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Girl Gone Travel

Caribbean, Travel
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February 27, 2011

Experiencing the Nickelodeon All Access Cruise on Norwegian Jewel

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UPDATE: Since this review, Norwegian Cruise announced a revamp of their Nickelodeon fleets to include updated family/state rooms and kids club amenities. I have not experienced the new ships, nor have seen them beyond images provided, but Go Big or Go Home toured the new Norwegian Breakaway and provided info and images of the new ship, which looks way more kid-friendly and kid-focused.

———–

When it comes to traveling with my family, there are a few things I take into consideration:

Accommodations-With a family as large as mine, five in total, it’s often difficult to find accommodations that don’t require an extra room, or charge an extra fee for the fifth person. We are a close family, but we still don’t like being on top of each other when we are in our rooms.

Location/Attractions-Being a New Yorker, I like to walk around. I like to venture out and see different things and have the option to do a lot, even if in the end I don’t do much at all. I would say the same is true for the rest of my crew. We’re pretty adventurous, and rarely just lounge around when on vacation. So, I look for places that offer tons to do and have lots to see, and where those things are easily accessible.

I also look for an experience that appeals to the entire family, not just the children. There are many families with kids that are happy to give up the vacation to the child and their only goal is the child’s happiness, even at the expense of their own. I, however, am not that selfless. I want to have a good time too.

Customer Service/Friendliness-I have pretty high standards when I travel. It doesn’t matter if we are roughing it, or if we are staying at an economy lodge, the minute I put my credit card down for payment, I expect quality service. Such is the case for most travelers. Families included. Most of us with kids have a hectic daily life. When we go away we want the red carpet rolled out for us. Maybe not literally, but we want to relax and have things made easy, have as much worry taken away as possible. I was recently called a “Diva” for having this standard, and I embrace it. I believe travelers should be courteous, considerate, and respectful of other travelers and their hosts, and in this sense I don’t fit the diva status, as I consider myself to be all of those. However, I believe when it comes to expectation of good service and getting the experience you were promised and paid for, every traveler should embrace their “Diva Traveler” and expect nothing but the best experience when they travel, with or without kids in tow.

Cost: I leave this one for last, because though I still have to consider it when we travel, I have learned that some things are just worth paying extra for. I recall a couple of years ago in a family road trip we decided on a last minute stop to rest. A hotel reservation needed to be made. My husband wanted to save money because he concluded “it was only for one night anyway” and booked a night at a Super 8 for $70. It was by far one of the most disgusting hotel experiences I have ever had.

I am not exclusively a luxury traveler, but I certainly am not the type of traveler who will spend a night just anywhere, especially when traveling with my kids. So, despite my family being larger, and sometimes costing more, I would pay it if I had to for a better guarantee that all of the above mentioned are covered during our travel experiences.

And it was with all these criteria in mind that I boarded the Nickelodeon Cruise on the Norwegian Jewel. This is my first cruise and thus, I had a lot to learn quickly about the culture of cruising during this trip. I have learned that the experience in cruising varies from cruise line to cruise line and can also differ depending on what the destinations are and even the time of year you go. Older travelers, or travelers without children tend to travel on the off seasons when families are busy with work and school, where as families are usually on board during school breaks and the Summer season. Luxury cruises also tend to attract a more sophisticated traveler, and might also be more demanding in the way you dress, the type of entertainment and services offered, and the sort of behavior that is, and is not, tolerated on board.

I went on the Nickelodeon All Access cruise with my three boys, without my husband, and during the kids’ mid-winter break. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was open to the experience. This was a first for us all.

This is the first time Nickelodeon has sponsored an All Access cruise on the Norwegian Line and it will host similar cruises two times a year, once from New York City and another from Barcelona. The seven-day cruise from New York City stops in the Bahamas and Florida’s Port Canaveral, and the seven-day cruise from Barcelona stops in Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy, Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, Naples, Palma, Majorca.

There are other Nickelodeon Cruises on the Norwegian Cruise Lines called Nickelodeon at Sea with the difference between those and the All Access cruise being that the “All Access” focuses on offering a larger dose of Nickelodeon throughout the entire duration of the cruise.

I and my son were complimentary guests on the All Access cruise from New York City, and I paid all expenses for my two other children. Even as media, I was able to experience the cruise as most guests did, and had the opportunity to speak to various guests, of all ages and demographics to get their feedback.

Nickelodeon Cruise “All Access” also means that guests have access to everything Nickelodeon offers, which includes meeting and taking photos with the characters, such as Sponge Bob, Dora, Diego, and other Nickelodeon cartoon favorites, as well as celebrities from shows such as Big Time Rush and iCarly. Guests have access to entertainment, games, and activities hosted by the Nickelodeon Crew.

The first couple of days on board we were at sea making our way to Florida. It was hectic and terribly overwhelming. The kids club (not part of Nickelodeon) was bombarded with parents, and it seemed that there wasn’t much organization or preparedness for the influx of requests they received. In order to register children to the kids club – which is free to guests when ship is at sea, and costs $6.00 per child/per hour for first child and $4.00 per second child per hour during days when ship is docked for excursions – one must fill out a form, per child, that needs to be reviewed and approved before your child is given a wrist band and allowed access. By the time I got my applications in I had to wait at least 24 hours to hear back because of the backlog.

During the first couple of days my kids and I ventured through the ship together, but it felt chaotic and stressful. Lines for activities were long and events were crowded. Service at sit down complimentary restaurants was slow, and more than one Norwegian Cruise Line crew member made mention of how “they weren’t expecting so many kids”.

However, as the days went by it seemed that everyone, both the crew and guests, got a better handle on things.

My boys were able to get their pictures taken with their favorite Nickelodeon characters and we enjoyed a few of the shows as well. We never did make it to the character breakfasts as these were hosted early in the morning (7:30 to 9:00AM) and the lines were often long there as well. We didn’t always get a chance to take photos with other characters as these were scheduled and limited, and often crowded. We were turned away from a few because of the crowds, and eventually we just stopped trying.

Most parents I spoke to were disappointed that there weren’t more characters walking around the ship, and though there were activities planned throughout the day, a lot of people expressed frustration in that many of these were spread out leaving hours without anything to do for the kids. During breaks from character sightings or signing, we played in the sports deck or participated in whatever activities we could get in to or relaxed in the room.

A big hit was a show hosted by voice actor Tom Kenny – who is the voice of Sponge Bob – one evening. Every guest I spoke to felt he gave his all during his performance, and felt that this was a highlight of the cruise. I would say that when the Nickelodeon Crew was out and about entertaining guests, they gave it their all. They were fun and energetic, and related well with the kids. The children and parents had a blast. I could see smiles all around. I think if more of that was present throughout the cruise, both groups would have been happier. I also think that if more activities were planned continuously throughout the day it might have also helped with crowd control a lot better.

Once the kids club was better organized, it was a big hit. Luckily, my children loved the 2 to 5 year old kids’ club section. They cheered when I announced I would be dropping them off, and asked to go when I didn’t.

Another great experience for us were the excursions. In Florida we chose to go to Universal Studios, Orlando (about an hour away from Port Canaveral) and in Nassau, Bahamas, we chose to revisit Atlantis. My review for Universal Studios is here and for Atlantis Paradise island, here.

I highly recommend both these destinations when cruising. I would also suggest pricing outside of the cruise for tickets and transportation as it might be more cost effective. The excursions add a considerable amount to your travel, as you have to pay for admission to both of these destinations as well as transportation to both locations, but I believe that they complimented my experience significantly.

For Bahamas: once exiting ship, you will find taxi drivers readily available to take you to Atlantis, as well as tour guides. At the time of our visit the price for a ride to Atlantis from the port was $4.00 per person. Notice that taxis are not private, and drivers will usually wait to fill up the van before taking you to your destination. With this in mind, allot yourself enough time in case you have to wait, or prepare to offer more money for a private van and an immediate drive to your destination. Check the Atlantis website for fees to their various attractions. Water rides, use of pools, and use of beach all require a paid admission.

For Florida: Arrange for a private car service or shuttle through the cruise to your destination. Universal Studios is an hour away from port as are most Orlando destinations.

Also note, if you choose to arrange your excursions through the cruise line, I would advise you do these early on upon your arrival as they book up quickly.

One other excursion on this cruise is a stop at the Norwegian’s private beach, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. The ship offers a free boat out to the beach and lunch is included. There is an opportunity to scuba, snorkel, and participate in other water-fun activities for an extra fee. My advice is to schedule to be on the first boat out to the beach. Getting there early makes all the difference before the huge crowds from the ship arrive. It was peaceful and stress-free. By the time the larger crowds arrive to the beach it was a bit chaotic and not relaxing at all. I will say, the beach has the bluest waters I have seen in a long time. When not crowded it is quite beautiful. Early arrival is key.

When cruising, most people have a lot to say about the food. Eating is not a problem on a cruise. The Norwegian Jewel has several restaurants, both buffet or a la carte that are complimentary for guests. The food is good and there is a lot of it, but if you have dietary restrictions, such as vegan, vegetarian, or allergies, such as to dairy, your choices are limited and finding staff to accommodate your requests is difficult.

There are also restaurants the require a paid fee from $10 to $25 per person as well as a reservation. Our best for fee dining experience were compliments of our hosts and were at the ship’s Hibachi restaurant, Teppanyaki ($25 per person, reservations required). The food was amazing and plentiful.

There is a full gym, with plenty of machines and weights, as well as a sauna to burn all those calories off, and my teen made good use of the activities in the sports deck on board.

There are two pools, including one with a slide, as well as two hot tubs and a small kiddie pool. The larger pools are filled with salty sea water which I found overbearing and couldn’t tolerate for more than a few hours. Most kids on board didn’t seem to mind however, so it might just be something that requires getting used to.

At the time of our cruise, the cost was about $947.00 per person. This does not include taxes, nor does it include a $12 per day/per person service charge that is incurred on your bill each day you are on board. This service charge is not mandatory and you can request to change it to whatever you feel you would like to pay. Simply state so at reception at time of check out.

All charges for gifts, meals, child care, laundry, drinks (alcohol, soft drinks, and specialty coffee drinks such as espressos and lattes) are charged with your room key. If you want to buy a drink card (for soft drinks) it will cost you $60.00, no matter at what stage of your cruise you purchase it. Otherwise the average price for a soft drink is a bit over $2.00. Espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, are between $3.00 to $4.00.

I found the line item charging to be quite annoying actually. It’s frustrating to have every little thing charged separately. I think it would be a great improvement if the cruise would charge a higher fee and not charge for individual items such as soft drinks or Internet access. No traveler, especially one with kids, wants to worry about the details.

The cabin was a bit small for us and consisted of a king size bed, a chair that converted into a twin size bed, and a bunk bed that opened overhead. We had a balcony room, with a small fridge and a small bathroom. Once all beds were open there was not much to do but lay in them. Had I brought my entire family of five, I would have had to reserve a suite size cabin, which is about a few hundred dollars difference from the one I had and is much larger. The room also has a small t.v., and on Nickelodeon sponsored cruises there is a channel that plays Nickelodeon shows on a loop. There are no pay-per-view options, nor options to watch DVDs on the set, things that might come in handy on days when kids just want to hang out in the cabin, or you want to relax and watch the tube. This was the case for us when we needed a break from the crowds, or a couple of days when the waters were a bit choppy and we were feeling a bit light headed from the rocking ship.

Overall, it’s hard to make a final determination on the cruise. My children had a good time, but there were a lot of other times when they were bored, and I can’t imagine what my experience would have been like had I not done the excursions. I bonded with my three children during this trip in a way that we haven’t ever really done so before. I loved all the time we spent together, and I took advantage of the distance from daily distractions to admire what wonderful kids they are. Even though I was alone with them, I enjoyed it wholeheartedly and would travel the world over with them in tow without hesitation. In this sense it was truly a great experience for us.

I should also point out that there were people on the cruise who booked through Norwegian not knowing it was a cruise sponsored by Nickelodeon. (UPDATE: I was informed by NCL PR team that these guests did not book through the cruise’s directly, but rather through independent travel agents and they will be contacting those to correct this communication problem). One couple was told it is not mandatory for the cruise line to state who is sponsoring the cruises. This is important to note if thinking about booking a cruise, as you want to make sure you are in a cruise that has activities appropriate for your travel desires and needs.

This cruise, despite its price, felt like an “economy” cruise to me. The customer service wasn’t always up to par, though the crew was always friendly to the guests and kids. There was no real VIP service that I noted, even for the special guests who I saw standing on crowded lines with everyone else a couple of times, and other details, such as reaching someone from reception over the phone, was close to impossible. I was always on edge about what was included and what was an additional charge, and I really wish I didn’t have to worry about it during my stay.

The Nickelodeon aspect I think is wonderful and when active it was always well done and very much enjoyed. However, the Norwegian Jewel did not feel like a kid-friendly ship, and I think that Nickelodeon needs to establish a stronger, more frequent presence when they host a cruise.

Another reason why I can’t give this cruise a stellar review is because I heard too many complaints from guests on line, in the elevators, on the hallways. I have to honor their experiences as well.

I am hoping that a lot of the things that didn’t work out in this cruise are things that can be addressed and fixed, and that the Nickelodeon brand can be felt more profoundly in the upcoming cruises. This particular cruise has all the potential of becoming a popular cruise for families, especially those in NYC and the East Coast. The easy departure from the city is a reason many families I spoke to said they chose this cruise as a vacation option. For many families it was also a first time cruising either with Norwegian, or ever. This is also the first All Access Cruise in the line, so my hope is that the issues mentioned are all just growing pains that can be addressed quickly for future families to enjoy.

For more images on our cruise experience, please visit my Flickr page here.

Disclosure: I received complimentary boarding, including taxes and service fees, for me and one guest to participate in the Nickelodeon All Access Cruise on the Norwegian Jewel for the purpose of this review. Admission to Universal Studios and Atlantis were compliments of the respective entities. The views and opinions shared in this review are entirely my own.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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21 Comments
  • Candace @ NaturallyE
    February 27, 2011

    Thank you for writing such a thorough review!

    We loved our Disney Dream press cruise and I would like to (once the new baby is born and old enough) take another family cruise. We'd really like to find a cruise out of New York City to save the money and time of a plane flight.

    One of the things I think is really brave here is that Nickelodeon had you guys on a cruise that was open to the public.

    The service was amazing on the Disney Dream and I imagine it always is because Disney excels at hospitality…but it would have been interesting to get the "regular customer" perspective, too.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Candace @ NaturallyE
      February 27, 2011

      Thanks Candace! Yeah, we got to experience it just like the other travelers and it was also nice being able to talk to people, some of which were seasoned cruisers to get their perspective. It really helped give a fuller picture. I'd love to try Disney to compare some day.

      Reply
  • Barbara
    February 27, 2011

    Interesting to read this review. Our experiences of cruising (like you, only once so far) was so different. When we have time I will tell you about my friend's experiences with her child on Disney cruises. My own experience (with no kids) on The Norwegian Dawn was heaven. It was my first and only cruise so far but my husband and I loved every moment – so I would love to talk to you about that one too :).

    -B

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Barbara
      February 27, 2011

      We definitely should compare notes Barbara!

      Reply
  • Yakini
    February 27, 2011

    This cruise seems like every kids' fantasy! And I love the excursions available. Thanks so much for this thorough review – will be consulting it when its time for my family to decide upon our next family vacation! I know who will be voting for this cruise (me and the boys) but up to DH to make the final decision! LOL

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Yakini
      February 27, 2011

      Thanks Yakini!

      Reply
  • Corine
    February 27, 2011

    Great thorough and honest review Carol!

    All in all I am glad you and the boys had a fun bonding trip! The pics were great and your boys are adorable- as always.

    I read the review nodding my head the whole time because i too cruised Norwegian when I was

    Expecting my daughter, and honestly it was

    Not enjoyable at all.

    I agree ab the chaos & lacking activities and lived off cookies and tapas from the tapas bar because

    The food was eh-

    and I am so glad you mentioned the $12 charge being optional because they were not upfront with that with us and we had a lot of trouble disputing it after the fact

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Corine
      February 27, 2011

      Thanks Corine-Yeah, sadly they have a lot of to improve. I'm sorry to hear the experience was a negative one for you : ((

      Reply
  • Alicia @MommyDelicio
    February 27, 2011

    Wow, Carol. You write with such passion! This review is so in-depth and comprehensive. Thanks so much. Even though there were some rough patches, looks like you had a good time with the boys. Awaiting the review on Atlantis. I've been there once a while back and I'm curios to see how it is now.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Alicia @MommyDelicio
      February 28, 2011

      Thanks Alicia!

      Reply
  • DadStreet
    February 27, 2011

    I read the entire post. I have no idea why. Well, I don't live in NYC, in fact I live 3,000 miles away. I also have no intention on going on a cruse with the fam anytime soon. So why did I read? I have no idea.

    I will say, that I do appreciate your honesty. While (as a blogger myself) I know it can be challenging for some to write honestly about something they're paid for, I think it's great you were not swayed. Glad you had fun and thanks for sharing!

    Also? Please excuse the first paragraph. It's sunday night, the Oscars are on, and I'm tired.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      DadStreet
      February 28, 2011

      Thanks Josh : ) I so appreciate your comment. I strive to be honest and fair in my reviews, so it means a lot that you say that. : ) Thanks for reading all the way through! And on Oscar night no less!!

      Reply
  • Auntie Brenda
    February 28, 2011

    Great pics Carol!! Made me miss you all!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Auntie Brenda
      February 28, 2011

      Awwww!!! We miss you too Auntie Brenda!

      Reply
  • Rachel
    February 28, 2011

    Looks awesome! I LOVE NCL. No better way to travel with family. 🙂

    Reply
  • CRUSH: Teen party zone in Atlantis, Bahamas | NYCity Mama
    March 1, 2011

    […] zone in Atlantis Written by Carol Cain on 01 March 2011 TweetShareOne of the stops during our 7-day Nickelodeon All Access Cruise on the Norwegian Jewel was in Nassau, Bahamas and when in Nassau, Bahamas with 3 kids in tow and just a few hours to […]

    Reply
  • Jen
    March 1, 2011

    Loved reading and hearing about your experiences aboard the Nickelodeon NCL cruise! You offer so many helpful pointers that people wouldn't know otherwise. I appreciate your thorough review; and despite the snafus, it sounds like this was a trip of a lifetime w/ the boys! (their smiles above say it all!)

    As you know, in my former life as a trade editor, I covered several NCL inaugural cruises from a technical standpoint, so, it was great to read and "see" from a travel guru's perspective.

    Reply
  • Stephanie
    March 1, 2011

    I, too, was on this cruise with my husband and 2 children. We had a fabulous time in enjoying each other and spending time together. It was a much needed escape from the winter blues of Pennsylvania. My main issue was that this cruise was not a good value. I agree with your comparison to that of an "economy" cruise. I just don't think I got what I paid for. Had it cose 1/2 of what I paid, I would be totally satisfied or on the flip side, had we benefited 2 times as much, I would feel whole. Seems there was poor planning and a lack of preparedness for the kids club, the tendering procedures, and the character and celebrity meetings, etc. They really did not have a rhythem so things were unorganized and chaotic. The staff certainly did their best and should not be blamed for the shortcomings. Like I said, we had a great time but I would caution NCL that the term "All Access" has implications and inferences.

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    March 1, 2011

    Hi Stephanie, thank you for your input and feedback. It's greatly appreciated.

    Reply
  • Nickelodeon All Access Cruise Pt Deux
    March 2, 2011

    […] the experience was positive, albeit a little overwhelming. I encourage you to check out Carol’s review as she is a travel writer and did a very thorough and accurate job explaining the trip. We would […]

    Reply
  • Solo with kids at Universal Studios, Orlando? No problem! | NYCity Mama
    March 2, 2011

    […] rides – we sure didn’t! We had about 4.5 hours before we needed to get back on to the Nickelodeon Cruise, about an hour away from the […]

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext
As I work on compiling all the good eats I experie As I work on compiling all the good eats I experienced in Madison, WI, I have to ask: what is your favorite meal of the day, and where did you experience a highlight of the same?

I am a huge fan of breakfast. This beauty was a blueberry pancake order from @shortstackeats. Pancakes are not a big thing for me, but these were pretty perfect. I am craving them still. 🥞♥️

#madisonwi #goodeats #travelingfoodie @destinationmadison
We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a qui We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a quick trip to Madison, WI - my first time back in 14 years! Though we were here for family matters, we did take a moment to explore a bit of what used to be a place we called home.

We couldn’t do anything else until we drove around Lake Monona, where we once had a home, and took in the wintery views (there is an epic 13.2-mile trail that loops around the lake that is worth exploring if you visit!). Though our time was limited, we were able to enjoy some of it along State Street exploring the shops, eateries, the FREE @mmocamadison, and the beautiful architecture of the WI State Capitol Building (the Dane County Farmers Market will soon pick up again - Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 2023 around the Capitol Building and it is one of the best farmers markets anywhere!). 

We booked a room at the @hiltonmadison Monona Terrace to be within walking distance of all the downtown fun (tip: for a room with a lake view make sure to book at the upper levels above 10th floor for an unobstructed view of Lake Monona). 

Madison, WI is a skip and a hop from the Finger Lakes so this short and sweet visit didn’t feel difficult at all. And we absolutely loved the winter scenery and seeing what has changed (a lot) since we lived here.

Stay tuned for my list of where we ate!

Have you ever been to Madison, WI?

#madisonwi #weekendgetaway #wisconsin @destinationmadison
The joy of that first sip of the day. #randommom The joy of that first sip of the day. 

#randommomentsarethebest
I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t be I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t believe how easily I’ve been waking up in the early mornings since our last trip. Not sure how to shake it, or if it’s temporary, but here it is: the rare sighting of me up and moving early in the day. Am I a morning person now? Has travel ever permanently changed any of your habits?

#morningperson #lifeinthecountry #newme <-😂

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