May 2023

Forbes First and Only

Celebrity Cruises^® is the first and only Relaxed Luxury^SM resorts at sea to be Star Rated by Forbes Travel Guide.​

Forbes Travel Guide has 65 years of expertise in evaluating and verifying luxury at the finest hotels, resorts – and now resorts at sea - in the world.

Celebrity has pioneered many other industry firsts, including:

the first use of solar panels on a cruise ship; the first to eliminate use of plastic water bottles; the first American female Captain of a cruise ship; the first ever all-female bridge and officer team.

Sustainability

Healthy Oceans Are Good for the Environment, Our Guests, and Our Business. That's why we aspire to achieve the highest possible standards of environmental and community stewardship. Celebrity Cruises® cares about making positive changes in the lives of our guests and employees, sustaining the environment, and making the world a better place.

Destination Net Zero

Destination Net Zero is our comprehensive vision for how we will achieve net zero emissions by 2050. We will use every tool at our disposal, including industry-leading energy efficiency and innovative machine-learning technologies to advance our path and role in achieving net zero. As part of our commitment, we plan to introduce a net zero emissions cruise ship by 2035.

Plastic Straw Free

Celebrity Cruises eliminated plastic straws fleet-wide, as part of a comprehensive plastic elimination program. Since 2019, we only offer paper straws as opposed to plastic. We continued our elimination of single-use plastic onboard with aluminum can water bottles instead of single-use plastic water bottles, condiments packages, and others. 

Our Fleet

Edge Series

This year Celebrity Cruises will sail with 16 ships. We add the fourth in our EDGE Series this fall 2023 with Celebrity Ascent, sister to the Celebrity Beyond. The EDGE series ships are stunning with state-of-the-art amenities, design, accommodation, and entertainment. 

Solstice Class

Our 5 Solstice class ship host a half-acre of live grass at the lawn club. Head to the 2-deck spa for an unparalleled selection of soothing treatments to invigorate your senses. Our delightful menus, crafted by Michelin-starred chef, are sure to satisfy your wanderlust as well as your appetite. Relax and recharge aboard Celebrity Solstice Class and savor the journey just as much as the destination.

Luxury Cruise Ships

On one of our 4 Millennium class ships. Enjoy unforgettable spaces, world-class amenities, and all of the distinct features that make our cruises so incredible. Relax and unwind in stylish accommodations that include Concierge Class and our spa-inspired Aqua Class® with exclusive clean cuisine dining at Blu. Our luxurious suite experience, The Retreat®, features private restaurant dining and 24/7 lounge.

Enjoy dining options that include distinctive restaurants with menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs and an award-winning wine collection. Surrender your senses and feel rejuvenated with soothing spa treatments and therapies at The Spa. And that’s not all. Enjoy shopping at the finest boutiques and family-fun activities, including cooking classes, recreational games, such as archery, Silent Disco, STEM based children’s’ program and theatrical events. Set sail and come back rejuvenated with a whole new level of vacation relaxation. Our ships Millennium and Summit have been completely modernized.

SpaceX Starlink Onboard - Industry-first to Provide High-speed Internet Onboard for our guests to stay connected.

Destinations

Celebrity Cruises has 7 ships in Europe all season with 7-14 Night sailings with 49 overnights in 13 countries. This is the best way to visit Europe and have your accommodations, meals and entertainment included. 

We sail to the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Panama Canal, California coastal, Mexican Riviera, South America, Bermuda, Canada and New England, Asia, Australia, Hawaii, Transatlantic, South Pacific.

Sail the Galapagos

Sail in the Galapagos Islands with our all-inclusive packages on one of our 3 ships sailing all year round. Our latest ship, Celebrity Flora in an all-suite class ship and was designed just for sailing in the Galapagos. A DESTINATION. AN ADVENTURE. AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME. Few places in the world have remained as unspoiled as the Galapagos Islands, and we’ll spoil you wildly while you visit them. With nearly two decades exploring the region, we know the best places to see and give you the best ways to see them. With our all-inclusive activities, adventure is yours for the taking, and our shore excursions bring every island to life as only we can. The Galapagos Islands should be on every world traveler’s bucket list, and there’s no better time to put it on your Book It List and earn 20% commission on all Galapagos bookings. Watch our Galapagos recorded webinar.

NOW, FOR A LIMITED TIME, WHEN YOU BOOK A VACATION TO THE INCREDIBLE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, WE’LL GET YOU THERE WITH AIRFARE INCLUDED*

*(up to $750/pp) AS PART OF YOUR ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE. BOOKING WINDOW: November 1, 2022, TO MAY 31, 2023, SAILING RANGE: FLORA: 11/06/22 – 12/28/25 | XPEDITION: 11/05/22 – 12/27/25 | XPLORATION: 11/05/22 – 12/27/25

Spring Into Summer Sale

Book: May 3 – July 6, 2023 | Sail: May 3, 2023 – April 30, 2025 

Our Biggest offer Ever is Back for a limited time, your clients can save on the award-winning vacation they have been dreaming about. Let your clients step aboard a Relaxed Luxury^SM resort at sea and let us transport them to the most popular places in the world.

Exciting Deals

Check the exciting deals section of our website for deep discounts on last minute itineraries. From now through May 8th, take advantage of rates starting at just $299 on our final few staterooms in Alaska!

Click here.

Shore Excursions

Once you book your Celebrity Cruises our Shore Excursions team is your go-to-experts for shore excursions. With the tools and knowledge to make booking a breeze, we are here for you every step of the way. Our goal is to make creating experiences easy. We handle all the arrangements for you. Our services allow you access to a wealth of insider knowledge, to make these guest experiences something to brag about for years to come. Book a ship shore excursion. Connect to the world in ways you never imagined and embark on an excursion perfectly tailored to your interests. Whether you're looking for a private, customizable experience, a carefully curated guided tour with a small group, or an unforgettable trip to iconic local landmarks, we have the right option to discover any destination, granting in-depth knowledge, expertise, and a truly extraordinary experience. More Than 280 Breathtaking Destinations. Three Perfect Ways to Explore with Private Journeys and Small Group Discoveries.

The Celebrity Commitment

Providing travel advisors with all of the resources you need to book your client’s next unforgettable getaway. The Celebrity Commitment is your hub for offers, information, tools, and resources to help you continue to impress your clients. As genuine partners, our focus is on you and providing innovative ways to help you grow your business. This is our Commitment to you. Visit thecelebritycommitment.com to learn more.

It's Travel Advisor Appreciation Month!

Sometimes one week is just not enough to show our appreciation, so we're celebrating all month long! Download the flyer.

Celebrity Rewards

Join Celebrity Rewards. We pay you more for every booking you make in addition to your commissions on a re-loadable MasterCard. Reward yourself. Earn more when you book The Retreat, Aqua Class, and Concierge staterooms.

Summary Points Earned

• The Retreat (Upper Suites) 1,500 - $15
• The Retreat (Sky/Celebrity Suites) 1,000 - $10
• Aqua Class/ Concierge Class 750 - $7.50
• Veranda Ocean View, inside 500 - $5
• Galapagos All Staterooms 1,500 - $15

Let us help you grow your business with Branch Up. Free social media marketing. professional Facebook Marketing for Travel Professionals that engages your customers and generates leads. We automatically feed new content to your Facebook page.

I really enjoy working with all of the travel agents at Goldrush Getaways. I look forward to seeing you onboard one of our ships or speaking with you during our next training webinar.

Thank you for being such a valued partner.

Sincerely,

Dana Dubart

Field Sales Manager

The Celebrity Commitment | Travel Partner Resources

Not registered as an agent with Cruising Power?

Please email vendor-registry@goldrushgetaways.com. Please Include your name, member number and email address with "Agent Registration for Cruising Power" in the subject line of the email.

Become a Celebrity Learning Graduate

Begin our curated learning series today and truly immerse yourself in the Celebrity Cruises brand, products, and sales process. By the time you finish your training journey, you'll not only understand the best way to sell a Celebrity Cruises vacation, start-to-finish, you'll discover ways to increase your commission and grow your bottom line. What's more, as a Celebrity Learning graduate, you qualify for our Celebrity Rewards points program and can attend our Celebrity Learning at Sea events.

To get started, navigate to:

CruisingPower.com > Training > Benefits > Training & Certification > Celebrity Cruises.

Here are step-by-step directions for accessing and maintaining your Celebrity Learning graduate status.

You will need to be registered with Cruising Power to access Celebrity Learning. Please send an email with your name, member number, and email address with "Agent Registration for Cruising Power" in the subject line of the email.

Agent Rates from just $314 pp

Pay only Taxes + Gratuities on Select 2023 Departures

Windstar’s Travel Advisor Appreciation Rates provide exceptional opportunities for advisors to experience Windstar’s award-winning products and extraordinary destinations. Go to WindstarCruises.com to view additional information on the itineraries shown on the TA rate flyer.

Travel Advisor Reduced Rates

- plus -

Travel Advisor Friends & Family Reduced Rates

(for additional staterooms traveling with Travel Advisor)

We invite you to experience one or more of our all-inclusive Epicurean Expeditions this summer with special reduced rates exclusively for our valued Travel Advisors and their Friends and Family.

These reduced rates include gratuities, unlimited beverages, a culture immersion event, all taxes & fees, and much more. Embark on a grand journey exploring the culture, wine and cuisine of the Mediterranean aboard the luxurious new World Traveller or World Navigator. Each yacht carries no more than 198 privileged guests, in an intimate and elegant setting.

Throughout your voyage, you will experience each region’s unique culture through their foods with immersive culinary demonstrations, tastings, farmers market excursions and more, all led by esteemed sommeliers and acclaimed chefs.

Come experience our Intimate Yachting Expeditions!

What is Mexico FamTrips?

We provide the opportunity for travel professionals to not only tour resorts but become immersed in the culture and beauty of Mexico itself. Our FamTrips include resort specific trainings as well as best practices, social media, technology, and more!

IMPORTANT: You may only access the ensemble member portal via the Goldrush Getaways website, here, then click "Access the Ensemble Agent Portal".

Your Travel Agent Booking Tool!

ADX is here! Over the next few weeks Goldrush Getaways agents will be onboarded to ADX. If you haven’t heard, ADX, or Agent Digital Experience, is Ensemble’s booking platform where you can book air, hotel and activities, and coming soon cruise, insurance, tours, car rental, and much more! When you gain access, you can start earning more commissions, build beautiful itineraries and take advantage of Ensemble's amazing support teams to assist with your files pre-departure and throughout your client’s travel!

So, what’s next? 

You have been automatically enrolled in the training programs in UofE for better success on the platform and all its features; we always encourage you to complete our newly condensed training modules. You can also login right away and follow along live in ADX for a seamless learning experience. Additional training materials and webinars available at your leisure. To access the ADX training visit the UofE section within the Ensemble Member Portal through the Goldrush platform

Sign into the Ensemble Member Portal (EMP). You must first log in to the Goldrush Getaways website here and click the ensemble single sign on link to access the EMP.

Once you are in the EMP, click "Launch UofE" from to access training.

Select ADX Essentials training from the left-hand navigation bar and complete the ADX essentials. You can also see the ADX Toolbox for FAQs, ADX guides for downloadable PDFs and ADX webinars for upcoming trainings.

Clicking ADX Essentials will bring load the current Essentials classes.

To login to the ADX booking tool, first sign into the Ensemble Member Portal through the Goldrush website and select ‘Book Travel’ on the left side of the navigation pane. If you have completed the ADX essentials training and do not see this when in the Member Portal, please contact us at adx.feedback@ensembletravel.com.

Here are just some of the ways that ADX works harder for you:

• It allows non-GDS and experienced air users to search, book, and ticket inventory from Sabre and Amadeus and earn more commission
• No risk of debit memos and no need for ARC/BSP reconciliation
• A dedicated on-shore air support team
• Side by side comparisons of up to 4 different products makes it easy for you to provide the best to your clients
• Maximizes profitability by providing commissions up front AND applying a markup on eligible services
• Full access to our over 3000+ preferred amenity hotels worldwide
• Build beautifully crafted itineraries for your client including services and products not booked in ADX

Stay tuned for special offers available for those who are booking services through ADX!

Goldrush Getaways Exclusive May Promotion!

Book a standalone hotel AND an Activity for the same trip on Expedia TAAP between May 1-31 and be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 3 prize giveaways of 10,000 loyalty points into your TAAP Rewards account!

Promotion details:

Dates: May 1-31

Booking details: Book a minimum of 1 hotel night plus an activity/tour for the same trip during the promotional period above to be eligible to win. Earn up to 13% commission on Premium Plus properties and 11.5% commission on Activities.

How to Win:Three (3) winners will be selected by a random drawing and each winner will receive 10,000 loyalty points

We are Platinum Tier with Expedia TAAP

Hotel Molokai

Studio, 7 Nights - Dec 16 to 22, 2023

Molokai is known as the birthplace of the Hula and deemed the “Friendly Isle”. Elaine and Jay are looking forward to exploring the island and experiencing the true Aloha experience. At $93.30 per night how could they pass that up!

Online price $2,105

Member price only $653

Goldrush Member savings $1,452!

The Gardens at West Maui

1 BDRM Suite, 7 Nights - Sep 23 - 30, 2023

This Goldrush member’s granddaughter is going to Maui thanks to her Grandma Irene. Did you know you can transfer a condo week to family members or friends? Call the Condo Department for details. 

Online price $2,438

Member price only $1,349

Goldrush Member savings of $1,089!

Hilton Vacation Club Cancun Resort

2 BDRM, 7 Nights - Jul 15 - 22, 2023

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas unless you’re telling your friends how you saved $1174 on a 7 night stay with family in sin city!

Online price $1,823

Member price only $649

Goldrush Member savings of $1,174!

Club Wyndham Desert Blue

Studio, 7 Nights - May 19 - 26, 2023

This member saved almost $1,000 on their 7-day trip to Las Vegas using one of their condo weeks.

Online price $1,426

Member price only $449

Our Member saved approx. $977!

Goldrush Getaways Member Timeshare Rentals

Don't forget to check out the member timeshares area of our website, you just might find the perfect rental unit for your next vacation.

Studio Units

1 Bedroom Units

2 Bedroom Units

3 Bedroom Units

Do you own a timeshare? Would you like to offer your unit(s) to other Goldrush Getaways members? As a courtesy, you can list your timeshare on our website at no cost to you. Send an email to the condo department if you would like us to add your unit(s) for rent.

May 3rd was Global Travel Advisor Day — And These

Brands Are Offering Incentives

In honor of Global Travel Advisor Day on May 3, brands from across the industry are showing their appreciation for agents with offers and promotions across the month →

Thank you Travel Agents!

In honor of Travel Agent Day 2023, we are delighted to offer verified travel agents 50% off any 2023 Ireland guided vacation departing August 1 - December 31. Plus, companions sharing a room may join you at a 30% discount.

Seeing our product first-hand is the best way to understand why CIE Tours is the proven leader in vacations to Ireland. Please make sure to submit your request by May 17 to qualify for you and your travel companion. 

You can choose any Ireland tour, but here are a few of my favorites if you need help choosing:

• Evergreen Ireland North: With 50% off, you can take this 7-day tour for as little as $508!

• Irish Explorer: With 2 nights each in Donegal, Galway, and Killarney and 3 nights in Dublin, this tour offers an easy pace while still covering lots of ground. Book the 10-day itinerary for as little as $1,238 based on the 50% discount.

• Jewels of Ireland: This is our most comprehensive Ireland-only tour. If you want an in-depth experience circling the entire island, this is the winner! With the discount, you can spend two weeks in Ireland for as little as $1,783. That’s $127 per day inclusive of accommodations, transportation, all excursions, most meals, and more, including your expert tour director!  

And don't forget to check out our extended and continuing offers!

Group Travel $800 Booking Bonus – Extended! 

The $800 booking bonus for 2024 Groups has been extended for one more month through May 31. Here is your new flyer with full details. 

Last Minute Deals 

Find the best savings for travel departing in the next 100 days on CIE Tours’ Last Minute Deals webpage. Available dates through July are now posted and are updated every two weeks. 

Early Bird Discount Available through May 31 

For your best selection of 2024 dates and our most generous discount of the year on guided vacations in all destinations, encourage your clients to book using our Early Bird Discount, and feel free to share this flyer with your clients, which you can easily customize with your own contact information.

Seas Today! Travel Advisor Appreciation Month Webinar & Farewell to Dondra

May is Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, so we want to celebrate and thank loyal travel advisors. Join this webinar to learn how you can earn double Celebrity Rewards points on every booking you make, how you can win 1 out of 5 chances for a $1,000 Gift card and a chance to win $10,000! Register today as we are very limited to the number of lines available on this webinar.

Travel Advisor Appreciation Sweepstakes

Running: May 1-31, 2023

In celebration of Travel Advisor Appreciation Day, Hilton is kicking off the third-annual Travel Advisor Appreciation Sweepstakes for National Travel Advisor Appreciation Month.  

As a token of our appreciation, take a few minutes to watch a short 2 minute video and learn about Hilton's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives.  With the support and partnership of our advisors, you encourage Hilton to continue its journey toward a net-zero future and the creation of new opportunities where we operate. Your support means that you believe in us and our mission. We all play a part in driving responsible travel and tourism, and we want you to know that we’re glad you are on this journey with us. Following the video, complete the short survey for a chance to win one of ten prizes. Ten winners will be selected to win 80,000 Hilton Honors Points. Not yet a Hilton Honors member? Join here!

Sweepstakes runs May 1 - 31, 2023 and is available to travel advisors globally. Winners will be notified by June 9, 2023.

It’s an Appreciation Celebration!

… And it’s bigger than ever before!

This May, ALG Vacations^® is pulling out all the stops to show their appreciation to advisors— with more prizes, more promotions, and more possibilities! Featuring two new giveaways, a super sale with more ways to save, and opportunities to pay it forward, ALGV is spreading the love more than ever this month, as they celebrate YOU

Entering our Be Kind, Unwind & Propel your Growth Giveaways couldn’t be easier—all you have to do is book with ALG Vacations® brands to earn up to three entries per reservation made from 5/3/23 - 5/31/23. That’s it!

TTC Tour Brands

This month we celebrate you, our trusted Travel Advisor partners in honor of Advisor Appreciation Month. We appreciate the support you’ve shown our “full house” brands including Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations, Costsaver and Contiki, in addition we are stacking the deck with even more tools to ensure you always have the winning hand.

As a token of our appreciation, we’re also giving you an exclusive chance to win swag items all month long – plus one lucky winner will receive the ultimate grand prize of a $2,000 travel credit* towards a trip of your choice.

Travel Partners Cruise for Free

Book three suites between April 1 and May 31, 2023, on any of the 74 eligible voyages departing June 2023 through April 2024 and YOU EARN A FREE CRUISE for you and a guest on any one of those same voyages!

plus...

up to 40% Savings

Spring into Summer

on select voyages worldwide when you book by May 31*

Happy Global Travel Advisor Day!

We have an outstanding future together. Together, we will continue to strategize for mutual growth and success. We will partner, listen, and support each other.

As an expression of our gratitude, we are offering you a 5% Bonus Commission on most voyages when booked now through May 31st.* Plus, the bonus is combinable with our new Bon Voyage Event, providing your guests up to a $2,000 USD Air Credit per Person and a Complimentary Two-Category Suite Upgrade—with a Reduced 10% Deposit.*

*Download flyer for details.

Save up to $1,000 on European River Cruises - Book by May 9th

Experience a River Cruise through Europe, and enjoy the convenience and relaxation of being on a deluxe ship. Save $800 per person with code FSERC800. Save $200 more with any cruise extension!

1. First apply the promo code FSERC800

2. Then apply bonus promo code FSXTD200

Allianz Travel Insurance

Monday, May 9, 2023 - 4:00 PM PST

Please join our Allianz Travel Insurance District Director of Sales, USA, Nicholas Lindsey. Learn how to sell travel insurance from one of the top Travel Insurance vendors.

Register for the webinar...

Viking Cruises

Monday, May 15, 2023 - 4:30 PM PST

Join Viking's Director of Business Development, John Jerkovich, for an update on product, itineraries, and technology. John is here to assist you and your needs in promoting Viking's River, Ocean, Mississippi and Expedition voyages

Register for the webinar...

Princess Cruises

Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 - 11:00 AM PST

Please join our Princess Cruise Line District Sales Manager, Mia Kovacevic, for all of the lates news and updates regarding OneSource and Princess Cruises.

Register for the webinar...

Celebrity Cruises

Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 - 2:00 PM PST

Goldrush Getaways Partner of the Month! Please join our Celebrity Cruises NorCal BDM, Dana Kalisky, for all of the exciting announcements, news and updates with Celebrity Cruises.

Register for the webinar...

Uncruise Adventures

Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 - 6:00 PM PST

Join Julie Quarry as she highlights the intimacy and destination immersion with UnCruise Adventures that you will not find on the bigger cruise ships, and covers all UnCruise Adventures sailings in 2023 — Alaska, Hawaii, Columbia & Snake Rivers & Washington State’s Pacific Northwest, Latin America and the Galapagos.

Register for the webinar...

Cunard Cruise Line

Thursday, May 18th, 2023 - 11:00 AM PST

Please join our Cunard Cruise Line District Sales Manager, Mia Kovacevic, for all of the lates news and updates regarding Onesource and Cunard Cruise Line.

Register for the webinar...

Santa Fe Grupo Hotelero

Thursday, May 18th, 2023 - 11:00 AM PST

Join our BDM, Gladys Ramos, with Santa Fe Grupo Hotelero as she covers their gorgeous beach properties in Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Nuevo Vallarta, Ixtapa, and Acapulco. One Participate will win a complimentary stay give-away by host hotel: Krystal Altitude Vallarta

Register for the webinar...

Exoticca Travel

Friday, May 19th, 2023 - 1:00 PM PST

Join Exoticca's Director of Business Development, Dave Hoshin, for information on their product, itineraries, and technology. Exoticca offers over 600 private and small tour-group guided itineraries to Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceana and South Americas. Learn how to book your clients bucket list vacations or take advantage of Exoticca's Travel Advisor Partner program.

Register for the webinar...

Barceló Hotel Group

Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 - 1:00 PM PST

Please join our Barceló Hotels & Resorts, Development Manager, Ana Diaz and learn about all of the Barceló Brands, Barceló Hotels & Resorts /Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels & Resorts /Occidental Hotels & Resorts / Allegro Hotels and what distinguishes them from other Resort brands.

Register for the webinar...

Norwegian Cruises

Thursday, May 25th, 2023 - 4:00 PM PST

Join Lisa Presley as she shares what’s new at Norwegian Cruise Line, including a sneak peak at the Norwegian Prima!

Register for the webinar...

AMA Waterways

Thursday, May 25th, 2023 - 4:00 PM PST

Join Ama Waterways' BDM, Brian Rademacher, for product updates, including new ships & itineraries, current special booking offers, Fam Cruise opportunities, Ensemble offers and more! This promises to be a very informative session on one of the best river cruise lines in the marketplace so don't miss it!

Register for the webinar...

Celebrity Cruises Launches Travel Advisor Appreciation Month Program - 01 May 2023

Celebrity Cruises is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week ahead of May 7-13, 2023, and Travel Advisor Appreciation Month this May by honoring the crucial work of travel advisors with exclusive incentives and up to $70,000 in cash prizes... read more

How Travel Advisors Can Get Ahead Using AI - 10 Apr 2023

In the past few months, AI has been a subject of great debate, from the water cooler to the Supreme Court. And it’s time to pick a side. At Arival 360 Berlin, a conference for the tours, activities and attractions sector, keynote speaker Marc Mekki urged attendees to embrace the AI revolution rather than... read more

Holland America Line Adds West Coast Cruise Departures for 2024-2025 - 16 Apr 2023

Holland America Line has been a longtime provider of cruises from the West Coast, especially San Diego, Calif. Now, the brand has recommitted to voyages to and from the port, along with Seattle, Wash., and Vancouver, Canada, through 2025, with five ships headed to four regions. Destinations include... read more

US to end Covid vaccine air travel requirements - 02 May 2023

International air travelers will soon no longer have to show proof of Covid vaccination when arriving in the US, the White House says.

The US will lift the requirement on 11 May, coinciding with the end of the coronavirus public health emergency... read more

Southwest Vacations Offers New Package Deal With RIU Hotels & Resorts - 02 May 2023

Southwest Vacations announced a new offer as part of a deal with RIU Hotels & Resorts.

Travelers who purchase flight and hotel vacation packages that include stays of five nights or more at RIU Hotels & Resorts can save up to $250 and get... read more

Happy Cinco De Mayo! The header image and colors of this issue of Travelwise^® are dedicated to the colorful and spicy celebration of Mexico.

Widely misinterpreted as Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo is actually a relatively minor holiday in Mexico itself. It marks the Battle of Puebla, an 1862 conflict between Mexico and Napoleon III’s France where, despite being outnumbered and poorly equipped, the Mexicans successfully led an assault from Puebla and forced the French into retreat. So it’s an understandable source of national pride.

However, it is right here in the USA where Cinco de Mayo has become a huge celebration. Just as St. Patrick’s Day celebrates Irish heritage with cabbage, corned beef and shamrock green beer, Cinco de Mayo is a time for people with Mexican heritage to celebrate their shared identity and unite around the cultural traditions that make Mexico special.

Happy travels!