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 and 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....
Horseshoe Beach, Bermuda
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Entertainment onboard the Norwegian EPIC
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....
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....
Friday, January 14, 2011
Positano and the Amalfi Coast
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.....
Until next time,
Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners
Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Celebrity Eclipse - Trendy and high tech cruising at its best!
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. This ship is also great for Honeymooners and romance travel, with all the intimate spots on board the ship, the wonderful ports of call and top accommodations this would be perfect for couples in love.
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.
Until next time,
Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners
Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....
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.
Until next time,
Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners
Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....
Monday, January 10, 2011
Falling in love with a cruise vacation
Caribbean Sunset
Is it possible to fall in love with a cruise vacation? I say yes! As I have talked about before, my love for cruising is what guided towards my career as a Cruise & Travel Planner and eventually to owning my own Cruise Planners franchise. Taking a cruise is so easy, stress free and fun! It's no wonder so many of us "get hooked". I guess there are worse things :) On a cruise vacation you pack and unpack once, get to see many destinations and experience different cultures all while on one trip. Another aspect of a cruise vacation I love is the different dining options, anytime dining, fixed dining times with same wait staff and table mates, specialty restaurants or very casual buffet style and lets not forget room service. The options are so varied, I always talk to my clients and help them decide what works best for them. The entertainment on a cruise vacation is great, whether you want to listen to a blues or jazz band, see a comedian or watch an all out Broadway style show, you can do it all on a cruise ship! A cruise vacation is a wonderful way to travel as a group with family and friends, there are so many activities for all ages. You can travel together and reconnect while creating memories that will last forever. One of my favorite aspects of my job as a Cruise Planner is talking to my clients, finding out what they want and need from their vacation. I ask them many questions and then create a personal vacation experience that's special for them.
Until next time,
Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners
Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....
Caribbean Sunset
Is it possible to fall in love with a cruise vacation? I say yes! As I have talked about before, my love for cruising is what guided towards my career as a Cruise & Travel Planner and eventually to owning my own Cruise Planners franchise. Taking a cruise is so easy, stress free and fun! It's no wonder so many of us "get hooked". I guess there are worse things :) On a cruise vacation you pack and unpack once, get to see many destinations and experience different cultures all while on one trip. Another aspect of a cruise vacation I love is the different dining options, anytime dining, fixed dining times with same wait staff and table mates, specialty restaurants or very casual buffet style and lets not forget room service. The options are so varied, I always talk to my clients and help them decide what works best for them. The entertainment on a cruise vacation is great, whether you want to listen to a blues or jazz band, see a comedian or watch an all out Broadway style show, you can do it all on a cruise ship! A cruise vacation is a wonderful way to travel as a group with family and friends, there are so many activities for all ages. You can travel together and reconnect while creating memories that will last forever. One of my favorite aspects of my job as a Cruise Planner is talking to my clients, finding out what they want and need from their vacation. I ask them many questions and then create a personal vacation experience that's special for them.
Until next time,
Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners
Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....
Friday, January 7, 2011
Onboard with Disney Cruise Line
Our favorite port of call is Castaway Cay(Disneys private island-more on that next post). We just love how Disney makes you feel so special onboard the ship. The little things like our dining room server remembering our favorite drinks and making our children feel so special - like they were the only ones in the room, the towel animals in our stateroom at night, the smiling faces from everyone we passed in the hallways, to the "magical encounters" with the Disney characters. On our 2nd cruise which was 2yrs after the 1st we ran into our dining room server and favorite kids club staff member and they remembered our family! How amazing is that! These are some of the reasons we keep coming back. I will be sailing with my family and friends onboard the new Dream in February and cannot wait. I will post more after that cruise.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
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