I seem to be on a roll with winning Twitter contests. This morning I found out that I won a contest that I didn't even knew I entered! I tend to retweet posts that I find interesting, and I did one, and it was part of a contest from @VacationManager. How completely awesome is that?!
So, we are making t-shirts for our cruise, with our sponsors (as I am calling them...) on the back---those companies that have contributed (through on board cash or gift certificates) to our vacation. I believe in passing on the love from companies, and the Twitter reps from the 4 companies are awesome people that I talk to all the time. These people need raises! (ahem @CruisesForLess, @MeetOnCruise, @VacationManager, @CruiseGiant pass that on to your bosses!)
Frankly, I am quite shocked that I have won anything. And just think---it all came from just talking to people, clicking a mouse, and finding amazing companies with amazing customer service via Twitter.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Booked our pre-cruise hotel
I wish that we were still sailing out of Port Canaveral. Not because I want to switch back to the Disney cruise, or have the longer drive, or spend more money for a shorter cruise, but because of the hotel on the BEACH! Oh, it hurt canceling that room. It was a gorgeous hotel steps from the beach! Oh, and it was free. (Thanks to Hilton Honors points)
So...Baltimore, although I'm sure it's a very nice city (as we haven't been there yet, I can't say for sure), does NOT have hotels on the beach with balconies. And the rooms that are on water, the harbor, well....they are expensive (lots of points plus $$$), and no free parking, and no free breakfast. And since we are looking to use Hilton points to pay for the room, we are a little restricted with which hotels we have available.
So, I looked a little farther out from downtown, farther from the harbor, which means farther from the cruise terminal. Next closest would be the airport area. Lots of choices, but my eye snagged on Embassy Suites. I've always liked Embassy, mainly because of the breakfast. Included in the price of the stay, they have made to order omelets and tons to choose from. And the rooms are large (suites!) which is nice, because with the boys, we will need the room after being in the car for hours.
Like I do with pretty much all hotels, I looked at reviews. Saw some that were downright awful--from bugs in the rooms to stained sheets. *gulp* But the majority that I saw were quite positive.
There's also a Homewood Suites that is right there as well. We stay in the Homewood in Indy a lot, and for the most part are pleased. The breakfast, however, tends to be hit or miss. And I wasn't really thrilled with the room layouts that I could see on the website---looks like the bedroom is immediately off the living room, while the Embassy has the bathroom in between, adding sound buffer.
So, I turned to my husband for his advice. He wanted to stay closer to the Harbor, mainly for the rail museum. But once I told him that we would be paying $20-30 just for parking, he quashed that idea. (we are weird about paying for parking, don't ask)
So, he pretty much left it up to me. And I chose the Embassy. Not only do we use our Hilton points for the room, we booked a deluxe level suite for less points than a regular suite, which means we get a room on a higher floor, plus free internet (instead of the $10/person it would be normally).
All in all, I'm pleased with what we have chosen. It's not a balcony suite on a beach, but it will do for one night. I will, of course, write up a review of our room and the hotel after we stay there. Or even while we are there if I have time!
So...Baltimore, although I'm sure it's a very nice city (as we haven't been there yet, I can't say for sure), does NOT have hotels on the beach with balconies. And the rooms that are on water, the harbor, well....they are expensive (lots of points plus $$$), and no free parking, and no free breakfast. And since we are looking to use Hilton points to pay for the room, we are a little restricted with which hotels we have available.
So, I looked a little farther out from downtown, farther from the harbor, which means farther from the cruise terminal. Next closest would be the airport area. Lots of choices, but my eye snagged on Embassy Suites. I've always liked Embassy, mainly because of the breakfast. Included in the price of the stay, they have made to order omelets and tons to choose from. And the rooms are large (suites!) which is nice, because with the boys, we will need the room after being in the car for hours.
Like I do with pretty much all hotels, I looked at reviews. Saw some that were downright awful--from bugs in the rooms to stained sheets. *gulp* But the majority that I saw were quite positive.
There's also a Homewood Suites that is right there as well. We stay in the Homewood in Indy a lot, and for the most part are pleased. The breakfast, however, tends to be hit or miss. And I wasn't really thrilled with the room layouts that I could see on the website---looks like the bedroom is immediately off the living room, while the Embassy has the bathroom in between, adding sound buffer.
So, I turned to my husband for his advice. He wanted to stay closer to the Harbor, mainly for the rail museum. But once I told him that we would be paying $20-30 just for parking, he quashed that idea. (we are weird about paying for parking, don't ask)
So, he pretty much left it up to me. And I chose the Embassy. Not only do we use our Hilton points for the room, we booked a deluxe level suite for less points than a regular suite, which means we get a room on a higher floor, plus free internet (instead of the $10/person it would be normally).
All in all, I'm pleased with what we have chosen. It's not a balcony suite on a beach, but it will do for one night. I will, of course, write up a review of our room and the hotel after we stay there. Or even while we are there if I have time!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Booked an excursion for our cruise
Well...if you can call this an excursion
We booked a cabana on Half Moon Cay. It's a little private hut type thing, that has an a/c unit (I suppose you might need that if it is in the 90s), ceiling fan, snacks/sodas/water included, shower, etc.
The cost was a bit much for us--$220 for use the entire time we are in port. But with the boys I definitely think this will be well worth the money. The whole point of going on a cruise (other then the amazing ship) is the places that the ship GOES. None of us have been to the Eastern Caribbean/Bahamas, so this will be entirely new for all of us.
With the possible hot weather (we will be here 1st week of May), or rain, or just crankiness from the sun, I think the cabana will be well worth the price. I will, of course, have a full review of the entire experience, including pictures (if I remember to take my camera off the ship!)
We booked a cabana on Half Moon Cay. It's a little private hut type thing, that has an a/c unit (I suppose you might need that if it is in the 90s), ceiling fan, snacks/sodas/water included, shower, etc.
The cost was a bit much for us--$220 for use the entire time we are in port. But with the boys I definitely think this will be well worth the money. The whole point of going on a cruise (other then the amazing ship) is the places that the ship GOES. None of us have been to the Eastern Caribbean/Bahamas, so this will be entirely new for all of us.
With the possible hot weather (we will be here 1st week of May), or rain, or just crankiness from the sun, I think the cabana will be well worth the price. I will, of course, have a full review of the entire experience, including pictures (if I remember to take my camera off the ship!)
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