Incentive rewards are instrumental to motivating and improving performance. The best incentive programs create a desire among your staff to earn rewards by achieving goals. Cruise travel is being requested often to inspire staff and customers.  Cruise incentives are perfect for the corporate incentive planner and decision maker because of the many benefits that come along with the cruise experience itself.

While all cruises offer guests a chance to unwind, there is nothing like a cruise to feel totally away from the cares of the world.  However, business incentives have to appeal to every size and shape of employee or customer. Cruises are ultimately flexible in this regard. Your winners can do as much as they want, or as little. They can stay up and dance the night away, or stay in their cabin for a romantic dinner followed by a first run movie on the in-cabin entertainment system. They can opt for a zip line experience, golf, horseback ride on the beach, or stay on board for a pampering spa treatment followed by an afternoon of sunbathing by the pool.

A cruise will offer as many menu options as imaginable, and they take care of all your guest’s food requirements. You can structure group dinners, awards ceremonies and business meetings in between free time. The best news of all is that a cruise comes with a fixed cost that is quoted in U.S. Dollars.

You will not find a safer way to move your group than on a cruise.

 A cruise ship is comparable to a secure building with a 24-hour security guard—it’s a controlled environment with limited access. Everyone who enters or exits a cruise ship must go through security screening—including all their personal items brought on board.

A cruise is all-inclusive, which means that one price includes your accommodations, transportation, airport transfers, all meals, entertainment, sports activities, parties, and often even the airfare. It’s easy to control your budget with a cruise. Beverage expenses can be further covered by buying a drinks package that will include all alcoholic and other beverages as well. Where else would you find such a flexible and affordable travel package?

By opting for a cruise vacation, you will be  creating an extraordinary desire for your employees or customers to achieve the goals you set.  

Marketing a cruise incentive is also cost-effective. The cruise line partners are more than happy to share their experience and marketing tools with you like photos, videos, pre-printed ad shells and e-blast templates.

Call AtVantage Marketing & Travel Services today for a complimentary presentation on this great option.

A Perfect Day at Knuckle Reef Lagoon

April 27, 2010

Ok, now I feel I am really dreaming. Instead of a normal day in the trenches, where I’m vying for attention with clients who have no resources to cover their over-extended budgets and programs today I wake up in Hayman Island and it’s Knuckle Reef Lagoon day. What this means is that I’m going to rise in a very leisurely fashion, fix myself fresh French Press coffee at my wet bar and slip outside to my balcony to sip this aromatic brew while I greet the morning Hayman style—staring at a half-crescent bay as perfect as a scene from “South Pacific”. The sun is shining and there’s not one cloud in the sky. You can have the trenches—I’m moving to Hayman Island!

When I tire of this activity I will go inside, locate my bathing suit, cover-up, flip-flops, hat, sunscreen and camera and get ready for my day. It takes but a few minutes and then I am headed over to Azure Restaurant for more delicious coffee and the fabulous buffet complete with visits from the local denizens which today are the clever yellow and white cockatiels and friendly ducks who like bacon from the chafing dish.  I feed them when the chef and wait staff aren’t looking.

Then we take a quick jog by hotel shuttle to the Hayman Marina. We are lucky indeed. Cruise Whitsundays’ vessel, Seaflight makes their last stop at Hayman after picking up passengers at Abel Point Marina on the mainland, Daydream Island Resort, Long Island Resort, and Koala Adventure Island. Then the 125 foot catamaran heads out on the open seas for a two hour commute to a very spectacular Barrier Reef site–a permanent pontoon and marine base on the Knuckle Reef Lagoon. Along the way, we munch on fresh sweet rolls, fruit and by now, no more coffee, thank you, just water.

The Seaflight is a modern and very large catamaran which ensures a completely smooth ride there and back. It was like sailing on a pond. Of course, as I mentioned, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the ocean was an endless deep aquamarine blue. Along the way we are offered options by the very professional Cruise Whitsundays staff. We can snorkel, take the glass bottom boat, and even take a beginner’s scuba lesson. I decline the scuba lesson but definitely opt for snorkeling.

Once at the pontoon, we do a bit of exploring. There’s a sundeck, a Subsea adventure, a glass bottom boat, paddle pool for the babies, changing rooms, fresh water showers and of course lots and lots of snorkeling. We opt to start our adventure with the glass bottom boat ride. This is a good introduction for what’s in store for the rest of the day. We sit comfortably in a shaded boat while it cruises very slowly around Knuckle Reef. A guide tells us more as we glide. Coral is actually a living organism. They take on color and shape based on what they consume. Knuckle Reef lagoon is very much a living coral lagoon with 80% of the coral being the hard type—which is more colorful. There are over 150 different types of coral and 200 different kinds of fish. In the span of 45 minutes we see most of the types of coral on the reef in shades of brown, green, blue, pink, red and lots of other shades too. Some are dozens of feet in length and at least as wide. I have the feeling I am floating in the middle of someone’s very expensive and expansive salt water aquarium—it’s that perfect.

When we finish with the boat ride the next adventure is to select a lycra wetsuit for protection against the jelly fish and hit the water. You can access the reef from any side of the pontoon so we opt to go in from the stern of the structure. We start our tour. What I’m seeing is absolutely amazing. Now I am next to the coral, gliding over the coral, paddling around the coral. The water is a perfect 80 degrees. Fish of every color and size swim next to me and laze around, picking at their favorite type of coral. I can’t get enough. After about an hour, we come in for a break to dry off and have a buffet lunch back on the Seaflight. Then back out to the reef, this time with Peter, the director and we have our own reef tour guide. He is carrying a four-sided white plastic inner tube structure and tells us to just hang on, and put our faces in the water. For the next hour he takes us around the reef, describing every coral we encounter and why this one or that one is so important. I knew I was experiencing something very special.

But too soon, we have to come in and take off our wetsuits for the last time. It’s time to board the catamaran and head back to another form of paradise, Hayman Island Resort. Tonight is our last night on the island and we are in for a treat. We have our own feet in the sand beach party with a crab and fish cookout on Hayman’s Coconut Beach. The delicious food is of course washed down with more perfect Australian wines. For desert, I lay back and try to count stars, which is impossible because there are so many. And everything is upside down because we are in the southern hemisphere. Besides, I’m distracted by the sight of the Milky Way which you will never see in Southern California because of the pollution and then I spot the Southern Cross, which is my very favorite constellation. I remember how I felt the first time I saw it back in the 80’s when I was on Bora Bora. I was beside myself then and again now. Maybe it’s the wine and jet lag and tropical sun, but it’s also having a chance to experience something so very different. We are outside our daily routine in the trenches. That is why travel is the ultimate reward. Experience some for yourself. Go to Hayman Island.

Travel offers up many new opportunities. A chance to find a perfect beach with aquamarine blue water or a minute to relax by a serene and undisturbed pool would be high on my list. How about watching a sunset from a boat nestled in a quiet harbor followed by a perfectly cooked Asian inspired dinner in a small but perfectly decorated dining room?

The experiences go on and on and that is what makes travel such a rewarding experience. When the planets align and all goes well then travel is sublime.

I recently visited one of the most beautiful resort destinations in the world. I have traveled to over 45 countries and have stayed at some of the best of the best. I have to say Hayman Island ranks right up there with the likes of Four Seasons Hualalai, Rosewood Mayakoba, or Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast. While all of these resorts are very different in appearance, all share tne common thread, superb service, incredible sleeping rooms and a spectacular setting on the ocean.

Getting to Hayman is a long journey from the United States. But it was time well spent. Once there, I never wanted to leave. I could have easily extended my stay from three nights to three weeks. I asked if they would let me stay, but I had to move on. Seriously, I was on a fast-paced itinerary and was only allowed three nights at Hayman.

The resort was built in the 1980’s but there has been some kind of hotel or retreat on this site since the 1940’s. 228 guest rooms, suites, penthouses and private villas are situated in Palm, Pool, Lagoon or Beach Wings. You can select a room with the pool connected by a swim-out patio, a private cottage right on the ocean, or a room on the third or fourth floor with patio and stunning views of the Coral Sea. Rooms are decorated with chic understated elegance. All have been refurbished within the past five years. You can even rent a private beach villa complete with your own dipping pool and hammock. Live like the celebs who like to frequent Hayman and this favorite accommodation.

Speaking of the sea, your vista includes blue skies dotted with tropical clouds and private islands in the distance. A stunning crescent shaped white sand beach hugs the resort from one side of the island to the other. The whole island is small enough to walk around and you can if you so desire. I had perfect weather during my entire stay with calm seas which aided immensely the day I took Cruise Whitsunday s to Knuckle Reef Lagoon.

The resort also offers many dining options. Start your day with a delicious breakfast buffet in Azure Restaurant. Check out the Chihuly chandelier—a stunning blue concoction, and look out for the friendly cockatoos and ducks that like to stop by for a chat while you are sipping your morning brew. The cockatoos look just like those you see in our pet stores, but these guys are wild and live in vast numbers on these Great Barrier Reef Islands. They are also very clever and will steal your breakfast if you don’t watch out.

Activity abounds on Hayman. You can do as little or as much as you want in the way of sport, leisure and adventure. The resort has its own boat marina with five different yachts to hire on a private basis. You can take a seaplane to Whitehaven Island and have morning tea, like I did. Take your camera and you will come back with some of the best photos ever from the seaplane ride. You will then take a walk on some of the whitest sand that will ever pass under your feet. It is so clean and pure it squeaks when you step on it. Turtles laze in the waters nearby and often swim up close enough that you can almost pet them.

…More to follow on Hayman to include dining experiences & my day on Knuckle Reef Lagoon.

“Life Out of the Trenches – Am I dreaming or is this Hayman”

My recent days in Australia

April 14, 2010

Travel offers up many new opportunities. A chance to find a perfect beach with aquamarine blue water or a minute to relax by a serene and undisturbed pool would be high on my list. How about watching a sunset from a boat nestled in a quiet harbor followed by a perfectly cooked Asian inspired dinner in a small but perfectly decorated dining room.

The experiences go on and on and that is what makes travel such a rewarding experience. When the planets align and all goes well then travel is sublime.

I recently visited one of the most beautiful resort destinations in the world. I have traveled to over 45 countries and have stayed at some of the best of the best. I have to say Hayman Island ranks right up there with the likes of Four Seasons Hualalai, Rosewood Mayakoba, or Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast. While all of these resorts are very different in appearance, all share one common thread, superb service, incredible sleeping rooms and a spectacular setting on the ocean.

Getting to Hayman is a long journey from the United States. But it was time well spent. Once there, I never wanted to leave. I could have easily extended my stay from three nights to three weeks. I asked if they would let me stay, but I had to move on. Seriously, I was on a fast-paced itinerary and was only allowed three nights at Hayman.

The resort was built in the 1980’s but there has been some kind of hotel or retreat on this site since the 1940’s. 228 guest rooms, suites, penthouses and private villas are situated in Palm, Pool, Lagoon or Beach Wings. You can select a room with the pool connected by a swim-out patio, a private cottage right on the ocean, or a room on the third or fourth floor with patio and stunning views of the Coral Sea. Rooms are decorated with chic understated elegance. All have been refurbished within the past five years. You can even rent a private beach villa complete with your own dipping pool and hammock. Live like the celebs who like to frequent Hayman and this favorite accommodation.

Speaking of the sea, your vista includes blue skies dotted with tropical clouds and private islands in the distance. A stunning crescent shaped white sand beach hugs the resort from one side of the island to the other. The whole island is small enough to walk around and you can if you so desire. I had perfect weather during my entire stay with calm seas which aided immensely the day I took Cruise Whitsunday s to Knuckle Reef Lagoon.

The resort also offers many dining options. Start your day with a delicious breakfast buffet in Azure Restaurant. Check out the Chihuly chandelier—a stunning blue concoction, and look out for the friendly cockatoos and ducks that like to stop by for a chat while you are sipping your morning brew. The cockatoos look just like those you see in our pet stores, but these guys are wild and live in vast numbers on these Great Barrier Reef Islands. They are also very clever and will steal your breakfast if you don’t watch out.

Activity abounds on Hayman. You can do as little or as much as you want in the way of sport, leisure and adventure. The resort has its own boat marina with five different yachts to hire on a private basis. You can take a seaplane to Whitehaven Island and have morning tea, like I did. Take your camera and you will come back with some of the best photos ever from the seaplane ride. You will then take a walk on some of the whitest sand that will ever pass under your feet. It is so clean and pure it squeaks when you step on it. Turtles laze in the waters nearby and often swim up close enough that you can almost pet them.

…More to follow on Hayman to include dining experiences & my day on Knuckle Reef Lagoon.

And, when you decide to relax and unwind at the resort, take a few minutes while there to learn more about the history and design of your hotel. Many offer some surprising information when you dig for more details. Also check out the natural expanses nearby with a walk or quick drive. Some of the best restaurants, golf, shopping, beaches and art galleries will be just around the corner from where you are staying. There are over 89 four or five star hotels to choose from, 36 miles of beaches to go to, 40 golf courses and world class attractions like Legoland and the Wild Animal Park. 

How to choose the right hotel? I recently had an opportunity to explore the area and toured many north county hotels. I came back with some new found knowledge and appreciation into this wonderful destination, even though it is in my backyard. I will present several of the hotels that I visited. All offer a unique travel experience because of their location, their architecture and the particular vision of the hotel management. Note all hotels are rated with four stars, unless otherwise mentioned.

 1. Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines—Originally opened as the Sheraton Grande Torrey Pines in 1989, it is located in a serene and secluded location near the Torrey Pines golf courses. The design by John Portman & Associates of Atlanta works well with the surrounding environment and cleverly disguises the proximity of Scripps Hospital and UC San Diego. The contemporary and clean lines compliment the golf courses and the natural landscape of Torrey Pines. Within a short walk are the beautiful beaches of Torrey Pines State Park, to include Black’s, which used to be a clothing optional beach. As you enter the lobby you are greeted with a beautiful view of the pool, the Torrey Pines Golf Course and the ocean beyond. This hotel has 419 sleeping rooms and over 60,000 square feet of meeting space. The sleeping rooms are spacious and quiet. This hotel is an excellent recommendation for business meetings and conferences. Good use of design spread out the meeting space on various floors so there isn’t a congested feeling like you get in so many hotel conference areas.  The hotel is clean and well maintained. Parking at $20 a day seems steep. Construction has begun on a multi-million dollar restoration of their lobby and restaurant area.

 2. The Grand Del Mar—This new hotel was opened in October, 2007. Built upon the architectural ideas of Addison Mizer’s work in Palm Beach and the Breakers in South Florida, the 249 sleeping rooms and 12 suites are set in luxurious surroundings. Every hallway or public area offers interesting and unique touches.  In fact, there is so much to see you should give yourself some extra time just to wander around and enjoy the beautiful designs, artwork and furniture. This is definitely a resort for a corporate executive to hold a board meeting, followed by some golf on the Tom Fazio course and finished up with a relaxing treatment in the spa. There are world class restaurants right on property or nearby in Del Mar or La Jolla.

3. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa—Utilizing the original site of the Scripps newspaper baron’s 10-acre rancho, the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa opened its doors in 2004. The architecture is early Californian Rancho and offers a laid back casually elegant atmosphere. With 210 sleeping rooms, this quiet and serene hotel also offers a perfect backdrop for a business meeting or conference with over 21,500 square feet of meeting space. There is a learning theater on property that holds up to 125 guests and other meeting space that is very well laid out. The hotel offers meeting packages that include all day coffee breaks and lunch. The hotel also offers some excellent outdoor locations for weddings. Check out the patio and fireplace at Mustang’s and Burro’s bar. You won’t be able to resist enjoying a margarita in this most inviting venue.

4. Lodge at Torrey Pines—This craftsman style gem of a hotel is located directly on the Torrey Pines Golf course and offers spectacular views of the course and ocean beyond. Opened seven years ago, the hotel highlights design features from the Blacker and Gamble houses in Pasadena and contains genuine Green & Green era furniture. Guests can play golf on the famous Torrey Pines golf courses which are right on property, relax in the 10,000 square foot spa, and enjoy dinner at AR Valentien, a restaurant highly rated for its unique and delicious cuisine. There is a total of 170 guest rooms and spacious suites and 13,000 square feet of meeting space. This hotel holds the only five-star rating in San Diego and has the reputation for making the best hamburger in town.

5. Inn at Rancho Santa Fe—The original construction on the Inn began in 1922 by architect Lilian Rice. She was commissioned by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad who had formed the Santa Fe Land Improvement company to develop the area. Lilian designed the first building in Spanish Revival style and continued on from there. This building was used to house prospective customers who would come to the area to buy land in the development. The hotel still stands with 87 total sleeping rooms and 5,000 square feet of meeting space on 23 total acres. It is adjacent to the town of Rancho Santa Fe and within five miles of Del Mar Race Track and the town of Del Mar. There is a golf course nearby and a full service spa at the Inn.

6. L’Auberge del Mar—A complete remodel started in November, 2007 under the direction of Barclay Butera, a designer extraordinaire from Newport Beach. The re-opening in June, 2008 revealed a completely renewed and sparkling  hotel complete with Kitchen 1540, a gourmet restaurant, Spa L’Auberge for relaxing spa and beauty treatments, 16,500 feet of remodeled meeting space in 6 different rooms, 120 extremely comfortable sleeping rooms and suites. This unique property offers many tantalizing outlets to have a drink, socialize and enjoy the ocean views. Weddings are a specialty of the hotel complete with the Director of Romance to make sure everything runs perfectly.

I hope you find this information helpful on some of San Diego North’s destination hotels. You would not be disappointed in any of them. Set against the backdrop of beautiful beaches, rolling hills and a perfect climate, all have made an exceptional effort to feature talented designs and unique architectural contributions in their construction. The San Diego North hospitality community really has emerged with these hotel gems. It makes perfect sense to consider this area for your next meeting, event or getaway weekend.

For more information, contact Marilyn Froggatt, AtVantage Marketing & Travel Services, and 760-966-0173.

Enjoy your day at the beach in Riviera Maya

When I first traveled to the Yucatan Peninsula (Cancun) over twenty years ago it was an emerging resort area full of many promises. The offering included balmy Caribbean weather, easy and inexpensive air access from the United States with a good selection of gateway cities offering non-stop service, golf, interesting archeological ruins, you’re your unusual assortment of water activities like fishing, snorkeling and diving.

An easy and interesting day trip included a stop for snorkeling at Xel-Ha and a visit to Tulum, the oceanfront site of ancient Mayan civilization. Hotel row stopped south of Cancun and the new developments like the Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott seemed impossibly far from town. There was nothing in between Cancun and Tulum but sleepy villages and dirt roads through the jungle and swamp to the ocean. Beach clubs dotted along the way off the federal highway.

Fast forward to 2009. This travel writer opted for a travel symposium and trade show at Secrets Maroma Beach over November 12—17, 2009. Guests included buyers like me as well as suppliers who attended the event in hopes of talking to of course, the buyers. The event included a Welcome Reception and dinner at Grand Velas, a breakfast/trade show the following morning, a day of optional activities, an offsite dinner at Le Blanc in Cancun, and a final day of more optional activities and a farewell dinner at the hotel.

Traveling to Cancun is a full day commitment for just about anyone traveling from the U.S. You have to connect to feeder cities like Dallas, Houston, Charlotte or Miami and then fly down. My alarm started my day at 3:45am. The flights were without incident and I finally arrived in Cancun at 4:25pm. However, you have to go through 3 different custom and declaration points to enter Cancun which includes an inbound luggage inspection. Plan on at least an hour to clear these requirements before you can step outside to your transportation. FYI, Cancun is on Central Time Zone.

My intention was to see as much of Riviera Maya as I possibly had time for. The first order of the day was figuring out the various resort locations and what the names meant. I realized immediately that there are literally hundreds of all-inclusive resorts, convention hotels and small boutique properties within this tourist corridor which actually spans from Puerto Morelos past Tulum ; a total of 88 miles. It would be impossible to visit even a small percentage of these resorts. I believe it would be best to identify the resort area that sounds like the best fit. Look at the services, amenities and resorts that are included and select the area that sounds like the best fit. Here is a brief rundown of what Riviera Maya is about.

Riviera Maya—A tourist corridor that links resorts south of Cancun clear past Tulum.  Riviera Maya is situated on coast of the Yucutan Peninsula. All the various resort developments are intermingled among the rain forests and beaches. Daytime activities can include diving, snorkeling, jungle walks, underground rivers, caverns, natural water parks for snorkeling and theme water parks for viewing the mammals and watching shows. There is no end for things to do here, both day and night. Major hotel zones are:

Maroma—an area of beachfront resorts with small roads that lead to them from the federal highway. The roads are literally cut out of the jungle and swamp and tend to be narrow and winding. That is on purpose as the government does not want extensive damage to these habitats. However, the roads can be unnerving, especially at night. Large vehicles like motor coaches can have a hard time, but somehow everyone makes it in and out on a daily basis. There are many resorts that dot along the way.

The main attraction to this area is seclusion, privacy and a beautiful white powder beach. It is approximately 45 minutes from the Cancun airport and about a 1 hour drive to Cancun. There are no golf courses in Maroma, but many are within a 30 minute drive. There are no shops or villages. You will have to drive into Playa del Carmen, which is about a 30 minute drive south of Maroma or north to Cancun for shopping. 

Hotel recommendation:

Secrets Maroma Beach – This 400 room, 4 diamond resort built in 2008 offers just about all the best that an all inclusive hotel can offer. There’s a choice of 7 restaurants and 9 bars, not to mention poolside and room service as well. There is a concierge stationed in every building to offer any personal services you may need.  Large water features meander throughout the property, giving it a serene quality. The sleeping rooms are appointed with comfortable beds and linens, a large bathroom with separate shower and Jacuzzi tub. All rooms have large balconies and some even contain a plunge pool.

This is an adults-only resort, which means there should be no one there under the age of 18. I have never stayed at an all-inclusive resort before, nor an adults-only. It was a refreshingly serene experience. No sounds of little feet clattering up and down the hallways and stairwells. No families emerging on the pool like the attack of the Huns. No gaggles of people clogging up the elevators and lobbies. The largest group I encountered was an ad hoc late afternoon gathering of some incentive program participants. They were enjoying some drinks and congratulating each other on being able to enjoy each other’s company at such a nice resort. They had nothing but compliments about their company and the management that had made the decision to take them there.

 Regarding the all-inclusive experience, I am all for it. I love the idea of no checks, no signing, and no tipping. No mentally adding up the daily tab of food and beverage and what an atom bomb this will be at check out. There are no surprises and a startlingly good quality of food, beverage and most of all, extremely competent and friendly service. For anyone planning a group program, consider using Secrets Maroma Beach. You will not be disappointed and neither will your guests.

Mayakoba—this 1,600 acre complex is a fairly new development on the Riviera Maya. This resort complex is 1 hour south of the Cancun airport and contains a Greg Norman El Camaleon golf course, and when completed, will house four different resorts and timeshares. All resorts will offer interchangeable signing privileges with each other and the golf course. They are strung around the natural and man-made Mayakoba lagoon.   The resorts take advantage of these backgrounds and place their accommodations and public areas to enhance the views. There is no village in Mayakoba and no shopping. However, Playa del Carmen is a convenient 15 minute drive south of this area. I had the opportunity to visit two of the resorts in Maykoba and would recommend either one without hesitation. Another five star hotel worth recommending would be the Banyan Tree.

Hotel Recommendations:
Fairmont Mayakoba—This 450 room, 5 diamond resort hotel opened up in 2005. The entrance and lobby are stunning with their use of natural woods and open air design. Views extend past the lagoon clear down to the ocean. Situated on over 45 acres, this property spreads in every direction. Guests can opt to walk, use bicycles or golf cart shuttles to maneuver between the lobby, the 4 swimming pools, and the 3 restaurants and bars. Sleeping rooms are large and comfortable and offer a single vanity with a separate tub and shower area. All rooms have balconies. Most rooms look out onto the lagoon or jungle areas. Some rooms and suites are ocean front and include unobstructed views of the Caribbean. The beach has white powder sand and is stunning. Also at the beach is a 10,000 square foot freeform swimming pool, restaurant and beach chairs. The hotel offers over 40,000 square feet of meeting space with a 10,000 square foot ballroom. Fairmont Mayakoba is open to both adults and children.

Rosewood Mayakoba—Opening its doors in 2007, the 128 room deluxe Rosewood Mayakoba will soon be placed on everyone’s list as one of the hottest new hotels around. Designed in a clean, contemporary architecture that also captures the essence of the jungle, the public areas and sleeping rooms immediately catch your eye with pure understated refinement. Each sleeping room is a suite with a private boat dock and plunge pool. Guests are transported to their personal retreat via boat or golf cart. Bathrooms capture natural light and many offer outdoor showers.  The executive chef, Daniel Peris, is from Barcelona, Spain. The hotel offers a one mile white sand beach and facilities include a beach club with infinity pool and the Punta Bonita restaurant, a luxury spa  on a private island with fitness center, multiple pools and restaurants, a spa café, bars and a game lounge.  There is 2,615 square feet of meeting space. Rosewood Mayakoba is open to adults, children and small pets less than 18 pounds.

Have a cold one at Mamitas in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen

This town was both a total surprise and delight to me. I was aware of Playa del Carmen and had read up on it in the past but I was not prepared for how much I would enjoy it. Playa del Carmen is a large seaport where the ferries and boats arrive and depart daily for Cozumel, which is an island just off the coast best known for diving and laid back resorts. I predict Playa del Carmen will soon emerge as the primary resort town in Mexico, beating out Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.

Chic boutique hotels are springing up daily throughout town and along the beach front. A pedestrian shopper’s street, Fifth Avenue, runs for several blocks and offers a great assortment of European and Mexican style shops and restaurants. Guests from hotels all up and down the coast of Riviera Maya come to Playa del Carmen as well as daily cruise ship passengers come looking for a unique shopping experience and also for the many tasty restaurants in town. The younger ones stay on and party until the wee hours in the town’s many clubs and discos. Also available are many excellent beach clubs. I stopped by Mamitas, which is on 28^{th Ave.} The club offers lounges with shade palapas right on the beach, soft talcum sand, a beautiful turquoise blue ocean with a perfect 1 foot break. Add in a cool shady outdoor restaurant serving up cold beer, good food and great retro 80’s music. Check out the photo. I’m the one with the beer! Did I say that I loved Playa del Carmen? I did not have time to stop in but was told Mosquito o Blue was a great boutique hotel right in town.

Hotel recommendation:

Playacar

Just immediately south of Playa del Carmen and adjacent to it is a gated resort community of Playacar. Resorts dot the road that connects to the Federal Highway and eventually end at Playa del Carmen.

Royal Hideaway Playacar– I made a stop to visit Royal Hideaway, a 200 room, 5 diamond resort built in 1998 which is a 5 minute walk to town. This all-inclusive resort (minimum age is 13) would be an ideal location for those wishing to get a luxury resort experience which still being close to the excitement of Playa del Carmen.  Built in tropical colonial elegance, this hotel offers 6 gourmet restaurants, 2 bars, a complete dinner theater, a spa and fitness center, pools, ocean front beach club with restaurant, pool and white sand. Sleeping rooms and suites are spacious and offer luxurious bathrooms with separate Jacuzzi bath, shower, double vanity with Bvlgari amenities. Most rooms contain walk in closets. Gourmet restaurants offer dining options such as Mexican, Asian, Italian, and International cuisine. There is an extensive wine menu available as well a private room for tasting dinners and special events. Destination weddings would be perfect here. There is no meeting space here other than the theater.

Xcaret

Would you believe there’s more? Just south of Playa del Carmen is Xcaret, which was once an ancient Mayan seaport. Visitors can learn about the area’s interesting ecology, spend time on the beach, opt to float down the subterranean rivers and wander on the jungle trails. You can spend a whole day here, and even into the night where there’s a spectacular Mexican show.

Xel-Ha

About 7 miles further south is another magical place called Xel-Ha. This area is a natural aquarium where Mother Nature mixes fresh water with ocean currents. You can walk or swim through this ecosystem. Don’t forget your snorkel mask and fins. It’s paradise here for the fish!

Swim with the Mayans at Tulum

Tulum

Our last stop is Tulum. The only Mayan city right on the ocean is worth the visit. The small beach is open for swimming and the park has been beautifully restored for visitors. The entire operation is well managed from beginning to end to include the 60 structures you can observe from close range. This Mayan city has the benefit of cooling ocean breezes which makes it so much more comfortable to visit.

Tulum has also developed quite a resort zone as well. Transfer time would be approximately 1 ½ hours from Cancun airport, but well worth the drive. All inclusive resorts and boutique hotels now surround the area. One worth considering would be Dreams Tulum, an all-inclusive resort open to both adults and families.

Consider Riviera Maya for your next vacation or corporate incentive. You will be very pleased with your decision. You will find a consistently high quality of resorts and hotels, food and beverage, competent staff and service throughout and many attractions for both adults and children to enjoy.

For more information, contact Marilyn Froggatt at AtVantage Marketing & Travel Services at 760-966-0173.

 A relaxing oasis of a destination hotel exists within driving distance for most Southern California residents.  The Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village is nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains just 30 minutes north of Los Angeles and is conveniently close to the Ventura Freeway (US101).  This serene and unique property transports you into a totally different landscape and will set the stage for a life changing experience. The hotel was designed to provide a perfect backdrop for business meetings, executive retreats, weekend getaways and special events all with a special purpose in mind. Included is the California Health & Longevity Institute which offers the objectives of achieving, promoting and maintaining maximum health and well-being personally and professionally.  Travel planners are finding that a business meeting or event that offers a wellness component is forecasted to increase in popularity four-fold or more in the next year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 75% of employers’ health care costs and productivity losses are related to employee lifestyle choices. Organizations that implement corporate wellness strategies may gain higher employee productivity levels, reduced health care costs and increased profits.

The 270 room Four Seasons Hotel offers a destination with a purpose. You can plan a stress busting weekend for yourself or design a wonderful incentive program or a business meeting with a life saving and life enhancing message.  The Institute offers meaningful health and wellness programs that are paired perfectly with the services and amenities of the hotel. Customized stays can be designed based on client profiles, number of guests and desired length of stay. The hotel sits on over 20 acres of landscaped gardens and waterfalls. The lavish but tasteful traditional English décor also includes brilliant splashes of color throughout with exquisite marble, crystal and artwork. You can relax in a world-class spa and fitness center and plan your offsite tours to nearby Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the Getty Center for Art, the Getty Villa in Malibu, shop at Camarillo Premium Outlets, and hike in the Santa Monica Mountains.

I recently had the opportunity to experience this resort first hand. My three night stay started out with the option to travel on Amtrak to the Westlake Village station. I figured since the purpose of the trip was to reduce stress, why not start out with a no-traffic alternative to getting there? I purchased my ticket in advance on Amtrak’s website, saved money using my AAA membership and even opted to splurge for the business class upgrade. Luggage can be a bit of a problem because you have to load it on and off yourself, but this is a quickly resolved challenge compared to the security check hassles of our airport.  Within five minutes of boarding, I was in my comfortable seat and ready to tackle my computer and some business reading. I spent the next two and a half hours in air conditioned comfort working, sleeping and visiting with the other passengers. It sure beat driving in all that traffic!

The Wellness Institute is so well woven into the fabric of the hotel that you cannot really tell they are two separate entities. You can design a personal wellness program for yourself or as a meeting. You have a whole assortment of component s to choose from. A three night/four day package is ideal. You can kick off Day One with arrivals and a welcome reception on the Chinese Pagoda Lawn.  Follow up the next day with Fitness Energy Walks, an educational group breakfast program, and begin your general session with “Build a Case of Wellness” with Steven Aldana, PhD. After a healthy and delicious group lunch, you can choose from one-on-one nutrition, lifestyle or fitness consultations. You can opt for hypnotherapy, acupuncture or acupressure or energy healing sessions or try a relaxing therapy treatment at The Spa. That night you can plan a private estate winery event for dinner and enjoy the spectacular views of the Malibu hills.

The next day can start will yoga or walking followed by a healthy breakfast. Your business session can again open with a wellness talk on managing stress. Lunch can include a class on quick and healthy meal preparation taught at the Institute’s Wellness Kitchen. You will dine on the same recipes taught in the class.   

During the nutrition classes, healthy eating styles are emphasized. Goals for healthy eating include 7-10 pieces of fruit and vegetables per day, decreasing red meat to once a week and preparing smaller portions, adding soy or vegetable protein to foods like beans to salads, substituting veggie burgers for meat, and using soy milk on cereal or oatmeal. Include the use of healthy fats and reduce refined sugar and sodium that are found in processed foods. When I arrived home, I went to Henry’s Whole Foods market and stocked up on fresh fruits and vegetables. It is amazing how much better you feel once you add these foods into your diet. They also recommended eating fish 3 times per week. That can be tuna sandwiches as well, so it’s easy to include it.

My three night stay at the resort truly was a life changing experience. It was my first time as a guest there. Not knowing what I was getting into, my primary goal was just to relax and get some rest. I accomplished that but also experienced and learned a whole lot more. The business meetings I attended include talks on stress management, healthy eating and longevity. Every presentation was very informative but also enjoyable too. I took pages of notes and brought home all the handouts.

Creating a culture of health both for yourself, your family and your company is a challenging and rewarding task. Consider booking a meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village and speak to me about adding in the wellness components into the program. I guarantee you will come away with lasting and beneficial results.

Understanding your employees and what motivates them to show up on time day after day to work will directly affect your bottom line. Smart managers have always understood the importance of a dedicated staff. But when the economy recedes and business owners have to fight harder and harder to make even a decent profit, what comes first, the bottom line or your employees? Somehow, both are extremely important and will fight for priority on a daily basis.  The following is a list of suggestions and ideas to keep your employees and sales people coming back for more.

First, let me ask you a question. How many of you have consistently used incentive motivation to recognize and reward your employees? What types of incentives worked the best? Are your rewards appropriate to the employees you are giving them to? If you say cash my next question is how much return do you think you got on that investment? Studies have shown that cash is never as good a motivator as the methods listed below. Why? Cash has no trophy value and gets lost soon after it is awarded. Employees also feel that if they do an extraordinary job, they deserve a reward that is commensurate with the effort. Cash rewards tend to allow managers to emotionally disconnect with their employees which will negate any good feelings workers had about the reward.

Employers and managers also do a bad job when it comes to understanding what their employees primarily want from working. When asked, employers or managers will always list compensation as number one. However, when employees are asked, yes, they say compensation is important, but they also want strong and competent management. What else do people want most from their jobs? They want to understand how their work is making a difference. They want job flexibility. They want recognition for a job well done. When an employee gets these things from working, they experience job satisfaction.   

How do you help foster job satisfaction in your employees? By taking time to comprehend what employees need and then how to deliver it. But, you say, it’s tough enough out there right now without having to create and build new incentives and management goals for the business. But you say I can’t afford incentives for my employees.  My comment would be you cannot afford not to provide new incentives and smart employers know this.

Studies have shown that employee recognition awards spike as the economy tanks. However, reward amounts can vary. In better economic times, companies turn to stock bonuses, incentive awards, cash bonuses and stock options. All that goes away when hard times hit. In slow times, awards are spread thinner among more employees. In better economies, one employee may earn $10,000 in one award. In slow times, 100 employees may earn $100 in prizes.

A strong recognition and motivational program will help you to maintain good employees. 35% of employees state the reason they are leaving is that they are unhappy with their management. A well managed incentive program with a strong educational component helps a company focus on its stated goals. It will also measure its sales and non-sales objectives regardless of the economic forecast. Over half of businesses are not acting in a smart manner by aggressively pursuing growth. Ask yourself, what are you not getting that you need? If you offer these things you will increase your sales and motivate your employees:

–Training and certification

–Client retention programs

–Cost reduction systems

–Productivity growth

–Pinpoint who your customer is and cast the net

Motivation tools can be as creative and flexible as you are. Bend the rules a little if you have to. Dream big and step back as you watch the suggestions below bring you the results you want:

1. Employees as recruiters – You can use your employees for all the stated goals for the company including a new hire referral system. Because it is essential that you hire and retain good employees use the ones you have to find other good employees. Start an employee referral system in your company and reward for new hires. If you would pay a recruiter $1,000 for a great employee, why would you not pay at least 50% of that for the same employee referral? Turn all your employees into salespeople. Reward them for bringing in leads for new customers. Reward even more for a new contract.

 2. Eliminate anonymity—Human beings have a need to be known and recognized. If an employee doesn’t feel that the person they are working for knows much about their personal life, or understands them as a person, they cannot find their work fulfilling. Start a recognition program. This can be a very powerful tool when combined with genuine appreciation. Purchase some small generic MasterCard gift cards; say in $25 or $50 denominations.  Use the card coupled with a lunch out with the boss. This can work miracles. Always remember employee’s birthdays with a card or e-card.

 3. Engagement by recognition— People feel a sense of enslavement and loss of control when they lack clear and specific goals. Try to include non-sales employees in a company-wide recognition program. Start a program of recognizing service, teamwork and creativity, safety, leadership & collaboration. Give the program a name like the Spirit of or the Stars of… Give out a packet of custom designed gift note cards to all employees—could be called “Star Cards”. It can be a way of saying thank you or to recognize the achievement of one of the department’s values.  Rewards could also include travel or gift cards. Instead of gift cards rewards could also be one afternoon off a week. Mention the employee on the company intranet. Create a flexible and open system for suggestions and ideas. Recognize good money or time saving ideas with appropriate rewards such as gift certificates or travel.

 4. Consistently Offer Training—Training is a perfect complement to recognition. In fact the best incentive programs come with a big educational aspect. Create regular training sessions. It develops a business base for measurement and recognition and is easily justified with management. It also offers the chance for meaningful praise and recognition. Training is an easy tool to tie into incentive programs. It cuts down on irrelevance. Everyone wants to know that their job matters and that other people’s lives would be affected if the job was not done correctly. Find ways to inform employees how their work improves the lives of your customers. Start a weekly educational meeting where you keep staff informed about products, services and customer relations and how they all interrelated. Serve a free lunch at the meeting.

 5. Sustain– Start a recycling club at your business and let employees collect the dollars from saving the cans and bottles. Initiate some green practices by switching out light bulbs, reducing water usage, and recycling paper instead of just throwing it away. Go paper free whenever possible. Check to see how your business can obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design degree (LEED). Install solar power on the roof of the business. The more you are on the lookout for these practices the more you will save. Pledge to give back a percentage of the savings to those employees with good ideas for going green. Redesign the workspace. Improve internet connectivity; install VOIP Telephone systems so employees can communicate not just from their desks but from various pods within the workspace. Create formal and informal work areas. Use as much natural light as possible and turn off some of the electric lights.

 6. Give back—Set a good example. Donating time builds rapport among employees and gives them all a sense of community involvement and the feeling of making a difference. Adopt a local charity for your company. Close the business for an afternoon to build needed housing, clean up a neighborhood or build bikes. Schedule the event and publicize it in the local papers. Write up a press release and afterwards publicize the event on your website.  Make sure the names of all employees who participated are mentioned. Press coverage is free, is good for your company and a huge motivator.

 7. Start a wellness program. 80% of all cancer is preventable. For as little as $30 a month per employee, there are companies out there that will come in and offer health risk assessment to your employees. Reward those that fill out the assessment and pledge to take action goals like losing weight and stopping smoking. Reward those who take action and reward again once action items have been achieved.  This is called preventative care and it is growing concept in the workplace.

 8. Involve the entire family — Employees feel an even greater sense of commitment to their work when they feel their family is understood and recognized as well.  It’s important for managers to learn as much as they can about their employee’s families.  Become a dream manager—create a recognition log about each member of your staff’s families. Know who is taking dance lessons, which is in the Gate program at school, who is in after school sports like soccer or baseball.  Find out what the employee’s favorite foods and snacks are. When appropriate, purchase tickets for the family to go to the Padres game, or order pizza on someone’s birthday and have it delivered hot to their house after work.

 One on one gratitude costs so little but does so much to spread good will. Send a letter of acknowledgement to the employee to his home address so the wife and kids get a chance to read it too. Send a gift basket full of wine or goodies that the family enjoys. Offer a certificate for a catered in-home meal. Invite the employee to lunch but include the wife and kids too.

 Travel Awards  – Families nowadays have very little time to spend together, so if it’s a trip, make sure it’s somewhere that the employee can opt to take the family as well. If you are going to reward top performance with a trip, please also keep in mind the employee’s family. Studies have shown you will maximize your employee’s job satisfaction, motivation and loyalty will follow. “Winner’s Choice” programs are extremely popular. This is where winners can choose between an adult destination like an all inclusive resort in Cancun but also offer the option to select a family all inclusive instead.

 9. Be Flexible – Create flexible work schedules that assist employees work around their religious, family, medical and personal needs. Create four day work weeks. Offer every other Friday off, pay in comp time vs. overtime. Require employees take vacations and do not allow them to accrue vacation time from year to year. Allow a burned out employee to take a month off without pay. Let employees take an adult education class one or two afternoons a week to increase their job skills or even to learn a new hobby

 10. Reward overworked employees—Overworked employees lead to overwhelmed employees. The employees that remain on the job after cutbacks have to take on the additional responsibilities of those who are gone. Overwhelmed employees lead to disengaged employees. Offer time management workshops over the lunch hour and buy food for everyone.

Ok, I said it was 10 Ways to motivate your employees, but this idea came along and I had to include it. .

11. Realign your sales goals – In this economy, a yearlong sales goal or six month sales goal may seem impossible. Start two or four week projects or goals that can then reach towards a larger goal.  Try moving the middle up by 5%. We all focus on the top 10% of sales goals. Start measuring the other 40—90% and ask for an additional 5%. That’s a huge increase. Also, increase sales goal to an 11% increase. That gives you a little bit more to work with for the same payout.

For more information, contact Marilyn Froggatt, 760-966-0173.

Lake Tahoe Morning

Lake Tahoe Shines

At the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino

Prepared by Marilyn Froggatt

8/12/09

A jewell of a resort is available for you at Lake Tahoe Nevada. For those of you who have never been to the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, you would have to travel far to find a resort that can offer what this one does to give you a perfect vacation experience year round. Located on the north side of the lake in Incline village, this resort in the Sierra Nevada shines either during summer or winter season. Nestled on over 500 feet of private sand beach this is the only resort in Lake Tahoe that is right on the water. The hotel offers spectacular views of the largest and most beautiful alpine lake on the Northern American continent. Lake Tahoe at 22 miles long and 12 miles wide and is rated one of the highest in purity and clarity at about 97.7%.  

 Located just 35 miles from Reno Airport, the resort is easily accessed by car. Free parking is available at the resort. You will want a car to use to visit the many attractions and activities available to you during your stay.  

 You have a choice of 422 different sleeping rooms and suites. You can opt for a spacious room in the main building or a Spa Terrace room with balcony overlooking the pool area or mountains. If you prefer to be closer to the beach, you can choose a lakeside cottage room with balcony just steps from the beach and water. One and two bedroom suites are also available in the lakeside cottage area or in the main building.

You have a huge array of choices when it comes to dining. There are eight different bars and restaurants on property all offering tempting meals and snacks. The classic lodge style Lone Eagle Grille serves tempting appetizers, entrees and desserts in a unique California cuisine concept. The wine list is amazing and the restaurant also offers wine pairing dinners. The Lone Eagle Grille is also the hot spot for locals so be sure to make a reservation.

There is a 20,000 square foot spa to relax and be pampered in, a year round swim out pool, 24 hour fitness center, three pools and Jacuzzis, and lots of different outside areas to relax and reflect. Incline Village offers miles of bike and walking trails, so if you find the need to walk off some of the great food and wine you will be able to do so.

This area of Tahoe offers a vast array of unique tours and activities. Try mountain biking off beginner’s runs at Northstar Ski Resort. Go parasailing in front of the resort. Sail on the 65 foot catamaran. Go to one of the most beautiful beaches in North America at Sand Harbor or relax at the Hyatt’s own private beach. Go hiking, golfing, and fishing. Tour the many historical mansions around the lake like Thunderbird Lodge and learn some stories about the eccentric millionaires who designed the future and built the legend that is Lake Tahoe.

You will not regret staying at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino.

For more information, contact Marilyn Froggatt, AtVantage Travel Services at 760-966-0173.

Four Seasons Hotel Florence

Finally we arrive in Florence on April 26, 2009. After almost 24 hours of flying, changing aircraft (triple connection for anyone flying from San Diego) we are swept away from the Florence airport via minicoach to The Four Seasons Hotel Firenze.  Weather is cool, but not uncomfortable; they announce local weather is 14 degrees Celsius. I am an idiot when it comes to translating Celsius to Fahrenheit, but if I was at home, I would say it feels around 65 degrees. I check with one of my travel mates, and they say its 57 degrees. At least there’s no rain.

 I know where I am instantly. The square and rectangular shaped buildings with the green shutters we pass instantly convey their geographic location to the weary traveler. It’s just like it looks in all the travel magazines.  Florence airport is an easy 30 minute drive to the center of town. You traverse through some farmland and pass old Tuscan farmhouses.

 Immediately after stepping into the beautiful hotel I knew the travel time and effort was well worth it. One word sums it up, amazing. You park on a very small and quiet street with towering trees. Private parks emerge on both sides behind gated walls.  The entrance is understated but the bell captain stands in attendance. You pass through glass entrance doors and are instantly transfixed into two fifteenth and sixteenth century palazzi centered by the largest private garden in Florence which is 13 acres. The garden now contains a pool, spa and fitness center. The design of these buildings made them very low key which helps preserve the beauty and tranquility of the area. One thing that makes this area so special is that you can return from a day of sightseeing exhausted and spend an hour or two in reflection and relaxation and it really revives.

 The hotel opened in September, 2008 but because of the lengthy and detailed 7 year renovation, it’s hard to believe you aren’t there to visit one of the Medici families.  I stayed in a Premiere room overlooking the garden, and it was well worth the upgrade. It gives you just a little more green space and is so pretty to wake up to every morning. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze offers 116 sun-filled guest rooms and suites – no two alike – located in both the Palazzo Della Gherardesca and the Conventino. Reflecting their rich architectural history, many suites feature original frescoes, friezes and hand-painted sculptured reliefs – blending Renaissance artistry with high-tech comfort

 The public areas and the meeting facilities contain museum quality frescos and artwork. Both ballrooms are simply fantastic. The Gherardesca Ballroom is in the main palazzo just up one flight of stairs. It was once the private ballroom of the noble family. Paintings on the walls and paneled ceiling date from the 18th century and include three large paintings framed by stucco cornices as well as six oval paintings above the doors. The three paintings depict notable events in the history of the family Della Gherardesca.  The Conventino Ballroom is a former convent church, and is the Hotel’s largest function room. What was the apse now forms a natural stage, and the former organ area overlooking the ballroom can be used for an audiovisual direction booth or for musical performances. The space’s perfect acoustics create a wonderful ambience.

 Relaxing grounds, natural beauty and close proximity to all that Florence has to offer makes this hotel a perfect one destination stop for five star incentive meetings and incentives. But it would not be fair to end this article without mentioning the very best part about this fantastic experience, the hotel staff. Each and every one of them will do all possible to make sure your stay is exceptional. They back up the five star facility with five star service. You will not go away disappointed.  I personally met the hotel General Manager, Patricio Cipollini. He calls his new hotel the first city resort, with a park, a pool and a short walk to the city center.  He also says he wants to dazzle his guests. I certainly was.

AtVantage Travel Report

Regent Seven Seas Navigator

Cruise Ship Update

Sailing on “Grand Mediterranean Cruise”

Rome, Italy to Istanbul, Turkey

Cruise included ports of:

Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno (Florence), Monte Carlo, Monaco, Ajaccio, (Corsica),  France, Sorrento, Italy, Naxos (Sicily), Italy, Navplion, Greece, Santorini, Greece, Kusadasi, Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey

(Port narratives will be included in separate articles)

Seven Seas Navigator

Ship Information

Submitted on 12/15/08

We chose the Navigator for our fifteenth anniversary cruise for several reasons. We wanted an upscale cruise experience. We had sailed previously on Severn Seas Voyager on a seven night Aegean itinerary in a September timeframe which started in Venice and finalized in Athens in 2003. We raved about the cruise for years afterwards. The Voyager is the star of the Regent fleet because it is the largest (700 passengers) and newest of the ships (christened in 2002).

We wanted a ten or eleven day Mediterranean/Aegean cruise and the Navigator, however, was and offered this incredible itinerary. We decided on the Navigator even though we knew it was a smaller vessel (490 guests) and was launched in 1999.

The Navigator has a total of 252 cabins, eight passenger decks, 560 total feet. It is a small exclusive ship; all suites have oceanview cabins. The minimum cabin size is 301 square feet and the maximum suite is 1173 square feet. Guest space ratio is 67.3. 90% of Navigaor’s cabins have balconies.

Beds are full king size with feather pillows and duvets. Cabins have walk in closets, marble appointed bathrooms, a full bathtub and shower. Bathrobes are provided, hair dryers, TVS, CD/DVD players, refrigerators with your favorite liquor and soft drinks replenished daily. Penthouse A&B and all suites have butler service daily which includes 24 hour room service, pressing service, and nightly hors d’oeuvres.

The ship is in excellent condition however, there are a few quirks to look out for such as a limited amount of laundry rooms. You have to be quick and aggressive to grab a washer as they are more popular than a massage appointment during prime time on the only day at sea. The irons don’t work very well either and one of the two washers kept going on the fritz which didn’t help the situation at all. I thought I was being so cleaver and snuck down to the washer early one morning, threw in a load of dark clothes, came back 45 minutes later to find my dark underwear and pants covered in a fine down of white lint. Someone had washed their beach towel the night before and left it in the washer. I didn’t see the towel until it was too late.

Regent is known for its all inclusive policy which means once on board you don’t pay for liquor, soft drinks, bottled water. There is a no tipping policy on board as well. This makes for a very relaxed environment and it is such a relief not to constantly worry about pulling out your wallet for money or signing a check for a drink.

The itinerary was excellent. However, three things challenged our cruise. One was the exchange rate—no news here–at the time of sailing, the dollar was exchanging at 1 Euro to 1.65 dollars. During the cruise we got some relief and the Euro went down to 1.55 dollars. Another thing was the amount of children on the cruise. Whenever you cruise in the summer months, you are going to encounter children and families on board. However, the mix of families on board was not strictly American which helped, as no one group “took over” as sometimes happens when a large amount of one group or another takes over the personality of the ship. The third obstacle was the weather. Italy was experiencing a heat wave and no one can be totally ready for how incredibly hot and humid Italy can be during one of those times. Think of driving in a motorcoach with poorly functioning air conditioning for 1 ½ hours from Sorrento to Pompeii. Think of walking around the ruins of Pompeii in the equivalent of a Swedish sauna for two hours in unrelenting sun and crowds. Then another 1 ½ hours to a mediocre restaurant near Positano (billed as “lunch” in Positano). The road was so narrow and winding everyone was too sick to enjoy their food, even if it had been good. The best news was that it was another hour back to Sorrento. Once we got to Sorrento, we were dropped at a gift shop high on the hill above the port. We had to transfer once again to the port, then to a tender, and finally on board.

Needless to say, cruisers need to be extra vigilant about ship promoted shore excursions. When possible, talk to your travel agent about booking private tours, particularly if you are traveling in a small group so you can amortize the cost of the tour amongst several couples or family members. Private tours can be customized to fit the needs and interests of the participants and you will save so much time not sitting around to be called for your motorcoach, wating for the last person to board the coach, and find that one person who insists on taking too much time in the bathroom or gift shop.

The ship however, excelled in every other way. The dining room was outstanding both in food and service. I would recommend this ship to anyone wanting to get away and be pampered in style while celebrating a special anniversary or honeymoon. For more information, contact Marilyn Froggatt at AtVantage Marketing & Travel at 760-966-0173.