You Don’t Have to Do Excursions on Every Cruise (Or at All!) — And I’m Living Proof

When people first start planning their cruise, one of the biggest questions that Im asked is:
“How much extra do I need to spend on excursions?”

There’s this idea floating around that if you’re not ziplining through the jungle or taking a catamaran to snorkel every single day, you’re not doing it “right.” But I’m here to tell you — you absolutely can skip excursions and still have an amazing cruise. In fact, out of all the cruises I’ve been on (and it’s a lot), I’ve only booked two excursions. Ever.

The first? Snorkeling with sea turtles in St. Thomas on a girls’ trip — just me and a friend, floating in crystal-clear water and soaking up every second. The turtles were still coming back into the cove from the after the hurricane so there weren’t many, but I’ll never forget that huge one coming up to surface from under me. 
The second? Swimming with dolphins in Montego Bay during my daughter’s very first cruise — and yes, I cried. Totally worth it. They’re one of my favorite animals and they are so velvety smooth. 

But you know what? Some of my favorite cruise memories came from doing nothing but exploring on our own, relaxing on a nearly empty ship, or just grabbing a beach chair steps from the port. No tour buses, no strict schedules, no extra cost.

Here’s the deal: not every port calls for a big adventure. Sometimes wandering around the shops, enjoying a fresh coconut on the beach, or even heading back to the ship for a quiet pool day is exactly what your vacation needs. (And if you’re the type who loves peace and quiet? Port days are golden on board — the spa, hot tubs, and even waterslides are practically empty!)

Plus, skipping excursions means more room in your budget for other things — like specialty dining, souvenirs, or that massage you’ve been thinking about.

So if you’re planning a cruise and feeling overwhelmed by all the “must-dos,” let me remind you: this is your vacation. You get to do it your way. And I’m here to help you figure out exactly what that looks like.

Whether you want dolphins, down time, or a mix of both, I’ll help you plan a cruise that fits your family, your vibe, and your budget — no stress, no pressure.

📩 Ready to start dreaming up your perfect cruise? Let’s chat and make it happen!

The Ultimate Disney Survival Guide (From a Real Mom Who’s Done It All—Even Napped in the Car)

Planning a Disney trip? 

Bless your brave soul. Whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth, the Most Magical Place on Earth can also be the Most Exhausting—especially if you’re juggling strollers, snack needs, sensory overload, and you just want a nap. 

I’m Danielle: travel agent, celiac mom, Girl Scout troop leader, and Disney day realist. I’ve survived the tantrums, the rainstorms, the 90-minute lines, and yes—even an accidental nap in the car mid-park hop. So I made this Disney Survival List to help you do Disney like a pro (even if it’s your first rodeo).

It’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing what matters—and actually enjoying it.

Grab your ears, lace up those sneakers, and let’s make the magic happen—without losing our minds in the process. 😉

💼 What to Pack (and What to Leave Home)

• Portable phone charger (because Genie+ eats batteries like Mickey eats churros). This one has been my favorite so far for my travels. 

• Refillable water bottle (you’re not paying $6 for Dasani)

• Ponchos or a compact umbrella (Florida: where sunshine turns to storms in 2 minutes)

• Cooling towels & mini fan (unless you like sweating through your soul)

• Ziploc bags (for wet clothes, leftover snacks, or sticky fingers)

• Bandaids/blister patches (you will walk 20,000 steps)

• Dramamine or motion-sickness bands. I personally prefer Dramamine. 

• Snacks—gluten-free if needed (lines are long, prices are rude)

• Mini first aid kit (ibuprofen, allergy meds, etc.) Try this one

• A comfy backpack or crossbody (bonus if it’s cute for photos). We have a loungefly collection so we usually use those. 

👟 What to Wear

• Athletic dress or moisture-wicking outfit (cute and practical) This is my favorite

• Comfy shoes—this is not the time for those new sandals. I swear by Brooks

• Extra socks (trust me on this one)

• Sunscreen & sunglasses (unless you want raccoon tan lines). My favorite body sunscreen  and for my face I use this.

🎟 Survival Tips

• Rope drop = real power. Get there early and knock out the big stuff.

• Mobile order your food like a seasoned pro (don't wait in line for chicken nuggets)

• Don't force yourself to “do it all.” Breaks are magical too.

• Embrace the nap if you need it—yes, even in the car.

• Plan your must-dos, but don’t stress if plans change. It’s Disney, not a military op.

🍦 Must-Have Snacks to Try

• Mickey Bar (gluten-free & iconic)

• Churros (if you’re not GF)

• Jack-Jack Num Num cookie (worth the hype)

• Dole Whip (always Dole Whip)

✨ Mom-to-Mom Real Talk

There’s no “perfect” Disney day. Someone will cry, someone will be hangry, and someone will try to spend $400 on lightsabers (maybe it’s you). But with the right prep, you’ll have memories that actually feel magical.

If you want more of my tips and tricks, feel free to reach out for assistance. If you want help booking your Disney trip, I'm all for it, and I'll make sure you have everything you need to make it memorable and not stressful. 

✈️ This Isn’t Just a Vacation, It’s a Reset — My Very First Blog Post 🎉

Hi! I’m Danielle — travel advisor, business owner, celiac, ADHD mom, Disney adult (no shame), Girl Scout troop leader, and the person who somehow always has 17 tabs open in both my brain and my browser. And where is that music coming from, seriously?

I started this blog because, honestly? I have so much to say about travel. The kind of real, unfiltered, “here’s what actually happens when your kid has a meltdown at Magic Kingdom and you're trying to find a gluten-free snack while sweating through your Minnie ears” kind of travel.

And I’m not here to give you cookie-cutter tips from a brochure. I’m here to tell you about the good stuff and the messy stuff. Because travel doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

Who am I?

I'm the founder of Wanderlust Vacation Travel, LLC, a travel agency that helps families, couples, and anyone with a pulse plan amazing, low-stress vacations. I specialize in gluten-free travel (because I have celiac and I get it) and I’m working toward my certification as a Certified Autism Travel Professional because some of the most amazing people in my life are neurodivergent and deserve travel that actually works for them.

So, yes. I plan Disney trips. Cruises. All-inclusives. Bucket list adventures. And I also help with the real-life stuff — like packing lists that actually make sense, sensory-friendly tips, and how to avoid hangry breakdowns (kids or adults… no judgment).

Why blog now?

Because I’m always sending voice memos and texts like, “You should totally pack your own reusable straws for Costa Rica” or “Royal Caribbean actually does gluten-free really well,” and I figured… why not put all that travel brain energy in one place?

Also, I live in a tornado of ADHD energy and sometimes writing is the only way to wrangle my thoughts into something useful for other people. So, hi. Welcome to the chaos. It’s usually fun here. And just as a forewarning, I can be a little sweary, but I promise I'll try to keep it to a minimum. 

What you’ll find here:

Honest travel stories (the “oops I forgot the sunscreen and now we live in the gift shop” kind)

Gluten-free tips that don’t suck

Disney and Universal planning ideas from a mom who’s done them a lot

All-inclusive resort recs that aren’t a gamble

Cruise planning made simple (with real drink package opinions)

Travel planning help for ADHD and neurodivergent families

Packing tips, pre-travel excitement builders, and sometimes memes

One thing I know for sure:

Travel isn’t just about the destination. It’s about feeling like yourself again. Reconnecting with your family. Making memories you’ll still laugh about when you’re 80. It’s about taking a break from the mental load (because OH MY GOD, the mental load) and letting someone else — like me — take care of the details for once.

If you’re into that, stick around.

And if you ever need help planning a trip that fits your unique, wonderful life — gluten-free, sensory-friendly, or just a break-you-actually-look-forward-to — I’m your girl.

Let’s do this. 💜🌍

Talk soon,

Danielle

P.S. If you’ve ever cried on a rollercoaster or packed 13 snacks “just in case,” you are absolutely my kind of people.