Sue Smith Vacations Fall 2020 3806 JKF Blvd — North Little Rock, Arkansas—501-771-0927 HAPPENINGS AT SUE SMITH VACATIONS Join Our Groups With Special Rates & Features Join Margo on RCCL Southern Caribbean 9 nts. Escorted Groups 1/14/21 Jacksonville/Conway Seniors with Carol—RCCL 7 nts Rocky Mountaineer with Carol Royal Caribbean with Margo. Western Caribbean 7 nts Hays Center Alaska—Princess 7 nts from Seattle Oberammergau 1 Oberammergau 2 Holland America Rotterdam with Sue Smith 14nts Branson Bus Tour 2/20/21 4/28/21 7/18/21 8/28/21 6/13/22 6/22/22 10/21/21 Spring Break 5 nts Spring Break 7 nts Alaska 7 nt - SEA Branson Special Rates 3/20/21 3/21/20 6/20/21 Flexible 11/4/21 Hello, and welcome to the first issue of our new digital newsletter. We want to let you know what has been going on at Sue Smith Vacations and share information from some of our vendors that you can take advantage of today. Since the start of the COVID 19 Pandemic our staff has been working limited hours. helping our clients with the myriad of cancellations, securing vouchers and refunds, and, rebooking trips. Now, with world beginning to open we are ready to help you schedule your next trip. Our office is open and available Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., closed on Friday. Ocean cruising from US ports has not opened yet, but the expectations are that the cruises will resume in November or December of this year. Cruising has started back in Europe and have had 50,000– plus passengers on more than 100 sailings so far with few problems This shows that cruise lines can operate in our current environment safely. Cruise lines operating out of the US have committed to the safety protocols similar to those being used in Europe, including; 100% testing of all passengers and crew on ships that carry more than 250 people, requirement of wearing of masks, social distancing, upgraded ventilation systems, and isolation and treatment centers for anyone that becomes ill while onboard. If you are ready to get out of town give us a call. We are keeping up with the status of travel throughout the world and are ready to help you find that “Dream” trip once again. Call us at 501-771-0987. Mike & Donna Wilkinson, Owners Join Arkansas Catholic on one of their escorted pilgrimages to see the world famous Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. The first tour, June 13, 2022 has 3 spots left, hosted by Father Erik Polhmeier of: Christ the King Church - Little Rock The second bus is June 22, 2022 and will be hosted by Fathers William Burmester of parishes: Sacred Heart Church - Foreman St. Edward Church - Texarkana St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church - Ashdown & Father Tony Robbins from parishes: St. Joseph Church - Conway St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community - Greenbrier —please click on the link to reserve your spot or call Kathy Primm. http://www.suesmithvacations.com/2022-groups.html 501-771-0987 www.suesmithvacations.com
New Ships and Big Fun Coming to Carnival Are you ready for all the future fun that’s coming soon? I know I am! Looking ahead to 2021 and 2022, the future of FUN couldn’t be more exciting! To get the fun started I’d like to share with you our latest announcement - our newest XL Class ship has been named Carnival Celebration! Carnival Celebration will set sail from Port of Miami in November 2022. It’s also our 50th birthday year and we’re so excited to mark the milestone with the debut of a ship that’s not only fit for the occasion, but perfect for amazing vacations for years to come. As the sister ship to Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration is going to be packed with so much new fun— plus fan-favorites like BOLT, the first rollercoaster at sea! The details are still being released, so stay tuned. Now, if you are thinking November 2022 is too long of a wait to sail on an XL Class ship, don’t worry - we have you covered, the Mardi Gras will be sailing out of Port Canaveral, April 2021! With Mardi Gras™ we aren't just paying homage to Carnival’s first ship — in cruising circles this name suggests innovation, signals the start of something big. Oh and this new Mardi Gras shouts “FUN” at the top of it’s lungs. This ship introduces Zones — six themed areas packed with brand-new experiences for eating, drinking and spectacularly getting down to fun. There's BOLT™, the first -ever rollercoaster at sea, Emeril's Bistro 1396™ from yes-that-Emeril, Family Feud™ Live for everybody... plus incredible new bars like The Brass Magnolia and Fortune Teller. I know after these hard times we’ve all been through, an escape to an amazing destination, in total comfort, where all the worries could just slip away sounds like a dream. The Mardi Gras’ new staterooms will make all your dreams come true. New and exclusive to Mardi Gras are Carnival Excel Suites giving you a unique opportunity for relaxation and indulgence with access Loft 19™. This retreat-style space invites guests to soak up the sun all day from the comfort of a lounge chair or infinity pool. Drink service is always close at hand, plus you can even opt for a little private time — renting a cabana gets you more than just a place in the shade, but extras like fresh fruit, chilled towels, lunch delivery and concierge service. And keeping things a little closer to home, New Orleans currently offers 4, 5 & 7 day cruises on some of our best ships. The Carnival Valor will be heading to a dry dock early next year and will come back “practically new” in April 2021. She’ll have all the regular favorites including Alchemy Bar, Guy’s Burger Joint and The Steakhouse just with a nice fresh look. One of our best kept secrets when sailing on the Carnival Valor (or any of our 21 ships) is our SeaDay Brunch! There is no additional cost and nothing beats having someone wait on you as you enjoy some of your favorite brunch goodies. The future of fun couldn’t look any better, and I know we are all looking forward to amazing cruise vacations ahead. Sue Smith Vacations not only provides amazing Carnival knowledge and expertise, but will also ensure you get the best specials we offer. Ask your agent about a reduced deposit or on board credit sale/ We cannot wait to see you back on board .. bon voyage! Megan Megan Huffman—Business Development Manager
Hello Friends of Sue Smith Vacations! Now's The Best Time To Book Future Travel! As you look to book your getaway, please know that Delta Vacations is ready. Many destinations are open and receiving vacationers, such as the U.S. National Parks, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Hawaii and Costa Rica (Nov 1). We are doing everything we can to ensure that travelers feel comfortable from the moment you book your travel, during the airport and flight experience, while in destination, and on your journey back home. We will continue to provide you and your travel advisor with the latest information to ensure that you feel confident and prepared to book your vacation package with us. Delta Vacations is proud to announce its commitment to delivering the Delta CareStandardSM by working together with our partners to provide a clean and safe experience in the air and throughout the full vacation experience. Delta has travelers covered at the airport and in the air and now Delta Vacations has travelers covered on the ground and in-destination for a consistent DCS experience. We are holding our partners accountable by requiring them to maintain strong customer satisfaction scores. Call Sue Smith Vacations 501-771-0987 to book your long overdue vacation! We are all ready to see you again! Save Up to $600 per Booking on Vacation Packages. Right now, we’re offering our best savings on the best getaways with Delta Vacations. Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card Members save up to $600 per booking by paying with their card. SkyMiles® Members save up to $300 per booking. Book by December 14, 2020 for travel ANYTIME. Hawaii is now open and accepting guests without quarantine. Chris Chris Dacus, Business Development Manager Call our Hawaii Specialists Today 501-771-0987 “Once a year, go somewhere you’ve never been before” ~ Dalai Lama
2020 is almost over and I think it is safe to say for all of us, it is not exactly what we had expected. I had planned to travel overseas witnessing the Running of the Bulls in San Fermin, Spain. I was also looking forward to taking my niece to Walt Disney World for her high school graduation and 18th birthday. The Bulls will have to wait until a later year but Walt Disney World, even though it might have some challenges, was a trip I wanted to try to take. I booked my trip to Walt Disney World in January to travel the second week of July. While I have vast experience with Disney World as a former cast member, I got some assistance from a certified Disney Travel Specialist, Robyn Koch at Sue Smith Vacations, who assisted me in booking this magical trip. When I booked my trip, there was a video of China dealing with a chaotic virus discovered in late 2019. That virus around the city Wuhan wreaked havoc on its citizens and eventually spread to other parts of the world. In late January, the Coronal Virus had not yet taken hold of the United States and most thought it was going to be an issue for China much like the SARS virus was years earlier. This virus was not on my radar and I continued planning and booking my trip as normal. Fast forward a month to early March and COVID-19 started appearing in the United States. By Mid-March, massive shutdowns were happing in major places. Walt Disney World closed down on March 14th with no immediate plans for reopening. As we approached the end of March, the Unites States virtually shut down as a whole. Everyone stayed home and sheltered in place. The only places open, were the local grocery stores as essential businesses. Arkansas was one of only 8 states that did not have a mandatory lockdown. During the uncertainty, I continued to make trip payments in the hopes that Walt Disney World would reopen. I did not want to be negative and my philosophy was to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I made my payments, reservations for FastPass+, and dining. In early June, Walt Disney World got approval from the State of Florida for a phased reopening beginning on July 11, 2020 for Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom with Hollywood Studios and EPCOT following on July 15th. While this was exciting news, it also meant that we would not be able to spend three full days at Disney. I had hoped to be able to show my niece where I had worked in Hollywood Studios at the Tower of Terror. Part of the phased reopening included a new reservation system for the parks. They left all reservations on the books in place, but you could not modify them online and had to call the reservation center that included lengthy hold times. Many of the resort hotels were not and still have not reopened. I had
reservations at the All Star Movie Resort. The All Star resorts were closed. Amazingly, Robyn was able to secure reservations for Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, but there was still an issue with my resort being closed. Robyn worked with me through the stress and uncertainty and never gave up on my hope to make this happen. After unsuccessful negotiations on Friday, I wrote a heartfelt letter about my experience as a Disney Cast Member and making customer service priority number 1. I shared this letter with Robyn and she was motivated to go above and beyond to make my dream trip for my niece happen. I cannot say enough good things about Robyn and her superior customer service. She spent her entire Saturday on the phone, talking to several different departments and finally got us moved to the Fort Wilderness Cabins. I can’t help but speak volumes of her commitment to the customer and I highly recommend Robyn for all things Disney. Ludwik has a longer article detailing his thoughts as a former Disney cast member who worked at the resort on how he felt Disney is doing during the pandemic and his experience flying. You can follow him on linkedin. Click here to follow Lud’s adventures and look for the article with the title "Dystopian Disney Magic".... Reservations Now Available for late 2020 Call or Email Robyn today. Click here for more information. 501-771-0987 www.suesmithvacations.com
A living example of Jamaican Hospitality and Culture at its very best, VIP Attractions (Club Mobay and Club Kingston, Jamaica) has a superb location to capture the perfect audience, at the gateways to paradise at the Sangster International and Norman Manley International Airports. Unparalleled service in a contemporary environment makes it the ideal choice for the discerning leisure and business traveler alike. The two locations combined features seven departure lounges and three arrival lounges, conveniently located in the airports with easy access to the arrivals and departure gateways. Following a complete décor update in 2013, the lounges are adorned in warm earth-tones of chocolate, beige, and brown, with splashes of color and art accents, giving a feeling of calm and quiet quality. The arrivals lounges are thoughtfully planned, offering comfortable seating, soothing reggae music, complimentary snacks, beverages and high speed Wi-Fi. Guests can look forward to being greeted by warm smiles and cold towels, while the large flat-screen TV provides a great break and an opportunity for downtime before moving on to their hotels. The departure lounges offer a playful array of Jamaican inspired snacks that will satiate healthy appetites. These snacks are perfect for sharing and sampling, as well as for those looking for just a light treat. In addition, each departure lounge offers a stylish bar providing a modern tropical lifestyle bar experience; available during the lounge hours. It has been designed as a contemporary yet classic bar offering the standard brand liquor, champagne, wine and a blended array of international and island cocktails. For more information - Virtual Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPK7if5fOgU&t=44s Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et55jKzNoHI&t=8s Fall is here and so is Soup. Enjoy this recipe for Pumpkin Soup from Viking River/Ocean Cruises. Click the link to see the recipe. http://bit.ly/vikingsoup “Initially let your food do the talking. You’ll be surprised how far you go in a short period of time.” Gordon Ramsay
Our 55th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Carol and I decided that we would escape from our comfort zone to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We visited a dude ranch in Yucca, Arizona called the Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch using Las Vegas as our “launching pad”. Las Vegas was essentially open and we enjoyed the “noise”! It was a beautiful drive from Las Vegas to the ranch! The Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch was beautiful and very accommodating. JP and his wife Trish, their sons, and staff were wonderful and the cuisine was terrific! During the day we brushed up on our archery, walked the trails and rode in a Humvee into the mountains. In the evening we rode beautiful horses, Sissie and Montana. The sunsets while riding were spectacular and the evenings around the campfire awesome as we enjoyed fulfilling conversations with the crew and the other guests, under starlit skies free from city lights. One night we slept in a covered chuck wagon equipped with a heater and a queen sized bed! Thanks Kathy, for your invaluable touch in arranging these beautiful memories! Jay and Carol Menna We would like to thank Vikki for working with us to book our 2020 Jamaica vacation! We had a wonderful experience from the beginning! The flight and arrival were smooth. Everyone was practicing safety measures and the ClubMoBay was absolutely worth the money. We were out of the airport and on our way to our resort very quickly. Couples Swept Away did an amazing job keeping up with safety protocols while not jeopardizing guest experience. After the year 2020 has been we needed this getaway and it was the perfect reset. Travel was great from airports, airlines, transfers, the resort, and of course our Travel Agent! ~Camie Powell “Every man gotta right to choose his own destiny” ~ Bob Marley 501-771-0987 www.suesmithvacations.com
Over the last 30 years, Rocky Mountaineer has offered over 65 unique Canadian vacation packages and three rail routes through British Columbia and Alberta. Our world-renowned, luxury train travels by daylight through the wild beauty of Canada’s West and is the best way to experience the majestic Canadian Rockies. We are seeing strong demand for the 2021 season. Canada is our safe neighbor, as seen by their impressive handling of the pandemic. Check out the informative videos on our website www.rockymountaineer.com to get an inside look at what we offer. Carol has over 50 people in her customized group on the Journey thru the Clouds departing April 28, 2021. She will be happy to share the link to the ZOOM presentation we did a few weeks ago, with details on this trip. Carol and the team at Sue Smith Vacations will help build your customized trip of a lifetime with Rocky Mountaineer and make your 2021 vacation be one of the best and most memorable! Carol Bajorek Join Carol on a Journey through the Clouds, April 28—May 2, 2021. To register click the link http://bit.ly/CBrocky21 Join your friends from the PATRICK HAYS SENIOR CENTER sailing to ALASKA on the beautiful REGAL PRINCESS. Depart Little Rock on August 28, 2021 to overnight in Seattle, then cruise to Ketchikan, Tracey Arm, Endicott Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria and the famed Inside Passage. Package for the 7 night cruise includes roundtrip air from Little Rock, Seattle hotel, all transfers, taxes, fees, insurance starting at only $2,250.00 per person. Contact Carol now to reserve your space Click Here to Register
After a long year of sheltering-in-place, our collective patience and diligence is finally beginning to pay off. As the world begins to reopen, select destinations are permitting travelers from the United States to re-enter, to travel, and to explore the world once again. As of October 1st, Belize has started welcoming international visitors. Avanti Destinations is committed and ready to support your Travel Advisors in crafting vacation experiences that meet the new safety requirements during our 'new normal' of travel. THATCH CAYE | 3 NIGHTS ALLINCLUSIVE FROM $1,159* Includes round trip boat transfers from Dangriga This stunning all-inclusive private island resort offers a remote experience in paradise with only 30 guests staying at the resort at a time. Dreamy overwater bungalows and spacious oceanfront cabanas provide the ideal setting to unplug without any distractions. Email Vikki or call her at 501-771-0987. Europe Express was established in 1990. We specialize in high-quality, custom itineraries throughout Europe. Working exclusively with travel advisors like the ones at Sue Smith Vacations to arrange comprehensive leisure and private group itineraries. Europe Express handles everything from the flights and accommodations to car rentals, rail passes, sightseeing and activities. Our well-traveled experienced reservations team in the United States and Operations office in Europe, Europe Express provides seamless service before, during and after each trip. While Europe has not yet open for travel, Europe Express is actively building custom European vacations for Sue Smith agents and their clients through 2022. We have been adding even more exclusive, private experiences with respect to sightseeing, transfers and more. When the world is open to travel again, Europe Express will have all the resources to help travelers navigate through the different health and safety protocols in each country. Thus, providing a worry-free European vacation package. Call Sue Smith Vacations today and speak with their knowledgeable agents and book your European Vacation package today. Vikki Koch Lisa Lisa Viall—Business Development Manager
Traveling Arkansas Your Arkansas Family Dude Ranch Vacation Destination! The peaceful quiet of a beautiful Ozark mountain morning is interrupted by the sound of thundering hoof beats as horses gallop through the woods. The wranglers whoop and holler as they push the stock down to the day pen. The last pony is urged into the corral, the gate is pulled shut and another day at H.C.R. and an unforgettable family dude ranch vacation has begun. HC 70 261 Jasper, Arkansas 72641 800-480-9635 We are Open!! Click the link below for more information. https://horseshoecanyonduderanch.com/2020/05/12/we-are-open-here-is-whatHave you ever dreamed of staying in a Castle, a Treehouse or even a Hobbit Cave? Now you can right here in Arkansas!! https://www.estreehouses.com/eurekaspringshobbit/caves.html “Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” "The journey is part of the experience — an expression of the seriousness of one's intent.” ~ Anthony Boudain
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