Adventure In The Great Wide Somewhere

Another of my articles got published in Passporter newsletter yesterday and I couldn't be happier! Confessions of a Recovering Park Commando: Tips to Slow Down and Enjoy Your Disney Vacation  adapted from my blog post Confessions of a Recovering Disney Parks Commando , it is my fourth article to be in the Passporter newsletter. I'm tickled pink!

A vegan mom, a dairy allergic preschooler, and a gluten intolerant kindergartner step onto a cruise ship ... No, this isn't the setup to a joke, but rather my life last November. Would we starve? Would we enjoy any of the allergy-free offerings? Would we all live on steamed vegetables for seven days straight? If there is one thing Disney does exceptionally well, it is their world-renowned customer service and nowhere does this Disney service shine more than in the instance of special needs. Given our various diets, going out to eat is a bit hazardous at best. When cruising hundreds of miles off shore, I had to go with a company I trusted to make that experience not only safe but downright magical. I had cruised with Disney Cruise Line (DCL) sans kids prior to becoming vegan, but after three allergy-free cruises, I've learned a thing or ten… My Tips for a Safe and Sound Allergy-Free Cruise 1.) Make the cruise line take note. I make sure each of our dining differenc...

So you're going on a family cruise! Hurray! You've seen the promotional materials flaunting inside staterooms on the classic ships "up to twenty five percent larger than the cruise industry standard." This is Wonder-ful; until you realize that this makes a stateroom a smidgeon smaller than the average American dorm room. What's a family of four and their belongings for the week to do? Aside from just packing less, there are some tricks and tips that have helped me make my own "itty bitty living space" feel bigger on the inside. First off, prepare your packing and luggage for small spaces. Don’t worry, you can still bring your ball gowns and pirate night pantaloons. I'm talking organization today, not minimalist packing, although that certainly does help, too. If your party contains people who still need or like assistance finding all the parts to an outfit, or just people who can never match colors, this first tip is for you. I found that if I p...