Cruise News
Royal Caribbean Savings**
Savings valid for Ocean View & above staterooms
Booking through March 31, 2008
Save $50 per stateroom on the following ship & sail dates:
Majesty of the Seas- 4-Night Bahamas From Miami - 8/11, 8/18, 8/25/2008
Enchantment of the Seas- 5-Night Western Caribbean From Fort Lauderdale - 8/18, 9/6, 9/15/2008
Save $100 per stateroom on the following ship & sail dates:
Adventure of the Seas- 7-Night Southern Caribbean From San Juan - 8/31, 9/14, 10/5/2008
Explorer of the Seas- 9-Night Atlantic Canada & Quebec From Cape Liberty Cruise Port, NJ- 8/28, 10/9/2008
Freedom of the Seas- 7-Night Eastern Caribbean From Miami - 9/7, 9/21, 10/5/2008
Liberty of the Seas- 7-Night Eastern Caribbean From Miami - 9/13, 9/27/2008
Liberty of the Seas- 7-Night Western Caribbean From Miami - 9/6/08
Mariner of the Seas- 7-Night Western Caribbean From Port Canaveral - 9/21, 10/5/2008
Mariner of the Seas- 7-Night Eastern Caribbean From Port Canaveral - 9/28/08
Splendour of the Seas- 7-Night Greek Isles/Dalmatian Coast From Venice - 8/30, 9/27/2008 Splendour of the Seas- 7-Night Greek Isles From Venice - 10/4/2008
Voyager of the Seas- 7-Night Classic Mediterranean From Barcelona - 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, 9/6, 10/4/2008
Save $200 per stateroom on the following ship & sail dates:
Brilliance of the Seas- 12-Night Mediterranean Greek Isles From Barcelona - 8/21/2008
Brilliance of the Seas - 12-Night Mediterranean Venice From Barcelona - 10/20/2008 Legend of the Seas- 13-Night Italy & Croatia From Rome - 8/16, 9/10, 10/5/2008
Navigator of the Seas - 12-Night Eastern Mediterranean From Rome - 9/7/2008
Navigator of the Seas - 10-Night Greece & Turkey From Barcelona - 9/19/2008
Navigator of the Seas - 11-Night Eastern Mediterranean From Barcelona - 9/29/2008
** Term and conditions: Valid for OCEAN VIEW or above staterooms booked between through March 31, 2008 on the itineraries mentioned above. Offer is based on when the stateroom is booked, not deposited or date of final payment. This offer is not transferable. Savings are in U.S. dollars and are not redeemable for cash. This offer is valid for NEW individual bookings only. Offer not applicable to Groups. THE OFFER CANNOT BE USED WITH CERTAIN FARES. This offer cannot be combined with any coupon on the same sailing. Offer is not combinable with any other promotion or offer unless expressly stated therein. Not combinable with any other National Account offer. Subject to availability. Offer can be withdrawn at any time. Singles paying 200% are entitled to full face value. Discount applies on a per stateroom basis, double occupancy. Prices vary by ship and sailing date and space is subject to availability at time of booking. Deposits must be made in order for savings to be applied.
Princess Chef's Table
Princess Cruises plans to implement its nascent Chef's Table experience aboard most of its ships by early this year.
Designed for foodies, the Chef's Table offers an evening that begins with a welcoming of hors d'oeuvres and cocktails in the ship's galley with the executive chef, followed by a multi-course tasting dinner in the main dining room.
The Chef's Table is currently available on Emerald Princess, Crown Princess and Caribbean Princess. Princess' smaller ships, Tahitian Princess, Pacific Princess and Royal Princess, are not included in the initial rollout, but may be at a later date.
The special dinner can be reserved for up to 10 passengers at a cost of $75 per person. Reservations can be made onboard through the ship's DINE telephone line or in person the first day of the cruise at the dining reservations table.
Smoking Ban Expanded
Crystal Cruises is imposing a stricter smoking policy, banning smoking on all stateroom and suite verandas on its two ships beginning in May.
New Cruise Boarding Rules Start Feb. 18
New cruise boarding rules go into effect on Feb. 18. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) advises that, starting that date, passengers must board at U.S. ports at least one hour prior to the ship's scheduled departure. CLIA also recommends that passengers use any online check-in systems offered by cruise lines to submit their information as soon as possible before arriving at the departure port. Another good idea is arriving into the departure port the night before the sailing date, to avoid any problems with flight delays on the date of departure. If passengers fail to make it to the ship by the hour-before-departure deadline, they may be denied boarding without any refund of their cruise payments.
Note that companies like Royal Caribbean will ask passengers to arrive even earlier for check-ins. For Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Azamara sailings, passengers must complete their online check-ins no later than three days prior to the cruise departure. If they don't, they will be required to complete the process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time. If passengers are not checked in and onboard the ship at least 90 minutes prior to that time, they will not be permitted to sail.
Another reminder: Starting Jan. 31, cruise passengers can no longer orally declare their citizenship to customs officials. Instead, they must carry proof of citizenship - such as a passport, a birth certificate, or naturalization papers - and a government-issued ID such as a drivers license. However, I recommend that all those who are traveling out of the country on a cruise have their passports. The passport requirements are constantly being revised and you don't want to be denied boarding.
Hotel and Resort News
Wyndham's "Pure Rooms"
Wyndham hotels have started to make environmentally friendly accommodations for guests who suffer from allergies. Pure Rooms, which use a special process to disinfect rooms, are available at 34 hotels nationwide, with Wyndham Hotels being the biggest chain to use to Pure Rooms. "We received favorable comments when we test-marketed the rooms so we decided to roll it out for all our properties, about 10% of the rooms as well as conference rooms," said Faith Taylor, Wyndham's vice president of product development and innovation. Read the entire article Chicago Tribune
Religious Travel
Religius travel has become increasingly popular. Several travel suppliers have put together packages that will take you to places like Lourdes (France), Fatima (Portugal), Knock (Ireland), Israel, and of course, the many sites of Rome and the surrounding area. Read a recent article in USA Today.
Safety Tips for Parents
When you are on vacation with your children, use your camera in your cell phone to take a picture of each of your children each day. This way if you become separated from your child, you will have an exact description of what he or she is wearing that day. Use your digital camera if you don't have a camera on your phone.
Safety While Traveling Abroad
Travel safety tips for travel safety tips from the U.S. State Department.
Airline News
JetBlue will begin offering passengers free e-mail access on one of its airplanes next week.
A new automated baggage screening system at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport can screen 5,000 checked bags each hour. The system will first operate within Northwest Airlines' baggage system, and eventually all carriers at the airport will use it.
United Airlines announced a new checked bag policy for customers who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets. Customers purchasing nonrefundable domestic economy tickets who do not have status in Mileage Plus or Star Alliance may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 service fee.
This policy is for travel exclusively within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada and applies to tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008. Read more...
I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter. The goal of The Travel Bug Vacation Planners is to remove the stress from your vacation planning and allow you to relax, knowing that the details of your trip have been arranged for you.
We also provide concierge service including itinerary planning, show and concert tickets, dinner reservations, sporting events, and private transportation.
Please contact me at 732-747-8187 for your personalized vacation planning.
Happy travels,
Mary McGrath
Your Personal Vacation Planner
The Travel Bug Vacation Planners, LLC
Personal Planning, Lasting Memories
Monday, February 18, 2008
Saratoga Springs Resort at Disney World
Tommy and I spent a long weekend at the new Saratoga Springs Resort at Disney World. Saratoga Springs is the newest of the Disney Vacation Club Resorts, although you don't have to be a vacation club member to stay at any of these resorts.
Since we were only staying from Friday to Monday (2/1 - 2/4) we decided to stay in a studio. The studio is large - it has a queen bed, a queen sleeper sofa, table with two chairs, kitchenette, and a balcony. Our view from the balcony was great. We overlooked the lake which has a geiser in the middle of it. There were swans that stayed in the area during the day. Very peaceful. We were close to the bus stop (we didn't rent a car) and to the check-in area which houses the restaurants and store and the main pool. The only complaint was that the mirror which hung by the table and chairs was so dusty that a prior "tenant" had drawn a heart in the dust. A little bit of dusting on housekeeping's part would help.
Since we arrived in the afternoon so we chose not to go to the parks that day. We had the Disney Dining Plan which we had never tried before. We took a ferry over to Downtown Disney and had dinner at the new Irish pub, Raglan Road Irish Pub. The food was great as was the atmosphere. We had a table pretty much in the middle of the room and the Irish band played. Every once in a while the Irish dancer stepped up on to the platform and danced a jig. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
After dinner we walked around Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney. We went in to the new magic store, Magic Masters, and were quite entertained by the magician. We ended up buying two magic tricks, one for each of us, and when you buy something they bring you into a hidden room to show you how to perform the trick. New career? I think we need a little practice yet!
Saturday we spent in Epcot. We thought we would split the day between parks but we had so much fun there we decided to stay. We had fun at "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" and at "Soarin'". "Maelstrom" is always fun (at the Norway Pavilion) and we also went on the refurbished and renamed ride in Mexico (it used to be El Rio del Tiempo but it is now the Gran Fiesta ride with the Three Caballeros). But the best part of Epcot was our dinner. We went to the Living Seas Pavilion where the Coral Reef restaurant is and put our names on the list for dinner. We didn't have to wait more than a few minutes because we got there when they opened. We had the best food, the best view (the aquarium wall is right there), and the very best service. Blanca was our server and she always had a smile on her face. She was so friendly as was her daughter, Jasmine. Tommy asked for the manager so he could compliment Blanca. There were some diners that were celebrating their anniversary and for a fee, you can request a banner to be held up by the divers. The diver went over to where their table was and held it up for them. We also saw the divers who were guests spending their time in the aquarium. This is one restaurant we had never been to before but we will definitely come back. I'm glad that the Le Cellier restaurant in Canada had no openings for us or we wouldn't have had the chance to eat at the Coral Reef.
We stayed in Epcot to see the fireworks show, Illuminations, then went back to our room. We used the bus system to get around the resorts and parks. Each park has an area for the buses and you just go to the waiting area designated for your particular resort.
On Sunday we went to Disney's Hollywood Studios (name changed from Disney MGM). The first thing we did was go on The Great Movie Ride which is one of the rides we always go on. Then on to the Rock 'n Roller Coaster followed by the Tower of Terror. I went on the Tower twice (by myself - Tommy doesn't like this one) and I have to say the elevator on the right is better than the one on the left. Just my opinion.
After we left this park we went on to the Magic Kingdom. We went on the newly refurbished Haunted Mansion and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Both were even better than before! Unfortunately Splash Mountain was closed for refurbishing. We ended with the Hall of Presidents then made our long trek back to our room. Long because we had cancelled our dinner reservations (we were going to have dinner back at the resort and watch the Super Bowl there) and decided to eat in the park. No luck. Then we tried the Contemporary restaurants and again, no luck. So we went to wait for the bus, but when the bus came we had to take the Old Key West people because their bus hadn't shown up. Instead of bringing us back first, we had to go all the way through Old Key West to all of its stops first, the go on to Saratoga Springs. We were hungry, missed a lot of the game, and a little annoyed. But we ended up getting food at the take out area of our resort and brought it back to the room to see the rest of the game.
A word of advice: if you purchase the dining plan (which is well worth it and less expensive than buying all the food on your own) make sure you make your reservations prior to arriving at Disney World. Guests can reserve 180 days in advance and the more popular restaurants sell out. If there is a particular restaurant you really want to go to, don't disappoint yourself. Make the reservations. They can always be cancelled or changed (make sure you find out the cancellation policy of each restaurant you reserve). You can also use the dining plan for dinner shows such as the Hoop de Doo and the luau. Two dinner points are used for these specialty restaurants.
Since we were only staying from Friday to Monday (2/1 - 2/4) we decided to stay in a studio. The studio is large - it has a queen bed, a queen sleeper sofa, table with two chairs, kitchenette, and a balcony. Our view from the balcony was great. We overlooked the lake which has a geiser in the middle of it. There were swans that stayed in the area during the day. Very peaceful. We were close to the bus stop (we didn't rent a car) and to the check-in area which houses the restaurants and store and the main pool. The only complaint was that the mirror which hung by the table and chairs was so dusty that a prior "tenant" had drawn a heart in the dust. A little bit of dusting on housekeeping's part would help.
Since we arrived in the afternoon so we chose not to go to the parks that day. We had the Disney Dining Plan which we had never tried before. We took a ferry over to Downtown Disney and had dinner at the new Irish pub, Raglan Road Irish Pub. The food was great as was the atmosphere. We had a table pretty much in the middle of the room and the Irish band played. Every once in a while the Irish dancer stepped up on to the platform and danced a jig. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
After dinner we walked around Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney. We went in to the new magic store, Magic Masters, and were quite entertained by the magician. We ended up buying two magic tricks, one for each of us, and when you buy something they bring you into a hidden room to show you how to perform the trick. New career? I think we need a little practice yet!
Saturday we spent in Epcot. We thought we would split the day between parks but we had so much fun there we decided to stay. We had fun at "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" and at "Soarin'". "Maelstrom" is always fun (at the Norway Pavilion) and we also went on the refurbished and renamed ride in Mexico (it used to be El Rio del Tiempo but it is now the Gran Fiesta ride with the Three Caballeros). But the best part of Epcot was our dinner. We went to the Living Seas Pavilion where the Coral Reef restaurant is and put our names on the list for dinner. We didn't have to wait more than a few minutes because we got there when they opened. We had the best food, the best view (the aquarium wall is right there), and the very best service. Blanca was our server and she always had a smile on her face. She was so friendly as was her daughter, Jasmine. Tommy asked for the manager so he could compliment Blanca. There were some diners that were celebrating their anniversary and for a fee, you can request a banner to be held up by the divers. The diver went over to where their table was and held it up for them. We also saw the divers who were guests spending their time in the aquarium. This is one restaurant we had never been to before but we will definitely come back. I'm glad that the Le Cellier restaurant in Canada had no openings for us or we wouldn't have had the chance to eat at the Coral Reef.
We stayed in Epcot to see the fireworks show, Illuminations, then went back to our room. We used the bus system to get around the resorts and parks. Each park has an area for the buses and you just go to the waiting area designated for your particular resort.
On Sunday we went to Disney's Hollywood Studios (name changed from Disney MGM). The first thing we did was go on The Great Movie Ride which is one of the rides we always go on. Then on to the Rock 'n Roller Coaster followed by the Tower of Terror. I went on the Tower twice (by myself - Tommy doesn't like this one) and I have to say the elevator on the right is better than the one on the left. Just my opinion.
After we left this park we went on to the Magic Kingdom. We went on the newly refurbished Haunted Mansion and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Both were even better than before! Unfortunately Splash Mountain was closed for refurbishing. We ended with the Hall of Presidents then made our long trek back to our room. Long because we had cancelled our dinner reservations (we were going to have dinner back at the resort and watch the Super Bowl there) and decided to eat in the park. No luck. Then we tried the Contemporary restaurants and again, no luck. So we went to wait for the bus, but when the bus came we had to take the Old Key West people because their bus hadn't shown up. Instead of bringing us back first, we had to go all the way through Old Key West to all of its stops first, the go on to Saratoga Springs. We were hungry, missed a lot of the game, and a little annoyed. But we ended up getting food at the take out area of our resort and brought it back to the room to see the rest of the game.
A word of advice: if you purchase the dining plan (which is well worth it and less expensive than buying all the food on your own) make sure you make your reservations prior to arriving at Disney World. Guests can reserve 180 days in advance and the more popular restaurants sell out. If there is a particular restaurant you really want to go to, don't disappoint yourself. Make the reservations. They can always be cancelled or changed (make sure you find out the cancellation policy of each restaurant you reserve). You can also use the dining plan for dinner shows such as the Hoop de Doo and the luau. Two dinner points are used for these specialty restaurants.
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