What is it really like being married to a travel agent? Many people assume it means unlimited vacations, champagne on the beach, and spontaneous getaways. The truth is a little different. Being part of a family travel business comes with amazing perks, surprising challenges, and plenty of stories worth sharing.
In this post, we are pulling back the curtain to share a little about who we are, the misconceptions we run into, and our excitement for an upcoming cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas. Along the way, we will talk about traveling gluten free with celiac disease and why that is always part of our travel planning process.
👋 Who We Are
We are Shannon and Kahla, sisters-in-law and proud members of a family-run travel company. Our husbands book dream vacations for clients through Olson Travel Group, and we see firsthand what life looks like behind the scenes.
🚢 Our Next Big Adventure: Jewel of the Seas
Our next trip is on Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, part of the Radiance class. This ship is known for incredible ocean views thanks to its glass elevators and panoramic windows.
Coming along for the cruise will be Kahla, Shannon, Cameron (Shannon’s husband and Kahla’s brother), and (Kahla and Cameron's momma) Kathleen. That gives us the perfect mix of personalities: the planner, the foodie, the easygoing one, and the boss. Whose who? Either way, it’s bound to be a fun combination of relaxation, laughs, and plenty of stories to bring back.
Quick Facts About Jewel of the Seas:
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Maiden Voyage: May 8, 2004
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Refurbished: 2016
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Decks: 13
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Crew: 852
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Guest Capacity: 2,110 to 2,191
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Staterooms: 1,097
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Pools: 3
Travelers often say this ship has some of the best scenic views at sea. Others highlight the specialty dining options like Chops Grille, which are considered excellent for a mid-sized ship. Even the mini-golf course is talked about as a hidden gem.
Another interesting feature is Royal Caribbean’s VOOM WiFi, which is advertised as the fastest internet at sea. We plan to test that claim and see if it lives up to expectations.
🥗 Traveling Gluten Free on a Cruise
Shannon has celiac disease, which means every trip includes a layer of planning around food safety. Cruises are often seen as one of the best vacation options for people traveling gluten free, and Royal Caribbean has a reputation for being especially attentive to dietary needs.
Onboard dining rooms typically offer gluten-free menus, and specialty restaurants often provide safe alternatives. The big question is whether the process is smooth in practice. Can guests with celiac disease truly relax and enjoy meals without worry about cross-contamination?
We will share firsthand experiences and tips for fellow gluten-free travelers once we return, including:
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How easy it is to order gluten-free meals
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Whether the crew understands celiac safety needs
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Which foods and snacks are worth bringing along
For anyone planning a cruise with celiac disease, don’t miss our upcoming follow-up post with a full review of Royal Caribbean’s gluten-free and celiac dining options.
🧳 Packing, Overpacking, and Pre-Trip Predictions
Part of the fun of getting ready for a cruise is making bold predictions about how the packing will actually go. Everyone has their travel quirks, and we already have a few guesses lined up:
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Who’s the better packer? Probably Kathleen. She is always prepared.
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Who will overpack? Again, Kathleen. She likes to be ready for anything.
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Who will forget something important? Our money is on Cameron. After all, he once forgot his passport for a cruise, which is not the kind of surprise anyone wants on embarkation day.
We will report back in our next blog and let you know which of these predictions came true. Spoiler: odds are high that at least one of us will be shopping for a forgotten item.
🍹 A Few Quick Travel Favorites
Every trip comes with traditions, so here are a few of ours:
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Dream Trip: Germany for castle-hopping (Shannon) and exploring England in depth (Kahla).
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Cruise Drink of Choice: A classic mimosa with only a splash of OJ (Shannon) and tropical piña coladas (Kahla).
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Best Perk of Being Married to a Travel Agent: Having trips perfectly planned without lifting a finger.
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Biggest Pitfall: Seeing amazing deals we can't always take because of schedules and commitments.
✨ Looking Ahead
The Jewel of the Seas promises breathtaking views, excellent food, and plenty of adventure. We are especially excited to test how well Royal Caribbean handles gluten-free dining for guests with celiac disease.
Once we return, we will share a detailed recap of the cruise, including whether the ship’s reputation for scenic views, great food, and fast WiFi is deserved.
Until then, happy travels, and may your bags always be just the right size.
🎥 Join Us Live on Twitch and Facebook
Want to catch our adventures as they happen? Check out our live streams on Twitch and follow us on Facebook for behind-the-scenes travel fun, cruise shenanigans, and maybe a few packing fails in real time.
✈️ Ready to Plan Your Own Trip?
We love sharing what we enjoy (and sometimes what we don’t) from our own travels. But when it comes to actually planning your dream vacation, you will want a pro.
For that, you can connect with our husbands — the real travel experts behind the scenes:
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Cameron (Shannon’s husband and Kahla’s brother)
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Derek (Kahla’s husband)
They can help you book the right cruise, find the perfect destination, and take the stress out of planning so all you need to do is pack (and maybe overpack).
💻 Connect With the Travel Wives
We are so excited to grow this journey and share our stories with you. If you enjoy our content, please like, subscribe, and follow as we continue to explore cruises, gluten free travel, and life as “travel wives.” Your support means the world to us.
Thank you for being part of our community. Let’s pack light, laugh often, and keep chasing new adventures together.
✨ Stay tuned for our full recap where we spill the truth, the tall tales, and everything in between.
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