Pay attention to the section on Birth Certificate if that is your method of ID.
STEP 3:
Download the RCCL app and log-in using your name and reservation number.
-Pay attention to check-in date & check-in ASAP choosing the best check-in time for your stateroom (earlier the better)
-Link your preferred payment method to your SeaPass
-Please Note: you will see everyone in your travel party in your reservation on the app, your payment is NOT linked t anyone but you and your individual SeaPass.
-Consider purchasing a Vitality Day Spa pass pre-cruise for 50% off and set an appointment time embarkment day as early as possible to board early.
I highly suggest everyone in the same stateroom check in together. You can caravan together, I like to find a coffee shop near the port off on I-95 as a meet up spot to caravan.
The cost is pricey at $80 for a Fri-Mon but at $20 per person its not that bad. The close walk to check-in & when you get off the ship, is great.... and all checked luggage can be dropped BEFORE parking, so take advantage of that. You thank me for not having ot carry your luggage across the parking lot.
Print your luggage tags before leaving as well, do this through the "check-in" screen on your app or the website.
I am so blessed to be working with a local friend and sister in Christ putting together this fun idea God put on her heart.
She loves a cruise and wants to enjoy it with her sisters in Christ; a getaway with the girls, no cooking, cleaning or Ubering children around. Just good friends, great memories and the open seas.
Check your calendar, reserve the date and set sail with your sisters in Christ on the high seas in 2027!
Hope to see you there!
Your favorite Travel Advisor,
Michelle Spanos
Let me plan your next Cruise, Disney Trip, North East or National Park Roadtrip; those are my jam.
Getting away for a weekend refreshes my soul and allows me to slow down.
Traveling through airports, train stations, or even in your own car on a road trip can either stress you or settle you.
I personally find the latter to be incredibly beneficial to both my mental and physical health.
Here’s why I believe a weekend getaway needs to be in your near future.
1. It Gets You Out of the Normal and Into Something New
We grow and change as we experience new places, cultures, people, and perspectives.
Even a short trip can wake something up inside of you. Sometimes we do not realize how stuck we feel until we step outside of our normal routines and surroundings.
2. It Gives You Room to Breathe
When planned correctly, a getaway allows you to simply enjoy the moment.
You can slow down enough to read that book sitting on your nightstand, sit quietly with your thoughts, write the devotional you have wanted to write, or finally begin the book that has been on your heart.
There is something healing about stepping away from constant responsibility and allowing yourself space to just be.
3. It Creates Space for Real Conversation
Whether you are traveling alone, with a friend, in a group, or with your spouse, getting away from the day-to-day routine creates room for real conversation.
You can actually begin and finish a conversation without interruption.
Whether it is time spent talking with God, laughing with your best friend, or reconnecting with someone you love, there is something special about having less to do and more time to simply enjoy the here and now with another human being.
Sometimes the best memories are not made in the big moments, but in the quiet conversations along the way.
So if you already know the value of a short getaway, I’d love to hear from you! Please email me at MSpanosTravels@gmail.com and share your favorite weekend escape or travel memory.
If you are looking for weekend getaway ideas, family trips, Disney escapes, or simple ways to refresh your soul, send me a DM on Instagram at @Michelle.Spanos or find me on Facebook at Michelle Chute Spanos.
And in the meantime, practice “mini vacays.”
Take a bubble bath. Wear Mickey ears around the house. Sit quietly outside for an hour. Watch the sunset. Read a book just for fun.
Sometimes rest begins long before the suitcase is packed.
One of the questions I get asked most when helping families plan a Walt Disney World vacation is whether adding a Disney Dining Plan is worth it. And while every family travels a little differently, I often tell people the dining plan can take a lot of stress out of your vacation and add a wonderful sense of ease.
A Disney vacation has a lot of moving pieces, and having meals planned ahead can feel like a gift.
When we took our last family vacation to Disney there were 10 of us and the Disney Dining planned was so worth it! ZERO STRESS when it came to food.
In my personal experience I love the getting a dining plan at Disney because it makes it an all-inclusive trip. -Michelle Spanos, Disney's Best Kept Secret
How the Disney Dining Plan Works
When you stay at a Disney Resort hotel and add a dining plan to your package, your meals are tied to your stay. Your total number of meals and snacks is based on how many nights you’re there, and you can use them anytime during your trip.
There are two options:
🍽️ Disney Dining Plan (the most popular)
This is the one people think of when they want the full Disney experience.
Each person in your party receives per night of stay:
1 Table-Service meal (sit-down dining)
1 Quick-Service meal (fast casual)
1 Snack or drink
1 Resort-refillable drink mug
This means you can enjoy everything from a relaxed sit-down dinner to grabbing something quick between rides—without pulling out your wallet every time.
🍔 Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan
This is a simpler, more flexible option—perfect if you don’t want to schedule sit-down meals.
Each person receives:
2 Quick-Service meals
1 Snack or drink
1 Resort-refillable drink mug
It’s great for families on the go or anyone who wants to keep things easy and spontaneous.
What’s Included in Your Meals
Disney keeps it simple and generous.
With most meals, you’ll get:
An entrée
A dessert (with lunch and dinner)
A beverage (including alcoholic options for adults 21+)
That means you’re not just getting a basic meal—you’re getting the full experience.
Why People Love It (And I Do Too)
Here’s the real reason people add it—and why I recommend it so often:
✨ You can relax
No budgeting every meal. No adding things up. It’s already taken care of.
✨ You try more
Because it’s prepaid, people tend to enjoy appetizers, desserts, and experiences they might skip otherwise.
✨ It feels like a true vacation
You’re not constantly making money decisions—you’re making memories.
✨ It works across the parks and resorts
You can use your meals at hundreds of locations throughout Disney World.
A Little Bonus Magic
Disney sometimes offers special promotions—like free dining for kids (ages 3–9) when adults purchase a dining plan as part of a package.
That can make a big difference for families planning a trip.
My Final Thought
If you’re the kind of person who wants to show up, enjoy incredible food, and not think about the cost every time you order—this is for you.
The Disney Dining Plan isn’t just about food.
It’s about freedom.
Freedom to sit down a little longer.
Freedom to say yes to dessert.
Freedom to enjoy the moment without doing math in your head.
And honestly… that’s where the magic really is. ✨
Ready to Make It Happen?
If you’re dreaming about a Disney vacation where the details are handled and the memories come easy, I would love to help you bring it all together. Whether it’s choosing the right resort, adding the Disney Dining Plan, or mapping out your days so they feel effortless and fun—I’ve got you.
Let’s create something truly special for you and the ones you love.
