Important Health Advisory for Travel
January has been an interesting month in the travel world. We’ve had enough weather issues to last us a while, airlines have changed their loyalty programs and other policies, new resorts announced, new cruise ships announced, and of course some really great promotions for you! Also, January brought us an important travel health advisory warning. This warning is geared specifically for pregnant or potentially pregnant travelers, but is important for all travelers. Please note, I am not sending this to scare anyone, but I feel you should be informed about the latest travel related information. I also choose to provide you with accurate information via reliable sources. This information is being widely discussed on social media and some of the facts are being widely distorted.
On January 15, 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) upgraded their Zika virus travel health notice to “Alert Level 2”, (Practice Enhanced Precautions) with specific affected areas of the Caribbean and Central and South America. You may have received our previous communication providing this information. As of January 26th, the CDC notice now includes the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the affected areas. For the most up-to-date information on the Zika virus and countries affected, please visit the website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
Zika virus is spread primarily through mosquitoes, which mainly bite during daytime hours. It is not transmitted from person to person. Symptoms of Zika typically develop 3-12 days after being bitten and may include fever, headache, skin rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from 2-7 days and most people who contract Zika experience no symptoms at all. Comprehensive health information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html.
There has been a recent increase in poor pregnancy outcomes among mothers who contracted Zika during pregnancy. These cases are being reported in areas where Zika virus outbreaks have occurred. Knowledge of the link between Zika and these outcomes is still developing. For this reason, the CDC Advisory particularly impacts women who are pregnant and women who are trying to become pregnant.
The CDC advisory recommends that women who are pregnant in any trimester consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. If pregnant women do opt to travel to Zika affected areas, the CDC recommends talking to their healthcare provider in advance and strictly follows steps to avoid mosquito bites during their trip. Specific guidance for women who are trying to become pregnant is also included in the CDC advisory. More information can be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/question-answers.html.
There is no vaccine to prevent Zika Fever however individuals can reduce their risk of contracting Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses by following these steps:
• Apply insect repellent which contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535.
• If both sunscreen and insect repellent is used, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent.
• Repellent is available for purchase from the shops on board.
• Wear a loose, long-sleeved shirt and long pants, preferably of a light color to minimize the likelihood of being bitten.
Please note, the only advisory for postponing travel is for pregnant woman. If you are pregnant and scheduled to travel to an affected area, please review the information and discuss with your healthcare provider.
Again, this information is not meant to scare you! It is meant to inform you and provide you with the tools to make informed decisions and take appropriate precautions.
I hope January was an amazing start to 2016 for you! Look out February, here we come!
Happy Travels
Kelley
2016 Travel Trends
Kelley
Back to Jamaica !!
Happy travels.
Kelley
Protect Yourself and be healthy !!
I am often asked how people can protect themselves from getting sick when traveling. My first concern is always for your safety and well-being. I will never recommend areas or resorts that I feel are unsafe or that I would not travel to personally. If you have any health concerns, please make sure to advise me when we are in the planning process, or prior to travel so you we can manage any situation!
One thing to remember (and this is on every one of my confirmation invoices I provide) is that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the proper travel documentation (passports, visas, identification, vaccinations, etc.) in order to travel abroad. Did you notice that word vaccinations? Too often people always overlook this and think it doesn’t pertain to them or their destination. In most cases you are right – it doesn’t. However, the CDC is constantly updating their information with regards to required or recommended vaccinations for any destination you may travel to. Please note there is a difference between a requirement and a recommendation. For a requirement, it is just that – and you will have to show proof before being allowed to enter the country. Recommendations are just that, general wide scope recommendations. For any questions regarding the recommendations, you should consult with your physician to see if the recommendation applies to you in your health assessment. Often times, the recommendations will not apply to you based on your overall health.
Many times people will get sick when traveling and assume they have food poisoning. True food poisoning is actually quite rare in the more mainstream tourist destinations or on cruise ships. Often times it is your body reacting to unfamiliar or excessive foods (especially when combined with alcohol), or different bacteria or pesticides. It can also be an indicator there is something more serious going on. There are ways you can protect yourself when traveling. The two biggest ways you can protect yourself are through eating safe foods and personal hygiene. The other way is by working with a travel professional that visits the resorts on a routine basis and knows the practices at each resort. Did you know that most of the resorts I recommend use only bottled and treated water throughout the entire resort?
Eating safe foods such as those that are cooked and served hot is one recommendation. If you don’t know the food source, you want to make sure your eggs are hard cooked or cooked thoroughly, and that you are consuming pasteurized dairy products. If you are working with a good travel professional, they will have good insight for you on this type of thing. (Did you know some resorts actually have their own greenhouses and grow their own produce?) There are some general recommendations – but these will vary slightly based on the destination and health concerns. If you are at a good quality resort (this is where value comes in to play and not necessarily just price!), or on a cruise ship, the recommendations will be slightly altered. The recommendations below should definitely be followed if you are eating out side of your resort or in a port of call!
Some general recommendations of foods not to eat:
Food served at room temperature
Food from street vendors
Raw or soft-cooked (think runny) eggs
Unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits or vegetables (if you want these – please make sure to wash them!)
Peelings from fruits or veggies
Condiments made from fresh ingredients if you don’t know or trust the food source
Salads
Unpasteurized dairy products
“Bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, or other wild game)
Drinking safe beverages is also important. While most of the better resorts only use bottled or filtered water, it is always best to ask about the water source! I only recommend resorts that use bottled or filtered water, but believe it or not, some people choose not to take my recommendations!
Don’t forget about the ice! Ice is water! You need to know if the ice cubes are made from filtered water or tap water. If tap water – stay away! Personally, I don’t use ice at all when I am traveling, no matter where I am going. The safe beverages are generally bottled water (that is sealed or opened in front of you), water that has been disinfected (boiled, filtered, treated), ice made with boiled or disinfected water, carbonated drinks, hot coffee or tea, and pasteurized milk.
Drinks to avoid include:
Tap or Well water (Don’t even brush your teeth with it if it is not treated!)
Ice made with tap or well water
Drinks made with tap or well water (such as reconstituted juices or iced tea)
Open market drinks made with fresh fruit pulp
Flavored ice and popsicles
Unpasteurized milk
Personal hygiene cannot be understated here! You hear it all of the time “wash your hands” – but do you do it? You should wash your hands often and with soap whenever possible. If soap is not available, make sure you clean your hands with sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth unless your hands are clean. Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
One other hint – if you have ever been on a flight and they give you a hot / warm towel before you eat or land – Don’t use that to wipe your face!! Those towels can be a breeding ground for bacteria! Use those towels to wipe your hands (but don’t touch your face!), and clean the tray table you will be using.
If you have any questions regarding health concerns in the area you are visiting, I encourage you to visit with your doctor to determine if you need any vaccinations or if following a few simple precautions will be all you need. Most of the time, just following simple precautions is all you need to have a safe and healthy vacation experience!
Happy Travels!
Excellence Playa de Mujeres – a review
My Clients Services Administrator was kind enough to share her memories and give you a great overview of her recent experience at one of my favorite all-inclusive resorts in the Cancun area.
When Irish eyes are smiling !!!
Can you believe that it is March ????!!!! The year is absolutely flying. We celebrate St.Patrick’s day in March and in honor of that, I wanted to do a newsletter about The Emerald Isle !!!! My Colleague Emer, who incidentally is from Ireland traveled there in the Fall and I asked her to share some of the highlights and insights from her trip. So here’s some information from Ireland direct from the source !!!!
Thanks Kelley, Last year I had the opportunity to visit Ireland as a tourist with some friends. Returning as a tourist gave me a fresh new perspective and I was very impressed.
Ireland is a unique and fun-filled country with breathtaking scenery, charming people, and attractions that are legendary. The Irish are widely considered to be some of the friendliest folks in all of Europe. Upon your arrival, you will soon understand why Ireland has been such an inspiration for poetry, theatre, music, arts, and of course – adult beverages!
Ireland is easily accessible via most major air carriers from the US. You can be on a guided tour or travel independently; both will provide you with an excellent experience in Ireland. The accommodations range from bed and breakfasts to castles!
Our first stop when we arrived, was Bunratty Castle in County Clare which is just a few miles from Shannon Airport. We stayed at the Bunratty Castle Hotel on the same grounds as the original castle, a folk park and the famous “Durty Nellys” Pub which is well known Worldwide for fun, food, live music and they boast the best Irish Coffee around.
BUNRATTY CASTLE CO. CLARE
The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking trading camp in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on the site. Join the Earl of Thomond for a glorious banquet at this majestic 15th century Bunratty Castle. The Earl’s Butler welcomes guests from the four corners of the world toasting an era of great Irish taste with excellent food, fine wine and honey mead. When you visit Bunratty Folk Park you experience a living reconstruction of the homes and environment of Ireland of over a century ago. Set on 26 acres, the impressive park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting.
Some of the cultural highlights from the first leg of our trip were Blarney Castle – where we did actually kiss the Blarney stone!. We also traveled to Adare Manor and Golf resort in Limerick which is astoundingly beautiful. (seen above)
We were driving ourselves and so we decided to go west, south and then back accross to the east coast and last stop in Dublin. The towns and attractions we visited were as follows: The Dingle Peninsula on the Coast of Kerry which was breathtakingly beautiful and quaint. We stayed in the Dingle Skellig Hotel which boasted the most wonderful views and delicous food.
DINGLE PENINSULA WEST COAST VIEWS
We then traveled to Kinsale Harbor in County Cork, and again were overwhelmed by the beauty of this little harbor town. The fresh fish and seafood there was out of this world. There was a “bohemian” feel to this area with many different types of food and entertainment. We also went and visited the “Irish Redhead convention” in Crosshaven, County Cork.
KINSALE HARBOR CROSSHAVEN CO. CORK
In addition to the beautiful scenery, we also experienced many cultural events and delicous traditional food. Our last stop was Dublin city which is the bustling capitol and also where I am originally from. We stayed right in the heart of the city in the St.Stephen’s Green/Grafton Street area. This area also boasts Trinity College and many other landmarks. There are wonderful stores to shop in and it is a treat to walk down Grafton street, listen to some street performers and shop to your heart’s delight.
Ireland is famous for Waterford Crystal, traditional Irish wool sweaters and many other treats and delicacies. We visited Bewleys coffee house on Grafton Street, which is a landmark and was estblished in 1840. We toured famous St.Patrick’s Cathedral, had an Irish coffee in “The Brazen Head” which is officially Ireland’s oldest pub, dating back to 1198. We also did the tour of the Guinness Brewery which is truly a treat and I would recommend to anyone.
GRAFTON STREET-DUBLIN GUINNESS BREWERY TOUR
The only regret I had was that we didn’t have enough time to see all that Ireland has to offer. So now I’ll say Slan Leat (Goodbye) and Slainte (to your good health!)
Ireland has so much more to offer than what I can possibly cover in this small space. I encourage you to seriously consider Ireland for your next or bucket list destination.
Kelley
Are you ready for your authentic experience that rocks?
Hard Rock all-inclusive resorts are not your average, every day all-inclusive resorts! We’ve all heard of the Hard Rock brand thanks to Hard Rock Cafes and Hard Rock Hotels. Hard Rock started in London as a café to provide the Brits to classic American Food, and the music connection evolved. It all started when Eric Clapton donated one of his guitars to be placed over “his” seat in the place. They now have the biggest Rock n’ Roll memorabilia collection in the world throughout their brand.
Each of the Hard Rock All-Inclusive resorts includes an extensive list of amenities in their all-inclusive program. Some of them include:
- Up to $1800 limitless resort credit (more on this later!)
- Unlimited long distance in room calling to the continental US, Canada, and Mexico
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the resort
- 24 hour room service
- Non-motorized water sports
- In room liquor dispenser with brand name whiskey, rum, tequila, and vodka
- Unlimited a la carte dining
- Pool and Beachside drink service
- Complimentary Wedding and Honeymoon packages
- Kids Club – The Little Big Club
Of course there are many more, inclusions, just too many to list here.
There are currently 4 Hard Rock All-Inclusive resorts with a 5th one coming in the next year or so. The current resorts are:
Hard Rock Cancun with 601 guest rooms right in the heart of the hotel zone is on one of the best beaches in Cancun
Hard Rock Riviera Maya is two resorts in one. With a total of 1264 guest rooms, the resort is divided into an adult’s only area, known as Heaven; and the family friendly Hacienda side. Any adults, regardless of which section they are staying in, can use any of the facilities on the Heaven side. Personally, I loved being in Heaven!
Hard Rock Punta Cana gives new meaning to mega resort with over 1780 rooms. Hard Rock Punta Cana ishome to one of the largest casino’s in the Dominican Republic as well as the most hip and chic night club (Oro) on the island.
Hard Rock Vallarta is currently their smallest resort with 348 rooms. This resort in Riviera Nayarit is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre Mountains; the scenery is stunning.
Coming in 2016 the Hard Rock Los Cabos will feature 600 guest rooms with both family friendly and adult-only sections.
How do Hard Rock All-Inclusive resorts set themselves apart from all of the other resorts and resort chains? ” There are many ways, but here are just a few of them:
- Their mission statement says it all: “To spread the spirit of Rock n’ Roll by creating authentic experiences that rock.” It started all with food and music, and music definitely lives on throughout their resorts! They have live music, DJ’s, and great concerts at the resorts. For example, Bon Jovi did the opening concert at Hard Rock Riviera Maya earlier this year!
- “The Sound of Your Stay” is their audio experience program that allows you to choose from picks, tracks or mix delivered straight to your room. They will actually deliver a complimentary (for use during your stay) mixing board or guitar to your room so you can practice. You can also download a personalized playlist for your stay.
The Music Lab Experience that puts you in the middle of the music! They have a Jam Band experience that gives everyone the opportunity to star in their own rock band. Spin Sessions allow you to discover spinning / mixing techniques and even DJ your own live performance. RockTube allows you to be the star of your own music video! You pick your song and they shoot and release your video!
- Perhaps the most popular differentiator for Hard Rock is their limitless resort credit! Depending on your length of stay, you can earn up to $1800 limitless resort credit! I know, it’s all-inclusive – what would you use a resort credit for? The spa, tours to attractions and activities, wedding packages, dinner on the beach, and golf just to name a few. There are no caps on any one thing; you can spend the credit on what you want!
- Philanthropy is a very important part of the Hard Rock mantra. The do multiple awareness campaigns throughout the year and give back in more ways than I can list here. A couple of examples are Pinktober (breast cancer awareness that generates $1-2 million each year) and Imagine (John Lennon’s foundation that focuses on children and hunger).
Are you ready for your authentic experience that rocks?
Happy Travels!
Are you a Freestyle Traveler ??
This weekend we depart on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Norwegian Getaway and will be cruising in the eastern Caribbean.
The thing that Norwegian Cruise Line is most well-known for is their FreeStyle cruising. FreeStyle cruising is many things to many people. With some of the newest ships in the industry, Norwegian Cruise Line currently boasts the youngest fleet among major North American cruise lines. Norwegian continues the expansion and modernization of their fleet with the Norwegian Escape set to debut in 2015
FreeStyle cruising is a great choice for the independent folks who want to truly do it their way. There are no set dining times, no set dining tables, and no formal nights! FreeStyle dining is fantastic for those long port days on port intensive itineraries. You no longer have to leave your destination early to get back in time for dining, or on nights when you are hungry early, you don’t have to “snack” before dinner. Your vacation truly is whatever you want it to be. Some of the dining options (which can vary by ship) include a wide variety of complimentary dining with up to 3 main dining rooms, a buffet, and 24 hour room service. Specialty dining is also creative and varied throughout the fleet. Experience the fine cuisine of Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian. Indulge in succulent meats at Moderno Churrascaria or on Certified Angus Beef® at Cagney’s Steakhouse, exclusively on Norwegian. Dine on expertly prepared chicken, steak and shrimp at Teppanyaki. Or savor French cuisine at Le Bistro and go for Italian at La Cucina. They’re all on board – and they’re all delicious. Cover charges for the specialty dining venues range between $15 – $99 per guest; with $25 being the average. Having experienced many of them, I can honestly say they are more than worth the coverage charge!
Norwegian also touts their FreeStyle entertainment and FreeStyle accommodations.
When it comes to entertainment and activities, they have truly raised the bar! They have bowling alleys, Wii sports, multiple supervised recreational programs, and a golf program with Elite Golf. The entertainment is first rate with options on some ships such as Blue Man Group, Second City Comedy, Howl at the Moon, amazing production shows, White Hot deck parties and more. On the new ship, the Norwegian Getaway you will be able to see the musical Legally Blond or Wine Lovers, the musical.
With regards to the FreeStyle accommodations, the choices are vast! There are the traditional interior, ocean view, balcony, and mini-suites for you. Norwegian also caters to the solo travelers with their studio cabins. The studio cabins are specifically designed for the solo traveler complete with their own social gathering area. The suites are where they have really stepped up the FreeStyle accommodations.
They have recently introduced The Haven. The Haven is a ship within a ship feel! Hidden away at the top of the ship is an exclusive enclave with the most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations. Not only will you have access to all the ship has to offer, you’ll enjoy the personal service of a 24-hour butler and concierge throughout your entire stay.
This is only the tip of the iceberg of Freestyle cruising on Norwegian Cruise Lines. I’m happy to share any additional information if you have questions. Be on the watch for an upcoming article dedicated to the new Norwegian Getaway.
Happy Travels!
How do you choose ??
There are all-inclusive resorts suitable for everyone, how do you choose the right one for you? We all know that when it comes to vacation travel, the All-Inclusive resorts remain a very popular choice. All-Inclusive resorts offer some of the best value for your money; the choices are vast and there is a resort out there to suite any traveler interested. The all-inclusive resorts of today cover a wide variety of styles, budget, and clientele. When choosing your resort, it is important to understand the differences and options available. The proper resort choice will definitely make or break your vacation experience.
All-Inclusive resorts are located in many of the sun-drenched islands and countries of the Caribbean and Mexico. The largest concentrations of all-inclusive resorts are in Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. There are others scattered throughout the Caribbean – such as St Lucia, Antigua, The Bahamas, and Costa Rica, to name a few.
There are 3 main types of All-Inclusive Resorts:
Couples Only
Cater to the romance and celebration clients – think honeymoon, destination weddings, and anniversaries. Of course no special occasion is required to enjoy the adult only atmosphere.
Most often 4 star properties and above
Adults Only
Restricted to adults only, but not couples only.
Great for couples, groups of couples, girlfriend getaways, or the “guys trip / mancation”
Most often 4 star properties and above
Family Friendly
Large range of family friendly dining, entertainment, and activities
Many have adult only areas or sections
Many are great for destination weddings, couples, girlfriend getaways, or the “guy’s trip / mancation”.
Available in all budget ranges
Inclusions are as varied as the resorts themselves – some questions to consider:
- How important is dining? Do you prefer buffet or A’ la carte dining? Are you willing to make reservations?
- Is room service important to you? Butler service? Concierge service?
- Do you prefer premium brands of alcohol or domestic brands (consider the country you will be in!)?
- Are you a beach bum or a pool person?
- What type of activities do you enjoy on vacation? Do you like water sports?
- Do you like a large mega-resort, smaller boutique resorts, or something in between?
- Do you want to stay mostly on the resort or do you want to enjoy the area and local culture?
When it comes to budget, as a general rule, resorts fall in to the following categories:
Budget – usually 2-3 star properties
Moderate – usually 3-4 star properties
Luxury – usually 4.5 -5 start properties
Exceptional Luxury – usually 5 star +
It can’t be overstated – choosing the right resort is the most crucial part of your vacation experience. Make sure your choice suits your lifestyle and expectations. Remember, price is what you pay, value is what you get. If you choose based on price alone, it may not be the value you think it is. The reverse is also true; you can certainly overspend on your vacation without getting any extra value.
As a Couples Travel Concierge and Travel Professional, I can help you sort out all of your options. Don’t hesitate to contact me when you are ready to book your All-Inclusive Resort vacation experience.
Happy Travels