Mendy Johnson at Dream Vacations

08/17/2023

We are all set up for a day at the Mobile Business Expo at the Mobile Convention Center! The event is from 10am to 3pm if you would like to stop by and see us😉

11/16/2021

11/16/2021

01/16/2019

What's new with Disney you ask?

Walt Disney World Resort hotels will implement a new payment card policy for guests who wish to put a payment card on file at check-in.

Beginning on Feb. 27, 2019, Disney Resort hotels will place incremental authorization holds on the payment card for estimated incidental expenses, in addition to any balance due on the reservation.

The new policy, which “better aligns with hotel industry practices,” will place a $100 incidental charge upon arrival to cover estimated incidental expenses. For guests who spend more than the original $100 hold, additional incremental holds will be obtained automatically. The authorization holds on the card will not exceed the current balance due plus $100.

Guests will be charged only for what they actually spent and any authorization holds in excess of the balance due will be released, generally, within one to two days after check-out.

Disney Resort hotels previously only obtained signatures from guests at check-in and did not actually charge the card until checkout. The new policy is likely aimed at deterring charges at check-out from being rejected by the card issuer as a potential fraudulent charge or for being over the cardholder’s credit limit.

If guests cannot put a credit card on file, they will not be able to use their MagicBand for purchases.

Guests will be advised of the payment card policy during online check-in through their My Disney Experience account or at the front desk. Those who have already completed online check-in for stays beginning Feb. 27 or later will be notified later this month about the new policy.

12/13/2018

Carnival’s newest ship, Mardi Gras, set to debut in 2020, will offer the first roller coaster at sea.

The electric roller coaster, dubbed BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster and developed by Munich-based Maurer Rides, will feature nearly 800 feet of twists, turns and drops with riders reaching speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour.

The thrill ride will allow for two riders in a motorcycle-like vehicle to race along a track 187 feet above sea level, while guests take in 360-degree views.

BOLT begins with an action-packed launch where riders can achieve race car-like levels of acceleration and culminates with a high-powered hair-pin turn around Carnival’s iconic funnel. Riders’ speeds will be posted after the race, and guests may have their photo taken during the ride for a memorable keepsake. And since guests choose their own speed, each ride is unique.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said BOLT is the cornerstone of innovations and features being designed for Mardi Gras, which they consider to be “the ultimate playground at sea for fun seekers of all ages.”

“Mardi Gras will be our most innovative ship ever with some truly special features and attractions, highlighted by BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea,” said Duffy. “BOLT will continue the tradition of Carnival providing exciting new ways for our guests to ‘Choose Fun.’ We are so thrilled to introduce this one-of-a-kind, game-changing, exhilarating attraction – our guests are going to love it!”

Mardi Gras will be based in Port Canaveral and itinerary information will be revealed early next month, with additional details about Mardi Gras’ groundbreaking features to be announced throughout the year.

A second XL-class ship will start construction in 2020 and be delivered in 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Carnival Cruise Line’s founding.
Source - Travel Market Report

06/25/2018

I would like to share some feedback on the Zoetry Agua resort in Punta Cana from one of my honeymoon couples:

Thank you for all of your help in planning our honeymoon to Punta Cana. Our experience at the Zoetry Agua resort was above excellent.

The property and location for the resort is amazing. This was exactly the slow paced, smaller, quiet resort atmosphere that we wanted for the honeymoon.

The service and staff was top of the line. We had a our room upgraded free of charge upon arrival which was a great surprise. Our room was poolside with a Caribbean Sea view. All of our interactions with the staff were exceptional.

We tried each of the 4 restaurants on the resort grounds, as well as the in-room dining options, and the food was fantastic from each.

Overall we were more than pleased with our stay at Zoetry Agua and we would absolutely recommend this resort for your future clients.

03/26/2018

Norwegian - Service charge increase:

Norwegian Cruise Line is making a slight adjustment to its daily service charges effective April 1, 2018. The new rates are:
Sky & Sun all-inclusive 3 and 4 day itineraries (bev package included in the rate) Suites – from $21.99 to $22.99
Sky and Sun all-inclusive, all other categories - from $18.99 to $19.99
Remainder of Fleet, Suites and The Haven - from $16.99 to $17.50
Remainder of Fleet, all other categories - from $13.99 to $14.50

Any guest that has made a booking by March 31, 2018 will have the option of prepaying their service charges at the current rate if done prior to sail date. As long as they add the pre-paid services charges onto the booking by 3/31 – they will not incur the higher cost. They can still pay for them at final payment – the key is adding them onto the booking prior to 3/31.
Guests with existing cruise reservations who have already prepaid their service charges at the current rate are not affected.

10/12/2017

Carnival's San Juan cruises scrapped after FEMA charters Fascination -

Carnival Cruise Line just recently announced it would resume San Juan cruises on the Carnival Fascination, but that has now been abruptly scrapped.

The Fascination will still head to Puerto Rico but on exclusive charter for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist with housing personnel involved in relief efforts.San Juan cruises were just days away from resuming. It means all departures from October 15, 2017 through January 28, 2018 are canceled.In a statement, the line said: "Carnival Fascination will return to year-round service from San Juan beginning February 18, 2018.

We recognize how important vacations are, and we sincerely apologize for the disruption this late change in plans has caused our guests and travel partners."

"We value your trust in us and hope you understand that this decision was made after careful consideration of the great need to support the recovery efforts in the region."

Guests booked on one of the canceled cruises will receive a refund in full and a 100% cruise credit for any future Carnival cruise if rebooked by mid-November.

Carnival said FEMA only reached out after the line had already announced its upcoming resumption of San Juan cruises, giving just a few days' notice to customers.

In a Facebook post, Brand Ambassador John Heald said the line has been in contact with airlines 'to request their cooperation in waiving change fees, and will also be working with our guests on non-refundable airline change fees.'

10/03/2017

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY TO HOMEPORT IN NEW ORLEANS FOR WINTER 2018/19 SEASON

As the largest ship to sail from New Orleans, Norwegian Breakaway will offer seven, 10- and 11-day cruises to the Caribbean, all including a port of call at the Caribbean’s premier resort-style destination in Southern Belize, Harvest Caye

MIAMI – October 3, 2017- Norwegian Cruise Line today announced an update to the line’s 2018/2019 deployment, offering guests an exciting new opportunity to set sail from the Port of New Orleans to their dream Caribbean destinations on one of the line’s newest and largest ships. After returning from her summer 2018 season in the Baltic, the 4,000 passenger Norwegian Breakaway will reposition from the Big Apple to the Big Easy for her winter 2018/19 season and cruise to the Caribbean, visiting ports of call including Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and the beautiful island destination of Harvest Caye, Belize. Harvest Caye offers a diverse, enriching experience highlighting the natural beauty and culture of Belize along with lush native landscaping, a swim up pool bar, luxury beach villas, private pool cabanas, thrilling aerial activities and water sports. The destination also features the first ever pier in Belize that allows guests to walk straight off the ship and into paradise. Norwegian Gem, a fan favorite Jewel-class ship, will now sail from New York City for the winter 2018/19 season.
“Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest and newest ship from Norwegian to sail from New Orleans, and we are thrilled to bring our signature Breakaway-class ship to this important homeport,” said Andy Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We want to provide more opportunities for our guests across the country to explore beautiful destinations and enjoy all the spectacular features of our newest ships, along with the freedom and flexibility that only a Norwegian cruise can offer.”

08/18/2017

URGENT - THIS JUST IN ------
August 18, 2017
Earlier today, Carnival Fantasy had to return to its homeport of Mobile, Ala. to disembark a guest experiencing a critical medical emergency. The ship was on the second day of a four-day cruise that departed the Port of Mobile yesterday.
As a result, the ship will be forced to miss a scheduled call in Cozumel, Mexico and the remainder of the voyage will be spent at sea.
All guests on this voyage will receive a 50% refund of their cruise fare and a 50% credit on a future Carnival cruise. In addition, any guests wishing to disembark in Mobile will have the opportunity to do so and will receive a full refund of their cruise fare.
Carnival sincerely apologizes to its guests for this disruption of their vacation plans. Returning to Mobile was imperative based on the seriousness of the medical emergency. The well-being of our guests and team members is always our foremost priority.
Carnival Fantasy operates four- to 10-day cruises from Mobile, Ala.

08/07/2017

Carnival updated information -

CARNIVAL LIQUOR & BEVERAGE POLICY CHANGE - We recently made a change to our Liquor & Beverage Policy where guests will no longer be allowed to bring on board water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages packaged- in bottles. Any confiscated items will also be discarded. In conjunction, pricing for water purchased online or onboard will decrease to make it more affordable for guests. You can pre-order bottled water at www.carnival.com/funshops/beverages/water, or On Board Room Service for $4.50 plus tax for a 12 pack (16.9 fluid oz)

CHEERS! BEVERAGE PROGRAM UPDATE - We have enhanced the Cheers! Beverage program to include a greater variety of non-alcoholic drinks, as well as higher quality brand-name spirits, wine by the glass, etc. The cost will remain the same ($49.95 pp/per day if purchased on line and $54.95 pp/per day if purchased once on board, plus tax and gratuity).
*Bottomless Bubbles Unlimited Soda Program – Child Rate (17 and under) $4.95 pp/per day plus tax and 15% gratuity, Adult Rate – (18 and older) $7.50 pp/ per day plus tax and 15% gratuity. Can be purchased at the Ship’s Casino Bar and Pool Bar or contacting The Fun Shops at 800-522-7648, or www.carnival.com/Fun shops

07/17/2017

Disney World’s Star Wars-inspired theme park will be accompanied by a themed resort hotel, and the company revealed some details at the D23 Expo over the weekend.

Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, described it as completely immersive, where each guest will get a storyline that will “touch every single minute of your day.”

“We are working on our most experiential concept ever,” he said. “It combines a luxury resort with immersion in an authentic environment.”

Designed to look like a starship, the hotel will have windows that seem to look out into the space. Hotel staff will be in character, and guests will be able to wear Star Wars clothing.

Called Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, even its name "represents all the unknown adventure [inside the lands],” Chapek said.

The 14-acre Star Wars expansions are currently under construction at Disneyland in Anaheim and Disney World in Orlando, and are slated to open in 2019. They also will offer a completely immerse experience, filled with starships, creatures and droids found on this new planet. Characters, including B-8, Chewbacca and members of the First Order, will interact with visitors, and guests will have a chance to participate in multiple storylines.

06/30/2017

A special thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Jones for the wonderful gift. They recently visited Alaska and stopped by Tracy's Crab Shack in Juneau and were kind enough to pick up a t-shirt for me! If you are ever in Juneau you should stop by this place. They have the best crab bisque ever!!

06/22/2017

Disney Dining Plan to Include Alcoholic Drinks -For the first time, the Disney Dining Plan will include specialty beverages and alcoholic beverages with meal credits.

Starting in 2018, guests can order specialty beverages, including milkshakes, hot chocolate, smoothies, soda, coffee or tea, as well as alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, cider, sangria and mixed drinks, at both table-service and quick-service restaurants. Guests under the age of 21 have the option to choose a non-alcoholic beverage.

The new policy was announced Tuesday alongside 2018 prices for the dining plans, which include:

Quick Service Dining Plan
Adult: $52.49, child ages 3-9: $21.75

Standard Dining Plan
Adult: $75.49, child ages 3-9: $25.80

Deluxe Dining Plan
Adult: $116.24, child ages 3-9: $39.90

The meal plans have gone up almost 10% since last year, when the adult prices were $48.19, $69.35 and $106.68, respectively.

All 2018 bookings of Walt Disney World vacation packages with dining packages automatically will be charged the new prices, which go into effect January 1.

05/19/2017

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Royal Caribbean International has announced it will resume weeklong cruises from New Orleans to the Bahamas and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

News outlets report Royal Caribbean said in a news release Monday that their 2,435-passenger Vision of the Seas cruise ship will relocate in December 2018 to the Port of New Orleans after a three-year hiatus. The company announced the move as part of an overview of its 2018-2019 fleet plans.

After a two-year agreement with the Port of New Orleans ended in 2014, the Miami-based company chose to end sailings from the city. The departure came despite several years of growth for the city as a cruise hub.

The 915-foot ship will sail from Miami to Los Angeles before setting sail for New Orleans.

05/15/2017

Real id program for domestic air travel - (Previously the star pogram)
Starting January 22, 2018, passengers who have driver’s licenses issued by a state that is not yet compliant with REAL ID and that has not received an extension will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel. Please see TSA’s website for a list of acceptable forms of identification. Passengers who have licenses issued by a state that is compliant or that has an extension to become compliant with REAL ID requirements may continue to use their licenses as usual. For a list of states already in compliance or with an extension visit DHS’s REAL ID webpage. DHS continually updates this list as more states come into compliance or obtain extensions.
Starting October 1, 2020, every air traveler will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel. A REAL ID compliant license is one that meets, and is issued by a state that complies with, the REAL ID Act’s security standards.
Travelers can check DHS’s REAL ID webpage at any time to learn if your state is compliant and can check with your state’s agency that issues driver’s licenses about how to acquire a compliant license. The earlier your state becomes compliant, the more likely you will be able to acquire a compliant license as part of the normal renewal cycle.

04/03/2017

Walt Disney World Enhanced Security beginning today - Visitors to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will go through metal detectors and get bags checked at the Transportation and Ticket Center starting Monday.
The center, commonly known as the TTC, is a major hub for Magic Kingdom visitors. People driving to the Magic Kingdom park at TTC, then board monorails or ferries to cross Seven Seas Lagoon and reach the attraction. Currently, visitors can board the monorails and ferryboats without going through bag checks or metal detectors.
Guests arriving at Magic Kingdom via the monorail or ferry won’t have to go through security once they get to the theme park itself. However, the Magic Kingdom will still have some bag checks and metal detectors for visitors arriving by other transportation, such as buses.
Also beginning April 3, guests staying at Disney’s Contemporary, Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts will begin going through security at the resorts’ monorail stations.
All three of the major theme park resorts in Orlando installed metal detectors at their entrances in December 2015.
In an emailed statement, Disney called the new procedures part of “an ongoing effort to enhance the arrival experience for guests at the entrance to Magic Kingdom Park.”

01/19/2017

****Carnival Fantasy from Mobile - Sailing January 19,2017****

Please be advised that the Canrival Fantasy will be late getting into port due to fog. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Mobile at 12:30 and will begin boarding near 3:00pm for those passengers sailing today. If you have someone whom you are picking up from the terminal today from the previous cruise, we recommend that you not arrive at the pier until 12:30pm. Thank you and Happy Sailing :)