June 29, 2012 - Cruise Notes from Mary

Cruise Notes from Mary

Mary Engram, CTA/MCC Travel Consultant

June 29, 2012

Happy Friday Everyone

Soul Train Cruise Adds a 2^nd Sailing

The Soul Train Cruise sailing February 2013 sold out faster than any new cruise in recent memory. To meet the demand for this cruise, a fall Soul Train Cruise 2013 will be added. The cruise will sail from October 5 - 12, 2013. All of the details will be announced shortly after the July 4th holiday.  Those who are on the Wait List will be afforded priority pricing and access to cabins.  So if you missed out on the first sailing, you have a second chance.  Contact me to put your name on the Wait List… today

Princess Cruises Sails Year-round from Galveston

In December 2012 , Princess Cruises^® returns to sunny Galveston, Texas, offering convenient roundtrip cruises to the fascinating Western Caribbean on board Crown Princess^®.   This is great news for those of you who may fly in and sail on the same day. Or for those living in Texas, and neighboring regions, who may choose to drive and save airfare altogether.

This itinerary offers something for everyone: fascinating 2,000-year-old Mayan ruins from the Island of Cozumel and Belize City; stunning beaches and tropical forests on the Island of Roatán; and a chance to explore the amazing Belize Barrier Reef — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Departures begin December 22 (holiday sailing!) and continue through Spring 2013

Disney Magic 2012-2013 Itineraries
Currently sailing from Manhattan, Disney Magic will reposition to Galveston in September 2012, offering 7-night cruises to the Western Caribbean through May 2013. Here’s a look at the rest of the schedule:

• Mediterranean cruises departing from Barcelona – June 1 - Aug. 31, 2013
• NEW! Western Caribbean and Bahamian cruises departing from Miami – Oct. 20 - Dec. 30, 2013

Disney Wonder 2012-2013 Itineraries
Now sailing Alaskan cruises from Seattle, Disney Wonder will return to Los Angeles in September 2012. There’s a wide variety of itineraries available – Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and California Coast voyages featuring special offerings from Pixar Animation Studios. Other highlights include:

• Caribbean cruises departing from Miami – Dec. 23, 2012 - May 2, 2013
• Alaskan cruises departing from Vancouver – May 27 - Sept. 2, 2013
• NEW! Western Caribbean departing from Galveston -- Sept. 28 - Dec. 28, 2013

Dates Added for Adventures by Disney Scotland Trip

Due to popular demand, Adventures by Disney® has added three new departure dates for Scotland: A Brave Adventure. These new dates are May 26, June 4, and June 17, 2013.

This 9-day, 8-night family vacation includes visits to Edinburgh, Isle of Skye, Inverness and Isle of Lewis, letting Clients discover the land and experience the adventures that inspired the Disney•Pixar animated feature, “Brave.”

IMPORTANT PASSPORT AND VISA UPDATES

Brazil Visa: You can expect delays at the various Brazilian Consulates, as the Brazilian Consulate staff is on a strike.

Canada Visa: As of June 18th, the Canadian Consulate will no longer accept visa applications submitted in person. They will solely become a mail in center.

Myanmar Visa: To increase fluency and transparency, the government of Myanmar will begin issuing visas upon arrival effective June 1st for those who land at Yangon Airport.

Saudi Arabia Visa: If your invitation letter is for the Houston Consulate, a notarized authorization form must accompany your package. Please contact our DC office for advisement.  If you are a Canadian citizen you can expect your visa application to take approximately 22 business days to process.

Tanzania Visa: Regular processing for Tanzania can take up to 8 business days. They are short staffed in the DC Embassy.

Zimbabwe Visa: You may now apply for a double entry visa in the Washington, DC Embassy. Please contact our DC office for more details and the fee schedule.

Previous Traveler Updates:

Cameroon Visa: When applying for Cameroon visas, please make sure to include a completed application with the correct PO Box where you will be staying. Also include your last 3 months of bank statements. Failure to comply with these steps will result in delays.

China Visa: The Chinese Consulate in Washington, DC has become extremely critical when reviewing applications. It is imperative that every line on the application is completed. If an adult is completing the application for a minor, they must complete section 7. .

Southerns Sudan: The Embassy is now issuing visas here in the States. The Consular fee is $160 and you will not be asked to pay any additional fees when you land in Juba

Thought for the Month – June Joke
An American traveler visiting in the fantastic kingdom of England asked at the hotel front desk for the elevator. The portiere had a bedazzled look on his, which quickly become smug as he then realized what the man wanted.

"You must mean the lift," he said.

"No," the American responded. "If I ask for the elevator I mean the elevator."

"Well," the portiere answered, "over here we call them lifts".

"Now you listen", the American said rather irritated, "someone in America invented the elevator."

"Oh, right you are sir," the portiere said in a polite tone, "but someone here in England invented the language."

Wishing you a great weekend

Mary Engram, CTA/MCC

Your Personal Travel Consultant