Travel Agent Meets Sponge Bob!

By Mike & Darlene Jordan

            “There are a few things that you remember throughout your entire life. Some things just automatically go down in your mental scrapbook as a day to remember.”

            That’s how local Cruises Inc. travel agent Mike Jordan recalled the day last week when he had the privilege of meeting his idol, Sponge Bob Square Pants.

            “I don’t know if I’ll wash this hand again,” Jordan said after spending just a few minutes with the poriferan superstar. “Bob was really nice. He’s just a guy like you and me…well, except that he’s a sponge.”

            Sponge Bob made his personal appearance aboard the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas as part of a special introductory cruise highlighting the ship’s new deployment to the Port of Los Angeles/San Pedro where it has now started weekly 7-night cruises to the Mexican Riviera and the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.

            “Bob (he doesn’t like to be called “sponge”) said they had such a great cruise on the Mariner earlier this year when Royal Caribbean did a Nickelodeon TV cruise, that they’ll be doing it again.”

            Indeed, Royal Caribbean will have two Nickelodeon cruises this year where kids of all ages can meet their favorite cartoon characters and other personalities while enjoying a fantastic trip aboard the line’s terrific ships. Billed as “7 days of sun, surf, and slime,” the first will be on the West Coast aboard the Mariner on July 26 followed by an Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami aboard the Freedom of the Seas on August 9.

            We’ve cruised Royal Caribbean several times, and had sailed aboard the Mariner before, but it was fantastic then and it’s fantastic now.

            At 3,114 passengers and 138,000 tons, the Mariner of the Seas was Royal Caribbean’s largest ship before the line introduced the huge Freedom-class ships last year. Even though it’s not the largest anymore, it’s much bigger than most other ships on any line and has a lot to offer.

            We were only on the ship for 2 nights this time, sailing on a “cruise to nowhere,” but we had a chance to enjoy the fantastic ice show, featuring world class skaters and choreography, and danced to the best Salsa band we’ve ever heard in the ship’s Schooner Bar. We also danced to the ship’s live reggae band during our “Sail Away” party as the ship left the harbor in San Pedro and we experienced one of two Broadway-style revue shows in the ship’s main showroom, the Savoy Theatre.

            Another great feature of this ship is the Royal Promenade, a somewhat serpentine walkway running down the center of the ship’s interior that resembles a neighborhood street lined with a coffee house, wine bar, ship logo shops, and much more. Plus, in addition to the pool on the upper decks of the ship, there’s also a miniature golf course, rock climbing wall, basketball court, spa/solarium pool, and plenty of space to just soak up the sun. This trip was a wonderful reminder of how much we enjoyed the Mariner when we sailed her in 2004.

            Still, Royal Caribbean keeps building bigger and bigger ships. The Freedom of the Seas, which hosts the other Nickelodeon Family Cruise in August, and her sister ships, the Independence of the Seas and the Liberty of the Seas, dwarf the Mariner with 

passenger capacity of 3,634 at 160,000 tons. These ships feature a wave simulator where you can learn to surf, a water park, full size boxing ring, ice rink and cantilevered hot tubs that actually extend off the side of the ship with views of the ocean from 10 stories up!

            Apparently none of this is enough…Royal Caribbean will introduce an even larger class of ships this December with the maiden voyage of the Oasis of the Seas. The ship will weigh in at a whopping 220,000 tons and a capacity of 5,400 passengers.

            Royal Caribbean has a lot to offer, as do almost all of the cruise lines sailing today, and it’s a lot different than The Love Boat days of the 70’s.

            And, hey… on one of those Nickelodeon trips, maybe you’ll meet Bullwinkle!

            Have a great week, and until next time…get out the map!

Postcards…and other travel notes

Get Out the Map

Postcards…and other notes

By Mike & Darlene Jordan

            Remember when postcards came in the mail as a reminder that loved ones were on a journey and were filling you in on the progress of their journey and giving you a glimpse of where they’ve been? What the heck has happened?

            No, we’re not talking about why people don’t send postcards; almost everyone on our recent trip to South America was sending them, including us. It’s not that people don’t send postcards, it’s what happens to them once they’re sent.

            We picked up some postcards in Puerto Madryn, Argentina. There was a little post office right on the pier, and we stopped as we returned to our ship from visiting the penguins and elephant seals along the coast of Patagonia. Unfortunately, after buying the postcards, the clerk notified us that she was out of stamps. The post office was out of stamps? No worries, we’d mail the cards from the Falklands. We were only two days into our two-week trip.

            We returned from South America on December 23. We enjoyed a quiet holiday, welcomed the New Year by dancing the night away at a small supper club near our home. We got together with friends on several occasions, exchanged pictures, and shared stories of our trip.

            We watched TV on the historical day that a new president was inaugurated, and shortly before the Super Bowl was played on February 1 we got the news from friends and family that they had finally received our postcards!

            OK, we understand that the Falklands are isolated, but they’re not without air service. We sailed on a ship traveling at about 27 miles per hour and took another 10 days to get to Santiago. We spent a night there; took another full day to travel home. A  postcard couldn’t beat us home?

More travel notes…

            A few rumors have been circulating that changes in passport requirements, scheduled to go into effect on June 1 of this year, will be postponed again. After checking with the State Department website, travel.state.gov, there does not appear to be any postponement in the works. They even have a big countdown clock on the website that says there are only 107 days, 12 hours, and 16 minutes until the changes take effect.

            As a reminder, after June 1, 2009, a passport will be required when traveling to or from the United States by land, sea, or air. Currently, if traveling to the Caribbean, Mexico, or Canada by land or sea, a certified copy of a birth certificate and a government issued photo ID are all that’s required. But remember…if you have an emergency and you have to fly back to the United States, you can’t. You have to have a passport to fly.

            As we’ve said many times in this space, if you love to travel get a passport.

                                                                        .  .  .

            We ran across an item that aged us a few days ago. There was an article in the paper about the things that this year’s high school graduates take for granted that we didn’t have when we were growing up. In addition to the obvious ones like computers, the internet, DVD players and the like, the article mentioned one of our favorites: wheels on luggage. What a concept! We both remember the days of having to schlep suitcases across parking lots, through airports, and down long train platforms. As a kid, it was even worse; having to lug “Aunt Nellie’s” bag, full of who-knows-what, when she arrived for a two-week stay. Kids today don’t know how good they have it. (Now we sound like our parents.)

                                                                        .  .  .

            Finally, when moving through a crowed airport, where’s the best place to stop and get your bearings and decide which way to go? We can tell you where it’s not…the top of the escalator, the end of the moving walkway, or just inside a busy door! We’ve narrowly escaped injury in just such situations.    Better to move to a nearby wall or seating area and look around. Just a suggestion…

            Have a great week, and until next time…get out the map!

Mike and Darlene Jordan are registered agents of Cruises Inc., and are based here in Southern Colorado. Email them at cruisesinc@gojade.org, or call 1-800-267-7613.

5 Night Holland America for $443!

Hello Everyone, and Happy Friday!

FLASH FARES!!!  Please note that the fares below are Holland America Flash Fares, non-refundable and only valid until this Sunday, Feb. 15 (or while inventory lasts). This would be a great gift for Valentine’s Day, book this cruise and we’ll send your loved one an E-gift card with the cruise itinerary attached! Then, hugs and kisses all around!

We have a great deal for you today, especially for those of you who want a little shorter get-away, with the weekend to relax and re-group when you get home.

Our featured cruise line this week is aboard the Holland America Veendam sailing round trip to the Western Caribbean from Tampa, FL. Holland America is a Premium cruise line with great food and service, and all of the great amenities you expect on a cruise, and more!

Holland America Line features one High Tea per cruise, your choice of pre-set dining time/seating or a flexible, open schedule, the amazing Greenhouse Spa, the Culinary Arts Center (presented by Food & Wine mag) where you can watch or participate in gourmet presentations, tasting events, and even cooking classes.

And, while in port, enjoy the warm waters and beautiful beaches of Grand Cayman and Cozumel. A perfect, romantic get-away, and it won’t break the piggy-bank! 

Holland America Line
Veendam
Day	Date	Port	Arv	Dep
Sun	03/22	Tampa, Florida – Embark – Time subject to change.		05:00 PM
Mon	03/23	At Sea
Tue	03/24	Georgetown, Grand Cayman	07:00 AM	03:00 PM
Wed	03/25	Cozumel, Mexico	11:00 AM	06:00 PM
Thu	03/26	At Sea
Fri	03/27	Tampa, Florida – Disembark – Time subject to change.	07:00 AM

Interior staterooms, with port fees and taxes included, and a built-in upgrade, are only $443 per person, or upgrade to an ocean view for only $50 more per person!  Or, pamper yourself and your loved one with a verandah suite (almost 300 square feet!) for only $793 per person! Call us at 1-800-267-7613 to reserve your cruise today, DON’T WAIT-flash fare inventory goes quickly. 

Remember, fares are subject to change and are based on availability. These Flash Fares are great values, and they are offered on special sailings throughout the year. If this date won’t work for you, give us a call and let us know when you can travel, we’ll keep an eye out for a great deal for you! 

Until then, have a wonderful weekend, and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Mike and Darlene

Norwegian Sun…VALPO!

Get Out the Map

Valpo!

By Mike & Darlene Jordan

            That’s what they call it. Valpo.

            It had been a long journey. We’d been to Argentina: Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn, and Ushuaia; Montevideo, Uruguay, the Falkland Islands, rounded the “Horn,” stopped in Punta Arenas, Chile, viewed the Chilean Fjords, aided a ship in distress, and explored Chile’s Lake district at Puerto Montt. We were ready to spend a couple of days relaxing ashore before the long flight home, and the sight of our final destination, Valparaiso, Chile, was a welcome one.

            Valparaiso is a beautiful city built on the hills overlooking its harbor. The hills are not unlike those of San Francisco, but the city is much smaller. We were greeted at the cruise terminal by our guide and driver from Cultoura Chile, a land tour company that specializes in tours that emphasize local culture, rather than the normal “tourist” destinations. Our guide, Juanita, didn’t waste a minute before beginning to narrate our van ride from the cruise port to our hotel. Her English was perfect, her energy contagious, and we knew we were in for a busy and informative two days. So much for relaxing before going home.

            We chose to stay at a “boutique” hotel, really more of a bed and breakfast in the old section of town. As we drove through the winding, hilly streets the views were fantastic and the architecture ranged from elegant cathedrals to very plain row houses.

            Interestingly, when we arrived at the Robinson Crusoe hotel we nearly missed it. Signs on the streets are very small, and in this section of town the buildings are all joined together without much on the exterior to distinguish one from the other. We were getting a little worried about our choice of hotel, especially when the desk clerk had to unlock the door to let us in, and then re-lock it behind us.

            Our worries were unfounded. The outside of the hotel gave no hint at the treasure that was inside. A small lobby furnished with classic and very comfortable overstuffed furniture provided a warm welcome. Antiques lined the rustic, wood-paneled hallways. Our rooms were small, but had private bathrooms—down the hall—and the third floor featured a dining room with huge picture windows that presented fantastic 360 degree views of the city and the harbor below.

            We had no time to relax. Juanita had us out the door as soon as we had checked in. Our culture tour of “Valpo” was just beginning. We toured the former home of Chile’s only Nobel Laureate, poet Pablo Neruda, who won the prize in 1971. We toured the local downtown shopping areas, stopped for a delicious lunch, visited an open-air market and then were invited into the home of one of Valparaiso’s local artists. It was during this tour that we re-discovered the fact that you can’t “judge a book by its cover.” Although the buildings look very plain on the outside, we found them to be much bigger and more beautiful on the inside than the exterior would indicate. 

            By the end of the afternoon, we were worn out; but we weren’t finished. Juanita dropped us at our hotel at about 5:00 p.m., and reminded us that she’d be picking us up for dinner at 9:00! After a short nap, we were up and out the door again, this time making the trip to neighboring Viña Del Mar, passing perhaps the most incredible pounding surf we’ve ever seen, even in Hawaii. When we finally got back to the hotel at about 1:00 a.m., we crashed. And Juanita would be back to pick us up for our tour of neighboring Santiago at 9:00 a.m.!

            Juanita is a taskmaster. Our bags were loaded on the van promptly at 9:00 a.m. and we made our way over the lush countryside between Valpo and Santiago, stopping at a local winery, Viña Terapaca, where we picked up a terrific 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. Then it was into Santiago for another city tour, lunch at a downtown restaurant, and a trip through a city park located high on a hill with 360 degree views of the city. It may be the biggest city we’ve ever seen. It seems to extend to the horizon in every direction with what appear to be separate “downtowns”—high-rise buildings and all.

            By the time we arrived at the airport, we were drained, but exhilarated. Still, we’ve never looked forward to a 14-hour flight like we did this one. For the first time in his life, Mike slept for 7 hours on an airplane; in coach.

            After 16 days, nine cities, and memories to last a lifetime, we were going home.

            Until next time…get out the map!

Radiance of Seas SOUTH AMERICA on $40 a day!

Hello Everyone, and Happy Friday!

South America is HOT this year (no pun intended…) and we have another amazing deal for you to take advantage of! This cruise is aboard the Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas, and the deal is ONLY GOOD FOR TUESDAY, FEB 10. The offer is part of Royal Caribbean’s Tuesday Happy Hour Event, so any reservation must be made and paid for on Tuesday. However, we can be prepared for the sale by having you call us anytime between today and Tuesday, tell us what type of stateroom you want, and we’ll make a reservation for you first thing on the 10th. We’ll then call you to finalize…you’re under do obligation until you’ve authorized us to pay for your reservation.

Look at this beautiful itinerary! You’ll start with the history, culture and architecture of Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires, then it’s on to smaller cities and towns with great food, culture and scenery. From Puerto Madryn, check out the desert section of Patagonia on your way to view penguins, elephant seals and sea lions in their natural habitat. Then, ‘round the Horn, and commemorate the occasion by a “baptism” at sea by the ship’s Captain! After that, enjoy the beauty of Ushuaia, and you still have 3 more Chilean ports to go!

You’ll end your cruise in Valparaiso, the “pleated city” so-called for it’s many hills and valleys surrounding the bay (think San Francisco), and try to make time to visit beautiful Viña del Mar, a lovely seaside resort just a few miles away.

Royal Caribbean Intl. Radiance of the Seas
Fri, 03/13, Sao Paulo, Brazil – Embarkation

03/14-15, At Sea

Mon, 03/16
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Tue, 03/17, Montevideo, Uruguay

Wed, 03/18, Punta del Este, Uruguay

Thu, 03/19, At Sea

Fri, 03/20, Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Sat, 03/21, At Sea

Sun, 03/22, Cape Horn, Chile

Mon, 03/23, Ushuaia, Argentina

Tue, 03/24, Punta Arenas, Chile

Wed, 03/25,Cruise Strait of Magellan

Thu, 03/26, Cruise Chilean Fjords

Fri, 03/27
Puerto Montt, Chile

Sat, 03/28, At Sea

Sun, 03/29, Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile – Disembarkation

And now we’d like to present our best news, the Happy Hour rates that will be available on Tuesday: Interior staterooms start at only $649 per person, plus tax…FOR 16 NIGHTS! That’s only a little more than $40 per person, per day! Ocean Views start at only $749 PP, plus tax, and you can have a private balcony stateroom for only $899 PP, plus tax, for this amazing cruise itinerary! All that and you get the great service and cuisine of Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas. Enjoy the main dining room or one of the casual dining areas, or celebrate a special occasion at Chops Grille or Portofino, either way, this cruise will not be soon forgotten!

So call your friends and make a plan, then give us a call at 1-800-267-7613 and we’ll get to work for you! We did a very similar cruise itinerary with a group of friends and had a great time, we highly recommend South America for those of you who like to check out something a little out of the ordinary.

We look forward to hearing from you soon, and in the meantime, have a great weekend!

Mike and Darlene