rI have traveled far and wide, but there are many reasons that I keep returning to my favorite theme parks.

Travel is expensive. When I go to Disney or Universal theme parks, I always know that I'll be getting the best that they have to offer. I'll bet that you have a favorite restaurant that you frequent? Theme parks are like that for me! I have traveled to over 25 countries (so far!). I have also visited Walt Disney World and/or Universal Orlando over 30 times. I've never been disappointed!

Some of my favorite restaurants are at theme parks! I get excellent food, fun surroundings and great service.  Where else can you savor the sights and flavors of Africa, ascend to and dine in a space station, or have Butter Beer with other aspiring wizards?!

Theme parks are energizing, thrilling, exciting and action-packed. I also get that "welcome home" feeling. Walking under Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, entering the lobby of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, taking selfies in front of the spinning Universal globe -- all are sigh-inducing experiences for me. I get that "you're on vacation now" vibe.

There is always something new to see and do. There are festivals throughout the year that highlight seasons, holidays or special interests. My favorite festivals are at EPCOT. There is the Festival of the Arts (Jan/Feb), Flower and Garden Festival (spring), Food and Wine Festival (fall), and Festival of the Holidays (winter). Each one features whimsical landscaping, specialty festival booths, Broadway-class entertainment, unique interactive experiences and -- don't even get me started on the food! At Universal I can exchange good-natured, irreverent insults with the Grinch during the Holidays or ride the floats during the Mardi Gras parade!

Multi-generation trips, Pre-or Post-Cruise trips, Family Get-Aways -- all have been core-memory makers for me. Legendary stories with my favorite people result from every trip.  Some of my most enjoyable trips have been with all-adult friends and family. Theme-park vacations  are sometimes wasted on kids! 

I have heard some criticize that theme parks offer "sanitized" experiences. Exotic locales come with a window into poverty that is reality for much of the world. While witnessing this is a valid and important, travel to distant places isn't always possible. Sometimes naked authenticity is overrated, especially during precious vacation time. If you want to sample the best of many cultures, all in one physical location, theme parks might be your closest approximation. Think of it as 'World Cultures Lite.' Maybe you will be inspired to visit to a country that wasn't on your radar before for your next vacation!

Say what you might, my travel budget includes a sprinkling of theme park visits. I always know that my money will be well spent.

Wave Season begins in January and runs through March each year. It's the time when most cruise lines offer their best deals, with discounts and promotions, to tempt you to dive in and book your next cruise! It's like Black Friday -- Cruise Edition.

During Wave Season, most cruise line offers are aimed at tempting travelers to book their cruises in advance in order to get the best pricing and availability. If you've ever tried to snag a last minute cruise with a midship, mid-level stateroom, you'll know they are basically non-existent. But booking ahead during Wave season might just get you your dream cruise, perfect stateroom, and at a great price with bonuses, too!

If your schedule requires you to travel during peak travel times, your best bet is probably to book ahead during Wave Season. The rule of thumb for cruises is that the earlier you book, the better rate you will find. As staterooms fill up, prices rise accordingly. Especially now, with many Baby Boomers traveling to complete their bucket lists, last minute cruise deals are almost a thing of the past!

I was a little late coming to the ocean cruise craze, but have cruised with Disney, Viking, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity -- and loved them all. I like the smaller ships offered by Viking ocean cruises, but also love all the activities and shows that the larger cruise ships offer. I love only unpacking once! I love trying out all the restaurants and the convenience of the buffets. I love the trivia contests, art/craft/onboard activity options, live Broadway-style shows, and even trying my luck at the casinos. With Disney cruises, I love the character interactions and other Disney-themed offerings. And having access to amenities like state-of-the-art gyms and relaxing spas, not to mention water slides, rounds out the vacation experience.

Maybe our best onboard cruise experience to date has been the Behind-the-Scenes tour of the Celebrity Beyond, where we saw the food pantries, kitchens, laundry and bridge operations. Fascinating to see the well-choreographed complexities needed to provide guests with seamless, pampered experiences.

River cruising offers a more intimate way to visit multiple European cities. With smaller ships, river cruising offers unique experiences, exotic locales, excellent dining and many shore excursion options. On our Danube river cruise, the journey itself became part of the entertainment when we got to watch the procedures needed to traverse the intricate lock systems that make European rivers navigable.

Oceans or rivers, if you've wanted to try out cruising, or even if you're a seasoned cruiser, booking your vacation during Wave Season is likely your best bet for deals and availability.

While we travel to leave our daily lives at home, we also want to stay connected with our loved ones. International calling is easier, and more economical, than ever thanks to your smartphone!

​Have you been immersed in an amazing travel adventure, then returned home and found a large bill of roaming phone and message charges?
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Been there! After one recent cruise, I returned home only to find that I had been charged $1.30 for every message, heart, and like on a group chat with 12 people. Yikes!! I had turned off cellular data and roaming and I was connected to the ship's WiFi – but some messages still sneaked through to a wireless carrier!

Here is some smartphone advice that is crafted especially for travelers!
Turn Off Roaming:
You can prevent roaming charges by turning off roaming in your phone settings. This will disable mobile data and other features that might incur charges, but you'll still be able to connect to Wi-Fi.

Use Wi-Fi:
Whenever possible, use Wi-Fi for internet access and communication. Many apps allow you to send messages and make voice or video calls over Wi-Fi, bypassing the need for cellular data. A popular choice is WhatsApp, which is available for both Apple and Android devices.

Buy a Local SIM Card:
If you're staying in a place for more than a few days, consider buying a local SIM card. This gives you access to local rates for calls, texts, and data, which are often much cheaper than roaming charges.

Purchase an International Plan:
Before traveling, check if your carrier offers an international plan or roaming package. These plans are usually more economical than pay-as-you-go roaming rates.
 
Download Offline Maps and Information:
Before you travel, download maps, travel guides, and any other information you might need. This allows you to access them offline without needing to consume data.

Use Traveler-Friendly Apps:
Apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and Google Maps offer offline options or the ability to communicate over Wi-Fi, which can help you avoid using expensive data.

Monitor Your Data Usage: 
Keep track of how much data you're using. Many smartphones have built-in tools to monitor data usage and set alerts for when you're close to your limit.
 
Switch to Airplane Mode: 
When you're not using your phone, or when you only want to use Wi-Fi, switch to Airplane Mode. This stops your phone from connecting to cellular networks and incurring charges.

Ignite your wanderlust, without blowing through your phone data plan!
Feel free to reach out with any questions. I'm always here to help enhance your journeys.