Shannon O'Brien - Travel Advisor

19/06/2024

What are you doing today at 6pm Central time? 🕕
🌎
Want learn more about cruising the Douro River with AMA Waterways? 🛥
🌎
Join me TODAY (and Scotty from AMA) at 6pm Central for quick 30 minute zoom call!

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

30/05/2024

23/05/2024

It’s good to be back with an old friend! The admirals club wasn’t bad either. Not as good as the Centurion Lounge- but did get breakfast. (Remember the old omelette from first class? They moved to the Admirals Club.)

Next Stop Greece…. Chicago. Opa!

18/04/2024

Always great to hear from clients during travel. Grateful for my amazing partners at the Belmond for helping make my clients Anniversary trip even more special!!!!

Shannon,
What an awesome and amazing surprise to walk into that fabulous bottle of Moet champagne here at the Belmond in Tuscany! Our favorite champagne and what a nice surprise – thank you so much!

Another great surprise – they upgraded our room and we are in the absolutely most amazing suite here at this property. Gorgeous property – highly recommend to any of your clients ☺️. Wonderful Concierge staff, food is fabulous, and in the most idyllic setting. I think we will just stay :-).

Grazie mille!

Sandra
Sent from my iPhone

10/04/2024

The chaos that is CDG (Paris - Charles de Gaulle airport) is no joke. If traveling in the next few months, I strongly recommend if you are not flying business class, consider purchasing vip departure services to skip lines. It took me over an hour with no1 access- which is vip line the for business class from the airlines.

Without vip departure access, allow at least 3-4 hours.

Travel on!

08/04/2024

A room with a view and bubbles. I have always been a girl of champagne wishes and caviar dreams.

03/04/2024

If it’s Wednesday, we must be in Belgium! Here are a few picture from my day in Bruges and Ghent.

13/03/2024

Did you know there are "challenges with the availability of serviceable Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines which is impacting airlines around the world"?

Sharing this as many of the airlines use 787 for their long haul international routes. Any cancelations with have a ripple effect that could cause you to lose days of your vacation.

Travel Insurance......don't leave home without it.

Here is some of the email I received from Air New Zealand postponing their Chicago flights.

Air New Zealand wishes to inform we are pausing the non-stop services between Chicago and Auckland from 31 March to 25 October 2024.

The route is being put on hold due to ongoing challenges with the availability of serviceable Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines which is impacting airlines around the world. These are the engines used on Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787 aircraft.

14/02/2024

30/01/2024

When you think of Alaska what comes to mind?

🪣🪣BUCKET LIST🪣🪣
🛳🛳the Hubbard Glacier🛳🛳
🗻🗻Denali National Park🗻🗻
💰⚒the gold rush💰⚒
🫎🦦🐻🦅the animals 🫎🦦🐻🦅
🦀🍣🦪Crab, Salmon and Oysters 🦀🍣🦪

All of the above???

I have a *GOLDEN* opportunity to sail the Inside Passage from Vancouver, British Columbia to Anchorage on board the small luxurious Oceania ship, the Rivera, including, a visit to the EPIC Hubbard Glacier.

**May 13 through May 21, 2025**

*Extras Include* pre-paid gratuities, $600 shore excursion credit, cocktail party and an extra $400 Extra on board credit if booked by Friday February 2, 2024.

Verandah cabins with air, transfers, shore excursion credit, all specialty dining, and beer, wine and champagne with lunch and dinner start at $4499 per person.

I also have secured a *limited* number cabins for SOLO travelers.

$500 per person deposit to confirm your spot

Share this opportunity with your friends!!!

Click the link below for more information, then call to reserve your spot..

https://axustravelapp.com/shared/itinerary/3c26aa50-a247-4f54-a144-e380cd89814c

15/01/2024

Is visiting Alaska on a small luxury ship on your bucket list for 2025? I have a fantastic opportunity with great pricing and loads of perks.

Follow the link for a detailed day by day itinerary! May 13-21, 2025
Vancouver to Whitter (Anchorage)

Interested in learning more? Join Kari from Oceania and I for an informative webinar, Tuesday January 16th at 10 am Mountain/11am Central.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://nclh.zoom.us/j/98726062882...
Meeting ID: 987 2606 2882
Password: 491063
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,98726062882 #,,,,0 #,,491063 # US (Houston)

https://axustravelapp.com/shared/itinerary/3c26aa50-a247-4f54-a144-e380cd89814c

Join us May 13th - May 21st, 2025 on the Alaska Reflections with Oceania Cruises. Alaska's rugged charm will quickly win you over. There are many special places to explore: lush coastal rainforests, deep blue fjords, massive glaciers, majestic mountains, and thick pine forests. Take in the sights of...

31/12/2023

Happy New Year! May 2024 bring you peace and happiness and of course travel.

29/12/2023

Golden triangle

17/12/2023

You’re invited to join me this Easter onboard AMAWaterways AMALucia, Sailing from Amsterdam!

📆 Cruise Dates: March 31 - April 7

📆 Amsterdam Pre Cruise March 29 - 31

🎁 Special Offer: Book by January 3 for free gratuities!

Call today to reserve your spot!

Discover the Splendor of European Spring Gardens and Iconic Dutch Tulip Fields as well as Belgium and the Flanders region.

🌷 Cruise Highlights:

Visit the tulip and bulb fields in Holland, plus the cities of Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Rotterdam
7 -night cruise in elegantly appointed accommodations
Small group guided excursions including active options (hiking and biking)
Expert guides and on board wellness coach
Fine dining in multiple venues
Unlimited beer, wine and soda with lunch and dinner

17/12/2023

You’re invited to join me this Easter onboard AmaWaterways AmaLucia!

📆 Cruise Dates: March 31 - April 7

📆 Amsterdam Pre Cruise March 29 - 31

🎁 Special Offer: Book by January 3 for free gratuities!

Call today to reserve your spot!

Discover the Splendor of European Spring Gardens and Iconic Dutch Tulip Fields as well as Belgium and the Flanders region.

🌷 Cruise Highlights:

Visit the tulip and bulb fields in Holland, plus the cities of Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Rotterdam
7 -night cruise in elegantly appointed accommodations
Small group guided excursions including active options (hiking and biking)
Expert guides and on board wellness coach
Fine dining in multiple venues
Unlimited beer, wine and soda with lunch and dinner
📆 Cruise Dates: March 31 - April 7

📆 Amsterdam Pre Cruise March 29 - 31

🎁 Special Offer: Book by January 3 for free gratuities!

16/11/2023

Is seeing the Northern Lights on your bucket list??? Well here comes Solar Maximum (see below for more details)!!! Pictures are from my trip to Norway in October. Let me help you chase your dreams in 2024 and beyond!

The *.*solar maximum*.* is an event that doesn't just interest astronomers and space enthusiasts; it's a phenomenon that can capture the imagination of anyone who loves spectacular natural displays. As we approach the next solar maximum, expected in 2024/2025, it's an excellent time to start planning a journey to witness the northern lights.

*.*What is the Solar Maximum?*.*

The solar maximum is part of the Sun’s natural 11-year cycle, during which solar activity, including sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections, reaches its peak. This increase in solar activity results in more intense and frequent solar winds – streams of charged particles released from the Sun's atmosphere. When these particles interact with the Earth's magnetic field, mostly at the poles, they create the stunning light displays known as the northern lights (and the southern lights, or aurora australis. There’s almost nobody around to see that phenomenon, so we rarely hear about it).

*.*Why is the Solar Maximum the Best Time for Northern Lights?*.*

During the solar maximum, the increased solar activity means that the northern lights are more likely to occur and be more vibrant and widespread. This makes it an ideal time for enthusiasts and casual observers alike to plan a trip to view this celestial dance of colors.

*.*Ideal Conditions to See the Northern Lights*.*

To maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights, consider that the following conditions have to be in place:

*.*Darkness*.* The lights are best viewed in complete darkness, away from city lights.
*.*Clear Skies*.* Overcast conditions can obscure the view, so it’s crucial to choose a location with generally clear skies.
*.*High Latitude*.* The lights are typically visible in the “Auroral Zone” – regions close to the magnetic poles, typically above 60 degrees latitude.
*.*Solar Activity*.*Even when all the other conditions are met, there must be solar activity - sun spots, solar flares etc - as those are the charged particles that will interact with the magnetic fields around the earth.

*.*Planning Your Trip: Where and When?*.*

Some of the best destinations for observing the Aurora Borealis during the solar maximum include:

*.*Tromsø, Norway*.* Known as the 'Gateway to the Arctic,' Tromsø offers guided tours that take you away from city lights for an optimal viewing experience. The best time to visit is from September to April.
*.*Reykjavik, Iceland*.* Not only can you see the northern lights here, but also enjoy Iceland’s unique landscapes. The lights are visible from September to mid-April.
*.*Fairbanks, Alaska*.* Located just two degrees below the Arctic, Fairbanks is ideally situated for northern lights viewing, especially from August to April.
*.*Yellowknife, Canada*.* This city in the Northwest Territories boasts a high frequency of Aurora sightings from mid-November to April.
*.*Churchill , Canada*.* Famous for polar bear viewing in summer and autumn, Churchill is also a great place to see the aurora display, with plenty of options.
*.*Kakslauttanen, Finland*.* Imagine watching the northern lights from a glass igloo in a Finnish Lapland resort. The season runs from late August to late April.

09/11/2023

I am excited to announce that I have been selected from over 275 travel agencies throughout the United States and highly vetted amongst my peers as a Travel Expert Select® in the area of Adventure/Active Travel.

Select Experts are experts in their destination or special interest area because they have either lived in the destination or visit often. This ‘feet on the ground’ knowledge is essential in providing consumers with the most up-to-date information possible and options to personalize their clients’ trips.

Call me to start planning your next great adventure.

https://signaturetravelexperts.com/agents/shannon-obrien/

08/11/2023

Little fish *.*Big*.* fish. Proud member of Frosch, who is now owned by Chase.

We are one of the largest travel management companies in the US. What does that mean to my clients?

More *.*amenities*.*, *.*Vip*.* status at luxury *.*hotels*.*, more insider connections and expertise, *.*support*.* before,during and after travel, someone who *.*cares*.* and always someone to answer the phone.

I look forward to helping you plan your next vacation.

What is on your travel wishlist???

07/11/2023

Last night I was honored to have dinner with some of the executives from AMA Waterways. Ready for day 2 of the signature travel network conference.

23/10/2023

Timing is everything- what’s on your bucket list?

18/10/2023

Train life

08/09/2023

Today I rambled my way through Broadway and the 2nd highest point in the Cotswolds- Broadway Tower. What does adventure look like for you??!!??

02/09/2023

Bonjour from Honfleur

31/08/2023

Out of office until September 13. Ready to plan your next great adventure when I return. 🙂

14/08/2023

The airlines don't care about you, but your travel advisor does.

ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) Lodges Complaint with DOT Concerning NDC Implementation; Demands AA Restore Access to All Fares

On July 31, ASTA submitted a draft complaint to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) alleging that American Airlines' (AA) implementation of New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology beginning last April constitutes an unfair trade practice warranting immediate action by DOT.

The filing alleges that AA has caused significant economic and non-economic injury to consumers, travel agencies and travel management companies (TMCs) when, among other things, it removed 40 percent of its fare inventory from the established EDIFACT distribution channel. That action has resulted in substantially higher air ticket prices for consumers and frustrated TMCs and their clients in fulfilling the duty of care owed to business travelers.

ASTA urges DOT to exercise its statutory authority to enjoin AA from continuing this practice, to restore access to all fares in all channels and to undertake a comprehensive review of the current state of competition in the domestic airline industry.

The complaint follows several private discussions between ASTA and representatives of both AA and, later, DOT. Joining ASTA in the filing were the Travel Management Coalition, the Business Travel Association (U.K.) and FOLATUR.

ASTA expects further engagement with DOT on this issue soon and will keep its members updated on developments as they occur.

09/08/2023

On August 8, authorities issued an emergency proclamation due to wildfires raging across Hawaii's Big Island and Maui due to hurricane-force winds and underlying drought conditions. The wildfires have burned hundreds of acres in the areas of North Kohala, South Kohala, Kula, Upcountry, and Lahaina damaging structures and prompting evacuations, road closures, and rescues. Power and cellular service outages are widespread across the island.

Immediate, non-essential travel has been strongly discouraged by authorities. Travelers should anticipate delays and cancellations at Kahului Airport (OGG), which remains open with a priority on departures.

08/08/2023

So what am I crossing off my bucket list next? How about the Artic Circle and Norway.....coming mid October.

This train is a must to complete the region.

This train route is one of the oldest in Europe – and one of the most scenic. Climb aboard, sit back, and witness seven hours of Norway’s postcard-perfect landscapes unfold

28/07/2023

Is small ship cruising part of your next adventure? Seabourn offers some of the best at sea suites and experiences. Let us help you plan your next vacation.

With an unmatched sense of style, elegance and grace, Seabourn ships beckon you to travel beyond the limits of imagination. Your spacious suite welcomes you with complimentary Champagne and a fully-stocked bar with your personal preferences.

Thoughtfully designed and tastefully curated, your ocean-front suite offers expansive views. Where you are onboard, every desire is met promptly with a welcoming smile, whether it's a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate or a relaxing neck massage poolside.

Contact your FROSCH Travel Advisor or visit the link below to learn how you can enjoy 30% off your cruise fare on select bookings in select categories.

https://www.froschvacations.com/sm-apr-2023-seabourn

27/06/2023