Shannon McCauley - 101-Vacations

09/08/2026

My favorite spot on Perfect Day at CocoCay? Coco Beach Club. Hands down. If I’m choosing where to spend my day on Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, this is where I’m going.

Coco Beach Club is the quieter, more polished side of CocoCay with an exclusive stretch of beach, an oceanfront infinity pool, premium loungers, towels, poolside service and an elevated restaurant with complimentary dining included with your club admission.

And if you want to take it up another level, the Overwater Cabanas are the splurge. Private overwater hammocks, your own slide into the sea and a dedicated cabana attendant, with Coco Beach Club access included.

What I love about CocoCay is that Royal Caribbean gives you very different ways to spend your day, and the right choice really depends on your travel party. I’ve personally toured Coco Beach Club, Hideaway Beach and Thrill Waterpark, so I can help you decide where your investment is best spent.

09/03/2026

The Aperol Spritz has been my go-to this summer. But did you know we’ve been drinking it wrong this whole time? I recently learned that in 1920s Venice, a proper spritz always came with a big, juicy green olive skewered inside. The salty brine was intentionally added to balance out the sweet, bitter orange notes. So why did it disappear? In 2006, when the drink was launched globally, the olive was officially dropped from the marketing recipe just to make the drink look more purely orange and beachy for the cameras! But I believe the authentic Venetian style should make a comeback! Did you know about the secret spritz history? More importantly... would you drink it with an olive? 🍹

08/31/2026

There’s a difference between booking a vacation and knowing how to shape it around each traveler. Our Seminar at Sea aboard Utopia of the Seas gave us the opportunity to experience the details firsthand.

A few of my favorite highlights included:

* Getting an insider tip about a delicious “secret menu” favorite at Perfect Day at CocoCay - it lived up to the hype!
* Experiencing the true differences between Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club
* Seeing firsthand what it’s like without a beverage package
* Identifying both the thoughtful details and potential challenges that can make a meaningful difference in your trip

When you work with me, you’re getting more than access to a reservation. You’re getting personalized guidance informed by research, relationships and real-world experience as much as possible, so I can tell you what I’d recommend, who it’s best for, and why.

Because the best vacations aren’t simply booked. They’re thoughtfully designed around you. Thank you to Royal Caribbean , our BDM Mechelle Connor-Letto, our agency owner Wendy Hershey, and all of our advisors who were able to join us and make this experience so valuable.

08/21/2026

Currently Curating: A little look at what’s been on my planning desk lately.

Saint Lucia for a couple staying at a boutique resort, and a family trading a traditional room for a hilltop villa with a private pool.

Costa Rica for a family adventure filled with hanging bridges, zip lining, horseback riding, hot springs and fishing.

Spain in two very different ways — a girls’ trip through Barcelona and Girona, and a family exploring Madrid and Barcelona.

India and Sri Lanka for a traveler meeting work partners for the first time, and planning some personal exploration along the way.

Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer for two sisters-in-law taking the scenic route through the Canadian Rockies.

Africa for a traveler returning to the continent, this time exploring the Timbavati and adding Victoria Falls to the itinerary.

Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland and Québec for two lifelong friends who are taking an epic northern cruise together.

Iceland for a couple checking another bucket-list destination off the list, with glacier walking, Northern Lights hunting, horseback riding and the Golden Circle.

Ireland for a honeymoon with a Halloween twist.

And Italy — lots of Italy lately. Honeymoons, family trips, trips with friends and plenty of time spent matching the right places and experiences to the people traveling.

These are only a few of the trips I’m currently working on, but they’re a good snapshot of the kind of planning happening behind the scenes, and of the global partnerships I’m fortunate to have around the world to bring these trips to life.

Have any of these destinations been sitting on your own travel wish list?

08/13/2026

Talk about leaving an 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.

08/07/2026

08/07/2026

Rooftop state of mind. Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets 🍸🩵

08/03/2026

The best part of visiting a resort isn’t just how beautiful it is. It is really about how it makes you feel once you’re there, and the kind of experience it was designed to create for you.

Last week, I had the opportunity to experience two incredible properties with Luxury Leaders Alliance (Travel Leaders) and Hyatt Inclusive Collection: Impression Moxché by Secrets and Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. I shared pieces of the trip along the way in my stories, and I’ve saved everything in my highlights if you want to take a closer look.

What really stayed with me is that both resorts are stunning in their own way, but they offer very different kinds of stays depending on what you’re looking for.

Impression Moxché has this beautiful balance of energy and elegance. There’s so much to explore…incredible dining, thoughtful design everywhere you turn, and a lively but still elevated atmosphere that makes it feel exciting without ever feeling overwhelming.

Impression Isla Mujeres, on the other hand, feels like exhaling. It’s quiet in the best way. The ocean views are unreal, the pace slows you down almost immediately, and everything about it invites you to just be present and fully unwind. The activities and entertainment they provide are some of the most unique I’ve seen in the industry.

Both are truly special, just in completely different ways. This is exactly why I value phone consultations with my clients so much. Photos can absolutely show you how a resort looks, but they can’t really tell you what it feels like to wake up there, move through the day, and experience it in real time.

When I have the opportunity to visit properties myself, I’m paying attention to those details so I can better understand which resort will actually feel right for my clients, not just look right on paper.

If an adults-only escape to Mexico is something you’ve been dreaming about, I’d genuinely love to help you find the place that feels like it was made for you.

07/25/2026

The biggest luxury isn’t the ocean view. It’s never having to wonder, “What do we do now?”

When your first international trip in years feels effortless. When last-minute changes are handled with one phone call. When you can simply be present and enjoy the vacation you worked so hard for. That’s the difference the right travel advisor makes.

Thank you, Jan, for trusting me with your Mexico getaway. It was an honor to be part of your journey, and I’m so grateful for your kind words. 🤍