I have been talking to my sister about doing a girlfriends getaway for a couple of years now. We used to see each other pretty regularly, right up until I moved from Maryland to Florida almost eight years ago.
Since then, my sister's oldest daughter and my oldest daughter went off to college. A lot has changed. If you've been a reader here for a while, you may know our mom has had several strokes.
My sister has had the guest room ready for me each time I've come to visit the hospital or our parent's house. She's a fantastic cook and always has a few meals in the fridge waiting. She goes to so much trouble each time I visit.
I thought it was time to do something for her, so I invited her to go on a girlfreinds getaway with me. We didn't have much time as she runs her husband's dental practice, but we could manage a three-day cruise to Nassau in the Bahamas. Carnival was the perfect choice to get away and relax.
Don't we all need a getaway now and then? We need to just toss our cares to the wind. Forget the housework. The laundry. The cooking. Let someone else take care of the kids. (They will be fine!) You'll come back ready to take on the world.
The Perfect Girlfriends Getaway
The moment you step onboard a Carnival ship, your cares will slip away. We were on the Carnival Liberty and there was an air of excitement as we all went through the very easy boarding process.
We ended up getting on the ship directly from the level in the garage where we parked, so we decided to bring our luggage on board instead of checking it in. The process was so easy, but it was just the two of us.
I can imagine if I had my kids with me, especially when they were little, it would have been preferable to check the bags at the curb on the ground level. Remember, the staff is there to make your life easier!
You will see the word Fun each day on your daily schedule, and Carnival really wants to make sure that's your first priority! Once we boarded the ship, we had a short wait until our room was ready, so we stopped at the bar for a toast to kick off the weekend. This is what a girlfriends getaway is all about!
Carnival even has drink packages so you don't have to think about anything except enjoying yourself! We hadn't even finished our drinks when it was announced that our room was ready. We dropped off our luggage and spent a couple of minutes freshening up before we went off to explore.
Carnival has different room choices, so there is something for everyone. We had a premium balcony, and it was actually really roomy.
The beds can be split into two twins, which was done for us by the time we got back from dinner. Did I mention you'll have a Stateroom steward who is available to answer questions and get you anything you need?
There was a lot of storage space in our room. Two closets for hang up clothes, drawers, and quite a few shelves. Carnival allows you to bring one bottle of wine on board, which I did, but I forgot a corkscrew. I requested one and our steward had it to us in about two minutes!
TIP: You can purchase bottled water ahead of time from the online Fun Shop on Carnival's website. It was such a bargain, and we had cold water in our fridge whenever we wanted it. Be sure to hydrate when you're in the sun a lot of the day.
You can buy other items at the store, too, like decorations for your Stateroom, fresh flowers, and even wine and spirits (though you don't want to miss out on going to the Alchemy Bar!)
As I mentioned, the staterooms really are roomy, and ours had a sitting area with a comfy couch and table. Carnival also supplies magazines and a couple of beach towels. More are available from the pool kiosk.
The bathroom is fairly large, too, and Carnival provides shampoo and soap so you don't have to bring it if you don't want to.
Once we got settled in our room, we grabbed our towels and went off to explore the pool area.
Just in time for the Sail Away party!
It looked like so much fun, but we were looking to chill, and The Serenity Retreat area is for adults only, so we headed there. Don't judge me.
We had a couple of drinks delivered, got out our books, and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing. The next day we would be in Nassau for a private island excursion, but I was already looking forward to being right back in that chair for our last day, which would be at sea.
I could have stayed there all evening, but a girl has to eat, and everyone knows the food is pretty popular on cruises. This was my first time sailing with Carnival, and I was amazed at the food selections! Feel like seafood? Check out the Seafood Shack. Rather have Mexican? The BlueIguana is a GREAT choice! The watermelon salsa is crazy delicious! I'll be making it tomorrow and sharing soon.
Want to eat in one of the dining rooms? Simply fill out your time frame request while booking your cruise and your table will be waiting. Rather just chill and have a burger? Oh, my word. Guy's Burger Joint is AMAZING. This may have been the best burger I have ever eaten in my life.
Unlimited fries, too? Don't mind if I do!
My sister is pretty tiny and looked at that burger thinking there was no way she would finish it. Oops.
Be sure to check out all the different restaurants when you book your cruise. They vary from ship to ship, but I hear they are all fantastic.
After dinner, we showered and headed out to explore the ship. We checked out the casino, the shopping, stopped in for a Broadway style show, and ended up at the Alchemy Bar. Those bartenders are so talented!
I can't imagine the training they go through to learn to make SO many different cocktails.
After drinks we decided to check out the Punchliner Comedy Club, and I'm so glad we did! The comedian on that night was hilarious. TIP: Get there early or you will have to stand! There is a lot of seating, but it's a very popular event.
It was a full day, and between the sun, the food, and the cocktails, we were exhausted. It was nice to see the schedule and our first towel animal waiting for us.
I slept like a baby to the gentle rocking of the ship.
I'll be sharing more about our adventure in the coming days. You can learn more about cruising with Carnival on their website. Carnival has cruises to Alaska (my bucket list!), Bermuda, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, Cuba (also bucket list!), Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Panama Canal.
Where do you want to go first? Share in the comments!
Jess C
Oh wow this trip looks incredible! I once went on a cruise with my family and it was one of the best holidays of my life!
Kelly Stilwell
It really is so much fun, Jess. Everyone can do their own thing but you are still together. I love it!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
I could definitely go for a girls getaway with Carnival. I LOVE their cruise line. They cover ever base, and they make is so easy to have a good time.
Kelly Stilwell
I agree, Stacie! You hit the nail on the head. It was SO easy!
Colleen Lanin
Carnival is the best cruise line out there, in my opinion. We've been on a few family cruises, and they were great. I can see how they would be amazing for a girls getaway.
Kelly Stilwell
It really was, Colleen. I'm already thinking about when we can do it again!
Jen Rattie
I've cruised on several different cruise lines, and Carnival is far and away the best. I think it would be awesome to go on a cruise with my girls.
Kelly Stilwell
Just do it, Jen! Make some memories! My sister and I laughed so hard. We will be talking about it for years!
Pam Wattenbarger
This looks like such a fun time! I have actually never been on a cruise before!
Kelly Stilwell
What, Pam? You have to do it! You'll have so much fun!
Liz Mays
Wow, this sounded like fun. I think I could go for a getaway like this. Bringing my sister along would be fun.
Kelly Stilwell
I'm so glad we were able to spend time together, Liz. It was really fun!
Rach Ferrucci
I've been wanting to do a Carnival cruise and this sounds like so much fun! I'll need to look into it for my bff and me!
Kelly Stilwell
Do it, Rach! You will have so much fun!
Dawn McAlexander
I will have to keep this in mind. If I head out on a cruise without my husband, then I should head out with my girl friends on a Carnival cruise!
Kelly Stilwell
Yes, Dawn! It is so much fun to just hang out with the girls!
Veronica Solomon
A cruise sounds very good to me. I would be hitting up the spa alot
Kelly Stilwell
We didn't do that this time, but hope to on the next one! We were too busy soaking up the sun and drinking cocktails! LOL
Marcie W.
A cruise would make an amazing getaway and no one cruises better than Carnival. We have sailed with them a few times and enjoyed every experience.
Kelly Stilwell
This was my first, Marcie. I'd love to hear about your experience. Which ships have you sailed on?
Theresa
Now you have me daydreaming about a cruise with my bestie! What a fun way to leave the daily grind behind for a few days and just let go with the girls!
Kelly Stilwell
Exactly, Theresa! Just do it!
Mitch
Hey, what about the guys! I love this stateroom, so big and roomie! And being able to buy cheaper staples to have delivered to my room is great information to have! Thanks!
Kelly Stilwell
Sorry, Mitch! It would be great for a guys getaway, too! I loved being able to have water delivered before I even got there! And it was inexpensive, too!
Toni | Boulder Locavore
Love this post! I agree with all of these! Carnival cruise is such a perfect girls getaway!
Kelly Stilwell
It really is, Toni!
Amanda Love
We've just been on a cruise but it was more for the kids. It would be nice to go out and just enjoy this experience with a girl friend. I think it's a great way to get rid of the stress that we experience at home on a daily basis.
Kelly Stilwell
Exactly, Amanda. Our only cares were which restaurant we were going to eat at for dinner and which activity to do! Moms need to get away!
Jeanine
I've always wanted to go on a cruise. I would love to do Carnival. I've heard so many great things about it. I think it would FOR SURE be a great girls giveaway!
Kelly Stilwell
Yes, Jeanine! It was so much fun!
Melissa
I have always wondered if I would like a cruise, but this changes my opinion and I think I would love it. That burger is so good looking even though I am not a big meat eater. The drinks also look perfect for relaxing.
Kelly Stilwell
That burger...I can't even explain to you how good it was! And the fries, too! You would love it, Melissa!
Louise Bishop
I couldn't agree more with this! My bestie and I want to go so bad!
Kelly Stilwell
Just start planning, Louise! You deserve it!
Linda
Cruises are the best sister vacations. My sisters and I did one several years ago and it was perfect. No arguing over where we are eating or how to get there. Lol!
Kelly Stilwell
Exactly, Linda! I can't wait to do it again!
Kelly Hutchinson
I would just love to have a few of m best gal pals on a cruise with me. That sounds like so much fun!
Kelly Stilwell
Yes, Kelly! It would be even more fun with more friends!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
I travel a ton, but so far all by airplane, I have yet to take a Cruise. I'm a Cruise Virgin! 🙂
Kelly Stilwell
Girl, you must do it! SO much fun!
Our Family World
Me and my husband have been on a Carnival cruise before and we loved it! It was one of the best vacations we've taken. I would probably consider going on another one with my sisters, but I don't think that would push through because my husband would surely want to go too. 🙂
Annemarie LeBlanc
My husband and I are always (as in ALWAYS) on a cruise together. Every trip is memorable and the experience is just awesome. If I would ever think of doing a girls getaway on a cruise, I would take my sisters with me, and they an take their husbands too. We'd just have to be in separate rooms - me and my sisters in one, and my husband and my brothers in law in another. Haha.
Cheryl
Hey I'd like to join you on your next girls getaway cruise! I hear Carnival has a good one starting in Puerto Rico and one of the ports is St. Lucia. I'd love to go there.