Living La Diva 2011 - Carnival Destiny

Hey Divas!

I figured it would be helpful to have all information in place for easy reference and excitement building.  Here's the details for the upcoming June trip.

Carnival Destiny Highlights:
- 50% larger staterooms, on average, than those of any other cruise line
- Generous variety of culinary pleasures designed to delight your heart as well as your palate
- Swimming Pools, 7 Jacuzzis - 5 outdoor/2 indoor, Twister Waterslide
- The Millionaire's Club is the largest and most exciting casino afloat
- Destiny Shops - Duty Free Shops & Galleria Shopping Mall
- Full Equipped Nautical/Spa & Health Club
- Down Beat Lounge - nightclub open until the early morning hours
- Much more awaits….

Ports of Call

Key West, FL
 The "Conch Republic" is a festive island of colorful bars and equally colorful characters in what may as well be the tropics. America's southernmost tip, where Harry Truman spent his summers playing poker and running the country, is a non-stop delight. Visit Hemingway's house where you'll find his original manuscripts and many of his famed six-toed cats. And while you're on the island be sure to sample its culinary treasures, such as conch salad and world-famous Key Lime pie.

Cozumel, Mexico

Long before Cancun became a popular destination, Cozumel was well-known as a diving spot and home to the world famous Palancar Reef, which gives divers the opportunity to view thousands of brilliantly colored fish. Non-divers can kick back on a sun-drenched beach, or enjoy any number of seaside activities, such as shopping in colorful marketplaces or dining in an open-air café.

What's included?
The package price includes:
- Roundtrip airfare
- Roundtrip shuttle from Miami airport to cruise ship
- 4 day Western Caribbean aboard Carnival Destiny. The cruise provides ALL meals, snacks, non-carbonated beverages (tap water, coffee, tea, lemonade, juice), shows, nightclubs, entertainment, casino access, pool, fitness classes, etc.
- Cruise standard gratuities ($40/pp)
- All taxes

What's NOT included?
Pop
Booze
Bottled water
Spa luxuries
Island excursions or meals, if you choose
Gratuities on spa and booze
Casino habits
Shopping addictions

What level will I be on? Will I be near the other Divas?
The goal is to arrange the rooms on the same deck, as close as possible. I'd like to narrow our rooms to Upper/Empress/Verandah decks based on past reviews, amenities, etc. Midship is also preferred, as we'll be central to all activities. I've attached a layout of the cruise ship.

Am I stuck eating at a specific time?
Carnival offers Anytime Dining - we can dine anytime between 5-9;30pm for sit down dinner. We always have the option to enjoy the buffet anytime or room service. Breakfast and lunch options are flexible and of course, you can eat while lounging at the pool ;)

I'm without a roomie, now what?
No worries! Just let me know that you need a hip Diva room assignment. It will be fun!

Where in the World in La Diva?!?!

I know, I know – it’s been what seems like forever since I’ve shared my thoughts with you all. 2010 shaped up to be a whirlwind of a year, travel wise. At some point, it’s time to stop the juggling act and focus on one (or simply a few) thing at a time.

To fill you in on where the past few months have taken me:

Argentina



 

Barbados with The Divas!

BFF Wedding (always a great excuse for gathering girlfriends)



Ahh, The Hamptons



 

New York x endless times - You can never get enough of the Big Apple

NYC girlfriend getaway – shopping, shopping and more shopping!

Poland (yes, Poland), twice!

Sweden

Virginia Beach, twice!

And I can't forget, Christmas with The Grinch ;)

And of course, lots of track meets, birthday parties, swim lessons, and a ton of places in between....whew! And the highlight of my year.....seeing Mr. Denzel Washington in the flesh outside of Fences. 

Here's to a awesome, travel-filled 2011!

Sample Survey Questions

Hey Divas! 

I'm guessing that one of my readers is planning her own girlfriend getaway.  I received the following comment: 
"Would you mind sharing your list of questions for the survey you conduct with the "core divas"?

Answer:
Absolutely!  I'd love to share the questions that I ask my core divas New readers, you may want to take the time to read a previous post of mine on How to Plan a Girlfriend Getaway, but basically, your "core divas" are the ones whose opinions about your trip matter the most!

Here's a list of questions that you can ask your girlfriends during your planning stages:

• What's most important to you on the 2010 get-away?
• Ask your girlfriends to rank the following: Time to relax, Freebies, Quality of resort, Affordability of trip, Reconnecting with friends, Partying, and Traveling to a new place. 
• Where you like to travel on the next trip?
• Options can include: spa, tropical resort, beach town, bright lights city, etc
• How much would you be willing to spend on the trip (hotel/air)
• Super important - helps narrous down your options betwen a road trip or international voyage!
• How many days would you like to travel?
• Based on past trips that you've participated in, what have you ENJOYED the most?
• 
  Based on past trips that you've participated in, what have you HATED the most?
• Please feel free to share additional comments, suggestions, concerns
• Good feedback and participation from your core divas is key!

Anonymous, I hope these questions are helpful in planning your next girlfriend getaway! Feel free to post a comment and share your experience with surveying your core divas.

Until next time....

Divas, set your calendars!

Hang out with On Tap and Party DC for their annual bus trip to the Vintage Virginia Wine Festival. The festival is one of the largest wine events on the East Coast and includes unlimited wine tastings from 50+ wineries, live bands, as well as a souvenir glass. The festival is also known for awesome food, such as Maryland crab cakes, fresh baked breads, gourmet cheeses, as well as fine art, and wine seminars.

On Tap and Party DC’s bus trip to the Festival is Saturday, June 5, 2010. Tickets are $39.99 and include luxury round-trip bus transportation (leaving from Clarendon Grill & the Front Page in Arlington), admission to the festival, as well as pre and post parties at the restaurant locations. Also, you and your girlfriends will have access to the Party DC VIP tents with seating in front of the main stage!

Call up your girlfriends, sync up your calendars and buy your tickets at http://www.partydc.com/. You better hurry – the ticket price will increase closer to the event date.

Girls NIght Out - DC Shopping Events

The warm weather has finally arrived and it's time to shop for vacation clothes! Grab your BFF and hit a few of these upcoming shopping events - perfect for a girl's day out!


Shecky's Girls Night Out DC

April 14 and 15th, 2010: Wednesday and Thursday
5pm-10pm
DAR Constitution Hall

1776 D St. NW (17th & 18th Sts. NW)
Washington, DC

How does shopping the hottest spring fashions, beauty products, cocktails, swag and time with girlfriends sound? Shecky's combines an awesome combination of shopping and partying, all under one roof. Enjoy the lastest fashion trends with boutiques like Hush Boutique, Accessory Remix, and Clutch, as well as exhibitors such as Dangerous Curves Ahead, Jaguar Luxury Cosmetics, and many, many more! Take a sneak peek here on what the night offers! Tickets are only $10 - fun stuff!

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Artistic AYA presents Alice in Anacostia

Saturday, April 17, 2010

7:30pm

Honfluer Art Gallery

1241 Good Hope Road, SE

Washington, DC

Washington, DC based designer Artistic AYA explores the fashionable, artistic side of Alice of Wonderland in her latest runway show. Allow the fashion models to show you creative, gritty, and fascinating designs of local talent, staged against the backdrop of the re-emerging cultural neighborhood of Anacostia. Tickets can be purchased online @ www.reel.org
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Genesis Girls Night Out

Friday, April 30, 2010
6-11pm
Westin Hotel - National Harbor
171 Waterfront Street
Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Back by popular demand! Support DC Metro boutiques, designers and business owners with one of the area's hottest, growing shopping events. Relax with your girlfriends over complimentary cocktails, swag, as well as networking, pampering and fun! Purchase tickets online @ www.genesisgno.com

Girls Night Out - Virginia Wine Week

http://www.virginiawine.org/

Craving girlfriend time and spring? Spring is definitely in the air and there's no better way to kick off the season with Virginia's 1st Wine Week - Love By The Glass!

Kicking off on Monday, March 22, wine loving girlfriends can enjoy wine by the glass at several Virginia restaurants and wine shops. During the week, at least two Virginia wines will be added to restaurant menus and shop merchandise for sale by the glass. In a recent press release, Alisa Bailey, President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation expressed “It’s important for visitors to find local wine on menus in Virginia’s restaurants and Virginia Wine Week will help encourage that.”

Not only can you catch up with girlfriends but you'll be supoorting Virginia wineries, as well. Did you know that within Virginia, there are over 155 wineries and the state has been named by Travel & Leisure magazine as a top up and coming wine region!

The week-long wine event has even caught the attention of Virginia's First Lady Maureen McDonnell, who will make the inuagural toast at Julep's restaurant in Richmond on Monday, March 22.

Love By The Glass is March 22 - March 28, 2010. For a list of participating restaurants and shops, visit http://www.virginiawine.org/

Now call up your girlfriends and make it a date! :)

Girl's Night Out - Fashionista Holiday Happy Hour

Grab your girlfriend and join The Fashionistas for their last 2009 event!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2009

6:00pm-10:00pm

1020 U Street, N.W. 2nd floor above Lee's Flower Shop

Washington, DC

(Metro accessible, U Street Cardozo Metro Station)

The Fashionistas Present ...Beauty, Bags and Bangles HOLIDAY BAZAAR

A sophisticated happy hour featuring an evening of bargain shopping, holiday cheer, makeup marathon, glam goodie bags, haute raffle giveaways and MUCH MORE! Prices of good and services vary for each vendor. CASH ONLY

***Light appetizers will be served.***

For additional information: Find us on Facebook: Fashionista Flea Market or email via urban_charm@hotmail.com