Sea Day Travel

11/01/2026

Some people see this and wonder what they’d do all day. Others are already choosing their chair. 😂

These are views from Celebrity Ascent’s Sunset Bar, and they get at something I want to understand before recommending a cruise: what does a good afternoon onboard look like to you?

A packed schedule? Somewhere to sit and watch the water? A little of both?

The right ship should fit how you actually want to spend your vacation.

Which person are you?



Music: “Airport Lounge” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100806). Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ — excerpt trimmed and faded.

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween! 👻 Your cruise personality has entered its ghost era.

Are you the poolside spirit, the buffet haunter, or the dance-floor phantom?

Or are you a different ghost entirely—the one who disappears onto their balcony and is never seen again? 😂

Tell me which one you are! 🎃

10/30/2026

🏔️ Two Alaska cruises. Similar prices. Very different vacations.

This is exactly why I tell my clients not to choose an Alaska cruise based on the ship alone.

At first glance, two sailings might look almost identical. Beautiful ships, similar balcony prices, and both going to Alaska.

But take a closer look at the itineraries.

🚢 One might visit Glacier Bay. The other might not.

🏔️ One might focus more on scenic glacier viewing, while another offers more time exploring ports.

🌎 One might sail roundtrip, while another could give you the opportunity to explore more of Alaska before or after your cruise.

And here's the thing... neither is automatically the better cruise.

It depends on what YOU want to experience.

It's easy to get caught up comparing ships, cabins, and prices without looking closely enough at where the cruise actually takes you. And Alaska is one destination where those details can make a big difference.

My job isn't to sell you a particular cruise line. It's to help you choose the Alaska experience that's right for you.

Because you shouldn't have to figure out what you missed after you've already taken the trip. 😉

Thinking about Alaska in 2027? Let's compare the itineraries before you choose the ship.

🌐 www.seadaytravel.com/plan-my-cruise

10/29/2026

🚢 Celebrity Xcite update: we finally have some confirmed itinerary details!

Celebrity has announced that Xcite's inaugural 2028–2029 Caribbean season will feature 7-night Virgin Islands and Eastern Caribbean sailings departing from Miami.

That's useful news if you've been waiting to decide whether this new Edge Class ship belongs on your cruise calendar.

But two important details are still outstanding: the exact maiden voyage date and the official reservation-opening date.

And those are especially important if you're considering an inaugural sailing, a particular suite, or back-to-back cruises.

I've been gathering Xcite interest through Sea Day Travel so I can understand what travelers want before the full sailings and pricing are released. Once we have the details, I can help you compare the options rather than just book the first sailing you see.

Celebrity's advisor presentation is scheduled for November 3, and I'll be following the announcements.

Interested in Xcite? Tell me what you're looking for through my existing interest form:
https://app.tern.travel/public/forms/Y23DPgbUrcdhcuFfvf1UKQ/responses/new

Already signed up? No need to submit again!

Stephanie Simmons | Sea Day Travel
Helping you Cruise Better.

Celebrity Xcite's inaugural sailings are getting closer! Join my interest list to receive updates on itineraries, sailing dates, and booking information as d...

10/28/2026

Would I recommend Celebrity Cruises’ The Retreat to every client? Absolutely not. And I LOVE The Retreat! 🚢

Private spaces, Luminae dining, dedicated service…there’s a lot to love about the suite experience.

But here’s what I look at before recommending the upgrade.

Are you someone who loves spending time onboard, enjoying quieter spaces and a more personalized experience? Or are you booking a port-intensive itinerary where you’ll be off exploring most days?

And perhaps the biggest question…what’s the actual price difference for YOUR sailing?

Because a $2,000 upgrade and an $8,000 upgrade are two very different conversations. 😉

Sometimes The Retreat is absolutely worth the splurge. Other times, I’d rather see my clients put that money toward something they’ll enjoy more.

That’s what I do at Sea Day Travel. I don’t automatically recommend the most expensive option. I help you choose the cruise experience that makes the most sense for you.

💬 Retreat cruisers, I’m curious: What’s the ONE thing that makes the upgrade worth it to you?

10/27/2026

Celebrity Xcite bookings are expected to open next week. Your cruise plans do not have to be figured out by then. 😉🚢

Maybe you’re hoping to be among the first onboard. Maybe you want to see the itineraries and pricing before getting too attached. Both are perfectly reasonable.

I’ve opened a Celebrity Xcite interest list through Sea Day Travel so I can learn what you’re looking for and help you compare the options when they’re released.

The form asks how interested you are, with space to share your stateroom preferences and what would make this cruise a good fit for you.

Joining the list isn’t a reservation or a commitment to book. It’s a way to start the conversation with me before choosing your cruise.

Join my Celebrity Xcite interest list:
https://app.tern.travel/public/forms/Y23DPgbUrcdhcuFfvf1UKQ/responses/new

Stephanie Simmons | Sea Day Travel
Helping you Cruise Better.

Celebrity Xcite's inaugural sailings are getting closer! Join my interest list to receive updates on itineraries, sailing dates, and booking information as d...

10/24/2026

Your January self would like a word. 🌊

Specifically, about why there isn’t a sea day on the calendar.

No packed afternoon. No rushing off to the next thing. A little time to watch the water go by.

If a Caribbean cruise in January or February 2027 is on your mind, start with the kind of week you want.

More ports or more sea days? Plenty happening onboard or more room in the day to slow down?

That answer helps narrow the cruise far better than scrolling through every offer.

Would you build your winter escape around the ports or the sea days?

10/23/2026

Great companies don’t just solve problems. They see possibilities we haven’t even thought of yet. 💜

I first met David Shull, one of Tern’s co-founders, at Cruise360 in April 2024. I remember being so impressed by how he thought about the challenges travel advisors face. Not just finding solutions, but thinking beyond what we even knew to ask for.

Fast forward two and a half years to the Tern Travel Conference in New Orleans, and I got to tell David how proud I am to use Tern and how much I’ve loved watching this company grow!

Even better, getting to chat with David and Molly Johnson, Tern’s Head of Product, reminded me that the people behind the technology are what make it special. ❤️

It’s something I believe in my own business, too. Great service isn’t just about delivering what someone asks for. It’s about listening, understanding, and anticipating what could make their experience even better.

So thankful for the Tern team and the passion they bring to what they do. Excited to see what’s next! 💜

Tern Travel

10/23/2026

A quick hello from New Orleans! ⚜️🚢

I’m spending this week at the Tern Travel Conference, learning more about the tools and processes that help me keep your travel plans organized and everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

I’ll be back to my regular office schedule next week. In the meantime, email is still the best way to reach me, and I appreciate your patience with slower replies. 💙

Stephanie | Sea Day Travel

10/22/2026

Love ocean cruising, but wondering whether a river cruise would feel too quiet?

I would start with a different question: What do you want your days to revolve around?

If the ship itself is a big part of your vacation, look closely at the onboard experience before making the switch.

If the places you visit are the main event, river cruising deserves a closer look.

Compare the itinerary, excursion choices, walking demands and evening options. Those details will tell you much more than the word “river.”

After sailing Avalon in Bordeaux, I’m happy to help ocean cruisers work through those questions.

What would you most want to know before trying a river cruise?