Disney Fantasy- Day THREE: Cozumel, Mexico!

Happy belated Easter, friends! I do love getting my classic Easter treats,which are Cadbury Eggs & Peeps, honestly. However, I also love Easter because I love Jesus, and I am a big fan of Him - giving His life for me, to replace all the stupid choices I make because He loves you & I THAT much! Easter is a beautiful day to celebrate redemption, freedom, love and my faith. After an amazing sermon at church, I spent lunch with my family, laughing, sharing and eating delicious food. 
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I have to say I was pretty excited when we booked our Disney Cruise and it included Cozumel, Mexico. My parents had taken me to Mexico as a baby so obviously I don't remember much. ;)

There is a lot to explore in Cozumel. There is the all inclusive beach side for families, there is the historical walking tours and there is of course, sticking around on the beach. My husband & I love choosing the historical side of destinations. So, after comparing the options and the price tags involved, we chose to do the Chocolate Tour + Mayan Walking tour (Adults only). There was one for families but this one was cheaper I believe. When you book your cruise excursion with Disney, they give you a ticket in your room of where to meet for that port. We met in the Walt Disney Theatre, with several other groups of people. 

The pictures I've included are waiting in line, walking through til we met up with our driver. I remember seeing the Starbucks sign, thinking - COFFEE! However, the location ended up being too faraway after 6+ hours of walking that day. I simply had no energy but it would've been amazing to have Starbucks in Mexico. ;) 



After waiting for what felt like eternity, we were able to leave the ship to head out to our excursion! We walked towards the mall, where we met up with our tour guide, who intro'd himself as an authentic Mayan. I don't remember his name, but he was so lively. He showed us all over the city, filling our heads with stories from childhood, facts and jazz. I honestly don't remember everything but I loved looking out the window, watching a different part of the world, all the people, all the trees and bright colors weave together. I've never seen the Mayan ruins but I remember studying them in school before. The price we paid for our excursion included admission to the Mayan Ruins location, and the Mayan Cacao Company as well as feed us lunch! 

I remember seeing the port and absolutely loving the feel of it. Clouds and sky seemed to touch the top of the buildings. The water was a deep blue outside of the ship, and I felt like I had blended in with the locals for a split second. 


Cozumel, Mexico is a different experience than what I originally thought. I felt like I had walked these streets before, and it felt very familiar. The sunshine shone brightly, and I felt the heat. The bus did have a/c which was a help. However, I wore jeans and I wish I had worn capris as not to be too forward, I got heat rash for the rest of my cruise. It was no bueno, so painful and awkward :(

I enjoyed seeing the Mayan ruins up close, It is a lot of walking but hearing the stories and seeing what you've studied made it worth it for me. I definitely got some sun though. I think that by joining the chocolate tour, and with this tour created a package deal. I was able to see Mexican artwork, sculptures and artifacts, and hear how chocolate was created - at first when the Mayans discovered cacao - and it was not sweet, they supplemented flavor by adding cinnamon, sugar, and honey. We tasted samples and it was delicious. There is a gift shop of various types of flavors. They didn't accept the credit card I had so I wasn't able to get more than the sample.. All of these are beautiful to me and I always enjoy these types of sights. It also gives you an experience so when you return - you can explore other parts of the city. 


When you first encounter the park where the Mayan ruins are, you are strongly encouraged to take a picture that you can purchase after the tour.

As previously mentioned, after our tour - we were treated to authentic Mexican cuisine. However, please don't repeat my choices. I layered different flavors all over my meat and tacos not thinking this will be spicy, maybe go slow. I bit right into a pepper and I feel like the next 20 minutes were a long hallucination. I was so thirsty, I felt like my brain and lips were on fire. They did not have water but flavored drinks which were not refillable. So, if you are not a huge Mexican food fan or not familiar with their spices, don't rush! At least I know now! ;) 


                  

                  

Overall, Cozumel taught me alot. I re-appreciated my love of history and what had happened there, centuries ago. I am a fan of learning when I travel. I learned not to go crazy with new flavors too fast, otherwise you will burn your mouth and brain. I learned to not wear jeans on a hot day in Mexico. 
And I learned that I am a fan of chocolate, preferably sweetened. 

Before you head back to the port, remember - you're on vacay and you should get those obligatory "That's me by my cruise ship picture in Mexico!" pictures. My husband & I are big fans of this - we do it every vacation! 

  

Thank you for stopping by. I will be sharing hopefully Day 4 this week: GRAND CAYMAN! 

DAY 2: Disney Cruise Line, Fantasy (11.26.16-12.3.16) **

Happy Friday. Figured since I don't feel great that I'd continue sharing about our Disney Fantasy cruise. Today I am sharing about our second day/DAY AT SEA.

I will mention that this cruise we did the week long couple pass at the Rainforest Room. We'd seen a video on YouTube and figured after all the excursions we were planning at our ports - we'd want to get pampered. I recommend if you do this - do it the FIRST DAY! They only have so many week long passes available and they will turn you away if there's none left later.

To give you a better idea of what the Rainforest Room entails - WATCH HERE! 

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Each room gives you a different type of rainfall. There are 3 different types of saunas. You have access to your own jacuzzi at the front of the ship which comes useful when you visit all the ports.
My picture is when you relax on the hot chairs, warm as can be after your done with your spa treatment. I fell asleep a few times but it is super cozy with or without a robe. <3

Our second night was considered elegant and we dined at Animator's Palate. One of our favorites as it resembles a paintbrush, and the walls are covered with your favorite black and white versions of all classic Disney characters including the drawn versions. The best part of the food is that you can get steak or you can get the special. And the desserts? OMG. On point!

         

                    

                    

                                 

Day 2 was when I had the coconut leche cake and I want to remake it myself. It's been a few months and I can't get it outta my head. That plate is called, Sweet Temptations - which features 3 desserts, all smaller portions. But if you want more than one dessert - DO IT! You're on vacation! I did it a few times. & I was super thrilled to dine with my best friend/husband - he was such a stud that night :D

And after dinner, we headed to the Walt Disney Theatre for our show. This is an every night deal, based on when you have dinner and every night is a new show. We came back after to change to hit up the Serenity Spa to relax with the perfect ocean breeze.


If you've never been on a cruise, this is what you will walk into that evening. Your room stewardess will clean the room and leave you with a towel animal with two Ghiradelli chocolates. The most creamy, too small pieces.

But this was our SECOND NIGHT! Thanks for visiting, and our third day is all about COZUMEL, MEXICO :)

Enjoy your weekend! <3

UPDATE: Disney Fantasy Cruise - November 2016 [Day ONE]

Hello again. I finally ripped off the band aid and just jumped right back in to my blog. It's been a really long time but you have to start somewhere so here we go. I am not going to make promises of when and how often I'll blog but just know that it's going to get back to more often, hopefully.

Mini update:
Since I last blogged, I switched teams at my current university from VA/FA to Education as a Registrar.

I sailed with Disney for the fifth time and simultaneously, our first week long cruise. More on that below.

Today was actually a big day for my family. Years ago when my husband and I were dating, almost engaged and starting our lives together - we had adopted two pups. One is a schnauzer named Coco, and the second is a gorgeous purebred Beagle named Lucy. They are ironically six months apart, we adopted both of them in Kansas, and for one that is still trying to be patient when God will bless us with children of our own, they are my furry children. This week, we had to be grownups and realize that our lifestyle was no longer a good fit for Lucy. She's been a part of our family for almost 7 years, and while she has been blind for 2 years, Today, I met her new family and while my heart is cracked in various places, this new family will give her the love and attention she needs that we just couldn't give her. We've tried this path a few times before but the families we met just didnt pass my inspection and they weren't good enough. I am so blessed to know that Lucy will be loved on, cared for and given a great deal of attention all the time. I already miss her but its a new normal for all.


Now for the main event. Let's chat all things Disney.

Right after Thanksgiving last year, my husband and I got to experience a different type of cruise. A whole week long vacation. Because writing about 7 days is a lot, I am going to break this up and share about each day in it's own post.

Today: Day one: Embarking the Disney Fantasy.

The Disney Fantasy is a beautiful ship, and when its marketed as a Christmas cruise, you know Disney will pull out all the stops. When we first walk on the ship, we get asked our family name so that the crew can introduce us as we walk into the lobby atrium. There are lots of other families on-board, exploring the ships and the different areas but the thing that I see first is the giant chandelier and the ginormous Christmas tree.

This time we did it right. We didnt carry our bags with us and were able to sit down for lunch without having a lot of luggage all over the place. My favorite parts of cruising is always that first meal on the ship because you're getting a sense of energy from all your fellow cruisers and after what feels like a lifetime - you get a buffet of food, All different kinds. And you get to stare out to a beautiful highway ;) Dream come true. It's always my favorite because just the process of getting there. We only live an hour from our port of choice, but with traffic, parking at a cruise parking lot, taking the shuttle to the port, going through security and getting your room key and actually ending up on the ship finally - its a process that can easily stress you out. While my husband and I haven't been blessed with kids, it actually makes me glad that we dont have kids yet because it feels so chaotic with just two of us. But I am also excited for when we get to have kids and take them on their first cruise. :)

I love that cruise ships have areas just for adults. I love kids but I love time away from hearing them scream bloody murder out of being entertained. Plus we can always join the family area of the ship when we want to eat, get icecream or watch a Disney movie while they're swimming. On the Disney Fantasy, there are various points to lounge, enjoy hot tubs and pools but there is another pool that makes you feel like you're being rained on while you soak and relax. It was my favorite discoery that first night to find and start my cruise off that way. \

All in all, our first night onboard was just as special and relaxing as we needed. The views of sailing away into the big blue ocean and catching a sunset while on a cruise is just a magical experience I never want to forget.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you will stick around for the next few days as I unpack all the memories of that amazing week. Cruising is our absolute favorite, I am always looking at cruises and always planning our next one. :) <3