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
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