Great Last minute deals on Royal Caribbean - Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas  3/3/12 7nt Western Caribbean  $799 - Interior, Cat Z $999 - Balcony, Cat X - that's less than cat L for an interior  $1899 - Deluxe Balcony, Cat W 3/17/12 7nt Western Caribbean  $849 - Interior, Cat Z $1199 - Balcony, Cat X 3/24/12 7nt Eastern Caribbean  $899 - Ocean View, Cat Y  $1149 - Balcony, Cat X - that's less than cat H for an ocean view $1949 - Deluxe Balcony, Cat W 3/31/12 7nt Western Caribbean  $899 - Interior, Cat Z $949 - Ocean View, Cat Y  $1199 - Balcony, Cat X - that's less than Cat M for an interior  $1999 - Deluxe Balcony, Cat W 4/7/12 7nt Eastern Caribbean  $1199 - Ocean View, Cat Y  $1299 - Balcony, Cat X  $2299 - Deluxe Balcony, Cat W Allure of the Seas  3/4/12 7nt Eastern Caribbean  $1199 - Ocean View, Cat Y  $1399 - Balcony, Cat X - that's less than Cat F for an ocean view $2249 - Deluxe Balcony, Cat W 3/11/12 7nt Western Caribbean  $979 - Interior, Cat Z $1149 - Ocean View, Cat Y  $1399 - Balcony, Cat X  $2249 - Deluxe Balcony, Cat W 3/18/12 7nt Eastern Caribbean  $1099 - Interior, Cat Z $1299 - Ocean View, Cat Y  $1399 - Balcony, Cat X  $2749 - Deluxe Balcony, Cat W 3/25/12 7nt Western Caribbean  $1049 - Ocean View, Cat Y   These rates are cruise-only pricing, per person in US dollars including NCCF, and are based on double occupancy. Governmental taxes and fees are additional. Rates are capacity controlled and are subject to change without notice. Ships Registered in the Bahamas. Updated 2/13/12.

©2012 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships registered in the Bahamas. *Brilliance of the Seas® is operated by RCL (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. • 11025426

I took the "Plummet".... maybe I AM crazy!

Before I start I should just premise this post with the fact that I lived. I loved. I even did it twice! So even though I may be crazy, I had fun so that's really all that matters, right?


I didn't actually know what I was getting into.  I don't really consider myself a 'risk-taker' or daredevil, but I do like to do things that are different, mostly just for the you-only-live-once factor.  And not that the Plummet is risky or dangerous, but when I saw it, I just knew it was the kind of adventure that was right up my alley!


So, this Plummet I speak of is the Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach Water Park at Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, FL.  This massive water slide is one of the longest, tallest, fastest water slides in the world!! It is 120 feet (i.e., 12 stories) high and you reach speeds of 55-60 mph when going down the slide! SERIOUSLY?!?! I could obviously tell it was TALL, but perhaps if I had known all these useful little facts beforehand I may not have tried it. So there may be something to that whole what-you-don't-know-won't-hurt-you thing and basically I'm really glad I did it!


Blizzard Beach overall is so fun, and such a Cool concept, being a Ski Resort theme and all. The center point is Mount Gushmore, and many slides start from the top of this mountain. Like all good ski resorts, there is a chair lift that takes you to the top of the mountain. Once at the top, there is a super fun family raft slide, tube slides, and other body slides you can get to. The park was not crowded at all on the day we were there, and the weather was just perfect!

So the pictures give some idea of how tall the Summit Plummet is and you can kind of get a sense of the steep drop.  I'm actually afraid of heights so I wasn't sure how I was gonna do once I got up there, but I tried not to think about it too much. Mind over matter. Don't let your fear get in the way of what you want to do. I'm trying to convince myself this as I'm riding the chair lift to the top. It was only the height thing that bothered me, but the slide itself looked fun and I wanted to try it. I was a little apprehensive as I climbed the stairs to the very top, but I had on my 1-piece swimsuit, I felt prepared... I wasn't gonna be scared. My husband and daughter were waiting at the bottom to watch me, and call paramedics if needed. ;-)

There wasn't a line so I really didn't have much time to think about what I was about to do...probably a good thing! I got to the top; the person in front of me was just about to go down and the ride attendant was talking to him and saying how it wasn't so bad, and that the height is one story below Tower of Terror. So if you can do Tower of Terror, you can do this. And I thought to myself, 'Okay... that's cool. I've done T of T. I can do this too.' The guy ahead of me made it down alive and seemed to be Ok, so how bad could it be. So I laid down, the arm thing went up, and down I went. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Like 3 seconds later I was at the bottom and let me tell you it was SO much FUN!!! I had my eyes closed and I think I screamed the whole way down, but it was awesome!! It felt like I went really really fast, but certainly not 50 or 60 mph~ Whoa! I felt speed and water spraying, (and a major wedgie), but that's about it. I didn't get that weird nauseous stomach feeling; I just felt exhilaration and FUN! After I got to the bottom, I immediately jumped up and wanted to do it again. Unfortunately I don't have actual documentation of me doing this, so you'll have to take my word for it. I wouldn't lie to you! It was definitely DEFINITELY fun! So I highly recommend doing this slide, if you're in FL, and you go to Disney, and go to a water park, go to Blizzard Beach and do this slide! 


I did get my daughter to try the Slush Gusher, which is another exciting water slide, but it has 2 humps rather than 1 plunge and isn't quite as tall as the SP. The Slush Gusher is also fun and my daughter did like it, but we both agreed that the only downside was that it hurt your back a little when you slide over where the seams are (where the slide pieces are put together). Other than that it was a really fun slide, but for an adventure slide, I preferred the Summit Plummet for sure. We had a great day, and were so lucky that it wasn't crowded. 


So that's the Summit Plummet. Try it. You may be really glad you did!


Love this quote:
"I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do."  - Georgia O'Keeffe

Viva Las Vegas! The 'Vintage' Vegas

Las Vegas has got to be one of the most interesting places to me. It's a city that is a complete anomaly from everyday 'normal' life. The glitz, the glam, the lights, the clothes (omg the clothing!).... Vegas is an Experience like no other.  I went last month as part of the IMEX America conference and had a really great time.

We stayed at the Palazzo which is an extension of the Venetian Hotel on the north end of the strip. Holy cow it was SO nice and I absolutely love love LOVE this hotel!!!!!! (Is that enough !!! to express how much I liked it?!) The Palazzo is absolutely beautiful. Now, we've stayed in the Venetian side as well (in the Venezia tower), but I really liked the Palazzo side better, at least for me. The rooms really are pretty much the same on both, but I just loved the layout of the hotel on the Palazzo side.  I plan to do another post just on the hotel, so I'll leave my hotel comments for that post.  So stay tuned.  But you can take my word for it that both the Venetian and the Palazzo are beautiful and I don't think you could go wrong with a room at either. And I'll be back in Vegas in a couple weeks (staying at Mandalay Bay this time though) but I plan to visit the Venetian for their Winter in Venice Holiday celebration. I've got to do the ice skating and try one of those eggnog cupcakes. Yum.

So one thing that I wanted to point out is that Vegas is more than just the strip. Yes, the strip is amazing and for sure what people think of or imagine when they think of Las Vegas. Besides Elvis. The strip definitely has a vibe all it's own, one that is quintessential Vegas. It's definitely changed from the days I remember some 25 years ago when I went as a kid and stayed at the old Sahara. Ick! In fact, the strip that we think of today didn't even exist back then. But you can still get a taste of that old Vintage Vegas if you visit the Fremont Street Experience in the downtown area, just a couple miles north of the main strip.

This place is really cool! Totally weird and different and the first time I went I was like "Whaaaa??? It's all enclosed?" Ok. So it took a little getting used to (again remember I was here as a kid, cruising the 'old strip' with my parents, consisting of the Golden Nugget, Binion's, the Pioneer Cowboy etc... Remember those places?). So if you remember the old days then it may seem a little strange to see it all enclosed, but if not then I guess it will just seem cool! ;) So it's really awesome and by comparison to the 'new' strip, it's a complete blast to the past of the old Vegas. Why, you ask? Well, here's just a few reasons --

 For one thing it's way casual and super laid back. No dressing up in heels and fancy clothes if you don't want to. Of course you can, but sometimes you just wanna be casual and if so you will have no dress code worries here. Another plus is that things are CHEAPER! Table games are cheaper (we played $10 blackjack at Binions... we couldn't find any $5 tables anywhere), you'll find more penny or nickel slots, and food is cheaper. Drinks aren't really an issue because you don't pay for those, you just tip your waitress.

But even the waitresses are more laid back here too (jeans and t-shirts vs the skimpy outfits for the waitresses on the strip). Parking is also cheap if you need to park, like 25 cents/ hour. Seriously?? And another on the plus side is that everything is so close by. Once you're in the dome, it's just a short walk to anywhere you want to get to. Unlike the New Strip where you have to literally walk miles from one hotel/ casino to the next, on Fremont St everything is close by and a short walk away. There's also tons of excitement from live music, street performers, dancers;  there's even a short zipline you can do right under the dome! And I almost forgot! Duh! One of the main attractions is the laser light show (Viva Vision) that is shown on the dome ceiling.


And it's also fun to go to the some of the Vintage spots like Binion's or Golden Nugget for the casino or buffets.

And yes, there is even transportation from the New Strip to the Downtown/ Fremont St area so you can get there fairly easily. Just take the Deuce on the Strip bus and it will take you right there! So simple :) May take a bit longer, but cheaper than a cab.

So the next time you're in Vegas, consider visiting the Fremont St Experience for something old, new, and different! You can stay on the strip and head up to Fremont St for the night, or stay in the downtown area and venture to the New Strip for an evening. It's great that there is so much to do and so many options for your next trip to Vegas. If you need any help or suggestions, I am happy to help.

ALSO, Big News >>>>> Starting next month I will have Vegas Advantage Cards available for sale. Cheaper than what you can find online. More details on that coming soon.

Welcome South Sudan!

Today marks a very momentous day as the new nation of South Sudan becomes official!  You may have heard about the struggles and issues facing Sudan... Wars, genocide, and serious civil unrest and major political and religious conflicts between the north and south.   For more than 50 years there has been fighting and conflict. As a result many Sudanese boys were forced to leave their homes and families to avoid being forced into fighting a war that they did not believe in.  So they walked thousands of miles in search of safe food, water, shelter, and safety.  They became known as the 'Lost Boys of Sudan' and they did eventually reach safety at refuge camps in Kenya and other neighboring countries.  Through a US program, many Lost Boys were brought to the US to help them receive medical care, education, and a new life without the threat of war.  I have been fortunate enough to know and mentor a Lost Boy here in Chicago, Mr Deng Magai.  He's a wonderful young man and has made a very successful life for himself here in Chicago.  He has gone to school and earned a college degree, and also works full time.  He has faced many challenges even here in the US, but he has managed to stay positive and strong.  He has not seen his family back in Sudan in more than 10 years which to me is so sad, and I really could not even imagine how hard that would be. I'm heading downtown in just a little bit to attend the rally and celebration for South Sudan!  I'm excited and look forward to participating in this amazing moment in history!

If you are in Chicago and want to learn more about Lost Boys in Chicago, you can click here: http://www.lostboyschicago.com/

Or if you'd like to find out more ways to help or donate, click here: http://www.allianceforthelostboys.com/home.html

I'm a Skydeck Ambassador!

Sounds so official doesn't it? I was actually selected to be one of Four Fabulous Ambassadors for the Skydeck at the Willis Tower this summer. Woohoo! So that means that I will get to share with you not only some of the great events going on at the Skydeck this summer, but I get to do a few giveaways as well! I have some ideas in mind and am still working out details so just stay tuned and I'll post more on that as soon as I can!

So as I said, I'm one of four fabulous Chicago ladies (with Melisa, Lisa, and Jen) who were selected to represent the Skydeck as Ambassadors this summer. I'm really honored to be among these ladies who are each very successful, talented, well-connected women who love Chicago and know this city inside and out! We'll each be bringing you some great info, probably all slightly different and from different perspectives, so I would certainly recommend checking out all of us for updates!

Now, you may be wondering Why are we doing all this and what's in it for us? Well, it's actually going to be a friendly little contest amongst the 4 of us, so that makes it even more interesting, right?! By encouraging people to visit the Skydeck this summer via social networking means (I'll give the links in a bit), and actual visitor counts, we will be accumulating points that when tallied at the end of August whoever has the most points wins a Par-tay at the Skydeck (and gets to bring a whole bunch of friends too!). Whoa! So I love Chicago, I love the Skydeck, and I love parties, so I thought it would be a super fun way to add a little extra excitement to the summer! And since I'm a travel specialist anyway, I love to encourage as much travel and 'getting away' time as possible, and Chicago is a fantastic destination.

My first visit to the Skydeck was at least 15 years ago because I went shortly after I moved here. I remember the elevator ride to the top and that the view was absolutely amazing, but other than that, nothing else really stood out.  The view was the attraction, you took some pics, and then you went back down. Well, that now has definitely changed. My most recent visit to the Skydeck was just a couple weeks ago and Holy Cow it was really exciting! Going to the Willis Tower Skydeck definitely feels more like an 'experience' now, rather than just a photo op. With the addition of some great new exhibits and features, and not to mention the famous Ledge that will test even the strongest of wills, you've got to keep the Skydeck in your next city plans.

The below picture was taken from my recent visit. After getting over a few nerves I didn't have too much trouble stepping out onto the Ledge. Mostly I have an issue with looking like a chicken, so I had to pretend like I wasn't nervous. But I'm really glad I stepped out there because it was very cool. And I am an 'afraid of heights' person, and it was still really cool! The building directly below my feet that I'm sort of standing on is the building I used to work at! Memories... :) I was at the Skydeck on a cloudy-ish day and the view was still amazing and it was so fun looking at and naming all the buildings and landmarks.

OH! So I almost forgot that I need to post some links. I will try to get a little button thingy to make it easier, but for now I need some Likes on my Ambassador profile on the Skydeck Chicago Facebook page. This is where I really need your help!! Just click on my picture and click the 'Like' button. Even if you don't live in Chicago or don't think you'll be able to go to the Skydeck this summer, that's Ok because it all adds up and counts towards my points to win the Party! And please forward to your friends as well. I really really appreciate it! 

And if you're on Twitter, I'll also be tweeting using #christyskydeck so please include this on any Chicago tweets or retweets.  

If you have any questions about visiting the Skydeck or visiting Chicago in general, please ask here via comment section or contact me by email!

Thanks for reading and have a great day! =D

Norwegian Cruise Lines - Last Minute Cruise Deals!

Just released cruise deals for last minute cruises. Staterooms are moving quickly and ships sail soon, so reserve your spot now!

Hawaii

7-Day from Honolulu

Sail Date PreviousBalcony Rate Just Reduced Rate Savings 7/6/11 $1,999 $1,499 $500 7/9/11 $1,999 $1,499 $500 7/23/11 $2,029 $1,549 $480

Alaska

7-Day from Seattle

Sail Date PreviousBalcony Rate Just Reduced Rate Savings 9/3/11 $1,349 $1,299 $50

Sail Date PreviousOutside Rate Just Reduced Rate Savings 9/4/11 $1,029 $829 $200 9/11/11 $979 $829 $150

Contact me!! Or Book online here!

Blue Man Group - A Must See Show!

Blue Man Group, what can I say, going to see this show is such an experience.  And I was SO excited to get to go here in Chicago this past weekend!  This was actually my 5th time seeing the show -- I saw them twice in 1998 (a pretty long time ago), one time last year on our cruise (NCL Epic; which was an amazing show for being on a cruise ship!), and one other time this past March for a Press Preview Event (but that was a shortened, more condensed show)... so I was really, really looking forward to seeing it again! And this is a *New* show with a few changes and some different elements.  So even though I've been a few times, it's just one of those shows that is always interesting and extremely entertaining!

After a delicious Tapas dinner at Cafe Ba Ba Reba, we headed up to Briar Street Theatre a bit early. We were anticipating some traffic given that the Pride Parade was earlier that day, but in fact there was actually less traffic, so we got to the theatre in no time at all! We were the third car in the parking lot so got rockstar parking right near the exit. And can you believe it only cost $14 to park! Wow... truly, I was amazed. Parking in Chicago @ a Theatre for only $14??? Seriously? I guess street parking could be a possibility in that area, but I'd never risk a potential parking ticket or worse a tow if parking was only $14. That's a great price for Chicago if you ask me.

So when you get inside the theatre, you see all these weird tubes and hoses and funky artwork... it's just really cool. It's a pretty small theatre, but it's only used for the Blue Man show, so they are able to set it up how they like. But I loved the small intimate feel to the entire theatre.  Just FYI, they do sell some alcoholic/ non-alcoholic beverages and a few snacks, mostly candy, and you can bring your drink into the theatre with you, which is cool (I don't think all theatres do). And my daughter loved the 'bathroom song' that they play inside obviously the bathroom. When you see the show, you'll just have to go in there to hear what I'm talking about! ;o

The show is just so amazing; it's really hard to actually explain what the show is, but it's fun, energizing, exciting, hilarious, and the music is just awesome!!! As I said they have added some new elements to the show, and changed some things, but some of the favorite audience participation aspects are still in. It's great that they do so much to get the audience involved and entertained throughout.

You can see this show in several cities (Las Vegas, Orlando, New York, Boston, AND they are currently touring as well) but as I mentioned you can also see it sailing on a cruise ship! Um, Yeah! On Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship the Epic, they have the Blue Man Group show playing every night for their guests.... And that's of course included with the cruise fare, so if you have a cruise in mind, and want to see some great entertainment, NCL Epic would be a good choice! I sailed on the ship last fall and it was wonderful, saw some great shows, and my family had a wonderful time! ;)

Here's a picture of me with one of those handsome blue guys after the show. It's great they do this because pictures are not allowed during the show so don't even try it. Just wait till after and get a good one with YOU in the pic with a blue man... even better!

I can arrange tickets and hotel packages so if you are considering a visit to the Windy City, what are you waiting for?!  Contact me so I can set you up!