Exploring the World from a Kid's Perspective

This cruise was remarkably different from our previous Dinogo cruises—and the ones before that, too. Having been on several now, I’ve noticed how each experience varies based on where I am in life or who I’m traveling with. That's part of the charm; there's a plethora of activities available both onboard and on land, and unless you absolutely detest everything, there's fun, adventure, or total relaxation for everyone. On this trip, we found a balance of both fun and relaxation. I was craving something more laid-back this time—I needed a breather from this hectic year. I didn’t want late nights or wild adventures (although I’ve enjoyed those in the past). Instead, my goal was to go to bed early, rise with the sun, and soak up the sunshine with my family each day. And I achieved that. It was wonderful.

Marlowe always travels with us. Of course, there were our honeymoon and a few overnight trips when Alex and I had our solo time, but we truly enjoy bringing our little one along. We want her to grow up as a global citizen, exploring new places, tasting different foods, and learning constantly. We have several trips lined up this year that might not include Marlowe—these are more adult-oriented with two weddings and such—but for the cruise, it was a no-brainer to bring her. She LOVED our first cruise, and this time, I thought it would be fantastic to include my dad and stepmom—which turned out to be a great idea. Not only did I want to show my appreciation for their endless kindness, but we also enjoyed spending time together. Plus, having family around often means you have built-in babysitters when needed. We took advantage of that a bit, but mostly, we relished our time as a family. Marlowe especially loved leading the charge around the ship—up and down staircases, through hallways and rooms, eager to see where we’d end up or what we’d discover. It was a lovely way to spend our time while getting some exercise in too! 😉

We thoroughly enjoyed our lazy moments, too. As I mentioned, we intentionally set aside time for relaxation on this trip, making the most of cozy beds flooded with sunshine and a little TV time as well.

We shared our morning routines, making sure to keep those pearly whites shiny and bright for all those smiles! 😉

We enjoyed most of our meals with family. My half-brother, Chris, joined us too. While he wasn’t too excited about letting Marlowe take the lead, he was always a good sport about it. 😉

I won't sugarcoat it: I'm not a fan of mini golf. However, Marlowe and Alex absolutely love it, which meant they played a lot while I savored the sunshine and enjoyed some quiet time.

Hey, Dad! Could my love for hats be hereditary? //
We didn’t even consume half the amount of french fries we devoured last time. I’m not sure why, but I’m definitely craving them now.

It's still my favorite part.

Heading to Grand Cayman with my stepmom (and the rest of the family, who missed out on our "girls only" selfie).

Submarine adventure! While Miss Marlowe enjoyed a submarine trip with my family, Alex and I chose to explore Grand Cayman on our own. We would have joined, but I was a bit worried I might freak out underwater! Marlowe, on the other hand? She absolutely adored it.

Enjoying a delightful lunch on Grand Cayman.

After the submarine adventure, we reunited with the others at a delightful vegan spot called Bread and Chocolate. It was a haven for anyone who loves bread and chocolate—basically, my ideal place! With my dietary restrictions, I had to choose wisely, but then I spotted the gluten-free brownies on the menu. We couldn't resist ordering one topped with ice cream and caramel. Marlowe, Chris, and I playfully battled over it, each trying to grab the largest piece—though I have to say, they are kids! In my defense, it's been a very long year without any chocolate. We ended up ordering a second brownie and fought over that one too!

On our way back to the ship.

With a goofy little one.

Back on the ship. Time to discover more!

Marlowe snapped tons of photos—most of them were just blurry shots. However, she did manage to capture some great ones of me and Alex completely zonked out after she woke up from our nap, while we both indulged in an extra hour of sleep! 😉

We did grant Marlowe’s request to visit Camp Ocean. While we had family around and didn't really need to send her, she was determined to go. They created some pretty cool kids' t-shirts, which I somehow fit into... because I'm apparently still a kid at heart.

She genuinely finds it hilarious that she made a kid's shirt that fits me perfectly.

Some days felt incredibly long! They kicked off with a burst of energy and adventure, necessitating some serious naps in between.

Displaying her Tulum memories.

On days when we were among the last to return to the ship, we would quickly throw on some sparkles, toss our hair into a messy bun, and dash down for dinner 😉

We wrapped up the day with Cinderella on the deck. Thank goodness for those vacation naps in between!

Overall, we had an incredible family vacation filled with kid-friendly fun. It was wonderful to spend quality time together—free of worries and stress, just enjoying each other's company and laughter 🙂