March 27, 2017 From the President's Corner! Hope everyone is adjusting to daylight savings time and have been able to convince the kiddos to wake up even though it is still dark outside! The additional hour of sunlight will be nice at the end of the day once we are well adjusted. As the winter season nears closing, we are preparing for the openings of the ports in Seattle and Vancouver in April. Also in April, SNG is pleased…
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Dania supplier of special needs equipment thrives as travelers with disabilities broaden horizons By Arlene Satchell, Contact Reporter Sun Sentinel March 10, 2017, 3:40 PM For 10 years, Dania Beach-based Special Needs Group has been helping travelers with disabilities discover more of the world. Since its founding in 2007, the company’s Special Needs at Sea division has fulfilled more than 150,000 orders for mobility and medical-related equipment from people who want to maintain their independence when traveling. The company’s…
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February 10, 2017 From the President's Corner! I hope everyone is in good health and those in North battling the cold weather are staying safe and busy booking warm vacations. Here at SNG, we are extremely excited as we close in on our 10-Year anniversary on February 14th. It doesn’t seem possible that a decade has passed since SNG was born with a vision to make it possible for anyone to travel, even if they have a disability or…
January 23, 2017 From the President's Corner! Happy New Year! I hope that everyone enjoyed some time with loved ones during the Holidays! 2016 was a fantastic year; I look forward to what promises to be a spectacular upcoming year. Through the 1st Quarter of the year, we are running our annual Transatlantic Special promotion. Guests renting medical equipment for 2017 Transatlantic sailings from North America to Europe receive an additional piece of equipment (of equal or lesser value) FREE…
Winter and holiday travel can result in stressful times whether by air or on the road. The following are winter travel tips to alleviate the stress of the winter/holiday traveler, especially those with limited mobility. Traveling by air: Plan ahead Contact your travel agent to book your vacation as soon as possible. This will allow the traveler to obtain lower airfare, avoiding peak travel dates and providing the opportunity to fly direct as well as flying as early or late…
December 14, 2016 From the President's Corner! It is hard to believe that we are coming to the end of another year. 2016 was an extremely busy year for us at SNG. In total for the year, SNG attended 40 events/trade shows getting the word out on our mission of Delivering an Accessible World! We are grateful for these opportunities to let people know that their Special Needs can be met making it possible to travel the world! We…
November 23, 2016 From the President's Corner! I hope everyone is well and ready to enjoy Thanksgiving with loved ones. Below please find information on the upcoming DC Metro Abilities Expo taking place Dec 2nd to the 4th. We will be represesnted at a booth and there is a workshop scheduled on Traveling with a Disability. If you are in the area please stop by. We are extremely grateful for your continued support as we make travel accessible…
Royal Caribbean has found its Godmother for its newest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, and that person is South Florida educator Brittany Affolter. Brittany’s work with Teach for America in Miami-Dade County has supported and inspired a number of high-needs schools in Royal Caribbean’s hometown. Following a search that lasted months, Brittany was among three finalists, who then competed in a vote by the general public. Brittany won and was selected to become the ship's Godmother. For winning, she will be recognized…
Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Symphony of the Seas, will be the cruise line’s twenty-fifth of the fleet and fourth Oasis Class vessel. The 6,780-passenger ship will join its sister-ships – Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas – in the Spring of 2018. Symphony of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s first vessel to combine characteristics of both the Quantum and Oasis Classes. Presently being constructed in Saint-Nazaire, France…
Paris, the "City of Light," is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destination. France’s largest city and its capital attracts in excess of forty-four million visitors annually for its architecture, art, cuisine, nightlife and high-end shopping. Paris attracts guests of all ages with its culturally-rich activities and attractions. Art Museums Founded in 1789, the Louvre Museum is home to some of the finest art pieces by Picasso, Rembrandt and Raphael, including one of the world’s most famous works – Leonardo da Vinci’s, “Mona Lisa.” Aficionados of…
October 21, 2016 From the President's Corner! I hope everyone is doing well and settled back in the routine of kids back in school. My son and I are getting there. On another note, we just had a scare with Hurricane Matthew, but were fortunate to be spared any serious damage. We hope that those who were hit fared well. As we can continue to evolve, SNG is always expanding our areas which we are able to service. …
Three original TV series, developed by Carnival Corporation, will focus on the experiences around cruising and ports around the world. The shows debuted on October 1 on ABC, NBC and The CW and will feature all 10 of the company's brands. Each lifestyle series sets out to capture a different aspect of the cruising experience. “Ocean Treks with Jeff Corwin” will take viewers adventure-hunting around the world with the Emmy-winning host. “The Voyager with Josh Garcia” will focus on…
Special Needs Group announces Certification Milestone 2,500 SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocates® Fort Lauderdale, FL – November 13th, 2015….On the 4th Anniversary of the introduction of the Travel Industry’s 1st Certification program designed to assist Travel Professionals serve those with Special Needs and Disabilities, SNG President and CEO Andrew J. Garnett made the following statement: “I am ecstatic to announce that our mission of Delivering an Accessible World has been fortified by 2,500 SNG Certified…
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Yesterday at Cruise Shipping Miami it was announced that MSC Seaside, the first of the Seaside class ships, will be the first ship in the MSC Cruises' fleet to be christened in the United States. MSC Seaside will sail the Caribbean year-round from PortMiami starting December 2017. Special Needs Groups looks forward to delivering electrical scooters, wheelchairs, oxygen and much more to make this cruise vacation accessible to all! Enjoy the video with renderings of what's to come. CLICK HERE…
Traveling is exciting! Getting away from the bustle of daily life and experiencing new places can be a relaxing way to get refreshed. However, we all know that sometimes things just happen. Many of us have experienced the frustration of lost luggage as a result. We’ve come up with a few things to help you keep your luggage and start your vacation off right. Bright colors. While black and grey are classic colors, the conveyor belt is full of look…
Before planning your next family vacation, consider Sydney, Australia. Travel to the land down under and get an experience of a lifetime. With its stunning beaches, fun wildlife, and laid-back culture, Sydney is sure to give you a relaxing and enjoyable vacation. While in Sydney, make sure to spend a couple of days at one of the area’s many beaches. If you are looking for a peaceful day surrounded by water then spend a day at Palm Beach where it’s…
Traveling can get expensive and well, a little bit stressful. Hidden fees on top of hotel, transportation, and food can seriously add up. Airport security lines, baggage claim, and busier travel days can make traveling hectic. We’ve come up with some travel hacks to get more bang for your buck as well as a few things that make traveling a little bit easier. 1. Travel Agents. A good travel agent will help you find the best vacation for your needs…
Ecuador is a truly magical place. It is located only 4 hours from Miami, on the northwest corner of South America, situated between Peru and Colombia. From the beautiful sandy beaches of the Pacific Coast to the tropical jungle of the Amazon rainforest, Ecuador is place like no other. Enjoy the stunning scenery while traveling through the Andes to see one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, Cotopaxi Volcano. Go island hopping through the Galapagos Islands to get…
Most of us want to travel around safely and unnoticed. The only problem is we often just arrive at our destination without having taken the time to really think about how to fit in. When exploring a destination, it is obvious who the tourists and the locals are. So how do you blend in? Most likely, you will naturally blend in with the tourists, because well you are one. However, your typical tourist will usually only experience travel destinations…
Most of us know of at least one person who loves to travel more than most. It seems they are always traveling or planning their next adventure. With the busiest shopping weekend of the year fast approaching we thought it would be a good idea to look at some ideal gifts for world travelers. Portable Phone Charger Most phones these days have great cameras and for many have replaced a traditional camera. There is nothing more frustrating for the travel…
We all love taking pictures while on vacation. It's a great way to preserve the moment so we can share it with friends and family when we return. Here are some great tips on taking great vacation pictures. Always Carry Your Camera: When traveling you never know when you will see the perfect shot or when everything will come together for a once in a lifetime photo opportunity. Take As Many As You Wish: One of the best things about…
Everyone seems to know that we rent mobility aids for elderly travelers, including Motorized Scooters and Wheelchairs for people who are going on cruises however there is more, much more. Let's start by saying that we also rent travel equipment and deliver to hotels and convention centers. We deliver to hotels and convention centers at all the major cruise port cities throughout the world. Mobility Assistance Transport/Companion Chair - Similar to a wheelchair except that it requires a companion to…
When planning an accessible vacation for your family, the Lone Star State, only second in size to Alaska, is just a natural candidate. Everything in Texas is big and big fun for the family is everywhere in the Galveston and Houston! Galveston offers 32 miles of relaxing beaches, superb restaurants, marvelous shopping, incredible art galleries, fabulous entertainment and one of the largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country. Galveston has long been the playground of the Texas Gulf Coast. Children of all ages will…
Mobility scooters are one of the most popular rentals at SNG! If you rented one please take a look at a few simple scooter riding tips you should become familiar with before you sail. · Remember to take the first page of your contract with you and read the guide that you will receive along with the mobility scooter rental. · Scooters should be charged every single night regardless of usage! Make sure the scooter is turned off and that the key…
One of the best ways to really experience a new city is eating like a local. When in Rome do as the Romans. This holds very true when it comes to food. If you are in Peru eat Peruvian food. Why would you eat at an American Restaurant when in South America? If you eat like the locals you are also more likely to be eating fresh food. The last person you should really ask for a restaurant recommendation…
Art lovers will find plenty to admire on cruise ships. Oceania Cruises, for instance, has a collection of 2,000 original works on its Marina and Riviera, including a signed Picasso lithograph. The line recently published a color catalog of its world-class art, joining Celebrity Cruises, which published one last year. The cruise lines take different approaches with their collections. Some commission top artists for site-specific works. Most work with a third-party curator, such as International Corporate Art (ICArt), which buys…
The first ship built exclusively for cruising was the Prinzessin Victoria Luise of Germany, designed by Albert Ballin, general manager of Hamburg-America Line. The ship was completed in 1900 with its inaugural sailing on January 5, 1901. She was in service until 1906. Victoria Luise was designed to look more like a private yacht than any of her commercial counterparts. She had a trim hull 52.2 feet wide by 407.5 feet long. Onboard, she also did not look like other commercial…