tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22436843804738860632024-03-05T21:17:22.950-06:00Good Travel Now - Call Greg BoyantonContact me at 601-992-8109 or goodtravelnow@yahoo.com. If you would like to be added to my e-mail list, send me a message with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Your name and e-mail address will be kept private.Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-3678800844242560972011-04-05T22:48:00.001-05:002011-04-05T23:16:21.961-05:00What The......................?Have you ever wondered "what the......." when you are people watching? I have told many a client that one great thing about being on a cruise ship or at a resort is people watching! There are so many different kinds of people out there. We have all seen the woman with the big hair that is as black as soot, while she has the brightest red lipstick smeared on laying out in the sun with the wide brimmed straw hat......or the guy with a big gut hanging over his speedo, while he is preparing for his next graceful dive into the pool. Doesn't it make you want to say "what the.........?" I bet anyone who is reading this would have a story to tell about some people watching event. When people are on vacation, so many of them "let their hair down", sometimes to an extreme level. Letting your hair down is a great thing to do, but let's not be the person that people look at and say, "what the.........?" I have been that person myself. Haven't you? We have to let loose and enjoy ourselves, but don't have to make spectacles of ourselves.Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-75114145316814419312011-04-05T22:41:00.002-05:002011-04-05T22:47:33.219-05:00Don't Tell The World That You Are On Vacation!I have thought about it before, but have never posted it..........If you are going on vacation, as excited as you are, don't post it on all of your social networks! If you post it on the web, then every thief that has access to your status will know that the house will be empty and all of your things are ripe for the picking! We all think "things like that happen to somebody else, it won't happen to me". Just remember to somebody else, YOU are somebody else!Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-82866843590804639862011-03-08T21:29:00.001-06:002011-03-08T21:31:13.186-06:00MSC Has Free Upgrades In EuropeMSC cruise line has great deals for European cruises, which include free upgrades from inside cabins to oceanview cabins. Take advantage of this great price advantage.Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-68778800402879369192011-03-05T18:40:00.002-06:002011-03-05T18:43:39.781-06:00Goodness Gracious Let's Go!It is time to get going! I have been on a staycation since November of 2009. I am beyond ready to go on vacation! Now I just have to figure out where to go, pay a deposit and get out of town. Goodness gracious let's go!Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-80831064161118809212011-02-26T21:19:00.002-06:002011-02-26T21:22:14.299-06:00Fuel SurchagesI have a sneaky feeling that the cruise lines are going to add the fuel surcharges to all reservations very soon! The price of a barrel of oil has been way above the prices that they all said it could reach before they added the surcharge. Remember, they can add it even if a reservation is paid in full.Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-65038554989889947672011-02-17T22:50:00.003-06:002011-02-21T22:45:48.433-06:00TENDER ISN'T HOW SOFT YOUR STEAK IS.....When you are on a cruise, sometimes you have to be "tendered" in to the port from your ship. A ship's tender is a boat that is used to transport passengers to and from shore. Particlarly when their isn't a pier that the ship can pull to and dock. Your cruise ship anchors, then the tenders come out to your ship, pick you up and take you to the shore. These smaller boats typically make regular trips back and forth, transporting passengers throughout the day.<br /><br />If you or your traveling companion have any physical limitations, it would be a good idea to make sure that your travel agent knows about those limitations and can tell you how and if the tender's can accomodate you in a tender port. For instance, on many many tenders, you must be able to get yourself into the boat without assistance, such as would require a staff member to carry you. You can take a folding wheelchair, but couldn't take a large piece of equipment that requires lifting and carrying by the staff. Just something to keep in mind while planning.<br /><br />More later........Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-1413853288565746922011-02-05T13:50:00.002-06:002011-02-05T13:56:27.082-06:00You Can TooThink you can't afford a vacation? I bet you can. Most travel agents are able to offer affordable payment plans at no interest, making it much easier to make your plans. If you plan your vacation far enough in advance, it may be much more affordable than you think. You deserve to get away.Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-555199892084963282011-02-05T13:06:00.005-06:002011-02-10T12:48:57.481-06:00HONEYMOONAll of those weeks and months are spent planning, spending all of that money, making all of those decisions about who, where, what and when. The big day finally comes.......all of the guests arrive, the music is playing, everyone is seated. In comes the groom to the front of the room. He waits for his bride to enter. The anticipation is awesome. Suddenly she enters the sanctuary with her father by her side. The groom's pulse intensifies. All of the guests rise to stand in her presence. There she is in that beautiful white dress of lace and chiffon. Her bouquet of white roses and ribbon is nested in her hand while she grips her father's elbow. Here comes the bride playing from the organ. She marches down the aisle to join with her groom. The minister reads the vows aloud. The bride and groom recite the vows to one another. Then the pronouncement and the groom kisses his wife. They rush down the center aisle while the guests applaud their union.<br /><br />The greetings and reception are over. The day has been exhausting, yet wonderul. Where to go now? Hopefully, the bride and groom have planned that perfect honeymoon. Designed to be celebrative, relaxing, entertaining, private, loud, quiet.......whatever the couple will enjoy. Maybe it's a trip to an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica, or onboard a beautiful cruise ship. Hawaii, the perfect spot for honeymooners. Europe to enjoy Paris or to sail on a casual river cruise. So many choices.<br /><br />Every couple should include a honeymoon to complete the whole wedding experience. It can be as elaborate or as simple as they prefer. A travel agent like me is a wonderful resource to help with the planning and reservations. Whether it be a trip to the coast for a few days or a week long get-away, give me a call or drop me an email. I will be glad to help make the dream trip a reality.Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-23953295115315435302011-01-30T20:58:00.002-06:002011-01-30T21:14:19.301-06:00Will I fall off of the ship?Recently I was talking to someone about cruises and they asked me what I thought about these people who have "fallen" off of cruise ships. My answer was......you can't just "fall" off of a cruise ship! In my opinion, there is no place on a ship where you can just accidently fall of of the ship while simply enjoying your cruise vacation.<br /><br />In order to fall off, you have to be doing something you shouldn't be doing. You would have to be hanging way over the railing that goes all the way around the ship on every accessible deck and go overboard. You would have to get up on top of a rail, and jump or be thrown overboard. Don't worry about falling off, just worry about what the next fun activity you are going to enjoy will be while on your cruise! What are you waitng for? Call me!Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-76895010393392298832011-01-25T22:15:00.003-06:002011-02-01T22:12:31.260-06:00Cruises are such a great valueYou know.......cruises are such a great option for vacationing. When you are on a cruise ship, all of this is included: your cabin, meals in the public restaurants and buffet, all of the onboard entertainment, much more and all of the people watching you can stand!<br /><br />I bring this up because I was talking to a client about the differences in prices and inclusions, as well as, exclusions between a cruise vacation and a land vacation.<br /><br />With a land vacation, you pay for your accomodations, purchase all of your food and entertainment....you still get to do all of the people watching you can stand!<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, land based vacations are great! I love taking them and selling them. However, when talking about overall value, a cruise vacation is almost always a better value.<br /><br />Just my opinion.<br /><br />More later...........<br /><br />GregGreg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-22777482838507530832011-01-21T15:31:00.002-06:002011-01-21T15:38:20.159-06:00I read that Jennifer Hudson has been named as the godmother of Disney Cruise Line's newest ship the Disney Dream. I hope she will sing on there regularly. Wow, what a voice! The Dream launches in late January 2011.<br /><br />The Disney ships offer what no other cruise line has.......Mickey Mouse and the whole cast of Disney characters. These floating Disney resorts offer a full host of children's activities and entertainment for adults only. Families can have fun together, but if mom and dad want to find an environment for only 18 and over, the ship has places for them too, away from all of the children.<br /><br />Just thought you would want to know.<br /><br />More later...............Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-30908655719203424292011-01-17T19:31:00.005-06:002011-01-18T20:54:07.063-06:00What is a group cruise anyway?I have been talking about "group cruises" and thought about the fact that not everyone knows what what a "group cruise" is. Let me see if I can explain it.<br /><br />Cruise lines consider a set of 8 cabins with at least 2 people per cabin as a group.<br /><br />A group cruise is one which a group of people that have a common interest, whether it be members of a social group or club, schoolmates, church group, professional group, family reunion, friends getaway, etc. all get together and go on the same cruise on the same dates.<br /><br />I usually have a "group leader" who has the responsibility of helping to promote the group to the targeted people, such as family members or members of a social organization. I provide the group leader with tools such as registration forms, a group website, fliers, etc. to accomplish this. I also usually reward the leader with some assistance with their own cabin.<br /><br />With a group cruise, I can also offer a much lower deposit to hold your cabin. Typically only $50.00 per person, instead of $150.00 to $250.00 per person. Then interest-free payments until the full balance is due. With most groups, there are amenities that can be offered like onboard credit or gifts. Often times the price per person is lower in cruise groups too.Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-77128260703347896412011-01-16T21:41:00.002-06:002011-01-16T21:53:58.933-06:0034 Days on a ship???I read a post that a fellow agent made about some of their clients going on a 34 day cruise. As much as I LOVE cruising, I just can't imagine being on a 34 day cruise. Shocking, I know. I also realized that it definitely won't be 34 straight days onboard the ship. However, I can't imagine being gone that long on vacation. Probably not what I should be sharing, since I am, afterall, a travel agent!<br /><br />I have so many clients who tell me that they don't want to go on a 7 day cruise. That 4 or 5 days is plenty. Overall the feeling of so many people is 4 days is a tease. 5 days is getting there. 7 days is da bomb! With 7 days, you get at least 3 stops, if not more plus you have enough days at sea to enjoy the activities and relaxation of being onboard the ship. I do enjoy the onboard experience as much as visiting the ports. I'm just sayin..............<br /><br />More later..........<br /><br />GregGreg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-58532438207827989772011-01-15T19:09:00.003-06:002011-01-15T19:14:54.289-06:00ON YOUR WORST DAY.........Remember this when you think you are having a bad day. There are people all over this great world of ours that wish they could have just one day in their lives that is as good as your very worst day.Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-44708840397718922652011-01-12T22:18:00.003-06:002011-01-12T22:28:38.068-06:00NCL Now Sailing Year Round From New OrleansDid you know........we now have 2 cruise lines sailing year round from New Orleans. Carnival cruise lines has been there for years. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has been sailing from New Orleans during the late fall and early spring for a while too. Starting in 2011, NCL will stay in New Orleans sailing 7-day itineraries to the Western Caribbean year round! This is exciting news to have another option there. In addition to this, Royal Caribbean is going to be sailing from November 2011 until April 2012 7-day itineraries to Jamaica - Grand Cayman - Cozumel, Mexico from New Orleans onboard the Voyager of the Seas. This ship is fantastic!<br /><br />Great options to plan your cruise group sailing!<br /><br />Just thought I would let you know..........<br /><br />More later.......<br /><br />Greg BoyantonGreg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com197tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-62247630872488564732011-01-12T21:50:00.002-06:002011-01-12T22:07:40.163-06:00START YOUR OWN GROUPIt may just be time to start your own group to take a fantastic cruise to the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera or just imagine, Alaska! I can handle all of the details for you!<br /><br />Cruise groups are a great option for class reunions, school reunions, military reunions, dance clubs, crafting clubs, Sunday School classes, church groups, the list goes on and on. You can also get a group of friends together and everyone go on a cruise together. You will all be pampered, nobody has to cook. No worries about things to do to keep everybody entertained.<br /><br />More later.....<br /><br />Greg Boyanton<br />GoodTravelNowGreg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243684380473886063.post-28808297779647409782011-01-11T12:25:00.007-06:002011-01-11T20:42:25.087-06:00"A Cruise Is My Favorite Vacation"<div>I can't wait until I get my feet back on the deck of a cruise ship, which really could be called floating resorts in my opinion! From the moment the planning starts, the excitement starts for me and my family. A cruise is my favorite vacation because it includes everything that sustains us while onboard........a cabin with beds and a shower, many choices for where to eat, chairs to veg out, relax and people watch, both indoors and outside on the decks, plus all kinds of entertainment to keep us busy!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ0uQhLFaEnKpwxsttSPbMDKSYGdOXsbWt2KeyQEdFkIXEIFXnAp3t3bAB6PDAn5oUrVPeCr1OKpRmLAd6XbnYqZA6Ou1SQQuZxq8VZifgkikg1FDo0dpTTQz5xq51YE6RgMkGSovUsg1/s1600/FH+Fifties+Group+Photo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561123637809960994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ0uQhLFaEnKpwxsttSPbMDKSYGdOXsbWt2KeyQEdFkIXEIFXnAp3t3bAB6PDAn5oUrVPeCr1OKpRmLAd6XbnYqZA6Ou1SQQuZxq8VZifgkikg1FDo0dpTTQz5xq51YE6RgMkGSovUsg1/s320/FH+Fifties+Group+Photo.jpg" /></a><br />The wind in your hair. The sun on your skin. The relaxation throughout your entire body. Friends to be made. Things to see. Things to do. Places to see..................These are the reasons I love cruising.<br /><br />I actually specialize in cruises, particularly group cruises. Kind of natural, huh, since I love cruises so much myself. I have coordinated reunion groups, family groups, organizational groups, plus the hundreds of individual reservations. The largest group I've handled is 96 people and the smallest is 10. They each are as important as the other.<br /><br />More later...............</div><br /><div></div><div>Greg Boyanton</div><div>GoodTravelNow</div><div>601-992-8109</div><div><a href="mailto:goodtravelnow@yahoo.com">goodtravelnow@yahoo.com</a></div><br /><div></div>Greg Boyanton, Travel Consultanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061810485008011393noreply@blogger.com0