June 2023

6/2/2023

Greetings Friends,

I hope this First Friday email finds you well and enjoying life!

May was a busy month for my family. I can't believe it just ended this week. I always tell myself next month will slow down. And each month I'm wrong.

Every Monday and Wednesday, the Blue Sea Vacations soccer team took to the pitch and played against other teams. It was amazing to see improvement each week from the team. Even though we weren't the most skilled team out there - they had fun and maintained positive spirits the whole time.

Another highlight was visiting Discovery World in Milwaukee. We've wanted to go there for a while and made it happen in May. It was one of the best museums for kids (and adults too) that I've visited.

The whole experience was hands-on. There is a large section devoted to water and all aspects of how drinking water is produced, filtration systems, where the water goes after it's been used, etc. In addition, there was an aquarium where different water habitats were represented. I think the kid's favorite part was the replica sailboat. Since seeing Peter Pan, they've been very into pirates and ships!

May was rounded out by a grandparent's visit, friends from Chicago spending a weekend with us, and doing a family hike to Picnic Point on the UW Madison Campus. And last, but not least, dealing with a broken dishwasher. I've reached the age where I've been saying "They don't make things like they used to!"

From the travel side of things, I'm happy to finally have a few trips on the books this year. It's been a few years since I planned a personal trip - and even as a travel agent - I still had sticker shock. I say this monthly, but I highly recommend beginning your planning process early to get the best pricing and availability.

Lastly, I want to mention that some of you have asked about TSA Pre-Check, and if it is worth it. I always say yes. For those not familiar, if approved for TSA Pre-Check, you can go through an expedited security line when flying out of airports in the USA. Anything to make your experience easier.

Further, if you travel internationally with any regularity, I would recommend applying for Global Entry. If approved for this, you can move through customs quickly when arriving in the USA. Again, anything to make your trip easier. Hopefully, I'll make your vacations easier as well. Feel free to reach out anytime.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Brian

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May 2023

5/5/2023

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Greetings Friends,

April has come and gone, and May is here. I hope you are doing well, and have been able to get outside and enjoy spring.

The beginning of April was Easter, and we were lucky to have my mom visit for a few days. The kids loved baking, reading, and playing with Emmy. Sandy and I enjoyed the extra help and got away for a nice Mexican dinner date night. I don't drink often, but I do enjoy a spicy margarita!

Right after Easter, it was time for Sarah to begin soccer. This is the first time she's played on a team, and so far, so good. I told myself that I wasn't going to coach. But lo and behold, they were still short coaches a week before. I signed up and coach six of the silliest kids twice a week. Additionally, Blue Sea Vacations is sponsoring our team. All the kids are having fun, and I have a newfound appreciation for all the years my dad coached my soccer team.

Continuing our tradition of seeing live theatre, we saw two shows in April. One of the shows was Peter Pan, which our whole family went to. I thought it was awesome. The characters were flying around the stage and Captain Hook really stole the show if you ask me. The second play was The Addams Family. Sandy and Sarah saw it, and Sarah said it was the best play she's ever seen.

The last performance of the month was Sarah's first concert. It was held during her music class one Friday morning. The kids all put on a great show and even sang the ABCs backward. I was impressed!

Sandy is on the library board in our city. At the end of the month, we went to their annual gala. There was a Derby theme this year. We had a great evening supporting a foundation that is near and dear to us.

As we move into the warmer months, it is common for life to get hectic. If you are even thinking of going away in the next year, it isn't too early to begin the planning process.

I like to use the phrase "under-promise and over-deliver" to describe my services. Unfortunately, with the way pricing has been going, that has been harder and harder to accomplish. That's why beginning your planning earlier can help lock in better pricing. Especially for Europe - think at least 7 months beforehand.

Finally, in May 2013 I started Blue Sea Vacations. Celebrating ten years is an accomplishment I couldn't fathom at the time. Here we are, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Brian

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April 2023

4/7/2023

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Greetings Friends,

I hope you are doing well. April is here in southern Wisconsin along with its showers!

March was a jam-packed month (aren't they all). The first weekend, we finally made it ice skating. Both kids did great. After having not skated for a year, Sarah was flying on the ice without any help. Peter was having fun trying to keep up. Sandy and I both said that it was one of the highlights we've had as a family so far.

Also in March, we were offered last-minute tickets to a Monster Truck show. Peter was so excited to attend with Sandy. And Sarah loved having a memorable afternoon with me getting pizza and going to the Downtown Madison Children's Museum.

For spring break this year, we went to Michigan to visit Sandy's family. We had a fun long weekend. Some highlights included going to two museums, an indoor trampoline park, a nice nature walk, and spending quality time with family.

Last, but certainly not least, March brought St. Patrick's Day. And what do you know - the leprechaun used our toilets again this year.

This spring break season was the busiest one I've had since 2019. Some people relaxed in the Caribbean, while others explored Europe. The feedback I heard from everyone was overwhelmingly positive. As with traveling at any time, there can sometimes be delays, cancellations, and frustrations. But overall, it sounds like people had patience and great attitudes.

I haven't mentioned this in a while, but please check your passports. I can speak from experience now that processing times have significantly slowed down from what most people expect. We had Sarah's renewed this winter, and it took 12 weeks. We just sent Sandy's in, and I'm reading that it's expected to take even longer. Please check your passports now, and if they have less than 6 months before they expire, begin the renewal process.

As always, I'm here to help you plan your next vacation. Feel free to reach out anytime.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Brian

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March 2023

3/3/2023

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Greetings Friends,

I hope you are doing well as we enter March and the days get longer. For being the shortest month of the year, my family had a busy February. Anyone following along over the past few years - unfortunately, we couldn't go ice skating on our pond this year. The weather fluctuated from too cold to too warm. We're going to try and get to an indoor rink this weekend.

Even though the weather has been sporadic, we've still managed to make the most of the snow when it arrived this winter. So far, Sarah and subsequently Sandy have had seven snow days during this school year, including three in February. Peter tends to get a little sad that he still has to go to daycare. We've gotten in the habit on snow days of stopping at Dunkin Donuts before dropping him off at school.

The kids attended two birthday parties at an indoor "Urban Air" trampoline/rock climbing activity park. I went to the second party and jumped in a ball pit for the first time in...twenty...thirty years. The kids had a great time, and I enjoyed myself as well.

Besides that, Valentine's Day, a zoo visit, swim lessons, soccer, and gymnastics. It was another quick month in our house!

February saw more planning in some of our favorite destinations - Mexico, Jamaica, and Europe. I love it!

Something that I wanted to mention as we continue to navigate the travel landscape together is pricing as it relates to when I send my quotes. As most of you know, when I send quotes out, I note that pricing is not guaranteed until a deposit is placed.

A situation I've noticed over the past few months is that pricing for many options is increasing quickly. If you don't continue moving through the process and decide to place a deposit down on the booking, when you revisit the pricing after a few weeks or months, it will likely have changed. Unfortunately, this has negatively impacted more clients lately than I'd ever experienced. I feel horrible when this occurs. I recommend booking early and knowing that pricing will change the longer you wait.

Even though it's only March, we aren't too early to plan travel for next fall/winter. Life moves quickly :) As always, I'm here to help.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Brian

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February 2023

2/3/2023

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Greetings Friends,

January has come and gone, and I hope you are settling into winter the best you can. I know that in Wisconsin, we've had the usual cold temperatures and snow. We haven't ice skated on the pond yet, but I hope to do that in the next few weeks. Sometimes I think the kids like going out just so they can come inside and drink hot chocolate.

At the beginning of the month, Peter turned four. I'm not the only parent to feel this, but time needs to slow down. I can still remember so vividly when our little man was born. This year, my parents visited from New York, and Peter had a great time with Emmy and Pa Mic. Our family has gotten in the habit of going to Home Depot on the first Saturday of the month for their kid's workshop. In January it fell on Peter's birthday. As you can see in the picture - many times its mom and dad doing the heavy lifting.

At home, we made a chocolate M&M cake at his request. Peter's a happy kid with a ton of energy. I can't wait to see what his next year will bring.

One Saturday morning, I took both kids to a Wisconsin Badgers swim meet. It had been a long time since I saw a swim meet, and I was excited to share the experience with Sarah and Peter. For those that don't know, I was a competitive swimmer my whole life, through college.

Overall, I think they really enjoyed it. I'll be the first to admit - it can get a little boring watching the swimmers go up and down the pool. I was prepared and brought snacks. They kids did great and said they wanted to go see another.

Last weekend, our City had a winter festival. One of the events was ice carving. My favorite sculpture was a huge piece of pizza!

From the travel side of things - January was one of my busiest months ever. From Europe to the Caribbean, many of you want to get away. I'm not saying this as a sales tactic - don't wait to book your vacation. I've had a number of clients wait to book, just to find out that flights or resorts have been sold out.

I've also begun to put the pieces together for trips that I'll be taking in 2023. So far we have a family cruise in August. Hopefully, I'll be going to the Cancun/Riviera Maya region this spring. It is critical that I'm able to get away to experience the different resorts, ships, tours, and destinations so that when you, my wonderful clients, want to visit a location - I can speak from first-hand experience.

Feel free to reach out with suggestions on where you think I should travel in 2023. I'd love to hear your thoughts. And as always, let me know how I can help plan your next amazing vacation.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Brian

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See previous monthly emails here.

January 2023

1/6/2023

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Greetings Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope the first week of 2023 has been going well for you and your loved ones. After what felt like a long holiday season, the new year has been bringing some much-needed routine to my family.

That being said, December was an action-packed and fun-filled month. At the beginning of the month, we saw a high school production of A Christmas Carol. Peter did pretty well and made it through the whole production without getting too squirmy.

One Saturday morning in December, Sandy and I were lucky enough to take a holiday tour of the Governor's Mansion here in Madison, WI. We've both wanted to do this for a long time. It was one of the most unique experiences we've had in a while. It was a self-guided tour through some of the rooms, which were all nicely decorated. There were docents to provide information and answer questions. A highlight for Sandy was seeing a Christmas tree made of children's books. Being a librarian, Sandy was ecstatic. I liked hearing all the stories and history behind the building. I think we're going to try and do this every year from now on.

In the middle of the month, Sandy I flew to New York to attend a wedding for one of my cousins. It was a great time celebrating with family. My in-laws watched out kids, so it was a rare few days away for just mom and dad. We had a great time.

A big highlight for our family was Sarah and Peter participating in our church's holiday pageant. Sarah was an angel. In her words "the stars of the show". And Peter was a lamb. We loved seeing our kids up there and everyone did an excellent job.

On Christmas Eve we went to a nice family service at church. Christmas Day was low-keyed. The kids had us up around 6:30 to see what Santa brought. We ate pound cake for breakfast (one of my family's traditions). And relaxed the rest of the day. Some of our kid's favorite gifts were Legos, squishy balls, and a sword and shield set inspired from of our trip to Medieval Times last spring.

As many of you know from the previous monthly emails I've sent, my favorite band is Phish. They traditionally ring in the New Year with a four-night run of concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City. I was lucky to go see the concerts on 12/30 and 12/31 with four of my best friends. The shows were incredible, and connecting and spending so much time with people I rarely get to see made it all the more memorable. On New Year's Day, I had a late flight and spent the afternoon with my family on Long Island. A bonus to spend more time with people I care so much about.

I'm sure many of you saw the reports of all the headaches traveling caused over the holidays. Luckily, all my clients had smooth trips. However, all these delays and cancelations of flights are a prime reason why I always recommend travel insurance. This can reimburse you for any costs incurred when these situations arise.

In terms of how 2023 is shaping up to be - I've never seen this strong of a desire to travel from past clients and potential clients contacting me. Many of you want to get away someplace warm this winter, and others are planning summer vacations to Europe. And still, some people want to jump on a cruise and enjoy life on the open water. I'm always here to help guide you on your journey.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Brian

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December 2022

12/2/2022

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Greetings Friends,

I hope the last First Friday email of the year finds you in good health and spirits. The holiday season has arrived, and my family is getting into the swing of things. Our tree is up, the candles are in the windows, and our new elf friend "Jingle-Jangle" has made his appearance.

We had a nice Thanksgiving last week. In the morning, I skipped my usual Turkey Trot. Although we did stay active and went for a family swim at our local athletic club. In the afternoon, friends came over and we had a nice meal. Having four kids under six made for some craziness, but we all had fun.

Another highlight during the month was going to our City's holiday parade. This was the second year we've gone and luckily the weather was warmer than last year's bitter cold temps. The main features are all different fire trucks and vehicles from the past 100 years or so. Both kids love seeing everything. At the end of the parade, Santa lights a tree, and there is time to explore the different vehicles.

Last weekend, we spent a morning in Downtown Madison. This is one of our kid's favorite places to visit. We started at the Madison Children's Museum. Next, we rode a Christmas-themed trolly around Capitol Square and up and down State Street (one of the main and iconic streets in Madison). Went inside the Capitol to see if the tree was done (it wasn't decorated yet). And we finished up with pizza for lunch.

The end of the year is a good time to check your passport and make sure it is still valid. I just realized last week that my daughter's expired this past July, and we are going on a cruise next summer. On our agenda in the next month is going to be taking care of this.

2022 has been another fantastic year for Blue Sea Vacations. I helped more people travel than any previous year - honeymooners, families, couples, friends, and groups. The majority of you came back having experienced a wonderful vacation. I'm thrilled to have played a small part in your journey.

Looking ahead, the demand for travel doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. After spending the better part of two years isolated, many people want to get out, explore, and reconnect with friends and family. I'm always happy to help you plan your next vacation.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and holiday season,

Brian

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November 2022

12/1/2022

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Greetings Friends,

I hope you are doing well and enjoying November, the shorter days, and the cooler weather. I think I'm one of the only people that like Standard Time more than Daylight Saving Time. Don't forget to turn your clocks back this Sunday.

October went by quickly, with plenty of activities to keep us busy. At the beginning of the month, our daughter, Sarah, turned six. Time really flies. I think her favorite gift was a number of different Lego kits. Suddenly, we've been doing them non-stop for the past few weeks! We had a birthday party for her that included swimming, food, and playing in an open gym. We had a great time, especially the birthday girl,

Even with cooler weather, we were able to get outside as much as possible in October. Sandy and I had a date night and went to an art installation/light show at our local botanical gardens. We've been plenty of times during the day, but there was something amazing being there at night, looking at art installations that were enhanced by the environment. We'll definitely be going back next year.

At the end of the month, we snuck a trip to one of our favorite places, Devil's Lake. We did a hike, where the kids didn't complain as much as normal! After we came down, we had a picnic lunch, and I decided to take a dip in the cold water. It was refreshing.

As always, the end of October brought Halloween and all the activities that surround the holiday. Peter was a firefighter and Sarah went as a princess (for the second year in a row). We went to a few events leading up to Halloween that were fun. On the night itself, we went out for the full two hours that our City designates for trick-or-treating, and made it almost through our whole neighborhood. We'll conquer it one of these years. The kids received more candy than in past years - and I've been sneaking Snickers bars all week.

In November, I’d like to highlight El Dorado Casitas Royale. You might remember back in February I highlighted El Dorado Royale. The Casitas Royale is an adults-only resort right next door. Out of all the resorts that I visited when I was in the Riviera Maya region last year, this one stood out the most.

The resort is unique in a few ways. For starters, it's based around eight enclaves or sections, each with its own pool and swim-up bar. It has an intimate, low-key feel. The rooms were all very nice. One feature that I loved was the outdoor shower. Similar to the El Dorado Royale, something about this resort felt authentic, like you were more immersed in the culture. We had lunch, and the service was top-notch. I'd love to go back and stay for longer.

I know I say this monthly, but it really isn't too early to think about your 2023 vacation. As always, if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to reach out.

Have a great weekend and a wonderful Thanksgiving in a few weeks,

Brian

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October 2022

12/1/2022

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Greetings Friends,

October is here and I hope this monthly email finds you doing well.

September came and went for our family. Over Labor Day weekend, we made a trip to the Milwaukee County Zoo. Sandy and I went once a decade ago. I had forgotten had big it was. We spent the whole day seeing animals and watching shows. On the way home, we went to Kopps, which is in my opinion the best custard in Wisconsin.

The most important event occurred right after Labor Day when Sarah started Kindergarten. When September 6 rolled around, she was ready! Sandy and I were both incredibly proud of our girl!

Toward the end of September, our family went apple picking. This is always a favorite fall activity. We normally don't go so early in the season, and it was nice to get some different apples than we were used to. We've been going for the past five years, and it's been crazy seeing the kids grow up each year.

In October, I’d like to highlight another cruise line, Princess. In June 2016, Sandy and I took a Babymoon on a Princess cruise to Alaska. Princess is an excellent cruise line that tends to be geared more toward adults.

We had a great time seeing the shows, relaxing, and watching the scenery around us. The food was especially high quality. There was an afternoon tea each day that was a highlight for me. The service on the ship was great. After a few days, I was laughing hysterically with the servers.

An exciting part of the cruise was all the different ports we were able to see. We kept it low-key due to Sarah being in Sandy’s belly, but we still had the chance to see some amazing natural wonders. One key aspect that we were able to do was cruising through Glacier Bay. I always recommend having this on the itinerary if you can. You have the chance to sail through a beautiful bay, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Glacier Bay is a national park, and park rangers came on the ship to give insight into what we were seeing.

As the days get shorter and the air gets colder, many of you are beginning to think about a winter or spring getaway. Now is the ideal time to start planning.

If you have any questions or travel needs in the future, don't hesitate to let me know.

Have a great weekend,

Brian

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September 2022

12/1/2022

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Greetings Friends,

I hope this letter finds you doing well as we begin September.

August was a jam-packed month for us. There was the usual swimming and soccer each week. But we also enjoyed seeing concerts this month.

Our whole family went to a concert in our town with a 90s cover band. To be honest, the kids were more excited to play on the splash pad. Sandy and I enjoyed hearing the anthems from our youth. Sarah has gotten into Kidz Bop, and they were performing at the Wisconsin State Fair outside Milwaukee. Sandy took her, and from the videos and pictures, Sarah looks to have had a fantastic time. A month later she's still raving about it. And my favorite band, Phish, played at the legendary Alpine Valley in Wisconsin, where I saw two concerts in mid-August. I was lucky to have two of my best friends join me, and it was an incredible weekend. To answer your question, yes, I saw Phish twice in New York, and twice in Wisconsin this summer.

Even though it wasn't a concert, Sandy and I saw the touring production of "Hamilton" when it came to Madison in August. We both loved it!

We also snuck in a visit to Picnic Point - one of our favorite Madison nature walks.

By the end of the month, the new school year was upon us. Sandy went back to school this week and Peter started daycare. Sarah enters Kindergarten next Tuesday. I can't believe it.

Over the last few months, there has been a rising interest in cruising. I actually booked a cruise for my family to go on next summer (our first since 2018, when we only had Sarah).

Instead of doing a "resort" this month, I'd like to highlight a cruise line. Specifically, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. This was the first cruise line I sailed with, all the way back to a New Year's Cruise 2013-2014.

I like to say that Royal Caribbean offers something for everyone. We had a group of almost twenty people, and I felt like everyone in our group was able to find something that they could enjoy. There was always great entertainment and music. Sandy and I loved our first experience with a silent disco. And I should note that the food was really terrific. Never did we feel like we were having bland, boring meals.

Another great feature that I always like to mention about Royal Caribbean is their private island in the Bahamas, Coco Cay. This beautiful island has beaches, pools, waterslides, food, drinks, and entertainment. I thought it was great when we visited almost nine years ago, but I know they've made plenty of updates that I've only heard wonderful things about from my clients.

Because we sailed over the New Year's holiday, Royal Caribbean didn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate. There was a special dinner, a big balloon drop, and bands. Everyone I was with had a great time.

Besides cruises, I've still been helping clients find all-inclusive vacations for this upcoming fall, winter, and spring. And there is still demand to go to Europe. Thank you to so many of you that have been extra patient while traveling. I know it isn't easy, but a little patience can go a long way.

As always, if you have any questions or travel needs in the future, don't hesitate to let me know.

Have a great Labor Day weekend,

Brian

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