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.

Why I am a Travel Agent

I am a Travel Agent... just to help You!

I have to admit I don't really have a job.  The only time it has been close to being a job was last September after the hurricane.  That was not fun.  I had 20 cruises scheduled that week... all on Carnival...who had a lot of ships in the ocean that week.  This meant a lot of cancelled cruises, a lot of upset people and a lot of time on the phone.  I can't even imagine what that company went through :(

Most of my hours I get to help people have fun. I have gotten to plan a marriage proposal, a wedding onboard, reunions, fundraisers, family celebrations, etc.  I have always loved to have an event, a theme, a celebration reason, etc. and just run with it.  That is why my "other hat" is the Social Director in a 55+ Community here in Pinellas Park, FL.   I am fortunate to be married (for many years) to a guy who pays the bills. I can volunteer in my neighborhood putting on events and every once in a while, take some of them on a cruise too.

I am new at this for a job but I have been on 87 cruises.  I have travelled to most of the US states, Canada, South America and Europe.  Now, a lot of this is when I was younger and had parents paying for it, but needless to say, I love travel.  I do not know as much as I should but I know how to assist you or find someone who can.  (The guy who owns the agency I work through, Jay Getman of 66th Street/Cutting Edge Travel, has been doing it since he was born).

• I want the challenge, I want to help you plan, I want to assist you in making people around you happy.
• I want to help you pick the right cruise, the right ship and the right cabin.
• I want to surprise your family, surprise you and do what it takes.
• I will travel with your group and help if needed...if not I will just buy you a drink.

Last month I got to help a mother/grandmother plan a summer Carnival cruise for her entire family.  She is giving them this gift for Christmas and wanted to have something to wrap for under the tree.  They have never been on a cruise or a vacation all at the same time.  Together we made luggage tags, lanyards and laminate placemats to everyone.  It was a blast!

This is what I do and this is why I do it!  I can't wait to see the photos of those grandkids!

Today I was honored by winning the Grand Prize in a Travel Agent contest from Carnival....just another perfect in doing what I love to do!

SECURITY

Feeling "Secure" or Mad about it?

I have a tiny pair of scissors....wait....HAD a tiny pair of scissors... that I travel with in my carryon.  Until recently no TSA Agent ever said a word.  Last vacation, for my flight home from Paris, they were taken from me.   Now understand...I have no problem that they were taken...I have a problem that I was mistreated.

This is a very common type of story one will hear and it is true from me.  If the scissors are too big feel free to remove them.  However, why is it then necessary to check everything I also have in the bag?  The X-ray lady didn't say anything about my eye shadow, compact, hairbrush, etc. but yet the other TSA lady decided that since my scissors were too large I must also be hiding something in my mascara????  It was ridiculous and I suppose it was some kind of punishment.

I just received an update about security changes: 

TSA officers will be asking travelers to remove electronics larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin with nothing on top or below, similarly to how laptops have been screened for years. This simple step helps TSA officers obtain a clearer X-ray image. Passengers will experience a bag check if they fail to follow this procedure, which will slow screening for them and everyone else on line. Through extensive testing, TSA identified ways to improve screening procedures with quicker and more targeted measures to clear the bags and keep the public safe in the skies.  There are no changes to what travelers can bring through the checkpoint; food and liquid items that comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule, electronics, and books continue to be allowed in carry-on bags. As always, TSA suggests passengers arrive to the airport two hours prior to their scheduled departure time to allow adequate time to navigate the ticketing, baggage and security screening processes.

Note: the new security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in TSA Pre✓® who are using TSA Pre✓® lanes. Travelers enrolled in TSA Pre✓® do not need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, electronics, light outerwear, or belts. The program allows TSA to focus resources on passengers who may pose a high risk to security while providing expedited screening to those travelers who have been identified as low-risk, trusted travelers.

Although the update was actually announced earlier this year,  it will raise a new level of complaints, just watch and see.  I hear people complain about the security lines, the time it takes and how terrible it is to have to get to the airport so early. Millennials today have no idea what is "used to be like" luckily...or they would have more to complain about...LOL.

Recently there was an article about video recordings on ships.  Some people say they are an infraction of their privacy.  Really?  There is no such thing as privacy. It just isn't feasible anymore.  Think of all this as a "bonus feature" and concentrate on feeling safer instead of anger about needing to wake up an hour earlier.  

In Paris, I had to remind myself...safer is better.  I should be happy they took my scissors as it let's me know someone is at least paying attention.  I should instead be worried that I was able to get on a plane probably 10 times before they were noticed :)

Bourbon Trail - a Man-cation..not a cruise!

Not a cruise - but a Man-cation - the BOURBON TRAIL

I should start by saying, I do NOT drink Bourbon.  Heck, I barely drink the hard stuff at all.  I am a red wine drinker and when I do drink booze, it is usually fruity or what my husband calls "foo-foo".  But, with five cruises booked and planned for the next 8 months, I figured I better go ahead and practice what I preached in my last blog:  Man-cation!  So, I booked and planned a trip to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 

We had done part of the KBT before but last time we flew...this time we chose to drive, in case we wanted to bring some "liquid souvenirs" back. When we went last time we were part of the First Knob Creek Campout and had to ditch belongings to get our gifts home in our luggage.  That weekend is a whole other story mainly because I enjoy camping a whole lot LESS than I drink!

The drive is a very nice from Tampa area and is over before you know it.  Apart from the curvy roads in the mountains and my husband's fearless driving, I really enjoyed seeing the rivers, trees and old bridges. Please don't worry, my knuckles have returned to their natural color and are unclenched now! 

The distilleries are pretty much within a three hour circle so if you stay in Frankfort you are pretty much is the center and can get to most within an hour.  You could start at the east end and work across if you don't mind sleeping in a different place each night.  There is also an official "Bourbon Trail Passport" you can have stamped at each location and then send it in for a free t-shirt.  We were not willing to go to all the stops so we had to buy our own t-shirt.  I choose one from our first stop: Buffalo Trace.  My chosen shirt proudly proclaims "eat meat, drink buffalo".

Buffalo Trace notes:

1. Free tour and reservations do NOT have to be made.
2. The Blantons bottling part of tour is awesome!
3. You get to choose two tastings from their selection, plus a third sample of the Creme is given to you with "dessert".  
4. Excellant Bourbon Balls
5. The Buffalo Trace Creme is there for sale along with an extensive gift shop full of goodies.

Picture shows the loss over the years...alcohol abuse!  LOL

Jim Beam:

1. Make reservations ahead of time online.  Great tour, very informative and also a great decanter collection.
2. You can by a bottle of Knob Creek, watch it on the line and do your own thumbprint in the wax.  You can also pay a little extra to have this bottle etched.
3. This is the only tour that issues a tasting card good in their machines, your choice of three.  It also has the most selection of products to taste
4. Each guest receives a complimentary square shot glass souvenir.
5. Great property which even has a good BBQ lunch place.
   
   
   
   
   

Maker's Mark

1. Make reservations ahead of time online.  Another Santori property with a good tour, worth the drive even if it is a bit out there.  Make sure you watch your GPS:  one route takes you on a small backroads route!
2. Bourbon balls are "okay"
3. Another bottle experience...you can buy a bottle in the gift shop and do the wax dip yourself.  Nice gift shop.
4. We were there for the Chiluly art exhibit.  There is a large permanent one too.

Learn about the inserts and what makes this bourbon smoother! 

               

Wild Turkey

This is the tour that we added once we got there.  You did not need to make advanced reservations and I am so glad we decided to go.  I simply asked "Who is that gentleman signing bottles?"  So glad I got to meet awesome Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell.

Man-cations

Man-cations...Planning a Trip for the Guy in Your Life?

Yes..this is a "thing"!  Women, wives, friends, partners, sisters, etc...are all planning trips for the special guy in their life.  There was a recent survey done by a combo of men blogs/magazines to reveal the hottest trends in planning a vacation around a man.  Can you guess what the winner was?

1.  An Alaskan Cruise bundled with some adventurous land tour!  

• I personally would recommend Princess Cruise Lines for this!  A total of 10-15 nights of both luxury and adventure.  
• 7 nights of a wonderful relaxing cruise, paired with 3 to 8 nights on land.  
• Experience Alaska with their On-Your-Own, Denali Explorer or most popular Off-the-Beaten Path.
• and offering what no one else does — Direct-to-the-Wilderness® Alaska rail service on most itineraries. Step directly off your Princess ship onto a waiting rail car that delivers you the very same day to your Princess Wilderness Lodge, without needless time spent in transfers. More time in the wilderness !

2.  A Golf-Trip in Florida

• Well, I live in Florida, in a 55+ Community with a lot of golfers including my husband.  This doesn't surprise me at all.
• Florida is home to more than 1,000 public and private golf course facilities, more than any other state in America.
• Florida has even more resorts so pairing a golf vacations with the sandy beaches and sunshine is a no-brainer.
• Did you know that Florida is host to the only all-inclusive ClubMed on the USA mainland?  Check out Sandpiper Bay - Club Med specializes in premium all-inclusive vacations packages for families – with absolutely no hidden costs.

3.  The Kentucky Bourbon Trail

• Funny this should come up...we are doing this next week!
• Kentucky has more to offer than the Kentucky Derby, although combining it with the Bourbon Trail would be a heck-of-a-good week.  And let's not even get started on the BBQ.
• Learn how to "chew" your bourbon and if not, you can at least enjoy the Bourbon Balls, eat some bbq and play a round of golf.

There are of course some other wonderful vacations on their lists.  Sport fishing in the Caribbean - paired with a cruise.....Tequila tasting - paired with a cruise... LOL.  I think you could find a cruise to go with just about everything.  I would like to accept the challenge anyhow!

Give me a call sometime and we can plan something special for the Man in your life!

The FUTURE of Embarkation when Cruising

Princess Cruise line, Innovating Embarkation and more

I recently attended a seminar and luncheon put on by our local BDM for Princess Cruise line.  Not only was I impressed with her knowledge and personality, but also with the news she shared with the Travel Agents present.

Have you heard about the new technology:  Ocean Medallion?

Each guest is mailed an Ocean Medallion about two weeks prior to their cruise that holds their unique digital identity and communicates with readers throughout each ship and in select ports. It allows the crew to know who you are and serve you better. Guests also can use the Ocean Medallion for payments, unlocking your stateroom door, speeding up embarkation and much more.  She recently got to experience this new technology herself and shared her experience which also includes enhanced interactions with crew members and guests (for example, a room attendant or bartender will have the ability to assist you with booking Spa services or specialty dining reservations). It will help Princess crew members to deliver what you want...where you want it.  Imagine ordering a drink or burger and having it delivered to you on the Lido deck!

Watch these videos:

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ocean-medallion-class/

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ocean-medallion-class/moments-videos/

The Ocean Medallion is a free, wearable device that you can even customize  with a choice of colors. It will also be laser-etched with your name, ship, and sail date.  While you must carry a Medallion while onboard, it’s up to you how much or how little you want to take advantage of the full experience.  


And more good news!  Security facts:

• It will also add another level of security as your photo will populate when the account is used.  The Ocean Medallion contains no personal information. Your Ocean Medallion is associated with your profile that contains your onboard security picture. If that picture does not match a guest when a purchase is being made or when someone other than the original guest is nearby, access will not be granted to a stateroom and purchases cannot be made.
• The Medallion holds your unique digital identity which is encrypted and communicates with thousands of sensors onboard and in port. 
• You can wear your Medallion as a wristband or pendant, or just keep it in your pocket.
• All information provided before and during your cruise will be encrypted and is not stored on your Ocean Medallion. The most advanced software security models, tools, and methods are fundamental to Ocean Medallion Class. However, any guest is also welcome to opt out of all services at any time.  If you do not want to take advantage of the full Ocean Medallion Class experience, you can switch your privacy setting to "Safety Only" and enjoy the cruise the same great way you do today.

Some other features:

• Streamlines and expedites the port embarkation and disembarkation process
• Allows you to access your stateroom as you approach the door (no keycard required)
• Locates friends and family around the cruise ship
• Enables you to purchase merchandise without any transaction, cards or paper
  
  I am excited to try this out...thinking of booking during the current "Sip and Sail" promo that includes the FREE beverage program.  Would you like to go?
  
  
  
  

AMA Bordeaux Cruise - Part Deux - Photos

Bordeaux Cruise - AMADolce Pictures

Rothschild Chateau

I have already added a blog about our River Cruise, but I thought it would be best to also add some highlighted photos.  We visited 8 Chateaus included in our cruise (no extra charges). We either arrived by walking, biking or Mercedes top class tour buses.

Passengers have their choice of excursions and excursion levels of difficulty.  There was definite something for everyone, every time! 

This picture shows our cabin set up.  Our twin beds were joined together to make a large Queen sized bed which was very comfortable. 

We also had two chairs and a small table which we turned in the other direction when we had the french balcony doors open.   

Desk with Apple computer (WiFi at no charge) and nice full length mirror on the outside of the bathroom.  This made it very easy for me to finish my hair and make-up while hubby was showering!  

          

Because the bathroom was configured on an angle, it seemed to have a lot more room.  It was very user friendly and the shower had multiple heads and extras...it was awesome!  

                                                                       

You don't even need me to brag about the food...it was the best ever!

The following are just some pictures off the ship.... to remind me of all the fun we had and places we went!