Never "Over Stated" (pt. 1 of 3, A-H)

Travelling the United States

I have heard many times....."I want to travel all 50 US States" .....or "How can you go on cruises when there is so much to see in the US".  Sometimes even I say that ....and I love to cruise!  That is probably why we take some time off from cruising and 'adventure out here'.  So, for the for each state I have been to, I will write my favorite memories in just a few sentences:

Alabama- The 'HOT NOW' as we drove from landing in Tuscaloosa airport to visit our daughter at Grad School, passing Krispy Kreme.  Beautiful shoreline and great parks!

Alaska- What can I say, been here twice!  Once by land, the second time was by cruise.  There isn't a better place!  Bears, salmon fishing, whales, halibut fishing, the otters...the volcanoes, the beautiful vast scenery, etc.  This really needs to be on everyone's list.    Did you know that Juneau is the only state capital you cannot drive to from another?  You must fly or sail into it!

We actually redid our vows as the ship turned at the Glacier on a cruise!

Arizona- The Grand Canyon of course!  It really surprised me that there wasn't a railing everywhere.  I was scared to death to go near the edge...and they sell a book in every gift shop about the deaths that have happened there!  There is no picture that can make you understand the magnitude of this place.

Arkansas-  Hot Springs:  the history, the bath houses, the quaintness of this city and the fact that everyone is still nice here.  You can even see someone blessing their meal in McDonalds.  Beautiful lakes and simple beauty.

California- Really too big of a state to cover in a brief note.   Traffic is horrible but the movie star appeal in LA, the wine areas, the coastline areas, the bridges, and perfect weather in San Diego make this state one to visit multiple times.  Great food districts too!  

Oh, and I did I mention we went Hot Air Ballooning!???

Colorado- SKIING!  OMG...the mountains are beautiful and if you don't believe God exists, you must take a gondola to the top of a mountain (like Breckenridge) and just look out on the beauty.  If you don't ski there are many options still.  Garden of the Gods, the rivers, etc. and you can still experience the mountains with taking a lift up during the summer!

Connecticut- still need to get here!

Delaware- still need to get here!

Florida- Ha!  What can I say?  I was born here and have lived here all my life.  Beaches, cruise ports, golf courses, and tourist attractions (Disney, etc.)....everything else is flat, hot in the summer and stay away in September. 

As a matter of fact, I would like to be gone during the summer!  Seriously, if you are a summer cruiser (those with school age children) plan the cruise for June or 1st half of July for the safest time.  

Remember, besides the holidays, it the most expensive time to cruise.

Georgia- The history of Savannah,Stone Mountain, etc.  The golfing and beaches of its islands, The Coca-Cola museum and more in Atlanta and the beginning of some beautiful mountains. Try some river rafting or tube down the Chattahoochee!

Hawaii- This awesome group of islands is on most peoples list.  The tough part is the expense of it!  Kauai is gorgeous with it's waterfalls and coastline and has the "wettest place on earth". Of course the big island, Oahu.... with the beaches of Waikiki, Honolulu, and the  Pearl Harbor area is not to be missed.  Go there....once.  (btw...NCL is the only cruise line with a ship registered in the US that let's you do an exclusive inner island only cruise).

While I do mostly help clients get the most out of cruising, I am always available to help with land travel planning.  I am always willing to share ideas.  We work hard and travel can get pricey...make the most of your time and see what you want to see.  There is an adventure any where you choose to wander!

The Cruise C-A-F-E, a Matter of Taste?

What is your order?

So today I was driving to the Port of Tampa for the ship inspection of the Holland America Rotterdam and I was thinking "who would be a good client for this ship?'.  This led me to think about all the different reasons people go on vacations and how they make their choice.  Obviously different personalities travel for different reasons.  So I have titled this blog "Travel CAFE": Comfort, Adventure, Family or Entertainment to cover the main four things I hear from clients.  Cruising in ONTA...One trip fits all!

I then thought of the discussion that takes place when deciding to go out with my husband or friend...."Where should we go?"  It is no wonder my parents liked cafeterias as much as they liked cruising with us kids....we could get/do different things all in one location, eliminating the timely decision making process.  

Which do you "order" for your cruise:

COMFORT: Just go away and be waited on!  No tough decisions and you can be lazy...you don't have to make your bed.  Relax...don't do it!  LOL.  You have pretty much paid for everything before you boarded so you don't have to look at menu prices.  You have a Sea Day or two... just to chill out by the pool, or the library, or at the bar, or watching a show...or put 20 bucks in the penny slots....play a game, take a nap...haha.  Okay and now you have a Port Day..tough choices...excursion, shopping, walk around the port area or stay on board?  No phones, no email (unless you have to have it), no mail, no cooking or cleaning and none of the TV shows my husband makes me watch.

ADVENTURE:  This is me....I am an Adventure traveler.  I like going someplace different or at least on a different ship.  On a cruise you get to go to several ports and if you do repeat one you can pick something different to do.  I have been to Cozumel 20+ times and I have done different things. I do prefer to go to at least one new port, or one I haven't been to in awhile, each cruise.  This is the main reason you should not stick to one cruise line!  Recently I have had people who want to sail the same line for their loyalty perks, but I would rather sail somewhere new or on a new ship without worrying about a $20 bag of laundry or getting on the ship 1st.  Small ship, mid-ship, large ship, river cruise?   I am fine as long as I get to experience something different.  The older I get the more I want to see something new but for some, the older you get, the less amount of change you are open to.  But life should be an adventure, a journey and a surprise!

                                 

FAMILY (or Friends):  A cruise is perfect for a family reunion, school reunion, a group of girlfriends etc.  And if you have a good travel agent they will instruct you how to book a group to achieve the best perks!  A group of 6 cabins is all it takes to get extra on-board spending money.  My favorite thing about groups is you can pick and choose when to be together and when to have time to yourselves.  Go off after breakfast and meet again at dinner to share all the exciting things you did that day.  Kid Programs also allow adult time!  It is a win-win situation.  Guests can be seated together in assigned seating for dinner if desired, a small meeting area can be established and cabins can be booked near each other or scattered throughout the ship.  Family members can also choose their cabin type independently of other family members.
I have a group of girlfriends who do this each year.  When in one port they hang out together while in others they break up into groups:  shoppers, snorkelers, etc.  
The best thing:  no one has to worry about "Uncle Mike" driving home!                                                             

  


ENTERTAINMENT:  This is an area that cruisers either love...or they could care less.  But for those who like their Broadway style shows, rock climbing walls, karaoke, etc.  it is all on-board.  If you are into those type of things there is no cheaper way to indulge.  
Depending what ship and/or line you are sailing you can take a cooking class, blend some wine...stop over to the lounge for some jazz...after dinner, sing some karaoke on your way to the theater for tonight's show...meet up with your friends for late night comedy and wind down the night in the Piano Bar.  Then in the morning play some trivia, dance the limbo at the pool, go to the Gym/Spa for a while, eat lunch, do some rock climbing and play putt...just to start the nights activities all over again!  

Whatever your "taste" at the Cruise CAFE is...there is a ship for you!  or for that someone special in your life....afterall, it is Christmas time...you need a gift?  Call me!

San Juan is Back in Business with Carnival

Welcome Back to San Juan

Puerto Rico is back in the charts for Carnival Cruise Line following Hurricane Irma. 

The 110,000gt Carnival Conquest arrived in San Juan early Thursday, Nov. 1st. This marks the first of dozens of transit calls to the island by Carnival ships in the coming weeks. During Carnival Conquest's call, the ship’s 3,200 passengers could take a range of shore excursions since the destruction of this beautiful island.

The line will resume sailing from San Juan as an embarkation port when Carnival Fascination begins its year-round seven-day southern Caribbean schedule Feb. 18 (That ship is currently on charter to the FEMA to house relief workers in St. Croix). 

This year round cruise is one of my favorites, although I have done it twice on bigger ships.  The Fascination does not have regular balcony cabins and is like the other "ation" ships in Carnival's fleet.  But I also must add, the ports are intense and you don't really need a balcony.  The journey between the islands is much shorter starting in San Juan so a larger, faster ship is not necessary.  Carnival is very smart using a smaller ship here and utilizing their larger ships for routes that need them.  I tell you all this... as you should NOT miss this itinerary!

I would like to take the opportunity to address another thing I have heard cruisers state: "The people of San Juan are rude and fill up the ship".   First of all, I want to clear up...they are not rude...it is their culture.  WE need to understand their way of life, as I could say the same thing about traveling to NY City!  They are used to being in a hurry and crowded and they expect that and do not see the need to apologize for it.  Please remember you are in their world, not yours.  

Are there a lot of Puerto Ricans on the ship?  Yes sometimes.  This can be taken as a good thing.  You are surrounded by island life your entire cruise.  Learn to observe and then sing a long.  They are fun! Learn to dance...they have got some moves!  They are very family oriented and very loving to each other...maybe we should pay attention.

The cruise from San Juan resumes soon.  There is no better way to see all these islands at once.  You can even bring back more booze than normal...lol.  Don't even get me started on St. Lucia!  (let me take the opportunity to add that Carnival has awesome ports).  I hope that you will see for yourself.  Make sure you go to Puerto Rico at least a day early as there is so much beauty to see.  I have been there at least 10 times in recent years and I love it for something new each time.