So when I saw his name on that list — a rather unique name, one you don’t forget — I immediately showed my husband. A little nervous, I said, “Could it be?” My husband said, “Let’s look him up on Facebook and see if it’s really him.” When he pulled up the photo, I knew instantly. Yes. That’s him. And just like that, excitement turned into butterflies. I was about to attend Regional and meet my recruiter for the first time in 35 years. Talk about life coming full circle.

Simply put: 2026 is going to be a very busy — and very exciting — year for cruising!

For travel specifically, a notable share of modern travelers say they intend to use BNPL to cover vacation costs. That suggests a shift: people are rethinking “pay now or wait” — and opting for “book now, pay later,” even for major expenses like flights, hotels, or full vacation packages.

Before you start throwing items into your bag, plan and pack 3 full outfits from head to toe. Then, reimagine those core pieces in new combinations.