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Our cruise experiences and adventures

Behind the Scenes Tour
2025 Mexican Riviera

Behind the Scenes Tour

The Latitudes tour offers a peek into the galley and laundry, but lacks the depth of the paid behind-the-scenes tour. While the Latitudes experience showcases customer-facing spaces, the paid tour reveals the bridge and engine control room, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of ship operations. It's fascinating to consider how crew members manage time changes across the ship, as we add an hour with each sailing day. However, the real allure lies in the areas not typically seen by passengers...

Day 1: Sailaway
2025 Mexican Riviera

Day 1: Sailaway

Despite initial frustrations with parking and missing the ship inspection, the boarding process at the San Diego cruise terminal was smooth. We boarded by 11:30, quickly cleared security, and settled into O’Sheehan’s for our traditional embarkation mudslides. Rooms were slightly delayed, but we still had time for a quick nap before Sailaway—the highlight being the passing USS Ronald Reagan, identified by Google Lens.

Review: Cagney’s, NCL Jade 2025
2025 Mexican RivieraFood and Drink

Review: Cagney’s, NCL Jade 2025

One of our must-do traditions on Day 1 of any NCL Cruise is indulging in the first mudslide and dining at Cagney’s. The shrimp appetizer met expectations, but Roxan's thick-cut bacon surprised us with its simplicity—just grilled pork without added flavors. The prime rib was high-quality yet not as memorable as I recalled from previous visits. Overall, Cagney’s remains a consistent favorite, delivering a solid dining experience.

We’re on Board!
2025 Mexican Riviera

We’re on Board!

It has been a rainy morning, but as the clouds begin to part, the promise of adventure remains. Onboard, the atmosphere is filled with excitement as the crew anticipates a day of exploration despite the weather. Rain or shine, every moment spent at sea brings its own unique joy and wonder, reminding us that...

A Crisp, Beautiful Start
2025 Mexican Riviera

A Crisp, Beautiful Start

Stepping out of the hotel, I was greeted by a stunning view that set the tone for a long day ahead. With 11.5 hours of driving scheduled, including a lunch stop in Flagstaff and a time zone change, I'm bracing myself for a late arrival around 8:30 or 9pm.

Good night from Albuquerque!
2025 Mexican Riviera

Good night from Albuquerque!

Just after sunset, a stunning scene unfolds west of Amarillo, where the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant colors. The interplay of light and shadow creates a breathtaking backdrop that captures the essence of this moment, inviting viewers to take in the serene beauty of nature. It's a reminder of how fleeting and precious these...

Let the Trek Begin!
2025 Mexican Riviera

Let the Trek Begin!

Looking down the barrel of two 11-hour days on the road makes me yearn for a transporter. It would have been cool to have gone to bed last night at home and woken up this morning in San Diego. But alas, today’s drive includes a BNI meeting before heading to Edmond for lunch and then the long stretch west on I-40 to Albuquerque. Tomorrow’s drive brings more decisions, with beautiful routes and delicious meals ahead.

T minus 1 Week
2025 Mexican Riviera

T minus 1 Week

The grand adventure kicks off with a drive to New Orleans to tour the NCL Escape, a journey filled with nostalgia as I revisit Jackson, MS. After two years, I’m eager to see the ship again and catch an 80’s band perform. This time, packing is simplified; no more 'Packing Jenga' as we’ll travel with just one suitcase. I managed to score an upgrade to the last Club Balcony Suite, enhancing our experience onboard.

E-Docs: Check!
2025 Mexican Riviera

E-Docs: Check!

As the countdown to departure begins, the excitement of online check-in at midnight ET 21 days prior is palpable. It marks a pivotal moment in the journey, kicking off the pre-cruise preparations that every NCL traveler eagerly anticipates. My schedule is packed with activities leading up to our much-anticipated cruise, including concerts and ship inspections, each adding to the thrill of what's to come.

Well, this is last minute…for us
2025 Mexican Riviera

Well, this is last minute…for us

A planned trip to inspect Norwegian Cruise Line ships led me to book a Mexican Riviera sailing from November 15th-22nd. As I work on rebranding my travel agency, Cruise Made EASY, I'm excited to tour the Norwegian Jade just before this trip. The double Latitude Rewards points offer is too good to pass up, and I can't wait to experience Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas again, especially after our previous adventures there...

New Schedule for our September 2026 Trip
2026 Canada, New EnglandCanada

New Schedule for our September 2026 Trip

Instead of the southbound Quebec City to Philadelphia trip from September 16 to 26, we're moving to a northbound adventure from September 26 to October 7. This change comes with the hope of catching peak fall colors—something we narrowly missed in 2023. With a major life event looming for our youngest daughter just before our original departure, this new schedule offers us the flexibility we need. Plus, I’m excited about revisiting the aft balcony experience on the Jewel-class ship.

We’ve Chosen Our 35th Anniversary Cruise
2026 Canada, New England

We’ve Chosen Our 35th Anniversary Cruise

Exciting news for cruise lovers! Our favorite NCL ship, the Jewel, is set to sail from Quebec City to Philadelphia in September 2026. After our incredible trip to Canada and New England in 2023, we're eager to embark on this journey. With life's financial challenges, this cruise will be our next adventure, and we can't wait to explore the beautiful route once again!