About

I boarded the NCL Sky for the first time — nervous, excited, and completely clueless about what I’d gotten myself into. I didn’t know the difference between an inside cabin and a balcony. I didn’t know what MDR stood for. I didn’t know that the check at lunch in the Main Dining Room was never coming — because lunch was already included.

January 9, 2015. That’s the day everything changed.

I sat there for twenty minutes waiting to pay. Mortifying.

But the moment that ship left port? I was done. Completely hooked. I’ve been sailing every three months ever since — and my boss has the eye-rolls to prove it.

---

Six Cruise Lines, Ten-Plus Years, and a Few Secrets Along the Way

Since that first sailing, I’ve cruised with NCL, Carnival, Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages. Each one taught me something different about what makes a cruise exceptional — and what makes it a very expensive disappointment.

My relationship with NCL runs deep. After a decade of loyalty, I know staff by name. I know which ships have a hidden Starbucks setup tucked in a corner that’s never on any map. I’ve sat in Haven restaurants as a standard cabin guest — because I know how to ask. I’ve found the staff elevator on disembarkation day that cuts a 90-minute line down to nothing.

One of my favorite NCL moments happened on the first-ever revenue sailing of the NCL Aqua — a transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York. It was supposed to be a 7-day voyage. New ship, new itinerary, things happen. It turned into 10 days. Most passengers were furious. I quietly took a sabbatical from work and enjoyed every single extra day.

That’s the kind of experience I want to help you have.

---

The One Thing I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Booked

The single biggest mistake first-time cruisers make is going straight to the cruise line’s website to book.

I get it — it feels like the obvious move. But travel agents are free to use, and they often unlock value the cruise line will never advertise directly. On a recent Virgin Voyages sailing, I walked away with $600 in Sailor Loot by booking through the right channel. Booking directly with Virgin? That same sailing would have gotten me $400.

Same price. Same cabin. $200 more in my pocket — just because I knew where to look.

Costco Travel, credit card portals, and the right travel agent can do the same thing for you. That’s one of the first things I cover on this site, and there’s a lot more where that came from.

---

What I’m Still Looking For

After all these years and all those ships, I still haven’t found my single perfect cruise. But I know exactly what it looks like: the stunning design and layout of the NCL Aqua, combined with the food, the energy, and the pure magic of Virgin Voyages. The day those two things exist on the same ship, I’ll be first in line.

Until then — I keep sailing, keep learning, and keep writing about it here.

---

Is This Site For You?

This site IS for you if you want to find the best possible cruise experience for your money — not just any cruise, but the right one for you.

This site is NOT for you if you don’t care about making smart choices and you’ve got a farm full of money trees out back.

For everyone else — welcome. Let’s find your perfect sailing.

— Morgan

---

Questions? Reach Out.

I read every message. Whether you’re trying to pick between two cruise lines, figure out whether to book through Costco, or just want a gut-check before you commit — I’m happy to help.

📧 Contact Morgan