Today, there’s much debate over whether or not it’s worth working with a travel agency when planning a trip.  

When asked whether or not a client plans to use a travel agent to book their vacation, the answer usually depends on what type of vacation they’re looking to go on.  It is more typical for clients to book their once in a lifetime vacations using an agent, then it is for them to book the little weekend getaway.  

When chiming in on the debate, there are quite a few myths out there:  People just aren't educated about how travel agents operate, and most people believe that the customized service costs more, “I think you’re more apt to find better prices when you don’t use a travel agency,” one client I questioned told me.  The Truth couldn't be more contrary.  Travel agents are able to find better price structures because they have the ability to search multiple providers, while the average consumer can't look as globally.   Agents are also able to get the upgrades that vacationers are looking for, because of their long standing relationships with the vendors.  

Another thing to remember is that Agents can almost always price match something that you find online.  This gives you the ability to research a vacation yourself, but still have the support and guidance of an Agent.  

Still even with that being said, the challenge for agencies in today’s economy, is when consumers are looking for vacations primarily on a price point, how can they be convinced to drop their self proclaimed expert status and use a travel agent?
There are plenty of reasons consumers should use A Travel Agent.

It is easy to plan your vacation on the internet, but do you want to?  will you get what you expect, do you have the time to shop around?  and most importantly, for the planner,  are you getting the lowest price?  The Answer to all of those questions is likely no, and here is why:

Agents can find consumers a better deal on their vacation because of their access to vendors and discounted prices offered exclusively through travel agencies.  In addition, relationships built with providers over the years give the agents the upper hand when it comes to getting amenities and upgrades, in other words the VIP treatment for their clients.  

Working with vendors also lets the travel agent find better values for customers.  What makes travel agencies’ services so unique is the customer service that they offer.  A Trip tailored to the needs of a client, and based on experience in the location.  Most agents take advantage of familiarization tours and specialist classed to become intimate with destinations, this gives Agents the ability to offer insights and advice that a consumer might not find on their own.

For example, lets say you are going to Thailand, if you book the ticket on line, the cheapest available flight lands at midnight local time.  having just been there, I can tell you the the latest public transportation from the airport is 11:30pm,  you likely wouldn't think to look up the public transportion schedule, or the price of a taxi, and it wouldn't be until you were already in a cab that you would realize you quadrupled the cost of your ticket, by paying for a cab at that time of the night.  Advice like that you just don't find on your own. 

If all of those reasons were not enough, The one last reason I have to use a Travel Agent is that they take care of  you.  If you need to change a flight or book a tour, or if you get stuck in an airport over night, a good travel agent will have a 24 hour access number for you to call.    They can book you a hotel, change your reservation or hopefully get you on the next flight out a cleveland, all without you dong a thing.  Its part of the Agent's Service to you as a customer, and the biggest reason consumers should use an agency to help plan a vacation.  

The truth is this is a great selling point for the good and the bad of vacations.   When the client does have a problem with their trip, the first person that they blame is often the Travel Agent.  While the agency technically sold the package, they are not responsible for the service that you received on the trip.  For that reason, Agents are typically the first to jump in and help, not only out of jam on the road, but if something really goes wrong with your trip and you need to make a complaint, the relationships an agent has with a vendor, will better the chances of your end result.  

So in the end the answer to the question "should I use a travel agent" is a simple YES, because if you don't like i said you are on your own.  

25 Days and Counting!  

Caribbean cruises make for an amazing vacation, especially if you haven't had the opportunity to see many of the islands first hand.  Cruises give you the ability to explore, and if you don't like it, in a few short hours you'll be off to another destination.  

The more cruises I have the opportunity to book the more the question arises...what should I pack?  If you are anything like me, over packing is probable, but my word of advice is this, no matter what cabin you find yourself in, it is likely a MUCH smaller space than you are used to.  While I believe over packing is a must, I suggest that if you lay out all the things you will think you’ll need, then cut them in half. 

I do have a few must haves on my cruise packing list, and here they are:

• An over the door holder:  I am sure this sounds quite strange when you read it, but I will tell you it saved my sanity on the last cruise I was on.  Ships bathrooms are tiny and the shelf and counter space is even less then you would expect.  I however, am your typical girl, so I travel with perfume, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, baby oil, shower gel, sunscreen, chap-stick, a hair dryer, a curling iron, a flat iron, my toothbrush and about 40 other bottles and items that I NEED! There is no room to put any of this in the bathroom, or the cabin for that matter, so In an attempt to create more storage, I turned to the trusty over the door shoe holder, the cheapest I could find, which I hung on the back of the bathroom door, all of our bottles and stuff found their home in this organizer, it kept things off the tiny counter and at our fingertips when we needed it.  Don’t leave for your cruise without one.

• Highlighter pens:  Since you are on vacation, it is hard to imagine a need for a highlighter, but I suggest you pack one color for each person traveling.  Cruises are packed with activities and not to be missed programming, everyone will have something each day that they want to do, so when the cruise compass (daily guide) gets delivered to your room, you can each highlight your activities in the corresponding color, so during the day the things you don’t want to miss will jump off the page for you

• Post-it notes:  your cabin steward is your best friend on the ship, aside from servicing your room three times a day, and leaving the famous towel animals on your bed, he or she will replace towels and other items, bring your ice or anything else you need, pick up laundry if you have it done…they are your lifeline and the fist place you go when you need help.  I find that post-its are a great way to communicate with the stewards.  You can leave your not to be missed notes on the bathroom mirror, and they are sure to get them.  Post-its are also good for communicating to others in your party, where to meet, what you are up to.  My suggestion is decide on a memo area, where you will leave notes for one another when you first get into your room, this way they will never be missed

• Bungee Cords:  These are great for keeping the doors open in your cabin.  Balcony doors are designed to close automatically, and since it is nice to be able to sleep with the door open so you can hear the ocean around you, a bungee cord will come in handy.  This also is handy if you want to keep the bathroom or closet doors open as well. 
•  Clothes Pins:  Since a lot of time is spent at the pool and the beautiful beached of the Caribbean, and balconies are often used to dry items, but with the wind created by the ships movement, it is easy to lose items at sea.  Clothespins will keep your stuff stuck to the balcony.  

• Duct Tape:  I have also come to learn that there is the possibility for rough seas on a ship, and when this happens the latches on drawers don’t always stand up to the test.  A SMALL roll of duct tape will allow you to tape the drawers closed.  In addition, you can also use it to hang decorations on the outside of your door, or if your suit case breaks from over stuffing it with everything you buy in the islands.  

There you have it, my most unique items to bring on a cruise list.  Do you have something you can’t live without???  If so I would love to know what it is, maybe I need it too.

Now that the holidays are upon us, the time has come for me to start counting down the days to my next adventure. 

With 30-days before we sail, I figured now would not only be a good time to start blogging about the trip, but also to start resolve, to provide our friends and clients with a more consistent stream of information, ideas, photos and spotlights on destinations.  

With that said, On December 24th, 2011, I will be sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas.  Leaving from New Orleans, LA ~ with ports of call in Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica

Voyager of the seas is considered a mega ship, the likes of which I have sailed on before, however this time I am excited to be taking a first time cruiser with me.  (I am sure he will share his perspective of the whole trip in a later blog).  But for those of you that have not cruised before, or are thinking about a cruise on a mega ship,  here is a little information on Voyager of the Seas.

Completed in 1999, she is one the namesake of the voyager class of ships.  Accommodating 3114,  she weighs in at 137,276 gross tons and is 1,020 feet long with a beam of 156 Ft.  

The ships boosts 2 major pool areas, an adult solarium with a retracting roof, and the main pool deck, both equipped with bars and cocktail service, to satisfy thirst.    There are several dining options onboard, including a buffet, sushi bar, and pizza and sandwich shop.  Portofino, the sociality restaurant is available with reservations and a small service fee, but the main dining room boasts two traditional seatings, where Guests are assigned a meal time, a wait staff and a table.  Each meal is 5 expertly served courses, usually with a themed menu such as Italian, Caribbean or seafood. 

Commonly referred to as a floating hotel, voyager has a rock climbing wall, casino and an ice skating rink listed as some of her many amenities.  Voyager also boasts it’s awarding winning Royal Promenade, which features world class lounges, bars and light dining options, as well as shops and entertainment.  
With all of the traditions of crusings, such as the midnight buffet, the opulent theather shows and the outstanding drinks, programming and entertainment, I wonder what the holidays will bring to the ship.  The addition of Christmas dinner and a New Years Party, I am sure will be something to talk about.

I am really excited to be able to share the trip with you – in hopes that it will evoke some new ideas for your future vacations