Jax

Really excited. T-6 days until we sail on Celebrity Beyond for an 11 day partial transition cruise to the ABC islands and Panama canal over both Christmas and New years!  We were on Anthem of the Seas for Thanksgiving so we have spent all of the recent holidays on board cruise ships! :).  It was a much needed break!  On Anthem, we sailed to Cococay and enjoyed the Music Hall on The Quantum class ships! We also are big fans of 270 and the 270 restaurant for breakfast vs. fighting the crowd in the Windjammer.
Next Thursday we are flying to FLL and staying at Hyatt house.. . We will explore some local breweries in Lauderdale the day before the cruise.
Friday, we board the ship.  I changed some dining reservations due to a flash sale in the planner so I will need to move my reservation time to an earlier time after we board as we like to eat early. I have several specialty dining reservations this cruise.  We were really big fans of Eden on Celebrity Apex 2 years ago so we are excited to be going back. We also have the steakhouse booked, and Daniel Bouloud's new restaurant, La voyage which I have booked on Christmas eve.
My last trip to the ABC islands was the 2019 royal caribbean blog New year's eve group cruise right before the pandemic!
Stay tuned to follow the journey with us!  

I’ll let him know! Haha Who needs to pay thousands for a nascar driving experience when he can fill his bucket this way. 😂

I'm a fan of his driving 🤣

I know right! Especially the royal loft.  If I was going to bid on anything it would be that one but in the off chance we got it, Lindsay may kill me if he lost his aft views. 😆 So I’m going to pretend I didn’t get this email. 

That's my friend! Says the chick who thinks 7:45am is an ungodly hour on vacation..... 😆 Seriously, if you recall, i did send them post cruise feedback that the 8:30a SC session was a copout. Good to know my feedback was not taken seriously. I mean, why would it?! 🤣
Anyway, Batman and I are both working Christmas Eve and Day, and so I'll be blowing off work where possible to read your blog, and i can't wait to meet Berty!
 

Back to regular scheduled cruise content - Genie news 🧞‍♂️🧞‍♂️
Having too much fun in Texas and I forgot to confirm the dining schedule. My bad. It’s now confirmed ✅
Our private flowrider session is scheduled for Day 2 at 7:45am. Berty confirmed the star class session is from 8:30-10am on Day 3 so that is perfect that it doesn’t overlap on the same day. He asked if we wanted to reschedule our private session to a different time. I didn’t know that was possible so I have asked if a later time that morning or early afternoon is available.  

Will finalize plans for all the celebrations once onboard but Berty has a preliminary plan so all is good.  
Star Class Priority Check in & Baggage handling instructions - no new information; arrive at zone 6, meet with terminal genie Jessica, don’t give your luggage to anyone but Jessica or a star class porter.  Expecting boarding to commence at 10:15-10:30am.  
 

We ate at Mama Teresa’s Flying Pizza & Italian.  It was within walking distance of our hotel. Food was excellent but we ordered way too much given the large portions.  

We made it!! I felt like I just finished the Daytona 500. 😂
Love, love this room. Initial impressions have met or surpassed expectations.  I like the vestibule area where you can store luggage you don’t need, the separate thermostats in the living area and bedroom, lots of dimmable lighting, spacious bathroom  and dual entry to the bathroom. Lots of character throughout the room and hotel. We booked the 1 bedroom suite that comes with a king bed and sofa bed (rollaway bed is available) We opted for the rollaway bed. There is no self park option, only valet. 


There are atrium rooms that overlook the first floor. I think they would be loud as live music plays well into the evening.  Picture taken from second floor.  

Oh, gotcha. I got confused. Either way, love the exposed brick and decor!

No, this is Marriott Bonvoy. I used points at the first hotel in The Woodlands.  

It's a great hour! Usually when I'm eating my 2nd breakfast of the morning. 😁

Back to regular scheduled cruise content - Genie news 🧞‍♂️🧞‍♂️
Having too much fun in Texas and I forgot to confirm the dining schedule. My bad. It’s now confirmed ✅
Our private flowrider session is scheduled for Day 2 at 7:45am. Berty confirmed the star class session is from 8:30-10am on Day 3 so that is perfect that it doesn’t overlap on the same day. He asked if we wanted to reschedule our private session to a different time. I didn’t know that was possible so I have asked if a later time that morning or early afternoon is available.  

Will finalize plans for all the celebrations once onboard but Berty has a preliminary plan so all is good.  
Star Class Priority Check in & Baggage handling instructions - no new information; arrive at zone 6, meet with terminal genie Jessica, don’t give your luggage to anyone but Jessica or a star class porter.  Expecting boarding to commence at 10:15-10:30am.  
 

We ate at Mama Teresa’s Flying Pizza & Italian.  It was within walking distance of our hotel. Food was excellent but we ordered way too much given the large portions.  

We made it!! I felt like I just finished the Daytona 500. 😂
Love, love this room. Initial impressions have met or surpassed expectations.  I like the vestibule area where you can store luggage you don’t need, the separate thermostats in the living area and bedroom, lots of dimmable lighting, spacious bathroom  and dual entry to the bathroom. Lots of character throughout the room and hotel. We booked the 1 bedroom suite that comes with a king bed and sofa bed (rollaway bed is available) We opted for the rollaway bed. There is no self park option, only valet. 


There are atrium rooms that overlook the first floor. I think they would be loud as live music plays well into the evening.  Picture taken from second floor.  

Back to regular scheduled cruise content - Genie news 🧞‍♂️🧞‍♂️
Having too much fun in Texas and I forgot to confirm the dining schedule. My bad. It’s now confirmed ✅
Our private flowrider session is scheduled for Day 2 at 7:45am. Berty confirmed the star class session is from 8:30-10am on Day 3 so that is perfect that it doesn’t overlap on the same day. He asked if we wanted to reschedule our private session to a different time. I didn’t know that was possible so I have asked if a later time that morning or early afternoon is available.  

Will finalize plans for all the celebrations once onboard but Berty has a preliminary plan so all is good.  
Star Class Priority Check in & Baggage handling instructions - no new information; arrive at zone 6, meet with terminal genie Jessica, don’t give your luggage to anyone but Jessica or a star class porter.  Expecting boarding to commence at 10:15-10:30am.  
 

We ate at Mama Teresa’s Flying Pizza & Italian.  It was within walking distance of our hotel. Food was excellent but we ordered way too much given the large portions.  

We made it!! I felt like I just finished the Daytona 500. 😂
Love, love this room. Initial impressions have met or surpassed expectations.  I like the vestibule area where you can store luggage you don’t need, the separate thermostats in the living area and bedroom, lots of dimmable lighting, spacious bathroom  and dual entry to the bathroom. Lots of character throughout the room and hotel. We booked the 1 bedroom suite that comes with a king bed and sofa bed (rollaway bed is available) We opted for the rollaway bed. There is no self park option, only valet. 


There are atrium rooms that overlook the first floor. I think they would be loud as live music plays well into the evening.  Picture taken from second floor.  

We are on our way to Galveston; just entering Houston now. All I see on google maps is red and orange. 😬
We stopped in at Gas Monkey Garage and Lindsay bought merch.✅ I haven’t mentioned much about where we have been eating; we have tried to keep meals simple knowing what’s coming. IYKYK.  Some of you may find our choices odd but coming from Canada we love Raising Caine and have eaten there 3X.  I spotted a Shake Shack down at the stock yards and we ate supper there and then again today at a different location as we were leaving Dallas. I can’t think of any fast food in Canada that compares to either of these places.  
Anxious to see Lindsay’s driving stats following today’s trip 😆😳 I was tempted to stop and buy gravel at our last Buccee’s stop. This from someone who is not prone to motion sickness. He is putting his driving skills to good use on this trip. 😂 
Will report back after we checkin.  I have high expectations for The Tremont Hotel so I am looking forward to the next 3 nights.  

Back to regular scheduled cruise content - Genie news 🧞‍♂️🧞‍♂️
Having too much fun in Texas and I forgot to confirm the dining schedule. My bad. It’s now confirmed ✅
Our private flowrider session is scheduled for Day 2 at 7:45am. Berty confirmed the star class session is from 8:30-10am on Day 3 so that is perfect that it doesn’t overlap on the same day. He asked if we wanted to reschedule our private session to a different time. I didn’t know that was possible so I have asked if a later time that morning or early afternoon is available.  

Will finalize plans for all the celebrations once onboard but Berty has a preliminary plan so all is good.  
Star Class Priority Check in & Baggage handling instructions - no new information; arrive at zone 6, meet with terminal genie Jessica, don’t give your luggage to anyone but Jessica or a star class porter.  Expecting boarding to commence at 10:15-10:30am.  
 

We ate at Mama Teresa’s Flying Pizza & Italian.  It was within walking distance of our hotel. Food was excellent but we ordered way too much given the large portions.  

We made it!! I felt like I just finished the Daytona 500. 😂
Love, love this room. Initial impressions have met or surpassed expectations.  I like the vestibule area where you can store luggage you don’t need, the separate thermostats in the living area and bedroom, lots of dimmable lighting, spacious bathroom  and dual entry to the bathroom. Lots of character throughout the room and hotel. We booked the 1 bedroom suite that comes with a king bed and sofa bed (rollaway bed is available) We opted for the rollaway bed. There is no self park option, only valet. 


There are atrium rooms that overlook the first floor. I think they would be loud as live music plays well into the evening.  Picture taken from second floor.  

We are on our way to Galveston; just entering Houston now. All I see on google maps is red and orange. 😬
We stopped in at Gas Monkey Garage and Lindsay bought merch.✅ I haven’t mentioned much about where we have been eating; we have tried to keep meals simple knowing what’s coming. IYKYK.  Some of you may find our choices odd but coming from Canada we love Raising Caine and have eaten there 3X.  I spotted a Shake Shack down at the stock yards and we ate supper there and then again today at a different location as we were leaving Dallas. I can’t think of any fast food in Canada that compares to either of these places.  
Anxious to see Lindsay’s driving stats following today’s trip 😆😳 I was tempted to stop and buy gravel at our last Buccee’s stop. This from someone who is not prone to motion sickness. He is putting his driving skills to good use on this trip. 😂 
Will report back after we checkin.  I have high expectations for The Tremont Hotel so I am looking forward to the next 3 nights.  

We are on our way to Galveston; just entering Houston now. All I see on google maps is red and orange. 😬
We stopped in at Gas Monkey Garage and Lindsay bought merch.✅ I haven’t mentioned much about where we have been eating; we have tried to keep meals simple knowing what’s coming. IYKYK.  Some of you may find our choices odd but coming from Canada we love Raising Caine and have eaten there 3X.  I spotted a Shake Shack down at the stock yards and we ate supper there and then again today at a different location as we were leaving Dallas. I can’t think of any fast food in Canada that compares to either of these places.  
Anxious to see Lindsay’s driving stats following today’s trip 😆😳 I was tempted to stop and buy gravel at our last Buccee’s stop. This from someone who is not prone to motion sickness. He is putting his driving skills to good use on this trip. 😂 
Will report back after we checkin.  I have high expectations for The Tremont Hotel so I am looking forward to the next 3 nights.  

We are on our way to Galveston; just entering Houston now. All I see on google maps is red and orange. 😬
We stopped in at Gas Monkey Garage and Lindsay bought merch.✅ I haven’t mentioned much about where we have been eating; we have tried to keep meals simple knowing what’s coming. IYKYK.  Some of you may find our choices odd but coming from Canada we love Raising Caine and have eaten there 3X.  I spotted a Shake Shack down at the stock yards and we ate supper there and then again today at a different location as we were leaving Dallas. I can’t think of any fast food in Canada that compares to either of these places.  
Anxious to see Lindsay’s driving stats following today’s trip 😆😳 I was tempted to stop and buy gravel at our last Buccee’s stop. This from someone who is not prone to motion sickness. He is putting his driving skills to good use on this trip. 😂 
Will report back after we checkin.  I have high expectations for The Tremont Hotel so I am looking forward to the next 3 nights.  

Busy day in the Dallas area. 
We started the day off by stopping at AT&T Stadium. Unfortunately there were no self guided tours today and the field was not open because they are changing it out for college football next week. We didn’t want to wait for a VIP guided tour knowing the field wasn’t open. Plus Lindsay has visited the stadium previously and toured locker rooms and the field. 
Next was a stop at the JFK Assassination site. 

 Then a quick drive by Turtle Creek Lane in Dallas. This is a fun account I follow on Instagram that loves going all out with seasonal decorating.  
Next stop was Gas Monkey Garage. Terrible luck; they closed 30 minutes before we got there for a staff party. 😞 So I think we will stop in tomorrow morning on our way to Galveston so Lindsay can buy merch. 

Next stop, the Texas Motor Speedway. This was a highlight for me. We were able to book a private tour which included stops in the owners suite, trackside and 3 laps around the track. I posted 1 of my laps on IG stories.  For the money this exceeded expectations. I am going to look into coming back when I can schedule a driving experience for Lindsay and Reyd. Maybe a high school graduation celebration; who knows. They were not offering any this late in December.  

Then we were off to see Fort Worth Stock Yards with a stop at Billy Bobs. Lindsay has been here before but I had no idea what to expect.  It definitely exceeded my expectations.  So many restaurants and shops.  I said the Calgary Stampede should create something like this.  

We are back at the hotel now resting. lol