Garver Travel

18/01/2025

A CHARLESTON FAVORITE HAS ARRIVED FOR HER DRY DOCK BEFORE HER NEW DEPLOYMENT- THE SUNSHINE :

Many people are feeling disappointed that the Carnival Sunshine will no longer be sailing from Charleston, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. However, with every ending comes an exciting new beginning!

The Carnival Sunshine is currently preparing for its next chapter, which includes a drydock period before arriving at its new homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. Following its final voyage from Charleston earlier this month, the ship embarked on a trans-Atlantic journey to France on January 4, 2025. It is expected to arrive in Marseille on January 15, 2025, for its shipyard stay.

During this drydock, the 2,964-passenger vessel will undergo routine technical maintenance, class work, and updates to its onboard amenities and hotel spaces. After completing these updates, the Sunshine, originally built in 1996, will return to North America to begin an exciting schedule of cruises departing from Norfolk starting in mid-February.

As part of its year-round deployment from Norfolk, the Carnival Sunshine will offer six- to eight-night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The ship will regularly visit Carnival Corporation’s private destinations, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays. In addition, during the summer, it will feature itineraries to Bermuda and, starting in late September, will include stops at Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination, Celebration Key.

The Carnival Sunshine has a rich history, first entering service in 1996 as the Carnival Destiny. In 2013, the ship underwent an extensive transformation, with a major refurbishment project that completely reimagined its interiors and public spaces. Now, as it enters its next phase, the Sunshine continues to offer an unforgettable cruise experience to passengers, setting sail from a brand-new homeport with exciting itineraries ahead.

(Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines)

16/01/2025

As you make domestic air travel plans for dates later than May 7th, you will need to have your REAL ID.

Yesterday, The Transportation Security Administration published a final rule of enforcement on REAL ID requirements.

01/01/2025

On our last full day on Icon sailing, we enjoyed our day at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay. It was a bit overcast, upper 70’s with a strong East Wind. We all split up to do different things. The girls headed to Chill Island to enjoy a beach day (as that is on the east side - it was rather chilly). They did enjoy food and the Straw Market before getting back on board. The boys went to Thrill Island Water Park and were able to ride most of the water slides, with DareDevil’s Tower being their favorite.

We went to check out Hideaway Beach, which is a newer 18+ area. (As it was on the northwest side of the island, we had a lot less wind and a bit better weather). We had a larger group, so getting a cabana, which included the entrance fee for 8 was a good option (on sale for Black Friday). There are a ton of free options, plenty of loungers, and food options , and there are paid options as well.

The Hideaway (18+) was fabulous. There was a Large Infinity pool, with a swim up bar, in the water tables and and even fun items such as a floating ping pong table. Food is included with the entrance fee, and if you have a soda package, beverage package, diamond drinks or WiFi- you can continue to use all of those things on the island and at Hideaway. There is a free tram to take you around the island. ( I went out in search of both sets of kids and was able to find them with no difficulty 😊).

01/01/2025

Wishing you all the best for the New Year! Where will you be making memories this year? May it be an amazing year for you all! Happy 2025

27/12/2024

A Perfect Day at CocoCay today!

27/12/2024

Thrill Island on Icon of the Seas includes the largest Water Park at Sea, Category 6- featuring a whopping 6 Water slides! You will also find a Sports Court that can be used for several games, including basketball or pickleball. Also within Thrill Island, you will find Lost Dunes mini golf, Rock Climbing Wall, Flow Rider (surfing simulator) Crown’s Edge (skywalk obstacle course with a thrilling drop at the end). Base camp is another included food option, with smash burgers, chicken fingers, pretzel bites, tater tots. They have some fun “soccer tables where you can play soccer under your table. Of course there is table tennis on board as well. There is a ton of fun on this ship!

26/12/2024

Today from Icon of the Seas I wanted to share the Aquadome! This is new to the Icon class of ships. Previously, on Oasis class ships, you could watch amazing shows at the Aquatheater on the end of the boardwalk. They have created a new space at the top/front of the ship for the Aquadome and The Overlook. These are AMAZING spaces. The Aquadome hosts some thrilling shows. Around the Aquadome, you will find Hooked (a specialty seafood restaurant ) , Rye and Bean , a coffee and coffee/ Espresso drink bar. And some additional free dining options (Feta Mediterranean, Tosst and Garden, Mac’s Mac and Cheese, Ginger, Crème de la Crepe). These are almost like food truck options… so yummy)

At The Overlook, you will find a peaceful, large area with an abundance of comfortable seating, overlooking the bow of the ship. There is an additional bar there as well.

Even with this being a holiday sailing- this ship has not felt crowded. There are so many places to go/find, and entertainment options. Our group of 10 has not had any trouble finding a comfy spot to sit together.

25/12/2024

Sending warm greetings to you this morning... Thank you for supporting my small business! Enjoy this time through this week with your family and loved ones., however you celebrate!

25/12/2024

This morning, I thought I would share about our cabin. We booked a Connecting Balcony Cabin, with my husband and I in one cabin and 4 young adults in the connecting cabin. If you have been on a Royal Caribbean cruise or another cruise line for that matter, the layout is similar to what you would expect. With some nice additions. With connecting balcony rooms, there is an extra set of hallway doors that close, creating a small entryway. When these doors are closed, there is a magnet that is activated that can hold the bedroom doors open allowing the free access between rooms. (If you don’t book the connecting room, the hallway doors stay open, and you just access your room.

In the bathroom, upgrades include a full - doored shower! And lots of storage. The closets are shifted to wall behind the bathroom. It is lacking in shelving inside the closet, but there are some basket spaces below the closet. There are some extra storage spaces ( such as behind the full length mirror and in some corners. Having connecting rooms, you can also have the balcony door opened as well to share that space.

With the holiday, we brought some holiday magnets to make the space more festive.

24/12/2024

Today from Icon of the Seas, I am sharing the Surfside neighborhood! If you are traveling with younger children, this is the place to be! On Oasis class ships, they have the Boardwalk and Aquatheater in this space. Royal Caribbean has totally upgrade this space making it the perfect space to play with your family. There is still a merry go round, but so much more. You can enter from one of 3 decks. There is even a slide you can ride to get to the main level. You will find the arcade, several restaurants Surfside Eatery (buffet), Surfside Bites (grab and go- easy to eat food like popcorn chicken, fries, burgers, hot dogs, churro bites and cookies and fruit), Pier 7 ( specialty dining). Additionally, Playmakers (a sports bar) is just by the entrance. The Lemon Post Bar is by the pools at the rear of the ship. The Water’s Edge pool overflows the back of the ships, with water play areas for younger guests and babies is beside that. (Splash-Away Bay and Baby Bay). There is ample seating for parents. Add in some climbing structures, an Arcade, and other entertaining such as Magicians- it is the place to be! Adventure Ocean( kids club on board is on this level near by, making it very convenient for families! (No pictures of kid’s club spaces because kids were present.

23/12/2024

Today on ICON of the Seas we are docked in Roatan, Honduras. We don’t have any excursions booked as we are planning to stay on board to enjoy the ship… today we have a Casita reserved (I reserved it on sale for $200 on sale- normally $450 on a port day). It has seating for 6-8 ( ours has 10 seats) and we have wait staff all day. For our group of 10, this was a nice option. Icon has 7 pools, 6 water slides and 9 whirl pools!! The pools are spread out between the Surfside neighborhood, Chill Island and The Hideaway (adult only section). There are so many different kinds seating options as well as areas to find a quiet spot. We had no trouble finding seats on a sea and port days. I will try to grab a picture of the Cove pool too. There is a pool/hot tub (Grove pool in the Suite area- I don’t have access to that area). I will share the water slides tomorrow with the Thrill Island Neighborhood!

22/12/2024

Welcome on board ICON of the Seas! Prepare to be wowed on board! I will share a bit each day to give you a glimpse of the beauty of this ship. It is AMAZING! This morning I strolled through Central Park. It is one of my favorite areas of the Oasis class ships, and continues to be a relaxing oasis on Icon! Central Park Cafe has nice selections for quick bites. Lots of other specialty restaurants available as well.

21/12/2024

Looking forward to each day getting longer! Happy Winter Solstice!

14/12/2024

Exciting news for Royal Caribbean guests visiting Nassau! An amazing new shore excursion option- Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will feature an all- inclusive pass, exclusively for Royal Caribbean guests…beginning December 2025!

12/12/2024

For those of you who like to fly Southwest Airlines, Flights opened up today through October 1st of 2025.

01/12/2024

I love the option of booking a resort for the day! Choose your cruise and departure day and you will see what resorts are available for a day pass. Even better.... a sale! Enter code CYBERSALE24 for $5 off per person. I don't have the ending date for this sale - so check it out today!

Escape the crowds of the cruise ship & spend your day in port with a Resort for a Day pass!