Orlando Revisted

Note: CEO Kim Rodgers and her daughter and son in law, Kelsey and Jeremy, along with grand-daughters Belle and Maddy recently spent several days in Orlando visiting Seaworld and Disneyworld. Below are some highlights for your next adventures.

For those of you looking to visit Orlando (and living in Florida, I do this a lot), I just wanted to share some things we have learned to save yourself time and money.

First of all, if you can choose your time, visit Florida in late April, early May, or mid to late October. Why? Weather is almost always decent, humidity has dropped, temperatures are great and the majority of tourists are not here, hence your wait in lines will be minimal. In addition, hotels offer great rates during this time frame.

Depending on the number of people in your party and your interests will determine where you stay. If you are going to spend all your time at the Disney Parks, stay onsight as there are a variety of price ranges to choose from. On our recent trip, we had five in our party, 3 adults, 2 children, ages 5 and almost 7. We decided to stay at Marriott's Cypress Harbour Resort as we wanted to visit more than just Disney. Our unit was 2 bedroom, 2 bath with lots of space and lots of swimming pools for the girls. It is a beautiful property and one I often stay in and recommend highly. It's very close to Seaworld and convenient to the interstate for quick access anywhere.

We took advantage of the Triple A members rates and purchased two day passes for Seaworld, which was great. We arrived in Orlando late morning, so we went to Seaworld, took in the smaller whale show (which was very elaborate with great costumes, flying birds, acrobats and more!). We didn't feel rushed in anyway. We saw the baby dolphin in the nursery, fed the rays (very unusual sensation!!!!) and had a great time. We did not try to feed and pet the dolphins this afternoon as the area is very crowded in the afternoon. This we saved for our second day when we arrived when the park opened and went directly to the dolphin feeding area. We were second in line, got food and were able to feed the dolphins without crowds crushing in. The girls loved it, as did Kelsey who is the ultimate dolphin fan!

The girls wanted to have lunch with the Princesses at Disneyworld. You need to make advance reservations for this (which in the off season can be done a day prior, but I recommend you do it as far in advance as possible). Rates were very reasonable and after experiencing the event, I cannot believe the value. Families with little girls would do well to take advantage of this option. We arrived on time and were escorted into the restaurant (this was held in Epcot's Norway area). The girls were introduced to Princess Belle who was dressed in her royal ball gown. She spent time with each of the girls and then had photo's taken with the girls. Photos were taken by family members as well as a professional photographer that was there. With all the photo's we are offered at the parks, I expected them to be offered for sale later. Imagine our pleasant surprise when they were presented to the girls as gifts from Princess Belle. The photo packet alone was worth the price of the luncheon! The Princesses (including Cinderella, Snow White, and Ariel as well as Mary Poppins) visited the girls right at their table, had their pictures taken with the girls, and spent a few minutes talking with them. Maddy and Belle were thrilled!

For those of you wanting to go to Disneyworld, take your most comfortable walking shoes and a backpack. It's the easiest way. Packs, purses or any bags will be searched prior to you entering the park, but it goes quickly, so not to worry. We packed water bottles, snacks for all (granola bars were easy and don't melt, as were goldfish crackers), sunscreen, cameras and the like. The adults in the party took turns carrying it. Saved us money and gave us a place to stash our treasures.

Plan on getting to the parks early (hours are posted on their websites). We had multi park passes, so we were able to go from one area to the next. If you are limited in time, I recommend picking out the rides/exhibits you want to experience and then work from your list. We spent two full days at the Magic Kingdom, taking in Epcot part of one day and the Wild Animal Kingdom another day. You should experience the Serengeti and the parade at the Animal Kingdom has a completely different flair. It's more primitive and a delightful difference from the glitter of the lighted parade. The "Fast Pass" really moves things along and is something everyone should use. For those of you not familiar with this concept, you can take your admission card, enter it into machines placed in front of the more popular rides and be assigned a time to return and basically "walk on" to the ride through the "Fast Pass" line. It saves a lot of time. You can in essence receive a time to get on the ride and go on to enjoy other rides in the meantime. Remember the evenings offer fireworks or the lazer light show. Both are worth the visit.

Mark and Urana's 14 Day Hawaiian Cruise!

Day 1~ Port of Los Angeles. As we arrive at the Port Of Los Angeles, we take in the incredible site of our ship, Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas as she sits at the dock. The porters are quick to aid us and relieved us of our luggage. We quickly more through the check in and after a short wait, boarding started in an orderly number system.

One on board, we found our stateroom and spent a few minutes enjoying the view from our balcony. We then started our tour where every cruiser should - in the dining room!!!! In this case it was the casual dining room, the "Windjammer", for a quick bite.

We arrived back in our stateroom and were pleased to find half our bags already in our room, and just a few seconds later our room steward appeared and had the rest of our bags! We unpacked and explored the rest of the day.

Day 2-5 ~ At Sea. We are at sea making the long trip to the Hawaiian Islands. We used this time to relax and plan our shore excursions in Hawaii. We found time to enjoy the many onboard activities, including bingo, the spa, shopping, lectures and the casino.

Day 6 ~ Oahu. We arrived in Hawaii at the dock in Honolulu. We rented a car for the day and visited the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, the most visited attraction in Hawaii. This is a must see if you visit. The memorial is run jointly by the U.S. Park Service and the U.S. Navy. Once you enter the visiter center, you are given a ticket for a tender ride to the Memorial. The Arizona was sunk by a surprise attack by air and naval forces of the Japanese Empire on December 7, 1941, plunging the United States into World War II. The Arizona sank with over one thousand of her crew members on board. These men are still on board the Arizona. The tomb is a very moving place to visit.

There is a museum and gift shop on shore at the visitor center, which helps to make the time go by while waiting for your tender number to be called. There were several survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor there that day. Stop by and talk to these heros. They have some incredible stories, and will pose for photos and sign books. These men and their peers are responsible for saving the world from the axis powers that were controlled by evil, horrible men. So take a few minutes to say hello and thank these men!

After our stop at Pearl Harbor, we are off to the Dole Plantation in the center of the island, where we explore the wonderful garden and attempt to find our way through the extremely large maze. The plantation also has a large store where you can buy anything made with or about pineapples.

The world famous North Shore of Oahu is our last stop. The North Shore is home to the world center of surfing, and the beaches are great for watching the action. If you prefer, grab a board and catch a wave! The North Shore has that small town feel, with lots of surf shops. Even non-surfers will find lots of shopping and great eateries spread up and down the coast.

Day 7 ~ Kona. When I heard we were going to Kona, located on the "Big Island" of Hawaii, my first thought was of the coffee they grow and export all around the world. Once on shore, you can see the impact the coffee industry has had on this small community.

There is a lot more to Kona than coffee. The waters just off the coast are alive with beautiful reefs, coral, fish and other marine life.

I went on a snuba trip. This is a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving. You dive down no more than 25 feet while attached to an air hose that is hooked to air tanks floating on a raft above you. Unlike scuba, you do not need to be certified to participate in this activity, nor do you carry the tanks on your back.

There are many other activities to choose from in Kona, with many tours taking you into the mountains, valleys and even the volcanos on the "Big Island". If you are like my wife, shopping is always an option, and Kona did not disappoint her. Many of the shops orivite free shuttles to the stores and markets.

Day 8 ~ Oahu. Today we were scheduled to be in Hilo on the "Big Island", but high winds and seas made going into port unsafe. Our Captain made the decision to return to Oahu. We were back in Honolulu by 7:30 am and rented another car and were off again. We stopped first at the swap meet that is held every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at Aloha Stadium. You can find any type Hawaiian souveniers you want and at very reasonable prices.

We next stopped and looked at Hanamuna Bay, a state park that was once an active volcano. When this volcano erupted, it blew one side out and the ocean flooded into the crater, creating a beautiful bay that has reefs and coral with thousands of fish and even turtles. This makes the bay the best place to snorkel in Hawaii.

The windward side of Oahu was our next destination. The drive along the coast is breathtaking, and when I think about Hawaii, this is what I will remember. There are a number of stops where you can pull off and watch the surf crash into the rocks below. If you make this drive, make sure you look for the sign that says "Blow Hole". Stop and watch as the water slams into the rocks and then is pushed up into a tube in the rocks. The water sprays up like a giant whale blowing water and foam into the air!

The last stop today was the Pali lookout, high above the coast, giving unforgetable views of the windward side of Oahu. The winds were very strong and the clouds were pushing into the mountains all around us, making an eerie scene. It was about twenty degrees cooler than down on the coast, making this a very refreshing stop.

Day 9 ~ Maui. Our last stop in Hawaii gave us an overnight in Lahaina Town. We enjoyed this former whaling village that has outstanding shopping and dining.

We rented another car and explored the coast. Maui is beautiful and peaceful and the pace is very laid back.

We made a stop at the Maui Tropical Plantation and enjoyed a tour of the grounds that were full of lush plants and towering palms.

Our next stop was a great luau in Wailea at the Marriott. The setting was unbelievable, right on the beach! The food and the show were terrific.

Day 10-14 ~ Return to the mainland. This was a bittersweet time. We hated leaving the islands, but the return was very relaxing and we had a great time.

We planned an extra day in Los Angeles, so we booked an excursion through the ship to tour L.A., with stops in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and a lunch at the Farmers Market. This is part open air market, part mall and part food court. This excursion was a nice way to end our vacation,

Key West, Marathon and the like

The Key West adventure started Friday as an impromptu birthday celebration for David. Four of us headed out from Ft. Lauderdale down the turnpike to Highway 1. The further south one drives, you can see the world start to slow down. There is not even a Walmart south of Key Largo! That is saying something.

Our accommodations were great at the Hammocks in Marathon. We had a two bedroom villa overlooking the water and lighthouse. The property is very comfortable and offers a warm swimming pool, waterfront bar and grill and great conversations with the local fishing boat captains. We chatted with Captain Danny Strub of Blue Waters while he finished cleaning fish for his day's charter. We observed nurse sharks, tarpon and barracuda in the waters from the dock! This entire area is fascinating and a fishermans dream! Keep Captain Danny in mind for future charters. Half days are $500 for the boat, $750 for the entire day.

Key West was the agenda for the next day. Up early to arrive early, we drove the short 45 miles, parked the car for the day and took to the streets. Duval Street in Key West is something like a carnival. The variety of shops, food, art and just interesting people is overwhelming. NCL's Pearl was in town until late afternoon, so the Conch Train and other little tours were very busy. After some general shopping and a lot of walking, we opted to rent a four passenger electric car (a souped up golf cart!) and took to the street. We were able to cover a lot more territory and save our feet! I would highly recommend any visitors consider these carts or the scooters! We made our way to the southernmost point in the United States (just 90 miles from Cuba!) After

a photo opportunity, (see above), we boarded our electric car and headed towards Key West Winery. Key Lime Wine, Pineapple Wine, Pina Colada Wine and Sparkling Mango Wine were just some of our treasures we took away. If you enjoy semi-sweet white wines, this is a must stop for your visit to Key West! Best of all, they ship!

A quick visit to the Pirate Museum (overpriced and kind of glitzy!), we hurried to Mallory Square, the home of the evening entertainment....SUNSET! Sunset is a major event in the Keys and not to be missed. If you are lucky, you will see the "Green Flash" as the sun sizzles into the sea. Street entertainers, from jugglers and tightrope walkers to the very strange flying cats, compete for your time after the sun sets. Music begins throughout the area. You will hear it all, from salsa to country, rock and roll and Irish ballads. A weary but happy group returned to our condo.

The next days adventure took us to see the Key Deer. An endangered species, there are less than 800 of these small deer just south of the seven mile bridge at Marathon. The deer average about 24 inches high at shoulder, and weigh approximately 45 pounds and are fiercly protected with reduced speed limits thoughout the area.

Reefs in the area offer great snorkeling and diving. John Pennecamp State Park is a great day trip in Key Largo, offering picnic area, snorkeling trips and an all round great day.

All in all, the Keys is a great get a way for any occassion!

Some basic cruise information

I received an email from a client today, with questions about cruising, and I realized, there are some basic things that do not usually change about cruising that should probably be shared here.

In general, it is a good idea if you are cruising from the east coast, and you live on the west coast, to plan on flying in the day before your cruise. We have lots of hotel options for you to consider, with airport pick up and pier delivery for a nominal fee. Weather conditions in the winter time change so quickly, and it would be a shame to miss your cruise because you got stuck in snow in Chicago (or anywhere else that has snow in the wintertime!)

Ships normally sail between 4 and 5 pm from the Florida, New York, Seattle, Long Beach or Vancouver markets. They usually sail later, around 11 pm from Puerto Rico. You should plan on being checked in and on the ship no later than one hour before sailing (you can check in earlier than that and we often do, but that is the latest!)

A majority of cruise lines have "fixed" dinner seating times. These are usually anywhere from 5:45 pm to 6:15 pm for early dinner seating, and 7:45 to 8:30 pm for late dinner seating. Dinner tables are assigned seating. Breakfast and lunch also have assigned times, though usually not assigned tables. An exception is Norwegian Cruise Lines with their "free style dining" , which allows you to eat dinner when you want (between 5pm and midnight) and with who ever you want.

Casual resort wear is the clothing theme for daytime, while smart resort wear works well for nights. On a seven day cruise, there are usually two formal nights. Men can wear sports coat and tie, suit or formal wear if they choose. Women may wear a pantsuit or dress, cocktail dress or formal attire. As cruises have become more casual over the years, you will observe a variety of dress.

Once you have boarded the ship, you can locate your cabin, leaving carry on items in your stateroom. Then, start exploring. If you are hungry, find the Lido deck. There will be food there, guaranteed! You luggage will arrive in your cabin sometime over the next few hours. Don't panic if it's not right away. It's a big ship, with a lot of passengers. Enjoy yourself, you are on vacation.

Remember, if you are thinking of cruising, check out our web site at www.yourtravelexperts.com or email us at your.travel.experts@gmail.com.

Louisville, Kentucky

As the site of the recent National Fraternal Order of Police Conference, several of our agents found themselves in Louisville, Kentucky for the first time. As we all try to learn about the areas we are working in, we decided to share some of the information we gleaned from the area!

Louisville is banked along the Ohio River, and is the 16th largest city in the United States. It boasts as "home" to the Kentucky Derby, the Louisville Slugger, the city is also home to boxing great Mohamed Ali and Col. Harland Sanders as well as others.

Two riverboats, the "Belle of Louisville" and the "Spirit of Jefferson" can help you relax while meandering along the Ohio River after an exciting day at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. And if that's not enough, some of the nations finest bourbon calls Louisville home (Maker's Mark), and some of the finest ribs can be had in hidden away restaurants and during the street parties along 4th Street in the downtown area.

Many fine hotels and restaurants can be found and Louisville International Airport is one of the cleanest airports around. The city is easily accessible by Interstates 64,65 and 71. Locals are friendly and the atmosphere is laid back.

Carnival's Legend and Inspiration

Recently four agents from Your Travel Experts had the opportunity to participate in ship inspections on Carnival Cruise Lines Inspiration and Legend.
Over a two day period, our agents toured both ships from top to bottom and experienced lunch - both casual lido deck style and in a "sit down" dining room venue.
The Inspiration is heading into a much needed dry dock September 1. There, she will receive a full renovation. The "refit" will bring the ship flat screen televisions in all cabins, new comfort bedding and more "neutral" colors, as well as getting rid of all the "glittery" colors of the main atrium. Cabin bathrooms are to be refitted with new sinks and counters similar to all of Carnival's more recently built ships. When the "drydock" is complete, it is easy to see the Inspiration will be one of the best values around. The addition of 50 connecting rooms will be a welcome addition to families.
The Legend - what a beautiful ship. Part of the Spririt class of ships, this ship has rich woods, breath-taking art and a suspended glass stairway 10 stories above the atrium. A state of the art spa with individual as well as couples massage, seaweed wraps, hot rock massage and more. The styling salon offers manicure, pedicure, cuts, color, styling and a full gym with yoga and aerobics classes - a lot to offer.
Cabins on the Legend offer comfort bedding and roomy baths. The "recessed and hidden in the ceiling" beds for 3rd and 4th passengers give everyone more room to navigate and connecting rooms give larger families more options.
Lunch on board the Legend was excellent. The dining room has a variety of glass art that illuminates in different shades, changing the ambiance. This is definitely a ship to consider.

Passport Update, Once Again!

It should be noted that the latest update to the State Department shows that passport MAY BE required as early as mid 2008. To say that is vague is putting it mildly, but again, we do recommend everyone go ahead and get passports as soon as they possibly can. It's the safest way to deal with the issue. Please keep in mind, without paying extra fees, you can be looking at several months to get your passport, so this is definitely a case where early planning is important.

Kim Rodgers, CEO, Your Travel Experts