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Book a cruise | Cruise industry leader and expert since childhood

Blog - Bon Voyage - Card ON BLOGWhat develops a person into a leader in the travel and cruise industry?   It is both an honor and privilege to interview Lona Lee Thull who has proven herself as a cruise industry leader and expert.  The following is her story.

Growing up and living on a farm in Edgeley, North Dakota, a small farming community provided Lona Lee Thull many leadership skills needed to run a successful cruise travel company.   Lona Lee Thulls’s youth experiences were what developed her into the leader she is today.

A few of her childhood accomplishments.

  • President of her High School Senior Class
  • Elected by her school piers to be Homecoming Queen
  • Captain of the girls Volleyball Team
  • Received the highest North Dakota 4-H Leadership Award
  • Awarded North Dakota Girls State attendance where Lona Lee Thull learned the process of government leadership

When did travel and adventure become part of Lona Lee Thull’s life?

The soul of a traveler was born through the introduction to culture via her family.  
August Blog - Five Flies RestaurantLona Lee Thull attributes her adventurous spirit to her Grandma and Grandpa Nelson who were the biggest influence on her decision to begin her cruise travel career and become the cruise industry leader she is today.   She was only 16 years old when her Danish grandparents took Lona Lee Thull and her cousin on a two month journey to Europe.

The trip to Europe was the first time Lona Lee Thull took a train, airplane, motor August Blog - QM1coach tour and set foot on a cruise ship.  She took The Cunard lines two ships; Queen Mary I and the Queen Elizabeth I.

The trip was a nine country European tour visiting the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and allowed her to spend a month with her relatives in Denmark. This was Lona Lee Thull’s first time traveling outside of the United States leaving a distinguished imprint on her life.

Blog Cunard LineTo this very day, Lona Lee Thull travels to Denmark to visit her Danish relatives and hosts them from time to time in the United States.

Due to her leadership strengths and travel experience the Lions Club in North Dakota chose Lona Lee Thull to be their Lions Club Exchange student to Norway.

Lona Lee Thull sailed on her first coastal voyage by “Hutigruten”  or coastal steamer up the coast of Norway to just south of the Arctic Circle to a small fishing Blog Norway - August Blogvillage called, Bronoysund, Norway.

In Bronoysund, Norway she learned a lot about the life in this tiny Norwegian fishing village from her host family.   While in Norway Lona Lee Thull visited and stayed on the same farm in the Hardanger area where her Norwegian Grandfather was raised decades prior.  Lona Lee Thull still hosts and visits her Norwegian family.

cropped-LOGO-FriendlyCruise-Resized1.jpgAfter College she moved to Colorado, Lona Lee Thull became a business school professor and later worked for Frontier Airlines.   Traveling and flying with Frontier Airlines added to her travel experience and gave her the passion to start her own agency related to travel.  She founded Friendly Cruises, Inc. in 1987 as a cruise travel agency.

Her time in Colorado gave her more leadership experience and the ability focus on her cruise travel business.

Her tremendous accomplishments below:

  • President of the National Association of Woman Business Owners-Colorado
  • President of the Colorado Association of Professional Sales Women
  • Winner of the Jean Yancey Business Soloist of the Year award
  • Served on the Colorado State small business Economic Development Council
  • President of the Parker Chamber of Commerce
  • Founder and leader of the Colorado Cruise-Only agents
  • National Association Contract Travel Agents -Arizona Chapter leader
  • Cruise Line International Association Elite Cruise Counsellor-Scholar Certified

Leadership is a skill which is developed and learned.  Lona Lee Thull understands this and that it doesn’t happen overnight.   Lona Lee Thull has enjoyed life’s journeys and where she sits today as a cruise industry leader and Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar ECCS.

She is the leader of Friendly Cruises, Inc. and has become a respected mentor of young travel professionals.  Lona Lee Thull enjoys her personal life with her husband of 48 years, her three children, their spouses and four grand children.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. – Eleanor Roosevelt

To schedule a consultation or book a cruise please contact Lona Lee Thull at  480-358-1496 or Cruises@FriendlyCruises.com

Lona Lee Thull Industry Cruise Leader and Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar ECCS

Lona Lee Thull,  Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar ECCSLonaLeeThull
Owner and Founder of Friendly Cruises, Inc
3081 S Sycamore Village Dr
Superstition Mtn  AZ  85118
480-358-1496
LonaLee@FriendlyCruises.com
www.FriendlyCruises.com
www.Facebook.com/FriendlyCruises
www.Twitter.com/FriendlyCruises

So much to choose from and very little time

cropped-LOGO-FriendlyCruise-Resized1.jpgIf you are looking to book a cruise Lona Lee Thull at Friendly Cruises is the person to call

Lona Lee Thull has the passion and expertise to help you select the ultimate journey on your next cruise adventure.  In order to experience and feel confident your choice is right, there are many options to consider.

For example:  Do you wish your voyage to be private? elegant? casual? or an epicurean delight? or perhaps you even want your own private butler?  In our fast paced world there is a lot to choose from and little time to decide in our fast paced world.

Lona Lee Thull an industry cruise leader will carefully guide you through this process and save you time while offering you expert advice.   Lona Lee Thull has an Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar (ECCS) certification the highest level of education the Cruise Line International Association awards and cruise-travel experience since 1987.

She will give you the finest advice and guidance in the industry.  Lona Lee Thull is a cruise industry leader and expert.

Why would you choose Lona Lee Thull as your cruise travel counsellor?

  • Save TimeTime is valuable – Let Lona Lee Thull, an industry cruise leader save you time and the frustration of choosing between so many cruising options.  Allow her to do the work of planning your next vacation and getting exactly what you want while staying within your budget
  • Benefit from expertise and travel knowledge – Feel confident with your cruise choices and receive the value of wisdom and knowledge that Lona Lee Thull has to offer
  • Easy planning and convenience – Come visit her website www.FriendlyCruises.com for more information.  Call or email to begin the process of choosing your voyage and ultimate vacation.  We look forward to learning more about your cruising needs
  • Don’t miss the boat – Whether it be on an ocean liner, a riverboat cruise or a yacht, reserve your voyage by having Lona Lee Thull go over your cruising needs so she can help you sort through all your choices and save you time.  You get on the boat with a smile

Friendly Cruises has a quality reputation and continues to offer meaningful benefits for long-term customers. Lona Lee Thull has a simple motto “Pleasure means Business and Business can mean Pleasure”

Lona Lee Thull’s website www.FriendlyCruises.com contains a booking engine where guests may choose from several cruise lines and reserve their own cruise vacation. This option combined with an amazing team of Cruise Counsellors who are ready to assist their guests giving them confidence that they made the right cruise vacation choice.

Lona Lee Thull – Industry Cruise Leader and Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar ECCS.  She invites you to visit www.FriendlyCruises.com  – call us and let us help you with your cruising needs – Contact:  480-358-1496

*highest certification in the Cruise-Travel industry*

Friendly Cruises goes yachting in Costa Rica

Costa-Rican-sunset-Costa-Rica-Blog.jpg

Ports of Call:
Caldera, Puntarenas, Costa Rica · San Juan del Sur · Granada, Nicaragua ·Playa Del Coco Costa Rica · Playa Potrero · Quepos, Costa Rica, · Tortuga Island ·San Jose, Costa Rica · Poas Volcano, Costa Rica

Thanksgiving was enhanced when Lona Lee Thull, cruise expert, industry leader and   owner of FriendlyCruises.com a cruise leader and her husband, Edward Thull, took a week vacation aboard the SeadreamYachtClub.com off the shores of Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Flying from Phoenix through Houston to San Jose Costa Rica seemed like a quick trip.

Staying one night at the plantation La Condessa hotel, thanks to the recommendation of Paul Bradley Smith, provided a good Costa Rica experience.

The pictures throughout these words tell the story of this trip aboard the 110 passenger Seadream I yacht where treatment was “top shelf” and was friendly like that of a Cheers episode “where everybody knows your name”.

San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua - Costa Rica Blog - #2The experience was elegant, no nickel and dimming in this all inclusive vacation and had exceptional service. For you “foodies” and people with a healthy appetite the food was excellent along with the flowing martinis.

The SeaDream brochure is accurate and well worded; to experience these suites is like resting in heaven.  , local inhabitant keeping an eye on us - Costa Rica Blog

SeaDream staterooms come with upscale amenities like pillow menus, fine plush cotton robes, slippers and even Belgian linens.

The bathroom is Marble lined with multi-jet shower massage and Bvlgari bath amenities.

The spaciousness gave you a feeling of your own vacation home with space enough to lounge and spread out and enjoy every minute of your vacation.

A few words on the Yachting experience:  The SeaDream mega yacht balances casual comfort and refined elegance.  SeaDream is quoted, “It’s yachting not cruising”.  

 From the moment my husband, Edward Thull and I (Lona Lee Thull) were welcomed on board, the smiling faces made us feel as if we were with close friends aboard a private yacht.  You could be as relaxed or as active as you like.   It is all about personal choice on this ship.

Costa-Rican-sunset-Costa-Rica-Blog.jpgAs day turned to night, pre-dinner cocktails called for mingling and enjoying the hors d’oeuvres.  Hearing the live sounds of a guitar, the multiple course leisurely dinners served under the stars on deck or in the elegantly appointed Dining Salon, were definitely a delight.

At night we could try our luck in the Casino or as we call it “Cheers”  “where everybody knows your name” located at the top of the Yacht Bar.  Other entertainment included  a starlit movie on deck and even a concert under the stars around the pool deck.

The 2013 Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships awarded the top two ratings in the “Boutique Ships’ for (50-250 passengers)

Specifics on Suites:  Seadream has three types of suites on their yachts

1. Commodore Suites
Commodore Suites include two regular 192 (sq ft)Yacht Club staterooms put together making up a 390 sq ft room with a his/hers living areas and two full baths with two closets.  You have the option of two separate beds (or) one bed and a dining table that seats four.  There are eight Commodore Suites on board.

2. Admiral Suites
Admiral Suites are a spacious 375 (sq ft) and considered casually elegant and comfortable.  The Admiral Suite has a separate living and dining area, master bedroom and (1 ½) baths.  The private separated master bedroom features a queen size bed and master bath.  The Admiral Suite has ample lighting and features three panorama windows.  Individual entertainment centers are featured in the living area and bedroom suite. There is only one Admiral Suite on board.

3. Owner’s Suite
The Owner’s Suite is a dramatic 447 (sq ft) and includes a very spacious, lavishly appointed private bedroom/bathroom suite featuring an ocean view with both a multi-jet shower and a separate soaking tub.  A sophisticated furnished living room and dining area with its own private (½) bath is the perfect place to entertain, host private cocktail parties or intimate dinners.  Individual entertainment centers are featured in the living area and bedroom suite.  There is one Owner’s Suite on board.

Ed Thull in our spacious suite:

Ed Thull in our spacious suite - Costa Rica BlogA helpful hint from your cruise counsellor & cruise expert to book a cruise:

Suites go first.  When making your reservation with a cruise expert it is important to book a cruise as early as possible so you get the room of your choice.

 

Comments, suggestions and booking a cruise welcome.  Come enjoy the experience with Friendly Cruises.  For more information contact Lona Lee Thull

Lona Lee Thull, Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar ~ 480-358-1496  ~ www.FriendlyCruises.com Come follow on Twitter @FriendlyCruises

To learn more please fill out the contact form below.  Please include your preferred cruise destinations.