What is your time worth?

Clients wanting to save BOTH time and money (and who doesn't?) should take advantage of Cruise Planners (CP) Vacation Packages. Through access to great cruise deals and our ability to contract with hotels, we are able to bundle a fabulous cruise with a pre-trip hotel, post-trip hotel, a rental car and transfers...at unbelievably LOW prices!

Looking for a unique cruise with a themed event?  A cruise to Hawaii or Alaska? What about a river cruise? Here are some examples of CP Vacation Packages.

Celebrity's Signature sailing events! These are very special and unique trips around the world.  Golf enthusiasts will love the unique sailing event where they can attend the "British Open." Sailings fans will be blown out of the water with the the "America's Cup" sailing events in Bermuda. Bring in 2017 with a bang by spending New Year's in Dubai while watching fireworks from the ship! Call me @ 336-790-8911 for pricing on these one-of-a-kind trips!

Have you always wanted to go to Hawaii?  We can help you plan a vacation of a lifetime with a cruise package that includes a Norwegian Cruise Line's cruise to four Hawaiian Islands. Great cabins and excursions are available.

Give us a call if Alaska is on your bucket list! We can make it easier to travel from the East Coast with a pre-cruise hotel stay before your board your cruise ship. We'll arrange your flights, hotel and cabin selection so all you have to do is pack and enjoy the amazing views of Alaska!

Our CP Vacation Packages have become so popular, that we are now teaming up with several new suppliers (both cruise lines and land tour companies.) We are now able to offer packages to new exotic destinations in Europe, China, Australia and New Zealand. CP Vacation Packages are now available by AMA Waterways river cruises in 2017. Themed river cruise trips include the following:

• Tulip Time
• Danube
• Taste of Bordeaux
• Christmas Market

Call 336-790-8911 to book an amazing trip at a great price. Visit my website for more details!

Here Comes the Bride!

A lot happens between the engagement and the wedding!

I love working with engaged couples. If you know of anyone planning a wedding, please give them my details.
Jan McDiarmid, Travel Agent
Cruise Planners
336-790-8911

Here is how I can help those planning to say 'I do!'

1. Destination Weddings - doesn't a destination wedding sound wonderful? I work with a team of event planners who take care of EVERY detail so the bride, groom and their guests can RELAX. We have arranged weddings on the beach and mountains and many places in between! Visit my website for more details.

2. Honeymoons - newlyweds need a nice honeymoon after the stress of a wedding. Don't waste hours searching online. I can plan your dream getaway and provide GREAT pricing on airfare, accommodation, excursions or cruises. I have been to many resorts and can personally recommend a good place to enjoy your special time together.

3. FREE Honeymoon Registry - this special registry lets wedding guests contribute to the couple's honeymoon. The bride and groom create the registry and select where they want to go (cruise, resort, etc.) This registry also includes extras like a spa treatment, special dinner or an excursion. Visit my website to create a honeymoon registry!

4. Bachelor and Bacherlorette Parties - plan a memorable weekend with little hassle! I can book flights, hotels and excursions for destinations across the US. Call me at 336-790-8911 to book a weekend in Vegas, New York, New Orleans or Napa Valley! Get more details at my website.

Introducing the World's LARGEST Cruise Ship!

Royal Caribbean is known for their dedication to innovative cruises. For the last 13 years, they have won Travel Weekly Readers Choice Award for "Best Cruise Line." They have outdone themselves with the "Harmony of the Seas."

This is the world's LARGEST cruise ship. It sails this month and will make its debut in Fort Lauderdale in November, 2016. Contact me to reserve your spot on this one-of-a-kind ship!

Click here for a SNEAK PEAK of this amazing new ship!

Here are five things you need to know about "Harmony of the Seas."

1. More Family Fun!

This amazing ship has a 10-story slide (#Ultimate Abyss), which is the tallest slide at sea! Kids of all ages will enjoy the two flow riders, two rock walls and even an ice skating rink. This ship also has a bigger and improved aqua park. 

2. Adults Only Retreat

Adults will appreciate the "Solarium" - a decadent indoor and outdoor retreat for adults only. Guests can try out the new "Bionic Bar" with the coolest bartenders at sea, where robot bartenders serve up your favorite drinks!

3. Larger Staterooms
This new ship also boasts larger staterooms with contemporary smart design and innovative storage. New "virtual balconies" provide select interior cabins with a floor-to-ceiling digital view of the sea! Ask me about special suites and pricing.

4. Broadway Musical
Guests are giving the musical "Grease" rave reviews. This show is just one of the many options for nightly entertainment.

5. #VOOM WiFi!
This ship features the fastest Internet at sea.

CONTACT ME today if you would like to book your cruise on the incredible "Harmony of the Seas" this fall!

Amazing African Safari

Is a safari on your bucket list? I can help! I love helping clients plan their trips, including flights, hotels and excursions. 

I have traveled many places and can say this safari was truly AMAZING! I flew to Botswana (into Maun and out of Kasane) with connections through Johannesburg. 

Safaris are available for four, five, seven or 10 nights. I was lucky to spend 10 nights in four different areas.  Our group visited the Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. Sleeping options were tents or full-service lodges.

I highly recommend visiting Victoria Falls. This incredible sight is about an hour's drive from Kasane and definitely worth the trip!

I will probably never be able to go to a zoo after seeing these animals in their natural habitat. Here are few things you should know about an African safari. 

   1. AMAZING VIEWS - stunning sunrises, sunsets and everything in between.

  


   2. ROAD CONSTRUCTION - big and furry road blocks!

  

3. RUSH HOUR - this means something very different while on a safari!

   4. OUTDOOR RELAXATION - great company after a day filled with many adventures!

Cruising for a Cause!

Fathom™ Cruises is offering a historic opportunity to travel to rich and vibrant Cuba, which has been closed to U.S. travelers for over 50 years!

Travel to Cuba has been authorized by the U.S. government for activities that support the Cuban people. Fathom Cruises combines your love of travel with your desire to make a difference!

Here is what you need to know about these "volunteer cruises."

• Get the opportunity to really experience the culture.

• Volunteer opportunities to give back to the community.

• Seven day cruises to the Dominican Republic and Cuba.

• Relax on a beautiful ship while traveling to your destination.

• A one-of-a-kind trip you'll never forget!

Call me at 336-790-8911 to book your Fathom Cruise. You don't want to miss this exciting opportunity to visit Cuba or experience the Dominican Republic in a whole new way.

Heard about the changes at Sandals?

You've heard about Sandals & Beaches Resorts. Their commercials show amazing beach getaways for couples and families. Sandals has a number of popular all-inclusive resorts throughout the Caribbean. 

BUT, have you heard about the updates they have made? Read one to learn about four exciting changes to their properties and packages.

1. "Over water suites" in Jamaica

Planned for Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island, these stunning suites will have a private outdoor Jacuzzi, glass flooring and a private infinity pool. They even have a hammock for two hanging out over the water. This lets you experience the Caribbean in a whole new way!

2. Renovated Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Jamaica

This is a picture that shows the fruits of their $60 million renovation. Formerly known as Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort, this amazing resort now offers 16 restaurants and 11 bars.

All 529 villa rooms have been upgraded with new lighting, rainfall showers and soft goods. There's also a new transportation hub, called The Hop, which moves guests around the resort.



3. Island Hopping Packages With their Island Hopping packages, guests can SPLIT their stay between two resorts on two different islands. For example, you could have a package with four nights at Sandals Royal Bahamian and four nights at Sandals Emerald Bay, including round-trip air from New York. There are several other great combinations available. Call me for details.

4. Coming Soon to Mexico
And last but not least, Sandals  recently confirmed that Sandals will be coming to Mexico!! More to come...

Contact Jan to plan YOUR dream Sandals or Beaches vacation!

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!