TomTravel2

Tomorrow we are off from Phoenix to Fort Lauderdale. We spend one night there which gives us a chance to see family for dinner. I am looking forward to that. Mid-day on Thursday we board the Island Princess for a 10 day sailing. This is my “Graduation Cruise” which is offered free of charge by the generous people at Princess Cruise Lines to all travel agents who complete their online training program. I have taken many travel supplier trainings in the past two years and this was by far the most rigorous and difficult to pass. Now as a “Commodore” I had my choice of joining a number of sailings since I passed the course in April of 2008. Due to schedule conflicts we had to pass on some good itineraries until this one came along. We both liked the idea of sailing through the man made wonder of the Panama Canal.

The map above outlines our journey. Starting of course in Phoenix we fly to Fort Lauderdale to meet the ship. We sail between Cuba and Hispaniola with a sea day before we arrive in Ocho Rios Jamaica. We are doing a waterfall and dolphin encounter tour booked through Princess. This is a new destination for both of us. Now that USAir is offering direct flights from Phoenix  to Montego Bay it is a good time to check out the island. Jamaica is followed by another day at sea.

Next we transit the Panama Canal most of the day and have 5 hours in the evening to explore the old city of Panama and check out a local restaurant. We plan to ad lib this adventure by cab. Our next destination is Puntarenas Costa Rica. We actually passed nearby this town on our way to Manuel Antonio where we spent a great week in Spanish immersion classes three years ago. Rather than revisit places we already have seen we opted for a river rafting and wildlife viewing trip through Princess.

The next day finds us in San Juan del Sur Nicaragua. This is probably the poorest country we will experience. Costa Ricans (or Ticos) look down on “Nicas” who flood across the border to take menial jobs locals shun. Sound familiar? We are taking a walking tour of Granada which is one of the oldest cities in Central America. We also will be doing a lake tour by boat, all arranged through Princess. We follow this with a day that starts at Puerto Quetzal Guatemala. We are doing a shopping experience at handcraft markets and a jade market (guess who picked that tour?). This is Maya country so I expect to come home with some colorful chatchkes!

We have only half a day in Huatulco Mexico which is a place we have visited before. We took our kids to the Club Med there (which is now part of a different hotel chain) once. It is a made for Fonatur destination so there is not much to see in that area except resorts. For that reason I am cashing in another travel agent graduation gift. I am a big fan of AmResorts properties (there are a number reviewed on this blog from a FAM I did with AmResorts to the Riviera Maya). This is one of the finest purveyors of luxury all inclusive vacations with their Zoetry, Secrets and Dreams Resorts. We will be pampered in all inclusive luxury on the beach of Dreams Huatulco with my “Master Agent" day pass I received after completing their training.

Our journey ends in historic and fabled Acapulco. Best known as a tropical destination resort now, this city was the primary port on the Pacific  Coast of Mexico for almost 200 years. Riches flooded through Acapulco as the Spanish galleons plied the Manila Trade Route buying spices and manufactured goods from the orient with Aztec silver from Mexico. Pesky English and Dutch pirates added further spice to the history of the region. We will be touring the city, the history museum, the famed cliff divers, and seeing some of the resorts before settling into the Fairmont Pierre Marques for one night. Thanks to another travel agent incentive program we are enjoying the Famous Agents rate which is a great deal. We fly home mid-day the next day.

I am really looking forward to a real vacation! As time and our limited internet access allows I will post some photos here on my blog (I can upload much faster than on facebook). I will post on facebook and tweet on twitter when a new post has been uploaded. I hope you enjoy!