And We're Off......

If you've never been on a cruise before, you truly do not know what you are missing, and if you have, you will understand when I say that it is the most incredible vacation experience. My best friend asked me if I wanted to join her and her family on a Caribbean cruise in 2011, and of course I jumped at the opportunity. We flew to Florida, and sailed out of Miami. I remember seeing the ship before we boarded, and just thinking how massive it was up close.

We enjoyed the photography sessions

On my 7 day western Caribbean cruise, we visited Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico. Cruising is an amazing way to see multiple destinations in one vacation for an affordable price. Personally, I do not enjoy sitting on the beach for 7 days, so this was an entertaining, cultural, and intriguing vacation. The cruise ships have so much onboard entertainment and activities that it is almost impossible to get bored. When you first embarck, the crew takes care of your luggage and it gets delivered within a few hours, so we headed to check all that Valor had to offer.

From water slides, pools, karaoke, shopping, kids and teen clubs, discos, a casino, they have it all. Every afternoon into the evening, they have photographers set up and you can have your photo taken professionally to be purchased the next day in the photo lab. Each photographer has a different scene set up, and you can have your picture taken at all of them if you wish. It is a great way to remember your vacation.

Carnival is a very fun cruise line and caters to families, and people of all ages. You will notice all of their ships are very luxurious, with lots of color, and lots of neon. The floors and ceilings make you feel like you are in a palace.

The picture to the left is of the casino. You have to be of age to gamble, but is very open and is located in a main hallway. They have couches and chairs all the way down the hallway so you can sit and enjoy a drink. The windows all the way down allow for an incredible view of the ocean.

Okay and the food! I've never met a person who doesn't enjoy eating....so here is the scoop. The ships have 24 hour buffets, with anything you can think of it. They have different kinds of food to cater to the passengers, and your basic pizza, chicken fingers and french fries. Every morning they have breakfast, hot and continental.

24hr room service is also available if you don't feel like leaving your room. Just a warning....the caeser salad has anchovies in it. If that's your idea of a good time, have at it. Personally, I just enjoy your basic cheese and croutons.

When booking your cruise, you can decide if you want early or late dining. The dining rooms are for supper only, and they are more fancy and you are expected to dress up a little bit. Some cruise passengers dig out the ball gowns, but we opted for a more simple summer dress, which is also acceptable. The cool thing about the dining rooms, is you sit at the same table every evening with the same server, so they get to you know a bit and you get to know them. I even added my serves on facebook after the cruise. We still talk sometimes!

bottomless bubbles at the bar

Cruising is definitely an incredible experience, and I have been dying to go on another one ever since. It was so much fun, and I got to experience a bit of royalty. You'll never know how truly amazing it is until you experience it for yourself, because having someone tell you about it, or pictures will never be able to do it justice. Carnival is the biggest cruise line in the world, and they sail pretty much everywhere. It's a lot of fun, so go experience it! I promise you won't be disappointed, and don't forget to purchase some souvenirs onboard in the gift shop, and at your destinations. Happy cruising!

Top deck pool and dive in movies

Sun tanning.....and go