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Allure of the Seas

On November 29th Sylvia and I spent 2 nights on the Allure of the Seas. This was the last agent inspection before the regular December 1st sailing. We were a little late getting on board, so we had to rush to our cabin, drop off our luggage and go directly to our muster station for the lifeboat drill. We were in the Jazz Lounge, and the Blaze Nightclub, Comedy club and Theaters are all on the same deck. After that was over, we decided to start at the top of the ship and work our way down, seeing what we could before our 6 PM dinner in Giovanni's, one of the specialty restaurants in Central Park.

The top decks of the ship are where the Flowriders, Zipline, Miniture Golf and other sports areas are located. The Sky Loft Suite overlooks the golf course. From the Royal Loft Suite with balcony, you overlook the basketball court, FlowRiders, Zipline, Aquatheater and Rock climbing walls. The pool area is fabulous. In the bow of the ship are the adult pools, and near the stern is the kids area, with great decor and multiple pools for the little ones. The are multiple bars serving adult beverages. The Windjammer Marketplace dining area is also on the same deck and opens at 7 AM. Dinner at Giovanni's was exceptionally good...we ate "Family Style" with dishes brought to the table for everyone to share. The Central Park area has a few improvements from the Oasis of the Seas...ramps instead of steps to get to the restaurants, and covered seating areas to dine outside. Central Park is a peaceful place any time of the day.

Tuesday morning we started out continuing our tour of the ship. There are a few new shops in the Promenade...and there was a parade at 10:30, including many characters from the Lion King, Shrek and other Dreamworks films. The parade is held twice per cruise, so try to get a spot in the middle of the Promenade or on the staircases or you will have a hard time seeing it. Our Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony was fine for 2 people, with plenty of storage and closet space. The bathroom is a bit small, but they have moved the electrical outlets in the cabin above the desk, making them easy to access. There are also iPod docking stations in the cabins. The rest of the cabins and suites we saw are very similar to the Oasis, with some holding up to 14 guests. We went to the production of Chicago in the afternoon...which, although I didn't particularly like the story, (I hadn't seen it before) the production itself was Broadway worthy. Dinner was in the main dining room, and the service was good, food better. Sylvia then went to the Aquatheater for the early show and said it was incredible. The Allure has so much to do at all hours day and night that you will never get bored unless you want to. There are many quiet and private places on the ship, and of course there is always the spa. Allure will be sailing from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean throughout 2011, and space is going fast. Bring your family for a great time...there is something for everyone.

Celebrity Eclipse

On November 15th Sylvia Berman and I took sailed on the Celebrity Eclipse for a 2 night cruise and inspection of the ship. Our first impression was one of comfortable elegance. The colors are muted and soothing, and the ship is spacious. Our balcony cabin was a nice size for 2 people, although there is not much storage space...only 4 small drawers and a small closet. We then took a walk around the ship, starting with the top deck, where Celebrity's signature grass area is a peaceful place to take your shoes off, have a cocktail, and watch the on board Glass blowing

demonstrations. The pool area is beautiful...with 2 adult pools, and a fountain area you can sit in and play. The pool lounge chairs are comfortable, and it's not too crowded. There are plenty of places to sit in the shade or sun. And the pool crew was constantly available to serve your favorite cocktails.In the common area there is a coffee bar, a cocktail bar and a dedicated Vodka tasting bar...unfortunately closed for our stay.

The main dining room is absolutely elegant...and the food was exceptional.

The library is unique...it is open 2 levels high, full of comfortable chairs, on both levels. You can see the library from the elevators and looked like a wonderful place to spend an afternoon reading.

The whole feel of the ship is casual elegance. There are interesting designs, a good traffic flow, and it never felt crowded. The suites we saw were very nice, and there are family suites available. The gym and spa were also very nice. Celebrity Eclipse will be sailing the Caribbean until the Summer, when it will head to Europe for the season.

ASTA Study Finds Average Agent Salary is Less Than $30,000

ASTA Study Finds Average Agent Salary is Less Than $30,000

Post haste Travel Newsletter Fall 2010

In Memory of Lou..the best dog

My dog,Lou is dying tonight. He's 16, not in pain...just old. I actually want him to just stop breathing...it's time. But his story is one of love of a friend, a pet and a traveling companion. Lou has been with me through many incarnations. My life as a marketing person in Atlanta, my life in Florida with Post Haste Travel, and his life as part of my immediate family. But h e has many stories. When Lou was just 8 months old I started taking him with me to clients offices. Including Coca Cola headquarters, in Atlanta, to CNN, to Georgia Pacific...and plenty of advertising agencies...he was so well behaved that every one loved having him there. I brought him everywhere. When we went on road trips, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC,he was more than welcomed. As a matter of fact, and this is kinda funny,whenever we went to NYC, on the trip through the NY thruway and NJ turnpike, any time we entered a tunnel, he "ducked"as we entered the tunnels...We stayed at Gramercy Park...which he loved...we went to restaurants where he knew to hide at my feet so no one could see him..same with bars all over the country...since he's a black dog, he knew to hide at my feet,and the bar never asked him to leave.
In Texas we went to lot's of bars and hotels...and no one knew he was there. What a quiet and simple friend. I can't imagine having another travel partner that knows how to act in any situation.
My loss of my partner may not ever be replaced. I have always been one that includes my dog.
I don't know if Ill ever find another partner like this. Lou didn't get to go to Belize with me...he didn't get to go to Paws Up with me...he hasn't been on a cruise with me...but he's always waited patiently at home for me. He always new when i was packing for a trip, and he didn't like it. But he waited. And whenever I made it home, he was thrilled to see me. What is it about dogs that they understand suitcases? And as I sit , waiting for Lou to take his last breath...all I can do is cry for the memories of the best travel partner I've ever had. I don't know that I will get an other dog. I've always had one. But at 53, and having to travel often, if it fair to leave a beloved partner home alone? I don't know.I still have a 3 legged cat...he can stay home, and doesn't really care if we're here or not...but it's not the same.I Will post a photo of by beloved Lou and hope you understand the pain and fear I have about not having a dog in my life. I haven't made any decision yet...and it's not time to do that. If you have a traveling companion, that you love and have storied about...let me know. It will make me feel better. Thank you.

Places I've been

As a child, and through my young adult years, I was lucky enough to travel to different parts of the US and world with my parents and brothers. When we were very young, my mother would load us up in the station wagon and travel the Southeast, stopping at every single tourist trap there was. It was a lot of fun! Lots of “are we there yet?” arguing in the backseat! As I got older, I spent a month in South America with my parents, visiting Columbia, Brazil, Peru, and Chile, with a brief stop in Argentina. (There was a coup happening, and they wouldn’t let us off the plane!) I spent many years as a professional photographer, so my travels gave me an opportunity to add to my portfolios. I also spent a month in Europe with a business partner/friend, traveling through Bavaria, (Germany, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria) driving the back roads and visiting small towns and the large cities. I’ve been to England a number of times, France, Greece, Turkey, Israel and East Africa. Some of this was business, some pleasure. My most pleasurable trips have always been to the mountains. I just hate heat, don’t ever really get cold, and I love to breath the fresh air of the mountains. I loved the Alps and the Rockies, and I do love to ski, although I have not been in way too long. I love wearing warm clothes and sitting by a fire, and the cold is so energizing to me. Then of course, there is Belize. I love Belize because of the diversity of the country. The mountains, rivers, archeology, the birds and animals really speak to me of a great history. Though not much of a beach person, the island of Ambergris Caye has such character and characters that I thoroughly enjoy every stay there. I do not snorkel, dive or even get in the water (very much) but the beauty of the island and the graciousness of the local people make it a fun, relaxing destination. Since being in the travel business, I have learned to appreciate cruising, and do short cruises quite often. Unfortunately, lately, I am so busy I don’t really get a chance to travel to distant destinations very often, although I do get invited to many places. Maybe next year I’ll have some extra time!