We are all looking for something new to experience when it comes to travel or want to get there without having multiple stop or being forced to overnight along the way. Recently, Delta Airlines expanded seasonal service from JFK and Atlanta to the island of Antigua in the Caribbean. While this may not seem like a big deal, it really is. With this new expanded service we can no fly from Omaha to what is called the most romantic island in the Caribbean with just one change of planes in Atlanta. is there a catch, yes…the catch is that you will fly only on Saturdays. Which means you get to spend a week in paradise and experience one of the many beaches or try out the longest running BBQ in the Caribbean. Come check out this new destination and disconnect for a while.
H10 to open second resort in Punta Cana
Ocean by H10 Hotels is schedule to open its newest all inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic February 2019. The Ocean El Faro will be located on the large stretch of beach in the Uvero Alto region of Punta Cana. This family friendly resort will feature 5 swimming pools, 9 dining options (a 10th for Privilege guests), along with multiple bars including 5 swim up bars. It will offer its Daisy Kids Club for kids 4-12 and there is also a teen area for 13-17 year olds. If you like to keep active, there is a diving center, casino, bowling alley, and theater - so there you will find something for everyone!
Would you reserve entire all inclusive resort?
We all have dreams of being able to buy a private island or at least rent one for a vacation with family and friends. Maybe you are a company that does incentive trips and sometimes find it hard to choose a place or a place you can afford.
Now you have a way to “Buy Out” an all inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya/Tulum area of Mexico. Oasis Resorts is now allowing you to book the Oasis Tulum Lite as part of their new program. This resort has 60 rooms total on site and when you do buy out this resort - no outside guests are allowed. Plus you will also have some access to its sister property - Grand Oasis Tulum, which is a short 5 minute walk.
Hostels - Hilton style
Hilton Hotels is bringing on a new brand aimed on the hostel demographic. Hostels are not just for the poor college kids looking to explore Europe. There are many adults who prefer the in depth style of staying in a hostel along with the lower price point. They get to see more of the “real” country and get to meet people from other countries. Motto by Hilton will be local in the prime hostel cities while still offering a urban feel. They see how those who stay in hostels are looking for me but unfortunately, there are some limitations. One of the nice perks of this new model is that it will allow you to book linked or connecting rooms at once time especially when traveling with family. Now you can also split payment among your party which is something you can’t do with typical hotels.
Mexico Immigration Tourist Card - Now Online
Does this scenario sounds familiar to you...You are heading to Mexico for that much needed time away but just before you land the flight attendants walk down the aisle to hand you the immigration form to fill out. You are search for a pen or call dibs on the pen when then passenger next to you is done. Once you have the pen, hopefully you have all the information readily available and that you don't make an error.
Well, that is all changing! You can now fill out the immigration/tourist card online 30 days prior to your arrival.
I've provided two different links - one is the from the Mexican Immigration Department and the other is from the Cancun Airport. Forms look different but the end result is the same.
https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html
https://www.cancunairport.com/tourist-card.html
Here’s what you need to complete the form:
- Contact information
- Passport information
- Full Name of the Hotel in Mexico (Address is asked, but not required)
- Arrival flight information
- Email address to send you the Tourist Card
- A printer to print the Tourist Card
- Don't forget to sign the form!!
Dominican Republic Travel Update
The Dominican Republic is one of the hot spots for Caribbean travel. Price wise it is comparable to flying to Cancun, which is a huge draw for many. The only thing additional we had to do to was purchase a "tourist visa" to enter the country. It was a minimal cost of $10 per person but you had to either pay for it when you arrived along with the other passengers or until couple of years you could prepay it online then print it out to take on your trip.
It was just announced a few weeks ago that a change was made when it came to the tourist visa. Effective April 25, 2018, the Dominican Republic government allowed the cost of the tourist visa to be included in the ticket cost. You still need to show documentation but it has been advised that you will get your "paperwork" when you check in for your flight at the airport. So make sure that on day of departure you stop by the ticket counter to make sure you have your paperwork in order or you may be stuck back in line twice before you are allowed to leave the terminal.
New Tech Cruise Terminals in Florida
For those who cruise, the most time consuming part is getting on and off the ship. Many of the cruise terminals are old and outdated. In some cases barely able to accommodate the larger mega-ships that are at sea today.
Norwegian Cruise Line just broke ground on their new terminal at Port Miami which is scheduled to open in Fall 2019. This new terminal will be able to handle ships up to 5000 passengers and have state of the art technology which will support faster and more efficient embarkation and disembarkation, along with expedited security and luggage check in.
Recently, Royal Caribbean just finished with its new $247 million dollar terminal, also, at Port Miami Terminal A. It is scheduled to open in October and is set to host its Allure and Symphony of the Seas. Carnival Corporation also did a multi-million dollar renovation at its Ft. Lauderdale port at Terminal 2. This particular port hosts Princess Cruise Lines only. It boats a more streamlined design with a more interactive experience, which includes large LED TVs and a movie theather. These changes to bring cruise travel into the 21st centruy will make a big impact as we expect more renovations and buildings to come.
Carnival Corporation New Terminal Ft. Lauderdale
See Japan - Disney Style
For you Disney fans, you've all seen to Disneyland in Californai and DisneyWorld in Florida - but have you seen Japan - Disney Style? No? Well, now you can!! Adventures by Disney - the guided family tour side of Disney - has released Japan as part of their 2019 destinations. They have partnered with the Japan National Tourism Organization to create a trip that is both culturally authentic and deeply immersive. this 11-day, 10-night itinerary, travelers will visit Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama, Hakone and Tokyo. They will explore historical shrines and temples, such as Fushimi Inari Shrine, Sensoji Temple, Pure Water Temple, the Kamakura Daibutsu and Meiji Shrine.
Mandatory Evacuations on Big Island
Hawaii's Mt. Kilauea volcano has erupted on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was also reported that earthquakes could be felt proir to the eruption. One of the subdivisions has been ordered to evacuate, affecting over 1,800 people. In these areas, it has also been noted that there is very high levels of sulfur dioxide gas causing even more concern. Even one of the other nearby craters has colapsed causing even more earthquakes. Kilauea located at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has shut off this part of the park but the rest of the park is still open to the public, but is giving warning to those entering the park in case of the immediate need to evacuate.
More All Inclusive Resorts Coming to Mexico and the Caribbean
In the past couple of weeks, many resort parent companies have announced expansion plans.
Sunscape Resorts announced that they will be opening its fist property in Cancun on December 1, 2018. It will be names Sunscape Star Cancun situated between Puerto Cancun and Playa Mujeres. The Star concept is designed to offer clients an elevated level of service and amenities, along with its signature Unlimited Fun inclusions.
Playa Resorts not only went public in the last 30 days it also sealed a huge deal purchasing five large resorts in the Montego Bay and Ocho Rios area in Jamaica. The resorts it purchased was the Hilton Rose Hall, and all four Jewel properties - Dunn's River, Runaway Bay, Paradise Cove and Jamaica Grande. It currently operates two Panama Jack resorts in the Cancun/Rivera Maya area in Mexico, the two Hyatt properties in Jamaica, as well as the Sanctuary resort in the Cap Cana area in the Dominican Republic.
Temptation is expanding it's "sexy vacation" options as it released the news that is spending $70 million to build a new resort in the Dominican Republic, which is scheduled to open at the end of 2019. Temptation just recently reopened its Cancun location after a major renovation closed it for several months. It also announced it will be offering the first ever topless Temptation Caribbean Cruise out of Tampa schedule to set sail on February 13, 2020. There will be theme nights, VIP performance and celebrity DJ's on board.
Royalton Resorts is opening a new property in Cancun scheduled to open at the end of 2018 and another resort in Antigua in early 2019. The Cancun resort will offer oceanfront luxury suites and the first Royalton Rooftop SkyClub. Antigua will have very modern accommodation and situated on a private beach.
Sunscape Star Cancun