This offer is available to eligible:

• Active-duty military

• Veterans

• Retired military

• Firefighters

• Law enforcement personnel

• National Guard and Reserve members

• Certain qualifying frontline heroes and public safety personnel

What’s Included

The promotion may include:

• Extra savings on select sailings

• 3rd and 4th guests sailing free on eligible cruises

• Discounts on cruise extras

• Access to hundreds of eligible sailings across Royal Caribbean’s fleet

Destinations Included

One thing I especially like about this promotion is the wide variety of itineraries available. Eligible sailings include:

• Caribbean cruises

• Alaska adventures

• Europe itineraries

• Mexico sailings

• Weekend getaway cruises

• Longer Caribbean itineraries

Some of Royal Caribbean’s most popular ships are included, such as:

• Icon of the Seas

• Harmony of the Seas

• Wonder of the Seas

• Symphony of the Seas

• Utopia of the Seas

• Anthem of the Seas

• Oasis of the Seas

Whether someone is looking for a quick getaway or a larger family vacation, there are some excellent options included in this promotion.

More Than Just a Discount

One thing I appreciate about Royal Caribbean is that they often go beyond simply offering a discount. Select sailings may also feature onboard veteran gatherings and tribute events where guests can connect with others who have served.

Cruising can also be one of the easiest ways to truly relax:

• unpack once

• enjoy included dining and entertainment

• wake up somewhere new each day

• reconnect with family and friends

• enjoy ocean views without constantly changing hotels

For many frontline workers and military families, that kind of stress-free vacation experience matters.

Need Help Finding the Right Sailing?

With so many ships and itineraries included, narrowing down the best option can feel overwhelming. I’d be happy to help compare:

• ships

• dates

• departure ports

• cabin categories

• family options

• budget considerations

If you or someone you know may qualify for these special savings, feel free to reach out.

Debbie Burget
Highway & Harbor Adventures
“Your Guide to Cruises and Campgrounds for Life’s Next Adventures.”

🌐 HighwayHarborAdventures.com

Now? I can’t imagine cruising without using them.

My perspective changed through two very different cruise experiences: a large multi-generational family cruise on Odyssey of the Seas out of Bayonne, New Jersey, and later during my Quantum of the Seas travel advisor FAM cruise out of Los Angeles.

Our Bayonne Experience

For our Odyssey cruise, we had a large family group traveling together. By the time everyone and all the luggage were loaded into the van at my daughter’s house, there were probably 13–15 people involved, with bags stacked throughout the back of the vehicle.

When we arrived at the cruise terminal in Bayonne, the porters immediately stepped in and started helping with the luggage. Everything happened quickly and efficiently. Bags were loaded onto carts, tagged, and headed toward the ship while we focused on getting ourselves through the boarding process.

My son-in-law Randall is a longshoreman and has also cruised extensively on multiple cruise lines himself, so the entire terminal process felt completely second nature to him. He no longer works at the Bayonne cruise port specifically, but he understood exactly how everything operated. Honestly, everything moved so smoothly that I completely forgot to tip the porters that day — something I felt bad about afterward once I realized how much work they were handling behind the scenes.

From that point forward, all we needed to carry ourselves were the things we actually wanted access to until our cabins became available later in the afternoon:

• medications

• passports and travel documents

• phones and chargers

• swimsuits or pool essentials

• anything needed for embarkation day

Technically, you can carry all of your luggage onboard yourself. But unless you plan to personally manage your suitcases through check-in, security, elevators, crowded public areas, lunch, and several hours before cabins open, most cruisers will probably find the porter system much easier.

Personally, I’d rather begin my vacation carrying one lightweight bag instead of dragging large suitcases around the ship.

At the end of the cruise, Randall again helped us quickly locate our luggage in the terminal. We used porters to move everything from the luggage area to our ride back to my daughter’s house.

At the time, I thought the biggest benefit was simply convenience.

I later realized there was much more to it than that.

What Changed my Perspective in Los Angeles

During my Quantum of the Seas FAM cruise out of Los Angeles, I used the porters again during embarkation. This time, I made sure to tip them appropriately.

For reference, many cruisers seem to tip somewhere around a few dollars per bag, often with a minimum of around $10 for smaller luggage loads. Larger groups or more complicated luggage situations may tip more depending on the amount of luggage and level of assistance involved.

But it was the debarkation process in Los Angeles that completely changed how I viewed cruise porters.

I had prepaid for Royal Caribbean transportation from the port to LAX, which meant I needed to be off the ship within a certain time window. After leaving the ship, I found my luggage in the terminal and was asked whether I wanted a porter to help with my bags.

I said yes.

As soon as the porter placed my luggage onto his cart, I noticed something surprising.

Off to the side was a massive customs line that easily looked like a 30–45 minute wait — possibly longer.

Instead of joining that line, the porter guided me toward a much shorter customs lane with only one person ahead of me.

Within moments:

• facial recognition scanned my identity

• customs was completed

• and I was walking out the door toward my airport transfer

The entire process probably took less than a couple of minutes.

I was honestly shocked at how quickly everything happened.

Now, to be fair, port procedures can vary depending on the terminal, staffing, local customs operations, and other factors. I can only speak to my personal experience in Los Angeles.

But after seeing the difference firsthand, I realized something important:

The value of cruise porters isn’t just about carrying luggage.

It’s about reducing friction during one of the most stressful transition points of a cruise.

By the final morning of a sailing, people are often:

• tired

• juggling luggage

• thinking about flights

• coordinating transfers

• standing in crowded terminals

• and mentally shifting back into travel-day mode

For me, using a porter has become one of those cruise expenses I no longer hesitate to pay.

Whether you’re planning a cruise, a resort getaway, or your next road trip adventure, I love sharing practical tips, honest experiences, and ideas to help make travel feel a little easier — and a lot more meaningful.

🌐 Highway & Harbor Adventures
Highway & Harbor Adventures

📬 Follow along on Substack for more cruise tips, travel stories, packing ideas, RV adventures, and behind-the-scenes travel advisor insights.

#HighwayHarborAdventures #RoyalCaribbean #CruiseTips #CruiseLife #WomenWhoTravel #EmptyNestTravel #RoadTripsAndCruises #TravelMore #AdventureAwaits

That’s the best way I can describe our experience at the FRVA Convention in Perry, Georgia.

We went expecting to learn a few things, meet some people, and explore what this community might look like.

We left realizing this is something we want to be part of.

A snapshot of the scale of this year.

A Community That’s Already Built

What stood out immediately wasn’t just the size of the event—it was how well everything worked.

This isn’t something thrown together.

You can tell this convention has been refined over years:

• Transportation teams running golf carts to help people get around

• Clear organization between buildings, vendors, and events

• Hundreds of RVers navigating the space with bikes, e-bikes, and golf carts

And then there’s the part most people never think about…

The Parking Team

By the time we arrived Sunday evening, there were already a few hundred RVs (250+) in place, with more arriving behind us.

First-timers began arriving Monday—and by midweek, there were over 1,000 RVs on site.

We spent that first night just outside the gate, and by Monday morning—through steady rain—the parking team was already in motion.

What stood out wasn’t just that they were out there in the weather.

It was how smoothly everything moved.

RV after RV was guided into place with efficiency and consistency—no confusion, no bottlenecks—just a team that clearly knew exactly what they were doing.

Later in the week, we learned the officers had actually been on-site since the Thursday before we arrived—and would still be meeting again after the event wrapped to review everything.

That level of preparation shows.

The Lifestyle Side You Don’t Always See

One of the most interesting things wasn’t inside the buildings—it was outside.

Rows of golf carts, bicycles, tricycles, and alternative transportation lined up everywhere.

It gives you a real picture of how people actually live in these environments:

• Mobility matters

• Flexibility matters

• Simplicity matters

We even came across a golf cart alternative that really caught our attention—something we’re still thinking about.

The People (This Is What Makes It Work)

We met so many people over just a few days—and that’s really the heart of it.

This isn’t just about RVs.

It’s about:

• Shared experiences

• Conversations that start easily

• People who are genuinely open to connecting

And sometimes, those connections take unexpected directions.

Craig ended up connecting with a group of HAM radio operators who are part of their own chapter and regularly communicate and meet up through their radios.

That conversation alone got him excited about using his HAM license again—something that hadn’t been on the radar before we came.

That’s how these environments work.

You don’t just find what you were looking for—you discover things you hadn’t even thought about.

We’re Starting a Raleigh/Durham FRVA Chapter

Because we met other RVers from our area, we’re now in the early stages of helping form a local Raleigh/Durham chapter.

That wasn’t something we planned walking in—but it made complete sense once we were there.

If you’re in the RDU area and RV (or are considering it), we’d love to connect.

👉 Comment or message me if you’d like more information.

Workshops That Actually Help

The workshops were another standout.

They weren’t surface-level—they were practical and useful, covering things you actually need to know as an RV owner.

It’s one thing to own an RV.

It’s another to feel confident using it.

This kind of environment helps bridge that gap.

Vendor Conversations That Led to Real Decisions

Some of the most valuable moments came from conversations with vendors—not in a salesy way, but in a “this actually helps us move forward” way.

A few highlights:

• We’re having a complete brake job done on our RV, with a vendor who will come directly to our home

• We’re seriously exploring solar panels for more flexibility when camping

• We met John from Campers Inn in Georgia, who focused on helping us find the right floor plan—and even offered to coordinate options locally in North Carolina

Those kinds of conversations matter.

Entertainment & Atmosphere

Even the entertainment added to the experience.

The Eagles tribute band was a huge hit—so much so that we heard multiple people say they hope they’re invited back again.

It’s another example of how this event isn’t just informational—it’s enjoyable.

The Value of FRVA Membership

One thing that became very clear:

For $99/year, FRVA offers a lot of value.

Between:

1. Education

2. Community

3. Events like this

4. Opportunities to connect locally

…it’s easy to see why so many people are involved.

Final Thoughts

We went to Perry to learn more about RVing.

We left with:

• New relationships

• Clear next steps

• A deeper understanding of the lifestyle

• And a role in building something locally

That’s more than we expected—and exactly why experiences like this matter.

If you’re curious about RV life, or already part of it, this is the kind of community that makes the journey better.

And if you’re in the Raleigh/Durham area…

We may be meeting you sooner than you think.

#RVLife #FRVA #HighwayHarborAdventures

That’s the best way I can describe our experience at the FRVA Convention in Perry, Georgia.

We went expecting to learn a few things, meet some people, and explore what this community might look like.

We left realizing this is something we want to be part of.

A Community That’s Already Built

What stood out immediately wasn’t just the size of the event—it was how well everything worked.

This isn’t something thrown together.

You can tell this convention has been refined over years:

• Transportation teams running golf carts to help people get around

• Clear organization between buildings, vendors, and events

• Hundreds of RVers navigating the space with bikes, e-bikes, and golf carts

And then there’s the part most people never think about…

The Parking Team

By the time we arrived Sunday evening, over a thousand RVs were already being managed.

We spent the night just outside the gate, and by the next morning—through steady rain—the parking team was already in motion.

What stood out wasn’t just that they were out there working in the weather.

It was how smoothly everything moved.

There was no confusion, no chaos—just a team that clearly knew exactly what they were doing, guiding RV after RV into place with efficiency and a steady rhythm.

It gave you a real appreciation for the level of coordination behind something this size.

The Lifestyle Side You Don’t Always See

One of the most interesting things wasn’t inside the buildings—it was outside.

Rows of golf carts, bicycles, tricycles, and alternative transportation lined up everywhere.

It gives you a real picture of how people actually live in these environments:

• Mobility matters

• Flexibility matters

• Simplicity matters

We even came across a golf cart alternative that really caught our attention—something we’re still thinking about.

The People (This Is What Makes It Work)

We met so many people over just a few days—and that’s really the heart of it.

This isn’t just about RVs.

It’s about:

• Shared experiences

• Conversations that start easily

• People who are genuinely open to connecting

That’s what led to one of the biggest takeaways from this trip…

We’re Starting a Raleigh/Durham FRVA Chapter

Because we met other RVers from our area, we’re now in the early stages of helping form a local Raleigh/Durham chapter.

That wasn’t something we planned walking in—but it made complete sense once we were there.

If you’re in the RDU area and RV (or are considering it), we’d love to connect.

👉 Comment or message me if you’d like more information.

Workshops That Actually Help

The workshops were another standout.

They weren’t surface-level—they were practical and useful, covering things you actually need to know as an RV owner. Many of the workshops focused on practical upgrades and real-world use…

It’s one thing to own an RV.

It’s another to feel confident using it.

This kind of environment helps bridge that gap.

Vendor Conversations That Led to Real Decisions

Some of the most valuable moments came from conversations with vendors—not in a salesy way, but in a “this actually helps us move forward” way.

A few highlights:

• We’re having a complete brake job done on our RV, with a vendor who will come directly to our home

• We’re seriously exploring solar panels for more flexibility when camping

• We met John from Campers Inn in Georgia, who focused on helping us find the right floor plan—and even offered to coordinate options locally in North Carolina

Those kinds of conversations matter.

One of the many vendors offering practical travel options

Entertainment & Atmosphere

Even the entertainment added to the experience.

The Eagles tribute band, Hotel California, was a huge hit—so much so that we heard multiple people say they hope they’re invited back again.

It’s another example of how this event isn’t just informational—it’s enjoyable.

The Value of FRVA Membership

One thing that became very clear:

For $99/year, FRVA offers a lot of value.

Between:

• Education

• Community

• Events like this

• Opportunities to connect locally

…it’s easy to see why so many people are involved.

Final Thoughts

We went to Perry to learn more about RVing.

We left with:

• New relationships

• Clear next steps

• A deeper understanding of the lifestyle

• And a role in building something locally

That’s more than we expected—and exactly why experiences like this matter.

If you’re curious about RV life, or already part of it, this is the kind of community that makes the journey better.

And if you’re in the Raleigh/Durham area…

We may be meeting you sooner than you think.

If you’re thinking about your next cruise, I’d love to help you plan something that truly fits your style.

And if RV travel is part of your journey, I’ll keep sharing what I’m learning along the way.

You can explore both here:
HighwayHarborAdventures

Subscribe now

If you’re anything like me, you love travel but also want it to feel doable, affordable, and meaningful. My husband and I have discovered that two things bring us the most joy: setting sail on cruises and heading out in our little travel trailer for long weekends. We’ve enjoyed a 7-night cruise in Alaska and multiple cruises in the Caribbean, and closer to home we camp almost monthly here in North Carolina with our two dogs in tow.

This newsletter is where I’ll be sharing:

• Cruise planning tips (from choosing itineraries to packing smart)

• RV campground reviews (especially state parks where sites can vary a lot!)

• Travel hacks to make your adventures simpler and less stressful

• Lifestyle stories about balancing travel with family and everyday life

My hope is that this space feels like sitting down with a friend who’s already “been there, done that” and is happy to share what worked (and what didn’t).

So whether you’re an empty nester ready to explore, a health-conscious grandma dreaming of family adventures, or just someone who loves the idea of fun, flexible travel — you’re in the right place.

I’d love to have you join me on this journey. Hit subscribe so you don’t miss a post, and feel free to share this with a friend who’s ready for their own Highway & Harbor adventure.

Here’s to the road ahead — and the open seas 🌊🚐⚓

~ Debbie