Destination Spotlight-Over-the-Water Bungalows of the Caribbean

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There are some new and exciting things happening to help you escape and return to your happy place. The Caribbean and Mexico are bringing the South Pacific to you with the much-desired Over-The-Water Bungalow room concept at an affordable price.

These luxury accommodations are now available in Mexico at the El Dorado Maroma by Karisma Resorts in the Riviera Maya. In the Caribbean, Sandals is offering these spectacular Over-The-Water Bungalows at three of their resorts. Sandals South Coast and Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica along with Sandals Grande St. Lucia in St. Lucia.

At the El Dorado Maroma in the Riviera Maya, each of the over-the-water bungalows has the following luxury features:

-Glass bottom floor
-Private Infinity pool
-Direct ladder access to the ocean
-The romantic “Aguas del Amor” outdoor shower
-Indoor jacuzzi for two
-oversized deck with wooden lounge chairs
-24-hour butler service

At the Sandals resorts, each of their Over-The-Water Bungalow has the following luxury features:

-Glass bottom floor
-King size bed
-Spa Style bath
-over-the-water hammock
-Outdoor shower
-Suspended patio with a swim-up platform
-An expansive patio featuring Sandals signature Tranquility Soaking Tub for two
-24-hour butler service

These spectacular Bungalows have an unparalleled luxury and are amazing, truly a piece of paradise. Every Bungalow offers extraordinary views of spectacular sunrises and stunning sunsets. They are perfectly situated just off the sugary white sand beaches surrounded by the finest turquoise blue waters. All of this luxury and romance is available with a short flight to either of these destinations.


Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

She has been planning vacation escapes for the company since 2013 and specializes in Caribbean Destinations. Her primary focus is on the all-inclusive vacation experience for adult or family getaways for individuals and small groups. Sandals and AMResorts are among the specialist certificates she holds.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Andrea WardDestination Spotlight-Over-the-Water Bungalows of the Caribbean
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Passport for Your Palate-Half Moon Punch

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Recently, I attended this year’s Cruise World in Fort Lauderdale, as an invitee of their STAR (Select Travel Advisor Recognition) program. The event is comprised of a 3 day learning conference with speakers at general sessions, breakout class sessions from tourism boards, suppliers, and agents top in their field, and trade day with one on one time with the hundred or so suppliers in attendance. There are options to extend with pre and post conference activities to do site inspections of various cruise ships. We learned the latest to come on the high seas and rivers which is all very exciting for you, but one of the best things for us as travel advisors is the trade day.

Trade day let’s us ask those individual questions, pick up materials, and build our relationships with our business development and sales managers for each of the companies in attendance. It is a fun day because travel is fun! It is part of the reason everyone takes a vacation, right? We look each year for places to escape and enjoy life. This year’s conference did not disappoint with appetizers, champagne, cocktails, contests, and more bringing a lively vibe to our one on one interactions.

The cruise lines in general really went over the top with the fun aspect. A favorite booth was Holland America where they were showcasing Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff’s Signature Cocktail the Half Moon Punch. This Punch and Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s private island stop, is celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary and we were there to celebrate with Holland America glass in hand. Holland America was gracious enough to share with us the recipe of this celebratory cocktail. For those that drink, you know rum punch is always a favorite go to as you enjoy the sun, sand, and waters of the Caribbean. For your mixing pleasure, I share below both the alcoholic version and non-alcoholic versions of this delectable cocktail for your next Caribbean themed party or afternoon pool side gathering. As Holland America Line says, “Savor the Journey.”

HALF MOON PUNCH (Alcoholic Version)

Ingredients
1 oz. Dark Rum
1 oz. Light Rum
1/2 oz. Ferrand Dry Curacao
2 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
1/4 oz. Sweetened Passion Fruit Puree
(Sweeten with Agave Nectar, 2 parts Puree to 1 part Agave Nectar)
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
Splash (1/8 oz.) Grenadine
Dash of Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Bitters
Garnishes: Pineapple Leaf, half Orange Slice and a Purple Sonia Orchid

Individual Serving Preparation
Combine the two rums and the Dry Curacao in a cocktail shaker glass with five ounces of the juice mix, a dahs of the bitters and a splash (1/8 oz.) of the grenadine. Shake all ingredients well with ice and strain into a tall serving glass. Garnish and serve with long straws.

HALF MOON PUNCH (Non-alcoholic Version)

Ingredients
3 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
3 oz. Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz. Sweetened Passion Fruit Puree
(Sweetened with Agave Nectar, 2 parts Puree to 1 part Agave Nectar)
1 oz. Simple Syrup
1/2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
2 splashes (1/4 oz.) Grenadine
Dash of Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Bitters
Garnishes: Pineapple Leaf, half Orange Slice and Purple Sonia Orchid

Individual Serving Preparation
Combine seven ounces of the juice mix, a dash of the bitters and two splashes (1/4 oz. ) of the grenadine in a cocktail shaker glass with ice. Shake all ingredients well and strain into a tall serving glass. Garnish and serve with long straws.

ENJOY!


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslPassport for Your Palate-Half Moon Punch
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