Top 10 reasons I love to cruise... #7- the staff are amazing!

Top 10 reasons I love to cruise... #7-  the staff are amazing!

the captain of the Coral Princess on formal night

Working onboard a cruise ship is an amazing opportunity to see the world, and meet some amazing people, but it is HARD WORK.  These people work non-stop to make sure you get what you ask for.

From the security team that scan your card to let you board the ship, to the Captain of the ship  and everyone in between, the cruise ships usually run like a "well oiled machine"! 

Scott the Cruise director on Norwegian Getaway April 2016

The staff onboard are there to make sure you have the vacation of a lifetime.  Nearly all reasonable requests will be met, and if they aren’t able to get something you request, they’ll try as hard as they can to get the next best thing! 

The people who work tirelessly to make sure you have a great trip, do so with a smile on their face, and a great story to tell, if you’re interested. I have not come across too many staff members who don’t seem to genuinely love their jobs, and if they don’t, then they are amazing actors!  

the server at Moderno on the NCL Getaway always had a smile on her face. The food was delicious too!

The cruise lines build in an auto gratuity that most passengers gladly pay, however there are some that will remove this from their onboard account, and pay directly to the staff.  In my personal opinion, that may be taking money directly out of someone’s pocket since not all of the staff that benefit from the auto gratuity interact directly with the passengers (someone has to wash all the dishes we use, and do all the laundry so we all have clean sheets and towels every day…)  Some people even bring little trinkets, or gifts from their home towns for their room stewards as an added "Thank you!" for doing a great job. 

the hotel staff demonstrating how they make those adorable towel animals onboard the NCL Getaway!

  If you’re able to do a ships tour (most lines offer some sort of “behind the scenes” tour for a fee, and most of the time for a limited number of passengers), I would recommend going, as you get to see the ins and outs of how a cruise ship operates. Most will take you into the galley, onto the bridge and into some behind the scenes places that not many others get to visit. I’ve heard it is well worth the money and very memorable. 

Corey the Cruise Director on the Coral Princess Feb 2017

Make sure you fill out the comment cards and give your kudos to those crew members that went above and beyond to make your cruise amazing! The cruise lines take those seriously, and the crew members can get some pretty nice rewards, like some free internet or phone time from the cruise line,  a free shore day (when the ship is docked, they can go ashore instead of having to stay onboard and work) and some can even earn a free cruise for family members, which I would think would be the ultimate prize, since their contracts are typically 6-9 months or longer, and the communication isn't the easiest when you're out in the middle of the ocean. Being away from their family for that long is probably very difficult, so any opportunities they have to see them would be great. Just remember, those people work hard to make sure you enjoy every detail of your vacation, so make sure you thank them, and give them a smile back!

Top 10 reasons I love to cruise... #8 - Food is included in the price, so you can try new and exciting things!

Top 10 reasons I love to cruise... #8 - Food is included in the price, so you can try new and exciting things!

one of my favorite desserts ever! It was part of the Chocolate experience on board the Star Princess in Alaska. 

From the minute you step onboard the ship, there is amazing food available to you, and almost all of it is included in your fare!   With several dining options available, if you are ever hungry while on a cruise ship, it's your own fault!  

the food is almost too beautiful to eat! 

Most cruise lines offer traditional dining, where you go to the same dining room, same table and same server each night of your trip. This is a great option if you are cruising with a larger group, and you want to meet up to talk about your adventures for the day.  

Escargot.  The first time I ever tried it was on a cruise ship. Why not experience something that is included? It was delicious!

It’s also a great option if you want to meet new people, as you can be seated at a table of strangers and develop a great friendship.  

So our waiter brought out a big plate of crab legs for our whole table to share, and we all also ordered another main dish when we were sailing in Alaska! Yum!

Of course this also means that you may get seated with a few people who may not mix personality wise with you, which is where the alternate options come in… 

Lobster night usually falls on one of the Formal nights onboard Princess, It was delicious!

Many ships offer a buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sometimes even a late night snack. The Buffet is typically not as formal as the dining room, and you can choose to eat alone, or ask someone if you can join them.  Some lines offer different theme nights in the buffet, or cater to the local food of the areas you are traveling to. You can try new & exotic cuisine, or stick to what you know and like.  

of course you can always get meat and potatoes! New York Strip steak was great! 

If you're on the ocean, the fish has to be great right?!  I haven't had a bad dish yet!

Muscles on the high sea.

There are also usually a variety of upcharge venues available on board, where the cuisine is more specialized and you have to pay a cover charge.  If you’re celebrating something, or maybe have a bit of on board credit, this is a great way to have a special dinner one night.

NCL Getaway Teppanyaki grill. Well worth the cover charge! The chef was amazing and the food was devine!

the end result was absolutely delicious!

One thing to keep in mind on a cruise ship, you can ask for as much as you want! If you want to order 3 appetizers, 3 main dishes and 3 desserts,  Go ahead!  Indulge yourself, just don’t blame anyone else if you come back from your trip and none of your clothes fit!

Baked Alaska in where else? Alaska!  onboard the Star Princess

This Pistachio dream dessert was amazing!

Top 10 reasons I love to cruise... #9 The accommodations are great!

The top 10 reasons I love to cruise-  #9

The accommodations are great!

Who wouldn't love to wake up to this view each morning?!

Cruise ships are floating hotels.  The newer ships that are coming out now are able to hold over 5,000 passengers, and usually have over 1,500 crew members living onboard as well.  The cruise lines want to make you as comfortable as possible, and offer a wide variety of room types to keep everyone happy and comfortable. 

Some cruise lines offer rooms for a solo passenger as well, which helps if you’re traveling and can’t find someone to join you.  They usually have some sort of lounge area where the solo travelers can meet up and plan their day with others. The rooms are the perfect size for one traveler, and don't cost double what a normal room would cost. (If you book on a cruise line that doesn't offer solo travel rates, you would pay what is known as a "Single Supplement". The supplement can be anywhere from 150%-200% of the per person fare depending on which line you are sailing on. Sometimes the cruise lines will run a "no single supplement" offer to get more people on the ship, so if you're a solo traveler, keep your eye out for those offers, as you'll end up with twice the space since you're not sharing your room with someone.)  Here are a few pictures of one of the solo rooms on the Norwegian Epic, along with the Solo Lounge. 

the bed is a double bed, plenty of room for one!

the bathroom area- shower on the right, toilet on the left.

the Studio Lounge on the Norwegian Epic - great place to meet up with other solo guests and plan your day. They have a nightly meet up in there as well, where a Cruise Director staff member hosts games and other activities to get everyone together. They also will make reservations for dinner each night, and you get the VIP treatment!

There are inside state rooms, which are typically the smallest rooms available on the ships. This also means they are the most affordable. If you like total darkness when you sleep, an inside cabin is just what you need.   

If you’re like me, and a bit claustrophobic, you have a few other options. The next category of room you can book is an Ocean View. These rooms are located on the outside of the ship and offer a window to the ocean. Some ships have just a smaller port hole (or two) while others offer a large picture window, sometimes with a window seat built in. These rooms are also quite affordable, and are typically located on the lower floors, close to Sea Level.  If you’re ever caught in a storm, or experiencing “rough” seas, looking out your window could get pretty interesting.  Some Ships do have Ocean View cabins available on the “Promenade” deck, which means there may be an exterior walkway right outside your window. When you’re picking your cabin, make sure to look on the deck plans to see what is nearby! 

This Ocean View on the Carnival Splendor was a large picture window. There was no window seat, but it let in quite a bit of sunlight each day. It was close to the gangway when we were in port, so when we got on and off the ship, it was rather convenient.

our towel animal enjoying the view of the ocean passing by.

If you’d like to “splurge” a bit and have your own private retreat, you can book a balcony room. These rooms are typically located on the mid to higher floors, which means you may be able to feel the “motion of the ocean” a bit more, but unless there is a decent sized storm going on, you don’t even notice it.  The balcony rooms typically have more room to move around, and of course, offer that little slice of Ocean Front right outside your door. 

The Norwegian Getaway Aft balcony room. Behind the curtain was our balcony, which I used every day several times, and would wind down out there every night before bed.

the balcony rooms on the Norwegian Getaway have a seating area, which converts into a bed for a 3rd passenger. I got the pleasure of sleeping on the couch on our first trip on the Getaway and it was actually pretty comfortable.

The Aft balcony on the Norwegian Getaway on floor 9 had plenty of room available for you!  Great place to relax and enjoy the sound of the ocean!

On the Star Princess, in Alaska, the balcony was a great place to watch the amazing scenery go past. You were never far from shore, and always had a different view!

The Star Princess balcony rooms include 2 twin beds, which can be converted to a Queen,  a desk area and a club chair. The balcony also had 2 chairs and a small table 

Most cruise lines have several types of mini-suite/suite rooms as well, which tend to be a bit more room available,  usually have more lavish furnishings and some even come with a Concierge and Butler service.  Some suites have multi bedrooms, and can sleep multiple people,  have their own private balconies and even may have private areas on the ship that you can only access with a suite key card. May Suite guests also get priority embarkation on the first day of the cruise, as well as priority disembarkation on the last day.  If your ship has to use tender boats to get to shore in a port city, if you’re a suite guest, you’ll likely get priority tender tickets as well.  These amenities come with a price though, as many suites (full suites, not usually the mini-suites) can sometimes cost 3 to 4 times what a balcony cabin may cost.  If you’ve got the money to book it, go for it and experience the suite life! 

One of the Haven Aft Balcony rooms on the Norwegian Getaway. The balcony was enormous, and you had a view of both the aft of the ship, as well as the starboard side. Cushions on the loungers and a dining table available.



 So which room would you like to book for your cruise vacation?  Let me know, and I'll find you a great deal! 

Top 10 reasons I love to Cruise- #10....You can meet people from all over the world!

 The top ten reasons I love to cruise, #10

10. You can meet people from all over the world!  

 Most ships hold between 2,000 and 5,000 passengers who come from all different backgrounds and enjoy all kinds of different things. It is a great place to meet people from all over the world if you’d like. If you opt for the “traditional dining” that is found on most lines, you may be assigned a dinner table with guests from all over the world. Spending a week of meals with these people, you really get to learn a lot about them.  Don’t worry, if you’re not a “people person”, you can choose to not dine with strangers, just ask to be sat at a table for 2, or there are other options for dining available as well.

Ships also have an abundance of entertainment available on board, which also allows you opportunities to meet people as well.  You could come back from your vacation with new lifelong friends or new travel partners.

There are plenty of different websites that you can visit that offer message boards so you can try and meet people before your cruise even starts.  Some cruise lines even set up meet & greets for members of these sites, and allow them to do a bit of mingling while on board. 

When I took a cruise solo a couple of years ago, I met a group of people through one of the sites, and we toured Jamaica as a group and had and amazing time. It was so much fun to meet the people I had been talking to for months before our trip, and it also gave me the opportunity to see parts of Jamaica that I wouldn't have been able to see if I had tried to go on my own. 

Of course, you can also choose to relax and keep to yourself if that’s more your speed. Many ships offer quiet spaces where you can truly relax and enjoy the day.  

At each port stop, you also get to interact with the locals, and see how they truly live. Almost every place you go, the locals are glad you're there (you're helping their economy!) and will try to make sure you enjoy your stay!  It's a great way to be immersed into a new culture for a a short period of time. 

You never know who you might end up sharing a meal with, or sitting next to on a deck chair watching the sun rise, but take every opportunity you can to learn about the amazing people you meet! 

... Stay tuned to #9 reason I love to cruise tomorrow! 

Where are we Wednesdays?! April 26, 2017 - Kentucky!

Kentucky  http://www.kentuckytourism.com/

Welcome to the Bluegrass state… no the grass isn’t REALLY blue, but in the spring, bluegrass produces bluish-purple buds that give a rich blue cast to the grass when seen in large fields. For being on the smaller size of many states in the United States, Kentucky is packed with lots of things to do. If you’re a bourbon lover, they have a fantastic collection of distilleries in the state, and they even have a multi-day tour you can plan to visit multiple distilleries throughout the area. There are also a horse park, where past Kentucky Derby winners can be seen, as well as interactions with other horses.  Of course if you’re a baseball fan, you’ll know all about the Louisville Slugger bat. Stop by the factory to take a tour and see how they are made. You can even purchase a personalized bat for a momento! Kentucky offers beautiful countryside views, as well as big city experiences, so whichever you’re trying to experience, let me know and we’ll plan the perfect trip to the Bluegrass state!

State Facts-

The State Capital is  Frankfurt

State population (as of 2015) was  4,425,09

State Nickname-  the Bluegrass State

Top 5 Cities-

Lousiville

Lexington

Bowling Green

Owensboro

Covington

Fun things to do-

Makers Mark Distillery Tour

Churchill Downs

Louisville Slugger Museum

Mammoth Cave National Park

Muhammad Ali Center

National Corvette Museum

Fun Facts-

Held every year since 1875, The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the country.

Cumberland Falls in Kentucky is the only place in the Western Hemisphere to spot a “moonbow” on a regular basis.  A Moonbow is a rainbow made from light reflected off of the moon at night.

Kentucky is the only U.S State to have a continuous border of rivers running along three of it’s sides.  The Mississippi River to the west, the Ohio River to the north and the Big Sandy River and Tug Fork to the east.

The Song Happy Birthday to You was the creation of two sisters from Louisville. Patty hill and Mildred Hill wrote the song in 1893.

In Kentucky, throwing eggs at a public speaker may result in one year in prison.

Climate

Due to its location, Kentucky has a moderate climate, with abundant rainfall. Kentucky experiences 4 distinct seasons, but rarely experiences the extremes of the seasons. Temperatures tend to average in the low 30s in the dead of winter to the mid 80s in summertime. Kentucky can average around 46 inches of precipitation through the year.  The highest recorded temperature was 114 degrees in July of 1930 near Greensburg. The lowest recorded temperature was -37degrees in Jan of 1994 near Shelbyville. 

Source sites –

http://state.1keydata.com/kentucky.php

http://kybourbontrail.com/trip-planner/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky

Where are we Wednesdays!? April 19, 2017- Kansas!

Kansas-   https://www.kansas.gov/

 “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore Toto” However, if you’d like to head to the Sunflower state for some amazing barbeque, or to catch a Royals game, or maybe a Chiefs game, let me know!  Kansas is in America’s heartland, and offers a lot of different options for you to see and do.  You can visit Dorothy’s house from the famous “Wizard of Oz” or explore the many Art Galleries or stop by one of the Wildlife centers. You’ll be able to find something for everyone on your trip!

State Facts-

The State Capital is   Topeka

State population (as of 2015) was   2,911,641

State Nickname-   The Sunflower State

Top 5 Cities-

Wichita

Overland Park

Kansas City

Topeka

Olathe

Fun things to do-

Kansas Speedway

Exploration place

Cosmosphere

Wichita Art Museum

Eisenhower Presidential Library

Brown v Board of Education National Historic Site

Fun Facts-

The Geographic center of the 48 contiguous United States is located about 2.6 miles northwest of the center of Lebanon, Kansas.

In 1958, the first Pizza Hut restaurant was opened in Wichita.

The first woman mayor in the United States, Susan Madora Salter,  was elected to office in Agonia, Kansas in 1887.

The largest grain elevator in the world is located in Haysville, Kansas. The DeBruce Grain Elevator is 2,717 feet long.

Walt Disney opened his first animation studio in Kansas City. Supposedly he fed a small mouse in the building, which he later said was his inspiration for Mickey Mouse.

Climate

The state can be divided into roughly 2 sections to describe the climate. The state’s eastern 2/3rds typically experiences cool to cold winters, and hot often humid summers.  The western third of the state experiences a wide range in the winter, from warm to very cold, and their summers are often very hot, but less humid.

Kansas is prone to severe weather, especially in the spring and early summer, and is located in “tornado alley”. Kansas averages over 50 tornadoes annually.

The highest recorded temperature in Kansas is 121 degrees, near Alton on July 24, 1936. The lowest temperature recorded in Kansas was near Lebanon in Feb 1905, coming in at -40degrees.

Source sites –

http://state.1keydata.com/kansas.php

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kansas/9-things-only-ks/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas

https://www.travelks.com/

Where are we Wednesdays!? April 12, 2017- Iowa!

Iowa— http://www.traveliowa.com/

Iowa is one of the states that I have not yet had the pleasure to visit, however it looks like a fun place to stop by. I got to enjoy 10 days on a cruise with 200 Iowa Hawkeye football fans back in Feb. Now that was an interesting experience! If you’ve got a story to tell about a trip to the Hawkeye state, let me hear it… If you want to stop by and cheer on the Hawkeyes, or any of the other teams who call Iowa home, I’ll help you plan your trip!

State Facts-

The State Capital is  Des Moines

State population (as of 2015) was  3,123,899

State Nickname- the Hawkeye State

Top 5 Cities- (click the name to visit the website)

Des Moines

Cedar Rapids

Davenport

Sioux City

Waterloo

Fun things to do- (click the name to visit the website)

Field of Dreams Movie site

Adventureland Amusement park

Living History Farm

Maquoketa Caves State Park

American Gothic House

Fun Facts-

Iowa is the only state in the United States whose Eastern & Western borders are formed entirely by rivers.

Iowa is called the Hawkeye State to honor Indian chief Black Hawk

Iowa is the largest producer of ethanol among all the states in the United States. Not surprisingly, Iowa is also the largest producer of corn among all U.S. States as well

The novel and movie “the Bridges of Madison County” was set in Madison County, Iowa.

In Iowa, ministers must obtain a permit to carry their liquor across state lines.

Climate

Iowa is located in the center of the country, and is relatively flat, which helps to keep the climate across the entire state relatively similar. Iowa winters are often harsh and snowfall is very common, while Spring ushers in the beginning of the severe weather season. Iowa averages around 50 days of thunderstorm activity per year. Iowa also averages around 47 Tornadoes per year as well. The highest number of tornadoes to hit in a year was 105, which has happened in both 1968 and 2001.

The hottest temperature recorded in Iowa was 118 degrees on July 20, 1934 and the lowest recorded temperature was -47 degrees on Feb 3, 1996.

Source sites –

http://state.1keydata.com/iowa.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa

Where are we Wednesdays!? April 5,2017 - Indiana!

Indiana http://www.in.gov/core/

The Hoosier state! Growing up in Ohio, we made frequent trips to Indiana, as it is “right next door”.  I always remember thinking that they had this weird accent! (apparently it’s Ohioans that have the accent…) As I got older, I took many road trips to the various colleges throughout the state to visit friends. There's plenty of things to do in Indian, like visiting Pokagon State Park both in the summer and in the winter!  One of my best friends now lives in the southern/middle part of the state, so I try and make a yearly trip down to visit with her and her family as well. Friendly people who enjoy their race cars, the Indianapolis colts and IU Basketball!  

If you’d like to stop by the Hoosier state and check out all the fun, maybe take a ride down the toboggan run at Pokagon, I’ll help you plan your trip!  

State Facts-

The State Capital is  Indianapolis

State population (as of 2015) was

State Nickname-  The Hoosier State

Top 5 Cities- (click the name to visit the website for more information)

Indianapolis

Fort Wayne

Evansville

South Bend

Carmel

Fun things to do-  (click the name to visit the website for more information)

Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Pokagon State Park

Oliver Winery - Bloomington

Fun Facts-

The State of Indiana was named after the Native Americans. Indiana means “Indian Land”

Indiana is one of 13 US states that are divided into more than 1 time zone. Until 2006, Indiana did not observe Daylight Savings Time. After 2006, there are still 6 counties near Chicago and 6 counties near Evansville that observe Central Time, while the rest of the state is on the Eastern Time Zone.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with a permanent seating capacity of 235,000 is the highest capacity sports venue in the world.

The first professional baseball game was played in Fort Wayne on May 4, 1871. Fort Wayne Kekiongas beat the Cleveland Forest Cities 2-0.

Wabash Indian is the first electrically lighted city in the world.

Santa Claus, Indiana receives hundreds of thousands of letters addressed to the Christmas legend every year, and each one is responded to individually.

Crawfordsville is the home of the only known working rotary jail in the US. This jail was built in 1882 and served as the Montgomery County jail until 1973. It is now a museum - click the link to learn more! 

Climate

The State of Indiana is located in the heart of the country, and has a humid continental climate. They experience cold winters, and hot, wet summers. The state receives between 35 and 45 inches of rain throughout the year, depending on where you’re at, and it is typically spread out throughout the year, there is no rainy or dry season. The snowfall during winter months can vary widely, ranging from 80inches in the northern part of the state to around 15 in the farthest southern region. In 2012, Indiana was rated 8^th amongst the top 20 tornado-prone states, however Indiana is not considered a part of “Tornado Alley”.  The highest recorded temperature for the state was 116 degrees on July 14, 1936 with the record low coming in at -36degrees on Jan 19, 1994.

Source sites –

http://state.1keydata.com/indiana.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana

https://visitindiana.com/trip-ideas