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Food & Travel Blog

Free United Airlines Flights - United Explorer Card Sign Up Bonus

4/11/2025

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United Airlines has boosted the sign up bonus for their United Mileage Plus Explorer Credit Card for a limited time. 

That means you can get FREE flights! 
​

How to get free flights

If you want to  get free flights on United Airlines , the easiest way is to take advantage of this 80,000 bonus mile offer for opening a new United Mileage Plus Explorer Card. 
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I always keep this card in my arsenal as it offers free checked luggage, priority boarding, and free United Club passes (2 passes each year)  which are great for long layovers. 

Fly to europe for free!


Dreaming of a Mediterranean Cruise this summer? 

With 80,000 bonus United Miles you can book saver award tickets from the US to Europe and make your travel dreams come true! ;) 
​
How To Do It:
​
Open the card, pay for your cruise with the new card, earn the sign up bonus, and book your free flights! 

Easy peasy! 
​

Best United Card Sign Up Bonus

This is the best bonus we've seen on a United Card with a $0 annual fee for the first year, in a loooong time. 

Strike while the iron is hot! 
I want free flights!

need More Flexibility?

Check This Out: 
• Best Credit Card Sign Up Bonus For Travel - 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points - LIMITED TIME OFFER! 

See Also: 

• United Airline Miles Articles - Miles & Points Blog
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Best Credit Card Sign Up Bonus For Travel!

4/11/2025

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The best credit card sign up bonus for travel that we have seen in years​ is here! 
​

Best Chase Sapphire Sign Up Bonus - 100k! 

Our favorite travel credit card, Chase Sapphire, is offering the hugest bonus we have ever seen on their Chase Sapphire Preferred Card - 100,000 bonus points! 

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Unbelievable 100k sign up bonus on Chase Sapphire Preferred!


​How to get 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

For a very limited amount of time (they can pull this offer at any moment) Chase is giving new account sign ups one hundred thousand chase ultimate rewards points! 

That is insane! 
Apply Now!

With this many points you can fly round trip to just about anywhere for free (just pay tax) when you book saver awards! 

You can also use these points for hotel stays or straight up cash back. 
​

Got a Big Purchase Coming UP?

Planning a trip? Buying a big ticket item? New phone? Need surgery? (ha.) 

These are prime times to strategically open a new card and get the benefits of the card including generous sign up bonuses for money you were already going to spend anyways! 
​

​​Please Don't Miss this Bonus!

 Please don't miss this bonus. It brings me so much joy to see friends and family getting free hotel stays, flights, and more by taking advantage of these offers. If you have questions let me know! 
​
GET YOUR SIGN UP BONUS TODAY!

Can I get the Chase Sapphire Sign Up Bonus more than once?
Yes. However, if you have received a new card sign up bonus for Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred in the past 48 months you may not be eligible for this offer. 
​

Looking for another way to get free flights?

  • Free United Flights - Earn 80,000 United Bonus Miles Today! 
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Virgin Voyages Pay In Full Discount

9/30/2024

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Looking for a way to save a little extra on your next cruise on Virgin Voyages?
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Talk To a Virgin Voyages Booking Agent

Pay In Full Discount

For a limited time when you book a 2025 or 2026 Virgin Voyage and pay in full, you will enjoy an extra discount. 

That's up to an additional $500 off your cruise and this pay-in-full discount is combinable with the current of 70% off a second sailor. 

Is the Save On Cruises 2025/2026 Pay In Full Offer  still going on? Click here to find out! 

Virgin voyages Blog:

  • See Current Virgin Voyages Cruise Deals
  • Does Virgin Voyages have the best cruise drink package?
  • Where in the world is Scarlet Lady Cruise Ship?
  • ​What is the Pay In Full Discount on Virgin Voyages?

How to make this deal even sweeter?

Open one of our favorite travel credit cards to pay for your cruise in full.

Not only will you get the extra savings on the cruise but you'll earn a generous sign up bonus at the same time! ;) 

That sign up bonus could get you free flights, hotel stays, cash back on your trip and includes great perks like built in travel protection. :) 
​​
Best Travel Credit Cards

Save on 2025 + 2026 cruises offer

This offer is combinable with:
  • My Next Virgin Voyage (MNVV) 
  • FL Resident Rate
  • Affinity Circles
  • 2024 Third Quarter Exclusive Sailing Club Bar Tab Offer
  • Paid In Full Offer
This offer is not combinable with:
  • ​Interline Rates
  • Brilliant 4 U Pass
  • Sail & Save
  • Casino Bookings
  • Reduced rate programs

Cruise Drink Packages:

  • See Current Virgin Voyages Cruise Discounts
  • Review of Virgin Voyages Drink Package
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Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel Review

9/10/2024

3 Comments

 
 

​A photo review of Port Everglades Pre-Cruise hotel - Hyatt Place.


​
​Arriving a day before your cruise is always the wisest course.

​Before our Symphony of the Seas cruise we used Chase Points to book a night at the Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel. 
​

In This Post.

  • Our Room
  • Breakfast Buffet
  • Gym
  • Manhattan Ny Pizza Ft Lauderdale Review
  • Hyatt Place Ft Lauderdale Cruise Port Review
  • Best Travel Credit Cards - Free Hotel Nights!
 

Our room. 

The rooms at Hyatt Place are quite spacious and would be great if you're traveling as family or even if you want to split the cost with another couple. Our room had two double beds. 
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Standard Room Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Free Reward Night | Miles and Points Blog

search pre-cruise and post-cruise hotels near Port Everglades:


​living space. 


​There is a large couch with ottoman which converts to a bed. As you can see the couch cushions were a little worse for wear. The room has a mini fridge, individual cup coffee maker, and a small sink in the area directly across from the couch, as well as a desk area. 
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bathroom. 


The sink is outside the bathroom door where you will also find a large mirror and very long counter top above built in drawers. If you're traveling with the circus :p, it can be nice to have the sink outside the bathroom so that while someone is showering, other members of the family can be brushing their teeth, for instance. In the case of this room, there are 2 sinks outside of the bathroom! 
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Symphony of the Seas Reviews | Royal Caribbean Cruise Blog.

  • All Symphony of the Seas Cruise Blogs
  • Oceanview Cabin 3198 Symphony Actual Room Photos 
 


​Breakfast Buffet. 


The breakfast buffet is pretty standard for a US hotel in this category. These pictures were taken at the end of the morning shortly before the buffet closed. They served scrambled eggs, sausage patties, hash browns, bacon, pancakes, cereal, fresh cut fruit, bananas, oranges, a variety of bread and bagels for toasting as well as donut holes.
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​gym.
 


​There was also a small gym at Hyatt Place Ft Lauderdale Cruise Port, in case you want to get a quick workout in before your cruise!
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Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel Gym
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Manhattan Ny Pizza Fort Lauderdale Review


As one does when arriving to a hotel late after a long travel day, we ordered a pizza. Manhattan NY Pizza was nearby and touted their pizza being made with dough from NYC so we were intrigued. 
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One ridiculously long wait and $24 later ... and we were a lot less intrigued... Hopefully this subpar pizza was a fluke for this local shop and if you order you'll have a better experience, especially if you dine in and can eat it when it's piping hot. :)
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Fort Lauderdale travel blog.

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hyatt place cruise port hotel review


We were happy with our experience at Hyatt Place in Fort Lauderdale near Port Everglades. There is nothing particularly exciting about this hotel, but there doesn't need to be - you're going on a cruise! That's the exciting part of staying here. 

The hotel is in a good location and offers the amenities you need for a night before a cruise - a place to sleep and free breakfast. Hyatt Place also offers a free airport shuttle and they do have a cruise port shuttle available  from the hotel for a fee that you can sign up for on arrival. We opted to use Uber for convenience and it being collectively cheaper for us rathe r than pay a per person rate with the shuttle van coming at a set time. Choice is yours! 

Our hotel night was totally free thanks to Chase Ultimate Rewards Points. We used 8,000 points transferred from our Chase Sapphire card. See the Best Chase Sapphire Sign Up Bonus Here so you can get free hotel stays too! ;) 
​

more hotel reviews.

  • Lagoas Park Oeiras Review
  • Turim Saldanha in Lisbon
  • Hilton Free Night Certificate - You can get one!
  • All Hotel Reviews Worldwide

3 Comments

Hilton Free Night Certificate

9/3/2024

0 Comments

 
Everything you need to  know about Hilton Free Reward Night Certificates:
how to get them, how to redeem them, where you can redeem them, and what to do if yours is about to expire! 
​Post by:  Travel Agent Marissa Books Travel
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Conrade Algarve by Hilton
• Stay at Conrad Algarve in Portugal • 
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What to do when your hilton free night certificate is expiring

Last year I opened a Hilton Honors credit card and earned a great sign up bonus of 70,000 Hilton Honors Points as well as a Hilton free night certificate. 
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Hilton Honors Sign Up Bonus


​Do hilton honors points expire?

While Hilton points do expire within 24 months of inactivity, I was more concerned about when my free night certificate would expire. 
​

How to keep hilton honors points from expiring

To stop your Hilton Points from expiring you can simply use your Hilton Credit Card, stay at a Hilton Hotel, Redeem Hilton Points, Buy or Donate Hilton Points, or even just signing up for a Hilton promotion. When in doubt, buy a pack of gum with your card every so often. :) 
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Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
• Stay at Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam • 
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How long are hilton free night certificates good for? 

Hilton certificates are good for 12 months from the issue date. My certificate was issued on September 5th. I had a daily reminder on my calendar to use this free night for the past year and here we are on September 3rd and time is up! 
​

What to do if you free reward night is about to expire?

I have great news for you! If your free hotel night is about to expire you can actually contact Hilton for an extension. I logged into my Hilton account, chatted with a lovely agent, and was able to get a one-time extension of 14 days for my Hilton free night certificate!! 
​

Travel Credit Cards: 

 
​

Where is my hilton free night certificate?


​Once a Hilton free night certificate has been awarded to you, whether as a credit card sign up bonus or for your brand loyalty in some other way, you will receive an email from Hilton Honors (mine was from ​[email protected]) with instructions on how to redeem. 

What is the hilton honors customer care phone number?


Call Hilton Honors Customer Care at 1-800-446-6677
​

Can i redeem my hilton free night reward online?


While you currently cannot redeem the free night by yourself on the website, there is a way to redeem it online. 
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Hilton Free Night Email
Log into your Hilton account and utilizing the Hilton Chat you will be able to redeem your reward night with the chat agent. Just type "redeem Hilton free night certificate - chat with agent" into the chat box! ​
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Free Hilton Award Nights


​Are there exclusions with the hilton free reward nights?


Surprisingly, Hilton has very few restrictions and exclusions on using these certificates. There are no black out dates and you can book any night of the week. You can get a free night at any Hilton property (standard room, double occupancy) with the exception of these properties.
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What is the value of a hilton free night certificate?


You may be wondering what a free Hilton award night is actually worth. The truth is, it varies. You can use this (foolishly) on a cheap hotel night costing $50 or you can take advantage of the opportunity to use it for a hotel like Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam that would normally cost upwards of $900 a night! 
​


Where CAn I see my hilton free night CERTIFICATE in my account?
​

Log in to your Hilton Honors account. 

Click near your name at the top right of the page.

Next click Account as shown here. 

Scroll down past the section "Manage your stay" and the section about your loyalty status with Hilton.  
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Hilton Account
Here in your Hilton Account you will see your Free Night Reward(s), the last 4 digits of the certificate number, and their expiration dates. 
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Hilton Free Night Award
 
Hilton Best Welcome Bonus
 
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Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay
• Stay at Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay •


​do i have to travel before the expiration date or just make the reservation in time?
​


I asked the Hilton Chat representative the very question and she gave such a helpful, clear answer. 

"The checkout date must be before expiration or till the expiration date"

"If your coupon is expiring on September 04, then you can make the booking with check out date of September 04" 

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Hilton Chat

can someone else use my hilton free night certificate?


Yes and no. So the Free Night Reward is not transferable to another person. You can't send the certificate to another Hilton Honors account. But what you can do is contact Hilton and redeem free night award certificates for someone else. Simply have them book the stay in the other person's name. A free night at a nice hotel can be a great gift!
​
Get the Hilton Honors Card


​Hotel Reviews: 

 

Hilton Distinctive Properties List

  1. Distinctive Properties:Conrad Koh Samui Residences 
  2. Kingston Plantation Condos 
  3. DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo Residences 
  4. Hilton Club Elara Las Vegas 
  5. Hilton Club Liberty Place Charleston 
  6. Hilton Club The Bay Forest Odawara 
  7. Hilton Club The Beach Resort Sesoko 
  8. Hilton Club The Central at 5th New York 
  9. Hilton Club The District Washington D.C. 
  10. Hilton Club The Quin New York 
  11. Hilton Club The Residences New York 
  12. Hilton Club West 57th Street New York 
  13. Hilton Grand Vac Club The Grand Islander Waikiki Honolulu 
  14. Hilton Grand Vac Club Valdoro Mountain Lodge Breckenridge 
  15. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Anderson Ocean Myrtle Beach 
  16. Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village 
  17. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Blue Mountain Canada 
  18. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Chicago Magnificent Mile 
  19. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Craigendarroch Suites Scotland 
  20. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Grand Waikikian Honolulu 
  21. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Hokulani Waikiki Honolulu 
  22. Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort 
  23. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings’ Land Waikoloa 
  24. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kohala Suites Waikoloa 
  25. Hilton Grand Vacations Club La Pacifica Los Cabos 
  26. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Las Palmeras Orlando 
  27. Hilton Grand Vacations Club MarBrisa Carlsbad 
  28. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Maui Bay Villas 
  29. Hilton Grand Vacations Club McAlpin Ocean Plaza Miami 
  30. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean 22 Myrtle Beach 
  31. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Enclave Myrtle Beach 
  32. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Oak Resort Hilton Head 
  33. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Tower Waikoloa Village 
  34. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Parc Soleil Orlando 
  35. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Sunrise Lodge Park City 
  36. Hilton Grand Vacations Club The Crane Barbados 
  37. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Tremblant Canada 
  38. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Tuscany Village Orlando 
  39. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Zihuatanejo 
  40. Hilton Grand Vacations Riviera Beach & Shores, CA 
  41. Hilton Vacation Club Bent Creek Golf Village Gatlinburg 
  42. Hilton Vacation Club Cabo Azul Los Cabos 
  43. Hilton Vacation Club Crescent on South Beach Miami 
  44. Hilton Vacation Club Greensprings Williamsburg 
  45. Hilton Vacation Club Ka'anapali Beach Maui 
  46. Hilton Vacation Club Oceanaire Virginia Beach 
  47. Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon Palm Springs
  48. Hilton Vacation Club Rancho Manana Phoenix/Cave Creek 
  49. Hilton Vacation Club Royal Palm St. Maarten 
  50. Hilton Vacation Club San Luis Bay Avila Beach 
  51. Hilton Vacation Club The Modern Honolulu 
  52. Hilton Vacation Club The Point at Poipu Kauai 
  53. The Hilton Club - New York 
  54. The Liming Bequia 
  55. Hilton Honolulu Alii Towers @ Hawaiian Village 
  56. Royale Palms Condominiums 
  57. The Vista at Hilton Tel Aviv 
  58. Beach Village at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton 
  59. Casitas at the Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton 
  60. Shore House at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton 
  61. Ho'olei at Grand Wailea
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Virgin Voyages Labor Day Sale 2024

8/30/2024

0 Comments

 
 
Summer is a state of mind that should go way past Labor Day and the Virgin Voyages Labor Day Sale is making that possible for you, my friend!

Now through September 3, 2024 take advantage of an end of season offer to sail as low as $149 per sailor per night on 6-11 night Long Caribbean Escapes & more.  

​I'm spotlighting a few sailings and providing a full list of discounted virgin cruises below, no coupon code needed! ;)  

In This Post:

  • Western Caribbean Charm Sale
  • Eastern Caribbean Antilles Discount
  • Valiant Caribbean Holiday Offer
  • Certified Virgin Voyages Travel Agent
  • Full List of Discounted Virgin Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages Cruise Blog Topics
Post by: Virgin Voyages Travel Agent Marissa Books Travel
​
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Virgin Voyages Labor Day Sale!
 


​2025 Virgin Voyages Deals - western caribbean charm


Start 2025 off right by sailing on Scarlet Lady for 6 nights on the Western Caribbean Charm cruise from Miami stopping in Roatan, Costa Maya, and Beach Club at Bimini from $169. I'm happy to help or if you prefer you can book it yourself!
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Western Caribbean Charm Cruise on Scarlet Lady | Virgin Voyages Labor Day Sale 2024
Ask Me A Question!
Book On Your Own
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Lisbon Travel Blogs:


​Virgin Voyages Last Minute Deals - eastern caribbean antilles

Looking for a last minute deal on a virgin cruise for 2024?

How about the Eastern Caribbean Antilles Itinerary heading to Puerto Plata, San Juan, Frederiksted, St. Croix, and Beach Club at Bimini?

This last minute deal for a luxurious 8 night cruise in December 2024 would make a perfect winter getaway and  is also on sale for dates in early 2025 if you prefer! 
​
Your Virgin Voyages Travel Advisor can answer any questions you have. If you're a pro you can book this itinerary here! 
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Ask me a question
Book Here!
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cruise Reviews:


​Valiant Caribbean Holiday 

Do you have extra time off work or uni in December? Here's a rare opportunity to sail from $169 on Valiant Lady for 6 nights from December 20 - 26, 2024. You'll soak up the sun in Nassau, Puerto Plata, and Beach Club at Bimini before returning to Miami. 
​
Snag this deal here or Marissa Books Travel can help you pick the perfect sailing!

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Help Me Pick!
Snag the deal here
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​Your certified gold tier first mate

Marissa is a Certified Gold Tier First Mate with Virgin Voyages. That means she is a Certified Virgin Voyages Travel Advisor of the highest level who can help you plan your dream Virgin Cruise! 
​
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Virgin Voyages Travel Agent
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Gold Tier Certified First Mate - Marissa Books Travel
 
If you prefer to explore and book on your own, that's cool too! Tap the button below to explore Virgin Voyages and if a questions pops up later, even after you book, feel free to let me know! :) 
Book a Virgin Cruise Online
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Algarve Portugal Travel Blogs:


​Full List of discounted virgin voyages cruises included in the labor day sale:

Rates start from $169 per Sailor per night for Insider cabins — Sea Terrace upgrades start at $208 per Sailor per night:
 
  • English Sights & European Delights • Sep 8 - Sep 14, 2024 • 6 nights from Portsmouth
  • Mayan Sol • Sep 8 - 13, 2024 • 5 nights from Miami
  • Mayan Sol • Oct 6 - 11, 2024 • 5 nights from Miami
  • Dominican Daze • Oct 11 - 16, 2024 • 5 nights from Miami
  • Riviera Maya • Oct 20 - 25, 2024 • 5 nights from Miami
  • Dominican Daze • Oct 25 - 30, 2024 • 5 nights from Miami
  • Riviera Maya • Nov 17 - 22, 2024 • 5 nights from Miami
  • Eastern Caribbean Antilles • Dec 14 - 22, 2024 • 8 nights from Miami
  • Valiant Caribbean Holiday • Dec 20 - 26, 2024 • 6 nights from Miami
  • Resilient Caribbean Holidays • Dec 21 - 28, 2024 • 7 nights from Miami
  • Eastern Caribbean Antilles • Jan 25 - Feb 2, 2025 • 8 nights from Miami
  • Western Caribbean Charm •  Feb 2 - 8, 2025 • 6 nights from Miami


Rates start from $149 per Sailor per night for Insider cabins — Sea Terrace upgrades start at $203 per Sailor per night:
 
  • A Scarlet Fright Voyage • Oct 24 - Nov 3, 2024 • 10 nights from Athens
  • Barcelona to Civitavecchia • Nov 3 - 14, 2024 • 11 nights from Barcelona
  • Idyllic Isles of the Caribbean & Colombia • Jan 21 - Feb 3, 2025 • 11 nights from San Juan
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Food Blogger Restaurant Reviews:

 

Coming soon on our Virgin Voyages Cruise Blog

Since Virgin Voyages is a newer cruise line, we have a lot to dive into and share with you soon, including: 
  • Virgin Voyages Drink Package
  • Virgin Voyages Reviews
  • Virgin Voyages Marvelous Collection
  • Virgin Voyages 2025 Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages 2026 Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages Caribbean Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages Transatlantic Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages Europe Cruises
  • ​Virgin Voyages North American Cruises
    ​Virgin Voyages Eclipse Voyages
  • Virgin Voyages Spa Prices
  • Virgin Voyages Sailor Loot
  • Virgin Voyages Status Match
  • Virgin Voyages Sea Terrace
  • Virgin Voyages Shore Things
  • Virgin Voyages Drink Prices
  • Virgin Voyages Excursion Prices
  • Virgin Voyages Laundry Prices
  • Virgin Voyages Lingo 
  • Everything You Need To Know About Virgin Voyages Cruises
  • Is Virgin Voyages Worth The Money?
  • What is Included on a Virgin Voyages Cruise?
  • Virgin Voyages Black Friday Deals
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Cruise Travel Blogs:

Stay tuned for more virgin voyages special offers, deals, and reviews including virgin cruises Black Friday 2024 deals, solo deals, and resilient lady reviews on this virgin voyages blog. Watch this space! :) 
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Royal Caribbean $100 Onboard Credit Promotion

8/19/2024

0 Comments

 
If you're wondering how to get free onboard credit for your next Royal Caribbean cruise, you're in the right place! 
Post by: Royal Caribbean Cruises Travel Agent Marissa Books Travel


​Royal caribbean deal right now: 


​Right now you can take advantage of a Royal Caribbean deal that lands you $100 bonus onboard credit on 2025 Caribbean Cruises! 
​
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Book This Royal Caribbean Deal


​Royal Caribbean Group Deals


Maybe you have heard about group deals before and you can definitely get great group rates with Royal Caribbean. Your Royal Caribbean Travel Agent will help you find the best deal and sailing for your group.

On top of the discounted group cruise rates, for each cabin with a qualifying deposit made by August 31, 2024 you will enjoy $50 onboard credit for short cruises of 5 nights or less and $100 onboard credit for 6-8 night cruises!! 

• How many people make up a group?
Typically you need 8 cabins to benefit from a group rate on Royal Caribbean. If you have family and friends who love to cruise or clients, this is no trouble. 

• But I only need one or two cabins?
Don't worry! Send me a message. and I'll see what I can do! Perks of working with a Travel Agent ;) 

• Do I need a Royal Caribbean Discount Code?
Nope! As your dedicated Royal Caribbean Travel Agent, Marissa Books Travel will take care of everything for you so that you can enjoy your cruise and free onboard credit! yay! 
​
 

How to get More royal caribbean ONBOARD credit?

A lot of people do not know this, but if you own 100 shares of Royal Caribbean stock, you are entitled to a Shareholder Benefit of free onboard credit in the amount of $50, $100, $250, or $1000 depending on the length of your cruise. This is not a one time benefit. You can get your extra OBC every time you sail Royal Caribbean! 

100 shares is nothing to sneeze at, but hey if you have the cash free snag those shares in one go and get a $75 M1 bonus while you're at it! ;-)
 
Your Royal Caribbean Travel Agent can help you if you're wondering how to redeem your Royal Caribbean Shareholder Benefit! 

More Travel Deals: 

Cruise Travel Blogs:

Most Recent Cruise Travel Blogs: 
See All Cruise Travel Blogs
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Virgin Voyages Kids Sail Free

8/18/2024

0 Comments

 
How can kids sail free on virgin voyages where the minimum age policy is 18 years old?
​
Post by: Virgin Voyages Travel Agent Marissa Books Travel

​Virgin Voyages, the adults-only luxury cruise line that launched at the end of 2021 has announced a promotion which is popular in the industry - kids sail free. But there's a catch..
​
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Kids Sail Free Sale - Virgin Voyages Cruises


​did virgin voyages change their no kids policy?

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You may be wondering: 
  • How can kids sail free on a premium line that is only for adults?
  • Does virgin voyages allow kids now?
  • Can you bring your children with you on a Virgin cruise?!
The answer: It depends. =) 

No. Virgin Voyages is not changing their no whippersnapper cruise concept, but they are offering a great opportunity to sail Virgin as a family if you have grown​ kids! 
​

young adults sale free on Virgin Cruises


Right now young adults (aka "kids") can sale free when you book a cruise on Virgin Voyages. The kids sail free promotion allows you to save quite a bit on your next adult family cruise! 

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So... who is considered a "kid" on virgin voyages?

​The age for a "kid" varies widely in the cruise industry. On Royal Caribbean only ages 12 and under benefit from their kids sale free promotion. Celebrity doesn't really do a kids sail free promo these days, but from time to time they offer 3/4th person in a cabin free promo, which is a similar concept, only without an age limitation. MSC at times runs kids 18 and under sail free ​
​

How old is a kid on virgin cruise line?

Since Virgin is exclusively an 18+ cruise line, their promotion applies to sailors (kids) between the ages of 18-26 years old. 

So despite the cruise line's no kids allowed policy, your boomerang kids can join you on your next cruise and since we all know you're footing the bill already... at least you won't be paying full price for them this time. ;p


​Book a kids sail free cruise on virgin today!

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Did you miss the kids sail free sale?

Bummer, I hate when that happens! But hey, don't worry! You can check the latest opportunities here or request a free quote from Virgin Voyages Travel Agent Marissa Books Travel 
​
Virgin Voyages Current Deals
Ask Me Your Questions About Virgin Voyages


Coming soon... 

Since Virgin Voyages is a newer cruise line, we have a lot to dive into and share with you soon, including: 
  • Virgin Voyages Drink Package Review
  • Virgin Voyages Reviews
  • Virgin Voyages Marvelous Collection
  • Virgin Voyages 2025 Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages 2026 Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages Caribbean Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages Transatlantic Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages Europe Cruises
  • ​Virgin Voyages North American Cruises
    ​Virgin Voyages Eclipse Voyages
  • Virgin Voyages Spa Prices
  • Virgin Voyages Sailor Loot
  • Virgin Voyages Status Match
  • Virgin Voyages Sea Terrace
  • Virgin Voyages Shore Things
  • Virgin Voyages Drink Prices
  • Virgin Voyages Excursion Prices
  • Virgin Voyages Laundry Prices
  • Virgin Voyages Lingo 
  • Everything You Need To Know About Virgin Voyages Cruises
  • Is Virgin Voyages Worth The Money?
  • What is Included on a Virgin Voyages Cruise?

More cruise stuff you'll like: 

Follow @marissa.books.travel on Instagram

0 Comments

Too Good To Go Review - Portugal

10/29/2023

2 Comments

 
TooGoodToGo is a free app designed to prevent food waste by enabling customers to buy a restaurant's left overs at a discount. You reserve a slot and pay in advance. Then, at a designated time you go to the business and show the app to pick up your order. You never know exactly what you will get since it depends on what sold that particular day.
​

Filed Under: Portugal • Saving Money
TooGoodToGo can be a fun way to prevent food waste, discover new places and save money in Portugal, whether you're here as a tourist or live here. But remember each days offerings are unique and without guarantee, so set your expectations as such that some boxes will be amazing and others just okay. In the end I think it evens out! And you have an opportunity to rate and give feedback regarding the contents of your mystery boxes.

Curious what your box may include? ​Here are some of our personal real life examples: 
​

Hilton Free Night Award:

Hussel - Too Good To Go Chocolates & Sweets

August 2022
Pickup 12:00-10:00pm
€4.99

Hussel is a German confectionary shop with a location in Portugal at Algarve Shopping in Guia. Our toogoodtogo hussel bag contained a package of 8 truffles, a package of 6 milk chocolate fish, and 250 grams of Baiser-Eier Bunte Schaumzucker-Eier. They are sort of like a large jelly bean, but inside is a not quite marshmallow, foamy sugar center.

Tip: 
Hussel PT Too Good To Go pick up window is one of the most flexible. If you're at Algarve Shopping in Guia, near Albufeira, go ahead and grab a treat!
​

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​Pão do Povo - Too Good To Go Pastry Box

June 2022
Pickup 7:00-9:00pm
€3.99

​Pão de Povo is a cash-only restaurant and bakery on the Main Street in Quarteira. The surprise box was loaded with a variety of beautiful pastries definitely past prime. 
Tip: If your pastries are past prime, try sticking them in the oven for a bit. It's surprising, but depending on the pastry type, it can make a huge difference!
​

Best Restaurants in Algarve

  • Rei do Churrasco Quarteira Takeaway (para levar) Review with Photos
  • Natraj Indian Tandoori Vilamoura Restaurant Review with Photos
  • Fratelli Pizzeria Popolare Ohlos d'Agua Pizza Restaurant Photo Review


​Vila Galé Marina - Too Good To Go Breakfast Box

June 2022
Pickup 11:30am -12:30pm
€2.99
The pequeno-almoço (breakfast) box from the Vila Galé Marina Hotel was a cake sized box filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, mini hotdogs, assorted rolls, cheese, ham, and a couple of sweet pastries. It was so much food we ate a breakfast meal from it, later took sandwiches to the beach with the rolls/ham/cheese, and still had more bacon left which we sliced finely and fried as toppings for soups salads and other meals the following days!
Tip: There are two Vila Galé Hotels in very close proximity. Be aware that the Vila Galé at the walkway to the beach is not the Marina location. Also, when you do go to the Marina location, we went to the desks where you typically check in to the hotel and they knew right away about the box "Caixa" (ky-shuh). 
​

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​Rei do Churrasco - Too Good To Go - Grilled Lunch For 2

Rei do Churrasco (meaning barbecue/grill king) is a local restaurant in Quarteira serving delicious grilled meals and Madeiran specialties. 
May 2022
Pickup 12:00-1:00pm
€4.99
Grelhados para Dois - Almoço included 2 containers essentially amounting to an entire grilled chicken and a lot of French fries
​
Tip: Definitely bring a bag to carry your order in. We walked from Vilamoura the foil containers were hot to carry since we forgot our bag! 
​

Mourapão - Too Good To Go Pastry Box

May 2022 
​Pickup 9:00-9:30pm
€2.99
​Box included: 4 pasteis de nata, loaf cake, snicker doodle, S cookie, rolls with dried fruit inside.
Mourapão is a great restaurant and bakery located in Vilamoura near the marina. Absolutely worth a visit at full price and if you're around when a toogoodtogo box is available, don't hesitate! 
​
---> See our dedicated & ongoing Mourapão Review here!
​

Vilamoura Restaurant Reviews:

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