Depart on October 10-17, 2010 aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas for seven fantastic days. We will depart from Los Angelas CA, and travel to the ports of,  Cabo, Mazatlan, & Puerto Vallarta. Prices starting at $739 for an inside cabin, or $869 for an ocean view.

Click here or on the image above to listen and watch the story courtesy of NBC.

Blind travelers feel the aloha spirit in Hawaii
Updated: Aug 19, 2008 10:07 PM
By Stephanie Lum – NBC

WAILUKU, Maui (KHNL) – The aloha spirit is alive and well here in Hawaii. It’s a saying that goes a long way for a group of blind travelers who recently visited the islands via cruise ship.

These travelers take in the lush tropical scenery through touch, smell and sheer imagination and through all of that, they say they don’t have to see, to feel the aloha spirit here in the islands.

Early in the morning, the group of about 30 gathers for breakfast ordering from specially-made braille menus filled with all of the day’s specials. They’re with Damar Travel and Cruise; a tour company that specializes in providing safe travel for the blind.

“You don’t feel like you’re being treated differently,” said Kim Campbell visiting from Maryland. “It’s just like you are going on a tour and you’re getting a little extra enhancement and description of our surroundings.”

One the highlights of their trip; a lesson in hula and Tahitian!

“Some of us feel Hawaii through the beauty through our eyes,” said Marsah Schuman of Damar Travel and Cruise. “They feel Hawaii through the gentile touch of a Hawaiian ambassador. So what we did is have some of the great Hawaiian ambassadors stand behind them and become one with them and they move them and move their hands.”

They also learned to use Hawaiian musical instruments like the uli uli and puili and basic steps like the kaholo and ami.

“Well it’s kind of fun but quite difficult when you can’t see you kinda’ make up your own moves!”’ said Donna Hunt from Nebraska.

They may not be master hula dancers but these first-timers say they are filled with the spirit of hula and that’s all that matters.

Many of them have traveled from as far as the east coast to come to Hawaii. They say it’s proof people with loss of vision should not be afraid to venture out and make the trip.

Click here or on the image above to listen and watch the story courtesy of NBC.

Blind travelers say seeing isn’t everything
Updated: Aug 19, 2008 02:47 PM
By Stephanie Lum – NBC

WAILUKU, Maui (KHNL) – Everyday, thousands of visitors come to the islands to soak in the sun and play in the surf. Of the many who come here, there is one group that experiences the beauty of Hawaii without actually seeing it.

It’s a sweet start to Kim and Barry Campbell’s Hawaiian honeymoon. They’re on the Valley Isle at the Maui Plantation. The Campbell’s came all the way from Maryland.

“We were looking at Royal Carribean but we were kind of nervous about whether they had accessibility,” said Kim Campbell. “I’m totally blind. I had foresight before I lost my sight about 30 years ago.”

The couple booked their trip with Damar Travel and Cruise. It specializes in providing safe escorted travel for the blind.

“We’ve been on tours other times and they drive past things,” said Barry Campbell. “They don’t describe City Hall.”

On this tour, they take in the tropical scenery through touch, smell and sheer imagination.

The group listens as tour leader Marsha Schuman describes the lush vegetation.

“The trees have got very broad leaves and the banana hangs down and grows upside down and are about the size of your fingers,” said Schuman.

Kim and Barry say they don’t have to see Hawaii to know it’s a beautiful place.

“Oh we love it!” said the Campbells.

“If anyone has a loss of vision and is afraid to travel on your own you don’t have to worry,” said Barry Campbell.

Click here or on the image above to listen and watch the story courtesy of NBC.

Blind visitors to Hawaii go sight-seeing
Updated: Aug 4, 2008 04:15 PM
By Paul Drewes – NBC

HONOLULU (KHNL) – A vacation to Hawaii, for many, is an unforgettable experience.

One group of people is hoping theirs will be that as well. They’re here to take in the sights, all the sights. Which would be a challenge for anyone, but especially difficult because these visitors can’t see at all.

Hawaii is a draw to millions around the world, because of the scenic sights, unspoiled landscapes and natural beauty. Now, along with the thousands of other visitors arriving in the islands, a special group of guests is here to experience all Hawaii has to offer. Even though they can’t see a thing.

“They’re going to absorb thru touch, and sensation. They are going to hear the sounds of the ocean and taste the great food,” said Marsha Schuman, with Damar Travel and Cruise.

“The idea of being here, the culture and the people. You can sense the beauty of it even without your eyesight,” said Paul Morline, a Florida resident, who is blind.

These special visitors first experience the smell of Hawaii with a lei greeting.

Then they and their guide dogs climb board the Pride of America for a weeklong cruise around the islands with stops at all the usual highlights.

Brought to life by experienced narrators.

“People who are able to describe the area and history, and are very good at painting a picture, in words, to feel what you’re feeling thru your eyes,” added Morline.

Paul and Rosie Morline, were both born with vision, but lost their eyesight over 30 years ago. That hasn’t stopped them from seeing the world on cruise vacations and they have longed to come to Hawaii.

It is that undefeated spirit from all of these visitors that has in turn inspired their sighted guide to “see” what is really important.

“Blind people see so much with their hearts and they feel so much. They hear and they are so capable in everything. I have learned so much, I am so grateful for what the blind taught me, every day. It makes me feel more appreciative to be alive, and to not let the little things get in the way,” said Schuman.

This group really has travelled the world, in past years, they have gone to South America, the Caribbean, even to the Vatican.

The upcoming cruises page will show Damar’s next escorted cruises for the visually impaired, as well as itinerary, destination, and pricing information. If you have any questions or comments you may sign up for this blog and post them here, or contact Damar Travel & Cruise at (800) 999-6101.