Destinations to Explore

Cruise Tips: 5 Ways to Make the Most of Your First Cruise

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  1. Book a Balcony Stateroom – They say, once you go balcony, you never go back! I, for one, can vouch that statement is true. Balcony staterooms are a special way to elevate your cruise experience. What’s better than waking up and stepping out on your private balcony and listening to the waves each morning? Watching the sunrise while you eat breakfast al fresco…but you get BOTH experiences when you book a balcony stateroom! Lucky you. 😉
  2. Splurge on the Beverage Package – If sipping cocktails is your favorite pastime while on vacation, then booking a beverage package while cruising is definitely something you should consider investing in. Many cruise lines offer packages that include alcohol, beer, and wine up to a certain price point for a flat rate per day. If you enjoy a morning mimosa, a couple afternoon beers, wine with dinner and a night cap or two each evening, a beverage package can end up saving you money during the extent of your cruise vacation. And BONUS…many cruise lines offer free beverage package perks or the opportunity to bundle one with a cruise booking, so be on the lookout for those awesome deals (or contact your trusty travel agent to steer you to them). 😉
  3. Treat Yourself to Spa Treatment: You’re on vacation, so why not?! Spas onboard are of high quality and offer a wide range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments to suit even the pickiest of spa-goers. On days when the ship is in port, you can often find the best spa deals while everyone else is off the ship. This can make for nice, quiet day of pampering that’s unparalleled to any spa experience you’ve had before. So, treat yourself! You deserve it.
  4. Enjoy a Specialty Restaurant…or Two: The Main Dining room on board is wonderful…rotating menus and exceptional service every single night. But, cruise ships also offer a handful of delicious restaurants alternatives to eating in the main dining room every evening. With cuisines and themes ranging from French and Italian, all the way to Asian fusion and fancy steakhouses…take a night or two off from the dining room and experience different palate-pleasing fare.
  5. Embrace the Cruise-itude : Once onboard, don’t become a recluse in your comfy stateroom…explore the ship, get your bearings, and dive in head first to the fun that awaits you all around the ship! You’ll have the opportunity to try new foods, dress up for formal nights and themed cruise parties, and get involved with all sorts of cruise activities ranging from educational port lectures and cooking classes, all the way to bingo night and pool volleyball. Throw caution to the wind and enjoy all that cruise life has to offer!

Eager to plan and book your first cruise? Contact me today for your FREE cruise quote!

Written by Casey Cote: Casey Cote is a travel agent with Destinations to Explore. She loves planning incredible vacations at no cost to you. To book your next cruise, all-inclusive resort vacation, family getaway or honeymoon, contact at Casey@destinationstoexplore.com. You can also find her on Facebook!

SPOTLIGHT: Key West, Florida

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Key West, Florida

Known for being the southernmost city in the United States, Key West, Florida has been drawing crowds of travelers looking for a laid-back, eclectic, and brimming city with island charm. With it’s mellow vibe, it’s a little Florida, but a whole lot of Caribbean packed into one beautiful tropical island.

  • Don’t miss Duval Street, fresh seafood, margaritas and water excursions.
  • Key West is known for having amazing sunsets. Be sure to catch one on Mallory Square.
  • The first key lime pie ever is on record for having been made in Key West, so try a slice before you leave; it’s the official dessert of the island.
  • Take a pilgrimage down to the southernmost point of the island and take a photo with the iconic buoy! Don’t forget to watch out for Mile Marker 1 on the way.
  • There’s only one Sloppy Joe’s, and this is your chance to experience the real thing! This well-known bar has been a favorite “watering hole” in Key West since 1933. Grab a margarita and enjoy some life music.
  • Tired of walking? Take a Conch Train Tour or Old Town Trolley Tour around the island.

Key West Highlights for Cruisers

-Duval Street is where all the fun begins in Key West! Lined with a slurry of hopping bars, delicious restaurants, and eclectic shopping opportunities, this street has it all and is a must-see for all first-time visitors.

-Key West’s 19th-century character is found in Old Town, whose leafy streets are lined with Victorian homes, quaint cottages and grand mansions worth exploring. Step inside the breeze-filled homes of the famed author Ernest Hemingway, the Harry S. Truman House, and the maritime pilot’s Audubon House.

-Shopping in Key West is like no other shopping experience in the USA. Key West prides itself on an unique array of shops, including famous diamond stores, a cat and dog boutique, local artists’ markets, butterfly art, key-lime treats, luxurious aloe skin-care products, souvenirs that change color in the sun and pearls from around the world. While in Key West, shop for renowned jewelry from sunken treasures, fun clothing and a wide variety of island souvenirs.

-If you’re more into water sports, take a glass bottom boat tour on the Pride of Key West. Or enjoy an afternoon catamaran sail and snorkel excursion!

How to Get Here?

-Most major cruise lines offer Western Caribbean and a few Eastern Caribbean itineraries that stop in Key West. These cruises typically depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, or Port Canaveral.

Ready to find a cruise to Key West? I can help! Contact me for your FREE cruise quote today!

Written by Casey Cote: Casey Cote is a travel agent with Destinations to Explore. She loves planning incredible vacations at no cost to you. To book your next cruise, all-inclusive resort vacation, family getaway or honeymoon, contact at Casey@destinationstoexplore.com. You can also find her on Facebook!

Royal Caribbean HALF OFF 2nd Guest Deal

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Royal Caribbbean Deal

JULY BOGO OFFER

Explore brilliant new destinations worldwide on the most awe-inspiring ships in the world with this Royal Caribbean deal for July! Book for fall or set sail later in 2016 or 2017…you’re free to experience cruise adventures any time of year!

Booking Window: July 7-July 17, 2016
Sailing Window: All sailings departing on or after August 7, 2016.  Offer excludes China departures.

Offer Details:

  • Buy One Guest, Get Second Guest 50% Off
  • 25% Savings for 3rd and 4th guests — up to $200 in savings!
  • PLUS 50% reduced deposit

Instant Savings: Up to $200  per stateroom savings:
6 Nights or longer
Interior/Oceanview -$50 Off per stateroom
Balcony- $100 Off per stateroom
Suite – $200 Off per stateroom

5 Nights or less
Interior/Oceanview – $25 Off per stateroom
Balcony – $50 Off per stateroom
Suite – $100 Off per stateroom

*Terms and conditions may apply. Please email me if you would like more details on this deal!

 Don’t let this Royal Caribbean deal sail away without you this summer! Contact me for your free cruise quote today!

Written by Casey Cote: Casey Cote is a travel agent with Destinations to Explore. She loves planning incredible vacations at no cost to you. To book your next cruise, all-inclusive resort vacation, family getaway or honeymoon, contact at Casey@destinationstoexplore.com. You can also find her on Facebook!

Cruise Terminology Explained

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Cruise lingo

Sometimes stepping foot on a cruise ship can seem like you’re stepping foot into a foreign country. It can be easy to get overwhelmed with all the new terms and words you’ll hear onboard a cruise ship, but don’t fret! I’ve got your back! While you’ll need to know many terms to become fluent in cruise lingo, here are some basics words and phrases to learn so you can speak with even the savviest of cruisers on your first sailing.

Aft – the back of the ship or near back of ship

Forward – the front of the ship of near front of ship

Port – the left-hand side of a ship as one faces forward. A good way to remember this…PORT has 4 letters as does the word LEFT. Port is on left side of ship. 🙂

Starboard – the right side of the ship while facing forward (bow).

Muster drill – A muster drill is a mandatory event where passengers assemble in a specific location and receive instructions on what to do in an emergency.

Muster Station – a specific location on ship to gather, based on stateroom assignment. This is where you will go when the ship has a muster drill.

Mid-ship – middle of the ship

Bridge – the navigational control center of the ship

Bow – very front of the ship

Stern – very back of the ship

Gangway – The ramp or stairway that leads from the ship to the pier, allowing passengers and crewmembers to get on and off the ship.

Captain – Person in command of the ship

Leeward – The side of the ship that is out of or away from the wind

Nautical mile or Knot – A unit of speed of one nautical mile (6,076.12 feet or 1,852 meters) an hour: abbrev. kn or kt

Disembark – To unload passengers (or goods) from a ship.

Tender – A  boat for carrying passengers to or from a ship close to shore.

Berth – A built-in bed or bunk, as in a ship’s cabin or stateroom

Stateroom – Rooms on the ship where guests stay (sleeping quarters) during their cruise.

Windward – On the side of the ship from which the wind blows; toward the wind

Cabin Steward – A person whose work is to maintain the guests’ staterooms while onboard

Cruisetour – A cruise that is preceded or followed by a bus tour, operated by the cruise line.

Cruise Director – The emcee of the cruise who heads up the entertainment staff and might handle passenger requests and complaints.

Galley – The ship’s kitchen

Lido Deck – The pool deck

OBC – onboard credit  added to your onboard account, either as a perk of booking or as compensation for an unforeseen event.

Porthole – A round window, often smaller than the standard picture window found in most outside cabins

MDR – Main dining room

Ready to put all this cruise lingo to good use on your first sailing? Contact me today!

Written by Casey Cote: Casey Cote is a travel agent with Destinations to Explore. She loves planning incredible vacations at no cost to you. To book your next cruise, all-inclusive resort vacation, family getaway or honeymoon, contact at Casey@destinationstoexplore.com. You can also find her on Facebook!

Royal Caribbean Cruises: 2nd Guest 60% Off!

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Royal Caribbean BOGO60

“This is not a cruise. This is a memory-packed experience expedition – and right now you can get it all for less. Pedal through Freedom City in St. Croix and explore the underwater world of St. Maarten’s Maho Beach. Hop from one unforgettable island to another while thrilling in adrenaline pumping activities, like hanging ten on the top deck. Catching edge-of-your-seat shows like CATS. And savoring farm-to-fork fare at 150 Central Park. This is not the Caribbean — this is the Royal Caribbean.”

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BOGO 60 SALE

Now through June 6th, you can set sail with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line at buy one cruise fare, get 60% off a 2nd guest…PLUS 30% off 3rd and 4th guests!

Eligible sailings: All sailings on or after June 2, 2016, excluding China departures.

For more details & to book your next Royal Caribbean Cruise vacation, contact me today!

Written by Casey Cote: Casey Cote is a travel agent with Destinations to Explore. She loves planning incredible vacations at no cost to you. To book your next cruise, all-inclusive resort vacation, family getaway or honeymoon, contact at Casey@destinationstoexplore.com. You can also find her on Facebook!