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Wondering Why No Recent Posts - We Have Moved

Since 2007, we’ve taken you along on our journeys to some of our favorite destinations around the world. Maybe you’ve followed our adventures in Cruise Diaries, where we’ve shared unforgettable moments at sea. Or perhaps you’ve read our coverage of major travel industry events—from the tragic sinking of Costa Concordia to cruise itinerary changes caused by hurricanes, and even the profound impact of COVID-19 on the industry and its road to recovery.

For those who’ve been with us over the years, you know that travel is our passion, and sharing our stories and photos with you is what we love most. That hasn’t changed—but where we share them has.

Maintaining this blog has become more challenging over time as links and platforms evolve. For example, we once stored and showcased our travel photos on Shutterfly, building custom pages to bring our trips to life. While our images are still there, Shutterfly discontinued support for those pages, making the original links obsolete. We’ve been working to create new share links for some of our cruises and will continue updating them as we go.

We also make an effort to keep our most-visited pages current, especially those that serve as key resources during hurricane season. Whether you’re a longtime reader or new to our travels, we’re glad you’re here—let’s keep exploring together!

Welcome to Our New Website (and Blog)

When traveling, upgrades are always fun, and our newly upgraded website is no exception. We're thrilled to unveil our new website, designed with you in mind. It's modern, easy to navigate, and brimming with inspiration to help you plan your next adventure. Read More. 

We are happy to say that we've found a new home for our blog as well on our newly redesigned Dream Vacations website.  At our travel blog, we delve into a variety of captivating topics to inspire your next journey:

• Encounter Alaska: Embark on a Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Tour for the ultimate adventure. Combine luxurious coastal cruising with immersive land excursions to explore Denali National Park, witness North America’s tallest peak, and discover Alaska’s rich heritage. With local Adventure Specialists, enjoy personalized, fully guided experiences that bring you closer to the beauty and culture of the Last Frontier.

• Featured Destination - Norway: Explore the stunning fjords, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage of Norway.

• Wine Lovers River Cruise: Indulge in a river cruise tailored for wine enthusiasts, featuring exquisite tastings and picturesque vineyard visits.

• 2024 Highlights: Discover the must-visit destinations and travel trends to plan your perfect getaway.

• Dream Vacations Start Here: Get inspired and discover new Dream Vacations through our curated travel experiences.

Join us as we explore these destinations and more, providing insights and tips to make your travel dreams a reality. 

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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Setting Sail on Celebrity Beyond

Join us on Celebrity Beyond to experience Modern Luxury at it's finest.  We are setting sail on November 9th from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in a Magic Carpet Suite.  This Sky Suite gives us access to The Retreat.  Be sure to follow us on FB and IG to share our experiences. All suites at The Retreat come with a dedicated butler who’s just a message away. You get access to an exclusive sundeck and lounge that make you feel like you have the ship to yourself. Your table awaits at Luminae, your private, suites-only restaurant. And, you’ll enjoy more perks and amenities than ever before. The Retreat isn’t just a suite. It’s the most elevated experience at sea, period.

The Retreat. Suite Life. Elevated.

Watch this video for a preview of The Retreat.

Learn More About Beyond 

Welcome to a place where you can experience all the things you’ve been missing for so long. Only now, those things are even better than you’ve imagined. This is a place where the possibilities are as endless as the views. where you can disconnect entirely while you reconnect with each other-and the world. This place is Celebrity Beyond℠. 

The Third ship in our revolutionary Edge® Series takes our innovative outward-facing design further than ever, creating an even closer connection between you, the sea, and every exciting place on the horizon. Unwind in expanded open-air spaces. Savor fine dining that rivals anything you’d find on land. And discover even more ways to relax and renew. 

Celebrity Beyond is sailing with Starlink - the world’s most advanced broadband satellite internet - to bring you high-speed connectivity for a better onboard experience. 

            Explore Celebrity Beyond Itineraries

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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

2024 Hurricanes - How They Work

Hurricane Basics & History

Hurricane Preparedness Week playlist on YouTube

"Too many families know the pain of having their lives and livelihoods devastated by powerful hurricanes, tropical storms, and typhoons. During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, we shed light on the dangerous impacts of hurricanes and share best practices on how to prepare and stay safe. We also show our gratitude to the first responders, volunteers, and all those who help to prepare communities in advance and rescue, recover, and rebuild in the wake of their darkest moments."  President Biden

Looking for past or current hurricanes?  Click Image or Here

President Obama declared May 5 - May 11 “National Hurricane Preparedness Week." FEMA, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is helping to raise awareness of steps that can be taken to help protect citizens, and their communities and property. 

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:

* Sustained winds A 1-minute average wind measured at about 33 ft (10 meters) above the surface. ** 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour or 1.15 statute miles per hour. Abbreviated as "kt".

Tropical Depression
An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds* of 38 mph (33 kt**) or less

Tropical Storm
An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 kt)

Hurricane
An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher

Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a hurricane.

• A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest developments.
• A hurricane warning is when a hurricane is expected in your area. If local authorities advise you to evacuate, leave immediately.

Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential. Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.The following chart details the categories and the damage that can result from a storm with that strength.

 
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale for Kids (NASA)

Scale Number (Category)	Sustained  Winds	Damage	Storm Surge
1	74-95 mph 64-82 kt 119-153 km/h	Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.	4-5 feet
2	96-110 mph 83-95 kt 154-177 km/h	Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.	6-8 feet
3  (major)	111-129 mph 96-112 kt 178-208 km/h	Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.	9-12 feet
4 (major)	130-156 mph 113-136 kt 209-251 km/h	Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.	13-18 feet
5  (major)	157 mph or higher 137 kt or higher 252 km/h or higher	Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.	Greater than 18 feet

Hurricane History

2023 North Atlantic Hurricane Season Track Map (click to enlarge)

In the following article, we  look at NOAA and Colorado State University forecasts for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season which is expected to be very active.

NOAA 2024 Hurricane Season Predictions

2024 CSU Atlantic Hurricane Prediction

NHC Data Archive

We will continue coverage of Hurricane Preparedness Week by looking at some of the hazards starting tomorrow.  Additional Hurricane information can be found in our static Hurricane Zone tab.

Read entire series (click here)

More links and information about tropical storms and other weather conditions can be found in the Weather & Hurricane Zone tabs above.


If you live in, or plan to vacation in, an area where hurricanes are prevalent, please prepare in advance by reading our series.

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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

2024 National Hurricane Preparedness Week

National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2024

May 5^th through May 11^th

Be ready for hurricane season. Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you have multiple ways of receiving forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm.

The goal of NOAA's Hurricane Preparedness Web site is to inform the public about the hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take ACTION. This information can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone or severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. A typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface.

Every year, hurricanes put communities at risk of catastrophic damage from storm surges, flooding, high winds, and tornadoes.  During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, we rededicate ourselves to preventing loss of life and damage to property by raising awareness about hurricane hazards and taking action to protect our families, our homes, and our neighborhoods.

Hurricane season 2024: 'Storm Ready' helps get you prepared

NOAA Hurricane Prep: Videos (English)

Read entire series (click here)

More links and information about tropical storms and other weather conditions can be found in the Weather & Hurricane Zone tabs above.


If you live in, or plan to vacation in, an area where hurricanes are prevalent, please prepare in advance by reading our series.

Connect With Us On

    

    

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers

I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat