WELCOME TO WANDERLUST WAYFARER

The thought of being stuck on a cruise ship in a hurricane is scary. During hurricane season, the Caribbean becomes a hotbed for tropical storms. Each year from the beginning of June to the end of November, the conditions in the North Atlantic Ocean are ripe for a hurricane. If you’ve ever thought about taking a cruise at this time of year, you’ve probably wondered just what happens on a cruise ship in a hurricane. Hurricanes are a force to be reckoned with—literally. They ha

So you’re reading the website description for your cruise, and it says you need to “tender” to shore. Unless you’ve taken a cruise before, you’re probably wondering what the heck that means. In a nutshell, a tender is a smaller boat that carries people from the ship to the shore. What Are Tenders? Many times, tenders are owned and operated by local companies. They are small ferry boats that hold anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred people. If there are not enough local

Punta del Este is paradise defined. With its glistening azure waters and stunning sandy beaches, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect place to drop anchor than this resort city on Uruguay’s Atlantic coast. While Punta, as the locals call it, boasts a population of fewer than 10,000 permanent residents, the city comes alive for two weeks in January each year, when hundreds of thousands of rich and famous sun seekers swoop in to take advantage of this coastal playground in its p

A cruise cabin has some major advantages over a hotel room. I know, you’re thinking, “how different can they be?” And you’re right. In terms of the amenities the room itself provides, they’re pretty similar. You’ll find a bed, bathroom, and dressers, for example. But there are a few pretty big differences, too. Check out these five reasons—in order of importance—why a cruise cabin is better than a hotel room. 1. Towel Animals 2. Nightly Turndown Service Do you remember the ta

There area plenty of places where you can find peace a quiet on a cruise ship. If you’re like me, as much as you love the live entertainment and activities on a cruise, you also want a little time to yourself. I love to kick back with a good book, and just relax. It may be hard to imagine anyplace on a cruise ship where you can get away from the hustle and bustle, but if you know where to look, you can carve out a little space that’s all your own. Check out these six places w

Did you know all of your food on a cruise is included in your cruise fare? Not everyone realizes that the price you pay to get on board the ship includes three meals a day—or as many as you’d like, really. That’s right, there’s no shortage of food on a cruise. But is it any good? And will there be anything you like? The answer to both these questions is a resounding, “Yes!” Whether you’ve got a hankering for sushi or steak, ice cream or apples, you’ll find something for every

All-inclusive resorts are a great way to travel. Once you’ve booked your vacation, you don’t have to spend another penny. Everything you could possibly want or need is part of your vacation packaged. From sun and fun to booze and food, there are no other expenses. Cruises are very similar to all-inclusive resorts…only instead of being surrounded by sand, you’re surrounded by water. Like a completely self-sufficient, floating island. Like all-inclusives, the price you pay for

When it comes to cruising, everyone always has questions about formal wear. Do you need it, or don’t you? That always seems to be the question. And the answer is easy: it’s entirely up to you. These days, most cruise lines know people want to tailor their vacations to their own unique tastes. For this reason, they give you plenty of options. Here’s what you can expect on most ships—from Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean’s mega ships to Avalon and AMA Waterways river cruises.

What could be better than New Year’s Eve in Paris? It is the City of Lights after all. Paris is one of the most beautiful, romantic, decadent cities in the world, so it’s a real treat to ring in the new year in this amazing place. Throughout the holiday season, the city is filled with festive lights and holiday cheer. There’s are even Christmas markets all about town, including one that runs along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, where you can grab a cup of steaming gluhwein or

Not sure what to expect when you arrive at the cruise port? Every cruise line and port is a little different from the next, but there are a few things you can count on every time you arrive to check in for your cruise. These are the top three things you can expect when checking in at a cruise port. 1. Baggage Porters Most often, your bags will arrive before your ship sets sail, especially if you’re at the port early. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes you will not get

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to slide down busy city streets in a wicker basket? You probably answered “No,” but you can do just that on a Funchal toboggan run. When I first heard about this local activity, I thought it sounded too crazy to be true. But it is very true and very crazy. If you’re in Funchal, Madeira, it’s a must-do activity. Here’s what you need to know. 1. Getting There The Funchal toboggan run is located at the very top of the town in an area

No matter your age, there are plenty of fun things to do at night on a cruise. I can’t tell you how often I get asked what there is to do at night after the ship has set sail from port. So many people think they’ll feel trapped once the ship is out to sea—like they’re stuck on a floating prison. Other people think cruises are for “old people” who want to turn in as soon as the sun sets. But rest assured, that’s simply not the case. Whether you’re looking for a quiet night of

For a few extra bucks, you can make your cruise even more special. Everything you need to have a good time is already included in the price of your cruise. You don’t need to spend one extra cent if you don’t want to. But you may want to budget for a few extras once you’re on board. Here are some of the main ways you can upgrade your experience as you sail the seven seas that will make your cruise even more special. 1. Specialty Dining Every cruise ship has places you can dine

With so much world to see, how do you choose a vacation destination? My bucket list is at least a mile long. Israel, Bali, Myanmar, Peru, Portugal, Russia…these are just a few of the places I’m dying to visit. But I’m open to traveling just about anyplace, which means I have a terrible time choosing where to go. Each year, I can only get to three—maybe four—countries. So how do I decide which ones to visit? Here are three tips to help you choose the perfect vacation destinati

Cruises are one of the most affordable ways to travel. It seems every time I check my email there is another message from one of the major cruise lines with a new offer. If you play your cards right, you can go to some pretty amazing places for next to nothing. Here are four tips to help you get the best possible deal on a cruise vacation. 1. Book with an Agent I love to take control of my travel, but when it comes to cruising, your agent has access to deals you simply have n

Nothing ruins a vacation like arriving late. The ship ain’t gonna wait because your flight got delayed. But how early should you fly to ensure you arrive on time for your cruise or tour? Follow these three flight tips, and you’ll never have to worry again. 1. Fly Direct If you’re flying the same day as you cruise or tour starts, if at all possible, book a direct flight. The fewer connections you have to make, the less likely you are to run into trouble. So long as your flight

More people are taking cruises than ever before. In fact, the cruise industry is booming. It’s estimated 100 million people will take a cruise in the next four years. How’s that for cruise inspiration? But, if you’re anything like I was 10 years ago, you’re still a bit leery about the whole concept of cruising. You may think it will make you less of a traveler because you aren’t planning every minute of your own itinerary or because you only spend a few hours in each port. Bu

Aside from the fact that they’re both on the water, river cruises have little in common with ocean cruises. And that’s why I love them. Don’t get me wrong, I adore cruises of any kind—big, small, and everything in between. But river cruises have their own special blend of magic. Like ocean liners, you can hit several countries (and sometimes continents) in one trip, but river cruises have a few charms you won’t find on a larger cruise ship. Check out these six advantages rive

Booking an inside cabin has its perks. Of course you want a balcony stateroom—who doesn’t? There are few things I love more than listening to the gentle lapping of waves lull me to sleep at night. And I find few things more relaxing that stargazing with a hot cup of tea after a warm shower. Now that’s living. But the reality is, I simply can’t always afford a balcony cabin. I try to cruise a few times each year, so I have to compromise sometimes. And one of the first things I

Halifax is a pretty little city along Canada’s east coast. Located in Nova Scotia, one of Canada’s Maritime provinces, Halifax is the country’s largest city east of  Quebec. At fewer than 400,000 people, it’s big enough to have lots to see and do but still small enough to get a lot done in one day. But what should you do if you only have a few hours to spend in Halifax? Follow these tips to make the most of your time there. Don’t fear if you don’t make it all the way there. Y