Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Welcome to Cheryl's Travel Blueprint! I’m a former Spanish teacher turned travel advisor, passionate about curating unforgettable experiences. My expertise lies in European adventures (with a special love for Spain), cruising, and all-inclusive Caribbean getaways. I specialize in creating tailored trips for families, multi-generational groups, and teachers—whether they’re traveling solo, with colleagues, or leading student groups.
In this podcast, we celebrate the joy of travel, uncover hidden gems, share practical tips and tricks, and embrace the spirit of adventure. Each episode features inspiring conversations with fascinating guests from all walks of life as they share their unique travel stories, lessons, and favorite destinations. Whether you're planning your next getaway or simply love to dream about the possibilities, this is your place to explore the world from wherever you are.
Let’s embark on this journey together! 🌍✈️
Cheryl (00:01.228)
I have a confession. For years when someone said cruise, I pictured crowded buffets, screaming kids, cheesy entertainment and a giant floating hotel where every day felt exactly the same. But then I stepped aboard Virgin Voyages and within the first hour I realized I had been completely wrong because they have no buffets, no kids, no formal dining times, no endless announcements over loudspeakers. Any of that. Instead I found handcrafted restaurants, ocean views from Red Hammock.
Live entertainment that actually surprised me in an atmosphere that felt more like a boutique hotel than a traditional cruise ship. And today I'm bringing back one of my most popular conversations with Paige from Virgin Voyages, because if you've written off cruising, this episode might completely change your mind. Before we dive in, if you love travel tips, cruise insights, and destination inspiration, make sure you subscribe to the channel. And one more thing, I'm putting together a special upcoming webinar where I'll be sharing your fur what first time
Virgin Voyages, sailors need to know before they book, including how to choose the right itinerary, what's actually included, and some of my favorite onboard experiences. If you'd like to be notified when registration opens, click the link below and join the notification list. Now let's talk about why Virgin Voyages is turning the cruise industry upside down.
Cheryl (01:22.636)
What stood out to me here is that Paige wasn't coming from a marketing script. She actually experienced the product first. And honestly, after sailing myself, I understood exactly what she meant.
Cheryl (01:38.422)
One of the biggest frustrations travelers have is feeling nickel and dimed after they've already paid for a vacation. You book the cruise and then you pay for dining, internet, fitness classes, specialty restaurants, all of those things. Virgin took a different approach, and honestly, that's one of the reasons why so many people become repeat sailors.
Cheryl (02:02.017)
Now I have to stop here because this sounds ridiculous until you experience it. Everyone talks about the red hammocks. I thought people were exaggerating. They were not. Every chance I got, that's where I found myself, right out there watching the ocean go by. Sometimes the smallest details become the most memorable parts of a trip.
Let me ask you a question. If somebody gave you a free cruise tomorrow, would you go? And if your answer is no, cruises aren't my thing, that's exactly why I wanted to revisit this conversation. Because what Paige is describing isn't what most people picture when they think about cruising. If you're curious but still have questions, I've got something exciting coming up. I'm hosting a webinar specifically for travelers who want to learn more about virgin voyages, adults only cruising, and whether it's the right fit for their travel style.
I'll be sharing insider tips, answering questions live, and helping people figure out if this experience is worth adding to their travel bucket list. The link to join the notification list is below, so make sure you sign up. Now let's get back to the conversation.
Cheryl (03:06.763)
I've sailed on other cruise lines and I can honestly say the food was one of the biggest surprises. My favorite restaurant was Extra Virgin. And if you're not a if you are a night owl like me, the pizza spot being open until two AM is dangerous information. Very dangerous.
Cheryl (03:25.579)
Now let's be clear, this isn't about not liking children. I love kids, but there's something refreshing about taking a vacation where every space is designed specifically for adults. The conversations feel different, the atmosphere feels different, and the space feels different. And that's what really makes Virgin stand out.
Cheryl (03:48.927)
This was one of my favorite upgrades. The champagne shake alone was worth talking about. You literally shake your phone and champagne arrives. I mean, who came up with that? Because that's brilliant.
Cheryl (04:02.411)
One of the things I love is that Virgin isn't just about the ship. The itineraries are incredible too. Whether you're dreaming about Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean, or a beach day in Bimini, there's a good chance there's a sailing that fits your style. One of the biggest misconceptions people have about Virgin voyages is actually the thing that ends up surprising them the most once they're on board. We'll be talking about that during the webinar, so make sure you're on that notification list. So here's the question.
Have you been judging cruising based on experiences from 20 years ago? Because I was. And after sailing Virgin Voyages, I realized the cruise industry has evolved in ways I never expected. No, it's not for everyone, but if you thought cruising meant buffets, crowds, and a one-size-fits-all vacation, it might be time to take another look. And if today's conversation sparked your curiosity, I have something special coming up. In the near future, I'll be hosting a live Virgin Voyages webinar where we'll take a deeper dive into the ships, itineraries,
Pricing, onboard experiences, and what makes this cruise line so different from everything else out there. If you'd like an invitation when registration opens, click the link below and join the notification list. And if you're already thinking this sounds like my kind of vacation, you can always schedule a complimentary travel consultation with me using the link below. Thank you so much for watching. And don't forget to subscribe, and I'll see you in the next episode.