Carnival Magic comes to Galveston!

Carnival's new ship the Carnival Magic has come to Galveston - it's home port for Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. This is a brand new 3,600-passenger ship. A number of Sanders Travel Centre advisors went down to Galveston to check it out for an overnight debut including a blow out concert by Maroon 5.

Here are some fun facts about the Carnival Magic:

• Launched: May 2011
• Home Port: Galveston, TX; Barcelona (European itinerary)
• Size: 1,004 feet in length; weighs 130,000 tons
• Capacity: Carries 3,690 guests (double occupancy); 1,367 crew and staff members
• Special Features: Fun and fitness at SportSquare; SkyCourse, the first-ever ropes course at sea; Italian dining at Cucina del Capitano and the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub.

If you're looking for a fun & active cruise experience then the new Carnival Magic is the party ship for you! Check out some of our agents photos below and call Sanders Travel today to get on board!

Congratulations Sarah!

As a student at Texas Christian University, Warner earned her BA in Sociology and double minors in Religion and Japanese—a diverse course of studies that prepared her for a life in the travel industry. “I learned about people and societies around the world, fueling my passion for experiential travel,” she recalls. After college, she traveled throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific, before returning to Fort Worth to work with Sanders Travel Centre.

One of her favorite bookings was for a large group—fellow TCU alumni—going to Los Angeles to watch their alma mater win the Rose Bowl in January 2011. In addition to arranging travel for others, she has visited every continent on the planet—“except Antarctica, where I hope to go in the upcoming years.”

Warner started in the business just as the recession hit, and has only known challenging times in her professional life. “I have seen that people still yearn to travel, but are not sure whether they can allow themselves that luxury,” she says. “My goal is to show them fabulous destinations where their experiences are well worth their dollar. I have [done] this by hunting out great specials; advising my clients of more affordable, quality destinations; and providing added value through our preferred vendor relationships.”

Kirk Coleman, CEO and owner of Sanders Travel Centre, has high praise for Warner’s ability to learn quickly and apply her knowledge. “Sarah has gone from not knowing one thing about Sabre or how to advise clients to booking amazing client itineraries,” he says. “Nothing is out of her realm, and her clients love working with her.”

Book your holiday cruise today!

The Savvy Grandmother: Words on Vacations and Life From the Geeks

 

Carol Minker

Sanders Travel agent, Carol Minker, was recently featured in the Savvy Grandmother Newsletter. Carol has a passion for travel. She is a grandmother of four and has a knack for putting together family vacations. In her article, for the Savvy Grandmother, she shared her advice on family vacations.

 Words on Vacations and Life From Geeks

My love of travel got me into my career for I relish sharing my knowledge of personal travel experiences. I also take great delight in meeting travel partners throughout the world. Wth a quick E mail, I can link up my clients in a very personal way in their travels. It's been said to 'do what you love, then a job is 'not work.' "I do love the travel industry!  I work at Sanders Travel Centre, a Virtuoso agency and enjoy the camaraderie of those that I work with....Travel is a must in order to see our GRANDS and enjoy life!

Favorite Personal trips: Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a Canyon Ranch (CR)'groupie.' From my first visit in the early 90s, I've realized the importance of LEARNING healthy living in a beautiful environment. This past June, I escorted my 18^th group trip to CR in Tucson. The group is composed of singles, couples, mothers/daughters, high school friends, sorority sisters, etc. When stepping off the plane following my first visit, I said: "I want to get everyone I care for, to come to CR to learn all that is offered." Most people go with the goal to learn to eat better and get on an exercise program, but the common theme is that they learn so much more as there's full medical services, mind, body and spirit classes each day (approximately 45 daily options to choose from), hiking, biking, tennis, golf, a full spa with every imaginable spa service offered, cooking classes, presentations on multiple topics from experts in their fields, and PLENTIFUL and healthy food options. "What is NOT to love?" ..

A few other personal travel favorites: Australia, East Africa, and a S.E. Asia cruise from Hong Kong to Viet Nam, Thailand and Singapore.

Parent/Grandparent Travel Tips: From experience, I've learned to 'gear one's travel based on the children's needs and interest, rather than your own!' Richie and I loved traveling to Vermont and W. Massachusetts in the fall, and driving from B&B to Inns and enjoying the beauty of the Fall foliage. Our kids 'said' they too wanted to do this with us..

I made the mistake of planning a summer vacation with this in mind, but it was a fiasco, as an 8 & 10 year old, arguing in the back seat of a car for 7 days driving inn to inn "looking at the beauty,' were not 'happy campers.' That next summer we spent our week at The Cloisters in Sea Island, Georgia, where we unpacked once, and they could play on the beach with kids of similar ages!

Another travel tip.. when the kids are young.. rather than pick an exotic location.. it's better to just make sure there's "water." Our first family trip was to Galveston.. with an easy drive, nice hotel on the beach, and good restaurants, the kids were HAPPY! The same goes for a city trip.. i.e. Washington DC and Boston for a historical trip. Be certain there is a hotel pool to return to!

Suggested grandparent trips:

A cruise is a marvelous opportunity for multigenerational travel. You unpack once, there's children's activities as well as 'adult time,' and cruise staff truly cater to young ones! We did Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska cruises with our kids and they were memorable experiences. Options can be as easy as driving to Galveston for a 7 night cruise, and now Disney has family cruises to such destinations as Alaska and the Mediterranean for an educational experience.

Go to the Colorado mountains.. especially when the Texas heat is so intolerable! There are affordable options in the smaller towns. We happen to love Estes Park... For years, this was where our kids went to Camp. There's affordable lodging and restaurant options, as well as multiple family oriented recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, miniature golf, etc. In fact we love the area so much, we now have a place on the river (where this picture was taken).. so our 'East and West coast kids/grands can come to meet for a very relaxed and fun family gathering.

 If you opt for a Disney vacation (Disney World in FL or Disneyland in CA).. stay 'on property.' Whereas the hotels might cost more than the satellite hotel options, when traveling with little ones, you want to spend your time enjoying the parks, rather than spending your time DRIVING to the parks! (especially when naps are required!)

Future personal 'Bucket List" for travel: New Zealand and South Africa

Current Travel Trends : At 'our age,' small group trips (i.e. Tauck Tours) and cruising have become very popular.. due to the ease of travel. Once 'you get through the 'air hassle,'.. you unpack once, and leave the planning to the tour or cruise director. There are also family oriented cruises and tour options that are great for grandchildren!

I'm also seeing more seasoned travelers opting for small river cruising all over the world. This is an 'up close and personal' travel experience that has become quite appealing.