Traveling during Covid 19

 Last month I tool my first international trip in over eighteen months. This was the first time I had crossed the Atlantic since Covid began.

Even though I am vaccinated Morocco, as many other countries, require a negative Covid test before they allow you on the plane. Some countries require the best to be done 72 hours before you arrive others seven days. This is a fluid situation and just one of the many reasons to use a Travel Agent. 

For Morocco, their 72 hours meant 72 hours before I landed, not from the time my flight departed. I did my test Friday morning at 10am and had my results by 7pm that evening. Some airlines are requiring you to print your results and others will accept a screen shot on your phone. I printed two copies of mine as I thought that was better than handing my phone to other people. They checked my results at the airport in the USA and then at least three times once I arrived in Casablanca.

Whilst checking in at JFK airport with Royal Air Marco I was surprised at the number of people without Covid tests. Fortunately, most airports do offer testing but you pay a much higher price. My test was free through my insurance rather than the $150 at the airport.

Masks are required throughout the airport and whilst on the plane. The only time you can remove them is when you are actively eating or drinking. Most people are very good at obeying this, although on my return I did notice several people with their masks under their chin.

I took disposable masks with me so that after the flight I could just throw them away rather than try to wash them. I also made sure I had an extra mask, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. I was given an individually wrapped wipe on each of the flights by the airline but I was glad I brought my own.

Even though they say the planes are cleaned and disinfected after every flight I don't feel like they did a great job. I wiped down the armrest, TV and tray as soon as I got to my seat. On my return flight, I found trash in my tray so I knew it haven't been thoroughly cleaned before take off.

Returning to the USA requires another Covid test within three days of your return. This can be arranged in just about any country but you do have to pay for it. For me, The Four Seasons in Marrakesh, where I was staying, arranged for me to take my test at the hotel. The test was done in the morning before we left for the day and the results were delivered to my room that evening. The cost of the test was $80 which I paid directly to the hotel.

Even though traveling during Covid requires some extra steps and some extra money it is a great time to travel. The world is slowly opening up but it will take time. For me, the best part was traeling and seeing the sights without crowds. When we visited the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca we were the only people there. Normally this area is full with tourists.

Now is the perfect time to travel so you are "Far from the Maddening Crowds"

Universal Studios Orlando Florida

            After a quarter-century spent living in the shadow of the behemoth that is Walt Disney World, Universal Studios: Orlando has begun to emerge as a respectable theme park. While the razzle and dazzle-Hollywood theme had managed to give Universal a theme of its own; the establishment of Harry Potter World and the continued success of the Marvel line of products allows Universal to exist as a viable alternative to Walt Disney’s Goliath.

          

  The resorts surrounding Universal Studios are top notch. Every resort and hotel is filled with class and professionalism, and is designed to make life as easy as possible for park-goers. For every hotel, there are accommodations that allow for easy transport from the hotel to the park and back. Shuttles and faeries are both available, and run on a regular schedule to each resort. Some resorts also offer guests special deals on Fast Passes, which are an incredible commodity in the park. Fast passes turn an hour wait into a fifteen minute wait, allowing guests the time to see everything there is to see and doing everything they want to do.

(Image Credit: Ian Dagnall / Alamy)

            Disney is going to maintain a stranglehold on all children from birth to the age of ten, but Universal Studios found its niche just above that. The addition of Harry Potter World is an immense appeal to any fan of the series, especially those who fit J.K. Rowling’s intended demographic of children aged 11-15. Universal Studios put a lot of effort into the Wizarding World, and even those who aren’t super-fans will find something to grab their attention. Each of the rides are engaging, and fans of the series are rewarded with references to the series, but strangers to the series will still be entertained by the exhilarating twists and turns of each ride. The lines for the rides in the Wizarding World can often be a bit much, occasionally extending to around an hour. For fans, this wait is worth it. For those who have just a casual knowledge, an hour wait isn’t worth it. However, for those who can handle the line, they’ll be treated to a variety of references, and quite a bit of interesting architecture. One of the largest sections of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the incredible selection of shops. These shops are densely packed into the park, and almost always have lines out the door, filled with little wizards and witches waiting to get their own wands and robes. For those kids, the wait is worth every second, and the price is worth every penny. It’s an incredible sight to see hundreds of children cloaked in robes and casting spells. There are even certain spots in the park where the spells cause a reaction. For example, if you wave you wand at a fountain, it’ll emit a stream of water. The look of awe on a child’s face after they cast a spell is incredible. All in all, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a bucket list trip for any fan of the series, and an enjoyable for anyone else tagging along. Lifelong fans will likely be inclined to pick up a couple of souvenirs, but the prices and lines may prove to be a bit steep for some park-goers.

   

            While the Wizarding World of Harry Potter signifies a large investment and change for the park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure haven’t seen much change recently, because it hasn’t needed any change. All the beloved Marvel characters and rides are still there, with multiple roller coasters and thrill rides dotting the island. On the inside, everyone is still a kid. There’s an incredibly simple reason why Marvel movies make a billion dollars. People love superheroes. Universal’s Islands of Adventure allows people young and old to indulge themselves. Kids and parents can let loose and watch Spider-Man save the day, they can wave to the Fantastic Four on the street, and get blasted out of the Hulk’s roller coaster.

           

  With Universal’s Islands of Adventure combined with the classic Hollywood charm of Universal Studios, the park becomes an incredibly surreal treat. After waving to Marilyn Monroe on the street and passing rides based on Minions, Shrek, and Transformers, guests can board a train and be transported to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

            If there’s a certain older attraction that particularly appeals to your family, you may want to plan a trip sooner rather than later. Recently, Universal announced a partnership with Nintendo to bring Nintendo licensed characters and themed rides to the Orlando park. With more rides and characters on the way, Universal is showing its ambition and initiative, but this may come at the cost of some older rides.

            For now, Universal Studios: Orlando still has the lovely charm of old rides like ET. For anyone who went to Universal Studios as a child and rode the ET Ride; do it again. The ride won’t be long, and you won’t regret it. Besides, who knows how much longer it’ll be there?

Review written by Liam Griffin

Royal Caribbeans Freedom of the Seas

  We are on the third day of our trip.  This more like a fact finding trip than it is a vacation.  Everywhere we go Marianne is taking pictures and asking question.  "How much would this excursion cost."  What is the cost of the ship's WiFi.  How much is that drink package!  We are on Freedom of the Seas.  It is a beautifully refurbished ship.  It has a long promenade running three quarters of the length of the ship.  It is covered in shops of various types.  Jewelry stores, clothiers and small specialty shops fill the promenade.  There is something there for everyone.

  Yesterday we watched a movie on the big screen.  I have to warn you.  If you take in a show at the main theaters, bring your winter jackets.  We froze.  After dinner we watched the Super Bowl on the numerous televisions in the ice rink.  It was an exciting game with a sad ending.  The funny thing is, it was warmer there than it was in the theater.

  I have to admit, I like Royal Caribbean better than some of the other cruise lines but the staterooms are smaller.  The staff on this ship is mixed nationality and while they have been very attentive I have had to straighten out a couple of issues they have overlooked in there care of our needs.

  The ship is spotless and like all cruise lines there is continuous maintenance going on.  There are announcements every few ours announcing a painting auction here or a wine tastings or cooking class there.
We have a couple of friends along on this trip and they are a couple of practical jokers.
Today we spent the day in Labadee which is Royal Caribbeans private island, in Haiti. It has beautiful beaches but is rocky - water shoes are very useful here. Wheelchairs are available to take people onto the beach and a trams runs from the ship to the end although it is only a 20 minute walk. Royal Caribbean offers lots of water sports here, a long zip line and even a roller coaster but for me it was the perfect day to just sit in a beach chair and watch the waves and enjoy the sun

Alaska Day 3

So we are finally underway.  The first day is a sea day.  After a fulfilling breakfast in the Windjammer Cafe we explored the ship.  Marianne and I have taken over a dozen cruises with half of them being on Royal Caribbean and each ship is different and unique.   As we moved about the ship among 2,500 of our newest friends we found many small bars and shops catering to our every need,  The ship was having a sale on winter coats as well as gloves and hats.  A friend of mine had taken this trip two weeks ago and he had warned me that once we left Vancouver there would be a drastic change in the temperature,  He was right.  Interestingly enough Royal Caribbean held the clothing sale basically outside near the pool and of course this reinforced the change in the thermostat.  I bought my wife a reversible jacket that was water proof and lined.
We had brought sweatshirts but we quickly realized that it wasn't enough. We continued exploring the ship.

After lunch several of our group went to various classes and programs offered by the ship.  At dinner we joined with the rest of our contingent and shared days activities.  What is nice about this cruise is the fact that it is a majority older crowd.  I'd guess 95% was over fifty.  Which means we had to slow down for the slower crowd and try not to giggle at the wheel chair racer that nearly took out a group of Japanese travelers waiting for the elevator.  I later learned it was a father and son and the father was 98.

Dinner was a sumptuous affair but I swear we were served the happy meal sized version but the wife says that the smaller portions are healthier for me.  Good thing the Windjammer stays open later.  We shared our days activities with the others at our table and I was even able to prank a friend of mine with a surprise birthday celebration at dinner.  Boy was he surprised since his birthday isn't until December, he figured out it was me so I'm watching out for his retribution.

After dinner we took in a musical production.  I can say that Marianne and I have attended musicals on Broadway and the Kennedy Center as well as dinner theater production and I'm sorry but while the actors, singers and dancers had a lot of enthusiasm their director would have been better off with something else because none of us could figure out what the show was about.

Later some of our group found, Derreck Wayne a young ship's entertainer outside the Schooner Bar.  He is an extremely talented pianist and singer.  He has an amazing knowledge of songs from the 50's to the present and pleasing voice to go along with nimble finger that glide across the keyboard with style and grace.

Lastly several of us found a karaoke lounge a short distance away.  I have to admit its fun to get up and sing with an actual band behind me and they made me sound just like Elvis even though Ii missed a word here and there.  Unfortunately they couldn't help some members of our fellow travelers.  Now we know what they did with the money their parents gave them for singing lessons.  They bought candy instead.

Alaska 2016 Day2

It's now our day of departure.  We awoke early, and set out to explore a little of downtown Vancouver.  The streets are already busy at 6:00 am.  Cars are moving and the locals are filling the nearby cafe we found.  The Brekka Cafe makes wonderfully decadent sweet treats from donuts and scones to cakes and pie.  Their teas and coffees were good as well.

After whetting our appetites we strolled back towards our hotel.  It was interesting to see the similarities of Vancouver and Washington, D.C.  The homeless were up and about and quick to ask for money.  They were not aggressive about it and took our "No Thank You" with a shrugged and quickly moved to the next likely mark.

Back at the hotel we touched base with many of our customers and made sure all of their needs were being taken care of and we reminded them to meet us in the lobby at 10:45 in order to meet the buses to the port.

By 10:40, everyone was in the lobby and I felt bad for any incoming guest as we pretty much filled the lobby.  We moved out in groups of ten Marianne made sure everyone had their boarding passed and passport easily available.

Check in at the Royal Caribbean was slow and they could have used a bit more air conditioning as the 2,500 passengers lined up to get checked in.  Next we went through U.S. Customs and Immigration.  This a little different as we would normally do this at the end of a trip not the beginning.  If you were a U.S. citizen it went quickly as they had six kiosk open but if you were not then you had one kiosk and you waited and waited.  Finally as the non U.S. citizen line began backing up due to manpower and computer issues they finally added another two kiosk.

Things went smoothly after that and we were on board and with beer in hand we moved about the ship exploring its hidden secrets.  It had been awhile since I've been on a Royal Caribbean Ship and I had forgotten the little treats, i.e. shuffle board, pool tables, ping pond and good food.

As promised we had access to our cabin at 1:00 pm and we managed a short nap before the muster drill.
Dinner was a grand experience but I personally think the portions could be a little larger.  After dinner the ladies of our group found a fantastic young piano player in the schooner lounge and spent the rest of the evening singing and making merry.

Alaska 2016 Day 1

We all safely arrived in Vancouver yesterday after an adventurous day.

Several of us were flying Delta , which after their computer outrage on Monday did mean a long layover. Auto correct is definitely not my friend. Since my group was going to be running late I had to get one of the other agents traveling with us to meet up with my clients from Japan. They had a hard time because instead of typing "Look for a blond girl with 3 Japanese people", I typed "Very Blind Girl." .  This led to a mad scramble throughout the airport looking for the "Very Blind" girl.  Needless to say three jumbo jets arrived at 

the same time and it appeared as if it was an Asian invasion. She was found eventually sans the white cane.

Of course this is on top of the fact that all the Delta flights were delayed. We finally arrived at our hotel (Century Plaza Spa) it was a welcome relief.  Several of our group arrived before us and asked the local hotel staff their recommendations for a good restaurant.  They ended up in a restaurant with great food and outstanding service, it also happened to be a restaurant that was heavily favored by the LGBT community.  It was a great time had by all.

Then one of our travelers decided to go to the local grocery store three blocks away and grab a case of water, unfortunately he exited the store via a different door and ended up going in the wrong direction from the hotel and became hopelessly lost.  His daughter was able to finally get in touch with him on his cell phone and grabbed a cab and picked him up. (Whew!)

I've been traveling internationally for over thirty years and assisting my wife with her travel business for ten.  I've learned that when you escort a group of travelers (31 on this trip) you are always going to have some excitement, bur for Pete's sake can't we get on the ship before it starts.

Review of the Carnival Pride

So way back in January Carnival invited me to cruise on the Pride out of Baltimore.
I have so many clients that love sailing on this ship due to the convenience of sailing out of Baltimore, but for me personally it has never been of interest. After all when I cruise I like it to be warm and sunny and spend my time at the pool or on the beach or exploring new ports of call. This cruise sailed in January.

And as you can tell from the above picture we actually had snow on the pool chairs

My second issue before with this cruise is I don't think it has a very exciting itinerary.
We sailed to Port Canaveral, Nassau and Freeport - although on some cruise they do skip Port Canaveral and visit Grand Turks instead

Surprisingly enough I loved this cruise. The ship is definitely older than a lot that I have been on but that was part of what I loved about it, yes maybe it was older but it was built better than the ships that are being built today and so it was designed to last longer.

Walking on board, the first thing I noticed is the atrium is not a wide open space like on most cruise ships

But on a cold winters day it did feel cozy. 

The ship itself in my opinion is quirky with a strong Renaissance feel to it,

One of the funniest things I heard on board was a fellow passenger in the elevator saying how she wouldn't recommend this ship to anyone as it had too many pictures of naked people on board!.

The big question I always ask myself after I cruise is "Would I sail on this ship/itinerary again?" and in this case I would give it a big DEFINITELY

Even though it was cold as we sailed down the coast we did have 2 beautiful sunny days in the Bahamas. The entertainment on the ship - especially the Piano Man was amazing,and the staff among the friendliest I have experienced in a long time

Since it was cold on board we spent a lot of time participating on the on board activities and meeting people. There is nothing like a 3 hour sea day brunch with some very friendly people.We never felt that we had to hurry up and do something or to get somewhere which really made it the perfect getaway

For those that wanted to spend time in the pool they do have a cover so it is not freezing - although I still thought it was too cold. There were a lot of people hanging out there and kids playing in the water

During the summer I think this cruise prices way to high but for a winter getaway, with the lower prices I think it is perfect.

I actually thought about checking prices to take my husband or a group of girlfriends in January 2015 but the Pride is getting a face lift and will be in Tampa until March so maybe I will hold off until the following year. I just hope that the "facefit" doesn't take away her charm and quirkiness 

What to do when the weather interrupts your travel plans

So since most of the East coast is snowed in right now I figured this would be a good time to talk about what you can do when the weather interrupts your travel plans.
For me the most important thing in any vacation is travel insurance. Travel insurance protects your investment in your vacation. If there is a major storm like today then you have the option of just cancelling your vacation and receiving a refund from the insurance company. Different companies have different policies, some allow you to cancel for any reason others will require you to wait until the airline cancels your flight before they will refund your money.
Don't forget its not just in the winter that weather can disrupt your travel plans, personally my vacation plans have been interrupted more from hurricanes rather than snow

Fortunately when major storms comes we do know ahead of time and to save your vacation it plans to be proactive.
I have a client who cruises every New Year. She takes insurance but wants the vacation so when we book the flight she goes down a day early plus we put a rental car on hold. If a major storm is due she just drives down in the rental car and then flies back afterwards. (Make sure you call the airline,first, if you don't let them know you will not be on the first leg of your flight they will cancel your whole ticket)

For this storm many airlines cancelled their flights for Thursday by Wednesday, be proactive - call the airline, tell them you are willing to leave early, can you fly from another airport? In situations like this the airline will work with you and not charge any change fees

Of course, the best advise I can give is call a travel agent when you book your vacation. Travel agents know what to do in a storm and know the shortcuts. Can you imagine all of those people trying to get through to a major on line travel agencies , who really don't have the staff to answer the phones on a normal day yet alone before a storm?

2013 Year in review

So 2013 was a year of change for me.
I started something new and meet a lot of wonderful people and traveled to some new places.
I officially started my company on 1st February 2013 after leaving the store front agency I was with. It has been quite an adventure.
I never knew there was so much that had to be done with running and promoting your own business. I am so thankful for all of my friends who have encouraged me and supported me on this journey. I am also thankful for those clients who were with me before who still wanted to work with me and tracked me down so I could continue to book their travel
I love working for myself but have figured out the one thing I don't like is marketing! Oh and changing my website, which if you look at it you will see that it hasn't changed since the company that designed it made it all up - well except for the special offers but they do that too.
It took a while but I found someone to design my logo and I think she did an amazing job

I do love my website and hopefully sometime this year I will have a section for photos and one for customer comments Who knows maybe I will even figure out how to have it featured easier on google and other search engines
www.griffinwwtravel.com

I was able to do more traveling in 2013 and look forward to doing even more in 2014. I have meet some wonderful people and visited some great resorts

I did my yearly cruise with a great group of friends who travel with me every year

I am hoping that 2014 will be even more successful than 2013 and I hope to send clients to places they have only dreamed about and to have experiences that will stay with them forever.
I am working with a friend to set up some special tours to England, Kenya and Israel and planning on taking a group to the Baltics in June 2015.
Heres to a successful and memorable 2014

Carnival Breeze Vacation Day 7 Part 2

Since I had so much to write about Aruba I did put it into two posts.
The other half of our group went on a private tour of this island. I decided to use this group as guinea pigs and try a new company called :Tours by Locals". I am always a little nervous when using a new vendor I haven't used before but I can now highly recommend this vendor for my clients.
Francis was our guide and she was fabulous! We were actually the first customers to use Aruba's new electric bus. Think about it - one bus for 10 people- we had so much space and because it was a bus getting on and off was so easy.

Our first spot was the Aloe factory where we treated sun burnt knees with soothing freshly cut aloe. These products are amazing and what a great way to support the local economy. Aruba manufactures their own sunscreen and after sun lotion and I can vouch for it being the best I've ever used.

After that it was off to the California Lighthouse

There is so much to see and do on this island We visited Rock formations, saw Indian drawings and learnt so much about this island. I have spent over 2 weeks in Aruba and learnt so much from Francis in one day that I did staying in a hotel and exploring on my own. To be able to be in a small group with a knowledgeable guide who actually lives in the area we were visiting was a great experience and I cannot wait to go back to Aruba and see Francis and also to use Tours by Locals in other countries

Carnival Breeze Vacation Day 7 Part 1

This is one of my favorite of the Caribbean Islands. Its pristine beaches are carefully groomed every morning at dawn. All the beaches are public so there is no issue with what beach you want to go to. Everywhere you go you see parasailing and snorkeler and banana boats.
Out group split into 2 groups today . Some of the group went to JADS dive center, a professional PADI certified operation. Best thing, they actually picked us up at the pier! Eric was their dive master and he was a true professional. For their first dive the group was taken to the Arashi reef. At a depth of 45 feet they were surrounded by crystal clear water and a pure white sandy bottom. Much to their surprise there was a huge number of sea turtles swimming about

For their second dive they headed to the Antilla. The Antilla is a 430 foot German freighter that was sunk in 1940. The deepest dive is 55 feet down and the ship has become an artificial reef teaming with a varied collection of sea life. After exploring the outside of the ship we were permitted to the inner sanctum of the ship. Passing under large steel beams and wire cables gave them a little pause for concern before going thru a passageway through the bowels of the ship. After 40 minutes most of the group were at 1,000 PSI (air left in the tank) and it was time to head back to the boat. I can tell you for my son who has done over 22 dives - not bad for a 15 year old- this was his favourite dive

Stay tuned as I will do part tow for Aruba tomorrow

Carnival Breeze Vacation Day 6

Today was a great day to sleep in as we didn't arrive in port until 2pm.Exiting the ship we were held up slightly by the ships photographers looking for a photo opportunity. I know all cruise lines do this as people are walking down the gangway but what I don't understand is why? We are trying to get off the ship and get to shore excursions or visit the island - why do they cause a traffic jam at the exit? Why not just stick to pictures on the Pier, off the gangway? Okay, finished ranting now.

As we exited the ship we were welcomed by pouring rain. Fortunately we found shelter under some awnings where several islanders were selling their wares. They were several smart buys to be made here by the savvy shopper. We walked past the old fort that guarded the outlet of the river to the sea and which now a days houses some offices, restaurants and shops. Our attempt to cross the river on the platoon bridge was denied as the bridge was retracted to allow a cruise ship to leave.

 Fortunately there are three ways to get across the river to get into town. Since we didn't want to take a tour or a cab that went over the traffic bridge we waited and took the ferry across which was free. This ferry is not for the weak of heart. We were packed on together like sardines in a can , obviously the sign saying 150 people limit was a suggestion not a rule!
We arrived on the other side of the river and made our way to the floating market. I had heard a lot about the floating market but I was a little disappointed. The islanders bring their wares to sell up by boat and then have stalls on land on which to set up. Maybe it was because we were there late in the day but I was not impressed

We investigated many of the small shops and dealers and honestly we didn't find many bargains. Even though our ship was there until 11pm most of the shops still closed at 6pm local time . We did find a McDonalds much to my sons delight - one of his goals in life is to visit a McDonalds in every country.
We returned to the ship to eat dinner and afterwards ventured back out to see the island at night. If you wanted to sit and drink or eat and listen to music there were plenty of opportunities to do so especially the other side of the river. My concern would be crossing back over the platoon bridge. It has to open for every ship or boat and takes at least 45 minutes to open and close I think it only stayed open for about 10 minutes each time before it started closing again
Overall Curacao is a beautiful kaleidoscope of colourful buildings, all of them trimmed in white with the rest of the building painted in bright colours. You wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to see the platoon bridge lit up at night and the rest of downtown Curacao.

Carnival Breeze Vacation Day 5

Arriving in the Dominican Republic we were greeted by beautiful weather and helpful islanders. Todays challenge was to move 18 people from the pier to Dreams La Ramona. I had been informed that it was just a short cab ride from the pier , ah but how much and how many cabs were we going to need and how do you make sure we are safe and not being ripped off? With a little trepidation I found a local kiosk for the tourist bureau. They were helpful in terms of where to find the cabs but not the fare. Luckily we found a cab kiosk with the prices clearly printed, $9 per person. We were given to Gabriel who spoke wonderful English and was very informative. He found us a second cab so that we were all able to travel in just 2 vehicles. Gabriel even arranged for us to be picked back up in time to get back to the ship.
We arrived at Dreams La Ramona and it was in fact a dream. Excellent security and a long private road ending at a beautiful welcome center. Everyone was welcomed with a glass of champagne while I quickly checked everyone in and then it was off to the private beach where the drinks and food were included and the resort offered everything from scuba diving, para sailing, banana boat rides, and much more.
The kids and some adults ran off to play ocean football and later volleyball in the pool. One word of warning, this all inclusive resort doesn't ID so they go by the Caribbean age of drinking, if you can reach the bar - you can drink!
Our time ended too quickly and soon it was back in Gabriel's cab and back to the ship. Once on board it was either spa or nap time.
The ship does offer lots of entertainment in the evenings. This time around I was a little disappointed in the comedy club. In the past they have normally offered 2 family friendly shows, this sailing they only had one - at 7:30pm . This made it hard for us to go to as we normally didn't;'t finish dinner until 8pm, so we either had to skip dessert or skip the family friendly show.

Carnival Breeze Vacation Day 4

Today we docked at Grand Turks.
For the seasoned traveler this small island may not hold massive allure but for the first time visitor it is a tropical paradise. Personally, I love the fact that you step of the ship directly onto pristine white sand beaches and blue oceans. There is no reason really to do anything else here except get off the ship and enjoy the beautiful beach. Of course, they have shopping and even a Margaretville for those that want somewhere with a lively atmosphere. Also, along the shore they have giant inflatable icebergs and slide for the young at heart to play on.
 If you want to do something more exciting they do have a flow rider and it is a great location to go off on an ATV

Carnival Breeze Vacation day 3

Today is our first full day at sea.

After a delightful breakfast at the Marketplace, I was ready for a day of relaxation. First thing to do is to find a spot at the adult’s only “Serenity” deck.  After spending some time relaxing, it’s time to head off to the spa . This cruise, I purchased the unlimited use of the Thalassotherapy pool and thermal suite. What a wonderful way to de-stress and relax all the tensions out of my muscles.  This package is included to anyone sailing in a spa category cabin.

Carnival now has the Guys Burgers on a lot of their ships. This really is not a good thing. They are irresistible!! I really am not a burger fan but here I am again eating yet another burger with the most amazing fries around  This is not a good thing for them to have on their ships I will eat them every day.

 

While I eat at Guy’s my son is at Tandoor for their rice and curry. This is where he will eat every day but I’m sure it is much healthier than what I am eating. I have discovered the best trick to eating dessert on the ship. I go and get one of everything and bring it back to the table and make everyone at the table try them, this way I get a taste of every dessert but not as many calories

We have found wonderful staff in the Red Frog Pub – namely Jennine from Jamaica and for the past two nights have spent our evenings here playing Pub Trivia. It really does make you feel special when the staff call you by name and remember your drink. I think we will be spending quite a bit of time here especially since we convinced them to turn on the football game so we could cheer on the Redskins

 

Carnival Breeze Vacation Day 2

Bon Voyage

Everyone has successfully made it onto the ship and we have sailed off into the sunset

The Breeze is one of Carnivals newest ships. This magnificent 130,000 ton vessel was put into service in 2012.  Despite this there are numerous issues that I wouldn’t have expected on such a new ship.  Example:  The light fell off the wall in one of our guest’s room.  The safe didn’t seem to work until I  finally found a steward to explain the operating procedures which should have been inside the safe.

  This is not your typical “Vegas party design” ship. For this interior Carnival hired Partner Ship Design so the layout seems to be more airy and lighter with pastel colours rather than Carnivals normally gaudy colours.  In the buffet section of the ship they made the seating area more spacious while the walking areas from the buffet to the seating areas are narrower hence, you’re bumping into people with your hands laden with food.

Since we are sailing over Thanksgiving there are a lot of multi-generational families on board.  This also means there are a lot of children running about the ship. Unfortunately Carnival does not have a curfew for those under 18 like many other cruise lines so the youth seem to be running around the ship at all time of day and night with no supervision

 

Not to worry , we won't let that disrupt our vacation. The mandatory muster drill is now done in the conference room with a video. I will admit it is nice not to have to stand around on the open deck wearing a bulky lifevest pressed together like sardines in a can

 

 

Carnival Breeze Vacation Day 1

Over the years my husband and I have developed a fun routine.  We travel to Florida to take a cruise and we always go down a couple of days early.  This allows us to relax and wind down from the long drive and the stresses of preparing for the trip.

Because of our careers and family obligations, many of us leave our trip preparations to the last minute.  Now we find ourselves running around the house trying to find those swimming trunks we haven’t worn in a while and the panicked run to the store for the new swimsuit because the one from last summer no longer fits.

So by going to Florida a couple of days early, we have a chance to sit by the pool at a friendly Marriott hotel and enjoy the breeze wafting from the ocean and the feel of the  sun beating down on my skin as the muscular pool boy gently caresses the suntan lotion onto my hot skin.  What wait a minute that’s a dream, I’m sorry I must have dozed off.  The heat of the Florida sun is pleasing and a couple of days enjoying that before the cruise can truly enhance your vacation.

Since my Beautiful “single” daughter lives in south Florida it gives me a chance to enjoy some quality time with her.  She knows all of the best places for a pedicure and now I can show off my toes on the cruise with pride.

I’m escorting a group aboard the Carnival Breeze and we will be cruising for eight days in the hot tropics.  I have to admit, this beats the heck out of the 30 and 40 degree weather I left behind in Northern Virginia.  

This year our travel down was much better than last year.  Last year we traveled to Florida and drove through the remnants of Hurricane Sandy.  Then the cruise ship was delayed getting back into port and eventually our trip delayed by a day and the cruise line had to cut out one of the port visits to make up for the time.  For this reason we decided this year to travel over Thanksgiving.  Hurricane season is officially over and none of the moms in the group wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner.

Let’s be honest.  Who wants to cook Thanksgiving dinner when you can served Thanksgiving dinner in a five star restaurant with several waiters catering to your every need and afterwards enjoying a Broadway style musical review and then laughing as your friends try their hand at the karaoke club.  

Travels with Marianne: Introduction

Travels with Marianne: Introduction: Welcome to Travels with Marianne,  To be honest this is my first attempt at writing a blog and I'm not promising to knock your soxs off....

Introduction

Welcome to Travels with Marianne,  To be honest this is my first attempt at writing a blog and I'm not promising to knock your soxs off.  I do love to travel. I began taking my Girl Scouts and Boys Scouts on international trips and discovered I had a knack for planning and taking groups on fun filled trips.  I did so much of the planning that a local travel agent complained that there was nothing left for her to do but book it.  That eventually led to a job offer at that agency.

 I have been a Travel Consultant for the past 7 years and have not lost my enthusiasm for traveling. In 2013 I started by own business, Griffin Worldwide Travel.

Since I got my Facebook account up and my website (www.griffinwwtravel.com) I thought it would be fun to start a blog for when I travel and since I leave on a trip next week, I figured I'd better get going.

Over Thanksgiving, I will be on an eight day Southern Caribbean cruise on board the Carnival Breeze with an amazing group of friends and scouts, whom I love to travel with. Hopefully, the internet on board the ship will be faster than in the past as I hope to be able to do a daily blog with photos.

So stay tuned for more

Marianne