Joaquin ? You're not invited!

Norwegian Getaway

Last month I had the privilege of sailing on the Norwegian Getaway for a seven day cruise.  Since the cruise started on the the day after my 14 year old's birthday it was a semi birthday trip for him.  I say semi, because he did not want to go on a cruise that was not Disney!  I convinced him it was a good idea, or at least one he couldn't get out of!

In the end he decided it was a good birthday present (I'm sure the two birthday cakes did not hurt!).

Today I want to start with some over all observations.  First of all, Norwegian puts a lot of stock into the Freestyle Cruising.  I do agree there is a certain segment of cruisers who will absolutely LOVE this way of cruising, but for our family it is not the best solution.  We need to have the feeling that everything is in placed and organized when it comes to when and where we eat.  

Basically, there are three main dining rooms that are complimentary.  Two smaller, more intimate and one larger, more loud!  They all three have the same menu, changes with the day.  So no matter which one you choose to eat in, you will get the same choices.  Prior to the cruise, I was able to go in and make reservations in these three restaurants for 5:30 each night.  This would be equivalent to first seating on most cruise lines. 

Second, I can not help but make note of our uninvited guest this trip.  Joaquin!  When we left home, he was nothing more than a low pressure system.  He made his presence known in a huge way.

The Norwegian staff was wonderful in handling the situation.  At NO time did we feel frightened, worried, or scared.  We were kept informed the whole way, with both ship wide announcements and letters in our staterooms.  

To keep from having a head on collision with him, we did not visit Nassau on our scheduled visit.  We sailed around the island of Cuba...basically keeping the island country between us and Joaquin.  While we did have rough seas and lots of wind, we were never in danger.

Waves Thursday morning from the Atrium on board Norwegian Getaway

More waves Thursday morning from the Atrium on Thursday morning.

I've always heard the safest place to be during a hurricane was on a cruise ship.  Other than a few hours where the outside walkway was closed on deck 8, life went on as normal on board.  We only got a tiny bit of sprinkles.  What you are seeing on the windows is spray.  Since the pool area is completely enclosed to the sides...people were in the pool almost the whole time!  

But I will admit...I would not have been a happy camper if I had not had a patch to wear...

Stay tuned for more!  Including the story about TWO Birthday cakes!

Passport Crisis?

The headlines are ominous “A Passport Crisis is coming”.  But what does it really mean?

By now no doubt some of you have already seen the headlines about the impending doom regarding Passports.  No? Well let me be the first to tell you about it. 

Is YOUR passport ready to travel?

In 2007, rules changed requiring you to have a passport to visit Canada and Mexico.  The passport offices were so swamped, the backlog was unbelievable (hence the Crisis).  Within the next 24 months, all of these are set to renew.  As of today, no additional staff has been hired to take care of the expected backlog. 

Also, factor in the fact that this coming January another change is coming.  After January, if you run out of Visa pages, you have to obtain a new passport.  You can no longer obtain new Visa pages inserted (Two options are available: either 28 pages or 52 pages with no difference in cost.)  More than 90% of renewal passports have less than 2 Visa pages remaining.

Don’t forget, many countries now have requirements that your passport be valid for as much as 6 months after your expected RETURN. 

Children under the age of 16 only have passports that are good for 5 years.

With more people than ever traveling and getting passports, it only makes sense to get it early.  I mean, do you really want to have to cancel your trip because your passport is late?  Or perhaps you would prefer to spend  more money for the expedited processing? No?  Then renew or apply for your passport today!

Travel Agent Question part # 5

How much does it cost me to have you design my custom trip to Disney?

Another good question!  And I think you might like this answer.  If you book through me, Disney pays me a commission.  In fact, my business model currently calls for 90% of my income to come through those commissions.  

Disney charges the same price no matter how you book.  They either pay me, or pocket the commission.  So, no extra is tacked on to use my services.

However, after we have made some preliminary decisions about your trip, I will ask for a nonrefundable deposit.  (This is separate from the deposit Disney asks for.)  This will be applied to your last payment.  However, if you cancel or change your mind, it becomes nonrefundable. 

But wait, what if something happens and you can’t take your trip?  If you can't go at the scheduled time, I try to reschedule it for a time that works better.  This prevents you from losing your deposit with both me and Disney.  As long as we aren’t within the 45 days prior to your trip.  If we are, then Disney will charge a change fee. 

Now, what about when you have already booked directly with Disney and need help customizing your trip?  Disney has already pocketed the commission they would have given me, so I will charge a fee for the rest of the planning.  Very reasonable.  This also works if you booked off site, like a condo or staying with a friend or relative. Or, if you booked with me, and your friend booked online or off site, I can still customize the whole trip, for a small fee from your friend.

Travel Agent Questions part #4

I want to go to Disney.  I want to leave in 3 weeks.  Can I still have a great time?

YES! 

While it might be hard to get all the reservations for dining and Fast Passes that are on your list, we can still get a good variety to make sure you have a great time!

The shortest notice trip I ever planned was less than a week.  The decision to go was made on a Monday and they traveled on Saturday.  It was a very successful trip and are now repeat clients.

Travel Agent Questions part #3

Is there REALLY an advantage to staying on Disney property?  I mean, aren’t we just giving Disney more money for something we could probably find somewhere else?

Another great question!

The benefits of staying on a Disney property have to be weighed by each individual family.  So let’s arm you with the facts.

-Convenient Proximity.  Want to head back to the room and take a nap or quick dip in the pool? 

-Complimentary Airport Service (Disney’s Magical Express) You can skip the baggage claim at the airport and ride the comfortable motor coach to your resort.  Disney will take care of the bags for you!

-Complimentary (read FREE) Resort transportation and parking. Use the Disney transportation to get around between parks and resorts.  (if you are staying off site, remember to add $17 per day to your room price…that is what it currently costs to park at a Disney Park!).

-Extended Theme Park Hours.  Guests staying at one of the Resorts can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours. 

-Complimentary WiFi.  Convenient wireless internet access.

-Disney Dining Plans.  You can only get the dining plan if you stay on property.  This is a convenient way to prepay for your dining.

Those are from the official Disney benefits.  There are a couple more to consider as well. 

-Early access to make your Fast Pass Plus selections!  You get to start making your selections a full month from those who stay off property. 

-180 days plus 10.  I know a bit of Disney Geek Speak here, but that basically means you get a jump on those staying off site when making those hard to get dining reservations.

-Complete Disney immersion.  Disney is known for its service.  Disney is known for its theme-ing.  Put those two things together and you have my favorite benefit of staying on property!

Travel Agent Questions #2

How much will a Disney vacation cost?

Great question, but you probably won’t like my answer.  “It depends.”   So many variables come into this.

Who is going, what ages, how long, when and where are you staying, how many days?

For instance, going in value season, staying 4 nights in a Value resort with 2 adults and 2 children under age of 10 will be vastly different than going during peak season for 10 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge with 2 adults and 2 kids 12 and 13 years old.

Pulling numbers out of the air, while it is ‘magical’ isn’t the way I work.   I ask a million questions.  Things like what do you like to do on vacation; where do you like to eat on vacation; what was your favorite experience on vacation.  While it might sound like filling out a dating profile, this information lets me know how to approach YOUR vacation.  Don’t worry, at least one of the questions will have to do with budget.

I don’t do cookie cutter vacations.  I design custom trips for YOUR family.  

Questions for a Travel Agent

What time of year is the best time to visit Disney?  NOW!

No, seriously, I don’t think there is one best time.  What is best for my family may not be best for your family.

For instance, I love to visit when the Christmas decorations are out, while you may prefer Star Wars Weekend.  Someone else might say during summer break, while I might prefer less crowded.

So, let’s look at this differently.

What are you looking for? Lowest cost or best value; less crowded or more extras; warm, cool or hot?

I always like to start with a calendar.

Do you need to schedule around school or work?  Add those dates to the calendar.  Kind of narrows it down a bit, right?  Or maybe you homeschool and want to schedule it during the off season when crowds are lower – knowing that it is when Disney may schedule refurbishments of rides and attractions.  Do you have your heart set on Star Wars Weekends, fine, let’s add them in too. 

Unlike some vacation spots, Disney has something for just about any time of the year.