Many major cruise lines offer discounts and benefits for active and retired military personnel as well as first responders which include: nurses, doctors, firefighters, ambulance personnel. These can include reduced fares, onboard credits, or special offers.

You’ve just landed at your destination, bags in hand, and you’re ready to pick up your rental car. Then comes the inevitable question from the rental agent:“Would you like to add the insurance?”

Cruising offers the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and convenience — all while waking up to a new destination every morning. But with so many cruise lines, ships, and itineraries out there, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, here’s how to find the perfect cruise that fits your style, budget, and travel dreams.

Everyone has dream destinations - that one that calls us through pictures. Maybe it is watching the sunset over Santorini, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or riding a camel through the desert. These quiet hopes live in the back of our minds, and light us up when we imagine them coming true. Dreams don't become a reality through wishful thinking alone. They transform through action. Life gets busy, responsibilities pile up and we tell ourselves, "Maybe one day..." The truth is, that "one day" shouldn't be put off because it may not happen. I always dreamed of going to Israel and walking the streets where Jesus Christ walked. One day I had a strong impression that I needed to go and take my children - sooner than later. That urgency resulted in an amazing trip that began in Athens, Greece. We explored the historical sites there and checked off seeing the Parthenon and Mars Hill from our bucket lists. We sailed from Athens to exotic places like Santorini and Mykonos, Greece as well as Kusadasi, Turkey, but the main reason we traveled that far was to explore Jerusalem.

My family and I have been traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands for more than 20 years now. It truly has a special place in my heart and I will cherish every moment I get to spend in the warm, turquoise blue waters off of these islands looking for treasures.

One of my favorite things to do when exploring is to find extraordinary spots at a destination. Last spring, my son and I discovered a couple of fun restaurants in Disney's Hollywood Studios Park.

.

I never wanted to be that person that focused on Christmas before Halloween was even over, but I recently saw a reminder that kind of made me stress out a little bit. Don't panic, but after tomorrow, there are only 8 Fridays left until Christmas!

One trip my family has LOVED to do was to visit the Aquaventure Water Park Atlantis on Paradise Island In Nassau. It is a mix of thrill seeker excitement and resort-style relaxation.  This resort has a sprawling 141 acre water park that features over 20 million gallons of water, with more than 20 separate swimming areas. It is integrated into the resort's tropical setting by merging thrill rides, relaxed swimming zones, white sand beaches and marine exhibits.

Several years ago, I gave my family an early Christmas present. I wanted to do something out of the ordinary - which meant stepping off the well-worn tourist trail and thinking outside of the box. A few weeks before Christmas, we flew to Los Angeles for a day of fun before going on a quick, 4 day Carnival Cruise to Ensenada, Mexico.

There are four things that make an adventure epic: excitement, fear, learning something new and making memories that last a lifetime.