Book with Me
I’m Katrina. I’m still working full-time, about a year out from retirement, and actively building the travel plan I intend to live on.
This past spring I took a back-to-back casino cruise to Bermuda on NCL — not just as a vacation, but as a deliberate retirement travel test. I tracked the onboard costs, evaluated the casino offer strategy, watched my own pacing over two weeks, and came home with real answers about what this kind of trip actually costs and whether it can fit sustainably into a retirement budget.
That’s how I approach all of this. Not inspiration. Not fantasy planning. Real numbers, honest trade-offs, and a running question of whether this life actually works.
I became a Fora-affiliated travel advisor because people kept asking me what I was learning. It made sense to be able to help them plan and book. For eligible bookings, the travel supplier pays a commission to Fora, and I receive a portion of that commission. I do not charge an additional planning fee for the standard cruise-planning services described on this page.
I currently help with cruise planning for solo travelers, pre-retirees, and retirees who want to understand the real cost before they book. If you want someone who’s thought carefully about cruising as part of a retirement travel budget — not just someone who clicks the buttons — that’s what I bring.
What working with me looks like
You reach out, tell me what you’re thinking, and we go from there. No sales pitch. No packages to choose from. Just a conversation about what you want, what it actually costs, and whether it makes sense for where you are right now.
IIf you decide to book, I arrange and support the reservation through Fora, my host travel agency. You continue working directly with me, while the booking is processed through Fora and remains subject to the cruise line’s applicable terms and conditions.
Here’s what I can help with:
Finding the right cruise for your situation. Not just the best deal — the right fit. Line, itinerary, cabin category, timing, and solo-specific considerations if you’re traveling alone.
Understanding the full cost before you commit. The advertised fare is rarely the whole story. I help you think through port fees, gratuities, drink packages, excursions, travel to the port, and anything else that affects what a cruise actually costs.
Navigating casino offers and loyalty perks. If you’re working with a casino cruise offer, a loyalty discount, or any other promotion, I can help you evaluate whether it’s actually a good deal for your trip.
Thinking through logistics you might not have considered yet. Deposit deadlines, final payment timing, travel insurance, what happens if plans change. The details that matter and are easy to miss when you’re booking on your own.
If you’re still comparing cruise options, start with the Cruise Cost Planner. It will help you organize the fare, transportation, lodging, insurance, and other costs before you decide whether a cruise makes sense.
Who I work best with
I work best with people who are doing real research — not looking for someone to just click the buttons, but wanting a second set of eyes from someone who thinks carefully about this stuff.
If you’re pre-retirement or recently retired, planning solo or with a small group, and you want cruise planning that connects to a bigger picture of how you want to travel — that’s exactly who I built this for.
Ready to talk it through?
Fill out the form below and tell me a little about the cruise you’re considering, even if you’re still comparing options.
I’ll review what you send and follow up within two business days. From there, we’ll talk through what you’re looking for, any options you’re already considering, and whether it makes sense for us to work together.
There’s no commitment to book and no pressure once we connect. If I’m not the right fit for what you need, I’ll tell you that too.
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A note on how this works financially: I’m affiliated with Fora, my host travel agency. When you book eligible travel through me, the travel supplier pays a commission to Fora, and I receive a portion of that commission. For the standard cruise-planning services described here, I do not charge you an additional planning fee
A few things I’m not
My advisory work is currently focused on cruises, particularly for people planning travel around retirement.
You’ll find a lot on this site about slow travel, pacing, logistics, and building a retirement life around extended trips — that’s very much part of what I write about and plan for myself. But my advisory services right now are cruise-focused, because that’s where I can help most specifically and do it well.
If you’re looking for hotel-only bookings, complex land itineraries, or last-minute deals, I’m probably not your best resource — and I’d rather tell you that upfront than waste your time.