We blogged on this about a year and a half ago, when details of the Disney Dream were released.  Disney has continued this unique feature of their ships, with including the “Magical Portholes” on the soon to be sailing Disney Fantasy.  These have made the inside cabins much more attractive! Both Ben and Tim from our office will be on the ship for 3 nights at the end of March – be on the lookout for more information and insight!

Just like her sister ship the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy will feature Magical Portholes, offering inside stateroom guests a “window” to the world with a real-time view outside the ship.

“Magical

A cruise industry first, high-definition cameras on the exterior of the ship feed video to wall-mounted framed monitors that have the appearance of a porthole. Camera positions correspond with stateroom locations – port or starboard, from bow to stern.

Disney Parks Blog followers, you are the first to get a glimpse of the art renderings depicting entertaining animated characters that may appear in the Disney Fantasy Magical Portholes!

Rapunzel from “Tangled” just might swing by…

… Mr. Potato Head from “Toy Story” could give a wave…

…or maybe Scuttle and Flounder from “The Little Mermaid” will peek in as they fly by.

No matter which character pops by, one thing is for sure – inside stateroom guests on the Disney Fantasy won’t miss out on the beautiful ocean views as this majestic ship sails the high seas!

via Magical Portholes on the Disney Fantasy « Disney Parks Blog.

I got a bobble head burro while in Cancun.  While this statement makes me smile and my wife laugh you are probably saying to yourself right now, ”who cares,  I don’t want a bobble head burro nor  do I want to go to spring breaker heaven.”

Hopefully you will reconsider Cancun and even getting a bobble head burro with these 3 little insights.

1.        Location Location Location

While the location of Cancun is usually for people who want the night life and activities compared to others who want rest and relaxation I want you to think outside of the box.  First of all, the locations of most of resorts in Cancun are very close to the airport and transportation so you don’t have to spend forever on a transfer bus or in a taxi.  Secondly, the beaches are very nice and although they may seem small compared to Riviera Maya you can still get sand in your feet and in your hair! Thirdly, shopping:  In Cancun you are near everything!  The Mexican outlet and malls are nearby for those cool souvenirs such as a bobble head burro or a nice hammock. McDonald’s, Starbucks and all the clubs are right there too if you did want to get out of resort/hotel mood for a few hours.

2.       Been there done that but have you?

It seems as if everyone and their brother have gone to Cancun at one point in their life.  Nowadays the new cool locations are Riviera Maya or some other location such as Punta Cana.   If you went to Cancun 2 years ago or 20 years ago a lot has changed.  The hotel zone is still thriving and it’s not just because of spring breakers.  I would recommend giving a Cancun a second look because it seems like every year something new is happening in this great location.

3.       It isn’t all about spring break

Cancun is famous for Spring break and its spring breakers!  If we all agree to this statement then we can come to the conclusion on a few things.  First, Spring break takes please during Spring Break.  If you want a great location without the spring break crowd then go to Cancun sometime other than Spring Break.  My wife and I went in November and we didn’t see a single spring breaker although we did see some old people drinking a little too much from time to time!  Secondly, spring breakers go to Cancun because the price is right.  The typical college student doesn’t have much money and therefore if you are wanting to save a few bucks take a lesson from them and save yourself some cash and go to Cancun where it seems like everything is cheaper for the most part.  Lastly, spring breakers go to where they feel comfortable. Most of the time you don’t really see spring breakers going out of their way to find some exotic location where they will save some cash and yet have a hard time getting round and making their way around town.  If you are thinking of a great location where you can easily get around without the hassles of language problems and other travel issues than consider Cancun.

Whether your buy a bobble head burro or not I hope you will consider Cancun for your next trip.  Not only is it a great location but it continues to change to meet the needs of clients and there is no need to worry about spring breakers as long as you aren’t going during spring break.

Ben-Camelot World Travel  (Visited RIU Cancun in November 2011)

I just returned from the Iberostar Grand Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico.  The trip was a recognition trip of our status with MAST Vacation Partners, recognizing the top producers in the group.  This year’s trip was sponsored by one of fabulous partners, Travel Impressions.  We had a great time, despite 5 straight days of rain.

The Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso is the star of Iberostar’s Playa Paraiso complex, a vast walled city with a larger transient population than some Midwestern U.S. towns.

The beachfront resort is about midway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, putting it in the heart of the Riviera Maya corridor.

It is easily the most luxurious of the resorts in the development, offering an adults-only all-inclusive environment to counter the often-rambunctious family atmosphere found at the four other hotels. Its Greco-Roman architecture blends with the jungle-like terrain, full of tropical gardens and flowering trees.

Guests are warmly greeted at check-in with oshibori towels and glasses of champagne, setting the tone for an indulgent vacation, where nearly everything is included in the room price, including nightly theatrical shows, premium-brand liquors, golf, sailing, wine tastings and gourmet a la carte meals (some limits apply).

Guests at the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso have access to the facilities at the four other resorts within the Playa Paraiso complex, including approximately two dozen restaurants and the same number of bars. Even for guests who prefer to stay on property, there are many dining options.

The beachfront international buffet is the most popular restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner—indoors or out. It offers limitless buffet meals, plus nightly specials, including lobster night and a Mexican fiesta. The steak house serves dinner only, featuring Angus beef, fresh seafood and views of the ocean. The resort’s Japanese restaurant serves fresh sushi, Asian noodle and rice dishes, teppanyaki and teriyaki. For hearty Italian food, guests can enjoy a la carte meals at the northern Italian restaurant, serving pizzas, pastas and fresh salads. For light meals all day long and late-night snacks, the poolside international Grand Paraiso Exteriorgrill is the place to be.

The hotel lobby bar is a relaxing spot for daytime fun and early-evening socializing. It has a sophisticated urban twist. The pool has a swim-up bar, and drink service is available on the sundeck. For the sophisticated set, a martini and cigar bar offers a chance to chat with like-minded guests while savoring an exotic drink and a smoke. For late-night fun, guests head to the amphitheater for live shows, then hit the on-site nightclub for DJ dancing until late at night. Special events, such as live music, wine tastings and star-gazing outings are also staged throughout the week.

Guests at the resort can spend the day lounging at one of the three swimming pools, including a huge saltwater pool, a lakelike freshwater pool and a heated indoor pool. The beach is nearly a half-mile long and is dotted with sunbeds, ideal for taking a snooze in shaded comfort. Active guests can head to the fitness center and hit the workout stations, treadmills and free weights, or take advantage of the included yoga, Tai Chi, spinning and dance classes.

Back outside, the athletic set can play tennis, go windsurfing, snorkel or participate in free scuba diving introduction classes. The “Star Friends” activities staff is on hand to lead guests to the next activity.

Guests can take a complimentary shuttle to the town of Playa del Carmen for souvenir shopping, beach-hopping and dining.

The Playa Paraiso Resort Spa services all the hotels in the complex. It offers 32,000 sq ft of Zenlike luxury and specializes in couples treatments, thalassotherapy and beauty treatments. It houses whirlpools, saunas, Turkish baths, Roman baths and a Mayan Temazcal sweat lodge. Massages are offered in Grand Paraiso Lobbythe spa, on the beach and in the guest rooms of Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso.

Guests have playing privileges at the adjacent 18-hole championship golf course, designed by P.B. Dye. Hotel guests get one round of golf per person for a stay of four nights or less, and two rounds for longer stays.

A full-scale convention center welcomes groups with more than 15,000 sq ft of space, ideal for upscale meetings, conventions and expositions.

There is also a mall connected to the hotel, with ample shopping options and external dining experience, not included in the all-inclusive rates.

Guest rooms are housed in modern buildings spread out around the complex. All rooms are actually suites, with one king or two double beds, spacious floor plans, two-person jetted tubs, satellite TV, CD/DVD player, MP3 docking station, safe, coffeemaker, ceiling fan, premium linens, stocked minibars (including beer, wine and liquor), premium bedding and private terrace or balcony, depending on location. Baths are large, with marble fixtures, luxury amenities, robes and slippers.

Smoke-free and special-needs rooms are available. No pets are allowed. Nightly turndown service is complimentary. Room service runs 24 hours, and hotel security is on patrol around the clock.

Given the large size of this hotel and the overall Iberostar complex, getting around can be an issue. Electric carts are used to transport guests to and fro, but it can become tiresome for those accustomed to fending for themselves.

via STAR Service Online – Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso.

We are only 5 days away from our Destiantion Sunshine Event! So what do you have a chance to win this year?  Let me tell you a little about the prizes:

3 night Stay at the Catalonia Rivera Maya

This all inclusive resort is located near Puerto Aventuras and has a private beach. There are 2 buffet restaurants and 4 specialty restaurants that include: Italian, Mexican, Tepanyaki and Grillhouse. With a fully equipped Sports Bar, Gym, Spa, Tennis Court, daily and nightly entartainment, and Kids Club, there will be plenty of acitivty at this beautiful resort!

3 Night Stay at the Paradisus La Esmeralda OR La Perla

Both of these resorts are new to the Playa Del Carmen area in the Riviera Maya, which offer all suites! La Perla is adults only while La Esmeralda is kid friendly. With the all inclusive, you can enjoy your choice of 9 restaurants, 8 bars, 24 hour room service, non-motorized watersports and free WiFi throughout the resort!

Grand Prize: 7 Night Stay with Air at the Iberostar Dominicana
Destination, Punta Cana! Boasting one of the best locations on Bavaro Beach, this attractive complex is located directly on the gently sloping, fine sandy beach, surrounded by palm trees and adjacent to Iberostar Punta Cana. Enjoy a buffet, 5 specialty restaurants, 9 bars and lounges, non-motorized watersports, Caribbean Street with shopping, and Lucy’s Kid’s Club. There is also a Spa and a new 18 P.B.Dye Golf course on site!

But the chance to win does not stop there! If you book your trip with deposit at the day of the airport, you will be entered into a seperate drawing for a chance to win 1 of 5 rebates offered by the Chicago-Rockford Int’l Airport. The drawings will be for 3-$50, 2-$100, and 1-$250.

Don’t forget you will also recieve $50 off per person, a Camelot World Travel exclusive!
Join us at the airport on Saturday 9a-1p to register for these fabulous prizes and book your next vacation!!

Registration ends at 12 noon.  Drawing will take place a approximately 12:15 p.m.  You must be 21 years or older and present to win.

Jammie Nieves, Camelot World Travel, Operations Manager

It is that time of year! Camelot World Travel will have the 4th annual travel show, Destination Sunshine, out at the Chicago Rockford International Airport October 1st, 9am until 1pm.

So what is this travel show all about and what does it mean for you?  This show is to support the flights from the Chicago Rockford Int’l Airport to Cancun, Mexico and the newest international destination Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, provided by Apple Vacations. And for you, there will be hotel representatives on hand to answer questions about resorts at both destinations, exclusive discounts available only with Camelot World Travel along with agents available to book your next vacation.  You can register to win one of 3 prizes, and if you book that day at the airport, you will be entered to win one of 5 rebates offered by the RFD Airport which is up to $250 off your trip!

You can also visit us at www.camelotworldtravel.com to register for prizes and details about the event.  Or you can call us at the Rockford office at 815-633-2200 or Loves Park office at 815-877-8080 for more details.

Jammie Nieves, Camelot World Travel, Operations Manager

For some people the thought of spending the holidays involves family, friends, presents, little baby Jesus and lots of Christmas cheer.   This year however I would like you to expand your thinking on the Christmas timeframe and consider spending the holidays with Mickey Mouse!  Yes, that’s right, I said Mickey Mouse.

Every day is a great day to be at Disney.  Christmas time is no exception. As usual, Disney goes above and beyond to cater to a spectacular experience during their Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas.   This past December I had the privilege to experience Disney World first hand.   Here are some highlights that I believe you would enjoy as well.

–Yuletide Fantasy tour:  The Yuletide Fantasy tour is a behind the scenes tour that gives you great knowledge of how Disney makes the Christmas time so fantastic.  You will be able to see where they mass produce their millions of Christmas decorations and how they assemble them.  This tour will also give you great insight on how and why Disney chooses displays and where they got their inspiration.  The Yuletide Fantasy tour is a great tour for the Christmas time fanatic or if you want to do something that most Disney goers don’t consider. This tour generally will take between 3 and 3 ½ hours.

–Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights:  Located in Hollywood Studios, the spectacle of lights is simply amazing.  At times you will see snow flying in the night sky as you watch Christmas lights dance in synchronization to Christmas music and songs that we all love and adore.  If you are thinking that it is a glamorized Christmas tree lite up then think again.  Buildings, rooftops, and everything is lite up in this amazing light show.  My advice would be to make sure you make it to Hollywood Studios at night time to check this out even if it is just for a few minutes.  The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is included with standard admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.  Dates are scheduled for November 10 2011 through January 3 2012.

–Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas:  This special event takes place during select winter nights which requires additional event admission.  In order to full grasp what Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas entails here are some of the highlights:

• The enchanted Castle Dream lights on Cinderella’s Castle
• Mickey’s once upon a Christmastime parade (Santa shows up!)
• Fireworks
• Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
• Magical snow on main street USA

This event is truly magical!  I personal was a bit skeptical about what it was all about but after warming up with some free cookies and cocoa and seeing all the smiling faces on children of all ages I started to realize that this event is a MUST DO at Disney World.  After seeing Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas along with the other Christmas time events at Disney World I no longer say, “Spending the holidays with Mickey—say what?”  I now say,  “Spending the holidays with Mickey—AWESOME”, with a big grin on my face!

Hope to see you with cookies in hand,

Ben

Main Pool, Activities Pool

Riviera Maya is an area located jut south of Cancun that has become a hugely popular tourist destination.  I have visited this area three times this year alone and all times I have stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Complex. This complex consists of 5 properties starting with the Del Mar and Beach as the entry level, the Lindo and the Maya with more amenities, and the adults only property, the  Grand.

This was my first experience staying as a “vacationer” at the Ibersostar Grand Paraiso with my husband.  I have always enjoyed the service, food and entertainment thatYIberostar had to offer so was excited to try and see what the “Real” difference was between the Grand and the others (meaning the “other ” resorts I had mentioned in the complex) and if the cost was substantiated.  I am very pleased to report that there is a definite difference and that Yes, the cost does reflect what you receive.

Atrium Ceiling at the Grand

From the time you pull up to the resort you can see the decor is on a much more “grand” scale and has a more Venetian look than that of the other properties that tend to have a Mexican feel to them.   We were greeted by our bellman, Ricardo, who took our bags promptly and escorted us to the check in desk.  The check in process was quick and with a welcome cocktail in hand, we were off to our room. After walking through the lobby you enter into the atrium area  that has  a beautiful mural painted on the ceiling above. Here is where the hotel shops, hospitality area, internet room (with free internet access), Music Bar (with nightly Karaoke) and game room are located.  The Venetian Restaurant is also located off of the atrium, as well as an authentic Gondola that you can have your picture taken in.

Our room was located in the main building, right off of the main hallway.  Unless you are in a beachfront suite, your access to the rooms are actually inside of the building, not outside like the other properties.  That is a big plus if it is raining or it is hot and humid outside.

Main Building at the Grand

Because after you have showered and dressed for dinner, you can just walk to the restaurants which are also located inside of the main building.  Once we arrived at our beautiful Junior Suite, the bellman told us that our butler would be there shortly to welcome us.  Within a few minutes, Julio, our butler arrived to tell us all about the room, how to use the safe and to ask us what we liked to drink.  Within ten minutes, I had cold Diet Coke and my husband had some cold Corona ready to put into our mini fridge.  If I had asked for a bottle of Captain Morgan in my room, I would have received that also.  Off to a great start!

Dessert from the Gourmet Restaurant

Next we went down to see our concierge, Jessica, to make our dinner reservations.  She was able to get us into the Japanese Restaurant that evening and scheduled all our other nights as well.  We decided to go to Toni’s Surf and Turf the next evening, the Mexican Buffet next, then the Gourmet, and finally the International Buffet on the final night.  We were set!

Ocean View from the Main Pool

This property also has 3 pools, the main activity pool (with a very well stocked pool bar and top shelf liquor), a quiet pool with  no pool bar, but with wait service, and the pool at the spa.  When at the main pool, you had a great view of the ocean, which is not something you can get at the other properties.  They have trees that separate their pool and beach areas.  Everyday at 3:00pm, they had an activity that you could partake in.  The one my husband choose was the Kayak race in the pool.  The prize was a free 30 minute massage.  He didn’t win, but don’t worry, I still received a wonderful massage. There was nightly entertainment at the resort in an air conditioned theater, as the other resorts are all open air.

Turndown Service

Every meal we had was delicious!  They have great food and many choices and all in air conditioned rooms.  At dinner each night, the chef’s would come out and ask you about your dinner.  It was nice to have such a personal touch and we looked forward to seeing them at every meal! After dinner the first night, we came back to the room to see the bed had been turned down and the butler had arranged for us to have Champagne in our room as we told him we were there to celebrate our anniversary.

This is what sets this hotel apart from the other properties, the service.  From the Butler, to the Concierge,  to the Bellman driving you anywhere on the Iberostar complex, all of the staff was very welcoming and friendly and always asked how your day was and if you needed anything.  And they went above and beyond to make sure they got it for you!

So to sum up the differences between the Grand and the other Iberostar properties:

• Adults only
• All restaurants are air conditioned
• 24 hour room service, lobster and filet mignon included!
• Butler service
• Concierge Service
• Use of spa facilities for free (massages and facials are extra)
• 2 free rounds of golf with a 5 night stay or more (club rental and cart fees extra)
• Top Shelf Liquor on entire resort including pool bar
• Free internet access in lobby
• Bellman take you all over the Iberostar Complex
• Elevators in the hotel
• All rooms are Junior Suites except for the Honeymoon Villas and Presidential Suite
• Softer Beds and Pillow Menu
• Bathrobes and slippers
• DVD player and MP3 dock in each room, concierge has movies you can watch for free
• Cooking classes and wine tastings
• Specialty grilled food at lunch in addition to buffet

I have loved every property at the Iberostar complex and they all have good food and service, which is why I also go back.  But the Iberostar Grand just had that something extra, which is what you should get for the price difference.  I highly recommend this hotel and can’t wait for my return visit!

Jammie Nieves, Leisure Manager, Camelot World Travel

Starting December 26, 2011, Rockford has a new tropical destination: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  This is in addition to the already popular Cancun service, which are both offered by Apple Vacations.  The Punta Cana service is offering 7 night and 14 night packages with flight times to be announced in the near future.  This year, these charter flights will be operated by Frontier Airlines.

Now Larimar Resort in Punta Cana

So what does Punta Cana have to offer as a destination?  Here are a few reasons that Punta Cana has been a popular spot for many travelers:

• Modern and luxurious resorts and spas
• 19 amazing golf courses designed by legends such as Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Nick Faldo
• Exceptional watersports like sport-fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving
• Enticing restaurants and vibrant nightlife
• Shopping, local handicrafts and art
• The spirit and charm of the Dominican culture
• And 40 miles of spectacular sugar white beaches

I have personally been to both Cancun/Riviera Maya and Punta Cana and have thoroughly enjoyed them all.  Punta Cana, like Cancun, has beautiful palm tree lined beaches, turquoise waters, and great resorts.  Many of the same Resort chains that you may be familiar with in Cancun/Riviera Maya are also in Punta Cana.  Iberostar, RIU, Dreams, Secrets, Bahia, and Grand Palladium are just a few.  I found the Dominican people to also be very welcoming and service was great!

Camelot is very excited to be able to offer both destinations to our travel clients.  The Apple Vacation service has been very popular for our clients not only because of the destinations, but also for the easy convenience and free parking the Chicago-Rockford International Airport has to offer.  With all of these great amenities and tropical weather, make Punta Cana your travel choice for 2012!

Jammie Nieves, Leisure Travel Manager, Camelot World Travel