Welcome Back to My World!

 Wow!  It has been quite a bit since I posted on this blog, I will do better going forward.  Since my last post COVID happened and I gave on on assisting people with their cruises, but now I am ready to get back at it full steam.

Since my last post I have been certified by Princess and Cunard as a Commodore status cruise agent. I have also completed training with Virgin, Carnival, Disney, and am currently working on Celebrity Cruise line training.  I have also been on several more cruises with my husband and alone.  I still believe that after all this time, there is still no better way to see the work than on a cruise ship.  Now granted, there are some places I have been in resent years like Paris, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, that are the best "cruise" destinations, but those are exceptions to the rule.

But I would not have been able to meet this adorable guy if I had not been been on a cruise.

But as I said, I did see Egypt and did a Nile four day river cruise which was incredible. I was alone in Egypt for almost two weeks and had the best experience ever thanks to the tour company I found and worked with and my wonderful travel host, Momo.  I know sometimes people worry about going to that part of the world.  Let me tell you  that the tour company was amazing with providing me drivers and guides the entire time I was there.  

I also really enjoyed my ten days in Paris, so much that I am going back in April 2026!  Lunch in the Eiffel Tower was excellent and well worth the time and money spent.

Anyway, I will fill you in on some of my trips in future posts, but wanted to let you know that I am back posting as well as helping friends and family plan their dream vacations.  Reach out to me and let me know if you want to travel and where, it is time to see the world!

Have you cruised with a teenager in the last decade?

First, let me start by saying how much I love my nieces.  They are smart, beautiful, and when it comes right down to it, very caring.  They are also 18, 15, and 13 with "smart" phones.  Am I the only one who thinks that "smart" phones are making our kids "not as smart as they should be"?  anyway, that is a whole different matter.

Moving along.  My oldest niece, Bubbles graduated from high school with a GPA that I am very proud of.  I had told her and her two sisters that if they graduate with a certain GPA, then I will take them on a trip, just the one kid and myself.  They have a bit of control over where we go, but it has to be budget friendly.  A last minute decision was made that we should go before she started college, so after many hours of searching for last minute deals and trying to pin her down on where she might like to go, we ended up on the Carnival Elation headed to the Bahamas for a five night cruise. So off we go.

So we take Southwest to Orlando, then rent a car at Enterprise and head toward Cocoa Beach for two days prior to boarding our ship.  We stayed on a beach front Hampton Inn property, went to the Kenedy Space Center, held a two year old alligator, and ate fresh seafood (not my favorite), and hit Ron Jon's for a few necessary items.

During this time, Bubbles spent quite a bit of her time in the room and on the beach on her phone either facetiming with the boyfriend or watching TV, Orange is the New Black is what she said she had downloaded.  I figured that once we got out to sea, she would back off the phone use.  

On "boat" day, we dropped of the rental car right at the Port Canaveral location and they gave us a ride to the ship berth. On to the Carnival Elation we went with the smoothest boarding process ever.  Total time from drop off of luggage to ship atrium was maybe 10 minutes tops. We were told the rooms would not be ready till 1:30pm, and we were able to get into ours at 12:45pm.  Off to a wonderful start.  Swimsuits on and to the pool we go, we are rocking the cruise thing right now!

 So for the next 5 days, I saw a lot of what you see here.   These were all taken our first day on the ship.  In Bubbles defense, I did this to myself.  While in port before we left, she had Wi-Fi for the ship.  After we left port, then there was no free Wi-Fi.  I decided that for my own personal reasons to make sure that I had access to my email and could receive and send any emails I needed to.  This 5 night package was $60, not a bad deal in my mind.  Where I failed myself and Bubbles was giving her the email pass code information.   This allowed her to facetime her boyfriend any time that she wanted.  Again, this was my own fault.  Regardless, she had downloaded the TV stuff and that was there anyway.

You know how it is when you think that someone will use good judgement and then wonder why when they are 18 and hold that phone 24/7, they don't put down the phone to look around and take in the view.

I know she had a wonderful time, but it is hard for someone who was not raised attached to the cell phone to understand why they would rather look at a 3" screen instead of seeing the entire world with their own eyes.

The world has so many amazing things to see and people to meet and that entire generation is not going to be able to interact with anyone face to face some day.  I feel like such a dinosaur when my life doesn't revolve around my phone.  Don't get me wrong, I check my email, use my calendar and check Facebook too using my phone.  But I think I can say, I spend less than an hour a day doing these things.  I also don't have my phone set to ping every time I get an update or a message, nothing is that important to me.

One last time, this was my own doing and I don't blame Bubbles, it was there and she used it.  She is 18 and this is her life.  I just wish I had got to spend a bit more time with her before she moves on in life.

Coming soon, the rest of the cruise:  Princess Caye, Nassau, Freeport, yachts, catamarans, jellyfish and more!

Back from the Caribbean, Tanned and Tired

Sorry that I have been slow posting on my blog following my 10-day cruise to the Caribbean, I have been worn out.  I have lots of things to say about the cruise I was just on, but bullet points might be easiest.
 
Biggest Disappointment- No towel animals at all this cruise!  While our cabin was always clean when we came back to it, it seemed that the cabin stewards might be stretched a bit thin.  I just want to make sure you understand, the cabin always had fresh towels, bed made and smelled clean.  I just really miss my towel animals.  In my mind, the towel animals are the best part of a cruise, ALWAYS.  #pleasebringmytowelanimalsback
 
Food-  While the food was fine, Darin and I are your standard Midwesterner's, give us meat and potato's and we are fine.  The buffet food seemed more ethnic to different parts of the world than past cruises.  We are not the brave, adventuresome type who are willing to try curry, fish cooked many different ways except as fish sticks, and other things that I can't describe.  We did do the hotdogs at the pool more than once and they are way better than the dogs at Busch Stadium.  Another of our favorites is the British Pub lunch of fish and chips, bangers and mash, and Bubbles and Squeak.

Formal Night-  food was fine, but we really missed the steak being on the menu every night, with the switch to a hamburger as the beef option.  They always have a beef, fish, pasta, vegetarian, and lamb or duck main course to choose from.  Sometimes the choice was better than others.  I still am in love with the Princess "Dream Boat" desert(see below for recipe), lots of chocolate and YUM!  Birthday cakes have gotten smaller, but that is not a bad thing.  Prior it was a 6" round single layer cake, this time it was about a 4" square desert with a chocolate mouse, brownie crust and really wonderful.
 
Pool Time-  There were plenty of chairs on the deck for everyone and not as much chair "hogging" as normal.  When people get up at 4am to put their towel and book on the chair of there choice to "reserve" it, but don't use said chair until about 2pm, "hogging".  Those type of people are inconsiderate and the only courtesy they understand is that they get a half hour to return to the chair and failure to do so results on their crap being moved to the ground and my ass in the chair.  Yes, a half hour is the standard wait time, and yes "reserving" a chair is discouraged each day in the ship newsletter with the schedule of events, but some people are just plain rude.  Anywho, I got plenty of sun as did my hunny, but it just felt so good with the 78 degree weather and the nice breeze coming across the deck.
 
Personal Interaction-We met a few people and made a few friends on the trip, two lovely ladies from the UK, Wendy and Rachel.  We also had the pleasure of going on a couple of excursions with a wonderful family from Victoria BC (Canada) Darren, Trish, Melanie and Matthew.  I can't believe they were kind enough to allow us to play trivia and go see the donkeys with them.  They even tolerated Darin's comments with  a great deal of patience, if you know my husband, that would make sense.  I look forward to being Facebook friends with them for years to come.  We also met Lou and his wife and taught them about Bushwackers, they were quick studies!  Really quick!  Who knew there was that much alcohol in them.
 
I will leave you with that cocktail recipe for today and remember, you can use ice cream instead of the milk and ice.  Until next time!
 

Bushwacker (cocktail)

• 1 ounce Dark Rum.
• 1 ounce Kahlúa.
• 1 ounce Dark Crème de Cacao.
• 2 ounces Cream of Coconut.
• 2 ounces Milk or Half & Half.
• 1 cup ice.

Blend it all in a blender till it resembles a milk shake, then pour into cup.  You can put a touch of nutmeg on top if you choose, or whipped cream and a cherry.  You can also put a few drizzles of chocolate syrup on the inside of the glass to make it look fancy.  I love chocolate, so no question for me there.

 

 

Princess Cruises Love Boat Dream Dessert Recipe

This is a rich, fluffy mouse flavored with Godiva liqueur served by Princess Cruise Line.  This recipes makes 8 servings.

Ingredients
1 pound bittersweet chocolate
8 ounces sweet butter
6 large egg yolks
8 egg whites
3 ounces lady Godiva chocolate liqueur
1/2 cup superfine sugar
3 tablespoons vanilla-flavored sugar

Garnish
16 fresh mint leaves
1 ounce white chocolate
1 ounce milk chocolate
2 tablespoons strawberry piping gel
2 tablespoons bittersweet cocoa

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Remove from heat and add the butter. When the mixture is very smooth, quickly blend in the egg yolks and the chocolate liqueur.
Whisk the egg whites until very still, and then add the superfine sugar and flavoured sugar.
Gently fold the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture. Pour into a single serve heart shaped mold and refrigerate for at least 12 hours to set.

Presentation

Unmold the chocolate and place in the center of the plate. Garnish with white chocolate and milk chocolate. Pipe strawberry gel around the plate. Dust mousse with cocoa powder and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

 

 

Ready to Cruise?

Hello Again or Hi if you are new to my blog! 

We are getting ready to leave for a cruise soon and if the 737 grounding is not stressing me out, life is great.  I will go more into detail as time goes on, but wanted to share a couple of my pre-check for cruising.

The absolute most important thing is too important to number:  ARRIVE IN THE PORT CITY AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT.  I cannot stress this enough.  Unless you have booked your travel with the cruise line, they will not wait for you to get there to leave, regardless of the reason.  (Back to that 737 issue.)

1.  Keep all travel documents together.  Until I get ready to leave I use a folder, but then I move everything to a storage envelope like the kind kids might use in school.  The envelope snaps closed so you do lose those oh, so precious Confirmation numbers and Record Locator numbers.  If you get an envelope you can see through, put a page with the record numbers facing out so you have what you need without opening the file.  Saves time at the ticket counter, the value of not having your papers fall all over the floor in the airport or cruise terminal is well worth the $3 spent on the folder itself.  This type of folder is purchased at Office Max or Staples.

2.  Passports.  You need them pretty much wherever you are planning on cruising to.  Your drivers license will not serve as ID when you get to the cruise terminal, passport only.  Remember if you do not have one, it takes anywhere from 2 weeks (express) to three months (normal speed).  Passport cards will also not work for most cruises out there, so just buck up and get the passport book.  I have made my goal to fill mine up before it expires after 10 years.  Downside is that not every country stamps them any more.  Bummer.

3. Packing list, use one!  Make sure that you forget nothing, this will be needed when your husband asks where the q-tips, aspirin or a band aid are once you are in your cabin.  Charging cords are probably the single most important thing, for the phone, camera, I-pod, E-reader, Fit-bit, back up power block for when you are away from the ship.  I have a new reading light that is rechargeable and I am more than excited to test drive it on this trip while around the ship for other activities.

4.  A ride to and from the airport will save you a great deal of money these days.  Parking at our airport is anywhere from $10-$20 a day for parking, and that is the mid-west.  I remember when I used to go to Las Vegas for a visit.  I would actually leave my money to get my car out of hock under my floormat, because if I had it there, it might not make it back depending on my luck.  Now I won't recommend that you do that in this day and time, but if you aren't sure. . .

5.  Itinerary.  Leave copies of your itinerary with the dog sitter, the neighbor that you trust, and family that don't have keys to your house. 

My First Post!

Welcome to my first post as the Cruise, Work, Repeat blogger!  I have no experience with the blogging world, so this will be an educational experience.  Well I know that you are not reading this to find out how technically challenged I am, you will figure that out on your own, so lets talk.

I consider my self a bit of a cruising addict and wanted to share my experiences after talking to many people who are not cruisers for all the wrong reasons.  "I get seasick", "I can't afford those cruise prices", "I don't like someone telling me which activity I have to go to on the ship", "I hear cruising is a bunch of drunk people or lots of out of control kids".  Any of those ring true with you or someone that you know?  My goal is to dispel all of the rumors, myths and use my first hand experience to share what I have learned along the way.  Sound fair?

How am I qualified?  I am going on my 18th cruise soon for 11 days.  I have cruised in Europe twice, Hawaii twice, the Panama Canal, and many Caribbean islands.  I have been on several brands of ships, Disney, Princess, Norwegian (NCL), Holland America (HAL), Carnival. I have had inside cabins,obstructed ocean view, balcony, and even got upgraded to a mini-suite. (Don't get your hopes up, that never ever happens . . . I think someone was drinking or something.)

Since I am leaving on that cruise soon, let's start with how to choose a cruise:

Ports of call
Cost of cruise
Cost of air fare (I live in the Midwest)
Dates for the cruise.

You can start with any of the above, but I like to cruise this time of year as my birthday, my husbands birthday and our wedding anniversary are all within 5 days in this month, Depending on where you want to go, that  type of plan may or may not work.  March is too early to go to Northern Europe, and in Hawaii, the flowers haven't really started to bloom yet.  My husband and I both prefer the Eastern Caribbean if we are heading that way for our cruise.  I am contemplating a cruise to see the Northern Lights in Norway next year, that would require us to cruise to the Arctic Circle at the end of January 2020.  So you can find a cruise anywhere you want to go if you look hard enough.

If your cruise dates are flexible, those last minute cruise deals are amazing, but if you have your heart set on a specific place or cruise line, that may not be the way to go for you.  Just something to think about.  Go to the cruise lines web sites and ask for them to send you their catalog, or my version of a "wish book".  Where you book your cruise is something for a later discussion, but I will say, you should NEVER, EVER pay the price in those beautiful wish books.  Nobody pays that price, so don't let that detour you. 

Next time we will delve deeper into the how to choose a cruise destination.  But choosing all starts with closing your eyes and and finding your happy spot. 

Thanks for reading and I will do my best to bring discussion and clarity to the whole cruise industry mystery.