A 7- day cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas to Nassau Bahamas
Royal Caribbean – Allure of the Seas – Nassau Bahamas
Planning a cruise during a pandemic? Don’t fret. It’s possible to cruise in a safe, yet fun way. Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas was the ship we chose for our trip to Nassau, Bahamas. We had 7 hours of free time in Nassau and we used every minute to explore the island.
The Funky Jeep Tour was our favorite shore excursion, which we booked directly through the Royal Caribbean app while on board the ship. This tour took us around the island and made stops where we could get out and take photos and even experience some unique cultural events. Our tour guide was well informed, friendly, and funny.
All guests and staff on the this particular tour were required to be vaccinated for this particular shore excursion.
Interested in booking your next cruise to the Caribbean? I highly recommend booking with Royal Caribbean.
We’re looking forward to more cruises in 2021. We’ll definitely be visiting the western Caribbean islands and eastern Caribbean islands in 2022. I can’t wait to share more about our experiences in St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts & Nevis. We’ve learned so much about the history and culture of each of these beautiful islands.
One reason we like to visit the Caribbean Islands, is because of the tropical weather and we love towns and cities that are on the water. There’s nothing like the perfect beach day. The ocean always brings a pleasant breeze. Occasionally you can run into some rainfall, but if you plan your trips well in advance, you can book outside of hurricane season and common rainfall periods. It pays to do your research on the weather and safety before traveling on any trip.
Nervous about cruising during a pandemic? I highly recommend Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas cruise ship. The staff was very friendly and each member made sure they exercised proper safety procedures and protocols to keep everything clean and everyone safe during a pandemic. As vaccinated guests we felt comfortable aboard the ship. Masks were enforced while indoors and encourages while outdoors. We had a very pleasant experience onboard. On this particular cruise, all of the shows were back, but all guests had to make reservations prior to attending any show. All shows were back in session with COVID-19 protocol in place. They didn’t allow entry to shows unless you showed your confirmed reservation within the app. Also, they separated some of the show times for vaccinated guests and other times for unvaccinated guests.
Royal Caribbean offers great rates for cruises around the world. This particular cruise was the 8 – Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, visiting Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Phillipsburg, St. Maarten; and Basseterre, St. Kitts. There were cruising days between each destination. On these particular days we spent time aboard the ship enjoying water activities, sporting activities, live music, entertainment and more! Onboard the ship there are plenty of food and drink options at all times of the day. Once of my favorite stations was the frozen yogurt station. Our favorite show was the aqua show, located in its own outdoor theatre. The show was phenomenal, and was available throughout the entire trip. Since our stateroom was located on the 14th floor of the ship, we were able to sit on the balcony on nights where we didn’t have a reservation to watch the aqua show from our room.
Check out the video below to see our experience on day one, from check-in and boarding to on board activities and shows.
New York City is one of my top places to visit. I’ve actually been here before, but it’s my first time visiting New York with my husband, which makes it super special.
We’ve walked sooooooooo much, it’s insane!!!! I love being here. The first time I visited I felt so inspired and in awe. I felt more motivated and encouraged. This time it’s different. I’m always amazed by the infrastructure, art, culture, food & history, but for some reason, instead of the inspiration and awe that I felt when I visited NY at age 21, I feel different. I feel like I made it. Accomplished. Honored to be here. I’m not sure if this feeling is influenced by my age and/or stage in life. Just recognized that there definitely was difference in appreciation this time.
It’s amazing how traveling not only allows you to learn about people and places, but traveling teaches you A LOT about yourself, believe it or not.
Here are the top 8 Places to Visit in New York Summer 2021:
When it comes to the top places to visit in New York City, The Statue of Liberty is absolutely gorgeous! I recommend taking a boat tour to see the monument if you’re short on time. Because this was a weekend trip, and we only had a short few days to see as much as possible, the boat cruise was ideal. It was 2.5 hours long and took us through the Hudson River, and made a circle around Manhattan so that we were able to see the Manhattan Skyline along with Ellis Island. This was totally worth the experience. I’ve heard it’s even better at night. Be sure to bring a sweater because the winds on the water can get a little strong.
Nothing is better than a lovely sunset cruise around New York. There are so many different excursions to do, but this by far is one of the best. The skyline views are incredible!
Another spot for incredible 360 views of NYC. The best part is having dinner at ONE Dine. These elevators climb 102 stories in 47 seconds. Talk about thrill. You will get an unforgettable perspective and you’ll learn the history and transformation of New York City from unsettled lands to today’s amazing forest of skyscrapers. There’s a reason why Alicia Keys said NY is a “concrete jungle where dreams are made of.”
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic the hall was not open for shows and concerts. It was also closed for tours. Once things completely open up, I would highly recommend visiting Radio City Music Hall. There’s so much history and culture that you don’t want to miss. For now, a photo was all I could get, but just know that I’ll be back soon for the full experience.
Some say it’s a great experience to walk the bridge. I haven’t had the opportunity to walk the entire bridge, but passing under on a boat cruise really blew my mind. This bridge is so intricate and beautiful. You don’t realize how incredibly big it is until you view the bridge in person. At night, the lights of the Brooklyn Bridge along with the skyline make the picture perfect view.
The best views in the city, if you ask me. If you’re afraid of heights, you may want to pass on this one. But if you’re down for the height, this is a must see. Although it’s no longer the tallest building in the city, it’s still monumental and worth the experience. There’s so much history in this building and as you walk though, you’ll learn about what it took to make this building come to life. I was also surprised to see so many businesses who are housed in the Empire State Building on the lower levels. You have the option of staying inside to admire the views, or step outside on the top of the observation desk to see and feel the 360 views of New York City. It’s beyond breathtaking.
Even if you’re not a coffee fanatic, you must visit the Starbucks Reserve. This reserve has soooooo many beverage and food options. Items that aren’t on the traditional menu are available here. Furthermore, you can also take a tour of the reserve if you make reservations. I’m not a coffee drinker, but there are so many teas and even alcoholic beverages to choose from. Plus, the aesthetic and building infrastructure is amazing.
One word: Wow. This structure is unbelieveable. I saw pictures online and absolutely knew I had to visit. The vessel is massive and the best part is you can climb the entire structure. In addition, there are 2,500 steps from bottom to top and boy is it a workout. The views inside and outside of the vessel are a sight to see.
I’m super excited to be going to New York for the weekend. I absolutely love to travel, so I only felt it was right to take a quick little getaway to the big apple with the hubs. If you’re thinking of a mini vacay from Florida, it’s the perfect distance which in turn makes the flight a little less expensive than flying across country. Because we’re just getting out of a pandemic (COVID-19), the cost to fly and hotel stay are reduced until travel begins to pick up in the U.S. Here are 4 Things to Consider Planning the Perfect Weekend Trip:
Transportation to and from the airport
Are you going to pay for overnight parking, get a ride, take the subway, train, bus, or go the ride-sharing route. Either way, it’s good to weigh out your options in terms of cost. For us, we live close to the airport, so an Uber ride isn’t too costly. However, if we’re traveling during surge hours, the price could skyrocket. Also, if we’re going to arrive home after 11pm, it’s safer to have our own vehicle. In this case, we pay the $15/day for parking since it equates to the same amount as getting a round trip Uber.
2. Flight
I always recommend signing up for rewards programs with various airlines. This way you’ll accumulate points and cash them in for future flights. I’ve done this sooooo much and it’s so worth it. Plus, you never know when you’ll have an emergency or last minute travel obligation and your short on funds. Those points can be a major benefit at the right time.
When selecting flight, it’s all about your preference. Every airline is unique and can provide some pretty cool perks. For example, I love JetBlue b/c they have unlimited snacks! Did you know that? They don’t advertise it, but the option is there if you’re a foodie like me…plus, they actually have good snacks, not just the traditional peanuts. lol
When it comes to comfort, most flights provide the option for you to purchase more room, or comfort plus seats. You can even upgrade to first class if you have the funds or the status gained through your airline miles/points.
3. Hotel
This is the fun part. There are tons and tons of hotel brands to choose from. The larger brands often have a similar points system as airlines, but specific to hotel stays. Enroll! They’re free and they only come with benefits. Also, when you’re a member, you get to set a standard for your hotels. Maybe you only like staying on high floors, you prefer special linens and lots of pillows. All of these things are stored in your membership account, so when they greet you at checking, they already know your expectations. Also, the more points you have, the more free benefits and accommodations you get over time.
I personally love the Marriott Bonvoy app and the Hilton app. Definitely worth signing up!
4. Transportation during your trip
This is always an interesting one. Depending on your destination, you may or may not need your own transportation. I try to plan strategically so that my hotel is in a centralized ‘walkable’ location, close to all of my preferred attractions. Although the cost of the hotel may be a little more, it balances the cost of getting a rental and paying for gas, tolls, and all the other fees that come along. Plus, walking is great for your health and why not explore with all 5 senses. You never know what you may stumble upon or discover.
Now that you have the 4 things to consider when planning the perfect weekend trip, be sure to check out my article about the BEST WAY TO PACK for your next trip!
We recently visited Cancun, Mexico for a week and thought it’d be helpful to share some packing tips and advice. These tips may literally change your life (and help you save space).
Check out the video below to see how I packed for our international vacation.
This pasta #sauce is so simple yet #delicious. It takes roughly 20 minutes to make, but to be honest, the longer it sits and absorbs flavor, the better it tastes. This sauce can be used on many types of #pasta.
I created this recipe one evening after a long day of work. I wanted a delicious home cooked meal, but I didn’t want to be in the kitchen #cooking all day. I also didn’t want to use a jar of #spaghetti sauce, although I do appreciate a good jarred sauce. Lately, I’ve also been trying to eat more whole foods instead of highly processed foods when possible. This is better for my body and my digestive system.
I like this recipe because you don’t have to be a pro to make this sauce. It’s simple enough to follow and even if you are a pro, you can doctor it up and make it your own. That’s the beauty in cooking. My grandma taught me how to cook without measuring and trusting your taste. It took me a while to master my flavors, but I’m confident that I’ve reached a point to know when to add more of a specific ingredient, based on how it tastes. I’ve also learned a few tricks to balance out the overpowering of a particular ingredient or flavor.
This recipe is quite delicious and the best part is that you can store and reuse this sauce at a later date, if you’d like. This recipe serves about 6 hungry individuals.
I absolutely LOVE to cook and I hope to keep sharing some of my delicious recipes with you all. 💙
Be sure to like the video and leave comments. I look forward to your comments. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel. Much appreciated!
Danae’s Spaghetti Sauce
8 (tomatoes of your choice chopped)
1 (3.5 fl oz. tomato paste)
4 (dashes of crushed red pepper flakes)
2 (table spoons of Italian seasoning)
1 (teaspoon of ground black pepper)
1 (teaspoon of salt)
1/8 (cup of sugar)
6-8 (cloves of garlic)
1 (whole chopped white onion)
Chop and cook all ingredients together in pot on medium heat for 20 minutes
Pulse cooked mixture in blender for 30 seconds
Return sauce to heat while boiling pasta separately
Curious which products work best when washing your hair? The key elements that I look for in shampoo and conditioner are:
Vegan formula
Paraben free
Sulfate free
No silicones
No artificial colors
This was my first time using Carol’s Daughter Wash Day products and I was thoroughly impressed. My hair felt clean, but not dry. My hair was not stripped of its moisture, which is very important. There was no excess build up of product and my hair was not oily.
The conditioner detangled & reduced my combing time significantly. I love that my hair felt so soft from these natural ingredients. I definitely recommend using these products for your wash day, no matter what type of hair you have.
I love plants, especially house plants! I don’t usually have too many plants because I travel so much. My husband and I are always on the go and it would break my heart to come home to dead plants after such a wonderful trip.
This Philodendron Birkin cost me $19 at Home Depot. Its beautiful and unique pinstripes on each leaf really caught my attention. It’s also a very trendy plant right now. It doesn’t need a ton of water and it needs moderate sunlight. I’ve placed it on a side table near our sliding glass door. We also have skylights so there’s plenty of natural light for our new plant babe.
I’m excited to nurture this beauty. Wish me luck!
Philodendron Birkin on a wooden side table with two candles for aesthetic
You’ll have to check out my new YouTube video below to find out! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my channel. 🙂
I’ve tried sooooo many #chocolate chip #cookie recipes, and none of them have been mind blowing. These, my friend are on a whole new level! They are soft and delicious, and they don’t get hard and crunchy after sitting out. This is my new favorite chocolate chip cookie #recipe. What’s your favorite type of #homemade cookies? Let me know in the comments! 🙂
