Unlimited Cruising for Life with Villa Vie's new Endless Horizons Package

Villa Vie Cruise Line has announced a really great opportunity for avid cruisers: a lifetime of unlimited cruising in a guaranteed ocean-view villa. They are calling it Endless Horizons and it offers all inclusive, unlimited cruises for life.  

Your Ocean View Villa For Life

Villa Vie's Endless Horizons cruise package will allow you to book a luxury ocean view villa at sea, any time you wish, for the rest of your life. Each villa contains the following:

• Mini Fridge
• Smart TV
• High Speed Internet
• Climate Control

All Inclusive Luxury
Villa Vie's all-inclusive offering ensures that your travel experience is seamless and enjoyable. Here's what's included:

• Meals and Dining: A great variety of meals and dining options are included in your package.
• Cleaning and Laundry: Cabin attendants will clean your cabin for you and also do your laundry. This is all included!
• Extended Stays in Ports:  This will allow you to see even more of the destinations than your normally would on a typical cruise.
• Selected Port Excursions: There are some port excursions included with your package.
• Internet Access: Stay connected with complimentary high-speed internet.
• Invite Friends and Family: Friends and family can join you for just $129/day.
• No hidden fees: Gratuities are included, and there will be no extra fees.
• First Medical Consultation Free:  Your first medical consultation on board is free, so you won't need to worry about an expensive medical bill.

Flexibility and Convenience

With the Endless Horizons package, you can stay aboard for any duration as frequently as you choose. You will need to book your cruise 30 days in advance to be guaranteed a spot. If you'd like to board with shorter notice, it might be possible but it's not guaranteed. I think this flexibility is great because you can plan around birthdays, weddings, or other special events with your family. 

Pricing

• Solo Traveler: $299,999
• Double Occupancy: $499,999

Is this something you'd be interested in? My husband and I have been discussing it and it seems like a really great deal but is it too good to be true? Let me know in the comments if this is something you'd be interested in. 

What Not to Pack for a Cruise: 10 Things to Leave at Home and 10 Must-Bring Items

Packing for a cruise? You definitely need to know what to pack, but knowing what NOT to back can be just as important. If you happen to bring the wrong items, your belongings can be confiscated. Remember, a cruise ship is not a floating hotel. It is a marine vessel and special safety precautions need to be followed to ensure your safety. 

Don't Bring These Items: 

1. Iron & Steamer: Cruise lines do not allow irons or clothing steamers due to the potential fire hazard. If you must have something pressed, you can use the laundry service on board. Some ships even have a self-service laundry. Others will have a service that will do your laundry for you. I personally like to use wrinkle-release spray or hang my clothes in the shower to let the shower steam remove wrinkles. This may not be 100 percent effective, but please don't feel bad about walking around with a few wrinkles in your clothing. Your fellow passengers are in the same boat! (pun intended.)

2. Coffee Makers & Kettles: Due to safety concerns, most cruise lines do not allow this nor do they offer this in cabins. Instead, you can order room service for your morning coffee or tea, and in some cases, this is included in your cruise package for free. On our most recent cruise on MSC, we had the Fantastica package, which included free continental breakfast room service and I really enjoyed my morning coffee on the balcony each morning.

3. Beach Towels: Save space in your luggage, and leave your beach towels at home. Your cruise line will supply these for you at no charge. Be sure to return them at the end of your cruise to avoid an extra charge.

4. Hangers: There will likely be about 25 hangers in your cabin, but if you need more you can ask your cabin attendant.

5. CBD, THC or illegal drugs: These items may be legal where you live, but they are absolutely not allowed on a cruise ship. If you attempt to sneak them on board, you run the risk of being denied boarding, being banned from the cruise line or even being arrested!

6. Candles & Incense: Simlar to the iron and clothing steamer listed above, these pose a fire hazard and are prohibited. If these are found in your luggage when you check in, they'll be confiscated.

7. Snacks: These are allowed in sealed, unopened, original packaging. However, why waste luggage space when the buffet will have a wide assortment of snacks? If you'd like snacks for your room, go ahead and bring them back from the buffet.

8. Expensive Jewelry or Handbags: Many people opt for costume jewelry instead of wearing their expensive high-end jewelry on cruises. There are many reasons for this but most importantly, if you happen to leave these items in the safe and forget to retrieve them before you disembark, it's difficult to get these things back after you have returned home. You could also lose them in the ocean during beach days.

9. Surge Protected Power Strips: Surge protectors are a fire hazard and are not allowed on cruises. This is another item that will be confiscated if you attempt to bring it on board.

10. Bottled Water: Your ship will have a good supply of water for you to drink, including bottled water. Check to see if your cruise or drink package includes free bottled water, or bring a reusable bottle to refill at water stations on board.

10 Items You Should Bring

1. Backpack or Beach Bag: I highly recommend using a backpack or beach bag as your carry-on luggage for boarding day. Fill it with your first-day essentials so that you have what you need while you wait for your luggage to arrive at your cabin, then on port days you can use this bag to carry necessities when you are exploring.

2. Sunscreen: Sunscreen and similar products are expensive on most cruise ships, so you'll definitely want to bring your own. Make sure it is reef-safe to protect ocean wildlife.

3. Bathroom Spray: Your bathroom will be very small, so bring a bathroom spray such as Poo Pourri to keep it smelling fresh!

4. First Aid Kit with pain reliever and anti-nausea medicine: The ship will have these things on board, but you'll need to visit the medical center and it will be costly. Save yourself the extra expense by packing your own!

5. Sun Hat: Spending time in the sun is much more pleasant when you can wear a sun hat, plus this will protect your skin and hair from sun damage. There are many varieties of packable hats that you can bring, or you can clip one to the side of your bag.

6. Ziploc Bags: Bring a few ziploc bags of each size. You'll use these to bring snacks from the buffet, carry wet clothes, and contain small items within your luggage.

7. Small Bills: Although most gratuities will be automatically charged, you'll want lots of extras for baggage porters, van or taxi drivers, bartenders or for crew members who provide extra services.

8. Carry-On Bag: Essential for the first day on board, packed with essentials like toiletries and a change of clothes.

9. Luggage Tag holders: Most cruise lines will email you a printable luggage tag prior to embarkation, but these can easily rip. You can buy clear plastic luggage tag holders to protect these tags and keep them securely attached.

10. Comfortable Shoes: Break them in before your trip to avoid blisters. A cruise is a relaxing vacation with plenty of time to sit around the pool, lounges, or the beach. But you'll also find that you'll do a LOT of walking every day. Comfy shoes are a must!

By knowing what to leave at home and what to pack, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience.

PARKING OPTIONS FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS AT PORT CANAVERAL

Embarking on a cruise from Port Canaveral? Parking arrangements play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth start to your journey. One option is to book a hotel that includes cruise parking and transportation with your room, but if you only need parking, here are several options that do not require a hotel stay:

Port Canaveral Terminal Parking:
Located within walking distance of the cruise terminals, Port Canaveral offers secure parking facilities directly at the port. While convenient, this option may come at a premium price. 
Cost: $17.00 per day, including the days of arrival and departure.

Park Port Canaveral:
Address: 9245 Charles M Rowland Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Cost: $10.95 per day when you sign up for their email list and receive a promo code. 

Go Port Canaveral:
Go Port Canaveral offers parking only for guests sailing on the Carnival Mardi Gras. 
Address: 9150 Charles M Rowland Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Port Parking Space
Address: 8945 Columbia Road, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Price: $11.66/day with the current promo code

Consider these parking options when planning your next cruise from Port Canaveral. By choosing the right parking solution, you can start your vacation stress-free and focus on creating unforgettable memories at sea.

MSC Voyagers Club- Perks, Status Matching, and Freebies

MSC has one of the best loyalty programs in the cruise industry, especially because they will match your status with another cruise line or hotel.  In this blog post, I'll tell you why you should join MSC's Voyagers Club, what you'll get as a member, and also how to take advantage of MSC's status match program.

MSC's Voyagers Club has 4 levels:

Classic-
This is the lowest tier and doesn't really offer much in the way of perks, but you gotta start somewhere, right? 

The most interesting perks at this Voyagers Club level include the following: 

• 5% discount on future cruises
• Discounts on onboard digital packages, photos, wifi, spa, and fitness.
• $10 off a $50 purchase on the first day of the cruise.
• 30% off a 1-hour fitness package.

You'll also get an e-newsletter, a welcome cocktail on each cruise, and a Voyagers Club card on each cruise. MSC says there's an online area for Voyagers Club, but I've never seen it, so I'm not sure it still exists.

Silver
Silver is the 2nd tier in the Voyagers Club program. At this level, you'll get all of the above, plus the following: 

• $50 onboard credit per person.
• Additional onboard credit for bookings made more than 9 months in advance.
• A milestone reward.

Gold
Gold is the 3rd tier, and at this level, you get all of the above plus the following:

• 1 hour in the thermal area.
• Priority disembarkation on ports where a tender port is required.
• Complimentary photo.
• Complimentary birthday cake.

Diamond
Diamond is the highest tier, and offers you all of the above perks plus the following:

• Priority line for embarkation.
• Complimentary meal at a specialty restaurant.
• Priority disembarkation at the end of the cruise.
• Courtesy bathrobe and slippers to be used during your cruise.
• Complimentary dance class.
• Exclusive Diamond member party.
• Chocolate gift
• Late stateroom checkout on disembarkation.

How to take advantage of the status matching program

It's easy! First, check your loyalty programs and choose the one with which you are ranked highest. Take a screenshot or photo of your loyalty card. I took a screenshot of my RCI Crown and Anchor status. Then, go to the MSC site and fill out all your information. After you submit your information, keep an eye on your email. It took me just a few hours to receive my confirmation email that my status was matched, but other travelers have said it can take a few days.