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 […]

Bruges Boat Tour View of Canals

Cruise Port Zeebrugge – One Day in Bruges – What to Do, See & Eat

One day in any city is a tough call – there’s so much to see, do and eat how can you squeeze it all in?  The answer is you don’t.  Consider the “one day only” visit an appetizer to the city which may (or may not) tempt you to return.  […]

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, […]

Celebrity Constellation Turkish Beach View

Vaccinated and ready to cruise? Celebrity & Royal Caribbean sailing in June 2021

Who doesn’t want to escape their home right now and be on the beach? Sailing on the water?  Ordering room service?  Heck having someone else cook! A year inside has made me ready to go…..once I’m vaccinated and feel comfortable with precautions along the travel ecosystem. But for those ready […]

Grave Markers Christian and Jewish at the American Cemetery Normandy One Day

Cruise Port Le Havre – Private Tour Normandy – American & Canadian D-Day Sites

Last year in advance of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day this week, I had the opportunity to visit the Normandy region with fellow cruise ship passengers when the ship sailed into the port of Le Havre, France.  Our private tour Normandy with Brigitte (Bridget) of Unforgettable Normandy  included a split […]

NCL Getaway Forward View of Bridge and Atlantic Ocean

When Can We Cruise Again? 5 Cruise Changes to Expect

Updated: February 2021.  The cruise industry continues to be battered by covid, border closures and money issues.  The 2021 Alaska cruise season has been canceled already.  Cruise lines are extending vouchers and still advertising for cruises. Once the vaccines are more widely distributed, expect to see tenative sailings occur likely […]