Journal

They solve the same problem — no driving, no hotel research, no logistics. Underneath that, they produce two very different trips. Here's how I sort out which format fits.

Two travelers can pay the same suite premium on two different river cruises and get very different things for it. Here's what the upgrade actually buys, and when I tell clients to skip it.

Almost every week, someone tells me they've been thinking about a river cruise. They've usually seen an ad, or a friend came back from the Danube and hasn't stopped talking about it. Then they ask me the question I always get: is it better than what I already do? That's the wrong question. River cruising and ocean cruising are two different kinds of vacations that happen to both involve a ship. Neither one is the upgrade. The right one for you depends on how you actually want

We just came back from a 10 night sailing on the Celebrity Summit living the suite life in The Retreat(The suite only areas on the ship). We stayed in a Sky Suite and got really lucky to get a suite with an extended balcony. Having a larger, nicer room was actually the least important benefit of staying in a suite. See below for details on why the Celebrity Retreat is a MUST DO experience! The VIP Experience From the moment you arrive at the pier the VIP experience starts.

1. You already hire experts to get a better result We are all quick to call an expert when we are in a jam or out of our skillset; mechanic, accountant, attorney, dentist, or plumber. From cutting our hair to preparing our taxes, there are just some tasks that are better left for the pros. Travel is one of the biggest three purchases you’ll make in your life after a home and car (or college tuition if that’s in the cards for you). You use experts to save yourself time and s

Best for: Young at heart, foodies, party crowd, fitness fans Not for: Those looking for quiet relaxation, traditional cruisers, families Quick Summary: Virgin Voyages provides a fun, upscale adults only experience that is a game changer in cruising. If you like the traditional cruise experience you will probably not like Virgin Voyages. This brand will appeal to those who dislike the traditional cruise experience. They live by their mission to make an epic sea change for a

One of the most popular stops in Florida is the grand city of Miami, located on the southeast coast of the state. With vast beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich culture, Miami has something to offer everyone. Here are five places to try out on your next trip to Miami. 1. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Visit this gorgeous park on a sunny day and enjoy the vast array of exotic and rare plants and wildlife. Explore the rare plant house, which is home to 450 species of rare tr

Guests on the new Silver Origin explore the islands with a team of Ecuadorian guides and the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the islands. Snorkeling tops the list of popular activities on many expedition cruises. But snorkeling in the Galápagos Islands – whether from a Zodiac or a deserted beach – will have you hooting through your snorkel. “Sea lion pups want to play with you, penguins sometimes cruise by underwater, and sea turtles aren’t even bothered by our presence,” says

1. Not arriving at your departure port the day BEFORE your cruise. So much can go wrong with airport delays, interstate traffic, cancelled flights, etc. Isn't it worth the cost of a hotel room to know for sure that you will be boarding that ship before the crowds? 2. Getting too drunk No one enjoys having an obnoxious drunk by them on the lido deck or at their dinner table. Just because you CAN drink a bucket of beer before lunch doesn't mean you SHOULD. New beverage packages

I have sailed on the Celebrity Summit twice. It is a great ship that was built in 2001 but was refreshed and modernized in 2019 during the $500 million dollar fleet-wide Celebrity Revolution program. During the refresh "The Retreat" was added which includes a suite only sundeck and lounge. The Retreat Sundeck is a luxurious outdoor area that rivals any high-end resort. Designed by Kelly Hoppen, MBE, this spacious lounge area makes it easy to unplug with plush, stylish furni

Alaska is the largest state in the United States in terms of area. It has the most glaciers in the nation, including the Hubbard glacier – the largest tidewater glacier in North America. If Manhattan had the same population density as Alaska, only 28 people would inhabit the island. But there would be a whole lot of bears! Almost everywhere the backdrop is composed of spectacular mountains with waterfalls, creeks and rivers, and the occasional volcano. The coastline is scatte

Cruising the Galapagos Islands is an experience that appears on many bucket lists(Including mine). It is an amazing experience and the only place in the world where the wildlife shows no fear of humans, meaning you can observe it from just a few feet away. Before or after a Galapagos cruise many clients request to add on Machu Picchu. Although this is quite popular I would recommend against it because it does involve quite a bit of flying. I would recommend visiting Machu

Most commonly thought of in Europe, on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Douro and even Po rivers, River Cruising is also extending itself to Russia, China, Vietnam & Cambodia and – yes...even the United States (although US River Cruising is a whole different animal). Many of the voyages are “themed”, for special interests such as “wine immersion”, “Tulip Time”, “Jewish Heritage”, a popular “beer tasting cruise” along the Rhine, and the ever-popular “Christmas Markets” cruises during