Charles and Lillie Woodrows

The Woodrows and others stayed at sea for almost nine hours before it was deemed safe enough to continue island hopping. Despite almost participating in one the worst natural disasters of the past century, they still describe their experience as “most enjoyable.”

“It’s hard to pick a favorite island in Hawaii as each has its own distinct beauty,” said Charles. “It’s very difficult to pick one over the other and I don’t think I can.”

Their vacation was even more enjoyable because they saved money by using Cruises, Travel and Attractions’ travel agency and utilizing its website, www.thevacationstationmembers.com.

When it was all over, they rated the company’s customer service as excellent.
Best of all, because the Woodrows are members of Cruises, Travel and Attractions, they received a rebate check after their vacation was over, saving them even more money. While they are staying closer to home for their next vacation, Cruises, Travel and Attractions will still be available to help them plan their trip and keep more money in their pockets.

Charles and Lillie Woodrows

Charles and Lillie Woodrow of Hopkins, South Carolina, have been members of Vacation Inspiration for two years but didn’t decide to take their first trip to Europe until last year.

“We had a good experience, so we booked another vacation this year through Cruises, Travel and Attractions and headed to Hawaii,” said Charles Woodrow. “While we won’t travel as far from home next time, we will definitely utilize our membership with Cruises, Travel and Attractions again.”

A 15-day vacation to Hawaii is a dream vacation and one the Woodrows won’t soon forget – but for another reason.

“We were on a cruise visiting some of the Hawaiian Islands when the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan,” Charles explained. “It was incredible, but we were kept informed of what was happening the entire time. The cruise line took us out to sea for about 25 miles to avoid getting hit ourselves. It was definitely a new and once-in-alifetime experience for all of us.”…

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Charles and Lillie Woodrows

The Woodrows and others stayed at sea for almost nine hours before it was deemed safe enough to continue island hopping. Despite almost participating in one the worst natural disasters of the past century, they still describe their experience as “most enjoyable.”

“It’s hard to pick a favorite island in Hawaii as each has its own distinct beauty,” said Charles. “It’s very difficult to pick one over the other and I don’t think I can.”

Their vacation was even more enjoyable because they saved money by using Cruises, Travel and Attractions’ travel agency and utilizing its website, www.thevacationstationmembers.com.

When it was all over, they rated the company’s customer service as excellent.
Best of all, because the Woodrows are members of Cruises, Travel and Attractions, they received a rebate check after their vacation was over, saving them even more money. While they are staying closer to home for their next vacation, Cruises, Travel and Attractions will still be available to help them plan their trip and keep more money in their pockets.

We went with a very open mind to hear what the program was about,” said Lynn.

Bill jumped in saying, “It turned out very interesting.” He continued by explaining that the CTA folks actively work to find out where you would like to vacation – then they come up with suggestions.

“It’s kind of a neat idea,” Bill said.

The Meyers have been members since the summer of 2009, and they were anxious to try a variety of plans offered by CTA. For example, they wanted a vacation in Florida’s panhandle, so the staff at Cruise, Travel and Attractions presented several options from which to choose.

“We went for a week at a condo at Emerald Beach, and we were extremely pleased,” Lynn said. “It was just as they said it would be.”

“You could go online and look at the options, so you knew what you were getting,” Bill chimed in.

Another wonderful vacation was a cruise, a first for the Meyers. (Read about Carnival Cruises)

“We went out of Mobile,” Lynn explained. “All our questions were answered ahead of time. We were a little apprehensive because it was our first cruise, but everything fell into place.”

“We had a great time,” Bill added. With such great experiences during their first years of membership, the Meyers look forward to much more travel during their retirement years. And there is no doubt they will continue to save money during those vacations.

“They not only give you the best price available, you get a rebate on top of that,” Bill said.

The savings are impressive. Bill estimates they saved between $1,500 and $1,800 in just their first year. “I was impressed when I added up the numbers,” he said.

The Meyers are looking forward to trying some of the “hot weeks” Cruise, Travel and Attractions offers, when prices are exceptionally reasonable. They have also shared their experiences with friends, many of whom “are in awe,” according to Lynn. “We’re glad we took a bit of a risk to join, because the results have been great,” Lynn added.

Bill agreed wholeheartedly. “It’s a good deal,” he said.

A game room and onboard activities including pingpong, shuffleboard, dancing lessons and a well-stocked library offer a range of pleasant diversions. There’s duty-free shopping, and a barbershop and beauty salon, and all cabins offer closed-circuit television.

The Carnival Cruise Lines Total Choice Dining Program means that all passengers will be free to choose from a host of meal-time and snack-time options, among them formal dining rooms where the tables are always set for a first-class dining experience, including fresh lobster on every cruise, an extensive wine list and attentive service. For more intimate dining, there is a reservations-only steakhouse with a Manhattan-chic ambience and many hearty favorites. Casual dining includes a European-style café and plenty of kid-pleasing meal choices, from hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza to spaghetti and meatballs and more.

When the sun dips below the horizon, the Carnival Fantasy comes alive with night life to satisfy every taste, from the Universe Lounge, featuring Las Vegas-style shows, to a varied lineup of entertainment in the Crystal Lounge, disco in the Electricity Dance Club, sophisticated piano in Cleopatra’s Bar, plus a half-dozen other themed watering holes for cocktails and fun.

For veteran cruisers or first-timers, being able to enjoy the pleasures of the sea and visiting exotic ports without having to fly or drive to distant cities to embark is the best of all worlds. Carnival Cruise Lines’ year-round schedule of sailing from the port of Charleston makes it all possible.

Is that the sound of a steel drum band in the distance? It just might be the Carnival Fantasy gliding past Florida’s shores as it embarks on yet another fun-filled cruise.

By Bill Farley & Barbara Patrick

Several three-bedroom plans are available, but the real piéce de resistance is the penthouses. With four bedrooms, three baths and nearly 3,700 square feet of living space, the Forecastle is the ultimate in condo living.

Every detail at Harbor Pointe has been attended to — little touches such as lever door handles, computer centers with phone jacks, cable TV jacks, dedicated electrical circuits and crown molding. Even if you don’t enjoy cooking, you’ll appreciate the gourmet kitchen, which is complete with a solid-surface counter top, designer faucet and under-cabinet lighting. The appliance package includes a 25-cubic-foot side-by-side refrigerator, smooth cook-top range with self-cleaning oven, microwave with sunken turntable and dishwasher with sound insulation.

But the best is yet to come. The spacious master bedroom will be your haven. It features air conditioned walk-in closets, a whirlpool tub with tile surround, separate tiled shower and dual vanities.

Amenities go far beyond the usual.

Harbor Pointe has a huge heated pool and spa, tennis and basketball court and a recreation building with an exercise room and sauna.

As wonderful as these extras are, they pale in comparison to the spectacular views of the Indian River from every residence.

You can watch the space shuttle launch from your balcony, it doesn’t get much better than that. The Harbor Pointe lifestyle can easily be yours. Prices range from $385,000 to $1,500,000.

By Annie Patrick

The travel agents at CTA are travelers themselves, so they understand that vacations are precious. They are eager to make sure members enjoy the entire cruise experience, before, during and after, not only by helping choose the right cruise but also by booking hotels, car rentals and attractions.

Just as Royal Caribbean is only one of the many cruise lines that CTA books for its members, cruises are only one of the many travel offerings available. CTA also provides members with vacation tour packages and with the option to create their own travel itinerary. A travel agent can book with all of the tour companies and packaged tour providers, as well as with major chains and individual vendors.

Members simply provide their travel agent with the requirements for their dream vacation, and the agent will research all of the available options. Whether it’s a three-night package tour of San Francisco or an individually customized two-week trip to South Africa, the Cruise, Travel and Attractions travel agent team will do whatever is necessary to make sure their member’s trip perfectly matches the one they’ve been dreaming about.

In the mid-1800s, the area was known for producing world-famous Indian River oranges and grapefruit, and pineapples also thrived in the sandy soil. The small towns that once dotted the island–Georgiana, Courtenay, Tropic, Fairyland, Orsino, Angel City, Wilson and Indianola among them–have vanished, leaving Merritt Island to be administered by Brevard County. Water and sewer service come to the island’s residents from the nearby town of Cocoa.

Merritt Island is located just six miles southwest of Cape Canaveral. nearby attractions include the Astronaut Hall of Fame; the American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville.

Originally named Artesia, Merritt Island is located just six miles southwest of Cape Canaveral, the heart of America’s space program. Because of its central location in Brevard County, between Titusville and Melbourne, the area has developed into an economic hub, tucked between the Atlantic beaches to the east and the mainland cities of Rockledge and Cocoa to the west. There’s more to do on Florida’s Space Coast, however, than lounge on the beach, search for seashells and gaze at space shuttles soaring skyward. Residents and visitors enjoy golf, tennis, horseback riding, hiking, biking, surfing, water-skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, boating, sailing and shopping. Parks provide playgrounds, picnic tables and barbecue grills, and nearby historic Cocoa Village offers tree-lined streets and a wide variety of shops, cafes and art galleries.

In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, nearby attractions include the Astronaut Hall of Fame; the American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville; and the Veterans Memorial Center, which includes a military museum.

And if you simply seek a peek at the unspoiled beauty of the Florida coast, you can visit Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, located adjacent to the Space Center. The 22-square-mile wetlands area, managed by the federal government, attracts more than 300 species of birds and also is home to ghost crabs, loggerhead and green sea turtles, raccoons, bobcats, alligators, manatees, dolphins, bald eagles, ospreys and even the elusive Florida panther. You can see many of them along the seven-mile-long Blackpoint Wildlife Drive.

Situated in the middle of Florida’s Atlantic coast, Cocoa Beach caters to the young and the young at heart. It’s all there: sun-drenched beaches, the historic pier, championship golf courses, fine dining and shopping, and, every once in a while, the magnificent sight of the space shuttle launching from Cape Canaveral.

Just six miles long and barely a mile wide, Cocoa Beach is on a barrier island bounded by the Atlantic to the east and the Banana River Lagoon to the west. It’s a hot surfing spot and the home of the world’s largest surf shop, but waves aren’t the only lure. Located where two climatic zones–the subtropic and temperate–meet, Cocoa Beach attracts wildlife that is indigenous to both, in addition to the coastal and migratory species you might expect to see.

This location, so hospitable to wildlife, is a natural playground for humans, too. It’s perfect for swimming in the ocean, kayaking the Banana River or just watching dolphins leaping out of the water.

In spite of being a major tourist destination–the population swells to 30,000 during the peak season and another 2.4 million people are “day visitors”–Cocoa Beach is home to almost13,000 residents who care deeply about their tropical paradise. As space exploration advanced, the town has grown from the small beach community it was in the 1920s to a vibrant yet laid-back town. The population is a blend of locals, retirees and vacationers.

If ever there was a town that offered everything to everybody, it must be Cocoa Beach.

While there are more than 2,400 single-family homes and 5,500 condominiums, only about 40 percent are year-round residences. The rest are second homes or rental properties.

For permanent residents, life is good in Cocoa Beach. There are plenty of fine shops and boutiques–including the world-famous Ron Jon Surf Shop–and dining options, from fast food to upscale fare. A 27-hole golf course lures duffers to the Cocoa Beach Country Club, which is open to the public and includes an Olympic-sized city pool and tennis complex. But Cocoa Beach’s most important asset is the friendly locals, who are happy to share their place in the sun.

Maggie, Jennifer, Allie, Connie, Gareth and Danette earned a plaque from Royal Carribbean, which cruises to more than 280 destinations in 81 countries worldwide. Acknowledgement from a major cruise line is a nice accomplishment for the CTA team, but what they really enjoy is the recognition they receive from happy members.

“The highest level of customer service is our number one goal. It makes me happy to make my clients happy,” said CTA travel agent Connie Maher.

Of course, Royal Caribbean is just one of many cruise lines that Cruise, Travel and Attractions offers. The travel agents are knowledgeable about all the major lines and each of their ships, embarkation ports, itineraries, ports-of-call and excursions. They can book members on the huge variety of cruises offered by any cruise company, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Viking River Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Seabourn.