Mothers’ Day Cruise May 9-12, 2014

October 5, 2013 in Cruise Sales, San Francisco, Vancouver | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ciao Bella Logo

Ladies!  Ciao Bella Getaway Club

Mother’s Day Cruise May 9-12, 2014

Princess Cruise Line – Star Princess
3-Day Pacific Coast Cruise

Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco

Perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day!!!

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day then on a cruise?  We’ll start out from beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, to exquisite Victoria, BC and then sail along the Pacific Coast to San Francisco.  There is nothing more breathtaking than sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge!  This special cruise will make the perfect Mother’s day gift! 

Perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day Mothers, Daughters, Grand Daughters or any women who want to join us on this very special Ciao Bella Getaway cruise!

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Prices start at only $249.00* per person for all 3 Days!!!  Includes meals, ship’s entertainment, stateroom accommodations and so much more.  

 The staterooms on this special Princess Pacific Coastal Cruise are very limited and on a first-come basis.  A $100.00 per person deposit will hold your space. 

 

 For more information, or to book your cabin today, contact lauren@aticket2travel.com or call 650-906-6000. 

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*Please note that prices are listed per person, non-air cruise-only and based on double occupancy. Gov’t taxes and fees additional. 3rd and 4th person in stateroom rates may be available.

Ciao Bella Getaway Club is a division of Ticket To Travel – CST#101-000040 

To find out more about the Ciao Bella Womens Getaway Club at http://www.ciaobellagetawayclub.com/

Seabourn Cruises – You Deserve it!

September 15, 2013 in Cruising Amenities | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

So this week I was privileged to have lunch with John Delaney, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales, at One Market Restaurant in San Francisco to celebrate Seabourn’s 25th Anniversary.  This is a great luxury cruiseline that plans on adding new ships to their fleet over the next 2 years.

What I really like about Seabourn for my clients is their service, attention detail and overall a great vacation experience that cannot be offered elsewhere.  There is so much included in cruising with Seabourn that you don’t have with the other mass market cruiselines.  All of the dining venues are included – so no surcharge for a specialty restaurant!  Complimentary wine, spirits, sodas & bottled water, even in your own mini-bar in your stateroom!!!  Not to mention, ALL of the staterooms are suites!

What I think really makes them magical are the dream touches they provide – such as Caviar in the Surf!

Also, what makes them stand out are special COMPLIMENTARY excursions such as An Evening at Ephesus:

So, now that you are ready for that perfect vacation – give me a call and let’s discuss planning it!

Oscar the Grouch – Now in Turks & Caicos and Negril

August 19, 2013 in Caribbean | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!!!

Oscar the Grouch was such a great hit at Beaches Ocho Rios, that he is now going to be joining all of his Sesame Street friends at Beaches Turks & Caicos and Beaches Negril!

Oscar the Grouch

From Trash To Treasure gives children a special peek into Oscar’s “trashland,” and offers them the opportunity to turn trash into treasures through playing and creating. Children will reuse everyday materials to build castles, cars, mazes, puppets, or anything else that might come into their imaginations. Guests are also invited to join in the Grouch Sing-A-Long as the opening act for the Beaches Resorts Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street® Stage Show and take photos with the King of Trash himself.

As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street®, Beaches Resorts is the only Caribbean resort company to offer engaging activities with a colorful cast of walk-around characters including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoe, Bert and Ernie, Abby Cadabby, The Count, Big Bird, and now Oscar the Grouch. With so many hands-on activities available, from Baking with Cookie Monster to Story Time with Elmo, there is an ideal activity for every child.

Sesame Street Beach Gang

So give me a call or send me an e-mail to discuss planning the best family vacation you will ever have!

Lauren

Sandals LaSource Grenada

August 17, 2013 in Caribbean | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Looking for something different for your visit to the Caribbean?  Tired of the usual…St. Thomas, Jamaica, St. Maarten?  Or…just want to brag to your friends about your next travel adventure?  Well, I am here to report that Sandals Resorts is bringing to you one of the most beautiful resorts on the exotic island of Grenada!

Sandals Grenada

Now, I can see a few of you scratching your heads and wondering…”where the heck is Grenada?”  For the rest of you, I know you are doing a Google map search.  In my efforts to keep you on this blog, here’s a map of where it is located:

Map of Grenada

To fly to the island, there are currently flights departing from Atlanta & Miami.  For those clients not located in those 2 cities, your flights will connect through either of those airports.

For those looking for the ultimate romantic getaway, Grenada is for you!  This property has only 225 rooms, separated into 3 villages – Pink Gin, South Seas & the Italian Village.  3 pools, plus 2 river pools.  Also, a first for a Sandals property – Sky Pool Suites:

Sky Pool

This property is scheduled to open in December 2013.  I am currently taking bookings for this property, so give me a call to discuss taking advantage of the early booking rates and air credit offers.

Love Grenada

Oceania Cruises – Regatta

May 27, 2013 in Alaska | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I just love this time of year!  It is when all of the cruiseships heading to Alaska for the summer season, stop here in San Francisco.  This allows me to tour the ships and report back the good, the bad and the….well you never know…

Today’s post is all about the Oceania Regatta.  She is all class!  You will not find a kids club on this ship, nor a single disco.  Not that these are bad things, it just not the clientele that this ship attracts.  If you are looking for a relaxed, intimate and beautiful ship to visit Alaska?  It has been found!

This ship holds approximately 600 guests, which is vastly lower than the other mass market cruiseships you will find in Alaska this season.  No need to pack your suit or fancy dress for a formal night, because it does not exist here on the Regatta!  Oceania tends to describe the relaxed atmosphere onboard as Country Club Casual.  There are only 9 passenger decks, so truly she is easy to navigate without having to take the elevators to get around.  She was refurbished back in 2011 and truly the beauty of this ship stands out.

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She sails with the Canyon Ranch Spa onboard which offers you the best treatments and spa cuisine.  Are you getting the idea here…this cruise is all about RELAXING!!

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The staterooms on the Regatta are spacious, comfortable and once again classic.  The dark wood and the décor exude comfort and elegance.

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Now let’s address the fantastic attraction of Oceania – its gourmet cuisine!  The menus are inspired by the Executive Culinary Director and renowned Master Chef, Jacques Pépin.   All I have to say here is MAJOR YUM!!!  All 5 dining areas, including but not limited to the specialty restaurants are included in the cruisefare. No nickel and diming you the travelers while onboard.  While we are discussing inclusions…sodas, bottled water, cappuccinos, espressos, teas and juices are also INCLUDED in the cruisefare.

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Oceania tends to offer incredible offers from time to time, such as 2 for cruisefares, free airfare, prepaid gratuities and of course my favorite…onboard credits.

Give me a call (650) 906-6000 or send me an e-mail at lauren@aticket2travel.com, to discuss your next vacation to Alaska or to the other wonderful European, Asian and South American itineraries that Oceania sails.

Princess Cruises – Grand Princess

April 25, 2013 in Cruising Amenities | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Today I got the privilege to take a tour and inspect Princess Cruises renovated Grand Princess.  I sailed on her 11 years ago and I was looking forward to seeing her after Princess spent so much money to update her.   Overall, Princess Cruises…you have failed.

So what is the big deal about the removal of Skywalker’s lounge?  Passing off the extremely small One5 Nightclub as the solution…fails.  Perhaps a little sprucing up of the Princess Theater should have been placed into the budget?  It is small, dark and dingy!  Since we are talking about dingy…the kids club is sad.  Why would a kid want to spend 5 minutes in the small, dark and outdated play rooms?  Princess?!?!?  I think you forgot about the staterooms too!  With the exception of new sheets and a duvet, THEY LOOK TIRED AND WORN.  Don’t get me started on the old and dated tile in the bathrooms.  The only true upgrade to the rooms are the rather small and disappointing flat screen T.V.’s = fail!

I do have to admit that the new Atrium is quite lovely.  ****that’s all I got****

Alfredo's Pizzeria in the Atrium

Alfredo’s Pizzeria in the Atrium

I kept hearing today on how Princess Cruises is “Innovative.”  Huh?  10 years later, Princess is still hanging onto the “innovation” of having the “Movies Under the Stars.”  It’s a very large T.V.!  Whoopee Doo.  Then there’s the mention of “innovating” the concept of Anytime Dining.  Wrong – NCL did that first.  And, lastly the addition of specialty restaurants.  Yeah, every cruiseline has those.

Bottomline, there is reason Princess has not released a new ship in 5 years…They simply do not have the creative imagination to be truly “innovative” as their competitors in Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and even Royal Caribbean (The King of Innovation).   I saw a preview of the Royal Princess.  ****yawn****   The most exciting thing I learned today is that her God Mother will be HRH Dutchess of Cambridge – YAY Kate!

So Princess Cruises, continue to keep your die hard loyal to the end cruisers, I will be placing my client’s on cruiseships that really give them the full cruising experience for their money.

Royal Caribbean’s Sunshine Project = Quantum Class

February 6, 2013 in Cruising Amenities | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Well it has finally been revealed…Royal Caribbean’s long awaiting Sunshine Project – The new Quantum Class of Ships!

This is a follow-up to my earlier post Sunshine Project.  Royal Caribbean will be launching 2 new ships the Quantum of the Seas and the Anthem of the Seas.  They will debut in the fall of 2014 and the spring of 2015, respectively.

These ships will be smaller than the enormous Oasis Class and will only hold 4100 passengers vs. 5400 passengers.  Royal Caribbean is going to bring in all of their world class entertainment and amenities for this class of ship.  Going with the premise – smaller might be better!

Stay tuned for further updates!

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Italy Trip – For Women Only!

January 22, 2013 in Italy | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 3 comments

Have you ever wanted to go Italy with just your girlfriends? 

Can’t get your girlfriends to commit to the trip to Italy?

Looking for that “special” Mother’s Day Gift?

Wanted more from your trip to Italy than just touring churches?

Well, Ciao Bella’s Women’s Travel Getaway Club is for you!!!  This May we have a FANTASTIC CUSTOM trip to Italy full of great adventures, food, wine, culture, art and did I mention wine???  This is your chance to experience Italy unlike any other trip out there…

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So after you have had a chance to review the complete itinerary at http://ciaobellagetawayclub.com/Bellissima/itinerary.html, please give me a call at (650) 906-6000 or e-mail me at lauren@aticket2travel.com, to discuss booking this trip of a lifetime.

GREAT NEWS!!! BIG BIRD & THE REST OF THE SESAME STREET GANG HAVE FOUND EMPLOYMENT…in Jamaica and the Turks & Caicos Islands.

October 4, 2012 in Caribbean | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GREAT NEWS!!!

BIG BIRD & THE REST OF THE SESAME STREET GANG HAVE FOUND EMPLOYMENT…in Jamaica and the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Poor Big Bird got notice on the evening of October 3rd that he and all of his friends “might” be out of a job in a month.  However, they do have a back-up plan and they want to celebrate it with all of those great families out there!

You can find them over on the islands of Jamaica and even the Turks & Caicos!

Your kids can go bird watching with Big Bird, bake cookies with Cookie Monster, go on treasure hunts with Abby Cadabby, check out Oscar the Grouches “Trashland” and learn how to make creative items with scraps, and even do science experiments with Super Grover.

If that’s not enough…there are parades and stage shows!

To make this all happen for your family, I have a special for up to 65% off, PLUS 1 night FREE!  So come on and take the time to get to know your favorite friends.

Contact me today and I will match you up with the right property for your families budget and needs.

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Cruising out of New Orleans – AMAZING PRICING!

August 13, 2012 in Caribbean | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

So you want to go to the Caribbean, but who wants to depart from boring ole Fort Lauderdale or the over populate Miami?  Consider adding a little party before or after your cruise with a departure from New Orleans!

These prices are just AMAZING!!!  Starting at $449 per person?  How can you beat that?  (See the details below)

Contact me today to book your year end travel! – lauren@aticket2travel.com or (650) 906-6000