Well stocked buffets, spotless state rooms, flawless dinner service- these are all the things you see and expirience while aboard a cruise ship on vacation. But unbeknownst to most behind those service doors is a well oiled machine of crew members and maintanence organizing everything from laundry and room service, to keeping the ship running smoothly and of course steering it in the right direction. Celebrity Cruises was kind enough to let us take a peek behind the scenes of what most cruisers don’t get to see and share with you some things you may not know about your floating vacation.

Officers at the Bridge

This is the Bridge where the Captain spends most of his time. The bridge serves as the navigational, command and control center of the ship.

Read the rest of this entry »

There is nothing like a cruise. I honestly believe it is the perfect vacation. Everything is taken care of. You don’t have to worry about what you are going to eat for dinner, when you are going to clean your room, rental cars, and hotels, or anything at all really. All you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy yourself and the people you are with.

Sunset in the Inside Passage, Alaska

Last week we had the pleasure of forgetting our everyday world and enjoying an honest to goodness vacation. Sure we travel quite often, more so than the average couple with a baby, but I wouldn’t really classify them as vacations. They are still work dealing with all the rental cars, hotels, food, and sightseeing. It’s exhausting. But this time we just enjoyed each other’s company and the beautiful world around us.

It’s true that this wasn’t our first time to Alaska. And it most definitely won’t be our last.  As much as I love Hawaii, I think Alaska may have it beat as our favorite place to visit (I guess it’s only fair I give Hawaii another shot).  Anyways, we boarded our Celebrity Cruise and we were treated…well like celebrities! The staff was the most friendly, the service excellent and have I mentioned the food yet? Pretty much amazing! All my foodie friends are going to die when we post our Eating Around series from this cruise.

Anyways, here are of the highlights from this vacation:

Read the rest of this entry »

1) Worked out: I seriously gained eight pounds from my cruise, and it was only a three day cruise! But in all fairness I think some of those pounds were holiday pounds so it would have been nice to have lost those before I went so I would have looked my best

2) Gone tanning: I was whiter than snow on my cruise so instead of tanning, I was focused on not burning and getting my foundation tan. It would have been nice to have the base tan out of the way and been able to come back to show off a sweet dark complexion in January in Utah

3) Bought a cute sundress to wear on the ports: I forgot to do that and so I was stuck wearing capri pants and shirts while other women looked so comfortable in their flowing dresses

4) Bought sunscreen: I bought it on the cruise ship and it cost three times as much had I bought it at a grocery store

5) Remembered my sunglasses: It hurt to squint the whole time and I never found any cute enough to buy

Cruising is for everyone. Those looking for a budget vacation will have a great time on a cruise. Those looking for an extravagant posh vacation will have a great time on a cruise. Cruising is really for every kind of budget and lifestyle.

This was my first ever cruise- and I promise you that it will in no way be my last. We loved our cruise so much we put down a deposit for our next. It’s human nature to be wary of the unknown and so that is why I wonder why a lot of people who have never been on cruises don’t go while most cruisers have been multiple times. Look for a post by early next week on tips for first time cruisers where I give a healthy mix of my own tips and tips from a seasoned professional: Norwegian Sky Hotel Director Fillipo Bertuzzi.

For now here is a picture recap of my cruise. I hope you enjoy the pictures and know that I had the best time of my life. Cruising is the best way to truly relax on a vacation because you don’t worry about meals, traveling or money. You just kick back and enjoy the experience. I loved the freestyle experience of Norwegian Cruise Line and don’t think I’ll be able to do it any other way.

The pool on our cruise ship

View of Miami from the ship

Cruise ship in Nassau

Bahemian bus in Nassau

Taken at Christ Church Cathedral in Nassau

Christ Church Cathedral in Nassau

The Atlantis Resort in Nassau

The Norwegian Sky (our cruise ship)

*as always photo credit goes to the lovely Reid Fuller

Dear my loyal readers,

I just wanted to let you know I will be unable to update my blog for the next few days. Right now as we speak, my ship is departing from the port on it’s way to the Bahamas.  In case you didn’t know the picture is of my ship. I will be relaxing by the pool enjoying a pina colada and thinking of you. Of course I will be taking great notes, video, and pictures of this excursion to share with you- my best friends.  I hope you enjoy your weekend and find it relaxing and wonderful.

Love,

@travelgirl521