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!!!
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Tuesday, June 14, 2011
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/
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Living the Dream (Disney Style)
It is finally here! After keeping our trip a secret from the kids for 6 months, the kids peer out the window of our van with a bewildered look as the catch their first sight of the magnificent Disney Dream. They are in shock and are not sure if our complaining about going the wrong way (we were supposed to get to Walt Disney World by now) on the highway blamed on our new GPS is fact or fiction. The astounded, "I can't believe it, pinch me I'm dreaming" look is priceless and has already made the trip memorable before it has really started. The smiles on their faces are suddenly unending. The wheels in their heads start turning and all of a sudden the vacation discussions and plans start to make sense, they've been duped, a late April Fools Day prank, they know we pulled one over on them but are elated about it. Take that know it all kids, hahaha...Mom & Dad can get things done without your knowing after all.
 |
| The Disney Dream |
We were happy to learn about the new Disney ship at least a year ago, we have sailed their others ( the Magic & the Wonder) and while we had great times and many memories from our voyages we look forward to something new. We all watched the building of the ship on Facebook updates, You Tube videos, webinars and e-mails. We already were feeeling a connection to the ship and were proud that our favorite cruise line was building this new "playground at sea" for our enjoyment. As usual Disney did not disappoint.
Check-in was a breeze but of course there is always a log jam of people getting on ships of any kind. If you have ever been to a Disney park you know that keeping lines moving is something they have a lot of practice with, so they have used their experience to break up the boarding process into groups, still not perfect but it did alleviate a crowded gangway and kept things moving. We arrived early as did many others, this ship has generated a lot of excitement and hype, touting the fine Disney product and highlighting the only water roller coaster at sea, the AquaDuck.
The entry way like the rest of the ship is breathtaking, elegance meets Disney. One would hardly think this ship was built for families and children, shimmering chandeliers, finely polished woods, amazing artwork incorporating just enough Disney characters to catch the attention but not too much to take away from the beauty and the detail of the decor. Our first impression...This will be an amazing journey for all ages.
My least favorite part of any cruise (besides leaving at the end of course) is always the first lunch buffet. The buffet is always open when guests begin boarding the ship, pretty much across the board this happens on every cruise line. It is always understandably, a bit confusing and hectic. The ship is new to the majority of guests, not sure where to go or what to do next, excited to finally be on vacation they clamor for the beautifully set up buffet. There is so much to do and so little time seems to be the feel, especially on this ship...we are no exception to this, the kids can't wait to get on the AquaDuck which is already open (ok, I admit it me too) and the anticipation of touring the ship we watched being built is really lifting our energy level. Let's eat and let the games begin. As expected the buffet was plentiful and offered a good variety to fit the tastes of just about anyone. I am immediately drawn to a mountain of shrimp & crab claws kept at a perfect temperature by the hills of ice they were piled on. Of course this was just the tip of the iceberg (no pun intended), the other food was equally good, so much so it was hard to decide where to start. Of course for less sophisticated tastes and for the kids (about 1000 expected on-board I am told), pizza, chicken fingers, pasta and sandwiches beckoned but of course a focal point for many was the dessert section. I see a lot of elliptical machine time ahead after this trip.
Disney (like other lines) in trying to avoid long buffet lines encourage guests to go to the buffet section of their choice, no need to stand in line for the whole thing if you did not want anything from that section. A good idea but in reality it doesn't seem to work well, it creates a little bit of chaos and some guests are either a bit rude , not knowing where to cut in and some not used to this feel like people are jumping front of them on line. Old habits are hard to break, believe it or not people want to stand in line (or so it seems).
After lunch we set off on our tour of the ship.Kids of all ages cannot help being excited and elated about this ship. The small children's area, tucked neatly in the shade next to the pool area brings Disney's Finding Nemo to life, it looks like so much fun that even the older children (over 9) want to go in the enclosed area to play. This is the "fun" deck where pools, play areas, slides, the AquaDuck and the amazingly large video screen are located, a dream come true for children whose smiles were shining ear to ear.
The artwork around the ship is striking, a good mix of animation art, sketches and paintings, Disney themed, some subtle some right off of the animators easel. Some of the artwork is interactive, that sounds mundane but it brings a smile to everyone who catches it. There are paintings that move, "...did that mickey just blink?" and change before your eyes.After a few cocktails playing tricks on unsuspecting friends with these could make you laugh for days.
There is even a fun family scavenger hunt type game played on board that gives clues to solving a mystery the player finds the piece of art, stands in front of it just right and activates the artwork, revealing an animated vingnette and a clue, this hunt takes you all around the ship, a lot of walking but is a great way to get accustomed to the ship and see the wonderful detail they have built intro the ship.
The journey begins.
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