Tomorrow I’m off on my 6th Alaska cruise! Being in the business, it’s not so amazing that I’ve been there many times before… but when I touched base this week with the Vet who’s treating my Siamese “Susu” I learned that he, too, is headed to Alaska tomorrow… on his fourth Alaska cruise. And apparently he loves it as much as I do… the serenity, the skyscraping trees of the forests, mountains and glaciers all around, and the wildlife of nature (vs. the wildlife of Miami), and the refreshing sweater-weather which those of us who live in hotter climates can never get enough of – especially in August.

His outlook mirrored my own, though I’ve always heard people speak of Alaska as a “been there, done that” kind of destination. But that attitude really needs to be updated. After all, people repeatedly go to the Caribbean, or to their favorite cities in Europe. Why not Alaska? I highly recommend the experience  – the more you go, the more you can forego the excursions you’ve already tried, and just focus on the splendors of nature that we can’t see here in the lower 48 states — you can never get enough of that!

Perhaps my affection for Alaska is because Alaska was my first-ever cruise when I was working for Royal Viking Line, before we had our own ships. The accompanying photos are from my 70’s experience aboard the SS Mariposa, with Janice Farrar who handled the PR for Royal Viking, and who later married WarrenTitus, the company’s first president.

And of course I treasure the photo of me with my first “shipboard romance”, Mr Finn Berg – an 86-year old passenger who noticed me reading a Sherlock Holmes novel and struck up a conversation that continued during the trip. I say “shipboard romance” in a nostalgic way because those serendipitous friendships developed aboard ship don’t seem to happen much anymore, as dining when you want/when you want, and all the personal choices of entertainment and activities seem to keep people so busy, there’s little interest in connecting with fellow passengers who might expand your life.

I’m sailing on this cruise with my sister and her family, and I’m going to be on the lookout for all the people and experiences that contribute to the best vacations in life. This is where cruising certainly excels.

At Landry & Kling we always say…”Friendships made at sea are said to last a lifetime”. That line came from an early Royal Viking brochure, and it’s been our favorite toast, at sea and ashore for many years!

What’s that? You have no clue what a blue-footed booby is? Obviously, you’ve never had the good fortune to visit the Galapagos Islands, where these charismatic birds reside. But Landry & Kling CEO Joyce Landry has. (Check out the videos from Joyce’s recent Lindblad expedition cruise– watch her wild sea lion encounters on the island and in the sea.)

The Galapagos Conservation Trust established Blue-footed Booby Day as part of the BBC Wildlife Fund 2010 Wild Appeal to raise much-needed funds for threatened wildlife and places. You might have missed Blue-footed Booby Day, but it’s not too late to make a donation to help protect these loveable birds and their surrounding habitat.

Landry & Kling and Seasite staff demonstrated their support of the birds by dressing in blue and donating to the fund.

L&K celebrates Blue-footed Booby Day! From left: Joey Sciarrotta, Jo Kling, Dolores Betancourt, Joyce Landry(with friend), Naomi Humphreys, Marlene Bernasconi

But back to the birds at hand (or should I say, feet?) The Blue-footed Booby is one of the strangest birds in Galapagos. They’re most famous for their bright blue feet, with the color ranging from light to deep blue. How they got their bright blue feet is a mystery, but the blueness plays an important part in courting.

The Mating Dance: During the mating season, the booby performs an elaborate mating dance, which starts when the male gives the female a small stone or stick.  He then tips his beak, tail, and wing tips to the sky and whistles.  They slowly march around each other and display their bright blue feet for hours.

Anyone lucky enough to spend time with these stunning birds can’t help but fall for them as they are always happy to perform their highly entertaining courtship dance – which involves the males flaunting their blue feet to the females.

While they’re most elegant in flight, Blue-footed Boobies are clumsy on the ground and this, coupled with their iconic courtship dance, earned them their name – ‘booby’ coming from the Spanish term ‘bobo’ meaning clown.  To see the dance click here.

Now that you’ve gotten to know these amusing birds, why not plan an expedition to the Galapagos with your group to meet the blue-footed boobies (and lots of other friendly creatures) up close and personal. Ask Joyce Landry – she’s tell why a voyage to the Galapagos is a life-altering experience.

In this exclusive video, Joyce and her Lindblad guide Sofia get “up close and personal” with a friendly male sea lion on the island of Santiago. Take a look – he’s so darn cute!

If you’d like to plan a Galapagos voyage for your group, click here.

Joyce Landry, CEO of Landry & Kling recently joined the International Women’s Forum group as they cruised through the Galapagos Islands aboard Lindblad Expeditions‘  National Geographic Endeavor.

Join Joyce in an underwater adventure as she swims with sea lions in this dramatic and inspiring video. If you’d like to plan a Galapagos voyage for your group, click here.

The Baja voyages offer the best of two worlds: 2 full days at fabulous Cabo San Lucas plus 2 days at sea for your meetings and group functions. The ship will sail from San Diego, offering drive-to convenience for west coast attendees.

MEETING AT SEA

Carnival Spirit offers a variety of facilities for your shipboard meetings and events including a dedicated conference center that can be divided into two smaller rooms, a main theater with state-of-the-art sound and lighting  capabilities, plus several other lounges and public areas that can be converted into unique meeting venues.

No worries about being disconnected while at sea – Carnival Spirit offers bow-to-stern WiFi and cell phone service.

Other ship features: myriad entertainment choices including lavish production shows; two-level promenade lined with themed lounges, bars and nightspots; multiple dining options including an upscale American-style steakhouse atop a soaring nine-deck high atrium; and extensive spa and children’s facilities.

ADVENTURES ASHORE

The once sleepy fishing town of Cabo San Lucas is now one of the most popular resort destinations in Mexico. And if the championship golf, world-class deep sea fishing and amazing diving aren’t enough to keep your attendees busy during their two days in Cabo, they can also experience:

• The thrill of racing aboard Team New Zealand America’s Cup yachts
• A bird’s eye view of Cabo San Lucas as they parasail 600 feet above the ocean
• An exhilarating ATV adventure with dramatic views of both desert and sea
• An intimate and action-packed whale watching excursion

To book a 5-night Baja cruise on Carnival Spirit for your next event, go to Search Carnival Cruises.

Amazing Experiences – Your group can do things in Alaska they can’t do anywhere else in the world – stand on a glacier, watch pods of whales, and step back in time to history’s biggest gold rush. Go dog sledding on Mendenhall Glacier, take a seaplane tour over Misty Fjords, bike along wilderness trails, hike through glacial valleys. For the ultimate Alaska adventure, try a canopy expedition that combines ziplines, a suspended bridge, an off-road vehicle, a high-speed watercraft and a gold mine – WOW!

Group Options: In the February issue of Meetings West Magazine, Maria Lenhart explores the possibilities in her article “Cruising Alaska”. Landry & Kling CEO Joyce Landry reminds Meetings West readers that an Alaska cruise is a great value option for meetings and incentive programs, and offered some excellent  advice for planners:

“Alaska is a tremendous value right now—you can negotiate much better than in the past,” says Joyce Landry, CEO of Landry & Kling Cruise Event Services, a Miami-based company that specializes in cruise meetings. “I recommend taking advantage of the situation because you are not likely to see these prices again.”

You can read the entire article at www.meetingsfocus.com.

There are ships of every size and style sailing in Alaska – from intimate expedition vessels and luxury all-suite ships to world-class floating resorts. So if you want the allure of an exotic destination without the international travel expenses, book an Alaska cruise and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

To find the perfect Alaska cruise for your group, go to Seasite.com Cruise Search and click Alaska in the destination box.

]]> http://www.seasiteblog.com/2010/02/alaska-close-to-home-but-a-world-apart/feed/ 0 http://www.seasiteblog.com/2009/12/planning-a-cruise-in-europe-dont-forget-the-kids/ http://www.seasiteblog.com/2009/12/planning-a-cruise-in-europe-dont-forget-the-kids/#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:24:46 +0000 Maureen McKeon http://www.seasiteblog.com/?p=299 When it comes to planning a family program, a Bahamas or Caribbean cruise is always a great option. The cruise lines have fabulous kid’s programs with age-appropriate activities to entertain children and teens onboard their ships. And when it’s time to go ashore, family-friendly excursions offer adventure, eco-tours, water sports, and private island escapes.

But a Mediterranean or European cruise? Drag your kids along on city sightseeing tour or visit a world-famous art museum and you risk hearing the two words every parent dreads: “I’m bored!” You might not think a cruise in Europe would be appropriate for a family program – well, think again.

When Disney sails to the Mediterranean and North Europe in 2010, family-friendly port adventures will entertain and inspire both adults and children. Beloved Disney characters and rich storytelling will bring local culture and history to life for kids; while Disney’s “Signature Collection” tours will showcase authentic culture experiences in intimate, upscale settings – pleasing your most demanding “been there, done that” grown-up attendees. For example:

In Florence, guests embark on a northern Italian culinary journey. An authentic Tuscan farmhouse is the charming venue where guests learn to create  delectable Tuscan cuisine using fresh, local ingredients. An Italian chef guides the hands-on participation and a sampling of wines bottled onsite provide the perfect pairing to the feast.

Every port of call during your European cruise will offer port adventures for families to enjoy together, like the Royal Gala in St. Petersburg, Russia:

The majestic Catherine Palace provides the setting for an elaborate Royal Ball. After a dramatic arrival by horse-drawn carriages, Cinderella, Snow White, Belle and their princes entertain guests in the gilded Grand Ballroom – enchanting  kids and adults alike. Live musicians and royal courtiers resplendent in period costumes and powdered wigs lead guests in song, dance and regal revelry.

Other tours integrate separate activities for children and adults. While kids are enjoying “mini adventures” designed just for them, adults continue on with a more in-depth exploration of the destination. Families reconnect later during the tour to share their unique experiences. Here’s just one example:

During a tour of Florence, families experience city highlights together, then split up into separate groups for their own style of fun. Kids spend about an hour honing their skills as the “next Michelangelo” as they create their own Italian fresco painting. Meanwhile, parents are free to explore the rest of the impressive Palazzo Vecchio and dive deeper into the masterpieces of this Florentine palace.

Hats off to Disney for introducing the concept of family-friendly “Port Adventures” to European cruising. Let’s hope this trend to engage both children and adults in cultural immersion and adventures ashore continues to grow.

Cruise lines have responded to the demand for greater convenience and value with more “close to home” ports. With ships departing from over 22 U.S. ports, planners and attendees can now enjoy the convenience and savings of driving to their meetings without sacrificing the excitement of a new destination.

Carnival Fantasy docked in the port of New Orleans

Slash your travel budget for a more memorable program  – the money you save by cutting back on airline tickets can be used towards upgraded cabins, an exclusive shore event, or customized room gifts. And speaking of saving money, don’t forget that meals, meeting space and AV equipment are included with your cruise fare – as well as spectacular onboard entertainment, enrichment and fitness classes, sports facilities and daily activities.

Drive to Philadelphia, Charleston, Galveston or Seattle; hold your meetings in a state-of-the-art conference facility onboard a fabulous resort ship; and still have time to discover the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska or the Mexican Riviera before driving back home. Here are your close-to-home cruise ports:

To find out which cruises are available from your close-to-home port, go to Seasite.com’s Cruise Search page and click on the “Power Search” button to find your convenient departure city: http://www.seasite.com/CruiseSearch.aspx

The Royal Caribbean Serenade departing the Port of New York

MSC Poesia: The 2,550-passenger Italian cruise ship is appointed with a spectacular waterfall with bridges in the foyer, a Zen garden in the sushi bar, and the latest eco-technology to safeguard the environment. Suites and staterooms are spacious and elegant, most with private balconies. Guests can enjoy a wine tasting bar or casual outdoor Mojito bar and movies under the stars on an immense screen by the pool. Kids sail free – great ship for family programs!

Seabourn Odyssey is the smallest cruise vessel launched this year. The elegant vessel accommodates 450 guests in 225 luxury suites, 90% with verandas, offering one of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the industry with highly personalized service. Odyssey features the largest spa on any luxury vessel, four restaurants, and a host of luxury amenities.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, with a capacity of 5,400 passengers, is the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. Oasis of the Seas introduces unique sea-going firsts including seven themed neighborhood areas with the first park at sea, a thrilling zip line that races diagonally nine-decks above an open-air atrium,  and 28 multilevel urban-style loft suites with floor-to-ceiling windows. Plenty of dedicated conference space for meetings at sea!

Celebrity Equinox: Celebrity Cruises’ newest Solstice-class ship, the 2,850-guest Celebrity Equinox, features AquaClass staterooms with spa-focused ambiance, as well as several indulgent new offerings in the onboard spa. Eco-friendly Celebrity Equinox  features a half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing grass; a glassblowing show and studio developed and presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 unrivaled dining venues; and widely varied entertainment, including shows with breathtaking aerial acts.

Silver Spirit –  The 540-guest luxury cruise ship arrives at Port Everglades in January 2010 and will feature a choice of six dining venues, an 8,300-square-foot spa, a resort-style pool, four whirlpools, and the largest suites in the fleet — 95% with private verandas. On board she will offer the same exclusive Silversea cruise experience the line is known for – Italian hospitality, highly personalized service, fine dining and all-inclusive amenities. Perfect size for a full-ship charter!

Meeting and incentive planners: Stay tuned for exclusive reports, photos and videos of these and other new ships as our Seasite and L&K staff return from inaugurals and ship inspections.

Costa Maya, Mexico

Cruise passengers are transported from the pier to a 70,000 square foot state-of-the-art Mayan entertainment complex with artisan and luxury shopping areas, a beach club, saltwater pools, fine restaurants and bars, with lots of opportunities to explore the surrounding jungle and coral reefs.

Here are just a few of the adventures that await your group:

Mayan Culture Experience – Give your group a glimpse of authentic Mayan culture. Beginning with a guided visit to a local town followed by dining at home with Mayan families, visitors get an up-close view of Mayan life.

World’s Best Zip-Lining –The ultimate jungle adventure! Guests are greeted with a symbolic soul-cleansing ritual performed by local Mayans before an exhilarating zip-lining journey (the only zip-line tour in the world that allows for tandem side-by-side gliding). After soaring through the Mayan jungle, guests are left at the edge of the beautiful Bacalar Lagoon – known as the birthplace of the rainbow. Participants cool of as they float across the lagoon’s calm waters to enjoy native fruit juices and Mexican delicacies before embarking on a trek through the lush jungle.

Adventure Excursions – Explore the region’s lush jungles and tropical rainforests by horseback or via an ATV Xplorer, he newest four-wheeler available. For those who prefer watersports, options include speedboat jaunts, Catamaran snorkel tours, beautiful sailing vessels, and coral reef diving.

Dolphin Dream Experience – This tour is led by bilingual naturalists and allows visitors to swim and learn about dolphins in their natural habitat. The dolphins perform incredible flips and jumps with visitors in the water, and your guests can seal their connection to the dolphins with a kiss.

Mayan Ruins Exploration –  The famous Chacchoben Mayan Ruins are a must, revealing recently excavated ruins as well as the deeply buried, unexcavated ruins that lie beneath the sacred jungle grounds. Explore the main pyramid, climb ancient stairs and behold several significant temples.

After a $15 million government investment to repair damages from a 2007 hurricane, the newly enhanced pot of call is welcoming back all the major cruise lines and attracting some of the world’s newest and largest ships to its shores, including Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, Norwegian Epic, and Carnival Dream.