From April 24 to June 26, 2025, I completed a two-month independent travel experience across Europe, bookended by two transatlantic cruises aboard the Carnival Valor. The journey began with a 16-night sailing from New Orleans to Barcelona, departing on April 24 and arriving on May 10. The cruise included port stops in Nassau, Ponta Delgada in the Azores, Funchal in Madeira, Málaga, and Alicante. While onboard, I took advantage of the ship’s amenities, engaged with other travelers, and used the time at sea to prepare for the overland portion of my journey.
After arriving in Barcelona, I traveled independently through several European cities including Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Helsinki. I stayed primarily in hostels located near city centers, which gave me both affordability and access to social environments where I connected with other international travelers. I organized all accommodations, transportation, and daily planning myself, using local transit systems, managing different currencies and languages, and adjusting to a variety of cultural norms.
In early June, I returned to Barcelona to board the Carnival Valor for a 15-night westbound transatlantic cruise back to New Orleans. The return voyage provided time for reflection and rest, as well as a chance to revisit the Atlantic crossing experience from a new perspective. From start to finish, I managed every aspect of this international journey independently. The experience strengthened my adaptability, planning, budgeting, and problem-solving skills, while also deepening my appreciation for cultural diversity and global perspectives.
In March 2025, I moved from Newfoundland back to Houston, Texas, by road. It was a long but unforgettable drive that took me through two countries, three Canadian provinces, and fifteen U.S. states. I started in Newfoundland and took the ferry to Nova Scotia, then drove across New Brunswick before entering the U.S. through Maine. From there, I passed through New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. I continued down the East Coast and into the South, driving through Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee, then through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana before finally arriving in Texas.
The trip was a mix of snow, sunshine, backroads, highways, and a lot of gas station snacks. I saw everything from coastal cliffs to mountain tunnels and city skylines. It was a huge transition, not just physically but mentally too — leaving behind school life in Newfoundland and shifting back into full-time work and life in Houston. Despite the long hours on the road, I enjoyed seeing so many different places and making the trip on my own terms. It’s one of those journeys I’ll always remember.
In March 2023, I sailed on a Western Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Breeze, departing from Galveston on March 4. The cruise lasted five days and offered a much-needed tropical escape, featuring sunny sea days and a stop in Cozumel, Mexico. It was a great chance to unwind, enjoy warm weather, and take in the vibrant atmosphere of the ship.
The Breeze delivered a fun and well-balanced cruise experience, with plenty of dining options, entertainment, and time to relax both on deck and at port. Whether enjoying live music, watching the ocean from the balcony, or exploring the local culture in Cozumel, the trip provided a perfect short getaway with a little bit of everything — rest, fun, and warm Caribbean waters.
In 2022, I had the chance to take two back-to-back cruises that couldn’t have been more different. In late May, I sailed on a short Western Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Breeze, departing from Galveston with a stop in Cozumel, Mexico. It was a few days of warm weather, clear water, and a laid-back atmosphere filled with great food, live music, and the kind of energy that makes the Caribbean so memorable.
Just a few days later, I boarded the Carnival Spirit for a completely different kind of journey — an Alaskan cruise that introduced me to a colder, quieter, and more scenic side of North America. Instead of palm trees and beaches, I was surrounded by towering mountains, icy waters, and peaceful ports tucked between forests and fjords. The contrast between the two trips was incredible. One cruise was lively and tropical, the other calm and breathtaking.
Experiencing both within the same stretch of time gave me a deep appreciation for how diverse travel can be. In less than two weeks, I went from the heat of Mexico to the glaciers of Alaska, all by sea. Each cruise offered something special, and together they made for a truly unforgettable travel experience.
In January 2022, I went on my very first cruise aboard the Carnival Dream, and it was the experience that started it all. I had no idea that a short getaway from Galveston would open the door to a completely new passion for travel. From the moment I stepped onto the ship, I was hooked, the ocean views, the freedom of being at sea, the nonstop food, entertainment, and the feeling of leaving everything behind for a few days made it unforgettable.
The cruise sailed to Cozumel and brought with it sunny skies, clear water, and a laid-back rhythm that was the perfect escape from everyday life. On shore, I got my first taste of exploring an international port. Onboard, I spent my time discovering everything the Dream had to offer, from casual dining to shows, music, and just walking the decks and watching the ocean go by. It was my first experience with sea days, staterooms, cruise culture, and the simple joy of waking up in a different place.
That trip wasn’t just a vacation, it was the beginning of something bigger. It gave me a sense of freedom, adventure, and possibility that I hadn’t felt before. I walked off the Carnival Dream knowing it wouldn’t be my last cruise, and sure enough, it led to many more sailings and an ongoing love for being out on the water.
From March 10 to 15, 2020, I took a trip to Mexico that ended up being far more memorable than I expected, not just because of the destination, but because of the timing. It was right at the tipping point of the global COVID-19 pandemic, when the world was still open, but just barely. Travel restrictions hadn’t fully started yet, but the news was changing by the hour, and you could feel a shift in the air.
The trip itself was meant to be a relaxing escape, and for a few days it was. I spent time enjoying the beaches, the food, and the atmosphere that makes Mexico such a vibrant place to visit. But as the days went on, things began to feel increasingly uncertain. Flights were being cancelled, hand sanitizer became a constant companion, and travelers everywhere started checking their phones for updates more than they checked the weather.
By the time I returned home on March 15, the tone had completely changed. Within days, borders were closing, lockdowns were announced, and everything from schools to businesses began shutting down. It felt like I had slipped in and out of international travel just moments before the world pressed pause. That trip to Mexico marked the last “normal” feeling vacation I would have before COVID changed everything , and for that reason, it has always stood out in my memory.