Archive for 2010

Being charity is one of Sundance Vacations’ core values we are constantly looking for ways to help out the community. Just recently the sales department stepped it up to help out the under privileged during the holiday season. This time our Dublin, Ohio sales office worked with the Columbus, Ohio Firefighters to collect and donate toys for children during Christmas. Dublin Sales Manager, Brian Kreindler said,  “Dublin Sundance donated the toys from our toy drive to the Columbus Firefighters for Kids Toy Drive yesterday (12/22). They were very happy to receive our donation of toys.  The toys go to underprivileged kids in the Columbus area.  Happy Holidays to all!”

Here is a list of other charities Sundance Vacations’ employees participated in, which totaled over $6000 in donations for the 2010 year:

Hazleton Marketing

• Gift of Life
• G Glove Foundation
• Catholic Social Services
• BMX Track
• United Way

Shamokin Marketing

• Rescue Fire Engine & Hose Company #3
• Susan G Komen NEPA Division

Tamaqua Marketing

• Rabbit Run Fish & Game Association

Wilkes-Barre Marketing/Sales/Administrative

• Ruth’s Place
• Domestic Violence Service Center
• Susan G Komen NEPA Division and 3 Day Walk for a Cure
• GNA Catholic Youth Group
• 1990 HHS Alumni for American Cancer Society
• Jr Achievement of NEPA
• Association for the Blind
• Salvation Army

Located in the Caribbean Sea, near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, Nevis is the epitome of “island paradise.”  Surrounded by crystal blue water and white sandy beaches, Nevis is a picturesque sight.  The island is about 220 miles southeast of Puerto Rico and is a 36-square-mile isle, part of the inner arc of the Leeward Islands chain of the West Indies.

With a volcanic peak, called Nevis Peak, at the center of the island, the sandy beaches are composed of a mixture of white coral sand and brown and black sand that have been eroded and washed down from the volcanic rocks, which are the composition of the island.  The softly sloping green coastal plain of the island offers beautiful fresh water springs, in addition to non-potable hot springs

Located on the beautiful slope of Nevis peak, Monkey Rock is located around six miles from town, and approximately seven miles from the beach.  The Monkey Rock unit comes complete with a wrap-around patio that gives you a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea.

For a fun day with the whole family, take a trip down the Nevis slope to Pinney’s Beach.  The palm tree lined beach is surrounded by coral reefs, which protect the beach from large waves, making it an ideal place for swimming and tanning.  For the museum guru, visit the Alexander Hamilton Replica House and take a look at all of the Hamilton memorabilia.  Other exciting activities include horseback riding, hiking, mountain climbing, tennis, golf, water skiing, and wind surfing.  You can even explore the island’s multiple shipwrecks while snorkeling or scuba diving! Your stay at Monkey Rock is sure to make for an excellent tropical vacation.

An article was recently published on USA Today Travel titled “Three reasons why airfares are likely to rise” about exactly that – rising airfares! David Grossman, author of the article, writes “According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average domestic airfare (excluding checked luggage and other ancillary fees paid after ticketing) jumped 13% from $301 to $341 in the second quarter of 2010 vs. the previous year. That $341 fare was 3.8% more than the previous quarter and represented the fourth consecutive quarterly fare increase.” This fact alone is scary but the article goes on to discuss reasons why airfares are rising which include: capacity cuts and rising demand, prolonged period of higher oil prices and changing business models for low-cost airlines. It may be obvious that there are more reasons as well but for the sake of the article the author only discussed three. Anyway whatever the case may be it does not look like travelers have much of an option when controlling fees or at least getting fairly cheaper rates than before.

However, as a wholesale travel provider Sundance Vacations offers bulk vacation packages that make saving on vacations similar to the way people save when they buy a case of soda instead of a can. Because of this increase in airfares, budget conscious travelers are seeking cheaper travel alternatives to help them save. In fact, last summer when prices originally spiked we saw a considerable jump in demand for drive to destinations and we predict the same for this summer as well.

Sundance Vacations has a lot of destinations on the east coast in areas such as the Jersey shore, Ocean City, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina and Hilton Head – all of which are within a days drive from any one of our east coast sales offices. When it costs double to fly anymore, consider driving to a Sundance Vacations destination – where you not only save on getting there but you save on the overall vacation as well.

Some of our customers have questions about a document found on the web published by the State of New Jersey as required.  This official paper documents the close of an inquiry by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

What does this document mean?

The mission of the consumer affairs division is to investigate consumer complaints and enforce various laws including do not call regulations. We completely cooperated with a several year investigation of our marketing, sales and business practices.  Over the course of several conversations we were able to give the division a clear understanding of the size and history of the company.  We’ve been servicing the vacation needs of New Jersey travelers for 14 years.  Sundance Vacations provides well paying, professional jobs as an employer in the state.  Our hard-working employees live by our core value to give back to the community by participating in many charity events as volunteers and by supporting local charities with funding.

In May of 2010 we came to a satisfactory conclusion of the division’s inquiry.  The document that can be found on the state of New Jersey’s website is a summary of their findings.  Sundance Vacations was not charged with any violations.  No fines were levied.  The document was released to public as all state documents are as a result of the Freedom of Information Act and serves as information about the validity of the inquiry.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs protects the business environment for reputable businesses to operate in New Jersey.  An active agency is a benefit to consumers and businesses alike.

The document can be downloaded in full at this address: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/ocp/orders/Sundance.pdf

If there are any questions, concerns or issues please contact Sundance Vacations customer service department at 1-888-257-8400.

Every once in a while TAN receives a testimonial that really touches our hearts… just in September TAN received the following from a long-time client:

September 19, 2010

Dear folks at TAN,

The purpose of this letter is to tell you all how impressed I am with your organization. I spent the week of September 10^th through the 17^th in Branson, Missouri at the Eagle’s Nest Resort at Indian Point and I couldn’t have had a better stay, unless the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders were staying next door but anyway it was a week to remember!

My wife, Maryann, and I purchased [this vacation program] for when we both retired. But the old saying goes, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Maryann died last October.

My squad from Vietnam and I have remained in touch all this time and from time to time over the years have gathered to remember our buddies who didn’t make it, and to share time together.

There were approximately eight guys and one woman who attended this reunion. We learned that our friend Doc had recently undergone surgery for cancer and would have to undergo chemo when he got back. His wife very much wanted him to have a good time, and boy, did he.

Where I saw the condos we were to stay in, and met the nice people at the Eagle’s Nest I was thrilled. After a great time I had at the resort and the fantastic treatment I received from the TAN folks, I am ready to give a testimonial any time you want. The condos were much better than staying in a hotel. Every one told me what a great time they had and what a hero I was for arranging it, but I give all the credit to TAN. I still have six more chances to stay with you and am really looking forward to it.

On behalf of all my Corpsmen I want to thank you all for a trip that we will all remember.

Sincerely,
Bob Martin

P.S. Our other Corpsman would have been here but he designs golf courses and was in China. When he hears what a great time we had, he’ll be at the next one I’m sure. My wife would have loved it!

The Resort and Club at Little Harbor

Situated on 350 acres of land in Apollo Beach Florida, the Resort and Club at Little Harbor has secluded beaches and marinas that are perfect for a peaceful getaway.  The resort is a part of a residential community called Little Harbor which is not a heavily populated or busy setting.

If you are looking to explore the area around the resort, you can travel to Tampa Bay where vast arrays of activities are located.  In Tampa, you can have a fun-filled family trip by visiting the Busch Gardens theme park, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa Greyhound Track, Ybor City, Big Cat Rescue, or Dinosaur World.  Tampa also offers many golf courses, beautiful beaches, fascinating museums, bars, theatres, and exciting shopping locations to suit your liking.

As for onsite activities at Little Harbor, there is a pool with a deck area that overlooks the beautiful Tampa Bay, a hot tub, fishing piers and docks, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, shuffleboard, a spa and a fitness center, a conference center, tennis courts, retail stores, a playground, horseshoes, a lively Tiki Bar, and the delicious Sunset Grill Restaurant.  You can also put on your scuba equipment and explore the captivating reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.

The rooms at Little Harbor are charming.  Accommodations include a kitchen with a microwave and mini-refrigerator, cable television, telephone, Internet access, central heating and air conditioning, washer and dryer, iron and ironing board, and a private balcony or patio. Some rooms also have dishwashers and fireplaces.

The Resort and Club at Little Harbor is located in a tranquil setting, but has many exciting activities to participate in Little Harbor is sure to be the perfect place to stay during your Tampa Bay vacation.

Luxury has found its home in Cape Coral: The Resort at Marina Village Inn, a 19-story hotel, offers spacious rooms, stunning views of the Caloosahatchee River, San Carlos Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico.  Each unit is sure to make you feel like a celebrity; along with modern furniture and room décor, units are equipped with a king-size bed, full kitchen including a dishwasher and a microwave, TV, internet access, telephone, washer, dryer, heating and air conditioning, and a screened lanai.  Room service is available at the resort.

The resort also offers a pool, lap pool, fitness center, clubhouse, amphitheater, tennis courts, bocce ball, a horseshoe pit, fishing, boat and kayak rentals, spas, water taxi rides to the beaches, and sunset cruises.

As for dining accommodations, The Resort at Marina Village Inn has the Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro serving up delicious cuisine nightly.  Woodfired dishes, fresh seafood, and a large wine selection at Marker 92 make it the perfect place to eat after a long day on the water.  You can dine indoors and enjoy the beautiful furnishings, or dine outdoors and enjoy the views.  The resort also offers The Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grill, where you can relax and enjoy the causal menu along with live entertainment on Friday nights, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons.  If you wish to dine in the privacy of your room, you can take pleasure in the in-room dining services.

The Resort at Marina Village Inn is a beautiful resort.  The contemporary design, numerous activities, and gorgeous sites will make for a very relaxing vacation that you’ll want to last forever.

The Luna Maya Quintana is one of our premier vacation properties.  With beautiful powder white beaches, calm surf, and an overall relaxing environment, The Luna Maya Quintana Resort makes for the perfect island getaway.  The resort is located in beautiful Playa Del Carmen.  Playa Del Carmen or “Playa” as it is informally called, is a town in Quintana Roo Mexico, and is located in the east of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Playa Del Carmen began as a small fishing town.  It did not become a popular tourist spot until the passenger ferry service to Cozumel, a popular scuba diving destination, was started. As people passed through Playa Del Carmen on the ferry, they started to realized that it was a nice and quiet place to relax as a getaway from the busy crowds of Cancun, and even had the beautiful beaches and crystal clear water that Cancun offers.

There are 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom units that are located on the 3rd floor.  There is no elevator and it is approximately thirty-five steps to the room.  With a queen-size bed in the master bedroom and two twin-size beds in the second bedroom, the room can sleep up to four people.  The quintessential Mexican-themed unit includes a full kitchen with a microwave, telephone, two TVs with DVD players, washer, dryer, iron, ironing board, heating, air conditioning, ceiling fans and three balconies that provide a spectacular view of the surrounding area.

As for activities at the Luna Maya Quintana Resort, there is a small fitness room onsite and a swimming pool.  Looking to explore Playa Del Carmen on your trip? Travel to Xcaret, the amazing Mayan themed ecological park that is just south of the town.  Quinta Avenuda, or Fifth Avenue in English, is also a must see when visiting Playa Del Carmen.  Less than a five minute drive to 5^th Avenue, 5^th is a lengthy pedestrian walkway located just a block inland from the beach and is lined with hotels, unique shops, bars, and restaurants.

Whether you are looking for an adventurous vacation, or a relaxing vacation, the Luna Maya Quintana resort has what you need.  With many exciting things to do in the area, and a beautiful setting, staying at the Luna Maya Quintana will be an excellent decision.

Jayne Clark from the USAToday recently authored a story “How to get the most out of a Disney/Universal park visit”.  This is a topic of great importance among the tens of thousands of Sundance Vacations travelers.  The article recommends the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World written by Bob Sehlinger.   Some of Sehlinger’s money saving tips include:

1. Staying in a non Disney branded hotel.  We couldn’t agree more.  Sundance Vacations travelers can stay in Kissimmee (within a few minutes of the park) for just $198 for the entire week.  Dates are available through October.
2. Buy a cooler to stock breakfast items.  Travelers who stay in a typical hotel room may be forced to live out of a cooler as Sehlinger suggests but our travelers are offered accommodations that have a full kitchen which is definitely a popular benefit to traveling with Sundance Vacations.

“I have to admit that when we travel I don’t often use the kitchen in our unit.  The Disney World area is definitely among the exceptions,” advises Sundance Vacations founder, Tina Dowd.  “There is so much to do that we don’t want to waste time with a sit down breakfast; a bowl of cereal or a bagel while we get ready for the day is perfect.  We also appreciate the refrigerator for storing our own cold drinks.”

Travelers who are looking for money saving tips should visit Sundance Vacations before they book their next hotel room.

At Sundance Vacations, we do everything in our power to inform our customers of certain fees that are not prepaid with the initial vacation package purchase. We provide informative group or individual presentations for all prospective clients. During each presentation, the non-prepaid fees are made apparent and very clear. The fees are also written on a large white board by the presenter during the presentation in front of the room. Of course, the fees are also disclosed in the contract but we also recap all of the fees in a straightforward one- page summary of the contract called the Consumer Disclosure Acknowledgment. This one page summary makes it very easy for our customers to review pertinent details at a glance.

In order to provide the most for our customers, we decided to create an informational blog post on the types and costs associated with each fee. This information will also be located on our website.

There are 4 fees that are not prepaid. These fees are paid to Travel Advantage Network (TAN) by the traveler when they use the vacations:

1. Annual service charge – $29.92 month ($359.00 yearly). Many products and services have annual service fees similar to credit cards, country clubs, and gyms. Our service charge can be paid annually or monthly at the convenience of our client.
2. Processing Fee – $99.00. Clients pay a processing fee each time they make a reservation
3. Peak Season Upgrade – $30.00/night. Clients purchase a standard package and only pay this fee when they travel during our peak season time.
4. Additional Bedroom Upgrade – $30.00/night. Client may request a larger unit for an additional fee.

“Why are there extra fees?”
Have you traveled to the beach during summer, or taken a winter ski trip to the mountains? Were you distressed at the inflated or gouged rates charged during those peak travel times? Often times these rates will be double or triple the cost of a trip during off season. Our fee structure caps the amount you pay per night when vacationing during our prime/peak season.

“Why do I need to pay for an extra room?”
Have you ever needed more than one hotel room to accommodate your family? Impersonal hotels charge full price for each accommodation and give you identical rooms connected by double locked doors. Sundance clients may upgrade to a two or even three-bedroom suite (each extra bedroom sleeps two additional people) and the cost is only $30.00 per night for each additional bedroom. Because buying an additional hotel room can sometimes be well over $100 a night, we view this $30.00/night fee as one of the great benefits to our travel service.

Fees, How they Benefit Our Clients
We do not incur every expense upfront, so we don’t charge them upfront. Our clients can hold onto their money longer, and only pay fees when they are incurred. Because we collect fees, the corporation always has an incentive to fulfill vacation requests. Collecting revenue over time through this fee structure ensures the company a positive revenue stream. As a result, the fee structure functions as a built in protection for our clients.