This is just an amazing video compilation of the artist's travels around the world in time lapse. A "must" watch!!
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
TRAVEL NOTES: Disney Raises Walt Disney World Ticket Rates
6/7/2012 -
Disney has raised the basic single-day, single-park ticket price for Walt Disney World to $89, a $4 increase.
Universal Orlando raised its single-day, single-park tickets last week to $88. (Single-day passes for Disney's parks in California cost $87.)
American Airlines will reduce its July flight schedule by 1 percent due to higher-than-expected sick leave days filed by its pilots. The pilots union attributes the sick leave spike to impending changes in the carrier's health insurance plans that are forcing some employees to schedule elective surgeries in advance of the changes.
United Airlines now files nonstop between Washington/Dulles and Dublin.
(Stock photo)
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CRUISES: Carnival May Change Its Past-Passenger Loyalty Program
6/7/2012 -
CruiseCritic.com reports that it's obtained an advance copy of planned changes in the past-passenger loyalty program at Carnival Cruise Lines. The new program will take effect on June 11. The leaked plan will expand membership tiers from two (Gold at two cruises and Platinum at 10) to five (Blue, Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond), with levels based on days cruised instead of total cruises taken. See the CruiseCritic.com story for more details.
In other news, Carnival will offer more than 180 different shore excursions options for the inaugural Europe season of its new ship "Carnival Breeze" (June 3-Oct. 25). These options range from tours in Naples and Tuscany to yacht cruises to the Elephati Islands from Dubrovnik.
AMA Waterways - an OSSN supplier member! - rolled out two new France itineraries for 2013: the seven-night "Paris & Normandy" voyage on the Seine River aboard the "AmaLegro" and the 14-night "Jewels of France" cruise (combining the "Paris & Normandy" route on the "AmaLegro" with a seven-night Rhone River sailing on the "AmaDagio").
Crystal Cruises will offer almost 100 different "Crystal Adventures" excursion options for the South America segment of the line's 2013 world cruise aboard the "Crystal Serenity." The options range from an Antarctica visit to a hike to the mouth of Iguassu Falls.
(Credit: Carnival Cruise Lines)
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Monday, June 4, 2012
CRUISES:
Royal Caribbean Wraps Up Grandeur Renovations
Royal Caribbean Wraps Up Grandeur Renovations
Costa Cruises is changing deployments for the 2012-2013 winter season. The "Costa Classica" will move to the United Arab Emirates in mid-November to operate weeklong sailings from Dubai. Meanwhile, the "Costa Magica" will replace the "Classica" then in the Med to offer 11- and 12-day sailings in the region. Norwegian Cruise Line rolled out its "Cruise Event" promotion yesterday, with extra onboard amenities (ranging from bottles of wine and spa credits to free dinners for two in specialty restaurants) for qualifying cruises of a least five days booked by June 9. Regent Seven Seas Cruises says the "Seven Seas Navigator" left drydock late last week with upgraded decor in its Grand and Master Suites, an expanded steakhouse, a new Italian dining venue, and other changes. The strike by port pilots in Norway ended late Friday night. Some cruise lines that had reworked their Norway itineraries as a result of the strike will revert to their original schedules, while others will stick with their rescheduled plans (so, check ahead if you're sailing to Norway in the near future). Azamara Club Cruises will give MY clients booking (through me) selected Asia and South American voyages for 2013 an onboard credit up to $500 per cabin and upgrades for bookings made today through Friday. (Credit: Royal Caribbean) | ||
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Cricket's News:
I've just returned from a "short" cruise (5 days) on Carnival Triumph. I must say, the entertainment was AMAZING (gorgeous costumes & sets) with very talented dancers & singers. One night had a magic/illusionist act, "Kevin & Caruso", who were absolutely mesmerizing! We saw them on Carnival Magic in January, too -- completely different act & illusions.
The food was "to die for" -- we had chateaubriand steak that literally melted in your mouth...it was SO incredibly tender and flavorful (and that WASN'T the "formal" night's dinner!!). And of course there were lobster tails and prime rib on "formal" night. Everything was just wonderful. I was very impressed and NOT disappointed in the least.
Camp Carnival and the Tweens & Teens programs were VERY busy and the kids looked like they were having SO much fun. The "tweens" were taken to the disco and taught a line dance -- the adults wanted to learn, too, but we were too old!! LOL
There's something to do everyday for almost 24 hours a day on cruises. You pick and choose as much or as little as you want to do. After all, it IS...YOUR vacation.
And of course the ice cream and frozen yogurt machines are 24 hours a day!! And they change the flavors everyday...so of course, I had to sample and compare which was better, ice cream or yogurt. I haven't made a decision yet... I must return to re-sample!! LOL
(And I'm wondering where my extra poundage came from???)
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Here are a few great sales right now:
(1) Children 11 years old & younger sail free on select Royal Caribbean European cruises (as long as they're in the same cabin with a parent).
(2) Several cruise lines are offering 20% Military Discounts and some have Military "Friends & Family" discounts (Military person must be on the same sailing).
(3) Celebrity Cruises has amazing sales on several ships in the Mediterranean & Alaska.
(4) REDUCED SINGLE SUPPLEMENT RATES to Europe on Royal Caribbean for those folks who choose to sail by themselves or cannot find a roommate to share stateroom expenses, but still want to go.
This sale is for this summer, with a few sail dates going into November (this year).
(5) Royal Caribbean has a Europe Upgrade offer on eligible sailings (4 ships).
~~~ THESE SALES ARE TIME SENSITIVE & CAPACITY CONTROLLED -- they can be withdrawn by the cruise lines at any time. So I suggest if you're interested, give me a call very soon to see which one would work for you.
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Here are a few of my group cruises for 2012 and 2013:
October 13, 2012 -- 7 day Oasis of the Seas cruise (Ft. Lauderdale) with an onboard ship credit (OBC)/stateroom.
November 2, 2012 -- 16 day Transatlantic repositioning, Mariner of the Seas (Rome to Galveston) with $25 OBC/stateroom.
November 24, 2012 -- 5 day Carnival Triumph cruise (Galveston) with free photo coupon/stateroom.
January 19, 2013 -- 7 day Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas cruise (Puerto Rico).
January 19, 2013 -- 5 day Carnival Triumph cruise (Galveston)
May 17, 2013 -- 7 day Celebrity Solstice ALASKA cruise (Seattle) with $50 OBC/stateroom.
August 16, 2013 -- 7 day Celebrity Solstice ALASKA cruise (Seattle) with $50 OBC/stateroom
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ONLY TWO STATEROOMS AVAILABLE!!I have fantastic GROUP rateS for Alaska on May 17, 2013 on the GORGEOUS Celebrity Solstice.
AND... I'm giving a $50 onboard credit per stateroom to my guests.
I have only 2 staterooms left -- your choice of interior, balcony or AquaSpa balcony <== has it's own Specialty Restaurant and private spa area & privileges.
Please call me for more information and booking if interested.
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ONE INTERIOR STATEROOM available on our 16 day Transatlantic repositioning cruise !!
With $25 onboard ship credit per stateroom.
Departs ROME, ITALY for GALVESTON, TX
Itinerary: Ajaccio, Corsica (France), Palma de Mallorca, Spain - Cartagena, Spain - Lanzarote, Canary Islands - Tenerife, Canary Islands - Nassau, Bahamas
The majority of the group are departing on October 28th for Rome, Italy (arriving Oct. 29th --> touring begins on Oct. 30th).
(( Please NOTE: the tour portion is completely OPTIONAL.
Airfare is additional, either independently booked by the guest(s) or I can book through the cruise line's air/sea dept.))
I've contracted the TOUR GUIDE from THE TRAVEL CHANNEL's show "ROME" who will pick us up at the airport (Oct. 29) and has our next 4 days packed FULL of exciting tours in and around Rome. For example, we'll be at the Vatican & St. Peter's Basilica on Oct. 30th for mass (the Vatican will be closed on Nov. 1st -- Italian national holiday). We'll also have lunch at the Spanish Steps, and on Nov. 1st a farewell dinner; she'll take us the next morning to see the ruins at Ostia and then on to Civitavecchia to board our ship, MARINER of the SEAS (Royal Caribbean). We'll then embark on the 16 day journey BACK TO GALVESTON after stopping in France (Corsica), 2 ports in Spain, 2 ports in the Canary Islands, & Nassau, Bahamas.
This will be Mariner's last season in Galveston and the U.S. She'll depart in Spring 2013, and will deploy in June 2013 to Asia. Her replacement in Fall/Winter 2013 will be Navigator of the Seas -- another Voyager Class ship.
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As most everyone knows, the airlines have increased airfare AGAIN and cut back on their fleet and flight itineraries. New rules are in effect as well.
I suggest anyone needing airfare book soon. Even with fuel prices coming down a little, jet fuel prices aren't, And my industry doesn't predict the situation to improve.
Keep in mind, cruise lines reserve the right to reinstate their fuel surcharge fees. Even if your cruise is paid in full, you're not "grandfathered".
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REGISTER to win a FREE Caribbean Cruise for 2 INCLUDING AIRFARE!
Please go to www.cricketcruise-and-travel.com and register for the 7Seas Club.
Also, if you recommend/refer others at the time you register, you'll be entered again for each referral.
The deadline for entering is Nov. 5th, and the drawing is November 15th. I want YOU to be the winner!!
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We're a Funjet 500 Club agency affiliate with Way To Go! Travel (Houston, TX) -- Funjet has a price guarantee insurance product which can be purchased at the time you book your vacation: if the price goes lower, they'll match it. You can't go wrong with that sweet deal!!
Now, let's find a vacation for you. GO SOMEWHERE!
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Please take a look at my website www.cricketcruiseandtravel.com under "Featured Destinations". The links you see are "LIVE" links that will take you directly to the suppliers' webpages. There you can browse, research & look at destinations and prices at your leisure. You have the ability to book cruises, airfare, hotels, all-inclusive resorts, shore excursions, travel insurance, rental cars, etc. (Expedia/CruiseShipCenters, FareBuzz, Funjet, SuperClubs, Sandals, Travel Pro, CruiseExcursions/Port Promotions).
Check out the vacation specials to see some of our most recent specials listed on our 2 websites.
This blog page and my Facebook fan page are also linked as well.
Please "LIKE" my fan page on Facebook! ~~ Thanks! ♥
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JUST A REMINDER:
I've had several requests on Facebook for trip quotes. I'd like to ask everyone to please CALL me rather than messaging me through FB. I sporadically check FB, and many times it's a day or so later before I even see the request, and hate to imagine that the requestor might think they're not important to me. (Everyone is important!)
ALSO, before I can begin to give a quote, I have pertinent questions to ask clients in order to narrow my search... texting, messaging, emailing back-and-forth is time consuming for everyone. So I respectfully ask anyone who's interested in any type of vacation to PLEASE call me. I'm available almost 24/7 and would love to help find just the perfect vacation of your dreams for you.
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