Monaco Grand Prix Like Never Before: Experience Formula 1® with Explora Journeys

Imagine waking up in the heart of Monaco, stepping onto your private oceanfront terrace, and watching the world’s most glamorous Formula 1® race weekend unfold just steps away from your luxury suite.

That’s exactly what Explora Journeys is offering with its exclusive Monaco Grand Prix experience aboard EXPLORA I.

From June 3-8, 2026, EXPLORA I will be docked in Monaco’s legendary Port Hercule, placing guests at the center of one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world—the Formula 1® Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco. Unlike traditional hotels, your luxury accommodation, fine dining, wellness sanctuary, and private retreat all travel with you.

We recently sailed with Explora Journeys and fell in love! This would be such an incredible experience for someone who enjoys cruising and Formula 1… well, it would actually be the ULTIMATE experience!!

Why This Experience Is So Special

Monaco Grand Prix weekend is one of the most sought-after events on the global sports calendar. Luxury hotels often sell out years in advance, but Explora Journeys offers something even more exclusive—a front-row position in Monaco’s harbor with the elegance and comfort of an ultra-luxury ocean resort.

Guests can enhance their journey with:

3-Day Grandstand Access

Exclusive F1 Paddock Club Hospitality

VIP Pit Lane Walk Experiences

Access to Formula 1® Driver & Ambassador Events

Curated onboard celebrations and entertainment throughout race weekend

Luxury Meets Adrenaline

When you’re not enjoying the excitement of the Grand Prix, relax in true Explora Journeys style:

• Oceanfront suites with private terraces

• World-class dining experiences

• Elegant lounges and cocktail venues

• Ocean Wellness Spa experiences

• Sophisticated entertainment and curated events

The result is the perfect balance between high-octane excitement and refined luxury.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Following the overwhelming popularity of Monaco Grand Prix sailings, travelers interested in experiencing Formula 1® with Explora Journeys should begin planning early. While official 2027 details are expected to be announced later, demand for Monaco race-week accommodations consistently exceeds supply, making early reservations essential for securing the best suite categories and race access options.

Reserve Your Place at the Ultimate Race Weekend

Whether you’re a lifelong Formula 1® fan, a luxury traveler seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, or simply looking for an unforgettable way to experience Monaco, Explora Journeys delivers a race weekend unlike anything else at sea.

Luxury. Speed. Elegance.

Monaco Grand Prix 2026 aboard EXPLORA I

Contact EECC Travels today to learn about suite availability, Grandstand packages, and VIP Paddock Club experiences before they sell out.

Why You Should Book This Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

Some vacations are memorable. Others become stories you’ll tell for the rest of your life.

The Monaco Grand Prix is already one of the world’s most iconic sporting events. Add the luxury of Explora Journeys, and you’ve created an experience that very few travelers will ever have the opportunity to enjoy.

Imagine sipping champagne on your private terrace as the yachts fill Monaco’s legendary harbor. Spend your day immersed in the excitement of Formula 1®, surrounded by celebrities, racing legends, and fellow luxury travelers. Then return to your elegant suite aboard EXPLORA I, where world-class dining, exceptional service, and oceanfront luxury await.

Unlike a traditional hotel stay, your accommodations are part of the experience. You’ll be staying in the heart of Monaco during one of the most exclusive weekends on the planet, without sacrificing comfort, convenience, or luxury.

This isn’t just a cruise.

It’s not just a race weekend.

It’s a rare opportunity to combine two bucket-list experiences into one unforgettable journey.

Whether you’re a Formula 1® enthusiast, a luxury traveler, or someone who believes life’s best moments are worth experiencing in style, the Monaco Grand Prix aboard Explora Journeys offers something truly extraordinary.

Years from now, you won’t remember another ordinary vacation.

You’ll remember watching Formula 1® in Monaco from one of the most prestigious addresses in the world while enjoying the luxury and elegance that only Explora Journeys can provide.

Experiences like this don’t come around often—and availability is extremely limited.

The question isn’t whether you’ll remember this trip.

The question is whether you’ll wish you had booked it.

The post 🏁 Luxury Meets Speed: Sail with Explora Journeys to an Exclusive Formula 1 Grand Prix Experience appeared first on EECC Travels.

A complete guide to amenities, activities, dining, and tips for making the most of one of Disney’s most underrated resorts.

Fort Wilderness Campground is genuinely one of our favorite campgrounds in the entire United States — and we’ve stayed at a lot of them. Yes, it can be expensive depending on the time of year. But once you see everything this place has to offer, you’ll understand why we keep coming back. Let’s break it all down so you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth it.

Getting Around: Golf Carts vs. the Bus

The first thing to know about Fort Wilderness is that it’s big. We’re talking larger than Magic Kingdom itself, with over 700 campsites spread across the property. Walking is technically an option, but there are two much better ways to get around.

The internal bus system is free and will take you anywhere within Fort Wilderness — useful if you’re just hopping between the main areas.

Golf cart rentals are the fun option. At $75 per day, they’re not cheap, but if you’re planning a dedicated resort day (no parks), renting one transforms the experience. You can cruise the loops, explore the decorated campsites, and cover a lot more ground in a lot less time. If you’re renting for your full stay, many guests decorate their carts so they can spot theirs in a crowded parking area — a charming little Fort Wilderness tradition.

You can also bring your own golf cart, subject to some basic registration rules.

The Three Main Areas of Fort Wilderness

Fort Wilderness is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own personality and set of amenities.

1. Settlement — The Heart of the Resort

Settlement sits at one far end of the property and is arguably the most action-packed area.

The Marina The marina is your gateway to Magic Kingdom. Boats run continuously across Bay Lake, and the ride itself is a beautiful way to arrive at the park. From the same dock, a smaller boat connects Fort Wilderness to Wilderness Lodge and the Contemporary Resort. You can also rent pontoon boats for fishing (catch and release), book a fireworks cruise for up to 10 guests, or reserve a guided bass fishing excursion for up to five people.

Just steps from the marina is a beach along Bay Lake — no swimming allowed, but it’s an ideal spot to relax, watch the nightly Electric Water Pageant that circles the lake, or catch the Magic Kingdom fireworks without being inside the park.

Settlement Trading Post This is one of two Disney stores on property (the other is at Meadow). You’ll find Disney merchandise, Fort Wilderness-specific items (the backpack and branded cups are worth a look), snacks, cold groceries, and basic personal items. One honest tip: don’t buy your groceries here. Prices are steep — a six-pack of beer runs around $18. Instead, use Walmart delivery or another local grocery service. If you’re staying in the cabins and don’t have a car, grocery delivery goes right to the check-in area.

Pioneer Hall This cluster of log cabin buildings is home to three key spots:

• Crockett’s Tavern — The resort bar, open evenings. There’s an outdoor walk-up window, or you can settle in inside with the Western-themed décor (wagon wheels, horseshoes, musical instruments on the walls). The rocking chairs out front are prime real estate for people-watching — golf carts rolling by, boats coming in from the marina, families heading to dinner. It’s one of our favorite spots on the whole property.
• Trails End Restaurant — A quick-service restaurant open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with homestyle meals for lunch and dinner. They have full-size pizzas, a hot grab-and-go section (full slab of ribs, fried chicken, sides), a cold grab-and-go section (salads, pre-made sandwiches), and of course Mickey ice cream bars. Mobile order through the Disney app is highly recommended if you’re taking food back to your campsite.
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue — This dinner show has been running every single night since Fort Wilderness first opened, and it’s a genuine classic. Food is served family style while performers put on a lively, funny Western show — and they make a whole production out of bringing you your meal. If you’ve never done it, especially with kids, put it on your list.

Tri-Circle-D Ranch Cross the street from the Settlement bus depot and you’ll find where the Disney horses live. The ranch is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for walk-through visits — you can see horses being groomed, meet them by name (Samson, Prince, Jet, and the ponies Dolly, Dory, and Fancy), and learn a little history. No feeding or petting, but it’s a surprisingly delightful stop. Trail rides, carriage rides, and wagon rides (Friday–Sunday only) are also available here at an extra cost.

2. Meadow — The Activity Hub

Meadow sits in the center of the property and is where most of the daytime energy lives.

The Pools There are currently two pools at Fort Wilderness, with a third under construction. The main Meadow pool has a water slide, a kids’ splash area, a hot tub, and plenty of loungers. In our experience across multiple visits — including during spring break — we’ve never had trouble finding a spot. The pool is open until 11 p.m., which is late enough for night owls and pool-loving kids alike.

Pool towels and life jackets are available if you forgot yours.

Meadow Snack Bar Right next to the pool, you can grab beers, snacks, burgers, and full meals — eat poolside or take it back to a lounger. An arcade sits adjacent for the kids who need a break from swimming.

Activities Board Fort Wilderness runs a surprisingly robust activity program. Check the board near the Meadow area for what’s happening each day — some activities are included in your stay, others have an extra cost. A full schedule is also given to you at check-in.

The Bike Barn This is your rental hub for bikes, kayaks, and fishing gear. Archery is also available nearby, which feels very on-brand for a place called Fort Wilderness. Gem mining (buy a bag and sift for gems) is another fun kid-friendly activity in this area.

Campfire & Movies Under the Stars Every evening, the Chip ‘n’ Dale Campfire Sing-Along kicks off at 8 p.m. followed by a Disney movie on an outdoor screen at 8:40 p.m. S’mores kits are available, there’s a vintage-camper food truck serving hot dogs, pulled pork nachos, pretzels, and drinks (including adult beverages), and the whole vibe is exactly what you’d hope a Disney campfire night would feel like.

Meadow Trading Post The larger of the two resort stores, with the same merchandise selection as Settlement. It has both a front entrance (near the bus stop and parking) and a back entrance from the pool area.

3. Outpost — The Entrance & Main Bus Hub

The Outpost is at the very front of the property — where you enter by RV, where check-in happens, and where the main bus hub is located.

Transportation to Parks If you’re heading to any Disney park other than Magic Kingdom (for MK, the boat from Settlement is the better option), you come to the Outpost. Buses run to all parks and Disney Springs. A digital board shows current arrival times for each destination.

Other Outpost Services

• Golf cart rental pick-up
• Uber/Lyft and rideshare pick-up point
• Package and Amazon delivery (next-day in the Orlando metro area — we ordered campsite lights and they arrived the following morning)
• Grocery delivery drop-off for cabin guests without cars
• Trail rides depart from here in the mornings, with riding trails threading throughout the property

One fun detail: wild turkeys and deer wander freely through Fort Wilderness. We watched a turkey hold its ground against an incoming bus at the Outpost and win. The bus driver was infinitely patient.

Check-Out Flexibility If you want to squeeze in a park day on your departure day, you can park your RV in the back of the Outpost lot, head to the parks, and return to pick it up before you leave. You’re not forced off property the moment checkout hits — a genuinely nice touch.

Staying at Fort Wilderness: Campsites vs. Cabins

Campsites are the traditional option — over 700 spots with good tree coverage and plenty of shade. The campground was built in 1971, and the mature landscaping makes it feel like a real forest, not a parking lot. Sites have grills (kept immaculately clean, very Disney), electrical hookups, and enough space to set up lights, an awning, hammock, and all the trimmings.

Cabins are the DVC (Disney Vacation Club) option — modern, updated, and significantly pricier than camping. They sleep six, include a full kitchen, and give you the full Fort Wilderness experience without needing an RV. Our first ever Fort Wilderness trip was in the original log cabins (since replaced with these newer units), and it was wonderful for a family with young kids.

Honest verdict: If you have the gear, camping here is the sweet spot. You get all the Disney magic, full amenities, and a genuinely comfortable outdoor experience at a fraction of what the surrounding Disney resorts cost. If you don’t have a camper but want the experience, the cabins are a solid choice — just plan for a higher nightly rate.

The Fireworks from the Beach

Don’t leave without making your way to the Bay Lake beach on a night with Magic Kingdom fireworks. The resort pipes in the corresponding music from the show, so you’re hearing the full experience while watching the fireworks burst over the castle from across the water. No crowds, no waiting in line, no fighting for position. Just a beach, the music, and the show. It’s one of the best kept secrets at Disney World.

Settle into one of the rocking chairs outside Crockett’s Tavern beforehand, grab a drink, and watch the marina light up as families return from the parks. Then walk down to the beach for the show. That sequence — rocking chairs, cold drink, fireworks over the water — is Fort Wilderness at its very best.

Quick Reference: Fort Wilderness at a Glance

So — Is It Worth It?

If you’re a camper who loves Disney, Fort Wilderness is an absolute no-brainer. The combination of a genuine outdoor camping experience with full resort amenities, direct boat access to Magic Kingdom, nightly entertainment, and that unmistakable Disney attention to detail makes it unlike any other campground in the country.

If you’re comparing it to staying off-site, the math is less obvious — but what you’re paying for isn’t just a campsite. You’re paying for the boat to Magic Kingdom, the fireworks from the beach, the Hoop-Dee-Doo dinner show, the campfire with your kids, and the feeling of being fully inside the Disney bubble without the price tag of a hotel on the monorail loop.

For us, it keeps earning its spot on the list. Every time.

Happy camping.

The post Is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground a Hidden Gem or an Overpriced Stay? appeared first on EECC Travels.

This is how to do Alaska!

A complete cruise travel guide covering boarding in Seattle through Victoria, Canada — with honest tips, food reviews, and excursion breakdowns.

Embarkation Day: Seattle to the Sea

We kicked off our 10-day Alaskan adventure aboard Norwegian Joy, departing from Seattle’s Pier 66 — and right out of the gate, things went smoothly. From the moment we stepped out of the car to the moment we had our key cards in hand was less than 15 minutes. Pier 66 is genuinely one of the easiest cruise terminals we’ve ever used.

Pro tip #1: As soon as you board any Norwegian cruise, head straight to the dining reservations desk — usually located in or near Tepanyaki. Pre-cruise booking windows can be frustratingly limited online, but walk-on availability is much better. We had six dining credits and knocked out all six reservations within minutes of boarding. Don’t forget to book show reservations at the same time.

After securing our dining slots, we wandered up to the Garden Café for the embarkation lunch buffet. Standout items: the beef goulash (tender, flavorful, highly recommend), bourbon chicken, and carved beef. The view of the Seattle Space Needle from our table was a bonus.

Ship Highlights: Norwegian Joy

Joy went through a significant dry dock refit since its days in the Asian market, and the upgrades show. A few things worth knowing:

• The Thermal Suite (Spa): Arguably the best feature on the ship. It includes heated stone loungers, a cold plunge, ice room, aromatic steam room, salt room, sauna, and multi-setting experience showers. We purchased the full 10-day pass and used it almost every single day — often closing it down at 10 p.m. More on this throughout.
• Vibe Beach Club: The adults-only deck at the stern, complete with padded loungers, a private hot tub, bar service, and blankets. Only 33 people purchased Vibe access for our sailing — a 170-person capacity space. A no-brainer for Alaska itineraries where crowds flock to the main pool deck on Glacier Day.
• American Diner: Previously an upcharge venue, now fully complimentary. The meatloaf, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken salad sandwich, and white bean chicken chili are all worth a visit.
• Spice H2O: The adults-only aft deck has a jumbotron, bar, and hot tub. Great for sailaways.
• The Local: A casual pub-style restaurant included in your cruise fare. Great burgers and buffalo wings.
• Q Texas Smokehouse: Our first specialty dinner and a great call for night one. Deviled eggs, brisket sliders, fried okra, and fall-off-the-bone barbecue chicken. Pro tip: go on night one — main dining has a line out the door while Q is nearly empty.

Sailaway from Seattle

We watched the city fade from Vibe Beach Club, drinks in hand, as the ship slipped out through Elliott Bay and into Puget Sound. The views of Seattle from the water — with the skyline glowing in the late afternoon sun — were stunning. Sailing from a downtown port like Seattle is something special. You don’t feel like you’re in a port. You feel like you’re in the city.

Sea Days: Pure Relaxation

With two sea days between Seattle and Juneau, we leaned into ship life hard. Mornings started with the gym and outdoor walking track (56° and glorious — you never overheat), followed by hours in the thermal suite. Afternoons in the Vibe Beach Club hot tub. Evenings at the specialty restaurants.

Day 2 Dinner — Ristorante Cagney’s (Italian): Highlights included a lasagna appetizer that was so good it could have been the entire meal, and an ossobuco (braised lamb shank over saffron risotto) that was fall-apart tender. The tiramisu was a revelation. Jason went with salmon — lighter, healthy, beautifully cooked.

Day 3: The Inside Passage begins. Sailing through the Stevens Passage toward Juneau with mountains still snow-capped in July. Whale spouts visible from the observation lounge — probably a dozen in the first five minutes. The observation lounge also has complimentary light breakfast items (pastries, yogurt, fruit, cereal) and a Starbucks if you need your fix.

Port 1: Juneau, Alaska

Weather: Spectacular — 70°F and sunny. Unusual for Juneau, which sits in the Tongass National Rainforest (second-largest rainforest in the world after the Amazon).

Where we went first: The Red Dog Saloon, right at the dock. If you arrive midday you’ll walk right in — evenings get much busier. Duck farts and a local cider. Classic Juneau.

Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Explorer

Cost: $119/person ($50 off with Free at Sea Excursion discount) Duration: 3 hours total, ~30-minute drive each way, 2 hours at the site

You’re dropped at the visitor center (ours was closed, but bathrooms were open) and given free time to explore the trails. Our strong recommendation: do all three routes if you can.

1. Photo Point Trail — Short walk, best overall view of the glacier and Nugget Falls waterfall together. Better than what you see from the visitor center.
2. Nugget Falls Trail — About 15 minutes at a brisk pace. The roar of the falls gets louder as you approach. Getting close means getting misted — your legs will get soaked. Totally worth it.
3. Steep Creek Trail — This is where the magic happened. We waited by the creek hoping to see salmon. We didn’t see salmon at first — but a mama bear and three cubs walked right through the creek under the bridge where we were standing. If we’d left five minutes earlier, we’d have missed it entirely. Stayed longer and saw two salmon swim through as well.

Lesson: on open-ended excursions, slow down. Be present. Let the wildlife come to you.

Other top Juneau excursions: Whale watching (we’ve done it twice — phenomenal humpback encounters). First-timers should absolutely prioritize whale watching. Glacier helicopters will take you right onto the ice if that’s your thing.

Dinner back on ship — Le Bistro (French specialty restaurant): Always a Norwegian staple, always reliably delicious. Dessert was the highlight.

Glacier Day: Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard Glacier is the largest glacier in Alaska — bigger than anything you’ll see in Glacier Bay. We spent the entire day in Vibe Beach Club for glacier viewing, and it was the right call.

Highlights of the day:

• Vibe hot tub at the glacier. Hot chocolate and cookies were provided. Blankets on the loungers. Only a handful of other guests in the entire space.
• The weather was bizarre in the best way: dark storm clouds wrapping the mountains on all sides, with a shaft of direct sunlight illuminating the glacier itself.
• The ship did a full rotation so every side gets equal viewing time. The bow of the ship is opened exclusively on Glacier Day — normally off-limits.
• A small tender boat transported guests from our ship all the way up to the glacier face (a surprise excursion that sold out almost immediately — keep your eyes open for it when booking).
• Jason had a spa massage scheduled for 2 p.m. — timed almost perfectly to coincide with our glacier arrival. The spa has glacier views, too.

The ice field prevented the ship from getting closer than a certain point, but the size of the floating chunks was impressive even from a distance — much bigger than they appear on camera.

Port 2: Skagway, Alaska

Weather: Clear skies, 70°F. One of the warmest Skagway days we’ve experienced across multiple trips.

Our recommendation for first-timers: The White Pass Summit Railway is a must-do. It follows the historic Gold Rush route up the mountain. Options range from a simple roundtrip train ride ($229/person, 2.5 hours) up to combination train-and-bus packages around $379/person. All are excellent.

What We Did: Self-Drive to the Yukon

Since we’ve done the railway twice, we joined friends who rented a car from Affordable Car Rental ($350 for the day, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.) and drove the White Pass Summit ourselves.

Important: You will cross into Canada, so bring your passport.

Stops along the way:

• Summit Creek pulloffs — Multiple scenic overlooks with waterfalls, mountain views, and glacial-silt colored water (that distinctive blue-green tint).
• Tutshi Lake — Crystal-clear, remote, beautiful. We skipped rocks and soaked it in.
• British Columbia / Yukon Territory border sign — A photo stop you don’t want to miss.
• Emerald Lake — The turquoise color comes from marl (calcium carbonate clay) on the lake bed reflecting sunlight. Accessible only from an overlook, but stunning.
• Carcross Desert — We were not expecting this. Literally a desert — sand dunes formed from the bed of an ancient dried lake — surrounded by lush green mountains. Wild.
• Carcross town — Lunch at the local restaurant (burger and poutine, because you’re in Canada). The historic general store dates to 1909. Don’t miss the ice cream shop that makes fresh waffle cones.
• Grizzly bear sighting — On the roadside, on the way back. Just casually there.
• Yukon Suspension Bridge — Class 5 rapids below, bouncy bridge, panoramic views. A quick stop but a great one.
• Roadside glacier-fed waterfall — Drinkable, cold, and refreshing after a warm day.

Dinner on ship — Cagney’s Steakhouse: Norwegian’s signature steakhouse, on every ship, consistently excellent. Go for the wedge salad, petite filet or ribeye, and — most importantly — the OMG Butterscotch Cheesecake. Finished the night in the thermal suite, watching sailaway from Skagway through the spa windows.

Port 3: Icy Straight Point, Alaska — First Visit

Weather: Overcast, low clouds, typical for the area. Not raining — a win.

Icy Straight Point was brand new to us, and it immediately impressed. Wildlife was abundant: bald eagles spotted from our balcony before we even left the ship, whale watching available, and the sounds of eagles calling throughout the day.

Excursion: The Zip Rider (World’s Largest Zipline)

This is the headline attraction at Icy Straight Point, and it lives up to the hype. Here’s the logistics:

• Take the green gondola from Huna Cannery to Wilderness Landing.
• Then take the red Sky Peak Gondola (Alaska’s only high-speed gondola) to the mountaintop.
• You literally go through the clouds on the way up.
• The zipline itself is 1.5 miles long. You travel at 60 mph. The ride takes 90 seconds.
• Up to six riders can zip simultaneously — which is why they claim the title of “world’s largest” (a Dubai zipline is technically 2 feet longer, but can’t send six riders at once).

At the top: fire pits, food trucks (caribou tacos! halibut tacos!), beer, and views above the cloud line. It’s cold. It’s exhilarating. It’s worth every penny.

After the zip, we walked the half-mile Tongass Rainforest nature trail — thick old-growth trees, squishy moss, a bald eagle perched right at its nest, gondolas floating silently overhead through the canopy. 15 minutes of walking but totally worth it.

Down at the dock area: the Icy Straight Museum in the old cannery, the Crab House bar (famous for their Alaska Krabby Bloody Mary), gift shops, and salmon products to take home.

Dinner on ship: We kept it casual at The Local — buffalo wings and a cheeseburger. Perfect after an action-packed day.

Evening: Comedy show in the theater.

Port 4: Sitka, Alaska — First Visit

Weather: Light rain at first, cleared up.

Excursion: Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure

Cost: $259/person ($50 off per cabin with Free at Sea Excursion discount) Duration: 3 hours, includes snack

This excursion picked us up at port and took us by boat to a remote wilderness cove — far better than the kayaking tours that depart directly from the dock. We paddled through calm, shallow waters with:

• Bald eagles perched nearby and flying directly overhead (wingspan was staggering up close)
• Salmon jumping all around us — literally splashing beside our kayaks
• Jellyfish in the shallows
• Starfish visible through the crystal-clear water
• Ravens calling through the trees
• White spruce forest rising up the hillsides

The splash skirts (spray skirts) are essential — paddle drip without them and you’ll get soaked. Wear them. Hot potato soup was waiting when we returned to the boat. Perfect ending.

We slept in that morning and didn’t catch much of Sitka’s downtown — that’s on us. Norwegian was in port from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., so there was plenty of time. Note: the free shuttle into downtown requires pre-registration online for your inbound time; the return shuttle runs until about an hour before all-aboard.

Port 5: Ketchikan, Alaska

Weather: Rainy. Welcome to Ketchikan.

Norwegian docks at Ward Cove, their private port terminal — a well-designed area with souvenir shops, food options, and easy access to excursion meeting points. A longer itinerary makes a big difference here: the Norwegian Encore (a shorter itinerary) was in port from 6 a.m. to around 1 p.m. We had until 8 p.m.

Excursion: Salmon Fishing

Cost: $429/person ($50 off with Free at Sea Excursion discount) Duration: 4 hours, includes snack Group size: We had only 4 people on our boat — some boats carry up to 8

The fishing boat picked us up and dropped us off directly outside the ship. Our captain Chris was fantastic. We were catching pink salmon (the “pinky finger” of the five salmon species — the guide’s trick for remembering them: thumb = chum, index = sockeye, middle = king, ring finger = silver, pinky = pink).

Final tally: six salmon in the hold. We caught more — several broke off — but six made it. I (Alisa) caught three of the six, which felt pretty good being the only woman on board. The fish were sent to a processor at the dock, filleted, and shipped to our house at home.

Tip: Fishing in the rain is actually kind of magical. Don’t let it stop you.

Evening: Pre-dinner espresso martinis at Mix Bar on Deck 6, then Tanyaki for dinner (loud, lively, fun — the chef performs tableside), followed by the “Bring Back the ’90s” show in the theater (Blockbuster transformation, ’90s TV highlights, fantastic choreography — we laughed through the whole thing).

Final Port: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. — a full day, which is rare. Most Alaska itineraries only give you a late-night stop in Victoria (8 p.m. to midnight).

The shuttle drops you off at the corner of Wharf and Government Street, right in the heart of downtown. Cost: ~$15 USD per person roundtrip, unlimited rides.

What We Did

• Morning on the ship: Massages in the spa (pro tip: spa services are discounted on port days — around $50 off per treatment).
• Bastion Square Market: A weekend artisan market we stumbled into — local art, crafts, and freeze-dried candy (Skittles that puff up into crunchy little pillows — we bought them for our granddaughter).
• Chinatown: Canada’s oldest Chinatown, complete with a winding alley of incense shops, galleries, a record store, and a Chinatown museum.
• Latin America Fest: Happening right next to Chinatown — live music, food, a total surprise.
• Lunch at Little Hunan: 4.5 stars on Yelp, and it deserved every one. Braised beef rice noodle soup with a marinated quail egg, braised chicken wings, and pan-fried shrimp and pork dumplings (made to order). The broth was exceptional.
• Evening walk on the Ogden Point Breakwater: A long pier walk out to a lighthouse with our ship visible the entire time. Chilly and windy but worth it.
• Final night show — The Beatles: Performed in the main theater rather than the Cavern Club (where the band plays certain nights throughout the cruise). A beautiful send-off to the trip.
• Closed out the cruise in the thermal suite. Again. Obviously.

The Bottom Line: Is a 10-Day Alaska Itinerary Worth It?

Absolutely yes — and here’s why the extra days matter:

You get ports others don’t. Icy Straight Point and Sitka were both new to us and became two of the most memorable stops of the trip. The 7-day itinerary misses both.

You get more time in every port. While shorter itineraries had ships leaving Ketchikan in the early afternoon, we stayed until 8 p.m. In Victoria, we had a full daytime visit while others arrive at night.

You get real sea days. The thermal suite, the hot tub, the Vibe Beach Club, the spa — these all become part of your Alaska experience, not just things to do between ports.

Quick Reference: Excursion Costs

Final Tips for Norwegian Joy Alaska Cruisers

1. Book the Thermal Suite pass. If you’re in Alaska, you need somewhere warm and restorative after cold, active port days. This is it.
2. Consider Vibe Beach Club. On a July Alaska sailing, only 33 of 170 spots were sold. You’ll essentially have a private hot tub and uncrowded loungers for Glacier Day.
3. Pre-book excursions for anything you can’t miss. Sea kayaking in Juneau sold out before we could book it onboard. We pivoted to Sitka, but don’t leave it to chance.
4. Get to dining reservations the moment you board.
5. Always bring rain gear. Every port. Every day. And embrace the rain — some of our best moments happened in it.
6. The American Diner is free and legitimately good. Don’t overlook it.
7. Sailing from Seattle is wonderful. Downtown views, easy access, and a beautiful departure through Puget Sound into open water.

Alaska by cruise ship is one of the most spectacular travel experiences available. The wildlife, the glaciers, the rainforests, the fishing — it layers in ways that are hard to describe until you’ve seen a mama bear and three cubs walk under your feet, or a bald eagle bank six feet above your kayak paddle. Go. Do the longer itinerary if you can. And spend at least one afternoon in that thermal suite watching the scenery pass by.

See you on the next adventure.

The post 10 Days in Alaska on Norwegian Joy: Every Port, Every Excursion, the Full Experience appeared first on EECC Travels.

Cruise Line Loyalty Programs Explained

Should you be loyal to one cruise line?  Are the perks of the loyalty programs worth sticking with one cruise line to build up your status?  Or are the loyalty programs nice but not worth staying with one specific cruise line for?  Is it better to have lots of experiences across many cruise lines and forgo the perks?

Let’s take a look at the perks that come with cruise line loyalty programs and you can decide for yourself.

Keep in mind, the entry-level tiers with any cruise line have minimal benefits. You will have to cruise many-a-sailing to get to the good stuff! And keep going and you can even earn a free cruise with some programs!

Norwegian Cruise Line: Latitudes Rewards

In my opinion, this is the richest loyalty program out there!! You get so much extra once you hit the Platinum tier that really makes you want to spend time sailing with NCL to reach this level!

You will get discounts in the shops, photos and spa services during port days based on level starting at Bronze.

Priority embarkation starts at Platinum but priority tender and debarkation start at Gold.

Free laundry starts at Platinum – very nice perk!

Other benefits that start at Platinum are: discounted internet, chocolate-covered strawberries, two additional specialty dining meals, a behind-the-scenes ship tour, and concierge services. This is where the perks really kick in!! These are FABULOUS benefits!!

Free cruise at Ambassador! Grant it, you are putting in a LOT to get to this level, but NCL is one of the few cruise lines that offer this perk.

Full List of Benefits:

How to earn points

1 point per night + 1 additional point per night for suites and Haven. PLUS, you can earn bonus points for specific sailings (there is a list each month) – book one of these and no matter the cabin category you earn 2 points per night… 3 points for suites or Haven.

Royal Caribbean: Crown & Anchor Society

With the Crown & Anchor Society program, the good benefits start at Diamond.

Cabin discounts start at Platinum…nice!

Best Perk: Free drinks at Diamond – 4 drinks per day for Diamond, 5 for Diamond Plus and 6 for Pinnacle

Free cruise at Pinnacle – again, it takes a lot to get here, but what a perk!

This is AWESOME – Royal Caribbean and Celebrity will match loyalty level!! Not permanently, but if you hold a higher status with the sister company, prove your status and for that cruise, you will get the higher perks. You will still earn points separately for each cruise line.

Full List of Benefits:

How to earn points

1 point per night – can earn additional points in suites

Carnival Cruise Line: VIFP Club

In this program, the good benefits kick in when you hit Platinum which takes 75 nights of cruising to reach.  Includes a cocktail party and free laundry.  Plus priority boarding, debarkation, tenders and a dedicated line at guest services and a gift on each sailing.

Here I feel that the priority treatment and free laundry are the biggest perks for Carnival.

HUGE PERK: Being a VIFP member comes with random special offers for reduced pricing on sailings or onboard credit… or sometimes both. I say random as these offers truly are computer generated and not based on status. And I have seen some RIDICULOUSLY good offers!! The funny thing is that I, as a travel agent, have seen clients with Red status get better offers than clients with Platinum status… you never know what you will get. And you can sign up for Blue status before you even take your first cruise and get special offers!

Full List of Benefits:

How to earn points

1 point per night cruised. Cabin type or length of the cruise does not matter.

Celebrity Cruises: Captain’s Club

You will earn discounts on wifi, drink packages, specialty dining and spa treatments based on your loyalty level.

One-category upgrade request – this is pretty cool in that you can request a free cabin upgrade (one category up from what you are booked) at no extra charge!

Best Perks: Free laundry starting at Select AND

Free specialty breakfast and evening cocktail hour starting at Elite

Free cruise at Zenith, expensive to earn… but a great perk!

Full List of Benefits:

Celebrity and Royal Caribbean will status match – see above in RC…

How to earn points

Pro tip: You can also earn Power Up Point by completing surveys, sharing on social media and watching webinars. Once you are a member, you can sign up for these alerts for when bonus points can be earned.

Holland America Line: Mariner Society

Coolest benefit!  Up to $400 per stateroom onboard credit for cruises booked within 90 days of a new season launch. – All levels!!

Benefits really kick in at 4-Star with 50% off specialty dining and specialty coffees; priority boarding, tender and debarkation; free 3rd & 4th guests on select sailings and free laundry.

Full List of Benefits:

How to earn points

1 point per cruise day plus double points for suites. AND bonus points for onboard spending (example: $300 = 1 point).

Princess Cruises: Captain’s Circle

NICE PERK: Benefits for all tiers – discounts on cruises & special offers!

The best perks start at Platinum – priority boarding, Platinum & Elite Lounge, discounts on spa and photos.

Elite benefits add early access to new itineraries, discounts on shops and shore excursions, priority tender and debarkation, complimentary wine tasting, complimentary mini bar set-up, complimentary afternoon tea in your cabin and complimentary laundry.

Full List of Benefits:

How to earn points

1 point per cruise day plus double points for suites

MSC Cruises: Voyagers Club

THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!! MSC will loyalty match to one cruise line – one time offer – NO OTHER CRUISE LINE DOES THIS!!

Every tier earns a 5% discount!  Up to 10% if booked 6-9 months prior to sailing.

Silver: you get a $50 onboard credit per person and can earn double points when booking in advance (9-12 months out)

Gold: you get priority tender and 1- hour free access to the thermal spa suite

Diamond: you get priority boarding and debarkation, free dance class, Diamond party and a free specialty dining tasting menu.

Full List of Benefits:

How to earn points

Points are determined by the length of the cruise and the cabin experience booked. There are special offers to collect bonus points at booking.

Disney Cruise Line: Castaway Club

Benefit highlights – being a past guest gives you early access to book new itineraries as they become available. With such a small ship fleet, this is a nice perk.

And at Platinum you also get a complimentary dinner at Palo.

Full List of Benefits:

So what is the verdict??

This is going to be a personal preference… some people really love one specific cruise line and building loyalty is important to them.

For us, it is not. The perks when you get to the higher levels are nice, but for us having different experiences across multiple cruise lines is better than the perks offered.

Pro tip: These programs can build up over YEARS. So you don’t have a certain time frame to get to a certain level. You can build points with multiple cruise lines at the same time. So variety can be the spice of life

Are you ready to plan your next cruise?

Whether you want to stick with a cruise line you have sailed with or are ready for a change, let us help you plan that next adventure! Having EECC Travels as your travel agent will cost you nothing and you are getting the planning experience of a travel professional.

Check out this video on YouTube:

The post Should YOU Be Loyal To ONE Cruise Line?? appeared first on EECC Travels.

Jason’s biggest fear about crusing was being stuck on a ship with thousands of people and it being overcrowded with not enough to do.  Well, needless to say… he was wrong!  You just cannot appreciate the shear size of a cruise ship until you step onboard.  It is comparable to a floating hotel, or better yet, a floating resort as it includes a casino, multiple pools, slides, kids clubs, night clubs, etc.  And let’s not forget the unlimited food selection.  And bars… did we mention the bars?

Another concern is feeling the ship’s motion.  Ships nowadays have massive stabilizers.  You often do not realize you are moving.  Have we felt the ship moving before?  Yes. But only during storms or really windy conditions and it didn’t bother us in the least.  You can actually get a really good night’s rest as the ship rocks you to sleep.

Gratuity 

On our first cruise, I paid the cruise fare and port taxes & fees for my family of five and got onboarc.  I linked a credit card for incidental spending and brought cash for spending in port.  But little did I know that ‘gratuties’ would be automatically added at the end of the cruise.  I truly had no idea and had not planned for this expense.  Luckily I had the money, but I could see this being a real problem for some on a tight budget.

Not only the overall gratuities that go to your stateroom steward and dining room wait staff, but Jason didn’t realized they were automatically adding a gratuity at the bar every time he ordered a drink!  Those bartenders were well tipped on that cruise as he added extra each time.

You can book excursions outside the cruise line

We had no idea what we wanted to do in port during our first cruise, which was a five-day itinerary to Progresso and Cozumel, Mexico.  So we went to the port excursions talk held in the theater on the first sea day and picked out what we wanted to do in Cozumel.  We didn’t see anything that interested us in Progresso so we were told we could explore on our own so we decided to give it a try.

I am very happy with the excursion we chose which was a sail & snorkel on a Fury catamaran and then a beach visit.  But I didn’t know that you could book excursions outside the cruise line.  Since then, I book some on my own and some through the cruise line depending on what we are wanting to do.

Also you don’t have to do an excursion in each port

Also, we didn’t know before boarding that we could explore on our own.  We really enjoyed just wandering the little town of Progresso, taking in the local culture, getting some yummy food, and taking a walk on the beach.  This is also where we encountered the ‘red tequila’, more on that later…

Order what you want!

Did you know that you could order more than one appetizer or more than one entrée or more than one dessert on a cruise?  We didn’t!  We had heard a rumor that this was true but didn’t really believe it.  I don’t think we ever did this on our first cruise.  But we sure do now!  Especially on elegant/formal night on Carnival, it is a must for Jason to get both the prime rib AND the lobster!  And for me, the crème brulee is only offered on this night… and it is really hard to choose between that and the chocolate melting cake… so sometimes I get both!

Sometime the rate can be adjusted 

With most cruise lines, if you book early then your cruise fare rate is adjustable!  Didn’t know this and paid for our first cruise and then never checked the cost again.  Now I know to check the rates!  If they go down, you can get your rate reduced.  Or you could possibly upgrade to a higher category for little or no additional cost.

And keep checking after you are paid in full.  You might just be able to get the difference in an onboard credit!

There are specials on the first day

Going on a spa tour on embarkation day is fun!  We didn’t discover this until we had many cruises under our belts.  You may be chosen for a free mini-treatment as part of a demonstration or you may be offered discounts.  And be sure to grab a raffle ticket and come back for the drawing.  We have never won ourselves, but we have seen many a very happy person win free spa treatments!!

Also, sometimes you can score a free bottle of wine for dining in a specialty restaurant on the first night.  For instance, on Carnival, dine in the steakhouse and this is a bonus treat!

Don’t miss the shows!

Cruise shows are spectacular!  We just didn’t go on our first cruise as we spend most of the time by the pool.  And on one cruise we missed them because we had late dining and the late show didn’t start until 10:30 and that was just too late for us. 

But once we discovered how much we enjoy this live entertainment, we never miss them!  We now choose early dining or anytime dining so our schedules work for the shows.  And if one is held at an odd time, we will choose to eat at the buffet or deli or pizza that night so we don’t miss it.

Did I happen to mention that we love the shows???  And I am mainly talking about the Broadway style shows in the theater, but don’t forget about the comedy or magic or variety shows… they have all been fantastic!

Don’t overpack!

We brought waaaaaay too many clothes on our first cruise!  Five big suitcases for five people on a five-day cruise… all sharing one cabin.  Yeah, we were so cramped for space!  PS – we never stayed five in one cabin again!  But that is a different story…  We brought multiple outfits for each day because we thought we needed one for during the day and one for at night and then special formal clothes and swimsuits, etc… 

Needless to say, we brought home a LOT of clean clothes.  And shoes!  Way too many shoes were packed.  No, you do not need a matching pair of shoes for every outfit!  No… you…. Don’t!  I have created a few packing videos to help others not make the same mistake that I have made!  Here is one:

You cell phone may night have the correct time!

We were in Cozumel having just gotten back from our oh-so-fun day of snorkeling and playing on the big jumpers at the beach and it was time to do some shopping!  So we wandered around the port going in and out of the shops.  Took our picture by the surfboards at Ron Jon’s Surf Shop.  Got a drink and some tacos at Three Amigos and thought we still had a couple of hours before needing to be back onboard.

Yep, the time was wrong on my cell phone and that is what we were going by.  Luckily we were close to the ship and when we saw everyone pouring through the gates to get back on we were smart enough to ask the time and find out we were wrong!

Moral of this story… wear a real watch and set it to ship time!!

How incredible a cruise vacation is, so much different than land

Wow, we had no idea how much we would love a cruise!  Before this, we had driven to a destination. Stayed in a hotel.  Maybe went to a theme park.  Ate at restaurants. ETC… Each with their own planning and individual price tag. 

I love that you plan the cruise and, well, that can be it.  Once onboard, you have options but choosing to eat a burger or tacos poolside is not really a hard decision to make.  Am I right?  The itinerary is laid out for you.   You can explore multiple ports in multiple countries all in the same trip.  It is simply amazing.  The one thing we regret is not starting to cruise sooner!!!

Bonus… don’t drink the red tequila in Mexico 

Funny story, well not funny at the time, but we can look back now and laugh.  Remember how we were strolling along the beach in Progresso and taking in the culture.  Well, Jason and his brother thought that a little tequila would be a ‘cultural’ experience! So there was a restaurant on the beach serving food and drinks so we stopped.  We grabbed a table with an umbrella and some nearby loungers. 

The waiter comes over an offers us ‘free tequila shots’…  When we saw the liquid in the bottle was red, that should have been a clue to say no… tequila is NOT red!!!  But not them!  They opened up wide and the ‘red tequila’ was poured straight into their mouths!  Oh yeah, this is fun huh?

Not so fun the next day when Jason is sick!  And I mean SICK!  He got ‘sick’ while snorkeling in Cozumel and then ended up laying on a beach bed the rest of the day and missed our fun adventure.  Nothing in life is free… don’t drink the red tequila! 

Want More?

Want to see the video version? Here you go!

I hope you find these tips helpful!  Be sure to check out our other posts for: what to do before your cruise; extras to pack; what to do after boarding; food & drinks; ports & excursions; shopping onboard & in portand activities not to miss on a Carnival cruise.

If you want all 101 Cruise Tips, click here:

Want more cruising posts?  Here is our full list.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post 10 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before Our First Cruise appeared first on EECC Travels.

Cruise Line Gratuities

Gratuities per person, per day will be added to your account unless they were prepaid. (Some cruise lines add this charge each day and some add all on  the second to last day of the cruise) This goes to your room steward, MDR wait staff and other behind the scenes personnel.

• Carnival current rate is $12.95 pp/pd (13.95 for suites)
• Royal Caribbean current rate is $14.50 pp/pd (17.50 for suites)
• Norwegian current rate is $14.50 pp/pd (17.50 for suites)
• These can be removed if you choose to tip in cash on some cruise lines
• Sometimes first time cruisers are not expecting this charge

Tip the bartender???

Gratuity is added to every drink you buy at the bar or every drink package. No need to tip above unless your bartender is awesome.

Yes, you can give extra

You can tip above and beyond the gratuities charged for great service

Small cash is king!

Bring small bills ($1s and $5s) to tip on the ship and especially in port. You may need or want to tip a porter for handling your bag, a performer or a special photo op or for a ride (examples: bicycle carts that bring you from the ship into port)

Specialize your tip

We like to bring a gift bag for our steward/attendant – (tide pods & dryer sheets are nice to add) – this is the one crew member you will have the most interaction with on board, make them feel special!

Room service

Room service is free or comes with a small fee but it is customary to tip the person who brings it to you.

BE NICE!!!

BE FRIENDLY to the crew! They will go out of their way to help you, be kind in return!

I hope you find these tips helpful!  Be sure to check out our other posts for: what to do before your cruise; extras to pack; what to do after boarding; food & drinks; ports & excursions; shopping onboard & in port and activities not to miss on a Carnival cruise.

If you want all 101 Cruise Tips, click here:

Want to see these tips live:  Here is the video:

Want more cruising posts?  Here is our full list.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Cruise Tips: Gratuities & Tipping appeared first on EECC Travels.

We had no idea just how vast and utterly immersive this museum was!  We had planned on staying about two and half hours but once we saw the shear size, we decided to clear our afternoon.  The campus is six acres and sits on multiple city blocks.  And it is not even finished!  There was construction going on while we were there which means more great exhibits are coming!

This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own. 

Where to begin?

With a campus so large, you are not sure where to begin.  We started on the outside in Founders Plaza.  Here are our flags and a tribute bench with a bronze statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  There are also huge pieces of barriers from Utah Beach complete with bullet holes.  What was really moving to us were the memorial bricks.  There is an area completely paved with bricks bearing the name of a person who fought in this war.

Louisiana Memorial Pavilion

The main museum entrance is in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion and when you walk in the first thing you notice is the full size airplane suspended from the ceiling.  But then you look again and you notice there are more than one!  That is just how large this building is!  There is also a full size Higgins boat in the atrium area… if you don’t know the significance of this boat, read on.  To the back of the atrium appears to be a train station with a full 1940’s era arrivals and departures board that click-clacks as it spins as the times change.  Here you can take the LW ‘Pete’ Kent Train Car Experience to see what new recruits experienced on their way to war.

There is also a full stage set up and we were able to witness a Naval ceremony during our visit.  But this is just in the Atrium area, there is so much more just in this one building!

Why is it in New Orleans?

Because of the Higgins boat!  Here is the official statement from the museum:

New Orleans is home to the LCVP, or Higgins boat, the landing craft that brought US soldiers to shore in every major amphibious assault of World War II. Andrew Jackson Higgins and the 30,000 Louisiana workers of Higgins Industries designed, built and tested 20,000 Higgins boats in southeastern Louisiana during the war. Dwight Eisenhower once claimed that Higgins was “the man who won the war for us.”

We were lucky to be able to speak with a very knowledgeable museum employee who gave us an in-depth history of Andrew Higgins.  He was a very interesting man that ended up doing a world of good for our nation and our cause in this war!

Dog Tag Experience

This was my 14-year-olds favorite part of the museum!  Of course, the tech would appeal to the teenage gamers!  Upon arrival, each person is given a dog tag.  First you take this to the ‘Station 1’ kiosk in the lobby to activate.  Here you will enter your information and email and choose a soldier.  You can let the system choose for you or you can choose one that is available.  They can come from any branch of service but we had Marines and Army.  This initial kiosk will give his background and how/why he entered the service.  There are pictures on the screen and you also pick up the handset – which looks like a 1940’s era telephone – and hear the story.

Keep track of your card because the story will continue as you explore the museum.  Every time you see a kiosk, you scan the card.  If your person did not participate in that battle or that area of the world, it will direct you where to get the next part of your story.  For instance, if you are exploring the Pacific but your person fought in Europe there will not be a story in that area.

Two of the Marines we had were featured in the show ‘The Pacific’ which Ethan had seen so he knew their stories.  We all felt that this personalized the war experience when you can see it from a single person’s point of view.  You are also able to add to your ‘collection’ at different kiosks.  You can collect weapons, vehicles, etc.  When you get home, you can enter your Dog Tag information online and continue the adventure.

The Arsenal of Democracy

On the second floor is the Arsenal of Democracy exhibit.  This is where America decided to enter the war.  Let me tell you, visual cues really have an impact.  I knew the USA was heavily outnumbered in this war, but when you see the representation in front of your eyes it really blows you away! In the picture, each ‘soldier’ represents 3,000.  They had MILLIONS to our thousands!!!  But we still won!!!

There are some great artifacts in this area.  The child and infants gas masks are one of the first you see.  That really shows the seriousness of what people were dealing with.  There are also charts on the wall of how many Americans thought we should enter the war and you watched these numbers creep up until we were attacked at Pearl Harbor.  In the center of this very large exhibit area is a theater with television clips from this time and our president declaring war.

Home Sweet Home

My favorite area is the replica home.  You walk through a 1940’s kitchen with a radio playing softly in the background.  You can open the drawers and see the ration books and the cookbooks to teach families how to cook from the rations they had available to them.  In the living room a warm fire is burning and another radio is playing but this time it is the news.  In the closet hang uniforms and children’s dress-up uniforms as they played as little soldiers.  I found it fascinating to see this domestic part of the war on the home front.

The last part of this area is the training of the new soldiers.  You can see how they were enlisted and how they were trained.  It was interesting to hear about the Army training at Camp Claiborne which is close to our home in Alexandria, LA.  It has been abandoned now for years and years but you can still drive on the roads and see some of the original buildings.

Of course, our teenage boys were most interested in the weaponry.  They can tell you just about what every gun’s name is and how it was used.  I guess video games are good for something…

D-Day

The third floor is the D-Day Exhibit.  Did you know that this museum started as the D-Day Museum but later became the National World War II Museum??  So these artifacts are where the museum got its start.

D-Day came in two parts: 1) the meticulous planning and 2) the organized execution.  They had no backup plan if this didn’t work!  In this area, you will see the uniforms worn and the weapons used.  They have an American Infantryman’s uniform and gear right next to a German’s so you can see the similarities and differences.  I had no idea there were so many different types of weapons!  American and foreign guns, knives and explosive devices are on display.

Particularly interesting was the personal belongings assigned to each new soldier including a razor and shaving foam, comb, toothbrush and tooth powder.  They had paper and envelopes to write letters.  Also a gas mask and eye shield for safety.  And of course with everyone smoking in the 1940’s they were given cigarettes and a matchbook with a ‘V’ for victory.

The Solomon Victory Theater

There is a sky bridge that crosses the street from the second floor of the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion over to the Solomon Victory Theater.  This was our next stop.  On the second floor is an exhibit from the US Merchant Marines.  These were civilians who risked their lived transporting supplies and weapons to our troops overseas.  On display are many of the items they used like life jackets and also instruments used in naval navigation.  We couldn’t have done it without them!

Beyond All Boundaries

The absolute must-see at the National World War II Museum is a 45-minute show called Beyond All Boundaries.  Do. Not. Miss. This.  It is an immersive 4D experience that tells the story of World War II through sight, sound and feel.  The stadium theater features extremely comfortable leather chairs that will come to life as the show progresses…  The screen is a wrap around 180 degrees.  And the sounds are all around you.

In the beginning, you will see a line of people marching from left to right across the screen.  In the middle, they transform from civilians to soldiers.  This was the first of many moving visual parts of the show.  We see America enter the war and the victories. But we are also shown the hardships and realities of war.  We heard accounts of those who were there and what they saw and what they felt.

Some of the incredible visuals were artifacts coming up from the ground or down from the ceiling during the story.  For instance, a large gun (as would have been on the deck of a ship) came up from the stage and ‘fired’.  You could hear the shots and there were lights all around so you could see how it would have looked.  When the tank rolled in on the screen, your seat shook from the vibrations.  It really pulled you into the story that was being told.

The most memorable was the atomic bomb… the theater goes completely dark and then there is a blinding light and the sound of the explosion.  It is so much more in person than I could ever describe.  I was moved to tears at many points during this show, as were my children.  It is hard to think about this experience without emotion flooding in.  We learned more in this 45 minutes that we ever had before.

Here is the official trailer of this incredible show:

Campaigns of Courage

The third building hosts the Campaigns of Courage in which one floor tells the story of the European Theater and the other floor the Pacific Theater.  You need about 45 minutes or more to explore each floor.  There are also many stations to us the Dog Tags to learn the story of your soldier.  America entered this war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  Four days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States.  Here we follow our journey on both fronts.

Road to Tokyo

When you first enter this area, you feel as of you are at the helm of a battleship.  And you are!  It is a replica of the bridge on the USS Enterprise.  Kids really enjoyed this area as they pretended to sail this ship.  But look around and you see the history.  There are also the stories of the leaders in this war… on our side, there was Franklin D. Roosevelt against the Emperor of Japan, Hirohito.

You see and feel the landscape as you walk through Guadalcanal.  It could be an idealistic tropical getaway, but it was known as Green Hell to our men who were there.  It is really well done in that the plants and landscapes are so large and true to life, you can see how the jungle could swallow you.  They were not only fighting off the relentless Japanese but were battling disease as well.  All through this area a white screen that looks like sheets that have been hung to dry that show film footage showing camps and sometimes the carnage.  So many died here.

These are just the first two rooms.  This area is vast and covers many aspects of the war in the Pacific.  Some of the other rooms are:  Island Hopping – many battles fought on various islands; Philippines; China, Burma & India – be sure to look up in this room as we almost missed the plane suspended from the ceiling! While there are artifacts in each of these rooms, what really grabbed our attention were the weapons.  There is a walled case showing the American weapons on one side and the Japanese on the other.  And not just guns, there was much of the fighting done with knives and swords and bayonets.

Road to Berlin

As the battles in the Pacific began with Guadalcanal, the US began with D-Day in Europe.  The first thing you notice is the vast differences in the landscapes.  While the Pacific was mostly jungle, the battles in Europe and Northern African ranged from desert to tundra.

The first landscape room that sticks in my mind was the desert.  Everything looked as if it was covered in sand.  Then you pass through the invasion of Sicily and other European campaigns and end with the Battle of the Bulge where everything is covered in snow.  This was the largest battle fought by Americans and was a surprise attack by Hitler in the Ardennes Forest in the dead of winter.

Our favorite room was ‘Air War’ which feels like you have walked into an enormous airfield hanger.  There is a huge hole in the ceiling where you can see planes flying overhead.  I especially loved the wall of pin-up girls.

Must see for every American!

I feel as if I have only scratched the surface of describing our experience.  We spent four and a half hours and could have stayed longer as we did not see each and every exhibit and I am sure we missed many details.  There is another building – The Boeing Center – but there was a private event being set up the day we visited so we missed it.  We did, however, get a glimpse of the many full-size airplanes suspended from the ceiling here!

Plan on spending the day, or at least a large part of it.  And don’t worry, if you get hungry, there is a delicious cafe reminiscent of a 1940’s soda shop – which is aptly named Jeri Nim’s Soda Shop – where you can grab a sandwich, or a burger or an ice cream.  Ethan had the Mama’s Meatloaf Sandwich which made his eyes roll up in his head it was so good… and it had mashed potatoes on it… yes!

In conclusion, I cannot recommend the National World War II Museum enough!  Every American should visit and get a better understanding of what life was like at home during the war and what our brave men and women did to defend this nation.  We all left with a greater appreciation and a want to learn even more.  I am so proud that my son has chosen this career path and is now on his way to becoming a United States Marine!

If you would like to see our experience at the National World War II Museum, here is the video:

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post The National World War II Museum from a Family Perspective appeared first on EECC Travels.

There are lots of items you need to bring with you on a cruise to make your life comfortable.  Items like toiletries, medications, organizational items, etc.

Toiletries

Most cruise ships provide shampoo and body wash in the bathroom… but that is all.  Dollar Tree has travel size shampoo, conditioner and body wash… and if you’re driving they have $1 full-size bottles too.  Also things like deodorants, hair get or hairspray, lotion and razors.  And this is a great place to get a new toothbrush for the trip along with toothpaste, mouthwash and flossers!

Sunscreen

There are perfect size bottles of sunscreen with both 30 and 50 SPF.  These are small enough to pack if flying!!!  And remember to buy lots f you are going to the Caribbean, that sun can be brutal!

They also have aloe gel in case you get a sunburn…

Medications

You can build an entire and fantastic first-aid kit from the Dollar Tree!!!  There are band-aids galore, first-aid cream, antiseptics, etc.  And small bottles of every oral medication you can think of… acetaminophen, ibuprofen, cold medicine, allergy medicine, stomach medicine, antiacids… you get the picture.  Don’t go to the drug store for these when you can save serious bucks here!

I like to get one of the large 7-day pill boxes and fill one box with each medication labeled so I don’t forget what’s in each one.  This is easier than carrying seven different bottles along.  I also recommend getting cough drops, etc as these items can be very expensive on the ship!  Trust me, I found this out the hard way…

This is also a great place to get hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes!!!

Organizational Items

You have a small cabin and lots of stuff… so you may want a few organizational items to make the most of your small space.  I like to get pop-up hampers or laundry bags for our dirty clothes.  Clothespins for hanging wet swimsuits on the shower line.  Towel clips for your beach towel.  And many more useful items for $1.

PS – these little mesh lingerie bags are perfect for collecting seashells!  You can put them in the bag and rinse the sand off of them and they will dry quickly!

And don’t forget your quart and gallon sized zip-lock bags!  Thes have a multitude of uses!!!

Packing items

If you are flying you will need to have all of your liquids fit the TSA rules.  You can find small plastic bottles that are perfect for this.  We also like to but shower caps which are 8 for $1.  Why shower caps you ask?  Well to put over your shoes to keep the dirty shoes separated from the clean clothes.

BAGS!

There are so many amazing bags here! They have tote bags perfect for going to the beach, small purse-style bags that have a long strap that can go across your body to take into port and cute reusable shopping bags.  We buy this shopping bags for making our room steward a gift bag and always pack one in case we get a bit carried away while shopping in port…

Lights in all shapes and sizes…

If you have an interior cabin, they are pitch black at night! Soo you may want a night light.  You can find the traditional plug-in style…

Or these battery operated tea lights that put off a small amount of light and don’t take up one of your valuable plugs…

And finally, glow sticks.  Crack one each night for light OR grab a few if your ship will be having a glow party or white night!!!

Cups

If you are like me, I like to bring my own cup as I drink a LOT of water and those little bitty cups provided just don’t cut it for me.  Dollar Tree has a wide variety of cups that work great for cold drinks or thermals for coffee.

Flip-Flops

Now, these are not available all year long, but if you are cruising in the Spring or Summer, you can grab some flippy flops for $1.  And they have a wide variety to choose from!

Keep in Touch

If you are not on a ship that has an app where you can connect with your shipmates, or you just decide to go offline, you still need to communicate.  You can pick up magnetic dry erase boards and markers, post-it notes, Sharpie markers and highlighters.

Door Decorations

The seasonal area at the front of the store has some great items for making inexpensive door decorations.  In the summer there are great beach-themed items, red, white & blue for Fourth of July, etc.   We like to cruise on Easter week since the kids are out of school so we create Easter-themed decorations.  This is a great idea for any time of the year.  There are always themed items in this area.

Sunglasses!!!

Where else can you get a pair of sunglasses for $1???  And these aren’t crap either.  There are some good looking glasses here!  Especially for kids, they have some really cute ones.  AND they have these fantastic straps that connect to the arms of your glasses so you can hang them around your neck!  Genious for kids!!!

Want more cruising posts?  Here is our full list.

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Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Cruise Shopping at Dollar Tree appeared first on EECC Travels.

This is how we pack for a cruise!

A week’s worth of clothing for two teenage boys

Each person packs…

• 1 casual outfit per day = shirt & shorts (mostly t-shirts or tanks but a couple of nicer shirts for the casual dinners)
• 1 full dress outfit (we usually only attend one formal night, but you can wear this outfit twice, you will only wear it for a few hours) OR if you feel you need two, pack two lightweight dresses for the girls and one dress outfit with two different ties for the guys.
• 1 pair of sneakers/walking shoes (wear these on your feet on embarkation day), 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals, 1 pair of dress shoes and possibly 1 pair of water shoes (some excursions require them)
• 1 pair of PJs
• 1-2 swimsuits
• Underwear & socks (enough for however many days you will be on the cruise)

Packing Cubes

Let’s talk a minute about packing cubes…  I have never used them before but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about so I bought one set to try out.  I packed one suitcase (my suitcase) in the packing cubes and used the rolling method for all of the others.  Let me back up one second to say that I used the rolling method WITH the packing cubes in my suitcase.

I really liked them!  I was able to organize all of my tops and dress and sweater in the large cube, my bottoms in the medium cube and swimwear in the small cube.  The set I bought also came with three pouches.  The largest pouch was the perfect size for underwear and I used the two smaller ones for jewelry, etc.

Can I live without them… yes.  But it was really nice to have the bag even one step more organized which is great for my over-organized personality!

My first time using packing cubes

Rolling Method

The rolling method is one thing I truly believe in!  Rolling the clothes very tightly saves a LOT of room and therefore you can fit more clothes in a smaller suitcase.  Also, rolling makes fewer wrinkles in nothing than folding.

Fold the shirt or pants in half and then roll from top to bottom.  Trust me, it really works!

Toiletries

Some items are provided for you like shampoo and body wash, but for the most part, you will need to bring what you need.  Here are a few suggestions:

• toothbrush & toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
• hairbrush
• curling iron or flat iron – hair dryer is provided but some prefer to bring their own
• hair gel or hair spray
• shampoo and conditioner
• deodorant
• perfume, jewelry, etc.
• make-up

I found a great toiletries organizational bag with lots of pouches of all sizes.  I was able to put the toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss on one zipper pouch, the deodorants in the other zipper pouch and the main area in the middle held the large items like shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and my hairbrush.

Proper Paperwork

• Boarding pass (printed during online check-in)
• Proper identification
  • Passport or birth certificate
  • State issued driver’s license

And the extras

• Power strip for additional plugs (no surge protector) – there is only ONE plug in the room (well sometimes two but not many)!
• Decorate your door – it makes your room easier to locate
• Backpack or beach bag
• SUNSCREEN and bring LOTS of it! Also, aloe gel in case of a sunburn – the Caribbean sun is intense!
• HAT! See above about the sun
• Sunglasses (and maybe a backup pair)
• Bug repellent for in port
• Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer – 4,000+ people = lots of germs
• Highlighter to mark the activities on board that you don’t want to miss
• Post-it notes or small dry erase board for messages
• Ziploc bags to put your cell phone/camera in while in port and to pack wet things in for the drive home
• Binoculars for looking off of the ship
• Small first aid kit (with band-aids)
• Over-the-counter medications and also any prescriptions you need
• Seasickness medicine (just in case) – Sea Bands, Dramamine or ginger work well
• Pop-up clothes hamper or laundry bag for dirty clothes
• In case of wanting to do laundry: detergent pods, dryer sheets & quarters for machines
• Tide pen or Shout wipes for spills on clothing
• Downy Wrinkle Releaser is great instead of ironing
• Lightweight sweater or jacket – it can get chilly on deck at night
• Clothespins are great for hanging wet swimsuits to dry on the line in the bathroom.
• Towel clips for beach towels – it can get very windy on deck
• Large cup with a lid for water and/or coffee, the cups are very small on the ship
• Portable radio to listen to the local music while in port
• Magnet hooks – cabin walls are metal so extra hooks for storage are great
• Over the door shoe hanger is great for the bathroom if you have lots of toiletries
• Lanyard for your sail & sign card
• Extra memory cards and batteries for your camera/video camera
• Carnival allows one bottle of wine (750ml) per adult and soda (12 pack) per person in carry-on luggage (NOTE: we use bungee cords to strap the 12 pack of soda to the top of our luggage)

Want more details on these extras?  Here is the full post.

PS – Don’t forget your wine needs to be in your carry-on, not your checked bag!!!!

Want a printable packing list?  Click here for Packing List

The post Packing for a Cruise – 7 days in a Carry-On Bag appeared first on EECC Travels.

The Breeze also has all of the new restaurants including Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig  & Anchor, Blue Iguana Cantina, Bonsai Sushi and Cucina del Capitano.

We will start on deck 3 and work our way up…

Deck 3

Carnival Breeze Atrium Lobby

Carnival Breeze Atrium Lobby

Carnival Breeze Ovation Theater

Carnival Breeze Ovation Theater

Carnival Breeze Ovation Theater (view from deck 4)

Carnival Breeze Sapphire Dining Room

Deck 4

Carnival Breeze Deck Map – these are at each elevator

Digital Pixels Gallery

Digital Pixels Gallery

Carnival Breeze Thrill Theater

Thrill Theater Ticket Prices

Circle C 12-14 Teen Club

Circle C 12-14 Teen Club Lounge Area

Circle C 12-14 Teen Club Gaming Center

Circle C 12-14 Teen Club

Club O2 15-17 Teen Club

Club O2 15-17 Teen Club Dance Floor

Club O2 15-17 teen Club

Club O2 15-17 Teen Club Lounge Area

Warehouse Arcade

Warehouse Arcade

Warehouse Arcade

Warehouse Arcade – my favorite game!!!

Blush Dining Room

Deck 5

Carnival Breeze Limelight Lounge

Limelight Lounge

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Piano Bar 88

Piano Bar 88

Liquid Nightclub

Liquid Nightclub

Red Frog Pub Indoor Patio

Red Frog Pub

Red Frog Pub

Red Frog Pub

Red Frog Pub Game Room with Shuffleboard and Foosball

Red Frog Pub Outdoor Patio

Alchemy Bar

Ocean Plaza

Pixels Gallery

Casino

Fun Shops

Fun Shops

Fun Shops

Fun Shops

Fun Shops

Let’s go outside on Deck 5

Deck 5 goes all the way around the ship… so go for a walk!

View from the front of the ship

View from the back of the ship

Deck 5 Walking Track

Deck 10 – Lido

Guy’s Burger Joint

Guy’s Burger Joint

Blue Iguana Cantina

Blue Iguana Cantina

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

Red Frog Rum Bar

Red Frog Rum Bar

Lido Pool with lots of fun towel animals

Lido Pool

Lido Pool Deck Area

Lido Pool at Night

Tides Pool

Deck 12 – Sports Square & Carnival WaterWorks

Sports Square Mini Golf & SkyCourse

Sports Square Mini Golf & SkyCourse

Sports Square Mini Golf

Sports Square Mini Golf & SkyCourse

Sports Square

Sports Square Basketball Court

Sports Square Outdoor Exercise

Carnival WaterWorks

Carnival WaterWorks

Carnival WaterWorks

Carnival WaterWorks

Carnival WaterWorks

I hope you have enjoyed this picture tour of the Carnival Breeze!

If you would like to see the video tour, here you go:

Do you want to see more cruise posts?  Click here.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Carnival Breeze: Full Ship Tour appeared first on EECC Travels.