Success Cruise 2016 - Top 5 Questions Answered

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I spent 5 days on the Oasis of the Seas cruising the Caribbean with a little over 6,500 friends on the largest cruise ship in the world from March 12 - March 17th.

As I head back to "real life" I though about the fact that I have NEVER been on a cruise before and neither had my family.  I really did not know what to expect on a trip like this.

I doubt I would EVER have voluntarily gone on a cruise before, mainly because it was the unknown to me.  Truthfully the ONLY reason I went at all: my all inclusive trip and room was paid for me and a guest- so it was GAME ON!

I am so glad that I went!! BUT with that said, I'm a total Type A personality.  I need to be in control all the time and know what is up.  I don't like to just go with the flow.  I need to have some things mapped out or it causes me anxiety.  So I know the questions below were BIG for me so I wanted to share them with YOU! Because I am so grateful that I took a chance and went on this trip!

1. Where Did We Go & Do?

Basically to warm and sunny places!!  Woot~Woot!! The cruise originated in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  We were set to cruise for 5 days. Our destinations were the Bahamas and Jamaica. We had a full day at each location and 3 days of sea travel.

There was enough time at each location to do shore excursions if you wished. Or just find a beach to hang out on and enjoy the day on land.  You certainly didn't have to leave the ship- the pools were amazing and there was PLENTY of on board activities as well.

The weather was warm and amazing every day.  The mornings may have been cooler on the open ocean but soon as the sun was up it was GAME ON, Sunblock ON! Rays, soaking them up no matter what we were doing.  How can you complain about that?

If being a lizard in the sun wasn't your thing.  There were plenty of others activities for you. Rock climbing, diving shows, ice skating... yes, ice skating, basketball and table tennis.  The list goes on!

The food and drink was available when you wanted. I have to admit that the cocktails were awesome- and I couldn't miss a rum drink in a pineapple at least once!

We made the most of the excursions off the ship!  Bahamas included a visit to Salt Cay to swim with the Dolphins, the highlight for the kids.

The ferry ride over took us past some fabulous properties and sights including Michael Jorden's home, Beyonce and Jay Z and others.  We even saw where Gilligan's Island was filmed.  The blue waters were spectacular and we enjoyed every minute of our day long excursion.

My kids lives were MADE with our visit to Blue Lagoon.  We all got to spend an amazing time in the water with two dolphins learning about them and their habitats.

The next excursion we did was in Jamaica when we visited Dunn River Falls! We hiked down to the bottom and then up the natural falls.  We heard so much about how amazing it was and it definitely delivered. Fun for the whole family.

Followed that with some tubing and then a Jamaican lunch featuring jerk chicken, it was a full day that we will remember forever!

Weather you ventured out or stayed on the ship it was fun for all and an amazing experience!

2. What was a Day Like?

My day started out with a Celebrity Workout on the deck of this gorgeous ship. All lead by the stars of the fitness programs we love so much! Sagi Kalev (Body Beast, Hammer & Chisel) Autumn Calabrese, (21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Hammer & Chisel, and soon to come Country Heat) Tony Horton (P90X, P90X2, X3, P90 the new 22 Minute Hard Corps and more!),  Joel & Jericho (Les Mills Body Pump, Body Flow, Body Combat).

Next we would head back to the room and clean up before going to breakfast.  Then the day was all about what activities interested you.  Since we were with the kids, the pool was a huge focus.  There are a number of them on board as well as hot tubs so the kids were all over that!

There was a track around the ship and a gym if you wanted to workout as well as a Kids Club, rock climbing, zip line, arcade etc... as well as a board walk with carousel and shows. NOT BORED!!

We only go to the ice rink on the last day to see a show, but it was well worth it! In my opinion it was one of the BEST shows we saw.  There are a number of performances featuring aerialists, divers, acrobats and more.  Amazing performances!  Even with the number of people that were on the ship, we were able to find a seat at the shows we attended and they were all very entertaining.

Like I said before, there is definitely something for everyone on the cruise.

My son met his Hero Sagi Kalev "The Beast" himself!

3. What happens at Celebrity Workouts?

The workouts all took place on Deck 15.  There were a number of places you could stand to do them.  They even broadcast in room as well as on screens around the ship.  Honestly, there is NOTHING like doing these workouts LIVE with all these coaches! Its such a positive and AWESOME experience!

There were towels and water stations available all around the deck and Coaches were really excited and ready to sweat.  The atmosphere is electric and the music!? PUMPING!! So even though the workouts started at 6:15AM- it didn't take you much to get motivated and ready to go!

Our room was on the 12th floor and we could hear the music from our ocean balcony! My friend had an interior balcony and could do the workout from her balcony while watching it LIVE!! How cool is THAT!

Its such a positive and AWESOME experience!  If you wanted to stay and do ALL the workouts that morning you could! Many of my friends DID!! (#Beast MODE)

The Celebrity trainers would come on one after the other so talk about a workout!

If you were still in need of more (OMG I don't know how) you could go to the gym on the ship- it featured a track that ran all the way around the ship! Amazing views of the ocean!! We had a few Coaches that were training for marathons and 1/2 marathons and stayed on plan!

My Son Cole meeting his hero Sagi Kalev

There was plenty of space to spread out for the workouts, people were very accommodating and we were all there to have a great time.  The mood was always amazing!

My son was so excited that he got to come that he had me up by 5:45AM every morning to run out there and find our spot! (Just like his mom this kid!!) He was lucky enough to be able to meet his hero Sagi Kalev ("Body Beast" and "Hammer & Chisel").  Sagi was kind and so inspirational!

I know the impact he made on my son by giving of his time and taking a minute to say a few kinds words.  Cole was lucky enough to leave their meeting with a shirt the Beast himself wore.  Life changed! He will never forget this trip and neither will I.  Another reason I just LOVE this company!

Cole, Sagi "The Beast" and Me

4. How was the dining experiences?

The on board dining was excellent! There were casual options as well as main dining room.

You could go at your designated times or a different time.

We never went away hungry no matter what option you chose.  The kids could eat off the regular menu or a kids menu so everyone was happy. There were casual dining options that were included as well, all kinds of food options.

There were restaurants you could make reservations at as well.  There typically was an up-charge to eat there but it was worth it, in my opinion!

We chose to eat off plan at Sonoma, Mexican restaurant and Izumi where we had Hibachi.  Both were FANTASTIC!

5. How did you get to go? 

This is the BIG surprise - at least it was for me!! ANY Coach can be eligible to go on these Success Club trips! You don't to achieve a certain rank to be eligible to go at all! All you have to do is continue to share with what has worked for you! Really! Run your challenge groups and

Working out with a fellow Coach

Question in the question: what is a Coach?

 Its anyone that whats to inspire others, be their own boss, work this part time or full time, likes to have a flexible schedule. Help others while you are on your own health and fitness journey, share what has worked for you, and what does not!

What a Coach does NOT have to be:

A fitness expert, nutritionist, personal trainer, at their goal weight, know tons of people, have a business background, have tons of free time,

You just have to have a DESIRE to make a change and share with others.  That is simply how I started and how I had the opportunity to go on an amazing trip like this, share these moments with my entire family and continue to pay it forward to others!

Personal Note

If you have a desire to make a change, to your fitness, or to your life.  Have more control of your destiny, be inspired and learn more about how you can do this too, reach out to me.  I'd love to share more of what this has done for me. I am a full time, working mom raising two kids with my husband.  We have 1/2 a farm and work together to reduce the number of reasons our kids might need therapy later in life! (seriously) We are not perfect by any stretch but we have found what is working well for us now and we share what does! I totally believe in finding balance and paying it forward - and when I find what is working I SHARE!

All of this is too good not to share! If you want to learn more about my Challenge Groups or Coaching fill out the form below and I'll be in touch!!

Who knows, maybe you'll be traveling on the next Success Club 2017 trip! Its in Punta Cana!!