Tim And Kate's Excellent Adventures (A Travel Blog)

Welcome aboard as we take you on an unforgettable journey to Great Stirrup Cay , Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island paradise! In this post, we’ll dive into the island’s fascinating history, share our snorkeling experiences, and discuss what we’d love to do when we return. If you’re planning a cruise on the Norwegian Encore , this guide will help you make the most of your visit. The History of Great Stirrup Cay Before it became a tropical retreat, Great Stirrup Cay had a long and eventful past: 1600s – A pirate hideout where treasure was divvied up after raids on Spanish Galleons. 1700s–1830s – A British sugar plantation until slavery was abolished. Civil War Era – A Confederate outpost used for trading cotton and sugar for armaments. World War II – A military outpost for detecting German ships approaching the U.S. 1960s – A satellite tracking station during the space race. 1970s – Miami-based Belcher Petroleum acquired an exploration permit before Norwegian Cruise Line lease...

Great music, amazing food, aromatic cigars, wonderful people, and energizing coffee—Bienvenido a Miami! Before the Cruise: A Little Havana Adventure Before embarking on the Norwegian Encore for a seven-day cruise, we took some time to explore Miami. One of the highlights of our adventure was walking up and down Calle Ocho in Little Havana. This vibrant neighborhood is filled with Cuban culture, history, and energy, and we’re excited to share our experience with you! A Brief History of Little Havana Little Havana was formed by Cuban exiles who fled to Miami after the Communist revolution in the 1950s. Today, it is home to the largest population of Cubans outside of Cuba. Named after Havana, the capital of Cuba, the neighborhood serves as a cultural hub where Cuban traditions remain alive and well. Walking through the streets, we saw monuments dedicated to the Cuban exiles who lost their lives while attempting to reclaim Cuba from Fidel Castro. In 2017, the National Trust for Historic Pr...

In August 2022, Kate traveled to Orlando for a Junior League conference. Since she was so close to her friends Eiki and Bryan (and Disney !) she spent some time with both! I landed on a Thursday with three Junior League of Lincoln members and headed to Disney Springs for shopping and dinner. It was HUGE! I honestly do not know what I was expecting, but I wasn't expecting that. We found a Christmas store and I found the cutest ornament for the newest member of our family. This will be her first Christmas so I felt it would be special to have her first ornament from Disney World. In between shopping, we had dinner at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant. Bobbi , another member of JLL, and I split the DELICIOUS salmon pizza . The next morning was the first day of the conference. The conference was at our hotel. It was nice to be able to walk downstairs to the conference and pop upstairs to my room during breaks to use the restroom. Have you seen a line to women's bathrooms? Once...

Western Nebraska and South Dakota Day 3 Day 1 Day 2 No stop in a tourist trap is complete without doing something completely touristy. There's nothing more touristy than having your picture taken in old-timey clothes. Kate and Morgan dressed up as saloon girls. Ian didn’t want anything more than to sit with a jug and a blunderbuss gun. Tim wore a duster and looked like a cowpoke who had been on the trail for a month, enjoying a cold beer. With one of our secondary quests out of the way, we needed food. We have a rule when it comes to eating on the road: do not eat anything that’s also in Lincoln. That means we skipped Subway and Boss’s Pizza and Chicken. We found a little place upstairs from the Keystone Boardwalk called Cruizzer’s Pizza. The crust is perfect, the toppings are generous and I’m scared to ask where they get their crac—- I mean cheese. We liked it so much we forgot to take a picture of the pizza. So here's some empty pans! The Black Hills is a popular tourist dest...

Western Nebraska and South Dakota Part 2! Check out part 1! We got up early on day two to take advantage of the breakfast offered at Holiday inn Express. Ian was mesmerized by automatic the pancake baker. He even formulated plans to cobble together his own, controlled by a Raspberry Pi. We checked out of the Holiday Inn Express and realized Ian didn’t pack any socks! There’s a Bomgaar’s across the street from the Holiday Inn Express in Alliance. They had a six-pack of ankle socks for not a lot of dough. Perfect! We drove north to the Black Hills. The terrain was windswept prairie on the plateau giving way to hills and eventually Pine Ridge. Both Morgan and Ian were remarking on how the landscape reminded them of Red Dead Redemption! Me? I'm a bit older. I thought it looked like it was lifted right out of a Sergio Leone "Spaghetti Western". We kept driving through to South Dakota. We didn't get out of the car until we reached Wind Cave National Park. We arrived at the ...

  Escape to Serenity at Sea I'm enjoying my cruise, but the pool deck is crowded and noisy. I need a quiet, adults-only sun sanctuary! With cookies! Enter the  Vibe Beach Club  on the  Norwegian Encore —a luxurious retreat designed for relaxation and exclusivity. What is the Vibe Beach Club? The  Vibe Beach Club  is an exclusive, adults-only area onboard the Norwegian Encore, offering a premium experience for guests seeking tranquility and comfort. This private retreat features: Comfortable lounge chairs  with plenty of space Hot tubs  for ultimate relaxation Misters  to keep you cool under the sun A private bar  exclusively for Vibe guests Periodic snack service  (because nothing enhances a perfect lounge day like a surprise treat!) Why Choose the Vibe Beach Club? If you’ve ever struggled to find a lounge chair or waited too long for a drink on a cruise, Vibe solves those issues. Here’s why it’s a must-visit: Guaranteed lounge chai...

  That block was dead, yo, so we continued on to A1A BEACHFRONT AVENUE If you’ve got time for only one neighborhood to visit in Miami before you get on a cruise ship, make it Miami Beach! The beautiful architecture, great restaurants, beaches, parks, people-watching, and car-watching are all unforgettable! What is significant about South Beach? The South Beach Art Deco district is home to a mile-long street party that never ends. Many hotels and apartment buildings along this stretch of Ocean and Collins Avenues maintain their 1930s architecture through the Miami Beach Preservation Society. Versace Mansion Our journey along South Beach began with lunch at the Versace Mansion, centrally located at 11th and Ocean Avenue. We made a YouTube video detailing our lunch at the Versace Mansion , so check that out after reading this! Palace Hotel Drag Show Half a block south of the Versace Mansion is the Palace Hotel. We were attracted to loud music and walked into a large crowd spilling out...

Have you ever wanted to peek behind the curtain to see how the other half lives? Join us as we take you to lunch at Gianni’s at the Former Versace Mansion! The Versace Mansion: A Historic Landmark The Versace Mansion, originally known as Casa Casuarina, was built in 1930 for philanthropist Alden Freeman. After Freeman’s passing, the home was converted into a 24-unit apartment complex. In 1992, world-renowned fashion designer Gianni Versace purchased the property, restoring it to a lavish single-family residence. He further expanded it by acquiring and demolishing the neighboring Revere Hotel to create the iconic “thousand mosaic” pool and garden area, despite resistance from preservationists. Since 2015, the mansion has operated as a boutique hotel and gourmet restaurant, allowing visitors to experience its opulence firsthand. Who Was Gianni Versace? Gianni Versace was a visionary Italian fashion designer whose bold and glamorous styles redefined luxury fashion. He began his fashion ca...

What to Do in Downtown Miami Before Your Cruise What do you do if you’re staying in downtown Miami before you get on your cruise ship? Need some last-minute shoes or clothes? Starting your vacation early and looking for a little party time? Welcome to Bayside Miami! Exploring Bayside Miami If you find yourself in Miami before embarking on a cruise, Bayside Miami is the perfect place to spend your time. Situated near the Miami Cruise Port, Bayside offers shopping, dining, and entertainment right along the waterfront. In this blog, we’ll explore what Bayside Miami is, where it’s located, and what we did during our visit—including some great food, drinks, and unexpected surprises. Stick around to the end to hear about the giant Espresso Martini! What is Bayside Miami? Bayside Miami is a vibrant waterfront shopping mall adjacent to a marina. The area is packed with shops, restaurants, and bars, making it a fantastic place to relax before or after a cruise. As soon as you arrive, you’ll lik...

Is this your first time on a cruise ship? Wondering what to expect when you embark on the Norwegian Encore in Miami? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know for a smooth transition from land to sea! Before You Leave for Port 1. Watch the Safety Video Before you even step foot at the port, check your email for a safety video from Norwegian Cruise Line. You may receive multiple emails—just watch it once, and you’re good to go! 2. Dress for the Pool Deck You’re on vacation, so start relaxing early! Wear your swimsuit, a coverup, and flip-flops so you can hit the pool deck as soon as you board. 3. Pack Smart Bring sunscreen in your carry-on—Miami sun is no joke! Also, enter your boarding time in the cruise line’s app. While early arrivals aren’t encouraged, arriving within your chosen time frame or later is fine. 4. Print Your Documents Boarding passes—have them ready. Luggage tags—print, staple, and attach them securely to each suitcase. Don’t have a stapler? Most hotel fro...

Are you planning a trip to Miami? Looking for a centrally located hotel near the nightlife and cruise port? We found the  Grayson Miami  just for you! The  Grayson Miami  is situated north of Miami’s Financial District, near the MacArthur Causeway. In this review, we’ll share our thoughts on the hotel, our room experience, and just how close you are to everything Miami has to offer! Stick around to the end—there’s one surprise amenity that took our Miami trip to the next level! The Hotel What We Loved Ice water dispenser in the lobby  – A refreshing touch after exploring Miami. Friendly staff  – Always welcoming and ready to assist. The amazing lobby scent  – We wanted to bottle it up! The third-floor restaurant  – Served delicious breakfast and dinner. Kate had the Caesar salad, and I had a hamburger. For breakfast, we enjoyed miniature pastries and fresh juice. The Room What We Loved About Our Stay Spacious room  – Plenty of space to unwind...