You can choose your own adventure on land, ocean, or river with this week's Travel Deals. If you don't receive them directly, be sure to opt in and start receiving them directly to your inbox! #travel #vacation #adventure #explore #wanderlust #useyourvacationdays #planyouradventure
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Monday, November 25, 2019
Princess Cruises' $1 Deposit Event - ONE DAY ONLY!
Tomorrow only Princess Cruises is featuring $1 deposits plus free wi-fi!! Please feel free to contact me at 317.776.1733 or clingren@cruiseplanners.com so we can pick out the perfect itinerary for your future Princess Cruise!
Saturday, January 28, 2017
A Weekend of Fun Selling Experiences & Adventures for People to Getaway and Have Some Fun!
And the fun begins.... NOW! The doors will be opening in just a few moments and we're right up front by the entry doors, ready to sell amazing experiences for people to get away from their stress and some rejuvenation. If you're in the NYC area today, come see me! We're at The New York Times Travel Show at Javits Center.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
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.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
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.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
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
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Tips on Thursday - Stateroom Selection
Disney Cruise Line, Disney Dream: Inside Stateroom |
- Inside – Inside staterooms are typically found on the inner side of the hallways, across from the outside of the ship. Inside staterooms tend to be the least expensive category onboard as they will be pitch black when you shut the door and turn out the lights as they do not have any windows, or any way to see the outside world at all. Most modern ships offer them, but there aren’t as many onboard as there once were, as many ships utilize the majority of that space for crew space or other needs such as Kids Clubs, Business Facilities such as Conference Rooms, guest laundry spaces or other functions. There is one line, however, who offers Inside Staterooms WITH a view to the outside world. With the introduction of the Disney Dream in 2011 and the Disney Fantasy in 2012, Disney Cruise Line introduced the innovative “virtual portholes” to its inside staterooms. These “windows” are actually round video screens that look like porthole windows, and feature a live feed from cameras facing out from the sides of the ship. These staterooms, while still the most inexpensive onboard, have quickly become the most popular too on Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Cruise Line, Disney Dream: Oceanview Stateroom |
- Outside or Oceanview – Outside staterooms are called "Outside” or “Oceanview" because they have windows where you can see outside to the ocean, but the windows do not open. The windows are typically very heavy glass portholes closer to the surface of the water, often on decks 2 and 3. The windows themselves are designed to be almost as strong as the hull itself, and usually have heavy steel covers that can be closed and tightly screwed down in case of very strong weather conditions. Some Outside or Oceanview rooms will offer just one porthole, others offer two, and still others might offer one large porthole that might be the equivalent size of three in one. Each line designs their ships differently, so we cannot make blanket statements that cover them all, since that’s just not possible.
Disney Cruise Line, Disney Dream: Oceanview with Verandah Stateroom |
- Balcony – Balcony staterooms have a verandah, or balcony, with a door that opens. On the balcony, guests will find deck chairs, often a small table and a strong railing that must be at least 42 inches high. Balconies vary in size, as well as the separation device between them. Some offer a full wall for a higher degree of privacy in between neighboring rooms, while others offer less than a full wall.
Disney Cruise Line, Disney Dream: One-Bedroom Suite |
- Suites – Suites are extra-large staterooms, but it is a mistake to assume that all suites offer a separate bedroom space, because many do not. Keep in mind that cruise staterooms are not hotel rooms in the same manner as on land, and are never as large as a traditional hotel room. Suites are the closest approximation, however. There are "Junior” or “Mini-Suites," "Family Suites," as well as "Owner's Suites" and “Penthouse Suites” and so many other name variations specific to each cruise line. The overall look and feel varies by cruise line, but most of them have bathtubs, mini refrigerators, extra closet space and larger seating areas. Some include whirlpool tubs, or dining areas, or are even multi-level with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Saturday Savers - 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 left over for some cool "extras" that you might not have thought possible when first putting your budget together. The key is to finding 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 last-minute "deals" 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 goes 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 savings 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 on board. Luxury lines such as Seabourn, Crystal, Silversea, etc, have become much more value-conscious in the past couple of 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 is 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 re-positioning 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 is 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.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Saturday Savers - More VALUE Found in the Travel Advisor Community
Hurricane Sandy's Lessons to Travelers: Use a Travel Agent
Many of us plan out vacations to the nth degree, but ultimately life doesn't always happen the way that you plan. Things happen, especially when mother nature is concerned. As this article from this past fall demonstrates, sometimes mother nature gets in the way and disrupts even the best laid plans. Having a Travel Agent in your corner can truly be beneficial when things don't turn out the way that you imagined they would. In the end, that can truly be translated... VALUE. But only when you use the Travel Agent from the beginning to help you put together your fantastic plans. When you trust them to help you plan things, and use their services to book your vacation, Travel Agents will be right there for you when things go a bit awry, and they just might end up saving you time and money and help you get home again instead of sitting in an overcrowded terminal for days as many people had to during the still recent events of Hurricane Sandy.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
The Best Cruise
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Join the Vacation Party
Check out these great deals! These are the types of limited-time offers and exclusive deals that come each week in Cruise Planners' "Weekly Travel Deals". All you need to do to receive them is to opt-in over on my website, and you'll start receiving them the week after you register. For those of you read along but live outside the U.S., I cannot sell to you, based on cruise line restrictions, but I do appreciate you following along!
Another entry into the continuing report regarding our recent sailing on the Disney Magic will be coming soon!!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Free Dining is Back at Walt Disney World! Fall 2012 Dates Now Available
Book a vacation package that includes a 6-night, 7-day stay at a Walt Disney World resort and a 7-day park ticket, and receive the Dining Plan for free!
Book a Disney Value Resort and get a Quick Service Dining free!
Book a Disney Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villas Resort and get the Regular Dining free!
Sample Pricing: The following pricing is for select dates 10/19/12 - 11/1/12, 11/24/12 - 11/29/12, and 12/10/12 - 12/13/12 in a Standard Room. Sample pricing does not include tax. Rates will vary depending on the resort, room type, and dates of travel.
Value Resort (4 nights, 5 days for a family of 4): $1,922
Moderate Resort (4 nights, 5 days for a family of 4): $2,421
Free dining available select nights 9/30-10/4, 10/19-11/1, 11/9-11/15, 11/23-11/29, and 12/10-12/13/12.All discounts are subject to availability, certain restrictions apply. Blackout dates may apply. Discount is not valid at campsites, 3-bedroom villas, or the Little Mermaid Standard View rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. Dining plans can be upgraded at an additional cost.
The number of rooms for this offer is limited, and it must be booked by 9/29/12. Don't delay, get yours booked today! Call 317.776.1733. Or simply visit my website to enter your free vacation quote request now. Don't delay! Get your fall trip booked now!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Tips on Thursday - Why 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.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Tips on Thursday - Top 10 Reasons to Take a Cruise
- Choose to cruise for VALUE. One price buys your cabin, dining, entertainment and more.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- Choose to cruise for PAMPERING. Regardless of your budget, all cruise lines pamper their guests with first-class service around the clock.
- Choose to cruise for SATISFACTION. It's a fact that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tips on Thursday - How to Get the Best Cruise Vacation Deal
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
It's the 2-Day WOW Sale! March 27 & 28 ONLY!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tips on Thursday - Myths & Misconceptions: One and the Same?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Tips on Thursday - Riding the Wave
- Special Pricing
- Extra Value Offers
- On-Board Credits
- Cabin Upgrades (usually within the same category)
- Reduced Deposits
- On-Board Coupon Booklets