Podcast Archives - Erica James Travel Agency

02Jan 2023 by Rozene Gonzales

Episode 93: My Client’s Experience at First All Inclusive

Podcast

In today’s episode, I will be talking to another one of my clients, Altie, and she is going to tell us about her experience staying at the Royalton White Sands Resort with her husband, two kids, and her brother-in-law and his wife. None of them have ever flown out of the US or stayed at an all-inclusive resort, and today we are going to get her opinions on all-inclusive resorts versus cruising, and some tips and tricks for when you want to book your all-inclusive resort vacation. Let’s go: [03:22] Altie’s travel history. Altie only started traveling after she had her kids, initially only for sports games. It was only much later that she went on her first real vacation cruise to the Bahamas. [06:13] Getting her first passport. Going…

26Dec 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

Episode 92: Why Are Yall So Mad While Traveling

Podcast

If you’ve been following travel news, you have heard about the increase in unruly passengers that have been causing delays, rerouting flights, and ruining everybody else’s plans and experiences. In today’s episode, I need to address those unruly passengers and get to the bottom of this. Let’s go: [03:12] Since 2020. These are the stats from the FAA: What started as 14 unruly passenger reports in 2019, it escalated to 183 in 2020. Then, in 2021, 1099 unruly reports were investigated. As of November 1, 2022, there have been 2178 reports. It more than doubled last year’s numbers and it’s not even the end of the year yet. [04:57] Why is this happening? I did some digging into this, and here are some of the reasons that people gave for…

28Nov 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

Episode 91: A Traveler’s Experience: First All-Inclusive Resort

Podcast

After two years of doing this podcast, I’m changing things up for this episode. In today’s episode, I will be talking to one of my clients, Pam, and she is going to tell us all about her experience staying at the RIU Reggae All-Inclusive Resort (which was also her first flight trip out of the US, as well as her first all-inclusive resort stay). Let’s go: [01:53] The RIU Reggae Resort. The RIU Reggae is an All-Inclusive, Adults-Only resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. If you’re planning to go to RIU Reggae, prepare yourself for the greatest croissants. [04:21] Pam’s travel history. Growing up in Nashville, Pam’s parents didn’t take trips to anywhere except grandma’s house. At the age of 21, Pam took her first flight to visit her aunt in…

07Nov 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

Episode 90: If Your Luggage is Lost/Delayed

Podcast

In episode 88, I talked about how you can minimize your chances of your luggage getting lost or delayed. In today’s episode, I will be talking about the things that you can do if your luggage either doesn’t arrive at your destination or arrives a few days later. This happened to one of us in our group when we travelled to Riu Baja California, and it is not the way you want to be starting your vacation. Let’s get into it: [02:35] Packing. When you’re packing for your vacation, you want to make sure you’ve packed enough into your carry-on luggage to comfortably get through 24 hours at your destination. Pack one outfit, essential toiletries, medications, and a swimsuit for those beach destinations. [03:59] Report the issue and fill out the forms.…

31Oct 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

Episode 89: Riu Baja California

Podcast

Last month, I stayed at the Riu Baja California in Cabo San Lucas for 6 days, and this time I travelled for vacation and not as a travel agent. In this episode, I will be going through the experience I had so that you can have the information you may need to decide if you want to stay at this resort on your vacation. Let’s go: [01:40] Who is it for? The resort is adults-only (18+). I would say it’s for singles, couples, and groups looking to turn up and have a great time. The price point for this resort is also really good, if that’s something you’re considering. [02:17] The vibe. If you’re looking for a resort with a young, fun, chilled, and exciting vibe, and you want to have a good time,…

24Oct 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

Episode 88: Lost Luggage

Podcast

Welcome to Episode 88! After returning home from a trip in Cabo San Lucas with 9 other people, one person had to wait several days to receive her luggage. So, today’s episode is going to be about what you can do to minimize your risk of losing your luggage. Disclaimer: These are not 100% guaranteed to prevent your luggage being lost or delayed. They’re only to minimise your chances. Let’s go: [02:12] Check your bags in a timely manner. If you are arriving at the airport at the last moment, you’re only increasing the chances that your luggage isn’t going to be on the same flight as you. Some airlines will even refuse to allow you to check in after a certain time. Give your luggage enough time to make the…

19Oct 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

Episode 87: I Stayed There: Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

Podcast

As you heard in Episode 86, I spoke about my stay at Impressive Premium Resort, Punta Cana. After leaving Impressive Premium, I took a taxi down the road to stay at Secrets Royal Beach, Punta Cana. In this episode, I will be giving you the downlow on what to expect if you decide to stay at this AAA-rated All-Inclusive resort. Let’s go: [01:51] Who is this resort for? This is an adults-only resort (18+), for those who want to have a vacation without having to worry about their kids (and especially other peoples’ kids). The Secrets® brand makes me think of couples who want to experience luxury, romance, and a good time. [03:02] The Vibe. The vibe at this resort is definitely for the grown and sexy that enjoy luxury, style, class, romance,…

10Oct 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

Episode 86: I Stayed There: Impressive Premium Resort

Podcast

Since the last episode, I’ve been staying at various resorts so that I can give you suggestions, advice, and insight into staying at these resorts during your travels. Even though some resorts invite me to stay there, I will always be keeping it real for my clients, so you will hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. In this episode, I’ll be talking about my stay at Impressive Premium Resort, Punta Cana. Let’s go: [01:52] A Premium 5 Star Resort? The Impressive Resorts have two sides - Impressive Punta Cana, and Impressive Premium Punta Cana. The Premium side of the resort boasts a Premium 5 Star Resort. In my professional and personal opinion, it’s a really good 3-star resort. It’s around 20 minutes from the Punta Cana airport. [02:34] A good time…

03Oct 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

Episode 85: Hot Tips to Keep Family Travel Fun

Podcast

In this episode, I talk to Brian Noggle, co-founder of Frankie Dean® Dream Blankets™. We are going to be talking about traveling with family - as y’all know, I’m single with no kids, so I invited Brian to share his tips for keeping family travel fun for those of you who want to get into travel with your kids. Let’s go: [02:03] A bit about Brian. Brian is a psychologist, registered nurse, husband to Jenavie, and father to two kids under the age of 5. Jenavie was a Children’s Special Needs Counsellor. When their second-born was in the NICU for two months, they found that giving him an object with Jenavie’s scent on it, he started thriving when they weren’t with him. This is what led to Frankie Dean Dream…

13Sep 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

Episode 84: I’m Back

Podcast

I took some time off, and I really felt like I needed to address this. Many people told me not to bring attention to my hiatus and to just continue releasing episodes from where I left off, but things have happened in the last few months and I feel that I need to talk about how travel has helped me get back to where I want to be. Let’s go: [02:07] When I started travelling. It all started when I wanted to be a travel agent, and people don’t want to book from a travel agent who doesn’t travel, so I travelled to get all that experience and see the world. [02:31] Travelling to heal my soul. In 2014, I went through a divorce, and I was using travel at that point…