Happy TRAVEL TUESDAY!
You guys, we’re just moving right along from one trip to the next.
If you missed my final SPRING BREAK IN JAPAN recap yesterday, make sure you check that one out too.
Today is all about OUR THREE NIGHT BAHAMIAN CRUISE!
In full transparency, I tried to make this one post, buuuuuut we all knew that wasn’t going to work.
This is PART ONE of the fun.
I am also sharing SPRING BEAUTY THINGS TODAY TOO! Hop over and check out that post as well.
Alrighty, last fall, I was at work when yet another Royal Caribbean cruise came across my desk. We book A LOT of cruises here at my travel agency, but recently, we have booked more and more with Royal Caribbean. Brooke, who heads up my cruising department, had been telling me for years that I needed to get on one ASAP, buuuut I had a hard time not being loyal to other lines.
On this particular day though, I looked at the three night itinerary and decided I just needed to do it. When I checked the kids’ school schedules, I saw that we had a four day weekend over Easter AND that it was around Andrew’s birthday. I called him at work and pitched the idea that we go wild and take a cruise that weekend.
Full disclaimer: based on the nature of what I do and the nature of who I am (obsessed traveler), I call Andrew at work at least 45 times a week with a “hey, we should book a vacation to ___” suggestion. This is not an uncommon conversation for us #blesshim. This time though, he was like “Yes, let’s do it!”. You don’t need to tell me twice. I had that cruise booked within ten minutes 🙂 . The kids were excited, Andrew was excited, I was excited, and Brooke was THRILLED that we were going to board the Utopia of the Seas!
Fast forward and before we knew it…
…we were celebrating Andrew’s 45th birthday dinner at his favorite spot: the airport 🙂 .
We flew from Dallas to Orlando on Thursday night, arrived super late, checked into our hotel and went to sleep…
…it was a gorgeous day to wake up and head out on a cruise!
I’ve mentioned this before, but boarding a cruise ship is truly one of my MOST FAVORITE things to do. For me, it’s like Christmas morning. There is so much anticipation and excitement. Everyone is peppy and happy and you just know that a lot of fun is about to happen.
We had a car service pick us up and drive us about 50 minutes from Orlando to Port Canaveral…
…where I was oh so giddy to board that darn boat 🙂 .
I’ve also shared this many, many times before, but any time we go on a warm weather cruise, we always board the ship ready for the pool. This way, if our cabins aren’t ready yet, we can head straight to the fun.
Here we go! Check in was easy and up we went onto the Utopia…
…and it was instantly spectacular.
Now you know me, I took a gazillion random pictures. This was my first Royal Caribbean cruise, and the largest ship I had ever been on before, so I couldn’t help but snap away.
We had the 11:30 boarding time, and they said our cabins would be ready around 1:00. We checked out the ship and then grabbed a bite to eat.
Just for the record…
…all of these years later, and they still indulge me with the elevator day of the week photos…
…the feet are all just larger now, AND we have an extra set 😉 .
Lots of pics of the Utopia as we explored…
The part that surprised me the most was how “not crowded” it felt even though it was filled just about to capacity. The ship was large enough that it never felt crowded or overly busy anywhere we went.
After a little exploring, we headed to the main pool area…
…I happily parked myself here with a book!
I also thought there was no better way to cruise to the Bahamas than with a pina colada.
Before we embarked, I snapped this pic…I love, love, love seeing all of the cruise ships about to embark on their journeys.
After some pool time, we visited the sports bar for…
…some nachos and table games. They had a variety of games out on each table to play while you waited.
For this trip, we booked two side by side cabins in their suite category…
…this was our cabin. The kids’ was identical except it had two twin beds…
…I snapped these pics as soon as we boarded, but that divider there between the cabins opened which made one big balcony for both cabins…
The cabins were so nice, the service was impeccableI loved it all!
Showered and changed for dinner! I wore THIS DRESS with THESE HEELS on night one.
We had dinner reservations at one of the specialty restaurants, but our first stop was to the suite lounge…
…goodness, I love being on the ocean.
Ashby tried to take our photo…
…but this happened. Ha! Then I tried to take their photo…
…but they could not stop laughing. We were all SO happy to be on board!
Heading to dinner…
…at Chops Grill. This was the BEST specialty restaurant experience I’ve had on a cruise ship (and I’ve had some great ones!). The food was delicious, the service outstanding, our table was so nice…loved it all.
We took a little after dinner stroll before heading back to our cabins…
…day one was done! We were already having the best, best time 🙂 .
Okay, as a reminder, I have I also have my FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE TO CRUISING blog post as well as my post on TRAVELING WITH KIDS, and my post on MOTION SICKNESS. Plus, I already shared a post on THE TRAVEL ITEMS WE PACKED FOR THIS CRUISE.
Before you head off today, I have SPRING BEAUTY THINGS TOO!
Thanks for stopping by on this Tuesday. I’ll see you tomorrow 🙂 . xx
Sara says
I keep meaning to ask you as a fellow motion sickness person-how do you fare on cruises?? Want to book one but terrified of a trip getting ruined by this!
Mix and Match Mama says
The stabilizing technology on these ships has come such a long long way. I have only ever been sick on one cruise and that was 20+ years ago. I don’t even feel the ships now when I’m on board.
Becky says
Love Utopia! My family has our 2nd trip on it planned for this summer. (4 days)
Elspeth Mizner says
So fun and spontaneous! A cruise is on my travel bucket list!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Barb says
Please talk about your cancer journey and how you can still be comfortable sun bathing and drinking alcohol. I love your blog! Thank you for being such a bright spot on the internet.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well I certainly haven’t had a “cancer journey” but a few times I’ve had some nasty spots removed from me. I get skin checks every year and use my daily SPF. Thank YOU for always leaving such sweet comments 😉 .
talia says
As a single woman, do you offer cruises for singles?
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!! We offer specific itineraries just for singles AND we also offer itineraries that aren’t specifically “for singles” but have cabins that work really well for them. We also do a lot of group tours for singles as well (land vacationing instead of cruising).
Ashley Rae Vaughan says
So fun! We were on board the Utopia last week and had a great time. Personally, I thought the Solarium was beautiful, and one of my sons said his top takeaway was the unlimited free ice cream -ha! Also, Whitney was great to work with on the planning. Cheers!
Mix and Match Mama says
Whitney is SO good! Thank YOU For allowing us to be a part of your vacation!
Patti Kelso says
Looks like so much fun! I have always wanted to go on a cruise, just haven’t done it yet!! Looking forward to the rest of your cruise post(s)!
Erika Slaughter says
Your stateroom looks SO nice! So spacious!
Tish says
Looks so fun! I love that you did something different for Easter break with your family this year! Can you share what pink lipstick/gloss you are wearing at dinner? Hope you have THE BEST week! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Of course! It’s MAC in the shade “snob” 🙂 .
Kristen says
I love Royal Carribean cruises- they are my favorite. You don’t even feel like you’re on a boat, it’s a floating city!
Mix and Match Mama says
I couldn’t agree more!
Kristen says
I have been trying to get my mom ( who only does disney cruises ) to see the light and try royal!!! they’re amazing!
Leslie Wilcox says
Oh my gosh, what a beautiful boat! I definitely want to do that and will reach out when I can.
Susie M says
Question – how do your 4 kids share 2 twin beds? Smith isn’t small!
Mix and Match Mama says
The cabin steward made out the couch into a full bed every night. Ashby and Mades shared the full and Kensington and Smith each had a twin.
Marian says
Do some of the rooms have balconies that face the interior of the ship? Like in your photos of the interior (the rides, etc.) it looks like there are balconies on either side? Thank you – the ship looks wonderful!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! Royal Caribbean has a cabin category where you can get a balcony that faces inside. It’s more cost efficient than an ocean facing balcony cabin but waaaaay more fun than an interior cabin (no windows/balcony).
Josie says
What were your kid favorite activities on the ship? Slides, ice skating, etc? My son is obsessed w the flow rider! How were the shows?
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s the problem with the three night itinerary…we didn’t get to do/see everything. It’s a good problem to have and will most certainly get us back on there for a longer one. My kids loved the slides, the mini golf, the candy/ice cream shop, but we didn’t have time to do it all. We had tickets to the aqua show but with our dinner times, we didn’t make it. I know, I know…we need to go back. I 100% agree!
Susan S. says
Such an amazing ship. My husband and I did a getaway on this one in January. Chops Grille is always a must do!
Jennifer Robertson says
So excited! We are going on my son’s Senior Cruise on this same Ship next month!
Meredith says
We have been on Utopia and did Wonder of the seas last month. Both amazing ships!! So fun!