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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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5/26/2023 • Blog, Cruises •
Join Me and The Mouse Travel as we help Disney Cruise Line celebrate its 25th Silver Anniversary at Sea. To commemorate this milestone, passengers on one of these epic cruises are in for a treat. We want to give you a sneak peek at what is in store for you if you set sail on one of these unforgettable celebration cruises. Here are some of the exciting features our fellow sailors have to look forward to: A Shimmering Soiree One evening during each cruise, guests will be invited to join their ship’s captain and cruise director in the atrium for an anniversary toast. The festive gala will feature appearances from Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie dressed in shimmering new attire while experiencing the enchanting “Silver Anniversary at Sea” signature theme song. A perfect event for a photo op! Character Encounters with New Style Time to shimmer and celebrate with your […]
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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 […]
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3/28/2023 • Blog, Cruises •
As their motto states, “Explore the World with Viking”. We recently embarked on our first Viking Ocean cruise. We previously experienced their river cruise and enjoyed that so much we decided to try their ocean. We were blown out of the water “pun intended”. For an adult only experience, it was amazing. The ships are smaller and accommodate 900 guests, therefore, it is a more intimate sailing than larger ships. In my opinion, this is different than many cruise lines as it is more focused on the educational and port history experience through the exploration of the destination. It was a very relaxing way to gain knowledge of new destinations by attending guest Lectures & port talks, that provide the history and culture of the next destination. Viking makes the travel as seamless and easy as you would like. Therefore, guests with little international travel experience, Viking will “hand hold” […]
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3/7/2023 • Blog, Cruises •
With over $600 of included amenities on your Virgin Voyage, you can count on room service as one of those amenities as well! “ShipEats!” is a unique onboard room service option that can be ordered from your Virgin Voyages app, or your in-room tablet. While aboard the Scarlet Lady, I wanted to be sure I experienced as much of the food as I possibly could! And who wouldn’t - with Michelin chefs on board, everything was absolutely amazing. But sometimes, sometimes you just want to hang out on your balcony in your hand crafted hammock and snack, or maybe early mornings at a restaurant just aren’t your thing. ShipEats! is your solution! ShipEats! menus are accessible via your VV app, and include meals, snacks, and drinks, that are included with your voyage cost. Some items on the menu are from the various restaurants on the ship. There are some items, […]
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1/24/2023 • Blog, Cruises, Tips •
For many people, the stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is the highlight of their cruise! Here are some tips to make the most of your visit on this amazing island. You are headed ashore, what should you put in your beach bag? You will want to make sure you do not get off the ship without your Key to the World card and adults will need a picture ID. Throw some sunscreen, your phone or a camera, sunglasses, and some water or a reusable water bottle in your beach bag. If you are traveling with kids you might want to bring a few sand toys. Don’t worry if you forget any of these, you can buy all of this on the island. Outside of the ship, you can pick up some towels for the day. There are more towels by the beach as well. Cast members will have […]
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1/10/2023 • Cruises, Tips •
Booking a cruise is so exciting, but can also feel overwhelming if you aren’t sure what steps to take next. To plan your next Royal Caribbean Cruise and arrive feeling calm and collected, follow these four important steps: 1. Make sure you have all of the required documentation for every member of your party. At Me and The Mouse, we always encourage our clients to have passports. While this is not required for cruises embarking and debarking in the United States, it will protect you in the event you would need to fly out of the country. Make sure to check your passports and renew any that expire at least 10 weeks before your cruise. If you do not have a passport, make sure all adults have their government-issued photo IDs and original birth certificate. Double and triple-check that all required documents match the birthdates and spellings that are listed […]
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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 […]
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9/20/2022 • Cruises, Walt Disney World •
Look up, look down, and pay attention to the detail created by Disney Imagineers and Cast Members because hidden surprises are around every corner. Looking for Hidden Mickeys is a fun activity and provides an opportunity to explore all the creativity the Imagineer’s put into designing Disney. They can be found throughout the resorts, parks, Disney Cruise Line, and even on some Disney products. Or, it can even be as simple as a Cast Member being creative with the placement of dinnerware on the tables at a restaurant. Our family makes a game to see who can find the most Hidden Mickeys. We noticed it forces us to slow down and truly enjoy our surroundings and appreciate the little touches of magic that goes into creating all the magic. Since there are thousands of hidden Mickey’s all over Disney World, there are enough to keep you busy to discover new […]
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5/31/2022 • Blog, Cruises •
Once you climb aboard the Scarlet Lady, the last stop you make is to Bimini, Bahamas. Sailors are invited to spend the day at an exclusive 4.5 acre-beach club. The Beach Club is a private, resort-like experience for when you’re not out visiting the island! Before you head to the beach, be sure to bring your wristband with you. Your bar tab will be as if you are on the ship. Need to get in touch with family or check emails? The Scarlet Lady’s wi-fi reaches the beach! The tram will be waiting to take you to your excursions or to Virgin Voyages Beach Club. This tram runs all day so if you would like to head back to the ship, your wait is no longer than 5-10 minutes. Upon entering the club, you will see a map of how the club is laid out. To the left, is an […]
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