Newsletter 9/24/09

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Last Update 9/24
Voyager of the Seas. 7 NIGHT cruise from Galveston has a starting price of $529.88 including taxes on Jan 10th, Jan 24th, Feb 7th, Feb 21st and March 7th. This is $300 less than the other dates. I don't believe you will find a better deal.

Carnival also is offering special prices out of Galveston, offering two itineraries. See below for itineraries.
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With the economy poor and worries about drug wars on the Mexican border and swine flu the travel industry has been hard hit. Every cruise line and travel vendor is offering some type of price break for travel until the end of the year with some extending into the first quarter of 2010. We have seen higher prices right now for the first quarter compared to sailing before the end of the year. (The above shows what has changed in the last week.)

If you have travel plans for that period book now because prices are low with upgrades plentiful.
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THE HOTEST CRUISE TREND IS RIVER CRUISES. They have existed for a long time in Europe but are now moving worldwide. These are destination cruises in that you are stopping a lot to see the towns and cities on the river. In addition to meals, many river cruises include shore excursions and wine with meals. So their prices might appear higher but include more. Come in and let us help you plan a great trip. The Avalon Cruises representative says their river cruises in Europe are selling better than last year.

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EUROPE TO GALVESTON IN DECEMBER by Sea
Royal Caribbean will be sending the Voyager from Barcelona, Spain to Galveston on November 29, 2009. It is a 14 night Transatlantic crossing and stops at Cartegena,Spain, Madeira, Portugal, LaPalma, Canary Islands and Miami, Florida. Cost is from $805.32 which includes taxes and government charges but does NOT include airfare to Barcelona.

This is a very relaxing alternate to flying from Europe after a business trip or heavy sightseeing tour.
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Carnival is still the only cruise line sailing weekly from Galveston. The Conquest sails every Sunday on a 7 day vacation. The cruise has alternate destinations. Once a month she sails to Key West, Florida and Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas. The other weeks the Conquest sails to Montego Bay, Grand Gayman and Cozumel.

The Ecstasy sails on 4 and five day cruises to Cozumel and Progresso and Cozumel, respectively.

Good rates still available through Dec on
both ships. The cruise lines are hoping they can get the prices back up next year.
So take that quick trip now.
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PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS!!!!
Everyone FLYING outside of the United States will need a passport effective NOW!  Yes, Mexico and Canada are outside the USA.  HOWEVER, those traveling to the CARIBBEAN by ship are being kept to the old requirements. Cruisers, departing and returning to the same port in the USA, will still just need proof of citizenship, i.e., a birth certificate,  and photo ID. This means traveling by cruise ship from/to Galveston,  or any USA port, to the Caribbean will NOT require a passport this summer.

You still do NOT need a passport to visit the U.S.Virgin Islands or Hawaii.

We still advise a passport NOW.  Imagine leaving from any US port and having to get home for an emergency. You might get home but imagine the hassle you will get along the way without a passport.
We have applications in our office.
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CELEBRITY CRUISES has a super cruise Balcelona to Venice. It is 11 nights and visits France, Italy (4 ports), Greece (2 ports) and Dubrovnik, Crotia. Two in our office staff just returned and would be happy to discuss with you. It was a truly great trip.
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In June two in our office took a 12 night Baltic cruise on Azamara. We boarded in Copenhagen, Denmark and visited Warnemunde (tour to Berlin); Helsinki,Finland with a great local market; St.Petersburg, Russia a truely magnificient city built entirely after 1702, Tallin, Estonia well preserved city from 1154 with very interesting architecture, Stockholm, Sweden with 1000s of islands in the archipeligo. The itinerary for 2009 is slightly different.Call Pauline if you have any interest 409-866-7022 See our blog.
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CHINA is changing very rapidly. There is still the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Xian Terra Cotta Soldiers, Gailian, Singapore, Bejing, Hong Kong and much, much more to see. See the Terra Cotta Soldiers in Houston at the Natural History Museum NOW.

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We always have specials on specific sailings.
Call to see if we can find something for your specific date.

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NCL has the best Hawaii itinerary. NO PASSPORTS REQUIRED. Seven nights in the Hawaiian Islands with overnights in Maui & Kauai.

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DISNEY
Beaumont Travel Consultants is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. Disney was one of the top rated cruise lines by Conde Nast in Dec 2008. We can find the best package for your family. At Disney Cruise or DisneyWorld we have packages to meet your needs.