Dream Destination LogoDream Destinations       Your journey begins here!
Dream Destinations Newsletter # 3
February 2012 
In This Issue
Frequently Asked Questions
Top 10 Reason to Cruise
Hot Deals
Why Use Us?
8 Day Wine Pacific Coast Cruise
Spotlight--What Does Solistisized Mean
Spotlight Dream Destinations Web Site Quiz
Hank & Anne Cron Castle Ireland
Dear Travel Friends

We hope you like our new newsletter!  For 16 years Anne & I have been proud to help our friends visit the wonderful DREAM DESTINATIONS of this world.  As you know, we specialize in cruises and European travel. Your journey begins here! 
Don't hesitate to call us for more information at 713-397-0188 (Hank) or 832-244-0215 (Anne).
 
We are happy to help!
 

Anne Schrader

 Certified Travel Consultant
 Accredited Cruise Counselor

 

Hank Schrader, USMA '71

 

Dream Destinations

Your journey begins here!

11911 Fountain Brook Dr
Pearland, Texas 77584
713-436-5287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.dreamdestinations.com

 


Both Anne & Hank are  Western Europe Destinations Specialists conferred by The Travel Institute

 

 

Money Belt

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q. I want to safeguard my money while traveling.  Do you have any tips about safeguarding money?  

 A.  Call your credit card company to tell them you are traveling-if you don't, they may deny or cancel card to help prevent fraud.

We always carry money belts (see photo above).

We always make 3 copies of our cards and the front page of our passport-Anne keeps one, I keep one and we leave one home with a relative.

Travelers often have problems buying tickets for the subway or train at machines. If a stranger offers to help, beware-it could be a scam. We have had some great people help us, but if you get help, watch carefully. If the machine spits out money and a ticket, or multiple tickets (more than the number of travelers), you just got ripped off!

Never, NEVER let a local help you with an ATM machine.

Money Belts

Only keep a small amount of cash in your pockets-keep most of your money & your credit cards in your safe money belt.

Always check to see if you zipped your money belt after taking out something. 

Don't laugh-I lost all my cash & cards in Paris after not zipping up my money belt.

  Lucky for me, some wonderful soul turned them in to the police & I got it all back!

 

 

 Q. How do I get cash while traveling in Europe?

A..

 ATMs are the standard way to get local currency.

Use your Debit card-credit cards used at ATMS are cash advances-can charge as high as 22-29%--basically it's a loan.

Check with your bank to see if your card will work overseas.

You wll need to enter a PIN (personal identification number) to use your debit card.

Protect your PIN number-a debit card is useless if lost or stolen without a PIN. It is best to memorize it if possible.

You may have to use your ATM pin differently overseas. For example, we have a 6 digit PIN number. In Europe, most ATM machines have 4 digit PINs. Our bank taught how to use these machines so we can get money.

 

Try to withdraw large amounts when you use the ATM to minimize fees. One big visit is cheaper than many small visits.

Know if your bank limits the amount you can withdraw in a 24 hour period. Also the machine may have limits. If you are denied just try a lower amount.

You may have to change high denomination bills at a bank.

Q.  Do you have any tips about exchanging money?

 

A.  There is always a fee to exchange money. Banks usually offer the best exchange rates. You will not get the prime published exchange rate-that is only for banks or large currency exchanges.

Foreign coins cannot be changed in banks or at currency exchanges-they only accept folding money. Try to use them before you leave the country or prepare to keep them as mementos.

 

We are European travel experts--we can make your trip special--call on us to help you find your Dream Destinations!

 

 

 

Top 10 Reasons to Cruise! 

1. Choose a cruise for VALUE. One price buys your stateroom, dining, entertainment, and sports activities.

2.Choose a cruise for ROMANCE. Secluded beaches, ocean view dining, spas-it's a great place to reconnect or celebrate a wedding, a honeymoon, and anniversary or vow renewal.

3.  Choose a cruise for CUISINE.  Gourmet food (often menus are designed by renowned chefs) served in style, or if you desire simple standbys like hamburgers or pizza or spa cuisine for a healthy choice-variety abounds on the larger cruise ships

4.  Choose a cruise for VARIETY.

There are many distinctive ships, worldwide ports of call, so many great places to see and things to do-there is a cruise that is just right for you

5.  Choose a cruise for ACTIVITIES.

There is sightseeing, sports, beaches, cultural lectures, educational tours, new skills to learn, or just relax at the pool or in a hot tub. At night, there are shows, comedy clubs, discos, piano bars or just gaze at the stars.

6.  Choose a cruise for SIMPLICITY.

It is hassle free-you won't have to hassle with finding a place to eat or stay at each new location-once you are on board, it's all there on your floating resort and best of all most of your expenses are pre-paid!

7.  Choose a cruise for NEW HORIZONS.

You fall asleep in one place and you awake at a new location. Better still, you only have to pack and unpack once!

8.  Choose a cruise for FAMILIES.

There are cool things to do for the kids with children's programs, kid friendly food. The same applies to adults and grandparents-all get what they want and you never have to worry about where the kids are!

9.  Choose a cruise for PAMPERING.

There is first class service-trust us, you will want to take your waiter and cabin steward home. Best of all, regardless of the fare you pay, all get the same excellent service.

10.  Choose a cruise for SATISFACTION.

Cruising has among the highest percentage of satisfied customers of all vacation experiences!

 

 Call us now, so we can help you find the perfect cruise for YOU! 
Hot Deals
Our Cruise Specials

1.  September 14, 2012 8-day Pacific Coast wine cruise on the Celebrity Millennium  You can learn more about this special cruise below in  the 8 Day Pacific Coast Wine Cruise section in this newsletter
2.  Golfers' Dream Voyage on the Azamara Quest--2013 British Open & Five Rounds on Premier British Isles Courses  Click Here to Learn More About This Once-in-lifetime Opportunity!  See Our Specials
 
3.  Any AMAWaterways 2012 European River cruise.  To Learn more about River Cruising, Click Here   See the River Cruise Page
 
Why Use Us?
 
Anne & Hank on the Celebrity Silhouette 2011
The value we add to our customers:
1. It costs you nothing for us to plan your travel.
2. We have 16 years experience--we help you get the best value for your dollar --saves you time & money!
3.  Book it yourself & you are on your own--we can help you avoid problems & help resolve disputes.
4.  We are small enough to give you personalized service, yet big & experienced enough to get you the right trip.
5.  We are honest, hard working with one goal--to serve you--we will do what is best for you not us.
8 Day Pacific Coast Wine Cruise on the Celebrity Millennium
Olympic Dining Room
 
 New dining room - newly Solstisized ship! Ask us why that is so great!
A great vacation value!  This exciting cruise will depart Vancouver, BC on September 14, 2012.  Ports of call are Nanaimo BC, Victoria BC, San Francisco CA, Monterey CA.  It will end in San Diego CA on September 22.  For those who want to see all of the breath-taking West Coast & have an exceptional wine experience, this is a vacation you will always remember!

Click here to see a slideshow about this cruise.
What Does Solstisized Mean?
The Celebrity Millennium will receive a spectacular make-over in May 2012.
This upgrade includes the following:
A new dining venue, Qsine, where you will be able to have world-class cuisine & order unique food dishes--from a menu that is viewed on an IPad.
A Celebrity iLounge, complete with computer stations, classes & an Apple store at sea.
An ice-topped Martini Bar--the best selection of Martinis you will ever see!  It is paired with Crush, for chilled, top-tier vodkas &  caviar.
A new specialty coffee shop, Cafe'al Bacio & a Gelateria--great ice treats.
Addition of Cellar Masters, an enomatic wine bar, which has a state-ofthe-art wine serving system allowing guests to select & serve "by- the-glass" awesome wines.
Bistro on Five, a vibrant, popular creperie.
The addition of Blu with 100 seats for AquaClass guests.
An upgraded Michael's Club, with 50 international beer selections, along with an extensive collection of fine whiskeys, scothes, cognac & bourbons.
Full wi-fi capability throughout the ship.
An enhanced bedding program
Addition of 60 new staterooms
The addition of 107 AquaClass Staterooms.
Some of the above features may reuire an extra fee.
We have been on 2 Solstice Class ships, and we can promise you, they are better than advertisied! 
 Click Here to see a slide show about a Solstice Class ship--most pictures are taken by Anne.
 
We promise you--sail on one of these Celebrity ships & you will find a new way to get away & make the most of your precious vacation days 
  
Spotlight
Dream Destinations Web Site Quiz 
  1. There is a PDF PowerPoint on 44 European Countries. (Hint: Go to European Destinations Page).True False
  2. Anne and Hank have traveled to at least 26 European Countries many multiple times. (Hint Go to the 5 European Region pages & count them) True False
  3. There are 5 European Countries that require a Visa. (Hint Go to the European Destinations Page and look in the Tips Document Library) True False
  4. You can learn about 3 European River Cruises on the site. (Hint Go to the River Cruise page) True False
  5. You can learn about Euros and Smart Money Matters on the site. (Hint Go to the European Destinations page) True False
  6. You can learn about Cruises & Ships 8 places on the site. (Hint Go to Cruises, River Cruises, Ship Descriptions, Thoughts on Cruising (look at sub pages too) & Hall Fame pages) True False
  7. Anne & Hank have cruised in Europe more than 4 times. (Hint Go to River Cruises & Europe Cruises) True False
  8. You can learn over 38 Cruising Travel Tips on the site. (Hint Go to Thoughts on Cruising and look at the Document library) True False
  9. There are Cruising Specials on at least 2 pages of the site. Hint Go to Cruising & Special Offers or Newsletter Archives) True False
  10. The Dream Destination Traveler Hall of Fame has Eddie Elephant as one of its inductees. (Hint Go to the Traveler Hall of Fame Page) True False
     

If you selected all TRUE, YOUR SCORE IS 100%!

A Travel

Gift!
 
Anyone who books one of the trips advertised in our current newsletter with us before 
February 29, 2012, has their choice of one of 2 great gifts.  One gift is the Richard Solo Smart Back up Battery for iPhones or iPods (certain models).  The second gift is the WineHug, a protective travel case for a wine bottle.  These gifts will be provided to our clients upon final  non-refundable payment for their trip.  This is just one way Dream Destinations goes the extra mile just for you!
 
Offer Expires: February 29, 2012 while supplies last