Saturday, April 11, 2009

Strategies for a Happier Cruise




We've been on several Carnival cruises and I've learned a few things through the years that I'd like to pass along. Some may not be new to you, but some may be.
  1. One thing we've always made sure to do is get to our port city at least one day early. This is especially important when your cruise leaves from Hawaii where incoming flights are limited. It's no fun to begin what should be a fun, relaxing vacation worrying about whether you'll miss the ship. There are hotels in every port city that cater to the cruise crowd.


  2. Always purchase travel insurance! I know people who skip this, but with three children and older parents, we always felt there were too many risks we weren't willing to take and cruises are expensive.


  3. Watch your fare! I know as a travel agent, we are there to serve you, our clients, but checking your fare is something you can do yourself. If the price of your cruise decreases after purchasing, call your travel agent and see what can be done. Maybe a refund or upgrade can be yours.


  4. Let your credit card company know that you'll be making purchases from out-of-the-ordinary places. Wouldn't you hate to be in some little boutique in St. Thomas, ready to purchase something only to find out there has been a hold placed on your credit card?


  5. This one goes without saying-stop your mail and newspaper, unless you have a kind neighbor.


  6. Like I mentioned in #2, I have older parents not in the best of health and it's nice to be able to keep in contact. One of the first things I do when boarding the ship is find the internet cafe and sign up for an account. That way I can send a daily email saying where we are, everyone is fine, and just make sure everything is OK at home. It's much cheaper than calling.


  7. Bring postcards from home. Before tips were automatically included in the price of your cruise, tips were given out on the last day before exiting the ship. If you're like me, you really become acquainted with the hard-working people who take care of your needs during your time onboard and you want to give them something. I would always include a hand-written thank you on my postcard along with their tip money. We still give a little something extra and I still like to write a thank you, maybe including something special they did that week that made our trip something we won't forget. The picture above was taken in the dining room on our first cruise on the Carnival Celebration when my kids were much younger.

I'm including a link to Linda Coffman's website, better known as the "Cruise Diva". I can almost guarantee that if you have a cruise question, she'll have an answer. If you've been thinking of booking a cruise, I would love to help you. Just drop me an email at marcia@libertytravelstore.com.

Until next time,

luv2travelwithme

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Carnival Has a Deal For You!





If you've been sitting on the fence, wondering if you can afford to cruise this summer, here's your answer. With Carnival, yes you can. Book a summer cruise today, or sooner, and Carnival will load up your Sail and Sign card with up to $50 per guest up to a maximum of $100 on select 3-4 day cruises; up to $75 per guest up to a maximum of $150 per stateroom on select 5 day cruises; up to $120 per guest up to a maximum of $240 per stateroom on select 6, 7 and 8 day cruises. You can use the cash anywhere on board or even on a shore excursion, but here's the best part. At the end of the cruise, if you have any money left on your card, Carnival will give it to you in the form of a check delivered to your stateroom on the morning of debarkation. How great is that?

Carnival Destiny, leaving from Miami on 6/11/09 for five days with stops in Key West and Cozumel. For a balcony stateroom you could pay approximately $680 per person for a double room including all taxes, fees and gratituties. On top of that, each person would get $75 on their Sail and Sign card.

This is just one ship and one itinerary, but there are many more available. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, I'd like to help you. Contact me at marcia@libertytravelstore.com and together we can find the best deal on a fun itinerary.

Until next time,
luv2travelwithme



Saturday, February 28, 2009

Travel Insurance--Why You Need Some

I recently booked some friends on a cruise leaving from Hawaii. Unfortunately, they weren't on it. Why you ask? There were a number of reasons, none of which were their fault. They left Kansas City on time but the plane developed engine problems and had to come back. I received a frantic plea of help as they were desperately attempting to get to Honolulu on time before their ship left the port without them. Let me point out their first mistake-flying into port on the day your ship leaves. This is never a good idea, but in an effort to save some bucks, lots of travelers do this. Their second mistake was not buying travel insurance, which according to the information below, would have helped them financially. They would have still missed their ship, but it wouldn't have hurt quite so bad.

Missed Connection: Covers missed Cruise or Trip departures which result from cancellation or delay (for three or more hours) of all regularly scheduled airline flights due to any delay of Your Common Carrier (Including inclement Weather). Maximum benefits of up to the amount shown on the Schedule of Coverage and Services are provided to cover additional transportation expenses needed for You to join the departed Cruise or Trip, reasonable accommodations, and meal expenses and non-refundable payments for the unused portion of Your Cruise or Trip.


Travel insurance is pretty cheap when compared to the entire cost of your vacation. I wouldn't travel without it.


Until next time,


luv2travelwithme

Friday, February 27, 2009

Spring Break Travel

The spring equinox is almost here. That glorious time of the year that finds my cats impatiently waiting for meals not found on the menu inside the house. What about you? Are you thinking travel? If you are, you're definitely not alone. I spent a little time today rounding up some specials on a variety of travel packages. Maybe one sounds good to you.




Choose the Gran Caribe Real Cancun and save up to 40% on your vacation package plus up to two kids stay free. Just book by March 29th. Your kids will love the new Oki Splash Water Park, complete with pirate ship, castle and water canons. For the teens and tweens, they can hang out at a club designed especially for them, the new T-zone. This United Vacations package includes:
  • Roundtrip flight, including any fuel surcharges.
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Roundtrip airport/hotel transportation
  • 24 hour customer service


Have Disney on your mind? You’re in luck! Book your vacation package including Flight + Hotel + Magic Your Way Ticket and get up to 3 nights FREE at the Walt Disney World® Resort and up to 3 days FREE on your Magic Your Way Ticket! Plus, with travel between 1/4 – 3/29/09 receive a $200 Disney Gift Card!

I've said it previously, but I don't mind saying it again-Florida is a great place to vacation, especially for younger kids. You could stay in a reasonably priced hotel/condo right on the beach with a pool and be happy and content for days. Florida is where my children first discovered the ocean, so maybe I'm just partial to this part of the U.S.


I would love the opportunity to help you plan a spring getaway. Contact me with your own personal wish list and I'll do my best to fulfill it. It costs you absolutely nothing and I might be able to find you a great deal. marcia@libertytravelstore.com



Until next time,



luv2travelwithme




Monday, February 9, 2009

Passports Not Always Needed

The decision about my family's vacation for this year has finally been made. After carefully considering our needs which are 1) beautiful beaches; 2) all-inclusive (there are 5 of us); nearness to a city or town (We like to explore plus there are several of us who feel the need to occasionally hang out with others their own age.)

Gran Porto Real in Playa del Carmen was the perfect fit. I did quite a bit of research and found a package on sale. So now we are all looking forward to a relaxing getaway where hopefully, we can hang out together as a family without the many distractions that always seem to get in the way at home. One thing we won't have to do is get our passports, because we did that last year. Spreading the cost of five passports out over several months was pretty smart of me. But what if you don't have passports? Does that mean you have to stay close to home? Absolutely not!

The passport issue has been in the news quite a bit the last few years and many still find it confusing. Check here for the most up-to-date information.

The bad news is that Mexico and most of the Caribbean is out of bounds for those who choose to remain passport-free. But don't lose hope if you're determined to get out of town to an exotic beach. How about the US Virgin Islands- St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. The islands are located in the eastern Caribbean about 1,100 miles southeast of Miami. Temperatures range from a mild 77 degrees in the winter to 83 degrees in summer.

You'll sense a Danish influence on St. Croix with towns named Frederiksted and Christiansted where you'll find quaint shops in pastel-colored buildings. The majority of St. John is a national park. Gorgeous beaches, hiking, camping and much more await visitors to this island. St. Thomas is the most visited cruise ship port in the Caribbean. In downtown Charlotte Amalie you'll find dining, nightlife, duty-free shopping and much more.

ST. THOMAS
St. Thomas boasts one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. As the most visited port in the Caribbean, downtown Charlotte Amalie offers elegant dining, exciting nightlife, duty-free shopping and even submarine rides. Though it's full of energy, especially in Charlotte Amalie, this island also possesses numerous sublime natural splendors, such as stunning views of the Caribbean from 1,500 feet above sea level. Did I mention beaches? There are some gorgeous beaches on the island.

ST. JOHN
Two thirds of St. John is a U.S. national park. It's also the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Those who frequent the island probably do so because of the beautiful beaches to be found there. There is also a ferry service available so you can stay at one island and travel to the others.

ST. CROIX
St. Croix is one of the top ten eco-friendy destinations worldwide. There's so much available on this island, from touring historic sites, nightlife, scuba diving and of course, great beaches. Take a look at this webcam located at Rumrunners, a local restaurant.


PUERTO RICO
Another choice for those without a passport is Puerto Rico. I've only visited the island once and that was while on a cruise. But what I most remember is friendly people and tiny European-looking cobblestone streets lined with small, expensive shops. We were desperately trying to get to El Morro, a fortress located on the tip of Old San Juan built to protect the town from attack by sea. Learning that the quickest way to get there was by a public bus, we set off. Residents quickly gave us directions relayed through my 8th grader's small vocabulary picked up in Spanish class. While we didn't get to the fort in time, we did meet lots of people along the way and left the city later that night with a very good feeling about the people of San Juan.
One way I like to research different locations is through forums, connecting with other travelers who have been where you want to go. The Caribbean Travel Forum is a massive website offering multitudes of information helpful to anyone planning a trip to this part of the world. Deciding where to spend your vacation dollars is always a big decision, but especially so now. Please choose carefully and I can't stress it enough, purchase travel insurance. I would love to help anyone with their vacation plans. Send me an email at marcia@libertytravelstore.com.



Until next time,




luv2travelwithme















































Saturday, February 7, 2009

My Funny Honeymoon Story

My love affair with travel began late in my life-on my honeymoon during a trip to Puerto Vallarta. Until then, I had never been on a plane or ventured close to an ocean. Although we have never gone back for another visit, I know the city has changed and grown since 1983. There is one event from that long ago trip that I can still recall almost as if it happened yesterday.
It happened the day before we were scheduled to return home. We'd had a great time touring the city, eating and shopping. We even had a taxi driver take us to his home to meet his wife and newborn baby. That's another memory I'll never forget. On this particular day, we were laying out by the pool when a tour guide that we had gone out with several times that week came by. He was heading up to a restaurant in the mountains and wondered if anyone wanted to join him. We went along with several other couples. The drive took quite awhile as we slowly drove up a twisty, curvy road, farther than we'd ever traveled that week, but he promised it would be worth it. Soon we arrived at an open air restaurant that was reached by climbing down a long staircase. Everyone sat down, looking at menus and just enjoying the atmosphere.

All of a sudden, we spied a young boy riding down the stairs on horseback followed by a dog. He had what appeared to be a clean, men's handkerchief tied around his mouth, looking much like young boys do when pretending to be cowboys. In his hand he carried a long stick with some type of knife attached to the end with masking tape. He slowly began walking around the restaurant without causing much of a stir among the employees and there were not many guests yet. Now, what do you think was running through our minds at this time? Were we frightened? Screaming? Crawling under the tables while clutching our valuables? No, remember this is 1983 and we were Americans. Obviously, this was a SHOW, staged for our viewing enjoyment. We continued this line of thinking until the "bandito" came our way and demanded our purses, cameras and any other valuables he thought we'd give up to him. Then, he slowly turned around and went out the way he came, his faithful dog still following behind him.

You're probably thinking we all jumped up and chased after him, right? He didn't have a gun and we clearly outnumbered him. No, we all sat there like stooges, waiting for him to return with our valuables, because this was a SHOW. As you can imagine, this wasn't a show and we never saw any of our things again. Every picture we'd taken on that trip was taken along with our camera. We did what we thought we should do when something like this happens. There was some type of visitor's office in the town, but nobody spoke English. Luckily, we were able to get a few pictures from others who had been with us that week and I'm grateful for that. The best thing about this event was that it made for a good story. People would laugh until their eyes watered when hearing this story. I mean, how could we have been so stupid?

The lesson we learned from this is that when you leave the U.S., the rules change. In fact, there might not be rules. Always be careful, constantly looking for a young boy (guess he'd be an old guy by now) riding on horseback, followed by an old dog while holding a long stick.

Until next time,
luv2travelwithme

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Packing Tips

How would you describe your packing style? One of our frequent travel buddies likes to be prepared for anything. Rather than packing just enough outfits needed for a 7 day cruise, she prefers to pack enough to provide her with choices. Maybe she won't feel like wearing a particular outfit she packed for the second formal night of a cruise, so she packs several. Of course, this means more shoes and purses to complete those outfits. I'm more of a bare-bones packer. My goal, which at the moment hasn't been met, is to fit everything I need for a 7 day cruise into one suitcase. Since I don't wear dresses or skirts, my choices are comprised of slacks and various tops. I make sure that each choice can be worn with the same pair of dressy shoes, bringing my shoe wardrobe up to three for the entire voyage. Of course I must remind you that I am the one who once left several outfits destined for the dining room at home in my closet. Thank goodness they weren't mine!



Our first cruise departed from New Orleans and since we'd never been there, we arrived two days early. Add to that the drive from Kansas City, our clothes spent approximately three to four days packed like sardines in our suitcases. Thanks to my shrewd packing skills, there was not a wrinkle to be found when they were unpacked onboard Carnival's Celebration.


Everyone has their own method for packing clothes to yield the fewest wrinkles and I'm no different. Mine involves a multitude of dry cleaning bags which we got for free from our local cleaners. For wrinkle-free clothes, follow these steps:
  1. Place all blouses/shirts/pants/skirts on hangers.
  2. Put one to two hangers of clothing inside each dry cleaning bag.
  3. Begin laying these items in your suitcase. Stretch them completely out without folding in the middle.
  4. After filling approximately half of the suitcase in this way, fill it up the rest of the way with folded/rolled clothes, leaving a little room at the top.
  5. Fold the bottom half of the clothing in the dry cleaner bags over the folded clothes, forming a clothing sandwich.

I've also heard that using tissue paper works but I've never tried it. You'll find a multitude of packing methods on the web, in case you don't care for mine. As a public service, I've provided links so you can check them out for yourself. Mine are really the best though. Really.



One Bag
Create a custom packing list for any journey
Cruise Vacation Packing List
The Cruise Diva packing list
Cruise Clues Packing List



This should keep you busy for awhile. If you need some assistance planning this trip, I'm available. That sort of makes me sound like the last girl standing on the girl's side of the gym, waiting for someone to ask her to dance. That's OK, I can live with that.



Until next time,



luv2travelwithme
http://www.liberty-travelstore.com/








Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Great Deals on Cruises


I've been quite busy lately, and it seems the bulk of my work has been quoting and booking cruises. The cruise lines have some spectacular sales right now, especially for those able to "pack up and go". In other words, be spontaneous. Here are just a few Carnival cruises-


  • 3 days out of San Diego 3/19 and 4/2 as low as $199 per person

  • 4 days out of Miami 4/2 as low as $279 per person

  • 5 days out of Miami 3/9 as low as $359 per person

Have you cruised on Carnival before? Receive great savings plus a FREE 2 category upgrade. You have until March 31st to get in on this special.


Norwegian Cruise Line is giving away up to $250 on-board credit per stateroom plus pay as low as $99 for all 3rd-8th guests staying in your stateroom. I just saved a client a nice amount of money just by searching for promotions she was eligible for. Would a do-it-yourself booking engine do that for you? There are good deals to be had for those wishing to travel. Give a travel agent a try.

Until next time,

luv2travelwithme




Sunday, January 25, 2009

All Inclusive Travel Packages


Ok I lied. Thinking a cruise would make our entire family happy as clams, I blissfully embarked on my journey to locate a cruise that would not only fit into our budget, but also provide us with at least one new port to explore. That was before the youngest one suggested we try something different, perhaps step outside our comfort zone and go someplace none of us had ever been before. That got me to thinking about all-inclusive resorts and how they can be found all over the Caribbean and Mexico, but strangely enough, none in the U.S. except for Club Med.

The first step is to decide where you'd like to go. What must you have on your vacation to make it an enjoyable experience? Gorgeous beaches? Activities plus kid programs? Great food? Top notch alcohol? All can be found although maybe not in one spot and at a price you can afford.


Step two-when do you want to go? We have no choice since we're all still in school and I've always been a firm believer that kids belong in school when it's in session and not on a family vacation. Just my personal opinion. Unfortunately, you'll find higher prices and quite possibly, hurricanes this time of the year.

Now that you've decided where and when, comes the research. This is something I've always enjoyed, even before I decided to become a travel agent. It's extremely important that I know exactly what I'll find when arriving at my chosen vacation location and sometimes, or I should say always, requires hours of research. Have I mentioned Trip Advisor yet? Even if I have, I'll risk repeating myself. This website provides an immense amount of information for those seeking information about particular destinations and resorts. I believe some information might be biased toward a hotel or resort, but read as many reviews as possible and make your own decisions. Or you could hire a travel agent like myself, to do the research for you. You never have to pay a fee and I can usually save clients some of their hard-earned money. There is also a fun game on the Trip Advisor website that tests your travel IQ.


My travel plans are still stuck on step one-where to go. Just when I think I have it all thought out, I stumble upon some exciting location with beautiful beaches and reasonable prices and the search begins all over again. I would be a horrible client for any travel agent. Right now I'm seriously considering Playa del Carmen, located about 20 minutes south of Cancun. Great beaches, although some have suffered erosion in the past few years. Many resorts to choose from although the one that catches my eye is Gran Porto Real and I'll tell you why. I've spent hours reading the reviews on Trip Advisor and a great majority of them are good. In fact, I had to really search to find a not-so-good one. It's on a pretty beach; several restaurants and bars to choose from; it's right next to the small town of Playa del Carmen. This is important to us because we are wanderers. Staying on a resort and never leaving it for six nights sounds like prison, while for many others, this is heaven. To each his own and here you could have both. Stay at the resort and take advantage of the many many activities and eating/drinking opportunities offered; or spend time at the resort but know that there is more to see within walking distance. I've also discovered youtube.com. I know, I'm slow. Type in the name of a resort and hopefully, you'll have a choice of videos giving you a way to "see it before you buy".

I think I just made up my mind. This is where my family will go this summer-the Gran Porto Real in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. But of course, there's still the Dominican Republic to check out and I don't HAVE to make up my mind right now.

Happy travels,

luv2travelwithme









Saturday, January 10, 2009

Cruise Vacations are THE Way to Go!


The best vacation we ever embarked upon was a cruise. While the Florida beach was great, kids do grow up and digging holes in the sand isn't as much fun as a teenager as when you were 6 or 7. More entertainment alternatives are required and a cruise is the perfect choice for many reasons.


PACKING: I absolutely hate packing but even worse is the unpacking. When all five of us come home from a vacation, our suitcases can sit half-unpacked for so long I have to begin dusting them. On a cruise, you’ll get to visit several different destinations but only unpack once. What a deal! According to the Cruise Diva, Linda Coffman, a packing list is very important and I couldn't agree more. Even with a packing list, I once managed to leave several outfits destined for the dining room hanging in my closet at home.


FREE FOOD: I shouldn’t say “free” because it’s included in the cost of your cruise, but it will feel like it’s free when you don’t have to dig through your pockets for another burger or hotdog or slice of pizza. You know what it’s like to be strolling down the beach only to hear “I’m hungry” and only nachos from that one little place down the way will do. Of course, if you were smart and planned ahead, you’d have a cooler of nutritious munchies ready for just this particular moment. Or you can take your kids on a cruise and send them to the food court or whatever you’d like to call it for a meal or snack or whatever they desire. Watch a Princess dining video or look at the many choices available on Carnival.

On a cruise, meal times are no longer a battlefield with my husband insisting they order from the children’s menu even though they’re 13 and 15 because it’s cheaper. If you go away hungry after eating in the dining room on a cruise ship, it’s your own fault. Your waiter will bring you as many entrees that you can possibly put away. If you’re still feeling a little “empty”, head up to the Lido deck where the choices will astound you and if midnight finds you still awake and hungry, more eating opportunities await at the midnight buffet.

FREE ENTERTAINMENT: Once again, paid for in the price of your cruise. For my three, alternating between ping pong and going down the huge several-stories slide kept them satisfied for hours. The majority of cruise lines have kid's programs which are also included in the price of the cruise. They even offer group babysitting in the evenings so parents can get some grown-up time.

We’ve been fortunate to go on several cruises and we now have our favorite islands which I’ll share with you.


Remember when I said a gorgeous beach was a must? Even though it's extremely "touristy" (is that a word?) Magen's Bay is our favorite. Beautiful clear water, necessary if you intend to keep away from Stingrays. Calm with no waves or current, the water is great for floating along and for swimming. The island of St. Thomas is busy and bustling all day because it is a very popular stop for cruise ships. You'll find many shopping opportunities if that's what you seek. The people are friendly and eager to help and answer questions. The last time we visited St. Thomas, we happened upon a gentleman and his donkey. For a few dollars you could have your picture snapped standing next to a donkey named Oprah!


This island is unique because ships don't actually dock there. Instead, passengers must be tendered to the island in smaller boats, kind of like water taxis. Grand Cayman is very upscale and rich looking. Must have something to do with all those banks that call the island home. Should you decide to rent a vehicle, remember you'll be driving on the other side of the road. I don't want to tell you want to do, but I'd definitely recommend purchasing insurance.

Cruise Critic is a wonderful resource for those interesting in learning about the world of cruising. I rely on it myself, especially the forums which come in very handy for up-to-date information on a particular ship. You'll also find information on many destinations, like Grand Cayman.


The most beautiful beach I've ever visited, 7 Mile Beach, was on Grand Cayman. White, powdery sand; crystal clear, blue-green water; great for swimming and floating around on a raft; no stingrays. Now that you mention stingrays, this is funny. You can actually visit a place called Stingray City near Grand Cayman, where you get to swim with stingrays. You can even feed them. Even though these creatures make my top ten list of "things to avoid at all cost", I went on this excursion. All I can say is it was magnificent and when one of these guys swims up next to you, the feeling can be compared to a cat rubbing itself against your legs.

Cruises have always been the best choice for our family. In fact, I'm in the process of planning one right now. The most difficult task is deciding where to go. We'd love to do a southern Caribbean route from San Juan, but the airfare for five is a little pricey. That dream will have to wait. I'd love to hear about some of your travel adventures.


Until next time,


luv2travelwithme










Sunday, January 4, 2009

Family Vacations

Travel can be fun and educational, especially when new destinations are viewed through the eyes of your children. But travel can also be extremely expensive, especially for a family of five. For those intent to get out of town, especially land-locked Kansas City, determination plus a sack full of gift wrapped cheap toys and plenty of snacks, a beach vacation is definitely within your reach.

First you must decide where you'd like to go. During a previous trip to Disney World, we made the drive to Clearwater, Florida and instantly fell in love with the laid-back atmosphere and of course it satisfied our number one requirement for any vacation destination-it had to have a beach. One of the best things about the Clearwater beach is the sand! Soft, fine grains and blindingly white. Take a little time and visit Clearwater before committing yourself to a long trip.

Your next task is to determine where you will rest your weary selves after a day spent in the sun. I forgot to mention that these marathon trips were always taken with some extended family with kids the same age as mine which brought our population up to nine. The very best option, at least for us, was a condominimum and this area of Florida is jam packed with this type of accommodations. The Ram Sea located in North Reddington Beach was our favorite. It's located right on a gorgeous beach with lots of fun activities nearby. Kids are guaranteed an awesome experience which means that parents can also relax. The individually-owned units were always updated and exceptionally clean. We always felt safe in the surrounding neighborhood and the employees were pleasant and helpful.

Even if you have to stay someplace other than the Ram Sea, you will still have a super vacation. I guarantee it! Not to be confused with a "money-back" guarantee.

Frenchy's (our favorite and right on the beach)
In my opinion, January is the PERFECT month to plan a vacation. The weather stinks and it gives you something to look forward to.

Talk to you soon and be careful out there.
luv2travelwithme