Inspiring Your Next Cruise:
Excursion Guides & Specialty Dining Reviews.
We cut through the noise, curating the best shore tours, all-inclusive day passes, and food experiences to inspire your next adventure.
Meet Your Guides: From Empty Nesters to Experience Curators
We’re Mike and Kristina, the Gallivanting Souls. We’re passionate travelers who understand that planning a vacation for a family or group is a job! Our mission is to inspire and empower every traveler to discover the best dining and most memorable excursions without the stress.
Our journey, from raising a family to embracing the empty nest, has shaped our expertise in planning trips for diverse groups—from romantic getaways to complex, multigenerational family vacations. We’re here to share the insider knowledge that makes travel truly special.
Our Expertise: Beyond the Ship’s Rail
We believe the best memories are made off the ship and around the table. Our content is laser-focused on the two most important parts of your cruise vacation:
1. Thrilling Shore Excursions & Day Passes
Forget the crowded cruise line tours. We find, vet, and review the best independent shore excursions, private charters, and all-inclusive resort day passes (like ResortPass and RIU Palace) to guarantee a high-value experience in every port. We help you plan the port day that everyone will love.
2. Mouthwatering Meals & Specialty Dining
Food is culture. We provide in-depth guides, reviews, and tips for navigating both the onboard specialty dining (beyond the buffet!) and the hands-on culinary experiences—where the best food is made with the ones you love. We ensure every bite and every shared cooking memory contributes to an unforgettable experience.
This picture is from Carnival Mardi Gras on our first transatlantic cruise, where we did the Orient Unknown class with Carnival Kitchen. We have also done the Carnival Kitchen Pasta Fun Class. You can read about our experience making pasta in this post: What you need to know about the Carnival Kitchen Pasta Fun Class.
Our Resources & Insider Content
We work with travelers and brands to deliver high-quality content that streamlines the travel process:
- Shore Excursion Breakdowns: In-depth reviews for independent tours in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Spain.
- Specialty Dining Guides: Honest reviews and tips for maximizing your onboard dining experience.
- Cruise Logistics & Tips: Practical advice for everything from packing to onboard budgeting.
- Cabin & Resort Visual Tours: First-hand looks at cruise ship cabins and in-port resort day pass amenities.
Cabin & Resort Visual Tours
Partner With Us & Reach a Passionate Audience
Connect with our highly engaged audience of travelers and food enthusiasts.
Gallivanting Souls offers tour companies, restaurants, resorts, and tourism boards a unique opportunity to reach a dedicated audience that values authentic travel and culinary experiences. We have a proven track record of creating successful campaigns that drive engagement and deliver results.
We offer a range of partnership options tailored to your needs, including honest reviews, sponsored blog posts, UGC photos and videos, and dedicated content for TikTok and Instagram. We work closely with our partners to develop customized campaigns that meet their specific needs and objectives.
To discuss a collaboration, please email us at [email protected]
What our audience says
Kristina made our first family cruise with Carnival a breeze! They helped us find the perfect ship with activities for all ages, from poolside games for the grandkids to exciting shore excursions exploring Mayan ruins. We all had an unforgettable time!
My husband and I finally took that empty nest escape we’d been dreaming of, thanks to Gallivanting Souls! They planned a fantastic Carnival Cruise to the Caribbean with the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. We snorkeled in crystal-clear waters, enjoyed delicious food, and created lasting memories together.
We were dreading the logistics of planning a multigenerational group cruise, but our travel agent, Kristina took care of everything! Our Carnival Cruise to the Mexican Riveria was amazing – the kids loved the water park, and we adults enjoyed relaxing on the beach. It was the perfect way to reconnect as a family.
Gallivanting Souls isn’t just about the cruise – they helped us discover hidden gems in the Caribbean on our Carnival adventure. We booked an incredible shore excursion in Belize that took us to the ancient Mayan ruins of Altun Ha with the legendary King David as our guide! Our family hasn’t stopped talking about our day exploring the ruins and learning about Mayan history from such a knowledgeable guide. King David even hooked us up with the best local chicken dish we’ve ever tasted, and he knew all the best spots for capturing amazing photos. It was a truly unique and unforgettable experience!
After the kids left for college, I decided to treat myself to a solo cruise. Gallivanting Souls recommended the perfect Carnival “Fun Ship” itinerary and connected me with a wonderful group of fellow travelers. I had an amazing time exploring new destinations and making new friends.
Kristina has been helping us with our travel plans for some time now. All we need to do is tell her where when and for how long we want to stay, and she does the rest.
Being that Kristina is a seasoned traveler, she always finds fun things to do, that others may not know about. She has developed friendships with the people she has done excursions with and can be in contact with them regarding trip planning and fun activities.
We recently went on a 7-day cruise to Mexico, on Carnival Cruise Lines.
We arrived the night before departure, and Kristina had booked us a lovely room at the Westin Hotel. The hotel was very close to the Port of Long Beach, which made it easy to get to the ship with plenty of time to spare. Knowing that things have been taken care of is a relief, and gives you peace of mind to start enjoying your vacation. All you need to do is pack your bags and show up.
While we were in Port, in Porta Vallarta, Kristina arranged to rent us a 38ft sailboat, with a full crew to transport us across the bay to a hidden cove with waterfalls and sandy beaches. This was by far my favorite part of our trip. This is the extra level of effort that we have come to enjoy working with Kristina.
Speciality Dining and Food Reviews
Guide to Cucina del Capitano on Carnival Mardi Gras
Introduction If you’re sailing on the Carnival Mardi Gras, one dining specialty Restaurant you absolutely shouldn’t miss is Cucina del Capitano. This charming Italian restaurant brings the warmth of family-style dining with authentic flavors, cozy...
Shaq’s Big Chicken on Carnival Mardi Gras: Honest Review, Tips & What to Order
I finally tried Shaq’s Big Chicken on the Carnival Mardi Gras, and it was worth the hype — juicy, peppery fried chicken that totally hit the spot. The sandwiches are massive, the tenders look great, and the fries are more like crispy chips. The potato salad was a...
Carnival Cruise Food: A Foodie’s Ultimate Guide to Dining Beyond the Buffet
Will Foodies Enjoy the Offerings on Carnival Cruises? Are you a foodie who travels to taste the world? If so, you might wonder if a Carnival Cruise delivers on the culinary front. The answer is yes. Carnival Cruise Line has significantly enhanced its food offerings....
How to Eat on a Carnival Cruise with food allergies
Are you worried about cruising with food allergies? Ever wondered if you can truly relax and enjoy your vacation when you have special dietary needs? You're not alone. Setting sail with food allergies, sensitivities, or lifestyle choices like veganism can feel like...
Do You Need Drink Package on Carnival Cruise Line?
Carnival Cruise Drink Packages: Worth the Splurge? Deciding whether or not to purchase a drink package on your Carnival Cruise can be a tough call. With various options and price points, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Let's break down everything you need to know to...
Dining Time Dilemma: Navigating Cruise Meal Times Like a Pro
Embark on a delectable journey into the dynamic realm of cruise ship dining, where the spotlight is on "dining time." Witness the fusion of time-honored traditions and modern innovations, from the charm of traditional dining to the freedom of My Time Dining. Join us...
What Gallivanting Souls shares
Travel Tips
Cruise Tips
Vacation planning
Port Information
Destinations
Home Port info
New Cruiser info
Tours
Budget Travel
Travel Stories
Packing tips
Travel Advise
Our Travel Gallery
These photos of are a reminder of some of the amazing places that we been and the people we’ve met!
Get inspired by our adventures
Upgrade Your Cruise: Use Resort for a Day as a Port Excursion
Tired of the typical busy cruise excursions or crowded public beaches? Resort for a Day is an easy, affordable way to treat yourself to a luxury resort experience during your cruise port days. With dozens of resort partners across the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, and...
Cozumel’s Best Shore Excursions: A Cruiser’s Ultimate Guide
Cozumel's Best Shore Excursions for Cruisers. Cozumel, Mexico, is a must-visit destination for cruisers. With its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and rich Mayan history, it's no surprise that this Caribbean island is one of the most popular cruise stops....
Finding the best tours in Puntarenas for cruisers
Best Tours in Puntarenas: Unforgettable Experiences Await! Looking for the best tours in Puntarenas? Look no further! If you're craving unforgettable experiences filled with natural wonders and thrilling adventures, Puntarenas in Costa Rica is the ultimate destination...
The ultimate way to see Cozumel: Cozumel trikes tour
Looking for a unique and exciting way to explore Cozumel? Look no further than a trike tour! Trike tours are a great way to see the island's hidden gems, from the Mayan ruins of San Gervasio to the beautiful beaches of Playa del Carmen. And because you're on a trike,...
A unique tour in Puerto Vallarta private sailboat rental
Embarking on a Unique tour in Puerto Vallarta. Rent a sailboat. In search of a distinct adventure, we yearned for an experience that would immerse us in the captivating essence of this vibrant city. The decision was made to charter a sailboat, breaking free...
11 simple reasons to consider independent tours
Enjoying tours on port days is some of the most fun experiences you will have. Deciding whether to book through your ship or on your own can be mind-boggling. This travel guide reveals why independent cruise excursions can be your best choice. The tips you need to...
Costa Maya cruisers: Discover The Magic Of Maya Chan Beach
Crave an all-inclusive beach break where turquoise waves whisper the soundtrack and swaying palms paint the scenery. Maya Chan Beach Resort isn't just a seclusion on Costa Maya's pristine coastline – it's a sensory feast. Savor the scent of tropical blossoms as you...
Altun Ha Excursion Review: A Must-See for Belize City Visitors
If you want a private tour by number one rated tour operator for Belize City, use David Castillo of Altournative Belize Tours. You will have the most memorable experience worth more money that you will pay!
All you need to know about Monkey Sloth Hangout Roatan
Traveling to Roatán on a cruise and want to know what the must-do activity is? Whether you are an animal lover, traveling with junior cruisers, or just enjoying learning, you are going to treasure this cruise stop. Find out all you need to know about the Monkey Sloth...