2011

Celebrity Eclipse - Trendy and high tech cruising at its best!

Published Wednesday, January 12th 2011

I recently read an article in Vacation Agent about the new Celebrity Eclipse. The article talks about this ships modern trendy design and its high tech touches. The Celebrity Eclipse is the 3rd to debut of 4 ships in the very popular Solstice Class. This trendy high tech ship is quite large at 122,000 tons carrying 2850 passengers and 1250 crew members with a total of 1426 staterooms. The ship offers iPad art tours, the menu at Qsine is presented on an iPad and there is the Celebrity iLounge where there are more than 20 MacBook Pros for guests to use. The trendy iLounge also offers Apple products for sale and classes on Apple products. The contemporary decor on this ship make it attractive for many different cruisers, especially those looking for great food (in the 10 dining venues), fabulous entertainment and the amazing Elemis Spa.

I had the pleasure of sailing on board the Celebrity Eclipse in a Deluxe Ocean-View Stateroom with a Veranda. The room was quite large and I was very impressed with the modern granite counter tops, white leather furniture and the top-of-the line bathroom. The shower was large with glass doors and a foot rest to use while shaving(you ladies will appreciate this).Around every corner was something trendy and high tech, I loved the iLounge and found the Apple trained staff to be very helpful. The artwork on display was amazing, the Martini Bar with its frosted top and the Molecular Bar with drinks cooled by nitrogen were very popular gathering spots. I enjoyed walking on the half acre of grass at the Lawn Club. Another interesting spot was the glass blowing studio at the Corning Museum of Glass. The Celebrity Eclipse is very well appointed and I know the Solstice Class will continue to be very popular. The 4th ship the Celebrity Silhouette will debut in July 2011 and will be sailing from our nearby port in Bayonne, NJ.









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Friday, January 14, 2011Positano and the Amalfi Coast

Published Friday, January 14th 2011

Friday, January 14, 2011
I read a colleagues blog today that really inspired me. One of the places I have always wanted to travel to is Positano and the Amalfi Coast in Italy. I always imagined it would be a glorious inspiring experience and guess what? I was right. Beth goes into nice detail about her experiences while visiting Positano, including the warm friendly people of the region,  the amazing  scenery and the wonderful food. This is a place for romance and for the food lover in you. This area has a lot of history to offer as well with day trips to Pompeii,  Naples, and the Isle of Capri. I hope you will think about adding Positano and the Amalfi Coast to your bucket list.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

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Monday, January 17, 2011Entertainment onboard the Norwegian EPIC

Published Monday, January 17th 2011

One of the many things I love while on a cruise ship is the onboard entertainment. The nightlife and entertainment onboard the Norwegian EPIC is amazing! From Cirque Dreams in the Spiegel Tent where you will see marvelous talent combined with acrobatics and Broadway extravaganza! Next you will not want to miss the amazing sights and sounds of Blue Man Group. Another highlight of entertainment onboard the Norwegian EPIC is Legends, the tribute show with celebrity impersonators such as Elvis, Madonna, Tina Turner and more. No sailing would be complete without a night out at Spice H20 the adults only beach club and Svedka IceBar where you will wear faux fur while sipping frosty drinks in the only ice bar at sea.

This is an awesome ship for adult entertainment and I highly recommend this ship to all my couples traveling whether they are Honeymooners or just celebrating romance. I also will recommend the fabulous NCL Suites & Villas, there are no waiting lines here, the concierge will wisk you into all shows and seat you in preferred seating. You will dine in the private EPIC Club where everyone will know your name and preferences. You will relax in the Courtyard, a private area featuring a pool, spa and gym reserved only for Suite & Villa guests.   Imagine not having to get up early to reserve your lounge chair at the pool, this perk alone is worth it to me. Prepare to be pampered by Butlers and the Concierge service,  they will cater to your every whim. This is an experience to truly  be savored. Would you like to experience the service and luxury of a Suite & Villa guest? I thought so....

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next....

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Caribbean Group Cruises

Published Thursday, January 20th 2011

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
As a travel agent some my favorite trips to plan are group cruises, I follow the news and trends in this niche closely. I know with all of the new ships sailing there is a  perfect cruise ship for every group.  I often get requests from clients who are overwhelmed with the whole process of organizing a group vacation whether it's family, friends or even a wedding group. I  let them know that I will make this a stress-free vacation for them. First we start with a few questions to decide what ship and  itinerary would be best for them, I secure the staterooms and make all the reservations, take care of all payments, due dates and I handle all the paperwork.  I let my clients know all they need to do is refer the group members to me and I take care of everything. Another amenity my clients love is that  I am able to set up a website page that is only accessible to those in the group and they can register online. This is usually when I hear "thank you, I really didn't know where to begin."  Luckily I know where to begin!!

Group cruising has increased over the past few years. There are so many multi-generational groups traveling together and cruises are the perfect fit. There is something for everyone on a ship, whether you are into spa treatments, workouts in well equipped fitness centers, shopping, dance lessons, language lessons or you can learn how to use your iPad. The dining choices are endless with some ships offering up to 20 dining venues. The kids will all be happy in well organized kids clubs with fun age appropriate activities and the adults can spend time in adult-only areas. Talk about something for everyone.  Are you considering a group cruise this year? The best rates and stateroom availability are available now.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next....

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Wednesday, January 26, 2011Liberty of the Seas Review, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Liberty of the Seas

Published Wednesday, January 26th 2011

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Liberty of the Seas Review, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Liberty of the Seas




The Liberty of the Seas is an amazing ship with a fun exciting vibe onboard! This is the second ship in the Freedom Class along with the Freedom of the Seas and the Independence of the Seas. She began sailing in 2007 with 1817 staterooms and over 1300 crew members. The ship has an an incredible 15 decks. This ship features an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, the incredible FlowRider(surf simulator) and 2 hot tubs that jut out over the sides of the ship. There are 2 main pools and the fun H2O zone with a kids only pool. The staterooms onboard are modern and comfortable ranging in size from 150sq ft to the Presidential Family Suite at 1215sq ft. There are plenty of dining options onboard as well, starting with the main dining room which is 3 levels high and beautiful, Johnny Rockets, Portofinos, Chops Steakhouse, the Windjammer Cafe(think big buffet) and of course room service is available. The Promenade is the spot to be seen with shops lining both sides of the promenade. Here is where the parades take place and the music is always inviting! You will find Vintages Wine Bar, Hoof and Claw British Pub, a coffee shop, the Barber shop, and plenty of duty free alcohol and jewelry shopping.

This ship is recommended for families, friends, romantics and is great for groups because of all the amazing activities onboard. There are always plenty of honeymooners onboard as well.  The vibe is exciting onboard the Liberty of the Seas and everyone is always having a great time. This ship is sure to please everyone in your group. The Liberty of the Seas is now sailing from Miami and will be repositioning over to Barcelona in the Spring to sail the Mediterranean. Beginning in the fall 2011 the Liberty of the Seas will begin sailing 4 to 6 night cruises from Fort Lauderdale. Rates begin at $359 per person  for a 4 night cruise. Call for more dates/rates and itineraries.
Until next time,
Jessica Dempsey

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let your be next....

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Group Cruise in Alaska

Published Thursday, February 10th 2011

 
 
 
I had a client call me last spring to inquire about a family reunion. The  ages ranged from 7 yrs old to 82 yrs old and she wanted something that would be fun and relaxing for everyone. Easy right? Not so fast! She went on to describe particulars about some family members, who had food allergies, who had mobility issues and who cannot sit with who for too many meals. You get it - typical family stuff(we all have them). I asked a few more questions and quickly needed to find out who the decision makers were and then went to work. I came back to the group with an Alaskan group cruise intinerary with an extended land tour to Denali National Park. I was able to meet all of their dietary needs, and arranged for a scooter and oxygen to be delivered to the stateroom and I also set up the dining so a few nights some of the family who did not want to dine together every night would be in a specialty restaurants on different nights. Their group cruise in Alaska included activities for everyone  that enriched their minds and bodies. The onboard naturalist led discussions that educated them all about Alaska it's beauty and wildlife. The group cruise in Alaska would not be complete without viewing the amazing glaciers. I was told it was a highlight of the cruise being on deck drinking  hot chocolate while viewing the glaciers.
What was overwhelming to my client was quite easy for me to arrange because of my knowledge, education and  resources. A happy ending to a fabulous group cruise in Alaska, they all bonded so well, they already have another cruise planned for next year on the Allure of the Seas. I brought real value and worth to my clients and arranged everything perfectly for them, the power of awesome customer service is evident in all of the referrals I already have from their other relatives and friends.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey

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Westin Beach Resort & Spa Review

Published Wednesday, February 16th 2011

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Westin Beach Resort & Spa Review



The Westin Beach Resort & Spa is a beautiful beach resort located in sunny Fort Lauderdale. The city is dubbed the Venice of America due to its more than 300 miles of canals and waterways.  The Westin Beach Resort & Spa sits directly across the street from amazing beaches where you can relax and enjoy the soft white sands and blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There is an elevated walkway that connects the resort to the beach. There is also a lovely spa on property where you can enjoy a massage or perhaps you would like to relax at the oceanfront pool with a good book and refreshing drink from the bar.
Fort Lauderdale has the most amazing nightlife, excellent dining and fabulous shopping, many of these activities are within walking distance of the resort, you can also get around easily via taxi's or just take a cruise on a water taxi. There is plenty to do here in Fort Lauderdale. When you are done playing for the day return to a beautiful newly renovated room with views of either the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway. Then fall asleep in your Westin Heavenly Bed and yes they are truly heavenly! You will have a fantastic time during your stay at the Westin Beach Resort & Spa.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

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Traveling Solo

Published Saturday, August 6th 2011

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Traveling solo

 
Traveling along with Me, myself and I

Traveling solo is an awesome way to see the world, meet new people and spend some time with yourself! Sometimes we need to do this to recover from a life event or sometimes “I just want to go someplace where I can just marvel at something” as said so perfectly by Ms. Julia Roberts.

In the past, the thought of being a solo traveler on a cruise ship meant taking out a loan just to pay for the cabin. Thank goodness for NCL who introduced “Epic Studios” last year when the awesome Norwegian Epic debuted. Talk about marvel! The studios are designed specifically for the solo traveler but more importantly so is the pricing. No more double occupancy requirements and single supplements that can double the cost that is typically 200% of the cruise fare because you must pay for the absent “roommate”. The concept was such a hit that they’ll be more to come when Norwegian introduces more new ships in the coming years. Royal Caribbean followed when it unveiled cabins for solo travelers with the revamped Radiance of the Seas this past June.

But it doesn’t stop there. Several cruise lines are catching on. While they may not have specific designed cabins for a single passenger, they are offering reduced single supplements or waiving it altogether. Avalon Waterways is celebrating the new movement by offering river cruises for the solo traveler on select itineraries in October. Ah, a cruise experience through the Danube River with me, myself and I! Now that has my name written all over it.



Why the sudden change in cruising? Some of us just enjoy traveling alone. What do you want to marvel at? Let us know.

Until next time,



Jessica Dempsey
JD Travel Planning

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

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Going Green!

Published Wednesday, August 10th 2011

Going Green!

 

I know many people are very aware of how we need to respect our earth and are taking different initiatives to go green. I get many requests from clients for hotels that are going green and practicing sustainable tourism. There are many resorts now going green but I decided I would focus on one brand today as I just visited these resorts and really got a feel for their going green initiatives. The El Dorado Spa Resorts and Hotels by Karisma are GOING GREEN!

Some examples of ways they are green:

 

  • A 70,000 square foot Greenhouse at El Dorado Royale produces all vegetables, herbs and flowers grown in tropical climates. The produce services all El Dorado and Azul Hotels, so you know those sweet delicious Cherry Tomatoes in your salad are right from the greenhouse.

 

  • Water saving devices in all suites and public areas
  • Hydro jets installed in all toilets to reduce amount of water used
  • Water treatment process to reuse water for gardens
  • Solar panels heating 40 - 100% of the water at each resort
  • Ozone laundry system, eliminating harmful chemicals
  • LED light bulbs used throughout the property
  • El Dorado Spa Resorts and Hotels have taken extensive measures to ensure that all garbage is separated and recycled properly including dangerous waste, organic items, glass and paper
  • All chemicals used are biodegradable
  • All air conditioners use Ecofreeze which saves approximately 30% electricity
  • Staff education on the importance of recycling, how to do it and encouragement of staff to bring their household recyclable items to the hotels to be properly recycled

 

If you are looking to book your next vacation and experience a beautiful luxury all inclusive resort that is practicing sustainable tourism, look no further. As a Karisma Resorts specialist I can help you plan the vacation experience of a lifetime!

 

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Riu Palace Paradise Island Review

Published Thursday, October 20th 2011

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Riu Palace Paradise Island Review

 
I wanted to share a  Riu Palace Paradise Island Review, this was submitted by a client of mine. This is a beautiful newly renovated all-inclusive resort just 2 1/2 hrs from New York City. The Riu Palace Paradise Island is right next door to the Atlantis Resort, you can visit the Atlantis and use their facilities(additional fee).

Riu Palace Paradise Island Review


I Soooooo want to go again and that's when it occurred to me that I never sent you a review.

Rooms in pristine condition- brand new, no signs of wear, spacious (we had a two room suite).

We had one bigger bedroom- with a fairly large common space in between- connecting to the smaller bedroom. Both rooms had a very large closet, and a huge dresser with more than enough space to fit all our clothes.

The hotel was small enough so that you could walk out of the elevator, cross the lobby and step right into the pool area- if you forgot something in your room it was very quick to run in and get it (which I loved!) without it feeling overly crowded.

The food was fine- although after about 18 meals you do start to get tired of all that eating LOL! We were in and out the buffet all day- for cookies, fries, jello or just to cool off for a few minutes. The only complaint about the place would be the one night we went to sit down dinner and the food was just horrible and cold and took FOREVER to come out. but no big deal, we just went to the other restaurant and had buffet :) AGAIN.

They would stock the fridge with water and soda whenever requested. And room service too!

They had a fairly big sports bar- with a nice bar, pool table, and this is where they had three or four computers that I never waited on to get access to. In this area they also had a fridge with sandwiches, salads and fruit. Oh, and a neat little nacho and cheese station- which was all available 24/7.

The entertainment at their club was fantastic every night- we saw all the shows. All but one was kid friendly.

The beach was beautiful and we did the banana boat ride only. Well, me and my sister did sneak down for an early morning massage on the beach one day too!

The pool was clean and every day there were activities run by the hotel- bingo, dance lessons. The staff there was great- one young guy was ALWAYS around and mingling with the guests- he was a doll and a gentleman. He would jump in the pool and play with the kids if you asked him to (which we did).

BTW!!!!! The weather was absolutely perfect!!!!!!! Thank you again for all your help and patience, especially while we were in the Bahamas!



Thanks to my client for sharing this amazing Riu Palace Paradise Island Review.

Until next time....
Jessica Dempsey
JD Travel Planning
http://www.jdtravelplanning.com/
 
http://jdtravelblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/riu-palace-paradise-island-review.html
 

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