Tag Archives: The Whitt Report

A different ship, stellar lineup highlight third Soul Train Cruise

Posted on by alanwhitt

Here we go again. Soul Train Cruise 3, scheduled for February 23-March 2 in 2014, has announced another spectacular musical lineup and a new ship.

Alan Whitt

Alan Whitt

The cruise is shifting from Holland America’s Westerdam to the newer Eurodam, and departs from Ft. Lauderdale with stops at St. Barths, St. Maarten and the cruise line’s private island – Half Moon Cay.

Check out these performers:

The Isley Brothers (featuring Ronald & Ernest Isley); Charlie Wilson; Roberta Flack; The Commodores; Stephanie Mills; Peabo Bryson; Morris Day & The Time; Jody Watley The Manhattans (featuring Gerald Alston & Blue Lovett) Maxi Priest, The Chi-Lites; Honey Cone (featuring Edna Wright; Ray, Goodman & Brown; Blue Magic; Peaches & Herb; DW3 and comedian Alonzo Bodden.

You do not want to miss the third sailing of “The Hippest Trip at Sea,” but if you can’t wait that long cabins remain available for the Oct. 5-12 sailing out of San Diego with stops at Cabo San Lucas and overnight in Puerto Vallarta.

That lineup includes Earth Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight, Jeffrey Osbourne, The Ohio Players, The Dazz Band, The Whispers, Freddie Jackson, The Bar-Kays, Jennifer Holliday, Billy Paul, Con Funk Shun,  Jody Watley, Regina Belle, Mary Jane Girls, A Taste of Honey, Lakeside & DW3

Book these and any other Entertainment Cruise Productions cruise – including the inaugural Country Music Cruise, the Jazz Cruise and the Smooth Jazz Cruise – through Allure Quest Travel Experience. Call 615-818-8241 or email alan@allurequest.com.

Newfangled rental cars are a lesson in the latest technology

Posted on by alanwhitt

I always pride myself on staying up on the absolute latest products and technology, but sometimes you just can’t help falling behind.

Alan Whitt

I can’t imagine life with my MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone. And now that I’m in the cloud, I’m always connected.

This past weekend I celebrated my monumental 60th birthday. The car I’m driving was purchased when I was 46 years old so do the math and figure out how old it is.

My 1998 GMC Jimmy has served me well, but right now I feel as if I’ve been transported to the future.

By today’s standard my car is a relic. I feel like the convict set free to find out that nothing is the same as when he went it.

In one of my numerous side jobs, I work at AvisBudget Car Rental at Nashville International Airport, where I get a chance to experience every make and model vehicle they rent … if only for a few minutes.

I’ve seen folks just like me confused by the new gadgets in today’s cars.

The most common questions are “How do you start this thing?” … and “Where’s the key?”

That’s because many new cars are keyless and start with the push of a button. However, it starts only with your foot on the brake.

I also discovered today that the “key” that has to be in the car for it to start, also makes it possible for you to unlock the car without even unlocking it. As long as the key is on your person, the car will unlock when you touch the door handle.

One lady asked if the video camera superimposed in her rearview mirror could be deactivated because it was distracting. When informed that it was only activated when the car was in reverse she seemed to be OK with that.

The speedometer superimposed into the windshield of a new Chevrolet Camaro isn’t distracting at all, and in fact allows you to know your speed without losing sight of the road.

You don’t have to worry about checking your air pressure anymore because your car does it for you.

Want to talk on your cellphone hands-free? Ask for a car with bluetooth capabilities.

And, of course, you absolutely must have an iPod connection in order to listen to your extensive music library while on your way.

People take their car rentals seriously, making sure their “toy” is everything they want and need.

However, today’s cars are heavily computerized, and I imagine that is something goes wrong it’s going to cost a pretty penny to get it fixed.  That’s why renting a car is so much fun. You can have your fun and give it back before  it goes haywire.

Visit Allure Quest Travel Experience and We 2 R 1 Honeymoons on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

2nd Soul Train Cruise soars to new heights with amazing lineup

Posted on by alanwhitt

Wow!

If you thought the first Soul Train Cruise musical lineup was spectacular, the second edition is even more amazing.

Alan Whitt

How about Earth Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight (the greatest female singer ever!), Jeffrey Osbourne, The Ohio Players, The Dazz Band, The Whispers, Freddie Jackson, The Bar-Kays, Jennifer Holliday, Billy Paul, Con Funk Shun,  Jody Watley, Regina Belle, Mary Jane Girls, A Taste of Honey, Lakeside & DW3!

The second Soul Train Cruise is scheduled for October 5-12, 2013 onboard Holland America’s Westerdam out of San Diego, with a stop at Cabo San Lucas and an overnight in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

You can book this September 25, at which time pricing will be announced. That’s the good news. The bad news is that there are 2,000 Soul Train fans ahead of you – people who where shut out of the inaugural cruise scheduled for February 17-24, 2013.

That cruise should out in an unheard of 75 days.

The fully sanctioned Soul Train Cruise is the latest brainstorm of Entertainment Cruise Productions, the world’s largest music cruise company and now in its 10th year.

Although pricing won’t be announced until September 25, pricing for those waitlisted are available. Cheapest rate is $2,250 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy.

And you can’t book this cruise through just any travel agent. But you can book it through Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241. Or email your information to alan@allurequest.com, including names, addresses, phone numbers, dat e of birth, tee-shirt sizes.

Visit Allure Quest Travel Experience and We 2 R 1 Honeymoons on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

Smooth transition: Iconic jazz cruise creates West Coast version

Posted on by alanwhitt

The “Greatest Party at Sea” is heading West.

Entertainment Cruise Productions, the largest private music ship charter company in the world, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of it perennially sold-out Smooth Jazz Cruises by adding a West Coast addition for the fall of 2013 out of San Diego.

Alan Whitt

If you’ve never heard of The Smooth Jazz Cruise … WAKE UP! It provides the best in jazz with spectacular artists in an environment perfectly suited for the occasion – smooth sailing on a luxurious cruise ship.

“As we enter the second decade of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, we want to keep things fresh for our loyal family of cruisers that comes back year after year,” says Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of St. Louis-based Entertainment Cruise Productions. “Thanks in part to their suggestions, we decided to spread the love by creating a sensational West Coast cruise.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise West – hosted by Brian Culbertson and Boney James – will set sail on the Holland America’s m/s Westerdam October 12-19, 2013 from San Diego and visit Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Baja Coast.  Joining Culbertson, and James will be David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Richard Elliot, Euge Groove, Kenny Lattimore, Earl Klugh, Oleta Adams, Brian Simpson, DW3, comedian Alonzo Bodden and special guest Tower of Power.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2014 will cruise on the m/s Eurodam from Fort Lauderdale January 11-18 with stops in Turks & Caicos, San Juan, St. Maarten and Half Moon Cay.  The parade of performers will consist of Sanborn, Miller, Culbertson, James, Butler, Dulfer, Simpson, Kirk Whalum, Peter White, Sheila E, Keb Mo, Keiko Matsui, Maysa Leak, Mindi Abair, DW3, Bodden and special guest Jeffrey Osborne.

To book either of these cruises or any Entertainment Cruise Productions voyage, contact Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241 or email Alan Whitt at alan@allurequest.com.

Visit Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

Deal of the day: Carnival Breeze includes upgrades, other perks

Posted on by alanwhitt

Here’s a last minute bargain for someone wanting to sail on the new Carnival Breeze.

This eight-day cruise (Jan. 5-13, 2013) goes for a total of $1,745.98 for two passengers in an interior cabin and includes all taxes and a two-category upgrade.

It also comes with $100 onboard credit, three photo coupons, tote bags and a bottle of wine.

A $300 per person deposit ($600 total) is due immediately, with the balance on October 20.

Call Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241 to book.

Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

My addiction can only be cured with another fantastic vacation

Posted on by alanwhitt

I’m finally coming clean.

I have an addiction … and the withdrawal pains are almost more than I can bear.

Alan Whitt

I’m one of those guys who says he can hang out in bars and not take a drink … although the last time he ended up washing down his sobriety with a vodka and tonic.

Or the guy who says he can hang with his homies while they smoke reefer … knowing that the last time he said it resulted in another stay in rehab.

If you’ve been hooked on anything you know that your best bet is to stay away from it completely … no matter what … no matter how difficult the task. No one whats a relapse.

Please keep in mind that this is coming from a guy who won’t take his own advice.

Hi, my name is Alan Whitt and I’m hooked on travel.

My last vacation was in March, and I have nothing planned for the remainder of 2012. I’m usually on the go four or five times a year. A cruise here or there … Las Vegas for a weekend … Palm Springs for a romantic getaway … there’s no such thing as too much vacationing.

However, to make ends meet and continue the growth of Allure Quest Travel Experience, I took a job at Nashville International Airport.

Each day I look at those Southwest planes sitting at gates. I hear the roar of jets as they’re about to take off. I see them land and taxi their way to the gates.

And I wonder who’s on those planes and where they’re headed. Then I get upset at those passengers, all the time thinking to myself “That should be me instead of them.”

If I can just get through the rest of this year I know things will be OK. I’ve already got two cruises, a trip to Sandals in St. Lucia, another Sandals outing in Ocho Rios and, of course, at least one trip to Las Vegas.

Until then I just have to do my best to hang on. When your addiction is as strong as mine, you take it one day at a time.

Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

Deal of the day: Bring your golfing buddies along and get a Sandals vacation for free

Posted on by alanwhitt

Get your sporting buddies together for the ultimate golf outing at the all-new, spectacular Sandals Grande Riviera Beach and Villa Golf Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica – and you go for free!

This offer is for groups only and good through December 24, 2012, and August 15-December 2013. Book five rooms and the sixth room is free. Prices start at $175 per person/per night.

And don’t forget the golf. Sandals Golf & Country Club is a magnificent 18-hole course 700 feet above sea level in the hills of Ocho Rios. Spend your time on the course during the day, and enjoy the varied entertainment and dining offerings during the rest of your stay.

Find out more about what Grand Riviera has to offer.

Call Allure Quest Travel Experience (615-818-8241) to book this fabulous getaway.

Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

Carnival set to initiate fee-based early embarkation program

Posted on by alanwhitt

If I’m going to duplicate a business model with the intent of being successful I certainly wouldn’t turn to the airline industry for guidance.

Alan Whitt

I’ve said it for years and I stand by it: The legacy airlines have to be one of the worst business models ever.

So the reasons why the world’s most popular cruise line would follow along that path escapes me.

Although airlines have collected a boatload of revenue from the proliferation of add-on fees they haven’t made many friends in the process.

And now Carnival Cruise Line appears to be pulling up to that same pier.

Beginning with two ships – Carnival Imagination on Aug. 20 and Carnial Liberty on Aug. 25 – the Fun Ship folks are initiating an early embarkation program … for a fee.rough that same canal.

Beginning with two ships – Carnival Imagination on Aug. 20 and Carnial Liberty on Aug. 25 – the Fun Ship folks are initiating an early embarkation program … for a fee.

Called Faster to the Fun, the program includes other benefits such as early access to staterooms, express luggage delivery, disembarkation choices and priority dining seating and tender boarding.

The price will be $49.95 per stateroom. The Faster to Fun program is free for Diamond and platinum members.

Of course, Carnival is spinning this as cruise line always do, saying that this is what passengers want. I don’t personally know anyone asking to shell out more money.

If you’re scheduled for either of these ship you can sign on for the Faster to fun benefits at the Carnival website.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

Here’s your absolute last chance to book Soul Train Cruise 2013

Posted on by alanwhitt

The Soul Train 2013 Cruise has been a sellout for quite awhile, but Allure Quest Travel Experience has one inside cabin available to the first person who wants it.

Alan Whitt

The total cost of this February 17-23, 2013 cruise is $2,250 per person … or $4,500 for two. A deposit of $2,100 gets you on Holland America’s Westerdam for the “The Hippest Trip at Sea.”

The roster for this cruise reads like an All-Star musical team. It includes Patti Labelle, Jeffrey Osborne, George Duke, The O’Jays, Kool & The Gang, War, The Spinners, Jody Watley, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient, Gerald Alston of The Manhattans and The Intruders.

Soul Train Cruise 2013 will make stops at Turks & Caicos,  St. Thomas, San Juan and Half Moon Cay – Holland America’s private island.

Call us at 615-818-8241 for more information or to book this last available cabin.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

Remember when …? Dining deal no bargain by yesteryear’s standards

Posted on by alanwhitt

Remember the days when all food was included in the price of your cruise … and it was gourmet dining all the way around.

Alan Whitt

Some of you probably don’t. That’s because it was so long ago.

By the time I got around to my second cruise in 1999 – 13 years ago on a brand new Voyager of the Seas – pay-extra specialty restaurants and hamburger joints were already part of the landscape.

Many people never partake of these extra-costs venues, preferring instead to eat all they care to at establishments already included in the price – even though the food quality isn’t the same as it was 15 years ago.

Back then many said they would never pay for a meal on a cruise ship. Well guess what? They do.

After awhile you become immune to all the additional pay establishments and just go with the flow.

Heck, it’s just money … and if a cruise lines wants it we’ll just fork it over in the name of having a great time.

And then the cruise line does us a favor. They take what once was free and sell it at a reduced rate by combining three dining establishments into a package deal.

Its called smart marketing. On Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, they’ve created dining packages that combine some of their signature eateries to give customers a special experience.

For instance, The Central Park Dining Package sells for $65 per person for nights at Italian eatery Giovanni’s Table, upscale 150 Central Park and the Chops Grille steakhouse in the Central Park neighborhood with its 11,000 trees, scrubs and plants.

It really is a bargain by today’s standards. Those restaurants booked individually would coast $90 total.

But here is why this is smart marketing.

Yes, Royal Caribbean is selling their product for less. But normally a cruise passenger likely would book only one of these establishments. Now, they can sell three of them at once.

Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.