Hey everyone!! Okay this needs to be said and heard! Lol

Story time!

I spoke to a friend today, she gave me permission to use this story as long as I don’t say her name……. I promise Cathy!! Hahaha. That’s NOT her name. lol

Okay so “Cathy” called me today to ask me a question unrelated to cruising. During our conversation it came up that she is planning a cruise soon. Oops! She didn’t intend for me to know this…. she wasn’t using me to book her cruise.
I know you’re thinking “what kind of friend is that?!” Lol. Well, she IS a friend! And she had certain thoughts about using a TA- friend or not- to book her cruise vacation.

She was under the impression that I couldn’t, or wouldn’t, be able to do anything for her beyond what the cruise line could do…..so why not just call and book directly with them?

Here is what I told her-
I would LOVE your business! It doesn’t cost you anything to allow me to book for you!
And
*I can research the best cruises
*I can get you the best rates
*Find a problem with your booking? I will do the work to get it all ship shape!! 🚢
*Reminders along the way when things need to be done.
*I will keep an eye on things thereby stopping or correcting problems if/when they arise!
*You want a table for 2 at dinner- I can take care of that
*Early dinner/late dinner? Anytime? I can take care of that.
*Specialty dining? I can reserve that.
*A little bit of on board credit for you to spend? I will do that.
* A little surprise box in the mail before you sail- maybe- it’s a surprise! Lol
*Make your cruise all about RELAX and not STRESS! If there is an issue I’ll be your advocate!

Then I explained that if she had already booked she could still *transfer the booking to me and I can take care of everything for her.

Well In this case she hasn’t booked yet -but she was so happy I took the time to explain exactly what I can do for her and that it will cost her nothing.

So now my friend feels good about giving me her business and I’ll be sure to work hard to make sure she continues to feel good about her choice!

And I can do the same for you if you give me the chance!!

The End 💜

*if within the time limit set by the individual cruise line

Hey all! Hope you are enjoying a great start to your new week! I am recovering from some sort of respiratory crud! I call it “crud” because it seriously feels like…crud!

But that will not stop me from dreaming about my next cruise! Or talking about it with you! So here we go!

As you may, or may not, know I recently am off the Mariner of the Seas! That is a Royal Caribbean ship. I had participated in an inspection aboard the Mariner on July 22 and by the 28th I was booked for a 4 night cruise in August! Yes, I fell in love with her. I was excited to be going to Royal’s newly re-imagined Cocoa Cay Perfect Day! As it turned out Dorian had other plans and I did not get to stop over at Perfect Day! That was sad…but it led to me booking another Mariner cruise in Dec and going to Perfect Day twice! Yes, it is the fabled “Double-Dip”!! lol The cruise leaves Port Canaveral on Dec 16th, 2019 !

Here are a few pictures from my Mariner Cruise!

As you can see the Mariner is a nice ship. It is not a mega ship, but it is still a nice size medium ship.

So what do I have on my agenda for the remainder of 2019?

Oct 5- Group cruise aboard Carnival Elation

Nov 17- Seminar at Sea aboard the MSC Meraviglia

Dec 16- Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas (double dip to Cocoa Cay!)

Of course I will be vlogging! You can always catch up on my vlogs at my YouTube channel here!

Hope you join meat my channel, subscribe to stay in touch and see what ship I will be on next! I do have a group cruise set already for next year aboard the Caribbean Princess! I am super excited about it. If you want to join us please take a look at the event page! Here! I want to plan another group cruise aboard the Mariner….I am not set on a date yet, so if you have any suggestions (because you want to join!) please let me know. otherwise keep an eye out for that new group cruise soon!

That is all I have for now! I hope you have a great week…. happy sailings!

Click the links below to see my certifications.  

If you would like more info on Oceania Cruise Line, please feel free to contact me. You can comment here or you can reach me through my Facebook page here. You can also email me at Christine@EliteMemoriesTravel.com 

oceania certificate 101

A little change of pace. Now ya all know I love Disney Cruise line!! But did you know I also love Epcot Food and Wine Festival?? Have you been? If not- why not?!? Serious question!! It’s so much fun.

Yes, it’s a lot of walking but the nice thing is it runs into Nov so you can go when it’s a little cooler. Hey- it could be! Lol. Seriously it most likely will be cooler.

So for those of you who have never been here- is a little info on it.

And I’ll include a link where you can go for more in depth info!!

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Epcot Food and Wine Festival

The festival has food kiosks with tapa style dishes from around the world.
They have music at the America Gardens Theater called Eat to the Beat!  And you can purchase Eat to the Beat dining packages too! 
Some of the musical acts you can see are- 
Mercy Me
Tiffany
Kenny G
This is just three of the over 30 acts! 

There are culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars, Cheese seminars and other shows with guest celebrity chefs!  This year just to name a couple of the chefs- Cat Cora and Andrew Zimmern

The Festival runs from 8/29-11/23/2019
All day everyday. 
Price is the cost of admission to Epcot. 
Current rates for a one day pass are 
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Florida residents have a 3 day special right now for $199 (adults)  one park per day 
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1 park 1 day for all guests  
$109.00 adults
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They also have a half marathon!! The Disney Wine and Dine half marathon!  

As you can see there is tons to do!! 
I hope you choose to visit Epcot and the Food and Wine Festival this year!!

Here is a link for more info.