Posted by David Porter on October 28, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Why should I use a travel advisor instead of booking online?
You know, one of the most asked questions we get from folks that are considering using our travel services is “why should I use your travel agency instead of booking online myself?”
In our opinion, that is a fair question and one that bears a little examination.
When Carol and I owned our business in Michigan, we used the services of a travel agency to book a holiday getaway to the Bahamas. The fancy brochure our travel agent sent us looked beautiful, so we booked the trip. When we got to the Bahamas, this so called resort more resembled a private residence with a small pool in their backyard. We were mortified. We immediately called our travel agent as we wanted to get out of there. Response? No answer. So I was forced to re-book our trip from a pay phone on some small island in the Bahamas.
From that day forward (this was the early 1990s), we vowed to never again use the services of a travel agent. We immediately subscribed to Condé Nast, picked resorts from their Gold List, and made bookings on our own.
Fast forward a few years and travel agencies began to drop like flies as folks were beginning to learn that they didn’t need a travel agent, and that they could book travel on their own.
Now, fast forward again to 2010. Carol and I had decided to start a travel blog called The Roaming Boomers®, and we began traveling the world and leaving behind a trail of articles sharing our experiences with articles, photos, and video. Remarkably, in less than a year, we had 100s of thousands of followers and folks began asking us: “can we come with you?“, or “can you help me plan our trip?“.
Essentially, folks were asking us to be their travel agents. Right? Carol and I were shocked by this. We thought travel agents were dead! As a result, we decided to explore the idea of opening our own travel agency to meet the demands of the 100s of folks that were asking us these questions.
To make a long story short, and after a lot of homework, Carol and I decided to open Roaming Boomers Travel Services in January of 2014. And remarkably, it looks like there is a huge demand for travel agencies as we’ve been riding a remarkable wave of folks happy to learn that we’re here to help them plan their travel.
So, why has our young travel agency zoomed to nearly $2 million of bookings this year? Folks have become overwhelmed with the information on the Internet. Further, they’ve learned that that there are a lot of moving pieces in planning travel, and if something goes amuck, they desire to have someone looking over them while they’re traveling. And lastly, travelers don’t know what they don’t know. Trying to become an expert on Italy, for example, requires hours, and hours, and hours of study.
So, they figure, if I can find a trusted travel advisor, and I can see value for my money and time, then I’d rather have the help.
OK. That’s the background behind our travel agency. Now, let’s explore the question: why should you use Roaming Boomers Travel Services to help you plan your journeys, cruises, multi-generational getaways, special occasion getaways, and bucket list trips-of-a-lifetime?
Dave & Carol Porter
6 Reasons Why You Should Consider Using Roaming Boomers Travel Services
- Ocean and River Cruises – according to a 2015 report from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 70% of all ocean and river cruise bookings are made through travel agencies. You can learn more about why this is at this link. Synopsis: you won’t get a better price booking on your own, travel agencies have access to unadvertised private sales, we bring you consortium clout through our affiliation with the $15 billion/year Virtuoso Travel Network, you’re not alone, and we’ll save you a lot of time, worry, and hassle.
- Land Journeys – whether you’re looking to join a small group tour, or prefer to explore the world on your own, we have access to the very best on-site travel suppliers in the world. Think of it as having access to our little black book. For example, if you’re looking for a private journey to Italy, we will start our relationship with you with a three-way conference call with our on-site Italian travel partners. Carol and I have traveled all over Italy, we know the country well, but keeping up on all of the ever-changing hotels, resorts, and guides in Italy is nearly impossible. Therefore, our on-site travel partners are a very important benefit we bring to the planning process. This is a huge benefit that you simply can’t get on your own.
- Our Affiliations – it would be impossible for Carol and I to bring scale and compete with the “big boys” in the travel industry on our own. Therefore, we have affiliated our travel agency with Cadence Travel and the Virtuoso Travel Network. Cadence is a consortium of roughly 150 independent travel advisors like ourselves, and through Cadence, we are able to bring our clients the clout of the $15 billion/year Virtuoso Travel network, the world’s leading international luxury travel agency network. These affiliations are invaluable to us, and more importantly, to our clients. It assures that we’ll have the best available offers, and access to a fabulous travel network that would take us decades to create on our own. In short, we bring our clients access to the best of the best travel options and providers in the world. You can’t do that booking on your own.
- Hotels and Resorts – through our affiliations, we can bring our clients the best offers and packages available at the world’s finest hotels and resorts. There are over 1,000 luxury hotels in our Virtuoso Network all bringing our clients complimentary perks like complimentary upgrades, complimentary breakfast each day, resort credits, and more. PLUS, our affiliation with Cadence brings us “Preferred Partner” perks for our clients from the world’s finest hotels and resorts like Four Seasons, Belmond, Dorchester, Mandarin Oriental, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, The Peninsula, Marriott, Rosewood, and more. Like we say, you can’t VIP yourself. Through our connections, we’ll bring you great offers bearing loads of complimentary VIP perks.
- Trusted Advisors – while our clients generally approach us looking for help on a particular travel idea, our company’s goals are relationship oriented. Our chief aim is to bring our clients access to our remarkable travel networks, earn their trust through our advice, and take care of all of their travel needs into the future. Think about it. If you had a trusted friend helping you with your travel plans, and you also received financial benefits from the relationship, wouldn’t you want that? I mean, really, do you want to figure this all out by yourself? Millions and millions are saying no and flocking to a newly revived travel agency industry.
- We’re Active Travelers – Carol and I are very active travelers ourselves. Frankly, if you call one of the major travel brands on your own, you’re going to likely talk to a 20-something sitting in a cubical who has never traveled outside of the U.S. Sure, they know their company’s products, but they can’t bring you the invaluable experience of being in a destination themselves. Once you’ve made a booking, you’re going to have a LOT of questions. You’re going to wonder about passports, currency exchange, using your electrical devices in foreign countries, and much more. We’ve been there done that, in a lot of places around the world, and we can bring you a lot of expertise with these important questions.
When it comes to travel, we know the world (or through our on-sites, have access to folks that do), we’ll take your trip from ordinary to extraordinary, we’ll learn your travel style, we’ll expand your horizons, and we will hold your hand every step of the way.
So, I’d be a horrible entrepreneur if I didn’t ask you a closing questions after all of that. How ’bout it, can we become your trusted travel advisor? We’d be honored, and we look forward to having you as one of your clients.
To learn more about our services, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online request form (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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Posted by David Porter on October 27, 2016 · Leave a Comment
One of the features we enjoyed about our recent sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises aboard the Viking Star was the teak-covered promenade deck. With 8 laps, we had our morning 2-mile hike under our belts.
Although, when we hit a patch of rougher seas, we did somewhat resemble drunken sailors stumbling about!😝😝😝
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Posted by David Porter on October 27, 2016 · 10 Comments
Carol w/ Viking CEO Torstein Hagen
As we mentioned in this article a few weeks ago, Carol and I were invited by Viking Ocean Cruises to experience their inaugural sailing in North America.
Aboard ship were a select group of invited travel advisors (that’s us) as well as notable travel industry journalists and bloggers.
It was fun to see fellow travel blogger Matt Long aboard ship. We met Matt in Washington DC many moons ago when Carol and I were first starting our travel blog in 2010.
Today, as you know, Carol and I wear two hats: travel agency owners + travel bloggers. It’s great fun! Although, the travel industry doesn’t quite know what to do with us as they seem to have a hard time figuring out if they should look at us as travel bloggers or agency owners. That’s OK, we like to keep ’em guessing.
Our first morning aboard ship, as we sailed towards San Juan, Puerto Rico, we had a very interesting two hour meeting with Torstein Hagen, the founder and CEO of Viking Cruises.
Mr. Hagen first talked about the phenomenal success that they’ve been enjoying as they have single-handedly re-imagined the river cruise industry. Then, as we were sailing aboard the Viking Star, Viking’s very first foray into the ocean cruise industry, he went on to share his vision and early successes in the ocean cruise business.
If you’re not aware, Viking Ocean Cruises is the world’s newest cruise line, and remarkably, the World’s Best Cruise Line for 2016, according to the readers of Travel + Leisure.
Torstein went on to share with us his Viking philosophy:
- Don’t try to be everything for everyone:
- Focus on English speaking, mature couples with curious minds and an interest in history, culture and geography
- Offer an alternative experience on a small, quiet ship
- Be a destination oriented cruise line
- Offer a highly inclusive product with no nickel and diming
- Be an efficient operator and pass savings on to guests
- Offer a small ship experience at a large ship cost
- Hire the best staff in the cruise industry
Viking Star Infinity Pool
Our First Impressions
- Torstein went out of his way to let us know that his cruise line is not a luxury product, per se. While I don’t recall if he mentioned names, Viking Ocean Cruises is not designed to compete with the likes of Seabourn, Crystal, Silversea, or Regent Seven Seas. However, they do have Oceania, Azamara, and several other brands in their crosshairs. While Torstein refuses to use the “L” word (luxury), Carol and I did find their ship to be quite luxurious. Think perhaps of a beautiful 4-star Westin Hotel and not a 5-star Four Seasons. Frankly, in my humble opinion, the public spaces could well be considered 5-star with the staterooms perhaps being more 4-star with their minimalist Norwegian design.
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Viking Ocean Junior Suite
In regards to the staterooms, I’m not a big fan of minimalist styling, so my upper lip was a little curled up when I first entered our Penthouse Veranda Stateroom. I didn’t get that warm and cozy feeling that I enjoy in the world’s finest resorts. However, and this is important, the design of the room was remarkable and very comfortable. Viking has gone out of their way to give everyone a balcony, to have some of the largest staterooms in the small ship segment, and their bathrooms are spacious, beautiful, and even feature heated floors. Plus, their showers are large enough to actually enjoy taking a shower. Nice! I might also add that I found their Jr. Suites and Explorer Suites to be the cat’s meow. Luxury travelers will definitely enjoy these spacious rooms. While the design cues were similar to our Penthouse Veranda, I found these staterooms much more to my liking. If you can swing it, get yourself one of these suites!
- Mr. Hagen shared that the main dining room should not be the worst food on the ship. So, he has doggedly went out of his way to assure that the cuisine in the main dining room is awesome. We found the cuisine in the main dining room equal to any that we’ve experienced at sea. The service and food were quite amazing. Further, their specialty dining rooms are included in the fare, and are equally amazing. I’m very confident that 5-star travelers will be quite impressed with the cuisine aboard Viking Ocean Cruises. We were!
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Viking Ocean Cruises Snow Grotto
Public Spaces – one of the things that I’ve learned to look for is a cruise ship’s passenger space ratio. I don’t like crowds, and I certainly don’t want to feel crowded on a cruise ship. The space ratio of the Viking Star is 51.5 which is twice the public spaces available on most of the big ships floating the seas. The Viking Star carries a maximum of 930 guests, but I promise, you won’t feel crowded at all. The ship is full of comfy nooks and crannies to hide away with your favorite book to enjoy a little quiet time. I like that a LOT! Plus, as I mentioned above, the public spaces are beautiful and designed for comfort. In fact, the lowest level of their central Atrium is called the Living Room. It’s ultra comfy and beautiful with plush chairs to lounge away those times when you’re at sea. And if you prefer, the main pool area is replete with comfy chairs and even a large sliding glass dome to cover the pool area if the weather is cool or rainy. I could go on and on, but you should also know that the spa pool is a real eye-popper complete with a hot steam bath area and something they call a Snow Grotto where you can roll around in real snow, if you’re so inclined.
As this post is approaching 1,000 words and getting rather lengthy, I’m going to circle back around and write future posts to give you more information about their staterooms, cuisine, life aboard ship, and much more. But for now, please know that Carol and I were very impressed. In our minds, Viking Ocean Cruises is going to be our go-to ocean cruise line for our 4-star travelers traveling without kids. No kids under 18 are allowed on Viking Ocean Cruises. Like I mentioned above, the ships are designed for mature couples with curious minds who look to explore the world in comfort on a small ship.
Torstein also shared with us that he plans to be the world’s largest small ship ocean cruise line by 2019, and as you can see in the chart above, he is on target to make that happen with three more ships coming in the next three years.
Bravo Viking Ocean Cruises! We’re very impressed!
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a small ship ocean cruise line with a destination focus and 4-star luxury at large ship prices, then we highly and confidently recommend Viking Ocean Cruises.
Carol and I hope to sail Viking Ocean Cruises in the near future, and as Scandinavia and the Baltic’s are in their backyard, that is first on our bucket list.
For more information, or to book your own fun Viking Ocean Cruise, call our travel agency at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you. Plus, when you call, mention #VikingFun and we’ll add a special $100 shipboard credit on top of Viking’s best offers so that you can enjoy a couple of nice bottles of wine on us!
Link: Viking Ocean Cruises
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Posted by David Porter on October 24, 2016 · Leave a Comment
This special offer just came in from our friends at Viking River Cruises.
SPECIAL: AIR FROM $295 PER PERSON
8 days from $1,749 per person. Offer expires October 31, 2016.
Overlook the Rhine from Germany’s best preserved medieval castle. Discover the rich culinary traditions of Alsace. Explore the Black Forest your way: join a guided coach tour or walk lush country trails to a farm. Fairy-tale castles, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and spectacular scenery—little wonder that the Rhine is one of Europe’s best-loved rivers. From Amsterdam and Cologne to Basel, this 8-day journey reveals a wonderland of beauty and culture.
All This Is Included:
- 8-day cruise with river-view stateroom
- 6 guided tours with audio headset
- All meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners, featuring regional specialties and including Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner
- Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with onboard dinner and lunch
- Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Culture Curriculum: Enjoy a classical music performance; learn how to create your own Alsatian Flammkuchen; observe a traditional glassblower; attend lectures on Germany’s current affairs & origins of Rhine River cruising
- All port charges
- Free Wi-Fi, connection speed may vary
PLUS, take your pick of:
- a complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, or
- $400 Shipboard Credit per stateroom, or
- Risk-Free Bookings on 2017 river cruises.
Hurry, this offer expires on October 31, 2016.
For all of the available dates and details, CLICK HERE.
For more information, or to book this fabulous offer, call our office at (480) 550-1235.
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Posted by David Porter on October 22, 2016 · Leave a Comment
DOT Bans Samsung Galaxy Note7 Phones from Airplanes
When Carol and I flew to NYC last week to hop aboard a Viking Ocean Cruise, we felt quite disconcerted to hear our airline begging people not to turn their Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones on during the flight.
To be honest, that didn’t make us feel very safe.
On our return flight, the airlines were announcing that the phones were completely banned from the plane as the DOT had announced a Federal ban on the phones. And further, we’re getting emails from ocean and river cruise lines announcing the same ban.
Here’s a copy of the DOT press release banning Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones from airplanes:
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), today announced it is issuing an emergency order to ban all Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone devices from air transportation in the United States. Individuals who own or possess a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device may not transport the device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States. This prohibition includes all Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices. The phones also cannot be shipped as air cargo. The ban will be effective on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at noon ET.
“We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident inflight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk.”
Device owners have experienced documented incidents of dangerous evolution of heat with both recalled and replacement Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices. Samsung and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) acknowledged this imminent safety hazard with the company’s September 15, 2016 and October 13, 2016 recalls. Additionally, on October 11, 2016, Samsung suspended the manufacture and sale of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 device.
“The fire hazard with the original Note7 and with the replacement Note7 is simply too great for anyone to risk it and not respond to this official recall,” said CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye. “I would like to remind consumers once again to take advantage of the remedies offered, including a full refund. It’s the right thing to do and the safest thing to do.”
What air travelers should know
- If passengers attempt to travel by air with their Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices, they will be denied boarding.
- Passengers who attempt to evade the ban by packing their phone in checked luggage are increasing the risk of a catastrophic incident. Anyone violating the ban may be subject to criminal prosecution in addition to fines.
- Passengers currently traveling with Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones should contact Samsung or their wireless carrier immediately to obtain information about how to return their phones and arrange for a refund or a replacement phone. Samsung has provided guidance for customers about refund and replacement options, as well as how to contact wireless carriers, at https://www.samsung.com/us/note7recall/ [external link]. Samsung is also answering customers’ questions at 1-844-365-6197.
- If an airline representative observes that a passenger is in possession of a Samsung Note7 device prior to boarding an aircraft, the air carrier must deny boarding to the passenger unless and until the passenger divests themselves and their carry-on and checked baggage of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 device. Passengers absolutely should not pack the phones in their checked luggage.
- If a flight crew member identifies that a passenger is in possession of a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device while the aircraft is in flight, the crew member must instruct the passenger to power off the device, not use or charge the device while aboard the aircraft, protect the device from accidental activation, including disabling any features that may turn on the device, such as alarm clocks, and keep the device on their person and not in the overhead compartment, seat back pocket, nor in any carry-on baggage, for the duration of the flight.
The Samsung Galaxy Note7 device is considered a forbidden hazardous material under the Federal Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-185), which forbid airline passengers or crew from traveling with lithium cells or batteries or portable electronic devices that are likely to generate a dangerous evolution of heat. PHMSA has issued a special permit to Samsung to facilitate commercial shipment of the recalled devices by ground transportation.
The Emergency Order will be on display in the Federal Register display on Friday, October 14, 2016, and the ban will be effective on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at noon ET.For additional information on the recall, visit the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov.
For additional information on returning your recalled Galaxy Note7 device to the manufacturer, call 1-800-SAMSUNG or 1-800-726-7864 or visit the website: https://www.samsung.com/us/note7recall/ [external link]
For additional information about safe travel with lithium batteries and other potentially hazardous materials, visit the DOT Safe Travel Website at https://phmsa.dot.gov/safetravel/batteries.
Additional passenger information from the FAA is available at: https://www.faa.gov/Go/PackSafe. For all other questions about the transportation of hazardous materials, contact PHMA’s Hazardous Materials Information Center at 1-800-467-4922 or infocntr@dot.gov
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The Roaming Boomers
