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Cat in the Hat for President on Board the Carnival Pride

September 11, 2016 by Melissa

About a month after returning from a cruise on the Carnival Sunshine (more on that later) our family was invited to visit the Carnival Pride in Baltimore, MD for a day of fun, food, friends and fanfare.

We were invited to help Cat in the Hat win the Presidential Race along with Thing 1 and Thing 2 as his running mates. In case you haven’t noticed it’s an election year. You and your family may have noticed some commercials on television.

Along with his recent presidential announcement, The Cat in the Hat released a new book, One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote. Perfect timing don’t you think? This book is meant to teach children why we vote, how we vote and who can vote. Of course this is done with the whimsy and fun that other Dr. Seuss books brings to childhood literature. Carnival Cruise Lines wants kids to know they have a voice and it should be heard loud and clear. Maybe this is why Carnival is called the Fun Ship. The kids get exactly what they want and end up having an amazing vacation.

Kid Friendly Cruising with Carnival is easy with all the amenities on board to keep kids occupied for days.

Camp Carnival, Circle C & Club O2
Seuss at Sea
Sweet Spot
Waterworks
Hasbro the Game Show
SportsSquare
Dive in Movies
Mini Golf
and so much more on and off the boat

After a loud parade led by Schwartz, an amazing brunch of Green Eggs and Ham, Froot Loop French Toast, some photo ops and chatting with old and new friends we were given the freedom to roam the boat and see how it measures up to the other ships we’ve already seen.

The Carnival Pride has recently gone through a renovation to include fan favorite dining/drinking options such as Guy Burger Joint, Red Frog Pub, Alchemy Bar, BlueIguana Cantina and more.

What I found was a very romantic feel as soon we got above the belly of the boat. I’m not sure what was new but I fell in love with the lighting, the bold furnishings and all the hallways. Those gave a secret, tucked away feeling.

Overall we’ve decided that the Carnival Pride is the next ship we’re boarding for a cruise. We already love cruising and with the amenities added in recent years we know we’ll have a wonderful time.

Follow us on Instagram to see more of this day and our recent cruise through the Caribbean, Melinda on Instagram and Rob on Instagram.

Morey’s Pier & Beachfront Water Parks open Easter Weekend

February 29, 2016 by Melissa

It’s no surprise The Wildwoods, NJ was Named the best seaside amusement park in the world by Amusement Today. For as long as I can remember The Wildwoods have been a summer destination for our family and so many of my friends. A visit last year after a many year hiatus reinvigorated the love we had for the amusements up and down the boardwalk. The name synonymous with the Wildwoods is Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks. They’ve been a staple to the shore since 1969 and still going strong.

The 2016 season starts with the grand opening of Mariner’s Pier on Saturday, March 26 and annual Easter celebration on Sunday, March 27.
Families are invited to hop over to the pier starting at noon on Easter Sunday for special activities including pictures with the Easter Bunny from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at the Parents Pavilion located behind the Carousel. Children 12 years of age and younger can pick an Easter egg for a chance to win an assortment of fun prizes, ranging from stuffed animals and Curley’s Fries buckets, to one-day pier passes and water park passes. Two lucky participants will win the grand prize of a Morey’s Piers 2016 Wild Pass.

Morey Hotels & Resorts’ “Bunny Hop Doo-Wop” package available on March 26, 2016 offers travelers an Easter weekend at the shore that includes:

One night accommodations at The Starlux or Blue Palms Resort
15 percent off at the following food outlets: Jumbo’s, Taco Joint, La Bakerie, Mama’s Kitchen, Waffle and Ice Cream and Fritz’s
One game voucher valid for three free games at any game kiosk on Mariner’s Pier

A standard king room starts at $95 per night at Blue Palms Resort; double rooms at the Boardwalk Bungalow at the Blue Palms Resort start at $109 per night. A standard room at The Starlux starts at $118 per night. Rooms are subject to availability; price does not include hotel tax. To book the “Bunny Hop Doo-Wop” package, visit http://www.moreyspiers.com/easter and use the code EASTER.

Guests can take advantage of savings by visiting http://www.moreyspiers.com/springsale and get more information on the Wild Pass member program visit http://www.moreyspiers.com/wpm.

Wildwood and Morey’s Piers #GoWild this Summer

July 22, 2015 by Melissa

Our kind of vacation is a beach vacation. I like the lounging on the sand, watching the waves crash just inches from my toes, immersing myself in a good book and soaking up the sun. My kids also love the beach but there comes a point where they want adventure.

Rides, cotton candy,pizza and water parks is exactly what they crave. The Jersey Shore gives our family everything we want. For Father’s Day weekend we were able to do everything we wanted, no rules, no barriers.

Wildwood, NJ has always held a special place in my heart. It’s the only memory I have a family vacation as a child. The look and feel of the boardwalk is the same, the salty smell driving down Rio Grande Avenue is always familiar.

To be honest I’ve been creating memories with my own family at a different beach. Wildwood wasn’t the same place as it was when I was young. The level of visitors changes, the atmosphere wasn’t as family friendly as it used to be. This beach resort town changed. We visited time to time over the years and the kids LOVED the water parks.

This past Father’s Day Weekend I was able to give my family the mini vacation they needed to see out of Wildwood, NJ. Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks were everything they promised to be.

Wildwood #MoreysPiers & BeachFront Water Parks #GoWild #FamilyTravel #JerseyShore #SummerVacation

Morey’s Piers offers 3 different locations packed full of fun for every member of your family.

Surfside Pier on a Sunday morning was the best part of the weekend. It was literally a ghost town. The skies were cloudy and the winds were blowing so I’m sure that kept everyone tucked in their beds. We didn’t let that stop us. We packed up and headed out to get there early; so early that we were the only patrons for about an hour. It never filled up so the kids had run of the entire water park for HOURS.

Our nights we full of funnel cake, seafood dinners and some of the best pizza in the world. Maybe it’s the salt air or the fact that there isn’t a worry in the world but everything taste better down the shore.

I’ll admit, we may have had a little too much fun.

Special thanks to the Morey’s family for the invitation and allowing me to show the kids that Wildwood is BACK!

Stay tuned to hear more about our great weekend away.

Family Friendly Washington DC with Embassy Suites

December 2, 2014 by Melissa

Being parents of 3 kids makes it hard to squeeze in a getaway. Rob and I are lucky enough to get some date nights here and there but when it comes to spending a romantic weekend those plans are far and few between. So when the Embassy Suites reached out and invited us for a 2-night stay we jumped at the chance to get away without going far. Washington, DC is less than 2 hours away so it was a great choice.

Arriving in DC isn’t always the most pleasant event. The traffic even on a Saturday morning can be a nightmare. Luckily DC is a place where you can park your car for days at a time and never have a need for it. This is what we did.

Rob and I walked all weekend with just a couple Metro rides to get back and forth to Arlington National Cemetery. The rest of the weekend we walked to the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Ford’s Theater and through Federal Triangle.

I took about 400 photos in just the 2 days we were there. I loved all the architecture and grand statues, the manicured lawns and historic buildings.

Washington DC is not your typical getaway. It’s not a relaxing oasis were you sit back and sip drinks on the deck and watch the children play. DC is a tourists destination. If you want to research history, enjoy food of every ethnic flavor, explore museums and marvel at remarkable landmarks and monuments then this is where to go. With over 20 Smithsonian museums, all free, this is definitely an add to the family vacation list. Nestled on the beautiful Potomac River this federal district of land was created to house our federal government. This gives the entire area rich history that dates back over 200 years.

Washington DC welcomes families with open arms and the Embassy Suites is exactly where you should lay your head to rest.

Embassy Suites offers spacious 2 room suites that easily sleep up to 6 people making it truly family friendly. With a mini fridge, microwave, sink and updated television channels down time is comfortable for everyone.

With the included FREE full breakfast with choices like waffles, made to order omelets, pastries, juice, fruit and cereal eating breakfast out each day is an expense families won’t have to worry about that added expense. A family friendly happy hour is available each night that includes snacks and complimentary drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

With over 200 locations available in the US, Canada and Latin America making a reservation is easy. Find out for yourself how Embassy Suites is making families happy each night by putting them first, finally.

Family Camping Trip Tips and Ideas

October 20, 2014 by Melissa

There are some people that say this is the perfect weather for camping. The sunny days and crisp cool nights make for just right conditions for outdoor living. While I’m not completely onboard with sleeping outdoors I’m all for enjoying nature and the beauty of the world around us.

While I prefer the kind of camping that comes with an RV and warm shower I know my family likes to pitch a tent and live more simply for a few days. Doing this requires some planning. Camping requires some gear and tools that not only makes your life easier much enjoyable.

First off let’s talk about food. Campfire hot dogs are delicious but that isn’t all you have to live on. There are so many recipes and food ideas out there that you could actually eat much more gourmet than originally thought. These are some of the more tasty ideas I’ve seen lately that make camping a more likely idea before the snow starts to fall.

Campfire Potatoes with Thyme

Dutch Oven Braised Beef Roast

Mountain Man Skillet Scramble

let’s not forget about dessert. Sweets that are melted and gooey are the best part about campfires

Roasted Strawberries with Marshmallow Fluff

Campfire Cinnamon Rolls

S’mores Dip

Every meal doesn’t need to be very elaborate or involve many ingredients. While big breakfasts are fun fruit, cereal, milk and yogurt are plenty nutritious to get through the mornings. Keeping it simple homemade granola and dry milk reconstituted as needed also saves on space. Milkman low fat powdered milk is the only cream-containing low fat powdered milk easily available to consumers in the United States. This gives the milk a better flavor and texture than other brands on the market. Making a quart at a time as needed is easier to store and carry when space and refrigeration is a luxury.

Having the right camping gear is key to being comfortable and safe. Families often have to pack more as there are more scenarios that could arise. The opportunity for a child caught in a mud puddle would require extra clothing and maybe clothes washing/drying equipment.

HickCounty.com has this comprehensive check list of just about everything life can throw at you.

The most important part of a family camping trip is to make sure everyone is safe, happy and having fun. The point of getting away and disconnecting is spending quality time with each other. Keep the activities fun and easy. Hikes are first on the list of course. Swimming is a must when the weather is warm. Don’t forget card games, simple craft supplies and lots of glowsticks for Tic Tac Toe or a ring toss game.

image via vastateparkstaff flickr

What are your family camping trips hacks, must-dos or essential recipes?

*forest image via

Six Flags Great Adventure is Action Packed in August

July 28, 2014 by Melissa

Six Flags is the worlds biggest and best amusement park corporations with locations in the US, Canada and Mexico. With 18 locations consisting of roller coasters, water rides, concert venues, animal habitats and community events Six Flags has something for everyone. We’re lucky enough to have 2 within driving distance; Washington, DC and Jackson, NJ. Six Flags Great Adventure of Jackson, NJ is jam packed with activities for August.

There’s a little something for everyone. We’ll be going to celebrate Shae’s birthday, now to find the best day amid all the fun going on.

Reality Dance Jam Tour – August 1

Six Flags Great Adventure and Reality Dance present The Jam Tour featuring social media sensations Taylor Caniff, Aaron Carpenter, Dillon Rupp, Sammy Wilkinson and more August 1 at the Plymouth Rock Assurance® Arena. The concert lasts throughout the day, and artist meet-and-greets are available with a VIP ticket. This private event requires a special concert ticket along with theme park admission or a Season Pass.

Fright Fest Zombie Auditions – August 2, 3, 15, 16 (times vary)

More than 200 scare-actors and support staff are needed to fill a variety of positions from the undead who roam the midways, to terror trail performers and technicians. No prior acting or scare experience is necessary. Six Flags seeks individuals with a passion for Halloween and scaring. Auditions include several fun acting exercises in a group setting. If interested, please complete the pre-employment application prior to attending an audition date, or scheduling an interview for technician positions, at www.sixflagsjobs.com.

Feed the Children Day – August 9

Six Flags Great Adventure and Feed the Children team up to raise money to end childhood hunger. The Feed the Children tent inside the park will provide information on how to help one of the world’s leading anti-hunger organizations. In addition, Six Flags will donate $.50 of every full-price ticket purchased at the front gate August 9, and all coins donated into the Main Street Fountain throughout the season, to Feed the Children. Guests can join the Six Flags entertainment team for a fun-filled Kids’ Dance Hour in the park filled with family-friendly games to celebrate the event. Special tickets are also available online at www.sixflags.com

Caribbean Concert – August 10

TriniFly Promotions and Six Flags present the Caribbean Concert Series featuring performances by today’s favorite Caribbean and Urban artists including Maxi Priest, Barrington Levy, Morgan Heritage, Elephant Man and more. Levy continues to sell out shows around the world and will perform his popular hits such as “Teach the Youths” and “Here I Come.” The concert begins at 6 p.m. at the Plymouth Rock Assurance® Arena. A special concert ticket is required with theme park admission or Season Pass.

Jesse McCartney in Concert – August 15

Jesse McCartney will perform in concert in the park’s intimate Showcase Theater August 15 at 8 p.m. McCartney was a member of pop boy band Dream Street and later went on to become a solo artist. He also played Adam Chandler Jr. on the ABC soap opera All My Children. He is most known for his chart-topping hit songs “Leavin,” “Superbad,” and “Beautiful Soul.” An additional concert ticket is required with theme park admission or Season Pass.

National Roller Coaster Day – August 16

National Roller Coaster Day is a day for all coaster fans to come together for the sake of the thrill. On Saturday, August 16, Six Flags Great Adventure will celebrate National Roller Coaster Day with its world-class record-breaking collection of coasters, including Kingda Ka, El Toro and Nitro. The park will offer special ride time and interactive social media events. Additional details will be available on www.sixflags.com and the park’s Facebook page.

RunAround Concert – August 23

RunAround, a Pop Experience, takes place in the Plymouth Rock Assurance® Arena from 4 to 9 p.m. August 23 as part of the MIKE AND IKE® ZOURS® Six Flags Summer Concert series. Pop artists and social media sensations such as Jake Miller, Nick Tangorra, Jacob Whitesides and more are set to perform their biggest hits. A separate concert ticket is required with theme park admission or Season Pass. All RunAround guests will check in at the RunAround kiosk to receive tickets to the park along with a schedule and map.

2015 New Attraction Announcement – August 28

Six Flags Great Adventure and its sister parks throughout North America will announce exciting plans for the 2015 season. Information, photos and video will be available at www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

Sara Evans in Concert – August 31

Sara Evans will perform in concert August 31 at the Plymouth Rock Assurance® arena as part of Salute the Troops event sponsored by Nash 94.7. Evans is an American country singer known for her hits “No Place That Far,” Born to Fly” and “Suds in the Bucket.” The concert starts at 7 p.m. and is free with theme park admission or Season Pass.

Grand Turk Island #CruisingCarnival

July 16, 2014 by Melissa

We’re in the middle of our Carnival Cruise aboard the Fantasy. I planned on sharing more in the trip sooner but it’s been a very exciting few days with very little down time. Our first stop at Grand Turk Island was anything but busy and on the go.

We spent a couple hours relaxing under palm trees, enjoying frozen drinks from Margaritaville (meet my new Parrothead boyfriend) and swimming in the gorgeous turquoise water. Grand Turk Island is nestled in the Atlantic Ocean between South Caicos Islands and Salt Cay Island. Carnival Cruise uses Grand Turk Island as a Port of Call for it’s lush foliage, clear waters and welcoming towns people. Our visit was dotted with smiles from the employees within the Cruise Center and Margaritaville.The soft sands made for a great gathering spot for the kids. We even came prepared with buckets and shovels. When we got to the beach the kids found an instant playmate. On our lounger was a coconut. The kids named her Wanda.

Wanda went swimming, playing in the sand and even bathed in the sun. This is her “throne”.

The stop might have been short but Grand Turk was gorgeous and somewhere I’d love to visit again.

Fun Facts about #CruisingCarnival

July 13, 2014 by Melissa

Carnival Cruise Lines have been in the business of FUN for over 40 years. Based in Miami it’s ships tour the globe with cruises to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, the Caribbean and places in between.

A Carnival Cruise Ship is like a city at sea. There are enough amenities to keep even the busiest person occupied and entertained for days. You all know about the endless eating options, live shows, casinos and excursions but there’s more the the Fun Ships that you may not have known about.

Fun Facts about #CruisingCarnival

Carnival Cruise Lines is the most popular cruise line with more than 24 ships operating 3 to 18 day voyages
A Carnival Cruise is truly a family friendly vacation with activities for kids age 2 to teen
Some of the most loved staff are the Stewards. They are the ones that create those cute towel animals (Towel Animal classes are available, check with Guest Relations)
Schedule a “Behind the Fun” tour where you can see the bridge, engine control room and backstage area to get an up close and personal look at the operations
During Signature Dining, if you can’t decide between 2 entrees or appetizers just order both
In one week Carnival Fantasy guests will consume 36,000 slices of bacon, mmmmmm bacon
The staff to guest ratio is sometimes as low at 1:3 making for a truly personable, attentive sailing
The on-board pools are filled daily with filtered salt water from the sea
The Serenity Adult Retreat is the perfect kid-free zone for ultimate relaxation and peace
The on-board fitness centers are included voyage with the exception of instructor led classes and spa treatments
Leave the ball gowns, tuxedos and fancy shoes at home. It’s called a FUN SHIP for a reason

We’re out into the Atlantic Ocean right on our way to days filled with smiles, sun, memories and FUN. Wish you were here.

This Family is #CruisingCarnival

July 7, 2014 by Melissa

In just a few shorts days we’re heading out for our summer family vacation thanks to Carnival Cruiselines. We aren’t strangers to the cruise but nowhere near the cruise enthusiasts I want to be. Our last cruise was 4 years ago and the kids still talk about it and have been begging to go again since then. Timing couldn’t have been better either; Sabreena graduated high school a few weeks ago. Rob and I will be celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary while at sea and Shae turns 7 a couple weeks after we get back. It’s celebration time all around.

The Carnival Fantasy leaves out of Charleston, South Carolina and headed to the Caribbean. We’ll be taking the 9 hour drive to South Carolina overnight, seeing some of the pretty and historical sights of Charleston then boarding the 855 foot boat for non-stop fun over the next 8 days.

Our Ports of Call while #CruisingCarnival

Grand Turk-Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, may be small, but it’s packed with scenic punch and historic charm. Carnival® cruises to Grand Turk deliver you to an enchanted island outpost dotted with old windmills, grassy trails, and picture-perfect beaches. Discover an oasis of green set in aquamarine seas ringed by a pristine coral reef and the steep wall of the continental shelf with cruises to Grand Turk. Swim in the sparkling turquoise seas off Governor’s Beach. Snorkel or dive the coral reefs fringing Grand Turk.

Half Moon Cay, the Bahamas-Fulfill your tropical island fantasy on Carnival cruises to Half Moon Cay, the Bahamas. Sway in the sweet Bahamian breezes to the rhythms of calypso and find romance on this private island paradise. Cruises to Half Moon Cay deliver you to an idyllic sun-drenched island hideaway where you can play in the turquoise seas, ride horseback on powdery white sand, and encounter silky stingrays. Sail, swim or snorkel the shallow blue-green Atlantic. Ride horseback along the sea’s edge on Half Moon Cay cruises.

Nassau, the Bahamas-Blessed by balmy breezes and jumping to a bouncy calypso beat, Carnival cruises to Nassau, Bahamas promise sizzling fun in the sun. The historic and cultural heart of The Bahamas is one of the world’s most popular cruise ship ports—one million travelers board cruises to Nassau annually.

The Fantasy is filled with so much to do during the 8 days at sea. The kids will enjoy Club Carnival, Hasbro the game show, video games in the arcade, putt putt golf and of course Waterworks water park. Rob and I have the casino, nightclubs, Punchliner Comedy club, the piano bar, Serenity Adult Retreat and spa services to rival the best in the country.

As a family we’ll have lots of time to relax by the pool, enjoy casual dining with 24 hour soft-serve ice cream and pizza and do a little shopping while sailing.

Follow along all week while we share our experiences, photos from the Caribbean and memories we make while #cruisingcarnival.

10 Essentials to Pack for a Cruise Vacation

July 2, 2014 by Melissa

Your bags are packed. You’ve followed the guidelines on dress code and think you understand what it means by formal attire. You have just enough shoes for any occasion without being too many. You’ve secured all of your toiletries in mini bags to avoid spillage. Now you’re ready to go. But are you really? We’re so used to having everything handy in our daily life that we don’t think about packing them for vacation. Take a peek at these 10 essentials to bring on a cruise vacation to see what else you should pack for your next adventure.

Reusable/refillable water bottle so you stay hydrated without running back and forth to Lido Deck.
Travel Charger Surge Protector with USB Ports to plug in/charge computers, ereaders, ipods, curling irons, etc

Beach bag or tote to carry camera, book, beach towels and sunscreen on the ship or to your excursions
Nightlight, when those curtains are drawn and the sun has set it can get mighty dark in those rooms
Small wallet/purse or Lanyard for key cards & identification
Over the Door Pocket Organizer
to hold cosmetics, toiletries, brushes, curling irons and medications instead of clogging up small counters

Lightweight or mesh bag to keep dirty laundry separate on the way home.
Medication and not just prescriptions. Think about upset stomachs, headaches, allergy relief and even cough meds just in case.
Extra Sunscreen, that tropical sun is fierce so bring along more than you think you’ll need.
Notepad and pen to leave notes for your traveling companions, children or room steward.
It’s no fun overpaying for something on vacation that you already have at home. Packing a few extra essentials will keep your budget on track so you can spend money on the fun things like fruity drinks with umbrellas or slot machines.

luggage photo provided via Flickr by Thor

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