Craven Travel, LTD (2024)

07/07/2024

And that’s a wrap on the most magical visit to the Happiest Place on Earth! I can say with confidence that I rode every ride, watched every show, and experienced EVERYTHING that both parks have to offer. And I did all of this WITHOUT buying Genie+ or any lighting lanes! I took advantage of some sneaky tricks to accomplish this feat though. Traveling alone has its advantages because many rides have a dedicated Single Rider Line that I used for every attraction that offered it. It’s a neat perk that allows solo travelers to wait in a shorter line because you get paired up with an odd number of guests who are riding together. It does get manipulated by others but overall allowed me to avoid very long lines for the most popular rides. Another trick that I used was knocking out a bunch of the rides in Fantasyland during the parades and late afternoons after all the tiny humans went back for naps to their hotels. I did not wait more than 30 minutes for ANY ride the entire time during a very busy holiday weekend. Let me know if you would like my help in accomplishing this amazing feat! My FREE services include my brain and immense knowledge base from my many visits and former stints working on the other coast!

06/07/2024

Disneyland Take 2! After a very hot and scattered first day here on Wednesday where I tried to fit in as much as humanly possible in a day, I took it slow today! Today was much more focused on Entertainment with the cherry on top being Fantasmic (which is my favorite night time show by far on the other coast)!I got the Fantasmic Dining Package at Blue Bayou and it is definitely worth the cost. The viewing area for this specific restaurant is dead center in front of the stage on Rivers of America. This is a slightly different show than the World version and the only downfall is that there is no seating and those with that coveted secured spot from dining must sit on the ground for the entire show. They do have saved seating at a different location for those requiring seats off the ground but you sacrifice the center view for comfort. Overall though, so good a show that I relocated to the higher ground behind the VIP tour seating area and am watching the second show!

05/07/2024

After an eventful (and FULL) day at Disney’s California Adventure, I grabbed a bite to eat in Downtown Disney and hopped over to Disneyland to join thousands of friends for the special 4th of July Fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle! Yes! The parks and Downtown Disney are that close that I was able to walk to the far end of Downtown Disney, wait to order, wait 10 minutes for my food to be prepared fresh (!), ate said food, and made it back to the park in 45 minutes!

Edited to add: After watching the Fireworks at Disneyland, I may have popped back over to California Adventure to watch World of Color - One. Nervous because the fireworks ended at 9:45pm and California Adventure closes at 10… but I made it and have a wonderful view!

04/07/2024

Good Morning and Happy 4th of July! You didn’t think a holiday could go by that I wouldn’t travel somewhere did you? This week’s adventure you ask? DISNEYLAND! I flew in late Tuesday night and spent all day yesterday at the Happiest Place on Earth. My hotel is super convenient, just a 5 minute walk from the front gate and surprisingly closer to the park gates then the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel. The Fairfield Anaheim Resort does charge a $50+ fee to check in early. I arrived at 9am but they were able to get me right in a room and the $50 was well worth it to be able to have my bags in the room and not have to rent a locker at the Park for my electronics or worry about getting the room when I arrived back after midnight. On deck for today is Disney’s California Adventure.

22/06/2024

Sometimes you don’t need to travel far to celebrate the small things in life. Spent the morning at a Lavender Farm and then Wine Tasting at the Winery next door… Cheers!

10/06/2024

And that’s a wrap on Chicago… weekend style! I visited this city many years ago on a one day trip and always felt like I missed out on a bunch of things in the Windy City. Whelp… Chicago owes me nothing! Finished yesterday with more shopping til we dropped and an evening riding the Ferris Wheel, climbing 1000 feet in the air to view the ants below at 360 Observation Deck and dinner at Eataly! Driving back today… Wish us luck and no traffic🤣

09/06/2024

What do you do in Chicago you ask? Why Shopping and Eating of course…. But we just had to throw in an Architecture River Cruise and a Fireworks cruise! I absolutely love the Chicago Skyline!

08/06/2024

Did you think I was done traveling so soon? Home 4 days then back out into the world! Chicago here I am! And this hotel is Gorgeous! JW Marriott Chicago for the win!

02/06/2024

Day 7 : Whooo Boy! Today was a doozy. Day 2 of the Hop-On Hop-Off tour was even rougher due to the Football Final in town. So much traffic and many diversions. I hopped off at Borough Market to peruse the stalls and have an early lunch before the crowds arrived. Then I got out of dodge and spent the next 5 hours on the same bus! I saw so many parts of London that I would not have seen otherwise. The evening was spent in the footsteps of the most notorious murderer of all time who is still unknown to this day… Jack the Ripper. Pro-Tip of the Day : try not to plan too many things as traffic and the Underground are completely unpredictable.

01/06/2024

Day 6 : Today I learned a valuable lesson… Make sure that you check your destination for any events that are happening to be prepared before you land in your location. For instance, it would have been nice to know that London just happens to be hosting a Football Final this weekend! There are an overwhelming number of Football Fans flooding into every Pub and Trafalgar Square is completely shut down for the fan zones. My Hop-On, Hop-Off bus has a major re-route on it due to 5 stops being shut down for these fan zones. But flexibility is key and I had to hop off on the fly and walk a mile to meet up with the walking tour to view the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. Pro-Tip of the Day : Public Loos cost 20p to 30p for a wee. Hop into any of the hundreds of pubs along your route and grab a pint. You get a tasty beverage and the toilet is complimentary to use.

31/05/2024

Day 5: Harry Potter Part 3 (only if you count each part of the 2-Part show separately)! The morning was spent on a 2 Hour Walking Tour of the Film and Theatre Scene of the West End and Leicester Square before the hour plus coach ride out to Leavesden Studios to tour THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER Studio Tour. Now you may be thinking “I’ve been to Universal Orlando. I do not need to go on this tour.” You are wrong. It is very interesting to see all the actual sets that have been dug out of storage and placed in this walk-through exhibit. They even have a Harry Potter themed Afternoon Tea that I am sad I missed. The actual tour takes about 3-1/2 hours if you do not take any breaks for Butterbeer and don’t necessarily read every sign as you go through. However, you could spend significantly more time if you so choose. Most Guided Tours will give you 4 hours at the Studio. Pro Tip of the day: if you are confident using the public transportation system, you can get a train from Euston station to Watford Junction and the studio provides frequent shuttles to and from the station included in the ticket cost. Then you can spend as much time as you would like!

31/05/2024

Cheers to Day 4! I spent the day exploring with no planned activities. I went shopping at Harrod’s and Twinings before meandering down to Fleet Street to visit my favorite barber. Last minute decided to take a “London by Night” sightseeing tour to see all the sites lighting up the night sky which involved me sitting in a park waiting for the pick up and enjoying some fresh air in the middle of the congested capital. I even spied a Gala preview of a newly released Disney movie! Tip of the Day: Having a day without plans is always a good idea. I found so many interesting things that I never would have seen except for my over 24,000 steps of meandering.

29/05/2024

Day 3 … thankfully I kept my head and escaped the return of the Dark Lord! The morning was spent exploring the Tower of London where not one, not two, but THREE Queens lost their heads during the reign of Henry VIII. Then, I experienced one of the reasons I really wanted to come to London… Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in its original, unabridged version. Although I spent over 5 hours in that theatre, I highly recommend seeing it in its original form. This play had the best special effects I have ever seen in a live show (and I have seen Phantom, if you know you know). However, be warned, the seats are uncomfortable without much leg room and the theatre has no lift making it a long walk up if you have Grand Circle or Balcony seating. Pro tip of the day: Book a tour that includes the “Opening Ceremony” at the Tower of London. We entered through the exit and watched the Keeper of the Keys open the gates from inside the Tower Walls. This also meant that we were the first in to see the Crown Jewels. This eliminated an up to 2-Hour wait inside the Tower just to get into the Jewels which is the main reason you want to come to the Tower. However, don’t neglect the rest of the complex. There is so much to see in this Medieval Palace stuck in the middle of a rather modern section of London.

28/05/2024

Day 2 is not so London… I took a day tour through the English Countryside! Morning began at Windsor Castle to see St George’s Chapel where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is buried and the State Apartments before stopping at mystical Stonehenge en route to Bath. Tip of the Day: you are going to want more time at Windsor and Bath so if these locations are high on your list, consider booking them separately from and escorted tour. Stonehenge was just enough time with the 25 minute wait for the shuttle back to the parking lot (over twice the amount of time I spent at the monument. I am already finding so many reasons to return!

27/05/2024

Good Afternoon from His Majesty, The King’s Empire! I am spending a week in jolly London experiencing another country off my bucket list! Tips for travel: Definitely get at least the “Plus” version of Economy if you can afford it. I got a really cheap last minute upgrade on British Airways and was placed in the front seat of their “World Traveller Plus” cabin. I normally get very claustrophobic in window seats but this seat was fantastic. I had extra legroom over and above the normal extra leg room and it came with a footrest. Here’s to hoping another last minute upgrade is available. Another tip: hotel rooms are TINY in Europe. My hotel is fantastically located a 5 minute walk from Paddington Station, making travel around the city and from the airport so easy. But I got a twin size cozy room since it is just me and it is definitely cozy! Stay tuned for more updates from the journey!

21/04/2024

And that’s a wrap on an insightful week of learning and growing my knowledge base. Thank you so much to the Carnival Celebration team for welcoming us on board their beautiful home for another wonderful ship inspection. This is only a few of the many pictures captured that showcase the beauty of this ship. She pays homage to 50 years of Carnival sailing. This ship is unlike any Carnival ship I have sailed before. I would love to stay in a Havana Cabana stateroom with access to the private Havana area of the ship. Another plus of this area? Absolutely no guests under the age of 12 allowed here. Sounds like a relaxing time indeed! Who’s going with me?

21/04/2024

Good Morning for one last day from Cruise360 in Florida! Today is another day in Miami touring another Mega-Ship full of Mega-Fun… Carnival Celebration! As before here is a sneak peek of all the fun to come.

20/04/2024

Holy Moly! Icon of the seas is biiiiiigggg! There are so many spaces to relax in that I am fairly certain once she is underway, it won’t feel crowded with plenty of activities to entertain guests of all ages. Here is just a glimpse of all to offer on her ladyship the largest ship to currently sail. From an outdoor oasis of fun in the sun to the luxurious Central Park area, guests can find their own piece of paradise to relax outside while sailing on the crystal blue of the sea. Prefer the indoors instead? Why not swing into the huge Casino or indulge yourself with an afternoon in the spa. And who can forget the innovative entertainment offerings which abound? Try ice skating at Sea or enjoy the Aquadome with houses an area for water themed nighttime entertainment. The opportunities are endless and 1 week could never be enough. Let me know if you want to sail on this gorgeous ship!

20/04/2024

Good Morning! Back at it again bright and early for a look at the largest ship in the world! Stay tuned for a sneak peek of ICON OF THE SEAS!

19/04/2024

Yesterday was NON-STOP with product and destination workshops and the anticipated Trade Show where I met with many suppliers from the Cruise Industry. Late night Hall of Fame awards with entertainment from both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line before the head hit the pillow to rest up for another full day today. This morning begins with an exclusive breakfast with Virgin Voyages. Slap on your splash of red and have a roaring time!

17/04/2024

Good Morning from Fort Lauderdale and the annual CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) Cruise360 Conference! Today is a day that I get to nourish the nerd with Geography lessons all day. I am learning about all the different regions where cruise ships can go. This morning was spent in Asia, Europe and now South America (including Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands). Afternoon sessions include Africa and the Caribbean. I love to invest in my knowledge and business and this is just one of the many ways that I remain fresh in my industry knowledge. Let me know what Cruise I can book for you!

31/12/2023

I am extremely grateful and blessed for the past year of business! I set out at the beginning of 2023 with two goals in mind: make the next level of recognition within my Host Agency’s model and hit a certain sales number. After some ups and downs with cancellations, I was certain that I would not make both of my goals and started rethinking my thoughts for 2024 goals. However, this past two weeks has boomed and I am so happy to share that not only did I meet both goals, I surpassed them and put myself on a path to hit the same level of recognition for 2024 and am confident in setting higher goals for next year. I actually grew my business sales by 20% from 2022! Upward and onward to Pinnacle recognition and another 20% increase in sales for 2024!

24/09/2023

, Holland America’s Travel Advisor mantra is all that I can think of as I reflect on this remarkable week that I spent on the Konigsdam learning and experiencing all that they offer to the Explorer in all of us. Words and pictures truly can’t do this experience justice. Excellent food, superb service, and the most relaxing vacation I have had in a while. I know that sounds counterproductive since I was at work and in classes, but this line offers just the right amount of learning opportunities to keep me engaged but not too many that I felt the necessity to run from event to event for fear of missing out on something amazing. This truly was the experience of a lifetime and Holland America has proven that they are a premium cruise line that offers more opportunities for those willing and wanting to explore more of the world. The music is some of the best that I have experienced at sea due to their partnerships with powerhouse industry players: B.B. Kings Blues Club, Rolling Stone Magazine, and Billboard. Featuring the best library I have ever encountered on a ship, my Kindle with several downloaded books lay dormant while I experienced a new author with a local flair as part of their featured collection which rotates depending on where the Ship is sailing. Already excited to see where my next journey takes me. I highly suspect I will be Mediterranean bound on a Holland America sailing in the coming years.

22/09/2023

Today’a lesson of the day: Wear layers! And just when you think you have enough layers, strap on one more for good measure. We spent the day exploring Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the World! Ketchikan gets about 270 days of rainfall per year. As expected, today was one of those days. Combined with temperatures of mid 50’s, it was a throughly nasty day! I spent the morning before my excursion exploring the town and hunting for the Salmon and was soaked to the bone with a waterproof jacket on. My excursion combined immersing myself in two very different cultures within the Southeast Alaskan area: the Saxman Native Village of the Tlingit Clan and the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show! The Alaskan boys beat the British Columbians!!!!

20/09/2023

Whelp… if your travel agent ever highly recommends a balcony for a specific reason such as… oh I don’t know… GLACIER VIEWING… listen to them… please! You won’t regret it. Today, we spent the morning in Glacier Bay National Park. This is a one of a kind experience that not every Cruise Line experiences due to the limited number of entry passes that the National Park Service allows (2 ships per day when a port can have up to 6 ships per day = tons of ships and passengers vying for those coveted entry slots). However, as the first company to cruise Alaska, Holland America always gets their pick of entry spots which means almost every itinerary has Glacier Bay on it. An added bonus today is that we saw the rare Johns Hopkins Glacier. This Glacier is the home to Sea Otters in the early and mid season as they lounge on the ice to give birth and then protect their young from the deadly Killer Whale. This habit precludes any visit to this specific Glacier until at least September. The Captain opened up the Bow of the ship (only available when sailing in Glacier Bay) and we were allowed to witness the Majesty up close. Recall my earlier comment about booking that Balcony Cabin. Below are some pictures from today. The first three are taken from my cabin balcony and are not zoomed in. Our Captain got us super close to the glacier. Though I did go up to the bow to experience our beginning journey into this mystic land, it was far more comfortable viewing it from my balcony where I didn’t have to fight for the railing.

Craven Travel, LTD

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