Oceania MARINA Ship Inspection - 2/23/2011

Paula & I were fortunate enough to be invited to tour Oceania Cruise Lines newest ship MARINA while it was in port this week in Los Angeles.

MARINA is a brand new ship, built in 2011, with the following specifications:

1)  Gross Tonnage = 65,000
2)  Length = 774 ft
3)  Beam = 105 ft
4)  Cruising Speed = 20 knots
5)  Total Decks = 16
6)  Guest Capacity = 1,250 passengers (double occupancy)
7)  Staff Size = 800

After checking in at the newly refurbished Port of Los Angeles cruise center, we gathered onboard in the Horizons Lounge, Deck 15, to be greeted by Oceania staff & crew, with complimentary wine, champagne, and beverages.

Our self-guided tour lasted approximately an hour, in which we were able to see all of the public areas of the ship, several categories of stateroom cabins, and all of the specialty dining rooms onboard.

Oceania then served a luncheon in the Grand Dining Room, after which we disembarked from the vessel.

Our overall impression of the MARINA is that it is a VERY elegant ship, with upscale and premium amenities in many areas.  The rooms are very well appointed, and the higher end suites are quite luxurious.

The dining room staff was very pleasant and attentive, and the food was excellent.

The MARINA is currently sailing Panama Canal and Caribbean itineraries, but will soon cross the Atlantic and begin sailing various European itineraries during the summer of 2011.

Mexican Riviera cruise on Carnival Splendor - 9/25/11

**** MEXICAN RIVIERA CRUISE ****

MY TRAVEL AGENT presents a special sailing on the Carnival Splendor, sailing a seven day Mexican Riviera itinerary out of the Port of Long Beach leaving on 9/25/11, returning 10/2/11.  Ports of call for this cruise are Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.

MY TRAVEL AGENT will be including a bonus for booking this cruise through us of $75 shipboard credit to your account, for your use towards paying for drinks, shore excursions, photos, or anything else you might purchase while on this cruise.

Don't delay -- call today to take advantage of the VERY special offer !!  Remember ....

MY TRAVEL AGENT wants to be YOUR travel agent !!

3rd Annual Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce Fundraising Cruise - 9/24/11

The Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce announces that it will be holding its 3rd annual Fundraising Cruise in September of 2011.

Participants will be sailing onboard Princess Cruise Lines ship Sapphire Princess, leaving roundtrip out of the Port of Los Angeles on September 24, 2011, and returning on October 1.  The Pacific Coastal itinerary includes port calls in Santa Barbara, San Francisco, San Diego, and Ensenada, Mexico during this seven day voyage.

Specially negotiated pricing for this cruise event starts at approx. $850 per person.

This cruise vacation is open to ALL travelers, as Chamber membership is NOT required to take part in this fundraising effort.  A contribution of $50 per cabin sold will be made to the Chamber of Commerce.

Don't delay -- call today to book your cabin for this cruise !!

Blog Re-launch ??

OK, time to get back into blogging mode.  For the last few months I've been sporadically focused on expanding MY TRAVEL AGENT's social media profile, setting up a Facebook page as well as continuing to participate on Twitter as @GetPackedTravel.

Last week I realized that the last post written on this blog was FIVE months ago, before Paula & I went on our Oasis of the Seas cruise (which was great, by the way).

So, it's time to get back to blogging on at least a semi-regular basis.  I'll mention the special deals we are currently promoting, talk about the trips we take ourselves, and maybe make a comment or two about travel news items that have some effect on the clients in our five core business areas - Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, cruise vacations worldwide, and romantic getaways.

I've re-formatted the site a bit, with columns down both sides now, and added a little more info about how to get in contact with us.  I've also added static pages about us and our core business areas so that you readers out there can learn more about us as well.

So, for 2011, remember our motto - "TRAVEL MORE - WORK LESS".  Hope to see you out there some day .....

Cheers,
MJH

Chief Executive Officer
Get Packed Travel Corporation
dba MY TRAVEL AGENT