Samantha Rae Travel

On Saturday we visited Stars Hollow!

Another cruise update for my Princess cruisers! 🚢

Starting October 13, Princess Cruises is making a few changes to its Princess Plus, Princess Premier, and Wi-Fi pricing.

Here’s what’s changing:

• Princess Plus and Princess Premier will each increase by $5 per person, per day for sailings departing on or after October 13.

• The standalone 4-device Wi-Fi package is going away and will only be available as an included benefit with Princess Premier.

• A new 2-device Wi-Fi option will be available starting at $39.99 per day when purchased before your cruise.

• Standalone 1-device Wi-Fi will start at $27.99 per day when purchased before your cruise. Pricing will be higher if you wait until you’re onboard.

If you have an upcoming Princess cruise and were already considering adding Plus, Premier, or Wi-Fi, this is definitely something to keep in mind.

As always, if you booked your Princess cruise with me and aren’t sure what you currently have included or whether it makes sense to add a package, just reach out and I’m happy to take a look!

ROYAL CARIBBEAN POLICY UPDATE

A little cruise policy update for anyone planning ahead! 🚢

Beginning October 11, 2026, the cancellation penalty structure for North American bookings is changing.

The biggest changes:

* Sailings will now be grouped into 5–9 nights and 10+ nights instead of the previous 5–14 and 15+ night categories.
* The 25% cancellation penalty tier is going away, creating a more simplified cancellation schedule.

One important note: new 2028 Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, and Transpacific sailings opening September 29 will follow the new cancellation policy immediately. Existing sailings will remain under the current policy until October 11 at which point it will be rolled out fleet wide.

And if you’re eyeing one of those new 2028 itineraries opening tomorrow, you know where to find me! 😉

STATUS MATCH IS BACK!

Virgin Voyages has brought back their status match program for a LIMITED TIME!

Book your next cruise before October 31, 2026 to take advantage of this!

AI is expanding fast, and it’s here to stay.

Meta’s new AI, Muse, is impressive — no doubt about it. BUT it’s being marketed as a personal Travel Agent, and that’s where things get a little complicated and confusing to say the least.

Muse is a powerful assistant, not a replacement for a professional travel agent

If you’re wondering how AI fits into your travel planning, here’s what you should know before diving in.

Can AI plan my trip?

Yes — for research. AI is fantastic at comparing options, drafting sample itineraries, summarizing reviews, building packing lists, and helping you brainstorm destinations. Think of it as a fast, organized research helper!

When should I contact my TA instead?

Reach out to your TA for anything complex, expensive, or high‑stakes:
Ex. Honeymoons, cruises, group travel, multi‑country itineraries, safaris, destination weddings, business travel with tight schedules, or trips involving kids, seniors, or medical needs.

Basically: if it’s more than a quick “book now”, bring in your TA.

What can a TA do that AI can’t?

Travel Advisors have real supplier relationships, we can advocate for you when plans change, and take responsibility for your booking.
AI can suggest ideas — but a reliable travel agent can pick up the phone, rebook, troubleshoot, and protect your investment.

Can I use both?

Absolutely — that’s actually a great way to go from “I have NO idea” to “This is my idea, can you help me plan it?”.

Use AI to explore ideas, then bring me your top 2–3 favorites. I’ll verify pricing and availability, check the fine print, customize the experience, and make sure the trip truly fits YOU.

What should I watch out for with AI travel advice?

Always double‑check:
• Prices
• Availability
• Cancellation policies
• Visa and entry rules

NEVER share passwords or credit card numbers in a chat. And always ask:
If something goes wrong, who is accountable?

How do we start?

Tell me where you’re dreaming of going and what matters most — budget, pace, comfort, adventure, food, relaxation — and I’ll take it from there.

www.samantharaetravel.com

It’s officially FALL!
The weather is getting cooler and the leaves are already starting to fall.

What is your FAVORITE fall activity?

Being a travel advisor means being up at midnight to book your clients’ dining reservations. 😂

Because when dining opens at midnight, apparently we’re all night owls. 🌙🚢

Just one of those behind-the-scenes things you may not see—but I’m here making sure the little details of your trip are taken care of while you sleep. ✈️💻

🚢 NCL has TWO limited-time offers happening right now!

CruiseFirst: Pay $250, Get $500
Now through September 17, purchase a $500 CruiseFirst credit for just $250 to use toward a future Norwegian Cruise Line vacation.

CruiseFirst credits do not expire, and you can purchase up to 10—making this a great opportunity to save on future cruises.

Already have CruiseNext credits?
Through September 30, CruiseNext DoubleUp allows you to use up to TWO CruiseNext credits on eligible balcony and above bookings sailing 90 days out.

Ready to get a cruise on the books? Send me a message. I’ll help you find an NCL sailing and make sure we take advantage of any eligible CruiseFirst or CruiseNext offers when we book!

JUST BOOKED: A Caribbean cruise aboard NCL’s brand-new Aura! 🚢

My client is officially set for an April 2028 sailing from Miami with stops in Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Road Town, and Great Stirrup Cay.

She’ll be traveling in her own solo balcony cabin and getting to experience Norwegian’s newest ship, launching in 2027.

This itinerary has such a great mix of beautiful beaches, island exploring, shopping, and time on the water. Definitely one to look forward to!