tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76165439049611394582024-03-13T10:18:11.524-07:00AshTravelGerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616543904961139458.post-84280345249620754242011-01-31T14:28:00.000-08:002011-01-31T14:28:23.470-08:00The Riu Resort in Ocho Rios JamaicaThis Riu Resort lies in the central part of the north coast of Jamaica. The beaches are covered with palm trees and are the perfect place to enjoy the Jamaican experience.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUcq6c12hPI/AAAAAAAAEws/DVjvIXJuBXs/s1600/AnnivCruiseDay5+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUcq6c12hPI/AAAAAAAAEws/DVjvIXJuBXs/s320/AnnivCruiseDay5+052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We were able to tour the Riu Resort in Ocho Rios about 3 years ago. This resort is at the top of my list for a medium priced Jamaica vacation. It is located close to Dunn’s River Falls and you can book a variety of tours at the front desk.<br />
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This resort has 856 guest rooms. The standard (double) rooms will be what you would expect at a nice Jamaica hotel. The Jr Suite has a step down to a sitting area and a larger bath with a multiple jet shower. The suites are very roomy with a living room you could entertain in, a very large balcony, and bath area about the size of the bedroom with a Jacuzzi between the two. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Some superior suits have a Jacuzzi outside on the balcony. I always recommend the Jr. Suite and up. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The fitness center and spa are both small but very nice. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Each of the two pools would be enough for a resort by themselves. Each have swim up bars. One pool has more family and sport activities, such as volleyball, and the second has full size lounge chairs sunken in the water and a zero entry at one side.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUcryUWP1PI/AAAAAAAAEw0/H-WB-unvbhs/s1600/AnnivCruiseDay5+571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUcryUWP1PI/AAAAAAAAEw0/H-WB-unvbhs/s320/AnnivCruiseDay5+571.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The beach has plenty of lounge chairs and at lunch, they set up a selection of food on the beach so you can get a plate and eat under the palm trees.<br />
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There are several dining options from 5-star food and service (with reservations – no additional cost), a large buffet area, snacks at the sports bar and a pizza shop open almost all the time.<br />
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I would rate the condition of this property overall at a 9 for a family resort of this size. I recommend the Riu Resort in Ocho Rios to my past cruise clients that are looking for an all-inclusive land package. Unless my “family” clients are looking for water park type swimming pools with slides and a lazy river, I will always make this Riu an option. It is also great for groups and large wedding parties.<br />
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Currently I am quoting a package to the Riu for a couple leaving on May 24th for a 5 night stay in an ocean front Jr. Suite. The quote includes roundtrip air from Orlando, transfers to and from the resort, the 5 night all-inclusive stay, and vacation protection including a "cancel for any reason" policy. The total trip quote is $2,035, which is an outstanding deal for this air and resort package.<br />
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Please allow me the opportunity to supply you with a quote on this great property.<br />
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Gerry Ash<br />
Jamaica Specialist<br />
Gerry@AshTravel.comGerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616543904961139458.post-2191918523646268822011-01-28T09:34:00.000-08:002011-01-28T09:44:06.115-08:00What's new with Jamaica TourismAs a travel agent whose favorite destination is Jamaica, I follow the news and trends in this travel destination closely. In the last two years, as other destinations were hit hard by the economy, there was still an increase in travelers that chose a Jamaica vacation. The outlook for 2011 is even better. Due to this increase, there are more round trip flights and more resorts being added. <br />
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With the addition of three casinos, Jamaica will open up a whole new market for Ash Travel. We will have to wait and see how well the country initiates this new piece of their tourism industry. I will share details of these new additions in future posts.<br />
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The competition in the Caribbean is keeping the pricing at a good rate compared to other countries we sell. The increase in visitors has sparked Air Jamaica to reopen direct US routes soon. This will help keep the airfare at a great rate compared to other locations.<br />
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I also see the country of Jamaica working outside of the resorts to make it safe and interesting for visitors who want to explore more of the island. I also see advances in the area of Eco tourism.<br />
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I always like to add a personal photo to my blog, so here is another that brings back good memories of Jamaica:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUL3UnaGdQI/AAAAAAAAEwM/_xcCA5_ld-k/s1600/Jamaica+3+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUL3UnaGdQI/AAAAAAAAEwM/_xcCA5_ld-k/s320/Jamaica+3+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Margaritaville in Negril is a favorite for locals and tourists. You will find an open air two story beach bar that is set up very nice for its location. </div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUL2_ONSeII/AAAAAAAAEwI/YnipRLD3GYI/s1600/Margaritaville+Jamaica.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUL2_ONSeII/AAAAAAAAEwI/YnipRLD3GYI/s320/Margaritaville+Jamaica.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Gerry AshGerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616543904961139458.post-24830720518453137202011-01-26T14:42:00.000-08:002011-01-26T14:42:37.289-08:00Excursions for your Jamaica Vacation.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Jamaica is known for its all-inclusive resorts with every kind of activity you can think of. My clients still want to know “what to do in Jamaica”. Most visitors to the country will find themselves close to Montego Bay, Negril, or Ocho Rios and each location has something to offer. Whether you are stopping in from a cruise ship, or staying at a local hotel or resort, you will find similar excursions for these locations.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In Montego Bay, I recommend John's Hall Adventure Tour to my clients that want to discover the important history of Jamaica. You will visit John’s Hall basic school and spend time with the students. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div> </span><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCJdjoCwYI/AAAAAAAAErE/DyCn5AKa67Y/s1600/NatBoys1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCJdjoCwYI/AAAAAAAAErE/DyCn5AKa67Y/s200/NatBoys1.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCKm1Pu65I/AAAAAAAAErI/2xFwnnIUIBg/s1600/CIMG0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCKm1Pu65I/AAAAAAAAErI/2xFwnnIUIBg/s200/CIMG0218.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCK_rnZIPI/AAAAAAAAErM/dCPiChdrAIE/s1600/DavidPig.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Another stop is a Plantation where you will sample exotic fruits and meet David the oversized pig</span>.</span></a> </div><br />
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<img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCK_rnZIPI/AAAAAAAAErM/dCPiChdrAIE/s200/DavidPig.JPG" width="200" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">In Ocho Rios you will find Jamaica’s most popular and famous attraction: Dunn’s River Falls - a truly outstanding treasure, offering 600 feet of climbing pleasure for thousands of visitors and locals every year. You will always find a tour to the falls at your cruise or resort tour desk. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCObS3OrEI/AAAAAAAAErQ/KWWVuTEHB1k/s1600/AnnivCruiseDay5+353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCObS3OrEI/AAAAAAAAErQ/KWWVuTEHB1k/s320/AnnivCruiseDay5+353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCO8VMCO0I/AAAAAAAAErU/OlHen2D5rko/s1600/AnnivCruiseDay5+510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCO8VMCO0I/AAAAAAAAErU/OlHen2D5rko/s320/AnnivCruiseDay5+510.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Another tour that is at the top of my list in Ocho Rios is tubing on the White River. Your breathtaking journey will take you through rapids and placid pools as your drift along the White River which takes about 45 minutes. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Negril is known for its 7-mile beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a lot of popular water related excursions there, from “Sunset Cruises” to “Deep Sea Fishing” to “Swim with the Dolphins”. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCTjgHsSLI/AAAAAAAAErc/0QHHx5kEDQw/s1600/Jamaicaxd+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCTjgHsSLI/AAAAAAAAErc/0QHHx5kEDQw/s200/Jamaicaxd+020.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">You will find several companies sailing to Rick’s Café on the cliff where you can watch locals dive from the rocks and even the tree tops. Something that makes this trip interesting is if you want to go ashore for a drink, you have to swim. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCUOTEBPdI/AAAAAAAAErg/X9pN15gcETk/s1600/Jamaicaxd+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCUOTEBPdI/AAAAAAAAErg/X9pN15gcETk/s320/Jamaicaxd+076.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">You swim 150" from your boat to climb out of the water.</span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCUu6LlKqI/AAAAAAAAErk/CxVOLaCfayg/s1600/Jamaicaxd+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TUCUu6LlKqI/AAAAAAAAErk/CxVOLaCfayg/s320/Jamaicaxd+098.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The locals collect money and then dive from the treetops.</span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So, as you can see, when my clients ask me “what to do in Jamaica” I have many great ideas for them to choose from.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Gerry Ash</div></span></span>Gerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616543904961139458.post-73453276130063967112011-01-24T22:24:00.000-08:002011-01-24T22:24:17.714-08:00Celebrity Solstice ReviewToday I read a nice review of the Celebrity Solstice. I believe this line of ships will move Celebrity closer to the Luxury Cruise market than were they have been in the years before. I flew a honeymoon couple to Italy for a 12 day cruise on the Solstice in June of 2009. They choose a spa cabin and loved the choices they made. You can find the review I spoke of here: <a href="http://www.galavanttravel.com/articles/celebrity-solstice-cruise-ship-celebrity-cruises-review/">Galavant Travel</a>Gerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616543904961139458.post-8412955885043286052011-01-24T17:38:00.000-08:002011-01-24T17:38:44.731-08:00Air Jamaica coming back to OrlandoI recently read in Travel Weekly that Air Jamaica will resume service from Orlando.<br />
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Air Jamaica will continue as and independent brand under the 'Caribbean Airlines’ ownership.<br />
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“Caribbean Airlines is based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and will focus primarily on commercial markets, while Air Jamaica will continue to target the leisure and tourism markets”.<br />
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The good news for Central Florida and Ash Travel is that Air Jamaica will resume Montego Bay service from Orlando, along with Miami and Baltimore. These routes were cut over the past two years.<br />
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As a Jamaica Specialist, this is great news. We now will have three airlines to book direct flights to Jamaica from Orlando. Jamaica Vacations are on the rise and now with Air Jamaica, Jet Blue, and Air Tran competing, we believe we will be able to keep offering some great resort packages at some of the best prices in the Caribbean.<br />
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Gerry AshGerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616543904961139458.post-8455765194262460042011-01-14T21:17:00.000-08:002011-01-14T21:17:16.374-08:00Why I chose to be a Jamaica Vacation Specialist<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TTEsrWSn_2I/AAAAAAAAEqg/yGWKxHf6TmY/s1600/Jamaica+Resorts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TTEsrWSn_2I/AAAAAAAAEqg/yGWKxHf6TmY/s320/Jamaica+Resorts.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My first trip to Montego Bay was in 2006. After a day trip to Negril, I knew I wanted to come back for more. The 7 mile beach at Negril has something for everyone. In 2008 while cruising the Caribbean we went river tubing in the mountains of Ocho Rios and afterwards I was able to tour the amazing Riu Resort. In 2010, I jumped on an offer from the Jamaica tourism board and was able to tour 13 different properties in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril. After that trip, I was hooked on Jamaica.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TTEsT1FYY1I/AAAAAAAAEqc/5PAySS17G78/s1600/Jamaica+Resort+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/TTEsT1FYY1I/AAAAAAAAEqc/5PAySS17G78/s320/Jamaica+Resort+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Jamaica has so much to offer. There are all-inclusive resorts for families, couples, groups, graduation trips, weddings and any other reason you can think of to make memories. What makes Jamaica a great location for Ash Travel to recommend is the air service from Orlando and Ft Lauderdale. Jet Blue and Air Tran have 2 hour direct flights around $300pp. </div>Gerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616543904961139458.post-45124461420916197042010-07-13T15:08:00.000-07:002010-07-13T15:08:58.525-07:00AshTravel: Our Inspection of the Carnival Dream<a href="http://gerry-ashtravel.blogspot.com/2010/07/our-inspection-of-carnival-dream.html">AshTravel: Our Inspection of the Carnival Dream</a>Gerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616543904961139458.post-83627335108423370732010-07-13T15:05:00.000-07:002010-07-13T15:05:43.565-07:00Our Inspection of the Carnival Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4111990441_e7f766ed45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4111990441_e7f766ed45.jpg" width="224" wt="true" /></a>Natalee and I were able to tour the Carnival Dream last month (March 2010) and are looking forward to a trip on the Dream or her sister ship the "Carnival Magic" which is scheduled to launch the summer of 2011. Carnival has built these ships about 20% larger than their previous largest ship. The passenger count has not changed much and it was apparent when looking at the common areas of this ship. I took most of these photos but added a few from Carnival. This link is to more stock photos from carnival.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_dream/ship_highlights.htm">Carnival Dream ship highlights </a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A lot of what we saw was the same "Fun Ship" we have come to expect from Carnival, but there were also some impressive new features that I want to share with you. Also I want to show you some pictures I took of cabins.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIJJ5QEqI/AAAAAAAAEOI/A1EixtxrYec/IMG_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIJJ5QEqI/AAAAAAAAEOI/A1EixtxrYec/IMG_0114.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a>We were on the ship around 10:30 and were viewing cabins as they were being cleaned and prepared for the next guest. Most of you probably have not seen a quad room set up. In this balcony room, there is a sofa bed and a Fourth bed that drops down from the ceiling.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIIDLqj1I/AAAAAAAAEOE/tYP14KnG0-Y/IMG_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIIDLqj1I/AAAAAAAAEOE/tYP14KnG0-Y/IMG_0113.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a>Here I got a shot of an inside quad cabin that would be for four adults. At least one person over 25 has to be booked in each cabin. we could not book 4 children in a room. Some families may book adjoining cabins and let the kids sleep together.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIf8UeieI/AAAAAAAAEPo/Dby4PMQVeyU/IMG_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIf8UeieI/AAAAAAAAEPo/Dby4PMQVeyU/IMG_0138.JPG" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIhJU7X6I/AAAAAAAAEPs/7h0iofGj63U/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIhJU7X6I/AAAAAAAAEPs/7h0iofGj63U/IMG_0139.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a>One of the suites we looked at was decorated with a "Happy Anniversary" package from Carnival. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIDJg1boI/AAAAAAAAENs/E_vZXv7e7R0/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIDJg1boI/AAAAAAAAENs/E_vZXv7e7R0/IMG_0107.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sICYeG2SI/AAAAAAAAENo/Q_5x3pAsdpU/IMG_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sICYeG2SI/AAAAAAAAENo/Q_5x3pAsdpU/IMG_0106.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a>Carnival has added something new to its large variety of staterooms. This one includes dual bathrooms, which consist of one full bath with a tub and one bath with shower. The two doors on the left past Natalee are the bathrooms. This cabin is made up as a triple with the sofa bed. Looking at the ceiling you will see there is a fourth bed available.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sItEheNZI/AAAAAAAAEQc/TmxWmk1iZBg/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sItEheNZI/AAAAAAAAEQc/TmxWmk1iZBg/IMG_0151.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIj7hk53I/AAAAAAAAEP4/gs5TwH9Xyqc/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIj7hk53I/AAAAAAAAEP4/gs5TwH9Xyqc/IMG_0142.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a>This is another suite on the Carnival Dream. This is a great stateroom for an anniversary or honeymoon. The closet and drawer space is double the norm and the balcony is also twice the size of a std room. The next picture show the bath for this cabin. With granite counters, double sinks, and a large tub with Jacuzzi jets.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Someone received some nice departing gifts in this stateroom.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJGHxrKAI/AAAAAAAAESI/qBNvskqRyL0/IMG_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJGHxrKAI/AAAAAAAAESI/qBNvskqRyL0/IMG_0178.JPG" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is an outside stateroom set up with a queen and two twins for a family.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIHeo2rJI/AAAAAAAAEOA/YWKkQsNs1aI/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIHeo2rJI/AAAAAAAAEOA/YWKkQsNs1aI/IMG_0112.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIVVTGh6I/AAAAAAAAEO8/qXgcGNF_Sf0/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIVVTGh6I/AAAAAAAAEO8/qXgcGNF_Sf0/IMG_0127.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a>At the front corners of the ship, there are two cabins that can be used as a suite. There is a door entering into a small entryway then two doors entering the cabins. This allows them to be booked together or as two separate rooms. The two balcony pictures are for these two rooms and the partition is open creating one very large wrap around balcony.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIXcagiUI/AAAAAAAAEPE/7XNj5ma-N98/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sIXcagiUI/AAAAAAAAEPE/7XNj5ma-N98/IMG_0129.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sKc01tFkI/AAAAAAAAEWs/FtMbr11HGH8/IMG_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sKc01tFkI/AAAAAAAAEWs/FtMbr11HGH8/IMG_0249.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a>This is the menu for the Statehouse. The normal dining room food and service was excellent, but for a superior steak, you can pay a little extra and get a meal fit for a king.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sKDOZVg6I/AAAAAAAAEVY/PwhcBjUUxZQ/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sKDOZVg6I/AAAAAAAAEVY/PwhcBjUUxZQ/IMG_0228.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a>Check out the computers in Camp Carnival! The Carnival Dream has the largest play area for kids in the fleet. I could not imagine a game that I did not see on the shelf as we toured these areas.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJ-xZK-kI/AAAAAAAAEVI/nD6eDjo11SU/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJ-xZK-kI/AAAAAAAAEVI/nD6eDjo11SU/IMG_0224.JPG" width="640" wt="true" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJjtOFxnI/AAAAAAAAET0/5NShuM3_AoE/IMG_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJjtOFxnI/AAAAAAAAET0/5NShuM3_AoE/IMG_0204.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div>The water park is the largest for now. The cruise lines are so fast at out doing each other, we will be seeing even more to come. And that is saying a lot. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJymy9ppI/AAAAAAAAEUg/SGGwaFLh96w/IMG_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJymy9ppI/AAAAAAAAEUg/SGGwaFLh96w/IMG_0214.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a>The Dream has a nice mini-golf course.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJ2dlGiLI/AAAAAAAAEUs/twpu_z2u_O8/IMG_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJ2dlGiLI/AAAAAAAAEUs/twpu_z2u_O8/IMG_0217.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a>It is more creative than most others we have seen.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJQa9FKeI/AAAAAAAAESw/0lTyAOFPzOI/IMG_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJQa9FKeI/AAAAAAAAESw/0lTyAOFPzOI/IMG_0188.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a>Carnival has increased the size of the "Serenity" Adult only area on the Dream. It is at the front of the ship and on 2 decks. The upper deck has plenty of lounge chairs for the sun bathers, a hot tub, hammock, and couches for groups to gather.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJYsqXjUI/AAAAAAAAETI/CAsV9uN-nXY/IMG_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJYsqXjUI/AAAAAAAAETI/CAsV9uN-nXY/IMG_0194.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJWUUVj7I/AAAAAAAAETA/3t5mxKf3Oco/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJWUUVj7I/AAAAAAAAETA/3t5mxKf3Oco/IMG_0192.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJexbeswI/AAAAAAAAETg/pME6j4WWMoM/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJexbeswI/AAAAAAAAETg/pME6j4WWMoM/IMG_0200.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The lower deck has a nice bar with your favorite beverage. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There is comfortable seating in the shade.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJcLIo1nI/AAAAAAAAETU/jD0eqv_jVvA/IMG_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJcLIo1nI/AAAAAAAAETU/jD0eqv_jVvA/IMG_0197.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJbXgzXDI/AAAAAAAAETQ/4JxjiQR84Z8/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/S8sJbXgzXDI/AAAAAAAAETQ/4JxjiQR84Z8/IMG_0196.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a>Also more two person loungers at the edge of the deck.</div>Gerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616543904961139458.post-2095922353180487042008-05-21T09:11:00.000-07:002010-01-02T10:15:39.301-08:00Princess Cay<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/Sz-MZaJaYHI/AAAAAAAADcE/D2V0ZMu7yTc/s1600-h/2008+Princess+Cruise2+148.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422206844520783986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/Sz-MZaJaYHI/AAAAAAAADcE/D2V0ZMu7yTc/s320/2008+Princess+Cruise2+148.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/Sz-MZCpXBJI/AAAAAAAADb8/176GnOlIznU/s1600-h/2008+Princess+Cruise2+107.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422206838212330642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qO_mJxcQEJw/Sz-MZCpXBJI/AAAAAAAADb8/176GnOlIznU/s320/2008+Princess+Cruise2+107.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Princess Cay is a small island at the tip of a 12-mile long island in the Bahamas. It is used by Princess Cruise Lines as a port of call on a lot of their Caribbean cruises. I found Princess Cay to be small but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">beautiful</span>. There was plenty of room and amenities for everyone. They had a variety of fresh fruit available an hour after we landed and lunch was served from 11am to 1pm and drinks were available until 3pm. I would rate the snorkeling off the island a 6 out of 10.<br />Here is a link to some pictures I took while at Princess Cay:<br /><br /><a title="blocked::http://picasaweb.google.com/GerryAsh/PicasaOnlinePrincessCay" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GerryAsh/PicasaOnlinePrincessCay">http://picasaweb.google.com/GerryAsh/PicasaOnlinePrincessCay</a></div></div>Gerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7616543904961139458.post-61945486217451602642008-05-21T08:10:00.000-07:002008-05-21T09:43:52.327-07:00Caribbean PrincessMay 2008,<br />My wife and I took a long weekend trip on the Caribbean Princess. It was a short trip with one stop at Princess Cay. This is a beautiful ship and we found that it will take more than 3 days to cover all it has to offer. Our favorite feature was the Movie Under the Stars. This is a 22' screen located at the forward pool deck. There are movies showing all day and into the early morning hours. While watching the movie and eating popcorn, a crew member shows up pushing a cart and wearing a 'milk and cookies' hat. He served us a fresh glass of milk with a HOT chocolate chip cookie. I was impressed. This ship has a lot to offer. The common rooms are not as large as some other ships, but with all the venues, the 3,000 passengers are spread out. We checked out the kids programs and found everything I could imagine to keep your children busy and having the time of their lives.<br /><br />This link is to some pictures I took during our trip. I will post others of Princess Cay and the underwater pics I took there.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GerryAsh/PicasaOnlineCaribbeanPrincess">http://picasaweb.google.com/GerryAsh/PicasaOnlineCaribbeanPrincess</a>Gerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956879354074358352noreply@blogger.com0