Posted by David Porter on October 24, 2017 · 13 Comments
What is the Virtuoso Voyages Cruise Program?
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is a member of Virtuoso.
Virtuoso® is the leading international travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 800 travel agency partners with more than 16,000 elite travel advisors in over 45 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with 1,700 of the world’s best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. More than (U.S.) $21.2 billion in annual travel sales makes Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry.
Through our affiliation with Virtuoso, we bring our clients access to the world’s leading cruise lines, and as of this writing, 6,486 different cruise itineraries. To see them all, click here.
Key Point: when you book any of these 6,486 different cruises, you won’t pay a penny more than if you book it yourself.
Take a look at this recent article: What is the Best Way to Book an Ocean or River Cruise?
OK. Now that we’ve got all of that out of the way, let me explain to you the benefits of our complimentary Virtuoso Voyages program.
Virtuoso Voyages
At the end of the day, the Virtuoso Voyages program is a complimentary VIP perks package that comes along with cruise bookings made through a Virtuoso travel advisor. That’s us! 🙂
Virtuoso Voyages is available only to those who book their cruise travel through a Virtuoso-affiliated travel agency. The program offers complementary benefits on the world’s finest cruise ships across hundreds of annual departures. Since 1990, over 400,000 cruisers have participated.
The benefits of cruising with Virtuoso Voyages include:
- Dedicated Onboard Hosts: The hosts are focused on ensuring you enjoy your cruise; they’re available throughout the journey to answer any questions you may have and generally help everything go smoothly. In addition, they facilitate introductions between you and other cruisers at events such as…
- Welcome Aboard Cocktail Reception: This is a private event planned specifically for you and fellow Virtuoso Voyages travelers. The onboard host moves about making introductions, and this helps you ease into the overall cruise socially.
- Camaraderie Of Fellow Travelers: Chances are that you’re traveling with family or friends, but building memories with like-minded travelers you meet along the way can add an unexpected extra to your cruise. Share a few great meals and a terrific shore excursion, and you just might have some friends for life.
- Exclusive Shore Excursion: You can immerse yourself in the local culture, or you can enjoy VIP access to venues. These exclusive shore events are specifically for Virtuoso Voyages cruisers. Your Virtuoso travel advisor will know about this, and/or additional options such as a gift or shipboard credit on select dates.
As of this writing, we have these complimentary VIP packages available on over 1,800 different ocean and river cruise itineraries: click here.
Therefore, when you book your ocean or river cruise with Roaming Boomers Travel Services, not only will you get our expert advice, and the same price as do-it-yourself, but you will also get our complimentary Virtuoso Voyages package on nearly 30% of the world’s great voyages. Nice. Right? 🙂
To book your fun ocean or river cruise, call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request form (click here) and we will reach out to you.
###
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on October 21, 2017 · 4 Comments
REAL ID ACT: Coming to a TSA Airport Security Station Near You
If you are using a state-issued driver license to board domestic flights, then you MUST pay attention.
In the not too distant future, without a REAL ID-compliant driver license, or a passport, you will not be allowed on any flight.
And, just because your state is now compliant, it doesn’t mean that the driver license in your possession is compliant.
We live in Arizona. Arizona now issues two different driver licenses. One that can be used to board airplanes (the Voluntary Travel Driver License) and the Standard Driver License. The Standard Driver License will not get me through TSA airport security. And, effective October 2020, the driver license that I have in my pocket can no longer be used as an ID to get me through TSA security.
This all starts January 22, 2018, if you live in a non-compliant state!
Therefore, Carol and I must obtain the new Arizona Voluntary Travel Driver License, or bring our passports to board any domestic or international flight.
To make this even more complicated, there are a large number of states that are still not compliant with the REAL ID ACT. When the deadline comes, travelers in those states will need a valid passport to board any domestic or international flight.
Warning: make certain that the driver license in your possession is compliant with the soon-to-be-inforced REAL ID ACT. If not, without a valid passport, you will no longer be able to board any plane in the United States.
Here is the timetable for rolling out this program:
On January 8, 2016, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced the following timetable for the implementation of the REAL ID Act for air travel:
- Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security will conduct outreach to educate the traveling public about the timeline below, and continue engagements with states to encourage compliance with REAL ID standards.
- Effective on July 15, 2016, TSA, in coordination with airlines and airport stakeholders, will begin to issue web-based advisories and notifications to the traveling public.
- Effective on December 15, 2016, TSA will expand outreach at its airport checkpoints through signage, handouts, and other methods.
- Starting January 22, 2018, passengers with a driver’s license issued by a state that is still not compliant with the REAL ID Act (and has not been granted an extension) will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel to board their flight. To check whether your state is compliant or has an extension, click here. Passengers with driver’s licenses issued by a state that is compliant with REAL ID (or a state that has been issued an extension) will still be able to use their driver’s licenses or identification cards.
- Starting October 1, 2020, every air traveler will need a REAL ID-compliant license, or another acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel.
This timetable recognizes that some states must change their laws to comply with the REAL ID Act. It is also designed to provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the implications of not having a REAL ID-compliant license, and so that individuals have an ample opportunity to replace their pre-REAL ID licenses with new compliant licenses or to obtain another acceptable form of identification.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on October 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Hot, Hot Ocean Cruise Destinations
Carol and I have seen cruise bookings up significantly in 2017. And, as our niche is primarily the baby boomer traveler, we’re experiencing increase percentages far beyond the industry as a whole.
In fact, if you remember, Carol and I were blown away to learn that we are the #1 Viking Cruises booking agent in all of Virtuoso (16,000 agents) and we’re in the top five in the world (see this article).
Here’s this from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA):
“Travelers of all types increasingly see cruises as an optimal option for experiencing new and varied locations, fine dining, personalized service, entertainment… and adventure, according to the sixth edition of the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) Travel Agent Cruise Outlook research.
The quarterly study surveys 1,000 North American travel agents to determine and forecast industry trends, spend and market outlook. And the news on cruise is—in research parlance—significantly positive.
More than 80% of travel agents say their cruise volume has increased in 2017, and three quarters say their clients are spending more this year on water-based tourism. Those numbers have grown year-on-year to show a robust and healthy interest in and spend on cruise-based travel.”
Surprisingly, while mentioned in passing, the report doesn’t speak much about the big surge in river cruising. While our ocean cruise business is definitely up for 2017, our river cruise business is up significantly from last year.
So, unless I’m missing something, I think this report would better be titled the Travel Agent Ocean Cruise Outlook. Oh, and they spelled Mediterranean wrong. Nonetheless, let’s take a peek at the hot ocean cruise destinations as reported by 1,000 travel agents.
As I study this chart, here are a few thoughts that come to mind:
- While it is easy to concentrate on the blue growth percentages, there is also a lot to be learned by also peeking at the gray and dark gray columns as well.
- Alaska – Our business concurs. We are seeing a large percentage increase in Alaska bookings. Ocean cruise lines are putting more ships in the region for 2018, but it is also interesting to note that the Caribbean totally dwarfs Alaska in overall booking dollars as we taught you in this article back in August. Moral of the story for Alaska? There is limited capacity, and you MUST book early!
- Caribbean – While we certainly see Caribbean ocean cruise bookings, particularly from our clients east of the Mississippi, our business is seeing increased bookings for Alaska, Canada/New England, Europe, Hawaii, the South Pacific, and Australia/New Zealand. I suspect that this is because our client base is predominately baby boomers, and when it comes to the Caribbean, they’ve been there, done that. Our clients tend to book the Caribbean because of the warm winter climate, and the fact that it’s easy and close. They generally come home talking about the weather and the ship, and not so much about the destination.
- Canada/New England: While generally a short one-month season, this is also a hot, sold-out destination every single year. We recommend it to you.
- Europe Mediterranean: If you look closely at this chart, you will notice that while 25% are seeing an increase, 24% are reporting a decrease. Perhaps terrorism fears? We are seeing an increase in Mediterranean bookings over last year.
- Northern Europe: This chart looks similar to the Mediterranean chart. However, we are seeing a big influx of folks traveling to the Baltics this year. In fact, Viking has three of its five ocean-going vessels in the Baltics in the summer. For baby boomer travelers, the Baltics are a hot destination.
While we have clients traveling in all of the other destinations, I think I will end my discussion here as those five regions along with European river cruises cover the vast bulk of our cruise bookings for 2017.
So, Alaska is HOT. And, as I taught you in this article, if you’re thinking of an ocean or river cruise for 2018, you had better get it booked now. 🙂
To explore one of 6,549 cruises from the world’s very best cruise lines, CLICK HERE.
For help booking a fun ocean or river cruise, and to collect our complimentary VIP perks, call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we will reach out to you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on October 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Travel Music: Angèle Dubeau and La Pietà, Max Richter Portrait
Before I head out on a journey somewhere around the world, I make sure that my iPhone is loaded with current albums that I might enjoy on my trip.
While I enjoy a wide range of musical styles, my iPhone is packed with classical, opera, jazz, smooth jazz, and a little bit of what might be considered world or new age styles.
Oh, and every album that Chicago ever produced. These are good for road trips. 🙂
If you’ve read this blog for any period of time, you will know that I abhor the process of flying. I love to travel, but I hate flying. Go figure.
Anywho, I got to thinking; because I spend so much time scouring for new experiences for my auditory system before we travel, perhaps a few of my readers would enjoy the results of my search.
So, here is my first stab at this. If any of you read this article, I’ll continue. If no one reads this article, I’ll keep my musical reviews to myself.
Angèle Dubeau and La Pietà, Max Richter Portrait
I came across this album yesterday, and I think I’ve played it six times already. For my travel music, at least where airlines are involved, I trend toward music that is more relaxing and even atmospheric.
This album fits the bill as Angèle Dubeau (Canada’s most prominent recording violinist) and her string orchestra La Pietà, perform hauntingly beautiful pieces by Max Richter, a leader in what is called the post-minimalist movement.
To learn more about Angèle Dubeau, La Pietà, and Max Richter, click here.
As you can see, I am not a music critic. My intent is to simply share music that I love to have along when we travel.
I hope you enjoy, and please share your thoughts about this album in the comments section below. Thanks!
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on October 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Click for larger view.
MSC Cruises Orders World’s Largest Cruise Ship
If you’re not familiar with MSC Cruises, they are the world’s largest privately owned cruise line and the world’s fourth-largest cruise line behind Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Star Cruises (Hong Kong).
In what appears to be a mad dash to build an ocean-going vessel that will hold 10,000 people, MSC Cruises last May signed a memorandum of understanding firming up the order of two 200,000 GRT, LNG-powered mega cruise ships.
MSC Cruises’ World Class cruise ships will feature 2,760 cabins and a maximum occupancy of 6,850 guests, the highest passenger capacity in the global cruise fleet. The vessels, which will be delivered in 2022 and 2024 – the options are for 2025 and 2026 – will have a length of 330 meters and 47 meters of beam.
Currently, the world’s largest cruise ship is Royal Caribean’s Harmony of the Seas which is capable of holding up to 6,780 people.
While I think the ship sports an eye-catching futuristic look, frankly, a ship that holds upwards of 7,000 people just isn’t my cup of tea. And having said that, I’m quite certain that as a baby boomer traveler who prefers a touch of luxury and a destination focus; I am not their target market.
Plus, if you spend a little time learning about the biggest frustration facing cities like Barcelona, Venice, and even the Greek Isles; it is a growing number of these mega-ships dumping upwards of 20,000 in port at the same time. YIKES!
So, while we will recommend a smaller version of this type of ship to our multi-generational boomer travelers, Carol and I are going to avoid these floating cities like the plague.
How about you? Would you sail, or have you sailed on a ship holding nearly 7,000 people?
Leave your comments in the comments section below.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
The Roaming Boomers
