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DG Amazing Experiences
Insider Travel Briefs For Private Aviation Travelers



 
Special Report:
Symphony of the Seas, world’s largest cruise ship
 
Check out our DGAE Library featuring:
Insider previews of top suites and villas at hotels and resorts across the USA, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brasil, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Seychelles, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Tahiti, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam, plus on the high seas aboard Regent Seven Seas Explorer, Seaboard Encore, Crystal Esprit, Crystal Mozart, Crystal Symphony, Norwegian Breakaway, and Symphony of the Seas


 
Worlds Biggest Cruise Ship

Sometimes you need to find a place that’s easy to get to since everyone who’s joining you might not have access to a private jet - company or extended family. And sometimes you have a wide variety of folks in your group with diverse tastes, ages and budgets, so if you are covering all or most of the bill, you want to give them a great time but might not want to start every day paying $50 a head x 30 for continental breakfasts at a luxury resort. You also want this trip to be memorable and while enabling everyone to have a good time in their own way, to provide places you can hang together as a group - bonding time, sharing memories, stories and creating new ones. In this case, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas gives your guests the bragging rights of saying you took them on the world’s largest cruise ship. We give you an inside look this week in our Special Report with our Thanksgiving greetings and wishes!

My New Book


Available on Amazon ($24.95)Jet Card Pricing, 19 Factors That Impact The Cost Of Your Private Jet Flights gives you a detailed look at what you need to know before you buy a jet card. While there are 14 variables that can cost you money, there are five ways the way you travel can save you money - all of which can add up to tens of thousands of dollars gained or lost if you don’t know. The book is currently available free to all paid subscribers of Private Jet Card Comparisons.

All the best,

Doug Gollan
Founder/Editor



Subscribe now for the 2019 Private Jet Card Comparisons edition and get 2018 access...

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Table of Contents 

A.   Private Aviation Headlines
B.   Before You Buy Reports - Jets, Yachts, Villas
1.    Overview
2.    Accommodations
3.    Restaurants
4.    Entertainment 
5.    Activities
6.    Fitness and Spa
7.    Youth and Teen Programs
8.    Meetings and Incentives
9.    VIP Contact
10.  Executive Security Reports
11.  Jet Card Insider Reports
12.  Best Of DG Amazing Experiences Library


A.  Private Aviation Headlines




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Special Report: Symphony of the Seas
 

1. Overview

Symphony of the Seas at 228,000 is the world’s largest cruise ship launched earlier this year. She was built in France and spent her first six months cruising the Med arriving in Miami earlier this month and now sails alternating 7-day itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. While there are over 2,700 guest rooms and suites and more than 5,500 passengers plus 2,200 crew, at nearly four football fields long she doesn’t necessarily feel crowded.

 
Symphony of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class of ships that include a myriad of features you might not expect at sea. In fact, she has seven neighborhoods, including Central Park (on Deck 8), enclosed on four sides by about seven decks of inwardly facing cabins, open at the top, and home to 20,000 plants in additions to bars, restaurants and boutiques from Cartier, Hublot and Bulgari. There’s a similar enclosed atrium area (Royal Promenade on Deck 5) with bars, restaurants and shops, including a Starbucks and a pizzeria. Then there is a third large outdoor area (Boardwalk on Deck 6) towards the rear of the ship with a full carousel, sports bar, Johnny Rockets and area that combines video and carnival games, two rock climbing walls and a open air aqua theatre where there are various diving and synchronized swimming shows. On the higher decks are an assortment of pools, including water slides, a surf ride, a zip line, miniature golf and a full basketball court that gets a good amount of use. There’s also an ice skating rink.

 
It’s been written Symphony cost more than $1.3 billion. It’s also worth noting you will depart and arrive at the company’s new $250 million Terminal A in Miami which really is gorgeous, but more importantly is designed to get your from “car to bar” in 10 minutes, although Royal Suite Class guests (more below) get VIP arrival and departures.
 
Symphony of the Seas probably isn’t going to replace your week in Tahiti at The Brando or that trip to Paris staying at The Plaza Athenee. However, if you need to find a great venue that will appeal to everyone in your group from toddlers and tweens to teens and older generations, there is so much diversity it would be pretty hard to find a better venue that makes things easy for you the host, and your guests. Royal Caribbean also has a healthy business hosting meetings and incentives aboard its ships, so it’s well equipped to do product launches, dealer conferences as well as internal meetings.

 
The only real negatives is that when you just get aboard, you have the security drill – no issue with that – but what could have been done in less than 10 minutes is stretched into a James Bond-like film and the session goes on for the better part of an hour. Maybe I was just cranky, but my read was most people would have preferred shorter. There were some minor hitches getting my Apple devices hooked to Wifi as others did, but the crew quickly helped, and the speed was acceptable I could use it for work and streaming video. If you’re worried about cruise ship food, don’t. There are lots of options which I would classify as big city restaurant quality. Symphony of the Seas gets a 5.0 (out of 5) from the editors at Cruise Critic and a 4.5 from its readers. Most of the negative reviews complain about getting a seat the pool and long lines, however, if you book into the Royal Suite Class accommodations reviewed below, you get priority access as well as a private sun deck. I was aboard a two-night cruise with a number of travel agents, many who focus on selling cruises and have been on a multitude of ships. Most travel advisors are small businesses and without big marketing budgets they rely on repeat business and referrals. The agents were unanimous in their praise.
 
2. Accommodations
 
Out of over 2,700 cabins aboard Symphony of the Seas, there are only 60 that have at least 500 square feet of interior space, all falling into either Star or Sky Class. Below is a guide to each suite type by category (Star and Sky) and a rundown of the amenities each provide:
 
Star Class
 
Your Johnny-on-the-spot is your own Royal Genie to take care of arranging whatever you want, onshore, for dining, getting you the best seats for onboard entertainment, and priority access to various onboard activities. You get complimentary dining at 12 specialty restaurants onboard (details below). The suites comes with complimentary a Deluxe Beverage Package, complimentary Internet access, expedited boarding and departure at beginning and end of cruise, and also for ports plus access to the Suite Lounge and Suite Sun Deck. In your suite, you’ll find L’Occitane’s natural bath products, Duxiana beds and Frette linens.
 
Royal Loft Suite (1 in category)


At 1,744 sq. ft of interior space and 843 sq. ft. of balcony the two-bedroom Royal Loft Suite on Decks 17 and 18 is the largest on the world’s largest ship, so a double, double if you will. There is one bathroom on the main level and the Master bathroom has tub, shower and two sinks and bidet located on the upper level. Your balcony has a hot tub, and in addition to the living and dining area, there is a bar area. You have 180 degrees views with full views aft and Starboard. You can sleep up to six guests.
 
Ultimate Family Suite (1)

 
Also on Deck 17 at 1,134 sq. ft. with a 212 sq. ft. balcony (larger than standard cabins), the Ultimate Family Suite is a duplex that sleeps up to eight and includes three full bathrooms, including two with bathtub. The signature suite aboard the Symphony, it is mostly sold out. Travel + Leisure says, “Kids will be delighted by the suite’s Lego wall, 3-D cinema room and popcorn machine.” There’s also a slide from the upper level down to the main floor, ping-pong and air hockey tables and a hot tub on the balcony with panoramic views.
 
Villa Suite (1)
 
Located midship Starboard (right) Deck 12 the four-bedroom, 1,142 sq. ft. Villa Suite includes 476 sq. ft. of balcony space and features four bathrooms, including two master baths and can sleep up to 14 – yes – that’s 14. However, if you can afford the Villa Suite, you are probably better off sorting most of your gang into nearby staterooms. There are about a dozen Central View Balcony cabins directly across the hall so if you want your group nearby, you can then use your Villa Suite with its spacious living, dining and deck areas as a gathering point.
 
Star Loft Suite (2)

 

Back up on Deck 17 is the two one-bedroom 722 sq. ft. Star Loft Suites with a 410 sq. ft. balcony. Both sleep up to four guests and include two bathrooms with bathtubs. Suite 1722 has views to the Port side while 1724 faces aft looking out over the aqua theater.
 
Spacious AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony (2)

 
 
With 180 degree views, located on Deck 8 facing aft the 2-bedroom 823 sq. ft. Spacious AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony offers the second largest outdoor space of any suite at 772 sq. ft and can sleep up to eight people. You can watch the action down on the Boardwalk, rock climbing walls and the aqua theatre or gaze out on to the ocean or which ever port you happen to be in. Located at the end of the hallway, there are plentiful adjacent Boardwalk and Ocean View cabins if you want to create your own mini-compound at sea.
 
AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony (4)


Located on Decks 10 and 9, the 2-bedroom AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony is 739 sq. ft. inside with a 610 sq. ft. and sleeps up to eight. Each are located so you have 270 degree views out to the ocean and The Boardwalk. Each are located at the end of the hallway, so again, you can create a mini-area for your group by locating them on nearby Ocean and Boardwalk view balcony cabins.
 
Sky Class
 
Sky Class offers dedicated concierge service and priority access to your favorite activities, priority dining reservations and prime seats in select entertainment venues. There is complimentary dining at Coastal Kitchen, serving a fusion of Mediterranean influences and California cuisine, complimentary access to onboard internet and access to a private lounge and sun deck for Sky Class guests. Your Concierge can set you up with eearly access FlowRider, Ripcordby iFLY and the rock climbing wall.
 
Spacious AquaTheater Suite (4)
 
Located on Deck 11 and 12, the one-bedroom Spacious AquaTheater Suites have a similar location and view as their larger cousins, but still are each 562 sq. ft. inside and 589 sq. ft. of balcony and sleep up to four guests. Also at the end of the hall, the give you the ability to take nearby cabins and then use your suite as a gathering point.
 
AquaTheatre Suite (2)


Located on Deck 14 the one-bedroom AquaTheater Suites each offer 562 sq. ft. of interior space with a 631 sq. ft. balcony. They also provide panoramic views and their end of the hall position provides privacy and the ability to book adjacent cabins for your group.
 
Crown Loft Suite (27)

 

The duplex 545 sq. ft. Crown Loft Suite includes a 114. sq. ft. balcony and all 27 are located on Deck 17 with living area on the main floor and bedroom upstairs. Suites 1702 and 1764 are next to the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen, so there could be some noise issues.
 
Owner’s Suite (12)

 

Located on Deck 10, 11, 12 and 14, the 556 sq. ft. one-bedroom Owner’s Suites with 243 sq. ft. balcony sleep up to five guests and are on the port and starboard sides. There are balcony cabins facing Central Park opposite so again, it’s easy to have other members of your gang near you. A large living and dining area make these suites a good gathering point.
 
Grand Suite (4)
 
The 2-bedroom Grand Suite is 580 sq. ft. and 238 sq. ft. balcony, which can sleep up to eight guests and is located on Decks 10 and 9. Located midships, there is a nice living room area to entertain and balcony cabins facing Central Park if you want to have members of your party nearby.
 
3. Restaurants

 

There are 23 restaurants and bars that serve food, including the three-story Main Dining Room with atrium. Even if you don’t eat there, the wide, thickly carpeted entry and multi-level design are worth a look, and in fact, throughout the ship there is plenty of impressive installment art that provides a surprisingly sophisticated vibe. While Star Class suites have complimentary dining at the 11 signature restaurants that carry a surcharge, both the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Marketplace with an extensive buffet are both very good. In the latter you will find something for every taste from healthy salads and fresh cut fruit to pizzas, cooking and carving stations and cuisine from around the world.


 The premium restaurants include Hooked Seafood (try the Oyster shots), Izumi Hibachi & Sushi (get your Genie to get you a table for your group and enjoy the show from the talented tepan chefs), Chops Grille (dry aged steaks and seafood), Coastal Kitchen (exclusive for Royal Suite Class guests), Jamie’s Italian (from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver), Wonderland (pictured above - a must if you have kids for its Alice in Wonderland molecular gastronomy), 150 Central Park (pictured above - large comfortable chairs with well spaced tables serving modern dishes such as Mahogany Black Cod and Pan Roasted Scallops), Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade (lots of big screen TVs), Sugar Beach (stock up on candy and confections) and Johnny Rockets (burgers, shakes, cheese fries).
 
There’s food available 24 hours via room service and a café. In one week you’re not going to be able to sample everything, and perhaps that’s the point. If you don’t cruise because you think you will get bored with the food, on Symphony of the Seas you won’t. If there are members of your group who are finicky about what they eat or have dietary restrictions, they will find something to suit their tastes.
 
4. Entertainment


Maybe you’re perception of cruise ship entertainment is lounge singers and show tunes. Being somebody who usually gets in at least one full cruise a year and not being a show person, the quality has been good. On Symphony there is a remake of Hairspray, and ice show in Studio B (above), Flight, taking you through the history and future of flight from the Wright Brothers (below) to a future commercial journey to Mars, and the high-flying HIRO at the AquaTheater. 


There’s no cover at bars, lounges, and nightclubs, with comedy and poolside DJs, with live Caribbean music, classic guitar, Latin, jazz, piano, including karaoke. There’s also the Bionic Bar, an automated bartender, and of course the casino.
 
5. Activities


There are two 40-foot-long surf simulators called FlowRiders, two Rock Climbing Walls, The Ultimate Abyss, the largest waterslide that will plummet you 10 decks down, The Perfect Storm, a trio of waterslides, the Zip Line, suspended 10 decks in the air, an ice-skating rink, Escape the Rubicon, a game where you collaborate with friends using hidden clues needed to solve a collection of puzzles, laser tag, a hand-carved carousel, basketball court, and 9-hole mini-golf course. There are four pools and 10 whirlpools, including Splashaway Bay aqua park for kids, plus two cantilevered whirlpools suspended 135 feet above the ocean. There is a multitude of shops ranging from typical souvenirs to boutiques from jewelers Cartier and Bulgari and watchmaker Hublot.
 
6. Fitness and Spa


Vitality at Sea Fitness Center includes hair styling, manicures and pedicures, facials and an array of spa treatments. The gym has an impressive assortment cardio machines, Technogym weight machines and free weights as well as free weights. There is a dedicated four lane covered jogging track so you don’t have to can get your run in. There’s also an array of fitness classes, including yoga and stretching. If you are a gym rat, you’ll find everything you need on Symphony of the Seas.
 
7. Youth and Teen Programs
 
There is a wide variety of age specific programs for kids of all ages:
 
Aquanauts (3 - 5 years): Finger Painting * Camp Aquanaut * Building Blocks * Music Activities * Space Night * Games – animal, color and shape BINGO
Explorers (6 - 8 years): Pirate Night * Nutty Nicknames * Pajama Night * Carnival games * Talent Show
Voyagers (9 - 11 years): Karaoke * Sports Tournaments * GaGa Ball * List-o-Rama * Boys vs Girls * Scavenger Hunts * Crazy Tag
 Teens (12 - 14 years): Sports Tournaments * Pool Parties * Scavenger Hunts * Karaoke * Themed Dance Parties * Video Games * Nintendo© Wii *
Teens (15 - 17 years): Pool Parties * DJ Training * Battle of the Sexes * Karaoke * Casino Night * Themed Dance Parties * Nintendo Wii-Guitar Hero * Movies
Island Activities: Beach Parties * Beach Volleyball * Hermit Crab Hunt * Sand Castle Building * Sea Shell Collecting * Rocket Launch * Water Balloon Toss
 
8. Meetings and Incentives
 
There is seated meeting space that can accommodate groups up to 1,411 in the Royal Theater while Studio B (the ice skating rink) can seat 769 and the outdoor AquaTheater has auditorium seating for 600 and can also be a venue for big screen movies. There are four conference rooms that can accommodate 60 to 369 people. You can also takeover the entire Boardwalk or Central Park for special events as well as different pool areas where you can have a single function for up to 1,900. There are also various packages covering internet and drinks, and the fact that there is an array of complimentary options means you can minimize non-budgeted expenses. 

9. VIP Contact

There’s a dedicated team for groups that can be reached at +1.305.539.6918 or RoyalCaribbeanIncentives.com. I also recommend using a good travel advisor who knows Symphony of the Seas, the cabin types and locations and can help you with custom experiences at ports and help organize activities of aboard in advance. 
 

10. Executive Security Reports




11. Jet Card Insider Program Reviews



12. Our Most Popular Special Reports

If you are looking for more ideas and inspiration, check out some of our most popular Special Reports below...
Seven hot superyachts for charter this Winter
 


We checked in with Northrop & Johnson’s top brokers to find out which superyachts are hot for the charter market this winter, and in our report are seven picks arranged by pricing, high to low. For each super yacht, you’ll find a summary of length, builder, launch and renovation dates, capacity for guests, number of cabins, range of rates, where each boat will be based for the winter season, minimum charter length, captain as well as list of toys.

Crystal Esprit is perfect for groups up to 64
 

Crystal Esprit sits in the wide gap between chartering a super yacht and even the smaller luxury cruise ships that take 200-300 passengers. There are 91 crew and 62 guests, and the passenger areas are spread across four decks. 

Explore hidden harbors and out of the way island beaches, swim to shore, splash out on wave runners, water toys and your own private submarine. Crystal Esprit is a 5-star floating resort for just 62 guests. You even can charter the entire yacht for celebrations or meetings. Read more


Tour Italy Like a VVIP By Super Car
 

1000 All’Ora combines its insider auto industry connections with the best of Italian luxury experiences. They arrange everything from hotels to restaurant reservations, sourcing the specific super car types you want and accompany your group providing VVIP service. 

They will also video your experience, including filming by drones, providing you with a memorable look back at your adventure. They arrange factory tours and behind the scenes visits to wineries, ateliers and museums. Below is a sample four-day itinerary, but at the end they will do whatever you want, wherever you want in Italy. Read more…



Takeovers in The Bahamas, Costa Rica and Panama
 



Sometimes you want to takeover the entire place. In this issue we look at three private resorts, visiting The Bahamas, Costa Rica and Panama. Each provides the privacy and personalized service that comes with your own residence, but offer more than a typical villa, and are perfect for friends, family and special events such as wedding and even corporate retreats. Read more





IF YOU ARE FLYING IN MEXICO OR BASED IN MEXICO, A JET CARD FOR MEXICO...

A billionaire’s private island resort in Fiji
 


Laucala Island in Fiji was once the playground of publishing mogul Malcolm Forbes. Now owned by Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, it is a private island resort with just 25 oversized villas bringing together high luxury and South Pacific romance in a playground of soft adventure, and even an 18-hole golf course. Each villa is different, designed with an eye to traditional Fijian style and all come with private pools set amidst the palms of coconut plantations, white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and lush green mountains. Read more…



Sponsored:  Why You Should Buy An Airplane Now!
 
With the new tax laws, if you fly more than 50 hours per year it makes sense to explore ownership options. Ventura Air Services’ CEO Nik Tarascio has authored, “Own Your Own Airplane: It Costs Less Than You Think.”

You can schedule a free consultation with Ventura. They’ll handle everything from arranging a test flight to signing on the dotted line. For a copy of Nik’s book and to start the conversation, click here.


Why Waikiki is back as a luxury destination
 

 
Waikiki is back as a destination for luxury travelers. The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach has joined the Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian and Trump International as 5-star options. But the real change is that both Waikiki and Honolulu have become a destination fit for foodies, adding to the increasing quotient of luxury shopping. Most importantly, and often overlooked, a quick drive to the other side of Oahu and you will find deserted beaches, hiking, biking and all sorts of soft adventure on par with Hawaii’s outer islands.  Read more...

Montage Los Cabos is Mexico’s newest star
 

With luxury hotels and resorts popping up around the world like Starbucks, it says something that the lead travel story in the South China Morning Post’s luxury magazine was recently about a resort on the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean, in this case the Montage Los Cabos, which opened in May. Conde Nast Traveler already put the resort on its list of “New Hotels and Spas Worth Traveling For” with the headline, “You Can Finally Swim in Cabo,” a reference to its location on one of the destination’s few swimmable beaches. In this Special Report we give you a detailed, inside look at its suites, villas and residences and all the amenities and facilities. Read more



Sponsored: Icon Aviation Puts You In The Pilot’s Seat
 

Whether you’re seeking your next adventure, or you simply want to reinvent the weekend getaway—the ICON A5 makes flying more exciting and more accessible than ever before. Prepare to redefine everything you thought you knew about aviation. Contact an ICON Product Specialist to learn more at adventure@iconaircraft.com or 707.564.4100 or at this link.


Luxury on the Bund in Shanghai
 


If you are visiting on leisure or have extra time, or this is your first time coming to Shanghai, The Peninsula should be at the top your consideration set. It also has a board meeting room with stunning views of The Bund on the west bank Huangpu River. The area is notable for its beautiful waterfront buildings, many of which have been restored. If you are doing a product launch, there is some nice rooftop space, indoors and outside. Read more…
Views of the lake in Geneva
 


In the center of Geneva, convenient to private banks and the United Nations, Hotel D'Angleterre is hotel with a view of Lake Leman, both from its top suites and fine dining restaurant. Part of the Red Carnation group of boutique luxury hotels, each suite and room has its own unique decor. Don’t forget to check out its new cigar lounge. Read more...

About DG Amazing Experiences
 
My name is Doug Gollan. I am a strong advocate of the private aviation industry.  You can read my frequent coverage of private jets and luxury travel at Forbes.com.
 
I’ve chosen you to receive DG Amazing Experiences because I believe you share my passion for both business aviation and the best travel and luxury experiences in the world.
  
DG Amazing Experiences is your e-newsletter guide to the best places and experiences for private jet travelers like yourself. The content is personally selected by me with the help of some of the smartest and best travel advisors in the world. My goal is to give you a look ahead at what's new, what's hot, and the best of the best. To make it easy for you, the stories are short, but detailed, and I provide plentiful links to additional, relevant information.

If you are looking for private aviation solutions from on-demand charter to jet cards, fractional and even full ownership, please visit our sister website Private Jet Card Comparisons to access our buyer’s guide to over 250 jet card programs and our exclusive on-demand charter guide. Our VIP assistance program can help you decide which solutions are optimal for you.

Credit: Photos in the fireplaces story provided by each hotel


 
 
 
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