Travel and Lifestyle Blog — My Cruising Family | Travel, Lifestyle, Motherhood, Faith & Wellness

LEGOLAND New York: Planning Your LEGOLAND Hotel Stay

LEGOLAND New York: Planning Your LEGOLAND Hotel Stay

We recently stayed at the brand spanking new LEGOLAND Hotel in Goshen, New York, and our package included tickets to LEGOLAND theme park for 2 days! The best place to start researching and planning for a stay at LEGOLAND Hotel New York is on the official LEGOLAND New York Resort website: https://www.legoland.com/new-york.

General Booking Tips & Info

As with all trips, we recommend that, as soon as you know you want to go, book your hotel stay. We would’ve booked even earlier if it were available for booking, but being a new hotel that had its construction and opening delayed due to the global public health crisis and shutdown from 2020 through 2021, the hotel wasn’t yet available for booking when we first looked. That said, as soon as we learned that it became available, we booked. We booked our stay on June 27, 2021 for our 2-night stay from August 6, 2021 to August 8, 2021. Very soon thereafter, rooms for that weekend were sold out.

Peta-Gaye DanielAugust 20, 2021LEGOLAND New York Hotel, LEGOLAND Hotel room, LEGOLAND themed rooms, LEGOLAND experience, LEGOLAND New York, LEGOLAND NY, LEGOLAND Hotel New York, LEGOLAND, Family-friendly hotel, Goshen New York, Goshen hotelComment

LEGOLAND New York: LEGOLAND Hotel Experience

LEGOLAND New York: LEGOLAND Hotel Experience

We recently stayed at the brand spanking new LEGOLAND Hotel in Goshen, New York, and our package included tickets to LEGOLAND theme park for 2 days, which we thoroughly enjoyed! LEGOLAND New York Resort is an amazing theme park and hotel destination, best for children ages 2 to 13 and their families, and please note that LEGOLAND New York is a cashless resort!

At LEGOLAND Hotel, all rooms have a separate sleeping area for children and adults, and at LEGOLAND Hotel New York, guests have the choice of booking a LEGO Pirate themed room, a LEGO Friends themed room, a LEGO NINJAGO themed room, or a LEGO Kingdom themed room. Guests also have a choice of suites within the same 4 LEGO theming categories. We booked a LEGO Kingdom themed room, and our boys enjoyed it! We all did! Here’s why!

Peta-Gaye DanielAugust 13, 2021LEGOLAND, LEGOLAND New York, LEGOLAND NY, Goshen New York, LEGOLAND New York Hotel, LEGOLAND Hotel New York, LEGOLAND themed rooms, LEGOLAND Hotel room, LEGO Kingdom themed room, LEGOLAND Hotel Kingdom themed room, LEGOLAND experienceComment

What You Need To Know About The Cartoon Network Hotel And Dutch Wonderland

What You Need To Know About The Cartoon Network Hotel And Dutch Wonderland

As the world continues to weather the storm of a global pandemic – the situation, albeit better than it was a year ago at this time, is still quite serious out there. That said, our family that loves to travel the world has chosen to take smaller trips, via car, before venturing to fly the friendly skies again. One recent road trip we took was to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for a stay at the fairly new Cartoon Network Hotel and a day out at Dutch Wonderland, the amusement park next door.

3 Simple And Effective Packing Tips

3 Simple And Effective Packing Tips

Initially, I’d intended that this month’s blog would recap our long weekend road-trip to Pennsylvania. However, with lots of questions, comments, and activity around the packing tips and videos I recently shared on Instagram in preparation for that trip, I decided to focus this month’s blog on packing. It really IS a good time for it, as we are approaching a long weekend: Fourth of July weekend! Are you packing for an Independence Day trip!?

Either way, whether packing for this weekend or any trip this summer and beyond, I hope these tips are helpful to you or someone you know.

Peta-Gaye DanielJune 30, 2021packing cubes, packing for a family, packing for children, packing tips, how to pack a carryon, how to pack a suitcase, how to pack for vacation, vacation packing tips, 3-step packingComment

The TWA Hotel

The TWA Hotel

We all know from flying that we are to put on your own oxygen mask before attempting to assist others. So, in applying that to vacay season, especially after the past year, Allan and I decided that, before venturing out with the whole family, and before returning to our far and wide family travels, we would personally refresh near home - just the two of us. So, we recently enjoyed a quick staycation at the TWA Hotel, here in NYC! Sometimes we just need a change of scenery! Prior to this hotel visit, Allan had repeatedly said for months that he’s felt the need for a change of scenery. Well, although it’s not yet the beach and didn’t require a flight or a ship, this was a nice refresher.

Taking Flight As The Globe Re-Opens

Taking Flight As The Globe Re-Opens

In our March 2021 blog article, we talked about pivoting, specifically, PIVOT, that is:

· P for Planted

· I for Intelligence

· V for Vision

· O for Opportunities

· T for Take flight

Although that article focused more on pivoting in life in general, it made mention of how we’ve even had to pivot in relation to traveling. As I write this, I am beaming with excitement because I feel like I’m tasting travel again! Our family has three trips already booked, and if you know me, then you know that planning for these trips is a lot of the fun for me! That said, it’s been a journey to get here, and the journey included a pivot. During the pandemic, we’ve stayed physically PLANTED at home, venturing out only to places relatively close to home like Coney Island, the Botanic Garden, the Nautical Mile, the Jurassic Quest Drive-Through, Long Island’s North Fork, and Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm, which are all drivable locations. Yes, this airplane-loving, cruise-loving family, decided to visit a few places by car over the course of the past year. We’ve also been spiritually PLANTED in our faith, believing that this pause/standstill in our global travels would be only temporary. In gathering INTELLIGENCE / INFORMATION about the reason for the global pause on travel, we have also gathered INTELLIGENCE / INFORMATION on options available to us at present and potential options for the future. We have a VISION to safely travel the world again. We have had the OPPORTUNITY to be vaccinated to help slow and potentially stop the spread of a deadly virus, and to be able to travel safely again, and we have made use of that OPPORTUNITY, so that the three adults in our house have now received two doses of the vaccine. We are now preparing to TAKE FLIGHT as I’ve researched and planned three future trips, with my eye on a fourth… two of those three / three of those four will be during the schools’ summer vacation months!

Have you been getting excited about the travel possibilities opening up?

The PIVOT

The PIVOT

PIVOT. One of the most overused terms during the challenges of the past year or so. Now, here I go writing an entire article about it. But, why?

Well, whether I write about it or not, whether I call it a pivot or not, the pivot is something that I definitely did and witnessed others do as well. I’ve found the lessons gained through this experience to be profound, and so, as with other good things in my life, I want to share…

How To "Getaway" At Home

How To "Getaway" At Home

As a working mom of boys, I sometimes find myself in need of a getaway from the day-to-day grind. Prior to the pandemic, knowing I had multiple trips lined up helped me to get through the day-to-day grind, but for obvious pandemic-related reasons, we can no longer rely on that. So, how do we safely get away now? First, the getaway starts by giving ourselves permission. I honestly think that our biggest hurdle as moms is allowing ourselves to step away. Once we resolve that battle in our minds and in our feelings, then we're in good shape.

Why I Had Open-Heart Surgery At 39 Years Old

Why I Had Open-Heart Surgery At 39 Years Old

"A cheerful heart is good medicine." Proverbs 17:22 When that heart was operated on during open-heart surgery, that cheer and gratitude hits differently, let me tell you! So, a few days ago in an introductory post I made on Instagram, I mentioned that I started to study content creation while recovering from open-heart surgery in Summer 2020, and my Instagram sis, Michele, asked whether I’d mind sharing more about my open-heart surgery. I’m happy to share my story, and honestly, I think my story is far less dramatic than it sounds. “Open-heart surgery” … I know it sounds major and scary… and it is, but at the same time, if it is a planned surgery rather than an emergency surgery, you can feel a bit more prepared and at ease. So, going back to my early 20s, I recall a primary care physician (PCP) telling me that I have a heart murmur and that heart murmurs are quite common. Nevertheless, he sent me to a cardiologist for a more thorough examination of my heart, and the cardiologist confirmed the murmur and said that I should follow up with him annually. I didn’t.

Self-Care, NY, NYCPeta-Gaye DanielJanuary 11, 2021mitral valve, mitral valve repair, mitral valve surgery, mitral valve regurgitation, faith, take care of yourself, Stay HealthyComment

Jamaican Christmas Cake Recipe

Jamaican Christmas Cake Recipe

I’ve been in the kitchen, watching my Grandma and Mommy make Christmas cakes for decades, and I have yet to bake a traditional Jamaican Christmas cake myself. Well, this Christmas, I am sharing the general recipe with you so that you can plan to bake it next year, as I am planning to do so also. Here’s the general recipe recorded from Mommy making our Christmas cakes this year. As with all recipes, folks may choose to add their own flair, so please don’t take this as the only way to make Jamaican Christmas cake, but it is the recipe that has produced delicious Christmas cakes in our family for years! Culturally, we tend to not use super strict recipes and we tend to use our judgment while learning by doing.

Strawberries, Cruising, and 2020... Oh My!

Strawberries, Cruising, and 2020... Oh My!

Anyone having strawberries with breakfast today? In looking through photos from my recent 40th birthday photoshoot, the strawberries that top my birthday cake, as well as these chopped strawberries, remind me of how much I miss cruising. Yes, you read that right! Sure, it could also be that cruising is fresh in my mind because, a few hours ago, I cancelled our planned Spring Break cruise for March 2021. It could also be that I celebrated my 40th birthday in a very low-key way here in New York City when had there not been a pandemic, I probably would’ve been flying or cruising somewhere. Really though, these strawberries remind me of cruising and how much I miss it because, during our cruises, we would have fresh fruit daily! While I can arrange to have fruit at our house by grocery shopping, it’s a whole different vibe when I don’t have to buy fruit and other groceries at the supermarket for a week, nor do I have to figure out breakfast, lunch, and dinner… that’s the deal on a cruise! Honestly, in my daily life, I am blessed to have a husband and mother who both help tremendously with meals; however, when we cruise, we usually do so together, so that my hubby and my mom also get a break from meal-planning and meal-prep. We simply go to our favorite restaurant onboard the ship and eat. We haven’t had a break like that in over a year! Cruising and all-inclusive vacations provide this freedom that we look forward to as an escape from our daily grind. I know I’ve read the saying about creating a life that we don’t need a vacation from, and I agree with it, but

Holiday Gift Guide: Practical Gifts & Stocking Stuffers

Holiday Gift Guide: Practical Gifts & Stocking Stuffers

If you’re like me, your holiday shopping includes gifts for others, of course, but it also includes some practical daily items for yourself and for your loved ones! Some items may be more appropriate as stocking stuffers rather than being boxed, wrapped, and placed under the tree, but they are no less thoughtful or sentimental. As a matter of fact, the personal nature of these items can make them even more special. Some items are small, but can be paired with other small items to create a thoughtful gift basket. If this sounds even slightly familiar, then this Guide to Practical Gifts & Stocking Stuffers is for you. I won’t pretend that it covers all possible categories because it honestly doesn’t have to. There is something in this guide for everyone, and the items are all reasonably priced for what they are, starting at less than $5 going up to hundreds of dollars, with options in between!

African-American Family, Black Family, Self-CarePeta-Gaye DanielNovember 27, 2020holiday gift guide, holiday gifts, gift guide, practical gift guide, practical gifts, stocking stuffers, guide to stocking stuffers, practical gifts and stocking stuffersComment

New York Lobster Roll & Wine Picks

New York Lobster Roll & Wine Picks

A year ago, we were at Walt Disney World during the Food & Wine Festival, and one of our favorites there was the lobster roll from the Barley and Hops booth in Epcot’s American Pavilion. This year, pandemic and all, we’ve pretty much been at home in New York, so my husband and I decided to do our own mini-version of a Food & Wine Festival. Ha! Actually, it’s more of a Lobster Roll & Wine Favorites List. While cruising has paused and other travel has slowed due to the pandemic, we do hope that our fellow cruisers and/or travel-lovers have found ways to safely explore locally. From our local outings, here are My Cruising Family’s New York Lobster Roll & Wine Picks!

The Journey

The Journey

We all know the “Are we there yet?” question is associated with childhood. During our car rides and trips to various places, our sons have asked how long will it take, which is a valid question. However, when that question is persistent and then becomes the focus of the drive or trip, it distracts from certain things like the beautiful scenery along the way and the event or outing itself that we are usually excited about. As adults, do we do this with God and His plans and purposes for our lives? I know I’ve done it. So, this Word, honestly, is not to condemn anyone, but is to address something identified within me, and I hope it is helpful to you too. What if we approached life like we did our cruises or other vacations? What if we looked forward to the journey and not just the destination?

How To Unplug During The Pandemic

How To Unplug During The Pandemic

Before the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the daily commute was hectic for our family. I would commute with both my sons via the Long Island Rail Road and New York City Transit, taking three to four trains just to get to school and work. With the shuffle, hustle, and bustle of getting my children to school, I often walked into my office well before 9 AM, yet feeling as though I had already completed a full day of work. With that sort of daily morning commute, I often looked forward to vacations to unplug, as you may recall I wrote about in a blog years ago, Why I Unplug During Family Vacations. I don’t miss that hectic commute one bit. However, working from home while the children school from home is its own type of hectic. So, again, I look forward to unplugging. My desire to unplug from hectic daily responsibilities is one reason I love to travel. So, if we don’t travel, how do we unplug in the midst of a pandemic?

Real Talk: Pandemic... 2020... How Are You Doing?

Real Talk: Pandemic... 2020... How Are You Doing?

Hey, My Cruising Family friends, and fam!!! It's been an interesting year, to say the least!!! How have you been???

Having felt overwhelmed in one way or another, for months, I exhale right now to share with you and hopefully hear from you too.

Allan and I have noticed that challenges started almost immediately after we returned from our amazing 10th anniversary celebration in 2019. God knew we would need that “mountaintop experience,” and we’re thankful for it, and we are thankful for God’s faithfulness through every step of the way.

Starting around November 2019, our family, with the support of some of the best educational professionals, became engaged in a process to identify and secure the best school environment for our super smart, lovable, and loving younger son, LJ, and we also worked to provide the best support for our older son, AJ, through this time. This process was intense and stretched into March 2020, which is when New York City, where we reside, went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and working from home and schooling from home all began.

We cancelled a cruise we had planned for March 2020, and it's a good thing too because, in March, Allan went into quarantine after working with a former coworker who tested positive for COVID-19, and that coworker passed away in early April 2020. Thankfully, for the most part of his quarantine, Allan was asymptomatic. For the safety of his family, and by circumstances only God could align, Allan’s quarantine went until the first week of June 2020.

Then, in June 2020, I had open-heart surgery.

We Renewed Our Vows On A Disney Cruise!

We Renewed Our Vows On A Disney Cruise!

We chose to celebrate our 10th anniversary with a vow renewal on a 7-day Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean sailing, which was a magical escape from navigating the hustle and bustle of New York City, working demanding jobs, and parenting our two rambunctious boys – well, we still parented our boys throughout the cruise, but they shared a stateroom with Grandma and spent hours enjoying the Oceaneers Club, which allowed Mommy and Daddy some much needed rest and relaxation.

On this particular voyage, we enjoyed our gorgeous ship on sea days and we also enjoyed days at port in Tortola, B.V.I., and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Then, at sea on Day 6, we renewed our vows on the Meridian Patio, Deck 12, aft, with breathtaking views of the ocean and sky as our backdrop. Whew! I get goosebumps thinking about it all, even now. Our vow renewal was simply amazing!

We Still Do! Mr. And Mrs. Daniel SAILabrate A Decade!

We Still Do! Mr. And Mrs. Daniel SAILabrate A Decade!

Greetings! It’s exactly two weeks since our 10th anniversary, and it’s Throwback Thursday. So, today we share with you this video recap that has been thoughtfully put together by Reality Weddings, the amazing husband and wife videography team that sailed with us on our magical 7-Day Disney Fantasy vow renewal cruise from October 5, 2019 to October 12, 2019! This recap is like three videos in one! So, while we prepare an upcoming blog post and photo gallery for your viewing pleasure in the near future, we hope you enjoy every moment of this special video!

How We Made Our Biggest Cruise Decision Yet

How We Made Our Biggest Cruise Decision Yet

I am excited to say that My Cruising Family was recently featured in a Travel Pulse article on selecting an expensive vs. inexpensive cruise. I invite you to read, enjoy and get some pointers from it. Since then, I’ve decided to share with you some specific factors that informed our most recent decision on a cruise. I think this is a decision that families, in particular, are likely to find themselves making. In planning an upcoming cruise, our family recently assessed whether to book an expensive vs. inexpensive cruise.

Destination Wedding Q & A

Destination Wedding Q & A

Allan and I had the honor, pleasure, and privilege to attend my friend’s wedding at Beaches Negril in Jamaica this August. If you’ve been following My Cruising Family, LLC and you’ve been paying attention to our stories on this website, Facebook, and/or Instagram, then you know that we are preparing to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. At this time, 10 years ago, we were preparing for our wedding to be held at the then-Beaches Sandy Bay in Jamaica with approximately 80 guests. So, to be invited to attend and to be able to attend my friend’s wedding with approximately 180 guests, this year in particular, at Beaches Negril, which is next door to our wedding venue was very special. However, some ask “WHY?” Others ask “HOW?” If you’re wondering or have ever wondered why couples choose to have a destination wedding and what the experience is like, this blog post is for you!

Here, my newlywed colleague and friend shares her experience!