I LOVE Fresh Alaskan Salmon!!

Fresh Alaskan salmon bake onboard was a fantastic final lunch for this voyage! Yummmmm-my! Served buffet style with a nice assortment of salads, sides, and a delicious apple pie.

Catching Salmon in Ketchikan - Such a Thrill!

Today was a great day in Ketchikan and the waters nearby. I caught 4 salmon (3 Coho and 1 Pink), though I had a total of 5, one got away just as I was lifting him in the captain's net. Oh, man! But 4 is awesome and will be some good meals in our house as it's all being shipped home.

The excursion was small and intimate with only 6 of us, plus the captain. We were all from the same ship. One couple from Florida who's been to Alaska multiple times. One couple and their grandson from Southern California, and me. We had a great time chatting and getting to know each other during the numerous long periods of nothing.

We were trolling, which is very common in southeast Alaska, and went out about 10 miles from Ketchikan where the waters were about 500 feet deep, per the captain. All together we caught 14 fish, but one fellow had him in the boat while another guy and I were also bringing ours in, and it slipped out through a drainage vent. We were all sad for him at the time as he hadn't caught a thing yet, but we're laughing about it by the end as he ended up catching two more later on.

It was a 4 1/2 hour excursion and was a fantastic time, and I was definitely thinking of my grandpa today!

I am so thrilled to have been invited to this Seminar at Sea. Getting out to the destinations and experiencing things personally definitely lends a lot more credibility to recommendations I make to my clients and is so very important as continuing education. You won't get THAT from a dotcom site or a club warehouse!

Alaska has been fabulous, and I cannot wait to be able to experience more of this beautiful state in the future. Tonight we set sail back southward with no more port days. We'll be in the classroom again tomorrow morning, and enjoying more of this lovely ship during the rest of this voyage. 

Ketchikan - The Salmon Capital of the World

Good morning from Ketchikan, the salmon capital of the world! As we pull into port, I enjoyed breakfast in bed with a fantastic view of the channel and watched a great video on the fishing industry here, which correlates to my adventure today. Today in honor of my grandfather, dad, great-grandfather, and assorted uncles, I'm off for some salmon fishing. Hopefully, I catch something! It's 61 and overcast, but the air is so crisp and clean. Looking forward to a great day!

Glacier Bay National Park

Today we arrived in Glacier Bay National Park at about 6:15am, and picked up one of the Park Rangers, and a Tlingit cultural representative who stayed on board with us until about 3:30pm, answering questions, providing insight, and more. It was awesome!

As we worked our way up into the park and the bay, we saw a lot! We got to see Reid Glacier, Lamplugh Glacier, Johns Hopkins Glacier, part of Grand Pacific Glacier, and the biggest and best of them all, Margerie Glacier. The captain parked us very close to, and in front of Margerie Glacier, which is up in the Tarr Inlet for an hour. Starting with the port side, and then rotating the ship to the starboard side, everyone was amazed at the sheer size and majesty of that glacier. We reveled as we got to see several small calvings and one really big one! (I took about 400 pictures of the glaciers alone, but am only sharing these select few now...more will be shared later after getting home to wifi that isn't so expensive).

As we woke this morning it was raining, and everyone was a bit disappointed at the prospect of not being able to see a lot, but as we got closer in, the sky stopped and the misty fog lifted. Southeast Alaska is a rainforest, so having rain on any given adventure is to be expected. The glaciers were surreal. The beautiful colors and the sounds of the cracking were amazing.

After the captain set sail once more and as we pulled far enough away from being able to see Margerie Glacier it was lunchtime. Followed by a great presentation in the main theatre by the Park Ranger. She shared some great stories and wonderful information about GBNP and the assorted critters that call it home. And then after her presentation, the Tlingit lady - Alice is her English name, but sorry, I couldn't even begin to know how her Tlingit name is spelled - gave a presentation on the Tlingit peoples that have called this area home for centuries.

What an amazing day filled with such beauty, and just a teeny tiny bit of this great state.

Yukon Ho!

Skagway is such a wonderfully easy port to maneuver. A very short walk from the ship puts you right at the station for the White Pass-Yukon Rail station, but it's also just a quick walk into town and is of course looking very much as it did back in the 1890s the heart of gold rush days.

My excursion package was a White Pass train combo, which actually was the reverse of many of the ones that are readily available. Instead of taking the train first, for my group, it was a bus first, followed by the return trip on the train. We drove about 72 miles north of Skagway into the Yukon (my mind kept thinking of Calvin & Hobbes and "Yukon Ho!"). Shortly after starting up the mountain we encountered a good bit of fog - actually about 20 minutes of our drive was very hard to see anything outside the bus, but thankfully after we'd crested the White Pass summit, we also left the fog behind us as the sun shone brightly.

We passed many beautiful lakes, streams, and some historic mining sites as we reached nearly 3,000 feet - but kept going. Along the way, we heard fascinating tales of how the gold rush came about, and how prospectors had some extreme conditions to face as they moved up from Skagway into the Klondike and the Yukon.

We enjoyed lunch near Carcross, Yukon, and there I got to meet Kenai and Fuzzy, along with other beautiful mushers. The dogs train in the off-season for the Iditarod at this facility in the Yukon. Since there's no snow in the summer, they use special sleds with wheels instead of runners and give rides to visitors. They LOVE to run, and of the nearly 90 dogs there, they all were seeming to bark out "pick me" as their handlers were selecting the dogs that would pull our sleigh. It was great fun, and I'm thrilled to have been able to experience it, as I doubt I'll ever experience the Iditarod for real.

After that, it was time to start trekking down the trails again, and we drove down from Carcross to Fraser, BC, where we picked up the White Pass train south to Skagway. Riding inside the car was nice, but honestly, I loved riding on the platform between cars for most of the way. It was awesome!

The scenery was spectacular as we passed through the Alpine Tundra, and then over the sub-continental divide, which separates the water flow to the Pacific down by Skagway, or way out west at the Bering Sea and down through the rainforest that is around Skagway. It was such fun, I'd love to do it again! It is absolutely a must-do recommendation for all my clients.

Best kept secrets/finds of the day? The arctic desert in the Yukon, and beautiful beach Lake Bennett. Whoo-hoo, some new sand for my "sands of the world" jar.

Glaciers & Whale Watching

Today we arrived in Juneau. Whales were spotted off the sides of the ship this morning long before we arrived, and it was spectacular to watch one fully breach. Breaching is a typical part of the mating ritual, per the naturalist on board, and not commonly seen in Alaska (usually in Hawaii where the humpbacks migrate to each October). It may have been a calf learning what he needs to do once he starts his own mating rituals soon. Calves are born about 12 feet long weighing in at about 2,000 lbs and zero body fat, but then start to add upwards of 100lbs per day throughout their first year.

Upon arrival in port, I went out on a fun excursion that included both a visit to Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching. There I learned that every single humpback has a unique diagram within their skin on the bottom side of their tail...it's their "fingerprint" if you will. Researchers at NOAA here in Juneau photograph the whales and are able to track them that way, vs. tagging them or other methods. And while it isn't exactly known how long they all live, the average life expectancy is about 50 years. Females have one calf at a time, and usually have another calf every two to three years, and will continue to give birth for almost their entire life. Calves learn everything they need to survive within their first year of life, and are then essentially " on their own" from that point on, even though they tend to travel in pods.

Here are few pictures from each part of that fun-filled and informative afternoon.

Greetings from the Inside Passage

Greetings from the Inside Passage. Just a few quick images before I go to the first class of this trip. We set sail yesterday from Vancouver and are working our way north. Tomorrow is Tracy Arm and Juneau. Today is cloudy (at least this morning), but the forecast is calling for great weather for most of the rest of this trip. The stars last night were fantastic, and we're supposed to have fantastic visibility of the meteor showers this week. More to come later.

Happy Sunday all!

Disney Cruise Line Will Be Expanding The Fleet!

 

JUST ANNOUNCED: Disney Cruise Line will be expanding its fleet with the addition of two new cruise ships! The new ships will be slightly larger than the current Dream Class ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, and the scheduled call for them to be completed in 2021 and 2023. 

At this time design plans, ship names, and itineraries are still in development by Disney, but the Walt Disney Imagineering team is already dreaming up exciting new ways to create the world’s most magical oceangoing adventures. The most recent innovations and additions to the existing fleet included the addition of the Aqua Dunk to the Disney Magic, and re-imagined spaces onboard Disney Dream giving young guests the chance to experience the Star Wars™ universe and Millenium Falcon. 

Corporate Gatherings Onboard Ship

When it comes to corporate gatherings, meetings, or retreats, cruises offer the best overall value for businesses.  Whether simply organizing an annual meeting, offsite retreat, building an incentive for the sales team, or designing a special event for the staff, partners, or clients you simply cannot overlook the nearly all-inclusive nature of cruises.

 

 

Modern mega-ships provide so much!  They offer the perfect social environment for professional groups to mix and mingle; opportunities for your group to dine together in a gourmet restaurant; gather by the pool for sun and fun or other recreational activities; enjoy a Broadway-style show; comedy clubs and so much more.  Additionally, cruise ships provide those participants looking to break away from the official company action for a while can find solace on a secluded balcony, retreat to the spa, or enjoy a book in a well-appointed alcove.  And it doesn’t have to just be the employee either – many companies encourage their employees' families to come along too, especially since there are plenty of activities to entertain the spouse and kids on board, including extensive youth programs run by trained counselors.

 

When it comes to booking, groups often get the best overall value, when planned well enough in advance, particularly when you factor in special group amenities like complimentary wine or champagne, shipboard credits, cocktail parties, chocolates, casino credits, spa services, and private gatherings.  Cruise lines will also work to brand your company's event at every opportunity with items such as ice sculptures of your corporate logo. For full charters, cruise lines will even let you set your own itinerary!

 

So what’s included in a group booking?   Typically, your group will receive:

• Stateroom accommodations
• Access to business facilities and meeting rooms
• Transportation to interesting ports
• Gourmet dining
• Vegas- or Broadway-style shows
• Discos, clubs, bars
• Pool, water sports
• Fitness center, exercise classes, spa
• Youth programs
• Movies (theater and in-room)
• Business Facilities Onboard
• Large and small conference rooms with variable lighting and food & beverage services
• High-speed internet access
• Digital projectors
• Audio systems
• Showrooms for group presentations
• Informal gathering venues
• The planning process for all details

 

Every corporate and incentive group must sign a contract with the cruise line that covers the prices, amenities, terms, and conditions for their group booking. Cruise Planners’ industry standing provides you with strong buying power and access to competitive rates on every ship which enables us to negotiate the best contract on your behalf.   We succeed when you succeed and are here to make sure that your corporate group function comes together as easily as possible.  But know that all successful corporate and incentive groups require the involvement of a dedicated travel manager within the company working together with your Cruise Planners travel consultant.  This professional is responsible for designing the meetings and events the company desires onboard and communicating booking details like the payment process, documentation requirements, and dining requests to all participants.  Together we’ll make your event a knockout success! 

An Alaskan Cruise. Is Alaska on Your Bucket List?

 

When it comes to cruises, an Alaskan cruise is in a league of its own and provides an experience of a lifetime. The voyage itself is certainly different from a typical cruise headed to the warm and sunny beach destinations of the Caribbean.  An Alaskan cruise brings forth another type of awe-inspiring beauty altogether. and provides passengers the opportunity to see pristine landscapes and wildlife in a way that they might never have experienced before. A Bucket List destination for many, Alaska is a top cruise destination.

Here are just a few reasons why an Alaskan Cruise should be at the top of your travel list.

Cruise Lines Cater to All Ages

Once upon a time, it seemed that the vast majority of passengers on Alaskan cruises were elderly. However that has changed, and most major cruise lines, which cater to all ages, now travel to Alaska.  Disney Cruise Line, known for being family-oriented, cruises to this destination on the Disney Wonder, which has been specially retrofitted to enhance the Alaskan experience for her guests. Oceangoing cruise lines that serve the Alaska market include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Silversea, and Crystal Cruises. Additionally, smaller river cruise ships that serve the Alaska market include American Cruise Lines, Tauck, and UnCruise Adventures. 

Port Adventures

Regardless of age, there's something for everyone at the assorted port destinations. Examples include: children can pan for gold and watch dog sledding, adults can sample local brews and visit spectacular fjords and glaciers, and people of all ages can enjoy whale watching. For the more adventurous types, white water rafting, ziplining, or exploring glacier tops via helicopter ride can be great fun. Other more passive adventures include rides on the Alaskan railroad, shopping, and mild nature walks.  

See Glaciers

While glaciers are the most sought-after tourist attraction in Alaska, they are also endangered and are decreasing at an alarming rate. See them from the cruise ship, get closer to them via kayak, take a hiking tour, or see them from a flightseeing tour. You don't want to miss seeing this magnificent sight!

The Wildlife

Alaska is known for magnificent wildlife, which you may first glimpse from the deck of your ship. Just imagine seeing humpback whales, orca whales, beluga whales, and dolphins, as you enjoy a meal or relax. You will also have the opportunity to take port excursions, enabling you to get close to native wildlife, which may include bears, elk, bald eagles, moose, and much more. It is a bird-lovers paradise, with hundreds of different varieties just waiting to be spotted. Be sure to bring along binoculars! 

Cruise Season

The Alaskan cruise season is much shorter than in other areas of the world. The cruise ships first arrive in mid to late April, and all depart by mid-September.  
 

Itinerary Options

There are numerous itinerary options and ways to experience Alaska, which allows you to find the best fit for you. There are four basic ways to cruise Alaska:

1. Round-trip, sailing from either Vancouver, Seattle, and sometimes San Francisco, which will head north, typically through the Inside Passage, stopping in a handful of ports, and then return back to the originating port. 
2. Northbound one-way, which sails from Vancouver or Seattle heading north, again typically through the Inside Passage with multiple stops along the way, and then ending in the Anchorage area to either Whittier or Seward.  Guests then disembark the ship and board the Alaskan railroad for the 2+ hour train trip to Anchorage, where they would then fly home. 
3. Southbound one-way, which is the opposite of the northbound, as guests would fly into Anchorage, and then ride the Alaskan railroad south to Seward or Whittier to board their ship. The ship would then sail through the assorted ports of call, down through the Inside Passage, and then on to Vancouver or Seattle, where guests would disembark and fly home.
4. CruiseTour, which is a combination of a pre or post-cruise land experience coupled with the cruise itself.  Guests can choose between 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or even 7-day land experiences that include visits to Denali National Park and other exciting destinations throughout southern and central Alaska or Vancouver.  Typically a pre-cruise tour will find guests flying into Fairbanks and beginning their land experiences and ending in Anchorage for the journey south on the Alaskan railroad to board their ship for a southbound cruise; though there are land experiences that begin in the Vancouver area with guests touring Whistler and the surrounding areas of Canada. Post-cruise tours are similar, just taking place after the cruise.   

On Sale soon
The 2017 Alaskan itineraries are going to be released by the cruise lines very soon. Typically they release their coming year's schedule in late February or very early March, though Celebrity's 2017 sailings are already on sale. For more information and to learn more about Alaskan cruises, call Christopher today at 855.776.1733, or complete this link!

Getting the Best Cruise Value

 

When planning your family's next big cruise vacation, finding the best values will make you a hero, especially if you have funds leftover for some cool "extras" that you might not have thought possible when first putting your budget together.  The key is to find the right money-saving tricks.  Here are just a few to consider that can, when added together, provide some serious monetary value for your vacation:

• Book early.  When I say early, I mean up to a year or more in advance. Yes, those few last-minute "deals" you find might seem tempting and the way to go, but do realize that last-minute also equals slim pickings in choice of category or room location, if there is any availability at all in your desired room type.  When planning your vacation, know that the best deals and the best selection go to those who plan ahead... 8, 12, or even 15 months or more in advance.  For the cruise lines, the months of January - March are considered "Wave Season", providing the most significant discounts, upgrades, and freebies for those guests who plan ahead.  October is another key month when additional discounts and offers are available for those who plan ahead.  
• Book a package.  More and more many cruise lines are offering package deals on specialty dining, wine, and excursions with discounts of up to 25% over a la carte pricing, effectively creating more of an all-inclusive atmosphere onboard.  As an example, Norwegian Cruise Line offers packages of 3 specialty restaurant dinners for just $47 per person, which is a great saving vs. buying them individually onboard. 
• Go all-inclusive.  The larger mass-appeal cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, etc, will charge for beverages, shore excursions, specialty dining, gratuities and more all as add-on fees once onboard - though during wave season several of them are offering great value promotions with free inclusions for any or all of these items. Luxury lines such as Seabourn, Crystal, Silversea, etc, have become much more value-conscious in the past few years by offering an all-inclusive experience... one price gets it all included.  Regent Seven Seas goes even further, by bundling in guests' airfare and all shore excursions.  So even though the total price might be slightly higher when comparing the luxury lines to the mass lines, the overall experience and satisfaction are likely to be better thanks to a more rewarding experience with a higher staff-to-guest ratio, and more intimate ships.
• Sail the off-season.  Many lines offer reduced fares for repositioning cruises (i.e. moving ships from destination to destination, such as prior to or after the conclusion of the Alaska season, or moving through the Panama Canal from the Atlantic itineraries to Pacific itineraries, etc).  Another off-season time in early December, before the Christmas holidays and peak pricing.  
• Use the services of an experienced cruise agent.  Choosing a cruise might seem simple - just look at the options and pick one, right?  Not necessarily, as even similar-looking itineraries can yield vastly different experiences. Cruise agents are experienced travelers and experts in their profession, helping to navigate the sometimes choppy waters of the vast array of options, lines, stateroom categories and so much more.  Experienced cruise agents work with each individual client to craft the best possible vacation experience for that client's needs and desires.  No one-size-fits-all website provider will do that!  Plus experienced cruise agents will be able to find the best value for their clients, even though the best value isn't always the lowest price.  Though they do often go hand in hand, remember that "value" and "price" are not one and the same.     What is a "great" value to you, might not be held in the same esteem to your friend or neighbor, even if you each paid the exact same amount of money.  While you might view the price paid as the most important aspect, your friend might view the intrinsic value of the overall experience(s) enjoyed as more important than the monetary value of the price paid.  Value and price are not one and the same, and experienced cruise agents work to match the client to the experience, whereas most websites simply offer cruises as products to be purchased for a set price, regardless of whether or not it is the best value for you, the individual.

Hidden Costs of Cruising to be Aware Of

 A cruise vacation can be an excellent value to be certain – included in your fare are not just your accommodations, but onboard entertainment and activities, traveling to exciting ports of call, and all meals aboard ship in the traditional dining rooms, buffets, snacks, room service, and casual dining establishments.  Please do keep in mind though, that a cruise vacation is not an all-inclusive vacation, except on a handful of cruise lines.  Regardless, there are a number of items -- mostly of a personal or optional nature -- that are out-of-pocket expenses over and above the cost of your voyage.  And if you aren’t careful, those extra purchases can quickly run up your bill, which must be satisfied before you will be allowed to disembark the ship at the conclusion of your voyage. 

Once onboard, passengers can be easily tempted by the ships' expansive spas, diverse specialty dining options, and concept bars and lounges.  Whether for a massage, a fruity cocktail, or dinner outside the main dining room or buffet, you'll need to hand over your cruise card and then settle up at the end of the voyage.  Other extras that you will pay for include shore excursions while in port, internet usage, and any souvenirs bought on board ship, including onboard photography. 

When creating your vacation budget, be sure to add to the total cost you will need for the voyage itself for any of the optional extras listed below.   Set your budget and then stick to it.  Many of the optional extras listed below can be included in the cost of your voyage and paid for in advance so that you aren’t surprised on the last night of your sailing.

1. Alcohol and Other Beverages Alcoholic beverages and wine are not included in the cruise fares on most lines and are the #1 cost contributor to any cruise vacation.  Keep in mind that you’re paying restaurant pricing or more for any alcoholic beverage purchased onboard.  If you choose to consume alcohol while onboard, be sure to check out the various packages offered by the cruise lines, as the cost of the packages typically will be a better value than buying multiple drinks at retail pricing.  Bar beverages are also automatically assessed a 15% gratuity, which will add up quickly.  In regards to non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks, bottled water, certain juices, and specialty coffees – most cruise lines charge extra for these beverage selections.  Be sure to understand what is and is not included in your cruise fare, especially if you consume multiple soft drinks or specialty coffees in a single day.  Again, be sure to check out the cruise line’s beverage packages, as many are a better value than purchasing a la carte. 2. Alternative Dining Meals in the ship's main dining room and buffet venue are included in the cost of your cruise fare, but over the past decade more and more cruise lines have been adding numerous for-fee venues to their ships, for both paid meals and paid snacks.  You can pay anywhere from a few dollars for an ice cream cone at an onboard Ben & Jerry's or gelateria to $35 or more for a meal in a specialty dining venue.  Several European lines charge a la carte prices in their alternative venues. 3. Spa and Salon Treatments Cruise line spas charge rates equal to high-end salons, and you may be shocked by the prices. A massage is typically about $110 to $150, with more exotic treatments running into the $200 to $500 range.  Passes to thermal suites and thalassotherapy pools average $15 to $30 per day, with cruise-long packages available.  Be sure to pay attention to the onboard communications for any specials that might produce lower-cost options – many times discounts can be enjoyed while the ship is in port. 4. Gratuities Gratuities and tipping policies vary by cruise line, but most recommend about $10 to $12 per person, per day, to be distributed among those who provide key services - dining room waiters, assistant waiters, and stateroom stewards.  If you have a higher-end stateroom with butler service, be prepared to tip extra.  As a reminder, bar tabs are automatically charged a 15 percent gratuity, and any time the maitre d' performs a special service, such as arranging for a birthday cake to be brought to the table, he should be tipped, as well.  Most cruise lines allow you to pre-pay for gratuities, which are then built into the cost of the voyage and eliminate the need for this as an out-of-pocket expense while onboard ship.  If a guest has not pre-paid their gratuities, they are typically automatically added to the stateroom’s folio on the 2nd or 3rd night of the sailing (depending on itinerary length). 5. Shore Excursions Shore excursions are designed to help you make the most of your time in port but know that the cruise lines sell these for your convenience, and for their bottom line.  Prices are generally inflated above what the actual tour operators charge.  Alternate vendors are available that offer similar experiences, often at better prices than you’ll find the onboard ship.  Prices for many of the excursions range from about $25 per person for a quick city and shopping tour to more than $300 per person for some of the more exciting tours which might include helicopter flight-seeing and hot-air ballooning. Most tours are priced somewhere between $50 and $150, depending on the length and activities involved. 6. Onboard Activities Most onboard activities are free, included in your cruise fare, however, please note that there are a number of cruise lines with an increasing number of special activities that incur extra fees.  Several of the per-fee activities include things like fitness classes like Pilates, yoga, and spinning ($10 to $15 per class); wine-tasting or similar alcoholic beverage tasting events;  after-hours babysitting for the youngest children (about $6 per child, per hour);  behind-the-scenes tours;  bowling; and of course the biggie on most cruise lines, anything you do inside the casinos.   7. Onboard Laundry Yes, you can have your laundry done for you, or do it in self-serve launderettes, but similar to what you’ll find at land-based resorts, laundry and dry-cleaning charges on a cruise can be expensive.  Expect to pay somewhere around $2.50 to $3.50 to wash a T-shirt, for instance, through the provided services; or between $2-$4 per load going the self-service route if your ship has that option.  Save on the cost slightly by bringing your own detergent. 8. Internet & Wifi Whether bringing along your own laptop utilizing the ship’s Wi-Fi, or simply use the onboard computer lounge, you will pay handsomely for marine satellite internet connections, which are much slower than anything found on land, unless you’re still somehow living the dial-up world.  Most cruise lines charge about 75 cents per minute for pay-as-you-go plans or offer bulk packages that can reduce the cost to around 55 cents a minute, depending on the package you purchase.  Unless you truly need it to stay in touch with business concerns, there’s often no need to connect while onboard the ship.  If you have a wifi-enabled tablet, bring that, and often you will find free wifi hotspots in port cities that you could connect to, in order to stay up to date with your friends and family online while traveling. 9.  Transportation To and From the Ship Not all of us have the luxury of living within a short drive from a cruise port, and therefore a big part of any cruise vacation, of course, is the cost to get from point A (your home) to point B (where you’ll board the ship).  Whether that is by air, car, or rail, you simply cannot escape that cost of your vacation.  And then of course, what will you do with your vehicle if you drive (parking), or how you’ll get from the arrival airport to the cruise terminal (taxi, shuttle, walk?).  These are all intangibles that are completely different for every situation, but you absolutely must plan on them.  Don’t get swayed by the great ad that shows a cruise for just $149 per person (or whatever) and thinks that that’s all you’re responsible for!  10. Photography I decided to bookend this list with the two optional add-on extras that are often the biggest culprits for ruining a cruise traveler’s dream vacation by socking them with lots of out-of-pocket expenses.  We already talked about alcohol, so now let’s talk about photography.  Yes, onboard photography can take a big bite out of your wallet if you aren’t prepared for it.  The photos will start just moments after you check-in too, notably with the ever-present “Welcome Aboard” shot before you even hit the gangway.  Onboard photographers will be present in the dining rooms, on deck, and of course, ever-present if you’re on a family-friendly cruise with character interactions of any kind, and any time you disembark in a new port there will be exit gangway shots on the pier.  The cruise lines will play on the emotions of cruise travelers hoping they’ll drop big bucks at the onboard photo gallery, where an 8x10 photo can easily cost $20 or more.   To save yourself from blowing your vacation budget, and possibly lots of money, just politely say, “no thanks,” whenever the ship's photographers ask to take your picture (they’ll be roaming at times, in the dining rooms, onboard deck, and more – especially if it is a family-friendly cruise with various character interactions available onboard ship.  Another way to reduce the outflow is to simply resist the urge to "just check out" the photos in the gallery -- once you see the printed version, you're more likely to want it. Do yourself a favor and take as many of your own pictures, and rely sparingly, if at all, on the ship's photographers.     So now you see the various hidden costs of a cruise vacation.  Of course numbers 4 and 9 are not optional, but the rest are.  Packing enough clothes for the week, you do not need to worry about number 7 unless something ghastly happens and you have nothing else to wear.  The rest are completely optional that only you can decide if you will partake of it or not.  Knowing these hidden costs upfront will better help you prepare for what the true cost of your vacation might be.  That bargain-basement $149 fare can easily turn into 3, 4, 5, or more times that cost depending on what you do about numbers 1 – 10 on this list.

 

stopher's stuff - It's Time to Breakaway... Let's Go!

"Start spreading the news… I’m leaving today…  I want to be apart of it… New York, New York!"

I’m so excited!  It’s time. Finally, I can say, this is the week.  Cruise Planners is hitting the big apple for the inaugural sailing of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Breakaway – and I’ll be onboard! What a thrill it will be to step aboard a brand-new ship, and to be there for the christening ceremony. To just experience it all for myself, and then to be able to share what I learn and experience with others, especially those who love to cruise or enjoy fantastic family vacations. 

 

So yes, the posting this week will be sporadic, as bright and early this morning I boarded a plane to head to the Big Apple.  We’ll have a couple of days of Cruise Planners excitement around town, as over 400 of us will be there.  On Tuesday morning you might even see some of us (perhaps even me?!?)  if you watch either morning program – Good Morning America – or The Today Show, as we’ll be flooding the streets in order to be a part of it all.  Later on we’ll be heading out into the city for excursions – some to the great white way to enjoy a Broadway show or two, while others might venture out to see the Mets take on the White Sox. Or so many other options – the city has so many wonderful possibilities including museums, theatres, bistros, restaurants, off-Broadway plays and so much more.  I love going to the city, and seeing something new each time I visit. Uptown, downtown, midtown...so many great neighborhoods and sub-cultures to enjoy. 

So for now – let’s go!  Come along with me to New York and see what kind of fun we’ll have.  Learn about the beautiful new ship, and all that it has to offer.  She’ll be home-based year-round in New York, sailing from April to October to Bermuda, and then from November to March to Florida & the Bahamas.  I’ll be posting lots of great information here, on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.  Hopefully enough to inspire at least one of you, if not more, to come and see for yourself why we’re all so excited to sail on Breakaway.  The sports deck alone is reason enough for repeat cruisers to give it a try – and certainly only part of the reason why first-time cruisers too should consider Breakaway for their next family vacation. 

So until I land and can start posting some more…  as always thanks for checking in and following along.  

See you soon!

 

Tips on Thursday - Babymoon

"Congratulations!"

"Life will never be the same again"

"We can't wait to meet him (or her)"

"When's the shower going to be?"

 "What will you name her (or him)?"

 

A brand new baby on the way is an exciting time of life for anyone, whether for a first-time parent or for the third, fifth ( or more) time.  Life can and will change for the happy couple with the addition of the new little bundle of joy, as schedules will need to adapt, and the ability to fly off to Rome with very little notice literally flies out the window.  Suddenly there is another person's needs to take into consideration.  Whether that would be arranging for childcare or simply packing all of the assorted extras that babies have - the addition of a baby into a couples' lives can be a major adjustment over those first few childless years. 

So what is a couple expecting a baby to do while expecting that precious little bundle?  Plan a babymoon.  That's right, a babymoon.  More and more couples when realizing between the initial congratulations when telling ther family and friends about their impending joy - and beginning to aquire all of the new necessities for the nursery are realizing and recognizing the value of those special getaways before the baby arrives.   Babymoons are wonderful ways for couples to getaway and enjoy each other (or to devote some special time with that first child or more) before little Johnny or Susie comes along and turns life as they know it upside down (at least for for the first couple of months). 

Babymoons can be as simple as a weekend getaway, or as complex as you want.  Many couples enjoy a short 3 or 4 night cruise as an ideal babymoon, given the nearly all-inclusive nature of cruising.  What with the accommodations, travel to exciting ports of call, the food and all onboard entertainment included in the fare - it really makes for a great mini-vacation. 

But what is the best time to travel during pregnancy?  Aren’t there traveling restrictions on pregnant women?  For most pregnant women, the second trimester is the most pleasant time to travel. By this time, the nausea of the first trimester is hopefully a distant memory and the discomfort of the third trimester is yet to come. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the safest time for a pregnant woman to travel is between 18-24 weeks.  Of course while the second trimester may be the optimum time to travel, that doesn’t mean you can’t travel during the rest of your pregnancy. Just be sure to talk with your doctor before planning any trips, particularly if you choose to travel in the first and third trimesters as there may be more safety and comfort issues to consider during these times.

Since the cruise lines are not equipped with major medical facilities onboard, and airlines have none, they have established very strict policies with regard to expectant mothers and infants. In general, each cruise line requires pregnant women to provide a letter from their doctor (which can be submitted in advance or hand delivered at the time of check-in) stating that passenger’s due date, and that the passenger is in good health, fit to travel, and that the pregnancy is not high risk.  The average cut-off period for travel for pregnant women between the various cruise lines and airlines is 24 weeks. 

So for all of those folks in your life that you know who have recently announced their upcoming arrival, be sure to say babymoon to them (after you wish them congratulations and other pleasantries, of course), and then why not refer them to us?  Cruise Planners~Neverland Adventures Travel specializes in making memories to last a lifetime for people, and that's exactly what a babymoon is all about, making memories, as well as having a little bit of fun before an entirely new kind of fun arrives on the scene!

For more information, or to start planning your babymoon, visit our website or call 855.776.1733. 

 

Tips on Thursday - Know Before You Go

Whether sailing through the Mediterranean or kicking back at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, our travel tools and resources will help make planning your trip easy. Simply select the appropriate link(s) below.

Health- Familiarize yourself with conditions of the destinations that could affect your health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers general guidance on country-specific health warnings, vaccinations and other precautions.

Money Converter- Ever wonder the value of a Vietnamese Dong? Find out how much you’ll get for the U.S. Dollar (USD) in other countries.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for the safety of civil aviation. The site offers multiple air travel safety resources and information. Click on the links below to learn more.

Preparation for Air Travel- Educate yourself and make airport travel a snap with security checkpoint wait times, baggage tips, weather and flight delays, and information on passengers with disabilities.

Passenger Safety- Learn more about turbulence, health, safety and approved electronics in flight.


Flying with children- Keep your little ones safe when you’re in the air.

International Travel- Prepare yourself for a wonderful international flight.

U.S. Department of State- A service of the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA), its mission is to protect the lives and interest of American citizens abroad and to strengthen the security of United States borders through vigilant adjudication of visas and passports. Their vision is to help American citizens engage the world. Click on the links below to learn more.

Travel Alerts- Alerts are issued to disseminate information about short-term conditions, either transnational or within a particular country, that pose significant risks to the security of U.S. citizens.

Travel Warnings- Issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country.

Safety Tips for Traveling Abroad- Helpful tips for before you go to excellent precautions to take while you are there.