Weekend Getaways, Just some Thoughts.

            I know I talk a lot about cruise vacation.  I guess it’s because I really love to cruise, it’s the clear blue water, fresh air, the ports, the food, the entertainment… there is so much to do.  I can do it all or I can do nothing, just nap by the pool or in my comfortable stateroom.  This last week I met with a new member of my team.  She is going to upgrade my website and she gave me some great marketing ideas.  But one thing she said to me that got me thinking, “you know, have you ever through about short trips where people could just get away for a day or two?”  Well, I hadn’t really.

 But what about it?  What would be a great short trip, just a couple days where you could unwind just a bit?  Well, of course there is the beach.  I love the beach, I love the water, I love to fish, I love to watch people… but I don’t love the sand.  For days after I get back, I’m finding beach sand everywhere!  How about a nice quant Bed & Breakfast.  Now there is a recipe for romance.  I have to admit, I have never stayed at a B&B, I’ve always wanted to, but it just never seems to work out.  I think it would be fun to do a murder mystery weekend, I think my wife Shirley would enjoy it, it’s defiantly something work exploring more.   Another great idea, weekend in New York City.  The “City that Never Sleeps.”  I don’t know how much rest and relaxation there would be, but it’s a chance to just forget about the daily work grind.  Take in a Broadway Show, do some shopping, visit the great sites… The possibilities are endless.

A couple years ago, we actually went to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  It was a lot of fun, the night before we went to Central Park and watched them blow up the world famous balloons.  Visited all the unique stores in Times Square. We had Thanksgiving Dinner at a local restaurant that was very tasty.  It was great to spend time with family and friends, we had a good size group.  I would love to do it again, very fun weekend.  But how could you not have fun in NYC, there is always something going on.

I guess one of my favorite places to visit is Washington D. C.  From the 1^st time I visited I was hooked.   All the National Museums are free and there is so much to see and do.  Every time I have been there, I have tried to see and do too much.  I think in D.C. one should pick out something you want to see or do and just focus on that.  For instance, if you wanted to visit the Air and Space Museum, there is so much there just spending a few hours there, you miss so much.  That would be a great weekend trip, just focus on Air and Space.  I think it would take about a week to read and view all the displays, but all day Saturday and most of the day Sunday you could hit the highlights.  But the other’s like the National Museum of Art, National History Museum, The National Museum of Natural History, any of the Smithsonian museums are a good weekend trip, just focus on one, you can always go back.  One thing, many of the monuments are fun to visit in the evening and they are not as crowded.

And of course there is always a baseball weekend.  Washington, Baltimore, Atlanta… whatever MLB team is near you, baseball is always a fun weekend.  It’s a great time to get way with the family or just a father/son trip.  These times are always thought about throughout your lives.  Spending a day at the ball park, with a hotdog, nachos, and someone you love just can’t be beat.  I encourage my readers to take the time, even if you say, “I never have time!” you must take the time to live, not just work.  The people around you, your spouse, son, or daughter appreciate your work for the family, but they appreciate your time.  Please, set aside some time for them and yourself.   Steven Covey in his book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” list the 7^th habit, “Sharpen the Saw.”  Think about it.. You’re going to cut down a tree, would it be better to just grab the axe or saw and just start cutting with a dull blade?  Or would it be better to take 30 minutes and sharpen the edge?  When we get away and sharpen our saw, we are able to cut through life a little easier.

Rick

Want more value for your vacation dollar? Take a cruise!

I know what many of you out there might be thinking: Taking a cruise sounds like a great time, but it’s just not an option for me. After all, plenty of people still believe cruising is expensive and something older people do in their retirement years.

It is true that a cruise can be expensive if you sail on a luxury cruise line; companies such as Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Cunard Line, Azamara Club Cruises, and Holland America Line, just to name a few, but the service they offer is well worth the cost. (They offer longer cruises and cater to those who have the means to really splurge. Someday, I hope to get a sample of some of these cruise companies—someday!) But with a little research and some planning, there are some great deals on well-known cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess. (Though I would put Princess’s regular prices in the “premium” category, their sales make them very comparable to the others.) Other cruise lines such as Norwegian, MSC Cruises, and Disney would also fall in this category. Disney is one of those everyday cruise lines, but they can be a bit expensive for some families, However, my friends and clients who have tried the Mouse say the service, food, and experience is worth every penny, so it’s definitely worth considering.

Many ask me, “Do I need a travel agent?” Well, actually, you don’t. But why spend your time in the evenings or your entire lunch break at work sifting through an overwhelming mountain of travel options? A travel agent like myself is a great resource to help you plan your vacation, making sense of what will work for your family and offering suggestions you might not have thought about. I’m not your typical travel agent. I feel my job is to get you the best price and vacation that fits your needs and wants, not pressuring you into spending more than you can afford. I don’t charge a “service fee,” like some agencies do; I get paid commission from the cruise lines and hotels for booking travel for a client, so I’m not going to ask you to pay any more than you need to. If your current travel agent charges you a service fee, hang up the phone and call me instead!

When you call Agape Travel, I just need to know a few things:

·         Where would you like to go, see, and do?

·         How many will be in your party?

·         What is your budget?

·         When do you want to go? (Consider how flexible you can be, since prices can vary greatly between the peak and off seasons. For example, September and October are usually the least expensive months to cruise, while June through early August are the most pricy.)

With this information I can start working.

But you still might not be convinced that cruising is for you. After all, you’ve gotten really used to having your feet on solid ground! Well, the 94% return rate on cruise ships means they are doing something right. There are tons and tons of helpful reviews online from past guests of all cruise lines. One good source is cruisecritic.com; you have to sign up to read the reviews, but they don’t bombard you with constant email blasts. There you can read reviews from travel professionals and real passengers, which will tell you a lot more about the experience than a pretty picture you might see on TV does. Having taken 25+ cruises myself, that’s another place where my experience as a travel agent comes into play. My clients are well prepared for their cruises; I try to give them the ins and outs, just enough to be prepared without spoiling the surprises!

Still not sure? Here’s a great way or two to find out. For your first cruise, take a short one to see how you like being at sea. Take 3 or 4 days to one nearby port, or check out a 2-day “cruise to nowhere.” Another way to ease into the cruise experience is to go with an organized group. (Check my website to see some groups I’ve got coming up.) With others around to help guide you, it takes some of the stress out. Believe me, there is a 94% chance you will have a great time.

One huge draw of cruising is that after you’ve paid for the cruise, most of everything is included. Once you’ve boarded your ship, you can have an awesome time without dropping another dime!

1)      Food: Whether you choose the dining room, the buffet, or room service, it’s all you care to eat! Some ships have specialty restaurants with a cover charge, offering premium cut steaks and seafood along with out-of-this-world desserts.

2)      Non-carbonated drinks, such as tea, coffee, and juices. (Sodas and adult drinks are extra. Some cruise lines offer unlimited soda and drinks for a price: about $7 per day and $50 per day respectively, depending on the cruise line and ship.)

3)      Entertainment: Free, free, free, and there is a LOT of it! I get frustrated because I can’t do it all. But if your idea of fun is to do nothing instead, just lay by the pool all day and relax.

So, what is extra?

1)      Tips: $12.50 per day per person is suggested. They can be prepaid before your trip or added to your bill at the end of the cruise. The crew works very hard to keep you happy, and you will see that, so the tips aren’t that big of a deal. If you get truly exceptional service or feel a bit let down, you can have them adjusted at the information desk.

2)      Shore Excursions: If it’s your first time to a port of call, I would take one of the ship-sponsored excursions. The prices range from $40 per person for a basic snorkeling adventure or city tour to $250 per person for once-in-a-lifetime adventures like swimming with the dolphins or taking a scenic helicopter ride. There are private tour companies that can be found online or at the port, and the prices might be a bit cheaper, but the quality of the tour is not guaranteed by the cruise line. (And if you don’t make it back to the ship on time, all you’ll be left with is a great picture of the ship sailing into the sunset while you’re left on shore!)

3)      Money you “donate” to the casino. Yes, there is a full casino on most ships, though not on Disney or some sponsored voyages. Play the slots from $.01 up to $5.00, or choose a table game like roulette, craps, and card games with minimums of $5.00 up to $500. (Just don’t expect free drinks while playing like you’d get in land casinos.)

4)      There are some extra charges for specialty coffees and some exercise classes (yoga and spin), but all the other activities are include in the price.

So you see, there is lots of value in the price of a cruise! Ready to try your first one? Give me a call, and we can talk about any other concerns you might have about cruising—or any other vacations, for that matter. I’m a big fan of cruises because I feel they are the best value for your money, but if you have other destinations you would like to explore, give me a call or shoot me an email.

Thanks, and happy traveling!

Rick