Disney Resort on Oahu

On August 29, Disney will open its first resort in Hawaii. The 21 acre, 359 room Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina near Oahu's North Shore. The Aulani will tell the story of authentic Hawaii. The kid's club, the 5200 square foot Aunty's Beach House, will offer nature and wildlife programs and traditional Hawaiian games and Disney film screenings.

Other resort features include fitness and spa center (including some kids treatments) beach access, four restaurants, a story telling fire pit, a conference center and 460 Disney Vacation Club Villas, of which 21 are Grand Villas.

Article courtesy of Travel Agent magazine

Please contact Classic Travel and Cruises for all your travel needs - 636-625-8747 

Should I buy travel insurance for my trip?

Travel Insurance is meant to put you at ease in regards to your financial risk. These risks include accidents, illness, missed flights, lost baggage, emergency evacuation just for a few examples. So get away knowing you are protected.

Please contact Classic Travel and Cruises for all your travel needs!  636-625-8747

Can I trust a travel agent to book my Honeymoon?

A Honeymoon is a special time for the bride and groom to relax and after making all the decisions regarding the wedding it is a comfort to let your travel agent suggest the perfect Honeymoon destination. We can also plan and make reservations for spa treatments, restaurants, entertainment and activities.



Please call Classic Travel and Cruises for all your travel needs!  636-625-8747

Should I trust a travel agent for my destination wedding?

You should definitely use a travel agent. Most couples are already stressed enough about the wedding, so why not have a travel agent relieve some stress by taking care of the details, especially since it doesn't cost you a thing.
 

.Please contact Classic Travel and Cruises for all your travel needs!  636-625-8747

Do I buy Insurance for my trip? Questions to ask yourself

-Can you risk losing your vacation investment if something goes wrong due to illness, weather or other unforeseen circumstances?

-If you have to cut your trip short due to emergency, can you afford the cost of a return trip home?

-Does your health insurance provide coverage away from home and out of the country? What if you become ill or are injured while traveling?

-If your bags are lost or you have to spend an extra night because of weather-related problems, can you afford to buy necessities and pay for extra lodging?

Article courtesy of Travel Agent Magazine

For all your travel needs please contact Classic Travel and Cruises  636-625-8747 

Would you pay for a faster airport security check?

Frequent fliers would pay for faster airport security checks

Nearly half of Americans surveyed — and three-quarters of frequent business travelers — say they'd pay up to $150 a year and get a background check to speed through a separate airport security line.

July 04, 2011|By Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times

U.S. air travelers already pay to check bags and buy onboard snacks, among other charges. But would they pay to avoid those long airport security lines?
A sizable chunk of them would, according to a recent survey by the U.S. Travel Assn., the nationwide trade group that has been pushing the idea of a fee-based plan to unclog the gridlock at the country's airports.

Jamaica FAM Trip 2011

I recently participated in an agent trip to Jamaica. They are trying to educate agents and the general public that safety is a top priority for tourism. We visited several resorts and went to dinner in Montego Bay. They have uniformed tourist guides on Hip Strip if any problems would occur. We encourage our clients to use the same precautions they would use going to downtown St Louis. Don't wear expensive jewelry or flash large amounts of cash to draw unwanted attention. Also, stay on the main areas of the tourist area where there are plenty of people enjoying local attractions. Hip Strip has shops and restaurants including Margaritaville and the Pelican where we enjoyed some local cuisine. Some agents walked over to a shopping area near our resort, Riu Montego Bay. We encourage our clients to stay in a large group and walk in well lit areas where the tourist guides are located.

Here is some information about the resorts I toured:


Riu Montego Bay - 681 rooms, Close to airport, basic amenities, nice beach, comfortable rooms, wedding gazebo, family rooms and suites also available.

Iberostar Rose Hall Beach - 366 rooms and suites, nice beach and pool area, library has 2 pool tables, massage cabanas, a lot of palapas by pool and trees on beach, 12 hr room service, 20 minutes from airport

Iberostar Rose Hall Suites - 273 suites, lazy river, bigger beach, 24 hr room service, great for weddings
Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall -295 suites, adults only, full butler service, free concierge at pool, free internet

Secrets Wild Orchid/St James - adults only, 350 suites in each section. Wild Orchid is the section where most of restaurants and activities are located. St James is more relaxed and quiet, no pool bar. All rooms have 'Secret box', flat screen with DVD players, minibar. Almost all rooms have oceanview with 1 king or 2 queens. Both have Preferred Club sections with separate check in, small lobby with snacks and free internet.
Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton/Jamaica - 984 suites, located outside of Montego Bay in Lucea. It is farther from airport but very picturesque. The property is quite large with a great pool area, spa and secluded beach with watersports. Adult only section and pool available.

Riu Tropical Bay Palace - 416 rooms, located on Bloody Bay in Negril. Great beach, small property
Couples Swept Away - 312 suites, located on Negril's Seven Mile Beach, Caribbean-style verandah suites that include atrium and beachfront suites. The atrium verandah suites are secluded villas with garden views.They offer a walk in shower for 2, windows on 3 sides with shutters for privacy and hammock outside.

Couples Negril - 234 rooms and suites, located on Bloody Bay. Great beach, small intimate resort with beachfront suites available. Private 'au natural' sunbathing area. Glass bottom boats and other activities.
Sunset at the Palms - 65 rooms and suites, nestled in the trees across the street from beach. Treetop deluxe rooms and treetop 1 bedroom suites available. This is small, value minded property that is only a short walk to the beach club with bar & grill and watersports area.
Last but not least -
Palmyra - 299 rooms and suites, just opened Fall 2010 with a new building under construction. This is a condo type property with full kitchen and laundry in most rooms. Private chef, personal concierge and butler available. Commissary on site with groceries and wine. This is the ultimate in luxury with a nice, relaxing beach. Wedding facilities and conference rooms to accommodate most events.

Christy

Caribbean - Islands for Adventures

Aruba
Aruba is among the livelier, more developed islands in the Caribbean. Aruba has high-rise resorts, great restaurants and glitzy casinos lining every white-sand beach.

Bahamas
Travelers are quite satisfied with the treasures they find in the Bahamas:brilliant turquoise water, gorgeous sandy beaches, excellent fishing and diving, and surroundings that range from quaint colonial villages to lovely secluded coves.

Cayman Islands
You'll enjoy the Cayman Islands if you've ever had the urge to see beneath the sea. There are plenty of places to dive or snorkel.

Curacao
With a mixture of 55 different nationalities on the Island, Curacao has a fascinating multicultural aspect. It also has a cosmopolitan character. The majority of the residents speak at least four languages.

Dominican Republic
The Dominican attracts visitors with its beautiful beaches, historic areas in the major cities, and deluxe boutique hotels.

Jamaica
The popular image of Jamaica is emerald rain forests, waterfalls that tumble into cool, clear streams and glorious beaches that rival any in the Caribbean. The legendary "cool" of Jamaican culture is heard in the reggae music and by the dry wit of the young Jamaican men who pilot visitors down the Great River on bamboo rafts.

Please contact Classic Travel and Cruises for all your travel needs. 636-625-8747

Courtesy of Travel Weekly Magazine     

Hawaii - Celebrating Island Life

There's enough beauty and activity in Hawaii to fill more vacations than we could take in a lifetime. With so much to choose from, first-time visitors need to be selective. The recommendation is to settle first on the Hawaii you want to see. It might be beaches, a luau and nightlife; it might be rare orchids and hikes in the rain forest; it might be quiet countryside, small towns and scenic drives. Whatever the combination, there is almost certainly an island or islands best suited to your Hawaii vacation dreams.

Hawaii (big) Island
Hawaii Island is commonly known as the Big Island for good reason. It's larger than all the other islands combined.

Kauai
Kauai is the oldest and northernmost of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands. Nature is its biggest draw.

Lanai
The smallest of the main islands is and uncrowded. It is completely owned by Castle & Cooke, the parent company of the Dole Pineapple. But commercial pineapple production has stopped, and tourism is now the mainstay of the economy.

Maui
Maui is the second most-visited Hawaiian Island, after Oahu. Maui has wonderful beaches, calm ocean bays, stunning mountain and volcano vistas, sugarcane fields, highland ranches, twisting mountain roads, whale-watching, golf, hiking, zip lining, sailing and other boat excursions, deep sea fishing, and watersports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing and parasailing.

Please call Classic Travel and Cruises for all your travel needs.  636-625-8747

Article Credit: Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau   

The Best of Luxury Travel - Bellagio Las Vegas

Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, the Bellagio overlooks a Mediterranean-blue lake in which fountains perform a magnificent ballet choreographed to music and lights. The lobby is in a word, Grand!

Elegantly appointed accommodations, pairing modern conveniences with the warmth of home, feature sweeping views of the resort's lake, surrounding mountains and the Las Vegas skyline.

Experience Bellagio's exquisite spa. This award winning beauty oasis has the singular goal of pampering guests with its unique menu of international treatments in a luxurious 65,000 square foot setting. Spa packages can be custom tailored to suit your needs, plus food and beverages can be added on for an additional fee.

For more information contact Classic Travel and Cruises  636-625-8747

Article courtesy of Travel Weekly