Jens Top 20 Reasons to Cruise with Crystal

Last Monday Will and I disembarked in Miami off the best cruise we have ever experienced! We were on a week long Caribbean cruise on the Crystal Serenity. Normally I would do a day by day review of our experience but I thought I would do this blog a little differently. Since I experienced so many unique differences on my Crystal cruise from all the other cruises I have been on, I thought I would make a list of all of my favorite things about the Serenity.

1. We were greeted by a crew member who took my backpack and escorted us to our cabin.

Not only were we personally escorted to our cabin but he also mentioned that he worked at the pool. From than on every time we went to the pool we were greeted by Robert by our last names. This may have been the first time that a crew member remembered our names but not the last. We truly felt like part of the Crystal family our entire time on board. For example every day when we went to breakfast Clark was there to greet us and take my tray from me to carry it to my table. Than we were asked if we would like coffee and fresh squeezed Orange Juice. I personally like the half orange and half grapefruit and they were glad to accommodate me.

2. Special requests at the dinning room

When at dinner I liked the side of bok choy that Will had on his dish and I mentioned that to my waiter. He came back with a serving dish of bok choy for me. I was told that from then on if I wanted to swap out side dishes or make special request to please do so.

3. Afternoon tea at the Bistro

We went to the Bistro for our complimentary latte and cappuccino one afternoon and they had set up a spread of cheeses, crackers, meats, scones and cream, and all sorts of deserts. What I loved most was the quality of cheeses that were offered!

4. Aft deck area

One of our favorite spots on the ship was the aft deck area. Our cabin was in the aft and was a short walk to a back patio area provided on each deck. There were deck chairs with area for shade or sun and a table with four or five chairs. This was a nice area where we could sun tan when we felt like more privacy. We also sat out there with our set of binoculars to watch ships passing by ... or just to read a book.

5. Cold towels and Mineral Water at the gym

When I went to the gym I was able to cool off with a cold towel and bottled water provided for me. There was also both spring water and mineral water being offered. I always finished my workout with the complimentary use of the steam room in the women's locker room and grabbed a mineral water.

6. Casino at the very forward of the ship

This was nice because I did not have to pass through the casino every time I needed to get somewhere on the ship. Plus if I was in the casino gambling we are offered complimentary drinks.

7. Green Tea Ice Cream

My favorite ice cream flavor on the cruise was the green tea. Scoops was open almost all day and evening with complimentary ice cream. They had different flavors each day, and fresh waffle cones. One day we got ourselves and waffle cone and savored it while we watched a movie (500 Days of Summer) in their Hollywood Theater. Once we were seated we were offered a popcorn! I just love going to the movies! The couple in the row in front of us turned around and smiled at us and just simply said "Date Night".

8. Real silverware even for room service

I thought what a nice touch to have real silverware even when ordering from room service. For our last night we chose to order room service for dinner. Our stewardess brought us the dinner menu from the main dining room where we selected what we would like to have for dinner. She set up our table with a tablecloth and we were served course by course in the privacy of our stateroom. If we chose to have room service for breakfast there was quite an extensive menu to choose from. We opted out on this cruise as we loved dinning on the outside patio on the aft of the ship.

9. Two choices of robes in our cabin

I was able to use the light kimono robe when I had just gotten back from the steam room or was drying my hair, and when I needed some extra warmth I put on the cozy Frette robe. Speaking of drying my hair they had both the drier on the bathroom wall and an extra drier in the vanity drawer so I didn't have to crowd the bathroom to do my hair.

10. Oversized bathroom towels

This was the first cruise where we truly had oversized plush towels. Love it!

11. The bathroom amenities

I walked in to notice Aveda products in bottles large enough to last the week. The shower head was an adjustable massaging shower head, which is nice in case I did not want to get my hair wet each time I got in the shower. I also loved the dual sinks and room enough for us both to be in there at the same time.

12. Complimentary Self Serve Laundry Room

Will and I actually did our laundry twice on this cruise. We did it once in the middle of the week and again the day before we left so we could come home with all clean clothes. Anything that helps us when we come home to reality is much appreciated. I forgot to take a photo of that but I'm sure you get the idea.

13. Perrier and Diet Coke

We just loved the fridge that magically refilled itself with our favorite drinks! Each day we found a full fridge of diet cokes for Will and Perrier for me. And to top it off they were all complimentary...do we see a pattern yet? COMPLIMENTARY...no signing my name all over the ship.

14. Comfortable pool chairs waiting for me when I am ready

How do you like the idea of getting up at 4am to put a towel on your pool chairs to be sure to have a chair when its time to get some sun? Yeah, me neither! I noticed on our cruise that not only were their open seats by the pool each time I went to the pool, but our friend Robert was there to ask us if we prefer seats in the sun or the shade and had fresh towels laying on them for us.

15. Outdoor shower by the pool

I just hate the feeling of saltwater drying on my skin after getting out of a salt water pool or the ocean. I got out of the pool looking for somewhere to rinse off. I not only found an outdoor shower but a shower with shampoo, conditioner, and refreshing body soap! Like I said...the little things :)

16. Renting movies for the room

Will and I like to get up real early and are active for most of the day. So we are not big on the nightlife while on vacation. I was happy to see that the Library had a very large complimentary selection of movies we could rent and bring back to our room to watch. We were able to pick two at a time so Will picked one he wanted and I got my pick. Than I mentioned to Will that I wished "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" was available and the very nice woman working the library said she would call me when it came back in. Sometimes we watched a movie in the afternoon before we had ourselves a short nap. There is something wonderful about being on vacation and being able to take a nap (something I rarely am afforded at home)

17. Pregos Roasted Garlic Cloves

I think my favorite part of our dinner at Prego was the roasted garlic. That might sound silly considering I tried the mushroom soup which was amazing, and the butternut squash ravioli also to die for....but I cant remember the last time we went out for Italian and had that freshly roasted Garlic to spread on my breadsticks.

18. Sunsets from my balcony

I think we watched every sunset this week from our balcony. This was quite a fluke that the sun set on our side of the ship each night, and what a treat! Will even woke me up one morning to watch the most beautiful sunrise on our balcony. It will be difficult for me to pick just one picture as I must have hundreds!

19. Cold towels coming back from port

When we got back on the ship in St. Barts hot from the Caribbean sun we noticed a cooler full of cold towels. Details people.....

20. The Crew

I wanted to leave the best for last! The crew on the Serenity adds something to the cruise that can not be calculated into the price. They are like a family and treat you as part of their family. We felt genuinely welcome everywhere we went on the ship, and this was what made our experience so special.

As I am writing this list, I keep coming up with more examples such as the Walk on Water program, sushi at Silk Road, and my excellent spa treatment. I don't have room to write about everything we loved, you will just have to cruise on Crystal to experience it all for yourself.

Please join Chef Vincenzo Betulia for the

Campiello Culinary Cruise & Tour of Italy

September 15-25, 2010

To Benefit Garden of Hope and Courage

Including a 7- night cruise aboard

Seabourn Spirit

Limited to 24 guests !!

Call early to reserve your spot on this

exclusive journey through Southern Italy

Campiello Culinary Cruise & Tour Includes:

· Culinary events with Chef Vincenzo Betulia

· Betty Maclean Travel Escort

· Three nights at the Hotel St. Regis Rome including breakfast daily, two lunches, and two dinners

· An intimate dinner at the Chef’s table

· Private after hours tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel

· Sample Sicilian specialties including Marsala wine

· Shop with Chef Vincenzo in a local Roman market for ingredients to cook dinner with the Chef in a traditional country farmhouse

· Attend a private wine tasting and than enjoy a homemade Sicilian meal served in a private home in Catania

· Scenic drive down the Amalfi Coast

· Participate in hands-on pizza making lesson

· All Suite Accommodations

· All onboard gratuities

· Complimentary liquor and wine onboard Spirit including wine and spirits

Price for Cruise & Tour: From $10,000 per person*, based on double occupancy in starting suite - ask agent about additional suite categories.

Deposit: A 25% deposit is required to reserve your spot.

Final Payment: Full payment due May 1, 2010
Cancellation penalties apply. See agent for details.
Optional Trip Cancellation Insurance is highly recommended.

Exclusions: Fare does not include international air to Rome; additional tours, alcoholic beverages and meals which are not included on itinerary; passport fees; phone calls; premium spa and other personal services.

Disclaimer: Rate is based on a minimum number of travelers. Fares are capacity controlled, subject to availability and may change without notice.Activities, special guests, properties and itinerary are subject to change. Cancellation penalties begin at $600 per person from time of booking until final payment in which additional penalties apply. We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to protect against injury, illness and unforseen circumstances in the destination.

Contact Jen Mitchell at Betty Maclean Travel, Inc.

www.BettyMacleanTravel.com/campiello

239-513-0333 Jen@BettyMacleanTravel.com

SeaDream Yacht Club on Travel Channel!!

If you can't make our client event next Thursday featuring SeaDream Yacht Club don't miss Saturdays episode of Cruises we Love June 20th on the Travel Channel!!!

If you like what you see, call Jen Mitchell @ 800-865-8111 or email Jen@BettyMacleanTravel.com to make your reservations.

SEABOURN ODYSSEY NAMED ON JUNE 24

VENICE TO SHINE AS SEABOURN ODYSSEY

IS NAMED ON JUNE 24, 2009

Guests/godparents to savor rare experience of anointing the cruise industry’s first new luxury vessel in six years at intimate ceremony in spectacular setting

June 8, 2009 (Miami) – The Yachts of Seabourn is planning an intimate ceremony for the naming of the newest addition to its award-winning fleet: Seabourn Odyssey. The highly anticipated event, set for June 24, 2009, will take place on deck as the sun sets behind the unmistakable skyline of Venice, Italy.

While naming ceremonies typically invite attendees to watch from shore as an honorary “godparent” names the vessel and breaks a bottle on its bow, the anointment of Seabourn Odyssey will be held on board with guests booked on the maiden voyage. Collectively, all of the guests will act as godparents, initiating the anointment with a bottle of Italian prosecco and giving the yacht its name. Each will receive a commemorative certificate from the event, and their names will be affixed to a plaque to be displayed on board.

With Venice as the backdrop, the colorful heritage of the city will be a touchstone throughout the daylong event. Guests arriving at Stazione Marittima terminal will be given a red carpet welcome, complete with musicians playing and festive banners and garland. Once all are on board, Seabourn Odyssey will depart for a stately cruise down the Guidecca Canal to Riva dei Sette Martiri, a docking location near the Piazza San Marco, where it will be moored for the ceremony.

An early dinner served in Odyssey’s superb dining venues will precede the ceremony. With darkness set to fall in Venice after 9:00pm, guests will return to find the deck transformed and the sun gilding the domes and turrets of the city – an enticing view to be enhanced by ceremonial music.

Though many details of the ceremony are being kept hush-hush, Seabourn has revealed that a magnum of sparkling prosecco spumante will be used to anoint Odyssey. The bottle will come from a vineyard in northeastern Italy, near where the vessel’s hull was crafted, and will be broken by means of an ingenious mechanism designed especially for the event.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Jen at Betty Maclean Travel at 1-800-865-8111 or Jen@BettyMacleanTravel.com.

**Ask me about our Voyager Club sailings and the benifits that come with it FREE! When calling mention you heard about this on our Travel Blog!!!

Travel Offer of the Week!!!!!

Sorry it has taken me so long to post my offer of the week. It has been quite the busy past couple of weeks here in my office. (no complaints here!) We had our Betty Maclean Travel Collection last Wednesday and it was a huge success. We had a turnout of over 400 clients! I could go on and on about our show so how about I do my next blog recapping the event?? Than the phones have just been ringing off the hook! Now is the time to grab ahold of the offers out there. As for my offer of the week....drum roll please!

One Week Sale Seabourn Yacht Club Sale!

Save 60% This Week Only! February 9 - 16, 2009

Book a European cruise aboard The Yachts of Seabourn, winner of the World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line*, with the unprecedented value of 60% savings on all categories! You will sail aboard an intimate 208-guest yacht and enjoy all-suite accommodations, personalized service and an atmosphere of sophisticated ease. With special fares from just $2,840, it’s the perfect opportunity to experience Seabourn Yachting Life. But hurry, the sale lasts only until February 16, 2009!

Call Jen to book your Seabourn cruise TODAY! 800-865-8811 or email me at Jen@BettyMacleanTravel.com

Review of Cunard's Queen Victoria Ship Inspection

On January 13th I took a short drive to the other coast to go and visit Cunard's Queen Victoria. I was one of few agents who were taken aboard to tour the ship. This was the first day of the Queen Victoria's second world cruise. It was quite the site seeing not only one but two queens docked across from one another. I took a few nice photos of the Queen Mary 2 from aboard the Victoria.

As always I started my tour from top to bottom trying to get a picture of most all the public areas so I can pass on that information to my clients. The Queen Victoria has restricted access to decks 11 and 12 which are exclusively for the use of Queens Grill passengers. If accessing this area by elevator guests will need to use their Queens Grill room key. We took a peek at their small and intimate Queens Grill dinning room and across the hall, their concierge lounge where a nice couple were relaxing sipping a cocktail upon their first day of their voyage. Than we went to the outside area which included The Courtyard, the Grills Terrace, and Upper Terrace. These areas were a great retreat for passengers who would like some privacy and quiet to read a good book or have an afternoon cocktail. My only complaint would have to be the faux wood decks. I myself do prefer the real wood giving it a warmer tone and more luxurious feel. The lounge chairs on the Terrace were comfortably lined and cushioned.

Deck 9 took me through the Lido buffet, two pools and hot tubs, and a large area of the forward dedicated to the Canyon Ranch spa and fitness center. I was pleased with the spa sanctuary and the pleasant music piped in throughout. The aromatherapy was wonderful, I just love the smell of a the eucalyptus and lavender. The spa seems to puts me in a state of relaxation right as I enter the waiting room. The fitness equipment was all new and up to date with the individual flat screens on the cardio machines. They had spin bikes as well as room for a variety of aerobics classes. The sign up sheets that appeared to be most popular were Pilates, Yoga and Body Tone classes. They also had my favorite class onboard! ZUMBA! If you are a fan of salsa music and dancing in general, this is a must try class for all levels of dancers. The key is to relax, have fun, and you don’t have to remember steps like some other classes (Step aerobics) Put me in a step class and I will be lost in a heartbeat and most of the time your'll find me going in the wrong direction.

Than I walked past 5 decks of cabins, unfortunately the sailing was full and so I was not be able to go inside and take pictures of the cabins. I did manage to sneak a peak of a cabin steward getting a room ready for a guest who had not yet arrived, but not quick enough to snap a photo. Sorry :(

Decks one through three were mostly the public areas of the ship centered around a gorgeous atrium. They had a large replica of Big Ben as a center piece, as shown below. They had a very elegant two story library filled with all types of books and reference materials. There were also books to read up on the ports of call for the voyage. I passed a couple nice bars and lounges on my tour all staffed with friendly faces. The theater was quite a sight and the boxes were a very nice touch for those who want to make their evening at the theater extra special. The Golden Lion Pub was filled with happy patrons drinking their beer and watching sports on the large flat panel TVs placed throughout. Todd English, their specialty restaurant was very nicely appointed and intimate for that special night out for dinner. I was not able to sample to food but from what I hear it is fabulous.

I would say those were the highlight of my day on the Queen Victoria and as always it was very sad to leave the ship as we passed those cruisers embarking on their first day of their World Voyage. I sometimes catch myself wondering how long it would take for them to notice a stow- away hiding out in the Library. Than I come to my senses.

Regent Navigator Ship Inspection

Today I went to Port Canaveral to go onboard the Regent Seven Seas Navigator for the day. I was invited to go and see the ship, starting with a presentation on Regent, followed by a tour of the ship. Than we had lunch in the Compass Rose dining room. For me it was more of a subtle difference from the premium cruise lines out there. It was the smaller details that made it stand out from the others.

The fitness center had all the state of the art equipment including flat panel monitors on the cardio machines. They even had a fridge full of complimentary water bottles. How convenient!

The cabins were very nice. The starting cabin was 300 sq. ft. with a large picture window and a nice size sitting area. For me my favorite was the split bath and walk in closet in all the cabins. Check out the balconies!

They had a cafe with a professional barista! I had myself a latte and it was very good. This coming from quite the coffee critic.

The dining was definitely worth talking about. The tables were set with fine china and silver, with a beautiful presentation. Daniel and I ordered the halibut which was tender and flaked right off with my fork. Chynell had the filet mignon which she said was like butter. She could have cut it with her fork it was so tender. Yum I know! And the servers were wonderful; it was certainly a fine dining experience.

Over all the day was well spent and I am full on my way to completing my LCS (Luxury Cruise Specialist) certification. This kind of firsthand experience is great for us as cruise consultants so that we know the products we are recommending to you our clients.