Zee Michaelson Travel

I want to touch base on a few different topics today…

1.    Why you should use a travel advisor

2.    Creating your budget for you trip…and I don’t like to call it budget

3.    All inclusive resorts…what is and isn’t included 

So first I am going to chat about travel advisors.  I run into so many people today that ask me how much do you charge?  My answer is always…nothing. People are amazed.  So, I now have a question for all of you.  Why then aren’t you using a travel advisor?  Sure, I hear well I can find it myself on the internet.  

But do you really want to spend that much time surfing the web.  Trying to find just the right vacation and vacation package and then if you are going with a family reunion… tracking down everyone and entering all their stats and taking payment and ….and…and… whew….  I know that when I am going on vacation, I don’t want to have to worry about anything I just want to pack my bag grab my passport and go.  

Do you know that most travel advisors are always learning.  They work with vendors to find out all about each one of them and what each one offers.  They get emails everyday with updates and specials and sometimes these offers are only offered through the travel advisor. 

  Travel advisors can sit down with you and find out just what you are looking for and then they go to work.  Matching you up with just the right vacation.
 What about if you want to go on a vacation and you don’t know where you want to go.  A travel advisor can do just that.  Advise you of the many opportunities that are out there that you would like.  And they do this all for free…. Now I am not going to lie to you.  

Some travel advisors do charge for their services…Why?  Well I will tell you.  There are few reasons…one is.  Clients will call get the TA to do all the foot work and then turn around and book it themselves.  That’s not very nice.  Also, if the TA goes above and beyond the call of duty…for instance…Visa research and paper follow up.  Something that should be handled by the traveler.  

Travel advisors also go on trips to research some of these places and sailings and hotels.  They can actually speak from experience.  I do the same things.  Like sailing on Virgin Voyages etc.  I love this adage “been there, done that” 

You here me all the time saying I know a TA that went there.  TA’s also talk with each other.  Yes we actually communicate with one another to find out information about certain places. This way we can give you first hand experience of the place you are planning on going to.  Sometimes and this is rare but sometimes.  If you call your Travel Advisor…and they know absolutely nothing about a certain vacation, they will call their TA friend who handles that, and they help.  Yes.  TA’s help each other.

Vendors work closely with TA’s because they want the TA’s selling their product.  So they to make sure it’s all good.

Now the next thing I want to bring up is Budget…. I don’t like the word budget.  I know everyone has one.  But its not really budget…its what is this trip worth to you.  Are you celebrating a special anniversary.  Or is it the first time you are doing a multi-generation trip.  It may be the last time great grandma gets to go along.  These things are priceless.  So here are a few things you should ask of yourself. 

What do I expect from this vacation

What do I want to experience

Who will be coming along

Are we celebrating anything…. (any milestone…college graduation/high school graduation/made it through Chemo…50th wedding anniversary)

What do I want to do on this trip.  Sky diving/kayaking/see penguins or polar bears/

 Norwegian Cruise Line has a new ship…

it’s called the Prima….and this ship is a beauty and unique design…they even have a new fuel system called Liquified Natural Gas…now this is starting to become more popular with other cruise lines as well and as more cruise line build and release more ships…yes, I said more ships…LNG as they call it is a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel.

But enough about the how the ship is powered.

Jay…I am so jealous…I wasn’t invited to the inaugural sailing.  Katy Perry was there as she is the Godmother of this ship.  The inaugural wasn’t too long ago. It sailed out of Iceland.   Iceland by the way is extremely popular…. However, I did have Travel Advisors friends that did get on board….and I have to say WOW…where do I begin?

This ship is for the trailblazer…the tastemaker…the Explorer of the splendid and has the most outdoor deck space on the water.  It has the capacity to hold 3100 passengers with 1600 staterooms…they have 18…. count them 18 dining venues…with 17 bars and lounges….

Food…. Glorious Food…. My TA buddies have been posting pictures…and the first shot was a food spread of Shrimp/Crab/Lobster and more ….

 The unique design of this ship makes it a perfect place to play as well as eat…Jay I know you are into racing… what about jumping in a go cart on a tri level race course….and yes…you are suited up with a helmet…etc.…The kids will love the galaxy pavilion…you know I am a chicken when it comes to these water slides at sea…so the Prima has one of the fastest water slides at sea.

I am more into the entertainment on board and again the Prima does not disappoint.  They have a 3-story transformation theater…. That I have to see!

So, you are probably saying okay where does it sail to…Well right now it’s in Northern Europe…remember I said the inaugural was out of Iceland then went to the northern area.  They are going to have a transatlantic shortly and they are going to Bermuda…. they will have Caribbean cruises as well.  They will have several ports they call home for a while and should find her home in Port Canaveral for a little while.

By the way you can listen to Jay and myself on Collage Travel Radio. that’s Collage Travel Radio dot com its absolutely free and you can just groove to the tunes…and dream about some the places you will want to visit.

African Travel 
They combine an intoxicating mix of adventure, beauty, culture and relaxation, Africa is the perfect place to celebrate a honeymoon, wedding or anniversary or just escape and reconnect with each other. Everyone’s ideal romantic escape is different. Can you imagine relaxing in a private pool on your veranda looking out on the plains and watching the elephants or giraffes going buy…WOW

Going to Africa on Safari has something for everyone.  What a way to experience the beauty of the country and learn more and make if fun for the kids…. a Family Safari…they have many different kids to accommodate for the ages of the children.  Check with Zee Michaelson Travel.

Zee Michaelson Travel Podcast is Sponsored by: Collage Travel Radio may be focused on the travel industry, but it brings you great light and bright music streaming on the internet 24/7 and is absolutely free.  Not elevator music…the great music from the 60’s to today’s hits.   The station is for the independent traveler and for travel advisors and just anyone that loves music and travel … All you got to do is click and listen to Collage Travel Radio dot COM!

Travel opens you up to the World.  You can explore cultures and traditions. You can open you mind and your heart.  You can let your imagination run and start dreaming.  Do you want to run with the Bulls in Pamplona.  Or what about going in the deep blue sea caves in Capri.  Maybe just lie on the beach in St. Tropez.  And that’s what I am all about…. Making your travel dreams come true.  We are talking about UnCruise.

So…. Dream and Dream big…. reach for the stars and if you only get to the moon…at least you enjoyed the trip.

Don't just cruise, plan an adventure. If you're ready to take paths you never thought to adventure, you've come to the right place. We've spent the last 25 years creating daily multi-activity small boat adventures to experience some of the most remote places in the world .

Collage Travel Radio may be focused on the travel industry, but it brings you great light and bright music streaming on the internet 24/7 and is absolutely free.  Not elevator music…the great music from the 60’s to today’s hits. The station is for the independent traveler and for travel advisors and just anyone that loves music and travel … All you got to do is click and listen to Collage Travel Radio.com.

Zee Michaelson announces the group cruise for Jay and Zee on March 6, 2023 on The Summit on Celebrity Cruises.  5 nights on Celebrity Summit to Cozumel and Nassau sailing from Miami.

Jay and Zee were talking about the Discovery Channel and the great program
Expeditions Unknown with Josh Gates.

By the way you can listen to Jay and Zee on Collage Travel Radio. that’s
Collage Travel Radio dot com its absolutely free and you can just groove to the tunes
…and dream about some the places you will want to visit.

Travel opens you up to the World.  You can explore cultures and traditions. You can open you mind and your heart.  You can let your imagination run and start dreaming.  Do you want to run with the Bulls in Pamplona?  Or what about going in the deep blue sea caves in Capri.  Maybe just lie on the beach in St. Tropez.  And that’s what I am all about. Making your travel dreams come true!!!!

There is one ship line that comes to mind that has not only long boats but Ocean liners and Expeditions….and that would be Viking.

Let me tell you a bit more about Viking first.  Their River Cruises go to Europe/Asia/Egypt and the Mighty Mississippi.  Yes…the Mississippi!

Then you have their Ocean Liner…going to the Scandinavian and Northern Europe area.  American and Caribbean region/The Mediterranean and Quiet Mediterranean Seasons.  Asia and Australia…and then blow the horns strike up the band…. the Grand Voyage.  I don’t want to say it’s around the world…but dang close to it.

Collage Travel Radio may be focused on the travel industry, but it brings you great light and bright music streaming on the internet 24/7 and is absolutely free.  Not elevator music…the great music from the 60’s to today’s hits.   The station is for the independent traveler and for travel advisors and just anyone that loves music and travel … All you got to do is click and listen to Collage Travel Radio.com.

Ahoy Sailors ...
Tamika Bloodworth joins Zee Michaelson and share the joy of sailing on Virgin Voyages.

An important Travel Tip

KNOW WHEN YOUR TRAVEL CREDIT EXPIRES. I have completely forgot about telling everyone about this.  COVID  had us all spending time at home and we had travel plans that we made on cruise lines and tour groups.  Many of these companies gave you a travel credit because you could not go, and it was no fault of your own.  Many cruise lines have been working on getting these credits working for you.  But you can’t hold on to them indefinitely.  You must use them.  So, take a peek at the rule on your travel credit.  If you have a travel advisor talk to them about getting this credit utilized.  You don’t want to lose it.

Just like Expedition Cruise lines. There are many luxury River Boat cruise lines.  So, let’s take a look at Scenic Cruise.  Scenic has 12 long boats to choose from and where they go…decisions decisions…. Of course, you have Europe/France/Portugal/and South East Asia Now you saying okay ... what rivers … Let go on the Danube/Main/Rhine/Moselle/Rhone/Douro/Seine/Bordeaux/Mekong/
Irrawaddy

Something that I hate when I travel is to be nickeled and dimed.  I don’t want to keep taking out my charge card.  So Scenic offers you a truly inclusive offer…from transfers to tips. Your Exclusive Enrich, Free choice and Tailormade excursions.  They think of everything.  Like your minibar you won’t have to worry about money at all…Even bottled water when you are onshore. They really do mean all inclusive…. like unforgettable excursions, fine dining complimentary beverages.

Collage Travel Radio may be focused on the travel industry, but it brings you great light and bright music streaming on the internet 24/7 and is absolutely free.  Not elevator music…the great music from the 60’s to today’s hits.   The station is for the independent traveler and for travel advisors and just anyone that loves music and travel … All you got to do is click and listen to Collage Travel Radio.