MeganGC1983

I get a little stressed still just because there is so much to do in the 4 days. Today, I’m working this morning, and then I’ll finish all my packing minus daily use stuff. Packing the 3 kids to take to my MIL’s is always the most daunting. Making sure they have enough clothes for school and activities. And SOCKS! I feel like I always end up just buying new packs of socks to get them through. After dance car pool tonight, I’ll start getting their stuff going. By Wednesday evening, it should all come together and BOOM, Friday is go time.

Have a fantastic time!!

Happy Monday! Only 4 more sleeps til departure. Next Monday we will be in Puerto Plata. Tried to work our dinner reservation around Monday Night football last night. We have The Wake at 8pm. Not gonna work. Only available reservation is at 8:45, so we will either scrap it or try to just go early.

Yes!! Please do!

We booked through the ships both times.

We went to Souza Beach in Nov. 2021 and will be back there again next week. Nice beach. Good amenities, but it is about a 30 minute drive from the port. We are taking the same excursion again… catamaran to go out and snorkel. Good snorkeling.

Thanks! I just reminded myself… it’s cruise week🎉 Got a lot to do, but these next 115 hours are gonna fly by.

Someone just posted that the current Valiant sailing only has 780 cruisers. I think our’s will be busier, but if definitely won’t be full. Lots of available cabins in all categories.

It’s on the agenda. I’ll check in to make sure it’s a go.

Puerto Plata

It’s a possibility. Same amount of travel time. As far as we know we don’t depart until 10:30.

Speaking of the BUCS, I’m pretty excited to see that The Dock House (or the Social Club, I’m getting conflicting info on this) has had football games on the ship. When I sailed scarlet, Tom Brady and I weren’t getting along… I now blame Gisele. And Brent Venerable and I weren’t vibing. Fast forward past a terrible bowl game and a weak NFC south division, and I’m excited to see one of my teams play on the Valiant Lady. Glad VV is acknowledging that some people watch football on vaca.

I mean the BUCS are playing, but it’s pretty early on a non-cruising day. I have to run to the dreaded Walmarts with all the kids after the game. Sigh.

Kiss* Silly autocorrect

Can’t wait!

Pre-cruise info: We have groups from all over the country going with us. BIL proudly serves in the Army, so they have friends joining us on the sailing. The main party is flying from DFW to FLL Friday afternoon. They decided on Spirit. I don’t know why. I think it was the initial sticker shock from Southwest. Original flights were in and out of MIA, but a week after purchased the tickets, the nonstop turned into a layover thing, and I wasn’t having that. If I fly Spirit, it has to be nonstop. So we switched to FLL. Hotel wise… everyone wanted to use points. We are staying at the JW Marriott Miami. Others are staying at Hilton garden Inn Brickell. Hopefully gonna meet up for dinner after check in.

Brass Magnolia, best bar on the ship. Hurricane or praline truffle

I wish I had a French Kidd right now. Cheers! Thanks for tagging along.

It’s my hidden talent?! 😆

My Scarlet Lady sailing in November was short. 4 nights just wasn’t enough to experience the true Virgin way. Over the last few weeks, I’ve gone over what I missed and decided a few things that I need to pencil in on this sailing. - a workout class- with only one sea day last sailing, I need to not prioritize brunch and move my butt. And what a fun way to do so. - The Dock House- We had one cocktail there after Bimini, but didn’t try the Mezz cart. Definitely gonna try that this time. - The Social club- hot dogs and wings, I’m there. - Duel Reality/NSA- didn’t get reservations last time and didn’t try to do the waitlist thing. Changing that this time!

Thanks! Hope I can get you ready to go!

Add ons: of course we have bar tab with a $50 bonus. Also, Deep Blue Extras matching our Platinum status on Carnival which includes priority embarkation, laundry services, $100 bar tab bonus, exclusive sailor services line, $10/day specialty coffee budget, cocktail party, and premium wifi. I also grabbed a Splash of Romance package to try out the spa and shake for champagne. I’ve gone back and forth if this is really needed, but I decided might as well try it once. I also have an additional $125 in Sailor’s Loot. I did bid on a suite or two… Seriously Suite and a Sweet aft Suite. Deciding factor on that was one, a bigger bathroom. Two, the champagne hours on Richard’s Rooftop. If you’re new here, I drink a lot of champagne. I felt that in the time given, I could definitely make it worth the money. Still awaiting word on the suites. I’m not getting my hopes up, but in my Dumb and Dumber voice “so you’re telling me there’s a chance”! 😉

Stops in Tortola, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, etc. It made my little, port intensive heart so happy.

The TA should be able to send any and all of your details and should have invoiced you for any payments made.

Port schedule looks great! I can’t wait for all the time in San Juan. Everyone is going to do their own thing there and just meet up at Raices for dinner. DH and I are going to head up to Calle San Sebastián to the market we’ve never been to and try to take in some La SanSe. In Bimini, we have a 6 person golf cart reserved to go to all our favorites. After last time when our cart broke down, we are hoping our luck is better this time. But again, shout out to Humpy who saved us quickly.