Carnival

"Yes Day" Aboard a Carnival Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line takes pride in having activities for all ages, and they REALLY do! This is most apparent on the days at sea, when we take a look at our “Fun Times” schedule and are overwhelmed by all of the possibilities! Aerobics classes, wine tasting, bingo, or mini golf tournaments… There simply isn’t enough time in the day! That being said, we decided to take advantage of all the fun on board by making our second sea day a “Yes Day." Which means, we said “Yes!” to every opportunity or activity presented to us. Whether it was ordering an unusual menu option, attending a comedy show, or a behind the scenes tour, here are all of the things we did on our “Yes Day!”

1.   Fancy breakfast at the Platinum Restaurant? Yes! Most days we start with coffee and something simple from the breakfast buffet, like cereal or oatmeal. It’s a yummy, relatively light start to our day. But today, we said “Yes” to the morning brunch and stuffed ourselves. Bobby got the Cereal Crusted French Toast and Eggs Benedict. Alli kept it a little lighter with an Omelette and Fruit platter. Annnnnd we had some warm pastries. Oops!

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2.   Quick round of Mini Golf? Yes! After breakfast we headed up to the top of the ship and got our mini golf on! We played through the whole course in about 30 minutes, and Alli brought her A game!!! Bobby claims he was distracted by the 360 degree views of the ocean… valid excuse. 

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3.   Tour the Galley? Yes! This was one of the highlights of our cruise. Led by our wonderful Maître D’ Suresh, we were taken through the Carnival Glory’s largest galley. Once inside, we quickly realized what a truly massive operation this is. The galley is all stainless steel, and there are various rooms for every moving piece. What normally is all in one big kitchen is spread out over a massive stainless steel maze, which the staff navigates with ease. Our jaws dropped when we saw how many Melting Chocolate Cakes and Prime Ribs were being prepared for that night’s meal. If you have the chance to do the “Behind the Fun” tour, do NOT miss it! It is incredible to have an insider’s look at what happens behind the scenes of a fun ship. 

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4.   Watch some Ice Carving? Yes! We were SO impressed by the ice carving demonstration. One of the chefs has a family tradition of ice carving, and he really showed it off here! We watched as he hacked a 300 pound block of ice down into this amazing Native American wearing a traditional head dress. Normally the intricate detail takes him about 2 hours to complete this work. But today, with the sun beaming down (and melting his canvas), he was able to carve this in less than 20 minutes! Insane!!

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5.   Take a Nap? YES! We don’t have many photos to prove it (because obviously, we were sleeping) but this was an important part of every day during our cruise. We ended nap time each day perched on our balcony, adjusting our eyes to the bright sunlight off the blue water.. or the fading light on the horizon, depending on how long we napped. ;)  

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6.   Play a round (or three!) of Bingo? Yes! It may sound cheesy, but playing Bingo is one of the highlights of our cruise! It’s always lively, always hilarious, and always accompanied with a couple rounds of drinks. We may have come away empty handed, but bingo sure is a blast!

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7.   Dance with the Platinum Restaurant Staff? Yes! We get so excited each night that we hear the Maître D’ say “It’s showtime”, knowing that the staff is about to perform some fun dances for us. We cheer them on, swing our napkins and sing along from our seats. But tonight, our server invited us to JOIN them on the floor! Being a “Yes day”, we couldn’t refuse! So we shook, twisted, and danced with the servers in front of the whole dining room. Yep, we were those people!

8.    Attend the Punchliner Comedy Club? Yes! This was an easy “Yes”. We attended these shows nearly every night, and laughed hysterically. Alli’s highlight was when one of the comedians asked Bobby, “Where’s Scooby?” (How have we never realized that Bobby totally looks like Shaggy?!) On this particular night, we watched a comedian who did a hilarious routine about her family in Minnesota - accents and all!

9.   See a Playlist Productions Show? Yes! Tonight we attended Latin Nights, which was a tribute to numerous famous singers that was an impressive performance of song and dance. It had us on our feet singing along all night! We were really impressed with the setup, including the stage and lights that make it look and feel like a broadway show!

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10.  Indulge in a Night Cap at the Alchemy Bar? Yes! This is a cool cocktail bar that we would walk by daily, and Alli would always say, “I REALLY want to go there.” Today, we wrapped up our “Yes day” with some great drinks from the long awaited Alchemy Bar. The location of the bar is a perfect spot for some late night people watching, and the bartenders really know how to make a good drink! 

11. Movie on the Lido Deck? Yes! Even though a Night Cap should signify that our night is wrapping up, how often can you watch a movie out on the open seas? While we didn't watch the whole movie, we enjoyed about an hour until we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer. Worth it!

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So there it is! A fairly comprehensive list of our “Yes day” aboard the Carnival Glory. We may have failed to mention some lounging in the sun, lots of laughter, and a trip to the Pizza Pirate, but those are daily givens aboard any Carnival ship. Do yourself a favor, and have a “Yes day” on your next cruise, who knows what will happen!!

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This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.

Cruising as Wanderlusting Explorers

When it comes to cruising, we’ve noticed there’s a really funny (and puzzling) stigma:

Adventurous souls are afraid to cruise. 

They think of it as a limiting way to travel. “You’re stuck on a boat”, they say. “You’re just one of the masses”, they say. “You can never go do your own thing”, they say. 

Well, friends. We’re here to break - no, CRUSH that stigma. Because it’s simply not true. We actually think cruising oftentimes gives us the ability to see and experience MORE than traveling on our own. Think about it… Every day you’re waking up in a new, exciting, and exotic location. What wanderlust soul wouldn’t be into that?! Exactly. We’re here today to share a few tips on how to get the most out of your cruise, you adventurous souls, you.

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 First things first, RESEARCH.

Before our Carnival Caribbean cruise, we spent ample time researching each island we’d be visiting. Keeping our itinerary in mind, we’d plan our day around the times we’d be at each location. For example, we knew we’d be entering the port of St. Thomas at 10am. We’d head straight to our favorite beach, (Magens Bay), beat the crowds and get our tan on, then hit up the local milkshake shop - all before noon! Leaving the rest of the day to get lost in the town, make new friends (we made some animal friends), or go on a hike!

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Next order of business: Don’t post up on the beach too long.

You’re on a cruise. You’re relaxed. You’re in a warm and tropical location, and the desire to create that “Corona commercial” moment is oh-so-real. But be strategic. Don’t spend all day laying out in a place where there’s a lot to see and do. We’ve found a couple hours on the beach is all we need, and the rest of the day is devoted to exploring. Trust us. You can lay in a chaise lounge on the sea days - go see the sights!

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When it comes to excursions, go outside your comfort zone!

Find the excursions that excite, and possibly scare you! Whether it’s scuba diving in St. Thomas, taking a salsa class in Old San Juan, or the Island Dune Buggy Adventure in Turk & Caicos, there are PLENTY of options for fun and invigorating excursions! Pick something different in each port, and you’re bound to have the trip of a lifetime. We explored Grand Turk via a dune buggy - and it was a day we will never forget!

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 Last but not least, get off the ship early!

Whether you’ve booked an excursion or you’re exploring the island on your own, try to be the first ones off the ship. Really utilize the time you have in that location. We’ve found that the early morning is a perfect time to chat with the locals, get a cup of coffee, or find an off-the-beaten-path restaurant for breakfast! In San Juan, we were sharing a piña colada (where the drink was created!) and had already explored the Fort San Cristobal while some people were just getting off the boat. If you get off early, you will see so much that by the end of your day in port you’ll feel like a local yourself! 

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There you have it, folks. Cruising IS for the wanderlust explorers. 

Carnival truly knows how to ensure that their guests get the most out of their time at each port… That’s why our adventurous souls keep coming back!! And hey, why visit one island in the Caribbean, when you can go to four?! 

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This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.

5 Ways We Kept Fit On Our Carnival Cruise

If you’re reading this and have cruised before, you probably know alllllll about the endless amount of DELICIOUS food and drinks that you can consume while aboard. 

For kids, it’s all about ice cream and pizza. For adults, we’re talking about steaks, lobster, chocolate melting cake (our favorite), mojitos, icy-cool margaritas… And who are we kidding? Adults love the ice cream and pizza too! There’s always something new to try, and a new restaurant option on board to discover. It’s easy to plan your whole day simply around eating! 

We decided that on this trip we were going to find ways to keep fit, while still FULLY enjoying our Carnival cruise experience (we’ll never say no to a chocolate melting cake). While we probably still came home a little heavier, here are 5 ways that we put in a little extra effort to avoid too much weight gain…

1. ALWAYS TAKE THE STAIRS. This may seem like a lot, considering the Lido deck is on the 9th deck, our room was on the 6th, and our dining room was on the 3rd… but we only took the elevator TWO times during our entire 7-day cruise. Once when we got on the ship with our bags, and once when we got off. With how many flights of stairs we climbed during our trip, we believe this one rule made quite a difference. It’s not always easy climbing all those stairs, but when you reflect on all of the delicious and decadent food you’ve been consuming, you should find some inner motivation. Even if you can’t take the stairs every time, we suggest making a conscious effort to choose the stairs more often.  

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2. ONE CHEAT MEAL. We decided on this cruise that we would only have 1 meal a day where we indulge. While we’re the first to admit that we did not succeed at this every single day, we stayed strong a good 5 out of the 7 days. On our last cruise, Bobby would order huge portions at breakfast, would snack all day (a whole pizza could be a “snack”), and then order enough for 3 people at dinner. This time, we tried to limit this habit to happening just once a day. The rest of the day, we’d stick to fresh fruits, veggies, protein, and healthy fats. That way when the extravagant dinners rolled around and we were enticed by the fancy entrees, we didn’t feel guilty ordering two. And one of every dessert. Just to try. 

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3. WHEN ON LAND, WALK! Take the opportunity to stretch your legs at ports by walking to your destination! (Obviously use your judgment, as this may not always make sense depending on where you are!) While we were relaxing on Magens Bay in St. Thomas, we decided to go get a cold treat from Famous Delite Dairy Bar, a local shack with amazing milkshakes. Located a mile from the beach, it would’ve been easy to hop in a cab and be there in 2 minutes. But, since we were on our way to get milkshakes, we decided to walk instead. Not only did it make the milkshake a little more guilt-free, but we saw some beautiful scenery and laughed the whole way up the hill. That being said, if you have time, explore on foot. It’s worth it!

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4. UTILIZE THE GYM. That’s right. We work out on board. The Carnival Glory has a state-of-the-art gym that we used as much as we could. That being said, if a gym isn’t your style, there’s also a basketball court and running track, both with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. You simply can’t beat it!

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5. KEEP MOVING. We purposefully jam-pack our days with activity, and are always on the go. While soaking in the sun is definitely a big priority when it comes to cruising, we never let that be our whole day. We aim to find multiple activities to engage in, and purposefully stagger them among various parts of the ship. We found that we were easily walking 5+ miles each day on board, simply by going from one activity to the next!

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This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.

The Top Five Things To Do In Cozumel

We’re convinced the island of Cozumel has it all. If the Carnival Cruise you are planning has a day in Cozumel, take this opportunity to do a little happy dance - because this island is the BEST!

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Beautiful white sand beaches, crystal blue water, rich history, gorgeous, delicious food… AND the best margaritas we’ve ever had. (We’re serious. They’re so good.) One day on the heavenly island can be overwhelming. It may be small, (only 30 miles long and 10 miles wide), but Cozumel is mighty. The opportunities are endless on this gorgeous island, so we’ve come up with our Top 5 Things to do in Cozumel. Enjoy

1. Rent a SUV. This is crucial. The port in Cozumel has several different car rentals, all of which are trusted and reliable. Because these companies work with cruise passengers often, they are extremely helpful, quick, and friendly! We were off of the ship and in a SUV in less than an hour - giving us plenty of time to explore the island! Cozumel is small, so it’s extremely easy to navigate (there’s only one major road), and the scenery is breathtaking! Plus the best part of renting a car is the freedom to stop whenever you please! *Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship! ;) 

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2. Visit the Mayan Ruins of San Gervasio. This is a stop we weren’t planning on making, but we saw the signs as we were driving and thought it sounded cool. And boy, were we blown away! San Gervasio are the largest ruins in Cozumel, and date back to 100 B.C. These ruins were purely religious, as the temples and statues honor Ix-Chel, the goddess of fertility. Women would pilgrimage to San Gervasio to make sacrifices to the goddess, in hopes that they too could be fertile. Today the ruins are incredibly intact and fascinating to see! While you can book guides to take you around, we had no problem navigating ourselves.

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3. Eat lunch. On the beach. After we visited the ruins of San Gervasio, we made our way back down the coast… only to find several restaurants located directly on the sand! This was perfect timing, as we were getting really hungry! We found a spot that had a fun ambiance and grabbed a seat. Before we knew it we were eating chips and guacamole, drinking fresh margaritas, and wishing that time could stand still. 

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4. Find a hammock. On the beach. Nothing, and we mean NOTHING, is better after a big lunch than laying in a hammock by the ocean and taking a siesta! Luckily, there are several spots along the coast of Cozumel that you can rent hammocks - and it truly is a glorious thing. We suggest finding one that’s near a local bar where you can…

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5. Share fresh coconut water. And document it. This was the perfect way to end our day in paradise. The coconuts are so big in Cozumel, we definitely recommend sharing them! Once you’re done with the water, the bartenders will cut the coconut up so you can eat the meat on the inside. Coconut water is our favorite healthy, hydrating, and refreshing treat, and the coconuts in Cozumel were some of the best we’ve had!

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There you have it. Our Cozumel Top 5! While these were some of our favorite activities, we know there’s a LOT more to see than we mentioned… so we’d love to hear yours!! 

This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.

5 Reasons to Book a Cruise Today

We could tell you 500 reasons why you should book a cruise today. But we know it’ll only take minor convincing (if that!) for you to plan a trip. So, in order to give you enough time to book your cruise when you’ve finished this blog, we’ve narrowed down our very extensive list to 5.

WATER

We’re convinced that there is nothing better than being out on the water. It’s invigorating, peaceful, and calming all at the same time. One of our favorite parts of any cruise we go on is watching the sun set over the deep blue sea with a cocktail in hand. At that moment we don’t have a care in the world… Except for possibly grabbing a slice of pizza before dinner.

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RELAXATION

In our book, embarking on a Carnival cruise is the epitome of relaxation. Stress and obligations go out the window from the moment you step onto the ship. It’s a go-at-your-own-pace, do-what-you-want-when-you-want kind of a trip. Mid morning brunch? Sure. Drinks on the Lido deck? Why not. Afternoon bingo followed by a dip in the pool? Yes please! We love the freedom of going at our own pace when we’re on a cruise. While there are certainly no limits when it comes to daily activities, there is also no shame in taking a nap. Or three.

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FOOD

Our mouths are already beginning to water as we anticipate our next cruise. The food is THAT good. Even after seven days at sea we leave bummed that we didn’t get to try a certain dish because the options are literally endless. The Carnival team does an impeccable job serving up fresh, tasty, and exotic dishes day after day. It seems as though every night we’re trying something new - whether it’s escargot or a fish that’s unique to the region that we’re in! But our favorite and nightly staple has always been, and will always be, the chocolate molten lava cake. It’s what dreams are made of.

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ENTERTAINMENT

We LOVE being entertained. From comedy that makes us belly laugh to a musician that makes us cry, we gladly welcome it all. And if there’s one thing that Carnival’s staff excels in, it’s making sure their guests are entertained! Some of our favorite cruising memories consist of late night karaoke, singing to our favorite tunes in the piano bar, and dancing under the stars to a live band. 

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SERVICE

The Carnival crew goes above and beyond to ensure that every guest is cared for to the best of their ability. From delivering 24 hour room service to leaving chocolates on your pillow… And how can we forget the towel animals! Their attention to detail is impeccable, and the crew’s smiles are contagious. We’ve loved getting to know our cabin stewards, dining room servers, and even the friendly on-board Cruise Director! 

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There you have it, five reasons to book a cruise today. If you need any more convincing, give us a call! We’ll gladly give you the other 495. Bon Voyage!

This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.