🎁 The Day After Christmas & The Deals Are Calling

Wave Season kicks off in 5 days—here's where we're going and how you can join us

Author

Charvon Parker
December 27, 2025

Hey Wandering Wallet family!

Hope your Christmas was amazing! Ours was pretty perfect—family dinner, way too much food, and we ended the night watching the next three episodes of the Stranger Things finale. I may have gotten a little more worked up than necessary (Brandon's still laughing at me 😂), but that's what the holidays are for, right?

And now? December 26th. The day we all recover from the holiday chaos and check our emails. But here's the thing—today isn't just about leftover turkey sandwiches. It's about DEALS.

I'm literally about to head out and hunt for post-Christmas sales (especially cruise and travel deals), but before I do, I wanted to get this in your inbox because Wave Season is DAYS away and you need to be ready.

In this edition:

  • A quick thank you for an incredible 2025

  • Why January = Wave Season magic (and it starts in 5 days!)

  • THREE Parker Fam adventures to book NOW

  • The monkey bread recipe that made Christmas morning perfect

  • What 2026 has in store for your travel budget

Let's go! ☕

💛 Thank You for Making 2025 Unforgettable

  • Before we dive into deals, I need to say this: you all showed UP in 2025.

    From our Parker Fam cruises to the group adventures, the YouTube comments, the newsletter replies, and every single time someone said "I booked it because of you guys!"—it meant everything. Brandon and I started this to prove that travel doesn't have to drain your savings, and watching you all experience that firsthand? That's the real gift.

    We've sailed together, shared tips, swapped cruise hacks, and built something that feels less like a newsletter and more like a group chat with friends who just happen to love a good travel deal.

    As we close out 2025 (literally 5 days left!), we're grateful. For trusting us with your vacation plans, for sharing your wins, and for being the best travel community we could ask for.

    Now let's talk about how we're going to make 2026 AMAZING for your travel budget...

🌊 Wave Season Starts in 5 DAYS (Here's Why That Matters)

If you've been waiting to book a cruise, your moment is literally DAYS away.

Wave Season officially kicks off January 1st, and it runs through March. This is when cruise lines roll out their biggest promotions of the YEAR. We're talking reduced deposits, onboard credits, free upgrades, kids sail free deals—basically, the cruise industry's version of Black Friday, but it lasts for THREE MONTHS.

Why you need to be ready NOW:

  • Best cabins get snatched up in the first 2 weeks of January

  • Payment plans lock in Wave Season rates (book now, pay over time)

  • Group rates? Even BETTER pricing when you sail with us

  • 2026-2027 sailings = NEW ships, better experiences, same budget-friendly approach

And here's what I'm seeing as I hunt for deals today: cruise lines aren't just competing on price. They're competing on EXPERIENCE. That means the sailings we're booking for 2026 and 2027 are packed with upgraded dining, better entertainment, and ports that feel more curated than just "here's a beach."

Brandon and I have already locked in three group experiences that hit the sweet spot of accessible pricing and incredible value. And honestly? These are the ones I'm telling my family and friends to book.

Let me show you what we've got...

✈️ Parker's Picks: Where We're Going in 2026-2027

We've got THREE group trips on the books, and each one has a completely different vibe. Whether you're looking for adults-only luxury, family Thanksgiving magic, or a summer escape—we've got you covered.

And with Wave Season starting January 1st, these rates won't last long.

🍸 LUSH (October 22-26, 2026) - Resilient Lady

Virgin Voyages | Adults Only

This is Virgin's signature adults-only experience, and if you've never sailed with them, think: no kids, no nickeling-and-diming, and restaurants that actually feel like you're dining OUT. Tips included, most dining included, and an atmosphere that's equal parts chill and elevated.

Perfect for: Couples, solo travelers, or anyone who wants a vacation where the biggest decision is "beach club or spa today?"

🦃 Parker Fam CruiseGiving 2027 (November 21-28, 2027) - Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean | Starting at $1,940/person

Y'all. This is Royal Caribbean's NEWEST ship, and we're sailing it for THANKSGIVING. Star of the Seas is launching in 2025, which means by the time we board in 2027, it'll still have that new ship energy. We're talking the largest water park at sea, 20+ restaurants and bars, Western Caribbean ports (hello, Cozumel!), and a Thanksgiving week where nobody has to cook.

Starting at $1,940/person for a 7-night cruise where someone ELSE makes the turkey? That's a win.

Perfect for: Families, friend groups, anyone who wants Thanksgiving without the kitchen cleanup.

🌊 RAS 2 (June 10-17, 2027) - Brilliant Lady

Virgin Voyages | Adults Only

Our second adults-only adventure with Virgin, this time on Brilliant Lady. If you loved the vibe of LUSH or you're looking for a summer escape that feels more boutique hotel than mega-ship, this is it.

Perfect for: The "I need a real vacation" crowd who wants to unplug and recharge.

Ready to join us? Email me at [email protected] to get on the list or lock in your spot before Wave Season prices jump!

🎄 How We Spent Christmas: Monkey Bread & Stranger Things Drama

Before we wrap up, I want to share a little piece of our holiday with you—because it was pretty perfect.

Every Christmas morning, I get up early and cook breakfast while everyone else is still sleeping. It's my favorite quiet moment before the chaos—coffee brewing, something delicious in the oven, and just me soaking in the fact that we get to spend the whole day together.

Yesterday was no different. Made my go-to monkey bread, everyone came together for dinner, and we spent the day doing absolutely nothing but enjoying each other's company. No schedule. No, "we have to be somewhere by 2 pm." Just us.

And then we ended the night watching the next three episodes of the Stranger Things finale. I may have gotten a little more worked up than I should have (okay, Brandon's still laughing at me 😂), but that's what the holidays are for, right?

Here's the recipe that started our perfect Christmas morning:

☕ Christmas Morning Monkey Bread

Pairs perfectly with coffee or hot cocoa

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 2 tsp cinnamon

  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a bundt pan.

  2. Cut each biscuit into quarters.

  3. Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Roll biscuit pieces in the mixture.

  4. Layer coated biscuit pieces in the bundt pan (add nuts between layers if using).

  5. Melt butter and brown sugar together, and pour over the biscuits.

  6. Bake 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

  7. Let cool for 5 minutes, then flip onto a plate.

  8. Pull apart and enjoy warm!

It's simple, it's sweet, and it makes the whole house smell like Christmas. Hope your holidays were filled with moments like these—the ones that don't cost anything but mean everything. 💛

🌍 What's Coming in 2026 (Starting in 5 Days!)

We've got big plans for The Wandering Wallet in the new year, and you're going to be part of all of it.

Here's what's on the horizon:

  • Wave Season deal breakdowns starting January 1st (so you never miss a steal)

  • More group adventures (including some land trips—yes, we're branching out!)

  • Behind-the-scenes cruise line news that actually affects YOUR wallet

  • Budget travel hacks we're testing in real-time

  • And of course, more Parker Fam experiences where we get to travel together

Brandon and I are committed to making 2026 the year you stop saying "I wish I could travel more" and start actually DOING it. Because you can. And we're going to show you how.

Here's the move: Don't wait until January to start planning. The three trips we just shared? Those are your 2026-2027 anchors. Pick one (or all three—we don't judge 😉), reach out to lock in your rate NOW, and then budget your way there over the next few months.

Wave Season starts in 5 days. The best deals go fast. Let's make sure you're ready.

You've got this. We've got you.

🎁 Happy Day After Christmas!

From our family to yours, we hope your holiday was everything you needed it to be. Ours was filled with good food, great company, monkey bread, and maybe a little too much Stranger Things drama. 😂

Thank you for being part of The Wandering Wallet community. We're ending 2025 grateful, and we're starting 2026 (in 5 days!), excited to help you travel more without breaking the bank.

Ready to book one of our group trips before Wave Season hits? Email me at [email protected] and let's get you on the list!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some post-Christmas deals to hunt down. 🛍️✈️

Until next time, safe travels!

Charvon & Brandon
The Wandering Wallet

P.S. - Wave Season starts January 1st. That's 5 days to get your list ready. Let's go! 🌊

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