Prepare for Paradise: St. Maarten

17 Days!

image from Carnival website

Our final island on this cruise is St. Maarten!
I haven't been here in a long time (I think I was 11 last time we came) so I'm super excited!!

Here are a few fun things you can do in this tropical paradise!!

1. Snorkel
   Okay, I'm not going to lie: I am absolutely terrified of snorkeling. I tried it once with my dad when I was like 8 and the moment they mentioned jellyfish I was like, uh BYE. But now that I'm older and a little more sensible (just a little) it really seems like fun. I really think if I have time I'm going to give it another shot. Although, I'm still probably going to make my daddy go with me. I'm a wimp.
   
   
2. Stuff your face
   There is SUCH a great variety of food on this island. Want to eat the local fare? Go for it? Got a craving for some barbecue? You're set. Hungry for a hamburger? You'll be okay. In the mood for something a little more gourmet? Yup, they've got that, too. It's basically impossible to go hungry as a tourist on this island. There is just SO. MUCH. FOOD. There's also this fabulous shop that sells DELICIOUS Belgian chocolates. I don't think I have ever tasted anything so wonderful.
   
   
3. Dance
   Ever wanted to go to a calypso bar? Well, here you can! And while you're there, head on over to the dance floor to show off your moves! A word of warning: twerking is not an accepted form of dance here. (Although realistically it shouldn't be an accepted form of dance anywhere. But if you want to twerk, go for it.)
   
   
4. Shop
   Do I really even have to say it at this point? The shops here are right along the waterfront and are absolutely fabulous.

This is the final port on my cruise, so I'm definitely going to be trying to get the most out of it. Hopefully I'll have budgeted well at the other ports so I can actually enjoy myself appropriately! I can't wait!!

Prepare for Paradise: St. Thomas

21 Days!

Okay, first of all: Sorry for the late post!!

We've been having some technical difficulties with our internet recently and I haven't been able to get anything done!

But now I'm back!

On with the paradise!!

image from Carnival website

The third island we'll be visiting is St. Thomas, one of the US Virgin Islands!!
I feel like we're constantly visiting this island on cruises, but I never run out of things to do!

1. Magen's Bay Beach
   Okay, first of all: Magen's Bay is absolutely beautiful. It is also, however, absolutely crowded. Don't let that deter you from visiting, though!! For a small fee you can hop on a bus and head to Magen's Bay where there are lounge chairs, fruity cocktails, and tons of activities! There are icebergs like the one in Grand Turk, in-water bouncy castles, and even jet skis! Of course, you can also go parasailing...if you're in to that.
   
2. Coki Beach
   If crowded, touristy beaches aren't your thing, Coki Beach is perfect for you. Hop in a taxi and head on over to this quaint little beach and you'll be able to relax and have fun! The sand is soft, the water is beautiful, and they offer snorkeling!
   
3. Coral World
   Love touristy attractions? Love cute sea animals? Coral World is the place for you!! It's basically a fancy aquarium, except the fish aren't in "captivity," so you see them in their natural habitat. And there are a ton of sea horses! Exciting! You can also pet turtles, sharks, and sea lions!
   
4. Explore
   Okay, disclaimer: I haven't actually done this one! But I have heard killer reviews from my friends and family. So, what is it, you ask? You take a sailboat and explore the secret coves around the island! How exciting is that? If you're up for adventure, definitely try this!! I'm definitely hoping to try it this year!
   
5. Shop
   Like I said, I'm probably going to say this about every. Single. Port. But at St. Thomas, it's a different type of experience. The shopping "center" is in the historical part of St. Thomas and is absolutely beautiful! There's also a great variety of shops for you to browse and, if you need a break, some nice spots for food!

The biggest thing about St. Thomas is to just enjoy it! I really can't wait to be back next month!!

Prepare for Paradise: Day at Sea, Part 1

28 Days!

Only 28 more days until I will be enjoying a fabulous cruise to the Caribbean!

And to start off this fabulous cruise, we have a lovely Day at Sea! These are actually some of my favorite days, because you get to explore the ship and do so much.

Here are some of my favorite things to do at sea:

1. Relax
   Obviously, a Day at Sea is always a chance to relax, because you don't feel pressured to see every sight and do everything you can possibly do in the few short hours you ave ashore. I love to have a nice breakfast in the dining room, then take my tea (or coffee) to the Lido deck to enjoy the morning breeze and a good book before the crowds get out to the pool. Then I'll head back to the cabin, grab my towel and sunscreen, and I'm out by the pool (still with the good book, of course)
   
   
2. Spa Day
   Another wonderful thing about cruises: the on-board SPA. The spas on Carnival ships offer a variety of different services, but my favorites are the Swedish massage and the Hand ritual (which features a manicure!) The services vary from acupuncture to detox wraps to teeth whitening, so there's something for everyone at almost any price point. (But I mean, you're on a cruise. You're going to splurge a little, right?)
   
   
3. Eat Around the World
   On the Lido deck, there are tons of different style foods to try, and I like to try at least one new thing a day. I'm very picky, so the fact that I can just try a little is definitely a big deal to me. Carnival has tons of different food options, ranging from American to Mongolian to Mexican, so it is entirely possible to eat something different for every meal! They also have this great thing called the "Taste Bar," where you literally just get to taste a delicious new food every day!
   
   
4. Shows
   There is never a shortage for entertainment on a Carnival cruise. They offer shows, music, cocktail parties; it's absolutely fabulous. I love to stop by the piano bar right before dinner and enjoy a cocktail while listening to the pianist play jazz pieces and even some top 40 hits! I also love to check out the comedy shows and dance performances they have on stage.
   
   
5. Get Fit
   There's no reason to fall off the bandwagon on a cruise, because they offer so many different ways to stay in shape while you're aboard. There's a fabulous track, wonderful gym facilities, and even group classes! I'm a fan of the elliptical, but sometimes I'll take a walk around the track in the morning. Even if you're just wandering around the boat, you're getting exercise, which is pretty nice, considering all of that food you scarfed down at lunch! 

So, there you have it! My favorite things to do while out at sea, waiting to reach paradise!