I want to take a moment to thank all of my clients who have sailed with me this past year. The places you have been and the destinations you have enjoyed are truly great memories for you. Look at your phone photos for a moment and you will be reminded of that place, the view, the people and the foods.

This past year I have traveled a lot, but I did so because I wanted to make more memories while I was able. We never know what tomorrow brings.  I started a “To Do List” not to be confused with bucket list. You see a “To Do List” is more actionable, where as a bucket list seems like a last chance before the end. “To Do List” just sounds more positive.

Elephant Island

I started the “To Do List” in early 2023, I knew where I wanted to go and set my sights on 2024. I began this year traveling to South America and Antarctica. Wow – just wow. It is pretty hard to describe the sights and sounds of Antarctica. The air is so clear and the landscape varied. The wildlife is amazing as well. This was a total of 20 days. Unforgettable.

Falkland Islands

Next was the biggest and longest travel adventure short of our days traveling the US in our RV. A total of 64 days to Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and Hawaii. While this was a long trip, I knew if I flew that far, that I wanted to see as much as possible. I will not regret doing this long journey. Each country had its special views, foods and people. My phone took loads of pics and I look at them often. Making memories are important.

Mud Baths Tauranga, NZ

Milford Sound, NZ

Great Barrier Reef from

Helicopter

Hot Air Balloon over

Yarra Valley, Australia

Moorea, Tahiti

Flower Crown in Tahiti

Waterfall in Fiji

We took a trip to ABC Island’s to remember our wedding anniversary in November. I love those islands and we could not think of a better place to celebrate.

We then went with our agency sponsored Sun Princess week long cruise. This was our Client Appreciation cruise and some of my clients attended. Our agency had some very good pricing on this amazing new ship. Next December Cruise Brother’s will be offering this exclusive event with excellent pricing aboard the new Star Princess. I will post the particulars next week about this.

The final big “To Do List” item was to take a Christmas Market River cruise. This was 10 nights from Basel to Amsterdam and a fabulous and wonderful experience. Oh, the sights, the delicious foods and gifts. The river cruise company had beautiful decorations and fun activities. We even left our slippers outside of our cabins so that St Nicholas would deliver treats! We had a tree decorating event for the guest as well as gingerbread man decorating. It was a very busy cruise! A very festive trip. I know some may have heard about the tragedy at a Christmas Market, but let me say this – the markets we went to had entrances police protected. The event you heard about on the news had an open area and unprotected. Don’t let headlines ruin a dream. The tour companies, cruise line and river tour operators are protective of their clients and see that local security is of utmost importance.

Basel, Swizterland

Santa visited

Baden Baden Christmas Market

So, I end my year with complete gratitude for making a “To Do List” in 2023 and saw the results in 2024. The memories are many, the photos I have plus the small trinkets I brought home will serve me well for years to come.

We are coming into what is known as WAVE Season. This is the time of year where cruise lines and land tour operators roll out very good pricing for those who plan. It is called WAVE season as you wave good bye to the past and hello to the future. Or it is thought as being on the ocean and sailing. Either way you think of this, start making plans! Make your “To Do List”. You won’t regret it.

Happy New Year!

Kathy Hays