Tips on Thursday - Entertainment & Enrichment at Sea

From Blue-Faced Men to Rainbow-Colored Carousels

Remember when shipboard entertainment was simply a poolside game led by the cruise director and perhaps the occasional ice carving contest? These days it’s more like surfing on Royal Caribbean’s FlowRider and splashing in Disney Dream’s AquaDuck, the first water coaster at sea. When cruise lines proclaim that a vessel has more activities onboard than most resorts, they’re not kidding. Here’s a sampling of what modern ships have to offer in the arena of entertainment and enrichment.

Ice Bar aboard Norwegian Epic

Not just the vodka is chilled. The bar, tables, stools, and even the walls are made of ice and kept at an arctic 17 degrees.

Cunard Insights aboard Queen Mary 2

Imagine attending a lecture series headlined by such well-known personalities as John Cleese, star of the Monty Python films, or Dr. Ruth Westheimer, television’s famous therapist.

Carousel aboard Oasis of the Seas

Hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind, the Carousel found onboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is the whimsical centerpiece of the Boardwalk, inspired by Coney Island for the young and young at heart.

Bon Appétit Culinary Center aboard Marina

If you are not satisfied with just feasting on edible indulgences but want to learn to craft culinary excellence as well, try the hands-on instruction provided by Oceania Cruises’ master chefs.

Blue Man Group aboard Norwegian Epic

This award-winning show and concert, once found only in Vegas, will combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics.

Digital Workshop aboard Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam

Powered by Windows, this interactive design studio offers free classes on images, blogs, movies, scrapbooks, and more.

WaterWorks aboard Carnival Dream

With 19,000 square feet catering to kids and families, Carnival Dream ship features an aqua park with the longest water slide at sea. Don’t miss the comedy club and outdoor laser shows.

For more information and to reserve your next vacation, contact me at 317.776.1733 or simply visit my website. 

Tips on Thursday - Cruise Packing Tips

Even in the largest villas and suites on a cruise, the closet space may be less than desirable. Maximize the smaller space with these great packing tips for those who have sailed the world. 

Pick the right suitcase

Some cruise lines are designing cabins that allow room underneath beds to accommodate larger bags. It the cabin does not allow this, pack things in a soft-side bag that can be flattened after you unpack.

Pack a Day Bag

These are great for carrying essentials around the ship and on shore excursions. Plus, use this as your carry-on bag since your actual luggage may take a few hours to arrive at your cabin.

Check the Cruise Ship Dress Code

Most cruise lines have detailed dress codes on their website. When in doubt, ask us. Most cruise lines now offer a more simplified dress code although formal nights are still available.

Board the Ship in Resort Casual Wear

Since it may take some time for your luggage to be delivered to your stateroom, aim to wear an outfit that may take you from day to nighttime. And pack your day bag with items that you may want to have available on your first day onboard the ship.

Plan your Vacation and Pack accordingly

Are you a lounger or will you be hitting every port ready to walk? Make a list of your activities and pack the additional gear needed so you are not missing out on an opportunity to experience the destination’s culture.

Toiletries

Bathrooms are even smaller. Most cruise lines provide the basic toiletries in travel-size packs such as shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. Make sure you bring travel-size items that will carry you through the entire vacation. Consider a hanging bag that can easily be put behind doors to store your toiletries in.

For more information and to reserve your next vacation, contact me at 317.776.1733 or via my website.  Be sure to follow me on Twitter, like my page on Facebook, and circle me on Google+.

Tips on Thursday - Precious Cargo Aboard

Family vacations are a time to slow down our busy lives and create memories for a lifetime. But air travel with children can sometimes throw a wrench into the fun. Don’t spoil event- be prepared with these helpful tips from a Dad that’s been there, done that.

Schedule flights for the morning, as the likelihood for these to be delayed is slim. Plus, your little energizer bunny will be ready to take his or her nap once on board. If you can’t leave in the morning, try to schedule the flight around your child’s naptime.

Shoot for direct flights. Even though my last toddler adventure was now years ago, it was for a combination of long flights to get to our final destination, plus a longish layover in between. The 12 hours of travel time was coupled with 2 1/2 hours on the front end getting to the airport plus maneuvering through security with all of the "gear" in tow. Needless to say, my tiny tot slept for nearly the entire flight once we were onboard.

Get there early if your little one is walking. Let them burn off some energy. Plus, they won’t feel too restricted if they were mobile before getting on the plane.

Grab the bulkhead if possible. If your infant or toddler will have a seat, go bulkhead. The rows are so narrow that when the passenger who is in front of your child, leans back- forget about it. Your tot who was very content in his own seat is now being knocked over and over again.

It is recommended that children sit in their own car seat during air travel even though infants through age 2 can fly free on an adult’s lap. I’m all for making full use of freebies whenever possible, but if the flight is longer than 3 hours - I’m buying a seat.  Happy baby, happy flight.

Security checkpoint- go through the family line. This is usually the same line as used by airline security. Also, follow the TSA guidelines for liquids and other essentials and you’ll be golden. Check it out: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children.

As long as you are prepared for the adventures of traveling with your little bundle of joy - the journey itself can be relatively enjoyable.  

Tips on Thursday - II for Tea and Tea for 2

As the second longest reigning monarch in over 1,000 years of British history, Queen Elizabeth II just marked her Diamond Jubilee - 60 years on the throne, second only to her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years.  Both of these queens have Cunard passenger ships named after them, and only one of them can rightly claim to be “iconic”.  Named after a reigning monarch, the Queen Elizabeth 2 sailed for 41 years with Cunard, and in November 2008 was retired by Cunard to begin a new life as a floating hotel and conference center in Dubai.  While the hotel has not yet opened, plans remain in place for the hotel in the near future.  Since her launch, the QE2 traveled over 6 million nautical miles while sailing to fascinating ports around the world and hosting 2.5 million guests on 1,428 voyages.

 Classic ship historians can spend hours recounting stories about this most famous Cunarder.  One particularly interesting tidbit is how the ship’s name was decided upon.  Without a doubt, the British have a strong sense of tradition and protocol and the naming of the ship in 1967 represented an interesting challenge.  The ship was designed by the Cunard team in Liverpool but built at John Brown’s shipyard in Glasgow, Scotland.  She  was to be named at the launching ceremony by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and also carry her name.  But after the launch things became more complicated.  Cunard’s chairman, Sir Basil Smallpiece determined after consulting with Royal aides that the ship should be named Queen Elizabeth 2 with the Arabic letter and not the Roman numerals “II”.  Why?  Because until that time only Royal Navy vessels had carried a reigning monarch’s Roman numeral suffix.  And, Her Majesty was also Queen Elizabeth I of Scotland, where the ship was built.  Therefore, she was named QE-2 instead of QE-II and went on not only to be the most famous ship in history but the one whose name was misprinted most often.    

Tips on Thursday - Disney and Honeymoons Go Great Together!

What could be more romantic than setting sail on a fairy tale?  Once you step aboard your Disney Cruise Line® ship, you’ll be swept up into a magical world of Disney service, unforgettable dining and world-class entertainment- and you haven’t even gotten to the good part yet.

Set sail on an ocean voyage and begin your new life together aboard a luxury cruise liner that offers everything you could ever dream of in a romantic honeymoon. Enjoy all the excitement of a tropical adventure as well as the world-class services of the Disney Cruise Line®.

Are you looking to make your Disney honeymoon even more magical?  Disney’s Honeymoon Registry allows your friends and family to give you magical honeymoon experiences as a gift- from a quiet dinner at Palo, luxurious spa treatments, or extravagant honeymoon excursions.  Begin your new life together with a gift you’ll both love: the honeymoon of your dreams!

With four magical ships, and itineraries around the globe, you're sure to create some fantastic memories as you begin your new life together.  


For those couples looking for a great Disney-inspired honeymoon, but not necessarily onboard a ship, there is a place where storybook dreams become fairy tale realities.  Where world-class settings create the perfect backdrops for elegant weddings and magical honeymoon memories. Where every day is a new adventure and every night is a ball. That place…is Walt Disney World® Resort, the place where dreams come true.  


For more information on honeymoons surrounded with an entire world of magic, not to mention an endless array of enchanting possibilities - whether you’re looking for seven lands of fantasy or romance and relaxation, this is the place where all of your honeymoon dreams can become reality. don't hesitate to call 855.776.1733 or visit my website. 

Tips on Thursday - Why a Travel Agent?

Are Travel Agents Dinosaurs?

Absolutely Not!  You ask, “why should I call a Travel Agent instead of going direct?”  Good Question! About 5 years ago, it was predicted that being a Travel Agent was a dying profession, and in the age of technology, Travel Agents would become extinct. Well, here it is 5+ years later and the agent community is alive, thriving, and growing once again. Yes, it is true that booking an airline ticket is a commodity, so they’re not quite the order takers they once were. Today’s Travel Agent will help you figure out not only where your next vacation will be; they will help you weed through the piles of information on the internet and let you know what’s real and what’s not.

So let’s take a moment to examine Why you SHOULD use a Travel Agent

• The biggest myth surrounding Travel Agents is that they “charge” for their services. And for the most part, their service is complimentary. Perhaps not for an airline ticket (because airlines have cut out paying any commission), but for travel – such as cruises, tours, and land packages, their commission is paid by the vendor. This means – Travel Agent’s Services are FREE to you!
• You get the BEST DEAL by calling on a Cruise Planners/American Express Travel Consultant. We don’t work for any one Cruise Line or Tour Operator – we search all cruise lines to find you the best deal for the best available cabin at the time of booking. And the best part is a travel agent will continue to work for you even after the deposit. So, if a cruise line has a rate change, we call and lower your price. If you book directly with the supplier, does the cruise line call you to let you know there has been a price reduction? I doubt it!
• A good agent will also provide advice – once you pull into a port of call, now what? Try to Google the words “Mediterranean cruise” and you will see 1.5 million results. Yikes! Where do you start to look? Who is legitimate and who isn’t? A good Travel agent will guide you and let you know which is the most popular site to see, or even some hidden secrets they’ve uncovered while traveling. When calling a cruise line directly, do you think the hourly person who answers the phone can offer the same advice?
• If you run into trouble on a weekend while traveling, will the cruise line agent help? Most agents check their e-mail or voice mail during the weekend just in case of any emergency. 
• Your time is valuable. Give an agent a call and let them know what trip you are interested in and let them do all the work. Why spend hours and hours searching the internet or calling each cruise line? Call a Cruise Planners/American Express specialists and will save you time and money.
• Who has the best deals? If I call direct, will I get the best possible deal? Yet another myth is that many online sites run exclusive promotions or hold space months in advance. This supposedly gives them an advantage on certain ships and sailing dates. Travel Agents have access to all the best promotions as well. You might receive extra shipboard credit to spend onboard or pre-paid gratuities so all tipping is included. And on some itineraries a unique shore excursion is available. They aren’t available on all sailings, but if you book in advance you are more likely to enjoy a special extra perk.
• A Travel Agent can help you customize your vacation! So you want to have a family reunion, get married, or renew your vows on board? Call your Travel Agent today! Don’t try and book this through the cruise lines or on your own as it will likely become a nightmare. By booking through a reputable agent, they will take the burden off of you and become the “party planner”. They can set up cocktail parties, beach parties, special shore excursions, wedding receptions, meeting rooms, dining arrangements. Leave it to the pros!
• With so many travel options out there, it can be overwhelming. We work as your "value interpreter."  Using our expertise, we find amazing experiences that exceed your every desire, but not your budget. With our services, you can be confident that your vacation will be perfectly planned, hassle-free, and filled with moments you'll never forget. 

So why wait?  Call me today at 317.776.1733 to get your next vacation plan started… or visit my website.

Tips on Thursday - Cabins

All cabins are created the same, right?  Not so fast, world traveler.  Experienced cruisers have learned a few secrets about determining the best stateroom choices.  It’s true that most  contemporary and premium class ships being built today offer “cookie cutter” cabins that are very similar in dimension and layout.  But even if they all appear to be the same according to the deck plan, there are some things you can do to make sure you get the best bang for your buck.  The prime consideration is location, location, location.

Carefully view the deck plan to check for elevator, lobbies, and high traffic areas like buffet entrances.  Staterooms in this area can be a little more lively (read noisy) than others.  And also take note if the cabin is under an active public area.  A few years ago, I was in a beautiful balcony cabin that was directly beneath an upper outside deck storage locker.  Every morning, my traveling mate and I were summoned from our dream-filled sleep not by the sound of gentle waves slapping against the hull but by not-so-gentle deck hands dragging things on their “floor” which also happened to be our ceiling.

You can do a lot of this research yourself, but here’s a hint.  Your cruise specialist likely knows a lot of these tricks of the trade and can assist you in the search for that perfect hideaway.  Of course, if you are an early riser and long for the old military style wake up call, then my former balcony stateroom is probably available! 

Tips on Thursday - Honeymoons

Honeymoons too often take a backseat to the arrangements and plans of the actual wedding, but you owe it to yourself to give honeymoon planning greater and more careful attention. After all, while the wedding is mainly for your family and friends, the once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon that follows is a private getaway for you and your new spouse to celebrate your marriage. Though you may spend a portion of your vacation relaxing and reflecting on this major life change, the honeymoon is most of all an opportunity to enjoy being a newlywed, spending quality time with your new spouse, and experiencing a romantic and exciting getaway.

Honeymooners have endless options. Following months of wedding planning, couples often retreat to a luxurious resort that caters to their every need, while others trek to an adventurous escape from their day-to-day lives. Whether a beach vacation or a safari, the honeymoon should reflect your joint personality and wishes.

Keep in mind that perfect honeymoons don't just happen, and planning requires thoughtfulness, patience, careful attention to details, and a lot of decision-making along the way. The more homework you do before leaving for your honeymoon, the more you will enjoy your special vacation.

With today’s economy, couples are left with a staycation-type of honeymoon. With our Honeymoon Gift Registry, you can register for your dream honeymoon and friends and family can deposit money into your registry as their wedding gift to you. They can even pick portions of your honeymoon like a couples massage, spa treatments, airport transfers and more. Make this a retreat of a lifetime with the help of your friends and family.

Find out more by visiting our website at www.neverlandadventurescruises.com or contact us for more information at 855.776.1733 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            855.776.1733      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Tips on Thursday - Weddings at Sea

Let’s face it, not everyone is interested in the typical 4-hour white wedding. Some may even say “been there, done that”. So what’s a great alternative? How about getting married at sea? What could be more fun than your wedding festivities lasting 7 days or longer, and spending that week in exotic ports? The best part is you can do this with a small wedding party or invite all of your friends and family to come along.

Fun events can be planned both onboard and ashore throughout the week. Think of having a sail away party on deck, beach Olympics on a private island, a wine tasting for sophisticated palates, or amazing shore excursions that can be tailored to the couple or the group’s personality. The possibilities are endless!

Cruising is the BEST vacation value! It’s practically all-inclusive.

• All meals are included
• Top-notch entertainment
• Oceanview accommodations
• Experience different ports of call in one trip

Most cruise lines have access to local authorities who perform ceremonies prior to leaving port or during a port call on the cruise. Did you know that you can get married on a beach in the Caribbean or on a Glacier in Alaska? The choices are endless and romantic!

Few cruise lines actually have captains who can legally perform the ceremony at sea. Princess, Celebrity, and Azamara Club Cruises have ships that are registered in Bermuda and Malta which recognize marriages in international waters.

Getting married at sea has HUGE advantages. I’m talking about dollars! It’s much less expensive than a typical wedding with packages starting at low as $1,200. The wedding planner handles everything from the ceremony, event coordination, live music, photos, cake, and flowers. It’s a one-stop shop. Plus, couples can also enjoy some romantic extras: like breakfast in bed, chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne, and spa treatments. 

Your friends and family will be talking about your wedding for a lifetime!

For more information and to reserve your next holiday, visit my website or simply call 317.776.1733.

Tips on Thursday - Cruising with Kids

Week after week your days are filled with work and school days. Family time is limited to being together for dinner, if that, and the calendar never seems to stop being filled up with some sort of “must-do” activity.  Are you tired of this typical routine, shuttling the kids around to this activity and the next, all while you yourself are off to this club or board meeting, volunteer activities and so much more?  You want a vacation, but the thought of a “family destination” that will only keep you in long boring lines of cranky tourists, waiting to board a 3 minute-or-less attraction only makes you cringe. Then it’s time to make a change in your vacation thinking.

Why not make the whole family happy, from the kids to the grandparents? It’s time to look at cruising – not only is it the best vacation value around, but everyone in the family has a great time. Cruise lines know that kids need to be occupied, and they also know that parents need a break. So how can one vacation accomplish both needs?

The new megaships are built for families in mind. Parents can sit by the pool while their kids are enjoying the water slides and fun activities, and the best part is there is no extra charge for the fun. If your kids are more adventurous, why not check out the many other activities available onboard. How about rock climbing, surfing, zip lining, basketball, putt-putt golf, bungee jumping, ice skating, game rooms, bowling and more! Yes, you can do all these activities on a ship!

But wait, there’s more! Are you looking for a few hours to chill by the pool, get a massage or simply want to take a spin class? While you do that, your children will be occupied with learning and enriching activities. There is a program for children of all ages. Examples of some of the fun in store at the kids’ camps include:

• Toddlers (ages 2-5) – splash pool, fun family games, cartoon time, toys, learn your colors, counting games, sponge painting, indoor beach parties, pizza pig out, drawing contests, sing-alongs, bingo, face painting, arts and crafts, cookie decorating

• Juniors (ages 6-8) – talent show, face painting, cartoon time, indoor fair, sea animals, trivia, ice cream sundaes, cookie decorating, button making, puppet show, beach party, outdoor fun and games

• Intermediate (ages 9-12) – t-shirt painting, photography, jewelry making, board games, dance class, video game tournament, ping pong, talent show, volleyball, show time, scavenger hunts, meet the entertainers back stage, breakfast fun

• Teens (ages 13-15) – ping pong, pool party, teen dance, dance class, talent show, pizza party, indoor beach party, skin care and hair-dressing demonstration, photography

There are plenty of cruise lines that provide the right experiences and environment where the kids are more than welcome aboard, with exciting destinations in 3, 4, 5, 7 night or more itineraries. Just to name a few, check out Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian and of course Disney to see all of the great family-friendly activities.

Cruising is not just for adults anymore – it’s the vacation where EVERYONE gets to have fun.  

Tips on Thursday - Top 10 Reasons to Take a Cruise

Stopher's Top 10 Reasons Why You Ought to Take a Cruise for Your Next Vacation

1. Choose to cruise for VALUE. One price buys your cabin, dining, entertainment and more.
2. Choose to cruise for ROMANCE. Secluded beaches, en suite dining on a balcony overlooking the ocean and spa services for two are just some of the romantic pursuits available.
3. Choose to cruise for CUISINE. Tantalize your taste buds with gourmet fare that showcases exotic ingredients, old standbys like pizza and ice cream or spa cuisine for a healthy alternative. Depending on your mood, dine in a traditional ballroom setting, a small bistro or a casual eatery.
4. Choose to cruise for VARIETY. With over 200 distinctive ships, 3000 ports-of-call and an unbelievable array of places to see and things to do, there is a perfect cruise for you. For even more choice, consider a pre- or post-land tour.
5. Choose to cruise for ACTIVITIES. Fill your days with sightseeing, sports activities, cultural lectures, educational tours led by naturalists and historians or simply lounge by the pool and relax. At night, enjoy dance extravaganzas, musical revues, gaming or a quiet evening gazing at the stars.
6. Choose to cruise for SIMPLICITY. Don't come back from your vacation needing a vacation. Planning a cruise is simple; your CLIA-affiliated travel agency can handle all of the details. Once you're on board, nearly all expenses are pre-paid... talk about hassle-free.
7. Choose to cruise for NEW HORIZONS. Fall asleep in one destination and awake to a new horizon... and you only have to pack and unpack once!
8. Choose to cruise for FAMILY. Families love cruising. Children's programs, kid-friendly menus and tours of the ship will keep your children happy, while affording you some time alone.
9. Choose to cruise for PAMPERING. Regardless of your budget, all cruise lines pamper their guests with first-class service around the clock.
10. Choose to cruise for SATISFACTION. It's a fact that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience.

Tips on Thursday - How to Get the Best Cruise Vacation Deal

Should I wait to book my cruise? 

Well that depends on you. Do you have the luxury of traveling at the last minute? If not, contact your local cruise agent and book well in advance. This will assure you the best cabin at the best rate available. That doesn’t mean that the cruise rate won’t change; but if you are dealing with a good agent, they will guarantee to change your rate if the cruise line adjusts the prices prior to final payment.

How do I know if I am dealing with a good agent?
Check out the company you are dealing with – try using one that has a good reputation or touts they are “Top Producers” with the cruise line of your choice. This typically means that they have buying power and will have special pricing or amenities available.

When is the best time to travel?
If you are traveling to any exotic port, there are usually softer booking periods in which pricing can be hundreds of dollars lower. For example, if you are sailing to Alaska – book in May or September and your savings will be substantial. Caribbean is dirt cheap in the fall – it’s so inexpensive, it’s almost free. Well, maybe not, but it can be less than $100 dollars per day which is cheaper than staying home. Again, choose a reputable, knowledgeable agent who can guide you to these savings.

How do I find the best cruise deals?
Ask your travel agent if they send out weekly specials. Most competent agents send out a weekly e-mail promotion. This will give you a heads up when they have special cruise deals. In other words, agents regularly have access to cruise line promotions that include: shipboard credit, cabin category upgrades, reduced payment deposits, coupon booklets for onboard savings, and even free gratuities. But you will miss the deal, if you don’t know about it.

Tips on Thursday - It's All About Location

Location, location, location.  It's important in business, real estate and yes, even on cruise ships.  How can you make sure that you pick the best location in your chosen stateroom category?  A good answer for this question is to view the ship’s deck plans in the cruise line brochure or on the web.  While the plans are often not exactly to scale and cabin size is not always in proportion to the drawings there are a few things that are very helpful.  First, locate your cabin on the plan and then look up, down, left, right, and forward of your cabin.  What’s there?   And knowing what to look for can help you avoid a less-than-ideal stateroom.

Ok, so here’s the short list:

• Look for elevators and staircase exits near your stateroom. (Some people love to be close to everything so this might be a positive feature but with activity comes noise)
• Look up.  Oops!  A basketball court, jogging track or day pantry might result in the wakeup call you did not ask for.
• Look Down.  Is the bandstand for one of the show lounges right below your room?  Even with good sound proofing there is a chance for ambient noise.
• Look across the hall.  Is there a room service pantry shown or other service area.  A potentially busy area to avoid.
• Look Right and Left.  If you are at the end of a hallway, make sure that the disco or other high energy lounge is not adjacent.  Avoid hallways that lead to these lounges unless you are a night owl.  Late night revelers sometimes carryon with the partying outside your door.

The good news is that modern cruise ships have been designed with passenger comfort in mind and the architects strive to develop a deck plan that confines public rooms and lounges to areas far from the staterooms.  A little advance review of the deck plans and the advice of a good cruise specialist can help deliver an extra measure of peace and quiet in your stateroom.

Tips on Thursday - Five Great Winter Events

Sure it’s gotten cold outside but the following five events will get you going!  Why stay cooped up inside when there’s so much out there!  Once you're done reading about them, give me a call at 855.776.1733 and let's start planning one!

Superbowl XLVI
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

February 5th 2012 is the date of the 2012 NFL Superbowl. Lucas Oil Stadium is the home of the Indianapolis Colts and one of the game’s greatest players, Peyton Manning. The Superbowl is the final game of the NFL season and one of the most, if not the most, important sporting event in the United States. However, this is not a vacation opportunity simply for one day or for the fans of the two teams playing. There will be events for the ten days leading up to the Superbowl in downtown Indianapolis for fans of all 32 teams. This is an event for the avid sports fan or a family looking for a fun week of sports and other great festivities.

Mardi Gras
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

The weekend beginning February 18th and leading into Tuesday February 21st 2012 is the best time to visit the city of New Orleans. Let us make your travel plans now because finding a place to stay is not as simple as the “Big Easy” nickname would have you believe. Mardi Gras is a celebration which comes right before Lent and culminates on Fat Tuesday. It is one of the most fun events a person can attend because it includes floats, costumes, parades, and so much more. Be prepared while in the crowd and try and catch a “throw” which could be anything from beads to stuffed animals.

Carnival
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Although Carnival is celebrated throughout the world, the widely accepted Carnival Capital of the World is Rio. In the peak of the warm and gorgeous Rio summer, you can enjoy the celebration that is Carnival. The same time as Mardi Gras, running the weekend of February 18th and finishing up on Tuesday February 21st, Carnival provides a South American experience in the final days before Lent. Carnival attracts upwards of 500,000 foreigners alone to this spectacular event. The main attraction of the parade is the Samba Parade, also known as the Rio Central Parade, which is filled with wonderful costumes and put all together with the beautiful Brazilian Samba music.

Food Network’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Location: Miami, Florida

This four day wine and food showcase begins on February 23rd and ends on February 26th. The event is hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University (FIU). In 2011 there were over 55,000 guests and they were able to raise $2.4 million for FIU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. This is the perfect place for any wine or food lover because not only is it located at beautiful South Beach but it also boasts some of the biggest names in the food industry such as Rachael Ray, Emeril Lagasse, and Bobby Flay.

New Year’s Eve in Times Square

Location: New York, New York

On December 31st there is no better place to be than Times Square. Over a million people come to Times Square to watch the ball drop and celebrate the end of one year and the start of the next one while billions of people nationwide watch their televisions closely to watch that exact moment when the ball drops and the clock strikes midnight. Filled with stars from all over the world this confetti filled event is a must visit at some point in a person’s life. People from all over the world flock to New York City and wait days in advance to get the best possible spot to watch the festivities take place. I realize that we just celebrated New Year's Eve a few nights ago... but honestly, hotels in NYC fill up early, so let’s start planning now for next New Year's Eve!

At Cruise Planners ~ Neverland Adventures Travel...  we're not just about cruises!