Valerie Sondergeld, CTC, LS

Interests & Specialties
A veteran of the travel industry, Val has been with Central Travel for 36 years. As you might expect, she has traveled the world, but her specialties and interests lie in the Caribbean.  She visits at least one or two islands every year. She is a member of exclusive GI Vacation Consultant program with El Dorado Spa, and Azul hotels by Karisma which are adults only and family friendly resorts and great for honeymoons, wedding destinations, romance, anniversary and family vacations. Val has recently completed Princess Cruises "Alaska Expert" program.  She also holds the prestigious Commodore status with Cunard Academy. Val is located in the Northwood office and can be reached at 419 693-9869, 800 860-9869 or val@centraltravel.com

Expert Bio
Ms. Sondergeld has experienced all the major islands of the Caribbean at least once during her years in the business. In addition to being a CTC, she is a Certified Sandals Specialist, Aruba Specialist and has attended the American Airlines Caribbean Travel Mart that takes place in San Juan each year.  She has completed both Cancun and Puerta Vallarta specialist courses with each tourism board.  Many resorts offer perfect honeymoon and anniversary packages, and Ms. Sondergeld will help you find the one that is right for you. Ms. Sondergeld is also a Certified Honeymoon Specialist and over the years she has helped couples plan destination weddings in Jamaica, Hawaii, Cabo, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. She loves planning romantic getaways for all types of clients. As a Certified Sandals Specialist, she is particularly knowledgeable about the Caribbean Sandals Resorts, and has personally visited and stayed at many of these resorts.  Val also loves to cruise and is a NCL University graduate, a Princess Cruise Commodore, a graduate of Royal Caribbean’s University of WOW and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Specialist Program.

My Recent Trips

I have just returned from beautiful St. Lucia. Saint Lucia is the perfect destination. Tropical weather, welcoming accommodations, and unexpected adventures await all who travel to this Caribbean gem. Romance can be found at upscale resorts and intimate inns. Families enjoy on-site water parks, kids' menus and evening entertainment for everyone.

I stayed at Sandals Grand St. Lucian in one of their Penthouse Oceanfront Concierge Rooms.  It was lovely!  With 5 pools on property and the best beach on the island – this is a perfect property for water lovers. 

Sandals Halcyon has recently been renovated and rooms are fantastic.  None of the restaurants on property require reservations.  The spa is small offering basic massage, hair and nail services but you have exchange privileges with the two other Sandals on the island for full spa treatments.

Sandals Regency La Toc sits on 220 acres with 331 rooms.  The property offers a 9-hole golf course, full spa and water sports.  Excellent restaurant opportunities!  All three Sandals properties are wonderful – I would be happy to assist you with selecting the right property for your St. Lucia adventure!

Want to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the world---stretching for miles, well Turks and Caicos is the place for you.  I just returned from a trip in August and cannot wait to go back again!  Turks and Caicos is a British territory comprising of 40 islands and cays that lie at the southeastern end of the Bahamas chain and just little over 500 miles southeast of Miami.  Provo is the main focal point of the island, where accommodations of all types are available--luxury resorts to hotels and private island villas.  There is great snorkeling, diving--where this is some of the best in the world, and all kinds of water sports and an 18 hole championship golf course.  Long walks on the beach...and beautiful sunsets...waiting for you!

I was a part of the Inaugural sailing of the Ruby Princess, sister ship to Crown and Emerald.  The ship holds 3,080 passengers and is prestine!

Ruby Princess includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium (hub of ship on Deck 5) featuring small-bite eateries with coffee bar, fresh bakery with goodies as well as salads and sandwiches, a wine and cheese bar and a sushi bar.   In Vines wine and seafood bar, there is a new selection of artisan cheeses on the menu.  An every-changing array of performing street entertainers perform in the piazza area.

There are 3 main dining rooms:  Botticelli, at aft end of ship for two-sitting fixed dining and Michelangelo and Da Vinci, further forward, for passengers who prefer more relaxed, anytime dining.  The Horizon Court and Café Caribe self-service outlets are open 24 hours and also serve complimentary lemonade throughout the day.  Princess trademark specialty restaurants are now located across from each other.  Crown Grill specializes in steaks, fish and seafood and is $25.00 per person.  Sabatini’s Italian multi-course extravaganza of Italian dishes and cost is $20.00 per person.

The Ruby boasts nearly 900 staterooms with private balconies - all rooms have flat-screen T.V, hairdryers, safes, mini-bars (stocked in penthouse suites) and 24 hours room service.  Ruby is wired for wifi access, even in cabins and cell phone use.

Ruby has many of the other innovations that define the Princes experience, including Movies under the Stars, Personal Choice dining, multiple entertainment venues, relaxing Asian-style Lotus Spa and fitness center, an extensive children and teen’s center and a wedding chapel.   New is the Sanctuary - on deck 17 forward - an adults only retreat with its own pool, steam and sauna rooms.  There is cost to this and on first come-first serve basis - 10.00 for half-day and 20.00 for full day (I would recommend this for those full day at sea to avoid crowds around the main pools).

Princess Cruises, as a company, is all about relaxed, casual cruising with an American edge and the Ruby fits right in with lots of smaller public rooms and venues, gives a small ship feel that will appeal to cruisers of all ages.

I have recently returned from a visit to Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa. On the untouched South Coast of Jamaica, Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa is a 50-acre seaside fantasy within a 500-acre reserve. In an impressive European village, you can stroll an expansive Italian piazza reminiscent of St. Mark's square in Venice... and be surrounded by the sophistication of France, the passion of Italy, and the charm of Holland with restaurants, duty free shops, and magnificent formal gardens bordering an endless stretch of pristine beach. Here Sandals has created their  newest resort an ultra-luxurious testament to Jamaica’s storied past, as well as a stunning tribute to the glories of Europe.

Sandals Whitehouse's spa* features European style and offers massage rooms, facial rooms, and additional rooms for body wraps and scrubs, hydrotherapy and couples massage. Relax, unwind and pamper yourself. Step into the calm haven of a Red Lane Spa™, with its rich marbles and deep red mahogany, and you can leave every care behind.

The outlook is always inspiring at this resort, because all of its 360 rooms and suites boast breathtaking views of the resort's two-mile span of beach. There are 80 sumptuous suites to choose from, many with the unrivaled luxury of true Butler Service in the style of English nobility. Remain in a world of your own choosing, in settings that recreate your favorite corners of Europe... and hide away in your own private fantasy just steps from the aquamarine sea.