. . .(Or should be)
A complete change from being at home.
One of those possibilities is to take a luxury cruise. The luxury cruise market is known by other names as well. Some dub them upscale, premium plus or high-end. They are an experience!
These terms generally refer to the more elegant ships, usually smaller vessels, where luxury is the operative word. Of course passengers can expect opulent public rooms, large suite-like cabins tastefully furnished with wonderful bathrooms and verandahs, personalized stationary on the desk, your personal choice beverages in the bar and a room steward or stewardess (or a butler at the really high end) who will unpack, have your clothes ironed or just pop some corn for an evening in the cabin watching a DVD.
Meals are gourmet, no waiting on line, eat when you want. It's not a bad way to go.
Seabourn Cruises is a case in point. I have had several marvelous cruises sailing on the line's older vessels and spent two nights a couple of months ago exploring the new Seabourn Sojourn. Bruce Good, Seabourn's director of public relations says the Seabourn side of the cruise market has been "under penetrated." He adds the luxury market has barely scratched the surface and with more product -- Seabourn went from a line with 600 beds to one with 2,000 -- it is time to amp up awareness.
I have many fond memories of many cruises I've enjoyed in more than three decades of writing about the industry.
One of the most memorable is the concept, on Seabourn, where no woman EVER crosses the dining alone. She is always accompanied by a captain whether she enters with a male companion or not.
It is a lovely touch and typical of the consideration these lines show for the individual.
Other lines that fit this category are Crystal for big ship luxury; Silversea, Oceania, Regent, and Hapag Lloyd.
Many of the lines offer early booking discounts which cut the per person price considerably, making the value irrestible.
And of course, when I want popcorn at home, I have to put it into the microwave.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Travel is . . .
. . .Regrets
I never got to the see Pyramids along the Nile. I never toured Egypt.
I missed something wonderful - of this I am certain, and I am sorry.
I am not personalizing an international crisis or the horror that is impacting hundreds of thousands of innocent Egyptians eager for a chance at a better life. It is all a major tragedy, but as I begin a second week of tv crisis monitoring, I realize I missed a great opportunity.
And I had several chances.
As recently as a year ago other freelance writers, members of the Society of American Travel Writers, traveled to Egypt and came home raving (and writing) about the wonders. I hadn't wanted to undertake the extensive travel and, facing back surgery a month later, opted out.
Fourteen years ago, the Society offered trips to Egypt after an Israeli convention. I was already going to be away from home for three weeks - including a five-day tour of Jordan - and opted out.
Several Nile cruises had been offered to me over the years. I never sailed.
Now, a group of what appear to be brave people who are tired of tyranny and want something better for their families, are putting their lives on the line. Will I have another opportunity?
Who knows, but for now, I regret not seizing the ones I had.
And I hope that calm returns to Egypt in a more egalitarian form.
And maybe I will get another opportunity.
I never got to the see Pyramids along the Nile. I never toured Egypt.
I missed something wonderful - of this I am certain, and I am sorry.
I am not personalizing an international crisis or the horror that is impacting hundreds of thousands of innocent Egyptians eager for a chance at a better life. It is all a major tragedy, but as I begin a second week of tv crisis monitoring, I realize I missed a great opportunity.
And I had several chances.
As recently as a year ago other freelance writers, members of the Society of American Travel Writers, traveled to Egypt and came home raving (and writing) about the wonders. I hadn't wanted to undertake the extensive travel and, facing back surgery a month later, opted out.
Fourteen years ago, the Society offered trips to Egypt after an Israeli convention. I was already going to be away from home for three weeks - including a five-day tour of Jordan - and opted out.
Several Nile cruises had been offered to me over the years. I never sailed.
Now, a group of what appear to be brave people who are tired of tyranny and want something better for their families, are putting their lives on the line. Will I have another opportunity?
Who knows, but for now, I regret not seizing the ones I had.
And I hope that calm returns to Egypt in a more egalitarian form.
And maybe I will get another opportunity.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Travel is . . .
. . . Where little things mean a lot
An article in Sunday's Sun-Sentinel by Josh Noel of Tribune Newspapers addressed the upturn in amenities at hotels across the country - and across all price points.
The concept of "amenities" has changed.
I can probably find a dozen bottles of body lotions from hotels and cruise ships here at any given time; and such necessities as lip balm and eye shades salvaged from international flights; playing cards, ear buds, tote bags of all sizes and shapes and countless other items I thought wonderful when I received them. I remember an elegant bottle of sunscreen gifted on a Seabourn cruise; a small tote with great inside pockets from Swiss Air with which I travel regularly and other amenities that meant - and still mean - a lot.
But times change.
According to the article the most requested amenity today is complimentary wireless in hotels. (Many airlines are also offering wireless.) Travelers also want to find state-of-the-art fitness centers and complimentary breakast offerings that are more than a roll and coffee.
Some cruise lines offer the use of iPhones, iPads, etc. to tour art collections or order from a menu. Most hotels offer docking for MP3 players.
Since business travelers set the standard for hotel offerings, leisure travelers benefit from what hotels have offered. It's a win-win situation and a sign of the times.
A good sign!
An article in Sunday's Sun-Sentinel by Josh Noel of Tribune Newspapers addressed the upturn in amenities at hotels across the country - and across all price points.
The concept of "amenities" has changed.
I can probably find a dozen bottles of body lotions from hotels and cruise ships here at any given time; and such necessities as lip balm and eye shades salvaged from international flights; playing cards, ear buds, tote bags of all sizes and shapes and countless other items I thought wonderful when I received them. I remember an elegant bottle of sunscreen gifted on a Seabourn cruise; a small tote with great inside pockets from Swiss Air with which I travel regularly and other amenities that meant - and still mean - a lot.
But times change.
According to the article the most requested amenity today is complimentary wireless in hotels. (Many airlines are also offering wireless.) Travelers also want to find state-of-the-art fitness centers and complimentary breakast offerings that are more than a roll and coffee.
Some cruise lines offer the use of iPhones, iPads, etc. to tour art collections or order from a menu. Most hotels offer docking for MP3 players.
Since business travelers set the standard for hotel offerings, leisure travelers benefit from what hotels have offered. It's a win-win situation and a sign of the times.
A good sign!
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