Cruising to Bermuda with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Summer is our time to travel. My husband is a teacher so that gives us a couple of months of freedom. We try to take a month away every year. So this year we packed up the car and drove to Boston to catch the NCL Spirit to Bermuda. The weather was perfect. Not too hot. Being from Florida, it was nice to be able to go outside and not wilt.


Our cruise left from Boston Harbor and took us to Bermuda. Now if you are looking for somewhere to just have R & R this is the place. There are plenty of excursions so you won't be bored but if you just want to stretch out on the beach and relax, Bermuda is perfect. The main beach is call a "Pink Beach". Chips of coral flake off and mix with the sand to give it a pink look. It is secluded and not very busy. The whole island is only 20 miles by 3 miles. Hard to even get lost there. Everything is very clean and tourist friendly.


We took a ferry to one end of the island, then we caught a bus back to the other end while seeing the sights. The architecture is quaint. All the building are done in bright pastel colors, the roads are narrow, most of the tourist transportation is on mopeds. Our return trip was via the bus. We try to take public transportation when we travel. It allows us to see more of the actual area. The tours are good but we like to see how the townfolks live.


Shopping is also very relaxed. No hussel or bustle with lots of shops. My favorite shop was Hat Lady. She had some great looking hats. Remember the hat that Audrey Hepburn wore in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"? She had one just like it. I would have picked it up but not sure I would have had anywhere to wear it. You could also find anything you wanted at any of the local merchants. We stopped by the rum cake shop and brought home several rum cakes. You have to taste one to understand. Make it a must on your tour. There were lots of shops to visit. Anything you needed could be located.


The cruise itself was a lot of fun. We played Bingo, ate, went to an art auction, ate, went to an emerald presentation, ate, played trivia, ate.... There are always things going on when you cruise. And at the end of the day we called room service and ATE! The only thing we did as much as eat was played Bingo! Prizes were good if you are a little lucky. They played twice a day so it can become a little addictive. We won the first game out so we were hooked for the rest of the cruise. If you are into the casino thing, it was open 24/7 as long as we weren't in port. We weren't any luckier there either.


If you enjoy eating (we did) you have plenty of choices. NCL if freestyle dining so you can eat whenever, wherever you choose. We usually ate the main dining room. Had a seat by the window, a great server and wonderful food. And the service.... whatever you wanted all you had to do is ask. They also have a buffet style dining area and several specialty restaurants. You can eat Italian, Sushi, Japanese Steak House or by the pool. You were never more than an arms length away from food. We had escargot, lobster, prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, shrimp cocktails, strawberry soup, hot dogs, hamburgs, barbeque lobster tails, salmon, talapia.... and the Chocolate Buffet.. need I go into details!? The list goes on and on.


If you have never cruised before and aren't sure if you will like it, start small. Take a 3, 4, or 5 day cruise. Most the lines offer them. You can take the kids. The cruise lines will entertain them for the entire trip. Just the two of you, talk about romantic. Hubby likes golf, they have golf on board and golf excursions. You name your desire and I'm sure we can find something out there for you. It won't be long before you are an avid cruiser.


Upon our return, we drove back to Florida and now back to our normal routine. Let's see, how long until Thanksgiving holiday?

Now on Twitter

Hi - I've joined the Twitter age! My daughter (The Eco Chic) has introduced me to Twitter and has set me up with my own Twitter account. See you there.

http://twitter.com/cjsgetaways

Bill and Carol are celebrating Life.....

Family, Friends, Fellow Cruisers

Bill and Carol and Celebrating Life by cruising on Norwegian Spirit to Bermuda on July 2. There are still some cabins available so if you don't have anything planned for that week, why not join us. There are limited cabins available starting at $749. Call today and we'll be glad to check on discount available.

Eclipse of a Lifetime Sweepstakes

Win your way onboard the all new

Celebrity EclipseSM
for her first ever journey to the sea

Win a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and a guest in Celebrity's Eclipse of a Lifetime Sweepstakes. They're giving away ten all-expense paid trips to Germany to be on their newest Solstice Class ship, Celebrity Eclipse, as she makes the most fascinating journey

Click on the link below enter. If you don't enter.... you can't win!

Eclipse of a Lifetime Sweepstakes

SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL

Norwegian Cruise Lines is offering $400 savings certificates on certain cruises booked now and taken in 2010. Are you thinking about cruising? Take advantage of this offer and $AVE..

Want a few freinds to join you? We can quote you a special rate on 8 or more cabins. Don't have enough for eight cabins, try a few close friends in a Suite for 6 for less than an inside room. Plus private balcony, private pool area, concierge, and much more...

Call today for details.

Join the Crowd

Looking for a group rate but don't have enough to make up a group? We have two groups in the planning stages.
First is a bus tour across the United States, taking in the National Parks. This is a great way to see the sights. "Did you see that? Oh you missed it." You don't miss those one of a kind sunsets or picture perfect moments because you are the driver. Start planning for summer of 2010.
Second....We have group rates for Alaska. You need eight cabins for a group. Can't come up with eight friends? Did you ever consider a family reunion? There is something for everyone on a cruise and everyone can do their own thing. Want something warmer, we have specials for Hawaii too. Only have two or three couples in the family, we'll show you how to sail on a budget and be treated like royalty.
Call today for details.

What's New In the World of Travel?

Don't forget the World's Largest Cruise Night Oct. 14. I think you will find it interesting.

Not into cruising....
What about a bus tour through the National Parks out west? Get in on the ground floor of our current trip. We are still in the planning stages so you could have a say in the parks to visit and the time of the year to go. Bring a couple friends with you and receive addtional discounts.
Looking for something special to do with the kids or grandchildren.....
Disney is offering "kids free" on selected cruises for a limited time. MSC always offers free kids sailings.
Want a road trip? Take a trip to Pennsylvania and stop and see Sesame Place or Crayola Factory. While you are there stop by Philadelphia and see local history as well as our country's history. Visit the Omish Country, also.
There are lots of trips out there... Just give us a call with your ideas and we'll see what we can put together.
Until next time.... "Grow Old Together.... The Best is Yet to Be"

See America's National Parks next summer!

Don't forget to tune in for the Worlds Largest Cruise Night. Oct. 14 is the big day. Not interested in cruising....

Have you considered a tour through the National Parks? We are putting a group together to bus tour through the parks out west. We are still in the planning stages so get in early. That way you can have a say in which parks to see and when to go. Bring a couple of friends and receive additional discounts.

Have children or grandchildren to take along?.... Disney is offering "children free" on select cruises... MSC always has kids free sailings.... Want to do something up north with them... What about the Sesame Place or Crayola Factory? It's not to early to start planning for next summer. Right now rates are low. The travel industry is offering incentives to get people traveling again. But discounts won't be around forever. ... Have something else in mind.... drop us a line and we'll see what we can do for you. Create those memories that last a lifetime.

Until our next time...... "Grow Old Together.... The Best is Yet to Come."

World Cruise Night

Don't forget to join us during the month of October for the World Cruise Night Webinare. (see below). If you are available on Oct. 14 join us for the actual Cruise Night. If you are thinking about taking a cruise this program is essential. See you there.http://wlcn.cruising.org/cjzom515
Posted by Carol & Bill at 2:56 PM 0 comments
Labels: worlds largest cruise night
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Let's Go Sailing.....

Thinking about a cruise but don't know where you want to go or what line to sail. Join us for the Worlds Largest Cruise Night via the web. Just click on below and join us on Oct 14. Can't join us on the 14th, click on the below site any time from Oct. 1-31. See you there.

http://wlcn.cruising.org/cjzom515

2010 Season getting underway. Book early for best rates.

Well, what is up in today's travel world? There are so many new offers right now. Seems the travel industry is really working hard to get people to use their facilities. Hotels are offering special packages, Disney is offering special perks which include rooms, meals, tickets....
We'll just have to wait and see how far they go to get the travelers going again.

Getaways we have on the horizon.... Caravan Tours has a package doing the Natl. Monuments for 2010. We are putting together a tour group for next summer. Want to join us? We are still in the planning stages and haven't picked a date yet. So if you have input you would like to add just drop us a line. As soon as we pick a date (we need to be a little flexible) the tour company will give us our group rates. We need a minimum of 8 couples to get the group discount so check your schedules, talk to your friends and let go see America.

Watch for more to come as the 2010 season gets underway.
Drop us a line at traveldepot@comcast.net and let us know what memories you would like to make.

Eco-Tourism

Everyone is going green these days. My daughter is an environmental scientist and writes an eco-blog called The Eco Chic. She (along with our grandson) have encouraged us to slowly change our habits. We now recycle, use our green shopping bags, and use less disposable items.

We did some research for them recently trying to find them an eco-friendly vacation destination when we found Gap Adventures. Gap Adventures is one of the key sustainable tourism companies out there. Sustainable tourism focuses on leaving a minimal impact to the natural environment. In addition to caring about the environment Gap Adventures also respects the local people. Gap Adventures also partners with Planeterra, which provides tourists the opportunity to give back with unique Voluntours.

So what would your dream eco-tour and voluntour be? Here are some of the tours that these companies offer.

How about a 6 day eco-cruise tour to the Galapagos Islands aboard a 16 passenger yacht along with a crew of 8 certified naturalists? Prices start at $1400 per person.

Don't want to spend that much? How about a voluntour to Costa Rica to help work on a Sea Turtle Conservation Project. This 15 day tour starts at just $749 per person! Can you imagine the stories your children would tell if you took them on this vacation?

Where do you want to go? Let us help you book your next trip, no matter where you might want to go. Email us at traveldepot@comcast.net and we'll do the rest!

Welcome

Welcome to CJ's Great Getaways. I look forward to helping you plan your next adventure, I hope you enjoy the journey!