Naomi Taylor-Vacation Consultant

Naomi Taylor-Vacation Consultant I love helping people book dream vacations at Expedia Cruises in St. Catharines, Ontario

Why Do Your Friends Always Cruise With the Same Cruise Line?Do you ever wonder why some of your friends seem to always c...
09/05/2026

Why Do Your Friends Always Cruise With the Same Cruise Line?

Do you ever wonder why some of your friends seem to always cruise with the same cruise line? Sure, it might be the food, entertainment, ships, destinations, or simply the overall experience they love. But there’s another big reason: loyalty pays.

Cruise lines reward you for coming back. The more you sail, the more loyalty points you earn—and those points can unlock more and more perks, from priority boarding and discounts to drinks, Wi-Fi, special events and other onboard benefits. Essentially, you’re being rewarded for your loyalty.

And if you’re thinking about trying a new cruise line, some companies make it easier to make the switch. MSC, for example, offers a status match, allowing eligible cruisers to bring their loyalty status from another program. Royal Caribbean also offers status matching within its family of brands, including its premium sister cruise line, Celebrity Cruises.

There’s a good reason people become loyal cruisers. On my last cruise with Princess, I met people who had sailed more than 3,000 days with Princess. Think about that for a moment—that’s a lot of cruises!

So, when you see someone who seems to always book the same cruise line, there may be more to it than just preference. They may have spent years building their loyalty status—and now they’re enjoying the rewards that come with it.

My camera roll after a day spent enjoying the brand new Great Tides Waterpark🌴✨
09/04/2026

My camera roll after a day spent enjoying the brand new Great Tides Waterpark🌴✨

09/04/2026

✈️🌴 WOULD YOU RATHER…? 🌴✈️

Make dinner at home tonight

or

Eat at a local w**ery and pretend you are on a mini vacay

09/03/2026

🌿✨ **WEEKEND GETAWAY IDEA: ST. JACOBS, ONTARIO** ✨🌿

Looking for a little getaway without having to travel too far? **St. Jacobs, Ontario** is the perfect spot for a relaxing weekend filled with shopping, good food, local history and small-town charm. 💕

Just outside Waterloo, St. Jacobs is known for its beautiful countryside, unique shops, Mennonite heritage and one of Ontario’s most popular farmers’ markets.

# # # 🛍️ WHAT TO DO

🧺 **Visit St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market**
This is a must! Browse fresh local produce, baked goods, prepared foods, handmade items and artisan products. The market operates year-round on Thursdays and Saturdays, with Tuesdays added during the summer.

🏘️ **Explore the Village**
Spend an afternoon wandering the main streets, popping into independent boutiques, gift shops and cafés. St. Jacobs has plenty of places to browse, eat and simply enjoy the atmosphere.

🧡 **Learn about Mennonite history**
Visit **The Mennonite Story** to learn more about the history, faith and culture that have shaped the community.

🎭 **Catch a show**
Check the schedule at **St. Jacobs Country Playhouse** and make an evening of it. A little dinner + live theatre makes for a perfect date night!

🌳 **Get outdoors**
Bring your walking shoes or bicycle and explore the scenic trails and countryside around the village, including the Health Valley Trail.

🍺 **Eat, drink & relax**
You'll find everything from cafés and bakeries to restaurants and local craft b**r. Make time for a leisurely meal rather than rushing from one activity to the next!

# # # 🛏️ WHERE TO STAY

There are several comfortable options in and around St. Jacobs, including:

🏨 **Hotel 52** – A convenient choice close to the village and Market District.

🏨 **The Blue Bruce** – A charming option for those looking for a more intimate stay.

🏨 **Courtyard by Marriott Waterloo St. Jacobs** – A great choice if you prefer the amenities and consistency of a full-service hotel.

The St. Jacobs Village tourism site also lists **Hampton Inn** and **Homewood Suites** among nearby accommodation options.

# # # 💕 MY PERFECT WEEKEND

**Friday:**
Arrive • Check into your hotel • Explore the village • Dinner & drinks

**Saturday:**
☕ Breakfast
🧺 Farmers’ Market
🛍️ Shopping in the village
🍴 Lunch
🌿 Explore the area
🎭 Dinner & a theatre performance

**Sunday:**
🥐 Relaxed breakfast • A little more shopping • Pick up some local goodies for home • Head home feeling refreshed!

Sometimes you don't need a flight to feel like you've had a vacation. ✈️❤️

**St. Jacobs is proof that a great getaway can be right in your own backyard!**

Would you spend a weekend here? 👇

📩 **Looking for a weekend getaway? Send me a message and let's find the perfect Ontario escape for you!**

09/02/2026

🍂✈️ BEST PLACES TO VISIT THIS FALL 🍁

I look forward to when I can travel through the fall months. The summer crowds start to fade, the weather can be wonderfully comfortable, and depending on where you go, you can experience everything from spectacular fall colours to warm sunshine. 🌎

Here are a few destinations I'd have on my fall travel list:

🍁 New England, USA
Think brilliant red, orange and gold foliage, charming small towns, scenic drives and cozy inns. Perfect for a fall road trip!

🍂 Québec, Canada
A beautiful choice for experiencing autumn colours with a European feel. Québec City, Charlevoix and the Laurentians are especially beautiful in the fall.

🏔️ Canadian Rockies
If mountains are more your style, fall brings spectacular scenery to destinations such as Banff and the Rockies. It's a wonderful time for hiking, sightseeing and enjoying the great outdoors.

🍷 Portugal
Looking for something warmer? Portugal offers beautiful cities, incredible food and w**e, and a great European getaway without the peak-summer feel.

🇪🇸 Spain
From the culture and tapas of Seville to coastal destinations, Spain can be a fantastic choice when you want sunshine, history and amazing food. Autumn is particularly appealing for sightseeing in southern Spain.

🍝 Italy
Fall is perfect for combining sightseeing with food and w**e experiences. Imagine wandering historic streets, enjoying long lunches and exploring the countryside without the height of summer heat.

🌴 Want to skip fall altogether?
Head south! A Caribbean or Mexican getaway can be the perfect way to squeeze in a little more sunshine before winter arrives. ☀️🏝️

👇 Comment with your choice!

And if you're thinking, “I really should plan a fall getaway…” — send me a message. Let's find somewhere wonderful for you to go! ✈️💙

I will start.... I really should plan a fall getaway to New England. I have never gone but the pictures always look magnificent.

What is a Repositioning Cruise?Have you ever looked at a cruise itinerary and wondered why it starts in one city and end...
09/02/2026

What is a Repositioning Cruise?

Have you ever looked at a cruise itinerary and wondered why it starts in one city and ends somewhere completely different? That’s a repositioning cruise—and it can be an incredible way to see more while sometimes paying less.

Cruise lines need to move their ships between regions as the seasons change. Rather than sailing the ship empty, they open these journeys to passengers. That means you can take advantage of some unique itineraries, fewer repeat port calls and often excellent value.

🌎 Why choose one?

Great value: Repositioning cruises can offer a lower cost per night than traditional itineraries.
Unique destinations: You may visit ports that aren't included on regular cruises.
More sea days: Perfect if you genuinely enjoy being on the ship and don't need a port every day.
Longer vacations: These sailings can be 10, 14, 21 days or even longer.
A different kind of adventure: You're often traveling between two distinct regions, making the journey itself part of the experience.
⚠️ What should you know before booking?
A repositioning cruise isn't for everyone.

One-way transportation: Your cruise usually begins and ends in different cities, so you'll need to arrange transportation to the starting port and home from the ending port. Don't forget to factor those costs into the overall price.

More sea days: Some people absolutely love them. Others start looking for things to do after several consecutive days at sea! Make sure you enjoy the ship as much as the destinations.

Weather can be unpredictable: Repositioning often happens during the transition between seasons. Depending on the itinerary, you could experience cooler temperatures, rougher seas or changing weather conditions.

Fewer port stops: You're often trading frequent port visits for more time at sea. Look carefully at the itinerary to make sure the balance suits you.

Flights are important: Because you're flying into one city and home from another, I recommend looking at the airfare before booking the cruise. A great cruise deal can become less attractive if flights are expensive or inconvenient.

Travel insurance matters: With longer trips, international destinations and flights on both ends, travel insurance can be especially valuable.

🌴 The bottom line
If you love sea days, longer cruises, unique itineraries and getting more vacation for your money, a repositioning cruise is definitely worth considering.

And this is where working with a travel advisor can really help. I'll look at the entire trip—not just the cruise fare—including flights, hotels, transfers, travel time and insurance to make sure the overall vacation makes sense.

Sometimes the best cruise isn't the one that gets you back to the same place.

It's the one that takes you somewhere new. 🌎🚢

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295 Fourth Avenue
Saint Catharines, ON
L2R0C9

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