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

The Tour of Two Ships

I recently took advantage of an offer by Norwegian Cruise Lines to do ship inspections for the newest ship in their fleet, the “Pearl”, and another that was refurbished in 2006, the “Star”. Both ships are spending the summer in the Northwest taking passengers up the coastline from Seattle to Alaska. It was a fantastic opportunity and I am so glad I did it.

These ships are really floating cities and NCL has gone all out to make cruisers, both experienced and novice, want to come back for more. Our tour started out with a look at the various suites and staterooms. From the opulent Garden Villa’s ranging from 4390 sq. feet on the Star, to an impressive 5750 sq. feet on the Pearl, to the inside cabins that will make any destination a deal with both comfort and value. All the cabins are decorated with bold colors, rich dark wood and handsome design details. In fact design detail seemed to be the focal point for the entire ship. Everywhere you turn colors, furnishing, the artwork is all stunning, eclectic and eye-catching. The use of space has been well thought out so there will be plenty of elbow room when the ships are at capacity. Both ships are designed to carry over 2200 guests (double occupancy).

Dining and entertainment choices should be able to satisfy even the most discriminating guest. Both ships literally offer a dozen different restaurant types to choose from. Choices range from Tapas to Tepanyaki, Italian and French to the all American Hamburger and French Fries. Since the advent of Norwegians freestyle dining some of the restaurants requires a $10 - $20 supplement per person, although this does allow the passenger to eat whenever or wherever, and with whomever, they desire. The group I toured with was served a fabulous lunch in one of the two main dining rooms on the ships. The meal was superb starting with the sliced Tuna Loin with a creamy Gazpacho, then Lobster Bisque with a Watermelon salad with Fried Feta Cheese and mint vinaigrette. My entrée was sautéed Tiger Shrimp, arugula and creamy Saffron Risotto, and if that wasn’t enough a frozen Raspberry soufflé for dessert. I will never be satisfied with a Lean Cuisine again! Both the Pearl and the Star have impressive theatres with plush and comfortable seating for Broadway or Vegas-style shows. Night life can be as relaxed or as crazy as you can imagine. The style of the bars, pubs, clubs and lounges can suit any mood. The Pearl even has the first bowling alley at sea.

In between all the eating and revelry, the ships have plenty of activities to work off that Lobster Bisque. Relax in the Health Spa, try aerobics or yoga in the fitness centers, curl up with a good book in the library or splash around with the kids in one of the pools. I don’t care how old I get, I will always love those big slides by the pool, and on a sunny afternoon out at sea there is no better way to cool off.

One thing I need to mention is the sense of hospitality shown by the staff at every level. They are friendly, helpful and eager to please. For any guest, no matter what their needs are, these men and women will do their absolute best to provide it.

I’m afraid the limited space available to describe these two beautiful ships is not doing them justice, so you’ll just have to book a cruise to your favorite destination and see for yourself. I guarantee you will be as impressed and enthusiastic to do it again as I am.

Passport Relief!

Effective June 8, 2007, the U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security announced that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or other countries in the Caribbean region, who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air.

Until September 30, 2007, travelers may fly without a passport by presenting both a :
* State Department receipt proving application for a passport
* Government issued identification, such as a driver's license

This accommodation does not mean that Americans are exempt from meeting the entry requirements of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region. Entry requirements for those countries remain in effect. Americans traveling to those countries must verify the specific entry requirements for that country before departure.

Children under the age of 16, traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child's proof of application. Photo ID is not required, though if you have a student ID, it is recommended you travel with that. For children aged 16-18 who do not have a government issued ID card, one can be obtained at the Department of Motor Vehicles. To obtain a government issued ID card you will need a birth certificate, social security card and student ID card if available.

Updated Entry Requirements by Destination:
All of Mexico: Government issued photo ID and official proof of application from the U.S. Deptartment of State
Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao, Grand Cayman, Dominican Republic, Nassau, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Martin, Turks and Caicos: Government issued photo ID and official proof of application from U.S. Department of State
Barbados, Bermuda: Passport only

Please note that if you are departing prior to September 30, 2007, but returning AFTER that date, you will need a passport.

Upcoming Blog Events

Several of our agents will be contributing to this blog over the coming weeks. Subject matter will include, but not be limited to: ship inspections and the agents opinions of said ships, ports of call and things to do there, cruising tips and advise, clothing to pack for shipboard travel and more.

In addition, there will be reports on pre and post cruise packages, hints for getting through the airport quicker and understanding those TSA rules and regulations, as well as some highlights of our experienced agents "FAVORITE" destinations.

We invite you to check out our blog often, to make comments whenever you can, and to request information on things you are curious about.

Our new web site will be previewing soon, with new information and online registrations and payment options for cruises, as well as information and rate inquiry options for our fundraising programs, for family reunions, destination weddings and those special honeymoons. Hot deals including last minute travel will be available as well as our photo contest for clients to help us have some of the best travel photo's on the web. Watch for it all, because it's coming soon.

And remember, we always have special discounts for members of the Fraternal Order of Police, as well as cruises for members, their families and friends. So don't wait, it's time to plan your next trip now!

Passports...Do you need one, and when?

Much discussion has been had about the current and future changes regarding passports. Do you need one to cruise now? How about after the first of the year? Are you flying? Driving? It's confusing, and believe me, we know!

We offer this to ease your way through the new government regulations:

If you are traveling between now and the end of 2007, by CRUISE SHIP from the United States to the Caribbean, Mexico or Alaska, you only need your birth certificate. If you are flying to the Caribbean, Mexico or Canada, you WILL NEED a passport (unless going to the US Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. John or St. Croix or Puerto Rico as they are all considered US Territories). Driving across the border to Mexico or Canada you need proof of citizenship (photo ID and birth certificate). Anything else outside of the United States, either by air or cruise, you need a passport. Simple huh?

How do you get a passport and what do you need?

First of all, you need an application. If you have never had a passport, are over the age of 16, or if you have a passport that is more than 15 years old (from date of issue), you can use this application. This can be optained online at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html After printing out the application, fill it out, get 2 photos (least expensive is Costco or Walgreens and they must be exact passport size or they will not be accepted), and proceed to the nearest acceptance facility (there are over 8000 nationwide, usually county courthouses but check out the website home page for the location nearest you). You will need your birth certificate and photo ID as well. DO NOT SIGN THE FORM until you take the oath administered by an authorized agent!

Need to renew a passport? You can do this by mail, by going to the home page of the above referenced link and search for passport renewal. Print out the form, and you can add two new pictures and mail in your old passport with renewal fees.

How long will this process take? Currently, turn around time is running about six to eight weeks. As it gets closer to the end of the year, this may slow down. If you need your passport right away, you can pay a fee to "expediate" the process. This is usually $65 or more.

Keep in mind there are passport agencies that can help you obtain your passport, but fees are usually involved. The State Department charges no additional fees other than issuance or expediation fees.

Helicopter Flight Over Antigua

Coming ashore in Antigua, four adventuresome travelers decided to forgo the "cruise ship" tours and strike out on their own on a helicopter tour of Antigua. Since two of us had never been on a helicopter, and one of us was terrified of heights, it was with mild trepidation that we set out.

This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip! After taking a short taxi ride across the island, we went through a quick video on safety, were outfitted with our "life vests" (we were flying over water) and taken to our helicopter and pilot. Imagine this "over 50" group of professionals with their 22 year old pilot! We were assigned seating, climbed aboard, and off we went! Our liftoff was gentle, and right over the surface of the earth! It wasn't scary at all!

Our one hour tour took us in a complete circle of the island where we saw crystal clear water, reefs, stingrays, yachts, sailboats, and pristine white beaches waiting to be explored. The flight gave us a great first impression of Antigua and we can't wait to go back.

For those interested in touring, contact Caribbean Helicopters in Antigua via their web site. We signed up online and it was easy and reasonably priced.