Enjoy Southern Nevada's Gorgeous Fall Weather With Rail Explorers

ENJOY SOUTHERN NEVADA’S GORGEOUS FALL WEATHER
WITH RAIL EXPLORERS

Fall Tour Schedule Begins Sept. 7

WHAT:
Enjoy Southern Nevada’s most beautiful fall weather with Rail Explorers, the all-ages, outdoor-adventure attraction featuring pedal-powered rail bikes. All rides start at the Nevada State Railroad Museum and continue downhill to Railroad Pass. Each tour also includes a nostalgic ride back to the top of the hill in one of the museum’s historic trains, along with free museum entry.

Rail Explorers Las Vegas tours include three memorable options, including the Southwest Ramble, a four-mile downhill pedal-powered daytime ride; the Sunset Tour, a picturesque downhill ride in the evening as the sun sets behind the River Mountains; and the Evening Lantern Tour, a one-of-a-kind experience illuminated by the glow from the moon and stars.

WHEN:
With weather still hot in September, only Sunset and Evening Lantern Tours will be offered from Sept. 7 through 23. Through Oct. 11, the schedule will expand to include afternoon tours, with morning tours being added beginning Oct. 12. The full schedule follows, but check www.railexplorers.net for the latest information.

Sept. 7 – Sept. 23
6:30 p.m. Sunset Tour
8:30 p.m. Evening Lantern Tour

Sept. 24 – Oct. 11
4 p.m. Southwest Ramble Tour
6 p.m. Sunset Tour
8 p.m. Evening Lantern Ride Tour
10 p.m. Friday and Saturday Evening Lantern Ride Tour

Oct. 12 – Nov. 19
9:30 a.m. Southwest Ramble Tour
11:30 a.m. Southwest Ramble Tour
1:30 p.m. Southwest Ramble Tour
3:30 p.m. Southwest Ramble Tour
5:30 p.m. Sunset Tour
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Evening Lantern Ride Tour

Nov. 20 – Nov. 29
9:30 a.m. Southwest Ramble Tour
11:30 a.m. Southwest Ramble Tour
1:30 p.m. Southwest Ramble Tour
3:30 p.m. Southwest Ramble Tour
5:30 p.m. Sunset Tour
7:30 p.m. Evening Lantern Ride Tour

Tours are subject to change so check the website for official times.

COST:
A tandem rail bike for two starts at $85.
A quad rail bike for four guests starts at $150.

Groups of ten or more people receive a 10 percent discount for weekday tours.  All Nevada residents receive a 10 percent “locals” discount off the standard tour price for weekday tours.

Book online today at www.railexplorers.net  or by phone at (877) 833-8588.

Health and Safety Notes: Rail Explorers requires that all guests on premises adhere to social distancing protocols to protect guests and employees from COVID-19. Guests will need to wear facial masks when in public areas and must remain six feet apart. Rail Explorers will additionally request that each guest answer health safety screening questions upon entrance. Rail bikes are thoroughly disinfected and cleaned between tours. Hand sanitizing stations are available to guests and are located throughout the facility. For more information on Rail Explorers Social Distancing protocol, click here.

ABOUT:
Located in historic Boulder City, Nevada—just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip en route to Hoover Dam—Rail Explorers offers exhilarating, guided excursions in two- or four-seat rail bikes along the same tracks used during construction of the dam.
Rail Explorers Las Vegas tours include three memorable options, including the Southwest Ramble, a four-mile downhill pedal-powered daytime ride; the Sunset Tour, a picturesque downhill ride in the evening as the sun sets behind the River Mountains; and the Evening Lantern Ride, a one-of-a-kind experience illuminated by the glow from the moon and stars. All rides start at the Nevada State Railroad Museum and continue downhill to Railroad Pass. Each tour also includes a nostalgic ride back to the top of the hill in one of the museum’s historic trains, along with free museum entry. Knowledgeable guides lead every Rail Explorers tour, ensuring guests enjoy not only the majestic desert scenery, but also learn fascinating insights along the way. Rail bikes provide a truly distinctive way to explore this extraordinarily scenic and historic area.

Camp Warner Bros - Week 3: We Bare Bears

 

This week at Camp Warner Bros., Cartoon Network’s beloved bears will stack up in their greatest adventure, with their first movie ever – We Bare Bears: The Movie!  Get ready for loveable bear hugs, digital culture references, life lessons – and Gummy Bear Slime!

In honor of the all-new release of We Bare Bears: The Movie – Camp Warner Bros. is bringing you a fun sensory activity to do with your campers! Stack the bears up, squish them down – and make this adventurous slime that you can actually eat: https://wbproductions.box.com/v/WeBareBearsGummySlime

 

Camp Directors:  This camp activity requires adult supervision at all times. Please use caution when using the microwave as bears can get hot.

About We Bare Bears: The Movie:

We Bare Bears: The Movie follows Grizz, Panda, and Ice Bear's love of food trucks and Internet fame, which leads the brothers to unexpected mayhem, where they must go on a wild, hilarious and dangerous adventure to escape a foe that threatens to tear them apart.  Watch as Grizz, Panda, and Ice Bear catch the attention of the Department of Wildlife Control,  and go on a wacky adventure as their world turns upside down, and the Bears are left with no choice but to go on the run!

We Bare Bears: The Movie is now available to own on Digital, Blu-ray & DVD

Camp Warner Bros - Week 2

 It’s week 2 at Camp Warner Bros.!  This week, we are going to have some fun with science, color mixing, learning patience and making a delicious treat

Save the Earth and bring peace to your galaxy with Steven Universe’s “Crystal Gem” Candy recipe here: https://wbproductions.box.com/v/StevenUniverseCrystalGemCandy

The Science Behind The Fun:

As time passes (and the solution cools), the water will slowly evaporate from the solution. As the water evaporates, the solution will become more saturated with sugar. The sugar molecules will collect on the string, and the candy crystals will grow molecule by molecule!

Extra Science Fun:

Try making two jars of candy. In the first jar - seed your “Crystal Gem” Candy by rolling your string in water and sugar. In the second jar do not seed your string with sugar before growing. Determine if using seed sugar crystals changes the growth rate of your “Crystal Gem” Candy!

About Steven Universe: The Movie:

After so many harrowing adventures, Steven and the Gems are ready to celebrate how far they’ve come with a movie musical! Little do they know they’re about to face their worst enemy yet.

Steven Universe: The Movie is now available to own on Digital, Blu-ray & DVD

Visit The Mob Museum with Special Promotions for July & August

All Museum programs require registration. For more information and to register, visit www.themobmuseum.org/events/.

Howard Hughes, Las Vegas and the Mob: Fact vs. Fiction (This event is sold out, but a waitlist and a live stream are available.)

• Date: Wednesday, July 22
• Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
• Location: To watch a livestream of this event click on the “Watch” button here at 7 p.m. To be added on the waitlist click here.
• Cost: Free for Members and with Museum Admission.
  Description: The Mob Museum’s Vice President of Exhibits and Programs, Geoff Schumacher, author of a newly revised and expanded biography of Howard Hughes, will discuss the myths surrounding the billionaire’s profound effect on the community and the Mob’s hold on the Las Vegas Strip. The Mob Museum is providing a live streaming of the presentation.

July Cocktail Special: Clara Bow

• Date: July 10 to July 31
• Location: The Underground speakeasy and distillery, located in the basement of The Mob Museum.
• Description: Clara Bow was a popular 1920s actress and flapper whose look influenced a generation of young women. In honor of her birthday, the Museum is featuring the Clara Bow cocktail, a mix of bourbon, lemon juice, elderflower liquor and grenadine. The cocktail is available all day in The Underground for $12.

Operation Summer Camp

• Date: July 6 to July 31
• Time: From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.
• Location: Online. The virtual summer camp details are available here.
• Cost: Regular price is $150 per camper and member price is $125.
• Description: “Operation Summer Camp” is a live, Museum educator-directed virtual program offered as daily, 3-hour Zoom sessions plus additional activities to be completed at the campers’ leisure. Campers’ days will include icebreaker activities, small-group sessions, videos, light physical activity, experiments, special guest experts as well as self-motivated activities designed to be completed throughout the week. The Mob Museum is offering two camps targeting different age groups:
• “Operation Investigation” is appropriate for campers age 10 through 14 years old where activities each day will focus on a different topic, including how to build a case by collecting evidence, analyzing DNA, fingerprint examination, trace evidence collection, witness interrogation and more.  
• “Operation: Forensic Science” is recommended for campers 12 through 16 years old. Each day will focus on a different topic, including crime scene investigation, death investigation, fingerprint analysis, firearm and bullet examination, DNA analysis and more.

Special Agent Kit for Operation Summer Camp

• Date: Throughout July
• Location: Online. Purchase a kit here.
• Cost: $65 per participant. 
• Description: The activity kits are designed for participants to complete on their own time. Every kit includes videos, online scavenger hunts, instructions for science experiments and more, as well as weekly optional virtual check-ins with educators and other campers to review their kits and projects. The kit, recommended for ages 10 and up, includes two activities for campers to complete each day, such as videos, online scavenger hunts, instructions for science experiments and other fun activities. Educational topics covered in this kit include crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, DNA analysis, undercover police work and more. The “Special Agent Kit” may be mailed or picked up at the Museum.

Virtual Community Safety Forum: The Science of COVID-19

• Date: Friday, July 24
• Location: Online. To watch this virtual forum click here.
• Cost: Free
• Description: In the ninth installment of The Mob Museum’s community safety forum virtual series, the discussion will focus on the unique challenges Las Vegas faces while responding to COVID-19. Local epidemiologist Brian Labus explains why experts decided to shut down the Las Vegas Strip and instead stress social distancing guidelines. The forum will also cover the prospects for therapeutic medicines and vaccines, and what it’s like to work on an outbreak of this scale. This event is sponsored by NV Energy.

Untangling the Web: The Kennedys, the Mob and Las Vegas

• Date: Thursday, August 13
• Location: In the Historic Courtroom.
• Cost: Free for Members and with Museum Admission.
• Description: For brothers John and Robert Kennedy, the connections to Las Vegas ranged from sex to politics, including a government investigation threatening to shut down the city. Las Vegas historian Michael Green will explore the complex historical webs linking the Kennedy family, organized crime and local politicians.

To ensure the safety of staff and visitors, all guests are required to wear face coverings and will receive a complimentary bottle of FDA-approved hand sanitizer, produced in the Museum’s distillery, while supplies last. All personnel of The Mob Museum have a comprehensive operational plan to follow which can be found here.

For more information, please call (702) 229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org. Admission to the speakeasy is included with general Museum admission and is free for patrons using the daily password found on Instagram stories @MobMuseum_Underground at either the lobby podium or side entrance.

ABOUT THE MOB MUSEUM
The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides a world-class journey through true stories—from the birth of the Mob to today’s headlines. The Mob Museum offers a provocative, contemporary look at these topics through hundreds of artifacts and immersive storylines. Numerous interactive exhibits include a Crime Lab, Firearm Training Simulator and Organized Crime Today exhibit. The Museum is also home to The Underground, a Prohibition history exhibition featuring a speakeasy and distillery sponsored by Zappos. The Mob Museum has accumulated numerous accolades, including being named one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 U.S. Museums,” one of Las Vegas Weekly’s “Twenty Greatest Attractions in Las Vegas History,” one of National Geographic’s “Top 10 Things to Do in Las Vegas,” USA Today’s “Best Museum in Nevada” and one of its “12 Can’t Miss U.S. Museum Exhibits,” “A Must for Travelers” by The New York Times and one of “20 Places Every American Should See” by FOX News. The Museum is a two-time winner of the Mayor’s Urban Design Award for Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum is open daily; visit the website for admission rates and operating hours. For more information, call (702) 229-2734, visit themobmuseum.org, or download the Museum’s free mobile app.

Camp Warner Bros. Week 1

Welcome to week one campers!!!  This week is Super Hero Week! We will be celebrating the release of LEGO DC: Shazam Magic and Monsters providing virtual Super Hero Training to bring out the passion, patience, listening skills and fun in all of our Super Hero campers. In this video, Batman will show you what it takes to be a Super Hero!  He will offer training tips with fun games for our campers including, "Batman Says," "Super Hero Freeze," "Memory Challenges" and more! We had a ton of fun this week tye dying shirts and getting ready for camp!  We want to see all your fun, tag your social media posts with #campwarnerbros so we can see all your fun!  

 Do you think you have what it takes?  We know you do!  

  

Week 1 - LEGO® DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters

10-year-old Billy Batson shouts a single word and, with lightning bolts flashing, he transforms into Shazam!, a full-fledged adult Super Hero. It doesn’t take long for Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and the rest of the Justice League to take notice and invite the earnest do-gooder to join the team. But to become a member, Billy must reveal his true identity. While fighting off the evil Mr. Mind and Black Adam, Billy learns that he must trust others – and that nothing creates trust like helping those in need. Join the good fight with this giant-sized LEGO DC adventure!

t LEGO® DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters is now available to own on Digital, Blu-ray & DVD

Free CPR Course

First Aide Web

While some of us our locked down in our homes during this pandemic, now is a great time to learn or brush up on your CPR skills.  If your kids are home from school this is a great course for them to go through!  We highly encourage you and your family to learn the basics.  Please share and visit the site above for more information. 

Radical self love needs to start earlier! Teach girls as young as 8 to love their bodies!

A recent study showed that girls as young as five years old are experiencing the negative impacts of body shame. This book is targeted at girls aged 8+, as well as parents, teachers, and health professionals with the aim of preventing negative body image and related issues in girls and women by teaching them to see their bodies as incredible instruments rather than as objects. It is the first children’s book that depicts “imperfections” in its illustrations – showing stretch marks and cellulite- erasing the shame associated with them.

Love Your Body by Jessica Sanders, Illustrated by Carol Rossetti │ $17.99 US │ $22.99 CAN │ 40 Pages │ Hardcover 9780711252424 │Frances Lincoln Children's Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group │ March 3, 2020 │ Ages 8-12 

New Study: Nevada No. 36 Oldest State in America

A new study found Nevada has the No. 36 highest percentage of residents who are 65 and older, accounting for 15.7% of the state’s population.

By 2030, it’s estimated that at least 1 in 5 Americans will be age 65 or older, and the gradual aging of the U.S. population will have widespread implications, from healthcare to the workforce.

SeniorLiving.org today released its study, The Oldest States in America, which analyzed the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on population by age group, median age and aging projections in each state.

Here are key findings in Nevada:

·         No. 36 in population 65 and older, 15.7%.

·         No. 16 in population 85 and older, 1.5%.

·         No. 9 in increase of 65+ population between 2010 and 2018, +29.8%.

·         No. 39 in projected increase of 65+ population between 2018 and 2030, +18.6%.

Here are key national findings:

·         The 10 states with the biggest 65+ populations are Maine, Florida, West Virginia, Vermont, Montana, Delaware, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

·         The 10 states with the lowest 65+ populations are Utah, Alaska, Washington, D.C., Texas, Georgia, Colorado, California, North Dakota, Washington and Louisiana.

·         93,000 people in the U.S. are over 100 years old.

·         The median age of Americans is 38.

D-BACKS TO OFFER HOLIDAY PASS FOR JUST $99

What an awesome holiday gift for the sports fan in your life!  The Arizona Diamondbacks will offer a special D-backs Holiday Pass for only $99 that includes tickets to Opening Day and all 31 home games in March, April and May, including series matchups against the Giants, Cubs, Astros and Nationals. For more information, visit www.dbacks.com/holiday.

Just in time for the holidays, the Holiday Pass will go on sale for a limited time beginning Black Friday, November 29 through Cyber Monday, December 2. This unique opportunity is the first time fans will be able to purchase a D-backs Pass that includes Opening Day and exciting 2020 matchups before single-game tickets go on sale next year.

The Holiday Pass is mobile-only through the MLB Ballpark app and non-transferrable. Seating is guaranteed in the Baseline View sections (305-309 & 323-327) for all home games at Chase Field in March through May with options to upgrade each game. A Sit with Friends feature will allow Pass holders the flexibility to be seated next to friends who have the Pass. Fans can purchase up to four Holiday Passes per account and quantities are limited.

In addition, the Chase Field Team Shop be open on Black Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with special deals, including:

• Spend $100 and receive a Baxter scratch off ticket for a free prize
• Receive a free shaker bottle with koozie with any purchase
• Buy one get one for $10 on ‘47 Brand headwear
• Select youth apparel are two for $30
• 50-percent off select 2019 styles
• Fit seven select items in a stocking for $40
• Wear D-backs gear to the store and receive a raffle ticket to win a prize

Smart Winter Fueling Tips

    
It’s barely past Halloween, and already areas from Colorado to North Dakota have experienced significant snow storms. Don’t get caught unprepared. Before the Thanksgiving feast is even planned, get ready for unpredictable winter weather that may strike your area.   Experts at Scepter, manufacturers of industry-leading rugged fuel containers, recommend taking time right now to stock up on fresh supplies of gasoline, kerosene and diesel for your winter emergency needs. “We always hear from people after the first storm of the season who wish they had secured fuel reserves when the weather was cooperating,” says Daniel Marshall, vice president of marketing and business development with Scepter. “Having extra fuel on hand for snow blowers, generators and heaters is so critical before the really bad weather sets in.”

Smart Fueling Tips
Marshall recommends homeowners properly dispose of old fuel kept in containers more than six months. Then get new (winter) fuel in clean, durable containers, like the ScepterTM SmartControlTM kerosene, gas and diesel cans. 

SmartControl containers feature an innovative spout design that makes it easy to fuel equipment, even in the coldest of weather conditions. The spout provides a clean, fast, and hassle-free pour and helps save fuel for where it’s needed by eliminating messy spills. The user-controlled flow valve, with its flame mitigation device (FMD), makes it easier and safer to direct the amount of fuel being dispensed. And, because the container stores with the spout on, hands always stay clean. “There are different types of fuel that work best with the summer and winter seasons,” says Marshall. “Having new, proper seasonal fuel available for the winter is a smart move.”

Another smart move is to test out products that have not been used since last winter before you need them. Refuel and test fuel-operated snow removal equipment, back-up generators, lamps and other products to assure they will operate properly when they’re truly needed during a winter storm.

Safety First
For people using diesel-powered generators during the winter months, basic safety precautions should be taken. A generator safety checklist generally includes items such as remembering to only refuel a generator when the appliance is cold, never place flammable materials near a generator, and avoid closed spaces when operating a generator. 

Homeowners depending on kerosene fuel for heating should also take safety precautions. Farm Bureau Insurance offers kerosene heater safety tips, including using the correct grade of kerosene fuel for heaters and never refueling heaters indoors. “Because different fuels are used especially during the winter months, it’s important to remember that each type of fuel --- gasoline, kerosene and diesel --- should have its own specific fuel container,” says Marshall. “For example, kerosene should never be stored in a container previously used to store other liquids. “Our industry has a universal color identification system for fuels. Red containers are for gasoline, yellow for diesel and blue for kerosene. People should specifically stay with the appropriate colored-container for each fuel and never mix them together.”  No matter what type of fuel is being used, it should be stored in secure, dry locations away from heat sources, pets and easy access to children. And, the FMD should never be removed from the fuel container. A video showcasing proper filling and use of Scepter fuel containers is available on the company’s website. The rugged SmartControl containers are Made in America and designed to substantially exceed ASTM and CPSC minimum standards. Each product includes child safety locks and a flame mitigation device for added protection. 

Recognized by This Old House magazine as a “Top 20 Best New Product of 2019” in the Lawn & Garden category, SmartControl containers are also the recipient of the “Best in Class” Award at the 2018 National Hardware Show. Constructed in the U.S.A. of durable and safe high-density polyethylene, SmartControl containers can be found throughout the U.S. in The Home Depot®, Walmart®, Lowe’s®, AutoZone®, Pep Boys and Northern® Tool + Equipment stores. Visit www.scepter.com for more information.

Get Your Screening Done!

Last year my Dr. wanted me to get a routine mammogram since I'm over 40 😣 She also ordered a Chest CT Scan. I had planned to not get the mammogram, my thinking was that I was to young still & heard horror stories about how painful they are. I went ahead & got the CT scan. A lump in my breast showed up, so I went ahead with the mammogram with an ultrasound. Ladies...it did not hurt at all!! Those tests came back abnormal & they next wanted to do a biopsy. We were scared. Cancer is all we had in our minds. I had my biopsy done at the hospital. I'll be honest, that was no fun.  We got the results - no cancer! ❤ Ladies, don't put it off, get your routine screenings!

Sunrise Health System hospitals are offering $75 3-D digital screening mammograms for those without insurance.  You must be at least 40 which is the recommend age to have a screening done.

I had mine done at Red Rock Radiology and they were so awesome! They made me feel so comfortable and the process was so quick and easy.  Did not hurt at all like all the horror stories I have read! You can schedule your mammogram with them by calling 855-476-1268. 

The Spooky Tales of Captain Underpants: Hack-A-Ween

"Sneak or Snack" your way through the all-new Halloween special exclusively on Netflix!

Based on the EPIC novels of Dav Pilkey (over 80 million copies in print!) comes the Captain Underpants Halloween special, DreamWorks The Spooky Tales of Captain Underpants: Hack-A-Ween premiering on Netflix Tuesday, October 8th!

When mean Principal Krupp and evil boy-genius Melvin make Halloween illegal and institute“Hall-no-Ween,” George and Harold team up with their friends to hack their favorite holiday, creating Hack-A-Ween. The kids wear disguises instead of costumes, carve cabbages instead of pumpkins, and get snacks instead of candy. The hacked holiday is a huge hit, so when Krupp and Melvin make even more trouble, the kids realize that in order to really save Halloween they will have to negotiate with the enemy. DreamWorks The Spooky Tales of Captain Underpants: Hack-A-Ween tra-la-la's its way to Netflix October 8.  In celebration of the upcoming special, we have the trailer to share with you!

Remembers those we lost.....

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

I love scary movies! These horrifying tales come to life on Digital October 22nd and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on November 5th from Lionsgate.  Get ready to be absolutely terrified when Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is released.  The highly anticipated film adaption of the iconic book series brings the thrills and chills of some of Alvin Schwartz's scariest stories to life.  If you are anywhere near my age, I'm sure you are very familiar with the book.  This was one of my favorite books growing up so I am so excited to see what this brings! 

It's 1968 in America.  Change is blowing in the wind....but seemingly far removed from the unrest in the cities is the small town of Mill Valley, where for generations the shadow of the Bellows family has loomed large.   It is their mansion on the edge of town that Sarah, a young girl with horrible secrets, turned her tortured life into a series of scary stories, written in a book that has transcended time.  For a group of teenagers who discover Sarah's terrifying home, the stories become all too real in this spine-tingling film.

Take home Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and immerse yourself in the terrifying world with exclusive special features, including six featurettes on the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital releases and two featurettes on the DVD looking at the development of the creepiest creatures in the film, as well as the process of taking these classic tales from page to screen.

  

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#ScaryStoriesMovie

Las Vegas Renaissance Festival

The Renaissance Festival is coming!!! We love this festival and try to go every year.  The kids love seeing the different costumes and it's so interactive with so many different things to do and see.  You can even camp for the weekend although I would not do that with young children as they might get scared of the costumed characters and festival attendees that dress up.  Grab your family and spend a day here, you might just get hooked and make this an annual thing like we did! 

Location:  Sunset Park 2601 East Sunset Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89120
October 11th & 12th 10am - 10pm
October 13th 10am - 5pm

Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival 

10 “Must-Do” Activities For Sailing On A Large “New To You” Cruise Ship

Variety is the spice of life when it comes to cruising, say the travel experts at CruiseCompete, and sailing on different types of ships is a wonderful way to experience the world through different lenses. Each cruise ship is a new adventure, with its own unique style, amenities, and programs, and as such, deserves a thorough exploration.

Here are 10 “must-do” activities for when you sail on a large “new to you” cruise ship, according to a travel writer at CruiseCompete affiliate All Things Cruise.

1. Explore the entire ship, top to bottom. This will take some time. With the deck plan in hand, start at the highest level accessible to passengers. Walk bow to stern, portside in one direction, starboard in the other. Many might be unending lines of staterooms, but sometimes ship’s put little lounges or bars in unusual places. Move one deck lower. Repeat the process.

Why:  Many people see only a fraction of what’s on offer.

2. Visit every bar on every deck. This will also take some time. There’s probably at least a dozen, maybe double that. This includes bars in specialty restaurants and poolside bars. Assuming you drink, order something in each one. Talk to the bar staff.

Why:  Certain bars get crowded. Find out when you need to get to the popular ones and be able to get a seat. Establish one as your favorite.

3. Get as close to the bow as you can. At least one outside deck probably doubles as a jogging track. On a perfect day, while the ship is at sea, feel the (stiff) wind in your face. Look for dolphins. Look for other ships on the horizon.

Why:  It’s an exciting, often loud experience.

4. Read the ship’s program, cover to cover. Do it on one of your first days at sea. It’s easy to give it the once over and miss 60% of what’s going on. You might have eliminated paper documents from your life years ago, yet here’s one, delivered daily. There are lots of activities spelled out in the fine print. You may not be into needlework or trivia, but you might like blackjack lessons or cooking classes.

Why:  The idea is “There’s something for everybody.”  Are they right?

5. Visit every public space. OK, you gave the 12+ decks the once over early in the voyage. At a quiet time during a sea day, systematically visit every room that’s not a restaurant or someone’s stateroom. In addition to the theater and casino, there’s likely a card room, library, cigar lounge, gym with steam room and sauna, spa, tennis courts and a pool with a retractable glass roof.

Why:  We get into habits. We visit familiar spots, missing out on other features the ship offers.

6. Try at least one dining venue you might ignore. If you are a casual buffet guy, try the formal dining room. If you eat every meal in the dining room, try a specialty restaurant. If you always go for steak and potatoes, try the Asian restaurant.

Why:  If you do everything over and over, a sameness or routine develops. Mix it up.

7. Study the room service menu. Who opens the drawer and pulls out the booklet explaining things like how to make phone calls? Judging by its pristine condition, very few people. The room service menu should be in there. Everything is probably free or included in your fare. How about a romantic dinner for two on your balcony? Think about planning a cabin party for your friends.

Why:  If you entertain at home, why should your cruise be any different? Especially if someone else does the cooking! 

8. Find a quiet spot. Large ships can mean large crowds. Think lots of kids having a great time in the pool, oblivious to how far water travels when you jump in from a great height. Find a spot, sheltered from the wind, ideally with some shade.

Why:  This becomes your special spot to decompress. You read. You nap. Maybe, just maybe, you share it with others.

9. Visit all the channels on your stateroom TV. At sea, your selection is limited, but the cruise ships do what they can to provide variety. You’ve probably got news stations. They might run some movies. Maybe they replay lectures and talks. There may be a few music only channels. There’s probably a bow camera view too.

Why:  Someone back at company HQ probably figured out what their passenger demographic wants to watch while on vacation. What did they choose?

10. Pamper yourself. When was the last time you had a full body massage? Enjoyed a 25-year-old scotch? Ordered caviar and champagne? Pick something you really enjoy that you don’t usually do at home.

Why:  Vacations are meant to help us decompress. They also create memories we revisit when things get stressful in our lives back home. Create some of those memories.

Many people drift through life. Others embark on new experiences with the attitude “If I never pass this way again, what should I do to make the most of this experience? Which are you?

CruiseCompete member-agents are the most well-educated, forward-thinking and trusted cruise specialists in the industry. If you’d like more information or assistance planning a future cruise or a cruisetour, please visit CruiseCompete and try the Virtual Cruise Advisor™ or Live Help.