Before I begin with the Convention update, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all the e-mail, Facebook messages, and phone calls I received in the last 24 hours. If I haven’t gotten back to you yet, I will, but please keep in mind my inbox is flooded right now with gratitude and appreciation from others who feel the same way. I’ve also had another huge rush on subscribers because of yesterday’s update. If you’re looking to get on the newsletter yourself, (and are already a member of YTB and ZamZuu) you can fill out your information here and get on our mailing list.

It hasn’t been until the last few years that I’ve really understood the word “Giving”. Sure I’ve been brought up to tithe 10% of my income and I’ve always heard that it’s better to give than it is to receive. This blog and newsletter has been a labor of love for those who want a firsthand perspective on what it’s like to be in YTB and ZamZuu. I’ve given of my time, my experience, and my talents and the appreciation, rewards and opportunities that have come back to me have been simply amazing.

I am humbled – I am grateful – I am constantly amazed how I’ve been able to reach so many people and touch so many lives.

Thank you!

Now on to convention!!

Question for you…How do you like FREE?

Truth is you’ve got to have something wrong with you if you don’t like to receive something for free.

Now, add the ability to earn extra income by getting something for free.

How does THAT sound?

Well, welcome to the new ZamZuu!

The ZamZuu e-commerce site, which previously sold for a $249.95 set-up fee and a monthly hosting fee of $49.95, can now be given away for free. Those who accept this generous gift from you will earn 30% of the commission made from products and services sold on their very own FREE e-commerce website.

But it gets better. That e-commerce site is linked to you as a “broker” (more on that in a bit) and YOU also earn 30% of the commissions earned off the site you just gave away! (Talk about a win – win!)

Some of the best things in life are free! Take Google for example. How much does it cost you to search on Google? (Uh – Hello?! It’s FREE!) Yet, Google generated $23.6 BILLION in revenue last year and their stock is trading at over $462.00 per share – and it’s FREE! Google accomplished this with no advertising (all done by word of mouth) with a very clean, easy to use website that’s free for anyone to use and enjoy.

Remember how AOL got their start and became the most dominant ISP in the land when the internet first started its massive growth? AOL gave away free setup CD’s didn’t they? They flooded the market and quickly surpassed GEnie, Prodigy and CompuServe in the mid 1990′s when dial-up was king. At AOL’s height, they had over 30 million members. (And that’s before everyone even had a computer!!)

It wasn’t until broadband came into the picture that AOL fell behind the curve and lost it’s appeal. (AOL and dial-up then became known as “Always Off Line”.)

We can come up with dozens of other examples – but you get the idea – free is not only very popular but is so attractive people can’t resist giving it a try.

Right now MILLIONS of people are flocking to affiliate sites like Commission Junction, LinkShare, Google Affiliate Network, ClickBank, and even eBay in an attempt to capture slice of the boom that is going on right now in e-commerce. (All free as well by the way.)

Wake up folks – online shopping has DOUBLED in just one year – from 6% to 12% – and it’s expected to exceed 20% over the Christmas shopping season.

But have you ever tried to manage all those sites and links on your own? And how do you know what people are going to buy? We can tell you from experience; it’s not as easy it sounds. It’s time consuming; it’s also hit and miss trying to promote all those products. (And unless you have a very targeted niche and demographic – very few hit the nail on the head.)

With a free ZamZuu e-commerce web site – just hand out sites and let the consumer decide what they want to buy. Everything’s managed for them – hundreds of stores with thousands of products, tracking, and commissions from one very easy to use (and manage) site.

And did we mention it’s free? (Just in case you missed that…)

But wait! There’s more!

How do you give away free sites enabling the average person to earn 30% of the commission earned on their sites? You become a “Broker” – something you’re now qualified for as a ZamZuu Business Owner. Because you own the license off the sites you give away – you as a “Broker” earn an additional 30% of the commission earned off all the free sites you give away.

Free “Agents” earn 30% – while the “Broker” who holds the license also earns 30%.

Simple right?

So how does someone become a “Broker” rather than a free “Agent”? (Because we know the wheels are turning with possibilities at this point.) A license to hand out as many free sites as you want costs (oddly enough) $49.95! Yep, the same price it costs as a ZamZuu Business owner.

The choice is yours. You can give away 1 or 1000 sites – it makes no difference to us. But the more you hand out the more likely you’ll be generating significant income from sales off those free sites as a Broker. For example :

• 30% of $10 per month from 1 free site is $3 (per month).
• 30% of $10 per month from 100 free sites is $300 (per month).
• 30% of $10 per month from 1000 free sites is $3000 (per month).

So – how many sites do you want to GIVE away for FREE?

It’s your chance to give someone a free e-commerce website to generate income of themselves – OR – “teach them to fish” as a “Broker” to leverage THEIR efforts and make a whole lot more.

If they’re not sure – no worries – they can upgrade from “Agent” to “Broker” at any time!

Over the next few weeks as the company rolls out other products and services that were announced this past weekend in St. Louis, we’ll update you both here and on the newsletter. Some you may have already heard about what’s coming. For the purpose of time however (and an opportunity to write other articles about this fine company and the people involved with it) we’ll save that for another day.

Besides – I’ve got a ton of e-mail I need to respond to right now!

Right now – I want you to focus on what I do and that’s “giving”. (You have something of value to give now right?) Give it a go – and see what happens. My bet is the rewards are greater than you could even possibly imagine!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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One of the BEST features about Convention is the opportunity to learn and grow. Sure the recognition and the upgrades are a nice benefit, but the opportunity to LEARN makes our industry special. Always the student, I relish the opportunity to learn something new – enhance what I’m already doing – or get turned onto a brand new product or feature.

It’s what keeps this company fresh and interesting. I mean, YTB has never been boring, (especially the last couple of years) but all the new features, vendors and income opportunities not only make a company like this fun but worth your while with this kind of assortment to choose from.

Oh – you’ll also notice even more of our Travel Vendors offering up their expertise. While they’ve always shown up as a vendor in the past – this is the first year their getting in on the classes being offered. Nice to see their continued support.

Check out the great courses that are offered by ZamZuu University today. A chance to learn from the best in business – Business Builders, Featured Stores and Travel Vendors all in one place. It’s all here!

HOW TO USE SOCIAL NETWORKING TO BUILD YOUR TEAM AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS
Nakia Muhammad, Coach’s Corner member
This course will provide attendees with the basic knowledge and understanding of how to prospect, qualify, identify and sign up new Business Owners via Facebook. Learn and apply these techniques and explore your business!

TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH PLEASANT HOLIDAYS
Barbara DeSanto, Pleasant Holidays
Presenting the world of Pleasant Holidays – offering vacation and cruise packages to Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, Tahiti/Fiji, Costa Rica and USA Learn about all the great specials Pleasant Holidays has to offer!

BECOME A DIRECTOR IN 90 DAYS
Dave and Marlis Funk, ZamZuu Directors
Learn how to become a Director in 90 days including the three phases you must go through to be successful in ZamZuu. They will teach you how your “Wheel of Fortune” can help you build if you JUST APPLY IT!

HIGH QUALITY, CUTTING-EDGE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Brett Cherry, Nutraceutics
Nutraceutics is dedicated to formulating and bringing to market the highest quality nutritional supplements based on the latest in scientific research and manufactured to the most exacting pharmaceutical-grade specifications.

PROTECTING OUR KIDS WITH ZAMZUU CHILD PROTECTION MOBILE APPLICATION
Tim Woda
Protecting our kids from the dangers of sexting, cyberbullying, and sex predators.

BIGGER PROFITS WITH GINA ALEXANDER HANDBAGS
Gina Alexander, Gina Alexander Handbags
The story from the woman herself! Class includes social media strategies, how to make money with Facebook, how to recognize the PERFECT photo and placing orders with/without a photo.

THE MIND OF THE TEST DRIVE
Demond Crump, ZamZuu Director
Learn the reason for every move made during the “test drive.” Demond will demonstrate how the value of ZamZuu should be showcased!

JUMP START YOUR CRUISE BUSINESS
Ann Sedgwick, Carnival Cruise Lines
This fast paced seminar will include what you need to know to be successful in selling cruises, the tools to make you more successful, the most popular destinations to sell right now, the easiest way to sell and book travel, tricks of successful groups and selling up for greater commissions! Whether you are just getting started in the business or a seasoned pro, this seminar is for you!

EMPOWERING YOU TO PROSPER
James and Marcia Prewitt, ZamZuu Directors
Learn how to grow closer to the source of all true wealth and power. Leverage your time and effort by using a systematic approach to explore your business. Find a divine balance of being successful mentally, spiritually and financially!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO SUCCESSFULLY SELL DIAMOND ICE PRINTS
Julie Milford, Diamond Ice Prints
Come hear an introduction/history of the company and product, a detailed description of the process, photographic resolution training, sales strategies, and support.

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL HOME PARTY WITH JOLIECOU JEWELRY
Lee Bayes and YoLanda McClease, JolieCou Jewelry
Imagine having fun selling JolieCou Jewelry and Accessories and making money while you do it! This presentation will teach you how to have a “Successful Home Party” and boost your sales. Who doesn’t love high quality, unique jewelry at affordable prices!

GIVING YOUR BUSINESS A FACE LIFT
Linda Chaé, Chaé Organics
Learn how to build your business with new, exciting products. Even men will have a secret weapon to enroll women and other men. Website Discount Code given to attendees only.

SETTING THE RIGHT (DNA) EXPECTATIONS!
Nick Nicholson, ZamZuu Director
This class will teach you how to set realistic expectations in your new ZamZuu Business. It will show you how to build a large and committed team of successful leaders.

YTB TRAVEL NETWORK
J. Kim Sorensen, President and CEO of YTB Travel Network, and Guest Speakers
Come hear about a few of the many opportunities YTB Travel Network provides. You can expect to learn about niche and group travel opportunities and hear from the experts!

TEAM BUILDING
Jerome Hughes, ZamZuu Director
Jerome Hughes and several team leaders will discuss skills for building a successful team.

ZAMTEK – WIRELESS PRODUCTS AND THE ZAMZUU DIGITAL VIDEO PHONE
Marc Tolkov, Simplexity and Barry MacCheyne, WorldGate
Simplexity will teach you everything you need to know about wireless products and services. WorldGate lets you experience an exciting demonstration of the ZamZuu Digital Video Phone and the opportunities it presents!

ZAMZUU INSURANCE 2.0 AND EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL SERVICES – “THE NEXT GENERATION
Mark G. Pollock and Dustin Lopez, ZamZuu Insurance
ZamZuu Insurance will cover the Website with a new Avatar look, how to quote and when you get paid. We will also cover the basics of the Financial Services site and what you get paid for. Both are kicked off with a “Did You Know” video!

LEARN HOW TO PUT THE “ZAM” IN YOUR ZAMZUU BUSINESS
Arlyne Thompson, ZamZuu Director
Utilizing themed home parties, inspiring events, educational webinars, exciting conference calls and tools to keep your team connected!

GETTING STARTED (ZAMZUUED) FAST!
Malcolm Alexander, ZamZuu Director
Ever wonder what the difference between you and the major networkers? How do you land a big fish? You will be let in on some industry secrets the big boys don’t want you to know!

THE WORLD OF PRINCESS CRUISES
Amy Alford, Princess Cruises
Join Amy Alford, District Sales Manager with Princess Cruises for an informative presentation and discover the World of Princess! Learn why Princess is the consummate host and the value of selling Princess to your clients. New itineraries for 2011 and 2012 will be featured.

FACING YOUR GIANTS
Jil Greene, ZamZuu Director
Everyone has the ability to be a Director! If you are not…something is stopping you. What is it? It’s your Giant. Attend a real live ceremony (presentation? Ceremony doesn’t fit here) that will show you how to slay your Giant, put it to rest and become a Director in the ZamZuu Business!

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? THE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
Nick Pagano, ZamZuu Director
The economy has changed and so have the ways to create and maintain wealth. Given that, why is it that some people can build this business easily and others have more difficulty? We will answer that question in this presentation!

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE, ELEGANT COMFORT
Robin Pelland, Holland America Line
For more than 136 years, Holland America Line has been a recognized leader in cruising, taking their guests to exotic destinations around the world. Through excellence, they create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Holland America Line provides elegant comfort, award-winning service, five star dining and extensive activities.

THE POWER OF RESIDUAL INCOME
Rick Ricketts, ZamZuu Director
Come hear Rick Ricketts talk about leadership and building relationships that will help you produce and maintain your residual income.

DISCOVER HOW PH PERFECT CAN BE YOUR ULTIMATE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
Kriss Hansen and George Hou, pH perfect, Inc .
Learn the dirty little secret multi-billion dollar companies don’t want you to know. Also, find out how pH perfect can eliminate toxic stress and pollution from your life.

As you can see – there’s something for everyone and most mix and match as they like. With so much to choose from, the hardest part is narrowing it down to just a few classes. Spend the whole day on travel if you’d like – or building your business – doesn’t matter to us. It’s all about what matters to YOU.

Nice – huh?!

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Now that we’re inside 30 days until the Convention, most of the “news” and “upgrades” are saved for those who actually show up in St. Louis. I went back to July, 2008 to review all the excitement of our largest Convention to date – the buzz about Lady Liberty – and clear signs that YTB was doing everything they could to appease California’s claims about YTB being a “gigantic pyramid scheme”.

The month before Convention, YTB announced they were contemplating a franchise model, and also removed the booking engine link from the marketing sites although nobody really knew why these changes were being made so close to Convention.

Hindsight is always 20/20 – and it’s clear looking back that YTB and California were communicating at the time. YTB was making the appropriate changes during their discussions to conform and ease the concerns California had.

Discussions had been going on since January 2007 when YTB came out with booking requirements for credentials in California. New legislation passed in the state required that any agent had to actually book travel before they were qualified to carry any card offered in the industry.

Typical of critics and zealots who have no clue – they thought this legislation would stop the massive growth of YTB and end the reign of MLM’s in their industry. What it did was put YTB on the map in California. At the beginning of 2007 there was somewhere around 3000 RTA’s in the state. By the end of 2007 – there were more than 20,000.

Oooops.

So zealots and critics do what they always do – they come up with more obstacles. Another group of “professionals” convinced Royal Caribbean to pull the plug on bookings with them to make it look like suppliers were now against MLM.

Problem was – business isn’t that stupid – bookings are bookings and only one other company YTB did a small number of bookings with pulled the plug besides RCL. (There was one other, but I can’t remember who it was. We never did business with them to begin with but any critic could tell you because it matters to them.)

After only securing 3 vendors with no more in sight, critics then came up with more complaints and more hoops that YTB had to jump through in order to remain “compliant”. The heat was cranked up after the company showed a profit to the SEC and was labeled a “Darling” instead of a “scam”. The company got their stock symbol off the Pink Sheets and back onto the OTC.BB. We also can’t forget YTB’s 9 point jump in Travel Weekly’s Power List from #35 to #26.

It scared the living daylights out of the dolts who can’t accept MLM and Network Marketing as a legitimate and viable business model. Remember THEY have to be right – otherwise they’re entire world collapses. MLM’s just can’t do things like this – it’s not right and there has to be something wrong here. (Small thinking I know – but look at whose pointing fingers at us.)

Since nothing critics said or did appeared to be working – they did what they always do when MLM grows to big too fast for their comfort zone. You file a $25 million lawsuit and for added impact they did it the day before everyone got together for the largest Convention to date.

That ‘ill show ‘em! Right?

Wrong…

Fast forward to 2009, and we find Jerry Brown announcing that he “brought an end to an elaborate pyramid scheme” in a very amusing press release. Legal documents however confirmed that all the time and money spent on the litigation pointed directly to the hoops YTB jumped through before the suit was filed to appease concerns about being an illegal pyramid scheme.

If you’re thinking the pyramid schemes are illegal – you’re spot on. Programs and companies that fall into that category are shut down – abruptly.

Since little had changed and Jerry’s claims about shutting the company down fell woefully short – we showed up a year later for another Convention.

California’s suit did work to some degree however. The suit did bleed the company of money with litigation and we never achieved the franchise model announced in 2008 as a legitimate or respectable “franchise”. We still don’t have a franchise to sell. After California took $875,000 from YTB’s pockets, (leaving only $125,000 for the “victims” they claimed they filed it for.) they handed their false claims over to Illinois to squeeze more money out of the company. The company continues to tolerate this myth that someone actually pays for the opportunity to recruit others into a pyramid. (Something that YTB has never done since it’s inception in 2001.)

The Illinois litigation has been stalled since it was filed – ironically filed  just 4 hours after the settlement with California was announced more than a year ago. After passing the baton, millions continue to be spent by both sides over ignorance, bitterness, and sheer stupidity instead of actually spending time and money on franchising.

Now that we’re two years removed from California’s stunt and we’re gearing up for our second Convention since the California A.G. announced his goal of ending our “pyramid scheme” I have to wonder if critics of YTB still think they won and we lost. Sure YTB has been bloodied and battered over California’s claims. The perception over the mere appearance of the word pyramid scheme would put some companies out of business.

Unfortunately, perceptions and accusations can’t overcome or extinguish truth or fact. The false claims from States like California and Illinois and the incessant shaming of our founders and members of YTB by overzealous critics has – in its own way – done some good.

Anyone who takes what they’ve read verbatim or doesn’t conduct their own due diligence about YTB (or Network Marketing in general) certainly won’t take the steps necessary to build a business. I learned very early on in my carrier with YTB that changing habits and perceptions over the ridiculous myths about money just rolling in without doing any work is an unnecessary step in the process. For the vast majority, it stacks the odds against them. While it’s not impossible – it’s a long shot at best that you can extract the weeds that choke logical thinking or change lazy habits if someone is unwilling or uncooperative.

To use an already overused verse – “You can lead a horse to water – but you can’t make them drink.”

I’ve seen and heard about the fears about brain washing. I’ll freely admit that I’ve been brain washed and take the term literally.

Thanks to my journey with YTB and the study I’ve done over the years, my mind has been cleansed. Dirt, stains, limiting beliefs, or any matter that doesn’t serve me has been washed away. One definition is “to free from spiritual defilement” which is appropriate when it comes to the brain. You are what you think about most of the time. What you focus on expands.

Some will continue to focus on perceptions, claims, fears and phobias. (Daily no less.) While the smart ones will see right through the hype and limiting beliefs. I find it fascinating that it’s the folks at YTB who are the ones who mislead and hype everything up. We’re the ones labeled as uncooperative and unwilling to see the light.

Looking back and reading memory lane documented here – and the fact the another Convention is less than 30 days away – me thinks it’s the other way around. ;-P

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If you didn’t know that June is Carnival Month with YTB Travel – you’ve got to be hiding under a rock somewhere. Carnival has been sending out all kinds of promotional e-mails this month and even offered up a couple of live webinars to assist the YTB sales  field in promotions and sales.

The month got kicked off to a great start with a “Cash Back” promotion that clients still have time to get in on before the end of the month. YTB Travel will conclude the month long promotion with Carnival with yet another “Sail-A-Thon” coming up June 29th. (More information on that next week.)

Communications were sent out yesterday about Carnival’s newest ship, the Carnival Magic which will home port in Galveston, Texas and offer 7 day sailings. The Carnival Triumph will move from New Orleans to Galveston as well to take over 4 and 5 day sailings. Galveston has always offer some of the best rates from any home port.

New Orleans will still be covered as well, including a fabulous new 7 day itinerary option. Both the Carnival Ecstasy and the Carnival Conquest will move to New Orleans offering 4, 5 and 7 day cruises options. Once again, New Orleans will have two ships making the “Big Easy” it’s home. Something we haven’t seen since Katrina hit back in 2005.

Here’s a list and time line for all the changes:

• 9/22/11 – CARNIVAL ECSTASY begins service from New Orleans
• 10/6/11 – CARNIVAL TRIUMPH begins service from Galveston
• 10/28/11 – CARNIVAL MAGIC 16-DAY TRANSATLANTIC FROM BARCELONA TO GALVESTON!
• 11/13/11 – CARNIVAL CONQUEST begins service from New Orleans with 3 different seven day cruise options!
• 11/14/11 – CARNIVAL MAGIC begins service from Galveston

Both Galveston and New Orleans ports are fabulous destinations in themselves and to combine the cruise offerings, makes this a perfect choice for a Carnival Cruise. You’ll want to promote these ships and sailings now to capture this business!

The following release was sent out yesterday.

NEW 130,000-TON CARNIVAL MAGIC TO OPERATE SEVEN-DAY CARIBBEAN CRUISES FROM GALVESTON BEGINNING  NOVEMBER 2011,

TO BE PORT’S LARGEST YEAR-ROUND SHIP

Carnival Conquest, Carnival Ecstasy to Sail Year -Round From New Orleans,

Returning the Line’s Capacity to Pre-Katrina Levels

MIAMI (June 23, 2010) – Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, will operate seven-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston beginning Nov. 14, 2011, becoming the largest cruise ship based at the port year-round.  Additionally, the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will reposition from New Orleans to Galveston to operate year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruises from that port beginning Oct. 6, 2011.

Homeporting the Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph in Galveston represents the largest-ever capacity commitment by a cruise line to Texas.  With these deployments, Carnival expects to carry more than 450,000 guests annually from Galveston – a 28 percent increase over the current year.

In turn, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest and 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy, both of which are currently based in Galveston, will reposition to New Orleans to operate year-round departures from that port, returning the line to pre-Katrina capacity levels there.  With Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy, the line is expected to carry nearly 340,000 passengers annually from New Orleans – the most of any cruise operator.

“Deploying the new Carnival Magic to Galveston and increasing capacity on our popular short cruise program with the Carnival Triumph is a clear indication of the tremendous appeal and growth of this key homeport, which consistently earns high marks from our guests,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “At the same time, we are very pleased to return to pre-Katrina capacity levels in New Orleans with the Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy – a wonderfully positive indicator of the city’s continued growth and recovery,” he added.

Carnival Magic, Carnival Triumph from Galveston

Carnival Magic, which is slated to debut in Europe in May 2011 with a host of innovative facilities and features, will offer two different week-long itineraries from Galveston, including seven-day western Caribbean voyages to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and week-long eastern Caribbean cruises to Nassau, Freeport, and Key West.

Carnival Magic will offer many exciting amenities including a spectacular water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat, a wrap-around promenade with whirlpools that extend out over the ship’s sides, and expansive spa and children’s facilities.  Also featured will be a variety of stateroom choices, including deluxe ocean view  accommodations with two bathrooms, some of which feature five berths and hold particular appeal for families; cove balcony cabins located closer to the water line; and spa staterooms that provide special access and benefits.  A number of new innovations are scheduled to be announced in the near future.

Prior to launching year-round Caribbean service from Galveston, Carnival Magic will operate a series of seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona May 1 to Oct. 16, 2011; followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to Galveston departing Oct. 28, 2011.

Also being deployed to Galveston is the Carnival Triumph which will operate year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises beginning Oct. 6, 2011, becoming the newest and largest ship to operate a year-round short cruise program from that port.  Four-day cruises depart Thursdays to Cozumel, while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and visit Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.  Carnival Triumph offers many guest-pleasing features and amenities, including nearly 500 balcony staterooms which are very popular among consumers and typically not available on short cruises.

Expanded Capacity from New Orleans

Carnival Conquest will reposition to New Orleans for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning Nov. 13, 2011.  The ship will offer three different week-long Caribbean options from New Orleans: a new western Caribbean program featuring Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, an eastern Caribbean itinerary to Key West, Freeport and Nassau, and exotic western Caribbean cruises to Belize, Roatan and Cozumel.

Carnival Ecstasy will operate year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean voyages from New Orleans beginning Sept. 22, 2011. The ship underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation last year that added an expansive water park, tropical-style main pool area, adults-only retreat and 98 balconies to existing staterooms.  On the Carnival Ecstasy’s new itinerary, four-day cruises departing Thursdays visit Cozumel, while five-day cruises departing Mondays and Saturdays call at Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

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I remember our first trip to Jamaica more than 13 years ago. It was our first cruise and Ocho Rios was one of the ports of call.

Ronda and I climbed Dunn’s River Falls and after the falls a local took a Polaroid of us and handed it to me.

Not knowing the local “landscape” at the time, I took possession of the Polaroid from the man’s hands – and before I knew it – he was asking for $5.00. For a stinkin’ Polaroid picture! When I told him “no” and tried to hand it back, he pushed my hand away only to stick his other hand out for his $5.00 “picture fee”. The more I told him I wasn’t interested – the more he insisted.

I finally ended up dropping his picture on the ground and walking away.

When we got back on board that afternoon I saw a number of souvenir shirts that read what’s pictured here.

I swore at that moment that our next trip to Jamaica would include this shirt.

We’ve been back several times since then, and I can’t remember which cruise I found it on, but it’s one of my favorite shirts I keep in my drawer.

Yesterday afternoon I got a Google Alert that made me think of this shirt. So I pulled it out, ironed it (it was really wrinkled) and took a snapshot of it just for this article.

Why? Because there are really stupid people in this world who can’t take “NO” for an answer.

Remember the the $100 million Class Action filed two years ago that’s been pulverized, beaten, and obliterated by the Courts turning the entire lawsuit into a very amusing joke? Well it just took a turn for the worse from “joke” to total “embarrassment” because they’re at it – AGAIN!

I wasn’t kidding when I said these idiots think Class Action lawsuits are like cats who have nine lives. It’s simply refilled for another shot. There have been six rulings over the last two years which the Court has denied or dismissed on separate occasions – and instead changing their stance – coming at it from another angle, or better yet – just admitting defeat – these pin heads just keep spouting the same tired argument over and over again.

After six ruling against them, I’m sorry, but it’s time to consider a Mental Health evaluation, not a Lawyer.

What’s even more mind blowing is their claims and position hasn’t changed a single bit. The latest filing is almost verbatim of the first suit file two years ago. It’s the same bogus myths and pyramid scheme mantra with the same cast of characters. What happened to words like “failed”, “corrected”, “deficiency”, “amending”, “incorrectly”, and “realized after 100 hours of arguing”?

Apparently, it was nothing more than lip service. Nothing’s changed and they haven’t learned a blessed thing.

True to form – they’re myths and illusions are spot on – and your knowledge and experience is wrong. The Courts have called this ordeal an “ungainly monster” and used specific words like “redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter” in one ruling, and “the very definition of a fishing expedition” in another ruling.

A Zealots response? Damn the torpedoes – we’re going full speed ahead.

I’m sorry guys…but I have zero tolerance for this kind of stupidity and arrogance. Zealots like this, and the “professional” gang like Frenaye and Stilphen who continue to pitch this pyramid scheme mantra are just dumber than dirt. Anyone who wants to hitch their wagon to this dead horse is only hurting themselves and their reputation. There’s no gray area after all this time and all these rulings.

The answer is still going to be “NO”.

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Word must be spreading in the Travel Industry about YTB Travel Network’s Sale-a-Thon webinars. I can’t think of a single reason why it wouldn’t. It’s incredibly cost effective, (in fact it costs the supplier nothing but a little time) it provided suppliers a potential to reach thousands of viewers in one shot, and also enables the supplier to educate clients on the features, advantages, and benefits of thier company first hand.

Carnival, Princess, and Pleasant Holidays are all companies who have hosted multiple webinars with YTB Travel Network in the past because quite simply it works. (Why else would these others come back for more?)

Globus may be a new company to the growing list of suppliers and vendors that have joined YTB for these fun and informative events, but they’ve been around for more than 80 years. Their “family of brands” include not only Globus, but Cosmos, Monograms, and Avalon Waterways with itineraries covering Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australia and Africa. They also offer several varieties or flavors of tours to meet the needs and demands of today’s traveler. From fully escorted tours, premium, independent, or river cruise vacations.

Clearly, there’s something for everyone.

Because of their vast array, Thursday nights Sale-a-Thon will offer the largest variety of tours and destinations YTB has to offer to date for one Sale-a-Thon. The live event kicks off at 8:00 EST, with rebroadcasts at both 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm right on your computer.

YTB Travel Network President Kim Sorensen will be hosting this event with Bob Black from Globus Thursday night right from our booking engine. A full list of the sales offered can be downloaded here.

With Globos being the largest tour operator in the business, they also have the largest number of “guaranteed departures” – meaning, there’s no worry about your dream vacation being canceled due to a lack of minimum bookings. Avalon Waterways also has the newest and most innovative fleet of riverboats in the industry. (We’re not talking paddle wheels here.)

If you’ve been thinking about a guided tour or want to head out on your own with an independent tour to do your own thing, you need to check out this Sale-a-Thon tomorrow night and see for yourself what Globus “Family of Brands” and YTB has to offer.

It will cost you nothing but an hour of your time, and you just might find the perfect destination and price for your next vacation.

Hope to see you online tomorrow night!

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Sorry I haven’t posted more here this week. Those on our Newsletter subscription have seen more than usual from us in updating subscribers on YTB’s new division of e-commerce and additional compensation package that comes with ZamZuu. As a member of YTB over the years, I’m quite use to new initiatives and launches like this when they come twice a year. Once in January for Coach’s Birthday Bash to kick off the new year, and once again at Convention in August.

One things for sure, YTB is never dull, stale, or boring.

There are a couple of things that make this launch a little different. But, it’s not completely new. When I broke news on the internet just after the webcast Monday night you should have seen the monsoon of traffic with “zamzuu” as a search term that flooded this blog. Nobody (including me) had ever even heard the word before. Another reason I haven’t updated here. This week broke into the top 5 just from that one article. (Of course it helps when you have first page ranking on Google.) All I had to do was ride that wave of traffic.

Which brings me to this question that I know your asking – Why “Zamzuu”? I have to admit even I was a little puzzled at this name at first. When I searched the term myself, I couldn’t find a blessed thing to clue me into what it was or what it meant.

Believe it or not – that’s one of the reasons we have the name. Just look at your own reaction to it, and what you did when you heard it. YTB did a considerable amount of research in picking this name to get that exact reaction from you. See, the name is unique and really doesn’t have any place in our vocabulary or have any meaning attached to it.

Yes, most initially start out puzzled – for now. But what about 6 months from now when this ZamZuu is attached to an e-commerce site with companies like Home Depot, Barnes and Noble, Macy’s, Wal-Mart, Bass Pro Shop, Target, Best Buy and hundreds of other names they know and trust?  ZamZuu then becomes a free portal to those retailers that customers can and will shop with on the internet to save time, save money, and get cash back when they use ZamZuu.

Brilliant – absolutely brilliant.

Think about it…what did the word “Expedia” mean in 1996? How ’bout “Orbitz”? “Kayak” had a totally different meaning at the turn of the century didn’t it? Today they’re all household brands that are not only used in our vocabulary, but all have very distinct meanings and companies attached to them.

While the name may be new – the concept has been tried, tested, and proven many times over. Like I told you on Monday night, this whole e-commerce idea started out as nothing more than a partnership with a company called Aisle 19. What transpired over the next 12 months was the realization that e-commerce is the next wave on the internet. All the signs and research pointed to it. When brick and mortar retailers are hopping on board spending millions in an online presence and promotion you’ve got to believe that it’s a concept and area you at least need to attempt to claim a stake in.

Again – we all know what “Black Friday” is – but would you even have a clue about something called “Cyber Monday” even two years ago?

Heck no! But, it’s not only a term we recognize, it’s a event some of us actually looked forward to during this past Christmas shopping season. Our kids wouldn’t have unwrapped a number of presents Christmas morning if it weren’t for being able to order it over the internet. Likewise, a dual DVD player for the family van now has a brand new carrying case that was ONLY available online.

How many times do you see these terms on retailer web sites?

“Not Found In Stores” or “Online Only”.

E-commerce expands business for retailers, it expands product offerings for consumers, and with ZamZuu it expands the budget for consumers while saving time, money, and getting cash back.

Of course – we can’t forget how it’s going to expand the revenue for site owners of ZamZuu or the parent company, YTB International. Plenty of companies diversify into other areas and expand. Look at Carlson. Not only do they have one of top travel companies in the world, they also own the Country Inn hotel chain, and T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants. The other largest travel retailer in the world is another one of those household names that many equate more to banking than they do travel – American Express.

Yet, Carlson Wagonlit and American Express have battled for the number one position in Travel Weekly’s Power List for years.

And today, YTB International expands into the same type of diversification these two companies have that will add stability and additional revenue to move into the future.

And the best part of it for me personally – that scares the living daylights out of the critics who see YTB as nothing more than a scam. I haven’t read any of the spin and hype about this new launch – and really don’t care to. I simply don’t have large enough hip waders to survive the pile of manure they create. But I’ve seen plenty of evidence and a new resurgence this week because YTB just sneezed again – and the critics caught another cold.

There must be an incredible amount of frustration going on inside the heads of critics right now. They were absolutely certain that 2009 would be the year YTB went away. As the new year and new decade dawns, they’ve been awaken from this dream only to realize that they’ve got to start all over again with more spin, more lies, more hype, and more yelling at people who truly don’t even care to listen to their rhetoric any longer.

Sucks to be them.

Not sure what I’ll be doing for my signature line below – but I’ll most certainly be adding the ZamZuu business to it. I see no reason not to – it’s an opportunity that has grown on me over the last year. No doubt, you’ll still have the same great travel and vacation deals from BandBVacations.com and a Travel Agent with years of experience and training to service you. It IS my first love and why I got involved with YTB when nobody else in the industry gave me the time of day.

But I wouldn’t be very realistic if I thought that ZamZuu and this new E-commerce arm of the company wouldn’t be an easy add on to build and promote.

Last decade YTB powered it’s way into the travel industry and is a household name for many in the travel industry. I like the odds of doing it again with E-commerce with a proven concept, company, and Founders with the name YTB.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

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Do You ZamZuu?