Travel plan idea blog

2 more pictures from the Bermuda cruise: Catamaran sunset cruise shore excursion

This was the view we got when heading out for the sunset cruise catamaran shore excursion. When we arrived in Bermuda, we had a note that one of our shore excursions had been canceled and moved to another day....

Posted by Jim on September 8, 2009 10:55 AM

Summer vacation taking shape: Costa Rica, LARPing, and NCL cruise

My semester ends on June 19th. I need some time for grading and I have to present a paper at a conference in Seoul July 3rd and 4th. Then I have to judge a speech contest July 17th and 18th....

Posted by Jim on April 10, 2009 11:32 PM

Disney travel advice needed

Question: I'm planning on heading down to Orlando sometime in late-September/early-October for about five days and plan on focusing the major portion of the trip on the Disney parks. I haven't been in nearly 15 years and, last time I...

Posted by Jim on March 27, 2009 10:24 PM

Know of any repo cruises in July, August, January, or February

I don't have a lot for you today. I taught from 9-3 (I do half my classes on Tuesday) and then had to hang around the school for a staff dinner so I put in an extra long day. But...

Posted by Jim on March 17, 2009 10:23 PM

Park West reminder, Mexico vacation deals

First, a reminder that I have someone at Park West who will answer our questions. I've only got one so far so please add a few if there's anything you ever wanted to know about buying art (especially on a...

Posted by Jim on February 27, 2009 12:47 AM

Travel with autistic children: cruises and more

This article talks about a Royal Caribbean cruise designed for families where one or more of the kids has autism. They also mention camping in Colorado and a resort in Vermont. But just because a tour operator tries to provide...

Posted by Jim on September 16, 2008 1:29 AM

NCL cruise to Alaska comprehensive review: Norwegian Pearl July 6-13

I recommend a cruise to Alaska for people who want to get an introduction to Alaska. It's probably best for people who are willing to experience whatever they get because what you're able to do on a cruise has a...

Posted by Jim on July 22, 2008 12:57 PM

Park West Gallery art auctions on cruise ships

When I talked to the 2 Park West people on the Norwegian Pearl, they told me that Park West Gallery is the biggest art dealer in the world and they got that huge by bringing art to the people. Park...

Posted by Jim on July 20, 2008 8:16 AM

One & Only Ocean Club Bahamas: how is it?

If you want to see celebrities on vacation, one possibility might be the One & Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas on Paradise Island. I'm told that it was featured in the opening scene of Casino Royale and that Julia...

Posted by Jim on June 22, 2008 3:36 PM

School got it right for this woman

The woman featured in this story got something unusual - good advice in high school about a future career: "I always wanted to travel and the careers adviser at school suggested I become a travel agent - since then it's...

Posted by Jim on May 3, 2008 11:47 PM

Mobil travel guide, a few deals, cruise talk

I had never heard of Mobil Travel Guide before reading this article, but the author recommends the guide, which seems to be pretty exclusive: "A total of 41 lodgings, 17 restaurants and three spas earned five stars from Mobil." I...

Posted by Jim on March 17, 2008 12:21 PM

ABC vacation deals

This article comes in two flavors, video and regular article. The article part is set up kind of weird so I liked the video better but the information is the same: Apple Vacations tour of Los Cabos, Mexico 3 night...

Posted by Jim on March 12, 2008 1:56 PM

Reader submitted question about Atlantis Coral Tower Paradise

My fiancé and I are trying to book a vacation in the Caribbean for about 4-5 days flying from NYC. I'm looking at waterview room for 2 of us Atlantis Coral Tower Paradise Island at the end of May for...

Posted by Jim on March 12, 2008 4:55 AM

Nickelodeon Family Cruise on Freedom of the Seas

We wrote about Freedom of the Seas a while back and now there is a special cruise on this same ship. The Nickelodeon Family Cruise has famous guests like Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants. This article calls it the...

Posted by Jim on February 19, 2008 10:35 AM

Join a card mill / travel agency MLM?

I noticed a few more articles on those travel agent / "card mill" programs. This one says that you can get travel disocunts but that they might not be worth $500 + $50/month. Then again if you're going to Europe...

Posted by Jim on November 3, 2007 1:44 PM

Is it too easy to become a travel agent?

Apparently Royal Caribbean thinks so. According to Travel Weekly, the cruise line has ended sales partnerships with travel agents that could be viewed as "card mills", places where anyone can pay $500 plus $50 a month to get a website...

Posted by Jim on October 28, 2007 2:22 PM

Carnival to begin South American cruise itineraries in 2009

This article on Carnival cruises, is fairly interesting. I know that NCL already has a few itineraries in South America. It looks like Carnival will join them in January 2009. I don't know if Carnival will be in South America...

Posted by Jim on July 5, 2007 3:30 PM

Vacation deals: cruises, resorts, rafting, Ireland, and more

Here's an article on vacation deals, including lots of cruise deals: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: Splendor of the Seas 7-night Greek Isles (Visit: Athens, Mykonos, Katakolon, Corfu, Split) Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: Voyager of the Seas 7-night Mediterranean (Visit: Nice,...

Posted by Jim on June 27, 2007 8:29 AM

Different cruises: mass market, preminum, deluxe, luxury

This article talks about Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas which we reviewed about a month ago. Liberty of the Seas recently received some bad press. Another article tells us that Royal Caribbean's larger ships are appealing to younger passengers...

Posted by Jim on June 12, 2007 8:46 AM

Ever heard of Oceania Cruises

This is an interesting article on the business aspect of Oceania Cruises. They've been successful in finding a niche in the cruise industry providing luxury cruises from 10-35 days at a good value. They're doing so well that Royal Caribbean...

Posted by Jim on May 30, 2007 2:33 PM