Resort Highlight - Secrets Maroma

Tucked away on one of the most pristine and famous beaches in all of Mexico, this AAA Five Diamond Resort is the perfect setting for adult adventure, relaxation, romance and Unlimited-Luxury®.

Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun offers 412 luxurious guest suites, each featuring a four-poster canopy king-size bed (or two double beds), private terrace or balcony, in-suite Jacuzzi for two, complimentary mini-bar and much more.

Unlimited-Luxury® is more than just a phrase. It’s a commitment to fulfilling your every wish and exceeding your expectations at every turn. It includes every amenity you’d expect from a world-class destination and so much more.

 

At Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun, these amenities include:

• Elegant accommodations with stunning views
• Welcome cocktail and cool towel
• Gourmet dining at seven on-site restaurants and a café
• Free WiFi and international calling with Unlimited Connectivity
• Full breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks each day
• 24-hour room and concierge service
• Unlimited top-shelf spirits at seven bars and lounges
• Complimentary mini-bar refreshed daily
• Day and nighttime activities and entertainment
• Enjoy complimentary greens fees at nearby Grand Coral Golf Course
• Pool and beach wait service
• Non-motorized water sports
• Vanishing edge dual-temperature pool
• Open-air theatre and game area
• Fitness center
• Concierge in every building
• Internet access
• Infinity edge pool and outdoor Jacuzzi
• Option to upgrade to Preferred Club privileges
• All taxes and gratuities

Watch the Video!

Excursion - Night Thrills in the Riviera Maya

When traveling anywhere, part of the adventure is learning culture and trying new experiences. If you are ready for a new adventure, consider the night tour of Xplor. It provides a variety of activities for the adrenaline junkie. Here is an article with more information:

Night Thrills in the Riviera Maya

September 15, 2013

Blazing torches and throbbing heartbeats await clients at Xplor Fuego, the nighttime adventure at the Xplor eco-park in Mexico’s Riviera Maya

By: Meribeth Mellin   
     
Blazing torches and throbbing heartbeats await clients at Xplor Fuego, the nighttime adventure at the Xplor eco-park in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Glowing lights illuminate 580 yards of underground rivers and caverns, where helmeted guests paddle rafts through passageways opening up to gaping caverns. Swimmers float in chilly, crystal-clear water beneath dripping rock icicles glistening in misty red light. Yes, it sounds spooky and somewhat foreboding. But Xplor Fuego is all about fun.
Xplor attracts thousands of guests in daylight. At night, however, only a few hundred brave souls show up to play in the shadowy jungle. Smaller crowds mean shorter queues for such attractions as the park’s zipline circuit, where shrieking adventurers strapped into harnesses fly above treetops and splash into waterfalls. Amphibious vehicles cross night-shrouded rope bridges and roll through mysterious caves. There are plenty of rest areas that provide space for adventurers to catch their breath.
All that adrenaline leads to hearty appetites which can be sated at Xplor’s bountiful buffet. Steaming coffee and hot chocolate eases any shivers — though the warm jungle air quickly erases the goose bumps from chilly underground waters. Everything hungry fun-lovers could possibly consume is included in the entry fee, along with hot and cold drinks.
Xplor’s all-inclusive fee covers all gear and activities. Advise clients to bring towels and wear swim shoes or strapped sandals and bathing suits with quick-drying shorts and shirts. Lockers are available. Cameras are allowed, but beware of water damage. The helmets worn throughout activities are equipped with built-in chips that activate cameras around the park. Photos are sold in the shop.
Xplor Fuego is open from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday nights. Adult admission is $109. Admission is half-off for children under age 12, and kids must be at least seven years old to enter the park.

Passport Books, Passport Cards and Visas

There is a definite difference between passports books, cards and Visas. When traveling abroad, you need to understand what is required for your destination. Ask your travel agent or check the website for more information. www.travel.state.gov


Passport Book: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

This is the most popular document needed when traveling abroad. Anytime you fly out of the US, it is required. They are good for 10 years if 16 or older, 5 years for 15 and under. We recommend all travelers have a valid passport book. Allow plenty of time to process and a great photo identification for children.

Passport Card: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.


Visa: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

Welcome to this official United States visa information source. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the U.S. Before traveling to the U.S., a citizen of a foreign country must generally obtain a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you will need is based on the purpose of your travel.

United States citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit.  

                     

Flight Schedule Changes

We highly recommend to our clients that they check flight times the evening before and morning of their departure dates. The airlines have been making many changes regarding flight times, numbers and sometimes cancelling the flights all together. In additional, weather or mechanical issues can present a problem for travelers. The weather may be fine where you are located but consider where the plane is traveling before it reaches your destination. Most hotels have a computer for guests to check their flights. If you are traveling with a tour operator, generally they will update you with any last minute changes. Make sure you provide a cell number or way to reach you during the stay.

This is another reason we recommend travel insurance. If you experience delays (usually a minimum set time period is required) or flight cancellation, the insurance company will help rebook your flight or assist with arrangements needed. The travel insurance is helpful for flights and other types of trips like cruises. Contact your travel agent for more information. Our agents are happy to answer questions. 636-625-8747.

Passports

Please make sure you always have proper documentation with you. Often the expiration on passports must be valid 6 months after you travel. Allow plenty of time to apply for new passports or renewals. Visit www.travel.state.gov for more information. Visas and any entry documents are the responsibility of the traveler. Agents can assist but you need to be sure everything is in order before traveling. If you are not a US citizen, contact the embassy of the country where you are traveling for specific details.

Passports are valid for 5 years if 15 years of age and under. If you are 16 or older, they are valid for 10 years. You have one year from issue date to apply for a name change based on marriage or other allowances. Be sure you hold a passport book, not card if flying or sailing internationally. The passport card is not the same identification.

We recommend that you always hold a passport whether required for your destination or not. It offers ease of showing identification and helpful when traveling with small children. Always take a copy with you during travel and leave one with a family member or friend. Some European cruise ports require you to take passport off the ship or leave with the cruise line. Be sure to have copies on hand in case of lost or stolen passports.

We remember.......

Smoking Bans on Cruise Ships

In response to passenger requests, some of the cruise lines are modifying their smoking policies. Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have made recent changes. You may want to read the details whether you are a smoker or not. The response has been mixed with clients. Here are some of the updates:


Disney Cruise Line has never allowed smoking in guest staterooms. Now, in an effort to provide a cruise experience that satisfies both our non-smoking and smoking guests, smoking (including the use of electronic cigarettes) is only permitted in designated areas of the ship.
On the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, smoking is permitted on:

• Outdoors on Deck 4 starboard side from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. only
• The starboard side open-air decks 9 and 10 (excluding the Mickey Pool area).

On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, smoking is permitted on:

• Deck 4 port side, aft, the outside Promenade Deck from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Deck 12 port side, aft, the outdoor area that is accessible through the Meridian Lounge
• Deck 13 port side, forward, by Currents Bar

Guests who are found smoking in their staterooms or on their verandahs will be charged a $250 stateroom recovery fee. This fee covers deep cleaning that includes air filter replacement, carpet extraction and the cleaning and replacement of drapes, comforters, blankets and pillows, along with verandah cleaning and maintenance.
UPDATE | Disney Cruise Line has not been the only cruise line to recently alter smoking policies.  All within a matter weeks Cunard, MSC, P&O, Royal Caribbean, and Seaborn have modified their smoking policies.

Royal Caribbean -

Dear Friend, In consideration of ongoing guest feedback and evolving industry standards, Royal Caribbean International is revising its onboard smoking policy, effective for all sailings departing on or after January 1, 2014. Under this new policy, all indoor public spaces will be smoke free, with the exception of the Casino and the Connoisseur Club on Freedom and Voyager Class ships and one designated smoking venue on ships sailing from Chinese homeports. In the Casino, there will be designated smoking and non-smoking areas. Additionally, smoking will not be permitted in the staterooms or on stateroom balconies. Outdoor smoking areas will be designated on the starboard side of all ships; with the exception of Oasis-class ships that will allow smoking on the port side of the ships. Indoor smoking areas permit tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. Cigars and pipe tobacco can be enjoyed in designated outdoor areas, or in the cigar club on the ships that offer this venue. Please consult our Smoking Policy FAQ for more details. Royal Caribbean International is committed to continually enhancing the guest vacation experience. To find smoking venues and areas while onboard, please consult your Cruise Compass, or visit Guest Services, where we will be happy to assist you. Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

More U.S. passengers can keep shoes on with TSA program expansion

This is great information for frequent travelers to expedite security each time they fly. Often the security lines can be overwhelming and cause travelers to miss flights. Not only will this save the eligible passengers much time, it will reduce the wait and lines for everyone. Please read the details to see if you may qualify.

 

By Deborah Charles

WASHINGTON, Sept 4 | Wed Sep 4, 2013 2:00pm EDT

(Reuters) - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said on Wednesday it would expand its expedited screening program to 60 new U.S. airports in 2013, allowing tens of millions of Americans to get through airport checkpoints without taking off their shoes.
The TSA said with the expansion, the TSA PreCheck program will operate at 100 airports across the country in 42 states plus Guam and Puerto Rico. The agency also plans to expand the number of TSA PreCheck lanes at the existing 40 airports in the coming weeks.
With TSA PreCheck, pre-approved airline travelers may leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt while they go through security. They do not have to remove their laptop computers from cases nor take out approved-sized liquids out of carry=on bags before the bags are screened.
"As TSA continues to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to transportation security, we are looking for more opportunities to provide the most effective security in the most efficient way possible," TSA Administrator John Pistole said.
Passengers who are eligible for PreCheck include U.S. citizens of frequent traveler programs who are invited to apply by participating airlines. The airlines include Alaska Airlines , American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America.
Additionally, U.S. citizens who are members of a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler program and Canadian citizens who are members of the NEXUS expedited travel program qualify to participate.
The TSA will launch an application program later this year for PreCheck, which lets travelers fill out an online application and provide fingerprints. Applicants must pay an $85 enrollment fee for a five-year term of eligibility.
If a passenger is approved for PreCheck, a TSA PreCheck indicator will be embedded in the barcode of the boarding pass so when it is scanned at a security checkpoint, the passenger will be sent to the expedited screening line.
TSA can revoke or suspend the PreCheck if a passenger has had security issues at the gate or has committed a crime since their PreCheck was granted, a TSA official said. In addition, TSA could randomly require a PreCheck passenger to go through regular security.
The TSA said to date, more than 15 million passengers have experienced TSA PreCheck since it was launched in October 2011.
The U.S. Travel Association, a travel industry group, has praised the TSA for launching PreCheck and for speeding the process through airports by removing low-risk travelers from the regular screening process.