The Carlisle Bay Resort, Antigua

Carlisle Bay Resort, Antigua

Sublime” - causing wonder or astonishment

We came to Carlisle Bay with high expectations. We took great care and much thought to choose Carlisle Bay. A large part of that decision was based on their website. My skeptical nature did cause me to worry.

During our flight to Antigua, I started to worry, to second guess our decision....”Were the photos accurate?” “Could it really be that beautiful?” “Should we have chosen one of the others?” Too late now!

We arrived in Antigua on time. The views from the plane were amazing. My buyers remorse disappeared instantly! Our ride to the resort was impressive. Antigua reminds me of St Martin 20 years ago, before St Martin was ruined with the inundation of timeshare units. Antigua has kept their virtue. Much more pristine.

The first thing I noticed was the lack of “junk” and the neatness of the locals homes. It was obvious that Antiguans are prideful of their homes and their island.

After driving through rolling hills and pastures surrounded by mountains, we entered a rainforest. Absolutely stunning. It reminded me of St Lucia. At that moment, I affirmed my decision that there is no need to fly 15 hours to Hawaii!!! The Caribbean has it all!

As we cleared the forest and began our descent into Carlisle Bay I suddenly felt very proud of myself...I DEFINITELY made the right decision!

Stepping out of the car, a bridge led us over a Koi pond surrounded by Bougainvilla and right into the Great House reception. The designers were extremely successful at blending Caribbean soul with modern sleek. Refreshingly charming.

First impressions are everything and Carlisle Bay made a magnificent first impression. How can I describe it...Sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words!

Warm welcoming reception.

Think crisp White sheets, azure sea with sparkling crystals and the sound of palm trees in the breeze. Tropical , lush garden walkways. Absolute perfection!

You know it is a great resort when you can’t decide to stay in the room, or go outside! We did stay long enough to play with the luxurious Cappuccino Machine! (Funny how special little things are exciting!) It was great to have that in our room. Fresh ground coffee, espresso or cappuccino as soon as you wake!

Breakfast served on our balcony is something I am still thinking about! Fantastic service. Stunning views. I miss that!

Beach- Perfect. Kayaked on the smooth, clear rolling waters each morning. Sand that is meticulously groomed and soft, surrounded by the mountains. Montserrat mysteriously looming on the horizon of the bay...could not stop staring at the white lava covered slopes. It was perfect. Not to mention the fresh fruit kabobs & cool drinks delivered with a smile!

Cuisine - Wonderful. Romantic setting overlooking the beach. Open air, clean and crisp. Again, pictures are worth a thousand words! Great menu selection. Would stand up to the finest NYC restaurants. Presentation was very artistic. Service was lacking a bit, but very friendly (remember that you are on “island time”).

Lunch was amazing. Beautiful, serene views. The soft sound of the water lapping at the shore. We had a nice bottle of wine and fresh, fantastic Avocado and Tuna salad....and then, the chorus of children whining and crying began!

I will tell you the only bad thing that I can say about Carlisle Bay Resort is that it is such a romantic place yet the children seem to overwhelm the dining room. Carlisle Bay does a great job of segregating the families from the couples on the beach, and they can easily solve this problem by utilizing the other half of the dining room for families and leaving the romantic side for couples. It would make everyone more relaxed (including the parents that are stressed!).

Spa - Sleek, calming and very professional. Menu had many options. The massage was wonderful for both of us. Rates were very reasonable. Gym small but very nice equipment, very clean and motivating class schedule.Tennis - I don’t play tennis, but I was impressed! Great courts. Excellent tennis pros.

I highly recommend Carlisle Bay Resort! I would go back in a heartbeat! Worth every penny! Treat yourself!

This could be your view for the day!

Celebrating a Special Birthday?

I can tell you one thing I have realized in 2009, that is that life is too short! Somehow, life just seems to rush by us. Not enough days in the week, not enough weeks in the month. I always seem to busy to make time for “girlfriend time”.

I have a husband that I love to be around. And I have 5 grown kids that keep me on my toes. But nothing replaces the needed outlet of just “hanging out with the girls”! After my husband , kids and work...I really have to go out of my way to find the time to even have lunch with my friends. But when I do, it is so worth it! Better then an hour spent in therapy!

There is something special about having a dinner, home party or weekend away when it is JUST the Girls! It is relaxing (not having to take anyone into consideration except YOU!)? It is reconnecting (feeling that trust and bond that you can tell your girlfriend , sister or mom ANYTHING!)? Is it just laughter (and there is so much of that around when the Girls Get together)?

I think it is all 3! And it is a great way to celebrate!

Turning 30? 40? 50? even 80!!! Getaway with your girlfriends and have some fun! Hop on a cruise and celebrate! You deserve that time to do what YOU want to do! Be that 11 year old again...stay up all night giggling! Talk about clothes, boys, dreams and George Clooney! When I am away with the girls, that little girls in me comes alive!!

I love my husband, but he would think I was nuts if I just started dancing on my bed! Or singing Sweet Caroline in the middle of dinner! (I know my kids would keep their distance!!) But I do that with the Girls!! We act silly, we dance, we talk, talk, talk! And Laugh, Laugh, Laugh!!

DOn’t take your friendships for granted. There is nothing better then knowing that when you need an ear, or a hug...they are there! When you want to celebrate...they are there!

Celebrate with us!! The Ultimate Girls Slumber Party!

Join the Girls on Facebook - Girlfriend Fan Page

Celebrate on the Girls Getaway! - www.GirlsonaCruise.com

Sea Dream Yacht Cruise

Sea Dream Yacht Club

It's not Cruising, It's Yachting!

I have been very fortunate to have sailed the Sea Dream II a few years ago. It truly is a “once in a lifetime” trip. But now I am fortunate enough to do it twice! (As a celebration of my husbands 50th!) I will let you know if it is better the second time around! That is, unless, you join us!! Then you can decide for yourself!

There are not many things that I can recommend without a single doubt, and Sea Dream Yacht Club is one of them! It is like caviar...a luxury to savor. OH! Did I mention that while in Jost Van Dyke, the captain and crew serve you champagne and caviar off of a surfboard IN THE WATER! Yes, another once in a life time event, that I am doing twice!

I have a lot of memories of that first Sea Dream Cruise, and the Champagne and Caviar event in Jost Van Dyke is truly awesome. It is a perfect example of why Sea Dream charges what they charge. Because it is soooo worth it! This ship has so much to offer!

5 Star service - prepare to be spoiled!

5 Star cuisine - Extraordinary cuisine, open seating, room service

Entertainment - intimate entertainment

Fitness Center - All the basics plus training and yoga!

Sea Dream Spa - Treatment selections including Thai therapies

Boutique - Select merchadise for savvy shoppers

Sea Dream Marina - play with water toys off the ships platform

Casino - Small, intimate, Monte Carlo feel

Sea Dream has other unique features too. Balinese bedding on the top deck is a signature of Sea Dream. Relax during the day or lounge in the evenings under the stars while sipping a glass of Pinot Noir.

So we are yachting once again on February 21 for 7 luxurious days in the Caribbean. Because of Sea Dreams 14 foot draft (the amount of ship below the waterline) she is able to stop at islands and ports that other large ships cannot get to. For example, in St Marten, the Sea Dream docks in Marigot (gorgeous little french town) as opposed to the busy port of Phillipsburg on the Dutch side.

AND she stays till midnight, so guests can truly enjoy the islands nightlife. While all the other ships are leaving at 5 pm, Sea Dream guests are just showering for dinner and then getting back off the ship for dancing to a calypso band.

We will be sailing from Antigua to San Juan. In between we will be visiting the intimate ports of :

Nevis - A true South pacific feel, gorgeous volcanic island

Saba - a Scuba / snorkelers dream!

St Barths - Quaint French island full of charm and glitz

St Marten - French / Dutch island with fabulous Orient Beach

Anguilla -Sugary white sand beaches with amazing turqouise water

Jost Van Dyke - Sip champagne and Caviar on this British Virgin Isle

San Juan - disembarkation

Pricing starts at $ 3999 per person. And remember the old adage “You get what you pay for”! On Sea Dream you get more!

Still undecided?

Celebrating something special?

Birthday? Anniversary? Life?!!

This is the Ultimate way to do it!

Visit Sea Dreams Website www.SeaDreamYachtClub.com

Call today! And Save!

732-577-9150

jdevito@cruiseone.com

www.cruiseone.com/jdevito

The Celebrity Century,

in THIS Century!

In 1997, my whole family cruised on the Celebrity Century for a family reunion in honor of my parents 30th wedding anniversary. It was a huge success! Everyone (new and experienced cruisers alike) LOVED the Century. Everyone was impressed with its service and atmosphere (decorated in the rich nautical colors that you think a Classy Ship at sea should be).

12 years ago, the Century was considered a huge ship, by standards today, she is small and intimate. It amazes me that even after the introduction of “Mega” ships, the Century is still impresses

After a total revitalization 6 years ago, the Celebrity Century She still is the classy ship that she was 12 years ago, only better!!! And yes, small and intimate are 2 perfect ways to describe her. Yet she is large enough to offer every amenity that larger ships offer, only with a bit more class and style. In fact, ALOT more style!

We were fortunate enough to be staying in the Royal Suite, but I can testify to the fact that the interior rooms were just as elegant and classically styled. Warm, rich colors and woods make every stateroom feel like a Penthouse suite! Ocean View rooms have very large windows that make you feel as though you are in a verandah stateroom. The designers of the Century should be applauded!

Our favorite places on the Century:

The Martini Bar - Great Martini selection served on an Ice Bar.

The Murano Restaurant - Table side cooking and elegant service.

The Aqua Spa - New and Improved Gym and Spa.

Healthy Cafe - Great option for healthy meals!

Sushi Bar - Open every night from 5 - 8 for the perfect snack!

The Hemisphere Lounge - Great Music till the wee hours!

The Grand Restaurant - Still my favorite dining room on the Seas!!

So many great attributes. I plan on doing my next Girls Getaway on the Century in Fall 2010. And I have no doubt that every one will be impressed!!!

For more information on the Celebrity Century, click here!

Meet the Carnival Dream

SO many new ships! But only 1 FUN SHIP! The Carnival Dream has some unique features...the Dreams' midship Lanai is like adding another dimension to deck space. For those who like a bit of adult time, the "adult only" sun deck is a place to relax on thick padded chairs in peace!
The nightlife is something to see! Exciting Clubs all off the same corridor, allowing easy access to all without running from one end of the ship to the other. And for those Casino lovers, it is big and beautiful!

For those traveling as families, this is also the ship for you! Teens will love the club and arcade. The perfect "hideout" to have their special time! Camp Carnival is inviting and fun for all ages! Boasting the largest waterpark at sea, the twisty slide is sure to keep the kids busy for hours!

The Carnival Dream is a great ship at a great value.

Visit CruiseOne to book your Cruise Vacation today!

Disney does it again!

DANGER!! Once your kids see this, you will be required to book it!

You can always rely on Disney to “Do it Right”! But Disney Cruise Line has even outdone Disney! The New Disney Dream will join it’s sister ships and sail families to exotic islands on this luxury ship! I am not sure about you, but I could just float around at sea on this ship!

Take a sneak peek at the AquaDuck Water Coaster! Exciting stuff for kids and adults! Disney Cruises is sure to give Royal Caribbean and NCL alot of innovative competition! Sure, other cruiselines have waterslides...but just watch this video. But be careful, it may be dangerous to have your kids watch! They will BEG you to book this Cruise!

The Disney Dream is now accepting reservations with interesting offers to book 1 year in advance. Make your reservations today! Be sure to find the best deals HERE!

The New Carnival Dream!

Frank and I were honored to be part of the Carnival Dream Inaugural. It was exciting to be part of it! When a ship arrives in Manhattan, it arrives with the glamour and prestige it deserves, and the Carnival Dream deserves it! A perfect option for families and adults. A Cruise Ship that caters to everyone!

Oscar-wining actress Marcia Gay Harden christened Carnival Cruise Line's largest ship by swinging a specially made New York Yankees baseball bat, signed by Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, at a human-sized plastic replica of a Moet & Chandon champagne bottle. At the same time, an actual bottle of champagne was smashed into the vessel's hull.

The 3,646-passenger Dream is Carnival's largest ship and the first in a new class of Carnival vessel. It is a ship perfect for families and adults. Innovative, traditional and FUN!

The Dream boasts 19,000 square feet dedicated to children's facilities, including the four-slide Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, with the longest slide at sea. The space dedicated to children is fantastic! Impressive! Even those “water park” fans will be impressed by the water park on the Dream! But the fun for kids doesn’t stop there! The Kids clubs are inviting and exciting

The Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor cafe and entertainment area that is home to the FunHub, where the line's new, onboard social networking system can be accessed. Sporadic FunHubs (computers for online networking) are for all to hop on the internet and get in touch with friends.

The ship also introduces the Lanai, a half-mile, open-air promenade on Deck 5 that has lounge areas and whirlpools that cantilever over the ship's side. Very refreshing. It is actually an addition to the pool decks of a ship, with the feeling of the “promenade”. Clever addition. Added sun space with an adult feeling. The Casino and Crimson dining room also impress. Classy, fun and enchanting. A perfect mix!

Speaking of Adult...the spa sun deck is a very exclusive refuge for adults only. Very “south beach” and luxurious, it offers everything a top notch spa in Miami has. Definitely completes the Spa feeling

We stayed in a Balcony Stateroom and were very pleased. Colors were toned down, room was spacious and the balcony was a breathe of fresh air (literally!). Bed was comfortable, storage was plentiful and the blow dryer was strong. Nothing more to say!!! We were happy.

This ship is a dream. If you are going to sail Carnival, do it...Dream it!!!

Click here for my CruiseOne website for the best deals on this amazing Carnival Dream!