Author: Crystal

  • A DAY TRIP TO THE QUIRKY AND BEAUTIFUL KEY WEST

    If you are looking for a sign to go to the most southern point of the continental U.S., this is it! Located just 90 miles North of Cuba and being just 8 square miles, Key West is very walkable and makes for a delightful visit. It’s beautiful, clean, colorful, artsy, and all around charming. The people are laid back and friendly.

    The Conch Republic is Key West’s moniker named by it’s own community as a humorous and rebellious response to U.S. Border Patrol blockade back in 1992. I loved hearing about this and think that is a perfect representation of the spirit of the community that is the heart of Key West still felt today.

    One of the first things you will hear as the sun starts to creep up in the morning, is a wake-up call from the free roaming roosters welcoming you to their corner of the world. Throughout the day we seen chickens, roosters, and chicks walking around living their best life.

    Mama and her babies walking down the sidewalk. (I wasn’t as close as it looks in the pic!) She was very respectful of peoples space and we tried to return the favor.

    What your day will look like depends on your vacation style. If you are active, there are plenty of water and outdoor activities. If you love to drink alcohol and socialize, their are a ton of bars and nightlife. There is shopping with unique to Key West, boutique style, and artsy items. History is in abundance, so many eateries line the streets and we can not forget the key lime pie.

    There are a few different types of key lime pie. One has meringue piled high, if this is your jam, I’d recommend Blue Heaven. Some come frozen on a stick dipped in chocolate, if this is your jam, even if it’s not, Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe is the cutest shop and has key lime pie everything. You can also get something and go walk around if you don’t want to sit. My favorite is the traditional classic key lime pie slice which I always get from Banana Cafe.

    BANANA CAFÉ

    Banana Cafe is the most adorable little French cafe found on the east end of Duval st. They have a great breakfast menu and the service has always been great. They leave a bottle of water on the table and when it’s hot and humid, it’s so convenient to serve your own refills. They do draw a crowd, but the wait never seems unbearable. I’m not sure if it’s exactly considered a pet friendly restaurant, but whenever I have been there, someone has always had a dog under their table. They have outdoor seating upstairs. The building is older and the stairs are steep. If you need an accessible restaurant, this may not be the spot for you, but I just love this place.

    HEMINGWAY HOME

    The Hemingway Home and Museum is Ernest and Pauline Hemingway’s home that they remodeled in the 1930’s. One of the main focuses of the home is the inground pool that is said to be made of solid coral bedrock. It cost so much at the time, it is rumored Hemingway said it took his last penny and the penny is still imbedded in the stone at one end of the pool. Equally interesting are the descendants of the Hemmingway’s beloved polydactyl cat Snow White, who roam the grounds. The grounds themselves are beautiful and the home is well maintained. There is a stone fence completely surrounding the home, so if you’d like to explore the property that includes a guided tour, you’ll need to purchase tickets for $20 per person.

    THE LITTLE WHITE HOUSE

    Within blocks of the Hemingway house is The Little White House. Originally Navy headquarters during the Spanish-American war. In 1946 it was converted to the winter residents of President Harry Truman. He is said to have loved the home and island and consequently so have following presidents such as Roosevelt, Eisenhower, JFK, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. Thomas Edison also resided here for a short time during World War I. Private events are held here and anytime we’ve been, that seems to be the case. There is a small museum you can tour for about $23 per person.

    If you are coming from the cruise port, you’ll likely pass another famous house, the Custom House Key West. At one time this massive brick building was used as a U.S. District Courthouse, post office, and was part of the Navy’s operations headquarters. It’s now a museum for the Key West Art and Historical Society. Admission was $10 per person.

    Back to your sign. The most southern point of the continental U.S. has an istagramable buoy statue that has a long line of people waiting to get their shot. The oceans waves crash over the barriers so prepare to get sprinkled with saltwater and have wet shoes. Some people were saying they could see Cuba. We could be blind bats, but neither of us seen anything. It’s still cool just knowing your at the very last stop on the U.S. soil train. There is also a cheater’s trick at getting a maybe not quite as cute background, but still says you came pic. That’s outside of a bar just North maybe half a block or so and on the opposite side of the road. It’s fittingly named the Southernmost Point Bar.

    I would recommend to anyone who is the least bit curious about Key West to go see it for yourself. It makes a great weekend, day trip, or cruise port stop. You can really get a lot in because of it’s small and walkable size. The weather will most likely be perfect.

  • ADDRESSING CRUISE CONCERNS FOR FIRST TIME CRUISERS.

    Having hesitation about something you’ve never done before makes sense. It’s unknown. Expectations can be all over the place. Sometimes hearing someone else’s experience is enough to explore something your curious, but hesitant about. I am going to share common cruise concerns I hear from people all the time that hold them back from experiencing the joy of a cruise.

    CLAUSTROPHOBIA

    If you have never cruised, you may not realize how large the ship actually is. When you are out of your stateroom you may not even realize your on a ship. There are plenty of open space and open decks where you can get lots of fresh salty air. There are many floors. The restaurants, theatre, activities, spa, ect. are spread out and to get from one place to another you will most likely use an elevator. You and everyone else on board! The elevators can get pretty busy. There are many elevators which helps, but if being in an elevator really bothers you, you may want to plan ahead. Unless your a stair master champion and can easily scale 10 or more flights of stairs, your going to want to get a stateroom in an optimal location to everything you’ll be going to. You can also be patient and wait until it’s empty. Speaking of staterooms, if you are claustrophobic, you will probably be better off in a balcony room. Most of the wall leading out to the balcony is glass so that feels a little better, but being able to open the door and get fresh air makes a big difference.

    There were four elevators in this section alone that were hardly filled, but that’s not always the case.

    MOTION SICKNESS

    These ships are very large and the larger the ship, the less movement you feel. This is especially true in calmer Caribbean seas. Current ships are quipped with stabilizers and that helps reduce the sway. Most of the time you won’t notice, but if you are especially prone to motion sickness, it could impact your trip. Be prepared. Pack non-drowsy Dramamine or something similar. There are also small patches you can put behind your ear that some people swear by. There is always a small medical facility on board and they can help if you feel you need it. Stateroom location plays a role here too. The forward of the ship always has more movement. If seeing the water makes you sick, you may want to consider an inside room. I don’t know the science behind a portable fan, but it’s a must pack item if are prone to motion sickness.

    NOT LIKING THE FOOD

    Not liking the food is a surprising, but common concern I hear a lot. I can assure you, you have nothing to fear. There are so many different food options, you will find something you like. If you don’t like what you got, you can try something else. It’s all included. You have already pre-paid for that experience. Take the opportunity to try new things. If you don’t like it, go back to what you do like. You will not go hungry! There’s always the standard American diet choices like steak, pizza, chicken, fries, pasta, but their are also many other options to suit many diets. On our most recent cruise, there was a large section completely devoted to vegetarian and vegan options in the main buffet. There are always gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options at the main dining rooms and at the specialty restaurants. If a specific diet is of concern to you, ask your travel agent which cruise line or ship offers what you are looking for.

    Who doesn’t love a frosting welcome sign!?

    BOREDOM

    If you are bored on a cruise, you picked the wrong ship or too long of an itinerary for you. Speaking with a travel agent who knows what kind of activities you like and what is on which ship could prevent this. Not all ships are the same. Don’t pick a cruise based on price or port location alone. You may end up regretting it. Sometimes, you don’t have a choice. If you are with a large group for instance. I really can’t imagine anyone being THAT bored with all there is to do. Try something new. Pick an activity you would never try at home. I bet you will have more fun than you can imagine. This is how I discovered the piano bar. I never heard of such a thing. We decided to go check it out and now it’s the first thing I look for. So fun!

    Unique shows, better than t.v.

    YOUR NOT SAFE AT PORTS

    Every port is different and you do want to know where you are going and learn about the country of the port you are stopping at. For the most part, if a cruise ship is docking there, it is relatively safe. You are surrounded by people (unless you decide to travel off the beaten path) and if you feel completely unsafe, you can always just head back to the ship. I would consider myself a cautious, aka “semi-paranoid” person and I have never experienced feeling unsafe. For some of the islands, tourism is their main industry, this is how they survive. They know how to hustle, so you may be asked if you want to buy something, but a polite no thank-you has always been sufficient. You are in another country and things are different. I have witnessed things like too many people squeezing in a taxi or no seat belts and I would not feel comfortable doing something like this and I wouldn’t. I’m always careful about the water, these kinds of things, but nothing nefarious.

    Nassau, Bahamas

    CRUISES ARE FOR YOUNG PARTIERS OR BORING OLD PEOPLE

    There is such a spectrum of people who cruise, they cannot be pigeon-holed. The commonality in people who like to go on cruises are they are people who; like to have fun, like to relax, like having choices, enjoy trying new things, and they want to make memories. The itinerary and cruise line you chose will have an influence over the demographic of your fellow cruisers. If you go on a transatlantic cruise through the Panama canal, expect to be surrounded by a bunch of history buffs and engineers. If the cruise line caters to families, obviously there will be younger people and children. More children are also cruising than ever before and these kids will surely grow up to be future cruisers with expectations and experiences to match. The cruise industry is constantly evolving and growing to better meet the needs, not only of their loyalists, but underserved and first-time cruisers. There is an effort on behalf of the cruise lines toward inclusion of guests with special needs in the form of accessible staterooms, pool lifts, vibrating alarms, braille, rentable wheelchairs, and crews trained to deal with autism. There is space for everyone and that is reflected in cruise guests.

    If cruising is something your curious about, or if a group your are connected to wants to cruise, give it a chance. Your hesitation may be the only thing standing in your way and it may cost you a great vacation filled with amazing memories.

  • WHERE THE PEACE IS ON A CRUISE SHIP!

    Although cruises have a reputation of being a non-stop party, finding peace on a cruise is not impossible. It’s not challenging at all! Don’t get me wrong, there is ALWAYS a party to be had on a cruise, but if you are not into partying and you need a quiet place to decompress and feel centered, you can easily find it. There is always a quiet spot to sit with your thoughts or a coffee/cocktail and a good book. For me, a cruise ship is one of the best places to find peace.

    LIBRARY

    There is typically a library on board that is NEVER crowded (surprise) and has books other cruisers leave behind that you can borrow and return before you leave. If there are other people in the library, they’re probably introverted nerds just like us. They’re quiet and aren’t interested in socializing anyhow.

    Library on Celebrity Silhouette

    ADULT DECK

    The adults only pool area has ample seating on the sun deck or in the shade. You can look out at the ocean while listening to your favorite podcast. Or, and, I risk sounding like a weirdo here, but I also like to people watch. I have never noticed how someone’s suit fit or thought a person was to old to be there. It’s relaxing and fun being surrounded by people in a good mood who are relaxed, having fun! That has always been the feeling I get near the adult pools.

    To be fair, this is early in day. It’s usually not THIS quiet.

    TUCKED AWAY CORNERS

    In the evenings, the atrium may have live music or shows, but during the day it could be a quiet spot to recharge. Even the bars and lounges turn into quiet nooks during the day.

    STATEROOM

    If finding a bit of solitude on a cruise is important to you, than the stateroom you choose will have a huge impact on your experience. For me, a balcony room is imperative. The ocean is earth’s all natural sound machine paired with the gentle sway of the boat and the smell of salty air, there’s nothing else like it. Sitting on that balcony listening to the ocean is the best little corner of peace there is. It never gets old to me!

    Most Peaceful Sunset View

    CRUISE LINE

    Which cruise line you choose will also play a role in how much peace you find. Every cruise line, just like resorts, have their own unique brand. It’s their own distinct atmosphere that will set the tone for your over all experience and differentiate itself from others. Some will give you much more peace, but if you’re part a larger group and are on a more active family focused cruise line, have no fears, you will always be able to find a piece of quiet on every cruise.

    These are just a few spots. Finding peace on a cruise is not difficult at all. Especially if you know where the people are. All you have to do, is not be there. 😉

  • CAN I CRUISE IF I HATE PEOPLE!?

    Cruising is not for you if you hate people. Hate is harsh, isn’t it? Maybe you do really hate people or maybe you are like me. I really love people, I just prefer not to spend time with them. Being too social can drain my contentment battery, so when I am on vacation especially, I want to recharge. There are places on a cruise ship you CAN NOT avoid people. If you are asking yourself, IS CRUISING THE BEST STYLE OF VACATION FOR ME!? when people aren’t your favorite activity, the answer is YES!. Thankfully, you CAN, for the most part, avoid the highly populated areas of a cruise ship. I will share the people places with you and tell you how to avoid them.

    THE POOL

    On warm weather itineraries, the pools or lido deck on a cruise could never be large enough, especially on sea days! If you hang out in this area expect to be surrounded with people. Mostly happy, friendly, fun loving, social butterflies, but people non-the-less. You will be hard pressed to find an open lounger and the pools and hot tubs are typically occupied. This is where the sail away celebrations and deck parties occur. It’s exactly as it sounds. They have loud music, dancing, and it sets the tone that reminds everyone your vacation has begun! This may be THE most people filled area of the whole ship. If this sounds like the worst day ever to you, don’t hang out by the pool! My best ever sail away party is sitting on my peaceful quiet balcony watching the land getting smaller and smaller.

    THE BUFFET

    There is another people infested spot on the boat and you probably could guess, it’s the buffet. It’s not as hard to find a seat as on the the sun deck, but you will likely be walking around actively searching for an open table during the busiest times. I will point out, I have never NOT found a table. Again people are friendly and for the most part patient, but you still will be in a line surrounded by people when you are getting your plate. Many people. Walking in many different directions. A solution to this is if you go to the buffet, go during off hours. One hour later or earlier can make a huge difference. Right when they open and later at night, it’s always dead. Mid afternoon before they break is also slower. Another solution is to avoid the buffet altogether. You can choose to eat in main dining, specialty restaurants, room service, or the other eateries scattered throughout the ship.

    BOARDING

    Entering and exiting the boat. What do you expect!? Some of the largest ships have over 5,000 passengers. There’s only one way on and one way off. You are going to be in a crowd of people at some point. Your just going to have to suck it up and deal with being around people for this one. This industry is people moving masters. Follow directions. Which is mainly have your correct documentation (passport, sailcard, ect.) and walk in a single file line. Don’t bring anything you shouldn’t onto or off of the ship. Including at ports of call. Easy. The staff and security are professional and extremely efficient. It goes by quickly. It’s over before you know it.

    BARS AND CASINO

    My best guess is if you are seeking out bars or casinos, you may be one of these social beings. More power to you. Enjoy. Honestly, when I walk past or through these spaces they aren’t so crowded that you couldn’t find your own space if you happen to be with someone else who loves these things. There are several bars and they are spread out in such a way it’s manageable or you can move to the next. The same can be said for places like the piano bar, comedy show, and theatre. If these are activities you are interested in attending, go early to find a seat of your choosing. You will have your own chair at least and can position yourself to be one of the first to leave if walking in a crowd overwhelms you.

    If you do in fact hate people. Do not go on a cruise! If you just need a bit of your own space and enjoy people from a distance, ABSOLUTELY, without question, YES! You just need to find WHERE THE PEACE IS ON A CRUISE SHIP!

  • IS CRUISING THE BEST STYLE OF VACATION FOR ME!?

    Yes! Yes, it is.

    Please, let me tell you why:

    When you cruise, you vacation your way. There is so much variety in the choices you can make, you create your own best vacation-style!

    ACTIVITIES

    If your vaca-style is relaxed and laid back, you may choose shows, trivia games, spa treatments, sitting on a balcony watching the ocean, family friendly comedy show, walking around enjoying the boat, or the piano bar. If your vaca-style is active and outgoing, you may choose the pool parties, the night parties, bars, any of the many social gatherings, casino, work-out room, climbing walls (or like activities), adult comedy show, the piano bar (everyone loves a good piano bar!). The list of entertainment on a cruise is long! And FUN! So. Many. Options.

    FOOD

    Food variety. If you like to eat, you will find food you enjoy. There is always a buffet, main dining room which is more sit down with a waiter style. The menu is smaller, varied, and changes daily. Quick service or fast food style places with fast food style foods. There are also upscale specialty restaurants such as steak house, Asian, Italian, ect. Don’t forget about room service if that’s your thing. You’ll never be hungry on a cruise.

    A “small” section of the dessert options at the buffet.

    VARIETY

    You’ll have a chance to implement your preferences again when it comes to room style. Rooms vary from simple inside rooms (most economical) with sleeping quarters, bath, and space to hold your things for people who are mainly out and about on the boat, this is a great option! Ocean view rooms, no access to outside, but large porthole to see the ocean. Balcony rooms have a door leading to a private balcony where you can see, smell, and feel the ocean. If you are more introverted and don’t enjoy a shared space to ocean watch, or are claustrophobic, this may be your way to go. There is also suites that have full living spaces and upgraded concierge. In addition to which type of room, where your room is located on the boat is up to you also. Do you want to be close to the action, food, or kids spaces? Or would you rather be tucked away somewhere quiet? Whatever your preference, there is a space for you.

    DESTINATIONS

    Port location can vary from warm Caribbean waters, to chilly Alaskan evenings, to the hustle and bustle of an old European town. There are ports and itineraries for almost anywhere you would like to go. It’s a great way to test the waters with specific destinations also. If you love it, you’ll come back. If you don’t, you have the security of going back to the boat and checking it off of your list.

    Watching the sun rise above the beautiful Key West from our balcony.

    VALUE

    The amount of variety in cruising is unparalleled. No other type of vacation offers so many different options. This even extends to value. It’s challenging to plan a vacation and know exactly how much you will spend, but with a cruise, you can do just that. Everything you need to have a great vacation once your onboard is included. Room accommodations, food, entertainment, and stops at ports of call are all inclusive in the price. Although, you can spend over your cruise price once your onboard with shopping, alcohol drinks, upgraded meals, and gambling, but, this again, is optional. If you choose not to, you will not miss out on anything! Even if you do spend extra, if you were to add up these items ala carte, you’d be spending much more.

    CREW

    There are SO MANY CHOICES and planning before hand, but once you get on that boat, the convenience can’t be beat. The idea of a carefree vacation where you leave the real world behind becomes your reality for awhile. The crew entertains you, prepares food and serves you, cleans your room and the boat for you, pampers you. The crew of the cruise industry is what I hear cruisers talk about most. They are really a huge part of what makes cruising so special and what makes a cruise different than any other vacation you could take.

    As you can see, I love cruises for the convenience, variety, value, relaxation and most of all fun. If you have ever asked yourself if you should take a cruise, the answer is yes! I think you will enjoy cruising too. Unless the question you are asking yourself is CAN I CRUISE IF I HATE PEOPLE!?

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