Tips to Remember When Traveling by Car

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Planning a long trip and choosing a car as your mode of transport is quite a daring combination one can do. Going on a trip in your own car has its own pros and cons, so when planning to take a long trip in your car, you need to plan things well in advance, and it is not only packing your stuff but many other things that will affect your trip in different ways. Planning your road trip well in advance will help you make it infinitely better and you will be able to enjoy it to the fullest. We are here to give you some tips on how you can make your road trip an unforgettable one.

Here are 6 tips you should remember when planning to travel by car.

  • Packing – you should always do your packing according to the boot space that your car has to offer. You should always follow the mantra, ‘less is more’. No one wants to carry heavy bags with them on a vacation or keep looking for things in the overcrowded suitcases. A bit of research will help you learn about the weather of the place you are planning to visit and it will give you an idea about what type of clothes you should pack. Also, a light car gives more mileage, so avoiding heavy bags will help you save a lot on fuel.

  • Watch your sleep time – You should take proper sleep at least two to three days before the commencement of the journey as it will help you build your sleep cycle and will help you avoid drowsiness while driving.

  • Choose the right vehicle – You should always select a car that you are comfortable with. Budget can be an issue, and it might stop you from getting yourself your dream car, but in the long run, it will be very beneficial. To get your desired car, you can also take an auto loan. Probably by now, you have thought of it but you’ve been clueless about how you can get a car loan.

  • Anticipate your problems – While on a road trip, you should be prepared for every possible worst-case scenario. You should go with the motto ‘more is more’, as the more prepared you are, the less time it will take you to fix the problem and get back on the road. You should have your insurance information with you at all time, and if driving a rental car, you should always have the minimum insurance that is required in the country.

  • Travel gadgets and accessories – You should always rent a car which has all the latest technology features, and if not, you yourself should be carrying at least some amount of travel gadgets that are helpful in any trip. The most important gadget, without a doubt on a road trip is a GPS. Renting a GPS in a foreign country is all the more helpful as one doesn’t know the routes there and is also not familiar with the roads and the traffic.

  • Plan your route – There is no right way to map out the route you’ll follow in your journey. You should always plan your route because that way, you will be less stressed as there will be no confusion as to what path you have to follow. Planning your route will also help you build your itinerary in a more detailed manner, giving you a better understanding of the place.

Conclusion –

Planning your road trip well in advance will always help you to stay a step ahead of all the possible problems one can face during a road trip. While on the road, you are responsible for yourself. We hope that these tips are helpful to you, and if you are planning a road trip, be careful, be safe and good luck.

 

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Getting the Best Deals for Your Vacation

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Going on vacation is not only fun, but it can also be an essential part of getting away from it all, de-stressing and enjoying life. It can also be an expensive endeavor, and you could easily spend thousands of dollars on a week away. You might see a vacation as an expensive luxury you can’t truly afford, or just feel reluctant to spend such a large amount of your hard-earned cash on something non-essential. However, if you’re clever and do your homework, you can have a dream vacation at a very reasonable price.

Price comparison sites

Your first port of call may well be one of the websites that search for all the deals available within your specified parameters. These sites definitely make the job of comparing costs a lot easier, and it is possible to obtain some very good prices. They also help you work out when will be the cheapest time to go to your preferred destination, and for many travelers, the information they provide is more than sufficient for finding a good deal on their vacation. There are a couple of things it’s useful to know, though. Firstly, the prices shown may not necessarily be the cheapest available, depending on the algorithms used by the comparison site to determine rankings. You could well find that by going directly to a provider you’ll get an even better deal, so it’s worth checking to find out if you could pay even less. Secondly, be wary of hidden costs that get added to the basic rate shown. You might be offered a hotel room for a bargain price, then find you have to pay surcharges, or that additional costs apply to make full use of the facilities.

Off-peak and late booking bargains

You’ll be surprised at the definition of off-peak when it comes to vacation resorts, as there are spring and fall breaks available at far lower prices than during the premium summer months. One trick that’s worth knowing about is going to ski resorts out of season. They may be best-known for their winter sports, but when there’s no snow, they still have fantastic facilities for outdoor pursuits, as well as all the apres-ski entertainments. For example, you can get some substantial discounts on Snowmass condos for rent in the aspirational Aspen resort – a taste of luxury at an affordable price. Leaving your booking until the last minute can save you hundreds of dollars, as operators try and sell accommodation and flights for whatever they can get rather than lose out altogether. The key to getting a bargain is to leave it as late as possible. If you try even a week before, you could find the providers are charging more rather than less.

It might take you a few hours to find the really sweet deals, but the savings you can make are so significant it’s worth taking the trouble. Combining your reduced travel costs with money-saving vouchers for local attractions will mean you get even more bang for your buck so that you can enjoy a special vacation for a fraction of the full price cost.

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How to Travel with Friends

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Traveling with friends can either be a fantastic or challenging experience. If you are thinking of traveling with either a companion or group to one or more destinations, you must avoid the negative side of the experience, such as misunderstandings, conflict and frustration.

Ensure you and your pals return home with a closer bond, rather than wishing you had never met each other, by finding out how to travel with friends.

Choose Your Travel Partners Wisely

It is crucial you know your friends well if you are going to travel together. While you might be best friends with someone in the workplace, they might be a completely different person outside an office.

Only travel with people you know well and who share your interests. After all, if you like to follow an itinerary but your travel partner loves spontaneity, it might not work.

Pick a Travel Destination

Choose a destination that everyone wants to experience. For example, nothing will make a friend feel left out quite like having their opinions dismissed. It’s important to discuss the best options for everyone, or it could lead to conflict or resentment during the experience. Get everyone together to pick from the best vacation rental destinations.

Set a Travel Budget

Not everyone might have the same travel budget as you. While you might want to enjoy all the luxuries of a five-star hotel, they might have a smaller budget. Before you start planning itineraries and booking excursions, have a conversation about everyone’s finances to ensure you are on the same wavelength.

Make Sure Everyone is Committed

If you are traveling as a group, you must secure a booking together. It is essential everyone commits to a trip before you book flights and accommodation. If one or more people cancel, it will be then down to the committed travelers to pay for the dropouts’ share of the flights and accommodation.

Nip Arguments in the Bud

Arguments can happen between friends on vacation, as people will have different opinions and personalities. Don’t allow tension to mount, and instead nip any problems in the bud as soon as possible. Talk to your travel companions both openly and honestly, and avoid raising your voice, which can make matters worse. The more you communicate, the less likely arguments will arise.

Take a Break from Each Other

Conflict can happen when friends spend too much time together. If you want to maintain your friendship, it might be a wise idea to occasionally take a break from each other. For example, you could explore a destination while your friend relaxes on the beach, before meeting back up for lunch or dinner.

Stay Off Your Phone

Nothing will frustrate your travel companions more than you being tied to your phone. Traveling with friends is a unique experience, so you shouldn’t spend the whole trip texting your boyfriend, checking your work emails, or browsing social media. Be present during the trip to ensure you have an unforgettable time and do not upset your friends.

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Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat

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Disclosure- We received cruise admission on the Key Largo Princess in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own.  20160720_133945Last week my family and I went to Islamorada in the Florida Keys for a few days. I was looking for a fun adventure and I found the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat. The Key Largo Princess sails 3 times daily (10am, 1pm, 4pm) from Key Largo Holiday Inn through coral reefs in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. It’s a great way to see lots of fish, sharks, coral, and other sea life while staying dry.
P1260211When we first got on board the boat we went into the air conditioned salon where the glass bottom is to cool off for a bit because it was so hot outside. Once we began to sail my husband and older daughter decided to stay below and relax in the A/C while my daughter and I went up on deck to the front of the boat to enjoy the breezes and beautiful ocean view. 20160720_130950It was so gorgeous and relaxing. Here are some of the houses, boats, and more that we saw while we sailed to the reef.

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P1260222I think this is my favorite view: 20160720_132354The boat is 70 feet and holds 129 passengers. It has a bar on deck that serves sandwiches, snack, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages for the adults. We had already eaten lunch so we didn’t get anything from the snack bar but other passengers looked happy with their purchases. The staff was really friendly and informative.P1260240
P1260242The ride out to the reef is about 45 minutes. Once we arrived on the reef we all went down to the glass bottom salon part of the boat. Viewing windows of the glass bottom total 280 square feet in area. The crew was so knowledgeable of all of the marine life we were seeing. 20160720_135730The staff made sure to point out the marine life and give us great information on everything we were seeing. It was so cool to see various types of coral, fish, rays, and sharks right below us. The kids had fun dangling their feet over the railing as we all sat on the floor watching the sea life go by. We saw a nurse shark right under the boat. It would have been the perfect picture but unfortunately my camera closed when I clicked to take a picture. I was so bummed!

128_519016624548_2864_nThe trip around the reef lasted about 30 minutes before we sailed back to dock. Once again I went up on deck to enjoy the outside view and breeze as we sailed back.
20160720_144648The cruise was so much fun and a great taste of the underwater beauty of Florida but I want to mention that if you get sea sick, this might not be the activity for you. Unfortunately my husband got sea sick about half way through the trip. The crew was really helpful coming around with cups of ice water for anyone that wasn’t feeling well. If you usually get sea sick I suggest bringing along some sea sick preventative. My girls and I didn’t have any problems with being sea sick and really enjoyed the cruise.
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Swashbuckling Fun on the Bluefoot Pirate Family Adventures in Fort Lauderdale, FL

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Disclosure- We sailed for free on the Bluefoot Pirate Adventure in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% our own.20160723_145900

AHOY MATEYS! 

Bluefoot Pirate AdventuresThere are many hidden treasures in South Florida and we recently discovered one. Last weekend my family and I went on a Bluefoot Pirate Family Adventures children’s pirate cruise around the Intercoastal in Fort Lauderdale. When you first pull up to the dock the first thing you’ll notice is the big black and yellow ship flying a pirate flag. Upon arriving at the dock children can get their face painted and don pirate gear. The face painting is included in the price of the cruise and children can borrow a pirate themed vest to wear for the duration of the cruise. Want to get even more dressed for the part of pirate? For $7.50 you can purchase a Junior Pirate Pack which includes a plastic sword, eye patch, and pink or black bandana. They also have other goodies for sale.20160723_145508 My girls are almost 11 and 13 which, in my opinion is a little past the target age range for this adventure so they were too embarrassed to get their faces painted and dress up like pirates. TWEENS! I think the experience is perfect for pirates 10 and under. My girls might not have wanted to become pirates but that didn’t stop my husband form joining in the fun and getting his face painted.
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Once we got on the ship the 1st Mate taught the little pirates the parts of the ship and some pirate speak as well as an enchanting tale of stole treasure. Meanwhile the adults got comfortable in the back of the ship while enjoying the cool breezes and the tales told by the captain of the history of many of the gorgeous houses that are passed along the voyage. It was very cloudy when we sailed so I didn’t need to put sunscreen on my girls but the kids do sit in the front of the ship where it is uncovered so make sure to bring sunscreen with you. If you get thirsty they do have water available for sale so bring a little cash with you.

My girls felt that they were too old to participate in all the pirate adventure but they both enjoyed cruising down the Intercoastal and looking at the beautiful houses and other boats along the way. I wish I had taken them on this adventure when they were younger. I know they would have really enjoyed it as much as all the young kids who were on our cruise did.


The expressions on the little faces when the “villain” Barnacle Bill sailed past us were priceless. They all got into character and were so excited to shoot the water cannons at Barnacle Bill to defeat him and get the treasure. My younger daughter stopped being a “too old tween” for a moment and had fun shooting the water cannon, too. 😉
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The 1st Mate gives a thumbs up as Barnacle Bill surrenders to the little pirates.20160723_153619Once the special key is discovered, the treasure chest is opened to reveal the booty! Each child gets a baggie of booty (plastic coins and gems) to take home with them and a certificate to remember their adventure.
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Even with my girls thinking they were too old, in the end they both admitted to having fun and we all enjoyed the cruise. As an added bonus when you go on the Bluefoot Pirate Adventure you can park by the Bahia Mar hotel for just $5 for the whole day. We took advantage of this and brought our beach gear with us. When we got off the pirate ship we were able to walk across the street and enjoy Ft. Lauderdale beach!

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Bluefoot Pirate Family Adventures also does birthday parties and they have a special coupon right now. Get $50 Off a Booked Birthday Party with Bluefoot Pirate Adventures Florida!

Make sure to grab this coupon, too- BOGO Deal for Tuesdays and Thursdays – Buy one get one 50% off!!!

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Luxurious Destinations to Spend Your Honeymoon

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R

Even though weddings can be expensive, your honeymoon should be an opportunity to spend a bit of extra money to book the most lavish and luxurious accommodations in the most beautiful place you can think of. After all, this is your magical getaway that will take you away from all of those months or years of planning and getting on one another’s nerves. Now you can finally unwind and once again enjoy your partner’s company.

Check out the list below of some of the most luxurious honeymoon destinations from around the globe to get started.

Fiji

Fiji is the destination for you if you want to be able to have a lot of choices when it comes to what you will do and where you will stay. With 333 islands, you have a lot to choose from. And each island boasts gorgeous beaches with turquoise blue water and luxurious resorts that will provide you with the honeymoon of your dreams.

If you are an adventurous couple, you will also find some great surfing and diving opportunities throughout Fiji, thanks to the archipelago’s coral reefs. The local culture and entertainment will also keep you busy during your stay, and Fiji’s secluded location in the South Pacific will ensure that you have the privacy that you really want while spending quality time with your new spouse.

Milan, Italy

If you and your new spouse are fans of fashion and Italian culture, Milan should definitely be your honeymoon destination.

The city is home to La Scala, the famous opera house, and because it is one of the world’s centers for fashion, there are plenty of opportunities for spoiling yourselves with some new clothing and jewelry in the many shopping promenades. Why hit the malls at home looking for Italian design when you can get it right in Italy?

While in Milan, which boasts plenty of luxurious accommodations, don’t forget to also dine on the delicious local cuisine and take a tour of the many local historical sites.

Paris, France

What honeymoon destination article would be complete without Paris? France is probably an equal tie with Italy on the romantic destination scale. With so much style and romantic culture, you can’t help but be seduced by Paris.

Nicknamed the “City of Love,” you can’t go wrong with this destination, especially if you like upscale dining and culture. Make sure to check out the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral while you’re there.

Sri Lanka

When it comes to luxury, Sri Lanka is high on the list. Quickly becoming one of the top spa destinations on the planet, you’ll find some great retreats across this beautiful one-of-a-kind island, which is filled with gorgeous beaches and plenty of incredible historical sites.

Whether your idea of a good day is sipping champagne and getting a couple’s massage, or hiking the jungle and rafting through rivers, Sri Lanka has a great selection of luxurious hotels to rest your head after enjoying a long day as husband and wife.

Hawaii

A long-time favorite honeymoon destination is Hawaii. With several islands and each one boasting its own unique landscape and activities, you can choose to stay in one place or island hop to get the best of all of the possible attractions.

You can truly experience almost every season and type of weather during a single trip to Hawaii. Start your day having breakfast on a tropical beach while watching the waves, and then end your night at the top of a snow-covered mountain above the clouds while watching the curvature of the planet displayed in the sunset.

Hawaii offers luxurious hotels and resorts, along with rainforest hiking, stargazing, climbing volcanoes, kayaking, sand, and surf. You’ll find everything you want, from relaxation to adventure, right in the Pacific Ocean.

Bali

If you are the kind of person who considers “luxury” to be synonymous with “expensive,” and the word expensive does not scare you, then Bali should be at the top of your list of honeymoon ideas.

Unlike most Indonesian islands, which tend to be mostly Islamic, Bali is primarily Hindu, and you will be able to dive into the local culture during your stay. You can also climb Kintamani’s towering active volcano, or you can instead relax on the sandy shores and take a dip into the crystal clear water that surrounds you.

A luxurious honeymoon destination is just what you need after planning an elaborate wedding celebration, so go ahead and splurge on a luxury destination that you’ll never forget.

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Tips and Tricks For Traveling and Cruising With Children

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cruisingWe recently took a family cruise on the Carnival Glory for my 40th birthday and along the way I came up with some tips to help you keep your sanity, especially while cruising with your children.

1. Pack a roll or two of paper towel.  They will come in handy to clean little messes, wrap fragile items when you pack to go home, and a million other uses that you’ll find while you’re in your cabin.

2. Pack a small bottle of laundry detergent.  I saved a few samples I’ve collected recently.  The ships usually have a laundry room where you can purchase detergent but it was nice having my small travel size so I could spot clean items that I needed to or hand wash a few small things and hang them to dry in the shower on the clothesline.

3. Pack a few garbage bags for your dirty clothes.  Then when you repack to go home you won’t have to put dirty clothes against your clean suitcase.

4. Pack disposable coffee cups with lids.  I love iced coffee and it was nice to be able to put my iced coffee in a disposable cup that I could take off the ship with me or even walking around the ship and not worry about it spilling.  They came in handy for my husband’s coffee and iced tea for my girls, too.  Seems silly but being able to take a drink around with a lid was great and unlike bringing our own sports bottles, etc. we didn’t have to worry about saving them.  Not very eco-friendly but we were on vacation. 😉

5. Bring a case of water with you.  I wish we had done that.  Water getting off the ship was a few dollars and we really needed cold water on each island.  I wish we had brought a case of water on the ship with us and kept some cold in our refrigerator like we had seen others do.  If you aren’t local, stop off at a CVS, Walgreens, or grocery store on your way to the pier.

Ideas for cruising or even just traveling with kids:
I bought both of my girls their own purses that were VERY roomy and had lots of compartments.  Here’s what was in each of their bags to keep them comfortable and busy on our trip.

~mini note pads
~pens
~pack of colored pencils
~crayons
~a chapter book or two
~sunglasses
~sweatshirt/sweater (yes it was hot on the islands but sometimes my girls were cold indoors)
~Mad Libs and other gaming pages
~battery operated fans
~hand sanitizer
~tissues
~small digital camera (I bought them each an inexpensive digital camera.  They cost almost the same as disposable cameras and developing and I didn’t have to worry about developing any bad pictures.)
~deck of cards
~Uno or other card games
~hair ties (I have girls!)
~hidden picture pages (I bought a Highlights Magazine hidden picture book and tore out pages for each of my girls to keep in their bags to keep them busy.  They both LOVED these.)
~mints and/or gum
~package of nuts/trail mix
~water botle
~baseball hat
~sunscreen
~a wallet (my girls liked having a few dollars of their own so they could haggle and shop in the straw markets)

YES, all of the above fit into EACH of their bags believe it or not.  Notice what wasn’t in their bags?  Electronics!  We all went ELECTRONICS FREE for the entire week and loved every minute of it.  We didn’t have to worry about charging our girls’ Kindles, Nintendo DSs, etc.  When they were “bored’, had to wait for their meals, etc. they had books to read, puzzle pages, etc. and honestly I don’t think any of us missed our electronics at all!

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My 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory Part 2 #CruisingCarnival

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Disclaimer- I received free internet service while on the cruise and dinner for 2 at the steakhouse on the ship in exchange for posting about my vacation.  I wasn’t required to write so many posts but I had a lot to say.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are 100% my own.


Check out Part 1 of my 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory
Check out Part 2 of my 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory
Check out Part 3 of my 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory

Professional Photography-
It’s always hard to get good family pictures where we all look nice, we’re all looking at the camera, and everyone is smiling nicely.  Usually I am the one behind the camera so I really loved how many photo stations were on the Carnival Glory.  There were at least 10 different photo stations, each with a different backdrop and props to choose from.  There were also photographers taking pictures when we got off the ship, in the dining room, and around the ship.  We also scheduled a private photo session with a dedicated photographer who spent about 45 minutes with us.  He took us to several different locations on the ship and took pictures of us in many different poses and in different groupings.  He did a fabulous job and we loved the results.  There was no charge for the private photo session but the packages were a little pricier than the regular professional pictures on the ship but they were worth the extra money.  The pictures below are from pictures I took of the professional pictures for the purpose of this post.  The originals are AMAZING!

Spa-

I could write a post called “I Was a 40 Year Old Virgin” or “I Lost My Virginity on a Carnival Cruise” but it wouldn’t be for the reason that you’re thinking. Up until our vacation I have never had a massage or a facial. I normally don’t like strangers to touch me, but I figured I would treat myself for my 40th birthday because the spot was running a special combo package. It included a full body hot stone massage and a facial. I was nervous and not sure what to expect, but the woman who gave me my massage and facial was so sweet and comforting. Before she even started she asked me a bunch of questions about my medical history, my lifestyle, and my body in general.  the massage was wonderful and I was really able to relax. I also enjoy the facial and felt so renewed when she was finished.  I was afraid that she was going to try to sell me a bunch of products but thankfully she did not go for the hard sell. She did write down some suggestions for my body because I have fibromyalgia and some suggestions for facial products, but she really didn’t push me at all. This might have been my first massage but I know it’s not going to be my last.  There was a sauna and hot tub in the spa that I unfortunately didn’t have time to take advantage of but I plan to next time.

Dining-
The food, the food, the food!  I couldn’t write a post about a cruise about talking about the food. There were three different time choices available for dining in the various dining rooms- either the early seating late seating or dining any time which is what we chose for the flexibility. We like the menu included some local dishes, daily items, and some Staples that would appeal to a variety of people. The kids menu also had staples like pasta and nuggets. Let’s just say none of us went hungry.  We all enjoyed the food on the ship.  My younger daughter loves salmon and was so excited that they were able to make her salmon every night for dinner. I really enjoyed that the appetizer portions were small so I was able to try more without wasting any.  In addition to the dining room there were also many other restaurant choices and buffets, including 24-hour room service and a pizza restaurant open 24 hours a day as well.  In the evenings there was also a tasting bar that featured a different tasting  from one of the restaurants on the ship each night. We really enjoyed stopping by the tasting bar for a sample.

Steakhouse-
My favorite meal of our vacation was when my husband and I dined at the Steakhouse.  It costs $35 per person to dine at the Steakhouse but it is worth every penny.  We had several servers who waited on him foot.  It was a true gourmet dining experience including a sample appetizer made specifically for each of us from the chef. To help us choose what we wanted to eat we were shown the different cuts of meat right at our table.  My husband chose steak while I chose filet mignon and lobster tail. Both meals were incredible but the dessert was even more amazing!  We each chose the chocolate sampler that had 4 different desserts.  Each one was more delicious than the next.  It was the perfect ending to a perfect, romantic date.  I only wish I had remembered to take my camera to dinner to show everyone how yummy my dinner was.

Art Auctions-
Did you know that some ruses have in our gallery right on board?  One of my favorite parts of the cruise were the champagne art auctions.  I really enjoy seeing artwork from some of my favorite artists and also learning about artist I haven’t discovered before. The artwork usually ranges from a hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending upon the artist and the medium. I like it there is something for everyone’s budget and everyone’s taste. The auctions are a lot of fun, exciting, and I especially like that they also do some raffles and other giveaways. I actually won two different paintings as well as a credit to purchase other artwork. My artwork is being shipped to my house and should be arriving any day. I can’t wait to receive it and hang it up. If you’re an art lover or even if you’re not, I recommend checking out one of the art auctions on your next cruise.

Check out Part 1 of my 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory
Check out Part 3 of my 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory

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My 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory Part 1 #CruisingCarnival

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Thank you for visiting Cori's Cozy Corner! Please make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our E-mails!

Disclaimer- I received free internet service while on the cruise and dinner for 2 at the steakhouse on the ship in exchange for posting about my vacation.  I wasn’t required to write so many posts but I had a lot to say.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are 100% my own.


Check out Part 1 of my 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory
Check out Part 2 of my 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory
Check out Part 3 of my 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory

Last month I turned the big four – oh! I decided I didn’t want to have a party and chose to go on a family vacation instead.  My family and I went on a 7 day cruise on the Carnival Glory and I couldn’t be happier with our choice.  We signed up for the Faster to the Fun “Excursion” before we even left for vacation.  It was only $50 per stateroom and it was the perfect choice for us. With Faster to the Fun we were able to get on a much smaller line to get onto the ship for our initial boarding. We also received our luggage in our cabin very soon after we arrived on the ship so we were able to unpack and settle in as soon as we got there. It really made our vacation start off much more relaxing than to not have any of our things upon arrival. My favorite perk of Faster to the Fun is that there is a special line at the Guest Services desk for people with Faster to the Fun.  It was nice not having to wait on a longer line to get my questions answered at Guest Services. It made me feel like a VIP. I was also very impressed that the second time I went up to the Guest Service line the Guest Service representative who helped me the day prior remembered my name before I even gave her my cruise card.  That was a nice personal touch.

Staterooms-
We had opted to get two adjoining rooms for the four of us and it was a great decision. My girls shared a room and they each had their own bed. My husband and I had our beds pushed together before we arrived. We were able to keep the door in between the rooms open so my girls were never really alone. It was nice having two separate bathrooms to get ready in but we would’ve been okay if all four of us shared one room.  One room was spacious enough.  The room included a minibar with a refrigerator which I liked.  It was nice having a small refrigerator to keep things cold. Each room had a TV and while the channels were limited my girls were able to find shows that they liked to keep them busy while we are in the room. The room also included a safe, hair dryer, hangers in the closets, a mailbox outside the door to leave notes, a clothesline in the bathroom.
The bathroom had a basket of toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, and in the closet was a robe for each guest to use while on the ship.  The shower was just big enough that I was able to help my daughter wash her hair and the adjustable shower arm was a helpful touch.

Here are some of the goodies that were left for us in our room. 🙂 My daughter wanted me to mention that her favorite part of the room was the nightly chocolate on her pillow and towel folded into the shape of an animal.

Ship’s Amenities-
There was so much to do on the ship including minigolf, ping-pong, a life-sized chessboard, several pools and hot tubs, a water slide, many different places for live music, a spa, fitness area, kids arcade, and nighttime movie playing on the big screen by the pool, a casino, and so much more.  the casino had something for everyone. There were slot machines for $.01, $.02, $.25, $1, and up. They had blackjack, poker, roulette, and even some fun crane games and other arcade type games to win cash. I like that in the casino you put cruise card into the slot machine to earn points to receive free drinks and other perks, but the best part was that you can charge your card right to your cruise account to get more cash for slot machine without having to get up. This was very convenient but could be a little dangerous.  LOL For those wanting a little quiet time there were adults only as well as a special serenity area for those 18 and over. There was lots of live music all over the ship not just music in the clubs. I was very impressed with how much the musicians got the crowd going. While waiting for my husband to finish in a store, I said over the balcony and watched down below as did musicians were teaching a group of travelers had advanced salsa. People of all ages were up and dancing. I have two left feet, but I was still moving around a little in my spot trying to learn to. There was ship wide Internet that you could use with your devices but believe it or not this blogger unplugged for the entire week. Even my children went electronics free for the entire week and left their iPad, Kindles, and Nintendo DS systems at home.  It certainly was a nice change.

Cleanliness-
We were very impressed with the cleanliness of the ship. We constantly saw employees cleaning at all hours of the day and night. We even saw somebody vacuuming the ceiling!   There was a hand sanitizer dispenser in front of each restaurant to prevent the spread of germs.  I really liked that inside the public restrooms on the door leading out of the restroom there was a little paper napkin dispenser so you can use the paper napkin to open the door without touching the handle. Right outside the bathroom was a garbage can to throw the paper napkin away. With so many reports of illnesses on cruise ships both of these were great additions. Our rooms were both nice size and each had three closets.

Kid’s Club-
The Kids Club was amazing.  Both of our girls had a great time.  We were welcomed by the Kids Club with a welcome package that included information, a coloring book, crayons, and a dry erase board when we first arrived at our rooms.  The dry erase boards came in very handy.  We put them on our stateroom doors and were able to leave each other notes about where we were going.  There were lots of activities with the Kids Club including crafts, games, fitness, science and other educational fun.  The counselors were very nice and learned all the children’s names pretty quickly. It was a nice personal touch. As a former teacher I really like that many of the activities were educationally-based. The children were grouped according to their age. My younger daughter was in the 68-year-old group and my older daughter was in the 9 to 11-year-old group. The free part of camp was over at 10 PM but then we also have the option of them playing in camp leader for a small fee. There were also several nights where there were parties for the children for a small fee.  The only thing that was a little frustrating was that one night the 9 to 11-year-old group had a party until 3 AM where the counselors brought the kids back to their rooms and my eight-year-old was jealous that her group didn’t have a party like that. They did have babysitting for her but she was sad it wasn’t an actual party. She cried a bit when we dropped her off but of course when we came to get her she didn’t want to leave.  LOL  On a side note, I went to take a picture of one of the lounges where there was a kids group going on because I wanted to show what the room looked like.  I was pleasantly surprised that the camp counselor stopped me because she didn’t want me taking pictures of the kids for privacy reasons.   I explained that I was a blogger and that I was just taking picture of the room and promised not to take pictures with any children in them, she let me take a few more quick picture of the area without the children.  I was happy to hear just how much they were protecting the children.

I have so much more to say about my awesome vacation on the Carnival Glory but this post is getting long.  
Check out Part 2 of my 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory
Check out Part 3 of my 40th Birthday Vacation Cruise on the Carnival Glory

 

 

 

 

 

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