Marilyn Loves Cruises

06/04/2026

Summertime … and the livin' is easy …. Gershwin's standard from Porgy and Bess always brings a smile - I hope the same is true for you.

I am excited about Cunard's famous Literature Festival Sea, leaving New York on November 28 and arriving in Southampton on December 5, 2026.

♥️ 💛 🩷 "I have been three times on Queen Mary 2's Literature Festival at Sea: in 2019, 2022 and 2025. It was the most amazing experience. The quality of presenters and their presentations were outstanding. ... You can mingle with the authors and journalists freely while on board, having breakfast or coffee, a drink in the bar before dinner, performing karaoke in another bar at night or even just wandering around the ship. And the ship is itself an enormous treat."
M. Balfour, Toronto

🗞️ 🗞️ 🗞️ Books, magazines and newspapers are extremely satisfying.

And that is why I will be joining Cunard's Literature Festival at Sea to re-immerse myself the written word.

✍️ 📝 Authors, journalists, critics, a psychotherapist and a retired CIA analyst - I don't know what could be more interesting‼️

I look forward to sharing this cultural voyage where the Queen Mary 2 is a floating literary salon, part festival, part retreat, part grand ocean crossing.

Here's what we'll do:

✅ Morning author talks in a wood-panelled theatre
✅ Afternoon panel discussions overlooking the open ocean
✅ Intimate Q&A sessions
✅ Book signings in the library
✅ Formal evenings with writers seated among guests
✅ Long sea days devoted entirely to conversation and ideas
✅ A totally immersive crossing
✅ No competing venues, distractions

FYI, Inside rooms and ocean view rooms are sold out; there is a good inventory for balcony rooms and limited availability for suites.

Please reach out to me soon for more information.

Please feel free to share this post with your networks. Thank you in advance.

DM me for the complete roster of speakers.

Travelling the World one Cruise at a Time.

06/02/2026

Thinking about your next vacation? 🌸🚢

Our 3 Day Sale is almost here ⏳ Get ready to unlock offers like up to $1,200 Onboard Credit on eligible Princess Cruises® sailings: https://www.expediacruises.com/en-CA/MarilynMirabelli/promotion/3-day-sale?utm_campaign=social_hub&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

06/01/2026

Summertime … and the livin' is easy …. Gershwin's standard from Porgy and Bess always brings a smile - I hope the same is true for you.

I am excited about Cunard's famous Literature Festival Sea, leaving New York on November 28 and arriving in Southampton on December 5, 2026.

♥️ 💛 🩷 "I have been three times on Queen Mary 2's Literature Festival at Sea: in 2019, 2022 and 2025. It was the most amazing experience. The quality of presenters and their presentations were outstanding. ... You can mingle with the authors and journalists freely while on board, having breakfast or coffee, a drink in the bar before dinner, performing karaoke in another bar at night or even just wandering around the ship. And the ship is itself an enormous treat."
M. Balfour, Toronto

🗞️ 🗞️ 🗞️ Books, magazines and newspapers are extremely satisfying.

And that is why I will be joining Cunard's Literature Festival at Sea to re-immerse myself the written word.

✍️ 📝 Authors, journalists, critics, a psychotherapist and a retired CIA analyst - I don't know what could be more interesting‼️

I look forward to sharing this cultural voyage where the Queen Mary 2 is a floating literary salon, part festival, part retreat, part grand ocean crossing.

Here's what we'll do:

✅ Morning author talks in a wood-panelled theatre
✅ Afternoon panel discussions overlooking the open ocean
✅ Intimate Q&A sessions
✅ Book signings in the library
✅ Formal evenings with writers seated among guests
✅ Long sea days devoted entirely to conversation and ideas
✅ A totally immersive crossing
✅ No competing venues, distractions

FYI, Inside rooms and ocean view rooms are sold out; there is a good inventory for balcony rooms and limited availability for suites.

Please reach out to me soon for more information.

Please feel free to share this post with your networks. Thank you in advance.

DM me for the complete roster of speakers.

05/31/2026

Check out this Expedia® Exclusive Stateroom! Rates include $50 onboard credit per stateroom.

Contact us to book: https://bookca.expediacruises.ca/swift/cruise/package/1574541?lang=1&siid=1024765&assigntouseremail=mmirabelli%40expediacruises.com&referrer=mmirabelli%40expediacruises.com&utm_campaign=social_hub&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook



*Prices are subject to change, terms and conditions apply.

05/30/2026

Looking to get away from the everyday? Sail on an adventure with our featured sailing!

https://www.expediacruises.com/en-CA/MarilynMirabelli/RequestAQuote?cruise=1575608&utm_campaign=social_hub&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook



*Restrictions may apply. Contact your Vacation Consultant for full terms and conditions.

05/29/2026

Why visit BARBADOS? Well let me count the ways ....

With so many more of my cruise clients wishing to bypass the US for embarkation/disembarkation, Barbados is the natural choice of embarkation and disembarkation port ... and several bespoke (smaller) cruise lines are using Barbados as home port.

Here are more reasons to visit Barbados - compiled by me and based on my own experiences. If you have visited Barbados, I would love to hear about your experience; drop a comment of DM me.

🩷 Direct, non-stop flights between Toronto and Bridgetown

🩷 Rihanna Drive - Ok, her mezzo-soprano voice has me hooked

🩷 Pelican Island - the best in Bajan artisinal crafts, foods and souvenirs

🩷 Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary - one of the best in the Caribbean and great fro the whole family

🩷 The history nerd within me was thrilled to visit Gun Hill, the Historic Garrison - attention military historians - this is the place for you

🩷 Mount Gay Rum Distilleries - need I say more?

🩷 And lest I forget the cricketers - a visit to Kensington Oval is a must; I do not understand cricket, but I was quite impressed by this site.

Drop a comment with your favourite Barbados experience(s).

05/29/2026

HX celebrates 130 years of adventure, special savings awaits. Up to 25% off or a free suite upgrade on over 300 expeditions to Antarctica, Alaska, Greenland, and beyond. Book by August 31. Book now to SAVE: https://www.expediacruises.com/en-CA/MarilynMirabelli/promotion/cruiseblog-128?utm_campaign=social_hub&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

05/28/2026

There are cruise ships and then there is THE ocean liner.

Queen Mary 2 is an ocean liner - built for the North Atlantic and with the singular traditions of an ocean liner.

This Cunard icon specializes in meaningful crossings of the pond and offers many themed crossings to engage passengers. One such crossing is the Literature Festival at Sea and I have booked space for a small group. The voyage is an opportunity to engage with literature in a setting that privileges depth over spectacle — and travel as it once was: unhurried, thoughtful, and refined.

Linwood Barclay, Canadian and internationally-recognized author of crime and thriller novels, is a featured guest,

I will be aboard!

Join me Nov 28-Dec , 2026 and let's celebrate the written word in all its forms.

A Transatlantic Crossing designed for people who value conversation, reflection and that rare pleasure of time devoted to ideas. Over seven days at sea, internationally respected authors, literary critics and historians will gather on Queen Mary 2 for curated discussions, informal exchanges and literary dialogue shaped by the rhythm of the Atlantic Ocean.

Please DM for special pricing, perks, and fulsome deets.

05/27/2026

Why are stories so important? Why do we read books?

Because,

BOOKS OFFER KNOWLEDGE, ENHANCE EMPATHY, TRANSPORT YOU TO UNIMAGINED WORLDS …. AND

BOOKS STRENGTHEN BRAIN function.

So, keep your grey cells at peak performance by joining me aboard Cunard’s Literature Festival at Sea. Read on !

Literature turns my crank.

WHY?

Because books, for one thing, let us live another life from the inside. You inhabit a good book.

Books and literature matter — especially to thoughtful, well-traveled people.

So, stimulate your grey cells with a good dose of books, authors and brilliant conversations

Roster for 2026 Cunard Literature Festival at Sea

Pam AYERS, writer, broadcaster, entertainer

Linwood BARCLAY, Canadian author, humorist and 'master of suspense'

Fern BRITTON, author, radio host

Jenny COLGEN, novelist

Jason CRAMPTON, editor, The Times cryptic crosswords

Peter FRANKOPAN, Professor of Global History, Oxford

Josh GLANCY, assistant editor, The Sunday Times

Susie GOLDBERG, deputy literary editor, The Times

Colin GRANT, author, historian, critic

Nataly HAYES, author and broadcaster

Bettany HUGHES, historian, author, broadcaster

Charlotte IVERS, restaurant critic, The Sunday Times

Andrew LOWNIE, author

Layla McCAY, author

David McCLOSKEY, former CIA agent

Fidelis MORGAN, non-fiction author

Phillipa PERRY, Integrative psychotherapist, author

Sophie RAWORTH, BBC 1's national newscaster

Phillipe SANDS, barrister and professor of Public Understanding of the Law

Sir Alexander McCall Smith, author, former professor of medical law

DM ME for deets. Your grey matter will thank me.

05/27/2026

For travel advice you can trust:
It begins with personalized consultations rooted in genuine experience and passion for travel. I believe expertise matters, but so does listening carefully and understanding what truly matters to each traveller.

Behind every itinerary is something deeply personal — a milestone anniversary, treasured family time, or a long-awaited dream journey. So, if you would like to do something very special with your family for the Christmas holidays, let's start a conversation. I'm here to listen and provide you with travel advice you can trust.

Cruise through the heart of Europe during the most enchanting season of the year on AmaWaterways’ Christmas Markets River Cruises. Wander along vibrant market stalls brimming with handcrafted treasures savoring hot mulled wine beneath a canopy of sparkling lights.

Call anytime: 416.962.7447
Email anytime: [email protected]

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