[stylist] Fw: [Travelandtourism] Article from Agent Life Magazine

[Jacqueline Williams]

Cheryl,
This a very inspiring story. I have been on about four cruises before losing
my sight.  The experiences enriched my life considerably. Because of other
aging  problems, not blindness, I could no longer do this, I highly
recommend that any person with a visual problem fully partake. They have
lectures about destinations, art auctions where the works are discussed and
the history given, delectable food, etc. In my case the loss of the cochlea
in my left ear make hearing and directionality almost impossible in places
where more than one person is talking, and there is no balance left, it will
remain a dream that was partially filled.
I wish you continued good fortune in your business and hope that many will
take a cruise using your services. Cost-wise, now is a great time to cruise.
Jackie Williams

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of cheryl echevarria
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 3:50 PM
To: nagdu; Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: [stylist] Fw: [Travelandtourism] Article from Agent Life Magazine

> Agent Life Magazine is the monthly magazine for NACTA - National 
> Association of Career Travel Agents, they did an interview with me a few 
> months ago, and it just came out today.
>
> I got the word document so that I can post the story here.
>
>
> A Day In the Life: Making Travel Possible
>
> A NACTA agent advocates for the importance of travel for everyone with the

> help of Norwegian Cruise Lines.
>
> By Julie Anne Long
>
> When Cheryl Echevarria lost her sight in 2001 due to complications of 
> diabetes, her life changed. She had to learn how to use a cane and get 
> used to a service animal and learning Braille. Her previous career as an 
> administrative assistant was put on hold for four years while she 
> underwent dialysis daily. In 2005, when her health had stabilized, she 
> assessed both her options and her desires. She had a love of travel and 
> had often acted as an unofficial travel agent in her role as an 
> administrative assistant. With help from a member of the National 
> Federation of the Blind, she was connected with a host agency, Montrose 
> Travel, and opened Echevarria Travel in 2009.
>
> "I want everyone to be able to travel," says Cheryl. "Right now, I would 
> say 75% of my time is spent advocating for impaired travel and 25% of my 
> time is spent booking travel for the disabled."
>
> As she has navigated the world of travel and how it relates to the 
> disabled, Cheryl has found a great partner in Norwegian Cruise Lines.
>
> "With Norwegian Cruise Lines, I can contact them through Facebook, 
> Twitter, or e-mail, and I am immediately put into contact with the right 
> person," says Cheryl.
>
> Recently, Cheryl scheduled a ship tour on the Norwegian Gem for a group of

> blind people and the parents of blind children.
>
> "It was the first time I had ever done anything like this," admits Cheryl.

> "And for many people with us, it was their very first time on a cruise 
> ship."
>
> The ship tour allowed the group to explore the Norwegian Gem at their own 
> pace and ask questions relevant to their own travel needs and wants. 
> According to Cheryl, instances like this are educational for everyone: the

> people on the tour and the travel partner, as well.
>
> "They were so accommodating to us," says Cheryl. "At lunch, they brought 
> out menus in Braille."
>
> As the president of the travel and tourism division of the National 
> Federation of the Blind, Cheryl is passionate about travel for the 
> impaired.
>
> "I sell what I know," says Cheryl. "And it all comes down to asking your 
> client questions. It's not about where you can't go, or what you can't do.

> It's about what is possible."
>
> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
> 631-456-5394
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>
> For daily updates read our blog at
> http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
>
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> 

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