Travel Advisor Day 2019

WE BELIEVE THAT TRAVEL PLANNING ISN'T BETWEEN PLACES … IT'S BETWEEN PEOPLE.

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WHY USE A TRAVEL AGENT (Video)

Why you should use a travel agent

Today’s agent is highly trained, well-traveled and has industry contacts, just in case they need to call in a favor.

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A fascinating and delightful dream vacation starts with Cruises Inc. For over 35 years, our Independent Vacation Specialists have sent millions of travelers to exotic places all over the world from the florescent sun-kissed beaches of the Caribbean all the way to the spectacular radiance of the Mediterranean. Whether you're planning a family reunion, a relaxing retreat or a lover's getaway, all of our Vacation Specialists will provide you with the best options around. Because we are a part of the largest vacation retailer in the United States, we don't only guarantee exceptional insider savings and special fares but we provide all of our customers with top-notch personal service every step of the way.

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Xcited to Meet Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Cruises Took Delivery of Celebrity Edge 

& Lays Keel of Celebrity Apex

Celebrity Edge Sails for Florida 


Celebrity EDGE arrives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida the week of November 19th after crossing the Atlantic Ocean from its birthplace in France. It was built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique (STX France) in Saint-Nazaire, France. It was delivered to Celebrity Cruises on October 31, 2018 after four years of planning and a 23 month construction period. The 2,900-guest ship is the first of four ships in the new EDGE-class.

The 1,004-foot-long vessel’s unique features include the Magic Carpet, a large multi-use elevator of sorts that moves up and down the side of the 16-deck ship while playing the role of mass transportation, but also as an entertainment and dining venue. Another unique feature on Edge is the three-story venue called Eden that will feature an 18-foot-tall wall of plants over a bar that uses ingredients from the plants in its drinks. The venue will act as relaxing lounge during the day and dinner theater venue at night with aerialists and musicians.

We will be onboard Celebrity Edge for one of the initial pre-inaugural sailings in November and will be bringing you live images via our social media accounts.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the action.

View Celebrity Edge Sailings

Celebrity Edge Infographic

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Cruise Lines Salute Veterans

 

Veterans Day 2018

First and foremost, Monday is the annual observance of Veteran's Day, a day set aside to honor the nation's veterans.   The image in this article was taken at the American Cemetery in Normandy, France, on one of our cruises several years ago.    The image of row after row of crosses will never leave me.

Every day we go about our business, and I suspect most of us take our freedom for granted.   It isn't because we aren't caring people, but instead perhaps because we just don't think about it.  So I ask you today to take a moment to reflect on the veterans, living and deceased, for without whose service we wouldn't be the free nation we are today.

We could never thank our military men and women enough for their courageous service and sacrifice to our country and its people. Yet today we lift up our voices to express gratefulness and honor to these military troops both from the past and present.

 THANK YOU FROM 

A GRATEFUL NATION 

Many cruise lines recognize our troops with special rates.  We've listed a couple offers which you might not be aware of.   Be sure to mention your military service when contacting us so that we can see if there are any rates that you qualify for.  We would be honored to help you plan some R & R. Please note that these rates require documentation of eligibility, which we can help you with.

 

Cruise Line	Veterans Day Offer
Carnival Cruise Line	We’re saluting our soldiers — check the calendar to find Carnival’s best Military fares, by date, for any stateroom type, departure port or destination. Then select the date for the day’s top sailings. Limited time offer 2-for-1 deposits, free upgrades, and $50 onboard credit ends Monday, November 12th.
Celebrity Cruises	We thank you for your service. All military members, active and retired, qualify for these special savings. Savings up to $100 are per person, for first and second guest, and are based on type of stateroom. Plus, it’s combinable with any of our current offers.
Cunard	Cunard is pleased to offer a special military personnel onboard credit programme. This programme is available to active military, retired military and disabled military veterans with proper identification in the following service divisions: United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserves, Canadian National Defence, United Kingdom Military Personnel, Royal Australian Navy, Army, Air Force, and Royal New Zealand Navy, Army or Air Force. Receive up to $250 based on length of cruise.
MSC Cruises	To say "thanks", MSC Cruises is pleased to offer up to 10% savings* to salute you and your family. Those that qualify include active and retired U.S. and Canadian Military personnel, including U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard, Army Reserve and Department of Defense personnel.
Norwegian Cruise Line	Norwegian Cruise Line is proud to offer members of the military and their families exclusive discounts on select cruises up to 10% off.
Princess Cruises	To thank the brave men and women of the American and Canadian militaries for their service, Princess Cruises® offers up to $250 free onboard spending money* for veterans as well as active, retired or disabled military personnel.
Royal Caribbean	Ongoing promotion allows Military, Police  & Fire personnel special discounts on select sailings The Sea is Calling Police, Firefighters, Military

Norwegian Bliss Manhattan Room

Click images to enlarge

The Manhattan Room 

One of three Main Dining Rooms aboard Norwegian Bliss, The Manhattan Room is where guests can enjoy specially curated modern and classic dishes made with the freshest ingredients.  This is a complimentary dining option.

Since we had our first cocktail party of the conference scheduled for Saturday night at 7 PM, we made reservations with fellow agents for dinner at 5:30 PM in the Manhattan Room.

When you arrive at the reception desk, you check in with the desk using your room key card.  That way, the rest of your party, if not already there, will be shown to your table.  (It is best if you all arrive at the same time, however).

Understanding the Dinner Menu

As is the case with most cruise lines,  there are several sections to the menu.  In general, you'll have choices that are only available that night and others that can be ordered every night.

The first section is Appetizers.  You can select one or more options from this part of the menu.  You could also ask for an appetizer portion of certain entrees as well (such as pasta).

Two of the items we selected are shown above:   French Onion Soup and Bruschetta.  The French Onion Soup was good - but we've had better.  The Brushetta on the other hand was outstanding - you can see they did not skimp on ingredients.

Featured & Classic Entrees

We selected items from both areas of the menu.  The Pork Spare Ribs was one of the Featured Entrees while the 3-Cheese Baked Ziti was a selection from the Classic list.   Both of these were very good choices.   The menu doesn't show the dessert options - the waiter shares that menu with you after the main meal has been served.   Since we wanted to get to our party, we skipped dessert, knowing there would be plenty to eat at the party.

Inspire Conference  - Click for More Stories & Pictures

Norwegian Bliss
October 20-27, 2018
7 days R/T Port of Los Angeles (Long Beach)

Additional photos can be found on our Norwegian Bliss Shutterfly page

Manhattan Room album

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Love That New Ship Smell - Meet Norwegian Bliss

NORWEGIAN BLISS - OCT. 20-27, 2018

7 NIGHT MEXICAN RIVIERA (R/T LA)

This year's National Conference was held aboard the brand new Norwegian Bliss which sailed out of the Port of Los Angeles (Long Beach).  We were to have sailed to the Mexican Riviera and had ports of call in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Unfortunately, two tropical storms were in the Pacific when we sailed and were strengthening.   Norwegian Cruise Line altered our itinerary to avoid what would become Hurricane Willa.

We sailed to San Francisco and San Diego, California and Ensenada, Mexico.

This post serves as an anchor for our mini-series of posts about the conference and the new ship. Please come back often for updates.

The images above give you a glimpse of the brand new ship. There is much more to explore both on the ship and our modified itinerary. 

View Itineraries          Click to Learn More about Norwegian Bliss

1

Conference

Set Sail With Us on Norwegian Bliss

First Glimpse
General Session
NCL 60's Party
Wig Out Party
Sports Team Party
Fedora Friday

2

Ship

Welcome Aboard Norwegian Bliss
Our Norwegian Bliss Cabin
Sail Away Party Norwegian Bliss

Bliss Mini-Suite

Sailaway Party

Observation Lounge

Mandara Spa

Towel Animals

3

Dining

Norwegian Bliss Manhattan Room
Celebrating a Special Birthday at Cagney's Steakhouse
How Sweet It Is On Norwegian Bliss
 

Welcome Buffet
Breakfast Buffet
Manhattan Room
Taste
Cagney's Steakhouse
Coco's
Q Texas Smokehouse
Observation Lounge
La Cucina
The Local Bar & Grill
Ocean Blue
Tappanyaki
Margaritaville

4

Ports

Arriving San Francisco
Pier 27
Pier 39
Walk Along Wharf
Ghirardelli Square
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Sunset
Goldengate Bridge
San Diego Harbor
Port of San Diego
Greatest Generation Walk
USS Midway
South Harbor Cruise
Ensenada
Port of LA (Long Beach)

5

Entertainment

Casino
Laser Tag
Race Track
Bliss Pool & Waterslide
Beatle Mania
Wine Event
Jersey Boys
Maltings Whiskey Bar

6

Travel

Click the image below for photo albums:

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat