Go See Do Explore

Listen in as Christopher and Ashleigh share their cruise experiences and tips for finding cruise deals and excursions.

Cruising allows you to experience many destinations in one trip. The value is excellent - accommodations, food, entertainment, and transportation between destinations are all included. It's a very relaxing way to travel since you only have to unpack once.

Consider what experience you're looking for - party atmosphere, family friendly, food/wine focus, luxury, etc. Mass market lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are on the budget end while Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America are more upscale. Small ship and expedition cruises offer specialized, expensive itineraries.

Caribbean itineraries are cheap in winter. Alaska cruises are amazing but expensive. Mediterranean cruises visit world class European cities in summer. Can also cruise Canada/New England, Hawaii, Australia, etc. River cruises popular in Europe and Egypt.

Use a cruise search engine to find the cheapest options, then review cruise details. Bookmark and watch for price drops. Consider booking early when cruises are first announced or wait for last minute deals.

Avoid the expensive cruise line excursions. Research third party options for a better, more personalized experience. Most guarantee getting you back to the ship on time.

Be aware of environmental impacts, overtourism, fair wages for workers, and avoiding an overly "tourist bubble" experience. Make responsible choices.

The hosts share a bottle Harbor Red from Good Harbor Vineyards in Leelanau Peninsula, MI. They reminisce about a trip there during the early days of the pandemic when travel opened back up.

Search one way fares. Consider open-jaw itineraries starting in one city and returning from another. Be open to long layovers - even 16 hours in Paris! - to break up long flights. Flying budget airlines and mixing carriers can lead to great deals.

In this episode, we continue our conversation on the Michigan bucket list, covering the Western Lower Peninsula of Michigan. For information about the locations mentioned in this episode, visit the Michigan Bucket List page on GoSeeDoExplore.com

FlightAware allows you to track flights and get notifications about delays or changes before others may know.

Mawby Sandpiper is a sparkling wine from Leelanau Peninsula. Check it out at Mawby.wine.

Christopher and Ashleigh recap their long weekend trip to Walt Disney World for a holiday weekend. They discuss the parks and attractions they visited, rides like Tron and Guardians of the Galaxy, dealing with crowds, and the amazing food they ate.

• Took a Frontier flight to Orlando and stayed at Pop Century resort

• Tried to get virtual queue for Tron but it filled up in seconds

• Early entry for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure

• Rope dropped Flight of Passage - motion sickness for Ashleigh

• Rope dropped Rise of the Resistance

• Ate at Skipper Canteen, San Angel Inn, Sanaa, 50's Prime Time Cafe

Facebook Groups for destinations. Look up where you're going and you can get a lot of tips in these groups.

The Valley Project Grenache from Santa Barbara, California

Kitch-iti-kipi (The Big Spring), Number 4 on the List

Travelers are invited to go see, do, and explore the hidden gems, unforgettable experiences, and stories that make destinations unique. This episode focuses on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. More information about the locations mentioned in this episode can be found on the Ultimate Michigan Bucket List at GoSeeDoExplore.com.

2 Lads Winery is located on Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City, Michigan. Crisp is a lovely sparkling wine made with a blend of grapes. Find out more about 2 Lads at 2LWinery.com.

Consider options like renting a car, public transit, tours, taxis, ride-shares, walking, and biking based on your destination and goals. Understand the costs, ethics, and convenience of each option.

We make the argument for why you shouldn't dismiss budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier - they can offer major cost savings that make more trips possible.

Ultra low cost fares allow us to take trips we otherwise couldn't afford. Saving hundreds on airfare lets us do more activities at destinations.

Spirit is the #2 airline out of Detroit Metro, with great route options. We won't pass up a good route just because it's on an ultra low cost carrier.

Budget airlines make money through add-on fees (seats, bags, snacks, etc.). Do the math to calculate total cost vs. legacy airline tickets. You can get better experience through small upgrades like extra legroom seats, exit row, or Spirit's big front seats.

Ultra low cost carriers can have fewer protections for delays/cancellations. Check policies and consider travel insurance for missed work coverage.

USDOT Fly Rights

USDOT Airline Cancellation Display Dashboard

Legacy carriers sometimes have cheaper fares. Objective may not just be lowest fare (prioritizing experience, etc.). Less protection can be a risk depending on your situation.

More than just Bourbon Street - also has Garden District, WWII Museum, and other great destinations. We want to return for Commander's Palace and more live jazz.

Kayak, Skyscanner, and Google Flights simplify searching across airlines. Always book directly through airline site, not third parties. Use VPN and try different countries to get the best fares.

We picked up this Douro wine when we visited last summer. It is made with same grapes as port wine. It has nice flavor from aging since 2012. This winery is surrounded by a certain famous port producer.

One day in the Duoro Valley (blog post)