Celebration Key:Carnival

Last week while sailing on the Carnival Vista, we got to visit Carnival's new private island, Celebration Key. Celebration Key is located on the Grand Bahama island.  It is divided into five portals; Paradise Plaza where you'll enter to live music or dancing, Lokono Cove which has shops to wander through, Calypso Lagoon, a freshwater lagoon featuring rentable cabanas and two swim up bars (including the longest in the world), Starfish Lagoon with a splash pad for kids, and Pearl Cove Beach Club which is an adults only private beach and infinity pool. 

You'll use your Sail and Sign card for everything. One meal per person is included or you can purchase a meal at a full service restaurant for 25% off. Kids eat free at the full service restaurant when they order the kids' meal.  Meal choices include seafood, burgers and fries, pizza, tacos, and more. There are sides, snacks, and ice cream available for purchase. There are free water stations around the island. Our group just got the included meals which ended up being too much to eat, plus one ice cream for the kids to split while we walked back to the ship. 

There are several shore excursions, or you can just hang on the island like we did. We did purchase the wristbands to allow access to the two big water slides. There are volleyball and basketball courts, ping pong tables,  as well as a music play area for kids. You'll want to check your events for the day for the parade. It was after lunch during our day there. If you need help walking, there is a tram that runs regularly through the entire area. 

Dinosaur Quest: Virginia Living Museum

Here now at the Virginia Living Museum, Dinosaur Quest is an interactive way to learn more about dinosaurs. With both indoor and outdoor components, visitors can view animatronic dinosaurs (one that spits water!) and then test your knowledge in a dinosaur maze, full of activities. 

You'll want to check the programing schedule for supplemental activities like their planetarium shows (you must purchase tickets), their Ambassador Animal Show, and their Super Science Show. Also be on the lookout for their T.Rex Trek where a walking dinosaur will make its way through the museum, and their Dino Discovery Family Camp In. 

As always at the Living Museum there is so much to see with indoor and outdoor components. This visit we found a butterfly house and a fairy garden play area which we had never seen before. If you have a dinosaur lover, be sure to head there before the exhibit leaves on September 7th! 

Just Birdies

New in Norfolk, Just Birdies is located in Lambert's Point and is perfect for a hot or rainy day. Book a bay for up to six people to play simulator sports and carnival games. Games include golf, zombie dodgeball, balloon pop, jewel match, bottle breaking, football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, cricket, bocce, and rugby. Many of the sports have several different games included. What we loved about it is that it isn't just playing video games where you're sitting still. In these bays, you'll be aiming at a screen but using real balls and physically working to play. It gets kids up and moving to burn off energy. The bays are $40 an hour. 

They do book parties, and they have a weekly golf league. Check their events page for their live music schedule. They offer a summer play pass, good from now until August 31 with daily play for 2 hours on Monday-Friday from 11-5,  and Saturday and Sunday from 10-2. The pass works for a group of up to six and you'll also get 10 percent off of food and nonalcoholic drinks. I'm already planning our next trip! 

Bogey's 757

Located in the Chelsea district of Norfolk, Bogey's offers 18 courses to putt, plus a practice green outside. What really sets Bogey's apart is the level of interaction on their holes. You'll be playing games like foosball against the other people in your group, zipping on  zipline, bouncing your ball for pong, or spinning giant propellers while you putt. My favorite part was that the holes were all handmade by the owner, and they are locally themed. You can truly tell that a lot of love went into this place. 

Bogey's is open Wednesday through Friday from 3-9 and Saturdays and Sundays from 12-9.  Head to Bogey's, then stop next door at Smartmouth and grab dinner from a food drink plus drinks while the kids play one of their many games. It's a perfect afternoon/evening combo. 

General admission for the putt putt and outdoor putting green is $14 for adults and $12 for kids under ten. You can add an additional round for $8. On site they have a golf simulator for $30-$50 per hour. They also do birthday parties where you can rent a private room. 

TREX Playland

We finally made it out to TREX Playland, Norfolk's newest indoor play area.  The Playland is made up of a huge multi-level indoor jungle gym and activity center, five inflatables, an arcade, a concession stand, and an area just for toddlers. The center is locally owned and opperated and is located on Military Highway in Norfolk across from Military Circle Mall. 

Grippy socks are required, but you can bring your own or purchase a pair for $3.00. We loved that you could bring your own and not have to purchase ones specific for this venue. They are open Tuesday through Thursday from 2-7, Fridays from 2-8, Saturdays from 10-8, and Sundays from 11-7. Admission price is based on height. Guests under 36 inches are $13.20 for the toddler area, and guests 36 inches to 5 feet are $22.00 to play everywhere else. There is no charge for adults. Reentry is allowed. There are also monthly membership packages. 

The concession stand offers prepackaged snacks as well as pizza. The place felt clean, organized, and appropriately staffed. We look forward to returning.