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January 2010 |
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IT’S A BIG, WIDE ACCESSIBLE WORLD – GO EXPLORE AND ENJOY!
Did you ever have a client not book a trip because they were worried about a bad knee or other mobility impairment? Have you had a client not take a family member along on a trip because of a fear that person would need oxygen mid-trip? If this happened to you, it doesn’t have to be this way. Today’s world is more accessible than ever, and for anyone with special requirements for traveling, there’s a world of information and help waiting for them.
For the person with a special need, it’s disappointing to be left behind. For those who do make the trip, leaving a loved one behind diminishes the fun, especially if the trip is a family event. For the travel agent, not being able to include everyone means a loss of a sale. Here are a few tips to ensure that when the next travel opportunity arises, your client is ready to go.
Outline Their Travel Needs
Take the time to evaluate the logistics of the trip in relationship to their ability to keep pace. What modes of transportation will your client be using? Airplane, car, train, ship, transit vans for ground transfers? Make sure you don’t miss any leg of their trip. Read More. CRUISE LINE SPOTLIGHT: MSC CRUISES
MSC Cruises provides an unparalleled authentic Italian-influenced cruise experience. When guests step aboard, they are greeted by the tasteful decor that includes Italian marble and elegant simplicity of brass and wood. Some of the other Italian inspired excellence onboard includes nightly shows accentuating the line’s heritage, Italian-language classes and a seven course dining menu that features a different regional Italian specialty each night.
MSC Cruises welcomes guests with special needs and makes big efforts in accommodating needs and requests. All of MSC Cruises’ ships offer wheelchair accessible staterooms. Additionally, wheelchair access is available to all public rooms, elevators support wheelchairs and scooters, the main dining room and casino have accessible tables and there are wheelchair spaces available in the theatre.
The Splendida, Fantasia, Musica, Opera and Poesia have the most accessible accommodations and the most number of accessible staterooms; the Splendida has 43 accessible staterooms, Fantasia has 41 and the Musica, Orchestra and Poesia all have 17 accessible staterooms. These ships all have roll-in showers, grab bars in the bathroom and shower, raised toilet seats, adjustable shower heights and fold down shower benches. The spa is also wheelchair accessible on all of these ships. Read More.
CITY OF HIGHLIGHT: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
This February 2010 will mark the 173rd year of Mardi Gras parading in New Orleans. Celebrations include lavish parade floats, brass bands, parade throws of beads, doubloons and cups, and the special Mardi Gras King Cakes honoring the three kings. If you don’t get a chance to visit this memorable event in February, don’t worry, New Orleans is filled year-long with fantastic music, food and culture.
If you have one day to spend in New Orleans, the French Quarter is the place to visit. In Jackson Square, the heart of the French Quarter, you’ll find musicians, artists, jugglers and performance artists selling their wares and entertaining. Other points of interest include St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously active cathedral in the United States, the Cabildo, a historic Louisiana State Museum and Presbytere, a Louisiana State Museum with a Mardi Gras exhibition, all of which are wheelchair accessible. Visitors may take an official walking tour to see individual buildings and admire the architecture of the unique neighborhood. Another option is to stroll the Moon Walk, the promenade that runs along the Mississippi River, and watch as the riverboats and cruise ships pass by. Read More.
Interesting Fact: Louisiana is the only state in the union that does not have counties. Its political subdivisions are called parishes. |
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MAKING WAVES
We wish all of our travel agent friends a busy and successful Wave Season!
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Travel Agents Earn Commission on Every Rental.
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Toll Free: 1-800-513-4515 | International: 954-585-0575 2860 West State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 |
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About Special Needs at Sea and Special Needs Group…
Special Needs Group, Inc. is a one-stop resource for special needs travel around the world. We offer a broad range of special needs equipment for purchase and rental including wheelchairs, scooters, power chairs with capabilities to support 500 pound or more; oxygen (liquid, cylinder, and concentrator); hearing impaired equipment, Braille printing, baby cribs and more. Recommended by the world’s major cruise lines and hotels for superior service and value, we also provide consultation services regarding special needs policy and new-build design. Special Needs Group, a U.S. company, is not a travel agency; we do not compete in any way with travel agents. |
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