Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Market Pavilion Hotel Review, Charleston

 My husband and I just returned last week from a weekend getaway to Charleston, SC. During our visit we stayed at the Market Pavilion Hotel and I thought this was a wonderful place to stay if you are visiting the area and wanted to share our experience.


The hotel is located in downtown Charleston right next to the Charleston City Market and close to bars, restaurants, shopping, attractions, the waterfront and the cruise terminal.



A weekend in Charleston



By Katy Dehaven

 My husband and I recently spent the weekend in Charleston, SC. I hadn’t been to this area since I was a kid. I couldn’t believe all that there was to see and do! One of the first questions we were asked when we arrived was if we were in town for Bachelor/ Bachelorette parties or a wedding. Charleston has become a destination hotspot for both and I can easily see why. The historic charm of the downtown area coupled with all bars, restaurants and attractions make this an ideal location for a celebration. 

Friday, January 20, 2023

Travel Tip: How to make the most of your time off

 Want to travel more, but just can't seem to find the time?

In this video, I share how my husband and I hacked our paid time off to take more trips: 



I explain how to: 

Piggyback trips on paid holidays

Search for nonstop flights from your local airport to lessen the time in transit 

The benefits of blocking out the vacation time early and the best time to do it. 

Friday, December 30, 2022

Carnival Celebration: Check in, Boarding, and Muster Stations

 In December 2022, we took an 8 night cruise on the Carnival Celebration from Miami, Florida. 


In this video, I share: 

  • How to check in online 
  • The key steps in the boarding process
  • The Muster Station locations 



Saturday, December 24, 2022

Tips for Cruise Ship Disembarkation

 Are you taking a cruise for the first time? Curious about disembarkation?  

In this video, I go through the key steps of the disembarkation process: 



Thursday, December 15, 2022

Princess Cruise Favorites

 If you've followed my travels over the years, you know I sail all the different cruise lines. Each cruise line is unique. I look forward to different things on each cruise line. Here's the things I look forward most on Princess Cruise Lines: 



Have you sailed Princess?  What are some of your favorites? Which of  my favorites would you be sure to try? 

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Pre Cruise Hotel Fort Lauderdale: Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel

 Are you looking for a pre cruise hotel in Fort Lauderdale for our cruise out of Port Everglades. In this post, I share my review of the Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel. 



The pros:

The location is terrific. Lots of restaurants, grocery stores, and shops nearby plus you are one stop light away from Port Everglades.

The hotel provides a free airport shuttle. Parking is only $5 per night during your stay. You can sign up for an extra charge cruise port shuttle.

The rooms were clean and well- equipped.

The free breakfast has several options: pancakes, hard boiled eggs, cereal, oatmeal, biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage, toast and cinnamon rolls.

The pool is small, but clean. I like that it's on the 4th floor so you aren't right next to the street

 

The con:

Check in / Check out is a zoo. It's not hotel's fault. This is cruise hotel. That means hundreds of people are checking in and out the same day. You have the people disembarking from their cruise arriving between 8 am - 10am. No rooms for them so some just hang around in the lobby. You have a mass check out at 11 am as everyone heads to their cruise. Then, you have people arriving the night before their cruise. They arrive anytime throughout the day.

 

Tip: If you will arrive at the hotel before 4 pm - make a plan outside of the hotel. Book an excursion. Head to the beach. Grab a barstool at Duffy's Sport Bar.