National Travel Advisor Day

 "Together with its industry partners, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is celebrating the occasion on May 6, 2020, and extending its recognition and a heartfelt “thank you” to travel advisors nationwide for all the hard work that they put into taking care of the traveling public."

This pandemic has made my job a lot harder over the past couple of months, doing double even triple the work with all the cancellations and rebooking, but I still love what I do, and still want my clients to have the best trips possible. Even though no one is traveling now, and things will look a little different when travel resumes, it's still a great time to be thinking about and planning for the future. It's a great time to get your 2021 travels booked with your favorite travel advisor. I'm here ready to help you plan something fabulous! To all my colleagues on the front lines of this mess, I salute you and the hats work you do for your traveling guests day in and day out.

Remember that websites don't care about you or your trips, but travel advisors do!

The Cancelations Continue

Last Friday the last of my summer client departures were canceled by the vendors. Today the fall break cancellations began, this time by clients. Oh, such fun. I "can't wait" to see how many more happen like that. So much fear has been instilled in people's minds because of this mess. 😔

When You Decide to Travel Again...Please use a live person. Do NOT click a “book” button on a website, ever again

I cannot take credit for writing this, but it is a great message to share. For all my industry colleagues...you are warriors. Until we are traveling again

* * * * *

Travel and Tourism account for 330 million jobs - that’s 1 out of every 10 jobs around the world that are affected by tourism.

The travel industry has been dealing with the coronavirus since January... an additional 2 full months before it really impacted anyone’s lives here. And I️ know it will be the last industry to start up again since there is now so much fear installed in people’s minds of being on a plane, a cruise ship, a hotel, or even any crowded space.

We’ve stopped travel for production on movies currently being filmed around the world. Stopped travel for global concerts for our clients. Corporate travel for multi-million dollar accounts- all canceled. Sports entertainment travel, done. That’s all on top of the usual consumer leisure holiday vacations.

Travel agents only get paid when their clients travel. Many are not eligible for any sort of government loan, even with the small business funding that ran out (and will quickly run out again). Many haven’t had new trips booked now for months.

**I️ do beg you when you do decide to travel again - PLEASE use a travel agent. I️ don’t care who, or what company - were all on the same team. But please use a live person. Do NOT click a “book” button on a website, ever again.**

Disney Cruise Line Returns to Greece in Summer 2021 and Offers an Exciting Array of Additional Itineraries for Families

 In summer 2021, Disney Cruise Line will sail a variety of itineraries around the world including a return to Greece – back by popular demand – and exciting and varied European destinations, Alaska ports, and tropical locales. Plus, Disney Cruise Line will visit three first-time ports of call in Greece, Sweden, and Norway.

 

Explore the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Beyond

In summer 2021, a new collection of itineraries is part of Disney Cruise Line’s grand tour of Europe. From May through July, the Disney Magic will visit captivating locales in the Mediterranean including the Greek Isles, Spain, and the French Riviera. From late July through September, the ship will transport guests to bucket-list destinations in the British Isles, northern Europe, the Baltic, Iceland, and Norwegian fjords.

The Disney Magic will return to the awe-inspiring beauty of Greece in summer 2021, where guests can marvel at the stunning landscapes and archeological wonders of the region, like Santorini with its iconic whitewashed cliffside dwellings and Mykonos with beautiful beaches along the azure Aegean Sea. Four special voyages departing from Rome will visit the Greek Isles, with cruises ranging from eight to 11 nights.

 

Each of these unique Mediterranean itineraries combines a selection of stops in Greece with visits to other notable cities in the region. Noteworthy ports of call in Greece include Katakolon near ancient Olympia – home to the first Olympic Games – and the gorgeous Greek island of Kefalonia, the first-time port of call for Disney Cruise Line.

Another itinerary highlight is a visit to the picturesque Sicilian harbor city of Messina, where guests can sample tantalizing, locally grown citrus fruits and delectable olives. One cruise features a stop at the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” The walled medieval Old City of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers spectacular seaside views and centuries-old cobblestoned lanes to explore.

Additional first-time ports of call for Disney Cruise Line include the medieval city of Visby, Sweden, considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Scandinavia, and the village of Eidfjord, Norway, home to geographic wonders and situated at the foot of Hardangervidda, Norway’s largest national park.

Adventures in Alaska 

The Disney Wonder will return to Alaska for the 2021 summer season to explore the region’s breathtaking natural vistas, glaciers, and wildlife.

Departing from Vancouver, Canada, seven-night itineraries will visit Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Dawes Glacier. One nine-night Alaskan adventure will visit Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan. A special five-night cruise will travel to Dawes Glacier and Ketchikan.

 

 

Each Alaska sailing will offer adventure and fun in port and aboard the ship, with stunning scenery, exciting Port Adventures, and special Disney Cruise Line touches that will bring the splendor and spirit of “The Last Frontier” to life onboard.

Tropical Vacations to the Caribbean and Bahamas 

In summer 2021, Disney Cruise Line will embark on a variety of vacation voyages to tropical destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas. Ranging from three- to nine-night sailings, the varied itineraries allow guests to experience charming island cultures, sunbathe on golden beaches and revel in local marketplaces. Most itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

 

In addition to seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, near Orlando, Florida, and the Walt Disney World® Resort, the Disney Fantasy will embark on an assortment of itineraries throughout the summer of 2021. These include a six-night sailing and an extended nine-night Caribbean cruise. Three-, four- and five-night Bahamian cruises round out the Disney Fantasy summer season – all including a stop at Castaway Cay. One special five-night cruise features two stops at Disney’s private island.

The Disney Dream will provide even more opportunities for guests to visit Castaway Cay in the summer of 2021 with all three- and four-night Bahamian cruises calling on the private island paradise.

 

When To Book Summer 2021 Itineraries 

Platinum, Gold, or Silver Castaway Club members, can take advantage of the opportunity to book summer 2021 itineraries before they go on sale to the general public on February 27, 2020.  Reach out to us today to be added to the list for booking when your Castaway Club level is eligible!

• February 25, 2020: Platinum Members 

• February 26, 2020: Platinum and Gold Members 

• February 27, 2020: Platinum, Gold, and Silver Members 

• February 28, 2020: all Guests 

Guided Experiences with Adventures by Disney

In summer 2021, Disney Cruise Line guests can enrich their cruise vacation with a variety of add-on packages from Adventures by Disney, a leader in family-guided group vacations. Highlights include a return to Alaska and popular packages in northern Europe and the Mediterranean. 

With Adventures by Disney, guests can book the ultimate Disney cruise experience on select sailings in Alaska and Europe. Throughout the voyage, knowledgeable Adventure Guides provide dedicated service both onboard and in port, as they lead guests on specially curated excursions, interactive activities, and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Onboard the ship, guests enjoy unique experiences and premium amenities exclusive to Adventures by Disney, such as an intimate talkback session with Walt Disney Theatre cast members followed by a behind-the-scenes costume and prop activity.

Adventures by Disney also offer popular pre-cruise vacations in Rome; London; Barcelona, Spain; and Copenhagen, Denmark. These two- to three-night Escapes feature unforgettable experiences in iconic cities, such as a private guided tour to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome. Plus, activities like flamenco dancing, mosaic making, and preparing local cuisine immerse families in the culture of each region.

Bookings for these Adventures by Disney offerings open to the public on Feb. 27, 2020. 

 

 

Reach out to us today to include your name on the list for any of these exciting voyages!  317.776.1733

Discover Viking Cruises - Cruise Night Event In April

 Join us to discover why Viking has been voted the #1 River Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler readers, and rated Best for River Cruises by Cruise Critic members.

 

Traveling by river, beyond the reach of roadways, you will discover the true nature of fascinating lands and the people who call them home. You will travel with ease, unpacking just once and enjoying the ever-changing scenery along the banks as you are gently carried on board an elegant, intimate ship to your next destination. Here is just a small sample of where a Viking river cruise will take you:

• Vienna’s elegant boulevards and Hapsburg treasures
• Budapest’s historic Castle District
• The lush vineyards of France
• Storybook villages and hilltop castles of Germany
• The charming windmills of The Netherlands
• Glittering palaces of St. Petersburg, Russia
• Germany’s spectacular Saxon Switzerland region
• Portugal’s rolling vineyards of the Douro Valley
• Ancient temples along Egypt’s timeless Nile River
• China’s breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze
• Cambodia’s sprawling Angkor Wat complex
• Vietnam’s lush and fertile Mekong Delta

 

Enjoy some wine and lite refreshments while together we discover what makes Viking a great choice for you to journey into the heart of Europe, Russia, Asia, Egypt, and beyond on a culturally immersive scenic cruise. 

Special promotional offers will be available for those who attend. 

 

RSVP REQUIRED.   Seats are limited.  

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Education Update - Silversea Expedition

Each December I work on continuing education for the coming year. I've brushed up with Silversea, as well as adding Silversea Expedition Cruise Specialist to my resume. Where would you like to go? Do you consider yourself more of a Careful Traveler, or an Adventurous Explorer? If adventurous, then an expedition cruise is for you!

Selected for 2020 Family Travel Advisor Forum

 

  

As a trusted authority in the family vacation market, I've been hand-selected out of hundreds of travel advisors to attend the 2020 Family Travel Advisor Forum in January. During this exclusive event, I will be meeting with representatives from the most sought after family destinations, properties, attractions, and more to forge important relationships experience an array of the most sought-after properties in and around Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and strengthen my position to better serve all of my clients’ vacation dreams.

And, because I've been recognized as a leader in family travel, I'll be taking part in important idea exchanges with like-minded professionals who are committed to making their client's family vacation dreams a reality! Adding to the excitement, it's happening in Jamaica! So I'll be able to share more details with my clients on properties like Moon Palace Jamaica and experiences that can be had at places like Blue Hole and Konoko Falls!

 #selected hashtag#traveladvisors hashtag #familytravel hashtag#destinations hashtag#jamaica

It's Time for U.S. Companies to Update their Ideas About Time Off

 

"When Netflix still had your typical vacation policy, employees asked an important question:

“We don’t track the time we spend working outside of the office—like

e-mails we answer from home and the work we do at night and on weekends—so why do we track the time we spend off the job?”

Management listened. They couldn’t deny the simple logic behind the question."

All too often I hear from people that they can't help or participate in this, that, or something else because they've used up their time off allotment for the year already... if only other companies would "get it" too. Of course many will think I'm sharing this because I am a travel professional, but it's NOT just about going on trips to rejuvenate yourself...often it's about being able to volunteer within the community, or to go camping as a mentor, to be able to spend a day here or they're working in a shelter or with Habitat or some other worthwhile organization, or just to recharge mentally and physically with the family at home. We don't live in the industrial age any longer... why do so many U.S. companies still have policies that date back to that era? My last employer had a policy requiring that at least one of the several weeks of vacation provided must be taken all at the same time to ensure time was taken for rejuvenating, while the rest was free to use in smaller segments as needed - that was a step in the right direction. Moving away from such regimented regulations would be so much better for employees everywhere.

You Use a Professional for your Health, Finances, Insurance, Legal Concerns, and Even Your Hair...You Should for Travel Too!

DIY can be great for many assorted projects - Pinterest has flourished for that reason alone - but when it comes to things like your hair, your health, your finances, insurance, legal advice - and YES - your travel plans - you really should seek a professional who does it day in and day out all year long for that one vacation per year you take. Why spend hours upon hours searching through too much information available online when you can easily turn to a professional to take care of you. Nolan lays out the reasons plainly and simply.

#travelagentawareness

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. 

 On location from Fort Lauderdale, recorded live while in Fort Lauderdale this past April at the annual Cruise360 conference hosted by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association). Here I am testing my selfie stick and vlogging capabilities.  It's a beginning, with hopefully more entries to come. 

 

Tips on Thursday - A Few Cruise Line Updates

For years I have followed Disney and a few other travel industry leaders in the news, on websites and lately in blogs.  Checking various Disney sites daily has been a practice of mine for the last 13 years.  And now here I am picking some items from time to time to share myself.  I’ve been doing a lot of it on Facebook, but today I choose to do so here.  Since I am a Cruise Planner, I decided to share these items with you regarding the cruise industry:

• Princess Cruises has announced that they will be offering 10 itineraries to Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific between fall 2012 and spring 2013. Princess will offer four ships sailing roundtrip to the Hawaii islands from Los Angeles and San Francisco. In addition, the renovated Grand Princess will make debut voyages to Hawaii as part of its first West Coast season. In total, eight ships will sail on 56 voyages throughout the Pacific, including itineraries such as the 10-day “Tahiti & Polynesia” route that sails roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti. An 11-day “Hawaii & Tahiti” itinerary offers the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia. And the 28-day “Hawaii, Tahiti and Samoa” itinerary that debuted last season returns with two roundtrips from Los Angeles to American Samoa, visiting Hawaii and Tahiti along the way.
• Crystal Cruises will be remodeling their ship, Symphony, during a $15 million dry dock scheduled for June 1 to 16. In just days at Germany’s Blohm + Voss shipyard, Crystal Cruises is redesigning the ship’s Avenue Saloon, Palm Court lounge, Galaxy showroom, Hollywood Theatre, Bridge Lounge, and Fantasia and Waves “junior cruisers” areas.
• Norwegian Cruise Lines announced the plans to return to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles Port, sailing seven-day cruises. The dates released are limited and expected to to be in great demand:  Dec 22 & 29, 2013 and Mar 2 – Apr 13 2014.  

Be sure to check my Facebook page often for updates on specials, itineraries and other cool travel news.  Also, if you haven't already signed up to receive "The Cruise Planner Magazine", which is chock-full of specials, exclusives and free stuff.  The January issue includes a contest for a FREE 7 night cruise, and a FREE iPad - and yes, both items will be given away to some lucky individuals who register online at the published website address inside the magazine. Be sure to do so here.  The next issue will be sent out in July.