Out of the countless vacation options available, cruising has become my favorite type of vacation. Compared to staying in one destination, cruising allows passengers to visit a multitude of locations while being able to enjoy endless cruise ship amenities between ports. Cruising offers a mostly all-inclusive experience that typically includes all meals, entertainment, and accommodations. One aspect of cruising that is often overlooked is the sheer availability of departure ports in the United States. 

One of the biggest downsides of traveling can be working around expensive airfare and flights that seem to get delayed or canceled more often than not. Those living within driving distance of any coastline within the U.S. may be surprised to find a cruise port is closer than expected. Most people think about cruises departing from Florida, but there are cruise ports everywhere! For example, there are cruise ports in Baltimore, Galveston, Charleston, and even New York City! Imagine escaping the cold winter in New York by simply hopping on a ship sailing straight to the Bahamas! Having previously lived in Pittsburgh, I wish I knew there was a way for me to enjoy a relaxing cruise to Bermuda for example, by driving a little over 4 hours to Baltimore.

Not only are there plenty of port options, these ports host some of the best cruise lines available. For example, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises are just some of the cruise lines that offer itineraries from places other than the well known Florida cruise ports. All of these options ensure cruisers can pick an itinerary and cruise line that works best for them. 

Cruising is truly one of the best ways to travel! Driving to nearby cruise ports as opposed to flying can reduce some of the potential inconveniences that come with air travel. The best cruise lines in the U.S. with incredible ships and itineraries are really closer than you think. With so many cruise ports around the United States, your next cruise may be just a short drive away!

This August, my family and I spent a relaxing week in Saint John of the U.S. Virgin Islands. After settling back into my routine back at home, I wanted to spend time reflecting on the trip and our overall experience. From our accommodations, to the beaches we visited, and restaurants we dined at, I hope this post will help my clients and other travelers discover if a trip to Saint John may be something to consider.

Accommodations

We stayed at a gorgeous villa up in the mountains of Saint John that overlooked the ocean and Cruz Bay, a larger town on the island. To get to this villa, we had two rental cars for our family for the week. We landed at the airport in Saint Thomas and had to take a car ferry to get to Saint John. Driving in Saint John is a challenge due to very steep winding roads, not to mention that cars are driven on the left side of the road. Thus, getting a SUV with four wheel drive (a Jeep preferably) is incredibly important. We rented our car at a rental facility near the airport, but there are also some rental options in Saint John.

Our rental home called, “Big Sky Villa” was rented through Expedia/VRBO, and we were lucky to have a great host that was just a call away throughout the week if we ran into any issues. The house was stocked with beach chairs, towels, and everything else you could ever need for a week at the beach. The villa had a private pool as well, which we loved utilizing during our trip. Vacation rental houses are the primary form of vacation accommodation on the island, though there are limited hotel options. 

The only major challenge we had with our accommodations, (which was not our VRBO host’s fault) was losing power 4 times during our week-long stay. This was due to a tropical storm passing through the island. During the storm we lost power for nearly a day! Even after the storm, we lost power 2 more times which gave us the impression that the infrastructure on the island was not very reliable. Fortunately, our hosts were prepared with battery powered fans that included power banks to charge our phones. For travelers planning to travel in the late summer/fall, hurricane season is something to be aware of in the Caribbean.  

Beaches

We spent our first beach day at the world famous beach, Trunk Bay. Known for its turquoise water and stunning sweeping mountainous scenery, it was a sight to behold. We arrived early and were treated to an almost empty beach for a while, and got to really take in the beauty of the area. The snorkeling was also great around the beach which included an underwater snorkeling trail to guide you through the reef.  While snorkel masks and fins could be rented, I highly recommend bringing your own gear for convenience. 
After the tropical storm we experienced passed through 2 days later, we spent our day at Hawksnest Beach. Hawksnest Beach was similar to trunk bay in that it also had reefs off the shore to swim through, stunning scenery, and beautiful water. The major difference was Trunk Bay had more amenities like snorkeling rentals and a beach bar, while Hawsknest did not. Like in Trunk Bay, we arrived early in the morning and were treated to an almost empty beach. 

Cinnamon Bay was the final beach we visited on the island. This beach had a  bar with food and drinks, watersports rentals, and a campground area. Cinnamon Bay was a much larger beach compared to Trunk Bay and Hawksnest Beach. We experienced that the water was a little more stirred up and not as clear, which did not allow for good snorkeling. On a calmer day, I’m sure it would have been better. Still, we enjoyed swimming and walking along this beach. We even had some stingrays swim right past our feet as we were relaxing in the water!

Other Activities

Before we were able to visit all of the beaches I mentioned above, we spent the first day of our vacation on a snorkeling excursion with Ocean Surfari. We were picked up on a large boat with other families from Cruz Bay. We went to two snorkeling locations, the first in Maho Bay where we saw a sea turtle grazing along the seabed and many colorful fish. The second location was Christmas Cove which was an incredible location only accessible by boat. At Christmas Cove, we saw another turtle and swam around a small sunken boat which had been taken over by coral and colorful fish. After snorkeling, we spent the rest of the evening dancing on the boat, enjoying a few tropical beverages, and eating pizza. I would highly recommend this snorkeling cruise to anyone visiting the island. 

A few nights during the week, we decided to spend the evening in Cruz Bay. We loved going to the restaurant High Tide for tropical drinks and great food with a view of the water. In addition, we enjoyed the nearby bar, The Beach Bar for drinks with another great view of the bay. We had dinner another night at Saint John Brewers, which we found had good food and was reasonably priced. Throughout the week, we walked around to little gift shops as well. Mongoose Junction was my favorite shopping center that had lots of little gift shops, jewelry, and art. There really is plenty to do outside of the beach at Saint John!

Overall Impression

We had an amazing trip overall. We loved each beach we visited, enjoyed the views and pool from our villa, and had fun exploring Cruz Bay and the rest of the island. Saint John is a perfect location for people looking to enjoy a week lounging at beaches in a relaxed atmosphere. We found that going near the end of the summer was nice because of lower crowd levels, but we did have to compromise with the possibility of storms and power outages. It is absolutely necessary to get a rental car for Saint John, and I would not recommend going without one. Finally, be prepared for higher prices on groceries and other essentials as you do your shopping. I would 100% go to Saint John again, and I would love to help other prospective travelers plan their trip!

This summer, my family and I will be visiting the breathtaking island of Saint John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since we are leaving fairly soon, I have started to collect everything I need to pack for the trip. While many items are fairly self explanatory, there are a few items I like to bring that may not be as obvious. For this post, I thought I would share some of my favorite essential items that I am packing. 

1. Snorkel Set

Saint John is known for multiple stunning beaches around the island. During our 

vacation, my family plans to visit as many beaches as we can and explore the crystal clear water. Bringing my own snorkel mask and fins will make it easy to swim through the turquoise water without worrying about finding a rental. Although it may seem like a larger item to pack, the convenience is totally worth it!

2. Waterproof Phone Case

I have been using waterproof phone cases for a long time for beach vacations. The ones I use are essentially sealed thick clear plastic pouch on a lanyard that allow you to have your phone on you as you swim around. I have been able to take awesome photos and videos underwater while not having to worry about leaving my phone unattended on the beach. 

3. Portable Speaker

Taking a portable speaker is a must bring for me to create the most relaxing atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. A little music can go a long way to set the tone for an amazing day at the beach!

4. Books and Games

While I hope to be spending most of the time at the beach and in the sun, we are traveling during a potentially more rainy month in the U.S. Virgin Islands. So, it is very important to bring back up activities to do with my family. Small portable games and a book or two will be essential if we get stuck with a rainy day. 

5. Sunscreen and Bug Spray

Sunscreen and bug spray are definitely more obvious items to bring, but the bigger issue is not bringing enough! For a larger family traveling, it is easy to go through multiple bottles of sunscreen. Unfortunately, tourist pricing of sunscreen in gift shops isn’t always cheap either. So, it’s absolutely essential to bring plenty of it!

Travelers that have never used a travel agent may wonder why they would consider hiring one. Truthfully, before I became a travel agent I had never used one myself! However, becoming a travel agent has taught me the many ways in which a travel agent can help. For this blog post, I wanted to highlight a few of the specific services I provide for my clients, and why it may be worth it to use a travel agent for your next vacation. 

Troubleshooting Assistance

Simply put, I will have your back in case of any and all travel troubles. From flight delays/cancellations, to trouble with hotel transfers, and everything in between. I give my clients my personal phone number to reach me in case of any problems. In many cases, I may even be able to solve an issue before you know there is a problem! I always am working proactively to ensure a smooth travel experience. Without using a travel agent, it can often be unclear where to even begin when travel issues arise. Instead of worrying, or spending precious vacation minutes on a customer service hold, I want my clients to have peace of mind as I work through issues behind the scenes. 

Vacation Research and Planning

I can do the time consuming research to pick a vacation that is right for you and your travel companions. Not sure where you want to go? I will assemble multiple travel options that fit the budget and travel preferences of my clients. I may even give you a new vacation idea or perspective that you had never considered before. In addition, I use reliable suppliers that I know will be up to the standards of my clients.

Reviewing and Confirming Travel Plans

From spelling of names, birthdays, flight times, and more, your trip has plenty of small details that need to be perfect for your vacation. As a travel agent, I meticulously make sure all of your travel details are thoroughly reviewed so everything goes to plan. As your trip approaches, I will double check and confirm all of your reservations over the phone. Reviewing these little details can often prevent big problems from occurring during travel! 

No Fees for Hiring Me!

One of the biggest misconceptions about travel agents is that they are expensive to use. While some agents charge fees for trip planning, I do not charge any planning fees to organize your vacation. The money I earn is commission from the cost of the trip directly from the suppliers I used to book your trip, not the customer directly. There really is very little reason to not use a agent

Overall, I hope that this post shows all the reasons why travel agents can be so helpful. I work hard to make sure my clients’ trips are everything they have dreamed of and more. I truly love what I do, and I always look forward to planning more fun and exciting trips for my clients! 

Going to Disney World as a child is a very different experience than going to the parks as an adult.  As a younger child, Disney World’s lively characters and intricate theming truly transport you into a fairy tale. Still, going back to Disney as an adult doesn’t mean your experience will be any less “magical”. Disney does a great job including a wide variety of attractions that appeal to every member of the family.  

Last May, my husband, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and I went to Walt Disney World for a 4 night stay over Memorial Day weekend. I have been to Disney World many times throughout my childhood, high school, and even once in college. For this trip, we stayed at Disney’s Art of Music Resort and visited The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. For those thinking about a trip to Disney World, this is an adult’s perspective of visiting these particular parks while sharing our trip highlights.

Magic Kingdom

For our first park, we visited Magic Kingdom. With Cinderella’s castle, popular Disney characters appearing throughout the park, and classic attractions, Magic Kingdom is the most “Disney” of all the parks. While many of the attractions are more popular for younger children, there are still a few notable thrill rides like Tron Lightcycle Run and Space Mountain, which are roller coasters. Nothing beats the nostalgia that is experiencing Magic Kingdom and seeing your favorite movies come to life through the different attractions. Even as an adult, I can still appreciate the classic slower rides like It’s a Small World. Although the song may get stuck in your head, It’s a Small World is a relaxing boat ride that showcases different regions of the world with adorable animatronic characters. For adults that have never been to Disney World, Magic Kingdom is definitely worth a visit.

Hollywood Studios

For our second day at Disney World, we went to Hollywood Studios. In my opinion, Hollywood Studios shines for older teens and adults. Attractions like the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror were awesome thrill rides, sure to impress any thrill seeker. The Rock ‘n” Roller Coaster is a thrilling launch roller coaster in the dark while The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is an exciting drop ride with a spooky backstory! In addition, Star Wars Fans can look forward to seeing Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge which makes you feel like you’re really in a galaxy far far away! We were especially impressed with the attraction Rise of The Resistance because it really made you feel like you were in a Star Wars movie. I won’t spoil the ride, but trust me when I say it is a must do for any Star Wars fan! Besides those attractions, there are countless other shows and rides that appeal to guests of any age. Some of my other attraction favorites for guests of all ages include The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show and Toy Story Mania. Overall, Hollywood Studios is a park that will have older teens and young adults coming back for countless visits in the future.

Epcot

For our third and final park visit, we headed to Epcot. We were lucky enough to visit during Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival, which meant even more food/drink options and beautiful floral displays throughout the park. For us, the biggest highlight of our day was going to the World Showcase. The World Showcase is one part of the park that features 11 countries that you can walk around and explore. We loved snacking at all the different countries while trying some tasty cocktails! There is endless shopping throughout the World Showcase with some rides sprinkled in throughout a few of the countries. For adults going to Epcot, the World Showcase should be a priority. The other attractions in Epcot outside of the World Showcase were also entertaining, and we especially liked Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind. This was an exciting roller coaster dark ride with plenty of twists, turns, and surprises! The ride Test Track is always a classic as well, and we had fun making our own vehicles and zipping around the race track. However, we still felt that the most exciting part of our day was the World Showcase!

We really had an amazing trip and I even got to see and do some new things that I hadn’t been able to experience on previous trips. Magic Kingdom really gives you that classic Disney experience, while Hollywood Studios has thrilling experiences, and Epcot lets you experience several countries in one day! No Disney trip feels the same, and there is always something new to discover. Disney World truly is a place for the young and old, and is the best “magical” vacation out there!

Port 1: Cozumel, Mexico

Port 2: Roatán, Honduras

For our second port, we stopped in Roatán, Honduras. We had a planned excursion that we booked through the cruise line to go on the Jolly Roger catamaran snorkeling excursion. Once again, we had to get up early to find our way to the tour meeting place. After getting through the crowds of cruise passengers to find our tour group, we boarded a bus that took us to the catamaran. 

The bus ride was fairly short and we were soon greeted by the Jolly Roger crew that helped us board the spacious catamaran. The boat ride to the snorkel spot was about 30 minutes long and gave us time to take in the views of Roatán and the sparkling water. The crew handed out our flippers, life vest, and snorkel mask, before carefully helping us into the warm water. Coral and colorful fish were everywhere covering the ocean bottom.

After an hour of snorkeling everyone got back on the catamaran hungry for lunch, which was included in our ticket. Overall, my husband and I loved how we had complete freedom to swim around and snorkel where we wanted to near the boat, while still under the watchful eye of the crew. The crew even gave us Honduran currency as a souvenir to take home! This was easily our favorite excursion, and we would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys snorkeling.

Port 3: Harvest Caye, Belize

Harvest Caye is Norwegian Cruise line’s private island in Belize, and we didn’t have anything planned for that day. After two busy port days catching timed excursions early in the morning, we were happy to just relax and not do anything on a schedule. 

Harvest Caye boasted a beach, giant pool, wildlife attraction, watersports, shopping, and more. We first headed to the wildlife experience, which had a beautiful butterfly garden. The butterfly garden was full of Blue Morpho butterflies, which were the most beautiful butterflies I’ve ever seen. I could have spent so much more time there! 

From there, we headed straight to the pool. Although the beach on the island was well maintained and had plenty of beach chairs, we felt as if we just wanted to relax by the huge pool on the island instead. We enjoyed sipping a cocktail by the pool for a little bit, before doing some shopping, and heading back to the cruise ship. 

While this was an enjoyable port day, we wished we had gone to see more of Belize than a private island. If I were to go back, I would have taken the ferry to the nearby town of Placencia to see more of what Belize has to offer. Still, for families needing a relaxing pool/beach day, this port is a perfect choice. 

Port 4: Costa Maya, Mexico

Costa Maya was our fourth and final port on this cruise. Like Harvest Caye, we did not have anything planned for this day and planned on walking around the port as our activity. The port had tons of shopping, food, and even a pool, but it was raining so we did not stick around long. We only spent 30 minutes on land before deciding to spend the rest of the day in the spa aboard the ship. 

If it had been nicer out, it would be easy to grab a taxi to the nearby village of Mahahual, which has plenty of spots to relax on a beach. We enjoyed the beach in Mahahual on a past trip, and it also had plenty of food, drinks, and shopping available. Even with the rain, we still had a fun day. The moral of the story is to not feel pressured to book an excursion or go somewhere every port day on your cruise. You can still have tons of fun and not even leave the ship!

We truly had an amazing experience on our cruise and were very happy with our itinerary. While we loved our snorkeling experience in Roatán the most, cruises offer endless excursions that appeal to every interest and every family member. With careful research, you can ensure that every day in port is a memorable one. Hiring a travel agent can help significantly in picking a cruise itinerary and excursions that are right for you and your travel party. It’s safe to say I would happily go on this cruise and visit these wonderful places again!

When planning a cruise vacation one very important detail to decide is picking your cabin. While this seems relatively simple in theory, there are many factors to consider. From the type of cabin (interior, oceanview, balcony, suite, etc.), to the location of the cabin (aft, mid-ship, forward), and even how many cabins to reserve for the number of passengers in your family, picking the right cabin can make or break your trip. 

Starting with cabin type, for cruisers that do want to splurge on a suite, there are generally 3 main cabin categories on most cruise ships. Interior cabins are the most inexpensive and are great for cruisers that want a great deal and don’t plan on spending too much time in the room. If you don’t mind the lack of natural light and lack of an outside view, this may be the right choice for you.

 Oceanview cabins are a great compromise for cruisers that may not want to pay a premium for a balcony, but still want a view of the outside of the ship. I have sailed in an ocean view personally, and I really liked the ability to see the ocean and where we were. I don’t think I would have liked how dark an interior cabin gets with no natural light.

Balcony cabins can be the priciest out of these three categories, but in my opinion are completely worth it if you can afford it. There is nothing like being able to watch the ocean go by as you sail away or having breakfast while watching the sunrise on your own private balcony. On my last cruise, my husband and I agreed that it was worth the extra money! However, if a balcony doesn’t fit in your budget or you simply don’t care about having a balcony, interior and ocean view cabins are still great options. 

The location of your cabin can also have a big impact on how smoothly your vacation runs. While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest cabin location offered or to just let the cruise line pick your cabin for you (which is also often the cheapest option), it may put you in a place on the ship that could be inconvenient for you and your family. For example, for people that get sea sick easily, picking a cabin mid-ship and on a lower deck of the ship is often the best to minimize any rocking feeling while you rest. 

Considering what is around you can help you pick the best cabin. Checking a ship’s deck plan can help you see how close any elevators or stairs are to your room as well as what is immediately above or below you. Ideally, you don’t want to be sleeping right below a nightclub or any super loud space. 

You may want to pick a cabin that is close to amenities that you plan on using frequently. In my case, our last cruise cabin was a few floors directly below the buffet so we could hop on an elevator and be at the buffet in only a minute or two from our cabin. Using a travel agent (like myself!) can be very helpful in making sure you are where you want to be. 

Finally, considering how many cabins to get for your family and how much space you need can help ensure everyone is happy in your travel party. While many cabins can fit up to 4 guests, this can be incredibly cramped, not to mention having to share one bathroom! While this is doable, and the most budget friendly, it can be tough to share such a small space. Pay attention to the square footage of the cabin(s) you are booking so you can determine whether it makes sense to get an additional cabin. Like hotels, some cabins are adjoining so you can be together with your family without being too crowded. Still, you can save a lot of money by simply sharing one cabin, and if you pick a bigger cabin type depending on what is available on your ship, this can work well.

It may not seem like it at first, but picking a cabin is a big decision that can ultimately affect your budget and your vacation as a whole! From picking the cabin category, to the location, and even how many cabins you need for your travel party, it can be a little confusing! This is why I recommend using a travel agent that can guide you through picking a cabin and simplify the process. I personally love cruises, and I want my clients to have the best cruising experience and best cabin for their needs! Happy Cruising!

Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST37113.