It’s a Wrap!
January 1, 2026
Thanks to everyone for making my 40th birthday better than I could have ever imagined.
Thanks to everyone for making my 40th birthday better than I could have ever imagined.
We did it! One Cruise. One Crew. One Iconic Birthday. It definitely made turning 40 a little more bearable.
As promised, I’m putting together a shared gallery (and a little something special 👀), so I need your photos and videos — especially the ones I wasn’t in the room for because I was being social/cute/drunk.
Check your e-mail for the upload link.
Upload your photos or videos by Friday, December 19, 2025. We don’t want them to be replaced by holiday snaps!
Happy embarkation day! Today we set sail to celebrate Tony’s 40th the only way that makes sense – on a boat, with drinks, with the best people! 🥂🛳️
As you head to the port this morning, a few quick things:
Safe travels to Port Everglades
Even though Tony and Sam live in Miami, this cruise will be departing from Fort Lauderdale. Give yourself extra time for traffic, parking, ride share, security, and check-in. Port Everglades has multiple entrances. Celebrity recommends entering via I-595 East.
Keep your docs handy
Passport and cruise boarding docs – don’t bury them in your suitcase!
Look for the crew
We’ll try to link up before we sail away — check the group chat for live updates.
Post in the group chat once you are on board
Let everyone know once you’ve made it on board so Tony isn’t paranoid that we’ve left someone.
Photo-sharing reminder
We’ll be collecting pics and videos after the cruise in a shared folder. Please take LOTS of photos and videos – ship, dinners, ports, Tony being extra, Sam rolling his eyes because he has to have his picture taken again – and keep them! We’ll send the upload link once we’re back on land.
That’s it! Go have fun, check in early, grab a welcome drink, and get ready to have a week filled with fun.
Tomorrow’s the big day! We’re officially 24 hours from setting sail to celebrate Tony’s 40th Birthday and it’s going to be unforgettable! 🥂
Here’s what it’s looking like for our first few days at sea:
| DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 |
 |  |  |
| AM Showers | Partly Cloudy | Sunny |
| High: 86° Low: 74° | High: 87° Low: 79° | High: 82° Low: 79° |
| Puerto Plata | St. Thomas | St. Maarten |
Puerto Plata — Warm and mostly clear during our 7:30 AM–2:30 PM visit. A quick sprinkle is possible early, but skies brighten fast. Great beach/excursion weather.
St. Thomas — Warm with a light breeze from 12:00 PM–6:30 PM. Clouds may drift in and out, but rain chances stay low. Ideal afternoon for exploring.
St. Maarten— Warm and breezy from 8:30 AM–5:30 PM. A brief morning shower is possible, but the day trends sunny. Perfect for beach time and island wandering.
At Sea Days — Expect warm tropical weather with a mix of sun and clouds, steady ocean breezes, and slight-to-moderate seas. Perfect for pool time and onboard activities.
Pack light layers, something peachy for the deck, and maybe a hat for those sea breezes
Before you start celebrating, please complete Celebrity Cruise’s online health questionnaire today. This step is required for check-in and helps speed things up at the port.
If you’ve already done it – awesome! ⭐️
If not, take two minutes to do it now so you’re not stuck filling it out tomorrow morning.
That’s it!
Pack your sunscreen, charge your phone, and get ready to set sail tomorrow afternoon!
In just one week, we set sail on the most iconic birthday cruise the Caribbean has ever seen. Before you start pre-gaming your liver or panic-packing glitter shorts, here’s your Final Boarding Checklist to make sure nothing sinks before we even leave port.
If you haven’t already, complete your Celebrity Cruises check-in and download the app for your boarding pass and health forms.
We’ll be embarking from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Celebrity Cruises will assign you a boarding time when you complete check-in. Early boarding times go fast. The sooner you complete the check-in process, the less waiting around you’ll be doing on Sunday.
If you haven’t already, please make sure you reimburse Sam for the group excursions you signed up for, if any.
Check your email for your one-stop guide to everything: cabin directory, contact information, itinerary, excursions, tips & tricks, emergency info, and more. Save it, print it, sleep with it under your pillow if needed.
Now go hydrate, charge your devices, and practice your “I can’t believe it’s only day two” face. Can’t wait to see all of you onboard.
Unfortunately, we’ve been notified that our planned group scuba/snorkel outing has been cancelled and will not be running on this cruise. I know a lot of us were excited about this one, so I’m really sorry for the change in plans.
If you still want an adventure in St. Thomas, you can:
Totally up to you—this just means the group scuba/snorkel plan is off, not that you’re stuck on the ship.
If you have questions about your specific booking or you’re unsure how this affects you, let us know and we’ll help untangle it.
Thanks for rolling with the punches.
Because “I forgot it at home” is not the vibe.
Whether you’re a minimalist packer or someone who travels with a hairdryer, ring light, and emotional support steamer, here’s your cheat sheet for what to bring — and what to leave behind.
We’re just four weeks away from setting sail for Tony’s 40th—and we want to make sure everyone gets to the ship stress-free and ready to party! 🥳
Before we go full cruise mode, we need a quick favor:
If you haven’t yet, head to Celebrity Cruises’ site or app to complete your check-in. It helps things go faster at the port!
Please check your email and click the link to share:
Thanks for helping us keep things smooth and stress-free. We seriously can’t wait to celebrate with all of you!
We’ve locked in three group excursions for the trip (Nov 30–Dec 7, 2025). These are 100% optional—this is your vacation just as much as it’s Tony’s 40th! If a pool day and a margarita are calling your name, we love that for you. 😎
Here’s what’s on the menu:
Slide, splash, and hike through a series of natural waterfalls. Think: adrenaline with a side of epic photos.
Crystal-clear water, vibrant reefs, and sea turtles if we’re lucky. Great for beginners and certified divers alike.
A rolling feast of island flavors and local gems. Come hungry, leave happier.
Check the WhatsApp group for more information. Sam will share times, pricing, and how to book. He’ll also answer questions and help match folks to the right vibe.
With our cruise just around the corner, here’s a friendly reminder to double-check your vaccinations before we sail. Staying ahead of health details means more fun, less worry.
For both the Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) and St. Maarten / Sint Maarten, the following vaccine guidance is highly advised:
| Vaccine / Immunization | Why it Helps | Notes/Timing |
| Routine vaccines (MMR, Tdap, polio, etc.) | To protect against common vaccine-preventable illnesses | Make sure you’re up-to-date per your primary care provider. |
| Hepatitis A | Spread via contaminated food or water — risk exists regardless of where you eat or stay. | If you haven’t had it, plan for it now. |
| Typhoid | Also spread via food / water, especially outside major hotels or in local areas. | Injectable version should be administered at least 2 weeks before travel. |
| COVID-19 | Respiratory virus risk remains globally. | Current year’s COVID vaccine is a good idea |
| Influence (Flu) | Seasonal risk, especially in group settings or when traveling. | Current year’s flu vaccine is a good idea. |
| Hepatitis B / Rabies / Others | Depending on your itinerary, activities, or health history | These are less likely but worth checking if your travel or contact with animals is possible. |
