Life is funny. It can also be incredibly sad, overwhelming, and surprising. Never would I have imagined our big, beautiful world literally closing its doors and shutting down borders in a pandemic or losing millions of people to its death grip. Five years ago, I also never would have imagined that I would lose my best friend of 20 years and my mother just a year apart. To say it has been a tough few years would be an understatement.
But let’s talk about some fun things that have happened since then.
Travel during the pandemic was impossible, but I was not ready for it anyway. When restrictions lifted, it was a slow and easy start with a couple of cruises – quick 5-day cruise on Carnival Breeze to the western Caribbean in November, 2021, and one to Alaska in May, 2022. Perhaps cruising in a confined space with thousands of people was not the brightest idea. Nevertheless, my second cruise to Alaska was just as awe-inspiring as the first one despite contracting COVID-19. Nothing compares to the vastness and natural beauty of Alaska. I will go again and again and again and never tire of it. One of my favorite excursions this time around was the ocean raft adventure in Skagway to get up close to waterfalls and wildlife. Wearing the orange gumby suit was pretty fun, too!
Both cruises to Alaska were on Carnival (one on Legend and the last one on Spirit). The spirit-class ships are by far my favorite ships on Carnival. They are smaller and older which generally means cheaper and less populated as well. I scored the 8-night Alaskan cruise for a whopping $500. The deals on cruises were outrageously inexpensive, especially for a solo balcony cabin to Alaska. While there are often great deals to be had on cruises, the post-pandemic deals would be hard to beat.
While I have cruising on the brain, I recently tried out Royal Caribbean, having previously been a Carnival and Norwegian girl. I sailed on a 7-day Western Caribbean on Harmony of the Seas out of Galveston, Texas for Thanksgiving last year. I was underwhelmed. Even though the ship was the biggest and shiniest I had ever sailed on, it seemed much more limited in options for eating and drinking than Carnival or Norwegian. Maybe I just missed Guy’s Burgers and the Red Frog Pub too much. Royal didn’t seem nearly as “fun” during games or trivia which I love while cruising! The one redeeming factor was my cabin. I booked a Boardwalk Balcony and LOVED it. That was a game changer. In fact, I used it more than any ocean view balcony I’ve ever booked. It was like being part of the action but also not if that makes any sense.
As much as I love cruising and think it is one of the best all-inclusive vacations, it is time for me to get back in the air and head over the seas. Spring break will be spent in Venice, and I could not be more excited to get back to Italy. My last trip to Europe with my mom was Italy, so I think it will be extra special. The acme of my summer will be the long-awaited, twice-planned, bucket-list trip to Vietnam. I cannot wait to share the details with you.
tiffany travels 