Cruise News Writer
How did you get started in cruises?
Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, cruising was a way of life, but my cruising career began when I served on the editorial management team for Cruise Critic, including Family Vacation Critic. My first “work” cruise was an Alaskan cruise with my young kids on Disney Cruise Line, reporting and filming videos of our experience.
I’m a big fan of exploring new countries and cultures and I seek voyages that immerse me in new places. When onboard, I prefer to spend my time in relaxing in the adult-only or VIP areas with a good cocktail. (I like to spoil myself, and a sea day in the spa is my heaven.)
Beyond cruising, I’ve hiked 100 miles across Scotland, island hopped in the Caribbean, road tripped many of the biggest national parks in the US, and explored every major city in Europe and the US as a solo traveler, with girlfriends, on romantic escapades, and with my family.
What makes you a cruise expert?
As a travel expert, I’ve appeared on The Today Show, MSN, and ABC News, and appeared as a speaker at the New York Times Travel Show and Philadelphia Travel + Adventure Show.
My work as a writer and editor has garnered awards, including Best Domestic Magazine Article, Best Series, Best Feature Article, Best Service Journalism, and Best Online Travel Magazine.
My love of travel has led me to visit more than 43 countries and I have a mission to see every state in the U.S. (only 4 states to go!).
I’ve cruised extensively on oceans and rivers, including voyages on Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, Carnival Cruise Line, Uniworld, and AmaWaterways.
I also love sailing, once chartering a 72-footer for a week in the British Virgin Islands being my favorite trips of all time.
You can check my Muck Rack profile here.
What’s your favorite cruise line?
Like destinations, picking a favorite cruise line depends on a variety of factors. As a Floridian, I was raised on Disney and feel nothing beats the attention to detail and magic found on Disney Cruise Line. I also really love the adults-only cruising found on Virgin Voyages, where fitness classes and healthy eating are a part of the vacations.
I prefers smaller cruise liners for more intimate journeys and really love river cruising, meandering down slow-moving rivers and visiting small village destinations. I’ve taken multiple trips down the Danube and Rhine Rivers, and once disembarked in a village in the morning to ride 25 miles along the river to meet up with my cruise in the evening.
What’s your top tip for new cruisers?
Cruising can be overwhelming – there’s so much to do and see on cruise ships. But my top tip is that cruising begins well before the cruise.
If you don’t book excursions and dinner reservations as soon as they open, you’ll be shocked and disappointed to board a ship and discover many popular places will be book solid for the duration of your journey. Download a cruise line’s app as soon as you book, and then sign up right away.
But don’t get discouraged if everything is booked. If you ask to be put on a waiting list, you can squeeze in when there are last-minute cancellations, which happen all the time.
You find out more about the Cruise Hive team right here.
