Hi from the Cigar Bar on the Regent Seven Seas Voyager

After port stops in Palermo, Sicily and Tunis, Tunisia we're "at sea" today so thought I would take the opportunity to say Howdy!  As with any of our trips that begin (or end) in Rome, we enjoyed our 'almost annual' dinner at Fortunato al Pantheon near the famous Pantheon (no kidding?) and the Trevi Fountain. Same table for 8; same waiters; same fun - as you see from the picture!

Most of you will agree that there are some places that you visit once and say, "It was a great experience, but one time is enough". (Athens comes to mind!) Rome is one of those places that I will never tire of. It's not only "our" restaurant; it's everything! One almost doesn't even need to "do" or "see" - just be there. Walk the streets, have a coffee or a wine at a sidewalk cafe when the feet get tired, browse the shops. (I feel the same about Paris and London!)

Well, we've been to Sicily a couple times before so this stop, although very pleasant, was pretty uneventful. Tunisia, on Africa's North Coast, was quite a different matter. A Muslim country on the African continent is always good for a "different feel". A wonderful experience, but it does fall into the "former" category defined above... once is enough. Among several interesting stops was a visit to the American Military Cemetery. (Patton's and Montgomery's forces pretty much began their WWII march to Berlin fighting Rommel's forces in the Sahara desert regions of Tunisia.) We, with the help of a remarkable American Serviceman, we found the grave of the brother of a friend... a meaningful day, indeed!

For those of you who may be worried, we're being well-fed (and "watered") on board this fabulous ship. The next two stops are in Spain then another exotic port - Casablanca, Morocco. Then, the end of the road is Funchal, Madiera - one of the most under-rated places in all of Europe! Talk to you again "down the road"!

Cheers,

Dick

Time to Break Out the Tumi

It seems like such a short time ago that I announced that we had come to the end of the road and were parking our luggage in favor of the Lake Season. I looked back at that Blog Post of June 13th with amusement - and frustration with how fast summer zooms by!

Well, as we close up the cabin, it's time to prepare for our November Cruise from Rome to Funchal, Madiera. We ALWAYS recommend to our travel clients that they fly to the cruise departure point a day or two early. (Even for Caribbean cruising; but especially when cruising outside North America.)

Our trip, for the 4th time, will be with an extra day in Rome and dinner at our favorite Rome restaurant - Al Fortunata del Pantheon. This year's adventure will be aboard Regent Seven Seas cruise line and will take us to some "repeat ports" and some exciting new ones such as Malaga, Spain on the Costa del Sol and ports along the North Coast of Africa. 

As much as I hate accepting the passing of summer, we're looking forward to this adventure.

Cheers,

Dick 

Don't Make a Vacation Decision based on Web Pictures!

I played golf yesterday with a guy who had just returned from a 25th Anniversary trip in Hawaii. (Wailea, Maui to be exact.) He and his wife were very disappointed with their gorgeous 5-Star resort hotel. (You may ask how anyone could be "disappointed" with a 5-Star hotel?) The place was beautiful, the service was great... and it was crawling with families with small children!

Your first thought might be that this mainly impacted their time at the pool or on the beach but it affected the entire experience. They knew immediately that they were in trouble - upon settling into their room and changing into tropical clothing they went to the lobby bar for an "Aloha Cocktail". There were a number of preschool-age kids running around the lobby area just 30 feet from them. One was yelling at a sibling; the sibling was crying. How's that for romantic?

This fellow, whom I had just met on the first tee, related that the restaurants were very nice and the food was excellent but, again, they were far from relaxing or romantic. He added that the menus reflected the nature of their clientele.

As it happens, there is another 5-Star resort hotel right next door and I have stayed at both over the years. The ambiance of the two could not possibly be more opposite. Years ago, both were elegant... now one remains so with an adult clientele while the other began marketing to family vacations a few years ago.

If you look at the websites of both, you will not be able to distinguish between them. Both look fabulously classy with pictures that could possibly be interchanged. The only hint, if you have a trained eye, is a water slide in the distant background of one pool picture. A good travel consultant (like my agency - Gateway Express Travel) would have known the difference and saved this fellow's trip!

Cheers,

Dick

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Mid-Summer Report from the Easy Chair at the Lake!

As reported last month, the Tumi luggage is parked for the season and, as much as I enjoy the travel scene, it's sure nice to be "temporarily divorced" from TSA inspectors & molesters! I didn't think I would ever say this, but I truly feel sorry for the airlines. If they just parked their birds and said the hell with it, I don't know if I would blame them.

Actually, business at our travel agency (gatewayexpress.com) has been very good this summer. Given that this is typically the "dog days" for travel in the the Midwest market (we're not the only ones who cherish staying close to the BBQ grill this time of year), things haven't been bad. An increasingly big part of our leisure business over the past several years has been family spring break trips mostly to Mexico. Bookings for next April have begun earlier than I can ever recall.

Oh well, these days at our lake place on Woman Lake near Longville, MN are what life is all about this time of year. But, I must admit that I'm starting to think about that Mediterranean Cruise that we're taking in November. We'll start in Rome (our fourth visit to Rome... which means another dinner at Al Fortunata del Pantheon - our favorite restaurant in the world!) and will end up in Funchal, Madeira, A new port for us. The travel bug lives!

I hope you all are enjoying Mosquito Season!!!!!

Dick
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Whew! I've come to the End of the Road...

... for a while, at least! Since mid-April I've had 5 trips - Tucson, Boston, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Alaska - but have come to the end of the road for awhile! Whew! Now it's time for summer weekends at our lake place in northern Minnesota and to catch up on the golf game! For those of you fellow Minnesotans (and Wisconsinites), you know that there is no greater place to be during the summer than home!!!

So until our next trip to Europe (a Regent Seven Seas Cruise from Rome to Funchal, Madeira) in November our Tumi luggage resides in deep storage!

Speaking of Cruises in Europe, we are seeing the biggest season ever for selling European Cruises at our travel agency. There are more ships in Europe than ever before - and they are largely sold out already. The cruise lines have already opened booking for 2009 - the earliest that the industry has ever come out with future sailings. If you are interested in explanations for this phenomenon, go to Cruise News at www.gatewayexpress.com.

Cheers,

Dick

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Alaska Cruise: All's Well That Ends Well!

Well, we're back in Minnesota looking for the sun! It has rained constantly since we returned - feels like Seattle albeit a bit warmer. In a way, it's hard to believe that it took me 63 years to get to Alaska since our travel agency (www.gatewayexpress.com) has sent hundreds of clients there over the years... but in another way, it's no shock - we hate to leave Minnesota in summer leaving our limited travel time & funds for winter escapes! Our Princess Cruise aboard the Island Princess was spectacular! (At Gateway Express Travel, we feature Princess Cruises and Holland America Line for family travel and Silversea Cruises for upscale, adult-only trips.)

When I last posted we were in Juneau about to head out for an evening of whale-watching. For me, that was the highlight of the whole trip... being able to get within 200 feet of the magnificent beasts! At one point we came up to a mother and baby cavorting playfully together. The youngster was just learning the "moves" and it was fun to watch.

Then it was off to Skagway where we went out for some King Salmon fishing. Although we got skunked, it was a gorgeous day on the water. We saw Black Bears along the shore, Sea Lions and a lot of Bald Eagles. The cruise ended with two days of sailing through Glacier Bay and College Fjord. In the latter, we saw numerous Seals perched on large chunks of ice that had broken off the glaciers. On one of these mini-icebergs we saw a new-born seal with its mother. There was some blood on the ice indicating that the baby had been born within the last couple days. After a very scenic 2-hour rail trip from Whittier to Anchorage aboard the Princess Express that continues on the their Wilderness Lodges in the interior, our day in Anchorage was pretty uneventful. We disembarked about 7:00AM and had a 9:30PM red eye flight home. We intentionally gave ourselves the day to explore Anchorage... that is the one thing we would change. There's not a lot to do or see in Anchorage. We were ready to get home to our 2-year old Cockapoo, Hat Trick! The 1:00PM flight would have been perfect!

Cheers,

Dick

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Alaska Cruising... another vista explored!

Here's more proof of my infinite wisdom... after enduring 6 months of Minnesota winter, I and my family had to find more snow & ice! This post comes from Ketchikan, Alaska - the first stop on our family's 7-Day Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruise Line.

As much as I crave the 70 to 80 degree Minnesota weather we have waited so long for, I must admit that this place is gorgeous! Another favorite routine of mine while vacationing - getting up at 5:30 in the morning and dressing with 6 layers of clothing to avoid hypothermia while Halibut fishing and crabbing. Again, I have to admit that it was a memorable experience even though we only caught two Snappers and two crabs amongst the four of us. The highlight of the day, breath-taking scenery aside, was having 6 Eagles fly right down to within 100 feet of our skiff. The guide whistled and threw out the remains of one of our Snappers and the Eagles came flying. Truly awesome!!!

Well it's back to "work"... I'll talk to you from Skagway, Alaska in a couple days.

UPDATE: Friday, May 23 - After a spectacular day in Juneau, Alaska we are now in Skagway. Yesterday will be hard to top... our boys flew by helicopter to a distant glacier for a glacial trek. While they were gone, we hiked the trails alongside the Mendenhall Glacier (pictured here)... not an easy walk in the park but absolutely stunning!!! That evening we went on a whale-watching excursion that , for us, was the show-stopper! I'll be anxious to share more on that when I get back to WARM Minnesota. (Thought those two words would never be used together!!!)

Cheers,

Dick

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Quiet Las Vegas? I'm not kidding!

If you love to party... but want to be able to "turn it off" at times, there is more to Vegas than the circus-like atmosphere of The Strip. As I wrote about a year ago in my Quieter Side of Las Vegas blog post, there are hotels or sections of hotel complexes where you don't need to wade through throngs of gamblers in a cavernous casinos to get to the elevator to your room. A good example is the new Palazzo Towers at the Venetian. It features a private off-Strip entrance and quiet elegance - still you are just a 5-minute walk to the main attractions of the Venetian. Link back to that post for descriptions of such meccas as THE hotel at Mandalay Bay or the Signature Towers adjacent to the MGM Grand.

On my visit last week, I ventured out to Lake Las Vegas and the incomparable Ritz-Carlton Resort Hotel. This place is magnificent! (What else would you expect from Ritz-Carlton?) The casino is not actually in the hotel, but is adjacent as part of the Italian Village with numerous restaurants and shops. So, you can have the excitement that most go to Las Vegas for - when you want it! And, for a night on The Strip for a major show or just to go for the whole enchilada, you only have a 25 minute drive. I stopped at the Ritz-Carlton for breakfast before playing the incredible Reflection Bay Golf Club. All through my stay in the dining room everybody - even the bus boys - addressed me by name. OK, so that's just very good training. Right? Here 's where they go way beyond training... I walked around the property and the Village including the lakeside stage where Andrea Bochelli performed a couple years ago. Almost an hour later, I came back through the restaurant and again was greeted by name by the hostess. That's cool!

The other Resort Hotel at "the Lake" is Loew's. It's not a bad place but, with the R-C just down the road, don't bother. Very confining since the Reflection Bay golf course wraps around it. There is no comparison! Whatever the price, the Ritz-Carlton is well worth it!

Cheers,

Dick


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Hello from Las Vegas!

This place is ridiculous! My annual sojourn for a technology conference is underway and, as usual, the landscape changes from my last visit are absurd. In just one year, the Wynn Las Vegas has opened a second tower called "Encore", the Trump Hotel & Casino is open, The Venetian has opened a new tower called Palazzo, the second tower at Bellagio is now open as is the 3rd new tower at Caesar's Palace, the massive City Center project (almost 8,000 new rooms) which was just a (huge) hole in the ground 12 months ago is almost half way completed, and the Stardust and Frontier hotels have been bulldozed.

The construction cranes - too numerous to count - have been dubbed Nevada's State Bird!

The ridiculously upscale shops at Caesar's, The Venetian, Planet Hollywood and Bellagio have all been expanded and more are coming. I walked through several of them and, unlike the malls at home, did not spot one single vacancy.

For anybody that worries about our economy, come here for a few days! The place is full with a 94% rooms occupancy - the highest rate in the entire world!

Cheers,

Dick

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...more on our Spa Resort stay:

As I said in the last post, I'm not ordinarily known for an ability to lay around and do nothing. But, this place just soothed the beast! For 3 days my golf clubs sat in the corner... and those who know me would be shocked to hear that it didn't bother me a bit! We did spa treatments each afternoon (I didn't go in for any of the exotic treatments - just some great massages) just before getting dressed for cocktails and wonderful dinners. After dinner, we would go to the wine bar off the outdoor section of the lobby and just sit overlooking the grounds and the ocean. What a way to end a perfect day!

OK; so what's so great about a massage? We all have had them at our local health clubs or day spas, right? Apart from the fact that spas in these 5-Star Resorts are something special, the total environment is one of relaxation. They are so quiet and peaceful that you generally will feel as if you are the only client in the spa.

And here's the real difference: When I go on a golf trip with the guys, the thing that makes it so special is that we are away from all the normal commitments. Nobody is late to the course because of a business tie up. Nobody has run off after golf because of a kid's game or concert. Nobody is pressured to be home in time for dinner. After golf on these trips, all we need to worry about is how much time we have for the pool or hot tub before getting ready to go to dinner! Same thing here: You have enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, taken a walk on the beach and relaxed in the sun at the pool before going to the spa. After your massage, you have as much time as you want to relax in the spa's lounge or whirlpool. Cocktails and dinner are on your terms.

If you are one who THINKS you are not a "spa resort type", think again!!!!!

Cheers,

Dick

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"Our Cabo Stay Got Even Better..."

... the meeting that we were managing in Los Cabos broke up Sunday morning and we headed for a few days of personal time on the Pacific side of Cabo. And, what a treat we were in store for! We drove down through the town center of Cabo San Lucas and up the hills (almost mountains) and down the other side (a winding road for sure!) to the Pacific coast and our new home, the beach side Pueblo Bonito Pacifica - a quiet adults-only holistic spa resort.

The resort is the only structure of any kind on a mile and a half long beach (the picture in my previous post gives you some idea of how expansive and "private" the beach is). So, now, I am a good 30 minutes from the nearest golf course and I wondered how I would exist for 3 days without playing. It was no problem!!! This place was the most relaxing and regenerative place I've ever experienced. Being one that has a hard time sitting still for very long, I had some reservations about this stay. It didn't take long for me to know that I didn't care a hoot about leaving this oasis - much less beat myself up on a golf course.

Passing through, not one - but two security guard stations before arriving at the front door, we walked into the lobby which exuded the soothing spa aroma of lavender that immediately relaxed us. The first thing we did was to go to the spa to reconfirm our treatment reservations. The eucalyptus aromas in the spa practically put us to sleep!

Our suite overlooked the pool, grounds (the picture above and that with the last post were taken from our veranda) and ocean. We were welcomed to our room by soothing "spa music" which was playing from the television. And a candle diffuser that was emitting more lavender aromas.

No children! OK, we all love kids, right? But, who doesn't look forward to a break? This place was soooo peaceful - without being boring! The atmosphere there just breeds "quiet relaxation". Even those of us that aren't exactly known for being quiet and docile just fall into this state of quiet. People all around were visiting but everyone seemed to converse in low volume - almost at a whisper.

Whale watching from our veranda! What a show we were treated to! Because the ocean gets very deep very fast, we saw whales surfacing "up close & personal". A few times we saw 5 at a time and once, while walking the beach, a whale surfaced so close I could hear the exhalation (the water spout). From our veranda one morning, we saw a whale jump completely out of water (as in those Pacific Life Insurance commercials). WOW!

Gotta go... I'll add more to this later.

Dick

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Greetings from Cabo San Lucas!

(Note: This post was created last week from Mexico but, because of a cyber road block, I couldn't upload it until I got home...)

Greetings from Cabo San Lucas! If you look back to my post of mid-December, you'll see that I have developed a new view of Mexico in the last couple years. Nothing could have demonstrated how far Mexico has come than this "return to Cabo". This is my first time back here since 1999 and the changes were astonishing! The "aeropuerto", (still very small) has a new terminal building; the number of private jets parked throughout the airport grounds was particularly eye-catching; a new highway from the airport to "resort row" and the town is now open. And, the new resorts and villas... Our magnificent 5-Star Resort, The Marquis, didn't even exist back then. In fact, there are about 20 high-end resort hotels that are new since then! Finally, a major sign of the "new" Mexico went almost unnoticed - At least if you are staying at an upscale resort or hotel, the old "don't drink the water" mantra is a thing of the past. (All bets are off if you venture into eateries away from the resorts!)

If you are at all familiar with the "Leading Hotels of the World" group of which the Marquis is a member, you know that's all you need to know of a hotel's quality! The service was friendly & efficient and the food was wonderful. If you're a golfer, Cabo is THE place in Mexico for you. And the Marquis is just across the highway from my favorite among the many great courses here - Cabo Real. (For more on the golf, go to my Golf Blog.) The Marquis is a relatively small property that has you feeling quite well-attended. you don't get lost in the crowd - and you don't need to wait for a table or fight for a poolside lounge chair. The best way I could describe the Marquis would be "understated elegance". If you want over-the-top splashiness, I would recommend the Palmilla Resort or Las Ventanas.

It gets even better! We were at The Marquis managing a corporate incentive group (and this place is great for meetings of 50 to 150 people) but when that group disbursed on Sunday morning, we headed to the Pacific side and spent 3 glorious days at quiet adults-only holistic spa resort - the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica (pictured above). Those of you who know me have just fallen off your chairs!

More on that experience in the next couple days.

Dick

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Mexico has Come of Age!

Most of you know that I have not always been too wild about Mexico as a tropical winter sun destination. But, as I reported in a blog post last spring, I have been impressed with the remarkable improvement in the quality of the higher-end resorts in the last several years. They were pushed by the cruise boom 15 to 20 years ago and it took them awhile to figure why they were losing their clients to the cruises. And, so began the birth of the "All-Inclusive Resorts". Early on, the food was awful and the service - well, it was spotty at best! But, they certainly have figured it out and now can rightfully boast that their resorts are a worthy match... particularly in the areas of food quality and personal service. By far, the best of the All-Inclusive Resorts center around Playa del Carmen and Riviera Nayarit - the new resort area just a couple miles north of Puerto Vallarta. There are All-Inclusives throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, but these two areas offer the most choices.

The earlier post that I referred to focused upon our favorite - the Riu Palace Riviera Maya at Playa del Carmen. (For more on that great 5-Star resort, refer back to my post of last May. Scroll down this page and click "older posts".) Now, we can heartily recommend the newest Riu Resort - the Riu Vallarta at Riviera Nayarit.

My travel agency has featured Riu Resorts all over the world for about 6 years now simply because they send our clients home happy... and, on our end of the table, they are delightful to work with. Tell your travel agent to send you to a 4-Star or 5-Star Riu Resort!

Cheers,

Dick

Why do they do this?

Last Saturday, I was sitting in a coffee house updating a few of our web pages (new specials). At the next table is a middle-aged couple - each with a laptop open. They are searching for flights to & from Tampa. About every two minutes, one of them announces to the other that they have hit on something. Honestly, I wasn't meaning to eavesdrop but, being in the travel business, I couldn't help picking up some of their chatter.

Among the things they "found" was a double connection - first O'Hare, then Dallas. Another "find" was cooler: Just one connection on the way down (Atlanta) but the return was from Tampa to Phoenix (honest!) and a flight home from there. Then there was the one that was Minneapolis - Newark (I wouldn't wish that one an enemy!) - Tampa. They weren't done yet! They found two non-stops: The only problem was that their return was from Orlando so they talked about renting their car in one city and returning it in the other. Undaunted, they trudged on finding single connections each way... but the return entailed a four hour lay-over getting them home at 11:30 that night.

But they were saving a ton of money, right? The only audible references to fares seemed to indicate that they were looking $290 to $390. Starting to develop saddle sores, I packed up and left. They had been at this for over an hour when I exited - they might still be there! Although I couldn't hear the dates that they were looking at, it was a pre-holiday trip. On Monday I had one of our agents take a look at Minneapolis - Tampa round trips on Northwest non-stops only. We came up with fares - you guessed it - around $280 and on one set of dates we found availability at $240.

So the question is: Why do they do this?
There is an answer... tune in tomorrow and I'll solve the mystery!

Dick

Wendy Perrin is Back!

My posts back in August and September declared Conde Nast Traveler writer Wendy Perrin to be a "dink'. Well, she's back with another "Travel Advice" column that reaffirms how deserved she is of this label.

Her "Best Travel Secrets" column in the September issue (I'm a little behind in my reading) advised, "If you want to make an overnight train trip (in Europe) as pleasant as possible, rent all four berths in the compartment so that you have it all to yourself.

A travel agent in New Hyde Park, NY did some fare research on three routes... each had similar results. EG: Each berth on a Paris to Berlin train was $123 for a total of $492 for the whole 4-berth compartment that had no in-compartment facilities. A single-berth compartment in first class was $417 and included a wash basin.

Great advise, isn't it?
If you want a few laughs, go back and read those earlier posts.

Cheers,

Dick
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Cruising through Italy & Greece (part 2)
After our brief stay in Rome, we boarded the Seabourn Spirit. Amazingly, even though it was 6 years since we sailed on this intimate 200 passenger ship, we were reunited with one of our waiters from 2001! Even more amazingly, he remembered us. Such is the personal rapport that can be developed on a small ship of this service level. (As with our experiences at that restaurant in Rome, it is entirely possible that we were remembered for reasons that might not be entirely flattering!!!!)
I could blather on about the ports we visited, but I would rather blather on about the "Seabourn Experience". With a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1-to-1, it is easy to see how the personal service that we experience on these trips is possible. Assembling in our favorite lounge for cocktails on the second night, the waiter asks if we want the same cocktails as last night... on the 3rd night, if we said yes the night before, he just brings our drinks. (Of course, we learned long ago that if we do want to change our beverage order, we need to head the waiter off quickly!) In the dining room, if you ask for a deviation, such as a "side" of french fries, you may get french fries on the side every night!
I had the pure joy of receiving my luggage on the 4th day of our trip. Having informed the Purser as we boarded, they swung into action (as did the Bell Captain at our hotel in Rome - unsuccessfully). The Purser contacted the cruise lines' representative at the airport and gave me updates every time I walked by the ships rotunda, where the Purser's office is located. The housekeeping manager knocked on our cabin door within 5 minutes of our arrival offering help with jackets, ties, tuxedos and whatever else they could find for me. The clothes I traveled in went immediately to the ship's laundry and was back in our cabin within a couple hours. There was no charge for the laundry and dry cleaning . The bag was finally located while we were on a shore excursion so the Purser ordered a special delivery by taxi in order to assure it's arrival by sailing time. The cost would be about $120 and the Purser offered to "cover" that cost since I couldn't be reached to accept the charge. Of course, I insisted that they not bear the charge. With a little luck, I'll get reimbursed by Northwest's "Sky Partner", Alitalia! We'll see!
Enough blathering! you get the idea... we kind of like this luxury cruising thing! It's pricy, but well worth it! Remember, if you can afford to go first class, and don't... your heirs will!

Dick
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The Pure Joy of the Mediterranean!
That we have just experienced our 5th Med Cruise in 7 years probably gives you the impression that we, sort of, like it! We returned to Seabourn Cruise Line's Seabourn Spirit (pictured here in port at Navplion, Greece) after 3 trips aboard Silversea's Silver Cloud. Having sailed on the Spirit in 2001, we were anxious to compare Seabourn with Silversea. Talk about a no-lose situation! In our opinion, these are the two finest luxury lines afloat. And our experience reaffirmed those feelings. To say one is the slightest bit better than the other is indeed splitting hairs. To be sure, there are subtle differences - none that are either good or bad... just slightly different. If you are considering an upscale cruise - and you should - contact me for our reflections.

On this outing, we cruised from Rome to Athens, spending a little extra time at both ends of the cruise. Having been to both cities before, we have started feeling at home in those cities - particularly Rome. A required staple of any visit is dinner at our favorite restaurant, Al Fortunata del Pantheon. Largely because we need a table for 8, we have dined at the same table on each visit. The fact that waiters remember us from previous visits does make me wonder if it's because we're so nice or if we make spectacles of ourselves! (We DO have a good time and, I think, make it fun for waiters!) When in the Med, one MUST focus on the incredible seafood. And, when in Italy, the fabulously delicious pastas are 'required'! Having toured the attractions of the city on previous visits, we opted to head to the countryside with Miguel, our long-standing guide in Rome. We visited the mountain lakes area where, among other things, the Pope's summer residence is.
(to be continued)

Cheers,

Dick
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OK; so the travel writer is cheap!

Many friends and clients have commented on the preceding post and agree that this woman is a moron. But many cruise lines have created their own monsters by getting caught up in "commodity pricing". Take one of our favorite lines, Holland America, for example. Holland America is a "premium" line that has maintained a tradition of excellence over the years. So why do they feel that they need to advertise a 7-day premium cruise "from" (that ubiquitous term!) $699? That only attracts people like the afore-mentioned that expect all-inclusive luxury for $40 per person/per day. The real price of that $699 cruise (that's a minimum inside cabin) with taxes and port fees is going to be more like $950. And when you upgrade to an Oceanview Cabin - and you know you will - you are at $1,299 and up. And that's a bargain! OK; now you're going to pay extra for the things listed in the previous post. But, it's still a bargain! Do the math and anyone can see that the end price for what you receive is quite low.

Our agency has cost comparisons between a premium cruise and a similar all-inclusive land vacation that proves the value of a cruise. (And, by the way, we don't really care whether we sell you a $1,500 beach vacation or a $1,500 cruise. We do care that we led you to the right choice!)

My message to premium lines like Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity: Don't try to compete with standard class lines on price. Hold your heads high and announce that your product is worth more than the standard class lines - and quit charging extra for soft drinks!


Dick

More Proof that Travel & Leisure Writers are Dinks!
Conde Nast Traveler writer Wendy Perrin takes a poke at the cruise industry and their alleged 'deceptive' pricing in her July article, "Sticker Shock at Sea", claiming that her family's Celebrity cruise ( a family of four) cost 54% more than the base fare. In her critique, she listed a number of extra charges that they incurred... charges for things that I would not exactly call 'typical'. She complained that she and her husband paid $220 for dinner for two including wine and tip in the ship's alternative gourmet restaurant. I looked it up and found that the surcharge for that gourmet dinner is $30 per person - far less than a similar meal in a comparable land-based restaurant. How she and her hubby could spend an extra $160 is a bit perplexing - either it was a very special bottle (or bottles) of wine or they are BIG tippers! Either way, it was their choice!

She whined about the $6 per hour they spent on child care. I checked into that and found that Celebrity's children's program is free of charge. She complained that they spent over $800 on 10 shore excursions. Again, their choice - and I don't know of any vacation package that includes side trips. She complained about their $228 bar bill. Again, their choice... and it is common knowledge that wine and cocktails on ships are well below prices at land-based lounges and restaurants. She even took offense at the $5 per day charge for unlimited soft drinks and complained about the 'endless' fliers promoting the shops and spa services. Apparently, she was unaware that use of the waste basket in their cabin IS complimentary!!!!

A good travel agent could tell her that the luxury lines typically DO include all those things for which the contemporary lines provide as optional services. (You would think that a professional writer would be familiar with the term, "Optional".) Of course the base price is much higher. I guess she wants Lexus features at a Kia price!

Cheers,
Dick

Luxury Cruises...
Hop on the "Upward Curve" for your next Cruise Vacation!
If you are in the middle of your child-raising years and are looking for a family vacation ignore this post! But, if you are looking for a break from those responsibilities -OR- have moved past that phase of your life, chances are pretty good that you don't want to board a ship that is loaded with families with young children.
Family travel (including family reunions) is huge these days... and that means kids everywhere - even during times of the year when you might think they are in school and even on premium lines such as Holland America and Princess.
There is an escape! The luxury lines are, by virtue of their "price point", true adult-oriented experiences. My wife and I will become "Empty Nesters" in September and are looking forward to a luxury cruise with Seabourn Cruise Line in October! On our first Seabourn cruise in 2000, we were in the 'taking a break' mode and we are looking forward to returning to the Seabourn Spirit as members of the second group that I identified above. Seabourn is one of four luxury lines from which you can choose. Along with Silversea, Crystal and Regent Seven Seas the fares on the "Elegant Four" seem quite "dear" but when you avail yourself of the many discount offerings and when you consider that everything is included - gourmet dining (for which there is a surcharge on other lines), all cocktails, fine wines and all gratuities - experiencing the best is really not all that much more expensive than a "premium class" cruise... with all those families on board!
Note: There is a new cruise line that positions itself between the premium class (Princess, Holland America, etc.) and the luxury lines. Oceania Cruise Line is what we refer to as "premium plus" in that you still pay for beverages and the gratuities are not included but the level of the cuisine and service is slightly better - and Oceania "does nothing to encourage children".

If you would like my recommendations on the right line for you, send me an email!

Cheers,

Dick