Patriotic Day at 2020 Vision Conference

 

Veterans Day 2020

Day 3 of our Virtual National Conference #2020VisionConference started with a salute to Veterans.  

Home-based travel agency franchise ranks #2 out of 150 franchises in 2020

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (October 27, 2020) – Dream Vacations has once again dominated Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Top Franchises for Veterans” list and is the top travel agency franchise on the list – ranked number two out of 150 franchises across all industries. Since 2017, Dream Vacations has been jockeying between the first and second place ranking.

“Veterans are such important members of our society and to be recognized year-after-year as the best travel agency franchise for veterans is one of the highest and most meaningful honors we receive,” said Debbie Fiorino, chief operating officer of Dream Vacations. “Our support goes beyond just offering a discount, but providing proven systems, tools and a camaraderie that parallels the military and positions veterans for success.” 

Many of our travel partners offer discounts to current military and veterans. You've served your country and now it's time for us to serve you by providing you with an opportunity to create new memories/

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Salute to Veterans

 

Veterans Day 2019

First and foremost, Today is the annual observance of Veteran's Day, a day set aside to honor the nation's veterans.  

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.  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.

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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 

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

Cruise Lines Salute Veterans

 

Veterans Day 2017

First and foremost, today 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.

 

Cruise Line	Veterans Day Offer
Carnival Cruise Line	Saluting our soldiers with exclusive rates on select sailings through 2018! Plus, share your deal with two additional rooms. Destinations include: Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Alaska
Royal Caribbean	Ongoing promotion allows Military, Police  & Fire personnel special discounts on select sailings The Sea is Calling Police, Firefighters, Military

Cruise Lines Salute Veterans

 

Veterans Day 2016

First and foremost, today 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.

 

Cruise Line	Veterans Day Offer
Carnival Cruise Line	Saluting our soldiers with exclusive rates on select sailings through 2017! Plus, share your deal with two additional rooms. Destinations include: Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Alaska
Royal Caribbean	Ongoing promotion allows Military, Police  & Fire personnel special discounts on select sailings The Sea is Calling Police, Firefighters, Military

Cruise Lines Salute Veterans

 

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.

 

Cruise Line	Veterans Day Offer
Carnival Cruise Line	Saluting our soldiers with exclusive rates on select sailings through 2016! Plus, share your deal with two additional rooms. Destinations include: Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Alaska
Royal Caribbean	Ongoing promotion allows Military, Police  & Fire personnel special discounts on select sailings The Sea is Calling Police, Firefighters, Military

Embarkation Favorites - Spa

Wouldn't This Be a Nice Valentine's Day Present?

Spa & Salon
Carnival Conquest

You've just gotten aboard the ship and after having some lunch it's time to explore the ship and get to know more about what awaits you the rest of the week.   First up on our tour is the Spa.

On most ships, embarkation day means open house.  It is a chance for each department to showcase what they have to offer you as guests during your cruise.


Embarkation Specials

Carnival Conquest has a full service Spa, Salon, and Fitness Center located on Deck 11 Forward.
Prior to the mandatory safety drill, the spa is open giving tours of the facility and taking appointments for later that day and the rest of the cruise.

Arriving at the Spa, you are introduced to one of the many therapists on board who takes you on a private tour of the facility.   You are given the Spa Menu, much like you would receive a menu from the host at your favorite restaurant. 

Throughout the Spa, there are displays of the various treatments and someone on hand to explain the benefits and answer any questions you might have.   At the conclusion of the tour, you can make appointments and take advantage of published specials.

We decided to take advantage of having our treatment on embarkation day at a savings.  The Aromastones Massage is a 75 minute treatment which harnesses the properties of volcanic basalt stones combining with aromatherapy oils and traditional massage to make all your aches, pains, and stress melt away.  This hot stones treatment is by far our favorite massage on board a ship.   They were able to schedule our appointment right after the boat drill (and right before our dinner time).
They were offering an embarkation day discount of $46 from the $195 price tag.  Believe me, it is worth every penny.  There were several other offers with discounts up to $64 (for example: Aromaspa Seaweed Wrap & Massage to detox and condition your body).

Click for Mini-Series Articles / Images

TIP:  If you don't want to have your appointment on embarkation day, there are also 10, 20, 30% savings if you booked multiple treatments during the cruise.   For those still not ready to make an appointment - be sure to keep checking the Carnival Fun Times paper for more offers.

Now that we have our massage planned, we are off to continue our exploration of Carnival Conquest - be sure to come back to learn more about the ship and our cruise.

Cruise Lines Salute Veterans

 

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.

 

Cruise Line	Veterans Day Offer
Carnival Cruise Line	Promotion Allows Military Personnel to Book Up To Three ‘Fun Ship’ Staterooms at Discounted Rates Reservations must be made between Nov. 1-30, 2012 Variety of three- to 12-day “Fun Ship” departures through April 30, 2014 Destinations include: Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Alaska
Royal Caribbean	Ongoing promotion allows Military, Police  & Fire personnel special discounts on select sailings The Sea is Calling Police, Firefighters, Military

Photo Assignment - Cruising Under the Full Moon

The lunar farside as never seen before! LROC WAC orthographic
projection centered at 180° longitude, 0° latitude

Credit: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University
› Larger image    › Learn more

'Supermoon' Tonight

There's been plenty of discussion about the 'Supermoon' occurring tonight, March 19th.  What makes this full moon super?   The moon will be at its closest point to the earth as it orbits around us, giving it an appearance of being much larger than normal.   Of course, this isn't the case, the moon doesn't change size at all.   The point where the moon is the closest to the earth is called its perigee. 

On Saturday night, the moon will arrive at perigee at 19:09 UT (3:09 p.m. Eastern Time). Its distance from the Earth at that moment will be 221,565 miles.  In December, 2008 it was 221,587 miles at perigee.

North America will miss the actual perigee since this will occur in the middle of the afternoon, but if the weather cooperates, we'd still suggest getting a look at the full moon when it appears in tonight's sky.

PHOTO ASSIGNMENT

For those lucky enough to be on a cruise tonight,  take some photos that include the moon.   For those that aren't as lucky, but still have a great view of the moon tonight, you are welcome to post also.

Some possibilities would be as the moon is rising,  friend or family members with the moon behind them, reflections of the moon on the ship or sea (perhaps with someone in the foreground to add interest).  Be creative, and have a great time enjoying the view (which is what it's all about, isn't it).

Become a Fan of our Facebook Page and post your pictures.    This is not a photo contest, and we can't give you a prize, but we can give you a forum to share your memories with everyone else.

To make the photos interesting, also post a comment about where the picture was taken and what cruise you were on (or perhaps reflect on a time when you saw a similar picture while on a cruise).    The whole intention here is to show how great cruising is and allow you to share your memories with others.

Facebook terms and conditions apply to any content you post on our Fan Page (in other words, only post your own photos, etc).     We didn't want to make this a formal contest, we just wanted to have some fun with this "supermoon" that has the media buzzing. 

Becoming a Fan will have its rewards ...   in the near future, we will be restricting certain content, and only sharing that with our FB Fans.   This could be sneak peaks, special offers, discounts, etc, so you don't want to miss out on the new content.

If you are on Norwegian Epic, what better night than tonight to Howl at the Moon

Azamara Journey Spa and Fitness

Astral Spa Fitness

Welcome to Astral Spa, Azamara Journey's spa and fitness center.  Following lunch we took a tour of the spa, signed up for the cruise pass for the Thermal Spring and private spa deck.   The Thermal Spring features a private spa deck with Thalassotherapy Bath.   Minerals in the warm water, combined with powerful jets massage your body will you bask in the sun.

Thalassotherapy Bath

One of the best bargains for a couple on the Journey is to sign up for the full cruise use of the spa deck which includes the Thalassotherapy Bath.   The price (at time of this post) is $20 per person for a one day pass or $99 a person for the whole cruise.   A couple can purchase the same pass for $175 which is a substantial savings over single use or individual pricing.

We signed up for the entire cruise but due to rough seas, all pools were closed the first sea day.   We'll just have to go multiple times some other day to make sure we get the full benefit of the package.

As is the case ships, this spa is run by Elemis and is a full service facility.   We are looking forward to hot stones massages on Friday.   Another bargain is to schedule your massage or other service on a port day, which is why we picked Friday.   We'll be in St. Martin for the entire day, leaving at 11 PM at night which gave us plenty of time to see the port while also taking advantage of special pricing.

Check out our Facebook page for more pictures.

Happy 4th of July

Independence Day 2009

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States

I hope that you are enjoying a wonderful Fourth of July with family and friends. Across the globe, there are many families that are apart from loved ones. Those are the men and women of the Armed Forces who are serving to protect those freedoms that we celebrate today. Let us salute those men and women who sacrifice so that we can enjoy this holiday.

The photo in this article was not taken on the Fourth of July, but rather when I was onboard Disney Wonder for a Southern Caribbean voyage. Across America today, you'll see similar displays in the night skies (weather permitting). Enjoy your freedom today.

I'd like to thank all the military personnel, past and present, for serving their country. Many of the cruise lines offer military discounts. If you know someone who has served, make sure they are aware of these discounts - it's the least we can do for them that have made this day possible.