Category Archives: Cruises

Paradise Lost? We Found It in Bora Bora

By Chris Meyer

“Aaahh! Woo!” My wife’s exuberance while jet skiing through Bora Bora’s sparkling waters perfectly capsulized our South Pacific sojourn aboard the M.S. Paul Gauguin. Words and pictures (mine anyway) just don’t do it justice. Susan’s happy shout captures the pure delight of a superb experience from beginning to end. First, we immersed ourselves for 11 days in one of earth’s most pristine environments and beguiling cultures. Clear water tinted in vivid shades of blue. Unspoiled tropical islands with picture-perfect calm lagoons surrounded by colorful coral reefs. We floated through paradise – visiting seven islands – on a beautiful ship that made us feel privileged – because we were. The crew was magnificent with the Polynesian contingent providing a warm and authentic dimension. The vessel felt roomy in accommodating 320 passengers. Parked for two days in Bora Bora’s famed lagoon, the Gauguin showed off one spectacular view after another – from sunrise over Bora’s fabled peaks from our balcony to multicolored sunset from our candlelit dinner table on deck.

Our lagoon guide was as colorful as the fish.

Our Bora Bora lagoon guide was as colorful as the fish.

In between we snorkeled, jet skied (watch the video here: jet short) and otherwise explored Bora and the other islands. When aboard, the crew spoiled us with exceptional service and over-the-top delicious food. Fresh-caught ahi tuna was perfectly perfectly grilled. These chefs obviously are well practiced at giving fresh fish just the right amount of heat. They are versatile as well. For a change of pace from the wonderful fish, everything from steak to lamb to stir fry to Italian was as if prepared by one of the very best restaurants in town. The desserts were works of visual and gastronomic art – simply irresistible. Even the included wine was excellent. And the fresh juicer for mornings was just one of many special touches.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE?

Was this the most beautiful place we have visited? The best food we have eaten? The best cruise ship we have ever sailed? These islands are absolutely stunning – in the same league with Alaska, the Italian Riviera and western Ireland – each magical in its own way. If our taste buds had better memories, we might be able to proclaim that we had our best meals ever aboard the Gauguin. Suffice it to say they were among our best meals and definitely the best on a cruise ship. I think we’re spoiled for life. (On our next experience aboard a cruise ship, we found ourselves commenting on how the food fell far short of PG.)

The Gauguin lacks the bells and whistles of today’s megaships (it has one blackjack table, a tiny gym and no Las Vegas shows). That’s okay because it is small enough to get right in the middle of breathtaking lagoons, has a casual elegance and gives passengers a sense of privilege – albeit unpretentious. Who needs waterslides when you can snorkel Bora Bora or climbing walls when you can hike to the top of Moorea’s Magic Mountain for a view that inspired its name? And no crowds! I’d rather walk a deck surrounded by paradise than labor on a treadmill inside a fancy gym. Ah, nature’s bells and whistles!

Overwater bungalows are alluring but stationary.

The Paul Gauguin was the perfect venue for the ultimate exploration of Polynesia (that can be done in less than two weeks, that is). Sure, those overwater bungalows are alluring. But they also are stationary. When your floating 5-star hotel transports you from one gorgeous place to the next, you see more and explore more in a relaxing way, mostly eating, sleeping and being entertained en route.

Remote One Foot Island is beautifully unspoiled.

Susan enjoying the fruits of Gauguin’s private motu party

Paul Gauguin’s private beach party day on a motu off the island of Taha’a was a fantastic way of experience the South Pacific beach life. (A motu is a small island, typically a part of a barrier reef that has broken above sea level). Giant pina colladas in coconut shells, warm Polynesian hospitality and music, a beautiful beach, warm water, sensational view, and typically great food (this time grilled on the motu). Not the greatest snorkeling here, but by this time we had already hit the jackpot. So it was great to simply enjoy a great Polynesian beach party. The lagoon excursion to Aitutaki’s One Foot Island, a motu in the orbit of one of the two Cook Islands we visited, had gotten us off to a good start as far as underwater activity is concerned. But Bora Bora – with fish, sharks and stingrays – was what we will measure all future snorkeling by.

Author James Michener did not exaggerate when using superlatives to describe this magnificent lagoon. On our Wave Runner circumnavigation we viewed its signature peaks from every angle while splashing through the most spectacular shades of blue water imaginable. For two days, we experienced this magical place from eye-opening sunrise to jaw-dropping sunset, culminating in a candlelight dinner on the Gauguin’s deck with creation’s magnificence in every direction. If Eden’s garden had a lagoon, this is how I would picture it.

THE VALUE OF PAUL GAUGUIN

You might blanch at the price of a Paul Gauguin cruise. This definitely is not a bargain basement kind of thing. But it is a relative bargain. Consider what’s included:

Round-trip airfare from LAX. And it’s 8 1/2 hours non-stop, not a short hop but closer to California than Europe and closer than many people think.
All food – and not just cruise food. From expertly prepared fresh fish to masterful desserts, it’s top-of-the-line cuisine at every meal.
All drinks – from pina coladas in coconut shells to cappuccino and bottled water, there are no surcharges.
Prepaid gratuities – although the service is so over the top that you may feel guilty and want to slip someone some extra cash. Don’t fret, though. The cruise director tells me that Paul Gauguin attracts a veteran crew that stays for long tenures because of great pay and working conditions.

Figure all that in and the Gauguin, while not a cheap cruise, offers a lot of bang for the buck. When you do the math, PG is significantly less expensive than the 5-star resorts.

Although the ship has just a few variations of the same itinerary, the experience leads to repeat customers – the ultimate measure of success. One travel industry colleague told me she and her husband loved it so much it’s on their re-bucket list. Michael Shapiro, the cruise director, told me Gauguin gets a lot of repeats.

I met several onboard including a man from Nova Scotia, Canada, who was on his sixth Gauguin cruise. Why? Everything, especially the crew. He told a story that epitomizes absolute excellence for him. On the first dinner of his first visit, the maitre de, a perpetually smiling man who still holds the position, stopped by after the meal to ask how the table found it. He detected that my friend was less enthusiastic than the others. Upon further inquiry he learned that Mr. Nova Scotia liked his food spicier than it had been prepared. The maitre de then took it upon himself to make sure that subsequent meals had just the right amount of heat. Then, a couple of years later when the Nova Scotia couple returned for their second Paul Gauguin cruise, the maitre de pulled out a paper sack containing a bottle of home-made hot sauce from his wife back in Brazil. The bottle was to take back to Nova Scotia. The chef had some more to be applied to this man’s meals while aboard. Wow!

THE ISLANDS: BEAUTIFUL AND REMOTE

Despite their renown, the southern stretches of Polynesia are on the quaint side. The Intercontinental Tahiti is a beautiful hotel, a kind of vintage Hawaii, which I prefer to the high rises of Waikiki and Ka’anapali. But it is interesting how islands as beautiful as their counterparts to the north are so off the beaten path, uh, current. Hawaii attracts more visitors in a month than French Polynesia attracts in a year. I’m not complaining. My favorite Hawaiian island is Kauai because of its relative quaintness. Likewise, south Polynesia’s relative underdevelopment only feeds the mystique and allure. Like those Paul Gauguin repeaters, I once thought of this as a once-in-a-lifetime kinda trip. Now, although privileged to have been there, I’m plotting to return.

Cook Island Rarotonga is far from just about everywhere.

Want to learn how you can acquire your own ticket to paradise? Call (800) 745-4015 or email cmeyer@cruiseshipcenters.com and ask about our Expedia discounts on Paul Gauguin cruises.

Getting the most for your cruise dollar

Leave a reply

The 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.

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

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.

Tahiti cruise added to home raffle

Leave a reply

Bora Bora

If you don’t win your dream house in this year’s Laguna Beach Gold Coast Raffle, you may get a dream vacation as a consolation.

There’s always much excitement around this annual contest’s $1 million home grand prize, but the consolation prizes are also quite attractive. The rich rewards are designed to entice people to plunk down $150 a ticket. The proceeds go to the Ocean Institute, a Dana Point non-profit devoted to education about and protection of the ocean environment.

Second tier prizes include Lexus automobiles, $10,000 in cash and a luxury cruise for two through Tahiti, Bora Bora and other French Polynesian islands.

“Paul Gauguin cruises fit the Ocean Institute’s mission,” said Chris Meyer, president of ExpediaCruiseShipCenters of Orange County. “Guests enjoy pristine waters teeming with sea life and the cruise line is committed to preserving the exceptional experience.”

Paul Gauguin Cruises, which generously, donated the prize, is affiliated with famed oceanographer and environmental advocate Jean-Michel Cousteau, who is aboard several times a year, offering lectures and joining passengers on dives, which can be done from a dock on the back of the cruise ship.

“This is the best way to experience a bucket-list destination,” Meyer said. “Immersed in the Polynesian culture, you sail from island to island aboard a luxury ship with fine cuisine and plenty of opportunities to kayak, paddleboard, snorkel and scuba dive.”

People who don’t win the raffle can experience the Gauguin on one of several cruises for which Meyer has arranged special group pricing and Expedia amenities, including one he will be leading in July 2015.

“I have surfed Orange County’s coast for almost 50 years,” Meyer said. “So arranging this wonderful free cruise as a way to support the Ocean Institute felt natural.”

To enter the Laguna Beach Gold Coast Raffle, visit http://www.ocean-institute.org/

The final drawing, which will include the home and the cruise, is at noon, Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629.

To learn more about Paul Gauguin Cruises or any travel opportunity, call (800) 745-4015. Expedia CruiseShipCenters is a full-service travel agency offering Expedia prices with concierge service with 180 locations in North America. The Orange County office is at 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.

Picture Perfect Paradise

Leave a reply

Enjoy the Beautiful South Pacific While Tuning Up Your Photography Skills

The best way to experience the South Pacific is on a m/s Paul Gauguin cruise. Venture to multiple islands as your floating luxury hotel anchors in breathtaking lagoons, allowing you to snorkel, kayak and Jet-ski through earth’s most pristine waters. Double the value, enjoyment and memories with an Expedia Exclusive package featuring author and TV personality Erin Manning. Erin will offer exclusive travel photography workshops enabling you to take home picture-perfect images that will make your interlude in paradise even more unforgettable.

INCLUDED

The finest cuisine at sea.
The world’s most pristing waters
Jean Michel Cousteau scuba program
Adult beverages
Impeccable service and gratuities
Authentic Polynesian entertainment
Round-trip air from LAX (8.5 hrs nonstop)

ERIN MANNING: In her engaging and fun style, Erin will teach you to explore and control light, compose images with style and share with care. You will learn how to capture memorable moments with your DLSR, GoPro or smart phone. She will share the techniques detailed in her popular workshops and publications. She will inspire you to capture the moments of your life, beautifully

Check out Erin’s website: erinmanning.com

TWO AMAZING ITINERARIES

FEB 25 – MARCH 8, 2017: COOK ISLANDS & SOCIETY ISLANDS

Papette, Tahiti – Huanine, Society Islands – Aitutaki, Cook Islands – Rarotonga, Cook Islands – Bora Bora, Society Islands (2 days) – Taha’a, Society Islands – Moorea, Society Islands (2 days) – Papeete, Tahiti

MARCH 8 – 18, 2017: TUAMOTUS & SOCIETY ISLANDS

Papette, Tahiti – Huahine, Society Islands – Bora Bora, Society Islands (2 days) – Rangiroa, Tuamotus – Fakarava, Tuamotus – Taha’a, Society Islands – Moorea, Society Islands – Papeete, Tahiti

PRICED FROM $5,543 INCLUDING ROUND-TRIP AIR FROM LAX

Call (800) 745-4015 today for more information and to reserve your place on this trip of a lifetime! Ask for Rose or Tami.

email: cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com

Bora Bora

Review sites such as TripAdvisor and CruiseCritic contain many accolades about Paul Gauguin. Here are a few excerpts:

“The whole experience was just incredible and amazing! I don’t have even the smallest complaint – it was just bliss.”

“There is no better guide to French Polynesia than Paul Gauguin Cruises.”

“The blues of the oceans of Polynesia do not compare to any in the Caribbean. There were so many beautiful shades of blue right next to each other in Bora Bora and Moorea. I was stunned every time I turned around.”

‘”I have taken probably 10 cruises or so on everything from the old SeaGoddess to the big Royal Caribbean ships, but this one definitely tops it all! I would compare it to having your own private yacht, only way better.”

“The restaurants were actually like land based restaurants with terrific menus and great food.”

“The passengers were an international group and it was delightful.”

“Paul Gauguin cruise is not inexpensive but… compared to land accommodations in the Society Islands it is a downright bargain…There are no hidden fees.”

“All in all………….the trip of a lifetime. We are already saving up to do it again! This will spoil you for all other vacations ever……….promise!”

Traveling is good for you – physically, mentally and spiritually

Leave a reply

By Chris Meyer

Here’s an updated blog version of an article I wrote for Health Connections magazine

Everyone likes to get away. It’s fun and it can be good for you – physically, mentally and spiritually. Yes, you can return from an exciting journey with a new fitness regimen, new appreciation of a foreign culture, and a refreshed outlook on your daily existence.

It’s no wonder figures as diverse as St. Augustine, Hans Christian Anderson and Mark Twain have recommended travel so highly. And modern-day studies back them up.

Summiting Half Dome is a physical and spiritual high.

PHYSICAL

It’s cliché to say that you need to burn off those extra vacation pounds. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re a gonzo traveler like me, you will be burning calories trying to pack in as many experiences as possible. That’s a given when I’m backpacking, but it can also work on more civilized excursions, where the food is more tempting than the dehydrated variety.

A walk through Rome’s wonderful maze of ancient passageways, piazzas, and fountains reveals new discoveries at each turn. It also burns off some serious pasta. The legs will definitely feel it on a climb to the top of the St. Peter’s Basilica dome.

Cruise ships, sometimes maligned as floating palaces of overindulgence, now offer spa cuisine and state-of-the-art gyms. (See USA Today’s Best cruise ships for fitness junkies.) Royal Caribbean International is bringing celebrity chefs specializing in healthy food aboard its newest ships. England’s Jaime Oliver, who has crusaded for healthier school lunches, will offer hsi take on Italian and Biggest Loser” chef Devin Alexander’s Solarium Bistro aims to pack a lot of taste into few calories. So why not jump-start your fitness regimen with the ocean in full view? Everything is convenient and even walking around the track in the fresh sea air is a pleasurable way to get the blood flowing.

Trails connecting the villages of Italy’s Cinque Terre bring beauty and exercise together.

Ashore a plethora of active options await, from trekking between vintage European villages to kayaking picturesque Caribbean coastlines. Runners cruises offer training, expert advice and an island 5K race.

A healthy, local, organic food movement is in full bloom in Hawaii. From restaurants to farmers’ markets, fresh and delicious choices abound. It’s easy to bypass the luau and Spam after burning some serious calories on the kayaking trip to the secret waterfall.

Agriturismos connect you with the Italian roots of what is sometimes called the slow food movement. Plus, you can see traditional methods of producing wine and olive oil, and even take a turn in the kitchen, learning how to prepare fresh food that healthily delights the taste buds.

MENTAL

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” -St. Ausutine

I love books that mentally transport me to another place. But actually being in there is transformative. All senses are involved. Talk about mental stimulation keeping the brain sharp!

Roaming Washington, D.C.’s Smithsonian Museums offers so much history and science. I grew up fascinated with the moon mission. At the Air and Space Museum I could see, even touch, the spacecraft and visualize the experience.

My mind and extremities were aroused as I shivered amid Denali National Park’s vast and colorful tundra while a native Athabascan described her people’s traditions. I could feel the conditions that required their ingenious adaptations and perseverance.

What better way to feel the Athabascan culture than through through the words of one of its daughters amid the unspoiled tundra of Denali National Park?

Walking the expansive grounds of Beijing’s Forbidden City helps you process the separation and extravagance of the ruling class that eventually led to revolution.

A photo of Mount Rushmore is interesting. Viewing it up close from all angles gives you appreciation for the enormous challenge of sculpting huge granite outcroppings with dynamite.

I’ve viewed many beautiful pictures of Yellowstone’s colorful geysers. Walking among the steaming pools and breathing their sulfur odors demonstrates a bit of what goes on deep below our feet. And seeing Old Faithful go off on schedule is, well, really believing.

SPIRITUAL

To move, to breathe, to fly, to float

To gain all while you give

To roam the roads of lands remote

To travel is to live

-Hans Christian Anderson

Have you ever really seen the stars? Away from the ambient light of civilization so thousands of lights explode like diamonds against a pitch-black sky? I have done this high in the mountains while backpacking, at sea on cruise ships and even from remote spots in Hawaii.

It is magical. Awe-inspiring. Humbling. Mysterious. Soul refreshing. Gets us outside of our modern climate-controlled cocoons. Invites the kind of big-picture contemplation that has mystified and inspired for ages.

You can’t help but contemplate the miracle of creation high in the eastern Sierra Nevada.

Down to earth wonders have similar effects. Peer over the edge of the Grand Canyon. Stand in the center of Yosemite Valley and wonder at the kaleidoscope of granite, trees and plunging waterfalls. Put on snorkeling gear and enter the colorful undersea world of a Caribbean reef. John Muir called such pristine sights nature’s cathedrals because they can’t help but kindle appreciation for the wonder of creation.

Man-made monuments also inspire introspection about spiritual matters. Michelangelo’s sacred art, Jerusalem’s temple and Cambodia’s Angkor Wat demonstrate humankind’s relentless search for the divine. The physical feats and message behind them can only be fully appreciated in person.

Travel also connects with people in the here and now. The mixed-race tour guide deftly explaining the complex relationship between Native Americans and the Euro-descended amid the backdrop of the American West. The proud Roman cab driver joyfully describing the wonders of his city. The Tokyo guide who helps us understand why the traditional sacred tea ceremony remains important in a modern Japan of bullet trains, electronics and neon.

We went to New Orleans to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina. We experienced this great, and staggered, city and its people in a more personal way than usual travel affords.

Take this to another level through voluntourism. Help the National Park Service while enjoying the scenery. Rescue endangered sea turtles on a picturesque Costa Rican beach. Aid a clean water project in conjunction with an African safari.

Mark Twain has transported me to different times and places in his books. He also was an advocate of personal exploration:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

How much easier it is for us to visit distant places than in Twain’s day! And do it in a way that’s beneficial to our physical, mental and spiritual health.

TIME TO PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

There’s no better time than now to contact an Expedia travel consultant to book a journey that will nourish body, mind and soul. All the travel suppliers have tee’d up discounts for the heavy booking season that begins right after Christmas, and your consultant has the knowledge and tools to hook you up with the right amazing experience.

Call: (800) 745-4015 or (949) 201-4246

Click: ocglobetrotter.com

Email: cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com

Come in: 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. In Oakbrook Village center between Trader Joe’s and Woody’s Diner

Check out our reviews on Yelp.

‘Ultimate family vacation’ now closer to Orange County

Leave a reply

An action-packed family vacation in the warm waters of the Caribbean is closer and more affordable than ever for Southern California families. Royal Caribbean’s newly refurbished Navigator of the Seas offers 7-day cruises out of Galveston, Texas. So after a short flight to Houston, you can take to the sea.

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

When you’re not cave tubing in Belize, snorkeling off Cozumel or zip lining through Honduras, you can enjoy shipboard features including a rock-climbing wall, surf simulator, ice skating rink, mini-golf, Broadway-style entertainment, and children’s and youth programs.

Since all these features plus food and entertainment are included in the cruise price, this exciting vacation also is a tremendous value. Your Expedia CruiseShipCenters consultant can find you the perfect accommodations – whether adjoining staterooms or a family suite – and put together just the right package for you, including flights and transfers, to make your travels seamless.

No need to limit your adventures to port time when on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Want to make it even more affordable? Book a balcony cabin by Feb. 28 and receive $150 onboard cash credit to spend any way you like. Book an itinerary with Expedia Extras and get even more credit.

There’s no better time than now to contact your Expedia travel consultant to book your Ultimate Family Vacation and arrange an experience you all will be talking about for years.

Call: (800) 745-4015 or (949) 201-4246

Click: ocglobetrotter.com

Email: cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com

Come in: 24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Suite H-3, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. In Oakbrook Village center between Trader Joe’s and Woody’s Diner

Check out our reviews on Yelp.

The delights of a small ship lie in what’s ashore

Leave a reply

By Chris Meyer

The Azamara Journey doesn’t have a rock-climbing wall. There are no Broadway shows, surf simulators or other mega-ship trappings.

What this “small” cruise ship lacks in razzle-dazzle is more than compensated by its access to off-the-beaten-track ports that allowed us to immerse ourselves in a more intimate side of Italy.

We were able to traipse through Cinque Terre, the five diminutive villages clinging to steep cliffs along the Ligurian Sea, and cool off in a perfect swimming hole in the rocky shoreline.

The Azamara Journey docked in the center of Portoferraio on the Italian island of Elba, giving passengers easy access to the town, the sights and the beach.

We briefly stepped into the lifestyles of the rich and famous in Portofino, an idyllic burgh that could be the model should Disney ever create Italyland. So what if the mediocre pizza was overpriced? The vintage fishing boats bobbing feet away and pastel buildings below green hills in the background was a feast for the eyes. Interestingly, our 20-something waiter was infatuated with TV’s “The OC.” Go figure. In a small-world moment, we shared a shuttle with a very tall Russian who plays basketball for the Los Angeles Clippers.

We were treated to tasty local food and wine at a historic estate overlooking Santa Margarita de Liguria while a tenor and soprano crooned opera and other Italian melodies.

The Cinque Terre village of Riomaggiore.

We toured Lucca, a walled town with the aura of Florence on a smaller scale, and visited a Tuscan winery to learn its processes and taste its wine and exceptional olive oil.

There were other ports less traveled, such as the Italian island of Elba and the French island of Corsica, but you get the picture.

The excellent swimming hole at Cinque Terre’s Manorola.

The understated ship made an ideal home base for these excursions. After a long day in the heat, we could gete respite in an air conditioned environment or take a dip in the salt water pool on those days when we didn’t get into the sea while ashore. Whether by dock or tender, shore access was easy and time in port was extended.

And Azamara delivered the convenience and cost effectiveness of cruising. We moved from place to place as we consumed the included food, enjoyed the company of fellow passengers, occasionally took in the entertainment offerings, and slept to rest up for another day of exploration. There was a nighty show, dancing in a night club atmosphere and a diminutive casino – all backdrop to the destination focus. One night the deck exploded with a fun party that featured a wide array of regional cuisine and fresh seafood, some of it grilled on Weber kettles.

The staff and service were over-the-top-excellent and the ship well designed as a floating boutique hotel. Mostly the food reminded us of Celebrity, a sister cruise line with larger ships, the best we have experienced at sea, even if it falls short of Zagat’s 5-Star. What are you going to do when you are serving several hundred people three squares a day? The wonderful exception was our dinner in Prime C, the specialty restaurant with a smaller kitchen, its own menu of made-to-order dishes and a $25 surcharge. Definitely worth it for an above-and-beyond experience! Friends raved about their dinner at the Chef’s Table, an ultra-over-the-top, multi-course affair with high-end wine pairings, but we shied away from the $95 price tag.

Wine and olive oil tasting at the Monte Carlo winery in Tuscany. We brought home some excellent balsamic vinegar. This was part of our Azamara Land Discovery, which also included a tour of Lucca.

Fellow passengers told us they liked being in the real world, rather than the traditional cruise world. With Azamara’s “country club casual” style, this means you don’t have to pack your dress clothes and you can dine when and with whom you want. For us, this often meant later than usual, as we tended to maximize our long days ashore.

The largest contingent of guests were Brits, followed by Americans and then Canadians, with a smattering from other countries.

A number were doing back-to-backs, either starting with the Barcelona-to-Monaco French Riviera leg that preceded our’s or continuing on from Rome to Amalfi, Sicily, the Greek Isles and Athens. Unlike some ships, Azamara’s do not repeat the same itinerary for a season, so you can experience fresh ports for as long as you are willing and able to travel. And Azamara offers significant discounts when you extend your voyage. That leads us to pricing.

Azamara commands a higher price point than the mainstream lines. But, since much more is included, you have to do the math to compare apples with apples, and the price gap shrinks significantly. For example, on Azamara “well” alcoholic beverages and gratuities are included rather than being a la carte additions to the base price. If you buy your flight through the company’s Choice Air program you get a credit (read discount) of $500 or $1,000 per person plus a guarantee that you will not miss your ship’s departure. And on select (read slower selling) cruises, you can get a killer deal like my mother-in-law got on this 7-day cruise: less than $4,000 per person including the luxury cruise, flight, transfers and travel insurance. When you consider that flights to Europe in the high season go for more than $1,500, you understand the value here for a truly premium experience.

The Journey is designed as a floating boutique hotel. Entertainment includes a piano player in the lounge.

At the end of the day, there still is a premium for access to destinations the big ships can not fit into and the high-end nature of the ship and service. It’s a premium that is much smaller than at first blush. And one repeat Azamara passengers find to be a good value, particularly when they get one of deals and pile on the loyalty benefits.

Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club members’ benefits apply, as well as Azamara’s. This has to do with Azamara being part of the company that also operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. That included 85 internet minutes per person in our case, a great value for keeping in touch with the office, even though we passed on the captain’s cocktail party. Some passengers told us they have sort of graduated through the system – Royal’s action-packed mega-ships when the kids were at home, Celebrity’s W-Hotel style as empty nesters and Azamara when they sought to delve deeper into cultures.

Lucca’s broad walls once offered military protection. Today they serve as a picturesque promenade, with the Medieval city on one side and the Tuscan countryside on the other.

That brings up another small-ship attribute we discovered. The captain, cruise director and other ship leaders are very accessible and take feedback themselves.

In summary, we found what other passengers told us brought them back to Azamara. The cruise line delivered on its key promises: destination immersion in smaller ports, longer stays and outstanding, unpretentious service. Would some of our customers enjoy that? Absolutely! And we ourselves definitely will be among those who repeat with Azamara. Let’s see? The Baltic? Asia? The possibilities reach beyond the horizon.

But we won’t restrict ourselves. I’ll be going on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, the Azamara Journey’ really, really, really big cousin, in November. I expect a very different, but equally fantastic experience. I might even be persuaded to try the Chef’s table.

Click here for more information about Azamara Club Cruises.

In future posts I will drill down into some other aspects of our excellent Italian interlude including:

Taking in the wonders of Rome on foot in 90-degree heat.
Successes and challenges in finding great restaurants in foreign lands.
The pros on cons of guidebook and internet reserach.
Those small world and other moments that that add to the wonder of travel.

Sunflowers under the Tuscan sun.

It’s almost “Ciao Italia”

Leave a reply

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.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s New York State of Mind

Leave a reply

The Midtown Manhattan skyline as seen from one of Breakway’s water slides.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship, the 4,000-passenger Breakaway, has been raking in great reviews from the travel community and media since launching out of Manhattan last month.

It would be impossible for me to write a comprehensive account from my 1 1/2 day sampling of the ship, but I can offer my impressions:

The ship delivers the quality, from build materials to entertainment, that Norwegian executives hope will move the brand up from the bargain category to compete with so-called premium and deluxe cruise lines
Wasabi, a sushi bar, is situated next to “Iron Chef” Geoffrey Zakarian’s Ocean Blue seafood restaurant.
The 27 restaurants place guests in the real world of eating, rather than the cruise world of two nightly seatings. You eat when and where you choose – if there’s a table available. And you pay extra at 16 of the venues, so it’s possible for the frugal and the foodie to be satisfied. I enjoyed my dining experiences, particularly at celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s Ocean Blue seafood restaurant.
The “boardwalk” deck pushing the
Maltings beer and whiskey bar is one of several venues with sidewalk cafe-style areas along the Boardwalk.

orientation of several restaurants oceanward with sidewalk cafe-style tables really works. The downside for me is that these became magnets for smokers, so scouting an upwind spot is important.
The ship has much more entertainment than can be experienced in an introductory sample cruise. I heard people compliment the “Rock of Ages” musical and Second City comedy show, but I did not get to see them
Shiver me timbers: Even parkas won’t keep you warm for long in the Ice Bar.

myself. Enjoyed the dinner music and dancing entertainment in the Manhattan Room traditional dining venue and loved Fat Cat’s Jazz and Bues Club, which had the quality of a shoreside venue with a hefty cover charge. I thought the Ice Bar might be gimmicky, and it was. But fun, nonetheless, to don the big parka, drink out of an ice glass and shiver to the point that you’re happy when your time is up. I found the disco – with it’s loud, pulsating rhythm and flashing lights unbearable – but from the look of all the people who appeared to be loving it, perhaps it was just me being a stick in the mud.
The outdoor activities make it clear this ship is designed to have something for everyone in the family. From the Sponge Bob-themed kids pool and thrilling water slides to the rock-climbing wall and ropes course, there’s plenty to keep kids and teens active and entertained while aboard the ship. For fitness enthusiasts, there is a well-equipped gym.
Sponge Bob and his pals set the theme in the kids pool area,
The ship definitely has a New York vibe – or state of mind as Billy Joel would say. Even if the hot dog stand on the boardwalk was contrived and disappointing to my palette. It is pretty cool to back out of the pier in midtown Manhattan and float down alongside the city on the way to the sea. The new World Trade Center Freedom Tower had just got its spire when we passed by and it seemed like the ship might tilt left as people scrambled to snap its picture, only to
Floating past icons like the World Trade Center’s new Freedom Tower is a stirring way to head to sea.

quickly shift to the other side to catch Ellis Island and the Staue of Liberty. It seemed like just about everyone around me mentioned a family tie with Ellis Island.

In summary, the Breakaway nicely accomplishes the “ship as a destination” goal (it will have to with four sea days on its New York-Bermuda itinerary) and Norwegian’s desire to move up the food chain. It should do well with a huge drive to market. It may even attract some folks from our side of the country who might enjoy a few nights in the city paired with a Bermuda cruise. The Breakaway’s first sibling will do the Eastern Caribbean out of Miami. Let’s hope one of the future ships might sport a California or Hollywood theme and sail out of San Pedro or Long Beach.

USA Today’s take

Comparing and Contrasting Cruising’s Variations

Leave a reply

Aboard the Celebrity Century with the Hubbard Glacier in the background.

In a couple of weeks I will embark on a quest to experience and report on some different sides of cruising. I will only have time to hit a few this year; over time I will try to discuss and photograph the many sides of this hugely popular form of vacation, which is growing more customized over time.

My evaluations will not be so much about declaring one style as good or bad, but trying to describe which expression might appeal to which type of person. After all, on a single day recently, I talked with someone who said, shaking his head, that he can’t ever see himself on one of those floating cities, and another who told me he would like live his entire life on a cruise ship. In between those two extremes are plenty of people who would enjoy one type of cruising, but not necessarily others. Beyond that, there are people for whom a big ship might facilitate a multi-generational family renunion, but would truly love a slower, culturally immersive river cruise.

I try to savor a variety of experiences, from a 50-mile packpack to a luxury cruise. I have to admit I will not be a very good critic of shipboard casinos, as I can only tolerate $20-buy-in poker with some friends a few times a year. But I try to control for my own biases, as I am well aware of Las Vegas’ testament to lovers of gambling.

As far as my role in the booking of travel, it is strictly to provide the most accurate information possible to help people design the perfect vacation for their individual preferences. I will never shill for a particular product because I know that all of the products are good for some and not good for others. My role is to help people make decisions that will make them happy.

My 2013 experiences start in a couple of weeks with a two-day “inaugural cruise” on the new Norwegian Breakaway, a colossus with something for everyone – and something for some to roll their eyes at. The Breakaway’s Swedish-style ice bar – 17-degrees Farenheit with loner parkas – was declared as “gimmicky” by one associate and “cool’ (sorry) by another. I’m keeping an open mind about that, the ship’s faux boardwalk, the Broadway-style entertainment, and the celebrity chef restaurants. I’ll let you know what I think, what others say, and what type of traveler might enjoy them.

In July, Susan and I will embark on a completely different kind of cruise, riding the 694-passenger Azamara Journey from Monte Carlo to Rome. Along the way we will visit smaller ports inaccessible to the giant ships, such as Portofino, Santa Marguerita and the villages of Cinque Terra. The Journey eschews glitzy entertainment and water parks, instead playing the role of a floating boutique hotel while the destinations take center stage. We will experience these destinations in different ways – using Azamara’s excursions, recommendations from guidebooks such as Europe expert Rick Steves, and simply winging it. This way I can offer some pros and cons of the different approaches.

In November, I embark on the world’s largest cruise ship, the 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas, with its rock-climbing walls, surf simulators and zip lines. Both the Allure and the Journey are owned by Royal Caribbean International, occupying far ends of a spectrum of choices, so my compare-contrast will have an additional dimension.

Please submit your comments and questions, which I will take into account as I go about this effort.

Globetrotter Chris

FACILITATING JOYFUL TRAVEL SINCE 2012

Category Archives: Cruises

Paradise Lost? We Found It in Bora Bora

Getting the most for your cruise dollar

Tahiti cruise added to home raffle

Picture Perfect Paradise

Enjoy the Beautiful South Pacific While Tuning Up Your Photography Skills

INCLUDED

Check out Erin’s website: erinmanning.com

TWO AMAZING ITINERARIES

Call (800) 745-4015 today for more information and to reserve your place on this trip of a lifetime! Ask for Rose or Tami.

email: cmeyer@ocglobetrotter.com

Traveling is good for you – physically, mentally and spiritually

‘Ultimate family vacation’ now closer to Orange County

The delights of a small ship lie in what’s ashore

It’s almost “Ciao Italia”

Norwegian Cruise Line’s New York State of Mind

Comparing and Contrasting Cruising’s Variations