Not so long ago, an airplane flight required a paper ticket. One by one, the airlines started offering electronic tickets (e-tickets). Since the paper ticket had been the only way known in the past, many travelers were uneasy with the e-tickets. Now, we are even moving more forward with the mobile ticket that can be stored right on your mobile device. How convenient!
The airlines are not the only ones making changes. Recently, many cruise lines have gone to the e-ticket system. There are still a few that offer a choice between the old paper booklet or the e-ticket. This week, Royal Caribbean announced that they will now only offer the e-ticket/luggage tags. I can hear the grumbling now.
What is it about those paper booklets that hold so much meaning to some? Why wouldn't a traveler want to lighten the load on travel day? Maybe it's just a matter of looking forward instead of always looking back. Because it was always done that way in the past does not always make it the best way.
Let's lighten the load and move forward. Anxiously awaiting the day when the cruise lines all offer mobile boarding passes!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Dining Reservations - Maximize Your Vacation Time
Time is precious. This is also true when on vacation. Nobody likes to waste time waiting in lines. One of the biggest time wasters is waiting at a restaurant to be seated. How can you maximize your time away without compromising the experience?
Many vacation destinations are now offering advance dining reservations. Disney allows guests to make reservations as early as 180 days prior to the vacation start date. The online reservation system lets the requester see real time availability and book immediately.
Several of the cruise lines are also offering advance reservations for their specialty venues. Having these reservations in place ahead of time lets you get on board with no worries for that special celebration dinner.
Check with your travel professional to see if advance dining reservations are available for your destination.
Bon Appetite!
Check with your travel professional to see if advance dining reservations are available for your destination.
Bon Appetite!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
You Deserve a Vacation - Now more than Ever!
The current state of the economy has everyone cutting back. Families are making changes to keep up. A lot of folks are having to take on extra duties to make up for shortcomings.
One area that should not be cut out is vacation time. Studies have shown that time away relieves stress and can actually improve productivity.
There are ways one can enjoy a vacation without busting the budget. Here are a few tips to consider:
One area that should not be cut out is vacation time. Studies have shown that time away relieves stress and can actually improve productivity.
There are ways one can enjoy a vacation without busting the budget. Here are a few tips to consider:
- Plan a getaway during off-peak or low season for the best values.
- Take a shorter trip (5-days vs. 7-days)
- Look for options closer to home to save on airfare. There are many cruise ports within driving distance to a variety of places.
- Consult a Travel Professional. They can save you time on finding the best values.
These are just a few tips that can get you that much needed vacation without breaking the bank. Have tips of your own? Feel free to share.
Now, contact your Travel Consultant and get ready to relax.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thursday Thought - Take Along a Spare
Do you travel with a spare? Most folks have a spare tire on their car and would not even consider traveling without one. Our spare tire has come in handy several times on our travel trailer!
But, what about when traveling on vacation. Here are some spares to consider taking along the next time you travel:
But, what about when traveling on vacation. Here are some spares to consider taking along the next time you travel:
- Glasses/Sunglasses
- Keys
- Copy of ID/Passport
The spare glasses recently came in handy when on a cruise. When boarding the tender to go to shore, the guest lost his balance on the rocky boat and when trying to steady, bumped his glasses and off they went ~ right in to the water. Fortunately, he had a spare set.
This is just one of many examples of how having a spare saved the vacation.
Next time you travel, be sure to take along a spare.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Loyalty - What Keeps You Coming Back?
Last week, Carnival unveiled their new loyalty program, the VIFP Club. The new levels and benefits of the "Very Important Fun Person" Club caused quite a bit of debate and uproar.
All this debate caused me to ponder why we loyal to certain brands.
Is it the comfort of knowing what to expect? The vacation can be much more relaxing when you know how you will be treated and what the ship or resort has to offer.
Is it the overall value? With today's economy, everyone is looking for the most bang for their buck. This can also be tied back to the expectations too with being familiar with what the brand has done in the past.
Is it the status? A lot of programs have unique identifiers for their most loyal. For example, different colored room keys, etc. This allows the staff to recognize the traveler as someone special.
Is it the perks and freebies? Most loyalty programs offer some perks and benefits. These can be anything from additional discounts to gifts and free services. Everyone likes to get free things. Also, going back to the value, it becomes a better value when there are extras or upgrades offered.
It would be great to think that a little bit of all these factors come in to play regarding loyalty. What we also need to understand is that the companies offering these programs are businesses. They too, are dealing with the economic issues that we as individuals are. So, where do they make changes to improve the bottom line, but not affect their product? Instead of increasing rates or cutting back staff, it would make sense to cut the "freebies" and little gadgets that a lot of people enjoy receiving, but really have no use for.
Hoping that as long as the company is continuing to put out the quality product that has come to be expected, the loyal will continue to be loyal.
All this debate caused me to ponder why we loyal to certain brands.
Is it the comfort of knowing what to expect? The vacation can be much more relaxing when you know how you will be treated and what the ship or resort has to offer.
Is it the overall value? With today's economy, everyone is looking for the most bang for their buck. This can also be tied back to the expectations too with being familiar with what the brand has done in the past.
Is it the status? A lot of programs have unique identifiers for their most loyal. For example, different colored room keys, etc. This allows the staff to recognize the traveler as someone special.
Is it the perks and freebies? Most loyalty programs offer some perks and benefits. These can be anything from additional discounts to gifts and free services. Everyone likes to get free things. Also, going back to the value, it becomes a better value when there are extras or upgrades offered.
It would be great to think that a little bit of all these factors come in to play regarding loyalty. What we also need to understand is that the companies offering these programs are businesses. They too, are dealing with the economic issues that we as individuals are. So, where do they make changes to improve the bottom line, but not affect their product? Instead of increasing rates or cutting back staff, it would make sense to cut the "freebies" and little gadgets that a lot of people enjoy receiving, but really have no use for.
Hoping that as long as the company is continuing to put out the quality product that has come to be expected, the loyal will continue to be loyal.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Making $ense out of Cruise Pricing
Let's face it, cruise pricing can be confusing and downright overwhelming. Everyone is looking for the best bang for the buck these days. Cruise lines are doing their best to fill their ships.
Free upgrades, on board credits, etc. all sound wonderful. But, are they really free?
Here is a quick lesson in Cruise pricing 101.
First, the cruise lines break out the prices. They advertise the "Cruise Fare". This is the amount they charge that does not include the taxes.
Not all cruise fares are created equal. For example, a cruise may be advertise a specific type of cabin for one low rate. They may also have a special offer for an on board credit. When the cruise line adds an offer of an on board credit, the rate for that same room will be higher.
This is not to say that the cruise lines are being dishonest. It also does not mean that the offers are not valuable. It just means that one needs to look at the differences in pricing and see what is most beneficial to their individual needs. There have been times that a quick calculation has shown the "higher" cruise fare with an offer has been a lower per diem and better value for the guest.
When shopping around for cruise pricing, one needs to decide if they want to pay the least out of pocket or get the best value. There can be a difference. A cruise specialist can guide you through making the right decision.
Free upgrades, on board credits, etc. all sound wonderful. But, are they really free?
Here is a quick lesson in Cruise pricing 101.
First, the cruise lines break out the prices. They advertise the "Cruise Fare". This is the amount they charge that does not include the taxes.
Not all cruise fares are created equal. For example, a cruise may be advertise a specific type of cabin for one low rate. They may also have a special offer for an on board credit. When the cruise line adds an offer of an on board credit, the rate for that same room will be higher.
This is not to say that the cruise lines are being dishonest. It also does not mean that the offers are not valuable. It just means that one needs to look at the differences in pricing and see what is most beneficial to their individual needs. There have been times that a quick calculation has shown the "higher" cruise fare with an offer has been a lower per diem and better value for the guest.
When shopping around for cruise pricing, one needs to decide if they want to pay the least out of pocket or get the best value. There can be a difference. A cruise specialist can guide you through making the right decision.
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