It's been awhile folks but after experimenting with a Facebook Fan Page, I have decided that I like "blogging" better. So I'm back to stay this time!
Since this is more of a "re-activation" post (I had to remember my passowrd to get back into this). I will add some new content later today.
Currently we are in the final stages of editing our July/August issue of Cruise Newz & Views, our popular newsletter that we send out to our customers and potential customers. If you are not already receiving this in your e-mail Inbox each month, you can subscribe by sending an e-mail to subscribe@askusaboutcrusing.com or arichman@cruiseone.com. Be sure to give us your name as our newsletters are personalized.
Some of the sections each issue are "Featured Destination" and "A Little Humor to End With." You will also learn about special contests we run, our exclusive Client Loyalty Rewards Program, and have the opportunity to answer our Question of the Month (annoynomously of course.)
So until later, it's good to be back!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Special First Time Cruisers con't
There is not much else to say about my brother and sister-in-laws first cruise experience if you read their comments to the previous posting. They had a blast! I did get to talk with them last night and once again, we receive the one benefit that is really "neat" about being a cruise specialist.
Even with approximately 50 cruises now (long and short)under out belt, we do still think about our first cruise experience in Dec 1997 on Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas to the Western Caribbean. It was an incredible experience and I remember waking up on Monday morning (cruise started on Sun) and Helen and I saying "Oh, we will do this again!"
Little did we know we would become cruise specialists 4 years and 9 cruises later. So what is the benefit? It's reliving our first cruise experience through other peoples eyes after their first cruise. And we get to do this every time we book a "first timer" when they get home. This is why we really do love working with people in helping them plan and experience what we have come to love.
One of Don's comments was they were thinking Mon morning while waiting to disembark was "I wonder if we could get a cabin and stay onboard?" They told me something last night that I hadn't heard before and I had to chuckle. This says it all - they had decided to take their own luggage off the ship which would entitle them to get off earliest. But they had number 14 for disembarkation and tried to change with someone who had number 24. they just did not want to leave.
So welcome home bro and we are glad you now understand why we love cruising.
Even with approximately 50 cruises now (long and short)under out belt, we do still think about our first cruise experience in Dec 1997 on Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas to the Western Caribbean. It was an incredible experience and I remember waking up on Monday morning (cruise started on Sun) and Helen and I saying "Oh, we will do this again!"
Little did we know we would become cruise specialists 4 years and 9 cruises later. So what is the benefit? It's reliving our first cruise experience through other peoples eyes after their first cruise. And we get to do this every time we book a "first timer" when they get home. This is why we really do love working with people in helping them plan and experience what we have come to love.
One of Don's comments was they were thinking Mon morning while waiting to disembark was "I wonder if we could get a cabin and stay onboard?" They told me something last night that I hadn't heard before and I had to chuckle. This says it all - they had decided to take their own luggage off the ship which would entitle them to get off earliest. But they had number 14 for disembarkation and tried to change with someone who had number 24. they just did not want to leave.
So welcome home bro and we are glad you now understand why we love cruising.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Special First Time Cruisers
Although we love first time cruisers, why would this one be special? Simply because it is my brother and sister-in-law!
We did our first cruise 12 years ago next month and always enjoy re-living that experience through the eyes of those we book on their first cruise. We have been in the business of professional cruise specialists for 8 years now. Yesterday, my bro and sister-in-law, who have heard us talk about our wonderful experiences, embarked on a ship - the Carnival Elation - for their first cruise experience.
They have been on the water in small (48-80 foot boats) so that part was not new. But Gloria's comment when we talked to them a few hours after they boarded, had lunch, explored the ship, etc., was "This is HUGE!" We laughed because at only 70,000 GT we consider this a small ship these days.
Gloria had set this up as a special birthday present for Don's 60th and since he is the one who is always creating surprises for others, when they sprung this trip on him (at a surprise party in Sept, too I might add), he was surprised. He hadn't thought too much about it until they arrived at the port in San Diego yesterday but once on board, he did realize "this is going to be a very relaxing and fun weekend." I will continue this one when we speak on Monday after they get back.
We did our first cruise 12 years ago next month and always enjoy re-living that experience through the eyes of those we book on their first cruise. We have been in the business of professional cruise specialists for 8 years now. Yesterday, my bro and sister-in-law, who have heard us talk about our wonderful experiences, embarked on a ship - the Carnival Elation - for their first cruise experience.
They have been on the water in small (48-80 foot boats) so that part was not new. But Gloria's comment when we talked to them a few hours after they boarded, had lunch, explored the ship, etc., was "This is HUGE!" We laughed because at only 70,000 GT we consider this a small ship these days.
Gloria had set this up as a special birthday present for Don's 60th and since he is the one who is always creating surprises for others, when they sprung this trip on him (at a surprise party in Sept, too I might add), he was surprised. He hadn't thought too much about it until they arrived at the port in San Diego yesterday but once on board, he did realize "this is going to be a very relaxing and fun weekend." I will continue this one when we speak on Monday after they get back.
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Oasis of the Seas has arrived in FLL
This is one shot taken from a helicopter as the Oasis of the Seas entered her new home in Port Everglades (Ft. lauderdale, FL.). I have some very nice friends and one sent this to me short time ago.
It was a spectalur sight to behold as this beautiful ship arrived with her floating floatilla and is she HUGE!!!!!
It was a spectalur sight to behold as this beautiful ship arrived with her floating floatilla and is she HUGE!!!!!
Here are some more great photos of the Oasis on the website of the local paper the Sun Sentinel
Arrival of Oasis of the Seas
It has been one of the most anticipated days in modern cruising history but in just a few hours, Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas, the incredible 220,000 GT ship with seven neighborhoods will be arriving in Ft. Lauderdale at Port Everglades, Florida - it's homeport.
We're up early today to go over to the port area to watch it's arrival and will have some pictures that we will try to post later.
I also want to point out that Carnival's newest ship, the Dream, is arriving in New York City as I write this (or will be shortly) and will have it's christening later this afternoon. This is another wonderful ship and reports we have gotten back from clients who have made the trip across the Atlantic on her is simply "Beyond fabulous!" This is the ship the client I last wrote about who had to cancel at the last minute due to the broken ankle was suppossed to have sailed on. Her friends were sending her e-mails durinig the trip. Mrs. S is doing well by the way and is looking forward to planning her next cruise in the months ahead.
Hopefully, I will have some pictures to post next of the Oasis arriving. There will be a special broadcast on Good Morning America on Nov 20 from the ship.
We're up early today to go over to the port area to watch it's arrival and will have some pictures that we will try to post later.
I also want to point out that Carnival's newest ship, the Dream, is arriving in New York City as I write this (or will be shortly) and will have it's christening later this afternoon. This is another wonderful ship and reports we have gotten back from clients who have made the trip across the Atlantic on her is simply "Beyond fabulous!" This is the ship the client I last wrote about who had to cancel at the last minute due to the broken ankle was suppossed to have sailed on. Her friends were sending her e-mails durinig the trip. Mrs. S is doing well by the way and is looking forward to planning her next cruise in the months ahead.
Hopefully, I will have some pictures to post next of the Oasis arriving. There will be a special broadcast on Good Morning America on Nov 20 from the ship.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Once again - travel protection saves the day
Many people decide not to take the travel protection (cancellation and medical insurance) to protect the investment they make for their long awaited and deserved I might add vacation. "I've never needed it before" is something I have heard many times over the 8 years working as a cruise specialist.
But things happen! Just this week (Sunday night to be exact), I received a call from a client scheduled to fly to Rome on Monday at 5:30 PM to get on the new Carnival Dream for a Med and transatlantic cruise to NY. Sunday morning the wife is walking down the steps, falls, and breaks her ankle severely. Severe enough that she was admitted to the hospital and was scheduled for surgery at 5 PM Monday - when she should have been boarding the plane to Rome.
Did she plan to break her ankle? Especially one day before leaving for this cruise! These folks do not normally take the travel insurance but did in this case. As their agent, I was sure glad they did since they were in 100% cancellation penalty and without this protection, there was nothing I could do.
But, because they had taken our travel protection, I was able to cancel the cruise for them with one call, and start the claim with another.
I digress, but this is another reason for working with a professional travel agent who is paid by the cruise line but works for the client. The cruise line would simply have told them to contact the insurance company themselves. That would work fine but these people have "enough on their plate" right now with everything else. And they had pre-paid for excursions (over $700 worth) which had to be cancelled more than 72 hours prior to the start of the cruise and they were less than 48 hours away so the only other option was to cancel on board the ship at the shore excursion desk. Needless to say, that was not possible. Would the cruise line tell them how to cancel these tours and get their money back? I have no idea but I would guess that unless the person asked, they would not have.
But I did ask and it took sending an e-mail to the proper department. As a footnote and a compliment to Carnival cruise line, my e-mail was read at 8:13 AM and answered at 8:19 AM and the clients are receiving a full refund on the tours.
Back to the main topic. The $230 cost of the travel protection will get them a 100% refund of the over $3000 spent for this trip (less the 230 of course.)
I will concede that of the millions of travelers on cruises, most do not have to cancel. But when you are the one who does, it is a sure nice to know you are protected! I learned the hard way years ago before becoming an agent. It hurt then as it cost me over $3400 penalty with the cruise plus related expenses and it was my Dad, not me who had the problem. With the travel protection though, I would have been covered - immediate family and travel companion.
A side note. There was another client traveling with this client and if they decided to cancel (they didn't and actually should be on the ship as I write this) they would also have been covered since they would be classified as traveling companion.
My advice is simply this: you should never just say "No, I don't need travel protection" but think about it number one, and make sure the policy offerred is worthwhile number two. Many companies who offer "FREE" insurance, have policies with very limited benefits. "FREE" is not always the cheapest.
You have home insurance, car insurance etc. and don't really want to have a situation where you need to file a claim. But you have the insurance just in case. When you travel and especially purchase a cruise, this extra few dollars may be the best investment you make.
But things happen! Just this week (Sunday night to be exact), I received a call from a client scheduled to fly to Rome on Monday at 5:30 PM to get on the new Carnival Dream for a Med and transatlantic cruise to NY. Sunday morning the wife is walking down the steps, falls, and breaks her ankle severely. Severe enough that she was admitted to the hospital and was scheduled for surgery at 5 PM Monday - when she should have been boarding the plane to Rome.
Did she plan to break her ankle? Especially one day before leaving for this cruise! These folks do not normally take the travel insurance but did in this case. As their agent, I was sure glad they did since they were in 100% cancellation penalty and without this protection, there was nothing I could do.
But, because they had taken our travel protection, I was able to cancel the cruise for them with one call, and start the claim with another.
I digress, but this is another reason for working with a professional travel agent who is paid by the cruise line but works for the client. The cruise line would simply have told them to contact the insurance company themselves. That would work fine but these people have "enough on their plate" right now with everything else. And they had pre-paid for excursions (over $700 worth) which had to be cancelled more than 72 hours prior to the start of the cruise and they were less than 48 hours away so the only other option was to cancel on board the ship at the shore excursion desk. Needless to say, that was not possible. Would the cruise line tell them how to cancel these tours and get their money back? I have no idea but I would guess that unless the person asked, they would not have.
But I did ask and it took sending an e-mail to the proper department. As a footnote and a compliment to Carnival cruise line, my e-mail was read at 8:13 AM and answered at 8:19 AM and the clients are receiving a full refund on the tours.
Back to the main topic. The $230 cost of the travel protection will get them a 100% refund of the over $3000 spent for this trip (less the 230 of course.)
I will concede that of the millions of travelers on cruises, most do not have to cancel. But when you are the one who does, it is a sure nice to know you are protected! I learned the hard way years ago before becoming an agent. It hurt then as it cost me over $3400 penalty with the cruise plus related expenses and it was my Dad, not me who had the problem. With the travel protection though, I would have been covered - immediate family and travel companion.
A side note. There was another client traveling with this client and if they decided to cancel (they didn't and actually should be on the ship as I write this) they would also have been covered since they would be classified as traveling companion.
My advice is simply this: you should never just say "No, I don't need travel protection" but think about it number one, and make sure the policy offerred is worthwhile number two. Many companies who offer "FREE" insurance, have policies with very limited benefits. "FREE" is not always the cheapest.
You have home insurance, car insurance etc. and don't really want to have a situation where you need to file a claim. But you have the insurance just in case. When you travel and especially purchase a cruise, this extra few dollars may be the best investment you make.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
We're back - for real this time!
It's been a crazy 2 months with several cruises, driving trips (yes, we've even done things on land) and some cruises but now we are back and settled in once again for a long while before any more extended trips away.
So much happening in the cruise world right now with the long anticipated arrival of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. We plan to get to the Port Everglades area (actually the park accross from the port) early in the morning to be there for the arrival of this totally unique 220,000 GT vessell.
With a good location planned, we should be able to get some interesting pictures of her arrival. Unfortunately, at least at this time, we have not gotten an invitation to do a ship tour but I am still working on that.
Next year, NCL has a new build - the Epic - which we will be sailing on for our National Conference in Oct 2010. That should be a blast. We did just return from our 2009 conference on the Carnival Pride last week.
That also included driving from FL to Baltimore and back (well part way up since we took the AutoTrain up). Prior to that was a trip to TX for a granddaughters wedding celebration and visiting the kids, grandkids and yes, even a couple of great grandkids (we're not that old but we have them).
But it's back to work now. One new addition to our provided cruise specialty service is the addition of some preferred land suppliers for those clients who are looking for tours, resorts, etc. More to come on this as we begin learning more about land based vacations.
That's it for tonight.
So much happening in the cruise world right now with the long anticipated arrival of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. We plan to get to the Port Everglades area (actually the park accross from the port) early in the morning to be there for the arrival of this totally unique 220,000 GT vessell.
With a good location planned, we should be able to get some interesting pictures of her arrival. Unfortunately, at least at this time, we have not gotten an invitation to do a ship tour but I am still working on that.
Next year, NCL has a new build - the Epic - which we will be sailing on for our National Conference in Oct 2010. That should be a blast. We did just return from our 2009 conference on the Carnival Pride last week.
That also included driving from FL to Baltimore and back (well part way up since we took the AutoTrain up). Prior to that was a trip to TX for a granddaughters wedding celebration and visiting the kids, grandkids and yes, even a couple of great grandkids (we're not that old but we have them).
But it's back to work now. One new addition to our provided cruise specialty service is the addition of some preferred land suppliers for those clients who are looking for tours, resorts, etc. More to come on this as we begin learning more about land based vacations.
That's it for tonight.
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