Carnival Is Moving

     I remember going to San Pedro in Los Angeles to board our first few cruises on Carnival. The facility was sort of dated, but It was a very nice terminal and convenient to get in and out of.  However, Carnival wanted to move out of the facility in favor of a possible facility in Long Beach.  They got the Long Beach facility, right next to the Queen Mary in the old "Spruce Goose" building.  It was a good match.
     My son and I were on a Carnival cruise last year and I ran into the hotel manager of the ship and got into a conversation about Carnival, over a couple of scotchs and a cigar.  We talked about why Carnival doesn't deal with Elite Golf any more (number of golfers actually playing golf in the ports of call was minimal and the program was not making money) and a couple of other cruise related topics.  One was that Carnival was leaving Long Beach in favor of San Pedro.  I was sort of shocked.
     I don't know what precipitated the move, he wouldn't go into the details.  What he did share was that the Port of Los Angeles, i.e. San Pedro, was going to upgrade and remodel the San Pedro facility that Carnival formerly was using. I don't know what advantages this has for Carnival but I am sure that the change will benefit them financially.  At any rate, this will effect West Coast passengers in the beginning of 2014.  Having cruised from both ports, I really don't know if there is a disadvantage or advantage for passengers.  That will remain to be seen.
    By the way, I am booking cruises for the coming year through my association with Winsome Travel here in Fresno.  I have some great cruises on any of the cruise lines for all destinations, not just the West Coast. Give me a call.

The Carnival Splendor Docked at Long Beach

Heading home after the cruise from Carnival's Long Beach facility.

Home!

     Yes, I have traveled a lot.  There is one place that is very much in my heart.  That is Home.  I live in Fresno, California.
      I have lived in Fresno most of my life, even though I was born in Los Angeles, California.  We moved here when I was two years old in 1957 and have seen this city change in many ways. I can tell many stories about my past here, but I won't.  This city has grown from the small agricultural town I grew up in to the World Class City it is now. I used to hate this place, now I have fallen in love with it.
     Where do I start?  We have some great restaurants and night spots.  Some of the best Mexican restaurant are here, such as Cuca's and Castillo's. The Italian cuisine is fantastic as is the high end elegant restaurants such as The Standard.  Of course, there is always George's for shish-ke-bab and Middle Eastern cuising.  We have it all, including Ethiopian.
     How about sports?  This is a sports town. This is the home of the Vucovich's, one of racing's first families as well as the Gearhearts who designed the cars that ran at Indianapolis. Baseball is important, the city having had ties to Major League Baseball through its Fresno Cardinals and later Fresno Giants.  Now we are enjoying Triple A baseball at Chuckchansi Park downtown watching the San Francisco Giant affiliate Fresno Grizzlies.  If you are into baseball, who can remember the Hall of Fame infield and the saying Tinker to Evers to Chance.  Frank Chance was from Fresno.
     Do you like to play golf?  Fresno has some of the finest golf courses you can find anywhere.  One of the first courses in California is here, Fort Washington Country Club.  We have a course that was designed by the same designer who designed Torrey Pines in San Diego, Riverside Golf Course.  We have park style and true links style, all within a 30 mile radius.  Come and play.
     We have two national parks close to us and there are many lakes in the area to choose from.  Do you like to water ski?  How about riding the wind in a sailboat?  You can do that here on the lakes nearby.
     When I was younger, I could not wait to leave this town.  Since then I have come to enjoy the city and am proud to call it home.

Fresno's Fulton Mall 

Have Agent...Will Travel

     What is a travel agent anyway? Some think that an agent takes your money for services you could do yourself over the internet.  I was guilty of that myself.  There is more to the discussion and I have learned some important lessons by not using the services of a travel consultant.
     Notice I used the title "Travel Consultant".  That is what a travel agent really is, at least a good one. They are there to be your representative.  They represent you and your interests, and provide some needed clout in case something goes wrong. They are there to truly help and look out for your interests, not just make your booking arrangements.
     Where are you going?  In most cases, your agent has been there and done that.  What Italian restaurant do you recommend when you are in San Diego, Ca.?  Phillippe's in Little Italy, of course.  How do I know that?  I have been there and have had dinner there.  If I haven't been somewhere, I at least know where I can find the information and if that information is accurate or just a paid advertisement for a specific restaurant or attraction.  Is it worth it?  A good agent will tell you.
     With an internet travel site, what happens if something goes wrong.  Who do you talk to, and how much pull do you have?  I have had this happen to my daughter when she booked an airline flight for her sister.  Something went wrong that could have been fixed had she been dealing with a travel agent. In the eyes of the person she was talking to on the internet site, she was just a number.  An agent would have been dealing with her and had been able to more effectively been an advocate for her.  The internet site was an intermediary and the problem was with the airline.  The agency would have been able to deal directly with the airline.
     A travel consultant working at a travel agency is there for you.  They represent you and are working for you.

A Seaplane Over British Columbia

I'm Back...Much More To Come!

     Of my three blogs that I write, I have kind of neglected this one.  No more!  I have announced my association with a Travel Agency here in town (Fresno, Ca.) and will use this blog to keep you informed about a lot that is happening in travel.  I will write about destinations, my travels and other related topics and hopefully incorporate my strange sense of humor and outlook on the world in general that many of you have come to appreciate-or loathe-on my other sites.  Anyway, I am very excited about this and hope you will keep coming back to my site.

Steaming Underneath The Lion's Gate Bridge in Vancouver Canada.

Open Your Eyes and See

     I live in Fresno, California.  Many people in this town say that it is a city that doesn't have much to offer.  What I say is look around.  You must open your eyes and look, really look.  There is much to actually see.            
     I think that is the case wherever you go.  Sometimes you are so into what you are going to do, the "end result" that you don't see the important stuff that is in front of you. I understand the desire to "get there", but try to see what is on the way.  The journey is also important.
     Let me share this with you.  I recently played golf at a course near Fresno.  I have played this course many times, but have really never stopped to actually "see" the course.  Here is what I saw.  I love old weathered wood.  The way the light falls on it and produces shadows really sparks the creative eye in me.
There was also a ridge of plain rocks that I never notice. The way they set up, with the textures and shapes of the rocks was very artistic. Simple thing around you are stunning provided you look for them.

     The trip, wherever you go is important.  Getting from point "A" to point "B" is why we travel. In most cases the destination is what is important.  That is true, so very true but don't forget the journey.  Open your eyes and see the wonders along the way even if you don't go anywhere.  

Over The Waves

     Here I am at my desk at ProTravelFresno and am wondering why you haven't called me to book a cruise.  Oh, I forgot that you don't know that I am working now at ProTravelFresno.  Now, I am telling you. Call me, or email me at dave@protravelfresno.com as I would love to help you with your cruise vacation.  I can help you with any vacation if you really want to know.  Now is the time to call me as I am not really doing anything (I'm writing my blog) so call or email.
     We have been gathering information from the cruise lines for this upcoming cruise season.  There are some great sailings and promotions out there to share with you. As you know, I have almost an addiction to cruising and can answer many of your questions.
     It doesn't matter where you live, I can do your vacation for you. Give me a call as I am ready to serve you.

Go With A Pro

     Today I am going to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams.  I am going to go to work for a travel agency.  I start today representing ProTravel Fresno and I will be working inside the office not in outside sales.  I am truly excited about this. I also have an internet presence, so if you can't come into the office to chat about your travel needs or baseball or golf just go to my site. You can find me at http://www.protravelnetwork.com/davidrallis.
     I understand that there are many sites on the internet that book travel and do it at a cut rate.  But in travel, the old adage that you get what you pay for is very true.  What happens if there is problem on your trip.  Would you rather talk to someone who has a vested interest in your travel experience and treats you with respect, or someone that does thousands of calls a day, and just quotes prices?  Even more than that, how much valuable information can a professional agent share that they have in their travel experience as opposed to someone that is just quoting a price they see on a computer screen?
     I have booked travel on line using internet travel sites.  I won't do it again.  There were always problems with the bookings and many times I couldn't get to talk to a real person to find a solution to problems.  If I could finally talk to an agent, the agent generally could not answer my questions and had to call a supervisor. Many times a band aid was put on the problem and the supervisor generally took the side of the travel provider, not my side.

     A travel agent is an advocate for their client.  We work for a client, not for a travel provider. We have the knowledge and are willing to talk to you, not just make a sale and make a commission. Come and see me, I would love to serve you.      

I Love Travel!

     This is not going to be a long post.  I just want to let people know that I am persuing a lifelong dream.  I am starting a new job at a travel agency.  I am really excited about this one.  You talk about putting all my skills to good use, WOW! At any rate, what this does is allows me to expand this blog and keep posting.  I hope you will come along with me on this journey. More to come!