s itinerary highlights -- such as entertainment and dining events throughout the guests’ stay -- as well as special events exclusively for guests on consecutive cruises. Consecutive cruises guests will receive special attention, activities and dining options, including personalized services, a letter from the hotel director, calls from Guest Services, and assistance to ensure main dining room seating requests are made in advance of the following cruise.

We're very excited about this change and look forward to seeing it for ourselves!