Welcome 2026!

I can’t believe all of the amazing adventures that I had in 2025. It was a VERY busy year of traveling for me. Let’s recap:

January

I started of the year by learning about a cruise line I’ve sold a lot but hadn’t yet experienced, MSC. Erin and I attended a Seminar at Sea – a training event where we get to experience the cruise line but also attend some learning sessions – on MSC Divina. It was a great chance to try out this very affordable option (and dispel some of the rumors I had heard about them not being a great company).

Then at the end of the month, the whole SeaMorePlaces team got together in Orlando at our Regional Training. Our company, CruiseOne, made my Disney heart happy by hosting our Southeast Regional at WDW Contemporary Resort, which mean I got to spend a few days in my happy place! And of course I stopped by some of the parks (including hopping over to Universal Studios to see the new Dreamworks area).

February

February was my first non-work trip of the year. As a belated Christmas present, hubby and I went to New York City for a long weekend. I always forget how much I love this city…being able to walk a few blocks and find, well, anything you can image, is so incredible! Not to mention the main event of our weekend: seeing Hamilton on Broadway!

Then came our family’s first vacation of the year, and one we have been anticipating for a long time: our first Disney Cruise! We started with a two-night stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge in a Savannah View Room (because I could only justify spending that type of money on our room when we weren’t also going to be buying park tickets). Then we set sail on Disney Fantasy, where we were totally blown away by the experience! I fully expected my husband to say that a Disney cruise was not worth the price tag because it was just like any other cruise, but even he said Disney went above and beyond his expectations!

March

No travel for me in March, but that’s okay because I had a BIG April coming up!

April

April started with some disappointment. The inaugural sailing for Norwegian Aqua was canceled due to weather. This is a cruise line that I book a lot of and have not yet sailed on. And as one of the only contemporary lines still sailing out of Boston (the closest cruise port to me), I am very eager to give them a try.

But Erin and I were able to sail on another inaugural cruise on board the MSC World America! Not only did this give us a chance to compare this bigger, newer ship to the Divina, but we got to celebrate my birthday at sea! This ship was so much fun with so many exciting things to do; I would definitely recommend it to an energetic family – especially with teens or young adults!

I finished out the month with another family vacation; this time with several other families we’re friends with. We traveled with our group on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas for a Caribbean spring break. My kids loved showing their friends (who were first time cruisers) all of their favorite parts of being a cruise family. And the adults loved that the kids had playmates to keep them entertained while we relaxed and kept an eye on them!

May

May was my biggest trip of the year…a week on board Oceania Marina as she sailed the Mediterranean. I spent a few days pre-cruise in Rome, and then we sailed to several ports in Italy, France, and Spain. My favorite spots ended up being the Spanish islands of Ibiza and Mallorca. And I definitely need more time in Rome! And experiencing a luxury cruise line like Oceania was the perfect way to see these amazing ports. I loved coming back on board just in time for afternoon tea each day.

June

After my Europe adventure in May, June was a great time to relax as my kiddos wound down their school year.

July

July brought a local(ish) adventure. When my parents took my kids to stay with them for a week, hubby and I hit the road and drove north to Stowe, VT. This winter ski spot had a lot of cute boutiques and restaurants to check out in the summer. It’s also home to Ben & Jerry’s, Cabot Creamery, and the VonTrapp Family Lodge and Brewery. Then it was a quick trip back south to the Pocono Mountains to pick up the kids and head home.

August

August was more rest and gearing up for one BIG last minute trip in September.

September

Erin and I got an amazing invitation to sail on Regent Seven Seas Splendor for a Seminar at Sea with our amazing Regent BDM and some other members of the CruiseOne family. We sailed from Montreal to New York, and this smaller luxury ship on the Canadian rivers made us feel like we were on a river cruise in Europe. Among the amazing on board amenities, my favorite had to be the cooking class I took for only $99 where I learned to make several delicious brunch options!

October

October was one last trip for me and hubby. When we went to a friend’s wedding in Orlando, we decided to spend an extra day in the Sunshine State checking out Universal’s newest theme park Epic Universe. We had the most thrilling and immersive day! We’re already talking about going back with the kids.

November

One of the most anticipated work trips of the year is our CruiseOne National Conference. This year, not only was our entire SeaMorePlaces team in attendance, but we were on board the brand new Star Princess. Kris is a hug fan of Princess Cruise Line, but this was my first time sailing on this brand of ship. I have to admit, I thought this was an “old people” cruise line, but boy was I wrong! This line is for anyone who likes to have good food, good fun, and a bit of sophistication!

December

I had to squeeze in once last trip before the year ended, so my friend and I jumped at the chance to sail on the new Disney Destiny. I’m glad I experienced a Disney ship with my family earlier in the year, because Destiny is definitely a ship for Disney adults! The themed lounges and shows filled with villains and Marvel heroes was the perfect end to my year of adventures!

2026

This year is going to be a bit more low-key. (Well, I say that now, but I didn’t have nearly half of last year’s trips planned at the start of the year)! In a few days I’ll finally set sail on a Norwegian cruise ship, and then my family has one Royal Caribbean cruise planned for February break. So far that’s it.

Check back here to see my reviews of these trips (and hopefully more that I add in along the way)!