Just as a Walt Disney World or Disneyland vacation is unlike any other family vacation, a cruise aboard the Disney Wonder is a unique experience with something for everyone in the family!

More 'Steamboat Willie' than 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse' in ambience (think classic Disney), our family of 4 couldn't have had a more amazing experience aboard the Disney Wonder.  Our 4-night Bahamian Cruise out of Port Canaveral, FL (about 45 minutes from MCO) took us to Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney's own private island reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers. 

Why we had happy kids (ages 2 & 4):
-'Bye, Mom & Dad!':  organized activities, character interaction, computer games, & climbing equipment in the Oceaneer's Club & Lab (included in your cruise price! ages 3+)
-Flounder's Nursery with care & activities for ages 0-2 ($6/hr)
-Scuttle's Cove on Castaway Cay-organized outdoor activities for ages 3+
-Mickey-shaped ketchup poured on your plate & waffles
-Ahoy there, princesses! (Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, & Tiana (Princess & the Frog)
-It actually SNOWED in the theater during the performance of Disney Dreams!
-Free self-serve ice cream!

Why we had happy parents:
-See everything under 'happy kids' :)
-The adults-only Cove Pool & Cafe area
-The adults-only gourmet restaurant, Palo
-The adults-only beach & spa treatments on Castaway Cay
-Service:  ask & you shall receive!
-Free 24-hour room service (the cheese, fruit & cracker plate is particularly great for late-night cravings!)
-The fact that Disney somehow managed to serve us a 2 hour, 4-course meal every night AND keep our kids happy at the same time?!  

In upcoming blogs, I'll be sharing more details about our cruise, including entertainment, dining, accommodations and all about Castaway Cay.  Browse my MANY photos by clicking here or the photo above! 

This is also a special year for the Disney Wonder, as she will be saying goodbye to the Bahamas and hello to Disney's new-for-2011 Alaskan itinerary!  The new Disney Dream will be taking over the Bahamas itinerary in 2011. 

My next stop? A 4-night Bahamian Cruise on the Disney Wonder, January 24-28 with my husband and our two kids!

Just like a vacation at any of the Disney Parks, cruising with the Disney Cruise Line is a different kind of experience.  Here are some of the reasons we chose to cruise with The Mouse:

--Lots of Disney character experiences-they are everywhere, both onboard & even on Disney's private island, Castaway Cay!  Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, and the Princesses all make appearances at the onboard parties, in the shows, and even at special Meet & Greets (photo opps, naturally!).  On 7-night cruises, they offer Character Breakfasts as well.  And all of your entertainment, including a Pirates IN the Caribbean party (don't forget to pack your pirate gear!) and different Disney show each night, is included in your cruise price.

--All of your meals & most beverages, including 24-hour room service, are included!  Did you know that many cruise lines charge for soft drinks?  Not on a Disney cruise. Everything but alcoholic beverages is included.  Also, Disney has 3 unique dining rooms that you rotate to each night of your cruise or you have the wonderful opportunity to dine without the kids in their luxurious, ADULTS-ONLY Palo restaurant. 

--Need time away from the kids?  Not a problem on a Disney ship (or on Castaway Cay).  The Oceaneer's Club (onboard) or Scuttle's Cove (Castaway Cay) for ages 3+ is also FREE OF CHARGE!  This is not just babysitting, either--kids can choose from a computer lab, dress-up, a reading area, a dance floor, movies, arts & crafts, and more at each & every visit! I know my 4 year old, William, is going to freak out when he sees this place...

--KIDS 0-17 SAIL FREE!  Why are we cruising in January?  Thanks to a Disney promotion, we saved around $700!  Kids 0-17 sail FREE on most 3 & 4-night Bahamian Cruises from January-April.  They frequently run this promotion for the Mediterranean cruises as well. 

I promise to have all sorts of helpful hints, photos, & more when I return--so stay tuned to find out what a Fish Extender is and why you might need one (and why I'll be frantically making one this week)... ;)

Spring & Summer vacations will be here before you know it!  Have you been thinking of where YOU would like to go?  Looking for something or someplace different or have a treasured spot you'd like to return to?  Let's talk--I really enjoy doing research for my clients (and remember, it doesn't cost you a thing!).  And, I work within YOUR budget! 

Here is just a sampling of the interesting adventures I'm planning for others:

I simply HAVE to start off by apologizing for the quality of the pictures in the Photo Gallery for this one!  Important lesson learned-don't leave your digital camera at home!  A $50 replacement digital camera from Walgreen's-well, let's just say that you definitely get what you pay for!  :) I suspect that a disposable camera might have given us better quality... 

We didn't make it to all the holiday festivities in Chicago BEFORE Christmas, so we took advantage of the time in between Christmas & New Year's (when the holiday festivities are still going strong, but about to wrap up!) to spend 2 nights in the Windy City! 

Waiting until the last-minute (literally the day before!) you travel can be rewarding-we paid $104.00 a night for a 1-bedroom suite with 2 double beds at the Comfort Inn Suites Downtown Chicago at 15 E. Ohio.  We chose a suite so we didn't have to go to bed at the same time as our 2 & 4 year old!  :) 

Some great benefits to staying at this hotel (other than the incredible price in downtown Chicago!!!):

We did a LOT over 3 jam-packed days in Chicago.  I think I feel comfortable saying good-bye to the holidays now... :)  Day 1 we hit the Museum of Science & Industry to see the Christmas Trees from Around the World (we have a membership and it is well worth it to not have to stand in line!).  Apparently this is one of the museum's busiest weeks of the year!  The evening of Day 1 was spent trying to get our 2 year old daughter, Victoria, to sleep.  Or stay in bed.  Or stop screaming.  Lather, rinse, repeat for a few hours...

Day 2 was all about Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest and trust me, you need to have a very patient, very long day to devote to that particular event!  We stood in line probably an average of 20-30 minutes (sometimes more, occasionally less!) for each ride (carousel, slide, train, ferris wheels)--thankfully everything was inside.  Activity wrist bands were $16.00 per person (adults or kids), but we had a coupon from their website for $13.00 per person (too bad the coupon never made it out of the van... ;)  ).  For another $3.00 per person, you can stand in line to ice skate too!  We finished off the day with a (free) trolley ride back to the hotel and dinner at the nearby Rainforest Cafe.

Day 3 wrapped up our Chicago Holiday Adventure with a trip to the Shedd Aquarium, where we also have a membership (do you see a trend here?).  If you haven't been to the Shedd recently, the renovations made to their dolphin & beluga show (Fantasea) and lower level with the Polar Play Zone for the kids are really amazing!  We always bring our lunch and eat downstairs by the belugas & dolphins to save some money and more waiting in line.

I can help your family plan even a quick local getaway--but sadly, I can't offer much advice on getting a 2-year old to sleep...

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!  Our family certainly did, but we are ready to get the heck out of the house for a quick Chicago getaway before New Year's.  We're going to hit Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest and the Museum of Science & Industry's Christmas Around the World.  Remember, I can help YOUR family with accommodations & more for a quick getaway such as this too!

Over the holidays, I learned that my Mom has been VERY busy delving into our family's genealogy in Hungary and Romania.  She even put together some lessons learned/helpful hints for all of you who might be interested in researching your family's history-thanks, Mom! :)  Be sure to check out your local public library for assistance as well, as many of them offer classes. 

Now that the 'homework' is almost done, I am helping my Mom plan a Fall 2010 adventure to Hungary to visit many of the locations she's researched!  In fact, word has spread and she now has 2 or 3 other family members interested in joining her!  I'll be helping with accommodations, airfare, rail passes (more economical than renting a car and in some cases, 2-5 people can travel on ONE pass!), and excursions. 

But Mom, if you're really determined to go horseback riding in the Great Hungarian Plain, I might just have to come with you... :)

About time, huh?  I finally added a selection of client and my own travel photos!  Look for even more trips, reviews, and details to be added in the future--there will be something new all the time!  If you have any questions or would like more information about anything you find in the Photo Gallery, just let me know.

I ask a favor of my clients when they travel-take photos of your hotel rooms or staterooms & public hotel or ship areas, so I can include them in the Photo Gallery!   Sometimes it is more helpful to see 'real-life' shots of these locations, as things might look a bit different from the perfectly-staged hotel photos. 

Click here to visit my new & improved Photo Gallery!

Coming soon to the Photo Gallery:

Really, I couldn't have said this better myself!  Ok, quite honestly, I'm not sure even I could have come up with 101 reasons--at least not quickly... :)

101 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent

Most of these reasons really boil down a couple of main things: 

-I'm here to provide great value for your vacation dollar (I work within YOUR budget and can stretch that budget go as far as it can go!)

-I provide great customer service (you talk to/email the same person every time (gasp!)).

-I can make your life a little easier (one-stop travel shopping and you can let me be the organizer for your group vacation!).

Customer service in particular is REALLY important to me, primarily because there doesn't seem to be much anymore and that is extremely frustrating! :( 

One last important item--using a travel agent (me!) does not cost you more money!  My suppliers do not pass the costs (my commission) on to you.  This also means I can do tons of research for you for one low price:  $0!  :)  So, ask away! 

Happy Holidays, everyone! 

Can't figure out what to give your significant other or yourself for the holidays?   How about celebrating the Grand Opening of Sandals' newest all-inclusive luxury resort in the Bahamas, Emerald Bay!  This is the world's first all butler, all oceanfront resort, so it really is the ultimate in luxury. 

You need to book THIS particular deal by 12/3 and travel between 1/22-12/28/2010!

The New Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas
Unfolding like a grand estate, Sandals Emerald Bay is a 500-acre resort set along a one-mile stretch of white sand beach on Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas. This resort offers a selection of 183 "magnificently appointed" luxury accommodations with styles that range from beachfront villas to charming bay house settings. Unique to the Great Exuma property is a stunning 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, reputed to be among the best in the Caribbean, as well as a 17-acre, stand-alone Emerald Bay Marina by Sandals, the first-ever marina for any Sandals Resort. 

Book your Luxury Included® vacation to this Exotic Private Escape and save up to 50%*. Plus, get up to 1 Night Free when you book 7 nights or more on select dates & room categories!

How would you like to vacation in Greece, Italy, Egypt, or other amazing locations for under $1000, with only a $250 deposit?  It can be done through Cosmos, a value (i.e. affordable!) escorted tour brand! 

Here are Cosmos' best (land only) values for 2010-their packages save you around 30-40% vs. booking all the segments separately on your own!:

-Jewels of Morocco from $805
-Cairo, Alexandria, & the Mediterranean from $949
-Leisurely Tour of Turkey from $955
-Jewels of France from $979
-Prague, Vienna, & Budapest from $989
-Jewels of Spain & Portugal from $989
-Greek Odyssey from $995
-Tunisian Adventure (North Africa) from $995
-Magic of the Italian Lakes from $999
-British Panorama from $999

But what exactly does this price include? 

-Convenient & comfortable hotel accommodations:  Moderate First Class, First Class, or Superior Tourist Class
-Sightseeing with local guides
-Many meals
-Transportation in between cities (not airfare though, although they do run frequent airfare promotions!)
-Professional Tour Director
-LOTS OF FREE TIME!  Escorted tours certainly aren't what they used to be.

These tours are a hassle-free, comfortable, and affordable way to experience somewhere new & unfamiliar!

The 'standard' inside stateroom takes on a new meaning with Disney's introduction in early 2011 of their 3rd & latest cruise ship, the Disney Dream!  Nothing standard about a Virtual Porthole in EVERY inside stateroom featuring real-time outside views, is there?!

Here are some other features of the Disney Dream that I think are really cool:

Did I mention I am currently booking 3, 4, or 5-night Bahamian Cruises aboard the Disney Dream?  Well, I am, so don't miss out because this is going to be one popular ship! :)