THE WANDERING WALLET

Kickstart Your Holiday Cruise Plans—Top Deals & Expert Tips Inside!

Hey Wandering Wallet Fam! 👋

I'm Charvon, and if you're new here—welcome! If you've been rolling with us for a minute, you already know what we're about: making travel happen WITHOUT draining your bank account.

The holidays are HERE, and honestly? This is my favorite time to help y'all find deals. Whether you're dreaming of a warm beach escape or a festive train ride through snowy views, I've got you covered.

Here's the deal: I don't do nonsense. I share what actually works—the real booking tricks, the hidden deals, and the travel hacks Brandon and I use for our own family trips. And if you ever need help figuring out your next adventure? Just hit reply. I'm here for it.

Let's dive in! 🚢✨

What's Happening in Travel Right Now

Okay, so here's what I'm seeing for 2025—and honestly, it's pretty exciting:

Affordable Luxury is Having a MOMENT
People are done with just "getting by" on vacation. They want the balcony cabin, the specialty dinner, the wine tasting excursion—but they still want to stick to a budget. The good news? Cruise lines are LISTENING. Right now, there are more upgrade deals and package perks than I've seen in a while. If you've been thinking, "maybe I'll treat myself this time," now's when you do it.

Families Are Slowing Down (Finally)
We're seeing more families book longer trips with fewer ports. Instead of trying to squeeze 7 countries into 7 days, people want time to actually relax, reconnect, and not feel like they're running a marathon. Brandon and I get it—traveling with family is about the memories, not checking boxes. Cruises with flexible schedules and solid kids' programs? Those are booking up FAST.

Bottom line: Travel is shifting from "as cheap as possible" to "smart spending that feels special." And that's exactly what we're here to help you do.

Parker's Picks: Best Holiday Deals

Best Late-November/Early-December Cruise Deals:

🏝️ Bahamas Getaway — 3 nights on Virgin Voyages, balcony cabin upgrades available at exclusive member rates.

🎄 Caribbean Christmas Countdown — Book Royal Caribbean's 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing, save $400, and get complimentary dining for two!

🚂 Favorite Train Escape: Take Amtrak's scenic "Winter Express" for festive views—special fares between DC and NYC for November/December only!

Smart Booking Moves for Holiday Travel

Real talk: If you're eyeing a holiday cruise or festive train trip, here's what you need to know RIGHT NOW:

⏰ Book Soon = Save Money
Holiday cruise prices don't mess around. The closer we get to December, the higher those rates climb. If you see a deal you like, grab it. Waiting "just a few more days" usually costs you.

🛏️ Upgrade While You Can
Balconies and suites are selling out for peak holiday weeks. If you've been on the fence about upgrading from an inside cabin, check availability NOW. Once they're gone, they're gone.

🎒 Travel Smarter, Not Harder
I put together a FREE Cruise Packing Checklist so you don't forget the important stuff (or overpack like I used to 😅). It's everything Brandon and I actually bring on our trips—no guessing, no stress.

👉 Download Your Free Cruise Packing Checklist Here

Let's Talk Travel!

I love hearing from y'all—seriously, your questions and stories make my day. So let's make this a two-way conversation:

💬 Ask Charvon Anything
Got a travel question? Planning something special and need advice? Maybe you're stuck choosing between two cruise lines or wondering if that excursion is worth it? Send it my way! I'll answer your questions in the next newsletter. Just hit reply and let me know what's on your mind.

📊 Quick Poll: Where Should I Feature Next?
Help me out—which port do you want the inside scoop on?
🏝️ Cozumel
🌴 St. Thomas
🇧🇸 Nassau

Vote here (or just reply with your pick!)

📺 This Week on YouTube

The first video in our Parker Fam Group Cruise Series just dropped! We're taking you aboard the Utopia of the Seas—the good, the real, and everything in between. If you're thinking about joining us on a future group cruise (or just love cruise content), you'll want to see this. Check it out on POTG!

BONUS: A Little Something Sweet for Your Holiday Morning ☕🍰

Okay, so this isn't travel-related, but hear me out: One of my favorite parts about the holidays is that slow morning with family, good coffee, and something homemade on the table. No rushing, no agenda—just being together.

This Holiday Spice Coffee Cake has become our thing on Thanksgiving and Christmas morning. It's got warm spices, a little crunch from the pecans, and that sweet cream icing that makes everything better. Brandon always goes back for seconds (sometimes thirds 😅).

Holiday Spice Coffee Cake with Sweet Cream Icing

What You Need:

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• ¼ tsp cloves

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened

• 2 eggs

• 1 cup milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

For the Sweet Cream Icing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2-3 tbsp heavy cream (or milk)

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of cinnamon

How to Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x9 baking pan.

2. Mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, spices, salt) in a large bowl.

3. In another bowl, cream the butter, then add eggs, milk, and vanilla.

4. Combine wet and dry ingredients—don't overmix! Fold in the nuts.

5. Pour into your pan and bake for 35-40 minutes (toothpick should come out clean).

6. Let it cool for about 15 minutes.

7. While it cools, whisk together your icing ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over the warm cake.

Pro tip: Make this the night before and let those spices really settle in. Your house will smell AMAZING on Christmas morning.

Help Me Spread the Word!

Know someone who's always talking about their next trip? Or maybe they keep saying, "I wish I could afford to travel more? Please send them this newsletter! When you refer a friend to join The Wandering Wallet, you'll get early access to next month's exclusive deals before anyone else.

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