Magical Vacation Planner by Stacy Atkinson

10/04/2026

10/04/2026

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Moataz Osman, Robert Lang

10/04/2026

🎭 Meet Carnival Mardi Gras, the ship that brought a roller coaster to the open ocean! She's one of the biggest, boldest ships in Carnival's fleet, and she's packed with fun from bow to stern.

📸 Footage shown is from before her October 2025 dry dock, so she's even better now! 100 staterooms got new connecting doors (perfect for multi-gen families 🙌), plus an expanded casino, refreshed shops, a redesigned excursion desk, and accessibility upgrades.

🎢 BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, 187 feet above the ocean
⚓ About 180,800 gross tons and 1,130 feet long
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Room for about 6,400 guests at full capacity
🌿 The first cruise ship in North America powered by LNG
🍤 Emeril's Bistro 1396, Guy's Pig & Anchor, Big Chicken, and more
🎉 Six themed zones, including the French Quarter and Summer Landing

🏠 Home port: Port Canaveral, FL (Orlando)
🌴 Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings to Celebration Key, RelaxAway Half Moon Cay, Nassau, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Cozumel, and Mahogany Bay

Which would you ride first: BOLT or the waterslides? 👇

Ready to see her for yourself? Send me a message and let's find your sailing. ✨ I plan, you pack, and together we make magical memories.

10/04/2026

⚓ Before the ship sails, Tampa sets the scene! 🚢☀️

Port Tampa Bay isn't just a place to board, it's a destination of its own. We headed to the top of the parking deck across from the cruise terminal for a bird's-eye view of the ships, the bay, the Tampa skyline, and the TECO Line Streetcar rolling right past the port. 🌇🚋 Then we wandered over to Sparkman Wharf, an open-air spot packed with tasty eats, local shops, and waterfront seating. 🍔🛍️🌊

Got extra time before or after your cruise? Hop on the fare-free TECO Line Streetcar and keep exploring:
🐠 Stop by the Florida Aquarium in the Channel District
🌴 Stroll the Tampa Riverwalk downtown
🐓 Ride to historic Ybor City for Cuban sandwiches, ci**rs, brick streets, and the famous roaming roosters

Pro tip: arrive a little early and make a mini adventure out of embarkation day. The vacation starts the moment you get to port! ✨

Have you sailed out of Tampa? Share your favorite pre-cruise stop below! 👇

10/04/2026

🏝️ Paradise, preview edition! ☀️🌊

This summer, we sailed on the Norwegian Getaway and spent the day at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's private island in the Bahamas. We visited just before the new water park and spaces opened, so these shots capture the island right on the edge of its next chapter: turquoise water, soft sand, swaying palms, and that unbeatable island breeze. 🌴💙

There's something special about seeing a place mid-transformation. We can't wait to go back and explore everything new! ✨

Have you been to Great Stirrup Cay since the updates? Tell us what we need to see first! 👇

10/04/2026

🥢 First stop: fueling up in Pandora! 🌿

Satu'li Canteen never misses, and it was the perfect quick meal before we dodged some classic Florida downpours at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It turned out to be a great family day!

🚣 Floated through the glowing rainforest on Na'vi River Journey
🦅 Soared over Pandora on Avatar Flight of Passage

Pro tip: afternoon storms in Florida usually pass quickly. Pack a poncho, duck into an indoor ride or a meal, and keep the fun going. The lines often get shorter when the rain rolls in! ☔