STUART'S TIPS TO TAKE SOME OF THE PAIN OUT OF TRAVELING

I love to travel and it is a passion I share with my husband, Stuart.  He is a frequent traveler with both personal and business travel.  Over the years, he has learned a trick or two that makes traveling less exhausting and much more enjoyable. From his extensive traveling repertoire I asked for his top six travel tips, and here they are for you:

1. KEEP IT LIGHT! Pack light with basic colors for mixing and matching, therefore you don't have to carry too many shoes. Pack some older clothes you don't mind leaving behind; this leaves room to purchase new things without carrying a backbreaking suitcase back home with you.
2. KEEP YOUR DOGS HAPPY! Stuart says, "Remember, compression socks are not only for seniors – they will quickly become your best buddy... if your dogs are not happy walking long distances through airports, they will soon have you howling!!" Comfortable feet make for happy traveling.
3. MOVIE TIME!  Download free movies from YouTube to your tablet or laptop, because some flights are mighty long.
4. H20 IS YOUR FRIEND!  Make sure you drink lots of water while on flights to keep hydrated.  During long flights get up and move around to avoid the possibility of blood clots. Stuart says he does leg exercises while waiting for his turn to use the restroom on board a long flight.
5. GOODNIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT!  Once you arrive at your destination, get into the new time zone as quickly as possible by taking a short nap when you arrive after a long flight.  SHORT is the key word here, so set the alarm, then you will be able to get into normal bed time routine right away.
6. MY HOTEL IS LOCATED WHERE?  When you travel a lot for business, Stuart says that he has gotten into the habit of taking one of the hotel's business cards when he checks in and immediately putting it into his pocket.  This new habit enables him to easily remember the hotel's address when he goes out exploring in a new destination. 

These surefire tips from my dear husband, Stuart, will keep your travel pleasant and allow a little extra time to go find another adventure or two.  You know what they say about all work and no play…plan ahead so you’ll have plenty of play!

Do you have travel questions?  Contact Us if we can help you plan your next trip!

Walking the talk, literally, with ShoreTrips

There is so much out there with travel and my job is to dig down deep and find out what speaks to my clients, I love this part of my work.  With my travel agent expertise,  and my own time spent traveling, I have walked down the path of finding new things.  When I discovered ShoreTrips, I was so impressed with what I learned about the owners, Barry and Julie Karp, I felt like I had really struck gold!

Two people that have a passion for the travel industry (like me) and for helping others add something special, over-the-top for that excursion trip.  Barry and Julie’s knowledge allows you to create a day trip you will never forget!  They lead the way in developing  smaller, more personal tours, adventures, yet feeling secure because their experience lends to your ADVENTURE!  With over 2,000 tour operators throughout the world, there are 3000 designed day activities and sightseeing tours.  

Most recently they have developed ShoreTrips GIVE. These trips are Caribbean volunteer tourism. Travel agents arrange a morning of charitable work for their cruise and resort based clients who feel that giving back to the local people is an integral part of a fulfilling vacation. Taking just 4 hours out of their vacation, travelers give back to the people by getting involved in the local culture and feeling a sense of pride and belonging. 

Since we have so many animal lovers out there,  volunteering at the Cozumel Humane Society is a recent addition to the ShoreTrips GIVE program. Travelers will be asked to help in the grooming, feeding and/or transportation of animals as well as offering love and affection. One can enjoy meeting fury friends while doing much needed and appreciated work.

Contact us at Cruise Planners for more information.

Special Needs At Sea

Details, details - it's all in the details when it comes to planning that special trip, just one of the reasons you've selected Cruise Planners to help you on your journey be it land or sea.

With that trip, whether it be a destination wedding or that once a year family reunion, there are special people in our lives with special needs - and with advance planning,  everyone can attend, whatever their medical accommodation!

I partner with an incredible group, Special Needs at Sea, a Special Needs Group Inc. company.  They are the leading global provider of wheelchairs, scooter rentals, oxygen rentals, really any special equipment one would need while on the trip, which makes it worry free for everyone.  

There are hundreds of international destinations, so you have confidence in all of the needs of your traveling party are being met with no barriers.  Special Needs Group also services guests visiting hotels, resorts, theme parks and convention centers.

Now is the time, you pick your destination and along with Special Needs Group, and we'll get you there!

We are certified Special Needs Group representatives click here for more information.

Something old, something blue, something borrowed, something NEW?


We all know that many lovely ladies will have received that proposal this past holiday.  Let's begin a memory of a lifetime with a different, exciting, celebration that matters to the  most important people at the wedding!  The bride and groom want a Destination Wedding, the  alternative for today’s brides that is quickly growing on the forefront of weddings, “the get-away” - the ready to run to a perfect, romantic, no stress place of bliss and holy matrimony. 

Destination Weddings are very popular and can accommodate just the couple or a gathering of their closest friends.  Here are five items of importance before your big event:

1.Location,location,location!
The WHERE? Take ample time to consider what is most important to you both.  Maybe a mountaintop experience by a babbling brook, or an exotic far-flung location with your feet in the sand.  It is up to you! 

2.Budget

 The HOW MUCH? What is the most important thing to you?  A destination wedding can be cost effective, less expensive than a traditional wedding, even when you factor in airfares, hotel expenses, etc. You can combine your ceremony & reception with a honeymoon - while offering your friends and family an opportunity to vacation themselves too!  

3.Get Help - Be Realistic!

The WHO CAN make your dreams come true?  Your wedding day is one of the most important so entrust it someone else's capable hands, and allow a wedding planner to shoulder the burden of researching and securing local vendors. Don’t go the “DIY” route on these kind of details.  (if you live in the Piedmont Triad - you could consult with a local wedding planner such as +Nishaka Proctor at EventsbyNishaka) 

Or, are you dreaming of somewhere more exotic for your destination wedding?

Voila-Destination Weddings by Cruise Planners comes to the rescue with over 20 beautiful countries and our event managers will handle every aspect of your destination wedding. No worries here.

4.Choosing the right dress

The WHAT to wear-it’s all about you girl!  When choosing your wedding dress, and the attire for the rest of the wedding party - don't forget to consider the climate for your chosen location.

5.How do you pack your wedding dress?

The PACK my dress you say??? 

 +Christel Wilson from Mori Luggage & Gifts has some wonderful packing tips for making sure your special dress and you, are wrinkle free when you arrive at your destination. 

It is our hope that these “top five how to's" help you before the I do’s! 

Congratulations from the Cruise Planners Team!