A Travel Agent's Work is Never Done.

I'm getting ready to head out to the airport for a week's conference in South Florida, and am busily trying to finalize some fabulous trip quotes for some great people before I leave. So many wonderful adventures to be enjoyed, and destinations to discover and explore! I love being busy, and I love helping people explore our great big beautiful world! Where can I help you discover something new?

#travelconcierge #exploretheworld #landvacations #cruiseplanners #morethanjustcruises #travelwhileyoucan #tomorrowisnotguaranteed

Sandals' St Patrick's Day Sale!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

What better way to spend this day than at Sandals Resorts, with unlimited amounts of your favorite cocktail at no additional cost! Book your Sandals vacation during their St. Patrick's Day sale and receive a FREE Private Candlelight Dinner for two when you book a Club level room or higher. Bottoms up!

#SandalsTravelAgent

Say Hola to Cuba in 2017

Who's ready to cruise to Cuba? In 2017 you can cruise into Havana on Norwegian Sky with an overnight stay....oh, and did I mention Open Bar is included??

Currently, only May sailings are open for booking, but more will come. Don't delay - book today before the prices start to increase. Call me at 317.776.1733 to get YOUR sailing booked.

Cancun Is Calling While the Snow is Falling

To my midwest peeps... The temperatures continue to drop, and the snow is falling turning our area into a wintry playground. If that gets you down, call us to help you get some vitamin sea instead! Whether you're thinking of an all-inclusive resort, a cruise, a Disney or Universal visit, or simply a vacation rental by the ocean, at Cruise Planners, we are your land & cruise experts and can help you "seas" the day and beat the pending old man winter blues. Winter is just beginning. Let us help you plan a great getaway for January or February when the cold is at its worst! Call 317.776.1733 or visit our website at www.icanshowyoutheworld.vacations We'd love to help you find the perfect winter getaway.

More Than Just Cruises!

I just returned from Beaches Turks & Caicos, and the AMEX More Knowledge Conference. During the conference, I was able to update and renew my Certified Specialist status for the Sandals & Beaches Resorts, and expand upon my first-hand knowledge of that particular resort, which goes a long way when talking with clients and potential clients about their vacation experience desires and needs. Attending on-site conferences, seminars and tours is an important part of continuing education within my chosen profession, just as it may be in yours.

I'm pleased to be a certified specialist, as well as a WeddingMoons Certified Specialist, which I first earned at Sandals Royal Bahamian, where I also had the pleasure of serving as best man in a wedding! Feel free to ask about that one!

Many people get easily confused by the name of my franchise - Cruise Planners. They tend to think that selling cruises is all we do... but it isn't. Did you know that my personal selling mix is actually about 60% LAND vacations, and only 40% CRUISES? I sell a lot of all-inclusive resorts, Disney & Universal vacations, honeymoons, rail, golf, and more... all in addition to the cruises that I sell. Please don't rule me out for your next vacation just because you see Cruise as the first word in the name!! Your business and referrals are greatly appreciated! You can learn more about what I do, and what I can help you with at: www.icanshowyoutheworld.vacations and it would be awesome if you would like my business page at

facebook.com/showyoutheworld

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! 

Magical Port Adventures - part 1

Like so many other 7-night cruises out there, our sailing on the Disney Magic through the Western Caribbean included stops in ports of call.  Our itinerary included stops in Grand Cayman, Costa Maya and Cozumel.   This entry will share some information about our stop in Grand Cayman. 

Grand Cayman is the largest of the three islands that make up the Cayman Islands, which is still a British territory.  

Geographically, it is south of the western end of Cuba, approximately 1,092 miles southeast of Galveston, TX.  The island itself is about 22 miles long, and about 8 miles wide at its’ widest point.  It goes no higher than 60 feet above sea level. 

Yet, Grand Cayman, is home to hell on earth… literally – there is a place called Hell, on the island.  It is a place about the size of half of a soccer field, filled with black limestone formations.  It is ugly, yes, but nothing too exciting, though it certainly is a highlight of many tours, with a post office right onsite where guests can send cards or letters home “from hell.” 

Our tour took us to the Cayman Islands Turtle Farm, which raises turtles for meat, as well as introduction into the wild.  We were able to each hold a turtle, and touch several others.  It was a fun, yet sad place too.  We did get to see a hatchling working its’ way up out of the dirt in the glassed-enclosure hatchery.  That was pretty neat by itself. 

The island is surrounded by some beautifully pristine waters, with such incredibly beautiful hues.  Surrounding the island are many wonderful places for scuba diving and snorkeling.  We took a tour on a boat out to “Stingray City”, which was about a 15-20 minute boat ride out to the area, made up of 3-5 foot sandbars where there is an abundance of southern stingrays that guests can interact with.  

We had a very nice time playing with the stingrays, and getting some cool underwater photos of each other.  The waters were so beautiful, and so very comfortable.  The temperatures were fabulous – my lovely bride was initially afraid that they might be too cold to swim in at that time of year. 

Overall, neither of us were terribly impressed by Grand Cayman.  It has some lovely areas, and to be sure, some gorgeous beaches and ocean panoramas, but the port was dirty and ugly, and left a bad impression from beginning to end.  The people there were very friendly, but the overall experience just wasn’t what we had hoped it might be.  Perhaps if we go to Grand Cayman again on a future cruise, we will simply enjoy the beach instead of attempting a “port adventure” tour. 

Next time when we look at our port adventures – Costa Maya, Mexico.

Until next time,

Where in the World Wednesdays - Destinations to Explore Before Leaving This Life

Acadia National Park – Bar Harbor, ME

In the midst Maine’s picturesque, rolling seaside island of Mount Desert Island, surrounded by Western Bay, Frenchman Bay, Blue Hill Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, lies the 47,453 acres that make up Acadia National Park.  The oldest national park located east of the Mississippi River, the park was established in 1919 as Lafayette National Park (changed to Acadia in 1929) – in honor of Marquis de Lafayette, who was a very influential French supporter of the American Revolution. 

People have been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine throughout history. Awed by its beauty and diversity, early 20th-century visionaries donated the land that became Acadia National Park. The park is home to many plants and animals, and the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Today visitors come to Acadia to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the scenery.

The park includes woodlands, lakes, mountains (including the highest peak on the entire Atlantic coast between Canada and Brazil – Cadillac Mountain - at a height of 1,528 feet), and of course ocean shoreline.  The park is noted for Cadillac Mountain, not just because it is the highest peak along the Atlantic, but also because it is the first place on U.S. soil touched by the sun’s rays at daybreak.  Campers and tourists alike regularly ascend the mountain to experience that phenomenon.

Acadia National Park is also home to about 40 different species of mammalian wildlife, along with many marine species in the surrounding waters.  Among the land based critters are found chipmunks, red and gray squirrels, moose, beavers, porcupines, white-tailed deer, muskrats, foxes, coyotes, black bears and bobcats.

It is a destination for more than two million visitors each year, with the average visitor spending three or four days in the area. With many different facilities and attractions in the park, there is something to interest everyone – from scenic driving or carriage tours, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, birdwatching, bicycling – and so much more.  In addition to activities in the park, local communities offer boat trips, whale watching, canoe rentals, ocean kayaking trips, and bus tours. 

Accommodations inside Acadia National Park are made up of campgrounds;  non-camping accommodations can be found in nearby communities such as Bar Harbor, Bernard or Northeast Harbor.  The two primary park campgrounds on Mount Desert Island are Blackwoods Campground and Seawall Campground. All sites are wooded and within a 10-minute walk of the ocean; no sites are located on the water. The majority of sites are for tents, small and large, but other sites accommodate pop-ups, vehicle campers, and RVs up to 35 feet. A maximum of one vehicle and six people is allowed at each site. There are no hook-ups. Campground facilities include comfort stations, cold running water, dump station, picnic tables, fire rings, and water faucets (facilities at Blackwoods differ in the winter). Seasonal showers and camping supply stores are located within ½ mile of the campground.  There is no backcountry camping at Acadia National Park.

Acadia National Park is easily accessible.  It is roughly one hour from Bangor to the west, where most visitors to the area might fly in from other cities.  It is about a 3 ½ hour drive from Portland to the south, and about six hours north of Boston.  The park itself is open year-round, however the Visitor Center is open from April 15 through October.  Most facilities, including the museum, picnic areas, Seawall Campground and many roads close during the winter months

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For more information about a visit to Acadia National Park or other parts of Maine, call 855.776.1733 or via my websites:  www.neverlandadventurestravel.com or www.neverlandadventurescruises.com.  Be sure to follow me on Twitter, like my page on Facebook, circle me on Google+, and pin me on Pinterest. 

Tips on Thursday - International Food & Wine Festival

A food and wine lover's paradise awaits you at Epcot® with the EPCOT® INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL, held September 28, 2012 to November 12, 2012!

There's something to satisfy most every taste and interest. In addition to the attractions Guests already enjoy at Epcot theme park, this annual autumn event features a delectable array of offerings, including:

• International kiosks featuring tasty tapas and refreshing beverages
• Cooking demonstrations and dining events—including experiences with celebrity chefs!
• Mixology classes and wine tastings
• Live musical performances by popular hit-makers

Enjoy all this—and more—when this annual event returns to Epcot theme park in fall 2012. Dine your way around the world. Cultivate your cooking skills. Savor a rare vintage. Enjoy an exhilarating outdoor concert. Make magical memories to last a lifetime at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Please note: Epcot theme park admission is required and some events require additional fees.

Wordless Wednesday - On the Way Back to Shore from the USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor