Next Chapter Voyages

05/21/2026

A note to the empty nester thinking about cruising alone.

I talk with a lot of people in this season of life who've quietly been wondering if a cruise on their own is even something they're "allowed" to want.

Maybe you've been recently widowed.
Maybe you're divorced.
Maybe your partner just isn't a traveler, and you've spent years waiting for them to be.
Maybe your kids are grown, and the idea of going somewhere without coordinating with anyone else feels both freeing and unfamiliar.

Whatever brought you here, I want you to know something.
Solo cruising is not a consolation prize.

It's one of the most thoughtful ways to travel at this stage of life. You set your own pace. You linger over breakfast as long as you want. You choose your excursions based on what genuinely interests you, not what works for the group. You eat dinner at a shared table if you want company, or at a quiet two-top if you don't.

The ship handles the logistics. You handle the experience.

A few things I tell solo travelers I work with:
You're not as alone as you think. River cruise ships, in particular, have a built-in rhythm for meeting people without forcing it. Shared dining, small group excursions, and evening lounges. Connection is available, never required.

Cabin choice matters. Some lines offer dedicated solo staterooms without the single supplement. Others waive it during certain sailings. This is where having an advisor saves you real money and frustration.

The first one is the hardest. Almost every solo client I've worked with has told me the same thing afterward. They wish they'd done it sooner.

If you've been turning this idea over quietly, you're not the only one. And you don't have to figure it out alone.

Where will the water take you next?

05/20/2026

The solo supplement question comes up in almost every solo conversation, and the answers across cruise lines vary more than people realize.

Here is the honest landscape right now.

Norwegian, Holland America, Virgin Voyages, and Cunard all offer dedicated solo cabins with no supplement on select sailings. These are not standard cabins booked single. They are designed for one person and priced accordingly.

AmaWaterways is currently running a 10 percent solo supplement promotion through June 30, 2026. That is roughly a third of their normal rate and one of the better river cruise opportunities I have seen for solo empty nesters in a while.

To learn more about AmaWaterways Solo Itineraries - https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/nextchaptervoyages/offers/solo-travelers

Viking River continues to sit at 25 percent standard, occasionally lower on promotional sailings. Strong product, no formal solo program built in.

The supplement matters. But the right answer also depends on what kind of trip you actually want. Some lines build solo gatherings into the daily rhythm. Some leave you to your own pace. Both are valid.

If you have been holding off on a solo cruise because of the pricing math, the field has shifted in the last 18 months. Worth a fresh look.

Where will the water take you next?

05/19/2026

Solo cruising is one of the fastest-growing segments in travel right now, and the cruise lines are responding.

Holland America is adding 30 purpose-built Solo Verandah cabins to Oosterdam in 2027, with five more ships to follow. Riviera Travel is launching the first river cruise ship built entirely for solo guests next summer.

If you have been waiting for the right travel companion to book a cruise, you may not need to wait any longer. I help empty nesters, couples, and solo travelers find the right ship for the way they actually want to travel.

Have you traveled solo before? Comment below.

Where will the water take you next?

05/18/2026

05/14/2026

Just got off the Celebrity Silhouette, and a few things genuinely surprised me.

Some of it was good. Embarkation that took minutes instead of hours. A buffet that actually delivered on variety and dietary options.

Headline entertainers who could hold a room on their own merit, not just because they were the only show on a Tuesday.

Some of it was worth noting honestly. A beautiful piano in the foyer that felt underused. No dedicated piano bar on a ship that otherwise does live entertainment really well.

This is the kind of detail that matters when you’re choosing between a larger ocean ship and something smaller. Brochures won’t tell you any of it.

A 30-minute conversation with someone who has actually been on board will.

If you’re weighing Celebrity, or trying to figure out which line and ship fit your travel style, that’s exactly the kind of conversation I’m here for.

Link in bio to book a call.

Where will the water take you next?

05/14/2026

I just got off the Celebrity Silhouette, and I want to share a few honest impressions while they're still fresh. This is not a sales pitch. It's just what I saw, ate, and experienced as someone who spends a lot of time evaluating ships for clients.

The ship itself sits in a sweet spot I've been thinking about a lot lately. Big enough for variety, small enough that you don't feel lost in a crowd.

The ship has two pools: one outside on the main pool deck and the other in an enclosed, adult-only space. Both pool areas have hot tubs and plenty of comfortable lounging options. The Lawn Club on the top deck surprised me the most, with real grass, quiet conversations, and where the outdoor movies are held. There are bars for all types, whether you like a sporty/social vibe or a more laid-back vibe, like the Ensemble Lounge, plus many more.

Dining was strong across the board. The Lawn Club Grill was a cozy atmosphere with food to match. Tuscan Grille was the standout for me, and the main dining room held its own without trying too hard. Service was steady and personal, which is the part you can't really fake. I'm still thinking about the fresh, handmade pizza.

If you've been curious about Celebrity, or you're trying to decide between Celebrity and another premium ocean line for your next trip, drop your questions below.
Happy to share what worked, what didn't, and who I think this ship fits best.

Where will the water take you next?

05/13/2026

Most Celebrity Silhouette content focuses on the big stuff.

The Lawn Club, the pools, the specialty restaurants.

But the ship has another layer.

Quieter spaces. Underused corners.

Rooms that reward the people who slow down enough to find them.

I sailed Silhouette recently and started paying attention to where I kept coming back.

Not where the crowds were. Where the calm was.

That’s slide 3, by the way. That’s me, somewhere between ports, doing exactly what the slide describes.

A few of these spaces are open to everyone.

The Library on deck 11 is one of the most underused rooms on the ship.

The Hideaway is adults-only, two stories of quiet, and easy to miss if no one points it out.

If you’re planning a Celebrity sailing, that’s the kind of decision worth thinking through before you book.

Where will the water take you next?

05/07/2026

05/04/2026

I will soon be boarding the Celebrity Silhouette out of Fort Lauderdale.

This trip isn't a vacation. It's how I do my job.

When I recommend a ship to a client, I want to have walked the corridors myself.

I want to know how the dining rooms flow at 7 pm, and whether the sun deck gets crowded. How the spa actually feels.

For empty nesters considering their first ocean cruise after years of family travel, the ship matters more than the itinerary.
The ship is where you'll spend most of your time.

I'll share what I find. The good. The honest.
The things you only learn by being there.

Want to learn more? I’m here to help! If you’d like any extra information or have questions, just drop a comment, and I’ll be happy to assist you!

05/04/2026

Nine days, a suitcase, one carry-on, and a working list of everything that earns its place.

A FAM trip is how I learn ships from the inside out. Not from a deck plan or a brochure, but from walking the hallways, sitting in the lounges, and asking the questions my clients will eventually ask me.

The notebook is for what I plan to learn. The laptop is for everything else. Real-time notes to clients, debriefs with my host agency, and the occasional draft of a post like this one, written somewhere between port and the next sail-away.
Here’s what’s in my bag, and why each thing matters.

Where will the water take you next?