Posted by David Porter on June 11, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Amazing new booking engine offers do-it-yourself booking capabilities with the power of our $15 billion Virtuoso Network alongside.
We get it. Sometimes, you want to get an idea of what something might cost without having to call us. Or, you might be enjoying your Saturday morning cup of coffee, our office isn’t open yet, and you want to book a trip.
Well now, with our powerful new booking engine, you can book hotel and air packages and have us alongside to help with questions. Plus, sometimes, we can add unadvertised perks to the package after you’ve made a booking.
Here’s the scoop…
- This booking engine comes to us through one of our Virtuoso Travel Network providers, Classic Vacations. For years, Classic Vacations served only the travel agency world offering the world’s best hotel + air packages. These were packages that you simply could not get on your own.
- Not too long ago, Expedia.com bought Classic Vacations and now we can also bring you the combined power of Expedia, Classic Vacations, and the Virtuoso Travel Network in one convenient booking engine.
- When you make a booking through our new engine, we’ll get a notification and we’ll be able to double-check to make certain that everything appears in order.
- Secondly, we just might have unadvertised perks that we can add to your booking that didn’t appear in the booking. For example, we just booked a honeymoon for clients using this system to Bora Bora. In addition to the marvelous offer they received through our new booking engine, we were able to come back around after the booking and add complimentary transfers to the resort, complimentary breakfast each day, and a complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability), and a valuable resort credit. We can’t promise this on every booking. But know that we’ll at least inquire and use the influence of our $15 Virtuoso Network.
- Plus, if anything goes wrong, you can call us. When you book through regular online booking engines, you’re on your own. You can’t call Expedia, for example and ask for help.
- And, each week, this booking engine offers “The Real Deal”. A special limited quantity offer that is guaranteed to be the best in the world.
- Further still, the best offers are ofttimes available when you book air + hotel in a package. Which this booking engine offers you in spades.
This really is the best of both worlds: the power of Expedia’s online booking engine with the added benefit of our watchful eyes.
What to do:
Feel free to poke around our exciting new booking engine. There’s never an obligation until you put your credit card information into the system and hit the “book it” button. Once you make a booking, we’ll get a notification and come alongside to make certain that everything is in order, check to see if we have any unadvertised perks to add, and perhaps most importantly, be there should you encounter a problem.
To explore our exciting new booking engine, simply click the image below…
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Posted by David Porter on June 8, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Oceania Cruises Last-Minute Sale Offers – An Exclusive Limited Time Offer
Our readers and clients love last-minute cruise and travel offers and we’re beginning to get the attention of world-class travel brands who desire to make these special, exclusive offers to our audience.
As a valued reader and client of Roaming Boomers Travel Services, we invite you to take advantage of an exclusive limited-time Oceania Cruises offer.
Discover more about The Finest Cuisine at Sea™, the intimate and luxurious ambiance of the ships, the abundant onboard amenities and the array of exotic destinations that await you.
Not familiar with Oceania Cruises? Take a peek at the short video below…
Exclusive Last-Minute Cruise Sale Offers From Oceania Cruises
Here’s a few important things to know about this particular exclusive offer:
If you take a peek at the special last-minute saving brochure, you’ll notice that there are fun sailings in the Mediterranean, Trans-Atlantic sailings, Alaska sailings, Caribbean Sailings, South American sailings, and more!
Imagine a 7-day Mediterranean cruise in a Veranda stateroom with FREE airfare for only $3,484/person. Or, how about a 10-day Caribbean cruise in a Veranda stateroom with FREE airfare for only $3,229/person!
Sounds amazing. Right? But wait, there’s more! I just had to say that. 😄
Special Solo Traveler Fares w/ Oceania Cruises
We also know that we have quite a number of solo travelers in our audience. Therefore, take a peek at these solo traveler special offers with significantly reduced single supplements. Plus, you’ll also enjoy FREE roundtrip airfare and more.
To book one of our exclusive, unpublished last-minute Oceania Cruises offers, call our travel agency at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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Posted by David Porter on June 8, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Celebrate New Year’s Day 2017 in Bora Bora
If you’re looking to celebrate the New Year in one of the world’s most magical destinations, you need to know two things: you must plan early, and you should expect to pay higher than normal rates during this very busy and sought-after time.
Additionally, if you do plan early, you can take advantage of early-booking rates. However, if you wait until November to plan for the New Year, expect to find the most sought-after destinations either sold-out or with ridiculous room rates.
As I contemplated where I would most like to be for New Year’s Day, my mind immediately went to Bora Bora. We’ve been to a lot of magical destinations in our travels over the years, but none compare in our minds to Bora Bora.
Take a peek at this package we’ve selected for you to consider…
New Year’s Package – InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa
- 7-nights Emerald Overwater Villa – Check-in: 12/31/16, Check-out: 1/7/17
- Two round-trip Economy tickets from Los Angeles to Bora Bora
- Daily American breakfast for two per room
- Free unlimited Internet access
- Price: $5,545.89 USD/person based on double occupancy
- Note: this package was priced on June 6, 2017 and the hotel rates and airline rates are capacity controlled and subject to change without notice.
So. Looking for a magical destination to celebrate the New Year? This is our first recommendation. If this sounds fun, don’t dally. This resort is certain to soon sell out over the New Year’s holiday.
For more information, or to make your booking, call our travel agency at (480) 550-1235. Or, use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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Posted by David Porter on June 6, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Note: click on photograph for larger view. ©2014, David A. Porter
With the 100th anniversary of our National Parks upon us, I found myself browsing through some of my photographs from our visit to Yellowstone National Park a few years back. I captured this scene standing atop the Lower Yellowstone Falls which were thundering into the canyon over 300 ft. below. Can you see why the park is named Yellowstone?
Whenever I think back on this journey, the first thought that always comes to mind is that is was far more beautiful than I had expected. And then, I can’t believe all of the wildlife we saw.
If you haven’t been to Yellowstone National Park, you must. We recommend visiting in May. That way, you’ll avoid the massive crowds and you’ll also get to see all of the baby animals.
For our other articles on Yellowstone National Park, click here.
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Posted by David Porter on June 4, 2016 · Leave a Comment
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the Hurricane and Typhoon Seasons in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Thinking of vacationing near an ocean this year? Then it is wise to at least give some passing consideration to these hurricane and typhoon season alerts.
Here is the recent travel alert on this subject from the U.S. Department of State:
“Hurricane and Typhoon Season lasts through November 2016, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and October. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends that those in hurricane- and typhoon-prone regions begin preparations for the upcoming seasons now. This Travel Alert expires on December 1, 2016.
The Atlantic Basin, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea
Hurricane Season in the Atlantic began June 1 and runs through November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center expects the 2016 season to be near normal. There is a 45 percent chance of a near-normal season, a 30 percent chance of an above-normal season, and a 25 percent chance of a below-normal season. NOAA is forecasting a 70 percent chance that La Nina—which favors more hurricane activity—will be present during the peak months of the hurricane season, August through October, and a 70 percent likelihood of 10 to 16 named storms, which includes TS Alex which formed in January. Of those, four to eight storms are predicted to strengthen to a hurricane (with top winds of 74 mph or higher) and one to four are expected to become major hurricanes (with top winds of 111 mph or higher, ranking Category 3, 4, or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). NOAA recommends that those in hurricane-prone regions begin preparations for the upcoming season now.
The Eastern Pacific
NOAA’s outlook for the Eastern Pacific hurricane season calls for a 40 percent chance of a near-normal season, a 30 percent chance of an above-normal season, and 30 percent chance of a below-normal season. NOAA’s outlook calls for a 70 percent probability of 13 to 20 named storms, of which six to 11 are expected to become hurricanes, including three to six major hurricanes.
Western and Central Pacific
NOAA’s central Pacific hurricane outlook calls for an equal 40 percent chance of a near-normal or above-normal season, with four to seven tropical cyclones likely. For information on typhoon warnings, please consult the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, the National Weather Service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) Tokyo – Typhoon Center.
During and after some previous storms, U.S. citizens traveling abroad encountered dangerous and often uncomfortable conditions that lasted for several days while awaiting transportation back to the United States. You may be forced to delay travel (including return travel to the United States) due to infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight availability. Roads may be washed out or obstructed by debris, adversely affecting access to airports and land routes out of affected areas. Looting and sporadic violence in the aftermath of natural disasters is not uncommon, and security personnel may not always be readily available to assist. In the event of a hurricane, be aware that you may not be able to depart the area for 24-48 hours or longer.
If you live in or travel to these areas during the hurricane or typhoon season, we recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses during an emergency. If a situation requires an evacuation from an overseas location, the U.S. Department of State may work with commercial airlines to ensure that U.S. citizens can depart as safely and efficiently as possible. Commercial airlines are the Department’s primary source of transportation in an evacuation; other means of transport are utilized only as a last resort, are often more expensive, and will provide you with fewer destination options. U.S. law requires that any evacuation costs are your responsibility. For those in financial need, the U.S. Department of State has the authority to provide crisis evacuation and repatriation loans. For more information, please visit the Emergencies Abroad page on our website.
If you live in or are traveling to storm-prone regions, prepare for hurricanes and tropical storms by organizing a kit in a waterproof container that includes a supply of bottled water, non-perishable food items, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, any medications taken regularly, and vital documents (especially your passport and other identification). Emergency shelters often provide only very basic resources and may have limited medical and food supplies. NOAA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have additional tips on their websites located here and here.
Monitor local radio, local media, and the National Weather Service to be aware of weather developments. Minor tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very quickly, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation. Inform family and friends of your whereabouts and remain in close contact with your tour operator, hotel staff, transportation providers (airlines, cruise lines, etc.), and local officials for evacuation instructions during a weather emergency.
We strongly encourage U.S. citizens to enroll with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, you will receive the most recent security and safety updates during your trip. Enrollment also ensures that you can be reached during an emergency. While we will do our utmost to assist you in a crisis, be aware that local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.
Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness can be found on the Department’s “Hurricane Season – Know Before You Go” webpage. You can get updated information on travel to your destination from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada or, from outside the United States and Canada, 1-202-501-4444. We also encourage you to check the Country Specific Information and the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate with consular responsibilities for the territory you will be visiting. Follow us on Twitter and become a fan of the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ page on Facebook as well.”
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The Roaming Boomers
