There are a number of items we make sure to pack on every trip — and others that serve a more specific purpose depending on how we’re traveling. Some are everyday essentials. Others are cruise-specific must-haves. If you’re specifically planning a cruise, we go deeper in our Cruise Packing Essentials We Actually Use guide, where…
I thought I’d hate cruising — I was wrong. Melanie had been on several cruises before. Jon? Never. I had officially labeled myself a non-cruiser — and I was pretty confident I’d stay that way. But with Melanie’s 50th birthday coming up, I decided it was time to do something big. Something meaningful. Something that…
Tripadvisor is one of the first tools we use when researching hotels, especially when we’re booking somewhere new. But we don’t use it as a simple “highest rating wins” tool. A hotel’s rating is helpful, but it is only one part of the decision. Over time, we’ve developed a simple framework that helps us quickly…
Update: This trip is still on the books, and we would hate to miss it after it has become one of our favorite travel traditions. But with us looking at a potential cross-country move and gas prices being what they are, we are reconsidering whether this is the right trip to keep this year. Time…
There are a lot of “must-have” packing lists out there — and most are full of things people buy once and never use again. This list is different. These are items we pack on every cruise (and most trips) because they: If it’s on this list, it’s earned its place. Related Reading: Want Help Planning…
Some travel traditions are planned. Others just sort of happen. On our cruises, one of the traditions that developed naturally is something simple that has become one of our favorite parts of each trip: Melanie makes themed cruise lanyards for every cruise we take. What started as a small sewing project has turned into a…
When you see whale watching online, it looks unreal. Perfect timing.Massive whales.Once-in-a-lifetime moments captured effortlessly. So going into our first dedicated whale watching tour during our Alaska cruise, we actually kept our expectations pretty low. And that turned out to be the best mindset possible — because reality absolutely blew us away. Watch the Video…
Not every trip should look the same. One of the biggest mistakes people make when planning travel is trying to force every trip into the same mold. Cheapest possible.Most luxurious possible.Most packed itinerary possible.Whatever worked last time. But the best trips usually do not come from copying a formula. They come from matching the type…
Skiplagging sounds like one of those clever travel tricks that can save you money. And sometimes, it can. But it is also one of those strategies that comes with more risk than most people realize, especially if you treat it like a repeatable system instead of what it really is: A very occasional, very situational…
Theme parks aren’t just for kids — and they aren’t just about rides. When planned well, theme parks and immersive experiences can become some of the most memorable trips you take. From iconic destinations like Disney and Universal to concerts, shows, special-ticket events, and entertainment-focused weekends, these trips are usually about much more than checking…
