Why I Chose Virgin Voyages

As a small boutique travel advisor based in Spokane, Washington, one of the most confusing parts of planning a trip for my clients is travel insurance. I know it can sometimes feel like I’m trying to sell you something—and that’s not what I’m about. My goal is simply to help you understand what it is, what it covers, and when it actually makes sense. Travel insurance is one of those things nobody wants to buy. If your trip goes as planned (or even mostly as planned), it can feel like a wasted expense. But it’s also one of those things that, the one time something goes wrong, can save you in more ways than you ever expected. What Is Travel Insurance? Travel insurance typically comes in different tiers—from basic plans that primarily cover medical expenses while traveling, all the way up to more comprehensive options like “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR). If you travel frequently, there are also annual plans that can cover multiple trips throughout the year. What Does Travel Insurance Cover? Most travel insurance policies cover a core set of protections: 🏥 Emergency Medical Coverage What it covers: Doctor visits and hospitalizations Emergency prescriptions Why it helps: Your personal health insurance may or may not cover you while traveling—especially internationally. In some destinations, hospitals require payment upfront, and in certain situations, you may not even be able to leave the country until bills are settled. Even if your insurance does reimburse you, it can take time—and that doesn’t help in the moment. My thoughts: If I’m traveling within the United States—or even Canada—I’m generally less concerned. But internationally, even to places like Mexico, I consider medical coverage essential. If I’m going on a cruise, I wouldn’t leave home without it. In the rare event you need a medical evacuation, those costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars. ⏱️ Trip Delay What it covers: Meals, hotel stays, and basic necessities if your travel is delayed beyond a certain timeframe Why it helps: Airlines typically only reimburse you if the delay is their fault (like mechanical issues). Weather delays? You’re usually on your own. And let’s be honest—most of us don’t want to spend the night in an airport. My thoughts: On its own, this might not justify buying insurance. I’ve only been stuck overnight once—and of course, it was when I didn’t have coverage. That’s part of why I now carry an annual plan. ✈️ Trip Cancellation What it covers: Non-refundable travel like flights, cruises, hotels, and rental cars Covered reasons typically include illness, injury, or certain emergencies Why it matters: The best travel pricing is often non-refundable. If losing that money would hurt financially, this coverage protects your investment. My thoughts: I usually avoid basic economy airfare for this reason. Beyond that, it really depends on what’s refundable and what isn’t. Always look closely at cancellation policies—it should absolutely factor into your decision. 🔄 Trip Interruption What it covers: Expenses if you have to cut your trip short Flights home Reimbursement for unused portions of your trip Why it matters: If something happens while you’re traveling—like a family emergency—this helps get you home without taking a financial hit. My thoughts: This happens more often than people think. That said, not everything is covered—missing your cruise because you partied too hard the night before isn’t going to qualify. 🧳 Lost, Stolen, or Delayed Luggage What it covers: Reimbursement for lost or stolen bags Coverage for essential items if your luggage is delayed Why it matters: Airlines are required to compensate in some situations, but it rarely covers the full value—and it doesn’t help much in the moment. My thoughts: I’ve personally had pretty good luck here—only one delay, and my bags showed up a few hours later. But if you’re flying in the same day as a cruise or important event, this becomes much more critical. Travel Insurance Concierge Services: An Overlooked Benefit One benefit that often gets overlooked with travel insurance is concierge services. What this can include: Help finding local medical facilities Assistance rebooking flights or hotels during disruptions Support if you lose important documents like a passport General guidance while traveling in an unfamiliar destination Why it matters: When something goes wrong during a trip, it’s not always just about getting reimbursed later—it’s about having someone you can contact in the moment to help you figure out what to do next. My thoughts: This is one of those features people don’t think about until they actually need it. Having a support system while you’re traveling—especially internationally—can make a stressful situation much easier to manage. Travel Insurance Tiers Explained Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Most policies fall into a few general tiers: Tier 1: Medical-Only Coverage Covers emergency medical care and evacuation. Best for travelers mainly concerned about health risks. Tier 2: Medical + Travel Disruptions Adds protection for delays, baggage, and minor interruptions—great for most international trips. Tier 3: Comprehensive Coverage Includes trip cancellation and interruption, protecting your financial investment in the trip. Tier 4: Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Offers the most flexibility, allowing partial reimbursement even if your reason for canceling isn’t covered. Do You Need Travel Insurance? My Honest Take This really comes down to your trip and your personal risk tolerance. If you’re traveling internationally, going on a cruise, or booking non-refundable travel, I strongly recommend having at least some level of coverage—especially for medical. If your trip is flexible and mostly refundable, you may not need as much coverage. The key is understanding what you’re risking—and deciding if you’re comfortable with that. Final Thoughts Travel insurance can be complicated, and coverage—and even laws—can vary depending on where you live. That’s why I always recommend working with a travel advisor. My job is to help you navigate not just your trip, but also your options when it comes to protecting it. At the end of the day, I’m not here to sell you anything—I’m here to help you create the best possible experience and make sure it’s protected. If you’re planning a trip and not sure what level of coverage makes sense, I’m always happy to walk you through your options.

Ah yes… holiday travel season — when airports are packed, weather has opinions, and everyone is somehow both excited and stressed at the same time. Before we all collectively lose our minds over a delayed flight, missed connection, or weather system named something dramatic, let’s take a breath. The Truth About Holiday Travel 🎄 Holiday travel is: Busy Loud Full of families, college kids, exhausted parents, and overworked airport staff And yes… sometimes delayed If a flight is delayed, there is almost always a real reason behind it — weather somewhere else, crew timing, air traffic control, mechanical checks, or safety issues you can’t see from Gate 32B. Even if you don’t understand the reason, I promise you this: No airline wants to delay a flight on purpose. Safety always comes first. Always. A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way ❤️ The gate agents, flight attendants, TSA agents, pilots, and customer service reps are: Working long hours Missing holidays with their own families Dealing with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of stressed travelers every day Being kind won’t magically fix the weather — but it will make someone’s day better. And honestly, it might make your day better too. A Real-Life Travel Moment This week, I dropped my daughter off at the airport as she headed back to California for her college break from Washington State University. I’ll be traveling myself soon — heading to California and then on to Las Vegas. Different routes, different plans, same holiday travel reality. We’re all just trying to get where we’re going safely. A Few Holiday Travel Pro Tips (Because I Can’t Help Myself 😉) Build in extra time — mentally and literally Expect some delays (and be pleasantly surprised if there aren’t any) Pack patience right next to your phone charger Remember: the people helping you are human Final Thought Travel during the holidays isn’t perfect — but it is special. It gets us home, reunites families, creates memories, and starts new adventures. So let’s be patient. Let’s be kind. Let’s enjoy the season — even if we’re enjoying it from an airport terminal. Be beautiful, everyone.

Since turning 21, I’ve made it a tradition to visit Las Vegas at least once every year. I’m 51 now, which means I’ve kept up a 30-year streak. The last time I went was for my 50th birthday, and for the first time in three decades, it looks like this year I won’t be making the trip. That’s a streak I never thought I’d break. But the truth is, Vegas just isn’t what it used to be. The Changing Face of Vegas I’ve watched Las Vegas evolve over the years — some changes were good, but too many have chipped away at the experience. One of the biggest frustrations has been the ever-increasing costs. Hotel taxes seem to go up every time I check in, and resort fees have gotten completely out of hand. I used to get comped rooms fairly often, but let’s be real: even those “free” stays came with strings attached. By the time you checked in, there was always some kind of fee waiting on the bill. The Games Aren’t the Same Then came the changes on the casino floor. Almost every casino on the Strip switched to paying 6/5 on blackjack instead of the traditional 3/2. That might not sound like a huge difference, but for players, it’s a real blow. Add in continuous shuffle machines, and it’s even worse. For me, blackjack was as much about the rhythm as the game itself — I enjoyed that small break between shoes to stretch, chat, and reset. Continuous shufflers killed that part of the experience, making it feel more mechanical and less social. Why I’m Taking a Break Trust me, I’ll be back in Las Vegas at some point in the near future. It’s still a special place to me, with countless memories and a certain energy that can’t be found anywhere else. But for now, I’ve decided to take my business — and my money — elsewhere. When the excitement of the city gets overshadowed by nickel-and-diming and watered-down gaming, it’s hard to justify another trip. And judging by conversations with fellow travelers, I’m not the only one feeling this way. Maybe Vegas will find its way back to what made it great. Until then, I’ll be sitting this year out — ending a 30-year streak I never thought would end.