Page 15 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – November/December 2017

TRAVEL AGENCY
AAA
TM
Let’s Talk Travel
Travel is the Ultimate Gift for Anyone
It’s a fact! Americans choose travel as the ultimate life goal – 72% of us want to see and experience the world with the people we care for the most. If you’re struggling to figure out what to get your family or how to surprise your special someone, how about giving the gift of travel this holiday season! So, with that said, here are a few vacations I recommend for cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES
There are many reasons that European river cruises continue to explode in popularity, here are mine.
The scenery. There is so much to see – from important city buildings and famous landmarks en route to the beautiful, fairy-tale countryside villages and towns along the way.
The ships. River cruise ships are modern, comfortable, intimate (under 200 passengers) with a friendly atmosphere, attentive service, and all the upscale amenities found in fine European hotels. The standard staterooms may seem a bit small at first (suites are offered on most lines), but you’ll quickly learn that every inch of space is well thought out and very accommodating.
All-inclusive rates. There are few additional
costs when taking a river cruise. Some lines offer complimentary and unlimited wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks throughout the duration of the cruise, while others offer wine, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner. Comfortable and upscale accommodations, sumptuous meals, snacks, well- planned and expert daily excursions, Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment and transfers are all included in your cruise fare – a terrific value for your travel dollar.
Always something to see or do. No matter where you are cruising, there is always something to
see, on both sides of the riverbank. On a typical European river cruise you spend half the day touring ashore and the other half cruising. Once your ship docks, you are usually only a few steps from the heart of another charming old town square where you can take an organized walking tour or explore on your own and treat yourself to some of the local foods and drinks.
BEST CRUISE LINES FOR FAMILIES
If you want to see your family scream for joy, give them an action-packed cruise as their big gift this
holiday season. Many cruise lines are family friendly, but some are much better than others when it comes to appealing to young children, tweens and teenagers. Ships vary greatly, and the newer,
bigger ships offer more space for fun and many more options for dining, large family cabins, and over-the-top bells and whistles.
Royal Caribbean International – These ships are ideal for kids of all ages, including those hard-to- please teens. The onboard activities and off-ship excursions are mind-blowing, and new this year – the first skydiving attraction at sea plus the North Star, a London Eye-type ride taking passengers in a glass-enclosed capsule 300 feet above the ocean. With an onboard ice-skating rink, Flow-Rider surfing and a zip line, many Royal Caribbean cruisers never leave the ship. Also enjoy easy homeport cruising from Baltimore and New Jersey.
Norwegian Cruise Line – A floating playground offering a casual onboard atmosphere, especially with dining choices. Norwegian has it all, from a circus school, teens-only night club, bowling, high-tech games, several sporting events and gigantic water parks with multiple water slides. Norwegian Epic, Breakaway and Getaway have super popular two-bedroom family villas – so don’t wait, they book quickly. There’s easy homeport cruising from New York.
Disney Cruise Line – A Disney cruise is perfect
for families with younger children. Although there’s also lots for tweens and teens to do, Disney really caters to kids ages 3 to 10 – and does
General Manager Andreas Piccinin, Sandy Fenton, Capt. Stan Mercier De Lacombe in the opulent and one-of-a-kind Regent Suite
on Seven Seas Explorer.
a great job accommodating them while offering several adults-only areas and activities. Star Wars fans will love the Millennium Falcon replica on Disney Dream, and Jedi Master lightsaber lessons. There’s also an Animator’s Studio and a Disney Theatre featuring movies and live shows with
Disney characters. For many, Disney’s private
island, Castaway Cay, is the highlight of a Bahamas/ Caribbean cruise. As far as family-friendly cruise itineraries, I would start with Alaska or the Caribbean.
LUXURY ADULTS-ONLY CRUISES
For the ultimate gift to your special someone,
how about a once-in-a-lifetime voyage aboard the spectacular Regent Seven Seas Explorer, the world's most luxurious and expensive cruise ship ever built. Regent Seven Seas is the most all-inclusive cruise line in the luxury market. Everything is included, and that is where the true dollar value comes in. And if that’s not enough, if you book a Regent Seven Seas transcontinental cruise, business class air is included! You might also check out the itineraries of three other Regent ships – Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator. All ships include suite accommodations, round-trip airfare, highly personalized and expert service, outstanding cuisine, complimentary fine wines and spirits, unlimited internet access, sightseeing in every port with enriching and exclusive tours, gratuities, ground transfers, and so much more.
To learn more about ocean and river cruise vacation, plus current sales and promotions, talk to your AAA travel agent today. Happy holidays and happy travels!
By Sandy Fenton
"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."
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 15
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