Vacation Packing

I love to go on vacation....but I hate to pack. Tomorrow afternoon, we leave the cold and snow of Tennessee (sounds weird to say that, but this winter has been that way) and head to the sunshine of south Florida. Saturday morning, we head to the Port of Miami to board the Norwegian Epic.

This is a trip my wife and I have looked forward to for a long time, since before the Epic arrived on the scene last year. We can't wait to see the Blue Man Group again (for the 3rd time), the Cirque dinner show, and have a drink in the Ice Bar.

However....before we can leave, we have to pack. I always feel like I pack too much. But, I always think I have to have this or that item of clothing. I was reading about someone who was thinking of doing a week-long cruise with only a carry-on bag. I would love to try that sometime. As it is, I think we are looking at 4 suitcases (I let my daughter proofread this and she yelled at us for taking 4 suitcases. Lisa is defending it because she has to have 1 case for shoes, 1 case for water, and a hanging bag.) for this week-long trip for the 2 of us. One of them is probably going to be filled with water & Diet Coke because Lisa can't go for a week without her bottled water.

Well, I guess the suitcases aren't going to pack themselves. I must get them done tonight so we can be ready to head to the airport. I will try to do some blogging from the ship if I get a chance. If not, I will definitely have some stories from this trip. See everyone when we get back.

One of my favorite resorts: El Dorado Seaside Suites

Last August, Lisa and I had the chance to spend a day at the El Dorado Seaside Suites in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. There has been a lot of bad press around Mexico. All of the issues Mexico is having is away from the Yucatan peninsula. The Yucatan is the area of Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

Normally, when you think of Cancun, you think party. And for Cancun, you are right. However, the farther you move south of Cancun, the less party atmosphere you find. El Dorado Seaside Suites is a perfect getaway for a Honeymoon couple, a destination wedding, or a couple looking to escape from the day to day grind of their normal lives.

In a world of megaresorts, this 240 room upscale resort has an intimate feel and is one of the most romantic resorts in the world. The accommodations run the gamut from Jr Suites to Swim-up suites to the exclusive Presidential Villa. All of the rooms are lavishly decorated and include a full bar setup. El Dorado is a 'Gourmet Inclusive' property, so all of the food, drink, tips, non-motorized watersports and more is included in your price. Once you arrive, you can put your money away.

The food is amazing, from lunch on the beach to a full gourmet dinner in the dining room, you definitely won't be hungry. You will definitely find something for your palate at one of the 6 restaurants and something to wet your whistle at the 4 land-based bars and 2 swim-up bars.

The main pool is a decent size with private palapas surrounding it and an outdoor massage venue is available. Outdoor beds and loungers dot the property, both along the long beach and in the gardens. The water is stunning. While we were there, we were even able to see turtle nests along the shore.

Since this is an adults-only property, this resort is perfect the for couple wanting to reconnect. It would also be an excellent destination for singles looking for something other than the party scene. Of course, a Honeymoon or Destination Wedding would be amazing at El Dorado Seaside Suites.

I highly recommend this property to all of my clients looking at an adults-only all-inclusive resort. To see more of our pictures from our visit to the resort, check out my photo gallery at: http://photos.cruznmoretravel.com/GalleryThumbnails.aspx?gallery=544870

Disney Dreams & Memories

The Disney Dream

As a Travel Agent, it helps to have a specialty. One of the niches I work within is Disney. As an Authorized EarMarked Disney Vacation Planner, I have had to work through knowledge training to help me be familiar with what Disney has to offer. However, the Disney memories are much more evocative than any training ever could be.

Today, I watched the christening of the new Disney Dream. I actually began waiting on the webcast about 15-20 minutes before. They had all of the Disney songs playing to help people pass the time. The images that went through my mind were all of fun and family. Even as an almost 50 year old man, I can enjoy all that Disney has to offer. I am looking forward to the day when I can take grandchildren and help them experience their first taste of Disney up close.

We all can be children again whenever we visit a Disney property or step on a Disney cruiseship. You can start planning your vacation at Cruznmores Magical Disney. You can also take a look at some of the memories from our 2009 trip to Disney at Cruznmore's Disney Photos.

Why we love to cruise...

Norwegian Jewel Docked in Roatan, Honduras

A lot of our friends don't understand why we love to go on so many cruises. At the end of this month, we will be heading out for cruise number 6. This time on the Norwegian Epic. What's interesting is that in all of these cruises, we have only visited the same port twice. Nassau (this will be our 3rd visit there on this cruise) and Calica (Playa del Carmen) in Mexico.

On these 6 trips, lasting from 3 to 7 nights, we have been able to visit the Bahamas (Nassau and Coco Cay), Key West, Mexico (Cozumel, Calica, Costa Maya), Belize, Honduras, St Maarten, and St Thomas. The great thing about this is that we were able to unpack and pack only once on each trip. We experienced the cultures of 7 different countries and explored the adventures each has to offer.

Mayan Ruins of Altun Ha, Belize

We have snorkeled in turquoise waters, explored ancient Mayan ruins, kayaked in the Caribbean Sea, explored the Isle of Roatan, relaxed in our own palapa enjoying the sun and sand, shopped in exotic locales, been pickpocketed by monkeys, surrounded by butterflies, and more.

That doesn't include the sea days. Lisa has discovered she loves the heated lounge chairs in the spa. We both enjoy the shows and fast-paced action on the ship. You can do it all or do nothing at all. Each cruise line is different, from formal to freestyle, from party to educational, and everything in between. You can be active or just lay by the pool, it is all up to you.

Oh, and I didn't mention the food. As much as you want, whenever you want. Casual fare or fine dining, again the choice is yours.

Why do we cruise? We get a chance in a week to visit multiple locations on a floating resort. We have our own little part of the ocean where we can kick back, be ourselves, and relax. We'll keep on cruising, there are a lot of ports left to explore. Could Europe be in our future? I hope so. :)

Ready to plan your adventure? Check out my cruise page: Search for a cruise or Email me for more information.

2011 Travel Trends

We are 12 days in to 2011. Lisa and I have been talking about what we are going to do for travel this year, and I have talked to many others that are doing the same. Where are the best values going to be this year? Where can you get the best bang for your hard-earned dollars?

If you are looking at staying in the US, think about the places that have been hit the hardest by the recession. Las Vegas, Arizona, California all are offering great values this year. They are doing everything they can to get visitors back and the get tourism trade moving again.

If you are wanting to move out of the states and open your eyes to new cultures think about Mexico. I know that there has been a lot of bad press. There are major problems in parts of Mexico. Those aren't the areas I would ever send a client. However, Cancun, Playa del Carmen (Riviera Maya), and Cozumel are all unaffected by the problems in other parts of the country.

Of course, a cruise is a great way to see many locations in the same trip without ever having to unpack. New ships are like floating cities. Disney has a new ship the Dream, Royal Caribbean just launched the sister ship to Oasis, the Allure, and Norwegian has the Epic.

Wherever you want to go, we can help you get there. Make 2011 a banner year for some new adventures. Looking for more information on Travel Trends and affordable locales? Check these links: 10 great places for travel bargains in 2011 and What travelers can expect in 2011.

Your Adventure is Our Passion

View from our palapa at the Mayachan Beach
Resort , Costa Maya, Mexico

As a child, I remember our family vacations. There were a couple of major 'road trip' type vacations. We lived in Illinois and mom and dad would rent an RV and we would go. One time, we took a trip through the northern plains: Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, the Dakotas. Another trip was down into Texas and across into Mexico for a short visit. Another we traveled all the way to California, seeing the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and all the other sites along the way. Those were vacations that gave me a love of travel, of the open road, of seeing new places.

I also remember the visits to family. There were a lot more of those, traveling to my grandparents, visiting with other family members. You know, the things you just love to to as a kid. :) Even with those, there was the sense of adventure, the going someplace, even if you have been there before.

It is that sense of adventure that I love to help others discover. That is why I became a Travel Agent. That is why I have a sense of joy when I am able to help someone else experience a new adventure. That is why the motto of Cruznmore Travel is 'You Adventure is Our Passion.'

When are you ready for your next adventure?

Wayne Swafford, Cruznmore Travel