This week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, I am delighted to welcome Sarah Gallo AKA The Five Foot Traveler. I had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah for a feature in my second cruising book Cruising Interrupted amzn.to/3seFU8y in a section called The Globetrotters, featuring travelers, passionate cruisers all, who transcend cruising in traversing the globe. The others featured in The Globetrotters—John Robert’s of In the Loop Travel Ep 6, and Mr. Scott Eddy Ep 29—have since been guests on The Joy of Cruising Podcast. Life happens however, and there have been some major developments in Sarah’s already busy life, so we are just now getting the chance to catch up with The Five Foot Traveler.
Sarah Gallo is professionally known as a Destination Marketer and Travel Expert to the many audiences she stands in front of at international travel and hospitality events and symposia. She is a writer, content creator, keynote speaker, and photographer. Sarah is also known as The Five Foot Traveler to the travel blogosphere, her legion of fans on social media, and to the digital marketing world where she reigns among the elite when it comes to travel influencers. Launched in 2013, The Five Foot Traveler specializes in luxury accommodations, adventure activities, and cultural immersion worldwide. It was fun to interview Sarah for Cruising Interrupted, especially the story about a major cruise line hiring Sarah to do a marketing campaign where she got to sample each of the line’s Caribbean excursions. Sarah was featured in a series of destination excursions commercials to be shown on the ship’s television for a major cruise line. She got the opportunity to do every excursion available from swimming with the stingrays in Grand Cayman, to bobsledding in Jamaica (4000-foot sled coaster ride down a mountain and through a rainforest), to snorkeling in Cozumel, to the Flying Dutchman in St. Maarten, the world’s steepest zip line, Now I am looking forward to hearing what fun things has Sarah been up to since we spoke several years ago. Listen at www.thejoyofcruisingpodcast.com or Home Supportthejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/new Support Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulth Contact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.html Book Cruises https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingPodcast-BookACruise US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast) The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruising Cruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterrupted The Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgain Intl Orders via Amazon
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This week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, I am delighted to welcome Gail and Mike, a couple from UK and creators of the Sail With Gail and Mike YouTube channel, Instagram platform, and Facebook group. Specifically they are from Liverpool, UK, which takes on a special significance related to the main topic of this episode. One of the most anticipated and majestic new cruise ships of the last couple of years, Queen Anne, was recently launched by UK’s Cunard, its 249th ship. Cunard announced the unprecedented decision to choose the city of Liverpool as “Godparent” of Queen Anne. On June 4, 2024, Cunard held Queen Anne’s official naming ceremony at the Liverpool waterfront. The gala event featured performances by Andrea Bocelli, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and afireworks display. Among the dignitaries in attendance were five distinguished residents of Liverpool, chosen to represent the city at the naming (one of the five was Melanie C aka “Shorty Spice” of the Spice Girls.) Oh, by the way, there were two other notable residents of Liverpool in the crowd--Gail and Mike! And, a week or so later they boarded Queen Mary for a nine-day cruise. Gail and Mike are members of The Joy of Cruising Podcast Facebook group, and when I heard about their plans to sail on one of the first cruises on Queen Anne, I immediately reached out because I am sure many of our listeners are interested in this signicant new entrant into the cruise industry. I am delighted Gail and Mike are joining us today to tell us all about their experience at the naming ceremony and their cruise on this monumental ship. Listen at www.thejoyofcruisingpodcast.com or Home Supportthejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/new Support Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulth Contact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.html Book Cruises https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingPodcast-BookACruise US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast) The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruising Cruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterrupted The Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgain Intl Orders via Amazon Brandee with her sister Shannon, cohosts of the Brannon Files podcast
I am delighted to welcome this week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, a special guest straight from somewhere in the world, Brandee Lake, thecreator of Tik Tok’s 179k followers iambrandeelake, and same named Instagram. Brandee’s profile at IG says simply: “Asia finishing…Africa loading.” On December 10, 2023, Brandee embarked in Miami Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise on Serenade of the Seas and is scheduled to disembark in Miami on September 10, 2024. In mid-2023, Brandee had announced she was stepping away from corporate America for a 9-month world cruise with her parents and younger sister and urged friends to follow along with her journey on social media. Within days the Ultimate World Cruise became a social media sensation, and for several passengers it became a social media obsession. The best known of those passengers is Brandee Lake. The Ultimate World Cruise is scheduled for 274 days and is divided into four segments: Ultimate Americas Cruise
· 63 nights from May 9, 2024, to July 10, 2024 · 38 destinations from Dubai to Barcelona. It includes Mauritius, Seychelles, Cape Town, Dakar and Nice · 4 Wonders of the World, including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Temple of Artemis Ultimate Europe and Beyond Cruise
Listen at www.thejoyofcruisingpodcast.com or Home Support the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/new Support Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulth Contact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.html Book Cruises https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingPodcast-BookACruise US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast) The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruising Cruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterrupted The Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgain Intl Orders via Amazon This week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, I am delighted to welcome Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director and Owner, Jazz Cruises, the world’s leader in full-ship charter jazz music cruises, having produced over 90 full-ship charters featuring more than 2000 musicians including several legendary performers and dozens of Grammy winners. Jazz Cruisesis comprised principally of a portfolio of three theme cruises: The Jazz Cruise, launched in 2001, the first and only full-ship cruise charter dedicated to “straight-ahead” jazz; The Smooth Jazz Cruise, the company’s flagship cruise it holds twice each spring. The Smooth Jazz Cruise sold out its first sailing in 2004 and has held 34 consecutive sold out cruises since; and, Botti at Sea, designed in the spirit and style of Grammy-winning world renowned trumpeter Chris Botti. I wrote about Michael and Jazz Cruises in my new release, The Joy of Cruising Again http://amzn.to/3lAfyON. I got to meet Michael when I checked off a bucket list item by sailing The Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2023 which included performances by just about ‘everyone who is anyone in smooth jazz,’ such as Marcus Miller, Boney James, Gerald Albright, Candy Dulfer, Bryan Culbertson, Take 6, and one of my favorite comedians, Alonzo Bodden. I got to take photos with Michael McDonald, and with Peter White. I even met rising saxophone star Vince Ingala who agreed to come on The Joy of Cruising Podcast when I was first starting out and for that I am forever appreciative. (Vincent Ingala: Performing On Theme Cruises https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/12246466) Many of you know about my love for music, and smooth jazz is my favorite genre. I have wanted to profile Michael and his importance to live jazz on the ocean since my first cruising book, The Joy of Cruising. I remember my reaction when Michael agreed to talk about Jazz Cruises in The Joy of Cruising Again, and I am similarly ecstatic to get to chat with him again for the global cruise community to hear. Listen at www.thejoyofcruisingpodcast.com or Home Support thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/new Support Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulth Contact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.html Book Cruises https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingPodcast-BookACruise US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast) The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruising Cruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterrupted The Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgain Intl Orders via Amazon This week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, I am delighted to welcome Jill and Jerry, creators of Cruising Canucks the Canada-based blog, YouTube channel, Facebook Group and Instagram platform. I always enjoy meeting passionate cruisers who are like me, curious about what the cruising world offers and who got out of their way to share their findings with you. Thank you to my friends Paul and Carol Love to Travel—who as you know were on The Joy of Cruising Podcast a few weeks ago Episode 99, for introducing me to Jill and Jerry.
I consider Cruise Bloggers, Vloggers, and Content Creators as Cruise Community Champions and have featured them throughout The Joy of Cruising Trilogy and on The Joy of Cruising Podcast. Passionate cruisers like Jill and Jerry epitomize the joy of cruising; they are so passionate about cruising that they want to share it with the world! Cruise Bloggers, Vloggers, and Content Creators champion the cause of cruising and at the same time they are champions to cruise fans by providing them with free, useful information, reviews, videos, photos, and cruise tips to cruisers planning a voyage, and prospective cruisers considering their first cruise. I have enjoyed Jill and Jerry’s videos at the Cruising Canucks channel and it is now my pleasure to chat with them, and to share their story with the listeners of The Joy of Cruising Podcast. Listen at www.thejoyofcruisingpodcast.com or Home Support thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/new Support Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulth Contact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.html Book Cruises https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingPodcast-BookACruise US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast) The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruising Cruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterrupted The Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgain Intl Orders via Amazon This week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, I am delighted to welcome Raimele (Rai) and ShaKeia (Keke) Reese, creators of the fast-growing Team Reese Travels YouTube channel, Instagram platform, and Facebook Group. In addition, Keke partners with Charvon of Parkers On The Go, and Cheryl of SIG Cruiser as hosts of the Cruise Kibitz podcast. Created in 2020, Team Reese Travels is truly a family affair as 10-year old Raimele Jr. (RJ) not only accompanies one or both parents on most cruises, but RJ plays a significant role on Team Reese Travels videos. When the caption states RJ Cam, the camera shows RJ behind a mic wearing headphones and he provides his input!
From the Team Reese Travels channel: We're a travel-loving family of three, exploring the world and creating unforgettable memories. Join our exciting adventures, engaging vlogs, and get valuable travel tips to enhance your globetrotting experiences. With a passion for cruises and land vacations, we show our 10-year-old son the beauty and diversity of the world. We're here to inspire fellow families to embark on extraordinary adventures, providing practical advice, destination recommendations, and insider secrets. Dreaming of a beach getaway, city escape, or off-the-beaten-path exploration? Let us fuel your wanderlust and make your travel dreams a reality. Subscribe now for exciting journeys and valuable insights. Join us on this incredible journey!
I consider Cruise Bloggers, Vloggers, and Content Creators as Cruise Community Champions and have featured them throughout The Joy of Cruising Trilogy and on The Joy of Cruising Podcast. Passionate cruisers like Team Reese Travels epitomize the joy of cruising; they are so passionate about cruising that they want to share it with the world! It is my pleasure to chat with RAI & Keke, and to share their story with the listeners of The Joy of Cruising Podcast. Welcome, RAI & Keke, Team Reese Travels to The Joy of Cruising Podcast. Listen at www.thejoyofcruisingpodcast.com or Home Support thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/new Support Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulth Contact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.html Book Cruises https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingPodcast-BookACruise US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast) The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruising Cruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterrupted The Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgain Intl Orders via Amazon Send us a Text Message.
I am delighted to welcome back this week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, Don Buculo, one half—along with his wife Heidi, of the influential Eat Sleep Cruise blog, YouTube channel, and Instagram platform. When it comes to mega ships, I consider Eat Sleep Cruise among the very best content creators/cruise influencers, and 2024 represents an excess of mega-ship riches. The Icon of the Seas, the new world’s largest cruise ship and a new class for Royal Caribbean was launched to near universal rave reviews; the largest ship for the world’s most popular cruise line, Carnival’s Jubilee joined its sisters of the Excel class, Mardi Gras and Celebration; and, finally SunPrincess, unlike in any other Princess ships. Of course, Eat Sleep Cruise has already experienced the 3 stunning vessels and I can think of no one better to compare and contrast the Icon, Carnival Jubilee, and Sun Princess than Don. And oh, by the way, Don and Heidi just took their first expedition cruise to Antarctica, and first river cruise, and you know I want to hear about that with our first river cruise rapidly approaching. Don and Heidi are longtime friends of mine. They were featured in my second book, Cruising Interrupted amzn.to/3seFU8y, and were guests on The Joy of Cruising Podcast Episode 22 last year. Eat Sleep Cruise has been featured in some of the top publications and news outlets globally, and we serve together as USA TODAY 10Best cruising experts. listen at www.thejoyofcruisingpodcast.com or Home Support thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/new Support Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulth Contact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.html Book Cruises https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingPodcast-BookACruise US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast) The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruising Cruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterrupted The Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgain Intl Orders via Amazon Image by Freepik In the dynamic rhythm of contemporary life, nurturing mental well-being has become an imperative. While traditional therapies and medications are foundational, broadening our horizon to include unconventional methods can significantly enhance our mental health toolkit. This article shared by The Joy of Cruising delves into some innovative yet practical approaches to bolster your mental health, offering a richer, more vibrant experience of life. Take a Cruise to Boost Your Mental Health Taking a cruise can significantly improve your mental health by providing a relaxing and rejuvenating escape from daily stressors. The serene ocean views, fresh sea air, and the opportunity to disconnect from technology foster a sense of calm and tranquility. Onboard activities, entertainment, and social interactions offer a perfect balance of relaxation and engagement, helping to reduce anxiety and lift your mood. The structured environment allows you to fully unwind without the usual pressures of planning and decision-making, promoting a sense of well-being and mental clarity that can have lasting positive effects long after the cruise ends. Check out The Joy of Cruising to learn more! Exploring Mindfulness and Meditation Continue your journey to mental rejuvenation with mindfulness and meditation. These practices are not just activities but gateways to a more centered existence. Regular engagement in these practices helps you stay anchored amid life's storms, effectively reducing stress and enriching your emotional landscape. The tranquility and clarity gained through these techniques are invaluable in today's fast-paced environment. Embracing Career Changes for Renewed Purpose Pursuing a career change can often be a transformative step towards personal and professional growth, especially when it's supported by further education. To pave the way for future success, many individuals find that returning to school for an advanced degree, such as earning a Doctor of Education online, is a practical and effective strategy. Online degree programs like these make it feasible to balance earning a degree with full-time work or family commitments. When considering an online EdD degree program, it's crucial to ensure that the institution is accredited and offers competitive tuition rates, thus guaranteeing the value and recognition of your educational investment. The Transformative Effect of Gratitude Journaling Adopting a gratitude journal can profoundly shift your mental landscape. This simple act of recording daily gratitudessteers focus towards life’s positives, nurturing an optimistic mindset. This practice not only enhances mood but gradually rewires the brain to recognize and appreciate life's myriad blessings, fostering a sustainable change in outlook. Affirmations: Building a Positive Self-Image Strengthen your self-image with the power of affirmations. Regularly affirming your worth and capabilities instills a deep-seated confidence and a positive outlook on life. This practice of nurturing self-belief is a cornerstone in building resilience against life's challenges and realizing your true potential. The Enrichment of Learning New Skills Immerse yourself in learning new skills or hobbies. This pursuit is not just an escape from daily stressors but a journey toward self-discovery and growth. The satisfaction derived from mastering new skills or engaging in hobbies contributes significantly to mental well-being, offering a refreshing break from routine and a sense of accomplishment. Natural Stress Reduction: A Holistic Approach Integrating natural elements such as chamomile tea and lavender oil into your daily routine can be beneficial. These elements are known for their natural stress-relieving properties, offering a gentle and non-invasive method to alleviate tension and enhance relaxation. Their subtle yet potent qualities aid in fostering a calm mental state, which nicely complements other mental health practices, and additionally, they can improve overall well-being by promoting a peaceful and restorative environment. Volunteering and Nonprofits Improving your mental health can often be achieved through the altruistic act of helping others, and one impactful way to do this is by starting your own nonprofit to address a specific need within your community. By establishing your initiative as a nonprofit corporation, not only do you position yourself to effectively serve your community, but it also becomes easier to apply for grants and public funding, essential for sustainability and growth. When forming a nonprofit corporation, it's crucial to create bylaws, a set of rules that will guide how your organization operates. Walking: A Simple Step to Enhanced Well-Being Incorporating more walking into your daily routine can significantly enhance both your mental and physical health. This simple yet effective exercise boosts cardiovascular fitness, aids in weight management, and can reduce stress and anxiety levels. For those living in areas that are not pedestrian-friendly, it's beneficial to seek out neighborhoods with high walkability to ensure a safe and enjoyable walking experience. By making a conscious effort to walk more, either in these walker-friendly areas or in nature trails, you can enjoy the myriad health benefits while exploring new surroundings.. Embarking on a journey to improved mental health encompasses a range of practices beyond conventional therapies. By adopting mindfulness, gratitude, career changes, affirmations, new skills, natural stress relief, volunteering, and walking, you open doors to a mentally healthier and enriched life. These diverse yet practical approaches offer unique pathways to strengthen and revitalize your mental well-being. The Joy of Cruising is here to help you make the most of your next cruise. Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out! I am delighted to welcome this week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, Kate Smith aka A Girl in Every Port. Kate Smith is a writer and nurse who has lived and worked all over the world, both on land and at sea. When she’s not writing, she and her husband are chasing two small boys and various animals across their small farm in Maine. Kate, when in her 20s, went on a few cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico with her family and really enjoyed them, but remained focused on her life as a nurse. By her early 30s, Kate was getting pretty burned out from her job and was coming off a failed relationship and was looking for a big change. So, she applied for a job as a cruise ship nurse and was hired by Princess Cruises. Kate spent the next couple years as a shipboard nurse and absolutely loved it. She recently released a book, "The Unsinkable Aly Brown, RN: A Girl in Every Port cruise ship mystery." Part mystery, part romance, and all heart, “The Unsinkable Aly Brown, RN” is a story about staying open to adventure and the possibility of love. It's very family friendly and is the sort of book that's perfect to read on vacation. The book is based (loosely) on some of Kate’s experiences.” Listen at www.thejoyofcruisingpodcast.com or Home Support thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/new Support Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulth Contact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.html Book Cruises https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingPodcast-BookACruise US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast) The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruising Cruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterrupted The Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgain Intl Orders via Amazon Send us a Text Message. This week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, I am delighted to welcome Flavia Gray, creator of Ships and Champagne, A Luxury Cruise and Lifestyle Blog. I wrote about Flavia’s story in my first cruising book, The Joy of Cruising, in a section called The Influencers, which focuses on individuals like Flavia who epitomize what The Joy of Cruising is about: individuals moved by their passion for cruising who choose to manifest that passion in an engaging way when not sailing. Flavia hails from the UK; as you’ve likely heard me point out before fully a third of the passionate cruisers profiled in The Joy of Cruising were from UK, and that proportion has held up through the subsequent books, Cruising Interrupted and The Joy of Cruising Again, as well as The Joy of Cruising Podcast. I feel a connection with my new friends from UK—and I hope to meet a few of them when I finally cruise out of Southampton in 2025. What’s different about Flavia is unlike my other UK friends with whom I have interacted with via email, Zoom, or Skype, I have met Flavia in person twice in Florida on visits she made to see friends in the US. Flavia was one of the first passionate cruisers—UK or elsewhere in the world to agree to be in The Joy of Cruising. I vividly remember writing her feature—with a great deal of assistance from Flavia—with a smile on my face as it was my first foray into kind of, sort of, travel writing. Flavia’s feature in The Joy of Cruising, Ships and Champagne was at times quite poignant. A single mother of two saw her singing hobby turn into a full-time career, singing in bands performing at weddings, pubs and clubs. Though Flavia was quite good at her craft—it was not going to provide enough of a reliably constant income. This need led her to a position with Royal Caribbean as a Cruise Specialist—telephone sales. Flavia progressed in her cruise career and went on to create an award-winning cruise blog, Ships and Champagne—named a top 50 cruise blogger and nominated for UK’s Wave Award in 2017 and 2018. Flavia loves cruising and remains a cruiser at heart but has shifted away from the sea to the air. In 2022, she started a new travel career as a flight attendant. Flavia does however longs to cruise again, and we ask her about her brief change of career and future cruise plans. www.thejoyofcruisingpodcast.com or Home Support thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/new Support Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulth Contact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.html Book Cruises https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingPodcast-BookACruise US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast) The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruising Cruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterrupted The Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgain Intl Orders via Amazon |
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