Top 10 Reasons People Buy Travel Insurance

As a Cruise Planner's travel specialist, we always recommend travel insurance to our clients - and "Allianz Worldwide Travel Protection" is our number one choice. 

If you are planning a trip - travel insurance is definitely something you need to have!

Here is a list of the top 10 reasons that people buy travel insurance:

1.    Life is unpredictable. Some trips need to be cancelled.

We've all been there - there is always the unexpected. Nice to have peace of mind to know that you can cancel if you have to - and get your money back.

2.    Over 26 million bags were delayed, damaged, or stolen in 2012.

Nothing worse than arriving at your destination - and your luggage doesn't make it!  When you have travel insurance you can relax knowing that you can go shopping to replace the items you need - and that these expenses will be reimbursed with your insurance!

3.    Credit card coverage may not provide sufficient coverage.

Not worried because your credit card provides baggage insurance?  Think again - as in most cases the credit card coverage is just not nearly enough to cover your contents.

4.    Sick happens  - over 63% of travelers report they or their travel companion has gotten sick while on vacation.

No one likes to think that they will get sick or have an accident while they are on vacation - but realistically theses things happen much more frequently than you might imagine!

5.    Health insurance may not go the distance.

It is wise to check whether or not your regular health insurance policy will cover you for medical expenses outside of the country - as many US policies do not!

6.    Lost or forgotten medication.

Replacing medication can be terribly expensive - but not something you can do without!

7.    Even the most stable of travel suppliers can default quickly.

In the unlikely event that the travel supplier defaulted - it's good to know that your trip is insured!

8.    In the event of an emergency, airlines are not required to refund a ticket.

The airlines are NOT required to refund your ticket in the event of an emergency - and even if they agree to change your ticket, you do have to pay a substantial "change fee".

9.    Flight delays can add up.

Flight delays are common occurrences these days - and sometimes unfortunately those delays can mean missing precious vacation time that you have already paid for!

10.  We all experience tough economic times.

Unfortunately situations can change, and you just have to delay that trip you planned so long ago. Wouldn't it be nice to know that you can re-schedule, and not lose your hard earned money?

We can help you insure that dream trip CONTACT US for a travel insurance quote - and give yourself peace of mind!

OUR SUMMER 2015 EUROPE RIVER CRUISE

OUR LATEST RIVER CRUISE

We were fortunate to have gone on another river cruise in August this year - this one was a Viking Danube River Cruise  - we absolutely LOVE river cruising and can't wait to do another one!

Our trip started with a couple of days in beautiful Amsterdam

Our son Ben & his lovely girlfriend Jonne live in The Netherlands - so we were fortunate to have them with us as tour guides!

If you're visiting Amsterdam I would strongly recommend that you take a canal cruise - ours was a small boat and our driver was very knowledgeable.

We then took a flight to Budapest where our river cruise departed. One of the things we enjoyed the most in Budapest was our evening cruise on our ship where Budapest is illuminated!

Now that river cruise lines such as Viking and Avalon are advertising to the public, more & more people are becoming aware of just how special river cruising is. We find it so relaxing - and we just love how river cruising is all about breathtaking scenery and immersing yourself in the local culture. 

Oh and to say nothing of the incredible FOOD and WINE!

We added on a couple of extra nights in Prague at the end of our cruise - and were so glad we did as Prague was incredible!!

There are several river cruise companies to choose from, and they are all exceptional -  we would be happy to talk to you about how each of them differentiates themselves in the market place. CONTACT US to learn more!

We LOVED the food & wine walking tour we did in Prague!

We recently returned from a fabulous trip to Europe - and one of the highlights of our trip was an amazing food & wine walking tour in Prague. My girlfriend Sue who lives in New Zealand had heard about this tour and booked it ahead of time for us - and we were so glad she did!

Our tour guide was Jan (pronounced "Yaan" in English), and his partner Zuzi communicated with us and booked the tour - you can read more about them on their website and how they enjoy sharing their foodie experiences. For us it was a unique experience. As you can see from the photo above, they keep their tours to no more than 6 people - and it was a perfect size group. All the food we tasted was authentic Czech food and was top class.


First stop on our walking tour was down a corridor between the famed "Sisters Bistro" and the gourmet butcher shop "Nase Maso" where we sampled delicious appetizers from both establishments.
 

We then walked through the streets where impressive buildings caught my eye - as we headed toward the Vinograf wine bar. Here we tasted a flight of three different wines from the local area - a dry white, a rose, and a Pinot Noir.

I would have been quite happy to stay here longer - but it was time to move on to the main course with an array of traditional Czech dishes.

 

Over dinner, our tour guide Jan explained about the development of Czechoslovakia in the last 100 years and how many things have influenced who they are today  - and what they eat today.   

Of course we had to end on a sweet note - so our guide Jan took us for a tram ride across the bridge for a delightful finish to a perfect evening!

If you are planning a trip to Prague, I would definitely recommend Taste of Prague food & wine walking tour. Feel free to contact us at anytime for information on this tour or any other travel questions you might have.

Do you know why Azamara Club Cruises are AzAmazing?

An Azamara Club Cruise is a definite on my bucket list - and may be on yours when you hear what makes them so special. Have you heard about AzAmazing evenings?

Azamara Club Cruises is a sister company to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity - and is a luxury all-inclusive cruise line, They offer smaller more intimate ships with a high staff-to-guest ratio and destinations around the world. Yes, like their competitors they include fabulous food and all your beverages in their packages - but what makes them so special? 

Basically what sets them apart from their competitors is that they offer"destination immersion" meaning that they spend more time in ports, have more overnight stays, and offer unique evening tour opportunities including "AzAmazing Evenings" that are a cultural experience like no other!

Imagine an evening where you are taken on a night tour with red carpet treatment with complimentary food, drinks, and incredible entertainment that might include a live performance of three tenors on a hillside in Tuscany, a ballet performance at the Mikhailovsky Theater in St. Petersburg in Russia, a visit to a Scottish castle for music & fireworks, or an opportunity to hear a 12 piece string orchestra at the Odeon (a second century outdoor amphitheater)...just to name a few!  Azamara Club Cruises are constantly coming up with new AzAmazing Evenings to please their guests.

The best part is that in most cases an evening like this is included COMPLIMENTARY believe it or not (the exception being their trans-Atlantic crossings and voyages less than 7 days).

As you can see - Azamara Club Cruises offer unbelievable value. CONTACT US if you would like to learn more.

I learned there is much more to NYC than Time Square!

We just recently enjoyed a long weekend in New York visiting with our son - and I am pleased to say he showed me a completely different view of this amazing city!  It has been a few years since we were there, and this time Sam made sure we saw more than just the famous tourist spots such as Time Square.

To start with he suggested that we stay near Central Park - and we ended up at the JW Marriott Essex House on Central Park South that was very nice and really convenient.

The view from our hotel room was stunning!


There was plenty to see & do in the area - including window shopping on 5th Avenue which was an easy walking distance from our hotel. Late afternoon we popped into the famed "King Cole Bar" at the St. Regis Hotel for a cool drink and my husband Stuart had a "Bloody Mary" which is their signature cocktail - did you know that this bar is where this cocktail originates from in the States?  Check out the story: http://www.kingcolebar.com/mobile/index.php?p=redsnapper



We were fortunate to have a tour of the iconic Plaza Hotel - and saw the amazing "Eloise" and "Gatsby" suites! They were incredible -- http://www.theplazany.com/family/

On the Saturday our son Sam took us to the West Village, which is his personal favorite part of the city - where we stopped for lunch at one of the many cafes, and enjoyed the ambiance of this fabulous area. Our "tour guide" then took us through Washington Square, and on to Soho and Tribeca. We ended up at the Freedom Tower - which was a very impressive sight!

Sunday morning we walked and walked through gorgeous Central Park - and capped off the weekend with brunch on the other side of the park before we had to make our way back to the airport.


If you are interested in a trip to New York yourself, Contact Us for more information.

Now there are FAMILY river cruise opportunities!

"Adventurers by Disney" have teamed up with AMA Waterways (a leader in luxury river cruising) to offer special Adventure by Disney River Cruises for families in 2016!

Four special summer family sailings are planned for July and one in December 2016, these amazing holiday sailings are especially designed to create an unforgettable family vacation! Sail at night and wake up each day to a new adventure in a different destination.

In true Disney fashion these 8-day (7 night) cruises will have 8 Adventure Guides on board  (along with the regular AMA Waterways staff). The guides will team up with local experts to "tell the stories of Europe" as they visit 8 destinations in 4 countries (Germany,Austria, Hungary, & Slovakia).

An exciting experience tailored to multiple age levels. Adults will love sitting back and enjoying scenic river cruising, unpack just once and experience fine dining, music, dancing, and wine tasting. The kids will have fun with movie nights, video games, karaoke, relay games, and chess lessons. Themed nights are planned for children and teens.
On-board amenities include a fitness center, heated swimming pool and WiFi... biking is available in every port!

Fun excursions that are included with the summer sailings are a nighttime illuminations cruise through Budapest; a horse show at the Lazar Equestrian Park in Hungary; a visit to the Devin Castle in Bratislava, Slovakia; a private marionette performance and strudel making demonstration at the Schonbrunn Palace in Austria; a falconry show at the Hohenwerfen Castle in Austria; and an Oktoberfest event at a German brewery.

The holiday themed sailing departs December 22, 2016, and will include visits to the Christmas markets in Budapest and Vienna, and a boys choir Christmas performance at the Hofburg Palace Chapel in Vienna!

For more information CONTACT US today - take a suitcase and experience a memorable family vacation in Europe!

River Cruises on AMERICAN rivers

AMERICAN QUEEN

River Cruises in Europe and Asia are BOOMING, but not everyone wants to travel internationally....so what about a different style of river cruising - right here on the iconic rivers of the American heartland? 

Americans have always been fascinated with Mark Twain's tales that brought the river alive - and for those who enjoy history and adventure, a nostalgic river cruise on the American Queen Steamboat is a dream come true!

You feel like you are stepping back in time when you board the gracious and elegant American Queen, which is the largest steamboat ever built, but the best part is that while it is enchanting - it has the modern amenities we expect today when travelling such as flat-screen TV, free internet, and award winning cuisine. The rooms are decorated with woodwork and antiques of a bygone era - but with luxury bedding such as you would find on a European river cruise. There is even a small pool and gym on board - and they provide complimentary bicycles if you want to explore on your own at any of the fascinating ports, as well as "hop on-hop off" excursions with their modern motor coaches.

Guests can relax in one of their comfortable rocking chairs on board and enjoy panoramic views as they paddle up the river!

The American Queen has two restaurants to choose from with both an elegant and a more casual dining option. They also have fun entertainment on-board, and the "all American" staff provide warm southern hospitality!

The American Queen Steamboat Company offer "all-inclusive" river cruising, with beer and wine served with dinner, as well as complimentary specialty coffees, sodas, and bottled water.  Guests can also enjoy popcorn & ice-cream snacks.

Does river cruising right here in America interest you??

CONTACT US for more information on the beautiful "American Queen Steamboat"

Have you heard about Princess's 50th Birthday Celebrations?

Princess is celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2015!

This is the year to cruise with Princess as they celebrate this special anniversary with every sailing.

It all began in 1965 with the first cruise to Mexico on the "Princess Patricia" - as a floating hotel for Seattle's World's Fair.  

Remember the Love Boat? The popularity grew tremendously in 1976 when they began filming the television show "The Love Boat", as more and more people became aware of cruising.

Today Princess has a fleet of 18 ships - and are planning a year long celebration for their 50th anniversary.  These include on board "Love Boat" deck parties, Golden Balloon drops, and a 50th anniversary show in the Piazza to name a few! Princess are tying in their celebrations with regional and global festivities such as Mardi Gras and Carnival. There is a special 50th anniversary menu featuring commemorative dishes from the past 50 years.

Now for all you chocolate lovers....
Princess now have a new Chocolate Journeys Experience with renowned master chef and chocolatier Norman Love, who trained in France and was the former executive pastry chef of Ritz-Carlton. Princess guests will enjoy chocolate desserts, "Love Pops", Chocolate/Wine tastings, chocolate cooking demonstrations, chocolate drink menu, and spa treatments.

Other highlights with 2015 cruises include their new exclusive Princess Seawitch 50th anniversary IPA craft beer, a Princess Trivia challenge, musical performances from tribute bands such as The Beatlemaniacs, and celebratory boutique items, keepsakes, and more!

If you would like more information on Princess cruises contact us today!

Cruise Tips That Everyone Should Know

16 "Cruise Tips That Everyone Should Know" 

AUGUST 24, 2014 BY BEN SOUZA

These are very helpful tips that I would like to share with you!

1. Use the ship’s WIFI while in port – Some cruise ships will connect to terrestrial broadband while in port. This will give you increased internet speeds compared to when the ship is at sea and connecting to satellites 20,000 miles away.

2. Free WIFI in Port – Looking for a place to connect to free WIFI while in port? Just ask a crew member.  They know all of the free WIFI spots in each port. You may also notice a group of crew members outside of an establishment with tablets/phones out, it is a sign that there likely is free WIFI there.

3. Avoid Cruise Ship’s ATM Fees – The ATM machines on cruise ships will charge you a fee of around $5 to withdraw cash.  To bypass this, simply go to the casino, sit down at a slot machine, insert your cabin card and deposit the amount that you want to withdraw.  Once the money is loaded into the slot machine, simply hit the “cash out” button and take the ticket to the cashier to get your money.  Your onboard account will be charged and you will not have to pay any credit card or ATM fees.

4. Surge Protector with USB Outlets – Available on Amazon.com for under $20. This surge protector will not only take up little room in your luggage, but it is great for charging phones, tablets, and e-readers via the 2 USB outlets.  The power outlets rotate 360 degrees for flexibility with large plugs.

5. Ziploc Bags – Bringing a few Ziploc bags on a cruise can come in extremely handy.  Use them when going on shore excursions so you can keep water and sand away from your phone, camera, cash, passport etc.  Have you ever been stuck in a Caribbean downpour while waiting to re-board your cruise ship?  Ziploc bags can keep important things dry.

6. Rolling Clothes - Rolling clothes before putting them in your suitcase will help prevent wrinkles and it will also take up less space.  Don’t go to dinner the first night in wrinkled clothes because you did not have time to iron before the early seating.

7. Dryer Sheets – Put a dryer sheet in each suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh.

8. TV Charger – Need an extra plug to charge your phone? Use the USB outlet on your TV to charge your phone or tablet.

9. Portable USB Charger – Never run out of power while in port with this handy USB mini phone charger. It will give your phone 100% extra battery life and is available on Amazon.com
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10. Delete Tourist From Your Photos – A nice little trick we found on Reddit that can get you great shots of ports and of the cruise ship without having to worry about other passengers/tourists getting in the way.

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11. Place a Belt Inside a Collar – This will keep the collar crispy when packing a dress shirt in a suitcase.

12. Pill Container – Use a pill container to keep your jewelry organized and untangled.

13. Shoe Rack – A shoe rack is a great way to keep things organized in the tight confines of your cruise cabin.  It takes up little space in your suitcase and can be hung on your bathroom door. 

14. Travel Alarm Clock – There are no alarm clocks in the cabins on cruise ships so bringing a small, travel alarm clock can come in handy especially to those staying in inside staterooms.

15. Shopping Lectures – Want to get some free stuff at shopping lectures? Always sit near the front of the theater.  The staff will often throw things out (tshirts, bamboo necklaces etc) into the crowd and they normally do not throw very far.

16. Check the Bible – Passengers have been known to leave unused complimentary drink coupons/cards in the Gideon Bibles that are in the desk drawer.