Tag Archive for: Luxury Travel Portage

Princess Cruises has officially debuted their newest ship, the Sun Princess, which is scheduled to sail in early 2024. Its inaugural spring/summer season will be in the Mediterranean followed by Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages out of Port Everglades, Florida in the fall of 2024. 

Sun Princess is the first ship in their fleet to be sustainably powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), which significantly reduces air emissions and marine gasoil to minimize the ship’s environmental footprint. Sun Princess, the fleet’s largest ship ever constructed, will accommodate 4,300 guests in 2,150 cabins. 1,500 of those cabins will have balconies, which is the most of any Princess ship. 

According to Princess, the ship will offer dynamic views of the world and innovative experiences through service, food and entertainment. The 3-story Piazza offers comfortable outward-facing seating with ocean views in every direction. The LED screen in the center will be used to deliver live entertainment programming. Adjacent to the Piazza atrium will be a coffee shop, bars and a pizzeria.

The Dome, inspired by the terraces of Santorini, will be a multi-level covered deck and first-ever true glass-enclosed dome built on a cruise ship. During the day, the comfortable space will offer an indoor/outdoor pool and unique water feature. At night, the Dome will be transformed into an entertainment venue complete with stage, lighting effects and stunning entertainment. 

Sun Princess will debut the Reserve Collection with premium location Mini-Suites and Cabanas, exclusive access to a private restaurant, and additional amenities. The Reserve Collection was previously called Club Class accommodations and will be available on all Princess ships.

The new level of suite accommodations, the Signature Collection, will be exclusive to Sun Princess. They will offer, in addition to premium stateroom amenities, suites with access to the Signature Restaurant, Signature Lounge and private Signature Sun Deck, a private area of the Sanctuary.

The Sun Princess will be a beautiful ship with iconic, elegant lines, world-class technology and modern designs infused with light. She is the third ship to be honored with the Sun Princess name and is sure to deliver a luxurious experience to her guests!

To be one of the first to sail on Sun Princess, contact me today!

Since I first posted about our experience on social media, I have had so many questions about it so I decided to answer some of them in this blog post.

Galactic Starcruiser – Is it worth it?

10,000% yes!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Star Wars movie. I may have, back in the 80’s, but I really don’t have a clue about the storyline or characters. However, it was by far one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

What’s it like? It’s kind of hard to explain without giving away too much. The best way to describe it is part dinner theater and part name-your-own adventure. It’s an immersive experience that you can be involved with as much or as little as you’d like. In many regards, it’s like an ocean cruise (in space). Your accommodations and meals are provided. You get to meet some of the crew, and you decide how to spend your time – at leisure or fully immersed in the classes and planned events. 

You don’t need to know much about Star Wars to ‘get’ it. The Cast Members are incredible. They draw you in and you become part of the story. The basic premise is you board the Halcyon for a cruise to Batuu. Things don’t quite go as planned. You communicate with the captain and other officials from the ship with an app (Disney Play) that gets activated when you board. Your adventure is dictated by how you respond. My husband, son and I each had different storylines and missions.

How is the food?

The food was fabulous! A lot of it looked different and kind of funny (hello blue shrimp ????). One of our table mates was a 7-year-old boy. He asked for “normal” food and was brought standard kid food without an issue.

All of your food and non-alcoholic beverages are included. The dining room is set up with a buffet for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, it becomes a regular dining room with a plated meal.

My son (who is 8) tried almost everything. Just like at home, there were things he liked and things he didn’t like. Our server was great and brought us more of the things he loved. I don’t eat gluten, and my husband and son can’t have shellfish. They accommodated us beautifully and without issue.

Do you have to dress up?

The short answer is no. I would guess that 60% or more were dressed up. There were more on the first night than the second. I had heard (and I agree) that costumes make you more memorable to the Cast Members. However, if you don’t want to dress up, no one cares. We saw everything from costumes to no costumes to Star Wars t-shirts. There were people dressed up as specific characters but most were like us – looking like we were from somewhere in the galaxy. We had fun with it. We wore the same outfits both nights and wore our “street” clothes on our excursion to Batuu. When you’re trying to decide on costumes, just do what feels right for you.

Do you get to pick which parks to visit?

Technically, I guess you could, but your voyage only includes admission to Hollywood Studios. It’s important to remember that this is an immersive experience. You are part of the story, so you are given missions to complete. Many of them are on Batuu (aka Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios)

You can begin to board your transport to Batuu as early as 8am on day 2, and you must return by 4pm. We headed over at 8:15. The transport is themed in typical Disney fashion, but I’m pretty sure we were in the back of a box truck. ????

Since we didn’t have another Hollywood Studios day planned for this trip, we quickly rode Slinky Dog, Toy Story Mania, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, all by 10:20. Then we headed to our reservation at Oga’s Cantina, which was part of our story.

After completing our missions at Oga’s Cantina, we used our Lightning Lane entrances for Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance.

We then did a few more quick missions (scanning QR codes around Batuu to collect supplies) and headed back to the ship a little before 1pm. They have activities onboard all day, and my son wanted to participate in the Droid racing. (He came in second behind the only adult participant) ????????

After that we headed back to Batuu for a few more missions. Activities onboard really kicked into full swing at 4pm.

So to answer the question, you really wouldn’t want to visit other parks during your stay as you’d miss out on the experience. After talking to others on our voyage, we learned that we were the minority in leaving Batuu to ride other rides, but it worked for us.

Would you do it again?

Absolutely! Our story would be different so we’d probably have a totally different experience. It was so much fun and unlike anything we have ever done before.

If you’d like to take a voyage on the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, contact me today!

Are you thinking about, or planning on, spending part of the Christmas holiday at Universal Orlando Resort? You will love it! Along with dazzling decorations and unforgettable entertainment, you’ll get to experience Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Grinchmas. 

If that’s not enough, Universal Orlando Resort offers two enhancements to make your holiday visit even better – Universal’s Holiday Tour and The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast. 

Universal’s Holiday Tour

With exclusive meet and greets, tasty treats and even an after-hours show included (plus more!) – this amazing adventure is filled with all the festive fun that’ll fit in an approximately 4 1/2 hour walking tour. This tour includes:

  • Exclusive Meet and Greet with the Grinch™ and his faithful dog, Max
  • Reserved seating for the Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular
  • Small plates, cookies, Who Hash, Chicken & Waffles, Popcorn Shrimp, non-alcoholic beverages and a hot cocoa bar at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous™
  • A Santa meeting including one (1) My Universal Photos digital download per party
  • Priority access to one (1) attraction (subject to Tour itinerary).

The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast

Join the Grinch, his dog Max, and their friends from Who-ville at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoopendous ™ in Universal’s Islands of Adventure for a breakfast feast. Enjoy a fabulous buffet with traditional breakfast treats, a side of sarcasm, plus some Who-ville specialties like green eggs and ham. Breakfast includes:

  • Breakfast buffet with specialty treats and one (1) non-alcoholic beverage
  • Character meet & greet with The Grinch™ and favorite Seuss characters from Who-ville and Seuss Landing
  • One (1) digital download photo from one character interaction with The Grinch™

These two experiences are available on varying dates and space is limited for each one. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about these experiences or booking a trip to Universal Orlando Resort. 

At the recent D23 Expo, the biennial exposition for the official Disney Fan Club, it was announced that Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney vacation to Australia and New Zealand beginning in late October 2023. 

The Disney Wonder will offer cruises ranging from 2-6 nights and will depart from four home ports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand. The limited-time “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises will immerse guests in Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories. 

For those looking for a longer cruise (13 and 15 nights), the transpacific cruises will sail both directions between Honolulu and Sydney. These will be the first South Pacific voyages for Disney Cruise Line, giving guests the chance to experience destinations like Fiji and Samoa. And if you’re looking for even more, you can add a special Adventures by Disney itinerary in Sydney. The Sydney Escape offers a 4-day, 3-night adventure, where you can explore some of the best that this magnificent city has to offer, making it the perfect pre- or post-adventure for your South Pacific Disney Cruise.

I am so excited about this news! Imagine adding a Disney cruise to your trip to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii! Combine the magic of Disney with the magic of these destinations and you truly have a bucket list vacation that everyone in the family will remember for a lifetime.

To book your Disney Cruise, contact us today!

Our family recently experienced the two-night adventure aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Disney World. Walt would be over-the-moon excited about what his creators and imagineers have come up with as it is truly out of this world (yes, puns intended). 

I couldn’t help but notice the parallels between the Starcruiser and a Disney ocean cruise. Once we stepped onboard, everything was included: meals, accommodations, entertainment, character greetings and endless activities. We even had a ship orientation, Captain’s reception, and everyone’s favorite – the muster drill.

While there are many similarities between a cruise and the Starcruiser, this was like nothing we have ever experienced. It was part live immersive theater, part themed environment, part culinary extravaganza, part real-life role playing and so much more!

Every guest creates their own story based on the decisions they make, and our personalized itinerary was kept updated in our Play Disney Parks app via communication from the crew and characters. 

You may wonder what kind of decisions have to be made. There are many. For instance, will you hide a stowaway to help the Resistance? Prove your mettle to join an elite smuggling ring? Bring the stolen ship aboard and watch out for the First Order? Each decision takes you down a different path. You can make decisions as a family or let each person create their own story.

Some of the activities offered include Lightsaber Training, Bridge Training, Sabacc Tournament, Droid Racing, and Model Ship Building. 

The 2-night experience includes an excursion to Batuu. Your missions throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge—including your adventures on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run—will influence events back on the ship. You’ll be able to enjoy one-time entry to these attractions during your excursion to Batuu. It’s all connected—and all part of your personal Star Wars story.

Guests onboard are encouraged to dress the part. Dress in your Jedi best, or dress to impress in your Coruscant best. No need to worry if your costume closet is a bit bare at home. There is a shop onboard the Starcruiser. 

Even the dining is immersive. On the first night, you’ll enjoy an expertly curated menu of delicious dishes from around the galaxy while engaging in unique experiences that continue your Star Wars story. And there is a special musical appearance by a galactic superstar. On the second night, you’ll enjoy The Taste Around The Galaxy where you’ll learn the name, inspiration and ingredients with the serving of each course.

To book your trip to a galaxy far, far away, contact me today!

Probably the most frequently asked question I receive is, “What do I should I pack?” Here is my list. I know it is a lot, and maybe you won’t need everything on this list, but it includes everything that I’ve found useful on our cruises!

Attire

Everyday attire is extremely casual. Most people wear shorts and T-shirts (and definitely don’t forget your swimsuit!). Breakfast and lunch generally don’t have dress guidelines other than common courtesy and decency. Dinner in the main dining room sometimes has regulations; check your cruise line’s specific policy as some do not allow shorts, sleeveless shirts, etc. in the main dining room.

New cruisers are sometimes concerned about “formal night”. For most cruise lines, this is really not the big event it used to be. Once or twice during a cruise the main dining room will require formal wear. If you dislike dressing up, you still have dining options such as the buffet or room service. Check the daily newsletter in your cabin to see what the dress is for each evening. Most cruises have at least one formal night. 

If you love to dress up, have fun with it! If you DO participate, check your cruise line’s exact policy for formal attire. Some people still dress “formal” (such as a tux, suit and tie, floor length or cocktail dress), but most passengers now dress down considerably. Slacks and a polo shirt are very much the norm, and even some wear jeans. Again, this varies drastically between cruise lines. There will be professional photographers available, so take this opportunity to have a nice photo taken.

Do not forget hats, sunglasses and sunscreen – especially for Caribbean cruises. And use the sunscreen. You are much further south, and you will burn before you know it.

Pack a light jacket. Even during the summer, a breeze off the open ocean can have a slight chill. You may also want to take a sweater for the dining room and the theater in the evenings.

It is also a good idea to bring a pair of tennis shoes. Many ships have activities like rock climbing or laser tag that require them.

If you want to pack light (and do laundry), make sure to check — not all ships offer free (or for-fee) laundromats. Otherwise, laundry is a service provided by cruise lines but it can get expensive. There’s always Febreze!

Packing Tips

Power outlets have traditionally been scarce in staterooms, though cruise lines are slowly modifying them to have more. A 3-way plug or extension cord may help if you have many devices to charge – it must be cruise ship approved and not be a surge protector.

Bathroom counter space is also lacking so you may want to bring a hanging toiletry bag. The counter should be fine for 2 people, but a family of 4 will be crowded for space. We also travel with these magnetic hooks to hang bags, hats, etc. The staterooms walls are magnetic and these come in a few different sizes to hold different weights. 

You may want to bring a low-wattage nightlight particularly if you are in an interior stateroom.

You do not need to pack beach towels – they are provided for free, and you will be allowed to take those off the ship to the island beaches. Free towels are also available at the pools.

You will likely have wet clothes/swimsuits so bring a bag for wet items.

Consider a waterproof case for your ID, cruise card, credit card, etc. while swimming or snorkeling in port. We also bring our own snorkel equipment. We have these snorkel masks and love them or you can go the traditional snorkel and goggle route with these or these made for kids. 

Take a wristwatch. Clocks are few and far between onboard. You also need a watch when you are off the ship. The local island may not be on the same time as “ship time”. Set your watch to “ship time” and leave it there. When they say the ship will leave the island at 3PM, that does not always mean 3PM island time, and you may very well (literally) “miss the boat”. And do not use a cell phone as your watch (it may sync to island time).

In your checked luggage, place photocopies of your passport, medicine prescriptions, return airline tickets, and emergency contacts. You may also want to keep the international toll-free number of your credit card company in case you lose your credit cards.

Most cruise lines will allow you to bring a small amount of wine onboard per person (typically one bottle). Some will allow you to bring water or canned sodas, it varies by cruise line. It must be carried on and not in your checked luggage. You may also be able to order bottled water and soda to be delivered ahead of time to your stateroom. If you bring your own wine, don’t forget a small corkscrew. Your cabin steward can provide ice, an ice bucket and wine glasses.

If you are going ashore, you will need a bag to carry your items if you are going on an excursion, shopping or even the beach. You will need to bring your stateroom key card, photo ID, phone, credit card and some cash. You may also need to bring a change of clothes and a beach towel from the ship. I even take my day bag up to the pool on sea days with everything I may need including my kindle and a deck of cards.

Many guests will bring a nice big Tervis or travel coffee mug with a lid. You can fill it up and enjoy a morning walk around the ship with your coffee or with ice water and tea. Great for sitting out by the pool or on the balcony.

If you have a CPAP machine, take it as carry-on. Cruise staff see these every day, and they know what it is. In your CPAP travel case, pack a long extension cord (with the machine). In most cases, your cabin will NOT have an AC outlet next to the bed. The extension cord must be cruise approved and not be a surge protector.

Are you ready to book your next cruise vacation? Contact us today!

I’m sure most of you have seen the luggage nightmare that has been plaguing travelers this summer, especially in Europe. No one wants to lose their bags. The immediate reaction is to carry on instead of checking your bags. That’s all well and good, but that doesn’t guarantee you won’t have to gate-check your bag. Every other traveler has the same idea, and overhead space could be full before you board the plane! 

I’m not a carry-on kind of gal. I can sometimes cram it all in going but coming home I have way too many souvenirs. And let’s be real, I need options and have way too many toiletries. Anything more than a few days and my bag is getting checked! 

So, what can you do? 

Bluetooth tracking devices are an easy and affordable option to keep track of your bags. I like Apple Air Tags because you can use the “Find My” app to see where your bags are even if you are not close to them. Tile is another option. I prefer the Air Tags because they are easy to set up and have a more extensive network than Tile, making them easier to locate. 

Blue Ribbon Bags is a service that tracks and expedites the return of your delayed baggage for 96 hours from the time your flight lands. If four days go by and your bags still aren’t delivered, Blue Ribbon Bags pays $1,000 per bag – no questions asked, no receipts necessary. All you need to do is file a claim with the airline and Blue Ribbon Bags will handle the rest! 

You could opt not to bring your bags and ship them instead! Luggage Free offers door-to-door delivery of your luggage and golf and ski gear too. When you sign up, they email you instructions and labels to attach to your luggage, then they collect your bags from home and ship them to your final destination. Your shipment is fully insured, tracked in real-time, and comes with an on-time guarantee. 

It is important to remember that lost or delayed baggage is generally covered with travel insurance which is another reason why I always recommend purchasing it. 

Happy Packing!

On occasion, I use affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Disney Cruise Line’s Fall sailings will once again include Halloween on the High Seas from mid-September through October, and then from mid-November through December Disney’s Very Merrytime sailings.

Disney Dream

After her summer in Europe, the Disney Dream will take a Transatlantic cruise back to New York City where she’ll sail to Bermuda throughout the fall.

Disney Fantasy

The Fantasy will continue sailing from Port Canaveral, with 7-night itineraries to the Caribbean.

Disney Magic

Beginning October 5, 2023 the Magic will sail Eastbound through the Panama Canal to its Fall home port in San Diego. She’ll sail two to seven-night cruises to Baja and the Mexican Riviera throughout the fall before returning through the Panama Canal to Galveston in early December.

Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Wish, will continue sailing from Port Canaveral, with 3–4-night itineraries to the Bahamas.

Disney Wonder

No information was released on what the Wonder will be doing this Fall.

If you would like to book your Fall 2023 Disney Cruise, contact us today!

As they say, April showers bring May flowers and May brings . . . thoughts of Halloween. Not what you were thinking? Since May is halfway to Halloween, you might want to start thinking about it because Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this fall during their 50th Anniversary celebration.

Attendees are invited to wear their favorite costumes and enjoy exclusive entertainment, Disney villains, frightfully delicious menu items and more. New additions to this year’s party include event-exclusive step-in photo opportunities and a Halloween-themed 50th Anniversary celebration commemorative print on the reusable trick-or-treat bags.

Tickets go on sale May 18th and sell out quickly for this limited-capacity event. The fun begins in mid-August on 4 select nights. There are 13 dates in September and 18 nights in October, with the final party on Halloween night.

Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can begin purchasing tickets as early as May 12. Prices range from $109-$199.

While you may be enjoying the scent of spring blooms, take a few minutes to dream of pumpkin spice and buy your tickets before they sell out. We now return you to your regularly-scheduled springtime activities.

Royal Caribbean has made two major announcements regarding new ships! 

Everyone is familiar with ribbon-cutting ceremonies but have you ever seen a steel-cutting ceremony? In Saint-Nazaire, France, Royal Caribbean recently marked the official start of construction by cutting the first piece of steel for what will be Royal Caribbean’s sixth Oasis Class cruise ship. The ceremony took place at the shipyard where it will be built. And the name of this new ship? (Drum roll please) . . . Utopia of the Seas! Delivery of the new ship, which will have approximately 2,800 cabins,  is scheduled for the end of May 2024. Royal Caribbean has not yet announced where the ship will sail from or what itineraries she will visit.

The other big news is that the new Icon of the Seas will be homeported in Miami after she arrives in the United States. This brand new ship is the first in the new Icon Class, which Royal Caribbean has been very quiet about. The Icon of the Seas will make its debut in the UK market this summer and then head across the Atlantic to Miami. The International President and CEO stated that the ship will likely have some stops in New York or Boston during the East Coast transit. The cruise line has spent five years designing the ship, and while they haven’t disclosed many details, they are promising that this will be a game-changer for the cruising industry. 

Icon of the Seas will feature a combination of “tradition, evolution and revolution,” all elements from their iconic ships. Tradition refers to fan favorites of the brand that will always be found across the fleet. Evolution refers to improving elements that cruisers love, such as entertainment venues and waterslides. And finally, revolution elements are industry firsts and promise to “wow” their customers. I can’t wait until the details are made public! The Icon Class is the first class of new vessels since Royal Caribbean launched the first of its Quantum Class ships in 2014. Stay tuned . . .