NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- (PRIMEPAK FEATURE) A champagne toast would never be sufficient to celebrate the joy felt by travel expert Stephanie Abrams at the news that her nationally syndicated radio show, "Travel With Stephanie Abrams!" heard weekly on the Business Talk Radio Network, was expanding to two hours on Sundays in the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST time slot. What was needed, according to Abrams, was an event that, "Blended my passion for travel with endless opportunities to toast my listening audience and the Business Talk Radio network which makes it all possible. So I planned a Listeners' Cruise on Cruise West's Spirit of Endeavor on the Napa River through California's beautiful wine country! We sailed on September 10, 2003, and there wasn't an empty cabin on board!"
Asked why she chose this cruise, Abrams explained, "Cruise West provides everything I was looking for! The ship is easy to reach because it sails out of San Francisco Bay, which starts your voyage with breathtaking views of that great city and the experience of sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge. You leave on Friday and you're back on Monday so it made it easy for people to take a quick breakaway," Abrams continued. "And then comes the best part! You have wine experts on board preparing you for the two days of visits to fabulous wineries nestled along the Napa River. You also are privileged to experience the excellent cuisine and on-board attentive service of Cruise West's professions and caring staff," Abrams explains. "And with only 51 cabins on the ship, you experience the intimacy of sailing on a big yacht."
Asked about the most memorable parts of the cruise, Abrams responds, "There are SO many! Firstly, I'd put meeting wonderful people from all over the U.S. who listen to Business Talk Radio at the top of the list! Next, I'd add the luncheon we shared in a wine cave at the Cuvaison Winery. Just imagine two very long tables, set up in a wine cave, covered with white linen and set for 50 people each table, with wineglasses for a different wine with each course. Best of all was being surrounded by wonderful people who shared my joy in the expansion of my show. It was magical!"
On Sunday, October 5, 2003, Abrams and her on-air Traveling Companion, radio veteran David Isby, will air an interview with Captain Jim Armstrong of Cruise West's Spirit of Endeavor. "The theme of this show is 'Romantic Getaways' and this wine tasting cruise bubbles over with romance! Visiting various wineries makes you feel as if you have taken a trip to Italy's Tuscany and France's Loire Valley as each winery's setting creates a storybook backdrop for its vineyard," Abrams states.
When asked if she plans to organize other "Listeners' Trips," Abrams says, "I'm ready! Let's go!" Future trips will need to pass Abrams test of having unique charm and providing outstanding service and value, following the example of the Cruise West sailing. "I want only the best experiences for my listeners to 'Travel With Stephanie Abrams!' and Business Talk Radio," Abrams concludes.
Information related to Listeners Trips, news, travel specials, commentary and the show's program schedules can be found at Abrams award-winning website, www.sabrams.com.
Stephanie Abrams, with more than twenty years in the travel industry, is recognized as an expert having been repeatedly named to "Travel Agent Magazine's" list of the "100 Most Powerful Women in Travel." Abrams has been honored for her work in the travel industry, receiving the prestigious Travel Achievement Awards given by Travel Weekly Magazine for Best Public Relations Campaign, Best Marketing Promotion and Best Radio Advertising. She has served on the Advisory Boards of Dollar Rent a Car, Amadeus Global Distribution System International and Domestic Advisory Boards, Hong Kong Tourism Authority, The American Society of Travel Agents Council of Travel Marketing Organizations, The International Affairs Committee of the International Franchise Association and the advisory boards of unique hotels such as The Buckingham Hotel in NYC, The Orchards in Williamstown, MA, and Ceiba Del Mar on Mexico's Mayan Riviera. Currently, Abrams is heard weekly on Business Talk Radio Network nationwide with her show, "Travel With Stephanie Abrams," and can be contacted through her website at www.sabrams.com or at Stephanie@sabrams.com.