Alaska Cruise/Pioneer Square

We walked down and up to Pioneer Square.  Many hills in Seattle.  I don’t really know why it is called Pioneer Square because it is not a square.  The area is filled with historical buildings more than 100 years old, quaint restaurants, art galleries, antique shops, a huge toy store and night clubs.  When you walk down the cobblestone street and see the horse drawn carriage pass by you think you have gone back in time. 

The Underground Tour is not to be missed.  This tour takes you down under to see Seattle after the 1889 fire.  You walk the streets under the city where most of the old stores are abandoned.  A few of the businesses use this underground as their basement.  The guides on the tour are very entertaining as they take you on this historical and sometimes hysterical jouney of Seattle’s Underground.

The buses in Seattle are great, especially when you have walked a lot and your hotel is several blocks ‘uphill’ from where you are.  And the buses are free in the ‘free zone’ which covers a large area.

We heard about The Inn At The Market and decided to go take a look.  This little boutiqe hotel is right by Pike Place Market.  They have a roof top deck that has beautiful views of Elliott Bay and Pike Place Market.

The Inn at the Market also has a small cozy outdoor courtyard where there was dining and soft live music.

 

More on Seattle to come.

Alaska Cruise/Seattle First

We arrived early at the airport so there was plenty of time to check our bags and go through security without any problems.  And I was very proud of ourselves as we were able to only check one bag and have one carry on each for our 8 night trip.  Feel free to contact me  if you would like to know how to travel with less.

I made arrangements with Shuttle Express in Seattle for our transfers to our hotel and they were waiting for us when we arrived at the Seattle airport.  When we walked in at the Hotel Monaco I was amazed at how friendly the staff greeted us.  It was like they were waiting on us and happy to meet us.  Our room was ready by 11:00 a.m.  I had let them know we would be arriving early but it is unusual for a hotel to actually have your room ready early.  And they even told us ‘Happy Anniversary’ and gave us a VIP room which was on the 11th floor away from the street noise.  And a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolates were waiting for us in our room.  The concierge also greeted us and made dinner reservations for us. 

After we checked in and rested a bit we headed to Pikes Place Market which was only about 6 blocks away.  One of the first things we saw was the famous ‘flying fish’ in the fish market.  When someone would order fish they would yell out the order and toss the fish to each other through the air.  People would cheer and clap, fun to watch. 

Street musicians were entertaining everyone in the Market by playing violins, guitars and some were playing saws.   

It was crazy crowded at Pikes Place Market and this was on a Thursday early afternoon.  I can’t imagine what it is like on the week-ends.  But we had so much fun and there was so much to see.  Beautiful bouquets of flowers and you could get a nice size bouquet for only $5.00.  Then there was fruit, vegetables, jewelry, clothes, toys-just about anything you wanted.  We found a little place that had some fried shrimp that we took outside by the water and ate and a musician came up and serenaded us while we ate.

We found one section right outside of the market where vendors were set up and we found out that these vendors were only allowed to sell things they made locally.  Beautiful paintings, hand blown glass, clothes and homemade food could all be found here.    Next I will tell you about Pioneer Square and Underground Seattle.

Alaska Pictures and Cruise Reviews Coming

Check back with me in the next few weeks for Alaska cruise reviews and lots of pictures from Alaska.  I will be sharing these soon.

WHAT SIZE CRUISE SHIP IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

What size cruise ship is best for you?
Here you can take a look at what to expect from each of the different size ships.
The Big Ships Carry 2,000- to 4,000+ Passengers
Pros
• Activities aplenty, from newlywed games to computer classes.
• Multiple swimming pools; some offer adult only or children only pools.
• Plenty of balcony cabins to choose from.
• Huge casinos with the hottest table games, such as Texas Hold ‘Em.
• Big gyms with state-of-the-art equipment.
• They’re like a big resort hotel, with lots of variety
• Lavish spa.
• Multi-tiered children’s programs with great game rooms and activity rooms.
• Theaters featuring Broadway-style musical productions.
• Variety of nightclubs and bars that have live entertainment.
• Alternative dining options, ranging from ultra-casual to date-night formal.
• Something for all ages, ranging from families to seniors and in-between.
Cons
• Crowds, including lines at buffets and at embarkation and disembarkation.
• Not enough deck chairs.
• Lots of families which if you are traveling without kids may not be inviting.
• Visit common ports.
• You are likely to have an assigned dinner time and table (though more big ships are offering flexible dining).
• You may need a map to find your way around.
• Service can be impersonal.
Big-ship cruise lines: Carnival, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, NCL, Royal Caribbean, and Princess.
The Middle Guys: 1,000 – 2,000 Passengers
Pros
• Best of both worlds with a more village-like ambience, but room for popular amenities.
• Casinos.
• Substantial entertainment offerings.
• Interesting—even exotic—itineraries.
• Enrichment activities.
• Several swimming pools.
• Functional gyms and spas.
• A handful of alternative dining options.
• Fewer families (for those traveling without kids).
• Generally more value-priced.
Cons
• Few lines are building ships this size so they tend to be outdated (unless they are refurbished).
• Passengers tend to be older.
• Fewer families (for those traveling with kids).
• May be more sedate than bigger ships.
• Smaller public rooms.
• Smaller cabins.
• Balconies, if they exist at all, are limited to suite residents.
• You may have to eat at an assigned mealtime and at an assigned table.
Mid-size cruise lines: Several or all of the ships operated by Celebrity, Costa, Holland America, MSC Cruises, and Princess Cruises.
Small Ships: Under 1,000 Passengers
Pros
• New or not as new, these ships have up-to-date features and amenities.
• Personalized service.
• High levels of cuisine.
• Less waiting in lines.
• Clever uses of space to enable them to offer more services, such as in-cabin massages.
• Exotic itineraries are the norm (and even mainstream ones call at unusual ports).
• Fewer families.
• Very relaxed pace.
• Luxury, particularly in cabins, is emphasized.
• Dining is an open-seating, flexible scenario.
• Significant enrichment programs featuring world-famous experts.
• Smaller scale, more elegant entertainment.
• Michelin-level alternative restaurants.
• Often, much is included in the fare (alcohol, gratuities).
Cons
• Often (though not in all cases), they have fewer balconies; some have none at all.
• Activity wise, it’s definitely low-key.
• Limited kids programs and facilities; some actively discourage them.
• Fewer public rooms.
• Most expensive cruise fares.
• Pools may be small.
• If there’s a spa and gym, they may be tiny.
Small-ship cruise lines: Azamara, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, and Windstar.

Vacation Tips on Tipping

VACATION TIPS ON TIPPING

It’s understandable that many people are unsure what to tip at a hotel while on vacation.

Here are some guidelines that may help on your next vacation.

Valet parking. Don’t tip a hotel staff member who opens a guest’s car door at the hotel entrance or parks the car in a valet lot. The valet who retrieves the car from the parking lot should be given $2 to $5.

Bellmen. The common tip is $1 to $2 per bag. You can give more if the bags are heavy or the bellman provides other services.

Maid. They should receive $1 to $5 daily. Pay this tip daily to ensure it goes to the person that took care of your room.

Concierge. No tip is needed for directions, restaurant recommendations or answers to simple questions. A $10 to $50 tip is recommended for a concierge who obtains hard-to-get event tickets or a table at a popular premier restaurant.

Guests should expect good service at luxury hotels rather they tip or not.  And if you stay at a budget or moderate hotel you will not have the valet, concierge and bellmen to worry about anyway.

It is always nice to tip the person who goes out of their way to give you extra service and make your stay special.

Always carry lots of $1 bills so you don’t have to look for someone to give you change.  Also, if you are going to a different country, it is wise to have some of thier currency upon arrival for tips at the airport and transfers.

If you frequent a particular hotel or resort it is amazing how the staff remembers you, especially if you are a great tipper.

Best tip you can give.  Find out the name of the staff that offered that extra service and made your trip memorable.  Then write a quick note acknowledging this person and what they did; take a minute to find the manager of the hotel and give him the note.  Many hotels train their staff for better positions and this may help them get that promotion.

Honeymooning on a Cruise Ship

Each year, thousands of couples make the decision to get married. If you are planning on becoming one of those individuals, then it is likely that you and your new spouse will plan a honeymoon. When it comes to selecting a honeymoon destination, you have a number of options to choose from.

Honeymoons are often thought of as vacations. In a way, the only difference between a family vacation and a honeymoon is romance and the lack of children. Honeymoons are supposed to a fun, exciting, memorable, but private time. Instead of vacationing with the whole family, a honeymoon often only involves the bride and groom.

As previously mentioned, you have a number of different options when it comes to planning your honeymoon. Many newlyweds schedule their honeymoons at popular beaches, ski resorts, or other secluded areas. Did you know that you can also have a honeymoon aboard a cruise ship? Cruise ships are increasing in popularity, but still many individuals do not consider them as a vacation option.

One of the reasons why cruise ships are rarely thought about when selecting a vacation destination, let alone a honeymoon, is because of their cost. It is no secret that cruise ship tickets are expensive, but this cost should not prevent you from having the perfect honeymoon to go along with the wedding of your dreams. If you are concerned with the cost, you can opt for a lower category cabin and still enjoy all of the wonderful aminities on the ship.

It is important to examine the activities available onboard and the length of the cruise. The longer the cruise and the more services available, the more expensive the cruises are likely to be. If you take the time to figure out all the services that are included and the cost of overnight accommodations, you may see that cruises aren’t all that expensive after all.

Once you have made the decision to spend your honeymoon aboard a cruise ship, you will have to book reservations.   For your honeymoon you  may want to search for cruise ships that have romantic settings and romantic destinations.

When examining cruise ship destinations, you may want to take into consideration the possibility for romance at each destination. Since your honeymoon is supposed to be a romantic and relaxing time, you will want to select an environment that will keep those feelings alive. Cruise ship destinations are located all around the world. Popular destinations include Alaska, Hawaii, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico. To find the perfect honeymoon cruise, you are encouraged to select a cruise that offers stops at destinations of your choice.

In addition to taking cruise ship destinations into consideration, you are also encouraged to examine the type of cruise that you wish to set sail on. Multiple cruise lines have ships that are targeted to specific groups of individuals. These cruises often include cruises for adventure lovers, the whole family, or couples. As a couple, you should be welcome on any cruise. If you are looking for a private, romantic, and intimate setting, you may want to avoided cruises that are targeted for family vacations.

Before booking your honeymoon trip on a particular cruise ship, you are urged to examine want you want and need out of your trip. Doing so will enable you to select the perfect cruise ship for you and your new spouse.

Please contact us  and we will be delighted to help you find the perfect cruise or other vacation for your honeymoon.

GREAT SNOWFALL FOR WORLD CUP SNOWBOARD COMPETITION

Colorado had some heavy snowfalls recently, and Telluride, Colorado already has a 32″ base.  Crews are already working the mountains to prepare it for the opening on November 24 and to ensure that they are ready to welcome the WORLD CUP SNOWBOARD COMPETITION, December 18-20.  This will be the final qualifying event before the Winter Olympics! 

Telluride is the sole U.S. stop of the LG sponsored FIS (International Ski Federation) Snowboard World Cup and will feature both SBX (snowboardcross) and PGS (parallel giant slalom) competitions during the second in a series of five Olympic qualification events for the two disciplines.

If you would like to take your family skiing or snowboarding, Telluride would be a great family vacation.

Best Holiday Travel Tips

Christmas Travel Tips. 

So you want to go visit Grandma for the holidays while having a wonderful trip with your kids.

Here are a few holiday travel tips to help you do that.

1)     Plan ahead.  Schedule your flights, hotels and car reservations as much in advance as possible.  Prices escalate during the holidays because of greater demand.  And book direct flights, if possible, because every time you make a connection you chance something going wrong because of weather delays or other circumstances.

2)     Expect the unexpected.  Airlines overbook all during the year, but especially during the holidays which are busy travel days.  Book flights early in the day and arrive early, very early.  This will help with a couple of things.  When you book an early flight if you get bumped there will be other flights you can take.  If you book a late flight, then you may get stranded until the next day.  And when you are one of the first ones to check in you are less likely to get bumped.

3)     Avoid peak travel days.  Try to travel 2 days prior to the holiday or on the holiday itself.  They day before the holiday is the highest travel day.

4)     Getting to the airport.  If you live very far from the airport you may want to stay at an airport hotel the night before.  Most airport hotels have shuttles that will take you to the airport and you can leave your car at the hotel and not have to pay the airport parking fees.  Check with your hotel for details, but if you are going to be gone several days the cost of the hotel may not be much more than paying for parking while you are gone.  Or if you live close to the airport, try to have a neighbor take you to the airport or take an airport shuttle so you do not have to find a parking spot as the parking lots fill up during the holidays.

5)     Pack light.  The overhead bins will fill up during holiday travel so ship as much as you can to your relatives’ house as you can.  Remember to ship it at least 3 weeks prior to make sure it arrives on time.    And do not take wrapped gifts on board, you will not get through security with wrapped gifts.

6)     Kids activities.   Let each child bring a back pack that they can carry and will fit easily under the seat.  They can pack with their favorite activity and snack to keep them occupied.      

7)     Secure your home.  Make sure to stop you mail or have a neighbor pick it and your newspapers up.  Invest in timers to have your lights go on and off so it looks like someone is home.

8)     Most important. Take a good attitude.  Be prepared for setbacks and, especially with kids, remember that boredom is your enemy and get the cards out and play games.    Waiting can be a fun family time with just a little planning.

So plan ahead, go with the flow and make those wonderful holiday memories that will last forever.

Disney Cruise Line in Alaska

Disney Cruise Line is sailing Alaska for the first time in their history. This will be a wonderful cruise for family vacations or for all who like the Disney fashion of service  

Disney will offer seven-night Alaskan cruises for the 2011 summer season.  The Disney Wonder will departing from Vancouver, British Columbia, and sail to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska.

The Disney Cruise to Alaska will depart on May 3, 2011, and the last cruise of the season will depart August 30, 2011.  Rates for the new itinerary start at $939 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.   

Alaska is known for its rugged grandeur and unspoiled natural beauty.  Alaska is for those of us with an adventurous spirit —those who enjoy historic mining towns, awe-inspiring glaciers and breathtaking natural beauty. This will be a great way for a family to see Alaska in the magical Disney style.  Contact us  to plan this magical Disney Cruise Alaska adventure for your family vacation of just for yourself.

Oasis of the Seas is on the Way

The Oasis of the Seas has run into some strong winds and high waves while crossing the North Atlantic Ocean on its way to Port Everglades. So now the Oasis of the Seas is scheduled to arrive at Port Everglades on the morning of November 13, 2009, two days later than originally scheduled. Oasis of the Seas is the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, it spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis
of the Seas is the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail weekly from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort
Lauderdale, Fla.
This incredible ship has some very unique things to do. One is decorating cupcakes at The Cupcake Cupboard, located in the Royal Promenade with the entire family. And make sure to check out the amazing AquaTheater – a pool by day, a spectacular sea-side stage at night – to incredible ice-skating shows, stand-up comedy shows and the Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical Hairspray, you’ll be constantly wowed with Oasis of the Seas’s extravagant onboard entertainment.
More options? How about a fun-filled zone for all ages, taking up an entire deck with multiple pools, rock-climbing walls, miniature golf, ping-pong, two FlowRiders® and a basketball court. All this, plus amazing views of Boardwalk and Central Park below.
Choose from four pools: the H2O Zone, where kids can enjoy a giant octopus with its water-spraying tentacles and a separate wading pool for infants and toddlers; the sports pool, dedicated for laps and waterspouts; or the new beach pool, with a sloped entry that simulates wading into the ocean. Or bask by the traditional pool, with more sun loungers than any other ship afloat.
When you’ve worked up a thirst, stop by one of four bars, or retreat to cool off in our grandest Solarium yet. Surrounded by glass and standing two decks high, this is the perfect place for adults to relax. The new Solarium Bistro offers sit-down dining areas with healthy entrees and at night it transforms into a unique specialty restaurant.
And don’t miss the ultimate, spine-tingling rush – riding on the Zip Line! There’s nothing like zooming over the BoardwalkSM, a mere nine decks below.
When you have a craving for something sweet visit the Donut Shop or the 1950’s style Ice Cream Parlor.
The Oasis of the Seas if the first to offer My Family Time Dining which accommodates parents and children by offering an expedited 40-minute dining service for young cruisers, ages 3-11.
Ready to go?  Contact us  and we will have you on your way in not time.

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