To the US in the Lufthansa Business Class

Enjoy the luxury of the Lufthansa Business Class.

On August 27, it finally happened, the big US vacation (our honeymoon) could finally begin. The whole trip was planned months in advance and was packed with a lot of highlights. The rough route was San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Orlando. We have also visited some amusement parks and national parks. But more in the next few weeks. Rejoice forward to great pictures and reports from the sun;-)

The first highlight of the vacation was the flight. With the help of the Miles & More program we flew Business Class. I have collected over many years miles and rewrite my Payback points into miles. When it came to the book, lacking only a few miles. So we then quickly finished a magazine subscription and thus get the last few miles.

When booking, we already had to be somewhat flexible in order to get matching flights. The flight schedule was a bit sporty but thanks to Business Class thoroughly enjoyable. We are first flown from Hamburg to Frankfurt, then from there it went in an A380 directly to San Francisco. About 2 weeks later, we flew with United from Las Vegas via Houston to Orlando. About one week then our last flight directly to Frankfurt. Ale flights were business class, with all its amenities.

The first major difference to fly in economy class is the baggage. Instead of 1 x 23 kg free baggage allowance you may take 2 x 32 kg in Business Class. But that’s not all. In the Economy is allowed to take 1 piece of hand luggage with 10 kg, plus one personal item. In business there are 2 x 15 kg plus the personal item.

We had of course selected our seats in advance and even checked in from home. At the airport came the next bonus, drop of the baggage without standing in a line.

On the short-haul business class is not quite as necessary. It has more legroom and of the 3 seats only the 2 outer are occupied. The middle seat serves as additional storage space. A great surprise was that they even served on the short flight a small breakfast and beverages. Who now thinks it was a sandwich or something similar, it was far from it. The breakfast was great for our circumstances. We have become well fed.

In Frankfurt we made ourselves in the business class lounge comfortably, to wait for our next flight. There you gets everything. At the large buffet area there are fruits, breakfast and more. Whether water, soft drink, wine or beer, everything can be taken in self-service. In the cozy armchairs the time went pretty quickly.

With the flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco a dream come true, once flying Business Class. Another highlight was of course the airplane, the A380 makes already in Economy fun. A great aircraft.
But the business class is of course even better. Almost the entire upper deck of the machine was Business Class. We went in and had to go through to the end because our seats were the last. Upon entering you felt something funny, always keep in mind that you will fly itself on such a seat. Having arrived at our seats, we had to sort ourselves first of all. So much space and a lot of stuff had to be processed once.
Hardly arrived, “our” flight attendant came straight to us and has called us by name. My first thought was actually that I’ve done something wrong and must go elsewhere 😉 But no, that’s just the way in Business Class. After a short welcome we got already something to drink. Water, champagne and orange juice were available.

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Apart from an extensive entertainment system of course you have plenty of space. Front legs laying on the footrest, move the seat in all imaginable directions, everything is possible and you travel really relaxed. Alone the Bose headphones are already a stunner. Almost all sounds around you be filtered out and you don’t hear that you are on a plane.

When you have familiarized yourself with everything, there is again something to drink and some nuts as a snack. Followed by a hot towel, menu cards … It is constantly busy;-)

For food you could choose from various starters, main courses and desserts and a wide selection of drinks was available.

Of course, we always ordered something else to try as much as possible. The entire meal was delicious, not to be compared with the Economy food. Real dishes and each course is passed on a plate, fantastic.

Then we watched a movie before we make ourselves comfortable. The seat can be made completely flat and you can lay down. Of course, an ordinary blanket and a pillow is not missing.

In between, there is of course always something to drink not only on request. Even a small snack is offered again. I half slept and therefore I ate nothing more. But it was schnitzel with potato salad, antipasti and 2 other things. Shortly before landing was then again offered something to eat. A small snack.

During the flight, neither hunger nor thirst come on. The service was always friendly and quick, after all there is a flight attendant for 12 passengers available. The toilet is the same as in Economy Class, but there are various toiletries available.

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It was thought at the beginning that a direct flight to San Francisco with 11,5 hours could be hard, but after the arrival we are surprised that we already there. To travel in business class is a very big difference. Also after arrival you can still somewhat and is not completely exhausted.

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My conclusion, we’ll be back! Although in some frequent flyer boards is the Lufthansa Business Class rated as poor, for me it was enough. Who can not afford the luxury is more than satisfied. I am already looking forward to it, may hope to experience this again.

Images of the return flight in a Boeing 747 and the meals offered there are coming at the end of my reports.

 

The big US tour is unfortunately finished.

After about 3 weeks, the US tour is already over.

Meanwhile, we are again well received in Germany, have recovered from the US tour, accustomed to the normal daily routine and the not so great weather.

The workup of the holiday here on the blog will probably still take some time to complete. But with the great photos you can then super bridge the winter.

In short, the holiday was fantasticWe have in the 3 ½ weeks in addition to the Business Class flights from Hamburg-Frankfurt-San Francisco, Las Vegas-Houston-Orlando and Orlando-Frankfurt set back by car about 5,000 km, were in 6 states, several amusement parks and national parks and have married again in Las Vegas.

Although I have restrained myself quite well, but almost 4000 pictures were taken, which must be looked now.

So rejoice in the coming weeks, to view a lot of images, reports, restaurant recommendations and more. A trip to the United States.

US Tour West to East 2015

The long-planned US tour is tomorrow finally happening.

The major US vacation “West to East 2015” is now not far away. The US Tour has been over a year in planning and it’s almost funny that it’s finally now come true.

Our wedding is now indeed more than a year back, but the big US Tour “West to East” is our long-awaited honeymoon. Because of my now pending job change, the holiday was in danger and had to be postponed.

Apart from the great cities, landscapes and theme parks, the flights are a highlight of the trip.

After years of earning miles through flights, the onset of Miles and More credit card and Payback points, enough Miles had come together for an award flight. Since such a flight still costs enough taxes, it is worth only to use the miles for a business class flight.

So we fly tomorrow with Lufthansa in business class first from Hamburg to Frankfurt. In Frankfurt, there is then a short stay and then directly to San Francisco with an A380.

The other flights are also Business Class. From Las Vegas over Houston to Orlando and a week later from Orlando to Frankfurt. The whole business class flights have cost a lot of miles and then “only” just under 1000 euros for 2 people.

Here are key points in our route:

  • San Francisco
  • Nappa Valley
  • Highway 1
  • Los Angeles
  • Six Flags Magic Mountain
  • Knotts Berry Farm
  • Disneyland 
  • Disney’s California Adventure 
  • Las Vegas
  • Zion Nationalpark 
  • Bryce Canyon 
  • Arches Nationalpark 
  • Monument Valley
  • Grand Canyon 
  • Hoover Damm
  • Walt Disney World
  • Busch Gardens Tampa 
  • Universal Orlando Resort 
  • Sea World Orlando 

Depending on how much time we have and the Wi-Fi connection is, I will post some when we on the road. But in any case there are short information and photos of the trip with Reisegabel on Facebook and on Instagram. #USAwesttoeast

I look forward, and will be happy for every comment. Have fun to follow.

USA Tour 2015

Oasis of the Seas – My Conclusion

Relaxed cruising or mass tourism on the Oasis of the Seas?

The Oasis of the Seas was already longer a dream. I’ve always wanted to go on this great ship, even though I was skeptical because it is maybe too crowded.

But even already after the half cruise it was clear to me that it will not be my last. The size of the ship and the many things to do on board is more of an advantage for me.
You can do so much and there are so many different restaurants to visit as on no other ship. You forget about all the people, because there are so many quiet corners aboard the Oasis of the Seas.

I highly recommend it.

In any case you should visit all the shows that are all on a incredibly high level.

Who likes to eat, should invest the extra dollars and visit the specialty restaurants. For the special evening definitely the 150 Central Park. In a quiet, relaxed atmosphere with great food, the Solarium Bistro on an evening is a good choice.

We had a balcony cabin with a view of the Central Park. Who wants it quiet should be tae a cabin with sea view. The kids and music from the pool is unfortunately quite noisy.

Sure, on such a big ship it’s mass tourism, but there is enough space to make himself his own little dream vacation.

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Cozumel with the Oasis of the Seas

Relax on the beach of Cozumel or a all day bus tour through Mexico?

In our working time on ships we were often in Cozumel, and we choose this cruise because of Mexico, so we take the trip to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. The trip was already booked online from home and was not so expensive. But he was very tiring.
In the morning we went off very very early. Even before the actual breakfast time we had to be in the theater. A restaurant has been opened specially earlier so you could have breakfast, or you chose the room service. In the theater, all the groups were divided up and got the necessary information for the trip. Then everyone got a sticker on his chest and went ashore.

Because Cozumel is an island, we took the ferry over to the mainland. There we where re-sorted and divided into buses. Some drove to Chichen Itza, others to various other Mayan ruins. After a short walk we were on our bus and start the tour. It should be just under 4 hours drive to Chichen Itza. Initially, there was a lunch box for each, with Mexican sandwich, something sweet, a drink and nibbles. Our tour guide tried to tell us the whole story of the Mayans, but unfortunately were all very tired because get up early and the long drive. After about 2 hours, the Guide has stopped his stories and you could sleep in peace.

As we arrived, we went with our guide through the ruins. It was very hot, around 35 degrees celsius and there were really a lot of people go on the site of the ruins. After about an hour we parted from the group because the Guide only told again plenty of stories and we had no chance to look at something on your own, or sometimes to stay longer at some place.

 

 

After 2 hours and 2 bottles of water it was already time to go back to our bus. On the return trip the Guide told us again some stories, but nearly all people in the bus fell asleep. At the port, we went directly back in the ferry to Cozumel and there directly aboard the Oasis.
The day was long, tiring and hot. But it was impressive to see these Mayan cities. Who is not afraid of the long journey, the place is just great.

 

Falmouth in Jamaica with the Oasis of the Seas

What to do in Falmouth in Jamaica? Sightseeing, shopping or swimming?

Falmouth in Jamaica has again countless ways to make your day. Royal Caribbean offers a wide range of various trips. You can go shopping directly in front of the ship. Some offers for food and drinks there as well.

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A great tour is certainly the climb to the waterfalls, but we were there before. Thus, we have opted for a little tour to see something of the island. We went in a minibus through the city. The first stop was at a church, and there the pastor told a bit about the history of Jamaica and Falmouth. Then we visited a kindergarten. For some, it was frightening how the children spent the day there. We thought it is not considered as bad. We knew that it is not the western standard, and in some corners of the world it is much worse.

The last stop was out of town in an old sugar plantation. There we were told something about the history and eat some local snacks. Even a rum punch for everyone, where it was more rum than juice;-)

After that the 3 hour round trip was finished and we went back to the ship.

My conclusion: Who wants to make at least a little trip to see something of the country. I can highly recommend this tour.