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One week until our first NCL
One week until our first NCL
November 4, 2025
Cruising over Destinations
Cruising over Destinations
November 2, 2025
I recently had someone get back from a 7-day cruise for the Carribean
Another Solo Cruise in the books
Another Solo Cruise in the books
September 7, 2025
Our first Royal experience
Our first Royal experience
March 6, 2025
We just got back from our first Royal Caribbean experience. We spent 5 days sailing on the enchantment of the seas. Now the enchantment of the seas is a smaller ship, but we wanted to give Royal a try and wasn't sure how we were going to like it. So what are my first thoughts? Well, I don't really have a true honest experience about it. We ended up getting a one-bedroom Grand suite so that completely changed our experience. Royal had a wonderful kids sail free promotion which this trip extremely affordable. Our next time cruising with Royal. We will try to book something that does include concierge or priority embarkation and debarkation, access to the concierge lounge or the wonderful bathroom& suite that had so many great amenities. This was our first time cruising and not getting the drink package. As drinks were included at the concierge lounge between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Aldrin was our bartender and I can't say enough wonderful things about him
We are always looking for cruise ships that are good for our girls and good for the family. Overall enchantment of the seas. While they do have adventure ocean, I would not recommend this facility for your kids. It is very small. There's not a ton of stuff to do. Our girls ended up making penpal though so they ended up loving that aspect of it. But definitely I would stick with Carnival when picking between Royal and Carnival for the kids club. It's hard to say whether or not the service was better on Royal since we were in a suite cabin are key cards did indicate that and we had our own personal concierge so 10 out of 10 for that aspect. The concierge was absolutely amazing for embarkation and then even better for debarkation. Our concierge just walked us right through past all of the folks that were queued up to get off the ship and as soon as we finish breakfast we got right off. One of the other big perks about getting the suite was the private breakfast area so the crew ends up learning your name and how you like to be served. And with two girls 4&5, they can be a little demanding. So honestly I would do Royal again. I want to try Royal in a non-suite experience to see if there really is a difference and probably on a ship that's a little bit bigger. Enchantment of the seas did not have too much to actually experience and enjoy, but really we were trying to give other cruise lines a chance. So we're very happy that we did and we will continue venturing out in January of 2026 when we take our first Disney cruise. We are super excited! Make sure you come along
Packing to cruise with littles kids for 8 days *Bonus Laundry onboard a Carnival Cruise ship*
Packing to cruise with littles kids for 8 days *Bonus Laundry onboard a Carnival Cruise ship*
August 31, 2024
Throw everything on the floor and hope for the best. That's generally how my packing starts for the girls when we head out on a cruise. I usually start with the number days and elegant nights and build out from there. See full list below. Each girl gets their own large packing cube, then I use the remaining cubes for various items and toiletries. Check out this video to see packing and laundry it in action.
Clothes
-2 elegant dresses
-4 dresses
- 6 shorts (they still wear under dresses)
- pool towel jackets
- flip flops
- tennis shoes
- ballet shoes (for elegant night)
- pull ups for nighttime
- PJs (2 pairs)
Toiletries
-Puddle Jumpers - life jackets are available for free on the ship, but our girls are used to these and one less stop on the lido.
-sun hats (with chin straps - this is essential because it is windy. We lost two on the first cruise)
-sun screen (coral friendly)
- Febreeze - SUPER important
- dryer sheets/laundry detergent
- toothbrush/toothpaste
- spray hair wash - for the quick times after a long day but before dinner
- shampoo/conditioner/body wash
- children's Tylenol- never leave home without it
- kids nighttime cough medicine - we forgot this on our first cruise and were grateful it was only 4 nights long.
- liquid hand soap - the rooms only have bar soap and this helps to encourage no germs.
Random essentials
- night light/sound machine (Rooms are dark and helps cover any hallway noise)
- back packs with keep busy essentials (tablet, crayons, coloring book,
- hand sanitizer
- folding step stool (we no longer bring this as our girls can reach the sink in the bathroom, but was great when they were younger)
- beach bag - for all the towels, sunscreen, water bottles, and everything you will lug down to the exit.
The launderettes on the ship are my best friend. I'm quite nervous actually since our upcoming 7 day cruise is on the Carnival Mardi Gras and there is only an ironing board. But here is a quick guide for using the laundry on-board
1) Set a timer for when your laundry will be done. Machines are limited so folks will remove your load if you aren't there.
2) Don't overload the dryers. You really don't want to pay an extra $3.50
3) Make sure you are only charged once. review your sail n sign account immediately. I have had to swipe my card twice but only for one load. Guest services is really helpful in removing the charge.
4) Iron clothes early for elegant night. A line will sometimes form and you want to make sure those formal pictures come out crisp.
5) Bring your own detergent and dryer sheets. The ships has a "soap center" with options but who really wants to pay an extra $2 for a detergent they aren't a fan of.
6) Not all Carnival Ships have launderettes and some only take coins.
More information on launderettes can be found at the following link. Laundry Service | Carnival Cruise Line
It's been a long time...
It's been a long time...
August 23, 2024
Wow...it's been almost a year since I wrote a post and that is just sad. This will be a ketchup note.
So much as happened in the past year. In personal life, I got a new job, we've started a "farm" 6 chickens, that are now down to 2, and our oldest has started Kindergarten. I can't decide if I want time to slow down or speed up. It really depends on the day.
In the world of cruising I (we) have been on 3 cruises...more videos to come.
1. Our final cruise out of Charleston on the Sunshine before Carnival closes up shop.
2. A quick much needed mom vacation on the Carnival Liberty before the holidays
3. And an 8 day (Mr Saleaway was confused when we didn't pack on day 5) cruise out of Mobile on the small but perfect Spirit. Check out the awesome view from our "interior" in this video. Interior with View!
On the horizon we have our first "mega ship" the Mardi Gras this November. Why I would book a cruise the entire week before Thanksgiving is beyond me. Oh well, we'll have to "wing" it this year upon the return. And...duh duh duh. We have booked our first Royal Caribbean cruise for February 2025. Nervous and excited is an understatement. Not for the fact of cruising, but for a new experience. I'm really looking forward to comparing the Whale Tails to the Anchors.
Well that's all for now. More details to come. More videos. More posts. Folks set new year resolutions, I'm setting an end of summer, late August resolve. Looking forward to the future and all the saleaways. Until the next time...This is Mrs. Saleaway signing off.
6 Days to Bermuda... wait Bahamas
6 Days to Bermuda... wait Bahamas
September 18, 2023
Move over Conquest class, we may have found our new favorite Carnival class of ship. The Carnival Magic, part of the Dream class, was perfectly sized and just right. First day we spent most of the time exploring and getting our bearings straight. Day 2 was my birthday, we came in second at Harry Potter trivia and enjoyed an amazing dinner at the Steakhouse. We arrived in our first port, the beautiful island of Half Moon Cay. The day was spent floating in the ocean and laying on the beach listening to music. That night we were able to experience our favorite culinary excursion, Chef's Table. If you haven't tried it, you must on your next cruise. On day 4 we visited the new and improved Nassau cruise terminal. It is absolutely beautiful and ventured out to our favorite local eatery, Captain Vinny's Hideaway. The conch fritters and fries never disappoint. We also took advantage of our spa room on this day and explored the thermal suites and thalassotherapy pool. One word…relaxation! Day 5 brings us to the industrial stop of Freeport. I decided to do a bar crawl challenge and have 15 different drinks at 15 different bars. This was a long day, but absolutely worth it. Our final day was rocky sea day, but we made the best of it with more trivia and dance parties. This 6-day cruise on Carnival Magic was exactly what we needed to reconnect and rejuvenate. Now back to Virginia to pick up B&V.
No more Bermuda :(
No more Bermuda :(
September 9, 2023
Last night we received the email everyone dreads but knows is possible when cruising, especially during hurricane season, "Itinerary Change Notice". Due to the conditions from Hurricane Lee, our 6 day Bermuda cruise has changed to 3 stops in the Bahamas. We will be going to Half Moon Cay Private Island, Nassau, and Freeport.
While this is obviously disappointing we are just grateful it was not canceled and it seems like the weather in The Bahamas will be beautiful. 89°F and partly cloudy. Also as compensation Carnival is assigning a $200 onboard credit to our stateroom. Bonsai Sushi here we come!
We appreciate the operations team making the decision early enough for us to be mentally prepared. And to make a few last minute adjustments to packing. Now that we are going to Half Moon Cay we will bring our trusty Winesulators to keep a few beverages ice cold while we relax on the soft sands. We also packed a small portable fan that we can attach to our chairs since we'll be spending more time on the boat than previously planned.
The change was too last minute though for Cruise Manager to be updated. The email informed us that once on board we could view different shore excursions for the new ports of call in the Carnival Hub app or the Shore Excursions Desk.
I will be interested to see how full the ship is with this change of itinerary. Well now it's time for 6 hour drive up to Virginia to drop off B&V with our families for the week. We will see you at the Saleaway Party.
The Saleaways
The Saleaways
September 1, 2023
Hi all! My name is Mary Sale and have been planning cruises for friends and family for years. My husband, Tony and I live in SC with our two girls, B&V. They love to cruise as much as we do. So we have dubbed ourselves The Saleaways. I have been on several cruises, 6 in 2022 alone. I have experience in solo, couple, and family Carnival cruises.
Hi all! My name is Mary Sale and have been planning cruises for friends and family for years. My husband, Tony and I live in SC with our two girls, B&V. They love to cruise as much as we do. So we have dubbed ourselves The Saleaways. I have been on several cruises, 6 in 2022 alone. I have experience in solo, couple, and family Carnival cruises.
I remember spending countless hours researching my first cruise and learning there was more than just picking my room and showing up to the cruise port. After 10 years of cruising I am confident in being the resource all cruisers need to make their next Saleaway amazing. Let me take the guesswork out your next Carnival cruise vacation.
I remember spending countless hours researching my first cruise and learning there was more than just picking my room and showing up to the cruise port. After 10 years of cruising I am confident in being the resource all cruisers need to make their next Saleaway amazing. Let me take the guesswork out your next Carnival cruise vacation.
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