Don't Miss Out On Your Dream Bucket List Cruise

For some people, a dream cruise pops easily into mind: they know EXACTLY where they would go in a heartbeat if there were no obstacles.

For others, it's a bit more ambiguous. You may have an idea of what you'd like, but you might not be entirely certain where you'd have your passport stamped if the opportunity came up tomorrow.

We all know that the best way to make something happen is to start intentionally giving it shape---something to look at, imagine, talk about and (most importantly) plan for. With that in mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself so you can get started working out details of that cruise you fantasize about during those hectic work weeks.

1. What's your "happy place" when you have bad days? Again, for some this might be a specific place---Bora Bora or the Alps or Johannesburg. But more than that-- -what's the FEELING you go to when you're stressed out or stuck in traffic? Do you imagine the lazy perfection of pristine beaches? The thrill of craggy mountains? The rush and sensory feast of busy marketplaces? The smells of spicy foods? Make a quick list: 10 things that come to mind on the most fun, free, relaxed, no- obligations, open day you can imagine.

2. What do you crave? Think of what you say you wish you had more of---free time, adventure, romance, time to learn a new skill, sunshine, purpose. What are you truly, deep down, just plain hungry for? What do you long for? When you imagine being your best self---what are you doing? And who is with you? Jot down 10 things you are longing for in your life right now.

3. What season suits you best? Do you love to soak in the sweltering heat in your swimsuit? Or the crisp crunch of autumn leaves underfoot? Or the intense blue quiet of a mountain snowfall? When do you feel most at home in your body and most in love with your environment? Your perfect vacation doesn't have to be the most popular! It's YOUR perfect vacation, remember?

4. What's one crazy luxurious thing you secretly wish for? For some people, it's as simple as a pile of books and no emails for three weeks. For others, it's endless

room service or all day spa treatments. No matter how big or small---go ahead. Write down 5 luxuries that would make you feel like you've won the lottery if someone handed them to you right now.

5. When you thumb through magazines, what pictures grab you the most? What colors catch your eye? Spicy and exotic? Cool and laid back? Misty and mysterious? Go to a bookstore and pick up four or five travel magazines---and just notice which images you keep going back to---the ones that make your heart skip a little. You might be surprised. Some people assume that their "dream" cruise is an all- inclusive ship somewhere. But if you keep going back to pictures of a bike tour through Tuscany----well, that's worth paying attention to. That experience might feed something in you that an all-you-can-eat buffet might not even begin to touch. Cut out the images that speak to you the most and look for common themes, even (and especially) in images that seem to be opposites.

When you've had time to assemble your thoughts---and if you're working on this with your spouse, family members or friends---look for overlaps, recurring themes or those quiet nudges you can't seem to shake. Listen to your gut. And start to dream big.

You can set a goal and starting giving shape to your plan. Let those images inspire you as you get closer and closer to making your bucket list cruise a reality.

To help you explore your travel dreams, check out the interactive tool offered from Suite Dream Cruises. It's free, fun and best of all, it's customized just for you! Visit www.suitedreamcruises.com to request your VIP access.

About the writer:

Nancy Holmes Ploener is a Luxury Cruise Advisor with Suite Dream Cruises, LLC, an affiliate of Gifted Travel Network- a Virtuoso member agency. She works one-on-one with clients who want to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Her specialty is helping her clients see the world from the vantage of luxury cruising.