video from our latest #GirlfriendsGetaway #Cruise on the @CelebrityCruises Constellation Girlsonacruise.com Here it is!! http://ow.ly/hOrO6
Cruise Ship Safety
Last month I sat on the beach the day before boarding a Royal Caribbean cruise for our Girls Getaway Cruise. I couldn’t help but think about the tragic event that took place on the Costa Concordia earlier in the month. My heart breaks for all that experienced that accident and for those families who lost loved ones. I could only imagine how scary that was.
I consider myself a bonafide “worry wart” and very cautious person. I always look for the exit before sitting down at a restaurant or staying the night at a hotel. I always check where the exits are when boarding a plane. (Yes…I worry like the best of them!) Yet as I sat on that beach anticipating the Girls Getaway Cruise I didn’t think twice about safety and had no concerns.
I have cruised 38 times in my life. Have attended 38 “Muster” (lifeboat) drills before sailing and can honestly say I feel very safe. Of course accidents can happen, but accidents such as this one are an extremely rare occurrence in the cruise industry and cruising continues to be one of the safest means of all types of leisure activities and transportation. While any accident involving loss of human life is one too many, from 2005 through 2010 there were 16 marine casualty-related deaths out of nearly 100 million passengers carried worldwide. This record demonstrates the industry’s commitment to the safety and well-being of the passengers and crew.
In my own experience, the Captain and crew are committed to safety of the Cruise ship and it’s passengers. Officers and crew conduct regular drills on every ship and complete extensive training. I have witnessed these drills many times over the years. (You can read more about Celebrity Cruises safety standards HERE - http://ow.ly/8ZHs1 )
Safety awareness is one of the reasons that I started GirlsonaCruise.com Girls Getaway travel. I personally would be too worried to travel alone, as many of us are. With so many women in the position of finding others to travel with, traveling with a group is the perfect answer. It seems strange but true that even though many of us have just met on the Cruise, we become an instant support for each other in case of emergency, whether it be medical or safety. After all, we are all in the same boat! (Pun totally intended!) It is a huge advantage to traveling in a group.
Do I feel safe? Absolutely! Can accidents happen? Absolutely! But a rare occasion will not stop me from enjoying life and all it has to offer.
Accidents happen everywhere…but I will still get on a bus to take a trip into NYC to see a Broadway Play, I will still get on a plane to fly to LA and see my son, I will still drive to the grocery store to shop for my family, I will still ride that latest roller coaster at Disney World and I will still cruise!
Janet DeVito
Cruise Ship Safety
Last month I sat on the beach the day before boarding a Royal Caribbean cruise for our Girls Getaway Cruise. I couldn’t help but think about the tragic event that took place on the Costa Concordia earlier in the month. My heart breaks for all that experienced that accident and for those families who lost loved ones. I could only imagine how scary that was.
I consider myself a bonafide “worry wart” and very cautious person. I always look for the exit before sitting down at a restaurant or staying the night at a hotel. I always check where the exits are when boarding a plane. (Yes…I worry like the best of them!) Yet as I sat on that beach anticipating the Girls Getaway Cruise I didn’t think twice about safety and had no concerns.
I have cruised 38 times in my life. Have attended 38 “Muster” (lifeboat) drills before sailing and can honestly say I feel very safe. Of course accidents can happen, but accidents such as this one are an extremely rare occurrence in the cruise industry and cruising continues to be one of the safest means of all types of leisure activities and transportation. While any accident involving loss of human life is one too many, from 2005 through 2010 there were 16 marine casualty-related deaths out of nearly 100 million passengers carried worldwide. This record demonstrates the industry’s commitment to the safety and well-being of the passengers and crew.
In my own experience, the Captain and crew are committed to safety of the Cruise ship and it’s passengers. Officers and crew conduct regular drills on every ship and complete extensive training. I have witnessed these drills many times over the years. (You can read more about Celebrity Cruises safety standards HERE - http://ow.ly/8ZHs1 )
Safety awareness is one of the reasons that I started GirlsonaCruise.com Girls Getaway travel. I personally would be too worried to travel alone, as many of us are. With so many women in the position of finding others to travel with, traveling with a group is the perfect answer. It seems strange but true that even though many of us have just met on the Cruise, we become an instant support for each other in case of emergency, whether it be medical or safety. After all, we are all in the same boat! (Pun totally intended!) It is a huge advantage to traveling in a group.
Do I feel safe? Absolutely! Can accidents happen? Absolutely! But a rare occasion will not stop me from enjoying life and all it has to offer.
Accidents happen everywhere…but I will still get on a bus to take a trip into NYC to see a Broadway Play, I will still get on a plane to fly to LA and see my son, I will still drive to the grocery store to shop for my family, I will still ride that latest roller coaster at Disney World and I will still cruise!
Janet DeVito
Filed under travel
RT @portholecruise: Scooter? Luggage? Yo
RT @portholecruise: Scooter? Luggage? You decide. http://t.co/rsyh7gLz
Filed under travel
“Why does it seem unfair to pay double to cruise single?”
Cruising Solo –
“Do I really have to pay 200%?”
I have been a Cruise Specialist for almost 12 years now and approximately 1/4 of my clients are solo/single travelers. Cruising is a great way for singles to travel. Whether it is with a group or a couple of single friends, after a day on a cruise solo travelers are suddenly “not so solo” anymore! On any given cruise ship there are bound to be quite a few singles…so you won’t be alone! Cruise lines do cater to the singles by hosting “meet & greet” cocktail parties throughout the cruise.
For singles & solo cruisers, having your own cabin is often the most preferred way to cruise as it is nice to have the privacy of your own cabin. There is however, one question that always comes up when someone traveling solo calls for information…
”Why do I have to pay double to have a have my own room?”
For those of you unfamiliar with cruising, the cruise fare is usually quoted in a “per person” rate. That rate is always based on double occupancy. However, if you are planning to have your own stateroom as a solo you are required to pay “double” (except on very few occasions where the cruise line is running specials). For many this seems unfair and sometimes it is a deciding factor in cruising for a single/solo.
Although on the surface, it does seem unfair. But if you think about the cost of a cruise in terms of booking a hotel rate, it is really not unfair at all.
If you are planning a weekend vacation at a hotel, you are quoted a “per night” rate based on the room you choose. For example, you may choose a hotel accommodation that costs $300 per night. If you are traveling alone it will cost you $300 per night. If you are sharing with a friend and splitting the cost, it would then cost you each $150 per night. The hotel does not charge you half the room price if you are only 1 person in the room. The hotel bases their operating budget on the cost of the room, whether 1 or 2 guests are in the hotel room.
A cruise ship is very similar. If a stateroom costs $300 per night, as a solo you would pay $300 per night and if you share the stateroom you would split that. Sounds fair…but why does it seem so unfair?
It is the way Cruise pricing is quoted…on a “per person basis.” If a client hears that a cruise is $150 per person/per night, it is hard to understand why as a solo you have to pay double ($300 per night). It somehow sounds wrong for a cruise to charge a 200% cruise fare for a solo traveler. But the reality is that the Stateroom has to be paid for, exactly like the Hotel room. The Cruise lines formulate a budget based on each stateroom being filled whether 1 or 2 guests are in the stateroom. IF the cruise was quoted in a “Per Cabin” rate instead of a “per person” rate, no one would think twice about the solo pricing.
Some cite that the difference is that Cruise fares include meals and the solo traveler is only eating for 1, so shouldn’t there be a discount? Yet if you were staying at a hotel that included daily breakfast, you would not get a discount on the Hotel room rate if you are solo. Again, it is thought of in terms of a “Room charge per night”.
As a solo cruiser, it might sound unfair to pay double, but when you compare it on equal terms to a hotel vacation, you will still find the Cruise a much better value…even when you are traveling solo!
So don’t let that 200% charge for a Solo Cruise fare scare you away…it is just in the way it is phrased. And let’s not forget the benefits of having your own room – privacy, space and your own closet! Plan your solo travel today!
GirlsonaCruise Post Divorce!
"This is the relaxation I deserve"!
Last Monday night I went out with a friend who recently announced she was getting divorced after 30 years of marriage. Not that I was shocked…in fact, I was happy for her. Happy that she was doing something she wanted to do for years…getting her independence. But not happy that she was going through the horrible process of “getting divorced”! It is an emotional roller coaster and very draining.
Although I am not an advocate for divorce, the reality is that it happens. And now it was happening to her. This road she is going down will be filled with stress…in a big way! As a friend, my job is to support her and help her de-stress. The best way to do that? Get the Girls together! And what do the Girls do when they get together?
- Laugh, Cry & Dance to old disco tunes!
- Laugh, Cry & Share stories
- Laugh, Cry & Get Massages
- Laugh, Cry & Chit Chat till the wee hours
- Laugh, Cry & Pop open another bottle of wine…..
- Laugh, Laugh, Laugh!
Yes, I have just described every Girls Getaway and the perfect method of de-stressing! I started hosting Girls Getaway Cruises 5 years ago when I needed to de-stress from the “Empty Nest” time of my life. It worked! And I have been doing it twice a year ever since.
It is 4 or 5 days of Girl Time that is all about reconnecting not only with my friends, but with me. It is about getting away from all the family stress and refreshing my soul. There is something about being around other women (Friends, Sisters and even girls I just meet on the cruise) that encourages sharing and laughter. Then you return home feeling like NEW! Ready to take on the world again!
So, I am going to take my girlfriend and her girlfriends on a cruise. Where she can laugh and cry and carry on as herself with a group of women who are supportive, empowering and just plain fun. It is exactly what the “Doctor BFF Ordered!”
Let GirlsonaCruise.com help you celebrate your “Chapter 2″. Can’t find a friend to join you? JOIN US!! We have many “Solo” women…once they travel with GirlsonaCruise.com, they aren’t traveling “Solo” anymore!
What did you do to pick yourself up when you were going through your divorce?
Check out the POST-DIVORCE DATING CLUB - the best community online and offline for ALL re-singled men and women to mix, mingle and maybe meet.
Filed under travel
Top 5 Reasons Cruising is Great for Families!
TOP 5 Reasons Cruising is Great for Families!
- Kids are split into age appropriate groups so making new friends is easy and fun is supervised!
- Teens have their own Dance Clubs onboard where parents can’t “Hang around”!
- On deck sports activities such as Golf, Rock Climbing, Zip Lining & Water slides keep kids entertained!
- Raining? No Problem! How about Movies, Arcades, painting, Ice Cream Sundae Parties and MORE!!
- Late evening entertainment for the kids & that means MOM & DAD can stay out and have fun where kids can’t “Hang around”!!
Okay, here is the scoop. I have raised 5 kids who are now all in their 20′s and I can honestly tell you that Cruising was the perfect vacation for us.
Disney World? Pretty awesome…but you really need a vacation when you come back from there!! It certainly isn’t relaxing!
Beach Resort? I love to relax on the beach and get a massage at a beautiful island resort….but not when the kids get bored and start saying “Mom, can you come in the water?” ”Dad, can you walk me back to the room”? I
OH! And did I mention how expensive it is to feed everyone every day?!!!! Totally unpredictable when each family member has different desires for lunch or dinner. Maybe that should be # 6 - Kids can eat WHAT they want WHEN they want it. (and it’s all included!)
A Cruise solves all of these issues …
Kids are entertained so Mom & Dad can enjoy some alone time to relax or “whatever”!
Days at sea are just what us parents need to decompress and relax.
Everyone can eat what they want, when they want. No hassles, no expensive dining bills…and that means no stress!
After our first 3 cruises, it was our families vacation of choice. Cruising made everyone happy!
Our favorite Cruise Lines for Family vacation?
- Royal Caribbean (The kids favorite!)
- Celebrity Cruise Lines
- Princess Cruises
- NCL
Now that the ids are grown up, we still love those Cruise vacations…in fact I look forward to our Super Bowl Cruise on the Celebrity Millennium in 2012 with the whole family!
It is still the #1 vacation for our family because a vacation is really about relaxing, having fun and creating your own mix.
Join us on our Super Bowl Cruise in February 2012! www.MoreThanJustaCruise.com
A great holiday Gift for your family…togetherness on a cruise!
“Why DO I Have to Put My Seat back Up for Takeoff?”
Jayne Waterbury & John Walker - Continental Flight Attendants
So I am sitting on a Continental flight (Love Continental Airlines) and after 30 plus years of flying I just learned something. (I always say you are never old to learn a new trick!)
As a rebel at heart, I always wondered “why do you have to put your seats in an upright position and stow everything under your seat for take off and landing”. I always got annoyed when they wouldn’t even let me hold my pocketbook on my lap!
Does anyone know the answer to that? I sure didn’t. Well, NEWSFLASH! While waiting to take off on my Continental flight to visit parents, I came across the inflight magazine and a pilot’s Q & A answered my question. I actually felt like an idiot! It was such an obvious answer…but I had not thought of it…..
ANSWER:
Most flight accidents take place during take off and landing. In case of emergency, it is extremely important that the aisles are absolutely clear so everyone can evacuate quickly. I mean, imagine that 100 women have pocket books on their laps..the plane jolts…the pocketbooks go flying…landing in pathways of freedom! OH… I GET IT NOW!
Considering that, it totally makes sense that the seats be in an upright position too. Reclined airline seats can definitely impede someone even getting up to go to the bathroom let alone needing to evacuate suddenly! I can testify to that at this very moment as the woman in front of me has reclined her seat fully and my laptop is currently sitting on my chest! (Try to remember that someone is sitting behind you and be courteous.)
Now I totally understand. It is all about the escape route and keeping it clear.
Took me 30 plus year…but thank you Captain Mike Bowers. Now instead of feeling inconvenienced, I will feel like I am doing the responsible thing! And as usual on a Continental flight, the Flight Attendants are always so nice! Once again, I’ve encountered professionalism along with friendliness & humor in Jayne Waterbury & John Walker on my Continental Flight # 1845. I mean, how can I be “a rebel” to such nice people.
Have any other questions? Write Captain Bowers at askthePilot@united.com . And be patient…even if you don’t understand the stupid rules! There is usually an underlying reason…..
My Rebel attitude will have to take a break…I would rather fly safe!
Guest Post from Girlfriendology.com
All I ever needed to know … Girlfriend Cruise Edition!
Guest post from Girlfriendology.com – Great source for all things “Friends”!
Wish you could have joined us on our Girlfriend Cruise to Bermuda with GirlsonaCruise.com!
It was an amazing seven days with fabulous female friends – new and not so new. We sailed to beautiful Bermuda on board the Celebrity Summit. We met wonderful women from all over the U.S. who ‘get’ them importance of getting away with their girlfriends!
Here’s updates on our Girlfriend Cruise travels -
- Girlfriend Cruise – Fun Friends, Great Memories
- Day 4 of Girlfriend Cruise – We’re here in Bermuda!
- Rocky Seas but Smooth Sailing on Girlfriend Cruise
- THE Girlfriend Cruise to Bermuda – Smoothing Sailing with Fab Female Friends!
You know how they say: ‘Everything I needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten?’ Well, after spending a week with the wonderful women on our girlfriend cruise to Bermuda, I think there is much to learn from women in our lives. Like these life lessons from the ‘ladies of leisure’ on the Celebrity Summit:
- Sometimes you just gotta hang out with your girlfriends! Kids, husbands, relationships, jobs, responsibilities and schedules were all left back in the U.S. when we debarked for Bermuda – and it was a very good thing. Quality time with girlfriends, I personally find, and witnessed other women who agree, was an amazing opportunity to ‘get back to our true selves.’ It’s wonderful how the laughter, conversations, smiles and overall happiness just take over your whole outlook on life. We definitely experienced some great ‘girlfriend therapy’ just by spending a little quality time with other women.
- Girlfriends NEED each other. Two of the women in our group are cancer survivors (who met on a cancer survivor cruise previously). They expressed deep appreciation and even the medicinal value of spending time with their girlfriends. We women don’t just enjoy time with our friends, we NEED them. We need their friendship, support and guidance. Thankfully we’re there for each other.
- It’s wonderful to feel totally accepted. I’ll be honest with you. I don’t think I’ve been in public in a bathing suit in a decade (seriously!). It was wonderful to feel so totally accepted and comfortable with a group of girlfriends that it didn’t matter if I held in my stomach or had the cutest suit. We just enjoyed each other’s company – as we are.
- Laughing together is medicinal. The conversations we had, funny secrets we shared, stores we told – all bonded us through our life experiences and lessons. There is nothing like laughing with female friends with whom you feel so comfortable and happy. Laughing, and friendship, is VERY good.
- A helpful, fabulous girlfriend-in-charge makes traveling even more fun! We were so lucky to travel with a great cruise director (who arranges cruises for girlfriend trips and other groups) – Janet DeVito of GirlsonaCruise.com. From giving us ‘noodles’ to float on in the Atlantic, to hand-written notes on our door, to making sure our happy hour and dinner conversations were always inclusive and amusing, Janet is a pro in making it a great girlfriend cruise! Check out this video she made:
Girls Getaway to Bermuda – Day 1 thru 3
Girls Cruise – Celebrity Summit to Bermuda
I’m sitting by the pool on the third day of our Girls Getaway Cruise to Bermuda. The weather is what I consider “stunning”! The only complaint is that it is a “bit” warm. But still stunning! I am relaxing and contemplating when it is appropriate to have my first drink for the day…and then I think “It’s noon somewhere!” And for our GirlsonaCruise.com it is always noon!
Day 1:
So 2 days ago we sailed out of Bayonne NJ on the Celebrity Summit and I met the 16 girls who are in our Girls Getaway group. I knew 4 of them before this trip, but hadn’t met the others including Debba from Girlfriendology. I must say, after years of putting these Girls trips together, I have never once met someone who wasn’t nice & fun. Maybe it is because the type of Girl who chooses to travel with a group of other women that they don’t know MUST have a fun, adventurous personality! Whatever the reason…I love that this always holds true! We had a pre-dinner party and had an “ice breaker” type event so everyone could get to know a bit about each other. I always worry that someone will say “OMG, I am NOT doing that!” But as I said, this group always attracts people who actually like to met new people. I would tell you what we did….but I don’t want to spoil the surprise for all “future Girls cruisers!” Just trust me…it was fun! Dinner was delicious. The best item on the menu was the “Mushroom Cappicino” A favorite of mine. Everyone loved the food and the service was also great. I sat with Debba (from Girlfriendology) and other women I had just met but had plenty to talk about and so much in common even though we all just met. Everyone was off to bed early after dinner. I would say the first day was exhausting, exciting and the apprehension of meeting everyone was over. We are off to another great Girls Getaway Cruise!! Whooo Hoooo! Okay, so I admit…Connie and I went to Michaels Club and talked till wee hours over drinks. (Hey, isn’t that what us girls do? Talk, and Talk, and Talk……) 
Day 2:
Pool anyone? Sun anyone? ME ME ME ME!!! Connie and I woke up early to Coffee and tea room service. Did the obligatory walking on the Sunrise Deck (3 laps = 5/8 mile….so we did 6) to get the blood flowing. Although somehow walking around the deck of the ship with the sea breeze and the fresh air doesn’t seem like exercise it clearly is. Walking in the morning is a great way to start the day. After perusing the breakfast buffet and grabbing some lox and a bagel, I headed back to the room to shower and change into my uniform – BATHING SUIT AND COVER UP. Yes, that is my uniform for the next week. I wish it could be my uniform everyday…but then I wouldn’t appreciate the week on a vacation. Then it is out to the pool. I got everything I need – beach bag, sun screen, book, hat and camera (I must have it at all times, you never know what will happen that I need to remember!). And that is where I spent the whole second day. Hanging by the pool with the Girls! And what did we do? Talk, Talk, Talk…Laugh, Laugh, Laugh. Yep, we probably shouldn’t have been so loud in the Thallasso Therapy Spa pool, but how can you stop laughing when we are being tossed around like dolls as the water seems like a wave pool. Oh well… I spent an hour in the iLounge checking emails and writing my hubby and then it was of to shower for our pre-dinner cocktail party. Okay…funny story…I left to go to the party early with Jeananne and we ordered a drink at the Champagne Bar and waited for everyone. An hour later, no one showed. We couldn’t figure it out. We decided to stroll to another lounge and saw everyone else sitting in Michaels club. Of course, I had to laugh because I am the one who set up the party, and there I sat at the wrong place with Jeananne for an hour while everyone else had a blast! Oh well, all is not lost because I got to know Jeanann! Another awesome dinner (everyone at our table got the rack of lamb and it was fabulous!) After dinner…we hit the disco. Danced and laughed until 1 am. What a blast! A definite do-over tonight!! (I will try to get pics too!)
It is now day 3. I sit in the sun writing this. Connie and I are in the groove. We have our routine down pat! Morning coffee – walking – pool. But the day holds alot of surprises. I will write all about it tomorrow! Oh and Happy Birthday to my Hubby! It is his bday today!
janet
