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Greetings!
As I put together this newsletter, it's a beautiful sunny day and, out my office window, Lake Ontario is an awesome colour of blue! I'm so glad summer is here!
In this newsletter, we look at the Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Castles, Dominica and, as always, a few tidbits. Grab a beverage, put your feet up and enjoy... |
| Allure of the Seas | |
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
I've recently returned from the 2011 TPI Conference which was held onboard the Allure of the Seas.
 Most of you have heard about the Oasis of the Seas or seen the TV program chronicling the building of her. Well, the Allure of the Seas is her sister ship. Her Captain, who briefly appeared at our conference for questions, fondly says with a smirk, that he got the "better sister" because she is younger (by one year), longer (by two and a half inches), and lighter (by 500 tons)!
The Allure is never without something to entertain. Of course she  has all the Royal Caribbean innovations with a fantastic pool area for families, two rock climbing walls, two FlowRiders®, mini Golf, and an ice skating rink. Then there are the groundbreaking Oasis Class additions of a full-sized, hand carved, wooden carousel in the Boardwalk neighborhood, a zip line that has guests crossing the area nine stories above the Central Park neighbourhood and the first amphitheater at sea.
In the evening, the ship continues to entertain in the casino or in venues offering live music or comedy. The innovations keep coming with parades, Aqua Shows, Ice Skating Shows, a 3D theatre, and the Broadway musical Chicago.
As far as food and drink go... there are 24 restaurants and bars onboard offering everything from a casual drink pool side, a hot dog on the Boardwalk, lunch in Central Park, dining with Disney Dreamworks® characters, to a fine dining experience at one of the many specialty restaurants.
For the kids, Royal Caribbean extends is award winning Adventure  Ocean program onboard the Allure of the Seas with activities and partners featuring Crayola, Fisher Price and Disney Dreamworks. Teens can choose from activities including games, sports, parties and contests or just hang out in the teens only area (no parents allowed!). From 6 months to 17 years, Royal Caribbean has the kids covered.
And when you've just "had enough" take time to relax in the Spa.
From someone who has taken many cruises, let me tell you that this ship is truly a behemoth! She is 225,282 gross tons, 360m long, 64m wide, and 65m high from the water line and cruises at a speed of 22 knots (+/- 41 km/hr). So why am I giving you all this "boring" information? Simple... her sheer size gives the ship a stability that is unmatched in the industry. During the week we were onboard there was only once or twice that I felt ANY movement of the ship and even then I wasn't exactly sure!
For more information about the Allure of the Seas, click here.
For availability, dates and pricing, please feel free to email me anytime! |
| Supplier Highlight - Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines | |
"Get Out There" and be part of "The Nation of Why Not"!
It seems only fitting that if we're looking at the Allure of the Seas, that we should look at Royal Caribbean as a whole!
Royal Caribbean has 22 ships in six classes that sail to 261 ports around the world.
All ships feature comfortable staterooms in several categories for all budgets, great dining options and friendly crew.
Dining options include room service, fine dining, casual dining, pizza parlor, soft-serve ice cream bar and flexible dining times.
Onboard activities can include rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, mini golf, self-leveling pool tables, zip line, ice skating rink, basketball court and a solarium. the Entertainment staff also host games and activities throughout the ship.
Entertainment includes casino, live music, stand-up comedy and Broadway-style shows.
Fitness Centers include classes, stationery bikes, treadmills, free weights, sauna & steam rooms and relaxation rooms while the Day Spa offers a multitude of treatments to pamper guests.
 Adventure Ocean programs have age appropriate activities for six age groups; Royal Babies (6-18 months), Royal Tots (18-36 months), Aquanots (3-5 years), Explorers (6-8 years), Voyagers (9-11 years) and Teen Centers (12-17 years).
Onboard shopping features various stores for your duty-free shopping pleasure.
Shore excursions offer guests lots of options to experience the different ports of call. Whether you want to relax on the beach, tube down a river, soak up the history & culture or go flightseeing, you can be sure that your guides will be waiting for you on the pier to ensure the best experiences Royal Caribbean can offer.
Royal Caribbean has taken "why not" to the next level by building new ships with larger spaces and more things to do than ever before. Many of the new ships are destinations themselves.
To visit Royal Caribbean's website, just click here.
If you'd like to book a cruise, please email me anytime. |
| Castles you can sleep in | |
By Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel Staff
Storming the gates, crossing the drawbridge, surveying your estate from a grand tower... Spend your vacation like royalty at a castle hotel.
From classic medieval towers in Germany to a French-inspired chateau in Argentina, castles offer unique and unforgettable alternatives to standard accommodations. While many are a splurge (some royal reputations last for centuries, after all), others are surprisingly affordable, starting at $100 or less per night.
Smarter Travel rounded up castles you can sleep in from countries both near and far. Take a look at their top picks by clicking here!
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| Dominica | |
From Independenttraveller.com
A visit to Dominica (pronounced Do-min-EE-kah) promises to be  unlike any other Caribbean island you've visited. Prepare to slow down, take in the scenery, breathe fresh air like you haven't breathed in years, sample fruit right off the trees and experience nature in a way you can only do in a few places on earth. This "Nature Island" is 29 by 16 miles of rain forest, dense lush vegetation, waterfalls, freshwater pools and bubbling hot springs from the active underwater volcanoes surrounding the island. It's easy to spend a few days here and never see a beach -- or at least a sandy one.
The island has a lot to offer, not just in what it does have -- but also in what it doesn't. There are no chain hotels, big-box mega-stores or ubiquitous restaurant brands. Locals have fought to keep it that way, too, and so the island remains untouched.
 Dominica has survived with a predominantly agriculture-based economy, though in recent years the banana trade has suffered thanks to changes in trade subsidies. Tourism also remains strong, with Dominica attracting a stream of naturalists who flock to the island to see 172 types of birds, 12 major waterfalls and peaks that rise to 5,000 feet.
No matter when you visit, the temperature on the island hovers around a moderate 77 degrees, although it's cooler in the mountains, humid in the rain forest and warmer on the coast.
To visit the Dominica Tourism website, just click here.
To get information on travelling to Dominica, feel free to email me anytime. |
| Tidbits | |
Neat stories that just don't need a full article!
Confessions of a New York City street food vendor - click here
The Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites chains are ready to swap their older look for a spiffier, contemporary style - click here
United apologizes for reusing 9/11 flight numbers- click here
Experts say that at 30,000 feet, travelers lose 30% of their palate - click here
Pan Am is flying again - on TV- click here |
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Janna Guay CTC ACC
Travel Professionals International |
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