AndiD

I am very sad about this.  I had a subscription to this magazine long before I could afford to cruise and I have kept it up ever since.  In fact, I had an active subscription when they went under; we are supposed to be picked up by another travel magazine but haven't heard what yet.  I hope it isn't Porthole Cruising, because I also subscribe to that, ha!  I have my issues back to 2014 - I would purge them about every 5 years...

Great article, Jan!  Even though I have taken 30+ cruises I would never think of booking without a good travel agent.  All of the points in your article are spot on, and unless you opt for a very high-end, exclusive travel agency, the cost to use an agent is $0!  So why not take advantage of their expertise and access?!  You can still maintain as much control over the details as you want....or....you can leave everything up to your agent if planning is not "your thing".   And CruiseCrazies even makes it easy - check out their recommended  Authorized Agents - I have!!

Wow!  I had no idea.... not being a fan of the YUUUGE ships - I haven't paid much attention to them, but this great blog just may entice me to try Symphony - nicely done!!

I can TOTALLY relate to the T-shirt regrets, Jan!  In fact, I just put a bunch of them in the Salvation Army pile, lol.

Love this, Jan!  I have copied down the quote from Morley and will send to Lucas as he gets ready for their Costa Rica trip - he will love it!  And I also tend to agree with your other included thoughts; we did NOT split our time between Florence and Pisa, and yes, we DID brave the crowds to see the real David and not just the replica out on the square.  And I know you guys did as well!  One unexpected pleasure whilst doing a tour that we thought a "must-do" rather than a "dying-to-do", was on our Vatican visit in Rome, when I saw Michelangelo's Pieta in St. Peter's Basilica. I am really not a religious person, and I am not a Catholic, but when I saw that I almost cried, I thought it was so beautiful.  Surprised me - that's for sure! 

Oh, I am sorry, Jan!  I was going to come back and read the blog more thoroughly - I should have waited to post; I loved the Bonnet House so much l wanted to get it in there, lol!

?  All that food - oh my gosh!!  Welcome Back, Danny - your video was amazing.  I enjoyed it so much that....I have no recourse except to book a cruise RIGHT NOW!!  Thank you!

I am right there with you as well!  Whenever a little bonus money comes into the budget I automatically think - CRUISE!  And now it is a bit more challenging since we both retired....  I am of the philosophy that if something were to happen to one or both of us tomorrow,  I would greatly regret not having seen the world's splendors; I would NOT regret that my house needs a bit of updating or having a new car every three years.  It is okay if those things are important to some - everyone has different priorities - but for me....GET ME ON A SHIP!

Wonderful story, Marci, and so glad everything worked out so well! Our first cruise was to Alaska and boy did I have to do some talking to get my husband to agree! But it was for our 25th wedding anniversary so he acquiesed, swearing that he was going to wear a tank top over his sweatshirt (he would have much rather been somewhere warm.) By the time we got home he was asking when and where our next cruise would be. I said Hawaii and he said "why would we ever want to go to Hawaii?" OMG! Needless to say, 15 or so cruises later he has quit doubting me and eagerly awaits our next adventure. And I will eagerly await your next installment!

Thanks for joining us, Brian; you will quickly have a fleet of faithful followers waiting for your next installment!

Fabulous! And very easy to relate to since we have felt all of those same emotions. The butterflies never go away, but it is from pure joy and excitement to be off on another cruise!

Great start, Stacey! Alaska was our first cruise, although we planned for years for it. Can't wait to hear more!

I am speechless - and truly sorry for your experience! I am glad that you were able to enjoy the journey the second time around in the way that travel was meant to be enjoyed!