Travel Adventures

Cruising is a great vacation value. Many meals and services that would cost extra on an land based vacation are often included in the price of a cruise. Cruises tend to be more “all inclusive” than most land based vacations. In fact, higher end cruises may include gratuity, beverages and even shore excursions. Everyone has their own style. Some are high rollers and big spenders, rewarding themselves with extravagance because they deserve it. Other cannot enjoy themselves if they feel that their hard earned money is wasted. Whatever your approach is, if you want the best value from your vacation, it doesn’t hurt to do some advanced planning. Have a Plan.

Start your planning with a full quote of the cruise fare and taxes. Don’t try to develop a budget from an advertised lead-in price. Get a full quote from an agent that can explain the detail. This is the starting point.

When I budget my vacations, here are some of the expenses I take into consideration:

Gratuity. Some cruise lines will say that gratuity is included in your fare. In general, though, allow for a minimum of about $10 to $11 per day gratuity. Whether the cruise line automatically adds the amount to your onboard account, you prepay the gratuity or you hand cash over in little envelopes to the service staff at the end of the cruise, service staff rely on (and deserve) gratuities. Gratuity of about 15% is generally added to each beverage order.

 Flight, transfers, baggage handling: Airline flights are often offered by cruise lines as part of a package. If you purchase a flight from the cruise line they will generally provide transfers to and from the port as well. However, there are exceptions. Be sure to check. Transfers can sometimes be purchased separately if you are providing your own air. (more…)

In a press release, the Port of San Francisco announced an agreement with BAE Systems and Princess Cruises to “Secure the City’s Position in Pacific Cruise Market.” 

“The Port of San Francisco, Princess Cruises, and BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair have reached a tripartite agreement that will secure San Francisco’s position as the only ship repair port on the West Coast able to accommodate and service the largest cruise ships in the region. Princess Cruises and BAE Systems will invest $5 million to upgrade the Port’s floating drydock at Pier 70, making it capable of handling the newest and largest ships presently operating in the Pacific.”

 For more information visit the Port of San Francisco at www.sfgov.org.  The full press release is at:

http://www.sfgov.org/site/port_page.asp?id=70556

Is short cruise is a good way to “test the waters.” If someone has never cruised before, they may try to take a short cruise to see how they like it. Is a short cruise a fair test of the cruising experience?

Perhaps, but I don’t find it a fair measure of the cruising experience. Short cruises seem a bit rushed. The day of departure is all about getting aboard, going through muster stations and learning the layout of the ship.  The first “real day” at sea, I’m just getting settled in.  The day before disembarkation, I’m busy packing and wondering where the time went.  The day of disembarkation is all about customs, immigrations, waiting in line again. On a seven day cruise there is time to relax and forget for a while that you have disembark someday.

Some people look for a short cruise because they can only get away from work for a limited time.  Others seek low prices.  Discuss with you travel agent exactly what it is you expect out of your vacation. There may be other ways of achieving their goals without compromising the vacation experience. What about a local departure? 

If the goal is price, departure from a local port saves on air fare.  If the goal is getting more work in before and after the trip, there is a savings in travel time. In fact, we bring a Sprint-card-empowered computer for access to e-mail and work files while docked at domestic ports.I was able to give a convincing argument that a 10 Day voyage from the local San Francisco port over a holiday weekend actually gave more time for productivity for a telecommuter friend than would a 7 day departure involving a half day of flight each way.And yet….I would still rather go on a short cruise than not cruise.

How do you budget your vacation?  If you drink more than two sodas a day, perhaps a beverage card save you money?  Don’t shy away from a luxury brand just because the initial cuise fare is higher. As you move toward the luxury brands, wine, liquor and even shore excursions may be included.Consider the per diem cost of the cruise, after factoring in flight, hotel, and on board expenses. Four day cruises are often cheaper than a three day weekend cruise. Seven day cruises may have a lower per diem cost than shorter cruises.

Of course, a short cruise may be exactly what you need, but don’t shy away from looking at longer cruises or luxury brands.

San Francisco needs a modern cruise terminal if it is to attract newer and larger ships.  Plans to build a new terminal have fallen apart.  The developer of a multi-staged construction project bailed out before getting to the building a new cruise terminal.  At a Cruise Line Industry Association conference in Fort Lauderdale this March, a representative of the San Francisco port suggested that participation by more cruise lines would help lead to development of better cruise facilities.  Meanwhile an employee of a major cruise line pointed out that cruise lines are not attracted to the current facility at pier 35.

The San Francisco Port Authority is currently reviewing new proposals for a new cruise terminal. Current locations being considered include “Pier 30-32, Pier 35, and Piers 27-31.”  Current places for office space at Piers 27 to 31 are being revised to accommodate a modern terminal at Pier 27.

You may recall Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 coming to San Francisco in February of 2007.  Large ships do come to San Francisco as a port of call, but the current cruise facilities are not equipped to handle such large ships as a point of embarkation. (more…)

Seminar at Sea aboard the Carnival Paradise four day Catalina, Ensenada and a day at sea out of Long Beach lead by Kelly Balfour Business Development Manager from Oregon. Overall great experience well worth the time and money spent. Great ideas from Kelly as well as advice from some salted veteran travel agents are sure to make the seminar pay for itself. The following is meant more as a review of the experience than a summary of the training…

Monday: Arrived LAX from SFO about 10:30, Carnival Greyhound transfer to Long Beach, waited until about noon for bus. Arrived at port about 12:30. Long line at port. Went to the Queen Mary hotel and wandered around ship. The QM was a bit of a ghost ship midweek. Most shops and restaurants were open. No lines. Ate lunch at the Promenade Cafe. Clam Chowder was great. Pasta was salty. Line was down a bit by 2:30, but still took over an hour with line outside, line at counter, line for photos and line on gangway. Kelly suggested early check in at the Queen Mary available prior to 11:00 though supposedly was open until after noon that day. I realized later that if I had arranged my own transportation from the airport I could have checked in early and avoided a lot of waiting. (more…)

While waiting for the American Airlines flight Wednesday SFO to Miami, I asked to see the American Airlines Admirals Club. I got a short tour of the club, the computer room and they answered questions about the conference center. A similar request at nited’s Red Carpet got a “This is a members’ club.” I was impressed by the car cigarette lighter style DC power supplies in the main cabin of American Airlines. There were only a few, but they had ‘em.

I flew into Miami and rented a car to Ft. Lauderdale. I used the car in Ft. Lauderdale less than I hoped, but it was great to have the freedom to drive up the coast one evening.

Stayed at Holiday Inn Express. Was walking distance from the conference center, though I took the bus a few times. The fridge, microwave, free wireless internet, daily full towel change, coffee maker, computer and printer in the lobby, and continental breakfast met all of my needs.

CLIA Education Seminar: Cruising… Knowing the World You Sell Overall review of geography and the how cruises are a great way to see the world.

CLIA Education Seminar: Cruising: The Ultimate Incentive Wow. Dr. Marc Mancini substituted. His pinch hit showed mastery for the subject. Those who sell incentive travel make more money that those specializing in other markets. Dr. Mancini covered the history of incentives from the days of gold and green stamps to today’s modern incentive houses. He defined the market for travel agencies careful to layout the challenges as well as growing opportunities. Makes be want to order the CLIA videos. I understand he is one of the presenters. Many participants seemed to know him. (more…)