An Exciting Year in Store for Travelers in 2011

Every year, as the new year is approaching, it is always hard to believe that another year has passed. While we are always grateful for our past, we eagerly await the new and exciting experiences that lie ahead of us. For the travel industry, 2011 promises to be a breakthrough year with several exciting new products being introduced. We thought we'd take a quick peek at what you can expect from the world of travel.

We won't be too far into the new year when the first of the exciting events of the year takes place. Disney Cruise Line's new Disney Dream will arrive in Port Canaveral, Florida on January 4th and begin sailing three, four and five night Bahamas cruises. The 128,000 Dream, Disney's largest cruise ship, will introduce some innovative firsts for the cruise industry. Among them is the AquaDuck water roller coaster. This attraction, which uses water blaster technology, starts near the ship's rear stack and takes guests above the pool area, through the front stack and back over the pool deck to the rear stack again. Guests ride on two-person rafts through a clear tube that takes them out over the ocean. Then there are the virtual portholes in the interior cabins. Disney will actually project actual live HD footage of the ship's exterior view on virtual portholes, giving guests the illusion that they have an ocean view.
The Disney Dream is one of several new cruise ships debuting in 2011. Another highly anticipated arrival is the 130,000 ton Carnival Magic. The Magic is set to debut in Europe on May 1st. After a summer and early fall season in Europe she will cross the Atlantic and reposition to Galveston, Texas where she'll become the largest year round ship to be home-ported in that state.
Other cruise lines such at Celebrity, Oceania, Costa and Seabourn will also introduce new vessels, offering veteran and first-time cruisers even more choices. In addition to these new ocean-going vessels, several river cruise companies, including AMA Waterways and Avalon Waterways will have new ships in 2011.
The big news isn't only reserved for the cruise industry of course. Several new resorts are opening their doors in the coming new year. These include Disney's Aulani Resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. A new Park Hyatt will open in Bermuda on the old site of the Club Med and The Four Seasons Nevis will re-open after two years of renovations.
If you're flying to your destination in 2011 expect some changes in the air as well. Southwest Airlines will be completing its merger with Air Tran and the big United/Continental marriage begins to take shape as well. Other carriers, such as JetBlue, will expand its service to cover even more destinations in the Continental U.S. and the Caribbean.
All in all, there's a lot to look forward to in 2011 when it comes to travel. We've only touched upon but a very few of the exciting new developments coming our way in the new year. Whether you enjoy a luxury ocean cruise, a relaxing beach vacation or an exotic adventure experience, we hope your travel dreams come true in 2011. And, be sure to let us know if you need any help in the planning process.

Happy New Year !

Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Brand New Mega Ship Allure of the Seas

Approximately one year after introducing the world's largest cruise ship, the Oasis of the Seas, industry giant Royal Caribbean last week took possession of the Oasis' sister ship Allure of the Seas, from the STX Europe shipyard in Turku, Finland.Like its sister, the 225,282-ton vessel is nearly 50% larger than any other cruise ship afloat and has room for nearly 6,300 passengers -- an industry record.

Construction of the vessel began nearly two years ago.

Royal Caribbean says Allure set sail Friday from the Finnish shipyard for Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where it will join Oasis in sailing seven-night voyages to the Caribbean. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 11. It's maiden voyage is set for Dec. 1.

Like Oasis, Allure of the Seas boasts the most elaborate top-deck at sea, with four distinct pool areas, two rock climbing walls, two surfing simulators, a basketball court and even a zip line. Also like Oasis, the ship is home to tree-lined, open-air "Central Park;" a family-focused outdoor amusement area called the Boardwalk; an outdoor "AquaTheater" that will be home to diving shows; a sprawling spa; and dozens  of lounges, bars and restaurants.

Among new offerings on Allure is the first Starbucks at sea, the first GUESS store at sea, a Brazilian churrascaria restaurant, a Mexican cantina and a hot dog stand. The ship also will be the first to feature DreamWorks Animation characters such as Shrek, part of a new partnership between DreamWorks and Royal Caribbean. And, in one of the more exciting additions, the ship will play host to the Broadway musical Chicago.

With the delivery of Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean now operates 22 cruise ships. The line has no other vessels on order.

Be a Part of the Exciting Travel Industry with Five Star Travel's Independent Affiliate Program

We're excited this week to announce the debut of our Five Star Travel Independent Affiliate Program. This program is aimed at stay at home Mom's and Dad's who are looking to earn a healthy part-time income in the exciting travel industry. Through the strength of our partnerships with some of the best travel suppliers, such as top cruise lines and tour operators, Five Star Travel earns top level commissions. As a result, we are able to offer our affiliates in the program a great opportunity to earn a significant share of these commissions by planning fantastic vacations for their friends and family.
When you become an Independent Affiliate of Five Star Travel you are in your own business, but you are by no means on your own. We offer initial training and continuing support to all of our affiliates to insure they reach whatever goal they set for themselves in business. If you've always had a passion for travel and would like to turn that passion into an income opportunity, give us a call at 512-716-0900 or email us at sales@five-startravel.com. We'd love to have you join our team.

Mexico 2010: What a Week it Was !

It's hard to believe that we're talking this week about the completion of our third annual group trip to the Caribbean. But, yes folks, we're back from Mexico and here to report that we had a fabulous week at the Barcelo Maya Colonial resort.
The hosts (that would be us) arrived late Thursday evening and prepared for the bulk of the group's arrival on Friday. We were thrilled to find the front desk staff ready to confirm our upgrades from the 4 star Barcelo Maya Beach to the 4.5 star Maya Colonial. Everyone basically got their requested rooms in the Jalisco and Guanajanto buildings of the Colonial. The location was centrally located and provided perfect access to the huge resorts' many amenities. Probably the most important perk of the upgrade was the full use of the air-conditioned buffets. July is quite warm in the Caribbean and not having access to air-conditioned dining venues would have been a bit uncomfortable.
The theme for the week seemed to be "relaxation". While many in the group took advantage of the on-site water sports and diving excursions, most seemed content just lounging around the huge pools and the spectacular beach at the Barcelo. The service staff this year was on top of its game always offering a friendly smile and attentive service.
We did have some rain this year. More than we've had in the past two trips. While we missed Hurricane Alex, we did get a 24 hour tropical system that dumped a bunch of rain on the area. Without the beach and pool at our disposal, our group made lemonade out of lemons and camped out at the lobby bar and watched some of the World Cup soccer match. The rainy day actually offered the much needed break from the sun, especially for the kids in the group.
The food this year seemed to be better than ever. The main buffets offered a wide selection and never got boring. Those who chose to dine in the specialty restaurants enjoyed fabulous meals and attentive service. Bottom line: We all ate like royalty on this trip.
As always, the most memorable moments of all of our trips are the special times spent with friends. And this year was no exception. Whether it was a special walk along the beach collecting sea shells, or having a few laughs at the swim up bar, it is these memories that will stay with us forever.
Speaking of memories that will last forever, we wanted to offer a special note of thanks to Brian Runyen of Brian Runyen Photography. Brian was kind enough to work in a special photo shoot of our group members on the beach. The backdrop for the shoot was absolutely stunning and each family on the trip will be receiving a free photo compliments of Five Star Travel. We can't wait to see the results.
Well, with the 2010 trip in the books, it's time to start the planning for next summer's trip. Will we go back to Mexico or look towards another of the terrific Caribbean destinations? Stay tuned for more details to come.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this year. We look forward to seeing you again in 2011.

Providing Value to Our Clients

Value. It's a word commonly used in commerce. We all want value in whatever purchases we make. We want to know that we got more than what we paid for. In travel it's no different. We all want that five star resort at a three or four star price.
Value is the driving force behind all of our vacation recommendations. We are constantly searching for the best values in the industry. But, the effort doesn't stop at the selection of the resort or cruise ship. Once our clients are booked we try to add additional value to their vacations. These value added features could include free upgrades, extra amenities at their destinations or special attention from resort staff.
A great example of providing added value is our upcoming group trip to Mexico. We announced this week that our entire group will be upgraded to the next higher level resort at the Barcelo Resort complex on the Riviera Maya. This upgrade was equivalent to a $400 - $500 value for each of our families and it was done because of our relationship with the resort. That's what comes with 20 years of experience in the travel industry. And that's what we can bring to the table for our valued clients.

Some Five Star Travel History

So, you're a fan of Five Star Travel? You were maybe invited by a friend of a friend to become a fan of our Barefoot Escapes Facebook Page. Or maybe, you found us on a web search. But, who are we? What is our background? As someone who may be considering a vacation in the not too distant future we think it's important that you know who you are dealing with.

Our agency is truly a Mom and Pop operation. Me and my wife Linda operate the business and in September we will be entering our 20th year. But, the history of Five Star Travel really goes much further back than that.

Travel has been in the Anderson family for decades. Back in the late sixties my father Charles Anderson began a career in the travel industry. Working for a major airline afforded him and his family the opportunity to travel to destinations they never would have dreamed of. As the youngest child in the family I had the opportunity to travel quite a bit with my parents. I enjoyed frequent visits to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico as a child. These trips had a big impression on me and my passion for travel grew over the years. In 1991 I had the opportunity to start a new travel agency with my wife Linda. Anderson Travel, as it was known then, started small and gradually grew due to the referrals of our satisfied clients. We realized early on that the only way we were going to grow our business was by delivering superior service to our customers. Thankfully, we have continued our growth over the last 20 years. In 2005 we relocated from the Boston area to the Austin area. We also changed our name that year to Five Star Travel. We felt the Five Star name reflected our commitment to providing a high-end vacation experience to our clients.

But all throughout those years we never lost sight of the passion for travel and for treating every one of our clients' vacations as if it were our own family's trip. We understand how important vacations are in all of our lives and we do our best to make sure our loyal customers have vacation experiences that will always bring a smile to their face years after their vacations have ended.

For me, travel brings me back to my childhood. Those days of discovering the unknown. Spending quality time with my family. One of the joys of my life is to be able to convey the same passion for travel to my children today as we travel the world together.

About a year a half ago I lost both my mother and father. It was a devastating loss for our family. But looking back at their life we were all grateful for the opportunity they both had to fulfill their dream of travel. For them, travel was an essential part of life. It brought them so much joy. And it remains a part of the fabric of our family's life that lives on today through Five Star Travel.

Whether you have been a client of ours in the past or are considering a vacation in the future, we thank you for allowing us to continue being a part of this exctiting industry. We truly look forward to serving your travel needs for years to come.

Help Your Charity by Taking a Vacation

How can you help your favorite charity or non-profit group? Take a Vacation? That's right. It's that simple. With Five Star Travel's Travel for a Cause program our agency contributes a portion of our profits from qualified vacation packages to your favorite non-profit. Just tell us who you are traveling for when you make your vacation booking. Once your travel is completed we'll send a check to your non-profit. Want to raise even more for your favorite charity? Assemble a group trip. Group packages have the ability to raise an even larger percentage for your non-profit. Give us a call and let us fill you in on all the details of how you can Travel for a Cause.

Affordable and Fun 1/2 Day Trip for our Mexico Group

For those joining us on our annual trip to Mexico in July, as well as any of our clients vacationing in the Mayan Riviera, we thought we'd share with you a great 1/2 day excursion that won't break the bank. If you're located south of Playa del Carmen then you're only a short drive to the small beach town of Akumal. A quiet town, with no large resort hotels, Akumal (which in Mayan means "place of the turtles") has been a well-kept secret to many who got used to its slow pace and great natural bay that is perfect for snorkeling. But year after year more vacationers are discovering Akumal and enjoying all it has to offer.
On the north end of the bay sits Yal-Ku Lagoon. If anyone has been to Xel-ha just down the road they will be familiar with this type of lagoon where the fresh water meets the ocean water. While not as large as Xel-ha, Yal-Ku offers much the same snorkeling experience with an abundance of marine life including sea turtles, rays and barracuda. And, the best part, is the price. For $6 for adults and $4 for children you have full use of the lagoon.
Visitors can rent snorkeling equipment on-site or bring their own. There is a small snack bar as well. But, food and drink can also be carried in. Restrooms, change rooms and lockers are also available.
After your visit to Yal-Ku Lagoon enjoy an appetizer, lunch or drink at the famous La Buena Vida beachfront restaurant/bar in Akumal. This restaurant is one of the locals' favorite watering holes. The atmosphere is always festive. Enjoy some famous shrimp or fish tacos or just have a drink on one of La Buena Vida's large swings. A great end to a great 1/2 day excursion to Akumal. We'll be heading to Akumal on our trip in July. If you're part of our group we hope you will join us. If you're not joining us but one of our many clients heading to Mayan Riviera we suggest you add Akumal to your itinerary.

Volcano Crisis Proves the Need for a Travel Agent

If anyone needed any more evidence of why it is crucial to utilize the services of a "real live" travel agent, they need only look at the recent volcanic ash crisis that grounded air service to and from Europe. In this article from Travel Agent Magazine, the real heroes of the crisis are revealed:

Travel agents are emerging as heroes to many travelers during the volcanic ash crisis that is only now coming to a costly end. As the blame game begins, travel agents appear to have proven their value as the public reached out for help.

While the evidence is often anecdotal at this point, its clear that many travel agents went the extra mile for their clients, responding with professional skill to a crisis that engulfed millions of travelers. Case studies of how agents helped clients may prove invaluable.

Lost revenues now total more than $1.7 billion for airlines alone, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) says, calling the six-day crisis devastating. At its worst, the crisis impacted 29 percent of global aviation and affected 1.2 million passengers a day. The scale of the crisis eclipsed 9/11 when U.S. airspace was closed for three days.

American Express Business Travel, for example, reports that its agents have been on the frontlines of the crisis from the first day. It rallied its global service delivery and communications teams to ramp up hours and provide 24/7 availability.

One telling statistic is that service capacity was up 600 percent more than average to provide much needed support to business travelers, while call volumes from stranded travelers reached 5,000 percent over their usual levels. Travel counselors have done everything from re-routing flights to just providing peace of mind, American Express says.

Liberty Travel is another retail group that went the extra mile. Billy McDonough, president of Liberty Travel, notes the value of the resources available to clients of professional agents compared to impersonal online bookings – especially in a crisis.

Forced to alter their plans on short notice, many travelers turned to Liberty Travel for assistance, McDonough said, "this is where the value of our business model really shines.” Shortly following the volcanic eruption, Liberty Travel's phones began ringing with calls from travelers whose near future travel plans were disrupted, as well as those currently overseas and unable to return home.

"We even received calls from travelers who hadn't booked with us originally, but got a hold of an agent's contact information from other travelers who were in the same place and the same situation,” McDonough said. "Obviously, we do everything we can to help anyone who calls us. Flying was completely out of the question from some airports, but were able to assist many travelers in finding affordable accommodations. They may not be able to get home, but at least they can be comfortable and maybe even enjoy a few days in the city they happen to be in.”

He notes that some travelers were willing to explore other means of getting home, whether it was a cruise ship, or traveling over land to an airport where they had a better chance of getting a flight. "These are options not everyone is willing to try, but options Liberty Travel's agents are well-prepared to handle," he said.

"We will do everything in our power to rebook flights or holidays to a future date. If a reasonable alternative cannot be found, we will work with our suppliers and will do everything possible to get clients a full refund," McDonough said.

Unknown at this point is the impact, if any, on bookings to Europe this summer or the effects on future pricing. In addition to the airlines and airports, the impact of the crisis was felt by tour operators, hoteliers, insurers, cruise lines and car rental firms.

Updates on this year's Mexico Trip

Our annual trip to Mexico is approaching quickly. We hope you will join us between July 2 and 10th at the fabulous Barcelo Maya Beach Resort on the Mayan Riviera coast. On this posting we thought we'd talk a bit about the differences between the five Barcelo properties located in the Barcelo complex. We'll be staying at the Barcelo Maya Beach this year. The Beach shares a long stretch of coastline with four other Barcelo resorts: The Barcelo Maya Caribe, Maya Colonial, Maya Tropical and Maya Palace. Last year the Beach and Caribe were closed for renovations. What emerged after the renovation was a resort with new room amenities and a fresh look. The bedrooms were equipped with new ultra-comfortable matresses, flat screen televisions and new rain shower heads in the bathrooms. From what we are reading on the blogs the new amenities have been a big hit with recent guests.
As a result of the last year's closure of the Beach and Caribe, our group stayed at the Tropical. The Tropical lobby has a very modern feel and the resort was very well laid out. As a guest of the Tropical we also had full use of the facilities at the Colonial. Each resort had its own air-conditioned buffet, plus two specialty restaurants and lobby area with a bar and shops. They shared a large pool area which fronted a white sand beach.
What our group discovered last year, however, was that the best part of the beach was located in front of the Beach and Caribe. In fact, several of us ventured over to that part of the beach several times during the week. The beach at this part of the resort is a beautiful mile long crescent with sand entries into the water. Very few rocks to worry about. The Beach and Caribe also have a huge pool with two outdoor grills on each end for a late breakfast or lunch. Swim up bars also sit along each end of the pool.
The dining choices are slightly different than the Tropical and Colonial. There are only three specialty restaurants between the two resorts. One Spanish, a Mexican and a Steakhouse. The two buffet areas are open-air, unlike the air-conditioned venues at the Tropical and Colonial. While the open-air buffets can be warm in the summer, most agree that they give the resort a much more tropical atmosphere. The air-conditioned buffets can have a "mall-like" atmosphere to them.
Each lobby also has its share of shops and lobby bars. And there is a also a large theater for evening shows.
The one thing we constantly hear about the Beach and Caribe is how lush it is. There is vegetation everywhere and the Barcelo staff keeps it looking pritstine.
The Barcelo Maya Palace is the five star resort. It sits at the south end of the Barcelo complex and features upgraded amenities such as larger junior suites and upgraded restaurant choices. As guests of the Maya Beach our group will have access to all the restaurants at our resort plus those at the Caribe. And, we will have access to the beach grills, pool, theater and lobby bars at the Tropical and Colonial. Kids may also use the Barcy Kids Club at either resort, plus the water park at the Colonial.
Hopefully, all this didn't confuse you. One thing that you can see is evident from this blog. Guests who join us this July will have a ton of choices. Choices in restaurants, pools, beaches, kids programs, evening entertainment and water sports. It promises to be a once in a lifetime trip and we look forward to being your hosts once again.

Which cruise ship cabin has the least motion

Many of our clients who are concerned about getting seasick aboard cruise ships ask us which cruise staterooms experience the least motion. As a rule of thumb, cruise cabins located at the lowest, most mid-ship will experience the least motion. And, on many ships the cabins on the lowest deck are no smaller than those on higher decks. Plus, they are usually priced lower. So, if you're concerned about motion, the rule is "go low".