Monday, August 19, 2019

Cruise On Carnival Breeze


Are you ready for Carnival Breeze?

Carnival Breeze is a 10/10! She was so beautiful, fun and exciting from all the workers to the on board activities. It was non stop FUN & EATING! Definitely recommend this one. This is a review from a client. Think you are ready to sail? Let's look at Carnival Breeze. Overall, Carnival Breeze seems to be pretty good if you fun with the crowd. Just remember that it is a mega-fun ship and there's a lot of activities and food choices you can have so please enjoy. Didn’t hear many people complaining about the food and that's good! Stateroom seems to be pretty tasteful with Caribbean decor.

I know many prefer and praise their vacation on the Breeze, popular so to speak. You will always get pro’s and con’s, but you must compare apples to apples so let's talk about one, not many.



Delicious Restaurants On Board Carnival Breeze

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que
Guy’s Burger Joint
Blue Iguana Cantina
Pizza Pirate
Cucina del Capitano
Seafood Shack
Bonsai Sushi
Steakhouse
Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast
The Chef’s Table


The layout of the ship is well done. You'll never feel that there were over 3600+ people onboard. The shows were good and the staff is like most cruise ships, always trying to please everyone on board. The food at the dining room and buffets were good. Guys Burger joint is a must taste and The Pig and Anchor are very good. I highly recommend Cucina del Capitano, may have additional cost but definitely worth it.

You can experience a variety of delicious dining options on board. RedFrog Rum Bar® and BlueIguana Cantina™ offer island-inspired drinks and south-of-the-border taco goodness. Bonsai Sushi™ showcases expertly-prepared sushi dishes, and Guy's Burger Joint™ features hot-off-the-grill burgers designed by celebrity chef Guy Fieri.

Kids can have a blast on the 320-foot-long Twister Waterslide at Carnival WaterWorks, as well as participate in supervised youth programs like Camp Ocean, Circle 'C', and Club O2. For adults looking to relax, there's the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat and the Cloud 9 Spa for some pampering.Teens will enjoy the ship as would the adults who love fun!

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

Cloud 9 Spa
Waterworks
Alchemy Bar
Serenity Adult Only Retreat
Camp Ocean
Seuss At Sea
Playlist Production


Meet some long-time cruisers and first-time cruiser who really enjoyed it too. I recommend the Blue Iguana if you love Tacos – a lot of cruisers rave about their tacos - morning, noon or night were amazing! 

Carnival Breeze offers an array of exciting activities and delicious dining options to keep guests entertained. From the SportSquare™ to the mouth-watering Cucina del Capitano®, there's something for everyone to enjoy on this ship. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, Carnival Breeze is sure to keep the fun blazing throughout your journey. Large and spacious. Activities for all age levels and service was exceptional. Lots and lots to do onboard. Food on board was great. I do highly recommend the main dining room as your table is always waiting for you and this really helps when the lido deck buffets are packed!

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse offers premium cuts of steak cooked to your liking, along with gourmet appetizers and wine pairings. If you're in the mood for something a little more casual, you can visit Pizza Pirate for a hot slice, the Carnival Deli for a classic deli sandwich, or Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse™ for some signature Guy Fieri BBQ. There's no shortage of delicious dining options on this ship!

Carnival Breeze's staterooms and public spaces are designed with a vibrant tropical décor and contemporary furnishings, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that will make you feel like you're in the Caribbean. So if you notice a bit of the outdoors inside, don't be surprised - it's all part of the ship's immersive experience.

Carnival Breeze offers a variety of activities and experiences for adults looking to unwind and have some fun. From the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat to the Cloud 9 Spa, there are plenty of opportunities for relaxation and pampering. For those looking to keep the party going, there's Playlist Productions, Liquid Nightclub, and the Punchliner Comedy Club. And if you're in the mood for a unique cocktail, the Alchemy Bar has you covered. Additionally, the ship's tropical décor and contemporary furnishings will transport you to a blissful Caribbean setting. So whether you want to kick back and do nothing or dance the night away, Carnival Breeze has something for everyone.


Hensley Travel
AmaWaterways Cruises
Disney Cruise, Disneyland, Walt Disney World
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Viking Cruises

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Travel Agents Receive Online Scams


Today, I got a call for Air ticket inquiry.  As a travel agent, I have to share this story before it happens to someone else. Scams come in many shapes and methods. Not only travel agents are being targeted but anyone who is willing to open the door to their scheming ways. Scammers are just like anyone else, living, surviving, and finding ways to better their life. The only difference with them and anyone else who work hard to earn is that they do not have conscience. Scammers will find ways how to earn easy as that is a job for them. Everyday, they think of how to scam. Everyday, they learn things to better their skills and so for us good hearted people, we must learn how to beat them and not fall to their scheming trap.

The call came in around 9:00 a.m.  As I was starting the day, working on a client’s cruise to Europe. I actually hang up the first time because when I pick up the phone, there was a gap like I smell scam. Lol… of course, I can’t smell scam but I thought it weird just like using google phone connecting to your real mobile phone, the same gap sound happens. Or is it just my gut warning me?

The call originates from (909)757-7822 and registers as a number based in California.

The second call came in after less than a minute. The person on the other end asks if I am the travel agent with a strong accent. I was already kind of suspicious and did not answer in a professional manner. I responded “Yes, I am”. He was quick to tell me he needs a ticket for February 26 or 27 and returning March 11, departing Los Angeles to Dubai. It’s a red flag for me when booking air only with dates that close but I proceeded to see what will happen. I asked for his name and gave his first name Karim, so I thought.

I proceeded to ask for email address, date of birth which he provided. Email address seems weird. You know, email address that has letters and numbers and doesn’t make sense but who am I to judge, right? His email is citcle7750@gmail.com. I went ahead and ask for his full name, stating letter by letter with code – Kareem Mooney. Provided info as emailed-

KAREEM MOONEY
PASSPORT NO:482973055
DOB: OCT/20/1970
EXP: JULY/26/2022
ISSUE COUNTRY : USA




He seems to know what a travel agent would do to make sure all letters are correct! He was very persuasive in telling me that he will wait for ticket to be booked over the phone. He asks if I issue the ticket myself and I said no. I book with our vendors who offers good price. He even said, you should issue ticket yourself as a travel agency to make it convenient. I said, yes, I wish but not interested.

This time, I googled the flight itinerary and gave him a price. He asked to email the flight itinerary which I did. He said everything looks good (wow, no questions ask about price) and he wants it booked immediately! I said sure but I need to see your passport.

Me: I require to see the passport when booking air only. Please take a picture and email it to me.

Kareem: I don’t have my passport right now but I will email you all the information.

Me: Ok. I should have not said OK but I know this is just a game.

Kareem: Is it booked already?

Me: Yes (white lilies). What card are we using for the booking?

Kareem: Hold on, can you also check a flight for my business partner? ACC to Dubai, departing February 22nd and returning March 4. This is a diversion, I believe.

Me: Okaaaayyyy….

So, he also has a business partner that needs air departing from ACC to Dubai. As he said this, he practically knows by heart what the airport code is and he really should have been a travel agent. LOL! His business partner needs to depart on when? February 22? It’s in a few days!!! Another red flag!! I gave him a price. A really good price which means it is not the lowest price.

Kareem: Send me the flight itinerary. The price looks good. Do you charge the credit card as one for two tickets?

Me: It will be two separate charges because passengers depart separate airports.
Kareem: Okay. Since my business partner’s ticket is lower price compared to my ticket, why don’t you book his ticket first. (Another way to distract someone, instant changes)

Me: Okay, Mr Mooney, (doesn’t that last name sound like lots of money? Lol) I really need to see the passport first before continuing because of the fact that the ticket is originating from Ghana. There seems to be a lot of fraud happening and I now require seeing the passports before booking air only. 

He insists that he doesn’t have the passport in possession at the moment. While insisting, the email came in regarding Business partner’s name is Gideon Osei. Provided info as emailed -

GIDEON OSEI
PASSPORT NO : 638065844
DOB : NOV/24TH/1968
EXP: MAY/12/2022
ISSUE COUNTRY : USA


Is he a travel agent? Haha...He said he got my name through our company. 

He insisted photo of passport will be sent later. At the end, I insisted that I will not book air only especially coming from Ghana as there are so many frauds going on. He asked if it happened to me before so I said yes to be better safe than sorry. Was he sorry? No.

I did a search for their names on the web as doing so helps when in doubt.

Reflecting on how the conversation flows, he was trying to distract me from personal booking then change to another booking (his business partner)plus he wants to book ticket outright!.  

He has no fear to tell me what he wants, how to conduct business, manipulating me, and he’ll do the same to anyone to get what he wants.

After I insisted, he hang up shillyshally and did not hear back from him though he promised to send photo of passport. Was my gut right then?

He has the patience that I have but we have two different goals –

I make a living by selling travel, providing assistance before travel to after the travel, great service so clients will enjoy creating great memories when they book with me.

He, on the other hand is creating a lifestyle of scamming agents so they can travel for free at the expense of others (using someone else's credit card).

Two different analogy in life. Which lifestyle is better?

I should have been patient so I can get more info especially the credit card.

Whether you are a travel agent like me or not, please be on guard at all times and don’t fall for any scam!
Always ask for proper documentation.
Do not be afraid to say no if the situation is making you uncomfortable.
If it's too good to be true, run away as fast as you can!

Lastly, I say “No to scam!”

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