Category: Drinks

Looking For A Drink With a Tangy, Tropical Twist? | Compal Manga, Maracuja, Limao Juice Review

7/20/2025

Compal Manga, Maracujá, Limão Sumo

We recently tried Compal's mango, passionfruit and lemon juice and I've got to say it's a good one.

Mango nectar can be quite thick and viscous as well as very sweet. On the other hand passion fruit is usually a light and tart juice.

That makes the combination of mango and passionfruit a beautiful pairing!

Great to drink on its own, chilled, or as the base of a fruit smoothie (loved it with frozen blueberries) this is a fun juice blend to try while you are in Portugal.

Looking for an easy cocktail idea?

We recently had an anniversary mimosa brunch and I think this mango-passionfruit juice would make a fun twist on a classic mimosa.

Swap out the traditional orange juice for this and see what you think! :)

Compal Sumo de Manga, Maracuja, Limão | Mango, Passionfruit, Lemon Juice

Try something similar

What is Compal Anyway?

Compal is a brand-name in Portugal with a reputation for high quality juices and nectars. You can find it in major grocery stores in Portugal such as Continente, Auchan, and Pingo Doce as well as discount grocery stores like Lidl and Aldi Portugal.

More European Grocery Reviews:

To help you on your travels or your expat in Europe life, here are some more grocery reviews:

0 Comments

Labadee Haiti Royal Caribbean Review

3/10/2025

0 Comments

Welcome to Labadee! This is Royal Caribbean's 260-acre private resort on Haiti.

Labadee - Royal Caribbean's Private Resort on Haiti

When you get off the ship in Labadee you have a great photo opportunity, if you're patient, with the Labadee sign and the ship in the background.

In This Post:

One Day in Labadee Cruise Port
Exploring Labadee
Walking Trails on Labadee
Souvenirs on Labadee
Labadee Beach Bar Menu
A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu
Hairspray Broadway Production
Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean Cruise Port Review

This lovely tropically colored building is a shop "Boutik Logo Store" as well as excursion counter on either side.

While there are paid activities at Labadee including Kayak Adventure, Sip and Paint, Walking Tour, Aqua Park, Coaser, Flight Zip Line, there is also plenty to do for free, just follow the signs!

Plenty to do on Labadee - paid and free - just follow the signs!

If you don't feel like walking around the island, you can catch a free tram and hop off at your beach or food establishment of choice.

Barefoot Beach Tram Service

There is a special Barefoot Beach Tram Service exclusively for Star, Sky, Pinnacle, and Concierge Suites guests. Guests who have reserved a Barefoot Beach Club Cabana can utilize this particular tram service.

Labadee Chair Photo Opportunity

If you decide to wander by foot you will find classic vacation photo ops for your friends and family like this giant Labadee chair. :)

Trails on Labadee, Haiti

There are some nice paths to walk around the lush greenery of the island that lead to some 'secret' look out points where you can take in some nice views and get some nice pictures of your crew.

You can get a view of the Aqua Park (paid activity) from this lookout as well.

Souvenir Shopping on Labadee

For the uninitiated, on Labadee you have the opportunity to venture into this Market section with local vendors. Many cruisers find the selling culture to be a bit aggressive and you should be prepared to haggle if you want to shop in this area.

Shopping from local Vendors on Labadee

Some love this type of shopping and interaction, but if it's not for you there are other options.

Cost of Souvenirs on Labadee

If you're curious about the prices for souvenirs on Labadee, here are a few from one of the main shopping options.

The environment in here is calmer and you are able to pay with Visa, so if you don't bring extra cash but want a souvenir this is a good option. They have all the usual things, some manufactured mugs and some more unique options. They have Rhum Punch (Rum Punch) and T shirts which started at $9.95.

Larimar Necklaces were listed at $35 and carved Limestone animals were plentiful. The elephant was $15.

Labadee Beach Bar Menu

Here is a menu with prices from Labadee Beach Bar.

Labadee Beach Bar Menu with Prices

Cocktail Prices

Beer prices

Mai Tai - $14
Bombay Smash - $14
Hurricane - $14
Bahama Mama - $14
Island Sunset - $14
Castaway - $14

Corona Extra - $7.99
Heineken - $7.99
Bud Light - $7.49
Budweiser - $7.49
Miller Light - $7.49
Coors Light - $7.49
Red Stripe - $8.25
Prestige - $7.49
Truly Hard Seltzer - $7.49
White Claw Hard Seltzer - $7.49

An additional service charge will be added to these prices unless you have a Royal Caribbean Beverage Package.

You can also order items not on the menu, of course. Like the Labadoozie - basically a frozen rum punch or even a whisky to sip on the beach.

Beach Time on LAbadee

There are plenty of beach areas on Labadee to lounge around or to swim in the ocean.

Please Leave Nothing But Your Footprints Sign

Even on an overcast day, the views are beautiful with calm waters nestled between lush mountains, it's exactly what you're hoping for on a Caribbean Cruise.

Private Cabanas on Labadee

If you have cash to splash you can rent one of these private cabanas for the day or do an excursion like kayaking in these tropical waters.

Free Food On Labadee

When you're hungry on Labadee you can enjoy a beach picnic including things like hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken, rice, corn on the cob, fruit, salads, cookies, cakes and the like. The food is included in your cruise fare.

A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Menu

Enjoy this cruise food photo review!

A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu

See more cruise restaurant menus here.

Goat Cheese Tart

Seasoned eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes and goat cheese baked in flaky puff pastry.

Goat Cheese Tart Royal Caribbean Cruise Food

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Mozzarella cheese coated with crispy garlic-seasoned panko breading and fried until golden brown, paired with a zesty marinara dipping sauce.

Clearly that is not mozzarella cheese.

Due to a supply chain issue, the culinary crew had to make a cheese swap out. So it was surprising when you're expecting mozzarella, but hey - when you're talking about breaded and deep fried cheese it's hard to go wrong. :)

Traditional English Fish and CHips

Tempura-battered Atlantic cod fried until golden with thick-cut potatoes, mushy peas, creamy coleslaw and tartar sauce.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Tender chicken in a spicy tomato-yogurt sauce, served with basmati rice, raita, roti and pappadum.

Indian Food on Royal Caribbean is almost always a home run if you're not sure what to order. I've said it before and I'll say it again. :)

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Warm steamed date pudding with caramel sauce and whipped cream.

Hairspray Broadway Production

Good Morning Baltimore!

After dinner we squeezed in a production show. On Symphony of the Seas you can watch the Broadway production Hairspray. It's one of the longer shows you will see on a cruise.

Hairspray on Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas

Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean Review

I love Royal Caribbean's offerings of Labadee and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Some argue that these cruise line owned resorts or islands are not an authentic experience of the island, and sure I get that. But I view them as a high value "freebie" day where I don't have to plan or spend any extra cash if I don't want to or don't have it.

Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas Docked at Labadee, Haiti

Labadee offers a low pressure day where everything is taken care of for you and close by. You have beach chairs and umbrellas included for free at the various beach locations. You have food included without having to go back to the ship or spend extra cash. You have tram service if you're unable or don't want to walk as much. And the scenery is absolutely beautiful.

While I do love exploring cruise ports and trying local food and having that "more authentic" experience, I am always happy to see either Labadee or Perfect Day on a Caribbean Itinerary.

More from this Royal Caribbean Cruise Review:

You May Also Like: Grocery Store Food Reviews

0 Comments

Virgin Voyages Drink Package

9/17/2024

0 Comments

Virgin Voyages may have the best drink package at sea and here's why..

Virgin VOyages Drinks Package FAQS:

On The Rocks Cocktail Bar | Photo Virgin Voyages

Does virgin voyages have a drinks package?

No! Unlike the majority of mainstream cruise lines, Virgin Voyages does not have a beverage package.

Are drinks free on virgin voyages?

Virgin cruises includes 'Basic Bevvies' for all passengers as they considered these to be essential drinks.

Return To Top ↑

What are 'Basic Bevvies'?

The following drinks are free on a Virgin cruise:

filtered still and sparkling water
fruit juices (non-pressed)
sodas
tea
drip coffee

Virgin Voyages Blog:

Ask A Gold Tier Virgin Cruises Travel Agent Your Questions Here!

Return To Top ↑

Can you bring your own alcohol on a virgin cruise?

Yes you can! A little known fact is that most cruise lines, including Virgin, allow sailors to bring two (2) 750ml bottles of wine per cabin in their carry-on bags on embarkation day.

If you would like to open your wine in the dining room there is a $25 corkage fee. You can use your Bar Tab to cover that fee.

My Tip: Open it in your room and skip the corkage fee ;)

Return To Top ↑

can you get in trouble for bringing alcohol on a cruise?

Everyone wants tips for saving money on a cruise and some may think it's a good idea to bring alcohol on a cruise. Aside from the 2 bottles of wine that are permitted per the cruise line's alcohol policy, you cannot bring alcohol such as beer or liquor on a cruise. It will be confiscated.

But what if you love to visit vineyards or distilleries on a cruise and bring back a bottle? Don't worry! You can bring these bottles onboard and they will be held for you until the end of the cruise. Once you get back home you can sip and smile as you reminisce about your amazing cruise vacation!

How do they know if I am bringing alcohol onboard a cruise?

Your luggage is scanned and when you walk through the X-ray machine, you will be too - so don't try to hide any small bottles in your pockets. Just follow the rules. Take advantage of the opportunity to bring 2 free bottles of wine aboard, if you'd like and otherwise budget accordingly.

Virgin Voyages Cruise Deals:

See The Most Current Deals Here!

Return To Top ↑

How much are drinks on Virgin Voyages?

Drinks on virgin are priced much more reasonably than other cruise lines.

Beer costs $7-9 including tip
Basic cocktails cost $11 including tip
Wine by the glass starts under $11 including tip.

Drink Prices on Virgin Voyages

Many cruise lines charge more than these prices before tip. Pricing is dynamic depending on cruise region, however this should help you calculate how much of a Bar Tab you may wish to pre-pay to get the perks.

Return To Top ↑

Is the virgin voyages bar tab worth it?

The Bar Tab on Virgin Cruises is a great concept. Rather than forcing everyone in your room to buy an expensive drinks package that they may not want or use, you can prepay a bar tab.

Unlike traditional cruise beverage packages, with your Bar Tab you can pay for not only your drinks, but you can buy a round for your friends, too!

Their drinks start at a more affordable price point and when you load a Bar Tab before your cruise you get free money to top off your tab making it an even better value.

Is it cheaper to buy a drinks package on board?

The Deckhouse on Virgin Cruises

Buying a drinks package before your cruise is a top tip to save money on alcohol and other specialty beverages.

While Virgin doesn't technically have a "drinks package", their Bar Tab is Sailor Loot (onboard credit) specifically for beverages. You can only pre-purchase it and when you do you're going to get a top off which means free drinks!

For example, if you set up a $300 Bar Tab for you and your friends, you'll get a total of $350 to spend! (Thats $50 free!)

Traveling with a group and want to compound the savings? A $1000 Bar Tab will get you $250 in free drinks for a total of $1250 in drinks to share! Just be sure the person who has the bar tab is going to be willing and available to do all the ordering.

Your virgin voyages travel agent will ensure you get the best Bar Tab Bonus Available!

Return To Top ↑

How much is a bottle of moet on virgin voyages?

Moet Chandon is the featured Champagne house onboard, but you can order champagne at all budgets. From a $9 glass to a $1,000 vintage bottle.

how much is the shake for champagne?

Have something to celebrate?!

If you'd like the novel experience of shaking for champagne on the virgin voyages app, you can have a bottle of Moët Chandon Impérial delivered to you wherever you are on the ship for around $95.

You can use your Bar Tab to pay for "Shake for Champagne".

Shake For Champagne on Virgin

Return To Top ↑

Does everyone in a room on a cruise have to buy a drink package?

Not on Virgin! Since they do not have a typical beverage package, everyone in your cabin is not stuck paying for an alcohol package if they don't drink. Many sailors will have no extra costs associated with beverages on this line as they even include sodas with their cruise fare!

Anyone who does opt to pre-load a Bar Tab can use it to buy drinks for anyone on the ship unlike other premium drink packages.

Return To Top ↑

Do you tip bartenders on cruise with drink package?

Tipping is not necessary. Drinks packages on cruise lines generally include the tip already and in the case of a Virgin cruise - their drink prices all include gratuity regardless of if you have a Bar Tab or not. Extra tipping is at your discretion.

Virgin Voyages Travel Agent:

I'm a Gold Tier First Mate - Ask Me Your Questions Here!

Return To Top ↑

virgin voyages drink package review

Colorful Cruise Cocktails on Virgin Voyages

I really love the idea behind Virgin Voyage's drink package alternative. On so many cruise lines the beverage packages are so costly per day that cruisers are trying to "make it worth it" and as a result they over consume and the consequential behavior can negatively impact the cruise for other passengers.

Sure, we can all do the math on how much we paid for the package and how many drinks we need to drink to "break even", but is that a healthy way to operate? At what point are we no longer consuming for enjoyment but only to "get our moneys worth"? *shrug* Just saying...

Virgin Voyage's solution seems elegant. Offer more reasonable pricing, allow people to pre-pay to get added value yet still have the feeling of being able to order what they want onboard without getting a bill.

What do you think?

Return To Top ↑

Are You a foodie?

Explore Elevated Cruise Dining on Virgin Voyages

0 Comments

Taste Test: Izze Sparkling Pomegranate - Misfits Market Review

9/19/2023

0 Comments

original post 9/19/21

Filed under: Taste Test • Misfits Market

Izze Sparkling Pomegranate, 8.4 ounces (4 count) $1.99 via misfits market

Izze drinks take me back to the days of working at Starbucks where I could use my employee discount on the RTD (ready to drink) case and every now and again I'd grab an Izze. If you want an alternative to pop/soda but don't want to go as far as flavored sparkling water, try Izze drinks. They are sparkling juice beverages made without added sugar, preservatives, or any other junk.

Izze Sparkling Pomegranate - izze.com

Ranking: 4/4 - love it!

Ranking Key:
1 - will not rebuy
2 - it's okay, probably won't rebuy
3 - it's good, would rebuy from time to time
4 - love it!

Shop Izze Sparkling drinks on Amazon

Save $$ on your groceries with this Misfits Market discount

0 Comments

Traveling through food

Looking For A Drink With a Tangy, Tropical Twist? | Compal Manga, Maracuja, Limao Juice Review

Compal Manga, Maracujá, Limão Sumo

Looking for an easy cocktail idea?

What is Compal Anyway?

More European Grocery Reviews:

Labadee Haiti Royal Caribbean Review

In This Post:

Trails on Labadee, Haiti

Souvenir Shopping on Labadee

Cost of Souvenirs on Labadee

Labadee Beach Bar Menu

Cocktail Prices

Beer prices

Beach Time on LAbadee

Free Food On Labadee

A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Menu

Goat Cheese Tart

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Traditional English Fish and CHips

Chicken Tikka Masala

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Hairspray Broadway Production

​Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean Review

More from this Royal Caribbean Cruise Review:

Virgin Voyages Drink Package

Virgin VOyages Drinks Package FAQS:

Does virgin voyages have a drinks package?

Are drinks free on virgin voyages?

What are 'Basic Bevvies'?

Virgin Voyages Blog:

Can you bring your own alcohol on a virgin cruise?

can you get in trouble for bringing alcohol on a cruise?

How do they know if I am bringing alcohol onboard a cruise?

Virgin Voyages Cruise Deals:

​How much are drinks on Virgin Voyages?

Is the virgin voyages bar tab worth it?

Is it cheaper to buy a drinks package on board?

​How much is a bottle of moet on virgin voyages?

how much is the shake for champagne?

​Does everyone in a room on a cruise have to buy a drink package?

Do you tip bartenders on cruise with drink package?

Virgin Voyages Travel Agent:

​virgin voyages drink package review

Are You a foodie?

Taste Test: Izze Sparkling Pomegranate - Misfits Market Review

Oh, Hey!

​Check out this recent cruise post:

​Check out this recent Restaurant Review:

Categories

Travel BlogDestinations

Cruises

​Reviews

Travel Agent

Explore

Support

Discounts

Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean Review

How much are drinks on Virgin Voyages?

How much is a bottle of moet on virgin voyages?

Does everyone in a room on a cruise have to buy a drink package?

virgin voyages drink package review

Check out this recent cruise post:

Check out this recent Restaurant Review:

Travel Blog
Destinations

Reviews