Cruise Lines Pledge Millions For Bahamas Relief Efforts

Cruise lines pledge millions for Bahamas relief efforts

Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line have pledged millions of dollars in support for relief and recovery efforts in the Bahamas.

Three major cruise lines that sail to the Bahamas have pledged their support for Hurricane Dorian relief and recovery efforts.

Dorian ravaged the Bahamas with relentless winds which caused catastrophic damage and flooding. As of Tuesday, the death toll in the Bahamas had risen to seven and is expected to go even higher.

Relief officials have reported scenes of utter ruin is some areas.

Royal Caribbean said it would be committing $1 million to Dorian disaster relief, and ITM – its partner in a joint venture developing the Grand Lucayan Resort in Freeport – is also donating an additional $100,000.

The company said its working with the Bahamian government, local charities and its non-profit partner Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) to make sure the money goes where its most needed. Royal Carribean said its also loading supplies like generators, water, clean sheets and more to deliver them to the Bahamas.

Additionally, Royal Carribean said it will match guest and employee donations to the Pan American Development Foundation up to $500,000. PADF has set up a page on its website specifically for those donations.

“We can’t make every bad memory of Dorian go away. But we can start making things better — today,” the company said in its announcement about launching relief efforts.

The Walt Disney Company, led by Disney Cruise Line, announced Tuesday it has committed more than $1 million in cash and in-kind support to help relief and recovery efforts in the Bahamas.

The company said its commitment includes a $1 million donation to nonprofit relief agencies who will be handling recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The Disney Cruise Line also vowed to provide a range of resources to its employees in impacted areas. The cruise line’s private island, Disney Castaway Cay, employs more than 60 Bahamians from Abaco and Grand Bahama, according to the company.

“We hope our $1 million donation will provide much-needed relief and help our neighbors, colleagues, and all those impacted by this devastating storm begin the long process of recovery as they work to put their lives and communities back together,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO of Walt Disney.

The Carnival Cruise Line has also pledged its support in the recovery efforts and said they are working to determine how to help the Grand Bahama shipyard and its employees.

“To our friends in The Bahamas, please know you will not be alone in your effort. All of us at Carnival Corporation pledge to work with you,” Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald said in a statement. “We have been and remain in constant contact with government officials as they determine the highest priorities for both the short term and long term.”

Ultimate Travel Guide to Los Cabos

Travel insights from Los Cabos Tourism Board

The Travel Agent’s Ultimate Guide to Los Cabos

Bienvenidos a Los Cabos, one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Mexico, where locals welcome life as it comes and international connectivity continues to expand. In a place where good things naturally come together, like the desert and the sea, it makes sense that connections, networking, and fun in the sun come a little easier, too.

Los Cabos Basics

Getting there – Los Cabos, aka Mexico’s premiere luxurious destination, is comprised of two towns, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Travelers can easily fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), which is approximately a two-hour flight from San Diego, Los Angeles and Phoenix. It’s the sixth busiest airport in Mexico and located 8 miles north of San Jose del Cabo and 23 miles from Cabo San Lucas.
Location – Los Cabos is dubbed “Land’s End” since it’s located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, surrounded by the Sea of Cortes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Climate – Los Cabos is a desert with very little rain (less than ten days a year), very little humidity and wonderful landscapes where you can see that unique contrast of the desert meeting the sea. The sensational sun rarely disappears in Los Cabos with an average of 80 to 90 degree-days almost year-round.
Currency – When it comes to dinero, travelers have a variety of options. The peso is the official currency of Mexico, however, a majority of tourist establishments are happy to accept U.S. dollars and most major credit cards.
Language – Nosotros hablamos español, Spanish is the official language of Mexico and Los Cabos. Forgot to brush up on your speaking skills? No worries, English is used in all tourist locations.

Lodging

Whether you’re traveling with a group of 10 or 10,000 people, Los Cabos offers a variety of venues ideally suited for your next visit. With 40 hotels featuring over 10,000 rooms, Los Cabos has a place that feels like a palace or your home, for every occasion. With many all-inclusive resorts, travelers can choose from traditional or modern and luxurious approaches during their stay. Travelers can discover the hotel that suits their style along the three main areas in Los Cabos: Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo or the Tourist Corridor, which connects the first two areas.

Food

Deciding between fresh seafood and authentic Mexican dishes is hard, but Los Cabos makes it easy with their delectable dining scene. It’s not just the tacos, burritos and quesadillas that come to mind. Since this is a rural region, acres galore of farmland implement the farm-to-table approach to its gastronomy. Plus, there are international options from Italy, Peru, China and many others that help cultivate and celebrate the cultural connectivity Los Cabos is known for. Their gourmet experience is as authentic as the laid-back culture that’s reflected wherever you go.

Fun

If you haven’t visited Los Cabos, it’s waiting to welcome you with warm elegance and unique, memorable experiences. Here are a few must-dos:

Adventure – ATV adventures take you along remote trails that offer breathtaking views beyond what you’ll see downtown, which are amazing, too. The Baja Ranch Tour and Camel Safari are as essential as the famous El Arco, which is Los Cabo’s most famous natural landmark. Like most Mexican dishes, it’s always a good idea to add in that sauce to really spice it up. So, toss in a full-day trip to a coral reef at Cabo Pulmo, a Mexican National Marine Park. Another way to naturally experience life at sea is by going whale watching along the Baja Peninsula.
Beaches – Los Cabos has 19 blue flag certified beaches, topping the list in Mexico. Many hotels have swimmable beaches and Los Cabos also offer public beaches or beach clubs in case your hotels doesn’t.
Unique Attractions – There are luxury sailing, snorkeling and cruise experiences in Los Cabos, which makes exploring the surrounding waters so easy. Horseback riding, walking through art galleries while simultaneously dancing to street performer’s music and shows is something unlike anywhere else in the world. Los Cabos is also dubbed the capital of golf in Mexico, so naturally that is another must-do when visiting.
Shopping – Visitors have many options in Los Cabos, from luxury labels and department stores in the city center to little beach-side weekend markets. Puerto Paraiso Mall has three levels featuring over 100 shops and businesses along with a movie theater, providing entertainment for the whole family. The flea market at the Marina has a variety of items available like handmade Mexican crafts, straw hats and jewelry.

Business

Los Cabos is evolving as a world-class venue for business meetings and events with a keen eye for modernity and state-of-the-art infrastructure. The Los Cabos International Convention Center (ICC) was designed with sustainability and easy access in mind, featuring 67,758 square feet of meeting space for a capacity of 8,000 people, three exhibition areas, 11 breakouts and 1,008 solar panels. The exterior beauty of Los Cabos is portrayed in the interior of this convention center. This green facility has one of the largest green walls in the world at 29,000 square feet that acts as an insulator to prevent overheating during the summer heat Mexico is known for.

Lion in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

In 1992 ‘Operation Phoenix’ was launched in an area of South Africa bordering the Kalahari Desert. Farming wasn’t viable in this arid landscape, so a protected wildlife park was established that now stretches over 260 square miles of subtropical woodlands called the bushveld. Madikwe Game Reserve is home to elephants, rhinos, Cape buffalos, antelopes, leopards, and lions, like our curious friend here. In addition, some 350 bird species have been counted inside the park. Folks who want to get a gander at the magnificent bushveld and its residents can choose from the many safaris and lodges offered throughout the park.

Madikwe Game Reserve is currently the fifth largest game reserve and is also one of the lesser- known parks in South Africa. This makes it a hidden- gem as it is regarded as one of the best conservation areas in Africa and offers the Big 5 in a 680 km2 park (750 km2 including newly incorporated privately owned land).

The park offers a number of luxurious lodges as well as community lodges in a malaria- free zone.

About 90 kilometres north of the town of Zeerust is Madikwe Game Reserve. It is situated against the Botswana border close to the Kalahari Desert. It is roughly 3.5 hours in a car from Johannesburg/ Pretoria. Safari Lodges are mostly located around the eastern and western gate.

The land where Madikwe now stands was previously used as farming land. The poor soil meant that farming was mostly unsuccessful and the South African government then decided that it would best be used as a national park to help economically uplift the disadvantaged area..

In 1991 the area was declared a reserve and 10 000 mammals were relocated from other National Parks. The park is home to approximately 66 large mammals and roughly 300 bird species.

You will find all this flora and fauna in an area comprised of vast open plains of grasslands, woodlands, rocky outcrops and single mountains.

The area is bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains.

Madikwe Game Reserve is home to the highly endangered African Dogs who are declining rapidly even more with rising temperatures associated with climate change with climbing temperature too hot for hunting.

The Big 5 is represented in the park and you are likely to spot a lion, leopard, elephant, rhino or buffalo. During your visit you will also have the rare privilege of possibly seeing the highly endangered African Wild Dog.

In 1994, a small group of six wild dogs were introduced into the park. This founding group has seen a challenging introduction into the park with rabies outbreaks, territorial clashes and encounters with lions.

Despite the odds, current day Madikwe has a thriving wild dog population with three hunting packs roaming the park. The dogs are somewhat accustomed to safari vehicles offering spectacular photographic opportunities. Madikwe Game Reserve’s conservation efforts to protect the ‘painted dog’ are in place to help conserve this majestic diminishing species.

To Learn more about booking a Dream Trip with Lodging at Madikwe Game

Reserve or another amazing African Safari Experience- Please call us at Travelution 904-999-1290. We have agents who are experts in the South African Safari Experiences and can help plan your once in a lifetime African Safari Get-away.

7 Crucial Things to Do in Santorini

As many know, Your Travelution Inc is busy researching everything Santorini in preparation for a once in a lifetime Group Santorini experience.

We really want to make our Santorini travel experience perfect in every way for our travel agents and clients attending with us. Fortunately, there is a lot of traveler information available on creating the perfect Santorini Experience.

Please enjoy this Travel Blog by Pauline with her 7 Crucial Things to Do in Santorini

From Santos Winery, the majestic hike from Oia to Fira, the caldera views from Omerovigli, Dining at the best restaurants like Aegeon to view the Calderas, there will be no shortage of incredible experiences that make your and our trip to Santorini the most memorable ever.

Hiking Santorini From Fira to Oia

Your Travelution Inc in planning a Santorini Greece Trip in 2020 with our Travelution agents and clients. There are many exciting excursion we will be participating including visits to some of the most famous wineries and eateries.

One of the highlights of active adventurers when they visit Santorini is the scenic hike between Fira and Oia. This is definitely on my list!

Enjoy this first hand account with amazing photos and tips for Hiking from Fira to Oia from Married With Wandering

She Quit her Retail Job to Travel the World! This is what she learned.

Theresa on the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland

I came across this article about a retail worker Theresa who got tired of working her life away and after losing her mom whose one regret was never seeing Paris, she made a decision to change her life right then and there.

At age 60, She was still putting in 60- to 70-hour work weeks, trying to stay afloat. She would drag herself out of bed before the sun was up… face traffic… and then spend 12 hours manning a cash register before crawling home, exhausted.

The story of Theresa struck me because Freedom and Travel are the exact reasons many of our travel agents join Your Travelution Inc. Our agents are seeking a a life with more fun, more excitement and more dream travel experiences. Like the story of Theresa, becoming a home travel agent with Your Travelution gives our agents the same amazing travels, perks and benefits that Theresa in the article describes.

Dave Manning and myself had the exact epiphany when we started Your Travelution Inc 5 years ago. It’s not too late to start living your best life. We are committed to to travelling the next 20 years with cool people we love. Will you be one of them?

Let Theresa’s story inspire you.

10 Coolest New Cruise Ships in the World!

Ready to Plan the Best Cruise Vacation of Your Lifetime?

Check out Thrill List’s 10 Coolest New Cruise Ships in the World!

The would be in my Top 10 Cruise List Too!

Contact a Travelution Agent to Set up Your Dream Cruise!

904-537-1799 support@yourtravelution.com

Brand New Luxury Sailing Alaska Norwegian Bliss

Is Sailing Alaska on your bucket list?

Have you been waiting for New Ship Luxury to make your Dream Trip to Alaska a Reality?

Welcome Norwegian Bliss.

Norwegian Bliss is Norwegian Cruise line’s newest and most incredible cruise ship yet set to sail Alaska Summer 2018 and additional Caribbean sailings. Norwegian Bliss is custom built for the spectacular with a revolutionary observation desk to take in the awesome Alaska views, inspiring scenery and incredible wild-life. Bliss personifies Bliss with it’s FREE and Flexible dining choices at top restaurants, entertainment choices, spa and fitness options.

Bliss is launching with tons of adventure options to attract the fun-loving with the largest race-track at sea, laser-tag, and some of the the largest water slides at sea sure to please the whole family! Step up to adventure with three decks of non-stop fun and action.

Norwegian Bliss promises to be a great brand new option to explore Alaska!

Call a Travelution Agent to Reserve Your Cabin Today!

904-537-1799 support@yourtravelution.com

Black Friday 2 For 1 Sale at Club Med

Need a Reason To Book Club Med?

How about a Club Med Black Friday Sale with the BEST Club Med Prices of the Year?

I can’t say enough good things about this incredible resort chain with 65 Club Med Resorts and all offering an experience that that is unique, warm, personal and well-suited to families, couples, professionals and active travellers.

I have personally experienced the Club Med experience in both Club Med Sand Piper Bay-right here in the United States in Port Saint Lucie and also the Club Med Yucatan in Cancun, Mexico.

I enjoy the G.O. experience. The G.O. or Gentil Organisateur is the Club Med employee acting as the ambassador of the Club Med Experience. G.Os are fun, energetic, and truly create the spirit of Club Med

The next Club Med I want to experience is the Club Med Punta Cana.

I can list a lot of great reasons to try Club Med Punta Cana but let me start with 1 word for me. Creactive! I can’t wait to experience this Circus Soleil personalized experience to be a performer in my own little circus fantasy.

This completely transformed resort boasts exciting new attractions, including a creative and acrobatic playscape for kids and adults, a luxurious new area that is exclusively for adult couples,and other renovations.Whether you desire a fun-filled vacation packed with sports and acrobatic activities that are guaranteed to give kids the time of their life – or you want a relaxing and romantic getaway – Club Med Punta Cana has it all!

Here are 5 More Reasons to choose Club Med Punta Cana-

5 REASONS TO CHOOSE CLUB MED PUNTA CANA:

553 rooms including a 5 Trident Luxury Space
3 gourmet dining options, including 1 all-day snack bar
An endless array of sports and activities
3 swimming pools, with 1 dedicated to the Mini Club and 1 to the Spa
Club Med Spa by L’OCCITANE® featuring the latest exotic treatments designed to renew the senses
Children’s programs available for ages 4 months – 17 years

In 2017, thanks to the millions of reviews left on Tripadvisor, 25 of our Resorts throughout the world have been awarded with Travelers’ Choice Awards – family category.

Among them, Club Med Punta Cana is #8 in the category: Top 25 Hotels for Families – Caribbean.

Club Med Punta Cana (Caribbean) has received the 2017 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence! The Certificate of Excellence honors accommodations, restaurants and attractions that consistently receive great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.

Now is the Time to Book with Club Med’s Black Friday Sale going on which gives you 3 Free Nights When you Book 3 nights!

Call a Travelution Agent Today!

You can reach me at 904-537-1799 or email support@yourtravelution.com

The Club Med Black Friday Sale end on November 27th 2017!

Don’t Wait til it’s Gone!

12 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in America

We all love All-Inclusive Resorts! Right? Who wouldn’t? You grab your clothes and toothbrush and go. No worries about your checkbook, your wallet, your credit cards! You can sit back on the beach, order your drinks and beachside sandwiches and not worry about a single thing except having fun, fun, fun!

Travelution has taken our Travel agents to 6 countries in our first year and that included Fam Trips to Top All Inclusive Resorts in Mexico such as Oasis Resorts and Moon Palace Resorts, Lifestyle Holiday Resorts in the Dominican Republic and Club Med Sandpiper Bay right in Southern Florida.

The list I am providing was found in Smarter Traveller and what I learned is that there are All-Inclusive Resorts right here in the United States that even i never realized were in my back yard!

I think you will find this Top 12 All-inclusive List as interesting as I did- and consider these exciting vacation offers on your next All-Inclusive Resort Vacation.