The Back to Back - Jewel of the Seas 2025 June 27-July 4, 2025 Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Coco Cay, Nassau, Coco Cay)
Cruise #26 and 27... Let's GOOO!
After 25 cruises, we needed to shake things up so Chris and I decided to take a Back to Back cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We sail from Galveston mostly as we live less than 80 miles from the terminal but the Galveston market has gotten SO HIGH in price. The cruise industry has realized that people who live in Texas and surrounding states will pay BIG BUCKS to not have to fly to Florida and the cruise fare prices have skyrocketed in the last 3-5 years. Combine that with the exact same routes every single cruise due to distance and location of Galveston, we needed a change. We discovered in 2024 on our Independence of the Seas cruise out of Miami that is is actually CHEAPER to fly to Florida to get on a ship; even when you include airfare. This summer proved to be the same scenario.
This Back to Back cruise (3 day and 4 day combined) fare, taxes and port fees was over $700 less than the same 7 days out of Galveston. Even the 5 day cruise out of Galveston was still $400 more than taking a back to back cruise out of Florida. Even when you include airfare, we still saved money by flying to Florida. Now keep in mind we still stayed in Ft. Lauderdale for 2 nights prior to the cruise and this racked up costs but overall, we still saved money not cruising out of Galveston. TIP- Be ready to pay well over $1K per person for ANY ship out of Galveston in the summer. Even 4 and 5 day cruises are running $1K per person in the summer.
We have cruised 13 previous times with Carnival, 9 times with Royal Caribbean, 2 times with Norwegian and 1 time with Princess.
This blog will contain entries of our day-to-day life aboard the Jewel of the Seasas well as a shore excursion details, port tips and tricks and so much more. We will also highlight our Pre-Cruise trip to Ft. Lauderdale, FL as well.
Throughout the blog posts, we will also share the lots of tips, tricks and insiders knowledge about cruising out of Ft. Lauderdale, information about cruising to Royal Caribbean's private island, Coco Cay as well as great information about Jewel of the Seas.
The Jewel of the Seas was good to us... And we loved Coco Cay!
The Ultimate Weekend Getaway Jewel of the Seas Back to Back Cruise #1 Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Weekend Getaway to Coco Cay... Doesn't get much better!
After 25 cruises, we needed to shake things up so Chris and I decided to take a Back to Back cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. This Back to Back consisted of a 3 day "weekend" cruise followed by a 4 day Monday- Friday cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We have never been to Ft. Lauderdale so we flew in 2 days early to explore on our own.
This 3 day cruise was very interesting as most of the passengers were adults and were READY to party... To say the least. This is what I would assume a "Booze Cruise" would be like and it was a fun people watching cruise. We enjoyed getting to go to Coco Cay and explore this private island on our own.
This cruise was the ULTIMATE getaway as we had the Ultimate Beverage Package in addition to the Ultimate Dining Package, which was a splurge for us. This allowed us to have lunch AND dinner in a Specialty Restaurant of our choice each day of this 3 day cruise and let me say, I could get used to this. We lived the ULTIMATE life on the Jewel of the Seas and it was INCREDIBLE!
Another cruise and another stop in Coco Cay... LIFE IS GOOD!
We really enjoyed this ULTIMATE 3 day cruise and so excited to jump back on ship for the 2nd part of our Back to Back adventure on the Jewel of the Seas.
Up Next... The 2nd Half of our Back to Back cruise on Jewel of the Seas.
Living the Suite Life June 25-26. 2025 Ft. Lauderdale, FL
We love the Florida Beaches and Ft. Lauderdale did NOT disappoint!
Travel Day It was a busy morning as we dropped off Rockefeller with our friend and then drove to Buffalo to meet up with my dad as Natalie and Luke would be staying with them during this time. My parents are retiring and will be packing up their home of 31 years to move to the Houston area near us. This allowed the kids to help them with the packing process but more importantly, have an additional time to spend at "Gigi and Poppy's House" one more time before they move.
I took a "backseat" for this trip to Buffalo... Natalie Grace drove us the whole way!
After we dropped the kids off in Buffalo, we made our way back home to grab our luggage and travel documents and head to Hobby Airport for our evening flight. As we suspected, the traffic was horrendous and it took nearly 2 hours to get to Hobby airport from our home in The Woodlands- it usually takes 1:15. Once at Hobby, we parked at our usual Parking Spot 2 location and got on the shuttle to the terminal. The airport was busy but not near as busy as our Memorial Day 2025 flight out of Hobby.
Hobby Airport Summer Evening This was not too crowded... Hobby has so much to offer and is so much smaller than Bush Intercontinental!
We grabbed some dinner at GastroPub before our flight only to find out our Southwest Flight was delayed nearly an hour- gotta love Southwest!This dinner with drinks (and tip) cost $92. Once again, I need another job to pay for airport food. The flight was not full but we were able to get on an exit row and had 2 seats all to our selves with extra legroom and side room as well. The flight had some turbulence and the captain was trying to out run a storm so the stewardesses shut down service very early.
Loaded Fries at GastroPub- This was a WINNER!
Our plane finally arrived... Now we wait!
We normally fly with the kids so cannot sit in the exit row... WOW, this is NICE!
We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale at 10:50PM local time and all of our luggage arrived as well so our trip was already a success. We walked around the outside of the terminal and got our Uber to the Gallery One Double Tree Hotel on Ft. Lauderdale Beach. This hotel offered some suites but when we checked in, we were given the President's Suite on the highest floor of the hotel (Floor 14). This room was so nice and offered a balcony with views of the city as well as a sky light. We settled in and then ordered Taco Bell via Door Dash- don't judge! It was a late night but we were excited for the next day exploring Ft. Lauderdale.
Welcome to Ft. Lauderdale!
The Gallery One by Double Tree Suite 1415
Why does Taco Bell actually taste better late at night??
Ft. Lauderdale Beach and Happy Hour Day We woke up and got ready for the day around 9AM before going down to the Lobby to enjoy breakfast. Unfortunately, Double Tree does not offer FREE BREAKFAST so we opted to eat at the Vue Restaurant in the lobby. This was NOT CHEAP but was good. The total cost (with tip) was $48.
The Vue Breakfast Menu
After breakfast we made a run to CVS to get a few items we forgot and then we explored the Ft. Lauderdale Galleria which was next to our hotel. We then made our way to the Ft. Lauderdale Beach just 2 blocks from our hotel. The waters were beautiful and so peaceful. We should have gone back to change into our swim suits but we opted to go to a nearby bar to watch sports instead. McCorley's on the beach was not crowded and we enjoyed watching the College World Series recap in the AC. Our morning drinks (with tip) cost $32.
A view of the Ft. Lauderdale Galleria from our balcony.
This hotel was so "bougie" and we loved it!
Walking from the hotel to the beach (2 blocks) we crossed a drawbridge.
Another view of the hotel from the bridge.
Hello Atlantic Ocean... We've missed you!
We love Ft. Lauderdale!
We really enjoyed this beach and wish we would have swam!
The waters were calm and it was SO peaceful!
We decided to get lunch nearby and opted for a Philadelphia transplanted Pizza joint right on the beach- Primanti Bros. This offered pizza by the slice, full pies and sandwiches at a crazy low (1990s) price point. The food was piping hot, the AC was blowing full blast and we were able to see the pizza being made from the dough to the oven to the table. We both tried their signature sandwich which had pastrami, coleslaw and fries INSIDE the sandwich. It was... interesting! But YOLO! The cost (with tip) for our lunch was $33- Be advised they ONLY accept CASH!
The Primanti Bros kitchen... Right there!
This was the MASSIVE pizza by the slice... This was HUGE!
The Famous Primanti Bros Sandwich... This was also MASSIVE!
The inside of the sandwich... Look at those fries (it was weird)!
The entrance to the restaurant right on the beach!
Their menu... WOW SO CHEAP!
Fresh made dough...Fresh made toppings... Fresh pizza! This was SO GOOD!
After lunch we walked down to about 6 blocks south to the hotel district of Ft. Lauderdale and we had hoped to go into the Hilton Rooftop Bar but it had a "business casual" dress code and our shorts and t-shirts were not cutting it so we had to settle for the Hilton Lobby Bar Happy Hour but it did not disappoint! These drinks (with tip) cost $32. We enjoyed a few "fancy" drinks here and then made our way back to the Double Tree for our hotel's Happy Hour on the marina.
A $17 cocktail just tastes better in Florida!
We opted to take a nap since our hotel Happy Hour did not start until 5PM. This was a great idea as we were both so hot and tired. We slept until 5:30PM and then made our way downstairs to find out a massive crowd getting ready to board a company dinner cruise on a fancy yacht. The bartender was so sociable and we enjoyed talking to other customers, plus the view was INCREDIBLE. I would HIGHLY recommend this hotel and would stay here again in a HEARTBEAT. Our Happy Hour drinks (with tip) was $82. TIP- This Happy Hour was not a traditional Happy Hour as it was only a 20% on your tab, so the $17 drinks were still very pricey.
The Vue Bar outside of the Gallery One Hotel!
I would HIGHLY recommend this hotel!
Shortly after 7:30PM we opted to walk back to the Galleria to eat at PF Changs.We have a PF Changs at our local mall and I usually encourage trying something new but we did not want to walk back towards the Ft. Lauderdale hotels or call an Uber so this worked out perfectly for us. This dinner (with tip) cost $86 but it was SO GOOD. I forgot how good this National chain really is!
Wow... PF Changs! This was SO GOOD!
We went back to the hotel and called it a night early as we were just really tired. We watched some Friends and ESPN before falling asleep before 10PM... Man, we're getting old!
It was a day spent exploring Ft. Lauderdale, the beach and more and we loved every minute of it but we were SO READY for this new cruise adventure- THE BACK TO BACK!
As much as we HATE flying... We loved this day in Ft. Lauderdale!
This is 42! September 4, 2024 San Francisco to Dallas
I seriously LOVE being on a trip on my BIRTHDAY!
Morning We woke up to a very heavy FOG view from our hotel room. We could barely see anything and all I could think of was "Thank God we didn't have this fog when we were driving the PCH or at Baker Beach to see the Golden Gate Bridge". I was also very grateful we had a later afternoon flight and didn't have to deal with all this fog trying to fly out of San Francisco.
A view from our hotel room as we woke up... Heavy Fog!
Our flight was not until 4PM so we had plenty of time to make it a casual morning and prepare for our flight home. We got ready for the day and then we got on a Cable Car right outside our hotel and went down the steepest street in San Francisco to get to our Brunch restaurant, Sears Finer Foods. Allison LOVES brunch and it is sort of her thing so I decided what better way to spend out last day and my BIRTHDAY than eating brunch with her!
I loved riding these cable cars everywhere in San Francisco!
The fog was lifting and it was going to be a beautiful day!
This is 42!
Once we got to Sears Finer Foods, we got seated right away and were able to review the menu before making our selections. This restaurant was known for it's silver dollar pancakes and Allison got those while I went way out in left field and tried a shrimp omelet. I now know I do not like seafood for breakfast; the omelet was good but just not my cup of tea. The pancakes that came with the omelet were phenomenal and just what I would have expected for a fancy brunch restaurant such as this!
Sears Finer Foods on Powell Street!
The Sears Finer Foods Menu (Very extensive and offered something for EVERYONE!)
My Shrimp Omelet and (MASSIVE) Pancake!
After brunch, we took the Cable Car back UP that crazy steep hill all the way to the end of it's tracks in Ghirardelli Square. We got off in Fisherman's Warf and walked around a bit enjoying our last views of San Francisco before going inside the Ghirardelli Store to get some souvenirs and a classic Hot Chocolate for Allie.
A view from the back of a Cable Car looking back at Powell Street. I would NEVER want to walk that... either way!
The gas in San Francisco (September 4, 2024) GOD BLESS TEXAS!
One last fling in Fisherman's Warf!
Afternoon After our souvenir shopping and last minute pictures, we boarded the same Cable Car back to our hotel in Nob Hill where we would pack up and then walk to Philz Coffee about 7 blocks from our hotel. TIP- Philz Coffee was introduced to Chris and I in 2021 from his sister, D'Ann, who has been to San Francisco many times. It has to be the BEST COFFEE we have ever had! When on the West Coast, be sure to find a Philz Coffee Location! It truly is the best!
I am so very glad we got to ride the Cable Cars! This was such a cool experience!
A view of Alcatraz from the Powell Street Cable Car as we boarded in Fisherman's Warf!
Coit Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge as we passed by on the Cable Car!
Philz Coffee near Lombard Street
Best cup of coffee I've ever had!
After our coffee stop, it was officially time to end our trip and we grabbed our luggage and checked out of the hotel. We grabbed an UBER to the BART Station in Union Square, where we would take the BART to Oakland Airport. TIP- I mentioned before the various airports in the San Francisco metro area but be sure to check for the lowest prices. We flew into San Jose and out of Oakland as this was the cheapest. Oakland airport is accessible by an extension of the BART track in Oakland. We saved about $72/ person by flying out of Oakland and not a round trip out of San Jose. I have also found in my research that San Francisco airport typically is the most expensive of them all and is still 15 or so miles from the actual downtown San Francisco.
A final view from our hotel room... What a gorgeous day in the Bay!
Union Street BART station... It was BUSY as we were arriving and having to haul our luggage from the street down the escalator to the BART station! (This was not an issue but I am not sure I would do this with kids or "a lot" of luggage!)
I loved getting to pass back by the Oakland Coliseum one last time on our way to the Oakland Airport. She is the reason I came and it was nice to have a little closure; not just for the trip but for my entire Bucket List competition.
One last final look at the Coliseum- MLB's last DIVE BAR!
This will always hold a special place in my heart!
PEACE OUT OAKLAND- It's been REAL!
Once inside the Oakland Airport we walked far from our gate to find a location with a plug in and then sat and chilled waiting for our 4:45PM flight but I was able to get a full battery in the meantime which is great since Southwest does not offer plugs for devices.
Evening We had to travel around a rain storm so we were delayed a bit getting back to Dallas but we touched down in God's Country around 9:15PM central time. We were able to get all of our stuff and get back to the car in minimal time and then I was able to get Allie back to her apartment in North Dallas shortly after 10PM.
I had earned birthday points with Hilton and was able to use them on a FREE Embassy Suites room near the Galleria in Dallas. This was nice as I did not want to make the 3 hour drive home at 10PM but I also did not want to bombard Allison as she was arriving back to her apartment and going back to work the next day. I was able to spend my birthday night in a hotel room by myself in peace and quite (no kids or husband, or puppy). This truly was the BEST GIFT EVER!
I woke up the next morning and got out of town quickly to get home to my family. It is always nice to go on vacation but in my old age, I love coming home as well! But it was back into the swing of things REAL QUICK as Natalie had a THURSDAY NIGHT Football Game and was marching at halftime. No rest for the weary!
This was one of the BEST BIRTHDAYS EVER and this trip was nothing short of AMAZING! Thank you so much Allison for offering to go with me. This was so very special and I hope I can return the favor in 2025- #NYCforAllie
UP NEXT- Anthem of the Seas ALASKA with the kids (Summer 2025)
