Shore Excursions-A Big Part of Cruising

By: Mike Franks, Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

Shore Excursions are a big part of what ocean cruising is all about. Although many guests are perfectly happy staying onboard and enjoying all the ship has to offer, excursions give you a chance to see a destination for the first time and enjoy other fun activities on land.

The following is only a snippet of what’s available in two of the most popular cruise regions and may even cause you to give a cruise vacation another look.

How to Choose the Perfect Cruise

By: Mike Franks, Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

By: Mike Franks, Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

So, you’ve decided to take a cruise for your family vacation next year. Great! Did you know there are literally thousands of cruises to choose from? Choosing the right cruise depends on a number of factors requiring you to answer some basic questions to get started.

Holiday Cruising

Courtesy flylady.net

By: Mike Franks, Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

The holidays can be a stressful time for all of us. With the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, parties to attend and family get together to enjoy, the joy can sometimes be too much to handle! That’s why many people turn to ocean cruises as a fun alternative to the craziness of the holidays.

Cruise lines make every trip a celebration, but they go all out for the holidays. You can enjoy all the normal amenities on board ship such as maid/butler service, fabulous meals that you don’t have to cook and of course entertainment and shopping.  

River Cruising: A Growing Alternative

By: Mike Franks, Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

River cruising is quickly evolving into a viable alternative to ocean cruising. Here are a few reasons why:

What to expect onboard?

Courtesy of scenicusa.com

Today’s ocean liners are often characterized as floating resorts because there is so much to do and enjoy. Whether it’s relaxation you crave or non-stop activity, it’s all available on an ocean cruise. Most cruising enthusiasts are accustomed to enormous ocean liners sporting ten or more decks, thousands of square feet of space for cabins and activities, not to mention fellow passengers numbering in the thousands. Onboard activities range from skeet shooting and rock wall climbing to simply relaxing in the spa or enjoying a swim in one of several pools.

Nightlife on board an ocean liner usually starts with dinner in one of the formal dining rooms followed by an evening of dancing, live entertainment at a Vegas-style show or enjoying a quieter time at a piano bar. For the gambler at heart, the ship’s casino offers slot machines, poker, and blackjack tables as well as roulette wheels. The possibilities are endless, and the fun continues well into the early morning hours.

5 Reasons You Should Use a Travel Agent

By: Mike Franks, Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

Sometimes, making vacation travel plans is easy. Technological advancements, particularly the internet, have made booking travel seemingly simple. Some travelers feel they can do it themselves and save time and money. A travel agent just isn’t necessary. Nothing could be further from the truth!
If you are an inexperienced traveler or just don’t have the time, patience or personal knowledge to do it yourself, using a travel agent makes a lot of sense.
Here are five reasons why travel agents are still a wise choice for booking travel: 

Cruise Vacations - The Best of All Worlds!

By: Mike Franks, Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

Deciding to take a cruise vacation can prove to be the most exciting and least expensive vacation you can find. Whether you choose an ocean cruise or a more intimate river cruise, it’s hard to beat cruising for destination selection, world-class entertainment and of course fine dining.

If you have never cruised or even considered a cruise vacation, it’s probably because of several reasons. You may have heard stories of people becoming seasick. Dr. Art Drisken, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chief Medical Officer says, “most new cruisers have no problems with seasickness on our ships, due to their size, navigational avoidance of storms, and ship stabilizers.” Other cruise line officials and veteran cruisers echo that assertion. Even if you are prone to motion sickness, medical science has perfected medications delivered through patches, wristbands and orally that will ease or prevent motion sickness.