The Experience Gift

Finding that perfect gift can seem impossible at times.  We spend weeks stressing over getting the the most sought after gadgets and gizmos only to find that the thrill is over before the new year.

This year think outside the box - literally.  

Maybe this year you take a family vacation.  Spend the new year cruising in the caribbean or take the kids on their first ski trip.  You can give tickets to a play, concert, or sporting event.  Buy a family pass to your local zoo or museum and extend this gift throughout the year.  

If you have someone on your list who has a special interest, look into cooking or photography classes. 

You don’t need to break the bank, consider your holiday budget and find something that fits.  

Build memories, strengthen the bonds between you and those you love, and spend time together.  

Insider Tips for First Time Cruisers - Part 4

— Once on Board

Once you arrive on your ship, it may seem overwhelming but here are a few tips to help put you at ease:

Settle In – One of the best benefits of cruise travel is the ability to visit a variety of destinations while only having to unpack once. Take the time to unpack, settle in and then stow away luggage. This will make for a more stress-free travel experience.

Get with the Program— When it comes to ship literature, be studious. Read the ship’s daily newsletter and activity program. There may be more opportunities to explore or activities you want to try that are posted in these materials.

Appealing Apps — With cruise lines offering a plethora of ways to stay connected while at sea, consider downloading an app like Whatsapp and creating a way for every member of your party to stay connected while onboard the ship or during land-based excursions. If possible, set unique notification ringtones for specific alerts like shows, meal times, etc.

What a Travel Specialist Can Do for You -

In a world where there is endless data available on the Internet, you deserve personalized advice from professional consultants to guide you through the mountains of information.  Where ever your travel takes you, our vacation planners can help.  

Our team has extensive first hand knowledge in specific destinations, have taken courses to become a specialist in locations and has a comprehensive understanding of all the details necessary to make your trip a memorable one.  

Not only will we book the perfect resort for you, but we will work with you to create a complete itinerary including touring plans, dining recommendations, hidden tips and tricks.

Some of the destinations we specialize in: 

• Walt Disney World 
• Disneyland
• Disney Cruise Line
• Hawaii, with extensive knowledge of the island of Maui 
• Norwegian Cruise Lines
• Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas
• Caribbean Island Vacations including Aruba, St. Martin, & Anguilla
• Ireland
• European River Cruises

Insider Tips for First Time Cruisers - Part 3

- Pre-Booking Events

Excited about your upcoming adventure? We thought so. But before departure day, there are some important items you’ll need take care of first—see below. Plus check out all the things you can pre-book as well as other good-to-know info. 

Spa Treatments — Plan a morning of pampering at the spa with a luxurious lineup of signature treatments, massages, medi-spa services and salon to make you glow from the inside out.

Specialty Dining — For truly memorable culinary experiences, try diner at one of the ships specialty restaurants.  These locations expertly prepared entrees for a cover charge. Get ready to enjoy some of the best cuisine at sea!


Celebrations — If you will celebrating a special occasion during your cruise, you can arrange for wine, or gifts, such as fruit baskets, champagne, birthday cakes, canapés, flowers or other gifts for your stateroom or to the dining room.

Having everything pre-arranged means less time coordinating and more time enjoying. After all, you’re on vacation.

Insider Tips for First Time Cruisers - Part 2

 — Deciding on a destination 

Deciding on tinerary options range from close-to-home destinations to some of the most far-flung corners of the globe. Here are some broad strokes recommendations:

Beach Bums: Caribbean, Mexico, Mediterranean/Greek Islands, Hawaii, Bahamas, Bermuda, South Pacific

Nature Lovers: Alaska, Galapagos, Central America, Amazon River, Antarctica, New England/Canada, Norway

Culture Vultures: Mediterranean, North Europe/Baltic, European rivers, South America, Southeast Asia

Insider Tips for First Time Cruisers - Part 1

- Planning & Packing

Tap Into the Experts – It is a fact that 70 percent* of cruise travelers use a travel agent to book a cruise and there’s good reason. CLIA-certified travel agents have toured and traveled on cruise ships and can counsel travelers about everything from travel insurance, transfers and flights to dining options and cabin locations.

Browse the Blueprint — Get a lay of the land (or ship in this case) before boarding by previewing the ship layout on cruise line websites. Getting familiar with the ship before boarding can make the first few hours of exploring simple and even more exciting. 

Consider Packing Some “Nice to Haves” – While everyone can figure out the basics of what to pack, there are some items that only the most seasoned cruisers know to bring on a cruise vacation.

• Power Strips – Bring a power strip to make it easy to plug in multiple electronics.
• Dry Erase Board - Cabin doors are metal so bring a magnet to mark the outside of the door, making the cabin stand out and easy to find.  Also consider a magnetic dry erase board to use inside of the cabin to write notes to cabin mates or post daily itineraries.
• Wrinkle Release Spray – There are no irons available on most cruise ships, so bring along some wrinkle release spray to freshen up packed clothes.

- See more at: http://www.cruising.org/about-the-industry/press-room/press-releases/new-to-cruising-clia-travel-agents-reveal-best-tips-for-first-time-cruisers#sthash.7T8rGiS2.dpuf

When is the right time to travel with your children?

As a parent and a travel agent, this is the most frequently asked question by families.  I believe that with proper planning and reasonable expectations, there is never a “wrong” time. 

Babies, Toddlers & Pre-Schoolers — We took our youngest on her first flight when she was only three months old and by the time she was three she had been to Hawaii, Palm Springs, North Carolina, Mexico, multiple trips to Walt Disney World and her first cruise.  We adjusted our schedule, planned for breaks and learned to go with the flow.  

When traveling with toddlers and pre-schoolers, experiencing new places is seeing real magic.  Watching them playing in the ocean or meeting their favorite characters will melt your heart.  They might not remember but you’ll never forget.

Finally, traveling with pre-schoolers gives you the most flexibility in regards to timing.  When planning your vacation to popular destinations, consider going during the school year and avoid the crowds and take advantage of lower costs.

Grade Schoolers — Giving children the opportunity to experience the world firsthand instills a greater understanding of the world around them.  By experiencing new things and meeting new people, they are learning that they are members of a global community. 

Teenagers — The most challenging issue when traveling with teenagers is balancing their schedule and commitments with the rest of the family’s available time.  At this age, missing school is usually not an option therefore travel may need to be planed around school breaks but this is a time to spend together as a family before they are off to college and out of the house.