Posts

When it comes to holiday magic, nobody does it better than Disney, and I am thrilled to announce the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park! The party kicks off on November 8th and runs through December 22nd. This separately ticketed event is scheduled on 24 select nights. Here’s what’s in store:

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration – a variety show Mickey and his pals at the Cinderella Castle stage

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks – castle projections, fireworks and seasonal songs

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade – Santa with Mickey Mouse and friends

Special treats – complimentary cookies and hot cocoa throughout the park

Jingle Cruise – the Jungle Cruise transformed with yuletide cheer

Holiday makeovers for some of your favorite attractions – Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and Mad Tea Party

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas – dance party on the Rockettower Plaza Stage

50th Anniversary celebration keepsakes and photo opportunities – themed for the holidays

Tickets are limited and go on sale on July 7th, so in between trips to the baseball field and the pool, you’ll want to check your calendar.

As they say, April showers bring May flowers and May brings . . . thoughts of Halloween. Not what you were thinking? Since May is halfway to Halloween, you might want to start thinking about it because Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this fall during their 50th Anniversary celebration.

Attendees are invited to wear their favorite costumes and enjoy exclusive entertainment, Disney villains, frightfully delicious menu items and more. New additions to this year’s party include event-exclusive step-in photo opportunities and a Halloween-themed 50th Anniversary celebration commemorative print on the reusable trick-or-treat bags.

Tickets go on sale May 18th and sell out quickly for this limited-capacity event. The fun begins in mid-August on 4 select nights. There are 13 dates in September and 18 nights in October, with the final party on Halloween night.

Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can begin purchasing tickets as early as May 12. Prices range from $109-$199.

While you may be enjoying the scent of spring blooms, take a few minutes to dream of pumpkin spice and buy your tickets before they sell out. We now return you to your regularly-scheduled springtime activities.

Royal Caribbean has made two major announcements regarding new ships! 

Everyone is familiar with ribbon-cutting ceremonies but have you ever seen a steel-cutting ceremony? In Saint-Nazaire, France, Royal Caribbean recently marked the official start of construction by cutting the first piece of steel for what will be Royal Caribbean’s sixth Oasis Class cruise ship. The ceremony took place at the shipyard where it will be built. And the name of this new ship? (Drum roll please) . . . Utopia of the Seas! Delivery of the new ship, which will have approximately 2,800 cabins,  is scheduled for the end of May 2024. Royal Caribbean has not yet announced where the ship will sail from or what itineraries she will visit.

The other big news is that the new Icon of the Seas will be homeported in Miami after she arrives in the United States. This brand new ship is the first in the new Icon Class, which Royal Caribbean has been very quiet about. The Icon of the Seas will make its debut in the UK market this summer and then head across the Atlantic to Miami. The International President and CEO stated that the ship will likely have some stops in New York or Boston during the East Coast transit. The cruise line has spent five years designing the ship, and while they haven’t disclosed many details, they are promising that this will be a game-changer for the cruising industry. 

Icon of the Seas will feature a combination of “tradition, evolution and revolution,” all elements from their iconic ships. Tradition refers to fan favorites of the brand that will always be found across the fleet. Evolution refers to improving elements that cruisers love, such as entertainment venues and waterslides. And finally, revolution elements are industry firsts and promise to “wow” their customers. I can’t wait until the details are made public! The Icon Class is the first class of new vessels since Royal Caribbean launched the first of its Quantum Class ships in 2014. Stay tuned . . .

Ah, Spring. The temperatures are getting warmer, the flowers are budding and the days are getting longer. It’s time to start thinking about Halloween. Wait, what??? That’s right. Select tickets and packages are on sale now for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort.

For a record-breaking 43 nights from September 2 through October 31, Universal Orlando Resort presents Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida. This is the perfect fall getaway and people are planning now! 

Hailed by fans as “nonstop scary awesomeness,” “absolutely terrifying” and “downright chilling,” Halloween Horror Nights is the pinnacle of immersive Halloween entertainment and has transformed fall travel into a “must do” for people around the globe. Season after season, the terror has no bounds as Universal Orlando pulls out all of the sinister stops to celebrate Halloween with a fearsome slate of festivities that not only come to life at the award-winning event – but also across the entire destination, from dining to hotel experiences and more.

Halloween Horror Nights 2022 will boast 10 new, movie-quality haunted houses inspired by everything from cinematic greats to unfathomable original abominations, five scare zones filled with hordes of gruesome creatures lunging from the shadows, and two outrageous live shows that will showcase compelling performances. And when you need a break from the scares, satiate your appetite with food and beverage inspired by the event’s haunts, shop the latest merchandise at highly themed retail locations, and enjoy the rides.

Single-night event tickets for Halloween Horror Nights are available now. There are various vacation packages available that include accommodations and one-night admission to the event. Or you might want to look at the “Get 2 Days Free with a 3-Day Ticket” offer that gives you five days of admission to all three Universal Orlando theme parks. Hotel guests get access to a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights gate for faster entry into the event. That is, if you want to be one of the first to enter a haunted house. Hmm.

If that’s not enough to feed your Halloween spirit, there are upgrades available for purchase. You can get a shared or private V.I.P. (actually, make that R.I.P.) guided walking tour with special entry into the haunted houses and other participating attractions. Prefer to see the inner workings of a haunted house? You can take a daytime lights-on V.I.P. tour of 3 or 6 haunted houses.

Obviously, Halloween Horror Nights is not for the faint of heart. It is recommended for children ages 13 and up and for adults who are looking to share the scares. If you’re already thinking about Fall Break, this is the time to plan your getaway to Universal Studios Florida. 

We all love new things, right? It’s exciting to learn about, see and experience them. What’s new with Princess? So many things! NEW summer sailings, NEW San Diego departures and a NEW homeport for Royal Princess in San Diego. Princess has been sailing the West Coast for more than 50 years, and they just continue to up their game each year.

New summer sailings: For the first time, Princess is offering week-long sailings that visit La Paz, along with more cruises to the California Coast and Hawaii.

New San Diego departures:  You now have more choices for close-to-home cruising with a variety of roundtrip sailings out of San Diego. Choose from an all new 7-day Baja Peninsula & Sea of Cortez cruise visiting Loreto, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas. Or venture further south all the way to Panama as Princess debuts their all new 20-day Central America & Mexican Riviera voyage.

New homeport for Royal Princess in San Francisco: Princess’s largest ship to homeport in San Francisco for the season will sail the California Coast, Hawaii and Mexico, including a new 11-day Mexican Riviera cruise with an overnight in Cabo San Lucas. More time for mariachis and margaritas!

Hawaii: Princess is the only cruise line that sails a full season roundtrip from the mainland, with a choice of roundtrip departures from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver, B.C. You’ll visit Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island with a More Ashore late-night stay in Honolulu on most sailings. For the ultimate South Pacific cruise, sail on the 28-day Hawaii, Tahiti & Samoa cruise to see the French Polynesian islands like Moorea, Bora Bora and more. 

California Coast: Cruise along the beautiful California coast, with ports in L.A., San Francisco, San Diego and Catalina. Or choose an itinerary that travels farther north to Astoria and Monterey. What a great way to explore California!

Whether you’re feeling the Aloha spirit, yearning for the Mexico experience, or looking to pair the perfect wine with the scenic beauty of California’s coastline, Princess and I are here for you. Let me help you pick the perfect itinerary for your vacation wishes.

When someone mentions Nintendo, what’s the first thing you think of? Mario in his blue overalls and red hat? Maybe it’s Kirby, Animal Crossing or your favorite Wii game. If your household is anything like mine, you have at least one person who plays Nintendo video games. If that’s the case, you are going to love this announcement! As they say, it’s a game changer (see what I did there?) Drum roll please . . . 

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, the innovative, immersive and highly-anticipated themed land, will open at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023, and will be the first SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to debut in the United States. The immersive land will be a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of the theme park, featuring a groundbreaking ride and interactive areas, to be enjoyed by the whole family. Themed shopping and dining will enhance the entire experience.

As the countdown begins, Universal Studios Hollywood will unveil a takeover of its popular Feature Presentation retail store, which will be themed with SUPER NINTENDO WORLD decor and gear. At the store, guests will have a chance to buy their favorite merchandise such as Mario and Luigi themed apparel and iconic character hats. A selection of plush characters, including Yoshi, Mario, Bowser and Luigi in a variety of sizes, will also be among the many fun items available for purchase.

Here’s a fun fact about Nintendo – it was founded in 1889 (no, that’s not a typo), and originally produced handmade playing cards. Since then, the company, which is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, has produced some of the most successful consoles and video games in the industry. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will be a great celebration of all that Nintendo has become and I can’t wait to see what they do!

Schedule a consultation today to book your trip to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023 to visit Super Nintendo World!

If Holbox Island, Mexico isn’t on your bucket list, you might want to consider adding it. Holbox (pronounced hol-bosh) is a small island just off the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is about two hours north of Cancun and is accessed by a ferry from the small town of Chiquila. 

It’s a tropical paradise where visitors can escape the mainland crowds of Tulum or Cancun.

The beauty of Holbox is in the simplicity, the nature and the slow rhythm it exists in. It is known for its crystal-clear blue waters, pristine beaches, no cars and no worries. It is a refreshing destination free from congestion and stress. 

Karisma, Punta Coco chose Holbox for their newest Margaritaville resort, which has just opened. Margaritaville St. Somewhere, which is absolutely stunning, lets you experience everything the island has to offer while enjoying their signature top-notch service and total luxury. With just 39 well-appointed suites, more than 26 miles of pristine, unspoiled beach, and the award-winning, easygoing luxury of Margaritaville, this new resort offers an intimate island escape that feels a world away from the everyday.

They offer two types of accommodations, ocean view rooms and swim up suites. All of the ocean view rooms feature stunning views of the sparkling turquoise sea and a balcony or glass-enclosed terrace, perfect for sipping early-morning coffee or enjoying cocktails during happy hour. The swim up suites are beautifully decorated and offer access to swim out to the main pool. The resort was designed with an open-air, boho-chic style.

The resort also features two gourmet restaurants and a swim-up bar featuring handcrafted cocktails, top shelf spirits, wine and beer. You can enjoy excursions that include scuba diving, fishing, seasonal whale shark swimming and more. Or stay onsite for shoreside volleyball, cornhole, cooking classes, bocce ball and unforgettable pool days. 

Margaritaville St. Somewhere in Holbox offers the ultimate island escape for everyone. Contact us today to book your next stay!

What could be more fun than spending a day at sea with all your favorite Pixar toys, monsters and heroes? Disney Cruise Lines is introducing their all-new Pixar Day at Sea aboard special sailings on the Disney Fantasy in early 2023.

Imagine being fully immersed in this day-long celebration with the characters from “Toy Story,” Monsters, Inc.,” “The Incredibles,” “Finding Nemo” and more!

Character Encounters. Pixar characters will be everywhere on the ship from morning until night, dancing, playing and interacting with guests. You’ll get the chance to see Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Bo Peep from “Toy Story”; Mike, Sulley and Boo from “Monsters, Inc.”; Joy and Sadness from “Inside Out”; and Dug and Russell from “Up.” And let’s not forget those incredible characters – Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone – all from “The Incredibles!”

Immersive Entertainment. In addition to encounters with the characters, guests will also enjoy immersive entertainment with them. You can help the Incredibles save the day in a new nighttime spectacular, join your favorite characters for a dance party bash or enjoy a first-of-its-kind theatrical experience that will bring to life the beloved story of Miguel and his family from “Coco” through live music and puppetry.

Dining Filled with Character. It wouldn’t be a Disney cruise without magical dining experiences. A new, interactive character dining experience hosted by Sheriff Woody, Jesse and Bullseye will kick-start the day with sing-a-longs, cowboy serenades and all the country breakfast fixins. You can enjoy a Pixar-themed dinner or immerse yourself in undersea magic while dining in Animator’s Palate with visits from some of your favorite “Finding Nemo” friends, including interactive conversations with Crush.

Pixar Day at Sea will be included on nine select Disney Fantasy cruises from January through March 2023, departing from  Port Canaveral, Florida. Itineraries include the eastern and western Caribbean, with every cruise including a visit to Disney’s private island oasis, Castaway Cay.

Contact us today to reserve your sailing and experience Pixar Day at Sea for yourself!

If you have ever been on a cruise, you’re familiar with the day at sea. There are various games and activities offered throughout the day along with that coveted pool time. Disney Cruise Line takes the day at sea one step further with their Marvel Day at Sea.

This is great news for Marvel fans looking for an epic vacation in early 2023, and for the first time ever, the largest assembly of Marvel Super Heroes and Villains on one ship will be sailing out of Miami on the Disney Dream! This day-long celebration on select five-night Caribbean cruises features encounters with some of Guests’ favorite Marvel Super Heroes, action-packed entertainment and Marvel-themed activities designed for the whole family to enjoy. 

Don’t worry if the entire family isn’t interested in Marvel. With Broadway-style shows, themed dining, activities for every member of the family and Disney’s classic service and attention to detail, there truly is something for everyone.

The Marvel Day at Sea itineraries include Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas. These special cruises set sail in January, February and March, 2023, and are available for booking now.

To book your Marvel Day at Sea, contact us today!

Sandals Resorts have long been known as the pinnacle in luxury Caribbean all-inclusive vacations for couples.  Each offers stunning beachfront settings, luxurious accommodations and the many features that make the Sandals experience a Luxury Included® experience. 

The Sandals Royal Bahamian has recently been reimagined and is now offering all new swim-up suites, renovated rooms and suites, 10 restaurants, 3 new food trucks, all new Coconut Grove and the reimagined Sandals Barefoot Cay, their own private island just minutes away from the resort.

Swim-Up Suites. Step from the comfort of your luxurious room right into a gently flowing river pool from a zero-entry platform in your oversized patio.Butler service and exclusive VIP airport transfers are included with this room category.

Renovated Rooms & Suites. In these newly renovated accommodations, you’ll enjoy stylish new furnishings, lavish spa-style bathrooms and oversized terraces and balconies that overlook the ocean.

10 Restaurants & 3 Food Trucks. With 13 dining options, you’re sure to satisfy all your culinary cravings. Six of the ten restaurants are new, offering French cuisine, a British pub, steaks, Pan Caribbean, sushi and fresh seafood. At the food trucks, you’ll find grab and go sweets, coffee, tacos, seafood and Italian classics.

Coconut Grove. This brand new beach club, where you can lounge, dine and play, is a Sandals first. Relax during the day under the shade of the palm trees and join the party at night with live entertainment. Coconut Grove is where you’ll find the food trucks.

Barefoot Cay. With this private island, you’ll feel like you’re enjoying 2 resorts for the price of 1. Barefoot Cay has two secluded beaches where you can relax, go for a swim or explore the Bahamas’ best snorkeling. Throughout the chic Beach Club, you’ll find a pool, whirlpool, swim-up bar, shaded hammocks, private cabanas, a Zen garden with firepit seating and the region’s best seafood house. A short cruise on the Love Runner will have you there in no time.

Sandals Royal Bahamian is located in Nassau, which is conveniently located just a short flight away with nonstop service from many major U.S. cities. Although it’s a quick trip, you will feel like you’re a million miles away with the resort’s easy-going beach lifestyle and irresistibly soothing charm. 

Want to be on the beach by noon? No problem. With the resort’s new Breakaway service, arriving early just means more time to enjoy your vacation. Upon arrival, the Breakaway hostess will greet you with a delicious cocktail, and with a quick change into comfortable clothes,you’ll head straight to the beach or swim-up pool bar and leave the Sandals team to take care of everything else. 

There’s no better time to get away to the Bahamas, and Sandals Royal Bahamian will bring a redefined luxury experience to your next getaway. Let’s book your stay today!