Traveling with the Jones

I’m sailing on the Star Princess cruise ship this week, sailing from San Francisco to Mexico and various ports along the California coast. Here are some views from around the 2,600 passenger cruise ship.

We boarded the Star Princess at Pier 27, the newly-opened cruise terminal in San Francisco. The view above is of the aft end of the ship, looking out on San Francisco. The Terrace Pool on Deck 12 is a nice place to soak in the sun and watch the world sail by.

Since we departed from San Francisco, California, we sailed under the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge. This ship fits easily under the bridge.

Once we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge, the views of San Francisco, the bridge and the California coast line were spectacular.

There is a 3-story atrium at the center of the Star Princess. The master of the vessel, Captain Todd McBain, gave his welcoming speech from one of the balconies in the atrium.  Below the captain was the famous Champagne Waterfall.

On Deck 5 in the Atrium there is an international cafe that’s open 24 hours a day with sandwiches and pastries. Nearby is the Vines wine bar, with a nice selection of wines by the glass or bottle, served with your choice of sushi or tapas.

There are three specialty restaurants on the Star Princess. This decadent chocolate dessert is served at Sabatini’s Italian restaurant, which has a $25 per person charge.  The Crown Grill, a steak and seafood specialty restaurant, also carries a $25 charge. The Crab Shack opens some nights in part of the Horizon Court. It features seafood boils and costs $20 per person.

There is also three dining rooms, a buffet restaurant, Sundaes ice cream parlor, Prego pizzeria and the Trident Grill with hot dogs and hamburgers.

Deck 7 features a wrap-around deck for walking and taking in the ocean breeze.  To go all the way around the ship, however you must take steps up a deck at both the front and the back of the ship.

The Star Princess sails California Coastal, Mexico and Hawaii itineraries out of San Francisco, and will sail Alaskan itineraries between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska during the summer of 2015.

Have you sailed on the Star Princess? What was your favorite spot on the ship? Please share in comments below. 

To take a look around other cruise ships, check out these posts:

• A Look Around Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam
• Setting Sail from Singapore on the Seabourn Sojourn
• A Look Around the World’s Largest Cruise Ship, the Allure of the Seas
• A Look Inside Suite 325 on the Seabourn Pride
• Views from the Nieuw Amsterdam
• Cruising With a 12-Year-Old: A Day at Sea on the Oasis
• Views from the Seabourn Pride

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The library at Charles Darwin University.
Photo by Stephen Barnett.

As the capital of the Northern Territory of Australia, Darwin provides a variety of fun activities and interesting facts.  Aside from being a port city, Darwin is a fun and exciting town with a hot, tropical climate that’s perfect for tourists and travel enthusiasts alike.

Take a look at these 8 fun facts about Darwin, Australia

1.  You can attend one of the Weekly Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.

Sunset Market at Mindil Beach.
Photo courtesy of Tourism NT

These markets are not like most other normal markets that you can see everyday.  If you love the market scenery, just wait until you visit the Sunset Markets at Mindil Beach which take place every Tuesday and Sunday during the dry season in Australia which is from May through October.  Tourists and locals can watch performers, buy souvenir, and taste a variety of foods all in the sunset light.

2.  Darwin hosts the annual Darwin Beer Can Regata.

Boats made from all sorts of cans get ready to sail.
Photo by Donama.

Every year since 1974, the Darwin Beer Can Regata is held at Mindil Beach.  People build boats out of beer cans, pop cans, bottles, and milk cartons in the hopes that they will float in the water.

This event is supplemented by concerts and other contests to make a fun-filled event that everyone can enjoy.

3.  The Seabreeze Festival is like a huge talent show.

Performers play their clapsticks and didgeridoo at the Seabreeze Festival.
Photo by Owen65.

Performers come to this festival from many different places to perform their acts of culture such as the two men in the picture above.  Started in 2005, the Seabreeze Festival is held on the second week of May every year in Nightcliff which is a close suburb of Darwin.

Local talent is showcased throughout the celebration as well as a variety of other festivities.

4.  Visiting the Darwin Aviation Heritage Center is a great way to learn the history of the city.

A Hover Bird on display at the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre.
Photo courtesy of Travel NT.

A large part of Darwin’s history is that it has been the home of many aviation pioneers.  It was also a check point for the London to Melbourne Centenary Air Race in 1934.  The Darwin Aviation Heritage Centre gives tourists and locals alike a look into this amazing and interesting history of the port city of Darwin.

5.  Did you know there’s actually a solar car race?  It’s called the World Solar Challenge.

A solar-powered car at the World Solar Challenge.
Photo courtesy of GTHO..

The World Solar Challenge is a solar-powered car race that cover 3,021 km which in the entire distance of the continent of Australia starting on the north coast and ending on the south coast.

The race attracts contenders from all over the world, and participants come in teams to test their innovative cars in the well-known race.

6.  You can have a picnic at the Charles Darwin National Park.

Picnics are a fun family activity at the Charles Darwin National Park.
Photo by kenhodge13.

Charles Darwin National Park is named after Charles Darwin, a well-known scientist who invented the concept of Darwinism. This park is a great location for anyone to spend a day, weekend, or even longer together for a nice vacation.

Early in 1836 Charles Darwin spent two months in Australia as part of his round-the-world voyage on the Beagle.

7.  Casuarina Beach is quite possibly one of the most popular beaches in the Northern Territory.

Take a walk along the beach or take a swim in the crystal blue waves.
Photo courtesy of Tourism NT.

When one is looking to relax in the exciting, upbeat city of Darwin, you can never go wrong with a trip to Casuarina Beach.  Strolling along the warm sand in the tropical climate gives anyone a getaway from the multiple festivals that take place in Darwin.

Casuarina Beach has been deemed one of the best beaches in the Northern Territory of Australia.

8.  Aboriginal Art Galleries are available for viewing at the annual Darwin Festival.

Art galleries and concerts are staples at the Darwin Festival.
Photo courtesy of Tourism NT./> (http://travelnt.com)

The annual Darwin Festival is another staple of the port city of Darwin.  There are concerts and other activities available for the festival attendees, but the most well-known aspect of this festival are the art galleries featuring aboriginal art pieces that are widely popular in the coastal city.  In the city of Darwin, there’s always something for everyone at this well-known festival.

Learn more about Darwin, Australia with these resources:

Darwin & Australia’s Northern Territory: Travel Adventures
Darwin 1942: The Japanese attack on Australia

Lonely Planet Central Australia – Adelaide to Darwin (Travel Guide)

This post was written by Kathryn Johnson, a junior majoring in Spanish at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Kathryn’s passion for travel blossomed from her love for foreign language  In August, 2015, she plans to volunteer in France or Morocco before traveling to Spain for a semester-long study abroad experience.

Kathryn is currently learning about travel marketing and social media during an internship with VentureTime Travel.

Check out these other Fun Facts posts:

• 12 Fun Facts About Dutch Harbor, Alaska
• 15 Fun Facts about Cornwall, England
• Visiting Alaska? 22 Fun Facts You Might Want to Know
• 11 Fun Facts to Know About the Cook Islands
• 20 Fun Facts About Colombo, Sri Lanka

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What’s on your travel bucket list?
Photo by Sidimomo.

Many people have a bucket list and some may even have more than one. I have many as well, but my favorite one is my travel bucket list of places all around the world that I hope to one day visit.

Here are my top 5 locations on my travel bucket list:

1. Zip Line over the Cloud Forest in Monteverde, Costa Rica

A suspension bridge hangs high in a rainforest in Monteverde, Costa Rica.

While there are a number of organizations that allow nature enthusiasts to zip line through forests in Costa Rica, if I were to brave this breath-taking adventure, I would take on the Sky Trek Canopy Tour.  It not only includes zip lines, but also a series of trails and suspension bridges to provide for the ultimate experience.

What could be more fun than witnessing the amazing Cloud Forest as you zip line over the canopy?

2. Experience the history of Jerusalem, Israel

The Temple Mount is one of the most highly regarded religious sites in Jerusalem.
Photo by Godot13.

Jerusalem is one the oldest cities in the world.  One can only the imagine the abundant history that this town has to tell.  If you’re interested in religion, this is the place to begin since it is considered a holy place for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

There’s an abundance of mosques and other holy places such as The Temple Mount pictured above where one can experience more in this historic city than imaginable.

3. Celebrate El Dí­a De Los Muertos in Mexico

Women dressed for El Dí­a De Los Muertos prepare for the celebration.  Photoby Jaredzimmerman (WMF) .

Many people have heard of El Dí­a De Los Muertos, or The Day Of The Dead, which takes places in Mexico every year on October 31st through November 2nd.  This 3-day celebration is to honor the lives of friends and family members who have passed away.

Marigolds, sugar skulls, pan de muerto (a special bread), costumes, and altars with pictures and candles to light the pathway for the spirits to come celebrate are all elements of one of the biggest holidays in Mexico.

4. Gain a French and Arabic cultural experience in Rabat, Morocco

A Kasbah in Morocco sits at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River. Photo by Elooas.

The country of Morocco has always been high up on my travel bucket list because of it’s connection to both the French and Arabic languages which I hope to one day learn.  The city of Rabat is the second largest in Morocco and one of the best places to engulf oneself in the language and culture of the country.

5. Attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Monument seen through the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C.
Photo byScott Bauer.

This festival celebration the giving of the Japanese cherry tree to the city of Washington as well as the friendship between the United States and Japan.  The blossoming cherry trees are a sight to see during the festival since it takes place at the end of March, the prime time for the trees to blossom, and lasts for two weeks into April. 

Experiencing these beautiful trees will give you a glimpse of Japan that is unforgettable.

What travel locations are on your bucket list?  Leave your comments below.  We love to hear from you!

This post was written by Kathryn Johnson, a junior majoring in Spanish at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Kathryn’s passion for travel blossomed from her love for foreign language  In August, 2015, she plans to volunteer in France or Morocco before traveling to Spain for a semester-long study abroad experience.

Kathryn is currently learning about travel marketing and social media during an internship with VentureTime Travel.

View her LinkedIn profile at  to learn more about her accomplishments and future goals.

 Looking for some travel inspiration? Check out these posts:

• How to Pack Three Months of Your Life Into One Suitcase
• 22 Things I Learned on My First Cruise Vacation
• Collecting Starbucks Coffee Mugs Around the World
• Our Travel Manifesto
• 52 Reasons to Travel. What’s Yours?

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Or, check out our boards on Pinterest and/or our photos on Instagram.