Dan and I just attended our host agency’s annual conference in Orlando.  If you’ve ever attended a training conference, you know the feeling when it’s all over: brain overload!  You’ve just spent days with other like-minded people, networking, sharing experiences, learning new concepts and I mean WOW!  Where do you begin? There’s kind of a “high” that goes along with learning something new.  But how do you put things into perspective?  How do you create a reasonable and achievable Action Plan?  How do you make sure that you don’t just toss everything you learned into a “one day I’ll go through my notes” pile?

It IS overwhelming and, unfortunately, we don’t always have the luxury of being able to take a few days off to skim through our notes, decide priorities, or create action plans and tasking lists.  We have to fit all of that into that nasty schedule that has been waiting for us to return from our time away.

That’s where I am today – trying to steal a minute or two from my schedule to decide which great and amazing concept I picked up this weekend I’ll begin with.  And my head is about to explode!

So … here are a few new things we’ll be bringing to the table over the next few months. 

Cruise River to Normandy Beach:  We’re work with a remarkable River Cruise Line, planning a group cruise for veterans and their families for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  We’ll be cruising down the Seine River with a stop in Honfleur to walk the historic Normandy beaches, the site of the D-Day landings.   (By the way, if you’re part of a veterans’ group that would like to explore a specific location, let us know!  We’d love to help design your perfect adventure!)

Visit to the Holy Land:  Here is your chance to experience scripture instead of only reading it!  As we visit Cana, Nazareth, Jericho, the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem, we’ll follow the path of Jesus, follow in his steps on Via Dolorosa (the “Way of the Cross”), sail across the Sea of Galilee, and visit the cave of our Lord’s birthplace, and so much more!  (We also have amazing faith-based cruises and retreat opportunities that we’d love to share with you!)

​We all remember the silly “Duck, duck, goose!” game we played as children.  There’s a new game in town (or at sea!) and it’s become a huge craze!
 
If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you’ve certainly experienced the fun of finding a cute towel animal waiting for you on your bed when you return to your cabin each evening.  If you’ve cruised within the past year or two, may have seen something a little strange OUTSIDE your cabin, sometimes in the strangest places:  little yellow duckies hidden throughout the ship. And if you did, you might be wondering “what in the world?”, right?
 
The evasion of the Cruise Ducks is real … no one is really sure how it started or when.  I mean, seriously, who ever thought that hiding a small yellow duck on a cruise ship would start such a frenzy!  But now this craze is wildly popular and it’s considered a big deal when you or your child finds one!  (Just for fun, do a search on Facebook for Cruising Ducks, which has over 25,000 members. The page is also a great resource, especially for those looking for templates for the “Passports” many use to tag their ducks.)

So, what’s this Cruise Duck craze all about?  Here are some tips on where you can buy them, how to hide them, and how to find them – just in case you want to join the fun!
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The idea behind Cruise Ducks is pretty easy:  people buy ducks, then hide them around the ship in hopes that others will find them.  Often, the ducks will have a cute little note or “passport” attached, asking that their benefactor be contacted when found and that a picture be posted on a specific Facebook group (yes, they track the whereabouts of their ducks!).  In almost all cases, the ducks will be tagged with the name of the ship and the date of the sailing, making them great souvenirs!  

​Although some very creative people make cute little ducks (I’ve seen some adorable crochet ducks!), most of us buy them.  They are easy to find and inexpensive.  (Try your Dollar Store’s infant isle, Amazon or Oriental Trading Company).  You’ll be amazed at the variety of styles available! 

There aren’t any real “official” rules about hiding the ducks, here are a few guidelines:

• * Hide the ducks in public areas (although some folks leave one in their stateroom for the next guests to find.  Not sure the cabin steward wouldn’t find it and either keep it or trash it, so I personally don’t recommend this one).

* Don't hide ducks in the shops on board the ship.

* Avoid places where a gust of wind might send the duck flying into the ocean.
* Given how many children enjoy searching for the critters, avoid using obscenities on the attached notes.

Ever hear the saying “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?”  Sure, you have.  And the same often holds true for what happens during your cruise vacation – it’s the perfect time to let your hair down and allow yourself to get a little silly.  Letting our inner child out every now and then is good for the soul!

Some people really don’t like Sea Days – they’re totally focused on getting off the ship and exploring new destinations.  And believe me, I’m all about creating memories through journeys that take my breath away!  But I also love Sea Days.  Dan and I love sitting on the pool deck, people-watching and playing cards together.  Who has time for such activities in the hustle & bustle at home??

But, even being darn-near 70, we also enjoy just being kids at times. 
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Cruise lines have lots of great ways to get silly onboard during Sea Days.  It would be such a shame to miss out on an opportunity to just laugh with others and, maybe if you’re very brave, allow others to laugh at you WITH you!

​Carnival, as the self-professed “Fun” ship, always has something silly going on – just pick one or two that tickle your fancy:  the Hairy Chest Competition, Battle of the Sexes, Scavenger Hunts, Trivia Games, Hasbro the Game Show, Quest, Sports Competitions, Karaoke, and Pool Deck Games (plus many others!).  Royal Caribbean and Norwegian also have many of these crazy antics – and even Princess, Celebrity and Holland America have a few to choose from.  Most of the ships also have dance lessons onboard … here’s your chance to learn the steps to “Thriller!”

A family cruise is a wonderful adventure:  time together without the stresses from home.  This is your chance to create memories that will last forever and bring your family closer together. 
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Cruise ships today are often enormous – much like a floating city.  And, just like you would when traveling in a large, new city, certain safety precautions are a must when you’re cruising with children.  We’ve heard the stories in the news about accidents, assaults and thefts and this is not meant to frighten or dissuade you from taking the little ones on a cruise.  But there are some safety tips that you might not even think about, being in a new environment.  We hope this article will help prepare you for a wonderful, safe and memorable family vacation!

The life of a cruise fan can be full of surprises. From Goth and vampire conventions to Hogs on the High Seas, you'd be forgiven for thinking that at sea, anything goes. But when it comes to dress codes, there are some hard and fast rules you should think twice before breaking (for everyone's sake).

Cruise Critic members' forum "What's the strangest thing you've seen on a cruise?", pulled together some of their top tips on what not to wear, from cabin to pool and everywhere in between -- and what to wear instead.

​It seems like every few months, a new travel app comes out, or some new website pops up promising the best deals ever.
 
And while certainly technology can make many things about travel more organized, the secret to the best trip of your life has been around much longer than aggregate travel sites. Because the secret to an awesome trip isn’t an app — it’s a human being.
 
Your Travel Advisor (aka Vacation Designer) has the experience, the know-how, and the connections to help you design and plan a vacation that will create the best memories of your life. Here’s just a few of the things that make your certified Travel Advisor the key to the perfect trip.

​Ocean vs. River cruising: Which one is right for you?
 
When it comes to taking a cruise on river or ocean, it’s pretty tough to go wrong. Both offer incredible views, luxurious amenities, and the opportunity to explore interesting ports.
 
But each one comes with its own unique perks and depending on your specific needs for your next trip, you might find that one is a slightly better fit than the other. So, what are the major differences?

Snuggle up to these amazing and romantic island getaways!

What is it about a tropical beach that says ROMANCE?  It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning a proposal, you’re celebrating an anniversary, or just feel the need to spend some quality time with your significant other, there’s nothing quite like a beach to bring out the romantic in us.

If you’re in need of recharging those romance batteries in your relationship, here are five places – something for everyone – where you can escape reality and rekindle the flames!  Sit, sip, swim, hold hands, or just enjoy the majesty of the ocean and rolling waves.
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My number one Bucket List destination for a romantic get-away is, without a doubt, Fiji!  It’s the ultimate tropical fantasy.  Did you know there are more than 300 separate islands – some almost completely untouched.  Escape to a secluded, luxurious resort.  Explore one of the world’s largest Asian orchid collections (orchids always make me think of love & romance!).  You can visit the shores where Tom Hanks taught himself to fish and make a fire in Castaway. If you’re a diver or love to snorkel, you lose yourself in the magic of exotic fish, gorgeous coral, and crystal-clear waters! Fiji has it all.  

Ready to wet your whistle?  Well, here’s your chance to explore the birthplace of Bourbon and awaken your senses during a self-guided tour that reveals the story inside the Kentucky Bourbon distilleries.

What is the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?
In 1999, a group of bourbon whisky distilleries created The Kentucky Bourbon Trail as a way to increase Kentucky’s tourism. Visitors get an up-close look at how bourbon is distilled, while learning the history behind the crafting of bourbon and the art behind the perfect bourbon tasting.

There are ten bourbon labels that are a part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail:

• Bulleit Fronteir Whiskey
• Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
• Four Roses Bourbon
• Heaven Hill Distilleries, Bourbon Heritage Center
• Jim Beam
• Maker’s Mark
• Town Branch Bourbon
• Wild Turkey Bourbon
• Woodford Reserve
• Angel’s Envy

These distillers are preserving a tradition handed down through centuries of dedication, care and craftsmanship.

All of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries charge a fee for a tour or a tasting. Fees rang from $5 to $15 per person, depending on the distillery and the type of tour you choose to take. Specialty tours cost more. (You can visit the distillery's website for up-to-date pricing.)  Touring the distilleries, learning about the origins of bourbon, and tasting lots and lots of bourbon whiskey is an excellent way to spend a long weekend.

But there's more to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail than just distillery tours and bourbon tastings. It’s a step back in time where you learn about the history of Kentucky. You will drive through scenic bluegrass Kentucky, with horse farms as far as the eye can see. Spend the night in a historic tavern, enjoy the nightlife in Louisville, or visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Whether you have two days or a week, there is plenty here to keep you busy.
So let’s look a little closer and check out what the Kentucky Bourbon trail has to offer!

I love this quote.  As we’ve negotiated this journey of Dan’s cancer, we have sometimes sprinted, sometimes hopped left then right, sometimes taken one step forward and two steps back and, often, just limped along.  We have truly learned that adjusting our sails is the only way to get through this and maintain some semblance of sanity.

Cancer affects every part of life for everyone involved:  the patient, the caretaker, the family members and the friends.  We’ve tried very hard not to let the “C” word take over our thoughts or conversations.  It’s a new member of our family, it will forever remain a part of our lives, but it will not control our lives.

It can be frustrating to reschedule, and reschedule again, our calendar:  day-to-day activities, events we wanted to attend, family and friends we’d hope to visit and, of course, our travel plans.  Once upon a time, losing control over anything would have driven me up the wall.  Control was my middle name and I clung to it as a child clings to her favorite teddy bear.  But God is good and He showed me how to let go, just in time to receive Dan’s diagnosis.  And as a result of that blessing, I have learned that I don’t own our plans.  If we’re unable to attend an event, or a trip gets delayed or canceled, I can take a big breath -- and let it go,  because I know the Lord has control and He’s got our back. I don’t know His plan, but I trust in it and I trust in Him.
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From the beginning of our relationship, Dan and I knew we wanted to travel in our “retirement.”  Once the kids were all out on their own, we began taking a cruise or two each year – but the wanderlust in us was fierce!  It made us crave more adventures and more experiences.  We became travel addicts.