By JoDell Haverfield
From sunny Caribbean islands to historic European cities, spectacular South Pacific lagoons and the Mexican Riviera, cruising transports travelers to the destinations of their dreams in ships like floating resorts. They make the entire journey relaxing, fun and most of all, memorable. There is a cruise for every budget and interest from world cruises to honeymoons, family reunions or girlfriend getaways. What’s on your bucket list?
The secret to a successful cruise experience is careful planning. The best way to do that is with a Travel Advisor who will find the perfect cruise for you. I used to think there was no such thing as a bad cruise, but I have learned through the years that isn’t necessarily true. What might be a disappointing cruise to one would be perfect for another.
Whenever I’m on a cruise, I like to get to know fellow cruisers I have never met before. I always ask them if they’re enjoying their cruise and, occasionally, I come across an unhappy cruiser. I find it’s rarely the fault of the cruise line or anyone else’s for that matter. Usually, they booked the cruise on their own, through a third-party big box cruise company online. For example, an unhappy cruiser might tell me there’s just not enough to do! They were looking for a younger crowd with more nightlife, parties and dancing late into the night while another was looking for a relaxing experience. When I ask them why they chose that particular cruise, the answer is almost always the same, “It was the best price.”
Now don’t get me wrong, while the almighty budget is certainly not to be overlooked, much less the desired itinerary or even stateroom category, there is so much more to consider when choosing a cruise. The secret is research and more research, or you can save yourself a lot of trouble and make one call to a travel advisor who will cover all the bases for you including travel insurance which is a “whole nother topic” altogether!
Note: Travel Advisors and Travel Agents are the same thing by the way. In the last few years, there has been a shift in the travel industry to move from the term Agent to Advisor because agents usually focus on selling while advisors spend a great deal of time researching, counseling and guiding their clients to the perfect cruise. Some of us even have additional education and training on cruise counseling. The best part is there is no cost to you for our service.
Excitement, indulgence and adventure are hallmarks of the Cruise industry’s latest offerings, which include a Megaship Debut, First-at-Sea-Thrills, Small Luxury Ship Offerings and Sleek Expedition Vessels designed for remote exploration. A world of experiences awaits at the bottom of a ship’s gangway from the cosmopolitan capitals of Europe, the sun-drenched isles of the Mediterranean, the sacred temples of Asia, untamed Africa and more.
Visit the freshwater ports of the U.S. from New Orleans, Memphis, Astoria, St Louis and Traverse City, Mich. Travel from the East Coast ports of New York, New Jersey, Boston, Baltimore and Virginia or Pacific journeys beginning in Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego and San Francisco. Then there’s always the ever-popular Caribbean escapes from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Tampa, New Orleans, Galveston and Mobile, Ala. I haven’t even mentioned Hawaii, Canada and Alaska! Ships and onboard accommodations vary as much as their itineraries from the river masters to small and luxurious cruises to high seas thrills.
More than 30 million people took a cruise in 2019. Even with Covid-19 rules, there are ships sailing from these ports I just mentioned and by the end of September 2021, more than a million cruisers will have sailed on one cruise line alone. There’s a real pent-up desire to get back on the water and cruise!
I have seen the most amazing deals this year plus the bonus of ships sailing at 50% capacity. My husband and I stayed three nights at a luxury beachfront resort in Fort Lauderdale for our 50th anniversary this summer and spent more than we did for a verandah suite on a nine-night Southern Caribbean luxury cruise!
Cruise ships are back with brand new ships set to debut soon. There’s the perfect cruise and ship for everyone from family friendly cruises to romantic luxury cruises to solo sailing to high adventure! Plan your next family reunion on a cruise ship or your next anniversary or a friendship escape!
Did you know the U.S. Virgin Islands is the only place in the U.S. where cars drive on the left side of the road?
Call me today so I can help you plan your next cruise! You can meet me at my Destin office Beachworx in the BB&T building across from Bass Pro, or we can plan your whole trip on the phone and through email, so you don’t have to leave the comforts of home! 850-608-3058| jodell@havetravelmemories.com. Check out some of our tours and cruises on our website at HaveTravelMemories.com or visit our Facebook, webinars and YouTube podcasts.
Bon Voyage!
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