What to Pack for a Cruise: The Ultimate Checklist for Solo/Couples/Families (2026)
THE GEN X WANDERER / What to Pack for a Cruise: The Ultimate Checklist for Solo/Couple/Family (2026) TABLE OF CONTENTS Free! Printable Cruise Packing Checklist + Itinerary Planner I've created a live document Cruise Packing Checklist (solo/couple/family) plus a Cruise Itinerary Planner to help you get started on your seamless, stress-free voyage! You can fill it in Google Sheets or print it off! From Wall Magnets to Sea Bands Setting sail on a cruise is one of the most exciting vacation experiences [...]
How to Get Into the MSC World America Speakeasy Secret Hidden Bar
THE GEN X WANDERER / How to Get into the MSC World America Speakeasy Hidden Bar TABLE OF CONTENTS Crew Members Have Not Even Seen this Secret Bar There is no booking link for this one. No listing in the daily planner, no icon on the deck map, no mention from your cabin steward. Heck, my dinner server has only heard about it and has never actually even been to it and she has lived on the ship for the past 8 months. The MSC World America speakeasy bar is [...]
Lifeboats on Cruises: 10 Crucial Things You Need to Know
THE GEN X WANDERER / Lifeboats on Cruises TABLE OF CONTENTS Lifeboats on Cruises: Titanic Changed Everything Most people board a cruise ship, glance at those big orange boats hanging off the sides, and don't give them a second thought. But if you've ever quietly wondered what actually happens if you end up in one, you're not alone. Lifeboats on cruises are way more interesting (and far more sophisticated) than you might expect. And, you can't talk about lifeboats on cruises without acknowledging the Titanic, because almost everything about modern [...]
What Is a Pilot Boat? The Most Dangerous 60 Seconds You Will Most Likely Miss!
THE GEN X WANDERER / What Is a Pilot Boat? The Most Dangerous 60 Seconds You Will Most Likely Miss! TABLE OF CONTENTS What Is a Pilot Boat? A Complete Guide for Cruise Travellers If you’ve ever stood on the deck of a cruise ship that just departed from port, you may have noticed a small, fast-moving vessel approaching your ship. This vessel is known as a pilot boat, and it plays a vital role in maritime safety and navigation. But what is a pilot boat, and why is it [...]
Inside vs Balcony Cabin on Cruises: Which One Should You Choose?
THE GEN X WANDERER / MSC World America / Balcony Stateroom Deck 9 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE GEN X WANDERER / Inside vs Balcony Cabin on Cruises: Which One Should You Choose? / Celebrity Edge Class Inside Cabin vs Balcony Cabin So, you're doing your research and chosen your sailing dates. And now you're staring at the cabin selection wondering why the price gap between an inside vs balcony cabin on cruises feels like the difference between economy and business class. It's one of the most loaded decisions in [...]
Best Cruise Cabins for Seasickness / Motion Sickness
THE GEN X WANDERER / Best Cruise Cabins for Seasickness or Motion Sickness / MSC World America / Deck 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS The right cabin location can make or break your cruise experience. So this blog post is going to tell you exactly where to book if you're prone to feeling queasy at sea. Take it from me, I suffer from motion sickness and vertigo (the latter mainly due to changes in weather pressure). Living in Canada, we have 4 seasons and even though April is my [...]