family vacation Archives - Look What Mom Found

Kid Friendly Cruising on Carnival #cruisingcarnival

August 21, 2014 by Melissa

Being miles and miles off shore on a cruise ship is one of the most exciting things to happen for my kids. They absolutely love cruising and have been lucky enough to have experienced it twice now. I get asked a lot if cruising is truly a kid friendly vacation. My answer is an emphatic YES when it comes to Carnival Cruise Lines. Your kids will never be bored when it comes to #CruisingCarnival.

Camp Carnival

We were able to register them online so their information was on hand and name tags were ready. When we first boarded we had to hunt done the locations of camp so that when they were ready to go they knew where to go. Shaun was able to come and go as he pleased due to his age. That isn’t the rule but something we allowed him to do. Shae had to be checked in and out by an adult or Sabreena. This is a level of security that I appreciated. Even on the last day the camp counselors were checking out Sign and Sail cards as ID. You can never be too sure!

Camp Carnival is specially designed with crafts, activities and games for different age groups: 2 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years, and 9 to 11 years. The daily schedules are available each night before we were able to check off all the things the kids wanted to participate in the next day. This let the whole family plan their day around lounging, activities, spa treatments or even exploring the ports. Shae spent lots of her time working on crafts, playing board games and and painting. Shaun of course spent lots of time playing video game and EPIC rounds of dodge ball. I was never worried about them having a good time while at camp. Carnival also offers a Night Owls segment. From 10-12pm they had special activities and movies for the kids so the adults could plan time at the casino, clubs or just alone on the Serenity Lounge.

Games and Chess

This was one of the first things we noticed when coming aboard. Rob and Shaun like to play chess and little did we know Shae knew how to play too. The spent lots of time challenging each other and other kids with a game or two. Regular chess in the Library was a great way for Rob and Shae to spend a little quality time together too.

Video Arcade

We tried to stay as unplugged as possible while cruising but the flashing lights and high tech graphics drew the kids in for one night only.

Mini Golf

With 360 degree views of gorgeous blue ocean there was no wonder mini golf is a popular activity for the kids. The wind can make it a little tricky sometimes but it also made it super fun when trying to race against it.

Circle C and Club O2

Hangout spots for the older kids too are needed when they need some downtime away from the family. Carnival organizes movies, club nights and activities for the big kids too.

Punchliner Comedy Club

The comedy club makes cruising truly family friendly by offering swear word free sets. Shae joined us for one show before heading off to her nightly activities.

Waterworks

This waterpark overlooking the ocean is a site to be seen. Kids can splash and slide while parents lounge on the sidelines.
Pool & Deck Parties

The Lido Deck is the party hub especially when there are Hairy Chest contests to watch and pools to jump in. The cruise director and their staff along with a DJ keep the people moving, laughing and entertained with goofy games and lively music.

Stage Shows

Shae was called up on stage during the magic show but was so shy she couldn’t participate. During the next show and Hasbro, The Game Show she insisted on sitting farther away from the stage just so she could watch.

The list goes on and on with activities the kids and families can participate in each day. Don’t forget about the excursions available when you arrive at each Port of Call too. Those adventure are once in a lifetime. Know one thing, your kids will never be bored on a Carnival Cruise.

Support the Mom and Pops….

November 14, 2010 by Melissa

shops that is. Did you know when you shop at a locally owned or run store the profits directly benefit the surrounding neighborhood? If you buy from the store around the corner that purchase is helping to keep the doors open, which keeps neighbors employed and boosting your local economy. While I have nothing against the big box stores like Target, Walmart and Toys R Us there is a special home-like feeling stepping into a toystore called Yo Yo Joes. Don’t forget about museum gift shops where you’re most likely to get real hands on experience of the toy, game or souvenir you want to buy.

Yesterday was Neighborhood Toy Store Day; a push to get people around the country to shop locally and support their “mom and pop shops”. We were invited to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. It’s been many years since we visited the Please Touch Museum in fact we had never been to their new location. It was stunning, the way a real museum should be. The experience was awesome, along with Sabeena, Shaun and Shae my sister and 1 year old niece came along and it was a grand time for all. There is was something for everyone especially the baby.

shae and madi playing

blowing feathers

carousel ride

Visiting you local shops, restaurants, museums and farmer’s markets is a good thing not just for you but for those businesses who want to continue to do business in your neighborhood.

MY Ultimate Holiday Wishlist

November 7, 2010 by Melissa

dear santa

Yes we are hosting the Ultimate Holiday Wishlist Blog Party of Giveaways for all of you. But I want to tell you what’s on MY Ultimate Wishlist. These are the things that I want so so so so bad. Some are extravagant, some more everyday wants but they are all things I would love to get for being such a good girl all year.

ideal sectional

Family Vacation over New Years Eve to Disney
Bedroom Makeover-including furniture, bedding and window treatments
Paige Tall Riding Boot
Make-up Vanity- something with drawers and lighting
Living Room seating-sofas & chairs
Bennington Potters Bakeware
Tickets to see Michael Buble in Philly, on my bday at the Wells Fargo Center {swoon}

Let’s see what Santa brings for me 🙂

Back To Reality!

August 29, 2010 by Melissa

Fist I want to start by saying Thank You so much to Carnival Cruise Lines for the BEST seven day family vacation we have ever taken!

We finally made it home last night around 7pm after 12 hours of travel. The Carnival Dream docked in Port Canaveral at 6am and started to let passengers off. We got up at 7am and headed to our last breakfast on The Dream and then waited for our zone to be called so we could disembark the ship. Believe it or not this was a super easy process. Carnival has a system down and it works perfect. We got off the ship with no problems then went through customs with no problems either. The only problem was getting our luggage from the baggage claim area. We waited probably 40 minutes before we found 2 of our 3 bags. After waiting for 40 minutes Melinda decided to check the belt next to ours for our last bag and thankfully she did because our zone tag must of fell off our bag between our stateroom and baggage claim and somehow ended up on a different belt. Other than that little wait NO problems what so ever getting off of a ship with 3,600 passengers .

After we caught our bus from the port to the airport terminal we grabbed some lunch since we were 2.5 hours early for our flight. Funny thing here was having to pay for our first meal after eating seven straight days for FREE and I’m taking about meals like lobster, shrimp, prime rib, fish and the list goes on and on.( I’ll get back to the food on The Dream later or in another post as this might deserve its own post)

The lady who took this picture cut Shae out. LOL.

After eating lunch we headed to our gate and waited for our 2:56 flight which we found was full to capacity. It was so full they were asking people to give up their seats for a $400 travel voucher on a future US Air flight and a seat on the 5pm flight to Philly. I wanted to give up our seats so we could fly to our next cruise at a later date but Melinda wasn’t having any of that, LOL, not sure why! The flight from Orlando to Philly was rough as hell as we had a ton of turbulence. So much that is felt like the back of the plane dipped down. We were the second row from the back so it felt pretty bad to me and Melinda but the kids were 100% fine. So fine they actually passed out cold which was a good thing because at this point we have been traveling for 8-9 hours already.

Dharma is on the left with Shae and Jose is on the right

After we landed in Philly we went to baggage claim and our bags were already on the belt (thank goodness for that) and we called the shuttle van to pick us up and take us to our car in long term parking. It felt good to be home but a little sad that the cruise was over. Seven days FLEW by in a blink of an eye. After we finally go to the house we needed to order dinner because there was no way we were going to cook anything so we ordered pizza. Shae heard me and Melinda say we were ordering pizza and she said “No, I want to go to the restaurant.” She is referring to the Crimson Dining Room on the Carnival Dream where every night she ate a hot dog and fries for dinner and vanilla and strawberry ice cream and hot chocolate for dessert. The kids were in heaven and this was because of our awesome servers Jose and Dharma!

We had the best seven days of our lives but it is back to reality and the kids are starting to realize they can’t eat whenever they want like they did while on vacation!! Oh well all good things must come to an end but Melinda and I are already looking to book our next cruise for next year but this time we are going alone with no kids. Sorry guys!!!

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