Published for the Travel Agents of Suffolk County
TASC - Wed., March 10th
Virtual meeting at 4:00pm
on Zoom featuring
Presenter Bob Tolster with Silversea Cruises


PASTE THIS LINK IN TO YOUR WEB BROWSER TO CONNECT: 

 

Meeting ID: 836 4459 9905
Passcode: 107131


Or go to zoom.com and click "join a meeting" and input the Meeting ID # & Passcode

If you are unable to connect through your computer please call this number
& input the meeting ID # & Passcode
+1-646-558-8656


Due to the continuing Pandemic we will be monitoring on a month-by-month basis to see when we can return to live meetings.

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TASC MARCH VIRTUAL MEETING - SILVERSEA
LOCATION
FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME

DATE AND TIME
03/10/21 4:00pm - 03/10/21 5:30pm

Bob Tolster will be presenting. ZOOM MEETING ID # 836 4459 9905 & Passcode: 107131 Or call 1-646-558-8656
RSVP IS NOT NECESSARY
No RSVP is necessary.
You will be receiving an invitation to this meeting.
In order to join this meeting, you will need to click the link in the email invitation. At the designated time you will then be
connected to the meeting.
Please contact us at tascemail@optimum.net if you did not receive the email or if you have any questions or concerns.

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TASC ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER 

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PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Dear Members,

I am really hoping that Spring comes early as I'm sure we are all tired of the cold & snow we have experienced these past few months. And I hope as we slowly get our vaccines or at least appointments for them, that life itself will soon be back to somewhat near normal. Slowly but surely I am seeing clients returning to book vacations that they missed out on last year.
Let 's hope the trend continues and that small trickle eventually becomes a huge wave of bookings.

This month we are continuing with our virtual meeting and we have Bob Tolster from Silversea Cruises to give a presentation to the membership. He will be joined by some of his colleagues to update us on both their luxury & expedition cruises, new ships & deployments and when they plan a return to cruising.

All of us on the Executive board are continuing to closely monitor the current situation and at this time we are considering a return to live meetings again at Shandon Court possibly by April. We will continue to keep you apprised of the board's decision.

I would like to wish a Happy St. Patrick's Day to all and a Happy Passover and Happy Easter to our membership.

Respectfully,
Susan Bonesso

If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.
           -- Frank A. Clark
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UPCOMING TASC MEETING/EVENT SCHEDULE
MARCH 10 - SILVERSEA CRUISES - VIRTUAL
APRIL 14 - TBD - POSSIBLY LIVE
MAY 12 - SANDALS/BEACHES - POSSIBLY LIVE

Attention suppliers, you may contact our Programs Director, Fran Raupp at franr@baytravelandtours.com
to book your program.
The 2021 TASC Trade Show is scheduled for Thursday, October 28, 2021.
We plan to hold it at the newly re-branded Holiday Inn Islip Airport East (formally the Radisson) located at the LIE-Exit 63 & North Ocean Avenue in Holtsville.
As the date gets closer we will provide new details as they come available.
Suppliers may contact our Trade show chairperson Jeaneane
De Cicco at Jeaneane.decicco@gmail.com for further details.
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Current Industry Affairs (CIA)
MGM Resorts is set to resume full operations at 3 of it's Las Vegas Resorts starting on March 3rd.

Caribbean Airlines has discontinued their non-stop flights from JFK to Montego Bay. They are still flying non-stop to Kingston.

Crystal Cruises will require all guests who wish to sail be vaccinated against Covid.

Baha Mar's Melia Nassau Beach resort will close March 1 for a two-year, $100 million renovation.
At the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, guests who test positive for Covid-19 during their stay will be provided with courtesy suite accommodations and a daily dining credit of $150 per person per day for up to 14 days during quarantine. If the guest needs to return to the U.S. earlier than 14 days, the Grand Hyatt will provide private jet air travel for the guest and immediate family, free of charge.
The Rosewood Baha Mar and SLS Baha Mar reopen March 4.

Congress is proposing possible solutions to Canada's big ship ban, such as finding a way to allow ships to dock but not disembark any passengers to enable an Alaska cruise season.
Updated Cruise Line cancellations
Carnival Cruise Line extended its operations pause from U.S. ports through May 31. It canceled European itineraries for the Carnival Legend, which were to operate from May October, and moved the launch date for the Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral, Fla., to May 29.

Cunard Line extended its operations pause, citing ongoing travel constraints across the world, on the Queen Mary 2 through May 28 and the Queen Elizabeth through June 4. Departures on the Queen Victoria are still scheduled to resume May 17.

Disney Cruise Line extended its operations pause through May. The line canceled sailings on the Disney Dream until June 5, the Disney Wonder through July 8, the Disney Fantasy until August, and, citing the likelihood that international borders will remain closed "for an extended period of time," canceled Europe sailings on the Disney Magic through Aug. 10. The line also canceled many scheduled sailings through July that are longer than seven days.

Holland America Line extended its operations pause for all departures through April 30, including Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Pacific coast, Caribbean, Mediterranean and Canada/New England departures. The cancellations include Alaska cruises on the Koningsdam through mid-May and the EurodamOosterdam and Zuiderdam through early June; the Mediterranean through early June on the Volendam and the Westerdam; and the Zaandam's Canada/New England itineraries through August. Holland America Line canceled cruises of eight days or longer that call in the U.S. through Nov. 1, as well as some longer cruises in other parts of the world through mid-April.

MSC Cruises extended its operations pause through April 30 on its four ships based in Florida: the MSC Seaside,  MSC DivinaMSC Meraviglia and MSC Armonia.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. extended the suspension of cruising on its three brands, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands through May 31. 

Princess Cruises suspended cruises through May 14 on sailings in the Caribbean, the California coast, early Alaska sailings and Europe cruises, and canceled through November all itineraries that touch U.S. ports and are more than seven days. The line also canceled all cruises in and out of Japan through June 25, citing uncertainty around travel restrictions.

Ponant will resume sailing in Europe in June.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection rescheduled the inaugural cruise on its first ship, the Evrima, from April to July 24. The ship will sail from Venice to Athens.

Royal Caribbean Group brands Royal Caribbean Int'l, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara extended the suspension of cruises through April 30, except for the Quantum of the Seas, which is now sailing out of Singapore. 

Silversea Cruises extended its pause through May 1.

Seabourn canceled sailings until May 1 on the Seabourn Ovation; May 24 on the Sojourn and the Quest; May 28 on the Odyssey; and May 29 on the Encore.

Virgin Voyages suspended all sailings on its first ship, the Scarlet Lady, until a May 9 departure from Miami. The Valiant Lady, the line's second ship, will launch from Miami on Nov. 14.

Windstar Cruises postponed its sailings until June. The Wind Spirit will debut June 10 in Tahiti; the Star Breeze June 19 in the Caribbean; the Wind Star June 19 in the Mediterranean; the Wind Surf June 29 in the Mediterranean; the Star Legend July 4 in the Mediterranean; and the Star Pride July 14 from Dover, England.  

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MEMBERS CORNER:
Your TASC board has a new email address: TASCEMAIL@OPTIMUM.NET
If you have any member news that you would like posted in this newsletter please send an email with information to: tascemail@optimum.net
WWW.LI-TASC.COM
This is our website. Visit us !!!
Also visit our TASC Facebook page and “like us”.
Only TASC members will be able to post on the Facebook page.
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Supplier Rep Updates

We would like to welcome some new supplier reps that have recently been assigned to the Suffolk County area.

Apple Leisure Group/Travel Impressions
Richelle Nicoletta, rnicoletta@algvacations.com

Carnival Cruises
Grace Ambrosia, gambrosia@carnival.com

Celtic Tours
Rose Christopher, rosec@celtictours.com

Collette Vacations
Tracy O'Neill, toneill@collette.com

Oceania Cruises
Maggie De La Cruz, mdelacruz@oceaniacruises.com

Sandals/UVI
Kimberly Daino, kdaino@uvi.sandals.com
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Executive Board
President
Susan Bonesso
(email) susanbtravel@optonline.net
Vice President
Fran Raupp
(email) franr@baytravelandtours.com
Secretary
Liz Henn
(email) lizLbac@gmail.com
Treasurer
Ginny DeFeo
(email) gindef@hotmail.com
Director Owner
Will Porrier
(email) willjohn39@aol.com
Director Affiliate
Open

Director Agent
Jeffrey Austin
(email) jaustin@vacationwiser.com
Past President
Garrett Simulcik
(email) gsimulcik@cruiseplanners.com


Rogers Travel


Bay Travel & Tours


LBAC Travel


Empress Travel


Ginger Peachy Travel





Vacation Wiser


Cruise Planners



631-289-5252


631-447-6440


631-648-8032


631-698-7767


631-563-2001





631-499-4483


631-274-5490



Committee Chairpersons