Cruise Ships in Haiti?

Cruise Ships in Haiti?
Recently it has come to light that there are Cruise Ships that are still visiting Haiti despite the devastation in the wake of the earthquake. Royal Carribean Cruise Lines has resumed their ports of call in Labadee Haiti, known as a "picturesque wooded peninsula". This peninsula is located 60 miles from the devastation of the earthquake where passengers can enjoy para sailing, jet skiing, barbecues on the beach and rum cocktails served to passengers basking in the sun in their hammocks.

To their credit RCCL has pledged $1 million dollars in aid and has been delivering much needed supplies to Haiti. The visit will keep 500 Haitians employed at the Resort they stop in.
But it seems that passengers and Haitian-Americans have mixed feelings about the resumption of the cruises. Some passengers have elected to remain on the ship because their conscience would not allow them to engage in sun and fun while others other suffering 60 miles away. But on the other hand will staying away from the Resort cause 500 more Haitians to be un-employed and lose their valuable income to their families and add to the country's problems? This is the dilemma.

I posed this question to many of my Haitian friends. Once again the response was mixed. Some were outraged that Cruise ships would carry on with a "business as usual" attitude. Others mentioned that it may be good for the economy of Haiti. A few brought up concern of safety and security, that some desperate Haitians may try to take over the Resort or the cruise ships.
I have been informed that the port is heavily guarded and there are 12 foot high fences surruonding the area.

I honestly do not have the answer. I understand both points, pro and con. I hope that Royal Carribean will continue to provide financial support and aid to Haiti and treat the citizens with respect and dignity. That is the only way Cruise Ships should go to Haiti.
Continue to Pray for Haiti.

Donate to help Haiti.

http://yele.org/- This is Wyclef Jean's foundation that has been helping in Haiti for years.

http://www.redcross.org/ - Time honored organization

WorldVision.org - They have been in Haiti for over 34 years.

Carnival Destiny Cancels 2 Cruises

The Carnival Destiny cancelled 2 cruise sailings from February 13, and February 18. It will be returning to Drydock for repairs. I received this E-mail from Carnival today.

"The Carnival Destiny is experiencing a problem with its propulsion system and regrettably, Carnival must cancel the departures for February 13th and February 18th in order to take the ship to an unscheduled drydock for repairs."

Carnival states it will work with cruisers who booked a cruise on the Carnival Destiny to find another cruise that works with Cruiser's vacation schedule. Carnival will also provide a $100 per person onboard credit when rebooking any further Carnival cruise, departing prior to December 15, 2011

There are Options
As per the Carnival E-mail that was sent out_
*Reschedule immediately on another voyage - there is good availability on a wide variety of Florida departures.

*Cancel and have Carnival hold the payment for a future Carnival cruise (valid for sailings departing within 24 months)

*Cancel and receive a full refund, inclusive of Carnival's air supplement, optional land packages, Vacation Protection Plan and government fees and taxes. No further action on your part is necessary as refunds will automatically be processed in three weeks.

Regarding Air Fare

If independent air transportation was purchased and Cruisers need to make changes to accommodate a new departure, Carnival will reimburse up to $200 per person (via a refundable on board credit) for airline change fees so long as documentation is provided. Please submit supporting documentation to Carnival's Guest Admin Department, fax # 305-405-6477.

For questions or concerns, please contact Carnival's Guest Services Department at 1-800-327-9501 with your preference as soon as possible.

I just wanted to get the word out to anyone who was booked on these sailings. I have a client who has already changed her cruise and is looking forward to her Valentine's Week Cruise!

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Book your summer vacations now. www.GailsDreamVacations.com

Contact Gail @ WLKRG5@gmail.com or fill out the form on the right of this blog.

ZamZuu Presentation

Click HERE to see up to date ZamZuu Information on my New ZamZuu Blog
Do you ZamZuu? When you see the slide presentation, you will want to!
You can ZamZuu two different ways
Become a ZamZuu Customer - Get a free shopping portal of your own, that will have 550 online stores, including Macy's Kohls, Home Depot, Best Buy, Barnes and Nobles and more.
Specialty Stores like Body Slimwear (Shapewear that lets you drop 3 sizes in 5 minutes) Nutraceutics,Gina Alexnder Handbags, Alkaline Water, Insurance Quotes and much more.

The Next way to ZamZuu is to become an entrepreneur. Make ZamZuu your Home Based Business and earn commissions on sales and when customers purchase from your mall. Added bonus is a Travel website that your friends and family has can book their vacations, cruises, airfare, family getaways and earn 30% commission.
**New Promotion-  Find our about the Free Agent  (free business) and Broker Position (Low cost of $49.95 to get started)
See the presentation for more info.



For More Information- go to www.GailsVacationandTravel.com
We will always be a TravelConsultant first, at www.GailsDreamVacations.com
Or contact me at WLKRG5@gmail.com or fill out the form on the side.
So I can help you to help plan your next vacation.

YTB Introduces ZamZuu

(More Up to date Information on ZamZuu can be  found  on my ZamZuu  blog here)

YTB is taking

E-commerce to the max with its new product ZamZuu.
This holiday season we have seen the success of online shopping. Cyber-Monday has become as popular as Black Friday for the Holiday shoppers.
We have been having great success with the the ShopYTB. I completed all my Christmas Shopping, stayed within budget and out of the Brick and mortar stores by shopping via my online ShopYTB o site. Now it is becoming bigger and better. I have
Great Stores like Macys, Home Depot, Walmart, Kohls, and 700 more stores can be found at ShopYTB.
When I realized that I had a significant balance left on my Flexible Spending Account near the end of 2009, I spent a significant amount at Drugstore.com an FSA approved store.
I can also say I was more than happy when I received my cashback checks in the mail. The timing was perfect, and helped pay some unexpected bills that came in.
I am looking forward to ZamZuu with the new enhancements and ways to save and make more money with the cash backs and the discounts. ZamZuu is an all-in-one E-Commerce Business Solution.A premium Nutritional store, Body Slimwear by Ghiada, Diamond Ice, Financial and Insurance company, Jewelery store are some of the featured new stores along with 700 other stores.
ZamZuu promises to exceed the expectations of ShopYTB and I am looking forward to it.
Check out the ShopYTB now ZamZuu site.
Stay tuned for more info to come. The new ZamZuu will launch on Friday, January 15, 2010.
Like what you see you can make more money off of the ZamZuu site by making it your own home based business. Have your own E-commerce business solution. Purchase your site for $249.99. Find out more here.
I will always be a Travel consultant, but its real nice to earn a little extra money on the side.

Bus Trip from the Bronx to Lancaster, PA

I had forgotten how fun a bus trip for a group could be until I was on one over the Thanksgiving weekend. I was able to organize a 2 day bus trip to Lancaster Pennsylvania for a Bronx church.
Yes YTB Travel is very much alive and well in the Bronx!

I have the advantage of having some wonderful vendors. American Destinations Inc helped us build an exciting itinerary! The trip begain 7:30 AM on Black Friday when our bus arrived with the world’s friendliest bus driver ever. Boarding our Spacious motorcoach equipped with DVR and TVs, we watched a movie, did some laughing and even had some raffles.

After rest stop to stretch our legs we arrived at our location around 12 noon. Was Tanger Outlets and Rockvale Outlets ready for this Bronx group of savvy shoppers? Well I can say that we came, we saw and we conquered! After a day of Outlet shopping we were ready to check into our Hotel at the Hampton Inn Lancaster. Our tired and hungry group walked in the lobby with their arms brimming with their sales bounty of the day. We were greeted by the Hampton Inn staff with a welcome basket of goodies and piping hot coffee, tea and hot chocolate. I quickly remembered why Hampton Inn is one of my favorite hotel chains.

We checked in our rooms, freshened up and was ready for dinner at Good n Plenty Family Style Restaurant. The temperature had dropped and it got pretty cold but we were greeted by the warm hearts and hospitality of the Restaurant staff. One thing that intrigued me was the artwork on the walls. It was 3D wood carving/paintings. I have never seen anything like that! We had some home cooked style fried chicken, ham and a spread like you have never seen. I had Shew fly pie for the first time ever! After dinner it was back on the bus to the hotel in our comfortable beds to get some rest for the exciting day ahead of us.

One thing I like about Hampton Inn chain is their hot breakfasts! Well they did not disappoint at all! There was something for everyone and then some! We checked out at 9:30 AM and boarded our bus well fed and rested to head off to the Farmer’s Market. I had forgotten about this Farmer’s Market. Soon as I waled in the door., I was greeted with the familiar aroma of fresh meat, vegetables, pastries, breads, pies and more. Then I remembered, I use to come here with the church of my youth! The Farmer’s Market is an experience that you cannot describe but your senses just explain it all.

Next on our itinerary was a trip to Kitchen Kettle Village. This is an knick knack lovers village. There is something for everyone there. Performing there was an acapella choir singing hymns. They sounded like angels. Some of us just sat and enjoyed the free concert while others got more shopping.

Well, it was time for lunch, and it was at the Millers Smorgasbord. The best way to describe this restaurant is a Delectable food overdose! Everything there was good! An all you can eat buffet from Soup to nuts to desert!

After lunch we were back on the bus to our way to the climax of the trip. That was to t he Sight and Sound Millenium theatre to see “the Miracle of Christmas”. I am from New York, and I can tell you that Radio City Music Hall with its Christmas productions have nothing on the presentation we saw. It was jaw dropping to see Angels descending from the ceiling against a backdrop of a starry sky. The audience sat in the midst of a panoramic stage that surrounded us by 2 stages on the sides as well as in front, depicting a Bethlehem village of that time. The show stopper was seeing the live animals on the stage and coming down the aisles putting the audience right in the midst of the story. The Christmas story truly came alive. Afterwards we met and took a picture in front of the 30 foot Angel tree in the Theatre’s huge lobby! The grounds of the Sight and Sound are absolutely enchanting.

We boarded our motorcoach on our way back to Bronx,New York with memories that we will always cherish. A bus trip is a great way for a church, non-profit or any type of group to bond and fellowship together. Laughter could be heard throughout the bus. While I was dozing off in my seat and the movie playing in the DVR was watching me, I felt a tap on my shoulder and someone asking me “Ok when do we start planning the next trip”. That makes a Travel consultant very happy!

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Gail is a YTB Travel Consultant located in Bronx, New York and is available to book Group trips for churches, religious organizations, Non-profits and families such.
Fill out the form on this page or email WLKRG5@GMAIL.COM OR CALL 917-476-7305
(Please no calls from solicitors, Thanks)
www.GailsDreamVacations.com
YTB Bronx

Traveling Safely With Diabetes

Traveling Safely With Diabetes

Many of my clients have health issues that often pose challenges to enjoying their vacations. I often find myself providing health coaching to them, which is I am more than happy to do. Today I received a newsletter from John Hopkins Health alert that addressed Traveling Safely with Diabetes, that makes some great points.

So here is the Health Alert in its entirety from John Hopkins.

Having diabetes shouldn't get in the way if you want to see Paris, take a cruise, or simply spend time with your grandchildren in another state. Here’s practical advice to help you travel safely with diabetes.

First Stop: Your Doctor's Office: Schedule a visit with your physician some weeks before taking an extended trip. Be sure your regular vaccinations are up-to-date, and check on what medications or vaccinations are recommended before visiting certain parts of the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the latest information on vaccination and medication recommendations; visit wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. (The American Diabetes Association [www.diabetes.org/home.jsp] and the National Diabetes Education Program [www.ndep.nih.gov/] also have good information on traveling.) In addition:

*Get a signed letter from your doctor stating that you have diabetes and listing the medical supplies you require, such as insulin, syringes, pumps, or lancets. Carry this letter with you when you travel.

*If you don't already have a bracelet, necklace, or some other form of identification showing that you have diabetes, now is a good time to get one.
Be sure you have more than enough diabetes medication in case of an emergency.

*Ask your doctor how your travel plans will affect your diabetes medication requirements. With most pills, it is reasonable to gradually change the time you take them if you cross many time zones. If you take only one shot of long-acting insulin a day, you will have to gradually change the timing of that shot -- for instance, increasing the time between shots by three to six hours every 24 hours. Most people are on long-acting and short-acting insulin. Our recommendation is to test frequently and take the short-acting insulin before every meal, whatever time that may be, with adjustments made in the dose if your blood glucose is higher or lower than usual.

*If you are traveling to a country where English is not widely spoken, learn how to say, "I have diabetes" and "Please get me to a hospital" in the native language of each country you plan to visit.

*If you do need medical treatment while abroad, it's best to know ahead of time how to get it. One good source is the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) website, www.iamat.org, which features a directory of qualified, English-speaking physicians around the world.

Pack Right. If you are flying, your diabetes supplies should be in your carry-on bag. Here are diabetes essentials to pack:

Insulin and oral diabetes medication. Take twice as much insulin and oral medication as you would normally need for the duration of your trip. Insulin stays good for about a month at room temperature, but extreme temperatures will damage insulin and may make it entirely inactive. Don’t keep insulin in a suitcase that will be stowed in the cargo compartment of a plane that may freeze, and don't leave it in the glove compartment or trunk if you're in a car that may overheat. Be sure that all insulin and injectors are in their original packaging with their brand labels. Keeping all of your insulin, syringes, and other tools for diabetes management in a separate pouch can make security screening easier.

*Syringes, lancets, and test strips. As with diabetes medications, double up on syringes, lancets, and blood glucose and urine ketone test strips, too. You can bring an unlimited number of unused syringes in your carry-on bag as long as they are accompanied by insulin or other medication that requires injection. Bring some extra batteries for your equipment, since you never know when you'll need them.

*Emergency medical kit. Include such items as glucagon to treat hypoglycemia (make sure one of your travel partners knows how to administer it), other prescription medications, over-the-counter pain relievers, a first-aid manual, anti-diarrheal medicine, insect repellent, sunscreen, and talcum powder (to keep your feet dry if you're doing lots of walking).

And finally … Bring a diabetes identification card or a medical alert necklace or bracelet (if you're not already wearing one). If your insurance policy covers emergencies abroad, bring necessary insurance paperwork. You have to plan what to carry with you at all times, too. Never leave the hotel without some source of sugar you can use if your glucose drops. Be careful to take your insulin, pills, and testing supplies with you every day in case there is a delay getting back to your home base.


It is possible to travel safely with diabetes.

Edited to add:11/1/09- Since I originally posted this blog, many people have asked about what to do when you cross time lines and you are a diabetic taking insulin. Many doctors advise that the traveler Stay with the original schedule. That would mean wearing a watch with alarms and keeping the watch timed to your Home Time zone. Others suggest gradually adjusting your insulin schedule to match your vacation time zone. In either case it takes alot of careful planning.
It is important for the traveler to discuss this important decision with their doctor and work together to come up with a solution.

If you were interested in this blog you may be interested in an older blog I wrote called MEDICAL TRAVEL TIPS

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Gail Walker aka "GailTravel is a Travel Consultant with her own online Travel site at
www.GailsDreamVacations.com. She specializes in Group travel, Bus trips, Family reunions, Cruises, Resorts, and Fundraisers for Non-profit organizations, including churches.
Contact Gail for a travel consultation or a Web tour. through this site, or 917-476-7305 or email
WLKRG5@gmail.com

Airlines Will add a "Holiday Surcharge" Happy Holidays :-/

Airline passengers just seem to not be able to catch a break! It seems that airlines will be adding a $10 "holiday surcharge" on this year! Gone are the competitive pricings of Holiday season 2008! It seems that American, United, Delta and US Airways added" $10 each way" surcharge for travel on three busy days around the Thanksgiving and New Year's holidays. Can some body say "Bah humbug" ?

It is thought that the airlines added the charge because it was a quick, and easy way to charge more on peak travel days. The Sunday after Thanksgiving November 29, is one of the busiest travel days of the year, while January 2 and 3 are popular with holiday travelers as well.

Apparently the airlines are losing money on the Business Travel. With the advent of Phone conference lines and webinars, companies are opting to use these tools for virtual meetings. Many companiies have been forced to cut down on their Conference budgets as well.

You can be sure that the prices will increase even more the closer we get to the holdays.
So how can we be frugal during this holiday season?
* Book your airfare now before the fares go up even more.
*Travel light. Take carry on luggage and avoid the luggage fees.
*if you are taking gifts for the family, consider shipping them via UPS, Fedex or Post office. You will end up saving tons of money.
* College students coming home for the winter break? Encourage them to ship their items ahead. Book their one way fares home NOW. They can book another one way ticket back to school late in January.The prices are sure to come down by then.

So there you have it! To all the holiday Travelers, safe travels and Happy Holidays! To the Airline Scrooge..... Bah Humbug to you too!

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Gail Walker aka "GailTravel is a Travel Consultant with her own online Travel site at
www.GailsDreamVacations.com. She specializes in Group travel, Bus trips, Family reunions, Cruises, Resorts, and Fundraisers for Non-profit organizations, including churches.
Contact Gail for a travel consultation or a Web tour. through this site, or 917-476-7305 or email
WLKRG5@gmail.com