Where I'm Going Next!

Back in 2018, I became a home-based travel agent, and it’s been an incredible learning journey ever since. I've experienced so many of my bucket list adventures that I wouldn't have otherwise. My love for travel keeps me going, even through the ups and downs. I poured a lot of energy into growing a team and sharing the travel dream, but like many of us, 2020 turned everything upside down.In the past few years, I’ve taken on some new adventures, recently house and pet sitting. This has given me the freedom to embrace life as a digital nomad, traveling from sit to sit, making my own schedule, combining with my travel business. Scheduling home time when I need to be.I’m part of a great platform called Trusted Housesitters. I’m happy to share my affiliate link below, if you're curious about this lifestyle or need a sitter yourself, please check it out! You will save 25% on your annual plan. Your first experience can pay for itself. With just a few minor responsibilities, I’ll be staying in incredible places around the world, rent-free, giving me a budget to explore and discover local gems.I'm creating a series of low content booklet journals about this new adventure in sitting called Paws & Places, I share my why in the 1st book of the series. Now available on Amazon. I'll be sharing more by offering additional books as I learn more myself.If you’re planning a group event or need travel help, especially in some of my favorite spots, feel free to message me directly and we'll work on custom package details for an amazing vacation! I can let you know how many pet sitting spots are available. In Victoria, BC there were several, in Negril, there are none.Watch for more to come soon.

Paws and Places, Book 1 Interior Content Video, book includes blank pages for recording your own notes when beginning your journey. Link to softcover book on Amazon below.

Who's Ready To Cruise!

Hi, Vicki here, we were on the 7 Day Alaska Cruise out of the Port of Seattle on 9/29/24. You found this page from the review of our trip. Message me directly or keep reading if you'd like to see our details.

I've included some links below for those wanting more information right away. We'll start with this overview video of an Inside Passage Alaskan Cruise. Our ports are Juno, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria BC Canada. We'll also spend a day cruising in Glaciar Bay National Park. It's going to be beautiful.

I'll be flying into Seattle (SEA), sailing from Port 66 to Alaska on the Norwegian Encore.

7 Night Alaska Inside Passage Cruise on Norwegian Encore

Several sailing dates available into the 2024/2025 season - I am booked on the 09/29/24 Sailing, let me know if you'd like to join me.

I enjoy cruising myself and one of my favorite things to do is go on a group cruise with good friends.

What better way than taking a ship from any port with a group of friends, bonding for several days, taking many new adventures together.

I hope you can join us!

Pack Your Bags! Let's Go!

Call or Text for Questions

Vicki - 970-460-6796

Of all the places I toured in 2019, this luxury retreat space for up to 150 guests on the cliffs of West End Negril, 6 bdrm - 12 guests, is my absolute favorite.It's a perfect space for a Mastermind Retreat or small group conference. One, Two and Three Bedroom Cottages also available on the property. A variety of affordable resorts within walking distance. Group shuttle service from Montego Bay Airport can be arranged.This trip is not yet planned, I've found low airfare from Denver to Montego Bay for Spring '25, that is the goal. Let me know if you'd like to be part of an exploration adventure trip.Inquire if you'd like me to research package rates for your group. One Bedroom Cottage begins at $175 a night, sleeps 2. Standard 6 bdrm house, sleeps 12, includes prepared meals by resort chefs in your kitchen, rate begins at $1600 nightly.

NCL Encore to Seattle to Alaska ReviewWe just returned this week, early October 2024. I'm home in beautiful Colorado watching the hurricane heading into Florida and worried for my friends out there as well as for those affected by Helene. We are all in this together and so many of us feel helpless at the moment. Please reach out if you are in need and feel I can help.Many have asked about my experience after my daughter and I have shared our Alaska cruise pictures on facebook and IG. We had an amazing time and highly recommend the experience, and do it in a balcony if you can!Pro’sIt’s a cruise! Alaska was amazing and we had warm and sunny skies in Ketchikan and Seattle in early October. We had an amazing view from our balcony, we saw eagles, whales, sea lions and tons of fat seagulls. and the eagles were plentiful in Juneau.Our Airport to Port transportation was a breeze. It seemed to be well organized getting everyone on and off the boats at port. During Glacier Bay National Park they opened up the front deck, that was a cool thing to experience. We were usually the only boat in port when sometimes there could be up to 5! This was nice, the towns weren’t so crowded, I would highly recommend these end of season trips.All of the tour operators were amazing and informative. My favorite line at all of the ports is, “There’s only 3 ways to arrive in ________, by boat, plane or by birth canal… We’re grateful we had a chance to visit them all on the Encore, seeing the glaciers calve in Glacier Bay was goose bumpy and bittersweet at the same time.The food in the main dining room restaurants was better than the 2 specialty dining options we chose. Service was speedy in Main and we were always out within an hour. We loved the Beatles Show in the theater, the guys put on a great performance and made it easy to make believe they were them.Mary was the best bar tender in the Main Atrium Bar, she remembered our favorite drinks and served many people at the same time. You’ve got to try the Smoked Peach Margaritas when you’re on board. We had the drink package and were able to sample many of the specialty drinks, Kristi enjoyed all of her fancy mocktails too, her favorite was the Espresso non-tini.We used the Port Valet service and loved not lugging our bags around Seattle while waiting for our 6 pm flight home to Denver. We could pack our bags as heavy as possible with no extra charge. We had a huge suitcase and were able to send our winter coats and boots back home and enjoy the sunny Seattle day with lightweight backpacks.We had a free transfer back to the airport but at 2 pm, we found out it was only available until 10 am. A very nice port security guard gave us our choices of a $40-$50 Uber/Cab ride to the airport, or we could walk about a mile, a lot of it was stairs or up a steep hill to the train station. For $3, $1 Senior rate, we could take the train which drops you off right at the airport and you avoid traffic. Train it was, my phone told me I walked 6.7 miles that day, I believe that’s a record from before I got my drivers license.Con’sI had hoped to see the Northern Lights on this trip and it didn’t happen. I probably would have slept through them even if they showed. I asked if there was a Northern Lights wake up call we could set up but they do not offer anything like that. Maybe they could add it to their new app.About the app… the NCL new onboard app is only 3 weeks old and could use an upgrade. It is not user friendly, a few of the things that could be helpful, a dinner menu for each day in the Main Dining Room, only a breakfast menu was ever posted. An entertainment and show schedule for the entire week, organized within the entertainment tab. They have the freestyle newsletter both print and digital but it didn’t post until the night before, it made it difficult to plan not knowing future options. We kept seeing advertisements for Wheel of Fortune but never found it on the schedule.Our included 150 minute online package was hard to figure out how to start, the internet cafe lady was extremely helpful in getting us set up. Wi-fi was spotty at times but that’s to be expected.3 Hour Fine Dining at Teppanyaki, we were delayed 15-20 minutes for seating when our group was there early. Another 10-15 minutes before water was served. We missed our Choir of Man late show reservations with all future shows booked. Guest Services could not squeeze us in but advised us to wait in the Standby line 10 minutes before the show, I didn’t want to waste time on it so we missed. My steak was over done and inedible, I didn’t want to be the downer at the table so I hadn’t complained, the cook mentioned my uneaten plate and offered to recook one but it was almost 11 pm and not like I hadn’t had a lack of food all week.We were very disappointed in the extra dining experience though it did not ruin our cruise, we still had a fun night. The manager at Teppanyaki listened to our complaints and did send us chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of wine.Why were the big shows like the Newlywed Game, Deal or No Deal, Movies, etc, done in the Atrium Lobby and not in the theater or a larger, less busy area. There was very few places to sit, participate, watch or hear and the large standing room only crowds made it difficult to get through the area during shows.Speaking of the theater, I was surprised how small it was for a ship that large.A lot of the space and activities on the top deck seemed wasted on an Alaskan cruise like the cars and laser tag. If you wanted to get in the pool there was plenty of room, no lines at the slides and plenty of pool chairs.Despite a few hiccups, we had a fantastic time, and Alaska was everything we hoped it would be! 🌟 Would I cruise again? Absolutely. I’ll continue to plan for flexibility and knowing that Plan B options are plentiful! 😉

Next trip is Lake of the Ozarks but in December 2024, the lake won't look like this!

Las Vegas is a frequent stop for me. Sometimes I feel it's my home away from home. My next visit back will most likely be in March 2025, I haven't decided if I'm going to the ASD Trade Show yet but I can find a house sitting gig and visit while friends are in town and bring my food from home or buy at the grocery store. Vegas is still a fun place to visit, the Sphere is a must see if you're in town! The casinos no longer have to offer low rates to draw the crowds, it's still crowded and much more expensive for tourists.