Norwegian

Norwegian Upgrade Advantage cruise offer

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Norwegian Upgrade Advantage welcome screen. This is the screen you see when following the link in the email or logging in to your account.
Norwegian Upgrade Advantage welcome screen. This is the screen you see when following the link in the email or logging in to your account.

Three days ago, I booked a short cruise to Cuba. I am travelling in July on the Norwegian Sky, and I will sail alone. As a result, I booked an inexpensive ocean view guarantee cabin. That means I will have some natural light, but a small cabin and no control over its location. That is fine for solo cruising. Yesterday, however, I got an email from NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) offering me the chance to upgrade to a larger room. The Norwegian Upgrade Advantage program sets a minimum bid price, and then you say how much you would be willing to pay for a larger room. The program has some distinct advantages and disadvantages. Continue reading “Norwegian Upgrade Advantage cruise offer” →

Norwegian

Norwegian Sky Cuba cruise next month!

by Texan Abroad1 Comment on Norwegian Sky Cuba cruise next month!

For a kid who became aware of politics in the 80s and has since developed a thing for Caribbean cruising, Cuba is an interesting series of contradictions. It has always been inaccessible and often hostile. It also looks like a fantastic cruise port. I still hadn’t booked a big trip for the Summer, and then I noticed something big. Norwegian Sky Cuba cruises are on sale for next month. All of the rooms on this ship include a free open bar. I booked the July 2 sailing from Miami to Havana and Great Strirrup Cay, and I am beyond excited. Over the next six and a half weeks, I will keep you posted on the preparations involved in this cruise. Continue reading “Norwegian Sky Cuba cruise next month!” →

Hotels, Las Vegas, Royal Caribbean

Changes to MLife Royal Caribbean benefits

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MLife Royal Caribbean benefits. We pulled this chart on 10 May 2018 to show the benefits elite MLife members can expect to receive on Royal Caribbean.
MLife Royal Caribbean benefits. We pulled this chart on 10 May 2018 to show the benefits elite MLife members can expect to receive on Royal Caribbean.

I wrote last year that I wasn’t particularly impressed with the casino on the Liberty of the Seas. Part of that problem was that I was expecting to receive MLife points which never showed up because I failed to read the fine print. My bad. It appears, however, the MLife Royal Caribbean relationship is now more straightforward. Full details are available from MLife, and we have tried to describe some of the key points here. Continue reading “Changes to MLife Royal Caribbean benefits” →

Drinks

Bernheim Wheat Whiskey Dine Drink Travel Podcast

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Bernheim Wheat Whiskey. The John Brawley Tophat West Texas Bourbon Society gathered for our first podcast.
Bernheim Wheat Whiskey. The John Brawley Tophat West Texas Bourbon Society gathered for our first podcast.

I have always been a big fan of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey. This afternoon, the John Brawley Tophat West Texas Bourbon Society gathered to see if we could figure out how to do a podcast, and in the process drank a sufficient quantity of the beverage in order to make a well-informed judgment. The podcast contains a great depth of description and, well, irreverent humor than does this entry. Please check it out. For those of you are work, however, or who otherwise cannot hear the audio file, we invite you to read below for our take on this excellent drink. Continue reading “Bernheim Wheat Whiskey Dine Drink Travel Podcast” →

Family Restaurants, Fine Dining, Las Vegas

HEXX for brunch in Las Vegas

by Texan AbroadLeave a Comment on HEXX for brunch in Las Vegas
HEXX, located at the Paris Hotel. may offer the best brunch in Las Vegas. The patio seating is definitely worth it.
HEXX, located at the Paris Hotel. may offer the best brunch in Las Vegas. The patio seating is definitely worth it.

I have written a lot about fine dining in Las Vegas, but that is mostly an option for dinner. I am a big fan of buffets for brunch, and the Caesars Bacchanal buffet may be the best. However, sometimes you just don’t want a buffet. For the best brunch in Las Vegas, you should definitely give HEXX a try. Located in front of the Paris, is has a good center Strip location with available patio seating which is great for people watching. Continue reading “HEXX for brunch in Las Vegas” →