JoeInJax Good morning all.
I have some great news.
One of the whiz kids at corporate decided to try and "Package" cruises the same way land based vacations are and have been packaged for years. Bottom line! Most, not all, of these packages a great! Real VALUE! I tried matching the package prices with the BEST individual fares I could find.... No good! I couldn't even come close. All AIR, 2 day before, 2 day after hotels, transfers, cruise fare, and some w/excursions all in one package!
If you want to know more, just ask about the "Golden Anchor Promotions".
I just booked an 11 day transatlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona for little more than what a cruise alone would have run!
Joe@AmericanCruiseAndTour.
PS NOT all were that good, but, quite a few were.
Nov 5, 2011, 3:29 PM EDT
I have some great news.
One of the whiz kids at corporate decided to try and "Package" cruises the same way land based vacations are and have been packaged for years. Bottom line! Most, not all, of these packages a great! Real VALUE! I tried matching the package prices with the BEST individual fares I could find.... No good! I couldn't even come close. All AIR, 2 day before, 2 day after hotels, transfers, cruise fare, and some w/excursions all in one package!
If you want to know more, just ask about the "Golden Anchor Promotions".
I just booked an 11 day transatlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona for little more than what a cruise alone would have run!
Joe@AmericanCruiseAndTour.
PS NOT all were that good, but, quite a few were.
Nov 5, 2011, 3:29 PM EDT
JoeInJax For information on various aspects of travel, pls visit :
www.WeSpeakTravel.Com
Thanks Joe
May 18, 2011, 11:09 AM EDT
www.WeSpeakTravel.Com
Thanks Joe
May 18, 2011, 11:09 AM EDT
AnnH Thank you it looks like there is much I need to consider and research on this. However, there seems to be lots of options for us to look into. I have been looking on line since I wrote you and talking to friends to see what they enjoyed. All of these things are helping me weed out the ones that I don't think will work right now, it will take some more research. As always it helps to get as much information before you go, that way you can cover as much as you can.
Mar 20, 2011, 12:27 PM EDT
Mar 20, 2011, 12:27 PM EDT
JoeInJax AnnH's # 2) What are some of the cruise lines best in:
a.Lower price cruises – Carnival is typical of the lowest priced.
b.High end cruises – Regent Seven Seas is a typical “high end”.
Mar 22, 2011, 4:42 PM EDT
a.Lower price cruises – Carnival is typical of the lowest priced.
b.High end cruises – Regent Seven Seas is a typical “high end”.
Mar 22, 2011, 4:42 PM EDT
AnnH Well since you asked and I have never been on a cruise but would like to try one. There are always advertisements for some of the big lines but I can also see that there are some other companies out there too. It is a bit overwhelming trying to wade through all the material to make a good decision, so: 1)What are the best cruise lines and types of cruises for: a.Couples either younger or older b.Families or multiple generations c.Singles traveling alone 2) What are some of the cruise lines best in: a.Lower price cruises b.High end cruises 3)I have notice that there are different size ships, and ages of the ships, which from what I can see make a big difference in the cost. How can you compare those and what is offered? Some ships also seem to cater to a more elegant traveler others the party crowd, how can you tell ahead? 4)There are different lengths of cruises, 3, 4, 5 days and longer. Not taking in consideration cost as a factor, can you go into the pluses and minus of shorter cruises and longer? 5) What are the types of questions someone should ask of themselves and their travel agent before they book a cruise so they get the most of their adventure? 6)Ports, are some better to use to get better prices? 7)How do you choose a stateroom, what needs to be considered? 8)When are the best times to get deals on cruises? 9)Is there a place to learn about cruise that are on smaller ships, but offer unique opportunities or destinations that people might not think of otherwise? We all see the cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean what else is out there that you don’t normally hear about? Are there cruises for art lovers, foodies, folks that want more adventure? 10)Hidden cost, what might those be and how can we plan for most of them?
Mar 16, 2011, 4:55 PM EDT
Mar 16, 2011, 4:55 PM EDT
JoeInJax Hi Ann, There is really a lot to post here. send me an address I can send it to. I have a bad habit of assuming endemic knowledge, so, if I didn't explain something well enough, just ask.
Mar 17, 2011, 2:16 PM EDT
Mar 17, 2011, 2:16 PM EDT
JoeInJax You hit the jackpot. Most of these are the same old every day questions I get day in and day out. I'll qwork on them. You get the first answer. When I have the new page built, I'll leave the address, or, if you like, you can soop arround now. This is my personal page, as opposed to my Cruise Business, so I have the freedom to do as I like. WWW.AmericanCruiseAndTour.Com Enjoy! I'll try and have it up in a day or so. I have questions from other inquiries as well.
Mar 16, 2011, 5:03 PM EDT
Mar 16, 2011, 5:03 PM EDT
JoeInJax Hello Sailing Girl. I'd be happy to help, but, we would have to be just a bit more specific. Let's chat. Send me a contact number and best time to call.
Joe
Mar 8, 2011, 8:44 AM EST
Joe
Mar 8, 2011, 8:44 AM EST
Sailinggirl49 I'm looking at a few ideas for a spring break vacation over Easter Break for my family. I have 2 kids that are traveling with us. How many days should we look at for a cruise, there are some that are only a few days, but I've heard that those are a waste of time, beacuse of all of the travel to and from you really don't have much time on the actual cruise. What cruise lines are the best, we like to travel first class.
Mar 7, 2011, 11:06 PM EST
Mar 7, 2011, 11:06 PM EST
JoeInJax I'm still not sure what you were looking for, but, Crystal just announced new lower New England/Canada fares........... Good luck!
Mar 11, 2011, 5:02 PM EST
Mar 11, 2011, 5:02 PM EST
JoeInJax Something interesting I stumbled upon, from Samuel Clemens.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Mark Twain
Feb 1, 2011, 3:51 PM EST
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Mark Twain
Feb 1, 2011, 3:51 PM EST
Denie I have never cruised and have been thinking about a week long cruise to Bermuda. But I have clostrophobia and I'm not sure about staying in a small cabin. I would not like to have to spend an enormous amout of money, but since I've never cruised I'm not sure of what kind of money is say reasonable. So any help would be appreciated. email me ladydboston@hotmail.com Thank you
Jan 22, 2011, 6:36 PM EST
Jan 22, 2011, 6:36 PM EST
JoeInJax Denie, I suspect I was little long winded, so, I sent the best answer I have to your e-mail address.
Jan 23, 2011, 11:50 AM EST
Jan 23, 2011, 11:50 AM EST
AnnML I’ve been thinking of visiting Europe, I’ve never been there and think that a cruise might be a good a good way to get a taste of several countries and cultures. We would be able to travel for a good ten to 14 days. By doing this we will have time after the cruise to travel around some on our own and return to the places we liked. I’d like to see Italy and or Greece because we love the food and wines of these areas. Are there cruises that include more of the gourmet aspects of a region? Has anyone done this and what did you like the best?
Jan 9, 2011, 3:03 PM EST
Jan 9, 2011, 3:03 PM EST
JoeInJax Can I go with you? lol
You're right. A cruise can be like a first experience with a Chinese restaurant menu. You know, one from column "A" and two from Column "C", etc. When you return, your order Dim Sum or Moo Shu Pork. You avoid the items you didn't like the first time around, but, order what you did.
A med cruise offers the same type of experience. Time spent in each port, as well as the ports of call should be your first consideration. A ship that calls ALL the places you want to visit, and spends four or eight hours in Venice, or Rome just won't do will it?
I'd be glad to help you find the right cruise for you Ann.
Let me know if I can help.
Joe
PS - The cruise lines claim an average savings of USD 800.00 per person over a land based vacation covering the same ports.
http://www.joesantoni.cruiseshipcenters.com/
Jan 11, 2011, 10:17 AM EST
You're right. A cruise can be like a first experience with a Chinese restaurant menu. You know, one from column "A" and two from Column "C", etc. When you return, your order Dim Sum or Moo Shu Pork. You avoid the items you didn't like the first time around, but, order what you did.
A med cruise offers the same type of experience. Time spent in each port, as well as the ports of call should be your first consideration. A ship that calls ALL the places you want to visit, and spends four or eight hours in Venice, or Rome just won't do will it?
I'd be glad to help you find the right cruise for you Ann.
Let me know if I can help.
Joe
PS - The cruise lines claim an average savings of USD 800.00 per person over a land based vacation covering the same ports.
http://www.joesantoni.cruiseshipcenters.com/
Jan 11, 2011, 10:17 AM EST
NowAGrandma I agree with you Paul the Disney cruises are wonderful. I went on one with my husband this year at Thanksgiving. We are empty nesters and this year our kids went to thier in-laws for the hoiday. We had a wonderful time, everything was top notch.
Jan 6, 2011, 7:40 PM EST
Jan 6, 2011, 7:40 PM EST
JoeInJax Top notch is an apt description, assuming you can live without a casino.
Jan 6, 2011, 7:54 PM EST
Jan 6, 2011, 7:54 PM EST
PaulT As crazy as this might sound, my wife and I took our daughter, her husband, and our grandchildren on a Disney cruise last year and had a wonderful time. The boat, our cabins, the meals, the shows and crew were all top notch. There was enough to keep the younger set happy while we enjoyed the shows and other activities. I was a bit hesitant at first about the idea but have to say I'd do it again. It really works great when there are multi-generations on a cruise so everyone can find something they like.
Jan 4, 2011, 10:25 PM EST
Jan 4, 2011, 10:25 PM EST
JoeInJax Not crazy at all! Everyone knows Disney is for kids, but, few stop to think we're ALL kids. Unless you need a Casino to have a good time, Disney can be as good a choice as any other cruise line for adults and/or families. You can even combine a cruise with a land portion in the parks.
Jan 5, 2011, 9:06 AM EST
Jan 5, 2011, 9:06 AM EST
BklynLady333 Can someone advise me if there are singles cruises for people like myself. I am 60 years old and widowed. Thanks. :) Maria
Dec 30, 2010, 4:40 AM EST
Dec 30, 2010, 4:40 AM EST
JoeInJax Hi Maria. Try this. http://seniortravel.about.com/od/tourgroups/a/singletours.htm
It's a "Q&A" on Senior single Cruising. Look it over, and if you still have questions, please, just send me an email.
Joe
BTW, I can book you just about anywhere if you need me.
Jan 4, 2011, 2:02 PM EST
It's a "Q&A" on Senior single Cruising. Look it over, and if you still have questions, please, just send me an email.
Joe
BTW, I can book you just about anywhere if you need me.
Jan 4, 2011, 2:02 PM EST
JoeInJax All the major cruise lines I've dealt with contend that cruising is the "Best Vacation Value" bar none. In my experience, it can be, depending on your likes, dislikes, and habits, id planned properly. My first piece of advice, and admittedly I'm biased, is to make use of a CERTIFIED Travel Consultant. Someone who asks a lot of questions and matches your answers to your trip as oppose to those who sell the "deal of the day", say... A trip to Kabul, simply because it pays better. Look for someone building and servicing an established clientele. That's an indication that people are happy with the service they receive.
Dec 2, 2010, 11:52 AM EST
Dec 2, 2010, 11:52 AM EST
JoeInJax Today, the Caribbean is probably your best deal. Every day you read about the newest, largest, most modern, ships entering the trade. While that all sounds great, It really means they have more cabins to fill. This makes for a buyers market. For this winter.... the bad news is you're already behind the curve. The good news is they still have cabins to fill. There are, in this industry, what are called "FLASH" specials. If you are flexible, this is probably the way you want to go. They are, in fact, "unpublished" specials. A tool to fill those empty cabins. Can you imagine the angst if everyone who booked last year at $ X saw an ad for $ X -300p/p for the same cabin? So these rates remain "unpublished, but, you can have access to them through me, or, you could join my SevenSeas Club and rcv these specials by E-mail. The rates are really good, but, the selection isn't. I think your best bet, unless you can book a really good location, that you should book a "GUAR"antee cabin in the lowest class you're interested in. The worst that can happen, is you get a lower rate than normal for a not so desirable location. The best, is that everyone wanted to save a buck, and "upgrades", to more expensive cabins, are available at this much reduced rate. I hope that answers you question. FLASH ex. I have, right now, a seven day, Baja through Mazatlan, on Holland America, in a Deluxe Veranda Suite, sailing from San Diego, in January, for less than $ 2,000.00, including round trip airfare from Jacksonville, Fl to San Diego. Air fare from Logan or JFK would be at least the same, probably lower. js
Dec 5, 2010, 8:06 PM EST
Dec 5, 2010, 8:06 PM EST
luchito What is the strategy to get rock bottom prices for a cruise to the Caribbean this winter?
Dec 2, 2010, 8:14 PM EST
Dec 2, 2010, 8:14 PM EST