By Gale Phillips February 10, 2011
It's always a pleasure doing business with you and wanted to thank you especially for being there for us during the uncertainty leading up to our recent Egypt trip. Your great customer service is much appreciated and we look forward to booking another fun vacation with you soon! Thank you again! ...read more
'Most Americans don't realize their regular health insurance may not cover them when traveling outside of the United States' Travel Arrangement Coverage Medical Protection Worldwide Emergency Assistance Baggage Protection When your sights are set on an exciting vacation filled with sun- splashed beaches, it's not much fun to stop and consider the options that protect against unforeseen events that may mar your getaway (not to mention the additional cost). But it's time for a reality check. Whenever a problem occurs during a trip, it's almost always the traveler that loses out. They lose either time or money, but most often it's both. In addition to illness and accidents, here are some other unforeseen (and unhappy) events you may encounter prior to or during your travels: You've paid for your cruise six months out and a crisis hits: you're down-sized out of a job, there's a death in the family, or some other catastrophe strikes and you're unable to get away. While the deadline for a "free" cancellation has passed, you may think that the cruise line or resort will be able to waive the cancellation penalty, but unfortunately, they cannot. Travel insurance has you covered. A big snowstorm hits the day you're scheduled to start your vacation, and your flight is cancelled. Or your flight is delayed — as a result, you don't make your connection in time and arrive after your ship has sailed. Ultimately, you catch up to your cruise ship, but you've missed several days that you paid for. You've also incurred the costs to change reservations and arrange flights to the next port of call. Is the cruise line or the airline responsible? If you read the small print on your tickets you will find that they are not. Only travel insurance will make up for this loss. Cruise lines and airlines cannot claim responsibility for anything that's beyond their control. If you miss your plane, there's no reimbursement for days missed aboard ship. In the event of a weather or carrier-created delay, no airline is obligated to connect you with your cruise ship — they're only obligated to get you to your ticketed destination. Similarly, your cruise line isn't required to pay any extra costs involved in connecting you with your ship, and your resort is not obligated to reimburse you for days missed. Travel insurance, however, would give you some recourse in all of these instances. It's also important to know that if a serious health issue arises on your vacation, you shouldn't expect to find medical conditions comparable to those found in most U.S. hospitals. For example a cruise line is not required to conform to American medical standards. Their ability to handle a critical situation is limited — if you fall ill, the ship's doctor will either contact your insurance carrier or put you ashore at the next port of call where you'll be met by an ambulance and taken to a local hospital. And, conditions at foreign hospitals are frequently not up to American standards. It is very common that people shut down when they hear the word insurance." Even though it is an extra cost, it's invaluable if you have a problem. It can get really expensive when you don't have insurance. Additionally, there's the added security that comes with knowing that insurance can offer full or partial compensation in the event you can't travel. Buying insurance doesn't guarantee your trip will be worry free, but it does help alleviate enormous concerns that can arise when trouble occurs before or during your hard- earned vacation. For many, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind. CruiseOne Eric&Barb Svenson North Lewisburg, OH Toll Free: (866) 559-2269 Local: (937) 747-2269 ...read more
By Dream Vacations Eric & Barb Svenson January 14, 2011
Disney Dream Commemorates Inaugural Call on Port Canaveral (January 11, 2011) The traditional plaque and key exchange for Disney's newest ship, the Disney Dream, took place today commemorating the ship's inaugural call on the port with an official maritime ceremony onboard. Several elected and local officials participated in the event including Gov. Rick Scott and Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer J. Stanley Stan Payne, along with Captain Tom Forberg of the Disney Dream and Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. The launch of the Disney Dream is expected to bring sizable economic benefits to Port Canaveral and the region including nearly 450 jobs and thousands of additional cruise guests. The 130,000-ton ship will call Port Canaveral home and sail three-, four- and five-night Bahamian itineraries beginning with the ship's maiden voyage on Jan. 26. We are extremely proud of the Disney Dream and all its innovations, but we are even more excited to finally see this ship here at home in Port Canaveral, said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. Port Canaveral has been our home since we launched our first ship here in 1998 and continues to provide our guests with an amazing cruise terminal facility which has been recently expanded and enhanced. In order to accommodate the new and larger Disney Dream, construction enhancements have been made to extend the dock facility and expand the terminal to allow for the additional guests. Port Canaveral also constructed a brand new multi-level parking structure that connects the terminal via a sky-bridge walkway. In keeping with tradition, Karl and Captain Tom hosted port officials and community leaders onboard the 4,000-passenger ship as part of the inaugural call ceremony where plaques were exchanged amongst the leaders. The guests also had a chance to catch a sneak peek of some of the innovative features aboard the ship such as the AquaDuck the first water coaster at sea, and the ship's immaculate and art-deco inspired lobby, featuring a dazzling chandelier and Admiral Donald statue. With the arrival of the Disney Dream in Port Canaveral, preparations are underway for its inaugural cruises and events, including the traditional christening of the vessel. Other Disney Dream inaugural events include a Benefit Preview Cruise in support of Boys&Girls Clubs of Central Florida, sailing Jan. 21-23. Designed to build upon Disney's commitment to delivering unparalleled family cruises, the Disney Dream, which was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, is the first of two new ships for Disney Cruise Line. A sister ship, the Disney Fantasy, which is currently under construction, will arrive in early 2012 to sail seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral. From a water coaster at sea called AquaDuck, and inside staterooms with virtual views, to Enchanted Art that immerses guests in stories, and French-inspired fine dining at Remy, the Disney Dream will deliver family cruise experiences like no other. The shipboard experience remains focused on the legacy and heritage of The Walt Disney Company's most known assets master storytelling, world-class entertainment and legendary guest service. ...read more
By Dream Vacations Eric & Barb Svenson January 14, 2011
We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from CruiseOne North Lewisburg OH . Let us know what you think! Read It Now Here ...read more
By Dream Vacations Eric & Barb Svenson January 04, 2011
Families can enjoy the holidays without breaking the bank and still have a delightful time. Most holidays were created so family and friends could be together while celebrating. There are many ways a family can still have an enjoyable and cheap holiday and possibly make a few family traditions of thei... ...read more
When you make the decision to become a travel agent, you must have a deep interest in the hospitality industry. Although this is not a particularly high-paying career, it reaps rewards when speaking in terms of travel discounts. Becoming a travel agent is not a difficult process and the processes can ... ...read more