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#21
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which ship??
About the Seal:
Sixteen years of interviewing travel agents and tour operators for "The Perrin Report" and other consumer news articles in Condé Nast Traveler have provided me with a well-thumbed Rolodex of the most trusted travel consultants-people I've found to offer the best combination of specialized knowledge, insider connections, user-friendliness, and value for money. Each year, my team and I evaluate hundreds of new applicants, and only a handful make the cut. Our recommended specialists must undergo a rigorous screening process that includes a 25-question application, sample itineraries, extensive phone interviews, and client references. Those with inadequate first-hand experience of the destination they claim to specialize in or who send an insufficient number of clients there annually are disqualified. So are those who do business with only the famous or the superrich or who normally design trips for clients who are not as savvy, independent, and authenticity-seeking as the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. Other red flags: agents who book every trip through a tour operator (as opposed to directly with local hotels and suppliers) or use on-site contacts that charge exorbitant prices. The travel specialists who make the list, and remain on it year after year, do so by meeting or exceeding our expectations and those of our readers. How do we get your feedback? I regularly receive e-mails and phone calls from readers about their experiences using the listed consultant Highly respected in the travel business, these generalists have a track record of making many Condé Nast Traveler readers happy in a range of destinations. Even if you settle into a long-term relationship with one of them, it's still advisable to contact the listed specialists to find out what they offer that the generalist doesn't, particularly when it involves a major journey where the right guides and other local connections are critical. |
#22
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which ship??
Highly respected in the travel business, this generalists has a track
record of making many Condé Nast Traveler readers happy in a range of destinations. Even if you settle into a long-term relationship with one of them, it's still advisable to contact the listed specialists to find out what they offer that the generalist doesn't, particularly when it involves a major journey where the right guides and other local connections are critical. |
#23
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which ship??
On 9 Mar 2006 23:05:29 -0800, travelexpert wrote:
Highly respected in the travel business, this generalists has a track record of making many Condé Nast Traveler readers happy in a range of destinations. Even if you settle into a long-term relationship with one of them, it's still advisable to contact the listed specialists to find out what they offer that the generalist doesn't, particularly when it involves a major journey where the right guides and other local connections are critical. Instead of cutting/pasting your canned responses, how about shooting us a web page? -- http://www.punkvoter.com/anim/anim-idiot.html |
#24
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which ship??
Anita,
If you're talking about a 3 or 4 day West Coast Cruise to Ensenada, may I recommend Carnival Cruise Line. I had a group of 43 on the Monarch of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) for a 3 day cruise out of San Pedro to Ensenada. Half the group had been on Royal Caribbean before, in fact, this very ship - that why they wanted her again. However, after the cruise, just about everyone wanted another 3 or 4 day cruise, but this time requested that I book then on Carnival Cruise Lines instead. The ship in this case is the Paradise. The main reason for this is the comments and complaints received from a few in this group, that was indeed communicated to Royal Caribbean International, and that pretty much sums things up. "My family and I took the 3 day cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada on the Monarch of the Seas in January of 2006. There were several concerns that we all feel need to be addressed by Royal Caribbean. The most unacceptable was the fact that our cabins did not have electricity for nearly half of the time we were aboard. We complained and repeatedly phoned housekeeping and maintenance to no avail. We were told that there was a problem with the fuses and that it was being worked on. We were without water for several hours... this meant no shower before dinner. There was also a problem when one of the children was sick in the night and there was limited light (at the time half of the cabin had power) - nor was there any hot water to bath them (water had been restored by then - it just wasn't warm). It was awful cleaning up a sick child in cold water - not a fond memory." "The swimming pool which the children had looked forward to using was only filled for one day. Why??? The BINGO board had electric problems... the MC told us that it was to be fixed next time they were in port. The karaoke machines (words to songs) were not working. One of the 'exciting' seminars available on the ship was really a sales pitch on spending money to have your teeth whitened. Not good." "The ship was in immediate need of general cosmetic maintenance. Rails in hallways were loose, ceiling fixtures damaged, frayed carpeting, etc. Even the children asked "why is the ship worn out and broken?". Those words, coming from a child's view must tell Royal Caribbean something they need to know and act on." "I must say that the dining room wait staff was wonderful as was our cabin steward - but - the ship was unacceptable. We are all Crown and Anchor Members and have cruised with Royal Caribbean in the past. I will be anxious to hear a response from your offices." As a side note, I am well aware that many responding within this newsgroup have also sailed on the Monarch of the Seas before, and experienced no problems whatsoever. Of course, that is all well and good - for them. I am just communicating what some of my clients encountered. So far, I have already booked a future 3 day West Coast Cruise for 23 out of this original group, but all on Carnival Cruise Lines Paradise this time. Besides, as an added bonus, Carnival sails out of Long Beach, right next to the Queen Mary, where Royal Caribbean used the port in San Pedro, in the heart of oil refinery country. The bottom line, try Carnival Cruise Line. Happy sailing, John Sisker SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY® (714) 536-3850 or toll free at (800) 724-6644 & (pagoo ID: 714.536.3850) http://www.shiptoshorecruise.com "Anita & Pat" wrote in message ... My family wants to take a short cruise to mexico, which line would you recomend Carnival or Royal Caribean. thanks anita |
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