Choosing Your Room on a Cruise

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing your room on a cruise.  Here are just a few items to think about when picking your room.

First, are you traveling in a group or with others that you want to be near?  While several of the cruise lines offer a lower deposit for groups, they still require the "full" deposit to reserve a specific room.  So, if you need to be next door or across the hall from your friends, be prepared to put down the full deposit.

Another consideration is the location of your room.  Do you prefer to be on higher decks or near the elevators?  Again, you can make these requests, but the full deposit will be needed to get the specific room you desire.

If you have concerns, always consult your travel agent.  They can address those and offer options to ensure you have an awesome experience.

Sims Family Tours & Travel

Times They Are A Changing

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!

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!

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:

• 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.

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.

Weather Delays - Not Exclusive to Winter Travel

How often do you plan a trip during a specific time of year - just for the weather?  I want to go when it's warm, sunny, etc.  Nobody wants weather to dampen their vacation.  While we can't control the weather, there are steps that can be taken to lessen the inconveniences it may create.

The winter months cause concern for a lot of the areas affected by snow and wintery weather.  Troublesome weather is not just around in the winter.  Flights can be delayed due to thunderstorms and other weather conditions.  Roads can be closed due to flooding and downed trees.

When making your reservations, consider building in an extra day or two.  Plan to arrive early.  This will not only allow time to recover from the travel time, it will also allow space if flights are delayed or detours are encountered.  Then, get ready to enjoy the beginning of the vacation fresh and relaxed.

The same can be said for the end of the trip.  Why put added stress on the last day?  Allow for a leisurely return so the lasting memories of the vacation are of the time spent there and not the hectic time in transit.

The Importance of Correct, Up to Date Information on Your Luggage Tags

When heading to a cruise or a destination involves a flight, be sure to update your luggage tag card.  It is so easy to forget to check the latest information on the card when you only pull out that luggage once in a great while.  How many times have you come across a luggage tag that had an address listed from a couple of moves ago?  Then, there are the folks who cry "privacy" and refuse to list their personal information on a tag for fear of being stalked.  I would bet there are more lost luggage bags than there are stalkers hanging out looking through the tags for their next victim. 

What should be put on the tag?  Your comfort level with the privacy issues will dictate what you choose to complete.  At a minimum, I would recommend a name (even if just the last name) and phone number.  For those that still have a home phone and a cell phone, the latter should be used.  Why?  Just imagine if you were to lose a piece of luggage while traveling.  If you have the home number listed, the finder would try to contact you.  Problem is, you're traveling and not home.  Sure, they may leave a message that you will retrieve later.  The return process could be sped up by getting the call a little more timely.  You might even be reunited with the luggage before your next stop or flight departure.  Then, you could continue on your relaxing journey instead of stressing over that missing luggage.

In preparation for your next trip, make filling out that luggage tag a step in your packing process.

Relax and enjoy!

Connie Sims
Sims Family Tours & Travel
www.simsfamtrav.com
www.facebook.com/SimsFamilyToursandTravel

Sims Family Tours & Travel - Cruise Specialists

We often get asked how we got started in the business as cruise specialists.  We have been in the cruise business for over 8 years.  Bob and I are ACC (Accredited Cruise Counselor) and MCC (Master Cruise Counselor) certified by the Cruise Lines International Association.  We have also completed Carnival Cruise Lines University and Royal Caribbean's University of WOW programs.  In order to stay on top of the latest trends and changes in the industry, we are continually attending webinars and seminars that are offered by the cruise lines.  Along with our ongoing education, we have personally been on over 20 cruises on multiple cruise lines.  Nothing compares to actually being there. 

As cruise specialists, we are able to offer our unbiased opinion and suggestions to our clients in order to ensure they are cruising on the ship and itinerary that will make for a great vacation.

If you are considering a cruise vacation, please feel free to email us to discuss your plans.

Connie
cruises@simsfamtrav.com
Cruise Specialist
http://cruises.simsfamtrav.com

A few Romantic Aspects of Cruising for Valentines Day

Ever since the Love Boat days, cruising has had romantic appeal.  Some folks would lead you to believe that there cannot possibly be any romantic time when cruising on some of the larger ships.  However, if you know your way around, there is always a "private" spot that can be found.  Many times when cruising with my husband, we have been amazed at how often we are actually the only two people in the public area.  Some other romantic aspects of cruising are:

1.  Private islands - Many of the cruise lines today have their own private island that they call on.  While you will still be visiting the island with the other cruisers, you will still be able to enjoy the less crowded and unspoiled beauty of the beaches.

2.  Balcony accommodations - Nothing quite like breakfast for two on your own private balcony.  So relaxing and romantic overlooking the water.  And, depending upon the location of your balcony, you may also enjoy a private viewing of a sunset.  Does it get more romantic than that?

3.  Specialty Dining Venues - Many of the larger ships now have specialty restaurants on board.  These offer a more upscale and romantic dining experience that are very popular for special occasions.

4.  Weddings and Vow Renewals - Once again, most of the cruise lines have programs in place where you can get married on board or at one of the ports.  Have a special anniversary?  You can also book a romantic vow renewal ceremony.

These are just a few of the many romantic aspects of cruising.  Consult your travel professional for more details.

See you on board!

Connie
Sims Family Tours & Travel
"Where Vacations are Waiting to Happen!"
http://cruises.simsfamtrav.com 

My Fascination with Cruise Vacations

Since taking my first cruise in 2004 on the Carnival Miracle, I have been a huge fan of cruising.  It was such an awesome experience that I decided to make cruise vacations a cornerstone of our business.  I cruised with my family (including my parents and mother-in-law).  A lot of research went in to finding the perfect fit for all of us.  Nothing can compare to personal experience.  My fascination with cruise vacations has allowed me to experience over 20 cruises in the past seven years.

Cruise vacations are such a great value.  Their almost all-inclusive nature allows you to relax knowing your meals and entertainment are already covered.  The ease of visiting multiple destinations without having to pack and unpack for each is an added bonus.  The variety of entertainment and activities on board makes cruising a great choice for traveling with the extended family.

Each cruise line is unique and geared towards a different target audience.  Be sure to do your research and contact a qualified travel agent to make certain you are cruising on the line that will guarantee you an awesome cruise vacation.

Connie Sims, MCC
Sims Family Tours & Travel - "Where Vacations are Waiting to Happen!"

When the Weather Outside is Frightful, Make Sure Your Vacation Remains Delightful

The recent dose of weather challenges has put a damper on many vacation plans.  While we cannot predict the weather at any given time, there are some simple tips and standard practices that can help to assure minimal disruption.

First, it is always a good idea to plan on arriving at least one day prior to your "scheduled" event (cruise, tour, etc.).  This allows for some breathing room in case of weather or other issues that may cause travel delays.

Also, if your schedule allows, it is recommended to leave a little extra time on the back side too. In the case of a cruise, be sure to give yourself enough time to make it to the airport and pass through security in time to make your flight.  While rare, the ships sometimes can be delayed returning to port.


There are still going to be those events that cannot be avoided.  For those instances, we highly recommend purchasing the travel insurance.  It is something you hope you never have to use, but are glad to have when you need it.  Insurance is a great peace of mind for the small price paid.

An experienced travel agent is a great help in these cases.  They will be able to advise on how to avoid travel snags.  And, they can also be of assistance if you are caught in an unfortunate situation.

So, get ready to get away and out of the frightful weather.  Rest assured knowing your vacation will be delightful when you contact your travel agent and follow their advise.