Here are some other things to consider if you are considering a vacation and the thought of a river cruise has even quickly passed through your imagination.

• You visit inland destinations in some lovely parts of the world.  Europe, Russia and the Ukraine, Egypt, China, Viet Nam just to name the most popular.
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• You dock in the middle of the towns and villages you visit.  You are conveniently “in town” when you arrive. 
• You have a change of scenery the whole time you are sailing.
• It is a leisurely and casual environment onboard.
• You have no crowds forming endless lines.
• All staterooms and suites are river view rooms.
• Luxury and beautiful decor surround you.
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• River sailing vessels average about 150 passengers.
• Walking on and off the vessels is so easy.  No security, no immigration departments to hassle you.
• No “sea” sickness!  The rivers are quite calm and the vessels have little to no movement while sailing.
• Shore Excursions in each stop are included.
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• Many other amenities included and it varies from cruise line to cruise line but include gratuities, wine with lunch and dinner, soft drinks and specialty coffees.

Now, if that doesn’t convince you then give me a call!  I’ll give you some options that I know you will love!  (561-776-1667)

We are thrilled with the new logo and especially our new tag line: “Dream Vacations Start Here”!  It has been a year since we announced we were venturing more into the world of land vacations with resorts, tours and even villas all over the world.  During the past year we have strived to learn this new dimension of the travel industry.

It has been wonderful meeting with representatives of tour companies and resort groups as well as participating in a number of online trainings.  It is wonderful that the internet has provided a way for us to do the training without having to leave our office!

Now the exciting part has begun, and that is the pleasure of planning vacations that are on land as well as at sea!!  Give us a call so we can help you start planning your “dream vacation”!!

Next, you get your pick of peak dates. You may or may not want to travel during the Fourth of July. Many people get this as an extra day added to their vacation meaning they save a vacation day for later so this is the time period they select. Also, groups do fill hotels and ships quite early as well.

The next reason to book early is to get the best deals! True, some ships and resorts throw cheap deals out at the last minute, but you have to take what is “left over” on those. If you book early you will get the best value in the long run. Things like reduced deposits, onboard credits or special resort amenities are usually out there in the beginning of the booking season and gone later.

Lastly and probably most importantly of all…book early and have it paid off entirely before you ever leave home!! Wow how good would it feel to know you are paid in full before you ever shut your suitcase to begin your journey! This will also give you a bit of extra spending money for fun!

There are lots of SALES going on all fall for those summer vacations so what are you waiting for! We would even be happy to make some suggestions on where to go!

You may need a letter from your physician if you have any hardware in your body or if you have had certain radiology procedures in the recent past that could cause problems with airport security.

Prescriptions should be kept in their original containers.  Take a medical history and prescription medication list along with you.  It should be kept along with your passport in a secure holder.  You should also take along a copy of your eyeglass prescription just in case of losing or breaking a pair of glasses.

Travel protection insurance is always recommended as well.  Some countries require proof of medical insurance when entering.  These policies also cover a multitude of other things as well for example lost baggage, car rental, legal assistance, lost passport assistance and much more.

You have probably waited a long time and done lots of planning and dreaming about your vacation.  Peace of mind is being prepared just in case you should need it!  Bon Voyage!

Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries you are visiting.  You will be subject to their laws.  Deal with only authorized agents when exchanging money or purchasing antiques or art.  Photographing certain sites may be illegal, so it is in your best interest to know these restrictions before you get there.

The State Department issues Travel Warnings and Public Announcements which advise on terrorist threats and other short-term conditions.  Be sure you go to government websites and do your own research before your travel.  Also, watch out for current situations that can occur during your travels.

Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and never accept packages from strangers.  Do not go anywhere alone with strangers.  Keep your eyes open and watch what is going on around you.  You can still enjoy the new scenery and sights even with a watchful eye.

Enjoy, but be safe first and foremost!

Passports are still not required of cruise passengers who are sailing a closed loop cruise from any US port (beginning and ending in the same US port) at this time.  They are allowed to travel using a certified copy of their birth certificate and a government issued photo id. 

HOWEVER, if they should have to fly home for any given emergency they will have huge problems!!  If they should miss their ship and need to catch up at the next port they cannot fly.  There are any number of things that could occur and actually do occur to travelers where a passport is absolutely necessary!

Take my advice, spend the money, take the time and trouble and get your passport anytime you plan to leave the country!  Not only that, but make sure it is valid for 6 months past when you plan to return.  Make 2 copies of your passport identification page.  Keep one copy with you along with an extra photo.  This will help you should your passport be lost or stolen.  The other copy along with your itinerary should be left with a family member or a friend who you should list as your emergency contact person. 

Be sure to report any lost or stolen passports as quickly as possible!

There is more info on www.travel.state.gov/passport that you should also take a look at.  There are passport cards available too, but probably won’t work well for vacationers.

Be safe and smart, nor sorry!!  Get your passport!

Let’s see if we can give you a few tips to get there with everything you need. (Notice I said need not want)

• Everyone know to keep your medications, jewelry, and electronics with you in a carry on!  With the jewelry, don’t take what you don’t want to lose!  Also, leave the big flashy pieces at home as well.
• Make a plan and stick to it.  Plan your wardrobe, make a list.  Figure out how to wear each piece taken in at least 2 different ways.  Picking clothes that coordinate together around complimentary colors will help.
• Keep your travel kit in a waterproof case.  Keep it stocked and be sure to follow airline rules if you don’t want it confiscated.
• Iron everything before packing it.  Roll your pieces if possible.
• When placing in your luggage, interlocking pieces will cushion them and keep wrinkles to a minimum.
• Always place heavy items at the bottom.  Shoes, hairdryers, travel kits will fit at the bottom and in corners which will also keep your clothes from shifting.
• Pack as tightly as you can.  Don’t waste precious space!  This also will keep those wrinkles from occurring.  Using dry cleaning bags between layers will also help.

Don’t stress, be happy and have fun!  Packing doesn’t have to be a chore.  You can arrive ready to enjoy!

These luxury cruise lines already boast itineraries that are much more destination oriented than the mass market and premium lines.  Many are staying overnight in the more popular ports to allow passengers to be able to immerse themselves into the experience.  Some even offer shore excursions that do overnights as well.

Luxury cruise lines are also changing their dress codes. With elegant casual being the acceptable dress onboard passengers no longer are required to bring evening gowns and tuxedos onboard.  Dress is more toward the comfortable mode for both daytime and evening wear.

Dining options are open and varied on all of the luxury ships.  Italian, Asian, French and Steak are among some of the varieties available onboard these days.  Reservations are required at some, but many are open and passengers come whenever they want and dine with whomever they choose.

Educational programs are a very important factor for many luxury cruise lines.  You will find classes in photography, oceanography, computers, wine, and even cooking classes.  Passengers seem to really enjoy these programs and many sail only on ships that offer them.

Ahh and then there is the pampering and relaxation element of a luxury cruise.  The spa programs are very much improved onboard these days.  Some of the world’s finest spa resorts are now on many luxury ships.  Passengers can enjoy the finest in pampering and relaxation even at sea.

These luxury cruise lines already boast itineraries that are much more destination oriented than the mass market and premium lines.  Many are staying overnight in the more popular ports to allow passengers to be able to immerse themselves into the experience.  Some even offer shore excursions that do overnights as well.

Luxury cruises are moving to become such a good value for passengers.  When they stop and look at all that is included, they see what they are going to get up front and appreciate this value by purchasing this level of cruise vacation.

It’s A Small World Nursery for kids 3 months to 3 years is inspired by the classic Disney attraction.  This nursery is at an additional charge.  This gives parents the time to enjoy their own world out and about on the ship.  Reservations for It’s A Small World can be made online before the cruise begins.

Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab operate from 9 am to midnight for kids 3 to 10 years of age.  Here they can immerse themselves in the imaginative worlds that only Disney can create.  They can perform on a stage, play games and enjoy a very wide variety of activities that are completely supervised.  With play areas, a reading area, stage area, play structures, a giant TV screen, along with a media room, animator’s studio, craft studio and much more, kids will be having so much fun with their peers that they won’t even miss the adults!

Edge, for tweens, this area features a vast array of hi-tech fun!  With a wide array of activities for those 11-13 year old cruisers, these tweens will much prefer this area to being around their parents!!  It si  this area that kids can see out, but fellow cruisers can’t see in!  With 3 port holes tweens can see silhouetted views of AquaDuck riders as they zoom past in the water coaster’s tube as it winds through the forward funnel.  Also in this area tweens are invited to become the stars of the show through the use of state of the art video technology, they can superimpose their image in both photo postcards and video karaoke, ensuring an unforgettable immersive experience unlike any other.

Vibe is the exclusive area for teens 14-17 years old.  This private area is a hip hotspot.  There is a trendy indoor lounge and a breezy outdoor deck where teens can watch television, play videogames, listen to music, surf the internet and enjoy fun activities designed only for them.

There are 2 other areas for family entertainment onboard.  D Lounge is a family club and lounge.  Families are invited to sing, dance, play games and enjoy live entertainment together!  Then there is ARR-cade where families can get their “game on” and play together!

Disney Dream has it all!  This truly is the ultimate family ship!!

Within this District adults will find 687 which is a sports bar complete with multiple flat-screen LCD televisions and a huge plasma screen with digital surround sound, comfy seating and a casual pub atmosphere.    This area doubles as a family entertainment area during the day.

Evolution is the butterfly themed hotspot/dance club with a disco feel.  They have Karaoke as well as dancing on certain evenings.  You can dance the night away to tunes from any decade you choose.  This area also doubles as the comedy club with various shows throughout.

 Pink is an elegant area fashioned after a bottle of pink champagne.  Guests feel as though they are immersed in a bottle of pink effervescence.  Back-lit “bubbles” are inset into the walls to create an effect of cascading champagne.  The bar stools appear as if made from sparkling crystal and the detailing along the front of the bar resembles the wire cage surrounding a Champagne bottle top.

Skyline is an evening in several different cities.  With the world’s most famous cities as the backdrop you gaze out onto different locations around the globe.  The chic setting is “metropolitan sky bar meets luxury penthouse,” complete with digital fireplace.

Located on deck 12 aft, Meridian is the upscale cocktail lounge that is between Palo and Remy where friends meet up for a cozy drink before enjoying the best dinner onboard.  It has a beautiful lounge atmosphere with comfortable elegance you could certainly learn to love with exclusive ocean-view seating that overlooks the back of the ship.

So, kick back and enjoy your own adult area on this beautiful ship!