There’s No Place like a Homeport

Choosing where you want to go on your cruise is sometimes difficult with all the choices in today’s market. How about thinking about where you may want to start your cruise? Some cruisers may choose to travel out of a port close to home while others may choose their departure port based on a city they’ve been interested in visiting. No matter if you are close to home or miles away, ports of departure offer more than a place to get on your ship.

The Northeast

Up and down the East Coast you’ll find bustling cities full of character. Choose a cruise from Boston and take a day or two to indulge yourself in the cities rich history dating back to the Colonial times. Take a bite out of the Big Apple with great food, museums, Broadway shows and fabulous shopping. Visit the historic Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, the world’s largest Navy base in Norfolk or Inner Harbor in Baltimore which is home to the National Aquarium, Oriole Park, Fort McHenry and much more.

The South

The southeast is a great place to head out to sea. But before you jump onboard challenge yourself to a game of golf on some of the world’s best golf courses. Experience life before the Civil War at the magnificent plantations in Charleston, South Carolina. Jacksonville offers miles of uncrowded beaches and a bustling city with a hint of Southern charm. Embark from Port Canaveral and start your vacation early with a trip to the Kennedy Space Center and Orlando’s whimsical theme parks. Discover the “Venice of America” in Fort Lauderdale or stroll along Ocean Avenue in the famous South Beach district of Miami. To the west of Florida passengers can choose to depart from Mobile, Alabama, home to true southern hospitality, or spice things up a bit in New Orleans with some hot Cajun and Creole food, rich history and smooth jazz. For a quite retreat depart from Galveston and rekindle your passion on the small, romantic island.

The West

From California on northwards you’ll find a number of ports in the West Coast’s best cities. Get star struck in Los Angeles on Rodeo drive and Sunset Blvd. See where movies are made and where movie stars spend their off-screen time. San Diego offers some of the best weather in North America as well as a world-class zoo full of your favorite cuddly creatures. Trolley through San Francisco and check out the hilly streets that give way to gorgeous glimpses of the Bay. Heading north you’ll find the laid back town of Seattle home to great coffee and some of the best seafood along the Pacific Rim. There is so much to see and do along the Pacific, Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

If you want to add more adventure to your cruise vacation, be sure to include a pre- and post-cruise package and see the sites of America’s best cities.

Happy Holidays!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a Holly Jolly Holiday at Sea

It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays. Lights are being strung, presents are being wrapped and cruise ships everywhere are beginning to drape themselves in holiday decor. Although you won’t have a white Christmas on a cruise you will find plenty of good cheer. It’s hard not to get in the holiday spirit when twinkling lights, decorated trees, poinsettias and mistletoe surround you. Carolers stroll the decks singing your favorite holiday songs while kids are busy making ornaments and decorating sugar cookies. There's even a ceremonial tree lighting and plenty of champagne toasts.

All cruise ships get into the holiday spirit but the bigger the ship, the bigger the festivities. So what kind of celebration is right for your you? Here’s a little advice on what you need to know about cruising over Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years:

• Of the four holidays, Christmas is the biggest ordeal.
• Holiday cruises generally offer religious services. Typically, a rabbi, minister and priest sail aboard holiday cruises and hold Catholic, Jewish, Protestant and interdenominational services in the ship's chapel or in a quiet public room.
• All cruise lines decorate for the holidays to some extent, with the larger lines showing more of the holiday spirit. Most ships display at least one Christmas tree decorated from head to toe, a menorah is displayed and lighted each day during the eight-day celebration, and poinsettias, wreathes, mistletoe, and holly are sprinkled about. Decorations generally go up around Thanksgiving and stay up until the New Year.
• The larger family-friendly ships have plenty of holiday activities for the whole family including holiday-themed arts and crafts, caroling by the crew, an appearance by Santa, and sometimes elves too. But Christmas oriented activities are usually kept to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so that non-celebrating passengers do not get overwhelmed. On New Year's Eve, a ship-wide countdown is to be expected, as is a champagne toast.
• There is no shortage of food during the holiday celebrations. Naturally, you can expect the traditional turkey and trimmings on Thanksgiving, plus lots of dishes made out of pumpkin. At Menorah lighting services during Hanukkah, you'll likely be offered Kosher wine and challah, while for Christmas look for roast turkey or goose, gingerbread everything, mincemeat pies, chocolate Yule logs, and, of course, holiday cookies.
• The crew gets into the holiday spirit with waiters in Santa hats and cruise staff dressing up like elves, Baby New Year, and other holiday characters.
• To keep up with the loads of holiday activities and full house during the holidays, many lines bring in extra staff to cope.
  
  Planning your holiday cruise just got easier with CruiseOne; offering most major cruise lines, the very best direct prices along with excellent personal service, all at no additional cost to the traveler. Contact me, Mike, your Local Independent Cruise Specialist at ( 706 ) 579-5005 or toll free at ( 877 ) CRUISE1, or via the web at http://www.cruisesbymike.com/ for more information.
  

Holland America adds 2nd Signiture Class Ship

Holland America will expand its Signature Class with a second ship to enter service in the fall of 2010, the line's executives told top producing agents on the Centurion Cruise aboard the Oosterdam.
HAL's first Signature Class ship, the Eurodam, will enter service in July 2008 with a series of cruises in Europe to be followed in the in the fall by Canada/New England sailings and Caribbean cruises in 2009.
Holland America executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs Rick Meadows announced that the two Signature Class ships represent an investment of $450 million each.
Meadows said the line has not made a commitment to add any additional Signature Class ships to the two already announced, but would not rule out an expansion for more in the future.
The newbuilds reflect the line's intensified marketing effort to attract a broader range of passengers, an effort that also includes more exotic ports and more diversified presentations in dining rooms and staterooms.
The new Signature Class ships will offer a new alternative Italian restaurant, new Asian restaurant called Tamarind and new Asian lounge named Silk Den.
"The addition of the two Signature Class ships will increase Holland America's capacity by 22%," said Meadows, noting Holland America next year will celebrate its 135th anniversary as a company.
The expansion of the Signature Class represents just part of an aggressive marketing program to widen Holland America's appeal to a broad age group of passengers, as well as also to upgrade and intensify cruise itineraries and the ability of passengers to create their own vacations, Meadows told the Centurion agents.
"Our goal is to enable passengers to sculpt their own vacations," he said.
"They can come on board for a very competitive market price and if they wish, they can upgrade the cabins, dining and shore tours to create the experience that they want."
Meadows added, "We believe this is a very successful formula to attract more passengers as we increase our capacity."
New Shore Excursion Program
One new element, a restructured shore excursion program, was introduced by Paul Allen, vice president of sales.

Holland America is introducing four new tour categories:

• Medallion Collection: This offers unique opportunities for behind-the-scenes experiences at well-known destinations that the line has not offered before.
• Encore Collection: This is designed to offer unusual angles and inside stories in unique land tours that passengers have not seen before.
• World Wonders Collection: This specializes in treasurers, marvels and the wonders of the world for passengers who seek to know more about the most important sites that Holland America offers on its tours.
• Signature Collection: This is the top of the line "Personally Yours" concept in which passengers can contact HAL before a cruise and request a very specialized tour. HAL will attempt to make the requested arrangements.

Meadows and Allen called one of the Signature Class cabin upgrades, in Category SS, the "marriage saver cabin." Smiling, Allen described the upgraded cabin as being perfect for couples, especially on longer trips. The cabin offers two sinks, separate shower and bath, larger veranda and extensive closet space. "We may joke about it, but it definitely does make a difference, especially on extended cruises."
Holland America has also been teaming up with Food and Wine magazine for a broad range of invited celebrity chefs - a program that the executives described as extremely successful in attracting future bookings, including agency groups.
Meadows said the line will also introduce five new production shows in 2008 as they seek to broaden their appeal to a wider audience.

Honeymoon Cruise Registry Sets Sail

While honeymoon cruises have always been a good idea, planning and paying for them often represented challenges for the new bride and groom. With so many other things to worry about, wouldn’t it be great if there was a single source to plan a romantic honeymoon cruise getaway. Now there is! And even better, an exclusive new online honeymoon registry allows family and friends to help make this dream vacation possible. While silver chafing dishes and wine decanters gather dust, a honeymoon cruise creates life long memories.

The experts at CruiseOne can help the future bride and groom select a honeymoon cruise that’s just right for their budget, time and lifestyle considerations. Once the lucky couple is registered, family and friends can log on to http://www.honeymoonships.com/, view the cruise selected and contribute toward this incredible honeymoon vacation.

Voyage Credits are easily processed in convenient $25 and $50 increments, charged to a major credit card and applied to the honeymoon couple's cruise reservation account at CruiseOne. Purchasers will receive an e-mail confirmation of the credit amount selected.
Shortly before the "Big Day", the couple will receive a beautiful souvenir photo album compliments of CruiseOne displaying the name of all family and friends who helped make this dream come true. The album can be displayed, as appropriate, on the gift table at the reception.

For more information or to register your honeymoon, contact Mike Ziegenbalg at (706) 579-5005 or (toll-free) 877-278-4731 or visit http://www.cruisesbymike.com/ .

Cancellation Insurance - Is it worth it?

You want the best vacation of your life. You've saved and planned for a long time, but sometimes unforeseen circumstances may force you to cancel your cruise. Without Cruise Cancellation Insurance, if you cancel your cruise after final payment, you will suffer penalties. There is no question about it. It could be $50 per person or could be the full cost of the trip. The cruise line doesn't often care if it was your life savings, if it was a heart attack, a death or if you promise to rebook and say good things about the line. You will not get your money back after final payment without insurance.

We mention insurance to everyone. We don't push it on anyone and it's certainly not required. But you should consider your own situation before deciding for or against it?

• Would losing the total cost of your trip hurt?
• Do you have family members who are ill or at risk of illness that if their condition turned worse you would abandon your travel plans? Young children or older family members?
• Do you have a pre-existing medical condition?
• Is your trip relatively expensive?
• Are you leaving the country for 10 days or longer?
• Are you at a point in your life where you’re susceptible to accident or illness?
• Are you booking your own air transportation?
• Have you ever experienced baggage delay or loss by the airlines?
• Does your insurance cover medical expenses in a foreign country? Probably not!

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may want to consider protecting your cruise investment.

Insurance typically costs less than 10% of your total trip cost and usually covers baggage, trip delay, trip interruption, medical expenses, medical evacuation, and more. The cruise lines' insurance typically doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, but, we have other insurance we sell at comparable pricing to cover these situations. Ask your cruise professional for a brochure explaining it in more detail?

Is Insurance worth it? If you have to use it, definitely? But insurance also buys peace of mind, which is not a bad reason to have it either?

How to Cruise For Free -

Gather up your friends and family; earn free passage and group benefits

"Cruise for free," you ask? Why, yes, it’s possible; and it’s not as hard as you might think. For ages people have enjoyed traveling together with friends, whether from college, a current or old neighborhood, work buddies or just plain old family members. Talk to "CruiseOne - Your Personal Cruise Consultants" about group cruise ideas; after, many decide to take the bold step and reserve the first group of cabins to the "sunny, warm, Caribbean." You can send fliers with the cruise information to your group friends. Your primary goal is to get as many people as possible to have a great vacation; a second goal is to entice enough friends to book so you can earn free passage under the cruise lines group policy.
"What can happen"? You might be able to cruise for free when 16 people join your group. As the organizer of the group, you can become the designated “tour conductor.” Tour conductors work with us to make all the travel and onboard arrangements; their primary jobs are recruitment and communication. All you really need is a congenial group willing to travel together and an excuse to go. Sign up enough people and you will pay no cruise fare.
Most cruise lines, including Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Princess, ordinarily define a group cruise as a minimum of 16 people occupying eight cabins (third and fourth passengers in a cabin are allowed, but they do not count toward the total). The 16th person (the tour conductor) cruises free. However, free passengers must pay taxes/port charges (and, of course, airfare to the port, if needed).
Getting a free fare is one thing; getting a free cabin is something else altogether. For that you need to book twice as many people and cabins. Sixteen is the magic number, sixteen people means the 16th person cruises free; 16 cabins means the 16th cabin is free. Off-peak sailings sometimes offer more generous terms, with some cruise lines offering groups free fares for every 10th or 14th person. Generally, higher-end cruise lines like Silversea, Regent, Seabourn and Crystal Cruises require fewer paid fares to qualify than do the more mainstream cruise lines.

Sail together, save together

OK, so the group leader can make out like a bandit, but what about the other group travelers? They can benefit, too. For one thing, group rates are sometimes lower than individual rates. For another, the free cruise fare can often be divided evenly among the group members, saving everyone money. Some cruise lines also offer special perks available only to group cruisers. For example, many cruise lines are now awarding “group amenity points” based on the number of people in the group: the more people, the more points, the more perks. Amenities can include such things as cocktail parties, cabin upgrades and shipboard credits.
The details of group-travel offerings vary widely by cruise line, itinerary, time of year — even the nature of the group. Don’t be daunted. CruiseOne specializes in group cruises and can help you find the best sailings and negotiate the best possible deal available. But what if you can’t round up enough friends or family members to get group benefits? All is not lost! CruiseOne holds blocks of cabins and offer deals that are exclusive to the clients of our “inner circle”. It’s a great way for people to take advantage of a group rate without being in a group.
Warning: Being a tour conductor isn’t a breeze. You will have to keep extensive records and have good communication skills to keep the information flowing between your group members and us. Yes, CruiseOne will do most of the work, including making bookings, tracking payments, making stateroom assignments and setting up special onboard events, but you are the one folks will turn to if things go wrong, crying, “Look what you got us into!”
I am sure you and your friends will have a terrific time on your group cruise. It may be a lot of work, but the payoff is great: You can cruise for free. How cool is that? I bet you can’t wait to do it again. In fact, what about having your next "meeting at sea". More from me on that later...

Latest Passport Requirements & Information

I thought I'd start my blog with information that just about everyone contemplating the need for a passport could use. The information listed below comes directly from the US State Department. (Current as of 11-4-07)

Most cruise lines are adhering to the following information. However, it is strongly suggested if you have a cruise booked or are planning one in the near future, that you consult with your cruise specialist for current up to date information pertaining to your cruise and specific itinerary.

AIR TRAVEL

Implemented on January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL

• JANUARY 31, 2008-U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.

• SUMMER 2008-At a later date, to be determined, the departments will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.The implementation date will be determined based on a number of factors, including the progress of actions undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security to implement the WHTI requirements and the availability of WHTI compliant documents on both sides of the border. DHS and DOS expect the date of full WHTI implementation to be in the summer of 2008. The precise implementation date will be formally announced with at least 60 days notice.

Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.

U.S. Citizens traveling to and returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the U.S. territory and do not need to present a passport.

U.S. territories include:

• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Swains Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands

How Long Will it Take to Process a Passport Application?

U.S. Passport Services Back to Standard Processing Time

The Department has restored passport service to the standard four to six week processing time for routine passport applications, and no more than three weeks for expedited service.

To date, we have issued over 16 million passports in fiscal year 2007, which ends on September 30, compared to 12.1 million issued in fiscal year 2006. Throughout the summer, dedicated Department staff in Washington and at the nation's 18 passport agencies have worked tirelessly to eliminate the delays in processing that had developed earlier in the year.
The Department plans to expand passport facilities and continue to hire more passport specialists in order to increase production capacity and meet rising passport demand expected in coming years, as passport requirements are extended to land and sea borders. By January 2008, we will have hired hundreds of new employees, and production capacity at the National Passport Center in New Hampshire, the largest passport facility, will have doubled. Longer-term expansion plans include new passport facilities strategically located to enhance customer service around the country.

For more information on obtaining a passport, please see the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Welcome to my Blog!

Hi, thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at my new blog. Hopefully, over the course of time I can share with you certain facts, ideas, and just plan fun about the business that I am in, -"Cruising", can hold for you. Whether it's your first time, second time, or one of many cruises you have already taken, my wish is that you can find some enlightening information here to use or take with you on your next cruise. So, if you guys are ready, "Let's GO!....