Vacations – Necessity or Luxury?

I believe I am correct on this topic.

Vacations are a NECESSITY.

With the pace and stress in our society today, they are a necessity.  I understand the cost may have become a luxury in your budget, but nonetheless, you need a vacation. You need time “off” to unplug.  Yes, I said it “unplug” for a while. Stop and smell the roses.  Enjoy your family, friends, meet new people, read a book, take photos of nature,  maybe even have a meaningful conversation – without a phone beeping or buzzing! Almost all business coaches, speakers, personal developement specialists conclude that taking time off actually is needed for increased performance.

Many reports indicate that is is actually healthy. What is wrong with “disconnecting” from your routine to have fun? Don’t feel guilty, you deserve it. It is not just part of life, a good resting vacation should become a focal point in your life. It’s not a bad goal to have in 2010.

As you start inserting dates in your new 2010 calender, be bold, take the time to block the time out – now.  Then take the time with your loved one or traveling companion and figure out where you are going to go and what you may wan to do or see. It doesn’t matter if it is an upstate getaway to a friends cabin, exploring Europe or Alaska on a cruise, a beach chair on an island, having someone serving you poolside (nice), walking a beach at sunset.  Just start visualizing yourself somewhere, give yourself a goal, and do what you need to do so you can look back at the end of 2010 with vivid memories and the feeling that ” I am glad I did it!”

We are fortunate to interact with people taking great vacations. I hear many of them say…”We were looking at our pictures from our last trip, and decided it has been too long. We need to go again.” Are you ready to getaway?”

I wish you the best vacation ever this coming year.

Sincerely, Matt Cervone

Chief Escape Officer

Just Cruises & Vacations

P.S. Of course, our Escape Artists can help make the planning process fun and affordable. Just click the Get To Know Us Tab on top

Why Holiday Cruising ???

Why cruise during the Holidays?  The better question is, why not cruise during the Holidays?

During  “Travel Talk with the Escape Artists” episode #1, we discuss, along with Royal Caribbean Representative Marianne Hessler, the benefits of cruising during the holidays.

We discuss that “someone” we all know who says they “love to cook” for the holidays.   Can this really be?  I can’t imagine that after whipping up the first batch of cookies, that “someone” actually loves to slave in the kitchen for an entire week,  not to mention the hundreds of dollars spent doing it.  We challenge you to think about this:  Is it the actual cooking they say they love to do, or, do they  just love getting the family together for the holiday?

Imagine Mom, or Grandma, enjoying being served  a nine course meal onboard a ship, that they did not have to prepare? Do you think they may be able to have their own fond memories with their family if they did not have to cook for a week?  Or, do you think that they could enjoy a REAL conversation with their kids, whatever age they may be?  Do you think that all of this may be the REAL reason to consider being on a ship together for a week….with time to appreciate one another and create lifetime memories?

The next time you think there is “no way” you could go away over the Holiday’s, you may want to stop again and think about the real reason for the holidays.  Think about it this way, 10 years from now, will your kids remember that shirt, doll,  or game they wanted, or, will they remember all the fun they had together with their family cruising during their Holiday vacation?

I’ll let you be the judge.

Wherever you end up, we wish you a great holiday season!

Matt Cervone
President & CEO, Chief Escape Officer
Just Cruises & Vacations

Vacation – A Necessity or a Luxury?

Which is it for you?

Growing up in my era…a vacation was considered a luxury. No question. The best we had was an overnight trip to my grandparents cottage.

Then, when I was 9 years old, we took a trip to Miami.  We only went to Miami because my parents had friends there and we could conveniently stay at their home.  That was a luxury.

Then, I  felt like I hit it big when our 8th grade class trip  went to Washington DC.  I thought that was so cool.

Oh, and then there were a few overnight trips to Toronto for hockey when we were supposed to stay with host family.   Instead, I pretended to be sick so I could stay with my parents at the hotel and swim.  Much more fun then staying at a strange house.  This was a luxury!

Today, the standards for a vacation have changed.  Kids have “grown up” on cruise ships. We have clients whose children have been on 10+ cruises…before they graduated from high school.  These kids feel it is an entitlement (Until they have to pay for it!).

Nowadays,  we have been conditioned to believe it is a necessity.  No question. With all the technology, music, TV, e-books, etc most folks, whether they realize it or not, simply need to “unplug” and “decompress” from all the daily requirements of our time and attention.

A true vacation will do that for you.  With all the daily chaos in our world and around us, vacations have become a necessity. There are all kinds of studies and reports to confirm that vacations are actually “healthy.” It is a fact that when you are on vacation for 7-14 days, you “relax” or, get into “vacation mode”, as some travelers say.  I can always spot the people who  have just arrived on a vacation.  They are typically the uptight folks, bickering over every little thing!  After 4-5 days, they tend to unwind, stop their whining, become more social and begin having fun!  Most of the time, by the end of our vacation, we notice how wonderful it is to just relax and enjoy life.

Now, if we can just get a doctor to prescribe a vacation and get it covered in the new healthcare program. Any supporters?

Sincerely,

Matt Cervone
President & CEO, Chief Escape Officer
Just Cruises & Vacations

From Thrilling to Chilling

Earlier this year our friends visited Quebec City.  When in Quebec they had visited a hotel that was made entirely out of ice called the Hotel de Glace.  They described the experience as fascinating.

In addition to this Quebec attraction, there are a handful of similar attractions throughout the world.  They include the Ice Hotel in Sweden , Balea Lake Ice Hotel in Romania, Kemi Snow Castle & Lainio Snow Village in Finland, Kirkenus Snow Hotel, Ice Lodge & Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Norway.  It really is fascinating how they construct these wonders.  All of the ice hotels are reconstructed every year and depend on the sub freezing temperatures both during construction and during operation.  Everything from the walls, fixtures, and fitting are made entirely out of ice.  Even the beds are made of ice. Talk about a chilling experience!

Sometimes associated with the ice hotel is an ice bar or nightclub constructed primarily out of ice.  As a result,  several ice bars  have become a tourist hot-spot in cities like Miami, Orlando & LasVegas.   Everything, from the glasses, bar stools and bar are all made out of ice, in addition to the sculptures.

And now, beginning July 2010, the very first Ice Bar at sea will be featured on the all-new NCL Epic. Set at a temperature of under 17 degrees F, it is sure to take the term “on the rocks” to a new level. Wow, an actual “ice bar’ at sea.  I predict that it will be a great place to visit  after a hot day at the pool.

Artist rendering of the Ice Bar on the NCL Epic.

Take some time to take a look.

Better yet, consider an escape of your own. You may surprised at how affordable it is.

Our Escape Artists claim that the rates and availablility are better than expected.

We can’t think of a cooler way to beat the heat while sailing the Caribbean.

Sincerely,

Matt Cervone
Chief Escape Officer
Just Cruises & Vacations

Should I Staycation or Vacation?

If you are contemplating this thought, you are normal. At this time of year, if you have not planned to go somewhere, or have not gone at all, it is normal to want to get away.  With economics playing a factor in our decisions today, we quite often have conversations with folks contemplating a “staycation” or vacation?

I can’t decide for you, but I can give you something to think about.

A staycation can be fun and exciting for families in the summer. Jump in the car and drive to a hotel or cottage on a lake. Family walks, swims, bar-b-que’ for dinner and roasting marshmallows at night around the fire. Great memories. Kids never forget it. Nowadays, we even have dual DVD players to keep everyone entertained for the drive. My kids love Mackinaw Island, here in Michigan. Usually economical, particularly if you have complimentary accommodations. If you do not, my experience says that it may be fun, but not always cheap.

With the economy challenging the travel industry, both cruise & land vacation package deals are better than ever. They need people to sleep in their cabins and rooms. I still surprised at the consistency of great offers that come across my email & desk, daily.  That’s why I recommend you check with us, or your personal travel professional before you commit to the staycation. A week or two on a luxury cruise, visiting various islands, or an all-inclusive resort and beach (sometimes they even have casinos) are surprisingly comparable to the stayacations folks are taking.

I am not here to tell you what to do, just to enlighten you of some great options that you are now empowered with. Most people need to getaway. If you plan slipping one in, you owe it to yourself to consider the options.

Most importantly, wherever you go, whatever you do, I am sure you will get a great deal.  Be sure to make it a fun and memorable experience.

You’ll be glad you did.

Sincerely,

Matt Cervone
Chief Escape Officer
Just Cruises & Vacations