Many people ask me how to get the best price on cruise travel. When planning a cruise, let’s say a stateroom with a view, the price that you get from me, from an online seller, or directly from the cruise line is exactly the same price from all of us. It’s the way that all cruise lines operate—there are no special prices for anyone. But this is how you get the best price on cruising–when you book through the cruise line or directly online—often they don’t offer the perks that you get when dealing with an Agency such as Chuck Olson Tours & Cruises. Let’s say you pay $500 for a cruise through ‘another source’ and you pay $500 for a cruise through us—but with us—we have an upgrade offer we can extend for the same price you would pay for a stateroom with a view, we may have a stateroom with a balcony. You will also notice that online and directly through the cruise lines rarely (if ever) offer ‘on-board credits’—again this is something we can often offer as well, which helps to pay for those cruise gratuities, a special bottle of wine, or even that special spa day onboard!

My final point on how to get the best price on cruise travel is not about your up-front cost, but the price you would pay if something goes wrong during your travel—either you get sick and can’t go or perhaps like a recent issue–a volcano in another country doesn’t allow you to fly to the cruise port. Who would you phone from an online agency, or at the cruise line, to work on your behalf to help make things right? That’s why we’re here. To give you the best price on travel and to give you the assurance to know that we’re in your corner helping you to have the best time possible!

Give us a call because when you book with us, you will get the best price on cruise travel!

‘till we sail again!

For the family, the stage shows are family friendly, the aqua park includes a 270 foot LED screen to show concerts, movies and other entertainment, and the staterooms are larger and family friendly. For example, the room Pat and I had would accommodate a family of five and had one and a half bathrooms plus plenty of closet and drawer space. Carnival bills themselves as the fun ships and if you don’t have fun on this beautiful ship it won’t be the ship’s fault.

Erle Hudson, Travel Consultant

Chuck Olson Tours & Cruises

All tours include: airport transfers at start and end of tour, sightseeing by luxury coach, professional tour director, hotel accommodation, breakfast daily except on day 1, dinners, welcome get-together, tours, visits and admissions to attractions, deluxe carry-on backpack, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap, all local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person.

England & Wales: Heart of Britain & Heritage – 14 Day Coach Tour (Featuring BEATLES’ Tour of Liverpool)

Highlights: Scottish Cabaret in Edinburgh, York Tavern Dinner & Ghost Walk, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Cardiff Castle’s Welsh Banquet, Beatles’ Tour of Liverpool, Tower of London, Windsor Castle and more!

Ireland: Irish Classic – 12 or 13 Day Coach Tour

Highlights: Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet, Taylor’s Three Rock Dinner/Show, Giant’s Causeway, Westport House, Historic Derry & Waterford Walks, Titanic Belfast, Jaunting Car Ride and more!

Scotland: Scottish Isles & Glens – 11 Day Coach

Highlights: Scottish Highland Entertainment, Isles of Orkney & 5,000-year-old Village of Skara Brae, Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye, Glenfiddick Whisky Tasting, Culloden Battlefield and more!

One of our travel friends recently traveled on the Norwegian Epic and wanted to tell other travelers about their experience…

I had heard about the Norwegian Epic from Mr. Olson when he went on the Epic inaugural cruise back in 2010. I had cruised on NCL many years ago—and my husband and I have cruised on Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Celebrity. All of our cruises have been amazing—but our latest cruise on the Epic was truly a cruise and a vacation of a lifetime.

We arrived at the port (by taxi) at 11:05. At 11:20 we were at the H2O area of the ship, lounging and enjoying the sun! We were very fortunate to be able to acquire a balcony room at the aft of the ship which we loved because we always had a fantastic view of the port we were leaving!

As we embarked onto the ship the first time we noticed that the staff consistently smiled and welcomed us aboard. Our room steward (Jennifer) was the best we’ve ever had—and she actually made us animals out of the towels (which we’ve never seen before on a cruise).

Have you heard about the beautiful cabins and the storage space on the Epic? We loved the layout of our cabin on the Epic—the separate shower, toilet and having the sink ‘in’ the room—was a great set up. As for storage space…we have never seen this much storage. We could have brought twice the amount of clothes (and three times the shoes!) and never filled up all of the storage areas. Absolutely terrific! Things like this make a good cruise a terrific cruise.

One of the first things we did was purchase a ‘couples-pass’ to the thermal area of the ship. We used this area daily. In the thermal area there are steam rooms, saunas, heated stone lounges, hot tubs, and something that I can only explain as a cross between a hot tub (the bubbles) and a submersed row of loungers—where the bubbles massage you from head to toe. Also in this same area are three huge ‘taps’ that have high pressure water pouring out—that splash onto your head, shoulders, or back. Bliss! Oh—did I say this area is for adults only? It was always quiet, peaceful and the perfect place to obtain a new level of relaxation!

One other thing that we really appreciated about our cruise was the ‘free-style’ cruising. No need to dress up for dinner or eat dinner at the same time every night—we just showed up and were seated! Of course, we still dressed nicely—but, for us, we were more comfortable than in formal attire (although we did see a number of people dressed formally in the evening). I believe it’s called cruising my way!

For those traveling with children, or for those who still act like a child—on port days my husband and I noticed that there were very few people on the three waterslides—so each time we returned from exploring the port, we played on the waterslides (there is also a small water play area for infants). The orange waterslide has a funnel type contraption on it that swirled us around the funnel forever, before catapulting us down the rest of the slide to the bottom. We were laughing uncontrollably at the bottom of each slide. This is a ‘must do’ for all cruisers. Serious fun! We didn’t try the rock climbing wall—some things look more like work than relaxation, but we watched some people and they seemed to be having fun!

Most everyone who follow the latest cruises available are aware of the incredible offering of night entertainment on the Epic such as The Blue-Man Group, Cirque Dreams and Dinner, Howl at the Moon, The Second City Entertainment troupe, The Ice Bar, some of the best live Blues/Motown we’ve ever heard—and NCL’s version of ‘Dancing with the Stars’—with staff members as the dancing experts and their our fellow cruisers. We laughed so hard that by the end we were exhausted. The casino area was also laid out quite nicely—rather than having it jammed in one small area it was spread out so it was easy to watch the people winning! The evening entertainment was incredible. It was like being in Vegas and catching a different show every night! We also really enjoyed the shops and the many sales the retail area offered throughout the week (especially watches and jewelry)!

On our final (and sad) day on the ship, we opted to carry our own luggage out and catch a taxi to the airport. I timed this as well, and from the door of our cabin, to the door of the airport was a mere 45 minutes!

We returned home at a state of relaxation that we haven’t had since before we had kids. We both highly recommend the NCL Epic as a fantastic cruise—but only go if you’re looking for an incredible ship, great entertainment, complete relaxation, fantastic ports-of-call, and the best vacation possible!
~Laurie Lipscomb
(this is a picture of part of the thermal spa)

Many of you know Erle & Pat Hudson, two of our travel experts from COTC. They recently returned from an incredible vacation and we wanted them to share their journey with you, our travel friends.

We just returned from one of our most incredible trips and wanted to tell you about it. You may want to do a version of this yourself.

We departed McAllen, TX on October 5 and flew to Rome with stops in Houston and Frankfurt. Through her work some years back with Clear Channel, Pat knew of a small boutique hotel within two blocks of St. Peters – The Santa Anna. What a treat that was! The room and bath were great but the wonderful breakfast served daily, sitting areas both inside and out, a most helpful and friendly staff, and the bustling little street just outside the front door, which was closed to auto traffic for the most part, made our stay here for four days truly a delight and most memorable. In the morning the street was filled with business men and women dressed in formal business attire hustling as they walked to work along with a good mix of priest and nuns most likely associated with or visiting The Vatican and St. Peters. In the evening, numerous little restaurants were open along the street and each had an outside eating area serving remarkable Italian cuisine.

St. Peters, The Sistine Chapel, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are all sights that you just must see for yourself. I am totally without the vocabulary to describe.

We did not want to leave but the calendar said it was time to head to the Port of Civitavecchia which serves Rome. What a beautiful drive through the Italian farm land with acres of olive trees, grapes, and various vegetables. When we reached the port we boarded Celebrity Silhouette. What a gorgeous ship and we were on her ninth voyage. It still smelled new! Along with about 2800 other guest we enjoyed exquisite dining, wonderful shows and service. And, for you non-smokers, the ship is smoke free including the casino except for a small area on the back of Deck 15 where those who indulge can enjoy their cigar, pipe or cigarette.

Now let me tell you about our itinerary. Our first stop was Palermo, Sicily. As we had seen in Rome, the architecture was wonderful with all of the old buildings dating back hundreds of years. For those of us from the US with nothing much over two hundred years old it is a sight to behold. One of the highlights of Palermo was going to a wonderful beach just a few miles away and continuing my quest for the absolute best gelato in the region.

After two days at sea our next four days were spent in Israel. Two days at the Port of Haifa and two at Ashdod. How absolutely amazing. As a Christian in this most holy land for not only Christians but Jews and Muslims as well visiting Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea and the very sights where Jesus was born, grew up, taught in the Temple, preached The Sermon on the Mount, prayed in the garden, and struggled under the weight of the cross to the locations of his crucifixion, and then to the points of His Resurrection and Ascension is indescribable. Our Israeli and Palestinian host thanked us for coming and asked us to encourage others to visit Israel. There was never a moment you needed to fear. The days were full and involved a lot of walking but though I face knee replacement in a couple of months, they were very fulfilling and doable.

I must say a quick word about Masada, Herod’s fortress overlooking The Dead Sea, amazing amazing amazing.

From Israel we sailed to Mykonos and the Greek Isles. The day at sea between Israel and Mykonos was welcomed as a day of recovery not only physically but mentally. Despite all the issues Greece is having, Mykonos was soooo beautiful and welcoming. With all of the white buildings trimmed in blue with blue shutters it’s easy to see why this is a favorite for all who visit. After a long day of shopping, and sight seeing, Pat and I were hungry and we stopped at an Oceanside café, Cristina’s, which served wonderful baked feta, hummus and Tzatziki Dip as we overlooked the blue sea of the Aegean.

Another day at sea and on to Naples, Sorrento and Pompeii. Again beautiful Italian cities with so much history. Pompeii is almost unbelievable until you see it with your own eyes. Though I enjoyed it thoroughly, Pompeii was a bit much for my ailing knee with quite a few steps putting it to the test.

We were then on our way back to Rome. We rested up a day before boarding our flights back home on October 23.

Pat had been to Europe three times while “I slaved” in the manufacturing plants along the US Mexican border. She kept telling me that I absolutely had to go and I did not know what she meant until I experienced it for myself. For those of you, and I know you are out there, who say that you just want to see the sights in the US let me encourage you to broaden your horizons and look to Europe, and in particular Italy, Israel and Greece. It will blow you mind.

We have found a unique way of discovering Europe! Discover Europe from an insider’s view with a Trafalgar guided vacation! You will enjoy authentic experiences and incredible value. Also, when you book your 2012 Europe guided vacation by December 1, 2011—you’ll get the best savings of the year—save up to $1000 per couple! You have two vacation lengths to choose from—12 days or more or 11 days or less.

There are many itineraries to choose from! Give us a call and you can be on your way to discovering Europe before you know it!

’till we sail again!

They call themselves “The World’s Best cruise line”. It’s Crystal Cruises and they are about to offer something that no other cruise line offers—all inclusive. Starting spring 2012, all voyages will include complimentary prepared gratuities, fine wines, premium spirits and open bar service in all lounges, as well as 2-for-1 pricing and free air. As always, the specialty restaurants from Nobu and Piero Selvaggio, unlimited enrichment programs, and all non-alcoholic beverages are included in every fare. Crystal Cruises offer trips in Europe, New England & Canada, Panama Canal, South America, Tropics, and World Cruises.

Give us a call to hear about some exciting itineraries.  

’till we sail again!

Trafalgar’s Family Experiences guided land tours bring a collection of expertly planned family vacations to Europe, the USA, Canada, Costa Rica and South Africa, which are designed to appeal to all ages. They make it easy because they do all of the planning! These unique vacations offer the same fantastic inclusions of a regular guided vacation, but with extra enticing features for families, such as a visit to a toy museum in Prague or a cowboy chuckwagon dinner in America’s wild west.

Whether you’re taking your kids, treating the grandkids or traveling with adult children, Trafalgar’s Family Experiences are fun for all types of families. The pace of each itinerary, its inclusions and various activities are designed to captivate travelers of all ages, so the entire family will have the vacation of a lifetime. Also, if your children or grandchildren are aged between 5 to 17 years old, they’ll receive a 10% discount on the land portion of their vacation.

Here’s a sample of some upcoming Trafalgar Family Tours…

Great Italian Cities (Winter 2011/2012) 11 days—Experiencing the culture of ancient Rome, Cicus Maximus and the Sistine Chapel, plus much more…

Spanish Wonder (Winter 2011/2012) 10 days– Visit the Puerta del Sol and the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, the striking Synagogue in Toledo and the Mosque of Caliphs in Cordoba, plus much more…

London & Paris (Winter 2011/2012) 9 Days– From Royal Horse Guards to red double-decker buses, cosy local pubs and world-famous sites such as Big Ben, London is a city of wonderful and quirky extremes. Travel the fabulous Eurostar to Paris for a trip up the Eiffel Tower

California Dreamin (2012) 8 days– Enjoy some family-friendly fun as you travel from vibrant San Francisco to energetic Monterey on this engaging Californian itinerary. Kids of all ages will be fascinated by the California Academy of Sciences.

Adventures in the Wild Northwest (2012) 9 Days– Brace yourself for an exciting family adventure as you embark on a thrilling jet boat ride on Gold Beach. Admire a living museum of soaring trees and ride a dune buggy through sand dunes in Oregon

Rockies thrills and Glacier Chills (2012) 8 Days– Prepare the family for a thrilling adventure from the spectacular coast of Western Canada to the Rocky Mountains taking in the stunning scenery of Jasper National Park, Lake Louise and the quaint alpine town of Banff.

Rockies thrills and Glacier Chills with Calgary Stampede (2012) 9 Days– Prepare the family for a thrilling adventure from the spectacular coast of Western Canada to the Rocky Mountains taking in the stunning scenery of Jasper National Park, Lake Louise and the quaint alpine town of Banff.

Monkeys Jungles & Volcanoes (2012) 8 Days– This fantastic Family Experience lets you get up close and personal with turtles, frogs, butterflies and more as you explore the magnificent tropical rainforests of Costa Rica. Visit the Green Turtle Research Station in Tortuguero.

Pioneer Adventures of the Old West (2012) 9 Days– This exciting Family Experiences itinerary will have you enjoying the spirit of the Old West, from an awesome jeep adventure in Red Rock Country, Sedona to an awe-inspiring stay in the Grand Canyon. Enjoy an evening of stargazing in Flagstaff

Dude Ranchin Yellowstone & Glacier Roundrup (2012) 10 Days– Welcome to Cowboy Country with this unique Family Experience. Say ‘Howdy!’ with a trip to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and discover exactly what it’s like to be a cowboy. Enjoy the awe-inspiring Yellowstone National Park.

Trails of Liberty (2012) 8 Days– Step back into Colonial America on this Family Experience departure that brings history alive on this patriotic adventure! Make your own chocolate bars at Hershey’s Chocolate World, learn about the famous battles of the Civil War at Gettysburg.

Wild West Cowboys & Buffalos (2012) 9 Days– Say ‘Howdy!’ and get ready for a Family Experience filled with scenes of the Old West. Experience the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park and get a taste of exciting ranch life at The Ranch at Ucross.

Give us a call and let us send you and your family off on the vacation of a lifetime!

‘till we sail again!

Our family vacations are always the times that we talk about for many years. Collette Vacations offers family trips with as many as 80 people, ranging in age from 5 to 85! On each trip the vacationers have an opportunity not only to learn about the world, but also have an opportunity to grow closer to each other. The trips offered are highly-inclusive (which means, travel, hotel accommodations, tours, and often breakfast and dinner are included in the priced), are value packed with great itineraries and are presented by a company with more than 90 years of travel experience.

From the cultural treasures of London and Paris to the plains of Africa, one constant remains – spending time together as a family. It is the most important gift you can give your children and grandchildren. The amazing destinations, welcoming hotels, exciting activities and family friendly rates are just a bonus. It’s really about sharing an unforgettable journey with your loved ones.

Family Vacations receive perks such as: 

• Child rates up to 50% OFF adult rates
• Family friendly hotels
• Hands-on experiences the whole family can enjoy
• Child rates from ages 4-14

Check out these great itineraries:

• American Spirit Family Discovery–Philadelphia, Amish Country, Gettysburg, Colonial Williamsburg, Mout Vernon, Washington, DC. • Canadian Rockies Family Discovery—Banff, Columbia Icefield, Lake Louise 
• Canyon Country Family Adventure featuring Arizona & Utah–Scottsdale, Oak Creek Canyon, Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas
• Costa Rica Family Adventure–Tortuguero National Park, Green Turtle Research Station, Sarapiquí, Pineapple Plantation, Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs • Galapagos Family Adventure–Quito, Otavalo, Andean Hacienda, Middle of the World, 3-Night Galapagos Cruise, Baltra Island, North Seymour Island, Floreana Island, Española Island, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island
• Italy Family Discovery–Rome, Gladiator School, Florence, Pisa, Winery Visit & Pasta Making, Venice
• Kenya Family Safari–Nairobi, Tenderfeet Education Center*, The Ark Lodge, Kigio Conservancy, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara
• London & Paris Family Adventure–Tower of London, London Theatre Performance*, London Eye, Eurostar Train, Eiffel Tower Dinner, Seine River Cruise, Palace and Gardens of Versailles
• Panama Family Adventure–Pacific Queen Panama Canal Cruise, Punta Culebra Nature Center, Gamboa, Salsa Dance Class, Emberá Indigenous Village, Monkey Island Cruise or Aerial Tram, Panama Canal Railway, Panama City, Miraflores Locks, Folklore Show, Culinary Demonstration, Playa Bonita, Pineapple Plantation
• The Wild West and Yellowstone Family Adventure featuring Jackson, Wyoming, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park–Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful, Jackson Hole Rodeo

Give us a call to book your family on a tremendous family vacation that will be part of memories forever!

‘till we sail again

Our daughter (Andrea) and her husband escaped for a short weekend away, last weekend. They had such a great time—we had to give her an opportunity to share it with all of our travel friends.

“As my dad said—we had a four-night escape—and it was probably the most relaxing vacation we’ve ever taken—oh, and since it was all inclusive—we only spent an additional $22 dollars! We stayed at the Le Blanc Spa resort (all inclusive) in Cancun Mexico which is part of the Palace Resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

We knew we were in for a treat when we first checked in, and a Butler unpacked for us! Vacation had begun! Our accommodations were absolutely beautiful—and since it was all inclusive, the price we paid included meals, snacks, premiums drinks, 24-hour room service, and (just so we could check in with the office) 30 minutes of free internet use. The first night we arrived the evening entertainment included a stunning fireworks display and future nights included a comedian and a band.

I know, you’re probably thinking—Butler, all-inclusive, 5-diamond resort—way, way too much money. Well, on top of the already incredible luxury, Palace Resorts are offering some early booking discounts, and a ‘resort credit’ that can be used towards room upgrades, spa/beauty salon, golf outings, and more. The credit you receive is dependent on length of your vacation and is applied per room/per stay. Stay 5-8 nights and receive up to $1500 resort credit. Stay 4 nights and receive up to $750! Stay 3 nights and receive up to $500 resort credit. Stay 9-11 nights and receive up to $2000 resort credit.

You have lots of time for planning—you can book your vacation through October 31, 2011 and can travel through to December 23, 2012 (yes, I got that right…2012!). Although we just got back last Monday, we’ve already made plans for anther short get-away in December. Give my dad a call and plan some time away—you won’t regret it!”