Year 5, Day 120, “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 8/28/2025 – The Wellington – The oak treads leading into the house from the foyer were stained.
In the afternoon we transplanted our Maple tree. Hope we didn’t kill it. It is in transplant shock now.
In the early evening we found ourselves on the deck. When we opened the table umbrella out dropped a tree frog. We were afraid he was going to dry out. We spent a long time watering him. I think he liked it He just sat there as we sprinkled water on him.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4pvWhtZLeaf Blower Cordless with Battery: Steve’s new toy. He absolutely loves the convenience of being able to blow things off the deck easily.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 119, “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 8/27/2025 – The Wellington – Balcony railing day 4. Wow does it look good. A little paint touch up tomorrow and the balcony railing is complete.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/47W8XURMaui Jim Women’s Nalani Polarized Fashion Sunglasses: These are the absolute best sunglasses you can buy. So light weight you don’t even know you have them on. They block UV rays, reduce glare, and enhance color and definition. So many of my other sunglasses distort my vision. I can see perfect with these. They are my go to pair of sunglasses. Use them everyday.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 118, “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 8/26/2025 – The Wellington – Another full day of balcony railing. At least what we call a full day.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/47W8XURMaui Jim Women’s Nalani Polarized Fashion Sunglasses: These are the absolute best sunglasses you can buy. So light weight you don’t even know you have them on. They block UV rays, reduce glare, and enhance color and definition. So many of my other sunglasses distort my vision. I can see perfect with these. They are my go to pair of sunglasses. Use them everyday.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 117, “Living the Dream”. Monday, 8/25/2025 – The Wellington – Enough of our fun and games. It is budget time. We have decided we really need a stricter budget if we want to keep traveling and exploring. Also, Steve wants to pay off that new truck in the next year. We really don’t like being slave to a lender. First up is food shopping one day a week. I have developed a pattern of going to the grocery store everyday or every other day. That habit started when we were living off grid and had a tiny refrigerator and coolers. So today is grocery shopping day for the week. Let’s see how I do with not going into a grocery store till next Monday. Weekly shopping will help us cut back on impulse buying stuff that is also not healthy. Also we will have less waste as we will eat everything we buy. Bare cupboards by next Monday. Lol. We also looked around for better automobile insurance. We saved $1,200 on our six month policy by switching from Progressive to Liberty Mutual online. We did lower our Um/Uim coverage amounts a little. But I did do the same quote with Progressive. Oh yes Liberty Mutual is less expensive. Balcony railing looking fantastic!
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/47W8XURMaui Jim Women’s Nalani Polarized Fashion Sunglasses: These are the absolute best sunglasses you can buy. So light weight you don’t even know you have them on. They block UV rays, reduce glare, and enhance color and definition. So many of my other sunglasses distort my vision. I can see perfect with these. They are my go to pair of sunglasses. Use them everyday.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 116, “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 8/24/2025 – The Wellington – Started the balcony railing.
Listening to the cows talking.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/47W8XURMaui Jim Women’s Nalani Polarized Fashion Sunglasses: These are the absolute best sunglasses you can buy. So light weight you don’t even know you have them on. They block UV rays, reduce glare, and enhance color and definition. So many of my other sunglasses distort my vision. I can see perfect with these. They are my go to pair of sunglasses. Use them everyday.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 115, “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 8/23/2025 – The Wellington – Stair railing day 4. Construction has been slow moving since we got back from our last trip.
We are finding ourselves enjoying the quiet of nature.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/47W8XURMaui Jim Women’s Nalani Polarized Fashion Sunglasses: These are the absolute best sunglasses you can buy. So light weight you don’t even know you have them on. They block UV rays, reduce glare, and enhance color and definition. So many of my other sunglasses distort my vision. I can see perfect with these. They are my go to pair of sunglasses. Use them everyday.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 114, “Living the Dream”. Friday, 8/22/2025 – The Wellington – Steve’s new toy (a cordless leaf blower) video.
Foyer stair railing day 3.
That Maple tree is growing fast. It was a twig when we planted it in May. It was growing under a tree at Justin’s home. He dug it up and we planted here next to the Williamsburg. I mean really next to her. Steve said it would never grow. Well it is time to move it.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/47W8XURMaui Jim Women’s Nalani Polarized Fashion Sunglasses: These are the absolute best sunglasses you can buy. So light weight you don’t even know you have them on. They block UV rays, reduce glare, and enhance color and definition. So many of my other sunglasses distort my vision. I can see perfect with these. They are my go to pair of sunglasses. Use them everyday.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 113, “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 8/21/2025 – The Wellington – Back to the gym day! Oh does it feel good. The foyer railing was primed, and the first coat of black paint applied. Balusters are ready to be installed and will be put on tomorrow.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3I0ewHcBrooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral Running & Walking Shoe: Love Brooks for walking around the ports. The most comfortable for walking miles. Add this Insole for the best all day walking comfort Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch Insolehttps://amzn.to/4p8zIeR
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 112, “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 8/20/2025 – The Wellington – It is car maintenance day! She has been through a lot of traveling in hot weather this past month.
But actually, the main event is that it is finally a real back to work day. I am so excited and I just can’t hide it – The foyer railing is going up.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3I0ewHcBrooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral Running & Walking Shoe: Love Brooks for walking around the ports. The most comfortable for walking miles. Add this Insole for the best all day walking comfort Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch Insolehttps://amzn.to/4p8zIeR
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 111, “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 8/19/2025 – The Wellington – Marley and I had a lunch Birthday date to celebrate her 22nd birthday. In the evening, I sat on the deck reflecting on the day and writing. Then I realized – OMG – Marley and I forgot to take pictures. Well, just so you know she looked beautiful. 22 suits her.
It is the official back to work day marked by a Lowes trip. Getting stuff to finish the foyer and stairs. We were asked by a few employees – “Hey, where you guys been?”
The 56,500-square-foot Home2Suites Hotel next to Lowes is still being worked on. The previous Best Western at this site was destroyed in a fire March 29, 2023. The construction of this hotel started April 12, 2024. Look at the number of workers just in that picture. Most of the time, we have a crew of one. We should have the Wellington completed before our next getaway.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3I0ewHcBrooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral Running & Walking Shoe: Love Brooks for walking around the ports. The most comfortable for walking miles. Add this Insole for the best all day walking comfort Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch Insolehttps://amzn.to/4p8zIeR
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 110, “Living the Dream”. Monday, 8/18/2025 – The Wellington – Steve’s check up day. We are almost ready to go back to work.
While we are away Dorothy Roomba and Miss Piggy Roomba tried to escape. The cliff caught them.
Still vacation dreaming!
Look at how young!
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3I0ewHcBrooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral Running & Walking Shoe: Love Brooks for walking around the ports. The most comfortable for walking miles. Add this Insole for the best all day walking comfort Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch Insolehttps://amzn.to/4p8zIeR
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 109, “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 8/17/2025 – The Wellington – Cleaning up and organizing after being away continues. Today was car clean up day.
Then spent a little time discussing our future plans. Yikes. Steve already has his thoughts on another home. He says finishing this house should take about two months.
I started cleaning out the front porch planter and there are three baby birds living in it.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3I0ewHcBrooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral Running & Walking Shoe: Love Brooks for walking around the ports. The most comfortable for walking miles. Add this Insole for the best all day walking comfort Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch Insolehttps://amzn.to/4p8zIeR
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 108, “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 8/16/2025 – The Wellington – Front gardens are weeded and flowers deadheaded. Steve used the new lawn sweeper to clean up the clumps of grass. It looks like someone lives here again. The house sitter was just a house sitter. Definitely no garden work was done while we were away.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3I0ewHcBrooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral Running & Walking Shoe: Love Brooks for walking around the ports. The most comfortable for walking miles. Add this Insole for the best all day walking comfort Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch Insolehttps://amzn.to/4p8zIeR
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 107, “Living the Dream”. Friday, 8/15/2025 – The Wellington – Unbelievable how quickly our windshield was replaced. I put in the claim to Progressive yesterday on their mobile app and today Safelite came and replaced the windshield. The best part it is fully covered with no out of pocket costs. Kentucky, auto insurance policies with comprehensive coverage waive the deductible for windshield and other auto glass replacement claims. Florida, South Carolina, and Kentucky have specific laws. They offer free windshield replacement.
We bought a lawn sweeper in the afternoon. We were away 29 days and had our lawn mowed once during that time. The grass grows fast here in Kentucky. In two weeks it grew more than three inches. We had mounds of grass all over from our current mowing and the mowing two weeks ago. So we headed to Tractor Supply for another toy for Steve.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3I0ewHcBrooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral Running & Walking Shoe: Love Brooks for walking around the ports. The most comfortable for walking miles. Add this Insole for the best all day walking comfort Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch Insolehttps://amzn.to/4p8zIeR
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 106, “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 8/14/2025 – The Wellington – Happy Happy Birthday Marley. Woohoo 22 is a really nice age. Enjoy your birthday. We love you!
The party is over.
We spent the day unpacking, doing laundry, watering plants, trimming the grass, and grocery shopping. It will be a few days of clean up before we are back to construction work.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3I0ewHcBrooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral Running & Walking Shoe: Love Brooks for walking around the ports. The most comfortable for walking miles. Add this Insole for the best all day walking comfort Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch Insolehttps://amzn.to/4p8zIeR
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 105, “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 8/13/2025 Day 28 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 4 of 3 night Disney World Wilderness Lodge. We left the Wilderness Lodge at 5am. I waited for Steve to pull the car around to the front door of the Lodge in the dark. There were many bats dipping and flying around. Bats freak me out.
Spencer started kindergarten today. I heard he was so excited. When Reina pulled up to the school he jumped right out and said “Bye Mom”. Of course mom started crying.
Well I was crying also. We really had the best time on our travels. The best part was our three nights at DisneyWorld with family. I miss visiting DisneyWorld. But Mostly I didn’t want to leave Jenna, Jamie, Julianna, Jacob, and Joshua.
It was a long sad mostly boring drive home. Other than a rock struck our windshield and cracked it.
Then we were upset watching some dogs riding in the back of a pick up truck. I would have liked to smack the dog’s owner.
We were home around 6:30pm. When we left town 29 days ago a 7Brew was being constructed in Somerset. That 7Brew is open now. There was a line around the building. 7Brew has 480 locations. They can be found in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Because we drove straight home our trip was cut short by one day. This was a twenty eight day trip.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4n2FyMO Glass Cutting Boards for Kitchen, 2Pcs Chopping Board: I am throwing out all my plastic cutting boards and going with glass. The thought of eating more plastic has made me change. Glass boards are non-porous and highly durable. They offer a smooth, hard surface that resists stains and odors. I have heard they are hard on your knives though.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 104, “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 8/12/2025 Day 27 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 3 of 3 night Disney World Wilderness Lodge. Day 3 of 3 night Disney World. Animal Kingdom day.
Early morning coffee from the Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
We met up in the foyer of the Wilderness Lodge. Then we headed to a character breakfast buffet at the Tusker House Restaurant in Animal Kingdom. Food and service was great.
It is a hot hot day. After breakfast we headed to the Kilimanjaro Safari. It was a fun safari ride. Loved viewing the animals.
Park was pretty crowded and hot hot hot. We also rode the Dinosaur ride, Na’Vi River Journey, and Avatar Flight of Passage. The Dinosaur ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close in 2026. This is to make way for an Indiana Jones-themed attraction. DinoLand U.S.A. section of Animal Kingdom is being rethemed to Tropical Americas land. Avatar Flight of Passage was pretty intense for me. It’s a simulator which creates the illusion of flight. I must admit I closed my eyes alot.
We watched Finding Nemo show before we left the park.
In the evening Jenna and Jamie headed to Epcot. We took the kids to McDonald’s outside of Disney World We passed the park facilities buildings on the way. The kids loved it. They couldn’t believe there was a huge holiday storage building. And were amazed at the Monorail maintenance area. They took lots of pictures to show Mom and Dad.
Later they assisted me with making a video of our room 1008 at Wilderness Lodge.
We explored the outside of the Wilderness Lodge resort. We ended the night at the open air game room behind Geyser Point Bar and Grill. There we played table tennis, table soccer, pool and Corn Hole.
Jenna and Jamie met us by the lake behind the room. Where for the 6th time I had Happy Birthday sang to me. Wow – I feel so embraced with love. We all hugged goodbye. Heading home early in the morning.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4n2FyMO Glass Cutting Boards for Kitchen, 2Pcs Chopping Board: I am throwing out all my plastic cutting boards and going with glass. The thought of eating more plastic has made me change. Glass boards are non-porous and highly durable. They offer a smooth, hard surface that resists stains and odors. I have heard they are hard on your knives though.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 103, “Living the Dream”. Monday, 8/11/2025 Day 26 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 2 of 3 night Disney World Wilderness Lodge. Day 2 of 3 night Disney World. Epcot Day. Jenna and her family are really loving this xx year old stuff. They even decorated our door while we were sleeping.
In the morning we ran to Walmart to pick up some stuff. We stopped at McDonalds and bought coffee for 89 cents a cup. In the afternoon we bought coffee to go at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for $4.57 a cup. What a difference. McDonalds coffee was actually better tasting. Our room at the Wilderness Lodge is on the ground floor. I stepped outside the slider and the door lock fell apart.
We then took the Disney transportation bus from The Wilderness Lodge to Epcot Center.
One of us it seems is picked to have their bags searched and be wanded by security. Yesterday at Magic Kingdom it was Jacob and today it is Joshua.
We headed right to Spaceship Earth. It had technical difficulties and closed down while we waited on line. We have the Disney MagicBands and they are so worth it. You wear it on your wrist and don’t have to worry about any cards (room or charge). It also provides access to the Lightning Lane if you purchase the Lightning Lane passes. These passes allow you to skip the standby line and join a shorter line. You can choose up to three multiple pass experiences and arrival windows in a theme park before you get there. Then as you use one you can add another subject to availability. There is an additional charge for this feature though. Disney does not give anything away. The cost is about $15-$39 per person per day. Thank you, Jenna and Jamie. Without these passes, we never would have been able to ride as many rides as we did.
One of the best attractions here at Epcot is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. This ride is located in the France Pavillion. It is a trackless 3D ride.
We had lunch at Tutto Italia Ristorante located in the middle of the Italy Pavilion. And of course another Happy Birthday song.
It is amazing. If you look up in Epcot at dusk, you will see thousands of bats flying over the World Showcase Lagoon. This is the reason there are not any mosquitoes in Epcot. A single bat can eat about three thousand mosquitoes in one night.
In the evening we watched Luminous The Symphony of Us fireworks in Epcot over World Showcase Lagoon. A little blooper video and the full show follows.
It was spectacular.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4n2FyMO Glass Cutting Boards for Kitchen, 2Pcs Chopping Board: I am throwing out all my plastic cutting boards and going with glass. The thought of eating more plastic has made me change. Glass boards are non-porous and highly durable. They offer a smooth, hard surface that resists stains and odors. I have heard they are hard on your knives though.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 102, “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 8/10/2025 DAY 25 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 8 of 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Seashore – Day 1 of 3 night Disney World Wilderness Lodge. Off the Seashore and in Magic Kingdom by 10am. Goodbye Seashore.
We met up with Jenna, Jamie, Julianna, Jacob, and Joshua at the Wilderness Lodge. We will be spending three nights there. This is my birthday surprise celebration from Jenna and Jamie. Thank you so much. Look at my Mickey ears and pin. Jenna’s family had a bet going if I would wear the ears or not. We haven’t been to Disney World in years. Steve says I am going to be spoiled and will want to start vacationing here again. We headed to Magic Kingdom. It was not very crowded at all and the weather was good. We went on more rides than I thought we would in a few hours. The only one I wouldn’t do was Space Mountain. I waited it out talking to a woman about traveling. We probably have not been here in 15 years. Oh no I am starting to like it.
In a few hours I have been told Happy Birthday about 30 times. Ugg that pin Jenna bought. Later we checked into our room at the Disney Wilderness Lodge. Nice room, video will come before we check out.
We cleaned up and rode the boat to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Good show. Food okay. Thank you Jenna and Jamie. Hey the woman would not tell the room my real age. I must be toooo old.
Before I forget here is a review of our
7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on the MSC Seashore.
Balcony room 10021
Pros
Clean
Bright
Robes provided for Diamond
Quiet and relaxing room
Most comfortable bed of our whole 29 day vacation
We thought there was a smell coming up from sink. We mentioned it and kept the sink drain closed. They couldn’t seem to find where it is coming from to fix it. Then they found a sewage pipe was clogged. They unclogged it and the smell is gone.
Liquid soap at bathroom sink.
Cons
Balcony has solid railing so when you sit down you can’t see anything
2. Shower is super tiny
3. Yucky stain on the comforter. Pretty gross. I noticed it was changed a day two. The cabin attendant must have noticed the stain.
4. Robe in room had ripped up belt.
Food
Pros
The Marketplace buffet is huge
2. Food in buffet has a tremendous variety
3. Buffet is clean and arranged really nice.
4. The ordered vegetable omelette in the buffet was heavenly.
5. Pizza outrageously good.
6. Coffee wonderful
7. Ice cream cones are larger and taste much better than Royal Caribbean.
8. Your plates are picked up and tables cleaned quickly in the Marketplace buffet.
9. The macaroons are the best on this ship
10. Dining room served birthday cake without even being asked.
Cons
They had a gluten free station, but everyone was handling the utensils. They should serve at that station to avoid cross contamination
2. No one ever said wash or sanitize your hands.
3. Dining room servers are confused a lot and would forget your drinks and bring incorrect desserts.
4. Dining room Filet Mignon was really tough.
5. Asparagus was stringy and you could not chew it
Casino
Clean and not smoky. Hey we came out ahead and played longer for the money we put in than Royal Caribbean
General
Pro
Unbelievable smiling happy employees everywhere. No one was grumpy. These guys have the attitude
Con
Ship has plumbing problems. Leaks and smells in different places.
2. MSC crew badges do not say where they are from like Royal does.
3. No day in the MSC elevator floor like Royal has.
Ocean Cay
Lovely nice quiet beach
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4n2FyMO Glass Cutting Boards for Kitchen, 2Pcs Chopping Board: I am throwing out all my plastic cutting boards and going with glass. The thought of eating more plastic has made me change. Glass boards are non-porous and highly durable. They offer a smooth, hard surface that resists stains and odors. I have heard they are hard on your knives though.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 101, “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 8/09/2025 DAY 24 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 7 of 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Seashore. At Sea traveling from Cozumel, Mexico to Port Canaveral, Florida. We love sea days. The buffet is empty at 7am. On port days everyone is up early. Sea days people sleep in.
Here’s a few videos from today. First the Casino
Then the Marketplace buffet at dinner time
The sea traffic is getting heavier as we move closer to the Florida coastline. It intensifies as we near the Florida ports.
Pizza, Pizza, Pizza – YUM MSC Pizza, I will miss!!
We have our luggage tags and we are so nut ready to leave the ship. They are throwing us off the ship. Although, we are excited to see our Daughter and her family starting tomorrow.
We spend a little time saying Goodbye to the ship and her crew. They have been great to us and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
Room duck is also saying goodbye.
Launch tomorrow, but we will be almost to Disney World by that time.
Today’s dining room menus:
Daily Planner Day 7 – At Sea traveling from Cozumel, Mexico to Port Canaveral, Florida
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4n2FyMO Glass Cutting Boards for Kitchen, 2Pcs Chopping Board: I am throwing out all my plastic cutting boards and going with glass. The thought of eating more plastic has made me change. Glass boards are non-porous and highly durable. They offer a smooth, hard surface that resists stains and odors. I have heard they are hard on your knives though.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 100, “Living the Dream”. Friday, 8/08/2025 DAY 23 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 6 of 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Seashore. Cozumel, Mexico 7:30am-5pm.
We have hidden some ducks. I met a lady in the elevator who was all excited. She had found one of our ducks. We never said it was one of ours. It is so much fun to see the joy of people finding your ducks.
Last night MSC delivered this beautiful cake to our table for my birthday. We didn’t order it or mention it. It just arrived. Thank you MSC. That was so sweet of you. Also it was the best cake I have had in a long time. It was light and airy. Reminded me of like a Boston cream pie without the chocolate.. So good. MSC is a great caring cruise line.
This morning we are in Cozumel, Mexico. Here is a link to some of our other visits to Cozumel. Mexican Ports – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count https://deestimes.com/mexican-ports/
Eating breakfast we are spellbound watching the Frigatebirds soar over the ocean. These magnificent mostly black birds fly on outstretched pterodactyl-like wings with their head drawn into their shoulders. They have very long and narrow wings and long, deeply-forked tails. Their wings were held in a crook, or “kink”, shape, like an Osprey. Their bills are long and hooked. They rarely flapped their wings and when they did it was a slow and deep wingbeat. They are kind of mean and disgusting though. They chase other birds, including frigatebirds. They force them to regurgitate their recent meal and then scoop it up before it hits the water. They look very graceful in the air. However, they have small feet and short legs. This makes it nearly impossible for them to walk on land. The ones we were watching were males. Females have a white chest. The Magnificent Frigatebird is common and widespread along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Mexico. I could have watched them all day.
But alas we decided we should get off the ship. We are the only ship at the Punta Langosta, International Pier today.
I can see a Carnival ship docked further down at the other port. In Cozumel everyone wants you to come into their shops. We walked down the water front for about an hour and meandered in and out of some shops. It is hot, humid, and sunny.
We headed back to the ship. We decided we should find out about laundry service since our next leg of our journey is Disney World. We could use some clean clothes. We obtained a bag and the price list and decided we would do our laundry off the ship. The laundry prices are steep and you pay by the piece.
We watched a huge truck carting garbage from the ship. The MSC Seashore is like a small town. Imagine the amount of garbage we are creating everyday.
For the last two days the ship has been conducting Mandatory elevator safety tests. They would close the elevators for about an hour and then announce the elevators are good. Well this afternoon we found out why. We got into a full elevator on deck 10 heading to deck 16. Mind you inside the elevators it is hot. The elevator stops moving. Jerks up and down a few times, and the floor lights all go out. Oh yes everyone in the elevator gets quiet. Then it is where is the alarm button. Hey guy next to the door push the alarm button. So then the elevator starts descending floors. Well it ended up opening on the 7th floor. I found a phone and called guest services. They started arguing with me that they were testing the elevators and we shouldn’t be in them. No they just announced the elevators were back up and ready to use. She got nasty and I got nasty back. Finally she said I will contact someone. Okay a few minutes later they closed the elevators again for mandatory testing. They were offline for about an hour. Now I understand why the mandatory safety testing. Ha they are closing it due to issues and trying to resolve those issues. Seems like a computer program issue.
I think I might feel safer on the Bridge of Sighs than the elevators.
Afternoon delight is MSC pizza.
Watching the Pier runners at departure time is hysterical. It is pretty funny how excited people on the ship get when they see people running up the pier.
After dinner we sat in bed looking at more cruises. Imagine that, we weren’t looking at house plans or ordering supplies from Lowes. One of our favorite cruises was our transpacific to Australia. We really want to do one again. But this year at that time we will be doing a Mediterranean cruise back to back with a transatlantic. So many places to see and not enough time in my lifetime to experience them all. Here’s a link to our Transpacific on Ovation of the Seas. What a great trip. https://deestimes.com/ovation-of-the-seas/
Today’s dining room menus:
Daily Planner Day 4 – Cozumel, Mexico
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4n2FyMO Glass Cutting Boards for Kitchen, 2Pcs Chopping Board: I am throwing out all my plastic cutting boards and going with glass. The thought of eating more plastic has made me change. Glass boards are non-porous and highly durable. They offer a smooth, hard surface that resists stains and odors. I have heard they are hard on your knives though.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 99, “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 8/07/2025 DAY 22 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 5 of 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Seashore. Costa Maya, Mexico from 8:30am – 6pm.
Thank you everyone for all the Birthday wishes. It is a big one, I am 25,567 days old today. Doesn’t that sound better than years. Last night we went to Butcher’s Cut for dinner. Butcher’s Cut is a specifically restaurant on MSC cruise ships. It is a steakhouse. One of our perks of being Diamond with the MSC Voyager club is we get a Specialty Restaurant tasting menu.
We made a reservation a few nights ago for this restaurant for 5:30pm. The restaurant opened at 5:30pm. We were quickly seated at a table by the window and served still water. The cost would have been $55.00 each unless you bought a package of a few nights dinner at specialty restaurants. The restaurant is very nice, server was excellent, and the food was good. The only downside was the portions were huge, and the music was loud. As the restaurant filled up, people started talking louder and louder to be heard over the music. It was 70’s night on the ship and the music playing was Led Zepellan Stairway to Heaven. Loved the music, but not for a specialty restaurant with bad acoustics.
Morning coffee and a freshly made omelete starts the day right. Omelete making station video
Then off the ship early in Costa Maya, Mexico.
As we were walking down the pier one of the crew was standing looking at the back of the ship. He says, “Hi – how is your cruise going? Are you headed out on an excursion?” We said, Great”. I spoke up in my infinite wisdom. I couldn’t help but put my foot in my mouth and asked, “What do you do on the ship?” He laughs and says. ” I’m the Captain”. I think he was checking how he parked the ship. So of course I had to get a picture. What a nice guy. So we learned today that different symbols represent captain depending on the country. MSC is an Italian line and a round circle represents a Bridge officer. His name plate said Master of the Vessel. Captain Domenico Calise joined the MSC Cruises family as a Staff Captain in 2023.
We walked around the port viewing everything on land and sea.
We spent a lot of time talking to Valentin a store clerk. He lives in Cancun and works in the Port when cruise ships are in. He is 75 and says 50 years ago it was not as hot here and the ocean water was refreshing. Now the water is warm and not refreshing at all.
On July 17, 2025, Royal Caribbean became administrators of the port. They have begun working on the development of Perfect Day Mahahual. Royal Caribbean also bought 34 surrounding properties for roughly $295 million. Perfect Day Mexico is expected to open for Royal Caribbean guests in Fall 2027. This new park will encompass 200 acres have 30 slides and the longest lazy river in the World. Here’s a video tour of Costa Maya, Mexico Cruise Port.
FYI – They went into the wall by our bathroom and cleaned and sanitized it. Smell gone again. Crew is getting some fresh air cleaning balconies and washing a lot of windows this afternoon.
Today I learned not to tell anyone on the ship it is your birthday. Everyone wants to give you a special drink. Tonight is white night!
Today’s dining room menus:
Daily Planner Day 4 – Costa Maya, Mexico
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4n2FyMO Glass Cutting Boards for Kitchen, 2Pcs Chopping Board: I am throwing out all my plastic cutting boards and going with glass. The thought of eating more plastic has made me change. Glass boards are non-porous and highly durable. They offer a smooth, hard surface that resists stains and odors. I have heard they are hard on your knives though.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 98, “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 8/06/2025 DAY 21 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 4 of 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Seashore. Isla de Roatan from 9:30am to 6pm. The last two nights we have turned our clocks back one hour. So right now we are two hours behind eastern time. We were up early and headed to the Marketplace buffet for breakfast at 6:50am. The venue opened for breakfast at 7am. OMG it is packed when we get there. Here’s a video.
Sitting and eating we realize that to everyone it is 8am. That explains why it is packed. Different ships handle time changes differently. Some don’t ever change time. They say to stay on ships time. Crew has told me the captain determines if they change time or not. Tried a Spinach Empanada for breakfast. Wow it was delicious.
Okay yesterday we thought the odor issue was fixed in our cabin. Today after breakfast we went back to our cabin. Wow does it smell. I love everything about this ship, but this smell issue. I don’t think I will come back on her because of this. Pulling into Isla de Roatan it is amazing . The water is crystal clear. The hills have some really huge villas. We are the only ship in the port.
We are docked and disembarking at 9am at Port of Roatan in Coxen Hole, Honduras. We walked around the port. Here are some pictures from our morning in the port. Some local musicians were playing on the piers as we walked into the port. There is a nice swimming area with a sandy beach and lots of massage bed stations set up. Of course there is the normal stores with sales people harassing you to come into them
Below is a little video of this port. This port has seen a major upgrade since we were here last.
In the Afternoon we boarded the ship. We went and sat on deck 18 by the Long Island Bar. We watched planes land at the Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport.
23% of the air traffic flowing into the country of Honduras flys into this airport. A lot of planes use this airport. It is located on Roatan Island, about 35 miles off the coast of Honduras. This airport is the 10th busiest airport in Central America and is less than 2 miles from us. We watched a few planes land and take off on the 7,359 foot runway. I can see the Carnival Magic and the Enchanted Princess docked in the distance. Carnival and Princess Cruise lines utilize the Mahogany Bay Cruise Center in Roatan. It is located in Dixon Cove, on the southwestern coast of the island. They are approximately three miles east of the Port of Roatan (Coxen Hole) where we are docked. That port is owned and operated by Carnival Corporation.
Of course we looked at a few house plans also.
Little bits of trivia for you from this cruise.
1) The walk to the elevator from our balcony stateroom 10021 is 157 steps. On the walk to the elevator there are 12 huge pictures of The lighthouse of Chania, Greece. This lighthouse is located at the entrance of the port of Chania, on the island of Crete, Greece. It is also known as the Egyptian Lighthouse.
2) MSC cruise ships do not have deck 17. Italians associate the number 17 with bad luck, misfortune, and things you’d rather not think about on holiday.
3) The Macaron was brought to France from Italy in the 16th century by Queen Catherine de’ Medici’s pastry chefs. The modern, filled macaron evolved in France, eventually becoming the sandwich-like cookie we know today.
4) ) As an MSC Diamond rewards club member you get a Specialty Restaurant Menu Tasting. You get to pick one Appetizer or soup. You can also choose one Entree and one Dessert off of the menu. All of this is free including breads and coffee or tea are free. If there is an additional charge by the menu item you would pay 50% of that charge. Here is the menu for Butcher’s Cut. We are heading there this evening.
Today’s dining room menus:
Daily Planner Day 3 – Isla de Roatan, Honduras
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/41m02YG Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Spray: Dermatologist recommended. This sunscreen is my new favorite. I feel comfortable using it on my face because it is formulated for sensitive skin. It also is free from fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and chemical active ingredients. Great product. I use this before going out in the sun, but also carry the stick in my purse https://amzn.to/461Ty3E
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 97, “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 8/05/2025 DAY 20 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 3 of 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Seashore. At Sea traveling from Ocean Cay, Bahamas to Isla de Roatan. Honduras. Just hanging on the ship. A little walking around and exploring. There is so much to see on the ship. You have to explore all the little nooks and crannies.
a little eating, and little sitting at the many bars
A little casino time.
Here is a video of Deck 8
Here is a video of Deck 18
So far the food has been fabulous with a few hiccups. Breakfast at the buffet is great again today. The freshly made vegetable omelet was wonderful. The bacon was not done enough for me, but Steve loves it. Lunch in the Marketplace buffet is a food connoisseurs dream. Displayed so nicely with lots of options. The pasta cold and hot was very tasty. The sweet and sour cauliflower was a delight to my palate. The hard part is to not load up your plate. I fully understand why people put way to much food on their plate and then can’t eat it. I am very selective and careful with what I put on my plate. Ugg, if it goes on my plate, it goes in my mouth. Then it goes to my stomach. It goes right to parts of my body that want to just hang on to it. Years ago, we met a man in a buffet. He would walk around loading his plate muttering “not too much, not too much.” Yup that is me but not saying it out loud. In the afternoon we visited the sports bar. Great bartenders who make their drinks way toooo strong. This feather weight is not going back there. The food I saw delivered looked so good.
Tonight was Gala night.
The Central Park Restaurant was very busy. Our dinner time is 5:15pm. We have been sitting with two other couples. They are very nice so it is an enjoyable time. Tonight the servers seemed off. They never provided the hot tea I requested. They also kept delivering wrong desserts to our table. The Chicken Scaloppini was tender and tasty. The sauce was very lemony though. The asparagus was stringy and hard to chew. The Filet Mignon was tough. Everyone at our table didn’t finish it.
They have taken care of our room odor issue in our cabin. We think it was a leak in one of the sewer line. They mentioned a clog. Guest services called and said they are delivering a little of Champagne because of the inconvenience. Very nicely done MSC! Did I mention we did a little bit of house dreaming also.
Today’s dining room menus:
Daily Planner Day 3 – At Sea traveling from Ocean Cay, Bahamas to Isla de Roatan, Honduras
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/41m02YG Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Spray: Dermatologist recommended. This sunscreen is my new favorite. I feel comfortable using it on my face because it is formulated for sensitive skin. It also is free from fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and chemical active ingredients. Great product. I use this before going out in the sun, but also carry the stick in my purse https://amzn.to/461Ty3E
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 96, “Living the Dream”. Monday, 8/04/2025 DAY 19 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 2 of 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Seashore. Ocean Cay, Bahamas today. Woke up this morning to someone’s underwear on our balcony. SAY WHAT?
I pull my robe out of the closet and look at how torn up the belt is. Hmm – Not a great way to welcome a cruise guest MSC.
The Bahamas consist of nearly 700 coral islands. Around 30 of the islands are inhabited. The Bahamas is located in the West Atlantic Ocean. It is 100 kilometres south-east of Florida in the United States. It is also 80 kilometres north-east of Cuba. The islands are generally flat and low-lying. Ocean Cay is 65 miles east of Miami, Florida. MSC Group is developing another island about a third the size of Ocean Cay. It was created from the dredging deposited while widening the channel and turning basin next to Ocean Cay. Appears like it will be a luxury resort area.
We pull into Ocean Cay as we are eating breakfast in the Marketplace buffet.
So let me tell you about this buffet. It is wonderful. Yesterday’s lunch was fantastic and now breakfast can’t be beat. The food is all over in different sections. The variety is fantastic. The appearance appetizing. The taste wow. So much better than the Royal Caribbean food. Ordered a vegetable omelet. Yum sensory overload. Music is a jazzy Caribbean type. Nice, I love it. Also the employees are super smiley and happy. They freely engage with the passengers.
It is sunny here. I am ready to treat my face and shoulders as needed on the beach. Blue Lizard is the best. Here’s a link where you can purchase on Amazon. You can buy the spray and this handy dandy little purse-sized one also. https://deestimes.com/amazon-product-recommendations/
We are off the ship and on the closest beach at 8:45am. It is already hot. This beach is more natural than CocoCay. We decided to just stay by the ship in the morning. There was a nice little set of chairs and table under the trees. What a lovely view of the ship and the lighthouse. Added bonus is the refreshing breeze blowing through. This is heaven. The water is wonderful here. I don’t see any jelly fish.
The absolute best part about Ocean Cay is that they have these feet washing stations. I love these. I can actually rinse that pesky, nasty sand off my feet before I step back on the ship. Royal Caribbean needs to put these in at CocoCay. Have I mentioned that I don’t like the beach. Maybe this sandy walk back to my room is the reason.
Oh look on our door we did get our 5:15pm dining time.
In the Afternoon we headed to the Marketplace buffet for pizza.
As I am walking around I look at tables where people have left. It is amazing that people take so much food and then leave it. The food waste from cruise ships is about 30% of what they make. That is a lot of waste considering the sheer volume of food prepared and served. I don’t understand why they don’t serve you at the buffet. People would be embarrassed to take heaping plates of food. Globally, about one-third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted. It appears as though cruise ship buffets are big contributors to this issue.
Exploring the ship outside and in.
Oh look – there’s the casino!!!
No day sign in the elevator like Royal. OMG how will I remember the day. I know where I am in this elevator. I know what deck to depart on and also what time to be back. Much better information than the day of the week.
It clouded up in the afternoon. In the evening we had some great pictures taken. Tahnks MSC for making me look so good. HAHA.
Just like Royal Caribbean there is the constant upsell. In our room advertisements – ugg.
Today’s dining room menus:
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/41m02YG Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Spray: Dermatologist recommended. This sunscreen is my new favorite. I feel comfortable using it on my face because it is formulated for sensitive skin. It also is free from fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and chemical active ingredients. Great product. I use this before going out in the sun, but also carry the stick in my purse https://amzn.to/461Ty3E
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 95, “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 8/03/2025 DAY 18 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 1 of 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Seashore. Boarding in Port Canaveral at terminal 10. Our boarding time today is 1pm. Quick breakfast, packed up, and departed the Hilton Garden Inn SeaWorld Orlando, Florida around 9:40am
Driving in Central Florida on Route 528 from Orlando to Port Canaveral this morning we spot the dump. The only mountains in Central Florida are dumps.
We stopped at Wawa and energized our car and ourselves (gas and coffee). There were no cashiers in the Wawa. Self check out only?
We spent some time at Macy’s at the Merritt Square Mall. We then headed to Port Canaveral cruise port Terminal 10. The first sighting of our new home. The butterflies are stirring in my stomach.
We are parked in the parking garage at Noon. At the MSC parking garage you pay for parking ahead of time as you pull in. The cost was $145.52 for this 7 night cruise. We parked on the 4th deck of the parking garage. We didn’t drop off our luggage before we parked. We used the garage elevator to go down from the 4th floor. We left our two pieces of luggage with the cruise terminal baggage handlers at the ground level.
We crossed the street and waited in line for a short while outside. It was hot and sunny. The line meandered down the sidewalk, across another street, and up some stairs into the terminal. Once the line started moving it moved very quickly.
Once we were inside the terminal we checked in through the Diamond line very quickly and were on board. The regular boarding line was very long. I put my purse in my backpack. When it went through the security x-ray machine it was flagged. I had to remove my wallet and send it back through the machine. Change shows as a black mass and blocks viewing. I am still learning things. Walking into the ship is like a live techno color world. Everything feels energized where with Royal Caribbean it is lively but homey.
Both cruise lines have the up selling thing going on. I can’t help but compare to our last cruise. It is all in the size of the ship. This ship is larger than our previous ones. We were just on the Adventure of the Seas and the Jewel of the Seas with Royal Caribbean. We found our assembly station. We checked in very quickly. This process is the same on both cruise lines. We were told at our assembly station check in that we could proceed directly to our room. We were allowed to drop off items and use the restroom. However, we were not to stay in the room. You find your keys outside the door.
We are Bella on the ship with a guaranteed balcony stateroom. We were assigned stateroom 10021. This stateroom is on the Port side forward. A few decks over us is the bridge. You are allowed to drop off items, use the bathroom and change if you want. But the rooms were not ready until 3pm. I like that people are not running around banging me with luggage before the rooms opened. I tried to get a quick stateroom video while we dropped off our stuff in the room. Here is a detailed video of balcony stateroom 10021.
Also here is a video of stateroom 10272 from our last stay on Seashore Living the Dream – Year 2, Day 7 – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count https://share.google/iD4dXm6gopLt1WU1B. Prosecco was waiting in our room.
Nice terminal views from our balcony.
We went to the dining room to check out our main dining seating. We were assigned 7:15pm dinner in the Central Park Restaurant and decided that we really wanted 5:15pm. We requested a change, but we will see tomorrow if it happens.
We headed to the Marketplace buffet. I love how the food is spread out. This buffet restaurant is huge and the assortment of food is great. Pizza and spring rolls were excellent.
Luggage was delivered quickly to our room. I love the way MSC handles your luggage. On a rolling cart and gently. Royal Caribbean tends to just heave and throw it around.
Pulling away sights.
Later in the evening we went and saw a magician perform in the Madison Theatre.
Daily Planner Day 1 – Departing Port Canaveral
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/41m02YG Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Spray: Dermatologist recommended. This sunscreen is my new favorite. I feel comfortable using it on my face because it is formulated for sensitive skin. It also is free from fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and chemical active ingredients. Great product. I use this before going out in the sun, but also carry the stick in my purse https://amzn.to/461Ty3E
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 94, “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 8/02/2025 DAY 17 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 2 of 2 at SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida. The Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at SeaWorld has been refurbished. It is much nicer than the last time we were here. The room is nice and clean. The bed and pillow were not as comfortable as the cruise ships we just got off of. The bed on Adventure of the Seas and both rooms on Jewel of the Seas had more comfortable beds. I love that this hotel has signs in the hallways that show you where the elevators are. I have a real problem with going in the wrong direction to find an elevator.
The Breakfast buffet was excellent in the hotel. The cost was $16.99 a person.
After breakfast we headed off to SeaWorld. We walked over because we did not have to pay for additional parking. We paid $15.00 a night to park at the hotel.
We had bought our park tickets online a few months ago. It was $99.00 for two days for each of us.
It is sweaty hot here. Within an hour this morning we have been approached by sales people for vacations and vacation timeshares. One was in the Hotel and one in SeaWorld. When we got through the park gates the star spangled banner played to announce the opening of the park. Not one person stopped what they were doing to face the flag. We stopped and an employer said to us “Hi guys the flag is over there”. They did stop letting people into the park while it played though. The park is very quiet this morning.
An hour later with the sweat dripping off of us we head to the penguin exhibit to get cool. We will be in the Antarctica in January 2027.
Here they have changed the ride from a simulation to a family coaster. Okay, I usually watch everyone else ride the coasters. Well we get up to the ride and an employee is down on the ground. The park EMT’s are called and they stop the ride.
As we are standing there, we see the news about the amusement park ride in Saudi Arabia. It collapsed on Wednesday. The “360 Big Pendulum” ride snapped in two, sending the part carrying people crashing to the ground. https://www.cnn.com/…/saudi-arabia-amusement-park-ride…. We decided to just leave the ride. But it was nice and cool in there. SeaWorld is considered the roller coaster capital of Orlando. Here you will find eight coasters. If you ride them all you will travel 4.5 miles.
A 20 ounce bottle of Dasani water is $5.26 and they ask if you want to leave a tip. See why we go on cruises.
The park is very clean and educational about sea life. The employees we spoke with near the animal exhibits were working towards being marine biologists or were already one.
In the afternoon the park swelled with visitors and we decided to leave and head to the outlets.
Oh my the outlets are packed. It is absolutely packed everywhere you go in this touristy area.
Then back to the Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at SeaWorld for a video tour of our room 708.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/41m02YG Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Spray: Dermatologist recommended. This sunscreen is my new favorite. I feel comfortable using it on my face because it is formulated for sensitive skin. It also is free from fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and chemical active ingredients. Great product. I use this before going out in the sun, but also carry the stick in my purse https://amzn.to/461Ty3E
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 93, “Living the Dream”. Friday, 8/01/2025 DAY 16 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 5 of 4 night Bahamas and Perfect Day Cruise on Jewel of the Seas. Day 1 of 2 at SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida. Departed ship in Fort Lauderdale and drove to SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida. Walk off departure in Fort Lauderdale started at 7am. We traveled 454 Nautical Miles on our four day cruise.
We departed the ship with group 20 at 8am in Fort Lauderdale and headed to Orlando.
We drove up Interstate 95. Then we took 60 west for 35 miles through nothing into Oceola County. After that, we got on Florida’s Turnpike. It is amazing how much open land there is in Florida. I wonder how many gators there are.
We hit a Laundromat in Orlando. It’s been a long time since I fed a machine quarters. Interesting enough, there were mostly men doing laundry (like 11 men and two women).
Tonight we are in the Hilton Garden Inn by SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. A little park walk and then off to bed.
Here’s a review of our 4 night cruise on Jewel of the Seas. Jewel of the seas 4 night review
Balcony room 7092 – Pros
Clean bright room
Nice large balcony.
Carpeting appears to be new
Cleaned everyday and bed made
We received robes and upgraded amenities for being diamond plus
Great stateroom attendant
Comfortable bed
Balcony room 7092 – Cons
Balcony is not very private It is close to the centrum and extremely loud in the evenings until 11pm. Louder than balcony room 7600 where we had previously stayed.
The toilet had an issue and didn’t flush all the time. The bathroom sink is not vented properly. The water drains slowly and bubbles up as it is draining.
The middle glass shelf in the bathroom cabinet is not secured and fell. The stateroom attendant fixed it. But it just sits on some screws.
Ship is old and sitting on our balcony you are looking at a lot of rusty metal.
Food – Pros
Nice variety of food in the Windjammer buffet and everything was very good
The food in the dinning room was just okay. Nothing special to say wow or even recommend
Dining room has excellent servers.
Food – Cons
Multiple times there was slightly warm water for hot tea and slightly warm coffee set out in the Windjammer buffet.
Three or four times I was served a drink from a bar with a chipped rim on my glass. This even happened in the Crown Lounge.
Casino
Clean and not smoky. In fact they were announcing no smoking before casino opens and also if not playing.
Crown Lounge – Pros
In between cruises the lounge was thoroughly cleaned along with the food area. I watched someone come in and inspect it. He also checked the temperature of items.
Concierge was excellent.
Bar servers were great
Crown Lounge – Cons
First time I was actually approached by next cruise to purchase an open booking
General Pros
The employees are fantastic and we were treated very nicely. I would say the employees are very loyal to Royal. Met a few employees who remembered us from other cruise ships.
General Cons
Main Pool was cloudy.
Spa – Pros
Prices are high, but the manicure pedicures are the best.
Spa – Cons
You have to realize that an experience in the spa is filled with sales pitches. Kind of annoying. They try to sell you eye cream, face cream, body scrub, hair conditioner, or anything they think they can. LEAVE ME ALONE PLEASE!! They even try to sell you services (hair styling, massages, acupuncture, teeth whitening, or any other upgrade they think they can get more money from you)
Windjammer Buffet
Black tile floors near beverages are filthy. Even when they first open that floor is very dirty.
The chairs outside in the rear eating area are extremely uncomfortable if your bare legs sit on them. I walked away with horrible hurting indentations in the back of my legs the first time we ate outside. After that, I shifted to the edge of the chair. This way, my bare legs below my shorts did not rest on the seat. Wearing pants you will be okay.
Loyal Ambassador
Very nice and helpful
We met with her to change our room amenities from wine to tote bags and toiletry bags.
Weather and Seas
It was very calm and sunny. We meandered along most of time. Like floating in a bathtub.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/41m02YG Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Spray: Dermatologist recommended. This sunscreen is my new favorite. I feel comfortable using it on my face because it is formulated for sensitive skin. It also is free from fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and chemical active ingredients. Great product. I use this before going out in the sun, but also carry the stick in my purse https://amzn.to/461Ty3E
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 92, “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 7/31/2025 DAY 15 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 4 of 4 night Bahamas and Perfect Day Cruise on Jewel of the Seas. At Sea traveling from Perfect Day at CocoCay to Fort Lauderdale on Jewel of the Seas.
Casino video tour.
The water is like a smooth lake. We spent a lot of time outside watching the ships around us.
We are slowly cruising along. Utopia is along side of us in the morning. It is like momma ship leading her baby home. Around noon time she appears to be moving further away from us. She is headed to Port Canaveral and we are headed to Port Everglades. We are ready for our next adventure. SeaWorld, Orlando for two days.
We picked up our two free photos. We ate dinner and packed up. We attached our luggage tags and set the luggage outside our door in the evening. We are ready to depart the ship in the morning.
Cruise Compass day 4 – At Sea traveling from Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4f2f0Zc Miracles-Grows Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food: I use this monthly on all my inside plants. It is amazing how green and luscious they look after a nice feeding. They are glowing happy full plants. Steve does the outside ones also, but not as often.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned
Year 5, Day 91, “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 7/30/2025 DAY 14 of 29 day Florida, Caribbean, SeaWorld and Disney World trip. – Day 3 of 4 night Bahamas and Perfect Day Cruise on Jewel of the Seas. Perfect Day at CocoCay 7am-5pm.
Today we are headed to Hideaway Beach. Hideaway Beach is an adults only beach on CocoCay. We received free passes to this beach when we booked our cruise through the casino. I think they are messing with me. I really do not like the beach. The price would be $92.40 per person. Nope. I would not pay that to go to a beach. Usually we head to Chill Beach.
Hideaway Opened in January 2024. It is Perfect Day’s first and only beach and pool area just for adults aged 18 and older. Hideaway Beach has a full beach. It also has a large pool with a swim-up bar. There is a stage for DJs or live entertainment. We can visit that beach anytime the ship is here. We can start as early as 8am and stay as long as we want. Our ship is leaving at 4:30pm. I will be back on the ship way earlier. I have a mani-pedi appointment at 2:30pm. Normally we head to the left over the bridge to Chill Beach. Today we headed to the right. There is a tram station not too far to take you or it is a short walk. We elected to walk.
Along the walk, there is a picture frame. You can get a picture framed in it with the ships in the background.
When you get to Hideaway you scan your card to get on the beach. At 8:45am it is pretty quiet. But the number of chairs and umbrellas set out are incredible. It tells me it is going to get crowded.
If you come here you better like music. The water is very calm as it is in a little cove. Chill Beach has more waves coming in. There are lots of fish swimming around. There are also many mounds of sand in the water with a hole on the top. Wonder what is in those mounds.
The umbrellas and chairs are nicer here then Chill Beach. I love the bean bag chairs. So comfortable. Laying in those chairs was the best part of my morning at this beach.
The music plays all day here. They have tried to make it an Adults only party scene. I wonder if it is not as popular as they thought it would be. Hey they gave us free passes.
Utopia is docked with us again. This is day number three here at Perfect Day. I won’t be back for a long time. We don’t have any future Caribbean cruises planned. We have booked lots of unique destinations. We headed back to the ship. At the entranceway to Hideaway Beach there is a small Tram covered waiting area with a bench seat. We decided to wait for the Tram to return to the ship. It was a very short wait.
We had lunch outside of the Windjammer buffet with a great view of Perfect Day at CocoCay. Eating outside here is one of the best things about the Radiance Class ships. Most of the time you will find the ship officers eating their lunch out there.
In the afternoon I had a mani-pedi. It is pretty expensive even with our discount. The price was $169.44.
The spa offers a lot of services and always is pushing their specials.
Caribbean night dinner tonight.
Dinner Menu Day 2 – Caribbean
Cruise Compass day 3 – Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4f2f0Zc Miracles-Grows Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food: I use this monthly on all my inside plants. It is amazing how green and luscious they look after a nice feeding. They are glowing happy full plants. Steve does the outside ones also, but not as often.
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