Royal Caribbean Cruise Recap

Hi friend! Yay for FRIDAY!!! What a long/short week it’s been over here. We got back from our cruise on Monday, which made for a fast few days!

Today, I’m running my longest run in marathon training so far – 14 miles. Then, we have my daughter’s Thanksgiving program at school. After that, we get to go pick out the tile for the pool that we’re building!

All very fun and exciting stuff, just a lot to have going on all at once! I’ve saved the pool building process to an Instagram highlight if you want to follow along on our progress.

We had a fun week on the blog! If you missed, it I shared Gifts Under $25 & $50 plus a gift for YOU!

I’m doing a Gratitude Giveaway where I give away $100 a day for the rest of November. To enter, just follow me on Instagram and like all of my November posts. I’ll pick a winner everyday and announce on my Instagram Stories.

We also had a new Tuesday Goodies and two Amazon Livestreams featuring Amazon Early Black Friday Deals and cute Amazon Outfits for fall and winter.

Your Faves This Week

I love seeing what y’all love and here’s what topped your list this week!

Royal Caribbean Cruise Recap

In honor of my girlfriend Marianna’s 40th birthday, 16 of us went on a cruise out of Galveston. These are friendships that began when our kids started PreK3 together 10 years ago. Next year, they’re off to high school! I’m so thankful for this tight group! They have become like family over the years.

The cruise was a 4-night Royal Caribbean cruise with one stop in Cozumel for the day. It was a pretty good deal at around $1,000 a couple, with meals included if you ate at the buffet or main dining room.

Where the expenses added up is the drinks and if you wanted to eat at a restaurant that wasn’t included in the package.

The drinks are expensive, but you can buy a drink package that includes unlimited drinks throughout your stay. The catch with that is that all adults in your cabin must buy one too and they charge you for it for the duration of your stay.

Elliott and I didn’t think it would be worth it, so we didn’t buy it. We didn’t drink that much, so it didn’t benefit us to purchase that package. Elliott joked that “we should’ve bought the ice cream package” because we were getting multiple scoops at the Ben & Jerry’s cart each day!

Another “extra” we paid for was internet, but it didn’t work too well.

DAY 1

This cruise left out of Galveston, so just a quick 45 minute drive from Houston. Some of my friends took Uber to the port, but Elliott and I drove and parked in the parking lot. Then you hop on a shuttle that takes you to the ship.

Entering was super easy, no lines and we were on board within 15 minutes of getting to the boat.

We got there around 3 p.m. and everyone met up at the front of the ship to mingle and watch the sunset as the ship set sail.

The first night, we dined at the Sushi restaurant and I thought that was pretty good. At each of the restaurants you get an appetizer, main course and dessert.

Petal Earrings • Dress

Dress • Necklace

Me • Andrea • Marianna • Mandy • Manuela • Erin

The cabins were actually a decent size with a queen bed, pull out sofa, balcony, and private bathroom.

I will say it was surreal to realize we were out in the middle of the ocean on a boat, but luckily I never felt seasick. We did encounter some storms and definitely felt the boat swaying, which was a little uncomfortable. Thankfully, those episodes were few and far between.

Also, did you know that the walls of a cruise ship room are magnetic?! Elliott brought these little magnetic hooks that were perfect for extra hanging space.

Magnetic Hooks • Rain Jacket • Swimsuit • Tote

Day 2

For day 2, we woke up and went to the main dining room for breakfast. They have everything you could possibly want to order, but I kept it simple with oatmeal and Elliott had an omelet with bacon.

After breakfast, we put on our swimsuits and headed out to the deck to lay out.

Birthday girl in the middle!

Tarah & Brett

That was really fun where we could all just relax and hang out.

There was a nearby bar, but no waiters coming around, which would have been nice. I also didn’t see where you could order food up there.

There was a small pool downstairs, but it was really crowded, along with the hot tub – so we didn’t spend any time there.

They had activities like a belly flop contest and hot guy contest which were pretty entertaining to watch.

CoverUp • Hat • Sunglasses • Flip Flops

CoverUp • Hat • Sunglasses • Huggie Earrings

That night, we had our birthday celebration where we all dressed up in black and Marianna wore her signature orange. Everyone looked stunning!!

Dress • Star Earrings

Dress • Star Earrings

Elliott fitting right in with all the guys!

For this dinner, we had the men at one table and the ladies sat at their own.

Dress • Earrings • Sandals

After dinner, some of us went and danced the rest of the night away at the Silent Disco. That was SO fun and funny! I was sweating under my dress though!

Marianna • Me • Erin

DAY 3

The day we docked in Cozumel was my favorite day of the trip! We went straight to Mr. Sanchos beach club, just a 10 minute taxi ride away.

You can spend the day there, enjoy the beach and pool, with really good drinks and food for a small entrance fee.

We spent the extra money ($150 a couple) for a private casita with unlimited food and drinks and our own private wait staff and area on the beach. Best money spent!

The beach was gorgeous and the private casita was just lovely.

The weather was glorious, partly sunny in the mid 80’s. We lounged, spent time in the ocean and one couple rented jet skis. You could also parasail if you wanted to.

Hat • Huggie Earrings

The pina coladas went down easy! But I’m just a 2-drink gal.

Me & Erin Sunglasses • Huggie Earrings

& with Mama Jamie:)

I loved how well Elliott got along with my crew! He and Jamie are both from Kansas and bonded over that.

Gotta love Tarah!

I’m so thankful for this crew! Thank you Marianna for having a birthday and inviting us to celebrate with you!

Seriously, such a fun time!

Dress • Wedges • Bag

We were back by dinnertime and ate at the main dining room. I’d say the food wasn’t great, but not terrible either – except for the Pot de Creme. Don’t order that!

DAY 4

There was a pretty nice gym on board the ship with treadmills, bikes, and fitness equipment. Several of us worked out while we were there. I just ran 3 miles to keep up with my marathon training.

Top • Pants • Sandals • Petal Earrings

There was also a casino with all the typical gambling games, but it was really smokey, so I avoided it until my mom texted and encouraged me to play the slots for her. I tried, and broke even with my $20 and left.

Some of our crew really had a good time there and the smoke didn’t bother them.

Later that day, we did play bingo which was fun. And Elliott and I caught a stand up comedy show and the comedian was seriously hilarious!

Dress • Sandals

We ate our last dinner in the main dining room and it was crazy to look out the window and see how fast we were going and how strong the waves were. That was a little freaky! The ship was going faster to try to avoid some storms.

Dress • Petal Earrings

Dress • Petal Earrings

Dress • Sandals • Petal Earrings

We ended the cruise at the karaoke bar where I sang Meghan Trainor ‘All About That Bass’ and Erin sang Whitney Houston ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’. So funny! Oh, and two of the guys “sang” TEQUILA!!

All in all, I loved being on the cruise with our crew and spending time with them. The cruise was a pretty affordable option for all of us to get to vacation together and it was convenient since it was local.

Having said that, my favorite day was the day we were off the boat! 😉

And wasn’t Marianna sweet to gift US with this personalized tote, water bottle, Hangover Kit (prefilled) and petal earrings?!

I’m so thankful for this group of friends and couldn’t ask for any better! If you have any questions about the cruise that I didn’t answer, let me know in the comments!

Weekend Steals

Vince Camuto Sweater | Was $69, Now $45

Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans | Was $78, Now $44

Split Neck Blouse | Was $88, Now $55

Crystal Bow Heels | Was $138, Now $64

Geo Fair Isle Sweater | Was $74, Now $44

Have a fantastic weekend friend!