Hello, hello!
You guys, this is our last official day of “summer” (since tomorrow, is a school night), so I’m going to share some pics with you from our vacation and then jet. I have no idea what we’re doing today, but I feel like we need to do something fun 🙂 .
If you missed my first post about this vacation, I shared our three days in BARCELONA, so make sure you read that one too. All the details about how we ended up on this trip, how we got to Barcelona and what we did in that town prior to embarkation are there in one post.
Today, I have days four and five for you 🙂 . First up, embarkation day on the Celebrity Beyond and then, I have some pictures from our first port in Provence. I posted a Reel on Instagram of our embarkation journey from the hotel to the ship. You can check that out HERE to see the behind the scenes of our family as we made our way on board.
We were so excited because not only was this a nine-night cruise (with 7 ports!), but this Celebrity ship is brand new! We boarded around 12:30, found our cabins…
…we had two side by side cabins. Each slept four, so we had plenty of room. We set up one room like this and then the other room, had two twin beds instead of the king. At night, they could make either couch into a bed and/or bring out the trundle beds from underneath the couch (depending on how we wanted to sleep that night). I only took a few pics of our staterooms, but I do have videos, so I’ll share those in Stories today so you can see more. We slept in a random assortment every night.
After we dropped off our stuff in our stateroom, we went to explore a bit…
…then we enjoyed lunch and headed to…
…the pool! There is nothing better than day one on a cruise! You have your whole vacation stretching ahead of you. This day is in my top five favorite ways to spend a day 🙂 .
After a full afternoon of swimming, we cleaned up and explored a bit more…
…then it was time for dinner 🙂 .
After dinner, we went to the comedy club, pub trivia, saw the comedian in the theater…
…and soaked up all the on board fun!
The Beyond has “a magic carpet” that slides up and down on the side of the ship depending on the day/what’s going on. It’s a special bar area that might be on deck 15 or it could be on deck 4 (or wherever). It’s so fun to stand there and look out since you’re over the water.
It was a great first day aboard!!
The next morning was our first port in where we docked in Provence, France! We had a private driver meet us at the port and drive us into…
…the heart of beautiful Aix-en-Provence for the day. This was our most laid-back tour/day, so we tried to soak it all up. Our guide showed us the heart of the city, gave us some history and a little information and then we strolled and enjoyed the town, the market and the food.
The weather was really nice, so it was a great day to explore (oh don’t you worry, the weather gets hot, hot, HOT as this trip progresses, agh!).
My Francophile heart just explodes with all the things.
There was a beautiful market that day where we stopped and shopped…
Love her so much.
We stopped here for cookies and candy…
…and it was so delish! I even bought a package of citrus filled cookies to bring home and enjoy.
I’ve had a lot of DMs over the last few weeks about where I bought my new hat? The answer?
Here…
Provence, we want to come back and stay! We thought you were too cute and our time too short.
Lunch outside by the fountain 🙂 .
We finished up our afternoon with gelato (of course!), and then when it was time to head back…
…and swim 🙂 .
That night aboard the ship…
…we headed to The Club 😉 .
Then we enjoyed dinner and geared up for another great day ahead.
That wraps up PART TWO of our trip! Don’t forget, if you missed PART ONE, head back and catch that one too.
That’s it for this Monday! I hope you all have a wonderful start to your week! I’ll see you here tomorrow!
Erika Slaughter says
Wahooo!!! It looks gorgeous! And that ship looks gorgeous!
Nicole says
Love!! I saw you post about using a treadmill, you’ve said you don’t love them…did you do a peloton run?! How far/what did you do? Thanks!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I hate them. Bahahaha! I really hate them. On this trip, I used the tread because it was just more convenient. I changed it up and did some Peloton runs and then just watched Netflix and ran on others.
Elizabeth Feldpausch says
Looks like such a fun first couple of days!!! Was the ship really that empty or were y’all just the first ones out exploring??
Mix and Match Mama says
I would say it was (and this is not accurate just my best guess) around 70ish percent full. It certainly wasn’t super crowded. We boarded kind of early which gave us lots of time to explore without a crowd.
Elspeth says
What an incredible trip! Can’t wait to read more!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Alysa says
Looks amazing! How old do you recommend your kids are before you take a family cruise based on your experience? Do you think it would be suitable for toddlers?
Mix and Match Mama says
We started when our kiddos were babies (1 and 2). I always, always say…go where YOU want to go and then bring them along. Kids will have fun anywhere (especially when they’re toddlers!).
Lynne P. says
In the photo wearing your hat and with Smith, where did you get your earrings?
Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re Kendra Scott 🙂 !
Beth Knecht says
So fun! Your stateroom looks so nice!
Jaren says
Provence is up high on my travel bucket list!!! Looks amazing!
Kim Ponthieux says
Do you or Andrew speak French or another language when you travel?
Mix and Match Mama says
Nope. Wouldn’t that be so nice though?!
Mo says
I could have sworn you have said previously you were fluent in French, studied it all through college! I guess that was another blogger I’m confusing you with.
Oh wait! I just searched your blog and it was you that said that. How do you forget it all if you were fluent?
Mix and Match Mama says
Way back in the day, I was fluent…I can read a menu now. I studied for about 8 years, traveled there in college…it just, unfortunately, did not stick. I would love to go back one day when the kids are out of the house and really study it again…I just need more French speaking people here in my life to talk to though so that I can keep it up. Have a great day searching my blog! It helps my AdThrive when you do 😉 .
Sheaffer says
The first day of summer is like the first day of vacation! Soooooooooooooo much fun ahead! Can’t wait to follow along for the rest of the trip. That market looked incredible!
Yley says
Looks incredible! I’m dying to do a Mediterranean Cruise! Living vicariously through your posts 😊
Laura says
It’s amazing how much Mades and Andrew look alike…I just hope I’m not the only one who sees it.
Mix and Match Mama says
I think so too!!!
Sara says
You guys start school so early!! In Minnesota, kids don’t go back until late August or even after Labor day! Must be a weather thing?!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m so jealous. I *think* it’s a weather thing but who really knows? We got out May 20th, so it’s been a nice summer break, it’s just so early to go back.
Meredith says
So dreamy! Thanks for sharing!
Renee says
Where did you buy K’s dress that she wore the first night?
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a Nordstrom find!
Lindsey Marshall says
Would you mind telling me which cruise line you preferred for your Mediterranean cruises. I saw that you went on a cruise with your friends and then this one with your family. We have kids and I was wondering if one of your cruises stood out.
Mix and Match Mama says
Andrew and I have been on one Greek Isles Cruise and three Med cruises. I think the three Med were all very similar. I would suggest doing that itinerary before the Greek Isles one (which we loved too!).
Marcy Norman Cox says
Where do you find the private tours that you have booked? Is it through the cruise ship, hotel concierge, insider info as a professional in the travel industry or just word of mouth ?
Mix and Match Mama says
I have a big ole list that I use for my clients all gathered through various sources over the last ten years.
Joanne says
That looks fabulous!
Teresa says
I’d love to know more about the boarding process. Did you have to be vaccinated? Did you have to test to make it on the boat? I’m surprised you don’t talk more about this being a travel agent.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, I talk extensively about it to my clients. For this particular cruise during this particular week (and it’s a moving target, so this isn’t the answer across the board), you had to be fully vaccinated to board and then if you had a booster, they did not test you further once you boarded (non-boosted passengers could get tested mid-cruise). Every single passenger regardless had to have a negative COVID test within 24 hours of boarding. Again though, that was this specific week not across the board.
Courtney says
How do you do cruises with your motion sickness? I have motion sickness also and afraid I’d hate a cruise.
Mix and Match Mama says
Especially now a days with these newer ships, it’s very rare for me to hear of my clients feeling any motion while they’re on board. You simply don’t feel them on the majority of their sailings.