Here are my recommendations as to when you should start planning if you want first choice, not leftovers:

• Europe in the summer: Plan it October - January. If you wait until the spring, you may be too late. The best hotels and rooms will be booked, flights will be expensive, and you will be stuck trying to piece things together.

• Spring break (Mexico or the Caribbean): Plan it August - October. Most families book early. That beachfront suite you want will be snapped up quickly.

• African safaris: Plan it 9-12+ months ahead. Top lodges only have 6-10 rooms, and the best guides will be booked solid very far in advance.

• Fall travel to wine country: Plan it April - June. Peak season in Napa and Tuscany is October during the harvest season. Book early to ensure you don’t miss out.

• Festive holiday travel: Plan it January - March. It may seem super-early, but last-minute December can be very expensive and chaotic.

• Milestone trips (honeymoons, big birthdays, anniversaries): Plan it 6-12+ months ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to plan an amazing trip, rather than winging it at the last minute.

• National parks: Plan it 9-12+ months ahead. Summer is peak travel time for most of the national parks, especially Yosemite and Yellowstone. Accommodations within and closest to the parks fill up very quickly.

If you want travel that feels effortless and elevated, timing is everything! Contact me today to start the planning process.

• Itineraries can change: Weather, port logistics, or other factors may shuffle your plans. Flexibility is key. 

• Cabin location matters: Mid-ship vs. forward vs. aft can affect everything from motion to convenience. 

• Shore excursions fill up: The best experiences aren’t always available last-minute, but don’t overlook the joys of staying onboard either. 

• Cruises are not all the same: Just like hotels and resorts differ in inclusions, vibe, and personality, cruise lines and ships do too. Matching you with the right vessel is a key part of a travel advisor’s role. 

If Netflix-cruise-documentary-induced worries are holding you back from setting sail, allow me to ease your fears! Here are the top concerns I hear from first-time cruisers, and my (hopefully) calming responses: 

• “What if I get seasick?”: Modern ships have stabilizers, plus plenty of remedies. Most guests barely notice movement. If you’re prone to motion sickness, a larger ship, a calmer route, and a prescription from your doctor can help. 

• “Will I be bored on sea days?”: Between pools, shows, classes, dining, and entertainment, there’s more than enough to keep you busy (or relaxed). 

• “Do I have to dress up every night?”: Some evenings may be formal, but it varies by cruise line. Pack a versatile outfit or two, and you’ll be ready! 

• “Will I feel lost onboard?”: Cruise ships are surprisingly easy to navigate, even the larger ones, with maps and apps to help you. After a day or two, you’ll feel right at home. 

Remember - your trip doesn’t have to end when the ship pulls into port. Designing a pre- and/or post-cruise itinerary is something I’m more than happy to assist with. I’ll help you get the most out of your vacation, from beginning to end. I know the ins and outs of cruising.

Have you cruised before? If so, what’s your favorite thing about cruising? If not, what are your biggest concerns?

When my family sailed on the Wish, we stayed in stateroom 12526. From the moment I stepped into our suite, I was struck by how bright, elegant, and modern the space felt. Disney has clearly moved away from the darker, more traditional nautical styling found on their older ships. The Wish's staterooms embrace a lighter color palette, sleek lines, and layouts that feel both upscale and functional.

The suite has a beautiful Tangled theme and is divided into separate bedroom and living areas, making it ideal for families or anyone who appreciates extra space to spread out. High-end finishes and plush furnishings give the stateroom a refined feel.

The living room area features a dining space, with a marble table and four chairs. I loved the elegant chandelier and sun-shaped mirror, which is definitely a nod to Corona in Tangled.

The suite has both a sofa bed and a Murphy bed, which blends seamlessly into the cabinetry when not in use. It’s a smart solution that maintains the elegance of the space while offering additional sleeping capacity—great for families or friends sharing the suite.

There is plenty of storage, including a countertop area for snacks and a drawer mini-fridge for cold drinks.

The king-sized bed in the bedroom was exceptionally comfortable and easily became one of my favorite places to unwind after a long day. The bedroom felt calm and secluded.

The suite has two full bathrooms, with the master bathroom being especially spacious and beautifully appointed. There is a gorgeous Tangled-themed tile mosaic above the large tub.

Both bathrooms feature large showers, upscale fixtures, and plenty of storage.

One design choice that wasn’t my favorite: the double doors leading into the master bathroom. I had to walk through the closet area to get to the master bathroom, and the closet area is enclosed by two doors. This is impractical and unnecessary, especially when navigating the space at night. A single door or sliding option would have been more user-friendly.

Another minor drawback is that the sliding pocket doors between the bedroom and living room do not lock. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it does limit privacy a bit.

The suite has a large balcony that can be accessed from both the living area and the bedroom.

One of the biggest highlights of this stateroom was how incredibly soundproofed it was. Despite being located near the elevators and stairs, hallway noise was almost nonexistent. Even the ship’s horn—something you often hear clearly in many upper level staterooms—was barely audible when the sliding glass balcony doors were closed.

For light sleepers or anyone who values peace and quiet, this alone is a major selling point. Disney clearly put serious thought into sound insulation.

By the way, did you know that one-bedroom concierge suites have an enhanced room service menu? Room service is complimentary and included in your voyage fare. You can learn more about Disney Cruise Line concierge level perks here.

Being on deck 12 was incredibly convenient. The Concierge Lounge was just steps away, making it easy for us to grab snacks, drinks, or assistance throughout the day. The pool decks were also nearby, which was perfect for quick dips, movies by the pool, or lounging without trekking across the ship.

Stateroom 12526 on the Disney Wish offers an impressive blend of luxury, comfort, and convenience. The modern design, exceptional soundproofing, and prime deck 12 location make it a standout choice for those considering concierge accommodations.

While there are a few minor design quirks, the overall experience far outweighs these small drawbacks. If you’re looking to sail Disney in style and enjoy a quieter, more elevated onboard experience, this Concierge One-Bedroom Suite is absolutely worth considering.

Looking to plan a Disney cruise? I'm your Disney Cruise Line expert! Contact me today to start your travel planning.

If you haven’t been on a river cruise, here are a few basic things to know:

• River cruising is like traveling on a floating boutique hotel that docks in the heart of a European city each day.

• You get to travel through a country not just to it (unlike ocean cruising), which makes the cruising experience very scenic.

• It’s not just for those with gray hair! There are lots of shore excursions for active people and possibilities for independent adventures.

• Most river cruises are all-inclusive (meals, drinks, and shore excursions), offering incredible value and luxury.

Of course, there are many other details to learn about river cruising. I have prepared a River Cruising 101 guide to help you navigate (pun intended) all the information that is out there. Contact me and mention "river cruise guide," and I will send you my complimentary guide.

I am here to answer all questions you may have about river cruising and can assist you with planning your next trip. I recently attended ASTA’s annual River Cruise Expo in Vienna, Austria, and toured 16 different ships. I also recently sailed for six nights on the Danube River with AmaWaterways. It was such a great experience to explore Europe via the water. I visited Bratislava (Slovakia), Durnstein, Melk & Grein (Austria), Cesky Krumlov (Czech Republic), Linz (Austria), Passau & Vilshofen (Germany), and Regensburg (Germany).

I know the differentiators of all the major river cruise lines and can help you decide which one is best for you. I have developed insider relationships with various river cruise line companies and can answer any questions you may have and troubleshoot any issues, should they arise, after you are booked.

Ready to explore the rivers of Europe? Join me in October 2026, as I set sail on the Rhine and Main Rivers! Learn more about the itinerary and exclusive group pricing that I have secured on a luxurious Avalon Waterways ship by clicking here.

If October 2026 doesn’t work for you or you’d like to explore a different itinerary, contact me for other potential river cruise itineraries on the Rhine, Danube, other parts of Europe, or the rest of the world.

Finally, be sure to watch my River Cruise Night webinar.

Here’s to sailing the world’s rivers in comfort and style!

For example, did you know that the most popular expedition cruises explore Antarctica, the Arctic (Svalbard & Greenland), and the Galapagos Islands? But, there are many other destinations, too, such as Alaska and Australia's Kimberley Coast.

What makes an expedition cruise different from a regular ocean cruise? Ocean cruises typically feature large ships, bustling ports, and a focus on entertainment and relaxation. Expedition cruises, on the other hand, utilize smaller vessels to reach remote locations, emphasizing exploration, education, and close encounters with nature. 

For most expedition cruises, you should plan well in advance. Since ships are small, they sell out fast. Most people who go on expedition cruises tend to be active. You don't have to be an athlete, but be prepared for days filled with adventure! Rest assured, you can be as active as you desire, choosing the level of adventure that suits you best.

Many expedition cruise lines offer a huge amount of value, as fares are all-inclusive (meals, shore excursions, transportation, etc.). There are lots of luxury options in this space, with some ships even offering butler service.

Interested in Antarctica? If you're short on time, you can fly there and then board your luxurious vessel, rather than spending a day or so sailing through the Drake Passage. Silversea offers a fantastic door-to-door journey.

If you're looking for a life-changing experience, then an expedition cruise would be perfect for you. Many of the destinations are so pristine that you feel like you are on another planet! Activities like zodiac boat excursions, kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling allow you to witness breathtaking landscapes and encounter incredible animals in their natural habitats, such as polar bears, penguins, seals, and whales.

Expedition cruises feature expert guides, including naturalists, historians, scientists, and photographers, who provide insightful commentary and lectures on the regions you visit. You can participate in hands-on learning opportunities, workshops, and discussions that deepen your understanding of local ecosystems, wildlife, geology, and culture. Onboard science centers on some ships allow guests to assist with scientific research, further enriching the educational aspect of the journey.

In essence, an expedition cruise is more than just a vacation; it's a transformative journey of discovery that blends adventure, education, and exploration in some of the most spectacular corners of the world.

Want to learn more? I'd be happy to chat with you about all the options (there are so many!). Contact me today to get started.

As you can see from the photos below, the lobby is open and airy, with plenty of natural light and sleek, beautiful design:

I had booked a Signature Suite and was pleased to be upgraded to an EPCOT view upon arrival. Our quiet corner suite (room 7323) provided an amazing panorama of Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT, including views of the nightly fireworks at the latter two parks. Check out my video tour of the room.

Our suite was spacious at 610 square foot, with a separate living room from the bedroom. The bedroom had a king bed, while the living room featured a sofa bed. High ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows gave the suite an airy feel. The suite also had a full dining table, microwave, mini-fridge, and Keurig machine with coffee pods. The dining table had built-in outlets, which made it a great workspace. In addition, the suite had three large flat-screen televisions. Unfortunately, none of the rooms at the hotel have balconies (with the exception of the Chairman and Presidential Suites).

A great feature of this suite is the dual-access bathroom, which you can enter through the living room or bedroom. The bathroom has sliding-pocket doors, and the glass-enclosed shower (no tub) gives you the option of using an overhead rain shower or a hand-held wand.

All Swan Reserve guests may use the Swan and Dolphin mobile app, through which you can chat with hotel staff, make requests, and place in-room dining orders (the chicken souvlaki was delicious!).

The hotel is adjacent to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels. Swan Reserve guests have access to the these hotels' restaurants and pools. Adding to its exclusivity, Swan and Dolphin guests cannot access the Swan Reserve's own pool.

Since the hotel is close to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are leisurely walkways that lead to the entrances of both parks. EPCOT's International Gateway entrance is one mile away. However, if walking isn’t an option, as a Walt Disney World Resort guest, you have access to complimentary water taxis, which will take you to and from these parks. Additionally, there are free shuttle buses that can transport you to all Disney theme parks. Other notable Walt Disney World Resort perks for Swan Reserve guests are complimentary parking at the theme parks and access to an on-site Disney planning center.

Pricing for suites at the Swan Reserve are often times one-third the cost of a comparable suite or villa at other Walt Disney World resorts. In addition, as part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, the Swan Reserve allows guests to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.

In summary, the Swan Reserve is a gorgeous hotel, offering great value and spacious suites, with its proximity to the Disney theme parks making it a convenient home base. 

Looking to plan a luxury Disney vacation? I'm your luxe Disney expert! Contact me today to start your travel planning.

The Craftsman style hotel has a cozy mountain lodge feel to it, with a large lobby atrium, grand fireplace, immense wood beams, and stained glass windows.

Note that with the open lobby atrium, sounds will echo up if your room is located near this area. We frequently heard nightly piano music that was played in the lobby, which thankfully didn't go too late into the night.

The grounds have evergreen trees, rather than palm trees, so that you feel like you're actually in the Sierra Nevada. The hotel is extremely well-located: we walked to both Disneyland parks, which was especially easy to do, since the hotel has its own private entrance to Disney California Adventure Park.

Our room was on the top floor of the hotel, with a view of one of the pools and some parts of Disney California Adventure Park. We did hear occasional noise from the pool and the park itself, even with the balcony door closed.

Check out my video tour of our room, which had two queen beds. The room had plenty of storage and outlets, as well lots of counter space to get organized. I found the room to have a very family-friendly design: there was a step stool, low sinks, space under the beds for storage, a shower seat (although there's no tub), and lots of counter space (which is great for laying things out and getting ready for the parks).

The glass-enclosed shower featured both a handheld shower head and a rain shower head. There was a double sink as well as a mini-fridge. Sort of a funny thing we encountered: the toilet flushed like a cruise ship toilet, making a very startling and loud noise.

Of course, staying at a Disney hotel means you'll find a lot of Disney details, including hidden Mickeys (even though Chip and Dale predominate the Grand Californian theme).

As I mentioned previously, this is a club level room, which gave us access to Disney’s concierge service team as well as to the Veranda lounge, which has food and (alcoholic!) beverages all day long.

The hotel has a water slide and three pools, which can get crowded, so I advise you to arrive early or book a cabana. All the pool lounge chairs have comfy, thick cushions, which you can see in my video tour of the pool area.

Here's what I loved about this hotel: multiple pools, a water slide, plush poolside seating, cabanas, poolside dining, a private entrance to Disney's California Adventure Park, and having a club level room with access to the exclusive Veranda lounge.

Looking to plan a luxury Disney vacation? I'm your luxe Disney expert! Contact me today to start your travel planning.

Upon exiting the elevators on the sixth floor of the hotel, you'll see a desk with a concierge Cast Member and an entrance to the lounge across from that area.

The concierge staff is great. We loved utilizing their services - they helped with all of our requests and questions. 

The lounge was busy most of the times that we visited, but it's large enough to accomodate all guests. Check out my tour of the lounge on YouTube.

The Veranda is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and provides guests with the following complimentary offerings:

The various food spreads change daily.

There is a self-service espresso machine and a premium water machine that generates both still and sparkling water.

The lounge also has a bar, where you can order a mimosa or other alcoholic beverages.

The outdoor terrace of the Veranda is one of its highlights. It faces an inner courtyard that’s lined with trees, through which the monorail runs on a regular basis.

Every night you can watch Disneyland Park fireworks on the terrace. They pipe in the music, too, so you don't miss a beat!

Having access to the Veranda as a club level guest was extremely convenient for our family. It was worth the splurge to have access to the complimentary food and beverages that were available throughout the day. We enjoyed the elevated service that we received as club level guests.

Looking to plan a luxury Disney vacation? I'm your luxe Disney expert! Contact me today to start planning.

This Southern Californian hotel is located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, perched atop a very scenic cliff above the Pacific Ocean. The location is dreamy and makes you feel like you are visiting the French or Italian Riviera. The vibe is laidback yet luxurious.

Upon entering the hotel, the lobby area is very open, featuring spectacular views of the ocean from the Lobby Lounge:

Here are some more views of seating areas at the Lobby Lounge:

Just outside of the Lobby Lounge, you can step out to a balcony that has seating and amazing views of the entire resort, the pool below, and the ocean beyond:

We originally had booked an Ocean Coastal King Room but were upgraded upon arrival to the best view in the house: the Ocean Surf King Room. Room 415 was on the highest floor of the resort, hence the great views:

In addition to a room upgrade, we also received some other complimentary perks: daily breakfast for two, $100 resort credit, and late check-out. PRO TIP: book your stay through me, and I can offer you the same VIP amenities!

The daily breakfast is available via room service or at The Loft, a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and panoramic views of the ocean. We enjoyed our breakfast in our room every morning. The highlight for me was a delicious three-egg omelet with goat cheese.

To our pleasant surprise, the hotel welcomed us with champagne on ice, as well as with chocolate-covered strawberries:

Our room was very spacious at 500 square feet, decorated in light airy tones, with a luxrious marble bathroom that included double vanities, a large soaking tub, and a separate shower and toilet area. Here are some photos of the sparkling bathroom:

Here's our spacious room, which you also can tour via my live video on YouTube:

The balcony was lovely and had very comfortable and stylish seating:

If you're interested in suites at Montage Laguna Beach, there are plenty of luxurious options. I toured an Ocean Coastal Bungalow Suite, specifically Room 7113, located in the Payne Bungalow, which is a separate building from the main hotel building and located closer to the ocean.

Our stay included daily turndown service. We received complimentary bottled waters and gourmet chocolates (made on-site!):

The hotel's facilities include gorgeous pools (even an adults-only lap pool), as well as a spa and fitness center with ocean views.

Here is the main pool, which is open 24 hrs and heated to a balmy 82 degrees:

You can check out a panoramic view of the pool in my YouTube video. One unique thing about the main pool area is the hotel's resident Harris' Hawk, "Fox." Fox flies around and keeps all the sea gulls from bothering the guests! We got to meet him and his keeper and were enthralled with this amazing bird.

You can get complimentary bottled water and fruit in the fitness center:

The fitness center is for adults only, which leads to the adults only lap pool area. Check out my YouTube video tour:

For dining options, in addition to the Loft, be sure to check out the Mosaic Bar & Grille for lunch or dinner, which has indoor and outdoor seating options. Across the street from the resort is a shopping center that has a grocery store and CVS for provisions, as well as several great restaurants, including Starfish, a yummy Asian fusion restaurant. We ordered take-out a few times and ate on our balcony - my favorite spot!

There is complimentary tea and coffee available outside of The Loft from 6:00am to 10:00am. One morning, I decided to bring the coffee back to my room and enjoy it on the balcony:

The grounds and landscaping of the resort are gorgeous and immaculate:

Montage Laguna Beach is adjacent to Treasure Island Beach, which is maintained by both the hotel and the City of Laguna Beach. This entire area is spectacular with beautiful plants, foilage, and trees and amazing cove beaches:

Note that although Laguna Beach is an artist's community with lots of great restaurants and shops, it can be difficult to get a Lyft or Uber driver to come to the hotel. Be sure to pre-arrange for transportation or talk to the Concierge team for assistance.

Montage Laguna Beach lived up to its five-star reputation, with an outstanding location, gorgeous rooms with amazing views, stellar facilities, top-notch service, and delicious food. I highly recommend this hotel and am now obsessed with Montage Hotels & Resorts!

Ready for your own luxurious retreat? If you book your Montage stay through me, I can offer you complimentary VIP amenities, such as a resort credit, daily breakfast, early check-in/late check-out, and a room upgrade (subject to availability). Contact me today to start planning your next luxury vacation!

This Forbes five-star resort is located on 340 acres in the heart of Virginia’s tony wine and horse country, which is at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Just being in this location is relaxing in and of itself, yet Salamander offers a myriad of opportunities to get your chill on. From the three pools (one indoor and two outdoor - one of which is adults-only) to the highly acclaimed 23,000 square foot spa, you're destined to lull yourself into serenity.

Find your zen at the spa.

Even for folks who lean towards being more active, there are endless activities at the resort: a full gym (fitness classes, personal training, and yoga/meditation available for a fee), tennis, basketball, zip-lining, frisbee golf, a complimentary putting green for aspiring golfers, full equestrian center, lawn games (including croquet, bocce ball, corn hole, and life-sized chess), hiking and biking trails (bike rentals available), archery and ax throwing, falconry, daily family/kids activities (some for a fee), cooking classes, cocktails with Cupcake the miniature horse (don’t worry - the horse doesn’t drink alcohol), and a catch-and-release fishing pond. In addition, river float and fishing excursions are available for a fee.

If you're into romance or just love really good food and wine, check out Harrimans Virginia Piedmont Grill or the Gold Cup Wine Bar. Or, relax in the beautiful lounge area or library.

Care to venture away from the resort? (I know - it's really hard to leave!) The town of Middleburg is very charming with lots of unique shops, while the tiny town of Upperville (15 minutes away) has a historic tavern with yummy food and nice outdoor seating. And, then, there are the WINERIES! There are more than 20 within a 30-minute drive of the resort, which means that you should make sure to arrange for some transportation  through the concierge!

I have stayed at Salamander twice - both times in the Grand Prix Suite. Here is a little tour...first, the entrance hallway, where there is a half bathroom to the left:

Next is the wet bar and desk area, which leads into the living room:

Below is the living room (looking back towards the entrance hallway). There is a large sectional sofa (not a sleep sofa) and a TV over the gas fireplace. Also, there is a table with several chairs to the left. And, there is a crazy toddler who can't sit still with Mickey Mouse on the sectional (more on that later).

Here is the balcony, which is located off of the living room. It looks out to the woods, as our suite was at the end of the hallway in the corner, so we had lots of privacy. We were on the 4th floor, which is the top level.

Here is a photo of our messy bedroom (our fault, not the hotel's!). There is lots of natural light from the windows around the bed.

And, now the entrance to the master bathroom, which is adjacent to the bedroom, and my favorite part about the suite! There are two closets on either side of the entrance and double vanity sinks. Marble everywhere!

Here is more of the master bathroom. The large tub is to the right, and a massive shower is on the left. The shower is absolutely to die for, with multiple spray heads (I’m a shower, not a bath, gal). There is a private room for the commode next to the shower and even a small TV. (Apologies for the blurry photo!)

Here is another view of the master bathroom, which has natural light through a window and has a separate vanity area:

While Salamander is a family-friendly resort (there are a LOT of activities), it’s probably better for older children (not toddlers). I kind of felt stressed out when I had my crazy toddler/pre-schooler with us both times I visited, like he was making too much noise indoors. (yes, the hotel is meant to be serene).

That being said, this resort is absolutely perfect for a romantic getaway or a spa weekend. Interested in visiting? As your travel advisor, I can offer you complimentary amenities during your stay, such as a resort credit, free breakfast, early check-in/late check-out, and a room upgrade (subject to availability). With all of that, you definitely will not want to leave the serenity of this resort!

Travels, by Michael Crichton

It's a rare non-fiction (and autobiographical) book by the ever-creative fiction writer. Well, technically, the book is considered "fiction," as the author changed some names and a few details in order to protect the identities of people discussed in the book. Regardless, the late Crichton takes us on his travel (and spiritual) journeys throughout his life, which included out-of-body experiences and astral projection. With chapter titles such as  "An Elephant Attacks" and "Pyramid of the Magicians," you'll be enthralled while you read about Crichton's adventures across the globe.  

Adventure Capitalist: The Ultimate Road Trip, by Jim Rogers

Could you imagine taking three years to drive around the world? That's exactly what the famous investor, Jim Rogers, did, and it is quite the eye-opening experience. He and his fiancee (who joined him for this epic drive) ended up setting a Guinness record for the longest continuous car journey, roving around 116 countries in a custom-built convertible Mercedes. And, this wasn't just for fun, either. Jim was looking for the best countries in which to invest, and, soon after the journey, ended up relocating to Singapore, where he continues to live today.  

1,000 Places to See Before You Die, by Patricia Schultz

If you're a check-the-box, bucket list type of traveler, then this is the perfect book for you. It's the ultimate tome to instill wanderlust into your life. This book has gone through several editions. I have an older version that has black and white photos, but the newest edition has gorgeous, color photos to make you drool. Admittedly, it's kind of fun to thumb through the book and actually put checks next to the places I've visited. I'm not even close to the full one thousand, but one day, I'm telling you, one day...  

Rick Steves' Europe Guidebooks

Rick Steves is the KING of European travel. Even if you're not a budget/backpacker type like him, his plethora of knowledge about this continent is mind-boggling. He truly is the European guru and provides lots of insider tips and tricks to help you plan your own trip to Europe, whether it's your first time or your twentieth.  

Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden

A riveting historical fiction piece set in Kyoto, Japan, during World War II, this novel is told in the first-person by a young girl who becomes a geisha. The novel is beautifully written, as we learn about this child's destiny and how she eventually hopes to change it. The book later became an Academy-award winning film, which is a testament to the story it reveals about Japan's culture and history.    

I've curated a list of some of the most appetizing recipes from around the globe for all of us to try out. Let me know how these recipes turn out for you in the comments section below...

First, we need to start out with a drink! We all could use one right now, and what could be better than the original recipe for the piña colada, which was created in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the Caribe Hilton in 1954.

Image courtesy of epicurious.com

Next up is an appetizer. One of my absolute favorite dishes is Turkish börek, which is "pie" made with filo dough that you can fill with practically anything. The best kind, in my opinion, is made with ground beef. I've made börek many, many times, and this recipe is the closest I could find to how I do it (although I don't put sesame seeds on top).

Image courtesy of culinarybutterfly.com

Now on to the main course...and, I want it to be a simple one. I am a HUGE fan of pasta (Italy is one of my favorite countries!). The classic Roman dish of cacio e pepe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner. It literally means cheese and pepper in Italian, and the recipe only has four ingredients: cheese, pepper, butter, and pasta. Yum!

Image courtesy of gimmesomeoven.com

And, for our last stop around the international kitchen, we need a decadent dessert. The French are renowned for making the best desserts in the world, and one of my favorites (and probably easiest to make) are chocolate truffles. French truffles are made with chocolate and cream (basically how you make ganache) and traditionally are rolled in cocoa or nut powder. Some say that truffles originated in Chambéry, France, while others believe that the famous French chef Auguste Escoffier created it when he accidentally poured the contents of hot cream into a bowl of chocolate chunks. Apparently, he realized that he easily could form balls with the chocolate paste that formed as a result of his mistake. The name "truffle" comes from the chocolate balls’ resemblance to the truffle fungus. In my opinion, though, these little chocolate balls taste waaaayyyy better than fungus!

Image courtesy of lilianabattle.com

Here are five reasons why you need a travel advisor by your side when you book your next vacation:

1. First, and foremost, travel advisors are there to make YOUR travel dreams come true and provide you with inspiration.

A travel advisor will listen to your wishes to plan the vacation you’ve always dreamed of. Or, if you're stumped for ideas, they can stoke your wanderlust with loads of travel inspiration. No matter how big or small your budget is, or how long or short you want your itinerary to be, they’ll make your once-in-a-lifetime getaway happen. Plus, they’ll take into consideration any special needs (e.g., dietary, mobility) so that you stay safe and can enjoy your time away. And, if you want to incorporate your passions, interests, or lifestyle into your travels – whether it’s food, art, biking, yoga, or something else – they can do that, too!

Photo by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels.com

2. Travel advisors can offer you exclusive offers and complimentary VIP amenities.

Because they have relationships with many top travel suppliers and a strong network of trusted on-location contacts, travel advisors have access to exclusive offers you won’t find on the internet. Plus, they’ll often be able to include complimentary VIP perks and amenities to elevate your experience, such as daily breakfast, a resort credit, early check-in/late check-out, and a room upgrade.

Photo by Elina Sazonova on Pexels.com

3. A travel advisor's job is to plan travel.

Think about what you know about your job that no one else does. Then, think about how nice it would be to have similar, insider knowledge when it comes to planning your next trip. A travel advisor saves you lot of time and effort in research. If you’ve ever booked travel by yourself, you know how many hours, and often days, you can spend digging through the avalanche of options and (mis)information available on the internet.  Travel advisors are master planners who can efficiently coordinate everything to create a seamless and worry-free journey. They also can advise on things you might not have considered, like visa requirements, vaccinations, and current travel advisories, to help prevent any troubles while you’re in destination.

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4. Travel advisors take you to places where only insiders go.

A travel advisor can suggest countries, cities, tours, and excursions that you wouldn’t have thought of yourself. Because they have contacts all around the world, they’re the first to know about up-and-coming and exciting destinations, so you can experience them before everyone else flocks there. And, they can make sure someone of trust waits for you and guides you to the best places to see from a local’s perspective. This is the type of unique, personalized experience you can’t find on the internet. Plus, they might have been there themselves and be able to offer insider tips and suggestions on what to pack and what to do before your departure.

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5. Most importantly, travel advisors offer you peace of mind.

From the very beginning of the planning process to the moment you come back home (head full of memories), a travel advisor is with you to ensure that you can focus on one thing: having the time of your life. Despite perfect planning, if anything goes wrong while you’re traveling (or even before you leave on your trip), know that you have someone by your side who’s just an email, text, or phone call away.

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I would be happy to assist you with planning your next journey! Click here to learn more.

On the morning of our port adventure at 10:45am, we met up with our tour group in the D Lounge on Deck 4. We grabbed a bunch of beach towels and then were led off the ship by the tour leader.

Cabo San Lucas is a tender port, meaning we had to take small tender boats to shore, as the ship was not docked (it’s anchored in the harbor). The tender boats were run and managed by a local company. Since we were on a Disney port adventure, we all were able to get onto the tender boats without waiting.

Here are some views of the Disney Wonder as we jetted away on the tender boat. You’ll also see a Holland America ship in the distance, which had the exact same seven-night itinerary as us.

Once the tender boat arrived to the dock, we got off the boat and waited briefly in a shaded area to get onto the Caborey catamaran. It was a fairly large boat, with both indoor and outdoor seating. We chose to sit outdoors at the front on an upper deck to maximize my photo-taking opportunities. We made sure to put on plenty of sunscreen, though, as there was no shade, and it was very sunny at almost midday.

Here are some views of the Cabo harbor, as we waited to depart:

This shot was taken towards the Pacific Ocean, which is where we would be headed:

As the Caborey departed and we started sailing towards El Arco, I took these shots:

As you can see, there were a lot of little boats around us. Everyone wants to see El Arco, so there are water taxis that regularly take tourists to it. I had researched this option but was a little wary about the potential safety (and reliability) of such small boats. Because of their small size, the water taxis were able to get even closer to the arch than we were able to, but I would have been paranoid on such a small boat if the water were choppy. I felt safe and secure in our catamaran and did not have to wear a life jacket! (Note: there were plenty of life jackets available, just in case.)

Here’s a little bit of a traffic jam, which I believe was because a lot of these water taxis have glass bottoms. They’re probably jockeying for position over this small reef:

As we got closer to El Arco, we came to “Lover’s Beach,” which is on the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja peninsula. This same beach on the Pacific side is called “Divorce Beach” (ha, ha!):

And, here is the moment for which I was waiting:

Even with all the boats, the view was simply spectacular!

We hung around El Arco for a decent amount of time and I took a ton of photos. Then, we made our way around the arch and into the Pacific for a view back through Divorce Beach:

The views from the Pacific side were just as spectacular, and there were less water taxis vying for position. It could be that the water currents and winds on the oceanside were too strong for them. Our catamaran did not have any issues with handling currents or winds.

Here is another view, heading north on the Pacific side:

Then, we turned around to head back south towards El Arco:

Our boat hovered around El Arco once we turned the corner for some more photo opportunities, so, of course, I had to take one last shot:

We then headed towards the direction of the Disney Wonder for our return to the dock. I think they took the long way back so as to avoid all the boat traffic trying to get to El Arco.

Here you can see a tender boat next to the ship:

As we headed around the back of the ship, we had a great view of Donald Duck attempting to paint the ship, while his nephew Huey tries to wreak havoc:

A look back to El Arco and where we were earlier:

Along the way, we saw Greg Norman’s $70 million yacht, which has its own helicopter!

When the boat returned back to port, we disembarked and then walked over to some air conditioned tour buses, which took us to Medano Beach. It was a short drive to our private beach club, which was called “Cachet Beach Club.” There was plenty of shade, cushioned beach lounge chairs, tables, and even security guards.

The security kept random people from coming into the private beach area, which was roped off. In order to get to the water, though, we had to go through the public beach area, which was quite an entertaining place. There were all sorts of folks hawking their wares:

Sunglasses, scarves, t-shirts, hats (of all shapes and sizes), toys, pottery, luchadora masks, cotton candy, mangoes on a stick, and even iguanas and lizards: literally EVERYTHING  was up for sale on that beach! We kind of had to run through a gauntlet of hawkers, though, to get to the water. Kind of annoying but funny at the same time.

The water and views were gorgeous, with the Disney Wonder and El Arco in the distance:

The water was crystal clear and a little chilly, but it felt refreshing, as it was a pretty warm day. Be sure to tend to your children while at the beach. Occasionally a small wave or strong swell would come in. Also, you’ll want to guard against the hawkers approaching your child. The iguana and toy hawkers always tried to target kids – smart!

Included in our port adventure was lunch at the beach club. We had waiters who served us right at our beach loungers. Each person was allowed two drinks (which included alcohol, soft drinks, and bottled water), as well as a choice of one lunch entrée (fish tacos, chicken fajitas, quesadilla, and hamburger). We got everything but the fish tacos and were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food.

And, of course, being on a Mexican beach…

Life treated us well that day! I highly recommend this port adventure for a great combination of stunning views of El Arco and relaxation on the beach.

For disembarkation morning, we actually were able to order room service breakfast. Typically, you are not allowed to do so for disembarkation, but it’s a secret perk that is sometimes offered to Concierge level guests. In order to take advantage, you need to request a room service order form from the Concierge hosts the day before disembarkation, and then you submit the form directly to one of the hosts (do NOT hang the request on the outside of your door as one would typically do, as Disney will not honor the request). It was nice to have a quick, light continental breakfast in our room without having to have a really early breakfast in the main dining room or deal with the chaos of Cabanas.

Around 8:00am, we were booted out of our stateroom (this is the time when they have to start preparing the room for the next round of guests). We went straight to the Concierge lounge, as another perk is priority disembarkation! That’s right – no waiting endlessly for an elevator to get off the ship. They whisked us straight to the lobby and helped us cut the line to disembark.

We were off the ship by 8:30am. Disembarkation was super-easy in Port Canaveral compared to Miami, which was where we disembarked on our previous Disney cruise. I love how Port Canaveral is way less chaotic and how they have a slew of luggage porters waiting to assist you.

We didn’t have to go too far for the next part of our journey. After clearing customs, we waited for a shuttle bus to take us to the National rental car center, just a mile or so away. Our next destination was the Kennedy Space Center. The one and only time I had visited was on a family trip when I was my son’s age (eons ago), so I was excited to see what we could experience there.

But, first, check out the “upgrade” we received for our rental car:

It was my first time driving a Mercedes! Woot woot!!!

So, this sexy ride got us to the Kennedy Space Center in about 20 minutes from the rental car location.

Once we arrived to the space center, we went to the gate to purchase our tickets.

You actually can buy tickets in advance (and at a discount – e.g., AAA), but we chose to play it by ear and pay (almost) full price at the gate. In addition to our sweet rental upgrade, we also lucked out at National rental car when the desk agent gave us some coupons to use after she heard where we would be visiting. I think it amounted to about $5.00 off per ticket, which is worthwhile because we averaged around $50 per ticket (there are various ticket packages available, depending upon what you want to do).

Of course, it still was about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and 99.9% humidity on September 1, the day we visited. We were sweating our butts off, even in the shade, so it was imperative for us to partake in primarily indoor activities.

But, first, we had to visit the “Rocket Garden”:

It’s amazing what they can grow in Florida!

In pursuit of our mission to cool down, we visited various interactive indoor exhibits, including “Journey to Mars.” Unfortunately, my son was quite impatient (and a bit crabby!), so we thought an IMAX movie might distract him. We hightailed it over to the theater to watch “A Beautiful Planet,” narrated by Jennifer Lawrence. It was a 3D movie and was quite impressive. This 2016 documentary was recorded over the course of 15 months by astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). It was absolutely fascinating to get a glimpse into daily life on the ISS and also to watch gorgeous footage of Earth, as viewed from space.

But, the 45-minute movie was not enough to satisfy my restless son (I think five minutes was enough for him). We decided that it was time for lunch, so we hit up the Orbit Café, which was one of many places to eat at the space center. We were able to order our lunch from a touchscreen kiosk, which I always find to be highly convenient. The food was decent, and we even witnessed a little science lesson: hydroponic lettuce! They use this lettuce in the salads.

After refueling, we braced ourselves for more outdoor exploration in the unbearable heat:

No visit to the Kennedy Space Center is complete without a visit to the world’s largest space shop:

My favorite thing in the store was this:

Anyone else a huge fan of the NASA logo???

I’d be remiss if I didn’t share a Carl Sagan quote that I saw on one of walls to an exhibit entrance:

We only spent half a day at the space center and actually never took the shuttle bus over to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which is where all the REAL space rockets are. You need to allow at least several hours to visit this portion of the complex. We already were quite drained from the heat, short on patience with my son, and didn’t feel like waiting outside for a shuttle bus, even though there was a shaded waiting area. Oh well! Maybe next time, when our son is a bit older, and perhaps in cooler (i.e., non-summer) weather, we will visit again.

Our next stop was to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, our hotel for the night. We had an amazing stay there (hint: we got a little bit of an upgraded room) and were sad we had to fly home the next day.

Nevertheless, our Disney cruise experience was amazing (as usual), and we could not wait to cruise again!

I booked the Waldorf Astoria for a one-night stay after our seven-night Eastern Caribbean Disney cruise because our flight back home was the day after disembarkation. Rather than stay at an Orlando airport hotel, we wanted to check this place out. We were in for a treat!

I originally had booked a Deluxe Suite on the Waldorf's website. After booking, the hotel's "suite attache" (what a title!) emailed me and asked if I wanted to upgrade for a nominal fee. For only a $100 more, I upgraded to the Luxury Suite.

I’d never stayed at the Waldorf before. All of our previous Orlando stays had been at the Four Seasons, which we absolutely love. I was a little nervous that the Waldorf would not live up to our high (spoiled) expectations.

Well, I had nothing to fear! After an hour-long drive from the Kennedy Space Center, which we visited after disembarkation, we arrived and were pleased to see a modern version the famed Waldorf clock in the lobby:

Here’s another scene from the lobby – spot any hidden Mickeys?

Upon check-in, I almost had a heart attack, as I was informed that the Luxury Suite that we had booked was no longer available due to it being Labor Day weekend…..but, we were going to be upgraded to the Presidential Suite!!!! O.M.G. My jaw nearly dropped to the ground. What a way to celebrate the end of our trip and our wedding anniversary (even if we had a kid in tow)!

You can read all the gory details of our less-than-24-hour stay in pure luxury in my TripAdvisor review. That review doesn’t have any photos, so read on (i.e., scroll down)!

Here is a visual tour of nearly 3,000 square feet of living space (bigger than my own house!), which included three TVs, three balconies, two bathrooms, two dining areas (total seating for 13), a butler’s kitchen, a study, and five thermostats.

First, the double-door entrance (in case you’re hauling any major furniture or other party items into the suite):

Look at all the chairs!

Interestingly enough, there is only one bedroom, so they had to bring a rollaway bed for my son, which you can see between the two dining areas.

Here is the gorgeous vanity in the living room’s half-bathroom, which my son used:

The living area, which had a massive TV:

A study, which was adjacent to the living area (of course, with its own TV):

The butler’s kitchen, which had a full-sized refrigerator:

Views of all three balconies:

The golf-course view from one of the balconies:

The master bedroom:

The master bathroom:

One thing that the Waldorf is well-known for is its room service. In fact, they created room service for the modern hotel era! We weren’t about to venture out of our penthouse sanctuary to eat (even though there are twelve different places to eat or drink at the Waldorf and adjacent Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek), so we decided to order our dinner.

Room service lived up to the Waldorf reputation! We ordered an artisan cheese pizza (amazing hand-tossed crust!) and various pastas, which included fresh bread with the best butter I have had outside of Europe (because the butter was from Normandy!):

After enjoying our feast, we had to go to bed relatively early for our morning flight back home. It was an absolutely amazing stay and the best way to end our magical Caribbean cruise vacation!

As your travel advisor, I can offer you complimentary amenities during your stay at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, such as a resort credit, free breakfast, early check-in/late check-out, and a room upgrade (subject to availability)

When you visit Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, be sure to set your expectations high! It really will be (one) of your best days ever.

We had visited Castaway Cay two times previously (via the Disney Dream and the Disney Magic), so we were pretty pumped for a day in paradise, relaxing on the beach and in our cabana.

As noted in my previous post, we had to stop off for a medical emergency during our day at sea on the way to Castaway Cay. So, we were significantly delayed in our arrival. We originally were scheduled to be there from 9:00am to 4:00pm. We ended up not arriving until 12:30pm and were scheduled to leave at 6:00pm.

Regardless, we still had some amazing views of the island as we approached:

Here’s a closer view of the cabana area on the Family Beach:

With a shortened day, I asked the Concierge staff whether we would get some type of credit on our account for the cabana rental. Indeed, they were going to adjust the charge on a pro rata basis. We ended up paying $503.16 (which includes Bahamian tax), instead of $670.88.

Since we arrived late, we already had our usual breakfast fare from Cabana’s and the Concierge Lounge prior to docking. Once we got off the ship, we hustled over to our cabana as quickly as possible to take full advantage of our limited time on the island.

Here’s a view of the Family Beach on our way over to the cabana:

We had reserved cabana #20, which we had booked and used during our two previous visits to the island. Upon arrival, we actually were ready to eat lunch, so we snacked a little (each cabana has fresh fruit, granola bars, and chips for snacking). Then, my husband headed over to “Cookies Too BBQ,” one of the buffet-style open-air restaurants on the island, to grab a tray of food for our lunch. He was going to bring back some grub to the cabana.

While I waited for food to arrive, I assumed my favorite pose:

We were lucky to have fantastic summer weather during our visit: about 85 degrees with a mixture of sun and clouds, plus an island breeze. We got a little worried when we saw these clouds, but it never rained (and if it did, we had the cabana for shelter):

We encountered various “wildlife” throughout the day, including a beautiful sea bird, lots of puffer and other types of fish, a large lizard, and…Olaf!

Here are some photos of the amazing views in and around our cabana:

Of course, all good things have to come to an end, so around 4:30pm, we started getting ready to head back to the ship (as we had main seating dinner at 5:45pm, and we had to pack up our suitcases that night).

I took these photos while we were walking back to the ship, as I sobbed and sobbed, wondering when I would return to one of the most perfect places ever created:

Cue even MORE sobs here:

After getting back on the ship, we quickly cleaned ourselves up and proceeded to Enchanted Garden, for our final dinner on the ship. Although it’s super-cute, I always hate seeing this menu because it means that disembarkation is just over 12 hours away:

For an appetizer, I had the porcini sacchetti, which is pasta filled with porcini mushrooms and swiss and fontina cheeses, with a garlic, thyme, and prosecco wine sauce. It was very good. I also had the Malaysian chicken satay. The chicken was kind of dry, but the peanut sauce was very good.

For a soup, I got the lobster bisque, which I did not really like. I’ve kind of learned that Disney Cruise Line does not seem to do a good job with lobster, which is a shame.

For a salad, I got the dill and lemon marinated shrimp with potatoes and fresh peas. The dish was very good, with the dill being the highlight:

I went with shrimp again for my entrée by getting the grilled garlic-marinated shrimp with linguini pasta, roasted cherry tomatoes, artichokes, sautéed baby spinach, and a tomato-basil provençal sauce. This dish was just OK, and this is the reason why I order many dishes because you never know how things may turn out:

For dessert, I ordered both the Chocolate Decadence and the Celebration Cake (layers of cheesecake covered with strawberries, embedded with vanilla cream and white chocolate). Being a chocolate person, the Chocolate Decadence was excellent. The Celebration Cake was good, too, just not decadent!

Of course, we were very sad to bid adieu to our amazing servers (Igor and Anastasia). After giving each of them hugs and a generous tip for a week’s worth of amazing service, we returned back to our stateroom for the very sad ritual of packing things up and getting ready to go to bed for a final night of sleep.

We were happy, though, to see that Mr. Ray would be sending us off:

Also, we would be bringing a friend home with us! My son is a huge Stitch fan and begged us to buy him this plush toy while on-board, so we would have more than just memories to join us for the return journey:

After two straight days in ports, I was ready for a relatively lazy day…

I started my lazy day by gathering various breakfast items from both Cabanas and the Concierge lounge and bringing the food back to our stateroom to eat. Then, I went to the gym, and, afterwards grabbed some lunch to eat in the stateroom (snacks from the Concierge lounge and a sandwich from Flo’s Café). (Yes, if you haven’t figured it out by now, Disney cruises are all about EATING!)

After lunch, my husband, son, and I went to Buena Vista Theatre to see the movie Christopher Robin, which had just come out in theaters. The movie was cute, although both I (and my son) found the pace to be a little slow.

Following the movie, we were excited to attend an afternoon “soiree” at the Concierge sundeck. This sundeck on both the Fantasy and the Dream is covered and has a hot tub. (I personally prefer the Concierge sundeck of the Wonder, as it is not enclosed and has sweeping vistas on both sides of the ship.)

During each cruise, all concierge guests are invited to attend this special reception, which includes booze, milkshakes, snacks, and live music. Also, a “surprise” guest always arrives. We were pleased that the guest on this cruise was Pluto! As you can see, he was ready to give out hugs:

While attending the soiree, something interesting transpired (in addition to the Pluto hugs). The ship had to detour on its way to Castaway Cay (our destination for the next day) and go very close to the island of Providenciales in Turks & Caicos. Apparently, someone on the ship was experiencing a medical emergency, and this island had the closest airport to get the guest back to the United States. We never saw a medivac helicopter but pretty much assumed that somehow the person was tendered to shore (either by Disney or some other boat that came to our ship). We never actually docked at Providenciales (I don’t think they have a deep harbor that can accommodate a cruise ship).

Here is the view of Providenciales from outside of the Concierge sundeck:

We learned later that the person ended up being OK. Unfortunately, the detour would delay our arrival to Castaway Cay by three hours (more on that in my next post). However, we were heartened to know that Disney Cruise Line did their best to accommodate a guest in need.

After the soiree, we headed to Animator’s Palate for dinner.

When we arrived to our table, we each were presented with some hand-outs so that we could draw our own character, which then later would be “animated” on one of the screens near our table:

This was our first time experiencing the actual “animation” in Animators Palate, so we were super-excited to see the results…

While we waited, we had dinner…our bread for the night was sourdough, with a red pepper dip. We only had one choice for an appetizer on the menu, which was the “Animators Workshop Sampler”:

From left to right, the sampler was comprised of smoked duck breast with picked red onions and dried cranberries, dill-marinated shrimp with tomato-mayonnaise, and smoked salmon tartar with sour cream and cream cheese. My favorite was the shrimp.

My husband doesn’t eat seafood, so our waiter brought out a special vegetarian sampler, which was basically couscous with hummus and various veggies in the middle of the plate:

I also ordered the tomato, spaghetti, and meatball soup, which was very good:

For the main course, I ordered two entrees: (1) oven-baked lobster tail with a side of sun-dried tomato and lemon pesto mash, and (2) fettucine with parmesan crusted chicken, served with peppers and mushrooms in a cheddar cheese sauce:

I’m glad I ordered two dishes, as the lobster was overdone; it had a tough, chewy texture. The chicken and pasta, however, was very good.

After we finished our main courses, it was time to watch the animation! The video below shows just a snippet of the show, which lasted several minutes. As you can see, Disney did its “magic” on all of everyone’s drawings and animated them on the screen. We really were quite entertained watching the show – we absolutely loved it!

Following the show, it was time for dessert. As usual, I couldn’t resist temptation and ordered two desserts (again): the chocolate lava cake (served with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream) and the “Captain’s” sundae (mint chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and crunchy meringue):

The lava cake was absolutely blissful. My son had a fun dessert: decorate your own cupcake (with a little Mickey flair, of course)!

Once again, I was completely stuffed after dinner. While we were walking out of the restaurant, I snapped a few pics of hidden mickeys and other cute details. Here is a photo of the floor tiles:

And, here is the entrance to the restaurant:

After dinner, I was pumped to see another show in the Walt Disney Theatre. Here is a photo of the stage (guests are not allowed to photograph during the show):

Do you see a hidden Mickey in the balcony?

The show was “Disney’s Believe,” and it included songs from Aladdin, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, the Lion King, and the Princess and the Frog. Being a huge Marry Poppins fan, that part was my favorite. There also was a surprise appearance by Mickey and Minnie at the end. The final song of the night encouraged us to cherish our childhood memories, and it made me cry!

I didn’t want to end the night on a sad note, so I decided to browse White Caps after the show. I’m a huge fan of Dooney & Burke’s Disney-themed purses and was extremely tempted to buy this new release:

But, then there was this:

Only $13,500! Swarovski crystal, of course.

I’m not a big Star Wars fan, but there’s something for everyone on the ship:

A bargain at $8,010.

OK, so my wallet wasn’t about to spend the amount of our cruise fare on a souvenir…I had better call it a night. I returned to the stateroom to be greeted by a gorilla, wishing me sweet dreams:

After returning back to the ship, I hung out in the stateroom and slowly started getting ready for dinner, while my husband and son went on the Aquaduck (first time for my hubby).

I enjoyed views of the Charlotte-Amalie harbor:

Once the boys returned and they got all cleaned up for dinner, I made my usual quick stop at the Concierge Lounge for my pre-dinner drink, and then we headed to the Royal Court restaurant for the “Prince and Princesses” themed dinner.

We spotted a very tropical Donald Duck along the way:

In the restaurant, we encountered a shoe fit for a prince:

And, royal décor fit for a royal court:

The entire menu had a “Prince and Princess” theme. For the bread service, they offered fig and date ciabatta rolls with a divine minted yogurt dip (as you can tell, I have a thing for mint in bread dips).

I ordered two appetizers. First, I had “Princess Aurora’s Green and White Asparagus Spears” with a tomato bearnaise sauce. The sauce was extremely rich and tasty:

My second appetizer was “Princess Tiana’s Sautéed Shrimp on Jambalaya Rice.” The dish was very good, and I especially liked the jambalaya rice:

I ordered two main courses: the brown rice risotto (which came with lentils, leeks, carrots, and parsnips) and “Aladdin’s Chicken Pita Salad.” The risotto dish was a little bit salty, although the sweet parsnips on top balanced out the flavor somewhat:

The chicken on the Aladdin salad was a bit dry, but I put some leftover mint yogurt dip from the bread service on top, and that made it better. Here’s what the dish looked like before I doctored it up:

I had to continue the deuce trend for dessert and ordered both “Prince Charming’s Flourless Chocolate Cake” (which included a hazelnut chocolate sauce) and “Princess Aurora’s Sundae” (which was rocky road ice cream topped with chocolate fudge bites, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream):

After all that food, my hubby rolled me out of the restaurant. He went back to the stateroom to relax, while my son and I went over to the Walt Disney Theater to enjoy the Aladdin show. It was a very good performance – we thoroughly enjoyed it (and my husband missed out!). Highlights included the very humorous Genie, the acrobatics of a “magic carpet” character (you have to see it to believe it), and witnessing Princess Jasmine and Aladdin enjoying a magical carpet ride.

So far on this trip, we’d been having a whale of a time:

It was an early morning for us, so we had pre-ordered room service breakfast the night before. After our breakfast arrived, we ate and got ready for our adventure. You can read about all the nitty gritty details relating to our excursion to Virgin Gorda here.

We returned back to the ship in time for lunch. We grabbed a bunch of grub from Flo’s Café. I really enjoyed the mozzarella, tomato, and pesto panini that they were offering that day.

After lunch, we relaxed a bit in our stateroom. Here was our beautiful view of the Tortola harbor:

We eventually started getting ready for the Pirate Night festivities. I absolutely love Pirate Night on Disney Cruise Line! It’s a fantastic opportunity to dress up and just have some good ‘ole fashioned, swashbuckling fun.

Our Concierge staff informed us that DCL was testing out a new format for the deck party: there actually would be two different deck parties (at two different times). When we sailed the Disney Magic in 2017, Pirate Night took place after dinner. This time there would be a deck party with the characters before we sailed away (at 5:00pm, when it was still daylight), and after dinner, there would be a different show and then fireworks afterwards.

The first deck party was a semi-entertaining drama involving the characters (looking super-cute in their pirate outfits) and Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and their villain pals. It was called “Mickey’s Pirates in the Caribbean.” There was a lot of audience interaction, but it seemed to be pretty geared towards kids (which I didn’t necessarily mind). It was a light-hearted and fun celebration (in the hot, humid heat of Tortola!).

Mickey and his pirate pals eventually banished Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, et al., off the stage in a classic good-triumphs-over evil story line. Arggghhhh!

After watching (and sweating), I was ready for a drink, and we needed to hustle over to the Enchanted Garden restaurant for dinner. So, I grabbed a glass of wine from the Concierge Lounge happy hour, and then we went to our designated table at Enchanted Garden.

Our amazing waiter, Igor, always had toys and puzzles on hand to entertain us while we waited for our food:

Our food for the Pirate Night dinner was really good. We started out with an excellent corn bread (called “Jolly Bread”) that came with a very unique mango dip. The dip had mint in it, which was a surprising and yummy addition.

For an appetizer, I had the “Davy Jones' Locker Rock Crab Cake.” It came with chili-Cajun spiced coleslaw and a grilled lime on the side. Simply delicious:

I couldn’t resist a second appetizer, the “Sri Sumbhajee’s Vegetable Samosa.” It was spicy with a lovely tamarind chutney and yogurt raita on the side to balance out the heat:

For my main course, I had the “Barbary Coast Falafel,” which was excellent:

My husband had “Tia Dalma’s Jerk Chicken,” which was very good. For dessert, I had the “Caramel  Macadamia Nut Cheesecake Tart,” and it was amazing:

After finishing up our scrumptious dinner, we went back to our stateroom for a breather and were greeted by this fella:

Arggghhhh (once again)! (Can you tell that I like Pirate Night?)

My husband was ready to call it a day, so my son and I made our way up to Deck 11 for the second half of the Pirate party: “Buccaneer Blast.” It started at 7:45pm, and we arrived a little bit late. The deck was packed with people! We ended up going to Deck 12 to view, but it was very hard my son to see anything, since so many of the adults were taller than him and blocking his view. From what I gathered, the show was very dramatic and focused on the more traditional Pirates of the Caribbean movie, as, for example, they would show Captain Armando Salazar on the big jumbotron screen. The show seemed geared more towards adults and was somewhat dark (maybe even scary for smaller kids). My son didn’t really like it. I didn’t care for it much either. So, we hung out until the fireworks started, which is always worth it.

Being on Deck 12 to see the fireworks was pretty amazing – everything looked so close to us! My son was even scared that the fireworks would hit us.

After the fireworks, the deck party continued with “Club Pirate,” which was some kind of dance party with a DJ. We didn’t care much for that either. Call me an old-timer, but I much preferred the consolidated pirate deck party that we experienced on the Disney Magic. It catered to both adults and kids and had a much more light-hearted and fun vibe (and it had 80’s music, which we had a blast dancing to).

Oh well! We still were glad to have seen the fireworks and were ready to go to bed to rest up for our next port: St. Thomas, USVI.