I had a friend tell me it was cheaper for her to make her own travel arrangements than to have me do it. She said using a travel agent was too expensive. What she didn't realize is that you don't pay me, the hotels, resorts, rental car companies do. If you call to book with Norwegian Cruise line or with me we are going to quote the same price. This is true of any package deal.
Using travel agents can save you time and money. It is our job to know the ins and outs of your destination and help you plan a great trip.
First we save you time. I know so many people who spend countless hours and lots of frustration trying to figure out the best time to go to Disney or on an Alaskan Cruise. One call to a travel agent and they can tell you when ships head to Alaska, which ship to take or what type of stateroom is best for your family.
We save you money - and that is a good thing. Disney is not going to call and let you know FREE DINING just opened up and they are lowering your stay by 700.00. Travel agents do.
Book a trip to France on your own and a hurricane grounds hundreds of flights while you are are stranded in Chicago. You can wait in line with everyone else to see when the next available flight is or your TA knew about the incoming bad weather and rearranged your flights to leave a tad early. Or your TA is on the phone with the airline getting you new flights while everyone else is in line trying to get flights while you are sitting in a sports bar watching the big football game
TA's are not a phone bank. When you call to make a change or ask a question you deal with me, not some random person who answers calls in a queue.We are individual people who KNOW you. You are not a random name on a computer screen. In my case, I have a file on you with your likes and dislikes about traveling. Places you want to go (that way if I spot a deal I can email you), places you have been. What cruise ships you like or didn't like. I know what seat on a plane you like to fly in.
I am going to make your trip the best ever.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
book with me for Disney
Monday, September 3, 2012
Norwegian Freestyle Certified
I worked hard for this and for my clients. I take a lot of tests to get attain the highest level of knowledge of all the destinations I have available to you.
Norwegian Cruise line is one of the hardest set or courses I have taken. I have passed their core curriculum as well as their half of their elective classes. That has given me the right to display the certification you see above. NCL considers me to be extremely knowledgeable in their cruise line and what they offer with each destination they go to.
I must say I have been extremely impressed with everything I have learned about what NCL has to offer all cruisers - families, singles, newlyweds, retired, groups etc. I know most people flock to Princess or Carnival but for many destinations I will be recommending to my clients they take a look at NCL.
I am currently finishing the rest of my electives as well as taking my "grad" level classes.
This way when you come to me to book your cruise you can have total faith that I can recommend the best trip for you and your family.
If you are interested in a NCL cruise - or any vacation please contact me at travelnwithtink@gmail.com or click the envelope in the right hand corner and I will get back to you within 24 hours.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Best Age for Disney?
>
What age is the best age to take my kids to Disney for the first time?This is something that all travel agents get asked A LOT. My answer? There is no right answer.
I have seen 3 week old babies in their mothers arms on Pirates of the Caribbean on up to 60 year old kids going for the first time.
Several things to take in to account.
How does
your child handle being out of routine? Nothing ruins a day at Disney like a child who is at the end of their rope of being dragged from ride to ride because the parents want to do one more thing the "child will love"
How does your child handle crowds? Disney on certain days and certain times of year can be overwhelming to seasoned adult veterans. Planning your trip during
the off season can be helpful to your child as well as your pocketbook.
Do they know who Disney characters are? Yes there are families out there who have kids who don't know who Mickey and Minnie are. I have met two such families this summer. One of those families took a day trip to Disneyland. I understand the kids had a great time.
How does your child feel about characters? Will they scream bloody murder if Mickey or Donald come up to them at a character breakfast? That is no fun for anyone at your table or the entire restaurant. Some kids are scared of whole costume characters but no of those who have "real" faces.
These are all things that need to be answered before you go. If you have never taken your child to an amusement park, then take a day trip to a local amusement park to see how they do with all of the above. It will give you a sense of what your child can handle.
With younger kids, the biggest advice I can offer is plan down time. Do not go all day everyday to the parks. Plan time for swimming, resting and just hanging out. We enjoy taking trips on the monorail to see other hotels.
When Phil was 17, we took a long family vacation to WDW. It was Phil's high school graduation present. Drew was 4. Drew hit over load and one day refused to go to the park. Rather than it ruin the day, Scott stayed with Drew. They hung out in the room, did laundry, played with the toys Drew had gotten earlier in the trip, swam and had a great day. He just needed a do nothing day. By about 2 he was ready to get back in the action.
Flexibility is the key when taking kids to Disney. Any age is a good age to take kids to Disney World as long as the grown ups remember to listen to the cues of the kids and make sure to put the kids first.
I have seen 3 week old babies in their mothers arms on Pirates of the Caribbean on up to 60 year old kids going for the first time.
Several things to take in to account.
How does
your child handle being out of routine? Nothing ruins a day at Disney like a child who is at the end of their rope of being dragged from ride to ride because the parents want to do one more thing the "child will love"
How does your child handle crowds? Disney on certain days and certain times of year can be overwhelming to seasoned adult veterans. Planning your trip during
the off season can be helpful to your child as well as your pocketbook.
Do they know who Disney characters are? Yes there are families out there who have kids who don't know who Mickey and Minnie are. I have met two such families this summer. One of those families took a day trip to Disneyland. I understand the kids had a great time.
How does your child feel about characters? Will they scream bloody murder if Mickey or Donald come up to them at a character breakfast? That is no fun for anyone at your table or the entire restaurant. Some kids are scared of whole costume characters but no of those who have "real" faces.
These are all things that need to be answered before you go. If you have never taken your child to an amusement park, then take a day trip to a local amusement park to see how they do with all of the above. It will give you a sense of what your child can handle.
With younger kids, the biggest advice I can offer is plan down time. Do not go all day everyday to the parks. Plan time for swimming, resting and just hanging out. We enjoy taking trips on the monorail to see other hotels.
When Phil was 17, we took a long family vacation to WDW. It was Phil's high school graduation present. Drew was 4. Drew hit over load and one day refused to go to the park. Rather than it ruin the day, Scott stayed with Drew. They hung out in the room, did laundry, played with the toys Drew had gotten earlier in the trip, swam and had a great day. He just needed a do nothing day. By about 2 he was ready to get back in the action.
Flexibility is the key when taking kids to Disney. Any age is a good age to take kids to Disney World as long as the grown ups remember to listen to the cues of the kids and make sure to put the kids first.
Monday, August 27, 2012
prevent panic
When we go on vacation we take certain precautions. We are not alarmists but know that we can get separated and rather than panic we have plans in place to find everyone again.
First, I make shirts for our trip. We wear them on certain days of our trip. I find bright colored shirts and then design themes for the day. I can always look around and see 4 shirts just like mine and know where my crew is.
I take a picture of Drew every morning in what he is wearing. I take it next to something so we can have an approximate height. That way I am not having to try and recall how tall he is, what he is wearing (yes I know I can say - he has on this same shirt but that can't be dispatched quickly if he is separated from us, a photo can be)
When Phil was younger and now with Drew the first thing we do when we enter any amusement park or museum is approach someone wearing a badge. We tell him if he gets separated to look for a person with that type of badge and only talk to them.
I know some mom's who put a small bracelet or necklace on their kids with a parental cell phone number so they can be reached.
With the advent of cell phones we can text each other through out the day if some choose to go in different directions just to check in or let them know where to meet up.
One mom I know has a code word and when the kids hear that they know to line up and listen up because important information is about to be said. (she has SEVERAL kids) It is only used in an emergency so they know it is important.
I know everyone has their own plans in place in large places to keep together or find each other if separated. What do you do?
30% off select rooms at Disney
For a limited time grab up to 30% off rooms at Disney World. Contact me at travelnwithtink@gmail.com for the latest rates. Add tickets and dining and you are set to go.
Book by Sep. 29, 2012, for stays most nights Sep. 30, 2012 – Nov. 16, 2012 and Nov. 24, 2012 – Dec. 22, 2012 and:
- Save 15% – 20% at Disney’s Value Resorts (excluding Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard Rooms)
- Save 20% – 25% at Disney’s Moderate Resorts (excluding Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort)
- Save 15% – 30% at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Standard View only), Disney’s Contemporary Resort (excluding Magic Kingdom® view rooms) and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
- Save 25% – 30% at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House and Kidani Village (standard view).
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Emergency kit
We are by no means amusement park fiends. We love all kinds of vacations. But one thing I have learned is to have a small travel emergency kit on me at all times. Scott and Philip teased me unmercifully the first time we went to Disney for 10 days and I had this bag a Baggalini Messenger bag
I chose it for a couple reasons. The reviews on it were fantastic, it had TONS of pockets for storage plus it was a bright color so if separated I could be spotted. It has a zipper pouch on the top strap that is great for holding tickets which are about the size of a drivers licences. I also kept our PhotoPass in that pouch so it was also handy when it was picture time.
The middle pouch has several mesh compartments. I kept my point and shoot camera there.
The front pocket held receipts. I also kept small disposable ponchos in this area. I refused to buy the ones at ANY park because of the cost - 12-15 dollars each. They are also bulky and can't be folded back up in any reasonable way. The benefit to the disposable ones - they are CHEAP - about a buck each. I don't mind throwing those away. They are great for a late afternoon rain storm plus we use them when riding water rides. They help to keep you dry. Once the ride is over throw them away and enjoy the next ride. For the cost of one park poncho I can get enough disposable ones for the whole trip.
In the large pocket I kept a zipper bag. It held everything for an emergency. I had moleskin for the unexpected blister. Tums, or Rolaids and pepto bismol - never know when someone is going to eat one to many churros. Bandaid and Neosporin were packed in there as well. Tylenol is a must, after riding Haunted Mansion and all the silly girls screaming in the first room can give anyone a headache. A pair of tweezers in case of splinters. I also stashed a couple granola bars in there.
Back in the hotel room I keep sheets of moleskin and a small pair pair of scissors. Cut to fit for larger blisters. Also for us Pooh sized people or anyone who suffers from chaffing I highly recommend Body Glide. I rub it on my thighs before getting dressed and it prevents chaffing during the day. It also helps prevent chaffing if your clothes get wet on the water rides.
I know everyone has must haves in their emergency kit - what is your most important thing to pack for a park emergency?
The middle pouch has several mesh compartments. I kept my point and shoot camera there.
The front pocket held receipts. I also kept small disposable ponchos in this area. I refused to buy the ones at ANY park because of the cost - 12-15 dollars each. They are also bulky and can't be folded back up in any reasonable way. The benefit to the disposable ones - they are CHEAP - about a buck each. I don't mind throwing those away. They are great for a late afternoon rain storm plus we use them when riding water rides. They help to keep you dry. Once the ride is over throw them away and enjoy the next ride. For the cost of one park poncho I can get enough disposable ones for the whole trip.
In the large pocket I kept a zipper bag. It held everything for an emergency. I had moleskin for the unexpected blister. Tums, or Rolaids and pepto bismol - never know when someone is going to eat one to many churros. Bandaid and Neosporin were packed in there as well. Tylenol is a must, after riding Haunted Mansion and all the silly girls screaming in the first room can give anyone a headache. A pair of tweezers in case of splinters. I also stashed a couple granola bars in there.
Back in the hotel room I keep sheets of moleskin and a small pair pair of scissors. Cut to fit for larger blisters. Also for us Pooh sized people or anyone who suffers from chaffing I highly recommend Body Glide. I rub it on my thighs before getting dressed and it prevents chaffing during the day. It also helps prevent chaffing if your clothes get wet on the water rides.
I know everyone has must haves in their emergency kit - what is your most important thing to pack for a park emergency?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)