World Voyager Vacations

Top 5 Wine Tours

2011-11-13T11:29:00.000-08:00

Cheers to Wine Tours: A Top 5 List

By: Collette
Do you have a glass of red wine with dinner because you heard it promotes good health? Or maybe you just like the taste of a smooth merlot?
Whatever the reason, travelers today continue to search out tours that include a wine component in the itinerary. There are many places to learn about wine making and its subtle tasting nuances. Italy comes to mind – which is why all of our Italy tours include wine with every meal and a winery visit is included on most Italy programs. Wine tours are on the rise – and in more places than just Italy. Some of Collette’s food and wine tours include:

Spectacular South Africa — Discover the Cape Winelands region with its mountainous landscape and endless vineyards.
Explorations California’s Wine Country — Napa Valley should be on everyone’s bucket list.
The Wonders of South America — Argentina is the land of sol y vino – sun and wine – and Mendoza, set at the base of the Andes Mountains is breathtaking.
Exploring New Zealand — Marlborough region considered one of the world’s best wine regions.
Reflections of Italy — the tour stops at a historic winery in the heart of the Chianti region complete with its very own 12th century castle.

Family Reunions on Cruise Ships

2011-08-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

Friends and family get-togethers don't have to be hard work and
frustrating!

For anyone who has ever planned a friends and family reunion,
you quickly discover that it can be a lot of fun for everyone except the person
responsible for planning, coordinating and hosting the event. You end up having to
cook, clean up the mess, plan and supervise activities for the kids (adults too
sometimes), make sleeping arrangements only to wind up with relatives sleeping
all over the house (including on the floor) and worry about a relative driving
home or to their hotel after drinking a little too much. The list goes on and
on. A great alternative is to plan your next friends and family get-together on
a cruise ship.

While land based get-togethers can have a lot of unknown factors, a cruise gives you the
comfort and convenience of knowing all about your vacation before you ever leave
home. This frees you up to relax and enjoy visiting with friends and family
members. There are many reasons to choose a cruise ship for these types of
events. (click here for additional information.) Here’s a list of my top reasons:

1. Something for Everyone - A reunion at sea offers something for everyone. Cruises allow your family members to individually participate in everything from kids programs, to relaxing spa treatments. You can watch a Broadway style show, ice skate or sing karaoke? All this and more is
possible aboard a cruise ship. And because there’s something for everyone, your family will be brought even closer together, resulting in family memories that last a lifetime!

2. Know your costs up front - One of the best things about choosing a cruise is the fact that you’ll know your food and lodging costs up front before the cruise ever takes place.

3. Affordable and flexible - On a cruise, you’ll be able to control costs more easily. Those with more money can choose more deluxe suite or balcony accommodations, while those with smaller
budgets can book inexpensive interior accommodations. Since you can book a
cruise up to 18 months in advance, you can even choose to pay for your reunion
in installments.

4. No Cooking, No Cleaning - Why go through the stress not to mention the work of cleaning the house to get ready for your guests? On a cruise you’ll have an attentive staff looking after each and every need. That makes the job of host a lot easier. While you’re having fun, your cabin steward will make sure your cabin is kept tidy at least twice a day.

5. Neutral Territory - Family members won’t feel like they’re intruding or inconveniencing some family members by having a reunion at their home. Since everybody’s traveling to the ship, nobody has to
feel that they are imposing on others.

6. Plenty of space - Many of today’s cruise ships are three football fields long and fourteen stories high, a spacious place to have a reunion. Because there’s a variety of different size public rooms, space is not a factor on a cruise ship, so your reunion can be as big or as small as you need it to be, without ever becoming a problem.

7. Convenient - Cruise ships sail from ports all across the US, and most of those in the US are within
a day’s drive of a cruise ship. For those that are further, flights to ships are affordably priced and cruise lines will even transfer you and your luggage from the airport directly to your ship. Today’s ships sail from an expanding list of ports including: Boston, New York, Baltimore, Seattle, San Francisco, Los
Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Tampa, Port Canaveral (near Orlando), Charleston (SC), New Orleans and Galveston.

8. Dining is included - Cruise ships are known for the quality and range of cuisine available. Best of all, if you’re having a reunion you can easily dine together without additional cost. When was the last time you took the family to a world-class restaurant? You can dine in one for each meal aboard a cruise. For hungry teenagers, it’s all included from 24 hour pizza to endless buffets.

9. Less Hassle - Because your vacation is on a cruise ship, you will pack and unpack just once,
and not have to worry about dinner and lodging reservations like you would with other vacations. Cruise ships are uniquely suited to handle the needs of large groups. The result is great service from a smiling crew that will make your time at sea very pleasurable.

click here to request a quote for

or call
877 836-1949 for more information.

IXTAPA- Mexico's Best Kept Secret

2011-07-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

I am often asked “Where do travel agents go for a relaxing vacation?” I’m sure there are a thousand different answers since we all have our different interests and favorites. For us, we have two places that are great getaways for a week to just relax and do nothing but enjoy the sand, sun and surf. The first is Kalapaki Beach in Kauai and the second is what I consider to be the best kept secret in

Mexico

, the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo area.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is part of the Guerrero's Sun Triangle, together with Acapulco and Taxco. Unlike any other Mexican beach resort destination, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is comprised of two entirely different places with distinct lifestyles and where you essentially get two destinations for the price of one.

Zihuatanejo is pronounced "zee-watt-a-NEH-ho" which means "place of woman" in the Nahuatl tongue. Ixtapa is pronounced as "eeks-TAH-pa", which means "the white place" in the same tongue.

Ixtapa is a modern world-class resort that was created from the ground-up beginning in 1968 by Fonatur (National Tourism Development Fund, a Mexican federal bureau that is in charge of developing and urbanizing new tourist destinations).Today, it has all-modern construction, well kept gardens and a large residential area that is located away from the hotel zone. Its bay is wide and is one of the great places to enjoy a spectacular sunset. The beaches are the best on the west coast of

Mexico

in my opinion. A special treat after dark is the beachside Terraza Del Mar Grill at the Dorado Pacifico where our favorite waiter Noe makes an art form of serving flaming Mexican coffee to
cap off a perfect day.

The city maintenance in Ixtapa is still done by Fonatur (with federal funds) in contrast with Zihuatanejo where the City Government does all the maintenance. Ixtapa has several colonial and modern style malls interconnected by plazas and gardens which makes it very difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. You'll find restaurants, bars, boutiques, shops, grocery stores, drug stores, etc. On the other side of the street from the malls are the beachfront hotels with a variety of restaurants, bars and shops.

Ixtapa’s hotel strip is about 2 miles long and the Ixtapa beach is called El Palmar. All the water sports such as parasailing, banana boats, jet skis and surfing are available. Beachside massages can be had for about $20 and I am told they are outstanding. At the end of the main road, you'll find La Marina de Ixtapa with capacity for more than 100 yachts, a golf course, luxury condominiums and a promenade with charming restaurants overlooking the marina. An occasional crocodile swimming by adds a little interesting touch to your
dinner.

Nearby is Playa Linda beach and Playa Quieta beach with more secluded hotels.

Zihuatanejo is a small town, which still conserves the typical look, feel and friendly atmosphere of the old fishing village with a true Mexican flavor. Many of the downtown streets are still original cobblestones and resurfaced ones have imitation stones. Most of the construction has a tropical-coastal look (even some of the new to help preserve the old town appearance).

There are numerous restaurants, boutiques, jewelry stores, bars, hotels (from one to five stars), tourist markets, and much more. You won't see any tall buildings (four stories maximum) because they are not permitted by city law (the purpose is to conserve the village look).Every year the picturesque and sheltered Zihuatanejo bay, only 1.8 miles wide, is visited by more than 80 cruise ships as well as sailboats and private yachts from all over the world. Zihuatanejo was a stop-over port for TV's "Love Boat" series, in real life, the former Pacific Princess.

The downtown area known as El Centro is great for walking and browsing, as is the Paseo del Pescador a brick-paved beachfront promenade along Playa La Madera and Playa Principal beaches up to the Pier. Zihuatanejo is also famous for its great fishing, diving and snorkeling.

Besides the progress and the inevitable and continuous modernization of the city, Zihuatanejo has been able to retain its original charm, its traditions and its friendliness. For one of the best authentic Mexican food meals, no trip would be complete without a visit to Bandido’s in downtown Zihuatanejo. They have the best prickly pear cactus beef or chicken Molcajetes I have found and the guacamole they make at tableside is to die for.

A great time to visit is early December or the first part of May to avoid high season. The weather is great and you’re not fighting the crowds or high prices. Take my word for it, this is a relaxing place!

Call 877 836-1949 for more IXTAPA vacation information.

PRICE IS IMPORTANT, BUT QUALITY AND VALUE ARE KEY TO GOOD VACATIONS

2011-06-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

Think about it. You work hard all year long. You save your hard earned money so that you can escape the daily rigors of work. The whole idea is to go have fun, relax and enjoy yourself. Being stressed, angry or disappointed defeats the purpose of going on vacation.

Here are a few recommendations that may help you have that dream vacation instead of the vacation nightmare:

1. Don’t be price driven. Be quality and value driven. You can get a good and fair price dealing with reputable companies who have a vested interest in your vacation experience. After all, if you are highly pleased, it increases the likelihood you will be a valued repeat customer and will refer others to that agency.

2. Value your time. Many people believe that they know as much or more about travel than a trained, experienced travel professional. In rare cases some may, but most don’t. Remember another old adage, “Education, training and experience is a lot like sophistication. You don’t miss what you never knew you didn’t have.” On leisure travel vacation packages, travel agents typically don’t charge you for their services. The vendor pays them. Most of the time, any legitimate vendor price available on the web is available to large travel agencies. In fact, there are many specials available that may not be offered on the internet at all. A skilled travel agent can save you time, money and a lot of headaches.

3. Focus on fun. That’s the point of your vacation. Be flexible, patient, knowledgeable and well prepared. Great vacations are more than a week or two away. They can be a lifetime of special memories.

Bon Voyage!

Discover Switzerland's intellectual History

2011-06-18T13:57:00.001-07:00

Come Discover Switzerland's intellectual History with Globus

By: Globus

Despite Harry Lime’s assertion in Graham Greene’s “The Third Man” that Switzerland’s contribution to world culture is the cuckoo clock, there is a long tradition of artistic achievement in this tiny country of six million. In fact it is a country that so loves their artists that their profiles grace Swiss Francs rather than those of politicians. Many creative souls have produced some of their greatest masterpieces here and thrived on one of the world’s most beautiful and inspiring canvases.

T.S. Eliot wrote “The Wasteland” while living in Lausanne. Herman Hesse lived in the hills above Lugano for over 25 years. Other notable residents included James Joyce, Thomas Mann, Henry James, Voltaire, Dickens, Stravinsky, Vladimir Nabokov and Charlie Chaplin. Peter Ustinov lived in a hotel in Montreux and currently singers Tina Turner, Shania Twain, and Phil Collins call Switzerland home. It is a country with over 400 museums. In Zurich Kronenhalle restaurant was a famous haunt of expatriate writers and artists and the walls are full of work traded for meals. James Joyce regularly got the corner table and Giacometti, Chagall, Picasso and Miro are among the artists represented on the walls. In 2005 the Paul Klee Center opened in Bern to celebrate the work of the country’s greatest home-grown artist.

The cities of Vevey, Montreux and Lavaux, which lie next to each other along the banks of Lake Geneva, have published “The Poet’s Ramble,” a guide to famous artists who have lived in the area. Over 40 of the world’s greatest thinkers, artists and writers were inspired by the beauty of this land including Dostoyevsky, Rousseau, Hugo and Hemingway. The book is available through Switzerland Tourism.

We design our journeys around the stories they will tell. What story will you discover next with Globus and World Voyager ?

60 Second Geography - Anguilla

2011-06-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

Much is made of the rich and famous who come to Anguilla to hide in plain site. No doubt there is plenty of luxury to be found on this small Caribbean island, But for every celebrity there are the thousands of visitors every year who come for the warm hospitality of the people, the brilliance of the beaches and the quiet, idyllic return to a more elegant, simple yet rich existence.

Anguilla is more than a destination. Anguilla is an experience, a special feeling found nowhere else. Anguilla represents the ultimate in escape from the ordinary, the opportunity to leave behind the busy everyday to wrap oneself in the very essence of relaxation. Visitors come from all over the world to Anguilla to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. As they say in Anguilla "Feeling is believing."

Anguilla is the northernmost of the Leeward Islands. It is situated 146 miles east of Puerto Rico and eleven miles north of St. Martin/St.Maarten.
The island is sixteen miles long, and three miles wide at it's widest point. In total, the land mass measures 35 square miles.
There are more than 40 miles of coastline on which its many spectacular beaches are situated. Anguilla is a mostly flat island, with its highest point at 213 feet above sea level.
The island does not have any natural rivers, streams or lakes but several large salt ponds dot the landscape.
Situated in the centre of Anguilla is The Valley, the nation's capital.
Numerous fishing villages, like the ones at Crocus Bay and Island Harbour embody centuries of Anguilla's maritime history and nautical traditions.So ingrained is the love of the sea that boat racing is the national sport.
English holidays such as the Queen's Birthday, Whit Monday and others are celebrated, but English speaking Anguilla maintains a unique balance of all the historic influences that make this island a truly individual nation.
Anguilla's fortunate location in the Leeward Islands means that for much of the year there is a constant breeze cooling the air and affording very little rainfall or humidity. The subtropical climate and temperature tends to be constant year round average of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Average annual rainfall is 35 inches with the "rainy season" running August through November.
Throughout the island, a visitor will encounter the simple, yet elegant architecture of the Anguillian people. Make sure to emphasize to your clients that they will want to take special notice of the shops painted lime green or pink or a school of aquamarine. Of special note are the churches, nearly one church for every two square miles of island.
Anguilla's turquoise waters boast five marine parks: Dog Island, Prickly Pear/Seal Island, Sandy Island, Little Bay, and Shoal Bay/Island Harbor. Dive sites include wreck dives, shore dives, mini wall dives, night dives and heritage diving. Other activities include parasailing, paddle boating, windsurfing, water skiing and glass bottom boats.

Ready to experience Anguilla? Contact World Voyager and get started planning your trip.

Mississippi River Cruise Update

2011-03-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

American Cruise Lines has announced the construction of its new 140 passenger Mississippi sternwheeler is well underway and ahead of schedule. The paddlewheeler will fully recreate the grandeur of past riverboats, while incorporating the latest safety, environmental and construction technologies.

This is the first and grandest overnight paddlewheeler built for the Mississippi in nearly twenty years. It will have the largest staterooms ever, almost all of which will have private balconies. In addition, the ship will feature a multitude of lounges to choose from that not only accommodate various passenger tastes in onboard activity but truly capture the historic essence of the Mississippi River cruising experience.

The ship will boast a grand salon, card room, library, sky lounge, showroom, and internet lounge. All modern onboard amenities can be expected to provide passengers with maximum comfort and service. Unlike the previous riverboats that had offered cruises on the Mississippi, American Cruise Lines’ new paddlewheeler will have the option of cruising at a significantly higher speed to make the most imaginative itineraries possible.

American Cruise Lines will operate the riverboat over the entire Mississippi River System. A number of unique seven-night cruises are planned that take passengers as far as St. Paul, MN on the Mississippi River and Pittsburgh, PA on the Ohio River.

Norwegian Cruise Lines Swaps Ships for Alaska in 2012

2010-12-09T15:43:00.000-08:00

Norwegian Cruise Line announced it plans to send a new ship, the Norwegian Jewel, to Alaska in 2012.

The 2,376-passenger vessel will replace the slightly smaller, 2,348-passenger Norwegian Star, which has been spending summers in Alaska since 2004. The Star, in turn, will move to New York for the summer of 2012.

The Jewel will cruise to Alaska from Seattle on a seven-day Inside Passage itinerary that includes a visit to Sawyer Glacier and calls in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia -- a slight change from the Star's itinerary. The Star visited Prince Rupert instead of Victoria.

The new Jewel voyages will be offered on Saturdays from May 26, 2012 to Sept. 8, 2012. The Jewel also will sail a seven-day Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver to Seattle on May 19, 2012 and a seven-day Inside Passage cruise from Seattle to Vancouver on Sept. 15, 2012.

In sailing to Alaska, the Jewel is joining the Norwegian Pearl, which will return to the region in 2012 with weekly seven-day Inside Passage cruises out of Seattle departing on Sundays from May 13, 2012 to Sept. 9, 2012. Like the Jewel, the Pearl will stop in Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia, but the ship will visit Glacier Bay instead of Sawyer Glacier. The Pearl also will sail a seven-day Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver to Seattle on May 6, 2012 and a Seattle to Vancouver cruise on Sept. 16, 2012.

Norwegian Cruise Line to Add Two New Ships

2010-10-26T09:38:00.000-07:00

Norwegian Cruise Line struck a agreement with Meyer Werft to build two 4,000-passenger, 143,000-ton vessels.

Scheduled for delivery in the springs of 2013 and 2014, the contract price for the two ships is approximately 1.2 billion euros (about $1.7 billion at today’s exchange rate).

NCL CEO Kevin Sheehan said the decision to build the ships reflected the "significant progress we have made in improving our operating performance and repositioning the company over the last several years, as well as the strong market demand we are seeing for Norwegian Epic and our other ships."

The 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic entered service in June.

Sheehan would not release any details about the ships’ features, except to say that they would have "all the best attributes of the Epic, with the different dining options and the entertainment. Those features will move to the new ship."

Sheehan hinted that the design of the Wave cabins, with the bathroom components (sink, toilet and shower) separated, won’t be on the new ships.

"We have some learnings from the Epic," he said. "It is a fantastic ship but we have some learnings and will build on that knowledge."

The studio cabins geared toward solo passengers will definitely be on the new ships.

"That’s a strategy that makes sense," Sheehan said. "It is an underserved group of people and our brand meets that need."

The two new ships will be the eighth and ninth NCL vessels built by Meyer Weft, a shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

Sheehan said he was very comfortable with the idea of working with Meyer Werft, the yard that has built so many NCL ships, most recently the Jewel-class ships: the Norwegian Gem, Pearl, Jade and Jewel.

Sheehan said that NCL took advantage of some of the best shipbuilding prices in recent memory.

Cost of Passports and Visas to Increase

2010-06-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

The U.S. State Department on July 13 will raise the price for visas, passports and other consular services—some by more than $300—to reflect what the department determined is the true cost to provide such services.
For an adult passport, the State Department will begin charging $110—$35 more than the current price—plus a $25 execution fee, which is not retained by the department. Meanwhile, the cost for some visas will jump by even greater amount. For example, an employment-based immigrant visa will cost $720 under the new pricing scheme, compared with the previous $355.

The department's Bureau of Consular Affairs in June 2009 completed a study to assess the full cost to the government to process and issue visas and passports, calling it "the most detailed and exhaustive ever conducted by the Department of State." Following that study, the department "established the true cost of providing these consular services, which by law must be recovered through collection of fees," the State Department said this week.

Help Wanted

2010-04-01T21:24:00.000-07:00

Inspired Journeys Inc, parent company of World Voyager Vacations has launched a new division focusing on Personal Enrichment Vacations. The new division was created to provide leisure travel experiences with purpose and personal growth opportunities. It is structured to go beyond standard enrichment program offerings by providing a stimulating Salon focused format.
Programs are designed for the intellectually curious who are looking for stimulating and interesting discussions on issues and challenges we confront daily in our lives. Issues such as ethics, values, principles of quality living, healthy and strong relationships, effective parenting and dealing with conflict and stress are a few of the issues we present in an interactive discussion group setting. Our goal is to facilitate understanding and critical thinking about things that matter in our lives. While we encourage spirited and lively discussions, it must always be in a way that respects the dignity, feelings and views of others. We value diversity of views and opinions in a thoughtful process. Our programs are designed for free thinking, open minded people who like to think things through.

In addition to issues oriented discussion forums, we also offer a variety of educational trips focusing on history, culture, culinary, wine, architecture and wildlife. The new website for Enrichment Vacations is slated to launch later next week.

If you are interested in becoming a discussion facilitator or seminar presenter within the context of the program structure described above, please send a brief biographical profile detailing your expertise to:

Jerry Vaughn
President & CEO
Inspired Journeys Inc
PO Box 24780
Federal Way, WA 98093-1780
information@enrichmentvacation.com

New Specialty River Cruise Site Launched

2010-03-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Inspired Journeys Inc has announced the launch of a new specialty website devoted exclusively to river cruising. The site, which can be found at http://www.rivercruiseagent.com/ is loaded with information about how river cruising is different than large cruise ships or oceanliners and the advantages to be found sailing the great waterways of the world. The site focuses on destinations throughout the world including Europe, China, Egypt, Southeast Asia, South America and the USA. Each of the primary river cruise companies are featured and links to their special offers are included.

River cruising has grown dramatically in popularity over the last few years according to Jerry Vaughn, President and CEO of Inspired Journeys Inc. This growth has fueled demand for more tailored information to allow consumers to understand a little about river cruising, where they can go and what they are likely to experience. A river cruise is a great way to see the history, culture and sights of a region according to Vaughn because many of the world's great cities, towns and hamlets were developed around the rivers out of necessity. The views are generally spectacular, often times allowing to see things you would never see from the roadway.

River cruises are a hassle free way to vacation because you only unpack once. The rivers are tranquil and relaxing and best of all, most river cruise itineraries include complimentary city tours at each stop along the way. It is also one of the most cost efficinet ways to see Europe because you prepay your most expensive items, lodging, most meals, transportation and tours in US Dollars instead of paying as you go at a higher rate due to the exchange rate.

There are many great specials available. Viking River Cruises, Uniworld, AMA Waterways, Avalon Waterways, Cruise West and a number of barge operators all have promotions that can save you substantial money and provide an extraordinary vacation at the same time.

11 New Ships to Debut in 2010

2010-01-13T10:28:00.000-08:00

This year, 27,263 new cruise ship berths, filling 11 new vessels, will be delivered to the cruise industry.

The ships will range in size from American Cruise Lines' 110-passenger Independence to Royal Caribbean International's second Oasis-class ship, the 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas.

The ships will be launched in locales as far away as Dubai, where Costa Cruises' Costa Deliziosa will be the first cruise ship to be named in the United Arab Emirates, and as close to home as New York, where the Norwegian Epic will be christened in July.

The number of new berths is a slight uptick from 2009, when nine ships, totaling more than 23,000 berths, were launched.

But this year, and next, mark the last two years before the industry feels the full impact from the ship-order drought that began 21 months ago, when the economy started to falter.

The drought ended last month, when Carnival Corp. placed an order for a third Dream-class ship for the Carnival Cruise Lines brand, to be delivered in spring 2012.

There are a handful of ships under construction, such as another Carnival vessel and another Solstice-class ship. But the only ships from a new class on order for 2011 and 2012 are for Oceania Cruises and Disney Cruise Line, and a tall ship for Star Clippers.

The class of 2010

This year, the Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line's largest ship to date, is also the most innovative and revolutionary ship of the crop of newbuilds.

However, the Epic doesn't have much competition.

Last year, the behemoth that is the 220,000-ton Oasis of the Seas fundamentally changed the cruise industry, with its split-hull design that allowed for the interior, open-air "neighborhoods" Central Park and Boardwalk. It also introduced loft cabins and an amphitheater with Olympic diving shows.

In 2010, the only ship that will come close to that kind of innovation will be the 153,000-ton, 4,200-passenger Epic.

Set to debut in June, the Epic will be as revolutionary for what it will not have -- cruise ship staples like a main dining room and a main theater -- as for what it will. The ship will have specially designed entertainment venues such as a big-top-style tent for Cirque Dreams dinner shows; the Ice Bar, where the temperature will be set to 17 degrees and the bar, walls, tables and stools will all be made of solid ice; and accommodations like "New Wave" staterooms featuring curved walls and 100-square-foot "studio" cabins with a shared hangout area.

Beyond that, most of the ships coming out will be next installments of existing ship classes, some the third or fourth of almost identical vessels.

EUROPE BOUND

The class of 2010 is remarkable for where the new vessels will spend their inaugural deployments: mostly outside of the U.S. Much of this year's new tonnage will be geared toward Europe.

Like the Celebrity Equinox before it, the Celebrity Eclipse will spend its first full season in Europe.

Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam, which is set for a summer delivery, will spend its maiden season sailing the Mediterranean. Cunard Line's upcoming 90,400-ton Queen Elizabeth will cruise both the Mediterranean and Northern Europe from Southampton, England. Seabourn Cruises' second Odyssey-class ship, the Seabourn Sojourn, will debut in London in June and is scheduled to spend the summer in Europe, as well.

Italian line MSC Cruises will send its ship to the U.S. The 93,300-ton, 2,550-passenger Magnifica will operate from New York and Quebec in the fall and will then reposition to the Caribbean for the winter season.

Following its naming ceremony, the Costa Deliziosa will spend its inaugural season homeported in Dubai, along with its sister vessel, the Luminosa.

NEW SHIPS; WHAT, WHEN AND WHERE

February

Costa Deliziosa, Costa Cruises
Tonnage: 92,700
Capacity: 2,260
Debut: Dubai
A sister to the Costa Luminosa, the Deliziosa will be the first cruise ship to be named in Dubai.

AidaBlu, Aida Cruises
Tonnage: 68,500
Capacity: 2,050
Debut: Western Europe
The AidaBlu is the German cruise line's fourth ship in the six-vessel Project Sphinx series.

March

MSC Magnifica MSC Cruises
Tonnage: 93,300
Capacity: 2,550
Debut: Mediterranean, Canada/New England
The fourth Musica-class ship will be MSC's first new ship to be based in the U.S.

April

Azura, P&O Cruises
Tonnage: 116,000
Capacity: 3,100
Debut: Mediterranean
A sister to the Ventura, the Azura will have P&O's first block of single-occupancy staterooms, 18 in all.

Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Cruises
Tonnage: 122,000
Capacity: 2,850
Debut: Northern Europe
The third of Celebrity's five-ship Solstice class, the Eclipse will spend its inaugural season in Europe.

June

Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Cruises
Tonnage: 32,000
Capacity: 450
Debut: Northern Europe
The second Odyssey-class ship will be named in London and will spend the season in Northern Europe.

Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line
Tonnage: 153,000
Capacity: 4,200
Debut: Caribbean
The Epic will have no main dining room or theater; it will have a bar made of ice and performances by Blue Man Group.

Independence, American Cruise Lines
Tonnage: 3,000
Capacity: 101
Debut: Atlantic coast
The Independence will operate its maiden cruise in the Chesapeake Bay and head north to Maine.

July

Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland America Line
Tonnage: 86,000
Capacity: 2,104
Debut: Eastern Mediterranean
A sister to the Eurodam, the Nieuw Amsterdam will be one of six ships HAL will operate in Europe.

September

Queen Elizabeth, Cunard Line
Tonnage: 90,400
Capacity: 2,092
Debut: Western Europe, Mediterranean
The second-largest ship Cunard has built, the newest Queen will embark on a 103-day world cruise from Southampton in January 2011.

November

Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
Tonnage: 220,000
Capacity: 5,400
Debut: Caribbean
The Allure will share with the Oasis of the Seas the title of world's largest cruise ship.

Our Inaugural Cruise on the Oasis of the Seas

2009-12-17T16:22:00.003-08:00

INCREDIBLE! AWESOME! OUTSTANDING!

These are definitely adjectives that describe Royal Caribbean's new Oasis of the Seas. We recently returned from the Inaugural Cruise of the Oasis from Fort Lauderdale and I have to say, the ship exceeded all expectations I had for it. Among other things, it is an engineering marvel. The technology involved with this ship and its array of features is without parallel.

The design of the ship is such that much of the time you don't even feel like you are on a cruise ship. It feels much more like a resort area along with its wide, expansive areas, shopping and interesting eating establishments. The ship is the destination in itself. You don't really even need to visit ports of call as there is plenty to do on board without ever leaving the ship.

We were extremely impressed with how well the ship was done. It is at a very high standard and is a true work of art. While it combined some standard amenities of Royal Caribbean's big ships such as the rock climbing wall (x 2) and the wave rider (x2) it has added some new that are just outstanding. The new Aqua Theater is unbelievable. The divers diving from 20 meters high into the small pool is breathtaking. Central Park is a really pleasant place to meander and just enjoy atmosphere. The array of specialty restaurants provides something for every taste. The Boardwalk is an exciting place with its old fashioned Carousel and Johnny Rockets Diner. It is a fun area.

The pool and sports decks have so many choices of things to do, it is mind boggeling. The kids water park will keep kids entertained for quite a while. The fitness center is state of the art and will rival any land based fitness center both in size and array of equipment. The Spa is incredible to say the least. For total relaxation, the Solarium is a quite, serene place with cabana's you can put the "n" in nap. My kind of place!

Without question, one of the finest entertainment events in the entire cruise industry is the ice shows. The Oasis didn't disappoint. The athleticism and skill of the skaters given the area they are confined to is always intriguing. The theme of the show was Tales of Old and combined the artistry of a sand painter and was very entertaining.

One of the most interesting features of the ship is the Rising Tide, a bar that moves between 3 decks and has a water show beneath it when the bar is on the upper decks. It is quite a feat of engineering. Another really great feature is the loft suites on Deck 17. They are spacious and really unique. There are also some of the best family suites in the cruise industry.

Overall, the Oasis of the Seas is a great addition to the cruise fleet. If you simply don't like big ships, it may not be the one for you because it is definitely a big ship. For families, I can't think of a better vacation choice. There is absolutely something for everyone from the most active and adventuresome with the zip line to the most relaxing with easy listening guitar music in the Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 17.

We felt privileged to be among the first to sail on this magnificent ship. We can strongly recommend it as a truly great cruise experience and one of the best choices for a family vacation.

Tips For a Great Alaska Vacation

2009-10-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

This material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without permission

The problem with Alaska vacations today is there are almost to many choices.
The sheer number of cruises and cruisetours can be overwhelming, particularly
for first timers. The following information may be helpful to you in selecting
the vacation package that is right for you.

Deal with experienced Alaska agents who know Alaska, have been there a lot
and know what they are talking about. The misinformation about Alaska
provided by travel agents who have never been there is mind boggeling sometimes.
An Alaska specialist will make sure you get the best value and experience on
your trip.
Don’t let anyone talk you into an Alaska vacation you
either aren’t sure you want or may not be able to afford.
We want you to have the experience of a lifetime and that can only happen if
you are totally comfortable with your decision and are genuinely excited about
it.
We DO HOPE you will keep us
in mind when you decide to book your Alaska vacation. We want and appreciate
your business!

What’s New?

A total of 9 cruise lines and 32 ships will ply the waters of
Alaska in 2010. This is a reduction
from 2009 as cruise lines are pulling ships from the Alaska market
in response to a head taxe on cruise passengers that went into effect
last year. The result is with reduced inventory there
may not be the deals available there have been in years past. Book early for best price and selection, particularly for
cruisetours as they sell out fast. A good agency should price protect so that if the cruise line lowers the price,
you will automatically get the lower price. There are a few more small ships
sailing that aren't included above.
New Itineraries - Both Holland America and Princess will be doing 14 day
roundtrip cruises out of Seattle that will allow you to visit Anchorage, Kodiak
and both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay
Because of the number of ships sailing, many are doing outside passage
instead of inside passage cruises. Make sure your are on an
inside passage cruise as you will miss a lot of beautiful scenery if you
are on the outside passage.

Useful Alaska Tidbits

Weather - The typical temperature in Alaska during the cruise season
averages between 65 and 70 in the daytime and 45 to 50 at night. In interior
Alaska, Fairbanks may get up to the 90's since it is in the high desert.
Anchorage and Denali will be cooler.
Time - Alaska is one hour earlier than Pacific Standard Time or four hours
earlier than the east coast.
Clothing - Many cruise lines have relaxed dress codes somewhat and that
is appropriate for Alaska. Check with your cruise counselor about Formal,
Semi-formal, Country Club casual and resort casual for dining on your cruise.
During the daytime and always on land, casual is the dress of the day. Wear
comfortable shoes that are suitable for walking on varied surfaces. Generally,
layering works best and polar fleece products are great light weight garments
that can keep you comfortable and not be to bulky. Heavy parkas and winter
attire are seldom needed unless you are going very early or very late in the
season. Remember, even though it is summer, it is not Florida. Mother Nature
likes to show people who is boss in Alaska and sometimes the weather can be
unpredictable. You should also bring rain gear as rain is quite common in
southeast Alaska.
Equipment - Bring good binoculars. Buying them on your trip can be pricey.
Same with memory cards for your camera etc.

The Alaska Season
You would be amazed at the number of calls we get from folks who would like to do an Alaska cruise over Thanksgiving or New Years. Sorry, the Alaska season is short and you probably wouldn't want to be going across the Gulf of Alaska in December.

The first big ship sailing to Alaska is in the first week of May usually.
There are some smaller ships sailing in April but the offical cruise season
kicks of the first of May.
Last ship sailing Alaska itineraries is the third week of
Septembrrrr. The weather changes fast in the north and the days get short.
If you are going to do a land tour, you should start it by the first week in
September.

First things first. Most important things you have to decide about your Alaska trip!

How much do you want to see?
How long do you have to do it?
How much do you want to spend?
- Factors that affect price:
  - Travel date and length
  - Age based specials for seniors.
  - Whether you are a past cruise passenger.
  - Your state of residence.
  - Other special
    promotions.
  - But most of all, the cruise line and type of stateroom you select.
    - Inside stateroom on the lowest deck is least expensive
      - Each deck you go up the price increases slightly
    - Oceanview is next lowest price. Cabin is the same as inside but you have a
      picture window.
    - Balcony is higher in price but well worth it for Alaska.
    - Suites can be pricey but it all depends on how comfortable you want to
      be.
  - A Consideration: Alaska is different than most other itineraries. The
    scenery is breathtaking, the days are much longer and the opportunity to see
    wildlife is always present. You may be your stateroom more than you think
    because of the long days. You will find that being in a balcony stateroom is a
    relaxing great way to enjoy the scenery and having breakfast on your private
    balcony can be a good way to start the day.
  - In selecting a staterrom, if you are doing a northbound one directional
    sailing, try to get a stateroom on the starboard side (right side if you are
    facing forward) as that is the land side. If you are doing a southbound, the
    port side. If you are doing a roundtrip inside or outside passage, either side
    will do.

Choosing the right Alaska cruise and/or land tour for you. Your options:

Seven to fourteen day roundtrip sailings of the inside or outside passage
from Seattle
or Vancouver
BC. These are the most common cruises for first time Alaska cruisers. You
will only be seeing about 28% of Alaska, but it is stunningly beautiful.
Seven day northbound or southbound Gulf of Alaska sailings between Vancouver
and Seward or Whittier or vice versa. I prefer Seward. You will either fly into
or home from Anchorage. the advantage to a one directional is that you travel
across the Gulf of Alaska and into Prince William Sound and College Fjord with
the seven Ivy League Glaciers. You also sail into Kenai Fjords National Park
which can be incredible by moonlight. The trip from Seward to Anchorage
across the Kenai Peninsula is one of the 10 most scenic byways in the nation.
Nine to sixteen day cruisetours that include the seven day north or
southbound cruise with a land package at the beginning or end allowing you to
see the heart of Alaska. This is the best way to see Alaska. At the conclusion
you will have seen the most beautiful and intriguing scenery in the
world from the glaciers of southeast Alaska to Talkeetna and
Denali National Park.
Thirteen to fourteen day Klondike Yukon Explorer packages. This trip starts
or ends with a three or four day cruise from Vancouver, visiting Glacier Bay
National Park and ending in Skagway. From there it is by train and motorcoach
following the trail of the goldminers of 1898 over Whites Pass into the Yukon
Territory visiting Kluane National Park, Whitehorse, Dawson City, Eagle and Tok
with a 100 mile float trip down the remote Eagle river. You will go to
Fairbanks, Denali National Park and end your trip in Anchorage. This is a great
trip for those who want to see more land and less cruise and have an interest in
history.
Fourteen day Voyage of the Bering Sea from Anchorage to Nome or vice versa.
This is the ultimate Alaska adventure with visits to Kodiak Island, Katmai
National Park, Dutch Harbor, the Privoloff Islands and two ports of call in
Russia and ending your trip in Nome. You will likely see more bears in 15
minutes in Katmai than you would see in two days in Denali. It is small ship
cruising and one that will truly be an experience of a lifetime.
A variety of customized land only trips for those who don't want to cruise.

Cruise Line and Ship
The type of cruise line and ship you select determines the price you pay and quality of experience you will have. Cruise lines are like hotel chains. They range in style from moderate through the 6 star luxury class. There aren't any Motel 6's in the fleet and all over a pretty good experience.

Luxury Cruise Lines –
Smaller ships outstanding service, quality of
cuisine, onboard enrichment programs, all inclusive with gratuities, liquor,
table wine and many shore excursions included or at a discounted rate.
- Regent
  Seven Seas -One of the best Alaska cruises we have ever taken.
- Silversea - We will be hosting a cruise on Silversea
  in June.
Premium Cruise Lines -Generally above average in service and food and
amenities
- Holland
  America - the "grandaddy" of Alaska celebrating nearly sixty years
  of serving the market with eight ships, their own hotels, railcars and
  motorcoaches.
- Celebrity - A good quality product with excellent
  ships and great land tours. Take a look at Cruisetour 14 on Celebrity. Read more
- Princess - The lower end of premium but a good
  product. Watch out for the outside passage intineraries here.
Contemporary Mass Market Cruise Lines - Good Quality and Service
- Royal
  Caribbean - Older ship from Seattle but great ship in Vancouver.
- Carnival - The "Funship" with its first year out of
  Seattle. Good deals on balconies but the neon might scare the bears.
- Norwegian - Freestyle resort casual all the time,
  anytime dining.
Niche Cruise Lines -Up Close and Personal
- Cruise
  West - The leader in small ship cruising

Embarkation/Disembarkation

Cruising from Seattle - Pier 66 Bell Street Pier or Pier 91 Smith
Gove Terminal
Cruising from Vancouver - Canada Place or Ballantyne Pier
Flying Requires you to clear Canadian Customs at the International Terminal
By car you clear customs at the border which can have long backups at times
- Valet Parking at Canada Place - $69CAD per week
By Motorcoach from SEATAC Airport to Vancouver - 4 hour ride
By Amtrak from Seattle - Our Pick! A comfortable, relaxing ride along the
waters of Puget Sound. You clear customs at the train station in Vancouver which
is quick and easy. You leave Seattle at 7:40AM and arrive Vancouver at
11:45AM. A short cab ride to the cruise pier allows you to get on the ship in
plenty of time and enjoy your sail away at 5:00PM

Ports of Call

Ketchikan – Salmon Capitol of the world/ Saxon Totem Village
Juneau – Mendenhall Glacier / Mt Roberts Tram/ Misty Fjords National Park
Hoonah – Icy Straight Point – Sophia Point Fishing History / Canneries
Skagway – White Pass Scenic Railway/ the Red Onion
Haines – Chilkat Eagle Preserve
Sitka – St Micheals Russian Orthodox Cathedral - Sitka is a great port of
call.
Wrangell – Russian/British/ US History
Valdez – Switzerland of Alaska / Pipleline terminal
Kodiak Island – BEARS, BEARS, BEARS
Victoria BC - An obligatory stop to comply with the Passenger Services Act
which requires a foreign port of call for ships sailing out of Seattle
Roundtrip. Victoria is a beautiful city but your time will be limited there. A
city tour is the best way to see as much in as short a period of time possible.
Whittier / Seward – Embarkation/Disembarkation

Shore Excursions
This is where you can spend a lot of money. Purchasing your shore excursions in advance is a good idea and can save you a lot of time on the ship and also avoid disappointment if an excursion is sold out. Each of these port cities are small so you can actually not do any shore excursions and just walk the town and still have a great time. Private shore excursions can be a good value with smaller group size, more interesting stops and many times superior tour guides. You can prepurchase three port packages which can save you a bit of money.
The Glaciers from Sea
Many people are concerned they may not see Glacier Bay. Trust me, you won't be disappointed with any of the glaciers you see on your cruise. Each is different in its own way and all are spectacular. Hubbard Glacier is among the largest tidewater glaciers in the world at seven miles wide. Glacier Bay is incredible in its scenery but the Federal Courts have greatly restricted the number of permits issued allowing big ships to go in. Tracy Arm and the Misty Fjords have the bluest of the glacial ice and the sheer cliffs rising straight out of the water are amazing. Whichever one you go to, I think you will be thrilled particularly if you are lucky enough to witness calving. On a typical inside passage cruise you will only visit one of the three principle glaciers - either Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier but not all three. On a Gulf of Alaska cruise, you will visit one of the three plus, depending on the cruise line and itinerary perhaps Prince William Sound and College Fjord.

Tracy Arm and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers
Glacier Bay National Park
Hubbard Glacier
College Fjord and the Seven Ivy League Glaciers

Interior Alaska
The most popular land tour packages added on a cruise tour are Anchorage, Denali National Park and Fairbanks. There are so many tours to choose from it is totally confusing to most people, myself included. My recommendation is to sail into Seward and go by train from Seward to Anchorage. You see additional glaciers you won't see from the roadway and it is much more fun than riding on a bus. Going to Alaska and not seeing Anchorage (as many of the Princess Direct to the Wilderness Tours do) is a bit of disappointment. It would be like going to New York City and not seeing the Statue of Liberty.
From Anchorage go to Talkeetna by scenic railcar. On a clear day, there is no better place to see the majesty of Mt McKinley at over 20,000 feet and its sister peaks rising over 18,000 feet than from your room or the deck at the Grand Talkeetna Lodge. A flightseeing tour around Mt McKinley will be one of the most breathtaking and exciting trips you will ever do. K2 Aviation does a great job with it.
From Talkeetna, go by train to Denali National Park and opt for the two day Double Denali Package. Unfortunately, there are so many cruisetours now, the cruise lines have created assembly line cookie cutter packages that I think are a waste of time and money. Many of them are doing a three hour Denali Natural History tour which goes fifteen miles into the park. It is very doubtful you will see much wildlife and it is a shame to go all the way to Denali for such a superficial view. The real tour to do is the seven hour Deep Tundra Wildlife Tour early in the morning that takes you fifty three miles into the park. That is where you will likely see the wildlife and get a real feel for what Denali is all about.
From Denali, once again board the train for Fairbanks. Probably the best thing to do in Fairbanks is the Riverboat Discovery on the Chena River with a stop at Chena Village which is a totally non commerical village that demonstrates how the indigenous people lived in the rugged country.
Other popular and interesting destinations for land travel in Alaska are:

Kenai Peninsula - Some of the best river fishing in the world and
beautiful scenery
Homer - A quirky little town known for fishing charters and a lot of
Arts & Crafts from old hippies.
Aleyska – the Alyeska Prince resort is a world class ski area. In
the summer it is a beautiful place to stay with tram rides to the top of
the mountain where you get spectacular view of Turnagin Arm. The little
town of Girdwood right at Aleyaska is home of the Double Muskie a
local favorite restaurant.
Anchorage – Alaska's largest city has the most shopping and is home to the
Native Heritage Cultural Center which provides an interesting and informative
overview of the historic peoples of the great land. Anchorage is home to Grizzly
Junction, home of the world's highest milk chocolate waterfall.
Copper River – For those interested in the Trans Alaska Pipeline, you
get miles of views. One of the great flightseeing tours to Kennicot, a historic
mining town that was simply abandoned with everyone leaving so fast the china
was still on the table. It has been preserved as it was left and is an
interesting place to see. The flight over takes you across the Wrangell Mt St.
Elias National Park with spectacular 17,000 foot peaks.
Denali National Park – For those who don't need a lot of hand holding, one
option to tour Denali is on your own riding the green shuttle buses which can
take you a full 93 miles to the Kantishna Road House. You will see far more than
you would ever see on a tan tour bus. It is also a hop on hop off shuttle system
where you can spend time in any area that strikes an interest. Again, you are on
your own, so if you are an independent type this works well. No box lunches or
hot cocoa unless you bring your own.
Nome - An old gold mining town best know as the termination point of the
Iditarod sled dog race. If you want to see a real live Musk Ox, this is place to
see it.
Kotzebuee - A native village known for its colorful and exciting blanket
tosses
Coldfoot and Barrow - As you travel north from Fairbanks you go through
Coldfoot (it is named Coldfoot for a reason!) on to Barrow, the point of origin
of the Trans Alaska Pipeline. For engineering types it may be of significant
interest. To the unenlightened like me, yep that sure is a bunch of pipes.
Seriously, part of the trip up particulary by air is the opportunity to see the
Artic National Wildlife Preserve. It will give you a new appreciation for why it
should be left unspoiled.

Alaska Winter Vacation Season
If you mention a vacation to Alaska in the winter to most people, they look at you like you need your head examined. In reality, it can be a fun, interesting trip. You just have to go prepared. The best time is late February through Mid March and is centered around the start of the Iditarod dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome and is now combined with the Fur Rendezvous celebration. These are absolutely a hoot to go to. We start our trips in Fairbanks with a visit to the World Ice Sculpture Competition which is fascinating. The artwork with the ice is dazzeling and impressive for sure. We also include a two night trip to Chena Hot Springs sixty miles northwest of Fairbanks which is considered one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights. It is an impressive display to be sure. There is also something to be said about the walk from the locker rooms to the hot springs in minus 30 degree temperatures. Unfortunately I can't say it here because it is less than suitable for family viewing.

The Price of the $50 Head Tax in Alaska for Cruise Passengers

2009-04-03T16:45:00.000-07:00

THE BEAR ROARS BACK!

When a citizen backed initiative passed by a large measure in 2006, it's backers thought they would see a windfall profit from all the cruise passengers coming to visit the great land. It may be a classic case of cutting of your nose to spite your face.

Carnival Corp. is the latest cruise company planning to cut deployment in Alaska in 2010 because of the state's $50 cruise passenger head tax. During an earnings conference call recently, Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corp., parent of Carnival, Holland America and Princess cruise lines, said the head tax is having a very significant impact on tourism to Alaska. In light of the worldwide economic downturn, the $50 add to the price tag of an Alaska cruise is a "significant price" for passengers to pay in the current price-sensitive environment according to Arison. He hinted that further reductions in Alaska were possible in 2011 if business did not improve.

Carnival already announced that the Carnival Spirit would be based in Seattle in 2010, instead of Whittier and Vancouver, where it is homeported this year. Blaming the $50 head tax, Carnival competitor Royal Caribbean earlier announced it was pulling its Serenade of the Seas from its Alaska program in 2010 for a loss of 42,000 passengers.

The changes announced thus far mean that roughly 100,000 fewer cruise passengers will visit South-central Alaska in 2010, a 25% reduction in cruise passengers.

Princess Cruises reduced its Alaska deployment by one ship and Holland America Line will offer fewer, but longer sailings in the region, in 2010. Princess said it will sail seven ships in Alaska in 2010, versus eight this summer, by reducing the number of vessels deployed on the Gulf of Alaska route between Vancouver and Whittier from four to three. The Star Princess will leave Alaska altogether, decreasing the line’s total capacity there by 16%, or almost 48,000 passengers, and reducing its Gulf of Alaska capacity by almost 29%. Princess has not yet revealed where the Star Princess is going.

Holland America will introduce 14-day Alaska cruises in 2010 with the 1,380-passenger Amsterdam sailing roundtrip from Seattle, and making calls in less-trodden Alaskan cruise ports such as Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak. The new itinerary reduces the cruise line’s overall 2010 Alaska deployment by 10 sailings, or about 11,000 passengers, HAL said, as the 10 14-day sailings replace 20 7-day sailings between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. The 14-day cruises depart roundtrip from Seattle from May 17 to Sept. 6, 2010, and bring to four the number of Alaska itineraries HAL is offering in 2010. That equates to a loss of 15,000 visitors to South-central Alaska, compared with 2009 capacity.

Halloween Special - Spooky Places to Visit

2008-10-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, my idea of vacation involves quite, serene, peaceful and warm places where relaxation is the number one objective. For many others though, their objective is action and adventure. Spooky places are intriguing to a lot of people. If you fall in that category, here are some of the spookiest places in the world to visit according a recent survey of travelers who search such places out.

Catacombs of Paris in Paris, France If you’re not “faint of heart” or “claustrophobic,” the “morbid” and “dim” catacombs have been a preferred place to beat the heat in the City of Light since the late 1700s. Besides walls of femurs and tibias, officials also “formed pictures, warnings, and messages out of the bones, making the sight even more grotesque.”

Bran Castle in Bran, Romania The legend of Dracula—or Vlad Tepes, since you’ll be on a real-name basis once you’ve visited his “dark and frightening” home—harkens back to Bran Castle, rising atop a Transylvanian peak. Today the fortress is a museum, so you can call on Vlad the Impaler any time you want (during operating hours, anyway).

Old Melbourne Gaol in Melbourne, Australia Visitors to Melbourne’s infamous jail, today marketed with a “Crime & Justice Experience” subtitle, report feeling “disturbed by lost souls” yet find the trip “strangely intriguing”—especially the collection of death masks and hanging beams of Ned Kelly and other outlaws.

Dilmun Burial Complex in Sar, Bahrain One of the most intriguing ancient Arabian burial grounds, the Dilmun complex of intertwining graves is perhaps best known for its “honeycomb” appearance. Both the identity of the buried and the function of excavated buildings—thought to be temples of a very early civilization—remain unsolved.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in Manteo, North Carolina After nearly 420 years, visitors to Fort Raleigh are still asking the question, “Where, oh where, is Virginia Dare?” The first baby born to English arrivals in the New World vanished, along with an entire colony of settlers, with a mysterious tree carving their only trace. See the story—minus the mysterious ending—dramatized in the long-running outdoor musicalThe Lost Colony.

Hill of Crosses in Siauliai, Lithuania The hill sagging under tens of thousands of crosses is such a striking sight that many visitors to Lithuania claim you haven’t really visited the country until you’ve seen it. Its origins are unknown, though Lithuania has long maintained a tradition of carving crosses that express “both sorrow and hope.”

Burning Town in Centralia, Pennsylvania A must-see oddity on any northeast US road trip, a coal vein has been burning beneath this town for 46 years. You’ll know you’re close when you hit “undulating blacktop” on Route 61, and then you’ll see the ghost town with its “few families who refuse to leave, several cemeteries, and the smoking strip mine where it all started.” If you’re not creeped out yet, it’s two hours to Philadelphia and the “haunted” Eastern State Penitentiary.

Hallstatt Bone House in Hallstatt, Austria Tight for space, for hundreds of years some Austrian graveyards gained new ground by burying and then exhuming bodies, painting the skeletal remains and arranging them in abeinhaus. Centuries of bones—the newest decorated skull, gold tooth still intact, dates only to 1983—can be seen in the Hallstatt chapel and while it is “in no way sterilized, it is not tasteless either.”

Okefenokee Swamp in Waycross, Georgia The Seminoles’ impenetrable “Land of Trembling Earth” still makes visitors tremble with fear. No one can confirm—or discount—the tales of swamp people, ghosts, and larger-than-life supernatural beings, but visitors can confirm that the ancient Native American burial mound on Chesser Island is worth a visit. If it’s live things that scare you, go gator-spotting on one of the wildlife refuges boat tours.

Castlerigg in Keswick, England Locals prefer Castlerigg’s Cumbrian Druid formations to those at Stonehenge because you can “touch them, sit on them, and appreciate how they’re set off by the dramatic backdrop.” (Perhaps also because it’s free.) Visits can be “peaceful,” “oddly disturbing,” or “threatening, mystic, and magical,” depending on the weather—and on whether you spot any of the bizarre light phenomena reported at the site.

So if spooky is your idea of fun, may the witches be with you and remember, practice safe hex. Bats all folks!

Other Options for Alaska

2008-10-16T17:04:00.000-07:00

Last week I presented some fairly standard and popular options for an Alaska vacation. While those will work well for most people, it occurred to me that there may be a lot of people who have already done an Inside Passage or Gulf of Alaska cruise and are looking for something a little different. Others may not really be into cruising and may want more land and less sea. The great thing about Alaska is that it offers a myriad of choices in the ways you can see it.

For those who want less cruise and more land sightseeing, the Klondike and Yukon explorer tours is a good option. They usually start or end with a three or four day cruise allowing you to see Glacier Bay and then depending on whether you are sailing northbound or southbound, Ketchikan or Juneau and Skagway. That allows you to see the best of southeastern Alaska without spending too much time on a ship. In Skagway, you’ll begin your land journey following the trail of the great Gold Rush. You’ll travel aboard the White Pass Scenic Railway over White Pass following the Chilkoot trail, one of the two main routes the miners followed to the Klondike. You’ll be treated to spectacular scenery and get a real sense of the hardships the miners faced in their trek to find riches. You may also come to appreciate how smart Levy Strauss was as well. He went north to find his riches and when he saw the tattered clothes many of the miners were wearing that were unsuited for the rugged terrain, he promptly went back to San Francisco, and began producing Levy’s. He got rich while most of those who endured the difficult trails, inhospitable weather and more often than not disappointment at not finding the Mother Lode who came back flat broke. It serves to remind us that sometimes it’s better to be the one who supplies those pursuing things than those doing the pursuing.

Your journey will continue by motorcoach taking you to Kluane National Park, Whitehorse, Dawson City, Eagle and Tok. You float down 100 miles of the Eagle River in the most pristine environment you can imagine. You’ll traverse along the Alaska pipeline and into Fairbanks for a day or two of exploring to give you a view of the history of the area. From there you’ll head south to Denali National Park for a few days visiting this national treasure. I always recommend that your tour include the Deep Tundra Wildlife tour which is a little over seven hours long and takes you fifty three miles into the park. You are much more likely to see a wide variety of wildlife and get a feel for this magnificent place. Many tour operators are offering what is called the Natural History tour which is three hours long and only goes fifteen miles into the park. It is a poor use of time and money in my opinion and your chances of seeing much wildlife are pretty slim. From Denali, you will head south to Talkeetna, a quirky but really neat little place where if Mother Nature cooperates, you will be treated to some outstanding views of the majestic 20,320 foot Mt McKinley. If you are really adventuresome, take the flightseeing tour of Mt McKinley in small fixed wing aircraft. I did the summit trip and I am totally convinced I never need to climb it. I saw its spectacular beauty up close and personal and did it all in a few hours rather than the days it takes to hike it. For me, that works. After leaving Talkeetna, you’ll end your journey in Anchorageand fly home from there after enjoying a day or two in Alaska’s biggest city, which incidentally is just a little over twice the size of Federal Way. If you are traveling by motorcoach, a high pointof your trip may be as you go through the now famous thriving metropolis of Wasilla, which incidentally is less than one fifteenth the size of Federal Way. At least you will be able to say you were there.

Another great option for those looking for something different in a visit to Alaska is the Voyage of the Bering Sea. This cruise by small ship from Anchorage to Nome takes you on an incredible 2000 mile journey that includes Kodiak Island, Katmai National Park, Dutch Harbor, the Shumagin and Pribilof Islands, two ports of call in Russia and ending in Nome. You’ll travel in the wake of Danish explorer Vitus Bering, to some of the most remote and spectacular islands on earth. Every place you go is rarely, if ever, visited by other cruise ships. You'll experience sights, sounds, and people you'll remember the rest of your life whether it’s the white bones of a whalebone repository on the dark tundra, native cultures who still rely on sealskin kayaks or wildlife in abundance, You’ll spot a myriad of seabirds as well as larger animals such as fur seals, sea lions, brown bears, perhaps even polar bears and walrus. The remote islands of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge are thinly settled by people – but they absolutely abound in wildlife. The cliffs, pinnacles and rocky shorelines of the Pribilof Islands and St. Matthew are home to walrus, fur seals, and literally millions of seabirds. To the southeast, you’ll see brown or Kodiak bears by Zodiac at Geographic Harbor in Katmai National Park. Rare seabirds float above, gray whales frolic in the sea, great heaps of sea lions bellowing on the rocks. No two port calls are alike. Homer is an artists’ colony in a breathtakingly beautiful setting. Kodiak is a hard-working timber and Coast Guard town, and Dutch Harbor is home to the Bering Sea fishing fleet. Then you get truly remote – St. Paul in the Pribilofs, the Chukchi community of Yanrakynnot inRussia and Little Diomede. This is truly a journey of a lifetime and you will see a part of Alaska very few will ever see.

Planning a trip to Alaska – Here are a few Tips

2008-09-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

While the 2008 Alaska cruise and tour season is coming to an end, now is the best time to plan and purchase your 2009 Alaska vacation. Right now, you have the largest selection and availability and the prices are very good. If you are considering a cruisetour where you explore the interior “Heart of Alaska” then now is definitely the time to buy as the best tours fill very early.

Alaska definitely lives up to its reputation as the Great Land. If you have been searching for an Alaska vacation that’s right for you, you may be overwhelmed by all the options. So many choices! Twelve different cruise lines sailing thirty six different ships will ply the waters of Alaska in 2009 not to count literally dozens of combinations of land tours to choose from.

Briefly, the following is a summary of your major options for Alaska cruise and tour vacations:

1. Seven day roundtrip Inside Passage cruise embarking and disembarking from Seattle. You will visit Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway or Sitka and either visit Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, or the twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm. Your exact itinerary will depend on when you are going and which cruise line you are on.
2. Seven day roundtrip Inside Passage cruise embarking and disembarking from Vancouver, BC. You will visit the same places, just a different point of departure. There isn’t any real advantage for Seattleites unless you just want to visit Vancouver. We have ten big ships that leave Seattle weekly and prices are usually at or below Vancouver prices for essentially the same cruise.
3. Seven day Gulf of Alaska northbound or southbound cruise embarking and disembarking from Vancouver, Whittier or Seward. You will visit Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway or Sitka and either visit Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, or the twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm. You will continue on across the Gulf of Alaska and visit pristine Prince William Sound and College Fjord with the seven Ivy League glaciers. You will go into Kenai Fjords National Park and end or start your cruise in Seward or Whittier depending on the direction of your sailing. If you are cruise only, you will either fly into or out of Anchorage after going by motorcoach through the scenic Kenai Peninsula. Your exact itinerary will depend on when you are going, which cruise line you are on and whether you are doing a northbound or southbound cruise. The advantage to this trip is obviously you will see more spectacular scenery. The downside is that your cost is higher because of the airfare.
4. Nine to Fourteen day Alaska Cruise tour. The cruise portion will be exactly the same as the seven day Gulf of Alaska cruise but once on land in Alaska, depending on the tour option you choose, you will also see Alyeska, Anchorage, Copper River, Kenai, Talkeetna, Denali National Park and Fairbanks. Other options can include traveling onto Coldfoot, Barrow and experiencing the Arctic National Wildlife Preserve. You will see this incredible landscape by either domed railcar or motorcoach or combination of the two. An Alaska cruisetour is by far the best way to see Alaska and appreciate its beautiful scenery and wildlife. Obviously the cost is higher but it is well worth it in my opinion. If you are doing a seven day Inside Passage cruise, you are only seeing 28% of Alaska. Granted it is a spectacular 28%, but it is still a relatively small part of what Alaska is all about. A cruisetour allows you to see the true Alaska.
5. Small ship cruising in Alaska. No doubt about it, big ships aren’t for everyone. A small ship cruise in Alaska is the up close and personal view where you will see and experience things you never would on a big ship. These ships typically hold around one hundred passengers, are very informal, have more flexible itineraries, and travel into bays, coves and inlets not accessible to big ships. You will have a more cultural and educational experience than on a big ship with 2,000 plus other guest. The onboard enrichment programs are generally superior to the big ships with naturalist that know the area intimately. The upside of small ship cruising in Alaska is the experience. The downside is the price. Cruise fares tend to be pricy because these operators aren’t making their money on onboard revenue from casino’s, overpriced Caribbean drinks (in Alaska?) or big gift shops on the ships. There are also some options for small deluxe yacht cruises accommodating ten to twelve passengers. It is a great way to see Alaska but make sure your checkbook is pretty fat.

Typically, if you cruise the last two weeks of July or the first two weeks in August you have the greatest probability of the best weather. If your budget allows it, I highly recommend you take a balcony cabin on the aft (back) of the ship. This gives you a full view of both sides from the ship and a very comfortable windbreak to sit and take in the beautiful sights in the comfort of your own balcony without fighting the crowds. The balconies are a little bigger on the back of the ship. If a balcony on the aft won't work for you, go with a balcony or oceanview stateroom on the starboard (right) side of the ship for maximum viewing of the land side for northbound cruises or the port side for southbound cruises.

World Voyager Vacations Referral and Onboard Booking Program

2008-06-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

Earn credits toward future travel when you refer friends, family and coworkers to World Voyager Vacations. Once they book, we will reward your confidence in us. We appreciate your support and want you to know it.

Here's how the Program works:

Refer a qualified individual to your World Voyager Travel Concierge. They need to be seriously interested in a vacation and you need to give their name and contact information to your Travel Concierge. You will need to make sure they ask for your Travel Concierge when they contact us. This is your guarantee that you will get the credit you deserve!

You'll receive a "Thank you for your referral" postcard from your Travel Concierge when contact is established with the person you are referring.

You must save your referral postcards and you decide when you redeem them with your Travel Concierge. Redeem them right away or save them up for a bigger reward! There is no expiration date on your referral postcards, but it is your responsibility to save them and redeem them when you choose. Only original postcards will be accepted for redemption.

One Referral = One Point - Double the Points Earned for Cruisetour Packages!

5 points = $10 per cabin discount or shipboard credit

10 points = $20 per cabin discount or shipboard credit

15 points = $30 per cabin discount or shipboard credit

20 points = $40 per cabin discount or shipboard credit

25 points = $50 per cabin discount or shipboard credit

On Board Booking Program

There is no better time to plan for your next cruise while you are having time on your current one! Many cruise lines offer incentives and bonuses for you to rebook your next cruise vacation while onboard that are ONLY available at that time. We at World Voyager Vacations recommend you take advantage of this great program. We want to assure you that even if you rebook onboard, the cruise line will give World Voyager Vacations and your Travel Concierge full credit for the booking and will assign it to us to completely service your needs relating to your new cruise booking.

To encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity, we're going to reward you when you let us know you've done so. You'll earn a $25 per cabin shipboard credit simply by doing the following:

As you depart on your current cruise, go prepared. Have an idea as to where and when you might want to cruise next. Make a note of your vacation time if applicable.

Meet with the onboard cruise consultant to make your booking. Here's a tip. Meet with them earlier in your cruise to avoid the mad rush at the end of the cruise. Make sure you get a confirmation of the onboard booking you have made. Be sure to tell them World Voyager Vacations is your booking agency. We will include a form to hand them in the documents for your current cruise or you may click here to download and print the form to take with you.

Upon your return home, contact your Travel Concierge within 30 days and advise us of your onboard booking with the confirmation number. Most cruise lines are very good about faxing us a copy of your booking, but your calling us insures that we know you rebooked. More importantly, it allows us to make sure you received the best fare available, that your special needs and special celebrations are noted. We can also discuss your travel insurance options and we can send you an updated brochure (if available) and your booking confirmation papers.

Collect your reward!

Once You Return Home - Direct Solicitations From the Cruise Line

After you have returned from your cruise, it is quite likely you will start to receive a variety of mailings and emails directly from the cruise line with special offers. Many people mistakenly believe the offer is only available to past passengers and only available directly from the cruise line. While there are many specials for past passengers, they are always available from us at World Voyager Vacations at the exact same price the cruise line would sell it to you directly for. If you receive a solicitation in the mail or an email from the cruise line, please call your World Voyager Vacations Travel Concierge and she will handle everything for you. In addition to the service you receive, you will know you have an advocate watching out for your interests. We appreciate your support.

We look forward to being of service to you again! We appreciate your business.

Checking Out Your Agent Before You Buy

2008-05-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Vaughn,
Recently you suggested in your column that travelers check out “sellers” of special priced trips, as some of them are bogus. Perhaps in a near future column, you would suggest how one checks out agents for various trips. Is there a good source for this or a special web site where one can go to get this information?

Thank you,
Lorraine Schukar
************************************************
Lorraine –

Unfortunately, there is not one central website that contains information on travel agencies or MLM (multi level marketing) schemes in general. Below are some recommendations that may assist you.

1. Ask the agent you are working with for the Washington State Seller of Travel License Number and CLIA or IATA (Professional Associations that Certify Agents) number and how long they have been in business.
2. Ask if they have an established trust account or required bond that is posted pursuant to the Seller of Travel License requirement
3. Ask if they have a retail store location and where it is. You may feel more at ease by going into the store and dealing with the agent face to face.
4. If they are home based, ask who they are associated with, i.e. parent company, travel consortium etc. Also, are they licensed in the state of Washington? Are they part of a multi-level marketing scheme designed to exploit your interest in travel and entice more people to be part of their company for payment of fees. If they are, it is generally best to avoid doing business with them. Do you feel comfortable parting with several thousands of dollars for a vacation at the local Starbucks where you meet the home based agent who doesn’t want you to come to their home?
5. Ask them to give you a summary of their full time travel agent experience. MLM companies are famous for suggesting anybody can be a travel agent and book their own trips and trips for friends and family. While being offensive to travel agents in general, I can tell you from several years experience it takes substantial training and experience to become a competent agent. Ask yourself how much you know about 47 different cruise lines sailing nearly 300 ships to over 5,000 destinations annually. How many land resort operators are there and how do you ensure you are getting the best price, best value and are protected if they don’t deliver? It is a complicated and complex business. Certainly booking an airline ticket online doesn’t require any particular skill level as the decisions are pretty straightforward and simple. You are going from point A to Point B and want to sit at the front or back of the plane in a window or aisle seat. When you get into more complicated trips, it definitely requires knowledge, skills and abilities that professional travel agents possess.
6. Check with the Consumer Affairs Division of the State Attorney General’s Office to see if they have been the subject of complaints or enforcement action.
7. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have been the subject of complaints.
8. Go onto Google and type in the name of the travel agent, agency and parent company to see if anything comes up. Often, sites like Rip-off Report.com will have information and customer complaints if it is a large problem.
9. Are they members of the local Chamber of Commerce
10. Ask for referrals for travel agencies from friends, family and coworkers. If they have had a good experience with the agent, chances are you will be well taken care of.
11. I recommend that you purchase independent travel protection insurance if you don’t know who you are dealing with. You can go onto the websites for Access America or Travel Guard and purchase the insurance to protect your investment.
12. Does what they are offering sound reasonable? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do some comparison shopping online to get a feel for the average value of a trip like you are planning. Be sure to compare apples to apples by using the same dates, types of accommodations, etc. If the company you are working with is offering the same thing at a much lower price, be wary. How are they doing that? Why would they do that? Be cautious. If mega companies like Costco or others with their huge buying power can’t offer that kind of deal, how could some no name company offer it?

I know this may be a little work, but if you are spending several thousand dollars it is worth it to check out who you are dealing with. I hope this helps.

Jerry Vaughn
********************************************
Jerry,

Thanks so much for your response. I think that you replied the day after you returned from Europe is very commendable. When my husband and I return from Europe it takes us a while to get back into the groove.

Thanks for your suggestions. They are very helpful, and you’re correct that it’s worth the effort when one is getting ready to put out several thousand dollars.

Lorraine

Sometimes You Just Don’t Get A Second Chance.

2008-03-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

How many times have we all said “I sure wish we had done this or that?" Most of us have probably put off doing or seeing something for a varienty of reasons. I did that very thing and this week I learned an important lesson and that is simply unfortunately, sometimes you just don’t get a second chance to do it.

My dad was a true outdoorsman. He loved hunting (although not for several years because of his age), camping, fishing and just being outside. As a young boy, my dad and I hiked and camped in some of the remotest areas of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. While he was the ever patient fisherman, I was the easily bored one who would get in trouble for trying to skip rocks across the lake where he was trying to fish.

For several years, my Dad always talked about how he wanted to go to Alaska and see the great land. He didn’t really want to cruise there. He wanted to go by motor home up the ALCAN Highwayand just take his time to enjoy the sights and sounds. As he got older, I kept trying to convince him to cruise with me and then do a land extension into the heart of Alaska. I could never quite get him to commit. In spite of being retired for over 30 years, he always had too much to do to be gone that long or just didn’t want to be away from home at that particular time. I never quite figured out what all those things were he had to do, but according to him he always had something that just couldn’t wait to be done. Over the past few years, as his health began to deteriorate I tried harder to convince him to go and when he finally agreed, I was really pleased. Unfortunately, a work related conflict came up for me and I couldn’t go. My dad’s dream trip to Alaska got put on hold.

Last week I was in New York for a business meeting. On Monday night my brother called and told me my Dad was in pretty bad shape and that the end was probably near. On Tuesday afternoon, he called again to say that my Dad had only been given hours to live. I diverted my flight back to Seattle to Denver. My dad passed away while I was in the air trying to get there. I missed him by just a few hours. I had seen him in late January and knew that may be the last time I would see him alive as he was in pretty bad shape. Hard as it is to let go, I know in my own heart it is for the best because he was not enjoying a quality of life that the robust outdoorsman I had grown up with had.

As my brother and I went through all the arrangements for the funeral and taking care of things at his house, I couldn’t help but think about all the good times and the things about his love of the outdoors. I know he would have enjoyed that trip to Alaska immensely and it would have meant a lot to him. Now, because we didn’t make it a high enough priority, I only have regrets for not having done it instead of fond memories of what may have been one of the highlights of his life.

My advice to people who have always wanted to see or do something is to try to figure out a way to get it done so that you’re not the one saying “Boy, I wish we had done that.” Remember, sometimes there are no second chances..

Mixing Business With Pleasure for Profit

2008-02-24T22:40:00.000-08:00

Incentive Awards and Customer Loyalty Programs

Do you want to improve employee performance and contributions to your business? Do you have special customers you want to reward for their loyalty and purchases? Incentive Awards and Customer Loyalty programs are proven methods to increase profits and improve your bottom line. They can help you be more competitive in the market place and stave off loss of business to new competitors. Incentive Awards and Customer Loyalty programs are one of the most powerful tools available to businesses today.

Properly structured and executed, Incentive Awards programs don't cost you money, they make you money.

What can an Incentive Awards Program do for your business?

Increase sales and productivity by providing meaningful rewards that have high perceived value.

Research has shown well designed and executed Incentive Awards Programs can increase sales between 22% and 28% on average.

Promote loyalty and high morale with your employees which in turn produces a more stable workforce. Reduces costly turnover that is non productive and in the end, it will improve your bottom line.

The cost of the award in proportion to the increased sales volume is usually low leading to increased profitability of your company.

Important Points About Incentive Awards Programs:

A well-designed Incentive Program doesn't’t cost you money. it makes you money. It drives sales and motivates for extraordinary results.
Incentive travel programs work because they force companies to take a long, hard look at their products and services and the way they do business. They help companies identify specific challenges, design a strategy to meet those challenges and motivate key people to accomplish business goals.
Incentive Programs work because they recognize a fundamental characteristic of human nature - the love of a short-term reward for short-term behavior! “I’ll do it now if you’ll reward me now.” Or, “I’ll give you extra effort if you’ll give me extra reward.”

Request a Proposal and Price Quote for an Employee Incentive Program for your Company

Belize - A Divers and Snorkelers Paradise

2008-01-18T05:56:00.000-08:00

For those looking for incredible scuba diving, snorkeling, white sandy beaches and warm sun, Belize is a great destination. Belize rests on the Caribbean coast between Mexico and Guatemala: an exotic, English-speaking, adventurer's paradise, just a couple of hours away from three major United States cities. Almost half the country has been preserved as nature parks and reserves, including tropical forests teeming with wildlife and hiding mysterious Mayan ruins, and 174 miles of coastline featuring the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.
The reef and the country's numerous offshore cayes, or atolls, have made this one of the world's most desirable destinations for scuba divers and marine researchers. They come to explore unique features like the famous 'Blue Hole', a collapsed submerged cave 1,000 feet in diameter and 412 feet deep.

Archaeologically Belize is fascinating too, having been the site of mighty Mayan cities from around 1,000 BC until the inexplicable disintegration of that great civilization around 900 AD. There are believed to be thousands of Mayan ruins in Belize, of which about 600 have been discovered and excavated, many now open to tourists.

Like most Caribbean countries Belize was occupied by British and Spanish colonialists over the centuries before gaining independence (only lately recognized by neighboring Guatemala which laid claim to the territory) in 1981. Today it is a happy-go-lucky multi-ethnic nation of warm, friendly people, very welcoming of the tourists on whom the country's economy relies heavily.

The main urban city (although not the capital) is Belize City, which offers some attractions like a world-class zoo, a new museum, historic buildings and the Maya site of Altun Ha. Basically, though, Belize is a destination for the outdoor enthusiast and adventure traveler. There are not many nightclubs, expensive shopping venues or fancy restaurants, but there is plenty of scope for diving, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, bird watching, kayaking and exploring.
Belize offers some of the best and most varied diving in the world and has the added benefits of excellent weather conditions and clear, warm water. At 185 miles long, Belize's barrier reef is the second longest in the world, and the largest in the western hemisphere. Most dive trips are organized at one of the cayes (pronounced keys), offshore atolls that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef.

The Blue Hole is Belize's best-known dive site - at 1,000 ft across and 460 ft deep, it is an awesome spectacle. There are a number of professional dive shops on the main cayes, which service divers with air and well-maintained diving and snorkeling equipment. The instructors working out of these shops provide full PADI and NAUI certification, and referrals for divers wanting to complete their open water certification. In the unlikely event of a diving accident, Ambergris Caye has a hyperbaric chamber.

Ambergris Caye is the most popular destination for tourists who come to Belize for the superb diving and snorkeling. It is close to many of the best dive sites including the Lighthouse Reef and Turneffe Islands. Other popular cayes are Caye Caulker and St George's Caye. Snorkelers and divers are almost guaranteed to see stingrays, schooling jack and the more common reef tropical’s such as groupers, angelfish, parrot fish and barracuda. Spot turtles and sharks may well be sighted too.

Belize's climate is temperate and marked by two distinct seasons, the rainy and dry. There is a notable transition from the one to the next. Rainfall during the rainy season occurs between June and November with rainfall averages ranging between 60 inches in the north to 160 inches in the south. Except for the southern regions, the rainfall is variable from year to year. Average temperatures range from 81 degrees along the coast to 69 degrees in the hills. The coldest month is January and the warmest temperatures are experienced in May.

New Law Has Juneau Concerned

2007-12-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

Measure would cut time ships spend in Alaska ports.

By GREG SKINNER Juneau Empire

The city of Juneau has weighed in on a proposed change in the interpretation of federal law that could cost the Juneau economy an estimated $68 million and drop sales tax revenue by $3.4 million annually.Mayor Bruce Botelho said virtually every business would be affected by the proposal affecting cruise ships if approved without changes by the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection. Botelho sent a letter to Customs in response to a Federal Registry posting in November announcing a proposed change to the interpretation of the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1898.

In essence, the new interpretation of the maritime act would require all foreign-flag ships leaving Seattle for Southeast Alaska to spend 48 hours, or 50 percent of the time scheduled at all Alaska ports, in a Canadian port. No ship carrying more than 250 passengers through local waters travels under the U.S. flag. Most cruise ships serving Alaska during the summer sail into or out of Vancouver, British Columbia, and therefore they are exempt from the law. But in recent years, some ships have shifted to Seattle, and they have a short stop in Vancouver to be adequate to keep their exemption. The proposed rules change grew out of a concern that ships sailing between Los Angeles and Hawaii were getting around the requirement that they be built in U.S. shipyards and be staffed by U.S. crews by stopping briefly in Mexico.

At the moment, only ships from the East Coast to Bermuda have a 48-hour port call, said Michael Crye, executive vice president of Cruise Lines International. He said the new interpretation was adopted "without sufficient due process" and was done without a "reasonable economic impact analysis."

A seven-day Alaska cruise from Seattle, obeying the new requirements, would have only one chance to make a port call in Southeast Alaska, according to Drew Green, Juneau port manager for Cruise Line Agency of America. "Two if they were really short," he said. If adopted, the new rules would begin with next spring's cruise season.

The Juneau Chamber of Commerce estimated a loss of 368,370 passenger visits in 2008 as a result.

$160 MILLION IMPACT
Green said the net impact to Southeast would be 1 million fewer passengers and could cost the region $160 million in direct spending. That's not including payroll, port fees, crew spending, tour operator spending and taxes, he said. As written, the new ruling would affect every cruise itinerary at every port in the United States. The change comes at the request of U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration. A cruise industry scuffle between U.S. and foreign ships in the Hawaiian Islands is at the heart of the request. Stiff competition drove cruises sailing under the U.S. flag to reregister under foreign flags and leave the market and resulted in the loss of thousands of U.S. merchant marine jobs. Botelho said that the proposed change was obviously intended to address an issue with the Hawaiian cruise industry, but that the draft interpretation was not limited to Hawaiian cruise itineraries. Botelho urged Customs to modify the language to specifically address ships operating in the lucrative 15-day Southern California to Hawaii market. The act was created in the 19th century to foster a U.S. monopoly on passenger service between American ports and to build up the American merchant marine. "It's an issue with history," said Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau.

'POTENTIALLY BRUTAL'
The language in the document is too ambiguous for comfort, Elton said. He is drafting a letter asking that the ruling be applied only to Hawaii. But, the real power of persuasion rests with Alaska's congressional delegation, he said. U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens is vice chairman of the Commerce Science and Transportation Committee, which Customs falls under. A senior staff member in Stevens' Washington, D.C., office said Stevens intends to ask for the interpretation to apply only to Hawaii. U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, is chairman of the committee. All in the Alaska cruise industry are hoping for the interpretation to include the "Hawaiian provision," Green said. "Without a change, it's potentially brutal for Alaskan cruise industry," he said.

Costa Rica - The Gem of Central America

2007-11-30T09:59:00.000-08:00

Known for its spectacular natural beauty and biodiversity, Costa Rica boasts over 15 different ecosystems with dramatic changes in landscapes, climate and nature. Magnificent beaches stretch for miles along an unspoiled coastline; high on the mountains, cool and pristine cloud forests is alive with mysterious sounds and below splendid tropical rain forests are packed with life. The country is famous for its progressive approach to conservation and is the prime eco-tourism destination in Central America due to its wealth of protected areas. Over 25 percent of the country is protected, spread between 75 different national parks, wildlife refuges and biological reserves. In such a small geographical area it is surprising how much there is to see and do. There are activities to suit all visitors and any mood, from action to relaxation. These include surfing, snorkeling and sunbathing, horse riding, hiking and wildlife-spotting, deep sea fishing or river cruises. You can also simply enjoy a soak in the hot springs.

Visitors are also drawn to the country because of the special Tico hospitality. Costa Ricans are known for their incredible gregariousness and ability to pamper guests - whether pointing out the right direction or cooking a typical authentic meal, they’ll be full of smiles and warmth. All this together with easy accessibility and an efficient infrastructure makes Costa Rica the jewel of Central America and a gem of a vacation destination.

Central Pacific Coast, Costa Rica

The Pacific is more developed for tourism than the Caribbean, but it still holds a good mixture of luxury resorts and deserted beaches. Some of the country's best-known beaches are in this region. Costa Ricans use the perfectly suited phrase 'pura vida', meaning 'pure life', to describe the country and examples of this are evident everywhere along the Pacific coastline. Strung along the coast are scores of seaside villages and picturesque towns, exotic beaches and several protected reserves or national parks. Visitors will find an abundance of accommodations, seafood and local souvenirs. Puntarenas is the largest town and was the main port, but is now mainly used for a base to catch ferries to the Nicoya Peninsula. Further south, the Tarcoles Bridge is a renowned spot for watching the crocodiles in the river below. Tourists stream to the beach resort town of Jacó, one of the best places to surf and with a reputation for being a party town. There are many activities in the area including surfing, kayaking and swimming in the azure waters of the pacific. There is also hiking, birding and wildlife-spotting in the forests of the national parks as well as beach walks, volleyball and horseback riding. Beautiful parks like Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio and Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco have pristine white beaches as well as birds and animal life. The tiny fishing hamlet of Montezuma near the entrance to Cabo Blanco is surrounded by pretty coves and is a relaxing place to hang out for a few days.

North Western Region, Costa Rica

Characteristic of this area is the dramatic contrast in topography. Mountain ranges, volcanoes, lakes, rivers and fertile plains support numerous varieties of bird and wildlife, each offering different types of activities. The two Cordilleras, or mountain ranges, are very different from each other. The Cordillera Tilarán has rolling mountains that used to be covered in cloud forests; those remaining are protected reserves of which the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is the most popular with visitors, offering nature trails, horse riding and canopy tours. The Cordillera de Guanacaste is an impressive string of volcanoes, some protected within national parks. Between the ranges are Lake Arenal and the nearby active Arenal Volcano and surrounding hot springs. Further north, in the tropical humidity of the lowland plains, lays the remote wildlife refuge of Caño Negro, a vast wetlands area that is one of the best places in the Americas to see river wildlife, including numerous birds, mammals and reptiles. The fertile plains are dotted with a mixture of agricultural fields, cattle ranches and expanses of protected areas serviced by a maze of streams and rivers.

The Caribbean Lowlands, Costa Rica

The Caribbean has a cultural diversity that is different from the rest of the country. With its beautiful beaches, great surfing conditions and pristine national parks it is becoming one of the top attractions for the adventurous traveler. It is less developed than the Pacific side with fewer roads and smaller settlements and about half the area is set apart and protected in parks and wildlife refuges. The capital of the region is the seedy port of Limón, which is generally avoided by tourists and used only as a transport hub. Cahuita is a relaxed village neighboring the Cahuita National Park, the Creole culture particularly evident in the food and music. Further south is the even more tranquil hamlet of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca popular for its surfing and incredible coastline. In the north the coastal National Park of Tortuguero is one of the most important breeding and nesting sites of the green sea turtle. The villages are laid back with an unhurried atmosphere common throughout the region. The majority of the people are extremely friendly, live close to the coast and speak a lively form of English. The people of the Caribbean delight in showing visitors the natural beauty of the area and are eager to share their culture with anyone willing to 'hang out' for a while. There is plenty to see and do, but things are relaxed so take time to experience this rewarding side of Costa Rica.

Guatemala - A Cultural Treasure

2007-11-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

Guatemala is a small country that is lush and mountainous and is graced with beautiful scenery, a rich indigenous culture, colonial history and important archaeological ruins. I previously travelled to Guatemala regularly on business and always made it a point to stay at the Camino Real in the heart of Guatemala City because of its central location and easy access. You could often see the orange glow of the Pacaya Volcano at night far off in the distance. A major highlight of my trips was always the Sunday market in Antigua, the ancient capitol of Guatemala. I was constantly amazed at the beautiful clothing and blankets handspun by the native people as well as jewelry and other items with strong local flavor. The “Worry Dolls” I would bring back were always a hit with my daughters. The most enjoyable part however, was watching and interacting with the young kids who would negotiate prices for the goods their families had brought to the market with tourists. Their ability to fluently speak their native Mayan dialect, Spanish and English was amazing. Most impressive however were their math skills. They could calculate exchange rates quickly and efficiently. I'm sure they used their cuteness to their advantage in the negotiations, but I never really minded. I’m equally sure I probably overpaid since I am a graduate of the Jimmy Buffet school of “Math Suks!” Admittedly, I had a hard time keeping up in the negotiations with them. The native people have a very rich, creative and colorful culture that is really something to experience.

Guatemala lies at the heart of the Mayan culture in Central America with remarkable Mayan sites scattered throughout the land, none more so than the magnificent ruins of the ancient city ofTikal, set deep within the jungle. El Petén, in Guatemala's humid lowlands, is the site of the more than 8,000-square-mile Maya Biosphere Reserve, home to Yaxhá, the ancient Maya city and Tikal. Guatemala City, the country’s capital is by far the largest town in the country. The city is located in a large valley dominated by the Agua Volcano.

The Mayan villages of the highlands are spread amid the breathtaking scenery of smoking volcanoes and spectacular lakes, where ancient customs and traditions persist despite five centuries of European domination. Their culture is expressed through vibrant weekly markets, bright traditional clothing, fabulous handicrafts, different languages and colorful religious festivals. Lake Atitlán, situated in the Solola District, ranks as one of the world's most scenic. The misty blue water unfolds against a backdrop of three 10,000-foot volcanoes, Toliman, Atitlán, and San Pedro. Created by a massive volcanic eruption 85,000 years ago, the lake, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Guatemala City or Antigua, stretches 12 miles long and six miles wide with depths reaching over 1000 feet.

Guatemalan society is split between the traditional and the modern, each following their own path in a country sprinkled with remnants of a colonial past. Nowhere is the Spanish legacy more evident than in Antigua with its cobbled streets, plazas and elegant fountains, and towering volcanoes as a backdrop. Interrelations between the Spanish and the native population produced a mixed population, the Ladinos, who have embraced their European heritage and are typically city folk. One of my goals was to spend 8 weeks there in a Spanish Immersion program to hone my Spanish language skills. Unfortunately, that was an unfulfilled goal for me.

A rough past provides a troublesome background to the country and its people. Inequalities between the Spanish-speaking Indians and indigenous cultures, and rich and poor, have been a source of tension and discord throughout the years. The violence caused by political differences has left thousands dead, while the devastation caused by earthquakes has left people homeless and in need of world aid. Despite this you are drawn to the intriguing mix of cultures and history set amid dramatic scenery, with extremely considerate people to show you the sights that Guatemalans are justifiably proud of.

Group Travel Can Be Like Herding Cats

2007-11-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

Group travel can be a fun and exciting adventure. Being with friends, family or other like minded people can provide memorable experiences that can build strong bonds. Organizing and planning the trip can be fairly easy if you do it right. However, you will come to appreciate the term “herding cats” if you take the wrong approach. We organize a lot of groups and believe me we have learned some lessons the hard way. Some of the mistakes you can make may be nothing more than a little nuisance or inconvenience while others can have significant cost implications. In still others, not paying attention to detail and staying on top of things can cause people to miss connections, end up with things that are different than they were expecting or can jeopardize the whole trip. Like anything else, experience pays so don’t be afraid to ask for help to make sure your group trip results in the participants coming back and saying “Wow, that was a great trip. I can’t wait to do it again!”

We have worked with a number of people who wanted to organize a group to travel together but they become so frustrated with trying to get people to agree on things and get firm commitments the whole thing falls apart. It doesn’t have to be that way if you just remember the basics. Here are a few tips for putting together a group trip so you can all have a good time and avoid complications along the way.

Use a small group (usually no more than three) to initially decide what kind of trip you would like to take, where you would like to go and things you would like to do. If you get too many involved, you will probably experience “analysis paralysis” and decisions may never get made. Make a list of your favorite things to do and think about options for the area you are visiting to appeal to as wide a range of people as possible considering age, lifestyle, budget and interest. What appeals to Grandma at age 80 probably won’t interest Junior at age 16 or mom at age 42.

Once a destination has been selected and type of trip agreed upon, pick ONE person to be in charge. You've probably heard the old expression “too many cooks spoil the soup.” Same thing goes with planning. One person should coordinate the rest of the organizational task to avoid unnecessary duplication, confusing or conflicting information and wasting time and effort.

Allow plenty of time. We just completed our annual hosted tour of Europe with a group of 28 and that was planned almost 18 months before the trip ever occurred. We are doing our next hosted cruise and tour to New Zealand and Australia and that’s not until November of 2008. All the arrangements for it have been made over the last three months. As a general rule, you should allow at least a year for your group trip so people can secure the time off, budget, save and pay for the trip and allow others to join in.

Work with a leisure travel agent who is experienced in working with groups. It’s important to recognize that group bookings are much more complicated than individual bookings and often times amenities or favorable pricing is missed because the inexperienced person simply doesn’t know how or what to ask for. When traveling to popular places or abroad, it's best to involve someone who does this on a full time basis as they can typically point you in the right direction when planning. In addition, they can save you a lot of time, headaches and most of importantly money. They can do many things to make your life much easier such as providing Group Express Reservation Forms that collect all essential information required for traveling today and payments so you don’t have to become the collection agency. They will ensure that all the components are in place to make sure your trip goes smoothly. If your group is large enough they may even escort it to make sure every thing goes just right. The services of the agent don’t cost you anything generally as the vendor compensates the agent.

Make sure everyone in your group either has their Passport or applies for their Passport and any required Visas early. Unless you are traveling in the United States or Puerto Rico, you will need a valid Passport under new Federal guidelines with some very limited exceptions.

Make a list of estimated traveling expenses. Some resorts and cruises may advertise as “all inclusive” (but seldom are) and you still need to eat at the airports, buy souvenirs and pay for your day trips among other things. Also make sure your group members know about any dress requirements and the climate so they can pack appropriately.

Whether for family reunions, friends, social or civic groups, or nonprofit fundraising events, group travel can be a great way to have a lot of fun.

Accessible Travel – Planning is Essential.

2007-10-31T09:41:00.000-07:00

Travel is about access to new and different possibilities. To those individuals with physical or medical disabilities, however, the word "access" takes on a multi-dimensional meaning. In our country, laws have been passed and in place for many years that have made accessibility easier. Once outside the country however, accessibility can be dramatically different and more difficult. Increasingly, accessible travel is a concern for senior adults that are travelling to all corners of the globe. As used here, "accessible travel" means travel that takes into consideration both the physical and cost hurdles that face those with physical or mental impairment. Our recent trip to Europe underscored the need to consider this issue to avoid problems or disappointment while on your journey.

There is a growing awareness on the part of destinations and tour operators of the need for accessible travel. As a result, more travel than ever falls into the general category of "accessible". Nevertheless, a bit of planning is always in order when deciding on a vacation, where you must consider issues such as walker, wheelchair or scooter access or service animals.
A good travel consultant is invaluable when making accessible travel choices. We have professional research tools that provide inside information on the steps many destinations have undertaken to accommodate travelers who need special access or assistance. We will contact tour operators that specialize in providing accessible travel. These tour operators have relationships with tourism offices, dining facilities, hotels and attractions and are the best possible resource in researching a trip.

In planning, it is important the tour operator knows details about special needs you have as early in the planning process as possible. Just as importantly, however, let your agent and the operator know what you are willing to take on as a challenge. For example, many travel publications indicate that cobblestone streets or buildings without elevators are not suitable for wheelchair users. However, such decisions are generally best left to the traveler. You are the best judge of what is or is not appropriate for your own physical abilities, but be realistic. A frank discussion with your travel consultant will make sure that you receive the most accurate information available and that your expectations are met.

Travel can be physically taxing on any traveler. Talk with your doctor about the best practices for visiting your selected destination as well as the particulars of your own condition. Doctors who are familiar with travel medicine can work with you to make sure all of the appropriate immunizations and special considerations of your destination (i.e., altitude) are taken into account.

If your condition requires special equipment such as wheelchairs, scooters or oxygen, we can assist you in determining the best way to either ship your own equipment or obtain similar equipment at your destination. Most airlines and cruise ships are acquainted with the need to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters, but vary on whether they must be checked or may enter the main cabin. Some airlines also require that batteries on motorized scooters be gel-batteries rather than wet cell, so find out what these requirements are in advance. Knowing the airline and cruise ship policies in advance makes it much easier to cope with any requirements when necessary. Remember, too, that it may be difficult to get your wheelchair or scooter serviced in a far-off locale, so if possible, have your equipment serviced before traveling.
Likewise, undertake proper planning with regard to any medications you might need. It is best to travel with an adequate supply as well as with a prescription to acquire more medicines should the need arise. Always travel with your medical supplies, especially medicines, on your person, when possible to prevent problems arising from lost baggage.

Traveling with service animals can be difficult when crossing borders. Many countries have very stringent quarantine requirements regarding the importation of animals to prevent rabies and other canine diseases. Special vaccination requirements and paperwork may be in order. Likewise, make sure that any hotels, B&B’s or other accommodations permit service animals in advance. If possible, acquire letters from your accommodations in advance acknowledging their acceptance of your animal companions. Finally, do a bit of research on local veterinarian offices in case your dog requires any attention while traveling.

If you are traveling with a tour operator specializing in accessible travel, it is highly likely that your itinerary will take into account special considerations your condition might require. However, if you are not traveling with a specialist tour company, make sure that the rigors of the daily itineraries are suitable for your needs. In some instances, you may find yourself confronted with inaccessible buildings, museums, walkways or distances. Days may be long without adequate facilities for your comfort. Again, these aspects of a trip are yours to determine and choose, but to the extent that you can properly anticipate any obstacles early in the planning process, the better equipped you will be to handle situations as they arise.

Cancun is Back and Better than Ever

2007-10-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

On October 21, 2005 Hurricane Wilma roared ashore making a direct strike on Cancun. The hurricane was the most powerful ever recorded and completely decimated the Cancun tourist industry for over6 months.

Many hotels were damaged, some beyond repair. Shops, bars and restaurants suffered flooding and structural damage. The resilience and determination of the Mexican people together with
unprecedented support from the Mexican Government ensured that Cancun came back better than ever.

A huge beach recovery program took place restoring the beaches to a condition better than before Wilma hit. Hoteliers and restaurateurs turned the downtime opportunity to their advantage
and brought forward longer term plans to upgrade and improve facilities resulting in today's Cancun being significantly improved from the Cancun of 2005.

As the cold weather season approaches, you may want to give Cancun some thought as a great vacation destination. New flight schedules make Cancun much more accessible to those from the Pacific Northwest than ever before. Carol and I had to travel to Cancun this past week on business (yes it is a tough job but somebody has to do it!) What we found were some really outstanding vacation opportunities that are the perfect getaway for sun lovers and those looking to escape the cold, dreary and wet days of winter in the northwest.

We first visited Moon Palace, a 4 star golfer’s paradise. We are preparing for a large group we have going there in January so we did what is referred to in the travel industry as a site visit for two days. Moon Palace is an all-inclusive resort meaning all your food, drinks (both alcoholic and non alcoholic), 24 hour room service, entertainment and most activities are included in the price making it an
exceptionally good value. For the golfers, there are 36 holes of championship golf available with special discounts for early rounds. For the ladies, there is an incredible SPA where you can pamper yourself. For families there are great kids programs and activities and separate pool areas with water park and other fun things. For those looking for romance, each room has a giant Jacuzzi for
two. It is a beautiful resort that meets about every need you may have. The choices of restaurants are impressive and the food was quite good. The pool is enormous with lounge chairs in the water on a chair deck. Overall, it is a top choice destination in my opinion

Our next stop took us to Dreams in the hotel district of Cancun. Dreams is on the very tip of a series of seven independent islands that make up Cancun. It was the first hotel built there and has the premium location. What a great family vacation spot. We had a second floor room with balcony overlooking the dolphin pool in the Pyramid building. We had six of these beautiful creatures providing non-stop entertainment night and day within feet of us. The Delphinus Swim with the Dolphins program is available here and will provide an incredible experience. It is a beautiful resort that is also all-inclusive which makes for great value. One interesting thing about it is that its whole theme is
relaxation. The background music, the live entertainment in the lounges is all very soothing and creates a really laid back environment. It is a very nice atmosphere.

Next, like desert Bedouins we moved onto the Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Resort for our annual Ensemble Travel Group conference. The Fiesta Americana Coral Beach is a five star luxury resort that is beautifully situated with impressive pools and activity areas overlooking white sugary sand beach. It is a first class resort for those looking for something really special. We weren’t able to necessarily enjoy all the amenities here simply because the Ensemble Travel Conference has a jam packed agenda full of outstanding speakers and programs as well as significant interaction between agency owners working on innovative ways to meet the significant challenges of today’s travel industry. It is a great program and reinforces for us the value in our association with Ensemble.

Cancun offers outstanding tour opportunities to ancient Mayan ruins in either Tulum or Chichen
Itza. These are fascinating sights that show the rich heritage and culture of the country. Water sports, swim with the dolphins programs, shopping and a variety of other things to do can give you an action packed vacation if that’s what you’re looking for or beautiful peaceful beaches can give you plenty of relaxation if that’s what you want. I recommend you book early to get the best prices and selection. Waiting until winter is upon us to book when demand is highest means you will pay higher prices.

For information on this or any other great vacation destination, please contact one of our experienced World Voyager Travel Concierges toll free 877 836-1949 or visit us on the web at http://www.worldvoyagervacations.com/
information@worldvoyagervacations.com

Wrapping up our Europe Trip

2007-09-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

A Few Observations about Europe and Vacationers

Over the past few weeks I shared with you our journey to the Mediterranean starting in Venice and ending in Barcelona with stops in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Santorini and Athens Greece, Naples and the Isle of Capri, Rome, Florence and Villefranche. To be certain it was an outstanding trip that had a great itinerary, fascinating and informative tours with incredible sights, a high quality ship and service and some really interesting and friendly travel mates we will stay in touch with. It was an unforgettable trip that was top notch all the way around. That being said though, there were a few things I found that were a bit troublesome. Admittedly, my views may seem harsh to some.

First, there is a worldwide epidemic of graffiti with the wanton defacing of property everywhere including historic buildings and antiquities. It is a sad commentary that the problem has reached the proportions it has. Communities throughout the world need to take aggressive steps to combat this problem. More can and should be done even if it includes new strategies directed at the people who are buying the spray paint used for the defacement. I don’t have the answer but I do know something has to be done. Irreparable damage is being done to ancient structures that harsh chemicals cannot be used to remove the graffiti without causing great damage. Graffiti now stains every neighborhood in every country.

A trip to Europe (and even other states in the US) helps you understand how lucky we are in Washington to have the protections in place for clean air and smoke free public facilities. Smoking is prevalent in Europe and the stench of smoke fouls the air both indoors and outdoors. Cigarette butts liter the ground everywhere from thoughtless smokers who think it is fine to just toss their butts down whether at the Vatican, the ruins of Pompeii, the Basilica at Montserrat or the sidewalks of virtually every city we visited. Cigarette smoking is the lethal scourge of modern society in my opinion and one only need to travel to other places to see its effects on the quality of life for people who just want to breathe clean air. The sad part is that our government still subsidizes the tobacco industry to export death and destruction of health.

There are some Americans who embarrass all of us with their boorish behavior. On the ship our tablemates were from Scotland and Canada. The fourth couple was from North Carolina. At first they seemed like a charming southern couple until he started talking. Suffice it to say, he was a right wing, redneck, homophobic racist that spewed offensive comments that were totally inappropriate. People from other countries get a very poor impression of Americans when they hear that kind of rubbish. I’m always leery when I hear someone start a statement with “I’m not a racist, but…”

The effects of war on the cultural and historic treasures of the world, the destruction of property and human life over centuries can lead one to conclude that wars are started by mean spirited, self-serving, mentally defective egomaniacal men whose lust for power and control or religious fanaticism leads entire countries into acts of criminality and inhumanity that breach any moral code reasonable people should live by. A leader’s rationalizations to inflict harm and destruction on others whether for race, religious, conquest, control or other demented reasons are a shameful commentary on mans neglect of other human beings. It is a stark reminder that these war mongers rise to power by the silence and neglect of decent people who don’t stand up to them, resist and speak out. There are many lessons in that for our modern world. History has clearly shown us the ravages of war but we haven’t learned much from it. We continue to let it happen over and over with generally the same result. Physical property of historical significance can be destroyed but never replaced. It may be replicated but it is not the real thing.

The Journey Ends

2007-09-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

Barcelona Spain is where we disembark our ship and spend 3 days exploring the region. In order to expedite our disembarkation, we sign up for a ½ day tour of Montserrat where we see the legendary Black Madonna. Our tour takes us through the beautiful countryside of Catalunya with its villages to the sacred Saw-toothed Montserrat Mountain Range. We visit the extraordinary 16th century Monastery and Renaissance Basilica where the La Moreneta or Black Madonna, Patroness Saint of Catalunya is displayed in a gold laden vestibule at the top of the altar. The Monastery sits spectacularly atop a projecting spur of rock at the very top of the mountain. It was built there to be closer to God by the monks. Montserrat is considered one of Spain’s most significant places of pilgrimage. A special treat is a performance by the famed Montserrat Boys Choir. We return to Barcelona from this fascinating tour and settle into our hotel for a few days of exploration.

Touring Barcelona is quite easy, efficient and economical. We board the Barcelona Bus Turistic system which is open-aired double-decker buses with an audio guide system in 10 languages. When you board, you can pay 23 Euro per person for a two day unlimited off and on tour. You are given headsets you plug into a console and select your preferred language for complete narration as you go. The Bus Turistic travels 3 routes; the blue south zone of the city, the red north zone and the green east “Forum” zone. There are 6 transfer points that allow you to go from one zone to the other. In all, you go to 44 of the major tourist sights and landmarks of Barcelona. You learn about each through the excellent narration and you can get off the bus and spend time at the sights that interest you most and reboard at your convenience. They also offer a night tour and package of four walking tours that include Gothic, Picasso, Modernism and Gourmet.

Barcelona has long been considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. It is an interesting mixture of old 14 through 16th century and modern, contemporary architecture, sculpture and design. The works of architect Antonio Gaudi offers the city a new and exciting appearance.

We experienced a very special treat at the end of our day of touring. Carol and I were hot, tired and thirsty. We went into the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel to enjoy some air conditioning and to have a cold drink. We noticed a heavy concentration of Police Officers on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. We sat down in the lobby and were enjoying our cold drink when a motorcade pulled up to the front of the hotel. When the doors opened, the Dali Lama emerged and entered the lobby of the hotel. I was able to take multiple pictures from less than 5 feet away from the Dali Lama. It was exciting and I was struck by the friendliness and openness of the Dali Lama to the small crowd that had assembled. It certainly made our visit memorable.

Well as our journey comes to an end and we head for home, I will share with you a few observations that may be of value if you decide to vacation in Europe.

First, the weak dollar against the Euro can makes a European vacation very expensive right now. One way you can mitigate this is to consider a cruise or tour package that includes most of your lodging and food cost. When you purchase your cruise or tour, you are pre-paying in US Dollars which can save you a lot of money. If you are paying as you go in Europe for your hotels and meals, you need to plan close to 30% difference between the dollar and Euro right now and many credit card companies and debit cards charge an international transaction fee on top of your purchase.

Always buy Travel Insurance. With all the flight delays, cancellations, overbooking and involuntary bumping as well as lost or delayed luggage, the cost of the travel insurance is well worth it today. If you were to have a medical emergency or require medical evacuation, you could incur thousands of dollars of debt not covered. If you want to assume the risks and go without insurance, just ask yourself if you are prepared to take a total loss on the cost of your vacation if something should go wrong.

Prepare for lost or delayed luggage. This is a monumental problem in Europe. Be sure to take a carry on with the items it will take to get you by for a few days if your luggage is delayed. When you are booking the cheapest flight possible and it involves several connections, just remember that every connection point is one more opportunity for your luggage to go to Vienna instead of Venice.

Give yourself extra time if you are doing your own transportation. Air transportation today is too unreliable to go to Europe and make tight connections or to plan on being right on time. Remember, if you book your own air and you are late, the ship will leave without you and it is your responsibility to get to the next port to catch up with the ship.

If you are cruising, consider a stateroom with private verandah to maximize your experience. On a long journey, you will be in your stateroom more than you think and this is a great way to enjoy it.

Take guided excursions to learn about the history, culture and significant sights of the area. We always try to identify the “best of” tours that highlight the area. Your vacation experience will be much richer for it.

The Journey Continues Part III

2007-09-09T05:12:00.000-07:00

Ah Tuscany! The northwest region of Italy, Tuscany has been romanticized in movies and music over the last several years. It is a charming and beautiful area rich in history and culture. Unfortunately, much like Rome there is so much to see and do that you invariable miss something on your one day port of call in Livorno. Livorno is the port city that is the gateway to the Tuscan Wine Country and serves Florence, Pisa and Lucca and is also the gateway to the Italian Riviera.

For first time visitors to Italy, Florence, the capital city of Tuscany is probably the best choice for your shore excursion. Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance and houses some of the finest works of art in the world in its museums and galleries. The bustling leather markets aren’t to be missed. Florence is the only city where three of the greatest artist of all times worked simultaneously, Leonardo Di Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Florence is a 1 ½ hour ride from Livorno.

A second choice about 30 minutes away is Pisa, home of the famed Leaning Tower, also known as the Bell Tower. Construction on the Leaning Tower began in 1174. When architects discovered the soft soil wouldn’t support the structure, construction was suspended until the 1400’s when it was completed with its 8 arcaded stories.

Since we have visited Florence before, we opted for a visit to Cinque Terre, the picturesque villages along the Italian Riviera. Local residents don’t like the term “Italian Riviera” much because it is very different than the French Riviera. Cinque Terre consist of five hamlets perched along the marble cliffs along the Gulf of La Spezia. The villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore either clings to the cliff face or are concealed in miniature inlets perfectly blending into this unique and unspoiled landscape. The area has been turned into a National Park and proclaimed a heritage of mankind by UNESCO.
Our visit to this unique and beautiful area was by combination of ferry and walking. I am convinced that to live in these villages you would need to be half human and half mountain goat. The climbs are strenuous, but the scenery unbelievable. The buildings that house the apartments and shops of the residents have to be painted either pastel yellow, peach or pink with gray slate roofs and dark green shutters by law. It gives the area an incredible appearance and is something you have to see to appreciate. While different in their own way, Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are two areas that Italy can boast as among the most scenic and picturesque in the world. Cinque Terre rates a definite 10 in my book.

Next stop: Villefranche.

The famed Cote d’Azure, more commonly known as the French Riviera is intriguing and interesting. Our ship docks in Villefranche which is located in between Nice, France and the Principality of Monaco. Villefranche is a neat little seaport with a naturally sheltered bay and the hills lined with beautiful Mediterranean style villas that are of the “trompe l’oeil” style that feature colorful facades. The narrow winding streets and steps have preserved the 14th century ambiance and the most interesting is the arcaded “Rue Obscure.”

A variety of excursions are offered to Nice and Cannes, site of the glamour-laden International Film Festival. On this stop, we opted for a visit to the Principality of Monaco and Monte Carlo for a 4 hour morning tour. In the 1850’s, Monaco was the poorest state in Europe. In 1866, the Grand Casino opened and transformed Monaco into the playground of the rich and famous. Today, if you would like to spend the night in the famed Hotel de Paris next to the Casino, you should be prepared to pay around 20,000 Euro a night. Monaco is just a tiny 1.95 square km and is completely tax free for its 5,800 residents. It is one of the safest, cleanest places you will ever visit and no riff raff is allowed. The extraordinary wealth that frequents Monte Carlo is mind boggling with lavish yachts, Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s and a variety of other symbols of opulence. Monaco has been under the rule of Grimaldi family since 1297 and is currently ruled by Prince Albert III son of Prince Rainer and Grace Kelly. In order for Monaco to remain a sovereign and independent state, Prince Albert who is 49 must get married and have a male child to assume the throne or Monaco will revert back to the rule of the French.

Our excursion took us on a tour of the ornate and lavish Grimaldi Palace which is actually a living and working palace that the affairs of state are administered from by the resident Prince. We also visited the beautiful cathedral of Monaco site of the marriage and state funerals of Prince Rainer and Princess Grace. The cathedral is extraordinary in its beauty.

After concluding our tour and returning to Villefranche, we hopped on the local city bus and visited the old town section of Nice. This is a very easy and inexpensive way to see Nice at 1.30 Euro per person each way as compared to an expensive tour. If you want to learn more and see more of the area, you can hop aboard a local double decked bus tour of the city for 25 Euro per person. With a map, a self-guided walking tour is quite easy if you are up to it.

Our next and final port of call Barcelona will conclude our extraordinary journey.

The Journey Gets Better and Better

2007-09-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

There is probably no better way to describe the antiquities of Athens than awe-inspiring. Athens has been continuously inhabited for over 7,000 years. The overall experience in Athens covers more levels of culture than any other place in Greece. There is so much to see it is hard to do in the short time our ship is in port. We enter through the port city of Piraeus which is a suburb of Athens. It is a very busy port housing the ferry system that serves the 600 islands of the Greek Isles. Athens is the largest city in Greece with a population of over four and one half million. Trust me; traffic in Athens makes traffic in Seattle and Federal Way look like a walk in the park. Athens is situated on the central plain of Attica with several low hills, the most famous of which is the Acropolis, the high point of the city. The walk up to the Acropolis is a strenuous one with steep stairs and many spots where rough stones are the walkway. It is very difficult for the elderly or mobility impaired. Once at the top after passing through the Temple of Athena Nike, you are treated to incredible views of the Parthenon, a masterpiece of Greek architecture which has stood for more than 2000 years. Constructed of white marble in the 5th century BC when Athens was at the height of its military power and an intellectual center, the Parthenon has survived wars, sieges, sackings and pilfering. Unfortunately it is deteriorating quickly from the effects of all the pollution created by the heavy traffic and 4 ½ million residents. On-going restoration efforts are underway but the pollution is a formidable enemy. The views from the Acropolis are spectacular overlooking the ancient 17,000 capacity Dionysus and Odeon Theater and other significant temples and historic sites of Athens. Our tour continued with a visit to the ancient Agora, Stoa Attalus at the foot of Acropolis. Agora was the marketplace and where the origin of democracy can be traced and the seeds of western culture sown. We visited Hadrian’s Arch and Syntagma (Constitution) Square and the 18th century House of Parliament with the ceremonial changing of the guard. We stopped for a very traditional Greek lunch and then concluded our visit with shopping in Plaka, the old town of Athens.

Our journey continues across the Mediterranean Sea crossing between Italy and Sicily to our next port of call in Naples. The best way to describe our experience here is WOW! Our tour took us from Naples down through Sorrento and then across the Amalfi Coast to Salerno. What a stunning and beautiful trip. The drive along the narrow, winding mountains is breathtaking. The towns perched on the sides of these steep cliffs are incredible. It is small wonder the Amalfi Coast has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, starting next year large tour buses will be banned from this road so in the future you may have to rent a car or take a private tour in a smaller vehicle to see it. This is an excursion not to be missed in my opinion. From Salerno, we went to the ancient ruins of Pompeii. This ancient Roman town was buried along with its 2,000 residents in 79AD when Mt Vesuvius erupted. It is the best preserved specimen of an ancient Roman town in existence and contains an extensive forum, lavish baths and temples and patrician villas decorated with frescoes. You should not miss the Villa dei Misteri whose paintings are in such good condition that it is hard to believe they are over 1,900 years old. The southern part of Italy offers spectacular sights, history and culture that are quite impressive.

Our next port of call is Rome. There is so much to see in Rome that you have to pick and choose what you want to do to maximize your one day port of call. It is simply not possible to do it all in a day. You actually sail into Civitavecchia which is approximately 65 miles or 1 ½ hour ride into Rome each way further eating into your available time. We chose a 9 hour tour called Rome- the Eternal City. We have been to Rome before and have seen the major sites so for us, we wanted to focus on revisiting the primary attractions of Rome. Our tour took us to the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peters Basilica and Piazza San Pietro which stands before St. Peters and holds up to 400,000 people. The Vatican is an inspirational visit and certainly the most popular attraction in Rome. Afterward, we stopped at a great restaurant named the Michelangelo two blocks from the Vatican for an excellent lunch. From there, it was on to the Colosseum. This ancient behemoth dates back to 80AD and held 75,000 Roman citizens. After leaving the Colosseum, we did a short driving tour around the Circus Maximus, the Rome City Hall and the adjoining Piazza Venezia with its massive monument to Victor Emmanuel II and Italy’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Off we sail into the sunset headed for our next port of call in Livorno.

The Journey Continues - Smooth Sailing

2007-09-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

As the first portion of our journey comes to a close, I am happy to report that our errant bag misplaced by Delta Airlines finally arrived after taking a three day side trip to Vienna Austria. I have now been made whole and can dress appropriately.

Venice, Verona and Vicenza have produced some great memories and enjoyable experiences. If I had to summarize the best of each, it would be as follows;

Verona – An elegant city with a rich and colorful history. The ancient arena and walled city highlighted by the Hapsburg fortress is very impressive and makes this city a great destination.

Vicenza – The 15th century Teatro Olympico is fascinating with its ornate sculpture, design and construction. The Teatro was the opening stage for Oedipus Rex to 3000 Romans in 1580. It is so overwhelming in its construction and beauty; I would strongly suggest this as a side trip on your visit to Venice.

Venice – Everything about Venice is so unique that it is a place you have to visit to appreciate. After boarding the Celebrity Millennium and sailing out through the Bella Giudecca Canal to where it joins the Grand Canal and into the Bacino di San Marco the views of the city are outstanding and it is probably one of the most unique sail aways you will ever experience. This view of Venice and all its surrounding islands can only be seen from the decks of a cruise ship or from the air. It is picturesque and truly one of the worlds great cities.

As we sail southeast across the Adriatic Sea, we find our accommodations on the Millennium quite comfortable and well situated. We are in a stateroom with private verandah which always adds a lot to the cruise experience and something we always recommend to others.

The next morning we arrived in Dubrovnik Croatia. As we sail into the harbor, you are struck by the varied landscape that includes beaches, bays and soaring cliffs in this mountainous region. Known as the “Queen of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik is renowned as the most flawlessly preserved medieval city in Croatia unmatched anywhere in its medieval and renaissance architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its magnificent stone walls, monasteries and palaces make it a living monument to its days as an affluent merchant state and give you the experience of the medieval world of Stari Grad. A pair of massive stone walls 6,364 feet in length built between the 8th and 16th centuries encircles Dubrovnik. In 1667 a great earthquake nearly destroyed the city and killed many of its inhabitants. The city rebounded and prospered during the Napoleonic Wars as a major trading center. Dubrovnik boasted one of the world’s premier merchant navies with over two hundred ships in its fleet. The walled city has a unique character with its flat main street with steep stairways going up to the residential areas. It is very picturesque. Dubrovnik is famous for inventing the men’s necktie and is also the origin of Dalmatian dogs, bred and raised by the ancient Dali mates.

We took a Panoramic Dubrovnik and City Tour which I would highly recommend. The tour takes you high up onto the mountainside where you get a stunning view of the city and its surroundings as well as the bay. It is breathtaking. The tour was very informative and helped us learn a lot about the history and culture of the city as well as the sad side of the struggle against Serbian aggression where severe damage was inflicted on the city during 1991 and 1992.

Dubrovnik rates a solid #1 as a place to visit in my opinion. Our next stop takes us into the Aegean Sea to Santorini Greece.

Not only is Santorini (also called Thera) one of the most beautiful islands in the world, it is also geologically and archaeologically one of the most dramatic. The island is shaped like an enormous pair of jaws encircling a lake filled with pure blue water. The lake is the core of an ancient volcano which according to legend destroyed the lost continent of Atlantis when it erupted over 3,600 years ago. The volcano is still active and you have outstanding views of the caldera from the city. Santorini’s two towns, Fira and Oia (Ia) are precariously perched on the cliff tops at the highest part of the island. The 600 plus steps up to Fira can be physically challenging but if you prefer you can go up and down on donkey back or cable car. Santorini was first settled around 3000 BC and became the site of important civilization around 2000BC. That civilization disappeared after a massive eruption of the volcano and around 1000 BC the Phoenicians resettled it as a Dorian colony. Santorini is well known for its spectacular sunsets and the black sand on its beaches. The narrow and steep cobblestone streets are lined with merchants specializing in gold jewelry, artwork incredibly beautiful orthodox cathedrals.

While each of the ports I have described to you are fascinating and beautiful, I should caution you they are not well suited for those with mobility impairments. The cobblestone streets, steep stairs, bridges and other obstacles could be quite challenging.

Next stop coming up is Athens. I’ll continue our adventure next week.

The Journey Begins...bump bump

2007-09-02T04:55:00.000-07:00

As I indicated in last weeks column, I would be chronicling our journey to Europe over the next few weeks. In the old days, I might have called it a journey but with air travel today, it has become more of an adventure than a journey. We were up at the crack of dawn to get to the airport for our flight. All was well until we encountered the longest lines at the security checkpoint I have seen in a long time. While it slowed us down a bit, we got to the gate in time to learn that our flight was delayed for an hour. The good news is that once under way, the pilots made up about thirty minutes of the delay getting us into Atlanta only ½ hour late. The bad news is we set on the tarmac in Atlanta for 25 minutes because there was a plane at the gate we were supposed to be at. After a layover in Atlanta, we boarded our plan for the 9 ½ hour non stop flight to Venice, Italy. The good news is we got to Venice right on time, the bad news is that one of our four bags went someplace other than Venice and Delta still can’t locate it. Outside of not have slacks, shirts and underwear, I am in fine shape. After almost 2 ½ hours in the lost luggage line filing the necessary report, we finally headed for our hotel after having missed the shuttle that was supposed to pick us up. Not to worry though, a shuttle into Venice from the airport averages 95 Euro (the US Dollar is worth .62 against the Euro right now so it is a pretty expensive ride) and we discovered we could ride the number 5 bus directly from the airport to Piazzala Roma for a whopping 2 Euro. It is a great system and saves a ton of money. I would recommend anyone coming to Venice consider it.

Venice is like no other. While it has been several years since Carol and I have been here, it is as fascinating as we remember it. Our purpose in coming to Venice three days before the start of the cruise we are escorting was to have a special 35th wedding anniversary celebration. In spite of our bumpy start with the flight and baggage, we managed to make it pretty nice. Dinner under starlight at Albergo Antico Capon in Santa Margherita Square listening to bells of St Mark toll was very romantic indeed. The dinner was terrific, the wine and atmosphere second to none. We wound our way through the stone walkways, over the bridges and to the treat of the nightlights from San Marco. Pretty special 35th for sure.

The next day we got a bit of a late start. Adjusting to a nine hour time difference between Seattle and Venice is not as easy as it used to be. We bought all day water taxi passes that allow you to get off and on at will. We explored the many fascinating areas of Venice from the Grand Canal winding our way through San Croce, San Polo, San Marco, Cannaregio, Castello and Dursoduro ending up in at La Accademia Square. What a fascinating experience with the history, culture and art influence particularly with several hours at St Marc square and a visit to the historic St Marc’s Basilica. This was also my night to pretend to have class and culture. We had an exquisite dinner at Ristorante S Steffano Via San Marco at the La Acceademia. After dinner we attended a spectacular classical music concerto featuring a string and oboe performance of Antonio Vivaldi works in the 13thcentury Chiesa di San Vidal Concert Hall. The concert hall is an experience only being there can provide. It made for an unforgettable evening.
Our next adventure took us to the historic and interesting cities of Verona and Trieste. Verona, among other things is the city of the most famous lovers in history: Romeo and Juliet. What could be cooler for your 35th anniversary than to visit the home of Shakespeare’s favorite couple. “Jerry, Jerry where art thou” didn’t have quite the same ring, but we made it work. Because of the value and importance of its many historical buildings, Verona has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Roman Edifices are the center of the historic area that includes a Roman Amphitheater and Arena completed in 30 AD. The mid evil architecture of Verona is legendary.
I will continue with our European adventure next week as we meet up with our group of 28 and board the Celebrity Millenium with our first stop in Dubrovnik Croatia.

The Airlines are the Bane of Liesure Travel

2007-08-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

There once was a time when people would look forward to an airline flight as a fun and exciting adventure. Those days are definitely gone for most people. Instead, the airlines have become the bane of leisure travel. We regularly deal with vacationers who have had their much anticipated vacation disrupted by canceled, delayed or significantly overbooked flights, rude flight attendants and ticket counter personnel, lost luggage and a host of other problems.

To be certain, some of the problems can be attributed to weather and the influence of some of the dubious security measures that have been put into place. However, the majority of the problems are a direct result of what I believe are the most poorly led, poorly managed and unresponsive corporations in America — the airlines. Air travel has become such a critical part of our society that the airlines can get away with consistently providing poor customer service because customers don’t have a lot of choices for long trips in a short time period and are forced to fly.

While I am confident that there is still a large number of hard working, dedicated, service-oriented airline employees out there, it seems they are harder and harder to find.
Last week’s cancellation of 1,000 flights followed by this week’s cancellation of 700 flights by Northwest Airlines negatively impacted thousands of passengers. Each week there is a new excuse Northwest offers up for its poor performance.

Northwest on-time arrival rate is only 58.7 percent. I refuse to fly Northwest anymore because of poor service and the fact that if I want an aisle seat or an exit row, I have to pay a $15 premium seat charge. When passengers refuse to accept those terms, maybe something will change. I am totally confident that if any airline decides to install pay toilets on its planes, it will be Northwest.

Many people attribute the problems the airlines face to the events of 9/11. I disagree. The airline industry was in deep trouble before 9/11 ever occurred and 9/11 just magnified and complicated the airlines’ problems.

Which are the worst airlines in the US? Answer: Most of them. Government reports on flight delays and lost luggage prove the problems continue to escalate. Complaints to the Department of Transportation regarding airline service have shot up 76.7 percent from last year. The overall performance of airlines has declined for the third year in a row as measured by DOT complaints. This amounts to nothing less than a customer service debacle.
• Over 25 percent of flights arrived late last year. The number of flights canceled in the first 15 days of June jumped 91 percent compared with the same period last year. The number of flights delayed jumped 61 percent. According to the FAA, over 44,000 flights were delayed in July alone.
• The industry’s rate of involuntary denied boarding worsened with more people being bumped than ever before. I was recently bumped three times on a flight from Las Vegas to Seattle because every flight had been seriously overbooked.
• The industry lost over a million bags last year, according to the Department of Transportation. A record 32.3 percent increase in lost baggage reports were filed last year.
Here are a few tips for minimizing flight delays:
• Fly early in the day since storms often ruin afternoons and delays build up as a day wears on.
• Avoid tight connections because schedules are so undependable.
• Give yourself an extra day to fly if you can and don’t cut it close for weddings or cruises.
• Carry food onboard with you, since delays could be longer than expected.
• Use technology to get alerts from the airlines.
• Be aware of Rule 240.
What does an airline owe you if you’re delayed? The short answer: Nothing. However, if you do luck into a reservation elsewhere, ask your original carrier to endorse your ticket to your new airline at the same fare. If necessary, you may remind the agent of Rule 240. This regulation, dating from the days when the federal government controlled the airlines, required that carriers put you on the next flight out — on a competitor and in an upgraded class, if necessary — in the event of a canceled flight or a prolonged delay.
It has now been integrated, in various ways, into carriers’ contracts of carriage. So while airlines typically prefer not to lose the revenue from your ticket to a competitor, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
If you’re traveling on an e-ticket, you will usually have to get a paper ticket from your original airline before you can go to another carrier and ask to be rerouted. Not as easy as it used to be now that the airlines charge an extra fee to issue paper tickets.
Rule 240 applies only to delays and cancellations that result from mechanical problems or other situations that are entirely within the airline’s control, not those caused by weather, labor disputes, international crises or the like.

Jerry Vaughn is president of World Voyager Vacations in Federal Way. E-mail

jvaughn@worldvoyagervacations.com.

World Cruises - The Ultimate Cruise Experience

2007-07-31T16:49:00.000-07:00

On a World Cruise, you navigate through the French Polynesia, Great Barrier Reef of Australia, glacier carved fjords of New Zealand, enchanted China's landscapes and the forbidden palaces. You pay a visit to bazaars in Hong Kong and the buddhas in Bangkok, the colonial and modern blend in Singapore. Enjoy exploring Delhi, Jaipur or the Taj Mahal at Agra and the tombs and temples under the ruling King times. The World Cruise even takes you to Antartica - the ultimate destination. It sure is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the grandeur of Rome, the glory of Rome through the warm waters of the equatorial Atlantic.

Taking the world cruise will be the most memorable vacation you have ever undertaken. You would cherish this experience for the rest of your life where you learn about history or diverse cultures the world over or simply unwind yourself. World cruises provide American customers a service of a lifetime-delicious meals, sightseeing, and entertainment combined with a relaxed friendly atmosphere-value for money as you may understand.

The ships are equipped with spacious, well-furnished cabins with private facilities having a well-upholstered lounge, a library, good deck space and a small pool. Now you can sail in style and comfort- Volga river, Moscow canal, Volga/Baltic canal, the Svir River, the Rybinski Reservoir, Lake Ladoga, Lake Onega, and the Neva River. You will certainly be the envy of the Byzantine Emperors as you travel the legendary route between Scandinavia to Kiev and the Black Sea until you reach Dnieper River. Great works of art - "the Panorama of the Sevastopal Battle" and you can also visit the room where Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin signed the Yalta Treaty in 1945.

Age is no constraint to take the World Cruise-whether you are 79 or reaching 80, you are welcome aboard. Of course, if you are under 13 the insurance companies might restrict your entry into the cruise. A month prior to departure, you will receive the boarding information along with the ticket package. You may receive a mailing list with port agent addresses with your ticket package-so you can be in touch with your family and friends while sailing. The only change you can expect is the change in the boarding date. However, you may not know the actual time of boarding until the day before or day of boarding.

A Great European Rail Trip

2007-07-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

For independent travelers who like to chart their own course, self guided trips can be exciting and give you opportunities to do things you probably couldn’t otherwise do on a standard escorted tour. However, self-guided tours aren’t for everyone. They can be challenging and difficult when you don’t speak the language or understand the local customs and culture. It’s easy to spend more time trying to figure out where you’re at, where you’re going, what you are looking at or what you’ve seen. For detail oriented people who like to do extensive research and planning before leaving home however, this can be a great way to travel that gives you a lot of flexibility. While I find I don’t quite enjoy this form of travel as much as I used to, I have great memories of a self-guided trip we did on the rails of Europe I think is worth considering if you are the self-guided type.

We began our journey in Rome with a five day stay. Rome and its surrounding area could take months to fully examine, but in five days we were able to cover most of the major sights since the best ancient monuments are all grouped near the Coliseum and Forum. The first few days were spent exploring ancient Rome focusing on the Pantheon, the Colossuem and the Forum - The Pantheon is a Roman temple and is an architectural masterpiece. The Colosseum is an architect’s dream. It is absolutely amazing what the Romans were able to build in 70-80 AD. The building itself held 73,000 people at one point and was home to numerous Roman games and gladiator fights. The Roman Forum, or as the Roman’s knew it the “Forum Magnum” is the area around which Rome developed. It was the city’s center for commerce, law, justice, business and where cultural activities took place. There are also several temples and structures within the area of the forum.

The following days focused on other famous sights in Rome including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain Piazza Navona and other neighborhoods. Our visit concluded with an inspiring visit to the Vatican with tours of St. Peters, the Vatican museums and Sistine chapel. We also took in Trastevere before crossing the Tiber at the Isola and into the old Jewish Ghetto.
From Rome, we boarded the train and journeyed northward to Florence where we enjoyed this extraordinary city for three days. The leather markets in the San Lorenzo area of Florence are renowned and Florence is home to some of the most significant works of art in the world. Our tours included the Uffizi Gallery, Duomo and Baptistery, Medici Chapel and Michelangelo's David at the Academia; the church of Santa Maria Novella and the Monastery of San Marco.

From Florence we re-boarded the train traveling on to Venice. Venice is a city so captivating and fascinating it truly qualifies as a “must see” in my opinion. A trip to Murano Island and the glass factories is an incredible experience and affords you the opportunity to buy some of the finest glass pieces in the world direct from the factories that have been making glass the same way for centuries. St Mark’s Square and the unique homes and shops along the canals are intriguing. And of course, no trip to Venice would be complete without a romantic Gondola ride.

From Venice, we traveled through the spectacular Swiss Alps to Lucerne Switzerland. The beauty of the Alps is incredible and the rail line takes you through areas you wouldn’t normally see from the roadway. Lucerne is the 'true' Switzerland with picturesque mountains, lakes, cowbells, alpine villages and meadows full of edelweiss. Lucerne straddles the Reuss River on the western edge of Lake Lucerne. One of the highlights was crossing the river on the famous Chapel Bridge, which unfortunately burned not long after our visit but has since been rebuilt.
From Lucerne it was back on the train to Munich. Munich is a fascinating city with traditional Bavarian architecture and a life sized cuckoo clock in the town square. The city is famous for its breweries and beer halls, Oktoberfest and has numerous museums and fascinating Gothic and Baroque architecture. From Munich we took a great excursion two hours south to the land of fairy-tale castles, ornately painted buildings shared by cows and farmers, and locals who still yodel. Our tour included "Mad" King Ludwig's world famous Linderhof Castle, his private refuge near Oberammergau home of the renowned Passion Play and intricate wood carvings; Neuschwanstein, the famous 'Cinderella's Castle' that inspired Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Hohenschwangau, an older castle below Neuschwanstein where Ludwig's royal ancestors lived.
From Munich, we boarded our flight home.

While we were worn out from the pace of our trip, the sights, the history and culture we experienced made this an unforgettable vacation.

Bermuda - A Great Vacation Destination

2007-07-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Bermuda, fully known as The Bermuda Islands, alias The Somers Isles is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the North Atlantic Ocean, situated around 640 miles off the coast of the United States. The oldest remaining British overseas territory, it was settled by England a century before the Acts of Union, and two centuries before the creation of the United Kingdom. Although commonly referred to in the singular, Bermuda consists of around 138 islands, of total area 27.7 sq. mi. Compiling a list of these islands is often complicated, as many have more than one name (as does the entire archipelago, which, in addition to its two official names, has historically been known as La Garza, Virgineola, and the Isle of Devils). Despite the limited land mass, there has also been a tendency for place names to be repeated (there are two Long Islands, for instance, and two Long Bays, and the town of St. George is located on the island and within the parish of St. George's). The largest island, Main Island (also called Bermuda, or Great Bermuda), is the location of the capital, the City of Hamilton (which is in Pembroke Parish, and is often confused with Hamilton Parish). Bermuda has a thriving economy, with a large financial sector and tourism industry.

Without question, Bermuda is an intriguing, elegant and a secluded paradise that makes a great vacation destination. Many people mistakenly believe that Bermuda is in the Caribbean but it is actually north of the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean. It has long been one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations. As Britain’s oldest colony, its influence continues to dominate the government, educational and legal institutions. You may spot one of their judges walking through Hamilton in a powdered wig, see a bobby directing traffic or overhear a passionate conversation about a local cricket match.

African influences, while subtler, can be found in the dance and music, especially reggae, calypso and the rhythm of the Gombeys. Probably most famous, Bermuda shorts. Men in Bermuda are never shy about showing their knees. Standard business dress for men incorporates colorful linen or worsted wool shorts, worn with shirt, tie and blazer, plus the characteristic knee socks. Bermuda shorts were originally borrowed in the early 20th century from the British military's uniform for hot climates. Although often very colorful — pink is a favorite, do not mistake the shorts as informal. Bermudans take their shorts so seriously they passed a law that no shorts shorter than six inches above the knee are allowed.

Bermuda has been a popular destination since modern cruising began in the 1960’s although not typically for passengers travelling from the Pacific Northwest. Logistically, it didn’t seem to work well until a few years ago when new ports of embarkation started popping up in the northeast. Bermuda offers many great reasons to visit including perfect weather, world-class golf courses, tennis, shopping, colonial history, picturesque pastel-colored towns and villages, pink sand beaches and a proximity to North America that welcomes cruises of five-days or more from as many as seven East Coast homeports.

Between April and November, no less than eight cruise lines will send at least 16 ships to one or more of Bermuda’s three ports – Hamilton, St. George’s and King’s Wharf. Offering an ideal combination of time at sea and plenty of time ashore exploring the destination’s attractions, many of them are five- to seven-day Bermuda-only itineraries from such homeports as Baltimore, Boston, New York, Cape Liberty, Philadelphia, Norfolk and Fort Lauderdale. Other cruises feature Bermuda on transatlantic voyages. Its history, natural beauty and ideal location give Bermuda a character unlike any other cruise destination in the Americas.

In years gone by, Bermuda waters were well known for more than their beauty to the earliest navigators who had business in the New World. The reefs were deadly to ships that ventured too close, and the wreckage of scores of ships dots the outer reefs as a result. Early seamen called Bermuda "Isle of Devils" for that reason. Bermuda’s name is taken from a Spaniard, Juan de Bermudez, who paid a call in 1503. But the island remained uninhabited, despite visits by Spanish and English ships, until more than a century later. It wasn’t until a hurricane blew a British ship called the Sea Venture onto the reefs in 1609 that a settlement was begun. The Sea Venture, which was commanded by Admiral Sir George Somers, was on her way to the New World settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, with settlers and supplies. Although most of the settlers continued on their way in a vessel they built while they were stranded on Bermuda, there have been people living there since that visit, and Bermuda’s character as a British colony was established.

In the early days of the settlement here, Bermudians were traders, and built swift ships of native Bermuda cedar to carry them and their goods south to the West Indies and west to the United States. They were a cosmopolitan, practical people, who earned their way in the world with their wits. Their shipbuilding skills were well known – Bermuda sloops were known as the fastest ships on the sea. At first, these vessels were gaff-rigged, but Bermudians developed the Bermuda rig, which is now the basis for the rigging of nearly all-sailing yachts. The cosmopolitan nature of those early inhabitants is carried on by present-day Bermudians, some 67,000 who are among the world’s most-traveled people, and who trace their heritage back to Britain, Africa, the Azores, North America and the West Indies.

Made up of eight islands connected by causeways and bridges (including the world’s smallest draw bridge), Bermuda is an enjoyable adventure.

For Wives Who Can't Convince Their Husbands to Cruise

2007-06-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

I can’t tell you how many times ladies have told me that they would love to go on a cruise but they can’t convince their husbands to go. There are a myriad of excuses that seem to evolve out of misconception, misinformation and just plain reluctance. Well here’s a suggestion; try reverse psychology. Tell your husband you’ve really wanted to go on a cruise but you don’t think you would like to go on this one because it’s too much of a “MAN’S” cruise. What’s a “man-cruise?” It’s a cruise that doesn’t leave the testosterone at the dock, and there are more of them than you might think. Look past the spa treatments and the umbrella drinks, and you’ll find that some cruises offer plenty of opportunities to celebrate such traditionally male pursuits as golf, baseball, wine guzzling, swimming with big fishes and — alas — gawking at bikini-clad women.

Here is a list of cruises and cruise lines that offer some activities for the “manly” man.

Manly Venture #1
Want to swim with the really big fishes? Then jump in a Zodiac and hang out with some gray whales. You can do that when you take a small-ship cruise to Baja California, Mexico’s wild side, with Lindblad Expeditions, known for adventure cruising. Not feeling quite that manly? Then you can do your whale watching from the ship. Other activities include hiking miles of uninhabited beaches and desert, kayaking in pristine waters, snorkeling among reef fish, and sunset beach barbecues.

Manly Golf #2
You can’t practice your drives off the back of the ship anymore, but many cruise lines are adding many more golf opportunities to their itineraries. For example, golfers can play a variety of beautiful and challenging courses throughout the Caribbean, Canada, Hawaii, Mexico and Europe on select cruises offered by Carnival Cruise Lines. The cruises also offer the services of a certified golf professional who conducts private lessons, specialty golf clinics and putting contests; accompanies golfers on golf excursions; and organizes golf tournaments. Golfers also have access to the "V1" Digital Coaching System, a swing-analysis software that captures the golfer's swing and puts it up on a split screen for analysis and comparison with legendary golfers and the hotshots on tour. Carnival also offers sales and rental of Nike equipment — everything from clubs to shoes.

Norwegian Cruise Line America offers a year-round “Golf Hawaii Package” that lets avid golfers play on courses in Hilo, Kona, Maui and Kauai. Golfers can also rent the cruise line’s state-of-the-art Callaway equipment.

Manly Fantasy #3 Play Pirate
It's as close to a pirate’s life as you are likely to get: standing in the crow’s-nest 50 feet above deck. And Captain Jack Sparrow would be mighty envious of the 420-foot Royal Clipper, the biggest of the world’s tall ships and the largest vessel in Star Clipper’s fleet. The ship carries just 227 passengers, and the best news is that it’s a hands-on experience. Passengers can help hoist the sails, steer the ship — even clamber up the rigging to the crow's-nest. For connoisseurs of sail cruising, the Royal Clipper offers the ultimate seagoing experience.

Manly Sports Fan #4
Baseball fans can step up to the plate on MSC Cruises’ sports-themed itineraries in the Caribbean. In fact, they can rub elbows with some of the greatest players to have ever taken the field on the 11-night Caribbean “Baseball Greats” cruise. The all-star Caribbean lineup includes four-time All-Star Vida Blue, Earl Weaver, Stan Bahnsen, Randy Hundley and Cito Gaston. Each baseball-themed cruise includes free interactive activities with the players, including a player-hosted trivia game in which passengers test their baseball knowledge, question-and-answer sessions with the players, and a bull session where players talk freely about themselves, other players, and the game. Players will also host pitching, hitting and defensive strategy clinics for guests. Perhaps the most popular activity is the free autograph session at the end of the cruise.

Manly Spa Treatments #5
The spa may not seem like the manliest place on the ship, but look at it this way: Ladies like soft and kissable skin. Luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises has designed a new “Time for Men” therapy menu exclusively for men, offering a masculine focus on what was once primarily feminine territory. Treatments include a pro-collagen shave, frangipani hair conditioning, skin IQ facial and aroma stone therapy massage.

Manly Wine Expert #6
This fall Cruise West offers an unusual wine experience, taking its 138-passenger Spirit of Yorktown from San Francisco on three- and five-day cruises up the Napa River and Sacramento Delta for a great Napa Valley wine experience. Activities include winery tours, hot air balloon rides, local history and wine seminars, as well as expert wine-tasting tips.

I don’t know if this strategy will work, but it’s worth a try!

The Sea of Cortes and Copper Canyon

2007-06-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

Each fall, the great gray whales migrate from the fish rich waters of Alaska and the arctic back down to the warm lagoons of the Sea of Cortes in Mexico where they give birth to a new generation of these mammoth wonders. Gray whales weigh in at 25 to 35 tons and stretch some 30 to 45 feet in length. Finding great congregations in shallow, easy-to-hunt waters, 19th-century whalers slaughtered the creatures by the thousands. By the midpoint of the 20th century, gray whales were close to extinction, one of the most endangered marine mammals (only a few hundred were thought to be living when they were protected in the 1940s). Driven by growing public concern, international agreements were negotiated for their protection. The recovery of the gray whale is counted as one of the most significant accomplishments of the marine conservation movement. Today an estimated 26,000 exist and the population is increasing.

The Sea of Cortés, also known as the Gulf of California, is the newest sea on our planet. It separates mainland Mexico from the Baja Peninsula and contains an incredible diversity of marine life. Powerful tidal action, strong ocean currents, fluctuating water temperatures, and a nutrient-rich estuarine mix of fresh water from the Colorado River contribute to heavy plankton blooms in the Sea of Cortés which are unequalled in seas of similar size. Jacques Cousteau once proclaimed the abundant biodiversity of the Sea of Cortés as the “Aquarium of the World.” The Sea of Cortes is more than 700 miles long and about 100 miles across at its widest. Warm, deep, and fed by the Colorado River, the sea is one of the most fertile marine ecosystems in the world, supporting some 3,000 animal species. Among others were 25 different cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), some 800 kinds of fish (including sharks and rays), squids, shrimps, and oysters, and accompanying flora.

Vacationing in the winter at the Sea of Cortes can be a thrilling, interesting adventure. As ships leave Alaska at the end of the season and reposition to Mexico for the winter, the Sea of Cortes starts to come alive with tourist. From early February to mid-March, hundreds of gray whales congregate in the shallow lagoons of Baja's Pacific shore making whale watching a popular attraction (In December and January, the weather and whale sightings can be unpredictable.) In addition to the gray whales, the Sea of Cortés is home to huge schools of common and bottle-nosed dolphins, as well as humpback, minke, fin, and blue whales.

One great way visit the Sea of Cortes is on a small ship. Cruise West offers cruises that focus on whale watching from their ship as it plies the waters and on excursions on Zodiacs that give you the up close and personal experience. The onboard naturalist and structure of the small ship environment with only 100 other passengers gives you maximum exposure to this pristine environment. If small ship cruising is not for you, you can also sail on a larger ship with 1200 other passengers. Holland America offers Sea of Cortes cruises but the experience will be a bit different on a large ship.

A popular addition to this trip is a three day extension to Copper Canyon in Mexico’s Chihuahua state. Copper Canyon is not a single canyon, but rather a series of more than 20 canyons running through the northern region of Mexico which drain the western side of the Sierra Tarahumara. The canyons cover over 20,000 square miles and is four times larger than the Grand Canyon in the United States. The entire Copper Canyon region comprises almost a third of the state of Chihuahua, which is Mexico's largest state. The principal canyon is Urique Canyon, which is traversed by the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad. Eventually, all of the rivers which formed the Copper Canyons merge into the Rio Fuerte which continues across the adjacent state of Sinaloa, emerging near the City of Los Mochis on the Sea of Cortes.

All Copper Canyon trips are on the historic Chihuahua al Pacífico Railroad. The train winds its way from the Pacific Ocean up into the heart of this scenic splendor. Built over a 90 year period, this world-famous railroad is an engineering masterpiece. It has been called "the most dramatic train ride in the western hemisphere." Most tours travel through the most exciting part of the railroad, from sea level at Los Mochis, Sinaloa to the highest portion of the line at Creel, Chihuahua. Creel is at 8,000 feet above sea level and you are near the top of the Sierra Madre mountain range. The scenery is breathtaking, the railroad line through the mountains impressive; and you will have a chance to see and learn something about the unassimilated Tarahumara Indians who live in the canyon.

The railroad goes all the way to Chihuahua City where you can spend a day enjoying true Mexican culture. You can fly home from there. Overall, I would rate this as a 5 star vacation experience and would highly recommend it.

Shore Excursions - Cruise Line or Independent

2007-06-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

What to do in the Ports of Call on Your Cruise

A big part of your cruise experience is the shore excursions available in the various ports of call you will visit on your cruise. Indeed, these can add a lot of fun and excitement to your trip as well as giving you the opportunity to experience different cultures and see some interesting places. They can also add significant cost to your trip. Many travelers question whether they should book their excursions with the cruise line onboard the ship or do them independently. One thing is for sure if you’re doing it on your own, there are some sharks out there so be careful! Here is some useful information to help guide you.

In a nutshell, consider these pros and cons of booking excursions with the cruise line.

PRO's
- Booking on board or in advance of your cruise is convenient and relatively easy.
- If there is a problem or inclement weather, you can usually get an instant refund or credit.
- Vendors are prescreened by the cruise lines. This is important for safety reasons and reliability as well as overall quality of the tour.
- These are usually a fairly good value.
- The tour operator is usually attentive to the ships schedule.

CON's
- They are sold to capacity and overcrowded much of the time which can diminish your experience.
- They can be a little pricey. Ship approved tours are approved because the vendor is paying a fee to the cruise line for the privilege of being sponsored. That cost is passed on to you.
- They tend to be highly scripted and very "touristy"
- Most of the time there will be the “shopping stop” which is designed to get you to part with your money.
- Assembly line approach is not very personalized and sometimes limits what you can see and do. It can seem like the "Chevy Chase European Vacation" style of touring.

The shore excursions provided on the ships can add a lot to the cruise experience, and in many cases, particularly for the inexperienced traveler, they are well worth the price. Here are some broad guidelines that may make your excursion experience more enjoyable:

* Do some homework. The one question we hear over and over is, "What is there to see in [name of next port]?" Buy a good guidebook (Fodor's offers a good general series of guides; the Insight guides are strong on historic, culture and art.) Most libraries have travel guides, but the selection is limited and often not current.

When you choose a cruise, ask your travel agent for a brochure of shore tours. After you get it, read the guidebook and compare the sights in the ports of call with the attractions the tours will visit. Are they what you are really interested in? If there is something else - - a museum, a historic palace or church - - that strikes your fancy but isn't on the tour, is it possible to make your own way to that place? And before making that decision, make certain your desired attraction will be open during the day of your visit.

* Ask whether the tours include admission prices to the attractions on the tour. (It should.) If it is a daylong tour, does it include lunch? If not, what luncheon arrangements are available? Will the bus or minivan carry water or drinks?

A good travel agent should be a wealth of information on things to do in ports of call. While an agent can’t go everywhere, there are programs out there for agents to educate themselves on those topics. Most travel agents do familiarization tours where they can experience first-hand the things to do in ports of call. If you are having trouble getting this information from your travel agent, you may want to reconsider whether you want to do business with them. A travel agent who can’t provide good advice and assistance is little more than an order taker and is of little value.

Independent tours can be exceptionally good because they often times have smaller groups, more experienced and knowledgeable guides, go places the cookie-cutter tours don’t go to and can be less expensive. Just use good judgment and caution when arranging your own tour.

Friends and Family Get-togethers

2007-06-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

For anyone who has ever planned a friends and family reunion or holiday get-together, you quickly discover that it can be a lot of fun for everyone except the person responsible for planning, coordinating and hosting the event. You end up having to cook, clean up the mess, plan and supervise activities for the kids (adults too sometimes), make sleeping arrangements only to wind up with relatives sleeping all over the house (including on the floor) and worry about a relative driving home or to their hotel after drinking a little too much. The list goes on and on. A great alternative is to plan your next friends and family or holiday get-together on a cruise ship. While land based get-togethers can have a lot of unknown factors, a cruise gives you the comfort and convenience of knowing all about your vacation before you ever leave home. This frees you up to relax and enjoy visiting with friends and family members. There are many reasons to choose a cruise ship for these types of events. Here’s a list of my top ten:

1. Something for Everyone - A get-together at sea offers something for everyone. Cruises allow your family members to individually participate in everything from kids programs, to relaxing spa treatments. You can watch a Broadway style show, ice skate or sing karaoke? All this and more is possible aboard a cruise ship. And because there’s something for everyone, they will leave with a lifetime of great memories!

2. Know your costs up front - One of the best things about choosing a cruise is the fact that you’ll know your transportation, food and lodging costs up front before the cruise ever takes place.

3. Affordable and flexible - On a cruise, you’ll be able to control costs more easily. Those with more money can choose more deluxe accommodations, while those with smaller budgets can book inexpensive inside accommodations. Since you can book a cruise up to 18 months in advance, you can even choose to pay for your reunion in installments.

4. No Cooking, No Cleaning - Why go through the stress not to mention the work of cleaning the house to get ready for your guests? On a cruise you’ll have an attentive staff looking after each and every need. That makes the job of host a lot easier. While you’re having fun, your cabin steward will make sure your cabin is kept tidy at least twice a day.

5. Neutral Territory – Friends and family members won’t feel like they’re intruding, or inconveniencing someone by having the get-together at their home. Since everybody’s traveling to the ship, nobody has to feel that they are imposing on others.

6. Plenty of space - Many of today’s cruise ships are three football fields long and fourteen stories high, a spacious place to have a get-together. Because there’s a variety of different size public rooms, space is not a factor on a cruise ship, so your get-together can be as big or as small as you need it to be, without ever becoming a problem.

7. Convenient - Cruise ships sail from ports all across the US, and most of those in the US are within a day’s drive of a cruise ship. For those that are further, flights to ships are affordably priced and cruise lines will even transfer you and your luggage from the airport directly to your ship. Today’s ships sail from an expanding list of ports including: Boston, New York, Baltimore, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Tampa, Port Canaveral (near Orlando), Mobile (AL), Charleston (SC), New Orleans and Galveston.

8. Dining is included - Cruise ships are known for the quality and range of food available. Best of all, you can easily dine together without additional cost. When was the last time you took a large group to a world-class restaurant? You can dine in one for each meal aboard a cruise. For hungry teenagers with veracious appetites, it’s all included from 24 hour pizza to endless buffets.

9. Less Hassle - Because your get-together is on a cruise ship, you’ll pack and unpack just once, and not have to worry about dinner and lodging reservations like you would with other vacations. Cruise ships are uniquely suited to handle the needs of large groups. The result is great service from a smiling crew that will make your time at sea very pleasurable.

The Evolution of the Cruise Industry

2007-05-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

Over this past six years, we have seen an accelerated evolution of the cruise industry in my opinion. This has been caused by the plethora of new ships being introduced and a significant redefining of what the cruise experience is by the various cruise lines. Without question, perceptions of cruising by the public have conciously been reshaped by the cruise lines trying to reach out to families, and others who may not have previously considered taking a cruise. The idea of cruises being just for well-to-do older people who spent their time playing shuffleboard are becoming a thing of the past.

One byproduct of this evolution in my opinion is the gradual erasure of the line between the contemporary mass market and premium categories of cruise lines. Perhaps at one time a clear line might have defined the two categories including superior service, food, amenities and ship features. I simply don't believe that exists to any measurable extent anymore. Clearly there was some price differentiation between mass market and premium before, but many times we find lower pricing on the premium category for similar itineraries.

When you look at the major contemporary mass market brands of Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and the ships they have built, the improvements in food, the amenities onboard the ships and emphasis on service (excluding the Norwegian Hawaii product) it is hard to see a measureable difference anymore. As Princess has tried to become all things to all people, as Holland America has attempted to redefine it's market and Celebrity has stumbled several times in the last year, I find it harder and harder to distinguish. Our customer satisfaction surveys find that the mass market brands regularly deliver a top notch experience. Over the past few years, we see more critical comments coming from the premium brands (maybe expectations were higher.)

We were recently on the new Norwegian Pearl and it was as beautiful, elegant and well designed as any premium, and most luxury ships out there. The food was exceptionally good and the service excellent. Likewise, we were on the Freedom of the Seas and while large, the ship is one of the finest built in my opinion. Again, service and food were certainly very good.

We have been on Princess and had mediocre service, Celebrity and had bland food with curious menus and Holland America with a lot of cranky older people even though the proclaim that is not their primary market today. In fairness, Holland America's Signature of Excellence program moved them a notch ahead of Princess and Celebrity in my opinion.

If anything, I have come to the conclusion that what differentiates the cruise lines is more a product of ship size than anything else. There still are some definite service standards that define luxury, but by and large you are looking at much smaller ships (exception: QM2) highly personalized service, more inclusions and more exotic itineraries. The degree of specialization for many of the luxury lines leaves a clear distinction I believe.

I am not necessarily suggesting this erasure of lines is a bad thing. Nor do I think that the premium category has had a major slide downhill. It is more that the contemporay mass market brands have taken a leap ahead. It just doesn't seem to me the premium category has the bragging rights they once did. In the end, the quality and value of the cruise experience is determined by the customer. Customers are clearly voting with their pocketbook and the contemporary mass market brand are certainly holding their own.

ESCAPE, RELAX, AND EXPLORE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

2007-05-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

If you find yourself wanting to take a break from the hustle, bustle and hassle of work, consider a vacation to the U.S. Virgin Islands. These beautiful islands offer enough activities to pique anyone's interest as well as year-round tropical temperatures (winter averages range from 77 degrees in the winter to 82 degrees in the summer).

I have to admit, St. Thomas is my favorite Caribbean island.If you're looking for the perfect gift for that special someone, or just ready for some personal relaxation this is a great choice. Cruise and resort vacations to the Virgin Islands are sure to please almost anyone. The world-renown shopping, incredible beaches, breathtaking natural beauty, historical sites, and unique Caribbean culture of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John make the U.S. Virgin Islands a very popular vacation destination.

St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix are situated in the heart of the Caribbean Sea in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. This means year-round warm weather! The islands are also located close to one another (within forty miles) and are connected via ferry, helicopter, and plane routes, making it easy to see all three on one vacation.

The U.S. Virgin Islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the Americas in 1493. Over the next few centuries, the European powers failed to consolidate their power on the islands, allowing them to become a haven for pirates. One the most famous pirates, Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard) called St. Thomas home. During the 1700s, the islands fell under the power of Denmark and became popular trading ports, funneling slaves from Africa to the Americas. Sugar plantations were also established on the islands and the export of sugar became a large portion of the islands' economies. The United States purchased the Virgin Islands in 1917 from the Danish to use for defensive purposes during the World Wars. Today, the Virgin Islands are U.S. territories.

World-renown shopping is what draws some tourists to the Virgin Islands. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, the bustling port city and capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a haven for shoppers. King Alley's Walk on St. Croix also boasts a variety of stores and boutiques for the serious shopper. The Virgin Islands are also rich with historical plantations, abandoned military forts, museums, botanical gardens, and traditional Danish architecture. If beaches and natural beauty are more to your liking, be sure to check out Magens Bay located on the north side of St. Thomas. The bay's white sandy shores are bordered by calm, aquamarine waters on one side and lush, tropical forest on the other. This crescent-shaped paradise was named "one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world" in an article by National Geographic and it's easy to see why!

St. John also offers a plethora of natural wonders. Two-thirds of the island is a national park, allowing visitors to view the flora and fauna of the Caribbean in their natural splendor. You can discover the island's 11,560 square acres of natural beauty on a guided tour or simply go exploring yourself by jeep or on a hike. While all three islands offer outstanding scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities, St. John's protected waters make it one of "the best places in the entire Caribbean to explore the under-water world." St. Croix's aquarium and underwater snorkeling trail also provide glimpses of the diverse and vivid underwater ecosystem surrounding the islands. The rich local culture of the islands is revealed during Carnival, an all-out party celebrated during the month of April on St. Thomas, in December on St. Croix, and on July 4th on St. John. The celebration's delicious food, elaborate costumes, dancing, steel-drum music, and nightlife are sure to keep any visitor entertained!There are a variety of hotels and resorts to choose from on the Virgin Islands and flights leave from the United States mainland daily.

Cruises to St. Thomas generally depart from Florida, New York or San Juan, Puerto Rico. St. Thomas is a common port of call on most Eastern Caribbean itineraries and some small-ship cruise lines offer itineraries that include all three islands. Day-long trips to St. John and St. Croix may be offered as shore excursions by some of the larger cruise lines when the ship is docked in St. Thomas.

For more information on this or any other exciting destination, please contact any of our experienced Travel Concierges at World Voyager Vacations toll free 877 836-1949 or information@worldvoyagervacations.com

Europe is big this year

2007-05-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

For those with an interest in cruising Europe this year,an unprecedented number of ships are covering virtually every part of Europe and northern Africa. This year, lines are adding ports along the increasingly popular Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, in Italy's Apulia region, the Greek Isles and Turkey.
Traditionally, cruise lines have devoted summer months to the Mediterranean, but some lines have extended the European season to nine months, while others will have a presence in the region year-round.
The choices range from luxury yachts that carry as few as 100 passengers to mega ships that carry up to 3,100.
Carnival Cruise Lines' new Carnival Freedom sails an inaugural schedule of 12-day voyages featuring the line's first visits to the Greek Isles and Turkey and extended calls at a variety of Mediterranean ports March through October.
Celebrity Cruises has four ships sailing from Casablanca, Morocco, to Cornwall, England; from the Bosporus in Turkey to Greece. From Amsterdam, the line will make its first calls on the Norwegian towns of Molde and Tromso.
Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony offers voyages to Western Europe, the Baltic countries, Russia, the North Cape-Arctic and the British Isles. The line also is launching its first-ever round-trip cruise from Toulon, France, with maiden calls in Russia and Norway.
Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 visits destinations in England, Norway, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal and Italy. Queen Elizabeth 2 stops in Italy,
Norway, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Turkey, Greece and Malta. Disney Cruise Line is repositioning a ship in Europe for the first time. The sailings are operating round-trip from Barcelona and include eight ports of call.
Holland America Line will offer its longest European season in recent history with sailings from March through November to Western and Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Black Sea. Thirteen maiden ports include Jupivogur, Iceland; Sochi, Russia; and Koper, Slovenia.
Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Dream and Norwegian Jewel will sail on seven- and 12-day itineraries that explore the Baltic capitals round-trip from London; Egypt and Greek Islands sailings between Istanbul and Athens; and Mediterranean voyages between Istanbul and Barcelona.
Princess Cruises is offering its most extensive Europe schedule ever, with five ships carrying from 680 to 3,100 passengers on itineraries ranging from seven to 24 days - and to destinations as varied as Iceland and Egypt. The line's season runs from April 11 to Dec. 3, featuring 81 departures on 31 itineraries, calling at 110 ports.

Europe Part II - Ocean Cruises

2007-04-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

Last week we discussed vacationing in central interior Europe on river cruises. While that is an outstanding way to see some fascinating places that you can’t typically visit from seaports, another great option for your European vacation is along the coastline on a major cruise line. You have a number of choices in itineraries and each will give you a very different experience.

Your major options for European sea cruises are:
· Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea
· The Norwegian Fjords
· The British Isles
· Southern Europe including the western, eastern and southern Mediterranean
· Black Sea cruises
· Holy Land cruises.
Northern Europe is consistently one of the favorite destinations for North American travelers. There are plenty of good reasons for this popularity. The many great cities in this prosperous and sophisticated corner of the world include London, Paris, St. Petersburg and many others. Its landscapes include the rugged beauty of Norway and Finland, the bright flower fields of the Netherlands and the lush greens of Ireland. The architecture encompasses modern masterpieces as well as ancient churches and castles. And the art and music and literature of this region form a large part of the cultural fabric of the western world. These destinations offer visitors the chance to explore the Viking past of Scandinavia, the wonders of legendary St. Petersburg, the famous art in Dublin, the ultramodern architecture of Helsinki, sparkling Stockholm as well as less-explored countries like Estonia and Poland. These cruises typically range from 10 to 14 days in length and embark and disembark from London (Dover or Harwich), Copenhagen or Amsterdam.
A popular northern Europe cruise for golfers and those with Irish and Scottish ancestry is the British Isles. The lush greenery, quirky pubs, breathtaking shoreline and intrigue of the past create a great vacation experience. British Isles cruises generally take you from Dover or Harwich (London) to places like St Peter Port Guernsey, Holyhead Whales, Dublin Ireland, Belfast Northern Ireland, Greenock Scotland (Glasgow), Kirkwall Orkneys, Scotland Inverness Scotland (Loch Ness) and Edinburgh Scotland.
The Norwegian Fjords are often described as Alaska on steroids. Norwegian fjords shimmer above the horizon and exciting adventures can be experienced at the Arctic Circle. The Norwegian Fjords are a once in a lifetime experience. Some of the longest, deepest, narrowest and most beautiful fjords in the world will be seen on your Norwegian Fjords cruise. And in Norway there are thousands of them. If you are a photographer, you will be in heaven on this cruise.
Moving south to the Mediterranean, you will travel the pathways of Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Saint Paul, Marco Polo and millions of others from the dawn of civilization to present-day cruise vacationers who have explored the coastal cities and thousands of islands of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. These are, in fact, places linked mainly by the sea, and much of their history, commerce and traditions have their origins there.
Cruises in this part of the world fall into four broad categories:
· The Grand Mediterranean typically sails between Barcelona through Istanbul and usually concludes in Venice or Rome. They also sail reverse itineraries. Grand Mediterranean cruises are a great choice to get an overview of southern Europe.
· Eastern Mediterranean/Aegean Sea cruises are often called Greek Isles cruises and visit ports in Turkey, Greece and islands such as Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Crete. Ships traveling this itinerary often depart from Piraeus (Athens), Greece, or Istanbul, Turkey, though some longer voyages sail from ports farther west.
· Western Mediterranean cruises sail among the cities and villages of Southern Europe from the Adriatic to the Straits of Gibraltar, including Venice, Dubrovnik Croatia, Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Genoa, Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; St.-Tropez, France; Barcelona, Spain; and a host of others, ranging from small villages to major cities.
· Southern Mediterranean cruises visit the more exotic ports of call along the coast of North Africa from Morocco to the Holy Lands, including Tunis, Tunisia; Tripoli, Libya; Alexandria, Egypt; and Haifa, Israel, among others. Since 2001, the number of cruises in this area decreased dramatically due to unrest in the area. Over the past year however, a number of cruise lines have started sailing to this area again. All cruise lines and tour operators work closely with the regional security officers in the Embassies and will do everything possible to ensure the highest level of safety to passengers.
Black Sea cruises combine a bit of eastern Mediterranean itineraries with some of the most intriguing ports in the world, many of which were not open to westerners a few short years ago. These are Yalta, Odessa and Sevastopol in the Ukraine. Your adventure continues with ports of call in Sinop and Trabzon in Turkey, Batumi in Georgia, Constanta in Romania and Nesebur in Bulgaria. The catacombs of Odessa are a main attraction for tourists looking for history. These underground wonders are the most expansive in the world, and hundreds of people hid here during the Nazi invasions. They are absolutely incredible, and demand a visit.
You can incorporate a land tour of varying lengths to the beginning or end of your European river or sea cruise to expand your experience. There are many good tour packages that are reasonably priced and blend well with your itinerary. Whatever choice you make, you will return with a lifetime of memories from the old world.

The Great Waterways of Europe

2007-04-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

Historically, Europe developed around the great waterways that wind themselves through the heartland of the old country. European river cruises can take you to the places that inspired Van Gogh along the Rhone or to the birthplace of Impressionism along the Seine.

European riverboats are smaller and more intimate than traditional cruise ships. These floating hotels allow you to see many places while enjoying the comfort of the same bed every night. You can enjoy fine European cuisine in the dining room or simply relax and view the vineyards, castles and hamlets from the observation deck. All staterooms have large picture windows for maximum viewing. On most river cruises, city tours are included in the price. A few of the highlights of major rivers to cruise in Europe are:

The Danube: On a Danube River cruise, you'll discover Europe's vineyard-lined valleys and beautifully preserved medieval towns in countries such as Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia and Romania. The most popular river cruise is the Grand European sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest or reverse. Christmas Markets cruises are very popular on the Danube. These are a great value because it is off season and the festive holiday atmosphere is a treat.

The Duro: Many Douro River cruises visit Porto, founding place of Portugal's famous port wine. You may enjoy the gardens of the baroque manor house, Solar de Mateus, near Vila Real, or join an excursion to Lamego's Gothic cathedral and 11th century castle. Many Douro River cruises visit the Spanish city of Salamanca, home to one of the oldest universities in the world and one of Europe's most impressive squares.

The Elbe: Visit Magdeburg, where you can explore the Old Market and visit the tomb of Emperor Otto. You may stop at Wittenberg Castle and the Castle Church where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses and sparked the Protestant Reformation. Or, you may visit a porcelain factory, or Albrechtsburg Castle, or sample Saxon wine in Meissen. You may also sail through the sandstone formations of Dresden, the capital of Saxony, and journey into Prague for visits to Wenceslas Square, Old Town City Hall and Charles Bridge.

The Mosel: Cruises on the Mosel River are often combined with Rhine River cruises and are a great way to experience some of Europe's oldest cities. You'll discover s castles built more than 1,000 years ago, towns with architecture that ranges from Roman to rococo, and lush vineyards, as journey through Germany, Luxembourg and France. Many Mosel River cruises visit Trier, Germany's oldest city, founded in 16 B.C. by Roman Emperor Augustus. You may also explore the Reichsburg Castle in Cochem, or the U.S. Memorial Cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg, where General George Patton is buried.

The Oder: Oder River cruises are a great way to discover the Old World charm of interesting and little-known towns in Germany and Poland. Oder River cruises often visit Stralsund, a Hanseatic League city in northern Germany. You may also enjoy a stop in Szcsecin, Poland's largest port, to see St. Jacob's Cathedral or the Loitz House, the 16th century house where the Russian empress Catherine the Great was born.

Po River: A Po River cruise shows you rich culture, fascinating art, and cuisine of northern Italy. Most Po River cruises visit Venice, one of the world's most romantic cities, where you can take a gondola ride through the famous canals before you tour St. Mark's Basilica. You may enjoy excursions to a famous glass blowing factory on the island of Murano, a stop in monument-filled Mantua, which is the setting for Verdi's Opera Rigoletto, and a visit to the lace merchants in Burano or to the home of Parmesan cheese, Parma.

The Rhine: Rhine River cruises are perhaps the most popular of all European river cruises. Some riverboats sail strictly on the Rhine River (known as the Rhein River in Germany.) You may visit Basel, Switzerland's second largest city, where you can stop at the medieval town hall, see works by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali at the museum of fine art and catch a great view of the Rhine River from Wettstein Bridge. Enjoy a stop in Bamberg, Germany for a taste of smokebeer and a visit to the 11th century cathedral of Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II.

The Rhone: There's no better way to experience the romance of the South of France than on a Rhone River cruise. You’ll discover French history, culture and the country's stunning scenery. Most Rhone River cruises visit Lyon, at the convergence of the Rhone and Saone Rivers, where you can taste succulent French cuisine before visiting St. Pierre Palace, Place des Terraux and Fourviere Hill. You may see Roman treasures and some of Vincent Van Gogh's favorite views in Arles, the Gothic Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace) in Avignon.

The Saone: A Saone River cruise is a great way to experience the picturesque, vineyard-covered countryside in France's famed Burgundy wine region. You'll not only discover the magnificent wines and cuisine of the region, but you will also explore French history, culture and a wealth of notable buildings with varied architectural styles. Most Saone River cruises visit Macon, where you can walk the Parcours Patrimonial heritage trail and see Old St. Vincent Cathedral, the dome of Hotel Dieu, Soufflot Chapel and numerous museums. You may also enjoy excursions to Tournus, home to St. Philibert, an abbey and church completed in the 12th century. You'll stop in the important wine trading port of Chalon-sur-Saone, where the 17th century Church of St. Pierre and the crypt of St. Benigne are not to be missed.

The Seine: Experience the splendor of northern France's Normandy region on a Seine River cruise. You'll discover the history, culture and beauty of this region, known as the birthplace of Impressionism. Most Seine River cruises visit Paris, the City of Lights, where you can see world famous architectural masterpieces and museums, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arch de Triomphe and Louvre museum, home of the Mona Lisa. Visit the farmhouse and gardens where Claude Monet lived and worked in Giverny or stop in Les Andelys to see Richard the Lionheart's Chateau Gaillard and the Nicholas Poussin museum. Many Seine River cruises also sail to Le Havre, where you can join an excursion to the Normandy beaches and the D-day landing site.

Getting Through Immigration and Customs

2007-04-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

As the security level has increased dramatically and reentry requirements recently changed, your experience with US Immigration and Customs officials is now a little different as well. When you return from your trip abroad, the first people you encounter are probably not going to be a smiling group at Immigration and Customs who will be greeting you with open arms? More likely you will encounter officials who are somewhat grumpy with extended palms, wanting your passport and customs declaration.

If Immigration and Customs officials weren’t doing that job, I don’t think they would be smiling greeters at Wal-Mart. They’re not there to be social directors, and very rarely do I see them looking particularly happy. Maybe it’s because they see thousands of people a day, and in the seconds of interaction with each passenger, they have to decide if a person is entering the country illegally, or bringing in something they shouldn’t.

The first stage of your reentry is Immigration and Passport control, followed by Customs, where you may find Agricultural Inspection and if necessary, secondary screening. If anything illegal is found at the secondary stage, you very well may be subjected to personal search including strip search.

Have you ever seen a customs official walking a small dog through the baggage area? No, it’s not for the exercise. That dog is there looking for and smelling for any forbidden fruits, plants or drugs. They are good at what they do so be smart and don’t try to bring something in you shouldn’t.

Here are some tips for getting through Immigration and Customs a bit easier:

If you know you will have a tight connection when you land in the states, leave the flowers or produce behind. Agriculture inspection sometimes adds up to one hour or more.

Always carry a photocopy of your passport separately from your passport. Many officials will accept it if you misplace it.

Turn your cell phones off. Customs and Immigration are strict on that rule and will confiscate and not return them.

Don’t make wisecracks or jokes to these officials; it only makes you look like you are trying to hide something and quite frankly, they don’t have a good sense of humor about their business.

Read your forms carefully, and fill them out as soon as you get them. There is a complete guide to filling out your form and a list of contraband items at the back of your in-flight magazine.

If you are unsure, declare it. The “I didn’t know reply” won’t work.

Articles acquired abroad and brought back with you are subject to duty and Internal Revenue tax. U.S. Customs currently allows each U.S. citizen to bring back $400 worth of merchandise duty free, provided the traveler has been outside the United States for at least 48 hours, has not already used this exemption within the preceding 30 day period, and provided the traveler can present the purchases upon his or her arrival at the port of entry. The next $1,000 worth of items brought back for personal use or gifts are subject to duty at a flat 10% rate. (Your duty-free exemption may include 100 cigars, 200 cigarettes, and one liter of wine, beer or liquor.)

Don’t make a scene. If it’s a long wait and your connecting flight is soon, so is everyone else’s and you definitely won’t make your flight if you are sent to secondary screening.

If you are uncomfortable with the opposite sex searching through your luggage, ask for an official of the same sex. Many don’t know that they can make such a request.

Leave any photos or videos of you and a partner in a compromising position at home. They could be considered pornography and when they are confiscated, they will probably go up on their “wall of shame” in some back office.

Immigration and Customs officials must have enough stories to fill a book.

Galapagos in Crisis

2007-04-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

“Galapagos is in a state of emergency,” states the headline in Ecuador’s newspaper, El Comercio. It was referring to a decision made by Ecuador’s President, Rafael Correa, who signed an emergency decree stating that Galapagos is in crisis.

President Correa stated that he would consider temporarily suspending tourism permits and enforcing rigorous population restrictions to prevent further environmental harm. "We are pushing for a series of actions to overcome the huge institutional, environmental and social crisis in the islands," President Correa said. He did not give details about possible restrictions. But he ordered the Governor of Galapagos to convene an urgent meeting of the Institute Nacional Galapagos (INGALA). The objective will be to determine the state of conservation and development in the islands, with possible temporary suspension of new tourist and air operations. In a press release, the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) indicated “strong support for yesterday’s declaration by Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa that Galapagos is at risk and is a national conservation priority." (see full text below) News of the decree was widely disseminated in the international news. One headline mistakenly declared, “Tourists may be banned from Galapagos Islands.” The article stated that “Ecuador's famous Galapagos Islands could be off-limits for tourists after the country's President declared them at risk and in the midst of an environmental crisis.” However, no one has advocated a total ban on tourism. President Correa’s pronouncement comes as a high level delegation from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, led by its Director, Francesco Bandarin, visits Ecuador. Its aim is to study the state of Galapagos and make recommendations next June on whether to list Galapagos as a World Heritage in Danger. Talks between the UN delegation and members of the government are taking place in Quito and Galapagos. President Correa said that Ecuador does not need attention from international organizations, saying, “We are conscious of the high priority and importance of Galapagos for our country.” These events follow in the footsteps of a recent assault on the authority and personnel of the Galapagos National Park, as reported in an IGTOA bulletin. Park Director, Raquel Molina, and several Park Rangers suffered injuries while attempting to stop a kayaking operation on Baltra Island. Air Force personnel arrived at the site and attacked them, causing injuries serious enough to require hospitalization. According to reports, the commander of the Air Force base and Port Captain of Puerto Ayora have been relieved of their duties. The attack on the Director and staff caused an outcry among international organizations (including IGTOA), who urged President Correa to restore authority and stability in the Park. There seems to be a growing consensus that tourism development needs to be contained and regulated. IGTOA will discuss these issues with the Charles Darwin Foundation, Institute Nacional Galapagos (INGALA), and other organizations at its upcoming annual meeting.

Hawaii - Escape to Paradise

2007-04-05T21:53:00.000-07:00

The Hawaiian Islands offer vacationers an extraordinary range of experiences. Long one of the world’s must popular vacation destinations, each island has its own identity, ambiance, climate and geological features that make it unique. Many first time visitors find it difficult to decide which island to choose for their vacation. The adventuresome may opt for multiple islands hopping by commuter plane from one to another. Packing and unpacking, airport security and multiple car rentals can take a little of the enjoyment out of it though.

Deciding on your destination is not as easy as you might think. Most people do not realize that Hawaii's islands span more than 1,500 miles, creating the longest chain of islands in the world. In total, Hawaii is actually 130 separate islands if you include the atolls and coral reefs above sea level. However, the eight of these islands that cover 99% of the land area receive all of the attention, and of those, only six offer tourism opportunities (Niihau is privately owned and Kahoolawe was once a test range for the US Navy). The six major islands are Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii's Big Island.

For those who are having trouble deciding, there is a good option that gives you the best of the best. This is a voyage we did last November and I have to tell you it was one of our best Hawaiian trips ever. Cruising through the Hawaiian Islands really offers some great benefits. Currently, only Norwegian Cruise Lines has year round seven day inter-island cruises. NCL sails three ships there, the Pride of Aloha, the Pride of Hawaii and the Pride of America. We sailed on the Pride of America and found it to be a well appointed, amenity filled vessel that made for a very enjoyable trip. We had a balcony stateroom on the back of the ship for maximum viewing. The balconies on the aft (back) are typically bigger than those on the side making it more comfortable for casual relaxation.

Our journey began the day before the cruise embarked. We flew from Seattle to Honolulu and spent the night at the Outrigger on Waikiki Beach. This is a favorite of ours because of its central location and the fact that one of our favorite restaurants, Duke’s Canoe Club is right in the hotel. The following day we embarked on our cruise from the Pier downtown. We sailed over night and arrived in Hilo on the big island the next day. We had a full day to enjoy a variety of activities. Some in our group opted to tour the Kilauea Volcano National Park. Others shopped, did a botanical gardens tour or just enjoyed the beach. The ship left Hilo at 6:00PM and we were treated to a spectacular sight of the Kilauea Volcano at night. Watching the red hot lava flow down the mountainside in the dark and dump into the sea was incredible. It is totally different than visiting the park in the daytime.

We sailed over night to Kahului on the island of Maui. We spent two full days in Maui. We were able to take in Lahina and Kanapali one day and head down the 56 mile stretch to Hana the next. Parking is available at the Pier if you rent a car for both days.

The evening of the second day we set sail for Kona. A leisurely day of shopping, beach exploration or golf makes for a pleasurable visit. That evening we set sail for our favorite island of Kauai. We had two full days to enjoy the beautiful “Garden” island. A highlight in Kauai is to explore Waimea Canyon. The canyon is ten miles long, two miles wide and 3,600 feet deep. Mark Twain nicknamed Waimea Canyon the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." With its deep reds, greens and browns, each created by a different volcanic flow over centuries, many feel that is much more colorful than the Grand Canyon. The second day marked the highlight of the entire cruise and what has to be the most awe inspiring end of the journey. A sunset sailing past the Napali Coast is as spectacular as it gets. The rugged beauty, deep colors and scenery make it something you will always remember.

Cruise Ship Safety and Security

2007-04-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

Recent news accounts of passengers falling overboard on ships and other negative information may alarm many people who may have thought of taking a cruise. In viewing these reports, one thing was abundantly clear to me. Some people should be advised that the first thing they should pack for their cruise is a little bit of common sense and good judgment. I have been on so many cruise ships I have lost count. I can tell you for certain that you don’t just accidentally fall over the rail of your balcony or any other part of the ship. The design of ships make it next to impossible for that to happen. In each of these cases, the person who fell overboard was engaging in high risk behavior that led to the incident. Witness the accounts from the “victim” and witnesses in each of the recent overboard cases. Each one admitted to drinking excessive quantities of alcohol. Funny thing about it, in just about any activity you engage in when you’ve had too much drink, bad things can happen.
The highest priority of cruise lines is the safety and security of its passengers and crew. With more than 12 million people cruising each year, the cruise lines take every appropriate measure to ensure that passengers have a safe and enjoyable vacation.
While people are far safer on board a cruise ship than in virtually any community in the United States, on rare occasions, incidents may happen. Cruising remains one of the safest vacations available, with an outstanding record of safety and security. In fact, when compared with the FBI's land-based crime statistics in the United States, cruise passengers are much safer on board a cruise ship than ashore.
While instances of crime on board cruise ships are rare, it is important that whenever you are traveling to be observant of your possessions and surroundings at all times. Cruise passengers are reminded of this, as they are in any hotel, by safety information, daily bulletins, port visit briefings and the provision of a room safe or safety deposit box. In the event of an incident, the cruise industry takes all allegations and incidents very seriously, reports them to the proper authorities and fully cooperates in any investigation. In many instances, cruise lines do not publicly disclose detailed information to comply with directions from law enforcement and out of respect for privacy. Consider the following things cruise lines do that few if any land resorts you might vacation at do.
Cruise ships are comparable to secure buildings with 24-hour security. Every person on board a cruise ship, from the captain to the cleaning staff and all guests, are placed on official manifests. When sailing to or from U.S. ports, these manifests are provided to U.S. federal law enforcement officials prior to the ship's departure.
Cruise lines have adopted some of the most advanced and thorough security measures in the vacation industry. These include the screening of 100 percent of all luggage, carry-on's and provisions coming onto ships. Screening is done with X-ray machines, metal detectors and human and detector dog searches.
Passengers and crew may embark or disembark only after passing through security. Once a ship is underway, access is strictly limited to documented employees and fare-paying passengers.
Each passenger is issued an identification card which contains their digital photo and personal identification information on a magnetic strip that he or she must present when entering or leaving the ship. This technology allows the ship to know which passengers and crew members are on board and which are not.
Each cruise ship has a dedicated security officer and staff whose sole function is the security of its passengers and crew. Typically, security staff personnel have former law enforcement or military background and are trained according to international security regulations.
Foreign crew members on ships are required to obtain a visa issued by the U.S. State Department for entry into the United States. This visa requires the completion of a background check. In addition, cruise ship employees are pre-screened by recruiting agencies.
Cruise lines operate within a legal framework under which international, federal and state authorities investigate crimes on board cruise ships. Unlike most instances of shore side crime, the FBI has the authority to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes in international waters involving Americans.
The U.S. Coast Guard has jurisdiction for inspection and enforcement of international safety and security standards for all ships calling at U.S. ports.
Cruising is among the most popular vacation options in large part because of its excellent safety record and the high level of quality service cruise ships provide. I feel 100% confident in recommending a cruise vacation to anyone.

Jerry Vaughn

A Whole World of Travel

2007-03-21T07:29:00.000-07:00

I received a flattering call from a reader this week that complimented me on the column and then asked how I learned so much about travel and the world. I think I do know a fair amount about the travel industry and the world in general, but as I explained to her, I am very cognizant of just how much I don’t know. The world we live in is a dynamic, ever changing place that is constantly reshaped and redefined by nature, people, politics, civil upheaval, war and economics. What we may have known about the world a few short years ago may or may not be the case today. Think back over the past two decades about how significantly our globe has changed.

For me, learning about the world and more specifically travel has been a long process. It has been accelerated over the past seven years as a result of being in the travel industry and having been afforded the opportunity to see some of the greatest vacation destinations in the world and some of the finest ways to vacation. Whether on a luxurious cruise liner, a posh resort or escorted tour, we have enjoyed extraordinary experiences. In reality, much of my knowledge of the world comes from my previous life in an interesting and exciting career that allowed me to see the world in a fairly unique way and shaped my views of other countries, their cultures, history and differences. To digress a bit, a major milestone came in the late 1970’s. My wife and I grew up in Colorado. My career in law enforcement had progressed to the point of coming up through the ranks to be a division chief in the police department. I was lucky enough to have been appointed as a new police chief in another state in the Midwest. After settling into the new job, my wife and I often thought about the things we never took the time to see and do when we lived in Colorado. In spite of living there, neither of us had visited Mesa Verde National Park, had never been to the top of Pikes Peak or a number of the great places that bring tourist to Colorado. We made a pact that we would take the time to really get to know and see the areas we lived in so that we wouldn’t feel we missed something. From then on, we took regular excursions to see the things the area offered. In a few short years, I was offered another chiefs job in a much larger city in the southeastern United States. Once again, we had the opportunity to learn a lot about a whole new area we had never experienced. In 1985, I was appointed as the Executive Director of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Washington DC. IACP had over 19,000 members in 93 nations around the world. As the Executive Director, I had the opportunity to travel to many of those countries and interact with officials at the highest levels of government. In preparation for those trips, I would pour over the CIA Country reports of the places we were visiting to learn as much about the country as possible. Once there, our host always went out of the way to ensure that in between business meetings we were able to see the highlights of their city or country. Many times these involved behind the scenes tours into places ordinary tourist couldn’t go. What an education! After leaving IACP I was appointed as an International Police Advisor in a project named the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program within the Criminal Division of the US Justice Department. I was initially assigned to work on issues related to drug related corruption and human rights violations in Latin America and the Caribbean Basin. In 1989, I was one of a five member team assigned to work in Panama on the heels of Operation Just Cause to eliminate the brutal and corrupt Panama Defense Forces and create a 12,000 member civilian police organization. While there, I learned an awful lot about the Panama Canal and the region as a whole. In 1995, I was part of a multinational group sent to Haiti for six months to replace the Haitian military with a new civilian police organization. Living and working in a highly impoverished third world country was an eye opening experience. In between, I did a lot of work in Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Columbia, Bolivia and Peru. While these are but a few of the experiences that have taught me about the world we live in, it has always given me a great appreciation for the words of Augustine, “The world is a book and those who do not travel have never gotten past the first page.”

Jerry Vaughn

Seven Days to see Alaska

2007-03-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

I received a number of inquiries this week from readers with questions about Alaska vacation options. As I pointed out in a past column, your choices for Alaska vacations are almost overwhelming. For more detail on Alaska vacation options visit http://www.alaskacruisesandlandtours.com/. You’ll find itinerary descriptions, maps and trip information there.

Q: I only have one week of vacation that I can be gone in the summer. What’s the best way to see Alaska in that amount of time?

A: Your best option would probably be a one week Inside Passage Cruise. This will be a roundtrip cruise visiting southeast Alaska. You will only see about 28% of the state, but it is an incredibly beautiful 28%. These are often times referred to as the Voyage of the Glaciers. They are typically seven day itineraries embarking and disembarking from Seattle or Vancouver BC.

Your typical Ports of Call on an Inside Passage cruise would be any three of the following depending on which ship you are on;
Ketchikan – The Salmon capitol of the world
Juneau – Alaska’s capitol and the only state capitol inaccessible by driving
Hoonah – Icy Point Straight– rich in fishing history and wildlife viewing
Skagway – Gateway to the great Gold Rush in the Yukon
Sitka – home of beautiful Russian Orthodox cathedrals and rich history.

You will visit one of the three principal glaciers on an Inside Passage cruise. All of these are spectacular in their own way and I don’t think you will be disappointed.
Glacier Bay National Park
Hubbard Glacier
Tracy Arm/Misty Fjord with the Twin Sawyer Glaciers

You have plenty of choices for an inside passage cruise from Seattle. If you are doing a roundtrip cruise, unless you have a great desire to go to Vancouver, it is much easier to simply embark and disembark from Pier 66 & Pier 30 right here in Seattle. Just a few short years ago there was only one ship sailing to Alaska from Seattle. That has changed dramatically. Here are your choices for 2007;

Princess Cruise Line – Premium quality with traditional cruising experience
Golden Princess
Sun Princess
Holland America – The “granddaddy” of Alaska cruises and tours celebrating their 58th year sailing to Alaska. Premium quality, very traditional with two formal nights. All those “Dam” ships
Amsterdam.
Oosterdam,
Noordam
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – A solid choice for families and active adventurers
Vision of the Seas
Norwegian Cruise Line – Relaxed and informal with freestyle cruising. A comfortable way to see Alaska without taking tuxedos, suits, ties and evening gowns There is a strongly held belief in Alaska that “tuxedos and sequins scare the bears,”
Norwegian Pearl – the newest ship sailing to Alaska with an onboard bowling alley
Norwegian Star

If you want to travel to Vancouver for your roundtrip Alaska cruise, there are plenty of choices with seven ships sailing these itineraries. You will have additional transportation cost whether you fly, drive, or go by train. Roundtrip transfers from SeaTac airport generally run around $80 per person. A great way to go is by AMTRAK leaving Seattle’s Union Station at 7:30AM and arriving in Vancouver at 11:45AM. You are just a short cab ride to the cruise pier. Cruises embark and disembark from Canada Place and Ballentyne Piers in downtown Vancouver.

If you want to see a little more of Alaska and you only have seven days to do it, you can opt for a Gulf of Alaska Cruise. These are seven day cruises either northbound from Vancouver to Seward or Whittier or southbound cruises in reverse. You would fly into Anchorage for southbound cruises or home from there for northbound itineraries. Obviously your airfare costs make this a more expensive option. The advantage of a Gulf of Alaska cruise is you continue northbound from either Hubbard or Glacier Bay across the Gulf of Alaska visiting Prince William Sound and College Fjord and the seven Ivy League Glaciers. You will begin or end your cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park. All the major cruise lines have ships sailing north and southbound itineraries.

In addition to the choices outlined above, there are a number of small ship “up close and personal” options with Cruise West, America West Steamboat Company, American Safari cruises and Clipper Cruises. These will take you where the big ships can’t go and focus on the history, culture and lifestyle of rural Alaska.

Cruise Vacations - What you need to know to book your first cruise

2007-03-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

Last week, we discussed how cruises are priced. As Paul Harvey, the great radio commentator used to say “and now for the rest of the story!” Cruise pricing is also influenced by the type of cruise line you choose. There are 39 different cruise lines with 189 different ships ranging from Mega ships holding nearly 5,000 passengers and crew to small niche ships carrying less than 100. Each ship has a large number of categories of staterooms that can be quite confusing. There are over 5,000 different itineraries in the world. Because of the myriad of factors that come in to play, I highly recommend using a travel agent to book your cruise. Unlike booking an airline ticket where your choices are pretty straight forward such as whether you want to be at the front or back of the plane, aisle or window, cruises are much more complex. The internet is full of traps for the inexperienced or unknowing! What you see is not always what you get. An experienced agent can guide you through the maze and help ensure you have a great vacation. The cruise line compensates the agent so it generally costs you nothing to avail yourself of the expertise of the agent.

First and foremost, it is important to pick the cruise line and ship that’s right for you. That is a function of matching your personal preferences, lifestyle, budget, age and interests with a cruise line and ship where you will feel comfortable. Cruise lines and ships are a lot like hotels or cars. There are different categories that by design cater to different travelers and the price you pay will follow accordingly. They range in style from very traditional and formal with a lot of structure to very relaxed and casual with latitude on how and when you do things.

The first category is the Luxury Category. This is 5 and 6 star with exceptional service, amenities and unique identity. This would be comparable to driving a Mercedes, Lexus or Cadillac and staying in the Fairmont Four Seasons hotel. The luxury category typically has ships ranging from 300 to 750 passengers with the exception of Cunard’s Queen Mary II accommodating 2800 passengers. These ships are typically sailing longer itineraries to exotic destinations. The major luxury cruise lines are Silversea, Crystal, Regent, Cunard, Seabourn, Sea Dream Yacht Club and Windstar.

The Premium Category used to be much more defined and differentiated from the Contemporary Mass Market Category. The introduction of new amenity filled ships with enhanced dining experiences in both of these categories has virtually erased the distinction in my opinion. The premium category consists of Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, Oceania and Disney. The Contemporary Mass Market Category is made up of Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Costa, Fred Olsen and MSC. As I indicated, when you sail on the newer ships in both of these categories it is very difficult to draw a distinction in service, quality and value. Pricing is all over the board because of competitive pressures.

The Niche Category is smaller boutique style ships accommodating fewer than 150 passengers. They sail unique itineraries and offer an experience you would simply not find on bigger ships. These are typically adventuresome, up close and personal style journeys that focus on destination and activities as opposed to the ship. Cruise lines in this category are Cruise West, Majestic America, Abercrombie and Kent, Viking River Cruises, Uniworld, Clipper and Windjammer Barefoot cruises.

Once you have selected the cruise line and ship that’s right for you, the question often asked is “what’s included in the price?”

Typically included in the price of your cruise is:

Your accommodations on board the ship in the stateroom category you have selected.
Most food and non alcoholic beverages while onboard the ship
Exception: some alternative restaurants have small cover charges
Coca Cola and Pepsi products that can be purchased on a weekly drink card.
Entertainment including Broadway style shows, comedians and a variety of musical performances
Onboard activities

Typically what’s not included are:

Gratuities which are optional and determined by you based on the quality of service you receive. (Gratuities based on the American Express Tipping Guideline of approximately $9.50 per passenger per day will be automatically added to your room charges. At the end of the cruise if you are satisfied with the service you received you need do nothing. If you are dissatisfied you can contact the Pursers Desk and reduce or eliminate the gratuities.)
Alcoholic Beverages
Shore excursions, shopping, etc.

A cruise is a great value when you consider all that’s included in the price in comparison to a land based vacation. Customer satisfaction with the cruise experience is among the highest in the travel industry with over 85% of first time cruisers repeating the experience within two years.

Bon Voyage!

How Cruises are Priced

2007-02-25T14:38:00.000-08:00

It is easy to be confused about how cruises are priced and why there is so much difference between agencies for the same ship and same sailing. Shoppers are shocked when they see a cruise advertised at a very low price and suddenly find that it cost much more. The important thing to remember is that price contains several components. The first three are what people are often confused by. Price is made up of; 1. Cruise fare 2. Port charges and 3. Taxes and Government fees. Other charges that may apply are 4. Ground transfers (included with some cruise lines, a separate charge with others) 5. Airfare (if you asked for it) 6. Airport taxes and fees and, 7. Trip insurance (optional.)

Price is determined by the type of stateroom you choose and the dates you are traveling. Pricing starts on the inside of a ship at the lowest passenger deck. The important thing to know about these cabins is that the very lowest inside cabins may be bunk beds, or an upper and lower berth. That's not bad if you're two single travelers on a budget, but probably not very good if you are celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary.

The next level up is an inside cabin with two lower berths that can be put together as a queen sized bed. These are generally very popular for budget conscious travelers and work fine. The cabins are essentially the same as an outside cabin minus a window. If you aren't going to be in your cabin very much this may be perfect for you. As you go up each deck level, the price of the stateroom normally increases whether it is inside or outside.

As indicated before, inside cabins and oceanview cabins are essentially the same on most ships. Oceanview cabins start with porthole windows and may be priced only slightly higher than inside cabins. These are at the very front of the ship and you may experience more motion there. The next type of cabin would be one that has a large picture window. Oceanview cabins are very pleasant and people often spend much more time in a stateroom than they might think. Ocean view cabins are particularly nice when you are going in and out of ports or on an Alaskan cruise. Occasionally, you will be treated to the sight of dolphins or whales jumping alongside the ship or an incredible sunrise or sunset.

The next step up is a stateroom with a private verandah. These are obviously more expensive but if you like the privacy of breakfast on your own private balcony it may be well worth the additional cost. Mini suites, Family suites, Penthouse and Owners Suites are the more expensive accommodations on cruise ships. The amenities increase with each category you move up, as does the cost.

Staterooms can be booked with a specific cabin assignment or on what is called a “guarantee”. A specific cabin assignment is best if you have a particular need or preference. An example would be that if you were highly prone to motion discomfort you would want to be as close to the middle of the ship and as low down as possible where there is the least motion. Booking on a guarantee which simply means you book the lowest category inside or outside cabin and by giving the cruise line flexibility in meeting other passenger request in cabin assignments, the cruise line will automatically upgrade you to the best available cabin (generally inside to inside, outside to outside) at time of sailing. Quite often, you will get much more than you actually paid for and save a little money in the process. There are also a variety of special promotions going at any given time that could save you money. State and regional residency, senior specials and run of ship promotions are all things to check.

Holland America selling Windstar line for $100M

2007-02-22T16:06:00.000-08:00

Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) - 2:28 PM PST Thursday, February 22, 2007

Seattle-based cruise and tour company Holland America Line has sold its Windstar Cruises unit to Ambassadors International Inc. of Newport Beach, Calif.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ambassadors will pay $100 million for Windstar Cruises -- $19 million in cash, $60 million in seller financing and the assumption of working capital deficit of $21 million.
The seller financing will be paid over 10 years at 7 percent interest and collateralized the Windstar's three-ship fleet -- the 312-passenger Wind Surf and the 148-passenger sister ships Wind Star and Wind Spirit.
The three ships are all sail yachts outfitted with engines that sail in such areas as the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean Sea.
The deal has not yet been finalized and is subject to approval by the Federal Trade Commission.

New Alaska Cruise Pier for Seattle in 2008

2007-02-17T09:29:00.000-08:00

Cruises to Alaska from Seattle will have a new port in 2008. The Port Authority recently approved a plan to return Pier 30 to container vessel operations and move cruise ship operations to Pier 91. Pier 30 is in the industrialized south side of downtown, not the most scenic area for visitors to Seattle. The new Pier 91 is on the north side of downtown not far from Holland America's World Headquarters. Pier 91 will undergo extensive renovations and upgrades and be ready to go by April 2008, just in time for the 2008 Alaska cruise season. According to Jerry Vaughn, President of World Voyager, Inc., the parent company of http://www.alaskacruisesandlandtours.com/ the new pier should offer passengers outstanding views of Mt Rainer and the Seattle Skyline. While not quite as handy to SeaTac Airport, the new Pier should have improved facilities and be more efficient for embarkation and disembarkation. The cruise lines have agreed to a number of new environmental safeguards as part of the project.

Seattles other cruise pier, Pier 66 on the downtown Seattle waterfront will continue to host Norwegian cruise ships and others that make Seattle ports of call. Upgrades to environmental safeguards are also being implemented at Pier 66 as well.

TRAVEL SCAMS - THINK IT WON'T HAPPEN TO YOU?

2007-02-11T10:20:00.000-08:00

How many times have we heard it before, "if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is" or "Buyer Beware." Yet, people are pulled into travel scams all the time. There are more travel scams out there at any given time than you can imagine. Think it can't happen to you? It happens to the best. A recent story in the Rocky Mountain News, Denver's daily paper reported that scores of Denver police, firefighters and their family members who thought they would be in Hawaii for the NFL Pro Bowl game were left high and dry by a shady Las Vegas operator that left them without the trip they bought. According the the News, about 70 people in the Denver area paid a Las Vegas travel company for a package deal to pro football's all-star game, only to have their plans disrupted. "We're cops," Denver police officer Dan McNulty told KCNC-TV. "We're investigators, and we got duped." McNulty's wife said the family paid $619 per person for a week in Hawaii and even verified that the travel company, CEI Sports Tours, had reserved the rooms. The family even traveled to Las Vegas to meet company owner Mitch Chirchick and arranged for him to come to Colorado last month to assure everyone involved the trip was on track. Others say they paid up to $1,000 each for a package that included game tickets. Then, hours before departure, McNulty said it all fell apart. McNulty said Chirchick told him the money was gone and there would be no trip. Authorities in Las Vegas are investigating. What can you do to avoid these situations? Here are a few suggestions to follow;

If you are doing business with a company out of your local area, check with your State Consumer Protection Agency for any complaints that may have been filed. Also check the Better Business Bureau for complaints.
Go on the internet to the State Consumer Protection Agency that the agency is based in to see if there are complaints on file there.
Ask the company to provide proof that they are Licensed Sellers of Travel in the State they are based in and the states they are doing business in.
Ask the company to provide proof of Professional Liability Insurance.
Verify professional membership affiliations of the company you are dealing with. Are they members of ASTA, ARTA, CLIA, IATAN, ICTA. Most agencies won't belong to all, but will belong to the ones most appropriate for the type of travel they sell. They will have member numbers that can be verified.
Ask yourself why you want to do business with a company outside your area. Is a similar package available locally. If you have a problem it is much easier to deal with it locally than several hundred or thousand miles away. If it is not available then don't be afraid to purchase from a vendor out of your area, just be sure to do the appropriate checking first to make sure you don't get burned.
Do the math. If you see claims like "stay in a world class deluxe resort for as little as $298 a week", ask yourself why a world class deluxe resort would do that. You can barely (and maybe not at all) stay in a Motel 6 for $30 a night. What's the hook? The only exception to this might be with ownership exchange companies like Interval International or RCI that offer member owners periodic specials that are not available to the public. Not just anyone can be a member of Interval or RCI.
Nothing is free. You may not pay for one thing, but I guarantee you are going to pay for something somewhere. Legitimate businesses don't stay in business giving things away or not producing a reasonable profit over time.
Claims that you are going to get the same kind of travel for 50, 60 or 70% less than travel giants like Orbitz, Travelocity or Expedia are ludicrous on their face. With all the buying power those travel giants have, how can some little company you've never heard of get prices that low. Anyone who believes the profit margin or markup in travel packages is that big simply knows nothing about travel.
Countless travel clubs have been created by scammers as a means of getting your money. You pay them a membership fee and they promise you extraordinary benefits. If I had a nickel for every tale of woe I've heard from people who joined and found those claims not to be true, I would be a rich man.

Frequent Flier Miles

2007-02-02T14:52:00.000-08:00

I received the following question this week from Christa de Lap, Federal Way

I have 32,000 mileage points on a Delta Skymiles/American Express credit card. A couple of days ago, I tried to book a trip to Munich, Germany, for a family reunion in August. I called Delta Airlines and was unable to get reservations with connections on partner airlines for the first week in August. I was told to try again.

I need to go to Germany with mileage points (about 32,000) and pay for the additional miles. I do not want to upgrade, if at all possible. Is it really so hard to get on in August, even though I tried to book already in January? Would it be better to get reservations at the beginning of September?

Does World Voyager Vacations book for travelers who want to use mileage credits?

What are your general tips for using "free" miles?
*********************************************************

Christa, your problem is one that is encountered quite often and creates a lot of frustration for people trying to use Frequent Flier miles.

Travel agencies are generally discouraged by the airlines from any involvement with an individual’s Frequent Flier miles. In order for an agency to be involved, the passenger has to provide the travel agency with their account number and their Personal Identification Number (PIN). The agent is then actually working in the customer’s private account. Many people are reluctant to provide that information to an agency and quite frankly, as an agency we are not comfortable having someone’s PIN number.

One of the major problems with Frequent Flier miles is that the ways to earn miles has skyrocketed with credit cards and a variety of activities other than flying that accumulate miles. As a result there are a lot of people with miles and a very limited number of mileage seats available on any given flight. Consequently, it is pretty difficult to find 20 or 25,000 mile seats unless you are extremely flexible on your travel dates. Most of the time, I have to use Premium miles (twice the normal required) just to get a seat. You can expend a lot of miles very quickly that way. From the airlines standpoint, that is fine. Unused miles are a financial liability to cash strapped airlines and so the more they can get rid of the better for them as they see it. That is why most of the airlines no longer have programs where miles do not expire. Only Continental and Aloha to my knowledge have no expiration date on FF miles. Many airlines have tightened the rules so that if there is no activity in your account in a period of eighteen months or two years the miles expire.

In your situation, Delta requires 50,000 miles for roundtrip Europe tickets. If you have to use premium miles, it could go up to 100,000 miles for a seat, particularly if you are traveling between May and September which is peak season. Mileage seats go very quickly so it is best to try to book eleven months or 331 days out from your flight when schedules are released. Again, if you can be flexible on your travel dates then you have the best shot at getting seats. Also, keep in mind that with serious overbooking, crowded planes, cancelled flights, delays and both voluntary and involuntary bumping, when you are traveling on a free ticket, you are more vulnerable than other passengers. If you are on a tight schedule, you could end up missing some other part of your trip.

As far as buying miles for upgrades, generally that is pretty expensive. If you only need to purchase one or two thousand miles it may be practical. As an example to purchase 30,000 miles would cost approximately $890 plus taxes and fees. On top of that you would have to hold an upgradeable seat, which is typically a more expensive seat to start with. Upgradeable seats with Delta are fare codes M, Y and B. Fare code M would be the lowest price. Delta only allows a maximum of 30,000 miles to be purchased per year. It would not be a good way to book the seats.

When the airlines introduced Frequent Flyer Programs to encourage customer loyalty back in the 1980’s, the industry was quite different than it is today. Today, with all the discount air websites and price driven shoppers, brand loyalty has changed significantly. Flying is essential, but for most of us it has become anything but fun. To summarize, the best advice for using Frequent Flier miles is
Ø Plan Ahead
Ø Book Early
Ø Be Flexible on travel dates
Ø Try to use tickets on days of the week and months of the year when fewer people travel

Trip Protection Insurance and School Break Cancellations

2007-01-29T23:13:00.000-08:00

The severe winter weather has seriously disrupted school schedules in many parts of the country. Many school districts are cancelling mid winter break or spring break to make up for snow days lost during the storms. Others are extending the school year late into June. For families who have purchased or are thinking about a vacation during those times, it does not appear that Travel Protections Insurance will cover cancellations in this case. Be sure to check before you make the final payment on your vacation so you don't end up with cancellation fees that are not covered.

Price is Important, But Quality and Value are Key to Great Vacations

2007-01-25T11:29:00.000-08:00

by Jerry Vaughn

How cheap does a bad vacation need to be to be good? Most of us have repeatedly heard the old adages “You get what you pay for” and “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!” Yet when it comes to planning a vacation, many people become consumed with finding the cheapest possible price. They often ignore the value of their own time by spending hours bouncing from website to website in pursuit of the lowest price. In many cases they experience significant stress and frustration in finding what they thought was a good deal only to try to purchase it and find that it’s not available on the dates they want to travel or the advertised price doesn’t include everything. Many times the search leads them to a vacation nightmare instead of a dream vacation. Upon arrival, you are stunned that the place that looked so great in the pictures on the website doesn’t look quite like that. The room that was so cheap is next to the freeway. The clerk at the desk can’t find your reservation and when you try to call the online agency that you booked through, you can’t get through or they can’t help you. Worse yet you get stuck in an automated system bouncing from department to department listening to the message “Your business is important to us” and having international call charges racking up just waiting to talk to a real human.

Think about it. You work hard all year long. You save your hard earned money so that you can escape the daily rigors of work. The whole idea is to go have fun, relax and enjoy yourself. Being stressed, angry or disappointed defeats the purpose of going on vacation.

Here are a few recommendations that may help you have that dream vacation instead of the vacation nightmare:
1. Don’t be price driven. Be quality and value driven. You can get a good and fair price dealing with reputable companies who have a vested interest in your vacation experience. After all, if you are highly pleased, it increases the likelihood you will be a valued repeat customer and will refer others to that agency.
2. Value your time. Many people believe that they know as much or more about travel than a trained, experienced travel professional. In rare cases some may, but most don’t. Remember another old adage, “Education, training and experience is a lot like sophistication. You don’t miss what you never knew you didn’t have.” On leisure travel vacation packages, travel agents typically don’t charge you for their services. The vendor pays them. Most of the time, any legitimate vendor price available on the web is available to large travel agencies. In fact, there are many specials available that may not be offered on the internet at all. A skilled travel agent can save you time, money and a lot of headaches.
3. Focus on fun. That’s the point of your vacation. Be flexible, patient, knowledgeable and well prepared. Great vacations are more than a week or two away. They can be a lifetime of special memories.

Cautionary Word About Passport Requirements for Cruise Passengers

2007-01-21T11:37:00.000-08:00

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!! If you are planning to travel by air outside of the United States after January 23, 2007 you will need a valid US Passport for Reentry into the United States. While the new Passport regulations for cruise passengers delayed the requirement until 2008, please note the following; If you are on a cruise in 2007 and an unexpected emergency such as medical evacuation or situation with family (death, Injury or illness) would require you to fly home from outside the US, you will be required to present a valid Passport for reentry into the United States.

Therefore, we strongly encourage all travelers to obtain their passport now. Apply for a passport as soon as possible as it can take 6-8 weeks to receive your passport!

NCL America Brings Hula Aboard their Ships

2007-01-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

On January 8, 2007, Norwegian Cruise Line added even more Hawaiian spirit to their three America ships when they teamed up with local Halau or Hula groups to bring Hula presentations aboard their vessels in Hawaii. Ho'okipa Aloha, a hula program designed to showcase Hawaii's culture, traditions, and history, will now bepreformed on NCL's America ships (the Pride of America, the Pride of Aloha, and the Pride of Hawaii) when they are in port in Honolulu. Coordinated by Kumu Hula (hula teacher) Vicky Holt Takamine, the program will feature both traditional and contemporary styles of hula and will be performed by members from Pua Ali'i 'llima, Halau Mohala 'llima and Ka Pa Hula O Kauanoa O Wa'ahila. Norwegian's three America ships, the Pride of America, the Pride of Aloha, and the Pride of Hawaii, all sail 7-day roundtrip itineraries departing from either Honolulu or Maui. The Pride of Aloha also operates select roundtrip 10 and 11-day sailings that depart from Honolulu. Many of the America ships' itineraries include overnights in one or more ports, allowing cruisers an extended opportunity to enjoy must-see destinations such as Maui, Honolulu, and/or Kauai.Now is the time to escape the snowy, stormy, and cold weather and experience the beauty, history, and culture of Hawaii with Norwegian Cruise Line. Call World Voyager Vacations at 1-877-836-1949 or 1-800-454-7174 to book your vacation to the islands today!

For the Dreamer in You - The Perfect Luxury Vacation

2007-01-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” - Augustine

We are often asked what our favorite cruise line or cruise is. We are also asked what we believe the best or “perfect” vacation to be. These questions are not easy to answer because it is really very subjective based on personal likes and dislikes. I will qualify and provide context for my thoughts by pointing out that what we define as a “perfect” vacation is that of a couple in our late 50's (okay one of us is in our real late 50's) married 35 years without a great need for exciting night life. Truth is we seldom make it to midnight on New Years Eve. We like laid back, peaceful, warm environments that soothe our frayed nerves from living in a large urban area, particularly after our recent winter weather blast. A clue to our idea of great entertainment may be found in our grown children referring to us as the King and Queen of elevator music.

As agency owners, we have the opportunity to go on many different cruises. Most are great and it is hard to fault any of them significantly. One however, stands out as what we would consider “the perfect vacation”. The journey is 14 days to the South Pacific in French Polynesia, a true tropical paradise.

Our journey starts with a three day pre-cruise package in overwater thatched bungalows at the Le Meridian in Bora Bora. Glass floors in the living room let you enjoy spectacular marine life and a diving platform off your bungalow entices you to snorkel and swim in crystal clear tropical waters. Seafood is so fresh that you watch local fishermen bring their catch of the day to the outside entrance of the kitchen and the chef negotiates a price with them. The bungalows are very intimate, well appointed and very comfortable. Incredible is the best way to describe the experience you will have.

A cruise aboard the luxurious Regent Seven Seas Paul Gauguin from Tahiti is a treat. The cruise is spectacular with ports of call in Papeete, Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora & Moorea with a stop at Motu Mahana (a private island with incredible fine white sand, palms, pink hibiscus and bartenders with floating bars that come out to you as you float in the water to make and serve your drink). This is a trip of a lifetime through the most beautiful islands in the world! The food and service aboard the Paul Gauguin is exquisite. We were in a category C Verandah and it was perfect for us. Breakfast on the verandah every morning taking in the beautiful scenery and outstanding weather puts new meaning in the word relaxation. It is a true six star luxury vessel. The Ship is small with 339 passengers but very stable and enjoyable. It is like sailing on an oversized private yacht with a group of friends. The quality of the on-board enrichment programs is second to none. Proof of that is when speakers are so captivating they keep passengers inside the theater listening to their presentation rather than being outside enjoying paradise. The shore excursions were definitely a cut above average with fascinating glimpses of the history and culture of these beautiful islands. A trip into one of the most beautiful lagoons imaginable by outrigger to visit a stilted Black Pearl farm is hard to describe.

A three day post cruise stay at the Beachcomber in Moorea in a beachfront bungalow with a large double hammock strung between Palm trees beside it will make you not want to go back home. It was great! We cannot think of a more peaceful, relaxing and beautiful environment to escape to. French Polynesia is very non-commercial and a pleasant switch from the ports of call in the Caribbean.

The vacation I described will roughly run in the range of $10,000 for two people. There are many variables that can affect price including time of year you want to travel, type of stateroom, etc. There are free air and two for one specials that run periodically that can save you money. There are also alternative cruises available with longer itineraries such as the Tahitian Princess. Feedback from all the guest we have had on Princess has been excellent. The ship is about twice as big as the Paul Gauguin but still small by today’s standards in cruise ships holding a little over 600 passengers. Many people prefer the 10 day cruise itinerary since they are traveling so far. The flight to Papeete is 8 1/2 hours from Los Angeles. Air Tahiti Nui has very comfortable planes flying this route. If you are looking for a piece of paradise, this trip is one not to miss. It is a great surprise anniversary gift or any special occasion for that matter. This is paradise defined.

Bon Voyage!

Latest Special Promotions available online at www.worldvoyagervacations.com

2007-01-18T14:20:00.000-08:00

Every week, Holland America Cruise Line has a special sale called the Five Day Flash. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has a Happy Hour Special. Celebrity Cruise Line has Celebrity Xciting Deals and Norwegian Cruise Line has weekly specials. The most current specials for each of these cruise lines is available on our home page, www.worldvoyagervacations.com by clicking on the image entitled "Hot Deals - Cool Ships." These specials provide significant savings on a variety of cruise itineraries. If you are looking for a good deal on a cruise vacation package, this is a very good place to look. Jerry Vaughn, World Voyager Vacations