Suitcase Savvy Travel

31/07/2024

Who wouldn’t want to wake up to this view?

22/06/2024

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20/06/2024

02/06/2024

What type of packer are you?? 🧳
Do you make lists? 📒🖊️ Do you have a list of lists? 📓 Do you just throw stuff in and hope for the best? 🥎 Or are you still packed from your last vacation?? ✈️

24/04/2024

Let's talk about the best burgers at sea... Guy's Burger Joint. Besides perfecting the burger and OMG the fries!!!! They are efficient at getting a lot of people through a line and quickly! You go through the line and you pick your burger, you can even do a double stack with or without cheese. Not all of the toppings are behind the line with them, but they're there, I'll get to it. They also have the fries up there with the burgers. Don't be scared to ask for more if they don't put enough on the plate for you, I do!

After you get your food there is a mini buffet of toppings to help yourself to after you get your burger. You HAVE to eat from here at least once on the cruise. They are fantastic.

FYI... you don't have to choose from the burgers in the pic. You can build your own however you want it. Also, the donkey sauce is 🤌

23/04/2024

Let's talk about The Carnival Hub. It is your go to spot for all the information you may need while you're on the cruise. Spoiler alert, it will not work like you expect until you are onboard and connected to the ships WiFi (and no it doesn't cost extra to use it).

What can you find on The Hub app? We're just going to talk about the "front page" of it today...
You can find out what day it is and the weather for the day. You will have the options to check out your "My Planner" and dining options, shore excursion options, spa services, any photos you've taken, your casino over view, room service (or anywhere on the ship service). It is your go to spot for your cruise.

Even before the cruise starts you will want to download the app because it will let you know how many days til your cruise, when you can check in, and other things like that. It is your go to spot for all the things for your cruise.

21/04/2024

Let's talk about Cozumel. If you don't plan an excursion in Cozumel, there is so much to do! It is a cute port little area and the town is a short walk from the port. It is a little "creepy" right at the outside of it but once you get to the road and make a left, you're good to go. There's also police right there too. I didn't feel unsafe at all, but it was different than home.

Walk a minute down the road and there are all these shops and restaurants and bars with all these amazing tequilas! I bought two bottles to bring home, guava and coffee flavored. It's also cheaper to buy souvenirs if you walk out of the port.

Also, so many people spoke perfect English that it wasn't an issue that we didn't speak Spanish. This was a great place to walk around, get some food and try some tequilas.

FYI... if you can find where this mural is, there is a restaurant right there across from it in that little square (on the same side of the road) and the chicken they had on the nachos was AMAZING! Definitely worth a try! And another FYI... the restroom is up the stairs past the stripper pole 🫣🤣

20/04/2024

Like I said last week, you never know where towel animals will appear. This is not my pic, BUT I have seen this happen on the Lido deck on a prior cruise. This is normally on towel animal class day. FYI... they also sell a book on how to make all kinds of animals.

18/04/2024

The debarkation process (aka getting off the boat once back into home port) is super easy to schedule via The Hub app. You will get an alert and you schedule (1) which type of debarkation you want, (2) the time frame that you want to get off and (3) who you are making the debarking schedule for.

You have two options in getting off the boat. The first is you set your luggage (with special tags) out in the hall the night before getting off the boat. The second option is you get off early and take all of your own stuff with you. If you choose to take your stuff off yourself, you can get off earlier than the people that set their luggage out the night before.

One is not better than the other. It's just all a matter of what works best for you! If you have littles and are going to be maneuvering strollers, then you might opt for letting them take your luggage down. If you can handle it all on your own and have a flight you want to get to the airport for.. then do it on your own. If it doesn't matter then let them take your luggage while you enjoy breakfast on Lido and then go down when you're supposed to.

17/04/2024

Look at this awesome seven day cruise on the Carnival Vista in an ocean view room. This price is for two people and includes everything but gratuities for $503.30 AND check out the bottom of the second pic... I would also get $200 in on board credit. That's $303.30 for a seven day cruise for two people!

While many people will say that I "paid" for the cruise already with the money I spent in the casino, I spent $500 but I cashed out $800. That same cruise without this special rate is $2101.30 with $50 on board credit.

That's a difference of $1598.00 out of pocket. This is without taking the on board credit into consideration.

16/04/2024

Let's talk about the casino. I played (at this point) less than $200, and as you can see, I won $756.10 in one round of this game. Thankfully I had some good luck this time, but either way you have a greater chance of getting those casino deals by playing a few bucks. This has earned me balcony, ocean view, and interior rooms for $100 per person with onboard credit and free drinks in the casino for me and a guest. Come back tomorrow and see the deal I just found with one of my casino deals.

15/04/2024

Here is a sampling of the menu from Cucina del Capitano for those that wish to have some fantastic Italian on the ship. It truly is the best. I am partial to the spaghetti carbonara and chicken parmesan. I do have to say that everything we had was fantastic this time and last!

13/04/2024

Just a cute towel animal for the day. Learn how to make these awesome pieces of art in a towel class on the ship. And watch out! You never know where these things will appear!!!

11/04/2024

Thirsty Thursday is always in need of some water! 💦 Disney H2O Glow After Hours returns to Typhoon Lagoon on select nights from May 25 to August 31, 2024! 🌙
Guest staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel this summer can call to book tickets during an early booking window, starting today! Tickets are on sale now! We better get yours while the getting is good!

10/04/2024

Anyone else wanting to go to the new private island? This place looks like so much fun!!! You ready to pack??

Say hello to our all-new exclusive destination at Grand Bahama welcoming guests in summer 2025. Celebration Key, your key to paradise, the largest freshwater...

09/04/2024

If you have more than two people in one room, or if you only have two people but you have a lot of stuff with you OR if you just like being super neat... I highly suggest getting magnetic hooks. The ships walls are metal, so bring some magnets of all types... flat, hooks, baskets, whatever and hang all the things.

08/04/2024

Time for some more magic from the mouse! Did you know Lion King is turning THIRTY soon?!?!?!? Yep! Thirty!! And what better way to celebrate then by heading on over to Animal Kingdom to see them in action! From June 10 to Sept 6 you can catch all the roaring fun!

07/04/2024

Costa Maya is an absolutely beautiful port to walk around in. Just a small tip though... don't always stop at the first pool! Most times there is another pool or beach area that won't be as crowded. I laid back and relaxed at the pool furthest from the ship, read my book, drank my drank and fell asleep!!! Note to self... always put sunscreen on BEFORE falling asleep.

06/04/2024

I know, you know, we all know that the staff puts towel animals on your bed at night. However, sometimes I don't know what kind of animal it is. Any guesses on this one??

05/04/2024

No matter where you are, the weather matters. You can always keep up on the expected weather on any and all days of the cruise (including debarkation day) and can be seen on the Carnival Hub App that you will use to enjoy your cruise to the fullest.

04/04/2024

How has the most magical place on Earth packed in even more magic? Well, Disney Springs is getting in on the night time action now! They have a night time drone show from May 24 through Sept 2. And the best part... Disney Springs is free to visit! I cannot wait to see this show!

03/04/2024

Have you ever paid attention to the pilot boat when cruising? They bring a pilot to the boat to drive you in/out of the port. They are an expert in that port so its safer that way. Well, this pilot gets on or off the boat via a small door on the side of the ship and get onto this boat to make it back into the port.

02/04/2024

I guess I'll be starting a because why not!

Here is my #1 for a cruise, any cruise! Once you get your sail & sign card take a picture of it and your room number (will never be on your card since it is used as your room key) and put as your phone's wallpaper. This will help in case you lose your phone.

At the customer service desk is most likely where your phone will make it's way to... your name and room number will be right there. You won't need to take your ID to customer service desk because they have your pic attached to your account. Easy Peezy!

01/04/2024

Looks like it is a Mousey Monday because I have some Disney World news to put out there!

FORT WILDERNESS HAS NEW CABINS THAT WILL OPEN THIS YEAR!

They look absolutely amazing!! Reservations for Disney Vacation Club members start July 1 and for everyone else who loves Disney, reservations start September 27 of THIS YEAR!!!

They just look AMAZING!

01/04/2024

31/03/2024

Summer time can be any time of the year that you want it to be. It just depends on how close to the equator you are! If you've never been on a cruise, let's get you on a "starter cruise" to see if you like it. Cruises can be found for a good price even if you've never been on one. It's a floating hotel that has so much food and so many activities and takes you to multiple fun islands to experience fun in the sun with white sands and clear blue waters! Shoot me an email and let me know what you're interested in and we will plan you a fantastic vacation!!

30/03/2024

This is the best view you will ever have for any and all cruises... walking up the gang way to get on the boat!

Always take a carry on bag. It can be any size, but you want to make sure you have your boarding documentation, proof of citizenship and I take it a step further and take a few more things. I take anything I don't want to risk losing, I.e. medications, jewelry, etc.

There are a few things that if you are bringing on board, you must take in your carry on... champagne/wine, drinks bringing on board.

Whatever size bag/suitcase you bring as your carry on, make sure it can fit through the screening machine in security (just like the airport).

30/03/2024

Just in case you didn't know... I also specialize in all things Disney! There are always so many awesome things happening there and I cannot wait to tell you all about them!

That mouse really knows how to keep the relationship alive lol

28/03/2024

All cruise lines have their own version of a loyalty program. On Carnival they give you a VIFP number. You will have this same number on every cruise and they track how many nights you have spent with them. Here is an example of the various levels and the perks you get with each one.

27/03/2024

Let's talk about checking into a restaurant on Carnival's Mardi Gras. This applies to sit down restaurants such as the main dining room, Chibang, and Cucina del Capitano for lunch or dinner. It is SUPER easy! You go into your app check in to the restaurant you want to go to and select all the people within your party that will be going with you and "Check In to Dine." It will then tell you the wait time, and it will even update in real time. It will tell you when your table is ready and you have ten minutes to get there. Check in at the front and they will take you directly to your table (FYI... your table number will show up and that's what they will ask for).

IF YOU ARE DOING MY TIME DINING on formal night, check in SUPER EARLY! When we checked in this last time (four of us), it gave us over a two hour wait! Thankfully it ended up being much less, but check in early. You can always cancel and recheck in if it's too soon.