New Dawn Vacations - Kelsey's Travel Blog #Travel Guide

January 2027 Escapes for LGBTQ+ Travelers

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:23:22 -0400

January 2027 sounds impossibly far away. It's not. And if you're an LGBTQ+ traveler, "where should we go" comes with an extra layer most other people don't have to think about.

This summer turned into the season of last-minute bookings for a lot of my clients, and honestly? That's a stressful way to travel when you're already doing the mental math of "is this destination safe, welcoming, actually queer-friendly, or just claiming to be." So let's get ahead of it.

If a winter getaway is even a little bit on your radar, here's why now is the time to start:

The best rooms — and the most affirming properties — go first. The handful of truly LGBTQ+-welcoming boutique stays and adults-only resorts don't sit around waiting for you to decide.
Demand is higher than you'd think. January looks far away on the calendar, but bucket-list destinations and peak winter weeks fill up quietly and fast.
Flexibility gives you room to actually vet a place. More time means more research, more options, and more ability to choose somewhere you'll feel genuinely comfortable, not just somewhere that "should be fine."
Having a trip on the calendar makes January survivable. This one's less travel fact, more public service announcement.

Here's where I'd be looking for January 2027:

BEGIN PLANNING

P.S. There's zero pressure to have the destination figured out already. Half my job is helping you sort through the options and figure out what you're actually looking for including which places will let you just be yourselves.

Which Alaska Cruise Line is Right for You?

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:38:46 -0400

I know it can be overwhelming when trying to decide what cruise line to go on especially when there are so many options.

I'm going to give you a quick overview, so you can decide what line best fits your travel style.

I just got back from my first Alaska cruise on Virgin Voyage's Brilliant Lady that sailed out of Seattle to Ketchikan, Sitka, and Prince Rupert. It was also Virgin's very first season sailing Alaska, which meant I was able to get a front-row seat to something new in a destination that's usually associated with the same handful of legacy cruise lines.

It got me thinking: most people assume "alaska cruise" means big ship, buffet, and bingo. But 2026 is actually one of the most interesting years Alaska cruising has seen in a while, with several lines sailing the region for the first time ever.

If you want adults-only, romance, and a genuine reset: Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady is sailing Alaska for the first time this year from Seattle. I'm happy to report that the ship still felt like Virgin with excellent food, real nightlife if you want it, no kids' clubs or crowds. and then you step outside and it's Tongass National Forest, Tracy Arm fjord, glaciers.

Worth knowing: Virgin still runs Tracy Arm fjord on its itineraries, while several other major lines have swapped it out this year (more on that below).

Best for: couples, honeymooners, solo travelers, LGBTQ travelers

If you want the most immersive, naturalist-guided experience: Holland America Line

Holland America holds more glacier bay permits than any other cruise line, and their onboard programming leans hard into education with wildlife experts, cultural workshops, and a real emphasis on understanding the place you're sailing through, not just looking at it.

Best for: travelers who want depth, nature lovers

If you want the biggest selection of ships and itineraries: Princess Cruises

Princess is deploying eight ships to Alaska in 2026 which is their largest-ever program in the region. That means more departure dates, more itinerary lengths, and more flexibility if you're trying to build a trip around specific dates or a land-tour extension into Denali.

Best for: multi-generational trips, families wanting flexibility, or travelers who want lots of options to compare.

If you want a family-first experience: Disney Cruise Line

Disney Magic is making its Alaska debut this year which is the first time Disney has sailed a ship other than the Disney wonder to the region. You get the full Disney experience (character encounters, kids' clubs, disney-level service) layered onto glacier scenery.

Best for: families with young kids who want the disney experience without giving it up for a "bucket list" destination.

If you want a smaller ship and off-the-beaten-path ports: Ritz-carlton Yacht Collection

Luminara is sailing her first-ever Alaska season this year too. As a small yacht-style ship, she can access secluded inlets and smaller ports that larger ships simply can't reach.

Best for: travelers who want true luxury, privacy, and access.

if you want a slower, deeper itinerary with extended port time: azamara

Azamara is returning to Alaska after a hiatus, with 10- to 13-day cruises and extended stays in ports like Juneau, Wrangell, Skagway, and Ketchikan which means you're not rushed through each stop.

Best for: travelers who'd rather see fewer ports deeply than more ports quickly.

If you want value and familiarity: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, Carnival, and MSC

All five of these mainstream lines sail Alaska in 2026, each with their own onboard personality. Celebrity leans upscale-casual with standout viewing spaces, Norwegian offers flexible "freestyle" cruising across four ships, and MSC is entering Alaska for the first time this year with MSC Poesia. Carnival and Royal Caribbean bring their familiar, high-energy, family-friendly approach to the region.

Best for: travelers who already have a favorite mainstream line and want to bring that same experience to alaska.

the bottom line

Alaska isn't a one-size-fits-all trip anymore. Whether you want quiet naturalist immersion, adults-only romance, family magic, or ultra-luxury access to hidden coves, there's a line built for it. The hard part is just knowing which one actually fits you.

If you're not sure where to start, that's genuinely what I'm here for. Book a consultation, and let's figure out which version of Alaska is yours.

Must See: The Beautiful Country of Belize

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:03:22 -0500

Here's how I spent 11 days in Belize as a solo, female traveler

I visited 5 different areas of the country, so I'm going to break it up by each town!

Belize, Stop #1: Belize City

Well if you're coming to Belize, the city will be your first stop as it's the only international airport in the country. You have to remember Belize is pretty small, more like a state in the US. It's about a 2 hour drive from the coast to the inland border.

I chose to stay a night in the city because I didn't want to do all of my traveling in one day (and I also wanted to check it out). Not going to lie, there's not much going on in the city. This is where cruise lines will stop if Belize is one of the ports. There's a "tourism alley" where all the cruisers go to buy souvenirs and such. There's also a Belize museum that has 3 stars on Google, lol. Nothing really worth checking out.

The south side of the city is known for having more crime. The US has a different level travel advisory for the area south of Haulover Creek. I didn't have a ton of time to explore, as I only stayed one night, but I asked a taxi driver to take me around the city before I left for the islands. And honestly, there's really no reason tourists would go to the south side anyway, it's mostly residential. The crime is opportunistic as it's a poor area.

The hotel I stayed at was close to the port- Harbour View Cottages. Super cute place to stay! It's run by a mother and daughter team, and it doesn't feel like you're in a city when you stay there. There are one and two bedroom cottages, two pools, a spa, and a cafe all on the grounds. They also do yoga and there's a meditation area. Overall, it's just really peaceful. I enjoyed taking a dip in the pool and reading my book in my hammock. The food at the cafe was also good, and they had vegetarian and gluten free options. I always like to take note of this as this can be a huge issue for some travelers. It's nice to find places that are accommodating. I had the stewed chicken which is a traditional dish in the area.

Belize City Travel Tip: If you want to visit tourist alley, and you're not coming by cruise ship, you need to apply for entrance at least 24 hours prior.

Belize, Stop #2 : San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

From Belize city, most people travel up to the islands Ambergris Caye (pronounced key) or Caye Caulker. Both areas are very popular with tourists. There are two options to get there- ferry or flight. I took the ferry there and a flight back because I wanted to experience what both were like. The ferry is pretty bare bones, there are no amenities, it's basically a water bus. It takes about an hour to get to Caye Caulker, and another 30 minutes to Amgergris Caye. The flight is a 15 minute ride, but it's in a "puddle jumper," which I wasn't so thrilled about. But I survived, lol. Price wise, the ferry is around $35 vs the flight which is around $100. There are two ferry companies and two flight companies to choose from.

I stayed in San Pedo on Ambergris Caye which is much larger than Caye Caulker. I didn't make it to the smaller island, but I've heard the vibe is chill. It just doesn't have as many options as the larger island.

Everyone drives golf carts on the islands. I knew this ahead of time, but I didn't know there was going to be so many. Like everyone has a golf cart, so I decided to rent one last minute. They're not crazy expensive, I paid around $90 for the three days I was there. It was worth it in my opinion.

The island is split between north and south, cut by a waterway that connects the bay to the ocean. The south part of the island is much more developed and where "downtown" is. If you want to be around the hustle and bustle, you'll want to stay in this area. If you want to stay in a more quiet spot, you'll want to go more north.

I stayed at Pur Boutique Cabanas- it's an small adults only property with a taco bar. It seems like the vibe depends on the guests. The first night I arrived, it was much more of a party atmosphere, but when that group of guests left, it was much more relaxed. They have a pool as well.

I was surprised that there's really no beaches on the island except for Secret Beach (which isn't so secret anymore). I did check it out, but it was a bit too party vibe for me. Think of Secrets in Ocean City vibes. They have the tables in the water, and there's always music going. The ride there can be bumpy, as it's not paved all the way out. Definitely proceed with caution, especially if you're going with a rented golf cart. Many companies won't cover any damages occurred on this road. To get to secret beach you have to travel north, and then you cut over to the west coast.

The northern side of the island is being heavily developed. The road isn't paved all the way up there, but there are a ton of new resorts in the area. I'm sure it will be paved eventually, but something you'll want to consider when deciding where to stay on the island.

The big attractions in the area are snorkeling and diving. South of the island is Hol Chan Marine Reserve (translates into tiny channel). The reef that hugs Belize's coast is the second largest in the world (great barrier reef is #1) and runs north into Mexico and south into Honduras. The area is very protected, and you must go there with a guide. They charge you a $15 entrance fee (which you need to pay in cash for).

I signed up for two snorkels- one in zone a on the reef, and one in zone d with the nurse sharks. The reef was lovely and truly the best reef I've seen since Australia. I saw some animals I haven't seen before like an octopus (finally) and a reef shark. I also saw a manta ray and sea turtle which I'll never get enough of! They're so graceful in the water.

I wasn't sure what to expect with the nurse sharks. I guess they don't have front teeth, so they're "safe" to swim with lol. You have a choice of jumping in the water with them, or you can stay in the boat to watch them. My group of 8 went half and half on this choice. They feed them chum to get them to come over. I did get a little nervous when soooo many were coming for the food. They're the size of me which was a bit intimidating, especially when you see 10-15 swimming towards you. But I just gave myself some space, and I was okay. I wasn't in the swarm of them like the one guy lol. Overall, I was glad I did it as it's the largest animals I've swam with, YOLO!

San Pedro Travel Tip: You can rent reserve a golf cart ahead of time, and they will meet you at the ferry or airport (depending how you arrive). This way you don't have to worry about grabbing a cab.

Belize, Stop #3: Placencia

Once I arrived back in Belize City, I grabbed my rental car and drove down the coast to Placencia. It was around a three hour drive.

Placencia is a peninsula. Some of it is very thin, but it widens out at the bottom. At one point, the air strip and ocean are just across the road from each other.

There are a lot of ex-pats living in this area. You can tell a lot of rich Americans decided to build mansions on the water to retire in. There are still open waterfront lots, but you can tell it's being developed.

The main part of town is really just a strip along the water. There's a main driving road, and there's a walking path that runs parallel. At the very end of the walking trail, there is a pier. Towards this end is where it's more "hoppin." It was definitely giving me Florida vibes. There were restaurants, bars, shops, all along the path- including the big titty rum bar.

I stayed probably a five minute walk from there at Caribbean Beach Cabanas. It's an adults only property, and it's been my favorite on the trip. It's small- they said 20 guests max at a time. It's right on the beach, and the staff is lovely. They have a pool and bar that serves food during the day. They also have complimentary breakfast that they deliver to your room each morning, lovely!

I mostly just relaxed during the time I spent here. The sea was super calm, and the water was so clear. The resort had kayaks, sup boards, and tubes you could borrow. I floated around in the tube for a while- it was so relaxing. Highly recommend this spot if you need some quiet R&R!

Placencia Travel Tip: Fishing and diving is popular in this area, and the boat will pick you up right on the beach of your hotel. If you're not into those activities or just sitting on the beach, I felt that there was a not much else to do in this area.

Belize, Stop #4: Hopkins

On my way to Hopkins, I stopped at Mayan World Destinations to see the waterfall. I rode a horse out there, but you can also drive or take an ATV. The area you can access has three waterfalls with pools to swim in. And they've somehow managed to get a bar/grill up there too.

The water was soooo clear. There's moments in Belize where it doesn't feel like real life. Like it's too pretty to be real. Definitely recommend stopping here if staying in Placencia or Hopkins. They also have ziplining and waterfall repelling on site.

Now Hopkins is a little beach town- smaller than Placencia. It's technically a Garifuna fishing village. The Garifuna people originated from St Vincent and their culture is known for their drumming and dancing.

I honestly didn't do much in the area besides relax. My room was right on the beach, and it was just lovely. I stayed at Coconut Row, which I would also recommend. They have a pool and restaurant/bar on site. They also do snorkeling/fishing charters right from the shore. A great spot to rest.

Hopkins Travel Tip: Bring coconut oil to wear when you're on the beach, especially at dusk and dawn. Those no-see-ums are no joke!

Belize, Stop #5: Teakettle

My last stop was to head inland to check out the jungle and the ATM cave. The greenery and water is beautiful out this way.

I stayed in Teakettle but took day trips to San Ignacio and Belmopan. Many people stay in San Ignacio to visit the Mayan ruins out that way (near the Guatemalan border). Belmopan is the capital, and I really liked this area. Cute neighborhoods, restaurants, and overall vibe. I would consider staying here next time. Where I stayed was nice (Dream Valley), but it was a 3 mile drive on dirt roads to get there. It got annoying to have to drive that every time I wanted to go in/out.

Belize has made a ton of progress in paving their roads the last few years, but it's mainly just the highways. Anything off the highway is going to be a dirt road. I definitely recommend getting a 4wd if you're exploring this area.

Now, the ATM was AMAZING, even though I was super nervous about doing it! And not going to lie, it was pretty challenging physically, but wow, what an experience. If you go to Belize, this is a MUST DO. I don't have any pictures to share because they don't allow cameras after tourists kept dropping their phones and breaking the artifacts.

Teakettle Travel Tip: Do the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave! Bring water sandals with closed toe and nice thick socks for the journey, trust me!

If you're interested in traveling to Belize, I would love to help you plan your trip! You can schedule a consultation below.

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