Thrive 2025: Dream Vacations Conference on Star Princess

I was excited to connect with fellow travel advisors and partners who share the same passion for exploring the world. This year’s Dream Vacations National Conference took us first to Fort Lauderdale and then out to sea on the brand-new Star Princess, the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet. The theme was Thrive—and that word defined the entire week.

Two Days in Fort Lauderdale

The conference began on land at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, an ideal location just minutes from Port Everglades. From my room, I could watch cruise ships glide by while keeping up with my emails. Talk about motivation! The property was convenient, walkable, and close to great dining. One evening, we took a short stroll to dinner at Kelly’s Landing with other agents, where we swapped travel stories and shared excitement about the sailing ahead.

Those two days were filled with keynote speakers, vendor sessions, and breakout discussions on everything from better travel photography to building a successful blog (hence, the launch of this very post). Hearing directly from industry leaders reminded me how quickly travel continues to evolve and how important it is to stay inspired.

Boarding the Star Princess

On embarkation day, the real excitement began. The Star Princess is an impressive ship—large, bright, and beautifully designed, with capacity for about 4300 passengers. Boarding her for the first time felt like stepping into the future of cruising.

My husband and I stayed in a Deluxe Balcony Cabin, and it was thoughtfully laid out with plenty of storage for both of us. I loved the natural light, the clean design, and especially the bathroom with the enclosed shower, which is a nice upgrade from the usual curtain setup.

The ship offered more dining options than I’ve seen before on a Princess ship, from casual bites to specialty restaurants that come with a small up-charge. We tried a few of them, and each felt like a fun culinary discovery at sea.

Ports of Call

We visited Amber Cove, Dominican Republic and Grand Turk. In Amber Cove, we kept things simple by just walking around the port and soaking up the warm Caribbean air. In Grand Turk, however, we joined a snorkeling excursion that became one of my favorite memories of the trip.

The water was a color I can hardly describe with shades of turquoise and sapphire that looked unreal. We watched a demonstration on diving for conch and learned how it’s cleaned before the guides prepared fresh conch ceviche right on the boat. Holding a friendly stingray afterward was the perfect ending to a beautiful day on the island.

The Purpose Behind the Trip

Although it was a cruise, the heart of this journey was professional growth. The Dream Vacations Conference always delivers valuable learning, but this year it truly resonated. We heard from cruise line executives and land-based partners about trends shaping travel in 2026 and beyond. Several seasoned advisors shared how they’ve grown their businesses, found their niche markets, and continued to thrive even through change.

One of the most energizing sessions for me was focused on creating content that connects. This has finally inspired me to start a blog to share my own travel experiences with you. Every speaker reinforced that our greatest strength as advisors is our passion, and that connecting personally with clients will always set us apart.

Key Takeaways

1. I still love cruising, even when I’m working. Nothing compares to the energy of being at sea with people who love to travel as much as I do.
2. Education never stops. The sessions were insightful, the speakers inspiring, and I left with pages of ideas to apply to my business.
3. Networking is a tool to utilize. Conversations on deck or during sessions, often lead to the best professional insights.
4. The Star Princess sets a new standard. Spacious design, modern details, and thoughtful touches made it both relaxing and exciting.

This week reminded me exactly why I do what I do. I love to help others experience the world, one unforgettable trip at a time.

Next up: I’ll share how I planned our upcoming Danube River Cruise, from choosing the itinerary to prepping for Europe’s Christmas markets.