Have I Ever Told You About …
She came into the room carrying what looked like a coffee pot from a Mr. Coffee machine. Only this one wasn't filled with coffee. It was filled with hot water and fresh lemon slices. Lots of them. She set the pot on a little hot plate to keep it warm and poured me a cup.
She also brought a small plate of fresh fruit in case I felt well enough to eat something.
I remember her eyes. They were the kindest eyes, and her voice was just as gentle. She spoke to me while I was lying in bed, explaining what I needed to do. She was very sincere and quite determined that I drink the entire pot of lemon water. All eight cups of it!
Half Moon Cay Turns 30 With a New Beach Club and More Ways to Enjoy Paradise
Sponsored by Holland America Line. I rarely share sponsored content, but celebrating 30 seasons of Half Moon Cay and seeing what's new on this little slice of the Bahamas caught my attention.
There's something about a Caribbean beach that makes you want to find a lounge chair, settle in, and forget what day it is. Add turquoise water and white sand, and I'm happy. But if you think a day at Half Moon Cay is just about sitting on the beach, think again.
Food and Dining on Holland America Cruises
This is not a paid piece by Holland America Line. No perks, no upgrades, no behind-the-scenes access. Just experience.
If you enjoy food beyond simply eating it, Holland America offers culinary experiences and food-focused activities throughout some sailings. Depending on your itinerary, these may include cooking demonstrations, special tastings, themed dining events, and activities that offer a behind-the-scenes look.
Cooking demonstrations can be fun to watch, especially when chefs share tips or prepare dishes inspired by the destinations you’re visiting. Longer and destination-focused cruises may offer additional culinary events that bring local flavors and food traditions onboard.
The Summer We Stayed Home
Travel is wonderful. I love seeing new places, wandering unfamiliar streets, experiencing different cultures, and occasionally getting myself into travel mishaps that make good stories later. But there is something pretty special about having nowhere you need to be.
Sometimes the best days are beach days with the grandkids. A backyard dinner. A baseball game. A concert under the stars. A little girl following Grandpa around the house. A good meal with people you love.
Those aren't the adventures that usually make the travel headlines, but they're the moments that make life lovely.
Holland America Entertainment and Activities Onboard
This is not a paid piece by Holland America Line. No perks, no upgrades, no behind-the-scenes access. Just experience.
Mr. Whaldo and I usually find our favorites and move between them. Once you know which performers you enjoy, it becomes much easier. You might start at the Ocean Bar for a pre-dinner drink while the Dam Band plays, head to a show, grab a later dinner, and then settle into BB King’s or Rolling Stone for the evening.
Or maybe you hear a band you really like playing somewhere else and suddenly your carefully constructed evening has gone completely out the window.
That happens too.
And honestly, that is part of the fun.
John Williams, E.T., and a SpaceX Rocket Over San Diego
As the music reached the part where E.T. is going home, the gentleman sitting next to me pointed and told me to look. At almost exactly that moment, a SpaceX rocket was streaking across the sky. The orchestra was playing that incredibly emotional John Williams score and, overhead, an actual rocket was taking off into space.
Of course, I grabbed my phone and started recording. I managed to capture the rocket climbing into the night sky while the orchestra played E.T. behind it. It was one of those moments where you sit there thinking, “Seriously? This is happening right now?”
What to Expect Onboard a Holland America Cruise
This is not a paid piece by Holland America Line. No perks, no upgrades, no behind-the-scenes access. Just experience.
One of the things I appreciate most about cruising with Holland America is that you are never far from a quiet space if that is what you want. There are lounges where people read or play cards, observation areas where you can sit and watch the ocean for hours, and libraries that feel like they belong in a completely different era of travel.
It is not a constant party atmosphere, and I say that as a compliment, not a criticism. There is something very grounding about being able to choose quiet without having to search too hard for it.
The Road Between Here and There
It hasn’t been that long of a distance, just one state over. It was once every six months, then every two weeks, and now every three months. It’s not anything we expected to become used to, and, honestly, short road trips like that aren’t necessarily my jam.
At least, that’s what I initially thought.
The Joy of Missing Out and Why Europe in Winter Sounds Pretty Wonderful
Sponsored by Holland America Line. I rarely share sponsored content, but this announcement immediately caught my attention because it aligns with something I've been saying for years. Some of the best travel experiences happen outside peak season.
When most people dream about a European vacation, they picture sunny summer days and crowded landmarks. But after years of traveling, I've become a big believer in shoulder season and off-season adventures. Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and a slower pace are exactly what make travel enjoyable for me.
How to Choose the Best Cabin Location on a Cruise Ship
This is not a paid piece by Holland America Line. No perks, no upgrades, no behind-the-scenes access. Just experience.
Maybe that "great deal" on a forward cabin came with a little more motion than you bargained for. Maybe being close to public spaces seemed wonderfully convenient until you discovered people are perfectly happy to discuss the evening show outside your door while you're trying to sleep. Or perhaps that tiny symbol on the deck plan that meant absolutely nothing at the time turned out to be the galley above your head or a music venue below your feet.
None of these things are dramatic, and honestly, most of them are minor. But cruising is very much a sum of small details, and over the course of a week or two, those little details can add up to the difference between a good cruise and a great one.
Staycation in San Diego: Finding Wonder at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The weather was absolutely gorgeous, which led us to take our time. We stopped often to talk with volunteers, learning everything we could about the animals we encountered. One of the best volunteer stations in the park turned out to be the shaded overlook at the end of the African Plains Trail, where sweeping views of the African savanna stretched out before us.
We stood there talking with a volunteer while watching a baby giraffe run, kick, bounce, and generally behave like a toddler who had just discovered legs. There is something endlessly entertaining about watching a young giraffe trying to figure out what to do with all those long, spindly limbs.
How to Choose the Best Cabin on a Holland America Cruise
This is not a paid piece by Holland America Line. No perks, no upgrades, no behind-the-scenes access. Just experience.
Holland America offers several cabin categories, each with pros, cons, and price points.
Before booking, think honestly about how much time you’ll actually spend in your room. That answer alone can save you a lot of money.
Exploring Coronado Island in Loreto Mexico Dolphins Sea Lions Blue Footed Boobies and Hidden Beaches
Today, I’m going to tell you a story without writing. Enjoy this J.S. Whaldo production. Please expand to full screen, so you can see it all.
Budget-Friendly Cruising: Secrets to Saving Without Sacrificing Fun
Cruising is a fantastic way to travel, blending the thrill of exploring multiple destinations with the comfort and convenience of room and board all in one place. It’s an all-inclusive floating resort that changes scenery from day to day.
However, many things add to the cost of a cruise vacation. Having cruised for over ten years, I’ve learned many ways to sail and explore the world while staying within a budget and not missing out on the fun. From budget-friendly excursion ideas to money-saving pointers while onboard the ship, these easy tips will help you get the most out of your trip without breaking the bank.
Swimming with Whale Sharks in La Paz, Mexico
The idea of swimming alongside “gentle giants” slowly unraveled into something much less calm. I could suddenly picture a massive mouth opening wide, far wider than it needed to be, and me somehow ending up in exactly the wrong place at exactly the wrong time.
In my mind, I was accidentally sucked in, immediately rejected for not being plankton, and then launched back out with enough force to send me flailing through the water like a very confused sardine.
Holland America Ships Explained and How to Choose the Right One
This is not a paid piece by Holland America Line. No perks, no upgrades, no behind-the-scenes access. Just experience.
Which ship do you want to be on?
With Holland America Line, this matters more than you might think. Their fleet is not one-size-fits-all. Each ship falls into a class, and each class offers a slightly different experience.
The good news is that all of their ships fall into what I would call the “mid-sized” category. You’re not dealing with floating cities packed with thousands upon thousands of passengers. Even their largest ships still feel manageable.
That balance is part of what keeps us coming back.
Budget-Friendly Cruising: Insider Tips for Affordable Adventures
With rising travel costs, knowing how to save on cruise fares and related travel can make your experience even more enjoyable.
Beyond cruise fare special sales and booking years in advance, there are other ways to make cruising even more budget-friendly.
Choosing the Right Holland America Cruise
This is not a paid piece by Holland America Line. No perks, no upgrades, no behind-the-scenes access. Just experience.
With eleven ships traveling to all seven continents, there isn’t just one “Holland America cruise.” There are hundreds of combinations of destinations, timelines, and experiences. The good news is that you don’t need to figure it all out at once.
This is the exact process Mr. Whaldo and I use every time we start planning a new cruise.
A Hummingbird Chose Our Backyard
I was going through my photos recently, and it hit me just how many pictures I have of birds. There are other things too, animals, flowers, plenty of bugs and spiders, but mostly birds. So many birds, from all over the world.
It brought back memories of the hikes we’ve taken in so many different places, sometimes with the goal of finding birds, and sometimes not. Yet somehow, we always end up stopping, listening, and searching for the songmaker.
It also reminded me how often my dear husband and I can be deep in conversation, and if I hear a bird call I don’t recognize, or even one I do, I will immediately stop mid-sentence, completely transfixed. It always makes Mr. Whaldo smile.
Why We Keep Choosing Holland America Line for Every Cruise
This is not a paid piece by Holland America Line. No perks, no upgrades, no behind-the-scenes access. Just experience.
We’ve cruised with other lines, but we keep coming back to Holland America. Not out of habit, but because it consistently fits how we like to travel.
It comes down to three things. Price point, itineraries, and ship size.