Alaina Plans Adventures

Alaina Plans Adventures Hi, I’m Alaina Farrington, a travel advisor with Goldgell Getaways! I help families and groups plan stress-free vacations to Disney, Universal, and beyond.

From cruises to custom getaways, I take care of the details so you can enjoy every moment. ✈️🌟

09/01/2026

It’s been a BUSY few weeks around here, so I thought I’d do a little catch-up!

I recently booked a group cruise on the NCL Aqua for February 2028! I know… 2028 sounds SO far away, but when you really think about it, it’s only about a year and a half away. This group was able to lock in a fantastic rate by planning ahead, and that is exactly why I’m always telling people not to wait until the last minute if you already know you want to travel.

I also booked a sweet family getaway to the Madeira Beach area for spring break. Beach days, fishing and lots of good food are waiting for them, and I can’t wait to hear all about their trip!

And speaking of spring break… SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION HERE!

We have a senior and a sophomore this year. How is that even possible?! I swear I blinked and here we are.

Which brings me to my little reminder: if you’re thinking about a spring break trip, NOW is the time to start planning. The best availability and pricing can disappear quickly, especially for popular destinations and dates.

So while the kids are getting back into their school routines, maybe it’s time to start thinking about where you want to be when that spring break bell rings!

What are you dreaming about for spring break 2027?

08/16/2026

The most magical day of our Alaskan cruise — whale watching in Juneau, Alaska.

We booked this excursion through NCL, and one of the things I loved was how easy it was. Transportation picked us up right at the ship and brought us back when we were finished, so we didn’t have to worry about a thing.

Once we arrived, we headed out on a very comfortable whale-watching boat. The inside deck was spacious and never felt crowded, and the large windows gave us amazing panoramic views of the water.

Before we headed out, our first mate taught us the “4 B’s” to look for when trying to spot a whale:

Boats — boats stopped in the water are often a good sign that someone is watching whales.

Birds — birds gathered at the surface can mean there are fish being pushed up by feeding whales.

Blow — that unmistakable spout of breath when a whale surfaces.

Body parts — a fin, a fluke or, if you’re really lucky, a full breach!

It didn’t take long before we spotted our first humpback whale. Seeing the size of this incredible animal in person is almost impossible to put into words. He even swam parallel to our boat and gave us the most perfect view of his fluke.

Then we headed farther out and came across a pod of humpback whales. Olivia and I made our way up to the open-air top deck for the best view, and we ended up seeing SIX whales, including a mom and her calf.

One thing my videos just can’t capture is the sound.
I can still hear the whales today.

Listening for that breath and then watching them surface is something I will never forget. There was something so peaceful and incredible about being out there, surrounded by these massive animals in their natural environment.

This was definitely one of those travel experiences that stays with you.
I cannot wait to go back to Alaska and do more whale watching!

One month from today, Olivia and I are headed to Universal Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights!This has been on her wish...
08/15/2026

One month from today, Olivia and I are headed to Universal Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights!

This has been on her wishlist for a few years now, and somehow time has just flown by. She’s going to be a SENIOR in high school, so we’re officially running out of time to keep saying “someday.” 😂 So…we’re doing it!

Now, let’s be honest. I am nervous.

I don’t like being scared. I don’t like horror. And I’m much more of a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party girlie. (Which we’re doing too, because I need a little balance in my life. 😂)

But I’m determined to survive my first Halloween Horror Nights…for Olivia.
So if you’ve been to HHN, PLEASE give me your best tips for a first-timer who is not exactly a horror fan. What should I know? What should I avoid? What houses are absolute NOPEs for a scaredy-cat?

And if you’ve never been to HHN either…leave me a 🙏 because apparently I’m going to need all the prayers I can get. 😂

The K family is in for some extra special magic this fall as they head back to Walt Disney World.Staying at Walt Disney'...
08/09/2026

The K family is in for some extra special magic this fall as they head back to Walt Disney World.

Staying at Walt Disney's Coronado Springs Resort will be a special treat! This moderate resort has a deluxe feel and the price point was AMAZING with the promotion that I was able to reserve for them.

On top of their 3 park days, they are going to experience Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party! Think exclusive parades and entertainment, lower crowds = shorter wait times for attractions (with NO lightning lanes) + complimentary hot cocoa and cookies! Their night will be full of Disney magic °o°

Thank you so much for booking your next Walt Disney World vacation me!

07/28/2026

Our Alaska cruise was truly incredible. I keep reflecting back to how magical, awe inspiring and grounding it was.

This moment right here is one that I will never forget. We were sailing up the Endicott Arm fjords to view Dawes Glacier.

Sailing through this channel of fjords is nothing like I have ever seen in my life. The landscape, the little icebergs with sea lions basking in the sun, the pristine water - so calm. Nothing else in this moment in time mattered.

To add to the magic, Norwegian opened up the bow of the ship and invited guests to take in the scenery from the very front of the ship. It was the perfect touch to the already once in a lifetime experience.

Before we sailed to Alaska, I was very firm in my belief that this would be the only time that I traveled there. After this cruise, I can't wait to visit again.

I hope that everyone gets the chance to see this beauty at least once in their life❤️

Goldgell Getaways

07/24/2026

When a travel agent purchases a new car, they have to do a room tour of course! Shout out to Brittany Mohr at 4frontcreditunion for making our purchase easy!

One of the first questions I get every single time I tell someone I went on a cruise is..."How was the food?"Before sail...
07/21/2026

One of the first questions I get every single time I tell someone I went on a cruise is...

"How was the food?"

Before sailing on the Norwegian Bliss, I was wondering the exact same thing. Having cruised on other lines with similar amenities, I was curious to see how Norwegian compared.

Let's start with the buffet. I'm honestly not a huge buffet person, but I stopped by a few times throughout the week and was pleasantly surprised by the variety. My favorite was definitely the crêpe station. I ordered mine with lemon and blueberry, and it was absolutely delicious!

The complimentary dining options were also fantastic. We ate at The Local at least once a day (sometimes more!). It's open 24 hours and everything is made to order, making it the perfect spot whether you wanted breakfast, a late-night snack, or a casual lunch. We also really enjoyed The American Diner.

The main dining room was another pleasant surprise. There was something for everyone, and I loved having breakfast and lunch there on a few days instead of the buffet. The menus changed, the service was great, and the atmosphere was beautiful.

We also experienced four of the specialty dining restaurants, and every single one was outstanding. The quality, presentation, and flavors were exactly what I hoped for, and each meal felt like a special experience.

Overall, I was genuinely impressed with the food onboard the Norwegian Bliss. For a ship carrying thousands of guests, they do an incredible job. The variety, quality, and consistency exceeded my expectations, and I would happily sail with Norwegian again.

If you've been curious about the food on Norwegian, I'd say you can board with confidence—you definitely won't go hungry!

07/19/2026

POV: You arrive in Seattle a day early.

You hop on the train into the city, wander through Pike Place Market, grab a bowl of the best chowder, stop by the original Starbucks... and tomorrow, you set sail for Alaska.

The adventure starts before embarkation day.

It's been a busy week since returning home from Alaska!Here's a little catch-up on what I've been working on.Booked:•Chr...
07/15/2026

It's been a busy week since returning home from Alaska!

Here's a little catch-up on what I've been working on.

Booked:
•Christmas & New Year's stay at Disney's Pop Century Resort
•Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party tickets
•Universal's Aventura Hotel (I've been wanting to stay here!)
•Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets for my daughter and me

Currently curating:
•A Universal Orlando family vacation
•A group cruise
•A family spring break all-inclusive getaway

Thank you to all of my guests that have supported my business!

I'm already seeing Spring Break 2027 pricing begin to trend upward. If you're thinking about traveling next spring break, now is a great time to start planning. Booking early gives you the best selection and often the best pricing.

If a Spring Break 2027 getaway is on your wish list, let's start the conversation and find the vacation that's the perfect fit for you and your family.

07/12/2026

Norwegian Cruise Line has the best military benefits that I have seen across all of the cruise lines.

Active duty, retired and veterans, plus their spouses, receive 10% off of their cruise fare. Occasionally, I have seen select cruises qualify for 20% and NCL extend the discount to family members.

Once onboard, they go above and beyond by leaving you this gift and by inviting you to a cocktail party in honor of you. I can not think of any other cruiseline, resort or theme park that gives our military members that level of care. It is really outstanding.

Norwegian Cruise Line Goldgell Getaways

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Boyne City, MI
49712

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