Thursday, September 11, 2014

Vicki Freed says - Just add entertainment



Vicki Freed, spokes person with Royal Caribbean sends out a blurb to agents today ...

Many of the world’s great destinations are distinguished by their entertainment. Nothing makes memories quite like an unforgettable show experienced in a new and exciting place. Of course, great entertainment is one of the hallmarks of a great cruise vacation. And unlike anywhere else, it costs your clients nothing more since it’s included in the fare. Although all cruise lines offer some form of entertainment, make sure they’re getting only the best with the most variety. Tony Award-winning Broadway shows. Aerial spectaculars. Ice-skating and water shows. Your clients will be applauding you for helping them make the right choice for their next vacation that’s entertaining from start to finish.


Are you ready to start enjoying some great entertainment at Sea ?  Call & climb onboard today !

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Carnival Splendor out of Norfolk in October 2015 to Bermuda almost sold out. See "Things to do" in Bermuda.


Scroll down to see ... Thinks to do in Bermuda.



It's amazing how select sailings can sell out 15-18 months prior to sailing.  This sailing is one of them !

Reasons sailings sell out is due to supply-and-demand.  In this case, it's no wonder !  There is only "one 7 night sailing" going to Bermuda in 2015 out of Norfolk !  This is why this cruise is so popular ... So special ... So HIGH IN DEMAND !

If you look on Carnival's website, you see different pricing, from day to day.  One day I see bunk beds for $ 999pp (all plus govt fees of $165pp) ... Another day, balcony for $1669 ... Today I saw oceanview for $1500+.

FYI ... There are agents out there who bought space long ago, who have a whole lot better pricing than this.  Of course, this pricing is too good to post !

WE have space for limited time !  Currently have 7 inside & 10 balconies left.  No oceanview, but you will like our balcony prices.  Call me !  (434/800) 237-3832

Then I'll add you to our Facebook group, where I have added lots of info, so folks can take their time getting prepared.  Hey, we have 14 months till sailing !

Come join us !



Here is some personal Bermuda insight (& valuable links of info) I shared today, with those already signed up for Oct 2015.     What I’ve done/What there’s to do in Bermuda ...

Golf in Bermuda:  http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/bermuda/
Shopping in Bermuda:  http://bermudaforvisitors.com/Activities/bermuda-shopping.html
Insight to the cost of restaurants around Bermuda:  http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_0001b2.htm

 
Years back, we would rent mopeds.  You can park & lock them up at the dock, so you can rent for more than one day.  Know, they ride on the opposite side of the road in Bermuda, so this can be dangerous.  And though the speed limit is only 20mph, their local buses seem to go much faster than this.

You can NOT rent a car in Bermuda.  Taxi cabins can be expensive, however, you may get one who might share with you, inside info about Bermuda.

Back in 1991, I was with a group that rented a sail boat.  This was nice.  We went out for the day.  The sail boat stopped for folks to go snorkeling.

 
Our ship will be docked at the Dock Yard – The Wharf.  There are a few things you can do/see here.  There’s glass blowing.  Rum cakes made here (small & expensive).  There’s a craft market.  A mall.  A pharmacy.  There’s the entry to Snorkel Park Beach.  There’s the Bermuda Maritime Museum.  And several restaurants.
Snorkel Park:  http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_00000f.htm
Monday night party may be available at Snorkel Park:  http://www.snorkelparkbeach.com/club-aqua.html
Frog & Onion offers live music (& possibly Trivia):  http://www.frogandonion.bm/
Bone Fish Bar & Grill may live music:  http://www.bonefish.bm/
Museum:  http://www.bmm.bm/
Restaurants:  http://www.thewestend.bm/category/dining/

 
Today, I usually take advantage of the bus and/or ferry services from the Dock Yard  to St George & Hamilton.  You can pay per ride, per day, or get a 2-3 day pass.  Note, when you buy a ferry pass, such as 1-2-3 days, it automatically includes the use of the bus.  Last time I was there, a 2 day pass was $26-28.  Often I wait to walk around at the Dock Yard, on my last day in Bermuda.  This way I am not having to by a pass on this day, and I am closer to the ship, when she gets ready to sail out !

*  By bus, it takes about an hour to go from the Dock Yard to Hamilton & another hour to get to St George. 
By ferry, it takes about 35 minutes to St George and about 20 minutes from the Dock Yard to Hamilton.  There is no direct ferry service from Hamilton to St George. 
Note, in Hamilton, from the ferry terminal, the bus terminal is about (when looking at city) 2 blocks left, then another long block or 2 more into the city (up a small include), then another ½ a block to the right.
See links below for some sights/stops on the way.
By ferry, it is a gorgeous ride to Hamilton, while viewing all the pastel color homes !
You must pay attention to the “last ferry & to the bus schedule” or you may have to take a cab to return to the ship.
http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_00006f.htm (bus)
http://www.bermuda4u.com/transport/buses/routes/bus-route-7/ (bus)
http://www.seaexpress.bm/ferries_about.aspx (ferry)
http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_000073.htm (Ferry)

 
2 Lighthouses on Bermuda:
Gibbs Lighthouse is close to the Dock Yard, between the Dock Yard & Hamilton.  http://bermudalighthouse.com/directions.htm
St David’s lighthouse is in St George.  http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda2_000024.htm

 
Crystal Caves.  http://www.caves.bm/
They are on St George.  Just down the road from Rum Swizzle Inn.  There are 2 entries (or 2 caverns); side by side.  If you have ever been to the Luray Caverns in VA, it’s nothing like this.  Instead, you walk down some steps, and stand on a metal platform and look.  They offer a better cost if you purchase both.  My opinion, they are the same (?).

 
2 Rum Swizzle Inn Restaurants. 
The Rum Swizzle drink was discovered in Bermuda.  Folks love to go to their restaurants, just to say they have been there.  Many folks write on their walls, paste a sticker of their favorite school/sports team, or even leave their business card.
One is closer to the Dock Yard & the other is in St George (see link of locations).  Be on the right bus, and the bus will stop near the location near the Dock Yard, and the bus will stop across the street in St George.  http://www.swizzleinn.com/
Current menu:  http://www.swizzleinn.com/restaurant.php  (at the bottom of the menu, you will see the cost for Rum Sizzle drinks.  It’s my opinion, the size of the glass is only about the size of 2 shot glasses (?).  The “full jug size” is 7 drinks of this size.  Though somewhat potent.).
Know >>> You can buy a bottle of Rum Swizzle, to bring home or bring back to the ship.  See Gosling Brother info below.
 

Duty Free liquor can be found at Gosling Brother.  In Hamilton on Front Street; to the right of the ferry terminal; right near end of dock.
Bermuda is also famous for their Gosling Rum (Dark rum of the Seal).  Here’s a little history:  http://www.goslingsrum.com/discover_meetthefamily.asp
T*  here are two prices offered at Gosling, on select items.  There is a lower price, where they bring your liquor purchase back to the ship & it is delivered to your room.  And there is a higher price, so you can take it back to the ship into your room (please note, this opportunity may change ?).
*  You will find all sizes of Gosling Rum, Rum Swizzles, and even Dark & Stormy in a can (4 for $10 – This is Ginger Beer & Gosling Rum already mixed.  Ginger beer is not a beer; it is a strong type Gingerale).  Other liquors might not have a higher price for you to bring back to ship (?).
Here’s a picture of what the store front looks like.  It is just to the right of the ferry terminal in Hamilton.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g147257-d147458-i45015786-Front_Street-Hamilton_Pembroke_Parish_Bermuda.html

 
Bermuda Specialty drinks:  http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda2_000056.htm

 
Here is a general map of Bermuda.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Kings+Wharf+Bermuda+Map&Form=IQFRDR&id=D28F9A2AFA1B75D44FDC76D590F806D4FB65D552&selectedIndex=0#view=detail&id=D28F9A2AFA1B75D44FDC76D590F806D4FB65D552&selectedIndex=0

Here’s a general map of the Dock Yard:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=map+of+dock+yard+hamilton&id=645B8CA186960092EC4885A37500FF8329816C3A&FORM=IQFRBA#view=detail&id=D28F9A2AFA1B75D44FDC110FE0882907A4305ABD&selectedIndex=1

Here’s streets in Hamilton
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=map+of+hamilton+bermuda&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=map+of+hamilton+bermuda&sc=3-23&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=86E03702C21837AF928265BCD19391EED6B3AF1B&selectedIndex=8

Here’s Old Town St George:
http://static.moon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/berm_06_The-Old-Town-of-St.-George.jpg

 

My August 2014 Alaska pictures


Soon I will write about my experience, however, for now, here are my pictures (1139)
https://cruisevacationpictures.shutterfly.com/pictures/3477

Here are a few pictures from friends who were with me too:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/474302372584453/

Enjoy !