http://www.mydreamcruise.com/http://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-planners-is-celebrity-s-home-based-partner-of-the-yearhttp://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-planners-is-celebrity-s-home-based-partner-of-the-yearAt the Cruise Planners Fort Lauderdale Convention, Celebrity's own Dondra Ritzenthaler announced that for the third year in a row, Cruise Planners is their Home Based Partner of the Year.Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:25:36 -0500http://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/brazilian-adventure-rio-and-beyondhttp://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/brazilian-adventure-rio-and-beyondAnyone who cruises from Rio should plan at least 2 nights in Rio before the cruise. Take a while to research the hotels as there are many to choose from. We chose the Rio Sheraton Hotel and Resort located about a 5 minute walk from Ipanema Beach. The resort had a free shuttle to all beaches and to the shopping area. It also had its own beach. If you choose this hotel, request a room on the 20th...Thu, 13 May 2010 14:07:19 -0400http://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/a-culinary-detour-to-ancient-jaffa-offers-a-walkable-feasthttp://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/a-culinary-detour-to-ancient-jaffa-offers-a-walkable-feastFirst stop was Seeds and Dried Fruit Meir , a 50-year-old, third-generation operation. Danny Azulay, 60, says, ``Whatever you see here, it is all made by us,'' as he waves his hand toward bins of freshly-ground spices, fruit leathers, just-roasted nuts and fava beans. Azulay showed us how he produces a dry-roasted bitter almond. The three-day process starts with apricot pits he imports from Tur...Thu, 13 May 2010 14:01:34 -0400http://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/in-seattle-area-an-assortment-of-treatshttp://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/in-seattle-area-an-assortment-of-treatsIt is hard to deny the cleverness of the machines on the production line: a potbellied roaster tumbling cacao beans, a scrolling conveyer belt longer than a football field that gently cools new-minted bars. Not surprisingly, the scent of hot cocoa was intoxicating.Theo Chocolate, 3400 Phinney Avenue North; 632-5100; theochocolate.com. Prices: from $1.25 for a peanut-butter buddy to $70.40 for a...Thu, 13 May 2010 13:56:30 -0400http://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/princess-cruises-medical-departments-earn-unique-distinction-with-prestigious-quality-certificationhttp://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/princess-cruises-medical-departments-earn-unique-distinction-with-prestigious-quality-certificationFollowing a comprehensive survey of both its shipboard and shoreside medical departments, Princess Cruises has achieved an industry first by being awarded accreditation and ISO 9001:2008 certification for quality in health care. These awards recognize the excellent standards of medical care provided on board Princess’ vessels.CHKS accreditation was first awarded to Princess in 2006 and, followi...Thu, 06 May 2010 12:41:35 -0400http://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/west-coast-cruising-suffers-another-blow-with-mariner-pullouthttp://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/west-coast-cruising-suffers-another-blow-with-mariner-pulloutThe 3,114-passenger, Los Angeles-based Mariner, the largest cruise ship operating Mexican Riviera itineraries, will move to the Mediterranean beginning in January. It was the third time a cruise line has announced the redeployment of a ship from the region in the last seven months.Norwegian Cruise Line announced in March that the 2,240-passenger Norwegian Star would move to Tampa in October 201...Tue, 04 May 2010 12:30:10 -0400http://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/underwater-adventures-top-caribbean-dive-sites-offer-an-array-of-attractionshttp://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/underwater-adventures-top-caribbean-dive-sites-offer-an-array-of-attractionsThe Caribbean boasts two of the world's longest barrier reefs -- in the Bahamas and off Belize -- a dizzying array of shipwrecks, and healthy reefs that in many places have benefited from marine park protection for years. Add in sunken ocean caves, aka blue holes, and some jaw-dropping walls, and the deep blue doesn't get more enticing.Luckily in the Caribbean, ``deep'' also doesn't have to mea...Tue, 04 May 2010 12:17:05 -0400http://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/new-ship-celebrity-eclipse-swaps-launch-celebrations-to-support-uk-holidaymaker-repatriation-missionhttp://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/new-ship-celebrity-eclipse-swaps-launch-celebrations-to-support-uk-holidaymaker-repatriation-missionCelebrity Eclipse will arrive in Southampton as scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, and will depart that evening to Bilbao, Spain, where she is scheduled to arrive in the early hours of Thursday, April 22. Stranded travelers will join the ship thr oughout Thursday morning. The ship will return to Southampton, arriving late Friday evening. This sailing will replace the activities pla...Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:46:12 -0400http://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-planners-rakes-in-the-honorshttp://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-planners-rakes-in-the-honorsRecognized for delivering outstanding customer service and booking unforgettable travel experiences for clients, Cruise Planners was one of 47 travel agencies that received the coveted “Globe Award” from American Express Vacations. Recipients were chosen based on their business growth, innovation and partnership with the tour operator.    For the fifth year in a row, Cruise Planners was once ag...Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:11:55 -0400http://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-planners-donates-18-000-to-fisher-house-foundationhttp://www.mydreamcruise.com/blogPosts/view/cruise-planners-donates-18-000-to-fisher-house-foundation“Cruise Planners has shown their commitment to improving the quality of life both locally and nationally by donating such an impressive gift,” said Mary Berrocal, director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Miami VA Healthcare System, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Fisher House Foundation. “We are most grateful for Cruise Planners’ donation and their support for America’s mi...Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:47:26 -0500