afowler8

Awesome news! Thank you! 

We leave on the Paradise on Monday, and my kids are dying to know if the pool and waterworks will be open when we board (or before sail away). It’s been several years since we’ve cruised and I cannot remember… 

We found Sydney to be very walkable and accessible. We rented this place on AirBnB and were very happy (October 2016)

https://abnb.me/bC0MCIfk7L

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. Great Ocean Road

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Blue Mountains

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We spent 12 days in Australia in October 2016– split between Sydney, Port Douglas, and Melbourne. Assuming that you are coming from the US, the first day you are going to be EXHAUSTED from air travel. We traveled from Atlanta to San Fran to Sydney. 26 hours from first take off to touchdown in Sydney at 8am local time.

If I were going to go back for just 5 days in Jan, I would fly into Melbourne and spend some time exploring the Great Ocean Road and taking in the city’s culture on bike. Then I would make my way to Sydney, tour the city for one day and then take a day tour to the Blue Mountains.

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I have had interior, ocean view, and balcony rooms (still waiting to splurge on a suite!), and we do not mind interior rooms at all. Is it nice to have a balcony? Absolutely. Is it nice to be on a ship? Absolutely. So we're really talking about the difference between two great things. And for me, that is nothing to stress over. We are booked on the Freedom for an interior cabin in October. If I see a good enough deal open up, I might upgrade. But for now, it allowed us to squeeze in another week of vacation at sea. :) I can't ever think of a vacation that I regretted taking. Not even the one to Mexico when I had (SURPRISE!) morning sickness all week! Morning sickness in paradise is better than morning sickness at home, any day!

Okay.. one more of Trunk Bay. The light there was just amazing that day.

I can't pick just one! Here are a few of my favorites!

This is my boyfriend's brother in Grand Turk- November 2007. We were standing at the end of one of the docks.

next is leaving San Juan on the same cruise... I love the light in this one.

and finally. I just love this moment-- not a flattering picture of either of us, but it was just a special moment for me. My BF and I at Trunk Bay, St. John.

I love all the others. Please keep them coming!

Just booked the Hilton in Melbourne for the night before. It's a great stop on the way down to Miami from Atlanta. Only leaves us 3 hours on Saturday morning.

3 Stars - Hilton Melbourne

$55.00 for 11/16:D