All Points Travel Connections- Travel with Mel Wagner

16/10/2026

I am a Carry-on only fan! Yes this is what my family of 4 took on our 3 week holiday to Singapore & Australia last year! There’s many reason I prefer carryon only- but my biggest is travel flexibility. 14 years ago Rob & I were flying to San Diego, and had a layover in Vegas, after landing in Vegas we said- we should stay here for the night and go to San Diego tomorrow- we had carryon luggage- southwest said no problem- rebooked us for the next day and we enjoyed a night in Vegas. Today my connecting flight was 1 hour, then 2, and now 3 hours delayed, the city I was flying to was only a 1.5 hour drive- so after I got off my 1st flight and saw my 2nd flight get pushed and pushed- I grabbed an uber and cancelled my flight - with the delays they gave me a refund! With carryon luggage I can be flexible- with checked luggage that would have been far more difficult! My Uber pulled up to my hotel, and my connecting flight is delayed even further! Uber & carryon for the win today!

03/10/2026

What makes one ship better than another? How YOU want to travel!!! Here’s my take for my family and how we prefer to travel!!! After traveling on the Liberty, Wonder (2X), and Utopia in the last 18 months, (traveling on the Freedom in 47 days), both with and without kids- here is my take.

Each shop, class offers something different.
Best pool layout - Liberty and Freedom
Why? The pools on Utopia and Wonder are small! Kids are forced to swim in the same pools as adults and the adults get frustrate over kids wanting to do cartwheels and splash.
The Freedom & Liberty have a pool in the back of Splash Away Bay that they’re free to be kids in, with no adults, there’s also 2 hot tubs in Splash Away Bay, in my opinion this gives kids a fun whole pool deck to be themselves with slides, pools and hot tubs.
Wonder/Utopia has the slides and splash pad, but pools and hot tubs are all in the general area will be utilized by adults and kids.

Best Solarium
Winter months- Utopia/Wonder- covered solarium with 3 hot tubs, and a pool with chairs (yes it’s like a hot tub but cool water)
Summer- Freedom or Liberty- open air (so you get sunlight), has an actual pool and hot tub.
I really missed an adults only actual pool on the Utopia and Wonder!

Best non-pool areas for kids
Wonder/Utopia hands down. Between the Ultimate Abyss, climbing area on Boardwalk and Playgrounds- there’s so many non-water things for kids to do!
Utopia- playground felt better for young kids
Wonder- playground felt more appropriate for 6+

So what makes 1 ship better than the other? How YOU like to vacation- and that’s what I am here for!
Let me help you book your next vacation!

24/03/2026

Love the dish storage lockers at Excellence Resorts!!

22/03/2026

I hate carrying bags when heading to the pool at all inclusive- this scrunchie is my solution. Amazon link in comments!

18/03/2026

Flight prices are increasing this summer. BUT there’s a couple things you can do!!
1. Look for Alternative Nearby Airports to Fly in or out of!
2. Be Flexible dates!!! Start by looking at Flight prices then look for accommodation prices!!
But book the trip- Enjoy the Vacation!!

01/03/2026

And to finish our SeaWorld trip- we spent one night at the beautiful ! Gotta love points! We loved the waterpark, lazy river and hot tub! Kennedy even tried her first waterslide where the floor falls out, and LOVED it!! This morning we rushed home for 2 baseball games. What a magical field trip and Friday evening!

28/02/2026

Our Field Trip was a Sleepover - we spent the nights on air mattresses in the Beluga enclosure with 31 of our school friends- over 200 of us went on this field trip! The kids loved the Beluga’s & sleeping right by the glass (Cam got the spot) It really was a unique experience. Also we froze 🤣 I am talking 3 layers, blanket over head freezing, but what a cool experience, and the kids got to learn all about Belugas and other SeaWorld animals over the evening and next morning. If you have the opportunity to take an adventure like this do it!

26/02/2026

Yes!! It is important enroll in the FREE STEP Program through the www.mytravel.state.gov this program allows the US Embassy to know where your travels take you and alert you of issues going on! It’s totally free to enroll and takes 10-20 mins!

26/02/2026

Many Caribbean islands offer VIP airport service for arrivals and departures.
Arrival: Meet-and-greet at the gate, fast-track through immigration/customs, relax in a lounge while staff collect your bags, then escorted to your ride.

Departure: Expedited security, access to a lounge with food and drinks (some have extras—like an outdoor pool in Punta Cana). You can book arrival, departure, or both.

Available in:

Dominican Republic
Jamaica
St Lucia
Cayman Islands
Turks & Caicos
St Maarten
Antigua
*Pricing and amenities vary by country.

25/02/2026