Honeymoon Planning

Honeymoon Planning Tips

1. Plan early.  Typically the honeymoon is the last thing couples plan.  This is a big mistake. Advance planning allows you to choose the resort or destination with optimal advantages.  If you wait until the last minute, you will get the leftovers that no one else wanted.

2. Talk it over between the two of you and decide where you want to go. If you are having problems deciding, call your travel professional and let her offer some suggestions.  The decision needs to be mutually agreed upon.

3. Land or Sea?  There are cruises to fit every budget and personality but perhaps an all-inclusive vacation is more for you?  If you decide on a cruise, do not scrimp on the cabin.  The same goes for a land vacation.  Treat yourself to the nicest accommodations you can afford.  This is your honeymoon and it should stand out from all the rest.

4. All inclusive resorts are extremely popular with honeymooners.  It’s one price and you will know up front exactly what it will cost you.  They include everything from tips, to drinks to activities,  but beware.  If you are not huge drinkers or won’t take advantage of all the activities offered to you, then you will be paying a lot of money for services you don’t need.

5. Have a reasonable budget and don’t scrimp.  This is a once in a lifetime experience.  You should allow yourself the most you can afford.  The extra money will be well worth it.  Plan a budget and let your travel agent know what you want but allow about a 10% cushion.

6. Pack a couple of weeks before the wedding and get that part out of the way.  It’s one less thing you will need to do before the wedding.

7. Buy travel insurance.  Travel insurance will protect from the unexpected.

To sum it up….plan ahead, use a travel professional, and budget wisely and realistically.  You don’t want to become one of those couples who end up with a story of the Honeymoon from Hell.

Honeymoon Cruises

Congratulations, you’re engaged!  If you’re in the market for the ultimate, hassle-free honeymoon, think about hitting the high seas onboard a cruise ship.

Here are my top ten reasons for taking a honeymoon cruise:

1. Inclusive vacation.  One prices pays for your meals, entertainment and use of all the facilities onboard the ship
2. Romance.  Secluded beaches, spa services for two, in suite balcony dining to name a few
3. Delicious Food
4. Variety.  There are over 150 ships and thousands of itineraries to choose from
5. Activities.  Be as active or relaxed as you want to be
6. Simplicity.  You won’t need a vacation from your vacation
7. Pampering. From spa services to deluxe ding
8. New Horizons. You can wake up in a new place every day with no packing and unpacking
9. Value.  A cruise is a one stop shop and a great value for the money spent
10. Satisfaction.  Cruises rate a 97% satisfaction rate

As the saying goes…..”You haven’t lived until you’ve cruised”

Super size my Port

Super Size my Port Please

Don’t look now but Fort Lauderdale’s cruise port is more than tripling the size of one of its cruise terminals in time for the arrival of Royal Caribbean International’s 5,400-passenger Oasis-class of ships, the largest cruise ships in the world. When completed, Terminal 18 will become the largest single-ship cruise terminal in the world.   Guests will be treated to the Oasis experience as soon as they enter the terminal according to port officials.   The grand opening is planned to coincide with the arrival of the ship in November 2009.  Oasis of the Seas will use the terminal initially and will be joined by its sister ship, Allure of the Seas, a year later.

The terminal will be more than three times larger than existing terminals, with a total of 240,000 square feet on two floors. The terminal will be large enough to accommodate both arriving and departing cruise passengers and their luggage simultaneously. In the new Terminal 18, guests will debark and embark through entirely different sections of the building, permitting the simultaneous debarking of guests from the ship while embarking guests are processed and seated inside the terminal waiting to board the ship. The terminal area for debarking guests is 102,000 square feet on two levels, while the arrival hall for embarking guests is in the new section and encompasses 138,000 square feet on two levels. The goal is that once the ship is cleared for embarkation, the transition for guests to go from curbside to the ship can be completed in 15 minutes.
There will be 22 booths for U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel to process guests after their cruise. The embarkation area will feature 90 check-in counters and a bank of overhead video screens that provide arriving guests with directions and information. Terminal 18 is located in the center of Port Everglades directly on the port’s main thoroughfare. It is separated from other cruise terminals so that vehicular traffic to and from the terminal is isolated and can move smoothly.

Stay tuned…the Cruise Chick will be sailing on the Oasis November 20, 2009

Can You Trust Cruise Reviews

Cruise Chatter

There was recently a rather large dust up when it was disclosed that a major cruise line had given away some free cruises to a core group of its fans who posted regularly on a large cruise community site.  There were many cries of “foul” and “reverse censorship”.  While this may have been blown a bit out of proportion, it does open the door to a question lots of novice cruisers ask.  And the question is “Should I trust the reviews I read on sites like Cruise Critic?”  The answer is Yes and No.

Why the ambiguity?  Because the most important thing to remember that what you are reading is just one person (or couple’s) opinion about a particular ship, cruise line or service amenity.  Have you ever gone to a shore side restaurant that a friend raves about and found it to be very disappointing?  I think we all have.  And what about that fabulous plumber who was recommended strongly?  The one who broke the pipe and flooded your new carpet?  Oops.

So, it is best to consider these reviews with a grain of salt.  They are good for general trends and recommendations and certainly provide some insider tips.  Generally, if there are a large number of reviews and all or most of them are negative on a topic, there is likely to be some underlying cause.  Then again, there is a certain group of people that would complain if they got a million dollars in cash that it was in old bills and not crisp new ones.  Go figure.

The fact that 80% of all people who cruise indicate they will sail again points out that if you work with a knowledgeable cruise agent and he or she matches your needs with the most suitable ship, it is almost inevitable that you will have a great vacation.

Too Many Sites Makes for Poor Eyes

Another “cutting edge” travel website was just announced.  It leads to the question of “how many websites does a person need to visit to get information about travel offers?”   Since we focus on the cruise business, let’s take a look at this particular segment to see if we can shed some light on the question.

The first thing to understand when you let your fingers do the shopping online is that virtually all cruise travel sites develop their prices from the same “feed”.   For the digitally challenged, this just means that the cruise lines deliver pricing from their central computer. This means for all practical purposes, cruise travel sites offer up the same rates. 

 One great myth is that the cruise lines who sell directly to the public (mostly the mass market lines) have special, direct rates different from a cruise agent.  Wrong, my fellow cruisers!  In fact, an independent cruise agent can often find you rates lower than the cruise line.  We will give you some hot tips.  But, first,we have to get this off our chest. 

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU ONLY SHOP DIRECTLY WITH A CRUISE LINE????  First of all, that cruise line employee is paid to get your booking as fast as possible and move on to the next sale.  And, heaven forbid, maybe instead of cruise line ABC you really belong on cruise line XYZ, what is the chance that the cruise line agent will say “Oh you really belong on cruise line XYZ and not us”.   Your local cruise agent invests time and interest in YOU and has a goal of creating repeat business.   Where, When,  and How you cruise is very important to your specialist.

Now onto those hot tips.  Your local cruise agent not only views the pricing feeds from the cruise lines, but also may have access to what is known as group rates.  Also, there are often unadvertised specials that are made available from time to time that might include special benefits such as upgrades, onboard credits, spa treatments, complimentary alternate dining.   Your agent can also check for regional promotions, senior and public safety discounts, past passenger specials and lots more.

Get the picture?  Maybe instead of surfing a dozen web sites and seeing the same information over and over put a local cruise agent to work for you.  They don’t charge for their basic services and often find these hidden lower rates.  Let them play detective for you!

Truth or Myth?

 

What do the “Abominable Snowman”, the “Loch Ness Monster” and “Booking Cruises Directly with the Cruise Line is Cheaper” all have in common?  Answer: They are all myths.  While we may not be experts on the first two subjects, at Cruise Planners we can certainly shed some light about direct booking myths.

 

First of all, let’s face it, a sales representative at a cruise line gets paid to sell only their company whether it’s the right product for you or not.  They will never recommend the competition.  That should be enough right there to make you stop and think.  But wait, there’s more!  Special prices?  At Cruise Planners we see the same rates on the computer as the cruise line sales representative.  But more importantly, in addition, we have access to unique rates such as exclusive group fares, regional specials, and other special rate programs.

 

The most important part of planning a cruise is not getting the lowest price.  The real goal should be to get the right cruise for your personal needs at the best price available.   At Cruise Planners there is no charge for our basic services as we are compensated by the cruise lines for providing personal service to you.  It’s the best deal in town.  While we can’t help with sightings of the Snowman or Lochie we can plan the cruise vacation of lifetime for you. 

 

Cruisng the Hawaiian Islands

Napali Coast

Diamond Head

Marvelous Maui

Experiencing the Hawaiian Islands by cruise ship is the way to go!  We sailed a 7 night itinerary on the Pride of America.  The beauty of Hawaii is beyond description and is truly a destination ideal for cruising. Pictures cannot do these islands justice….seeing is believing.

Here are a few pointers and highlights…..

Always arrive at least 2 days early (particularly from the east coast).  You will need to adjust to the time change and you shouldn’t miss the beautiful island of Oahu.  Do not miss Pearl Harbor and the North Shore.

Do your homework and plan your days so that you can pace yourself . Do not try to do too much in too little time.  Stop to “smell the roses” but in Hawaii, it’s more likely to be Orchids.  The flowers are abundant and tantalizing.

Gas is very expensive in Hawaii so if you rent a car, be leery of free upgrades to an SUV.  It could cost you a pretty penny in extra gas.

In Kauai, the helicopter tour is an absolute must. The Napali coast is spectacular and though you will sail by it, seeing  it from above will take your breath away.

Arguably, the best and most authentic luau is the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui.

This is a great destination for families but extremely popular for honeymoon couples as well.

Pack light and casual…..no need to dress up on this itinerary.

On your cruise you will pack and unpack  once and get to all the islands without the hassles of island hopping and dealing with the airlines and airport hassles. You will overnight in both Maui and Kauai and get to both Hilo and Kona on the big island. 

The word “shacka” means chill out or no problem.

Hawaii is truly paradise. It’s nearly perfect weather and beautiful sand beaches along with the multitude of activities, attractions and culture it offers will allow you to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. The spirit of Aloha awaits you.

A little humor

People ask me a lot of questions which is a good thing.  An informed client is a happy client.  However, every once in a while I get a question that I sometimes have to wonder about.  Here are a few that will give you a chuckle or two.  If you know of a questionable, question, let me know about it and I’ll post it, just for fun.

“If you take a cruise, do you ride on a boat?”

“Can you tell me how much a cruise to Las Vegas would be?

“What time is the midnight buffet?”

“Do I need to take a big umbrella or a little umbrella?”

“Can you book me on a cruise to Hawaii from Charleston, SC” or “Can you book me on a 3 night cruise to Hawaii from Charleston?”

Like a Floating W Hotel

I just toured the new Celebrity Solstice and wow: it’s a ship like no other. Designed by some of the world’s top architects, it’s the first of its class to have a sleek, modern look and feel, making cruisers feel as if they’re staying at a floating W Hotel or even the ultra-exclusive Wynn in Vegas. Cabanas at the pool, a solarium at the Persian spa, a putting green with live grass, nine to-die-for dining experiences…and the list goes on and on.

Bottom line, if you’re someone who enjoys exclusivity, modern design and a sophisticated atmosphere, this ship is perfect for you.

Cruise for Free, Seriously!

 

 

Would you like to cruise for free? Plan a group cruise with the Cruise Chick and you’ll be able to take advantage of the special amenities and discounts offered to our group leaders.

 

The Cruise Chick usually receives free space every time she books groups of 8 cabins or more. Cruise lines love groups and so does the Cruise Chick.

 

Cruising with family, friends and social groups is not just fun…it leads to substantial savings. Think of all the people you know who would love to cruise! Get them organized and then enjoy the fruits of your labor while you are cruising for free. Your group will enjoy the vacation of a lifetime and you’ll be a hero.