When folks find out that I have been on more than 30 cruises they always ask, “What’s your favorite cruise?” I always tell them—“My next one!”
Over the years Linda and I have cruised in Tahitian waters, through the Mediterranean, down the coast of South America, and nearly everywhere in the Caribbean and Mexico. We’ve taken a group of friends to the Holy Land, and our extended family to the Western Med. And, oh yes we’ve escorted cruises to Alaska and in the Caribbean. And in almost every instance, each cruise experience had something completely unique and exciting.
Now that more and more folks have cruised on the more “traditional” routes in the Caribbean, Mexico or Alaska, they’re starting to look at expanding their cruising world to nearly every horizon. The expansion of river cruises in Europe and China have created an entirely new group of cruises who enjoy the small ship ambiance and the ability to inter-react with the cultures where they visit. New Mega-ships like the Oasis of the Seas are making the ship the destination, with port calls as only a mild diversion from the enjoyment of the world’s largest floating resort. In short, the world of cruising has undergone an explosion of different options almost everywhere in the world.
Nearly everybody we know agrees that a benefit of a cruise vacation is the anticipation of a great new travel adventure. Some people become scholars and do graduate level research to be armed with knowledge about where they are going on their cruise, and what they want to see. Others are more content with adding just the right resort clothes to their wardrobes so they can “look sharp” in their shipboard attire. Everyone has just a little different take on their own personal approach to a cruise.
The key to maximizing that next great cruise adventure is to take advantage of the resources available through companies like Cruise Holidays of Woodinville. Certainly, it’s possible to book a cruise online—but is that the best way? Often if a consumer is booking directly with a cruise line, that cruise line is only interested in selling their own products and the best interest of the consumer is often secondary. Our cruise and vacation counselors offer much more in the way of choice and options, looking for the perfect fit and best value for our valued customers. I’ve always said, “the cheapest cruise price often isn’t the best value, but it takes expert assistance to know the difference.”
Showing posts with label cruises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cruises. Show all posts
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Azamara Cruise - Day 4 St. Johns
We awoke to the Journey edging its way into Cruz Bay, a part of St. John one of the three major islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas and St. Croix the other two). St John’s is blessed with some of the world’s best beaches and a great deal of natural jungle-like flora and fauna. Another nice thing about being aboard a smaller vessel is that we had no wait in boarding a ship’s tender to go ashore.
Cruz Bay is a small town with shops mostly for the tourist trade. Ferries bring cruise passengers from the larger ships which dock in St. Thomas. We rode with guests from Princess’s Emerald Princess on a taxi ride from Trunk Bay.
After visiting the Virgin Island National Park headquarters for some guidance on trails and beaches, we decided to take a taxi—make that a large pick-up truck with seats in the converted cargo bed—to visit Trunk Bay. We also stopped in Caneel Bay because a couple of our taxi passengers were undecided where they wanted to go. The parking lot for Caneel Bay is next to the ruins of an old sugar mill which is now part of the grounds for a large Westin resort hotel.
After traversing a narrow and winding road along the coast we arrived at Trunk Bay, passing Hawks Nest Beach along the way. Each setting for the various beaches included beautiful turquoise water and white sand beaches. A major attraction for Trunk Bay is the underwater snorkel trail which is part of the park at the beach. Linda and I “snorkeled up” and hit the water. Lots of swimmers were in the water and a lifeguard telling people to stay off the reef and not stand on the rocks. The snorkeling was excellent with lots of colorful fish, coral, sea anemones and a fishing pelican. The underwater signs explained the various types of fish and the coral.
After a little shopping, and a t-shirt purchase-we headed back to the Journey. The ship had announced that we would have a pool-side barbecue that evening. Unlike most other on-deck barbecues this one was something very different. Around 5 o’clock serving tables were set up and a big surprise was readied. The Executive Chef had gone ashore and had purchased fresh fish from local fishermen. The star of the show was a 15 pound Mahi Mahi. Kind of a homely fish, but boy was it tasty when barbecued and pan fried.
Linda, who is a salad lover by nature, was blown away with the salad selections on the barbecue. She had heart of palm with avocado, quinoa with artichoke hearts and melon ceviche which had fresh shrimp, lobster and scallops along with watermelon. Jerked Chicken, lamb chops, squid steaks, and fresh red snapper filets were also served. A display of local fish was included along the buffet table, complete with signs to identify them. Bottom line was this was the best shipboard barbecue we’re ever experienced—including a couple of six-star cruise lines!
I can honestly say that the Journey and Azamara continue to surpass our expectations for quality and service. So far our Journey on the Journey has been exciting. Tomorrow is St. Martin and Marigot.
Note to future travelers: It is well worth purchasing snorkel and fins at home and bringing them with you. The price and inconvenience of renting those items makes carrying your own well worth the effort if you like to snorkel. (not to mention the sanitation issues.)
Cruz Bay is a small town with shops mostly for the tourist trade. Ferries bring cruise passengers from the larger ships which dock in St. Thomas. We rode with guests from Princess’s Emerald Princess on a taxi ride from Trunk Bay.
After visiting the Virgin Island National Park headquarters for some guidance on trails and beaches, we decided to take a taxi—make that a large pick-up truck with seats in the converted cargo bed—to visit Trunk Bay. We also stopped in Caneel Bay because a couple of our taxi passengers were undecided where they wanted to go. The parking lot for Caneel Bay is next to the ruins of an old sugar mill which is now part of the grounds for a large Westin resort hotel.
After traversing a narrow and winding road along the coast we arrived at Trunk Bay, passing Hawks Nest Beach along the way. Each setting for the various beaches included beautiful turquoise water and white sand beaches. A major attraction for Trunk Bay is the underwater snorkel trail which is part of the park at the beach. Linda and I “snorkeled up” and hit the water. Lots of swimmers were in the water and a lifeguard telling people to stay off the reef and not stand on the rocks. The snorkeling was excellent with lots of colorful fish, coral, sea anemones and a fishing pelican. The underwater signs explained the various types of fish and the coral.
After a little shopping, and a t-shirt purchase-we headed back to the Journey. The ship had announced that we would have a pool-side barbecue that evening. Unlike most other on-deck barbecues this one was something very different. Around 5 o’clock serving tables were set up and a big surprise was readied. The Executive Chef had gone ashore and had purchased fresh fish from local fishermen. The star of the show was a 15 pound Mahi Mahi. Kind of a homely fish, but boy was it tasty when barbecued and pan fried.
Linda, who is a salad lover by nature, was blown away with the salad selections on the barbecue. She had heart of palm with avocado, quinoa with artichoke hearts and melon ceviche which had fresh shrimp, lobster and scallops along with watermelon. Jerked Chicken, lamb chops, squid steaks, and fresh red snapper filets were also served. A display of local fish was included along the buffet table, complete with signs to identify them. Bottom line was this was the best shipboard barbecue we’re ever experienced—including a couple of six-star cruise lines!
I can honestly say that the Journey and Azamara continue to surpass our expectations for quality and service. So far our Journey on the Journey has been exciting. Tomorrow is St. Martin and Marigot.
Note to future travelers: It is well worth purchasing snorkel and fins at home and bringing them with you. The price and inconvenience of renting those items makes carrying your own well worth the effort if you like to snorkel. (not to mention the sanitation issues.)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Cold Weather Spurs Dreams of Warm Getaways
8 December 2009
Cold Canadian air had everybody bundling up to keep warm. For those of us who sell cruises and vacations in warm and wonderful places, the weather was a positive. People start planning their vacations when it’s coooold outside!
We have a few holiday travelers who soon will be departing for their escapes in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico. They can be certain that the temperature will be in the 1980s, and the beach sand will be white and inviting. In their destinations they will find holiday decorations with a tropical flair suitable for Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts.
Tonight we will hear news about the biggest cruise ship ever built—Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, and get a first-hand account of its debut activities in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We’ll report more on this tomorrow.
Cold Canadian air had everybody bundling up to keep warm. For those of us who sell cruises and vacations in warm and wonderful places, the weather was a positive. People start planning their vacations when it’s coooold outside!
We have a few holiday travelers who soon will be departing for their escapes in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico. They can be certain that the temperature will be in the 1980s, and the beach sand will be white and inviting. In their destinations they will find holiday decorations with a tropical flair suitable for Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts.
Tonight we will hear news about the biggest cruise ship ever built—Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, and get a first-hand account of its debut activities in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We’ll report more on this tomorrow.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Oasis of the Seas Makes First Caribbean Cruise
4 December 2009
This morning I was looking at the internet story about the first revenue sailing of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas on Saturday. For some reason they wanted to make comparisons to the Titanic—even though the Oasis if four times larger and packed with 21st century safety equipment.
There’s little doubt the Oasis will have it fans and its detractors. Fans included those who were enamored about the ship’s seven different neighborhoods, it’s full length zip line, its open air aqua theatre and its indoor balconies. The detractors just couldn’t get over its size. They didn’t think it looked attractive, and they were aghast at having to rub shoulders with 6,000 other passengers. However, from the general tone, these were folks who don’t like cruising even if they ever took one!
Remember the introduction of the first 747 when no airport was thought to be able to handle them, nor could they deal with the more than 300 passengers the giant jet could carry. Somehow it all worked out and travel by 747 or its even larger airbus competitor is now routine. The same can be said for the Oasis, because Royal Caribbean has spent more than a billion dollar in building and planning for the ship’s entry into service. Sure they may have a few hiccups, but their plan looks like a good one for handling any potential problem.
Welcome to the Oasis, we’ll be getting a first hand report on introduction activities at the Cruise Holidays of Woodinville store at 6PM on December 8th by the Pacific Northwest Regional Sales director for RCI, Vikki Knudsen. Space is still available for this event.
This morning I was looking at the internet story about the first revenue sailing of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas on Saturday. For some reason they wanted to make comparisons to the Titanic—even though the Oasis if four times larger and packed with 21st century safety equipment.
There’s little doubt the Oasis will have it fans and its detractors. Fans included those who were enamored about the ship’s seven different neighborhoods, it’s full length zip line, its open air aqua theatre and its indoor balconies. The detractors just couldn’t get over its size. They didn’t think it looked attractive, and they were aghast at having to rub shoulders with 6,000 other passengers. However, from the general tone, these were folks who don’t like cruising even if they ever took one!
Remember the introduction of the first 747 when no airport was thought to be able to handle them, nor could they deal with the more than 300 passengers the giant jet could carry. Somehow it all worked out and travel by 747 or its even larger airbus competitor is now routine. The same can be said for the Oasis, because Royal Caribbean has spent more than a billion dollar in building and planning for the ship’s entry into service. Sure they may have a few hiccups, but their plan looks like a good one for handling any potential problem.
Welcome to the Oasis, we’ll be getting a first hand report on introduction activities at the Cruise Holidays of Woodinville store at 6PM on December 8th by the Pacific Northwest Regional Sales director for RCI, Vikki Knudsen. Space is still available for this event.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Holidays Time to Recharge
1 December 2009
At today’s Cruise Holidays of Woodinville sales meeting the discussion of the office Christmas Party came into discussion. Apart from setting a date, this is an event which is eagerly anticipated. It’s an occasion when we can celebrate the hard work of a past year with co-workers.
Many of the customers of our business look at their cruise or land vacation as their own time for celebration. Through the celebratory process, personal energy is often recharged. Rest, fun and a little pampering can work miracles in this era of super fast, high stress life styles. We all need a little time for getting our attitudes adjusted by stepping away from the pressures of our day to day existence.
One of the nice things about the Holidays is that most everybody seems to be in good spirits and their attitude is contagious. Whether on a luxury cruise, on an exotic beach or someplace you’ve always wanted to be, it’s almost a certainty you’ll fill up your personal battery reservoir and be ready to smack down whatever challenges might come your way after the holidays end.
At today’s Cruise Holidays of Woodinville sales meeting the discussion of the office Christmas Party came into discussion. Apart from setting a date, this is an event which is eagerly anticipated. It’s an occasion when we can celebrate the hard work of a past year with co-workers.
Many of the customers of our business look at their cruise or land vacation as their own time for celebration. Through the celebratory process, personal energy is often recharged. Rest, fun and a little pampering can work miracles in this era of super fast, high stress life styles. We all need a little time for getting our attitudes adjusted by stepping away from the pressures of our day to day existence.
One of the nice things about the Holidays is that most everybody seems to be in good spirits and their attitude is contagious. Whether on a luxury cruise, on an exotic beach or someplace you’ve always wanted to be, it’s almost a certainty you’ll fill up your personal battery reservoir and be ready to smack down whatever challenges might come your way after the holidays end.
Post Thanksgiving Day Thoughts
28 November 2009
Yesterday the games store in our shopping complex was open bright and early to take advantage of “Black Friday” They had all of their Christmas decorations up and even had a few door-buster specials to lure in their customers. And, it looked to me like quite a few customers could be seen in the parking lot with new games under their arms.
It’s funny how the concept of pre-dawn sales has become so much of a magnet in our society. I guess the lure of a 50 inch plasma television, or a 2 karat diamond—or the latest computer game release has appeal to a certain group of consumers. In this economy, value shopping has become king.
In the cruise and vacation business we often find kind of the counter-culture consumer who is more interested in getting away from shopping madness and finding the perfect getaway. All of us need a little recharging from time to time and these folks relish the thought of a sanity break on a fabulous cruise ship or a wonderful beach resort. And, some like to combine shopping with their break, and they have lots of choices to accomplish their mission either onboard or in markets in places far from their local mall.
It’s great to have the Christmas season officially underway—everyone seems to have more twinkles in their attitude, and we like that.
Yesterday the games store in our shopping complex was open bright and early to take advantage of “Black Friday” They had all of their Christmas decorations up and even had a few door-buster specials to lure in their customers. And, it looked to me like quite a few customers could be seen in the parking lot with new games under their arms.
It’s funny how the concept of pre-dawn sales has become so much of a magnet in our society. I guess the lure of a 50 inch plasma television, or a 2 karat diamond—or the latest computer game release has appeal to a certain group of consumers. In this economy, value shopping has become king.
In the cruise and vacation business we often find kind of the counter-culture consumer who is more interested in getting away from shopping madness and finding the perfect getaway. All of us need a little recharging from time to time and these folks relish the thought of a sanity break on a fabulous cruise ship or a wonderful beach resort. And, some like to combine shopping with their break, and they have lots of choices to accomplish their mission either onboard or in markets in places far from their local mall.
It’s great to have the Christmas season officially underway—everyone seems to have more twinkles in their attitude, and we like that.
Happy Thanksgiving
25 November 2009
There’s little doubt that 2009 has been a really tough year for nearly everybody. We felt helpless to do much to try and change the mindset of our customers who were intimidated by the avalanche of news that painted nothing but doom and gloom.
We noted a turning point last June when low prices and pent-up demand seemed to reach a tipping point. Instead of folks planning a cruise six to nine months in advance, we saw customers buying cruises six to nine weeks in advance and sometimes even closer in! We saw a rush which was heartening to our business survival. And even better news, for us, consumer booking patterns are looking more like the traditional model as cruise lines and land based-resorts are offering early booking deals to capture early commitment from vacation buyers!
This is a time of the year to dwell on giving thanks. Cruise Holidays of Woodinville was thrilled to be selected as part of the President’s Circle for 2009, giving us top 20 store status for the year. Both Steve and I give thanks that the folks who work at Cruise Holidays of Woodinville are dedicated travel professionals who are committed to delivering great customer service.
It’s our hope that our Thanksgiving thanks for 2009 will be dwarfed by the potential we see for a great 2010, and we wish that for everyone who comes in contact with us.
There’s little doubt that 2009 has been a really tough year for nearly everybody. We felt helpless to do much to try and change the mindset of our customers who were intimidated by the avalanche of news that painted nothing but doom and gloom.
We noted a turning point last June when low prices and pent-up demand seemed to reach a tipping point. Instead of folks planning a cruise six to nine months in advance, we saw customers buying cruises six to nine weeks in advance and sometimes even closer in! We saw a rush which was heartening to our business survival. And even better news, for us, consumer booking patterns are looking more like the traditional model as cruise lines and land based-resorts are offering early booking deals to capture early commitment from vacation buyers!
This is a time of the year to dwell on giving thanks. Cruise Holidays of Woodinville was thrilled to be selected as part of the President’s Circle for 2009, giving us top 20 store status for the year. Both Steve and I give thanks that the folks who work at Cruise Holidays of Woodinville are dedicated travel professionals who are committed to delivering great customer service.
It’s our hope that our Thanksgiving thanks for 2009 will be dwarfed by the potential we see for a great 2010, and we wish that for everyone who comes in contact with us.
Optimism Abounds as Cruise Industry Adds Two
24 November 2009
Maybe you caught the hoopla surrounding the arrival of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Holding more than 5,000 passengers this 220,000 ton megaship has seven neighborhoods instead of mundane decks. So far the reviews have been over the top in praise for this innovative new ship.
Royal’s biggest competitor, Carnival also brought its newest ship, the Dream into operation with a New York arrival. And, early reports sound very good about what this ship features for cruise vacationers.
Between them, they represent more than 8,000 passengers a week. The two biggest cruise companies are confident they can fill their new additions. That’s good news for consumers because prices should remain at their current value levels for the foreseeable future.
Maybe you caught the hoopla surrounding the arrival of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Holding more than 5,000 passengers this 220,000 ton megaship has seven neighborhoods instead of mundane decks. So far the reviews have been over the top in praise for this innovative new ship.
Royal’s biggest competitor, Carnival also brought its newest ship, the Dream into operation with a New York arrival. And, early reports sound very good about what this ship features for cruise vacationers.
Between them, they represent more than 8,000 passengers a week. The two biggest cruise companies are confident they can fill their new additions. That’s good news for consumers because prices should remain at their current value levels for the foreseeable future.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Exotic Destinations a Trend
19 November 2009
Yesterday one of our regular customers booked a cruise from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile—a 12-day voyage around the bottom of South America. He’s going in February which is peak summertime in the destination. Some of his stops include Montevideo, Uruguay, the Falkland Islands and Ushuaia, Argentina (the world’s southernmost city), as well as a passage through the Straits of Magellan, before ending in Santiago, Chile.
While his itinerary is rather routine for a South America cruise, it is symbolic of a larger trend of cruisers who want to visit more unusual places on their cruise vacation. And the cruise lines are adding new destinations at a record pace to satisfy the increased in interest in new ports to visit and experience. New additions might be Longyearben Island in the far north, or a port in Greenland, or Iceland. The options continue to expand for 2010.
Other places seeing significant expansion include cruises to Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Greece and Italy, or to the Black Sea and the Crimea. With the growth in fleet size the cruise lines are scrambling to find places they can send their older ships that will keep them full, and the winner is all of us.
While these more exotic cruises are becoming more prevalent, they do tend to be longer and a little more complex to book and experience. They might require special visas, inoculations, or other details, but, with enough planning time, none of those things is a problem.
Yesterday one of our regular customers booked a cruise from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile—a 12-day voyage around the bottom of South America. He’s going in February which is peak summertime in the destination. Some of his stops include Montevideo, Uruguay, the Falkland Islands and Ushuaia, Argentina (the world’s southernmost city), as well as a passage through the Straits of Magellan, before ending in Santiago, Chile.
While his itinerary is rather routine for a South America cruise, it is symbolic of a larger trend of cruisers who want to visit more unusual places on their cruise vacation. And the cruise lines are adding new destinations at a record pace to satisfy the increased in interest in new ports to visit and experience. New additions might be Longyearben Island in the far north, or a port in Greenland, or Iceland. The options continue to expand for 2010.
Other places seeing significant expansion include cruises to Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Greece and Italy, or to the Black Sea and the Crimea. With the growth in fleet size the cruise lines are scrambling to find places they can send their older ships that will keep them full, and the winner is all of us.
While these more exotic cruises are becoming more prevalent, they do tend to be longer and a little more complex to book and experience. They might require special visas, inoculations, or other details, but, with enough planning time, none of those things is a problem.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Water Slides, Zip Lines, Outdoor Aqua Theatres and Rooms for Five
18 November 2009
The new Carnival Dream has a 300 foot long waterslide in its onboard Aqua Park, the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas features both a bow to stern zip line along the top of the ship and the first outdoor performance aqua theatre in cruise history. But, even with these amazing bells and whistles, more mundane improvements such as staterooms holding five people and two bathroom staterooms may have a bigger impact on customer preference for the future.
Ever since Ted Arison, founder of Carnival Cruise Line pioneered the “build it and they will come” theory of cruise line expansion in the 1980s, the industry has invested billions of dollars in new and exciting ships, as well as a slightly lesser amount in the retrofitting of older ships with updates and improvements. And, while the big boys like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are bringing out their latest mega-ships, top-end luxury cruise lines such as Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruises have also upped the ante with new and exciting additions to their own fleets.
Bottom line is that the consumer today has more choice and value than ever before and the cruising industry is banking on that strategy for the long-term. What’s next, who can say, but it will probably be pretty exciting if the past is any indication.
Anybody in the Woodinville home area of Cruise Holidays of Woodinville is invited to hear more about Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas debut in a special story event on December 8th from 6-7:30 PM. Vikki Knudsen, regional sales manager for Royal Caribbean will bring her first-hand account of the inaugural activities for the world’s largest cruise ship. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend.
The new Carnival Dream has a 300 foot long waterslide in its onboard Aqua Park, the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas features both a bow to stern zip line along the top of the ship and the first outdoor performance aqua theatre in cruise history. But, even with these amazing bells and whistles, more mundane improvements such as staterooms holding five people and two bathroom staterooms may have a bigger impact on customer preference for the future.
Ever since Ted Arison, founder of Carnival Cruise Line pioneered the “build it and they will come” theory of cruise line expansion in the 1980s, the industry has invested billions of dollars in new and exciting ships, as well as a slightly lesser amount in the retrofitting of older ships with updates and improvements. And, while the big boys like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are bringing out their latest mega-ships, top-end luxury cruise lines such as Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruises have also upped the ante with new and exciting additions to their own fleets.
Bottom line is that the consumer today has more choice and value than ever before and the cruising industry is banking on that strategy for the long-term. What’s next, who can say, but it will probably be pretty exciting if the past is any indication.
Anybody in the Woodinville home area of Cruise Holidays of Woodinville is invited to hear more about Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas debut in a special story event on December 8th from 6-7:30 PM. Vikki Knudsen, regional sales manager for Royal Caribbean will bring her first-hand account of the inaugural activities for the world’s largest cruise ship. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Live Longer, and Better—Cruise More
17 November 2009
This morning one of the internet feature articles was about “things men should do to prevent premature aging.” The story recommended cutting out fat, salt, sugar and alcohol as a strategy to keep aging at bay. It also recommended keeping an even temper and getting enough rest to keep harmful chemicals from entering your bloodstream.
The thought struck me that while a healthy diet and eating might not be a primary reason for taking a cruise, the maintenance of a good and restful attitude certainly is. And, with spa menus, special diets, great workout facilities etc. it certainly is possible to maintain a healthy approach to dining and exercise with only a minimal effort. The total impact of a cruise vacation is mirrored by industry statistic which, for more than 25 years, has shown a better than 90% satisfaction rate with quality of a cruise vacation.
So, not only is a cruise a great value, it’s great therapy as well. Just another reason why cruising is a great choice for a rejuvenating vacation.
This morning one of the internet feature articles was about “things men should do to prevent premature aging.” The story recommended cutting out fat, salt, sugar and alcohol as a strategy to keep aging at bay. It also recommended keeping an even temper and getting enough rest to keep harmful chemicals from entering your bloodstream.
The thought struck me that while a healthy diet and eating might not be a primary reason for taking a cruise, the maintenance of a good and restful attitude certainly is. And, with spa menus, special diets, great workout facilities etc. it certainly is possible to maintain a healthy approach to dining and exercise with only a minimal effort. The total impact of a cruise vacation is mirrored by industry statistic which, for more than 25 years, has shown a better than 90% satisfaction rate with quality of a cruise vacation.
So, not only is a cruise a great value, it’s great therapy as well. Just another reason why cruising is a great choice for a rejuvenating vacation.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
All-Inclusives are Great Vacation Option
14 November 2009
One of the reasons that cruises have grown so much in popularity is partially due to their inclusive nature and the value that represents. Meals, entertainment, and other goodies are often seen as great reasons for taking a cruise vacation—especially in the light of how meal, hotel and theatre prices have escalated over the past decade or so.
But, apart from cruise ships, many land-based resorts are also going the route of the all-inclusive. Many great new resorts in places like Mexico and the Caribbean have captured a lot of vacation business with the emphasis on one price pays for everything. Some places in Mexico even offer free land excursions to local attractions and privileges at sister resorts in the area.
One cruise line that has embraced the all-inclusive proposition is Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Because they operate in the luxury end of the business they have recently added free shore excursions and onboard beverages to their complimentary list. There’s little doubt that the attraction of inclusivity has a strong appeal for many value seeking vacationers, and why not?
One of the reasons that cruises have grown so much in popularity is partially due to their inclusive nature and the value that represents. Meals, entertainment, and other goodies are often seen as great reasons for taking a cruise vacation—especially in the light of how meal, hotel and theatre prices have escalated over the past decade or so.
But, apart from cruise ships, many land-based resorts are also going the route of the all-inclusive. Many great new resorts in places like Mexico and the Caribbean have captured a lot of vacation business with the emphasis on one price pays for everything. Some places in Mexico even offer free land excursions to local attractions and privileges at sister resorts in the area.
One cruise line that has embraced the all-inclusive proposition is Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Because they operate in the luxury end of the business they have recently added free shore excursions and onboard beverages to their complimentary list. There’s little doubt that the attraction of inclusivity has a strong appeal for many value seeking vacationers, and why not?
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