Destination Guides - Southpoint.com Blog

Coming this fall: we travel aboard the new Carnival Triumph

The 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph is undergoing an extensive upgrade this summer after the recent fire. New restaurants and many upgrades are being added.

Carnival has put $115 million into the Triumph ship, including enhanced emergency power and new fire safety technology. The Triumph has renewed their schedule of four-and five-day cruises to Mexico departing from Galveston.

While being renovated, the Carnival Triumph also received updated restaurant amenities, including Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina and Tequila Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, Alchemy Bar, and EA Sports Bar.

This fall, one of our feature writers will be going on a Bahamas cruise aboard the Carnival Triumph departing from Galveston. We will keep you posted on all the details.
Here is a sneak peak at the Carnival Triumph.


Great savings on cruise packages

Royal Carribean 2013-2014 upcoming season

Wanting ideas on a cruise? Take a look at Royal Carribean's 2013-2014 e-Brochures linked here along with links for our cruise affiliate. We can vouch for the high quality cruise and entertainment experiences with Royal Carribean as we took a cruise early this year to Belize and Roatan, Honduras.

Subway Watersports - Exploring the Water Wonders of Roatan 

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• Caribbean, Bahamas, & Bermuda
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• Europe
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• Alaska
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• Australia & New Zealand
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• Transatlantics
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Xunantunich Tour in Belize

The Mayans are getting much attention in 2012. Their Long Count Calendar predicted the end of the world to be December 21, 2012. I wouldn't head for the hills just yet....It is amazing that their architecture was so advanced. At one time, over a million Mayans lived in current day Belize (three times the present population), and only a small number of Mayan ruins have been excavated so far.

I arranged our Xunantunich tour through Royal Caribbean as our shore excursion while in Belize. The trip by bus from Belize City to Xunantunich near the Guatamalean border takes 2 hours. During this time our tour guide pointed out interesting aspects of daily life in Belize, the culture, and a history of the Mayans. I had a great time hiking up El Castillo and visiting the second tallest structure in Belize.

Join our page to see more photos and discuss travel.

On our tour bus heading out of Belize City towards our destination.

If anyone is going to Belize and would like to tour the country and Xuanantunich, our tour guide gave me his contact: jun.jun.360@hotmail.com. His name is Eusebio Valdez, and contact phone is (00)501-601-4841. Great guy. Is working towards a degree in Archaeology, and gives a fascinating tour on the Maya ruin and his country.

Roatan Water Adventures

I understand now why Roatan is so popular with divers and has some of the most dramatic coral reefs in the world. We just got back from our 7 day cruise to the western Caribbean aboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas. Our first port of call was Roatan for a fun filled day of kayaking and snorkeling with Subway Watersports.
Read our in-depth Subway Watersports feature and look for more new features coming soon.

We met some great folks at Subway Watersports. If you like scuba diving or looking to get PADI training, they offer dramatic dives to area shipwrecks and along the second largest barrier reef in the world.
View some of our snorkeling photos at Turquoise Bay & the Caribbean on our Facebook page, and join our page to discuss travel.


Some of my sunset photos turned out to be outstanding. Has me thinking about another Caribbean trip next year...

Western Caribbean Cruise

After one of our writers had such a great time aboard the Carnival Elation cruise to Cozumel (and just returned from Jamaica on another one!), we decided it was high time that we go on one ourselves this year aboard one of Royal Caribbean's stellar cruise ships.

Our destinations will be Roatan, Belize City, with a final stop in Cozumel. Along the way we will be snorkeling, ziplining above the treeline, and exploring an ancient Maya ruin in the Belize jungle. More details coming soon as our departure date approaches.
Taken a cruise recently? Let us know about your cruise experience via our Facebook page.
Visit our Cruise section for affordable cruise getaways and look for our new expanded cruise section highlighting fascinating destinations to visit.

We will also be updating our segment on Galveston (being our port of departure to the western Caribbean) with new features and great things to do.

A must see for the family is a visit to the elaborate Moody Gardens, with pyramids housing an array of wildlife, featuring a 1.5 million gallon aquarium, an IMAX theatre, scientific exhibits, and rainforests.
Read our in-depth feature reviews of area Galveston bed & breakfasts.

The evolving cruise market

According to Cruise Market Watch, the cruise industry now accounts for a $34.1 billion market worldwide.

For 2012, those going on a cruise are expected to increase by 5.6% over this year. As part of this growth and our own research, we are planning more features on cruising and the most popular places to cruise to. Read about our recent cruise to Cozumel aboard the Carnival Elation.
Taken a cruise recently? Let us know about your cruise experience via our Facebook page.
Visit our Cruise section for affordable cruise getaways.

New Miami Hotels in revitalized downtown

Many cruises originate from the port of Miami. Developers have been keying on this fact as well as the history of the downtown area and have been actively reclaiming a vibrancy to the downtown Miami area with a crop of new upscale hotels and restaurants. A new train will go online in 2012 to dispatch people from the airport to downtown Miami.

Three of the newest hotels in the downtown area of Miami include:

JW Marriott Marquis

This 313 room hotel offers an indoor basketball court, expansive in-room window views of Biscayne Bay, mirrors with built-in TV, and a posh bistro restaurant (Daniel Boulud's db Bistro Moderne).

Epic Hotel

Part of the Kimpton chain, the Epic Hotel is a boutique hotel offering rooms in subtle colors, with balcony views, a wine happy hour, spa, and the popular ZUMA restaurant, specializing in Japanese tapas.

Tempo Miami

Located in a condo tower near American Airlines Arena, the home of the Miami Heat.

A cruise experience that shouldn't happen

The elderly British passengers aboard the 72-day cruise that stopped in Los Angeles had all previously submitted their ESTA immigration forms for entry to 15 U.S. ports along their journey from Europe, the Arctic, Central and South America, and Alaska. What happened next was beyond bizarre, as the 2,000 passengers had to go through a 7 hour ordeal of finger printing and eye scans by U.S. immigration officials at the L.A. port. The delay forced the cruise line to cancel a scheduled stop in Honduras. Did they think that these elderly Brits were somehow undercover terrorist operatives? Just think what they'll tell their family and friends when they get home.

Photo: ALAMY
Read the full story here.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is now trying to unionize, has a tarnished reputation as well of being intrusive with going beyond what is necessary to ensure airport security.

In promoting the U.S. as a destination for world travelers, our security officials need to tone down the Big Brother mindset, learn how to smile, and take a public relations course.

Cruising aboard the Carnival Elation

Let's get one fact straight up front, I'm a "mountain man." My idea of fun is a snow capped peak, a cabin in it's shadow, and a warm, cozy fire. Cruising has never appealed to me mostly because I couldn't figure out exactly what there was to do on a ship.
A lot is the quick and easy answer...
Let's start with the luscious food...lobster anyone?

Read more in our new Carnival Elation cruise feature.

Merry Christmas!

With the holiday season and devoting more time with our non-travel business I haven't been able to post new travel news.

Looking for a holiday getaway? Consider the romance of a b&b stay along the Texas coast at Galveston Island. Many b&b guests take cruises departing from Galveston and leave their vehicle at an area b&b. View our extended features on the b&bs of Galveston.

The delicious German Apple Pancakes at the Villa. Read our feature on the Villa B&B in Galveston, Texas.

Look for many more features in the new year. In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all our readers and wishes for a most prosperous New Year!
 

Headed to Chicago? Do a Unique Harbor Tour on the Tall Ship Windy

Looking for a different sort of family fun while in the Windy City? Then take a cruise on the Tall Ship Windy. Windy is a 148 foot, four masted schooner with daily sails departing from Navy Pier in Chicago.
A sail is great fun for young and old. You may be asked to help raise a sail or steer the ship. If you're the more sedate sort there's plenty of opportunity to simply sit and enjoy the wind in your hair while the city skyline glides by in the distance. The captain and crew may even entertain you with a rousing song or two. Windy offers a number of educational programs related to the history and ecology of the great lakes. Refreshments are sold on board and there are modern restrooms. So spend some time enjoying the activities available at Navy Pier then unwind with a sail on the Tall Ship Windy.

We have used this sponser and find it to be a great value for Chicago and for other top attractions around the U.S. -

Get the Go Chicago Card for admission to over 30 top Chicago attractions plus a free guidebook!
Includes the Tall Ship Windy!

Feature Chicago Accommodation:
Best Western River North in Chicago
The perfect home base central location for exploring the windy city.