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Rony’s Tours in Roatan, Honduras

Where we waited for Rony's Tours in Roatan, Honduras.
Where we waited for Rony’s Tours in Roatan, Honduras.

We were on the June 25, 2017 sailing of the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas out of Galveston. One of the reasons we booked this trip was so we could stop in Roatan, Honduras. We were there two years ago and booked a trip to Maya Key, and we had a great time. This time, however, we wanted to get a little bit more adventurous and see the island itself. We contracted with Rony’s Tours to do ziplining and snuba diving in Gumbalimba Park. I will review the activities themselves separately, but for now wanted to comment on the service and experience with the tour company. Continue reading “Rony’s Tours in Roatan, Honduras”

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American Airlines Basic Economy fares are problematic for business

A few months back, American Airlines announced a new class of fares aimed at those who wanted the least expensive journey possible. Called “basic economy,” it looks as if these fares use booking code/fare class B. They are cheaper than basic economy fares, and that is a great option. However, you do not get an assigned seat until check in, and you do not even get to store a bag in an overhead bin. This process is completely transparent when booking on American’s own website, but there are at least two major problems: Those whose corporate travel policies require them to book the cheapest possible fares, and those searching for fares on third party booking sites. Continue reading “American Airlines Basic Economy fares are problematic for business”

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Maya Chan Beach in Costa Maya, Mexico

Maya Chan Beach in Costa Maya, Mexico.
Something cold and delicious to drink at Maya Chan Beach in Costa Maya, Mexico. It was probably a piña colada, but I’m not gonna lie. The open bar was fantastic, and I may have tried more than one thing.

If you have ever dreamed of the perfect day at the beach, you really need to check out Maya Chan Beach in Mexico. Marketed at folks arriving in Costa Maya on cruise excursions, this place offers an almost perfect day at the beach at prices much lower than anything I have traditionally paid for shore excursions. This review comes from our June 29, 2017 arrival on the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas. I will start with the problems on this trip before discussing the incredibly rich experience we had, and I have also posted a video review on YouTube. On balance, however, know this: On my next cruise I will specifically look for an itinerary calling at Costa Maya just so I can go to this place. Continue reading “Maya Chan Beach in Costa Maya, Mexico”

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Grand Suite on the Liberty of the Seas

View looking toward the front door of Grand Suite Cabin 1298 on the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas. Wife and kids not included with the cabin. You must bring your own.
View looking toward the front door of Grand Suite Cabin 1298 on the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas. Wife and kids not included with the cabin. You must bring your own.

Earlier this week, I posted a video review of our Grand Suite (#1298) on the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas for the 25 June 2017 departure out of Galveston. This was a great cabin for our family of 4. I know that many folks prefer to have text-based information, so…. here you go! This was a great cabin for mom, dad, and sons aged 9 and 11. The suite perks were also nice, but today I just want to focus on what the cabin itself was like. It was almost identical to the trip we took on the Navigator of the Seas in 2015 in another Grand Suite, although all of the pictures are from this sailing. Continue reading “Grand Suite on the Liberty of the Seas”

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Are the Royal Caribbean suite perks worth it?

Royal Caribbean occupies an interesting niche in the cruise industry. Their closest competitor is probably Carnival, and each line offers a distinct sub-niche: Carnival offers an excellent budget value, and Royal Caribbean tends to offer newer ships with slightly more space. Royal Caribbean also does something else which Carnival is only starting to do– for guests in a Grand Suite or above, they offer a wide range of perks which make the cruise a very different experience. I have seen a lot of folks ask the question about whether those perks are worth it, and I attempt to answer that question here. Continue reading “Are the Royal Caribbean suite perks worth it?”