MAY WINNER OF MONTHLY RAFFLE FOR MEMBERS ATTENDING MARKETING EVENTS

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Georgina Fousek, member at The Royal Caribbean, was the latest winner of the monthly raffle for members attending Marketing events such as the Orientation Briefing, Taco Party or the Welcome Party. 

All members who go to the social events organized by the Marketing department during their vacation are eligible to participate in a monthly draw. The prize is a one-week stay for two in a room at The Royal Haciendas. The names of the lucky winners will be published in Members News each month.

Congratulations to Georgina Fousek, the May winner

Taxi union protest against new Quintana Roo transport law may cause traffic disruption

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We would like to share some important information with our guests about possible traffic disruption as a result of a transport dispute affecting Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and other parts of the state of Quintana Roo.

The State Congress has approved a new Transport Law (Ley de Movilidad) to regulate public transport, improving the service for passengers and also reinforcing the rights of pedestrians with regard to traffic and safety. Although the law will not enter into effect for 90 days, the taxi unions in different parts of the state have already rejected clauses that affect their members such as the authorization of concessions, competition and the eradication of monopolies, the entrance of new companies such as UBER and the roadworthiness of vehicles. The union leaders have called on their members to take industrial action against the new legislation by joining demonstrations and strikes.

Please be aware that there may be limited taxi service at times and slow moving traffic as a result of these demonstrations.

If you have a flight to catch, it is a good idea to check your departure time at the travel desk or with your transport company. You may have to leave your resort earlier than planned.

The authorities are doing everything they can to ensure that traffic disruption is kept to a minimum.

We will post additional updates as further information becomes available.

New Interval Servicing program, Open Stay exchange

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Interval Servicing Co. has introduced a new option as part of its internal exchange services to give Royal Resorts members even greater flexibility. Unlike the regular Internal Exchange program, the Open Stay Exchange does not require an immediate commitment from the member on the dates he/she intends to occupy.

Members enroll online in the Open Stay Exchange program at no cost and receive an Open Stay Certificate valid for two years after the date of issue. They can use the certificate to book units listed in the Open Stay program and can log in at any time to check available inventory.

When members find a unit available that suits their needs and travel dates, they can redeem their certificate in order to book it. They then pay an exchange fee as they would with the regular internal exchange program.

The Open Stay exchange program is only available for the Royal Resorts in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Open Stay certificates are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.

Members must be in good standing and the unit(s) they wish to deposit must not have been enrolled in any other usage program beforehand for the year enrolled, this includes owner loans, the regular internal or external exchange programs, as well as any rental or resale programs.

The window to deposit the unit into the Open Stay Exchange is between two years and 60 days before the first day of occupancy for said unit.

For more information on Open Stay members can log in to the Interval Servicing website or call 1-800-930-5050 US/Canada, 01-800-099-0486 Mexico or 954-485-5400 All Other Countries. Email: exchanges@intervalservicing.com

New Laundry Valet Service

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For the convenience of members and guests, a new laundry valet service is now available at The Royal Sands and The Royal Haciendas and will be rolled out to The Royal Cancun and The Royal Islander in the next couple of months.

Members and guests call ext. 167 to request the service, fill in the order form and the Laundry Valet will collect the laundry, wash it and return it dried and folded the same day.

The laundry valet service fee is charged to the room account. There is a 10 percent discount for Royal Resorts members. This service is not included in the REFINE All-Inclusive package and there is no dry cleaning service.

Royal Resorts App now available for Android and iOS

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The Royal Resorts App is now available for iOS and Android devices and is a great tool that members and guests can use before they travel and to save time during their vacation.

The App is free for download from the App Store or Google Play.

Use it prior to travel to

  • Make special requests, ask for cribs, high chairs or mobility aids
  • Check past, current and future reservations
  • Preregister guests and save time at check-in

Use it on vacation to

  • Book tables at favorite Royal restaurants using the restaurant reservations tool
  • Check the daily Activity Center and Kids Club programs to plan vacation time
  • Keep tabs on orders and vacation purchases
  • Make payments to the account
  • Check out from the resort
  • Report incidents and send suggestions to Guest Services
  • Retrieve Member PINs

 

Turtle season begins in May

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We are ready for the 2018 turtle nesting season at Royal Resorts. From May to September, female green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles will come ashore at night to lay their eggs on the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean.

Sightings of the first turtles of the season have already been reported in Akumal, Xcacel and Puerto Morelos, including one that dug its nest on the beach in front of Grand Residences. Thousands more will follow them this summer.

The security teams at The Royal Sands, The Royal Caribbean, The Royal Islander, Grand Residences and The Royal Haciendas are the Royal Resorts turtle guardians. Before the season starts they attend a refresher course on nesting season rules and procedures given by local biologists and then they are ready to start their nightly turtle patrols.

When they find a nesting turtle, they watch over her as she digs her nest in the sand and lays her eggs. They then collect the eggs and move them to a nursery further up the beach where they will be protected from the waves, predators and the passage of human feet. They dig another nest identical in shape and depth to the original and bury the eggs. The species, date and time of nesting and number of eggs are recorded and the long wait begins until they hatch 45 to 60 days later.

The guards release the baby turtles after dark when predatory seabirds such as gulls and frigate birds have gone to roost.

 

Follow the turtle season rules

If you are going to stay at Royal Resorts or Grand Residences this summer, please join us in protecting our turtle visitors. Follow the turtle rules:

 

  • Alert the security staff when you see a turtle on the beach at night
  • Be very quiet and keep still, noise, lights and the movement of people disturb nesting sea turtles and cause them to leave the beach without laying eggs
  • Watch from a distance of ten (33 feet) meters
  • Do not attempt to touch the turtle or crowd her
  • Do not shine a torch or use the light on your mobile phone
  • No flash photography
  • No smoking
  • Obey security staff when they give instructions
  • Help us to keep our beaches and sea clean. Plastic straws, bags, packaging, fishing lines and nets and other garbage floating in the water are lethal to turtles and other marine life
  • When snorkeling or diving watch turtles from a distance, do not swim towards them and do not attempt to touch them
  • Wear a t-shirt when snorkeling as protection from the sun instead of applying sun block. Sun products pollute the water and are harmful to marine life
  • Turtles are protected by Mexican law and it is illegal to disturb them, persecute or hunt them and consume their meat or eggs.

The Mexican environmental agency SEMARNAT rules for turtle nesting season are designed to keep human contact with the creatures to a minimum. The rules stipulate that fragile baby turtles can only be released by trained personnel and not by hotel guests. Failure to comply with these measures can lead to resorts losing the right to have turtle nurseries on site or to be part of the turtle protection campaign.

A Cancun conservation pioneer, Royal Resorts has been watching over sea turtles since 1985. Official record keeping began in 1998 and since then we have protected 7,995 nests and released 741,042 baby turtles!

The 2017 turtle season broke records all over the Mexican Caribbean and at Royal Resorts. The tally of nests at The Royal Sands, The Royal Caribbean and The Royal Islander was 1,063 nests and 111,226 baby turtles were released. There were 228 nests and 20,000 hatchlings at Grand Residences Riviera Cancun and five nests at The Royal Haciendas.

Sea turtle nesting is cyclical and good years with lots of turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs are invariably followed by slow years. Last year was a record-breaking year. We hope that 2018 will also be a good year for the sea turtles.

 

Eco-friendly bags on sale at The Royal Market, Royal Resorts protecting the environment

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Buy an eco-friendly cloth shopping bag from The Royal Market and help Royal Resorts in its mission of protecting the environment. Decisions like saying no to a plastic bag or straw, switching to a reusable water bottle and recycling trash can help reduce mankind’s dependence on plastic and lead to a cleaner future.

In addition to eco-friendly shopping bags at the resort stores, Royal Resorts is doing a lot more to reduce the use of plastics. Plastic straws are no longer served in drinks at the restaurants and bars and the next step is to use less plastic cutlery.

The Royal Market is also selling disposable plates, cups and cutlery that are biodegradable as an alternative to plastic and polystyrene brands.

Recycling at Royal Resorts

Royal Resorts has a trash recycling program. There are recycling trashcans throughout the resorts and special bins in the villas so that members and guests can separate their plastic, glass, aluminum and cardboard waste.

Plastic and all other waste suitable for recycling is collected and sold as “trash for cash” to raise money for the Royal Resorts Foundation’s charitable causes: conservation, children’s education, cancer screening and treatment for women on a low income, physiotherapy for children with motor and neurological disorders and employee emergency relief. In 2017, 311 tons of waste were recycled, representing US$13,600 for the Foundation.

APRIL WINNER OF MONTHLY RAFFLE FOR MEMBERS ATTENDING MARKETING EVENTS

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Harold Gladwin, member at The Royal Sands, was the latest winner of the monthly raffle for members attending Marketing events such as the Orientation Briefing, Taco Party or the Welcome Party. 

All members who go to the social events organized by the Marketing department during their vacation are eligible to participate in a monthly draw. The prize is a one-week stay for two in a room at The Royal Haciendas. The names of the lucky winners will be published in Members News each month.

Congratulations to Harold Gladwin, the April winner

It is safe to travel to the Mexican Caribbean

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If you have concerns about traveling to Mexico because of recent media reports about violence associated with organized crime, our advice is to continue with your vacation plans to visit this beautiful country. It is safe to travel to Cancun, the Riviera Maya, the Yucatan Peninsula and many other parts of Mexico.

 

The state of Quintana Roo and the Yucatan

Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and other destinations in the state of Quintana Roo and the Yucatan Peninsula as a whole have always been, and remain, among the safest places in the world for visitors. However, we live in a world where violent events happen in many cities. Nowhere is immune to violence associated with organized crime and sadly, Cancun has seen a number of homicides in recent days linked to drug gangs.

Security has been upgraded in the state of Quintana Roo this year and the authorities are working closely to ensure the safety of visitors and residents. Additional monitoring measures are being implemented and the number of police patrols in Cancun and Playa del Carmen has been boosted.

 

Mexico is one of the World’s most Popular Travel Destinations

The world’s 14th largest country, Mexico offers a world of attractions for visitors to enjoy. Its beautiful Caribbean and Pacific beaches, natural wonders and wildlife, ancient cultures, colonial cities, rich traditions, cuisine and the warm hospitality of its people have an enduring appeal.

Mexico welcomed 39.3 million international visitors in 2017 and is set to climb to No. 6 in the World’s Top 10 Travel Destinations. Millions of visitors from the US vacation in Mexico every year and enjoy their stay. More than one million US citizens also make their home here on a fulltime or part-time basis.

Leading international travel magazines such as Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, National Geographic Traveler and newspapers such as the New York Times included Mexican beach destinations and its World Heritage colonial cities in their must-visit lists for 2018.

Designated as the 2018 World Design Capital, the nation’s capital Mexico City is also attracting more and more visitors in search of its thriving arts scene, rich history and world-class cuisine.

The safety of visitors wherever they are in the country is a priority for the Mexican government and the authorities are extremely vigilant in all tourist destinations and major cities.

 

Travel advisories

The US State Department travel advisory system now classifies threat levels in countries around the world from 1 to 4, with 1 being the lowest threat level and 4 the highest. Mexico is in the Level 2 category, which is the same as many European countries such as France, United Kingdom, Spain and Italy.

The US State Department Mexico travel advisory places no restrictions on visiting Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos, some of the world’s most popular vacation spots.

Some Mexican states that have seen an upsurge in violence associated with organized crime are classified as having a higher threat level. In some of these cases, specific regions of the state that may be off the tourist track anyway are mentioned, for example, remote mountainous or border areas and certain highways, towns or city neighborhoods.

 

The Key to Safe Travel Anywhere is Common Sense

Major cities in the US and around the world have neighborhoods with a reputation for crime and gang violence and this is also the case in Mexico. Common sense is the key to safety wherever you travel, whether at home or abroad, and may we suggest that you take certain precautions, just as you would if you were going to a new city in your own country or elsewhere.

Always be aware of your surroundings and stay alert, stick to reputable restaurants, bars and other establishments in well-known tourist areas of the city and drink responsibly. Do not display expensive jewelry or large amounts of cash in public. Take care when visiting unfamiliar areas and avoid walking alone at night through poorly lit neighborhoods or isolated areas.

Don’t drive in isolated areas at night and use toll roads for longer journeys

The sale, possession and consumption of illegal drugs is a federal offence in Mexico.

 

Security at Royal Resorts

Royal Resorts has the security and comfort of its members and guests as its top priority. Security guards patrol the resorts and the beaches 24 hours a day. There are closed circuit cameras in public areas and other key locations. Electronic safes are also provided in all the suites and rooms for members and guests to store money, jewelry, passports and travel documents.

Go ahead with your Mexico vacation plans. You’ll enjoy your stay in Cancun and the Riviera Maya and discovering the wonders of the Yucatan.

For those of you who are longtime visitors to the Mexican Caribbean with strong ties to the community, there is no reason for you to change your travel plans. We look forward to seeing you soon in your resort home.

 

Further reading

https://amarfriendsfoundation.wordpress.com/2018/03/17/is-it-safe-to-travel-in-mexico/

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/impacting-travel/watch-mark-murphy-dissects-the-mexico-travel-advisory.html

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/mexico-remains-safe-amid-tourism-boom.html

 

 

GANADOR DE MARZO DE LA RIFA MENSUAL PARA LOS SOCIOS QUE HAYAN ASISTIDO A LOS EVENTOS DE MARKETING

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Brian Bryington, socio de The Royal Haciendas, fue el ganador de la rifa mensual para los socios que hayan asistido a los eventos de marketing como la Reunión informativa de orientación o las fiestas Taco Party y Welcome Party. Todos los socios que asisten a los eventos sociales organizados por el departamento de Marketing durante sus vacaciones pueden participar en un sorteo mensual. El premio es una estancia de una semana para dos personas en una habitación en The Royal Haciendas. Los nombres de los ganadores afortunados se publican cada mes en esta sección de Noticias para socios.

Felicitaciones al Brian Bryington, el ganador de marzo