A Joyful Trip to Bermuda

The Clashy crew—Cameron, Breanna, and I—set off for another unforgettable adventure. This time, our sights were set on Bermuda and the Atlantic Coast, with a kickoff from the bustling city of New York before boarding the Norwegian Joy. .

A Gluten-Free Triumph in the Big Apple
We indulged in pizza, yes gluten-free for me, proving that even in the land of iconic carb-loaded cuisine, there are gems for those of us with dietary restrictions. The next day our journey started early in New York, where Breanna—my gluten-free hero—tracked down the most incredible gluten-free bagel for breakfast. It was life-changing.

All Aboard the Norwegian Joy
We couldn't wait to step back onto the Norwegian Joy, it felt like a warm welcome from an old friend. This time, we weren’t just chasing tropical waters but also the charm of the Atlantic coastline.

Beautiful Bermuda
Bermuda’s pink sand beaches lived up to the hype. We soaked up the sun, explored colorful streets, and marveled at the crystal-clear waters that seemed almost too perfect to be real. It was a slice of paradise, and we made sure to capture every moment.

Atlantic Coastal Delights
The Atlantic Coast stops were a delightful blend of history and coastal charm. We wandered through quaint seaside towns, sampled fresh seafood, and enjoyed the ever-changing views from the ship.

Family Fun on the High Seas
Back on board, we indulged in Joy’s endless entertainment options—whether it was dining, shows, or just relaxing on the deck. Breanna, Cameron, and I made the most of every second, sharing laughs and adventures while creating new memories.

This cruise was a different flavor of adventure compared to our Caribbean escapades, but it was no less magical. Whether it was finding culinary treasures in New York, basking in Bermuda’s beauty, or soaking in the salty sea air along the Atlantic, this trip proved once again that the Joy is in the journey.

Where will we go next? Stay tuned for more Clashy Adventures! 🌊⚓️ 

A Joyful Caribbean Escape

Cameron and I set out on a much-needed escape—a 7-day cruise on the Norwegian Joy. Departing from Miami, our itinerary promised tropical bliss with stops in Belize, Roatan, and Costa Maya. It was just the two of us, and we were ready for relaxation, exploration, and a little mischief along the way.

Belize:
Belize welcomed us with its lush jungles and sparkling waters. We spent our day soaking in the vibrant culture, enjoying local delicacies, and marveling at the incredible natural beauty. There's something magical about Belize—the perfect mix of adventure and tranquility.

Roatan:
Next stop, Roatan, where the island’s unspoiled landscapes took our breath away. From its postcard-worthy beaches to its friendly locals, Roatan felt like stepping into paradise. Cameron and I made it a point to explore every inch of the island we could, and it’s safe to say it didn’t disappoint.

Costa Maya:
Costa Maya offered its own brand of charm. We wandered through colorful marketplaces, and indulged in some of the best Mexican food we’ve ever had. The mix of vibrant culture and laid-back vibes made this stop unforgettable.

Back on the Norwegian Joy, we soaked up every moment of shipboard life. From lazy mornings watching the sunrise over the ocean to exhilarating evenings enjoying live entertainment, the Joy lived up to its name. The food? Divine. The views? Even better. And the memories? Priceless.

This cruise was everything we needed and more—a perfect reminder of why the Caribbean keeps calling us back. Where to next? Stay tuned, because the Clashy Adventures never stop! 🌊🛳️

Check out our video about the Norwegian Joy here!

VetTix

If you are a Veteran and haven't signed up with VetTix yet, click the links below to get discounted tickets on events near you! 

 Vet Tix referral link https://www.vettix.org/ref/583829

 1st Tix referral link https://www.1sttix.org/ref/583829

Melt Tattoo Family

If you are in Ohio be sure to stop by Melt Bar and Grilled for a delicious sandwich. They have an excellent gluten-free menu, my favorite is the wet buffalo chicken. What's your favorite?

If you enjoy them as much as I do, join the Melt Tattoo Family! If you get their logo tattooed on you, register with them and and receive your tattoo family number and goodies and discounts. I'm #966! 

Our New Travel Business

We obviously love to travel, so why not build our next business around travel? That was our thought and now it's our reality! Today Cameron and I completed our franchisee training with Dream Vacations and Olson Travel Group is now up and running! 

Our goal is to help others enjoy travel as much as we do. We love finding good deals for people and helping find affordable options. There are so many deals out there, let us help you find the right one for you!

Norwegian Cruise - From Miami - Christmas Cruise - Norwegian Joy

Since my brother passed away just before Christmas in 2017, the holiday has never been the same. We have tried to find a way to move on and decided each year we will take a family trip. We don't exchange gifts, the trip and getting to spend time together is the gift! 

We all met in Miami for our second Christmas Cruise. We enjoyed 2 days at sea aboard the Norwegian Joy with a day at Harvest Caye, Belize, and a day at Costa Maya, Mexico.  

The staff on board, as usual, were so helpful.  Our room was on the 13th floor, the kid's rooms were on the 15th floor, and my mom was on the 5th floor when we checked in. This was a bit of a hike for us to go get her, so we went to customer service and asked if we could upgrade her room.  They quickly upgraded her room, just a few doors down from us, free of charge.  She went from an interior room to a balcony. What a treat! She loved her room and she was beyond grateful and excited for the upgrade.

Cameron and I had been to Costa Maya earlier this year on our Virgin Voyages trip, we remembered this great tequila bar that served tacos from the restaurant next door so we made our way there, stopping at the shops along the way of course.  When the bill came they needed cash for the tacos because they came from a different business, makes sense we just weren't prepared.  Thankfully the kids had enough cash to cover the tacos for all of us, we picked up the drink tab. 

When we got to Harvest Caye we rented another clamshell on the beach. A very nice gentleman came by for drink orders. More slushy beverages? Yes, please! We spent the day relaxing, napping, and snorkeling. 

Our group had planned our own theme nights for this trip, which made it even more fun for us all.  Country night we ate at Texas Smokehouse (Deck 6), fancy night was Teppanyaki (Deck 6), white-hot night we went to Spice H20 (Deck 17) for the white-hot party. Since it's the holiday, we also did holiday PJ's one night. My hubby and I had fleece onesies, and we were burning up so it was quick pictures and then wardrobe change! 

We also got to see Footloose at the Joy Theatre. Our favorite spot to hang out is at The Local (Deck 7).  The food is complimentary, and you can sit on deck 7 and look down onto deck 6 where there is usually a gameshow, trivia, or dance party happening. 

One person in the group, who will remain anonymous 😎, left us at The Local to go to bed. After about 30 minutes the group decided it was probably a good idea to make sure they made it to their room and sure enough they didn't. Everyone took a walk around the ship for a few minutes in search of this person, then decided to go back to The Local and what do you know, a few minutes later they stumbled back into The Local. There was laughing for a while about this situation.

Our family always has a great time with Norwegian. There are so many activities and unlimited drinks are usually one of the perks available when booking.  

Carnival Cruise - From Los Angeles - Carnival Panorama

 As we start working our way back to the west coast, why not take another cruise in along the way? 

We flew from Cleveland to Los Angeles for a cruise to the Mexican Riviera aboard the Carnival Panorama for 7 nights. We enjoyed 3 days at sea and 3 days in Mexico (Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta). 

With 3 sea days, we decided this would be the perfect time to check out the spa. We paid for the Thermal Lounge and it was well worth the money. There were steam rooms, saunas, a hydrotherapy pool/hot tub, and the most amazing heated lounge chairs. If you ever find yourself on the Panorama give the Thermal Lounge a look, if you don't want to pay for the Thermal Lounge, you can still go into the spa and in the locker room/changing room, there is a complimentary sauna.  

Our time in Cabo San Lucus was a bit different than our last visit in 2014 for our honeymoon. We had to get off the ship on a mission to find internet because the ship's wifi had been down since the night before.  We took a walk along the pier down to the local Starbucks, enjoyed a caffeinated beverage, got what we needed to do done, and headed back to the ship. 

We decided not to get off the ship in Mazatlan, but we did get off the ship in Puerto Vallarta.  When you get off the ship in Puerto Vallarta, check out Galerias Vallarta shopping mall or look for the large sign that says BEACH and go for it. Bring a blanket or beach towel and spend the day.  There are plenty of people walking up and down the beach willing to bring you a beverage or ask if there is a nearby resort that has an open to the public bar. It was suggested to us, by a nice gentleman on the beach, to go to Playa De Oro but we ended up at Jordin del Sol, which had delicious fresh guacamole and pico de gallo. We watched a very large iguana mosey along the rooftop and around the pool, had some great snacks, and a few drinks then worked our way back down the beach to the ship. The weather in December was a perfect 85 degrees in the afternoon. We couldn't have asked for a better day.

The Carnival Panorama is beautiful and the food was much better than what we experienced on the Carnival Legend. Another tip, if you book on the Carnival Panorama, on sea days check the specialty dining locations for lunch because they are usually open and complimentary. The ship was beautiful, the food was good; I would absolutely take another cruise on this ship!