The Wynn Hotel Lobby floral decor

Wynn Rewards – Holland America Cruise Discount and a Free Cruise Offer

I recently visited Las Vegas to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday and had to treat her to a stay at The Wynn Las Vegas because it’s such a five-star luxury experience.  I am a Wynn Rewards card holder and while I rarely earn enough casino credit or comp dollars to […]

Alaska Nature Mountains Sitka Wildlife Tour and Cruise

5 Things I Hate about Cruising Despite Loving Cruise Vacations

As I search for a cruise vacation for 2023, I’m reminded of a few things I hate about cruising as I compare itineraries, cruise lines and ships. So, this is the rant of someone who surprisingly loves to cruise solo and with friends/family.  I’ve sailed on multiple cruise lines such […]

Wine Mural outside Barcelona boutique hotel Praktik Vinoteca

Review Praktik Vinoteca – Barcelona Wine Focused Boutique Hotel in L’Eixample

I don’t remember how I discovered the Praktik Hotels in Barcelona, however, after my stay at the Praktik Bakery Hotel, I was hooked.  For my recent trip to Barcelona, I considered another stay at the Bakery, however, my family is gluten free and it seemed wrong to revel in the […]

Holland America Cruise to Alaska Eurodam Sunset at Sea

Cruise Deal for Solo Travelers – No Single Supplement on select Celebrity Cruises

Update:  This promotion has ended but it was quite the adventure to see Celebrity even offer this olive branch to solo travelers. Keep your eye out for future opportunities.   You won’t find this cruise deal listed under Promos on Celebrity Cruise website, in fact, I only happened upon it […]

Baltic Cruise sunset offbeat travel

First Time Cruise Tips plus a Realistic Cruise Budget Guide

As folks start to travel again and board cruises, I thought it would be good to revisit first time cruise tips and a realistic budget guide for your first cruise. Finding the right cruise is a bit like dating – there may be a few hits and misses until you […]

Glacier Bay Alaska Holland America Eurodam

10 Tips for Planning a Cruise to Alaska from Seattle

On my first Alaskan cruise, I flew into Seattle and then boarded a bus to Vancouver to meet the ship.  Quite frankly, the last thing I want to do after flying cross country from Philadelphia is to move from one cramped seat on a plane to another cramped seat on […]

Eurodam Pool Deck Chairs to Alaska

Travel Solo Cruise List – Which Ships Have Solo Cabins, How to Avoid Single Supplement and Have Fun Solo

I was on a recent twitter cruise chat and asked the cruise line representative “do you have any solo cabins or will you waive the single supplement on any sailings” and then crickets.  They go dark and no longer engage with me.  Ignoring a large part of the travel community […]

Aqua Class Cabin Celebrity Edge Ship

The Cruise Bid for Upgrade Process – Part Gambling, Part Strategy & Lots of Luck

I teach a “travel for less” class so am always keen to find new and exciting travel upgrades to luxury I otherwise can’t afford traveling solo.  So when I first heard of the cruise bid for upgrade program, I was intrigued.  Cruise passengers can submit a bid to “win” (buy) […]

Celebrity Edge Solarium

My First Cruise of 2021 – Sailing Solo on Celebrity Edge

I was really excited for my first vacation of 2021, sailing solo on Celebrity Edge, but told only a handful of people.  I felt like I had to hide my excitement to go on the cruise, for fear of travel shaming.  I love to travel as it recharges my mind, […]