Before I get to the vacation, I want to comment on two really fabulous things that came out of Britain yesterday…
1. The fact that they named this little guy George was revealed yesterday. Andrew really, really, really wanted to name Smith, George. Really he did. It’s quite British and very proper (all things Andrew loves) but I was hesitant. So, the name wasn’t fit for a Shull kid, but it was fit for a future king. Although, Sheaffer told me she thought it would be awesome if they named him something like Kevin. Or Bob. King Kevin does have a nice ring to it, right? And then Kelly told me she liked Sutton Spencer…which I honestly love, love, love. But alas, they didn’t ask us three. Maybe they will next time?
And then this happened yesterday too…
2. Helen Fielding released the cover for the new Bridget Jones novel. I told you guys two weeks ago that the Bridget Jones series are my two favorite movies. I’m thrilled beyond words that a third book installment is coming this October!
Alright…enough Brit talk and more vacation talk…here you go…
After 3 full days in Barcelona, we headed to board our 7 night cruise.
Here’s the thing about cruises…I love them…but only certain types of cruises. I love what I call “old people cruises”. I want to be on a ship full of older people (not younger people with kids). Being on a ship full of kids does not sound like fun to me, so when we travel, we try to get on ships that would more than likely be full of older people instead. Older people are quieter, they don’t run down the ship corridors, they’re respectful at dinner, they don’t crowd the pools, they are just better travel companions in my opinion. Even when we cruise with our own kids, we look for destinations that more than likely will have more adults on board than children (needless to say, you won’t ever find the Shulls on a Disney Cruise…).
Another reason why we like cruises is that a cruise ship forces you to have down time (something Andrew and I never have). When we travel by land (like we did in Belgium last fall), we get up early and stay out late. We never go back to our hotel room because we’re trying so hard to soak everything in. But…when you board a cruise ship, you don’t have the luxury of staying out late…you are forced to get back on the ship every day and have some down time. For people like us (the kind of people that never sit still), a little mandatory relaxation does us good every once in a while.
This was our 3rd cruise together in our 9 years of marriage. Click here to see our Italian Riviera cruise (and I apologize in advance for how pregnant I am!) and click here to see when we took our kids on a Scandinavian cruise.
We board our Holland America ship and headed straight to our cabin. We had a big balcony overlooking our port.
We sat back and enjoyed our day on the ship.
I read and wrote recipes for the fall and Christmas…
…and watched a few episodes of Frasier (since my sweet hubby bought me the first 3 seasons to bring on board).
We got dressed for dinner and headed out for the ship’s nighttime festivities.
Beautiful sailing!
The next morning, we woke up bright and early and I ate breakfast in our cabin while watching Fraiser (I’m on a cruise ship…my choices were limited! I’m so glad he brought those DVDs for me!), while Andrew ate on the Lido deck.
Then we got off the ship, boarded a city bus and headed out for 12 hours discovering Monte Carlo, Eze and Nice (Monaco and France).
Our first stop was Eze, France. It is this beautiful little town nestled high on a hill. It had cobblestone streets, little nooks and corners, shops, cafes, art and beautiful views below.
We stopped for cappuccinos and chocolate filled croissants at a little cafe and watched the world go by.
After a morning in Eze, we took another bus up to Nice. I found a little bakery and bought myself some macaroons. (We have an understanding in our marriage…if I see a macaroon, I buy it. I looooove a good coconut macaroon!).
For some reason, I didn’t take a lot of pics in Nice. We had lunch at an outdoor cafe, we strolled the city streets and did a little shopping and toured a cathedral. It was a wonderful afternoon!
We left Nice and took our bus ride back to Monte Carlo (where the ship was ported) and finished off our late afternoon and evening there. We stopped for ice cream when we arrived back…
…and walked the beautiful city streets. Monte Carlo had some of the prettiest architecture, yachts, and views that I have ever seen. It was beautiful!
Walking!
Being silly!
We had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the marina. I had never seen so many beautiful yachts docked in one place. After dinner, I had a crepe. Flippin’ fabulous!
And because the sun stayed out so late, we felt like we got to fully enjoy our 12 hours at our port. Here I am that night going back to our ship. Such a wonderful day!
Next up, we port in Italy! And if you missed our last stop, click here. For our next stop, Day 7, click here.
More pics to come!
Lunch is on the foodie blog! A simple (and versatile!) wrap that you and your kiddos will love!
And of course, check our Sheaffer’s Bachelorette recap here. What would we do without Sheaffer?!?!
Kelly Jo says
You look stunning in pink and navy!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Soooooooo glad I was able to score that maxi skirt for you. It's such a great addition to your wardrobe! And I am loving getting to "go on vacation" with you guys! Your room looks like the biggest room I have ever seen on a cruise ship. SO FUN!
Christine says
This is reminding me of the cruise that we took a few years ago only in reverse (started in Athens and ended in Barcelona). We were on Oceania Cruise lines and were definitely one of the youngest people on there and I completely agree with you about older couples making great cruise companions. Love looking at your pictures.
Mommy of two :) says
All looks so fun! You stated you were going to do a post about what clothes you wore. But, I'm living your cross over bag. I'd love to know more about it 🙂
KatyA says
Hi Shay, I've been looking forward to getting to the cruise part of your vacation! Looks like y'all had a great time! My husband and I are big cruisers, and there aren't many other people around the same age who like it so much. We're leaving in 3 weeks for the Greek Isles, our fifth cruise together since our honeymoon in September 2011. I'll look forward to seeing your packing lists, too! Katy (in Austin)
Jaren says
King Kevin…hilarious!
Okay so this looks like a fabulous way to see that part of the world. I've never really had a desire to take a cruise (partly because I'm scared I'll get sea sick). I didn't know you could see so much in a day! That looks like a lot of fun! I'm enjoying traveling vicariously for the moment!
Jennifer Cannon says
Two things :
#1) you guys look so , so happy! Like glowing!! A good vacation will do that to you I guess!!
#2) are those pink Sketchers "go walk" shoes ?! If so…… Are they not the most comfy things on the planet!? They're coming to the grave with me. They a fabulous!!
Xoxo
Jen
Amy McCown says
I had to laugh because my husband and I are the same way with the older tourist crowd. Sometimes it is by choice and most of the time by accident. We went on a Costa cruise to Scandanavia a few years ago and loved it because we got to meet so many older Italians. And girl I stop everytime I have a Macaroon sighting too!
Detroit Duchess says
I have always wanted to visit Monte Carlo! Did you get to check out the casino at all?
It looks like you used Holland America for your other cruises. Do you like them the best? I have been on Carnival and Royal Caribbean before, but I was wondering if Holland was better.
I love me a good macaroon!
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
Such a stylish traveler…love that!!! I want more pics of the towns too…those look amazing!
And um, we've been on one cruise (it was with kenny chesney, before he got buff, but that's another story), and our room looked NOTHING like that!!! Well done upgrade!
Karen M. Peterson says
I think George Schull sounds like a writer or something. It's kind of an awesome name.
But not as awesome as King Kevin would have been.
Theresa says
This post just made my day!! I love Bridget Jones and I am so excited for October. I had no idea there would be another. Thanks for the info!!
Ashley says
oh when i saw that photo i thought for sure you were going to comment on kate's decision to wear a dress that showcases her very real belly!
Kelly Stamps says
I'm so glad you named Smith Smith and not George. 🙂
And I'm not a fan of cruises but I like the way you think about the old people. Scott and I are kind of like old people anyway – we would fit in.
mel @ the larson lingo says
King Kevin!!!! I LOVE that. My husband would have REALLY loved that. So funny. Love your cute maxi skirt!! Aren't they SO comfy? I want a chocolate croissant now.
Jenna {Real Simple Girl} says
I love Smith's name! SO much better than George!! Anyway, your cruise looks like it was so much fun!! I really want to go to Europe! All of your vacation outfits are adorable, too. So glad you got that maxi! I really wish I had bought one before they all sold out!
Parisian Heart says
This vacation sounds heavenly–from the excursions right down to the Frasier DVDs!
Mrs. SBA says
I think this is the same cruise my husband and I went on for our honeymoon. Were were the only young people on board and we went to all those amazing places! It was awesome. Glad you had fun 🙂
Jill says
Would love to know what kind of tennis shoes you are wearing!!
Kacey says
This cruise looks absolutely fantastic! However, this post makes me a little sad. I can't believe you would NEVER go on a Disney cruise. This broke my heart a bit because you don't know what you're missing. I've been on several cruises including Holand America, but mostly Disney and they are (in my opinion) the best out there!! I was about 10 or 11 years old when I went on my first Disney cruise and I went on my most recent cruise a few years ago at the age of 19. I have loved every single one I've been on and surprisingly, you don't notice all of the kids. They are very family oriented, but do an excellent job at separating kids from adults. They have many kids clubs, which I enjoyed when I was younger, as well as many adult only areas. Including a fabulous pool 🙂
I could talk for hours about how amazing Disney cruises are! I hope you change your mind and give them a try. I can't imagine that you would regret it!
If you have any questions or want some more insight I would be more than happy to talk!
Can't wait to read more about your vacation!
-Kacey (kaceymedeiros@gmail.com)