We are getting so close to sailing again! As all of the cruise lines continue to prepare their ships for returning to the sea, I wanted to share a post I wrote in 2019 when some of the Must Love Travel Planners had the opportunity to sail on Norwegian’s brand new ship, the Norwegian Encore. It was incredible! And one of the highlights of our sailing was stopping at Norwegian’s own private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.

I will be honest. I had fairly low expectations for this private island. I’ve been to a few other private islands of major cruise lines (Disney, Royal Caribbean), and they are both bigger than Norwegian’s island. But WOW, I was completely blown away! Yes, it is small, but the beach is beautiful, the service is top-notch, the food was great, and some really spectacular excursions were available!

Beach

The beach was beautiful!! TONS of chairs, so you don’t have to fight for one. And there will be a towel waiting for you on each chair, so you don’t have to carry them off the ship. Bar service was excellent and fast, and there are plenty of water activities available for rent, such as floats and paddleboarding. If you want to splurge on a Cabana, those are available for an additional cost.

Lunch

There is a Main Grill and also a few additional food stations located throughout the beach area. The food is great, and there is plenty of it! We even found some light breakfast offerings (banana bread, etc.) available before the lunch was ready, which was perfect for those of us who got to the island early for an excursion.

Excursions

There are some really spectacular excursions, but what impressed me the most was how organized they were. In our group of agents, we were able to sample quite a few excursions. I personally went parasailing and rented a wave runner (jetski), while other agents rented kayaks, swam with pigs (that’s right, I said swam with pigs), and swam with the stingrays.

Overall, I was very impressed with this little slice of paradise. I could have easily spent another day there! Almost every Bahamas and Caribbean sailing on Norwegian makes a stop at Great Stirrup Cay, so be sure to ask your Must Love Travel Planner for more info on this island paradise.

AMResorts is a collection of luxury resort destinations located throughout the Caribbean and Mexico, each with its own unique personality. Every AMResort features sun-soaked beaches, elegant accommodations, a world-class spa, gourmet dining, unlimited premium drinks, and many other pampering amenities.

With so many different Resorts to choose from, it can seem overwhelming. Luckily, each AMResort falls into one of the following categories.

Contact your Must Love Travel Planner today to book your next vacation! 

Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts

Adult-Oriented

Unplug from daily life and envelop yourself in the tranquility of Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts. Unrivaled luxury and holistic wellness combine with the limitless means of Endless Privileges to offer an experience of attentive bliss known as The Art of Life. Delight in the touches of infinite bliss with daily in-suite sparkling wine, 24-hour gourmet dining, complimentary worldwide calling, laundry services, specialty experiences, and so much more, all included with your stay. Check-in or out at any time, and tune into your inner self.

Secrets Resorts & Spa

Adult Only

Dive deep into a romantic retreat at Secrets Resorts & Spas, where adults escape the everyday amid the natural allure of the Mediterranean and Caribbean. World class amenities and unsurpassed personal service are yours as often as you desire. Embark on your secluded getaway in some of the most coveted locations in the world, and discover the unique sophistication found only at a Secrets Resort.

Breathless Resorts & Spas

Adult Only

If you’re ready to escape to an exciting adults-only destination, where seductive beauty and chic style combine with Unlimited-Luxury, you’re ready for Breathless Resorts & Spas. Each Breathless Resort & Spa was designed to offer an authentic experience unique to its destination. While we infuse our resorts with originality (no cookie-cutter hotels here!), you can still expect to find the ideal blend of relaxation and entertainment at all four of our beachfront, all-adult properties throughout the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico.

Dreams Resorts & Spas

Family Friendly

Dreams Resorts & Spas offer families, couples and singles a luxurious tropical escape. Beautiful beachfront locations and exciting array of activities for every age and interest ensure that everyone has their dream vacation. Spacious rooms and suites, graciously appointed and luxuriously equipped provide a picture-perfect vacation experience with welcoming service and romantic inclusions. Beautiful and exciting destinations provide a lovely setting for a wedding, honeymoon, romantic getaway or family vacation.

Now Resorts & Spas

Family Friendly

Now Resorts & Spas offer vibrant beachfront settings for multigenerational travel, families with teens and tweens as well as couples and friends. Enjoy a family-friendly, modern vacation experience, where play and party are just steps away from peace and quiet. Active and lively settings provide entertainment for all ages and are perfect setting for a family reunion, a wedding or a social group getaway.

Reflect Resorts & Spas

Family Friendly

Enjoy these great beachfront vacations offering a variety of locally inspired cuisine, inviting amenities, friendly service and an array of culturally infused experiences all created for memory making moments.

Sunscape Resorts & Spas

Family Friendly

Sunscape Resorts & Spas offer families, friends, singles and couples high-energy, fun-filled vacations and getaways on pristine beaches. Indulge, day and night, in countless activities at our seaside resorts.

Norwegian’s newest ship, the Norwegian Encore, has officially been christened and has set sail in the Caribbean! I had the pleasure of sailing on this beautiful ship for her inaugural sailing out of Miami, and I was completely blown away with all there is to do onboard! In additional to dozens of restaurants, lounges, bars, and entertainment, you will find the following activities to keep the entire family happy during your unforgettable vacation!

Speedway

With over 1100 feet of pedal-to-the-metal action, the largest race track at sea is bigger, better and only on Norwegian. Watch the ocean blur by as you zoom around high-speed curves suspended 13 feet off the side of the ship. And spectators can get in on the action, too! Revolutionary interactivity lets you boost your favorite racer past the finish.

Laser Tag

Galaxy Pavilion

 Aqua Park

Slide into the time of your life. With two multistory waterslides on board, Norwegian Encore keeps the thrills coming over and over again. Make it the best of three on Aqua Racer, our tandem waterslide at sea. And then get a thrill as you whoosh over the side of the ship on the double loop, Ocean Loops. Or call it a lazy day and lounge by the pool with a frozen drink in hand. However you like to make a splash, the Aqua Park is overflowing with excitement.

Main Pool

Go for a dip in the pool or a soak in the hot tub. Feel like making it a relaxing day? Lounge back with an expertly made cocktail in hand and catch some rays. Our main pool is the place to be for all the fun in the sun.

 Kid’s Areas

Your kids will have a blast inside Splash Academy where they can enjoy complimentary creative play, active sports competitions, and engaging activities for kids of all ages.

Guppies is perfect for Norwegian’s youngest guests. Parents and babies can enjoy self-guided play, including sensory activities and toy time. Guppies hosted activities are led by an Early Years Coordinator with parent supervision.

Movies. Art. Music. Video games. Dance parties. Welcome to Entourage – a retreat for teens looking to have fun and hang out with people their own age. One thing’s for sure: absolutely, positively, no parents allowed.

 Kid’s Aqua Park

They’ll splish. They’ll splash. They’ll definitely have a blast. Whether they want to zip down a tube slide or get drenched by tipping buckets or water cannons, kids will have the best of times at our interactive Kids’ Aqua Park.

Spa

There are plenty of ways to be pampered. Unwind in the Thermal Suite with a steam or a dip in the Vitality Pool. Check out the Salt Room and chill out in our Snow Room. Or simply indulge in a hot-stone massage. Treat yourself. You deserve it.

Fitness

Staying fit has never been easier at our state-of-the-art fitness center. Feel the burn in a high-intensity RYDE cycling class. Strenthen and tone during a Pure Form Pilates session. Or seek inner peace with ocean view yoga or guided meditation classes.

Casino

Our award-winning casino offers plenty of thrilling casino games for every type of player, whether you’re a beginner or regular at the poker table. Find your lucky seat at one of our many slot machines and in our non-smoking area. Or play in the big leagues with any number of table games. No matter what you prefer, there’s always a way for you to get lucky.

 Ready to book your next cruise? Contact your Must Love Travel Planner TODAY!

You’ll find All Inclusive Resorts located throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as the Bahamas, and even in more exotic destinations such as the Canary Islands. All Inclusive Resorts are perfect for travelers who like having pretty much everything about their vacation pre-paid. There are always going to be opportunities to pay for additional services, such as excursions and spa treatments. But overall, an All Inclusive Resort is a great value for your vacation.

Beautiful Beaches

All Inclusive Resorts are located on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Mexico, Bahamas, Caribbean, and more! If you are looking for some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, check out Antigua!

Pre-Pay for your Vacation

All meals and drinks are included! So go ahead and order whatever you want, it’s included! If you want to do even more, additional spending money can be spent on spa treatments, excursions and shopping.

Tons of Activities

There are lots of different activities for adults, teens, children, and even babies! Most non-motorized water sports are included in your All Inclusive package. Children’s Clubs and activities are available all day long. Some Resorts even have special hangout’s for the teenagers in your party.

Adult Only

Adults looking to get away will find many Resorts cater to Adults. It’s the perfect place for Romance! You can stay at an All Adult Resort, or if you are traveling with a family and want to escape the kids for a bit, many All Inclusive Resorts offer Adult Only areas, such as pools and bars, where no children are allowed.

Amazing Service

All Inclusive Resorts have some of the best staff, who cater to your every need. I’ve found some of the friendliest staff in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos and Antigua. But pretty much anyone who works at an All Inclusive Resort is there to give you a fabulous vacation.

Contact your Must Love Travel Planner today for more info!

Royal Caribbean has recently re-opened their own Private Island called CocoCay in the Bahamas, and it is amazing! There is quite literally something for everyone. If you want to sit at the beach and relax, if you want to play in a party-pool, if you want to visit a water park…it’s all there!

Your Royal Caribbean ship will dock on the island, and offers complimentary shuttle service from the ship to the island. If you choose to walk down the pier, you’ll have some amazing photo opportunities. Even if you enjoy walking, I recommend taking the shuttle around the island, just so you can see everything there is to offer!

CocoCay is divided into two sections – “Chill Side” and “Thrill Side”. The “Thrill Side” includes the super-popular Thrill Water Park, with lots of slides, water activities and a huge wave pool.

Thrill Water Park 

If you’re after non-stop action and pulse-pounding excitement, nothing beats the record-breaking pools and slides at Thrill Waterpark. Fill your day with plenty of wild hairpin turns, bracing zero-gravity drops, big-time tide riding and more. No matter what your threshold for adrenaline, Thrill Waterpark delivers something for every level of daredevil.

Rest and Relaxation

If you’ve had your fill of thrill, kick back and relax. The best part? You don’t even need to leave Thrill Waterpark. Claim one of the complimentary beach chairs by the wave pool or reserve a cabana close to your favorite slide tower and recharge before your next adventure. The nearby Snack Shack is the perfect pit stop for a quick refuel.