Dream it. Book it. Repeat.– The Blog

                                                       December is usually filled with holiday preparations, gift shopping, family gatherings, and plenty of activity. It may not seem like the obvious time to think about a vacation, but it is actually one of the smartest months to start planning your next cruise. If you are dreaming of warm weather, ocean views, and a relaxing getaway, here are several reasons why December is the perfect time to begin. 1. Wave Season Is Coming Soon January through March is known as Wave Season, the busiest booking period of the year for cruises. Travelers begin planning vacations all at once, and popular promotions appear. By planning in December, you can get ahead of the crowds and still take advantage of early offers before the rush begins. 2. Better Cabin Choices Are Available Cruise cabins, especially the most de...

As the year winds down, many travelers begin to think about the trips they want to take in the months ahead. Planning early truly makes a difference because it offers better pricing, more cabin choices, increased itinerary availability, and more time to get excited. If you are dreaming of a cruise next year, this simple guide will help you choose the best sailing based on the season. 🌞 Winter: Escape the Cold With Warm-Weather Cruises Winter is one of the best times to sail to sunny destinations. The seas are calm, temperatures are mild, and it is the perfect chance to enjoy a relaxing getaway. Best winter cruise destinations: Caribbean Bahamas Mexico Short “sampler” cruises These are ideal for anyone looking for sunshine and an easy, stress-free escape. 🌸 Spring: Ideal Weather and Smaller Crowds Spring is one of the most comfortable travel seasons. Temperatures are pleasant and crowds remain lighter before summer break begins. Best spring cruise destinations:...

One of the best parts of cruising is how carefree it can be. You do not have to rush from attraction to attraction, figure out where to eat, or map out complicated transportation. Even so, some extra costs can still show up during your sailing and catch you off guard. A little planning can make a big difference. These five simple tips can help you enjoy your cruise to the fullest without overspending. 1. Set a Daily Spending Limit Before you board, decide how much you want to spend each day on extras. This can include drinks, specialty restaurants, snacks, and souvenirs. Most cruise lines offer an app that lets you check your onboard balance in real time. Some travelers even bring a prepaid card just for purchases on the ship to make tracking easier. 2. Take Advantage of Happy Hours Many ships offer discounted drinks during certain times of day. If you enjoy a cocktail, choosing to order it during these times can save you a few dollars without reducing any of the fun. 3. Choos...

There’s a special kind of magic in travel, the kind that shows up when things don’t go exactly as planned. If you’ve ever taken a road trip, hopped on a plane, or boarded a cruise ship, you know that the best stories often come from the unexpected twists along the way. One of my favorite childhood memories happened long before GPS, cell phones, or the luxury of tracking each other’s locations from an app. I must’ve been around seven or eight, riding with my sisters in the back of my grandpa’s truck camper on a trip to Arkansas. Seatbelts were optional, we played games to pass the time, and if you were tired, you simply stretched out for a nap. On this trip, Grandma joined us in the back for a rest, which was a rare treat. Later, we stopped for gas, piled out for a restroom break, and then loaded back up as usual. Grandpa got back on the road, we settled in, and everything was perfectly normal, until someone said, “Where’s Grandma?” Grandpa thought she was still in the camper. She ...

  This was our first time on a Celebrity Edge class ship, the Celebrity Apex. First impressions were that this was a classy, modern ship with a laid-back vibe. We were able to drop our carry-on bags in the room right away without having to hang around until rooms were totally ready later on and then grab lunch at the Mast Grill before taking a ship tour. the Mast Grill hot dogs and burgers were an easy way to grab lunch and the ice cream self-serve was there, too! The ship isn’t a huge mega-ship, holding about 2,900 passengers, but it’s designed in a way that gives everyone plenty of space to spread out. It never felt crowded (except maybe in the buffet) and there were lots of venues for shows and activities throughout the ship. We booked this cruise 18 months in advance and were able to grab a Sunset Veranda stateroom. These are located at the very back of the ship and offer a beautiful wake view, which is my favorite view on any ship. They’re also some of the only “true” balconie...

  I was nervous flying overseas since this was my first time. All of the planning definitely paid off, though. The Belgrave Hotel was a great location, a little off the main London touristy area, yet close enough to a train station that we could easily walk there. The rooms were comfortable, and the bar and restaurant downstairs were wonderful. There were also several great dinner options within walking distance, which made our first nights in London relaxing and easy. We decided to have a private driver take us from London to Southampton because we did not want to lug our luggage onto a train or bus, and that worked out perfectly. We stayed at the White Star Tavern , a fun spot with live music and a cozy restaurant and bar below the rooms. As a bit of history, the Titanic was part of the White Star Line, and this very inn was where some guests stayed before boarding in 1912. You could feel a sense of nostalgia in the air. The next morning, we caught a taxi to the port, and seeing ...