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Clients Return From Oceania Cruise

  • By Bette Johnson
  • 18 Nov, 2013
Special Moments Travel Clients Return from Oceania Cruise Our very special clients in the DFW area, Jane and Bill, just returned from an Oceania Cruise.  Their itinerary started in Venice, Italy with a water taxi awaiting their arrival, ending in Istanbul, Turkey.  Jane’s most outstanding comments were, “…the pictures don’t do it justice!  Gorgeous ship […] The post Clients Return From Oceania Cruise appeared first on Special Moments Travel.

From Jane and Bill’s Oceania Cruise – Santorini

Kotor Cliff View from Jane and Bill’s Oceania Cruise

Special Moments Travel Clients Return from Oceania Cruise

Our very special clients in the DFW area , Jane and Bill, just returned from an Oceania Cruise.  Their itinerary started in Venice, Italy with a water taxi awaiting their arrival, ending in Istanbul, Turkey.
  Jane’s most outstanding comments were, “…the pictures don’t do it justice!  Gorgeous ship meticulously cared for in every way, wonderful staff, great and I do mean GREAT food (we ate in all the venues except those for private parties), wonderful ports, good programs on board (some free, some with charges), good entertainment, etc.  There was a professor who gave regular talks (always recorded and shown on t.v. for those who didn’t attend) on the ports.  Bill really enjoyed him.   Our cabin was lovely with the only negative being that one suitcase wouldn’t fit under the bed, and there was nowhere else to put it.  The bathroom was a dream (marble and granite…shower, tub, great toiletries, sea salts, good towels, spotless, etc.).  The tub filled so quickly and quietly…it even drained quietly… Our cabin wasn’t too far from the elevator, but due to the layout, we never heard it!  We loved the upgrade to concierge level, and the concierge was often in the lounge and was very responsive (she helped me with one matter and had great follow-up).  The in-cabin laptop was much appreciated, and internet speed was unusually good (especially in port).  Very smooth seas and absolutely no motion sickness.
“Just today Bill said he’d like to do another Oceania cruise (with, hopefully, one sea day thrown in)!  I think that says it all, don’t you?…
“I have to add that participating in the roll call for this cruise on cruisecritic.com was a very wise thing!  We shared tips, organized excursions together, etc.  Going into the cruise, we had our Ephesus excursion booked as well as two cabs lined up with another couple and a plan to use the public bus in Koper and Fira (Santorini).  The day we sailed, we had a “meet and greet” (60+ people) to put some faces to the names.  I made some new friends with whom I hope to stay in touch, and it’s all thanks to this roll call!  We were going outside our comfort zone with this cruise, but planning ahead really took away some of the anxiety.”
Thanks, Jane and Bill!  And welcome home!!!
For more information on Oceania Cruises and exotic locations, please contact travel professional , Bette Johnson, at bette@specialmomentstravel.com.
By Bette Johnson 24 Jan, 2018

A very dear and special client sent the following story to me and I had to share it with the world so you too can have goosebumps and tears!

“This is kind of a long story but bear with me….

In October 1985 (I was 21) I was asked to go on a trip to Galveston by a man name Philip Hawker (he was 38). I had never been anywhere but Tennessee, on vacations as a child, to see my grandmother so I said yes I would go.

He flew us to Houston and then we rented a car and drove to Galveston. It was late at night but I still took it all in….going over the causeway made it seem as if I was traveling to another place…no longer Texas.

 We stayed at a hotel on the Seawall. The name of the hotel was the Key Largo. It was so pretty and almost magical to me. I remember the lobby smelled like flowers it was the most amazing smell! There were waiters at the pool and they wore black shorts and white button down shirts. They carried white towels on their arms and they would take my drink order and my drink always came back on a tray.   It had a swim up bar and a waterfall. Inside the lobby was a black piano and I loved sitting and listening to someone play at night. It had glass elevators on the outside of the building. It was a magical place for me.

Prior to this the only place I had ever stayed was a Days Inn or Motel 6 while traveling to Tennessee.

 Philip and I went back several times and stayed at Key Largo. I married him in 1986 and Steven was born in 1989 and we divorced in 1998 but we remain friends.   I have gone back to Galveston several times since Philip and I divorced but I never stay at the old Key Largo.

 Now the reason for my long story…you just booked my son a room for his honeymoon at what use to be the Key Largo hotel. What a COINCIDENCE!!!!! When he sent me the link I laughed so hard. I told him this story and he said this makes even more special to stay there. I also told him to look around his Dad’s as there are probably tons of pictures of us there.

 AND….this is why I think you are such an awesome person …you are the person that can make magic happen

 Have an AWESOME day pretty lady!

  Sheila”


By Bette Johnson 03 Jul, 2016
As a travel professional and owner of Special Moments Travel in Northeast Tarrant County, it is my responsibility to learn as much as possible of a destination that I sell frequently.  I have been to the 4 major Hawaiian Islands on a cruise, I’ve done my Hawaii Destination Specialist courses, and I have to admit, […] The post Destination: Hawaii! appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 11 Apr, 2016
We had a wonderful time, thanks for everything.  We also thank you for the surprise gift after we got home. I can’t think of anything you could have done to make it a better trip, except to let the days be longer…… alas. Thanks again for the help with the airline tickets at the end. […] The post Couple Returns Sandals Halcyon Beach in St. Lucia appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 28 Mar, 2016
    Amazing Jamaica! Words can’t explain how amazing Jamaica was to us! It was beautiful and we loved every second of it! I definitely wasn’t ready to come home to this nasty weather we are having. Jewel Paradise Cove was picture perfect. The staff was amazing, everyone was super nice, we felt welcome wherever […] The post Amazing Jamaica! appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 14 Mar, 2016
  Cozumel Trip Fun with Added Adventure Kudos to my clients, Mike and Ashley, who had more adventure than they planned. See what happened to them:Even with the rain every day, and the flooded hotel room, getting sick on the ferry and check out incident… we still had a BLAST! The room was great, service […] The post Cozumel Trip Fun with Added Adventure appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 29 Feb, 2016
Family Sails Mediterranean on Princess Cruise Line It was lovely! Not relaxing, very very busy and fast paced but awesome- we saw ALLLLLLL the things :). I’d have liked another day or two in Rome. Malta was unexpectedly lovely and Messina was kind of so-so. The boat was wonderful, service impeccable. We will be doing […] The post Family Sails Mediterranean on Princess Cruise Line appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 15 Feb, 2016
Multi-Generational Family Has Fun on Cruise Our trip was amazing after we unloaded the family at the terminal we made it to the lot early the shuttle came straight to our cars and picked us up right at our driver-side doors. Once the shuttles took us to the terminal I explained the wheelchair assistance and […] The post Multi-Generational Family Has Fun on Cruise appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 01 Feb, 2016
Hi Bette, Thanks for everything– we had a marvelous trip. EVERYTHING was perfect. Our flight from DFW to Fairbanks was long but great. The train trip from Fairbanks to Denali was the best— our group had a glass covered coach and only about 1/2 full. We could walk around, visit with folks, eat and enjoy […] The post Four Great Travelers Return from Princess Alaskan Cruise appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 05 Jan, 2016
Our trip was amazing! We loved everything about Jamaica, from the beautiful beaches to the amazing food. The accommodations were wonderful, the staff was very sweet and helpful. The resort was gorgeous and very quiet and relaxing. We loved the fact that it wasn’t crowded and it was easy to get drinks and food. The […] The post Couple celebrates their anniversary at Secrets St. James, Montego Bay, Jamaica appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 14 Dec, 2015
  Cabo San Lucas Hidden Treasures As I sat next to a beautiful infinity pool overlooking a golf course in front of the ocean, I was in awe of this amazing destination.  This is Secrets Puerto Los Cabos (all-inclusive, couples resort), and I was there for destination wedding training with AMResorts.  Last night, after our […] The post Cabo San Lucas Hidden Treasures appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
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