Travel to Jamaica has improved greatly over the last 2 years. With a brand new airport, and road construction being nearly completed, you are sure to have a great time.The most popular areas in Jamaica would be Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios. With countless actives to keep you busy, and fantastic all inclusive ocean front resorts, you are sure to experience lifetime vacations to always be remembered Brand new resorts have been added to all of Jamaica, such as Secrets Resorts, Riu Hotels, Iberostar and Grand Palladium resorts, offering both adult only and family friendly options for today's travelerPrefer to Cruise? Royal Caribbean's new baby the Oasis of the Seas, and Carnival's Dream are just 2 of popular cruise lines that dock either in Montego Bay or Ocho Rios for a day exploring the hills of Jamaica or perhaps you want to Zip line at Chakka Adventures, visit the haunted Great House, once ran by "The White Witch of Rose hallGo To Jamaica, Then You Know!!!

When I found out that I had the opportunity to travel to Cancun, Mexico I was so excited. I had not seen Cancun since Hurricane Wilma and I wanted to see all of the new developments and had taken place after Hurricane Wilma. My co-worker Lila Correa and I were both assigned to go to Cancun Mexico for 6 days. Within that 6 days we toured several Palace Resorts, Club Med Cancun, And Dreams Tulum.

The first thing that we must comment on would have to be the issues of security in Mexico. Here at All-Travel.com our first concern goes out to you, our clients. Your safety is important in any destination that you are in. May it be in Eastern Europe or your favorite Palace resort. We are here for more than taking your order for travel. Our e-mails and phones are always on, 24/7, keeping us on top of everything from great destination choices, to the safety of every part of the world. Our company CEO is on several travel committees that also keeps him up to date. We appreciate your trust in us as travel professionals to lead you in the right direction. We work daily with our suppliers, always kept up to date on all aspects of your vacation. During the time that we were in Cancun, there was never a time that I felt threatened, and unsure of my safety. Other than the airport hustlers for transportation or time shares,I never saw anything to be concerned with. My only fear came when I talked myself into standing on that bathroom scale.

Arriving into Cancun Mexico I was really amazed at how quickly and effortless my arrival was. I had heard that Cancun airport has suffered major damage from Hurricane Wilma and had to be renovated, however there were places that I still remembered. Very nice, though! There are plenty of shops, some with the same items that we had seen during our time there, more pricey.

Our transfer went really smooth. We arrived when there was not a lot of traffic. We were staying near the hotel zone so our transfer was only 25 minutes. 45 to 60 minutes should you stay in the Rivera Maya, or Playa del Carmen.

We stayed at the Cancun Palace. The first thing that we were taught was that each Palace has it's own personality of it's own. Nothing is the same with each one. With 660 rooms we stay on the ninth floor, ocean view. Wow really nice and comfy We had the double room still with the Jacuzzi bathtub . Everything that we could possibly need was there, from Farock bathroom amenities that included a toothbrush and shaving kit (it's the ;little things that mean the most)to a fully stocked mini-bar with premium liquor dispensers( American sodas coke and diet coke, plenty of juice, and bottled water) There was also a fruit basket with bottles champagne and red wine. We had robes and slippers, iron and iron board, alarm clock radio and cd player. Don't forget about the turn down service with chocolates on your pillow. The beds were perfect. On the concieger's ;level you have a selection of nine different pillow types. I was comfortable on all three of mine. Beautiful views. We could see everything from the pool to the ocean. Not much of a beach to swim, but beautiful crystal blue. At night we could count the stars. Even though we had more Spanish than English speaking programs there was a flat screen TV, a safe large enough for my laptop, hair dryer, Wi-Fi,and 24 hour room service at no additional cost. Yeah real nice.

There are 6 main restaurants, open from breakfast to late at night. One of the things that I was impressed with Palace resorts was the variety of food. Reservations or time restrictions are required for their a la carte restaurants One night we dined outside at The Steak, I had a t-bone. Another night we were serenaded at Leonardo, where we tasted were introduced with Italian dishes and fine wines. We also dined at Miyako where we had the our own Master Chef, preparing our meat before our eyes. Wow Factor all the way. Service was always top notch. Even at El Mercado, Cancun Palace's main buffet, there were hosts to meet and greet you, escorting you to your table, either inside or out. I've seen plenty of all inclusive resorts that are more seen than heard.

After filling ourselves with all of the delicious food, we were able to schedule a 25 minute spa treatment located in a small corner near the main pool. There is a waiting area with refreshing drinks and peaceful tranquility. My massage was very relaxing, making me want more when my treatment was finally over. You can schedule numerous spa treatments for both him and her.

There are also meeting spaces for any groups may they be large or small. Perfect for families with children programs from age 4 until age 17. While the children program offers much, including a small water park on site, I did not see a lot that would keep my teenager content. There is a room for teens with play stations but I don't see teens hanging out for too long in the kid's program.

One of the main aspects of booking your vacation with Palace resorts would have to be their all inclusive offers that includes exchange privileges with other Palace Resorts



Sandra WeaverSenior Travel Consultant

Carnival Splendor

New updated information for Carnival Splendor

Carnival Splendor 7 night Mexico Rivera, visiting ports of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Mazatlan, departing Sundays from Long Beach, California
Inaugural Cruise July 02, 2008
Guests Occupancy 3734
Passenger Decks:13

7 stateroom categories, ranging from inside upper/lower staterooms, to Balcony Grand Suites

All staterooms offer telephones, 110AC Current, climate control, Carnival Comfort Sleep Systems, hair dryer, safe, minibar, and flat screen TV

I have wanted to see the Carnival Splendor for a while now, so I was definitely excited when the opportunity came along for me to do just that. Because of security delays, I was only able to spend a couple of hours onboard before being having to disembark on a beautiful summer's day in Long Beach, California. During our delay, I was able to explore some new things about Carnival that I had not noticed before, such as the Vip Lounge for special guests for priority check-in. I have always noticed a "table" that is set up in the pick-up/drop off area, however there is actually a lounge located right outside the terminal when Vip Guests can get checked in prior to anyone else. Very Impressive!!
I also noticed that no cameras of any sort are to be used within the terminal, including all phones and other electronics.

Once on board I had exactly 45 minutes to completely tour the ship before our lunch meeting. I was first impressed with what I'll call the Art Deco decoration of the ship. Lots of color and excitement filled the air as I rushed to see all the staterooms that were opened especially for our viewing. I have always loved the bathrooms in the staterooms. They are larger than other cruise lines that I have sailed on and toured, and I love that Carnival gives you the "extra amenities" making your stay more comfortable, such as packaged razors, along with the standard bathroom amenities by Elemis. Each stateroom that I toured offered only showers but large enough to accommodate any size passenger. Being a tall woman, I don't want to take a shower where I have no room to move around. I even took notice that the handicapped bathrooms are equipped with every thing needed such as wider showers with "benches" to sit.

Each room had bathrobes and beach towels. Nicely appointed with a king or twin bed, I noticed how the sofa sleeper actually would be comfortable for a third adult or small children. At 175 square feet, I thought that the inside staterooms seemed to be a bit smaller than the outside or balcony staterooms. Balconies looked small with clear Plexiglas for sitting back and enjoyment. Even in some of the obstructive view staterooms, there was plenty of sunlight filtering in without the large lifeboat directly in front of the window. Each stateroom offer ample drawer and closet space, with a private safe, located in it's own " counter top closet'

Carnival also offers Spa staterooms in inside, outside, and balcony staterooms. These staterooms offer you a private elevator that takes you directly to the Cloud 9 Spa, located on deck 11. In each Spa Stateroom you will find bathrobes, and slippers, with Deluxe Spa Products and special spa amenities and privileges. Unfortunately during my limited time onboard, Cloud 9 spa was closed to inspections.

One of the staterooms viewed was decorated for some type of celebration. I was very impressed with this, something more than just balloons outside your door.

After viewing the staterooms, I had 15 minutes to tour the public areas abroad the Splendor. I did not realize that Carnival offers Movies and Concerts outside on the Lido deck. With a "drive-in" type of screen, on board guests will have plenty of space to kick back and enjoy a good concert or movie. I enjoy watching from the pool or Jacuzzi, definitely something different.

Camp Carnival offers 5,550 sq ft of pure fun for children of all ages, including a section for teens only. The DJ was already at her booth and it was only 2:00 pm. I over heard one parents "introducing his teens to the Teen Club, reminding me how many times I have been on a cruise myself and noticing how within days, I noticed how quickly the teens onboard make friends with one another. My own daughter had "her crew" within what seemed like hours on our first day of cruising. With an impressive 2 story water slide, located on Deck 14, I thought of the "happy' adults that would have a ball decks below. There is definitely a adult only pool sandwiched between Deli/Grille and Pool Bar.

There are 3 main dining rooms, the Black, Gold, and Pink Pearl restaurants. I had lunch in the Pink Pearl and loved that the chandeliers seemed to be made with wooden balls in a spiral formation. I heard one of the agents comment that Carnival had come a long way in terms of their food on board. I must admit that everything that was on our menu was not only quite appetizing, but also served in large portions. I regret not having to be able to take my lunch home in a doggie bag, because there was no way I could finish everything in one seating. We were also entertained by the waiters, with one of the songs from Slumdog Millionaire. Lunch was excellent. My main course was Medallion Beef with mashed potatoes and mushrooms.........mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmm Good!

Other Public areas consists of a Sushi Bar, Duty Free shops, A Piano Bar, 1 large Theatre with about five other on board venues for your entrainment pleasure.
I noticed a picture of a past guest that had won several thousand dollars on board in the Royal Flush casino. Wouldn't that be nice to take a Carnival Cruise and win big like that as a take home life time memory.

The Pinnacle Steakhouse on board at 30.00 per guest offers everything from 3 different cuts of beef, to lamp chops, chicken, lobster and sea bass. Boarding guests can see actually steaks and lobster sizes as they make reservations for dinner. There are 32 culinary delights to choose from on the menu, including starters and deserts with a large selection of International Wines and After dinner drinks

Starting in February 2011, Carnival will take over as the only Cruise line, offering 3, 4, and 7 night Mexico sailings from the Port of Long Beach

Overall Carnival Splendor should deliver the fun and excitement for families and singles of all ages. I'll still miss the other Cruise line that departs in January of 2011, but still love the fact that between Sand Diego and Long Beach departures, the West coast still offers something convenient without having to fly to another departure state or country.

Look for two 15 night round trip San Diego and Long Beach Hawaii cruises starting from Long Beach/Los Angeles on December 2, 2011 and departing from San Diego on April 13, 2012. T
There are Early Saver rates now available for booking, offering rate protection coverage should your rate go down before your cruise. Certain restrictions do apply. additional discounts available for Residents, Seniors, and Military

Pleasant Holidays Oahu and Maui

By: Sandra Weaver - Senior Travel Consultant

My last trip was to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. I was able to visit both Oahu and Maui. Having never been to Hawaii, I was excited! The first island that we visited was Oahu, staying at the historic Royal Hawaiian, located just steps away from the International Marketplace.
The Royal Hawaiian, better known as the "Pink Palace of The Pacific," was built in 1927, one of the first on the island of Oahu. I stayed in 2 room categories, partial ocean view, and garden. My partial ocean view suite had a king bed, with a welcome gift of banana bread in a decorated box that included the recipe to make my own banana bread from home. The bathroom had every amenity that you could wish for. There were flat screen televisions also in the room with a large desk for any work that you may have to do while on vacation. Wi-Fi was also available for use throughout the resort. There was a small French balcony in my room as well. My garden view room was just as comfortable with a smaller bathroom and less bathroom amenities, however, still comfortable. Walking through the halls I found myself wondering what ghosts roam the halls of this beautiful hotel. With a history that goes back to the early 1900's there was no telling just who had stayed here over the years.
Located right next door to the Royal Hawaiian was the Moana Surfrider, also a historic monument, dating back to 1901. I loved the front porch where you can "sit" and watch the passing parade off the main highway of Kalakaua Avenue, one of the main "strips" in Oahu. Both the Royal Hawaiian and the Moana Surfrider are oceanfront with the rooms being smaller at the Moana Surfrider, yet still as comfortable.
I found Oahu to be full of life, moving at a faster pace than any of the other islands, you will forever have plenty to do and see. Even with the hotels that are located across the street from Waikiki Beach, you will still be able to "see" and play at the beach.
Any of the Aston hotels would work as far as comfort and customer service are concerned. Offering room categories from junior suites, to one and 2 bedroom units, complete with full kitchens. Aston hotels have something to offer everyone at affordable rates. Look for their breakfast on the beach promotions for a memorable experience.
Interested in well known resorts such as Hyatt, Marriott, or the Hilton Hawaiian Village resorts? All 3 chains offer oceanfront resorts filled with signature amenities and spa facilities for all. If you are traveling with children, no need to worry, there are children programs to keep your little ones delighted throughout your vacation.
There are plenty of activities on the island of Oahu, from the Polynesian Cultural Center, where you can truly experience the culture of Hawaii, to the history of Pearl Harbor, or the breath taking views of Diamond Head, a renowned landmark in Hawaii.
If you’re looking for fun and plenty to do, then Oahu would be a good place to start!
Next we flew over to Maui. Our airport check-in went smoothly with our flight being under 60 minutes. By the time I got comfortable, ready to read one of my favorite books, we had arrived. Here I stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani, located on the southern shores in Wailea. Here I had a 1 bedroom ocean view room with a separate dining and sleeping area. I really loved the bathroom that offered plenty of lighting and mirrors. The bathroom and shower were awesome, with double sinks for those busy families.
In the living room area there was a sofa bed, offering more space for families of four. There was a door that separated the bedroom from the living room area for privacy. All suites had coffee makers, with mini fridges to keep your favorite beverages cold. It also had an I-Pod desk clock with alarm and a dock for your I-Pods. Everyday there was a Wall Street Journal newspaper on my door to keep up to date with daily news.
The Fairmont is located on a beautiful swim able beach with complimentary daily activities both in the water and out to keep you entertained. With three heated pools, golf courses located nearby, Spa Kea Lani, and 4 restaurants, I was in heaven.
The Fairmont Kea Lani also offers 2 and 3 bedroom villas, located oceanfront, with the most amazing views of the Pacific that you could possibly imagine. The kitchens in the villas offered state of the art kitchen appliances, including a laundry facility. If you choose not to do your own cooking, you can hire your own personal chef to come in to prepare your meals.
Next we toured hotels located in the Kaanapali area, not far from the sleepy town of Lahaina. Lahaina is where the cruise ships dock. Here you are surrounded by historic landmarks, shops that offer souvenirs to "document" your vacation, art galleries, and fine restaurants.
My favorite resort was the Westin Maui, offering shops and fine dining venues, located right next door to Whaler's Village. There's also the Sheraton, built into the mountains of Maui. We also enjoyed a Luau at the Hyatt Maui, where we definitely were entertained by Hawaiian dancers and cuisine.
In conclusion, the islands of Hawaii are definite must do's. With non-stops out of San Francisco and Los Angeles, you are hours away from true paradise. My next goal is to do a 7- 10 night cruise to visit all of the Hawaiian Islands. I still miss it and I've been home for a week!

Liberty of the Seas

I recently sailed on the Liberty of the Seas 7 day Western Caribbean departing from the Port of Miami. I only need 3 letters to describe this ship OMG!!! (Oh My Gosh) Since I had never sailed on any of Royal Caribbean ships, starting out on one of their Freedom family ships, I was totally impressed with everything that this ship had to offer. Described as being the "World's Largest Passenger Ship", I was in awe upon arrival. We had flown a redeye from Los Angeles, arriving at 6:30am on the day of our sailing. For those of you that do not have transfers with Royal Caribbean there is a flat $24.00 one way charge for a taxi. Once we arrived at the port of Miami, we sat and watched all passengers departing from the ship. Everything was well organized. One of the baggage handlers was aware that we were waiting to board just a little bit early. He was right there to tell us when we could board. Diamond and Diamond Plus members of Past Cruisers Crown and Anchor Society are allowed to board before any other guests. As we sat and waited for our turn to board, we observed 50 guests that were there for an on board wedding. They were also able to board before any others. Our boarding was smooth and easy. Instead of arriving on a redeye I would definitely recommend doing a pre night or two in Miami. That way, you can arrive all rested and ready to begin what I will call the cruise of a lifetime. There is so much to do on board for cruisers of all ages. Let's get some things out of the way ..........Service...EXCELLENT, Food.....Excellent, Activities..EXCELLENT! With the capacity of 4500 passengers, I never once felt crowded. Royal has done an excellent job of accommodating this many passengers, with everything from the the Flow rider ( yes I did " attempt" to Surf, but I really don't want to talk about that - :) smile) to ENCORE! The live ice skating show that was simply out of this world. Having done a complete tour of the ship I can tell you that 7 days were not enough to fully enjoy all that the Liberty of the Seas has to offer. The Royal Promenade was also a nice place to be. One night they had a tribute to the music of the 70's complete with large hair and lots and lots of "dancing in the streets. Royal has stages that actually are lowered from the ceiling midair so that no matter where you are standing or sitting you are able to "see" the entertainment. Guests of all ages danced like there was no tomorrow. The Royal Promenade view staterooms are sound proof as to not disturb any of it's guests but great views are available for those booked in this category. The kid's programs that Liberty offers just made my heart jump. Having a 14 year old at home I was really excited at the thought of sailing again with my children just by seeing what Liberty has to offer. ( Security was very tight: strict curfew for children on board, which lets me know that I can trust that my children are safe no matter what) H20 was beautifully decorated with various bright colors and figurines that had water spraying out at several locations. One of the pools is what I would describe as a lazy pool...Float On! Float on! Ice Cream cones were offered at Sprinkles, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate flavors..no additional charge....Ben and Jerry's on the Royal Promenade was also available for a additional cost. Johnny Rockets on the 12th floor (3.95 per person for complete meal, not including Malts, shakes or drinks, beer is available for adults) located right next door to the Challenger's Arcade (watch out Disney). Parents of the younger ages 3-5 (Aquanauts) are provided cell phones which they can use through out their cruise. Explorers are for ages 6-8, Voyagers are 9-11, Navigators (aged 12-14) have their own section to enjoy such events as Scavenger hunts and video games. The teens (Guests) aged 15-17 have their own "no adults allowed" Club (Adventure Ocean and Fuel Teen Disco that offers their own "disco and lounge". There's even a DJ Class to teach them how to spin records. The Rock Climbing wall had both adults and kid's participating. I regret that I did not have time to play mini-golf, but will definitely play when I cruise with my family. For repeat clients there is The Diamond Club Located on Deck 13 boasts a "key needed" lounge that has the most awesome views of both the ship and sea. Perfect for both sunrise and sunset views. Diamond Club Members can have both Continental breakfast and evening cocktails in their private lounge. Wedding couples and their guests will be amazed at the location of the Skylight Chapel Deck 12, located right in the center of all the action, very elegantly decorated in soft colors. Dining offers four separate dining areas that are conveniently located on Deck 12 with the same location. you have a choice of dining at Liberty's Buffet dining at the Windjammer. How about Asian Food served buffet-style at Jade's, perhaps Italian at the Portofino Restaurant for $20.00 per person (reservations required) or Prime cut steaks and seafood at Chops. Her main dining room has three levels with excellent service by the crew, mouth watering dishes served to suit everyone's taste buds, and live entertainment for your enjoyment. I was so full on Lobster night that I was unfortunately able to eat only one. Had I chosen, my waiter would have gladly prepared one to go. There's more...The Ice Skating Show ( free lessons on board are available) was to die for. Such talent, not to mention the other entertainment in the theater. I went every night and was amazed one night after another. on Air Club offers karaoke that definitely had a following every night that it was offered. There were private booths that can record your own karaoke memories to take home with you. Monday night football games were offered in the Sphinx Room so that all football fans would not miss a minute of their favorite games. There were private booths that can record your own karaoke memories to take home with you. Boleros Lounge offers a great Salsa band that played every night and had passengers "dancing in the streets"Very Very Popular! Studio B is where the Ice skating rink is located. Lots of comfortable seats gives you a bird's eye view to entertainment. There's so much more... from the Casino (Playing Penny Slots) to the Pirates Parade on the Royal Promenade, to the top of the line workout equipment (only boxing ring at sea) to a relaxing and comfortable day spa offering various treatments for both male and female. Fitness seminars are available at no additional charge. There's a large conference center available for groups and meetings. Need a barber.....try A Clean Shave Salon is available on the Royal Promenade deck for males that want to have that makeover. Forget about being in bed by midnight.........There was a Midnight Buffet in the Solarium that had fresh fruits, a roasted pig with the apple in his mouth, all the trimmings for tacos, and a variety of the best looking deserts. If you are into chocolate deserts then this is where you would want to be. With a DJ spinning a variety of music, guests were dancing, swimming, and having a real good time. There is always a video camera or photographers there to capture that magic moment for you and last but not least would be the staterooms. Mostly Balconies are on this ship, however both inside and outside staterooms are spacious with the most comfortable bedding that I have slept on while cruising. There is a "sitting area" for those times when you want to sit up to watch your flat screen television. Pay per view Movies are available at $11.95 per movie and yes Liberty did have newly released movies to enjoy. Don't want to stay inside, there is a theater for newly released movies as well. I had a shower in my stateroom. There are suites available that do have bathtubs. I spoke to a lot of Royal Caribbean staff members to see just how they felt to work on board and I never once heard a compliant. Our room Seward (Mark from Jamaica) always made sure that our needs were met. Fully stocked mini-frigs are in the room for those times when you just want to grab a coke or some light snacks. There is an additional charge but not that much. A can of coke was only 1.75, compared to buying it at one of their many bars at 1.50. Soda cards were available at an additional $42.00 per adult with lower prices for children. This soda card comes with a decorated Royal Caribbean signature cup Room Service is also available. Breakfast in bed, no problem Mon!. just remember to fill out your choices from your stateroom to be delivered at your exact time request. Beautiful decorated atrium with artwork throughout the ship that makes you just stop and say ahhhhhhhhh. Art Auctions were on board as well. Private cocktail party with the Captain for Crown and Anchor members. Formal dining and photos? Pick a location throughout the ship for your background. We took so many photos that it was difficult to pick and choose. I regret that I did not purchase a video of my cruise. This is something that I would want to relive again and again. Sailings to the Western and Eastern Caribbean are available well into 2008. Royal Caribbean will offer non-smoking staterooms in the year 2008. You will be amazed! Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas should be a must do in one's lifetime. Great for Weddings on board, great for families with children of all ages. One of the things that I noticed though is that she allowed me to bring out the kid in myself. I'm sure that I was not the only "adult" to feel this way. I observed plenty of adults having a ball dancing, singing, playing, and behaving like one should while on vacation. Perhaps Liberty brought the kid out in them too. (I'm still not going to discuss my ride on the Flow Rider, but I will say that it was the most fun that I have had in a long time) I have only one complaint...........The songs that are available on the jukeboxes in Johnnie Rockets should be made available for On The Air Karaoke Be A Star Nights. We love those oldies but goodies. Royal Caribbean's Freedom Family of ships is a force to be reckoned with.
Sandra WeaverSenior Travel Consultant

Princess Dawn

Recently I completed my graduation cruise on the Dawn Princess. I have previously sailed on three other Princess cruises and being a Commodore (A Princess Specialist) I have to say that I do enjoy Sailing on Princess, especially the Caribbean Princess with movies under the stars. Being based in Los Angeles, I decided to try sailing out of San Diego rather than Long Beach. I was able to find parking for $10.00 a day at "Park n Go " located not far from the Port of San Diego that offers free round trip shuttle service to and from the port of San Diego. If you don't have a pre- or post night in San Diego, this would be an excellent venue for parking saving over $35.00 based upon 7 night cruises. The Dawn Princess is a smaller ship with total capacity of 1970 passengers. I do prefer larger ships, however this one was okay. The Atrium is decorated nicely with artwork through out the ship. I had an inside stateroom, that was comfortable. I was disappointed with not having a flat-screen television, but made due anyhow. Bathroom had a small shower at which my 14 year old complained that she did not have enough room to move around in. The service was excellent. I never ran into any problems with any of my "requests". I have Elite status with Princess, so I really did appreciate the free min-bar set up, and the chocolate covered strawberries that were delivered to my room on formal nights. However the food in both the Formal dining room and Horizon buffet were a bit disappointing. I did not have to worry about added on pounds. I did enjoy certain dishes such as the Alaska King Crab and Streamed Mussels but everything else was nothing to die for. I could determine how traveler's felt by seeing the lines at dinner time, on certain nights, at the Balcony Grill where you could get your hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken cheese burgers from. Their fries were very very good. As soon as we arrived back home, my daughter committed on how we were going to miss the fries. So True! So True! I had open seating dining and never ran into any problems finding a table for two, without making reservations. The Sterling Steakhouse was part of the buffet restaurant that was closed off during dinner hours. The Surcharge for Sterling Steakhouse was only 15.00 per person which is a deal for the amount of food that you are offered. Every steak imaginable was offered, prime cuts. Sushi was also available one day in the Horizontal Court at no additional cost. The Grand Casino had everything from poker tables to penny slot machines. The highest payout was $2200.00 during my week, so yes passengers can take home some winnings should lady luck be around. (I won $73.00 myself) My daughter enjoyed Remix the teens club for teens 13-17 years old. I barely spent any time with her during the entire week. She had "friends". She did everything from playing basketball and Play station videos games to private teen dances and "special dinners". I was not allowed to hang out with her and her friends. smile!!! She really enjoyed being able to hang out until I am, under tight security which made my cruise more relaxing without having to have to get up to check on her at night. La Scala Pizzeria is a very nice restaurant, set up in an Italian atmosphere, tables and chairs set up for dining. please wait to be seated The spa which was a little smaller than my last cruise had nicely appointed massage rooms connecting to the Oasis Spa that offered a adult only pool with 2 hot tub on each side. Princess Links offers a good set-up if you enjoy golf. There is a simulator with different golf courses to chose from. The departure from the ships to the different ports of call (Los Cabos, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta) ran quite smoothly. no hassles, and no big crowds. This time I choose not to do any of the shore excursions, choosing to window shop rather than spending all of my time in port. Being on board while in port was relaxing, not a lot going on, but relaxing. The Princess Theatre and Atrium Lounge were both well appointed. Shows were entertaining, and one day my daughter actually decided to watch Spiderman3 with me for an hour or so...........very comfortable. There is a Princess Future Sales Desk on board, allowing you to "reserve" future cruises for 100.00 down per person, giving one up to four years to book through your favorite travel agent at All-Travel.com. There is also a Captain's circle representative on board that is available to answer any passenger questions and concerns..........You are automatically enrolled in the Captain's Circle after your first cruise. My daughter enjoyed 150 minutes internet usage that was free of charge to all Elite members. additional time would be .75 per minute.... I made sure that she did not go over...children can definitely run bills up . smile!!! All in all my thanksgiving Holiday cruise was okay. Since my last cruise on another cruise line, I found myself comparing my previous experience with the Dawn Princess. I would say that it is definitely for those that really don't want a lot to do but relax. Other than the Remix for my teenager, there was not a lot going on after midnight. We did have one night that was themed "Mexico Fiesta" that started from 10:00pm to midnight. I partied then Overall Dawn Princess is excellent for family reunions. I observed several different " private" events on board. Every age group was on board. For those first time cruisers, it will be a memorable experience.......For seasoned cruisers and Elite members they may wish for a V8 instead. Holland America offers stiff competition for the Dawn Princess, not to be compared to the newer ships such as the Caribbean Princess or the new Emerald and Ruby ships that will make their début soon.

Sandra WeaverSenior Travel Consultant

Sandals Whitehouse

Sandals Whitehouse I just returned from spending 3 nights at Sandals Whitehouse located 90 minutes from Sir Donald Sangster International airport. My redeye non-stop flight got us into Montego Bay at approximately 630am, where a Sandals representative tagged our luggage and arranged for our transfers to Whitehouse on the the northern side of the island. The transit was effortless and not too bad. We had to wait for approximately 1 hour to get everything set up. Time was spent in their hospitality lounge that offered us coffee, tea, Red Stripe Beer, and soft drinks. My only complaint was the wait time for our driver to arrive, and the freezing air conditioner which was welcomed at first because of the hot weather in Jamaica, but after about 5 minutes I wanted to run back out in the heat just to warm up. As previously mentioned by one of my co-workers that was just there last week, the roads were fine until we really got up in the hills, where the roads were less smooth. A lot of bumps and unpaved roads, that's for sure. Even though I must confess that I have always enjoyed the transit times to Negril or Ocho Rios, I was a little anxious to get to Whitehouse during this trip. Not much to see as far as being different from any other location on the island, I was excited to discover a different side to Jamaica that I had never seen, but impatient to "hurry up and get there". Our driver was nice and gave us lots of information. Needless to say I think that we were all just wanting to get checked in and sent to bed. Our check in was effortless as well. Our rooms were ready upon check-in. Note that there may be a time when rooms might not be ready upon arrival, depending of how booked Sandals would be according to travel seasons. If our rooms were not ready then we would have had the option to grab a meal and relax by the pool. There are three different villages within Sandals Whitehouse...the French village, The Italian village and the Dutch Village. The French Village is the furthest away from the center of restaurants and main pool, however there is a pool, bar and the Bluefield restaurant for Jamaican food and snacks. This made it easier when I just wanted to grab something to eat without having to take a hike up to the main areas. My room was comfortable with a nice amenity kit that had lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and a gel for sunburn or the likes.You only get one, so there will be no daily replenishing as you go throughout your vacation. Housekeeping was there daily to clean my room with turn down service at night. The rooms had coffee makers, iron/iron board and mini refrigerator stocked with juices, soda, and water. I must say that I am used to seeing beer and liquor available at the "other" all inclusive. It would have been nice not to have to run out to the closest bar every time I wanted something stronger than a soda, but I adjusted. I liked Sandals Whitehouse. There are 11 different room categories ranging from Luxury Beachfront Room to the one-bedroom Penthouse Honeymoon beachfront with your own private Butler. To be honest I did not see much difference in the room categories. Whitehouse does not offer the private pool or river rooms as does Sandals Negril. I had dinner one night in Arizona's Beach Club which had a Pirate's theme. Tables were pulled together to represent four long tables, giving guests the opportunity to mingle with other guests. Bread and salad was already placed on the tables. One of my biggest highlights was watching as a chef carve a roasted pig right in front of me. Everyone had a good time that's for sure. The next night I had steak and lobster at Eleanor's. Four restaurants offer total a la carte service. No buffet service for dinner, only romantic surrounding with white glove service from service experts. Over all food was good. I was surprised though at the buffet selections at breakfast. It seems less than what I am use to during my stay at other all inclusive resorts. Food is always available at Sandals, so you never have to worry about "waiting" to eat. Sandals Negril offered a different "look" for Sandals. Spread out over the famous 7 mile beach you have more luxury room categories. My favorite was the one bedroom penthouse suite with Jacuzzi tub and private plunge pool. I could imagine the romance. Since my co-worker Julie wrote such a lovely review, I am just going to add to her comments. There are no local craft markets to shop at and Negril would be an hour away. I did enjoy being around the resort for a change. I had the opportunity to enjoy their Red Lane Spa, and took a boat ride on Sandals glass bottom boat. At one time I felt like I was on a cruise ship with the photographers that were always near by to take that special photo. Overall Sandals is big on their private butler service that offers butler service to all of their upgraded categories Beaches the part of Sandals for families was also okay. Since I am a Caribbean specialist, I felt like Simon Cowell with my criticism and I still say that Sandals offers what other all inclusive couples only resorts offer. Only thing is that I think that I like them better. Sandals still has a lot of work to do on their product. Yes weddings are free with a certain type of room category, and yes the romance is definitely there. The crew was nice and friendly - the views out of this world, the food tasty, and the rooms comfortable, but I have been to the competition and even though Butch Stewart has spent millions in marketing I would still opt to go to Couples San Souci, or even the Riu hotels. I would have had more fun and ate more.

Sandra WeaverSenior Travel Consultant