You've probably seen many commercials or received numerous pieces of mail regarding European River Cruises. What is it that makes these so unique and gaining in popularity?
       They are similar to ocean cruises in that you can visit many destinations without having to pack & unpack. That's were the similarities end.  The size of most ships carry 170 passengers vs thousands on Ocean Cruises.  You get more personalized attention due to the crew to passenger ratio.  All meals are included, but a beverage package is not a necessity as soft drinks, beer & wine are included with meals (the only time they aren't included is after dinner). The stateroom is much larger than most cruise ships. In most cases, excursions are included, but this does vary depending on the line.
       When you are at port there may be other boats there at the same time. There's only so much space at the dock so the boats may be tied together and to access the pier you may actually be walking through other boat's lobbies.  For that reason having a balcony is not necessary as you could be in the middle and you wouldn't be able to see anything (while in port), except the boat next to you.  For that reason, many companies don't have full balconies in their inventory.
       The big difference is many River Cruises are adult-only and can only connect two people per stateroom.  A few will permit a third person or have connecting staterooms.  In my upcoming blogs I'll discuss a few companies that are expanding their market to include families.
       I recently attended a River Expo in Vienna.  In port there were 16 boats representing 10 companies that cruise various European Rivers. Some lines are expanding into new markets.  I did tour all the ships, many several times, so I could familiarize myself with the difference between the ships.
       In the course of upcoming blogs, I'll share my observations on the companies and their ships.  Some of the companies may be familiar names to you, but I was really impressed with some of the unknowns.
       Check out our Facebook page as I'll be posting photos there.
             
     

This blog was written by Andrew Lucuski, Port of Call's Intern
            
                Recently I took a 5 Night western Caribbean cruise on board Royal Caribbean’s beautiful Enchantment of the Seas from Tampa, Florida. We sailed down to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico with 2 sea days as well. The destinations were fantastic and the ship was a destination in itself. I will split this blog/review into two sections, first I will discuss the ship itself and its features, then I will move onto the destinations we visited.
                Enchantment is a Vision class ship, meaning it is one of Royal’s oldest ships around. Let me tell you though it certainly did not feel like it. From the moment we stepped on board we fell in love with the ship. It was in beautiful condition and felt like a time capsule to the older times of cruising. My first ever cruise was in 2012 on Grandeur of the Seas and since then I have tried every ship class Royal has to offer. This ship certainly does not have all the newest and biggest activities that many of the newest ships have, but there are plenty of activities and things to do. The ship has 3 pools, (one of them is adults only), a rock wall, pickleball court, running track, kids splash pad and of course all of the typical cruise ship features (casino, running track, arcade, etc.) The dining room in the evenings was fantastic, as were the performers throughout the ship. There were many lounges to relax in with live music in the evenings which created a very laid-back vibe for the trip. One thing I noticed on my last cruise in August on Symphony of the Seas was that there was not much space to relax, there was too many people and too many things going on. This ship created the perfect environment for a relaxing but exciting adventure. The staff on board were also fantastic, our cruise director Sheenagh and activities manager JJ were very involved and provided a fantastic experience for us. We had an interior room for this trip, and for just the two of us it was perfect. The room is a little bit outdated because of the age of the ship but it did not cause much of an issue for us.
                Onto the destinations, we first stopped at Costa Maya, Mexico. This destination was recently purchased by Royal to develop their newest destination, Perfect Day Mexico. There was no construction yet, so we got to experience the authentic experience that the port provides. We decided to spend our day at Jaimes Blue Reef Hotel in the village of Mahahual, where we got an all-inclusive day pass to the resort. It came with a dedicated spot on the beach, all we could eat, all we could drink and use of kayaks. The pass was $68 per person, and we believe it was worth every penny. The food was amazing, with authentic Mexican dishes as well as some American classics and the drinks were great as well. The taxi was easy to get and $10 round trip per person with a tip. The second stop was Cozumel, Mexico, and any Western Caribbean cruise will most likely stop there. We did not have much planned here, so we got off and walked around the town for a bit before getting back on board. The weather was not great that day, so many of the water-based excursions were cancelled.
                Royal’s smallest ships may not be for everyone, but if you cruised in the 90s and 2000s the design will feel very familiar to you and the experience may bring back fantastic memories. I had such a great time on this trip I have already planned to go back again next January to do it again. As always, if you have any questions about Royal Caribbean Cruises or any other vacation do not hesitate to contact us at Port of Call Travel!

         I recently returned from the Turks & Caicos. It's a destination that many people may not be familiar with. Cruise ships often stop at Grand Turk, which is a different island in the chain.
         Turks & Caicos is only about 90 miles from Hispaniola, 50 miles from the Bahamas and 575 miles from Miami. Even from Pittsburgh it's an easy destination to get to, with a single connection.  It's a British Overseas Territory, so you will see some British influence.
          The first impression is WOW - the water is turquoise in color and the beach has soft, powdery white sand.  It's excellent for snorkeling, scuba or a catamaran cruise for those who want to view the beauty from the boat. For those more adventurous there is kiteboarding.
              For those that enjoy staying on land, many resorts have tennis &  pickleball.  Bicycles are a great way to explore on your own.  Golfers do not despair - there is also a championship golf course.
              The Turks & Caicos are a bit different than other Caribbean destinations as they only have a few all-inclusive hotels. There are many beautiful luxury resorts to choose from, but there are also a few that are more moderate. Many of these have small kitchens to help keep the costs down.  Regardless if a resort is luxury or moderate, they are constantly being upgrade, so they all looked good.
                  I toured many types of hotels and will be giving a little insight on these in upcoming blogs. In the meantime, please enjoy some photos on our Facebook post.  
 

        I recently was invited on a hard hat tour to view the construction progress at Pittsburgh International Airport.
     Many people may want to know, why is the airport being changed? When the airport was originally built, PIttsburgh,  was considered a hub airport. As you may remember, US Airways was the primary carrier with many flights connecting through Pittsburgh.  Times have changed dramatically; US Airways has merged with American and 95% of the travelers originate their travel in Pittsburgh.
       The main difference is there will no land-side terminal and no tram to transport you between terminals. The new airport is going to have a much shorter walk from the time you enter the airport until you arrive at their gate.
         The theme of the airport is Nature, Technology and Community and you will see this portrayed throughout the airport. When you enter, it will be very light and open and there will be a clear pathway from where you check-in, pass through security and pass through a tunnel to exit in a light & airy area before getting to your gate. You will see nature in tree-like structures constructed of steel as you enter, with leaves around the base in the floor. The ceiling will look like wood, but it is actually aluminum and there will be an abundance of windows!
         There will be four terraces to enjoy the outdoors. Two large ones will be near baggage claim, so people picking up guests will no longer just have to stand around and wait.  The other two will be for passengers after they pass through security. I'm anxious for this as I like to be outside instead of just sitting in the gate area.
          This summer there were major delays at TSA check points.  In the new airport there will be 11 check points and more agents. So the beginning of the trip will be easier and so will the end. There will be fewer baggage carousels, however, the flights will be arriving very close to baggage claim.  Your bags should be waiting for you when you arrive at baggage claim - no more long waits!!
          The air-side terminal will be basically the same, just refreshing will take place.
           A new parking garage is near completion, so there will be much more covered parking. In all an additional 6000 parking spaces will be added.
          When will the "new" airport be ready for traffic?  An exact date has not been announced, but it will be in 2025. Once construction is completed it will take another 3 months to make sure all the systems are working correctly. It will not be a gradual opening, it will be immediate, one day you will depart the current way and the next day you will depart from the new airport.
          It looks like it is going to be very innovating; stay tuned for more updates. My photos have to be approved before they can be posted!

     I recently had the pleasure of staying at Sandals Royal Curacao. This is one of Sandals newest resorts and is very beautifully laid out. This resort has 351 rooms so it is easy to get around and all of the rooms have a water view.
     Sandals is about 45 minutes from the airport so the ride gives you a nice view of the island. The landscaping is gorgeous and creates a relaxing atmosphere. This resort has a smaller beach than some resorts, but there are plenty of areas to relax and enjoy both the beach and pools. Speaking of pools, they have an infinity pool that overlooks the water. The walls of one of the pools is clear, so it makes for some great photo opportunities.
     There are numerous water sports to participate in and all are included with your stay. There is a marina next door, so as the sun is setting there is a continuous stream of boats passing by. This location is one of the best places for sunsets on the island.
      For those who like land sports - there are both tennis &  pickleball courts. There is a golf course (I've never seen such a long course) located adjacent to the resort, but it is not included in the package price. Of course there is a Red Lane Spa to be pampered! 
     One of the differences in Sandals vs some other all-inclusive resorts is the quality of the food. The restaurants I ate in were very good, including the surf & turf!  In addition to the 8 restaurants there are also 3 food trucks, which offer a variety of choices. There's a great coffee shop, which has yummy deserts, ice cream and specialty coffees.  Robert Mondavi wines and Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee are served at the resort.
     There are several options for excursions, which is the best and least expensive way to see the island.  I took an open-air bus tour which was a great & fun way to tour and the driver was very knowledgeable
     One of the most important assets of any resort are the people and I have found that the staff at Sandals are very friendly and helpful. If you look confused, the will actually walk you to where you want to go. I couldn't find the food trucks and one of the bellman tracked me down and gave me a ride!!
     Sandals Royal Curacao is perfect for guests who want a laid-back experience, with nice pools, many dining options and nightly entertainment. If this sounds like your ideal vacation, you may want to consider this resort. If you are looking for a livelier scene, another Sandals location may be a better choice.  Whatever your preference, Port of Call Travel can assist you in choosing the best option.  Please enjoy some of the photos of this resort posted on our Facebook page.         
                

I recently traveled to a new Caribbean destination, new to me that is! Curacao is part of the ABC islands - Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao. Aruba is the most well-kown, but Curacao is actually larger and only 40 miles from Venezuela and has a lot to offer.

You arrive at a very modern airport. Customs & Immigration was very easy; a pleasant surprise!

It is similar to Aruba, in that it is very arid, with about 22 inches of rain per year. This makes it a safe destination during hurricane season. Due to the lack of rainfall, there isn't a lot of vegetation, other than cactus. However, beautiful bougainvillea can be seen growing in many locations. Many homes have small windmiills to water their gardens.  Oranges are grown and the orange peel is used in the production of Curacao liquor.
 
Dutch influence can be seen throughout the island. 18th century buildings in the city of Willemstad, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The majority of the homes carry the same theme.  Often buildings will have beautiful murals of pastel colors. One of the government officials encouraged people to paint their homes; we also were told this individual owned the paint company!!  In Willemstad is the Queen Beatrice Floating Bridge, which is anchored by two motors and 16 pontoon boats; it's particularly beautiful in the night with all the lights.  You will notice the importance of art in many areas of the city and the island.

Tourism is now a major industry in Curacao, but that wasn't always the case.  For a long time, they were known for salt production, but this became too expensive. Their deep harbors made it a good location for oil refineries and also handle many ship repairs.

There are 35 beaches to enjoy, many of which are in coves and more secluded. You will see varied terrain, as there are actually some mountains in Curacao. It is one of the world's best scuba diving locations, with 70 sites to explore, however there are many snorkeling sites as well.  For those who like to hike, the Christoffel National Park has many trails to offer.

I found it interesting that many Americans have homes in Curacao and are able to retire there without too much red-tape. The majority of the retirees are either from the USA or the Netherlands.

Air travel has expanded greatly in the past several years, so it is a destination that should be considered for your next getaway!  Please visit our Facebook page for some photos, where you can see the uniqueness of this island.

Our next blog will feature Sandals Royal Curacao, the resort where I stayed.   

Good afternoon one last time travelers! This is the final week of the Ireland blog posts and we saved the best for last! This week we will be discussing important first-time tips for Ireland Travel. Let's dive right into it!
Tip #1- Learn the rules of the road! Ireland drives on the other side of the road and some road signs look different, so pay attention and learn the differences
Tip #2- Be prepared for drives to take longer. Ireland has few large highways like we do in the U.S. so short distances will take longer than they seemingly should.
Tip #3- Bring Euros. The currency of the EU is definitely a necessity to have. 
Tips #4- While there are familiar food favorites, try some new ones too! Ireland has many pubs and restaurants all with their own types of food and drink. 
Tip #5- Take in some live music! Irish music is like no other and you will not want to miss live pub music 
Tip #6- Do not be afraid to go off the beaten path, you may find some hidden Irish gems!
Tip #7- Do not plan every minute of your trip. Take some time to stroll at your leisure and explore the villages and towns to see what they have to offer.
Tip #8- Pack for different kinds of weather, no matter the seasons!
Tip #9- If you are on an escorted tour, prepay gratuities and as much else as you can to avoid running out of cash on hand for tour staff.
Tip 10- Pack good and comfortable walking shoes for your time exploring!

This post concludes our summer Irish Blog series. Thank you to everyone who read these posts, it has been a joy to put them together for you all. Please contact us at Port of Call Travel if you are ready to book your next trip to Ireland! I would highly recommend visiting this great country someday soon, it will not disappoint you. 

Hello again travel lovers we are back after a short hiatus from the blogs. This week we have a different blog post for you. I recently traveled on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas on a weeklong Caribbean cruise that stopped at Port Canaveral, Florida, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau Bahamas. Check out my full review of the ship and itinerary below! 
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Our cruise on Symphony was truly a vacation to remember! Our vacation started in Cape Liberty, New Jersey as the port is in driving distance for myself and my travel group. We boarded at about 10:30am and check-in is super easy at Port Liberty! We were on board the ship within 25 minutes of arrival. Upon boarding we secured our cups for drink packages and connected our devices to the Wi-Fi. Our E-muster drill was super simple, and if you have not cruised since the pandemic, this will be a game changer for you. 
Symphony is a beautiful ship, Royal really outdid themselves with this one. This ship is part of the Oasis class of ships which means there is something to do for everyone. From Central Park to the Boardwalk there is no shortage of entertainment for you. The ship has countless dining venues, many of which are included in your cruise fare! Pizza, Mexican, Ice Cream, Pastries, hot dog bar, and of course the main dining room and buffet are all included in your cruise! You will not go hungry on this ship. There are also plenty of entertainment venues on this ship. Boleros Lounge has live Latin music and dance classes daily, the Schooner Bar has a piano area that comes to life every evening, and Royal Caribbean productions in the theatres never disappoint! There are also of course many pools and other outdoor entertainment including mini-golf, basketball, water slides, surf-simulator, and more! 

Now onto the ports of call for this trip. Our cruise made 3 stops, two in the Bahamas and one in Florida. Our first stop was Cape Canaveral Florida. We had visited here a few times before, so if this is your first time, definitely go visit the Kennedy Space Center. This time we chose to go to Cocoa Beach and visit the famous Ron Jon shop. The area is very beautiful and walkable so it's perfect for an afternoon in Florida. 
Our next stop was Nassau, Bahamas. This port is one of the most frequently sopped at cruise ports in the world. On our day at Nassau, two other Carnival ships were docked alongside us. We chose to spend our day in Nassau at Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville Resort. We purchased our day pass from Resorts for a Day, which is great for any destination that has all inclusive. They offer refunds up to 24 hours before your anticipated arrival date. Our time at Margaritaville was fantastic! There is a large "Fins Up!" waterpark and beach access for all daytime guests. The food is not included at this resort and is something to consider prior to booking. 
Our final destination was Royal Caribbeans award winning private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. This island is a MUST SEE for any cruise lover. Royal invested tens of millions of dollars to completely transform this island to a beautiful destination. The past times we have gone here we have visited South Beach or the Coco Beach Club. We decided to go back to the beach club this time because of the outstanding experience it offers to guests. We got off the ship at 8am to ensure we got a perfect spot at the club, and we had a Celebrity ship in port with is that day. This beach club is the best excursion we have ever done on a cruise by far. The elevated experience it offers guests is unmatched, including a beautiful beachfront infinity pool and lobster or steak for lunch. This excursion can get slightly pricy but is worth it if you can find a deal at the right time. There are also plenty of included options at CocoCay as well as included food. To explore all of those options check out our travel resource page and visit Royal Caribbean Blog for more help! 
Check out some pictures from the various excursions below!
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All in all, this cruise was another home run by Royal Caribbean!  We all enjoyed every aspect of this cruise and would highly recommend it to any traveler looking to cruise. If you are interested in a trip on Symphony or any other vacation, get in contact with us at Port of Call travel to get your booking process started! Happy travels!

Welcome back everyone! After a brief hiatus the weekly blog posts are back! This week we have an important topic for those looking to plan a trip to Ireland. The time of year you travel is almost just as important as the destination itself. Factors like weather, festivals, and other events all can make or break your trip. So, this week we will be discussing the best times of the year to travel to Ireland and why, so let's dive in! 
Most people, even if you have not traveled to Ireland, know that Ireland is infamous for rain and clouds. However, there are some periods of the year where travelers will see better weather. Summer is the obvious answer here when temperatures will reach Mid-Upper 60s and you will see more sunshine. This time of year schools are also out of session in Ireland so there are many festivals, carnivals and gatherings, so this is a perfect time of year to see the buzz around the various cities. The only real downside to this time of year is prices for travel are at their peaks, airfare and hotels will cost you a pretty penny. I would still recommend this time of the year as the best time to travel especially for first time travelers to Ireland .
Spring and fall bring similar weather patterns to Ireland, with temperatures in the mid 50s and long days. The weather is slightly crisper, and children are back in school so you can expect less crowds in some of the tourist hubs throughout the cities. There is less activity overall so if you are looking for festivals and parties, this may not be the season for you to visit Ireland. This is not to say that there is nothing to do by any means, just less in comparison to summer. On the plus side, airline prices especially start to fall as well as hotel and Airbnb costs, so if you do not mind less going on and slightly cooler weather, visiting in spring or fall may be for you! 
The last season is Winter and were going to split this up into 2 sections, Christmas time and non-Christmas time. The Christmas time is a fantastic time to visit Ireland as long as you can handle the very cold weather. The towns light up with festivals and markets and there are smaller crowds as well. Some prices can rise slightly around the holiday but are generally lower than peak summer season. As for the non-Christmas season, there is not much going on in Ireland and some attractions might have different hours for the off season. Prices are at their lowest in January and February so if you are looking to travel on a budget, this is the time of year for you!
Thanks for reading this week's edition of the Emerald Isle! We have a few more weeks of these blog posts coming and that will conclude our summer series. As always, if you are ready to book your Ireland trip or anywhere else contact the experts at Port of Call Travel to book your vacation of a lifetime!

Good afternoon vacation lovers and welcome back to another week of the Emerald Isle blog posts! This week is a perfect post for those of you in the first stages of planning your trip to Ireland. We are going to discuss this week the ways you can travel to Ireland! We here at Port of Call Travel can book any one of these tours we will discuss here or we can create a completely customized vacation (**additional fees apply for custom itineraries). 
We have partnerships with many different tour companies that offer trips to Ireland including Globus, Collette, CIE, Adventures by Disney & more! Each company has their own special touches to make your vacation special but in this post we are going to touch on what type of options are available for your trip. 
First up we have escorted tours which are some of the most common ways to visit Ireland. These tours are great for first timers that may not be exactly sure what they want to see in Ireland. These itineraries are chosen by the companies and planned out years in advance so all you need to do is show up and enjoy! A perfect example of this type of trip is from Globus. They offer 10 and 13 day escorted tours to Ireland  with stays in Irelands most prominent cities (many of which we have discussed in earlier blog posts). These tours have charter busses that drive from city to city and most nights are spent at local hotels or B 'n' B's for an authentic Irish experience. 
The next type of tour is a chauffeured tour. This is perfect for those who have very specific destinations that may not be offered by the pre planned tours. These tours are also more pricey than the escorted tours so that is something to consider while planning your trip.  These tours come with a suggested itinerary from the company you book with (CIE is most common for these tours) but you can change things as you please. You will receive vouchers for B 'n' B's in cities on your suggested itinerary for each night of your trip. 
Another option for those feeling extra adventurous is a self drive tour of Ireland! These are great for experienced travelers who want to explore Ireland at their own pace and be in total control of their trip. CIE offers many self drive tour options based on their pre-planned tours.  One key difference here is that the self drive tours do NOT reserve your overnight stays, that is the responsibility of the traveler. This gives you some more freedom during your trip but also more responsibility, so this is another thing to consider when planning your trip. 
As I mentioned before for addition fees that will vary based on your trip we can also plan a custom trip for you and your party to Ireland. This allows you to see and do exactly what your heart desires on your vacation. From hotels and transportation we can take care of it all.
Thanks to everyone who read this weeks post! Next week is an off week for the blog as I will be traveling but we will be back the following week for more! As always, contact us at Port of Call Travel if you are ready to get your next trip to Ireland (or anywhere else).