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Issue 200 - 8/29/05
INTRODUCTION Hello there! I’ll be writing you weekly with everything you wanted to know about cruising and vacation (holiday) travel. Today I would like to focus on a few of the “myths” of cruising. There are so many great things about cruising and yet so many people are reluctant to give cruising a try. I would like to dispel a few of those “myths” in hopes of opening a new vacation avenue for you to enjoy. The first is the belief that cruising is “too expensive”. One reason for this belief is that we aren’t used to paying for our whole vacation experience at once and well in advance of departure. We forget that since a cruise is inclusive, it will seem to have a high price tag. If you compare the total expenses of your last vacation you can easily see that cruising can be a great value and in many cases less expensive than land based vacations. Secondly, “cruises are boring”. I think this comes from the old transatlantic crossings, when the most some passengers did was sit in a deck chair bundled up in a blanket and maybe played a rousing game of shuffleboard. Even though, one can still do just that onboard there are now a gazillion other choices, well maybe a few less than a gazillion. Did you know there are cruise ships that offer rock climbing, ice skating rinks and golf? And of course swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, casinos and evening entertainment to name just a few. So cruising today is a totally different experience. “Cruises are only for older people.” Although cruising is a great experience for mature passengers there are cruises geared toward the younger passenger. The majority of cruises, however, cater to passengers from just about every age group, with the average age becoming lower and lower. So no mater what your age, there is a cruise just right for you. “I’ll eat too much and put on weight.” Cruise veterans jokingly refer to “five-pound cruises” and “tenpound cruises.” The reality today is this: Low-calorie, healthy dining choices are increasingly available on ships, plus exercise opportunities (you should see the large, full service gyms on most ships now days!) allow you to work off all those calories. Or at least some of them…. Honestly I’ve been on many cruises and only put on a few pounds that came off after I returned home and didn’t use the gym onboard very often which I’m ashamed to admit. I hoped I’ve answered a few of the questions you may have had about cruises. There are so many wonderful opportunities out there. I will be highlighting a different destination and cruise line every week. Issue 201 - 9/5/05
EXPLORING ALASKA Beginning in the 1890’s travelers to Alaska have gone to see glaciers, wildlife and wilderness beyond belief. Nothing in this world compares to the sight of a monumental glacier calving icebergs into the sea. Your ship will linger in front of the most active glaciers in the world. At the College Fjord you see sixteen glorious rivers of ice line up to starboard and port. Wildlife surrounds you. Whales, dolphins, sea lions, otters and every imaginable species of seabird make the Inside Passage home. Imagine standing on your balcony and beneath you cruising alongside your ship you spot a family of dolphins. Watching these beautiful creatures your heart skips a beat. Did you bring your binoculars? Along our cruise we stop in several ports. Ketchikan is Alaska’s first city also known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” The buildings in this city are on steep hillsides along the water. Here we can visit Saxman Native Village and discover the Tlingit Indian culture with spectacular totem poles. We may decide to do the Wilderness Exploration and Crab Feed shore excursion or embark on a Misty Fjords Flight seeing trip. Sitka is situated on Baranof Island and nestled between snowy mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most beautiful seaside towns along our journey. We have difficulty deciding which of the exciting shore excursions to take. Should we see the Historic Russian America & Raptor Center or take a sea kayaking adventure? Next is Skagway named the “Gateway to the Klondike.” It is preserved as a National Historic Park and features one of the oldest narrow-gauge railroads in the world. Here we may just want to step back in time and soak up the local flavor in the colorful taverns or spend time looking through the interesting shops. We could decide to take a Valley of the Glaciers Helicopter Tour or try our hand at dog sledding or maybe take the White Pass Summit Scenic Railway. These are just a few of the ports to visit on our itinerary. Depending on which cruise line you choose your cruise may end in either Whittier or Seward. Cruise lines sail northbound or southbound from both these ports. They also offer three to nine night pre or post escorted motorcoach tours to many different exciting and breathtaking areas inside Alaska, such as Denali National Park where on a clear day you can view the majestic Mount Mc Kinnley, see moose, bears and many of the other park residents. Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruises are a few of the major lines that offer the cruise of “many wonders.” The cruise you will be talking about for a lifetime. I will be taking you aboard a few of these pampering, luxurious ships in next week’s article. Issue 202 - 9/12/05
FLOATING RESORT Cruise ships have been called a floating resort. They are also considered a destination in and of themselves. Once you’ve been aboard one of these grand vessels you will know exactly what they mean. There are many choices of extraordinary ships that sail to and from the shores of Alaska; Princess Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Holland America Line and NCL to name a few. We have arrived at the port terminal whether it is Seattle, Vancouver, Seward or Whittier. Our luggage is tagged and taken from us to be delivered to our stateroom. We check in with a cruise line representative who reviews our documents, takes our credit card imprint to cover on board charges and gives us any materials we need. (This is equivalent of checking in at a hotel front desk.) We now pass through security where our carry-on-luggage is screened similar to airport screening. We make our way up the gangway – the walkway that connects the ship with the dock. The ship’s photographer may take our picture – this is the first of many photo ops. After we have entered the ship we may pass through yet another security check. Once through with these tedious operations we find that the boredom is left behind and the fun begins! We are greeted by a crew member who offers us a “welcome aboard” drink, maybe champagne or orange juice. Now we can feel all the tension leaving our bodies. Ok but where is our stateroom? A crew member offers to escort us to our stateroom. We let him/her as by now we are a bit confused and have put our brains on pause. This is what they are there for to cater to our needs and desires (within reason of course). We are led to a set of elevators that deliver us to the appropriate deck. Since we had decided on this trip, with all the gorgeous scenery we would secure a stateroom with a balcony. And as the door is opened we know we’ve made the right decision. What a beautifully appointed place to stay for what - ONLY 7 days! We settle in and review any in-room literature, such as the daily activity log to find out what happens next. We’re eager to explore the ship to see the spectacular dining rooms, pools, and the grand foyer! Well folks I guess we have to wait until next week to visit the rest of the ship. Issue 203 - 9/19/05
CRUISING AND HURRICANES Cruise ships have been called a floating resort. They are also considered a destination in and of themselves. Once you’ve been aboard one of these grand vessels you will know exactly what they mean. There are many choices of extraordinary ships that sail to and from the shores of Alaska; Princess Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Holland America Line and NCL to name a few. We have arrived at the port terminal whether it is Seattle, Vancouver, Seward or Whittier. Our luggage is tagged and taken from us to be delivered to our stateroom. We check in with a cruise line representative who reviews our documents, takes our credit card imprint to cover on board charges and gives us any materials we need. (This is equivalent of checking in at a hotel front desk.) We now pass through security where our carry-on-luggage is screened similar to airport screening. We make our way up the gangway – the walkway that connects the ship with the dock. The ship’s photographer may take our picture – this is the first of many photo ops. After we have entered the ship we may pass through yet another security check. Once through with these tedious operations we find that the boredom is left behind and the fun begins! We are greeted by a crew member who offers us a “welcome aboard” drink, maybe champagne or orange juice. Now we can feel all the tension leaving our bodies. Ok but where is our stateroom? A crew member offers to escort us to our stateroom. We let him/her as by now we are a bit confused and have put our brains on pause. This is what they are there for to cater to our needs and desires (within reason of course). We are led to a set of elevators that deliver us to the appropriate deck. Since we had decided on this trip, with all the gorgeous scenery we would secure a stateroom with a balcony. And as the door is opened we know we’ve made the right decision. What a beautifully appointed place to stay for what - ONLY 7 days! We settle in and review any in-room literature, such as the daily activity log to find out what happens next. We’re eager to explore the ship to see the spectacular dining rooms, pools, and the grand foyer! Well folks I guess we have to wait until next week to visit the rest of the ship. Issue 204 - 9/26/05
NORTH TO ALASKA Where you decide to vacation is important, but how you get there can really make a difference. And if you’ve decided to cruise it’s extremely important. As we know there are several cruise lines to choose from and each one has something a little different to offer the cruising passenger. This is where a personal cruise expert is of vital importance. That of course is where I come in. It’s important to match your preferences and needs to the right cruise line on the right ship. This week we will explore the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. They have dedicated three of their finest ships to explore the Alaskan shores. They are the Vision of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas. To further your Alaskan experience on a land cruise tour Royal Caribbean’s state-of-the-art Wilderness Express traincars will take you inland to more amazing sights. We have chosen a balcony stateroom with breathtaking views of the ocean and sights along our journey. We have a sitting area with a sofa bed, two twin beds or one queen-size bed, a TV and telephone, private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hair dryer. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Our bags have been delivered to our stateroom, but we want to explore the ship before we unpack. Out the door we go -- what fun to explore. We find our way to the elevators and decide to start at the top of the ship. At the very top of this ship we find the sports court complete with a rock climbing wall, a golf simulator and mini golf course. We continue our exploration down to the other levels to find a day spa, several swimming pools, hot tubs, outdoor cafes, several lounges, a jogging track, a state-of-the-art fitness center. We also find a billiard room, nightclubs, casinos, shops and a library, not to mention the beautiful theater. This ship boasts a nine-story glass Centrum with glass elevators facing out to sea. The ship is spectacular everywhere we look. With the Gold Anchor Service from the captain who pilots the ship to the wine steward and the spinning instructor at the spa who are committed to a level of service that the guests invariably marvel at we get the impression the entire crew is concerned with giving us the best cruise possible. Yes, we can relax and allow the entire crew to spoil us – just for a while -- anticipating our every need. Issue 205 - 10/3/05
PASSPORT GUIDELINES A number of my customers tell me they are concerned about the upcoming Passport Requirements being introduced by the United States government. In an effort to increase security measures, the US government will be requiring travelers to use Passports for air and sea travels to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central/South America, Mexico and Canada in order to enter or reenter the U.S. This was originally scheduled to go into effect January of 2006. Please note that while the upcoming deadline has been lifted, the U.S. government still plans to implement the rules for all countries by January 2008. Therefore, it is still wise to obtain Passports for your future travels. Why? The possibilities of cruising are endless. Imagine taking an adventurous excursion exploring the Continental Divide in the Panama Canal or venturing to the beautiful island of Tahiti. In fact, some of the world’s most beautiful scenery exists near the Caribbean, Tahiti and the Panama Canal. I tell my customers, my friends and family to obtain a passport as soon as possible. It can take up to three months to receive it and sometimes it takes a while to gather the necessary documents to send to the passport agency. You may obtain a passport either through the U.S. Post Office or through an agency (extra charges will be applied). Imagine if you had the opportunity to go out of the country and you didn’t have your passport! You might have to turn down a great opportunity. Very sad. Although the Monument Post Office does NOT offer passport services, the Palmer Lake Post Office does as well as the Briargate Post Office. You may pick up instructions and the application at those locations and check on the hours they will accept the completed applications. Each person applying must be present (including children) to turn in the completed applications. For you techies I understand the process can be done online. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call me. I will be glad to help Issue 206 - 10/10/05
SPRING BREAK... MAKE PLANS EARLY A number of my customers tell me they are concerned about the upcoming Passport Requirements being introduced by the United States government. In an effort to increase security measures, the US government will be requiring travelers to use Passports for air and sea travels to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central/South America, Mexico and Canada in order to enter or reenter the U.S. This was originally scheduled to go into effect January of 2006. Please note that while the upcoming deadline has been lifted, the U.S. government still plans to implement the rules for all countries by January 2008. Therefore, it is still wise to obtain Passports for your future travels. Why? The possibilities of cruising are endless. Imagine taking an adventurous excursion exploring the Continental Divide in the Panama Canal or venturing to the beautiful island of Tahiti. In fact, some of the world’s most beautiful scenery exists near the Caribbean, Tahiti and the Panama Canal. I tell my customers, my friends and family to obtain a passport as soon as possible. It can take up to three months to receive it and sometimes it takes a while to gather the necessary documents to send to the passport agency. You may obtain a passport either through the U.S. Post Office or through an agency (extra charges will be applied). Imagine if you had the opportunity to go out of the country and you didn’t have your passport! You might have to turn down a great opportunity. Very sad. Although the Monument Post Office does NOT offer passport services, the Palmer Lake Post Office does as well as the Briargate Post Office. You may pick up instructions and the application at those locations and check on the hours they will accept the completed applications. Each person applying must be present (including children) to turn in the completed applications. For you techies I understand the process can be done online. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call me. I will be glad to help Issue 207 - 10/17/05
CHOOSE THE PANAMA CANAL FOR THE ACTIVE CRUISER In past years, the highlight of a Panama Canal cruise usually came while lounging in a deck chair transiting the locks and listening to historical facts about the canal being broadcast over the ship’s PA system. Oh how things have changed. Today’s passenger transiting the canal can really get up and go by taking advantage of several adventurous excursions ranging from helicopter rides over the canal to an outrigger canoe tour of Puntarenas. For example, a helicopter excursion may only last 20 minutes but it will give you the view and thrill of a lifetime. These fuly narrated flights take you over the town site of Gatun with the locks on one side and U.S. Military base of Fort Davis on the other. Next, you’ll fly over the large container terminals in Cristobal and the city of Colon. You’ll then head west across the tropical rain forest to the ruins of the Spanish Fort San Lorenzo. Finally it’s up to the Charges River at treetop height, back over the Gatun Spillway Dam and around your ship for photos that will last a lifetime. If being airborne isn’t your thing, then maybe it’s time to get back to the water with an outrigger canoe excursion of Puntarenas. This tour combines the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, and the fun of a kayak aboard a U.S. Coast Guard-approved outrigger canoe. The half-day program allows you to enjoy the secluded beaches and coves on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. As you help paddle along, you’ll glide past spectacular cliffs and land on secluded beaches offering some of the best snorkeling found on the Central Pacific Coast. These are only a few of the shore excursion choices you will have on a Panama Canal cruise. There are several choices for cruising the Panama Canal. But Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises all deliver an over-the-top experience. |
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