Tag: cruise tips

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: I Took Her Back to Where I Proposed | Anthem of the Seas Day 4 (Airlie Beach)

Day 4 aboard Anthem of the Seas brings us to our first of two days in Airlie Beach! So lets explore this wonderful Whitsundays location.

Eight years ago to the week, Matt proposed to Deb on cruise to Airlie Beach. This week, we came back β€” on Anthem of the Seas β€” to walk the same streets, sit by the same marina, and see how much has changed.

This was a tender port day, with Anthem anchored in the Whitsundays and cruise passengers tendering into Shute Harbour before transferring by bus into Airlie Beach.

We explore the Airlie Beach markets, walk through town, find out what tours and activities are available for cruise passengers, and book two local experiences through Airlie Beach Tourism.

For our first Airlie Beach adventure, we jump aboard a Just Tuk’n Around Tuk Tuk tour and explore more of Airlie Beach with local guide Stevie J.

Later in the afternoon, we head back to Shute Harbour for a sunset glass-bottom boat tour with Pioneer Adventures, complete with bubbles, nibbles, coral viewing, fish spotting and a beautiful Whitsundays sunset.

Then it is time for a night tender back to Anthem of the Seas, a late dinner in the Main Dining Room, dancing waiters and Caribbean Night onboard.

Champagne, nibbles, coral viewing, a stunning Whitsundays sunset, a night tender back to Anthem, a very late Caribbean Night dinner in the main dining room, and one moment I’d been holding onto all day. This video has it all

Whether you are planning a future trip to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays or just enjoy watching travel adventures, this update provides a practical look at our experience in the Whitsundays.

πŸ›³οΈ Ship: Anthem of the Seas
🚒 Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
πŸ“ Port: Airlie Beach / Shute Harbour
🌏 Region: Whitsundays, Queensland

Useful Links:

Airlie Beach Tourism
https://airliebeachtourism.com.au/

Just Tuk’n Around Airlie Beach
https://www.justtuknaround.com.au/

Pioneer Adventures
https://www.pioneeradventures.com.au/

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:43 Tender Times for Airlie Beach
01:15 Cruise Tenders in the Whitsundays
01:49 Arriving at Shute Harbour
02:49 Airlie Beach Cruise Transfers
03:03 Arriving in Airlie Beach
04:37 Airlie Beach Cruise Markets
07:12 Exploring Airlie Beach
07:41 Things To Do In Airlie Beach
07:58 Booking Tours in Airlie Beach
09:38 What We Booked For Today
09:52 Airlie Beach Tuk Tuk Tour
11:35 A Very Important Question
12:37 Just Tuk’n Around Airlie Beach
14:24 Back To Shute Harbour
17:02 Glass Bottom Boat Sunset Tour
18:11 Champagne, Nibbles & Reef Views
19:24 Whitsundays Reef & Coral Viewing
21:14 Sunset Cruise From Shute Harbour
22:56 Night Tender Back To Anthem
24:25 Hot Day Dinner Delay
26:35 Dancing Waiters
29:50 Caribbean Night Party

If you enjoy cruise vlogs, port guides, Royal Caribbean tips and real travel adventures, make sure you subscribe and come along for the rest of our Anthem of the Seas series.

#AirlieBeach #AnthemoftheSeas #RoyalCaribbean #Whitsundays #CruiseVlog #CruiseAustralia

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚒 6 New Cruise Ships, Cruise Brawl & IS winter Cruising coming to Australia?

elcome back to Deb & Matt Chat LIVE! 🚒

Another huge week in cruising with major announcements, industry investment and plenty to discuss!

πŸ—žοΈ Tonight’s Cruise News

🚒 MSC to order SIX new cruise ships
One of the biggest shipbuilding announcements in recent years, with deliveries stretching well into the 2030s with official announcement teased

πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Is winter cruising finally about to take off in Australia?
Could Australia become a genuine year-round cruise destination?

πŸ† Carnival Rewards introduces milestone benefits
More recognition and rewards for loyal Carnival cruisers.

πŸ₯Š Another cruise ship brawl goes viral
What does it say about passenger behaviour… and are these incidents really becoming more common?

πŸ”₯ River cruise fire prompts emergency evacuation
Thankfully everyone is safe, but it raises questions about onboard safety and emergency procedures.

πŸ’¬ Tonight’s Questions

πŸ‘‰ Is MSC becoming Royal Caribbean’s biggest long-term competitor?

πŸ‘‰ Would you cruise from Australia during winter?

πŸ‘‰ Do cruise loyalty programs influence who you sail with?

πŸ‘‰ Are cruise fights becoming more common-or just more visible?

⚑ Plus…

🎀 30 Second Quick Questions

πŸ’¬ Viewer Q&A

🚒 Cruise chat and banter

πŸ‘ Like & Subscribe

πŸ”” Turn on notifications

πŸ“Ί Deb & Matt Chat – Life, Cruise & Travel

Covering key topics tonight including.
SC Cruises, MSC new ships, cruise industry news, Australia winter cruising, Carnival Rewards, Carnival loyalty program, cruise brawl, river cruise fire, cruise news Australia, cruise live stream, cruise discussion

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Matt Can’t Dance… But This Royal Caribbean Sea Day Was Brilliant!

Day 3 aboard Anthem of the Seas is another sea day, but this one is packed with big WOWS, surprises, laughs, food discoveries and a whole lot of fun!

We start the day with breakfast in Windjammer and CafΓ© Promenade before exploring the Royal Promenade, checking out the Royal Theatre popcorn stand and trying our luck at bingo.

We also share a Crown & Anchor tip after discovering a loyalty benefit we nearly missed, spend some relaxing time in the beautiful Anthem of the Seas Solarium, and make a brand-new drink discovery thanks to a viewer recommendation β€” Skrewball peanut butter whiskey.

Then it is off to Italian night in the Main Dining Room, where a simple minestrone soup absolutely steals the show, Deb enjoys an amazing main meal, Matt attempts some very questionable dancing, and our waiter finishes the night with a little dinner table magic.

To wrap up the evening, we enjoy Scared Weird Little Guys and the 80s party onboard Anthem of the Seas.

πŸ›³οΈ Ship: Anthem of the Seas
🚒 Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
🌏 Cruise: Sydney to Airlie Beach
πŸ“… Day 3: Sea Day

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:05 Windjammer Breakfast & Peanut Butter Toast
01:14 CafΓ© Promenade Breakfast Option
02:44 Royal Promenade Walkthrough
05:04 Royal Theatre Popcorn Tip
05:49 A Wiggly Cruise Mystery
07:04 Crown & Anchor Bingo Benefits
09:49 Bingo in the Royal Theatre
10:24 Love and Marriage Show
10:53 Anthem of the Seas Solarium
16:06 Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey Surprise
16:52 Deb Finds A New Favourite Drink
17:21 Correcting The Recommendation
18:55 Italian Night Dinner Parade
19:11 Matt Can’t Dance
19:50 Main Dining Room Starters
20:47 The Simple Dish That Stole The Show
21:02 Main Dining Room Mains
23:58 Dessert Time
27:08 Dinner Table Magic Show
28:26 Scared Weird Little Guys Show
28:53 80s Party & Final Thoughts

If you enjoy cruise vlogs, Royal Caribbean tips, cruise food reviews and real travel adventures, make sure you subscribe and come along for the rest of our Anthem of the Seas series.

#AnthemoftheSeas #RoyalCaribbean #CruiseVlog #CruiseAustralia #CruiseLife

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: We Didn’t Expect This on Day 2 of Our Cruise!

Day 2 aboard Anthem of the Seas was meant to be a relaxing sea day… but it turned into something much more!

After a leisurely brunch, we met some wonderful viewers and unexpectedly found ourselves enjoying an open house tour of one of Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Grand Loft Suites.

See what a relaxing morning routine looks like on board in this cruise vlog, we start our second morning feeling rested and refreshed while sailing to our next destination. We explore the ship deck to check the weather conditions before heading inside for a delicious cruise ship brunch. If you are planning a trip or just curious about life at sea, this travel day vlog offers a realistic look at our daily onboard experience.

We also share a quick food highlight, including a warm apple cobbler with ice cream that we enjoyed during our meal. Whether you are curious about the food quality or the general atmosphere on the Anthem of the Seas, this video gives you an honest glimpse of our day at sea.

Subscribe for regular cruise travel guides and updates, and let us know in the comments what ship you are planning to sail on next.
Along the way we discover one of our favourite cruise hacks at Two70 CafΓ©, try our luck at Bingo, discuss Crown & Anchor loyalty benefits, encounter some surprising prices, and enjoy some fantastic live music including an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute show.

Of course, no day would be complete without another delicious dinner in the Main Dining Room and a few laughs along the way.

πŸ›³οΈ Anthem of the Seas
🌏 Sydney to Airlie Beach Cruise
🚒 Royal Caribbean

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:31 Brunch
04:03 Grand Loft Suite Open House
06:30 A Royal Mystery
07:39 Top Tip – Two70 Cafe
09:49 Bingo
10:24 Crown and Anchor Bingo Benefits
15:10 Interactive Art
16:00 Shore Excursions
16:14 Cabin Hints
17:09 Price Shock
19:17 Champagne Fail
20:45 Cruise Live Music
21:23 Deb’s Secret Past
23:10 French Menu Royal Caribbean
26:08 Main Dining Room Starters
29:51 Mains
31:19 Dessert
33:47 Earth Wind and Fire Tribute
34:36 Wrap Up
36:39 Coming Up

If you enjoy cruise vlogs, Royal Caribbean tips and travel adventures, subscribe and come along for the rest of our Anthem of the Seas series!

#AnthemoftheSeas #RoyalCaribbean #CruiseVlog #CruiseLife #GrandLoftSuite

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: We Arrived For Our Cruise… But There Was NO SHIP! | Anthem of the Seas

Welcome aboard Anthem of the Seas!

Our Sydney to Airlie Beach cruise adventure officially begins, but things don’t quite go to plan when we arrive at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal and discover one very important thing is missing…

The ship!

Join us as we travel from Brisbane to Sydney, explore Circular Quay, check out recent airport upgrades, drop our bags, complete embarkation, board Anthem of the Seas and enjoy our first day onboard.

We also visit Windjammer Marketplace, explore the ship, enjoy sailaway from Sydney Harbour, test GIGSKY connectivity, watch aircraft movements around Sydney Airport and experience our first dinner in the Main Dining Room.

Unfortunately, we also encounter a couple of unexpected problems, including damaged clothing and an issue with our cabin shower.

πŸ›³οΈ Ship: Anthem of the Seas
🌏 Cruise: Sydney to Airlie Beach
🚒 Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean

Anthem of the Seas – Arrival in Sydney https://youtube.com/live/qn9tn2cwieY?feature=share

Sydney Harbour Cruise Ship Sailaway
https://youtube.com/live/KPVIB4nKD48?feature=share

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:22 Late Cruise Arrival
00:42 Brisbane Airport Upgrades
01:32 Sydney Airport Train
01:55 Circular Quay Sydney
03:11 Cruise Bag Drop
04:45 Anthem of the Seas Arrives
05:39 Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal
08:27 Sydney Light Rail
08:37 Cruise Supplies
10:03 Cruise Embarkation
10:47 Cruise Boarding
12:06 Finding Our Cabin
12:41 Lunch in Windjammer
15:45 GIGSKY Preview
16:21 Plane Spotting in Sydney
17:39 Sailaway
18:18 Warning – Ruined Clothes
20:03 Shower Problems
21:14 Main Dining Room – American Icon
24:31 Starters
28:11 Dinner
31:08 Dessert
33:31 Outro

If you enjoy cruise vlogs, cruise news, ship reviews and travel adventures, be sure to subscribe and join us for the rest of this Anthem of the Seas series.

#AnthemoftheSeas #RoyalCaribbean #CruiseVlog #CruiseLife #SydneyCruise #CruiseAustralia

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Anthem of the Seas Interior Cabin 11703: Full Room Tour

Welcome aboard Anthem of the Seas!

In this first video of our brand-new cruise series, we’re taking you inside Cabin 11703, an Interior Stateroom with Royal Caribbean’s famous Virtual Balcony.

We’ll show you everything you need to know before you book, including the layout, storage, bathroom, power outlets, air conditioning, tea and coffee facilities, room service options, and a couple of little surprises we discovered during our cruise.
This is our first impressions tour Anthem of the Seas cabin 11703 to see what this specific stateroom looks like before you book your next cruise vacation.

If you are planning a trip on Anthem of the Seas, knowing exactly what to expect from your accommodations is essential. This cabin tour of room 11703 walks you through the layout and features, helping you decide if this specific Royal Caribbean room is the right choice for your travel needs.

We show you how to access the space using your Sea Pass card, verifying that you have the correct stateroom upon arrival. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a frequent traveler, seeing a real cruise cabin setup helps remove the guesswork from your booking process.

Subscribe for weekly cruise room breakdowns, and comment below if you want to see more stateroom tours from this ship.
We also share some practical cruise hacks, including our favourite towel trick, why you should pack magnetic hooks, and what travel adaptor you’ll need.

If you’re planning a Royal Caribbean cruise from Sydney, or you’re considering an interior cabin with a virtual balcony, this review should help you decide if it’s the right cabin for you.

πŸ“ Cruise: Anthem of the Seas
πŸ›³οΈ Cabin: 11703
🚒 Cabin Type: Interior Stateroom with Virtual Balcony
🌏 Itinerary: Sydney to Airlie Beach

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:12 Seapass Card
00:53 Entry Area
01:09 Evacuation Card
01:30 Do Not Disturb
01:42 Air Conditioning
02:04 Bring Your Hooks
02:37 Bathroom
03:09 Towel Hack
05:06 Storage
05:21 Hanging Space
06:06 Virtual Balcony
06:56 Power
07:16 Travel Adaptor
07:55 Tea and Coffee
08:31 Room Service
09:17 Cruise Fridge
09:51 Problem #1
11:32 Final Thoughts

If you enjoy cruise tips, travel advice, cabin reviews and live cruise news, make sure you subscribe and join us each week.

#RoyalCaribbean #AnthemoftheSeas #CabinTour #VirtualBalcony #CruiseTips #CruiseReview #SydneyCruise #AirlieBeach #DebAndMattChat

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚒 Floating Cities, Carnival Changes & MSC’s New Mega Ship

Welcome back to Deb & Matt Chat LIVE! 🚒

We’ve got another fun week of cruise news, opinions and plenty of community chat.

πŸ—žοΈ Tonight’s Cruise News

🚒 Freedom Ship returns
The concept of a permanent floating city is back. This certainly brings a new meaning to the idea of living seaside. Could people really live on a ship full time? Is this even a ship?

🎫 Carnival introduces new Sail & Sign cards
A fresh look for one of cruising’s most recognisable items and another step in Carnival’s loyalty evolution.

πŸ“± John Heald changes his social media role
Carnival’s legendary Brand Ambassador is stepping back from his full-time online presence.

🌏 MSC World Asia countdown begins
MSC continues its mega ship expansion with new attractions and experiences.
⚑ PLUS…

🎀 30 Second Quick Questions are back!

One question. Thirty seconds. No time to overthink the answer!

And of course we’ll have all the usual cruise banter, live chat and viewer questions.

πŸ’¬ Tonight’s discussion:

πŸ‘‰ Would you live permanently on a floating city?

πŸ‘‰ Do cruise loyalty programs matter?

πŸ‘‰ Is John Heald the most influential personality in cruising?

πŸ‘‰ Are cruise ships becoming the destination?

πŸ‘ Like & Subscribe

πŸ”” Turn on notifications

πŸ“Ί Deb & Matt Chat β€” Life, Cruise & Travel

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚒 Data Breach, New Cruise Perks & Passenger Warning

Welcome back to Deb & Matt Chat LIVE 🚒

This week we’re covering some fascinating cruise news stories that touch on security, loyalty rewards, cruise bargains and cultural expectations ashore.

Tonight’s Cruise News Stories

πŸ” Carnival Corporation Cyber Security Incident
A major data breach has potentially exposed customer information, raising questions about privacy and security in the cruise industry.

⭐ Celebrity Cruises Loyalty Program Changes
Celebrity is introducing new milestone rewards and benefits, filling the gap between Elite Plus and Zenith status levels.

πŸ‘™ Carnival’s Lifou Dress Code Warning
Passengers have been reminded to respect local customs when visiting Lifou, sparking debate about cultural expectations and cruise tourism.

πŸ’¬ Plus our usual cruise chat, questions, opinions and community discussion.

Tonight’s Questions

πŸ‘‰ How concerned are you about cruise line data security?

πŸ‘‰ Do cruise loyalty programs influence which cruise line you choose?

πŸ‘‰ Should passengers be expected to adapt to local customs when visiting ports?

Join us LIVE and have your say!

πŸ‘ Like
πŸ”” Subscribe
πŸ’¬ Join the conversation

πŸ“Ί Deb & Matt Chat – Life, Cruise & Travel

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: LIVE Cruise News, Cruise Confessions & Audience Q&A LIVE!

Join us LIVE tonight for another fun episode of Deb & Matt Chat as we cover this week’s cruise news, share some updates from around the cruise world, and try something a little different…

🚒 DEB vs MATT: CRUISE QUICKFIRE! πŸ”₯

We’ll each have just 60 seconds to answer rapid-fire cruise questions ranging from embarrassing cruise moments and favourite ports to cruise hot takes, travel fails and funny stories from our adventures together.

And we want YOU involved too!
Answer the questions live in the chat and join the conversation throughout the stream.

Tonight’s stream includes:
βš“ This week’s cruise news roundup
βš“ Deb vs Matt Cruise Quickfire
βš“ Cruise confessions & hot takes
βš“ Audience participation questions
βš“ Live audience Q&A

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser, planning your first cruise, or just love cruise banter and travel stories, come hang out with us live!

#CruiseNews #CruiseLive #DebAndMattChat #Cruising #RoyalCaribbean #PrincessCruises #CarnivalCruise #CruiseTips #CruiseVlog #LiveStream

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: The Truth About This Interior Cabin 🚒 Carnival Encounter Room 5236 Review

After spending our cruise in Interior Cabin 5236 aboard the Carnival Encounter, it’s time for our full end-of-trip cabin review.

In this honest cabin review, we break down:
βœ… what worked well
❌ what challenged us
😴 the bedding and pillows
πŸ”Š the noise issues
🚿 bathroom practicality
πŸ“ cabin location on Deck 5
⚠ maintenance concerns
πŸ₯€ fridge performance and storage

This is the REAL review after actually living in the cabin for the cruise β€” not just first impressions.

If you’re considering booking an interior cabin on Carnival Encounter, especially Cabin 5236 or nearby rooms, this video should help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your cruise.

πŸ‘‡ Let us know:
What’s the BIGGEST thing you look for in a cruise cabin?

🚒 Part of our full Carnival Encounter Australia Day cruise series:
βœ” Embarkation day
βœ” Daily cruise vlogs
βœ” Cabin tours
βœ” Dining reviews
βœ” Honest cruise experiences

Subscribe to follow along!

00:00 Intro
00:10 Carnival Encounter Cabin 5236 Review
00:31 Bedding Comfort Review
01:34 Pillows & Sleep Quality
03:34 Fridge Performance
05:38 Maintenance Issues
06:21 Bathroom Review
08:27 Cabin Location on Deck 5
09:37 Noise Problems 🚨
10:43 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up

#CarnivalEncounter #CruiseCabinReview #CruiseTips #CarnivalCruise #CruisingAustralia

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Carnival Encounter Family Friendly Australia Day Cruise

It’s Australia Day aboard the Carnival Encounter πŸ‡¦πŸ‡ΊπŸš’

In this final full day of our long weekend cruise from Brisbane, the ship really came alive with classic Aussie-themed activities, deck games, trivia, entertainment and plenty of fun.

From morning trivia and lunch at Waterfront Restaurant, to ice carving, thong throwing competitions, afternoon drinks, dinner, parties and evening shows β€” this was a fun-filled sea day onboard Carnival Encounter.

πŸŽ₯ In this vlog:
βœ…Australia Day celebrations at sea
βœ…Morning trivia sessions
βœ…Sam I Am / Dr Seuss fun
βœ…Lunch at Waterfront Restaurant
βœ…Ice cream eating competition
πŸ¦βœ…Ice carving demonstration
βœ…Thong throwing competition πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ίβœ…Afternoon drinks onboard
βœ…Dinner review
βœ…Evening entertainment and shows

This is part of our full Carnival Encounter Australia Day Cruise Series from Brisbane, including embarkation, cabin tours, dining, entertainment and honest cruise experiences.

πŸ‘‡ Let us know in the comments:What’s the MOST Australian thing you’ve ever seen on a cruise ship?

Chapter Markers

00:00 Intro
00:19 Australia Day on Carnival Encounter
00:45 Morning Trivia
03:50 Sam I Am Dr Seuss Fun
04:13 Waterfront Restaurant Lunch
09:04 Ice Cream Eating Competition 🍦
09:31 Ice Carving Demonstration
10:05 Thong Throwing Competition πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί
13:15 Afternoon Drinks
14:28 Dinner on Carnival Encounter
20:40 Evening Shows & Entertainment
21:48 Final Thoughts
22:46 Jessie & James
#carnivalencounter #AustraliaDay #CruiseVlog #CarnivalCruise #CruisingAustralia

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise Updates 🚒 Royal Beach Club Opens Santorini, Disney Extends & Icon Class Grows

Welcome back to Deb & Matt Chat LIVE 🚒

This week we’re diving into some major cruise industry updates β€” from brand new destinations and ship orders to changing port strategies and infrastructure investments.

πŸ—žοΈ This week’s cruise news:

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡· Royal Beach Club Santorini opens
Royal Caribbean launches its first Royal Beach Club in Europe, offering a premium beach experience as part of new shore excursions

πŸš€ Royal Caribbean orders more Icon-class ships
Two additional ships confirmed for delivery in 2029 and 2030 as the Icon class continues to expand

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Juneau introduces cruise passenger caps
New limits aim to balance tourism with local community needs and reduce overcrowding

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Princess & Holland America invest in Alaska community rebuild
Cruise lines commit funding to restore a historic American Legion post in Ketchikan

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Disney Cruise Line extends San Diego partnership
Agreement through 2031 expands sailings and strengthens West Coast operations

✨ PLUS:
We’ll share updates from Ovation of the Seas following her recent dry dock

πŸ’¬ Join us LIVE as we break it all down!

πŸ‘‰ Are cruise destinations becoming too controlled?
πŸ‘‰ Are ships getting too big?
πŸ‘‰ Is overtourism reshaping cruise itineraries?

πŸ‘ Like & Subscribe for weekly cruise news
πŸ“Ί Deb & Matt Chat β€” Life, Cruise & Travel

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