What: A Four Night Cruise On the Disney Dream

When: March 14-28, 2022

Why: This was a makeup vacation.   For once, Ally’s spring break from grad school lined up with Olivia’s spring break from teaching, which lined up with Chase having enough vacation to go somewhere!  So boy did we book somewhere!  We had an amazing Adventures by Disney trip to Italy planned and booked.  We even found amazing prices on first-class air for all five of us!  But Covid was not done ruining vacations at that point.  So we were canceled about 60 days out.  Sooooo sad.

So we regrouped and had a family meeting!  What should we do instead?   Ultimately we were worried that we would have the same problem with any other trip abroad.  I threw out a cruise, thinking that was too “routine” for an exciting family vacation.  Well what do you know, the kids loved it!  And Chase and Olivia had never been on the Dream!  Whoops…

As you can imagine, I’d saved a lot for an Adventures by Disney trip plus air for five, so we had enough to all go concierge!  Woohoo!  The kids had definitely never done that before!  My parents were coming to Italy and also had a large amount of FCC to burn through.  Well, this was going to be a fun one!

Who: Stephen, Ally, Chase, Olivia, my parents, and me!

In an extra fun twist, Chase has become quite the photographer himself!  So for the first time ever, this will be a blend of my pictures AND his pictures!  Plus some good old iPhone pictures are thrown in when necessary.

A Cruise of Firsts!
Day 1 – Covid Negative! 
Day 2 – Rainforest Room 
Day 3 – Castaways 
Day 4 – Massages and Brunch 

What:  A Preview Cruise of the Brand New Disney Wish

When:  July 10-12, 2022

Why: Disney invited some travel agencies to preview the Disney Wish before its maiden voyage, and we were lucky enough to get an invitation!  Let me tell you, I had been waiting for this ship for years, so when that invite came, I actually screamed.  Out loud.  In Epcot.

Who: I was able to bring three people with me, so I invited Missy, Heather and Misty along for the fun!

Much more to come!

Previewing a Wish – July 10-12, 2022
Day 1 (Part 1) – There is No Such Thing as Too Many Pictures 

Day 1 (Part 2) – Maybe There Were Too Many Pictures 
Day 2 – A Sea Day For More Pictures 
Day 3 – For the First Time in Forever – Castaway Cay for Pictures

What: A Four-Night Caribbean sailing on the Disney Wonder

When: January 27-February 1, 2022

Why: I was starting to feel like I had a long time between cruises, so when Stephen told me he was going out of town for 10 days, I was like – well then, I’m finding a cruise! I found a good rate on the Wonder out of Galveston, found a friend, and booked!

Who: Debbie and I!  Here we are at Palo!

Simply Wonderful – January 28-February 1, 2022
Day 1 – Testing and Boarding 
Day 2 – No Bones Day! 
Day 3 – Sunburns and Shade 
Day 4 – Stocking Up 

What: The first ever-inaugural-MerMaiden-voyage of Virgin Voyages!

When: October 6-10, 2021

Why: I picked this sailing because it worked for Levi and Missy, and was shocked when every voyage before it was cancelled!  While I didn’t like seeing any cruises being cancelled, I was very happy with my happy timing on this one!

Virgin is an adult only ocean cruise line, which was certainly intriguing!  They also had some rather risqué advertising when they first were announced, but they backed off of that over time.  So I was super intrigued to see for myself what it would actually be like!

Who:  Stephen and I, plus Levi and Missy!

Avoiding the Obvious Title Here! – October 6-10, 2021
Day 1 – Boarding Like Rock Stars 
Day 2 – Nassau, Kind Of 
Day 3 – Bimini 
Day 4 – I Am Here to Solve Your Problems 

What: A Four Night Cruise on the Disney Dream

When: September 20-24, 2021

Why: This was our seventh girls cruise together! And after three cancelled attempts, we were more than ready!

Who: There were 13 of us this time!

The Leisurely Ladies of Leisure Are Finally Leisuring Again – September 20-24, 2021
Day 1 – Hey Kelly! 
Day 2 – The Suspense 
Day 3 – Brunching 
Day 4 – Cabana Day!
Day 5 – Cabana-nana-na-na 

What: A 7-night Greek Isles cruise on the Celebrity Apex

When: August 27- September 4, 2021

Why: When the cruise industry finally restarted in 2021, they were very anxious for travel agents to get onboard and experience their new safety procedures, so we could share them with our clients. There were more opportunities than we could take advantage of! One of our agents, Heather J, won a free Celebrity cruise in a contest, and she couldn’t make it work in her schedule! So, she very kindly offered it to me. I had such a full schedule, I really didn’t think I could. Then a couple of things fell into place, and I realized it was too good of an opportunity to pass up! I had a sit down with my dear sweet husband, and he agreed, I should go. I did a happy dance, and made some plans!

Who: Audrey was also thrilled with the opportunity, and she made it work! Here we are!

Feeling Like a Celebrity – August 27-September 4, 2021
Day 1 – Living the Good Life 
Day 2 – Hello, Apex!
Day 3 – Mykonos All by Myself
Day 4 – The Search for a Roommate in Rhodes! 
Day 5 – Santorini 
Day 6 – Sea Day 
Day 7 – Dubrovnik 
Day 8 – Sea Day 

What: Disney Dream 4 Night Double Dip

When: August 16-20, 2021

Why: Disney Cruise Line hadn’t sailed in over 18 months, and I knew when she sailed again, I was going to be on the first sailing I could. When they announced it was time, I had a conflict with the first sailing, and I decided I’d rather do a 4-night then a 3-night, so I booked the second week!

Who: Debbie came with me on this one!

Dreaming Again! – August 16-20, 2021
Day 1 – The First Embarkation in Forever
Day 2 – When the Bottom Fell Out 
Day 3 – I Missed You, Castaway Cay
Day 4 – Take Two! 

What: 5 Night Test Cruise to Alaska

When: July 30-August 4, 2021

Why:  I was invited on a test cruise to Alaska!  You know I’m not saying no to that one!  Especially on the Ovation, which is a gorgeous ship.  I couldn’t wait!

Who: Ally and I! 

Testing Out Alaska! – July 30-August 4, 2021
Day 1 – Good Evening, Seattle
Day 2 – Hello, Ovation! 
Day 3- Sea, Glorious Sea 
Day 4 – Sea Day Again 
Day 5 – Ketchikan 
Day 6 – Sea Day 

What: 7 Night Cruise on Adventure of the Seas

When: June 11-19, 2021

Why:  My long national draught was finally ending.  After more than a year without cruising (2020), I finally had my chance!  When Royal Caribbean announced they would resume sailing, and start in June from Nassau, I knew I had to be on it.  So I booked the first one! 

Who: Debbie came with me for this one! 

Cruising At Last! – June 11-19, 2021
Day 1 – Off to Nassau 
Day 2- Embarkation (Sound the Hallelujah Chorus) 
Day 3 – It Really Was the Perfect Day at CocoCay 
Day 4 – CocoCay on Repeat
Day 5 – Sea Day
Day 6 – Cozumel
Day 7 – Sea Day 
Day 8 – Grand Bahamas 

What: The Disney Cruise Line Blog Group Cruise on the Disney Magic!

When: February 20-24, 2020

Where: Bahamas Cruise from Miami

Who: Around 30 of us! Scott, Emily and Isabelle from The Disney Cruise Line Blog, a few agents, and several new friends!

I failed on getting a full group picture, but here are most of us at Palo brunch!

And:

Keep reading to see all the fun we had!

Cruising with The DCL Blog! Again! – February 20-24, 2020

Day 1 – Embarkation 
Day 2 – Nassau and the Pirate Brewery! 
Day 3 – The Perfect Day at Castaway Cay! 
Day 4 – Food and Trivia at Sea