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Category: Recaps & Itineraries

  • An Honest Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas Review

    An Honest Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas Review

    What to Know When Sailing on a Royal Caribbean Radiance Class Ship

    I recently sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, a ship that the internet seems to have split opinions on. With Royal Caribbean always flaunting their newer, record breaking, mega-ships, I was unsure what to expect when boarding one of their smaller ships: the Brilliance of the Seas. Would I still get that epic vacation promised in the advertisements? Or would I wish I had boarded something else?

    After seven days onboard, here’s my honest Travel Big Sister Brilliance of the Seas review: the good, the “meh”, and what you need to know before you set sail. 

    What I Liked

    1. The Goldilocks Size

    The Brilliance is a Radiance Class ship, meaning it is one of the second smallest ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet. It launched in 2002 and can hold around 2,500 passengers. Upon boarding, I was worried that the ship would feel small and outdated, a critique that many people on the internet warned me about. I’m happy to report that the internet was wrong, and the older vibe was actually something that I enjoyed. It gave the ship a homey feel that you never get on the larger ships today.

    The size of the Brilliance of the Seas ended up being my favorite thing about this ship, and reminded me why cruising on smaller ships is sometimes better. I was traveling with my friends, many of whom had never cruised before, and this size of a ship was the perfect introduction for them to understand cruising without being overwhelmed by people or activities. No one area was ever too crowded, and I never had to wait for an elevator once, which if you know was a cruising miracle!

    Travel Big Sis Tip – Want to learn how to successfully plan a trip that makes it out of the group chat (and doesn’t end badly), check out my other blog post: How To Plan a Friends Trip

    2. The Best Service I’ve Ever Had

    I’ve lost count of how many Royal Caribbean cruises I have been on, but it’s a lot. The service on the Brilliance of the Seas was hands down the best cruise service I have ever experienced. I always make it a point to befriend a bartender or waiter while on a cruise, and the staff on the Brilliance made doing that effortless. Every staff member was kind and went out of their way to help me with whatever I needed.

    That is something I will always love about smaller cruise ships. You get a more personalized experience. By day 2, the wait staff at dinner knew all of our names and had our drink orders ready to go by the time we sat down for dinner. I went to the show almost every night and the bartenders in the theatre starting making my drink without me ever asking. It was the VIP treatment without the VIP price tag.

    3. The Thermal Suite

    I tried I new activity on this cruise. I purchased the thermal suite pass for the spa. Did I justify it by saying it was travel blog research? Absolutely! It can’t write a proper cruise ship review without a mentioning one of the most popular cruise amenities, the spa.

    While the pass was expensive, I am so glad I had it because the thermal suite on the Brilliance of the Seas was fabulous. Four large warm thermal beds to lay in with various different saunas and steam rooms to try. The perfect place to relax and spend some time alone during a busy girls trip vacation. The thermal suite also had these massive windows so you could watch the ocean sail by. I miss this view and can’t wait to go back.

    Travel Big Sis Tip – the locker room in the gym has a sauna that you can access for free! You don’t need a pass or anything. Just walk right in and enjoy!

    What I Liked

    1.Small Bits of Motion Sickness

    Before I start the negative part of this review, I have to mention that I am an ocean person. I love being out on the water and no amount of motion sickness will ever bring me down. However, there were a few moments on this cruise where I was very aware that I was on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Our itinerary included a stop in Bermuda, where high winds are the norm. Trust me, when the wind picks up you are going to feel the boat moving no matter what size the ship is and the Brilliance was no exception.

    Travel Big Sis Tip: The guest service desk typically has motion sickness medication is you need it, however my best motion sickness tip is to eat a green apple. I don’t know why, but I can guarantee it will work. I eat a green apple once a day on rough sea days just to ward off motion sickness and evil spirits.

    2.Lack of Nightlife

    I was cruising with my four girlfriends on this trip, all of us in our 20s. While we aren’t crazy partiers, we definitely like to have some fun, especially when we are on vacation. The Brilliance of the Seas offered SO much to do, but all of those activities quieted down at 10:30pm. The club stayed open late but normally had an average 10 people each night, so while we tried to bring the party, we were not always successful.  

    While this is a critique I have of the Brilliance of the Seas, it by no means ruined our trip. We still had plenty of fun and honestly, we got up so early everyday to do things, we probably need to go to bed anyways. So thank you Brilliance of the Seas for making sure that we actually left this trip well rested.

    Nightlight on a cruise can be very hit or miss and while some say it depends on the ship, my opinion is that it depends on the age demographics of the other cruisers you are with. I’ve had some of the most fun nights on smaller ships, so I’m sure the Brilliance can throw a party if the right amount of party people were on board.

    3. Fight for Chairs  

    This final critique of mine is a really small one, but it’s still something I’ve got to call out. Every day felt like a battle for deck chairs, especially if we wanted to sit near the pool. Because chairs near the pool were always occupied, we spent a lot of time at the front of the boat, a place that always had empty chairs in the sun. Despite not being near the pool, it was perfect environment for all of us to sit and read books in peace. If we wanted to watch the belly flop contest, we just walked on over and stood on the upper deck. It was by no means a big deal.

    My Final Thoughts on the Brilliance

    The Brilliance of the Seas is a great ship for any cruiser old or new, and I’d argue that it’s a cruise ship that doesn’t get enough hype. Yes it doesn’t have massive water slides or the most updated features, but the ship offers so much distinct charm and character, I find myself wanting to sail on a smaller ship again, so I can have the same homey, cruise experience again. If you’re looking for a cruise vacation where the staff know your name and you can actually hear yourself think, give sailing on the Brilliance of the Seas a try. I promise it’s a ship that still shines just as bright.

  • A Week in Greece: How to Spend 7 Summer Days in Greece without the Sweat.

    Call me snobby, but I have never loved the idea of a European summer. The crowds are enormous, the AC is scarce, and I have always been too impatient to wait in a really long line to see an old ruin no matter how cool it may be. But my recent trip to Greece flipped the script for me and allowed me to fully embrace and love Europe during the summer. I learned that you can beat the heat and still have an unforgettable summer vacation.

    Now you’re probably wondering – Bea, if you don’t like going to Europe in the summer, why did you go to Greece in the beginning of June? Well, the answer is one that many people in their 20s may give you – I was invited to a destination wedding. I’d heard the rumors and jokes that once you hit your mid to late 20s your summer social calendar becomes controlled by weddings, and that rumor is in fact true. I was invited to 7 weddings this year, and my cousin’s was one of them. So while my summer trip destination was chosen for me, I was determined to make the most of it. Here’s my greek itinerary and how I spent 7 unforgettable days in Greece.

    Days 1 & 2: Settling in and Wedding Festivities 

    The wedding was on the coast of mainland Greece, so we booked an Airbnb near the venue in a town called Lagonisi. It was in the perfect location to explore Athens and also sun tan on the beach. I can take no credit for finding this Airbnb, so shoutout to my mom for finding the most amazing Greek villa. (Mom, if you’re reading this: you really crushed it).

    Lagonisi was the perfect mix of living like a local and vacation vibes. And like any trip, my first stop on the itinerary is always the same – the local grocery. 

    Now I am a strong believer that the best way to experience a place is to go to the grocery store. You get to see what’s popular in the store and can unapologetically buy all the snacks and drinks that you want to try without spending a fortune. The one thing I recommend you get the next time you visit a Greek grocery store: Oregano flavored lays. Just trust me. They are a life changing snack.

    My cousin and his now wife, Katherine got married in a town called Vari at the Island Art and Taste Athens. To say this place was beautiful would be an understatement, and if they are looking for filming locations for Mamma Mia 3, the producers should check this place out. 

    The venue was located right on the water overlooking the Mediterranean, the sun was shining, and it was a perfect summer day. Now if you are going to a Greek wedding, the most important thing you need to know is that they start late and go late. This wedding started at 7pm and lasted until about 4 in the morning. The Greeks love to party, so wear comfortable shoes and mix in water between your shots of ouzo.

    Day 3: The Temple of Poseidon

    No trip to Greece is complete without visiting some ancient ruins, and our first stop was the Temple of Poseidon. Now I am not a history buff, but the Percy Jackson fan in me was definitely freaking out when we arrived at the grandiose temple overlooking the ocean. The temple is located in Cape Sounion, which was about a 30 to 45 minute drive away. We booked a driver through P.G.T Tour Group who made the whole tour easy and educational.

    WanderBea Tip: Drivers cannot go with you into the site of the temple, so if you want to have someone with you while you explore the temple, make sure to book a specific guide who can. There are plenty of signs if, like me, you choose the self guided experience.

    The temple of Poseidon drastically exceeded my expectations, and I ended up spending way more time there than I anticipated. Give yourself at least 90 minutes to wander the grounds and soak it all in. There’s far more to see than you initially think when you pull up. And whatever you do, don’t forget your camera. The temple silhouette against the blue of the Aegean sea is absolutely breathtaking. 

    After the temple, our drive took us to a local restaurant in Lagonisi, Τα Καλάμια, for lunch. The minute we walked in we were greeted by the manager who took us to the kitchen to see what fish was fresh for the day. I was told this was a very common thing to happen, but I still felt very special. We chose a local dorado and a snapper and of course ordered some octopus and a salad for some vegetables. I love Mediterranean food, so the second we sat down, I was in absolute heaven.

    Speaking of meals, we ended day 3 with my sister’s birthday celebration at the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens. To say this place was swanky was an understatement.

    WanderBea Tip: Want a 5 star experience without shelling out the 5 star price? Book dinner and drinks at a luxury resort. It’s much cheaper than staying overnight.

    We sipped cocktails at the bar, and then dined outside during what I can only describe as a magical sunset. Obviously everything at the Four Seasons was beautiful – an ocean view overlooking yachts, one of which we soon found out was owned by the CEO of WalMart, but the food was also delicious as well. My menu recommendation: the lamb ragu.

    Day 4: A Day Trip to Athens

    The fourth day of the trip was also my boyfriend’s last day, and so I was determined to make the most out of our last greek summer day together. We ditched the car and took the subway from the Athens airport into the city center to embark on another WanderBea trip staple: the food tour. 

    You cannot experience the true nature of a place without tasting it. That’s a travel hill that I’ll die on. Lucky for me, my mom found this gem of a food tour on AirBnB, and so I was able to live our my greek culinary dreams for real.

    Food Tour on AirBnB: Taste Hidden Athenian flavors on culinary romp

    An unknown hack that I learned on this food tour was that if you go on a really hot day in the summer, everyone will cancel, and your food tour is now a private tour. Shout out to the heat wave! Rachel, our guide, was absolutely phenomenal. We tried everything from souvlaki, to sardines, and my personal favorite Bougasta: a cream custard pie. I’m still thinking about how good this pie was to this day, so if anyone has a recipe, please send it to me! 

    In addition to eating pretty much anything our hearts desired, I felt like a celebrity while on this food tour. Everyone knew Rachel, and it made the whole experience feel more local and friendly. We were no longer tourists, but instead a part of the neighborhood.

    I have to give Rachel one more shout out in this blog post because she was really a savior, especially at the end of the tour. My boyfriend and I had purchased olive oil (because Greek olive oil is magical and we had to have some), and were going to the Acropolis after the food tour. Rachel took us to her friend’s restaurant and they held onto our olive oil while we climbed to the top of the Acropolis. Thank you again Rachel for being absolutely amazing! 

    I’ll share more about visiting the Acropolis in another post, but here is the one tip that I can give you: do not go early. The Acropolis is going to be busy no matter when you go, but if you go later in the day, you are more likely to beat the cruise ship crowds and the sticky summer heat. We went at 6:30pm and it was perfect!

    WanderBea Tip: The best time to visit the Acropolis is at the end of the day. It’s not as hot and while there are still crowds it is not as crazy. The less cruise ship tourists the better.

    Day 5: Scuba Diving 

    One thing to know about me: if I am near an ocean, I am scuba diving. So of course, I had to dive whilst in Greece. I always book a 5-star PADI dive shop, and we found one at the Grand Lagonisi Resort, and they were amazing. They even let my dad and I do a quick refresher dive before we went out to the main event. Got to make sure our certification stays up to date. 

    Now I’ve done around 25+ dives in my scuba career, and a dive shop always gets brownie points from me if they set up my gear. Maybe it’s because I’m my family’s gear girl, and so not having to set up my own tank is always a win in my book. 

    WanderBea Scuba Tip: Always check your own dive gear even if the professionals set it up for you!

    Diving in the med was COLD! I had a 5mm wetsuit on, and I still had to put another layer on for the second dive because I was still cold. Despite the water being freezing, the wildlife and coral structures were incredible. I even saw an eel hiding in a rock, which I have no pictures of, but I promise it happened. Speaking of pictures, Vasili, our dive master, took photos all along the way, and helped get some fun shots of us under the water. They are some of the best dive pictures that I have to date!

    Day 6&7: Final Relaxation and Departure

    What started as a pre-determined trip for someone else’s wedding turned into a week of unforgettable moments that really opened up my eyes to how amazing Greece is. From diving in the Mediterranean, eating my weight in Bougatsa, dancing til 4am, and standing in awe beneath ancient ruins, I realized that no matter where you are traveling to, the right mindset (and a few helpful WanderBea tips) can turn any trip into something memorable. 

    It reminded me that sometimes the best adventures while traveling are the ones you didn’t plan for. They are the ones you stumbled into because your cousin wanted to get married in Greece. So if you’re on the fence about a summer trip to Europe, let this be your sign to go. Just don’t forget to stop at the grocery story when you first arrive. 

    As always, 

    Happy Travels 

    ~Bea

  • My Weekend in the White Mountains: My Happy Place

    Whenever I travel, I get really excited when a place exudes peace and quiet. I am not good at slowing down. I am a type A capricorn who shows up to every trip with reservations booked and back up plans made. So when my parents wanted me to visit their retirement home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, I jumped in the car an drove north.

    What I expected to be a weekend of adventure turned into 72-hours of nature and peace. Maybe it was the drive with beautiful scenery or the silence when I opened my car upon arrive. Either way, my anxiety dropped, and I took a breath for the first time a while. 

    Ever since that first visit to the White Mountains area, I have repeatedly gone back to explore more. And after several visits to the granite state, I have got my itinerary down pact. Here’s what I get up to when I visit.

    Where I’m Staying: Owl’s Nest Resort

    If you blink, you might miss the town – but you definitely won’t miss Owl’s Nest Resort. What feels like a quiet little town is secretly home to one of the coolest resorts in New Hampshire. Between the lake, the Nicklaus golf course, and the saltwater pool, Owl’s Nest has plenty to keep you busy. So much so, that you’ll want to extend your trip to be even longer.

    Owls Nest Resort Entrance


    Whenever, I stay at Owl’s Nest, there are always at least three things that I am doing:

    • Working on my Golf Game.
      • I am still very much a beginner golfer, so I haven’t made it out on the course yet. But I’ve been practicing at their indoor golf simulator and hitting at the driving range like I know what I’m doing. They do offer lessons, and it’s definitely something I need to check out in the future. 
    • Relaxing by the Pool.
      • If you know me, if I’m staying at a place with a pool, I am swimming! No matter the weather. Owl’s Nest just built a brand new saltwater pool that is massive! It’s the perfect spot to relax, swim, and enjoy the sunshine while admiring the scenery around you.

    WanderBea Tip: The pool at Owl’s Nest is now on ResortPass, so if you want to visit for the day you can! 

    • Playing Tennis.
      • Not only does Owls Nest offer amazing golf facilities, they also have some brand new pickleball and clay tennis courts. Whenever I visit, I always make sure to challenge my boyfriend to a game of tennis. I’m still on a major losing streak, but when I do win one day — it’ll be worth it! 

    Where I’m Eating: Breakfast Edition

    Breakfast is always a non-negotiable for me, and my first stop for breakfast in NH is always Polly’s Pancake Parlor. 

    Polly’s Pancakes is a local legend. The trick with this place is to call ahead and put your name on the list for a table. The earlier you go the better. While the wait for a table will probably be around 30-45 minutes, the gingerbread pancakes are totally worth it!

    Where I’m Eating: Lunch Edition

    I’ve got a few options by the time lunch rolls around, but it’s normally always some type of sandwich. Honestly, that’s my go to lunch everyday, but when on vacation, I try and make the sandwich feel fancy!

    Butch’s Deli at Owl’s Nest hits has so many options to choose from, and is right on property within the resort. One of the best parts about this deli is that they will deliver your sandwich to the pool. So you can eat your lunch and read your book in the sun without a care in the world.

    The Common Man restaurants in New Hampshire are also a classic. They are located all over the state, and have a woodsy cabin vibe. I really like their soups and sandwiches, but I don’t think you can go wrong with anything on that menu.

    Finally, my end-all travel lunch tip will always be to stop at a grocery store, and the Market Basket in Plymouth, NH is my budget-friendly ride-or-die. Seriously, it’s the best Market Basket I’ve ever stepped foot in. Most of the time, I’m stopping at the MB and getting a sandwich to stay on budget, so I can keep traveling.

    WanderBea Tip: Grocery Stores when traveling are always a cheap lunch option, especially in Europe. A lot of grocery stores have meal deals or prepared food that is restaurant quality without being restaurant prices.

    Where I’m Eating: Dinner Edition

    Dinner at Owls’ Nest is easy with two go-to spots right on property: Panorama 682 and Slice. Both are delicious – one’s got elevated views and great cocktails, while the other serves up comfort food in style. You can’t go wrong with either. Slice does lose a few points from me though because they did just take their dessert pizza off the menu, and I’m not fully over it yet. 

    Just outside the resort is the Little Red Schoolhouse, and let me tell you this place is a gem. Down the street and in the woods is a a re-purposed old school house that serves all the classic New England staples, including the best lobster rolls I have ever had. And I live in Boston.

    Don’t forget to venture into Lincoln and try Five Main on the River. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot that quietly delivers one of the best meals around. If you go, I recommend the chicken parm sandwich and trying a beer on tap! 

    My Favorite White Mountain Drink Spots

    • One Love Brewery – laid-back vibes and craft beer are always a win
    • Crucial 10 Cider – one of my absolute favorites. They’ve always got something new for you to try and owners are incredibly kind. It’s the type of place that will make you feel like a regular even if it’s your first visit. 
    • Seven Birches Winery – perfect for a wine tasting and feeling fancy 

    It wouldn’t be a trip to the White Mountains if I didn’t mention hiking. I do have a confession to make, and that is I am not a huge hiker. I’ll do a few trails, but if the loop is over 4 miles, you will not catch me there.

    But don’t worry! For those who are big hikers, I have consulted my local expert, aka my boyfriend, for some hiking trail recommendations. 

    • Artis Bluff (1.4 mi)
    • The Basin (2.5 mi)
    • Flume Gorge (2.2)
    • Arethusa Falls and Frakenstein Cliff Loop (5.3 mi) 
    • Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop (8.6mi) 
    • Canon Mountain (2.5mi) 

    Why I Keep Coming Back

    Both Owl’s Nest and the White Mountains offer the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. And there is really so much more to do than meets the eye. Every time I leave the White Mountains, I always feel like I’m leaving a second home behind.

    I highly recommend your next weekend trip be to the White Mountains for a little adventure and rest. Comment below where you favorite weekend getaway is.

    Happy Travels!