travel Archives - Page 4 of 4 - Ever After in the Woods

November 24, 2014by: jenn

Top 5 Things to See on Quantum of the Seas

Are you wondering what is available of the new Quantum of the Seas cruise ship from Royal Caribbean? Well let me be the first to tell you how amazing this ship is! Not only did the technological aspects of this ship wow me but the entertainment and food were extraordinary too!

Number 1- RipCord by iFly®,

I was dying to see and try the RipCord by iFly®, the first skydiving simulator at sea. How cool is this idea? You are taken into an area and shown an instructional video, then you change into your own flight suit, complete with helmet, goggles and ear plugs. You then venture up a winding staircase to the wind tunnel. Your anticipation mounts as the instructors take you one by one into the wind chamber for your flying experience. They make sure you are in the right position and then they let you fly. Awesome!

Number 2 – North Star^SM

Next on the list, North Star^SM, an awe—inspiring experience where a jewel-like glass capsule takes guests on a spectacular journey more than 300 feet in the air to deliver unprecedented 360-degree views. The lines for this feature were long on this inaugural sailing but totally worth the views and photos. We were lucky enough to be the first ones on line for this site and were joined by Chairman Richard Fien for our ride in the North Star. You could tell how much pride he has in this new vessel by his retelling of stories of when it was being built. A purely memorable experience.

Number 3 – SeaPlex Sports Complex

Bumper Cars and roller-skating too? Oh my what a treat for the kids and adults alike. The indoor Seaplex offers a variety of different activities on different days. They offered circus trapeze school, pick up basketball games, XBOX lounge, arcade and many other activities.

Number 4 –The Music Hall

One of my favorite places on the ship was the Music Hall. They offer nightly entertainment so you can kick up your heels and dance the night away. We saw a Journey cover band and they had the entire room up on their feet dancing and singing along to “Don’t Stop Believing”.

Number 5 – The Artwork

Something else that I thought was really interesting was the choice of art work on the ship. There were many kinetic sculptures and contemporary technical installation pieces. I loved that they all evoked a sense of whimsy and fun from the monumental bear sculpture located by the outdoor rock wall to the art in each stairwell.

Disclosure: I was given the opportunity to be a part of the pre-inaugral sailing. All opinions are my own and yours may vary.

August 27, 2014by: jenn

Norwegian Breakaway from New York to Bermuda Photos

We had such a great time on our Norwegian Cruise from New York to Bermuda this summer that I wanted to share some photos of our trip. We went on the 7-day cruise from NY to Bermuda and were were docked in Bermuda for three days so we had the chance to explore.

We went to St. George’s one day while we were in Bermuda and we took the ferry from the cruise ship to get there. The ferry is definitely the way to travel if you are looking to get around the island quicker with a picturesque view. This area of Bermuda is still rustic and not nearly as urban as the capitol.

We had lunch one day at The Pickled Onion in Hamiliton simply because it was featured on The Food Network. You know how much I adore The Food Network so we totally needed to check it out and it was delicious. The Pickled Onion had a large menu to choose from and we sat outside on the balcony over looking the main street and docks in Bermuda. Perfect!

We also walked around one day to explore and we found many churches and buildings that had beautiful architecture and great ruins of a church that was not finished. We had such a great day just walking around on our own, no need for a tour here!

Because we were on the Norwegian Breakaway for three days to arrive at Bermuda, we wanted to spend most of our days while docked in Bermuda out and about on the island taking in all the sites and beaches. Bermuda is truly a beautiful island and we had a great time on the cruise.

We will definitely be booking another cruise soon! Thank you Norwegian Breakaway for taking such great care of us!

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. All opinions are my own and yours may vary.

August 21, 2014by: jenn

What to Do with Kids in Lake George – Great Escape Amusement Park

This summer, we took the kids on a vacation to Lake George, New York. We stayed at the Fort William Henry Hotel in a suite style room (2 bedrooms and living area) for four days and three nights. Our children vary in age from 2 to 12, so finding thins to do that will entertain all of them can be challenging at times. While we were in Lake George we dabbled in a few theme parks, many restaurants and of course an iconic fort. We spent one of our days at Great Escape Amusement Park.

We received complimentary tickets to the Great Escape Amusement Park and we had a blast! This amusement has many things to do with varying age children but make sure there is an extra adult around if your kids are different heights. There are height restrictions on many of the rides.

We absolutely loved all of the roller coasters, the carousel, the vintage cars, the train ride, and many more. There is a whole water section to the Great Escape too! We did not venture into this area as we were going to go back to the pool at the hotel when we finished for the day.

My husband and the two boys put on their big boy pants that day and went on this human slingshot ride. Holy Cow! My heart was beating out of my chest for all of them. The staff put you in a harness and pull you up super high in the sky and then you pull the rip cord and you are swinging high in the sky. It was wild! **Please note there was a separate cost for this ride.

We had lunch at the park and it wasn’t too costly. There were many offerings but we decided on the Chicken Strip family bucket. There was plenty of food for all of us to eat and we had a great shady spot under an umbrella to sit and relax and enjoy our lunch.

Overall, we had a great day at The Great Escape Amusement Park. The lines were not too bad and even though it was hot (80 degrees) we still managed to stay cool and hydrated all day long. There were plenty of shady spots to rest our legs and the kids had a blast! You can find more information and ticket prices on their website.

Disclaimer: We received complimentary tickets to the park to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and yours may vary.

August 13, 2014by: jenn

Things to Do with Kids in Lake George, NY – Magic Forest Amusement Park

Things to Do with Kids in Lake George, NY – Magic Forest Amusement Park

This summer, we took the kids on a vacation to Lake George, New York. We stayed at the Fort William Henry Hotel in a suite style room (2 bedrooms and living area) for four days and three nights. Our children vary in age from 2 to 12, so finding thins to do that will entertain all of them can be challenging at times. While we were in Lake George we dabbled in a few theme parks, many restaurants and of course an iconic fort. Our favorite place this trip was The Magic Forest Amusement Park.

The Magic Forest Amusement Park is located right on Route 9 in Lake Geoge and has been around for about fifty years! We loved seeing the nostalgic rides and themes in this shady park.

According to their website, “Magic Forest is the fun place to be for families with young children. The majority of rides are perfect for the little ones. You can watch your toddlers ride by themselves on the kiddie rides, or hop in with them on the larger ones. Everyone can ride the train through the forest and the tram around Safari Land. The Magic show is enjoyed by everyone of all ages.

The park is set in a shaded forest and remains cool on even the hottest days. There are plenty of shady benches lining the paths for any tired parents and grandparents. A large picnic area surrounds the snack bar. You may bring food with you or choose from the reasonably priced menu.”

Truth be told, all of this was true! We ALL had a blast, even the 12-year old! Both of the boys (5 and 12) were chosen to participate in the magic show. The magician that was performing we later saw at The Lobster Pot for dinner later in the week where he was still working his magic and balloon creations for the folks there too.

My favorite part was The Diving Horse Show. This is the only Diving Horse in the country and true to the name of the show, the horse did just that, Dive! Crazy, right?

We all enjoyed how shady the park was even in the 85 degree heat that day. This park has most of its original rides, shows and decorations so if you are looking for something new and modern with superfast rides, this is not the park for you. But if you are looking for an enjoyable place to spend the day out of the heat, with no lines for a nominal fee, then this is the place for you. We loved it and will definitely go back again! For more information visit there website at www.magicforestpark.com

Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this post. All thought and opinions are my own and yours may vary.

August 12, 2014by: jenn

Have you tried THE RIDE in NYC.

THE RIDE uses New York City and its renowned landmarks as the backdrop for a theatrical event that blurs the boundary between tour and performance. The city becomes a stage, and soon you can’t tell where the street ends and the show begins!

THE RIDE gives you a front-row seat to the streets of New York City in a multi-million dollar motor coach that comes equipped with state-of-the-art audio/visual technology, including 40 plasma screen TVs and over 3000 LED lights. Enjoy the performance from the comfort of one-of-a-kind stadium seating and huge panoramic windows.

While navigating a 4.2-mile midtown path, our performers and native New Yorkers alike become performers for THE RIDE, showing guests an entirely new side of New York City they can’t see anywhere else.

Whether you’re new to the city or a long-time native, you’ll find something to enjoy.

Get On, and Experience the Ride.
– See more at: http://www.experiencetheride.com/about/#sthash.6fPHYcLO.dpuf

August 4, 2014by: jenn

Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Breakaway

Vibe Beach Club is a must do on the Norwegian Cruise Line Breakaway from New York. This exclusive club is exactly what you need on NCL Breakaway if you are looking for a little bit of quiet in another wise crazy party on board.

In the Vibe Beach Club there are 5 Cabanas that are available for purchase for the week for $299 and you also receive a $100 onboard credit and entry for two into the beach club for the week and let me tell you it is the best kept secret on the ship!

You can also choose to just go into the Vibe Beach Club with a daily or weekly pass. You never have to worry about getting a lounge chair, a drink at the bar, towels, or even a seat in the hot tub. Again WELL WORTH THE MONEY.

Like I mentioned earlier you MUST get to guest services onboard the ship AS SOON as you embark. They only give out a small number of these passes and it is a first come, first serve. Do not go to your state room to drop off your bags, do not go and make reservations at the restaurants, do not pass go, do not collect $200… sorry got a little carried away but seriously, get on the VIBE BEACH CLUB line at the guest services desk as soon as you climb aboard the NCL Breakaway.

This club is beautiful. It is so well maintained like a well-oiled machine. The bar stools are wood, there are beautiful lounge chairs, with pillows and cushions, there are plenty of umbrellas ready for you to use and two hot tubs. There is no pool in Vibe but there is a large shower that you can cool off in. As I mentioned earlier you have your own private bar in Vibe too, so you never have to wait for a drink. If you are lucky enough Leon (our perfect bartender) will be there to greet you with his laid back way, kind smile, and readiness to make you whatever you want in order to make sure you are having a great time.

Our cruise on the NCL Breakaway was perfect because we decided to go ahead with our cabana in Vibe Beach Club. It is just one more way the NCL staff and crew want to enhance your stay on their ship. Stay tuned for more travel tips from the NCL Breakaway to Bermuda, you wont be disappointed!

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. All opinions are my own and yours may vary.

July 21, 2014by: jenn

Camel Beach – Great Water Park in the Pocono Mountains

Are you looking for a great water park? We found Camel Beach Water Park to be filled with all the exciting thrill rides for kids of all ages! We had such a great day at Camel Beach that we are sure to go back this summer!

We packed up the kids for a day trip to Camel Beach this past month and we had such a great day! My children range in age from 2 – 12 so I was a little nervous about what we would find that would keep all of them entertained! But let me tell you, there is something for everyone.

First up life vests for the little ones. They are still learning to swim so I wanted to be safe and got them into the vests that Camel Beach provides. They have quite the selection of water rides. There are 4 or 5 waer tube slides. The kids favorite was definitely the Toilet Bowl! It may have been called something different but that was what my 12-year old dubbed it.

Camel Beach also has 2 play areas that have stairs, slides, little wading pools, water shooters and a big bucket that dumps a whole lot of water on unsuspecting swimmers! One area is for the wee little ones and the other is for the bigger kids.

We had a great lunch too! There were so many choices and they offered really big portions. We sampled the hamburger, chicken nuggets and French fries, a buffalo chicken wrap and the grilled chicken caeser salad. I was a little skeptical about ordering the salad, but it was fresh and delicious. Side note- next time order dressing on the side. I like to dip my salad!

Then off to the other side of the park for continued entertainment. Over on this side of camel Beach, they offer an adventure zone (for an additional fee) but my thrill seeking twelve year old ( not really!) wanted to try the free fall. Needless to say it had mine and his hearts pumping out of our chests! But he did it with Grace and style.

Next, the wave pool. This pool had massive waves! Definitely not for those who can’t swim. But right next to the wave pool was another small kiddie play area. Perfect placement! I could easily keep an eye on the bigger boys while the little one ran around.

What a great day we had at Camel Beach. You can find out more on their website for ticket prices, directions, etc. We had a great time!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own and yours may vary. There was no compensation for this trip just a family outing.

July 17, 2014by: jenn

Atlantic City, New Jersey Perfect Summer Getaway!

My husband and I went to Atlantic City New Jersey this past week and We had a blast! From walks on the Boardwalk to fabulous dinners, great beaches and awesome entertainment we really had a great time.

We have been going to AC at least once a year for the past 5 years, we love it there. It is a Great getaway for us because it is close enough to drive but yet we still feel like we are away. My husband even proposed to me on the sandy beaches of Atlantic City! This time we stayed at Resorts Hotel and Casino. The room at Resorts was clean and spacious with a large King bed and huge marble bathroom with a huge glass door shower. The casino was also lively and not too smoky!

When we arrived in Atlantic City we went for a walk on the famous boardwalk. We stopped and had a few frozen drinks at this great bar right on the beach. It was so serene. Everything was white, from the umbrellas to the chairs even to the staffs uninforms and my piña colada was fabulous too! We stopped and bought some salt water taffy too, pure perfection!

That night we went to dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. The wait was a little lengthy (1 hour) but definitely worth it. The food was great and the decor was fun. A definite must see if you get down there. We gambled a little bit after dinner and had an early night.

The next day was sunny and gorgeous so we had some coffee in the morning and off we went down the boardwalk to do some window shopping. While we were walking we noticed these huge Sandcastles that were breath taking. It turns out we were looking at the Sand Sculpting World Cup. I can’t begin to tell you how talented these artists are. I was blown away from what they were able to sculpt just using sand. This is a definite must see and this years World Cup was held June 19 – July 6, 2014.

We went out on the end of the pier where there are games and rides for all ages. AT the end of the pier they were offering helicopter rides of the beachfront. My husband has always wanted to go up in a helicopter and I thought this would be perfect! So up we went in this small helicopter, it was so exciting! We cruised down the oceanfront and saw all the people in the water and all of the large hotels and casinos. It was really neat! The ride was a little shorter then I thought it would be, but definitely worth it!

After our helicopter ride we went down to another beach bar, LandSharks and had a few adult beverages and played some corn hole in the sand. It was a great afternoon of people watching and relaxing summer time fun. For dinner that night we went to our favorite restaurant which is located in the Taj Mahal Casino. It is an upscale Italian restaurant where they have the best service, delicious food and romantic ambienance. We go every time that we are down in Atalntic City. It is a must do! The restaurant is called Il Mulano. Yum!

If you get the chance to go to Atlantic City, you should definitely try out some of these suggestions. We had a great time!

June 10, 2014by: jenn

What to Pack for a Cruise?

What to pack for a cruise? This is the question I have been as king myself for the past few weeks. My biggest fear is that I will be in the middle of the ocean somewhere and I will desperately need something. Of course I am sure the good people of Norweigen Cruises will have it available but at a premium price. I am all about saving money. I would rather be well packed!

We are very lucky to be going on the new Norweigen Breakaway this summer to Bermuda! Woot Woot! I can not wait.

So in some of my research I have found a few things that you need to pack. I made a great printable for you too.

A couple of things about what to pack.

1- Travel Coffee Mug- If you are anything like me you need a vat of coffee in the morning. I also like to be mobile. Having a travel coffee cup on hand will definitely make my life a little easier.

2- Power Strip – again this would be a big help if you are charging camera batteries, iPods, using a hair dryer, curling iron, etc.

3- Over the Door Shoe Organizer – I guess this rooms on cruise ships are pretty small. So putting out all of your bathroom accessories will never work. Go to the dollar store and get an over the door shoe organizer to store all of your toiletries. Genius!

4- Beach towel clips- do you want to be chasing your beach towels all over from the top of the cruise ship when the wind is blowing? No way! Purchase some beach towel clips before you embark to save yourself some aggravation.

5- Carry On- a properly packed carry on is a must. Make sure you have a bathing suit, cover up, sandals, proper IDs, medicines, sunglasses, camera, ready to go. There would be nothing worse than not being able to hang out while you are waiting for your luggage to arrive.

Honestly I can not tell you how excited I am for this trip. This is our honeymoon, two years later! Stay tuned for more upcoming posts about the cruise, packing, outfits, etc.

May 23, 2014by: jenn

Kidz Bop 25 – Great CD For the Kids!

Are you a fan of Kids Bop CDs? How many do you have in your car? My kids love Kids Bop and I love it too. My favorite song from this CD is “Cups”. The CDs are always available at major retails stores

Fun Facts About KIDZ BOP:

1. KIDZ BOP is the #1 music brand for kids in the U.S., featuring songs sung by kids for kids

2. KB 25 came out January 14, 2014

a. It has 16 songs on it…including roar, cups, safe and sound

3. KB 25 commercial and music video, “Safe and Sound” was shot at Universal Studios Hollywood

a. Link to music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3N5gYH6moc

4. KB recently launched its own channel on SiriusXM, KIDZ BOP Radio on Channel 77

5. The KIDZ BOP Kids are all online/homeschooled

6. A KIDZ BOP teacher travels with the KIDZ BOP Kids to make sure all schoolwork gets done

7. The KIDZ BOP Kids’ “Dream Big, Sing Loud!” Tour will stop at over 40 cities across North America

8. The KIDZ BOP Kids are currently recording for their next album, KIDZ BOP 26 that comes out in July

I am SO EXCITED as I just found out the Kids Bop Tour is going to be in our neck of the woods! We are totally going!