Expert Reviews of Cruises

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

12/6/2022 • Cruises, Reviews • Are you an adventurer looking for endless thrills? Are you foodie hoping to expand your culinary experiences? Maybe you are just a little stressed from the constant full schedules on a daily basis. Whatever your reasons, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line could be just what you’ve been looking for! With 20+ ships in the fleet and 7 different classes this cruise line could surely have the perfect itinerary for you. My family’s awesome adventure took us on an 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise with stops in Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, & St Maarten. Each Caribbean or Bahamian itinerary also includes a stop at one of Royal Caribbean’s private islands, either Labadee Haiti or Perfect Day at Cococay. Each private destination allows you to chill on beautiful beaches. Thrill yourself on things like ziplines, waterslides, or unwind like you mean it at swim-up bars or overwater cabanas. Even though Caribbean is in their […]

Experience the Rainforest on Your Disney Cruise

8/10/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • When you are sailing onboard your Disney Cruise, take time to pamper yourself and make a reservation at the SENSES Spa.  The full-service spa includes massages, manicures, pedicures, and salon services. When cruising, I recommend treating yourself to the Rainforest Deluxe Cruise pass.  This fantastic spa package is available on all sailings and includes unlimited access to the scented showers, aroma steam, sauna rooms, and private jacuzzis.  Depending on your Disney Cruise ship, you can also enjoy the warm loungers that overlook the ocean (Disney Dream and Fantasy cruise ships) or relax and unwind with the tranquil sounds of water in an exclusive relaxation room (Disney Magic and Wonder cruise ships).  This package also includes scented body scrubs of your choice to use to exfoliate while enjoying the Rainforest showers and saunas. No appointments are necessary for you to use your Rainforest Spa package.  Simply check-in with your stateroom key at the […]

Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats – on the Disney Dream!

8/6/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • For fans of Disney’s Wreck it Ralph, or anyone with an imagination and a sweet-tooth...you’ll want to explore Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats aboard the Disney Dream! You’ll find this confectionary inside the Cabana’s, with limited hours. Vanellope’s has a wide array of candies, ice creams, gelatos, and confections, that you’re sure to find something for everyone in your family to enjoy*.  It’s whimsically decorated to resemble “Sugar Rush”, Vanellope’s video game in Wreck it Ralph...complete with Sour Bill, King Candy, and Vanellope herself! While I could gush about the insane amount of goodies I drooled over this summer while on board the Disney Dream, I want to talk about Vanellope’s specialty items! The menu for Artisan Sundaes is jam-packed full of movie-referenced concoctions for you and your family to enjoy. The BEST part??!!  You can special order ANY of these sundaes AND they will hand-deliver for your dessert any night […]

Castaway Cay Cabana Experience

7/23/2021 • Cruises, Reviews, Tips • One of the most sought-after experiences of a Disney Cruise is having a cabana at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.  Our family has been fortunate to experience this luxury, which we like to label “peace, quiet and solitude.”  The cabana experience includes: Bottled waters, cans of soda, and cold towels in a refrigerator Fresh fruit, granola bars, and chips Towels and sunscreen Fresh water shower including foot rinse Hammock Lounge areas, changing area, storage, safe, ceiling fan, music, and outlet Floats and tubes and one-hour bike rental The Family Beach includes a private beach experience with beach loungers, chairs, umbrellas, snorkel equipment, and sand toys Cabana host and service button Twenty cabanas grace the Family Beach – including one accessible cabana – while four are at the adults-only Serenity Bay. The Experience The experience is especially good for families traveling with heat-sensitive guests, elderly or small children.  My 80-year-old mother-in-law […]

Swimming with the Stingrays – Castaway Cay

5/28/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • Those traveling on a Disney Cruise in the Bahamas or Caribbean can experience an exciting day on the white, sandy beaches of Disney’s Castaway Cay. Whether you are an adult, a couple, or a family, there is much for everyone to enjoy. But what if you could partake in a unique experience that not only creates fun memories but also helps to preserve native wildlife? Sounds exciting, right?! Then why not try the Stingray Adventure at Castaway Cay? You and your family can schedule this amazing excursion once your excursion date has opened and you have paid your cruise fare in full. At $52 per adult (10 and up) and $41 for kids (5 to 9), you will have an hour of exclusive time with multiple stingrays in ‘Stingray Lagoon’. It is important that your children are at least 5 years old and are comfortable swimming with life jackets and […]

Disney Cruise Line’s Cove Café

5/7/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • Taking a vacation at sea does not mean it will be a vacation without your daily gourmet coffee. Disney Cruise Line has the Cove Café, which is an adult-only location on each of their cruise ships which offers gourmet coffees such as lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, and hot tea. One of my favorite ways to start the day on a Disney Cruise is to stop in and grab a pastry and an Americano. This is also a great place to try something different from your typical routine! You can find the Cove Café, on the Disney Magic and Wonder, on Deck 9, and if you're on the Dream and Fantasy, it is located on Deck 11 adjacent to the adult pool. The Cove Café isn’t just for morning coffee and breakfast treats. You can visit it all day long for different delightful treats! Throughout the day, they offer snacks and desserts […]

Disney Cruise Line – Chill Spa for Teens

4/30/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • The word chill is an adjective meaning very relaxed or easygoing. Disney Cruise Line has the goal of giving teens aged 13 to 17 a very relaxed experience by offering a menu of spa treatments on all four of their ships at the teen exclusive Chill Spa. If your teenager is interested in visiting Chill Spa, you must wait until you board the ship before you can book a treatment as this is not an option to book online. Head to the Senses Spa and request your appointment type and treatment as soon as you can – appointments will go fast, especially for your days at sea. Treatments include facials, massages, hair care, and beauty and wellness treatments such as wraps, manicures, and pedicures. Is your teen interested in attending a boot camp? Chill Spa also offers a Fitness Frenzy option that includes 3 specialized boot camp classes a personalized […]

Fun Awaits at the Oceaneer’s Club Onboard Your Disney Cruise Ship

4/2/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • The Oceaneer’s Club onboard the Disney Cruise Line fleet is a special themed area for children (ages 3 -12).  It’s a wonderful place to explore, play, and have fun in a secured area while cruising onboard your Disney Cruise. We recommend you register your child for Disney’s Oceaneer Club online after booking your cruise, but you can register at the terminal or once onboard your ship as well.  On Embarkation Day, parents are invited to tour the facility, meet the counselors, and learn more about the exciting activities hosted at Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab throughout the cruise. On your first visit to the club area, your children will be given a MagicBand to use to enter the Oceaneer’s Club. You can decide who is able to check your children in and out of the club area.  On our cruise, my husband, myself, and our 17 year old […]

Snorkeling at Disney’s Castaway Cay

3/26/2021 • Cruises, Reviews, Tips • Nothing is more exciting than going on a Disney Cruise.  The best thing about a Disney Cruise in my opinion is Castaway Cay – Disney’s Private Island! Most Disney cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean include one and sometimes two stops to this amazing destination. This location has many activities to be enjoyed for the young to the young at heart. My must-do during the day at Castaway Cay is to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. Castaway Cay has a 22-acre snorkeling lagoon just off the family beach area. The snorkeling path is filled with all kinds of sunken treasures including a shipwreck and even some hidden Mickeys. The treasures are marked with buoys so that you know which direction to go while in the water. Plenty of different fish will also be swimming all around you. A net does surround the area to prevent large marine life from coming […]

Disney Cruise Line: Palo Brunch – Keto Style

1/10/2020 • Cruises, Reviews • When embarking on a Disney Cruise, indulgence is what comes to mind.  While each of the ships has unique dining rooms that are part of the nightly dinner rotation, every ship also has an adult-only dining option, Palo.  Palo is known for its Northern Italian inspiration with a modern twist. They offer reservations for dinner and on select days, a brunch option. I have been following the Ketogenic way of eating for almost 2 years and my experience at Palo brunch was extraordinary.  Brunch and dinner are subject to an additional fee of $40/person, plus gratuity. The following dress code is recommended: Dress pants or slacks and a collared shirt for men Dress, skirt, or pants and a blouse for women. Jeans may be worn if in good condition (no holes).   My husband and I have had the privilege of enjoying the Palo brunch on both the Disney Dream […]