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12/31/2024 • Blog, Cruises •
Whether this is your first Virgin Voyage, or you’re an experienced sailor, these helpful tips will make your voyage that much smoother! Forgot to add a Bar Tab? Want to add more Bar Tab to your account? Great news! You will still be able to add Bar Tab while at the port! Before you board the ship, visit any desk with a Bar Tab sign (like below), to add Bar Tab to your voyage. Bar Tabs are great ways to pre-pay your drinks (alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, juices, and non-alcoholic specialty drinks). Sometimes, bonus Bar Tab is offered with that purchase. Remember - Bar Tabs cannot be purchased onboard! Want to reserve a pool lounge chair? You can! But if your belongings are abandoned for more than 40 min, personal items (not belonging to VV) will be taken to Lost and Found. Any pool attendant can direct you! Forget to […]
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11/19/2024 • Blog, Cruises •
Have you ever sat on the bed inside your cruise cabin and thought “more space sure would be nice”? Well, it is possible, and it’s not that far out of reach when you sail with Royal Caribbean! My “kids” are both taller than me now, so we take up more space than in previous years. When planning our latest cruise, we knew space would be an issue, so I started comparing our normal cabins with different suite options and was surprised at how affordable a suite would be for us. Royal Caribbean has 3 different Royal Suite Classes - Sea, Sky and Star Class, and they vary by ship, so be sure to match what class and amenities you want with your ship when talking with your Me and The Mouse travel specialist. My family cruised on Allure of the Seas in a 2-bedroom Grand Suite, which is a Sky […]
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10/1/2024 • Cruises •
We have cruised Europe on a few different cruise lines, both river and ocean. We just returned from Virgin Voyages English Sights & European Delights out of Portsmouth, UK with stops to La Coruna, Spain, Bilbao, Spain, and Le Verdon, France. It was a very relaxing and easy itinerary since we were able to walk off the ship and walk the towns of La Coruna and Bilbao without needing an excursion. Portsmouth, UK This is a very easy port for both embarkation and disembarkation. Taking advantage of a pre-night stay as an add-on to our cruise fare also made it seamless. The city is filled with history and is easy to walk from the Marriott hotel to many dining options. La Coruna, Spain Such a charming city and an easy walk from the ship. This historical port city dates to the Roman times and the city is lined with outdoor […]
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7/25/2024 • Blog, Cruises, Reviews, Tips •
Get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime aboard Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Utopia of the Seas. Designed with families in mind, this ship promises an unforgettable experience for everyone and includes plenty of activities for kids of all ages and special fun just for the adults! From thrilling shows to endless activities, Utopia of the Seas is set to redefine family vacations. Spectacular Shows: A Feast for the Senses Aqua80too: Dive into the nostalgia of the 80s with Aqua80too, a high-energy aqua show that combines stunning acrobatics, synchronized swimming, and jaw-dropping stunts. You’ll be amazed the way the stage transforms to allow the performers to mysteriously crawl out of the water one minute and then dive from several stories up the next. Set to the backdrop of iconic 80s hits, this show will have you dancing in your seat, marveling at the performers' skills, and maybe even […]
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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 […]
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6/19/2024 • Blog, Cruises, Tips •
Royal Caribbean has done it again with the launch of their newest mega-ship, the Utopia of the Seas. As a part of their groundbreaking Oasis Class, this ship promises to redefine luxury and adventure on the high seas. But what makes Utopia of the Seas so exciting and new? Let’s dive in and explore the wonders awaiting guests on this floating utopia. What’s New and Exciting? 1. Innovative Design and Technology: Utopia of the Seas boasts a revolutionary design that blends elegance with cutting-edge technology. The ship is sleek and modern with lots of open spaces, offering guests breathtaking ocean views. Utilizing liquified natural gas (LNG) to power the ship, it will be one of the most eco-friendly cruise ships on the seas. 2. Record-Breaking Features: This ship boasts some of the largest and most impressive features at sea. Highlights include: • Ultimate Abyss: The tallest slide at sea for […]
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3/5/2024 • Cruises •
Virgin Voyages is a cruise line like no other! Beautiful ship spaces, incredible entertainment, and unforgettable experiences - Virgin has something for everyone! On all voyages, a select number of ‘Splash of Romance’ (SOR) packages are available to add-on to your voyage! This is a $350 value, for only $250 (updated 11.14.24). It’s an amazing deal, and one we will likely add on to our next voyage too. Here are all this amazing package has to offer: - Priority check in and boarding. Not quite Rock Star, but not ‘regular’ either. Quick, separate, and ready to sail! - Exclusive wristband - used to identify you for those special perks on board! We arrived slightly earlier than our boarding time. Boarding opens officially at 1pm - Signage at the Terminal V entrance allowed Deep Blue Extras and Splash of Romance packages to board from a separate line. We were the first […]
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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 […]
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10/13/2023 • Blog, Cruises •
What is a back-to-back cruise? Back-to-back cruising is a popular travel trend where individuals or families book two or more cruises on the same ship to extend their vacation at sea. Instead of disembarking after the first cruise, they remain on the ship for the next sailing. If booked early enough, staying in the same stateroom for both cruises is possible, saving time and the hassle of repacking and moving to a different stateroom. If you must change staterooms, your stateroom attendant will transfer your luggage to ensure an efficient and hassle-free experience. How can this benefit your family? There are many reasons to consider booking two consecutive cruises. Let’s explore how this can benefit you and your family. One of the key benefits is saving money. Who doesn't want to SAVE money when cruising? You may wonder how you save money when booking not one but two cruises during […]
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7/7/2023 • Blog, Cruises •
As someone who normally flocks to the Caribbean islands for some reprieve, I wanted to try something a little different for my milestone birthday. Since my husband had never been to Europe, we thought we might do a “sampler” of various spots and the best way to do that was a cruise. There are so many great cruising options in Europe that we had a hard time deciding which one would be best for us. Europe has a lot of smaller cruise lines with a large focus on service, quality, and destination. Viking, AmaWaterways, and Azamara are a few examples. While it was a hard choice, we ultimately chose Azamara because of the itinerary it offered. Specifically, they dock for longer, including late night and even some overnight stays, which gave us more time to explore the destinations. They also tout themselves to be the leader in Destination Immersion experiences, […]
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