October 2009

I recently had the opportunity to do a ship inspection of Royal Caribbean's "Liberty of the Seas" The ship is so beautiful! The staterooms were large and quite comfortable. I inspected a few staterooms including a Junior Suite, an Owners Suite and the Presidential Suite. Wow that is the way to travel, 4 bedrooms, a living room/dining room, a large balcony with lounge chairs and a private hot tub. The most vibrant area on the ship is definitly the Royal Promenade, it has an atrium that is 4 decks high and is 445 feet in length through the center of the ship. There are many restaurants, bars, a coffee shop, a Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream shop and other gift stores. The outdoor areas include the "FlowRider" a surf simulator, kids pools and water park and there is also a private adults only pool as well. I had the opportunity to eat lunch in the main dining room which was a beautiful 2 story restaurant. The food was very good too. The range of activites onboard are endless and include a boxing ring, ice skating rink, a rock climbing wall, a spa and a very well equipped physical fitness center. Combine all the onboard options with beautiful ports of call on a rotating Eastern/Western Caribbean itinerary and there is something for everyone to enjoy. This ship sails from the easily accessible Port of Miami. I recommend you book early for preferred staterooms and dates. Please contact me directly at jessica@jdtravelplanning.com

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Voyages for Veterans was developed by Cruise Planners in partnership with Royal Caribbean International to raise funds on behalf of Fisher House. Fisher House Foundation builds multiple bedroom homes on the grounds of VA Medical Centers around the country that provide free housing to the families of veterans who are undergoing extended medical treatment. Besides owning my own independent Cruise Planners franchise, I am a VA Nurse and understand the need for these types of programs. I am very proud to be a member of the Cruise Planners family!

Click here for more information on how to get involved with this fundraising event. Please inform all of your friends and family on how they too can get involved and give back to those who gave the most.

 Update: As of 11/09 Cruise Planners has raised over $8500 so far!

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A cruise vacation is much different then a land based vacation, if you have not taken a cruise yet, please read on and check out what you are missing. Call Cruise Planners at 631-780-6195 right away to reserve your stateroom!

 If you’ve vacationed with your children you know the look - a couple of bleary-eyed, bedraggled parents returning back to the hotel at 6 p.m. In tow, are 2 hyper-active offspring wearing mouse hats or whale t-shirts sporting cotton candy hair extensions.  Next it’s the big choice:  wash them up and suffer through another dinner or collapse in the hotel room with another room service or take-out pizza meal.  And today’s receipts for all this fun?  Well, let’s just say it cost more than your first car did?

 If this is how you define vacation in your household, maybe it’s time for something different.  How about an experience where EVERYONE actually gets a vacation?  The answer is quite simple and does not end with the words “Park”, “World” or “Land”. But it does end with the word “Happy”.  On a cruise it is possible to make everyone happy with their vacation.

 Contemporary cruise lines figured out quite a while ago that if you can keep the kids happy and occupied, then the parents follow right along.  Over the years, children’s programs on board ships have blossomed from having one children’s counselor on board over the holidays to full blown year round programs and separate facilities for the different age groups.  Every year from 6 months to 16 years is covered and child care is offered at various levels.

 Cruise lines are now savvy enough to plan nighttime activities for the children so their parents can enjoy the facilities of the ship in a relaxed style simply unavailable at most land-based resorts.  Cruises are an exceptionally good idea for single parents as they have a controlled environment and child care on the ship, but have the freedom and time to make new friends around the ship.  Extended families also love ships because cousins and friends can hang together on the ship while the adults reconnect. 

 Before you plan your next road trip, let a cruise expert fill you in on the many choices and the “secret” affordability of family cruising.  Oh, did we forget to mention that all meals, snacks, entertainment, accommodations and transportation are included in one upfront price?  This year take a cruise and leave the mouse hats, maps, and (cotton candy remover) shampoo at home.

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