Hope's Travel Desk

31/07/2023

We had the opportunity to see so many beautiful spaces onboard the Celebrity Summit yesterday we honestly don't know where to begin.

From the gorgeous dining venues to the amazing stateroom options. This ship has definitely been revitalized in an impressive way.

While she is leaving the Cape Liberty terminal, she will begin sailing from Boston soon. Then it's on to Miami later in the year. In Spring of 2024 she is scheduled to move over to the West Coast, before beginning her Alaska itineraries for the Summer.

There are so many great options available to get on this ship 🚢 to see it for yourself. Where will you choose to get onboard? 🤔

30/07/2023

Yes it's a Sunday, but we are still working hard for all of you. Today we tour the Celebrity Summit 🛳

28/07/2023

We are just going to leave this right here because IYKYK 😁

Not sure what we are talking about? Ok, we'll give you a little hint - one of our favorite 😍 festivals began yesterday in Orlando. Have you ever been to this event? If you have feel free to post a picture 📸 below of your favorite find.

And if you haven't been yet there is still time ⏰️ to plan your visit - the festival runs through November 18th! ✈️🚘🧳🏰

27/07/2023

The season for continuing our higher education is still going strong. This week we focused on updating our training with Norwegian Cruise Line.

If you want to try a cruise vacation, but don't want to feel restricted with an assigned dining time for dinner every night, this cruise line could be a great alternative.

24/07/2023

Think a "last minute" trip isn't possible? Not true at all!

We recently had the pleasure of putting the details together for a great couple to visit this amazing resort in less than 10 days after making their reservation.

If you can be flexible the possibilities can be endless!

21/07/2023

Next week we are going to be spending a little time on board this amazing ship to learn and experience for ourselves some of the great things Celebrity Cruise Line has to offer.

Is there anything you'd like us to explore for you? Maybe the Sky Lounge or Sushi on Five 🍣.

If we can take a picture 📸 or get you more information on anything please feel free to comment below.

20/07/2023

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
🌍 Next year, Universal Orlando Resort will debut an all-new themed land inspired by DreamWorks Animations’ beloved collection of animated characters
🌛 Currently being developed in the former KidZone location of Universal Studios Florida, the new area will immerse guests of all ages in vibrant, family-friendly experiences that bring popular franchises like Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda to life in a whole new way – plus, guests can enjoy special meet-n-greets with these and other characters

18/07/2023

You've waited a long time for this vacation and travel day is finally here. You probably got up extra early to take the 1st available flight to your vacation destination so you could get your fun started ASAP. But when you arrive you find that your luggage unfortunately didn't make it.

In a recent article published by an industry source they shared the top 10 worst airports in the US for mishandled luggage. Let's see if you can guess the top 3!

17/07/2023

Where are all of our Halloween 🎃 and haunted house fans??

If you enjoy theme parks and love haunted houses we may have the PERFECT vacation destination for you - Universal Orlando Resort.

Among the line-up of petrifying haunted houses this year is the "Stranger Things' house, which will once again transport guests to Hawkins, Indiana, where they will encounter the newest supernatural villain, Vecna, who is hell-bent on obliterating the volatile barrier between the eerie Upside Down and the real world in an attempt to reign supreme.

The “Stranger Things” haunted house mirrors the mind-bending twists and supernatural terror of Season 4, immersing guests in a heart-pounding experience alongside valiant characters from the series, including Eleven, Max, Eddie and more.

A step inside this house and you will find yourself on the front line of Vecna's deadly attacks on the citizens of Hawkins while traveling through iconic scenes, including the notorious Hawkins Lab, the enigmatic Creel House and Vecna's chilling mindscape. Along the way, you will confront your deepest fears and come face to face with otherworldly creatures like demobats and even Vecna himself. In a race against the clock, you will find yourself in the ultimate showdown within Vecna's blood-red Mind Lair, striving to escape and save mankind from his deadly curse.

Halloween Horror Nights is available on select evenings beginning September 1st. Do you dare to enter??

Band together with your squad to resist Vecna’s gruesome curse as you take on the scariest season of Stranger Things yet. wit...

14/07/2023

Not too bad! Just about 1 month to the day from the date our Passport renewal application was received to the time we had our new one in our hands.

Now, we did pay extra to expedite it in every way that we could, but it was estimated that it would take 7 to 9 weeks, and it only took slightly over 4 😁

🍀 ✈️⛴🌎

13/07/2023

Today we put the finishing touches on an extended family vacation on board this beautiful ship. They are going to have SO much fun at the SeaPlex!

Now they aren't sailing until Spring of 2025, but they wanted to plan early so they could take advantage of some really great pricing. Plus planning now gave them the ability to have their cabins located close to one another (actually right next to each other with a connecting door).

Did you know that you can start planning your next (or first) cruise vacation now for dates as far out as the beginning of 2025 already? It's really never too early to start.

12/07/2023

🚨 Exciting news for all of our local followers 🚨

Allegiant is going to begin offering a new nonstop route into Melbourne, Florida beginning in November.✈️

Geographically speaking this new city could offer an alternate option for those looking to sail from Port Canaveral 🛳. And it could also be a great option for those wanting to visit Disney's Vero Beach Resort °0°

10/07/2023

Happy Monday! Let's start the week by sharing some fun information for those of you who are ready to apply for your 1st Passport or for a child's Passport (under the age of 16) 😁

As you may already know, getting an appointment at a Passport acceptance facility can be a bit hard depending on where you live - but the good news is to help with the backlog there are now going to be Passport Fairs offered in some areas. Currently the information is available for the events being offered for July and August. ✈️

We're holding special Passport Fairs across the United States to help you get your passport. Adults who are first-time applicants and all children can apply early and avoid the rush! New events will be added each week.

07/07/2023

Today we are working on planning a 21st birthday celebration on board this beautiful ship for a very special family.

Being asked to help them create these milestone memories is truly priceless.

06/07/2023

The education of a dedicated travel advisor is never complete - this week we've been updating our knowledge on everything Royal Caribbean International 🛳⚓️

04/07/2023

We are going to be "out of office" today to spend some quality time with our family. But we'll be back bright and early tomorrow.

Hope you all have a happy and safe 4th 🎆🇺🇲

03/07/2023

Let's start the week by having a little fun on a Monday morning. 😁

For all of our Disney "Super Fans" - please feel free to comment below with your level. We finished at Walt level 🥰

30/06/2023

Does anyone else periodically check the current wait times on some of your favorite attractions in the parks?

No? Just us?? 🤣

29/06/2023

🚨 EXCITING NEWS for those of you in our local area 🚨

NEW nonstop charter flight ✈️ options will begin next year from Newark (February 2024) and Philadelphia (March 2024) to Canun for 7 night stays. Reservations can be made NOW - perfect time to start planning your 2024 Spring Break getaway today!

Who is ready to pack their bags 🧳??

29/06/2023

Some mornings start much earlier than others around here. But that's just one of the many benefits our clients receive when they plan their vacations with us - we're up early so they don't have to be 🌄

28/06/2023

Middle of the work week - sometimes it feels like it will be FOREVER until the weekend gets here. But staying focused and keeping things "on track" is what helps you to be able to plan those FUN moments. The kind that give you memories that last a lifetime.

27/06/2023

🚨 MAJOR NEWS ALERT 🚨

Starting next Summer, Celebrity Cruises will begin offering the opportunity to enjoy the Caribbean all year long with the introduction of the award-winning Celebrity Beyond & Celebrity Reflection.

Plus, for the first time ever, both ships will also be visiting one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive destinations, Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean International’s award-winning private island)!! 🏝⛴️

27/06/2023

26/06/2023

Although our calendars say that we just moved in to Summer - it's never too early to start thinking about your Fall getaway.

Whether it's to view the beautiful fall foliage in the Northeast. Or taking time to visit your favorite beach or theme park once the Summer crowds have all come and gone.

Fall can be a GREAT time to travel! We do it every year 🥰

23/06/2023

Last week on our flight out West we discovered just how uncomfortable an old pair of earphones can be. Add to that the fact that they were still the corded type, we quickly decided it was time ⏰️ for an "upgrade". But we didn't want to spend a lot on them just in case (IYKMYK) they get misplaced. 😲

What type of earbuds/headphones do you use for those longer flights ✈️?

22/06/2023

🚨 Today is the day 🚨

Royal Caribbean International's newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, is now open for reservations!

Offering 3 and 4 night sailing itineraries that are set to begin in July of 2024, it will be the perfect way to spend a LONG weekend.

And with 23 different bars & lounges 🍸🍹, 5 pools 🏊‍♂️, 21 different dining options, and a unique immersive dining experience 🚂, this ship is sure to have something for everyone!

So when you are ready to plan your getaway on this brand new ship we are here to help.

20/06/2023

If you have an existing reservation with us to visit Walt Disney World this Fall - check your email 😁

Dates were just released for two (2) special ticket events. One that is a long time fan favorite, and the other one is brand new 🥳

19/06/2023

⚓️ FUN FACT about the cruise industry ⚓️

During our yearly training with CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) we learned a few interesting facts about how the average cruise tourist of today adds value before, during and after their sailing:

❤️Every 24 cruisers worldwide supports 1 full time equivalent job
🧡Cruisers spend an average of $750.00 USD per passenger in port cities over the course of a typical seven (7) day cruise
💛More than 6 out of 10 people (about 63%) who have taken a cruise say that they have returned to a destination that they first visited via cruise ship

Have you ever gone on a cruise vacation before? If you have, how many of these fun facts apply to you? 🛳

17/06/2023

"Why would I work with a travel advisor?"

Well, this picture right here we think is a perfect example of why. Even while we were traveling on our own trip we were working hard to try and save our clients some money, or help them upgrade their experience for just a few dollars more.

14/06/2023

Passport renewals - if you've ever had to renew yours you probably already know that if you're over the age of 16 you may be able to renew yours by mail.

The process seems pretty straight forward - as long as you can say "yes" to all of the questions you qualify.

Expedited processing should speed your wait time up by several weeks. And paying a little extra to get it back priority mail will help too.

Travel has definitely returned - so being without a valid Passport matters more now then it probably did before

07/06/2023

Specialty dining venues onboard your cruise 🛳 - is it something you usually do?

For us it really depends on who is cruising with us, and how adventurous everyone wants to be with their meals. For example if there is a sushi 🍣 restaurant we are definitely "in", but our youngest child is definitely "out".

On our last cruise we decided to try a - which gave us the opportunity to try samplings from different restaurants that are offered fleetwide.

We honestly considered this meal to be one of the highlights of the trip, and it is definitely something we would recommend trying if it's offered onboard your next cruise with . 🍽

05/06/2023

That first day back to work after a vacation can be hard. But when you have so many amazing memories from that getaway to look back on, it definitely brings you back smiling 😁

We really enjoyed our time onboard last week. With two (2) fun filled stops in Canada 🇨🇦 we also had the opportunity to see some humpback whales. 🐋🐳

The ship had lots of great shows to offer, and we really enjoyed exploring and sampling the wide variety of food options at some of the different dining venues. We even got to make our own sushi 🍣

26/05/2023

Great news shared by Orlando International Airport (MCO)

"Southwest Airlines customers can now check their bags at Terminal B, level 1, by curbside of bus spaces B24-25 (in addition to their current check-in locations). This remote check-in will be available from 6am-2pm, Fridays through Mondays. For those returning by bus/shuttle/rental cars, this will be an ideal location for you."

25/05/2023

New travel accessory 😉. We aren't huge fans of the paper straws, though we entirely understand the need to be more mindful of our impact on the environment. Now we have our own reusable, collapsible straw. 🧉🥤

Would you use one?

23/05/2023

🚨 Interesting changes coming to the popular TSA PreCheck program 🚨

Ahead of what is expected to be an extremely busy Memorial Day travel weekend (and Summer to follow), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is making a significant change to its policies that it hopes will help ease traffic at security checkpoints.

The TSA will now allow teenagers aged between 13 and 17, who aren’t yet enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program, to go through the PreCheck lane as long as their parents or guardians are enrolled and they are traveling on the same reservation. Children 12 and under are already allowed to do the same.

The PreCheck indicator still needs to appear on the teen’s boarding pass in order to use the lane, so parents and guardians should make sure that the teen is under the same airline reservation and their own PreCheck number is linked.

Is your family enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program? If you aren't yet, and you travel internationally at all, we would probably recommend going with Global Entry. But if all of your travel is domestic (inside the US), TSA PreCheck can really be a time saver ⏱

19/05/2023

Weather - of course we all hope for "perfect" vacation weather on our trips. But sometimes learning to dance in the rain can bring a whole new experience to your vacation. Some of our best family vacation memories actually include rain ponchos!

But as your trip gets closer, outside of the need to know what kind of clothing to pack, do you like to research what's in the forecast? 🌧☔️🌞☁️

17/05/2023

🚨JUST ANNOUNCED: MINION LAND🚨

Illumination’s Minions are taking over an entire street at Universal Orlando. Blast your way to supervillain stardom in the new Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast attraction. Visit Illumination’s Minion Cafe where mischief is always on the menu. Get a sweet treat at Bake My Day and more. It’s Minion mayhem like you’ve never experienced before. Opening Summer 2023.

16/05/2023

While we are not usually "scary movie" fans, this movie may just be our 1 exception. Adding it to our calendar right now 📆😱🍿. How about you?

Take the ride to the other side. Watch the brand-new trailer for Haunted Mansion, appearing only in theaters July 28.Directed by Justin Simien, the film feat...

15/05/2023

Who remembers as a kid those fun character height markers in the front of the theme park that told you what rides you would be tall enough to go on. Now with the help of a fun height chart like this one you can do all of that fun monitoring right at home 🏡 😁😍

12/05/2023

It's time to get started planning your next vacation (using the help of your favorite travel advisor of course 😉).

Do you usually start with a specific set of dates that you want to travel over and look for great ideas during that time of the year? Or do you have a particular destination in mind that you want to visit and look for advice on the best time to visit it? 🤔