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How Conferences, Seminars, Affinity Events — and Even Fundraisers — Are Being Reimagined at Sea For decades, organizations have gathered in the same familiar places. Hotel ballrooms.Convention centers.Corporate boardrooms.Resort conference wings. And while those spaces serve a purpose, they all share the same limitations: high costs, fragmented logistics, low post-session engagement, and experiences that feel more transactional than transformational. But a shift is happening.

If you cruise long enough, you start hearing the same thing over and over: “Every time I cruise, I get sick,” “Cruise ships are just floating petri dishes,” or “I always come home with a cold.” It’s become so common that many travelers almost expect to lose a few days of their vacation to a sore throat, congestion, or worse. Here’s the thing. We cruise a lot. Between personal trips, group cruises, scouting sailings, and hosting events at sea, we are on airplanes and cruise sh

Overview of Curaçao Port Highlights If you’re docking at the Curaçao port as part of your Caribbean cruise, get ready to step into a vibrant blend of history, color, and excitement. Curaçao port is buzzing with energy, welcoming visitors with its unmistakable pastel-hued Dutch colonial architecture, open-air markets, and the gentle sway of ocean breezes right at the dock.  You don’t have to wander far to dive into must-see sights and engaging cruise activities—everything abou

Booking your cruise is exciting. It’s the moment everything becomes real. You’ve picked the ship, locked in your dates, maybe even started watching YouTube videos about the ports and onboard experiences. You can already picture yourself on the top deck, drink in hand, watching the ocean roll by. But before you can step on that ship, there’s one big piece that often causes stress, confusion, and unexpected costs: airfare. For many cruise travelers, flights to the port are the

If you’ve been thinking about cruising in 2026—or even early 2027—there is no better time to start planning than right now. The 2026 Cruise Wave Season is officially underway , and this is the most aggressive promotional period the cruise industry offers all year. Wave Season traditionally runs from January through March , when cruise lines release their strongest public offers to encourage early bookings. These deals are designed to fill ships far in advance and often includ

Planning a group cruise can be one of the most rewarding ways to travel together — whether it’s a family reunion, friend getaway, celebration, organization event, or special-interest group. Cruises make it easy to bring people of all ages and budgets together while allowing everyone to enjoy the vacation their own way. That said, group cruises don’t just magically fall into place. Different personalities, expectations, schedules, and budgets can quickly turn excitement into s

Planning Your Perfect Philipsburg Itinerary Maximizing your day in Philipsburg, St. Maarten starts with intentionally designing your itinerary around what excites you most. Philipsburg may be compact, but its possibilities are endless—so whether you're a sun-seeker, shopping enthusiast, or culinary adventurer, you'll find something to love. Begin your exploration with a stroll down historic Front Street , home to over 100 duty-free shops. It's a paradise for those looking to

Cruising is one of those vacation styles that people seem to have very strong opinions  about — especially people who have never actually been on a cruise. Over the years, I’ve heard countless reasons why someone insists they would “never” cruise. Too boring. Too expensive. Too old. Too crowded. Too restrictive. Too risky. And yet, every year, millions of first-time cruisers step onboard… and then book their next cruise before they even get home. The truth is, cruising has ev

Cruising is often described as one of the best values in travel—and honestly, that reputation is well earned. When you book a cruise, your accommodations, meals, entertainment, transportation between destinations, and countless onboard activities are bundled into one upfront price. Compared to planning a land vacation with hotels, flights, dining, and activities all booked separately, cruising can feel refreshingly simple. That said, no cruise vacation is truly “all-inclusive

Norwegian Cruise Line has officially brought back its popular Free at Sea Plus package. This enhanced upgrade option was originally introduced in 2022 as a way for guests to turn their Free at Sea perks into a more inclusive, premium experience. After being discontinued during a pricing model change, it has now returned—this time featuring stronger benefits and added value. What’s New With Free at Sea Plus? Daily Gratuities Included One of the biggest improvements is that the

Tired of unpredictable budgets, hidden venue fees, and the underwhelming atmosphere of the standard hotel ballroom? For organizations planning major corporate events, association meetings, or large group incentives, the financial stress alone can overshadow the strategic goals. You spend countless hours trying to align venue rental costs, accommodation blocks, daily catering minimums, and A/V equipment fees—often leading to unpleasant budget surprises after the event is over.

Your Guide to Saving Space, Reducing Stress & Packing Smarter for Smooth Sailing Packing for a cruise can feel a little like preparing for a vacation and a fashion show at the same time. Between swimsuits, outfits, gadgets, and “just in case” items, it’s easy to end up packing half the house. But here’s the truth: most new cruisers bring way more than they ever use. After years of helping travelers get cruise-ready—and reading countless funny stories from our Cool Panda commu