tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61534400988239040652024-03-06T01:26:25.974-08:00BEST CRUISE CHOICE/Tropical Cruise and Travel/BlogTo Educate non Cruisers and update seasoned Cruisers.Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-1118685391844632992017-01-28T17:27:00.001-08:002017-01-28T17:27:58.355-08:00Powur 2.0 Revenue Plan | Overview<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y2UfaFnAxHs" width="459"></iframe>Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-57699227315299415212016-08-05T17:54:00.001-07:002016-08-05T17:54:43.492-07:00Why Is Now the Time to Switch to Solar Energy?<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ZNhJiebBPc" width="480"></iframe>Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-38163628058318159622016-06-06T22:54:00.001-07:002016-06-06T22:54:36.716-07:00The Powur Opportunity https://powur.com/with/ted.coates/join<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/40VjyqgWW2M" width="480"></iframe>Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-56938548319428655352016-04-09T19:36:00.001-07:002016-04-09T19:36:21.610-07:005 Newest cruise ships of 2016 ~ CruiseShipss<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RxhxYcW8dK8" width="480"></iframe>Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-74071777662946119712015-05-09T12:54:00.000-07:002015-05-09T12:54:38.426-07:00Eastern Caribbean Cruise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Eastern Caribbean brings the somewhat mindless fun-in-the-sun experience many cruisers are looking for. Your getaway includes sandy beaches and opportunity to enjoy an array of watersports. Or sit and do nothing with a frosty rum drink in hand. Duty-free shopping galore – some of the port towns have an ambience akin to shopping malls – and casinos, including at the massive Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, offer diversions for those not focused on sun-seeking. Nature lovers will find the opportunity to explore both on land (especially in St. John) and in the sea (on snorkeling and diving excursions).</div>
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Cruises of a week or less sail mostly out of Florida (including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral, near Orlando) and visit tried-and-true ports in the Bahamas and/or St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and sometimes San Juan, Puerto Rico. Longer itineraries sail from New York and Baltimore.</div>
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The cruises are year-round, and packed with families during school break periods.</div>
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Depending on which line you book, your itinerary may include a stop at a cruise line-owned Bahamas island, where the sugary sands, beach BBQs, bars and souvenir shops are reserved for cruise passengers only.</div>
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<b>Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean if you...</b></div>
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Are seeking sun and tropical heat. Like to be in a popular place with a lot of other people.</div>
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<b>Don't go if you...</b></div>
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Are seeking cultural stimulation. Want the beach to yourself.</div>
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<i>--Fran Golden is the Experience Cruise expert blogger and a contributing editor of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>Porthole Magazine<i>. She is the co-author of Frommer's<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>Alaska Cruises and Ports of Call<i>.</i></div>
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<b>Ports in this region:</b></div>
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<li><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/destinations/san-juan-port-guide/2455385/" style="color: #00c3c3; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/destinations/san-juan-port-guide/2455385/">San Juan</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/destinations/st-maarten-st-martin-port-guide/2499791/" style="color: #00c3c3; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/destinations/st-maarten-st-martin-port-guide/2499791/">St. Maarten & St. Martin</a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/destinations/st-thomas-st-john-port-guide/2456071/" style="color: #00c3c3; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/destinations/st-thomas-st-john-port-guide/2456071/">St. Thomas & St. John</a></li>
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<br />Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-49011165267993814202015-04-26T17:48:00.000-07:002015-04-26T17:48:01.314-07:00WELCOME ABOARD THE ROYAL CARIBBEAN QUANTUM OF THE SEAS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Say hello to your home on the high seas – now with more family-friendly modular
staterooms that interconnect and the first virtual balconies at sea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dining Options<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Grande - From beef Wellington to chicken a l’orange, the
world’s classic dishes come together for formal night, every night. Chic -
Where the freshest ingredients of the wild are evolved to the height of
contemporary cuisine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michael’s Genuine
Pub -James Beard Award-winner Michael Schwartz brings you delicious yet uncomplicated
pub fare, plus his namesake craft beer. Silk - A vibrant tapestry of Chinese,
Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>American Icon Grill - America’s favorite comfort foods, homespun in our
kitchen with a few creative twists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sorrento’s - For an authentic New York pizzeria experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Café Promenade - This café on the Royal
Promenade offers specialty coffees, snacks and pastries in the morning and
sandwiches and cookies throughout the day and night. Chops GrilleSM - Our
hallmark restaurant now features a revamped menu that brings contemporary flair
to traditional steakhouse offerings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chef’s Table - A once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience. In this
exclusive space, 14 guests will enjoy a five-course menu of gourmet selections
prepared by the Chef de Cuisine. Every course is accompanied by wine pairings
chosen to enhance your enjoyment of each dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Izumi Japanese Cuisine - The traditional Japanese dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine - Our chefs
twist the kaleidoscope to invent fantasy gourmet dishes, magical elixirs, and
more never-before-seen fare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jamie’s
Italian by Jamie Oliver - Chef Jamie Oliver presents a menu of rustic Italian
favorites, handmade with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The Café @ Two70° - An
easy grab n’ go, gourmet marketplace that lets you pick the view. Coastal
Kitchen - Exclusively for suite guests, a fresh new fusion of California cool
and Med-inspired taste. Windjammer Marketplace - A global culinary pavilion
that invites you to explore the world, dish by dish. Johnny Rockets® - All the
style of a classic ‘50s diner. Solarium Bistro - During the day enjoy a classic
bistro plate with a loved one or bring the family to this delicious dining
experience that has something for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>SeaPlexSM Dog House - The first food truck at sea, serving up
traditional hot dogs, brats,and sausages, plus a variety of toppings to split a
long bun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Take yourself to new heights with the jewel-shaped capsule that gently ascends
over 300 feet above sea level. Breathtaking 360° views of the sea and our
destinations make the North Star one of the most anticipated features on this
ship.</span></div>
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groundbreaking innovations like RipCord by iFly, the first skydiving experience
at sea. And the North Star, a jewel-shaped, glass capsule with a spectacular
ocean view. Plus, we're introducing transformational venues like the Seaplex
and Two70° that morph from day to night. </span></div>
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Experience completely revolutionary spaces that transform from day to night.
Play basketball, go roller skating and ride bumper cars at the Seaplex<sup>SM</sup>.
Relax with a book at Two70°SM and come back at night for a spectacular aerial
show.</span></div>
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<br />Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-29085382557087154182015-04-25T10:18:00.000-07:002015-04-25T10:18:19.745-07:00New Allergy-Friendly Menus Available at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts<h2>
Posted on April 24, 2015 by Disney Destinations</h2>
<div class="summaryListSection">
New allergy-friendly menus are now available at approximately 120 quick-service and table-service locations at <strong>Disneyland®</strong> and <strong>Walt Disney World®</strong> Resorts. <br />
These new menus provide allergen content for each menu item, offering your Clients an easier way to make informed choices. Menu selection includes appetizers (where applicable), entrées, side items, desserts and kids’ meals, and focuses on the most common allergens, including gluten/wheat, milk, peanut, tree nut and fish.<br />
Your Clients are still encouraged to consult directly with a restaurant chef or special diets-trained Cast Member, as this allows culinary teams to take extra measures during preparation.<br />
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is the recipient of a FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) Award for dedication to providing a safe and enjoyable dining experience for vacationing families. Our chefs have also been recognized for their commitment to food allergy awareness, education and management. <br />
The new allergy-friendly menus have already been introduced in signature restaurants at <strong>Disneyland </strong>and <strong>Walt Disney World </strong>Resorts. They will debut at other table-service and quick-service restaurants, including <strong>Walt Disney World</strong> Water Parks, <strong>Downtown Disney®</strong> and resort hotels, through September 2015.<br />
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Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-67078383090075135722015-04-08T10:06:00.000-07:002015-04-08T10:06:18.651-07:00Single Travellers Needn't Go Solo <iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-top-navigation allow-forms allow-scripts" seamless="" src="//w2tn.travmarket.com/readArticle.php?aID=329" width="600"></iframe><br />Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-31129968731692880332015-04-07T14:46:00.002-07:002015-04-07T14:46:54.366-07:00A New Day For Nassau's Cable Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw8LZWqoSpJsUBfnangtG-Kk-yuhavbqSxa25QqhRtBVUK_W433KBYSTANFuJ6kLbCf65dmiuOv6DZqLDYdxi2pqR7OcFPISf9bpW1GzwZGYH8EI4aMNCZtmeYM022pc2hAg9LCwVNXva/s1600/Bahamar%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw8LZWqoSpJsUBfnangtG-Kk-yuhavbqSxa25QqhRtBVUK_W433KBYSTANFuJ6kLbCf65dmiuOv6DZqLDYdxi2pqR7OcFPISf9bpW1GzwZGYH8EI4aMNCZtmeYM022pc2hAg9LCwVNXva/s1600/Bahamar%204.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #4472c4; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent5;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Baha Mar resort
advertises itself as “the new Riviera.” It occupies 1,000 acres along Nassau’s
Cable Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Golfers were supposed to be swinging their clubs at the Baha
Mar Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course by now and gamblers placing bets at the
$3.5billion resort’s state-of-the-art casino.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But Baha Mar is behind schedule, and the Bahamas’ newest
resort, which was largely financed by the Chinese government and built with the
help of about 4,100 Chinese laborers, will miss all but the tail end of the
all-important high season.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead of opening in mid-December as planned, the
1,000-acre resort along Nassau’s Cable Beach is scheduled to begin receiving
guests at three of its hotels on March 27 and at a fourth — the Grand Hyatt at
Baha Mar — on May 1. The grand opening ceremony, produced by Jamie King and
Emilio Estefan, is planned for May.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They will miss the high season, but they will spend the
time making sure everything will be in place for the next high season,” said
Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe. “We feel we will do well in terms of
arrivals for Baha Mar and expect high occupancy rates and high room rates.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the Baha Mar casino is ready to open, the gaming
license will be transferred from the Crystal Palace Casino at the Wyndham
Nassau Resort, which occupies prime territory in the Baha Mar complex. T</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">he only thing the tired Crystal Palace Casino will have
in common with the new casino is the license. “They are totally different. It’s
not even fair to compare the two,” said Sands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though the Crystal Palace Casino remains open, the hotel was
closed and is now being used as a training center for new Baha Mar employees.
All told, it will take about 4,000 workers to keep Baha Mar humming. Already
about 650 people have been trained at Baha Mar’s Leadership Development
Institute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What the future of the old Wyndham will be is something that
will be addressed once Baha Mar has been completed and is operating, said
Sands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baha Mar isn’t the only mega resort in the Bahamas. Across
the water from Baha Mar on Paradise Island sits Atlantis with tanks full of
thousands of fish and other marine life, a mile-long water ride and a casino. With
3,414 rooms, it is bigger than Baha Mar, but it was built in three distinct
phases over 14 years, rather than all at once, like the new Cable Beach resort.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though the two resorts certainly represent competition for
each other, executives say they’ll complement rather than cannibalize each
other. Atlantis, which revolves around recreating the myth of the lost city of
Atlantis, is more family-oriented while Baha Mar is expected to appeal more to
adults. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tens of million are being spent on marketing the new resort,
Sands said. While Baha Mar is targeting key U.S. cities such as Miami, “we will
be focusing a lot of efforts in China,” said Sands. That means enticing not
only mainland Chinese, but high-net-worth Chinese in cities such as Vancouver,
London, Toronto and New York, he said. Beyond the Baha Mar ads that have begun
to appear in local media, there’s another Miami connection. Estefan produced
the soundtrack for the short online film The Voyage that is featured on the
resort’s reservations site.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also expected to boost occupancy is a visa waiver agreement
that China and the Bahamas signed last year. It will allow Chinese tourists to
travel to the Bahamas and Bahamians to go to China for up to a month without
getting a visa.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe3BfKqdV3nHOoTtk_NukwKmhX1qa4B7GN8RSXnyCkz1lH9jPvygbajCNrOqSTj7deiamL3C_pnVjCfWglJ9Y9yp5e_My0OrKl9TM2jXa8dg3QKfpFUzljB81TuwKGjOErJpZvEwapwJx/s1600/529716_398875396799895_376650202_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe3BfKqdV3nHOoTtk_NukwKmhX1qa4B7GN8RSXnyCkz1lH9jPvygbajCNrOqSTj7deiamL3C_pnVjCfWglJ9Y9yp5e_My0OrKl9TM2jXa8dg3QKfpFUzljB81TuwKGjOErJpZvEwapwJx/s1600/529716_398875396799895_376650202_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><a href="http://www.cruiseonebaltimore.com/">www.cruiseonebaltimore.com</a></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Miami Herald Staff Writer Jacqueline Charles contributed to
this report.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Read more here:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/biz-monday/article7066028.html#storylink=cpy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-89086164625146811042015-03-31T15:38:00.000-07:002015-03-31T15:38:21.127-07:00MSC Cruises to station new ship, Seaside, in Miami<div class="post-body editorimg share-push clearfix" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 1.125em; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.8em 80px; min-height: 365px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.75em;">MSC Cruises said it would deploy a ship scheduled for delivery in 2017 on year-round Caribbean itineraries from Miami. </span><span style="line-height: 1.75em;">The ship, to be called</span><span style="line-height: 1.75em;"> </span><a href="http://www.msccruisesusa.com/us_en/MSC/MSC-Cruises-Seaside.aspx?ref=consumer" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #c7171b; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.125em; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="MSC Seaside">MSC Seaside</a><span style="line-height: 1.75em;">, will be the brand's first new ship placed directly into service in North America.</span></div>
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MSC brought the Divina to Miami in November 2013 for year-round service, but that ship had sailed previously in Europe. The Divina will return to Europe and sail in the Mediterranean this summer.</div>
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Seaside is the first ship in a new class; a second ship is anticipated in 2018. At a news conference at the Cruise Shipping Miami conference, company CEO Gianni Onorato said the 4,140-passenger Seaside will be christened in Miami, another first, and will have its own terminal area at Port Miami. </div>
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“Today is a very exciting day for the company as this is the first major announcement related to the company’s new builds and demonstrates our enthusiasm and long-term commitment to continuing to expand our presence in North America,” Onorato said.</div>
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Crowning the Seaside will be a five-slide aqua park designed by the industry’s premier vendor, Vancouver-based White Water West Industries. Among the slides are a 525-foot twin tube ride and an interactive raft slide that challenges riders try to match flashing colored strobe lights along the course of the slide by punching colored buttons on an embedded game controller.<span style="background: none; border: 0px currentColor; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
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Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-83951516335774227622015-03-31T15:21:00.000-07:002015-03-31T15:21:45.901-07:00Grandeur of the Seas-Ship Inspection in Baltimore, Maryland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em>The Grandeur of the Seas sails out of Baltimore, Maryland, port of Baltimore. Grandeur is a Royal Caribbean ship that sails to the Caribbean on 7-10 day cruises. I recently had an opportunity to inspect the ship and I 'm please to report the good news.</em><br />
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<em>The ship offers great dining and entertaining, wines from around the World, Broadway style shows and eight bars and lounges. Adult only solarium, rock climbing wall, poker and slot, De-stress at the Vitality Spa.</em><br />
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<em>Great programs for kids of all ages, a program for children with Autism with Autism friendly toys and activities. This ship is sure to satisfy, including no airfare for those living within driving range of the Baltimore Port.</em><br />
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Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-28694092370165577982015-03-27T10:24:00.000-07:002015-03-27T10:24:45.503-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week, cruise line movers and shakers are gathered in Florida for Cruise Shipping Miami, the industry's largest conference. We're on the ground to give you the latest and greatest breaking news and trends.<br />
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(3:15 p.m. EDT) -- Asia's hot, but the Caribbean is still pretty darn warm, according to cruise line executives who spoke Tuesday, March 17, about both markets at Seatrade's annual Cruise Shipping Miami conference.<br />
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With Asia being the talk of the industry for the past couple of years, it's not surprising that cruise lines have ramped up efforts to attract customers in that region -- China, in particular, which makes up almost half of the entire Asia cruise market, according to Adam Goldstein, chief operating officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and chair for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).<br />
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Asians typically take even shorter vacations than Americans do, and nearly half of all existing cruise passengers are younger than 40, Goldstein said. Cruise lines are adapting by changing their marketing tactics and by primarily offering sailings that are shorter than a week in length. Lines also are doing special outreach to Chinese travel agents who aren't as familiar with cruises as their North American counterparts and, therefore, aren't as comfortable selling them to their clients.<br />
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Goldstein said the Asia market has nearly doubled from 2012 to 2014, but there's plenty of room for growth. Only 1/12 of the Chinese population traveled last year, and less than 1 percent of those who traveled did so by cruise ship.<br />
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With so much of the industry's focus on China, where exactly does that leave the Caribbean?<br />
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The answer: In a pretty good spot.<br />
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During a panel discussion on the state of the Caribbean, Michele Paige, president of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), said market share is down slightly due to the focus on Asia, but more than 20 million people will still be cruising to the Caribbean in 2015.<br />
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While demand for Caribbean cruises remains steady, the industry's capacity in the region increased by about 13 percent last year.<br />
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"The Caribbean was, is and will always be the most important destination [for the North American market]," Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International's president and CEO said.<br />
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With demand even, the cruise industry is looking for new ways to fill the larger capacity, including trying to draw passengers from other markets, Bayley said.<br />
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"We've got demand issues," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "I think we're much more focused now on how to find the right target market."<br />
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Richard Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises USA agreed, saying it wasn't that the lines had purposely neglected to market the Caribbean, but rather several lines saw a void in capacity and tried to fill it at the same time, causing a surplus. "Our nimbleness in changing deployment happened at the same moment," he said, adding that 20 years ago, it wasn't typical for cruise lines to move ships around so much. They'd plan itineraries two years in advance and never think about changing them.<br />
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Naturally, Cuba came up during the discussion, and the general consensus was that opening it up to cruise travel from the U.S. will help to draw more passengers -- particularly Americans -- to the Caribbean with the promise of something new and previously off limits.<br />
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Sasso supported that point, saying that many people don't cruise until they have a reason besides the cruise itself -- theme cruises, group travel, Cuba, etc. -- to do so.<br />
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"I think it's hugely exciting for the region and for the industry," said Andy Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, adding that his boss, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings president and CEO Frank Del Rio, wants to be the first to go and added that Norwegian Cruise Line could be ready to deploy ships there almost immediately when the opportunity finally presents itself.<br />
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When asked what the cruise lines can do to ensure passengers want to return to the destinations they visit on their Caribbean cruises, Sasso didn't mince words: "Our job is to bring the people to the destination. Getting them to return is the responsibility of the local government, the people and the destination. If the people are smiling and the food is good, people will come back. If not, they won't come back, and they'll write letters to us, asking us not to go there anymore."<br />
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Executives also agreed that ports need to differentiate themselves by offering shopping, dining and excursion experiences that are new and different. Otherwise, passengers may stay onboard their cruise ships.<br />
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But make no mistake, the cruise lines said, Caribbean cruising is here to stay.<br />
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"Cruise lines do not create demand," Paige said. "Cruise lines go where their passengers want to go and where they can make money." So, as long as cruisers continue to crave sun, sand and fruity umbrella-adorned drinks, the Caribbean isn't going anywhere.<br />
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--By Ashley Kosciolek, Cruise Critic EditorLet's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-78303094174123125402015-03-27T10:23:00.001-07:002015-03-27T10:23:19.462-07:00Carnival Cruise Line is bringing Carnival Sunshine to New York City<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
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<a class="plain" href="http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=8" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #065ea8; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Carnival Cruise Line</a> is bringing <a class="plain" href="http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=658" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #065ea8; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Carnival Sunshine</a>, its first cruise ship to feature all of the line's Fun Ship 2.0 dining and entertainment venues, to New York City in 2016 for 20 sailings between June and October. Carnival Sunshine also will sail a short series of cruises from Charleston and Norfolk.</div>
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Carnival Sunshine's New York City sailings, which replace Carnival Splendor's sailings, will range from two one-night cruise-to-nowhere outings to nine-night Caribbean voyages. Sunshine also will sail a handful of New England and Canada cruises including two three-night cruises to Saint John, three four-night sailings to Saint John and Halifax, and five one-week Canada/New England cruises that visit Boston, Portland, Saint John and Halifax. Caribbean sailings include six one-week Eastern Caribbean sailings, plus a nine-night Carnival Journeys voyage.</div>
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Carnival Sunshine also will sail from Charleston and Norfolk in summer and fall 2016.</div>
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Charleston sailings include an overnight cruise to nowhere in November, a three-night jaunt to Nassau in May, a four-night Bahamas cruise in May and November, and a nine-night <a class="plain" href="http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6224" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #065ea8; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Carnival Journeys</a> sailing departing the end of May.</div>
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Norfolk sailings include two overnight cruises to nowhere in June and October, a four-night Bahamas cruise in June, a four-night Bermuda cruise with an overnight in King's Wharf in October and a five-night Bahamas cruise in October.</div>
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The ship will finish out 2016 back in its current homeport of Port Canaveral, where it will sail a schedule of four- to seven-night Caribbean cruises.</div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">--By Dori Saltzman, Editor</em></div>
Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-80311023176290949782015-03-25T14:46:00.003-07:002015-03-25T14:46:35.196-07:00Cruises out of Baltimore, Maryland on Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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offer all inclusive benefits. Many discount cruises can include your stateroom,
meals, and entertainment costs into one great cruise deal. Whether you prefer
constant activities or just kicking back by the pool, Cruises out of Baltimore are
a great opportunity to save on airfare and avoid airport hassles.</span></span></div>
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Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-8838052903020547672015-03-24T07:48:00.004-07:002015-03-24T07:48:42.719-07:00I LOVE THIS CRUISE<iframe height="485" seamless="" src="https://w2tn.travmarket.com/bumpers.php?aID=986&vID=26&s=640x480" width="660"></iframe>
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<br />Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-66802095749046618592015-03-23T11:13:00.000-07:002015-03-23T11:13:01.084-07:00Adventure Awaits-BEST CRUISE CHOICE.com<iframe height="485" seamless="" src="https://w2tn.travmarket.com/bumpers.php?aID=986&vID=10&s=640x480" width="660"></iframe>Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-39046524857692853002015-03-20T15:34:00.001-07:002015-03-20T15:34:09.953-07:00Fascinating Cuba<table bgcolor="#FFFEF0" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="backgroundTable" style="width: 100%px;">
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<td align="left" valign="top"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Cuba is a fascinating cultural holiday destination, full of history and tradition. If you are the type to enjoy exploration holidays, we think one of these great tour packages may be the perfect match for you.</span>
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<td align="center" style="padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px;" valign="middle"><a class="w2tnSpecialLink" href="http://bit.ly/1HcO6tF" target="_blank">
<span class="w2tnSpecialHeadline">Havana Then And Now</span><br /><br />
<span class="w2tnSpecialLocation">Miami - Havana</span><br /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://media.travelresearchonline.com/newsletters/20150320/116-02.jpg" /><br />
<span class="w2tnSpecialDays">7 Days from</span> <span class="w2tnSpecialPrice"><strong>$3,299</strong></span>
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<td align="center" style="padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px;" valign="middle"><a class="w2tnSpecialLink" href="http://bit.ly/1HcO6tH" target="_blank">
<span class="w2tnSpecialHeadline">A Tale of Four Cities</span><br /><br />
<span class="w2tnSpecialLocation">Miami - Havana - Camaguey - Cienfuegos</span><br /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://media.travelresearchonline.com/newsletters/20150320/116-03.jpg" /><br />
<span class="w2tnSpecialDays">9 Days from</span> <span class="w2tnSpecialPrice"><strong>$3,499</strong></span>
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<td align="center" style="padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px;" valign="middle"><a class="w2tnSpecialLink" href="http://bit.ly/1HcO5pB" target="_blank">
<span class="w2tnSpecialHeadline">Havana and Sancti Spiritus</span><br /><br />
<span class="w2tnSpecialLocation">Miami - Havana - Sancti Spiritus</span><br /><br />
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<span class="w2tnSpecialDays">9 Days from</span> <span class="w2tnSpecialPrice"><strong>$3,335</strong></span>
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<td align="center" style="padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px;" valign="middle"><a class="w2tnSpecialLink" href="http://bit.ly/1HcO5pF" target="_blank">
<span class="w2tnSpecialHeadline">Topes De Collante</span><br /><br />
<span class="w2tnSpecialLocation">Miami - Havana</span><br /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://media.travelresearchonline.com/newsletters/20150320/116-05.jpg" /><br />
<span class="w2tnSpecialDays">9 Days from</span> <span class="w2tnSpecialPrice"><strong>$3,515</strong></span>
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Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-51725687666714714952015-03-09T18:43:00.000-07:002015-03-09T18:43:56.637-07:00Cozy cottage living at Bahamas' Pink Sands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-EybMKNiFLhTe58c9TKPFThaeXg4blAW55cxQMPg8miJeZrZyypXH0KPvi05wpd8FD6wm6ZsvRlPDtMf2noBS1JCRuBDpbqXXuWLBfr_I00oH6PuRdMboRaX7-BKbwQ82SuBBgmNEHwh/s1600/T0302PINK2_HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-EybMKNiFLhTe58c9TKPFThaeXg4blAW55cxQMPg8miJeZrZyypXH0KPvi05wpd8FD6wm6ZsvRlPDtMf2noBS1JCRuBDpbqXXuWLBfr_I00oH6PuRdMboRaX7-BKbwQ82SuBBgmNEHwh/s1600/T0302PINK2_HR.jpg" height="359" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By Gay Nagle Myers / March 04,
2015</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For clients suffering from the winter blues, Pink
Sands Resort on Harbour Island in the Out Islands of the Bahamas may be just
the antidote.<br />
Pink Sands opened in 1951 and quickly became a winter haven for the elite,
according to Christopher Pollock, general manager.<br />
<br />
"In the 1990s, Island Records mogul Chris Blackwell ushered in a new era
for the property," Pollock said. "New owners took it over last year.
It's been updated but still retains its original feel and ambience."<span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">GAY'S TIPS</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><a href="http://www.cruiseonebaltimore.com/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><img border="0" height="425" src="file:///C:/Users/Tedd/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 283.662px;" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="425" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">• Harbour Island, called
Briland by locals, is home to Dunmore Town, a quaint village, the only town on
the island and one of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas. Explore it.<br />
• The pink color of the sand is from shells that are ground into sand grains by
waves and currents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">• Fly into North Eleuthera
Airport on Silver Airways from Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Fla.; American
from Miami; and South Air and Bahamas Air from Nassau. Harbour Island is a
five-minute water taxi from the airport.<br />
• Direct ferry service is available from Nassau; see<a href="http://www.bahamasferries.com/" target="_blank" title="www.bahamasferries.com">www.bahamasferries.com</a>. Crossing takes three
hours.</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 25-cottage resort set on 25 acres overlooking
a pink-sand beach (hence the name) is easily accessible by air and ferry yet
far from the crowds.<br />
<br />
It's family-friendly: Several of the cottages are two-bedroom units that include
a living room.<br />
For $4,500 per night, the resort offers the Banyan Tree estate home with a
three-bedroom main house and a one-bedroom cottage, fire pit and pool; the
estate often serves as a venue for wedding parties.<br />
<br />
"We have 10 lots where we will begin building villas that will go into the
room inventory when not owner-occupied," Pollock said.<br />
<br />
Occupancy this winter ran at 60% in January, 75% in February and will top 90%
this month, according to Pollock.<br />
<br />
Guests can kick back at the beachside Blue Bar where the specialties include
crab cakes Benedict, Bahamian pepperpot and the catch of the day; dine by
candlelight at the Garden Terrace restaurant; and enjoy room service on private
patios in the cottages.<br />
<br />
The U.S. is the main market, although there's been an upswing in European
visitors of late.<br />
Rates in March start at $695 per room, per night, double, in a gardenview
cottage, plus 24% tax. Prices include water taxi transfer from Eleuthera,
continental breakfast and WiFi throughout the property. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ol11wHyMi7AxYHKVweZLj-S7JkVI2OPM7aRS7kql_dc2fQDlyunlwTmAH1XfPDjNH8KMPP9tbYboahiQoDaPqZR3_X8X3H_6no8SPe8F0JAw1junrDc5slEjhqE94DHtm7jg0zPmkVxy/s1600/529716_398875396799895_376650202_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ol11wHyMi7AxYHKVweZLj-S7JkVI2OPM7aRS7kql_dc2fQDlyunlwTmAH1XfPDjNH8KMPP9tbYboahiQoDaPqZR3_X8X3H_6no8SPe8F0JAw1junrDc5slEjhqE94DHtm7jg0zPmkVxy/s1600/529716_398875396799895_376650202_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>www.cruiseonebaltimore.com</b></span></div>
Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-71329710363120789642015-03-07T09:35:00.001-08:002015-03-07T09:35:46.652-08:00Royal Caribbean Presents Anthem of the Seas<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VLiryh1yvQU" width="480"></iframe><br />Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-37559639025741019692015-03-07T07:58:00.000-08:002015-03-07T08:12:58.236-08:00Caribbean's Anguilla Restaurants<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">When you Think of the islands of the Caribbean
and images of beaches, turquoise water and steel-drum bands come to mind. Fine
dining? Not so much — unless the island is Anguilla, a British Overseas
Territory just a 10-mile ferry ride from St. Martin/Sint Maarten.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">In its 35 square miles, Anguilla boasts more than
100 restaurants from beach shacks to a surprising number of fine-dining spots,
some with celebrity chefs. Last summer the Anguilla National Culinary Team took
several gold and silver medals in the Taste of the Caribbean competition in
Miami.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">The road to culinary fame started when the island
began to develop tourism in the 1980s. When its first high-end resort,
Malliouhana, opened it 1984, it brought in Michelin-star French chefs Jo and
Michel Rostang. Other luxury resorts followed, each with a fine-dining venue. But
not all of Anguilla's noteworthy restaurants reside in fancy resorts. A few
independents stand out:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAbIvR6EChx6sHUNVPeT9sYzwjLs0yLPM4CA2a1bOr2oJ3Ku6Co9xIhZPwB4RVdqbt88akIkb6dXB14ffa-9aeESnWkyG0MPB-72w07QvqPyhgzi1bwRISjy3gaN8ARGR-A_ypkuepBj0/s1600/_S6A9565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAbIvR6EChx6sHUNVPeT9sYzwjLs0yLPM4CA2a1bOr2oJ3Ku6Co9xIhZPwB4RVdqbt88akIkb6dXB14ffa-9aeESnWkyG0MPB-72w07QvqPyhgzi1bwRISjy3gaN8ARGR-A_ypkuepBj0/s1600/_S6A9565.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Blanchards (blanchardsrestaurant.com) — In 1989,
Bob and Melinda Blanchard turned their life upside down by moving from Vermont,
where they had launched several businesses, to Anguilla, where they opened
their namesake restaurant on Meads Beach. They tell the story of their
lifestyle switch in their first book, "A Trip to the Beach," which
continues to prompt patrons to show up at their door. "This actually
happens all the time," Melinda Blanchard said. "When we first wrote
the book, we had no idea it would actually bring people to the island, much
less our restaurant." They penned two more books inspiring readers to
follow their own dreams, as well as two cookbooks.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">The Blanchards use flavors from the Caribbean,
Mediterranean, Italy, France and various regions in the U.S. in their cuisine.
"We serve what we like to eat ourselves and always make sure to have
several flavors on each plate to make the dish interesting," said Melinda
Blanchard. Favorites include a seafood pasta dish and jerk shrimp with sweet
potato puree and cinnamon-rum bananas. They recently added a gluten-free menu. Blanchards
Beach Shack opened next door right on the sand in 2011. Its Caribbean cornbread
draws raves.</span></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVT9ARob-k2wSmwOm9NYq30UFl0o2l5XhUWqVrobHgrYXSAg6WKD-18fYCCpMSiuc_BMJAyHKN35DAvkDpvADxl8xoysmJsm1PF7DdGQkqAwUVvKtokojjRajZMxCspM_XqRLCVZTPRuq/s1600/_S6A9580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVT9ARob-k2wSmwOm9NYq30UFl0o2l5XhUWqVrobHgrYXSAg6WKD-18fYCCpMSiuc_BMJAyHKN35DAvkDpvADxl8xoysmJsm1PF7DdGQkqAwUVvKtokojjRajZMxCspM_XqRLCVZTPRuq/s1600/_S6A9580.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Veya (veya-axa.com) — The Blanchards aren't the
only culinary couple to decamp from the U.S. for Anguilla. After an Internet
search located a restaurant for sale on the island, "we sold our
restaurant, house, cars, all personal belongings and gave our three children
each a suitcase," said Carrie Bogar, who opened Veya with husband, Jerry,
in 2007. "Many, many people told us we were crazy." The chef, trained
at the Culinary Institute of America, calls her style "Cuisine of the
Sun," inspired by the Caribbean and other warm climates in Southeast Asia,
Africa and India. Among her first courses are shrimp cigars with chermoula and
apricot sauce and conch carpaccio with Indonesian rice salad. Red snapper is a
popular second course, as is the local crayfish when it's available.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Anguilla is the culinary capital of the
Caribbean," chef Bogar said. "When we first arrived here, a lot of
people spoke of St. Barts as the best island for food, but over the past few
years, I hear more and more people stating that Anguilla has surpassed St.
Barts in quality, diversity and cost."<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">De Cuisine (facebook.com/decuisineaxa) — Among
the newest additions to the island's fine-dining scene is this 18-seat
restaurant Denise Carr and husband Josh Proctor opened last December. A chef
for more than 20 years, Carr worked in four- and five-star hotels in Las Vegas
and Dubai before coming to Anguilla as executive chef at CuisinArt Golf Resort
and later as owner of the Sandbar. "I decided to open De Cuisine because I
wanted to do exactly the food I love to do," she said, an approach she
calls "food artistry." Her menu changes frequently but recently featured
foie gras mousse with mango preserve in hibiscus reduction and lobster
carpaccio with lime sabayon, avocado, wakame sea air and browned chili butter.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Tasty's (tastysrestaurant.com) — At first glance,
this green and purple building looks like a nondescript roadside structure. But
the beribboned culinary medals and clippings from Bon Appetit, Travel &
Leisure and Gourmet hanging on the walls of the modest dining room testify that
Tasty's is a true foodie find. In a local-boy-makes-good story, Anguillan-born
chef Dale Carty started his career as a dishwasher at the Malliouhana Hotel at
age 15 and was soon hooked on life in the kitchen. "Chefs Alain Laurent
and Jacques Borderon saw my passion and potential," Carty said, "and
made it possible for me to go to the south of France to train under the
guidance of Jo Rostang and later his son Michel Rostang." Carty opened
Tasty's in 1999 at age 28, fusing the techniques and styles he learned in
France with his Caribbean heritage.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Meals start with warm Johnnycakes before the
menus unfold. Seafood salad, in appetizer and entree portions, has sauteed
crayfish, snapper, lobster, shrimp, conch and salmon in a basil vinaigrette
dressing. Caribbean curry stewed goat comes with root vegetables and Anguilla's
national dish, pigeon peas and rice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Da'Vida (davidaanguilla.com) — The name
translates as "the life," an apt description for this combination
white-tablecloth restaurant, beach grill, spa and water-sports rental spot on
Crocus Bay. Those who think this place is all about sitting under a beach
umbrella while sipping colorful tropical drinks — pleasant as that may be — are
underestimating it. The fine-dining restaurant won a Wine Spectator award in
2012. Its dinner menu begins with appetizers such as Thai beef salad and
expands to entrees of beef tenderloin, rack of lamb and truffle mushroom
risotto.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Diners who want something lighter can order tapas
in the evening. Lunch at da'Vida's Bayside Grill might be burgers, barbecue
ribs and chicken or fresh fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Scilly Cay (scillycayanguilla.com) — No
discussion of food and Anguilla is complete without mention of this quirky,
open-air beach shack on a tiny spit of sand and coral just off the island. For
28 years Eudoxie Wallace, nicknamed Gorgeous, and his wife, Sandra, have turned
this cay into an afternoon's escape of sunbathing, snorkeling and island food
washed down with killer rum punches that may prompt patrons to get up and
dance. A string band often plays on Sundays. Lobster, fish, chicken and
crayfish — when they can get it — are barbecued on oil-drum grills.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Getting there is part of the fun: Stand on the
dock at Island Harbor, look toward the cay and wave your arms like a fool. If
they're open (Wednesdays and Sundays only), they'll send a boat for the
two-minute ride to the cay.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">For tourism info, visit the Anguilla Tourist
Board site at iVisitAnguilla.com.</span></b></div>
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Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-71514469516649413312015-03-07T07:36:00.000-08:002015-03-07T07:36:02.400-08:00Which destinations might present risks to an LGBT traveler?
<br />
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #4472c4; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: accent5;">
</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Josh Noel, CHICAGO TRIBUNE</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><a href="mailto:jbnoel@chicagotribune.com"><span style="color: blue;">jbnoel<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span>@chicagotribune.com</span></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">As a white heterosexual American male, there
are certain things — OK, plenty of things — I don't need to think twice about.
One of them is travel. There obviously are places where being a white,
heterosexual American male will work against me (probably the American part,
mostly), but usually I'm not too concerned for my well-being in the places I am
most likely to visit.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">But a stat caught my eye recently that
underscores an odd irony: A certain group of people who love to travel is among
those facing the gravest risk while doing just that. In a 2012 Community
Marketing Inc. survey of more than 4,000 people identifying as LGBT, 79 percent
of respondents said they held an active U.S. passport. That compares with about
one-third of the general U.S. population.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Crossed with a higher-than-average disposable
income, the LGBT crowd becomes a no-brainer of a target audience for the travel
industry. And indeed, airlines, hotel chains and cruise lines have been some of
the most progressive and aggressive when courting that market.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">But the demographic that embraces travel also
faces some of the biggest challenges while traveling. According to the
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, a
whopping 78 countries have deemed "homosexual acts" illegal. That's
more than a third of the world. Homosexuality is punishable by death —
punishable by death in 2015! — in seven of those countries.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">It's a paradox as cruel as it is ridiculous, with
potential blowback both small (such as a double take when same-sex travelers
request one bed instead of two) and unfathomably large (arrest). Eric
Silverberg, chief executive officer of gay social networking site Scruff (<a href="http://scruff.com%29/"><span style="color: blue;">scruff.com</span></a>) said he suspects "almost
every gay couple that has traveled in the last 10 years could cite some example
of prejudice or hostility."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Gay travelers are absolutely doing a
calculation: Am I going to try to go out tonight and try to find the gay
neighborhood or gay bar, or am I going to just stay in?" he said. "If
you're going to a city with just a few gay bars, you will be much more cautious
as you travel to your destination, especially in the evening."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">With those dangers in mind, Scruff has launched a
web page in recent weeks dedicated to "gay travel advisories,"
including the nearly 90 countries and regions that have laws against
homosexuality or frequent discrimination. The advisories also can include push
notifications; for instance, if a Scruff user arrives in, say, Nigeria, an
alert will pop up on a smartphone: "The country you have recently entered
has laws that criminalize sexual acts between consenting adult males as well as
laws that criminalize gay activism and public gatherings." The alert also
notes potential punishment, which in Nigeria includes the death penalty.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"We see this as a duty in our community to
keep people informed and safer as well as to shine a light on these laws to
increase global pressure on reform," Silverberg said.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Popular LGBT website <a href="http://towleroad.com/"><span style="color: blue;">towleroad.com</span></a> has frequently covered the
perilous relationship between homosexuality and travel, including a recent
story about two gay men who visited the Maldives, an island nation south of
India where homosexuality is illegal.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"It wasn't as scary for them as they thought
it would be," website founder Andy Towle said. "It turned out to be
fine for gay couples to book at resorts there. But they were concerned, so they
booked two twin beds."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Then again, Towle said, he was on a gay cruise
arriving in Dominica that was met by a protest at the dock. He wrote about the
experience for Genre, a now-defunct magazine aimed at gay men: "I had
heard about the past refusal of some Caribbean islands to allow gay cruise
ships to land, but I thought (wrongly) that since then this type of
discrimination had been forced into a corner by the mighty power of the gay
dollar. Not exactly so."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">That was in 2003. Towle said the world mostly has
become friendlier to people identifying as LGBT but not completely; discrimination
endures in Dominica, for instance, where in 2012, two men were arrested for
what local authorities deemed "buggery" (or sodomy) after engaging in
a sex act on a cruise ship balcony.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">(Brief diversion: in my estimation, the couple
should not have done such a thing and may well have been guilty of a crime. But
a heterosexual couple likely would not have been charged with sodomy, hence the
double standard.)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">According to a 2014 LGBT travel survey by
Community Marketing Inc., a significant number of respondents said they
wouldn't feel safe in even middle-of-the-road destinations: South Africa (31
percent), Turkey (44 percent), Dubai (52 percent), Jamaica (53 percent), Kenya
(73 percent) and Russia (82 percent). I asked Towle if there was a destination that
a heterosexual person might embrace that he would avoid. He named Egypt, citing
a recent raid in a Cairo bathhouse in which 26 men were arrested (and later
acquitted).</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">These are the decisions gay travelers often must
make, Towle said: Which places might present risks to an LGBT traveler? To what
degree does an LGBT couple need to censor themselves when traveling? It's a
consideration even across much of the United States.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"If I was traveling with a partner in rural
Wyoming or Montana or somewhere in the Midwest, I would definitely think twice
about where I was going to stay," Towle said. "Gay and lesbian
people, by the nature of how we grew up, are very used to being aware of our
surroundings and how we present in public. It's no different when we travel."</span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><a href="mailto:jbnoel@tribune.com"><span style="color: blue;">jbnoel@tribune.com</span></a></span></i></b><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Twitter @joshbnoel</span></i></b><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-38900141999733782042015-03-04T08:05:00.002-08:002015-03-04T08:06:14.691-08:00A FIRST-HAND REPORT: TRAVELLING TO CUBA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">by Daniel Levine / February 24, 2015</span></i></b></div>
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">New
York—A few days after the publication of new regulations governing U.S. travel
to Cuba, I logged on to the Cubana Airlines website and purchased tickets to
Havana using my credit card.<br />
<br />
While many tour operators to the island would still like prospective visitors
from the U.S. to believe that travelers cannot just hop on a plane and go,
that's simply not the case. They can, and they will. The floodgates for FIT
travel have been thrown wide open.<br />
<br />
Purely touristic travel such as stays at all-inclusive beach resorts remains
prohibited. However, any American wishing to visit Cuba may now do so, simply
by declaring oneself as fitting into one of 12 legal categories.<br />
<br />
The broadest of these is Professional Research relating to the traveler's
profession, professional background or area of expertise. If the reason for
traveling to Cuba falls into this (or any of the other categories) an American
is automatically authorized to visit the country legally, without having to
apply for a license.<br />
<br />
An opportunity for agents<br />
Direct, scheduled flights may take a year or more to get underway while airline
agreements are negotiated, but as a practical matter for individual travelers
this hardly matters.<br />
<br />
The fact is, many airlines are already offering charter flights to Havana's
José Martí International Airport from Tampa and Miami for as low as $329
round-trip. And Sun Country Airlines just announced charter service from New
York's JFK starting on March 17th. Others are set to follow.<br />
<br />
Especially now, while Cuba-bound flights are not available for purchase directly
from most airline websites or traditional OTAs, there is a unique opportunity
for travel agents to fill in the knowledge gap and help clients make these
arrangements.<br />
<br />
While traveling in Cuba is not particularly difficult, it is not for novices.
It’s for sophisticated travelers who value meaningful experiences over
luxurious pampering. The biggest hurdle for Cuba-bound travelers is no longer
the U.S. government; it’s finding a good place to sleep.<br />
<br />
Upscale room shortage<br />
Cuba has a shortage of high-end hotels and much of what does exist seems to be
already booked, often by tour operators far in advance. This situation will
become even more acute as the number of American visitors rises.<br />
<br />
As an alternative, the country's newly-minted entrepreneurial classes are
transforming their homes into apartment rentals and bed-and-breakfasts.<br />
<br />
Walking around Havana I saw signs announcing these "casas
paticulares" on almost every street. Some streets sport as many as ten of
these logos – which look roughly like a blue roof against a white background –
on a single block.<br />
<br />
Prices seem to hover around the $25 to $50 a night range. Hotel rates, in
comparison, can go to $300 or more. The challenge, of course, is finding and
booking these before landing. Here is where opportunity exists for clever
packagers to get involved as middlemen for FIT travel.<br />
<br />
The Caribbean’s new competition<br />
Restaurateurs and other tourism service providers I spoke with in Cuba are
clearly excited by the vast sea change set to wash over the country's tourism
landscape.<br />
<br />
Conversely, at the last Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) conference I
attended, country managers seemed universally threatened by the opening of Cuba
to Americans—and the impact it will have on their own number of visitor arrivals.<br />
<br />
When asked how many American tourists they foresee, more than one Cuban used
the expression "as many as the stars." Clearly this optimism also
suggests an opportunity for those U.S.-based tourism professionals who position
themselves to take advantage of it.</span></b><br />
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<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->www.bestcruisechoice.com
<!--[endif]--></span></b>Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-20675549918279366972015-03-04T07:58:00.000-08:002015-03-04T07:58:16.624-08:00SMALL-SHIP CRUISING: DIFFERENT AND IN DEMAND<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvobTR_dBbNAsJW1RohdANlg9YVV5O80YNchALbKZdEgznao0ZBKPqi3SJzZCa81iytNh3lnEhAlZHDw_x4y9HzSWCNCRNUegENPNt2skUUytt8-3U4KnkbLfzh0c8IPtBHSUIibsDdwAM/s1600/GetImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvobTR_dBbNAsJW1RohdANlg9YVV5O80YNchALbKZdEgznao0ZBKPqi3SJzZCa81iytNh3lnEhAlZHDw_x4y9HzSWCNCRNUegENPNt2skUUytt8-3U4KnkbLfzh0c8IPtBHSUIibsDdwAM/s1600/GetImage.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">by Andrew Sheivachman / March 02, 2015</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span style="line-height: 15.75pt;">While
river cruises have exploded in popularity in recent years, with booking windows
lengthening and prices surging, adventure and small-ship cruising is
experiencing a kind of renaissance as well.</span></div>
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<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">As demand for
small-ship cruises to more exotic locations grows, the need for travel agents
to help cruisers plan those trips has become more important than ever,
according to small-ship cruise line executives.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“A lot of travel
agent clients who have done the European river cruise circuit feel really
satisfied with that experience, but now they’re looking for something more
exotic and maybe something bragging-rights worthy,” said Kristin Day, director
of travel agent sales at International Expeditions.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<strong style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0in;">Impressive growth</span></strong><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">So-called
‘specialty’ cruises grew 21% annually from 2009 to 2014, according to data from
CLIA.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Experts divide
small-ship cruising into two main categories: cultural and expeditionary. Many
itineraries and cruising experiences, however, merge the two in an attempt to
craft a more diverse vacation for more experienced cruisers.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“For agents, it’s a
matter of matching the right person with the right cruise experience,” said
Katherine Bonner, Tauck’s vice president of river and small ship cruising.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“The person who
wants a more in-depth experience, who stays in higher-end hotels and has maybe
cruised on a Regent, Crystal or Silversea cruise but is looking for something
different now, is [a prime candidate] for small-ship cruising,” she said.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<strong style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0in;">Exotic destinations, intimate
experiences</span></strong><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Small-ship cruises
lines have focused on refining their product in recent years to appeal to a
wide range of cruisers, especially multigenerational groups and families.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“We’ve always had a
high number of multigenerational families, and those cruisers tend to be more
focused in the Galapagos, Alaska and Antarctica for us,” said Jacinta McEvoy,
vice president of travel agent sales at Lindblad Expeditions-National
Geographic.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“Those can be
groups of four people or a whole family of 25-30 people at a time,” she added.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">For other lines,
the focus will always be on the cultural experience centered on the
destination.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">They have ramped up
educational offerings and specialty trips and while they may cruise rivers at
times, the experience is more curated than a traditional river cruise.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“Norway is not a
first-timers’ destination,” said Gordon Dirker, managing director at
Hurtigruten. “We do get the highly-educated, well-traveled travelers; they
watch PBS and have a high interest in world affairs.”</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Hurtigruten remains
focused primarily on Norway and Antarctic cruises, staying true to its roots
after more than a century of cruising Norway’s shores—and becoming a part of
the country’s culture in the process.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<strong style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0in;">New markets</span></strong><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Lines like
International Expeditions, however, are looking to innovate and enter new
markets.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“To satisfy the
travel desires of our cruisers, we’re really excited to be planning a Cuba
cruise,” said Day. “We are working on it and we’re looking to have our first
departure for Christmas 2015.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The focus for all
these lines remains on the experience, even as demand increases.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“The average ocean
cruise company makes 30% revenue onboard,” said Bonner. “We find, especially in
the premium and luxury space, that people want to be less nickel-and-dimed;
they want to know you curated the vacation for them and chose the best of what
a destination has to offer.”</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<strong style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0in;">The small-ship cruiser</span></strong><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">But who are the
typical small-ship cruisers?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Older, more
intellectual clients are bywords for agents who want to target clients for this
niche, according to the executives.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“The kind of person
who takes a small ship cruise is looking for something a bit more intimate and
more social,” said Bonner.“You can be more alone on a big ship than a small
ship.”</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">McEvoy believes the
standards of luxury travel are more important than ever to small-ship cruisers,
since clients with the time and money to spend on a trip are used to a high
level of comfort and service.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“Accommodations are
important now to the small-ship cruiser, whereas 15 years ago they wanted more
of an expeditionary experience,” she said.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">And, of course,
limited supply means small-ship cruises are being booked 12 to18 months out for
the most wanted destinations like the Galapagos.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“The booking trend is super-positive at the
moment,” said Dirker.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<strong style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0in;">Thinking small</span></strong><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Despite limited
supply and ships ranging from 15 to 200 passengers, small-ship cruises are
especially popular with solo travelers.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Bonner said Tauck sets aside from 8 to 10% of
its river and small-ship cabins for solo cruisers.</span><br style="background-position: 0px 0px; outline: 0px;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“It’s a great way for singles to travel, because
of the social-mindedness of the experience,” said Bonner.</span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-17565408138324674922015-03-03T12:30:00.001-08:002015-03-03T12:34:55.940-08:00DREAM SAILINGS, DREAM SAVINGS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #494949; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lose yourself in the tropical splendor of the islands on a Caribbean cruise. Few places in the world exemplify the pure bliss of being on vacation quite like the Caribbean. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #494949; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brilliant sunshine diminishes the chill of winter to a distant memory. White sandy beaches invite you to leave footprints. And refreshingly warm water beckons you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #494949; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Drive through a volcano in St. Lucia, sway to calypso music in Barbados or take in the sands of St. Kitts where they turn from a fluffy white to a deep black. Each island has its own incredible story for you to discover.</span><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ky8cufx"><span style="color: blue;">http://tinyurl.com/ky8cufx</span></a></span></b></span><br />
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Let's Talk Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03454797976462226174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153440098823904065.post-64066012495457900302015-03-02T00:19:00.000-08:002015-03-02T00:19:02.462-08:00Harmony of the Seas Could Be World’s Biggest Cruise Ship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It looks like there will be a new world’s biggest cruise ship in April 2016 when Royal Caribbean International’s third Oasis-class ship enters service.<br />
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The new Harmony of the Seas will be 227,000 gross registered tons — a measure of volume, not weight —making it just slightly bigger than its 225,282-ton sister ships, Oasis and Allure of the Seas, which now share the world’s largest title. The final size measurement is usually taken when the ship is complete, so the numbers could shift.</div>
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The Harmony of the Seas will have the same seven neighborhoods introduced on Oasis of the Seas. It also will have three multi-story waterslides, all of which twist and turn over Central Park 10 decks below. One of the slides will have a champagne bowl that swirls guests around as they slide down to the end of the ride. </div>
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Harmony of the Seas also will have the Bionic Bar on the Royal Promenade — this is the bar with<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/make-it-a-double-robot-technology-rules-on-quantum-of-the-seas.html" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #00aeef; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_self">robotic arm bartenders</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>that was introduced on Quantum of the Seas.</div>
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The ship also will issue<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.travelpulse.com/articles/cruise/an-inside-look-at-quantum.html" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #00aeef; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_self">wristbands</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>that can be used as a stateroom key and to make onboard purchases and reservations.</div>
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Some stateroom categories will be larger than those on Oasis and Allure of the Seas. The interior accommodations also have the Virtual Balconies that show videos of the view outside. The ship also will have studio staterooms. Suite guests will get access to an exclusive lounge, private restaurant called Coastal Kitchen, and a sun deck.</div>
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The Dynamic Dining on Harmony of the Seas will include the “Classic” option in which guests rotate through the four complimentary main restaurants at an early- or a late-seating time with their same dining group and waiter each evening.</div>
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Specialty restaurants will include Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, with a new teppanyaki menu, and the Sabor Modern Mexican restaurant.</div>
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Overall, the 16-deck Harmony of the Seas will carry 5,479 guests at double occupancy. The seven neighborhoods onboard includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.</div>
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