Author: Elle MacRae

Categories
Disney Florida Orlando United States

The Best Times to Visit Disney World (and the WORST!)

disney land, castle, night

What are the best times to visit Disney to avoid the crowds, you might ask. Each year millions of people flock to Central Florida to visit Disney. In fact, there is an average annual attendance of more than 58 million people! With millions of people visiting the parks each year….is there ever a good time to head to the House of Mouse?

In short, the answer is yes! There are both good and bad times to visit the Happiest Place on Earth. Disney World can be absolutely magical or absolutely miserable depending on when you choose to go.

The Worst Times to Visit Disney World

Let’s kick our list off with dates that you absolutely want to avoid hitting the park.

Spring Break

Florida is a haven for Spring Breakers. Both school age kids and college age kids head to the Sunshine State to enjoy their Spring Break. This means that the parks tended to be crowded between Mid-March to Mid-April.

If you don’t have any other choice, the good news is the weather tends to be more mild in the spring months.

The Summer Months

Sure…if you’re traveling with kids this might seem like the ideal time to visit since they’ll probably be out of school however, don’t do it. Not only are your kids out of school, but so are almost everyone else’s. Not only that, summers in Florida SUCK. Even as a Florida girl, the heat and humidity along with large crowds, and long lines sounds completely unbearable.

Pro-Tip: The Disney parks tend to clear out when the skies open up! People start hitting the parking lot as soon as it starts to rain.

If you must visit Disney during the summer, don’t let the rain scare you. It rains pretty much every afternoon here in the summer. The storms typically clear pretty quickly. Just duck inside a shop or a restaurant and wait it out.

Better yet? Head to the park even if you know it’ll be a rainy day! Grab a poncho and the park will be (almost) all yours!

The Last Two Weeks of December

Hear me out, here. Yes, these weeks are absolutely jam packed with holiday fun and typically the weather is much cooler however… the place gets ridiculously crowded. In fact, it is not uncommon for Magic Kingdom to reach capacity during Christmas week. What’s the capacity, you ask? 57,000 people. That’s a shit ton of people waiting around in lines.

If you want to see what all of the holiday fuss is about, go during the first week of December.

National Holidays

Easter, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and other national holidays tend to draw large crowds.

The Best Times to Visit Disney World

Weekdays

Whenever possible, hit the park on a weekday. Many travelers are just in the area for the long weekend. Tuesdays through Thursdays tend to be rather slower.

The Best Months to Visit

January (with the exception of MLK weekend and the Disney Marathon Weekend), February (with the exception of President’s Day and the Princess Half Marathon Weekend), late April, September (after Labor Day Weekend), October (the weekends can get busy due to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival).

2021 Disney Calendar of Events

January

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January 6 to 10). This is now a virtual event.

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (January 8 to February 22).

February

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (February 18 to 21). This is now a virtual event.

March

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival (March to June)

April

Star Wars Rival Run Half Marathon Weekend (April 15 to 18)

This weekend features iconic rivalries from the popular movie series Star Wars. Events include the Star Wars 5K, Star Wars 10K, Star Wars Rival Run Challenge and the runDisney Kids Races, as well as the headlining half marathon.

August Through December

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Dates TBD).

Taking place on select nights throughout the fall is one of Disney’s most popular events. Highlights include Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular fireworks show and Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. Disney characters dress up in Halloween costumes and kids can trick-or-treat in the park.

The party is not included with regular admission to Magic Kingdom and requires a separate ticket.

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (Dates TBD).

This is one of our favorite Disney events! The festival features more than 25 international marketplace kiosks, which offer tapas-sized portions of regional specialties, as well as recommended wine and beer pairings. 

Our favorite part is the Eat to the Beat! Concert Series that features my favorite band, Hanson, every year.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Dates TBD).

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, is a special event held on select nights each winter at Magic Kingdom. The party runs from 7pm until midnight. Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration castle stage show, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks and magical snowfall over Main Street, U.S.A. are some of the event’s highlights.

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Categories
Annual Recap

2020 Recap- Our Adventures From This Year

Watching airplanes take off

When I started to think back and plan out our 2020 recap, I initially thought that we didn’t get much accomplished on the travel-front this year. However, as I looked through pictures, I realize we did a lot more than I thought we did. Our original plan was to start traveling with the kids, once our adoption was finalized in April. Then, obviously, COVID got in the way of things.

Our 2020 Recap

January

In January, we headed down to Disney World to celebrate Smiley’s 6th birthday. We spent two days exploring the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom with the kids. They had an absolute blast getting up close and personal with Mickey, Minnie, and a handful of princesses. We even got lucky with the lines (and our FastPasses!) and got to squeeze in a TON of rides!

February

In February, we headed up to North Carolina to visit Ashley’s side of the family. While we were there, we rode an elevator to the top of Chimney Rock. We climbed even higher to reach the chimney at an elevation of 2280 feet! We spent some time exploring Lake Lure and the surrounding area.

Watching airplanes take off

March

At the beginning of March, we went into self-isolation. We spent the month playing in our backyard and going on walks around the neighborhood. We’d go and park nearby the airport and watch the airplanes take off and land, just to get out of the house.

April

April was our adoption month! On April 7th, we made our family of 5 official via Zoom. Since it was a Taco Tuesday, we celebrated with tacos, cake, and champagne.

May

In May, we were treated to a flyover by the Blue Angels. Our house just happens to be right under their flight path so we had front row seats to their air show! With the weather warming up, we started to spend a lot of our time out at the beach- where we were able to easily social distance. And, if we weren’t at Huguenot Beach, we were in the backyard zooming down the waterslide!

June

Come June, we started to get a little stir crazy. We started hitting some of the local parks to break up our beach days. The kids quickly fell in love with the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens, which had been a favorite of ours for quite some time.

We also headed north a couple of times to Fort Clinch in Fernandina Beach. Sometimes we’d explore the Civil War Era fort, but most of the time we’d just comb the beach for sharks teeth.

July

In July, our zoo opened back up for those who had zoo memberships. The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens has an AMAZING splash park so we hit the zoo often to escape the hot hot heat. We also branched out and started checking out other local parks like Castaway Island Preserve, The El Faro Memorial, and Blackrock Beach.

We also headed south to St. Augustine and Palm Coast to visit the Washington Oaks and Gardens State Park, Marineland, and Castillo de San Marcos.

We rented a camper and spent a couple of days in Orange City, Florida. Our little family spent two days floating down the spring run at Blue Spring State Park. We even went on a boat tour to see the marsh up close and personal! Since we were so close to Orlando, we headed to Disney Springs where we had dinner at Rainforest Cafe and did a bit of shopping and playing.

The boys headed back to daycare so that they could begin adjusting to being back on a schedule. This gave Smiley and I a chance to explore some cool places like The Cummer Art Gallery & Gardens, Riverside Park, Memorial Park, and historic St. Augustine.

We also spent lots of time out on the paddle board and kayak.

Our July Recap

August

We crammed as much as we could into the first couple of weeks of August- before school started back up. We visited the Museum of Science and History, the South Bank Riverwalk, and Catty Shack Ranch (a local favorite!)

With school back in session, we made sure to make the most of our weekends. We spent our Saturdays kayaking and paddleboarding at Huguenot Memorial Park. On Sundays we’d visit places like the local waterfalls or an ice cream shop.

Our August Recap

September

The twins were sick quite a bit during the month of September so we spent a lot of time at home. When they were well, we managed to visit the playground, the Jacksonville Zoo, the beach, and Tree Hill Nature Center.

October

October was another slow month for us. We did manage to take a trip to Congaree & Penn, a local farm to visit their pumpkin patch.

November

COVID numbers started to rise again during the month of November so we continued to spend more and more time at home. We did manage to participate in 2 walks. The first one was a 5K around downtown Jacksonville that we did to raise awareness for suicide prevention. The second one was at our favorite local park, in honor of a friend of ours who has breast cancer.

We also visited with my parents, while they were camping at one of our favorite lakes, Kingsley Lake. It was great being able to spend the day floating on unicorn rafts, paddle boarding, and jumping off the dock.

December

During the month of December, Florida was seeing more than 10,000 new COVID cases each day. The twins have weakened immune systems so we continued to be cautious. We canceled a cabin on a lake that we rented for a post-Christmas vacation with our extended family. We also nixed our trip to Charleston and stayed close to home.

What will 2021 bring us?

As of right now, 2021 is a big question mark for us, as it probably is for most people. When the numbers go back down, we’ll most likely venture up to the mountains so the kids can see the other half of our family. We haven’t been able to see them since January and it’ll be good to be able to take in some of that fresh mountain air again.

Surely, we’ll spend most of our summer paddleboarding and kayaking at our two favorite lakes and the beach. It would be nice if we could squeeze in a few more trips to some more of Florida’s remarkable natural springs.

We have a cruise scheduled during the month of November, over the twin’s 4th birthday. We ended up having to cancel their birthday party this year because COVID numbers were on the rise. We’d like to make it up to them by taking them on their very first cruise. The cruise leaves out of Miami and will take us to Half Moon Cay, Nassau, and Grand Turk– three incredible ports in the Caribbean. We’re cautiously optimistic about being able to actually go.

2021 is the first year that we plan on gifting the kids a trip for Christmas. The twins will be 4 and Smiley will almost be 8 at, at the time, so we finally feel like they’re old enough to start gifting experiences. Right now, we’re planning on taking them to Margaritaville at Lanier Island, in Georgia, for their winter Snow Island experience. We’ll spend a couple of days snow tubing, skating, and tossing snowballs at each other. Our Florida babies have never seen snow!

Don’t Miss Our Adventures

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Categories
Alaska Cruise Travel Ketchikan United States

5 Things to Do Near the Ketchikan Cruise Port

Things to Do Near the Ketchikan Cruise Port– Let me start by saying, Ketchikan was one of our favorite places we stopped on our Alaskan cruise. As soon as I opened the curtains leading to our balcony, it was love at first sight. Let me tell you, Ketchikan did not disappoint. The adorable little fishing town is charming and full of great things to do.

Ketchikan, known as Alaska’s “first city”, due to its location at the southernmost entrance of the Inside Passage. This makes Ketchikan a popular stop on most Alaskan cruises.

In addition to Ketchikan, we visited Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, British Columbia. We also sailed through the Endicott Arm to the Dawes Glacier.

Creek Street, Ketchikan

Should I book an excursion in Ketchikan?

Firstly, there are so many great excursions available in Ketchikan, but Alaskan excursions are expensive. If you are on a budget, you can easily experience all of the best Ketchikan has to offer without booking an excursion. There are plenty of things to do near the Ketchikan Cruise Port. We had a chance to explore the Salmon Capital on foot and really enjoyed ourselves.

While we were in Ketchikan we did the Orca Beach Nature Trail which took us to an island where we had a chance to hike and become at one with nature. During our trip, we saw whales, porpoises, countless eagles, and tons of other wildlife (including a slug that I managed to kiss…)

A seaplane landing in Ketchikan

5 Things to Do Near the Ketchikan Cruise Port

Note: We suggest grabbing a map at the Visitors Center. The map includes 35 points of interest. The entire loop around downtown will take you at least an hour to do.

“The Rock” Bronze Statue, Downtown Ketchikan

Creek Street

The #1 thing to do in Ketchikan is to take a stroll down Creek Street. Ketchikan is the salmon capital of the world, and this is the perfect place to spot the salmon swim upstream to spawn. Believe it or not, this is the former red light district. Locals say this is where “both men and salmon came upstream to spawn”. 

Creek Street is about a 10-15 minute leisurely stroll from the cruise port. Signs are posted that will lead you through the town to this popular spot. If you don’t want to risk getting lost, you can stop by the Visitors Center to grab a walking tour map.

Stroll Through Downtown

Downtown is home to many shops, bars, and restaurants. There are also lots of really cool totem poles that are scattered throughout the town. If you want to learn more about the totems, you can stop by the Totem Pole Heritage Center.

Walk and Shop at the Boardwalk

The historic boardwalk is a living postcard. It is dotted with colorful shops where you can pick up souvenirs, sample some of the local salmon, and grab a beer. Be sure to peer over the railings to look for salmon!

Sample the Local Cuisine

There are plenty of great restaurants in town. Grab some fish and chips, freshly caught crab and fish at one of the portside restaurants.

Take a Hike

Believe it or not, there are some pretty rad hiking trails near the port. The Deer Mountain Trail, in particular, offers panoramic views of Ketchikan. Word on the street is that this is one of the best hiking trails in the Frontier State! The trail takes between 3 to 5 hours to complete, so make sure you have plenty of time before trying to tackle it.

While You’re in Ketchikan

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Categories
Bath England Europe UNESCO World Heritage Site

5 Places You Absolutely Must See in Bath, England

Royal Crescent, Bath, England

Bath, England is one of the most gorgeous towns in all of England. It began as a Roman spa more than 2,000 years ago! It is the only city in the UK with a natural hot spring bath dating back to the Roman Age. To help conserve all of this history, the city center has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is a magnificent town that has plenty to offer visitors. The town makes for a wonderful day trip from London. It can easily be combined with Stonehenge for a full day outside of the city.

The historic center is easy to navigate and can easily be done on foot. You can visit the highlights of the town (listed below) in a matter of hours.

When is the Best Time to Visit Bath?

Honestly, there is no “bad” time to visit this town. The town is quite incredible year-round. However, the best time to visit is during the summer months when you’ll have plenty of sunshine and warmer weather. The Royal Crescent and Abbey look even more beautiful with the sun beaming directly on them.

It is also quite magical in the winter months when the town hosts the Christmas Market. Strolling amongst twinkling lights and stunning holiday displays while sipping on a hot tea…there’s nothing quite like it!

5 Places You Absolutely Must See

Visit the Roman Baths

Obviously, if the town is called Bath, you’ve got to visit the town’s namesake. The Roman Baths are the town’s prime attraction, and rightfully so. These 2000-year-old spa baths are fed by the country’s only natural hot spring.

The Great Bath, Bath, UK

The centerpiece of the Roman Bath is the open-air pool known as the Great Bath. There are also several indoor rooms with pools that are fed by the spring. The waters were claimed to have therapeutic powers- however…you won’t have a chance to find out for yourself. Visitors are not allowed to strip down naked and hop in (sorry).

There is an audio tour that you can listen to to learn all about the history of this amazing site.

Gaze at the Abbey

The 15th-century Bath Abbey stands guard over the historic old town right next to the Roman Baths. The abbey offers remarkable views of the town and the nearby countryside from the Tower. Do yourself a favor and march yourself up the 200+ steps to the top, it’s worth it!

The Abbey is gorgeous inside and out, so make sure you peek inside. The stained glass windows and architecture are awe-inspiring.

Bath Abbey, Bath, UK

See the Royal Crescent

This part of town is one of the finest examples of Georgian Architecture. The crescent-shaped building dates back to the 18th century. The lawn across from the Crescent is perfect for picnics.

The Royal Crescent, Bath, UK

Hit Up the Shops of Pulteney Bridge

This bridge is one of only four bridges in the world that has shops spanning its entire length- which is pretty rad. It is also one of the town’s most photographed sites and is another gleaming example of Georgian architecture.

Pulteney Bridge, Bath, UK

Visit Jane Austen Centre

Jane Austen was a world-famous author who once called the town her home. Austen penned several prominent pieces such as “Sense and Sensibility”, “Pride and Prejudice”, and “Emma.” The Jane Austen Centre focuses on the life and works of Austen as well as the Regency period, in which she lived.

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Categories
England Europe London

Experiencing the Iconic London Eye

Big Ben from the London Eye

The London Eye is one of my favorite attractions in London. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city and the largest Ferris wheel in Europe. When I visited London, I was a bit hesitant about riding the Ferris wheel because I thought it sounded super gimmicky and I’m not a huge fan of heights. I was pressured into riding it by my friends, and I am super glad that I did. I ended up enjoying it to the point it was one of the highlights of my trip.

Even if you only have a day or two in the city, we strongly recommend visiting! The views from the pods are remarkable. It is a great way to get a birds-eye-view of the city. The modern structure stands amongst historical landmarks, gorgeous churches, and modern buildings. London is the perfect combination of old and new. In a weird way, the eclectic mix works!

Photo by Michael Pearl on Pexels.com

History of the Iconic Structure

The London Eye, also known as the Millenium Wheel is 443 feet tall and 394 feet wide. The wheel opened to the public in 2000 and was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, at the time. Like the Eiffel Tower, The London Eye was just meant to be a temporary attraction. The structure took seven full years to build and a week to erect.

The London Eye, Today

It is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom and has more than 3 million passengers each year. The wheel rotates so slowly that it takes about half an hour to make one rotation. In fact, it is so slow that you can hop into a pod without it even stopping.

Big Ben from The London Eye

Cost of The London Eye

Tickets can be purchased online in advance for a bit of a discount. A standard ticket costs £24.50 online or £31 in person.

We strongly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance because the line at the attraction can get quite long! There are all kinds of packages available, so be sure to look at all of your options before pre-paying for any of your tours.

River Thames from The London Eye

What Can I Expect from the Ride?

The Eye has 32 air conditioned capsules that offer absolutely incredible views of the city- especially on a clear day! Each of the capsules represents one of the London Boroughs and holds up to 25 people.

There are benches if you’d like to take a seat while you admire the view.

As I mentioned, I was a bit nervous about riding The London Eye, until I saw it in action. I’m not much one for heights or rides, but I ended up loving the attraction. The ride is smooth and super slow, so it wasn’t scary at all. Even for someone like me, who is terrified of heights.

The views from the Eye are great, even on a rainy day. You’ll be able to see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the O2 Arena, Battersea Power Station, and Wembley Stadium.

How to get to The London Eye

The London Eye is easily accessible by subway. The closest metro station is Westminster- just a five minute walk away. You can also reach it via the District, Jubilee, and Circle lines.

What else is there to do nearby?

The Ferris wheel is located on the South Bank of the River Thames where there are a ton of things to do!

  • Big Ben
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Tower of London
  • Buckingham Palace
  • Trafalgar Square
  • The Dungeons of London
  • Jubilee Park & Garden
  • Sea LIFE Centre London Aquarium
  • Florence Nightingale Museum

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Categories
Caribbean National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores St. John USVI

The Annaberg Sugar Plantation: St. John, USVI

Annaberg Plantation, St. John, USVI

At its prime, the Annaberg Sugar Plantation was one of the top sugar-producing factories on the island of St. John. St. John is located in what is now known as the US Virgin Islands. Today, all that remains of the plantation are the ruins of a windmill, slave cabins, and a handful of other buildings made from coral. Not only are the grounds and ruins beautiful, but the views are too! It’s so hard to believe that this paradise once brought people so much pain.

The View from Annaberg Sugar Plantation, St. John, USVI

Go and see the ruins but stay for the views. Tortola appears so close that you can almost touch it! Looking out from Annaberg, you can see Leinster Bay, the Sir Frances Drake Channel, and a few other British Virgin Islands.  

The History of Slavery in St. John

In 1717, 20 Danish planters came over from St. Thomas to settle and begin developing the area. Slaves grew sugar cane, cotton, and other crops. Sadly, by 1733 there were 109 plantations on the island.

In 1733, the slaves of St. John started a rebellion. Armed with cane knives (similar to machetes) they stormed Fort Frederiksvaern. After killing 5 of the 6 Danish soldiers at the fort, they fired the cannon signaling a six-month revolt. The revolt ended when French troops came over from Martinique. The slaves died by suicide before the French forces reached them.

At the height of the slave era, there were more than 2,604 slaves on the 19-square-mile island. When Denmark emancipated slaves in 1848, the plantations were abandoned.

The History of Annaberg Sugar Plantation

Way back in 1780, Annaberg Sugar Plantation was one of 25 sugar-producing factories on the island of St. John. The plantation, which encompassed 518 acres, also produced molasses and rum. Not surprisingly, slave labor was used to plant, harvest, and process sugar cane. The island wasn’t the ideal location for agriculture; the hills were too steep, and the soil was thin and rocky. Slaves worked painstakingly to terrace the slopes of the property so they could be farmed.

Annaberg Sugar Plantation Windmill Ruins, St. John, USVI

The windmill is one of the focal points of the site. It was built between 1810 and 1830 and stood 38 feet high, making it one of the largest on the islands. At times, when there was no wind, horses or mules were used to work the mill. Slaves would pass sugar cane stalk through the rollers and a box at the bottom caught the juice. The mill could produce between 300 and 500 gallons of juice each hour.

Next, the juice was then boiled to remove excess water until it became concentrated through heating and evaporation. Lastly, the juice was then placed into a box to crystalize.

Eventually, when slavery was abolished in 1848, the plantation was divided into smaller farms.

Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins, St. John, USVI

The Annaberg Sugar Plantation Today

Today, the plantation ruins are protected by the Virgin Islands National Park and are open to the public. Trees now stand where the terraces that were carved into the hillsides once were. There is a trail that leads through factory ruins, slave quarters, a windmill, and other ruins. There are placards and signs along the paths that describe how the sugar was produced and shares what life might have been like on the plantation and on the island.

Annaberg Plantation, St. John, USVI

Virgin Islands National Park

Virgin Islands National Park is made up of 7,259 acres of sheer beauty. In fact, more than 60% of the island of St. John is protected by the National Park system. The park also includes the reefs that surround the island, as well. Annaberg Sugar Plantation and Trunk Bay are two of the highlights of the park.

Other Ruins on the Island

If you’re interested, there are ruins scattered all around the island. Annaberg and the Reef Bay Sugar Mill Ruins are some of the best-preserved.

Hours

The park is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The visitor center is open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

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Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI

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Categories
Cruise Travel

5 Ports Where People Stay on the Ship

5 Ports Where People Stay on the Ship– One of the most incredible things about cruising is that you can often travel to multiple countries in one trip. It’s such a unique travel experience that takes a lot of the planning and logistics out of the equation. Oh…and did I mention you only have to unpack once?

One downside to cruising is that sometimes you may visit a port that isn’t as desirable as some of the others. These are the ports where frequent cruisers simply elect to stay on the ship. Crime, accessibility, and a handful of other factors contribute to some people opting to spend the day napping or lounging by the pool, rather than out exploring the ports.

5 Ports Where People Stay on the Ship

 

Atlantis, The Bahamas

Nassau

Nassau is one of those ports that frequent cruisers have visited countless times. Sometimes, this leads to a “Been there, done that” mentality that causes people to stay on board the ship. Once you’ve done Atlantis and survived the Straw Market, there isn’t a ton left to do here, aside from the beach. If you do decide to leave the ship (and we hope you do), here are 7 Things for Cruisers to Do Within Walking Distance of the Port.

In all honesty, on more than one occasion I’ve gotten off of the ship in Nassau, grabbed a cup of coffee at Starbucks, ran into a shop, and then headed back on to the ship.

Freeport

Aside from hitting the beach and snorkeling, there really isn’t all that much to do in Freeport. If you’re not a beach person (which not everyone that cruises are), you may be better off skipping this port. Many cruisers opt to stay on the ship while docked in Freeport. This is a great time to hit the pool, layout on the deck, visit the spa, or take a nap.

 

Xunantunich Ruins, Belize

Belize

Belize is a tender port, meaning you have to take a water taxi from the ship to the port. Often times, this means having to wait in lines and deal with crowds (ewww….). Unless you book an excursion, there isn’t much to do in Belize. Do yourself a favor, book an excursion, and don’t miss out on this amazing country! 

There is so much to see and do here, and if you stay on the ship you’re truly missing out. This is one of our favorite cruise ports. Trust me on this one, book an excursion, get off the ship, and check out all of the amazing things this country has to offer.! Here are our Top 5 Things to Do in Belize.

 

Costa Maya, Mexico

Costa Maya

This is is a manufactured port, meaning that Carnival has built up the area into a “destination”. There are plenty of shops and restaurants in the port area and there’s a pool with a swim-up bar. Frequent cruisers often skip this port and stay on board to enjoy the ship when it is less crowded. Why? Honestly, aside from the fact that locals are employed here, there’s nothing really authentic about it.

Jamaica

Jamaica is intimidating to a lot of people. The constant soliciting is a huge nuisance. We suggest making a game out of being asked how many times you’d like to have your hair braided. This is another one of those ports where we suggest booking an excursion, rather than striking it out on your own. There is safety in numbers and Jamaica is one of those places where you don’t want to wander too far away from the port on your own.

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Updated: 10/23/21

Categories
Caribbean Packing The Bahamas

24 Things You Should Put On Your Atlantis Packing List Right Now!

The Lagoon @ Atlantis, Nassau

Alright! It’s almost time for your vacation to Atlantis Bahamas and it’s time to start thinking about what you need to pack. Sure, you may have the basics figured out but we’ve come up with a list of 24 Things to Add to Your Atlantis Packing List that you probably haven’t thought of yet!

Atlantis, Nassau, The Bahamas

24 Things to Add to Your Atlantis Packing List

Packing Cubes

Are you using packing cubes, yet? If not, it’s time to start! Packing cubes will help you organize your clothes. You can even assign each family member a different color (can you tell I have a Type-A personality?).

Sunscreen

Of course, this a given considering you’ll be in The Bahamas. Toss some sunscreen into your bag, and then add another bottle. We also use a face and body stick to make sure our faces are well-protected. Be sure to keep your lips protected, as well. You’ll be thankful that you did. Sunscreen is more expensive at the resort. I also always bring some aloe with me, just in case.

Think we’re a bit overboard with the sunscreen? We’re from Florida! We know better!

Sunglasses & Sunglass Strap

While we’re on the topic of protecting our body, you’ll want to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the vibrant sun. If you plan on hitting the waterslides, we suggest getting a sunglass strap, as well!

Waterproof Case for Your Phone

If you’re going to be using your phone as a camera, you’re definitely going to want to keep it protected with a waterproof phone case. Trust me, you’ll take this thing everywhere you go. From the waterpark to the sharks at the end of Serpent Slide, the beach, the lagoon, and the lazy river. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth!

The great thing about these cases is that the touch screen features still work. I’ve used my cases countless times in pools, fresh water, and salt water and never had an issue. The pictures turn out crystal clear and your phone is 100% safe.

Lanyard

You’re going to want to make sure you have your room key with you, safe and sound. Put your mind at ease by stashing it in a lanyard with a pouch.

Towel Clips

Towel clips are a great way to keep your towel off of the sand and to mark your territory. Speaking of towels, we pack quick-dry towels when we go to the pool so that we don’t have to lug around a heavy towel around with us.

Goggles for the Kiddos

Kids are like little fishies…that is until chlorine or saltwater makes it into their little eyes. Protect their eyes with a pair of goggles so they can swim to their heart’s content.

Sand Toys

Ya’ll, the white sand at the beaches on Paradise Island is so soft. Your kids are going to love playing in it! Keep them occupied (and out of your hair) by packing along some toys. These collapsible beach buckets are AMAZING and they don’t take up much space. If you don’t have space in your bags, Atlantis does sell beach toys, but they are expensive.

Snorkel Gear

I bought a full face snorkel mask a couple of years ago and I love it! I’ll never use a traditional mask again. The water surrounding Paradise Island is so incredibly clear. Pack your gear and dive in!

Beach Hats

Trust me, you’ll want to have one for the whole family! After a few hours in the sun, you’ll appreciate having a beach hat.

Bathing Suit Coverups

When you’re walking from your room to the pool or beach or wherever you’ll be passing through a lot of public spaces. Cover up.

Insulated Tumblers

We pack insulated tumblers with us on pretty much every trip- whether we’re going to Atlantis, going on a cruise, or staying at a cabin. These are great for keeping your drinks nice and cold while you relax by the pool.

Soft-sided Cooler

If you’re going to be at the beach or pool for a bit longer, consider packing a small soft-sided cooler. We have a Coleman one that folds flat and doesn’t take up a lot of space. It was less than $10 on Amazon!

Waterproof Bandaids

Dude, the sand rubbing against a rubber flip flop can rub your foot raw. Chances are you’ll pack a few pairs of adorable sandals that you haven’t broken in, quite yet. Pack some waterproof bandaids.

Airpods

Anyone else like to drown out the background noise and groove to a beach playlist? Don’t forget to pack your Airpods!

Waterproof Kindle

Are you a reader? Check out the Kindle Paperwhite. It’s lightweight and it is waterproof. You can also easily adjust the screen so that you can read it in the sun.

Waterproof Camera

Record your memories with this waterproof GoPro! Take it with you on the waterslides, in the pool, and in the turquoise water at the beach! We also love Kodak’s PixPro. It’s a waterproof camera that can take a bit of a beating.

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Updated: 4/15/21

Categories
Caribbean Cruise Excursions Cruise Travel Half Moon Cay The Bahamas

Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Half Moon Cay?

Captain Morgan's Bar, Half Moon Cay

“Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Half Moon Cay?” This is a question that I get asked a lot. Quite frankly, there are some cruise ports where you absolutely must book an excursion, and then there are others where you really don’t have to.

What is an Excursion?

An excursion is an activity that you book in a cruise port. The excursions range from historic tours, snorkeling and beach tours, visits to popular attractions, activities that will get your adrenaline pumping, and cultural activities. They are booked through local tour companies and cost additional money. Excursions can go from anywhere from $39 to hundreds of dollars for scuba diving, golfing, and helicopter tours.

 

 

Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Half Moon Cay?

You can absolutely get away with NOT booking an excursion in Half Moon Cay.  It is a private island owned and developed by Carnival Cruise Lines. Let me tell you, it is heaven on Earth! The island is made up of white sand beaches surrounded by crystal blue water. It is absolutely stunning!

The island has several water toys available for rent including catamarans, sailboats, rafts, kayaks, paddleboards, etc. 

Beach Villas Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

You can also rent a clamshell, cabana, or beach villa. All of these can be charged to your Sail & Sign card. I strongly suggest booking cabanas and beach villas in advance.

If you would rather not shell out money on the island, that’s totally okay! There are plenty of lounge chairs to be had, just make sure you catch an early tender if you are traveling with a large group. Since this is a private island, you can also hit up the buffet free of charge.

Check out our article, 5 Facts About Half Moon Cay to learn a little more.

Recommended Excursions in Half Moon Cay

While you definitely do not need an excursion, there are several that are available. To be honest, I’ve never booked an excursion in HMC simply because there are so many amenities. However, if you want to do something extra here, these excursions all look pretty rad.

Stingray Adventure

I love a good (humane) animal encounter. This excursion brings you up close and personal with friendly southern stingrays. You won’t believe how velvety smooth stingrays wings feel!

Tropical Kayak Adventure

Kayaking is one of my favorite activities. On this excursion, you’ll have about 1 hour to take the kayak out onto the lagoon. A naturalist will join you to point out all of the local flora and fauna.

Aqua Trax Watercraft Adventure

First off…an Aqua Trax is a jet ski. This tour takes you well beyond the shores of Half Moon Cay and straight out to a natural reef. You’ll get to see nearby islands and zoom through coves and inlets. It looks like an absolute blast!

Cabana Rental

Let me tell you, this is the way to go! One of the “excursions” that is available is renting out a cabana for private use. You’ll be the first tender ashore and have access to air conditioning (ummm…how perfect is this for summer???). There are also snacks, sodas, and water provided. The cabana is rented for a flat rate and is suitable for up to 4 guests.

Beach Villa Rental

There are also Beach Villas available for rent (see the top photo on this post). The villas are good for up to 8 people and include a hot tub, shower, and sun deck. It also comes with fresh fruit and vegetables, chips, dip, and salsa along with sodas and bottled water. Oh…and it comes with snorkel gear.

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Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Want more information on this port? Check out our Complete Guide to Half Moon Cay.

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Updated: 4/15/22

Categories
Cruise Tips Cruise Travel

6 Benefits of Booking an Interior Cabin

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when booking a cruise is determining what kind of cabin you want to have. You can select from an interior cabin, an ocean view cabin, a balcony, or one of the many suite options. While balconies and suites are always fabulous, many times I’ll opt for an interior cabin. Why might you ask?

Honestly, there are a ton of benefits of booking an inside cabin. Although it is the more budget-friendly option (most of the time), you’ll still have the same level of comfort that you would in one of the more expensive cabins. All of the things that make a cabin comfortable (the bed, linens, etc.), are the same regardless of what type of cabin you book.

Benefits of an Interior Cabin

Save Yourself Some Money

These cabins are most often (but not always) the cheapest staterooms onboard the ship and often come with a chance for free upgrades. These upgrades typically occur when the ship is not sold out and the cruise line can offer you a more expensive cabin for little or no cost to you. Unless you book a suite or a spa cabin, you’ll have all of the same perks as everyone else on the ship at a lower cost to you. Winning! You could apply your savings to your next cruise because let’s face it- cruising is addictive!

Less Ship Movement

The higher you are on a ship, the more movement you’ll feel. Interior cabins are towards the inside center of the ship meaning you’ll feel less movement because, well, science. This is especially true for cabins on decks 1-3 and mid-ship cabins. If you’re worried about seasickness, interior cabins are the way to go.

Plenty of Space

Believe it or not, interior cabins tend to be a little larger than balcony cabins. When you are booking your room, you’ll notice that the square footage is listed- this square footage includes the balcony! They have to get the square footages from somewhere, right? The more space you have, the more storage which is always a win in my book!

More Opportunities to Explore the Ship

An interior cabin is essential a room with no windows aka nothing to stare at except for the four walls. It’s basically just a place for your to sleep and get dressed for dinner. Unless you’re a napper or plan on watching TV your whole trip. Booking an interior stateroom pretty much assures you’ll be out of the room more exploring the ship, seeking out activities and enjoying yourself a bit more.

The Best Sleep Ever

Speaking of sleep, you will have the absolute best sleep of your life in an interior cabin. Since there are no windows, it is pitch black. Oh my gosh, it’s glorious! The bright, hot morning sun won’t wake you up and you’ll be free to sleep as long as you want.

The Ultimate Privacy

As I said, balconies are great- especially on Alaskan or Mediterranean cruises but balconies themselves aren’t very private. You can easily lean over and see what’s happening on the balcony next door- and it ain’t always pretty! In an interior cabin, you have total privacy. There are no windows to peek in, no balconies to peer around, you could totally run around your cabin naked and nobody would know.

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Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Plan a Cruise and start planning your dream vacation today!

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