Time To Book with Jenn

This Memorial Day, we pause with grateful hearts to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Because of their courage, selflessness, and unwavering dedication, we are blessed with the freedoms we enjoy each day.

Today, we honor their memory, their families, and all who have served our nation. We will never forget the price that was paid for our freedom, because freedom is never free.

God Bless America🇺🇸

05.06 Update-By opting into the program, you are notifying Carnival that you wish to participate in the new loyalty program beginning September 1.

If you currently have cruises booked between now and August that would qualify you for the next loyalty level, Carnival has advised that it does not matter whether you opt in before or after those sailings, as long as you complete the opt-in process prior to September 1.

Important Update for My Carnival Cruisers

If you’re enrolled in the Carnival VIFP Club, keep an eye on your email inbox. Carnival Cruise Line is sending out an important email regarding upcoming program updates.

Inside the email, you’ll have two options: Enroll and Accept or Opt Out. To continue enjoying your current loyalty status and ensure your past cruise days carry over, you’ll need to select “Enroll and Accept” before September 1, 2026.

By enrolling, your VIFP status and sailing history will transition into the new Carnival Rewards program giving you early access to exciting new rewards and benefits launching September 1, 2026.

✔️ Accept updated Terms & Conditions
✔️ Keep your loyalty status and cruise history
✔️ Be among the first to enjoy new perks

💻 Website Update:

You can also complete this directly through the Carnival website. Simply log into your account, and you should see a prompt to opt in. Click the prompt and it will take you to the page where you can choose to Enroll and Accept or Decline.

🚨 IMPORTANT:
If you currently have Carnival cruises booked between now and September 1, especially if you are close to reaching the next VIFP level, please hold off on opting in for now. We are seeking clarification on whether opting in locks you in at your current level at the time of enrollment.

If you have questions or want guidance on what’s best for your situation, feel free to reach out, I’m happy to help!

[email protected]
817-688-1704

✨ St. Lucia on Celebrity Ascent ✨

If there is one port in the Caribbean that feels like stepping into a postcard, it is Saint Lucia. Lush, dramatic, and impossibly beautiful, this island is known for its towering green mountains, volcanic landscapes, warm turquoise waters, and some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Caribbean.

Our stop aboard Celebrity Ascent brought us into the cruise port at Castries, the island’s colorful capital. Right off the ship you’ll find easy shopping, local vendors, island spices, handmade crafts, rum tastings, and plenty of taxis ready to take you out and explore. Whether you want a beach day, island tour, waterfall adventure, or a scenic sail, St. Lucia offers something for every kind of traveler.

And then… there are the Pitons⛰️

The iconic Pitons are St. Lucia’s most famous landmark and one of the most stunning natural wonders in the Caribbean. These dramatic twin volcanic peaks rise straight from the sea and are truly one of those sights that stop you in your tracks. Seeing them from the water was unforgettable and easily one of the highlights of the entire cruise.

For our day in port, we booked a catamaran sail adventure that included lunch, drinks, mud bath or visit to the island volcanoes, stop at a waterfall and a stop for snorkeling-it was absolutely incredible.

We spent the day sailing along St. Lucia’s stunning coastline with unbeatable views of the island, the Pitons, and the beautiful blue Caribbean waters. Lunch was served onboard, the views were unreal, and the entire day felt like the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.

One of the most unique stops of the day was St. Lucia’s famous drive-in volcano. If you choose to walk up to see the volcano itself, just know there is quite a bit of walking over uneven, rocky ground and it can be a little challenging. So, while the boys made the trek up to explore the volcano, the girls took full advantage of the famous mud baths, covering ourselves in warm mineral-rich mud and soaking in the hot springs surrounded by St. Lucia’s incredible volcanic landscape. Such a fun and unforgettable experience!

Afterward, we all met back up for one of the most beautiful stops of the day, the waterfall. The water was definitely cold, but absolutely worth it! It was the perfect refreshing stop after the heat of the volcano and mud baths, and such a beautiful place to cool off and take in more of St. Lucia’s natural beauty. However, this stop was a little rushed due to the amount people stopping here.

On our sail back to the ship, the adventure was far from over. We made one final stop for a little snorkeling in the calm, Caribbean water, where the fish were everywhere and the views below were said to be just as incredible as the ones above.

Meanwhile, the guys wasted no time finding their happy place jumping right in with the deckhands to help haul the anchor, coil the lines, and even take a turn at the helm. To top it all off, we watched the captain of a neighboring catamaran dive down and resurface with an octopus in hand… fresh dinner, Caribbean style. Definitely one of those unforgettable “only in the islands” moments. 🐙

One last note about the catamaran itself, she was beautiful, comfortable, and made the day even better. Nicknamed the “King of Carnival,” the catamaran had the perfect front deck to stretch out, soak in the sun, and enjoy the breeze while sailing along the coast. Onboard there were clean restrooms, a bar, and plenty of seating whether you wanted to relax in the shade or take in every view from the open deck. And the crew? Absolutely outstanding friendly, fun, attentive, and a huge part of what made the entire day so memorable.

St. Lucia was hands down one of the most beautiful and unforgettable ports on this sailing. Between the scenery, the sailing, the Pitons, the volcano, mud baths, waterfall, snorkeling, and a little hands-on time at sea, this island delivered the perfect Caribbean day.

If St. Lucia is on your itinerary, do not miss the chance to truly experience it. 💚🌊☀️

✨ Just back from 11 unforgettable nights in the Southern Caribbean aboard the stunning Celebrity Ascent… and I have thoughts! 🌊☀️

One of Celebrity’s newest Edge-class ships, Celebrity Ascent debuted in late 2023 and was designed with modern luxury in mind; sleek, elevated, and full of thoughtful details from bow to stern.

As a cruise specialist, I love sailing new ships so I can give my clients firsthand insight and after 11 nights onboard, I can confidently say Celebrity Ascent absolutely delivers. Stylish, modern, thoughtfully designed, and full of those elevated touches that make a cruise feel just a little more special.

We stayed in an Infinity Veranda on Deck 12 (yes… directly under the pool, which I’d normally avoid when booking for clients 👀), BUT I was pleasantly surprised, no noise issues. We slept with the window down every night, drifting off to the sound of the ocean and waking up to salty sea air, glowing sunrises, and even a few dramatic lightning shows in the distance. Pure magic.

And the Infinity Veranda? I loved it. It gave us the best of both worlds, the open-air feel of a balcony with the added comfort of extra interior space. I can absolutely see why some travelers still prefer a traditional balcony, but for us, this was a win. Celebrity also thought through the details: accordion privacy doors, a nightly blackout shade lowered during turndown, and a cabin layout that felt both spacious and functional.

Let’s talk stateroom design—because this is where Celebrity Ascent really shines. The bathroom was roomy and well-designed (hello shower door instead of a clingy curtain 🙌), plus a built-in footrest in the shower for shaving and excellent storage throughout.

And for an 11-night sailing? Storage was never an issue. Drawers everywhere, multiple hanging spaces, room for shoes, bedside storage, plenty of outlets, and USB ports exactly where you need them. Whoever designed these cabins understood the assignment.

The pool areas were another standout and gave this ship such a true resort feel. The main midship pool had plenty of seating, including loungers right in the water, making it one of the best daytime hangouts onboard. The enclosed Solarium was a beautiful adults-focused retreat with its own pool as well as hot tub’s and a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere, while the cantilevered infinity pools offered incredible ocean views and the perfect spot to cool off. Every pool area had attentive service, nearby bars, and easy access to food, which made settling in for the day effortless.

One of our favorite spots was the Rooftop Garden near the infinity pools, which offered a great mix of sun and shade, incredibly comfortable seating, and the perfect place to relax with a drink while watching afternoon pickleball matches nearby.

The cabin itself was comfortable and inviting, with a surprisingly cozy couch and enough seating to comfortably host friends for afternoon wine and canapés before dinner. A small detail but one that made the space feel even more elevated and social.

Onboard, the ship had no shortage of things to do. Four included dining rooms, several specialty restaurants, beautiful bars, live music, silent disco, interactive entertainment, and one of the most fun martini bars at sea. 🍸 The Club was a favorite for daytime trivia and evening entertainment, and the coffee bar quickly became our go-to for morning coffee, pastries, and late afternoon card games.

And while specialty dining gets a lot of attention, the casual options onboard were excellent too. The Oceanview Café buffet had a fantastic variety throughout the sailing, and some of our favorite desserts of the entire trip came from there, especially the pistachio mini éclairs, which were dangerously good. Even the final sea day lunch buffet impressed with seafood offerings like boiled shrimp and crawfish. And the pizza? Absolutely worth mentioning. Located aft with a nearby bar and outdoor seating, it became one of our favorite casual spots for afternoon cards, drinks, and an easy dinner with a view.

Entertainment and enrichment were another standout. From the Captain’s Meet & Greet Q&A to immersive ship experiences and fantastic evening productions, there was always something happening. We personally did the Behind the Scenes Ship Tour, Steakmaster Cooking Class in Eden, and the Mixology Class in World Class Bar and all three were excellent. If you’re sailing this ship, I’d recommend every one of them.

As for specialty dining? We tried Raw on 5, Fine Cut Steakhouse, Eden, and Dinner on the Magic Carpet and while every experience was well done, our top two were easily Eden (the tasting menu is a must!) and Dinner on the Edge in the Magic Carpet at sunset. Absolute standouts. 🌅🍷

Bottom line? Celebrity Ascent is a beautiful ship that blends modern luxury, smart design, and a relaxed upscale vibe exceptionally well and it’s absolutely one I’d recommend for the right traveler.

Next up: my full recap of all six incredible ports of call: Sint Maarten, St. Lucia, St. John, St. Kitts, Dominica, and Barbados plus a look at our pre-embarkation time in Fort Lauderdale and our post-debarkation shore excursion before heading home. 🚢🌴

I saved the best for last, Celebrity Cruises rewards loyal travelers through its Captain's Club, which offers automatic one-to-one status matching within the Royal Caribbean Group family. Members can match their loyalty status with sister brands Royal Caribbean International through the Crown & Anchor Society and Silversea through the Venetian Society, making it easy to enjoy reciprocal perks across all three brands.

Welcome aboard the Celebrity Beyond, where luxury meets innovation! Relax and unwind on the spectacular pool deck, featuring unique lily pods that offer the perfect spot to lounge poolside. Enjoy breathtaking architectural designs and an atmosphere that elevates your cruising experience. 🏖️

Ready to dive into your next adventure? Contact me today to book your journey on the Celebrity Beyond! 📞🛳️