Welcome to 2021! As we waited for the end of the dismal year of 2020, we were all hoping that our world would open back up for exploration. Unfortunately, in many cases, we just aren’t there yet. While many locations have re-opened, there are almost always restrictions with that travel and most places will require a Covid test before and after and even in some cases, during your travel to make certain that you are are Covid free as you move about. CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) has been working with the CDC to address a 40 page document of precautions that cruise lines must complete before returning to the open seas including upgrading the ventilation system on it’s ship, Crew training for quarantine protocols and so much more. Many of the large corporations in the travel industry are working with health officials to do everything they can to reopen as quickly and as safely as possible and there are places that are allowing travel and many places that are planning to open up soon so stay tuned, keep your bags packed, and contact us for all your travel advice and accommodations and we can help you navigate your adventures in this troublesome time.

So last week, we did a thing and snatched up a last minute cruise deal!  Last minute travel is not usually a thing for us with a 5 year old and three dogs!  As I run through a scrambling scenario to prepare everyone, I thought it was an opportune time to make a list of all the things we pack for a cruise.  It gives me a chance to make sure I’ve packed “all the things” and gives you guys a chance to double check your own packing list! So here it is: Travel documents folder (boarding passes, passports, any pre-purchased item recceipts, copy of the intinerary, excursion documents, etc) Sunscreen Hat Bug wipes (we like the YoungLiving insect repellent wipes because they’re safe for our kiddo, our dogs and us and super effective) 1 dressy outfit 4 pairs of shorts 8 shirts (one for the day, and a nicer evening shirt) 1 pair of slacks/nice jeans lightweight jacket or sweater 2 swim suits (one drying, while the other is worn) 1 pair dressy shoes, 1 pair super comfy water shoes, 1 pair casual sandals/flip flops Underwear Toothpaste Deodorant Tooth brushes Shampoo/Conditioner Styling products GoPro and Eagle 4k (in case with two batteries, wind screens, filters, and activity mounts) Towel Clips Power station (non-surge protector) Hotel key card for the room power Snorkel gear Clothes Pins (for hanging wet stuff in the shower) Lanyard Cruise purse (I like a small cross body wallet style for keeping the necessities with me while we roam the ship) Sounds like a ton of stuff huh?  Keep watching us and I’ll show you how it all goes in a carry-on each next week!