The first time I saw it, aboard the Seabourn Odyssey, I thought it might be a child’s toy. It looked like a tiny bus that a child might sit on. But the top of the wooden contraption had a slot like a piggy bank.

That’s exactly what it was – a big piggy bank. With an unusual story behind it. Read more...

Hawaii is one of those must-see destinations. But the price of a week on the islands can give some serious sticker shock! One great way to save some money and see many of the different islands that make up our 50th state is on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America. This US flagged ship is one of the only ways to cruise the Hawaiian Islands, offering round trip options from Honolulu, and has just gone through a 30 million dollar renovation. The upgrades are pretty substantial, too. Read more...

There are pluses and minuses to being the first on a cruise ship, either at its introduction or its return after a major refurbishment. It’s always nice to be the first to see, touch and play with the new features and amenities on the ship. It’s nice to be the first to sleep on the new bed, enjoy the room’s shower. But it also means running a risk that the trip may never even happen. Or, possibly even worse, some features may not yet be open or available for use. Read more...

This week, Carnival Cruise Line announced a restructuring of their fare system to take effect at the end of October. After a challenging year, for one of the world’s largest cruise lines, Carnival decided to simplify and streamline the pricing process. It isn’t without precedent. Read more...

The economy might feel a bit shaky, and the finances may not be strong enough to jet away right this second, but its still a great day to start planning a vacation. We get the question in the office a lot, “when is the best time to plan our next trip?” The answer: “Today!” In most cases, locking down a trip early helps guarantee good rates, good availability and has very little downside. And in the last few months of the year, the time is especially right to plan ahead. With fewer people looking to travel, tour companies and cruise lines are giving some of their best prices of the year, coupled with amazing amenity offers. Read more...

I’ve been on cruises where they had classes in napkin folding. I learned how to turn a simple dinner napkin into a candle, a fan, a tuxedo or some other fancy shape.

I’ve also learned towel art on cruise ships. Cruise directors and cabin attendants would demonstrate how to create an elephant, swan, monkey or numerous other critters out of white bath towels. Read more...

If I’d said it once, I must have said it a dozen times during my first short stay at Walt Disney World. This is a whole different culture than I was expecting. I’ve traveled a lot of different places, experienced a lot of different things – but the culture shock in the Magic Kingdom was intense! I don’t think that I’ve ever been in a place before where everyone just seemed so happy before. Read more...

Victorian style digs and the antique cars in front of the lobby transport you to the gilded age at Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort. This Deluxe resort rests just moments away from the Magic Kingdom, along the Monorail and is designed to evoke the roaring 20’s, and provide a Great Gatsby feel to a Disney vacation. Read more...

You may have heard the news in the last day that the FAA is seriously considering relaxing rules about whether that iPad or Kindle can be used during take-offs and landings. The New York Times, in fact, reports that an FAA review panel has basically said that passengers should be able to use the devices they want, whenever they want – which is good news for people with serious computer addictions. Read more...

Mickey Mouse Ears. A ubiquitous sight at any Disney Park, but Disney has even found a way to innovate Mouse Ears at Disney’s California Adventure. The new “Glow with the Show” ears light up… and although that isn’t terribly common, its not particularly new or innovative. But once you go see the World of Color show with these hats on, the innovation is clear. The lights are syncopated to the show, and that’s no easy feat to accomplish! Read more...