Ye Be Lookin’ Fer Adventure!

Vacations are different for everyone. The dream of a beach with a lounge chair and umbrella. A Butler bringing a cold margarita to drink with the ocean gently caressing the sandy beach at your feet. Or is it the hustle and bustle of New York City and its cursing cabbies, the bright lights of Broadway with the crowds of people leaving the next big show! Or could it be going to the local campground with the tent and cooking stove, the smell of the pine trees and the sound of the wind through the forest as you work on your survival skills.

With all the different types of people and personalities that this great world has its a comforting feeling to know that there is just as many things to do. You work all year long just to get to your vacation so what do you choose to do. What about something completely new and exciting. Try something you have never done before but always had an interest in. Its time to plan an Adventure Vacation!

Its incredible the amount of tour companies that specialize in just this sort of thing. From hiking to Machu Picchu in Peru to Sailing the open blue azure waters of the Mediterranean. You can find adventure in any part of the world. It really comes down to what you are up for. Recently one of my clients went to Europe to ride his bike along some of the best biking trails in the world. It was a beginning to his bucket list. Upon his return he told me how beautiful it was and that the trails were well maintained. He plans to go to New Zealand next to ride from the top to the bottom.

Take the time to plan your adventure. The possibilities are almost endless. Spend some time on the internet and look to see what is interesting to you. I have seen Hiking trips through the Shire, Rafting trips down the Grand Canyon, or Follow your favorite race team in F1 for a few races. Whatever you do just dont limit your imagination. Figure out your budget and start saving. Remember that when you go on vacation you get what you pay for. If you want a first class adventure then you need to make it so by planning it as a first class adventure. When you start to cut corners it will begin to lose its appeal because the things you really want to do are no longer on your list because of either your budget, time, or availability.

Of course if you just want to be a pirate for a day and live the life its also available. I happen to know a great place to do just that. Whatever your taste for adventure is get up and get moving. Make it happen because life is to short to not do the things you have always wanted to do.

 

Live the Adventure!

 

Cruise Season is Here!

Actually Cruise season is year round. That’s the great thing about cruising. The Cruise Industry strategically places their ships where the most popular destinations are for whatever time of year it is. You can go on holiday to bask in the sun on a beach while your partner goes snorkeling in a coral reef and then wake up the next day in a shoppers paradise. Meanwhile back home the snow is getting deeper and the Christmas rush is beginning. Yet you have no worries because you are off the coast of New Zealand. Your only worry is what to do next? Shopping at the Maori trading post or just stay aboard and enjoy a luxurious spa treatment.

That sounds great right? Well maybe you are not a big fan of ocean travel. I will be the first to tell you that it is not a big deal at all. If you get seasick I would recommend getting medication for it. but other than that it’s so relaxing. The service is second to none and the amenities are aplenty. If that the big Blue still worries you then maybe a river cruise is more your style. You get all the benefits of the ocean cruise without the Big Blue water. You can cruise the mighty Mississippi on a fancy paddlewheel riverboat. You can explore the rivers of Europe on an elegant river Longboat. Whatever your adventurous self feels there is something for you.

Would you like a breakdown? Here are the basics and if you have any questions just leave a comment.

Destinations

“Why would I want to sail around the oceans and look at water?”

When is comes to diversity is the locations for traveling you cannot get any more diverse than cruising either by sea or by river. You are always on the move. Typically at night the ship transports you from one port to the next while you sleep. This allows you to enjoy the day in a different place. You can find cruises with ports of call in places such as Skagway Alaska for rustic and adventurous life to the Wonders of Budapest Hungary for the magnificent architecture and culture. You can sail Halong Bay while sipping wine or move through the locks of Panama Canal!

If its near the water a cruise line probably operates in the vicinity. The only real limitation you have is yourself. The world economy has always depended on shipping on the water, be it cargo ships on the Mediterranean or barges moving up the Mississippi. You can enjoy the multiple destinations on cruises or simply stay on board and enjoy what the ship has to offer.

On Board the Ship

You say “Is there really that much to do on a ship?”

I say “You will have a hard time doing it all in one cruise!”

The Cruise industry realizes that there are many different types of people who enjoy cruising. So in order to make the ship as pleasing to their customers as possible they have spent a lot of time designing the ships to meet all those needs anyone would possibly want. There is never a lack of something to do on a cruise ship.

Most ships have a casino. Some of the smaller ships that specialize in certain trips don’t but for the most part they all do. You can play the standard card games and roulette. Slot Machines are all over the casino area for those who prefer to pull the lever of luck. You might also find a gaming machine that you have never seen in a casino before. One way or another you will surely find a game for you to play.

If gambling isn’t your thing then maybe you would like to just relax and have a cup of premium espresso from the coffee shop in the promenade while you send an email to your co-workers telling them how great a time you are having. The Promenade on the ship is a great area to relax and just chat. comfortable chairs and a food court atmosphere with a bit more Parisian Street feel then the local mall. Have a pastry or maybe some sushi and wine. What about a shopping trip with some beautiful jewelry or a new deck of cards.

OK so those are all well and good things to do but what about activities? Well depending on the cruise line and the ship you can find activities for everyone from water slides to zip-lining. You can catch a First class stage show in the main theatre or an excellent magician at the Pub. The adults can hit a nightclub complete with lighted dance floor and scratching DJ. If you are worried your golf game will suffer from a couple of weeks away from the links….Worry no more! Most ships have a golf simulator so you can keep up on your green time.

 

What about the Kids? Well let me tell you they will not be bored either. Princess and most other cruise ships have a specific area for kids of all ages. Video game arcades and pool tables, Foosball and air hockey. Some ships have activities set up so that the kids can go and enjoy themselves while the parents can get away and play also. Of course Cruise lines like Disney have a great big chunk of this market and trust me when I tell you that everyone enjoys a Disney cruise. Disney cruises is a Blog all by itself so I wont get to specific with them yet.

Culinary Delights!

“How am I going to fuel all this crazy fun activity?”

Well I am glad you asked! From the all you can eat buffets to the specialty restaurants there is no shortage of food. You will find cart vendors with food like hot dogs and ice cream as well as soda shops with chocolate malts. You can enjoy Steak and Lobster cooked to perfection. My fiancée looks forward to every Princess cruise she goes on for the Fettuccine Alfredo. The food is always exceptional in quality and taste. If you decide to do traditional dining or anytime dining you will not leave the table hungry as you can ask for more. We prefer the traditional dining as we get to know our wait staff as the cruise proceeds. This is an advantage when it comes to personalizing your experience. Take the opportunity to indulge in some of the best food you will ever have. Oh and lastly…Room Service is free and typically available 24 hours!

 

Accommodations

“Are the rooms tiny?”

Didn’t you read up above? You wont be in your room to worry about the size. Still if you are concerned about the size of the room then don’t. The rooms vary in size depending on what you book. Inside cabins are small and have no windows. yet when I say small I am comparing them to a hotel room. A small cabin runs from 130-160 square feet. This is about the size of a bedroom in your house. The layout is such that you have plenty of room to move about and relax. The bathrooms are spacious and clean.

If you want an upgrade you have several options. View-port Cabin, Balcony Cabin, Mini Suite, Suite and some ships have Grand suites or Owners Suites. The balconies are big enough to relax on and have a meal. The Mini suites are bigger then the balcony rooms. A couch is added that turns into a bed. The Suites are really nice with enough room for a few people to come to your room for an after dinner drink from the mini bar that is provided in all rooms. Now I have only viewed pictures of the Grand Suites and Owners Suites but they look like a condo in Hawaii. They are huge and quite honestly not my taste but if you want to have a room that big its available.

Pricing

“Yeah but those cruises are so expensive!”

You would be surprised how affordable cruising is! Depending on the destination, Length of trip, Cruise line, Cabin preference and how far in advance you book cruising can be very economical and easy on the pocketbook. Yet at the same time if you really want to splurge and have a first class experience you can certainly take the duct tape off the wallet and let a few extra bills fall out, You wont be let down.

When you purchase a cruise fare typically all food except specialty restaurants are included in the price. Water, Coffee, and tea are provided but sodas, Specialty coffee, juice and alcoholic beverages are extra. All entertainment except for the casino is included.

I know it all sounds like there are far to many options but that’s the reason it’s so much more affordable now. To fill the ships the cruise industry has to lower the prices to get the people on board.

Planning

“Well this sounds great! Where should I go?”

The best way to plan your cruise is to do just that…Plan. Look online at travel blogs and see what interests you. watch travel shows like Anthony Bourdain or National Geographic to give you ideas. The best way is to just pick someplace you have always wanted to go. Start there and expand to see what else is interesting for you.

Once you have that figured out then call your Travel Agent and let them figure out the technical stuff. A few things to have in mind would help them out. Have a realistic budget in mind. Calling your agent and asking for a 28 day cruise to Australia with a budget of $1500.00 a person is just not realistic in most cases. Think about airfare to the port city. Think about excursions off the ship you may want to do. $1500.00 is a realistic budget if you want to do a 4 or 5 day cruise from a port city near you.

Travel agents ask for a budget so they know what to work with. I as an agent want to give you the most bang for your buck. I am not trying to spend every last dollar of your budget. I want you to have the time of your life and go on more trips. The best part of being a Travel Agent is having my clients tell me what a wonderful time they had and that they discovered something new or that they did something on their bucket list. That’s why I love my job.

Stop wasting life and enjoy it! Live today like an adventure!

LIVE THE ADVENTURE!

***Not all cruise lines are the same in what they provide in services and content. The above article takes examples from many different lines.