Ya’ll! We just returned from the most dazzling family vacation: a cruise from Seattle to Alaska!
 
We saw dozens of whales throughout the trip (Humpbacks and Orcas), thousands of jellyfish while kayaking a hidden cove in Sitka, and a handful of majestic Bald Eagles in the wild. The massive Hubbard Glacier was breath-taking. It was all pretty drool-worthy, I must admit. 

As usual, we brought along our toddler, who has already accompanied us to Spain, Ireland and Mexico, but who had yet to board a cruise ship.
 
In this blog series, I’ll share everything I learned from the experience of cruising with a toddler.
 
Cruise with kids: Travel tips for cruising with toddlers

Part 1: Get the Best Cruise Deal

IMPORTANT: Before you book anything, check the age requirements of the cruise line you are considering. Most will only accept children six months and older as of the first day of the cruise. For some itineraries, such as transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, or otherwise, children must be at least 12 months of age at the start of the cruise.
 
Also check any passport requirements. If your cruise docks outside of the U.S. or its territories, you and your children will need a passport. See my advice on traveling internationally with your baby or toddler here.
 
Obviously, you’ll want to secure the very best deal for your cruise. I subscribe to Travelzoo, which features Top 20 deals every Wednesday. This is how I found our Alaskan cruise on Holland America for a fantastic price with tons of bonuses, through Prestige Cruises. 

​To be honest, I was initially nervous about booking through Prestige Cruises, since I hadn’t heard of them and the package almost seemed too good to be true. However, I was assured by Travelzoo that all their deals are verified.
 
So, we made out like bandits: upgrade from a balcony to a signature suite, two free beverage packages (normally $700/person), free gratuities, third and fourth guest free (this paid for our toddler), and a whopping $350 in on board credits, which can be used for spa treatments, photography, excursions, and more. Normally, you’d be lucky to get $200 in on board credits.
 
I recommend holding out for that third and fourth guest free promotion, otherwise you will have to pay for your children separately at the same price as an adult.
 
You can also take advantage of Wave Season deals, which typically run between January and March. Last-minute deals can also add immense value to your experience. 

Next Time: Plan Toddler Activities and Entertainment for your Cruise
​
Watch for Part 2 of this series, which will outline strategies for keeping your toddler happy and busy on board!

*Author’s note: these opinions are my own based on my personal experiences. I have not been paid to endorse any businesses, products or services in this blog

You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
​Baby/toddler travel guide series: going international
Baby/toddler travel guide series: what to pack
Baby/toddler travel guide series: the essentials!
Vacation time! Why I’m actually vacationing on my vacation
Vacation fun: 44 things you only do when you're on vacation or holiday
Travel: Insider’s guide to the best Seattle outdoor activities
Your insider Seattle trip planner: lodging (where to stay) and getting around (rental car or no rental car?)
An insider’s guide to Seattle’s Pike Place Market
60 fun and unique date ideas for the young at heart
Parenting: A no-fuss guide to your toddler’s birthday party for Pinterest-fatigued parents
What I never expected about Midwest living
How to be the perfect friend: a guide for the ladies
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned

Your first question should probably be, ‘Why is this even a question, the whole vacationing on your vacation thing?’.
 
To which I say, EXACTLY! Why is it a question?
 
At what point did it become socially acceptable, nay, silently required, to work through one’s time off?
 
I’ve been struggling with this over the last few weeks as I’ve tried to cram a month’s worth of work into a week.
 
This summer has been the usual whirlwind, plus daily swimming lessons, a few trips, tons of writing and a hyper-focus on social media as part of my efforts to win a book deal.
 
I’ve been working. Hard. Constantly. Most of the day and then as soon as my daughter goes to bed for the night—weekends included.
 
I can’t remember the last time I just relaxed and did nothing in the evening.
 
I know, I know…this sounds like the whole ‘I’m SO busy and important’ spiel, but it’s not.
 
The point is, I deserve a vacation, and since I actually have one just around the corner, I am going to take it.
 
Am I under the gun to make my ‘author platform’ happen? Yes, I am. Am I going to be gone for the rest of August and then traveling again in early September? Yup, you betcha.
 
But without time to relax and recharge I fear that both my inspiration and my motivation will dwindle to nothing.
 
And that’s the last thing I want.
 
So, yes. All this rambling does have a conclusion.
 
I’m going on vacation with my family, and I am damn well going to enjoy it (Seattle and an Alaskan cruise, woop woop!).
 
I’ll be right back on the blog come early September, ready to dazzle you with my wit and prose.
 
Until then, I encourage you to find your beach! 

You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Vacation fun: 44 things you only do when you're on vacation or holiday
It's Here! Get My Free E-Book: 100 of Your Toughest Business Emails: Solved on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and more
Baby/toddler travel guide series: going international
Baby/toddler travel guide series: what to pack
Baby/toddler travel guide series: the essentials!
Travel: Insider’s guide to the best Seattle outdoor activities
Your insider Seattle trip planner: lodging (where to stay) and getting around (rental car or no rental car?)
An insider’s guide to Seattle’s Pike Place Market
60 fun and unique date ideas for the young at heart
What I never expected about Midwest living
Parenting: A no-fuss guide to your toddler’s birthday party for Pinterest-fatigued parents
How to be the perfect friend: a guide for the ladies
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned

I am happy to announce that my new e-book, 100 of Your Toughest Business Emails: Solved: Plug and Play Ideas From a Seasoned Corporate Communications Manager, is now available in a number of digital formats! 

Here's the skinny on the book: 

Even the savviest office workers struggle with awkward, sticky and downright tricky business emails. How do I politely tell a colleague that their request isn’t my job? What do I say when I’m behind schedule or over budget? What if I hate working with that person? 100 of Your Toughest Business Emails: Solved has all these answers, and more, from an experienced Corporate Communications Manager (yours truly).   

Cool! Where can I find it? 

Grab a FREE copy of my e-book on these platforms:
​Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Apple iBooks
Kobo
Smashwords
Blio

Yup, I'm an Amazon author! Dream come true! Feel free to check out my Amazon author page. 

One more quick thing before you go. 

If you want the downloadable, printable version of this e-book to stash in your desk (in case of communications emergency), click here. It's exclusively available to my weekly email subscribers. 

You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Business Email Etiquette: 50 Things You Should Never Say in a Work Email
Vacation fun: 44 things you only do when you're on vacation or holiday
On The Write Life: 34 Ways to Stay Busy (and Productive) While You Wait for Your Book Release
On The Write Life: 17 Incredible Possibilities if Writers Ran The World
On The Write Life: Get Inspired! 20 Writers to Follow on Twitter
Article on The Write Life: Think Like a Journalist to Improve Your Writing (Trench Coat Optional!)
How to be the perfect friend: a guide for the ladies
Writing tips: What I want to blog about vs. what I actually blog about
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned
For writers: All your writing fears, squashed!
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me
Your writing conference checklist: how to make it worth every minute and every penny (takeaways from the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference) 
The write stuff: An author’s favorite books and authors 
Writing tips: Cutting down on word fat and other newsletter best practices 
All about writing: writing 'til it hurts

This month on The Write Life, I'm serving up 34 tips and tricks to help anyone in the process of publishing a book.

Check it out: 34 Ways to Stay Busy (and Productive) While You Wait for Your Book Release

Authors and writers who are looking for literary agents and whose agents are submitting their work to publishers will find the recommendations especially relevant.

Even if your book has been sold and is pending release, or if you're a self-publisher, the article offers plenty of suggestions that will help grow your readership. 

You can find all of my articles on The Write Life here.  

Happy trails, my friends!

You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
On The Write Life: 17 Incredible Possibilities if Writers Ran The World
On The Write Life: Get Inspired! 20 Writers to Follow on Twitter
Article on The Write Life: Think Like a Journalist to Improve Your Writing (Trench Coat Optional!)
Business Email Etiquette: 50 Things You Should Never Say in a Work Email
Free E-Book Preview: 100 of your Toughest Business Emails: Solved—Coming August 2017
How to be the perfect friend: a guide for the ladies
Vacation fun: 44 things you only do when you're on vacation or holiday
Writing tips: What I want to blog about vs. what I actually blog about
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned
For writers: All your writing fears, squashed!
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me
Your writing conference checklist: how to make it worth every minute and every penny (takeaways from the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference) 
The write stuff: An author’s favorite books and authors 
Writing tips: Cutting down on word fat and other newsletter best practices 
All about writing: writing 'til it hurts 

By the way, have you checked out my new, FREE E-Book? 

If you ever struggle with what to say in a business email, you need to get your hands on it, pronto. Get to clicking!

On vacation: two of the most magical words in the English language.
 
When you’re on vacation or holiday, your state of mind changes completely.
 
You’re adventurous. You’re lazy. You want to talk to strangers. You seek new and novel experiences. You eat until your stomach nearly explodes.
 
It’s all part of the charm of vacating your everyday life. 

Our family LOVES to travel. Lives for it, really.
 
In honor of our upcoming trip to Seattle and Alaska (bucket list!), here’s a little vacation fun to brighten up your day, whether you’re lying on a pristine beach or plugging away at the office.

44 things you only do when you're on vacation or holiday 

1.  Consume dessert twice, if not three times, every day
2.  Sleep in until OMG-o-clock
3.  Tell yourself and your travel companions: It's a once in a lifetime opportunity!
4.  Watch other drunk tourists sing karaoke, and possibly join in
5.  Consider showering only after you've already hit the beach or pool

6.  Convince yourself that calories are an illusion
7.  Say things like ‘the native culture’ even though you're in Minneapolis
8.  Push from your mind the fact that you will eventually have to settle that credit card bill
9.  Take photos with random street performers
10.  Two words: day drinking

11.  Wear a beach hat on a plane
12.  Proudly activate your out of office message
13.  Actually read a book or magazine from cover to cover
14.  Take photos of random buildings
15.  Go ziplining or four-wheeling

16.  Say things like "I want the authentic experience"
17.  Order food in a foreign language
18.  Aggressively ignore email messages
19.  Carry a backpack or fanny pack
20.  Wear a shirt decked out with palm trees

21.  Eat enough breakfast at the buffet to keep you stuffed all day
22.  Lay out in the sun doing nothing
23.  Get a massage, guilt-free
24.  Talk to strangers from your home country or hometown
25.  Take hundreds of photos that you'll never print out or make into physical photo album

26.  Walk around in public barefoot and swimsuit-clad
27.  Bring home tiny pilfered bottles of shampoo and shower gel
28.  Observe the one ice cream or gelato per day rule
29.  Stake out poolside loungers around 6 am, then go back to bed, eat breakfast, and show up at the pool at 11 am. Yup, everyone hates you.
30.  Buy useless, overpriced trinkets

31.  Check the weather back home and gloat as required
32.  Opt for an impromptu ping pong championship
33.  Practice yoga on the beach
34.  Befriend the local cab driver, bellman and hotel concierge so you can get the 'inside scoop'
35.  Tan your skin to a lovely shade of crimson

36.  Take a bubble bath in a deep soaking tub
37.  Get hair braids or henna tattoos
38.  Pass on a drink unless it contains fruit garnish or a tiny paper umbrella
39.  Sit shivering in an air-conditioned cocoon while it's 90+ degrees outside
40.  Wear sunglasses, even at night

41.  Eventually wish you were back home in your own bed, in your regular routine
42.  Worry over tipping customs
43.  Ask other people where they are from
44.  Watch the sunrise or sunset

Cheers to treasured vacation memories!
 
You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Baby/toddler travel guide series: going international
Baby/toddler travel guide series: what to pack
Baby/toddler travel guide series: the essentials!
Travel: Insider’s guide to the best Seattle outdoor activities
Your insider Seattle trip planner: lodging (where to stay) and getting around (rental car or no rental car?)
An insider’s guide to Seattle’s Pike Place Market
60 fun and unique date ideas for the young at heart
What I never expected about Midwest living
Parenting: A no-fuss guide to your toddler’s birthday party for Pinterest-fatigued parents
How to be the perfect friend: a guide for the ladies
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned