Updated June 18, 2026: We’ve refreshed this article with current Princess MedallionClass details and a few practical planning notes from helping our son and daughter-in-law prepare for their honeymoon Princess cruise. Princess MedallionClass Explained: What It Does, What It Doesn’t, and How to Use It Princess Cruises does something a little different from many other…
Updated June 18, 2026: We’re tracking these Fire TV Stick Early Prime Day deals because this is one of the small travel tech items we like to pack for hotel stays. If there is one little travel tech item we like having in the bag, it is a Fire TV Stick. We have had good…
Updated June 18, 2026: There are a number of items we make sure to pack on almost every trip — and others that serve a more specific purpose depending on how we’re traveling. Some are everyday essentials. Others are especially helpful for cruises, longer travel days, or trips where we want a little extra organization….
Updated June 18, 2026: We’ve refreshed this article with more real-life examples, clearer planning guidance, and a stronger look at when DIY booking is perfectly fine — and when getting help can change the whole experience. Planning a trip today is easier than ever. You can open a few tabs, compare prices, watch a few…
Updated June 17, 2026: We’ve refreshed this article with more of our own experience and a reminder that credit cards are only one part of a good Points & Rewards strategy. Credit cards can be incredibly useful when they fit your life. We use them. We talk about them. We share examples of when they…
Cruise towel animals are one of those little things that probably should not matter as much as they do. It is just a towel. Folded into an elephant. Or a penguin. Or something you stare at for a few seconds before asking, “Wait… what animal is that supposed to be?” And yet, for a lot…
Updated June 16, 2026: We’ve refreshed this article with clearer examples, current airline-points context, and stronger links to our newer Airline Points, Miles, & Loyalty guides. Many people think the main benefit of airline points is saving money. And that can definitely be true. It is not unusual to find flights that provide 2 cents…
Hotel status sounds simple from the outside. Stay more nights, earn better perks, maybe get upgraded, maybe get breakfast, and hopefully feel a little more taken care of when you travel. But in real life, hotel status is only valuable if the benefits match the trip you are actually taking. That is especially true when…
Updated June 15, 2026: We refreshed this article with current information, updated links, and additional notes. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is getting a lot more interesting. Chase is currently showing a limited-time 100,000-point welcome bonus after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The annual fee is still $95. That combination…
Updated June 15, 2026: We’ve refreshed this article with current Princess Premier pricing, 2026 package changes, video suggestions, and a clearer value framework for deciding when the package may or may not be worth paying for. Princess Premier is Princess Cruises’ top bundled package, and it can make a cruise feel much closer to an…
