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Top 10 Tips to Stay Safe While Traveling

January 26, 2021 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Marvelous Mouse Agent Jen McGurn shares with us her top 10 travel safety tips! You can connect with Jen here! https://www.facebook.com/JenMMarvelousMouseTravels

1) Do your research. Even though I am a travel agent and I provide my clients so much information about their destinations and resorts and/or cruise ship, I always recommend that they do some research on their own just so they feel confident about their destination. The more confident you are as traveler, the better off you will be on so many levels!

2) Make sure someone at home has copy of your itinerary.

3) Stay in well-populated, well-lit areas and always be aware of your surroundings. If possible, do not travel alone.

4) Do not accept drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended. If using the mini-bar, examine the bottle for evidence of tampering.

5) Don’t carry a lot of cash. The less cash you carry, the less you will lose if anything happens to your wallet.

6) Don’t share a cab. While it may be enticing to split the fare, it’s not worth the risk. Always find out the fare before accepting the ride.

7) Photocopy all important information including your passport, both sides of your credit cards, travel itinerary, other ID’s and contact information. Leave one copy with a friend or relative back in the States and another in your room safe or email the documents to your account for easy access. In the event of a theft, you will have the information to fax to the U.S. Embassy and be able to get an emergency replacement passport. Having your credit card information will make it easier to report your card lost or stolen.

8)Blend in! Try not to wear clothing that screams tourist! Be aware many countries and islands have clothing laws or guidelines. For example, on many Caribbean islands it is illegal to wear camouflage, that is reserved strictly for the military.

9) When visiting beaches, always wear water shoes. They protect your feet from rocks, broken shells, hot sand or sea urchins!

10) Last, but certainly not least, protect yourself and your travel investment with travel insurance. If something does go wrong, travel insurance can help you with medical bills, lost luggage, delayed flights, weather related evacuations and so much more!

Holiday Treats Galore!

December 19, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

It’s the yummiest time of the year! Take a look at these delicious treats our Marvelous Mouse agent Mary Alys Foutz and her family experienced on their recent Walt Disney World vacation!

You can never go wrong with cupcakes! There are so many festive choices this time of year, you are sure to find the perfect one! Check out Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom, they always have a great selection!

One of my personal favorites the Mickey Crispy Treat gets a holiday makeover and taste better than ever!

Let’s talk milkshakes for a minute! Just A Dream Away Shake, I love the name and I bet it’s amazing! Salted caramel with a silver sugar churro! Yes, please! You will find this deliciousness at Auntie Gravity’s in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.

I love the classic carrot cake whoopie pie at Disney’s Hollywood Studios so I’m really excited to try this Red Velvet whoopie pie for the holidays! Red Velvet cake, cream cheese filling and sprinkles, perfection!

Do you love pecan pie? Are you a rice crispy treat fan? If so you will definitely want to try this Rice Crispy Pecan Pie from Disney Springs!

These are just a few treats for you and your family to enjoy this Christmas season. Don’t forget about the Holiday Cookie Stroll at Epcot! Calories don’t count on vacation, right?

Disney’s Art of Animation

October 16, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Looking to stay at on-site at Walt Disney World with more than 4 guests in one room? Disney’s Art of Animation Resort can be your perfect fit! This resort features One Bedroom Family Suites which you can choose the theme of Finding Nemo, Cars, or even the Lion King! There is also a section of Standard Little Mermaid Rooms that sleep up to four guests which is wildly popular. Today, I would like to talk to you all about the Lion King Suites!

My family and I had the pleasure of staying in one of the Lion King Suites in November 2017 and we fell in love with this resort! My children were 6 and 10 at the time of travel, perfect ages to enjoy all of the amenities here! Having the extra space as a family of 4 in a suite was perfect to let the kids have room for themselves. Landscape of Flavors, the main food court, has so many different options available all throughout the day. I always wanted to try something new but always ended up with some more of their delicious tacos!

There are two large buildings that consist of only Lion King Suites. While leaving the main building and exiting near the main pool, you will walk to the left to enter into the Pride Lands. The buildings are very easy to navigate around and the scenery really made you feel as though you were in the savanna. My kids loved to run around this area looking for lizards in hopes of catching one. Although unsuccessful, they had a lot of fun

You will encounter many familiar characters and fun little play areas too!

This the only value resort that has enclosed, air-conditioned buildings, one of the many perks of this resort! However, the Little Mermaid buildings do not have the same layout. The hallways are adorable and in theme as well.

Right after you use your MagicBand to open your room door you will find yourself walking into the dining area first with a large table and 4 chairs. This is actually a double-size convertible Tablebed that can be pulled down fairly easily! There are cubby holes on the small tables close by to store items to keep the table cleared and pull down the bed. Staying at other resorts you only have a small table with two chairs, so this is such a nice upgrade!

Straight across from the table you will find the main bathroom. The sink area is split from the toilet and bath tub, which is nice for getting ready in the morning.

You will then find yourself into the Kitchenette equipped with a microwave, coffee maker, coffee, tea, plates, cups and even paper towels! There was plenty of storage for all of the snacks we brought along with us too. The fridge did keep our drinks very cold, however, we did not have the chance to use the microwave.

The living room does include a double-size sleeper sofa. I felt as though it was comfortable to sleep in, however, it is not a very thick mattress which may not work well for others. The living room had enough chairs for my whole family to sit and enough room for the kids to play.

Finally, you enter the master bedroom with one queen-size bed and a master bathroom attached to it. This bathroom features an enclosed glass shower with the toilet and sink in the same room. The bedroom does have a dresser with power outlets already equipped under the TV.

My family did have the opportunity to enjoy ourselves in the main pool, The Big Blue Pool. This pool is huge and does not make you feel as though you are too close to other guests, you will even be able to hear music from under the water! Another great perk of this resort is the Schoolyard Spray Ground, the splash pad area! This is great for little ones to run around and have fun without heading into the water. We spent most of our time here as the kids played and made the water fountains shoot water higher all around the splash pad. The Righteous Reef Playground may be small, but is adorable for the kids to explore.

A great new addition is the all new Disney Skyliner! Take a ride above the treetops and over lakes with this state-of-the-art gondola system which connects you to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and International Gateway at Epcot! You are able to also access Disney’s Boardwalk when stopping at International Gateway at Epcot. These gondolas feature iconic Disney characters, open-flow windows and twin wooden benches that accommodate up to 10 passengers per gondola! Participating resorts are Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort will be sharing a station due to their close proximity.

Ship or Small City? Meet Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas

September 30, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Thank you our Marvelous Mouse agent Megan Guinnup for this inside look at Harmony of the Seas!

Marvelous Mouse Travels was able to get an up-close look at Royal Caribbean’s second largest
ship, Harmony of the Seas!
This ship is so large that you have to ask yourself, am I really on a ship or this a small city?
There is so much to do and see that it’s hard to tell the difference. In fact, there are 7
neighborhoods on Harmony to explore!
The Royal Promenade – many bars, restaurants, and shops and at night the many bars,
lounges, and even a karoake bar. The highlight of this area is definitely the Bionic Bar where
two robots mix drinks that you order on ipads!

Central Park – this is literally park with trees and plants with a domed in glass roof to let in
natural light and makes you feel like you are walking through a park outside, but you’re on a
ship in the middle of the ocean!

The Boardwalk – this area is like a small amusement park on the ship with a full size carousel,
an arcade, and the AquaTheater with the deepest pool at sea where some amazing
entertainment take place.

Pools and Sports Zone – This is where the party is!
– Perfect Storm is a trio of waterslides above Central Park where you can race on
Cyclone and Typhoon, or swirl around in the champagne-bowl shaped Supercell.
– Splashaway Bay – Kids splash pad
– Ultimate Abyss (dry slide)
– 2 Flowriders (surfing at sea)
– 9 Hole Mini Golf
– Sports Court for basketball, volleyball, and soccer
– Zip Line across the Boardwalk neighborhood below with a birds eye view of the AquaTheater
Vitality of the Sea – The Vitality Spa, Cafe, and Fitness Center
Entertainment Place – The Attic Comedy Club, Casino Royale, Jazz Club and Youth Clubs,
Studio B (with an ice skating rink onboard!), and another theater for nightly productions like
Grease and Royal Caribbean’s original production of Columbus: A Musical.

Our training was only a three night sailing but this ship is definitely designed for 7 nights or
longer of fun to see and do everything while getting some relaxing and exploring at their
Caribbean ports of call including Royals Caribbean’s newly re-designed Perfect Day at CocoCay!

Contact us at Marvelous Mouse Travels to be put in touch with one of the agents who received
training on this cruise to help you plan your ultimate cruise vacation on Harmony of the Seas!

What To Expect When Cruising

August 31, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Cruising is one of my very favorite vacations, just below Disney World! I have been fortunate enough to have sailed Disney, Norwegian, Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Cruising is a great value. It is basically an all inclusive experience. Your lodging, food, entertainment and transportation between ports is all included.

If you have always wanted to take a cruise, but weren’t sure what it is like or even if you can afford it, then read on.

First of all, there are so many cruise lines and within the cruise lines there countless itineraries. From a 3 Night cruise to the Bahamas to a 12 Day Transatlantic, you can always find something that works for you.

When booking a cruise, you have several Stateroom categories to choose from.

Your least expensive option is an inside cabin. For the budget minded or for those who plan to be in their cabin for sleeping only, this is a great option. You receive all of the same benefits of guests in higher categories.

Your next category is an Oceanview. These range from portholes to full size windows and offer more space than an inside.

Next is the most popular category, which is the Balcony Stateroom. These are roomier and offer a Balcony with 2 chairs and a small table. They are perfect for ordering breakfast from room service and enjoying the ocean air.

In addition to these 3 categories, there are also suites, junior or mini suites, and concierge level suites which include a wide variety of upgraded services.

Prior to your cruise, you will receive a packet of information that includes luggage tags, instructions for checking in online and confirmation of any activities you booked ahead of time.

Now on to the fun! Boarding day! Even for seasoned cruisers, boarding day can be a bit overwhelming

Once inside the terminal, you will need to follow all of the signs and employees’ directions to get through security and check-in. Expect security measures similar to an

airport to ensure everyone’s safety. After security, you will make your way to the check- in counter.

Be ready to present your confirmation printout, personal identification, and travel documents several times throughout security and check-in process. When checking in, you will be given a room key, which will also be your charge card for all of your onboard purchases. You will need to establish a payment method to set up your onboard account.

· You can get on the ship as early as 11:00 AM, however you cannot get in your room until 1:30. Once your stateroom card is activated, you will be ready to board. You will walk from the terminal, through the gangway, and onboard. As you step onboard, you will scan your stateroom card for the first time. You will scan your card upon entry and exit every time you get on and off the ship. This helps the cruise line keep track of attendance to eliminate leaving passengers behind. While your room is typically not available until the afternoon, you’ll be free at this time to explore the ship, eat lunch, or hang out poolside until it is time for the Muster Drill. A Muster Drill is a mandatory safety training. You will be assigned a station to report to.

If you would like to have lunch while waiting for your room to be ready, I would suggest one of the sit down restaurants on the day of embarkation. I do not suggest that you visit the buffet on the day of embarkation because it can be very crowded. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the buffet later.

· You can spend the time waiting for your cabin to be ready exploring the ship and signing up for entertainment, excursions or other specialty dining reservations.

• After the muster drill is over, all the formalities of embarkation day are over, and you can head up to the main deck for a sailing away party.

Now you are officially on vacation!

Your ship is going to be full of activities and most importantly, delicious dining! You will have numerous complimentary dining options – everything from formal dining rooms, the ship’s Buffett, pizza bars, ice cream station and more. You also have multiple opportunities to try speciality dining for an additional fee.

If you are traveling with kids, you absolutely need to take advantage of the Kid’s Clubs. These clubs are complimentary, with the exception of a few late night party events. Clubs are divided by age and offer so many fun activities for kids based on their age group. They also offer nurseries and there is a small fee for those.

Cruise ships today continue to outdo themselves and each other. They continue to get bigger with more and more activities. While onboard you can choose from activities such as ice skating, bumper cars, escape rooms, rock climbing, spa treatments, Broadway style entertainment and gambling, to name just a few.

Another great thing about cruises is the ports. Each port offers a variety of excursions that allow you a more in-depth experience in your port. And when taking a Bahamian or Caribbean Cruise, you will most likely have the opportunity to spend a day at a private island. The island’s include complimentary food and fun beach activities.

On the day you return home, you will disembark very early. You will want to get up fairly early to enjoy one last breakfast onboard. You will be directed off the ship and shown where to get your luggage. After that, you will make your way through customs and your wonderful vacation comes to an end.

Whether you are cruising with friends, a group, a romantic getaway or a family vacation, there are so many choices both onboard and off that everyone can enjoy. I always say a cruise is the PERFECT vacation for a Mom. Someone waits on you 24 hours a day, your room steward cleans your cabin and makes your bed, your kids are spoiled rotten in the kids room and your outfits were taken care of before you ever left home. What could be better?

Thank you Jen McGurn for this helpful information about cruising!