Finding a hotel that captures the essence of New York City can be a challenge for travelers. From Central Park to Bryant Park, Manhattan is a place constantly abuzz with restaurant openings, live events, gallery shows and hidden cocktail clubs. If you’re only in town for a few days, it can help to have a guide!
Picture Greece, and one immediately imagines dazzling boutique hotels set on the edge of rocky bluffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. With their palatial decor, white-washed facades, and stunning views, Greek hotels not only pamper their guests, but make them feel like deities.
Let's face it: we could all use a little self care. And while the concept of "wellness" means something different to everyone — be it a fitness bootcamp or a beachside massage (we don’t judge) — a wellness retreat for your next vacation is never a bad idea.
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Relying on your phone for an alarm can get tricky when traveling.
If you are on a cruise, note ship time can often differ from local time or what your phone is connecting to. After being burned a few times, I now set my travel alarm to ship time, so I always know what the actual time is and awaken for my tours on time.
Here are some other decent options for portable travel alarms
Most cruise cabins are made of steel which means you can snag these great magnets and use them to hang items on the wall to keep your cabin clutter free!
Protip: You'll want a stronger bond (110lb) for jackets/purses/backpacks
I've found this little guy makes things easier. I put this in the back corner of my closet and it's out of my hair and I can lob things in vs finding the bag and having to open it each time.
I drag this organizer on every trip where I am stationary for any amount of time. I typicaly hang it over the bathroom door. It is a great way to have all your essentials ready at a quick snag. I put my makeup, deodorant, sunscreen, shampoo, soap, Qtips, etc for fast access!
Confirmed true, there are NEVER enough outlets in a room...especially if you are traveling with anyone else!
Note: Cruise rooms usually have 2 outlets in total.
For sailing, you can bring power strips but be sure they are NON SURGE protected. If they do have surge protection, they will be confiscated.
This is what I personally use because I only use one outlet and gain 3. Note: If you are a CPAP user...this will allow you to have your power across the room next to your bed.
A budget option is this strip. It will add an outlet (there is a decent chance it will block both outlets) and includes usb charging for your phones or misc electronics.
Unless you are traveling on Princess (who sports medallion technology)...you will have a traditional key card to access your room. I personally, will loose said key in 19 seconds if I don't use these. These are great and allow you to keep track of your key with ease. Onboard these are often spendy...
Fun fact: I was apparently ahead of my time. I used to bring my own hole punch and lanyards back in the day...but these are much easier! 🙂
When you are at the pool or beach, its annoying when your towels fly off. These little clips/bands ensure the towel stays put and you don't spend your vacation repositioning the towel or chasing it down the beach.
Towel bands https://amzn.to/3QYznLE or https://amzn.to/43zWio7 I personally prefer these since they are easier to pack vs clips which are a little bit bulkier.
Towel Clips
If you prefer the clips to the bands...I like these lower profile guys. https://amzn.to/4kIlSNV
If you want fun clips, that reflect your personality, then I recommend one of these
If you are trying to minimize expense, these are not required...but if you have them, you will simply slide your tags into them and attach to your luggage and be done. If you do it the old school way, you will print them off at home and attach them when you reach the port. So these will prevent you from mad hunts for tape or staplers at the hotel or port. Which can be handy.
Note: be sure to select the appropriate cruise line as their formats are all a little different.
Packing cubes are super helpful for staying organized when traveling! They help you:
✅ Stay Organized – You can group similar items together (like shirts in one cube, pants in another) so it's easy to find what you need without digging through your entire suitcase.
✅ Save Space – Packing cubes compress your clothes, allowing you to fit more into your luggage. Some cubes even have compression zippers to make everything even more compact.
✅ Prevent Wrinkles – By keeping your clothes neatly packed, you reduce the chance of wrinkles since they aren’t shifting around as much.
✅ Easier Unpacking – When you arrive, you can just pull out the cubes instead of unpacking everything. You could even place the cubes directly in drawers at your destination.
✅ Separate Clean and Dirty Clothes – Some people use one cube for clean clothes and another for dirty clothes, making it easy to keep them separate.
They’re basically like little portable drawers for your suitcase — total game changer! 😎
I own these Packing Cubes https://amzn.to/4iHHAjc
But here are a few other offerings
Water shoes are incredibly useful, especially if you're planning any activities around water. Here’s why they’re a game changer:
✅ Protect Your Feet – Whether you’re walking on rocky beaches, sharp shells, or hot sand, water shoes protect your feet from cuts, scrapes, and burns. They’re also great for rivers, lakes, or rocky shorelines where you might step on sharp rocks or hidden objects.
✅ Prevent Slipping – Water shoes have non-slip soles, so when you’re walking on wet surfaces (like pool decks, boats, or slippery rocks), you’ll have way better traction. No embarrassing falls! 😅
✅ Quick-Drying & Breathable – Unlike regular shoes, water shoes are designed to dry quickly, preventing that gross soggy-shoe feeling. They’re also lightweight and breathable, making them comfortable even after getting wet.
✅ Multi-Purpose – You can wear them not just in water, but also for light hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, or exploring tide pools. Some are stylish enough to wear around town afterward!
✅ Keep Sand Out – Some water shoes have mesh uppers that help keep sand and small rocks from getting inside, unlike flip-flops where you’re constantly kicking sand out.
If you're headed somewhere with water activities, they’re definitely worth bringing! 🌊👟
I have a few different pairs that I like:
Feel free to tag along on my personal adventures! We'll try to share some of the trip highlights and adventures along the way. You can read about my most recent trip to Ireland or follow along live via socials in August 2025...1 week in the beautiful United Kingdom (London) and a voyage to Norway and Denmark on the Sky Princess!
#cruising #international