15Mar 2020 by EJtheTravelDiva
Reasons to Choose a Balcony Stateroom on a Cruise

Reasons to Choose a Balcony Stateroom on a Cruise

Blog, Cruising, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Ocean Cruises
My goal, as a travel agent is not only to inspire people to travel, but to also help people to travel well and be smart travelers, and to book their vacations based on what they want to experience and not cost.  When it comes to cruising, my goal is to encourage people to select a balcony stateroom, or higher, on a cruise rather than any other room.  It is my pet peeve when travelers recite the cliché statement, "I am not going to be in the room that much anyway.  I don't need to pay for that type of room." If you had that type of room, you would enjoy it while you were in it.  I don't think anyone would be disappointed with booking a balcony stateroom or higher…
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18Aug 2019 by EJtheTravelDiva
Solo Cruising vs Group Cruising

Solo Cruising vs Group Cruising

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Solo Travel
I recently returned from a 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Glory with friends and family.  It was a great cruise in some amazing ports like Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Grand Turk, and Dominican Republic. EJT 10 Reunion Group Cruise As I was on the cruise, with friends and family, I found myself constantly comparing the cruise experience with my previous cruise when I sailed alone.  I enjoy traveling with others, it is big fun with traveling in groups and I also prefer traveling solo, at times.  Some of the advantages of traveling by yourself are: You can go to bed at any time.  One of the most beneficial things of cruising alone is having the ability to go to bed when you please without guilt.  When traveling with others,…
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27Dec 2017 by EJtheTravelDiva
Solo Cruising Day 4: Thrills and Chills

Solo Cruising Day 4: Thrills and Chills

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Solo Travel
My morning started at around 1:30 a.m. when I awakened realizing that I had dozed off last night with the TV on.  Yes, I went to bed early, I had eaten too much the night before, remember? Anyway, I ended up watching two good movies that I would have normally avoided because I am not a fan of Nicole Kidman.  I find her to be boring and she seems to select the worse movies.  But I am getting away from the point.  So....I watch M. Night Shyamalan called "Split" and another movie called "Lion".  By this time, it was 5 a.m.  I turned the TV off so there would be no change of getting caught up in another movie. Then I found myself waking up again to the sounds of…
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19Nov 2017 by EJtheTravelDiva
Day 1: Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone

Day 1: Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Solo Travel
The alarm goes off at 3am and I get up to get my travel day going.  I woke up this morning feeling excited and nervous at the same time.  Excited that I am embarking on an adventure and nervous that I am doing it alone. Now, I have traveled alone plenty of times, but once I arrive to my destination, there is usually someone or something waiting for me.  This time, I didn't know what was waiting for me---a good time, sadness, feelings of loneliness.  I wasn't sure, but I was willing to find out. Fist stop, the airport.  I was starving to I grab a table at O'Charley's in the Nashville airport.  My server takes my order and ask where I'm headed.  I reply, "On a cruise."  He responds,…
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19Mar 2017 by EJtheTravelDiva
Having Access to a Travel Agent is a Good Thing

Having Access to a Travel Agent is a Good Thing

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips
Twice, in one week, I received a call, from a client, in a panic because "someone told them" that they could not cruise, with their passport because it did not have at least six months validity on it.  One client stated that she could not get off the cruise ship and see the ports of calls because her passport needed to be renewed. These are the calls that I receive when my clients listen to other travelers.  Thankfully, my clients picked up the phone to verify the information they received with their travel agent - me. I explained to both clients that, they actually did not need a passport to cruise on closed-loop cruises that start and end in the United States.  U.S. citizens embarking on a cruise that both begins and…
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