Category: Travel/Cruising

This time we had a road trip, not a cruise or beach trip.

Our nephew got married in NOLA. This gave us an opportunity to go to New Orleans as a family and make a little vacation out of it. We don’t get to travel much as a whole family because of schedules. It was fun being in the same hotel, kids running back and forth to rooms.

This is our family! There’s a lot of us. We have two sons, two daughters-in-love, three grandsons and three granddaughters. We are very blessed!

Eberlan party of 12. We have our own hashtag #eberlanX12

We saw the family that we haven’t seen in a long time, it was great fun, loud time. Eberlan’s are loud. Lol

We went to the French Quarters on the first day. It was my first time to have beignets at Cafe Du Monde. Oh my goodness, delicious. We all LOVED them. We even got them the next day for breakfast, also.



We rode a carriage ride through the downtown streets of New Orleans site seeing and learned a lot of the history of the city.



St. Louis Cathedral



Bourbon street was quiet in the morning but not so much late in the evening.

Beautiful architecture

A lot of history in this city.



The French Market is a great place to shop. Everything from t/shirts, souvenirs, fruit, food, drinks and more.

The wedding was classy and perfect. Beautiful church, bride and groom.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Historic Church

The flower girls. My beautiful grand-daughters.

Yes, we were in Saints country but the groom had a Dallas Cowboys cake with a helmet signed by Jason Witten.



Dancing with the stars; my grand-babies.



We finished the night with a fun reception. We danced the night away, especially the kids.



This was our first trip to NOLA and we had an awesome time. We will be going back.

I love sharing our life with you. By the way, Snapshots not professional photos.

Forever Wanderlust,

Davilyn

If you read this blog give me a like, comment or share.

Thank you! 😊

Hi friends! It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog. I have been busy with my family and suffering from chronic migraines. The neurologist tried several medications and nothing worked for me. I finally received Botox injections for migraines (25 injections) and I’m feeling better. Anyway, this blog isn’t about that…

As you may know, I am a travel advisor, agent, consultant, whatever you want to call it. I’ve been doing this for a little over a year. I absolutely love it, it’s my passion to help others plan a vacation.  It’s not always an easy job and takes lots of time, but it’s all worth it.

I always like to get a picture with the Carnival tail.

When I first started and looking at all of the “stuff” it was kind of overwhelming. Then I was in a teaching webinar and the instructor said, “don’t try to do it all, find your niche.” She said if you were having a heart attack you would want a heart surgeon, a brain tumor, a neurosurgeon, etc. It made perfect sense to me. The specialist is more experienced in what they do and they also make more money.  I knew immediately what my niche would be, it would be what I love, cruising and beaches. I already knew a lot about cruises and beaches because that’s what we do so often. I’ve turned down booking trips to Italy, Vegas, New York, just to name a few, because that’s not my niche. I’m not experienced at that.

I have always loved the beach and after my first cruise, I was addicted. I love cruising because you get to visit so many places on one trip. I also love the ship and being on the seas.

I am a Forever Wanderlust!

While I didn’t get into this to get rich, I wanted to make enough money for my husband and I to cruise twice a year and to take other small trips throughout. We love to get away at any time we can. I have a lot of family members that also cruise. It didn’t take long to start booking, but I did have to wait a while for a paycheck.

I am so blessed and thankful for each and every one of my clients, friends, and family that I have had the privilege of helping with their vacation.

This is when I was in Mahogany Bay, Roatan. Loved the monkey, not to mention the beautiful water and beach.

  I have the BEST clients.

The best advertisement is referrals and word of mouth! I’m blessed to have great clients that do this for me.

 Sharing is caring!

I have other blogs on the best time to cruise, packing ideas, tips and why use a travel agent. I will link them at the bottom, great information in them.

I love my job, it’s hard for me to even call it that because I enjoy it so much.

It’s my desire to help my clients get the best deals, be prepared and have an awesome vacation.

If you are interested in a cruise or all-inclusive beach resort, it would be my honor to help you.

A big group of us that cruised together in April. This is in Cozumel.

No, I don’t do it all but I am a specialist/expert on cruises and resorts.

I hope you have enjoyed my pictures. I love to share them.

Travel is not about leaving our homes, it’s about leaving our habits.

Forever Wanderlust,

💜Davilyn

Lost at Sea Travels

Why Use A Travel Agent

Cruising on a Budget/Recent Cruise

Cruise Packing “Extras”

Hello from Galveston Island!

We have been going to Galveston, Texas for over 30 years. When our children were growing up we went every summer for a week. It’s grown a lot since we first started going. My husband and I still go every couple of months, even if for a day or two.

Our first stop is usually Salsa’s Mexican Food. We love Mexican food, and to us, it’s the best. We order combo fajitas and share because it’s so much food for one person.

There are so many things to do in Galveston.

Pleasure Pier

Side view 

Schlitterbahn Water Park

Moody Gardens is a popular attraction with a large hotel, rain forest pyramid, Aquarium, 4D Special Fx theater, paddlewheel boat cruise. Too many things to list.

Moody Gardens

My FAVORITE seashell gift shop is Murdoch’s over the water. It has a nice Breezeway to sit in, have a drink, if you wish, and look out at the gulf. I’ve seen people during the summer hang a hammock underneath. I have several pictures and can’t share them all but if interested find out more here about Murdochs.

A popular place that tourist like to eat, and we’ve eaten there many times, is Fish Tales. It’s directly across from Pleasure Pier on the Seawall.

But, we have found where the locals eat seafood, and now it’s where we eat. Shrimp N Stuff. There are two locations, one downtown, more for tourist, and the original one, where we like to eat. It’s very casual. You go to counter to order and sit where you want.

They have the best crab cakes and fried oysters.

The Strand Historic District is located downtown, and it definitely needs to be on your to-do list. We love to walk the streets and visit the different boutiques and gift shops. It has a lot of mom and pop cafes, lively entertainment and of course, people watching.

You must go to LaKings for dessert. It’s an old fashion ice-cream and candy shop. You can have an old fashion milkshake, coke float, homemade candies or a latte.

Also, downtown is the cruise port. You can watch the cruise ships sail away or my favorite thing, wave at people as I sail away. Cruise lines with ships that sail from this port include Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean. This port is rated as one of the top cruise ports (#4) in the country thanks to all of the activities Galveston Island has to offer. Usually, cruisers stay a couple of days in Galveston.

I took this photo from Pier 23 at the port. Unfortunately, I was not sailing away that day.

The Galveston Seawall is built along the beaches. The sidewalk adjacent to Seawall Boulevard on the south is claimed to be the longest continuous sidewalk in the world at 10.3 miles. All free beaches along the Seawall are kept by the city and have lifeguards. There are many hotels and restaurants up and down the sea wall.

Beach along the Sea Wall

A sunrise view from my hotel balcony

Stewart Beach is an excellent beach for a day trip. The beach is free, but you must pay to park. It has a big gift shop, showers, store, restaurant, and many activities.

Galveston is a great beach vacation. Many things cost money, but there are also many things, like the beach, the strand, cruise pier, Murdoch’s, riding the ferry, just to name a few, that cost nothing at all. It’s a great peaceful, relaxing place. We only live 3 hours away, so we’ve made the trip in a day or have stayed a week.

Galveston host many activities all throughout the year, everything from chili cook-offs, Mardi Gras, motorcycle rallies to a Festival of Lights during Christmas time and more.

Many people visit Galveston each year, either to vacation or cruise.

On the way home, we always stop at Buc-ees. It’s about 15 miles from Galveston, in Texas City. Actually, we stop going to Galveston and going home.

It’s a huge convenience store for snacks, BBQ, drinks, Texas-Themed T-shirts, beach decor and many gifts, not to mention the largest, cleanest restrooms around.

These are just a few things about my home away from home. Contact me if you have any questions or would like any information about Galveston Island.

I couldn’t leave you without at least one of our many pictures together at Galveston beach.

You can join my travel group below.

Lost At Sea Travels

All photos are pictures that I have taken.

Enjoying the Simple Life,

💜Davilyn

As a travel agent, I got to tour the Carnival Vista. The Vista is one of the biggest ships that Carnival has. The ship set sail May 2016. Its new home port is in Galveston, Texas, only 3 hours away from my home.

This was my first ship tour as a travel agent. I was very blessed to be able to go on this ship inspection because they only allow so many per inspection/tour. I was happy to be approved but also had anxiety. Almost didn’t go. I am an introvert, and it’s tough for me to do things alone, where I know no one! Therefore, this was a big step out of my comfort zone.  I’m so glad that I stepped out. I met so many fellow agents and even stepped out and introduced myself to people. BIG deal for me!

Some of my new friends and fellow travel agents.

I have been on ten Carnival cruises and knew the layout of their ships pretty well. When I walked onto this ship, I was wowed! The lobby/atrium area was so different than the other ships. It was beautiful with the fiber optic aquarium fixture. There is also one in the casino bar area. Missing in the atrium is the glass elevators, that the other ships have.

Beautiful

The Vista is the first ship that has the Havana rooms. Kids must be at least 12 to stay in these cabins. You can choose between a Havana cabana with a patio which has a hammock and lounge chairs. A Havana suite or an interior Havana stateroom. These rooms have their own private pool, hot tub, and outside bar until 7 pm. The Havana restaurant, lounge, bandstand and the bar on the inside is available to all passengers.

Havana Cabana Patio

The Havana Lounge & Bar

The ship is big, and I was a little overwhelmed trying to see everything. I know that I missed some areas of it.

I love the big screen. As you can see the next stop was Montego Bay, Jamaica. This is my favorite route. It goes to Montego Bay, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. All Carnival ships have this big screen on the lido deck. At night, they show first-run movies, under the stars. Usually, the first show is a kid show and the second adult.

The main cabins, Lido deck, pool area, buffet, is about the same as the other ships that I have cruised.  The lido deck is where I live during the day while I’m cruising.

There is something for all ages, from camp carnival for young kids, circle C for young teens, club 02 for older teens, Dr. Seuss, waterworks, sports deck, sky ride.

A sports bar to watch games on so you won’t miss any while you’re out at sea.

 Guys Pig & Anchor BBQ and even though that wasn’t on our schedule, a couple of ladies and I ventured that way, and yes, we did have to taste it. Yummy!! We also got an ice-cream cone on the Lido deck.

The Seafood Shack located on lido deck aft. 

Carnival loves travel agents. They fed us in one of the main dining rooms and gave us a full course meal. The waiters put on a dance show. It was a great experience. They also had drawings for different carnival items, and I won a carnival mouse pad, small I know but I was excited because I never win anything.💙

The ship is big and beautiful, and I love the decor.

The staff was very friendly.

It seemed weird being on a cruise ship without my husband, if for only 4 hours. I would say it was hard to get off, but it wasn’t because he wasn’t with me. He went with me on the trip, dropped me off, and he went to the movies. He’s good like that.

I’ve always loved to travel and for the past 11 years cruise. I love helping others plan/book their vacations.

It’s never too late to start living your dreams. I’m proof of that. I just started my blog in January and my travel agency in May, at 48 years old.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

The Lord has blessed me with this blog and becoming a Travel Agent. I’m also a stay at home Gia (grandma). I love being able to help my kids out and spoil my grandbabies while doing this.

Travel, your money will return, your time won’t. Time is short.

I would love to help you plan your vacation. I know a lot of people ask why to use a TA instead of booking themselves online. I have a previous blog about that, you can read here to answer those questions.

Why Use A Travel Agent

 Facebook travel group  Lost At Sea Travels with Davilyn

I have videos of different areas of the ship on my  YouTube channel

Enjoying the simple, blessed & traveling life,

💜Davilyn

I am often asked, “Why to use a travel agent when I can book online myself?” There are a lot of things we can do ourselves, but we get someone else to do them. Right? I could cut and color my own hair, yet I pay someone to do it. Why? Because I want a professional to do it right. Now think of things you could do yourself, but you get someone else to do. Silly to think about, I know.

Sometimes, travel agents get bad reps. I understand there are probably some that are not as attentive or as good as others, that’s in any business. In fact, at first I wouldn’t call myself a TA, I would say vacation planner or vacation specialist. I thought if I changed the title it would be better. I realized the title doesn’t matter, its whose behind that title that matters. I treat each of my clients as I want to be treated.

Many people think Travel Agents cost more, but they do not. It doesn’t cost you any more to use a travel agent than to book through Expedia, any online site or directly through the company.

Experienced and Trained

Travel agents regularly attend travel industry seminars, conferences, webinars, inspections and most importantly I travel myself, which I love.

Customer Service

No travel website is going to offer you the personal touch that comes from working with a travel agent who has your best interest at heart.

We work for YOU, not a company. You always have direct contact with your Travel Agent instead of being on the phone pressing buttons, on hold and waiting to speak to a random person. We save you time because you’re not searching the internet for hours on the best prices and what to expect while on vacation. We also like to give complimentary gifts and/or extra amenities.

VIP ACCESS

Travel agents have phone lines and connections that you won’t find online or have access too. We receive information from companies that you may not necessarily receive online or by phone.  When I get this information, I pass it along to you or adjust your vacation for the better.

Personal Service

My main niche is cruises and beaches. I have first-hand knowledge and expertise in this area. I can answer individual questions and give you honest and non-biased answers from my own experiences and help you choose what’s best for you. I customize your vacation for you. I help with getting the room you want, rooms near your family, special needs or meal plans, family dinner reservations, help with tours, excursions, parking. I have packing list and blogs for traveling. I let you know what documents you need so you won’t be left behind.

I want my clients to travel prepared and stress-free. I stay in personal contact from the time we first talk, book, travel, return home and beyond.

Using a travel agent comes down really to four things; personalization, your best interest, expertise and saves you time. I’m the one on hold or searching for the best deal for you, so you don’t have too. I’m looking out for your best interest. If I don’t have the answer, I’ll find it!!

Also, when you book online or directly through a company, you’re giving the big companies more money, when you book with a travel agent, you’re supporting a small business.

It’s not always an easy job, but I love it and passionate about what I do. I work 7 days a week and almost always available.

I give quotes, help get the best prices & help you with ALL of your vacation needs for a great vacation! I do all of the work so you can have all of the fun💙

The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been and the memories we’ve made along the way.

What story will your vacation tell? I would love to help you plan it.

You can find me on Facebook Lost At Sea Travels, Southern Simple Blessed

email davilyn30@yahoo

I believe we all need to slow down and enjoy our lives.

Enjoying the Simple, Blessed & Traveling Life,

💙 Davilyn

This was our first time to take a fall cruise. We did a four-day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. We have now cruised every season. October is a great time to cruise. It was actually warmer than our Spring cruises have been. The only negative thing is its hurricane season. There was one in the Gulf of Mexico and actually hit land the day before we sailed.

Praying for the people affected by Hurricane Michael.

The seas were very calm and beautiful.

We packed as much as we could into this 4-day cruise or maybe I should say, we ate as much as we could within this time. The food is so good. We had Guys burgers, Blue Iguana tacos, Lido buffet food, gourmet dining room food, room service, lots of ice-cream and much more. They definitely feed you well on a cruise. I try not to think of calories while there. On the last sea day was a chocolate extravaganza. Oh my goodness! Delicious! They had anything and everything chocolate.

I love to dip my fruit in chocolate. Well, really cover it in chocolate. It’s still healthy, isn’t it?

There is so much to choose from. I probably gained 5 pounds in those 4 days.

We had a costume night which consisted of a costume parade, photos, costume contest, and a deck party.

Our cruising buddies are our good friends, for over 30 years, which happen to be my brother and sister-in-law.

We had never dressed up in costumes before, and it was fun.

We went on the Carnival Valor, a medium-size ship. I don’t know if it was the size of the ship or the length of the cruise, but it was a fun, intimate community. The staff was friendly and attentive as well.

Cozumel is one of our favorite ports. We’ve been there many times, it’s like a home away from home. The port itself is very lovely, and the beaches are beautiful. The people there are so friendly.

Cozumel, Mexico

We always go to Mr. Sanchos. It’s an all-inclusive beach resort. There is so much to do there, anything from parasailing, snorkeling, jet skis, horseback riding, massages, etc. or you can just relax on the beach all day. Oh, and all you want food and drinks.

Mr. Sanchos Beach Resort

I almost forgot to tell you that we are University of Texas Longhorn fans. We wore our longhorn shirts on the day we boarded and my brother, well, he had to be different and wear a Texas Aggie shirt, the Longhorns rival, even though he’s not really an Aggies fan. Let’s just say, we got asked about our shirts A LOT and they got lots of attention.

      I forgive him! I have too! LOL

I love this view!

It was a great cruise…one of the funnest we’ve had. It’s always good to get away. We love cruising because you can really disconnect from everything. Sometimes we spend so much time working and just life in general, that we forget to enjoy it. I encourage to slow down, have fun and enjoy your life.

The sunsets are beautiful.

If you would like more information about cruising, I would love to help you. I also have a vacation/cruise Facebook group Lost At Sea Travels that you can join.  I am an expert cruiser! 😉

Enjoying The Simple and Cruising Life!

💜 Davilyn

It’s never too late or you’re never too old, to start something new.

I read this in October, in a devotional…

“Take time to align your actions so that they reflect your passions.  If you’re finding that you’re not as passionate about things, dig into your purpose.  If you’re finding it difficult to recognize your purpose, then follow your passions, because on that path is where your purpose is waiting to be discovered.”

I read and re-read and thought about it and prayed about it a lot. I wanted to find out what my purpose was so I had to think about what my passions are.  I wanted something for me, outside of my family. Three of my passions have come together, photography, writing, and travels.

I had thought about a blog for a couple of years but I was scared. I am an introvert, insecure, have anxiety and a private person. I had to step out of my comfort zone to even start a blog. I’ve read and heard that good things happen outside of your comfort zone. How could I write a blog, though?  In January, I started with fear and all, not knowing what I was doing.

A few months ago when I started this blog I never dreamed it would bring me to the place I’m at now. I knew I would write about traveling, cruising, sharing photos, my family, and inspirational post because those things are my life. So far, the cruise and travel blogs have the most comments and views.

I’ve thought many times that I would love to be a travel agent, had even inquired about it but I was scared, and it went no further.  Finally, I just did it out of fear, as well.

This little blog has turned my passion for traveling/cruising into more. I am now a Travel Agent. A lot of people over the years have come to me asking for help because they see my photos and know we cruise a lot. It makes me happy helping people! I really love to help someone plan a vacation or a staycation. It helped me, turn my passion, into my purpose.

It’s my desire to make each person that comes to me happy and help them have a great vacation or staycation and make wonderful memories.

I can help you plan a cruise, excursions, beach vacations or even Disney. It doesn’t cost you any more to book travels through a travel agent (ME) than you would online or calling the company itself. I can help you find the best deals and you’ll have a “real” person to talk to.

I am still learning and taking courses. If I don’t know something, I can find out because I have a great agency that I work for and that is so helpful.

I have created a group on Facebook Lost at Sea Travels with Davilyn. I would love to have you join my group. I will post promotions, photos, answer questions, make it fun and help you any way that I can.

Maybe you can’t afford a vacation & think you shouldn’t join? Join anyway! As I’ve said in a previous blog, you can pay out a cruise or have a staycation at home. I encourage you to read it… Cruising on a Budget/Recent Cruise

Although, I love to travel and cruise, you can make great memories with a staycation and we do that as well.

Turn your home into your little piece of paradise and have a staycation. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. I’d be more than happy to help you and give you ideas for that as well. I want to help you relax, have fun and make memories. We need to enjoy our lives and not work and worry all of the time.

I can help anyone from anywhere!

My blog will be a lifestyle/travel blog because I will have blogs about different things. Some will be motivational, inspirational, about my family and of course travel. That’s one reason I wanted a separate group for traveling.



Thank you for reading my blogs, visiting my sites and for all of the support. Thank you for helping me turn my passion into a purpose, to help others.

Travel Agent website

I would love to help you with your future travels. Contact me on here or any of my sites. Thank you!

Enjoying the simple life,

💜Davilyn

This is one of my favorite quotes. You don’t have to tell me twice. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive or extravagant. It can be a day trip, flip-flops, and Little Debbie cakes. By the way, they are good. Have you heard the quote, “Flip flops are the glass slipper of the South?” Well, I love flip flops, they are my glass slippers.

We just got home from our yearly cruise. It’s important to us to take a vacation each year and we love cruises. We make taking trips, even day trips, a priority. My husband works many hours, weekends and holidays, so we need to get away when we can.

I’ve been asked, “how do you afford it?”

We are on a budget just like most people.

1) We always cruise during offseason, it’s cheaper.

2)They offer many types of rooms from inside cabins to suites. Of course, the room you choose determines the cost, as well the length of the cruise and the ship you choose.

3)You can book a cruise a year or even two in advance with a small deposit and have until 90 days before the cruise to pay it off. There isn’t a set amount you have to pay and can pay any amount on it when you can.

4) A cruise is all-inclusive unless you drink alcohol, then that’s extra.

5) The best thing, you get to go to 3 or more different places on one trip.

Back to our vacation!

We traveled with a group of eight people this time.

Day 1: Sea Day

Our first day was a sea day and we laid around the pool. That night was one of the elegant nights in the dining room. My husband tries all of the exotic foods, me, not so much.

They take great photos and photoshop. (photos cost extra)

Day 2: Key West, Florida.

We rented a golf cart that seated 8, I didn’t even know they existed. We explored the island. Like really, the whole island, by accident, because we got lost. We ended up on the main highway on a golf cart. I think we were headed to Miami. We asked several people the way to the cruise port and all of them gave a different direction. We made it back to the ship on time but I must admit, I was getting concerned. But it was a fun adventure. We got to see the furthest south point of the U.S. and that was cool.

Day 3. Freeport, Bahamas

We bought a carnival beach excursion. It ended up not being worth the money. The excursion was for 4 hours and I’m thinking 4 hours on the beach. No, it was a 30-minute drive each way, so that gave us 3 hours on the beach. That’s not enough time for me and especially for the amount we paid for it.   We didn’t buy the all-inclusive, which included food, so we had to pay extra for that. If I ever go back to Freeport, I will probably do port shopping and enjoy time on the ship.

Day 4: Nassau, Bahamas

We purchased a day pass to Breezes Resort, all-inclusive. It was beautiful. It had several pools, hot tubs, entertainment, all the food and drinks you want and most importantly to me, a beautiful beach. There was no set time for us to leave and we stayed all day. We just had to get our own taxi back to port. This was a fun day! I love Nassau.

Days 5 & 6 SEA DAYS

We love sea days. There are lots of activities to participate in or to be a spectator, like me. We love being on the upper deck looking out at the ocean or people watching and of course, lots of food and ice-cream.

There are lots of choices for the nightlife as well. Casino, Karaoke, live music, comedy shows, nightclub, line dancing, movies on the big screen by the pool, deck parties, games, shows, star gazing and more. So many things to choose from.

The sunsets are the best on the seas.

Your room is cleaned for you twice a day and you have turndown service. Room service is also available.

To us, cruising is the best vacation for your money.

Love this view!

So take the trip, buy the shoes, eat the cake and don’t worry about the calories. Carnival cruise has the best chocolate melting cake and I don’t think once about the calories.

Collect memories, not things.

At the end of the day, it’s what you choose, that’s important to you. We choose to cut back on other things so we can afford to take a good vacation.

We also do things throughout the year.  We may take day trips to the nearby lake or drive 3 hours to the beach.  The trip may be to our backyard, tune everything else out, listen to music, grill, lay out by the pool or have a fire at night.

Traveling and being together is very important to us.

Whatever or however you choose to do life, enjoy it because life is short.

Here is the link to my facebook group, if you would like to join. I would love to have you!

Cruise Travel FB Group

Enjoying the simple life,

💜Davilyn