This trip was one for the books! I was in San Luis Obispo last week with my agency to celebrate a year of big wins and catch up. Let me take you through the pages of my week, turning this into your personal San Luis Obispo Travel Guide: What To Do In SLO.
🛫 Travel Day 🛬
When I was on the plane, I woke up to the prettiest sunset and got my bags… I may have overpacked…
I rolled into our hotel around 11 pm PST, or should I say, 2 am EST – your girl was definitely feeling the time difference! Exhausted as I was, the first order of business before getting to bed was unpacking and sanitizing my room. I’m all about having my things neatly arranged outside the suitcase, you know? It just feels better when everything’s in plain sight.
🌸 Day One: Settling in & Dinner with the Lola Girls 🌸
I started my day off with a morning workout to get the energy going! After I ate, I came back to the sweetest gift from Lola & Ivy.
After a day of settling in and exploring the area, I returned to my room to get ready for dinner. The vibes were totally reminiscent of ‘Musings of A Curvy Lady’ circa 2014.
The event was a visual treat! —lots of pastel colors, balloons, and flowers. All the girls, including me, were wearing spring-inspired outfits, and it just added to the whole scene. The place had a chill and happy atmosphere, and the food was great too. Thanks to The Sis Kiss for putting together such a beautiful brunch!
After a quick ride, we headed off to the wine tour! 🍷
We also visited Daou Vineyards. This vineyard was absolutely stunning. Women were hand-painting wine bottles for us, the men were FINE and the wine was divine! 🥹
We had dinner in their wine cellar, I was totally in love with it! Huge thanks to Daou Vineyards for having us and making it so special!
🌸 Day Three: Marfarm + Sequins Glam Dinner 🌸
This day had me channeling the country girl vibes I’ve always dreamed of. I threw on my boots, and off we went.
We headed to Marfarm SLO, a charming farm where you can immerse yourself in the full farm experience. When we got there, they had puppies! Some of the girls even adopted a pup! 🥹
Thank you Marfarm SLOs for giving us this amazing experience.
Now, let’s get into the dinner look for our Glam Sequins Dinner Night! ✨
It was such a fun and lovely night with the girls👯♀️✨
🌸 Day Four: Morning with Managers 🌸
Okay, this day was unbelievable. I woke up to meet my manager, who had a surprise excursion for us… WHALE WATCHING! I was shocked, but couldn’t wait because whales are so beautiful— I tear up every time I see them.
After this incredible adventure, it was time for wine and appetizers at Region SLO Wine Bar. We later on walked through the farmer’s market and had dinner at Nate’s on Marsh. Let me tell you, I wished I had another stomach to devour all of this amazing food. Hands down, the best meal I had on this trip
What an incredible four days in San Luis Obispo! It was a perfect blend of catching up with my girls, trying out new experiences, and getting some much-needed rest. A huge shoutout to Lola & Ivy for orchestrating this entire trip and always being the best cheerleaders for me. To another year of wins! 🥂
This year has been quite a journey both personally and style wise. If you have been following me for some time I was initially known for wearing lots of color and this year I’ve embraced neutrals full force.
Don’t get me wrong, I love color. I still wear it and very much attracted to it all but there is just something about a monochromatic neutral look that I cannot resist.
A few weeks back while I was in Utah I manage to wear this cozy multi textured monochrome fit to Tunnel Springs Park and not get anything on it.
Can I get a round of applause?!
I love this outfit because it’s not only giving ranch owner vibes but I genuinely got to enjoy wearing it without dying of heat because Utah’s weather was just parfait.
Needless to say, wear what you little fashion heart desires and you can love color and neutrals simultaneous, don’t fight me on this. You’ll lose.
Today is the first day to score the early bird special on the trip and secure your spot with me in Bali next year! It’s going to be amazing! For a short period of time my trip will be discounted to $1895 for the first 8 bookings. After that it goes up to $2100. You don’t want to miss this deal and you only need 25% of your booking to make the deposit!
I’m so excited to not only be traveling to this beautiful country with you but also hosting the Body Confidence Workshop and Beachside photoshoot. Let’s love ourselves out-loud and look amazing while doing it!
Welcome to Bali! You made it, and we’re so excited to have you join us on the trip of a lifetime! TrovaTrip will greet you at the airport and arrange transportation to Ubud.
After you get settled into your room you’ll join the rest of the crew for a welcome dinner and toast to the next adventure-packed 9 days to come!
Overnight in Ubud
Arrival: Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). TrovaTrip will provide 3 transfers between 8am and 5pm.
Included: Airport Transfer , Welcome Dinner
Hotel: Arma Museum & Resort or similar
Day 2
Wake up to your first full day in Bali! Today will be spent visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest and exploring Ubud on a city tour. No visit to Ubud is complete without stopping in to see the town’s cheekiest inhabitants – the macaque monkeys!
Make sure to have your cameras ready for this day filled with insta-worthy shots! Next you’ll see the Ubud Palace, Ubud Market, and Saraswati (Ubud water palace).
The afternoon will be at your leisure to shop the city!
Overnight in Ubud
Included: Breakfast, Ubud City Tour, Sacred Monkey Forest Visit
Hotel: Arma Museum & Resort or similar
Day 3
After breakfast, drive to the holy spring and sacred Tirta Empul temple. This gorgeous water temple is steeped in history and religious importance to the area.
The next stop is Gunung Kawi, where you can see 11th century tombs carved into the rock face. The countryside here is very fertile and lush, and the footpath leading down to the temple passes through some breathtakingly beautiful rice terraces.
This afternoon relax on your own or sign up for the optional Balinese Massage.
After breakfast, you’ll take a short transfer by outrigger boat to the island of Gili Air.
In the afternoon, Thamarr will lead a confidence-building workshop and photoshoot!
The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your own leisure on this island. Spend the time by cycling around the island or just enjoying sunbathing on the beach.
Overnight on Gili Air
Included: Breakfast, Boat Transfer to Gili Air, Body Confidence Workshop and Beachside Photoshoot
Hotel: Mola Mola Gili Air or similar
Day 5
Today you’ll get to explore the underwater sights of the Gili Islands on a snorkeling adventure! Keep an eye out for fish, turtles, and if you’re lucky, manta rays! Enjoy a savory lunch on board to refuel from your aquatic adventure!
Today is free for you to lounge on the beach and enjoy the day at your leisure.
Overnight in Gili Air
Included: Breakfast
Hotel: Mola Mola Gili Air or similar
Day 7
Enjoy a leisurely last day on Gili Air before heading back to the mainland of Bali.
You’ll transfer to your hotel in Jimbaran before heading to Potato Head Beach Club to enjoy the nightlife!
Overnight in Jimbaran
Included: Breakfast
Hotel: Away Bali Legian Camakila or similar
Day 8
For your final day in Bali you’ll head south to Uluwatu! Explore Pura Luhur, the illustrious temple of Uluwatu, perched on the edge of rocky cliffs. Enjoy a stunning view of the Indian Ocean from 70 meters above sea level, and spend time exploring the scenery and befriending the monkeys that inhabit the temple. Hold on tightly to your hat and sunglasses, as these monkeys are notorious for their cheekiness and stealing abilities!
As the sun sets, enjoy a mesmerizing Kecak Fire Dance performance on the cliff.
After the show the crew will have a wonderful farewell dinner at a local restaurant to cheers to a week well spent.
All good things must come to an end. Until next time!
Included: Airport Transfer, Breakfast
Departure: Fly out of Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). TrovaTrip will provide two transfers on the last day.
Are you excited yet?
Don’t wait too long to book. There are only 20 spots available total and less than 8 (we’ve got people booked already) with the early bird pricing! It’s going to be here before you know it and I cannot wait!
Since launching their extended line, Anthropologie has become very quickly one of my favorite all time plus retailers.
As a college student I remember desperately wanting to shop there.
My bank account had other ideas at the time.
Fast forward a little over a decade and I’m baffled that I’m getting to shop at 21 year old Thamarr’s most loved and coveted brand and not just accessories or furniture.
They have taken the same lush fabrics, unique styles and designs that many have come to know and love from Anthropologie and just created them with bigger bodies in mind.
To me they have executed transitioning into a mainstream fashion retailer to a size inclusive retailer brilliantly. The visibility of plus bodies in their campaigns, social media and events is a testament to the fact the Anthropologie isn’t here just to join the band wagon adding a trendy new plus collection.
They truly believe in bringing beautiful, pieces that “spark joy” in the Anthro woman. I’m that woman and so are you. It’s amazing when you have access to something that was beyond your reach for so long.
Since launching this past Spring, Anthropologie has beed coming with the heat. I have been drooling over each and every new monthly collection.
Anthropologie, to me is a bucket list brand to work with so I was over the moon when they generously gifted me some items to wear on my recent travels to Europe.
This citron embroidered maxi is what dreams are made of. *cue Lizzie McGuire
I’ve never worn a fabric like this dress. The pattern and colors give it an other worldly feel. I love fabric that flows but it’s so hard to find designs that I love with those fabrics in my size. So this dress is definitely special.
There are about a dozen more dresses just like this. Special unique and made with dreamy fabrics. This weekend, right now everything at Anthropologie is 30% so it’s a great time and opportunity to try out the brand if you’ve been thinking about it.
Anthropologie Plus also get’s free shipping and returns. So there really isn’t any risk or harm in trying them out. I promise you, you won’t regret it.
If you’ve been following me for the last couple of months you probably know that I took the most amazing Mediterranean cruise on Sky Princess back in October.
The cruise embarked out of the port of Trieste, Italy so my travel buddy and photographer Chabeli and I flew into Venice (an hour and half away) for a few days before the cruise. It was the best decision we could have made!
Getting to explore, arguably one of the most beautiful and incredibly unique cities in the world on our own terms was the absolute best. I’ve put together this travel guide to give you the tea or cappuccino about Venice and what you need to know before going.
ABOUT VENICE
Venice, also known as the floating city, is the capital of Northern Italy’s Veneto region. It’s built completely on 118 small islands connected by 400 bridges in a lagoon on the Adriatic Sea.
Venice sits just over 3 feet above sea level – so that means no roads. None. Nada. Just canals and to get around the city you can only take a water bus, a gondola or the oldest form of transportation, walking.
The city is literally sinking – about 1-2 millimeters a year and experiences severe flooding from high tides a few times a year called acqa alta. Definitely check the trends of this before booking your trip. It would definitely be a damper on your exploring.
It’s one of the oldest cities filled with historic gothic palaces. It’s like walking in a real life history book.
WHEN TO GO
Venice is one of the most popular destinations in the world – 20 million visit annually! That’s a lot of people for such a small city.
The most popular time to visit would obviously be the Spring and Summer season. (I don’t suggest this just because I can’t stand the heat and rather deal with cooler temperatures).
Because Venice is such a hot spot with tourists, you can’t avoid the crowds, that’s just a part of life but you can deal with less crowds traveling off season. The ideal time to visit would be late September to mid October – you bypass the Summer crowds and can enjoy walking around the city before the rain and cold set in for the winter.
We went in mid October and the weather was absolutely perfect. During the day it would reach a high in the high 60s to high 70s and in the evening low 50s. Ideal walking weather and just need a light jacket or a scarf.
Mornings in Venice are often foggy but it usually clears up by mid morning.
TRANSPORTATION
Since no roads exist in Venice only canals, the best ways to get around is by vaprettos (water taxis), water busses, gondolas or walking.
We purchased a 3 day bus pass from the hotel we stayed at for about €30 ($33 USD). The bus pass also included the water busses which was ideal. It saves you a lot of money. It’s basically like taking the subway in NYC minus being underground.
It was really easy to navigate but pay attention. Certain waterIf you don’t want to travel with so many people on a waterbus and you have the budget to flex, definitely opt for a water taxi. It’s private and honestly looks super cool. A ride from the airport to your hotel can go for a bout €80.
GONDOLAS
Taking a gondola ride is a Venetian right of passage and a definite must have experience.
In the 16th century over 10,000 gondolas were in service. Gondoliers were pretty high up on the totem pole too since they only worked for the rich. They knew all the secrets about the Venetian aristocracy so just imagine the Italian tea!
Today about 430 gondolas arena use that are licensed by the city. Gondoliers train for 10,000 hours and have to take a detailed exam before becoming certified.
Gondolas go for €80 ($88) for 30 minutes. Make sure your gondolier doesn’t try to pull one over on you. Some might take you on a shorter route if you’re not watchful. BE ASSERTIVE!
If I could do it again I would splurge to have the gondola with the male opera singer. This goes for about €200. It’s just one of those amazing, once in a lifetime experiences. Go big or go home, right?! I promise, you won’t regret it.
WHERE TO STAY
Because I was traveling with a brand my accommodations were already made so I didn’t have any control over that. We stayed outside of city of Venice at the Hilton Garden Inn Venice Mestre San Giuliano. The staff was really helpful and friendly with most of them speaking 4 languages.
It was a quick 12 minute bus ride to Venice and it was easy to navigate between Chabeli and me.
If I were to go to Venice on my own I would definitely stay on the main island. It’s the best way to get the Venetian experience. You can literally hear opera from your balcony window.
Whatever you do, make sure your hotel room is not on the first floor. Because of aqua alta and Venice being so close to sea level, first floors of most hotels have issues with mold. So definitely be mindful when booking accommodations.
WHAT TO WEAR
Footwear is very important when traveling. You want to be comfortable but if you’re like me you want to be stylish too. So trendy sneakers, boots and well cushioned sandals will be your best best.
Make sure to bring a light jacket and scarves. Scarves are a great accessory that can be worn in different ways to switch up your looks. Try it as a headband, a belt, necktie or around your purse. Anyway you wear it you will be glad you have it if the temps drop.
THAMARR’S TRAVEL TIP: Don’t wear brand new shoes as your walking shoes. Wear something that’s worn in. You can also try shoe inserts to provide more cushion and comfort when walking around.
SNEAKERS, SCARVES & JACKETS – OH MY!
EAT
Eating my way through Venice has to be my all time favorite pastime. There are so many amazing places to eat in Venice but it can get pretty expensive so I’ve rounded up a list of different places that eat for everyone’s budget.
*I’ve rated them $-$$$ with one dollar sign meaning the lowest price was and four dollar signs indicating the most expensive.
Venice is actually known for their seafood, which makes sense, since it’s a city surrounded by water. Don’t get hung up on just spaghetti and pizza though (which isn’t a bad thing), just try and give local traditional Venetian meal a chance too. Your best bet for that would be at Bristrot de Venise ($$$).
This place was absolutely beautiful. Established in 1720, Cafe Florian is the oldest coffee house in Venice! It’s situated right in Saint Mark’s Square with indoor and outdoor seating. I would definitely try to get a seat inside just to experience all the beauty and elegance of the decor.
Thamarr’s Travel Tip: Prices go up the closer you get to Saint Mark’s Square. Just a few blocks away you can find delicious food for much less.
Chabeli and I had the best time at this small hole in the wall eatery. It was recommended by some tourists we met earlier in the day and it did not disappoint. The staff was so generous, entertaining and made sure that we had a lovely experience. I had the spaghetti bolognese and it was the best meal I had.
This Venetian Chocolatier has been around since 1878. It’s golden interiors are absolutely beautiful inside – it glimmers and shines and the chocolate isn’t bad either. Stop in for a quick gelato.
I found this spot on every restaurant search I made when looking for places to eat. It’s a small place to grab takeaway pizza, pasta and more. Grab a slice and a bottled aperol spritz and continue exploring Venezia!
Home of the very first Bellini in 1931. Unfortunately we didn’t get to go to this classic spot but that’s just another reason to have to go back. I recommend making reservations for this dinner locale.
PHOTO OPS / PLACES TO SEE
Finding a beautiful spot to take a picture isn’t hard when you’re in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Best believe I wasn’t going to travel to Venice without getting some Instagrammable shots. Here is a list of some amazing spots. Definitely try to hit up these places as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Thamarr’s Travel Tip: Go out and get lost. The best way to see Venice is to go out and walk around. Get lost going down the winding roads of this historic beautiful city.
San Marco’s Square
Home of Saint Mark’s Basilica, this is the main principle square in Venice. It’s breathtaking and once described by Napoleon as the “Drawing Room of Europe.”
Doge’s Palace
Built in Venetian Gothic style and founded in 1340. It was the resident of the Doge, or head magistrate of Venice. It was turned into a museum in 1923.
Scala del Bovolo
An external multi arch stairway inside the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. At the top of the stairs provides a impressive view of city rooftops. You can may an entrance fee to climb to the top to get some breathtaking views of the city.
Bridge of Sighs
This enclosed limestone bridge with windows connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms of Doge’s Palace. Story goes that its name comes from the idea that prisoners would sigh as they saw their last views of Venice before being taken off to their sentencing.
Rialto Bridge
Oldest bridge across the Grand Canal constructed in 1854.
Ponte Dei Conzafelzi
This spot is such an amazing view. It’s one house that is situated between two canals. It’s mind blowing. How did they build this way back when?! This spot is usually tourist free because not many people know or care about it but I just think it’s just lovely to see in person.
This dock has to be one of the most instagrammable spots in Venice. You can easily find this location all over Pinterest. After walking around lost in Venice for an hour, Chabeli and I finally found the spot!
So you can avoid wandering the alleys of Venice, the best way to find this dock is to find Hotel San Moisé in the shopping district. It’s right behind it and a great place to get shots of gondolas going by.
Thamarr’s Travel Tip: I would avoid the Liberia Acqu Alta. It was on every to-do list when I was researching things to do in Venice. But to be quite honest it was very underwhelming. It’s tiny and cramped and not much to look at, plus you can smell cat urine everywhere in the store. That’s a no for me, dawg.
BURANO
While you’re in Venice you have to take a day trip to the colorful island of Burano.
It’s about 4 miles north from Venice and a short 40 minute ferry ride. This colorful little island is pretty isolated from tourists. You won’t find any hotels or accommodations. It’s strictly for locals.
The colorful homes of Burano was a way to help fishermen navigate their way ashore amidst dense fog.
No two homes are the same color with each required to be repainted every two years. And if a homeowner happens to want to change the color of their home they have to write a letter to the local government. They get the last say and will determine the color based on a predetermined list of color options.
While in Burano, Chabeli and I just wandered the streets and took in the beautiful sights. We stopped by some lace shops and I managed to find the most delicious gelato from the entire trip.
Our bus passes included use of the water busses and ferries to Burano so there was no added charge but the trip without it is less than €10. You can easily make Burano a day trip and it’s something you won’t regret. We almost did! Weather forecasts predicted rain and fog on our last day in Venice so we were just going to do some indoor activities like museums. I’m so glad we ended up being persuaded by a few locals to go since we were there. Definitely a trip I won’t forget!
Thamarr’s Travel Tip: Don’t exchange money at the airport. The rate fees are way more expensive if you were to use an ATM in Venice instead. Make sure to bring cash to Burano. None of the shops use debit, credit or ApplePay. Definitely support the local artisans because they rely largely on the economy that tourists bring.
Need To Know
Bring colorox wipes with you to wipe down an areas that you may pop in for a bite.
Make sure to take a bottle of water with you before you head out to explore. Some hotels provide complimentary bottle service so grab one or two before heading out to explore.
Always try speaking the native language first even if most places speak English. It’s common courtesy and out of respect to attempt to communicate in the language of the country you are visiting. Even if you don’t speak it well, trying will be appreciated.
You don’t tip in Italy because it’s already included – add about 10% to your bill.
Most cafes have an upcharge if you decide to use their outdoor seating. Just be aware of this when your bill comes!
All in all, I absolutely loved my time in Venice and currently trying to find a way back to Italy! It’s definitely one of my favorite countries to visit because it’s different every time I go. You get to experience a different culture depending on which region you visit.
Venice is a jewel and just appears unreal. It’s sheer beauty, rich culture and the fact that it’s an ancient floating city is quite remarkable and worth seeing and experiencing it in person.
Writing up this travel guide was a fun way to reminisce of my time in Venice and only makes me want to go back. I do hope you find this helpful and can refer back to this guide when you embark on your own travels.
Okay, so you all know by now that I love Princess Cruises. But you still have your doubts on whether you should try cruising in general and why Princess, right?
So here is why I know Princess Cruises will be the best experience for you, especially for first time cruisers.
SKY PRINCESS + OCEAN MEDALLION
I highly suggest booking a vacation on one of Princess Cruises newest ships, SKY PRINCESS.
It’s the very first of it’s kind to be built from the ground up with Ocean Medallion Technology.
The Ocean Medallion that you see me wearing throughout my trip is more than a fashion statement. This wearable quarter size device is free to every guest and is what makes cruising with Princess really special.
It connects you to the ship and provides a completely new level of service. Before you receive your Medallion in the mail before your trip, you log in and create your profile. This allows the entire crew to get to know who you and your likes and dislikes all before you can say ahoy matey!
The Ocean Medallion Technology allows you to embark the ship with ease. With a few taps you are on board and starting your vacation.
You also don’t need to worry about bringing your passport off the ship and possibly getting it lost (WORST FEELING EVER!). Your Ocean Medallion acts as your identification so there’s no stress disembarking.
When approaching your door, the Ocean Medallion recognizes you so that it unlocks your statetroom, sans hands. It also allows you to purchase things on board so you don’t have to worry about carrying cash. Tap and pay as you go!
The piazza of SKY PRINCESS is like the prettiest Town Hall you’ve ever seen. This is the central hub of the ship. You can find lots of entertainment and plenty of complimentary cafes and restaurants.
Gelato certified by the Italian University of Gelato — yes, that’s a real thing. Definitely one of the best perks on traveling on SKY PRINCESS.
Fun fact: Gelato isn’t ice cream. It’s actually made with less butter fat and has fewer calories. It’s also made fresh daily on board SKY PRINCESS.
ENTERTAINMENT
I know entertainment on cruise ships might get a bad rep but not on SKY PRINCESS.
From the hilarious comedy shows, trivia night, the constant live music in the piazza and the world premiere of their latest show, ROCK OPERA, you’re going to experience world class performers that will keep you coming back night after night.
At sea days are so much fun! I challenge you to do something different every day you’re at sea.
VISIT MULTIPLE COUNTRIES IN ONE TRIP
What better way can you travel to 3 different countries while you sleep in 1 week?
I’ll wait.
Cruising to me is the absolute best way to travel to multiple countries without breaking the bank. (Princess Cruises practically has a special offer every week!)
On my latest cruise I traveled to Italy, Montenegro and Greece. Cruising with Princess not only brings amazing opportunities to travel and connect to different cultures but it also exposes you to countries that may not have been on your radar.
I never knew I wanted to go to Montenegro, but my goodness, I’m so glad Princess Cruises did. What a beautiful and charming country.
Believe it or not, you really do have plenty of time one you disembark at each port. Most port days have an early arrival and late depart time. So depending on the excursion you choose, you can be wrapped early enough in the day to still explore the country on your own.
On my 5 day Mediteranean cruise I planned it out to spend 4 days prior to embarkation day. So that meant 4 full days of exploring Venice! It was so much fun and felt like a separate trip before a trip.
From Venice I also visited the colorful island of Burano. Then once on board SKY PRINCESS we traveled to Kotor, Montenegro and Athens Greece.
Doge’s Palace in Venice, Italy
The Bridge of Sighs – Venice, Italy Burano, Italy
Our Lady of the Rocks – Perast, Montenegro
Perast, Montenegro
Plaka – Athens, GreeceAcropolis – Athens, Greece
MAKING CONNECTIONS AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
Doesn’t it seem that everyone you meet while on vacation is in such a good mood. Who wouldn’t be, right?!
It’s really easy to make connections and make new friends from all over the world while cruising with Princess Cruises.
Their fleet of ships brings people from all over the world together to experience another level of service and vacationing that you can’t get anywhere else.
Travel is the only thing that makes you richer. So, go on! Get paid!
Met and struck up a conversation with these stylish girls from Ohio inside of the most glam gelato shop in Venice, Italy.
Debonita, a UK based blogger is ready to take me on a food tour the next time I’m in London.
This Italian Don was just sharp not to meet. He only spoke Italian but we had an understanding that went beyond language – FASHION!Partied with travel blogger Kate from the UK at the SKY PRINCESS Sail Away Party.
Exploring Perast with Courtney and Kerrie.
Princess Cruises allows me to venture out and see this big beautiful world in the most fantastic and tech savvy way. I hope you find this post helpful and feel inspired to go cruising in 202o! Princess Cruises will be launching 5 more MedallionClass ships! Just think of all the amazing places you will be able to go with just a tap of your Ocean Medallion.
Last month I had the amazing opportunity to join Princess Cruises on the inaugural sailing of the newest ship to be added to their fleet – Sky Princess.
It’s the first of its kind to be built from the ground up with Princess MedallionClass™Technology.
If you’ve followed me on my first Princess MedallionClass™ Cruise you may remember how easy it was to stay connected with my Ocean Medallion. This is what makes cruising with Princess so unique and It’s only the size of a quarter but it’s the key to really bringing MedallionClass™ to life. First thing you experience with your OceanMedallion is how easy it is to embark the ship.
EMBARKATION
Prior to embarkation day I got OceanReady. This allows me to log into my account to enter and scan all of my travel documents and personal information. So, when it’s time to board all it takes is few taps of my OceanMedallion to get on board and start my vacation. I couldn’t wait to board this brand new ship – the excitement was palpable.
We sailed from the port in Trieste, Italy which was such a beautiful charming city.
STATEROOMS
Immediately boarding the ship you could tell that the style, design decor was very clean and modern. Everything was just so new and sparkling.
The staterooms had an elevated look to them and were airy, light and open. Oh and the beds were so comfy – felt like sleeping on a cloud.
I highly recommend getting a balcony if you can. It just enhances your cruise experience and there’s nothing like having a champagne breakfast with an endless view of the Mediterranean.
SAIL AWAY PARTY
On embarkation day get ready to fête!
I always look forward to the Sail Away Party. Everyone is so excited to be starting their vacations and the good times keeps on going with lots of entertainment, great music courtesy of DJ Mateo and live performances all on the lido deck.
Keep the tunes and the Aperol Spritzes coming!
All are welcome to the Sail Away Party and it’s just a great way to kick off the cruise. I met so many people from all of the world that first night and became fast shipmates.
THE SANCTUARY
The Sanctuary is the adult-only tranquil resort like retreat. This is the perfect place to get some extra R +R.
Chill under a private cabana and enjoy one or two of the many signature drinks, meals and al fresco massages on hand. The Sanctuary is definitely for the quieter more low key cruiser (i.e. me).
THE SKY SUITES
This is the most amazing feature on Sky Princess – The infamous Sky Suites. It’s the largest balcony at sea with a continuous 1000 square foot balcony and 270º panoramic view.
You can watch Movies Under the Stars right from your balcony! It’s basically the most baller room you can get.
Perks of booking the Sky Suite is that you’re welcomed with champagne and taken directly from curbside to your suite. It rooms up to 5 and you get your own private steward, reserved seating to shows and so much more.
SKY SUITES COCKTAIL PARTY
Princess Cruises threw all the influencers a private party in the Sky Suites and it was no fun at all.
I kid. I kid.
I had the best time, clearly.
It was the ulitmate way to see for myself the best room on the ship. The views were amazing but the company was even better. It was so lovely to chat up with the other influencers from the UK. They’re accents – I die. So dreamy.
We sang, danced and drank fabulous signature Sky Vodka drinks by my favorite bartender on Sky, Juan. He also makes the best Aperol Spritzes!
ROCK OPERA
Okay, so this had to be my favorite thing on Sky Princess – the world premier of their newest musical production ROCK OPERA!
If you know me you know that I absolutely love musical theatre. This show is all that and more. I couldn’t stop dancing from my seat! I wanted to go to next performance right after.
I was obsessed with the show so much when I got to go back stage to meet some of the performers I was totally geeking out. They did that, okay!
Princess MedallionClass gives you so much more than just a cruise. With its innovative and effortless technology you can stay connected from thousands of miles away as you make connections on board and at every port of call. Sky Princess is definitely a one of a kind ship and there is so much more to discover that I simply can’t put into words.
After spending a few hours exploring the island and having lunch I found a two story deck with lounge chairs overlooking the water that was absolutely breathtaking and empty.
I quickly took advantage and snapped a few photos.
Changing outfits on a tropical island was no easy feat but I’m glad I did because those views were too good too miss.
My favorite port while traveling the Caribbean with Princess Cruises has to be Roatan, Honduras.
Once we disembarked Caribbean Princess we boarded a smaller boat to the tiny island that is called Big French Key. It was absolutely charming and so beautiful.
It was private so not a lot of tourists and the water just perfect — crystal blue and warm.
We were welcomed to the island with a cold refreshing drink and served the most delicious lunch under a tiki hut where reggae played in the background. It was a vibe.
After exploring the island and taking a few pictures we just had to get in that beautiful water. The rest of the afternoon involved wading in the water and doing absolutely nothing. It was glorious.
The day on Big French Key was short but packed full of beauty, charm and delicious frozen margaritas. I definitely feel that I need to visit Roatan to immerse myself in the culture and rhythm of the island for more than a day.
Traveling back to Caribbean Princess I made new friends aboard our boat leaving the island. We laughed and talked about our travels over more rum punch. We also talked about our favorite places to eat while on board this shop. Believe me, this is important information to swap!
Tired from the sun we embarked the ship to get ready for dinner and a good nights sleep. Vacationing is tiring but you come back new.
Cruisin’ the Caribbean with Princess Cruises MedallionClass™
Are you a cruiser? What do you think of when you first hear the word, cruise? You definitely might have your reservations but I can say I am officially a bonafide cruiser and I can’t wait for my next one!
I recently sailed the Caribbean for a week with Princess Cruises aboard their Caribbean Princess to Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City and Cozumel!
Here’s the breakdown of my trip.
DAY 1 • Arrive at Fort Everglades Port and sail off celebration!
DAY 2 • Full Day at Sea
DAY 3 • Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
DAY 4 • Roatan, Honduras
DAY 5 • Belize City, Belize
DAY 6 • Cozumel, Mexico
DAY 7 • Full Day at Sea
DAY 8 • Arrive at Fort Everglades Port in FLL and head home
Of course cruising the Caribbean was amazing but Princess Cruises really went over and beyond to make sure that each cruiser has a one of a kind experience thanks to the MedallionClass Experience.
The MedallionClass is a tech savvy innovative way to make your cruise experience personal, effortless and more enjoyable and it all starts with something as small as a quarter.
Every cruiser is given the OceanMedallion — this device can be worn in a few different ways depending on the accessory you pick; a sports band, clip, bracelet or a pendant.
I opted for a bright pink clip — shocker, right?! It matched my bikini and I was very pleased.
This Medallion is literally your key to stateroom and makes ship embarkment and disembarkment so easy!
So I got prepped weeks before my cruise right at home with the OceanReady app. It’s an exclusive Princess MedallionClass app where I could enter all of my personal information and travel documents before embarking so just with a simple tap of my Medallion I was able to board Caribbean Princess and get poolside with drink in hand in no time flat. You can either have your Medallion shipped to you before your trip or pick it up when you embark.
In typical Thamarr fashion of course I forgot my Medallion at home! 🤦🏾♀️ Of course I was freaking out but the Princess team came to the rescue and printed out a new Medallion for me at the Information Desk. *Obviously try not to leave your Medallion at home.
With so many people on board if everyone left their’s at home it would be a big mess at the information desk. I was so thankful to the entire crew for helping me get everything squared away to start using the linked features of the Medallion.
The Medallion also makes interacting with your ShipMates and the rest of the crew so much easier.
With my Medallion and the OceanNow app I could order food and drinks without leaving my lounge chair. The Medallion essentially lets the crew know where you are on board so that when you order a slice of a pizza or an Ultimate Pina Colãda– my personal fave— they bring it right to you, whether you’re poolside or in your room!
It’s pretty awesome especially when you just don’t feel like disturbing your vacation mode on the lido deck! You can check out my Instagram Story Cruise Highlights to see how it’s done!
Speaking of Instagram — I was able to stay connected, post, share and even go-live while aboard Caribbean Princess with no problem because of the best WiFi at sea, MedallionNet.
Those are the two massive spheres on the top of the ship.
It was insane how quickly I could stream music or movies on my iPad while we were cruisin’. It was reliable even in my cabin or on my balcony. Also super affordable — just $9.99 a day when you buy the package for the entire trip.
Caribbean Princess is a massive vessel housing up to 3,000 passengers and over 1200 crew members! You can imagine how easy it could be to get lost but not with your Medallion and the OceanCompass app.
This app helps you navigate your way on board the ship with Wayfinding. It’s basically like GPS for the ship.
OceanCompass also allows you to stay connected with your ShipMates too. You can find their location minus the getting lost part! We’d set up a group chat for everyone in our travel party. This app was so helpful on board and we used it everyday with ease.
While exploring Caribbean Princess you will find large interactive portals on the walls of the ship; another interactive way to stay connected. I created my own OceanTagalong, a digital avatar companion that follows you around the ship on the portals. I named mine, Celia the Sea Turtle.
With your personal OceanTagalong you can play games under the stars on the lido deck which is actually pretty cool. You’re literally in the middle of the ocean playing on a massive screen under the twinkly lights of the night sky.
You can also play location based scavenger hunts on board. This is a great feature with families with little kids; they will have fun and stay busy during days at sea exploring the ship. Or you can play a game of word search like me while waiting for the elevator on the way to dinner at the Crown Grille — my favorite restaurant on board Caribbean Princess.
There is just so much to see, do and take in both on and off the ship because of the MedallionClass Experience. I can definitely say that cruising the Caribbean with Princess Cruises has completely changed my concept of sailing the seas.
I can’t wait to share with you more about my time on and off Caribbean Princess. Next Stop was our first port, Grand Cayman where I actually swam with stingrays. Stay tuned for my next cruise post next week!
Oh and don’t forget to let me know if you have any questions that you’d like me to answer about the cruise life with Princess Cruises.
Chabeli and I had the best time at this small hole in the wall eatery. It was recommended by some tourists we met earlier in the day and it did not disappoint. The staff was so generous, entertaining and made sure that we had a lovely experience. I had the spaghetti bolognese and it was the best meal I had.
Acropolis – Athens, Greece
Partied with travel blogger Kate from the UK at the SKY PRINCESS Sail Away Party.
This Medallion is literally your key to stateroom and makes ship embarkment and disembarkment so easy!
There is just so much to see, do and take in both on and off the ship because of the MedallionClass Experience. I can definitely say that cruising the Caribbean with Princess Cruises has completely changed my concept of sailing the seas.
