If you've never been on a cruise, you are missing out! A cruise is the best worry-free vacation there is. You simply book your trip and show up—hotel, dining and entertainment are all done for you! It's an exceptional, stress-free way to explore a good majority of different places. And there's nothing quite like the views.
"A cruise is one of my favorite vacations," Debbie LoCurto of Uncorked Encounters says. "The ships are mini-cities on water these days, and most of the time you can’t even tell you are sailing until you look out at the vast ocean around you!"
"The last two years cruising to Europe has been amazing," adds Debbie, "So much history and unique cultures. I got to cook with a chef on a wine farm in Tuscany and help solve a murder mystery on the streets of Venice!"
She suggests trying to get a stateroom with a balcony on one of the upper floors of the ship. "It is just so relaxing to start your day with breakfast delivered to your room and enjoy the quiet of the morning on your balcony."
Seasickness is a concern of many, but Debbie says, "The ships these days are so smooth, most folks barely notice the movement of the ship past a gentle rocking. But if you are prone to sickness—or the seas get a little rough—there are a lot of over-the-counter remedies to assist you, from non-drowsy pills and patches to pressure point bracelets."
If cruising just isn't your thing, Debbie and Uncorked Encounters can help you with a trip to California's wine country (Napa and Sonoma) or Kentucky's bourbon country.
"I have to admit that wine country is my favorite trip to book," Debbie says. "I love to help people experience wine with food to see how it really compliments the meal. You can do that with bourbon and beer as well. Microbreweries are popping up everywhere. On the Russian River near Sonoma, they have one of the most popular breweries that make Piney the Elder. Folks stand in line for a taste once a year when it is released!"
Favorite Cruise Essentials
—Pashmina
—Fold-away bag
—Highlighter
—A few small bills
—Winkle-release spray
—Binoculars
