Information
Weddings/Honeymoons/Anniversaries
Hurricanes
& Cruising
Motion
Discomfort (Seasickness)
Weddings/Honeymoons/Anniversaries
What's your dream wedding? We can arrange weddings on cruise
ships or at all-inclusive vacation resorts. Tropical island wedding
ceremonies on a lagoon overlooking the ocean on the bluffs of Kauai,
Maui, Mexico or the Caribbean. Special honeymoon and anniversary
packages that reinvigorate those deep feelings. Whether it's small
and private or large and detailed, we can help you make it very
special and memorable.
We work with the wedding departments at Royal Caribbean,
Princess, Carnival, Norwegian, Disney and a host of land-based
resorts. Make your special day hassle free. Wedding coordinators
handle the details so you can enjoy the event in a less stressful
way than traditional weddings. Packages can be tailored to fit every
budget. Airline arrangements, limousine service, pre and post hotel
packages, flowers, photographers, we cover it all.
If a wedding at sea isn't what you had in mind, ask about
Hawaii, the South Pacific, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and other
exciting and romantic destinations.
Indulge in an all-inclusive resort celebration. Visit Jamaica,
St. Lucia, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean islands. Check out
Cancun, Mexico or visit Hawaii, the South Pacific Islands and more.
We'll help you choose the perfect resort to fit both your dreams and
your budget.
Cruises offer a world of pampering. On a cruise celebration, your
floating resort takes you from one exciting port of call to the
next, yet you pack and unpack just once. Call today. We'll help you
navigate your cruise choices.
If you have 10 or more adults traveling together, you will
qualify for special group rates.
Call Manon
at 480-752-2184 and find out more about these romantic
opportunities.
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Hurricanes
& Cruising
Technology and flexibility are used to ensure complete safety. Read
the view from the bridge by some of the most experienced captains
in the Caribbean.
The National Hurricane Center has revised downward its prediction
of the number of tropical storms expected in the upcoming hurricane
season. That's good news for cruisers. Passenger safety is always
the paramount concern of the cruise lines and you can be sure they
are not going to put you in harm's way. The following information
should help you better understand the approach cruise lines take to
managing this annual problem.
It's no surprise that nearly every ship cruising the
Caribbean during the fall is steeply discounted. Fear of hurricanes
keeps some of the most experienced cruisers from even venturing
near the region. However, while it's true that ships do directly
encounter these climatic behemoths in the oceans of the world, it's
a different story in the Caribbean.
Probably no one has more experience with Caribbean hurricanes
than a ship's captain. We asked Carnival Destiny Captain Leonardo
Francolla to tell the story from the bridge.
According to Captain Francolla, hurricanes never arrive by
surprise. "Ships receive advisories by radio, satellite, fax
and e-mail from the U.S. Weather Service, the Hurricane Center in
Miami and the U.S. Coast Guard," he says. "On the bridge,
the position, speed and direction of the storm is then tracked on a
computerized nautical chart. Making allowances for possible changes
in the direction, speed and storm force, the future positions of the
storm are compared to the itinerary of the ship," Captain
Francolla explains.
If a hurricane does threaten a port on the ship's itinerary, the
Captain will consult with his senior officers and decide to alter
the ship's course in the interests of safety, also advising the
cruise company so that new port arrangements can be made.
According to Captain Francolla, "The advance timing of a
decision to alter course is based on the size of the area affected
by the storm, its force and the distance of the ship from an
alternative port. It also depends on how much time is needed to
notify the alternative port and make arrangements.
"Staying in port during a hurricane is never an option,
according to Captain Francolla. "A ship is much safer at sea,
where she has room for maneuvering. A hurricane's tremendous wind
can cause the moorings to break and push a ship aground or against
another vessel in the harbor. Another threat is ocean surge, which
may come with a hurricane," he says.
When new ports of call are substituted, what are your chances of
experiencing at least some bad weather? It depends. According to
Captain Francolla, "It is possible but, since we've selected a
new course to avoid the storm, the effects, if any, will be minimal.
Of course we try to comply with the printed itinerary, but there
have been instances when the whole cruise has been rearranged with
different ports. This is due to passengers and ship safety or the
inability of a port just affected by a storm to accommodate the ship
following a hurricane."
The Carnival Destiny Captain says he's yet to directly encounter
a hurricane in the Caribbean. "So far the timely advisories of
the Hurricane Center in Miami, which keeps a watchful eye not only
on the Caribbean but also on the Atlantic where most of the
hurricanes are generated, have given us the advance notice necessary
to successfully avoid them," he says.
Mike Moulin, Captain of
Princess Cruises' new Grand Princess, summed it up well: "It
would take a pretty stupid captain to get caught in a
hurricane," he
said.
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Motion
Discomfort (Seasickness)
Think you might feel a little out of sorts on your
cruise? Remember the "Pygmallion Effect." It is simply
that the expectation of an event may in fact cause the event to
occur! Try not to worry about it too much. To be on the safe side
though, here are a few words about Motion Discomfort (Seasickness)
Motion Discomfort (seasickness) is a common
affliction that can turn a cruise into a nightmare. The name is
actually a misnomer. Seasickness is just another form of motion
sickness, much like that of "car sickness" or "air
sickness". The "sickness" occurs when the body's
receptors - - the eyes and the balance centers of the inner ear - -
are receiving conflicting information. In short, when you are on a
cruise ship you lose a stable point of reference because the inner
ear is receiving information that tells your brain that you are
moving in a lot of different directions - - forward as the ship
sails the sea, rolling side to side and perhaps a yawing motion as
the ship twists on its axis. While this is going on, the eyes are
telling you that you are standing still. This contradictory
information can produce seasickness, resulting in dizziness, nausea,
clammy skin and headaches.
"Seasickness is not uncommon," says
Dr. Michael Morris, associate professor at the Georgetown University
School of Medicine in Washington. "It is the inability of a
person to cope with changes in the environment. It's not too
different from motion sickness. Balance is a very central factor,
and the motion [on a ship] overwhelms the system."
"The single most helpful therapeutic
action is to look at the horizon," said the doctor. By looking
at the fixed horizon, the body can begin to "fix" its
center of balance, and thus counteract the motion sickness.
Several medications are available to treat seasickness. Over-the-counter antihistamines, said Dr. Morris, reduce
the reaction of the inner ear to movement, and Dramamine, another
over-the-counter medication, suppresses central nervous system
activity and reduces the feelings of nausea.
Another treatment we have used with success is an
accupressure bracelet worn on the wrist. A "button" on the
inner side of the bracelet presses against the nerves on the wrist
and somehow counteracts the feeling of nausea. "The wrist is a
center of nerve transudation," Dr. Morris explained,
"though I can't explain why [the accupressure bracelet]
works."
The cloth-and-elastic bracelet sold in travel,
drug, marine and boating stores is very effective. Better yet,
the bracelet has no side-effects, can be used over and over and can
be shared.
There are other non-medical ways to combat seasickness, Dr. Morris added. "Avoid heavy foods, fatty foods and
alcohol, which exacerbates the feelings of balance," he
explained. "Try to keep your stomach empty. Have smaller and
more frequent meals."
One popular remedy, "The Patch," has
returned to the market after a three-year hiatus. Pulled off the
market because it was releasing uneven amounts of the drug
scopolamine, the new -- and fixed -- patch is like a circular
bandage that is worn on your skin, usually behind your ear. The
patch dispenses the drug scopolamine into your system. It's easy to
wear, and it works for three days at a time. The patch is available
only by prescription.
Best yet, of
course, is to consult your physician before you get on the ship and
ask for advice on what treatment is best for you. If you are on a
ship, visit the ship's medical office, where treatment will be
provided, sometimes free, sometimes for a fee, depending on what
action is
taken.
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Cruise
FAQ's
Things you ought to know about cruise vacations.
With the continued increase in the popularity of
cruise vacations, there has been a similar increase in media
attention on cruising. A vast majority of this media is extremely
positive and focuses on the great value and new developments of
today's cruise vacation. However, occasional news stories regarding
ship safety, security and sanitation do occur which may generate
questions from your clients and prospects.
The U.S.
Coast Guard has declared cruise ships operating from U.S. ports to
be one of the safest forms of transportation. Because safety -- of
both passengers and crew -- continues to be the cruise industry's
number one priority, the Cruise Line Coalition offers CLIA
affiliates the following points to help respond to customers'
potential questions and concerns regarding shipboard
safety.
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Safety
Standards
All cruise ships must meet standards set by the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International
Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
Ships operating from U.S. ports are also subject to
U.S. federal and state regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard inspects
all ships sailing out of U.S. ports four times a year.
The
International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) sets guidelines and
mandatory standards for cruise companies seeking or maintaining
membership in the association. These standards meet or exceed
international and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to cruise
ships.
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Safety
Equipment
The average cruise ship has more than 4,000 smoke
detectors; More than 500 fire extinguishers; More than 6 miles of
fire fighting hose; 5,000 sprinkler heads; 400 fire stations or
hydrants and sufficient lifeboats and life rafts for more than the
number of individuals onboard.
In addition,
the average cruise ship has more than 170 fully trained
firefighting personnel, and many with advanced firefighting
training., Emergency and medical crews are only a few hundred feet
from any possible incident. This means that the average response
time in an emergency is a matter of
minutes.
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Onboard
Security
A cruise
ship is comparable to a secure building with a 24-hour security
guard. It is a controlled environment with limited access. Once
underway, only documented employees and fare-paying passengers are
permitted onboard. In addition, highly trained security personnel
are employed on every vessel. U.S. laws protect American cruise line
passengers. The FBI and federal authorities investigate and
prosecute alleged crimes involving Americans in international
waters. According to FBI statistics, cruise ships are safer than
virtually anywhere in the U.S. in terms of crimes of any type.
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Sanitation
Sanitation standards on cruise ships far exceed
those of any land-based facility. The industry and the U.S. Public
Health Service Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
have jointly established construction guidelines and operational
procedures to maintain those high standards. The cruise industry
voluntarily works with the CDC, which oversees health and sanitary
conditions on all passenger vessels visiting U.S. ports.
Ships are
subject to unannounced inspections by CDC officials, concentrating
on fresh and drinking water, spa and pool systems, food storage,
preparation and service areas, general hygiene, and waste management
equipment and facilities. Ships are also periodically rated through
the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) and must meet industry standards.
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Answers
to FAQ
Answers to frequently asked questions and other
important information that can save you money and reduce anxiety.
You should never pay full brochure rate for a
cruise. Experienced agents can save you considerable money off the
brochure rate
There are cruises available for every budget.
Cruising is one of the best vacation values because it includes your
stateroom, meals, transportation and entertainment
From 3 days to 100 days, cruises fit every vacation
schedule.
95% of the people who cruise are completely
satisfied with their cruise experience.
85% of the people who cruise repeat with future
cruises because of the high value received for dollars expended.
One thing you will never see on the menu is price.
All meals are included.
All entertainment is included. No cover charge ever!
See many different areas without packing and
unpacking. There are over 1800 cruise ports throughout the world.
The world is 2/3 water. Until you go on a cruise,
you haven't seen the world.
You can do as much or as little as you want to do on a
cruise. You follow your own schedule. If you want to stay casual and
informal you can do that. If you want to dress up for formal nights
it's your choice.
Ships are not all alike. They range from under 200
feet to over 1000 feet long. You can sail with fewer than 100
passengers to over 3,000. Atmospheres range from very casual to very
formal.
You won't get bored. There are a wide variety of
shipboard activities and shore excursions that can appeal to any
interest.
On most cruises, you will need a passport. You will need picture identification and proof of citizenship, such as a
birth certificate.
One of the newest innovations in the cruise industry
is Freestyle Cruising from Norwegian Cruise Line.
Freestyle Cruising is proving extremely popular
with guests aboard the Norwegian Sky, the pioneer ship for this
concept. Freestyle Cruising changes the fundamental way cruises
have been structured in the past and gives guests many more options.
In a nutshell, the main components of Freestyle Cruising are:
- The dress code has been changed to "resort
casual." That means that while you are on vacation you don't
have to dress up if you don't want to. You can if you choose, but
dress resort casual is acceptable in dining rooms and other
functions that previously required or encouraged coat and tie, etc.
- Open dining and open seating. Instead of going to
first or second seating at assigned tables, Freestyle Cruising
allows you to eat anytime between 5:30 PM and midnight. You can sit
with whom you want or make arrangements to sit with the same people
all the time. Crew size has been increased by over 150 to meet the
additional demands of this structure for you, so you don't have to
rush around to be at dinner at a certain time.
- Disembarkation is different. For past cruisers,
you know that one of the most unpleasant experiences is getting off
the ship on the last day. No more sitting in designated areas
waiting to be called and no more vacating cabins early in the
morning. Checkout is handled like a resort hotel. You can disembark
at your leisure.
- Freestyle
gratuities are now much easier to manage. Instead of the age old
process of trying to get change and remember which envelope to put
it in, a standard gratuity of $10 per person per day will be added
to your bill. At checkout, if you are satisfied with the service you
received you need do nothing. If you didn't like the service, you
can reduce it by any amount you deem appropriate, totally your
option. If the service exceeded your expectations, you can increase
it. Whatever you choose to do, the process is a lot more hassle free
for you.
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Group
Advantages
RMK Travel hosts a number of successful group
cruises every year. Whether it is a family or class reunion, church
or other nonprofit group or just a group of friends who want to have
a great vacation together, we can work with you to design a program
that best meets your interests, budget and time frame.
Is your church or nonprofit interested in doing a
fundraiser? Are you aware that Carnival Cruise Lines matches funds
for non-profit organizations such as churches? On a 7-day cruise,
your church has the ability to earn up to $160 for every cabin that
books. That doesn't include any additional funds that can be earned
through our Tour Conductor program.
Affinity groups such as civic organizations love to
travel together. Here is a great opportunity to provide a wonderful
value to the members of your organization and earn some meaningful
fundraising dollars.
Additionally, there is very little cost in
advertising this program. We can provide the flyers and mailers to
the members of your group.
Our Group Sales staff can help you plan a variety of
events that are extremely cost-effective and easy to administer.
Plus, it will be a memorable event for the participants and a huge
success for you. Opportunities for free or reduced cost travel for
group coordinators. Some of the benefits include:
1. Simplified coordination - details are taken care
of for you.
2. All transportation, meals and entertainment are
included.
3. A variety of activities for all members of your
group.
4. Plenty of activities for spouses and children.
5. State-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
6. Less costly than land-based vacations. A great
value.
7. Special amenities can be tailored to best serve
your group.
8. The opportunity to visit several places without
the hassle of packing and unpacking.
9. Security is greater on board a ship than at a
land-based facility.
10. If you're having a business-related meeting or
seminar on board the ship, you will have higher participation by
attendees who can't skip out of your program to go play golf or be
interrupted with phone calls, etc.
Because
groups are more complex to book, please call 480-752-2184 and we can
begin planning your event.
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Travel Tips
World Weather
Passport
Information