I had the pleasure of doing a ship inspection to see various room categories along with other areas of the ship to share with you!  We will start with entering the ship. When you walk into the elevator on the floor it will show you the day of the week it is not that you want to remember!  Your on vacation!

Presidental Suite that holds 14 people-4 bedrooms,2 bedrooms that have pullman beds, living room, patio with bar and table.

The Liberty of the Sea has plenty for you to enjoy while you enjoy your 7 day cruise. If you are wanting to try cruising or have a group you need help with reach out to Experience Travelin and we will be glad to assist you. Ship schedules are out 15 months in advance.

Please be advised as you travel to the Riviera Maya area there is a new tax. Not all hotels are implementing the same way, but they may be asked to pay a small amount upon check out.  The official statement is below. The exchange rate was 17 pesos : $1, so the tax is about $1.15 per day per room.
 
Official communication:
 
“The Municipalidad of Solidaridad in the Riviera Maya is one of the most beautiful places in the Mexican Caribbean.  Tourism has been instrumental in driving the economic and social development of the region.
In an effort to continue to preserve, conserve and beautify the destination, the Municipality of Solidaridad has implemented a small environmental levy on visitors effective September 1, 2017. 
Hotels will collect 20 Mexican pesos per room per day on check out; the proceeds will be deposited in an environmental trust to fund local projects.The Municipalidad of Solidaridad thanks you for your understanding and support of this worthwhile endeavor. 

Cuba is a meeting of people and cultures. I had the pleasure of experiencing 3 ports in Cuba.  This is definitely a great opportunity for people to experience since US travelers have not been able to travel to Cuba for more than 50 years. You do have to have a current passport and a visa to visit Cuba.

While in Cuba you are able to immerse yourself in the history, culture and people to people connections. The first port of exploring was Havana, the capital of Cuba. The local currency is the Cuban CUC. The money will have monuments/memorials on it. This is important when getting currency.  You don't want to confuse it with the CUP which has pictures of Cuban heroes on it. There was much excitement from the locals when we arrivedvia ship. They were happy to share with us what they did for a living. There were many artists with original works of art, musicians that enjoyed playing their Cuban rumba which was very entertaining, as well as the Cuban cuisine. One of the main objectives for most travelers when they get to Havana, Cuba is to be able to ride in one of the old Chevy cars.  It was interesting to find out that in order to keep many of cars running they had to use parts from other types of vehicles. Many locals don't have cars.

While exploring Havana ​we learned that each home is rationed for food and water even if they raise their own food source. Their healthcare is free. The homes they live in house many generations of family members as homes are expensive. Cubans can't have weapons, knives, machetes, etc. Could you imagine what the US would be like if we couldn't have any weapons?

When you first come off the cruise port into Havana you will come upon this Basilica and Monastery. Today the church, with its excellent acoustics, is one of Havana’s finest concert hall for the classical, choral and contemporary concerts.  It is also where many of the aristocrats of the 17th and 18th century lie.

​One of the people to people connections we had was learning how young deaf adults such as high school age and older were taught cosmetology.  It is a 2 year program.  It allowed them to learn and if they wanted to they could work for someone else or open their own business once they completed the program. The owner of El Fiagro Havana is the one in charge of the cosmetology program and had the opportunity to talk to Obama for a quick few minutes when he arrived in Cuba. They have the oldest barbershop in Cuba. The food at El Figaro is worth a try as well. One requirement while in Cuba is that you have to document who you interacted with and what you talked about and keep for up to 7 years. The people to people connection is a requirement to visit Cuba.  It is not just to be able to vacation there. As US citizens we have guidelines to follow.

​Another people to people connection we had was meeting the family of a family owned restaurant at La Moneda Cuban. The food was excellent!

​Lobster and rice with a Cuban sangria

Do you like chocolate? Well you have to try the Cuban chocolate. You won't be diappointed.

Ernest Hemmingway's place was interesting to see. While driving through the town you could see that things were run down on our way to Hemmingway's home. Here are some pictures from Hemmingway's place.

​There are so many reasons to choose St Lucia as your Caribbean destination for romance or adventure. Saint Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean island nation with a pair of fabulous mountains, the Pitons, on its west coast. The capital, Castries, is a popular cruise port.
Saint Lucia is the perfect destination, whether you're after romance, rejuvenation or adventure. A genuine, natural landscape of gorgeous palm-fringed beaches, miles of unspoiled rainforest and the majestic Piton Mountains, are sure to indulge every taste. Natural waterfalls, breath-taking views, friendly locals and authentic culture impress the most travelled individuals for a holiday with lasting memories.
In this paradise island one of the top resorts to stay at is Jade Mountain.  It is  St. Lucia’s most romantic luxury resort.  Rising majestically above the 600 acre beach front resort of Anse Chastanet.  You can enjoy the beautiful views from your infinity pool sanctuary of the Pitons and the Caribbean sea with the sanctuary being opened with the 4th wall absent.  You can enjoy sunset cocktails or star-gazing in the Celestial Terrace which hovers in space above the Jade Mountain Club.  There are restaurants, bars, boutiques, art galleries, spa, scuba, bike and watersports facilities along with 2 sand beaches to enjoy.

August is Chocolate Heritage Month.  Enjoy spa treatments and food all in the name of chocolate. Sample yummy "choc-tails," explore the old cocoa plantations or try specialty tasting menus.

Check it out!  Click on the picture! With summer here it is a great time for families to connect and plan activities. Consider planning your holiday and 2018 getaways now. Contact Experience Travelin for more guidance. info@experiencetravelin.com or 512.355.1817

​Click on photo for more information.

1. Patience is Important - Don’t sweat what you can’t control.  No need to get angry and upset. Life is too short. If your plane is delayed there will be another one. If you missed your bus, there will be another one.
2. Wake Up Early - Be the first to see the beautiful sunrise while there is no crowd around. Enjoy your coffee peacefully viewing the sites before everyone starts their day.
3. Meet Locals​ - While traveling, meet the locals to really help you understand their culture. English is widely spoken throughout the world. People enrich your lives. If they smile say “Hello.” If you are offered the opportunity to learn how they make something to make a living let them show you so you can learn. It could be weaving things to make hats, pasta, pastries, art, music, etc. This is a great way to connect and have a great experience.                                                

4. Back Up Everything - Depending on the trip you are taking, consider the following:  If you lose your phone make sure you have your photos and documents backed up in Dropbox, iCloud, Evernote, or an external drive.  Make sure you have a few copies of your passport, credit cards, driver’s license, birth certificate, serial numbers of items and important phone numbers for emergencies.  For example: keep a copy at home where a relative can access them easily if needed, keep another with you stored hidden in your suitcase amongst your clothes or in a travel belt that you wear. For more security place a piece of tin foil around your credit cards so if you get bumped they can’t snag your information.
5. Only take what you need - Many think you must take your closet with you when you travel. That is not the case. Take clothes that are interchangeable with others. Mix up your shorts, pants and tops, make sure your outfits will go with only 2 pairs of shoes and roll things up tight before placing them in your suitcase or backpack. This will allow more room. If you bring back souvenirs consider wrapping them up in your clothes to save on checking in another bag. 

6. Insurance - Insurance is a must.  We never plan to get sick, injured or have anything stolen while traveling. Things to consider when buying insurance: Will you be carrying a lot of expensive stuff with you? Do you have any pre-existing conditions?  Health Insurance-Does it cover accidents, injuries, and hospital visits? Medical Evacuation Insurance-Coverage for you being transported to a hospital for treatment. Trip Cancelation Insurance-Unexpected interruptions. Baggage/Property Insurance-lost, stolen or damaged.
7. Take lots of photos - It is important to take photos while you travel. Many may only travel to the destination once so you want to remember what you did, who you saw, who you talked to, etc. so consider taking notes as you go along.  You can use Evernote for journaling if you don’t want to use pen and paper.  

8. Have Fun! - Explore what the destination has to offer. Don’t make your schedule so tight that you can’t enjoy it and you feel rushed. Slow down so you can take as much as you can in. This will give you a better overall experience.  Get off the beaten path and explore some local food, music, art, etc. 

 Costa Rica is a great destination for those that like nature, wild life and adventure. Costa Rica offers so much for everyone. Here is an article that will share some of that with you and a video.