Still Alive

So sorry for the delay of blog entries. As you are probably aware, Thanksgiving was last week, and the woes of life took over the office, and also my "blogging time." But for those of you who were worried, I am indeed still alive. Tracee and Lori are alive and kicking as well. :)

I hope Thanksgiving treated you all as well as it treated me. I was able to avoid any extra pound-age, and even helped make the delicious meal! Christmas is right around the corner though, so we aren't out of the woods yet! I wish a Happy Holiday season to everyone.

Last minute Christmas trips have been a constant this week. Europe, cruises, the Caribbean, you name it, we have been booking it! New Years will surely bring on some last minute travel arrangements too. If you are in need of a small reminder to plan your "resolution trip," here it is! Start 2013 off right, and travel the world.

These last two weeks have been very interesting for me. While Tracee and Lori were away, I manned the office by myself, with the help of our independent agents. Teamwork at it's best! The week was a success, however, and I managed to keep the office from exploding or even catching fire at all! No one became stranded on an island, and everything flew by very smoothly.

For the first time in the almost five years that I have lived in Fayetteville, I traveled to the square for the Night of Lights. Beautiful! And so fun! Pictures are a must have if you get the chance to visit. And don't forget about the carriage rides, pony rides, and even CAMAL rides that you can partake in! So romantic! Here's a little taste of the magic:

That's all for now!

Keep calm, and travel on.

Surprises

This week is going to be interesting.

Tracee is having fun in the sand in Jamaica this week, and Lori is out of the office as well. To the rescue are Tina and Judy (our outside agents) to step in and help out this week. After all, no one likes to be alone. We navigated through a potential disaster yesterday, nabbed a couple of new clients, and ended on a successful note! We may have found the new dream team.

Last week was a win for Kristin. I booked my most luxurious Honeymoon yet, and this week I'm even working on a new honeymoon to Bora Bora! Starting off this week with some excitement!

This cold weather has everyone in a shock. The office was 54 degrees yesterday morning! I was shivering for the first hour while the heater worked its little engine heart out to heat up the room. But now we are toasty and warm. :)

Also, the snack machine was re-stocked this week. Glory, glory.

Keep calm, and travel on. 

Gulp

Are you a wine-o? Are you also a cruise lover? Then get excited!

"Royal Caribbean Allows Guests to Bring Aboard Their Own Wine"

By Tom Stieghorst

 

"Royal Caribbean International has changed a long-standing policy that prevented guests from bringing their own alcoholic beverages on a cruise.

The new policy allows for two 750-milliliter bottles of wine per cabin. The wine can be consumed in a guest cabin or on a balcony without charge. If the wine is consumed in a public space, there will be a $25 corkage fee.

The policy requires that the wine bottles must retain the original manufacturer’s seals and exhibit no signs of tampering.

If a guest brings more than two bottles, the additional bottles will be secured by ship personnel and returned just prior to the end of the cruise, Royal Caribbean said.

Previously, passengers were not allowed to bring any sort of beverage on the cruise, and alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day were not returned to guests.

By way of explaining the change, Royal Caribbean said it recognized that "vacationers may have a particular bottle of wine or champagne that they would like bring on board to commemorate a special day or event while on their cruise.""

I think we can all rejoice that the election is over! No more campaigning, no more rants. I hope everyone got out to the polls yesterday and voted. I know I did! Go America!

No matter who we voted for, we all made a difference.
And for those having an urge to suddenly leave the states, make sure to give me a call for your travel arrangements!

Keep calm, and travel on. 

 

Bittersweet

While I am super stoked that Lori get's to have an awesome vacation, it is bittersweet not having her in the office with us everyday. It get's so quiet with just Tracee and myself.

Probably part of a passive aggressive torture plot to make Tracee and myself die of envy, Lori has been sending warm and loving emails of beach-y scenery and dessert tables to makes your eyes melt.

Do you feel our pain?

Lori returns next week, so make sure to call her for all the new GIVC details about Karisma  Resorts in the Riviera Maya. And of course, for all the wild stories that I'm sure she will bring back with her.

I'll make sure to update you as more pictures are sent our way. Tracee and I, however, are one picture away from packing up our suitcases and joining her ourselves! If only the election wasn't in 4 days. Perhaps after? A post-voting treat? I think we all deserve a beachfront villa for exercising our American rights, am I right?

Who's in?

I have some even better news. It's only 2 hours away from the weekend! TGIF! Get those party heels ready, ladies. And gentlemen, make sure you're prepared to carry us when our feet get tired. Those heels are a full-time job! A lady has to rest!

I'm sure all of you are ready for some puppy love as well. 

Blind your eyes from the upcoming cuteness if needed:

3....

2....

1....

 They live the ultimate life of dog luxury. But really, who can resist that brown eyed girl? Not me!
 At least I'm never lonely. :)

 I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend.

Keep calm, and travel on. 

So long, Farewell

Lori leaves tonight for Tulsa, and is off to the Riviera Maya first thing in the morning for the GIVC Awards, and of course, a short vacation. We will miss her while she is gone, but we shall also be mildly jealous. I mean, can you blame us?

The newly wed Davidson's returned from their honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas last week. They gave rave reviews of the RIU Santa Fe, and couldn't have been happier about their stay. Which obviously makes me one happy agent! One honeymoon down, millions to go!

Tracee also leaves for a break soon. She heads for Jamaica in November to learn all about the new Sandals Wedding program. I'm stuck here in Fayetteville for the foreseeable future, but, I guess there could be worse places, right?

Judy and Tina, our outside agents, have been very busy these past months. Don't forget about utilizing the skills of professionals for your next vacation. The advice and guidance of experts can make all the difference in the world. Trust me when I say that staying at the wrong hotel, or eating at the wrong restaurant, can easily ruin a once of a life time trip!

Charles and Prue are handsome/fabulous pumpkins this year for Halloween. Charles is more photogenic, so I snapped this picture over the weekend when he was trying on his costume. While Prudence adores her new wardrobe, Charles sadly prefers to remain Au-natural. This same pumpkin hat was found on the floor promptly after this picture was taken; another victim of Charles' wrath. Charles 1, Halloween 0.

Well travelers, that is all I have to report for now.

Keep calm, and travel on. 
 

Through the Looking Glass

Price is everything...or is it? Take a look at this article for an eye opening view of the Travel Agent's mind-set.

Friday is almost here! Tomorrow, Destinations will be rockin' our Razorback apparel and celebrating with a Gusano's complementary pizza lunch from Airways Freight. Aren't our lives just hard? Please pity us, and forgive us of our incessant whining.

Halloween parties commence this weekend. Do you have a killer costume picked out and ready to go? This girl is going as "Sailor Mars" from my childhood days. Probably couldn't be more excited.

My children (four legged) have their very first vet appointment today. I'm one nervous momma. :/ What do I do if they aren't 100% perfect and healthy?! Someone hand me the brown paper bag now...breathe...

Keep calm, and travel on.

Hilarious.

Another exciting day here at Destinations.

Europe is on the brain today! Already two new clients have called to start planning their trips overseas this morning.

I, personally, have taken on two new honeymoons this past week. :) Congrats to all the future newlyweds out there.

Charles managed to lock himself in the upstairs bathroom yesterday. Apparently he got bored during his stay in the lavatory, and decided to eat everything in sight. I am now out two toothbrushes, a toilet bowl cleaner, a hair brush, and the toilet paper roll-holder-thing. I give fair warning now, while bloodhounds might be incredibly cute and smart, I advise you to go for the less-intelligent dogs. (They don't get too bored when locking themselves in small areas). Prue, of course, was sitting patiently on the couch when I arrived home, with no household victims to speak of.

Speaking of the animals, I need to call the vet. Have you all taken your critters to have a check-up lately?


How many horses can you fit into one stall? heehee.

Look at those cuties. How can I not love my life? Say hello to Rhubio, Charlie, and Buddy. :) They are my part-time job, number 2.

Keep calm, and travel on.