Happy Tuesday, friends!
Today, I have TRAVEL TUESDAY + TIDYING UP TUESDAY too!
A little variety for our day 🙂 .
You know me, I’ve managed to turn a three night cruise into three blog posts.
If you missed PART ONE of our BAHAMIAN CRUISE, make sure you catch that HERE.
Since this was a three night sailing, that meant we only had two full days and two ports of call.
This post below is all about our first stop…in Nassau!
As you probably already know, we love the Bahamas! In fact, Andrew and I went last May just to spend a few days…
…you can read those blog posts HERE.
Side note, why do so many of our vacations include wild animals? Ha!
Back to this trip, our first full day was our day in Nassau. This was our family’s fourth cruise to stop in Nassau. On the previous three, we did the excursion that allows you to spend the day…
…at Atlantis Paradise Island. This resort is absolutely epic and can be a vacation in and of itself.
Then in 2024, I took my team on a three night cruise where we also stopped in Nassau, but we decided…
…to spend our day at port enjoying Baha Mar! This was another wonderful way to enjoy our time off the ship in Nassau.
For this trip though, we decided to do something totally different this time around. Here’s a look at our day…
Good morning! I woke up and was ready to head to the gym. Because this ship is the largest I’ve ever been on before, one of my apprehensions was that it would feel too crowded. I have many more photos and details in PART #1, but…
…it clearly did not feel crowded AT ALL. Um, when have you ever seen a Starbucks with fewer people in the morning? Look at that! I was floored!
I was walking past Starbucks to head to the gym…
…which was also not crowded at all. I snapped this photo at 7:51 AM. Crazy.
I lifted weights and then did a bit of cardio on the treadmill…
…look at that view from my treadmill! GORGEOUS!
A few more photos from the gym. That was the Pilates/stretch area…
…they had so many pieces of equipment. It was a really spacious gym with all the things one would need.
I snapped a few photos as I strolled back to my cabin…
And then from my cabin balcony…
…I snapped these pics. Goodness, I LOVE LOOKING AT CRUISE SHIPS!!
Hello, Nassau! This was looking one direction…
…and this was looking the other.
We all got ready for the day…
…I love any day that requires a swimsuit…
…and we got off the ship…
…the Utopia of the Seas is truly SPECTACULAR…
…we got off of one boat and headed to…
…another!
Our family decided that on this day, we wanted to do a private boat excursion while in Nassau…
…we loaded up and our captain and first mate took us out…
…off we went…
…we took about a 45 minute ride to this great little area where we dropped anchor. From here, we spent the entire day playing with their “toys” like…
…the jet ski (that’s Smith!) and…
…their snorkels, tubes, and other inflatables. It’s hard to snap pics while having fun, so mine are few and far between, but we loved being in the water all day…
…I did take this photo while we were sitting there talking because goodness, I love all of those feet and the people they belong to.
The crew of two made us delicious fish tacos for lunch…
…and before we knew it, it was time to head back.
…we saw this boat on our way back 😉 .
It was a great day on the water with my favorite people.
In the car as we were heading back to the cruise terminal, I snapped this photo…
…look how much larger our ship is to the one next to it. CRAZY BIG!
Before we knew it, we were back on board and HUNGRY! The six Shulls headed straight to the sports bar on board…
…and loaded up on food.
Later that evening, we showered and cleaned up for dinner…
…I wore THIS DRESS from Old Navy, and it’s only $15! It comes in many different colors and prints, regular, petite and tall, sizes XS to 4X…and the quality is really good.
MY WEDGES are cute too 🙂 .
We cleaned up and went to one of the public areas on board…
…to play a little cards and people watch before dinner at…
…150 Central Park!
The restaurant was so pretty and the food was delish. It was a great, great day.
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!
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 TIDYING UP TUESDAY today too! I tidied up my desk drawer 🙂 .
Happy Tuesday, friends! I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Elspeth Mizner says
What a fun and adventurous day!!
I love your travel posts!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Nicole Klaver says
Hey Shay! I have to bring a Greek salad and birthday dessert for this weekend! What would you make? Just for one other family. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
What about a bundt cake?! My lemon one would be extra delish this time of year! https://mixandmatchmama.com/2026/04/lemon-bundt-cake-3/
Sheaffer says
Everything looks seriously amazing!!!
Laci Murray says
the view from the treadmill is spectacular!
MelanieL says
This excursion sounds like my 20 year old sons perfect day, so fun! Is this something you arrange through your agency privately or does the ship offer this one?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s something we arranged privately through our agency 🙂 .
Bethany says
Hey! This is random, but a blog request! I know a few years ago you blogged about reading, finding time for it, etc…maybe you do an updated post? Like, how you encouraged your kids to be readers, making it a priority and not just trying to scrolling on the phone. (Just me?) I really do enjoy reading but need some fresh inspiration! Thank you!😊
Mix and Match Mama says
I love a random blog request! Thank YOU for suggesting this follow up post!
Katie Compton says
Jumping in to suggest making it a “savor” post, if you haven’t done that already. Ways that you “savor reading”!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Love this idea!!
Maddy says
You are so close to making this non cruise person try a cruise haha! However, I am a germaphobe and having a hard time getting over all the humans and germs on a cruise ship. How do I get past this?!
Mix and Match Mama says
It doesn’t feel germy at all! I’ve never thought that on a cruise ship. It’s like being at a really nice resort.
Shana Gardner says
Maddy, my husband is a huge germaphobe and we love cruising!! He does exactly like when not on a cruise, never touches door handles/ elevator button, etc and he will not eat off the buffet, only made to order food items for him. We have been on 20 or so and knock on wood never gotten sick (at least not from the germs on the ship).
Chrissy says
This looks like so much fun! Do your teenagers ever decide they want to go out at night and make friends or are they always happy with family time? I feel like I would have lived for the teen clubs as a teenager lol!
Mix and Match Mama says
Sometimes, yes! That teen club always surprises me. My kids actually go and actually really like it.
Elizabeth says
Loving these cruise recaps! I’m doing a 3-night cruise on the Utopia with my teacher girlfriends right after school gets out! Can’t wait! Thanks for being such a wonderful tour guide as always!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this so much! What a fun way to celebrate SUMMER!
Nikki says
Did you feel seasick at all on this ship? I’d like to try one but I get so seasick on regular boats.
Mix and Match Mama says
Not one bit!
Yora Sofakee says
Thanks for being such a bright spot on the internet. Love your blog! It’s just so authentic and real. I just love how honest you are about your life, your family, your travels, your friends. Truly the best blogger out there. 😉
Cathy says
You can absolutely get seasick cruising, no matter how large the ship is. It all depends on the weather and how rough the sea is at time of travel. As well as if you are prone to motion sickness. In addition, where your cabin is located plays a role.
Mix and Match Mama says
Absolutely, it’s always a possibility. Much less of one now than 20 years ago (thanks to technology), but yes.
Lauren Schrader says
You didn’t go to the evening show?? Utopia has such good shows!
Mix and Match Mama says
We didn’t! We had tickets, but by the time dinner was over, we would have had to wait until the 10:00 showing…and my family wasn’t interested enough for that.
Shana Gardner says
I LOVE your travel recaps and ALWAYS enjoy your blog! Were you (or kids) able to fully explore the entire ship in that amount of time? Did you ever feel like this ship was too big to really enjoy for only 3 days? I’m a seasoned cruiser (20 or so), but never been on a MEGA ship like this, but your recaps REALLY make me want to book it soon! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
We felt like we saw enough to make us feel like we wanted to go back for a longer cruise. We certainly didn’t get to do/see everything and cannot wait to do it again (but longer!).