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My Personal Experience Onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Brand-New Icon of the Seas: Q&A Edition

Posted on August 2, 2024 by boscovstravel

In January 2024, one of our Boscov’s Travel employees went on an inaugural cruise onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Brand-New Icon of the Seas! Read her incredible experience below:

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

Q: Was this your first time sailing on Royal Caribbean? – A: It was! Working in the Marketing Department, I’ve been promoting Royal Caribbean to our clients for 11+ years and was so excited to be able to experience the product for myself.

Q: Where did you sail to and from? – A: We sailed from the Port of Miami, FL to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas.

Q: What stateroom did you stay in? – A: We stayed in an Infinite Veranda. This stateroom type can be found when you sail with both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. It takes the traditional balcony (with door and outdoor seating) and turns your stateroom into part of the balcony with a floor to ceiling window that opens halfway. I personally LOVE this type of stateroom as it really extends the length of the room and who doesn’t love sleeping with fresh wind blowing in from the sea?

Infinite Veranda stateroom

Q: How did you feel about the Icon of the Seas being the biggest cruise ship in the world? Could you tell? – A: The bigger the better, in my opinion. I know speaking with a lot of friends and family, they said “it would be too big for me”, but honestly, every inch of the ship is so thoughtfully designed that it never felt overwhelming. If you love the Oasis class ships, the Icon of the Seas is similar, but just slightly on steroids. And of course, who doesn’t love a ship that is shiny and new?

Q: What did you love most about the ship? – A: A WOW moment for me was walking out of the elevators on deck 16 into Chill Island and looking several stories down into Central Park. It gives you a unique vantage point of the center of the ship and all the beautiful live foliage they brought (and maintain!) onboard. I’m a thrill over chill type of person so I also really loved the waterslides onboard. Also, the entertainment and dining experiences onboard were expertly crafted too!

Chill Island looking into Central Park

Q: What surprised you most about the ship? – A: Even though it is the biggest cruise ship in the world, it truly did not feel overwhelming. There are so many nooks and crannies on where you could go and never felt “crowded”. The new elevator system was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Instead of everyone going into the elevator and choosing a deck, you choose the deck you want to go to from a kiosk. A letter is given on the kiosk which corresponds to an elevator to go to. In my opinion, this is brilliant engineering to move many people without the common backlog at the elevators, especially after shows.

Elevator Kiosk

Elevator matching Kiosk

Q: There are five new neighborhoods on this ship. Can we talk about each of them?

Q: The Aqua Dome – A: A sensory delight. Enjoy lounging, entertainment and dining with unique and dazzling ocean views.

Q: Chill Island – A: Pools, hot tubs, swim-up bar – need I say more?

Q: Thrill Island – A: Waterslides, mini-golf, rock climbing, Crown’s Edge – thrill seekers unite and adults feel like kids again.

Thrill Island

Q: The Hideaway – A: Adults-only area on the back of the ship with a suspended pool and wrap around bar.

Q: Surfside – A: My kids would have loved this neighborhood. Some adjectives that come to mind are delightful, colorful and fun.

Surfside

Q: What was your favorite restaurant onboard? – A:

Q: Complimentary? – A: I LOVED dinner in the main dining room, it was delicious to say the least. My favorite complimentary grab and go has to be El Loco Fresh because who couldn’t eat tacos every day of the week? The chips and salsa varieties were great and they had really good margaritas. We also love grabbing breakfast from the Park Café. They had a lot of great grab and go items (loved the parfaits) and also some made-to-order breakfast items (loved the ham, egg and cheese on an English muffin). The coffee was great too!

Main Dining Room Steak

Main Dining Room Creme Brulee

El Loco Fresh

Park Cafe

Q: Specialty? – A: Since we sailed on an inaugural sailing, a lot of the specialty restaurants were not available to us, but we did get to sample the food at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Playmakers offers all your favorite comfort foods and has a fun sports bar vibe to it including retro video games, a pool and foosball table and a few arcade games. This was probably the most crowded spot onboard as it was during football season and the only place onboard to see the playoff games.

Q: What was your favorite bar onboard? – A: Some of the bars are located in the Promenade and we had a lot of fun bar hopping. The Schooner Bar had a nice laid-back atmosphere and was beautiful. But our favorite bar had to have been 1400 which had a lot of fun cocktails and a signature martini with a blown bubble.

Q: What was your favorite entertainment onboard? – A: My favorite entertainment onboard had to be The Wizard of Oz. This Broadway hit musical was filled with so much talent, color, props, backgrounds, songs, dances and brought back everything you love about the movie. It truly was incredible to see!

The Wizard of Oz

Q: How many shows did you attend? – A: We saw three preview shows on our three-night cruise and included The Wizard of Oz, Elemental Beauty (ice skating) and Aqua Action! (aqua show)

Elemental Beauty (ice skating)

Aqua Action! (aqua show)

Q: What other activities did you do onboard and which was your favorite? – A: We truly had fun exploring every inch of the ship and some highlights included winning a bronze medal in a glow-in-the-dark mini golf competition, winning some money in the casino, working up a sweat in the gym and running the track onboard. We also spent a good amount of time visiting every type of stateroom onboard and loved seeing everything from an Interior stateroom all the way up to the Ultimate Family suite.

Mini Golf

Fitness Center

Q: There are seven pools onboard, which one did you enjoy the most and why? – A: Hands down the Hideaway Pool was my favorite. For adults 18+, the pool is located at the back of the ship and is the first suspended infinity pool at sea. Perfect to hang in the pool with a cocktail and watch the sunset. Next would be the first swim up bar at sea (can never go wrong here!).

Hideaway Pool

Q: What did you think of The Pearl? – A: Definitely another WOW moment. My husband, an engineer, was truly intrigued trying to figure out how it all worked being that it is the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture.

The Pearl

Q: What was the newest thing you saw on the ship that impressed you the most? – A: Not new to the Royal Caribbean brand, but Central Park at night was so magical. The vibrant colors against the night sky stop you in your tracks, is a plant lover’s dream, and provides a nice breeze from several decks above. In terms of most impressive, I have to go back to the elevator system. It may sound silly, but a “why didn’t I think of that”? idea.

Central Park at night

Q: You mentioned you sailed to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas. What do you want to share about the port? – A: It’s a lot bigger than I thought it would be and truly has something for everyone. We really enjoyed partaking in the water park and all the water slides which is something we can’t do together when we have our kids with. If you are a thrill seeker, don’t miss out on Daredevil’s Peak as it is definitely worth the stair climb! If your idea of fun is toes in the sand and drink in hand, there are, I believe seven plus beaches on the island. We tested them all out and even stumbled across Rover, the Icon of the Seas’ Chief Dog Officer.

Daredevil’s Peak at Thrill Waterpark

Rover, the Icon of the Seas’ Chief Dog Officer

Q: Did you do anything special on the island? – A: We were signed up for a snorkel adventure, but unfortunately could not do this because of rough seas. But we did get to go to Hideaway Beach, the island’s adults-only area. We enjoyed elevated snacks, sipping on drinks in the island’s only heated pool which included a big swim up bar, lounging in lounge chairs, and swimming across the lagoon. There is an added cost for Hideaway Beach, but I would recommend it for anyone that likes a relaxed party vibe.

Hideaway Beach

Hideaway Beach Swim-Up Bar

Q: What was your favorite part of Perfect Day at CocoCay? – A: We did really have fun exploring the whole island and think this could be an overnight port with all there is to do. I’d say our favorite would be going back to having fun on the water slides and bringing back some childhood fun as adults.

Q: Is there anything else we did not discuss that you would like to mention? – A: Of course!

– You have to research Icon of the Seas and all that went into the sustainability when the ship was built. Most notably are the liquified natural gas engines—really awesome advancements onboard to be as eco-friendly as possible.

– There are lots and lots of storage spaces in the staterooms, a really nice touch.

– A lot of people I heard couldn’t find the safe in the stateroom, pro top: it’s behind the glass cabinet.

– Don’t discredit the snack stands on Perfect Day at CocoCay, they were definitely our preference over the buffet.

– If your pre-paid excursion gets cancelled by Royal Caribbean because of bad weather, they will automatically credit you back to your original form of payment (takes several days, but it does get done).

– Always pay attention to information provided to you from your transportation company taking you to the pier. I had to help two-couples with transportation back to the Fort Lauderdale pier after they got on our bus to go to The Port of Miami. Thankfully, they made it in the nick of time, but I’d imagine it was so stressful to them (and also another reason to book with your favorite Boscov’s Travel Advisor).

Q: What do you recommend to anyone sailing on the Icon of the Seas? – A: Try a little bit of everything the ship has to offer and really soak in the beauty and memories made with your friends and family.

Q: Would you sail on the Icon of the Seas again? – A: Absolutely, when are we going? ; )

Does this incredible experience incline you to sail on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas? Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to assist you in planning whenever you’re ready! Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020 or visit https://www.boscovstravel.com/cruises/royal-caribbean/index.html to learn more.

My personal experience at the ALG Vacations’ Ascend 2023 Conference in Cancun, Mexico.

Posted on December 15, 2023 by boscovstravel

Recently, one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors attended the ALG Vacations’ Ascend 2023 conference where she took daily classes, toured resorts and learned information and vacation ideas to bring back to YOU, our valued clients!

Ascend 2023 Conference

This fall 2023, I had the pleasure of attending an exclusive event hosted in Cancun, Mexico. Ascend 2023 is an invite only, Travel Advisor event presented by ALG Vacations. The event exceeded and went way beyond all my expectations! ALG Vacations blew me away with all of the branding, participants in the gigantic trade show, guest speakers, lectures, entertainment, and the 600+ professional travel agents that were invited. Everything was truly top of the line. During the conference, I attended lectures, classes, breakout sessions and saw resorts which allowed me to bring back first-hand knowledge to our clients. As a Boscov’s Travel Advisor, I am continuously looking to travel and learn about the destinations and attractions that I think our clients would love.

Royalton Chic Cancun

Junior Suite Oceanfront Double Room

View from Oceanfront Room

With that being said, during the conference Travel Advisors were placed at five different large resorts. I ended up staying at the beautiful Royalton Chic Cancun. The Royalton Chic Cancun was truly stunning and located in the heart of Cancun’s beautiful beaches! I’ve personally been to Cancun eleven times, but have never stayed in the hotel zone which is where this resort is located. Needless to say, I enjoyed it very much!

Beach

With nine dining options (delicious), multiple pools, large well-appointed rooms, and a staff that exceeded my expectations, the resort did not disappoint. There is a rooftop party pool with private cabanas and guest DJ’s accessible to guests and the public for a fee. The resort’s beaches were stunning with perfectly turquoise, warm water. A neat feature the resort has is a keyless entry ID bracelet for resort guests that made access to the room easy-peasy. On top of that, the entertainment team and nightly shows were engaging and fun. The resort truly was incredible!

Ascend 2023 Conference

I recommend the resort to anyone looking for an active resort filled with activities. The Royalton Chic Cancun truly has an energetic adult vibe with luxury features and amenities. If you’re considering a trip to Cancun, you can’t go wrong with staying there. With our wealth of knowledge, your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor can help you plan your next vacation to Mexico today. See you at the pool!

My Personal Experience on Boscov’s Travel Exclusive Private Non-Stop Charter Flights to Orlando & sailing on an MSC Cruises’ cruise

Posted on November 3, 2023November 3, 2023 by boscovstravel

Recently one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors took our Boscov’s Travel exclusive private non-stop charter flight to Orlando. Read her incredible experience below.

MSC Cruises’ Seaside

My husband and I went on the Boscov’s Travel exclusive private non-stop Orlando charter the week of October 22, 2023. We weren’t traveling with family this trip so we decided to forego the theme parks in the Orlando area and instead take a relaxing 4-night cruise to the Bahamas along with 2-days in St. Augustine after the cruise.

As a Boscov’s Travel employee, I have taken our charter several times before and it’s always been such a pleasurable experience compared to flying out of the other airports where there’s lots of traffic congestion and extra costs. The Reading Regional Airport is easy to get to, easy to park (we were right in front of the terminal, mere steps away), and the Boscov’s Travel check-in and TSA security were fast and efficient (all done within a few minutes). We did not have to pay to park, pay for our seats, or pay for luggage! When you add up all of these costs, these are big savings, plus driving time to the airport is a breeze!

The Southwest Airlines flight crew was friendly and welcoming and our plane ride was very fast and smooth (we arrived early). We were booked on the MSC Cruises’ Seaside sailing to Nassau and Ocean Cay – MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas. We met an MSC Cruises representative shortly after our arrival at the Orlando International Airport and were effortlessly transferred to Port Canaveral (less than an hour ride) where we boarded the ship.

MSC Cruises’ Seaside

We had a cabin in the Yacht Club which is an exclusive ship-within-a-ship experience with excellent service from the ship’s staff (special praise to Jordan, our waiter and Glen, our butler). As part of the Yacht Club experience, a private butler meets you at the pier and escorts you onto the ship bypassing the long lines. We were checked in promptly at their Concierge Desk and were eating a delicious lunch within minutes at their private dining room. Our Yacht Club experience included the Premium Beverage package, unlimited Wi-Fi and complimentary access to the Thermal Spa area.

Nassau Port Terminal

Our first stop was Nassau, Bahamas which has a very nice and new Port Terminal & Shops. If you traveled to Nassau in the past, you may remember the old straw market and vendors. This was not a pleasant experience… very claustrophobic and chaotic with lots of pressure from the vendors to buy their wares. This new Port Terminal & Shops is very clean, bright and organized with lots of open space, beautiful landscaping and friendly vendors. Such a great improvement! After our shopping jaunt, we returned to the ship where I decided to take advantage of the Thermal Spa (my husband went off to explore the ship). I spent two hours experiencing all the features which included a steam room, two saunas (a dry and a European), a snow room, a salt room, a Vitality pool with oxygen-intensified water, an aromatherapy shower and a heated stone lounge chair. I absolutely loved these last four options!

Our next stop was Ocean Cay – MSC Marine Reserve, their private island. This island was a former industrial site where sand was excavated that MSC reclaimed and restored to its natural beauty. What was nice about this stop was we were here overnight so we didn’t feel rushed and could enjoy a leisurely day and a half at the beach using the ship as our hotel. As part of the Yacht Club, we were escorted off the ship by our private butler (again bypassing the lines) and taken by a dedicated tram to the Ocean House Beach & Restaurant. The Restaurant was very nice and served several options for lunch including local fish, lobster and tropical drinks.

Bimini Beach

The beach here is pretty, but we decided to walk a short distance to the North Beach which was located on the lagoon and had beautiful calm clear water with a palm tree-lined beach. On our walk we passed Bimini Beach which has a spectacular lighthouse and views. In the evening, the beach is filled with night-life including a beach party and light show!

Casa Monica Resort

Dinner at Forgotten Tonic

We disembarked the ship on Thursday morning and picked up the car rental shuttle at the pier for the next part of our adventure. We got our car then drove to St. Augustine! Our drive took a little over two hours as we took the scenic route rather than major toll-ways. We checked into the Casa Monica Resort (part of the Marriott Autograph Collection), which is a beautiful hotel built in 1888 nestled in the heart of St. Augustine’s Historic District. We spent the afternoon exploring this area which was all within walking distance of our hotel. Later, we had dinner at a quaint little restaurant called Forgotten Tonic. The restaurant reminded us of dining in a cafe on a Mediterranean street.

St. Augustine Historic District

Flagler College Hall

Alcazar Hotel/City

Spanish Moss – Fountain of Youth

Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in the U.S.A.

The next day we took a narrated sightseeing tour of St. Augustine’s historic landmarks on Ripley’s Red Train tour. A special perk is they offer military and senior discounts, but you must ask for it. Our driver/guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining as he told us about the history of America’s oldest city. After this tour, we went back to the Orlando area for our overnight stay at the Embassy Suites-Orlando International Airport. The next day check-in at the airport was easy with the help of the dedicated Southwest staff at the North East Flight Departures ticket counter. We did check in three hours ahead of our flight departure time because security lines at Orlando International Airport can be very long. Our flight back to Reading Regional Airport was again enjoyable with a colorful fall aerial view of Berks County as we arrived back in Reading.

We had a wonderful vacation and the charter was truly the best way to get to Orlando! I highly recommend trying Boscov’s Travel’s exclusive private non-stop charter flights to Orlando at least once (and when you fly once with us, you’ll agree it’s the best way to get to central Florida)! Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to assist you in planning your Orlando vacation whenever you’re ready! Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020 or visit https://www.boscovstravel.com/exclusives/orlando-charter/default.aspx to learn more.

My personal experience at Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Posted on May 17, 2023 by boscovstravel

Recently one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors took a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Read her incredible experience below.

We traveled to Iberostar Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica at the end of March to early April, 2023 for four nights. We enjoy the fun activities, entertainment, beaches and great views that Montego Bay has to offer. The weather is beautiful as the temperatures in winter is around a high of 82 degrees and in the summer 87 degrees. The best part? The ocean water is 85 degrees all year round! It truly is a wonderful place to visit!

To make our trip as timely and efficient as possible, we booked a personal meet and greet service for our arrival at the Montego Bay Airport. This service brings someone directly to you to assist you through customs, immigrations, and baggage claim, then to your resort. And Iberostar Rose Hall is only a half hour away from the airport! We stayed in a room on the third floor with stunning partial views of the ocean and pool.

This resort was incredible with daily pool activities, nightly entertainment, stunning views, delicious food and so much more. One of the best parts of the trip is the all-inclusive amenities! Iberostar Rose Hall offers five restaurants and 6 bars, including a pool bar. There was no time wasted with all the great things to do on the property.

When staying in Montego Bay there is a lot you can do with many excursion options to choose from if you want to stray away from your resort. On this trip we took a two and a half hour Braco Stables Private Horseback Ride and Swim excursion. This excursion picked us up at our resort to visit the scenic sugar plantations and countryside, then to the shore to swim and go bareback riding with the horses on a beautiful private beach. I highly recommend this tour while visiting Montego Bay!

We really enjoy vacationing in Montego Bay and I highly recommend going at least once. Montego Bay is a stunning vacation spot for anyone. Since I have a wide range of knowledge on the area and of the resorts, it is important that I qualify my clients to fit them with the right resort and activities for what they expect on their vacations. Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to help you find the perfect fit for your next vacation in Montego Bay, Jamaica and beyond. Contact us today!

My personal experience visiting Dreams Tulum for Dia de los Muertos

Posted on October 27, 2022 by boscovstravel

Last year one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors took a trip to Tulum, Mexico for Dia de los Muertos. Read her incredible experience below.

I was fortunate enough to experience the celebration of Dia de los Muertos while visiting Tulum, Mexico. Although celebrated around the same time of year, Halloween and Dia de los Muertos are not the same. Celebrated throughout Mexico and parts of Central America, Dia de los Muertos is a multi-day celebration of family and loved ones who have passed away. It honors their memory and helps to guide them on their journey to the afterlife. It is a celebration of life, and a reminder that all life is cyclical.

While celebrating Dia de los Muertos, I was able to see elaborate alters which are created out of flowers, seeds, paper banners, water and fire – the four elements – to provide the loved ones’ spirits with everything they need for their journey and to guide them on the right path.

While in Tulum I also visited the Temple of the God of Winds. Tulum is a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city that is on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean sea. It was a port city for the nearby ancient city of Coba whose ruins are also available for the public to visit.

We stayed at the Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa, which was about a 10 minute cab ride from the ancient ruins, and the small town of Tulum where there are many shops for souvenirs and a number of lovely little cantinas to stop for a cervesa or two. The resort sits on an expansive white sand beach and has two pools including a heated relax pool and a heated activities pool plus a splash park for kids.

You’ll never be hungry or thirsty at this resort, with 6 a la carte, sit down, themed restaurants and a large international buffet to choose from. There are also 6 bars throughout the property and a smoothie bar for all of your drink desires.

We stayed in the Preferred Club section, which gives the guest upgraded status and amenities such as an upgraded, in-room minibar, a Preferred Club section on the beach with Bali beds and wait staff, and a concierge to arrange your reservations, excursions, and spa treatments. It also gives you access to the Preferred Club lounge that serves hot and cold hors d’oeuvres throughout the day, a sit down breakfast service, and top shelf international brand liquors.

When the sun goes down, the night heats up with many activities, entertainments and open bars with live music. One evening they had a complete Mariachi band perform and dance with the guests. Another evening they performed an elaborate stage show depicting Mayan culture and Dia de los Muertos that was wonderful. They had a Cirque du Soleir-like acrobatic performance over the pool with a fire and water theme that was equally enjoyable on another night. Needless to say, their entertainment team is top notch!

If you are considering a trip to Riviera Maya, you can’t go wrong with staying at Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa. While it is a little over an hour away from the airport, it is worth the trip. With our wealth of knowledge, your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor can help you plan your next vacation to Mexico too! Contact us today. See you on the beach!

My personal experience at RIU Dunamar Costa Mujeres, Mexico

Posted on May 14, 2022 by boscovstravel

Recently one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors took a trip to Costa Mujeres, Mexico. Read her incredible experience below.

We travel to Mexico two times a year and stay at different resorts each time. We enjoy the beautiful sand, drinks, and food – it’s a great place to go! In the past some of our favorite hotels that we have stayed at are RIU Palace Costa Mujeres, Hard Rock Riveria Maya, Sun Palace and Blue Bay Esmeralda. This April 2022 we stayed at the RIU Dunamar, Costa Mujeres, and all-inclusive beachfront and kid friendly resort. We loved it!

This resort is across the bay on the mainland, just north of Cancun. The beauty is its location. This area feels calm and secluded, but is just thirty minutes away from Cancun’s bustling restaurants and nightlife. Isla Mujeres is visible from the resorts in this area.

Some of the best parts of our trips to Mexico is the all-inclusive amenities! RIU Dunamar offers four specialty dinner restaurants, a lunchtime poolside barbecue grill, six bars, including a 24-hour bar with snacks, and two swim-up bars. I would highly recommend this resort to families because of the Splash Water Park, RIU Land Kids’ Club and poolside activities during the day which are geared towards families.

When staying in Mexico there is a lot you can do with many excursion options to choose from if you want to stray away from your resort. Every time we take our vacation, we take a day trip from our resort to explore the area. On this trip we took a three-hour snorkeling excursion that picked us up at our resort to visit a coral reef, the MUSA statues which are made of material for coral to grow on, a shipwreck and underwater cenotes. The entirety of the excursion was beautiful, fun and educational. Afterward, we visited El Meco which is a small archaeological Mayan Ruins site, which was stunning.

The Mayan Ruins have eighteen structures located off the beaten path to the North of Cancun en route to Costa Mujeres near the Puerto Juarez ferry dock. It has the tallest pyramid on the Northeast Yucatan Peninsula. From the top of the Castillo Ruins one can see the Caribbean Sea, all of Cancun’s lagoons, and Isla Mujeres. I highly recommend visiting some of the Mayan Ruins on a vacation to Mexico.

Obviously, we love vacationing in Mexico and I highly recommend going at least once. Cancun, Rivera Maya and Costa Mujeres are all great vacation spots for singles, couples and families. Since I have a wide range of knowledge on the area, and with all the lodging options and areas to stay in, it is important that I qualify my clients to fit them with the right resort for what they expect on their vacations. Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to help you find the perfect fit for your next vacation in Mexico and beyond. Contact us today!

My personal experience onboard the Disney Dream

Posted on April 8, 2022April 8, 2022 by boscovstravel

The following post was written by Ken, Branch Manager at our Camp Hill location and is a review of his recent experience onboard Disney Cruise Line’s Dream and the ports of call.

Almost 25 years had passed since I last sailed on Disney Cruise Line. It was both Disney Cruise Lines’ first year and their first ship, the Disney Magic. Walt Disney World was still celebrating their 25th anniversary. Fast forward to October 2021 – my wife and I took our second Disney Cruise on the Disney Dream. This was also our first post-pandemic cruise and I was quite ready to have a change of scenery and take a “real trip.”

I knew that travel during COVID times was going to be a little different. After spending a couple days at Walt Disney World (this time celebrating 50 years), we headed over to Port Canaveral to prepare to board the ship. The protocol was to be vaccinated and take a pre-cruise rapid-antigen test at the pier. Disney very efficiently administered the testing and within 40 minutes we were notified on their Disney Cruise Line Navigator app that we were cleared to board.

At that time we were required to wear masks in indoor public spaces on the ship, but this requirement has since been lifted. The word on the pier was that there were about 1,500 passengers onboard a ship holding up to 4,000. The lack of people onboard certainly made it easy to space people out. In the theatre we were seated at least one row and three seats away from any other passengers. We were even encouraged to only share the elevators with those you were traveling with.

Our 4-night sailing was both a special Halloween-themed voyage and a double visit to Castaway Cay, DCL’s private island in the Bahamas. The Dream was decked out in fall decorations and the lobby’s centerpiece was a spooky pumpkin tree (which became the backdrop of many photos). Guests and crew really went all out for Halloween. Costumes were encouraged on several evenings and guests really got into the spirit. The costumes were mostly homemade and either Disney-themed or pirates. It seemed like the entire ship dressed up for “Pirate Night,” including the dining room staff and all the Disney characters. Pirate Night culminated with everyone out on deck for DCL’s exclusive “fireworks at sea” show.

Throughout the cruise we gladly lined up to have our photos taken with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and so on. Sometimes this was in the lobby, other times it was up by the pool on Castaway Cay. We mostly used the adults-only pool deck area; but, since there were hardly any lines, we happily rode the AquaDuck Water Coaster numerous times. This was a Disney Cruise after all, where Disney music plays throughout the ship (except in the adults-only areas) and Disney movies are on the big (make that HUGE) screen out by the pool. We were happy to revert back to being kids for a few days when appropriate.

We kept track of all the happenings on the Disney app on our phone which included our “rotational dining” throughout the ship, plus all the various entertainment. I remembered “rotating” through the various dining rooms on our first Disney cruise and how the wait staff remains with you. The big “wow” show was their Broadway style version of “Beauty and the Beast.” It was extremely well done. Other smaller venues offered singers or music throughout the ship.

The highlight during the day was our TWO visits to the beautiful Castaway Cay. We took the shuttle to the adult beach, Serenity Bay at the far end of the island. The water here was crystal clear and very calm. You didn’t really have to leave the adults area as it had it’s own bar and a fantastic buffet/grill area.

I still dream about tropical Castaway Cay and the amazing Disney Dream. I just hope we don’t wait another 25 years to go again!

The newest adventures at your favorite Orlando Theme Parks

Posted on January 13, 2022 by boscovstravel

Boscov’s Travel offers exclusive non-stop flights from select local airports in PA to Orlando, FL and are the fastest way to get to the magic and surrounding area. You are one flight away – our Southwest chartered flights are out of Reading, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AVOCA), and Harrisburg Airports – from the new attractions and fun adventures at your favorite Orlando theme parks!

What’s new at Walt Disney World Resort?

Walt Disney World’s 50^th Anniversary

Walt Disney World Resort has been celebrating their 50^th Anniversary since October 1, 2021 and the celebration is lasting an entire 18 months! Everyone will have a chance to see the new magic – new celebrations have been brought to all four theme parks and beyond! The Cinderella Castle added to its royal makeover from last year with a beautiful, golden 50^th Anniversary crest. Guest’s favorite characters including Mickey, Minney and friends have new looks to go along with the celebration. There’s even a new MagicBand called MagicBand+ that allows guests to engage in interactive experiences around the theme parks. The MagicBand+ reacts to park interactions with lighting effects, gesture recognition and more. How magical! But wait it gets better…

This celebration becomes even more EARidescent (a new word coined by Disney) at night – all four parks will have even more magic! The castle at Magic Kingdom will sprinkle with pixie dust, the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom will inhabit magical fireflies, the Hollywood Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studio’s will have new touches that bring it to life, and lastly EPCOT will feature new lights reflecting into the sky off Spaceship Earth. This is only a glimpse at this 18-month EARidescent celebration. You’ll just have to experience the all-new magic for yourself.

Disney Genie

This all-new digital service can be found in the My Disney Experience app and is designed to create the most magical day ever including attractions, food experiences, and character meet and greets. Check out everything there is to know about Disney Genie on our blog here.

Super Zoom Magic Shots

There’s nothing quite like taking advantage of Disney’s PhotoPass, right? Disney PhotoPass Photographers are now offering Super Zoom Magic Shots at all four theme parks! What does Super Zoom Magic Shots mean? It means that photos are taken at a very far distance using a powerful zoom lens and these shots are combined to create a short video. These videos start right in on guests and zoom out to show some of the park’s biggest attractions! All you need to do is have an active Disney PhotoPass Service and find a Disney PhotoPass photographer in their locations. Don’t forget to smile big for your Super Zoom Magic Shots!

Magic Kingdom – Disney Enchantment

A brand-new nighttime fireworks display ascends over the Cinderella Castle for Walt Disney World’s 50^th Anniversary. The Castle features magic inspiring effects that (for the first time ever) span all the way down Main Street! This new display is magical and fun, and will fill you with imagination and hope. Throughout Disney Enchantment guests will be able to see their favorite Disney Characters as they explore the world of magic. Don’t forget to check your My Disney Experience App to find showtimes for the day of your visit. Since this is an outdoor show, it is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.

EPCOT – New Entrance Fountain

The new Entrance Fountain contains crystal pylons and stands in the footprint of the original fountain that welcomed guests on the park’s opening day in 1982. Do any retro-Disney fans remember this? We sure do! Spaceship Earth complements the fountain as a backdrop. At night the fountain matches Spaceship Earth’s new lighting while displaying an array of colors that reflect off the night sky. We can’t wait to see this beautiful addition in person.

EPCOT – Space 220 Restaurant

To begin your journey, you will step into a “space elevator” that will transport you 220 miles above Earth to a space station. On the way to the station, guests will see an ariel view of EPCOT from viewports. As you dine, you will have a front row view of the Earth and cosmos through expansive windows both day and night.

Choose from a 2-course meal at lunch or a 3-course meal at dinner – both featuring modern American cuisine. For an appetizer choose from Blue Moon Cauliflower to Big Bang Burrata. Next try a Centauri Burger for the main course, and then enjoy a sweet send-off from the dessert menu. Your taste-buds will feel out of this world… no pun intended. Reservations for dining and park are required.

EPCOT – Harmonious

Harmonious is one of the largest nighttime spectaculars Disney Parks has ever created. This new show is located at World Showcase Lagoon in EPCOT. The show is crafted by new innovations including giant floating screens, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, and lasers all in a 360-degree view. Harmonious features familiar Disney music and stories in brand new ways. Disney songs even change from language to language as the show brings people from all parts of the world together in harmony. How cool does this sound? We want to go right now! Don’t forget to check your My Disney Experience App to find showtimes for the day of your visit. Since this is an outdoor show, it is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.

EPCOT – France Pavilion

When approaching France, you’ll cross over the Pont des Arts inspired footbridge where you’ll have a beautiful view of the Seine waterfront, flower carts and streetside artists. As you stroll the pavilion, you’ll walk along cobblestone streets and have the tune of romantic music all around. The “Eiffel Tower” is in view being sized one tenth of the actual tower in France. The center fountain is an incredible place to sit, relax and people watch if you’d like. You can visit the French gardens and may even see Belle from Beauty and the Beast. (Check the park schedule for appearances). In the France Pavilion you can shop for souvenirs, drink champagne or even eat a delicious crepe. You’ll definitely feel like you’ve been transported to France with this new Pavilion!

EPCOT – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Shrink down to Chef Remy’s Size in this 4-D culinary adventure located at the France Pavilion. Riders will join Chef Remy on a culinary adventure that will captivate their senses as they dash through the kitchen, dining room, and walls with Remy. Don’t forget to check your My Disney Experience App to learn whether a virtual or standby line will be available for this adventure on the day of your visit.

Star Wars: Galactic Cruiser

Star Wars: Galactic Cruiser is a 2-night immersive experience where guests will go on their very own, first-of-its-kind Star Wars Adventure. Once you arrive at the Walt Disney World Resort terminal, you will board a launch pod with the Halcyon starcruiser. You may choose to stay in a cabin or suite that will give you an incredible view of space. Throughout the ship you can interact with characters, eat exotic galactic cuisine and more!

Highlights include:

-New and familiar Star Wars Characters need your help – embark on secret missions and create alliances.

-Wield a lightsaber against a remote training device.

-Explore and operate the ship’s systems and controls.

-Engage in unique missions and experiences

At Star Wars: Galactic Cruiser you can make the choice to join the Resistance or walk on the dark side. What side do you choose?

What’s new at Universal Studios Orlando?

Universal’s Islands of Adventures: Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Are you a rollercoaster fan? Well, this new rollercoaster is Florida’s fastest and tallest launch roller coaster! Guests will race alongside a pack of velociraptors and feel the rush of the hunt with twisting and soaring above land and water. We’re excited to get on this thrill ride. Are you?

Universal Studios: The Bourne Stuntacular

Do you enjoy stunt shows? This one is stuntacular! Guests will follow Jason Bourne as he outruns evil characters. You will see Bourne dangle from a helicopter, be chased on rooftops and by a motorcycle! Be prepared for fistfights, shootouts and danger as Bourne is on the run.

Universal Studios: DreamWorks Destination

Do you have children or grandchildren? This one’s for them! Located in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, kids can dance, strike a pose, and have fun with many of their favorite DreamWorks’ characters. Characters are from fan favorite DreamWorks’ movies including Madagascar, Trolls, Puss in Boots, Kung Fu Panda, and more! The best part is that this is all in air-conditioned comfort. You can’t beat that, right? Appearances of characters are subject to change without notice.

These new attractions and fun adventures are just the beginning – there’s so much more to explore in Orlando, Florida. So, what are you waiting for? Orlando is calling your name and we’re saving a seat on our Exclusive Charter to Orlando just for you this Spring! View our Spring Charters here and start planning today.

Portugal… Add it to the Bucket List!

Posted on October 17, 2019 by boscovstravel

The following post is written by Ken from our Camp Hill and Colonial Park locations. Ken recently visited Portugal and shares his experience of this often undiscovered, yet treasure of Europe.

Portugal had always been near the top of my travel bucket list even though I couldn’t exactly tell you why. After visiting Portugal this fall, I can now give dozens of reasons why this small country is worth a detour. No one visits Portugal by accident. Almost as big as Pennsylvania, it is located in far southwestern Europe with nothing beyond it but the big Atlantic. You don’t see Portugal just passing through on a grand European adventure. This is actually good news because Portugal is worth a vacation all to itself! Sure you can throw in its neighbor Spain (which I LOVE), but Portugal can definitely stand alone.

First of all, let me mention the wonderful Portuguese people. They love their country and are eager to share it with the world, which they are doing more and more as tourism to Portugal is growing rapidly. Except for the oldest generation, the knowledge of English is outstanding. Portuguese – very different from Spanish – is not a very widely spoken language so every student gets 12 years of English in school. Their younger people know all about American pop culture, music and movies. The older folk, often seen in traditional clothing, wore Portugal’s tough history in their tanned wrinkles but also in smiles that seemed to say, “At last, times are good.”

We visited 10 locations: Lisbon, Evora, Sintra, Palmela, Sesimbra, Obidos, Nazare, Aveiro, Porto and the Douro River Valley. Lisbon (“leash-bo-ah”) may have the grandest locations of any European capital city. It is often compared to San Francisco with its large bay, steep streets, trolley cars, beautiful overlooks and even its own “Golden Gate” bridge look-a-like (which is almost twice as long!). Lisbon also has the history of a devastating earthquake which destroyed almost the entire city in 1755. One area unscathed by the earthquake is the soul of Lisbon: Alfama. Today this is where you go to enjoy the local Fado music or stroll the narrow, winding streets looking for Portuguese or ethnic foods. On the waterfront, you will be find Belem. This is where Portugal’s explorers left for new worlds. Go to Belem to be impressed by the Monument to the Discoveries, the Belem Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery. Lisbon is definitely worth 3-4 days. In addition, nearby cities are Sintra, Sesimbra, Evora and Obidos which are excellent day trips from Lisbon but equally worthy of an overnight stay.

Sintra is a fairy tale town in a gorgeous natural setting among tall trees. Once home for the king, Pena Palace was built more for romanticism than for protection. This quirky, mountaintop summer palace has many styles and Crayola colors. On the neighboring mountaintop you can see and visit the imposing Moorish Castle from 711 AD. In the valley below, wealthy commoners built vacation homes to be near the king. One of these, Quinta da Regaleira, comes complete with enchanting gardens, towers, hidden waterfalls and many subterranean passageways.

Just north of Lisbon you will find Obidos, a quaint medieval village with shops and restaurants serving local dishes like bacalao and caldo verde. Just to the west in a wine region, Evora has much to see. There are many well-preserved Roman ruins, a chapel lined with hundreds of human bones, and a Nativity Museum filled with scenes made around the world.

Portugal is also well known for its beautiful seaside towns and fishing villages–these come complete with beautiful sandy beaches, crystal blue water and fantastic seafood restaurants. At the bottom of Portugal, the entire Algarve region is worth an extended stay, but for those with less time Sesimbra, Cascais or Nazare will not disappoint a beach lover.

Lastly, it would be a shame to miss Porto, Portugal’s “second city”. Porto is not second rate by any means. The city is smaller than Lisbon but with tons of walkable charm. Porto’s emblem is the two level Luis I Bridge and it’s amazing day and night. Harry Potter fans will love the city’s influence on JK Rowling. Wine enthusiasts will love the city’s namesake port wine. If you think you don’t like port wine, wait until Porto! There are so many varieties. Then, go to the source of the port wine, the Douro River Wine Valley. The scenery alone is fantastic, but wait until you visit one of the many quintas or vineyards! The Douro Valley is just incredible.

This Cafe in Porto inspired JK Rowling’s Harry Potter

So now you know how much I loved this little country and its beautiful scenery, delicious food and delightful people. I really look forward to booking my clients to Portugal. It will be my pleasure to share this find.

Visit Boscov’s Travel located within select Boscov’s including Pennsylvania (Camp Hill, Colonial Park/Harrisburg, Easton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Neshaminy/Bensalem, Wyomissing, Reading, Pottstown, Pottsville, Scranton, Selinsgrove, Wilkes-Barre), New York (Binghamton), New Jersey (Atlantic City and Moorestown), Delaware (Wilmington), and Maryland (Salisbury). View our locations here. If you live a little further away, book over the phone by calling us at 800-755-8020. Learn more at boscovstravel.com

Oh Joy! There’s So Much to Love About Norwegian’s Newly Reimagined Ship

Posted on May 20, 2019May 20, 2019 by boscovstravel

Introducing the New Norwegian Joy

The following post is written by Amanda from the Boscov’s Travel Marketing Department.

Have you ever heard of a ship that gets refurbished after only two years? Probably not – it’s unheard of. Once again, though, Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t disappoint and has decided to refurbish the Norwegian Joy for the American market. Originally created for the Asian market, this ship underwent a $50 million makeover and let me tell you, this ship is GORGEOUS!

With a guest capacity over 3,800 and overall length 1,094 feet, this ship features a race track like sister ship Bliss, and so much more. It will make you feel like you’re living in an entertainment-packed resort no matter where you are on the ship. Take on the challenge of outdoor laser tag and virtual experiences, ride the first of its kind two level race track… then check out the water slide that hangs 11 feet off the side of the ship, the casino, observation lounge, splash academy, teen club, and a kids’ aqua park – there is something do for every member of the family.

After my extensive research, I must say I’m so obsessed with the wide range of dining options (yes, I am restaurant guru). There is an American diner restaurant, an outdoor promenade and The Waterfront where you can eat outdoors overlooking the beautiful ocean! Enjoy 16 dining options – – food is everywhere you turn.

So the big question: how can you experience this beautiful cruise ship? She will be sailing year round – summers in Alaska and the rest of the year sailing the Mexican Riviera, from Miami and LA to the Panama Canal. So if any of these sound interesting to you then get ready to sail!

I’m excited with anticipation as I’m about to book my first cruise (through Boscov’s Travel, of course) and am absolutely considering this ship! It really looks like a dream vacation with endless possibilities and things to do! Great job Norwegian! I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

If you’re ready to start planning your Norwegian Cruise aboard the Norwegian Joy, email [email protected] or call 800-755-8020.