Save money on your special vacation

Are you thinking about your next vacation?  

Remember when you book with a Travel agent we have access to many discounts, and we always make sure we offer these to our clients.  Right now many of our Suppliers, such as Apple Vacations, Delta Vacations, Funjet Vacations and Sun Country Vacations are offering early booking discounts. Some require a promo code, and some are just a book by this date offer.

I know many people still believe that you can get a last minute deal that is going to be a much lower price, not usually.  Many of my clients are already looking at their winter escape for 2019 and will soon book to take advantage of the promo codes and early booking discounts.

Each year I see my clients learning to look early, as they enjoy the warm summer they know it won't last and they will want to escape.  So they can relax by the pool knowing I will be working to find them the best prices.

I have several clients that I check pricing for every day!  I do this because I know a happy client will return each year!  They also know I am in contact with my suppliers and I know the product.  This past year I went to Punta Cana on a work only trip, it is great for me to experience the resorts and destination.  In 2017 I went to Mexico twice on work trips, of course I manage to do a few vacation only trips.  

Do not forget I have clients booking cruises year round and a year in advance.  I booked my last cruise a year in advance and I have a March 2019 cruise booked.  If you want a certain cabin or a suite you need to plan ahead.  

Of course you can book that vacation online, but with no service fees why not let the professionals handle your next vacation.


Enjoy the weekend, and if you would like to send me a trip request give email me cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com with your travel request, or give me a call at 763-878-2763, yes I work weekends too!

Are you buying an airline ticket soon?

Today I want to talk about air travel, I actually do not sell air only, however many of my clients need air for their cruise or other types of travel, so I purchase air for my clients and myself.  

Recently we heard about our local airline leaving clients at their international destination because they no longer flew that route, my opinion-not cool!  And domestic flight delays, overnights at the airport, the list goes on.  I do want to share an experience my daughter just had over the weekend, and it might make you read the fine print, and think twice about which airline you want to spend your money on.

This is a learning experience, not a great one for my daughter.  I won't give every detail but this is how it went, she left MSP on her way to New York City, flying into LaGuardia Airport, now that is a easy flight not like she was flying to a city in the middle of no where, most airlines fly this route many times a day.

But then the weather became an issue, so they ended up landing in Pittsburgh, then all the flights to LaGuardia Airport were cancelled, leaving my daughter to overnight in Pittsburgh!  Now at first they said because of the weather no hotel or food vouchers would be given, but then it came out the flight crew could no longer fly so she received $79 for hotel and $12 for food, good deal if you had unlimited time to get to your destination and wanted to spend your friday night in a cheap airport hotel in Pittsburgh.

So let's look at this first part (yes I said first part)!  Did you realize if your flight was cancelled or delayed due to weather the airline is not responsible? Well yes I know it but I actually never think about it when booking my ticket.  

Now she was scheduled to return to MSP on tuesday, so back to the airport, and on the plane, wait no we are back in the airport because the flight was cancelled.  She had sent me a text while on the plane so I found another flight with the same airline, yep go figure that was cancelled also.

So back to her friends apartment but lets look at this she paid an Uber to get to the airport, then back to friends place.  And back to the airport the next day! Yes another Uber.

Now we are back at the airport Wednesday morning, she arrived early to find out her flight was once again cancelled, really!!!  But they were able to get her on a flight to Dallas, and back in MSP that afternoon!

What a weekend!  So I want to share a few thoughts that might make your next flight enjoyable and not the nightmare she experienced!

First, this is huge, no matter where you are flying you might want to consider travel insurance, I usually add it to my flights.  But I will be honest when I add it I am thinking incase I have to cancel not what happens if we have bad weather!  That way if you have a weather delay you can save your receipts and submit a claim.

Next, look at your airline schedule do they fly to your destination several times a day, every day? Let's say you select an airline that has one flight a day to your destination and not every day!  That great price might not be worth it. 

I just wanted to share this so hopefully you will be picky when selecting your next airline.  Remember to prepare for your flight and be prepared when you fly for a unexpected delay.  Make sure you have all medicine in carry on, phone chargers, snacks.  Sometimes travel can be stressful but plan ahead for a stress free vacation!

I plan to sit down with my daughter and we will write a letter to the airline because I have never heard of so many issues with an airline.  I will keep you posted, hopefully they will at least acknowledge they made a few mistakes.

Have a great day!


Cindy
cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com
763-878-2763

Highlight on the Bahia Principe AquaMarine in Punta Cana

Hi everyone, I hope you are enjoying your summer, remember soon the snow will fly and you will be looking for that 2019 Winter Escape!

Recently I was working on a vacation for a client and I  discovered this resort, set to open in November 2018, it is a rebranding of Bahia Principe Ambar Green. So if you are looking for that special vacation you might want me to price this one for you.

The AquaMarine is part of the Bahia Principe Complex in Punta Cana, other resorts in this complex are Bahia Principe Esmeralda, Bahia Principe Bavaro, Bavaro Premier, and Bahia Principe Punta Cana.

The AquaMarine is not oceanfront, it has it owns restaurants but also shares some with the other resorts.  

You will not be bored here with the water sports, paddle surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, volleyball, dance classes, soccer, tennis and even karaoke!

Let's talk about the dining, right at the AquaMarine you have the main buffet, they have a Pool Restaurant with International Cuisine, or the Beach Restaurant, which is seaside dining no reservations for any of these restaurants in the AquaMarine.

However we are not done!  Try these adults only, and reservations are required, Mashua Nikkei ( Japanese and Peruvian fusion), El Olivo Gourmet, Capriccio Restaurant (Italian).

Now these ones are not adults only Maiko (Japanese), Tex Mex Santa Fe (Mexican), BBQ Restaurant in the Olas, which is buffet, El Pescador (Mediterranean), Garden Grill (Steak House) and Los Corales (Dominican).

As for the rooms at AquaMarine, you can select a Jr Suite which will have a king or two double beds, sofa, hydromassage tub, and wi-fi these are just a few of the amenities, if you upgrade to a Jr Suite Superior you will have a king bed along with the amenities.  

This resort will be a great match for couples, and couples that travel with friends.  Give me a call for pricing.  And of course these details are subject to change.

Have a great day!


Cindy Kissinger
763-878-2763
cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com

August Newsletter

At Vacations R Special Travel we are always looking for ways to keep our clients informed.  Which is why I am working with different social media outlets, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and email Newsletters.

Today I sent out a newsletter to my clients if you would like to view this then click on the below link
http://conta.cc/2M9jlvu

I will soon start sending emails and updates for travel so sign up now.

You should be able to sign up to receive my newsletters and travel information if not please email me at cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com


Enjoy your summer I will be back with another blog soon!


Thanks,

Cindy

Special Savings for my Clients

I want to cover just a few of the savings out there for my clients, it is never too early to plan your next vacation.  If you are looking for a certain vacation let me know and I will keep checking the pricing for you.

This week I want to share a few. 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has another BOGO sale starting, save 50% off the second person in your cabin. 

Delta Vacations has special savings on Mexico, Hawaii and Caribbean travel just to name a few!  Also I love Delta's Flexible Group travel, call me to get your group started!

Royalton in St Lucia

Viking River Cruises has several offers going on and the savings are great!

Apple Vacations and Funjet Vacations also have some great pricing.


I always tell my clients to start looking early for your travel.  All you need to do is send me an email with your travel needs and I will make sure you are getting the best deal, no service fees. 


Remember these are just a few of the travel savings out there!

Fun in San Diego

I feel like it has been along time since I updated my travel blog, but living in Minnesota we have to take advantage of our summer!  I spend as much time as I can at our summer place so that keeps me pretty busy!  However I recently spent a long weekend in San Diego visiting my son who lives in the area.  I always talk about international travel, but I loved San Diego so much I wanted to share my experience.

The San Diego Airport is really nice, I used Super Shuttle for my transportation to our hotel, I was really impressed with the service.  Of course they had my flight info and sent me a text letting me know when I had my luggage to text them my location and they picked us right up! 
I booked the Embassy Suites Downtown Bayside for several reasons, the location was perfect, free full breakfast and a Managers Happy Hour were great!

I mentioned the location of the hotel, here is a picture from our window.  Isn't this amazing?

I could not have asked for a better location, we were right across the street from the bay and so many things to do and see, in the four days I spent in San Diego I walked more than 20 miles.  We also took many lifts, and the train.  We spent on afternoon at Mission Beach which is beautiful.

I had to add the photo of the sushi burrito!  My daughter Paige went on this trip with me, and it was her birthday during the trip.  She really wanted a sushi burrito and we tried to find that for her birthday but we could not.  So when my son was taking us to the airport she found a place and finally she had her sushi burrito.  I am not a sushi fan but she loved it so if you go to San Diego give it a try!

I had been to San Diego one other time, and we stayed in the Old Town area and loved it but I was excited to see more of San Diego and it did not disappoint.  We spent time in Old Town, Gaslamp, Mission Beach, Little Italy, and the Bayside area where we were staying.  I felt the city was very tourist friendly, clean, and I always felt safe, however we never stayed out too late at night.  And I felt safe because my son is a Marine!

If you are looking for a fun trip I would recommend San Diego, there is so much to do and the weather was beautiful!  

Give me a call for more information 763-878-2763, or email cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com 

Looking for a European Vacation?

I went to Spain a few years ago, and loved it!  It was not on my travel list however my daughter(Paige) was doing the study aboard program in Salamanca Spain, so i just had to visit!  It just happened my other daughter (Lynsey) just graduated with her undergrad so why not go to Spain! 

I recommend booking a flight with Delta and selecting the Delta Comfort seats, we had only 2 seats in our area so that was very nice.

As I often say with travel "mistakes were made" this was no different than most vacations and they are great learning moments.  For example when traveling in Europe do not over pack, you are moving that suitcase off planes, trains and buses!  Someone in our group took the large suitcase (not me)!  And when you arrive after your overnight flight do not go to bed!  Yes we did, on the plus side I booked a hotel so when we arrived we would have a room.  However napping all day was not really my plan!  Another mistake was booking a hotel with a shuttle but not knowing how to contact the hotel, and the taxi got lost!  Okay a few more mistakes were made but I do not want to spend the time on mistakes.

We arrived in Madrid, slept, then headed out on the bus the next morning to Salamanca which is a beautiful place with so much history (like all of Spain).  I loved the hotel we stayed at because our balcony was huge, more like a deck, and views of the cathedral! 

Then off on the train to Madrid, then overnight train to Barcelona, now that was an experience!  I loved Barcelona, we did the bus tour which basically kicked us off when they were done so we had to figure out where we were.  Lots of walking, lots of drinking amazing wine, and you can't forget the food!

I loved my trip to Spain, and even if "mistakes were made" it was a great destination. 



If you are interested give me a call at 763-878-2763 or email cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com. 

Vacation Option Mazatlan

Hi everyone!  I hope you are enjoying your summer, but before long it will be time to start planning that winter escape!
One of my favorite destinations is Mazatlan!  I have been there about 3 times in the last few years, the first time I went on a FAM.  A FAM is a trip Travel consultants take to get to know a destination, resorts and tours.  I liked this destination because I loved the old Mexico feel to the area.  They have a great boardwalk, great food, and some really fun tours.  My husband and I have went twice, the last time I went with a group of friends and we stayed at the Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay which is a beautiful resort just a short ride from the main area of Mazatlan.  They have a shuttle that you can take to their sister resort the Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan which is right in the middle of the fun! 

Just a few fun pictures, we did the sunset cruise with our group and it was so much fun, I would totally recommend it!  The resort is landscaped beautifully, I loved the small water ponds and falls with beautiful flowers.  We upgraded to the Master Suite and it was huge, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen.  However we spent little time in the room.  They had great dining and you could also visit the sister resort for dinner which had great options.  They also had an adults pool with a bar, and the main pool had a swim up also.  If you want more information about this destination or the resorts please let me know I have been to most of the all inclusive resorts.  Contact me at 763-878-2763 or email me at cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com.

And follow my blog so you do not miss a thing!

Office on the lake!

Just a quick note today about what has been going on and when you need to book that next vacation.

Today I get to work from the lake!  It is crazy!  One of the great things about being home based is I can work from anywhere!  Which is great for me and my clients.

Just a quick plug for booking your vacation with a travel agent, just think of us as your travel assistant.  I encourage my clients to contact me with any questions, concerns or needs.  I want to show my clients the value you I can add to their vacation.  We work with our suppliers to make sure everything is taken care of and if you do have an issue it is a lot easier to contact me then one of those toll free numbers that require a long hold time.

I am always around if I am not in the office you can reach me my cell, or email. 

Now is a great time to start looking for your 2019 vacation, prices are starting to come out, it is never too early to begin planning your winter escape!  I have to laugh at that because it wasn't long ago we had snow in Minnesota now we are having record warm temps but while you are relaxing in a pool or lake start planning! 

I work with a lot of friends groups so this is the time to get it figured out, and I mostly do warm weather destinations do not think that is all I do.  I work on many areas of travel such as Eurpope, Disney, domestic vacations, cruises and many other types of travel.

Living in Minnesota we all like to escape the cold with a fun trip so if you need ideas give me a call.  I was in Punta Cana not long ago and that is a great destination for friends, couples and families. 


Okay enough work for now, remember if you need a travel assistant give me a call.  This week you can email me at cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com as I will be enjoying the lake!

So why book your next vacation with a travel agent?

I work with many clients some just know what they want and just tell me what to book, so why don't they just book it themselves? 
Well I always like to say they are too smart to do that!  And it is true, travel agents have access to competitive pricing so we often are less or the same as those Internet pricing.  But we offer value with our service.  I do not just book vacations for my clients I help them with all aspects of their travel.  I offer assistance when things do not go quite right!  For example I had a group go on vacation this year and 4 out of the 5 couples did not have rooms.  I worked with the hotel and the supplier and followed up with the clients because that is not the way to start a vacation.  Next day, different client and different supplier, different destination and it happened again!  Usually once you are in travel I can not do much if your flight is canceled or delayed but in these situations I did get involved.  So we are there when are clients need us.

Consider us your travel assistants!  I offer to assist my clients with flights, transfers, tours, special dinners or what ever my clients need.  And with my groups I try to work closely with them to make sure everyone is in the loop!  If you need anything we are there to assist our clients.

We have the knowledge!  Yes that is why I try to take a few work trips every year.  I might not be able to go to every resort or destination but I try!  And through my network of travel agents I probably have access to someone that has been to that destination.  We do the research also, so we can make sure you have the correct information.

We offer travel insurance, some clients do not realize that if you cancel your vacation you could lose some or all of your money!  So we offer, explain and sell travel insurance.  And if you need to use that insurance we help with the forms!

Payment plans!  Yes with most of my suppliers I can make payments so just give me a call with your payment information and I can make payments so you are not hit with a large payment at the end!

Put it on hold!  When a travel agent books a trip for a client we are usually able to have a 24 hour hold to make sure this is the vacation for you!

These are just a few ways we work for our clients, so next vacation give me a call or email for a quote. 

Thanks Cindy
763-878-2763, email cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com

Sailing the Suite Life on RCCL's Navigator of the Seas!

I am so excited we finally made a decision on our next cruise!  Of course we loved the Harmony so that did not make this choice easy. 

So how did we finally decide?  It was a long process I took the pros and cons of my top ships.  I felt like I wanted a ship in the Oasis Class because we loved the perks of the suites on those ships, such as suite sun deck and bar, suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen.  And this time we would be sailing without family so go familiar.  Actually I loved the ships but I wanted a slightly longer cruise, and different ports.  I knew my niece and her family had a cruise planned and I liked the ports, we did have to give up the Coastal Kitchen which we loved for breakfast and lunch.  On the Navigator they take a specialty restaurant and open it up for the suite guests for breakfast and lunch with a limited menu, which will be fine for us.  Or we might actually explore the other dining options on the ship!

We have spent about 20 years exploring all inclusive resorts and destinations so it seems strange to all of a sudden love cruises.  It is hard to explain this to friends and family when I do not totally understand the switch.  But I was getting bored with the same thing at a resort we would have breakfast then go to the beach or pool, go to lunch then more of the same, then maybe sit at a bar for awhile then get ready for dinner.  Sometimes we would watch the entertainment or just go to the lobby bar.  The same thing every day!  I like the sun but I no longer like the obvious affects of the sun!  So on a cruise you have options, yes you can go to the pool or beach when in port but you can also do so many other things.  I was ready for a change, and lucky for me I travel usually once or twice a year so I can still spend a few days at an all inclusive resort in a beautiful destination while "working" to find the perfect resorts for my clients!

Now I am not saying anything negative about selecting a all inclusive resort because you do not select that for your vacation for 20 years then suddenly dislike them, we just needed some options to get out of the sun.  I was recently in Punta Cana for a week working, lucky for me it was during the historic snow storm that happened the day I left (great timing) I had a wonderful time and loved the resorts I stayed experienced.  Just remember my favorite vacation might not be yours.  Which is always fun when you have a group of family or friends traveling together and a selection must be made! 

Okay enough about my vacation, if you are looking for a cruise, or any other vacation please give me a call so I can help you plan your vacation.

Should I consider Mexico as my next destination vacation?

So today is May 2nd,  is anyone thinking about your next warm weather vacation?  Of course I think non stop about my next vacation but most people think about it when the snow starts flying in Minnesota, or the temps plunge below zero.

But lets explore the reason to plan your winter escape now.  I know it sounds crazy but most people take hours, days and even weeks to figure out where they want to vacation so why not do that work now while you are relaxing this summer?  This is the time of year I have many clients starting to figure out their next destination, this way we can watch the prices.  Believe it or not my clients that book in August to October get the best prices!  And if you are traveling with a large or small group let's talk now, because the sooner you select the destination and resort you can send out the emails to your friends or family.  Not everyone will want to book early but for those that want to be sure to secure their vacation early now is the time.

Of course I am not discussing cruises as many of those are booked a full year or more in advance so I am talking about destination vacations.

I am going to address the elephant in the room right now, Mexico.  It is actually one of my favorite vacations.  I have been to Cancun, Playa, Rivera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cozumel.  And all of these destinations I have been multiple times, they have beautiful resorts and amazing tours.  But of course it has been in the news a lot this past year or so.  I went to Rivera Maya twice in 2017 and nothing seemed different to me, however I basically stayed on the resort.  But what I do personally or for work does not mean I tell my clients it is safe, I never want my actions to reflex a sense of security for my clients.  Which was the reason I actually switched a trip with a group of friends that were going to Mexico to Jamaica.  The rest of the group went to Rivera Maya and returned safe and sound without incident but can I say it is safe?  No, no one can say that, which is why I encourage my clients to be aware of the destination and the resort they are staying at during their vacation, do your research!  I have mixed emotions about this subject, because I hear many say we should just stay in the states, because we know that is safe, actually I can't say that either! 

My advice to all of my clients is you must make an informed decision about your next vacation.  Do not trust anyone to decide for you so you must research and make an informed decision.  When I decided to go to Rivera Maya in Dec 2017, I had someone say "so you think Mexico is safe"  well I go a lot of places in the states and out of the country but that does not mean I think they are safe.  It means I have decided on my own that this is the trip I want to take.

I just renamed this blog because I realized I really just talked about Mexico.  Opps sorry about that but before we consider all of the destinations I wanted to discuss this, so next time I can discuss my best vacation recommendations!

Don't forget to follow me on FaceBook or visit my website www.vacationsrspecialtravel.com.  And of course I appreciate any comments of about travel.  If you need any help with your next vacation give me a call, 763-878-2763 or email cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com.

Have a great day!

A lesson learned!

We are never too old to learn lessons, so why can't I learn not to wait until the last minute to book my own trip!
It seems I am a always put it off because I want to make sure I am selecting the best vacation for my money!  So we finally decided even though a trip to Europe would be great it just is not the time for us.  I have been to Europe a few times and love it, so when going again I want to be sure I have enough time, maybe two weeks there is so much to explore.  So at this time a two week vacation is not in the cards so we are going back on the Harmony of the Seas! 
It was a hard decision but I knew there were a few things on my wish list and only the Harmony, Allure or Oasis were in the running for my next cruise. 
So next we looked at the ports and of course the price.  I did feel strange doing the same ship but that is what we decided (for now)!  So I was all set to put this on hold with only hours left on the BOGO sale and guess what my booking site went down!  But good news they extended the sale.  I know it is early to think about your 2019 vacation but not when you are booking a cruise.  Those cabins book up early and especially when they are on sale!
So I am not waiting until the last minute again, so as soon as I can I am reserving my cabin for my 2019 cruise.
If you are new to cruising a option would be combining a 3 or 4 day cruises with a few days on land, this way you can experience the cruise for a few days.

So a quick recap, I decided to book another cruise with RCCL because I value the service they offer to myself and my clients.  I love the great meals, fun entertainment, and first class service. 

If you would like a quote or if you have questions please give me a call (763-878-2763) or email me at (cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com). 

Have a great day, Cindy

Think before you book!

I always make sure my clients are sure this is the vacation they are looking for because no one likes buyers regret!  And even if you add the travel insurance you want to be sure this is the vacation you dream about!

So back in 2017 I booked my RCCL cruise on Harmony of the Seas, was it my dream?

Actually no it was not!  I had my heart set on a Viking River Cruise!  My husband and I would be celebrating our 30th Anniversary.  However he wanted one cruise I wanted another one and so we kind of gave up on that option.  But then I decided it would be great to spend a week with my niece Wendy and her family(Tad and Samantha) , then my sister( Karen) and her husband (Bob) decided to join us.  I loved being with my family and can't wait to do it again.

I have no regrets!! It was an amazing cruise and honestly traveling with family or friends on a cruise is a great option.  You can be together as much or as little as you like.

But before I book my next cruise I decided I better explore my River Cruise dream! 

So to recap yesterday I planned to book a cruise on RCCL either the Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas or Oasis of the Seas.  I decided against booking on the newest ship because prices seemed high right now.

But sale alert this is the time to book your RCCL cruise because they are having a BOGO sale so call me 763-878-2763 or email me at cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com for pricing. 

Keep in mind I have very flexible office hours!

So before I lock in for my perfect cruise I am going to check out a few River Cruises.  I encourage my clients to do the same thing!  However I might just put that cruise on hold so I do not lose it while I am checking out the River Cruise.  I wanted to add a few Harmony of the Seas pictures plus my favorite desert!  Check back tomorrow as I look at my dream cruise in Europe!

With so many ships on RCCL how do I choose my next cruise?

So you have decided to take a cruise, now you need to decide on the ship and the ports that meet your needs.  Let's go through the process.

I am focusing on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line because I have been selling them for years and I feel they meet the needs of most of my clients and myself.

Usually a client will come to me with a ship in mind because they have either sailed on that ship or they have done their research.  So how many ships are we talking about?

Let's discuss the Classes of Ships, they are the Radiance Class, Voyager Class, Freedom Class, Sovereign Class, Vision Class, and Oasis Class, these are in no certain order.

The Radiance Class has four ships, Radiance, Brilliance, Serenade and Jewel.  They all have amazing views, open spaces, glass walls.  The viewing areas offer panoramic views of both land and sea.

The Voyager Class includes the Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, Navigator and Mariner.  They were the first to feature an ice rink with lessons and shows!  They feature climbing walls, mini golf, pubs and busy boulevards.

The Freedom Class includes the Freedom, Liberty and Independence.  You can surf on the Flow Rider, do some boxing or relax in a whirlpool.

The Sovereign Class includes the Monarch and Majesty.  These ships are great for the family traveling together from grandparents to grandchildren they will all be entertained.

The Vision Class includes the Legend, Splendour, Grandeur, Rhapsody, Enchantment and Vision.  These ships are popular for their swimming pools, solarium, casinos, and themed dining rooms and lounges.

The Oasis Class includes the Oasis, Allure, Harmony and the Symphony.  These ships are the world's largest passenger ships, they are designed around a neighborhood concept, with a park, a moving bar, zip line, aqua theater and beautiful suites.

I have to be honest until I started this research I had not heard of some of these ships, I would say they have a lot of ships!

Of course I pointed out just a highlight or two but it gives you an idea of what direction to start looking.  I have decided for my wants the Oasis Class is best for my husband and I, this might be a crazy reason but having enjoyed a suite on my last cruise I love the amenities such as the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen.  So I have four ships to explore!  Have a great day!

To cruise or not to cruise?  As I mentioned I was not into the idea of cruising however I am ready to book my next cruise!
For myself the reasons I enjoyed cruising might be different than your reason.

1. The service on a RCCL cruise is outstanding, and I love great service.  The staff regardless if it was the cabin attendant or the bar staff always provided the best service.
2. Quality of the food and beverage.  I know I am a picky eater but I always found many options at each meal, and the beverages were always made with the alcohol you requested.
3. The entertainment was another plus for me, I enjoy a well produced show to entertain me after a great meal!
4. Night time on the ship is full of options, this is a huge reason I will book another cruise.  I enjoyed the Rising Tide, and the Schooner Bar, we were in a Suite so we also had access to the Suite Lounge which was a great perk!  But these are just a few of the options.  
5. When I am on vacation I might not enjoy doing a lot of activities that take me off the resort but when you are on a ship no need to hassle with transfers to your fun it is on your ship.  I enjoyed being able to change the scenery by simply changing decks!

So these are a few of my favorite things I experienced on the Harmony of the Seas, and why I am in the process of selecting my next cruise.  

Being a travel professional selecting my next vacation is never easy.  I tend to over think the process and I encourage my clients to think about their selection also, I never make a quick decision because all vacations are special so take your time, ask questions so you truly enjoy your vacation.

Next I will go through my process of selecting the next ship for my cruise.

Travel Insurance

Hi I am going to talk today about Travel Insurance.  I live in Minnesota and you probably heard no spring for us!
You would never think this time of year you would have a major issue getting on your flight or as many experienced not getting back from vacation.
While for many of us that seems like it isn't a problem but when you have no where to stay and you are stuck at an airport, being forced for many having to purchase a one way ticket home because your airline no longer services that area.  It is a nightmare.
I am currently in Punta Cana for a work trip, I was on a 7am Delta Flight on Saturday morning, the weather did not look good so I cancelled my shuttle, my flight and the hotel I was going to pre night at, however 15 minutes later the forecast did not look good for Sunday so I called Delta Vacations once again and asked to be put on my old flight.  They were great no shaming the travel agent for changing her mind!  I called my shuttle company Executive Express out of St Cloud MN and they put me on a 3:30am shuttle. 
Our flight left late as they had to de-ice then wait, and it was a bumpy flight but I arrived at my destination, just alittle late.
However not everyone was so lucky many, many flights were cancelled.  So that is just one reason travel insurance will help you out, lets hope we do not get another snow storm in April but remember you can not control Mother Nature, sickness or even death in a family.
It might seem like an extra expense but when you have an issue it sure comes in handy.

So how is Punta Cana, amazing and kind of warm, but I guess it is better than shoveling snow!  I am staying at the Riu Palace Macao, until Wednesday then off to Breathless! 
A huge part of being a successful travel agent is to actually experience and learn about the destinations, which is what I am doing.  This is a great resort, several pools, beautiful beach, great food.  The first night we had lobster tail and it was very good.  One of my favorite things is in the lobby they have alittle food area, I just had a chocolate croissant and a great coffee! 
Punta Cana is in the Dominican Republic, about a 5 hour flight from MSP. 
So I will continue about life on the Harmony of the Seas I just felt the need to talk about our recent storm.  I always offer travel insurance to my clients, especially those with health issues because if you do not get it right away you can not get the cancel for any reason or pre existing condition.  So think about it next time.
Thanks Cindy

Harmony of the Seas Adventure

Life on the Harmony of the Seas, is different than I expected.  I am used to going to an all inclusive resort, and the dining is fine and entertainment is so so.  But the dining and entertainment on the cruise was outstanding!
Dining- as I mentioned being in a suite we had the option to eat at the Coastal Kitchen but do not think if you are not in a suite the dining isn't great.  Of course you can enjoy the dining room, or many of the other options.  Some of the fun options would be Sorrentos for pizza, or the Boardwalk Dog House.  Johnny Rockets is another fun option there is no fee for breakfast but for lunch there is a fee.  And they have plenty of Specialty Restaurants also, but they come with a fee, for example we ate at the Chops Grill that was a very nice meal.  We also had dinner at Wonderland which is a dining experience!  From smoked buffalo eggs to liquid lobster it was a interesting experience.  The deserts were the hit!

You will not be disappointed with your dining experience.  And the service is amazing, we had dinner in the Main Dining Room all but 2 nights, and our waiter would have our wine as soon as we arrived.  It takes great food and great service to make a great meal and Harmony of the Seas will not disappoint!

Entertainment was great the Theater was beautiful we enjoyed seeing a few shows that were top of the line entertainment.  I never took any pictures but the Theater was so large I could not believe it was on a ship!  They also have aqua entertainment however our cruise was a little windy so were not able to catch the show.

Right now RCCL is having a great sale so if you are interested in more information please send me an email cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com I am currently in Punta Cana but I will be able to check my email.  

Life on the Harmony of the Seas

As I mentioned before I was nervous about spending a week on a ship with about 6500 other people.  But I was really surprised I loved cruising!  I loved having the access to the benefits of having a suite cabin.  I will post a few pictures, it was an amazing cabin, we were celebrating our 30th Anniversary (late of course).  We were on deck 17 and 18, yes our bedroom was actually considered deck 18.  It felt more like a small apartment, so when in our cabin I did not feel like I was on a ship.  On the main floor we had a full bathroom and a small living room, and small table with coffee service and a great place to enjoy your room service meal.  This cabin would be great for parents with one or two children.  There was plenty of space to store our empty luggage, and all of our things.  Overall this cabin was amazing and possibly large for two people but we enjoyed the large area.  One thing I want to point out is the large window looking out which is two stories high!  And in the bedroom upstairs you have the control so you can open it when you wake up and gaze upon that beautiful blue ocean!

So when you book a suite do you just get a beautiful cabin?  Absolutely not!  I guess my highlight was having the Suite Lounge it was close to our cabin so we could go over and grab a drink and a few appetizers to enjoy in our room before dinner.  It was a great space to enjoy drinks, snacks, and your concierge is located there so you can discuss anything you need with them, they were great, and always greeted you by name.  It reminds me of the song "where everyone knows your name"!  Needless to stay we spent some time here.  This is also where the Coastal Kitchen is located which is dining for the suite guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  We had breakfast and lunch there pretty much every day.  They have a great menu!  We did not have dinner here as we had family with us so we did the main dining room and a few specialty restaurants.  I will have to talk about the main dining room in a separate blog as it was a great experience.

As a suite guest you also have reserved seating in the theater so you can enjoy all of those amazing shows.  Also when you board you are given your own area to board so that goes very smoothly.  As for when you leave the ship, we decided to go it on our own, so I can not tell you if that process would have been easier or not.  It took us about an hour or so to get off but we also went at prime time and alot of waiting in line!

I also want to mention our suite attendants that were great, they seemed to be waiting outside of your door if you had a question or needed anything.  They cleaned the cabin twice a day.  They would chat with you and ask about your day, it was really nice.  We never really needed anything because they did such a great job, a real perk for the suite cabin's.

I will continue tomorrow and hopefully finish up by Saturday as I will be heading to Punta Cana for a work trip, no rest for this travel consultant!  Have a great day!

My Harmony of the Seas Adventure

When you book a cruise you have many questions, hopefully I will help answer your questions, if not give me a call or email.  Once my cruise was booked I began looking for airfare, knowing I wanted to arrive in Fort Lauderdale the day before my cruise.  You don't want to miss your cruise because your flight was late!  I booked a pre night stay at the Embassy Suites I included transfers to the hotel and from the hotel to port the next day, for my first cruise I did not want any stress!  I love staying at the Embassy Suites because they offer a managers reception with cocktails and snacks, and a wonderful breakfast in the morning.  Get a good nights sleep because your next week will be pretty busy!

When we went to get our transfer to the port I started stressing out!!  I was starting to second guess doing this, the entire lobby of the hotel was full of people waiting for a transfer to the port so you start to freak out, but no worries you step up and tell them what ship and off in your shuttle you go!  Okay what is the next step--good question I at that point I had no idea what to do after we were dropped off, but I was quickly directed to drop our bags and we started walking towards the ship, pretty easy.  We were sailing in a suite so we just followed the sign and within minutes we were actually on the ship!  Which is a crazy weird feeling because we came out by the Pub, my first reaction was to stop and get a beer but my husband frowned at that idea!  It was about 11:30am so with a suite we had access to the Suite Lounge so off we went.  So why have a beer when you can have champagne!  We quickly fell in love with the Suite Lounge, and why not you can get a drink or snack and relax in a beautiful place.  So now we are on the ship and waiting to settle into our cabin.  We had booked the Crown Loft Suite on Deck 17 as we were celebrating our 30th Anniversary late.  Before this cruise I was a land lover, we loved beach destinations because I did not want to be trapped on a ship being bored for a week!!  Ha Ha how would I know I would love my week on the Harmony of the Seas and once home start looking for my next cruise!  Now that you know what to expect from your pre night at the port I can start sharing the fun we had that week!  Have a great day!

Vacations R Special Travel

Welcome to Vacations R Special Travel, where your special vacation begins!  This is our new blog to keep our clients informed and maybe amused with our adventures.  We also want to share knowledge with our clients on destinations, suppliers and travel news.  For the next few weeks I will be sharing my recent adventure on RCCL Harmony of the Seas which is currently the largest ship in the world, until tomorrow when the Symphony of the Seas becomes the largest ship in the world! 

Right now RCCL is having a great sale which is 50% off of the second guest, this is a great time to consider your first cruise or your next cruise.  This is a great way to plan that vacation with all of your family, because it is a really big ship so you will get to enjoy what you want during the day then join together at night in the Main Dining room for a wonderful meal with great service.  And do not worry about the kids being bored, with the kids or teen club they will make great friends.  Between the slides, climbing wall, escape room and the many other things to do as a family. 

Let's start with a little background, I have been a travel consultant for twelve years and I have done a few short work cruises, one was a 5 day RCCL cruise to Bermuda and a few short Disney Cruises but they were basically for work.  So this was my first vacation cruise for 7 nights, and I really wasn't sure if it was a great idea or not!  My husband and I usually do a warm weather trip each year to a fun beach destination so the idea of spending a week on a ship with 6500 other people, well I wasn't sure it would be my cup of tea! 

I did my homework!  Yep I printed deck plans for each deck so I would not miss a thing, my goal was to have a drink at all 22 bars!  Actually there are probably more than 22 if you count the bars in each restaurant, but let's go with 22!  Did I accomplish my goal?  What do you think?  Actually I did not but I did see all 22 so that was good enough for me. 

So enough for now,  my next blog is going to wrap up the booking process, pre night hotel and transfers to the port.  Then we can focus on that week of fun??  Remember at this point I was not sure if the life of cruising was for me.  Have a great day