Follow our cruise planning tips and you’ll soon be watching the mainland disappear from sight along with all your stress. Read on and set sail for new horizons.

Tips for planning your Cruise:

Save time by consulting the experts

With the expanding market [...]]]> There is definitely something about watching the mainland disappear from view that melts away one’s stresses.

Follow our cruise planning tips and you’ll soon be watching the mainland disappear from sight along with all your stress. Read on and set sail for new horizons.

Tips for planning your Cruise:

Save time by consulting the experts

With the expanding market and increased competition, cruise companies are consistently offering discounted rates and special deals you can enjoy maximum pleasure for minimum offer especially if you plan and book ahead. Things can get a little confusing, that’s why it’s best to get the advice of an expert – your Flight Shop travel consultant can save you a lot of time in research by offering the right cruise to suit your needs. Some of the tricky areas we can assist in include: early booking or group discounts, last minute specials, choosing the right cabin, options for children and much more.

The journey or the destination?

With so many options for cruising these days, it’s important you know exactly what you are expecting from your cruise. Are you after a floating relaxation tour with the occasional port stop or an activity packed experience across the continents? Do you have three days or three months? There is a cruise holiday just right for you, but you need to decide what interests you.

Consider your cabin choices

Definitely consider spending a few more dollars for a better cabin: having an outside cabin with a window, or better yet a balcony, helps makes the cruise experience much more enjoyable and helps differentiate cruising from a resort vacation.

Cover yourself

All ships have good medical facilities on-board but they are not free. So purchase the best suitable insurance to cover hospital treatment, cancellation, medical evacuation and any activities you wish to participate in while you are away. Your travel consultant can recommend the best policy based on your cruise itinerary.

Consider staying longer

Think about extending your cruise with pre and post cruise accommodation or touring options. Many cruise lines will offer land packages to compliment your cruise or you can book a separate package with your travel consultant to ensure you get the most out of your holiday.

Travelling with the family?

Most large ships have great kids Clubs and activity programs all year round, but double check first. Obtain a program guide and let the kids rate the fun before your hop on board.

Celebrate good times

If you’re celebrating a special occasion during your cruise, let your consultant know in advance.  Most cruise lines will treat you to a complimentary cake and chorus of “Happy whatever”, and you can even arrange for a special private party.

Some reasons why cruising may be the best holiday option for you

Value

Nothing beats a cruise for incredible vacation savings. You visit multiple destinations and so much is included, from dining and entertainment to sports, fitness and a range of accommodation options. With so much to save, you may be tempted to make every vacation a cruise.

Variety

There are thousands of itineraries to hundreds of ports available across all 7 continents, so you can choose exactly the holiday you desire. There are also endless activities for every taste, onboard and ashore.

Adventure

You define what adventure is to you! Ice climbing in Alaska, surfing in Hawaii, exploring unique wildlife in the Galapagos, shopping till your drop in Thailand, or finding the very best South Pacific beach- you names it, you’ll find it.

Togetherness

There’s no better way to travel in large groups of friends and family than a cruise. You can dine at the same restaurants onboard; enjoy a Broadway-style show, play sport and so much more. Best of all, there really is something for everyone, be it adults, kids or couples.

Carnival Cruise

Carnival Baja Mexico ex Los Angeles                                                                

Los Angeles – Catalina Island- Ensenada – Los Angeles

Inclusions:

Return airfare

4 nights Carnival cruise ex Los Angeles

All meals on board

All onboard entertainment

2 nights accommodation in Los Angeles

Airport and cruise port transfers

Deal offered by Flight Shop: 6 Nights / 7 Days From45, 799/-

MSC Cruise

MSC Musica ex Venice                             

Venice – Bari – Corfu – Santorini – Mykonos – Athens – Katakolon – Dubrovnik – Venice

Inclusions:

Return airfare

7 nights cruise (inside stateroom)

All meals on board

2 nights accommodation in Venice

Daily breakfast

Half day Murano , Burano and Torcello tour

Airport shuttle transfers

Private Cruise transfers

Deal offered by Flight Shop: 9 Nights / 10 Days From87, 999/-

In the first vehicle category, the Ford [...]]]> As one of the premier law enforcement departments in the country, the Los Angeles police department possesses the top-of-the-line in transportation machinery and equipment. To effectively patrol the almost 500 square miles comprising the city of Los Angeles, the department utilizes a variety of vehicles; sedans, motorcycles, and helicopters.

In the first vehicle category, the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is the automobile of choice for patrol. It is the only vehicle, which, according to department policy, is allowed to engage in a vehicle pursuit. The cars are black with the roof, doors, and pillars painted white, a color combination in use since around 1940. Available options include handlebar lamps, large steel wheels, and front door ballistic panels.

Moving on to vehicles with two wheels, Kawasaki Police motorcycles are the most numerous in the motor pool, along with some Harley-Davidsons and BMWs. The cycles are also painted black and white, and hold a radio, radio equipment, a shotgun and paperwork used by officers. During rainfall, motorcycles are stored away and sedans are exclusively utilized for patrol.

In the airborne vehicle variety, the Los Angeles police department maintains a very large airforce, containing 21 helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft.

In non-motorized vehicles, bicycles are extensively utilized as transportation equipment by the LAPD. Cycle units are primarily used during special events to provide fast and easy police assistance. The units may patrol a ten to twenty-five miles area during any given event. Giant is the maker of the bicycles used by the department.

Lastly, there is also an equestrian unit comprised of about 35 police horses. Usually utilized during special events, specially trained patrolmen ride the horses to maintain crowd control. Though horses cannot be viewed as vehicles in the traditional sense, they do effectively convey officers to various points in a given beat.

Dennis Gilbert, White Sox executive, organized the evening and also answered phones. Woes of the [...]]]> It was something like a who’s who list as stars and scouts mingled at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel in Century City in Los Angeles. The event was the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation’s In the Spirit of Game sports extravaganza.

Dennis Gilbert, White Sox executive, organized the evening and also answered phones. Woes of the economy didn’t seem to permeate the atmosphere as all of the tables were filled in this fundraising initiative designed to help baseball scouts in need.

Attendees enjoyed entertainment, baseball memories and opportunities to buy sports and entertainment memorabilia at both silent and live auctions that we held at the event. All 30 of the Major League baseball organizations help in any way they can. Hosted by Ron Dibble and well-known actors Brendan Fraser and Don Johnson, the atmosphere was warm, congenial and appreciative towards the scouts, who were, for this one night, on front and center for their work and love of the game.

During the evening, the foundation presented honors to Goose Gossage, John Harrington, Whitey Herzog, the Alou family and George Brett. “Dennis gave me an award tonight and I told him you don’t have to give me an award because I’m coming back every year because it’s a great event,” said Hall of Famer Brett.

Jerry Reinsdorf believes the event has become bigger than he ever could have imagined. Reinsdorf’s organization has continued to be one of the foundation’s biggest supporters. “These people need help more than anybody else.”

Those in attendance consider Dennis Gilbert’s efforts noteworthy. Gilbert works to get support of the entire baseball community for what is a very worthy cause. “Scouts are a part of baseball history and are undercompensated, underappreciated and this helps make up for it a little bit,” Gilbert said.

With the Hyatt’s excellent cuisine and plenty of ambience to go around, there was little question about whether attendees enjoy the event and the likelihood of returning again next year. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig was in attendance for the third consecutive year. “This is a wonderful testimonial and honor to people who give their lives to baseball and are the life blood of baseball.”

Gilbert attributes the success to the support he receives. “We have so much support, so much great momentum,” Gilbert said, “We just have great people around us and a great board of directors. You can’t lose with those people.”

With another successful year of the event under his belt, we suspect that Gilbert will only delight with the success of this year’s event for a moment before he’s off planning next year’s event. Event planners understand that these things don’t just happen. They take effort and initiative and if anyone knows that, Gilbert does.

As items were auctioned and donations were made, it was clear that the love of baseball is still very much alive and well. Stars and scouts along with some of the industries movers and shakers made the event a huge success.