We have had quite an adventurous month! After being quarantined for four months, we became a bit stir crazy and began spending a lot more time checking out our local parks.
We took a few trips to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens where we got up close and personal with a ferocious tiger! We spent a lot of time checking out our favorite animals, the bonobos.
This month we also visited the El Faro Memorial where we accidentally acquired a new kitten. We named him Captain Independence in honor of the fallen seamen and the 4th of July (the day we found him).
We spent a long weekend exploring central Florida with stops in Gamble Rogers State Park, Disney Springs, and Blue Springs State Park. We also visited smaller parks like Gemini Springs.
Smiley and Mama Elle had a “Mommy and Me” day that included a day trip down to St. Augustine. We enjoyed yummy donuts on the walls of Castillo de San Marcos before heading south to Marineland.
Later in the week we visited The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Memorial Park and Riverside park in our hometown of Jacksonville.
We rounded out the month by spending some time at our favorite beach, Huguenot, and testing out our new paddleboard at our favorite lake.
Belize is a stunning country situated in the middle of Central America. The country is surrounded by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. I have had the opportunity to visit Belize six times now, and each time I fall deeper and deeper in love. Belize is filled with an abundance of adventures just waiting to be had! I have visited the impressive Maya ruins of Cahal Pech and Xunantunich, swum with sharks and rays in Caye Caulker, gone zip lining and repelling in the jungles, and gone cave tubing through an immense cave system.
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A Brief History
The site was the home for a super-elite Maya family. Parts of the site date back all the way to 1200 BCE making it one of the oldest, known, Maya sites in Belize. This site is made up of a collection of 34 structures centered around a central acropolis. The largest temple stands about 82 feet high. At the height of the city’s existence, about 15,000 people lived here- a majority of them were farmers working the land surrounding the ruins.
Cahal Pech means “Place of the Ticks” in the Yucatec Maya language. If that doesn’t encourage you to visit, I don’t know what does!
Although archaeologists did some minor digging around, it wasn’t until 1988 that they really began excavating and restoring this remarkable site. The excavation was completed in 2000. Archaeologists have uncovered seven plazas, and over 30 structures including ball courts, temples, a sweat house, and a royal barrier chamber.
The site is made up of a collection of 34 structures centered around a central acropolis. The largest temple stands about 82 feet high. In closing, although Cahal Pech wasn’t nearly as large or impressive as the magnificent Xunantunich, it was still really cool to visit. These ruins are some of the few in which you are actually able to climb the structure, which is pretty stinking cool. It’s a great way to help you envision what life must have been like back then.
Where is Cahal Pech?
Cahal Pech is located in San Ignacio, near the Guatemalan border, about a 2-hour bus ride from Belize City.
My Experience
My adventure actually started by me booking an excursion to nearby Xunantunich. While we were en route, our tour guide “got a phone call” telling him that the ferry that we needed to take to get to Xunantunich was not operating due to flash floods. As an alternative, we would be going to visit Cahal Pech instead.
Secondly, I have to admit that I was pretty bummed that we would be missing out on Xunantunich. I had been wanting to visit there for a couple of years and I was really forward to finally being able to check it out. In fact, I didn’t believe the story about the ferry until I actually rode on it a couple of years later. The ferry across the river to Xunantunich is an old-fashioned hand-cranked ferry. It’s essentially a few planks of wood that are tethered together. Attached to the wood is a podium that has lines that hook up to cables that span the width of the river. An operator uses a hand crank to move the ferry across the river. When I finally saw this setup, I realized that maybe they weren’t bsing us after all.
Exploring the site is like wandering through a maze. There are tons of tunnels and passageways leading to dark rooms. I bet this would be a badass place to play laser tag!
Our family has been quarantined since the beginning of March. This weekend we did the unthinkable- we visited Disney Springs during COVID-19. Let me begin by saying we haven’t been out to eat at any restaurants, the kids haven’t been in any stores, and Ashley and I only run out to grab the essentials. We’ve been very careful about social distancing and are taking all of the precautions necessary to keep our kids safe. The fact that we ate at the Rainforest Cafe during our visit is a pretty big deal.
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What is Disney Springs?
Disney Springs is essentially an outdoor mall and entertainment complex following many of the Town Center models found in most cities. It features countless Disney themed stores, as well as other shops and restaurants centered around Lake Buena Vista. It is a great place to get the “Disney Experience” without stepping foot in the theme park.
You could seriously spend a couple of days hanging out here and never get bored! There is a ton of things to do ranging from a bowling alley to a movie theatre, shops, and even boat rentals!
What is Rainforest Cafe?
The Rainforest Cafe is a kid-friendly restaurant chain that is sensory overload! From the minute you walk up to the volcano-shaped structure, you’re transformed into the rainforest. From the sounds of wild animals echoing through the building, to the rainstorms and orante decor- this place has it all.
Where is Disney Springs and Rainforest Cafe located?
Physical address: 1800 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Park in the Lime or Grapefruit parking garage for the closest access. Head right (towards the Marketplace) and you will quickly notice the giant volcano near the lake. That volcano is Rainforest Cafe!
Our Thoughts on Rainforest Cafe
The Rainforest Cafe has a super fun kid-friendly vibe. When we walk into traditional restaurants, the kids aren’t really all that excited. But one look inside of this place had them grinning ear to ear! They loved being able to watch the fish swim by in the massive and gorgeous tanks. They loved the fact that there were robotic animals screeching or roaring all around us. There were periodic “thunderstorms” while we were in the restaurant that scared our boys (aged 2). The animals all around us got loud and there was “thunder” and “lightning”. Our son, 82, is terrified by storms so he cried each time one started. Fortunately for him, the “storms” lasted for only about a minute.
The waitstaff was extremely friendly and accommodating. Our food came out pretty quickly. Our kids (6, 2, and 2) were so captivated by their surroundings that they didn’t mind the short wait. The menu is perfectly tailored to a child’s taste and isn’t ridiculously pricey like you might expect. We spent $100 on a turkey wrap, shrimp tacos, 2 kids meals, and 2 alcoholic beverages, which honestly isn’t bad- especially in a touristy area.
This is a perfect place to grab dinner as a family, especially if you’re in town to visit the theme parks. Be sure to spend some time exploring Disney Springs while you’re here, it has a ton of great things to do with the kids.
The wait here can get pretty long, I strongly suggest making reservations in advance.
We were bored one morning so we hopped in the car and headed down to Marineland to check out the dolphins.
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What is Marineland?
Marineland opened in 1938 as the world’s first oceanarium. It was originally designed for Hollywood filmmakers to be able to shoot underwater footage of ocean animals. While the park still honors its glitzy past, it has evolved into a center that focuses on protecting and preserving marine life.
What are the highlights?
Dolphin Show
Playing/swimming with Dolphins
Where is Marineland located?
The physical address is: 9600 Oceanshore Blvd, St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Our Thoughts on Marineland
I’ve visited Marineland a few times in the past, but this was our first trip with one of the kids.
Smiley and I arrived at the park just before 10 AM. We were immediately greeted by one of the employees that kind of took to us and taught us quite a few tidbits about the dolphins. We stayed at the park for about an hour and a half- which is more than enough time to see the park. If you aren’t planning on doing one of the dolphin encounters, the park can easily be seen in its entirety in less than an hour. In fact, if you aren’t doing a dolphin encounter; there really isn’t much to do.
Smiley really enjoyed her time at Marineland. She loved being able to watch the dolphins swim and play in their habitats. She was a little bummed, however, that she didn’t get to swim with the dolphins. We made a deal that when she learns how to swim, she’ll be able to come back and swim with the dolphins.
Honestly, I think the animal encounters are the best part about visiting Marineland. If you simply book a general admission ticket, the park isn’t nearly as entertaining. The park itself is tired. You can really tell that it’s over 80 years old. I’m hopeful that now that it is owned by the Georgia Aquarium, it will be rejuvenated back to its original glory.
We’re both looking forward to go backing, once Smiley learns how to swim, so that we can book one of the dolphin encounters.
Blue Spring State Park will always hold a special place in our heart because it was the first spring that we visited with the kids. It is an amazing place to swim, tube, paddle, snorkel, and even manatee watch!
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What is Blue Spring State Park?
Blue Spring State Park is located in Central Florida. What was once a hub for steamboats is now a winter refuge for manatees. Temperatures in the spring run remain at 72 degrees, year-round, making it a safe haven for West Indian manatee. In fact, when we visited in January of 2023, there were 625 manatees in the run!! When the weather cools down, manatees congregate in the natural spring where the water temperature is warmer than in the surrounding areas.
What are the highlights?
Swimming/tubing in the spring
Snorkeling and scuba diving
Paddle boarding, kayaking, or canoeing (available for rent)
Hiking or biking the 3.6 miles (one way) Pine Island Trail
Guided river boat cruise
Camping
Things to Know…
Arrive early! The park frequently reaches capacity during the week and weekends during the winter and summer months. (see “Our Experience” for more info).
The park is open from 8 AM until sundown.
The cost to enter is $5 per vehicle.
You can rent inner tubes at the park.
If you bring your own inner tube, you can pay between $1 and $3 to have it inflated for you.
The water is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round
There is typically a food truck on-site however, you can also purchase burgers, hotdogs, corndogs, nachos, soft pretzels, etc. at the cafe.
Where is Blue Spring State Park located?
Physical Address: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763
Our Experience
Y’all, Blue Spring State Park is poppin’! The springs open at 8 AM, 7 days a week. On Saturday morning we woke up and headed to the springs. We arrived just before 8:30 and they were already at capacity. Man, this place fills up quickly!
We returned later that day, at about 4:00 and the park had started to empty out. Since we weren’t going to be there long, we didn’t bother to break out the floats. We grabbed “Smiley’s” boogie board and put floatation vests on all of the kids and made the short trek from the picnic area, down the boardwalk, to the spring. The water felt freezing when we first got in, but our bodies quickly adjusted to the temperatures. It was amusing to watch everyone’s initial reaction to hitting the water. We floated down the spring run to the exit landing, which was just a short distance away.
Our son “82” hated it, at first, most likely because it was the first time he’s ever been in 72 degrees water. “Stinky” quickly adjusted to the water and was fine after the first initial tears. Smiley was in heaven!
Day Two
The next morning, we got to the park at 7:27 which was 33 minutes before the park was scheduled to open. At that point, we were the 72nd car in line (yes, I counted). One of the rangers told me that they were going to cut the line off at 150 cars. Once the park opened, it took us about 30 minutes to reach the ranger station to pay. The admission was $5.
Fortunately, we were able to stake out a picnic table where we could leave our stuff and have breakfast and lunch. We quickly saw that most people made this an all-day event! The park filled up rather quickly, we were fortunate to have been able to claim this spot.
The park has floats that you can rent. We brought our own, however. You can pay between $1 and $3 (depending on the size of the raft) to have your raft inflated. To me, this was well worth saving all of my hot air.
The kids adjusted to the water much more quickly on day two. They loved being able to ride in our float, kick their feet in the cool water, and check out the fish that swam by. We saw several different fish in the spring ranging from gar to tilapia.
After a couple of rides down the spring run, we decided to take a walk. We spotted hundreds of fish and even a decent-sized alligator, not far from where we had been swimming.
St. John’s River Cruise
After lunch, we hopped on a boat and took a one-hour “cruise” on the St. John’s River. It was a little slow-paced for the kid’s taste. The captain was very knowledgeable and stopped several times to point out various birds along the way. We didn’t spot any manatee or alligators on the river.
After our river cruise, we took one last run down the springs and called it a day. I think it’s safe to say that we all had an incredible time. Hitting the springs is the perfect way to beat the Florida heat!
Our Winter Experience
As I mentioned above, during the winter months, manatees flock to the spring because the water is warmer there than in the river. Over the last few years, the number of manatees that migrate to the wildlife refuge have skyrocketed! On our visit (1/15/23) there were 625 manatees in the run! When we originally published this post in 2020, it was a big deal to have 300 manatees in the spring.
The park opened at 8 am and when we pulled in at 9:15. At that time, there was already a long line waiting to get inside the park. It only took us about 15 minutes to get inside the park.
We walked out on to the floating dock, along the boardwalk and were able to see hundreds of manatees. It was pretty cool! Admittedly, it was harder for the kids to see the manatees because they often just looked like shadows in the water, unless the manatees were surfacing.
While it was cool for them to see, it was definitely more entertaining for adults.
Our family has been quarantined since the beginning of March. This weekend we did the unthinkable- we visited Disney Springs during COVID-19.
Let me begin by saying we haven’t been out to eat at any restaurants, the kids haven’t been in any stores, and Ashley and I only run out to grab the essentials. We’ve been very careful about social distancing and are taking all of the precautions necessary to keep our kids safe.
After doing a bit of research, we decided to venture out to Disney Springs during our mini-vacation to central Florida.
https://youtu.be/p0WeGtqQkws
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What is Disney Springs?
Disney Springs is essentially an outdoor mall and entertainment complex following many of the Town Center models found in most cities. It features countless Disney themed stores, as well as other shops and restaurants centered around Lake Buena Vista.
What precautions is Disney Springs taking for COVID-19?
Masks are required for everyone 2 and older. This rule applies to not only in the stores but in the outdoor areas as well. This is strictly enforced. You may remove masks while eating or drinking. There are several places where you can social distance, remove your masks, and simply breathe.
All visitors have their temperature checked before entering the property. When we arrived (in the late afternoon) there was no wait time. Several staff members were on hand to check your temperature.
There are hand sanitizer stations at the entrance of every shop and restaurant.
At the entrance to each shop and restaurant, a “cast member” is keeping track of how many people enter the building.
There are reminders posted everywhere about maintaining social distancing. There are also markers on the ground indicating which way to walk (in some areas).
Did we feel safe?
In a word, yes. We were very impressed by all of the precautions that Disney has taken to keep its patrons safe. Honestly, every single person that we passed (that was over two) was wearing a mask. Even little toddlers being pushed around in strollers were wearing masks. We took advantage of the countless hand sanitizer stations and washed our hands before we ate. Honestly, everywhere you looked there was someone wiping down a surface. It was quite impressive.
The only times we didn’t have our masks on is when we were rehydrating, sharing a Dole Whip (mmm, Dole Whip), and when we ate dinner at Rainforest Café. We did find a place by Lake Buena Vista where no one else was around so we were able to sit down, take our masks off, and cool down a moment.
I will say that wearing a mask for long periods of time in the Florida heat is uncomfortable, and this is coming from a pro-mask Florida girl. Keep in mind that although the thermometer might read 95, you have to take into account the humidity. Florida, in the summers, can be miserable. I imagine that it is even more unbearable for people who are not accustomed to high humidity. Make sure that you stay well hydrated, especially since you’ll be required to wear a mask.
Word of Disney- the largest Disney character store in Walt Disney World Resort-and on Earth!
Goofy’s Candy Company
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
Disney’s Day of Christmas (store)
Where is Disney Springs located?
Physical address: 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Hours: 10 AM- 10 PM
Our Thoughts on Disney Springs
Disney Springs is a great place to visit if you want a watered-down version of the Disney experience, without the steep ticket price. This, by no means, means that Disney Springs is cheap. We bought the kids each a stuffed animal (that was “on-sale”) and they were $25 each. We also had dinner at Rainforest Café and spent $100 on a turkey wrap, shrimp tacos, 2 kids meals, and 2 alcoholic beverages.
This is a fantastic location to pick up souvenirs. There are a ton of Disney themed stores that offer anything you can think of; candy, kitchen accessories, clothes, toys, bags, etc. Be sure to check out the World of Disney store- it’s the largest Disney store on the planet.
The area of Roatan and Little French Key was once known as a haven for pirates but it has long since been taken over by divers and snorkelers. Nearly the entire island is surrounded by an incredible coral reef full of vibrantly colored tropical fish, lobsters, sea urchins, and other sea creatures. The island itself is covered with white-sand beaches, rolling hills, and the friendliest people you’ll ever encounter.
I’ve visited Honduras five times now and each time, I fall more and more in love with it. During my last two visits, I spent my time in a little place called Little French Key.
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Where is Little French Key?
Little French Key is a small private island off the coast of another island (Roatan), off the coast of a developing country… does that sound remote enough for you?
Many islands have been called “paradise” in the past, however, I assure you that LFK puts all of those islands to shame. If your idea of paradise is a raked white sand beach covered with gorgeous palm trees, palm frond huts, and barely any other people around, LFK is perfect for you.
Little French Key has countless activities for visitors to enjoy so it is no wonder that it has been rated as the #1 Attraction in Roatan by TripAdvisor. They offer everything from massages, manicures, and pedicures, guided snorkeling expeditions, paddleboarding, a zoo filled with rescued animals, restaurants, bars, etc. This place seriously has it all!
Here are 5 Awesome Things to Do in Little French Key:
Paddleboarding and Kayaking
Paddleboarding and kayaking are two of the trendiest water sports right now. LFK is the perfect place to try your hand at both. The island features gorgeous coves surrounded by rock jetties that prevent the waves from coming in making the water a nice, smooth surface perfect for beginners.
Zoo
The owners of LFK have rescued many animals from various circuses. These animals have been given a safe and healthy home with the medical care that they need. Be sure to stop by and say hello to the lions, tigers, jaguars, monkeys, and birds that have been rescued! If you’re lucky, you may even be able to hold one of these precious animals.
Relax
I don’t know about you, but when I go on vacation, I love just being able to relax. Here you can soak up some rays on one of the comfortable beach chairs or relax under the shade of a palm tree. There are countless hammocks, swings, and even a platform full of beds where you can enjoy the picturesque scenery while getting a little R&R.
Enjoy a Monkey Lala
This super fun drink is a signature on the island of Roatan. It is a delicious combination of Bailey’s, Kahlua, vodka, rum, cream of coconut, and a splash of cream. This drink is heavenly! The bartenders here also make a mean margarita and another superb signature drink called The Tornado.
Snorkeling
One of my favorite thing to do in the islands is breaking out my snorkeling gear and checking out what’s happening in the deep blue sea. Honduras is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, second only to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in Australia. In fact, it is actually home to the largest living barrier reef in the world as much of the GBR has died. LFK offers a guided snorkeling tour that takes you to an underwater park known as Mayatlantis. Here, you can swim amongst replicas of ancient Maya ruins, which is pretty stinking cool if you ask me.
If guided tours aren’t your thing, you can also snorkel in the coves. You won’t believe how much-petrified coral is right under your feet! You may also see fish, lobsters, sea urchins, and more!
How do I get to this place?
Little French Key is truly heaven on Earth! If you visit Roatan aka Mahogany Bay on a cruise, be sure to look into visiting this incredible private island. The LFK crew will even meet you at the dock and transport you to paradise!
There are also direct flights from Houston, Atlanta, and New York to Roatan. From Roatan, you’ll take a super quick (less than 5 minutes!) ferry ride from the mainland to Little French Key aka Heaven on Earth. Little French Key offers hotel accommodations right on the island, making it easy to wake up and have your toes in the sand in just minutes!
While You’re in Roatan…
Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure
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It’s been a year and a half since we have visited one of our favorite islands, Half Moon Cay. Ever since the adoption of our three littles was finalized, we have been itching to take them on a cruise. With the cruises being currently suspended, all we can do is reminisce about our past trips and plan for future ones.
One of the first islands I’d like to take the kids to is Half Moon Cay, in The Bahamas. It’s such an easy, kid-friendly port, to help introduce them to foreign travel.
Today, I’m sharing 5 facts about one of our favorite places to visit, Half Moon Cay.
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5 Facts about Half Moon Cay
1. Half Moon Cay is also known as Little San Salvador Island. It is one of 700 islands that make up The Bahamas. This private island is located about 100 miles southeast of Nassau.
2. Holland America Line purchased the island in 1996 for just $6 million USD. Since then, they have developed about 50 acres of the 2,400-acre island. The company has plans for leaving the rest of the island natural and undeveloped.
3. HMC is one of Carnival’s tender ports. This means that the water surrounding the island is too shallow for the ship to dock. In order to access the island, you’ll have to take a water taxi from ship to shore. Guests staying in suites, as well as Platinum and Diamond cruisers and those that have purchased the Faster to the Fun pass, will have priority on the tenders.
4. The island has several water toys available for rent including catamarans, sailboats, sailboards, kayaks, paddleboards, etc. 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.
5. Since this is a private island, you can enjoy a buffet for free just like you could on the ship! This is a huge perk! Otherwise, you’d either have to pay out of pocket or hop on a tender back to the ship to grab a bite to eat. You can use your Sail & Sign card to purchase alcoholic beverages, just like you would onboard.
I am so super pumped about visiting Half Moon Cay with our littles. Since it is a private island, and they speak English, it will be the perfect place to introduce them to foreign travel. Also, since The Bahamas are so close to our home state of Florida, we’ll be able to book a shorter cruise to see how they do as little cruisers.
Half Moon Cay offers lots of great water activities that kids and grownups alike will absolutely love!
Be sure to pin this information for your trip! Give us a like on Facebookor follow us on Twitter for more great cruising and travel information. See you next time!
Are you looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of your day to day life? Castaway Island Preserve is one of our favorite parks in northeast Florida. In fact, when pulling into the driveway, you are instantly transported into the “Real Florida”. This is the perfect place to become at one with nature. This is hands-down one of our favorite parks in Jacksonville.
Pro-Tip: Be sure to pack plenty of water! Even though the trail is short and extremely easy, it’s important to stay hydrated.
We strongly suggest visiting the park early in the morning or on a cool day. The trail is lightly shaded, in parts, but it is easy to get overheated in the hot Florida sun. Full disclosure: the park is miserable in the heat… as are most places in Florida.
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What is the history behind Castaway Island Preserve?
The land for the Castaway Island Preserve was set aside in 1999. The city of Jacksonville designed the space to help manage growth, protect the environmentally sensitive salt marshlands, and improve water quality in the area. Today the preserve covers over 200 acres.
For some of the best views of the Intracoastal and marsh, check out the observation outlooks. Head down the Island Trail and veer right to the boardwalk. The boardwalk takes you straight out to the marsh.
There’s an additional boardwalk that leads to a floating dock that serves as a launch site for kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards. To access this boardwalk, follow the main entrance road to the very back of the park. The launch site is right at the edge of the parking lot, making it easy to put in your water vessel of choice.
What are the highlights of Castaway Island Preserve?
Kid-friendly interpretive natural trail
Kayaking
Canoeing
Paddle Boarding
Education Center
Hiking
Biking
Scoping out the salt marsh wildlife
It’s pet friendly!
Where is the park located?
The preserve is located along the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville, Florida. It is located off of San Pablo Road between Atlantic Blvd. and Beach Blvd.
What are the park’s hours?
The park is open during daylight hours. There is also an Education Center that offers special programs. Check the park’s Facebook Page for events.
Our Thoughts on the
Castaway Island
Castaway Island Preserve is truly a hidden gem. It is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. The Island Trail is the perfect place for little ones to explore and learn about the wildlife that inhabits the area. The trail has paintings of animal paw prints that will keep the kids guessing what animals they will learn about next.
The Island Trail is comprised of boardwalks and paved sidewalks making it easy to navigate for everyone. The trail is approximately one mile long and is a loop trail. We really enjoy taking the boardwalk out to the marsh to look for creatures. The kids love looking out for osprey, fiddler crabs, and woodpeckers.
This is a fantastic park for pups, as well. We’ve taken Lady Belle and Parker here to explore new sights and scents. We always run into family’s with their dogs when we visit.
The beach next to the ship is perfect for snorkeling and swimming!
Hey, y’all! If you’ve been around the blog for a while you know that I’m an avid cruiser. Some of our favorite cruise ports are in Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and Alaska. One of the most fun things about cruising is being able to head into port for a few hours to explore. When you disembark the ship, there are a few things cruisers need in port.
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Things Cruisers Need in Port
1. Sail & Sign Card (or band, or medallion)
This is probably the most important thing cruisers need to have while in port. You’ll need your Sail & Sign Card, band, or medallion to check yourself in and out of the ship. This gives the crew real-time information about who is on board and who is still out exploring.
2. Identification
There are some destinations where simply having your ship card will suffice as identifications, however, there are ports where you’ll need government-issued identification to get through port security. I leave my passport locked away in my room safe and take my driver’s license with me to port. I use this travel wallet to keep all of my items together in one place.
3. Money
Okay… so this might sound obvious but you’re going to need access to some money. While you’re on the ship your ship card is attached to your bank account however, this won’t work in the port. Make sure you have a credit card, debit card, or cash money on you in port.
Pro Tip- Almost everywhere you go will accept American currency, especially if you’re purchasing goods close to the port.
4. Phone
We live in a society where we are tied to our phones. Make sure you take your phone with you when you get off the ship. It’s great for emergencies, and to use as a camera. Just keep in mind that you may have roaming fees if you use your phone out of the country. I keep my phone in a waterproof case while I’m on the beach. I strongly suggest getting a waterproof case, even if you don’t intend on taking in the water.
5. A Watch
If you take your phone off of airplane mode, the time will adjust to the local time zone. Remember, as a cruiser you need to stay on ship time. Make sure you have a watch or keep your phone on airplane mode, so you don’t lose track of ship time.
6. Sunblock
Trust me, there is nothing worse than being sunburned on a cruise- especially if it happens early on into your cruise. Do yourself a favor and lather up! You can still get a sunburn if it is overcast and many people are not used to the UV index. Pack a good sunscreen and a Chapstick with UV protection.
7. Water
While we’re on the topic of taking care of yourself, make sure you take some water with you. Remaining hydrated is essential when you are in tropical climates. It is very easy to get dehydrated… especially if you’re drinking or soaking up the sun at the beach.
8. Mosquito Repellent
If you’re going to be spending time outdoors, it’s a good idea to spray yourself with a repellent. Many cruise lines provide aerosol cans at the gangway in high-risk areas (such as Belize) but don’t rely on them having it. It’s best to be pro-active. I use Bull Frog Mosquito Coast which is a combination of repellent and sunscreen. Two birds… one stone.
9. Gallon Size Bag
These little guys are so versatile! I always pack a few when I am traveling. They are great for storing wet bathing suits and keeping documents dry. You can also fill it half-full of ice and use it as a neck wrap in the event someone is overheated.
10. Pen and Paper
I actually take a Sharpie with me everywhere I go. It’s a super handy tool to have on hand. If Sharpie’s aren’t your thing, I suggest sticking a pen and a small notepad in your bag. You can use this to jot down important information such as boarding times, directions, etc.
What are your port essentials? Drop them in the comments below!
