Riu Palace Paradise Island Review

I wanted to share a  Riu Palace Paradise Island Review, this was submitted by a client of mine. This is a beautiful newly renovated all-inclusive resort just 2 1/2 hrs from New York City. The Riu Palace Paradise Island is right next door to the Atlantis Resort, you can visit the Atlantis and use their facilities(additional fee).

Riu Palace Paradise Island Review


I Soooooo want to go again and that's when it occurred to me that I never sent you a review.

Rooms in pristine condition- brand new, no signs of wear, spacious (we had a two room suite).

We had one bigger bedroom- with a fairly large common space in between- connecting to the smaller bedroom. Both rooms had a very large closet, and a huge dresser with more than enough space to fit all our clothes.

The hotel was small enough so that you could walk out of the elevator, cross the lobby and step right into the pool area- if you forgot something in your room it was very quick to run in and get it (which I loved!) without it feeling overly crowded.

The food was fine- although after about 18 meals you do start to get tired of all that eating LOL! We were in and out the buffet all day- for cookies, fries, jello or just to cool off for a few minutes. The only complaint about the place would be the one night we went to sit down dinner and the food was just horrible and cold and took FOREVER to come out. but no big deal, we just went to the other restaurant and had buffet :) AGAIN.

They would stock the fridge with water and soda whenever requested. And room service too!

They had a fairly big sports bar- with a nice bar, pool table, and this is where they had three or four computers that I never waited on to get access to. In this area they also had a fridge with sandwiches, salads and fruit. Oh, and a neat little nacho and cheese station- which was all available 24/7.

The entertainment at their club was fantastic every night- we saw all the shows. All but one was kid friendly.

The beach was beautiful and we did the banana boat ride only. Well, me and my sister did sneak down for an early morning massage on the beach one day too!

The pool was clean and every day there were activities run by the hotel- bingo, dance lessons. The staff there was great- one young guy was ALWAYS around and mingling with the guests- he was a doll and a gentleman. He would jump in the pool and play with the kids if you asked him to (which we did).

BTW!!!!! The weather was absolutely perfect!!!!!!! Thank you again for all your help and patience, especially while we were in the Bahamas!

Thanks to my client for sharing this amazing Riu Palace Paradise Island Review.

Until next time....
Jessica Dempsey
JD Travel Planning
http://www.jdtravelplanning.com/

Going Green

Going Green!


I know many people are very aware of how we need to respect our earth and are taking different initiatives to go green. I get many requests from clients for hotels that are going green and practicing sustainable tourism. There are many resorts now going green but I decided I would focus on one brand today as I just visited these resorts and really got a feel for their going green initiatives. The El Dorado Spa Resorts and Hotels by Karisma are GOING GREEN!

Some examples of ways they are green:

• A 70,000 square foot Greenhouse at El Dorado Royale produces all vegetables, herbs and flowers grown in tropical climates. The produce services all El Dorado and Azul Hotels, so you know those sweet delicious Cherry Tomatoes in your salad are right from the greenhouse.


• Water saving devices in all suites and public areas

• Hydro jets installed in all toilets to reduce amount of water used

• Water treatment process to reuse water for gardens

• Solar panels heating 40 - 100% of the water at each resort

• Ozone laundry system, eliminating harmful chemicals

• LED light bulbs used throughout the property

• El Dorado Spa Resorts and Hotels have taken extensive measures to ensure that all garbage is separated and recycled properly including dangerous waste, organic items, glass and paper

• All chemicals used are biodegradable

• All air conditioners use Ecofreeze which saves approximately 30% electricity

• Staff education on the importance of recycling, how to do it and encouragement of staff to bring their household recyclable items to the hotels to be properly recycled

If you are looking to book your next vacation and experience a beautiful luxury all inclusive resort that is practicing sustainable tourism, look no further. As a Karisma Resorts specialist I can help you plan the vacation experience of a lifetime!

Greenhouse

Cherry Tomatoes

Awesome staff giving us the tour

Mint leaves for your MOJITO

Brides Dress Rehearsal

BRIDE'S DRESS REHEARSAL

Spend 3 Nights and 4 Days - This is a fantastic way to view the resorts, and yes there are 7 of them, check out the wedding locations, taste the food and experience the warm welcome from the people of the Mexican Riviera.

Contact Jessica Dempsey - GIVC,  a Karisma Resorts specialist to book this amazing offer! Call today 631-780-6195

Details:

For only $399 per couple, brides and grooms who have not yet booked their destination wedding can stay for 3 nights at their hotel of choice and have the opportunity to taste different cake options, sample menu items and even view the various locations and setups for their ceremony and private events.

This promotion is good for any El Dorado Spa Resort or Azul Hotel by Karisma, and is offered once a month for the rest of 2011.

Azul Beach Resort

Here are the dates:                                                                    
August 25

September 22

October 20

November 17


Azul Beach Sky Wedding

December 15

And here are the highlights of this promotion:                        

Upgrade to best available room upon arrival

Complimentary honeymoon & anniversary package during stay

Cake tasting, food samples & private event setup

$500 food & beverage credit after 10 rooms or more are booked

Meet executives and hotel staff

Romantically decorated suite

And more!


Terms & Conditions

This promotion is combinable with the Bride & Groom stay free promotion. No coupons may be used on these bookings. Transfers included between resorts only, airfare and airport transfers are not included. GIVC points cannot be used to pay for this package. GIVC will not receive points for this booking. Not valid if wedding date is held or deposited. Travel agents are not permitted to attend. $500 credit will not apply to groups with less than 10 rooms. All couples will be required to sign a disclaimer at check-in stating that they will attend a site inspection of the host hotel as well as a presentation at El Dorado Royale on Saturday. *Clients who want to travel outside of selected dates will be required to pay the current hotel rate at the time and will not receive the $500 towards the food & beverage portion of any private event they book. Booking must be made 30 days in advance; space is limited.

Traveling solo

Traveling along with Me, myself and I

Traveling solo is an awesome way to see the world, meet new people and spend some time with yourself! Sometimes we need to do this to recover from a life event or sometimes “I just want to go someplace where I can just marvel at something” as said so perfectly by Ms. Julia Roberts.

In the past, the thought of being a solo traveler on a cruise ship meant taking out a loan just to pay for the cabin. Thank goodness for NCL who introduced “Epic Studios” last year when the awesome Norwegian Epic debuted. Talk about marvel! The studios are designed specifically for the solo traveler but more importantly so is the pricing. No more double occupancy requirements and single supplements that can double the cost that is typically 200% of the cruise fare because you must pay for the absent “roommate”. The concept was such a hit that they’ll be more to come when Norwegian introduces more new ships in the coming years. Royal Caribbean followed when it unveiled cabins for solo travelers with the revamped Radiance of the Seas this past June.

But it doesn’t stop there. Several cruise lines are catching on. While they may not have specific designed cabins for a single passenger, they are offering reduced single supplements or waiving it altogether. Avalon Waterways is celebrating the new movement by offering river cruises for the solo traveler on select itineraries in October. Ah, a cruise experience through the Danube River with me, myself and I! Now that has my name written all over it.

Why the sudden change in cruising? Some of us just enjoy traveling alone. What do you want to marvel at? Let us know.

Until next time,



Jessica Dempsey
JD Travel Planning

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

Oceania Marina Review

I had the opportunity to tour the beautiful Oceania Marina today in NYC, what an amazing ship! Fine cuisine at sea with 6 restaurant choices including Jacques, the first restaurant at sea for Jacques Pepin, Canyon Ranch Spa Club, Bon Appetit Culinary Center(a hands-on gourmet culinary program), and the Artist Loft.  Staterooms and suites are nice in size and are beautifully decorated with hardwoods, rich fabrics and designed for comfort. The feel onboard is country club elegance with a guest to crew ratio of 1.57 to 1.  Canyon Ranch Spa Club is new to the Oceania Marina and in addition to massages and other treatments they offer lectures and cooking demonstrations and Canyon Ranch cuisine options in the Grand Dining Room. There is a large fitness center with optional classes as well to help you stay in shape.  Oceania is the destination specialist with many overnight visits and extended port stays.  If you appreciate fine cuisine and gracious service along with amazing destinations the Oceania Marina is for you.

 To see all of my photos from the Oceania Marina click here

Jessica Dempsey

Cruise Planners

http://www.jdtravelplanning.com/

Westin Beach Resort & Spa Review

The Westin Beach Resort & Spa is a beautiful beach resort located in sunny Fort Lauderdale. The city is dubbed the Venice of America due to its more than 300 miles of canals and waterways.  The Westin Beach Resort & Spa sits directly across the street from amazing beaches where you can relax and enjoy the soft white sands and blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There is an elevated walkway that connects the resort to the beach. There is also a lovely spa on property where you can enjoy a massage or perhaps you would like to relax at the oceanfront pool with a good book and refreshing drink from the bar.
Fort Lauderdale has the most amazing nightlife, excellent dining and fabulous shopping, many of these activities are within walking distance of the resort, you can also get around easily via taxi's or just take a cruise on a water taxi. There is plenty to do here in Fort Lauderdale. When you are done playing for the day return to a beautiful newly renovated room with views of either the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway. Then fall asleep in your Westin Heavenly Bed and yes they are truly heavenly! You will have a fantastic time during your stay at the Westin Beach Resort & Spa.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

Romance at Sandals

Are you looking to reconnect or reignite the spark? Maybe you just need a getaway for two people in love. Whatever your desires you can find romance at Sandals. The Sandals tag line is "Love is all you need". You will find yourself in a garden paradise surrounded by the beautiful blue sea. With up to 11 restaurants there are always amazing culinary creations to be found. You can  have a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach for just the two of you, with a server who can anticipate all of your desires without being intrusive. How about returning to your Suite and having a hot bath drawn complete with rose petals? That is romance at Sandals! You can relax and enjoy a couples massage, play a round of tennis, golf or enjoy the pool with new friends. Do whatever you like it's your romance at Sandals. Go to Sandals for the amazing staff, the luxury include amenities, the true Caribbean experience but be sure to go to Sandals with the one you love.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners


Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

Ruby Princess

I recently read a colleagues blog review of the Ruby Princess. It was such a treat to hear about her special cruise onboard this ship. I t reminded me of my cruise onboard Princess last May and how Princess exceeded my expectactions! Check out her review and get excited about your next cruise onboard a beautiful Princess ship.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

Group Cruise in Alaska

I had a client call me last spring to inquire about a family reunion. The  ages ranged from 7 yrs old to 82 yrs old and she wanted something that would be fun and relaxing for everyone. Easy right? Not so fast! She went on to describe particulars about some family members, who had food allergies, who had mobility issues and who cannot sit with who for too many meals. You get it - typical family stuff(we all have them). I asked a few more questions and quickly needed to find out who the decision makers were and then went to work. I came back to the group with an Alaskan group cruise intinerary with an extended land tour to Denali National Park. I was able to meet all of their dietary needs, and arranged for a scooter and oxygen to be delivered to the stateroom and I also set up the dining so a few nights some of the family who did not want to dine together every night would be in a specialty restaurants on different nights. Their group cruise in Alaska included activities for everyone  that enriched their minds and bodies. The onboard naturalist led discussions that educated them all about Alaska it's beauty and wildlife. The group cruise in Alaska would not be complete without viewing the amazing glaciers. I was told it was a highlight of the cruise being on deck drinking  hot chocolate while viewing the glaciers.
What was overwhelming to my client was quite easy for me to arrange because of my knowledge, education and  resources. A happy ending to a fabulous group cruise in Alaska, they all bonded so well, they already have another cruise planned for next year on the Allure of the Seas. I brought real value and worth to my clients and arranged everything perfectly for them, the power of awesome customer service is evident in all of the referrals I already have from their other relatives and friends.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey

Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

Liberty of the Seas Review, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Liberty of the Seas

The Liberty of the Seas is an amazing ship with a fun exciting vibe onboard! This is the second ship in the Freedom Class along with the Freedom of the Seas and the Independence of the Seas. She began sailing in 2007 with 1817 staterooms and over 1300 crew members. The ship has an an incredible 15 decks. This ship features an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, the incredible FlowRider(surf simulator) and 2 hot tubs that jut out over the sides of the ship. There are 2 main pools and the fun H2O zone with a kids only pool. The staterooms onboard are modern and comfortable ranging in size from 150sq ft to the Presidential Family Suite at 1215sq ft. There are plenty of dining options onboard as well, starting with the main dining room which is 3 levels high and beautiful, Johnny Rockets, Portofinos, Chops Steakhouse, the Windjammer Cafe(think big buffet) and of course room service is available. The Promenade is the spot to be seen with shops lining both sides of the promenade. Here is where the parades take place and the music is always inviting! You will find Vintages Wine Bar, Hoof and Claw British Pub, a coffee shop, the Barber shop, and plenty of duty free alcohol and jewelry shopping.

This ship is recommended for families, friends, romantics and is great for groups because of all the amazing activities onboard. There are always plenty of honeymooners onboard as well.  The vibe is exciting onboard the Liberty of the Seas and everyone is always having a great time. This ship is sure to please everyone in your group. The Liberty of the Seas is now sailing from Miami and will be repositioning over to Barcelona in the Spring to sail the Mediterranean. Beginning in the fall 2011 the Liberty of the Seas will begin sailing 4 to 6 night cruises from Fort Lauderdale. Rates begin at $359 per person  for a 4 night cruise. Call for more dates/rates and itineraries.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey

Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let your be next....

The Magic of Disney

I recently read a blog post written by a Gloria Caruso on the magic of Disney and it got me thinking about the numerous times my family has traveled to WDW over the past 12 years. And how each time we traveled the kids were different ages and how they marveled at the magic of Disney in different ways every trip. It went from it being all about Mickey and Pooh Bear to lets go to France in Epcot I am learning French and want to know more about the country. Wow talk about an experience for every age group. Of course Mickey is still highly sought after(especially by me)! We will be traveling to WDW in February and I cannot wait to see their little expressions as we round the corner to Main St and get a glimpse of Cinderellas Castle(I always get teary eyed). Gotta love the magic of Disney!!

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next......

Caribbean Group Cruises

As a travel agent some my favorite trips to plan are group cruises, I follow the news and trends in this niche closely. I know with all of the new ships sailing there is a  perfect cruise ship for every group.  I often get requests from clients who are overwhelmed with the whole process of organizing a group vacation whether it's family, friends or even a wedding group. I  let them know that I will make this a stress-free vacation for them. First we start with a few questions to decide what ship and  itinerary would be best for them, I secure the staterooms and make all the reservations, take care of all payments and due dates and I handle all the paperwork.  I let my clients know all they need to do is refer the group members to me and I take care of everything. Another amenity my clients love is that  I am able to set up a website page that is only accessible to those in the group and they can register online. This is usually when I hear "thank you, I really didn't know where to begin."  Luckily I know where to begin!!

Group cruising has increased over the past few years. There are so many multi-generational groups traveling together and cruises are the perfect fit. There is something for everyone on a ship, whether you are into spa treatments, workouts in well equipped fitness centers, shopping, dance lessons, language lessons or you can learn how to use your iPad. The dining choices are endless with some ships offering up to 20 dining venues. The kids will all be happy in well organized kids clubs with fun age appropriate activities and the adults can spend time in adult-only areas. Talk about something for everyone.  Are you considering a group cruise this year? The best rates and stateroom availability are available now.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next....

Entertainment onboard the Norwegian EPIC

One of the many things I love while on a cruise ship is the onboard entertainment. The nightlife and entertainment onboard the Norwegian EPIC is amazing! From Cirque Dreams in the Spiegel Tent where you will see marvelous talent combined with acrobatics and Broadway extravaganza! Next you will not want to miss the amazing sights and sounds of Blue Man Group. Another highlight of entertainment onboard the Norwegian EPIC is Legends, the tribute show with celebrity impersonators such as Elvis, Madonna, Tina Turner and more. No sailing would be complete without a night out at Spice H20 the adults only beach club and Svedka IceBar where you will wear faux fur while sipping frosty drinks in the only ice bar at sea.

This is an awesome ship for adult entertainment and I highly recommend this ship to all my couples traveling whether they are Honeymooners or just celebrating romance. I also will recommend the fabulous NCL Suites & Villas, there are no waiting lines here, the concierge will wisk you into all shows and seat you in preferred seating. You will dine in the private EPIC Club where everyone will know your name and preferences. You will relax in the Courtyard, a private area featuring a pool, spa and gym reserved only for Suite & Villa guests.   Imagine not having to get up early to reserve your lounge chair at the pool, this perk alone is worth it to me. Prepare to be pampered by Butlers and the Concierge service,  they will cater to your every whim. This is an experience to truly  be savored. Would you like to experience the service and luxury of a Suite & Villa guest? I thought so....

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next....

Positano and the Amalfi Coast

I read a colleagues blog today that really inspired me. One of the places I have always wanted to travel to is Positano and the Amalfi Coast in Italy. I always imagined it would be a glorious inspiring experience and guess what? I was right. Beth goes into nice detail about her experiences while visiting Positano, including the warm friendly people of the region,  the amazing  scenery and the wonderful food. This is a place for romance and for the food lover in you. This area has a lot of history to offer as well with day trips to Pompeii,  Naples, and the Isle of Capri. I hope you will think about adding Positano and the Amalfi Coast to your bucket list.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

Celebrity Eclipse - Trendy and high tech cruising at its best!

I recently read an article in Vacation Agent about the new Celebrity Eclipse. The article talks about this ships modern trendy design and its high tech touches. The Celebrity Eclipse is the 3rd to debut of 4 ships in the very popular Solstice Class. This trendy high tech ship is quite large at 122,000 tons carrying 2850 passengers and 1250 crew members with a total of 1426 staterooms. The ship offers iPad art tours, the menu at Qsine is presented on an iPad and there is the Celebrity iLounge where there are more than 20 MacBook Pros for guests to use. The trendy iLounge also offers Apple products for sale and classes on Apple products. The contemporary decor on this ship make it attractive for many different cruisers, especially those looking for great food (in the 10 dining venues), fabulous entertainment and the amazing Elemis Spa. This ship is also great for Honeymooners and romance travel, with all the intimate spots on board the ship, the wonderful ports of call and top accommodations this would be perfect for couples in love.

I had the pleasure of sailing on board the Celebrity Eclipse in a Deluxe Ocean-View Stateroom with a Veranda. The room was quite large and I was very impressed with the modern granite counter tops, white leather furniture and the top-of-the line bathroom. The shower was large with glass doors and a foot rest to use while shaving(you ladies will appreciate this).Around every corner was something trendy and high tech, I loved the iLounge and found the Apple trained staff to be very helpful. The artwork on display was amazing, the Martini Bar with its frosted top and the Molecular Bar with drinks cooled by nitrogen were very popular gathering spots. I enjoyed walking on the half acre of grass at the Lawn Club. Another interesting spot was the glass blowing studio at the Corning Museum of Glass. The Celebrity Eclipse is very well appointed and I know the Solstice Class will continue to be very popular. The 4th ship the Celebrity Silhouette will debut in July 2011 and will be sailing from our nearby port in Bayonne, NJ.

Until next time,



Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

Falling in love with a cruise vacation



                                                                   Caribbean Sunset


Is it possible to fall in love with a cruise vacation? I say yes! As I have talked about before,  my love for cruising is what guided towards my career as a Cruise & Travel Planner and eventually to owning my own Cruise Planners franchise. Taking a cruise is so easy, stress free and fun! It's no wonder so many of us "get hooked". I guess there are worse things :) On a cruise vacation you pack and unpack once, get to see many destinations and experience different cultures all while on one trip.  Another aspect of a cruise vacation I love is the different dining options, anytime dining, fixed dining times with same wait staff and table mates, specialty restaurants or very casual buffet style and lets not forget room service. The options are so varied, I always talk to my clients and help them decide what works best for them. The entertainment on a cruise vacation is great, whether you want to listen to a blues or jazz band, see a comedian or watch an all out Broadway style show, you can do it all on a cruise ship! A cruise vacation is a wonderful way to travel as a group with family and friends, there are so many activities for all ages. You can travel together and reconnect  while creating memories that will last forever. One of my favorite aspects of my job as a Cruise Planner is talking to my clients, finding out what they want and need from their vacation.  I ask them many questions and then create a personal vacation experience that's special for them.

Until next time,

Jessica Dempsey
Cruise Planners 

Creating memorable vacations everyday, let yours be next.....

Onboard with Disney Cruise Line

I have to tell you my love of cruising began with Disney Cruise Line onboard the Magic, I sailed on her twice and loved every minute of my experiences. With Disney it's all about the experience including the service, the entertainment, the characters, the amazing onboard staff and the WOW factor! The rates initially may seem more but you get what you pay for and so many things are included in your cruise fare that other lines charge extra for. What is included is your comfortable staterooms, all meals including 24 hr room service, sodas - snacks and more, amazing broadway caliber shows and onboard entertainment for all ages throughout the day and night, age appropriate supervised kids clubs for ages 3-17,(including teen only spaces), fireworks at sea and the famous Disney service. Whats not included are alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, specialty dining at Palo's or Remy's(so worth the cover charge though IMHO) and childcare for ages 12 weeks - 3yrs of age in a beautiful nursery center with highly trained staff. Disney Cruise Line is for people of all ages we saw many family groups, young singles and honeymooners onboard!

 Our favorite port of call is Castaway Cay(Disneys private island-more on that next post). We just love how Disney makes you feel so special onboard the ship. The little things like our dining room server remembering our favorite drinks and making our children feel so special - like they were the only ones in the room, the towel animals in our stateroom at night, the smiling faces from everyone we passed in the hallways, to the "magical encounters" with the Disney characters. On our 2nd cruise which was 2yrs after the 1st we ran into our dining room server and favorite kids club staff member and they remembered our family! How amazing is that! These are some of the reasons we keep coming back. I will be sailing with my family and friends onboard the new Dream in February and cannot wait. I will post more after that cruise.

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