With the holiday season upon us, many of us are travelling for one reason or another, being to get away from the cold or simply visiting loved ones. And to get to our destination, many of us will be taking to the skies. Here are the top 10 most common mistakes many travelers make and some advice how to avoid them in the future.
1. Procrastinating: Reports abound of airfares going up
close to $5 per day on average at this point for holiday season travel.
So there is no more time to delay booking your flight if you are
planning to take to the skies this year. And, don't end the
procrastinating there. Last-minute packing, staying at the office to
wrap-up just one more thing before dashing to the airport or even
planning to hop into a cab instead of pre-arranging airport
transportation increases the odds of making your holiday travels
anything but festive.
Advice: Get a head start on your New Year's
resolutions by becoming the advanced planner who isn't derailed by a
long line, extra security check or a traffic jam.
2. Cutting connections too close: Obviously, booking an
inexpensive flight is a goal anytime you travel, but, especially around
the holidays, pay attention to connection details, as well. It's better
to have a long layover than to risk rushing through an overcrowded
airport for your next flight. If you don't make the connection, it's
long odds there will be a seat on the next plane. And, with winter
weather in the mix, it's good to pad your connection time even more if
your travel involves any locations with the potential for snow and ice.
The best holiday gift to give yourself might be a direct flight.
Advice: Avoid the last flight of the day on a
connecting flight if you can so that you don't end up sleeping in the
airport if something goes awry.
3. Traveling with the crowd: As always, flexibility is a
core principle for keeping holiday travel cost and hassles to a minimum.
The flights closest to Christmas and the weekend between Christmas and
New Year's are when the crowds and costs will be at the highest. Try a
Thursday-to-Thursday trip to buck that trend or, better yet, catch a
Christmas or New Year's Eve flight for a more affordable and pleasant
experience. You may even get a free celebratory drink from the airline.
Advice: Keep alternative airports in mind, as well. A short drive on either end
of the trip might help you stash some cash to help pay the January
credit-card bill.
4. Cashing in points: Blackout dates from airlines and
people who plan months and months in advance have combined to make sure
that there are virtually no seats left in the holiday season for a
reasonable number of points.
Advice: Unless you've been banking points for years
and have no bigger plans for them, or are a Super Elite flier, this is
one of those times when spending cash is a better long-term investment.
5. Not planning ahead for gifts: Just to add to the
complexity of the season, holiday travel often also means holiday gifts.
You plan to give them and you hope to receive them. The question is how
do you manage the process when traveling? Fortunately, online shopping
has helped with the gift giving as you can have many presents delivered
to your destination either to yourself for wrapping and exchanging or
straight to the intended recipient.
Advice: If you do bring gifts with you when
you travel, just remember to save the wrapping until you arrive so you
and your luggage can get through the security screening. For gifts you
receive, bring a folded up duffel bag so you have the option of packing
gifts to go. If you can get away with one checked bag and one carry-on
on the return, it might be the most affordable way to get your holiday
bounty home.
6. Over-packing: When traveling during the busiest time of
the year, luggage can really slow you down. So pack with a plan. If you
can manage with a small and well-organized carry-on, that's your best
bet as you can skip the baggage check-in and collection process (and
fees) all together. However, this is not the time of year to try to get
through security and onto a plane with excess or over-sized bags in hand.
The overhead bins will be overflowing and the gate agents and TSA
officials and your fellow passengers will not be in generous moods if
you are slowing the boarding or security process with overloaded bags or
hands.
Advice: In general, less is more when it comes to gliding through the
airport.
7. Booking flights and hotels separately: If a hotel stay
is in the mix for your Yuletide travel, don't overlook the cost savings
of "flights+hotels" search. With prices trending up on both airfares and
hotel rooms, you will want to get the best collective deal possible.
Advice: It's always a good idea to check with your travel consultant when it comes to booking your flight & hotel. A knowledgeable consultant will outline your most cost effective options for you.
8. Waiting to check in at the airport: lines, lines and
more lines. That's what you can expect when traveling this December. The
airlines are doing their best to help you cut some of those lines with
online services. An online check in not only saves you waiting to check
in, but also the awkward juggle of digging out your credit card to start
the process as well as any technical snags you might hit at the kiosk.
Advice: If you are not checking a bag, you can, of course, skip right to the
security check. If you are checking a bag, your airline is likely to
offer a discount on your checked bag fee to reward you for your online
efforts. Finally, if there is an overbooked flight, guess who gets
bumped most often... the last person to check in!
9. Eating on the fly: It's one thing to get to the airport
early to avoid stress with the plan for a nice meal once you get there.
Certainly airports are increasingly offering upscale restaurants that
can make eating at the airport a treat. However, if you are planning a
dine and dash, you may find long lines, a shortage of seats and, of
course, inflated prices on everything from a bottle of water to a
pre-made turkey sandwich. And food options on the plane will be even
more limited, costly and culinary questionable.
Advice: Better to stash an
empty water bottle and a home-made sandwich or favorite snack in your
carry-on and eat food you like, when you want and without the hassle or
cost.
10. Not packing a book: Holiday travel is full of
hurry-up-and-wait. And while there are lots of modern toys to help
distract you from the process, if you find yourself sitting on the
tarmac or even in a crowded airport for any length of time, a book is
still your friend. It needs no power outlet or data connection and its
battery won't die. Losing yourself in good story maybe just what you
need to transport you if your plane isn't doing the trick.
I know these are common mistakes that we all make, so I hope that some of the advice I've posted helps take some of the stress out of holiday travel for you.
Happy Holidays.
Source: Huffington Post Travel
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Monday, 17 December 2012
Air Travel Survial Guide For The Holidays
#1: Save Money
Holiday travel needn't be expensive. There are lots of tricks you can use to save money on flights, as well as some of the extras attached to flying:
- Try searching for fares with travel dates that fall on the actual holiday. Prices can be lower because there is typically less travel demand at those times.
- Search for flights that operate out of smaller airports, for instance San Jose, instead of San Francisco. These airports may be slightly further away from your end destination but they often provide better deals than flights out of larger, more popular airports.
- Consider flights with a layover -- but make sure to avoid cities known for inclement weather, like Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis.
- Use calendar tools to find the cheapest days to fly.
- Check for discounted parking or car service coupons online before you leave as these savings can really add up.
- If you're planning to drive during your trip, use GasBuddy's app to locate nearby gas stations that offer the cheapest prices.
Since most major carriers charge baggage fees of at least $25 each way these days, why not pay a little more to have a luggage shipping company transport your bag ahead of time -- especially if you have your suitcase jammed full of holiday gifts? Show up to the airport bagless and breeze past the bag-check line and avoid the wait at the luggage carousel on the other side. Not to mention, you won't have to deal with the hassle of lost luggage which can put a damper on any trip. For door to door service check out sites like Luggage Concierge (also a great option for international travel as it's the only service that ships to South America) and Lugless which offers free insurance on baggage up to $500.
#3: Set-Up Access for Flight Notifications
Almost every airline has a mobile app or email alerts function that will update you on the status of flight delays and cancellations. You can set these services up individually with each airline or download the FlightTrack app from Mobiata which covers 3,000 airports and 1,400 airlines. Having access to instant updates on the status of your flight can help eliminate some of the frustration associated with late departures.
#4: Have a Back-Up Plan
So you've checked-in for your flight, cleared security and purchased a few magazines from one of the local news stands in the airport. You're feeling pretty confident about the trip until you hear an announcement that your flight has been cancelled. It is important to realize that, at this moment, about 200 people are trying to re-book their flight. Keep your cool and initiate Plan B.
The airline will advise you to visit a customer service desk to re-book your flight. But as you are doing this, call your airline's customer service number (helpful to have it pre-programmed in your phone) and try to re-book with an agent over the phone for a better chance of getting on a good flight. The airline may have automatically booked you on a different flight, but calling as soon as possible might help you get a more convenient departure time. (Note that checking baggage can make the re-booking process more complicated. So, if possible, try to travel light so you can run over to a new gate -- another reason to ship luggage ahead of time, per suggestion #2.)
Another good app to have in your back pocket is Next Flight. It searches for all available flights from more than 1,200 airline carriers and 4,200 airports worldwide. You can quickly find seats on the next flight departing to your destination.
#5: Make Flight Delays Less Painful
Hopper.com recently named the 15 worst airports in America. If you find yourself stranded at one of these airports, equip yourself with the GateGuru airport maps to find the best food and shopping options available to you. Instead of snacking on dry pre-made ham and cheese sandwiches during a long flight delay, use the app to find a decent meal and a nice glass of wine.
#6: Hire an In-flight Nanny
We haven't used this service yet, but we think it is a genius concept. Nanny in the Clouds is a website that matches parents with nannies that are booked on the same flight. Nannies register their travel itineraries on the site and make some extra cash entertaining children while up in the air. Who wouldn't want an extra set of hands to help with the kids, particularly on long flights?
I hope that some of these tips help take the stress from holiday travels for you.
Happy Travelling.
Thursday, 13 December 2012
The booking process from the perspective of a Cruise & Vacation Consultant
There are a lot of folks out there who think that you don't need a travel agent to book a vacation. A lot of people like to book their vacations online, thinking that they can receive the best possible deal, but what they don't know is that a good travel consultant (notice how I did not use the word 'agent'), can take away the hassle of searching for the best deal from the equation. Here is what takes place during the life of a booking through my eyes, a cruise & vacation consultant.
1. Meeting with my prospective client
First step is to meet with my prospective client. Now this is not always in person, number of times it is over the phone or via email. My job as a travel consultant is to find out what it is that he or she is looking for, in other words a cruise vacation or a land vacation. Once we figure out what sort of a vacation the client is looking for, then comes narrowing down dates of travel. The next step is to figure out exactly what my client is looking for in a vacation, and that comes with asking the right questions to get a better sense of what sort of an adventure they're looking for. Some people just like to relax and unwind and some like to be very active and get the most out of the destination(s) they visit.
2. Research
Once I have all the necessary information gathered, than it's time for research. Using all the necessary information given to me by the client, I can now narrow down my search into exactly what my client is looking for. Either a cruise or a land vacation, there are 100's of choices of out there and it's my job to narrow down the information into a nice and easy to understand choice(s) for my client.
3. Quote
People think that this is an easy thing to do, but really it's more complicated then it sounds. Now that I have all the necessary information and research done, I can look for the best possible price(s) for my client. It is my job to decipher all the deals out there and outline the best possible one(s) for my client. There are factors that go into finding the best possible deals, such as time of travel (valentine's day, spring break, high season, low season, etc. ), if my client wants to take a cruise have they sailed with the cruise line in the past, province of residency or sometimes the age of my client.
Those are not just factors that I have to take into account when I'm providing a quote to a client, I also have to take into account the right product (ie. cruise line or resort) for my client. I would not want to place my client on the wrong cruise line or at the wrong resort. Placing my client on the wrong cruise line or the wrong resort can have catastrophic consequences. It will not only ruin their vacation and be a waste of money for them, but it can also cost me a client, which I would never want to have happen.
Once I have the quote put together, it is now time to pass that onto my client.
4. The waiting game
Once I have passed on the quote to my client, I will have to wait for my client to make their decision. If I've done my job correctly, the wait will not be long, and my client will get back to me with either a question or a final decision of 'go ahead with the booking'.
5. The booking process
Now that my client has given me the green light to go ahead with the booking, I will now have to follow the necessary steps to make a booking for them. I will now need to make sure that I have proper names of passengers (as they appear on their passports), dates of birth, full address and credit card number for payment. During the booking, I have to make sure that all passenger names are entered correctly on the reservation, otherwise my clients could be denied boarding either their flight or their cruise, so double or even triple checking all the information is critical.
6. Insurance
Once I have booked my client's vacation it's now time to quote them travel insurance. Most people think that travel insurance is not necessary. That simply is not true. Travel insurance is a necessary part of travel. Lets say that your on a cruise and your coming out of the pool and you slip and fall and break your ankle, and you have to be airlifted off the ship and taken to a medical facility. The air ambulance can cost you upwards of $25,000. Travel insurance can take care of this cost for you. Paying a small fee for travel insurance can save you a lot of money if you ever should need it to. I travel no where without travel insurance. Having a peace of mind is priceless.
7. Confirmations
Once all the bookings are done, it is now time for me to put together all the necessary confirmations together and forward them to my client.
8. Invoicing
Now that I have the booking done and confirmations given to my client, it's now time to put together an invoice outlining what they have booked and paid for. This can be a time consuming process, since I have to break down everything into their own category and make sure everything matches the confirmations.
Most people think that this is where the booking process ends, but that is not where my work is done.
9. Final payment (cruise only)
If my client is taking a cruise, I have to ensure that their final payment is taken care of with the cruise line. You're probably asking 'wait a minute isn't their payment taken care of prior to you giving them them confirmations?'
That would be true in most cases, but with a cruise depending on the time of travel, the cruise line gives the clients time to pay off their cruise, a cruise has to be paid in full 90 days prior to sailing. This gives the clients time to cancel the cruise in case something takes place prior to the 90 days without losing money. And it is my job to make sure that my clients do not lose money if I can help it, but we all know unfortunately life does happen and things happen along the way that force someone to cancel their vacation.
10. Follow up
Now that I have provided the complete vacation experience to my client, it's time for me to follow up with them and ensure that they have all the necessary documents for their vacation and that they're all set to go. Once I ensure that they are set to go, it's time for me to forward a Bon Voyage letter wishing them a great time on their vacation.
11. Be ready to help
My job is not done once my client departs on their vacation. I now have to be sure to be ready to help my client if they should need to once they're on vacation. Things can happen and my clients have the peace of mind that if they should ever run into an issue with their vacation I'm here to help them to the best of my ability.
12. Welcome home
Once my clients are back from their vacation, it is now time for me to follow up with them and see how their vacation went. I love following up with my clients and hear their stories and hearing that they've had a wonderful time. It's a great feeling hearing that they've had a great time. It means that I've done my job.
This has been a bit of glimpse into the life of a booking process from beginning to the end with my client. I strive to give the best level of service to my clients, something that no one will ever experience booking a trip online. Yes you can go online and search a trip and be given loads of different prices and options, which can be overwhelming. But if you come to me, I take the hassle out of deciphering all the prices and information, and ensure that you are getting the best possible deal. Not only I provide you with the best possible deal, but I also ensure that your taken care of from day one until you get back home from your vacation. That is something that you will never experience booking a vacation online.
Having read this, I hope that you will let a travel consultant such as myself help you book your next adventure.
1. Meeting with my prospective client
First step is to meet with my prospective client. Now this is not always in person, number of times it is over the phone or via email. My job as a travel consultant is to find out what it is that he or she is looking for, in other words a cruise vacation or a land vacation. Once we figure out what sort of a vacation the client is looking for, then comes narrowing down dates of travel. The next step is to figure out exactly what my client is looking for in a vacation, and that comes with asking the right questions to get a better sense of what sort of an adventure they're looking for. Some people just like to relax and unwind and some like to be very active and get the most out of the destination(s) they visit.
2. Research
Once I have all the necessary information gathered, than it's time for research. Using all the necessary information given to me by the client, I can now narrow down my search into exactly what my client is looking for. Either a cruise or a land vacation, there are 100's of choices of out there and it's my job to narrow down the information into a nice and easy to understand choice(s) for my client.
3. Quote
People think that this is an easy thing to do, but really it's more complicated then it sounds. Now that I have all the necessary information and research done, I can look for the best possible price(s) for my client. It is my job to decipher all the deals out there and outline the best possible one(s) for my client. There are factors that go into finding the best possible deals, such as time of travel (valentine's day, spring break, high season, low season, etc. ), if my client wants to take a cruise have they sailed with the cruise line in the past, province of residency or sometimes the age of my client.
Those are not just factors that I have to take into account when I'm providing a quote to a client, I also have to take into account the right product (ie. cruise line or resort) for my client. I would not want to place my client on the wrong cruise line or at the wrong resort. Placing my client on the wrong cruise line or the wrong resort can have catastrophic consequences. It will not only ruin their vacation and be a waste of money for them, but it can also cost me a client, which I would never want to have happen.
Once I have the quote put together, it is now time to pass that onto my client.
4. The waiting game
Once I have passed on the quote to my client, I will have to wait for my client to make their decision. If I've done my job correctly, the wait will not be long, and my client will get back to me with either a question or a final decision of 'go ahead with the booking'.
5. The booking process
Now that my client has given me the green light to go ahead with the booking, I will now have to follow the necessary steps to make a booking for them. I will now need to make sure that I have proper names of passengers (as they appear on their passports), dates of birth, full address and credit card number for payment. During the booking, I have to make sure that all passenger names are entered correctly on the reservation, otherwise my clients could be denied boarding either their flight or their cruise, so double or even triple checking all the information is critical.
6. Insurance
Once I have booked my client's vacation it's now time to quote them travel insurance. Most people think that travel insurance is not necessary. That simply is not true. Travel insurance is a necessary part of travel. Lets say that your on a cruise and your coming out of the pool and you slip and fall and break your ankle, and you have to be airlifted off the ship and taken to a medical facility. The air ambulance can cost you upwards of $25,000. Travel insurance can take care of this cost for you. Paying a small fee for travel insurance can save you a lot of money if you ever should need it to. I travel no where without travel insurance. Having a peace of mind is priceless.
7. Confirmations
Once all the bookings are done, it is now time for me to put together all the necessary confirmations together and forward them to my client.
8. Invoicing
Now that I have the booking done and confirmations given to my client, it's now time to put together an invoice outlining what they have booked and paid for. This can be a time consuming process, since I have to break down everything into their own category and make sure everything matches the confirmations.
Most people think that this is where the booking process ends, but that is not where my work is done.
9. Final payment (cruise only)
If my client is taking a cruise, I have to ensure that their final payment is taken care of with the cruise line. You're probably asking 'wait a minute isn't their payment taken care of prior to you giving them them confirmations?'
That would be true in most cases, but with a cruise depending on the time of travel, the cruise line gives the clients time to pay off their cruise, a cruise has to be paid in full 90 days prior to sailing. This gives the clients time to cancel the cruise in case something takes place prior to the 90 days without losing money. And it is my job to make sure that my clients do not lose money if I can help it, but we all know unfortunately life does happen and things happen along the way that force someone to cancel their vacation.
10. Follow up
Now that I have provided the complete vacation experience to my client, it's time for me to follow up with them and ensure that they have all the necessary documents for their vacation and that they're all set to go. Once I ensure that they are set to go, it's time for me to forward a Bon Voyage letter wishing them a great time on their vacation.
11. Be ready to help
My job is not done once my client departs on their vacation. I now have to be sure to be ready to help my client if they should need to once they're on vacation. Things can happen and my clients have the peace of mind that if they should ever run into an issue with their vacation I'm here to help them to the best of my ability.
12. Welcome home
Once my clients are back from their vacation, it is now time for me to follow up with them and see how their vacation went. I love following up with my clients and hear their stories and hearing that they've had a wonderful time. It's a great feeling hearing that they've had a great time. It means that I've done my job.
This has been a bit of glimpse into the life of a booking process from beginning to the end with my client. I strive to give the best level of service to my clients, something that no one will ever experience booking a trip online. Yes you can go online and search a trip and be given loads of different prices and options, which can be overwhelming. But if you come to me, I take the hassle out of deciphering all the prices and information, and ensure that you are getting the best possible deal. Not only I provide you with the best possible deal, but I also ensure that your taken care of from day one until you get back home from your vacation. That is something that you will never experience booking a vacation online.
Having read this, I hope that you will let a travel consultant such as myself help you book your next adventure.
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
8 Items to make travel better. A holiday gift guide.
It's that time of the year again. With holidays just around the corner, I'm sure we're all working away on our gift list for our loved ones. So here are some ideas of what to get the world traveler on your list:
1. VIOlight Slim Sonic Toothbrush, $16, flight001.com
Often-bulky electric toothbrushes are tricky to travel with. But the Slim Sonic is compact, runs on a AAA battery, comes in pretty colors and is about the size of a fat fountain pen. Yet it packs an antiplaque punch.
2. Auvio Headphone Splitter, $14.99, radioshack.com
It’s unquestionably adorable to share earbuds with a friend, but such cuteness comes with a cost: one-ear listening. A splitter like this one allows you to share music in stereo with your travel companion.
3.Gift Certificate from Maps.com, $25
Google Maps is useful, but nothing beats a foldout map to help explore a city on foot or navigate a country by car. Maps.com offers city and country maps from around the world (its $25 printable gift certificate should buy two) and also has reproduced antique maps for your wall.
4. Travel Stub Diary, $14.95, uncommongoods.com
Thanks to Facebook and other social media, post-travel image-sharing is now easy. But what about those theater stubs and other tactile mementos? This book features plastic sleeves for such items as well as space for notes.
5. The Mobile Foodie Survival Kit, $26, plantbrooklyn.com
A hallmark of frugal travel is cooking in rented apartments and hostels, which are not likely to have the spices you’ll need for fine dining (or in my case, to cover up the flavor of burned eggs). This kit from Plant, a design shop in Brooklyn, comes with organic herbs and spices.
6. Petzl Headlamp, $29.95, ems.com
These headlamps (which come in many varieties, including cheaper ones, and recharge through a USB plug) are great for camping or night hikes, and for looking under hotel beds for lost items or finding the hostel bathroom without tripping over a snoring Norwegian’s backpack.
7. Muji Deodorant Case, $16.95, muji.us
Be done with ad hoc solutions to packing dirty laundry: this compact deodorizing bag from Muji separates the clean-and-fresh part of your suitcase from the smelly-and-nasty section. The large version can fit maybe a week’s worth of dirty clothes (if you skip bulky stuff like jeans).
8. “No Foreign Lands”, $9.99 (Kindle) and $17.09 (print), amazon.com
This slim volume of thought-provoking quotations about traveling, from the Matador Network, a travel site, provides instant inspiration. I recommend the cheaper Kindle version, so it’s always handy. When you’re frustrated with a flight, pull it out and be reminded why you left home in the first place.
1. VIOlight Slim Sonic Toothbrush, $16, flight001.com
Often-bulky electric toothbrushes are tricky to travel with. But the Slim Sonic is compact, runs on a AAA battery, comes in pretty colors and is about the size of a fat fountain pen. Yet it packs an antiplaque punch.
2. Auvio Headphone Splitter, $14.99, radioshack.com
3.Gift Certificate from Maps.com, $25
4. Travel Stub Diary, $14.95, uncommongoods.com
5. The Mobile Foodie Survival Kit, $26, plantbrooklyn.com
6. Petzl Headlamp, $29.95, ems.com
7. Muji Deodorant Case, $16.95, muji.us
8. “No Foreign Lands”, $9.99 (Kindle) and $17.09 (print), amazon.com
Monday, 10 December 2012
Australia, my favourite place to travel
I have been fortunate enough to have some time to travel and one of the places that I was fortunate enough to travel to was Australia.
My first time traveling to Australia on my own was back in 2009. I decided to go and visit family there for a few weeks and I got to experience some great sights and sounds. I spent the majority of my time in Sydney, the capital of New South Wales. I was also able to visit Melbourne, Gold Coast and Brisbane as well, which was a great experience. Some of the places I was able to visit in Sydney were:
Sydney Opera HouseThe Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, opening in 1973 after a long gestation that had begun with his competition winning design in 1957.
The Sydney Opera House was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 28 June 2007. It is one of the 20th century's most distinctive buildings and one of the most famous performing arts centres in the world.
Manly Beach
Manly Beach is a beach situated in Sydney's Northern Beaches. From north to south, the three main sections are Queenscliff, North Steyne and South Steyne.
The Rocks, Sydney
The Rocks, in the heart of Australia's most cosmopolitan city, encompasses the past, present and the future. The indigenous Cadigal people inhabited the rocky land and surrounding shoreline for thousands of years.
The Rocks is a uniquely historical Australian quarter, one where you can explore Cadman's Cottage, eat in restaurants located in some of the oldest surviving buildings in Sydney, or browse boutique shops and galleries in the place where Australia's European Settlement began. It's a village which echoes a long and colourful past and can be enjoyed by everyone in an equally colourful present.
Darling Harbour is a harbour adjacent to the city centre of Sydney. It is also a large recreational and pedestrian precinct that is situated on western outskirts of the Sydney Central Business District. The locality extends northwards from Chinatown, along both sides of Cockle Bay to King Street Wharf on the east, and to the suburbs of Pymont on the west.
Some of the attractions to check out while at Darling Harbour:
. Harbourside Shopping Centre
. Sydney's Chinese Gardens
. Australian National Maritime Museum
. Powerhouse Museum
. Sydney Aquarium
. Sydney Wildlife World
. The LG IMAX Theatre - the largest screen in the world
One of iconic sights that you see in Sydney is the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of Sydney and Australia. The bridge is nicknamed "The Coathanger" because of its arch-based design.
While in Sydney, couple of my favourite places to hang out were Darling Harbour and the Sydney Opera House. You could sit in these places for hours and just watch the world go by.
Australia is a wonderful county to visit. People are really nice and there is so much history to see, experience and learn. Be sure to visit this wonderful country and experience what it has to offer.
Premium pricing the goal of Celebrity's ‘Modern Luxury’ effort
The five Solstice-class ships have made a mark. Now that the class is finished following the Celebrity Reflection's launch, Celebrity executives say their task is to get the premium prices that ought to be attainable for a premium product. A new marketing effort will be made in coming months to do just that. It will refine the targeting of Celebrity customers both by psychographic segments and by geography.
Celebrity has identified three groups that are likely to respond to the line’s “Modern Luxury” marketing theme.
The first group is being called Globe Trotting Culture Seekers. These guests are the classic well-educated professionals, said Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales.
Another group, Metropolitan Trend Setters, was described as “on the move and in the know” and further defined by its love of technology.
A third target segment is called Golden Nuggets. These are consumers who have a great love and affinity for cruising and spend freely onboard for jewelry, wine and other items.
Celebrity will also double down on 10 top markets where it sees a concentration of affluent travelers, Ritzenthaler told a group of journalists on the Reflection last week. A partial list includes San Francisco, New York, Washington, Toronto and Atlanta.
Next year it will boost co-op advertising as well as overall market spend in those cities “to really target these segments that appreciate the things that Modern Luxury provides for them,” Ritzenthaler said.
She said Celebrity is intent on extending the booking window to fill ships earlier in the cycle so that they don’t have to be topped off at subpar prices six or seven weeks before sailing.
The 2013-14 strategic plan, which is now being finalized, is geared toward “getting the prices for our product that our travel partners and even our guests say that we deserve,” Ritzenthaler said.
A third target segment is called Golden Nuggets. These are consumers who have a great love and affinity for cruising and spend freely onboard for jewelry, wine and other items.
Celebrity will also double down on 10 top markets where it sees a concentration of affluent travelers, Ritzenthaler told a group of journalists on the Reflection last week. A partial list includes San Francisco, New York, Washington, Toronto and Atlanta.
Next year it will boost co-op advertising as well as overall market spend in those cities “to really target these segments that appreciate the things that Modern Luxury provides for them,” Ritzenthaler said.
She said Celebrity is intent on extending the booking window to fill ships earlier in the cycle so that they don’t have to be topped off at subpar prices six or seven weeks before sailing.
The 2013-14 strategic plan, which is now being finalized, is geared toward “getting the prices for our product that our travel partners and even our guests say that we deserve,” Ritzenthaler said.
Celebrity Introduces Reflection, Newest Solstice Class Ship
As you might expect, each of the five ships is similar in layout, with a few innovations added as the series evolved. Cruisers who have sailed on previous Solstice class ships will find unique additions on Celebrity Reflection as well as favorite signature features. The aft-facing Sunset Bar and the adjacent Lawn Club have been expanded, and an additional deck offers more lounging space. The spa has been redesigned with new treatments added to the menu, and the Persian Garden relaxation suite has been expanded to include a cold room and a Turkish-style Hammam. A conference facility/banquet space ideal for wedding receptions and meetings replaces the dance club found on previous ships.
With the addition of three suite categories, Celebrity Reflection also features more—and larger—suites than other ships in her class. The highlight is the Reflection Suite, Celebrity's first two bedroom suite that accommodates up to six guests in 1,636 square feet with a 194-square-foot veranda. The main bedroom's shower is a show stopper, and hundreds lined up on the introductory sailing from Miami to see it and step inside. Cantilevered outward from of the vessel with a transparent glass floor and sides, the glass is coated with reflective material that keeps the ocean view one-way from inside. A switch triggers a fogging mechanism for complete privacy.
The Reflection Suite is located on a private area of Deck 1 only accessible to occupants who have a key card for either the Reflection Suite or one of the Signature Suites also housed there. The five new 441-square-foot one-bedroom Signature Suites feature 118-square-foot verandas and accommodate up to four guests. Ideal for a large family group, the six suites can be booked together for a private home at sea.
Located near the spa are 32 new 301-square foot AquaClass Suites with 79-square foot verandas, which include spa amenities such as complimentary access to the Persian Garden and assignment to the specialty restaurant Blu, regarded for its healthy "clean" cuisine. AquaClass Suites, like the AquaClass Staterooms, accommodate only two in order to maintain the adult spa-like atmosphere.
First introduced on sister ship Celebrity Silhouette and also found on Celebrity Reflection are Alcoves on the Lawn Club, private cabanas for relaxation that can be reserved at a charge of $149 on sea days and $99 when in port, that feature iPod music systems and even WiFi. The Lawn Club Grill, a specialty dining venue, lets passengers prepare custom made pizza and grill steaks for a $40 per person cover charge. Also a carry-over from Celebrity Silhouette are The Porch, a complimentary casual eatery for breakfast and lunch, as well as the Art Studio for aspiring artists interested in hands-on classes.
The new 3,030-passenger Celebrity Reflection is currently offering seven-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami, with fares from $649 to $1,849 per person, depending on date and itinerary. In 2013 it will sail its first full European season, featuring 10- and 11-night Eastern Mediterranean cruises round-trip from Rome.
Saturday, 8 December 2012
Baby's First Flight? Tips to Help Everyone Cope
If you’re bringing your baby home to meet the family for the first time this year, you’re probably anxious about weathering that first flight. The truth is, most parents are surprised at how well their young babies do on flights, and many infants are content to let the gentle motion of the plane and the soothing hum of the engine lull them to sleep. Here are some tips to help you set yourself and baby up for a smooth flight.
Bringing Baby food and Formula through Security
You can bring as much baby food or formula through the airport security checkpoint as you think you will need (you still need to remove it from your bag so that it can be seen by TSA agents,) but note that agents may open any containers over four ounces. My recommendation is to pack only containers that are 100 grams or smaller. Remember to bring along enough for your flight and what you'll need in transit from the airport to your final destination, then add a little more in case of flight delays. If you’re bringing powdered formula, buy bottled water after security—the tap water on a plane is not considered safe to drink.
Pack an Extra Shirt for You
You probably already have a change of clothes for your son or daughter in your diaper bag, but what about you? Air pressure changes can wreak havoc on little tummies, and I’ve learned from experience that it’s no fun to step off a plane with a child perfectly changed while mom is dressed in clothing fashioned from a baby blanket.
Pack Light and Organized
It’s tempting to throw everything you might possibly need into your carry-on bag, but nothing wears you out faster than lugging that extra weight through the airport or having to search through a mountain of gear to find the one thing you do need. Instead, try to choose items that do double duty (your down jacket, for instance, might also work as a blanket) and keep things organized in purpose-specific pouches or pockets. Remember that your child will probably be fascinated with the airplane and the people nearby, so you might not need to pack as many toys as usual.Talk your way through the tricky parts
Getting through security and onto a plane can be disorienting, especially if mom and dad seem frazzled. Even if your child isn’t old enough to understand all the details, it’s worth narrating what is happening; just hearing the sound of your voice can be soothing for everyone.Feed During Takeoff and Landing
The air pressure changes during takeoff and landing can hurt babies' ears. If your child is awake, either nursing or a bottle will help clear ears, and may just put your infant to sleep in your arms. If your little one isn't hungry, a pacifier or even sucking on a finger works well, too.A Paid Seat Is Safest
Though regulations allow children under age two to sit on a parent’s lap, the safest place for a baby is buckled into a car seat in his or her own airplane seat. If another ticket isn’t within your budget, consider reserving a window and aisle spott near the back of the plane. With any luck, that middle seat will remain open, and you can install the seat. If not, you’ll gate check the car seat just before takeoff.Miami artist David "LEBO" Le Batard designs Norwegian Getaway's hullart work
Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed that popular Miami modern artist and muralist David "LEBO" E Batard has been commissioned to paint the signature hull artwork for Norwegian Getaway, which is set to launch in January 2014. The hull artwork features a whimsical tropical ocean theme to honour the ship's year-round home port of Miami, complete with a mermaid holding the sun, pelicans, and palm trees.
Born in New York City in 1972 to Cuban émigré parents, LEBO was raised in South Florida and was heavily influenced by Miami's Cuban art scene. LEBO explains that Norwegian Getaway's hull art is centred on a mystical mermaid, an iconic image that represents humanity's connection to the sea, and features her seemingly skimming across the surface of the water. Surrounding the mermaid is a fusion of sea and sky dancing across the ship, where three pelicans gracefully glide along in the artist's version of a tropical paradise.
"Norwegian Getaway will be Miami's ship and therefore, we wanted to ensure that her hull was designed by an artist with strong ties to Miami and the Latin community," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "Having begun his career in South Florida, Dave is an artist that is entrenched here. His work adorns the city and I've learned that he is also a genuinely nice guy. He is a shining star in Miami, as well as the global community. This artwork will surely make Norwegian Getaway an iconic part of the Miami skyline when she arrives as Miami's largest year-round ship in 2014."
Currently under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Getaway will be 146,600 gross tons and offer a wide range of accommodations. The ship represents an opportunity for the Norwegian guest to "get away" from the routine of work, school, and daily stress, and find a true respite at sea that reflects the energy and culture that Miami is known for worldwide.
The ship will also feature a rich mix of stateroom options, including the Haven by Norwegian, comprised of 42 suites at the top of the ship in an exclusive, private key-card enclave and 22 additional suites located throughout the ship; the innovative studios, designed and priced for solo travellers; a wide range of Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and Mini-suited; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa.
Norwegian Getaway will sail 7-Day cruises from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean beginning on February 1, 2014, with ports of call including Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. Norwegian Getaway's sister ship, Norwegian Breakaway, will begin sailing from her year round home port of New York City in May 2013.
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