Every time I see European Vacation I think of the Chevy Chase movie hopefully the trip we are about to embark on does not urn out the same way.
The anticipation of our first family trip to Europe has reached a fever pitch. Now that the kid are out of school they have focused on trip preparation and at the same time have peppered me with more questions than I can answer. Their curiosity is refreshing to see, so many things now just don't phase kids anymore, the information/Internet age has kind of dulled the senses a bit.
Vacations however are real!!! They will be living the experiences now, all the reading and Facebook items about destinations just do not immerse you in the sights, sounds and culture of other countries. This will truly be an experience they will never forget, we will be writing family history, giving them something they will surely share with friends present and future and probably talk about it to their children one day.
Our trip will start in Barcelona, after a short stop in Toronto. We'll spend 3 days in Barcelona living out of a rented apartment with other family members and friends. Nothing like just jumping in and experiencing a world-class city right off the bat. Anyone I have talked to that has visited Barcelona has fallen in love with the city....we can't wait.
We will cruise aboard the Norwegian EPIC (www.ncl.com/EPIC), a destination in it's self. Funny but when was the last time you heard of travelers taking on Europe for the first time with their only concern being not enough time to enjoy everything on the ship (sounds like a revisit may be in the works).
Stops in Rome, Florence, Naples, Cannes & Marseilles will keep us busy and will surely be a senses overload!!!
Some may say traveling with the family & friends (our party numbers 15), may not be too relaxing but really I could not think of a better way to do it, nothing like sharing an experience that we can share for a lifetime. I'll take note of any tips we may need to share.
Look out Europe , we're on the way!!!!
My plan (and hopefully I can stick to it) is to blog daily when I can (hopefully before partaking in umbrella drinks and of course local wines) and of course we'll be taking pictures constantly.
Follow our trip on this blog, and on Facebook or Twitter, we're @ShipAhoyCP on both and please check out our website at www.ShipAhoyCP.com , sign up for special announcements and offers.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Cruising for Charity : Locally & Globally
The old adage that Charity begins at can be applied to cruises too!
I am not talking about the kind of charity most travelers encounter on cruises....donations to the casino. I'm talking about real charity, giving back to the community, your own and on an even larger scale giving to someone else's community, whether it be through fundraising or volunteering.
Locally, I will have the pleasure of sailing on the Rotary Club of Lake Norman-Huntersville's (http://www.lakenormanrotary.org) Wine Cruise this week. This will be just a 3 hour cruise on Lake Norman but proceeds benefited their scholarship fund for area students. Of course this local charity is part of the International Rotary Club organization (http://www.rotary.org/) , so the translation to global giving is very clear. Volumes can be written about their global charity work.
Cruises are usually associated with excesses, food, drink, music, & parties are plentiful. Life experiences that appeal to all senses and abilities like exploring ruins, hiking, diving, snorkeling, you name it the list goes on an on. So where does charity come in? Well, there are cruise lines that now offer charitable activities like beach-cleaning, school building, farm/irrigation building and pretty much every cruise line has fundraising dollars just waiting for your non-profit charity group.
Volunteerism is growing in the cruise industry, more and more cruise lines are offering itineraries for the philanthropic traveler ( these are sometimes before or after the cruise). They are also incorporating charities in on board activities. On our last cruise aboard the Carnival Fascination the Carnival sponsored "Groove for St Jude", program was in full swing, a small donation ($10) gets you a t-shirt and a rubber bracelet, all the money goes to the St Jude Children's Research Hospital. (Wow, for the price of another umbrella drink that I did not need anyway I got to help a kid somewhere in a hospital with cancer...can't beat that!)
The cruise industry is increasingly involving passengers, both on and off the ship, and is even offering sailings that are dedicated to supporting individual charities.
There industry is helping guests give back to others in the form of charity cruises, on board fundraising and volunteering by helping projects on shore.
Charity cruises are hosted by the cruise line, select sailings are dedicated to supporting a single charity and often come with the added perk of being partially tax deductible. (It is best to check this out with your tax accountant and to stick with charities approved by the Internal Revenue Service).
On board fundraising come in the form of cruise line-wide programs in which donations are accumulated from guests and donate to a specific charity (or charities) but fundraising does not have to be a program. If your local church group, little league team, Rotary club, or other non-profit charitable organization wants to combine a good time for members and non-members alike the cruise lines are ready to kick in their share. Fundraising matches differ from cruise line to cruise line but the money is there for the taking. Let me explain, if our local Rotary club (church group, local charity, etc) decides they want to plan an event where members will vacation together and still maintain their mission to rasie money, the cruise lines will give a specified amount to the charity on a per cabin basis, for example $75 per cabin sold witin the allotted group space reserved Doesn't sound like much? Well it adds up very quickly, a typical 32 person group (usually 16 cabins) would generate $1200 in "free money" for the charity and may qualify the group for 2 free berths on that sailing which can be used for the group leaders, given as a gift, auctioned or raffled. Not a bad deal is it?
Volunteerism is on the rise!!! Activities are emerging as parts of shore excursions, they are a work in progress and a good agent can certainly work something out with the cruise line for the group to accomplish their volunteer mission, pre, post or during the cruise.
Crystal Cruises' program is at the forefront in this area. Their "You Care, We Care" program offers free shore excursions that involve volunteering activities. A great example was cited in a Cruise Critic article by Amy Gunderson, about the program's debut on the Crystal Serenity. The volunteer program was in Cartagena, Columbia. It was the Foundacion Granitos de Paz, which served one of the barrios in the city. The group reportedly had a great time, interacting with the children, and the elderly, and visiting the homes and gardens. The volunteers helped with the gardening, craft-making and painting tasks. It was a great way to interact with the people of the city.
Other lines offer ways to get involved with local non-profit and research organizations. Norwegian Cruise Line is hosting a travel company that is incorporating volunteer work throughout their trip. A three-day pre-cruise package in New Orleans that will include replanting trees with a local Hurricane relief group.
The possibilities are endless.
So the next time you think about the opportunities and excesses of cruise also think about the possibilities to help those less fortunate.
Besides, the umbrella drinks taste much better after a gratifying day of helping others and sitting around on the ship with new friends, the sense that you did something good for others will make your vacation much more meaningful and memorable, ( besides did you really want to visit yet another chain retail store or eatery in that last port?)
If you have an interest in charity work or volunteerism cruises or if you would like to get your group together for a great vacation for yourselves while still helping others, contact me at Tony@ShipAhoyCP.com and we can discuss possibilities and arrangements. Please visit our website http://www.shipahoycp.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook, we're @ShipAhoyCP on both.
Your comments and suggestions are welcomed.
I'll report back on the success of the Lake Norman-Huntersville Rotary Club wine cruise in my next post, (hopefully without a headache from too much of a good thing! But it is for charity after all so there cannot be too much!)
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Travel Agents....They still have those?
While most people hearer see it, are they taking advantage of what actually amounts to a FREE service in most cases? Agents are paid by the vendors (cruise lines, tour operators, resorts, etc), each vendor will charge you the same price whether you use an agent or not so why not get some help and leave the heavy-lifting to an agent.
In the past couple of weeks when asked what we do or what kind of business do we own I have come across very polite responses of "Travel Agents?? Do people still use them, I thought that was pretty much a dead service." While it's true that the Internet has replaced a lot of travel agent duties, have you ever tried to find the best deal for the vacation you want? do you really know what options there are out there, or what you really want for that matter?
It can be done if you have the time and desire but the Internet is a double edged sword. You can make all your own arrangements after doing your own research but the information age can provide too much information, it takes a lot of time to find what you are looking for and when you do the options are pretty much limitless.
Travel agents are actually coming back into use more often than not, our lives have gotten busier, two wage earners , kids sports, etc all take away from the time families have to research and plan a vacation. w
With a few simple, short conversations or e-mails about the vacation you desire, the time you want to go and the budget you'd like to stay within, you can be presented with several options to choose from, narrowing down the immense field of choices quickly and hassle-free. If you don't like the choices, no problem, back to the drawing board, an agent can tailor your vacation to your needs until you find what you like without your spending hours on the computer.
Changes to the travel industry landscape have come full circle, the process is back in a greatly improved way. The majority of travel services are now home-based, technology is to thank for that. Home based, online agencies can take all the time commitment and stress out of planning the vacation you long for, whether it is a couples getaway, family vacation or full-blown family or group reunion. Franchise opportunities like the one we took advantage of (Cruise Planners, Inc) offer cutting-edge technology, training and clout in the industry and let us combine our passion for travel with our desire to start a business. Expert advice for business start-ups is do something you are passionate about so the decision was easy, traveling on cruises with the family and bringing them to theme park resorts and all-inclusive resorts drove our desire so here we are.
The industry is on the rebound, the NY Times contained an article about this last Sunday, http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/travel/are-travel-agents-back.html?src=me&ref=travel , an interesting article that hit home with us..maybe we should carry it around with us on our iPad or iPhone for potential travelers that thought travel agents are a thing from the past.
So don't be afraid to contact a travel agent....of course we'd prefer we be the travel agents you contact. it won't hurt we promise and you will not regret it, your time is valuable, let us do the pre-work and you can do the vacationing. We're at www.ShipAhoyCP.com please follow us on Twitter @ShipAhoyCP and find us on Facebook @ShipAhoyCP
Your thoughts and comments are always welcomed!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Vacation Anticipation
Vacation Anticipation...no it is not a disease (although it is the result of addictive behavior to having great vacation experiences, cruising is highly addictive).
Vacation Anticipation starts with your first glimpse of where you want to go and the experience you dream of being in.
It could start with the television ad you just watched with the suddenly emancipated from everyday life Dad dancing like never before seen by his kids in the cruise ship dance club, the couple taking a romantic walk down a deserted tropical beach or even the sight of Mom jet-skiing through the water. you know the ads, you remember the jingles and you catch yourself humming the theme song as you walk up the gangway to embark on your voyage, (ok, when you get to the top of the gangway you buy your first tropical drink, then you feel that theme song ...you have arrived, let the games begin). You have thought about this moment for a long time...it's here, what to do first!
That's where it all starts, then you make that call or reach out to someone like my wife or I to share your enthusiasm and your vision of your perfect vacation, sometimes with a little trepidation of course..."it has to be expensive right?" Not necessarily of course, it depends on what you want to do, where you want to go and when but we help map that all out for you and come up with some options. You're anticipation hits a bit of a lull but it comes back when we help you decide on your final choice. because we did all the legwork for you , you can go back to dreaming and your vacation anticipation.
I have to admit, I have never even heard of this phrase until i read one of those boxed surveys in USA Today that showed results to the question, "Which part of your vacation do you most look forward to?". The answer choices were , anticipation of your trip, leaving for your trip, being on the trip or returning home from your trip.
Not surprisingly coming home had the least votes but to my surprise VACATION ANTICIPATION had the most!
Really? What is going on here? People have more fun anticipating their vacation than actually being on it? How can that be?
Like many other things the journey seems to be more of an experience than the destination. i would not have voted that way I happen to like the vacation experience...live in the moment an all that kind of stuff.
It makes me kind of glad to hear that about people, that means when we help clients plan their vacation, we are part of their experience. That makes it all the more important that we do a good job in finding vacation options to match their dream vacation....we are actually taking the lead in their experience....the will build memories that will last a lifetime (especially if traveling with a family group or close friends), we get to be a part of that. OK, I'll admit it, would I like to be on that ship to see them off and take part of that first toast of that tropical drink...of course, would we like to be there when they first set foot in the lobby of that beautiful all-inclusive resort, when they are handed a glass of champagne and a hot towel ...of course, those scenarios would be fun, it would certainly keep us busy but just knowing we are starting them off on the right path for an experience they may have been dreaming about for a lifetime is satisfaction enough.
So as I write this I am enjoying my own period of Vacation Anticipation, (yes , just like the ballplayer that admits to still having butterflies before he gets to play for the 1000th time in front of thousands of people, that feeling envelopes those of us that have traveled often and deal with it daily).
In a couple of days we embark on a family reunion cruise with all we could round up this time out, it doesn't matter how many of us will be there, there will be more next time, but the anticipation of this vacation has been festering for about 9 months now....will it be better than the actual voyage...probably not, but it has given us 9 months to get closer, talk excitedly about our vacation together and I am sure it will be a memorable trip.
How do you rank VACATION ANTICIPATION?
Let us know, if you don't get it, give us a call and let us start planning your vacation with you....it's contagious, you'll come down with the symptoms of Vacation Anticipation, you know daydreaming, smiling and counting the days on the calendar until it arrives. (don't even get me started with how the kids handle this)
I'll be back with pictures and experiences of our first family reunion cruise in a week or so, but for now, I have to anticipate packing!
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
Vacation Anticipation starts with your first glimpse of where you want to go and the experience you dream of being in.
It could start with the television ad you just watched with the suddenly emancipated from everyday life Dad dancing like never before seen by his kids in the cruise ship dance club, the couple taking a romantic walk down a deserted tropical beach or even the sight of Mom jet-skiing through the water. you know the ads, you remember the jingles and you catch yourself humming the theme song as you walk up the gangway to embark on your voyage, (ok, when you get to the top of the gangway you buy your first tropical drink, then you feel that theme song ...you have arrived, let the games begin). You have thought about this moment for a long time...it's here, what to do first!
That's where it all starts, then you make that call or reach out to someone like my wife or I to share your enthusiasm and your vision of your perfect vacation, sometimes with a little trepidation of course..."it has to be expensive right?" Not necessarily of course, it depends on what you want to do, where you want to go and when but we help map that all out for you and come up with some options. You're anticipation hits a bit of a lull but it comes back when we help you decide on your final choice. because we did all the legwork for you , you can go back to dreaming and your vacation anticipation.
I have to admit, I have never even heard of this phrase until i read one of those boxed surveys in USA Today that showed results to the question, "Which part of your vacation do you most look forward to?". The answer choices were , anticipation of your trip, leaving for your trip, being on the trip or returning home from your trip.
Not surprisingly coming home had the least votes but to my surprise VACATION ANTICIPATION had the most!
Really? What is going on here? People have more fun anticipating their vacation than actually being on it? How can that be?
Like many other things the journey seems to be more of an experience than the destination. i would not have voted that way I happen to like the vacation experience...live in the moment an all that kind of stuff.
It makes me kind of glad to hear that about people, that means when we help clients plan their vacation, we are part of their experience. That makes it all the more important that we do a good job in finding vacation options to match their dream vacation....we are actually taking the lead in their experience....the will build memories that will last a lifetime (especially if traveling with a family group or close friends), we get to be a part of that. OK, I'll admit it, would I like to be on that ship to see them off and take part of that first toast of that tropical drink...of course, would we like to be there when they first set foot in the lobby of that beautiful all-inclusive resort, when they are handed a glass of champagne and a hot towel ...of course, those scenarios would be fun, it would certainly keep us busy but just knowing we are starting them off on the right path for an experience they may have been dreaming about for a lifetime is satisfaction enough.
So as I write this I am enjoying my own period of Vacation Anticipation, (yes , just like the ballplayer that admits to still having butterflies before he gets to play for the 1000th time in front of thousands of people, that feeling envelopes those of us that have traveled often and deal with it daily).
In a couple of days we embark on a family reunion cruise with all we could round up this time out, it doesn't matter how many of us will be there, there will be more next time, but the anticipation of this vacation has been festering for about 9 months now....will it be better than the actual voyage...probably not, but it has given us 9 months to get closer, talk excitedly about our vacation together and I am sure it will be a memorable trip.
How do you rank VACATION ANTICIPATION?
Let us know, if you don't get it, give us a call and let us start planning your vacation with you....it's contagious, you'll come down with the symptoms of Vacation Anticipation, you know daydreaming, smiling and counting the days on the calendar until it arrives. (don't even get me started with how the kids handle this)
I'll be back with pictures and experiences of our first family reunion cruise in a week or so, but for now, I have to anticipate packing!
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
Saturday, July 23, 2011
All-Inclusive Resorts vs. Cruises : Decisions, Decisions
Are you a cruiser or a resorter? Do you have to be one or the other? Can't you be both?
I have to admit, until last summer I fell into the cruiser category, long dismissing the all-inclusive experiences I had many years ago at Sandals (they only owned 2 properties at the time) and Club Med (hot resorts at the time) for cruise vacations.
Both types of vacation have changed dramatically in the past 10 years, improving on all aspects. gourmet dining - both have it, luxury settings & service - both have it, family accommodations & fun - both have it, it seems that the two have almost morphed into one with the only difference being on the sea or on the beach.
There are all-inclusives to cater to every vacation taste, family, couples, spa experience, even nudist all-inclusives. Cruise vacations of course offer all of these (not sure about a nudist cruise but I'm sure a ship can be chartered to cater to this special interest group, contact me and we'll work on it).
While their offerings are similar in quality as far as accommodations & service there are still differences in the food and the activities.
Although all-inclusives offer some activities i still have to give the nod to the cruise lines, there is always a quality program or experience to join on a cruise , pretty much non-stop and almost around the clock not even include the activities available in the ports of call. The activities offered at the resorts are limited to mostly water sports and whatever excursions you can find in the local vicinity (actually there are a good number of experiences in the Mayan Riviera area that are a lot of fun). The problem is highlighted if the resort is on an island that is beautiful but underdeveloped or just developing a tourist trade, a couple of recent customers commented that the resort was everything it was advertised to be but once outside the gates, they were in the middle of nowhere, a third world country.
Which is a better value? It depends on what you are looking for in a vacation both include accommodations & meals ( trendy specialty restaurants a small extra charge of course). Alcoholic beverages can be the decision point for some when assessing value, the cruise line bar tab can add hundreds of dollars over the course of a 7 day cruise if you're there to party (ok, I have to admit it, we have rung up some hefty bar tabs so I know this from experience). Most All-inclusives feature beverages as part of the package, some top-shelf some not but if that is a goal of your vacation ..you have arrived...this is the way to go for you unless you are able to take a good guess at your drinking fun before you get on the cruise and consider it part of the price.
Again the entertainment offerings give the cruise lines a major advantage, there are some fantastic shows on-board, Broadway plays, Blue Man Group, Cirque de Soleil (the latter two offered on the Norwegian Epic, we have balcony cabins blocked out for this ship on a Mediterranean cruise June 2012, good price locked in if you're interested visit our website www.ShipAhoyCP.com, click on Epic Europe tab). All-inclusive do not even come close to the cruise lines in this regard.
So where does your vacation interest lie? I love cruises but have also come to appreciate and enjoy all-inclusives too depending on what I'd like to do on that specific vacation. Both are great values and fun times.
See my next blog, we just came back from Secrets Capri Mayan Riviera.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
I have to admit, until last summer I fell into the cruiser category, long dismissing the all-inclusive experiences I had many years ago at Sandals (they only owned 2 properties at the time) and Club Med (hot resorts at the time) for cruise vacations.
Both types of vacation have changed dramatically in the past 10 years, improving on all aspects. gourmet dining - both have it, luxury settings & service - both have it, family accommodations & fun - both have it, it seems that the two have almost morphed into one with the only difference being on the sea or on the beach.
There are all-inclusives to cater to every vacation taste, family, couples, spa experience, even nudist all-inclusives. Cruise vacations of course offer all of these (not sure about a nudist cruise but I'm sure a ship can be chartered to cater to this special interest group, contact me and we'll work on it).
While their offerings are similar in quality as far as accommodations & service there are still differences in the food and the activities.
Although all-inclusives offer some activities i still have to give the nod to the cruise lines, there is always a quality program or experience to join on a cruise , pretty much non-stop and almost around the clock not even include the activities available in the ports of call. The activities offered at the resorts are limited to mostly water sports and whatever excursions you can find in the local vicinity (actually there are a good number of experiences in the Mayan Riviera area that are a lot of fun). The problem is highlighted if the resort is on an island that is beautiful but underdeveloped or just developing a tourist trade, a couple of recent customers commented that the resort was everything it was advertised to be but once outside the gates, they were in the middle of nowhere, a third world country.
Which is a better value? It depends on what you are looking for in a vacation both include accommodations & meals ( trendy specialty restaurants a small extra charge of course). Alcoholic beverages can be the decision point for some when assessing value, the cruise line bar tab can add hundreds of dollars over the course of a 7 day cruise if you're there to party (ok, I have to admit it, we have rung up some hefty bar tabs so I know this from experience). Most All-inclusives feature beverages as part of the package, some top-shelf some not but if that is a goal of your vacation ..you have arrived...this is the way to go for you unless you are able to take a good guess at your drinking fun before you get on the cruise and consider it part of the price.
Again the entertainment offerings give the cruise lines a major advantage, there are some fantastic shows on-board, Broadway plays, Blue Man Group, Cirque de Soleil (the latter two offered on the Norwegian Epic, we have balcony cabins blocked out for this ship on a Mediterranean cruise June 2012, good price locked in if you're interested visit our website www.ShipAhoyCP.com, click on Epic Europe tab). All-inclusive do not even come close to the cruise lines in this regard.
So where does your vacation interest lie? I love cruises but have also come to appreciate and enjoy all-inclusives too depending on what I'd like to do on that specific vacation. Both are great values and fun times.
See my next blog, we just came back from Secrets Capri Mayan Riviera.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Avoiding Vacation Surprises (Part II)
Major surprises not withstanding there is always a chance for other surprises to pop-up during your much anticipated trip. A seemingly lesser vacation nightmare but just as traumatic is quite more common. I am talking about losing your valuables while on a ship or at a resort. Your identification, credit cards,camera, cellphone, and all other contents you must travel with that define you (OK, not really define you but you'd be surprised at the sense of loss of one's self albeit temporarily when this happens), can be taken away by the "unsavory element" that may be waiting for you or traveling with you.
Picture it, you're on a beautiful magnificently large floating hotel/city, the dream cruise you and the family have finally sailed on with 3,000 of your soon to be new friends or you have just settled in with your first cocktail on the beach into your posh lounge chair. The kids take off for the amazing youth program, your wife is doing her best to win back the cost of the cruise from the slot machines but you have established the family "turf" on deck or on the beach. Just you, your drink, the lounge chair and beautiful scenery...ahhh...relaxation at last, the only care you have now is the beach bag with the family valuables (credit cards, cash, room keys, camera, $200 sunglasses, you get the picture) in it you have been assigned to guard. How hard can this be?
Fellow passengers or guests if you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, start to pass you with food with amazing aromas, you hear talk of sushi and a chocolate fountain, the lunch buffet is open (finally, it has been what 2 hours since breakfast)...time to partake of the afternoon feast.
The biggest question of the day (besides what is the cocktail du jour of the day), "Do I collect our stuff and lose our family turf, our temporary stonghold by the pool or beach or do I try to sneak off hoping no one is watching me leave our bag of goodies at the chair unattended?" Hmmmm...quite the conundrum (sorry, I just like the word, had to get it in there somewhere).
Cruise line security is pretty good but they cannot possibly be expected watch everything or everybody all the time. All-inclusives have less security and do their best but again they can't watch everything all the time.
When you're on the beach or on a shore excursion in a foreign country you have to be vigilant, no one else is really watching out for you or your belongings, in fact some may be watching you just for the chance to take them.
Losing these items can be a disaster, a nightmare is too nice a word for it, not to mention you have now reversed that relaxing, carefree vacation (and you paid for this?) I have found the beach very challenging, while cruise ships have narrowed the chance by using your room key as a charge and virtually have eliminated the need for cash resorts or "days at the beach" have not.
To avoid the nightmare and more so for piece of mind some sort of waterproof, fanny pack type carrier helps if you like carrying things while taking that swim or snorkel in the crystal clear blue water.I came across an interesting product, developed by a couple of entrepreneurial women that can ease your mind and let you get back to the carefree vacation you so desperately needed. The company they formed is Lock-A-Bye.
They developed a revolutionary locking bag (hand bags, beach bags, etc) that keeps your belonging's safe and secure. They offer bags of various sizes and styles on their website ( http://www.lockabye.com/ ) that have a patented dual locking mechanism that allows you to lock the zipper and secure a cable lined strap to any stationery object. I'm thinking the palm tree next to my favorite Tiki bar or my prime lounge chair poolside on the Lido deck, you can paint the scene yourself.
This product will free me up so I can eat at least two more lunches and desserts on that cruise ship while our belongings are still safe attached to the lounge chair (I'm guessing if someone, even fellow passengers saw someone trying to hack off a leg of a deck chair to get a cabled bag off of it they would speak up or tell a crew member) and I look like the hero to the family by not giving up our family turf. So freedom at last thanks to their invention, check out their website( http://www.lockabye.com/ ) and use PROMO code LAB1299 to receive a 20% discount.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
Picture it, you're on a beautiful magnificently large floating hotel/city, the dream cruise you and the family have finally sailed on with 3,000 of your soon to be new friends or you have just settled in with your first cocktail on the beach into your posh lounge chair. The kids take off for the amazing youth program, your wife is doing her best to win back the cost of the cruise from the slot machines but you have established the family "turf" on deck or on the beach. Just you, your drink, the lounge chair and beautiful scenery...ahhh...relaxation at last, the only care you have now is the beach bag with the family valuables (credit cards, cash, room keys, camera, $200 sunglasses, you get the picture) in it you have been assigned to guard. How hard can this be?
Fellow passengers or guests if you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, start to pass you with food with amazing aromas, you hear talk of sushi and a chocolate fountain, the lunch buffet is open (finally, it has been what 2 hours since breakfast)...time to partake of the afternoon feast.
The biggest question of the day (besides what is the cocktail du jour of the day), "Do I collect our stuff and lose our family turf, our temporary stonghold by the pool or beach or do I try to sneak off hoping no one is watching me leave our bag of goodies at the chair unattended?" Hmmmm...quite the conundrum (sorry, I just like the word, had to get it in there somewhere).
Cruise line security is pretty good but they cannot possibly be expected watch everything or everybody all the time. All-inclusives have less security and do their best but again they can't watch everything all the time.
When you're on the beach or on a shore excursion in a foreign country you have to be vigilant, no one else is really watching out for you or your belongings, in fact some may be watching you just for the chance to take them.
Losing these items can be a disaster, a nightmare is too nice a word for it, not to mention you have now reversed that relaxing, carefree vacation (and you paid for this?) I have found the beach very challenging, while cruise ships have narrowed the chance by using your room key as a charge and virtually have eliminated the need for cash resorts or "days at the beach" have not.
To avoid the nightmare and more so for piece of mind some sort of waterproof, fanny pack type carrier helps if you like carrying things while taking that swim or snorkel in the crystal clear blue water.I came across an interesting product, developed by a couple of entrepreneurial women that can ease your mind and let you get back to the carefree vacation you so desperately needed. The company they formed is Lock-A-Bye.
They developed a revolutionary locking bag (hand bags, beach bags, etc) that keeps your belonging's safe and secure. They offer bags of various sizes and styles on their website ( http://www.lockabye.com/ ) that have a patented dual locking mechanism that allows you to lock the zipper and secure a cable lined strap to any stationery object. I'm thinking the palm tree next to my favorite Tiki bar or my prime lounge chair poolside on the Lido deck, you can paint the scene yourself.
This product will free me up so I can eat at least two more lunches and desserts on that cruise ship while our belongings are still safe attached to the lounge chair (I'm guessing if someone, even fellow passengers saw someone trying to hack off a leg of a deck chair to get a cabled bag off of it they would speak up or tell a crew member) and I look like the hero to the family by not giving up our family turf. So freedom at last thanks to their invention, check out their website( http://www.lockabye.com/ ) and use PROMO code LAB1299 to receive a 20% discount.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
Monday, June 13, 2011
Avoiding Vacation Surprises (Part I)
It's been in the planning stages for months, you've checked every detail over and over again, your vacation will be picture perfect. With great anticipation you are looking over your "to do" list, what you''ll bring with you, how you'll get therer, where you have to be, what you plan to do each day, everything imaginagble is covered. No surprises on this vacation.
Unfortunately many of us find out we could have done a better job before we got on that flight, boarded the ship or arrived at the resort.
Some vacations surprises are great (see my previous blog on our Disney Dream vacation), but some are not, they could ruin your long anticipated trip of a lifetime, the one you researched, saved and talked about for over a year, maybe even longer. Can all surprises, blips in the plans, bumps in the road, etc be avoided? Absolutely not buts most can be, especially the big ones that could turn your dream into a nightmare.
In my earlier days of travel I did not even think of these things, I made my reservation, paid up and set sail. Travel insurance? What's that? I did not have a clue. I would not even think twice about my "no" answer when it was offered to me by the travel agent. "Why bother, worst that can happen is I'm out the price of the vacation right?" SO WRONG!!!
It's funny but that is how most think, including me until recently when a client of ours was ready to go until their teenage daughter suddenly came down with an infection that required hospitalization 2 days before their sailing. Fortunately, they bought the travel insurance so their trip cancellation was covered, they did not lose the $5,000 price of the trip, There are many examples like this. This was travel insurance from an outside vendor ( we offer policies from this company with every vacation), had it been the cruise line insurance that is offered thsi occurence would not have been covered and even with an insurance battle they probably would have lost all of their money. Travel insurance from a source other than the cruise line in most cases will cover many, many more situations and usually costs less (they even cover medical expenses if needed while away, most people's medical benefits do not cover expenses outside the country).
The majority of travelers think the only thing that can happen is a missed flight, lost luggage, and the like but there are many other things that can happen that will ruin their dream, things that just cannot be so easily rationalized away. Particularly medical issues, if you are on a cruise or at a resort in a foreighn country without coverage you could come home (hopefully, well and in one piece), $30,000 or $40,000 in debt due to medical evacuation and care. Okay the biggest argument to this is I am a healthy person this probably will not happen. Great, but what if you are attacking that climbing wall, or dancing the night away in the nightclub and happen to fall, twist an ankle (ladies you looked great in those gowns and heals but it can easily happen), the medical staff on a ship is not equipped in most cases for most of the injuries that can occur. They can stabilize you but if you need major medical attention you will be either evacuated via helicopter or brought to the hospital in the next port.
Most cruise line insurance is piece of mind if you happen to miss the ship.With comprehensive travel insurance from a reputable company (we use Access America) your coverage begins the minute you leave the house until you get back there at the end of the trip. If you have a fender beder on the way to the airport, miss your flight and your ship you are covered, the cruise line will probably not cover a scene like this.
What if your job suddenly does not let you take that vacation you planned and paid for a year ago? Again, vendor insurance can cover this, cruise line insurance, not likely and that would mean you would have to cancel your entire family vacation...the dollars pile up. What if...? You can fill in the blanks, beware, anything can happen while on vacation, why not prepare for it.
Don't let your dream vacation turn into a nightmare vacation, add the cost of travel insurance to your vacation budget right from the start and put your mind at ease so you can enjoy the trip you were so looking forward to.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com/ for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
Unfortunately many of us find out we could have done a better job before we got on that flight, boarded the ship or arrived at the resort.
Some vacations surprises are great (see my previous blog on our Disney Dream vacation), but some are not, they could ruin your long anticipated trip of a lifetime, the one you researched, saved and talked about for over a year, maybe even longer. Can all surprises, blips in the plans, bumps in the road, etc be avoided? Absolutely not buts most can be, especially the big ones that could turn your dream into a nightmare.
In my earlier days of travel I did not even think of these things, I made my reservation, paid up and set sail. Travel insurance? What's that? I did not have a clue. I would not even think twice about my "no" answer when it was offered to me by the travel agent. "Why bother, worst that can happen is I'm out the price of the vacation right?" SO WRONG!!!
It's funny but that is how most think, including me until recently when a client of ours was ready to go until their teenage daughter suddenly came down with an infection that required hospitalization 2 days before their sailing. Fortunately, they bought the travel insurance so their trip cancellation was covered, they did not lose the $5,000 price of the trip, There are many examples like this. This was travel insurance from an outside vendor ( we offer policies from this company with every vacation), had it been the cruise line insurance that is offered thsi occurence would not have been covered and even with an insurance battle they probably would have lost all of their money. Travel insurance from a source other than the cruise line in most cases will cover many, many more situations and usually costs less (they even cover medical expenses if needed while away, most people's medical benefits do not cover expenses outside the country).
The majority of travelers think the only thing that can happen is a missed flight, lost luggage, and the like but there are many other things that can happen that will ruin their dream, things that just cannot be so easily rationalized away. Particularly medical issues, if you are on a cruise or at a resort in a foreighn country without coverage you could come home (hopefully, well and in one piece), $30,000 or $40,000 in debt due to medical evacuation and care. Okay the biggest argument to this is I am a healthy person this probably will not happen. Great, but what if you are attacking that climbing wall, or dancing the night away in the nightclub and happen to fall, twist an ankle (ladies you looked great in those gowns and heals but it can easily happen), the medical staff on a ship is not equipped in most cases for most of the injuries that can occur. They can stabilize you but if you need major medical attention you will be either evacuated via helicopter or brought to the hospital in the next port.
Most cruise line insurance is piece of mind if you happen to miss the ship.With comprehensive travel insurance from a reputable company (we use Access America) your coverage begins the minute you leave the house until you get back there at the end of the trip. If you have a fender beder on the way to the airport, miss your flight and your ship you are covered, the cruise line will probably not cover a scene like this.
What if your job suddenly does not let you take that vacation you planned and paid for a year ago? Again, vendor insurance can cover this, cruise line insurance, not likely and that would mean you would have to cancel your entire family vacation...the dollars pile up. What if...? You can fill in the blanks, beware, anything can happen while on vacation, why not prepare for it.
Don't let your dream vacation turn into a nightmare vacation, add the cost of travel insurance to your vacation budget right from the start and put your mind at ease so you can enjoy the trip you were so looking forward to.
Talk to us, Travel with us, Share with us. We'd love to here from you!!!
Visit our website at http://www.shipahoycp.com/ for more details, sign-up for sales and promotions, find our fanpage on Facebook , Twitter & You Tube (@ShipAhoyCP)
http://www.shipahoycp.com/
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