Recently, I was invited to spend a few nights at Vidanta Riviera Maya, and share the experiences of the Jungala Hotel, the Jungala Aqua Experience, The Beach Club, Cirque du Soleil Joya, and of course the food and beverages!

Let’s begin by saying that I flew from the Orlando airport the afternoon of Monday, February 23, 2026. As you may recall, media reports stated civil unrest in the Puerto Vallarta region of the country, however, that did not bother me in the least!

I parked my car at Fast Park & Relax a few miles from the Orlando airport. As always, very easy in and out, fast and professional shuttle service, and since I was going to the new Terminal C, it was a quick drive both ways.

As you may or may not know, MCO Reserve is an online program where you can reserve a time to go through security at the Orlando airport. You pick a specific time, but you have 15 minutes before or after that time when you are allowed to go in that special line. It’s free of charge, however, if you are going to Terminal C, I have not found it to be that helpful! The line going into TSA wasn’t that long, so it wasn’t a big deal.

I flew non-stop from Orlando to Cancun on Jet Blue. Yes, the seats are a bit nicer than those seats on Frontier Airlines and Spirit, and you do have free wi-fi (when it’s working!)

It’s important to state that if there is anyway you can just take a carry-on bag, it’s in your best interest to do so! I had a carry-on bag and when I walked past the luggage carousels, they were the most crowded that I’ve ever seen in the 20 plus times I’ve flown to Cancun!

Many thanks to my friend, and fellow content creator, Three Days Tres Noches for this great advice! (Please follow her social media channels!)

Below is a video of me moving quickly through “The Gauntlet” at Terminal 4 and attempting to find my transportation!

It was only a 40 minute ride to Vidanta Riviera Maya and was one of the smoothest check in experiences ever!

Here’s a room tour of the Jungala Hotel one bedroom suite!

Just a couple of the signs you will see when walking around Vidanta Riviera Maya!

Here’s a few pictures of the breakfast buffet at Vidanta Riviera Maya (De Lago Restaurant)

Here’s a couple videos of the Jungala Aqua Experience!

Joya- Cirque du Soleil

During my stay at Vidanta Riviera Maya, I enjoyed the dinner and show experience of Joya.

JOYÀ is the resident Cirque du Soleil production located inside Vidanta Riviera Maya in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. It is Cirque du Soleil’s first permanent show in Latin America and the only Cirque production in the world that offers a full gourmet dinner theater experience.

The show blends:

• High-level acrobatics
• A theatrical storyline
• Live music
• Culinary elements

The storyline follows a young girl named Joyà who is guided by her grandfather on a mystical journey of imagination and discovery. The theme centers on knowledge, transformation, and the connection between nature and human potential.

The beach at Vidanta Riviera Maya stretches along the Caribbean Sea and offers a quintessential tropical coastline experience. Unlike smaller hotel-zone beaches, Vidanta’s shoreline is wide and open, with gentle turquoise waves and soft, light sand that invites swimming, strolling, or lounging.

Sand & Water

• Sand: The beachfront consists of fine, light-colored sand that feels soft underfoot — classic Caribbean beach texture.
• Water: Calm to moderate waves depending on wind and seasonal conditions. The water is typically clear and warm, ideal for swimming, wading, and casual snorkeling right off the shore.

Beach Ambience

The vibe is relaxed and resort-oriented. Loungers, shade umbrellas, and towel service are available, making it easy to settle in for a full day of sunbathing or reading with views of the sea. Palm trees and tropical landscaping provide scenic framing along the beachfront.

The Beach Club at Vidanta Riviera Maya

The Beach Club at Vidanta Riviera Maya is the resort’s signature oceanfront leisure destination — a laid-back yet stylish beachfront venue where guests can soak up the Caribbean setting without being far from food, drinks, and amenities. It blends classic beach relaxation with upscale touches, making it a popular hangout throughout the day and into the early evening.

Location & Feel

Situated directly on the white-sand beach along the Caribbean Sea, the Beach Club serves as a central social hub for sunbathing, swimming, and chilling by the ocean. The setting feels open and breezy, framed by tropical landscaping and unobstructed sea views.

Seating & Comfort

The Beach Club offers:

• Comfortable loungers and daybeds strategically placed on sand and near the water
• Palapa-style shaded areas for relief from the midday sun
• Umbrellas and towel service typically included for guests

This combination creates choice: you can relax fully in the shade or stretch out in full sun with sea breezes and waves as part of the soundtrack.

*Vidanta Riviera Maya is a luxury resort complex with extensive amenities, but it’s primarily a pay-as-you-go experience, not an inclusive resort where meals and drinks are included in your nightly rate by default.*

For more information about Vidanta Riviera Maya, email me at scott@militaryfares.com.

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As you may know, I’m a huge fan of the Palladium Hotel Group brand of all-inclusive resorts.

Recently, I was invited to visit the brand new Family Selection property in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and was overwhelmed by so many things!

The minute you step in the lobby, you (and your kids) are immersed in the “Family Boss” concept of Family Selection!

While the parents (or grandparents) are checking in, the kids can grab some candy, bottled water, etc. and enjoy the playroom!

After check-in, which only took a few minutes, I rode on one of the carts to Villa 27 which was very near the Family Selection pool!

Your kids (or grandkids) will love the activities at the resort!!! Mom and Dad can enjoy a romantic dinner while the kids are having fun!

If you’re a sports lover, be sure to stop by the Sports Bar!!!

Both parents and kids will love “The Nest” restaurant!

When you are staying at Family Selection, you have a large option of dining venues! One of my favorites is La Adelita (Mexican).

If you’re a fan of great coffee, you must stop by Picare for an incredible experience!

When you stay at Family Selection, you have the opportunity to visit the Zentropia Spa. Ask the staff for all the details.

Be sure to also check out the Catedral restaurant at Family Selection.

Enjoy the amazing swimming pool at Family Selection!

More room tours below

In conclusion, I highly recommend Family Selection at Grand Palladium Select Bavaro for families. As the grandfather of 3 grandkids under the age of 10, I know that they will love the fun, activities, pool, beach and so much more.

If you have any questions about the Palladium Hotel Group resorts, feel free to email me directly at scott@militaryfares.com.

You can see more videos on my YouTube channel!

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Very soon, I’ll be getting my first look at the Family Selection, Grand Palladium Bavaro Resort and Spa!

Several years ago, I visited the Family Selection resort at Puerto Vallarta and had an amazing time.

Stay tuned for all my coverage from Family Selection, Grand Palladium Bavaro Resort and Spa. Here are some of the highlights:

Following a major repositioning in the Dominican Republic, Palladium Hotel Grouphas officially reopened Grand Palladium Select Bávaro and introduced Family Selection at Grand Palladium Select Bávaro in Punta Cana. The relaunch caps a 61.5 million dollar renovation that upgrades the guest experience across rooms, public spaces, gastronomy and entertainment. With the debut of the Grand Palladium Select Collection concept in Bávaro and the arrival of Family Selection to this Caribbean destination, the resort is now positioned as a multi layered all inclusive hub for couples, groups and multi generational families. The project also advances the group’s strategy of reinvesting in existing assets to deliver more premium, personalized stays across its portfolio.

At the heart of the transformation, Grand Palladium Select Bávaro is now the brand’s premier product within the wider Bávaro complex, crafted to offer elevated service, exclusive culinary options and fully reimagined spaces. The renovation touches the lobby, villas, guestrooms and pools, where updated design, enhanced comfort and a more contemporary aesthetic bring the resort in line with current guest expectations. Entertainment has been refreshed with a new program of themed events including neon nights, rock nights and beach parties, which aim to keep the atmosphere vibrant and dynamic throughout the week. Guests staying in Grand Palladium Select Bávaro also enjoy access to the neighboring Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Palace Resort & Spa, creating a broad all inclusive playground within a single beachfront enclave.

Gastronomy is a major pillar of the relaunch. Guests at Grand Palladium Select Bávaro can discover new high end concepts such as Piacere Coffee Shop, a dedicated space for specialty coffee culture, La Grand Gelateria, which serves artisanal Italian gelato, and The Pizza Stop, a casual corner for authentic Italian style slices during the day. These additions complement an expanded line up of exclusive à la carte restaurants, including La Adelita, Bamboo, La Paisana and La Lola, each focused on global flavors in a refined setting. Together they create a more diverse culinary circuit that supports longer stays and repeat visits within the same resort. Beyond Bávaro, the Grand Palladium Select Collection concept, launched in 2025, is already present in Costa Mujeres, Riviera Mayaand Ibiza, underscoring the group’s commitment to a higher touch, guest centric all inclusive experience.

In parallel, Family Selection at Grand Palladium Select Bávaro brings the group’s successful premium family concept from Mexico to Punta Cana for the first time. Designed as a VIP layer within the larger resort, Family Selection focuses on multi generational travel with tailored services for children and adults. Families benefit from a private lobby and check in, exclusive pool and pool bar, a dedicated beach area and The Nest, a family only restaurant with international cuisine. Young guests are treated as “Family Bosses” with welcome kits, curated children’s areas, premium activities and additional options such as babysitting, which together elevate the stay beyond a standard family holiday.

Although centered on children, Family Selectionalso enhances the vacation for parents and other adults in the party. Guests in this section can tap into upgraded services and have special access to TRS Turquesa Hotel, the luxury adults only brand within the same complex, which is ideal for relaxation and time away from the main family areas. Gastronomy around the wider resort has been reinforced with the addition of El Gaucho, a new à la carte restaurant concept that joins the TRS portfolio and expands the overall range of dining experiences available to all guests. This ecosystem approach allows families and couples to move between different atmospheres and service levels while remaining inside a single integrated resort destination.

Through this latest phase of its asset renovation strategy in Punta Cana, Palladium Hotel Groupis focused on moving its Caribbean properties up the value chain with more distinct sub brands and clearly defined experiences. By investing in Grand Palladium Select Bávaro, scaling the Grand Palladium Select Collection across key sun and beach markets and introducing Family Selection to the Dominican Republic, the company is reinforcing its position in the competitive all inclusive segment. The renewed Bávaro complex now combines the upgraded Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts concepts with the adults only TRS Hotels brand, creating a comprehensive, tiered offer that can flex to the needs of couples, families and groups within one destination.

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Many times, people are looking for specific dates for the cruise or overseas vacation that they are considering, however, cruise lines, hotels, etc. (for the most part) only give great deals on limited vacations!

A friend of mine called me the other day and asked me if there was a Black Friday deal on a specific river cruise on a specific date. Unfortunately, no!

The river cruise line did have a few discounts on their website, however, it wasn’t for the specific date requested by my friend.

The key is grabbing a great Black Friday deal to be flexible with the dates of your vacation, and then not waiting to book it!

Reflecting on 2025, my wife and I sailed on both the Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Equinox. I was enjoyed two amazing rivers cruises on the AmaWaterways AmaMagna (Danube) and the Riviera Travel MS George Eliot (Rhine).

My wife and I will be sailing on the MSC Seashore on Nov 30th and we are looking forward to returning to MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

Stay tuned to TheCruiseGenius.com and all my channels for updates!

Scott Lara, President of MilitaryFares.com. email me at scott@militaryfares.com with your questions.

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For many years, travelers, travel agents and travel companies read TravelPulse for the latest news.

As you probably know, I have sailed over 100 days on Holland America Line, over 75 days on Carnival and many days on most of the other ocean cruise lines.

Back in early 2025, I was invited to sail on the AmaWaterways AmaMagna for my first river cruise down the Danube. Then a few months ago, I was invited to sail on the Riviera Travel MS George Eliot on a Rhine river cruise.

I share my conversation from ocean cruises to river cruises with my friends at Travel Pulse and they graciously published my post.

You can check it out by clicking on the link below

https://www.travelpulse.com/voices/opinions/from-ocean-to-river-my-cruise-conversion-journey

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As I’ve mentioned previously, I never thought that I would enjoy a river cruise, but now I’m a river cruise convert!

My friends at TravelPulse.com published an article that I wrote about my river cruise conversion!

https://www.travelpulse.com/voices/opinions/from-ocean-to-river-my-cruise-conversion-journey

I’m a U.S. Navy veteran and during my career, I visited Italy Spain, France and several other countries. After I left the Navy, my wife and I sailed on Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC. I’ve sailed on NCL and Virgin Voyages.

I was recently invited to sail on the Riviera Travel MS George Eliot on a Rhine River cruise that included Cologne, Koblenz, the Rhine Gorge and Mainz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Rudesheim.

I began my journey leaving from Jacksonville, Fl to Charolette, NC, then on to Frankfurt Germany on American Airlines. Thankfully, there were no delays on my trip to and from Germany. The only snag was at the immigration line in Frankfurt which took about 20 minutes.

After I went through immigration (and yes, I just had a carry on bag), I took the free bus from the terminal to the train station which took about 10 minutes.

I would think that the Germany trains ran on time, but nope! The train was delayed about 45 minutes and then we arrived to the Cologne train station about 45 minutes late!

There are lots of food options, including Mc’Donalds at the train station!

When you exit the train station in Cologne, to the left you will see the Cologne Cathedral!

I flew into Cologne a day early to help my body clock (and digestive system) adjust to the new time zone.

The Hotel was a 15 minute walk from the train station, and it took about 10 minutes to walk from the hotel to the MS George Eliot.

I was able to check in early, get some food nearby and had a good night’s sleep before I sailed on the MS George Eliot on Oct 16th, 2025

The MS George Eliot was built in 2019, has a crew of 38, 70 cabins, and holds 132 passengers.

Here’s a video of my cabin:

The crew, food, service and ship were amazing. The Captain let me take a look at the wheel house (bridge).

Here’s a video of the Welcome Party and Toast

To sum it up, I had an amazing time on the Riviera Travel MS George Eliot. Go to my YouTube channel to see all my videos. You can also search Scott Lara on Facebook to see a lot of my pictures.

If you are a member of the military or veteran, please go to MilitaryFares.com to book your hotel, airfare and vacation. If you want to book a river or ocean cruise, email me directly at scott@militaryfares.com

Promotional consideration to GigSky.com I highly recommend GigSky for your eSim data plan.

If you book through MilitaryFares.com, use promo code MilitaryFares when you check out to get 1 free gig of data and 20% off future data plans with GigSky!

Here’s a few more pictures of the trip!

The post A great Rhine River Cruise on the MS George Eliot appeared first on The Cruise Genius (Scott Lara).

That’s why I used Travel Insured each time I travel for one reason, peace of mind.

Here’s a blog post from Travel Insured that shares why it’s best to purchase your travel insurance immediately after (or during) the time you book your vacation.

“The Early Bird Gets the Most Inclusive Coverage”

“The earlier you purchase your travel protection plan, the more robust the coverage options available. Many people don’t realize that certain travel insurance benefits are time-sensitive, meaning they are only available if you buy your plan within a specific timeframe after making your initial trip deposit—often within 14 to 21 days. 

By purchasing protection early, you gain access to extra coverage options for an additional cost such as Cancel and Interrupt for Any Reason Bundle (CFAR & IFAR). With travel protection such as our Worldwide Trip Protector Deluxe and Platinum Plans, CFAR & IFAR allows you to recover up to 75% of your non-refundable trip cost, even if the reason for your cancellation or interruption isn’t listed under the standard covered reasons. This can be a game-changer if unexpected situations arise, such as sudden work commitments, family drama, or a change of heart about your travel plans. 

Additionally, early purchase helps ensure that you’re protected before potential disruptions occur. Remember that winter holiday when you were snowed in? Or the friend’s destination wedding that got called off at the last minute, leaving you with a new outfit and nowhere to wear it? If unforeseen circumstances arise after you’ve booked your trip but before you’ve bought travel protection, you may not be eligible for coverage. Buying early means you have coverage before such situations develop—including your friend’s change of heart.

Pre-Existing Conditions: Protecting Your Trip Investment 

One of the biggest advantages of purchasing travel protection early is the ability to secure a waiver for pre-existing medical condition exclusions. Most plans only offer this benefit if they are purchased shortly after the initial trip deposit—usually within 14 to 21 days. 

Why is this important? Because without this waiver, any medical conditions you were diagnosed with or treated for before purchasing your plan could be excluded from coverage. That means if you have a pre-existing condition and something related to it causes you to cancel or interrupt your trip, you might not be reimbursed for your losses. 

With early purchase, you can help ensure that any pre-existing condition exclusions are waived.

Price and Flexibility on Your Side 

Another compelling reason to buy travel protection early is the potential for cost savings and increased flexibility. 

When you purchase protection well in advance, you have more time to compare different plans and find the one that offers the best value for your specific needs. This allows you to make an informed decision rather than feeling rushed into choosing a plan at the last minute. 

Our Worldwide Trip Protector Plans give you the option to customize your trip with optional add-on bundles. (Additional costs and terms apply) These include bundles like the cruise bundle, sports equipment bundle, rental car damage and theft coverage, and even a hotel & amusement & theme park bundle. Once you’ve purchased a base plan, most of these bundles can be added on up until the moment you’re ready to travel, giving you the flexibility to adjust your plan as your trip (and the adventures you’re planning to have while traveling) evolves.

Just don’t wait too long to buy coverage as you may not have the option to adjust your travel protection plan to match your updated travel plans. 

Easier Travel Planning 

Travel planning should be exciting, not stressful. One of the biggest benefits of purchasing travel protection early is the added peace of mind it provides. Knowing that you have robust coverage in place allows you to focus on the enjoyable aspects of your trip—choosing excursions, exploring local attractions, and preparing for new experiences—rather than worrying about what might go wrong. 

Without protection, last-minute emergencies like an injury, illness, or severe weather event can cause unnecessary anxiety and financial strain. Securing coverage early means you’re better prepared for the unexpected, whether it’s a sudden family emergency, a missed connection, or even lost luggage. 

In short, purchasing travel protection early on offers numerous advantages, including:

• Broader coverage options
• Protection for pre-existing condition exclusions
• Flexibility in adjusting your plan as needed
• Added peace of mind 

By filling out a few basic details about your upcoming trip such as your dates of travel, where you plan to go, and your trip cost, we will immediately provide you with suggestions for the plan best suited to you. And, of course, you can customize this base plan with as few or as many optional add-on bundles as you like.”

Click on the link to get a quote from Travel Insured: https://www.travelinsured.com/agency/

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Several months ago, Carnival cruise line suffered intense customer push back on the changes to the Carnival VIFP program.

Many Diamond and Platinum VIFP cruisers shared their anger, betrayal, and sadness with John Heald, Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director and Brand Ambassador.

Now Carnival has announced changes to the new Carnival Rewards program. The announcement below was sent to travel agents.

“

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News reports are stating, “

 What cruise passengers pay to park at Port Canaveral could become more expensive.

Wednesday, port commissioners are eyeing an increase to offset its increased costs.

Though the commission agenda reads, “We are proposing selective increases to certain tariff items, including an adjustment to the daily cruise parking rate from $17 to $20,’” a spokesperson for the port told News 6 in a statement that the proposed price increase is unrelated to tariffs.

With almost a million people taking a cruise a month now during the port’s busiest times of the year, the port’s also making record money on parking from passengers.

Brevard County Community Correspondent James Sparvero asked Michelle Carlson about the proposed increase.

Carlson said she’s been on cruises from the port.

“It’s a little high, honestly, but it would definitely be good for the local economy, I guess,” she said. “But you have to think of, for the people that are cruising what would be the benefit to that?”

The cruise enthusiast said she believes raising parking prices wouldn’t hurt the port’s record-setting attendance, overall, but some may choose to reconsider their plans.

“They’ll keep coming, but it would probably deter some people,” Carlson said. “Everything’s going up so, of course, some people of some economic statuses would not be able to take these fun vacations with their families.”

Parking isn’t the only thing that could get more expensive.

It was written in the port’s agenda, “As of August 6, 2025, items imported to the United States from the European Union are subject to a 15% tariff unless an exemption is granted. Liebherr and ACAL have determined the taxable value of the MHC to be $6,958,429.00. Based on this taxable value and additional fees/adjustments, staff recommends approval of a purchase order to ACAL in an amount not to exceed $1,200,000.00 to ensure timely payment of fees related to customs processing of the MHC.”

If you are planning a cruise soon, I urge you to choose Port Parking Space. I’ve parked their many times. The air-conditioned shuttles run constantly to and from the ships. Port Parking Space provides free EV charging and they give great discounts.

The team at Port Parking Space are friendly and professional, so please lock in those current prices now before prices go up!

Click on the word “Home” below to book your parking at Port Parking Space today.

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