Travel vs. Vacation

I came across some interesting comments on this article. "Common Excuses Why People Don't Travel". One of the comments noted how 'travelers' sound so preachy about how fulfilled their lives are with the extended travel and budget hosteling adventures. That along with some pretty condescending sounding comments about having lived in umpteen countries on $5 a month with 7 kids (exaggerating a little ) inspired a light bulb moment. Why does there have to be such a distinction and disdain for people who really don't want to go completely against the grain on leisure travel?

When I leave my home behind I want to vacation, to escape and relax. I'm pretty satisfied with my life and have no desire to sell everything and move to Thailand for the cultural experience. It's on my list of things to do, but it will definitely be a vacation getaway not a semi-perm arrangement.

That does not mean taking a 'vacation' is any less valuable. Some seem to think that going on a cruise or to an all-inclusive resort means hiding behind the walls and never experiencing the real culture of the destination. That couldn't be further from the truth! (However if you want to do that it's perfectly fine too!) There are endless choices of excursions from the ship, plenty of day trips to take from your resort and you still have your luxurious suite to retire to at the end of the day.
I hear from plenty of moms that are not too thrilled with simply picking up our chores and moving them to another locale, no matter how cool it sounds to the adventurer in the household. Beach bed gets a bigger gasp than kitchen from most. Just because you do dream of lounging at the water's edge sipping cocktails does not mean you're doomed to a life of cultural ignorance. Newsflash 'travelers' and holier than thou backpackers. We still actually talk to the people around us on our getaways. I haven't seen many Americans working on cruise ships. Even all-inclusives attract guests from all over the world, in addition to the staff. They aren't just mannequins. On ships so many of the crew are glad to talk about home and their cultures since they may have been away for months.
Even if you decide to be a vacationer your kids will still interact with lots of people from different cultures. Maybe teaching them that people from different economic strata are just as worthy of respect is equally as important as feeling cooler than those stuck at home not living like nomads. (I can't stand people who talk down to crew/staff while boring everyone in earshot about their travel. Ick, apparently civility isn't a requisite skill for extended travel)

Want to feel a little less guilty about your indulgent vacation?
Ask for resorts that are environmentally responsible. (El Dorado Spa Resorts Greenhouse)
Hacienda Tres Rios & other Green Globe certified resorts

Patronize companies that do give back to their communities. (Sandals Foundation)

Maybe someday I'll feel more bohemian and wax poetic about the superiority of shopping for groceries in another country rather than gourmet meals in restaurants , for right now I want someone else to do the cooking, mixing (drinks, no I'm not into baking), cleaning and everything else I hate to do at home when I'm on vacation!
We're proud to be vacationing Americans WITH passports that still love to come back home. Long live the getaway!

How inclusive is that resort?

All-Inclusive, Luxury Included, Gourmet Inclusive, Unlimited Luxury .....what does it mean? With so many all-inclusive resorts to choose from, it can be tough to differentiate just what they don't include. One of the biggest frustrations people have is finding out that their 'all-inclusive' really only included hot dogs and beer. Ok, I'm exaggerating a little, but do you really think those great $99 specials online at discoutsrus.com will give you lobster dinners and 4 star service? Make sure you're clear about what you require on your vacation so you can find the resort that fits your needs. If you'll be off the property zip lining and diving everyday, the $99 special might be just what you need to crash between activities and have a cold beer handy when you want one. If you want to lay on the beach while a butler brings your favorite premium drinks and magazines in between casual snorkeling and yoga classes then you probably won't get it at the motel 6 of Caribbean resorts.
Different brands include varying levels of amenities. In those brands you'll find different levels of service depending on your room category. My job is to find the right one so you don't come back wishing you'd stayed home!

El Dorado Resorts - Riviera Maya

Part 2 of my Riviera Maya review...

Pictures of each resort are now up on Facebook

El Dorado Maroma

El Dorado Maroma is what I'd picture for a perfect 'just the two of us' romantic getaway. The boutique property has just 72 suites. In the Mi Hotelito section the wood floors on the balcony and outside hallway make you feel as though you're in a treehouse on the beach. The other section has larger rooms with Jacuzzis and outdoor showers. As I walked around the property everyone seemed to know each other and look so relaxed. The resort's small size still houses a spa, 3 restaurants and 3 bars so you're not missing out on a single luxury.Marina Maroma is next door with lots of watersports and boating excursions so you're right there where others have to take a shuttle to reach. Maroma was also voted one of the top 10 beaches by Travel Channel. Yes, I took my shoes off to test it and it was powdery soft =) The property also has an on-site chapel for weddings. Children are allowed to attend weddings there, but only those 16 and up can stay overnight or attend the reception.

El Dorado Seaside Suites

The next step up in terms of size is Seaside Suites. The property is located south of Playa del Carmen. Although this one is adults only too, there are more groups that are not necessarily couples. The Italian restaurant is bright and airy and has a good house wine selection along with extensive upgraded choices to purchase. The Mexican restaurant offers nightly tequila tastings at the bar. The swim up suites are set among lush landscape for a reaxing nap on the patio. For an extra special treat, the Presidentail Suite offers a living room with stocked wet bar, personal snorkel equipment, plunge pool and sky palapa for massages and candlelit dinners. Wow! There are several great locations for weddings from a picturesque gazebo to pier on the sea. I met a couple from Georgia that said this was their 5th trip to Seaside Suites! They said "no one will be mad if you send them here!" My tour guide promised they were not plants =) I knew they weren't because they were actually eavesdropping on our lunch conversation and asked me later if I was a travel agent. Just like a southerner to politely ask about something they overheard you say!

El Dorado Royale and Casitas

Just as the name says this resort is the grandest of the 3. EDR is a 4 diamond award winner, yet still has a laid back vibe. Among the 13 pools are numerous swim up bars and activities. The property is divided into 2 sections of 476 suites. The casitas are a collection of 2 story buildings with just a few suites each featuring private infinity pools on the second floor and soaring ceilings with palapa style roofs. One of the coolest features here is the culinary theater that showcases an interactive dinner experiences by the resort's Michelin trained chef. A greenhouse supplies all of the restaurants with fresh organic produce. If you're planning a long honeymoon, there's surely enough to explore here...

Although El Dorado Royale is very popular, I happened to like Maroma and Seaside Suites the best. Each property features inspired cuising, impeccable service and ambiance, but they are all very different. Working closely with your trusty Gourmet Included Vacation Consultant (me of course) will help narrow your choices to create the honeymoon or anniversary of your dreams.....or hey just make it a suprise 'just because' getaway.

For updated specials on Eldorado and Azul Resorts check Great Scott Geteaways

Riviera Maya and Azul Hotels

My poor neglected blog! I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't rattle on to fill space if you have nothing of substance to say. Does anybody else get sick of reading fluff published just to say a blog is updated frequently? It really turns me off.

I just returned from a week in Riviera Maya with my family to see the Azul and El Dorado Resorts and get some much needed r&r. Even Hurricane Alex didn't spoil our vacation. We did have lots of rain, but still enjoyed the trip tremendously. My poor family had to stay at the Azul Sensatori all day playing while I walked till I got blisters touring resorts. The things I do for you people! Obviously I'm joking, I love my job and there's no where else I'd rather be forming blisters than Riviera Maya. There will be lots of pictures on Facebook, plus a short review of each here. Overall, I was impressed with each resort. With most hotel collections there's always one room category or particular hotel where I'm left thinking 'I'd never send anybody there, hope no one asks for it." I honestly did not feel that way about either of these. I can't wait to go back sans kid to try one of adults-only properties.

Karisma Resorts family oriented brand Azul has two properties close to each other just 20 minutes south of the Cancun airport.
Azul Beach is the boutique style property with just 98 rooms, perfect for families with small kids. The intimate size of the hotel still packs in a great variety of restaurants and bars. I tried my first "mosquito" here and I'm hooked! An all-lobster menu at Blue and Mexican cuisine overlooking the sea at Chil plus Asian at Tainan means you're not sacrificing great food for a kid-friendly vacation. There's also La Mancha for healthy snacks and fresh smoothies. The star of the bar scene is Agavero Tequila Lounge, where over 30 varieties of tequila are served in an old 1800's cantina vibe complete with dark walls, red velvet banquettes and frozen bar top.
The kids will still have plenty to keep them happy. There is a kids club with more toys than you can imagine that are also available for you to 'check out' and play with in your room. Each restaurant has a kids menu so they can try some new things or stick to the old nuggets and mac&cheese. Gourmet Gerber baby food is also available for the little ones. One of my favorite features here is the beach picnics. You can select a menu that is brought out to your family on the beach. The best thing about each Azul is you don't have to bring a single piece of baby gear if you don't want to. They supply cribs, bottle warmers, changing tables, strollers, toys....whatever you need. You'll thank me for mentioning that when you're waiting in customs without all the junk ;-)

Azul Sensatori - We stayed here the entire week, so I can tell you this hotel is fabulous for kids! The Azulitos kids club here is the best equipped I have ever seen. It looks just like the pictures from their brochure. (rare) The place is always immaculate and everyone there is so friendly. Now, I saw some kids that definitely would have tried my patience, but the ladies there always kept a smile and handled them beautifully. That takes some very special people! There was always an activity going on, but interestingly enough just a few families seemed to participate. It never felt crowded and the kids were always busy with some activity if they wanted. You can also take toys from the lending library here. That xylophone in the pic followed us everywhere. The children's pool is just outside Azulitos with a mini slide and splash area. Even the bathrooms beside the pool were always spotless! I thought that was impossible.
Don't get the impression that Azul Sensatori is a kids free- for-all though. There is an adults only pool and bar. The family pool and children's facilities are tucked away on the side of the resort so it doesn't feel like you're at Disney on the beach. I was actually concerned when we first got there that I didn't see that many kids or hear any screaming, thinking "uh-oh my wild one is gonna be out of place here!" Even at over 90% occupancy the resort is so well laid out that it did not feel like the entire place was a playground.
6 gourmet restaurants sprinkled around offer cuisine from Italian to Caribbean. We of course tried them all =) Toys for the kids are at each restaurant if you need some help entertaining them while you enjoy your dinner. Spoon was my son's favorite for every meal. There is a kid size buffet there and plenty of windows to people watch. I can't pick one single restaurant that we like more than another. We enjoyed the variety at Tapaz and left stuffed. (I'd heard reviews about leaving there hungry, and I'm trying to figure out what these people are used to eating) I don't even remember how many times we went to Zocalo. They knew our names after 2 days. My husband always jokes that I must be part Mexican since it's my favorite food. The food here is not your typical corner restaurant Tex-Mex. It is gourmet and more authentic. Everything I tried was great. The Relleno I had here was a completely different interpretation of an old favorite and absolutely delicious!!! (That's Malcolm's finger in my plate..)
The adults-only restaurant Le Chique, was definitely an unforgettable experience. Familiar dishes are re-interpreted with different textures over a 12 course dinner. The pic to the left is shrimp cocktail. This was the only night we left the little one in Azulitos and almost forgot to pick him up! He was quite upset about being the last kid there, but excited about the movie and popcorn he got while we were gone.
The shows each night were always kid-friendly with an 'after-party' in the Mojito Bar for adults. I loved the Mayan show! The Micheal Jackson show was definitely better than Chris Brown's little tribute at the BET awards. I think a few guests were confused because they seem so excited to get the performer's autograph and picture after the show. Maybe it was the tequila...The Mojito Bar has over 30 different Mojito flavors and I did my best to sample them for this review. The servers around the show area remembered which ones I'd already had and suggested new ones. Amazing, with the number of people they were keeping up with.
The staff at Azul truly shines in the service arena. Just about everyone we passed offered up a friendly 'Hola!' all day and night. (Yes even the room service waiter at 2 a.m. was friendly) ...and not in a fake forced way. Side note: It really helps if you at least attempt some basic Spanish. Everyone here spoke English and it is not required, but it really helps you not look like a snobby American to try =) Here's where my time in Miami helped out again. 5 years of Cuban Spanglish enabled us to communicate pretty well with everyone and get some good practice. We surprised a few people when we understood their conversations and luckily didn't catch anyone talking about us. (Wish I could do that at the nail shop) A few days in my son was responding to simple questions in Spanish and counting everything in sight. How long would that take in a class?


Since this post is long enough to make up for the 3 months absence I'll continue El Dorado in another one...

Is a backlash coming against the airlines? I hope so!

Here's a link to an interesting article on 'disappearing fares' on airline and online agency sites. http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/03/05/disappearing.airfares/


The reporter seems pretty ill-informed for the most part with this surface article, but the comments are fascinating! They get pretty heated with people suspecting browser spying and bait and switch etc. Hmmm, yet so few people are actually willing to point the finger where it belongs, except this poster:

dda21
So many people make comments without any REAL FACTSmy family operates 4 walk-in agencies, we have contracts and we operate an online site. 17 yrs in the industry so let me try to make you guys understand.the airlines load fares to a company called ATPCO, the GDS(resevation systems) then update thier ...more
So many people make comments without any REAL FACTS

my family operates 4 walk-in agencies, we have contracts and we operate an online site. 17 yrs in the industry so let me try to make you guys understand.

the airlines load fares to a company called ATPCO, the GDS(resevation systems) then update thier system 3-6 times per day. these systems are the same for Online websites and your conrner agency - the 3 majors are are
1) Amadeus, 2) Worldspan, 3) Sabre

ALL and i sau ALL the online sites are powered by 1 of these. Actauly Sabre Owns Travelocity, which was created by American airlines so the results favors that airline. Sabre searches for lowest fare disregard connections.

Worldspan powers - Expedia, priceline, part of Orbitz and Cheaptickets and Hotwire
Amadeus powers - Cheapoair, allcheapfares, airfare.com

SO everyone is looking at the Same inventory, no matter where you are searching..there is no bait and Switch...considering we make no Money on the price of the fare. Sites make money on service fees, since 9/11 with airlines cut commissions. the contracts pay backeneds for volumes sales so It is actauly in the best intrest of the website to have lower fares to sell more...not higher fares..

the caching is correct in the article but almost ALL online website use this due to the load the internet has on servers so it is not a Industry practice..it is how the internet works.

the airlines have the control to remove and add inventroy as they please so NO corner agency or website is to blame. in fact i find it amazing how people want to pay nothing but want service as if they walk into a BMW dealership. online sites make 5-20 per sale if anything..when you figure in the marketing cost, personal, 800 #'s and servers. we persoanly have had our fees as low as $5 to compete for low fares...Online sites have conversions of 1% if we are lucky. So before anyone assumes...get your facts straight!


If I could find this person and give him or her a high five I would! I couldn't have said it better. The blame rests squarely on t he shoulders of the airlines. They are the ones that set prices. Agents, whether online or not, have absolutely NOTHING to do with this process. No one makes money off these tickets, but the airlines. So don't get mad at Travelocity or me because that fare changed in the last hour. Write your congressman about it and put some pressure on these airlines!

Fly or drive to the cruise?

Here's some snippets from a great article by Lyn Edwin Cathey – Network Travel Services with pros and cons of each.

‘Air/Sea’ packages are available – purchased through the cruise line. Your travel agent will handle this as part of a single transaction – the cruise and airfare combined. Or, your TA can arrange the flights separately. However, the “unbundled” option almost always results in greater choice and lower fares.

Or, how about loading the family the car and driving to the port of departure? With ships sailing out of many regional ports such as Galveston, New Orleans, Mobile, Charleston, New York, etc. – driving is becoming more and more of a viable option.

Always Plan for Contingencies

Unless yours is a very short flight, say Tampa to Miami, it is almost always best to schedule arrival at the port of departure a day or two prior to the ship’s sailing. Why? If you are late to the port for ANY reason, the ship is not going to wait. You will be on your own for all costs related to catching up with the ship at the first port stop. And the cruise line is not going to compensate you for days that you were not on board. The best strategy is to book a flight arriving the day before the ship sails, grab a hotel near the pier or in an area that would be fun to explore for half a day. Then sleep easy with the peace of mind that you are not likely to miss your ship. When returning to port for disembarkation allow for unexpected contingencies, such as a customs or immigration instigated delay in clearing the ship for one reason or another- or a weather related delay to the ship’s arrival in port, etc. A good rule of thumb – if you are catching a flight home on the same day the ship gets in, don’t schedule your departure any earlier than mid-afternoon; even if the ship is scheduled to arrive at 7am and the airport is only a stone’s throw away – such as in Ft. Lauderdale.

Working with a Traditional Travel Agent

Pros – Agents have the experience and resources to get it done quickly and can often save you money – even after paying the service fee. One issue to discuss with your TA – that there is some value in the marked up Air/Sea ticket purchased through the cruise line that is not apparent at first glance. Example: Transfers from the airport to ship (or hotel) and return are usually included – plus there is a minor insurance factor in that the cruise line will assist and cover the cost of getting you to the ship if you miss departure due to delayed flight arrival. This is not something they will do if you bought the airline ticket separately. Still, all things considered, we feel there is better value in booking the air on your own.

Cons – Just one, the standard agency service fee will apply to all non-commissionable purchases such as air tickets – generally from $30 to $50 per. Well worth the money in our estimation since a good TA will save both time and money in the long run.

Driving to the Port of Departure

Pros – Usually secure, fenced in parking is provided by the cruise lines at domestic ports of departure – sometimes even covered parking. The fee is usually reasonable – $10 to $20 per day. Plus, by driving rather than flying you not only save on airfare, you can pack EVERYTHING! Think you might want that polyester Nehru jacket for formal night? Just throw it in the suitcase. No need worry about schlepping too many bags, excess baggage surcharges, etc. Once at the pier you can always make several trips from the car to your cabin. Just tell those longshoremen giving you the Evil Eye that your spouse over-packed.

Cons – None that we can think of. Just don’t leave anything valuable in the car. Break-ins happen. Even in “secure” parking areas.

I don't use a travel agent

I'm always amused when I hear that statement. It's like saying I don't go to stores, grow my own vegetables and raise my own meat. Admirable, but highly unlikely.
When people say that, they usually follow up with 'I book online with...' Guess what ...(fill in the blank with your online retailer of choice) is a travel agency!

I just read a fascinating book called 'All Marketers are Liars' by Seth Godin. The concept is so simple. We buy things because of the way the lie makes us feel. We don't really need $100 sneakers, a Hyundai will get us from point A to B just as well as a Lexus, but it doesn't make us feel the same.

Online retailers have done a great job at creating their story. They appeal to the 'rugged individualism' of American consumers. We want to feel we're smarter, tougher, faster etc. than others and we can do anything! Well of course you can do anything, but how well can you do it? How much time does it take you to do it yourself?
Online retailers make you feel, you're really doing a DIY job on your vacation. You can sit and search for hours, waiting on that great deal to pounce on, learn all you can about which cruise line is right for you and happily book it yourself on pretendingnottobeanagency.com .
Just like you can learn how to change the oil in your car, do your own taxes, build your own house and on and on and on; while the rest of the world uses their free time to do something they actually like doing.

Celebrity Century 4 Day Review

Three or four day cruises are an excellent way to whet your appetite for cruising if you're not quite sure about being on a ship for a long time. Many people are skeptical about taking a cruise because they think they'll be bored or will feel constant motion like smaller boats they've been on in the past. If you haven't taken a cruise in 20 years things have changed tremendously!

While most people opt for Carnival or Royal Caribbean on a short cruise, Celebrity also offers a 4 day Western Caribbean itinerary. I've sailed with Celebrity previously on 7 day itineraries so I was anxious to see how different a short cruise would be with them. We didn't have time for a 7 day, I don't particularly like Carnival's food, so it came down to Royal, NCL or Celebrity. Since food is my top reason for cruising and we had been to all the ports offered on each we chose Celebrity Century. The ship sailed from Miami, visiting Key West and Cozumel before spending a day at sea on the way back to Miami.

If you're used to longer itineraries and newer ships you should be aware that short trips are usually on older ships with perhaps newer staff. If you're new to cruising you might not notice, but a veteran may miss some of the bells and whistles of newer vessels and seasoned crew members. I heard complaints from a few people about things they should have known before booking this cruise. (Tsk-tsk, at least do some research if you're booking online by yourself! Don't spoil other people's good time because you were being cheap) You know I'm all about managing expectations and knowing what to expect to get the most out of your vacation. Celebrity definitely has a more laid back relaxed atmosphere than the other lines would have on a 3 day trip. If you love the late night party atmosphere of Carnival this would not be the ship for you. The passenger demographic was a little younger thankfully than previous trips, but still a little older than you might find aboard Carnival or Royal. (We've always been the youngest people on board other Celebrity ships) The entertainment onbard was not as great as some of the longer cruises we've been on, but definitely adequate. There was a Broadway style show in the theater one night, comedian and acrobatic duo others. Musicians included a guitarist, jazz ensemble, party band and vocal quartet performing at various venues around the ship each day. We heard Franklin the guitarist the most. Somehow we managed to be wherever he was performing each day. He was great, but we got tired of hearing the same songs since we saw him s o many times. My son even stared at him so hard once he paused between verses and said 'He's not impressed'. Embarrassing, but kids are some of the most honest beings! We also found out midway through that this was the Soap Cruise. Several actors from CBS soaps were onboard hosting events and in port. I thought I saw Cassie from Guiding Light one day, but thought I was crazy till our breakfast mates the 2^nd morning told us about it. Once I started paying attention, I did notice several events around the ship and a few other actors. Josh from Guiding Light also was in front of us during the comedy show. I hear Cain from Young & the Restless was onbard as well, but I never did see him. That's one I wouldn't have minded checking out in person! Oh and Brad Carlton too! There was a fan who had tattoos of the Y&R stars on her back! Seriously! Now that's some dedication.

Since it has been a while since we did traditional fixed dining, we had mixed feelings about having to dress for dinner and sit with strangers. It ended up being the highlight of the cruise. We met some great people that we plan to keep in touch with. My son even met a little friend he keeps asking about. They were holding hands by the last morning and he still wants to talk to his 'friend on the ship'. Since we did Freestyle dining on Norwegian Jewel last time, we forgot how much fun it is to meet new people at dinner. We ended up with a great table and learned so much from our new friends from Canada, Russia and the U.K. Besides the food that is one of my other favorite parts of cruising. We American definitely need to get out of our comfort zones more and learn more about other cultures. Surprisingly most of the bartenders were Jamaican, on this ship. There were lots of Indian crew members and a few South Americans and Eastern Europeans. We had fun learning about the little cliques onboard. Isn't it funny how we humans always tend to separate ourselves?

We utilized the Fun Factory program a few times. I was too nervous at first to leave him alone, but after the first time he asked to go back to the 'playroom' and didn't even want to eat dinner with us. A daily schedule of activities is delivered to your stateroom so you know what they're doing all day. Some activities are in the room and others are around the ship. In addition to typical crafts and games, they had scavenger hunts, backstage theater and bridge tours and a trip to the ice cream parlor. Although we hit the ice cream everyday as a family, going with the Fun Factory seemed to be the highlight of his trip. Since this is low season (the ONLY time I cruise) the kids age groups were combined. It was not a problem however, since the older kids seemed to like helping with the younger ones. Although the Fun Factory

staff was excellent, I probably wouldn't take this ship again with young children because of the lack of water play areas for them. The two pools were quite small and 4- 6 feet deep. I didn't think it would be a problem, but we didn't want to get all the way in with him everyday since it was chilly a few days. Those times it would have been nice to have a splash or wading area for him to use without us having to get all the way in the pool.

Dinners in

the Main Dining Room were excellent as usual. Our head waiter, Rodrigo, was outstanding with the kids! He kept the pace of the meal up for my son and his new friend and even brought extra treats if he noticed they were getting antsy. Not once did he seem annoyed by having two preschoolers at the table.

Cruises are an excellent way to get a feel for the islands you may want to visit again in the Caribbean, or a way to see several European countries in one trip avoiding trains and multiple flights.

In April, I'll be doing a ship inspection of Carnival Fascination since I have not seen any of the Fantasy Class ships since the Evolutions of Fun refurbishments were done. I can't wait to see how they stack up now. In closing this trip on the Century hit the spot for a relaxing long weekend with great food and service. If you're looking for a short cruise try them out instead of Carnival!