If you're the kind of traveler who picks your vacation based on where you'll eat (same), you might assume cruising is off the table. Buffets? Assigned seating? Limited options? No thanks.

But here’s the good news: not all cruises are created equal. In fact, there are several cruise lines that are built around incredible dining experiences. Think wine-paired tasting menus, chef's table exclusives, sommelier-led pairings, and restaurants that rival what you’d find in major food cities.

If you’re in the thick of planning your honeymoon, you’ve probably asked yourself: “How much should we spend?” or “Is it really worth it to go bigger?”

The truth is, the difference between a $5K and $10K honeymoon isn’t just about nicer hotels or upgraded flights. It’s about the kind of experience you want to share and how much breathing room your budget gives you to be fully present in it.

Traveling as a couple can be one of the most rewarding ways to reconnect or a recipe for tension if you’re not on the same page. As someone who plans romantic trips for couples all the time, I’ve seen it all: itinerary disagreements, pacing conflicts, budget stress, mid-trip meltdowns.

And I’ve lived it too.

I’ve argued about train times, wandered aimlessly trying to pick a place to eat, walked ten minutes in the wrong direction before realizing I read the map backwards. Traveling with someone you love isn’t always smooth but that’s also what makes it real, and worth figuring out together.

If you’ve ever found yourself 20 tabs deep into travel blogs and TripAdvisor threads wondering why planning a “simple” trip feels like a second job—you’re not alone.

Here are five signs it might be time to let a pro take the reins.

I didn’t grow up thinking I’d run a travel business.

I wasn’t the kid who always dreamed of being an entrepreneur or had a clear-cut five-year plan. But I was always the person who lit up when talking about a trip — the one sending friends lists of must-try restaurants, carefully mapping out itineraries, finding joy in the details most people find overwhelming.

Over time, travel became more than just something I loved — it became a lens through which I saw the world. And slowly, it began to shape the course of my life.

You just got engaged (congrats!) and between choosing a venue, juggling guest lists, and answering non-stop questions from friends and family, someone drops the inevitable:

"So, where are you going on your honeymoon?"

Cue the blank stare.

Planning a honeymoon should feel exciting, right? But for most couples, it's just one more thing on a very long to-do list. And unlike the wedding, there's no blueprint. No Pinterest board can tell you what destination is right for you two.

That’s where a lot of couples get stuck.

When this couple reached out, they were just three months away from their ideal honeymoon dates. They had never been to Europe and had no idea where to start.

What they did know? That they wanted to see as much of Europe as possible in two weeks — and that they needed someone who could help them make it happen.

They had followed my past European travels and trusted that I could guide them.