Trip Review: Punta Cana Experience

Lauren and her husband Evan traveled to Punta Cana earlier this month and stayed at both the Hyatt Ziva/Zilara and the new Finest Punta Cana. The Hyatt is one of The Family Traveler’s most popular Dominican Republic resort. This modern and upscale all-inclusive opened in late 2019 and is in the Cap Cana development just 15 minutes from the airport. The resort features two sections: the family-friendly Ziva and the adult-only Zilara. Adults have full access to both sides of the resort. Each side has its own lobby, large pools, and club lounges. The club level also has its own pool on each side of the resort which is a nice perk during peak occupancy. The center of the property features a shared theater for evening shows, a large sports bar, and a huge fitness facility. The gym has a variety of daily classes and separate rooms for cardio, fitness classes, spinning room, functional fitness, and weight training along with areas for stretching, boxing, and more! Behind the Ziva is a spacious and enclosed water slide and water play area staffed by several lifeguards along with food trucks for drinks and snacks and plenty of lounge chairs and shade. Nearby are the kids and teen clubs with supervised programming throughout the day and evening. There is also a rooftop sports court for basketball, pickleball, and tennis. The resort’s food is excellent with a large buffet and several specialty restaurants on each side of the resort. Adults have full access to all restaurants (depending on occupancy levels). The resort’s beach is long and wide with plenty of chairs, shade, and watersports. Lauren stayed in a club-level oceanfront junior suite on the Zilara side that includes a private butler service (that was not really used). Other than the tricky lighting system, the room and bathroom were large and comfortable with awesome water views. Overall Lauren appreciated the high quality of service and how appreciative the staff was to have return guests. 

Finest Punta Cana also proved to be a quality vacation experience.  The fresh and modern family resort opened just last year. This property is located 45 minutes north of the airport in Uvero Alto. It features several pools with fun water play areas, a playground, tennis court, sports court, and pickleball along with a large, supervised kids club compound with additional water play areas and waterslides. The beach is nice and wide, but the water here can be a little rough. Water sports equipment is still available when the sea cooperates. There was also nightly entertainment in the covered theater and open plaza areas. The resort also showcases a family club-level section along with an adult-only club section located in their own buildings. We highly recommend the club level as this affords access to restaurants with higher quality food overall, a club lounge, and special areas at the beach with higher quality loungers. Lauren got an extra-long stay at Finest after testing positive for covid. The resort comped five extra nights in a quarantine room with all the room service she wanted!

This trip also included site visits to several other family-friendly properties: the brand-new Dreams Macao, Dreams Onyx, Dreams Royal Beach, and the new Margaritaville along with several adult-only resorts: Excellence Punta Cana, Excellence El Carmen, Secrets Cap Cana, and Secrets Royal Beach. The trip was a wonderful opportunity to check out new properties, see renovations and upgrades at existing resorts and establish relationships with resort staff.

Travel Tip: Updated Cruise Credit Rules

Are you holding “Future Cruise Credits” due to covid-related cancellations? We know we are working with many families to use up these credits. You will be interested to know that the Federal Maritime Commission, the agency that regulates passenger sea travel, has issued new consumer protection rules that went into effect in April for any cruise booking in the future. Any cruise line canceling or delaying a trip by three or more days is placed in the “non-performance” category. You are then entitled to a full refund of all money, including any ancillary fees including port fees and taxes paid, but excluding such items as airfare, hotel accommodations, and tour excursions. In addition, cruise lines are required to make refund policies prominent and clearly displayed on their websites. The deadline permitted for requesting a refund may not be less than six months after the scheduled voyage was to occur.

Travel Tip: Know Your Rights

Unexpected delays are a normal part of the travel experience. Thankfully, the European Union cares about you when this happens. The EU Air Passenger Rights are a series of regulations that apply to passengers flying within European Union countries, to passengers on flights arriving in a member country from non-E.U. countries on flights operated by E.U.-based airlines and to passengers leaving the EU on any airline. If you experience delays of two hours or more, you are eligible for assistance from the airline. Benefits range from free meals to monetary compensation. The type and amount (ranging from €250–500) are determined by the length of the delay and the distance of the trip. Compensation is provided when flights are delayed for reasons such as technical difficulties or aircraft maintenance issues, but not when the delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as political instability, severe weather conditions, or security risks. For help determining if you may be owed compensation, contact your airline or the European Consumer Centres Network. When traveling in other parts of the world including the United States, check with your airline for their most current compensation rules. They do vary.

Trip Review: Cool in Cabo

The Fisher Family of 5 (parents and young adult children) from Philadelphia and New York traveled over winter break to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.  They said that the destination was great, and the weather was perfect!  They spent seven nights at the Viceroy Los Cabos in ocean view rooms.  The family said the super modern hotel was beautiful and unique in the way it is surrounded by water.  Food and service levels (front desk, concierge, waiters, etc.) were all top-notch.  The first night they enjoyed their dinner at Nido at the hotel which is a fusion of Mexican and Asian.  Breakfast and lunch by the pool and beach were also quite good.  The spacious rooms all had large and private balconies with big daybeds and table and chairs.  Relaxing and reading there in the early morning and late afternoon was a treat.  The only negative about the room was the open bathroom concept – there was a separate toilet, but no door to close off the rest of the bathroom area.  If one gets up earlier the light and sounds fill the room.  The hotel’s junior suites and suites do have more private bathrooms.  Their dinners off property were preplanned with a mix of cuisines and atmosphere.  At Los Tres Gallos, they sat upstairs on the roof patio where mariachi music was played.  The restaurant offers traditional Mexican food that was very good. Mi Casa restaurant has an outdoor courtyard and a very traditional Mexican menu that they savored.  Appropriately overlooking the beach, 7 Seas Seafood Grill is close to the hotel and got great reviews.  Surprisingly they were able to get into the uber-popular Flora Farms for dinner through a connection with one of the hotel’s waiters!  They said it was definitely a great experience and the restaurant was much larger than expected with excellent food and live music.  They enjoyed the cute little shops there too. They also dined at Invita Bistro, an Italian restaurant near the Cabo Marina. They liked the casual atmosphere and food and dining in downtown Cabo.  Their New Year’s Eve celebration started at District MX Eat + Drink to catch a bowl game.  Then onto Tamarindos and its beautiful outdoor patio overlooking Cabo.  They said the food was excellent!  The night ended back at the hotel roof bar where there was a great band, champagne toast, and a view of fireworks in several directions.  For fun activities and a way to explore the desert, they took an E-bike Tour with Cabo Adventures.  They biked for an hour and spent an hour on the tour company’s Eco Farm, but all the transportation time to and from the start of the tour made for a super long day.  They also enjoyed a cocktail sunset sail with Cabo Adventures that went past The Arch and included some whale sightings.  They said the crew was great.  To enjoy a swimmable beach and watersports, they spent the day at Sur Beach Club and said it was definitely worth it!  The young adults rented jet skis for a ½ hour and had lots of fun!  This private beach club has a whole different vibe which was a fun change for the day.  They also took a private Stand-Up Paddleboard tour with High Tide Los Cabos.  They said their guide was great. The tour started at Santa Maria Beach and ended at Chileno Beach where they snorkeled.  To get around, they were glad that they decided not to rent a car.  They took cabs everywhere and The Family Traveler arranged private airport transfers.  Overall, the trip was memorable and a special celebration of their son’s recent professional accomplishments.

Trip Review: St. Croix Getaway

The Krimsky Family from Philadelphia traveled to St. Croix this past winter and stayed at The Buccaneer Resort.  The family of two adults and two teen boys let us know they had a great time!  They thought the resort was a great spot for families and would be happy to return.  They shared a Deluxe Oceanfront room that was located right on the beach and was comfortable with 2 queen beds (with room for a rollaway) and with a spacious bathroom.  The teens found plenty of activities and recreation to keep themselves entertained at the resort including watersports, lawn games, and more.  Lunches at the beachfront grill and the special holiday dinner were dining highlights at the resort.  They also enjoyed their meals off property at Savant (10 out of 10!), The Bombay Club and Too Chez (amazing ambiance) in the town of Christiansted.  Venturing off the property was a breeze as the taxis picked them up right at their room!  A snorkeling excursion with Caribbean Sea Adventures to Buck Island was a hit– and they appreciated that you could only snorkel in a designated area to protect the reef.  They also raved about their guide for a rainforest hike that was booked through Fitness Integrated Tours.  They walked for about an hour to the tide pools which they said were pretty amazing.  Their main gripe about the trip was a small glitch with their private transfer and flat pillows at the hotel (they tried several options).  Overall they let us know that service levels at the resort were top notch albeit slow at times…but understood and appreciated the concept of island time!

Travel Tip: TSA in Nassau

The TSA has opened a TSA PreCheck screening checkpoint at Lynden Pindling Airport in Nassau, the first PreCheck location outside the United States!  TSA and the Nassau Airport Authority launched a test phase for the program last summer to train airport security personnel in the procedures and protocols for PreCheck. In addition, Nassau is one of 16 US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) international preclearance locations in which CBP personnel inspect travelers prior to boarding US-bound flights. Travelers leaving from those airports proceed directly to connecting flights or destinations upon landing in the US.  Travel is easier than ever when going to The Bahamas!

Trip Review: Mother/Daughter Reunion in Iceland

Lauren and her Prague-resident daughter, Anna, met in Iceland this month for a special birthday celebration. The trip focused mostly on rest and relaxation, ideal in a country surrounded by amazing landscapes and an abundance of thermal waters. Entry requirements were straightforward with a covid test (or recent proof of having covid) and a health form needed to enter. Note that Iceland soon after lifted all their covid-related restrictions. Proof of vaccination will no longer be required to enter. Lauren traveled to Reykjavik first for two nights. The international airport in Keflavik, 45 minutes from town, is quite small and very easy to navigate. Lauren used a shared van service to get into downtown and stayed at the brand new Edition (part of the Marriott family). The city’s newest luxury hotel is located on the waterfront next to the super cool Harpa Concert Hall. A nice location for getting around the city. The staff was so accomodating and the rooms were lovely, albeit a little dark. Heated tile floors in the bathroom were greatly appreciated as the Florida resident tried her best to adjust to the cooler climate. The hotel has a nice coffee shop, an upscale restaurant, a cool lounge/bar vibe, and (a very dark) gym. A spa and rooftop terrace will be added soon. Lauren visited many of the family-friendly attractions in the country’s capital using the Hop-On/Hop-Off bus for some added commentary and also easily moved around on foot (with some good waterproof boots…thanks Di!). She went to The Whale Museum, and Flying Over Island in the Old Harbour area; The Culture Museum and National Gallery in the center of town, and The Perlan Museum surrounded by forest on Oskjuhlid Hill. She also saw a cool light show at the Harpa and went into and to the top of the famous Hallgrímskirkja Church for more great city views. Each place gave her a different view and perspective of Iceland’s history, culture, folklore, and nature. Her favorite place was The Perlan, a rotating and glass-domed building built on top of water tanks affording the most amazing 360-degree views of the region. You can easily spend hours at this museum learning all about how the country was formed and its wildlife, walking through an ice cave, watching a planetarium show about the Northern Lights, and more. Anna joined Lauren at the Silica Hotel located at the Blue Lagoon for a three-night stay. They both used bus services to reach the hotel. Years ago, excess water from a nearby thermal plant formed pools, and these pools were filled with healing minerals that eventually became the top tourist spot in Iceland! The Silica has its own private, thermal pools along with a gym, bar, and breakfast room. The breakfast buffet was abundant and included in the rate. The hotel felt outer-worldly surrounded by lava rock, but with a very peaceful vibe. Lauren and Anna enjoyed a special day at The Retreat, the Blue Lagoon’s spa complete with a variety of body treatments, private pool access, private changing rooms, steam, sauna, cold baths, and a healthy restaurant. They also dined at Lava at the Blue Lagoon…not really to their tastes, but high-end food and service. A private guide/driver then picked them up and took them around the southern coast of the Reykanes Peninsula and through part of the Golden Circle on their way to our next stop in Selfoss. They visited the Geysir geyser and the beautiful Gullfoss Waterfalls and ended with a very special meal at Fridheimar, an actual tomato hothouse that serves delicious tomato soup. Perfect after a cold and snowy day of touring! The up-close encounter with the Icelandic horses at this farm was an added treat. They spent the next three nights at the Hotel 360 outside of Selfoss. Owners Anna and Olafur and their two precious Icelandic sheepdogs make guests feel part of the family. The mid-century modern-style hotel has 13 rooms (including connecting rooms for families) and sits atop a hill with amazing views of the nearby volcanos and valleys. They finally had clear skies one night for an amazing Northern Lights experience. A plentiful breakfast buffet is included and the nightly communal dinner was exceptional.  The hotel’s natural outdoor hot springs pool and spring-fed indoor pool contributed to a relaxing stay. They visited the growing town of Selfoss and also took a day trip into Thorsmork National Park in a super jeep. The cold weather contributed to a somewhat difficult crossing of the rivers to reach the park (they had to be towed out twice), but the views were amazing. They visited caves, glaciers, and the nearby Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. To end the trip, their private driver took them back to Reykjavik for Anna to enjoy the city for a few hours before we headed to the new and comfortable Courtyard Marriot across from the airport for their last night. Next door was a free covid testing center. They met so many wonderful people in their travels including tourists from around the world and the many foreign workers that help with Iceland’s burgeoning hospitality industry. A country of only 345,000 citizens with millions of tourists needs a little extra help. Overall they had a wonderful experience in Iceland and look forward to returning to explore more of this amazing island.

Travel Tip: Schools Out for the Summer?

Travel Guard has added some unique coverages that provide greater peace of mind for your next family trip. School year extensions are now covered!  Full-time teachers, other full-time school employees, or a student at a primary or secondary school who is required to complete an extended school year that falls on or beyond your trip departure date are all covered.  You can also cancel if a student needs to take a school exam during your travel dates or is required to participate in a scholastic sporting, theatrical, or musical event. This requirement just needs to be documented in writing by a school representative.

Trip Review: Xcaret Hotel

The Bortnichak Family of Yardley, PA (2 adults and 2 teens ages 14 and 18) traveled to the Riviera Maya, Mexico for winter break with a stay at the unique Hotel Xcaret.  The family said the service was amazing and they had a great time!  This deluxe property is an hour south of the Cancun airport. As it is owned by the group that also owns a variety of eco-parks in the region; so hotel guests get free access to these parks as well!  We confirmed entrance into these parks in advance through the guest services department although several parks closest to the resort do not require advanced reservations and offer regular shuttle service.  At the resort, we secured the family connecting rooms (through a shared alcove) which they said felt like having an apartment and was perfect for their needs.  The resort offers free airport bus transfers which the family said was super easy.  The resort is also strict about masking and sanitizing…the family said the resort was super clean and felt very safe.  They liked the international feel of the property and commented that the food was excellent.  We booked dining reservations for them in advance as well.  They especially enjoyed the breakfast. Despite the challenge of meeting everyone’s palate, the teens loved the Hibachi restaurant and they all enjoyed Las Playas twice for fresh grilled cuisine.  They said the buffet is ideal for any fussy eaters with a nice variety of options. The resort also features pools, rivers, beach, spa, gym, children’s program, tennis, watersports, and jungle trails.  They did not really like such early yoga (at dawn) and a lack of daily activities where their teens tend to meet other teens when they travel, but they did take advantage of visits to the parks of Xcaret, Xplor and Xel-Ha where dad and son added on a fun Seabob experience.  The power snorkel is a unique way to explore the marine life in the park’s inlet.  Overall, the family had a relaxing and fun getaway and said they appreciated our guidance for a somewhat complex resort experience.

Travel Tip: Delta Credit Extension

Delta Airlines recently announced that the expiration date for outstanding travel credits and any credits issued this year to passengers who cancel flights has been extended through 2023. You just need to book the new trip by the end of 2023, for travel through 2024.  The new policy includes Delta’s no-frills basic economy tickets, though a cancellation fee will be deducted from the flight credit under new guidelines announced late last year.  Airline tickets and credits generally are good for one year from the date of purchase or issue. Let’s hope other airlines follow Delta’s lead!