Check out your possible signature

 

Did you know we are a Preferred Sandals Agency?  We are!   One of the signatures of my agency is our strength in industry and product knowledge.  I actually just returned from the Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Specialist Association conference.  (Proud to be a charter member of that organization specifically dedicated to honeymoons and destination weddings!)  We work hard to be “in the know” so we can offer you the best in service and value.  Some people who follow me on Social Media (are you??) would say that my “signature” is traveling!  LOL!!  What is your signature?

Celebrity Cruise Lines offers signature sailings.  These are sailings that are above and beyond your typical cruise experiences.  These are great options for honeymoons, anniversaries, bucket list travel, and those who enjoy themed travel.  The signature sailings are fun, unique sailings that have special touches included for you.  Let’s take a look at them and see which one interests you!

One of my favorites is the Mardi Gras & Caribbean Signature Sailing in March 2017!  The 11 night sailing is round trip Fort Lauderdale with visits to Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and of course New Orleans for Mardi Gras!  You’ll spend 3 nights in New Orleans with some special Mardi Gras events!  You can experience New Orleans’ famous annual Mardi Gras parade like you never imagined with exciting grandstand seating.  Join in on the fun and excitement of Mardi Gras as the extravagant floats and costumed entertainers pass you by!  On board you will hear jazz performers and speakers on board before you dock for Mardi Gras.

Are you a golf fan?  It’s not too late to experience the British Open on a 12 night British Isles & Open on a Celebrity Signature Sailing this July!  The sailing is round trip Amsterdam with visits to Belfast, Glasgow, Cork, The Channel Islands, Paris, and Liverpool for the British Open.  You will be able to attend the British Open as it returns to Royal Troon Golf Club escorted by PGA Professional Steve Parry and two other golf professionals. Be there when the winner raises the Claret Jug!  On Board the ship attend golf clinics and an exclusive cocktail party with Steve Parry and two other golf professionals as they share their pro golfer experiences.  The tournament will be broadcast on the ship and food and beverages will be served.

Have you ever heard of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo?  “Tattoo” is the traditional signal used to call British soldiers to return to their quarters. Edinburg Castle hosts the Military Tattoo which is now Scotland’s largest and most popular event.  Over time, the custom evolved to become one of the world’s most spectacular visual and musical celebrations.  Celebrity’s 14 night Edinburgh Military Tattoo Signature Sailing this August is round trip Amsterdam and visits The Channel Islands, Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Lerwick/Shetland, Inverness/Loch Ness, Edinburgh, and Brussels.  In Edinburg you will watch Scotland’s extraordinary history come to life at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo from your exciting Front Stand seating.  Experience the beauty of the Edinburgh Castle; its romantic setting atop an extinct volcano sets the mood for this magnificent event.  Enjoy a masterful performance by an acclaimed international cast of military bands, pipe and drum corps, and dancers.  Feel the somber tones of the lone piper’s echo across the castle’s ramparts as he plays floodlit on the battlements, the most moving performance of the night.  On Board you will enjoy the music and dance of Scotland on board before joining the tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

Would you like to experience New Years Fireworks in Dubai on a Celebrity Signature Sailing?  You can cruise the Arabian Sea and India this December and ring in the New Year afloat watching fireworks that light up downtown Dubai from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.  The 14 night sailing is round trip Abu Dhabi visiting Oman, India (4 great ports!), and Dubai.  Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style on a private yacht with personalized butler service or over a sumptuous dinner at the Four Seasons Dubai Mercury Lounge. Marvel at Dubai’s beautiful skyline and enjoy unparalleled views of the city’s world-renowned New Year’s fireworks displays.  Dubai broke the world record for fireworks by setting of 479,651 fireworks to bring in 2014; will they top that this year?  Both the Burj Kalifa and Downtown Dubai will be illuminated with fireworks.  Join the rich and famous in Dubai for New Years to view the fabulous fireworks from the comfort of your ship!

Have you always wanted to visit Carnival in Rio de Janeiro? Celebrity has a 10 night South America and Rio Carnival Signature Sailing in February 2017 that is sure to be fun and fantastic!  The round trip Buenos Aries cruise visits Argentina, Brazil (4 ports!), and 2 ports in Uruguay.  Samba down the Sambadrome of Rio during Carnival in an extravagant costume and makeup, and experience the iconic Samba Parade in the ultimate grandstand or VIP seating.  Onboard the ship you can take samba lessons by day, then dance all night at our Latin party, Sizzle, with music from South Beach to South America.

Happy Travels,
Kelley

Travel made easy

It’s funny, when people find out that I own a travel agency, the topic of travel planning inevitably comes up.   The one thing I have learned is that many people have no idea how to work with a travel professional.  As a travel concierge, I specialize in creating travel experiences that are tailor made for you!  Keep in mind that perfect vacation experiences don’t just happen; planning requires thoughtfulness, patience, careful attention to details, and a lot of decision-making along the way.  Working with the right travel professional can streamline the process, insure no details are overlooked, and increase your value and experience dramatically.
Before you contact a travel professional, there are a few things you need to consider.  Thinking about these key items will help the travel concierge make thoughtful and appropriate recommendations for creating your ideal honeymoon.  You may not know the exact answers before contacting your travel professional, but just thinking about them will get you ahead of the planning process.  Here are 5 key questions you should ask yourself:
1. What is your priority for this experience?   Think about choosing up to 3 of the following:  romance, quiet, activity, adventure, food / wine, culture, tropical beach, or exploring cities.  Of course you could have completely different ideas!  Remember this is your vacation and your future memories!  Close your eyes for a minute and picture exactly what you want!
2. Do you have a specific destination in mind or are you looking for someone to help decide?  If you do have a destination in mind, what attracts you to that particular destination?  If you don’t have a specific destination in mind, the answers to question 1 will help your travel professional guide you.
3. What are your preferred travel dates or window of time?    Believe it or not, saying “I can travel anytime” isn’t actually helpful to your travel professional, and if you really think about it, it’s not actually true!  There’s always that “1 thing” you forgot about.  You really need to narrow it down as much as possible.  If you can’t give a 2 week time frame, give a month or at the most 2 months.
4. How long do you want to be gone?   This can make a big difference on your destination options.  For example, you won’t be visiting the south pacific nor doing an African Safari if you can only be gone 5 days.
5. What is your budget for your vacation experience?  While you may not know what “things cost” (I hear this all of the time), you certainly know what you can and / or will spend.  A budget isn’t an exact dollar amount but a range.   Knowing your budget range upfront can help set realistic expectations and eliminate a great deal of frustration during the planning process.  This is usually the hardest part for everyone.  A way to make this easier is to consider the following sample ranges:  Less than $5,000, $5,000-$7,500, $7,500-$10,000, $10,000-$13,000, $13,000 – $15,000, and over $15,000.
Remember – budget has nothing to do with “price” – budget is what we use to create your experience and provide you with value for your dollars!  Price is what you pay, Value is what you get!
Once you have thought about these key elements, the real fun begins!!  Then we move on to the types of vacation experiences:  all-inclusive resorts, multi-destination, river cruises, escorted tours, or cruises are just a few of the options!
Remember, your vacation experience is all about you!  Let’s spend your hard-earned money in a way that provides the most value and creates ever lasting memories!
Happy Travels
Kelley

Time for some romance !!

In the spirit of Valentines, I thought I’d share some ways to make travel more of an experience.  Whether it be your honeymoon, anniversary, destination wedding, bucket list, or any other reason, there are always way to make your travel a bit more special.  It is so easy to incorporate love and romance in to your travel!  There are some small touches that can really make a big impact on your vacation!   It doesn’t matter if you are at an all-inclusive resort, or on a cruise, there are always options to touch the heart of someone you love!
If you are at an all-inclusive resort, whether it is your honeymoon or you are just looking to add a bit of romance, here are just a few great ideas for you:
• Romantic dinner on the beach at or after sunset
• Fresh flower delivery to your room or to the restaurant on your special occasion evening
• Iced down champagne waiting for you in your room, at your beach cabana, or at dinner
• Couples massage
• Butler Service – there is nothing like being waited on hand and foot!  Having a butler draw a bath tub filled with flower petals…priceless!
Believe it not, adding romance to your cruise experience is much easier than you think!  Here are just a few ideas to get you thinking about romance on your cruise:
• Upgrade to a balcony cabin or a suite – yes, just the cabin itself gives you a nice balcony, a private escape for just the 2 of you.  Your balcony is a great place for a private breakfast or dinner!
• Champagne and fresh flowers on the balcony or in your stateroom with chocolate covered strawberries
• Spa day or couples massage
• Dinner in a specialty restaurant  on your special occasion evening
• Private photo session with the ship photographer to capture the memories
I hope you have a fabulous Valentine’s Day weekend!
Happy Travels
      

Kelley