Page 15 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – January/February 2018

TRAVEL AGENCY
Let’s Talk Travel
AAA
TM
By Sandy Fenton
Is the Caribbean Open for Business?
You Bet it is!
As I write this article, I’m aboard Holland America’s beautiful Nieuw Amsterdam on a Caribbean sailing with ports of call in the Bahamas, Grand Turk, Dominica Republic and Grand Cayman. The ship is filled with many past passengers (referred to as “Mariners”) and savvy cruisers knowing they have received a terrific value on this fantastic Caribbean cruise.
As we edge closer to Grand Turk, I notice bare trees, some ruble and a handful of workers on rooftops covered with blue tarp. I am also quite aware of being surrounded by soft white sand, clear turquoise ocean waters, a gentle tropical breeze, and a cloudless, sunny sky. Yes, this is the Caribbean.
By now, everyone knows the Caribbean took a one-two punch from hurricanes Irma and Maria. But what may not be clear is that many islands were not touched by either storm and all islands affected have been welcoming visitors with open arms for a few months now.
Some of the islands that sustained heavy damage (St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, St. John, St. Barths,
St. Maarten) will be recovering well into 2018, although the cruise ports are operating fully and
many of the hotels have reopened and are serving guests better than ever.
The best way to get up-to-date cruise and land-based vacation information is to check with your AAA travel agent before booking – and be sure to ask about all the special sales and promotions
in the Caribbean. (During my 25 years of hosting “Let’s Talk Travel with AAA,” I have never seen
so many cruise sales in the Caribbean – in all categories – for every taste and budget.)
Holland America is a premium cruise line, meaning it is not a gigantic 24-hour party with 5,000 of your new best friends, nor is it a small, ultra-luxury vessel. It is somewhere in the middle and is a lovely floating city with beautiful public areas, an extensive art collection, gracious service and delicious dining venues. (In my 120+ cruises, I continue to be amazed at how affordable a Holland America cruise can be and how much you get for your money.)
With more than 130 years of seafaring experience, Holland America is recognized as a leader in the premium segment, appealing to travelers wanting mid-sized ships, personalized service, fine dining and a sophisticated (but not stuffy) ambience throughout the ship.
All of the stateroom accommodations are quite nice, but if you can afford to splurge, reserve a Neptune or Signature Suite and enjoy the extra indoor and outdoor space plus the amenities
at the private Neptune Lounge. You won’t be disappointed.
Captain Jeroen van Donselaar, Sandy Fenton, Hotel Director Simon Tanner aboard Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam Caribbean cruise, November 2017.
During my Nieuw Amsterdam cruise I spent time
with Captain Jeroen van Donselaar and Hotel Director Simon Tanner and asked each of them, “What are your favorite Caribbean islands and why?”
Captain Donselaar: Barbados – it’s tropical, clean and beautiful. Grand Turk – so convenient to walk off the ship and go swimming in the ocean and
I can still watch the ship. Curacao – it’s a Dutch island, and I’m Dutch.
Simon Tanner: Cozumel – Lots of excellent snorkeling and diving areas. Half Moon Cay, Bahamas – It’s our (Holland America) private island, it’s paradise and
the guests love it. Curacao – it’s a very picturesque harbor front.
Willemstad, Curacao
Grand Turk
"Let’s Talk Travel with AAA," hosted by Sandy Fenton, is broadcast Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on iHeartMedia’s WHP580. For more information, go to whp580.com and click on the link to "Let’s Talk Travel."
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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Now!