Seeing & Feeling the American Spirit This Weekend

I enjoyed a tour of American Cruise Line’s ship, American Spirit, over the weekend. She is nearing the end this season’s 7 night Philadelphia- Potomac River sailings from Philadelphia which stop at Havre de Grace, Chestertown, St. Michaels, Annapolis and St. Mary’s City in Maryland as well as Mount Vernon and Alexandria in Virginia. The stop in Alexandria enables people to also visit Washington, DC.

American Cruise Lines offers an opportunity to sail on one of the few U.S. registered cruise ships for what is referred to as “river ” and “coastal waterways” cruising. This is not traditional cruising in the way that most people consider a cruise to be. If you misinterpret what you think the experience is, you’ll be disappointed. However, if you know what to expect and this is the experience you’re looking for, you’ll quickly realize why this line has such a high repeat booking rate among a loyal clientele.

At over $6000 for a double cabin, you’ll find that the average guest is retired, financially comfortable, prefers a casual setting, enjoys a relaxing evening over splashy entertainment, loves American Heritage and wants to see multiple sites without changing hotels. While this isn’t the type of boat that Mark Twain would have sailed on, the quiet wonders of sailing to some of America’s history-filled port cities will have you think of him and a way of life as old as our country.

American Spirit offers open and comfortable public areas, and a feeling of Americana. Cabins are large by river boat standards and feature two twin beds which can convert to a double bed, a flat screen satellite TV w/DVD player, closet, dresser, desk and chair, hair dryer, large opening picture window and internet access. Bathrooms offer a little more space than most ship bathrooms and are nicely decorated. Accommodations remind me more of a floating B&B.

In fact, the entire ship’s atmosphere is somewhat like a B&B as you feel like a welcome guest into a home. The feeling is intimate as she holds only 100 guests. Most of the staff are young, but all are respectful and eager to please. The ship offers an unusual 1:4 ratio of crew members to guests which is much better than the industry norm. Crew and guests’ name lists are on a bulletin board to enable a quicker rapport among everyone.

One of the line’s strengths is the lecturers which speak about the local history, nature and culture. If weather permits, there is often a time of kite-flying off the ship while guests sip Bloody Marys. There is also a weekly Bingo game.

American Spirit along with American Glory, American Star and the new Independence sail in the waterways of eastern USA while the company’s only paddle wheeler, Queen of the West, sails in Washington and Oregon.

An American Cruise Lines cruise package includes your accommodations, prepared-to-order breakfast, lunch, dinner, limited beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks & juice), snacks, a daily cocktail hour prior to dinner, beer & wine at lunch & dinner, guest lecturers and internet access. Warm, fresh cookies are included in the mornings. Evenings offer complimentary ice cream sundaes and root beer floats along with the opportunity to purchase alcoholic drinks.

I would consider this ship to be friendly for slow-walkers, but not accessible for a full-time wheelchair user. Read more about American Spirit's accessibility here.  

Ships in the American Cruise Lines’ fleet are available for group bookings and also chartering for exclusive use for groups of 49-120 participants. Our agents would be happy to share more information with you regarding these ships as we assist you with your individual or group travel plans.

Red, White & Blueberry

Happy Fourth of July! It’s that time of year when we get nostalgic and also when we think of “red, white and blue” in flags, clothing, décor and even food. It’s that last part that I’m thinking of as I write this.

Growing up in the ’60s and ‘70s, my family was super traditional in what we ate. I’m not sure how much was a sign of the times, part of being in the suburbs or how much was just my parents’ comfort zone.

I didn’t know that lettuce was available in any form other than iceberg. With the exception of Kaiser rolls now and then, all of our breads were in bags with “Stroehmann” stamped on them. The jelly in the fridge was always strawberry or grape. I remember it being a pretty big deal that we occasionally bought La Choy’s canned Chow Mein which was pretty adventurous for us!

But over the years I have learned to try and enjoy a much more vast variety of foods. English muffins make for great burger rolls, toasted bagels are among my favorite carbs, salads with nearly every type of lettuce imaginable, very little canned foods, lots of ethnic goodies and there’s more than one way to make a grilled cheese sandwich. I’ll try a lot, though a friend laughs at what she refers to as two of my food rules…. I don’t do veggies in jello and I can’t grasp the concept of fruit in a salad.

Now I prefer blueberry, raspberry and blackcurrant jam. Blueberry jam always reminds me of when I cruised to Bar Harbor. As Maine is the world’s largest producer of wild blueberries, a jar of locally made blueberry jam seemed like a good choice of souvenir to pick up for someone who enjoys trying local foods. See, blueberry and blackcurrants jams not only taste good to me, but they invoke memories of trips which is neat when I’m home having a PB&J sandwich made with one of them.

Get some free blueberry jam & jelly:

To give our clients a “taste" of your upcoming trip, we have teamed up with Bar Harbor Jam which is producing specially made gift boxes only for our clients which include their award-winning Wild Blueberry Pepper Jelly and their Wild Maine Blueberry Jam. When you book your Canada / New England cruise sailing this year with Connie George Travel Associates by July 30, tell our agent where you read about getting your free gift box and we will be sure you receive your free jam and jelly gift box (one box per cabin). Maybe you’ll also get hooked on blueberry jam!

Meanwhile, to help you celebrate the holiday, I want to share some terrfic free recipes for some great looking “red, white and blue” deserts I found on Food Network's website. Amaze your family and friends with this weekend with some red, white and blueberries. Enjoy!

Docs or No Docs, What’s Your Preference?

Two couples doing very different trips, but spending about the same amount for their long-awaited vacations.

For the first couple cruising on Princess Cruises, I explain “e-docs” which is short for “electronic travel documents.” “Go here, click there, print what you would like to take” and an explanation of the optional baggage tags which can be printed and then fake-laminated in clear shipping tape.

For the second couple traveling on a Trafalgar Tour, I just received a nice document package with vouchers, a hotel list, itinerary and other helpful information inside a zippered pleather case.

When actually traveling, I’d rather be without documents. Less to carry and worry about is a plus. “Have passport, will travel” sounds like a darn good motto. And in this age of computers, we really shouldn’t need any more than that to check in for a flight, cruise, hotel or tour.

But I have to admit, that there’s something more “real”, more “tangible” about having something solid in my hands that has been given to me, something to hold and read. It’s a step closer to knowing that I’m really going to travel soon. An adventure around the corner that will include fun, memories to be made, possibly pampering or experiences. The documents feel like the key about to unlock the door.

Or maybe it’s that the smell of these document holders bring back memories of my old Barbie Doll cases and that whole world of make believe, mysteries unfolding, few major decisions and lots of fun. Maybe traveling is a bit like playing Barbie Dolls as a kid. Hey Lori and Dorothy….. wanna come out and play Barbies again?

So what’s your preference---- “real” travel documents or “eDocs”?

-Connie

They Say I Shouldn't Blog About this Cruise Special

I read a fair amount of marketing tips articles. Many of the ones about blogging stress using it to show your personality, professionalism and knowledge. “They” say not to use it to talk about specific prices, promotions and sales. But I wonder if “they” are always right?

People are often interested in the best “deal” so is it really bad if I write to tell you that we have an exclusive promotion with Holland America Line until this Monday, March 22? Is it wrong to tell you in a blog that you can pay a reduced deposit of only $100-300 per person? Is it a bad thing for me to mention here that we will be sure that you receive a shipboard Coupon Value Booklet with a value of up to $340? One Coupon Value Booklet will be given to each person for up to two people in a cabin.

While I’m being so bad, let me share some details:


Reduced Deposits:

Cruises of 7 days or less - $100 p.p. deposit
Cruises of 7-9 days, CruiseTours of 10-14 days - $200 p.p. deposit
Cruises of 15 days or longer (excluding Grand Voyages) - $300 p.p. deposit


Cruise Value Booklets Include:

Complimentary La Therapie Age Zone Treatment: $20 Value - Greenhouse Spa & Salon

20% Off Second Spa Treatment: $20 Value - Greenhouse Spa & Salon

Complimentary Fitness Class: $11 Value - Greenhouse Spa & Salon

Elemis Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap with Massage Treatment: $25 Value (while in port) - Greenhouse Spa & Salon

Complimentary Cigar: $10 Value

Complimentary Souvenir Glass: $3.95 Value

Save $5 on any of our Wine Club Collections: $5 Value

Save $10 on Five-Bottle Admiral’s Choice Wine Package: $10 Value

$2 Discount on Purchase of $20 Bingo Card: $2 Value

$5 Casino Match Play Certificate: $5 Value

Any Slot or Blackjack Tournament: Two Entries for Price of One: $20 Value

Internet Café 10 Complimentary Minutes: $7.50 Value

Holland America Line Logo Items: $10 Off

Free Raffle Ticket for Art Auction for a $500 Bid Credit: $25 Value

$5 Off Holland America Line Bathrobe: $5 Value

Insulated Coffee Mug: $9 Value

$2 Per Minute Discount on Stateroom Call: $10 Value

$10 Off Purchase of Second Telephone Calling Card: $10 Value

Complimentary Glass of House Champagne: $10.50 Value - Pinnacle Grill

Three-month Complimentary Subscription to Food & Wine magazine: 65% Savings - Culinary Arts Center

10% Off Any Item in Online Store at shophollandamerica.com: 10% Savings (Based on estimated average purchase of $300)

Join Holland America Line Wine Club & Receive $25 Discount on Any Item In Online Store at shophollandamerica.com: $25 Value

5 Free Prints: $2 Value

10 % Off the Creation of Digital Media CD: $1.50 Value

Special $10 rate for 2-Year Subscription to Porthole Magazine: $49 Value

While I’m being such a renegade with thumbing my nose at those who tell me what not to write about, let me tell you one more neat promotion we have going on with Holland America. Book by this Friday, March 19 to cruise on Rotterdam roundtrip from Seattle to Alaska July 3 – 10 this summer, we’ll also include a $50 shipboard credit for your cabin!

If you want to take advantage of these promotions, be sure to reach us right away at 610-532-0989, 888-532-0989 or info@cgta.com.

For those article writers whom I normally respect and listen to…. as one of my sons would say… “My bad!”

-Connie

Haiti Humanitarian Relief- From this Travel Agent's View

By Vicki Thorp
Travel Consultant & Lead Specialist on our Access Travel Team


For those of you who have been thinking or praying for our sister and brother-in-law, missionaries in Haiti, here is a quick update. They are safe and had plenty of supplies (thankfully) purchased 2 weeks ago from Port-au-Prince and a grocery store that is no longer there. They are in northern Haiti, near Port-de-Paix (northwest). There is a small domestic airport in Cap-Haitien (which coincidentally is fairly close to Royal Caribbean’s private beach peninsula of Labadee). Deb and Bruce have a team of volunteer workers from the US who have been with them a couple of weeks and were scheduled to fly home from Port-au-Prince last week and today. Unfortunately, this isn’t happening, and I’ve assisted last week to notify connecting flights, etc. back in the US. There is work underway to have Missionary Flights International (MFI) from Florida fly into Cap-Haiten to bring supplies, etc. and to take the volunteers back to Florida. A small domestic airline flies from Cap-Haiten to Port-Au-Prince also, where American Airlines has flights to Miami (whenever they start those again). Hopefully MFI will be able to accomplish the above since it is completely unsafe to be in Port-au-Prince without protection where many local people are killing, beating and/or stealing the smallest bag or back pack out of desperation.

Many of the people in other regions are arranging for relatives in Port-au-Prince to come and stay with them. This is a good idea but will place higher demands on those regions and people as well since there are limited supplies and money to care for massive extra people. Many of these people are already arriving with no belongings and some with injuries that are still untreated.



Royal Caribbean and Celebrity plan to deliver relief supplies to Haiti via Labadee. Hopefully, this began on January 15 if they received official approval and safety information to allow them to resume this port of call. A press announcement is below. As you can see, they have a relief fund anyone can donate too, as well as a shipboard collection feature.

My relatives, Deb and Bruce Robinson, work with CrossWorld, a missionary organization. It also collects donations and has some serious and heartbreaking photos on its website, www.crossworld.org. And, of course, there are other organizations that are helping as well, i.e. Red Cross and numerous other foundations, churches, etc. Not all of these may be using funds the way they are intended so it is wise to check them out first.

Bruce and Deb expect another team to arrive later this week, but this may be on hold as plans are revised and flights are limited. Safety is a primary concern. Bruce and Deb will remain at their home in Haiti for the timebeing and work on those plans. We hope and pray the violence does not expand into their part of the country. We are grateful that they, their home, workshop and equipment sustained no damage and are available for whatever role they will play. Bruce is an engineer by training and has been in Haiti more than 30 years. He indicates most construction cannot commence for months, partly because of continued shifting of the earth which isn’t good for pouring concrete and partly because of all the rubble that must be cleared away. Shelters of some type are urgently needed, and rain occurs frequently here. One of his projects is work to obtain supplies to create and place Quonset huts to shelter people and humanitarian workers or store furniture and equipment removed from buildings that were partly destroyed. These huts will be needed in many of the smaller towns and areas outside of Port-au-Prince as well to shelter newly arriving people. They are also seeking medical supplies for their closest hospital, which are now needed to treat arriving refugees also.

Again, thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers not only for them and their work, but for the country as a whole and the relief workers and security forces. The news is heartbreaking, and the next few weeks and months are dangerous and critical for many more people.


(Below: RCCL announcement)

Royal Caribbean Sets Plan for Haiti Humanitarian Relief
Published on: January 18, 2010

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), following up on measures announced by Royal Caribbean International President Adam Goldstein on Thursday, revealed plans to provide at least $1 million in humanitarian relief to Haiti in response to the catastrophic earthquake in Port-Au-Prince.

Royal Caribbean one of Haiti’s largest foreign investors for almost 30 years, said it will be partnering with charitable organizations – such as Food for the Poor, Pan American Development Foundation and the Solano Foundation, the company’s foundation in Haiti, to provide additional assistance to the people of Haiti. Royal Caribbean will also be delivering much needed goods and supplies to Haiti via their cruise ships.

“The effect of the earthquake on Haiti has been catastrophic, leaving the country in need of not only immediate support, but assistance in their long-term recovery,” said Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of RCCL. “Royal Caribbean wants to do its part to help out not only the general response, but also our hundreds of Haitian employees and their families through this disaster. In addition to our financial contribution, Royal Caribbean will continue to provide economic support through the continuous business we bring to Labadee.”

Leslie Voltaire, special envoy of the government of Haiti to the United Nations, said: “Given the terrible economic and social challenges we now face in Haiti, we welcome the continuation of the positive economic benefits that the cruise ship calls to Labadee contribute to our country.”

Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas is making a call Jan. 15 at Labadee, Haiti, the company’s private island destination, to deliver supplies for Haitii. The supplies were loaded on the ship during its call in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and include items such as rice, dried beans, powdered milk, water and canned goods. In addition, 100 percent of the company’s net revenue from Labadee will be contributed to the relief effort.

In the next two weeks, the following ships are scheduled to call on Labadee with additional supplies: Navigator of the Seas on Monday, Jan. 18; Liberty of the Seas on Tuesday, Jan. 19; and Celebrity Solstice on Friday, Jan. 22. When the supplies arrive in Labadee, they will be transported to an offsite location to be distributed by Food for the Poor, a long time partner of Royal Caribbean in Haiti.

In addition to working with Food for the Poor to distribute relief supplies, guests sailing onboard Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises will be able to make a donation to Food for the Poor’s Haiti Relief Fund, via a charge to their onboard account. Guests who would like to contribute immediately can visit www.foodforthepoor.org/royalcaribbean to make a donation. Royal Caribbean also plans to use a portion of the $1 million donation to augment the company’s Crew Relief Fund, which can be drawn on by any of the company’s more than 200 Haitian crew members for assistance, as well as to match employee contributions to the partner organizations. As the initial response effort gives way to the long-term recovery effort, Royal Caribbean said it will consider further support efforts. For more information, visit www.rclinvestor.com.

Let it Snow.... But Don't Let it Delay or Cancel My Trip!

It’s a travel industry nightmare. Flights canceled or delayed because of weather. Be it a snowstorm or a hurricane, major “weather” causes havoc. Perhaps you’re scheduled to fly from or to an airport that’s closed or running a delay. Or maybe you’re changing planes at that airport. Or you are breathing a sigh of relief the night before your trip because you’re not going near the airports in cities reported to experiencing a blizzard. However, you learn the next morning that your plane actually originates where the weather was bad and, since the plane couldn’t get out, it couldn’t get to your airport so now there’s no airplane for you to fly on.


Nearly two feet of snow fell on the Denver area two weeks ago. That October storm caused over 200 flights to be canceled that Thursday. One of our agents in that area, Vicki, reported that their ski areas were deliriously happy! As were her dogs as you can see from the photos of their backyard that she shared with us that day.

However, thousands of travelers were inconvenienced. People missed flight connections and trips were delayed. Some people were delayed in getting home. As airlines, resorts and cruise lines aren’t responsible for acts of nature, any extra accommodations and meals are at your own expense.

There are ways to better protect yourself, your vacation and your funds. The answer is to be a wise traveler by following these suggestions:

Consider flying to your port of departure a day or two in advance if cruising. The peace of mind alone is worth going in early so that weather or even mechanical delays can’t put your cruise at risk.

If you have to change planes, try to avoid airports in snow regions in the winter and hurricane regions during hurricane season.

If you have to change planes, plan for longer connecting times to give yourself a cushion in case your inbound flight is delayed.

Purchase travel insurance. One of the features of most insurances is “travel delay.” Insurance companies usually require a five to twelve hour delay (depending upon the insurance company) to qualify. Travel delay coverage can help with accommodation, meal and cab expenses both before and after a trip involving delays. Know your coverage, save your receipts and contact your travel agent so that he or she can guide you and start the claim with your insurance company.

With the right plans in place, you can help protect against unexpected problems to help ensure the wonderful vacation you deserve and look forward to enjoying. After all, if it'snowing the day you're vacation is scheduled to start, you might not be as happy about it as these two furry guys may be!

~ Connie

Vacation Payment Plan Enables Travelers

Did you know that we offer a flexible payment plan for our clients’ convenience? By planning your payments into your monthly budget, your vacation may be more affordable to you!

Here’s how it works:

• Depending upon the cruise, tour or resort package booked, you will have a deposit that generally runs between $100 – 500 per person at the time of booking.

• Depending upon the cruise, tour or resort operator, your final payment is normally due between 45 – 90 days prior to your vacation.

• Between your deposit and final payment dates, your travel consultant can work with you to plan either a set payment plan per month or you can just make payments periodically as you like.

o You can set up automatic credit card payments during the most convenient time of the month or

o You can send checks / money orders monthly or

o You can opt to instead make periodic payments at your convenience. This is a popular option for people wanting to use tax refunds, bonuses or settlements toward their vacation.

Vacation payment plans work best for people who book 5 – 18 months in advance of their trip. The further in advance you book your trip, the lower your monthly payments will be.

If there is a price drop for which you would otherwise qualify, being on a payment plan will not disallow you from getting the lower price.

Isn't it time to book your next adventure?


~ Connie