 If you have read the post titled "Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Expert," you know that I am a big fan of their cruise line. But, here comes the surprise twist at the end... I cheat on Royal Caribbean with other cruise lines! (insert suspenseful music here)
I know! Blasphemy! The #LoyalToRoyal crowd is ready to throw me overboard! But, I have enough love in my heart for all the lines. Why pick just one when they all have incredible and varying offerings? I love that "fun" is the priority on Carnival. I love the "freestyle" way things are done on Norwegian. I love that Princess is laser-focused on the ports of call and wants you to "Come Back New" every time you sail with them. I love that Cunard has the only true ocean liner for its transatlantic crossings. I love that MSC and Virgin are tirelessly working their butts off as the newest players in the Caribbean market and are blowing everyone's mind with what they're coming up with. And, I love that they are all trying to one-up each other with the latest and greatest things they can dream up! It all means a big win for us! I also love what the premium lines are doing by including everything. I love that they have smaller ships that can get to places the big boys can't. I love that their itineraries offer ports way outside of the norm. And, I love the luxury lines! But hey, who doesn't!? The service! The pampering! The quality! If you can afford it, it's the only way to go! It's the only way to go unless you're on a river, that is. Then you may want a riverboat! But yes, there are luxury riverboats, too. In fact, they run the gamut, but in reality, they are all very swanky! And yet, their swankiness is merely icing on the cake. Where riverboats shine is in their ability to take you where seafaring cruise ships cannot. Think of it - before there were planes, trains, and automobiles, we transported goods along our oceans and rivers by ships and boats. That's why societies of yesteryear grew up around the water. So, when you're on a riverboat cruise, you step off, not an hour's bus ride away from the action, but right in the middle of it! River cruises are not for Broadway shows and ice-skating rinks. They are for upscale elegance, astounding service, fine dining, and ACCESS, ACCESS, ACCESS!! So yes, I cheat on Royal Caribbean. Sorry, Royal. But, don't worry! You were my first, and you will always feel like "coming home."
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 If there is one mass-market cruise line I know better than all the rest, it is the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCL). In their Crown & Anchor Society (loyalty program), I have achieved "Emerald" status, which one receives after 55 nights on board an RCL ship - I have 60. Additionally, I have two more cruises planned with Royal. So, you could say that I am a fan of what they are doing over there at Royal Caribbean International. You could say it and you would be right.
I took my first cruise with Royal on March 24, 2007, on their Legend Of The Seas (retired) for a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise, and it was love at first wave! Since then, I have been on the following:
It is safe to say that I will continue my climb in their Crown & Anchor society as long as they keep on delivering the same cruises experience I have come to think of as "coming home."
The following are excerpts from https://www.contexttravel.com/
"The Context vision is to create an atmosphere - a context, if you will - for curious travelers to engage with local experts; to give them access to places and cultures that might otherwise remain out of sight to the casual visitor; to invite them off the tourist track and into the real life of the people, history, and culture that makes these cultural capitals amazing." "Our 'docents' are first and foremost scholars or specialists, with MAs, Ph.D.s or other terminal degrees in their fields of study. To learn more about why we call our guides docents, check out this blog post." If you have read our philosophy here at Extraordinary Adventures (if not, go here), you already know that we agree with Context's vision 100%! In fact, we quoted them in our philosophy! It takes a lot to get that much recognition from us, and we are pleased to do it. When it is time for you to begin your next extraordinary adventure, be sure to ask us to include a Context tour or two in your itinerary. You will be glad you did! Keep up the great work, Context!  “The world is an uncertain place and, as such, travel can be unpredictable. No one expects to face an emergency on their cruise vacation or to become injured on a trip." - Daniel Durazo, director of communications for Allianz Global Assistance USA Extraordinary Adventures By Land & Sea ALWAYS STRONGLY SUGGESTS that you purchase travel insurance for any and all trips regardless of age or any other reason you may claim for why you don't think you require it. Here's why... https://bit.ly/2FyJHoJ (Allianz and Travel Insured International, Inc. are our preferred insurance providers.) #travel #insurance Forbes  On our way through the Cotswolds, we had a little hiccup! But, we were not caught without insurance! We had Travel Insured International to give us peace of mind.  Oktoberfest? I've been there, done that! It's your turn now, and I can help you! “It’s time versus money. A lot of people just don’t have the time or the expertise to plan a trip and do it well.”
"They find value in paying a fee for the knowledge of someone who has actually stayed at the hotels, visited the sites and can negotiate good rates and extra perks." "These experiences fit with the trend noted in a June 2016 report by the American Society of Travel Agents, which surveyed 14,000 U.S. households and found that, despite the rise of online travel agents (OTAs), in the previous year 22 percent of consumers booked through a travel agent, the highest share reported in the past three years." "In its most recent Portrait of American Travelers survey, travel industry research and marketing firm MMGY found the use of travel agents at a six-year high, with more than 9 million U.S. travelers planning to call on a travel professional to help book a trip this year." “There’s so much information out there that it makes it more difficult to do your own research now. So we serve as matchmakers, listening to clients, and finding what’s right for them.” "Younger millennials want the VIP treatment, to be on the other side of the velvet rope. Older millennials are planning honeymoons, having kids, and wanting to create unique experiences,” said Ezon. “And it’s not just millennials; increasingly, Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are acting like millennials and looking for savvy travel advisers who can make things happen.” Extraordinary Adventures By Land & Sea has both the time and expertise! Contact us today to begin your next extraordinary adventure! https://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/online-booking-so-90s-humble-travel-agent-making-comeback-n692056 #travel #travelagent #nbc #nbcnews 
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