Find Your Happy Place in Aruba.

Let's help you discover your happy place, in Aruba!

Norwegian Cruise Line returns to service from US ports this year!!

Norwegian Cruise Line is getting ready to set sail from US ports once again! They have now announced departures from FLORIDA to the Caribbean and The Bahamas; departures from WASHINGTON for roundtrip Alaska sailings; departures from CALIFORNIA for the Mexican Riviera; and HAWAII's inter-island sailings resume this November from Honolulu! All available to book now.

• Norwegian Encore will operate 7-day cruises to ALASKA from SEATTLE sailing every Saturday from Aug 7, 2021, through Oct 16, 2021.

• Norwegian Gem will operate 7-day cruises to the Western Caribbean FROM MIAMI sailing every Sunday from Aug 15 through Aug 29, 2021, and a 4-day Bahamas sailing Oct 17, 2021.

• Norwegian Escape will operate a 7-day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean FROM PORT CANAVERAL sailing on Nov 13, 2021.

• Norwegian Breakaway will operate 7-day cruises to Bermuda FROM NEW YORK CITY sailing every Sunday from Sept 26, 2021, through Oct 17, 2021.

• Norwegian Bliss will operate a 7-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera FROM LOS ANGELES sailing on Oct 24, 2021.

• Pride of America will operate a 7-day inter-island cruise of the Hawaiian islands round-trip from HONOLULU sailing on Nov 6, 2021.

Golf With a View

  

How about some golf and incredible views this summer along with complimentary golf, greens fees, and transfers? There are some terrific inclusions available at Sandals in both The Bahamas and St Lucia. Check it out, and then let's chat to get you booked! https://tinyurl.com/GolfwithaView

NEW! Expanded Partner Portfolio for Golf Vacations

I am very excited to announce a new partnership catering to our golf-loving friends out there. Golfpac Travel has joined the list of approved supplier partners for Cruise Planners expanding our portfolio of planning resources to help provide outstanding travel experiences for you! Golfpac Travel has been a leader in Golf Vacations for over 35 years, offering more than 600+ golf courses in the US and internationally under their Hiddenlinks division, specializing in Scotland and Ireland, plus in the Caribbean within Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Together we can customize your perfect Golf vacations, from house rentals, 5-star resorts, to securing Tee Times at the most desired golf courses in the US and UK. Contact us for more info!

Intrigued? Reach out and let's chat. Know someone who might be? Please share this with them!

317.776.1733 | clingren@cruiseplanners.com | www.icanshowyoutheworld.vacations

#golfvacation #hitthelinks #golf #takethetrip #travelagent #supportsmallbusinesses #DiscoverTheUSA #landvacations #MoreThanJustCruises

Milestones Need Commemorating... vlog entry about celebrating through Travel

As shared today from my FacebookLive video while driving to my covid vaccine shot appointment number one.  I've got some milestone clients departing very soon for Aruba and St. Lucia, and love helping people commemorate through travel, and would love to help you make your travel dreams come true and celebrate your special anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, and more!  Let's chat about how and where you want to celebrate! 

Time for a Land Vacation?

After a year of covid, if you're ready to get out and explore once again, I'm ready to help you plan your next adventure. Now booking, land trips all across the USA (including theme parks, cabins, beach vacations & condos, Alaska, Hawaii, & much more), along with cruises for when they start sailing again. Caribbean & Mexico getaways and all-inclusive resorts too!

PLUS! We have a number of exciting curated shared group travel itineraries that you could join including US National Parks, Colorado Rockies, America's Music Cities, New York City Holidays, and others.

Don't delay, reach out today by email, phone, or through the website.

2021 Winter Travel Planner Magazine is Here!

 

Our newest digital issue of the Travel Planner magazine is here!

 

If YOU are comfortable and ready to travel, I'd love to help you plan your trip! This magazine is a great source of inspiration, with some great possibilities for land-based vacations that could be enjoyed now, and when the cruise lines are able to start sailing again...river cruises in the USA and in Europe and ocean cruises all over the world. Many of the offers are valid for booking before April 30th, others are through various dates in March. If you see something that intrigues you...ask me about it!

 

I know everyone has a different comfort level at this time, but please know that a wide range of travel opportunities can be booked for this year, next year, or even 2023. This 45-page e-zine will certainly give you some great ideas to ponder and dream about in the following categories dedicated to those regions or sub-regions.

 

• Let’s Go Caribbean & Mexico

• Let’s Go USA & Hawaii

• Let’s Go Alaska

• Let’s Go Exotics & Expeditions

• Let’s Go Europe

 

It also has several featurettes sprinkled throughout, with embedded YouTube videos to continue to spark your travel imagination! When you're ready to book, please reach out to me and I will be very happy to take care of all the details for you. Just click the image to explore and start dreaming! (Plus on page 3, you could register to win a 7-night AMA WATERWAYS river cruise for two! Must enter by April 30th)

  

Where2Next Virtual Series: All-Inclusive Resorts

Introducing our NEW Virtual Vacation Webinar Series!  This new monthly series will feature an array of vacation possibilities for when the world opens up again fully for travel. 

Because Cruise Planners - Christopher Lingren & Associates is SOOO much #MoreThanJustCruises!

 

We LOVE our land vacation clients and especially love helping you find the perfect all-inclusive resort! Are you DONE with staying at home and ready to plan your all-inclusive getaway? We're ready to help you book it. Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic are welcoming visitors once again so you don't have to wait for 2021 to travel if you choose not to. But even if you do choose to wait, we can get you booked now!

 

PLUS be sure to join our Where2Next virtual vacation series to learn more on Sept 23rd at 5pm ET.  Win giveaways, tune in for a Cruise Planners® Exclusive booking offer, and one lucky attendee will claim the grand prize!

 

You can register at https://tinyurl.com/AllInclusiveEvent  

Who'd Like to Change their View?

Discover majestic St. Croix with its eternal summer caressed by cooling tradewinds. The average temperature is in the mid-80s, and there’s just enough rain to keep the flora in bloom.

#adventure #islandlife #noice #nosnow #takethetrip #icanhelpyou

Princess' BEST SALE EVER!

Travel makes an incredible gift and is the one thing you can buy that makes you richer. And Princess is offering an amazing deal that you don't want to miss! You can easily wrap it up and give it to your family this Christmas!

It's the BEST SALE EVER. You can choose any destination, any stateroom category, and any sailing after April 2020 for 3 nights or longer and receive FREE wifi, FREE gratuities, FREE beverage package (with tips included) for each guest in the room, and no hidden fees.

Alaska? The Caribbean? Hawaii? Australia/New Zealand? Asia? The Mediterranean? Northern Europe? The Panama Canal? South America & Antarctica?...it's all available! The choices are yours!

If you've been considering a cruise - or even if you haven't - reach out and let's have a conversation. You can book now, and travel later, with months to pay. Sailings are available through January 2022.

Now is a Fantastic Time to Book a Vacation to Enjoy Some Great TROPICAL VIBES!

Tropical resorts. Cruises. Adults-Only Cruises on Virgin Voyages...and so much more are waiting for you. Call us today. Who's booking your escape to paradise? I'd love to help you plan an amazing getaway.

Resevations Now Open for Celebrity's Newest Ship - Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge sets sail on Dec. 16, 2018. Reservations opened today for this amazing new ship, that will revolutionize cruising once again. Contact me at 317.776.1733 for info and pricing or www.icanshowyoutheworld.vacations. Alternating between the eastern and western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, this new ship shouldn't be missed.

Beaches Turks & Caicos From Above

My friend & colleague, Russ, captured this image of the resort on his flight off the island this afternoon. What a great shot! Key West Village with the blue roofs, Italian Village with the red roofs to the left of Key West; Caribbean Village with the light roofs to the left of Italian; and French Village with the grey and red roofs below the Caribbean.

#beachesturksandcaicos

Snorkeling Fun!

We were treated to a snorkeling adventure yesterday. The resort features a fleet of 13 watercraft - 5 of which are motorized: a catamaran, 2 diving boats, a snorkeling boat, and a glass-bottom boat. (The rest are non-motorized - kayaks, sailboats, Hobie cats, and pedal bikes). They also feature an assortment of paddleboards and floating rings. We went out about 10 minutes from the shore and enjoyed a nice 45-minute swim. I did not have my underwater camera with me, but a colleague did, and she'll be sharing her pics with me later. I'm looking forward to seeing them!

I saw some Midnight Parrotfish, Yellowtail Snapper, Graysby, Bermuda Chub, Sargeant Major, Sea Cucumber, Brown Tube Sponge, and Bar Jack. It was pretty nice. I liked that it wasn't an extremely long excursion, but was very happy we got to do it. ( I looked at a fish chart this morning to identify what I saw... I didn't know all of the names without that bit of assistance! )

Unlimited Diving is Included at Sandals & Beaches

Diving anyone? PADI Certified? Unlimited diving is included. Not yet certified? You can get Sandals certified for a year at any Sandals resort for $100. Full PADI certification also available. #beachesturksandcaicos

Something for Everyone at Beaches Turks & Caicos

Here are things you can amuse yourself with at Beaches Turks & Caicos on your next all-inclusive vacation:

On land: Volleyball, Soccer, Tennis, Shuffle Board, Table Tennis, Billiards, Outdoor Chess, Pool Tables, Basketball, Board Games and Croquet.

On the water: Kayaks, Windsurfing, Snorkeling, Aqua Trikes, Hobie Cats, Paddleboards, Underwater Vision boat. Scuba Diving with Unlimited diving for certified divers. For those who wish to experience scuba diving for the first time, PADI Discover Scuba course is offered for a nominal fee. This course will be valid for one year and will only allow you to dive at all Sandals and Beaches Resorts.

For the little ones: Camp Sesame - a spacious air-conditioned building with Nannies and Counselors to cater to children from ages 0 – 11 months, 12-24 months, 3-4 years. Camp Sesame is equipped with cribs, swings & rockers. Children’s Swimming pool with canopy, separate play area, kids playground, arts & craft & more! All nursery & babysitting staff are trained in child care. Camp Sesame is found in both the Caribbean Village and Key West Village. Sesame Street Live parade every Tuesday evening, plus assorted other Sesame Street character breakfasts, meet & greets, and activities.

For bigger kids & teens: Scratch DJ Academy ‘DJ 101’ is the exciting partnership between Beaches and the New York City-based Scratch DJ Academy. Combining copyrighted curriculum and hands-on training; ‘DJ 101’ offers aspiring music enthusiasts the chance to learn how to mix, blend, scratch, and beat juggle. There's also the X-box® Play Lounge -a partnership with Xbox that brings the most exciting and powerful gaming experience to the Resort. The state-of-the-art Xbox Play Lounge features the Xbox video system exclusively and offers gamers and families the chance to play the hottest XBOX games.

More water! There are 10 pools, plus an on-site water park featuring 10 slides, a lazy river, and bodyboarding wavemaker.

For yourself: Fitness Center, Saunas, Spa, and more.

Guest Resort Review: Mystic Ridge Resort - Jamaica

The following resort review was provided to us to share with you here, from our client Jennifer H.  Jennifer and her family needed a large accommodation for a family trip to Jamaica to attend a family funeral. Like any short-term planning situation, options aren't plentiful when booking at the last minute, but especially more pronounced is the difficulty of last-minute planning when your family is larger than the "traditional" family mix. Jennifer and her husband have five children and needed some space to be able to spread out and relax a little bit after the funeral portion of the trip was over for some much-needed family bonding time.  

We helped arrange their trip, and are grateful for the following review of the property that they stayed at.

* * * * * *

"We stayed at Mystic Ridge while in Jamaica for 3 nights in February of 2015.  It is in a beautiful, lush green location on the top of the hill overlooking the ocean.  Check-in was easy and the staff was very helpful. We stayed in a two-bedroom apartment. Our apartment was on the top (3^rd floor). We are a family of 7 and we were pleasantly surprised that space easily accommodated all of us.  That is not an easy feat. The apartment was very clean and furnished in bright Caribbean colors. It had a lot of natural daylight and was very open. It consisted of a kitchen and living room that opened to the balcony with a large table and chairs. The bedroom held two full-size beds and a nicely renovated bathroom.  The living room had a couch that doubled as a daybed and worked perfectly for our youngest.  A wooden spiral staircase led to a large bedroom connected to an open loft space that had a pullout couch.  The bedroom had a Cal-King bed and was connected to another large updated bathroom that had a large soaker tub.  The soaker tub however took forever to fill up and after all of us showering from the day, the hot water seemed to run out.  Again, we are a family of 7 though. The air condition worked well and the ceiling fans were nice and adequate on a cool evening.  The apartment had two nice televisions that had movie channels. 

 

The resort has a restaurant on site that we had breakfast at daily.  The breakfast was very good and gave many choices.  The choices from day to day did not change much but it was a very nice buffet breakfast.  The wait staff remembered us each time and were friendly and accommodating.  We did try to order snacks at one point and they were out of 2 of the 3 things we wanted.  The hotel is close to everything though and offered a free shuttle to the beach and to several other area attractions. They arranged a driver for us to go on one of our adventures. 

 

I would say that this is not the place to stay if you are elderly, physically challenged, or out of shape. The three flights of stairs to our apartment were steep and there is no elevator.  It would also be difficult to get luggage to the second floor of the apartment up the winding staircase if my strong husband hadn’t been with me.  The kitchen did need updating and had tiny ants in it the first two nights. It was wonderful to have a place to cook if you’d like though and have a place to keep snacks and drinks from the grocery instead of paying three times that amount at the hotel.  It appears they are still updating them also so the kitchens might be in the next phase.

 

The pool on site was huge and the poolside chairs were comfortable and nice. The pool could have used some attention but was clean and refreshing.  There is a swim-up bar but we didn’t ever see anyone working it.

 

With a 3 night stay, you received tickets to Mystic Mountain which ended up being a highlight of the trip for our family. It was a great value at a savings of $46.20 for adults and $24.00 for children 12 and under. It offered breathtaking views and half a day’s worth of fun activities.  We are very thankful we took advantage of the offer.

 

If you are looking to be in the center of the action and want to try all the water sports and activities then this is not the place for you. If you would like a clean and comfortable place to stay while you discover all Ocho Rios has to offer or a calm quiet place to call home in the sun for a week, this is a great spot. From looks and comfort alone, since the kitchen needs updating and the soaker tub was more for looks than practical, I would give it 3.5 or 4 stars out of 5. From a large family budget perspective, it gets a solid 4 stars.  Maybe even 4.5 because there is not another place I know of that can sleep 7 without renting a home or needing 2 rooms. It was a perfect place for us and we would definitely stay there again." 

Tips on Thursday - Love Happens

You’ve dreamt your whole life of that special day where everything is absolutely perfect.  Did you know that Cruise Planners can help you plan the most idyllic destination wedding, whether it is on a cruise to the Mediterranean or at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean?  It’s true!  We can take care of all your travel needs and ensure a dedicated wedding planner is on location to handle every last-minute detail. 

With exclusive shoreside wedding packages in over 20 beautiful destinations, your special event can be customized to suit you and your intended.  To name just a few, locations include Miami, Ft Lauderdale, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Rome, Santorini and more!

Weddings, vow renewals, commitment ceremonies, anniversaries, you name it – we do it!  Tell us your hopes and dreams and we will simplify the process for you so that you can simply enjoy your special day.  With packages designed to fit all party sizes and budgets, your Destination Wedding or Honeymoon is simply a phone call away.  To learn more, please visit my website or call 317.776.1733.   

Sail Away With Us 2014

Join me next January in escaping the winter cold & snowy doldrums by exploring the wonders of the Western Caribbean!  Enjoy a nearly all-inclusive vacation onboard Royal Caribbean's enchanting ship, the Oasis of the Seas!  Book with us and receive an amazing onboard savings coupon booklet, plus $75 Onboard Credit plus a complimentary bottle of wine in your stateroom.  Starting at just $879 per person, you too could enjoy an amazing week in the sunny, warm waters of the Caribbean visiting Cozumel, Falmouth & Labadee.  Sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, this is one winter vacation you won't forget!  For more information or to register, visit the link below.  Space is limited.

http://www.neverlandadventurescruises.com/rw/view/2286

Tips on Thursday - Passport Information

Passports

Passports are required for all travelers, including citizens of the U.S. and Canada, who enter or re-enter the U.S. by air, land or sea.  

There are a few notable exceptions pertaining to land and sea border crossings: 

• U.S. citizens on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas or Bermuda are able to re-enter the U.S. with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes a U.S. state-issued original or certified copy of their birth certificate (hospital certificates are not acceptable) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization and a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license). Passports are required for cruises that begin in one U.S. port and end in another.
• Children under the age of 16 who are citizens of the U.S. or Canada are exempt from the passport requirement for land and sea border crossings. In lieu of a passport, children are able to use a U.S. state-issued original or certified copy of their birth certificate (hospital certificates are not acceptable) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization as proof of citizenship for entry into the U.S. by land or by sea. Children entering or re-entering the U.S. by air are required to have a valid passport.
• A new, lower-cost alternative to the passport, called a passport card, is acceptable for entries into the U.S. by land or sea. The passport card is not acceptable for air travel.
• The following cruise lines require a passport for all sailings, regardless of destination or port of departure: Azamara Club Cruises, Crystal, Cunard, Fred. Olsen, Hurtigruten, Oceania, Orion Expedition Cruises, P&O, Paul Gauguin, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea, Star Clippers, Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and Windstar.
• Photocopies of required documentation are not acceptable in any circumstance.
• Even though passports are not required at this time for U.S. citizens who sail on cruises to the above destinations that begin and end in the same U.S. port, we strongly recommend that all cruise passengers travel with a valid passport anyway. This is because guests who need to fly to or from the U.S. unexpectedly during their cruise will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the U.S. if they do not have a valid passport with them. For example, a passenger missing a cruise departure due to a late inbound flight to Miami would need a passport to fly to meet the ship at the next port. Similarly, guests needing to fly to or through the U.S. before their cruise ends because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port of call, or a mechanical problem of some sort with the ship, would need a passport. Of course, situations like these are rare, but they can happen.

Passports are not required for U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from Hawaii or a U.S. territory, including Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Passports are required for cruise travel to all International destinations not mentioned above, and for cruises that involve air travel that begins or ends outside of the U.S. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the last day of travel.

For information about obtaining a passport for the first time, or about renewing a passport,  visit the U.S. Department ofState's website. 

Legal U.S. Residents (Non-Citizens)

Legal permanent residents of the U.S. must have a valid passport from their country of citizenship and a valid Alien Registration Card (Green Card) to enter or re-enter the U.S.

Non-U.S., Non-Canada Citizens

The following countries participate in a visa waiver program with the U.S., and citizens of these countries must have a machine-readable passport for entry into the U.S.:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

Citizens of the countries listed above who do not possess machine-readable passports, and citizens of countries not listed above must present a valid passport and a valid United States visa upon entry into the U.S. For those whose travel plans include multiple entries into the U.S., such as a cruise that begins and ends in a U.S. port, a multiple-entry visa is required.

Visas

All travelers, including U.S. and Canada citizens, are responsible for verifying visa requirements with consular officials, and obtaining visas where required, for every country visited during their trip, including countries visited via connecting flights.