OH EM GEE, guys! School lets out tomorrow and our summer travel schedule is looking craaaaaazy.
In two weeks, I am heading to San Diego for a brand meeting on behalf of another blogger, then the day after I get home, we are all heading out on Angeline's birthday trip on the Carnival Liberty with two of her friends, then the day after we get back from the cruise, I am taking Angeline up to Melbourne to see her biological father's dad, and she'll go to Georgia with her aunt and cousins from there. Then Chris and I are heading to Western North Carolina for a week to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary - once we all get home from those trips, Angeline and I are heading to Barcelona to embark on our most exciting trip yet...we're going to spend 9 days on the newly-renovated Carnival Sunshine cruise ship! This cruise is actually a press trip, and we are attending with all costs covered by Carnival Cruise Lines.
I'm tired just thinking about it, but so incredibly excited!
We finished paying for Angeline's birthday cruise in April, so I don't have to worry about any money for that. We've already booked Angeline's return ticket home from Georgia, and our hotel and train in Italy, where the Carnival Sunshine cruise ends. I still have to pay for our hotel, gas and food while Chris and I are in North Carolina, and book our hotel and transportation for the two days we will spend in Barcelona prior to our Mediterranean cruise. I think we'll be able to walk to most of the things we want to do in Rome, so at least there's no big expense there!
Getting around in Europe is kind of daunting, as this is my first time there! I found this crazy detailed map of the train stations in Rome at www.atac.roma.it. Talk about all of the information that you need!
I've been researching like crazy to find out how much money we will really need to get around and do what we want to do.
Of course, while we are on the Carnival Sunshine cruise, everything is already included (seriously, this is the most exciting press trip I've ever taken!!), but our time on our own is at my own expense.
We've been on a strict budget since we decided to take this family cruise last year, and we did great with paying for it without really hurting financially. But everything else just came about this year, so it's taking some creative budgeting to make it all work. I think I still have enough time to save up the rest of the money we need for our summer travels.
Now I just have to sit down and get all of my reservation information together to make sure that I'm not missing anything!
Jennifer
Dang woman! I can't keep up with you and your travels! We're going to Arizona on a road trip, my daughter is visiting family in Washington state and that's about it! Can't wait to see photos of all your wonderful vacations!
nicole
OH ENJOY!
Stefanie
It's going to be a great summer! I love Carnival Liberty, especially the Western itinerary (don't know which you are doing).
Marcie W.
Sounds like you are in for a summer to remember filled with fabulous fun. Safe travels friend!
Tammy
Wow - I'm tired just reading about it! You're going to have such a good time everywhere you go I'm sure, I can't wait to read about your adventures 🙂
TerriAnn
Whoo-hoo! So excited for you that you're going to have a full summer of fun 🙂
Tricia Nightowlmama
have an amzing time I hope its everything you'd dream it would be
Angela
You are going to have one crazy but fun summer! One of the things I love about cruises, is that you can usually pay for it in chunks.
Donna
Oh Em Gee is right! Wow, it sounds so exciting, exhausting, but exciting! I can't wait to hear (and see pics) all about your travels this summer!
Colleen
What an awesome summer!
Peter Lee
Oh wow! Really excited to know that you are going to spend your summer in Carnival sunshine cruise ship. As You're making every possible effort to make your vacation successful, so hope you will enjoy there. Best of luck for your trip.