Tag Archives: Cruises

2018 TOP PICKS & HOSTED ADVENTURES

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By Chris Meyer/Expedia Franchise Partner

We’ve narrowed down the endless adventure opportunities to a curated selection of top picks and hosted trips with sensational value.

ALASKA: 

The Last Frontier is more popular than ever. And for good reason! The scenery is vast and dramatic, both while cruising the eye-opening Inside Passage and while riding the luxurious Alaska Railroad to striking Denali National Park. In 2018, Norwegian Bliss will be the newest, largest and most feature-filled of more than two-dozen ships that ply Alaska’s waters. A destination itself, the Bliss enhances an already amazing destination. And its hull art is by Orange County’s own marine artist, Wyland. Our inventory of Expedia Exclusive Staterooms provides the best pricing and amenities on Alaska cruises, with some substantial discounts with Celebrity Cruises.

Bald Eagle in flight with mountains in backgroundExpedia Exclusive Picks:  

  • 10-day Cruise Tour departing July 20, 2018 with 7 days on the Celebrity Millennium plus a ride on the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park. Hosted by Michael Berman and Sheila Diskin. Balcony staterooms start at just $2,269 per person.
  • For a shorter option, Norwegian Bliss is the newest ship in Alaska, doing round-trip itineraries from Seattle from $1,569 per person.

More info: Contact your consultant, call (800) 745-4015, email cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com or visit the center @ 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.

EUROPE

The Old World is bursting with fascinating places for tracing our roots. Several of us took river cruise in 2017 and came away absolutely charmed with this type of travel, which gets you up close to the historic sites you want to experience without worrying about logistics. You are on vacation the entire time, and your floating hotel takes you to the next storybook destination while you sleep. But first, we went atop the ship after dinner to watch the sun set and the stars come out from our panoramic 360-degree perch – an unexpected treat. It was the trip of a lifetime. Do you want to give it a try in 2018? There are many options, but they won’t be available for long.

Expedia Exclusive picks:

Hosted Viking Rhine Getaway. Seven-day cruise from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands departing Sept. 14, 2018 with optional three-day pre-cruise stay on Lake Cuomo, Italy. Prices starting at $3,374 per person for the cruise with $395 round-trip air from LAX. Hosted by Jane Shobe.

Grand European Tour. Double your pleasure with a 15-day river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. We have one departing Oct. 1, 2018 from with special pricing $6,295 with $395 round-trip flights from LAX.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Hosted Baltic Cruise. The Baltic Sea is best experienced by cruise ship, and we have an exceptional hosted 9-day itinerary July 13-22 on the Norwegian Breakaway from Copenhagen, Denmark. Ports of call are Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia (2 days), Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden. Expedia exclusive prices start at $1,523 per person including all beverages (adult and otherwise), gratuities and taxes. While you are not immersed in these fascinating places, you will enjoy a ship with 27 restaurants, a jazz and blues club, mini golf course, casino, ocean-view gym and a myriad of other features and activities to make sure there is never a dull moment.

More info: Contact your consultant, call (800) 745-4015, email cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com or visit the center @ 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.

HOMEPORT LA

For those times when you want to avoid the airport, there is a surprising variety of cruises out of our local ports. Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South America and the South Pacific can all be reached through a drive to San Pedro, Long Beach or San Diego. There even are round-the-world cruises that begin and end in Los Angeles. Cruise lines calling on local ports include Carnival, Norwegian,  Princess, Holland America, Cunard, Viking Ocean, Regent Seven Seas and Crystal. So you can find whatever level of luxury and price. The brand-new Norwegian Bliss will even be doing a month of Mexican Riviera cruises in October 2018. What a way to return to a destination on a ship that is a destination itself with 26 restaurants and a ship-top racetrack.

Expedia Exclusive Round-trip LA Picks:  

 

  • 10-day Mexico on the Regent Seven Seas Navigator departing May 25, 2018. Experience the utmost luxury at your doorstep. Special all-inclusive pricing from $3,199 per person

 

    • 27-night Hawaii-South Pacific on the Emerald Princess departing March 30, 2018 and Sept. 23, 2018. From $2,999 per person.

      French Polynesia

      French Polynesia

 

  • 7-night Mexican Riviera on the brand-new Norwegian Bliss. Four departures in October, 2018 before the ship repositions with a 15-day Panama Canal cruise to Miami. Prices start below $1,000 per person including the beverage package.

 

  • 14-night Alaska on the Carnival Splendor departing Aug. 25, 2018. From $1,319 per person.

https://www.ocglobetrotter.com/

More info: Contact your consultant, call (800) 745-4015, email cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com or visit the center @ 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.

HAWAII

I have been enchanted with Hawaii since I backpacked and surfed my way through the islands after high school. So when it comes to getting your aloha on, we are definitely your best option with Expedia’s enormous inventory of resorts, condos and private residences for rent. But I have come to believe, after nine trips to the islands,

Hawaii

Hawaii

that Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America offers the most relaxing and cost-effective way to experience the whole of Hawaii. The seven-day cruise includes two days each on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Add a couple hotel nights on the front end for Oahu and you have the best of Hawaii. The ship even shows you Kauai’s colossal Napali Coast and the Big Islands hot lava flow into the Pacific. Excursions that are time-consuming and costly if you are staying on land. On Pride of America, your food is included and you can choose the beverage package as a free perk. Plus on selected departures, discounted round trip air is as low as $399 per person including a one-night hotel stay  and kids sail free. This is a fantastic introduction to the islands for first timers and a most enjoyable way to return for an aloha fix. .

Expedia Exclusive Pick:  Departing April 27, 2018 from  $2,049 per person

More info: Contact your consultant, call (800) 745-4015, email cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com or visit the center @ 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.

SOUTH PACIFIC

Did you know Tahiti is a mere 8 ½-hour flight from LAX? That’s just a couple of mai tais past Hawaii! An excellent way to experience that mythical island and neighboring Bora Bora and Moorea is aboard the Paul Gauguin a small 312-passenger luxury shipDSC_0161 that anchors inside breathtaking lagoons, is staffed by Polynesians who immerse you in their romantic culture, and tantalizes with the freshness expertly prepared cuisine. The verdict of the group I hosted: Best vacation ever and one that needs to be repeated. You not only get to experience more of Polynesia than at a single land resort, but you save money with all-inclusive pricing that includes round-trip air from LAX, an open bar and gratuities.

Expedia Exclusive Pick: Hosted 7-night Society Islands departing Feb. 17, 2018 from $4,521per person all inclusive including flights. Hosted by Expedia consultants Michael Berman and Sheila Diskin.

More info: Contact your consultant, call (800) 745-4015, email cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com or visit the center @ 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills.

10 GREAT CRUISES OUT OF LA

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By Chris Meyer/ cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com

If you’re a cruiser, chances are that you know that you can hop a ship in San Pedro and head to the Mexican Riviera: Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. This “Love Boat” route is as old as the modern cruise industry.

But you may not know about the more distant destinations, from Australia to Rome, you can access from LA. So here are 10 great cruises from LA:

  1. ALASKA: You can boacolerd the ship in shorts and flip flops, but pack warmer clothes as you will will be chilling with massive glaciers as well eagles, bears and whales. These 12- and 14-day itineraries are the easiest and most economical way to experience the Great Land.
  2. COSTA RICA AND THE PANAMA CANAL: New this year are 19-day round-trip voyages that blend the engineering masterpiece of the canal with Central America’s unspoiled rainforests.
  3. HAWAII: Plenty of relaxing sea days and visits to four Hawaiian Islands make this an epic 15-day round-trip from SoCal.
  4. TAHITI: The ship keeps going after Hawaii for a second tropical paradise – Tahiti, Bora Bora and other fabled French Polynesian wonders – on this awesome 28-day voyage, which returns you back to where you started from.
  5. SOUTH AMERICA: Mexico, Central America and all the way down the South American coast with time to visit Machu Picchu on the way.  After 17 days, you can get off in Santiago Chile and fly home or continue on the ship around the cape and all the way to Rio.
  6. NEW ZEALAND: Rather than making a U-turn in Tahiti, this ship powers on all the way to New Zealand. After 21 days at sea, you can continue another four to Australia, stick around or fly back to LA.

    Overwater bungalows are alluring but stationary.

    Overwater bungalows are alluring but stationary.

  7. ROME: Travel from La La land all the way to the Eternal City on this 31-day epic traversing the Panama Canal and Atlantic with plenty of fascinating ports of call along the way.
  8. VANCOUVER: A little closer to home, but a lovely 9-day voyage up the coast with stops in San Francisco, Astoria and Victoria. You can continue to Alaska on the luxury ship or catch a three-hour flight back home.
  9. LONDON: Take a very British ship through the canal and across the pond on a 29-day journey to England.
  10. AROUND THE WORLD: If you have 111 days you can circumnavigate the globe without visiting and airport. This is the ultimate LA cruise!

Here’s a link for searching cruises out of Los Angeles:  HomeportLA

Contact Chris Meyer for more information and exclusive Expedia pricing.  (800) 745-4015 or cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com.

Everything about Alaska is big, bold and sensational

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Bald Eagle in flight with mountains in backgroundAlaska. The Last Frontier. The Great Land.

Glaciers calving with thunderous roars. Eagles soaring with fierce grace. Whales breaching with enormous power. Endless forests. Massive mountains.

If you have been, your mind colored in those words. If you haven’t, you don’t yet know Alaska’s awesomeness.

Either way, the place the a powerful pull. At Expedia CruiseShipCenters we know how to get the most out of Alaska, whether it’s your first time or a repeat visit.

There are choices. Cruise. Cruise Tour. Denali. The list goes on.

Been there, done that? Not so fast. Have you Explored the Kenai Peninsula? Canada’s Yukon Territory? Fairbanks and the Arctic Circle?

Want to take the family or explore with like-minded travelers? Multiply your enjoyment and savings with our group program.

Our travel consultants are expert at guiding you through your choices in Alaska and around the world. Whether you are making your first journey to the 49th state or going back for more.

We can help you compare cruise and land, categories of staterooms, shore excursions, every detail.

JOIN US FOR ON STAGE ALASKA

We even are offering “On Stage Alaska,” an entertaining live show that will educate and prepare you to make your Alaska journey absolutely awesome. Please join us at 2 pm, Saturday, Jan. 21 at Brandman University, 16355 Laguna Canyon Road, Irvine, CA 92618.

This presentation is one of the ways Expedia CruiseShipCenters aims to insure that your vacations are always spectacular. With Expedia prices and concierge service, you will always have the very best value for any kind of travel anywhere in the world. We guarantee it.

Contact us anytime. Call (800) 745-4015. Click cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com. Come in to 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills. In Oakbrook Village center between Trader Joe’s and Woody’s Diner.

Avalon fish art shop packed with unique finds

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This abstract fish was made by Encinitas artist Rodrigo.

This abstract fish was made by Encinitas artist Rodrigo.

By Tom Gordon

We have noticed many cruise passengers don’t even bother to get off the ship in Avalon, Catalina. They have been to Avalon and done that.
But mixed in among the souvenir shops selling “Catalina Lifeguard” sweatshirts is a little gallery called Afishinados.
They bill their merchandise as  “Original Folk and Fine American Fish and Design.”  The store is packed with original art and prices range from $10 for a glass Garibaldi fish necklace to thousands for a large work of original art. Most of the works of art fall into the affordable category. The cool thing: they are unique and different.
A halibut birdhouse made by artist Rick Riley from the San Diego area. Part of the proceeds go to fight Parkinson's disease and Wounded Warriors.

A halibut birdhouse made by artist Rick Riley from the San Diego area. Part of the proceeds go to fight Parkinson’s disease and Wounded Warriors.

It’s one of those stores where everything sold has a little story behind.  Most of the pieces created by Southern California artists.

Afishinados is the beachfront walkway at 203 Crescent.  For more information: www.afishinadosgalley.com or 310-510-2440.

 

Getting the most for your cruise dollar

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Ship sailing under Golden Gate BridgeThe Orange County Register asked me for ways to save money on cruises. Here’s what I wrote.

Your cabin: The obvious way to save serious money is by booking an inside cabin, which typically costs hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars less than one with a balcony.

I have friends who don’t drink alcohol and always book inside cabins. They brag that they are visiting the same ports, eating the same food and sharing the ship’s public areas with those who paid much more. Absolutely true, and yet cruise lines see the highest demand for balcony cabins – so much so that the architects and engineers are working overtime to cram more moderately priced balconies onto new ships. To most people a private opening to the sea is integral to the cruise experience, so they will save in other ways.

Timing: One of the biggest myths about cruising is that you always get a better deal if you wait until the last minute. But it depends on whether the cruise lines are filling ships easily or are desperate to fill a bunch of empty cabins. And that’s hard to predict – for the cruise line and for you.

While you can score some killer deals on “distressed inventory” at the last minute, there is no guarantee it will be there. Last-minute tactics make sense only when 1) you don’t care whether you go or not and 2) you can drive to the port. If you have to fly, last-minute airfare costs can easily offset whatever cruise saving is available.

We find that booking early is usually most cost-effective. Cruise lines have early-booking bonuses. The cheapest cabins in each category – balcony, inside, ocean-view, suite – sell first. If something better comes along, you can often adjust your booking to include it. Or cancel and rebook, as deposits are usually fully refundable until final payment.

Traveling at times of lower demand can also save money. European river cruises are cheaper in March and November, when the weather is iffy. Every region has its high and low season.

Travel retailers have a certain number of date-specific groups each year based on their volume. When you book into one of these groups, you will get lower pricing and/or more amenities (such as onboard credit) than if you booked directly from the cruise line. For example, one customer who was booked into a group recently paid $150 per person less and received $25 per person more onboard credit for a Greek isles cruise. Travel agents will usually ask you how flexible your dates are to try to get you this advantage.

The Flowrider gives you a surf-like experience while on the ship.

The Flowrider gives you a surf-like experience while on the ship.

Ships: Older ships tend to be cheaper than the newer ones. So if you can do without the latest bells and whistles, you can often do the same itinerary for less. This is especially true in the Caribbean, where a cruise on one of Royal Caribbean’s older ships can be considerably less expensive than on the huge and hugely popular Oasis of the Seas.

Find a travel partner: Cruise pricing can be brutal on solo travelers, who are (often) charged the price of a cabin for two. There are some exceptions, but singles with travel partners are better off because they have broader choice.

Communications: Ship-to-shore communication has long been balky and expensive. This is changing as Carnival and Royal Caribbean are investing millions in improving their Internet service and pledging to make the price reasonable. Still, it’s not a bad idea to conserve Internet time you pay for by the minute and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi hotspots that are usually steps from the cruise dock in a Starbucks or bar.

Phone service is another issue, as international roaming charges can put a serious dent in the college fund. Always check with your service provider to learn if it makes sense to buy a short-term plan or wing it. And make sure your phone is not roaming all the time when out of the U.S. (You can use airplane mode.) We usually buy a ship Internet package and communicate with family and work colleagues by email and Facebook. We forgo mobile phone plans as we would only make voice phone calls in emergencies.

Portofino

Portofino

 Shore experiences: Some travelers insist they can always spot a savvy, honest and affable cab driver who will provide a better tour than any organized shore excursion, while others believe their time in port is too short to take chances. Avoiding organized shore excursions is definitely a way to save money. However, a devoted Catholic would surely want to book in advance for her time in Rome, a skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with possible papal audience. On the other hand, picturesque Portofino lends itself to simply rambling about freely.

A good rule of thumb is to plan ahead and allot funds for the ports that matter most to you and economize on those of lower priority.

Drink: If you don’t have a beverage package included through a special offer, you can take up the cruise lines’ offer to bring a bottle of wine aboard. If you open the bottle in your cabin, you avoid corkage fees. Otherwise, you’re paying retail for a glass of wine. Sodas also come with an extra charge (except on upscale Disney and other high-end cruise lines). If you or your kids drink lots of soda, soda packages can be a good value. I prefer to mix the iced tea and lemonade, which are typically included, and drink Arnold Palmers. Probably healthier, too. Many mainstream cruise lines also charge for bottled water, even though the tap water has gone through an onboard desalination and purification system.

Loyalty programs: These are quite robust, and lines offer powerful incentives to entice you to book your next cruise while enjoying your current one. Some programs are even reciprocal within a cruise company’s family of brands (i.e., Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara). Over time, these have very valuable benefits. But it takes multiple cruises and thousands in spending for them to get beyond an invitation to the captain’s cocktail party and $50 onboard credit.

It’s almost “Ciao Italia”

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DSC_1053

Passports – check.

Euros and no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards – check.

Flight, transfer, cruise and excursion reservations confirmed – check.

Rome plans and recommendations plotted on map and spreadsheet – check.

Camera with charged battery and spare memory cards – check.

Now it’s just a matter of finishing some office work, throwing some clothes in the suitcase and heading over to LAX on Wednesday.

Much planning has gone into what promises to be an epic trip … for us and for clients. I’m sure we will thoroughly enjoy living the dolce vita. But I’ll be on the clock, too – absorbing the vibe of small coastal towns and Rome itself, testing restaurant recommendations, trying out tours, and evaluating how small ship immersive cruising compares and contrasts with its larger cousin. First-hand experience that will help me better help our clients make choices fitting their preferences.

Soon it will be showtime as we emerge from a long flight into the Eternal City. I’d like to think that when in Rome we will do as the Romans do. But I know that would not be accurate. I know I will again be smitten by the magic of the place. But maybe we can insert a little more native perspective than the typical tourist.

Oh, we’ll again visit the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, but this time we will linger longer and settle in for dinner at a local enoteca a bit off the beaten path. On Friday, we’ll hit the Pantheon early in the morning when it is quieter and the rising sun puts on a show through its ancient skylight. At St. Peter’s, we’ll climb the dome for an amazing sight from what is by law Rome’s tallest structure. We also will try to fade into the scene as much as our few words of guidebook Italian will allow.

Equally exciting will be our cruise along the northwest Italian coast aboard the Azamara Journey. We visit picturesque Portofino, Cinque Terre, Lucca and Elba – alternating between packaged excursions and do-it-yourself roaming as we evaluate the difference ways to experience the local culture and stunning natural beauty.

Of course I will report the findings on this blog and other materials for our clients, but not until I return. Italy is sure to keep us very busy trying to absorb all she has to offer.

 

Recommendations? It depends on you

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“What cruise line do you recommend?”

We get variations of that question all the time. And we don’t give a straight answer – at least not right away. It’s not that we are evasive or not opinionated. Far from it.

But your vacation is really all about you. So before we can make a recommendation – about a cruise line, tour company, destination, itinerary or whatever – we have to learn about your preferences. Do you like a lot of activity or seek to relax? Do you enjoy sea days or want to pack in as many ports as possible? Will you be traveling with kids or is this an adults-only kind of trip? How important are factors such as food, entertainment, cultural immersion, spa treatments, partying and shopping?

This kind of information will allow us to make an intelligent – and custom – recommendation that fits you for this particular trip.

On Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 pm, we will present Celebrity Cruises “Modern Luxury” brand. This is a cruise line we recommend to many clients. Celebrity ships have a sleek W Hotel kind of feel. A popular gathering spot is the ice-topped martini bar and the cellar allows you to sample wine by the ounce. It’s in the “premium” category, which I compare to a Macy’s on the retail hierarchy – with some healthy incentives currently reducing cost below rivals in many cases. That’s an especially good deal considering that I have found the food and activities to be a cut above. Call (949) 201-4246 to RSVP. Expedia CruiseShipCenters is at 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills, CA.

But Celebrity is not for everyone. Nothing is. Some prefer a more traditional feel. Or more cut-rate pricing. Or more of a Nieman Marcus experience. So we might recommend an alternative for you.

It’s a similar exercise for itineraries. Alaska “cruise tours” offer a richer experience and more bang for the buck than either a cruise-only or land-only vacation. But everyone doesn’t haver the time or budget, and they may benefit from the efficiency of a 7-day cruise that provides a good overview of some of the Great Land’s amazing spectacles. Our job is to interview you about your priorities in order to make a recommendation.

Runners can take to the sea on special “runcation” cruises

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Running enthusiasts can take to the sea aboard the biggest and most innovative ships on two Royal 5Ks offered by Expedia CruiseShipCenters in Laguna Hills.

The cruises are aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, which offer competition-quality tracks, world-class fitness centers and rock-climbing walls. Runners will have meet-and-greet sessions and seminars with high-profile racing athletes. They will also be able to compete in a 5K race on one of the Caribbean island stops. The cruises — which Runner’s World’s Bart Yasso calls “runcations … the perfect mixture of fitness, relaxation, fine dining and a bit of pampering” — are co-sponsored by ESPN. The cruises are Dec. 1-8 and March 10-17 and start at $924 per person plus tax. The price includes all meals, entertainment and the runner’s package.

For more information: (949) 201-4246 or cmeyer@cruiseshipcenters.com. Expedia CruiseShipCenters is at 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills 92653

Overwhelmed? T+L says consult an agent

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Q: I’m booking a cruise and am overwhelmed with the options. Where will I find the best rate — through a travel agent or online?

A (Amy Farley, Travel + Leisure’s news editor):  Book through a travel agent. Cruise lines are strict about keeping prices consistent across the board — so if you find a discount offered online, your agent should have access to the same rate…When deals pop up, they usually take the form of onboard credits, excursions, and other perks. Note the fine print: a lower price online could be for a different cabin category and may not include the same extras. Given the potential for confusion, it’s no surprise that 80% of cruisers book through a travel agent, says T+L’s cruise editor, Jane Wooldridge. “If you don’t care what ship you’re on or where you’re going, you can buy a cruise like you would buy an airline ticket, and just grab a good deal you see online.” But agents can offer insight and advice that a website cannot. The best of them will be familiar with the features and quirks of a ship, will tell you if upgrades will be available later, and may get you access to onboard parties. “In general, you’re not going to pay more to book through an agent,” Woolridge says — yet the advantages are clear. (Trip Doctor, Travel + Leisure, September 2012)

 

“Whale mobile” to offer feel of Alaska

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Holland America Cruise Line’s Explorer Coach, also known as the “whale mobile,” is coming to Laguna Hills Feb. 6 to offer an inside look at the wonders of an Alaska Cruise Tour. 

The cruise line’s Alaska and Yukon experts – those who actually drive the bus for the land portion of the vacation – will provide a fun and informative presentation inside the luxury coach on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013 at Expedia CruiseShipCenters, in Laguna Hills’ Oakbrook Village center, 24321 Avenida de la Carlota. The coach will parked in parking lot in front of the travel center, which is between Trader Joe’s and Woody’s Diner.

The presentations will allow guests to climb aboard the coach, feel the comfort of the seats, listen to guides describe the Alaska experience, and watch video footage of the spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and bucket-list experiences that are part of this amazing vacation.

In addition to the presentations, those attending will be entered in a raffle and have the opportunity for Expedia Exclusive discounts and amenities on Alaska cruises and land tours. There also will be Klondike Bars. There will be four presentations between 2  and 7 p.m. People are asked to call (949) 201-4246 to reserve a preferred time. For some background about Alaska cruises: Living Large on Alaska Cruise