The unspoken social rules of cruising (#0052)
This email touched on something you don’t really think about until you’re already on board. Cruises don’t come with a rulebook… but somehow everyone kind of knows the rules anyway. Things like not blasting your phone on speaker, not “claiming” chairs for hours, and reading the room before jumping into conversations. It’s funny how a ship full of strangers somehow figures out how to share space together. And when someone doesn’t… you notice.😅

Imagine a vacation that’s not only transformative for you but helps open doors for the local women you meet along the way. That’s what Intrepid’s new Women’s Expeditions in Peru, Cambodia and Bhutan are all about.

Designed specifically for women travellers, these trips offer immersive local experiences that support women-run and owned businesses in each destination. With an expert local leader out front, you could trek the lesser-known Chinchero to Urquillos route in the Peruvian Andes alongside an all-female crew, dive into Cambodia’s street food scene on a women-run tuk tuk tour, or unwind with a traditional herbal hot stone bath at a women-owned farmhouse in Bhutan.

First launched in 2018, Intrepid’s Women’s Expedition range is designed to break down barriers, foster discussion and create meaningful connections for travellers and locals alike.

Find your next adventure

Before you book that cruise… read this (#0053)
This was your reminder that not every cruise is built the same. Some are loud, busy, and packed with activities, while others are slower, quieter, and more focused on relaxing. Same ocean…completely different experience. The biggest takeaway here was simple: the “wrong” cruise isn’t bad… it’s just wrong for you.

Some things may have changed since your last cruise (#0054)
Cruising isn’t what it used to be…in a good way. This email covered how ships are getting smarter and more tech-focused with things like app-based bookings, faster boarding, digital safety drills, and more connected onboard experiences. If it’s been a few years since your last trip, it might feel a little different when you step back on. Not worse…just more updated.

This place wasn’t what I expected (#0055)
And then there’s the moment when a port doesn’t quite match what you pictured. Not bad. Not terrible. Just… not what you had in mind. This email was a good reminder that not every stop is going to be a highlight and that’s okay. Sometimes it’s about adjusting expectations and making the most of it anyway.

What this month really came down to…
Cruising is a mix of expectations vs reality, structure vs flexibility, and planned experiences vs unexpected ones. Some things will surprise you in a good way. Others…not so much.

Quick question for you:
What surprised you more on your last trip… the ship itself or the places you visited?

Thanks for reading,

Tara

PS: Next week: If you don’t eat meat… are you stuck with salad all week? 🥗 😂

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