Travel Expert Stephanie Abrams has been on several cruises where the parties on board are amazing and says the newer bigger ships have all the amenities and amusements of any metropolis or major city. 

Jay Cohen, Co-Owner of Elite Cruises and Travel, www.elitecruisestravel.com, reminds us that travelers thinking about taking a cruise vacation need to be able to conceptualize their needs and that cruise travel providers can help match a personalized vacation experience with a travel shopper.

RSSC Navigator Xmas - great time was had by all. Ho, Ho, Ho.

Stephanie finds that too many shoppers buy travel solely on price and don't consider more experiential factors.  Jay reminds us that price is important and that very reasonable cruising options are available.  Carnival cruise lines, for example, might be in the $400 range, and may be a perfect fit for some travelers.

Jay says that right now Trafalgar is offering some great land tour itineraries coupled with or without a cruise component and that  Oceania is currently offering 2 for 1 specials. 

Alaska River Cruise.

Jay and his wife have been in the travel business for over 13 years.  Jay is a former attorney and his wife is a practicing attorney.  Additionally both Jay and his wife are licensed pharmacists.

Many shoppers think they can evaluate a product solely through online research and shopping.  Stephanie says that a cruise consultant is a very valuable tool.

Jay discusses some of Oceania Cruises' current deals.  Stephanie says their ships are like big yachts and give travelers a sensational cruising experience in a very relaxed personal atmosphere.

Yangtze River Cruise.

Jay just returned from a voyage on the Oceania Regatta during the Christmas Day and New Years voyage.  They are not as upscale or expensive as the Regents Seven Seas.  Generally air is included in pricing, service is top quality.

Oceania generally appeals to a more sophisticated and experienced traveler looking for a great itinerary and a smaller more intimate cruising experience than some of the bigger boats can offer.  The other advantage of Oceania cruises smaller vessel sizes is that they can navigate to smaller ports where larger ships cannot berth.

Oceania for example has great Mediterranean itineraries including porting at Portofino, Chica Terra, Capri, Sorrento, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Florence and more.

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, cruise ship leaving port.

Trafalgar tours has been in operation for many years and has an established reputation.  They are currently promoting 2 for 1 deals which is something that might end this year.  They have specials where companions fly to Europe for only $99.  Trafalgar is expanding into the Australia/New Zealand markets. One of the current specials for Australia is about $5000 for almost 3 weeks of Australia travel including roundtrip air, most of the meals, most of the dining, guides, sightseeing.  Trafalgar has some interesting options in China including sailing on the Yangtze river.

Elite Cruises and Travel can put together custom packages to meet your specific needs including customized group travel.

Antarctica is an exciting cruising destination and the Galapagos Islands are a must see.  Plus with current global warming trends and Antarctica's ice melt rapidity, the time to visit the region is now before all the ice has melted!

For more information visit http://www.elitecruisestravel.com/sabrams.html