Zoetry is a wellness resort with a very relaxing and romantic atmosphere. This property is NOT Adults Only, but there are no children activities and kids are required to pay full price (even though they cannot drink alcohol which is included in the price) which decreases the attraction for guests with young children to book this resort.

Guests will find a welcoming entrance which focuses your eyes over their glistening pool to the gorgeous ocean views. The art decor and unique suite decorations offer eye-catching and delightful ambiance. Each suite at the resort is uniquely decorated with hand-picked art from around the world, with the standard suite size starting at 1,130 square feet. Plunge pool suites are available and all suites face the ocean!

With three distinct restaurants, you won't find a buffet at this resort, instead you will be impressed by the gourmet dining experiences with no reservations required. Complimentary cooking classes, along with tequila or wine tastings are offered regularly.

Views from most areas of the resort include the beautiful sand and ocean. Whether you enjoy a saltwater pool or freshwater pool, you will find your wants and desires met at Zoetry.

The Endless Privelages awarded each guest of the resort include airport transfers, no designated check-in/check-out time, premium alchohol, Catamaran rides to Isla Mujeres, international phone calls, laundry, and more! The elevated and personalized stay at Zoetry will leave guests refreshed and rejuvenated.

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Get ready to party at Breathless Resort & Spa in Riviera Cancun with a vibrant, chic, and ultra-modern resort experience! This resort and spa offers 3 unique sections depending on your desires - Xhale, Energy, or Xcelerate.

The first section -Xhale - is a preferred club area with a premium price that gives guests access to a no-party atmosphere with an elevated level of personal service and luxury. This is a quiet section with great views of the ocean and beach access. Guests of this area also have access to the other sections, but you must be a preferred member to enjoy the space in Xhale.

The second section - Energy - will offer a party atmosphere, but not too wild. There will be music and a social aspect to this area. Guests will enjoy a nice view of the ocean and beach from the pool. Guests in this area mix and mingle freely with others while enjoying the oasis of the resort.

The hard-core party section of the resort where partying can go until 4am is called Xcelerate. Here, you will find live music, a DJ, crazy atmosphere, and tops are optional. Guests who live and breath for the party atmosphere will feel right at home in this area.

The various restaurants at this property do not require reservations and there is even a 24-hour buffet restaurant to allow the partying to continue. With advanced technology on site, each room has an interactive tablet to control lights and more, as well as order room service.

This adult-only oasis offers luxury and modern suites, along with all the benefits of Unlimited-Luxury, where everthing is included from premium beverages, unlimited gourmet meals, room service, and more!

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On a recent trip to Mexico, I had the privelage of inspecting the Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun resort. This resort is very relaxing, family friendly, and great for multi-generational groups. The property offers exclusive adult-only areas, as well as young children and teenager specific areas.

You’ll be welcomed to the resort by a beautiful open-air lobby with direct views of the ocean. The lobby is surrounded by enchanting fountains which give guests a real calming feeling and lets them know that they are officially on vacation.

There are three pools to choose from throughout the property, including one that is reserved for adults-only. Of course, there is a bar area near this pool, as well, to ensure the adults are taken care of fully. The adult-only pool is near the world-class spa with a wide-range of treatment options. Guests staying in a Preferred Club room will enjoy complimentary access to the spa every day. Also, a privelage of the Preferred Club is a private check-in area.

The CoreZone will be a desired spot for teenagers to engage with others and create their own enjoyable vacation experience. The Explorer Club is a supervised children area for 3-12 year old children. 

Adults should be sure to enjoy Paramour restaurant which is reserved exclusively for adults. In addition, the sister resorts of Now Sapphire can be accessed during the hours of 6-11pm offering a larger restaurant variety.

Set in a tropical landscape of palm trees, relaxing fountains, soft sand and clear blue sea, Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun is the perfect escape for families, couples, and friends.

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Every year, there is a national campaign in the travel industry called Plan a Cruise Month. Major cruise lines will offer special pricing and promotions for cruises that are booked and deposited during this month. What's great is that travel can commence as late as 18 months or more in the future so there is plenty of time to pay off the balance of the cruise.

As an added benefit of booking a cruise through Cruise Planners, whether it be during Plan a Cruise Month or at any other time, is that we monitor all cruises booked through us to watch for future promotions. Guests can be assured that we are searching for the best possible value for their vacation, even after securing the booking. If a better valid promotion or sale is offered anytime between booking the cruise and the final deposit, we will contact clients to offer them the new promotion and explain any differences in fare.

In 2016, more than 24 million passengers enjoyed a cruise and most of those passengers are repeat cruisers. If you have never cruised before, you need to hear what it's all about and what's causing the high number of cruise passenger retention. October is a great month to inquire about a future cruise, while also taking advantage of great promotions.

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The major point of discussion regarding travel right now is regarding all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.  There are reports of some tragic incidents and disturbing situations that visitors in Mexico have experienced. 

Travelers' concerns are very important and should not be diminished. The way people feel about and perceive these situations can differ from person to person. Here are some important things to remember:

• Just to put it into perspective:  There are approximately 35 million tourists annually visiting Mexico and the percentage of these incidents are very small.
• Try to stay positive and enthused about vacations overseas.
• If travelers are no longer interested in traveling to Mexico because of these stories, there are always other options in the Caribbean that may be a great alternative.
• In addition to swimsuits and party clothes, travelers should pack their common sense. If something seems amiss in your destination, it very well may be. Do something about it. Travel in pairs (at least). Do not become the most trusting person on the planet because you left your cares behind.

The concerns are real and should be considered when planning travel to Mexico. Don't let the stories scare you away from considering this destination, but be sure to do your research and select an area that will make you feel comfortable.

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Were you aware that a Passport Card will only allow passengers to travel back into the US at land border crossings and sea ports of entry? Therefore, travelers cannot use the Passport Card for international air travel. This can be an expensive lesson if you are not prepared ahead of time.

The Passport Book, on the other hand, allows passengers to travel international via land, air, or sea. The purpose of the Passport Card is for frequent land border crossings.

"The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel." - US Department of State

The Passport Card is cheaper which is why some people decide to get it instead of the Book, but passengers will be denied bording at the airport if all that is presented for an international flight is the Card. Also, travel insurance will not cover trip expenses for this reason so it's possible that passengers could be out thousands of dollars for an international trip if they are not equipped with the proper documentation.

Be prepared for your next trip by visiting travel.state.gov. 

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TSA to Notify Travelers of Upcoming 2018 Real ID Airport Enforcement

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have started posting signs at airports notifying travelers that beginning January 2018 it will start enforcing REAL ID requirements at airport security checkpoints, meaning that travelers seeking to use their state-issued driver’s license or identification card for boarding commercial aircraft may only use such documents if they are issued by a REAL ID compliant state or a non-compliant state with an extension.

TSA’s notification follows Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson’s announcement earlier this year of the final phase of implementation of the REAL ID Act.  Effective January 22, 2018, TSA will only accept state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards if they are issued by a REAL ID compliant state or a non-compliant state with an extension.  As always, travelers may use alternate forms of identification such as a passport, military ID, or permanent resident card. A complete list of identification documents accepted at TSA checkpoints is available on tsa.gov.

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, establishes the minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards for certain official purposes, including boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, from states that do not meet these minimum standards and have not received an extension for compliance from DHS.

DHS continues to work with states to encourage compliance and may grant extensions or determine compliance for additional states as warranted.  TSA will update signage if and when states that are currently listed receive extensions.  Learn more about REAL ID, check the status of your state’s complianceor read the frequently asked questions.

The Real ID Act of 2005 states that state-issued IDs from these nine states do not meet the minimum security standards of the federal government. They are Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina & Washington.

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Recently, I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell Downtown for one night before a cruise out of Miami. In my opinion, this hotel is great for a business guest or families looking for a short stay before or after a cruise.

My husband and I were treated with a complimentary welcome beverage following check-in. Our young son who obviously would not benefit from an adult beverage was offered a goodie bag with candy and water. We had a long day traveling to get to Miami so we enjoyed taking a quick dip in the 6th floor outdoor pool before searching for somewhere to eat dinner. There are many restaurants within walking distance and we found one close to the hotel that offered outdoor seating. Then, it was back to the pool and hot tub to relax before getting on the cruise ship the next day. (They don't advertise this, but the pool is open 24 hours which is great for those looking for a late night dip)

Every morning, all guests of the hotel are treated to a wonderful hot and cold breakfast spread, along with a fresh waffle bar. We were able to fill up on food knowing that we wouldn't be on the cruise ship until after lunch.

For cruise guests, the hotel offers shuttle service from the hotel to the cruise port for a small nominal fee which was useful to us.

This hotel is on my recommendation list for anyone traveling to Miami for the fact that it is a short drive from the cruise port and airport, close to restaurants, offers a complimentary welcome beverage and complimentary breakfast, along with the great atmosphere by the outdoor pool. The staff was friendly and attentive which made the whole experience unforgettable.

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Preparing for a cruise involves many components. One component I always recommend is a hotel stay before the cruise to ensure you are near the port in time for embarkation because flights and other travel delays are always a possibility. I also feel a post cruise hotel stay is beneficial as well.

It can be very risky to schedule flights the same day your cruise is scheduled to leave, but can work out just fine in most cases. You must consider the stress involved though and if it's worth the hassle of waking up to catch a flight, then be transported to the port to wait in line to get onboard by a certain time. Sometimes the stress of cramming it all in during one day can be overwhelming.

On my recent cruise experience, my family and I arrived in the port city one day early. We were supposed to arrive by 4pm (after leaving our house at 6:30am), but because of flight delays, we did not check in to our pre-cruise hotel until after 6pm. I could not have imagined flying in and dealing with delays while rushing to get to the port all in one day. It was a very long travel day as is. It was refreshing to have time to spare and a relaxing night in the port city before starting the cruise (and we were lucky enough to stay in a hotel with a complimentary welcome beverage which definitely helped with relaxation!).

We also chose to stay one night after the cruise in the port city before flying home. This has its' advantages and disadvantages. We did not feel rushed to get off the ship by a certain time and were luckily able to check in to the hotel early and utilize all the facilities. However, one downside was having to slightly unpack again after we had just packed up the night before on the ship. We tried to unpack as minimally as possible to make the next morning easy for getting checked out of the hotel and to the airport. Overall, it seemed to minimize the stress of going straight from the cruise ship to the airport and either rushing to get to your plane on time or waiting for several hours until departure because there never seems to be a plane that leaves at a precisely convenient time following a cruise.

A cruise is a great vacation in and of itself, but make sure to consider if either a pre-cruise or post-cruise (or both) hotel stay is something that will make your next cruise vacation even better.

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The web and travel guides are useful for initial research, but the firsthand knowledge and resources of a professional travel agent adds value to your vacation.

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