The travel blog
Trip reports, honest reviews, and points & miles news from around the world — written after actually staying, sailing, and flying.
Los Angeles (San Pedro) Cruise Parking: Rates and Options
Where to park for your San Pedro cruise, what the World Cruise Center lots cost, offsite park-and-cruise picks, airport transfers, and ways to save.
Long Beach Cruise Parking: Rates, Lots, and How to Save
Where to park at Carnival's Long Beach Dome terminal, what the garage costs, offsite lots, LGB and LAX transfers, rideshare, and money-saving tips.
Jewel of the Seas Review: A Bright Radiance-Class Ship from Fort Lauderdale
A full Jewel of the Seas review for 2026: the glass-walled Radiance-class ship from Fort Lauderdale, the dining, bars, entertainment, best cabins, deck plan tips, embarkation, itinerary, and how to book for less.
Jacksonville Cruise Parking: Where to Park and Costs
A travel advisor's guide to parking at the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal, with onsite rate ranges, offsite park-and-cruise lots, and money-saving tips.
Is Specialty Dining Worth It on a Cruise?
What specialty restaurants cost per person, when the main dining room is enough, and how to book the best nights for less on your cruise.
How to Get Free Onboard Credit on a Cruise
Learn every legit way to stack free onboard credit on a cruise, from advisor perks to shareholder benefits, plus how to spend it before it expires.
A Beginner's Guide to Booking a Cruise
A first-time cruiser's walkthrough of the five decisions that shape your booking, plus deposits, final payment, price-drop repricing, and cancellation fine print.
How to Avoid Seasickness on a Cruise
A cruiser's practical guide to preventing seasickness: cabin choice, remedies, ginger, the horizon trick, smoother ships and itineraries, and what to do if it hits.
How Much Does a Cruise Really Cost? A Full Breakdown
The full cost of a cruise beyond the fare, with rough per-person-per-night ranges by line and a real breakdown of gratuities, drinks, wifi, excursions, dining, and travel, plus a sample budget.
Hotels Near the Vancouver Cruise Port (Best Picks)
My guide to the best hotels near the Vancouver cruise port at Canada Place, plus airport transfers, the Canada Line, and parking tips for your Alaska sailing.
Hotels Near the Tampa Cruise Port (Best Picks)
My picks for the best hotels near the Tampa cruise port, from walkable Channelside stays to airport fly-in and park-and-cruise options, plus how to reach the terminals.
Hotels Near the Seattle Cruise Port (Best Picks)
A travel advisor's guide to the best hotels near Seattle's two cruise terminals, Pier 66 (Bell Street) and Pier 91 (Smith Cove), with downtown picks near Pike Place, SeaTac fly-in advice, park-and-cruise, and how to reach each pier.
Hotels Near the Port Canaveral Cruise Port (Best Picks)
A travel advisor's guide to the best hotels near Port Canaveral, from Cocoa Beach to Cape Canaveral, including park-and-cruise packages, shuttle vs. drive advice, and how to add Disney World.
Hotels Near the New Orleans Cruise Port (Best Picks)
The best hotels near the New Orleans cruise port: French Quarter and Warehouse District picks near the Julia and Erato Street wharves, plus parking tips.
Hotels Near the Mobile Cruise Port (Best Picks)
A travel advisor's guide to the best hotels near the Mobile cruise port, from walkable downtown stays to park-and-cruise deals and easy terminal logistics.
Hotels Near the Miami Cruise Port (Best Picks)
A travel advisor's guide to the best hotels near PortMiami by neighborhood, from Brickell and Downtown to Miami Beach and the airport, with park-and-cruise tips and how to reach the terminals.
Best Hotels Near the Los Angeles and Long Beach Cruise Ports
A travel advisor's guide to the best hotels near the Los Angeles (San Pedro / World Cruise Center) and Long Beach cruise terminals, including walkable options, budget picks, LAX fly-in, and park-and-cruise.
Hotels Near the Jacksonville Cruise Port (Best Picks)
My guide to the best hotels near the Jacksonville cruise port at the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal, plus parking, shuttles, JAX airport transfers, and getting to the terminal.
Hotels Near the Galveston Cruise Port (Best Picks)
A travel advisor's guide to the best hotels near the Galveston cruise port, covering The Strand and downtown, the Seawall beachfront, Houston airport fly-in options, park-and-cruise packages, and getting to the terminal.