Hey, I’m Marina!
Your Canadian travel points enthusiast with a love for elevated and quiet stays who also has an obsession with cruising. I share real-world tips, honest and experience-based travel reviews, strategies, and lessons from my own travels to help you unlock free travel stays.
I’ll be honest, I don’t always travel completely free. But I’ve dramatically cut what I spend on every trip. Through my loyalty free night awards, and earning enough points, I was to even able to get a free 1 week all inclusive for my family of 4 in Montego Bay, Jamaica, I’ve scored tons of stays that I’ve never had to pay for.
If you are new to collecting points through credit cards, keep reading and be sure to download my free guide. I also share travel logs, cruise tips, best excursions and best hotels places to stay at.
And why Gen X? Well, if you’re like me, then you’ve survived the questionable motels, mystery stains, red-eyes, and Greyhound adventures. We have paid those well with our youth. I think it’s safe to say that I now crave a bit more luxury, comfier sheets, and a firm commitment to never rough it!
From the Blog
Is Celebrity Aqua Class Worth It? We Sailed on the Beyond for our 25th Anniversary
THE GEN X WANDERER / Is Celebrity Aqua Class Worth It? My Honest Take After Sailing on the Celebrity Beyond TABLE OF CONTENTS Pre and Post Cruise Stays This is a definite must and if [...]
4 Best Cruise Lines for First Time Cruisers
THE GEN X WANDERER / Best Cruises for First Time Cruisers TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Best Cruise Lines for First Time Cruisers: The 2026 Guide to Getting It Right So you've decided to finally try [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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? / [...]
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 [...]
Fear of Cruising? 6 of Your Biggest Worries are Probably Wrong
THE GEN X WANDERER / Fear of Cruising: 6 of Your Biggest Worries are Probably Wrong TABLE OF CONTENTS If you've ever felt a knot in your stomach at the mention of booking a cruise, [...]
First Time Cruisers: What You Need to Know (2026)
THE GEN X WANDERER / First Time Cruisers: What You Need to Know (2026) TABLE OF CONTENTS New to Cruising? Don’t miss my informational articles below so you can get sailing! • Ultimate [...]
Day 7: MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve: Add this Hidden Gem to Your Bucket List
THE GEN X WANDERER / 7 Days Aboard the MSC World America Eastern and Western Caribbean This post covers both the Eastern and Western Caribbean itinerary. Both cruises ended up here on the last day: Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, MSC's own private island. I [...]
Day 5 & 6: MSC World America what to do on Sea Days
THE GEN X WANDERER / 7 Days Aboard the MSC World America Eastern Caribbean Day 1: Embarkation Day 2: At Sea Day 3: Puerto Plata | Dominican Republic Day 4: San Juan | Puerto Rico Day 5 + 6: At Sea Day 7: Ocean [...]
Day 4: MSC World America San Juan Puerto Rico
THE GEN X WANDERER / 7 Days Aboard the MSC World America Eastern Caribbean Day 1: Embarkation Day 2: At Sea Day 3: Puerto Plata | Dominican Republic Day 4: San Juan | Puerto Rico Day 5 + 6: At Sea Day 7: Ocean [...]
Day 3: MSC World America Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
THE GEN X WANDERER / 7 Days Aboard the MSC World America Eastern Caribbean Day 1: Embarkation Day 2: At Sea Day 3: Puerto Plata | Dominican Republic Day 4: San Juan | Puerto Rico Day 5 + 6: At [...]
Day 2: MSC World America At Sea
THE GEN X WANDERER / 7 Days Aboard the MSC World America Eastern Caribbean Day 1: Embarkation Day 2: At Sea Day 3: Puerto Plata | Dominican Republic Day 4: San Juan | Puerto Rico Day 5 + 6: At Sea Day 7: Ocean [...]
Day 1: MSC World America Embarkation Process (Eastern Caribbean)
THE GEN X WANDERER / 7 Days Aboard the MSC World America Eastern Caribbean Day 1: Embarkation Day 2: At Sea Day 3: Puerto Plata | Dominican Republic Day 4: San Juan | Puerto Rico Day 5 + 6: At Sea Day 7: Ocean [...]
10 Best Places to Stay in Miami Beach Pre-Cruise
THE GEN X WANDERER / A stunning of Miami Beach from aboard Celebrity Cruises Beyond TABLE OF CONTENTS If you've read my previous post on 12 Best Marriott Hotels in Miami to Stay [...]
12 Best Marriott Hotels in Miami to Stay Pre-Cruise
JW Marriott Marquis Miami ~ We used our Marriott Bonvoy points to stay here free for 2 days pre-cruise! TABLE OF CONTENTS Book Your Miami Stay at a Marriott Hotel If you haven't [...]
How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points & American Express Platinum Points
THE GEN X WANDERER / How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points & American Express Platinum Points TABLE OF CONTENTS How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy [...]
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