New Year’s Eve on the Celebrity Solstice                     January 1, 2010

Lisa and I are nearing the end of a wonderful seven night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Solstice as I write this.  It has been an absolutely fabulous cruise with port calls on San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and St. Maarten … more about the ports later.

Let’s first talk about this magnificent ship …

The Solstice is the first of five ships Celebrity has built, is building or will build in the “Solstice class”.  I cannot emphasis the word “class” strongly enough.  As a veteran of over 30 cruises I can honestly say that I have never sailed on such a magnificent ship as the Solstice.  From the moment we stepped aboard, we knew this ship was different.  It is different for a number of reasons and  many of those reasons start with the "Celebrity’s Leading Ladies "  … these five women (a frequent cruiser, a travel agent, a travel writer, a hotelier and a cruise considerer) who had significant input into the initial and ongoing design of the “Solstice class” ships.  The public areas are second to none on the high seas …. with a number of “phenomenal firsts”  including the first ice bar at sea which turned out to be the best people watching venues on the ship as well as the most phenomenal bartenders on the ship … be sure to stop by the ice bar and check in with Rosa and his staff of “flipping” bartenders.  We actually saw him do a number of his famous “stacked martinis”.  At one time during the week he did 30 … a bartending feat that makes Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail seem like a rank amateur. Rosa is the only bartender I have ever seen do this … it is truly something to behold.  Be sure and stop by for at least his martini “sampler” just so you get an idea of the skill that Rosa and his cohorts employ to entertain and quench the thirsty passengers aboard the Solstice.

Another “phenomenal first” is the Aqua Spa.  As the largest spa at sea it also qualifies as one of the top spas to be found anywhere.  Another key insight provided by "Celebrity’s Leading Ladies " was the desire for a more relaxed, intimate shipboard stateroom experience connected to the sea and linked to highly personalized spa elements. The result? A unique class of veranda staterooms called AquaClass, an oceanside retreat created for guests who are most passionate about pampering and “getting away from it all.”

Simplicity and comfort are evident throughout the room, from the bathroom’s fog-free mirror and tall jetted bodywash shower, to the robust pillow menu. Aroma scent selections tied to specific vacation goals (relax, revive, re-energize, etc.) provide guests with a multi-sensory experience, while lavish AquaClass toiletries and refreshing daily teas, juices and bottled water round out the offering.  There’s even a 32” flat screen TV for those of you (like me) that have to get your daily “news fix.” 

Many other upgrades here as well most of which came from the "Celebrity’s Leading Ladies " .  As a result of the input from these ladies, the staterooms have larger bathrooms including larger showers and even a special footrest fro the ladies for shaving their legs.  Much more storage space and larger dressing table are also a result of the committee and a rounded end queen size bed was a welcome respite from a day full of activities.   Our balcony, with its teak flooring and comfortable chairs that reclined with a footstool, were a quiet and secluded getaway from the noise and sometimes crowded public areas of the ship.

AquaClass comprises 130 of the ship’s 1,425 staterooms, each double-occupancy only, creating the perfect grown-up getaway. Guests in AquaClass receive unlimited access to Celebrity Solstice’s new AquaSpa relaxation room on the same deck, and the Persian Garden, an exotic aromatherapy and steam room. AquaClass guests also have an exclusive dining room, Blu, an intimate, 130-seat specialty restaurant with menus developed by Celebrity Cruises culinary consultant, Blau & Associates, which operates upscale eateries for high-end hotels such as Las Vegas Bellagio, Miami’s Setai and Cabo San Lucas One & Only Palmilla.  A cut well above the traditional dining room experience as far as food, elegance and atmosphere are all concerned, Blu was a very special treat for each evening that we dined there.

Yet another “phenomenal first” is that the specialty restaurants are all neighbors on deck five aft.  Most cruise lines scatter these specialty restaurants all over the ship, but on the Solstice they are all in the same neighborhood.  Our favorite by far was the Tuscan Grill, a upscale Italian delight.  Lisa and I had dinner here on New Year’s Eve and had a table right by the windows looking out at the illuminated wake of the ship … a most romantic setting.  Be sure to make your reservations early (online) and stop by early in the evening to make certain that the maitre de has your special table all picked out for you.

A very special wine bar called, Cellar Masters, was indeed a most enjoyable “phenomenal first” in that it is the first significantly upscale bar totally dedicated to wines from the world over (some 50 to 60  available by the glass … even Opus One  and Caymus Select).  It is staffed by knowledgeable, well trained sommeliers and was a nightly stop for us on our adventure.

The public areas of the Solstice were too many to mention here, but of significant note was the multistory library overlooking a central elevator corridor with no less than 8 fully glass elevators that run from deck two to deck 14.  These elevators overlook the ornately decorated central lobby area that you are able to view as the glass elevators speed amongst the floors.  Another “must see” on the Solstice is the Sky Bar located on deck 14 all the way forward.  It is here that you can enjoy your favorite beverage while viewing the magnificent blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

In our opinion, the most unique “phenomenal first” was the “Lawn Club” on deck 14 aft.  This ship is the first in the world to have actual real grass growing on deck ... over a halt acre of it!  These grassy areas we used for putting, croquet, baci or just lounging around.  Seems like every day we saw a different use of the grassy areas including sun bathing on  beach towels and teenage kids just sitting in the grass “hanging out“.  I particularly enjoyed the freedom to light up a great cigar while watching fellow passengers find different uses for the fresh mowed lawns of the Solstice.  This could only be done at the Sunset Bar which is at the absolute aft end of deck 14.  In addition to the activities on the lawn, another “phenomenal first”  is a glass blowing exhibition that actually produces absolutely beautiful pieces that are sold during the cruise.

For a brief 5 minute video of this beautiful ship as put together by Celebrity Cruise Line, click on the following link …… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=papMCNqe8WM

By now hopefully you get that this ship is indeed my favorite of more that 30 + cruises in the last 20 years …. now for the ports-of-call.  First stop, San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The ship actually docks in old San Juan.  This is a 465-year-old neighborhood originally conceived as a military stronghold. Its 7-square-block area has evolved into a charming residential and commercial district. The streets here are paved with cobbles of adoquine, a blue stone cast from furnace slag; they were brought over as ballast on Spanish ships and time and moisture have lent them their characteristic color. The city includes more than 400 carefully restored 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings. The Old San Juan attracts many tourists, who also enjoy the gambling casinos, fine beaches, and tropical climate. More tourists visit San Juan each year than any other spot in the Caribbean. A leisurely foot tour is advisable for those who really want to experience this bit of the Old World, especially given the narrow, steep streets and frequently heavy traffic.

Our next port-of-call was St. Kitts.  St. Kitts is a quaint little Caribbean island whose main crop until a few years ago was sugar, which they have now abandoned for tourism (can you spell cruise ship).  Having never been to St. Kitts, Lisa and I wanted to get the “full story” so we took a delightful little “sugar train” ride half way around the island and learned about the history of this mountainous Caribbean island.  The train which rides on 18 miles of track that took 14 years (Caribbean time??) to build rides along the coast line for the most part and allows you to see life as lived in a variety of small towns along the way.  At the end of the 18 mile ride which takes about two hours, we were taken by bus to meet a catamaran for the balance of our trip around the island.  On this portion of the trip we were able to see the balance of this beautiful Caribbean island which has a lot of similarities to the Hawaiian island of Maui.  While our history lesson on this portion of a four hour excursion was non-existent, the rum punch and Caribe beer were in abundance which made this portion of the trip clearly the more fun part of our four hour adventure.

Next stop was St. Maarten (the Dutch side) of this fun filled Caribbean island which is shared with the French as “St. Martin“.  We were one of four cruise ships in port today.  This is one of the ports that the new Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas will call upon and they now have the Caribbean’s tallest sand pile as a result of the dredging required to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ship.  Lisa and I spent about three hours doing my absolute favorite excursion in the Caribbean, crewing one of the 12 meter America’s Cup yachts in a race with two others.  Now don’t think for a minute that I know the first thing about sailing, but the captain and crew do a phenomenal job of quickly teaching you how to perform your duties to make this a fun event for all.  Lisa and I were on the Starts and Stripes which was Dennis Connor’s winning yacht in the 1987 America’s Cup Race.  It was of significance that we were crewing a boat that was once crewed by the incredible men who won the America’s Cup in 1987.  A fun time was had by all and of course, rum punch to celebrate our second place (by a nose) finish.  We then spent the rest of the afternoon scouring the local shops and bars and enjoying the local scene in St. Maarten.  We even enjoyed a juicy hamburger and a couple of cold beers at the Blue Bitch Bar.

 The last two days on the way back to Ft. Lauderdale were spent onboard our beautiful Solstice further exploring all of the public areas of this, the most beautiful ship at sea (in our humble opinions).   If you would like to appreciate theis AWESOME ship. give us a call ... we can help you get to paradise!

 Anguilla  - October 27, 2009

Well, where shall I start … how about at the beginning.

Several months ago, I asked Lisa what she wanted for her birthday and much to my surprise (not really) she said all she wanted a “trip“. The “trip” was to a resort she had wanted to go to for years and had somehow never managed to get there. The resort is called Cap Juluca and is located on the small Caribbean island of Anguilla. Anguilla had somehow escaped my Caribbean travels over the years also, so it was a trip to a paradise where neither of us had ever been. When I say paradise, it truly is paradise. Let us tell you about it.

We arrived in late October and the entire island with a few exceptions was still closed for the “season” nonetheless our experiences for the most part were over the top.

First of all, paradise(s) are usually never easy to get to, and this one is no different, but three legs (from St. Louis, to Miami, to San Juan to Anguilla) and you arrive in “paradise”. As you make your final approach to Anguilla from San Juan, you realize from the airplane that this place is a bit different … a relatively small island (16 miles long and only 3 miles wide at the widest part of the island) with the bluest waters of the Caribbean rivaling Bermuda in the appeal of the color and clarity of the island.

Upon arrival we proceeded directly to Cap Juluca by private taxi $ 28 US for a 20 minute ride) to the resort. Everything that Lisa and I had ever read about Cap Juluca referred to the beach as “one of the most beautiful in the world” and I’ll have to say the reviews were on the mark. Cap Juluca is situated on the south side of Anguilla facing St. Martin (a mere 20 minute boat ride away and St. Bart‘s 10 minutes further) and receives a generous daily breeze from the south and east that makes the 85 to 88 degrees temperatures and high humidity actually quite pleasant most of the time. We spent a portion of every day on that beautiful beach and were never really uncomfortable despite the heat and humidity.

While we (me in particular) were somewhat disappointed in several ways by the resort itself, all in all, Cap Juluca and, in particular, Anguilla was a delightful adventure for us.

So please let us tell you of our adventures in paradise …

On the day after our arrival, we chartered the Funtime Three, a 37 foot boat, for the day and with Captain Chester and First Mate Checky at the controls, we set our for our day-at-sea adventure. First item of business was a “drive by” of some of the outer islands off Anguilla with names like Prickley Pear Cay, Sandy Island, Meads Bay, Little Bay, Shoal Bay, Sandy Ground and even Long Bay … we saw them all. It was as we approached Mead’s Bay, that we noticed this magnificent new resort, in the final phases of construction, called The Viceroy. The name, of course, is the branding of the Viceroy in other parts of the world … places like Santa Monica, Palm Springs, Miami and Snow Mass. We decided after the “drive by” that we had to see more and were able to arrange a visit for the next morning with Phillip Day (Sales Manager) and Denise Wilder (Meetings and Events) … more on this later.

Next it was off to St. Martin (the French side) for a quick lunch and a camera purchase. Having never been to the French side of the island, it was interesting to see but very familiar with other Caribbean islands where cruise ships make a stop and nothing like the preserved beauty and of yet-to-be-developed Anguilla.

After lunch we headed back to Anguilla where we made a stop at Shoal Bay East and visited with Carol the bartender at Uncle Ernie’s, a cute little “Caribbean like” bar with fantastic rum punch on a the beach just around the corner from the Viceroy. We met some nice folks there (both visitors and locals) and after a quick swim back to our boat and we were on our way again to Little Bay and to check out the CuisinArt Resort … we had to check it out from the waterfront as it had not yet opened for the season. After that it was back to our little piece of paradise for a quick swim then dinner at Pimm’s at Cap Juluca.

One of the highlights of our stay at Cap Juluca was our morning horseback ride on the beach along and in the ocean with our local rastafarian guide.  Highly recommend that you do this at least once while in Anguilla.

Our cab driver from the airport told us that Anguilla was blessed with a variety of great restaurants and awesome food and we found out quickly that he was soooooo right.

A bit about our culinary experiences …

Blanchard’s … small, quaint and somewhat overrated by our best judgment, but nonetheless enjoyable.

Veya, by far one of the best culinary experiences Lisa and I have had in quite some time, was one of our favorites for the week. Owners Carrie and Jerry Bogar provided us with an absolutely divine experience … Lisa with her tuna and me with the “five spice pork” found ourselves wondering how could such a fabulous restaurant be found on such a small Caribbean island. It was then that we met Carrie (the chef) and Jerry (her husband/wine sommelier) and began understand why this was such a fabulous place. Winner of numerous Wine Spectator awards, Veya would rival most big city restaurants.

Picante, the next night, quickly became another favorite of ours and strange as it may seem, yet another husband and wife team … this time is was Theron and Chloe Loizos. Who would ever expect a Mexican/southwest restaurant in the Caribbean much less an awesome one! We started with the ceranno pepper infused (very spicy) margaritas which were an unbelievable surprise and finished the evening with a great meal (enchiladas, local crawfish and steak fajitas) and then more margaritas … with Theron and Chloe who came to Anguilla several years ago from Marin County, California and now call Anguilla home.

Our favorite evening, by far, was our last night in Anguilla. I arranged for a romantic dinner for two on the beach complete with moonlight, tiki torches, the song of the ocean and great food from the hotel’s restaurant called Spice. It was such a perfect evening in so may ways that I decided this would be the time and place to ask Lisa to be marry me … and because of the perfectness of the moment, she said yes.

So, now that Lisa has said yes and I told you earlier that I would have more on the Viceroy later … we are returning to Anguilla in April to recite our marriage vows at this fabulous new resort which sits atop a high coral point separating crystalline Barnes Bay and Meads Bay. Along more than 3,200 feet of exclusive Caribbean beachfront, hotel guests bask in the innovative Kelly Wearstler design, intuitive Viceroy service and unexpected Anguilla resort privileges recognized as Viceroy signatures.

 August 10, 2009

10 Myths Regarding Travel Agents

Myth Number One: Travel agents are expensive

Fact – In most instances travel agents cost little to nothing.  Example … cruise lines … in almost every instance the price you get from a travel agent is the exact same price at the cruise line’s website or toll free number … all inclusive resorts are much the same, i.e. Sandals, Beaches and many, many others. 

If a travel agent actually charges a fee it should be fully disclosed so that you can weigh whether it is worth the cost or not … such as airfares … since airlines no longer pay commissions, it is reasonable for a travel agent to add a service fee for their time in processing your reservation.  That fee is typically $ 20 to $ 25 and is well worth it if you are a busy person.  Some travel agents will usually drop this fee if you are booking other revenue generating travel at the same time such as a cruise, hotel, rental car, etc.

Myth Number Two: All travel agents and agencies are the same

Fact – Just like we are all different as human beings, travel agents are all different as well, each with their own knowledge base and their own area of specialty. So depending on what type of travel you are interested in, one travel agent may suit you better than another.  That makes it critically important when planning travel to find a travel agent that specializes in what you want to do and where you want to go. 

Myth Number Three: Travel agents can only book my flight and hotel

Fact – Most travel agents can book anything related to your trip … hotels, airfare, rental car, cruises, all inclusive resorts … even a guided trip to Antarctica or an African safari.  Personalized tours … mark it done.  Travel agents will often get you into places that you would have missed if you just went there on your own.  They are also excellent sources of information concerning “places to stay away from” and “things to do when you get there”.

Myth Number Four: Good travel agents are hard to find

Fact - Sure there are some below par travel agents, just like there are below par professionals in every field, but great travel agents usually love to travel and have traveled extensively and thus possess knowledge that may prove very helpful in planning your travel.

Myth Number Five: Travel agents are a waste of time

Fact – Although you often can find a lot of the information that you get from a travel agent on your own, you will spend a ton of valuable time doing it.  A good travel agent can save you hours of painful research and price shopping.  Their prior experiences and collective knowledge makes them a valuable resource in trip planning.

Myth Number Six: The internet is more up to date than most travel agents

Fact - Travel agents obtain some of their information from many of the same sources as online booking sites. Typically, they also receive daily emails and faxes with new specials from resorts and hotels that may not be published on the internet. Travel agents can also call a place directly to see if they can work out other kinds of special deals for you, something an online site can’t do.  

Myth Number Seven: I can easily book my trip without the assistance of a travel agent

Fact - Although travel agents have access to all of the same outlets you would use when looking to book travel, they also have access to exclusive pricing and package deals that are most times not available to the public. Your travel agent also has more leverage in helping out in situations such as hotels claiming to be booked, when in fact they may still have rooms available that are on hold for travel agents reservations. So when everyone else is telling you “No” your travel agent can help turn that to a “Yes.”

Myth Number Eight: Nobody uses travel agents anymore

Fact - According to the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), travel agents still sell 51 percent of all airline tickets, 87 percent of all cruises, 81 percent of all tours and packages, 45 percent of all car rentals and about 47 percent of all hotels.

Myth Number Nine: Travel agents are trying to cheat me if they don’t get me the cheapest price

Fact - Good travel agents know the ins and outs of different itineraries. While you might find one that is less expensive, that  itinerary might involve a whole slew of headaches.  For example, longer waits at the airport and odd travel times.  A travel agent will be looking to get you the best value for you money spent which should include the most direct and time friendly itinerary they can find.  Unless you have told them you would prefer to have the cheaper options presented as well expect value to be a factor included in the trip they plan.

Myth Number Ten: I am a savvy internet user so I know I am going to get a better deal than anybody else

Fact – While this is highly unlikely, it is possible in limited instances.  Most cruises lines, all inclusive resorts, tour operators and packagers of travel strictly forbid any form of discounting.  For example, while on our website price any cruise or an all inclusive like Sandals then go directly to their website and price it there … the result will totally disprove this myth!

Any discounts that you see will be generated by the purveyor and should be available no matter where you price your travel … can you say level playing field.  Many times your travel agent will have what is called “group blocked space” and their negotiated price may be better than you can find even by going direct to the purveyor’s site.

So, to recap … for the same cost, often less, a good travel agent will:

-        Save you time

-          Provide experiences – their own and those of clients

-          Be there when you have a question

-          Be a valuable ally in your time of need (you can’t call the internet)

-          Often keep you from making a HUGE mistake

July 10, 2009

June 28, 2009

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch

April 20, 2009

Set amidst flowering cactus and framed against the majestic McDowell Mountains lies the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, where Lisa and I traveled in April for her job as a meeting/event planner.  This resort, long sense driven by for newer versions of hotel/golf resorts of North Scottsdale offers breathtaking desert vistas blend with intriguing Native American culture and pampering amenities to create a Scottsdale Arizona hotel designed to please every guest.