I wanted to get started on this post while it was still fresh in my mind. This may be a bit of a long one, so I will do a 3-part story. For several years, my husband and I have talked about what big trip we would take for our 20th and 25th wedding anniversary. After many discussions, we ultimately decided that we would visit Alaska on our 20th, and Hawaii on our 25th. On May 29, 2018, we celebrated our 19th anniversary by booking our Alaskan cruise that was set to sail on May 21, 2019. We decided that we wanted our 2 boys to go with us on this vacation as they are part of our celebration. We paid for them to go with us, and they had their very own interior room to share, and we had a nice balcony room. The joke of the cruise was that it was the boys’ last paid vacation by us since they are adults now (19 & 23). We decided on Hawaii for the 25th Anniversary, as it will be just me and my husband on that trip.
Family Pictures that were taken on the Carnival Legend by Dreams Studios. We were in Glacier Bay.
This was the first cruise that we had ever booked a year in advance, and let me tell you the year dragged on FOREVER (I might be exaggerating a bit). I was partly alright with that though, as I knew time would fly once we actually began our trip. As we grew close to vacation day, we started to have many different questions. We have only ever been on warm weather cruises in the Caribbean, where they play a lot of reggae style music. We thought about what type of music they would play on a cold weather cruise? I usually dislike the cold (even though I was born on the east coast). I have never gotten used to it. While I knew it was going to be absolutely gorgeous, I began to wonder if I was going to enjoy being cold on vacation. We checked the weather every day before we left to be sure that we packed the necessary styles needed to be warm. Even though we did our research, we still worried a little about it. We packed the best that we could and knew that there was always an option to buy an overpriced sweatshirt on the cruise ship if it came to it. It never did though, and I was pleased with our clothing selections. You can see my cruise packing lists from another post here: https://tinyurl.com/yxvyjrcb
We got up really early on May 18 and began our journey by
plane to Seattle, Washington (which is where we were cruising out of). We have
family that lives an hour away, so it was a bonus for us to be able to spend
some time with them. We stayed the night at their place, and then headed back
to Seattle in the in the afternoon to our hotel.
May 20 – Day in Seattle: Of course I did some planning on what we would do in Seattle that day. You know I love to get the most out of our time (but in a non-rushed kind of way).
Pike Place Market
The Space Needle
See-through floor in the Space Needle
City view via the Space Needle
Museum of Pop Culture
Museum of Pop Culture
May 21 – Board the Carnival Legend: The day has finally come and we are all so excited! I did our registration as soon as we were allowed (months before the cruise), so that we could board the ship as early as possible. It isn’t necessary to get there early, but we like to begin vacationing a.s.a.p. Plus you are able to have lunch on the ship, so it saved us some money from purchasing from a restaurant in the city. The Carnival Legend set sail at 4:00pm. It was in the upper 60s that day and cloudy, but it was nice enough to hang out on the deck for a while.
One of the pools on the Legend
Adults only area on the Legend
Hot tub
May 22 – Our “Fun Day at Sea”: I have heard cruisers say that they think sea days are boring. On warm cruises you can use it as a pool day. Well technically, the pools were heated on the legend, but I never saw anyone using them. You can also take advantage of the planned activities inside the ship. They usually have bingo and trivia games going on. I don’t recall if the casino was open, as our family doesn’t usually go to it. We are board game hobbyists, so we usually pack a few games to play. We also brought books to read, as well as adult coloring books/sticker books.
I am a huge animal lover and came across some pictures on my
phone today that I just knew I had to share. 8 years ago, when our boys were 15
and 11, we decided to do a spring break vacation in Natural Bridge, VA. We
heard about a place called Virginia Safari Park, and I instantly knew I wanted
to go (but knew everyone else would enjoy it as well). I could barely contain
myself while looking at the website. While there is a petting zoo area, and a
few enclosed animal exhibits, the main part of it is a drive thru zoo. YES, you
heard me right. You can drive through three miles of open area where animals
are free to roam. What is unique about this zoo is that the animals are
encouraged to come up to your vehicle to be fed.
When you arrive at the zoo you pay a per person fee and then you can purchase buckets of animal pellets. They tell you to open up your windows and allow the animals to stick their head in to eat out of your bucket. Let me tell you…the animal feed gets all over the place in your vehicle and you will still find it months later regardless of how clean you get your vehicle. In fact, I’m sure the person who bought my Jeep Grand Cherokee is still finding pellets and wondering why I had animals feeding in my car. Regardless of the mess, I would love to go again.
It was amazing to be able to see such huge animals within arm’s reach while on the safari drive. Watusi cattle were among one of them, and the brochure stated that you should not call them to your car. They have large horns and could cause damage. I know I shouldn’t have done this, and I apologize but…I couldn’t resist. My husband was fussing at me in the process, but I was sure to place a barrier between his horn and the car. He was quite the gentle giant. Nevertheless, please follow the guidelines and don’t pursue in my breaking of the rules.
At the end of the drive we came across some camels. You have
to be careful though as they will try to steal your buckets. I suppose that is
why they were placed at the end of the tour.
When we were done with the driving portion of our visit, we
explored the exhibits and still came across a lot of hands on opportunities.
This area was a walk-through exhibit of baby kangaroos (Joeys). They were just
the cutest little ones.
My favorite animal is the giraffe and I became ecstatic when I found out that there was an area to feed them. They weren’t hungry and didn’t come up to us while we were on the platform, but just being able to take in their beauty was enough for me.
There is something for everyone at this park and I wholeheartedly recommend it. They are open from March – November. Here is the link to their site for more information. http://www.virginiasafaripark.com/Home.aspx
Have you ever been to a drive thru zoo? If so, tell me about
your experience in the comments below.
Get away simply offers stress free travel plans for you to get the most out of your vacation. Email getawaysimply@gmail.com for more information.
This 3-day travel plan is designed with the entire family in mind. I feel there is something for everyone to enjoy. All food selections were based on proximity to activities and based off of reviews that I found on www.yelp.com. The only restaurant that I have been to on this list is In-N-Out Burger and I highly recommend! Attached is a free downloadable travel plan so that you can get away simply on your next adventure.
Get Away Simply offers additional travel plans tailored strictly to what you and your family enjoys while vacationing. I help take the guess work out of planning, so you can truly be relaxed before and during your trip. These plans are offered for a fee. Please email me at getawaysimply.com for more information.
I was going to wait a while before I wrote this article, but
it’s too good to keep to myself (I’ll get to that in a bit). I also feel that
it is the perfect time of the year to write about camping. Summer is coming to
an end, but there is still time to take advantage of the warmth by swimming in
lakes, kayaking, fishing, or anything else that screams summer fun. I also think
this is a good time to talk about camping as fall is approaching. It’s the
perfect weather to snuggle up in a sleeping bag at night, but still enjoy the
comfortable temperatures.
My family went camping many years ago when our sons were
young and in the Boy Scouts. We always
enjoyed it and often talked about going in the future. We even kept all of our
camping gear. Fast forward to about seven years ago. The spring season came
around and either me or my husband would say, “hey, want to go camping”? This
has happened every single year since then. The only thing added to the
statement is, “but let’s actually go this time”. Guess what? We still haven’t
been camping. Funny, right!
I recently learned about some new options of camping. I’m
almost certain that they aren’t new ideas, but they are to me. The term is
actually called glamping. According to dictionary.com, glamping is the activity
of camping with some of the comforts and luxuries of home. While I am still
interested in traditional camping in a tent, I wouldn’t mind trying out one of
these options as well.
Mini RVs
Imagine riding in a mini-van that is equipped with bedding, a table, and a hatch that opens up to a mini cooking kitchen. Jucy RV Rentals offers just that. They offer several different styles of mini RVs to accommodate your family size.
Jucy RV Rentals have locations in the United States in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Vancouver. Visit their website for additional information on their RVs.
How about a Tipi stay in Missouri? This rental is so
beautiful that I really want to stay there. It is nestled in the woods, and the
Airbnb listing states that it is accessible year-round, it’s fully equipped,
and offers a hot shower in a temperature controlled bath house. You really have
to see this one!
This particular treehouse has been on my radar for quite some
time, as it is only 2 hours away from me. It is located in Richmond, Virginia
and is as cute as can be! You can go back to your childhood staying in this
house. The owners offer a private bathroom as well as an indoor option to sleep
if the weather gets too hot & humid.
If you have a pick-up truck or even a hard-top jeep, this
might be an option you’d like to consider. It is basically a tent that sits on
top of the vehicle. It comes with a ladder so that you can get up to your
sleeping space. These roof top tents are available for rent at Off The Grid.
Yurts give a great amount of space with lots of coverage
from the outside elements. I found this gorgeous yurt located in the Smoky Mountains.
It even has a fully updated kitchen. You truly have to see it to believe it!
Let me know if you have ever been glamping before and which option you liked best! Getaway Simply offers specialized trip itineraries to make your vacation stress-free. Email me today at getawaysimply@gmail.com for more information.
Visiting California had been a dream of mine since I was a
little girl. I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and my father’s parent’s lived in
Eureka, CA. My grandmother and I would talk on the phone once a month and I
always lived vicariously through her. I remember always asking different things
such as: is it warm there, is the ocean clear, can you see whales, and the list
went on. I always thought of California as this glorious place and it didn’t
matter which part I went to, I just really wanted to go.
In 2011, my dream became a reality. My husband was going on
a business trip and I was fortunate enough to join him. His conference was in
Torrey Pines in La Jolla, CA. I didn’t have a travel itinerary specifically
written for this trip, as my husband was there for business. We were however
able to take a day to ourselves at the end of the trip to explore. It did not
disappoint and it was everything I thought it would be. I went on another
business trip with my husband in 2013, and we stayed in downtown San Diego that
time.
When our oldest son graduated from high school, we decided
to celebrate by taking a family trip to San Diego. This time I went all out and
made an itinerary so that we could get to see everything (well as much as we
could in almost a week). This was the first time that we rented a home for a
vacation instead of staying in a hotel. We wanted to truly be able to relax and
be given the opportunity to cook our own meals to save some money. We now only
stay in hotels on vacation when it is absolutely necessary.
We stayed in Hillcrest in a cute little one floor rental
that was above a garage. It was gorgeous inside, and had everything that we
needed to feel comfortable for our stay. My favorite parts were the spa-like
bathroom and the compact refrigerator and dishwasher in the galley kitchen. The
layout was perfectly planned to give the most adequate space.
We don’t mind doing touristy things on vacation, but we
strive to do what the locals do to really see the beauty of our destination.
Below you will find a few activities and food recommendations. If you have
visited San Diego before, what were your favorite places to eat and visit?
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
One of our favorite ways to
vacation is by cruise. We thought that life would slow down once our boys grew
up, but it seems quite the opposite. We are a non-stop household. Going on a
cruise literally forces you to do nothing but relax. There is no worrying about
what you are going to cook or where you’re going to go out to eat for dinner.
You don’t need to figure out where to go for entertainment and you can be
disconnected from the online world for the extent of your cruise. Although you
have options to purchase an internet connection, the majority of our family
opts out. I am the one that usually purchases the social media package, so that
I can still be in contact with family and the dog boarder in case of an
emergency. I know I can’t do anything while I am out at sea, but it just keeps
my mind at ease.
Packing for a cruise can be confusing if you have never been on one. You may have questions on what is acceptable to wear to dinner or what the temperature is like inside of the ship. Even though I have been on about 7 cruises (all with Carnival Cruise lines), I recently found myself Googling what to wear on our last cruise to Alaska. We have always cruised to warm destinations, so I was at a complete loss. Our trip was in May so there was a lot of searching on weather averages, as well as checking the weather a few days before our trip. I have created this list to help you to be stress-free while getting ready for a relaxing time on your cruise.
Posted below is a helpful list to use for both warm and cold destination cruises.
The following dress codes are from Carnival Cruise Lines:
Notes: Dress
casually during the day to include sneakers and flip flops.
For dining room attire, the cruise casual dining dress code is as follows:
Ladies –
Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses; Capri
pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs).
There will always be a cruise
elegant night on your cruise. If you are on a 6-day cruise or longer, there
will be two cruise elegant nights in the dining room. The buffet is open for
those that do not want to partake in elegant night.
For dining room attire, the cruise elegant dress code is as follows:
Gentlemen – Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so.
Ladies – Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you’d like to show off your evening gowns, that’s great too!
Note: Not permitted in the dining room during cruise elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, gym shorts, t-shirts, beach flip flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.
Warm Weather Cruise
Clothing
Shorts/capris
Shirts
1-2 pair jeans for dining room and/or evening shows (it can be a bit chilly at night in the lounge while watching shows)
Lanyard for your room card (Carnival themed lanyards are available on the ship) https://amzn.to/2PPSJpK
If you don’t think you will get enough value out of the bottomless bubbles card (soda card), you are allowed to bring a maximum of 12 sealed cans or cartons of other non-alcoholic beverages such as soda, juice or milk (per person). Bottled water is not allowed. Juice, water & tea are available for free on the ships.
On the day the cruise embarks, you are allowed to bring on board one standard 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per person.
If you enjoy flavored water drop-ins such as Crystal light, you can bring those on board.
This past cruise we learned that we can bring sealed snacks on board as well. We brought our protein bars and beef jerky that we purchased while in the Seattle, Washington Port.
Small pop up hamper. We always travel with one. It makes it so much easier to keep dirty clothes out of the way. https://amzn.to/34nXFFD
Door decorations if you are celebrating an event. Most doors are metal. Carnival Cruise Lines requires fire retardant decorations.
Cold Weather Cruise
My family cruised to Alaska
in May 2019. The temps were in the 50’s the entire time. We recommend dressing
in layers, as you will frequently be going in and out of the ship. It’s easier
to remove layers instead of sweating in heavy winter clothes. We didn’t bring a
heavy coat, just a medium weight and a light weight jacket.
Bathing suits (no towels, they are provided on the ship) The pool on the Carnival legend was heated, but very few people were in it. They do however have a hot tub inside the gym and on the decks.
Sleep wear
Workout wear if you want to exercise. They have an excellent gym, as well as a jogging/walking track on the top of the ship (weather permitting, it may be cold).
Elegant night attire if interested
Shoes (sneakers, casual dress shoes for dinner, dress shoes for elegant night, some people wore boots)
Sweater for inside the ship
Gloves & hat (We didn’t bring these, but some travelers may prefer to bring them)
Lanyard for your room card (Carnival themed lanyards are available on the ship) https://amzn.to/2PPSJpK
If you don’t think you will get enough value out of the bottomless bubbles card (soda card), you are allowed to bring a maximum of 12 sealed cans or cartons of other non-alcoholic beverages such as soda, juice or milk (per person). Bottled water is not allowed. Juice, water & tea are available for free on the ships.
On the day the cruise embarks, you are allowed to bring on board one standard 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per person.
If you enjoy flavored water drop-ins such as Crystal light, you can bring those on board.
This past cruise we learned that we can bring sealed snacks on board as well. We brought our protein bars and beef jerky that we purchased while in the Seattle, Washington Port.
Small pop up hamper. We always travel with one. It makes it so much easier to keep dirty clothes out of the way. https://amzn.to/34nXFFD
Door decorations if you are celebrating an event. Most doors are metal. Carnival Cruise Lines requires fire retardant decorations.
I hope that my list helps you pack for your upcoming cruise. Remember that this is my experience with Carnival Cruise Lines, as I haven’t cruised yet with other lines (but plan to try them out in the future). I will soon create an article on the ins and outs of cruising. What kind of questions do you have about vacationing on a cruise ship?
Hey there! I am Michele and here are a few tidbits about me:
I am a 30 something…cough, cough…. almost 40.
I love to plan a good trip.
I have a wonderful husband of 20 years and 2 amazing sons.
I am a dog lover and have a miniature pinscher and a
miniature Australian Shepherd. I would have more dogs if I could, but condo
living suggests otherwise.
I LOVE giraffes and visiting Giraffe Manor in Kenya is on my
bucket list. If you don’t know about Giraffe Manor, you must take a look.
In my spare time my husband and I play board games (we’re a
part of a board game group). We also enjoy the outdoors: kayaking, fishing,
hiking, and bike riding. We also love going to the beach and do so regularly as
it is close to home.
I went back to school late in life and graduated college at the
age of 36. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services.
Thanks for taking the time to get to know a bit about me. I look forward to helping you get away simply by providing informative blog posts, as well as planned vacation itineraries.
