Antoinette at Blue Shore Vacations, LLC

20/01/2024

16/01/2024

Traveling by yourself is an amazing thing but for some it can be intimidating.

I took my first solo trip in 2017 for 9 days in London. I did all of the research, booking, and preparations on my own - I sure wish I could have had an expert travel agent to help me along the way!

I definitely learned a lot and part of the reason I wanted to become a Travel Agent is to help other solo travelers plan their trips without feeling overwhelmed.

My top 3 tips for traveling alone are

🧳Do not over pack! I am a victim of overpacking for almost every single trip I go on. I left for London with 2 suitcases plus a backpack. I came back with 3 suitcases and a backpack because I did too much shopping.

🗺If you are travelling from the USA to a foreign country - alert the US Embassy about where you will be staying, what dates you will be there, places you plan on going, etc. This is so if there is an issue of any kind they know where to find you and alert you of anything to help get you home safely. I did this for my trip to London and there was a small issue while I was there - both my mom and I were alerted as it was happening. It helps to give you and someone else peace of mind.

🍽There is no shame in eating alone or going to a bar alone. It was kind of awkward at first but then I knew I was never going to see these people again so what do I care if I am eating alone. With that however if you are a girl please stay aware of your surroundings and watch your purse. Most of the people I have encountered are super nice and loved talking with me but not everyone is!

I think doing a solo trip is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Whether it is just a solo road trip, doing a one off day at Disney World, or traveling around the globe I would be happy to help you plan an amazing and safe trip.

28/12/2023

28/11/2023

Calling all nature lovers and adventure seekers! Make 2024 the year you experience the wild beauty of Alaska on an unforgettable cruise.

Clients often ask me, which Alaska cruises are best, Northbound or Southbound, or roundtrip? And my answer is always, all of them! It all depends on what you’d like to see and what your interests are.

I will say, if you want to add a land tour to your Alaska cruise, you'll want a Northbound or Southbound voyage. But we can talk about that on your call.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll have lots of opportunities to see wildlife, snuggle with sled dog puppies, maybe even hike on a glacier and shop in the towns.

There are some differences though, and on top of finding the right ship for you, I’ll also provide you with information on different ports of call, shore excursions, entertainment and other activities, so it truly is a tailored experience just for you.

Are you in? 🌲🐻

26/11/2023

🌟 Calling all my solo travelers!!

Norwegian Cruise Line is excited to announce that for the first time, there will be three new solo stateroom categories open for sale beginning this week for sailings starting January 2, 2024! Guests who stay in the new solo stateroom categories will also have access to the key card entry-only Studio Lounge, available on select ships, which features a dedicated space to relax, a bar equipped with beer and wine and a variety of snacks served.

Solo travel is on the rise like never before. If this looks interesting to you or your family, let’s chat!

24/11/2023

This may or may not surprise you but…

I am absolutely not a superstar in the gym and I definitely don’t have a green thumb but I do have a pretty good knack for pairing my clients with the right resorts, hotels and experiences when they travel.

Whether it’s a romantic getaway for you and the hubby, or a trip that includes all of the kids, grandkids, aunts, and uncles — finding the perfect accommodations is as simple as hopping on a complimentary discovery call with me.

In the call I get to know you, the type of trip you’re taking, and all of your travel preferences.

That way the recommendations I provide are suggested with you in mind.

You can rely on online reviews and *hope* your accommodations fit your needs, or you can plan your trip with me to make sure we get it right.

Let’s chat — send me a DM or head to the link in my bio.

21/11/2023

'Tis almost the season for giving, and we believe there's no better gift than the joy of travel.

This year, plan an experience over things and make memories to last a lifetime!

What is on your holiday travel wishlist this year?

☀️✈️❤️

20/11/2023

Psst: If you’re booking a hotel anytime soon, give this a read!

Believe it or not, you can actually get bumped from your hotel if it’s overbooked. Scary thought, right?

Here are 3 tips to avoid the overbooking bump:

🕒 Check in as early as you can, or let the hotel know about a late arrival.

☎️ Confirm your reservation ahead of your stay by sending an email or calling the hotel

🥇Join the hotel’s loyalty program to make sure you get priority.

And the hack to trump all hacks? Work with a travel advisor!

As your advisor, I handle all of the above for you. I've also got the connections and expertise to turn that hotel hiccup into an upgrade or an equally cozy stay nearby. With me in your corner, you're never stranded, just repositioned for a new adventure.

16/11/2023

What if you had a personal guide for cruise ships you want to sail on before you roll the dice, book, and hope you made the right choice?

Doing re-con on cruise ships is one of the things I do for my clients, and I love it!

Nothing beats an in-person look at cabins, ship operations, and all of the amenities.

➡️ I get to see which cabins have the best views.

➡️ I get to see what the service levels are like.

➡️ I get to experience the pool, the spa, the shows and the restaurants.

And then I get to pass all of that valuable information onto my clients so they can trust that their experience will live up to the photos and the descriptions they see online.

Just this year, I have already sailed on more than one cruise to do this very thing.

And I’ll be using all of the things I've learned for future client recommendations. Do you have any questions about cruising? Happy to share my experience further.

14/11/2023

What Expedia won’t tell you about that hotel you’re about to book

❌ That things may be louder than usual because of construction.

❌ That the room you’re choosing doesn’t have nearly as much natural light as others and overlooks the busiest part of the resort.

❌ That you’re now at the bottom of the barrel and have very little chance of an upgrade.

❌ If you’re booking a 4 or 5-star property, you’re leaving major perks on the table that hotels only offer to travel agents.

Instead of scouring the that booking site for hours, hoping you’ll make the right choice when you book, you can call me instead.

You’re getting vetted, trusted information from a pro, Information an algorithm can’t give you.

I’m here for you when you’re ready to book your next hotel stay. 🙌

13/11/2023

Is anyone else a hot mess when it comes to getting through the airport? Between airport traffic and checking bags, things can get hectic. And don’t even get me started on when you’re running late!

But here’s the good news for my clients, I make the airport experience easy by helping them prep their documents and coaching them to arrive very early for flights.

If anyone needs a wheelchair or escorted assistance to their gate, I can arrange for all of that to happen.

It’s all smooth sailing on the actual vacation because I’ve done the work to plan the logistics — the connecting flights, accommodations, airport transfers, and all the other little details.

The travel process from start to finish is just way less stressful for my clients. I love that I get to swoop in for clients to make things easy for them. 💪

09/11/2023

Top three reasons to visit Italy in the late Spring.

The weather is spectacular before the big summer heat.

And you'll get to skip the big summer crowds and explore Italy at a more leisurely pace.

Bookmark this for future travel planning, and when you’re ready for some help, send me a DM.

08/11/2023

"It didn't look like the photos!"

How many times have you been researching a trip and read those words in reviews?

Here’s the absolute best way to avoid showing up to a hotel or resort you’ve booked only to realize it’s nothing like it seemed online. (Yikes!)

👉 Get Vetted Recommendations

Online reviews aren’t always accurate and don’t reflect the standards an expert in the travel industry would use to evaluate a property.

✅ I visit and vet the properties and ships I recommend to my clients, so I know what the *actual* experience is like.

✅ I stay in touch with management. I know when renovations and big changes are happening at a property that I know would affect my clients’ experience there.

✅ If there’s a place or ship my clients want to experience that I haven’t personally vetted, I’m picking up the phone to tap into my worldwide network of industry connections to get the scoop.

Just another way I help my clients have stress-free, drama-free trips! Want to know more about my travel planning services? Link in bio to book a complimentary discover call.

05/11/2023

Let’s talk European wine getaways for a minute.

If I had to pick my top 3 places for a food and wine-focused anniversary trip or group getaway, here’s what I’d choose:

A river cruise in Bordeaux, France. There are so many amazing vineyards to visit in each port, you'll have a different wine adventure every day.

Portugal is highly popular with wine enthusiasts. The coastal climate there grows some quite famous wines and the weather is gorgeous.

Did you know Israel has 365 wineries?! That's one for each day of the year!

Of course, no trip is the same, so it all comes down to your own personal travel style and what you truly want out of your trip.

Once I get to know you better, I can offer more tailored recommendations!

Here when you’re ready to start planning!

04/11/2023

04/11/2023

2023 travel trends I’m loving so far! ❤️

💼 Swankier Airport Lounges
More airlines are stepping up their lounge game, and I love this. Lounges really can make the travel experiences that much better.

✈️ Embracing Easy Travel
Trips don’t always have to be of the bucketlist variety. This can create so much pressure and lead to over-packed itineraries to avoid FOMO. More people have been embracing lighter itineraries and slower travel.

🌄 Transformational Adventures
People have been traveling deeper and looking for inner transformation through retreats, wellness travel, etc.

Are there any travel trends you’re loving this year?

04/11/2023

🇻🇨 Let's get to know the newest Island Destination: Sandals St. Vincent & The Grenadines 🇻🇨

Fun facts: La Soufriere is a 4,000 ft Volcano you can hike!

Hairoun means "land of the blessed" and is also the local beer.

Agriculture is the #1 industry on the island including bananas and arrowroot.

Wallilabou Bay is where scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed!

Sunset Very Strong Rum is produced here (169 proof!)

The National Dish is Roasted Breadfruit and Fried Jackfish.

Sailing, Diving and EcoTourism are big draws for the island.

There are white sand beaches and also black sand beaches. 🇻🇨🏝️

Now booking for travel beginning March, 2024!