I just got back from a blissfully perfect week-long vacation. My hubby and I boarded our first cruise ship, and visited New Orleans, Cozumel and Progreso for the first time together. We covered a lot of ground and had a completely fabulous time doing so. It was a week full of new, wide-eyed experiences, exploring, mouth-watering eats, deliciously strong drinks, sunbathing, dancing, gorgeous scenery, quality moments spent with my dude and about a trillion new memories made.
Nothing I write could possibly do justice to what an incredible trip it was, but that’s not going to stop me from writing about it anyway.

- The first evening on board was definitely joyfully-experienced sensory overload. There’s just drinks and games and shows and food EVERYWHERE. Husband and I were both exhausted from a long drive and lack of sleep so it was pretty hard to choose where to start. Dining was at 6pm though, so we started with that. If you haven’t been on a cruise before, let me tell you something magical that happens in the restaurant area. You order the entrée you want. Or you order the four entrées that you want. Or six appetizers and three entrées. Then you can order seven desserts (May I suggest the chocolate ((orgasmic)) melting cake?) if you want. Nobody even looks at you funny. All of it is endless, absolutely delicious and included in the price of the cruise. Needless to say, we stuffed ourselves silly every night. And day. (I am oh so thankful for the track on the top deck. Working out every morning provided gorgeous views and probably spared me from gaining roughly 2,382 pounds.)
- The sunsets on the cruise were absolutely lovely:

- After a long semester and stressful finals, I was in complete paradise lounging, reading, water-sliding and drinking, all whilst looking out at the beautiful ocean surrounding me.
There was definitely never a dull moment on the ship. If we weren’t lounging, we were watching a hilariously inappropriate comedy show. Or partaking in an art auction. Or doing a little bit of gambling. Or hot-tubbing. I even had the chance to take part in, “Last Man Standing.” Contrary to the name, this was a female-only competition that is a mix between a scavenger hunt and musical chairs. I didn’t win (I couldn’t find one of those little damn drink umbrellas!) but had a blast and even have a nice little souvenir medal to show for it!

Progreso= Party by the ocean! Cheap Coronas, (I felt pretty legit singing my own off-key version of the lyrics, “So I’ll just sit right here and have another beer in Mexicooooo”, while actually in Mexico drinking another beer.) pool and bar just feet from the high seas, free shots (which I didn’t even have to lift a finger to drink, thanks to generous bartenders…), shopping the cute little area of Mexico and attempting (and failing pretty miserably) to learn how to whip a whip. (Whip a whip? I’m sure there’s a more grammatically correct way of saying that. But I have no idea what that would be.)
- The next day was spent in Cozumel, which was an entertaining, merry and captivating place to unwind and traverse. (Pictures serve the place better than my words do)
- ((We’ve got big guns. Hee. Hee.))








- Did I mention yet how great the cruise food was? If we weren’t in the dining area for a meal, we were pigging out on the best buffets my mouth ever did taste. It was so hard to choose just one meal. Or plate. So, uh, I didn’t.

- On the last day of the cruise, we ran into friends from back home and spent a fun evening with them. It never ceases to amaze me how small this big ‘ole world can be sometimes.

- We had little time to spare on the way to the cruise, so the day we came back provided us with another mini-vacation; A day spent in New Orleans! I was rather smitten with the energetic vibe, lively atmosphere and delectable eats this city provided. I loved not really being able to walk anywhere without festive band music playing in the background. I also loved being able to walk the streets at 11am with a humongous daiquiri in hand. (Also did that in Cozumel…this trip might have been bad for my liver, y’all.) Eating one of the best breakfasts of my life at The Ruby Slipper, exploring the shops at the French Market, walking through the stunning St. Louis Cathedral and purchasing coffee and beignets at the famous Cafe Du Monde all left me in awe of what a wonderful city I had the chance to take part in.

Goodness, it was just an unforgettable trip and I couldn’t imagine a better way to kick-start my summer. I just feel so blessed to have spent this entirely perfect and much-needed vacation with my favorite boy. He’s the ideal travel buddy and I’m so happy to have had him by my side whilst exploring beautiful new parts of the world. I feel rejuvenated and like I’m glowing from all of the phenomenal times experienced in the last week. Oh, and also from my new, snazzy tan.








































