Welcome to MaRR Travel- We Go to the MOON for YOU!

Marr Travel, your Jamaica, Sandals & Cruise Specialists, turns your vacation dreams into reality. A full service agency offering: Cruises, vacations, flights, hotels, rental cars, destination weddings and much more! www.marrtravel.com

Marr Travel turns your vacation dreams into reality! We are focused on making your vacation the best experience possible. We ask that you take plenty of pictures and share with us.



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Marr Travel
MaRRvelous1@gmail.com
(425)272-5712

LIKE US ON: 

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Like Marr Travel on Facebook

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Is it COLD yet? Sandals (Jamaica) Sounds Great!

Is it COLD or FREEZING yet?

I don't know about you but I am thinking about my next warm weather get-a-way as I type.  Well maybe I should think about my next FEW warm beach destinations since I am a BEACH-ONISTA (Yes I made it up and this is what it looks like).

Last month Marr Travel was back in Jamaica at Sandals!  We started out at Sandals Whitehouse, which is located in Whitehouse, Jamaica.  This property is 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours outside of Montego Bay.  The property is pretty secluded but PERFECT for LOVER'S wanting no distractions!  I loved the beautiful property and all that it offered.

We then traveled to Sandals Carlyle.  This Sandals property is in the heart of Montego Bay, just a snap of a finger away from the famous "Hip Strip."  This property is a smaller boutique style property that offers guests a more intimate environment.  The property is right across the street from a public beach, known as "Dead End/Free Beach."

We then traveled to Sandals Royal Caribbean and Private Island.  This property is also in Montego Bay, not too far from the MBJ (Montego Bay, Jamaica) airport.  I loved this property and REALLY LOVED the private island which can be rented out for weddings at MUCH LESS than what we would pay in the US for a venue!!!!  Yes you can rent out the entire PRIVATE ISLAND.  Who wouldn't want to brag about their wedding being on a PRIVATE ISLAND!  Ohhhh that just sounds RICH & FANCY!!!

We finally traveled to Sandals Montego Bay, which is also in Montego Bay.  You'll reach this property before getting to Sandals Royal Caribbean but both are not too far from each other..... maybe within a 5 to 10 minute drive.  This property is well loved by many.  I thoroughly enjoy the property.

The Montego Bay properties boast the "Stay at 1, play at 3" motto.  You stay at any one of the MoBay properties and you can take the shuttle bus over to any of the other 2 and experience them at anytime during the day.... for lunch, dinner, just to see them.... perfect.  We suggest taking the shuttle bus over to the Sandals Carlyle property if you are wanting to go shopping on the hip strip since it is RIGHT THERE!  You then finish your shopping and take the shuttle bus back to your property.  

I LOVEEEEE Sandals!  I don't know if you understand me.  I absolutely LOVE Sandals.  Their all in-clusive can NOT be beat!  Everything is included in your stay.  So how about a Sandals "Dirty Banana?"  Why not have your daily fruit requirement.... well and dairy... well and rum!  LOLLLLL!  Whose counting calories....???

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us:

Marr Travel
website: www.marrtravel.com
email: info@marrtravel.com
phone: (425) 272-5712
facebook: www.facebook.com/marrtravel/app_190322544333196

Marr Travel Contest! Hurry it ends November 7, 2012!

It's November 1st and time to start our first contest!  Here is how it works:  The person who gets the most people to "LIKE" our Facebook page wins Cruise Package!!!! 

How to we keep track of who has referred the likes?
First you have to "LIKE" our Facebook page,
Then you have to send your friends, family & acquaintances to: http://www.facebook.com/marrtravel     
and they have to:
1) Like the page
AND
2) They have to comment on this Marr Travel page, with the name of the person who referred them to our site!
 
The person that has the MOST of these wins! 

The contest starts NOW and ends Wednesday night, November 7, 2012, at 12 midnight EST/9pm PST.  We will not calculate any posts made after the deadline into the final count.  The winner will be announced Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 11am EST/8am PST.

GOOD LUCK!

PRIZE:
Select a Cruise Packet

You can travel September through February on the selected sailings/itineraries
Eastern Caribbean: Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Western Caribbean: Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Southern Caribbean: Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Mexican Riviera: Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Bahamas: Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Come on over to our Marr Travel Facebook Page  for all the details!

Good Luck!

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us:

Marr Travel
website: www.marrtravel.com
email: info@marrtravel.com
phone: (425) 272-5712
facebook: www.facebook.com/marrtravel/app_190322544333196

Disney Wonder- Alaska Cruise- Seattle to Vancouver, Canada- Days 2-6

Disney Wonder- Alaska Cruise- Seattle to Vancouver, Canada- Days 2-6

Each evening, we received a "Personal Navigator," a guide for the next day, to inform us of the daily happenings on the ship.  The guide started from 8:30am and went until midnight each day.  Every single day was filled with lots of activities for both kids and adults alike.

On days that the ship pulls into a port, you can:

1.  Stay on the ship and continue life aboard (Parents can even leave their children on board to do on board activities while they go on shore excursions or tour the towns)
2. Go on shore excursions (Does cost extra)
3. Go out and tour the town on your own

Yes, even while docked at the port ship activities continue on!  The selection of activities didn't appear to us to be as hearty as when all guests were on the ship, by looking at the guide, but nonetheless, there was always something to do.

When everyone was back on board we got to watch a good number of Disney live shows and movies.  Some of the movies were in 3D!  Many of these same great movies were played on the Funnel Vision (The big screen outdoor television above the pool) so that guests were allowed to do more than one thing at a time..... like swim and watch a movie.... or eat burgers, fries, ice cream, etc., while watching the movie.

If you were under the belief that Disney is just for kids....let me give you something to think about.  Out of the 1800+ guests on board the Disney Wonder, how many do you think were kids? ................(Stop and think about it as we insert the Jeopardy Theme Music here)...............There were only three hundred and fifty one kids!  Yes, that is correct!  So what does that tell you?  Well, to me it says, Adults love Disney just as much as kids do if not more!  I saw many many many adults who said that they were taking this cruise to get away from their children!  The Disney Wonder crew treated us like ROYALTY!  This is why adults love Disney!  I tell you.... I didn't want to get off of the ship and as I was saying goodbye to our dedicated dining staff, that followed us from restaurant to restaurant every night, I had tears in my eyes, as they became like family to us, within that 1 week's time!  I know you're asking......Why did I type the three hundred and fifty one out in words instead of as a number?  Well, I didn't want your eyes to automatically gravitate to the number before you had a chance to give an honest answer.  So how close were you?  :)

 
A few things I should mention: First, playing in the arcade is approximately twice as much as it would cost to play in an arcade at home, so it's a bit pricy.  Secondly, there is an Internet Cafe on the ship, it's small and it was practically empty, I would guess that it is due to internet access costing $.75 cents per minute (No free WIFI) AND it is really slow!  Lastly, even though we were in Alaska, which is a US State, if your cellular provider does not have a tower in the area in which you are in, you are charged for ROAMING!  I was able to use my phone but DID NOT know I was being charged for roaming due to it being a US State.  I didn't use my phone in Canada until we had crossed into the state of Washington.  I figured I would give you a heads up. 


I loved, loved, absolutely LOVED this cruise.  I loved it so much that I started looking at other Disney Wonder cruises that I could take as soon as I got home!  

I hope you've enjoyed!

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us:

Marr Travel
website: www.marrtravel.com
email: info@marrtravel.com
phone: (425) 272-5712
facebook: www.facebook.com/marrtravel/app_190322544333196

Disney Wonder- Alaska Cruise- Seattle to Vancouver, Canada- Day 1

Disney Wonder- Alaska Cruise- Seattle to Vancouver, Canada- Day 1

As we drove up to the cruise port, I pointed out the Disney Wonder cruise ship and my son says: "Whoa, that's a big ship."  The ship is so huge that I couldn't get the whole ship in the picture.

The cruise was set to depart at 4pm, however our check-in time was 12:30pm.  We took our luggage to the scanners and dropped them off for them to be scanned and delivered to our cabin, meanwhile we kept our carry-on's containing all items that we would want to use prior to 4-5pm, as we were told that our luggage would be delivered around that time.

Our carry-on contained:
electronics (Laptop/camera)
travel documents
bottled water (I believe I saw a 9 pack of 16 oz bottled Aquafina water for $15.99)
bathing suit

We went to check in and went through body scanners as well as had our carry-on's scanned.  Once we checked in, we were given our Keys to the World (Cabin keys) and we were on our way.  Before getting to the gangway (The walkway to the ship) we could take family pictures.  Just prior to stepping on the gangway you are REQUIRED to sanitize your hands.  We found that you had to sanitize your hands prior to each banquet style dining as well as when you were returning to the ship at the various ports.

As soon as each family boarded the ship, there was a Disney team that announced "Welcome the XXXXX Family," via a microphone and everyone clapped.

We were told that our cabin would not be ready until 2pm, but we could go and have lunch.  There was  so much food...... well I can probably show you better than I can tell you

Did you get a good look?  YIKES!  Well you could eat from this buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner AND still go to other dining areas and eat!  Holy Moly!  Do you wonder why the average person gains 10 lbs on a cruise?  I don't!  By the way.... I didn't see a scale anywhere on the ship.  Coincidence?  Probably not!  LOL!  I gained 5 lbs and I worked out 5 of the 7 days I was on board!  Imagine if I decided to take the week off.  I could have went from Ms. Marr to Mrs. Klump EASILY!

We walked around to see what different options we had at our disposal.  There was LOTS to do!

At 4pm when the ship was set to sail, all guests are brought to one deck to discuss safety, life jackets, where to find them, how to put them on and what to do in the case of an emergency.  The safety portion of the cruise lasted 20-30 minutes and then we were excused to get our vacations underway.

There are 2 casual family style dining times.  One seating starts at 5:30pm and the second seating starts at 8:15pm.  In the family style dining areas, your family/party will receive a ticket which shows you where you will eat your sit down dinner each day of your cruise at your specified dining time.  The casual dining is optional as you can always go to the buffet and eat dinner.  You could actually eat from the buffet and then also go to your casual dinner.  Just an FYI... there is more of a dessert selection in the buffet area then you will get on the casual dining menu.  If you interested in fine dining, you can go to the Palo restaurant and it will cost you an additional $20 per person, per meal.

If you miss any of the dining times, don't fret, you will find that burgers, fries, chicken strips, hot dogs, salads, fruit, wraps, tuna sandwiches, ice cream and more is available from around noon to 8:30pm every night.  The ice cream machines however stayed open open until 11pm each night.  You will NOT starve on this cruise ship!  You additionally get unlimited soda, juice, fountain water, coffee and tea.

We did visit the Arcade on day 1 and found that games cost approximately 2X's a much as they usually do.  For example: A sit down racing game cost equivalent to $2.00 per game and Donkey Kong and Ms. Pac-man cost equivalent to $.45 cents per game.  The Arcade is not complimentary.

Day 1 Fantastic!

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us:

Marr Travel
website: www.marrtravel.com
email: info@marrtravel.com
phone: (425) 272-5712
facebook: www.facebook.com/marrtravel/app_190322544333196

Carnival Cruise Line Tests Out An All-You-Can-Drink Alcohol Package

Yes, you heard that right!  Carnival Cruise Line is currently testing out an All-You-Can-Drink Alcohol Package on the Carnival Victory, as of August 5, 2012.  The program is called: "My Awesome Bar Program." 

"In an e-mail to Cruise Critic, Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen confirmed that the trial has been ongoing since Victory's August 5 departure. 


The per-cruise cost for the My Awesome Bar Program is $42.95 per person per day, plus a 15 percent gratuity. Purchasers can partake of a wide variety of wine, beer and spirits, as well as sodas, bottled water and non-alcoholic frozen cocktails throughout their cruise. (Specialty coffee is not part of the program.) However, all included beverages, including wines by the glass, beers and individual cocktails, must be less than $10 to qualify for inclusion. Program participants who want to purchase bottles of wine and Champagne, as well as more expensive wines by the glass and cocktails will receive a 25 percent discount. 

Gulliksen tells Cruise Critic that participants can order one drink at a time.

Passengers can sign up for My Awesome Bar Program at Carnival Victory's atrium and casino bars, as well as at the main pool bar.

There is a catch: if one passenger wants to purchase the beverage package, then all passengers ages 21 years and up in the same cabin must also purchase the package. Though Carnival would not comment on the reasons behind this requirement, it does make the possible issue of two people in one cabin “sharing” a plan moot.

Gulliksen touted convenience and value as reasons the line is exploring all-inclusive beverage options. At press time, the length of the test period had not yet been determined.

Other cruise lines that offer similar types of unlimited beverage packages are Celebrity, MSC and Oceania. Of these three, only MSC also requires all passengers in the same cabin to purchase the package, making the Carnival and MSC options the most expensive per cabin of all the programs (even if some individual packages are higher priced). Royal Caribbean also offers an unlimited beverage package, though only on three of its most international ships.

Royal Caribbean and Holland America both offer discounts on pre-purchased wine bundles."
www.cruisecritic.com 


"Carnival's move comes a year after rival Royal Caribbean rolled out all-you-can-drink alcohol packages on three ships based overseas. Celebrity Cruises unveiled all-you-can-drink packages fleetwide in 2010.
A spokesperson for Carnival tells USA TODAY the line hasn't decided whether it will add the new alcohol package on its 23 other ships."  www.usatoday.com/


Let us know your thoughts.


If you have any question, please feel free to contact us:

Marr Travel
website: www.marrtravel.com
email: info@marrtravel.com
phone: (425) 272-5712
facebook: www.facebook.com/marrtravel/app_190322544333196

It's National Rum Day! Rum Punch Recipe

It's National Rum Day.  Consumers all of the world are enjoying their rum of choice.  What is your favorite rum?

As a Jamaican I know we LOVE Wray & Nephew- Overproof Rum

So how about a nice glass of Rum Punch:

Ingredients:

1 oz Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum

2 ozs orange juice

2 ozs pineapple juice

1/2 oz Sugar syrup

2 slices of fresh Jamaican ginger

Juice of 1/2 lime

Method:

Muddle the ginger and sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice and ice and shake well. Strain into a rock glass over ice and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Wray-and-Nephew-Rum Punch

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us:

Marr Travel
website: www.marrtravel.com
email: info@marrtravel.com
phone: (425) 272-5712
facebook: www.facebook.com/marrtravel/app_190322544333196

Happy 50th Emancipation Day Jamaica!

                                           Happy 50th Emancipation Day Jamaica!

August 6, 2012, marks Jamaica's 50th independence from British rule!  Jamaican's worldwide are basking in their celebrations.  Celebrations started early this year and are likely to continue through the end of the year!  Jamaica is calling all Jamaicans, Jahmericans, Americans, Jah-(Insert your country) and all lovers of Jamaica alike to celebrate in festivities world wide!

Jamaicans are showing how proud they are by wearing their colors, waving mini Jamaican flags and decorating many buildings in the black, green and gold colors!

In the month of July, Rapper Snoop Dogg announced that he was changing his name from Snoop Dogg, to Snoop Lion, after a visit to Jamaica.  The new moniker is part of the rapper's transformation from hip hop to reggae.

                                                                                 (hiphopwired.com)
                                             
In the Olympics, Jamaica's own, world fastest man, Usain Bolt, added another reason for Jamaican's world wide to celebrate after he both retained the Olympic gold medal in the mens 100 meter race AND set a new Olympic record of 9.63 seconds!

Jamaican's world wide are CELEBRATING their achievements and invite the world to do so with them!  Jamaican's love the saying:

                                                   (From Facebook Page: I am A Jamaican)

"Wi Likkle But Wi Tallawah!"  Which means: "We're little but we're proud!"

                                           CONGRATULATIONS JAMAICA 50!!!!!

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us:

Marr Travel
website: www.marrtravel.com
email: info@marrtravel.com
phone: (425) 272-5712
facebook: www.facebook.com/marrtravel/app_190322544333196

Camera Lost at Sea and Sea Mattress Floats Away....Egad!

One of my friends and I went to Doctor's Cave beach, on Gloucester Ave, in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  We were there laying out on our inflatable beach mattresses enjoying life, the scenery and her kids loving the water.  I informed my friend that she was getting ready to cross the roped off line area for the beach and she panicked and jumped off of her air mattress.  In the process of trying to grab a hold of her mattress, she dropped her camera in the water and to the bottom it went.  Oh EGAD!!!!  We saw a couple snorkeling nearby and got their attention to see if they could assist.  They promptly swam over and dove down to see if they could see the camera.  They came back up after a good 10 or so attempts and said that they could see the camera, but as they near the bottom the sound gets too loud and they are unable to breathe, so they weren't able to assist further.......meanwhile the air mattress floated further and further away.

Well now we are feeling pretty much defeated.  My friend tells me that the camera (Yes, a water camera) was not even hers, it belonged to her aunt who strongly suggested that she borrow her camera for this trip and mind you, the aunt did NOT remove pictures that she had already saved on the camera.  So the look on my friends face was STRESS!  We looked up and saw a jet skier coming back towards us with the air mattress.  She thanked the man for returning the air mattress.  At this point she cared most about that camera.  We asked the jet skier if he was a diver.  He said that he was.  OH MY GOODNESS GOD IS GOOD!  The man dives down while the man of the snorkeling couple held on to the jet ski.  The diver came back up and said that he sees the camera and takes another dive.  After a few attempts, he was unable to retrieve the camera.  I looked at my friend whose face was now filled with fret.  The jet skier pointed out that we should go and see if the lifeguard on the beach could assist.

I swam to the shore and talked with the closest lifeguard.  He pointed to an expert diver.  I ran over to the diver, explained the situation and pointed out my friend far out in the water.  He jumped to action right away.  He swam over to her and dove down.  He came up with the camera.  He held on to the camera for her until they reached the shore as she seemed to be drained.  She thanked him and he continued on with life.  A potentially bad ending avoided.  Thank God for all of his wonderful people!

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us:

Marr Travel
website: www.marrtravel.com
email: info@marrtravel.com
phone: (425) 272-5712
facebook: www.facebook.com/marrtravel/app_190322544333196

Bob Marley Museum- Kingston, Jamaica

Have you ever been to the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Jamaica?

How did the museum come about?

This photo was taken right outside the entrance.  You'll see the statue of Bob Marley and right behind it is his home that was transformed into what we now know as The Bob Marley Museum.

The Bob Marley statue up close

Bob Marley's favorite place to sit

Although marijuana is against the law in Jamaica it is very much a part of the culture.

Make the Bob Marley Museum one of your destinations to visit while in Jamaica.  Marr Travel is available to book vacation packages and schedule tours for you.

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us:

Marr Travel
website: www.marrtravel.com
email: info@marrtravel.com
phone: (425) 272-5712
facebook: www.facebook.com/marrtravel/app_190322544333196