Let's just start this post by saying that I do believe in the scientific method of review and research, trusting experts but also verifying information against those things that I know are true for my personal situation. Right now, "The Media narrative" is that cruises are dangerous, covid is spreading everywhere and cruise ships are simply disease incubators. In fact, I had a friend post just that as a Facebook comment the other day. So why then did I just spend my own money booking a seven-day cruise to Mexico?

Virgin Voyages is essentially the anti-cruise. Created by Richard Branson who had, at the time anyhow, never gone on a mainstream cruise vacation but was convinced he could introduce a product that would both disrupt and revolutionize the industry. This brash hubris has resulted in an incredibly fun experience that is truly unlike any other Caribbean cruise option available.

Half Moon Cay is one of the most beautiful private islands in the Bahamas and you can only get there when sailing with Holland America Line and Carnival cruises, so it will never be overcrowded like other Caribbean ports that you might have visited in the past. However, as nice as the white sand beaches and turquois waters are... there's actually more to enjoy here as well. Honestly though, while I had seen excursion options listed in my cruise planner before, I had never bothered to look past what I already knew I as going to love... relaxing on the beach.

For many folks that lived in urban areas prior to the pandemic, rural areas seemed like a wonderful solution to escape to. While many urban dwellers ultimately chose to escape to places like Idaho, Florida, and Texas... most of us weren't lucky enough to have the resources to completely move. As we continue to recover from the pandemic though, this choice of rural vs urban living continues to be an important issue to consider in terms of quality of life and mental health.

Holland America Line has suddenly become my favorite cruise line and I don't say that lightly. While we enjoyed sailing with them in the past, the new generation of Pinnacle Class ships combined with one of the best leaderships teams in the industry has transformed what was once considered "newly wed and nearly dead" into a vibrant and fun cruise line... while still maintaining it's heritage as one of the more traditionally styled cruise operators.

While many Americans sadly might not know much about Morocco - it's cities are legendary... Tangier, Casablanca, Marrakesh, and of course, who hasn't heard of a "Fes Hat"? As the most stable country in Africa and the most wealthy per capita, Morocco has been a tourist destination for generations. As a result, this is a great opportunity to explore some of the most exotic places on earth while creating memories that will last a lifetime. Let's take a look at some of our picks for mancation ideas in Morocco.

We had the extraordinary opportunity to not just do a short inaugural cruise on MSC Seashore, Miami’s newest cruise ship, but also spent an additional seven days exploring both the exclusive MSC Yacht Club experience as well as a Fantastico experience balcony cabin. This offered us a taste of both ends of the economic spectrum but the good news is that most of the great features are available to guys seeking a cruise vacation regardless of how much you spend on your stateroom.

If you think posh French hotels are just fancy and more for impressing that special woman on a romantic Paris getaway then think again. While the AM A ROCKSTAR suite would certainly be a great way to impress some ladies that I know, it would also be a perfect guys getaway or a bachelor party too.

For many visitors to Las Vegas, the strip is where it's at... some even venture downtown to explore Fremont street but there is actually much more to explore here on some fun and easy day trips. One route that I've somehow never taken the opportunity to explore is a loop that includes Valley of Fire State Park and Hoover Dam. Here's why you should check this area out too!

Like many of you guys, we've been holed up in our home area for the past two years - in fact my last major event before pandemic lockdowns was the 2020 Mint 400 in Las Vegas. It's been a long time to stay home but thankfully things in the United States are starting to get better and with vaccines and boosters available, even those like myself are getting the confidence to start traveling again. We were invited to attend the inaugural Tropicana Wine Mixer last month and while we were a bit nervous initially I was very impressed by both Tropicana Las Vegas as well as the event itself.

When you think of "wine cruises", typically you think of riverboats floating through European destinations like those along the Rhine, Rhone, and Garonne (Bordeaux) or maybe even Portugal's Doro river. However, one of the absolute best ways to experience North America's best wine regions is on a Coastal California cruise.  What we liked about sailing on Holland America Line's Koningsdam was that it created an immersive experience - on the ship, as well as in port as well.

Forest, beaches, rocky, mountainous and situated off Africa’s northwest coast, Gran Canaria is one of the most vibrant and diverse of Spain’s Canary Islands. In fact, there is so much to do and see that taking a road trip across the island is the ideal way to take it all in.

Many people dream of heading on an epic road trip. But there is an alternative to the infamous Route 66 (which you should definitely do). Some of them are far off the beaten track but have some of the best driving routes you’ll find anywhere. 

We often look at the fabled Route 66 and celebrate road-side attractions that have sadly slid into the past but the I-15 freeway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas is still growing with new roadside attractions. While the most famous ones are Alien Jerky in Baker and of course Calico Ghost Town, in recent years the tiny town of Yermo has opened a huge travel station featuring a giant ice cream Sunday... and Liberty Sculpture park memorializing and championing the human desire for freedom. 

Baja Mexico is one of our absolutely favorite places to visit and if you are looking for an awesome guys getaway filled with golf, fishing, and great drinks than there isn't much better a place to visit than Los Cabos. There's no shortage of resorts here with a wide variety of price points and amenities but Pueblo Bonito Pacifica impresses us with a wide variety of man-friendly activities beyond just the normal golf and fishing.

For those looking to explore the mysteries and rich cultural traditions of ancient - as well as modern Egypt, a river cruise is probably one of your best options. Guests will literally float down the same waterways as ancient Egyptians while stopping at bucket list sites on a daily basis while returning to the modern comfort and luxury of your riverboat each evening. With the launch of AmaDahlia there is now another fabulous option for folks looking to make this bucket list adventure a reality.

We've stayed away from Las Vegas since last March and if there's one thing that can bring us back... it's a wine fest! We hope you guys can join us along with wine experts from Tropicana Las Vegas, E&J Gallo, Rodney Strong, Chateau Ste Michelle, Kendall-Jackson, and other wine brands as we toast to the future!

While most folks associate the Sea of Cortez and Baja California Sur towns like Loreto and La Paz as the only place you can swim with whale sharks in Mexico, these giants of the ocean are also available in the Caribbean too. Quinta Roo, Mexico resort Ser Casasandra sends us word of their fabulous package to experience this bucket list experience in style.

America was built on hard work, sacrifice, and innovation - so let's celebrate that true spirit of America with some ideas for a fall RV road trip. These are places where products and brands that made America great were - and are still - being created. From bourbon whiskey to baseball and automobiles, it's time to pack up the RV and head out for some adventure.

Island Packers is one of the most respected coastal cruise operators in Southern California. They have been offering education, recreation, and research cruises exploring California's Channel Islands since 1968. In fact, they are the official boat concessionaire for the Channel Islands National Park. This includes year round transportation to the "local islands" of Santa Cruz and Anacapa for backpackers, hikers, campers, and day trippers too. The also offer seasonal transportation to Santa Rosa Island and San Miguel Island too. Our trip was less about visiting the islands though and more about experiencing the rich marine habitat that surrounds them.