Happy Tuesday, friends!
It’s the third and final recap of our Royal Caribbean three night cruise on the Utopia of the Seas.
Goodness, we had such a good time.
The day we flew home, Andrew and Smith had somewhere to be after we got back to the house and as they were driving, Smith told Andrew that this cruise was now his favorite vacation. This made me chuckle because…let’s be real, the kid had just come home from Japan like 12 days earlier…BUT this is exactly what I tell clients all the time.
I know, I know, I KNOW it’s ideal to do longer vacations. You spend the money to fly somewhere and there is so much to do and see that of course you want to spend as many days there as possible…but if we wait around for that ideal length of time, we often miss out on ever going.
Often, it’s better to seize the existing opportunity, no matter how short it might be, instead of waiting around for the “perfect” opportunity. Life is super short, health can be gone in an instant, things happen (both good and bad), and you might never get to go to XYZ if you wait.
Andrew and I really realized this during COVID. Our “to travel” list was getting away from us because we had been waiting for longer periods of time to be away. Spoiler alert: we had four kids in school, so that wasn’t going to happen for A LONG TIME. Instead, we started taking shorter trips and were able to squeeze in vacations to LONDON, PARIS & NORMANDY, CZECH REPUBLIC, FINLAND, THE BAHAMAS, HUNGARY, and even BALI!
Was this three night sailing long enough? No way! We could have easily stayed a week. Am I so so so happy we fit it in to a long weekend? ONE THOUSAND PERCENT. I have shared this quote before, but it’s one of my favorites. Julia Roberts tells George Clooney in the movie Ticket to Paradise, “Why save the good stuff for later?”. I love that.
Just the two cents from your friendly travel agent this morning 😉 .
Okay, if you missed PART ONE of our BAHAMIAN CRUISE or PART TWO catch those too before you dive into today’s PART THREE.
Here we go…
…this wasn’t just any Sunday morning as I hopped on the elevator to head to the gym. This was EASTER SUNDAY!
In my 44 years, this was the first Easter Sunday for me not to be at church, and it’s not something I’m going to make a habit of, but goodness, it was sweet to spend the time with my family of six.
I went to the gym on this particular day to focus on cardio. I had planned on running on the treadmill for 45 minutes…but 18 minutes into it, I received a text message from my boy that said “want to meet me for breakfast?”…
…and you’ve never seen me exit a piece of machinery faster. When your 16 year old son asks to have breakfast with you, your workout instantly becomes unimportant 😉 . We were docked there at Royal Caribbean’s private island and the two of us enjoyed the view, the food, and the conversation before…
…heading back to our cabins to get ready for the day.
On this day, our ship and a sister Celebrity vessel were both docked and ready to explore their private island…
…off we went…
…a look back at the two ships lined up side by side.
The weather was GORGEOUS!
The day before, we had “a boat day”, so today we were going to have a “chill-ax day”.
This private island has a plethora of things one can do. You can walk off the ship and do all the complementary things or you can buy tickets (with on board credits and/or pay out of pocket) for other things like the water park, adults only sections, cabanas, Cocoa Beach Club or the over the water bungalows.
The last time I was on this island was with my team, and I told myself that when I went back, I wanted…
…to try Coco Beach Club…
…which has the look, feel, amenities, and service of a really nice beach front resort. I wanted to visit and try their…
…over the water bungalows…
…you guys, I could have just stayed here all three days. It was the perfect day!
Each private bungalow has both covered and uncovered seating, floatable rafts, life jackets, snorkeling gear, a slide, a table and chairs, a shower, stocked wet bar area with beverages, and a steward…
…we were happy campers!
I just love being by the ocean.
See the stingray?
Across from our bungalow was the beach area for Coco Beach Club. We had full access to their pool, bar, beach, and loungers too.
I couldn’t quit taking pics…
The food was DELICIOUS!
How many pics can one take? Clearly, a bunch 😉 .
My kids thought this was so cool!
Geez, I love them all.
After a full day, we headed back to our ship…
…the size difference is mind blowing to me!
We showered and cleaned up for dinner…
…and then headed out to…
…play some cards before our dinner reservation. I was very impressed with his name being put on his espresso martini.
Evening pics as we sailed back to Orlando…
Ironically, for our last meal on the cruise, we had dinner reservations at…
…the hibachi restaurant. Ha!
Clearly, the Shulls can’t quit the Japanese food 😉 .
Everything was delicious!
And that wrapped up our cruise 🙂 .
Friends, my travel agency would LOVE to send you on a cruise too! You can reach out to us for more information RIGHT HERE about not only this cruise itinerary but so many more! We help clients with ocean cruises, expedition cruises, river cruises, luxury liners and everything in between. Contact us today!
Don’t forget, 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.
I have one last mix and match post for the day too! Make sure you check out our (very yummy!) WHITE CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY MUFFINS. They’re delish!
Bernadine says
That water looks amazing! So clear.
Question – how does meals and drinks on the ship work on trips like these – are they all inclusive?
Mix and Match Mama says
Different cruise lines do it differently. On Royal Caribbean, there are restaurants that are included with your cruise fare and then other specialty spots that are available a la carte. You can include the beverage package or not when you book your cruise and/or before you board. You can mix and match it to make it exactly what you need/want for your sailing.
Elspeth Mizner says
You packed in a lot for three days! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Becky says
We loved Izumi on Utopia!
Libby says
Yes! All plans are cancelled if the teen or college kid wants to see/talk to you. My world stops for them because they are usually not around.
Kristen says
Royal Carribean’s private island was by far my fav part of my cruise too! You can’t beat it. The waterpark is amazing as well. Makes me want to book another RC cruise asap!
Allison says
Looks amazing!!!
Andrea Wiseley says
What cards games do you play? I am always looking for new ones.
Mix and Match Mama says
We play Crazy 8s (like Uno) and Skit Skat 🙂 .
Marybeth says
Hi…can you explain skit skat..never heard of it and always looking to play new games with the kiddos. Tysm.
Mix and Match Mama says
Every player is dealt 3 cards. You’re discarding and picking one up to try and get the highest amount in the same suit (while only keeping three cards in your hand). Ace is worth 11 points. Someone will knock and skip their turn when they think they have the highest amount between the players (they knock and skip their turn, everyone else gets to go around one more time) and then whomever has the lowest amount in their hands loses. If you get 31 points in your hand, you say “skit skat” and then everyone else loses. Each player has “three chances to lose” before they’re out of the game.
Natalie says
I am a single woman looking to book a cruise. Do you offer services for single people?
Mix and Match Mama says
We do! We have a variety of options. We would love to help you!
Paula Hobbs says
Something about those boys and their mama’s. I would have jumped off that treadmill too!! That looks like a pretty awesome day. The pictures are beautiful.
Erika Slaughter says
COMPLETELY AGREE!! I’m immediately free when I get any text like that from a kid! YES!
MelanieL says
I really needed to read your opening comments today, thank you!
Jennifer Robertson says
Is Izumi considered a specialty restaurant that would need a package for? And where is the place you had breakfast with Smith? We are leaving May 18 on this same ship.
Mix and Match Mama says
You will need reservations for Izumi! It is one of their specialty restaurants. Smith and I had breakfast in the restaurant that’s available to guests in suites.
Jennifer Robertson says
Thanks for the info!
Denise says
Umm I thought Orlando was land locked 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
It is about 40 minutes from Port Canaveral which is where many many cruise ships embark/disembark 😉 .
Christy says
I no longer get your email delivered to my email inbox but have signed up repeatedly. Can you help me? Thanks
Mix and Match Mama says
I just went back in and added you under this email here. Make sure that tomorrow, you receive the email. If not, PLEASE let me know! If you want me to use another email, let me know that too 😉 .
Christy says
I’m still not receiving your emails. I’ve checked everything on my end including spam folder. Can you add me again? It’s my yahoo email address. Thanks
Mix and Match Mama says
Are you using this email here? This is the one we checked. If you’re using a second email, let me know. I won’t publish it!
Erin H says
These posts make me want to cruise again, but I still have PTSD from our last (only) cruise. My daughter got SO sick on our last night aboard a Disney cruise. Like projectile at the table just as Elsa was coming over. It was a scene. Ha. No idea if it was motion (it was SO rocky that night) or being around 150 kids in the pool that day, or did she drink half of the water in said pool? No idea. But all I can remember is having to throw clothes away and pray she would be well enough to fly home the next day. (she was thank goodness)
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwww! Travel issues are the worst! You absolutely should try again 🙂 .
Patty says
Have you noticed a jump in airline prices? We’re SO far from any cruise port, but just before we hit the button to book a cruise recently we decided to check airline prices. For 6 of us to fly from DIA to Miami, it was just as expensive as the cruise…almost $9000! Thankfully we checked BEFORE we finalized the cruise. Standing by to see what happens in the months ahead with the airlines. I’d hate to think our cruising days will be far and few between in future.
Mix and Match Mama says
$9000 for six economy flights from Denver to Miami is way too much! Yes, flight prices have certainly increased (just like everything else in the economy), but that’s too much.
Patty says
United recently announced their fares have increased by 20% and they believe their customers will remain loyal, but I think they’re mistaken. NO ONE wants to pay fares which are so inflated!
Shirley says
The shark!!!! Why isn’t anyone commenting about the shark where you may be swimming! That utterly terrified me! But boy, I could certainly relax by the cabana – away from the water! LOL!!
Christa says
Same!!! Did y’all end up swimming after seeing the shark?
Mix and Match Mama says
We did!
Sheaffer says
THOSE HUTS! GORGEOUS! But let’s talk about the shark. UM, EXCUSE ME? RIGHT THERE? IT WAS RIGHT THERE. I’m going to need you to call me.
Brooke says
You’ve got me dreaming about hanging out at that bungalow! But the shark?! Did you get in the water?
I was just thinking about meal planning and how I don’t want to do this time of year. Maybe a blog post of your easiest meals for all of us not wanting to do it anymore with summer coming would be fun?
Mix and Match Mama says
I always love ideas! Thank you, Brooke!
StephC says
I know you have posted links to the dress you wore to dinner before, but I couldn’t find it in previous blog posts. Would you mind posting the link again? I think my daughter would look great in it.
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s from Lilly Pulitzer, but it’s currently sold out. I linked it here: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2026/04/travel-items-for-our-cruise/
Hollie says
Hi Shay! Do you have the link to your dress if still available?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s from Lilly Pulitzer, but it’s now sold out. I linked it in this post: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2026/04/travel-items-for-our-cruise/
Niki says
Looks so beautiful & totally feel you on stopping mid-workout when your teen wants to hang. Always an immediate yes!
Did yall swim in the water with the sting ray and shark? I would be so nervous 😬
Mix and Match Mama says
We did! They had so many lifeguards posted around the bungalows, pools, beach, etc and everyone (including Andrew) kept saying “those sharks don’t bite”. I mean…I waited until it swam off before I got back in, but my family thought it was awesome.
Amy McConnell says
Looks amazing! Makes me want to take another cruise…..but you post a picture of Mades on the slide and the next picture is of a shark. I think the people need more clarification lol!!!
K tyler says
We are going on this same boat in July! This post makes me sooo excited! Also, what was the excursion your cute family did the day before this island day?
Mix and Match Mama says
We did a private boat on that day!