Jill Swistak - The Curated Travel Collection

08/31/2026

🚨 NEW CRUISE PORT DAY ALERT! 🚨

I got to preview Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand-new Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay — and if you’re cruising with kids, you’re going to want to save this post! 🌴💦

First things first: my pictures do NOT do this place justice. It is even more impressive in person!

Here’s my honest first look at what I loved — and a few things I think you should know before you go.

💦 WHAT I LOVED

✨ There’s something for everyone!
From drop slides and water slides to kiddie slides, a splash pad, and a lazy river, there are options for a variety of ages and thrill levels. My personal favorite was the lazy river…it moved at a nice pace, had beautiful landscaping, access to the swim up pool bar, and a really neat cave.

🌴 It’s beautiful without losing the island vibe.
Even though this is a brand-new waterpark, it still feels like Great Stirrup Cay. The tropical setting and design really help it blend into the island.

🍹 The swim-up bar is SO fun.
It’s located along the lazy river, making it an easy — and very fun — place to stop while you float by.

🪑 Lots of comfortable seating.
There are plenty of lounge chairs, and some even have neck pillows. 🙌

🏝️ Cabanas are available to rent if you want a more private space for your group.

🚿 Towels are available inside the waterpark, which is super convenient. **

🥤 Have a Norwegian drink package? You can use it at the waterpark! Complimentary water is also available, and drinks can be purchased.

🍴 Lunch is included!
There’s a complimentary buffet, plus additional food-truck-style options available for purchase.

🤔 A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

👶 Traveling with a very young toddler?
The splash pad area includes stairs and slides, so it may be a little more challenging for the littlest guests than you might expect from the term “splash pad.”

🍽️ The waterpark buffet is more limited than the buffet at the beach. This could potentially change once the park is fully operational.

🧴 Pack your sunscreen!
There isn’t currently a place inside the waterpark to purchase sunscreen or other forgotten essentials.

⭐ MY TAKE

Overall? I was impressed.

Great Tides adds another option for your Great Stirrup Cay day, especially for families with older kids and teens who want more than a traditional beach day.

And if waterparks aren’t your thing, that’s okay too! You can still enjoy the beach, pools, dining, and other activities on the island.

** 🚿 TOWEL TIP: Towels are available inside Great Tides Waterpark, so you can pick one up once you enter the park.

However, if you plan to spend time at the beach or the pool outside the waterpark, you’ll need to bring a towel from the ship. The waterpark towels are intended for use within the waterpark.

So, if you’re planning to enjoy both the waterpark and the rest of Great Stirrup Cay, grab your ship towel before heading off the ship! 🏝️

📌 SAVE THIS POST if Great Stirrup Cay is on your cruise itinerary — especially if you’re trying to decide whether the waterpark is worth adding to your day.

And if you’re considering a Norwegian cruise and want help figuring out which ship, itinerary, excursions, or onboard experiences are the best fit for your family, that’s exactly what I’m here for. 🚢

Have questions about Great Tides? Drop them in the comments! 👇

08/25/2026

It’s official!! What we’ve been waiting for - Disney Cruise Line’s return to New York City!

🚢Itineraries (so far) south to Bermuda or north to Canada and most are Halloween on the High Seas sailings!

Message me to be added to my priority list for booking once these dates open!
✨[email protected]✨

08/07/2026

08/05/2026

6 (+1) Fun Things About Me!

1. My husband is the best travel partner and is always up for whatever adventures I propose!

2. We love to travel with the kids and Boston is our favorite weekend getaway!

3. Art of Animation is our favorite Disney resort - even if we plan to stay at a different resort, we always spend at least 2 days at Art of Animation for the nostalgia and awesome Disney theming!

4. The beignets at Disney’s Port Orleans - French Quarter resort are to.die.for 🤤

5. When I’m not traveling or planning travel, I love to cook and making homemade cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving has become one of our favorite traditions.

6. Eggs Benedict is one of my favorite breakfasts and I order it almost everywhere we go. Sometime I’ll do a series on this. 😉

And…a bonus fact…

Before this year, I had never flown anywhere alone!

Tell me one fun fact about yourself! ⬇️

08/01/2026

Why I Became a Travel Advisor

The short story:
I love travel, I love researching destinations, I love helping others, I’m incredibly organized, and I pay attention to little details - travel advising was a perfect fit.

The long story:
I’ve always had a passion for travel. As a child and young adult, I traveled with my mom quite often - from the beaches of North Carolina to the panhandle of Florida, to school field trips to Boston and Italy, weekend trips to Cape Cod and bus trips to New York City.

After I became a parent, I found travel overwhelming: routines were disrupted, anxiety was abundant, and travel became less frequent for my family. After my 3rd child was born, though, we made it work. That baby is now 9 and we’ve logged thousands of miles, found favorite destinations, and I’ve put in hundreds of hours planning our vacations.

And then - I accidentally became the person people came to with destination questions - from Boston to Disney to everything in between.

At some point, I’m not sure when, the thought crossed my mind that travel advising may be the right fit for me. I did some research, asked a lot of questions, and decided to give it a go, and I’m so glad I did!

I absolutely love helping families plan their dream vacations - being that support and knowing I had a part in helping them make lifelong memories!

So, what can you expect when you work with me as your advisor?

✨ Personalized vacation recommendations

📍 Expert guidance every step of the way

📅 Help with the planning details so you don’t have to stress

💰 Assistance finding available promotions and savings

💬 Honest advice, prompt communication, and a travel advisor who truly cares about your experience

❤️ Someone who is just as excited about your vacation as you are

I’d love to know - what’s your dream vacation??

06/27/2026

✨🚢✨Fantastic savings on summer sailings with Disney Cruise Line!! This is the perfect summer vacation opportunity! Let me know if you’d like more information!

06/18/2026

Booking online is easy… but planning the RIGHT vacation takes strategy.

A lot of people think travel advisors simply click a button and book a hotel.

Here’s what I actually do behind the scenes for my clients:

✔ Research resort options based on YOUR priorities
✔ Monitor promotions and apply discounts when eligible
✔ Help choose the best room category for your family and budget
✔ Help select dining reservations and special experiences
✔ Create personalized recommendations so you don’t waste time figuring everything out yourself
✔ Stay updated through continuous destination training

When you book with me, you’re not simply booking a trip… you’re getting a travel partner who helps make vacation planning easier from start to finish.

Thinking about a vacation in 2026 or 2027? Send me a message.

05/16/2026

This is your sign to answer the call 📞
A stay at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is the kind of reset you didn’t know you needed—sun, ocean views, and that easy island magic.
Winter blues? Consider them handled.
Who are you bringing with you? 👇

05/06/2026

🍽️ One of my favorite aspects of a Walt Disney World vacation is the wild variety of quality food and drink options - from quick service to table service, character meals and buffets, in-park or resort restaurants, we are never disappointed!

Have a favorite Disney World meal? Let me know what it is! 👇