Here's a great travel tip to tuck away for your next cruise to St Martin Island in the Caribbean. If you are looking for free WiFi go the Greenhouse restaurant on the Dutch side of the island or St Maarten.
Have a couple of cold Carib beers while you are there!
Showing posts with label Royal Caribbean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royal Caribbean. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Celebrity Millinium - Great Cruise to Cozumel and Isla Roatan
We just returned from a great cruise aboard the Celebrity Millennium. Our ports of call were Isla Roatan and Cozumel.
Millennium next to the huge Oasis
The Celebrity Millennium will be undergoing an upgrade shortly It is currently a millennium class ship. There are for ships in this class.
Celebrity Cruise Line says; These four award-winning ships are visually stunning and superbly designed. Marvel at the expansive atrium that spans 11 decks. Soak in the sophisticated ambiance resplendent with teak and glass accents. Ride the glass elevator along the outside of the ship. Take in endless ocean views. Retreat to one of the most luxurious spa facilities at sea. Every detail is designed to capture the romantic exhilaration of travel.
It will be upgraded to a Solstice class. Celebrity describes this class as; The most stylish ships at sea. Each, a destination unto itself, offers more unique experiences, more restaurants, and an entirely new approach to stateroom design. Currently, there are three in this class, with our newest poised to premiere in 2012.
Having been to Isla Roatan before we wanted to delve into the countryside and island life more this time around. My wife, Sally, discovered a private tour company called Christopher Tours. Our one-on-one guide Charley met us just outside the gates at the cruise dock. He was great! We told him what we wanted to experience and he custom designed our day for us. We learned a lot about the political structure and history of Roatan as well as family life.
Beautiful panoramic mountaintop views Roatan
We had asked Charley to take us to his favorite lunch spot before the tour was over. We ended up at a great little restaurant. His cousin was the chef. We ate our huge bowls of excellent fish chowder right on the water. Our waiter gave us even more insight into the political structure of the two governors of the island. Great day, excellent company.
We do love Cozumel. After the hurricane hit a few years ago they have really recovered. It is really turning into a great cruise destination. The diving and snorkeling are exceptional. We always, always go to our dear friend Veronica's Cozumel Spa for the best massage treatments in the Caribbean.
Our dear friend Veronica at Cozumel Spa
Veronica was kind enough to take us to the beach for the day. Sally gave her daughter Dany a swimming lesson while they snorkeled looking for "big fish". It was a wonderful day. We can't wait to go back to this beautiful island and it's warm people.
Dany and Sally looking for "Big Fish"
Sunday, March 27, 2011
New Travel Sites
Well they have finally arrived! Our two new travel sites are finally live! For great information on vactioning and traveling to the Caribbean, Mexico and other beautiful spots in the world check out Caribbean Cruise Travel Guide
Caribbean Cruise Travel Guide is a dynamic interactive site loaded with information for you to learn more about this part of the world. But what's even better -- content pages are built into several pages where you can leave a post on your favorite cruise, beach, all inclusive resort and more. These content pages are very interactive and much like facebook! Other people can comment on your comments and you can choose to be notified by email, if you like, when someone comments on your review! How cool is that!
Here are a couple of examples for you to check out: Comments on Sandals White House Resort Jamaica or a review on Why Cruise! Read why Lynette loves cruises so much -- she's been on 23! Feel free to leave your own comments or even start your own new review!
Our second new trave site is very exciting and new in the travel industry! It is going to rival sites like Orbitz & Travelocity -- only better -- why? Because you can actually reach a real live personal travel agent! Check out SAND Travel to plan, shop or even book your own vacations now!
Caribbean Cruise Travel Guide is a dynamic interactive site loaded with information for you to learn more about this part of the world. But what's even better -- content pages are built into several pages where you can leave a post on your favorite cruise, beach, all inclusive resort and more. These content pages are very interactive and much like facebook! Other people can comment on your comments and you can choose to be notified by email, if you like, when someone comments on your review! How cool is that!
Here are a couple of examples for you to check out: Comments on Sandals White House Resort Jamaica or a review on Why Cruise! Read why Lynette loves cruises so much -- she's been on 23! Feel free to leave your own comments or even start your own new review!
Our second new trave site is very exciting and new in the travel industry! It is going to rival sites like Orbitz & Travelocity -- only better -- why? Because you can actually reach a real live personal travel agent! Check out SAND Travel to plan, shop or even book your own vacations now!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Save Money at Little Known Spas Mexican Riviera
My wife took a cruise on Royal Caribbean to the Mexican Riviera last October and came across to really great spas that were just too inexpensive to pass up.
Mazatlan
She and several of her traveling companions decided to check them both out while in port.
While in Mazatlan, Mexico they took taxies to the Aroma Spa. It is actually a massage school started by the world famous spa consultant Knute Berry.
The Aroma Spa is located at 320 Mariano Escobedo in Mazatlan about a block and a half west of Machado Square.
The place is a bit rustic compared to USA standards, but you are in Mexico go with it!
Most of the massage practitioners are female, although there are some males. Depending on the time of year you are there you can expect to pay from $15 – 25 US for an hour to an hour and half massage. I am a retired Licensed Massage Therapist and I can tell you these are amazing prices! You could easily pay from $80 – 125 US for the same service!
My wife and most of her friends went for an hour and a half massage and paid around $20 apiece. Not bad for walking in unannounced.
They have something called a twenty-finger massage that sounds interesting. Two practitioners work on you at the same time. It’s supposed to be very relaxing.
Check them out at http://www.aromaspa.ws/ I see they are running a special through December 1, 2009 and are giving away a free 30 minute massage! Looks like you have to email them for a certificate! Wish we were headed back there during that time instead of January 2010. I would add that on to the hour and half massage I already plan on getting! Yes I do love massages!
Travel tips here:
* Do pay cash and avoid credit card processing fees
* Do leave a decent tip as that’s how they make a little extra money
Puerto Vallarta
While in Puerto Vallarta my wife and a couple of friends were told to try out the Venus Sunshine Spa located in the marina close to the lighthouse.
Venus Sunshine Spa is probably more of what folks from the USA would be accustomed to. The prices are a bit more mainly because this is an actual spa and not a spa school.
You will be more in the old town portion which will get you away from all the tourist locations and vendors. In our book that’s very nice.
Expect to spend around $40-45 each for about an hour and 15 minute massage. This is still a great bargain based on US prices. Enjoy yourself and tell other cruisers about these great spots to relax and save some money!
She and several of her traveling companions decided to check them both out while in port.
While in Mazatlan, Mexico they took taxies to the Aroma Spa. It is actually a massage school started by the world famous spa consultant Knute Berry.
The Aroma Spa is located at 320 Mariano Escobedo in Mazatlan about a block and a half west of Machado Square.
The place is a bit rustic compared to USA standards, but you are in Mexico go with it!
Most of the massage practitioners are female, although there are some males. Depending on the time of year you are there you can expect to pay from $15 – 25 US for an hour to an hour and half massage. I am a retired Licensed Massage Therapist and I can tell you these are amazing prices! You could easily pay from $80 – 125 US for the same service!
My wife and most of her friends went for an hour and a half massage and paid around $20 apiece. Not bad for walking in unannounced.
They have something called a twenty-finger massage that sounds interesting. Two practitioners work on you at the same time. It’s supposed to be very relaxing.
Check them out at http://www.aromaspa.ws/ I see they are running a special through December 1, 2009 and are giving away a free 30 minute massage! Looks like you have to email them for a certificate! Wish we were headed back there during that time instead of January 2010. I would add that on to the hour and half massage I already plan on getting! Yes I do love massages!
Travel tips here:
* Do pay cash and avoid credit card processing fees
* Do leave a decent tip as that’s how they make a little extra money
While in Puerto Vallarta my wife and a couple of friends were told to try out the Venus Sunshine Spa located in the marina close to the lighthouse.
Venus Sunshine Spa is probably more of what folks from the USA would be accustomed to. The prices are a bit more mainly because this is an actual spa and not a spa school.
You will be more in the old town portion which will get you away from all the tourist locations and vendors. In our book that’s very nice.
Expect to spend around $40-45 each for about an hour and 15 minute massage. This is still a great bargain based on US prices. Enjoy yourself and tell other cruisers about these great spots to relax and save some money!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Bermuda as a Destination
Thinking about traveling to Bermuda? Here are a few tips, highlights and pictures from a group we escorted there.
Bermuda is a unique culture blended with a proper English tradition and dynamic lively African natives, American and Spanish Caribbean people.
If you are fortunate you will catch a performance by a local Gombey dance troupe. They are unique to the culture. Dressed in colorful hand made customs and until recently having no written form to pass along their dance and music it was taught to very young children to carry on the tradition. For more information on the Gombey dancers you can easily Google them.
Tips on transportation: if you come by cruise ship one of the best deals is to purchase from the excursion desk a two day transportation pass. We spent $20 apiece and were able to ride the pink public buses all over the islands as well as take the water ferries. It is by far the best way to get around the island. Do bear in mind since Bermuda was under British authority they drive on the non-American side of the rode. So you Americans traveling think of it like looking in a mirror. Your bus stops are on the opposite side of the road than you would normally think and the buses travel in the other direction! There are no sidewalks to speak of so don’t be surprised when you see a road crew member turn sideways and flatten against a wall to let a bus go by.
Another tip while traveling about, don’t just walk up to a Bermudian and ask a straight forward question. Make pleasantry’s first. As an example, don’t walk and ask, “Is this the bus that goes back to the cruise ship?” You may get ignored or you may get a lesson in Bermudian culture such as a come back, “Isn’t the sky blue today, isn’t it a beautiful day today?” Once you ask or answer that and are pleasant then ask away.
Bermuda is famous for its pink sand beaches. They really are pink! We rode the pink public buses to Elbow beach and spent a great afternoon exploring and walking. From there we hopped on and off the bus making our way back toward our cruise ship dock. We explored different bays and villages. We stopped at out of the way shops and had lunch overlooking a beautiful bay while sipping a local favorite rum drink called a Dark-n-Stormy! It consists of 2 oz of Gosling’s Black Seal rum and 4 oz of Ginger beer. Very refreshing!
Taxes are high in Bermuda. We found from conversations with locals that many of them will do major shopping on the U.S. mainland in order to save on taxes. Since we ate most of our meals onboard our Royal Caribbean cruise ship we were little affected by this.
You must be a Bermudian to own a car on the islands. There are no car rentals. You can however brave the roads on a rented Moped. The main reason for this is the limited road infrastructure.
Bermuda has no natural source of fresh drinking water. You will notice while traveling around the island beautiful well kept homes of all sizes with curious looking roofs. A very unique feature of Bermuda roofs has been their role in water supply. Water is collected on roofs where wedge shaped limestone glides are formed into sloping gutters. These divert rain water into larger gutters that lead into cisterns in the foundation. It is a fairly simple and ingenious system. Now they also convert seawater into drinkable water.
We escorted a group of 60 people on this cruise and all in all we had a great time on Bermuda. We would return again.
We have posted the Bermuda slideshow to the left. We have also posted a utube link so you may watch short video clips of Gombey Dancers in action. Click on each frame and its video will play for you.
If you are interested in booking travel to Bermuda you can find more information at www.sandtravel.com
Bermuda is a unique culture blended with a proper English tradition and dynamic lively African natives, American and Spanish Caribbean people.
If you are fortunate you will catch a performance by a local Gombey dance troupe. They are unique to the culture. Dressed in colorful hand made customs and until recently having no written form to pass along their dance and music it was taught to very young children to carry on the tradition. For more information on the Gombey dancers you can easily Google them.
Tips on transportation: if you come by cruise ship one of the best deals is to purchase from the excursion desk a two day transportation pass. We spent $20 apiece and were able to ride the pink public buses all over the islands as well as take the water ferries. It is by far the best way to get around the island. Do bear in mind since Bermuda was under British authority they drive on the non-American side of the rode. So you Americans traveling think of it like looking in a mirror. Your bus stops are on the opposite side of the road than you would normally think and the buses travel in the other direction! There are no sidewalks to speak of so don’t be surprised when you see a road crew member turn sideways and flatten against a wall to let a bus go by.
Another tip while traveling about, don’t just walk up to a Bermudian and ask a straight forward question. Make pleasantry’s first. As an example, don’t walk and ask, “Is this the bus that goes back to the cruise ship?” You may get ignored or you may get a lesson in Bermudian culture such as a come back, “Isn’t the sky blue today, isn’t it a beautiful day today?” Once you ask or answer that and are pleasant then ask away.
Bermuda is famous for its pink sand beaches. They really are pink! We rode the pink public buses to Elbow beach and spent a great afternoon exploring and walking. From there we hopped on and off the bus making our way back toward our cruise ship dock. We explored different bays and villages. We stopped at out of the way shops and had lunch overlooking a beautiful bay while sipping a local favorite rum drink called a Dark-n-Stormy! It consists of 2 oz of Gosling’s Black Seal rum and 4 oz of Ginger beer. Very refreshing!
Taxes are high in Bermuda. We found from conversations with locals that many of them will do major shopping on the U.S. mainland in order to save on taxes. Since we ate most of our meals onboard our Royal Caribbean cruise ship we were little affected by this.
You must be a Bermudian to own a car on the islands. There are no car rentals. You can however brave the roads on a rented Moped. The main reason for this is the limited road infrastructure.
Bermuda has no natural source of fresh drinking water. You will notice while traveling around the island beautiful well kept homes of all sizes with curious looking roofs. A very unique feature of Bermuda roofs has been their role in water supply. Water is collected on roofs where wedge shaped limestone glides are formed into sloping gutters. These divert rain water into larger gutters that lead into cisterns in the foundation. It is a fairly simple and ingenious system. Now they also convert seawater into drinkable water.
We escorted a group of 60 people on this cruise and all in all we had a great time on Bermuda. We would return again.
We have posted the Bermuda slideshow to the left. We have also posted a utube link so you may watch short video clips of Gombey Dancers in action. Click on each frame and its video will play for you.
If you are interested in booking travel to Bermuda you can find more information at www.sandtravel.com
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