Princess Cruises

Teresa Nix from Princess Cruises stopped in for a visit this morning to bring me up to date on all that will be available during 2009. The itineraries for Princess are wonderful, with specials available for New England/Canada, the Orient, South Pacific and South America. We will be having a Princess cruise sale sometime in February. I'll make sure to let everyone know. You may receive a promo in the mail. Also, crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2 costs less than airfare, so if you have a few extra days, that would be a great and relaxing way to get to Europe this year.

A new Beginning

Well, here it is Monday the 5th and already I am very busy pulling numbers from 2008, and planning for 2009. We have 2 open house events in February that will showcase cruises and tours and hope that we have local clients attend. RegentSeven Seas, Tauck Tours, and CC Africa, now known as &Beyond, will be here February 5th from 5 PM until 7 PM. On February 26th Viking River Cruises will be here at the same time. Feel free to stop by and visit with the representatives and learn what's new for 2009-2010. We will have food and drink available, so you can stop by before dinner and grab a snack.
Casa de Campo is coming in this Wednesday for a lunchtime training session with the consultants. We make sure all our advisors are kept up to date on properties from around the world with weekly training sessions. Ask your advisor for information. That's all for today.

New Years Outlook

Well, today is the first working day of the New Year, and we are looking forward to creating memorable trips for all our clients around the world. There are just a few places that you may want to avoid for the next month or so, but fortunately most of the world is safe and exciting. Cruises have great deals, and South America is a new destination for many people. You can book your trip close in and still get great amenities, and some cruises are offering airfare and other discounts.
I wish everyone a prosperous and healthy new year.

Well, it's finally the end of 2008, and what a year it's been. We've all gone on many trips to locations around the world, and even though tired have been able to share all the great experiences we've had. This has also been a tough year personally, and frankly, I'm glad it's over. Let's hope 2009 holds good things in store. Happy New Year to all.

Return on Life

For the next edition of our newsletter, we will be focusing on the Virtuoso Return on Life travel trends. Family gatherings, social travel, new adventures will be featured both in articles and advertisers. The Post Haste Travel newsletter receives great response from our clients and other readers, and I want to make sure everyone is kept up to date.

And, I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy New Year. Enjoy the time you have with your family and friends, and think good thoughts about everyone else! Cheers!

Holiday Greetings

I'm looking forward to a few days off for the holidays. Business is good, considering the economy, and there are many great deals on cruises and tours. Australia is a great destination now.

Virtuoso's Return on Life program is off to a good start, and there are so many good reasons to travel now. I look forward to sending great offers to our clients. Happy holidays and a healthy New Year to everyone.

Si I made it to ATL with no problems. The car ran great. It was almost a waste staying at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead, since all I did was sleep, from the minute I got there until daybreak. I met up with my friend Terrie first thing in the morning, and ate at Waffle House! My goodness, I miss Waffle House. We went to a sweet art festival and I bought myself an eyeglass holder...all glass beads. I headed from there to my ex-husband's house out in Ball Ground, where my horse Brian has been living since I've been in Florida. He looks great! I sat and had a few too many cocktails and listened as James tried to convert me for the umpteenth time. I'm very proud of him for finding his faith, but I've got my own and plan on keeping it that way. Sometime during the night I whacked my toe against something, and either broke it or jammed it, and it still hasn't healed three weeks later. In the morning we drank coffee on the deck while the wind blew leaves all over the place. I left to go visit my friend Barbara, and although I didn't have have enough time with her it was wonderful seeing her and she looks too damned good for almost 60. Then lunch with the Lords, and back out to Cherokee county to stay with Elizabeth and Barry at Bits and Bytes Farm. My toe was too swollen to fit into my boots, so I missed riding terribly, but watched them put their horses through their paces. Barry cooked a wonderful dinner, and after a good nights sleep, I picked fresh figs for breakfast, and got ready for my lunch with my mentor and Friend, Walter Dunn. He turned 86 this year and couldn't look better. I miss all our breakfasts and lunches form 25 years of friendship and we tried to catch up on everything that has gone on in the past 4 years. Didn't even scratch t he surface. I left lunch and headed straight to Sea Island, GA. Got in around 7 PM, went to my room, had room service and slept like a baby. The Cloisters is such a magnificent, peaceful place. Moss hanging from the trees, sunset over the marshes, and beach waves crashing on the shore. My morning beach walk helped my toe feel a little better, but I still wouldn't be able to ride. Oh well. I had a wonder facial, that put me to sleep. Then spend the afternoon relaxing with a book. That night I went to The Lodge at Sea Island and watched the bagpiper play on the gold course, in the sunset with a shrimp boat in the background while sipping on a white Russian. Absolutely beautiful. Another night with room service, a good night sleep and I was ready to leave early the next morning for my drive back to Fort Lauderdale. I was surprised, it only took 7 hours to get back, and I was able to pick Jamie up from work at 4 PM. 4 more days at home with nothing to do was great too! It still wasn't enough time away from work, but after 2 years anything is better than nothing! More to come after my brief cruise coming up. I'll be on the inaugural cruise of the Ruby Princess for 2 nights. I'll let you know what I think. (PS-I don't like cruising)