Expert Reviews

Exploring Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas: Your Guide to the Ultimate Bar Crawl Experience

7/25/2024 • Blog, Cruises, Reviews, Tips • Embarking on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas is an adventure in itself, but for those who love to savor the finer tastes of life, the ship's bar crawl experience is a must-do. With a plethora of unique bars and lounges, each offering its own distinct ambiance and signature drinks, this bar crawl will take you on a journey through flavors, atmospheres, and unforgettable moments. Start on the Pool Deck and Sports Zone, Decks 15 & 16 1. Solarium Bar - Situated in the serene Solarium, this bar is perfect for a relaxing drink. Signature beverage: The Painkiller 2. Vue Bar - For breathtaking panoramic views, head to the Vue Bar. Signature beverage: The Sky High Martini 3. The Lime and Coconut - a vibrant and lively venue inspired by tropical beach bars. Signature beverage: The Lime and Coconut 3. Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade - for a more laid-back […]

Exploring the Culinary Delights of Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas – Your Guide to All the Dining On-Board!

7/25/2024 • Blog, Cruises, Reviews • Photo above: Izumi Hibachi and Sushi Embarking on a journey aboard Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas is more than just a cruise—it's a culinary adventure. Utopia of the Seas boasts an impressive array of specialty dining options that promise to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your dining experience to new heights. From sophisticated steak dinners to nostalgic American diner fare, there's something to suit every palate. Let's dive into the gastronomic treasures that await you on this magnificent ship. Specialty Dining Highlights: (included within a purchased specialty dining package or charged to your stateroom) • Royal Railway - Utopia Station Utopia Station is the crown jewel of dining on Utopia of the Seas and is a brand new concept on-board Royal Caribbean ships. This immersive five-course dining experience at sea is set in a train car where you not only watch the scenery change outside your windows, but […]

Margarita and Chocolate Mixology – Virgin Voyages “Shore Things”

2/13/2024 • Blog, Cruises, Reviews • Virgin Voyages has unique, immersive, and cultural experiences at every port! In Cozumel, you can venture to Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, swim and sun at the blue beaches, experience scenic tours, or taste food and drink perfected by this culture. We chose to book a Shore Thing called “Margaritas and Chocolate Mixology” that took us to the Mayaland Cacao Company where we would learn about the Mayan culture, the history of cacao and tequila, and indulge in our own hand made margaritas! This was a fantastic experience! Our tour guide, Roberto, met us at the end of the pier, and made us all feel welcome. This ‘shore thing’ capped at 12 guests, but our particular tour had only 8! Not only was our guide incredibly friendly, he was also one of the developers of this specialty tour to bring culture and fun to cruise travelers. You could tell he […]

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

2/7/2024 • Blog, Reviews, Tips, Walt Disney World • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a combination of Victorian Style and modern-day amenities. This Deluxe resort is located on the monorail loop outside of Magic Kingdom and provides quick access to the theme park by both monorail and boat transportation.   An exquisite 5-story-high atrium with glittering chandeliers, stained glass domes, and grand piano welcomes guests when you arrive at the Grand Floridian resort. Guests will enjoy live music throughout the day in the atrium. During the Christmas season, guests will enjoy the sights and smells of the life-size gingerbread house and Victorian themed Christmas tree.  Standard rooms and suites at the Grand Floridian sleep 5 guests. Lagoon/marina/pool, garden, and theme park views are all available. Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Service will sleep up to 8 adults. 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas are also available. All rooms come with a mini fridge, ceiling fan, coffee maker with coffee and tea setup, […]

Dining at Maria and Enzo’s in Disney Springs

2/6/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • I had the pleasure of eating at Maria and Enzo's on my most recent trip to Walt Disney World. It’s located at The Landing at Disney Springs. The eclectic ambiance is inspired by an old abandoned 1930s airline terminal which is transformed into an elegant restaurant. Upon entering the restaurant, you are greeted with lots of Art Deco theming and old airline memorabilia that makes you feel like you are ready to board the next Pam Am flight overseas. The main part of the restaurant is a two-story rotunda and it’s absolutely beautiful. It boasts amazing murals showcasing where this airport would have flown and lots of destination posters of that time period. Now let’s get to my favorite part...the food! Maria and Enzo’s offer a huge menu featuring classic Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza, seafood, and more. We started with tomatoes and mozzarella for an appetizer. There is […]

Whale Watching at Icy Strait Point – Excursions for Your Alaskan Cruise

7/30/2024 • Blog, Cruises, Reviews, Tips • Whale Watching at Icy Strait Point - Excursions for Your Alaskan Cruise You've booked your Disney Cruise to Alaska! Now it's time to decide which excursions you will want to experience while you are at a port of call. If your cruise itinerary includes a visit to Icy Strait Point, don't miss the opportunity to go whale watching in Alaska. We booked Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise (IS01) directly with Disney Cruise Line. This particular excursion caught my attention as they guaranteed seeing whales or they would refund your money. Since we had never been to Alaska before, I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to include this in our itinerary. Plus if we didn't see whales, we could try again at another port ... I wasn't prepared for the spectacular sights that awaited us!! Passengers met in Preludes then waited in the Walt Disney Theatre for all guests […]

All Aboard Disney Wonder: Catalina Island

4/28/2023 • Blog, Cruises, Reviews • I had the pleasure of sailing on the Disney Wonder with my family and one of our ports of call was Catalina Island and it turned out to be one of my favorite stops on our cruise! Catalina Island feels like a private wonderland. The island is full of quaint shops, happy tourists, fun restaurants, and endless beauty. There are no stop lights, everyone walks everywhere, and the crime is super low. Catalina is 22 miles off the coast of Southern California and is known for its beautiful wildlife, scuba diving, ziplining, and offers a charming coastal town feel. It’s full of interesting facts too. The island is owned by the chewing gum king, William Wrigley who also owned the Chicago Cubs. He brought spring training to the island for over thirty years. Catalina is also home to the oldest golf course in Southern California, Avalon. More than 4,000 people […]

Restaurant Spotlight: Space 220 at EPCOT

4/4/2023 • Reviews, Tips, Walt Disney World • Since its opening in the Fall of 2021, a reservation at Space 220 Restaurant has been one of the more elusive Walt Disney World dining reservations to secure. But is this galactic restaurant worth the price tag? Space 220 is an immersive dining experience where you’ll be enjoying culinary delights while taking in views of the galaxy from the Centauri Space Station. When you arrive, you will be handed your boarding pass. When your group is called you will board the space elevator which will shoot you 220 miles up into space. Be sure to watch the windows below for incredible views of Florida as you rise higher and higher! Lunch and Dinner menus at Space 220 are both prix-fixe consisting of modern American cuisine. Lunch consists of an appetizer and entree. Dinner will be an appetizer, entree, and dessert. If you are looking for something lighter but still want […]

Universal’s Aventura Hotel

6/23/2023 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios Orlando • Universal’s Aventura Hotel is one of Universal’s newer hotel options. It’s located between Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. It’s also within walking distance to Volcano Bay and offers views of all 3 Universal Orlando theme parks. Aventura is definitely a resort to consider when visiting Universal Orlando. Aventura is a smaller, modern resort with a lot to offer. Not only does it have standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and kids suites, but you can also upgrade to a Skyline View for breathtaking views from the highest floors of the tower building. With the upgraded view, you’ll be sure to see all of the parks from your window. It makes you feel more part of the excitement of being in the middle of it all! The food and drink offerings at Aventura are like none other. At the Urban Pantry food hall in the main lobby, you’ll […]

Why Choosing a Sandals or Beaches All-Inclusive Resort Just Makes Financial Sense!

1/9/2024 • Blog, Reviews, Sandals & Beaches • My husband and I absolutely love Sandals All-Inclusive Resorts. I know, no surprise there. From the beaches and relaxing nature of the resort to the incredible food and lavish excursions, what’s not to love?! But one of our favorite “why’s” of why we love Sandals is from the financial aspect of the resorts. Our love affair with Sandals and Beaches All-Inclusive Resorts began in 2016 when we honeymooned in Grenada in the Caribbean. We actually fell into it at the recommendation of a friend because I was quite exhausted from planning our destination mountain wedding during the previous year and a half. Nothing sounded better than an all-inclusive where I didn’t have to plan a thing except what spa experience to get! Now, if you’ve ever checked out a Sandals vacation, you know that the initial price can seem like a lot. But what I have found is by the […]