Friday, July 29, 2011

July 29, 2011 Issue - Cruise Notes from Mary

Cruise Notes from Mary
Mary Engram, CTA/MCC Travel Consultant
July 29, 2011

Happy Friday Everyone

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Cruise with Mary
Some of you have asked for more specific information on upcoming cruises. So as always, your wish is my command.

12 days Europe Mediterranean cruise sailing Oct 15, 2012, $900 deposit
Itinerary: Barcelona, Spain - Cannes, France - Livorno, Italy - Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - Salerno, Italy - At Sea - Venice, Italy - Venice, Italy - Ravenna, Italy - Split, Croatia - At Sea - At Sea - Barcelona, Spain.

For full details on this vacation highlight the blue text, click Ctrl key, and re-click the blue text:
12 days Europe Mediterranean cruise sailing Oct 15, 2012.

December 17-19, 2011 – 2 night inaugural Carnival Inspiration – round trip Los Angeles
Arrive Depart
Saturday, Dec 17 Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA 5:30pm
Sunday, Dec 18 Ensenada, Mexico 9:00am 6:00pm
Monday, Dec 19 Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA 8:00am

Hurry – Limited availability. $200 deposit due at time of booking. Final payment due Oct 10 and prices can not be guaranteed until booked.

February 3-6, 2012 – Super Bowl Cruise - Carnival Inspiration, roundtrip Long Beach
Arrive Depart
Friday, Feb 03 Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA 5:30pm
Saturday, Feb 04 Ensenada, Mexico 9:00am 6:00pm
Sunday, Feb 05 Fun Day at Sea
Monday, Feb 06 Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA 8:00am

Many of you have sent inquiries about this cruise and the Early Saver Rates. Please note that the Early Saver Rate is non-refundable and non-transferable rate. Also remember that the least expensive cabins sell out first and there is currently limited availability. I would recommend securing your cabin with a $100 per person deposit as soon as possible.

July 1 - 2012 - 7 day Caribbean cruise, roundtrip Galveston, Texas, $500 deposit
Arrive Depart
Sunday, Jul 01 Galveston, TX 4:00pm
Monday, Jul 02 Fun Day at Sea
Tuesday, Jul 03 Fun Day at Sea
Wednesday, Jul 04 Montego Bay, Jamaica 9:00am 6:00pm
Thursday, Jul 05 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 7:00am 4:00pm
Friday, Jul 06 Cozumel, Mexico 10:00am 6:00pm
Saturday, Jul 07 Fun Day at Sea
Sunday, Jul 08 Galveston, TX 8:00am


7 night Greek Isle Voyage onboard the Seven Seas Voyager sailing April 16, 2012
This sailing does not include airfare or pre night hotel stay. That why the price starts at only $2999 per person for the category F. The first two levels have already sold out, first come first serve.

Date Day Port Dress Code Arrive Depart
Apr 16 Mon Athens (Piraeus), Greece Elegant Casual 10 pm
Apr 17 Tue Santorini, Greece Elegant Casual 8:00 am 6 pm
Apr 18 Wed Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey Elegant Casual 9:00 am 10 pm
Apr 19 Thu Rhodes, Greece Elegant Casual 8:00 am 6 pm
Apr 20 Fri Mykonos, Greece Elegant Casual 8:00 am 6 pm
Apr 21 Sat Kavala, Greece Elegant Casual 8:00 am 6 pm
Apr 22 Sun Istanbul, Turkey Elegant Casual 11:00 am
Apr 23 Mon Istanbul, Turkey Elegant Casual

Trips in the Planning Stages
Several of you have asked about specific trips, so I am currently in the planning stages of arranging the following:

• 2012 Holy Land Tour – This is a land package visiting Israel and Tel Aviv
• 14 day Panama Canal Cruise sailing from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego
• Thanksgiving Cruise onboard Nieuw Amsterdam, Nov 20-27, 2011 from Ft Lauderdale
• August 3-6, 2012 Young Family South of the Border Reunion Cruise
• 2012 14-day Alaska cruise, roundtrip Seattle
• Cruise which includes the port of Belize
• 2012 Cruise onboard Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, or Azamara
• Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas – February 2012

Legal Travel to Cuba
Recently, there has been a lot of coverage in the travel industry press about developments in travel to Cuba. With this in mind, please be aware of the following:

• The U.S. Department of the Treasury has a list of Travel Service Providers to Cuba (TSP).
• A TSP is licensed by the Treasury to legally arrange travel services in Cuba for Americans, to collect money from those travelers, and to distribute money to Cuban suppliers.
• Only those travel agencies and tour operators listed as TSPs are legally allowed to provide these services.
• Any unlicensed travel agent or tour operator that promotes Cuba travel services makes travel arrangements, or collects funds for travel to Cuba from Americans is in violation of Federal law and is subject to civil and/or criminal penalties

The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2012 ... Everyone Will Be There!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2012 is 90 percent sold, but cabins do remain available at this time!
From its inception, The Smooth Jazz Cruise has been dubbed "The Greatest Party at Sea," to the point where we will soon be including that moniker in the cruise title.

But that title has particular significance for the January 2012 sailings. Never before has The Smooth Jazz Cruise had a larger, more star-studded lineup. Though the rave that "Everyone Will Be There" is a bit over the top, actually based on the lineup below “Everyone Will Be There!

Where else in this world can you see these stars, all on the same stage:
David Sanborn Marcus Miller Jonathan Butler
Gerald Albright Candy Dulfer Boney James
Alonzo Bodden Larry Braggs Rick Braun
Brian Culbertson Eric Darius DW3
Jeff Golub Euge Groove Rahsaan Patterson
Patrice Rushen Joe Sample Brian Simpson
Kirk Whalum Peter White Ellis Hall
Chance Howard Tom Braxton Andre Berry
Randy Jacobs Nate Phillips Ron Reinhardt
Dwight Sills Patches Stewart Jay Williams
Ramon Yslas Selina Albright Jodie Butler
Randy Butler Dane Butcher Pat Prescott

This is an unprecedented list of A-list artists and top-drawer musicians and singers. And they are each on the ship for multiple performances, personal meet-and-greets and other activities!

The Haven by Norwegian – Some will call it pure paradise
If you're looking for something beyond the predictable, step into The Haven by Norwegian. It's a world of luxury and privacy at sea. Hidden away at the top of select ships, The Haven offers exquisite décor, the personalized service of our certified butlers and the kind of privacy and exclusivity only Norwegian's Freestyle Cruising® can offer.

Here's a taste of what The Haven has to offer:
• Private platinum keycard access to exclusive area at the top of the ship
• Concierge service
• Personalized butler service 24-hours a day
• VIP priority embarkation and debarkation
• Luxurious accommodations with chic décor, walls of windows, private balcony and fine linens
• "White tablecloth" dining en suite with special gourmet menus
• Exclusive access to The Haven Courtyard with private pool, sundeck, hot tub and fitness area
• Priority reservations in the ship's specialty restaurants, spa, award-winning shows and more
• Exclusive invitations to private events

Norwegian Cruise Line "Book Early, Cruise Happy" offer!
If you book select Norwegian 2012 or 2013 cruises now through August 14, 2011, you may get free upgrades plus up to $100* to spend on board.


Hotel Pick of the Week: Hilton Rome Airport
It's just a short walk from the terminal to the Hilton Rome Airport hotel via moving walkway, and Rome, the Eternal City, is 30 minutes away by free shuttle. Work in the business center with wireless internet access. Enjoy fine dining in the Hilton Rome Airport hotel's Le Colonne Restaurant, pizzas and snacks in Caffè Tevere Bistrò or try music in the Artists' Bar.
Enjoy the indoor pool with outdoor deck, Jacuzzi, gym and kids' play area at the Hilton Rome Airport hotel. Nearby, visit Ostia Antica's ruins and beach and Parco Leonardo cinema complex. Historic Rome attractions like the Colisseum and Vatican are just 18 miles away.
Includes complimentary breakfast daily.

Dancing With the Stars' pros to sail on Freedom of the Seas
Professional dancers from ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" will sail aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas for a seven-day Caribbean cruise departing Jan. 15.

Dancers Tony Dovolani, Chelsie Hightower and Elena Grinenko will dance with passengers on the cruise, which sails from Port Canaveral, Fla. The ship will call at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean private Bahamaian Island; St. Thomas; and St. Maarten.

Thought for the Month
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.

Love and Hugs

Mary Engram,
Your Personal Travel Consultant
Like my Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/MaryEngramTravelConsultant

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Friday, July 15, 2011

July 15 Issue - Cruise Noes from Mary

Cruise Notes from Mary
Mary Engram, CTA/MCC Travel Consultant
July 15, 2011


2011/2012 Cruises with Mary
• October 2-9, 2011 – 7 night Mediterranean cruise, roundtrip Rome, $500 deposit
• December 10-17, 2011 – 7 night Mexico – roundtrip Los Angeles, $200 deposit
• December 17-19, 2011 – 2 night inaugural Carnival Inspiration, roundtrip Los Angeles
• February 3-6, 2012 – 2012 Super Bowl Cruise, roundtrip Long Beach, $200 deposit
• March 24, April 5, 2012 - 12 day Fiji cruise, roundtrip Sydney, Australia, $900 deposit
• July 1 - 2012 - 7 day Caribbean cruise, roundtrip Galveston, Texas , $500 deposit
• October 15–27, 2012 - 12 day Mediterranean cruise, roundtrip Barcelona, $900 deposit

WOW!!! I am so honored that so many of you have expressed an interest in Cruising w/Mary on the 12 day Mediterranean cruise in October 2012. The more the merrier so shoot me an email if you are interested. I need a $900 per cabin deposit to hold your cabin. Final payment will not be due until July 2012 and you can make periodic credit or debit card payments.

I have already started talks with my suppliers to arrange private shore excursions in the major ports. I escorted a group on this same itinerary in 2008 and those who went say it was the best cruise ever. Stay tuned as I share more information on future issues of this newsletter.

Royal Caribbean Debuts “Behind the Scenes” All Access Tour of Ships
Royal Caribbean International is launching what it is calling an All Access Tour. The All Access Tour escorts guests into a variety of ‘back-of-house’ areas, including a visit to the bridge, galley, backstage of the main theater, engine control room and other behind-the-scenes operations areas that collectively create the best vacation experience and value for guests. At least one All Access Tour will be offered on itineraries shorter than seven nights, and two tours offered aboard a seven-night or longer itinerary with additional tours added, based on demand. The experience lasts up to three and a half hours and costs $150 per guest. It also can be purchased onboard with the Concierge, Crown & Anchor Society Loyalty Ambassador, or at Guest Relations.

Norwegian Cruises Offers 500 New Europe Land Excursions in Europe aboard the Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Sun, and Norwegian Jade.

Celebrity Cruises New Dining Packages
Celebrity Cruises is offering several brand-new dining packages that vary in price, date and content from ship to ship. Individual Dining Packages are offered at a single per-person price for either three or five specialty restaurant visits. Also available are three Wine and Dine packages that are designed for groups of two.

Other packages include the Savor Package, which includes three dining reservations per couple and three bottles of wine, the Gourmand package, which includes five dining reservations per couple and three bottles of wine, and the Bacchus Package, which offers five dining reservations per couple and five bottles of wine.

These packagers, their prices, and what is specifically included in them, vary by ship and are the result of guest feedback. Beverage packages can be purchased before a cruise.

Silversea Cruises is offering five new single supplement cruises for 2012 aboard the Silver Cloud, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper.

Carnival Cruise Lines Launches New Cash Back Promotion
Carnival Cruise Lines launched a promotion offering cash back of up to $150 per stateroom on a variety of 2011-12 voyages. The promotion is good on virtually all of the line’s three- to nine-day cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and Alaska departing between August and April from a variety of North American homeports. Bookings must be made July 11-31, 2011 to be eligible for the promotion

Royal Caribbean to Revitalize Entire Fleet
Royal Caribbean anounced its decision to invest $300 million in order to provide new innovations as well as its highest guest-rated programs from its Oasis-class ships to the entire fleet. This revitalization is planned through 2014.

They began with the Radiance of the Seas in May of 2011, and will continue with Splendor of the Seas in November of 2011. Following this in 2012, Vision-class ships will be updated starting with Rhapsody of the Seas in March, Grandeur of the Seas in May, and the Radiance-class Serenade of the Seas in November. Each ship will enter dry dock for approximately a month to be updated., with emphasis on dining venues, entertainment options, technology enhancements, and more.

Among the electronic enhancements are flat-panel televisions in staterooms, electronic mustering, pervasive Wi-Fi, and iPod docking stations. LCD touch-screen signs are also planned to be placed throughout the ship for the purpose of displaying real time destination updates and information, as well as ship factoids. Outdoor LED video walls will also be installed to enhance outdoor entertainment and programming.

Also planned is a newly-refurbished staterooms and nurseries for children aged 36 months to six years old. New dining options are also planned, which include the Chef’s Table, a five course dinner co-hosted by the executive shef; Izumi, a pan-Asian restaurant featuring a sushi bar and hot rock cooking; Chops Grille, Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse; Park Café, casual dining with gourmet salads, sandwiches, soups, and pastries; Rita’s Cantina, a casual Mexican restaurant; and the Boardwalk Doghouse, a casual grill serving brats, links, wieners, and dogs.

Norwegian Cruises Rewards Early Bookings for 2012 and 2013
Cruises in 2012 or 2013 that are booked between July 11 and August 14, 2011 can take advantage of special offers on Norwegian Freestyle Cruising voyages to Alaska, Bahamas & Florida, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Europe, and Hawaii. Benefits include same-category upgrades, reduced cruise deposits fleet-wide, and up to $100 per stateroom to spend on board.

Also, for a limited-time, guests who are looking to set sail on a cruise vacation through Europe can receive up to $300 to spend on board (based on stateroom category) on new reservations made on the Norwegian Epic by July 31, 2011. Norwegian Epic’s Western Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona, Spain sets sail to Naples, Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence (Livorno), Italy; Nice (Villefranche), and Provence (Marseille), France

Oceania Reveals Inaugural Itineraries for New Riviera With Free Hotel
Oceania Cruises has announced inaugural itineraries for its new 250-guest Riviera, which will depart on its maiden voyage April 14 from Barcelona. Those who book by Aug. 31 will receive a free hotel stay and bonus savings of up to $3,000 per stateroom. Fares begin at $1,999 per person and include free roundtrip economy-class air from 22 North American cities.

From April 14 through Nov. 29, 2012, the Riviera will operate 21 departures of 13 itineraries calling on ports in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Turkey as well as Israel, Croatia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Morocco and Monaco.

Riviera’s maiden voyage is a 10-day “Mediterranean Tapestry” cruise from Barcelona to Piraeus (Athens). Ports of call include Marseille (Provence), Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Civitavecchia (Rome), Taormina, Amalfi/Positano, Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Santorini.
From Piraeus, Riviera operates a 12-day “Ancient Grandeur” itinerary to Istanbul, departing April 24. Ports include Alexandria, Port Said, Haifa (overnight), Ashdod (Jerusalem), Rhodes, Patmos and Kusadasi.

On May 6, Riviera departs Istanbul on a 10-day “Greek Glory” voyage that includes calls at Mitilini and Cephalonia (Argostoli), Greece, the latter a maiden call for Oceania. The cruise is repeated, departing Aug. 3, 2012.

Another highlight of the inaugural season is the 10-day “Accent on Italy” cruise, which sails between Civitavecchia and Venice. Ports of call include Monte Carlo, La Spezia (for Cinque Terre), Livorno, Amalfi/Positano, Taormina, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Venice (overnight). This itinerary departs June 27, Aug. 13, Sept. 24 and Oct. 24.

Rivera’s Europe season concludes with a 12-day “Mediterranean Medley,” departing Nov. 3, 2012, from Venice. The voyage calls at Dubrovnik, Corfu, Messina, Sorrento/Capri, Civitavecchia, Livorno (two days), Monte Carlo, Marseille, and Barcelona (overnight).

Thought for the Month
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.

Love and Hugs

Mary Engram,
Your Personal Travel Consultant
Like my Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/MaryEngramTravelConsultant

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Carnival's Cash Back Promotion

Carnival Cruise Lines launched a promotion offering cash back of up to $150 per stateroom on a variety of 2011-12 voyages. The promotion is good on virtually all of the line’s three- to nine-day cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and Alaska departing between August and April from a variety of North American homeports. Bookings must be made July 11 to 31 to be eligible for the promotion

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Cruise Notes from Mary - July 7, 2011

Cruise Notes from Mary
Mary Engram, CTA/MCC Travel Consultant
July 7, 2011


I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. Just wanted to do a short post to let you know about upcoming cruise opportunities with Mary. Everyone is always welcome, and that includes family, friends, co-workers, whomever, so let me know if you are interested. Would love to have you onboard


2011/2012 Cruises with Mary

October 2-9, 2011 – 7 night Mediterranean cruise, roundtrip Rome, $500 deposit
December 10-17, 2011 – 7 night Mexico – roundtrip Los Angeles, $200 deposit
December 17-19, 2011 – 2 night inaugural Carnival Inspiration, roundtrip Los Angeles
February 3-6, 2012 – 2012 Super Bowl Cruise, roundtrip Long Beach, $200 deposit
March 24, April 5, 2012 - 12 day Fiji cruise, roundtrip Sydney, Australia, $900 deposit
July 1 - 2012 - 7 day Caribbean cruise, roundtrip Galveston, Texas , $500 deposit
October 15–27, 2012 - 12 day Mediterranean cruise, roundtrip Barcelona, $900 deposit

Thought for the Month
It is because of all of you that I LOVE my job

Love and Hugs

Mary Engram,
Your Personal Travel Consultant
Like my Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/MaryEngramTravelConsultant

Virtuoso Exclusives

http://email.virtuosoemail.com/dm?id=1CB5A06E88762714247CD389C95A6BCFD3DA29C138DB155E

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Virgin American Offers Free Wifi

Virgin American and Google have teamed up to offer the airline's passengers the opportunity to check out Chromebook computers. From now until the end of September, Google will provide Chromebooks and free Wi-Fi to travelers on certain Virgin America flights