Off we go! Interesting facts about our cruises..

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Here is the map of our three back-to-back cruises beginning today and ending on December 13.

Tom looked up some facts about today’s 47-night cruise(s) that surprised us.

  • 10 Countries

  • 4 Continents,

  • 4 Hemispheres,

  • Cross the Equator 3 times 

Wow! We certainly are looking forward to this adventure and will share details with you as we sail on this fun journey.

We’ve taken every possible precaution to avoid getting sick, including taking immune-supporting supplements, taking cold showers, eating healthy food, getting good sleep, and exercising (which I’ve done daily). Tom did the three flights of stairs many times, collecting packages from Amazon, groceries, and Uber Eats.

We’ve both been doing intermittent fasting and have each lost over 16 pounds (7.3 kg) in 6 weeks, averaging 2.63 pounds (1.2 kg) per week. Tom is as light as he’s been since we left the US in 2012, but I still have 11 more pounds (5 kg) to reach my usual weight. I’d gained over 25 pounds from the previous heart medications I had to take for a year.

It will be a challenge to keep losing weight on the cruise, but I will try. It will be too hard to continue intermittent fasting, but since we don’t eat lunch, I’ll be careful with portion control and food choices during breakfast and dinner. Since we didn’t drink any alcohol, except for last Monday when we went to lunch with Linda and Ken, it was easier to lose.

On the ship, as Diamond Plus members, we’re each allowed five complimentary drinks each day. I will only have two glasses of wine each day, so we’ll see how it goes. Hopefully, all the walking we’ll do on the ship and out on tours will offset some of the extra calories we consume from the alcohol.

We are fully packed and ready to go. Soon, Carlos will arrive to help Tom get the bags downstairs. We arranged a larger taxi to take us to the cruise terminal. We have an assigned arrival time of 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. We won’t have any trouble making that time.

We signed up for internet so we each have our own connection on the ship and will still be able to communicate with family using WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

We’ll be back tomorrow, but it may be later than usual since we’ll be having breakfast and unpacking in the morning.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 27, 2015:

This tiny chemist shop has more inventory packed into this tiny space than imaginable. One need only ask for an item, and they happily scrounge around until they find it. The owner, of Muslim heritage, refused to allow interior and staff photos, which we’ve encountered and respected in Morocco and other Muslim countries. For more photos, please click here.

One day and counting…Tomorrow’s the big day!…

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Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas.

No words can express how thrilled we are to be boarding our 47-night cruise tomorrow morning. Our local friend Carlos will arrive at 10:30 am to help Tom take our luggage down the three levels and load the taxi when it arrives. Some taxi drivers don’t help much with bags.

It’s a 20-minute ride to the cruise terminal, and when we arrive, baggage handlers will tag our bags and take them to our cabin later in the day. They guarantee we’ll have our bags by no later than 7:00 pm, so we will keep everything we may need with us until then.

The clothes we’ll be wearing when we arrive will be the same we’ll wear through dinner and the evening, so we won’t have to worry about unpacking everything when the bags arrive. Most likely, as always, we’ll unpack what we need and finish unpacking after breakfast.

Typically, we don’t unpack everything; we only unpack the items we’ll use on the cruise. Being organized is crucial in the small cabin with minimal storage space.

Today for dinner, we have enough chicken salad left for me, but not enough for both of us. This morning, I ordered Tom one last meal of lasagne from Uber Eats. We’ll scramble the remaining eggs to supplement the small portions of our main dishes.

This morning, Tom packed his clothes. We have one more load of laundry for later today and then we’re done, done, done. Tonight, will be relaxing while we finish a few shows we’ve been streaming since it’s doubtful we’ll stream anything while aboard the cruise.

On most evenings, while cruising, we stay out of the cabin until we’re ready for bed, only returning during the day to change for dinner and, if Tom needs a nap, possibly returning in the early afternoon. He never seems to sleep enough at night, so he gets up very early; a short 20-minute nap may be on the agenda.

That’s it for today, folks.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 26, 2015:

Rasnesh, our driver, took this photo of us in front of the Vuadomo Waterfall in Fiji, on the chief’s property. We were hot and sweaty, but the long trek was worth it! For more photos, please click here.

Traveling to Greece?…Euphoria Retreat…Five days and counting…

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Not our photo. Euphoria Retreat in Greece.

Many of our readers are cruising and flying to Greece for their vacations/holidays. Today, we stumbled across this article that may be of interest to those interested in wellness and spas. This article was written in the first person by the author from her personal experience.

From Travel+Leisure online magazine:

“This Might Be the Most Transformative Wellness Retreat in Greece—Where Ancient Philosophy Meets Modern Healing

At Euphoria Retreat in Mystras, timeless philosophy and holistic therapies help guests rediscover balance and purpose. By Janine Di Giovanni Published on October 11, 2025

I’m a strong believer in psychotherapy, but the concept of professional coaching never appealed to me. The one time I tried it, I was unnerved by a trust exercise and gave up almost immediately. Then, a couple of years ago, I became CEO of a nonprofit investigating war crimes in Ukraine. Having spent most of my career as a writer, working alone, I found leading a team to be exhilarating, but I needed a new skill set. So I signed up for a leadership program at Euphoria, a wellness retreat in Greece.

The word euphoria is derived from ancient Greek. (Its literal meaning is “to bear” or “to carry well.”) It’s a fitting name for the first—and most acclaimed—wellness center in the country. The property is set in the fortified town of Mystras, about a three-hour drive south of Athens. I arrived just as the sun was going down behind Mount Taygetos, the highest peak in the Peloponnese, and casting a golden light across Euphoria’s stone floors.

The property, which opened in 2018, was designed by Greek architect Natalia Efraimoglou to reflect the area’s Byzantine heritage. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was a key inspiration; elements of that building are reflected in Euphoria’s domes and arches, as well as its palette of gold, blue, red, and yellow. Most of the retreat’s 45 rooms are set in the main building, but I stayed in one of six suites located in the 1830s Leoncini Mansion, which has marble floors and is decorated with Turkish rugs and traditional wooden furniture. My balcony overlooked a sweeping green valley. I didn’t unpack that night—unusual for me—and instead fell into a deep sleep. When I woke to birdsong and a crowing rooster 10 hours later, I realized it was the first time I’d slept without sleeping pills or melatonin in years.

That morning, I began the leadership program, which the property curates for each participant. Euphoria blends ancient Greek and Chinese therapies, as these two great civilizations developed similar well-being philosophies that emphasize inner peace, unity, and holistic balance. In my first session, a therapist explained how the elements of ancient Hellenic medicine (water, fire, earth, air, and a fifth element known as aether) and traditional Chinese medicine (water, fire, earth, wood, and metal) were reflected in my body and personality. My dominant traits were a mix of earth for pragmatism and fire for passion.

On the spa’s top floor, which overlooks a shady evergreen forest, I met my teachers. Marina Efraimoglou, Euphoria’s founder (and the sister of architect Natalia), had, like me, switched careers later in life. A former Wall Street banker who moved to Athens to continue her career, she was diagnosed with cancer in her late twenties. Chemotherapy and recovery prompted her to re-evaluate her life. She stayed in finance for a while, then founded Euphoria to promote physical, mental, and spiritual healing.

Her teaching partner, Mary Vandorou, provided a counterpoint. The daughter of a dancer and an actor, she had been a ballerina and later trained in Zen Buddhist meditation. While Efraimoglou is bold and authoritative, Vandorou is quiet and reflective. The pair divided the classwork, which included discussions and exercises. We began with meditation, then explored how to become an effective messenger. “What are your examples of true leadership?” Efraimoglou asked. “Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi,” I answered. Both led their people through seemingly impossible conflicts with grace and the ethos of nonviolence.

The retreat’s core teachings are based on three levels: leadership of the self, of a small group, and on a broader, global scale. The first is rooted in the phrase “Know thyself”—the Socratic idea that self-development begins by understanding your body, mind, and emotions. To this end, Efraimoglou presented me with a set of handwritten questions, most of which focused on the way I presented myself to the world—at conferences, symposia, and meetings—and whether that reflected my true self. She asked what mattered most to me. Commitment, loyalty, principles? Are there personality types I resonate more with?

One evening, I was asked to talk about and reframe the parts of my life or career that I regretted. I expected to struggle with opening up to strangers, but both women were such good listeners that I found myself revealing things I’d never shared before. “Why are you apologizing?” Efraimoglou asked. “Why don’t you own your path?” Vandorou added. “What does ‘own my path’ mean?” I asked. They both laughed. It means to accept your work, your life, and yourself. To focus on the good things around me. And there are many.

At Euphoria, there’s also a strong focus on female empowerment and leadership that draws not from yang (masculine) energy but from yin: intuition, empathy, care, nurturing, and supportive teamwork. That prompted me to reflect: When was I short-tempered? When did I shut down a good idea? When was I judgmental with my team? After our sessions, I retreated to the forest to walk. I spent a lot of time in the spa, which had an outdoor pool where I lay floating on my back, staring up at pine and cypress branches.

My retreat only lasted five days; I wished it had been longer. Several other women were staying for three weeks, and I was jealous of them. Before leaving for Athens, I took one last walk through the private woodland bordering the property, which Efraimoglou called “the enchanted forest.” There was no rush, no desire to climb the highest peak. Just a simple path to follow around the ancient trees, all stable and firmly rooted. Be like that tree, I thought. Stay on your path. Efraimoglou would have approved.

A version of this story first appeared in the November 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “Deeply Rooted.”

That’s it for today, folks.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 22. 2015:

There were no photos posted on this day ten years ago.

What is a guarantee cabin on a cruise ship?…We’ve tried it for the first time…

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This is the layout of our balcony cabin (it may be reversed) on the upcoming Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas: 203 sq. ft., with a 47 sq. ft. balcony.

When booking a cruise, one of the most mysterious and often misunderstood options a traveler encounters is the guarantee cabin (sometimes spelled guaranty cabin). It’s a term that sounds both promising and uncertain at the same time, as though you’re guaranteed something but also taking a gamble. Over the years, as we’ve sailed across oceans on various cruise lines, we’ve learned that a guarantee cabin can be a blessing or a mild disappointment, depending on your expectations and how flexible you are as a traveler.

A guaranteed cabin means you’re booking a specific room category— for example, inside, oceanview, balcony, or suite —but not choosing the exact location or cabin number. In other words, you guarantee that you’ll have at least that type of accommodation. Still, the cruise line has the right to assign you any available cabin within that category or even upgrade you to a higher one. The idea is simple: you’re trading control for value.

Cruise lines love guaranteed bookings because they give them more flexibility to manage their inventory. For instance, if certain sections of the ship need balancing for safety or operational reasons, or if they’re trying to sell more desirable cabins later at a higher price, they can shuffle guarantee guests around to fill the gaps. For passengers, the allure of a guarantee cabin usually comes down to price. These rooms are often cheaper than picking a specific cabin yourself, which appeals to those of us who prefer to save a bit for shore excursions, specialty dining, or perhaps a cocktail at sunset.

However, there’s always a catch. When you book a guarantee cabin, you won’t know your cabin number until closer to your sailing date, sometimes weeks before, sometimes even a few days. For travelers who like to plan down to the smallest detail, this uncertainty can be unsettling. We’ve known fellow cruisers who were assigned cabins in less-than-ideal locations: near elevators where late-night conversations echo through the corridor, under the pool deck where early-morning deck chairs scrape across the floor, or close to a crew service area where there’s a constant hum of activity.

But we’ve also met passengers who lucked out, getting unexpected upgrades to higher categories at no additional cost—say, from an interior to a balcony. Those moments feel like winning a little cruise lottery, and they do happen more often than one might think. Cruise lines prefer happy passengers, and if filling a better cabin makes sense logistically, it’s an easy gesture for them to make.

From a psychological standpoint, booking a guarantee cabin tests your comfort with uncertainty. As full-time travelers, Tom and I have learned to adapt to the unexpected—different cultures, languages, currencies, and accommodations, so a little unpredictability on a cruise ship doesn’t rattle us much anymore. In fact, there’s something oddly exciting about not knowing exactly where you’ll end up on board. It adds a layer of surprise, a small adventure before the bigger one begins. When the cabin assignment finally appears on your cruise app or booking page, it feels like unwrapping a gift.

That said, there are some practical considerations. If you’re particular about cabin location—say, you get seasick easily and prefer the middle of the ship on a lower deck where motion is minimal—then a guarantee cabin may not be wise. Likewise, if you’re a light sleeper or sensitive to noise, you might not want to risk being near high-traffic areas. In those cases, it’s better to pay a bit more and handpick your cabin.

On the other hand, if you’re simply thrilled to be sailing and aren’t fussy about where you lay your head at night, then the savings of a guarantee cabin might be worth it. After all, much of cruise life takes place outside the stateroom—on the decks, at shows, in restaurants, or exploring exotic ports of call. For some, the cabin is just a place to sleep between adventures.

On these three upcoming back-to-back cruises, for the first time, we booked a guarantee balcony cabin, not knowing where on the ship we’d be or whether we’d have to move twice. I hesitated when Tom suggested this during the cruise booking process a year ago, even with the over US $1000 in cost savings. But, I relented and said, “Let’s give it a try.”

Now, with only 12 days until boarding, we’ve been informed of our balcony cabin number and that we’ll be able to stay in the same cabin for the first and second legs of the back-to-back. We won’t be informed about the third leg for weeks, but if we have to move, it won’t be so bad, since we’ll be able to stay in the first cabin for the first 35 nights (out of 47). We are thrilled.

All in all, the unpredictability keeps travel from becoming routine. Much like flying standby or choosing a mystery hotel, the guarantee cabin is for those who can embrace a little chaos in exchange for potential reward. It’s about trusting the process and remembering that every cabin, whether inside or out, shares the same destination, the same ocean breezes, and the same star-filled nights.

If you decide to try a guarantee booking, it helps to understand the fine print. You can’t change your cabin once it’s assigned, and you can’t request a particular location in advance. The assignment is final, and that’s the trade-off for the lower fare. Some cruise lines assign guarantee cabins weeks before departure, while others wait until the last moment as they juggle cancellations and upgrades. Patience is key, and a positive mindset goes a long way.

For travelers like us, who’ve lived out of suitcases for years and learned to find comfort wherever we are, the guarantee cabin fits our philosophy: make the best of every situation. What matters most is the experience itself, the laughter shared at dinner at shared tables, the sound of the sea against the hull, the feeling of waking up in a new port with the world waiting just outside your door.

So if you’re planning your next cruise and debating whether to book a guarantee cabin, ask yourself this: Are you more excited by certainty or by surprise? Either choice can lead to wonderful memories. But for those who crave a touch of adventure even before stepping on board, a guarantee cabin might just be the perfect way to begin the voyage.

We’ll let you know what transpires for our third leg of the back-to-back cruise when we know sometime in the next several weeks.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 15, 2015:

In Fiji, the tiny freezer contains meat for the week, streaky bacon, bagged portions of Tom’s daily egg dish, homemade low-carb flax-and-almond-meal lemon poppyseed muffins, and low-carb coconut cookies. Also, ice, lots of ice. We Americans like ice with our cold tea. For more photos, please click here.

Theme parks on cruise ships…

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Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship with the most extensive amusement and water park.

Theme and Amusement Parks on Cruise Ships: The Floating Fun Revolution

Cruise ships are no longer just about shuffleboard, sun decks, and midnight buffets. Over the past decade, they’ve evolved into floating cities offering increasingly wild and whimsical attractions—none more jaw-dropping than the rise of full-blown theme and amusement parks at sea. The concept may seem far-fetched to some, but for the modern traveler, especially families and thrill-seekers, these onboard playgrounds are becoming a major draw.

What once began with a simple rock-climbing wall or a waterslide has exploded into a seafaring spectacle of roller coasters, surf simulators, go-kart tracks, and immersive themed zones. These floating theme parks redefine what it means to vacation on the ocean, blurring the lines between cruise ship and amusement resort.

Royal Caribbean: Pioneers of Onboard Adventure

When it comes to pushing the envelope, Royal Caribbean International leads the charge. Its Oasis Class ships, such as Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, are not just among the largest passenger vessels in the world—they’re virtual amusement parks.

Royal Caribbean was the first to introduce neighborhood-style layouts on its ships, including areas like the Boardwalk, complete with carousel rides, hot dog stands, and outdoor amphitheaters. The Ultimate Abyss, a 10-deck dry slide twisting down the back of the ship, became an iconic thrill.

But the innovation didn’t stop there. Their Quantum Class ships introduced RipCord by iFLY, a skydiving simulator, and the North Star, a glass observation pod rising 300 feet above sea level. The SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea, features bumper cars, roller skating, and even a circus school.

Carnival: Water Slides and Thrill Zones

Carnival Cruise Line leans into fun with its Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, which feature BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea. Riders strap into motorcycle-style seats on a track that twists and turns around the upper deck—while reaching speeds of up to 40 mph. That’s right: a real, electric-powered roller coaster circling the top of a ship.

Water parks have long been part of Carnival’s DNA, but they’ve upped the ante in recent years. Their WaterWorks park includes spiraling slides, splash zones, and racing tubes—all perched several decks above the ocean. Combined with the high-energy SportSquare (ropes course, mini-golf, and outdoor gym equipment), it’s a full-scale amusement experience.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Go-Karts and VR Worlds

Norwegian’s Prima and Encore ships are designed with adrenaline junkies in mind. They offer multi-level racetracks with electric go-karts zipping along the ship’s upper decks—where guests can race each other with an ocean view flying by. The track even extends slightly over the side of the ship for added drama.

The Galaxy Pavilion adds a high-tech edge, delivering an entire deck of immersive virtual reality games and rides. Passengers can pilot fighter jets, explore haunted houses, or simulate high-speed racing in a hyper-realistic environment. It’s ideal for families and tech lovers who want more than sunbathing and swimming.

MSC Cruises: European Elegance Meets Family Fun

The MSC World Europa and MSC Seascape have brought the brand into the amusement space, particularly for European travelers. The Robotron, a robotic arm ride that lifts and flips passengers while synchronizing to music and LED lights, is something you’d expect at a land-based theme park, not cruising through the Mediterranean.

MSC also offers dedicated aquaparks, adventure trails, zip lines, and 5D cinemas. Their approach blends European-style luxury with the playfulness of a resort-style family vacation.

Disney Cruise Line: Where Magic Meets the Sea

Disney Cruise Line blends its signature storytelling with cruise ship innovation. Their newest ship, the Disney Wish, offers a “water coaster” called AquaMouse, which combines water ride thrills with immersive animation, sound, and story scenes featuring Mickey and friends. It’s not just a water slide—it’s a narrative ride experience, complete with sudden drops and twists.

Themed zones, such as Marvel Super Hero Academy, Star Wars: Cargo Bay, and Frozen-themed dining experiences, elevate the family cruise into a full-blown magical adventure. It’s no surprise Disney would ace the art of combining theme parks with cruising—they’ve simply shifted their magic from land to sea.

Why the Shift Toward Theme Parks at Sea?

Cruise lines are in fierce competition for younger audiences, multigenerational families, and thrill-seeking vacationers who once might have opted for Disneyland or Universal Studios. Today’s cruise passengers expect more than relaxation. They want Instagrammable moments, adrenaline-pumping experiences, and interactive entertainment.

Moreover, cruise vacations are increasingly seen as cost-effective family trips. Instead of paying for flights, hotels, meals, and admission to a theme park separately, a cruise offers all-inclusive pricing with amusement-level attractions included.

Challenges and Future of Floating Fun

There are unique challenges to building amusement rides on a moving vessel. Engineers must account for weight distribution, ocean motion, and safety standards. Every roller coaster loop and splash zone must be tested for stability, especially during rough seas.

Still, with technology advancing and cruise ships growing larger, we can only expect more innovation. Rumors suggest concepts like indoor ski slopes, escape rooms, AI-driven attractions, and augmented reality parks could be next on the horizon.

Today’s cruise ships are no longer just transportation…they’re destinations in their own right. Theme and amusement parks at sea have reshaped the cruising experience, offering something for everyone: thrill rides, splash zones, family fun, and tech-powered escapes. Whether you’re riding a coaster above the Atlantic or ziplining across a Caribbean sunset, one thing’s for sure: cruising has never been more exhilarating.

On another note, last night, we had a fun evening with friends Carol and Colin and Carol’s two nieces, Ursula and Anita from Pretoria, at Ngwenya for their Thursday night buffet. The conversation was as delightful as ever and left us all with smiles on our faces. Tonight, we’re off to Jabula for more entertainment. We love to be busy socializing on all these evenings!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 1, 2015:

As shown in this photo, few swimmers in parts of Australia are in the water, many fearing sharks and stingers. For more photos, please click here.

Speaking of visas…Important news for cruisers and other travelers…

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Ten years ago, we traveled to Kauai to stay for four months. Known as the “garden island,” Kauai is exceptionally lush and green.

When we first began cruising in 2013, the cruise booking company we used provided some, although not all, visa requirements for countries we’d visit along the way. Many countries require visas for cruising foreign visitors whether they get off the ship or not. In many cases, in the past, the cruise line would have local immigration officers board the boat, and we’d receive visas, one by one, in lines formed to accommodate this purpose.

Since the pandemic, a lot has changed, and neither cruise lines nor cruise booking companies are providing information about required visas for any ports of call. It is entirely up to the passenger to figure this out on their own, although some travel agencies, as a unique service to their customers, may explain the visas needed for the cruise to their customers.

To verify if visas are needed (for US citizens) to any country worldwide, click here for the US Department of State.

For citizens of the countries, check with your embassy or Department of State.

Cruise lines typically don’t assist passengers in obtaining visas for the countries on their itinerary. Still, they may provide the name of a travel document company to help get the required visas for various countries in the itinerary. However, these companies are costly, and what might be a $15 fee for an ETA (electronic travel authorization) if a person applies on their own suddenly costs almost $100.

Many cruises with multiple ports of call may require four or five ETAs, resulting in extensive fees when using a travel document service. On occasion, when it’s been challenging and time-consuming to obtain a specific visa, we have had no choice but to use such a company.

When boarding a cruise, your visa documents (ETAs) will be verified, or you won’t be allowed to board the cruise. This disaster could result in lost cruise fares, added air travel costs to return home, and other related expenses.

Here’s why cruise lines operate this way and how you can prepare:

Why Cruise Lines Don’t Handle Visas

  1. Individual Requirements Vary: Visa requirements depend on the passenger’s nationality, the countries visited, and the type of cruise. Handling this complexity for every passenger would be a logistical nightmare.
  2. Legal Responsibility: It’s up to travelers to comply with international travel laws. Cruise lines cannot be held accountable if passengers are denied boarding or entry into a country.
  3. Timing and Process: Visa processing times and procedures vary widely, and some require in-person appointments or specific documentation that cruise lines cannot facilitate.

How Cruise Lines Support You

  • Pre-Departure Communication: Cruise lines previously (before the pandemic) provided detailed information about the required travel documents for each destination. You can try to get this information, but most often, you will be referred to a travel document company. Thus…
  • Partnerships with Visa Services: Some cruise companies work with third-party agencies to assist passengers in obtaining visas, though this comes at an additional cost. Using the recommended company doesn’t ensure discounted prices.
  • Onboard Immigration Support: In rare cases, cruise lines might arrange for visas on arrival in specific ports, but this is usually limited to certain destinations and itineraries.

How to Handle Visa Requirements as a Passenger

  1. Research Early: Check visa requirements for every country on your itinerary as soon as you book your cruise.
  2. Consult Experts: Use services like VisaCentral or your local consulate for detailed advice and processing help.
  3. Allow Extra Time: Start the application process months in advance to account for delays or additional requirements.
  4. Carry Copies: Bring digital and physical copies of your visas and travel documents during the trip.

A Pro Tip for Smooth Sailing

If you’re unsure about visa needs or processes, join online forums or social media groups dedicated to your cruise line or destination. Fellow travelers can provide firsthand insights and tips based on their experiences.

Have you encountered visa challenges while cruising, or are you planning a trip where this might be an issue?

The proper preparedness and handling of the visa process is crucial for a good cruise experience.

Thanks for stopping by!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, January 8, 2015:\\

A map illustrates how tsunamis wiped out the city of Hilo near the bay. A notice at the Lyman Museum, which we also visited in December, is at the top of this page. For more photos, please click here.

Beware of Cruise Scams on Facebook…How to Avoid Being “Taken for a Ride”…Six days and counting…

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An exquisite sunset on the Big Island.

This morning, while preparing for the day, I was listening to a cruise podcast on my phone; the main topic was a couple who purchased a cruise from a person on Facebook who claimed to be a cruise travel agent. They were told to pay using CashApp, an online app that allows the sender and receiver to deal with cash, not credit cards.

The unwary couple sent the entire cruise cost over some time, even receiving a cruise confirmation number and documents. When they arrived at the departure port, they were informed that no such confirmation existed and that they had been scammed and were turned away. Fortunately, they got their luggage back, which they’d turned over to a porter at the pier, and were left to find a way home.

Unfortunately, Facebook, a hub for connecting with friends and discovering new opportunities, has become fertile ground for scammers. Cruise scams have gained traction among the many schemes circulating, preying on the dream of an affordable luxury vacation. These scams are more sophisticated than ever, often disguised as giveaways, contests, or too-good-to-be-true deals. Understanding how these scams work and how to avoid them can save you from losing money, personal data, or both.

The Allure of a “Free Cruise”

One common tactic is the “free cruise” giveaway. These posts often feature enticing images of luxurious ships, serene ocean views, and extravagant amenities, promising a dream vacation at no cost. To claim your prize, you just have to “like,” “share,” or fill out a short survey. It sounds simple, but the goal is far from innocent.

When you click on the link, you’re typically directed to a site requesting personal information like your name, phone number, and email address. Some sites ask for credit card details to cover “processing fees” or taxes. Instead of earning a cruise, victims deal with identity theft or unauthorized charges.

Fake Cruise Line Pages

Another strategy involves creating fake Facebook pages impersonating legitimate cruise lines. These pages often mimic the branding and style of well-known companies, complete with logos, professional-looking images, and engaging posts. Scammers lure users in with promises of last-minute deals or heavily discounted cruises. Clicking on the links leads you to counterfeit booking sites where you may inadvertently provide sensitive information.

Group Scams and Influencer Fraud

Some scammers infiltrate travel-related Facebook groups or create their own, posting as travel agents or influencers. They share “exclusive deals” with group members, asking for deposits or full payments via untraceable methods like wire transfers or apps like Zelle and Cash App. The scammer disappears once the money is sent, leaving victims without their cruise and out of pocket.

Signs of a Cruise Scam

To protect yourself, it’s crucial to recognize red flags:

  1. Too Good to Be True Deals: It likely is if a deal looks unbelievably cheap or claims to be free. Legitimate cruise lines rarely, if ever, give away free trips without significant eligibility criteria.
  2. Urgency and Pressure: Scammers often pressure you to act quickly, claiming limited availability or time-sensitive offers.
  3. Suspicious URLs: Always check the web address of any link. Fake sites often have slight misspellings or extra characters in the domain name.
  4. Unsecured Payment Methods: Requests for payment through wire transfers, gift cards, or untraceable apps are significant warning signs.
  5. Lack of Direct Communication: Legitimate companies provide clear contact information and never hesitate to verify details over the phone.

Steps to Protect Yourself

  1. Verify the Source: If you see a cruise deal on Facebook, visit the cruise line’s official website to confirm its legitimacy.
  2. Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Be wary of surveys or forms asking for sensitive data. Reputable companies don’t ask for personal details through social media links.
  3. Report Suspicious Activity: Use Facebook’s reporting tools to flag scam posts or pages. This helps protect others from falling victim.
  4. Check Reviews: Before booking, research the deal and the seller. Look for reviews and complaints on trusted platforms like the Better Business Bureau.
  5. Use Credit Cards: If you make a purchase, always use a credit card. These offer better fraud protection compared to debit cards or other payment methods.

Why Scams Work

Cruise scams succeed because they exploit human emotions: the thrill of winning, the urgency of an exclusive offer, and the desire for a luxurious experience. Scammers rely on victims acting before thinking, so it’s essential to remain vigilant.

Final Thoughts

While the dream of a perfect cruise vacation is appealing, don’t let it cloud your judgment. You can protect yourself and enjoy genuine travel opportunities by staying informed and skeptical. Remember, the ocean may call, but scams are just noise—don’t let them steer you off course.

Have you encountered a cruise scam or know someone who has? Share your story—it might help others avoid the trap.

We usually book through Costco, the cruise line, or Vacations-to-Go to book cruises, comparing prices and perks before we commit.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, December 8, 2014:

Apparently, these plants withstand saltwater on the Big Island and flourish in their constant moisture. For more photos, please click here.

Part 4…We booked 4 cruises!…Here are prices, itinerary and details…Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate…

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The skeleton of a humpback whale at the Whalers Village before it was destroyed by the fires in 2023.

This morning, I prepped the stuffing for tomorrow’s turkey. What a lot of work! Without a fully equipped kitchen, it was incredibly challenging. We have one large tinfoil roasting pan and not a single oven-safe casserole dish. Instead, I placed the stuffing I had prepared in three tinfoil pie pans, lining them with parchment paper and covering them with tin foil.

I’ll bake one pan of dressing each day, leaving the other two pans for the leftovers we’ll have after roasting two whole turkey breasts. Since I don’t eat any of the carby sides, only turkey, veg and salad, Tom will be on his own, eating all the leftover side dishes. He won’t mind a bit.

We’ll have plenty of turkey breast meat to last for several days, and I’ll freeze any leftovers we can eat in the next two weeks. With 17 days until we depart, it will all work out well, and I won’t need to order any more meat during our remaining days. We’ll use whatever we have left in the freezer.

To continue with the information for the four cruises we booked with Royal Caribbean, please see below:

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24 Night Cruise from Brisbane to Seattle

Royal Caribbean
Voyager of the Seas

24 Night Cruise

Departure Date: Tue, Apr 14, 2026

Embarkation Port: Brisbane

Return Date: Sat, May 09, 2026

Disembarkation Port: Seattle

Non-Refundable Deposit

Date Port Arrive Depart
Tuesday, April 14 Brisbane, Australia 4:30 pm
Wednesday, April 15 At Sea
Thursday, April 16 At Sea
Friday, April 17 At Sea
Saturday, April 18 At Sea
Saturday, April 18 Cross International Dateline (Cruising)
Sunday, April 19 At Sea
Monday, April 20 At Sea
Tuesday, April 21 Papeete, Tahiti 7:00 am 11:59 pm
Wednesday, April 22 Moorea, Society Islands 7:00 am 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 23 At Sea
Friday, April 24 At Sea
Saturday, April 25 At Sea
Sunday, April 26 At Sea
Monday, April 27 At Sea
Tuesday, April 28 Honolulu, Oahu, HI 7:00 am
Wednesday, April 29 Honolulu, Oahu, HI 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 30 At Sea
Friday, May 1 Kona, Hawaii, HI 8:00 am 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 2 Hilo, Hawaii, HI 7:00 am 5:00 pm
Sunday, May 3 At Sea
Monday, May 4 At Sea
Tuesday, May 5 At Sea
Wednesday, May 6 At Sea
Thursday, May 7 At Sea
Friday, May 8 Seattle, WA 6:00 am

Cost for two $6947.66   $495 Digital Costco Shop Card

Tomorrow, we’ll be back with a short post with Thanksgiving wishes.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 27, 2014:

Restaurants line the boardwalk at Kaanapali Beach, Maui. For more photos, please click here.

Part 3…We booked 4 cruises!…Here are prices, itinerary and details…Excitement for the future..

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Sadly, the formerly beautiful Whaler’s Village in Lahaina is no longer operational after the 2023 fires.

The days are flying by. In only 18 days, we’ll be on our way to Nevada, arriving on December 18. It will be Tom’s birthday only five days later, which we’ll celebrate by heading out to dinner. A few days later, it will be Christmas, which we won’t do much to celebrate. We don’t mind at all.

This will be our 13th Christmas since we left Minnesota in 2012. We don’t put up a tree or decorations since it’s neither practical nor necessary in our unusual lifestyle. The meaning of Christmas is always in our minds, and we have been able to observe the holiday season in our hearts.

Following is the information on the third cruise we booked:

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12 Night Cruise from Singapore to BNE

Royal Caribbean
Voyager of the Seas

12 Night Cruise

Departure Date: Mon, Dec 01, 2025

Embarkation Port: Singapore

Return Date: Sat, Dec 13, 2025

Disembarkation Port: BNE

Non-Refundable Deposit
Date Port Arrive Depart
Monday, December 1 Singapore 4:30 pm
Tuesday, December 2 At Sea
Wednesday, December 3 At Sea
Thursday, December 4 Benoa, Bali, Indonesia 7:00 am 10:00 pm
Friday, December 5 At Sea
Saturday, December 6 At Sea
Sunday, December 7 Darwin, Australia 9:00 am 5:00 pm
Monday, December 8 At Sea
Tuesday, December 9 At Sea
Wednesday, December 10 Cairns, Australia 8:00 am 5:00 pm
Thursday, December 11 Airlie Beach, Australia 9:00 am 6:30 pm
Friday, December 12 At Sea
Saturday, December 13 Brisbane, Australia 6:30 am

There’s not much on the agenda for today. The workout is going well. Each day, I increase either the time on the treadmill or the elevation. Today, I did 17 minutes on the treadmill with 7 minutes of elevation. Once I get to 20 minutes, I’ll focus more on time and elevation rather than increasing the time.

I’ll miss five days while we travel to Nevada, but once we’re situated in the condo in Lake Las Vegas, the next day, I’ll start up again, hoping to pick up where I left off. If not, it should only take a day or two to return to my previous level. I keep track of each day’s workout stats on my phone’s calendar app, attempting to improve daily.

Thanks for staying with us through this long and less exciting period.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 26, 2014:

At the Whalers Village Museum, destroyed in the horrific Lahaina fires, ship masthead rings held the sailors to the mast. For more photos, please click here.

Part 2…We booked 4 cruises!…Here are prices, itinerary and details…Excitement for the future..

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A cattle egret at a local golf course. These birds are frequently seen in Hawaii.

The following is information on the second leg of the triple back-to-back cruises on which we’ll embark beginning next October. We are thrilled to be able to do back-to-back cruises, but unfortunately, we couldn’t get the same cabin for all three of these cruises. The fourth cruise we booked is at a later date, which we’ll share in Part 4 in a few days.

We’ll have to change cabins twice, but the crew usually helps with this process. We don’t unpack everything when we cruise; we only unpack those items we know we will wear during the cruises, plus necessary toiletries. We’ve moved to other cabins in past back-to-back cruises, and usually, we can accomplish this in less than an hour, including packing and unpacking.

There were a few options to stay in the same cabin, but none were balcony cabins, and the cost was at least another $2000 per cruise. It wasn’t worth the added expense to us. We are comfortable with what we’ve chosen.

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17 Night Cruise from Cape Town to Singapore

Royal Caribbean
Voyager of the Seas

17 Night Cruise

Departure Date: Fri, Nov 14, 2025

Embarkation Port: Cape Town

Return Date: Mon, Dec 01, 2025

Disembarkation Port: Singapore

Non-refundable

Date Port Arrive Depart
Friday, November 14 Cape Town, South Africa 7:00 pm
Saturday, November 15 At Sea
Sunday, November 16 Port Elizabeth, South Africa 7:00 am 8:00 pm
Monday, November 17 At Sea
Tuesday, November 18 At Sea
Wednesday, November 19 At Sea
Thursday, November 20 At Sea
Friday, November 21 Pointe des Galets, Reunion Island 7:00 am 5:00 pm
Saturday, November 22 Port Louis, Mauritius 7:00 am 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 23 At Sea
Monday, November 24 At Sea
Tuesday, November 25 At Sea
Wednesday, November 26 At Sea
Thursday, November 27 At Sea
Friday, November 28 At Sea
Saturday, November 29 At Sea
Sunday, November 30 Singapore 6:00 pm
Monday, December 1 Singapore Disembark

It’s been a busy morning. I worked out first and then started prepping for tonight’s dinner of Keto Tuna Patties, which I made enough to last through Wednesday. Then, on Thursday, like most people in the US, we are having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, mainly for Tom, since I’ll only eat turkey, veggies, and salad. Tom doesn’t like cranberry sauce or sweet potatoes, but I’ll make the remaining traditional items. More on that later.

We hope those who celebrate have a safe and pleasant Thanksgiving week. In tomorrow’s post, we’ll be back with Part 3 Cruises.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 25, 2014:

Sadly, this is no longer there due to horrific fires in Lahaina, Maui, with considerable loss of life and property. For more photos, please click here.