The Serendipitous Voyage
My journey into the world of cruising began not with a ticket, but with a YouTube recommendation. I had never seriously considered cruising before; it always seemed somewhat distant from my preferred "niche" style of exploration. However, the algorithm knew something I didn't. The cruise vlogger whose detailed storytelling captivated me, and I found myself binge-watching her entire library.
As a father with a young daughter, the logic suddenly clicked. The convenience of unpacking once while waking up in a new destination every morning offered the perfect balance for family travel in this season of our lives. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a plan. Although I have yet to set sail, I have already committed to the experience, with three distinct voyages booked for the coming years!
Cruise Advisor: The Side Hustle
As I dove deep into researching my own trips, I discovered the intricacies of the industry—specifically, the significant commissions built into cruise fares. Driven by my "Curiosity & Craft" mindset (and a bit of economic pragmatism), I joined an agency to book my own travel.
In the summer of 2025, I decided to turn this newfound knowledge into a side hustle. I posted on Xiaohongshu, offering 1-on-1 private consultations. The response was overwhelming—I closed over a dozen bookings in just three months. However, I realized that to be a true expert, I needed more than just booking access; I needed firsthand experience and deeper study.
I have since paused new consultations to focus on my own professional development and upcoming voyages. My goal is to build this page as a comprehensive resource—a "Cruising 101"—so that when we work together in the future, we can skip the basics and focus on crafting your perfect journey.
Cruise Resources
🚢 Cruise Lines – My summary of different cruise lines, from mass market to ultra-luxury.
🧳 The Ultimate Packing and To-do Lists – Curated guides for different kinds of cruise destinations.
👣 Ship Tour - Queen Elizabeth
👣 Ship Tour - Caribbean Princess
🧳 The Ultimate Packing and To-do Lists – Curated guides for different kinds of cruise destinations.
👣 Ship Tour - Queen Elizabeth
👣 Ship Tour - Caribbean Princess
Destinations & Recommendations
❄️ Alaska – Best for nature lovers. Recommended: Princess, Holland America
🌴 Caribbean & Panama Canal – Winter escapes.
🇳🇴 Norway Fjords – Scenic cruising at its peak.
(WIP)
🌴 Caribbean & Panama Canal – Winter escapes.
🇳🇴 Norway Fjords – Scenic cruising at its peak.
(WIP)
FAQ
(WIP)
Completed and Upcoming Voyages
🚢 Panama Canal (Dec 2025) - Oceania Vista
🚢 Alaska (May 2026) - Discovery Princess
🚢 Norwegian Fjords (Aug 2026) - Celebrity Apex
🚢 Alaska (May 2026) - Discovery Princess
🚢 Norwegian Fjords (Aug 2026) - Celebrity Apex
My Cruise Bucket List
🇬🇷 🇹🇷 Aegean Sea
🐧 Antarctica
🐭 Disney Cruise
🇪🇺 European River Cruise (Danube/Rhine)
🇪🇸 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇲🇹 West Mediterranean
🐢 Galápagos Islands
🏖️ South Pacific
🏖️ South Caribbean countries
🐧 Antarctica
🐭 Disney Cruise
🇪🇺 European River Cruise (Danube/Rhine)
🇪🇸 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇲🇹 West Mediterranean
🐢 Galápagos Islands
🏖️ South Pacific
🏖️ South Caribbean countries