Tag: boating trips

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Our First Visit to Charleston, SC

For our 21st wedding anniversary, Scott and I decided to visit Charleston, SC for the first time. We took a 6am flight out of Fort Launderdale with a quick layover in Charlotte, NC. That got us into Charleston by 10:15am. Yes, there are direct flights, but both of us are American frequent flyers, so we flew American.

The weather was perfect the day we arrived with light winds and 73 degrees. From our hotel (Marriott Courtyard Historic District) we walked to the Gadsden’s Wharf which was about a 15 minute walk. One thing I loved about Charleston was the historical sites. The city shares the story of each site and has preserved so much of the past.

Scott and I grabbed lunch at a great deli called East Bay Deli and the food was amazing. I highly recommend stopping by here.

At Gadsden’s Wharf you will find the new African-American Historical Museum. Outside they have memorials on display and we had planned to visit the museum on Saturday, but the weather would change that.

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Fort Sumter & Harbor Cruise

We checked out the Fort Sumter visitor center, which actually had a lot of historical information. Scott and I had a harbor cruise booked for 1:30pm, and it was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. They serve drinks and snacks onboard and the weather was warm and sunny. The cruise is about 90 minutes and takes you by Fort Sumter, to the Arthur Ravenal Bridge.

We didn’t stop by Fort Sumter, but we will on our next visit.

Historic District

After our cruise, we walked around the historic district briefly as we had planned on exploring most of it the following day.

There are two main streets in Charleston, Meeting Street and King Street. We didn’t discover King Street until the following day. This is where all of restaurants, bars and retail shops are located.

Charleston is known for it’s churches and they have a city ordinance that no building can be taller than the steeples.

2nd Day in Charleston

Scott and I woke up to 25mph winds and cold temperatures. But we still walked about 10 blocks to breakfast which was outstanding! My eggs came with “tomato gravy and ham powder” and they were delicious. I never knew what tomato gravy was, but now I do.

Our first stop was the Charleston Historical Museum. There was so much history in here, but it also included much more. They had a dinosaur, Egyptian, and textile section too. We bought the $30 ticket which also got us into two historical homes.

This whale washed up on the wharf and they salvaged the skeleton for the museum.

Historical Homes

Our first home was that of John Manigault’s home, built in 1803. It was so cool to be in a house that was built so long ago.

Next we headed to the wharf where we planned to take the water taxi (a pontoon boat) across the bay to tour the USS Yorktown. Unfortunately the seas were 3-5′ and there was no water taxi. So we continued south to the Pineapple Fountain and the Pier. Let’s just say, this was a very cold walk!

From here we walked to the “row houses” which were incredible. People live in them today and then were toured the Heyward-Washington House. You’ll notice that many of these houses have the porches sideways. This was to allow a breeze in during the hot summer months.

The kitchens were typically not in the actual house, but were a separate building that also housed the slaves upstairs. The living conditions for the slaves was horrible.

We walked back to our hotel (about 10 blocks) from the historical district and just took in the sights.

We did walk thru the City Market which is fairly long. We thought it would resemble Pike Place Market, but it was mostly arts and crafts.

Muse Restaurant

Scott and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary at Muse and it was fantastic. Located in an old house, each room is a dining area. The food was out of this world!

Weather Warning

The following day we woke up to a number of weather warnings. Due to the amount of rain, all of the museums in DT Charleston were closed due to flooding. Our friends Randy and Molly took us out to Folly Beach which was quite the site to see.

When Scott and I returned to our hotel, we decided to walk down King Street to explore. Then we stopped by Husk for a cocktail – this is a really cool whiskey bar. We did get to spend time with our friends and finished the day with a fantastic dinner at Amen.

Great evening in Charleston

We did get to spend time with our friends Randy and Molly and finished the day with a fantastic dinner at Amen.

Charleston is definitely a city we want to return to and explore more. We also plan on visiting Savannah, GA which has a similar history. That’s another reason we love living in Florida as we are so close to so many great destinations.

As always, thank you for following our journey. Please be sure to subscribe to our blog and our YouTube channel (see link below). Follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

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Miami International Boat Show 2024

This year I was able to actually attend the Miami International Boat Show aka “DBMIBS” as my company didn’t have a display. Scott and I attended on Saturday and we visited three of the displays, including the in-water yacht show at Herald Plaza, the sailboat display and the convention center.

What the Miami Int’l Boat Show Offers

The Miami International Boat Show stands as a premier event, embodying the epitome of marine excellence and innovation. Hosted annually in the vibrant city of Miami, Florida, this nautical extravaganza is a haven for boating enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Boasting an expansive showcase of the latest watercraft, marine accessories, and cutting-edge technologies, the event offers an immersive experience for attendees eager to explore the forefront of maritime advancements.

With its strategic location at the Herald Plaza and Grande Haven marina the show provides a picturesque backdrop for the unveiling of the most coveted boats and yachts in the market. Attendees can expect a diverse array of exhibitors, from renowned boat manufacturers to accessory providers, creating a comprehensive platform that caters to every aspect of the marine lifestyle. From luxury vessels to innovative water sports gear, the Miami International Boat Show is a one-stop-shop for all things maritime.

Beyond the exhibit halls, the event fosters a dynamic atmosphere with educational seminars, live demonstrations, and networking opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor, a first-time boat buyer, or an industry insider, the Miami International Boat Show promises an unparalleled experience, blending the excitement of discovering new products with the picturesque beauty of Miami’s waterfront. Immerse yourself in the world of boating at this internationally acclaimed event, where passion for the sea meets the latest in marine excellence.

Cool New Products!

How cute are these Fiat boats? Could you imagine Scott and I cruising the New River in one of these and how people would react? They come in a variety of colors and start at about $122k.

Inside the convention center we came upon an electric outboard by Acel that can really get up to speed.

Need to get somewhere fast? Well six Mercury 600 Verados will help you get there!

Sailing Boat Display

From the power boat display, Scott and I took the water taxi over to the sailboat display. This is a single dock display and as a result, it was pretty crowded. We did get to tour a Dufour sailboat, which we’ll share in a few weeks.

Upcoming Boat Tours

Scott and I toured five yachts and we’ll be bringing those tours to you over the next few weeks. Our next show will the the Palm Beach International Boat Show and unfortunately I have to work this show, as we (26 North Yachts) will have two displays.

We are also headed up to Charleston, SC and we are excited to visit this city for the first time. Be sure to tune in to follow along our journey.

As always, thank you for following our journey. Please be sure to subscribe to our blog and our YouTube channel (see link below). Follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

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Weekend in the Exumas

For my birthday this year, Scott and I spent the weekend in the Exumas. We flew out on Wednesday afternoon and we got upgraded to first class on American. The funny thing was that we were the only people in first class!

The flight was about 45 minutes, one of the shortest flights we have been on!

Soon I started to see the beautiful turquoise waters of the Exumas! In just 90 minutes we had landed, gone thru customs and immigration and were in our hotel room!

Sandals Resort Emerald Bay Exumas

For this visit, we stayed at the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in Georgetown.

The resort was beautiful and upon our arrival, they drove us to our room on a golf cart and gave us a quick tour.

We had a beautiful ocean view room and we had no complaints!

The grounds were well maintained and beautiful. Over the next few days our plan was to relax by the pool, use the Hobie Cats, and go snorkeling.

About the Exumas

The Exumas, a stunning archipelago consisting of over 365 cays and islands, possess a captivating history that mirrors the Caribbean’s rich tapestry. Originally inhabited by the Lucayan people, the islands encountered European explorers during the 15th century. The Exumas became a haven for pirates and privateers during the 17th and 18th centuries, with figures like Captain Kidd leaving their mark.

The islands played a pivotal role during the American Revolutionary War, acting as a base for loyalist troops. The Exumas’ historical significance also includes their role in the salt industry and plantation economy. Today, these islands have transitioned into a paradisiacal destination celebrated for their turquoise waters, vibrant marine life, and luxurious retreats, inviting travelers to relish in their natural beauty and diverse past.

The Beach at Sandals Emerald Bay Exuma

Scott and I were disappointed that we were under a red flag every day, so we were not able to use the water toys. It is hurricane season, so perhaps if we return during normal weather it won’t be so windy. We were really looking forward to taking the Hobie Cat out and trying the paddle boards.

Swimming Pigs

The following day we headed up north to Rolleville to catch our excursion boat. For most of the trip we were on a pot hole filled dirt road! Talk about bumpy!

Check in was easy and within 15 minutes of arriving, we were on the boat and headed out. We were on a double decker power cat and it was extremely comfortable.

We booked a 4 hour (half day) excursion with Exuma Water Sports. Had we booked the full day, we would have headed towards Staniel Cay and the bigger sites. This tour would take us first to the smaller pig beach, then to a blue hole, then to mile sandbar and finally to the iguanas.

The Swimming Pigs

Last year I didn’t get the chance to see the swimming pigs, except for a quick 5 min stop at night. When we arrived the pigs were anxiously awaiting for us.

The excursion company brings fresh water and food to the pigs every day, so they are well cared for.

The origin of the famous swimming pigs of the Exumas, has a somewhat murky and debated history. One popular theory suggests that sailors or settlers may have introduced pigs to the island as a potential food source, leaving them there to breed and multiply. Another story points to shipwrecks, where pigs might have swum ashore after vessels were wrecked. Some locals claim that the pigs were left by sailors who intended to return and use them as a food source but never did.

Regardless of their initial arrival, the pigs have become a beloved attraction in the Exumas. Over time, they’ve become accustomed to visitors and even learned to swim out to boats approaching the beach, expecting food. The swimming pigs have gained worldwide attention through social media and tourism promotions, making them an iconic and endearing symbol of the Exumas’ unique charm.

There was also a very friendly sting ray and it kept swimming between people’s legs.

Blue Hole

Next we headed over to a blue hole. This was only about 30′ deep and we jumped in for a snorkel.

Since it was a bit choppy, the water was a bit murky. But there were plenty of fish, especially the Jack fish. One kept trying to bite me! Watch the video to see the footage.

Mile Sand Bar

After the Blue Hole, we headed to Mile Sand Bar to relax on the beach and enjoy some cocktails. The water was absolutely gorgeous!

Trust me, the photos don’t tell the entire story. You have to see this yourself!

The water was also the perfect temperature!

The beauty about the Exumas is the water and the way it makes you feel as you cruise through the islands. In many areas, we were only in 3 or 4 feet of water!

Time to Feed the Iguanas

We then headed up past Norman’s Pond Cay to Leaf Cay, to feed the iguanas. We were also trying to outrun a major squall that luckily never got us.

They gave us kale leaves to feed the iguanas and as soon as we were on the beach, they came running! Some were fighting with each other over the kale. Again, watch our YouTube video for the footage!

It was a great excursion! I think next time it would be fun to do the entire day or rent a day boat for ourselves. The catch is, we don’t know the waters and these guys were going past and through some sketchy spots. Best to have a local take you.

Wrapping Up Our Weekend in the Exumas

This was a great 4-day trip to the Exumas. It was easy to get to, there was plenty to do at the resort and the people were all incredibly friendly. Being that we are so close, we will definitely be back.

We got to the airport about 2 hours before our flight departed. Don’t expect much. This airport is smaller than the one in Belize! There’s no restaurant or bar, but you can buy wi-fi, snacks and beer from each of the two shops. The photo below is the terminal.

As always, thank you for following our journey! Please be sure to subscribe to our blog and vlog (link below) and on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney

Cheers, Scott and Ally

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Pontoon Cruise Down the ICW

Last week Scott and I took a pontoon cruise down the ICW from Deerfield to Delray Beach. Overnight Boat Rentals gave us a deal on the boat for a few hours. Overnight boat rentals offer daily and weekly boat rentals, so it’s a great option for people who want to boat, but not own one. Scott had never driven a single screw or a pontoon boat, so this was a fun experience.

We picked the boat up at Sullivan Park in Deerfield Beach where they have a few public docks available. Brandon, the owner of Overnight Boat Rentals was waiting for us with the captain.

Godfrey Pontoon

Our pontoon was actually a “tri-toon” as it had three pontoons underneath it. It was 26′ in length and had plenty of room for entertaining. It had a side entrance door along with a stern and bow door for easy access.

The helm offered a very comfortable captain’s chair along with the control panel with all of the necessary electronics from Garmin. It also had a Bluetooth stereo by Fusion.

The pontoon was powered by a single Yamaha 150hp outboard. It also had a super sturdy swim ladder and a “Power-Pole” (see black pole to the right). When engaged it keeps the boat from rotating while on anchor.

There was plenty of storage throughout the boat, to help keep your accessories, like lines, fenders and the anchor tidy.

Heading up the ICW

Scott was back at the helm and happy as a clam as we headed up the ICW. Most of the route was a no wake zone, so we took our time enjoying the view. We had the boat for 3 hours, so we figured we’d head north for an hour and half and then turn around.

We did have to wait for a couple of bridges. The clearance on these was only about 7′ at high tide and with our bimini top, we knew we were too tall.

The sites along the ICW

As we arrived in Boca, we came across a large sandbar. At 12pm, it wasn’t that crowded but when we returned, it was packed!

The view never gets old, that is for sure!

Soon, we left the giant mansions and were surrounded by mangrove trees. We had hoped to see a manatee, but no luck. Perhaps the people below saw one?

I’m digging the names of these two yachts – I see a theme here! My style that’s for sure!

On our way back, it was much busier and far more crowded than when we left.

We had a great time spending the day on the water. Our only disappointment was the rude boaters who didn’t follow the “no wake zone” rules – below is a great example. It was a wash machine in the ICW!

A big thank you to Brandon at Overnight Boat Rentals! Just as the title says, they have overnight and weekly rentals available. I think Scott and I will definitely look at renting one over night and head north to explore more.

As always, thank you for following our blog and journey! Be sure to subscribe to our channel (see link below) and follow us on social media @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

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We Rented a Dinghy!

A few weeks ago, Scott and I rented a dinghy for a few hours to cruise along the New River. We rented the boat for $75/hour (two hours) from Salty Blue Fun Rentals. We found them online and we saw that we could walk to the boat to pick it up.

We walked about a mile and a half to a residential area. Now I was thinking, this is not a good idea. I mean, are we renting it from someone’s house?! Turns out there was a marina in the neighborhood and the owner of Salty Blue Fun actually lives on her boat and she rents her dinghy. She and her partner were very nice and got us set up right away.

Where can we go in two hours?

Scott and I hopped in, got a quick run down and off we went. We headed down the canal towards the New River. Remember, the New River is where we walk and also where we pick up the Water Taxi. I didn’t realize how far we traveled until I pulled this map!

Once you leave the canals and head towards the river, you have to watch for big yachts and lots of traffic.

It was really hot and we were so glad the dinghy came with a bimini top. I forgot to take a photo of the dinghy, so the image of the boat is actually from an old ad from when it was for sale. Looks like it cost around $4995 used.

Going Southwest on the River

We cruised through Downtown Fort Lauderdale, passing lots of traffic and bridges. The last time I did this cruise, I was on the Sunseeker 74′ Sport Yacht returning from the Bahamas.

Is there a current?

One thing you will notice while cruising in a dinghy, is the wind. Going Southwest, we had a very smooth ride, but on the return it was definitely wet and bumpy.

Time to turn around

After an hour, we made it to Safe Harbor Marina and we knew we had to turn around there to make it back in the next hour. Safe Harbor Marina is a large shipyard specializing in mega yacht haul outs.

Look closely at the image above. That mural is on the garage door for their yacht boat house. We also stumbled upon a variety of odd sites along the way.

There must have been a duck event this day?

The ride certainly did not disappoint. It was a great way to explore the river and spend time on the water without breaking the bank. Scott and I were so glad we rented the dinghy to spend a fun day on the river. We will definitely rent the dinghy from Salty Blue Fun again and if you are looking for a great boat rental, check them out.

As always, thank you for following our blog and our journey. Be sure to subscribe to our channel (see video below) and follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney. Tune in next week as we head to Sarasota and kayak with the manatees.

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So much to do in Fort Lauderdale

Since moving to Fort Lauderdale last year, Scott and I have enjoyed so many cool experiences. The warm weather allows us to be outside almost every weekend. Let’s look back on everything we did in our own back yard!

moving to fort lauderdale

Our first month here

One thing you will learn about living in Fort Lauderdale, is that there is something to do every single weekend. You will not be bored. In May, we took the water taxi to the Los Olas Beach for an airshow over the beach!

We found a 9-hole golf course just a few miles from our home. While we didn’t see any gators, we did stumble upon some tortoises.

There is also no shortage of walking routes or restaurants!

Summer in Fort Lauderdale

June, July and August are definitely the hottest months here in Florida. In fact, twice we ventured out and I ended up getting very sick from heat stroke. I have learned my lesson and now we take better precautions.

We do miss hiking in the PNW, but we have found a number of parks with some pretty cool walking trails.

nature parks
nature parks
nature parks
nature parks
nature parks

Our first venture of the summer was to the National Everglades Park to ride on jet boat and see some gators. That was a must do!

alligators
alligator

Being so close to the Florida Keys, we hopped in the car at the end of June and headed to Key Largo for a long weekend.

Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi

It is easy to get on the water, as Fort Lauderdale has a water taxi that cruises up and down the new river. We’ve taken this water taxi a number of times, including Christmas in July, Christmas Light Cruise and our trip to Hollywood.

Summer is only just starting

Hurricane season begins July 1st, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the outdoors. We had heard about a cool farmer’s market called the “Yellow Green Market“, so we had to check it out. It’s a site to see if you are in Fort Lauderdale.

Scott and I have seen some videos about Boca Inlet, so we headed north to check it out. The walk to the inlet was very long and hot. This is one of the days I got heat stroke. It was still a fun day! Here’s the video link of that day. Click here.

We’ve walked a number of times to the Los Olas Beach, which is about a 5 mile round trip from our home. Making this journey in July was brutal!

One morning, Scott and I decided to get up at dawn and watch the sunrise. That was pretty cool!

Summer went by fast for us. For two weekends in August, I was on an epic work trip traveling on a 76 yacht in the Exumas, Bahamas. After that trip, we spent most weekends, laying by the pool.

Fall in Florida

There’s a joke on the internet that Fall in most places is full of beautiful leaves and Florida is simply one palm leaf on the ground. We do miss the changes in seasons, but on the other hand, we love that we did so much this past Fall.

We started September, with another trip to the Florida Keys, this time to Duck Key.

Since September is the peak of hurricane season, we didn’t venture far after Duck Key. Instead, we took advantage of the great weather and enjoyed the scenery in Fort Lauderdale.

During September, when Hurricane Ian hit the west coast, Fort Lauderdale experienced a King Tide that flooded many docks and roadways in downtown.

Staying close to home in September, we drove up to Lauderdale by the Sea. This town is just 15 minutes north of us. It is a very cute town with a beautiful beach and plenty of great restaurants. Sadly, the Angler’s Pier was badly damaged when Hurricane Nicole hit the east coast just a week later.

The year is not over

With three months left in the year, we still had plenty of weekends to explore. October was taken up by FLIBS – Fort Lauderdale Int’l Boat Show. We did walk to the show the weekend before it opened, to check out the super yacht docks.

It seemed like every weekend in November had a festival. The month kicked off with the Day of the Dead festival. Downtown Fort Lauderdale closed off the streets, brought in food trucks, mobile bars and hosted a parade.

The following weekend we headed up to Palm Beach for the Luke Bryan concert. It was so nice, being at an outdoor concert in November! Plus, there was no shortage of bars!

The next weekend, Downtown Fort Lauderdale hosted their first Mutts and Martinis festival. We met some great vendors and Scott was selected to be a judge for the cutest dog contest.

As Thanksgiving was approaching, we decided to enjoy our long holiday weekend aboard Royal Caribbean. It was our first ever cruise on a large cruise ship and since it was just a 3-day trip to the Bahamas, we decided to check it out.

Christmas in Florida

Our close friends Ben and Maria flew in from Seattle to join us in Key West at the start of December. Key West knows how to do Christmas. We highly recommend heading that way.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale didn’t disappoint either. As we mentioned earlier in the blog, we took a water taxi cruise to see the holiday lights, plus we enjoyed Winterfest. Winterfest is Fort Lauderdale’s Holiday Boat Parade and it is a big deal here!

Scott and I were supposed to fly back to Seattle on December 23rd, but due to weather our flight was cancelled. Ironically, Christmas Eve was brutally cold here at about 38 degrees with the windchill factor. So we decided to walk to the Los Olas Beach and check it out. While it was nice that it wasn’t 90 degrees, it was brutally cold!

So much to see and do in South Florida

This has certainly been a year filled with experiences and amazing memories. Since moving here, we have yet to see a manatee, whale or a dolphin. But we have seen plenty of other critters and wildlife.

Whether you are visiting or moving to Fort Lauderdale, know that there is plenty to see and do. Scott and I are looking forward to 2023 and we’re excited to see where our adventures take us this year.

As always, thank you for following our blog. Be sure to subscribe and also follow our YouTube Channel (link below). You can follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney. Cheers, Scott and Ally

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Shore Excursions on our Royal Caribbean Cruise

In our last blog, Scott and I decided to hop on a Royal Caribbean Cruise for the weekend and head to the Bahamas. The cruise left on Friday and arrived in Nassau, Bahamas the following morning. We booked two shore excursions before we left.

Originally, we had booked an excursion to Pearl Island, but sadly it was cancelled at the last minute. We were able to book a snorkeling trip via the Royal Caribbean excursion app. Our ticket instructed us to meet at the dock at 8:30am for a 9am departure. We ended up waiting on the dock with about 75 people until 9:15am, when our guide finally guided us to the catamaran. This snorkeling trip cost $69/pp and it included an open bar, but no food. You ad the option to pay $64/pp and pay for your drinks on the boat – but why would anyone do that? The trip was scheduled for a 9am departure with a 1:30pm return. (Already we are late).

Snorkeling Excursion

Our catamaran cruised down Nassau Harbor for about fifteen minutes. At one point, their sister catamaran pulled up next to us to toss some snorkeling gear. That vessel looked a bit sketchy!

Soon, we had arrived at our snorkeling spot. We were surprised that we didn’t really leave mainland or the area.

Scott and I didn’t use our fins and it was a good thing. It was so incredible crowded on this excursion, that we would have kicked everyone in the face. The water was a bit cooler, but that is expected. We saw lots of fish, but after 30 minutes we were done. There were just too many people.

At one point a local pulled up in a sketchy skiff and was selling fresh coconuts. For $5 he would cut the top off and give you a straw!

Overall, we were disappointed in this excursion (which is rare for us to say). They had only one bartender and most of the guests were paying for their drinks and to ring someone up took time. We barely got two drinks in. Next thing you know, they were returning back to the ship after an hour.

Since the excursion was supposed to last until 1:30pm, they cruised past the ships and then back around to waste time. We were still back before 1pm.

Our Last Night in Nassau

Scott and I still had a half a day to spend on the ship when we got back. We tried laying out, but the music was blaring and kids were screaming. We then decided to go hang out at the pool bar, but it was closed. So we ended the day playing putt putt golf and walking the ship.

All four ships were leaving at sunset and we were the third one out. The ship would sail to Coco Cay (very slowly) over night for our third day of excursions.

For dinner, we at the the Chop House steak restaurant and enjoyed a fantastic bottle of Northstar wine from Washington.

Good Morning Coco Cay

We woke up around 6:30am to enjoy the sunrise at Coco Cay. This is Royal Caribbean’s private island that offers all kinds of activities.

While Coco Cay is included as part of your cruise, not everything on the island is free. In fact that water park, beach club, cabanas are all extra. We decided to book the beach club at $79/pp. This would give us an open bar (with our beverage package) and complimentary lunch and beach chairs. We were told we could disembark at 7:30am, but we ended up waiting until 8:15am before they let us off the ship. Once off, you walk the dock and follow the signs to the Beach Club.

After a fifteen minute walk, we found the beach club!

Scott and I grabbed a couple of beach chairs (there are not many chairs by the pool) and spent the day relaxing in the sun.

There were so many birds on our beach and they were trying to find the shade.

Lunch on Coco Cay

They recommend that you make lunch reservations as soon as you arrive to the club. This turned out to be a smart move. Lunch is included with the beach club and as we were looking over the menu, deciding if we wanted a starter, a bento box showed up! Turns out, they bring you EACH starter in the bento box! If you look at the menu, you’ll see that steak and lobster was an option. Unfortunately, we didn’t want that much food while playing in the sea.

Our day on Coco Cay was the best part of the trip. We spent the day relaxing, unwinding and not having a worry in the world.

The Third and Final Night of the Cruise

For our final night, we made reservations at Giovanni’s, the Italian Restaurant. We love Italian food and Italy was where we celebrated our first wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, the food was just okay. It was cold when it arrived and we were too tired to send it back. The wine, however, was fantastic! Always one of our favorites. Keep in mind, if you order a bottle of wine, that is NOT part of the beverage package.

The cruise ship left Coco Cay in the evening and we awoke at 5:30am in Fort Lauderdale. Scott and I carried our own bags, so we were able to disembark at 6:15am and be to work by 8am. We are glad we tried cruising and this was a nice quick weekend. After this trip, we don’t think we would do another cruise, as it is just not our style of travel that we prefer.

As always, thank you for following our journey! Be sure to subscribe to our blog and vlog (see video below), as we have more boating adventures to come. Follow us on social media @BoatingJourney #boatingjourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

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Our First Time on a Cruise Ship

Scott and I decided to spend Thanksgiving weekend cruising to the Bahamas on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship. This was our first time on a major cruise ship. Back in 2019, we did take the Star Clipper ship through the Leeward Islands, but it only held 135 people. Not having cruised before, we had no idea what to expect or if we would like it. We booked a balcony room and added the unlimited beverage package.

This trip departed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Friday at 4:30pm and headed to Nassau, Bahamas (arriving in the morning.) Ironically, that is only about a 120 nm trip, so the cruise ship must have traveled at a very slow speed through the night. The second night it traveled to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Coco Cay and then headed back to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday night, arriving at 5:30am (just in time for us to go to work).

Pre-departure Preparations

About a week before our departure, Royal Caribbean had us download their app and the app included our daily planner (by the hour), a map and shore excursions. During this time, you also select your boarding time, which starts as early as 12pm. Since this was all new to us, we decided to book the first window, so we could explore the cruise ship for a few hours before we left port.

About a month before we left, we booked two excursions including a day at Pearl Island in Nassau and the Beach Club in Coco Cay. Unfortunately two days before we left , Pearl Island was cancelled. Luckily, we found a snorkeling trip at the last minute.

The ship did not require any kind of testing and in fact, you don’t need a passport. You can use your state ID and birth certificate.

Departure Day

Port Everglades is about 20 minutes from our home, so we planned on taking Uber around 11:15am, just to give us plenty of time. Well, it’s a good thing we did. Scott entered the Royal Caribbean address on our ticket for the Uber driver and it took us to their corporate office! Soon we realized we didn’t know what terminal we were leaving from and you have to tell the guard at the gate what terminal you are traveling too. Luckily, when we told him “Liberty of the Seas”, he knew what terminal we needed. We were shocked to see that no where on our app or ticket, does it tell us what terminal.

There was a bit of a traffic jam leading to terminal 29 and finally we arrived at the ship around 11:45am. We hopped out of the Uber and instantly a porter grabbed our bags and hauled them off. God, I hope we see our luggage again! (You do have the option to carry on your own bags as well).

Going through security and customs

Scott and I followed the crowd into the welcome building (hoping we were headed the right way). If you want more details about all of this, be sure to watch our YouTube video (link below).

We’re not sure if it is normally packed with people, but when we went through security, we walked through the entire building in less than 15 minutes.

As soon as you board the cruise ship, you must go to your muster station and show the attendant that you took the safety course. After we checked off our muster station, we then headed up to the 11th deck to get our beverage package bracelets (per our app). However, when we got up there, we learned we didn’t need any bracelets.

By now it was 12:30pm and we couldn’t check into our room until 1pm, so we decided to walk around the ship and get the lay of the land.

kid’s pool
putt putt golf
the bridge and helicopter pad
flow rider

We were also starving, but unfortunately none of the restaurants were open except a pizza by the slice restaurant. (Seemed odd to us….) There were plenty of bars that were open though. While we were enjoying a slice of pizza, the server offered us a dining package at 40% off. Confused, we asked “what is that?!”. Turns out, if you want to eat anywhere except the buffet or main dining room, you have to pay extra. Since it was 40% off, we caved in and bought it. We also made our dinner reservations (Steak Restaurant and Italian Restaurant) for the next two evenings.

Your room key is also called your “Sea Pass” . This is what you use for the drink package and it also has your main dining room table number on it. We decided we would at least eat in the main dining room our first night. While we were checking out the ship, we decided to hunt for our table.

Turns out that no one showed up for dinner with us and we had the entire table to ourselves. They serve a pre-set menu and I will say, the food must come from a kitchen far away. Don’t expect the food to be hot at all.

Finding our Room

As we walked around the ship, we were trying to figure out where the hallway was to our room. We soon realized, that they keep the doors locked to the hallway until check-in time. At 1:15pm, they made an announcement and the doors opened. Turns out, your room keys are left in a pocket on your door (strange, but okay). When we got to our room, I saw one suitcase, but not the other two. Luckily, Scott found them a ways down the hall.

Our room was bigger than I expected. Since we had only been on the Star Clipper, we didn’t know what to expect. The Star Clipper room barely had room for both of us! LOL.

Finally Leaving for Nassau, Bahamas

We were the last cruise ship to leave Port Everglades. I loved that Scott was able to take this journey with me, so he could see what my cruise to the Bahamas this summer was sort of like. The sunset was amazing and we enjoyed it until it went below the horizon.

Tune in next week, as we take you to the Bahamas and share our excursions with you. As always, thank you for following our blog. Please be sure to subscribe to both our blog and channel (see video below). You can also follow us on social media @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney. Cheers, Scott and Ally

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Exploring Key West & Duck Key

Last month, Scott and I headed back to The Keys and stayed at Duck Key for our friend Jared’s 40th birthday. We met Jared and his family in Seattle when we owned The Wine Alley and became good friends. Our group rented houses in Duck Key near Marathon in The Keys. The trip to Duck Key took us about two and half hours, as we did not run into any traffic this time.

Since our VRBO wasn’t ready when we arrived, we decided to take our friends to Robbie’s for lunch. If you haven’t been to Robbie’s before, it’s a must see, as it is very eclectic and they have great food.

Scott and I were at Robbie’s in February 2015 when we owned The Wine Alley. There are dollar bills pinned everywhere, so back in 2015 we pinned one up. I searched and searched for our bill, but I couldn’t find it. Let us know if you find it some day!

We just got new stickers, so we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add ours.

In addition, Robbie’s is known for feeding the Tarpon. Be sure to watch our YouTube episode – this scene is hilarious. You do have to watch out for the pelican when you are handling fish.

Staying in Duck Key

Duck Key is an island on the east side of US 1 and is built much like Fort Lauderdale, with numerous canals.

The townhome that Scott and I rented was part of a large HOA on the island. We had an end unit with a southern view that was fantastic! Surprisingly, the rates were fairly affordable considering it was Labor Day Weekend.

Our backyard was also home to plenty of friendly iguanas.

That evening, our group of thirty headed to the Lazy Days restaurant for dinner. Here we enjoyed a beautiful sunset. Having had a sunset view for the past twenty years, we really do miss seeing this every night.

Exploring Key West

The last time Scott and I were in Key West (February 2015), we got a surprising warning on my phone. The weather channel had just issued a freeze warning – their first ever! Great, all we brought with us was shorts, flipflops and tank tops. We barely spent any time in Key West, because we were so cold.

Our group parked in the garage next to the Opal Key resort (where we will be staying in December) and explored the city by foot.

Key West is a very walkable city with lots to see. You can also take a trolly through the city if you didn’t want to walk. If you love museums, shopping, restaurants, bars and live music, this is your place. There is plenty to choose from.

The other cool part about this city is that they have kept all of the historical buildings (and trees) in great condition.

When we return in December, we are planning on doing this ghost tour! If you have done this tour, let us know your thoughts. Also, if there is something we should definitely check out in Key West, let us know that too.

End of US 1

Turns out our group wasn’t that interested in the museums, so we decided to check out a few bars and restaurants. First stop was the Green Parrot.

After enjoying some amazing cocktails at the Green Parrot, it was time for lunch and we headed to the infamous Sloppy Joe’s Restaurant. They have music and yep, the original Slobby Joe is on the menu!

Key West Sights

Everywhere we walked, we came across one cool sight after another. Key West is not short on things to see. Check out his Banyan Tree below!

Key West even has a clothing optional bar and no, we did not visit this one!

We spent about five hours in Key West and then headed back to Duck Key to relax before dinner. The drive from Key West to Duck Key is just over an hour, depending on traffic.

Snorkeling in Duck Key

Our group originally had reserved a 22′ Hurricane bowrider boat, but the rental company screwed up and was overbooked. Time for plan B, and luckily I found Sole’ Watersports at Hawks Cay across from our VRBO. They offer daily snorkeling trips to the reef at Coffins Patch and Grassy Key Sandbar, located about five miles southeast of Duck Key.

The boat was a tourist style pontoon boat and it had a cover for protection from the sun.

The ride was smooth, but by the time we arrived to the reef bad weather was on its’ way. Our group still jumped in to snorkel. Though we saw plenty of fish, the 3′ swells did make it a bit uncomfortable, especially for the kids. In addition, our visibility was pretty limited due to the chop in the water.

Grassy Key Sandbar

We spent about an hour snorkeling and then we headed to Grassy Key Sandbar. I wasn’t sure what to expect, as I have only been to a couple of sandbars. Let’s just say, it ended up being an epic day. The kids played, the adults imbibed and we soaked up some much needed sun.

The excursion left at 9am and we returned back to Duck Key around 1pm. We grabbed a quick lunch at Hawks Cay before getting ready for Jared’s 40th birthday party.

Visiting Duck Key

This was such a fun weekend and one we will not forget. We miss our friends and it was awesome seeing everyone. We wrapped up the three day weekend with a wonderful bbq dinner and celebration. Duck Key, we will certainly be back again!

As always, thank you for following our blog. Be sure to subscribe to our Boating Vlog on YouTube (see video below). You can also follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney. Next week, we’ll take you on a tour of a 1996 Hatteras 52′, so tune in.

Cheers, Scott & Ally

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Cruising down the New River in Fort Lauderdale

Finally after eight days and five hundred nautical miles, I was back on the New River headed home. In our last blog, I made the journey back to Fort Lauderdale from the Bahamas. Unlike other inlets like Haulover and Boca, the Stranahan River inlet is pretty mild. This is the main inlet to Port Everglades where all of the Fort Lauderdale cruise ships are based out of.

Because we were coming back into the US we needed to clear customs. The captain of our yacht  used the CBP mobile phone app to check in our crew. He took a photo of our passports and uploaded   them to the platform.

The winds were pretty strong that day and I was surprised to see so many small boats out there. In fact as we were coming back, there was a mayday call on the VHF for a small capsized boat.

Water Taxi Route on the New River

Scott and I have taken the water taxi on this route a number of times. That amenity is one of the favorite things we love about living in DT Fort Lauderdale. But there’s something about riding down the river on a yacht versus a taxi. Big yachts come down the river during our walks and I always wondered what it was like to be on one. Well, now I know.

The New River is somewhat narrow and you also have to cross under a number of bridges. Typically the larger boat has the right away, but don’t’ count on every boater following that rule. Plus there are all kinds of vessels on the river including dinghys, jet skis and tiki huts that you have to watch for. Our captain was very experienced and instead of passing by the oncoming vessels, he stayed put and let them pass by us.

Venice of America

When we left for the trip, it was before dawn and it was pitch black. It was pretty cool to see everything along the New River in the daylight. Scott and I can walk to the 7th avenue bridge, but that’s as far as we can go on foot. As the yacht crossed under the bridge, I was curious what the rest of the river looked like.  Cruising down the new river, you will see everything from mansions to old homes, vacant lots, large yachts, tiki huts and fancy RV parks. They call Fort Lauderdale the Venice of America due to all of the canals.

The entire trip from Port Everglades to Roscioli Yachting Center took us about an hour and half. So if you plan on doing this, give yourself plenty of time. I never get tired of seeing yachts, so the trip was pretty cool. There are many other ways to cruise the river if you don’t own a boat. You can rent one with a captain, take the Jungle Queen, hop on the water taxi, take a gondola or rent a jet ski.

Finally we’re home

Soon we were in the industrial part of the river. We passed by Safe Harbor, which is one of the largest super yacht ship yards in Florida.

After eight days of cruising and working at the same time, I was ready to be home. Seeing Scott waiting for us at the dock was just what I needed. This was certainly an epic trip and I respect the job that these captains do. They have to work under difficult conditions and yet the passengers rarely know that.

As always, thank you for following our blog. Please subscribe and leave us your comments. You can also follow us on social media @BoatingJourney. Be sure to check out the full tour on our YouTube Channel (link below.

Cheers, Scott and Ally