Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, Montego Bay, Jamaica

I would like to announce to the world that my sacrifice has paid off handsomely.    You may remember in a previous blog how I was explaining to you all about the great sacrifice I was making to fly to Orlando to attend a travel conference so that I could become a better travel agent to you. 


Well, while I was there I intended a seminar with my favorite tour company, and the nice rep from Iberostar Resorts spoke for a few minutes, then drew a business card to give away a 7-night, all-inclusive stay at the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  The color of the business card was purple - so whose do you imagine that was?????  Yes, me!


So now I'll be taking my family to this 5 star property within the next year to investigate how I can convey to you the joys of Iberostar.  Now I ask you, what other travel agent do you know who is as selfless as I am?  Who else would do this for you?


Seriously, we are very blessed by John at Iberostar to have been given such a nice gift.  And I promise we will make the most of it with pictures and blogs.  I'm not sure when we'll be going.  Jeff actually has a real job that requires him to show up for work most of the time, so it depends on his schedule and of course, our bank account that will be paying for the airfare.


I would LOVE for you to visit the Iberostar website to see what all they offer, not just in Jamaica, but all around the world.  The address is http://www.iberostar.com/.  And you also have a chance to win a free trip at one of their hotels - look for details on their website. 


Remember, if you book through me you will have access to special rates and discounts not available through most other agents.


So for now, Cool Runnings!

Hilton Offers Money Back Guarantee for Gulf Coast Hotels

Lots of folks have reservations (some non-refundable) for Hilton family hotels in the Gulf Coast. If you are one of them, you can rest easy about your vacation versus the oil. Hilton is offering a Money Back Guarantee on all of their Gulf Coast hotels. These include Hilton, Hampton Inn, DoubleTree, Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Waldorf Astoria, Embassy Suites and Hilton Grand Vacations.

Don't be afraid to make a reservation and take off for a great family vacation! You are protected by Hilton's desire to earn and keep your business. In fact, I'd say this might be a really good time to go as the beaches will be less crowded due to the fear surrounding the oil spill.

All you Madison/Huntsville and Atlanta folks ought to take advantage of this. Call me for more details. 888-87LEGACY.

Unexpected and Wonderful News from Disney!

On Friday I got word that Disney Cruise Line is allowing kids to sail free on Mexican Riviera cruises between January 23 and March 30. This is a huge savings! I've never seen Disney put out a "Kids Sail Free" promotion that involves a round trip from a U.S. Port.

With two paying adults, kids traveling in the same stateroom will be free.

This is an amazing deal! If you have ever, ever, ever wanted to go on a Disney cruise, you won't find a better deal than this, especially for those of us who live in Colorado and the west. The port of Los Angeles is a whole heap of alot closer to us than Port Canaveral.

I am very excited about this and I just had to tell you. Let me know if you are excited, too.

The Life of an Extraordinary Lady, Part 3

It was Marjorie’s marriage in late 1935 to Joseph Davies that changed the destiny of Marjorie and Sea Cloud. Davies was assigned to the post of American Ambassador in Moscow in 1937. Marjorie and her Ambassador husband sailed the Sea Cloud to Leningrad where it served as an (almost) spy-free diplomatic headquarters. Sea Cloud was a show piece that Soviet dignitaries clamored to visit in order to get a clearer view of all things American. Additionally, Sea Cloud set the stage for meetings between Ambassador Davies and heads of state.

Sea Cloud would occasionally make trips back to the United States for various reasons. However, these voyages were becoming more dangerous with the run up to World War I, so she, her crew and family sailed away from Leningrad for the final time in June of 1938.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States government began acquiring private yachts for naval service. President Roosevelt, a good friend of Marjorie and Joseph, would not hear of commandeering such a beautiful yacht for dangerous work in the military. However, by 1942, the nation was in dire need of seagoing vessels, so Marjorie turned Sea Cloud over to the United States Coast Guard, symbolically renting her out for $1.00 per year.

Renamed again, this time, to IX-99, she lost her masts and her custom niceties below deck, and began her hitch in the military. Her territory was the vicinity of the Azores and south of Greenland, where she transmitted weather data to Arlington, Virginia, every 4 hours. She served honorably for 5 years. At the end of the war, all other private yachts were either destroyed or sold to the military. But IX-99, once again known as Sea Cloud, sailed for Florida where she underwent a four year ‘extreme makeover’ in which she was restored to her pre-war beauty. Marjorie was finally reunited with her prized Sea Cloud.
At least for a while . . .

A Toe in the Blog Water

Being a Baby Boomer has its advantages.

• I remember Elvis.
• I got to see a PG rated version of Saturday Night Fever.
• I have actually bought penny candy for a penny.
• The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family were Friday night staples at my house BEFORE they were syndicated. (And wasn't that David Cassidy groovy!)
• My family took a vacation to Walt Disney World just after it opened.

It also has its disadvantages. Here are a few examples:

• Old lady glasses for reading
• Reflux
• Jumping up and down is no longer an activity done without forethought and 'preparation'.

And, the most relevant disadvantage, my brain has a hard time understanding new technology.

Hence this first post on the Legacy Family Travel blog.

Did it go anywhere? Did anybody read it? You tell me!

My hope is that Jeff and I will be able to keep you updated on the latest family-friendly vacation options, the newest cruise ships and itineraries, the most innovative hotels and resorts for family travel, and other travel information that you may find interesting.

For the first real blog, I have a fascinating history lesson for you. But first I need to make sure I know what I'm doing. (at least sort of)

In the famous words of Winnie the Pooh: Hellllooooooo? Anybody home?