Showing posts with label Cruise Blogger. Show all posts

rhone river cruise

September 9, 2025

caravan sonnet- rebecca vandemark- france

Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you are having a wonderful week so far! Today I wanted to share 9 Must Have Experiences aboard the Viking Delling that you have to do on your Rhône River Cruise with Viking Cruise Line! There are obviously so many more things I could add to this, but these are my top 9 recommendations!

I also created a reel about this so if you would like to see the reel simply click HERE!

Here are my top 9 recommendations:

1. Eat in the Aquavit Terrace Once.

The beauty surrounding you is incredible and it truly is a memorable experience that you don’t want to miss!

2. Attend Evening Port Talks with Nuno, the Program Director.

While you have the option to view these in your room, the experience of joining with fellow passengers and connecting more is a truly special time. Nuno did an amazing job of providing information we would need about the port we would be at the following day, helpful tips for our excursions and also gave a cultural component related to where we were at and shared an art piece each night. His engaging personality drew everyone in and I highly recommend attending these!

3. Learn about the locks.

On this cruise you will go through 13 different locks and to be honest, I didn’t know that much about them before this cruise. After learning about it I honestly have to say that I was impressed and it was fascinating to understand this part of River Cruising.

4. Get to Know Your Fellow Guests.

The people with us on our cruise were fascinating, inspiring, and so interesting!

5. Attend the Taste of Provenance Dinner.

This was a special night and truly the crew did an amazing job of putting on such a special evening dinner menu. I heard several people say they weren’t going to attend and I felt sad that they missed out on such an amazing event. Do not miss this!

Want to hear all about my food and dining review on the Delling including a special part about the Taste of Provenance Dinner? Watch this reel by clicking HERE!

6. Participate in the Evening Music/Events.

Each night there were different things happening in the lounge and each was unique. One very fun night was the Music trivia night and Nuno did a great job of getting everyone involved- and there was just a lot of laughter and opportunity to get to know other guests!

7. Get to Know the Delling Crew.

If you have been around Caravan Sonnet for the past 13 years then you are well aware that I have done multiple cruises. The Delling crew is unparalleled to anything I have seen. The leadership of Captain Francois and Hotel Manager Daniel is a combination that is unique and provides a truly exceptional experience for not only the crew but the guests. Simply put the crew is amazing and getting to know the incredible people will make your trip all that more special.

If you want to hear more about the incredible crew of the Delling and how this makes this trip so unique, watch this reel by clicking HERE!

8. Visit the Wheelhouse.

On the 5th day of the cruise Captain Francois and First Officer Francisco open up the wheelhouse for a couple of hours where guests can go and visit, ask questions, and learn more about the Delling and the Rhône River. This was truly an amazing experience and I can’t recommend this enough!

If you want to hear more about the incredible leadership on the Delling and how this makes this trip so wonderful, watch this reel by clicking HERE!

9. Visit the Sun Deck for an Evening Sunset.

This was one of my favorite things that I did…. If it wasn’t dinner time where I felt rude leaving my mom and the guests at the table I probably would have sat up there for hours. Now I am not suggesting leaving… haha well I guess I am but it is worth it friends. Trust me. You will love it.

If you want to hear see more of my love of the sunsets aboard the Delling, watch this reel by clicking HERE!

I know that with money so tight right now everyone is looking for ways to save money- especially if you want to go on a trip like this. Here are two reels with a little description below that I created that share lots of money saving tips:

Money Saving Tips for a Rhône River Cruise on the Delling

All the money saving tips for taking a priceless Rhône River Cruise on the Viking Delling

All your Viking Rhône River Cruise Money Questions Answered

This reel answered a lot of questions I have received about costs/ money related to our Viking Rhône River Cruise that we took in the Spring! There were a lot of questions that I didn’t get to answer so if you have questions please feel free to leave a comment or send a message and I will try to answer them! The Rhône River cruise on the Viking Delling was incredible and I could not recommend it enough. It truly was an amazing experience that leaves a legacy on your life and was absolutely priceless.

Do you have any "must have experiences" from a Viking River Cruise? Please share them in the comments below! I would love to hear them!

Happy Tuesday friends! I hope that you have a wonderful day! As always, please let me know if you have any questions!

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9 must have experiences aboard the viking delling / my viking story / rhone river cruise

stateroom 337 on the viking delling ship review / my viking story / viking rhone river cruise

June 18, 2025

I posted a reel all about our Stateroom (Room 337) on the Viking Delling while on our Rhone River Cruise! You can watch, comment, and like it HERE!

Our Veranda stateroom (room 337) for our Rhône River Cruise on the Viking Delling was absolutely wonderful. Our stewardess Kamilla was so sweet and absolutely the best! I HIGHLY recommend the Veranda- we spent a lot of time out there in the day and at night I slipped out many times to just sit and marvel at the stars. My sweet mama has given me permission to share this story, but my mom has a tendon tear in her left leg that is inoperable so she relies solely on her right leg for walking (although after years of Physical Therapy and hard work behind the scenes she walks normally and no one knows this). But as some of you also know the day before our cruise she hurt her right knee and unfortunately struggled to walk and suffered a lot of pain so she was unable to participate in all of the tours and do as much exploring as we planned to. The Veranda became a favorite place for her to be outside and enjoy our surroundings so it was truly a gift in so many ways! We will always have a soft spot for Room 337 on the Delling!!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Caravan Sonnet | My Viking Story | Viking Delling Ship

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stateroom 337 on the viking delling ship review / my viking story / viking rhone river cruise

10 valentines day gift ideas for the cruise lover in your life

February 11, 2025

Happy Monday friends! I hope that this finds you doing well! Today I am so excited to share with y'all 10 Valentines Day Gift Ideas for the Cruise Lover in Your life! So in no particular order let's get started:

1. Delsey Luggage Chatelet- 21 Inch Carry On (Champagne)
I have had many carry-on suitcases over the years but can't recommend this one, by Delsey, enough. I had seen several bloggers that I follow recommend this luggage and was a bit shell-shocked at the price. Over this past year I tried several other cheaper carry-on luggage options and was disappointed with each of them for various reasons. Finally, I found this carry-on on sale on Amazon and purchased it.

Friends, save your money on the cheaper options and purchase this carry-on right now as it is on sale. It is worth every. single. penny. This is a carry-on that I plan to have for years and I have been so impressed with the quality of it, the durability, and the way it cleans up so easily and looks brand new even though it is white. It holds tons of items and you will be amazed at all you are able to pack in it. (Again, I traveled for 10 days and everything I am recommending traveled with me!) If you are interested in the suitcase you can find it on Amazon HERE.

And guess what?! It is currently $30.00 off the original price! So it is the perfect time to purchase this! Click HERE!

Some additional ideas...
DELSEY Paris Chatelet Soft Weekender Duffel
DELSEY Paris Women's Chatelet Soft Shoulder Bag (Want the look for 1/4th of the price? Check out this bag HERE!)
DELSEY Paris Chatelet Large Spinner Suitcase //28-Inch (on sale for $50 off!!)

2. Camera
I use my phone for pictures but also- especially when I travel for work or personal reasons, love my camera. I have the Canon EOS Rebel T7 and absolutely love it. After having and owning the Canon T5i for many years (which I would definitely recommend if you are looking to purchase a cheaper camera - you can find it HERE!) I purchased the T7 in the summer and quickly fell in love with it! I am always amazed by the quality of the photos it takes for the incredible price!

Some additional ideas...
SD CARD (it's less than $20)
Travel Tripod
Portable Battery Pack

3. Sturdy Purse Organizer

If you have been around here for a little bit of time then you know I talk about this non-stop tell everyone about it! Just the other day I was telling two friends that they needed to get one! It is life-changing! Hahaha!

This felt organizer (I chose the beige color so that it will go with any of my purses!) comes in 11 different colors and is less than $20 on Amazon (you can find it HERE). I love that I can easily switch purses now just by taking this out and changing it from one purse to another. SO simple and easy! For size reference I use a medium! For traveling mine was loaded up with tons of items and it was the easiest trip in the airports because of how organized it kept things in my purse! I honestly plan to do a whole post on this because it is so wonderful! If you are interested in it you can find it HERE!

4. Teeks Sandals (Cocobutter)
I have fallen in love with these sandals this summer and love the simplicity and yet the "put together" look of these leather sandals. They are so incredibly comfortable and you can find them HERE!

Some additional ideas...
THIS pair of TOMS shoes -excellent substitute for those who don't like sandals
Hunter Rain Boots - for those traveling to a cooler climate like Alaska or New England
Merrell Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot - for those who are hiking

5. Over the Door Shoe Hanger

On my very first cruise I didn't bring one and rectified that immediately for all future cruises! These are a great way to have dozens of small size compartments for a variety of different things and will help add extra storage to the small staterooms.

I use THIS ONE from Amazon and it has worked perfectly for all different cruises (including a European River Cruise (but if you want a different option see below**) and stateroom sizes that I have traveled in! For less than $11 it is a steal! You can find it HERE!

Some additional ideas...
If you are going on cruise that has sliding doors only- THIS closet shoe hanger (less than $15!) is a perfect solution! You can find it HERE!**

6. Ear Plugs
One of the whole goals of a cruise is to rest and relax and this includes quiet! I love THESE ear plugs and can't recommend them enough!

7. Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask

I am a huge believer in eye masks and specifically this one! It is on sale and is current less than $10!! You can find it HERE!

8. Laundry Bags

Throw in a couple of small (or large) laundry bags to make it easy to put in your dirty clothes at the end of the cruise. When you get home everything is already in the bag and can easily be cleaned. Another idea is to take three different laundry bags- one for whites, one for dark colors, and one for clothes that need to be dry cleaned. That way when you arrives home all she has to do is drop things off at the dry cleaners and through loads of laundry in the wash!

I personally love THIS set of laundry bags from Amazon. For less than $9 you receive 6 different bags and can separate things in a variety of ways making laundry incredibly easy when you return home from your vacation. Find them HERE!

9. Thermal Coffee Mug

For the coffee and tea lovers out there this be a perfect and cute gift! First, many times room service is not offered on disembarkation days when people are hoping for coffee most. Second, this is an easy way to fill your mug up with coffee and take it anywhere on the ship without spilling things, especially in stormy weather. This is an extra great gift idea right now as many cruise ships started charging for room service starting in 2019!

I love THIS ONE by Yeti in the seafoom green color (but there are tons of other colors to choose from!). You can find it HERE.

10. Passport Holder/ Travel Wallet
Traveling outside the United States? You will need to have your passport with you and I would definitely recommend carrying it with you at all times while you are on excursions. I love this one!

some additional ideas...
THIS ONE (under $10!)
THIS ONE (lots of fun color options!)
THIS ONE

I hope that these give you some fun and creative Valentines Day gift ideas for the cruise lover in your life! Happy Tuesday friends!

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10 valentines day gift ideas for the cruise lover in your life

10 things people forget to bring on their first cruise

July 30, 2024

When I went on my first ocean cruise to the Bahamas in 2014 I was a complete newbie. I knew nothing about cruising and searched to find the best packing lists so that I wouldn't forget anything. Despite this though I still found that there were things that I left at home that I wish I had brought with me.

As time has gone on and I have done numerous ocean and river cruising I started compiling a list of things that I wished someone would have told me to bring on my first cruise! So if you are packed and ready to leave on your first cruise and are afraid of forgetting something- don't worry! This list below will help remind you of 15 things that most people forget to bring on their first cruise!

1. Over the Storage Shoe Organizer or Door Hanger

I shared this as my #1 suggestion in my post, 16 unexpected things to bring on every cruise, and I still say it is the #1 thing to bring. This is a great way to have dozens of small size compartments for a variety of different things and helps to add extra storage to the small staterooms that exist. I purchased THIS ONE from Amazon for less than $12 and I have now used it on the Disney Cruise, Royal Caribbean Cruise, and the Viking River Cruise and plan to use it on all future cruises!

2. White Noise/Fan
For years I have been sleeping with a fans and have loved the "white noise" that they provide as I am a very light sleeper. Sometimes the walls on a cruise ship can be exceptionally thin (even less than a typical hotel room) and a small fan or white noise machine can be very helpful, especially if you have young kiddos who go to bed before others. There are lots of different options but I have used THIS ONE from Amazon and found it incredibly helpful. You also can't beat the price for less than $45! AND it is less than 3 pounds!!

3. Small Umbrella
Depending on where you are traveling to and your destinations you may want to bring an umbrella. I know that for the New England/Canada cruises I took a few years ago this was incredibly helpful (especially for a day in rainy Portland)! If you forget to bring this some cruise ships do have extra umbrellas so make sure you ask at the beginning of your cruise for this! There are so many adorable ones that are available but I loved THIS ONE in blue that I found on Amazon (it is also less than $14)!

4. Laundry Bags
Throwing in a set of laundry bags makes it incredibly easy to separate your dirty clothes at the end of each day so that when you get home everything is already in the bag and can easily be cleaned. One tip that I learned from a seasoned cruiser was to take several different laundry bags and separate them - one for whites, one for reds, one for darks, one for cleaning, etc. I personally love THIS set of laundry bags from Amazon. For less than $10 you receive 7 different bags and can separate things in a variety of ways making laundry when you return home incredibly easy.

5. OTC Medication
While it is true that you can purchase all different over the counter medication on your cruise it will cost you substantially more than if you brought it on board. Think ahead and bring some of your own. Prone to seasickness? A lot of people use Dramamine (or the patch) for motion sickness on a cruise which is a wonderful option, but ginger can be a great natural resource to help with nausea. You can read more about ginger and its health benefits by clicking HERE. I have mentioned this in several posts but I swear by THIS ginger here. For less than $8 you can save yourself a whole lot of sickness!

6. Comfortable Shoes/Sandals
I shared this in my post, 13 Must Pack Items for Your Caribbean Cruise, but it is a definite thing to remember. Pack comfortable shoes and sandals!! If you are a girly-girl like me you want to look cute and fun, but you don't want your cruise ruined by blisters either so take the time to pick out cute and comfy sandals.

7. A Watch
I was surprised to hear this suggestion from those who had cruised a lot but honestly, have now seen the value in having a watch. One of the best parts of a cruise is having the chance to take a break from the "real world" and simply enjoy the moment. But if you are like me I have grown accustomed to look at my phone for the time and frankly when I cruise I didn't want to use my phone at all so a watch is the best option. I shared in my post, 5 must pack items for a Disney Cruise, that the Disney Cruise Line has less clocks on board than any other cruise line. This is wonderful if you want to live fully in the moment, but you don't want to miss any exciting adventures on the ship either so make sure to throw in a watch and set it to ship time to keep up with all of your fun activities!

I personally have loved my FitBit Versa as it works as a watch but also tracks important health things that I am watching right now. If you are looking for a FitBit I honestly can't recommend it enough and if you are cruising with a chronic illness (see more tips HERE) this is also an excellent way to help monitor everything. A side note for those who are wanting to be connected to text messages but not their phone on cruises this also can be connected (or disconnected if you want) from and to your FitBit.

8. Extra Hangers
Depending on who you are traveling with you might want to bring extra hangers. Many cruise ships will provide more if you request them, but if you are going on a long cruise or like to hang everything instead of using the drawers you might want to consider this tip! I love THESE and the price is a great price at less than $13!

9. Power Strip

What may come as a surprise for first-time cruisers is that there are very limited outlets in each stateroom. A power strip is incredibly helpful for short and long cruises. I purchased and have loved THIS ONE from Amazon because it comes with a surge protector and extra space between a couple of the outlets for larger items.

10. Extension Cord
I shared this in my 10 Must Pack Items for a New England and Canadian Cruise post, but it is helpful for any cruise. Having an extension cord allows you to maneuver to set up your power strip (see #9) where it is convenient for you in the room. This is a definite item that I now bring on every single cruise! I bought THIS ONE (less than $6!) but there are literally so many you could choose from depending on what you are looking for. The one that I use (HERE) is about $5 and just stays in my suitcase (which I LOVE) for all of my travel adventures.

What about y'all? Any items that you wish that you had brought on your first cruise that you would recommend to a first-time cruiser?

Looking for more Cruising Tips? Check out the blog or click on the links below for more tips and ideas for a fabulous and cozy luxury adventure!

10 Valentines Day Gift Ideas for the Cruise Lover

6 Tips for Planning the Perfect Cruise

3 Important Documents to Bring on Every Cruise

Viking River Cruises: Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising: 23 Key Differences to Know

5 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First European River Cruise

7 Things to Take With You While In Port

10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise

10 Things to Do Before You Leave on Your Caribbean Cruise

5 Must Pack Items for Your Disney Cruise to the Bahamas

16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise

Top 13 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise

10 Must Pack Items for a New England & Canada Cruise

10 Tips for Cruising With a Chronic Illness

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10 things people forget to bring on their first cruise

top 13 must pack items for a caribbean cruise

January 31, 2023

Packing for cruises to the Caribbean aren't like packing for cruising to cooler weather climates like a cruise to New England or Canada or on a Winter Rhine River Cruise. The Caribbean is gorgeous no matter what time of year you go to visit and brings warm tropical weather in the day and cooler breezes in the evening. A perfect combination for a relaxing getaway! So when it has come to packing for Caribbean cruises I have narrowed it down to the top 13 things that you can't leave home without!

1. Different Bathing Suits and Cute Cover-ups

If you plan to spend time simply laying out in the sun than you probably don't care what type of bathing suit you are choosing, but if you plan to participate in a shore excursion that involves a sporty activity you will want to consider carefully your bathing suit. Since you will spend so much time in swimwear on the cruise, throw in a couple of different options. And don't forget to throw a cute cover-up in! It is the perfect excuse to wear some bright and fun colors on the beach!

2. Cute and Comfy Sandals and Shoes

Y'all know that I love sandals and would wear them every day of the year if I had the opportunity so the Caribbean weather is the perfect time for packing cute sandals. Don't forget to pack Sandals and shoes that are also comfy though. You will be surprised at how much walking you do on the ship and at the ports for different excursions. As a gal who loves shoes it is the perfect opportunity to pack a couple of different pairs. *smiles* Looking for some cute sandals? I love these TKEES Sandals and have mentioned them various times on the blog! So cute with all different outfits and so comfortable! You can find them HERE!

3. Caribbean Inspired Clothes

One of the most fun parts of a Caribbean Cruise is having the opportunity to dress up in cute sundresses, flowing maxi skirts, and sweet tops. Think through what you will be doing on your cruise and plan out some fun outfits for your trip that match your destination.

4. Widebrim Oversized Sunhat

There are so many adorable different hats that can be worn during the summer months and also on a Caribbean Cruise. A tip that a friend gave me was to purchase an elastic fastener that works like a two-sided clothespin. Attach one end to your hat and the other to your shirt- this is a perfect way to keep your hat on your head instead of over the boat! *smiles* I love THIS large one (isn't the writing so cute?) and THIS one is so adorable too!

5. Sunglasses

Don't forget to bring a pair (or two!) of sunglasses for your trip!

I LOVE these sunglasses and for two pairs for under $15 that look designer they are the perfect thing to purchase!

6. Snorkel and Mask

If you love to swim and snorkel (or even scuba dive) consider bringing your own equipment. Rental masks not only cost a lot of money, but they often fit poorly which allows water to come in or your mask to fog up. While snorkels are "one size fits all", if you are a bit of a germ freak like me, you might feel a little disconcerted by how many people have used the snorkel before you. (Ewww....) Throw in your own snorkel and mask and you will be happy you did! If you are looking for a good set- this snorkel and mask set is awesome and costs less than $30 you can find it on Amazon HERE.

7. Sunscreen

This is obviously a "must pack" item for a Caribbean Cruise, and yet so many people forget to throw it into their suitcase. It is extremely easy to get sunburned in the Caribbean so don't forget to throw this in. You will be saving money by bringing your own sunscreen as Cruise ships charge a premium for this essential item. Traveling with a large group or going on a long cruise? Consider taking some travel-size options with you so that you don't have to carry around a huge bottle. And don't forget to toss in a lip balm for your lips!

8. Aloe Vera

Even with sunscreen, the warm climate of the Caribbean can make it easy to get sunburned. Consider taking along some soothing aloe vera with you for your skin. One of my favorites that I use throughout the year is THIS Aloe Vera Gel! I use this often on my skin, even when I don't have a burn after being out in the sun and it is extremely soothing. One of the other things that I love about this is that it is under $20 on Amazon! You can find it HERE! Curious if others like it? There are nearly 64,000 five star reviews of this!

9. Camera (and the extras)

One thing I love about the Caribbean is all the beautiful colors? But you know what? It's not just the experience, it is always about who you are with and you don't want to miss out on remembering these special memories that you are going to make. So don't forget to bring all of the "extras"- like spare batteries, battery charger, extra chips, etc. A great tip that a friend of mine shared with me the last time I went on a cruise was to charge my camera battery every night. This tip was invaluable as one day I accidentally forgot to turn off my camera in all of the fun we were having and would have missed out on some precious picture memories had I not done this!

ALSO because you are going to have opportunities to view beautiful islands with different corals, colorful fish, and lots of fun, you will likely want to document your experience with an underwater or waterproof camera. Don't want to spend a ton of money on an underwater camera? Consider purchasing the THIS ONE to use! I purchased a similar one (no longer made by the company) for our Royal Caribbean Cruise in November and it was wonderful! You can see some pictures that I took with it in my post about our Reef Snorkeling and Sandbar Getaway Shore Excursion HERE!

10. Extension Cord

Okay, so this isn't a particular suggestion only for Caribbean cruises but can be for any cruise! This was a suggestion that someone gave to me on my first cruise and it was a lifesaver! Throw in an extension cord and you will be glad that you did! One that I bring along is the 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip simply because it allows for several things to be plugged in at once which is a must on a cruise!

11. Purse, Bag, Etc.

Anyone that knows me knows that I love big purses and bags. They are honestly one of my favorite accessories. Taking a big purse and bag with me when I cruise is the perfect way for me to carry everything that I needed for our days off the ship (and adding a cute accessory). Some people like to use a backpack or some different type of item to carry their belongings in, but definitely remember to pack some type of bag. For me a large purse works perfectly as I can fit in everything I need to (including my camera and other things!) into it! I currently love THIS ONE (for under $15!)! If you are looking for a smaller size - THIS ONE is so cute!

12. Journal, Travel Books, Etc.

Y'all know from my shop that I love creating and altering travel books and travel journals so this recommendation is probably not a surprise at all! *smiles* Some people like to pack travel guides to take with them on the cruise so they can explore in depth the ports of call while others like to bring journals on board so as to remember the special details and memories that are made. THIS travel junk journal is the both of best worlds and can be the perfect solution to remembering all of the special details of your cruise!

13. Cruise Documents and Passport

Don't forget that you will need to bring all of your cruise documents and passport. Looking for a cute passport holder? I love THIS ONE (it comes in all different colors!) or THIS travel organizer (which also comes in different colors!)!

What about y'all? Any must pack items that you recommend for a Caribbean Cruise?

Looking for additional cruising tips? Check out the following cruising posts:

10 Valentines Day Gift Ideas for the Cruise Lover

6 Tips for Planning the Perfect Cruise

3 Important Documents to Bring on Every Cruise

Viking River Cruises: Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising: 23 Key Differences to Know

5 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First European River Cruise

7 Things to Take With You While In Port

10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise

10 Things to Do Before You Leave on Your Caribbean Cruise

5 Must Pack Items for Your Disney Cruise to the Bahamas

16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise

Top 13 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise

10 Must Pack Items for a New England & Canada Cruise

You can also read some of the beautiful cruising adventures that I have had over the years by clicking on the links below for inspiration on planning your own special cruise:

HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISES: