Stornoway Harbour, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
painting by R. Ross
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Contents
Niche Travel
10 Money Saving Cruise Tips
Artist of the Month
Dance a Thousand Hands (youtube)
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Niche Travel
What is Niche Travel? When everyone in a group is interested in the same activity or belong to the same organization and travel to-gather as a group. Niche travel can apply to cruises, tours just about anything related to going somewhere and doing something as a group.
To-day we will focus on Niche Cruising
Niche cruises are usually booked on smaller ships, depending what your interest is, as they can go into smaller ports where the larger ships cannot go. With less passenger’s you might possible fill the ship with your own group as some of the smaller ships could hold as few as 35 or less passenger’s. You could arrange your own schedule with the cruise line if your group was the only ones on board. If you were a history group you could arrange to visit ports that are of historic interest, that have historic building etc. Regardless of what you are interested in there can be a group tour arranged.
Find a ship that will accommodate your group, and the whole focus on your trip will be your Niche. Many Niche tour operators employ experts in your field and will act as guides, or bring aboard an expert yourself to give lectures.
The small ship's will not have all the amenities that the larger ones have, such as Casinos, choice of different restaurants, entertainment nor all the people that you encounter on larger ships. If you want to enjoy a more intimate experience then think about a cruise on a smaller ship.
Do not forget river cruising, especially for the history buffs, think of cruising up the Danube and seeing all the castles and the wonderful old architecture along the way, being able to spend the day exploring the small towns along the way.
If your group like’s to cycle then the different stops on a river cruise would be for you. Some of the riverboat's have their own bicycle’s if not they can be arranged in the different towns.
If your niche is ballroom dancing, Square dancing, lectures on certain subjects, anything that you do not need to go ashore for, then a larger cruise line can work for you. Rooms can be arranged to hold your meeting’s and by booking early most of your cabins can be in the same section. We were on an Multi Level Marketing tour last November, we had a room that we used for a couple of hours every sea day (sea day is when we are not docked in a port) for our speakers and we had a cocktail party for our group. Our table’s were all in the same section for dinner.
The list of niche sailing and destinations is almost endless. A group can be a little as 6 and as high in number as the boat can accommodate. First decide on a destination and then research what cruise lines go there.
So put on your thinking cap and plan that cruise you always wanted to go on.
If any of this interests you, lets talk about it and see what can be done to put a plan together for your desire.
Feel free to contact me for more details.
rosswin@shaw.ca
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10 Money-Saving Cruise Tips
Fodor's Contributor
Cruises can really be one of the best value vacations around, effectively bundling your lodging, meals, entertainment and activities, and transportation into one tidy, upfront rate. Like anything, the costs can add up if you don't cruise smart, so we put together 10 cost-cutting tips so you can maximize your cruising dollars. The best tip we can give you, though, is to make sure you budget in all the little things that aren't included, but that are still necessary—shore-side expenses and flights to and from port are two good examples.
1. Shop around for the best price. There's no true one-stop shopping destination to compare going cruise rates, so you'll have to check multiple sources (like cruise lines' websites and Twitter pages, trusted third-party cruise sellers and travel agencies, and deals-specialized websites) to secure the best deals and added-value promotions (i.e., free cabin upgrades or onboard credit). Just be sure to read the fine print to see if any additional charges (taxes, port charges) might ultimately up the cost of the quoted fare, and know what's included in the rates for the cruise line you book, before forking over your credit card. Better yet...
2. Use a cruise-specialized travel agent. If you don't have the time (or patience) to scour countless cruise offers, turn to a trusted travel agent. Cruising lends itself well to an agent's expertise. Knowledgeable specialists know the ins and outs, and can help match you to the ideal cruise line and ship for your tastes and budget, pick out the best cabins, and, since they buy in bulk and offer repeat business, use their leverage with cruise lines to get better rates and perks than you could likely find independently. Be sure to use a reputable agency that is affiliated with reputed outfits like the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Best of all, note that cruise lines typically pay travel agent's commissions, so you won't have to foot the bill.
3. Book early or during "wave season." The waiting game rarely pays off when it comes to cruising, with the best rates and preferred cabins going to those who plan ahead. Cruise lines are eager to fill up their inventory as far out as possible, and will lure in early birds with hooks like reduced rates, onboard credits, and cabin upgrades; luxury lines regularly post 2-for-1 fare deals and free airfare, too. Plan on booking your cruise trip at least six months out, and if you want to travel during peak times (summer or school breaks), a year in advance is better still.
Another good time to nab deals is during "wave season," from January through March, when cruise lines looking to book up the year ahead are met by winter-weary travelers yearning for some vacation light at the end of the cold-weather tunnel. Or, keep an eye out for specials posted during National Cruise Vacation Week, held from October 21–27, 2012.
4. Cruise during shoulder season. Shoulder season sailings—where moderate temperatures, minimal crowds, and reduced rates meet—fall into that magic window between high season (the most popular periods) and low season (when weather conditions and prices dip, and demand is at its lowest). Time your sailing right, and you can get the exact same sailing, on your dream ship, at a fraction of its high-season cost.
For the best bang for your buck in some of the most popular sailing destinations, try Alaska in May where, for enduring slightly chiller temps, you'll be rewarded with less rainfall than in summer, good wildlife viewing, and mountains still capped with snow. Or, beat the heat and the tourist crush by sailing the Mediterranean in September or October—if you're not big on beaches or buzzing nightlife, milder faller temps make for far more enjoyable sightseeing conditions than under the baking summer sun.
The Caribbean in late fall, meanwhile, at the tail end of hurricane season, is also rife with bargains. Cruise ships can easily change course to avoid the path of any brewing storms—you'll just need to have flexibility should itinerary changes be deemed necessary.
5. Shop around for airfare or cruise from your homeport. Getting to your embarkation port can be expensive, so be sure to investigate airfare expenses before pulling the trigger on your trip. Though booking airfare through the cruise line offers some insurances (like a better likelihood that the ship will wait for you if the flight is delayed), these fares are often inflated in the name of cruise line profit bolstering. Shop around for airfare independently to gauge the going rates, and be sure to factor in extra flight expenses for sailings that start and end at a different port. Or, save even more by choosing a cruise that leaves from your nearest drive-to "homeport" (with more than 20 operating in the US today), and forego the expense of airfare altogether.
#6 to #10 will be posted in my next newsletter
These tips are being posted on my facebook page "www.facebook.com/rosswintravel"
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Artist of the Month
Saskia
King
"Saskia's Studio”
Artist and fine art‘s teacher specializing in Oils and
Acrylics in my private studio.
I was born in 1959 in Sloten, Holland.
My love of paintings grew from countless hours of admiring the Old Masters
hanging in numerous galleries there and drawing until my fingers hurt. In
1974 my parents and I immigrated to Canada. Work and a family kept me too
busy until 1987, at which time I re-entered the art world with renewed
energy. Being a self taught artist, I like to say that “I have learned
everything the hard way, through practice, perseverance and self study”. In
the process I have won 6 awards.In February of 1997, I opened “Saskia's
Studio”, to give oil painting lessons. It has grown into a thriving studio
where my classes and workshops focus on techniques and brushwork, colour
theory, drawing, composition and style. I have also taught workshops and
classes in the community. My own paintings are originals, old master
reproductions or commissions. They have been sold to private and corporate
collectors in Canada, Holland, England, USA, Costa Rica, China, Austria and
Australia.
Quality and good taste is of foremost importance to me and I like to
cover a diverse range of subjects with my artwork. My paintings are like my
children, they must have a strong heart and soul so they can be felt as well
as seen. I strive to achieve emotion with my paint through colour and light,
with movement, and via nostalgia. If I fail in this, my paintings mean
nothing and they will not be displayed.
To get inspiration I go for long walks in the woods with my dog observing
nature’s fabulous colour schemes. Mostly my ideas come from warm feelings to
a specific subject that I see. My mind is always in three places at once
planning and trying to apply beautiful things into a painting. Eclectic is
my nature.
What I love about painting is the ability to immortalize beauty onto a
canvas so that it will never be lost and others can enjoy it also. When I
succeed in my quest I am rewarded with good feelings of pride and
accomplishment and relief as well, for it is always a stressful mission to
achieve that extra bit of polish.
My family has lived in the Comox Valley since 1980 . My husband “Buster”
is a carpenter who now builds elegant garden gazebos. We have hand-built our
own home on a lovely spot and raised two sons there who have both become
tradesmen and avid sports enthusiasts.
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I will be glad of any comments or corrections or if you wish to see something that is of interest to you please let me know. Thanks, Rhoda
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1 250-338-6334 / 1 866-517-2113
420 Harmston Ave, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2X2
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