Since this was just a stop on our Eastern Mediterranean cruise and the weather didn’t call for beaching it we spent nearly all of our time here. I hope you enjoy the photos of this spectacular piece of history.

Funny story :: I got so caught up with taking photographs of this castle Roydio and I got separated. When he finally found me he told me he panicked a little and walked all the way down the hill to where the bus was to see if I was there before hiking back up the hill to find me planted in front of the castle waiting patiently for him. It’s a good thing we had some time to spare. But it was here that we decided that if we ever get separated again we would meet at the place we split up. Luckily everything worked out this time but it could have ended up badly. HA!

Oh and we also now have international texting included in our calling plan so we can communicate no matter where in the world we are. Shout out to T-Mobile for saving us! HA!

Tip :: if you’re traveling with other people be sure to make a plan for meeting back up again or make sure you have the international texting on your phone plan. HA!

Before boarding our ship I also got a couple of quick shots of La Seu, Cathedral-Basilica de Santa Maria de Mallorca, a pretty impressive Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral…

…and the Windmills of Mallorca.

Read More ::

Sorrento :: A Charming Town Along the Coast of Italy

Cinque Terre :: One Stop, Five Lands

20 Photographs to Inspire You to Visit Barcelona

Istanbul :: My Favorite Historical City in Europe

This time around we spent our time here in the historic places of Palma de Mallorca and I’m so glad we did. But should there be a next time I think we will opt for visiting when the weather is more conducive to laying out (and perhaps snorkeling) on the beaches because I hear they are pretty spectacular.

Click on these links for more information on ::
Museu d’Història de la Ciutat
Cathedral de Palma (La Seu)
Windmills of Mallorca

The post Bellver Castle :: 30 Images in Palma de Mallorca appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

Tip #1 :: Choosing the perfect cruise line

The first of the Cruise Tips I have for you is in choosing a cruise line. Why? Because they all differ in personality. If you stop to consider what vibe suits you best you will be guaranteed a great time because it will fit your personality.

It has to be said that all of the cruise lines try and provide something to please everyone. But trust me when I tell you :: it is possible to wind up on a cruise ship with food that you’re not happy with, entertainment that doesn’t suit you and people with whom you have nothing in common. There’s nothing worse.

And that’s why my number one cruise tip is to choose your cruise line first. And I always advised that you do your research well in advance. I’ve taken four different cruise lines over the last 30+ years and these are the ones I am sharing with you ::

Carnival 

Known as the “Fun Ships” Carnival seems to be especially focused on pleasing the party-goers, singles and families with children and they make it more affordable so the cost fits into the budget of this demographic. And with the fun also comes a lot of noise. Yes, Carnival ships can get loud. But if you’re all about the fun, that will be perfect for you. They provide a party atmosphere out by the pool all day and night.

Carnival sails to :: Alaska, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

Carnival’s main dining room food quality is fine and it is all included in the price of your cruise so if you don’t like something you can always ask for something else. It’s a lot of fun when you go with a large group to dine together every night. And if you are traveling as a couple you can eat at your own table or ask to be seated with a larger group for dinner. It’s a great way to meet new people. But just remember you will be dining with these same people every night.

There are lots of other food venues on board that are included in the price of your cruise as well such as the ever popular Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint, 24-hour pizza on the Lido deck and many others. When we traveled with our family we spent a lot of time on the Lido deck because who doesn’t like fresh, homemade pizza? They provide lots of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Royal Caribbean

The cost of an RCCL cruise won’t break your bank depending, of course, on what type of cabin you choose and if you opt out of the specialty dining venues they offer. Their large ships never seem crowded no matter where you go even though their largest ship accommodates 6600 passengers and 3000 crew members.

RCCL sails to :: Alaska, Arabian Gulf, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/NE, Caribbean, Europe, Pacific Northwest, Panama, South Pacific, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

The entertainment on board is fabulous – their broadway productions are magnificent. The main dining room food quality is good. Their specialty dining restaurants are great.

Celebrity

Celebrity sails to :: Alaska, Asia, Australia/NZ, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Dubai, Europe, Galapagos, Hawaii, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

With moderate cruise pricing they also offer good main dining room food quality. I would rate them a notch above Royal Caribbean for their food. And their itineraries are pretty spectacular.

They have a tendency to cater to the the older British crowd out of the UK (we left out of Southampton) where the entertainment is also focused on the Brits. That’s what we discovered at least. But it’s party time almost anywhere else.

We took Celebrity Equinox out of Istanbul when they still included that port. Since the US Embassy bombing in Ankara in 2003 cruise lines have removed Turkey from their itinerary altogether. But this was truly the best cruise I’ve ever taken. Istanbul to Barcelona and 12 stops in between. I would do it again in a heartbeat. And Celebrity was the perfect cruise line for it.

Norwegian

Norwegian sails to :: Africa, Alaska, Asia, Austrialia/NZ, Bahamas, Canada/NE, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Pacific Coast, Panama, South America and Transatlantic.

The Norwegian cabins have a tendency to be a bit smaller than the average cruise ship but you won’t be able to tell. We couldn’t. Their main dining room food quality is better than average as is their on board entertainment. They have really stepped up their game when it comes to on board entertainment. Their ship Norwegian Bliss even has a race track!

I loved cruising with Norwegian – we’ve taken the Escape and the Epic and they were both fabulous!

So there you have the run down on four of the top cruise lines IMHO and the ones I personally have experience with. I have enjoyed each one and they each have their strengths so it just depends on what you are looking for in a cruise. But wait, I have more cruise tips for you ::

Tip #2 :: Choosing the perfect ship

Choosing a ship is my next priority and one of the most important of my cruise tips for you. It’s probably because I’ve had so many to compare that I am more persnickety about the ship I want to take on my next cruise. Once you’ve sailed a few times you realize what you like and what you don’t like so my opinions come from my experience ::

SIZE / AGE

I have found that the size and age of the ship is the number one priority for me. Yes, destinations are important too but if the itinerary is great and the ship is old and doesn’t have all the amenities I like having then it makes for a dull time while at sea. The newer ships tend to be not only larger but also have better amenities onboard to make the cruise much more fun.

The smaller ships can get to places the larger ships can’t such as rivers and canals. But they are also not as stable as the larger ships so you will feel the movement of the waves a lot more. And I find that they also target an older crowd with less amenities than do the larger ships.

CLASS

The class of the ship also determines how much will be available to you while you are onboard. The higher the class the more expensive but also the more comfortable and luxurious your experience will be. Many times the class will also determine the ship’s age.

AMENITIES

Amenities are important if you are going to spend any time at sea at all. For instance, depending on the destination, on a 7-day cruise you could be spending half of the time at sea. And if your options only include a crowded pool outside or crowded restaurants inside you may not enjoy your cruise as much as a larger ship. Consider how much you would be willing to spend to upgrade your class of ship so that amenities are plenty.

Tip #3 :: Choosing the perfect itinerary

It almost isn’t as important to me to choose the specific itinerary because once you decide what kind of cruise you want there are so many different ports you have to choose from each hold something special and many different options. I’ve been to the same ports two or more times and I always find new places to explore so consider this as another one of my important cruise tips ::

DESTINATIONS

Whether you want to spend your port time in the water or on a beach or taking land excursions, choosing your destination is very important. Take time to explore all the different options, there are many!

TIME OF YEAR

Just as above and of course very important when considering a cruise, you will want to keep the time of year in mind. Before June and after September you can expect cooler weather and even some rain and the ocean water tends to be colder in places like Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. I don’t think a little rain is always a bad thing, especially in places like Pompeii or Athens where the heat can be overwhelming. But just consider that when choosing the time of year for your cruise.

PORTS

Consider the location you will be sailing out of. West Coast, East Coast or even a destination port. Because that can be really fun!

LENGTH OF CRUISE

Cruise length ranges anywhere from 3 days to 21 days on a regular cruise itinerary so one of my tips is to consider length. It all depends on where you want to go and what your budget is. Personally I have taken so many cruises that a 3-day cruise seems just too short. Sometimes even 7 days isn’t long enough for me anymore. My personal preference is a 14-day cruise or longer. And I love Europe and the Mediterranean so that time frame is perfect for those destinations.

Also consider how much time you prefer to be at sea as opposed to stopping at ports. There are lots of activities on board a larger ship in case you are spending several days at sea. But if you’re an adventurer you may opt for a cruise that includes several ports. There is no wrong or right. The choice is yours. But one of my tips for choosing a cruise is to consider how much time you want to be at sea.

EXCURSIONS

You can choose and reserve your cruise excursions when you are onboard your ship but one of my tips would be not to waste your precious vacation time doing this. There are always very long lines for Guest Services because other people haven’t planned ahead and booked online. I suggest you do all of your research prior to your cruise and book your excursions well ahead of time. You will have more choice before they are sold out and you can enjoy your cruise time doing fun things on board.

Another one of my tips is to spend time doing some research and trying to find reputable cruise excursions by companies who are not necessarily affiliated with your cruise line. Chances are your excursion will be cheaper and many times you can find a better choice for you and your friends/family. Make sure you do careful research on the company offering excursions. Although there are many reputable ones, there are also some that are not. Cruisecritic.com is a valuable forum resource where you can get others’ recommendations of excursions you are thinking of booking. My personal preference is finding local companies to those offered by the cruise line. It is their business to show you a great time and get you back to the ship in plenty of time. We have experienced some fantastic excursions by researching those with rave reviews and high ratings found on cruisecritic.com and tripadvisor.com.

Tip #4 :: Choosing the perfect cabin

When it comes to a cabin it really is a personal preference. When I cruise I like my cabin to feel like I’m at home so another one of my tips is to consider what kind of cabin you’d like. I prefer a higher middle deck and I prefer a balcony because of the views and the fresh sea air. But if you’re not picky and you want to keep your budget to a minimum you may opt for an inside cabin. Again, the choice is yours ::

LOCATION

The location of your cabin may be important to you if you have a tendency to have motion sickness. Low and middle is my recommendation if the “sway” of the ship will hinder your ability to have a good time and/or sleep.

If motion sickness is not a problem, consider the area of the ship you will be spending a lot of your time. Go online and check out the map of your ship. If you like to go to the pool, try and get a room nearer to that side of the ship so it will be easy and less time-consuming getting to and from your room. If you want a great view of the sunrise, sunset or land check out the route of the ship to see what side of the ship will give you the best views.

TYPE

There are several choices of cabins available depending on your budget and your preferences. Inside cabins are the cheapest rooms available but you will not have a view and they have a tendency to feel smaller and closed in without windows. The cabin choices go up from there all the way to outside and balconies and suites. Think about what’s important to you when traveling and make sure to choose something that will be comfortable for you. This is definitely one of my best cruise tips. Don’t just go for cheap :: the difference is only dollars so be sure you get what you will be comfortable in.

CLASS

There are also different classes of cabins, some that come with concierge and/or butler service. If that is important to you make sure to look into how much extra it will cost and if it makes sense for your budget.

Tip #5 :: Choosing the perfect embarkation location

I really enjoy taking my time and arriving at my cruise port at least a day early. Sometimes I even arrive 3-5 days early especially if it’s a location I’ve never been to before. And there’s also the option of lengthening your vacation by staying longer. One thing I’d love to do is take back-to-back cruises but I have yet to experience that so I can’t give you input on that. So here is what I recommend ::

CITY

When choosing a cruise take into consideration where you will be embarking. The port city may be near other things you are interesting in doing or seeing. Some cruises will embark in one city and disembark in another city. That might be an option. But be sure you check to see which itineraries offer what you prefer.

PROXIMITY

How far is your cruise port from where you live? Take into consideration the cost for your flights and/or other transportation you will need to pay for before even getting onto your cruise ship. And if you are driving make sure you check out where is the best place to park your car for the time you’re gone. They do have parking at the port but from what I hear it is much more expensive than the off-site parking lots, some of which provide shuttles to the port.

Tip #6 :: Planning fun before and after

Once you have chosen your cruise line, destination, ship, destination, cabin and embarkation point you can start researching and planning your time before and after your cruise. This is one of my favorite cruise tips! Take your time :: it’s your vacation so make it last as long as you can!

LODGING

It is good to stay in lodging that is in close proximity to the port, dining options and with other interesting places within a short drive or walking distance to enjoy. Whether you choose a hotel, resort or AirBnb is up to you. Many hotels offer shuttle service to the port or you can take an Uber if they don’t. If you’re near by it won’t cost much.

OUTINGS

Try to find some great things to do that are not far from your hotel. Having a pool at the hotel is always a great way to start relaxing. I chose an Escape Room for us to experience prior to our cruise out of Miami. It was a lot of fun. We also ate at some great restaurants nearby that feature Latin food to get us in the vacation mood.

When we traveled to Istanbul to start on our 14-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise we arrived 4 days early to explore Istanbul itself. And when we disembarked in Barcelona we spent several days there as well. It is so much fun to take advantage of the cities in which you’ve never been before. I mean, who knows if you’ll ever have the chance to return? May as well take advantage of being there if you have the time, right?

I hope some of my cruising tips will give you food for thought as you begin planning! I’m so excited for you because whether this is your first time or you’re a veteran cruiser, I know you will have an absolutely fabulous time!

Let me know if cruising is in your plans for the near future and if some of my tips have helped you to decide some of the details!

Bon Voyage!

Read More ::

Girls Trip :: Come, Let’s Sail Away

How to Pack a Carryon For a Cruise in 10 Easy Steps

Ultimate Guide to Symphony of the Seas

Best Travel Tips After 30 Years of Traveling

The post 6 Cruise Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect One appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

We traveled by train from the cruise port to Riomaggiore, the first and most southern of the Cinque Terre.

Riomaggiore

As we entered Riomaggiore we walked through a tunnel lined with hand-painted tile and artwork. It was really a beautiful way to enter the Five Villages for my first time. I’d seen pictures and was instantly drawn to Cinque Terre but in all fairness you have to physically visit it to experience the true magnitude of its beauty.

We spent most of our time wandering the streets of Riomaggiore. What a beautiful town, even in the rain.

We had originally planned to walk the trails from one town to the other however the paths were wet, unstable and partially closed due to the rains so we opted to take the train between towns. It was actually very easy to navigate, much easier than I had anticipated. And it probably was a better option, giving us time to wander without worrying about the time so much. By train it only took about 5 minutes before we arrived in Manarola.

Manarola

Another beautiful town I was instantly drawn to Manarola’s cliff walls that were naturally formed by the earth’s movement.

The rains trickled ever so gently along its walls and the greenery that sprouted out from between the rocks.

We ducked into a little place for a cup of strong Italian coffee before continuing on our journey.

Corniglia

Corniglia was the next town in Cinque Terre we hopped off the train to see. And such a cute town it was! Filled with adorable little shops and houses, and although the cloudy skies didn’t reveal all the beautiful colors as I’d seen in pictures it was so beautiful. Then for just a few seconds the sun peeked out to help me understand more clearly what a difference the sun makes to brighten up this little corner of the world. I wish I had captured that little bit of sun on film. But it just means that I’ll have to come back again.

Vernazza

Vernazza has to be my favorite of the five villages. With the cute fishing boats docked down below on the Ligurian Riviera it made the most picturesque view of the water. We walked and walked up and down the hills on little pathways between the houses not wanting to miss any little nook and cranny we passed. 

It was amazing to me that there were so many tourists here with us that day. Especially a large tour group with all of their camera equipment and selfie sticks, stopping to take pictures every step of the way, made it difficult to see clearly. It was then that we decided to duck inside the Gente di Mare with its beautiful pipe organ in the balcony above. And we took the steps down to the lower level to get back out to the street.

It was mid-morning so we stopped at this cute little Focacceria. All they sold was focaccia. And OMG can I just say that it was the best focaccia I’d ever had? That’s probably to be expected having tasted it in Italy for the first time. Seriously, it was indescribably delicious. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly soft on the inside and perfectly toasted on the outside.

I wish I would have recorded the girls behind the counter as they sung Italian songs while they worked. It was like out of a fairy tale movie. We ate our scrumptious focaccia on the steps outside and just listed to the music. Yes. We were in Italy and I was absorbing every scent, every sound. And no, I couldn’t wait to delve into this wonderful bread before capturing a picture of it! HA!

Monterossa al Mare

Our last stop and at the north-most end of Cinque Terre was Monterosso al Mare. This town was unique to the rest as it didn’t have that “small town” feel as the others did.

We didn’t let a little rain stop us from getting some gelato because, well, you have to have gelato when in Italy, right?

After a quick look around town we took out our tickets and headed back out to the train to La Spezia and onboard our ship.

As I said earlier, this was a great way to just see an overview of Cinque Terre but I am convinced we will be back to spend more quality time in this beautiful place.

I’d love to find the perfect time for a visit :: when the weather is beautiful but there are not so many tourists. Is there such a time? We will see. But regardless, I know I’ll be back because this has been one of my favorite cruise stops so far.

Read More ::

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The post Cinque Terre :: One Stop, Five Lands appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

We may not realize how important female friendships are… but they really are. We need friends who will help us navigate through the good times and difficult times in life. Whether it’s one best girlfriend or many, we need girl friendships to help make life better just by having them. There are so many benefits :: we make memories or recall those special moments that make us smile or laugh so hard until tears stream down our face, we need hugs of encouragement and joy throughout this crazy life, we need advice in times of difficulty and mostly give us justification to be US. Our girlfriends appreciate us for who we are.

There are so many more reasons to have your besties by your side of course but I’ve come up with at least eight things I find you absolutely must make time for ::

1. Let loose :: It’s important to be able to completely be yourself. Life can be difficult at times. But when you’re with your girls you can forget about your cares and enjoy each other’s company and just be silly.

2. Personal one-on-one time :: girl time is imperative. On our cruises we have breakfast together every morning on our adjoining balconies (in this pic we were waiting for them to take down the partition), catch up on our lives, uplifting one another, sharing spiritual unity, giving each other facials and venting about our family life… there is much, much more. Spending time together is the main thing.

3. Girls just wanna have fun :: it’s always a good time to dance, singing along with songs from the past that bring you back to your younger days, hanging out in the hot tub or pool, snorkeling and boating, laying out on the beach. We don’t need a reason to have fun.

4. Get dressed up and blinged out :: getting gussied up and looking fancy is always a great idea when the girls get together. It’s so much fun! Whether it’s dinner or a show, a celebration or just because.

5. To remind you that you’re not only one person with the one you’re with :: your girls allow you to be who you are, who you are meant to be, encouraging you to rise to the occasion of being you and not disappearing into the wife/girlfriend of him. Be you. Without a care in the world.

6. Girls are still your soul mates whether or not you’re with someone. Boys don’t understand your “girl”-ness and never will. Your girls do. They think the same way you do and will give you a perspective from a girl’s point of view that is impossible from him. Your soul mates understand you like no boy can.

7. Your girls keep you true to yourself :: there’s no need for pretenses, your girls keep you grounded. Laugh until you cry and maybe even almost to the point of peeing your pants about things that boys have no understanding of. We laughed every minute of every day, from the minute we woke up until the moment we fell asleep. Laughing is good for the soul and for your health. And being reminded and excepted for who you are makes life so much better.

8. Make more friends everywhere you go :: every excursion, every dinner, every night at the casino and at the bar. We had a woman in Puerto Rico stop us to say that our joy is contagious and she wished she was on vacation with us. She wasn’t the only one. At an otherwise uptight dinner venue on board we turned a stuffy night into a night of laughter and had the tables around us laughing with us. Or just waiting for our room (like in this picture) there are lots of people around us that want to be friends! There are lots of opportunities to meet new people and infect them with your joy.

In a previous post 10 Best Girlfriends Getaways in 2019 I mention taking a cruise as one of the best trips to take with your girlfriends. But there are lots of other things you can do so check it out!

So here is the itinerary of our Girls’ Trip 2019 to give you an idea of how you can plan yours! Ours consisted of a 7-day cruise to St. Maarten, Puerto Rico and Haiti sailing out of Miami so we arrived a couple of days early to make the most of our time together ::

Day 1 we arrived in Miami, all met up at the airport (from all four time zones :: California, Idaho, Minnesota and Pennsylvania) and Uber-ed to our hotel. Dinner next door to the hotel at Sergio’s Cuban restaurant after an exhausting day of travel. Talking into the early morning hours just catching up…

Day 2 in Miami we spent all day poolside catching up some more. Lunch by the pool and then dinner at an amazing Peruvian restaurant Cvi.che 105. OMG the food there was uh-MAY-zing! I’ve never had ceviche this way before and they have a full menu of many other choices of Peruvian deliciousness.

Then we did an Escape Room afterwards. We arrived late (it takes more time catching up than you realize!) and didn’t get out in time. Boo. Again a late night but So. Much. Fun!

Day 3 we boarded Royal Caribbean’s (RCCL) Symphony of the Seas (SoS). I have a separate post about this ship, the largest in the world, because it is absolutely incredible. Check it out! We hung out in a latin salsa bar called Boleros until our rooms were ready.

We then attended the poolside Sail Away Party where there happened to be a group of girls and their mothers celebrating their Quinceanera. There must have been about 20-25 14-year-old latin girls and their mothers (no men allowed, apparently) who danced the cruise away. It was the biggest and best Q party they could have ever had! And we enjoyed watching them enjoy this important celebration of life.

Dinner at Wonderland. OMG I need a separate post on this specialty restaurant. I think I’ll do that! Because this is truly an experience I highly recommend should you decide on an RCCL cruise on the SoS!

I had to include this video of the Chocolate Bomb we enjoyed… probably one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in my life… Oh. Em. Gee!!!

The balloon drop at midnight was crazy fun and we sang along to music from our past and to which we danced for the last couple of hours of the day. The band was pretty terrific! As if that wasn’t enough we then spent time in the casino and ate pizza at around 3am before heading up to our cabin. Yes, we were exhausted!

Day 4 we leisurely explored the ship, had our lunch in the Solarium (adults only) for lunch and laid out in the sun in our own cabanas most of the day. We attended an Art Auction wherein two in our group purchased some beautiful pieces.

We enjoyed our dinner at 150 Central Park specialty restaurant (this is the stuffy place I mentioned earlier). The food was magnificent and the staff was wonderful as well. We ended up closing the place down. LOL!

We then went back to Boleros to watch the salsa dancing again – those girls and their families had so much fun every night! Such a blast! We ended the night in the casino and pizza, of course.

Day 5 we had our breakfast and long, long meaningful discussions on our adjoining balconies…

…lunch at Park Cafe (our fave)…

…and then a slot tournament and bingo.

We had our dinner in the Main Dining Room (the only day we ate here LOL!!!)…

…and then attended the first of four shows onboard :: Hairspray. It was a fabulous Broadway performance and every bit quality! Back to the casino and pizza at 2am before heading to bed.

Day 6 was our 3rd day onboard and our first port stop :: St. Maarten – we took a private snorkel adventure with Captain Alan to 3 islands with Elisa and Jervais ::  Ile Tintamarre, Creole Rock, Ilet de Pinel – had a simple yet delicious lunch of sandwiches, salad and fruit onboard between the stops.

After re-boarding SoS we freshened up and were so tuckered out that we opted for a casual dinner at Johnny Rockets for hamburgers and fries – just the ticket! We finished the night at the casino bar meeting some people who were playing craps. He grew up in Long Beach and now lives in Orange County in Southern California with his family! It’s a small world.

Day 7 was our 2nd port :: Puerto Rico :: where we took a coach tour of old and new San Juan.

We did a little shopping at an outdoor market and had lunch at a recommended restaurant Mojitos and had mofongo for the first time.

Here is the woman we met that I spoke about earlier who wanted to join our group. She came to hang out with us for a while.

Once back onboard the ship we had dinner at Chops Grille specialty restaurant…

…and attended our second show Hiro which is an aquatic performance. Amazing!

Afterwards we went to Dazzles to see a Beatles tribute by the main band who also played at the balloon drop the first night. We actually came back later that night when everyone was gone and talked until the cleaning crew came in and worked around us.

Day 8 we docked in Labadee, Haiti which is owned by RCCL and we had another snorkel adventure, a nice lunch provided by RCCL there (while watching the zip-liners zip by over us) and leisurely shopping for souvenirs.

Back onboard we freshened up and had time to just hang together in our adjoining cabins until dinner which we grabbed at the Solarium Bistro and took out with us to eat in Central Park.

Afterwards we enjoyed the fabulous Ice Skating Show. They used 40 drones in the opening of the show which was pretty spectacular! And after that we stayed for the Battle of the Sexes game as well as the Quest game. Very entertaining! We ended up back in the casino and pizza again in the early morning hours.

Day 9 was our final day at sea. We had breakfast in the Windjammer, played our final slot tournament. I got in the finals but then lost. Boo!

We finally caught up with the traveling piano man, had lunch at Park Cafe (our very fave) and watched the Flowriders for a while. Then we spent time chatting it up with the girls in the jacuzzi.

In the evening we attended “Flight – Dare to Dream” which is an original RCCL production chronicling the evolution of air and space travel and which included for the first time in history on stage :: zero gravity (as you can see in the video above)! It was absolutely magnificent!

And if that wasn’t enough they used 3-D technology to fly this biplane over the audience. Absolutely breathtaking show!

To read more about this production and all the productions on Symphony of the Seas, click here. It is totally worth taking SoS if only for their stage productions if not every other state-of-the-art technologies they use throughout the ship!

After the show which was completely unmatched, we had a very low-key dinner in the Solarium Bistro and couldn’t stop talking about the amazing shows and ship we had experienced all week. We spent our last night in the casino and casino bar with our new found friends and had our last pizza night before bed. A tradition we just couldn’t break.

Day 10 we disembarked, the easiest disembarkation ever, by the way, RCCL does an amazing job of getting us out seamlessly! We found our way to the Uber station along with 4000 other people! That was a crazy experience! Trekking through the crowds and finding our Uber driver was a challenge but we did it! We ate at the Front Porch in South Beach before heading out to the airport to meet our flights.

Such a wonderful girls’ trip and the perfect vacation for us all to catch up, laugh, get silly, make friends, renew our friendships and have an absolutely fun time! 

It’s funny that I am actually the only one in our group who doesn’t drink alcohol. That was absolutely no deterrent to our enjoyment. Luckily I have no inhibitions and don’t need alcohol to let go and get a little crazy. And luckily my friends are not the type to get inebriated and sloppy and inappropriate. All on a vacation of fun and letting go and being unafraid of doing and saying anything without judgement. These are the kinds of girlfriends we all need. 

I encourage you to find them and start the tradition of girls’ trips on a regular basis. Or if you live in different time zones like our group, set intended dates of getting together on girls’ trips throughout the year. Whether it’s once a year or every other year like we do, just make sure to do it. You will be so glad you did!

**Warning :: You will need a vacation to recuperate from your girls’ trip … it took me a couple of days to adjust to my “real” life. LOL! But I can’t wait for the next one!

Read More ::

10 Best Girlfriends Getaways in 2019

How to Pack a Carryon For a Cruise

My Favorite Travel Products :: Top 50

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SoS by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ship has 2,752 staterooms, including 188 suites and 28 more balconies than the next largest ship in the fleet :: Harmony of the Seas. It can accommodate 6,680 passengers in 2,750 cabins which are available in different configurations. The passengers are served by 2,200 international crew members.

One of the reasons I wanted to write about SoS is to show some of you especially who are not necessarily interested in going on a cruise that there is nothing to be hesitant about. IMHO cruising is one of the best ways of taking a vacation. It’s all inclusive of room and board but best of all :: you get to travel from one location to the other without having to pack up your bags and get yourself to the next one.

I’ll try to cover lots of aspects of the ship for you so you can really get a feel of what the SoS is all about.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Balcony Stateroom

With state-of-the-art amenities in my balcony stateroom you really can make this your home away from home. The bathroom is the most important thing to me and this one is pretty perfect as bathrooms on a cruise ship goes. I mean, I’m sure it may be more spacious in suite but I’m not one for splurging on space when I won’t be in it but for an hour a day. Lots of storage, comfortable mattress and pillows, a large workspace, a couch and a spacious balcony.

I always choose a balcony stateroom for several reasons :: 

1. Looking out onto the water rather than a wall gives it the appearance of having more room
2. You can have your breakfast outside in the morning
3. You can see the view as you’re coming into ports or leaving the port :: sometimes there are views of other lands as you’re sailing from one port to another
4. You can wake up to the most beautiful sunrises and get ready for dinner to amazing sunsets. Depending on what side of the ship you’re on and what direction you’re sailing at that time of the day, sometimes you get both!
5. Sometimes it’s nice to have some downtime in private. Laying out on the balcony is much nicer than just being in a closed-in room
6. I love the smell of the sea air so I can leave the sliding glass door open while I’m resting or doing some work onboard or even when sailing at night. Speaking of work, I can also do that on the balcony if I choose to

To settle in to my stateroom I unzip my packing cubes and put them in the drawers, put my toiletries in the bathroom, hang up my clothes, set up my computer and slide my empty suitcase under the bed. Voila! I’m home for the next 7-14 days or longer…

Symphony of the Seas :: The Solarium

The Solarium is a great place to get a little peace and quiet away from all the crazy fun at the bars and the pool. It has a couple of private hot tubs and lots of space. Here you will find some comfortable seating including lounge chairs and cabanas. There are plenty of spaces for everyone. And it never seems to feel crowded.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Slides

There are several slides onboard the SoS that provide great water fun outdoors for kids and adults alike. Not only are there water slides but there is a dry slide that breaks all records.

This heart-pumping adventure on board beginning on the top deck :: 150 feet above sea level :: on a see-through glass platform is called the Ultimate Abyss and it’s not for the faint of heart. So as not to spoil the ride for you I’ve just included the exit… wait for it! HA!

Symphony of the Seas :: The Pools

There are four pools throughout the ship. They even have one for Adults Only. The jacuzzis are also scattered throughout in different sizes and shapes and locations. It’s always a good time for the jacuzzi!

Symphony of the Seas :: The Cabins with Interior Views

I’ve always opted for a balcony stateroom on the outside of the ship because of the reasons I stated above. But they also offer inward-facing balcony staterooms that are really popular. You can step out on your balcony and be instantly a part of all the activities happening below.

There is also one very special family two-story inward-facing suite available for those who are traveling with the family. Albeit unaffordable for most, Room 1733 goes for $20,000 and has all the amenities you could ask for and more. A slide takes the kiddos from the top floor to the bottom. Two full bedrooms with big-screen TVs, games, etc. You’ve got to see it to believe it. To see a video of the interior click here.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Shows

In my opinion Royal Caribbean has one of the best line ups of Broadway-quality shows on the high seas. Royal Caribbean Productions is the first team to consult with an astronaut that lived in space for a live theatrical production called “Flight :: Dare to Dream” in which the high-impact choreography and production also take form in 3D flying.

Offering three other shows, Hairspray (Broadway), 1977 (ice rink) and Hiro (aquatic), each performing on different nights, you have ample time to see them all. I recommend making reservations before you sail to assure a seat. If you are an RCCL Gold member or above you qualify for priority seating.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Dining Venues

SoS has ten complimentary dining options which includes the main dining rooms plus, of course, there is always room service. They also offer ten specialty restaurants for an additional charge if you choose to dine in a more upscale atmosphere. And they also have a full-service Starbucks store located in the Royal Promenade.

As far as signature restaurants go they include Hooked Seafood, Chops Grille, Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, Jame’s Italian, Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, 150 Central Park and Park Café and many more.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Meals

You will find just about everything on the menus you could possibly think of and then maybe few more than you hadn’t thought of. The images below are just from the main dining room. The specialty restaurants are over the top.

Symphony of the Seas :: The Desserts

A picture is worth a thousand words. ‘nough said.

And so much more…

Among the many amenities of Symphony of the Seas are some more somewhat discrete features that are sometimes just taken for granted or overlooked. I mean, you’re on a ship so you expect it to function right and meet your needs and requirements for a good time. Well, the bars probably aren’t overlooked but since I don’t personally drink I overlook them all the time and so I’ve put them in this category. LOL!

The Elevators

I know, you’re probably thinking that elevators really don’t deserve a heading of their own. Well on SoS they are all pretty spectacular and I decided to feature them anyway. No minute is had on board that doesn’t entertain in some way.

There is even a traveling piano man who moves about the ship up and down the elevators to entertain you. Now, aren’t you glad I included elevators in its own category?

The Views

Whether leaving a port, coming into a port or sailing in the middle of the ocean there are amazing views to be had. You can see it all if you’re standing on any of the decks or from your stateroom if you have a balcony. All I know is that the views are intoxicating.

The Bars

Enjoy 42 bars and lounges where you can imbibe to your heart’s content serving everything from cocktails to specialty coffee drinks.

Among the many state-of-the-art features, the Rising Tide bar travels up and down between three floors :: what a ride!

I guess it isn’t such a stretch to self-tending-bartenders. Yes, robots. The Bionic Bar can serve up to 1,000 drinks per day with 21 mixers and 30 spirits from 2 robot bartenders.

But to see them working up close and personal is a trip (HA! I’m a 70’s girl). It is fascinating to see them pull liquor out of the ceiling, pour the exact measurements into glasses, get ice out of the freezer and even pick up and shake the drinks. It is truly hypnotizing to watch. See for yourself ::

The Royal Promenade

The Promenade is just one of seven neighborhoods onboard SoS. Boardwalk, Central Park, Entertainment Place, Pool and Sports Zone, Youth Zone and the Vitality Spa and Fitness Center are the others.

The Art

Feast your eyes on the beautiful artwork throughout. RCCL has left absolutely no stone unturned on this amazing ship.

They even have interactive art! OMG I never even knew something like that existed!

The Outdoor Fun

Outdoor entertainment facilities include pools and whirlpools, an ice-skating rink, a mini-golf course, a nine-deck-high zip line, two rock-climbing walls, a running track, full-size basketball court and tennis court.

The ship offers one of the tallest slides at sea as well as two FlowRider surf simulators, a Splashaway Bay water park for kids and toddlers and other waterslides.

Next time I’m on this ship I’ll be trying the zip line. Doesn’t it look fun?

Read more ::

Best Travel Tips After 30 Years of Traveling

How to Pack a Carryon for a Cruise in 10 Easy Steps

What an incredible ship it is. SoS is not only the largest ship in the world but it is truly the most fabulous.

Everywhere you turn on this ship brings excitement and fun. There is something for everyone, for every age, for every man, woman, girl and boy. So bring your friends and family and get on board the Symphony of the Seas. I highly recommend it!

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