Our Brand Name Has Changed

We have some exciting news to share with you! Our brand name is changing from Cruises Inc. to Dream Vacations. While our brand name has changed, our commitment to offering you the same great services and exceptional value on the dream vacation of your choice will remain the same. Dream Vacations encompasses a world of memorable experiences, from cruises to resort vacations and guided tours. Whatever your dream vacation is, we’re here to provide you with an extraordinary vacation experience! Please note that all my current contact information, including my email, and website will still be accessible; however, it will redirect to my new DreamVacations.com Website and Email Address. Our email address will be updated, and you’ll receive messages from the “@DreamVacations.com” domain. Please be on the lookout for our Dream Vacations emails in your inbox soon! Thank you for your loyalty, and we look forward to helping you plan one of your many Dream Vacations! Please find my updated contact information below! Website: cpappin.DreamVacations.com Email: cpappin@DreamVacations.com Phone: (630) 837-7295

2021 Together National Conference November 13-20 Our 2021 National Conference sets sail November 13th on the brand-new Celebrity Apex. Be sure to follow us on our social media to sail along with us. Help us grant wishes by donating to our Make-A-Wish campaign. Donate Today

Be sure to follow us on social media We are always sharing the best travel deals and want to keep you inspired about your next vacation!

 

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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM Eastern for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Where is Chris - Social Media Day

#SocialMediaDay 2020  

This year, more than ever, social media is playing a huge role in our lives.  While we have been cocooning, during this pandemic, we've been removed from daily live interactions and have turned to social media to stay connected.  In person meetings have become virtual.  Homes have become offices and schools.  When this is over, don't be surprised if social media and virtual interactions remain a huge part of our lives.

To Our New Followers

We'd like to welcome new readers to our Blog, Facebook fan page, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, and website on this #SocialMediaDay.   We look forward to socializing more with you in the future to help plan a great cruise or land vacation for you and your traveling companions. We've included links here with a brief explanation of some of the resources we offer to our followers.   Please be sure to take advantage of all these opportunities, as that is the best way to stay informed.

Where is Chris

Where is Chris    Learn More

Here on our blog we've posted regular (usually daily) challenges for you to guess the destination featured in the image included in the article.   We've also included ideas on how you might #KeepTheKidsEngaged using the topic or destination as a foundation for activities.

The idea for today's destination came from an event that occurred on this day in history. In 1972 The first leap second is added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). 

Can you guess where I'm standing in this image?   If not, we will reveal the answer tomorrow (just scroll over the image with your cursor).

Kids might not know the destination, but they can learn about telling time with one of these activities.

Our Cruise Diaries is another area you should explore. We feature some of our favorite trips with information, images, and videos to help you explore dream destinations.

 

If you haven’t signed up for our eSavers Newsletter yet, be sure to do so. This is just one of our communication vehicles to keep you informed about industry news and special offers for our loyal followers. By signing up for our newsletter you are also entered into our quarterly contest to win a free trip.

Be sure to visit our Facebook Fan Page and "Like Us" so that you can be in the inner circle of our Fans. You’ll have the opportunity to be the first to know about specials and other exclusive information, such as updates from cruise lines.

Our Instagram posts often feature content being shared in real time during our trips. For now, we have to share from our archives, as travel has been put on hold.   If you like watching videos, be sure to also follow our YouTube channel.

We have several boards on Pinterest which might be of interest to you.

Many of our posts are shared on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but we also include unique content on all social media outlets. For best experience, follow us on all our social media.

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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  

Each week we post images from our trips and participate in several travel chats on Twitter.

Take advantage of these resources to assist in you in planning your dream vacations.  Of course, we are always available to answer any questions you might have about travel and the industry.

Next Stop Bartlett Heritage Days

Meet Your Cruise & Vacation Specialist 

Christine Pappin 

Bartlett Heritage Days
Saturday & Sunday September 7-8, 2019

Free community event with a sound stage & beer garden in Town Center, Kids Fest at Banbury Fair, Bartlett Bazaar at Oak & Bartlett Rds, Jeweler’s Row on Oak and Fun Fair at Derango Dental. Saturday Pet Event in Bartlett Park, Sunday Classic Car Show on Oak St. And much more.

Visit www.bartlettheritagedays.com for full details.

Those of you in the northwest suburbs of Chicago can meet me during the two day Bartlett Heritage Days in Downtown Bartlett, IL. Stop by our booth at the Business Expo for brochures, special offers, give-aways, and more.

Whether you are planning a short or long vacation on land or sea, we have plenty of ideas to share with you to get your dream trip started.

Join Us for a Fun Hour on Twitter Wednesday Nights

If you love Food & Travel you should join #FoodTravelChat every Wednesday at 8 PM Eastern.  I'm one of the chat moderators.  Each week we discuss a new food and travel related topic.

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Meet Us at Streamwood Summer Celebration

Meet us at the show

Once a year we participate in our local Chamber of Commerce hosted Summer Celebration.
This will be our 13th appearance at the show.  A couple years ago I turned over my role as Chairman of the Chamber's Summer Celebration Committee so I shouldn't have to split my time between the Chamber Booth and my personal one, and look forward to meeting many of our fans during the three day event.

For those in the area, it is your chance to meet us in person to discuss your vacation plans, pick up some brochures, and take advantage of our exclusive offers.   Here is one of those specials that we will be featuring during the event July 26th - 28th.  We also extend the offers to our readers - ask us for complete details.  (click the link above for times and location)

Select from Cruises, Resorts, & Tours

Where do YOU Want to Go - So Many Choices

Explore Tours  ---  Explore Cruises

Perhaps the hottest new destination for 2019 and beyond is Australia & New Zealand.

We've just cruised around New Zealand from Sydney, Australia, earlier this year, so we can give you first-hand tips for your vacation.

Journey with us from Tauranga and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton™ Movie Set (pictured here), where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

If that sounds interesting, browse our Diary of New Zealand Cruise for highlights from that excursion as well as other sites of Australia and New Zealand.

Exclusive Offers

Even if you aren't able to visit us at our booth, you can still take advantage of our special offers like this one from Royal Caribbean and other Cruise Lines.

You may be familiar with BOGOHO promotion where you get 50% second guest. Now the offer is even better with 25% off third & fourth guests.   Additional amenities are also combinable to make this an even more attractive offer (Valid on select ships & sailings).  View all Royal Caribbean offers.

Hurry - These are Limited Time Offers!

We rarely write about our cruise and land offers in our column, but these were too good to pass up.  Don't miss out on these great deals! 

We hope to meet many of our local fans at the Summer Celebration.  This is one of the best parts of the business - being able to have 1-1 conversations in person to help plan your dream vacation.  So where do You want to go?

Click for Schedule of Events

Brochures

We get several calls for cruise ship and land vacation brochures.   In this day and age, the majority of the suppliers have cut down on printed materials and replaced them with online versions.

We stock brochures that are available from our suppliers on a regular basis and increase our stock in time for this annual event.   If you are in the area, this is a great opportunity for you to browse our "wish books".

Did you know that was how I convinced my husband to take an Alaska cruise?  He had said, "It's cold there.   We live where it's cold.  Why would I go on a vacation to somewhere that is cold?"   Well we've been back to Alaska several times since that initial look at an Alaska brochure.

What's on your wish list?   If we don't have a brochure, we'll be happy to do some research and provide you with all the details.

Come see us if you are in the area last weekend of  July  - or call us afterwards to discuss your wish list.

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