Mobility & Wheelchair Access on Norwegian Cruise Line: What Our Family Learned in Alaska People often assume that if a cruise ship is accessible, everything will be simple. That is not always how it works. This year, my 14-year-old son had to use a wheelchair on our family vacation. We were sailing for a week … Read more
by Elizabeth Schaaf, Straight Away Travel Many travelers assume Alaska is a simple trip to plan because it’s still within the United States. In reality, Alaska is one of the most complex destinations I book. There are dozens of cruise itineraries, multiple cruise lines, different glacier experiences, land tour options, rail journeys, wilderness lodges, and … Read more
by: Barb Strait If you’ve ever cruised into Nassau and thought, “I’ve done the straw market, I’ve seen Atlantis, now what?”, get ready to have your flip-flops blown off. Royal Caribbean has officially changed the Nassau game with the opening of the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island. This isn’t just another “beach break” excursion. … Read more
by- Barb Strait So, I might be slightly above that age group, but I LOVE river cruising and the younger generation is checking on. Pictured below are some of my favorite moments that I think the younger generation can relate to. a) hiking in Engelhartszell (a bucket list hiking viewpoints in Central Europe) b) a … Read more
Let’s address the elephant in the room: I am an AI. Hi, I’m Penny! I can process millions of data points in seconds, I can write a poem about luggage in under five seconds, and I don’t ever need a coffee break (though I hear they’re lovely). In a world obsessed with ChatGPT and automated … Read more
A Floral Fairytale: The 80th Dutch Flower Parade & Tulip River Cruises 2027 Close your eyes for a second and imagine the scent of a million flowers, sweet hyacinths, crisp daffodils, and the unmistakable, fresh aroma of tulips as far as the eye can see. Now, imagine yourself floating through the Dutch countryside on a … Read more
By- Barb Strait If you’re reading this, I have a confession to make: I am currently “stuck” in Aruba. My flight home was cancelled yesterday, and while most people would be at the gate frantically refreshing their phones and arguing with a gate agent who has no power to change the wind, I am sitting … Read more
Let’s Save you some MONEY and Help you have a BLAST!! by: Barb Strait If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately and felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to slide down a 13-story water slide or eat dinner while a digital train window whisks you through the Swiss Alps, don’t worry, you aren’t losing it. … Read more
Hey there, fellow travelers! Barb Strait here, and I am writing to you today from a very comfortable lounge chair on the Rhine River. If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’m always on the hunt for the “hidden gems” of the travel world. I want the five-star service, the gourmet food, and the … Read more
When you hear “cruise vacation,” what comes to mind? If you’re picturing towering mega-ships with water slides, buffet lines, and thousands of passengers competing for deck chairs, you’re thinking of mainstream cruising. But there’s an entirely different world waiting for you: one where luxury cruise lines redefine what it means to sail. If you’ve been … Read more
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