It’s no secret that we are BIG cruise lovers here @danbrowntravelmanagers so the @cliaaustralasia Cruise360 - largest cruise industry conference in the Southern Hemisphere - was locked into the calendar and it didn’t disappoint. We were given insight into the future of cruising including technological advancements, ideas and trends, market research, pre and post cruise experiences, and worldwide connections, and then visited the Cruise360 trade show consisting of 37 leading cruise and travel exhibitions. And of course only a Cruise conference would include a dance party!😆
While attending we stayed at the @parkroyaldarlingharbour where we experienced fabulous service and amenities including a delicious buffet breakfast, and dined at the @abodebistro.bar - classy corner stop with delicious meals and drinks 🍸- highly recommend the $60 two course meal, the prawn lumache and chocolate mousse dome were tremendous 😋
Ok let’s take a more detailed look inside this grand beauty. 🛳️ As with most cruise ships, you will find all the grandeur one would expect to see in a five star resort, only this time @royalcaribbean have added many modern commodities that have made cruising even easier and convenient than ever before.
Let’s start with the innovative cabin layout that we were able to experience this cruise. Being a family of four, we have become accustomed to booking balcony cabins on cruise ships in order to gain that little bit of extra space and fresh air. This time, we thought we would trial the new “infinite balcony” cabin… and we were very impressed! The infinite balcony idea means you can convert your cabin and bring the outside in when you want fresh air, OR keep the window closed all the way up and just enjoy the extra space of an ‘internal’ balcony area. By the end of the cruise we had decided that this style of cabin is superior to a regular balcony cabin, (yet mostly cheaper in price) due to the extra storage space, seating and safety it provides for families rather than the risk of things blowing (or climbing 🫣) overboard with regular balcony cabins.
The window and curtains were automatically adjusted by buttons, as was the mood lighting, larger television and personal air-conditioning (a very positive upgrade!)
Within the room, storage had been thoroughly considered, sofa bed size, comfort and positioning had been enhanced, king bed was supremely comfortable, and usb/usb-c charging points were plentiful.
There is also a new and improved layout to the bathroom, allowing for more convenient shelving and storage, and an accessible bench seat in the showers, which also now seem significantly longer.
There is the option of the “family infinite balcony” cabin for larger family’s and then of course the upgrade to suites etc for an elite ocean experience.
Overall, this cabins price and comfort level was ideal for our family of four, we would happ
Apologies to all of our wonderful clients and followers who have been eagerly awaiting (and requesting 😆) further content regarding our recent 🇺🇸US adventure - having a young family sometimes means being struck down with the dreaded winter bugs! It’s been so cold this Aussie winter so prepare yourself to be left dreaming of an American summer - it’s not too late to take advantage and book it in!!
Lets start with our experiences enroute to our amazing cruise……
We left the fabulous @druryplazahotelorlando with sad faces but extensive knowledge and memories from a fast paced 5 days. We decided to hire a car for the four hour drive to Miami for the next leg of our journey (enquire upon booking) - first stopping at the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets to collect a few supplies for our week at sea and treat ourselves to some high fashion discounts 😉🛍️ - other nearby retail options are available.
The highways in the US are very much like ours back in Aus and therefore easy to navigate. We arrived in Miami just as the sunset which was perfect timing to see the giant @hardrockhotels Casino Guitar lighting up the freeway. Our accomodation for the night was very close to the Port of Miami at Comfort Inn and Suites Downtown Brickell - lovely spacious clean room with great facilities and a basic breakfast buffet (knowing we were about to be cruise 🚢 fed for a week, food wasn’t a priority haha). Valet parking was available as soon as we arrived which made locating and returning the car a breeze the following morning. Due to the highway location, there was a bit of traffic noise, but nothing to deter us from recommending this as a convenient and efficient stopover prior to cruising from Miami - contact us for more info and other options.
A quick Uber to the Port the following morning and we were swiftly on our way to an exciting new and GIANT experience on board the brand new beauty that is @royalcaribbean Icon of the Seas!! 🛳️
#travel #cruise #
Greetings from the US! 🇺🇸
Once again we are on the road/in the sky/at sea and sharing our experiences with our amazing clients.
What a life! (Most people say) - and yes the @danbrowntravelmanagers trainees certainly do live their best life - but for us, having already travelled alot, these experiences are more about staying fresh and relevant in the travel industry. We want to know and feel the very BEST way of making your travel experiences an enjoyable success.
This year we were given the opportunity to review the new @royalcaribbean (currently biggest cruise ship in the world) The Icon of the Seas 🛳️ - but more on that EPIC beauty later…
Whilst on that side of the giant that is USA, we thought why not compare Disney World Orlando with our 2023 trip to @disneyland Anaheim as we’ve had multiple enquiries regarding both since we travelled last year, particularly from those considering the long haul with young families.
We smashed out 4 parks in 5 days immediately after 36 hours of flying - absolute madness we know and we had the washing pile to prove it! Luckily @druryhotels Orlando had amazing facilities for families (including the much needed washing facilities 😉). Our room was very spacious and beautifully clean, the pool area was HUGE and the onsite bar/restaurant area perfect for families - personal sized Pizza Hut pizzas a little “too perfect” for the trainees 🍕😬. Drury’s offered free transfers to and from each Disney Park (thank goodness because the drive is 20-30 minutes each way), breakfast buffet daily, and a fabulous two hours of complimentary snacks and amenities in the afternoon/evening - this made for an easy dinner if we managed to be back in time from each park. Staying here was a MUCH cheaper option than the Disney resorts with just a bit of travel time added (and obviously less Disney related “perks” if that’s something you desire). You can even still see the nightly Disney fireworks from some rooms or ro
Did you know one of the biggest travel trends currently is sport and music tourism? We have been lucky enough to arrange travel plans for many sport and music loving friends and clients, from gymnastics tours in Amsterdam, soccer experiences in Asia and Europe, and of course the in demand Taylor Swift Eras Tour.
When presented with the opportunity to experience the Carlos Alcaraz Tennis Academy via @sdaagency for our tennis loving son, just prior to the Australian Open, it was a no brainer.
We flew @virginaustralia from @ntlairport - an easy fuss free and fast flight to Melbourne - each time we’ve flown Virgin of late, we can’t fault them!
The academy operated out of an elite private school in Caulfield Melbourne, so we picked the gap between there and the city and stayed in Doncaster. The shopping was spectacular, the Asian precinct supplying us with a wide variety of delicious meal options, and our accommodation at the Sky One apartments was conveniently central and located right next to the tram and bus station for easy city access.
The @carlitosalcarazz @murciaescueladetenis tennis academy was a wonderful experience. Our son received coaching from none other than Carlos Alcaraz’s original team coaches! @sdaagency also conduct a @realmadrid soccer academy! Your child will have a week long coaching experience, receive an official uniform, signed merchandise and meet numerous like minded new friends. Such a wonderful way to take their love for their chosen sport to the next level!
Contact us today for more information or to lock in an amazing experience for 2024/2025
#travel #travelmanagersaustralia #danbrowntravelmanagers #travelagent #melbourne #doncaster #australianopen #tennis #soccer #football #sporttourism #musictourism #carlosalcaraz #sdaagency #realmadridfoundation
Regular life is back in full swing, but who could forget Melbourne?! The AO enquiries have been coming in thick and fast since we’ve returned with some already booking for 2025! Here is a short clip of the AO segment of our amazing time in Melbourne. Look at those facilities for the kids! It’s truly an event for the whole family and by far the greatest sporting event in Australia!! You have to do it at least once!! Enquire now about a personalised package for 2025 - there’s even an AO cruise option for the cruise lovers 🎾
#australianopen #travelagent #travelmanagers #danbrowntravelmanagers #tennis #grandslam #melbourne #rodlaverarena #ao
Hey friends! We might be slamming the AO content right now, but we also can’t get enough of this beautiful lady - biggest cruise ship in the world, the new Icon of the Seas @royalcaribbean! She’s just arrived in Miami Florida and we are heading there this year to test it out for you!! Who’s with us?!?
As you can imagine, all cruise lovers want a piece of her and cabins are selling FAST! Contact us today to experience this grand masterpiece 🛳️💕🎊🍾
🎥 @adamsaway
#cruise #cruiseship #iconoftheseas #travel #travelmanagers #royalcaribbean #danbrowntravelmanagers
Euro Summer Dreams!
🎥 @yandellfenech
#danbrowntravelmanagers #travelmanagersaustralia #travelagent #travel #holiday #eurosummer
Having a young family ourselves, it is often difficult to experience travel in a way that truly helps our clients find the best experiences, so when we were presented with the opportunity to experience everything @Disneyland had to offer, and pass on knowledge, it was a no brainer. We can now confidently say, Disneyland Anaheim is everything you would hope for, and more! Obvious highlights were the extensive attractions and park rides for children, though we also have to mention the incredible aspects we, as adults, noted. From pristine cleanliness to precision timing, exceptional detail and layout, overly friendly and efficient staff, multiple amenities and food outlets, effortless planning and modern accessibility, vast array of amusements catering to all ages, late night park closures (yes we were there until midnight!), affordable add ons and above all, an overall ‘magical’ feel that transported us all to many different worlds. To our many clients with young families, and even to those young at heart who have dreamed of this experience all your life, we say DO IT!! This was an experience that will stay with us all, forever.We will be back in Aus shortly, so get in touch to organise YOUR Disney adventure ✨🏰. Hot tips include…. Park reservation is a MUST! It’s rather confusing to realise that your ticket doesn’t actually secure you a park reservation on that day - this must be done online prior to travel - we can assist with this 😉. Download the @disneyland App.. this app is incredibly helpful. Not only does it have an interactive map allowing you to monitor attraction line times, but you can also add yourself to virtual questions and reserve a place in the fast lane! If that isn’t enough, the app also puts together a day plan for you based on ages and preferences!! You can literally follow the app plan in order to get the most out of your day!
L.A. - from the moment we boarded our @delta flight, the organisation and hospitality we received in the US 🇺🇸 was second to none. As a travel manager, I am committed to providing honest reviews of my travel experiences, for my clients. Delta airlines were superb, fantastic selection of entertainment, high standards of cleanliness and comfort, fast and reliable, and super helpful to families, particularly when in need of a few extra snacks for the kids on the long haul flights (which isn’t something you find with many airlines). Highly recommend flying with @delta, we certainly will be again in the future. Our shuttle 🚐 service @karmelshuttle were punctual, reliable and very efficient - even going out of their way to return a bag left on board! The Howard Johnson Anaheim 🏨 @hojoanaheim provided us with beautifully clean, spacious rooms, perfect family friendly accommodation (including washing facilities) and excellent service - after realising we had traveled through the night and arrived early, Ryan quickly stored our bags, recommended a cafe for breakfast, and had our room ready hours early! Cannot ask for better than that! With just a ten minute stroll to @disneyland, and an on-site convenience store, this resort is a great option for families or anyone attending the theme park 🎢.Eats - for us the best dining options were found in the Downtown Disney District - located within the park but prior to ticket entry, here you will find shops, entertainment and a large variety of meal options, both fast food and restaurant style. As per our previous post, our favourite was @naples_ristorante. Food within the parks themselves, is rather repetitive and unless you are the fried food, burger loving type, (we are not!) you are better off exiting the park for a meal and taking the short stroll to the Downtown Disney district. Once your tickets have been scanned you can come and go as you please!Outside of Disneyland, special mention goes to @tonyromasofficial
Our favourite place in Aus 💕
NYE on a cruise is NYE like no other! We were the first cruise ship to celebrate 2023 anywhere in the world! What a party 🎉🥳🎈🎊🍾 @royalcaribbeanaunz @danbrowntravelmanagers #RoyalSeasOn #ovationoftheseas #cruise #nyecruise #holiday #travel #travelagent #travelmanagers #royalcaribbeancruise #royalcaribbeaninternational #danbrowntravelmanagers
We quickly realised why the NZ fjords are widely considered by many to be one of the wonders of this world.. what breathtaking beauty whilst surrounded by magnificent wildlife and crisp clean air… and that long, white cloud.. 🇳🇿🏔️🛳️@royalcaribbeanaunz @danbrowntravelmanagers #RoyalSeasOn #cruise #ovationoftheseas #nz #christmascruise
Christmas carols at sea! 🎄🎶🛳️
Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas
Dan Brown - TravelManagers
Royal Caribbean International
#danbrowntravelmanagers
#ovationoftheseas
#travelagent
#christmascruise
#RoyalSeasOn
Christmas onboard the Ovation of the Seas!! Spectacular!! @royalcaribbeaninternational @danbrowntravelmanagers #danbrowntravelmanagers #travelagent #adventure #cruiseholiday #christmascruise #royalcaribbeaninternational #ovationoftheseas #royalcaribbean
Cruise life onboard Ovation of the Seas Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas Royal Caribbean International Dan Brown - TravelManagers
#RoyalSeasOn #travelmanagers #tourism #adventure #danbrowntravelmanagers #traveler #holiday #cruising #royalcaribbean #travelagent
This time whilst on the GC we stayed at @chevrontowers and we couldnt recommend it enough! The apartments are modern and spacious and perfect for families. The facilities were ideal, indoor and outdoor pools with beach style entry, gymnasium, childs play area and grass leisure area, plenty of secure parking and immediate access to the mall Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre , supermarket, bars and restaurants below. Everything we needed was in walking distance, which is convenient when wanting a few cold beverages with dinner. Surfers Paradise beach, foreshore entertainment and restaurants, kids leisure activities (eg Timezone) and Cavill Avenue were a 10 minute walk away, satisfying the entire family.
During Easter the mall below, Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre had some great activities for the kids including an Easter Egg hunt, face painting, cookie decorating, and hair braiding, and many restaurants/pubs offered "kids eat free" as a special holiday promotion. Highlights were @baritaliagoldcoast @sardjinositalian @thelocaltaverngc @maxbrenneraus @timezoneaustralia @elstonsurfers @saganojapaneserestaurant @royalcopenhagenicecream
Such a brilliant stay! We will definitely be back 🥰
#travelaus #chevrontowers #goldcoast #queensland #travelmanagers #tourism #travelaustralia #travel #holiday #adventure #australia #wanderlust #world #travelagent #smarttraveler #surfersparadise #mantratowersofchevron #thelocaltaverngc #elstonsurfers #saganojapaneserestaurant
