Incredible…Wow…Jaw dropping!

Yes, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas is all this and more and if you have not heard about her; here is a recap of my 2-night preview cruise I spent on her on November 27th-29th.

I must begin by saying how fortunate I was to be able to join my colleagues from OSSN and how privileged it was to sail with such a fun and hardworking group of people. So, with much anticipation, I began my trip to Port Everglades and could not wait to see the Oasis in person. And as expected, there she was looming over the horizon, bright and shiny, as she is not hard to miss when you are in Ft. Lauderdale driving on I-95. The Oasis of the Seas is the largest ship in the world and was definitely giving the condominiums on the beach a run for their money in terms of size. In fact she dwarfs a couple of the buildings near the port and is unmistakably massive. At over 225,000 gross registered tons; she is larger than 5 Titanics and is 40% larger than any other cruise ship today. But is she too big?

Now I have sailed on most of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships (not every one, but at least one in every class of ship) and they are in my opinion one of the best cruise lines out there, but this is not about comparing cruise lines, but about the evolution of their ships. The Oasis takes cruising to a new level and coupled with the entertainment and dining opportunities equal with the new stateroom designs and neighborhoods that are onboard, the ceiling has been reached and broken.

First this ship has an inside open-air design, so from the outside, it may look normal, but the interior has a Central Park that is filled with pathways and trees, shrubs and flora which is completely open to the sky, plus a boardwalk that is right out of Atlantic City that expands to the Aqua theater at the aft of the ship. The Royal Promenade is still included also and has been reduced to only 2 stories high but has been doubled in width that makes it more crowd friendly.

In terms of cabins, the standard inside and balcony rooms are still available, but they added a number of suites that can handle a large family or more and are larger than some people’s actual houses. Plus the addition of the stunning 2-story loft suites with floor to ceiling glass and a spectacular view, you have the most choices ever.

Dining is taken to a all new level also with over 24 dining options that include the tried and true Main Dining Room and Windjammer to specialty restaurants such as Giovanni’s, 150 Park Place and the Seafood Shack, plus numerous other pizza and sandwich style options. Gourmet to Italian, fried seafood to cupcakes; spread out over 17 decks, there is very little chance that one would have to go far or go hungry for that matter.

Along the expansive top deck are multiple pools, Jacuzzis, 2 Flow Riders, a miniature golf course, the exhilarating zip line 9 decks high and the extremely awesome Solarium in the forward of the ship which has to be seen to be appreciated. Water falls and incredible deck chairs, atmosphere and a view over the bow, this place was one of my favorites.

This ship is utterly fantastic and I could go on and on, but in my opinion, I also have a few thoughts about her that could be slightly negative; so here goes. I felt that the most important feature that disappointed me the most was the lack of outside viewing. Except from a balcony room or top deck; when you are inside the ship, there is not a lot of outside glass to remind you that you are at sea. Since the ship is so big and that you really do not feel her move, it would be nice to have the natural sunlight and ocean horizon available to enhance the cruise experience. Now there were some spots that light did make its way in, much of it was from the Central Park or Boardwalk but not with an oceanview perspective. Some of Royal Caribbean’s ships are designed just for that purpose such as the Radiance class of ships that have multideck glass on the sides of their ships.

Additionally, some of the specialty lounges such as the comedy club and the Jazz on 4 seemed too compartmentalized in their location while the gym looked like it was an after thought; after finally finding it housed up front of the ship. Another issue was the very narrow promenade deck where the life boats are kept; it felt small and uninspired, even though this has been a signature spot on cruise ships that have been a source of activity, relaxation and reflection for decades. I personally have always enjoyed this usually quiet part of a ship; strolling along the deck meeting people and gazing off to the horizon, but again, it is rather cold and plain on the Oasis. Another observation was the main dining room and although the Oasis has many other awesome dining environments I felt the main dining room could have had a greater entrance to show her off. It seemed hidden behind the elevators and was nothing special as opposed to the Opal Theater which was more inviting and extravagant. To be fair though the dining room itself was quite inviting and cozy.

I could write about a great many more details of the Oasis in depth and maybe at another time when I would feel more inclined, but overall this ship has a lot going for Royal Caribbean and when her sister ship, the Allure of the Seas comes out in 2010, the opportunity to sail on one of these magnificent ships will become more available as the premium pricing starts to drop. It definitely is an amazing ship with plenty to do and enjoy and the few knocks I made about her does not diminish how much I enjoyed and was honored to sail on her. The crew was very friendly, the captain was a pleasure to meet, the service was, as always quite attentive and the friends I sailed with made this quite the experience and one not to forget, even though it was only for 2-nights. The Oasis of the Seas is truly a destination to see and although, as some say, that she is a game changer, and I can understand why, she is still a Royal Caribbean ship which makes her worth taking a cruise on.

Time to Travel Again...

Unfortunately, I have not been traveling much this year other than my annual trip to Peace River, FL and Busch Gardens in Tampa. It seems that some years are quieter than others and the consensus opinion of the economy this year has proven that I am not the only one that has experienced similar slowdown.

But, in the upcoming weeks I will have a reprieve as I sail on back to back weekends on one of the newest ships out there and one of the oldest ships still in the mass-market cruise industry. The day after Thanksgiving, I sail on the Oasis of the Seas; Royal Caribbean’s goliath ship that has been the talk of the industry for a couple of years now, and the following weekend, I board Carnival’s Imagination for a light 3-night cruise to the Bahamas with the family. What a difference these two ships are, but if you love cruising the way I do, I will enjoy them equally, yet differently.

And finally, somewhat off topic, I managed to join Facebook after all the requests from friends and family. Although I am somewhat reluctant about it, I have come to grips that it is here to stay (in some format or another) and figured if I was to be on it, I would use it as a tool to reflect my travel business. Look me up and read about what is happening in the Travel sector and look for the other specials and group opportunities that I will be posting there. Till next time…http://www.yecks.com/.

Celebrity Solstice

She has been the most talked about ship in the industry lately. The green real grass lawn on the top deck, the glass blowing show and even the solar power solarium has caught attention by the media and consumers alike. On November 12th, we had a chance to sail on her as she had just arrived from Europe and I can tell you, everything that has been said (and a lot has) holds true. This ship is remarkable in so many ways, and I will try to touch upon the details that I was impressed with.

Beginning with the ship design, this ship is the largest Celebrity has built and not only does it have a multilevel dining room, a buffet and pool side grill; she also sports 4 specialty restaurants that include a Spa, Asian, Italian and French styled choices. We had Dinner in Murano’s which is the French restaurant and the food and service was top notch. I still look at pictures of my baked lobster and escargot stuffed tortellinis with much enjoyment. Getting to the restaurants is also a delight since you walk through a hallway off to the side of the ship that is dimly lit with flowers painted on the walls and insects on the walls and floors. The scent of flowers and the crickets chirping while mood music played completed the effect, which I thought was extremely unique.

On the top deck where the now famous lawn club exists, you can play bocce ball, take in putting practice or just sit and enjoy the manicured grass. I must say it is rather surreal walking on grass in bare feet steaming about in the middle of the Caribbean, but nonetheless relaxing. Next to the lawn, they have a glass blowing show designed and created by Corning which is a fun diversion, where you can have the chance to win one of their creations. Unique, but once you see it, you probably will not go back to see it again.

The Solarium, as I mentioned earlier has great cushioned lounge chairs and a number of small cabanas for relaxing while above you thousands of small solar panels suck up the sunlight. They use this electricity on board to supplement the generators, but I do not think it really adds to the bottom line. Interesting, yet undecided.

The cabins are quite nice with leather couch, 32” LCD TV, comfortable beds and bathroom amenities. Our cabin was a balcony room and that is definitely the way to cruise if you can afford it.

Overall this ship has plenty more to offer, from pool side to entertainment to shopping; but let’s just say, spending time on her would definitely make one agree that they went to great lengths to make this a great ship to sail on. I guess that is why they plan to build 3-4 more just like her.

Sovereign of the Seas At Last

In September, I headed back north to Cape Canaveral, where I wrote about earlier this past spring, to sail on Royal Caribbean’s Sovereign of the Seas for a Directors Summit for a large travel organization I belong to. This was a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas, and during that time, we spent a good deal networking and taking classes.

Since it was still Hurricane Season, I had to watch out for all the storms that were brewing during that time of year and of course, the most intense storm of the season named Ike was heading our way. Luckily for us, he went south and ended up in Galveston, TX and presented no problem to us except for more worry lines leading up to departure. As for sailing, the seas were fine and we did not have any issue there except a little roll every now and then.

The Sovereign is an older ship, built in 1988 and was the first of the Mega Ships now common in the industry and broke ground in many ways, including a multi-deck atrium and that it could hold a great deal of passengers. Many ships that followed used her as an example and she quickly became somewhat forgotten as newer cutting edge ships were being built. Although she has been sailing mostly 3 and 4 night Bahamas cruises lately, her time has finally reached an end.

In October, she will be sold to Pulmantur Cruises; refurbished and renamed, she will sail the European market as this is a great area for smaller ships. But, for me, I felt privileged to be able to sail on her because of her groundbreaking ways. It gave me a chance to reflect on how far the cruising industry has come, and for better or worse she still sailed proud.

Just before summer we decided to go to Cape Canaveral for a few days to check out Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center. Now it has been quite a long time (1976) since I had been to the launch facilities; in fact the shuttle had not yet been built and the Apollo rockets were just starting to be moth balled, so to see what has changed over this time was going to be very apparent.


Another reason for going up there is that they have a growing cruise port named Port Canaveral (go figure) and I wanted to see how the access to the terminals are and how easy it is to get there. Since Port Canaveral touts its accessibility in all the travel trade publications and I have sent some clients on cruises through there, I wanted to see for myself if this was true.

Upon arrival, I was not disappointed. It is unbelievable how simple it is to get to the terminals and the layout is surprisingly non-industrial; for those that have sailed out of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Another benefit is the slew of nearby hotels that offer you a comfortable stay near the ocean before and after the cruise to unwind, while providing transportation directly to your ship while your vehicle stays safely parked (and free) at the hotel until you return.

We stayed at this delightfully tropical Radisson Hotel that was so close we were able to watch the ships depart in the evening. The pool area provided a secluded yet theme park type atmosphere with giant rocks, waterfalls and lush landscaping. This place is well recommended even if you are not going on a cruise but just want to visit the space center and surrounding attractions.

So speaking of Kennedy Space Center, we bought a one day ticket, which turned out to be good for an additional day (bonus) and spent them fully seeing all that we could. It is quite interesting, reverent, awe-inspiring and fun all in one location. Definitely take the bus tours and you are able to see multiple locations on the cape like the Vehicle Assembly building, the launch pads and the Saturn 5 rocket museum. All in all this made for a fun couple of days.

So if you are heading up there for a cruise (like I am in 3 weeks), or want to see something other than theme parks in central and western Florida, give this area a try. And one last thing, take some time to head up to Titusville to The Dixie Crossroads restaurant and try some of their famous Rock Shrimp. You will never look at regular shrimp the same way again.

West Palm Beach to Pensacola...

Ever drive all day and not leave the state? How bout driving from West Palm Beach to Pensacola. We are talking almost 10 hours of driving and the state does not change much until you are up in the panhandle.

In April, I spent the weekend in Pensacola and found it much different than when I used to frequent it as a child. When living in Alabama, these beaches were my families play zone. Miles of long, white, sandy beaches with no condos or encumbrances, and remarkably, much has not changed.

Thanks to Hurricane Ivan, I think it was, most of this area was pounded pretty hard and a lot of the beach houses did not survive. Although they rebuilt many of them, it should be a matter of time before they get hit again. If you continue to drive east, it becomes a vast moon type landscape just white sand dunes and beach. Quite surreal but definately interesting.

Two great spots I hit while I was there was a pub named McGuires in the Seville Quarter, where there was over $500,000 worth of dollar bills hanging from the ceiling which patrons signed and stapled; of course I could not resist leaving one of my own. See if you can find it (look over the bar). They had an awesome smoked prime bone-in ribeye that was then blackened and served with horseradish that was pretty tasty and their homebrewed Irish red ale was also pretty good too.

Another place I went was the Atlas Oyster House. Now I have heard of shrimp and grits, but have not ever had them until now, and man are they outrageous. I had to come home and recreate this dish, which I did with great success.

After that I was on my way back home with another 10 hour drive, but I have to admit that Florida is quite different from one side to the next. It has to be, but you have to get out there to see it...

Old Town Savannah

Right before the holidays, I went north to Savannah, GA for some work, and, since I have been through this historic city many times, I never really knew much about it. While being rich with history and an important location during the civil war, what I found out is Savannah was quite a haven during the golden age of piracy.

During my short trip, we ventured into the old riverfront section of the historic district. The streets were lined with cobblestone (not the fancy cobblestone you would see installed at a theme park) and the first night I had worn sandals. Big mistake since these stones stick up at odd angles and made walking somewhat more difficult. The old buildings are quite a site to look at, as this place is reeking of stories, tales and, yes, even ghosts. They say Savannah is the most haunted city and for that, I was quite intrigued. Let’s just say I kept a keen eye out for any thing strange.

The restaurants and bars were everywhere. Located up narrow flights of stairs, in basements and rum cellars, all oozing with historic atmosphere, we looked into as many as we could and stopped for many a drink along the way. One highlight was the Pirate House Restaurant which is connected to the

oldest house in the city. This is where a great deal of negotiations went on during the war and where a few people were shanghaied onto merchant ships if they had too much to drink. The incapacitated unfortunates would be whisked down to the rum cellar, through the tunnel to the dock and find themselves waking up on their way to many months at sea and unknown destinations. It is pretty amazing to find one having dinner on tables that have fed many an important figure throughout American history, and for this I enjoyed it quite immensely.

The city of Savannah is quite charming and full of activity. We did not have the time do as much exploring as we would have liked, but if you only stop there passing through, you can easily experience the surroundings without spending a lot of time, but try spending a few days by staying at a downtown hotel or local bed and breakfast (possibly haunted?) and you will enjoy this area with great admiration.

Liberty of the Seas

On May 14th, we boarded the brand new Liberty of the Seas from Royal Caribbean in Miami. We were fortunate to be able to attend a special 2 night preview cruise to nowhere and the ship did not disappoint.

The ship is currently one of the largest at sea, equaling her sister ship, Freedom of the Seas. Front to back she is almost 1200 feet long and over 200 feet high which is remarkable for a vessel that holds over 4000 people. Yet she is so large, you still do not feel crowded and there are plenty of places to sit and unwind.

The 4 story promenade that runs through the ship is one of the highlights and to see it in person is an amazing sight and sensual overload. It is incredible to believe that you are on a moving ship and not in a mall on the strip.

As with all things Royal Caribbean, the service and food are always top notch. The entertainment is quite professional and enjoyable and the casino always is a place of interest if you enjoy a little flirtation with Lady Luck.

As with any new ship the rooms that have balconies are definitely the most demanding, but having a room that overlooks the Royal Promenade is just as exciting and quite spacious.

Of course, the ships FlowRider is the centerpiece of the ship, but she also boasts an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, mini-golf, full-size basketball court and many other amenities that are too numerous to list.

If you want to be active or just relax, this ship offers something for everyone. An engineering marvel and also just a fun place to be. Check her out sometime, you will be glad you did, I know we were.

A Little Piece of Peace River

Every year in March, we decide to turn in the large cruise ships for a much smaller vessel. More precise, a canoe. An annual ritual of canoeing the Peace River in Arcadia, Florida has been a constant for me and around 20+ other friends and family as we make way to the great outdoors for a two day overnight canoe trip.



The River is one of the most scenic, remote rivers in Florida, hence the name Peace, and the scenery lives up to it's name. This past March, we experienced perfect weather and, albeit a low river, it was mostly navigable.



Camping on the river overnight halfway down the complete 23 mile stretch that we usually do, the usual abundance of food and beverage was in high gear as we ate and drank late into the night.


The next day brought the same weather and jovality as we paddled the rest of the way back to our vehicles. The spring is the best time to go, but also the busiest so reservations are important. To find out more contact Becky or Katie at www.canoeoutpost.com and tell them Vince told you about them.

Finally, we find ourselves back at the river a couple of weeks later when Spring Break is in session and we bring the kids along to swim and search for fossils and sharks teeth. This is a big thing for the river and is loaded because it use to be an ancient lagoon/seabed. We always find alot and occasionally some rather large teeth also, which we make necklaces out of.

This area is one of the great vacation spots in Florida and as popular as it is, it still feels like you are in a remote location and will draw you back again and again. Contact www.peacerivercampground.com for more camping info.

Vince

Mexico Bound via Key West

A funny thing happened on the way to Mexico, that is we had to stop in Key West. Although we were there for only a few hours and I have been there before, we all felt that the time we were there was great.

But let's start from the beginning. Sixteen of us set out on November 16th on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas. This ship was recently cut in half and extended and the new features were very noticable. We all made it on the ship by lunch time and were aptly grazing on the buffet in the Windjammer cafe. The ship was beautiful and we let the kids play in the Adventure Club and Arcade as much as they wanted. We played on deck, in the casino, dining rooms and shows. But we started out with a Belgium beer tasting beforew we set off.

The food was excellent as was the bedding in the cabins; and the seas were not for the most part problematic. We arrived in Key West and went directly to the "Pirate Soul" Museum. This place was way cool and they had over 500 actual pirate artifacts. Captain Spike, the residential pirate was quite a seadog and provided us with many laughs. Next door was the Rum Barrel bar so it was fitting that we partake in some. Then it was off to do some shopping and then back to the ship.

That night it was time to play at the casino and after learning how to play craps, and win, I beat up a dollar slot machine for a nice payout of $320. This came back to haunt me though when the next day we missed our ferry to the mainland of Mexico and had to pay twice for that trip plus 2 cabs. Oh well, we made it to the caves and snorkled for most of the day.

That night we were all exhausted and after a little Black Jack we were on our way home. Although we still had one more day at sea and this was used for some last minute shopping, casino time and to eat more food.

We finally arrive back to Ft. Lauderdale and memories of our vacation were still vivid. But now it is time to plan the next rip and that will be posted here soon. And if you are interested in coming along, let me know and I am sure you will have a great time.

Oklahoma City Rounduup

October 10th-13th - As much as this was a working trip for a seminar in OKC, the thought of exploring a city that I have never been to was certainly to look forward to. Now granted I have been to Texas many times, and sort of thought that this would resemble it, I was taken for a surprise, that it was much different.

We had some issues with the plane on our way into Dallas in which the rain kept us in the air for an extra hour, plus the de-icing system on the plane was causing lots of condensation, sending leaking water all over the plane. It made some people mad and others concerned, but we thought it kind of humorous in their ability to tackle the problem.

Oklahoma City is known for it's Bar-B-Que and it did not disappoint. The food was great at all the spots we went to and for the most part the beer was great too. Except for in Bricktown where the brewery served the worst red ale I have ever had. Fortunately, at Coaches next to the baseball stadium, every beer was made to style and thoroughly enjoyed.

We ventured over to Oklahoma University in Norman and drove around the campus. They were getting ready for a big game on Saturday and all the Crimson was out in full glory. The stadium is quite a site and the team was out practicing. What a college town, they really love their Sooners.

Finally a trip to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. These places are quite powerful and this was no exception. We went at night and it was extremely moving. The tragedy that occurred is poingently remembered in the design and remaining structures.

All in all, OKC is a nice place to visit, spend some time and enjoy the sites.

Why Cruise?

Cruising provides a vacation unlike most other types of vacations. One of the biggest reason is you only unpack once, sleep in the same cabin every night yet travel to many destinations without the hassles of moving luggage and transfers. Additionally, your meals are all included and prepared for you almost 24 hours a day. If you ever go hungry on a cruise ship, you need to get out of your cabin.


Speaking of cabins, when was the last time you had someone make your bed every morning and turn down your sheets at night, straighten up after you and provide entertaining sculptures to delight your senses. Truly relaxing, especially when your cabin includes a private balcony where you can find yourself relaxing in peaceful solitude while being mesmerized by the ocean's horizon or waking up to the ocean breeze and enjoying a cup of coffee while the sun rises.

Other treats include deck activities, like swimming, sunning, music and entertainment. Enjoying cool tropical drinks while meeting new friends and visiting with old ones. Casinos, where Lady Luck is waiting for a chance to pay out big in a true Las Vegas type gaming facility. Shops, spas, shows and lectures round out the many activities that are available on most all cruise lines.

To hear about it is one thing, but to experience it is another. Trust me, once you go on your first cruise, you will not want to leave the ship. And when you do, you will immediately start planning the next one, because you will not be able to stand waiting till the next time you board a cruise ship again.
If you are interested, contact me at www.yecks.com and together we can make your next vacation set sail.

Celebrate the End of Hurricane Season

On November 16th, a group of us will be sailing on Royal Caribbean's Enchntment of the Seas. This is a 4 night trip that leaves from Ft. Lauderdale and sails to Key West and Cozumel, Mexico. Florida Resident rates are still available from the low $300's pp/do.

We will be kicking off the end of Hurricane season with hijinks on the high seas, glutinous culinary intake and imbibing with effortless efficiency. The Enchantment of the Seas is also family friendly which includes all kinds of activities for the young all the way up to late teenagers, plus rock climbing walls, bungee jumping as well as seperate pools for adults and pool/splash areas for children. Casino, shows, games, music, karaoke, literally 24 hour a day food and a bar or lounge wherever you look.


Cozumel presents a variety of shopping, beaches, clubs, restaraunts and nature by just walking off the ship, while the mainland of Cancun allows the adventurous side to come out with many destinations that reflect the Yucatan region.

Xel-Ha, Tulum and Xcaret are all ecological paradises that include wild life, archeolgy, history and nature. While Tulum is mostly sightseeing, Xcaret and Xel-Ha also provide beaches to swim and snorkle, caves to explore, places to eat and drink while soaking up the caribbean atmosphere, plus many more activities for the young and old.

Finally, to relax from the excursions of Mexico, Sunday is spent all day at sea. Here is where you can relax on deck with a drink in your hand and shed some stress or take in some casino excitement, learn about wine at a tasting or play some sports. All this while the younger ones can be off in the arcade or doing science projects at the lab.

What a weekend to unwind from the heat of the summer, the end of hurricane season and to look forward to the busy upcoming holiday season. Contact me if you are interested by going to www.yecks.com and there you can learn more about this trip or any other imaginable destination that you have always wanted to go.

www.yecks.com

If you are interested in seeking out travel destinations and current pricing, please go to www.yecks.com for up to the minute information on any type of travel possibilities.