Save BIG with BOGO Royal Caribbean!

This is the sale you’ve been waiting for! The ultimate cost savings for your next vacation – Buy One, Get One 50% off + free gratuities! The more the merrier with this deal,too! Check out the offer details below! This offer is also for 2017 bookings, and the 2017 offer includes a Free Upgrade*!

This is the deal that you don’t wait on to book, contact us today!

Don’t forget that summer 2016 has a bunch of fun summer activities for your whole crew, especially the Dreamworks Summer of Adventure, where you can meet your favorite stars from Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Madagascar, and How to Train Your Dragon — from charactacter meals, meet and greets, games, and more!

Dreamworks Summer of Adventure – Kung Fu Panda

Offer details:

Booking Window: April 4-April 13, 2016

Sailing Window: All sailings on or after May 5, 2016, excluding China departures.

• Buy One Guest, Get Second Guest 50% Off.

• 25% off for 3rd and 4th guests.

• BONUS –  Pre-paid gratuities in Oceanview categories and above for the first and second guests on all products excluding Alaska, Asia, China, Transatlantic and Repositioning sailings.

• *PLUS for eligible new deployment sailings departing on or after May 1, 2017 (excluding China departures), offer includes Free Upgrades within stateroom type.

Royal Caribbean + Gratuity Increase

Saying thanks to those who have helped make your stay while staying on board a cruise ship is greatly appreciated–or for any exchange for goods and services.

We always suggest that pre-paying gratuities before sailing is the best way to go, so that you can enjoy a carefree vacation. That being said, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has just recently announced that they will be increasing their base gratuity amount from $12.95 per guest per day to $13.50 per guest per day. This gratuity includes all services received with the exception of your bar bill, which will remain at a suggested 18% per check.

From Royal Caribbean’s website:

Effective April 14^th, 2016 for all sailings departing on-or-after May 1^st, 2016, a gratuity increase of $0.55 USD per guest per day will be applied.  This will affect all inventory types with Suites (Grand Suite & above) increasing to $16.50 per guest per day and Junior Suite, Balcony, Ocean View, and Interior accommodations adjusting to $13.50 per guest per day.

Leaving a gratuity is at the sole discretion of the traveler, and can be adjusted with your cruise line’s customer service team.

Suggestions on tipping:

The In-port baggage handlers do not partake in the cruise line’s automated gratuity plan, because they are not employed by the cruise line, so $1 – $2 per bag is a customary gratuity, and is greatly appreciated.

Also, if you received impeccable service -where the employees really went above and beyond to help make your cruise an unforgettable one- leaving a little extra at the end of your stay for the Cabin Stewards/Butlers, your dining room servers, etc- $10-$20 at the end of your stay is a nice gesture. However, this is not mandatory, and if it is not within your budget to add more for gratuities, a simple thank you or letter of recommendation is always nice. A positive review at the end of your trip with the cruise’s end of journey questionnaire is also a simple, yet nice way to show how much you appreciated their services. Don’t forget to take down any names of people who helped you (or even hindered you) have the time of your life, so your letter or note is even more personal.

Here are the FAQ from the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line website for your review.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Gratuity Increase 2016

Azamara Club Cruises Spring 2016 Sale!

Update 5/5/2016:

This sale is still going on now! Give that special lady in your life something to remember for mother’s day! Be it your mom, your grandma, aunt, or special motherly figure — there is no one more deserving than the lady who helped mold you in to the person you are today! Treat her to an Azamara Club Cruise with this amazing deal!

Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Azamara Club Cruises Spring Sale is surely not to be missed! This deal is chock full of goodies!

Book a select Azamara Club Cruises^® voyage between April 1 and May 31, 2016, and you will  receive a category stateroom upgrade (up to a $1016 value) and $1,000 in ChoiceAir^® cruise credit per couple.

Panorama of Venice from above with passenger tourist plane going to land

With ChoiceAir^®, Azamara’s airline booking tool, you will be guaranteed the lowest airfare and assured arrival on their choice of airline. We all know how daunting the task is to pair airfare with your cruise, which is why you need a seasoned travel professional (like us!) to help. In addition to the ChoiceAir^® upgrade, you will also receive a complimentary category upgrade from a Club Interior to a Club Oceanview stateroom or a Club Oceanview to a Club Veranda stateroom.

Book with us April 1 through Ma31, 2016, and this double offer could be yours with all eligible voyages.

When you book with Azamara Club Cruises, included with your stay, you always enjoy the following standard inclusive amenities:

• Complimentary AzAmazing Evenings^SM event (on most voyages)
• Select standard spirits, international beers and wines
• Gratuities
• Bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas
• Self-service laundry
• Shuttle service to and from port communities, where available
• Concierge services for personal guidance and reservations

And if you upgrade to a Suite, you will receive the standard inclusive amenities plus more:

• English butler service
• 235 complimentary internet minutes per person
• One free bag of laundry service per suite, each seven days
• Complimentary specialty restaurant dining
• Afternoon tea service in-suite
• Guests in Club World Owner’s and Club Ocean suites may choose a complimentary Insider Access  or Nights and Cool Places  Land Discoveries® excursion

Eligible voyages for this offer are below:

AZA_Spring_2016_Offer_Flyer

USA to CUBA – history in the making

Update 5/2/2016: Carnival Cruise Lines’ Fathom Adonia arrived in Havana, and docked safely. The adventure, 50 years in the making, has finally begun. US citizens will be fully immersed in a series of cultural exchanges, and experiences that will enrich and educate US travelers to Cuba, as well as experience some downtime in the Cuban cities. Book your Cuban cruise experience with us! Let us help you make history!

************************************************

In order to facilitate US travel to Cuba, Carnival Corporation has launched Fathom, a cultural exchange cruise that will further our knowledge of Cuba. To be eligible for these historical cruises, a traveler aboard the MV Adonia – a 704-passenger vessel – must be recognized by the Cuban Assets Control Regulations as authorized travelers who will engage in cultural, artistic, religious, and humanitarian exchanges.

Channel your inner adventurer and go on the ultimate cruise to experience Cuba’s majestic beaches and rich culture. Much of which have been hidden from the US for more than 50 years. Now, with its 21st century maiden voyage, service to Cuba will begin May 2016, and will be launching from Miami. Your travel time from Miami to Cuba will only be about a half a day, weather permitting. And as you make that 220-mile voyage, you will be traveling towards a culturally enriching experience. To meet the guidelines for Cuban travel, there must be a cultural exchange participation between Americans and Cubans – on- and off-board the ship.

The primary itinerary will be a 7-night cruise visiting three Cuban ports-starting in Havana, then Cienfuegos, and finally Santiago de Cuba. Your cultural exchange cruise will include modern and comfortable accommodations, meals, cultural once in a lifetime experiences, and transportation for about $1800 per person, which does not include Cuban travel fees. More details to follow in the coming weeks.

Suite

Balcony Cabin

Inside Cabin

Outside Cabin

 

For a more in depth look, check out the Fathom FAQ page. 

Guy Fieri’s latest culinary masterpiece aboard the Carnival Magic

Carnival Cruise Lines is already known for their impeccable attention to detail on board their world class cruise ships, and they are also better known for their phenomenal dining options.

Guy Fieri, world renowned chef, restaurateur, author, and Food Network star (most notable for Next Food Network Star and Diners, Drive-ins & Dives), has opened yet another culinary triumph, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, which is on board the Carnival Magic. Guy Fieri’s history with Carnival Cruise Lines is a lengthy one, and most notable for the poolside Guy’s Burger Joint.

Guy’s Burger Joint – juicy burgers + hand cut fries = yummy

Guy Fieri’s newest venture, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, with Carnival Cruise Line is an open air eatery featuring a custom built smoker that was installed while dry docked especially for this unique, culinary experience. Favorite BBQ offerings like Championship Pork Butt, Smoked Round of Beef, Smoked Andouille Sausage and his famous Blue Ribbon Chicken – all cooked low and slow, and dry rubbed with Fieri’s signature flair. Accompanied with these BBQ mainstays are his array of famous sauces, which includes his Award-Winning Brown Sugar (sweet and sticky), Kansas City (smoky and sweet), and Sriracha BBQ (spicy and tangy) and Carolina #6 (tangy with sweet heat). There, you will also get to sample even more at the hot sauce bar where you will test your culinary strength while sipping  on an ice cold beer or soda. Fill your plate with Fieri’s delectable signature sides: Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, and Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends.

Guy’s Pig-n-Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse – dry rubbed Blue Ribbon Chicken accompanied with Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends  

Having enjoyed a meal at one of Guy Fieri’s restaurants myself, I can attest that his food and portion sizes are absolutely out of this world. Just like his boisterous personality, Fieri exemplifies culinary pizzazz and charm. He is the perfect fit for a casual, triple napkin style eatery.

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse is a casual lunch time eatery, which is included in the cost of your Carnival cruise vacation. Contact us today or fill out the quote request form to find out how to book your next vacation on the Carnival Magic to enjoy some “real deal” barbecue. 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Offers and On-board Family Fun!

Cruising with loved ones is a blast on Royal Caribbean – with their world class service, varieties of restaurants, shopping and entertainment –  a veritable city on the water. They’re giving you even more reason

Royal Caribbean^® is a great choice for a relaxing and thrilling vacation! You can now book through April 3, 2016 for 30% off per guest on all of their ships. Find out more on our deals page, or contact us directly at Quotes@KNTravelGroup.com.

This summer, make memories on the turquoise seas with your favorite characters from such Dreamworks films as Shrek, Kung-Fu Panda, Madagascar, and How To Train Your Dragon with special character meet and greets, character meals, parades, specialized shows, photo opportunities, movie themed scavenger hunts, trivia onboard and more! Kids and big kids alike will enjoy each aspect of this added adventure, and it is all included with your cruise itinerary ($10 charge per person, ages six and older for character meals). Who wouldn’t love to enjoy pancakes with Shrek?!

This added experience is available on the follow Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ships:

• Quantum of the Seas®
• Anthem of the Seas® (Aqua and Ice shows onboard this ship only)
• Oasis of the Seas®
• Allure of the Seas®
• Freedom of the Seas®
• Liberty of the Seas®
• Voyager of the Seas®
• Mariner of the Seas®
• Harmony of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas

Book your next vacation with us at Quotes@KNTravelGroup.com, or request a quote.

 

Cruise to Ireland

 

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Top o’the morning to you!

The annual feast of Saint Patrick is celebrated around the world, and is a holiday in many parts of the world, including Ireland, of course.

Let’s take a journey by water to Ireland, one of the most serene and majestic countries in the world. Rich with culture, hospitality, history, delicious food and fine ale – Ireland is definitely a place for all – families, groups, couples, or even the lone adventurer.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has a great cruise leaving from Florida where it will travel to the Azores, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, and Copenhagen! This cruise starts at $1,408 per person for 16 wonderful, unforgettable nights! Sailings April 2016.

Ireland not in your sights right now? You can still experience Europe and all of its wondrous charm with destinations to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, and many more. Celebrity Cruises has a wonderful offer right now called EuroPass where you will receive

• sailing abord the luxurious Celebrity Reflection^®

• round trip airfare

• airport transfers

• Veranda stateroom

and your choice of two perks:

• Free drinks

• $150 onboard credit

• Free tips

• Free internet

This deal is under $3,000 per person!

This offer ends March 31st!

E-mail us at Quotes@KNTravelGroup.com or call us at 864.688.2622 to speak directly with one of our experienced Travel Specialists! Or fill out our simple travel quote form!

Thank you!

We’re a worldwide agency with a small town feel.

This is our first official blog post! Welcome!

What you can expect from our site is to learn where you’re going next! Let us help take you on an adventure to fulfill all of your senses. We have an established team of Travel Specialists who are seasoned travelers and who are travel enthusiasts.

From the white sand beaches of the Caribbean to the pebbled beaches of the Mediterranean – we’ve witnessed sunrise and sunset – your vacation will be nothing short of exhilarating and relaxing.

We are your gateway to your next getaway, and our services are always free – you just pay for your vacation, of course. Working with a travel agency may seem very 1992, but we’re actually still a very strong commodity in the travel business. Without us, a lot of travelers arrive to their destinations not knowing what to do for excursions, or where to visit, nightlife hot spots, the best places to eat, or even where to rent a car. This is why travel agencies, especially KN Travel Group, LLC., are essential to booking your next vacation.

Just think of us as another small detail to be kept within your carry-on. Your happiness and satisfaction are our priority.

We specialize in cruises with all of the best cruise lines – Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Lines, and more! We have experienced Travel Specialists who only handle Walt Disney Travel Company vacations via our sister agency, Mouse Explorations, LLC. KN Travel Group is equipped to book your next family vacation, your romantic getaway, and to meet your business travel needs.

We may be in a small town, but we’re big on customer service and making sure your vacation is better than the last.

Come back now and then for travel news about popular vacation destinations, Disney news, and friendly chatter about travel!

Take care, folks!