Should you book your flights through the cruise line or directly with the airline? ✈️🚢 From flight protection guarantees to payment flexibility, this blog guide breaks down the pros and cons! When planning an ocean cruise, locking in your stateroom is only half the logistics puzzle. Unless you live within driving distance of the port terminal, you also need to arrange how you're getting to your departure city. Most major cruise lines—including Royal Caribbean (Air2Sea), Cele

Don't gamble your ocean getaway on a flight delay! ✈️🚢 Discover why flying in 24 hours early is the ultimate rule for a stress-free cruise embarkation. There is nothing quite like the anticipation of embarking on an ocean cruise. You’ve spent months picking the right cruise line, hand-selecting a quiet stateroom location, and planning your shore excursions. But before you can grab a tropical drink by the pool deck, there is one critical travel decision you must make regardin

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As a certified Travel Advisor and First Mate specialist, all opinions, reviews, and insights shared here are entirely my personal sailing experiences. Taking in the view of Ibiza, Spain from my balcony hammock on the Scarlet Lady When you book an ocean cruise with Virgin Voyages, choosing your stateroom is one of the most exciting d

Complete guide to dining on Virgin Voyages—restaurant reviews, menu favorites, and insider dining hacks! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As a certified Travel Advisor and First Mate specialist, all opinions, reviews, and insights shared here are entirely my personal sailing experiences. If there is one area where Virgin Voyages completely disrupts the traditional

Sailing from London to Barcelona on Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady—a complete 13-night itinerary recap. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As a certified Travel Advisor and First Mate specialist, all opinions, reviews, and insights shared here are entirely my first-hand sailing experiences. When people think of Virgin Voyages, they often picture 4- or 5-night Caribbean

Advisor review and complete guide to sailing Virgin Voyages Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As a certified Travel Advisor and First Mate specialist, all opinions, reviews, and insights shared here are entirely my first-hand sailing experiences. When Virgin Voyages entered the cruise market, they promised to break every rule of traditional cruising—no kids, no buff

Comparing Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruises to find your perfect ocean vacation. When you decide to take an ocean cruise, one of the biggest choices you'll make isn't where you're sailing—it’s who you're sailing with. While ships sail to many of the same tropical ports across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and beyond, the onboard experience can feel like three completely different vacation worlds. Three of the most popular cruise lines clients ask me about

Are cruise drink packages and specialty dining packages actually worth the extra money? 🍹🥩Before you click 'buy' on those cruise add-ons, read my latest cost breakdown and math guide! When you book an ocean cruise, it’s easy to feel like you’ve locked in an all-inclusive vacation. The base fare covers your accommodation, transportation between ports, entertainment, and round-the-clock food in the buffet and Main Dining Room. However, as soon as you complete your booking, th

Don't let a noisy deck or motion sickness ruin your cruise vacation! From avoiding the pool deck noise to locking in the smoothest mid-ship rooms, my guide breaks down how to choose the perfect stateroom placement 🚢✨! When you start planning an ocean cruise, picking your room category—whether an Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, or Suite —is only half the battle. Once you decide what type of stateroom you want, you are faced with a much trickier question: Where on the ship should

Big tour buses or small-group local hidden gems? 🚤 How you book your shore excursions changes your entire port day experience! Read the blog to learn the difference between cruise line tours vs.independent excursions. Stepping off the ship into a vibrant Caribbean island, a historic European port, or an Alaskan fjord is often the highlight of any cruise vacation. But before you can explore ancient ruins, snorkel crystal-clear reefs, or ride a helicopter onto a glacier, you f

Ocean mega-ship or intimate river vessel? 🚢 Travel style matters when picking a cruise! When travelers think of taking a cruise, they often imagine massive mega-ships sailing across open ocean waters. But in recent years, river cruising has experienced an explosion in popularity—offering a completely distinct way to explore the heart of Europe, Asia, and Egypt. As the owner and Travel Advisor behind Journeys by Jacqy, one question I'm frequently asked by clients when plann

Planning your first ocean getaway? From choosing the right ship vibe to avoiding hidden costs, my Cruising 101 guide breaks down everything you need to know before you sail! If you’ve never taken an ocean cruise before, stepping into the world of cruising can feel both thrilling and overwhelming. With dozens of cruise lines, hundreds of ships, complex deck plans, and endless dining options, it’s easy to get lost in decision fatigue before you even unpack your bags. As the own