Happy 100th Birthday Denali!

Denali celebrates it's one hundredth birthday on February 26, 2017!

North America’s tallest mountain, formerly known as Mount McKinley, stands at an awesome 20,310-feet and looms over roughly 600,000 acres of protected park land. 

Denali, an Athabascan word meaning “Great One,” stands watch over the many wildlife species who make the park their home, including moose, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, caribou and wolves. 

Celebrate the true ideal of national parks in Denali, a place that has been set aside to connect people to America’s past, a place that protects present wildlife and amazing landscapes for your enjoyment and that of future generations, and a place that celebrates the individual’s opportunity to experience inspiration, reflection, awe, and wonder.  

A true national treasure!

You can experience Denali on an Alaska CruiseTour on several cruise lines.  May through September is the Alaska cruising season.  Add a land tour to a 7-night cruise to make a spectacular vacation experience.

“Blue Danube” Sailings with Viking River Cruises

Their 8-day Romantic Danube itinerary reveals the highlights of Budapest, Vienna and Nuremberg.

 

You can soak up the soothing steam at a Budapest thermal bath, learn to waltz at a tradition-steeped Viennese dance school and wander the cobblestone streets of Nuremberg's Old Town, where you may sample bratwurst paired with a local brew.

 

Or, if you choose their 8-day Danube Waltz cruise, you can visit the baroque St. Stephen's Cathedral in Passau, discover the 900-year-old Benedictine monastery at Melk and explore lesser-known Central European cities like Cesky Krumlov and Bratislava.

 

With medieval towns, grand cities and stunning scenery, you will be sure to love Viking's enriching journeys along the "Blue Danube."

Now, you can enjoy 2-for-1 cruise pricing with air from just $395 per person, plus their "Choice" Offer.

Don't delay—offer expires February 28, 2017.

 

Contact us for more details!

It’s that time again!  Join us for our Annual Great Girls Getaway in 2016... Enjoy a magical Hawaii cruise and explore the islands of Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island with unique "Aloha Spirit" onboard programs.             Cruise Line: Princess Cruises Cruise Ship: Ruby Princess Destination: Hawaii Departs From: LOS Departure Date: April 18, 2016 Itinerary: Los Angeles, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Ensenada, Los Angeles     Starting at  $ 1844 Contact us today with your information and refundable deposit, and we’ll get you confirmed in the perfect stateroom of your choice.  Choose from Interior, Ocean View, or Verandah. Invite your girlfriends, sisters, cousins, daughters and join in for a week of relaxation and fun… We look forward to welcoming you onboard another exciting Great Girl's Getaway in 2016! Linda Gruver & Annie Stimmel (480) 883-6236 (800) 570-6407 Hawaiian Islands on the Ruby Princess   Here’s just some of the Hawaiian cultural experiences you can enjoy on board as we cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles, California on the beautiful Ruby Princess... ¨ Aloha sail-away deck party ¨ Authentic luau buffet ¨ Freshly-prepared island cuisine in the dining rooms ¨ Kona coffee tasting events ¨ Fresh flower lei making ¨ Hula dance lessons ¨ Ukulele classes ¨ Polynesian language lessons ¨ Captivating port lectures and discussions ¨ Island-themed trivia ¨ Hawaiian-inspired Movies Under the Stars®

Azamara Club Cruises - Valentine's Day Special!

 

The gift of world travel. It’s the best way for you to show that special someone how much you care about them. And with Azamara's limited-time Valentine’s Day Special, that gift comes with extra value.

When you book one of 23 carefully selected voyages between February 9 – February 16, 2015, you get to choose not one, but TWO of the offers below.

 

 

$1000 per couple in onboard spending credits

Good for spa, fine dining, shore excursions, and more.

 

$1000 per couple in ChoiceAir credits

Guaranteed lowest airfare, assured arrival, and 24/7 support.

 

Stateroom upgrade (approximately $1000 value per couple)

Get a free stateroom category upgrade from Club Interior to Club Oceanview, or Club Oceanview to Club Verandah.

 

 

Azamara's ships fill up fast when they have offers like this out there, so let us know where you'd like to go!

Carnival Cruise Special for Valentine's Day!

Make your Valentine's Day an extra special celebration by reserving your next Carnival cruise dream vacation!  

Book between now and February 16th for only $99 per person on select sailings through June 2015.  

This is a perfect surprise for your special sweetie! ❤️

When Should I Book My Cruise?

We talk to a lot of people with this question everyday!

There are a couple things you need to ask yourself when you decide you’re ready for a cruise vacation.

 

** It’s important to consider what type of cruise experience you would like, what port you would love to visit and how you want to cruise. Once you’ve decided on the destination and what cruise line is the best fit, booking in advance is a great idea. Not only would you have ample time to plan for your vacation but you will receive the best options available, and have a better choice of available staterooms. 

 

** The next thing you must do is contact your travel professional for possible exclusive perks, special deals, onboard credit and even stateroom upgrades.  We know all the current sales and deals that are happening with the cruise lines and can bring the best value to the cruise of your choice.

 

** And remember, if the cruise line low­ers the price even more be­fore you have made fi­nal pay­ment on your cruise, you might be able to get an ad­just­ment to your rate.  Your travel professional can, and should, check that for you!

Announcing Carnival's Seuss at Sea Program

I loved Dr. Seuss as a kid, and still do!  That's why I'm really excited about Carnival's new announcement today... 

Today Carnival Cruise Lines announced an exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss enterprises to bring the beloved children's brand and favorite characters to their fleet of 24 'Fun Ships!' An industry first, the Carnival Seuss at Sea program will offer a variety of exciting and immersive onboard youth, family, dining and entertainment experiences featuring the amazing world and words of Dr. Seuss.

The fun on Carnival starts in the main dining room with The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with the Cat in the Hat and Friends. Playful foods straight from Dr. Seuss's imagination will be served including green eggs and ham, moose juice and goose juice along with traditional breakfast favorites. Carnival's wait staff will set the tone with Dr. Seuss-inspired uniforms and popular Dr. Seuss characters will join guests for interactive opportunities.

In addition, every ship in the Carnival fleet will have a selection of classic Dr. Seuss books, toys and themed activities for children to enjoy. Special showings of beloved Dr. Seuss movies will be shown on the giant screen of the Seaside Theater as part of their Dive-In Movies programming. On Carnival Freedom, which is undergoing a major refurbishment in May, and Carnival Vista, set to debut in early 2016, there will be a Dr. Seuss Bookville facility - a unique and dedicated Seuss-themed play space featuring iconic décor, colors, shapes and funky furniture inspired by the world of Dr. Seuss. While there, families may enjoy Dr. Seuss books and stretch their imagination through other family-fun activities including arts and crafts, toys and games.

An interactive reading event called Seuss-a-palooza Story Time, A Rhyming Good Time will bring to life the colorful world of Dr. Seuss for kids of all ages. Hosted on a sea day each voyage in a custom-created environment on board or within Dr. Seuss Bookville, this memorable storytelling event will feature some of the most beloved characters in the world of Dr. Seuss.

At other times during the voyage, children and families will have the chance to meet and interact with favorite Dr. Seuss characters and participate in special photo opportunities featuring colorful and zany Dr. Seuss-inspired artwork, as well as through events and activities such as the Seuss-a-palooza Parade where guests can join Dr. Seuss characters in a swirly conga line along the Promenade. A variety of Dr. Seuss-themed retail items will be available as well.

Roll-out of the Seuss at Sea program will begin aboard Carnival Splendor in February 2014 with implementation across the full fleet by 2015, as well as Carnival Vista when that ship enters service in early 2016.

I think it's going to be a lot of fun for the whole family!  What are your thoughts?  

Schlitterbahn Tips and Tricks!

We are back from our trip to the great Texan cities of San Antonio and Austin.  Seeing The Alamo, the missions on the Mission Trail, as well as listening to great music on 6th Street...  But what visit would be complete without a day spent at one of the largest water parks in the US... Schlitterbahn!   

There are four Schlitterbahn parks in the country, but the biggest is in New Braunfels, Texas... in between San Antonio and Austin.  We stayed in San Antonio on the River Walk at the Hyatt Regency, which was a great place to stay.  Nice hotel, clean large rooms, great views, rooftop pool and in the middle of all the happenings on the River Walk.

This was our first visit to Schlitterbahn, and we learned some tips that may be helpful to those who are newbies just like we were:

1. Get there early.  Even as early as an hour to get a good place to park and be one of the first inside the park.  

2. If you are a high trill water slide seeker, go directly to the Master Blaster first!  This is one of the most popular attractions at the park, and the length of the line when you get there will be the shortest it will be all day.  If it seems long at the start of the day, just want until later! 

3. There are two parts to the park... the original/west side, and the new/east side.  The thrill slides are in the newer side to the east.  They provide a tram that takes you between the two sides, all day long.

4. There are lockers in both sides of the park.  We ended up parking at the original side, putting our things in a locker, and taking the tram directly to the new side to get to the Master Blaster right away.  That worked out well because after we were done at that side of the park, we ended the day on the original side where our locker and car were located.

5. Wear shoes!  It's a big place and walking around barefoot all day can be uncomfortable.  Just make sure whatever shoes you wear will stay on your feet on the water slides!  We wore flip-flops, and just put them on our arms when we when on the rides.  It actually worked out just great.

6. If you are wearing a hat or sunglasses, you may lose them... prepare accordingly!

7. You may want to wear a shirt over your suit to keep the sun and heat off you while standing in lines.  It will get super hot! We actually saw people in the water and on the slides wearing full water shoes, long shorts and t-shirts like they were dressed for the day.

8. You are able to bring in your own food and drinks (no glass, no alcohol) so take as much as you want for your family and a picnic.

9. Purchase a Splash Cash card.  You can load this card with as much money as you wish, and use it to purchase anything around the park.  That way you keep your money and/or credit cards locked up, and the Splash Cash Card stays on a lanyard around your neck.  The best part, is whatever you don't spend... you will get refunded back to you.

10. Bring a change of clothes, towel and a plastic bag for your wet suit and clothing. After our day we were able to change and get dry so the ride home was perfect!

     

So, that's the scoop!  It's a lot of fun, but there will be a lot of people so prepare for crowds and lines depending on when you go.  Email me with any questions!  astimmel@cruiseone.com

Below/right is a picture of the Downhill Racer in the original side of the park... was one of our favorites!  Brought back childhood memories.  :)

Cunard's New Smoking Policy

Following feedback from our guests and the results of recent customer research, smoking will no longer be permitted on stateroom balconies. Smoking is currently not permitted in staterooms or public areas but the new policy will continue to permit smoking in designated areas of the open deck.  With regards to electronic cigarettes which do not emit smoke, these are not permitted in public areas but they can be used in staterooms, balconies and designated areas of the open deck.  This change has been for the safety and comfort of our guests and means that all guests will be able to enjoy full use of their private balconies without the effect of drifting smoke.  The change will take effect for all cruises departing immediately after the 2014 World Cruises, as listed below:

QUEEN ELIZABETH Q404 9 May 2014 QUEEN MARY 2 M404 9 May 2014 QUEEN VICTORIA V403 28 April 2014

Thank you,  Brian O'Connor Vice President, Sales (North America)   Stanley Birge Vice President (North America)

Family-Friendly Amenities on Today's Cruise Ships...

Hi all!  

Most of you already know that cruises are an ideal vacation for families with kids of all ages.  So I thought I would keep you updated with what today's cruise ships are offering for an eye-popping array of features that both your kids, and you, will love!

On a cruise, during the day, people do their own thing.  The kids are happy in the children's programs, mom may be in the spa, dad may be gambling... But everyone does their own thing.  Then regroup to experience a meal together, watch a show, or participate in a game.  It's a great way to reconnect.

Carnival Cruise Lines:

They offer a wide array of amenities and services for families... Camp Carnival for youngsters and Camp Carnival Night Owls for staying out late while the kids are entertained... WaterWorks with fun water slides... SportSquare with all kinds of sports to play... 

Some ships have a ropes course for older kids... 3-D movies... and Hasbro, The Game Show.

Disney Cruise Line:

It goes without saying that Disney cruises are ideal for families.  Musicals... First-run movies... Character meetings and fireworks!  They also offer the Dine and Play program that lets families eat dinner together, then send the kids off for evening activities.  Programs for all age groups... AuqaDuck water coaster... animated dining room.

Holland America:

This line offers several programs as well for different age groups.  Baby-sitting services are offered as well.  Especially noteworthy is the complimentary HAL Kids Culinary Workshop, aimed at kids 3-8.  Older kids can take the adult class!  Kids learn basic cooking techniques, kitchen safety, new ingredients and how to follow recipe instructions in the ships' Culinary Arts Center.

Norwegian Cruise Line:

The line's newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, offers the largest youth and teen facility in their fleet.  Teens have a dedicated space, Entourage, at the top of the ship next to the video arcade... Activities and programs are available for different age groups... Air hockey, football, arcade center, video game stations... Wii sports!... Cirque du Jour which teaches kids circus activities... Fireworks... Nickelodeon at sea... And an Aqua Park with watersides and pools!

Royal Caribbean:

Royal Caribbean International outlines its family programs and offerings in a 12-page color brochure!  Offers children's and teens programs divided into age groups like the other cruise lines.  As well as... DreamWorks 3D movies... Dining with Shrek... Ice and water shows... FlowRider surf simulator... Zip lining... Rock climbing... Ice rinks... Mini golf... Aqua parks.  Some partners are Mattel, Fisher-Price, and Crayola.  

Needless to say, there are many options for fun when it comes to cruising with your family.  Something for everyone... Kids and parents alike!  

For more details on the specifics of what programs each cruise line offers, shoot me an email!

Astimmel@cruiseone.com

Carnival's Newest Ship!

Carnival Cruise Lines has shared the exciting news... Their 25th ship has just been named.  The "Carnival Vista"!  

The new 135,000-ton ship is scheduled to enter service in 2016 and will hold 4,000 passengers onboard.  She will offer a wide variety of dining, bar and entertainment options that are part of the line's groundbreaking Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement initiative, along with a number of innovations unique to this ship.

Additional design details regarding the Carnival Vista, as well as homeport deployment and itinerary information, will be announced at a later date.

Stay tuned!!!

Tips for Cruising with Teens

Believe it or not, family vacations with teens don't have to result in eye rolling! 

CLIA recently provided a few tips to make sure teens have a great time on family cruises this year... and we wanted to share:

The most important thing to remember when vacationing with teenagers is that, even though parents may want to spend every waking moment with their teens, chances are that the feeling isn't mutual.  Because of that, a cruise can be the perfect vacation option for families with teens. 

Cruises offer great opportunities for teens to have time away from the family and, better yet, to have time with other teens.

In addition, cruise ships give teens the freedom to roam around while still being completely safe since, no matter where you go on a cruise ship, a crew member is never far away.

The best part about cruising for families with teens is that a teen's desire for independence can easily be balanced with a parent's desire for family time.  Choosing certain activities or meals to enjoy together each day will give your vacation structure, allow everyone to have a combination of family togetherness and alone time and, hopefully, even minimize the eye rolling! 

Starting planning your family cruise today... include the grandparents too for a fun and multi-generational vacation that your family will have a wonderful memory of for years to come!

PACIFIC COASTAL - SPRING CRUISE!

"Bill of Rights" For Cruisers

Cruise lines last week endorsed a "Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights". 

CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) said it's members unanimously endorsed a 10-point plan that in a power outage would guarantee the rights of passengers to emergency power, timely information and a trained crew.

Passengers would also be guaranteed the right to leave a ship if essential provisions cannot be provided, but only if the ship is already docked.

The idea for such a bill of rights was first floated by a New York senator in March with his six-point plan.  CLIA took the six-point plan and added four more than seem relevant.

This bill of rights seems to demonstrate the commitment of CLIA's cruise line members to be transparent and clear about that passenger right are in the rare event of a mechanical or power failure.

In many cases, cruise lines are already doing what the bill of rights requires... however it will be included in the cruise line's contract of carriage, making it enforceable.

For the full text of CLIA's Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights, send me an email!

Viking Plans to Cruise Mississippi, and...

In 2015, Viking River Cruises plans to bring a version of the Longships to the Mississippi River! 

This will challenge the traditional paddlewheel model that has come to define the overnight passenger vessel experience on the largest US waterway.  Most leisure cruises on the Mississippi have been offered on paddlewheelers modeled on classic 19th century steamboats.  Viking, however, says they see room for a smaller, sleeker, European-style vessel.

Viking also noted that while it is focused on the Mississippi, it will also be looking into other US river systems such as the Pacific Northwest... if the demand justifies it. 

I don't know about you, but we're looking forward to seeing Viking here in the US starting in 2015... a great way to experience their wonderful product right here close to home!