About a week ago, I returned from my 5-night voyage aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady. I had the opportunity to sail to Cozumel, Mexico, and Bimini, The Bahamas. This was my second voyage with Virgin, but my first journey was aboard the Valiant Lady. I wanted to see how much of a difference, if any, there were between the two ships. Besides some of the shows, a few decoration differences, and the ports I visited, everything was the same.

Scarlet Lady

EMBARKMENT DAY

On my first Virgin cruise, I went solo while meeting other travel agents and solo travelers onboard. This time around, I decided to bring a friend to show her what the hype was all about.

We began our journey by flying to Miami the day prior. I decided to fly into Ft. Lauderdale this time as she flew into Miami. I’m a huge fan of exploring and trying new things, so I decided to try alternative transportation methods other than Ubering from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami for about $80. I took a look at Brightline, but it was a hit or miss for me to make it on time. I decided to try the Tri-Rail which required me to take a free shuttle from the Ft. Lauderdale airport to the Tri-Rail station. I then had to purchase a train ticket to Miami International Airport that cost me $5 one way – that sure beats $80.

Once I arrived in Miami, I hopped on, “The Mover” – a tram from the train station to the airport. It was a quick ride, but then it was a little bit of a walk to meet my friend at baggage claim. While I did take a look at booking a shuttle for $40, most, if not all, only ran until 1:30 or 2:00 pm. If you’re a budget traveler, the Tri-Rail is an option, but not quite as convenient or timely as a rideshare.

The next morning, my friend and I headed to Terminal V to check in our luggage so we could go explore the city until our embarkment time. While Virgin Voyages already includes your gratuity in the price of your booking, the people checking in your luggage are a third-party company that does appreciate tips – that was something I didn’t know the first time I went on my Virgin cruise. After we checked in our luggage, we went inside the terminal to check in and get our bracelets that were used as a key and a credit card - no more purse carrying! Within ten minutes of checking in our luggage and checking in at the terminal, we were ready to explore the city! The great thing about Virgin Voyages is that they have a free shuttle to take you to and from Bayside. If you’re not familiar with Bayside, it’s a great area to explore local shops, have amazing food, listen to live music, and even ride the Ferris wheel if you want a great view of the ocean and the city.

Bayside Miami

After breakfast and exploring many shops, my friend and I decided to head back to Terminal V and wait our turn for our 3:45 embarkment. Surprisingly, we were able to board at 2:45 as the boarding process was moving quickly and smoothly. The first thing we did on board was book The Ship Show as that’s one of the first things to fill up. I tried explaining to my friend to not worry if restaurants are booked (other than maybe The Wake & The Test Kitchen), as people always cancel or don’t show up. We headed to our cabin and were greeted by our friendly cabin attendant and our luggage. Kindly, we asked him to separate our beds into two twins so we could each have our own bed which he did within the hour while also getting us fresh blankets.

I had to show my friend the different mood lightings you could do in the cabin, and she got a kick out of the “Get it On” mood with the sexy music playing along with it. Thankfully, we never had to use the “Hangover” mood lighting during our journey, but we did utilize the “Cinema” mood at night while watching a movie (a very large selection by the way at no extra charge). The next thing I had to show her was the infamous red hammock that puts me to sleep within minutes! We had an amazing view of downtown Miami before departing.

A DAY AT SEA

Our first day of traveling to Cozumel, Mexico was a full day at sea through the Gulf of Mexico. While some may ask, “What is there to do?”, there were plenty of activities and shows to see on board. We did have to go to “Lick Me Til I Scream” for some ice cream and eat at Extra Virgin (an Italian restaurant) for our first night. It was amazing, and Daniell our server had his entire section cracking up with his fun sense of humor. I promise you, this is a ship that’s not like other ships. Come as you are and turn your cruise into a party cruise, a relaxing cruise, or a foodie cruise. Did I mention that no kids are allowed?

COZUMEL, MEXICO

My friend and I were excited to disembark and head to our expedition of snorkeling with sea turtles, starfish, and sting rays! I was a little terrified to go into the middle of the ocean, but the crystal blue waters were amazing to see! After getting into the ocean and getting myself to calm down a bit, I stuck my head underwater and saw a school of fish heading my way. We continued to follow the coral reefs when a massive sea turtle appeared. I have never seen one in its natural environment, so it was incredible for me to see! Not more than a few minutes later, a large starfish was on the floor of the sea. We continued to swim, and suddenly, four large sea turtles were swimming beneath me!

Next up was stop number two, and once again, we got out of the boat to explore. This time I was brave enough to jump out. It was incredible to not only see one starfish but to see over a dozen spread out all at once! I didn’t want to leave! Our last stop was Sting Ray Bay where were able to stand with the water going to our waistline and watch sting rays swim around us. It’s a very touristy area where several boats pull up, serve nachos in the ocean, and grab a drink or two. I felt like I was on Spring Break.

After about a 20-30 minute boat ride back to land, my friend and I went to grab a bite to eat at a place called, “Dick’s Dive” where we were served incredible food and margaritas the size of our heads. Overall, Cozumel was an amazing place to visit despite the construction and hot sun, but it’s somewhere where I would love to stay at a resort or venture over to Playa del Carmen via ferry.

Cozumel, Mexico

BIMIMINI BEACH, THE BAHAMAS

Our final port was at Virgin’s private island in Bimini. My friend and I rented a golf cart and explored the beautiful beaches around the island while passing places where Ernest Hemingway would stop to fish and write. The water was a blue I’d never seen while at the ocean before, and if I weren’t incredibly sunburnt, I could have spent all day there relaxing and admiring the beauty. I’m always fascinated to learn how other cultures live differently than I do. While it’s a small island, it has incredible beauty and incredible food at Virgin’s private beach club. Thankfully, you are allowed to use your wristbands at the beach club if want to order a drink.

Bimini, The Bahamas

OVERALL

My final thoughts on the cruise were that I was satisfied and perhaps a little disappointed with a few things, but overall, I had a wonderful experience. There were some new shows, but most of them were the same as the Valiant Lady which I was just on less than three months ago. Not much of it was a surprise for me, but I did try Bingo with the Diva this time. Incredible prizes compared to other cruise ships! The Michelin star food was of high quality, and I won’t deny that I ate way too much. While many people rave about the Test Kitchen, I was a little disappointed that it was the same menu that I had on the other ship, and it’s more about the experience than the food.

The other thing I was disappointed with this time was the fact that our basic internet that comes with the cruise was not working. Many Sailors couldn’t do basic web browsing which left us no choice but to upgrade according to Sailor Services, but the premium internet worked wonderfully at sea. I hope this is something they will look into. This cruise isn’t for everyone, and that’s ok. It’s a ship that’s about being open-minded, coming as you are, and enjoying pieces of luxury wherever you are. While there were some disappointments, that’s unfortunately a part of vacationing, and I would go on Virgin again. Gunbae was another restaurant that I was able to try for the first time, and it was incredible! If you can afford the $55 upcharge, I would HIGHLY recommend trying the Wagyu beef platter. It is cooked to absolute perfection!

Gunbae

Viva Las Vegas

A few weeks ago, I had an amazing opportunity to attend the annual Signature Travel Network conference in Las Vegas. For those who don't know what this conference is, it is a huge conference filled with travel agents, agency owners, hotel managers, etc. who fill up The Venetian's conference rooms for several meetings and an opportunity to network with several vendors. Overall, it's a great learning experience as a travel agent so I can provide my clients the best deals and quality that they won't find anywhere else.

It was a bit intimidating attending the conference of over 2,500 travel agents that I had never met, but I was able to remind myself that I was there for myself and my current and future clients. At the end of the conference, the agents and owners were able to rent out Las Vegas' Sphere for a few hours and enjoy great food and the ultimate experience. I highly recommend going to The Sphere at least once.

Think Big

There were several great speakers, but one stuck out for me - Ben Nemtin from MTV's, The Buried Life. Ben wrote a book about living your best life and facing your fears. What Do You Want to Do Before You Die is also a New York Times #1 Best Seller.

I began to question the meaning of life at an early age, and I began to think big in high school - more so when I graduated from college. I traveled across the globe, climbed some of the tallest mountains in the world, and I have had the opportunity to meet amazing people from various countries while staying with them in their homes. My fascination of understanding that there's a different way of life other than my own, is what has driven me to become a travel agent. I want to show people what's out there and how amazing the world is.

I did manage to send Ben an email after the conference, and surprisingly, I heard back! My thinking big in Vegas didn't stop there as I met with a company who can send people to space for $125,000/seat for six hours. No rockets involved. While I thought it was a bit odd to be meeting with them at first, I began to realize, 'Don't limit yourself to what you know. Learn. Grow. Find something extraordinary for your clients.'

On the note of thinking big, my Kansas City Chiefs were playing the Philadelphia Eagles a couple weeks ago. I knew Mama Kelce (Travis and Jason's mother) was going to be visiting a local restaurant to serve food. Whether or not it was for charity, I knew I wanted to go. I was one of around 30 people to get in the building as I waited out in the cold rain for about an hour. However, when it was my turn to go talk to Donna Kelce, she was escorted to the media area.

In all honesty, I don't know why I wanted to go to this event. I'm not even a Swiftie. Perhaps a part of me saw this as a networking opportunity with other Chiefs fans or to simply enjoy some time away from my computer. Whatever the reason, I made some connections - even a nice chat with her brother, Don. My ambitious mind decided that it was a great idea to slip Mama Kelce my business card in case she ever needed to travel to one of her sons' games. While I'm pretty certain she has all that taken care of, it built my confidence, and it provided me with experience.

The same goes with travel. I know a lot of people who are skeptical to travel to a place they've never been to before. For myself, it began with small road trips with my family to getting on my first plane to Disney World. Eventually, my small adventures led me to Mt. Everest with people I didn't know, as well as traveling to nine different countries with people I had never met in person. I chose to follow my passion and not let my worries get in my way.

Whether you, or someone you know, is looking for vacation, I can help you begin the process with no fees.

P.S. I have yet to hear from Mama Kelce about her next vacation. I assume she's waiting until after the Super Bowl to book something.

Top Reasons to Hire a Travel Agent

Travel has played a large role in my life since I was the age of five. I remember my first time on an airplane while on my way to Disney World. My feet barely reached over the edge of the seat, and I remember being terrified the moment the cabin doors closed. For anyone who knows me well, they are probably thinking, 'You were afraid to fly in an airplane?' Absolutely!

My mother told me to hold her hand, close my eyes, and to think about Mickey Mouse. I did indeed, and soon enough, we were in the air. I'm so glad I made it to Disney World later that day in order to catch the Main Street Parade with Mickey waving at me! ME! Of course Disney had to play, 'When You Wish Upon a Star' as Mickey was passing by. My family doesn't cry, and here I am with tears streaming down my face as I was so happy to see a character that I thought only existed on TV.

I'm very glad I overcame my fear of flying - as well as learned how important compression socks, earbuds, slippers, and water is on a long flight. As a child, I wanted to be so many things. I wanted to be a doctor, an architect, and I even wanted to climb to the summit of Mt. Everest. My dream came true in 2013 when I reached Everest Base Camp at nearly 18,000 feet in elevation over a 12-day hike in frigid temps. Believe me, my entire body was content with reaching 18,000 feet instead of 29,000 feet.
Everest

I know some of you may be saying, 'That's great Ashlee, but where are you going with this?' Great question. I have always been the type of person who books my own vacations to save every penny possible. I have even slept on a stranger's couch while in Europe. However, I sacrificed a great deal of comfort and privacy, but I will admit, I did meet some great people from all over the world. Today, I'm going to mention three reasons why having a travel agent is beneficial to anyone who is traveling anywhere in the world.

1. Expertise and Personalized Service: Travel agents are knowledgeable professionals who can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on your preferences and budget. They have knowledge of destinations, accommodations, and activities, allowing them to tailor your trip to your specific needs and desires. This personalized service can result in a more enjoyable and memorable travel experience.

I think back to eleven years ago when I began to prepare for my 12-day journey to Everest Base Camp with an elevation gain of nearly 17,000 feet from where I live. This was the first time I ever used a travel agent, and I know that if I didn't use one, I wouldn't have known to get a visa, get vaccinations to enter a third-world country, to bring an ice axe, and to even purchase rescue insurance in case of an injury or if a war broke out!

2. Time and Stress Savings: Planning a trip can be time-consuming and overwhelming, especially when researching and booking flights, accommodations, and activities. Travel agents can take care of these details for you, saving you time and reducing the stress associated with trip planning. They can also handle unexpected issues and make necessary adjustments to your itinerary, so you can focus on enjoying your trip.

First of all, I don't even want to think about having to plan a trip to Everest in order to remain safe, to know where I'm going, and to abide by every law where some couldn't speak English well or at all. One thing about me is that I get stressed while booking my own vacations, but I love planning for others. Perhaps I want as few choices as possible so I can be on my way. It's ok to not know what you want for a vacation and to simply say, 'Ashlee, I need a vacation! I don't know where, but I like the ocean!' That's where I come in and help take some of that weight off of your shoulders!

3. Access to Exclusive Deals and Resources: Travel agents often have access to exclusive deals, discounts, and partnerships with airlines, hotels, and tour operators that are not readily available to the general public. This can result in cost savings for you, making their services cost-effective. Additionally, travel agents can help you navigate complex travel regulations and provide assistance in emergencies, such as flight cancellations or delays.

One misconception I hear from potential clients, or those opposed to travel agents, is that we're trying to increase the prices. From what I have learned as a travel agent is that most of us want to sell a package to our clients as we're passionate about traveling the globe, and we want to share that passion with our clients. It's also how we earn our paycheck which is what makes this job incredible for us.

The good agents want you to come back for your next vacation and won't force you to book until you're ready or until we find a better deal. Being a travel agent requires building special relationships that require trust. Would you want to be on hold with a third-party company who likely can't help you or rely on an agent who sleeps with their business phone next to their pillow in case a client has an emergency and will call on your behalf to get things settled? We don't earn a penny if you don't travel, so I firmly believe there is no point of raising the price to the point in which I lose your trust. It's not worth risking our reputation.

While these are some of the top reasons to use a travel agent, it's important to note that the value of a travel agent can vary depending on your specific needs and the complexity of your trip. If you value personalized service, time savings, and access to insider knowledge and resources, a travel agent can be a valuable asset in planning your travels. Also, some agents don't charge any fees for their services.

Whether you prefer a relaxing vacation along the beach, or for some reason want to sit on an airplane for 21 hours and another 9 hours in airports and then climb a mountain, a travel agent can be beneficial even on your most unique adventures.

Ashlee Lund

3 Reasons to Hire a Travel Agent

Top Reasons to Hire a Travel Agent

Ashlee Lund

Disney Travel Agent Kansas City

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