Conversation with Oprah and Gayle Alaska cruise

Every Photo has a Story to Tell – My Photo with Oprah in Alaska

Leave it to my eleven (going on thirty) year old precocious niece to burst my Oprah bubble.  I was showing my sister and mom my photo with Oprah  from the O Magazine, Share the Adventure cruise to Alaska on Holland America’s Eurodam.  My niece said “did you meet Oprah…and she […]

NCL EPIC cruise ship

Cruise Norwegian: EPIC Solo Studio and Solo Lounge Review

When I travel solo on a cruise, after the anger of the 200% fare wears off, I tend to overschedule myself to remain busy in the day and forget I’m alone on a ship of over two (or four) thousand people. It’s easy to blend in and become invisible if […]

Holiday Inn Miami West Renovated Room

Holiday Inn Miami West Hotel Review – Surprises in Hialeah Gardens

I won’t lie, when I heard that my group was assigned to the Holiday Inn Miami West – Hialeah Gardens, I wasn’t thrilled.  I was hungry and wanted the cookies at the Doubletree Hotel where other passengers were assigned. My inner hotel inspector (snob) was skeptical ranking Doubletree above a […]

Fathom Cruise Ship Adonia Terminal view

My Fathom Cruise Cancellation Experience – Tears, Tequila and Teamwork

I’m not sure who wanted to cry more, the Fathom staff that had spent months (and years) in preparation or the passengers who were excited to experience the new cruise concept of social impact activities in the Dominican Republic (the DR).  It was an emotional 24 hours for everyone scheduled […]

Water view Gozo Marsalforn

5 Offbeat Travel Finds at the NY Times Travel Show for 2016 Travel

Walking around a travel expo floor can be overwhelming with so many travel vendors, destination marketing folks and travel products competing for your attention.  Tables are lined with gorgeous marketing brochures to draw you in and the expert teams are there to answer questions and tell you about their offerings […]

The Haven Suite Norwegian EPIC

My First Cabin Crawl on the Norwegian EPIC

Have you ever cruised and wondered if you should spend the extra money to upgrade your cabin? You read the descriptions and try to ascertain from the photos what the difference in cost and space really gets you? Well, for me who could only afford the inside cabin (reluctantly with the […]

Kimpton EPIC Miami Double Room

EPIC Miami Hotel Review: An “Un-Kimpton” Pre-Cruise Stay

  My initial thought was cheesy as I was sailing on the NCL EPIC on my EPIC journey, I thought it only fitting to stay at the EPIC Miami, a Kimpton hotel.  Miami was pricier than I thought and I wasn’t able to use my Kimpton Karma award, so I started stalking […]

Baltic Cruise sunset offbeat travel

The Repositioning Cruise – It’s Cheap and Tempting but Should You Do It?

Many folks are not familiar with a repositioning cruise (repo cruise) but once you learn about them you may be a fan of the great value.  As my travel agent told me “you can’t live at home for that price” and she is right (sorta).  Just like the birds that […]