L.A. to get Disney Wonder Cruise Ship!

Disney has announced that it plans to move the Disney Wonder to Los Angeles in 2011. Los Angeles will become its new home port. This is great news for people that live on the West Coast. It adds a whole new dimension to cruising. The Disney Dream and Fantasy will have their home port in Port Canaveral, Florida in 2011 and 2012. Disney estimates that the Wonder could draw an estimated 250,000 customers to the Port of Los Angeles over five years. Way to go Disney!

New Ship for Baltimore

Royal Caribbean has just announced the Northeast Deployment for 2010. There is exciting news...the Enchantment of the Seas will join the Port of Baltimore sailing an 8-Night New England & Canada itinerary, 5-Night Bermuda itinerary, 9-Night Eastern Caribbean itinerary and a 9-Night New England and Canada itinerary.

Passport Changes in 69 Days!

Did you know that the Passport requirements are changing in 69 days? Starting June 1, 2009, the US Government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the WHTI. This means that you will now need a valid US Passport to cruise. Don't waste time, get your Passport today. Go to http://www.travel.state.gov/ for the full information and passport applications. Adult passports last 15 years and passports for children last 5 years. It is always a good idea to travel with a Passport. What if you are on an island and get injured, have to stay at a local hospital? How will you fly home if you do not have a passport? It is a lot of hassle and will probably involve a call or visit to the State Department. Get protected now...the processing time of passports will only get longer as we approach the new requirement deadline.

Why Use a Cruise Specialist?

People often ask, "Why should I use a cruise specialist?" There are plenty of answers to that question which is why I thought I should write about it today.

Part of booking a cruise vacation is actually planning. You want someone that "knows the ropes" so to speak and will listen to your needs when helping you plan the right cruise for you. When you call the cruise line direct, the reservation agents work for only 1 cruise line and that is what they will try to fit you into. As an Independent Cruise Specialist, I represent all cruise lines and will match you to the correct cruise line for YOU!

What is the difference between an Internet Discounter and a Cruise Specialist?

Internet Discounter/Cruise Line Agents:

• An internet discounter is available 24/7 and you will only get to "chat" with someone through the computer.
• A lot of the reservation agents may not have any real cruise experience.
• They will reference the brochure for most of your questions. They do not take the time to take individual cruise line trainings or ship inspections.

Cruise Specialist:

• Personal Service, 7 Days a Week- you will always get the same person that knows what you are looking for.
• We advise you based on personal experience.
• We actively look for ways to make your dollar go further.
• We are always taking training, going on Seminars at Sea, conducting Ship Inspections and more.

Next time you decide to cruise, call us, Your Personal Cruise Specialist. We don't charge more to give you our knowledge!

Feel the Motion of the Ocean

It is no doubt that when you are on a cruise ship, you will feel the motion of the ocean beneath you. While some people (myself included) love to feel this, others don't like it so much. Usually you will only feel the gentle side to side motion. On the rare occassion that the waters are a little rougher, you will feel more. The large cruise ships today are built with stabilizers. These are a wonderful invention that helps the ship to correct itself when the waves move the ship.

As you may know, I just got off of the Carnival Imagination last week where I was hosting my second Girly Girl cruise. While on the ship, a few "first time" cruisers had asked me about the motion and what to do. I thought this was the perfect time to discuss some helpful solutions to motion sickness.

• When booking your stateroom, try to get mid ship (front to back)
• The higher you go on the ship, the more movement you will feel
• Take a Dramamine or Bonine before getting on the ship. You want to prevent the onset of motion sickness. Once you feel bad, it is harder to get rid of it.
• Take ginger pills with you. When feeling queezy, take the ginger pills.
• For some strange reason, eating a Green apple will help calm your stomach.

If you stick to the guidelines above, you will have no problem at all. And just remember, you will have your best sleep on a cruise ship. I think it is the gentle rocking at night! Oh, I wish I was on another cruise right now!