This past week, Brenna Abels with Regent Seven Seas Cruises was in our office to update and train our agents. Here are some of the highlights of her visit with us.  Be sure to visit our own Regent Seven Seas website for even more information, including itineraries!
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Regent Seven Seas Updates & Info...

• Regent is an all-inclusive luxury experience: business class air, transfers, pre-cruise hotel night (for concierge & above levels), 2000 shore excursions in 450 destinations (all included tours are up to $250 pp at no additional cost—you can pick), open bars & lounges, in-suite mini bar fridge (1 bottle of alcohol and 2 bottles of wine—can request certain kind), pre-paid gratuities, specialty restaurants (up to 3 different on board depending on ship—french, Asian, and seafood/steak), 24 hour room service, unlimited wifi (one login per suite unless upgraded cabin category), valet laundry service (complimentary on Med cruises 2018 only for now), super attentive service
• All staterooms are suites and 99% balconies—smallest balcony is 50 sq ft.
• Largest suite is the Regent Suite (on Explorer) at 4500 sq ft and includes an indoor spa with unlimited spa treatments from Canyon Ranch.
• Regent Choice signature excursions are available at additional cost but still discounted
• Top of the line beverages and excursions
• 4 ships in the current fleet.  Smallest ship holds 450 guests.  Other ships hold 750 guests.  Explorer was introduced in 2016.  Splendor is debuting in 2020.  Other ships completely remastered to match Explorer.
• Special pricing for children under age 17, and there is children’s programs on certain sailings
• Restaurants on the fleet have been remastered.
• Open dining is the main dining option with a lot of different seating configurations.
• New destinations:  Havana, and other Cuban ports; Turkey & Istanbul (smaller ships can get into smaller ports)
• Regent has The Ambassador program.  It gives you $250 pp off the next cruise if you refer someone who books.
• There is entertainment on board, 9:30 every night.  One show a night and different every night.
• There is a tea time every afternoon.

Earlier this month Brittany was part of a special Travel Agent Academy through Tauck River Cruising.  Through this program she had the opportunity to experience a 5-Day river cruise onboard the MS Treasures through Germany and Switzerland.  It combined the best of both worlds - working and "playing".  Daily Academy seminars trained her on aspects of River cruising and daily excursions trained her on locations - all this while experiencing life onboard a European river cruise and the breathtaking beauty of the towns, castles and mountains along the Rhine River.  Her daily stops were:  Koln, Germany; Boppard, Germany; Heidelberg, Germany; Lucerne, Switzerland and Basel, Switzerland. Please enjoy these photos of Brittany's trip and call Travel Haus when you are ready to explore the wonderful world of river cruising!  We have the first hand experience as well as the training to match you up with the best option for you!

Travel Agent Sense - this will be the first in a series of posts that we will share with our valued readers and clients.  One of the things that sets Travel Haus apart from booking on your own and even some other agencies is that we often meet with the tour companies and our agents get trained on the latest updates and news.  We have REAL relationships and contacts! 

This past week, Jen Palko with Apple Vacations was in our office and here are some of the highlights of her visit with us. 

She gave us an update on the various Caribbean islands and where they’re at in recovery from hurricanes.  Apple supports several causes that contribute 100% directly to those in need.  The Mexico and Punta Cana resorts are still open to guests and some beaches actually got WIDER after the storms.  Ie: Beach at Secrets Capri got significantly wider.  More beach sounds good to us!  :)
 
In Resort News...

• In Maui, Westin properties opened a brand new Westin Annaa Villas (1,2,3 bedroom suites).  It is next to current Westin property there in Maui.
• AMResorts opened 10 new resorts in the Caribbean this year and will also be opening new resorts in Aruba and Panama.  AMResorts includes Secrets, Dreams, Now, Zoetry, Breathless and Sunscape resorts.  One interesting option while staying at the Dreams Las Mareas in Costa Rica is that you can opt to book an excursion to Nicaragua while there!
• RIU Republica in Punta Cana is in such high demand that they are adding 500 rooms and a waterpark.  It is an adults only resort.
• Iberostar is adding tower to Cancun property.
• Barcelo and Occidental merged last year.
• Palladium is now offering butler service.
• Hard Rock Resorts is bringing a brand new hotel to Cabo, Mexico.