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!
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!
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