Is it safe to cruise, do I need to worry about getting sick like the passengers on the Radiance of the Seas?

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Radiance of the Seas recently suffered an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, affecting 150 passengers and 3 crew members. The ships next departure was delayed, so that a thorough cleaning could be done. Many travelers will be concerned that this is going to be a trend in 2011. I think that will not be the case, because several years ago the cruise industry increased prevention efforts, and the number of outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships sailing from U.S. ports dropped again in 2010, continuing a downward trend. I read an article in USA Today, which said that outbreaks of illness on cruise ships dropped to lowest level since 2001. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta recorded just 14 outbreaks of illnesses such as Norovirus on ships operating out of U.S. ports for the year, down from 15 in 2009 and in 2008, 21 in 2007 and 34 in 2006.

Sometimes called the "24-hour flu" even though it is unrelated to influenza, Norovirus is the most common cause of gastrointestinal illness in the United States, accounting for around half of all cases, according to the CDC. It breaks out regularly in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, offices and other places people congregate.

Beth Hampton, ACC
Travel Specialist
Accredited Cruise Counsellor
(336) 605-9926
(919) 341-4164
Beth@4MoonsTravel.com

The Magic of Honeymoons, Destination Weddings and Romantic Getaways

Have you ever watched two people in love? They are truly happy to be with each other and look forward to spending time together. This is true of honeymooners and couples who are looking for a romantic getaway or destination wedding. One of the reasons I specialize in honeymoons, destination weddings and romantic getaways is because I love creating an experience where they could fall in love all over again.

All couples should plan romantic getaways once in a while. Everyone needs a reminder of why they fell in love, especially once their busy lives revolve around children. Honeymooners always want to make their getaway special, take that “once in a lifetime” trip. Whether they choose a tropical island in the Caribbean, a cruise to Alaska, or the streets of Rome, I make sure their getaway is everything they dream it would be. For those couples planning a destination wedding, what could be more romantic a setting than to be married in paradise, surrounded by your family and friends? As a Certified Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist, along with the resort or cruise ships on-site wedding coordinator, I can help make the process of planning the wedding a breeze. The cost to the bridal couple can be significantly lower than planning a traditional wedding at home, some resorts even offer weddings for free!

At 4 Moons Travel, I begin with a consultation. This can be done over the phone, through email or in person, depending on what is most convenient for you. This helps me to get to know you, to find out your likes and dislikes, where you’ve been and where you want to go. To find out what your dream getaway looks like. This helps me to get to know your personality, so that I can help make destination and resort recommendations. It also helps you to see what I do that sets me apart from other travel agents. And it certainly shows how my personalized service sets me apart from booking your special vacation online.

A good idea for couples going on a honeymoon, anniversary trip or destination wedding, is to create a honeymoon registry. If you were interested, you would get a page on our website, where you can tell friends and family a little about where you are going and what you would like to do on your trip. Then they can purchase things for your honeymoon, like a zip-line tour, romantic dinner on the beach or a couple’s massage. If you would like, you can even have a request for a donation towards the cost of your trip. What you put on the registry is only limited by your imagination. This is a nice way for your friends and family to have an alternative to the traditional wedding gift.

4 Moons Travel – Travel for every phase of life!

Beth Hampton, ACC
Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist
Accredited Cruise Counsellor
Beth@4MoonsTravel.com
(336) 605-9926
(919) 641-4164

How to Avoid the Dreaded TSA Pat Down



With word spreading of the potential horrors involved in the new TSA pat-downs, we’ve put together some tips to avoid having to do the pat-down. These tips come straight from the TSA blog itself:


1.Take EVERYTHING out of your pockets before you go through screening. You can put them in your carry-on bag if you’d like.


2.Don’t wear clothes with a high metal content.


3.Don’t wear heavy or thick metal jewelry pieces. You can put them in your carry-on bag and then wear them after you get through security.


4.And finally, don’t opt out of the scanners. Anyone who opts out of using the new body scanners is automatically going to get the pat-down.


Simple enough, right? We hope that by following these tips most people can avoid the uncomfortable TSA pat-downs. Of course, we also know that TSA is a bit inconsistent from one airport to another and following these rules may not be enough. However, TSA themselves says that this is what you should do so hopefully they are right this time.

A message from a Carnival Splendor Guest

This is reposted from John Heald’s blog. It’s a comment from Glenn Jaffrey a guest on the Carnival Splendor the week of the fire.

I am a travel agent. I was on the sailing and had 119 people in my group.

I would like to make 3 important comments:


1. I am sorry to say that the media has made it sound much worse than what it really was. There were obviously problems and challenges for guests and the crew but I do not see why there can’t be accurate reporting of the facts. (Most all of my group considered it an adventure and are looking forward to cruising again!) One of my couples even got engaged on the sailing!


2. I have not seen any media report that tells what the compensation really is and what Carnival did for everyone! What Carnival is providing and has provided is way beyond my expectations and what I told my group to expect.


 Full refund


 Future credit equal to total of what was paid to be applied to a future cruise and must be used within 2 years.


 Refund of transportation costs to the pier and from San Diego back home. One person said they took a bus from Las Vegas to the pier and Carnival (besides putting them up in San Diego is flying them home.)


 Overnight stay in San Diego for those who requested it AND a daily stipend.


 For those who had flights Carnival made the changes for them.


 Any charges made on Sunday on the guests “Sign and Sail card were forgiven!!! (This included spa treatments, alcohol, purchases in the gift shop AND even gambling losses in the casino slots!!!


 All photos taken by Carnival of the guests were put out in the photo shop and guests were invited to come get their pictures at no charge!


 On Tuesday and Wednesday Carnival opened some bars. Alcohol, wine and beer was given to the guests.


 Carnival advised the guests that everything in their mini bars was free! (My minibar had 6 sodas, 6 beers, and 10 or 12 shot bottles of alcohol.


3. The crew did a remarkable job. i.e. With no elevators there were human chains of crew members from the bottom of the ship going up to deck 9 to haul up the food, drinks, plates etc.


Special praise is due to John Heald, the Splendor’s Cruise Director , who made almost all PA announcements. His calm demeanor, very likable personality, and sense of humor was greatly appreciated and did much to assuage the guests concerns.


I sincerely hope that all this information is disseminated to the public whether I am contacted or not.

Beth Hampton of 4 Moons Travel has been designated as a Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Cruise Counsellor after recently completing the organization's certification requirements. Beth Hampton is now recognized within the cruise industry as an Accredited Cruise Counsellor. 

Beth Hampton has achieved Cruise Counsellor Certification through completion of a comprehensive program of cruise sales, training and product instruction, delivered through a combination of extensive classroom training and personal cruise experience. CLIA's Certification program graduates are widely recognized as the foremost cruise vacation experts among American travel agents.

4 Moons Travel is one of more than 16,000 North American travel agency members of CLIA. According to CLIA statistics, the overwhelming majority of travelers - about 90% - book their cruise through a travel agency, and for good reason - travel agents understand the products they recommend and excel in finding the perfect cruise to match their clients' needs, lifestyle and budget.

CLIA's Certified Cruise Counsellors are the cruise industry's premier travel agents and can arrange all of your vacation needs while providing the greatest service and value for your vacation dollar.

To contact Beth Hampton, call (336) 605-9926 or email Beth @4MoonsTravel.com

The Island of Barbados

Barbados

Entry Requirements: A valid US passport is required.

Departure Requirements: There is a Barbados departure tax of $27.50 that applies for all passengers over 12 years old. Most airlines include this with the cost of the ticket.

Language: English

Currency: Barbadian Dollar, but the US dollar is widely accepted at the fixed exchange rate.

Electricity: 110 volts/50 cycles (same as US)

Climate: It is generally warm and sunny all tear round with an average daytime high of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit, cooled by trade winds. Average annual rainfall is 46.7”.

Barbados invites you to wake up to the rhythm of the tropics and explore a paradise that’s naturally charming, alive with possibilities, and filled with warm and friendly souls who are always ready to greet you with a sincere smile.

Long one of the Caribbean’s most popular islands, Barbados is naturally charming and pulsing to the rhythm of the tropics. Barbadians both venerate their British heritage and celebrate their home’s perfect climate and unparalleled natural beauty.

The small but bustling city of Bridgetown is one of the oldest capitals in the Caribbean, teeming with historic sites such as Heroes Square (with its statue of Lord Nelson) opposite the restored parliament Buildings, one of the hemisphere’s oldest synagogues, and the 18th-century St. Michael’s Cathedral. Along with the shops on Swan Street, Roebuck Street, and Tudor Street, there is also a new cruise ship terminal sporting 30 duty-free shops.

Some of the Caribbean’s finest beaches lie along Barbados’ Gold Coast, where you’ll also find some of the most luxurious hotels in the northern hemisphere. Spectacular stretches of fine coral sand highlight Paynes Bay, Brandon’s Beach, Paradise Beach, and Brighton Beach, all of which are open to the public.

Spectacular diving locations abound in Barbados – there are more than two dozen ringing the island’s coasts, full of healthy sponges, thriving corals and plant life, and a kaleidoscope of colorful fish, there is also an excellent collection of shipwrecks, with over 200 reported in Carlisle Bay alone! Most of the popular sites are found along the west and southwest coasts. Action-oriented vacationers also dive into snorkeling, parasailing, surfing, and windsurfing.

Embrace Barbados, where nature and sophistication mingle in exotic harmony.


Beach Scene:

Batts Rock: A designated public beach area on the west coast, just minutes from Bridgetown, Batts Beach is a family-friendly zone with picnic benches, playground. A calm sea makes for excellent swimming and snorkeling.

Bathsheba: Breathtakingly beautiful Bathsheba, set on the east coast, combines wide, white-sand beaches with striking rock formations. The impressive waves and rollers make it the site of international surfing events a small fishing village with restaurants and rum shops is nearby.

Little Bay: the northeast coast of Barbados is home to this haven of natural swimming holes, gorgeous scenery, powerful waves, and magnificent blowholes. Climb atop the rugged cliffs and get bird’s-eye views of the bay and beyond.

Crane Beach: originally a harbor, white-sand Crane Beach has been rated “One of the Top 10 Best Beaches in the World” by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Its natural coral reef provides a perfect location for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and sunset-watching.

Note: Nude bathing is illegal in Barbados.

The Islands of the Bahamas

The Bahamas

Fast Facts:

Entry Requirements: A valid US passport is required.

Departure Requirements: The departure tax is $15.00 throughout the Bahamas; in Grand Bahama (Freeport) there is an additional $3.00 airport security fee for a total of $18.00. Small children are exempt.

Language: English

Currency: Bahamian dollar, but the US dollar is accepted throughout the islands.

Electricity: 120 volts/60 cycles (same as US).

Climate: The Bahamas have a typically subtropical oceanic climate, warmed by the Gulf Stream in winter and cooled by trade winds in summer. Average temperatures rang e from 75 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 84 degrees Fahrenheit during summer. Average annual rainfall is 46”.



Leisurely, lovely, and outright fun, The Bahamas delivers a steady stream of sun-filled days and glittering nights. When you want to get into non-stop action – or get away from it all – The Bahamas has an island for you!

A series of over 700 islands and more than 200 cays just off the east coast of Florida, The Bahamas plays host to adventure seekers and tourists looking to escape into the beauty of the Caribbean. All powdery sand and endless beaches – and barely rising above sea level – the islands of The Bahamas are a popular, affordable, and easily reached retreat.

Beyond the sands are the sophisticated pleasures of New Providence (home of Nassau, the capital, and popular Cable Beach), Paradise Island, and Grand Bahama, where glitz, gambling, top cuisine, great golfing, nightclubs, and world-class spas are found.

Nassau is the seat of Bahamian culture, history, and shopping. Packed with colonial charm, it offers the closest thing to an urban experience and is an ideal base for day trips to nearby Paradise Island and many of the quieter Out Islands. Neighboring Cable Beach is a glittering strip of hotels, restaurants, and casinos.

Paradise Island’s many resorts mark it as an adult playground, albeit one where Bobby Flay, Nobu Matcuhisa, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten rule the culinary roost. Their home is The Atlantis, certainly the most over-the-top resort in The Bahamas (and one you must see to believe).

Grand Bahama’s Freeport and Lucaya resort areas are ideal for families, with broad beaches, challenging golf courses, out-of-this-world scuba diving spots, and plenty of water sports excitement.

There are fewer crowds on the sultry Out Islands, such as Abaco, Harbour Island, and Long Island, partly because of their lack of accessibility. Many are reached only via boat, but these are really the places to get away from it all.

When people say “It’s better in The Bahamas,” they know what they’re talking about!


Beach Scene:

Cable Beach (New Providence Island): The Bahamas’ most well-know strip of sand, Cable Beach in Nassau is easily accessible and loaded with facilities and resorts, making it a favorite among families and recreation-oriented vacationers.

Cabbage Beach (Paradise Island): Lined with cocoa plums, sea grapes, and casuarinas, Cable Beach is a veritable institution for sunbathing and sports on Paradise Island. Sprint across the white sands and dive into blear aquamarine water, but watch out for all the WaveRunners and sailboats – this is a beach with loads of energy!

Xanadu Beach (Grand Bahama Island): Calm waters make for carefree swimming on Grand Bahama’s most popular beach. Rent chairs and umbrellas, and lounge the day away. Or go sailing and jet-skiing with the entire family. Dining, shopping, and the International Bazaar are all within walking distance.


Note: Nudity is not allowed in public areas, though toplessness is permitted at some beachfront resorts; The Bahamas’ only clothing-optional resort is on Cat Island.