Holland America Line ms Veendam in Port Canaveral

Holland America Line’s ms Veendam (719 feet long) docked at Port Canaveral yesterday. I, along with 50 other travel agents, had the opportunity to spend a couple hours touring the ship.

The ms Veendam weighs in at 57,092 tons and has a 1,350 passenger capacity. Though this is a small ship, it is gracefully roomy, and spacious.

Having never been on a Holland America Line ship, there were several things that impressed me.

The staterooms were larger than some of the other cruise lines.

This ship has a lot of public areas for groups to hold meetings and private functions.

All of the staff was extremely friendly, helpful, and gave service with a smile. Do you ever notice how when employees like their job and are treated respectfully, the room suddenly starts to glow?  The glow was very evident on the ms Veendam.

One of my favorite areas was the Culinary Arts Center.  This multi-purpose room that seats around 200 people, is a state-of-the-art show kitchen with plasma video screens and cooking display counters.  Here food and wine enthusiasts can increase their knowledge and learn from the onboard chefs.

Another impressive public area was the Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times.  This comfortable, coffee house environment includes games, computers, and a huge library with a variety of books. If you need a quaint spot to relax and enjoy the day, the Explorations Cafe’ is a must.

The ms Veendam has one, 2-story dining room, Roterdam. Meals include five-course menus with continental, vegetarian and low-car options.  Remember:  If you are a cruiser with a special diet, be sure to ask the cruise line if they can accommodate your diet.  Most cruise lines cater to special diets, but it is better to take care of this prior to sailing. 

I visited the spa, but I needed to spend more time in there to fully appreciate it.

It was a fantastic day aboard the ms Veendam, and as always, the ship tour wasn’t long enough. In order to fully appreciate the ship, I think I need to spend at least a week on her.

What Holland America Line cruise ships have you sailed?

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Top 10 Silly Questions from Passengers

When I was in the classroom (I am a former educator), I always encouraged students to ask questions because any question is a good question.  And usually, they were.  However, here are some humorous questions adult passengers have asked staff while aboard cruise ships.  The questions are real.  The answers are what the staff wanted to respond with but couldn't. 

1) Q.  Is the water in the pool rough because it's seawater? 

A. Yes. Haven't you noticed that the ocean is rougher than a fresh bodies of water? (ponds, lakes, bathtubs, etc.)

2) Q. Does the crew sleep on board?

A. Of course not, late at night a water taxi picks them up and takes them home!

3) Q. Do these stairs go up OR down?
A. Yes!

4) Q. Does the ship make it’s own electricity?
A. No, don’t you see the long extension cord trailing behind the ship?

5) Q. Which is the sunny side of the ship?
A. The captain spins the ship around daily so everyone gets an even tan

6) Q. Which elevator takes me to the front of the ship?
A. Ask the elevator operator when you get on, he will take you anywhere you want to go.

7) Q. What do you do with the ice carvings after they melt?
A. We re-freeze the water and use it for frozen drinks.

8) Q. What time is the midnight buffet?
A. Usually around 11 PM or so. We tried doing it right after breakfast but most people weren’t real hungry.

9) Q. How do we know which pictures are ours?
A. The people who look totally clueless . . . . those are probably yours.

10) Q. Is this island totally surrounded by water?
A. No, part of it is surrounded by sand, but it’s all clearly marked

What are some questions that you have heard others ask?

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Sandals Resorts 2012 “More Quality Inclusions” Unveiling

Are you ready for the inside scoop?

I’m returning from the largest Sandals and Beaches event in Central and Northern Florida. I learned so much and experienced an instrumental marketing forum about what’s new at Sandals and Beaches Resorts. I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

With Sandals, all inclusive means all inclusive. What’s included? Entertainment, dinner, unlimited premium brand drinks, 10 bars per resort, swim-up bars, and butler service. Unique suites designed for romance include fire pits, cabanas, candlelight dinners. Oh yeah! I can picture me in this photo (um...with my husband, of course!)

What else is included? Tips, gratuities, hotel taxes, and transfers.

Can you believe it?  Keep reading.  It gets better!

Restaurants:

Sandals has 16 restaurants per resort.  That means you have your choice from a variety of restaurants at no additional charge.  If you plan on staying for 4 nights, you might want to extend your stay so you can explore all the different cuisines.

Your choice includes a variety from Asian, Sushi, Thai, Japanese Teppanyaki, West Indian, Jamaican, Bahamian, Contemporary Caribbean, Mediterranean, Italian (Ma Ma Mia). Are you getting hungry yet?  What about trying seafood, international, brick-oven pizza, classic french, British Pub fare, fusion, gelato & pastries, or even something light and healthy.  Food for even the pickiest palate.

Luxurious Accommodations:

Top-tier suites include personal butlers, certified by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, who take care of everything you need including:

Unpacking and pressing your wardrobe

24-hour room service

Bringing drinks and snacks to the pool, beach, and your suite

Gourmet meals prepared en-suite

Drawing aromatic baths

Making spa, dining and excursion reservations

Private Off-Shore Islands

I don’t know about you, but I sure could use this kind of treatment.

Let’s step outside for a minute to see what adventures Sandals offers at no additional charge.

Scuba Dive Program:

If you are a certified diver, diving up to twice a day is included, with guided dives from 20-90 feet, on state of the art Newton Dive Boats, Luxter or Catalina tanks, Silicone masks and snorkel, and Deep Blue fins. This is a PADI-certified resort dive program with PADI and DAN representation on site. 

Dive suits can be rented and there are underwater camera and video services available for a nominal fee.

Not certified? No problem! Sandals offers a resort certification course (nominal fee applies), which will have you experiencing dives up to 30 feet.  Talk about viewing a whole new world.  Hmmm.  I might have to look into this. YOLO (You Only Live Once)!

Water Sports:

What other water sports can you participate in with top of the line equipment and professional instruction at no additional charge? 

Water skiing, kneeboarding, and tubing

Sailing

Kayaks

Paddle boarding

Windsurfing

Hobie Cat sailing

Glass Bottom Boats

Snorkeling

Aquatrikes

Top Golf Courses:

It’s tee time. Again, at no additional charge.  Sandals resorts include exclusive gold and unlimited play and complimentary green fees.

Ocho Rios (Sandals Golf and Country Club), has an 18-hole championship course. Or how about the 18-hole oceanfront course designed by Greg Norman at Sandals Emerald? Why not try the Reef Golf Club at Sandals Emerald Bay, which was named one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean by Travel & Leisure Golf. If you’re staying at the Sandals Regency La Toc, you’ll want to try the 9-hole Executive Course.

Here are additional things to remember if you are golfing with Sandals.  Golf is included in Jamaica and St Lucia. Caddies are mandatory but are not included in Jamaica and St Lucia. Golf carts and club rentals are not included. Greens fees are additional at Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas. Golf is not included in Antigua, but it is available nearby.

Other outside land activities include: tennis (private lessons available), racquetball and squash ball, lawn games, table tennis, beach volleyball, basketball, fitness centers with trainers, billiards, shuffleboard, and indoor pub games.

Drinks:

Top-shelf drinks are available at no extra charge, available 24/7, and are served everywhere throughout the resort.

Sandals continues to raise the bar when it comes to the luxury included experience for guests. They’ve partnered with Beringer to offer the perfect wines for the beach or dinner.

  

Sandals definitely includes everything you need for a perfect worry-free vacation or honeymoon. So what are you waiting for?  Get in touch with me today!  Ask me about Beaches Resort. The family friendly get-away resort...perfect for family reunions or holiday get togethers.

When’s the last time you visited a Sandals or Beaches Resort?

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American Queen Makes Inaugural Sailing

 

American Queen Makes Inaugural Sailing

by Janelle Woodyard

The Great American Steamboat Company is excited about the inaugural sailing of the American Queen, in April. As a Memphis based company, they have chosen Priscilla Presley as the godmother.  Memphis is not only home to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, it is also a city packed with steamboat history.  

In continuing our blog series on steamboats, I’ve invited Rick Simonson, Regional Sales Director with Great American Steamboat Company, to share with us some perks cruisers can expect from riverboat cruising.

The Great American Steamboat Company eagerly anticipates your arrival. Awaiting you on board the Steamer American Queen is uncompromising elegance and hospitality, meticulous attention to detail and refined amenities that outshine the slender of even the golden age of river travel. It has been far too long since genuine steamboats have graced the rivers of America. With the formation of the Great American Steamboat Company, Steamboating is back and better than ever. In April of this year, the Steamer American Queen will resume her proud role of taking guests on Steamboating Adventures through the heartland of America. While onboard you will enjoy the acclaimed cuisine of famed chef Regina Charboneau, enjoy complimentary bottled water and soft drinks. Dinner includes complimentary wine and beer. Each voyage offers you a pre–cruise luxury hotel stay with breakfast and complimentary shore adventures. All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks® coffee. Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff, elegant-casual attire, daily lectures by the Riverlorian (our onboard historian, professional showboat-style entertainment. Traveling onboard the Steamer American Queen adds up to the greatest value in all-American vacations.

 

Do you like being a part of history?  Are you looking for a quaint get away?  If so, you don’t want to miss the christening of the American Queen on her inaugural sailing from Memphis to Cincinnati, on April 25, 2012.  You'll voyage up the Mississippi River to the Ohio River.  Once you arrive in Cincinnati, you'll be able to witness the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Steamboat Race, featuring the American Queen, Belle of Louisville and Belle of Cincinnati. 

Fares are from $1,995 per guest.  At the time of this post, only 37 rooms remain available.  For additional information on this memorable riverboat cruise, please contact janelle@lifesrudder.com.

10 Reasons to Cruise - Part I

10 Reasons to Cruise

Part I

By Janelle Woodyard

1)   Unpack Once: 

One reason I like to cruise is because once I get on board, I unpack my suitcase and don’t have to repack until it’s time to get off the ship.  I’ve been on non-cruise vacations where I have lived out of my suitcase.  Other vacations required a couple days at several different hotels, and I found myself packing and unpacking every other day. As a traveler, I do what I need to; however, there’s something to be said about hanging my dresses in the closet and putting clothes in the drawers for the duration of a trip.  Need a place to put your suitcase once you unpack?  Stow it under the bed.

2)   Children’ Activities:

As a mom and educator, I always make it a priority to visit the children’s activity areas.  Cruise lines have incredible children’s programs (in particular Disney, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean).  Each of these cruise lines have top-notch programs.  Parents and grandparents can feel secure knowing their little loved ones are well taken care of with crafts, sports, and activities which educate and entertain.  Don’t be surprised if your little one is excited about going back to participate in the programs.

3)   Family and Friend Time:

Cruises allow families and friends to spend time together.  Several years ago, we went on a family and friends cruise to the Caribbean.  We had so much fun and laughed so much.  Even to this day, we all look back at that particular cruise and can reminisce about allthe food we ate and the miles of laughter we logged.  Cruising with family and friends is a fabulous way to make incredible memories.  In fact, I think we’re due for another family and friends cruise.  Where would you want to cruise: Eastern or Western Caribbean?

4)   Food:

Speaking of food, cruise lines have state of the art chefs preparing the cuisine. Not only do they know how to cook, the presentation of the food is truly a work of art.  In fact, sometimes choices on the dinner menu look so inviting, I have a hard time deciding how to please my palate.  I have been known to order a couple appetizers at one sitting.  Dinner menus change every night so what is listed on the menu on Monday night might not be on the menu for the rest of the cruise.  Live with no regrets…especially when it comes to desserts.  https://twitter.com/#!/JanelleWoodyard/status/173500275737362432/photo/1

5)    Family Entertainment:

Cruise lines know how to provide family entertainment from poolside games, comedy routines, to incredible music shows.  Cruise lines offer evening shows of the highest professional caliber.  As a singer, the quality of a show is high on my priority list, and I expect the best from the cruise lines.  There are two music shows I will never forget.  One was a tribute to the Beetles, Ticket to Ride, on Carnival, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj_2DEAKMQ8.  The other one was the hit Broadway musical Saturday Night Fever, on Royal Caribbean, http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2011/05/04/saturday-night-fever-debuts-liberty-seas.  I believe the cruise lines have some of the best talent in musicians, dancers, and singers.

Next week, 10 Reasons to Cruise Part II.  What are some reasons you cruise?