Meet Your Cruise Guides:
Unforgettable Adventures Await!
New to cruising? Craving the thrill of discovery, the taste of authentic cultures, and memories that last a lifetime? Let us show you the way!
We’re Kristina & Mike, your expert guides and fellow travel enthusiasts. As Gallivanting Souls, we’ve crossed oceans, conquered canals, and navigated bustling streets, always seeking the magic beyond the tourist trail.
We specialize in crafting unforgettable adventures on popular cruise lines like Carnival, Princess, MSC, Holland America, and more.
Let us share our expertise, guide your adventure, and help you unlock the “cruise effects” that await you, one unforgettable port at a time.
Gallivanting Souls
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hooked on cruising
Meet Kristina
Hi there! I’m Kristina Sullins, the storyteller and travel enthusiast behind Gallivanting Souls.
I’m not just passionate about exploring hidden gems and soaking up local cultures; I’m obsessed with helping others do the same, worry less, and discover the transformative power of travel.
Remember that time in Costa Rica when our guide went MIA and we ended up exploring a deserted prison island?
It was like stepping into a forgotten Pompeii, the air thick with the ghosts of stories whispered through scratched wall paintings.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as our (now-found!) guide brought these tales to life, tales of the roughest prisoners of Central America.
Mike, ever the realist, raised a skeptical eyebrow and muttered ‘Island time, huh?’
A crease formed in his brow as he scanned the deserted buildings, but his hand found mine reassuringly. “Come on,” he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, “Let’s see where this island time takes us.’
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list!
Meet Kristina, the Cruise-loving Budget Traveler with a Heart for Unexpected Adventures!
I’ve been a wanderer since I was a kid, fueled by an insatiable curiosity for new cultures and the thrill of the unknown.
From knee-deep turquoise waters in Sint Maarten, where planes buzz mere inches overhead, to dusty Dominican Republic roads navigated by gut feeling and a crumpled map, I crave those unexpected detours that paint my travel tapestry with vibrant threads.
These aren’t just vacations; they’re sensory symphonies. I’ve felt the spray of a humpback whale’s breach on my face in Alaska, the wind whipping through my hair as I salsa in a Colombian town square, and the soft fur of a sloth tickling my nose as it clung upside down, its gaze reflecting my own wonder.
Yes, I’m a budget traveler, a master of finding hidden deals and making the most of every penny.
But it’s not just about saving money; it’s about the freedom to embrace spontaneity.
Like the time I bartered for a taste of a mysterious (and let’s just say, unforgettable) Cashew liquor in Costa Rica, or the day a donkey fell in love with me and tried to stowaway on my tour bus.
And while I love the convenience and variety of cruising, my heart belongs to the unexpected adventures that lie off the beaten path.
I’ve held a sloth, had stingrays paint my legs with their velvety touch, and even danced with strangers under the starlit sky.
These are the souvenirs I cherish most, the proof that the world is a vibrant tapestry waiting to be explored, one spontaneous encounter at a time.
This is the magic I share through Gallivanting Souls. I write about budget travel tips, cruise reviews, and everything in between, helping others ditch the itinerary and embrace the joy of the unexpected.
I offer travel planning services to turn dream vacations into reality, fueled by the belief that travel is about so much more than ticking off destinations.
It’s about learning, growing, and returning home with a heart full of sparkling memories.
So, are you ready to chase your own “cruise effects”?
Join me, and let’s navigate the world with open hearts and insatiable curiosity. Next up, you’ll meet the other half of my travel compass, Mike – the storm to my calm! He’s the yin to my yang, the voice of reason to my impulsive wanderlust, and the best travel partner anyone could ask for.
This photo shows Mike sitting at the helm of our chartered 12-passenger sailboat, Navegante, with the wind in his hair and a big smile on his face.
We all agreed that booking our own tour in Puerto Vallarta was the best choice!
Mike, the Mastermind with a Hairy Secret:
He’s the king of itinerary planning, meticulously circling every “must-do” on our cruise planner.
But beneath that calm exterior hides a wild streak, revealed on our Panama Canal adventure.
Remember the first sea day? I was scanning the planner, and suddenly, a red circle stopped me dead in my tracks – the Hairy Chest Contest.
This was Mike, the man who blushes at compliments, the one who prefers to wield the camera than be in front of it, circled up for a chest-hair showdown?
He entered, and let me tell you, he flaunted it with gusto.
He didn’t win, but that didn’t matter. The laughter, the cheers, the bewildered recognition he received the rest of the cruise – those were his trophies.
He reminded me that day, and countless others, that travel isn’t just about ticking off destinations; it’s about pushing boundaries, embracing the absurd, and collecting memories that glitter brighter than any first-place medal.
Mike: Beyond the Cruise Planner
Don’t be fooled by Mike’s meticulous itinerary spreadsheets; beneath the surface lies a man of hidden depths and surprising hobbies.
He’s a master Lego architect, his fingers transforming tiny bricks into miniature empires that rival the Panama Canal’s engineering feats.
When he’s not bricklaying, you might find him glued to the screen, unraveling the mysteries of a good crime drama, his mind as sharp as Sherlock Holmes’s deduction skills.
But Mike’s true passion lies in the wild. He’s an adventurer at heart, drawn to the thrill of the unknown.
Whether it’s scouring dusty maps for hidden gold pans or tracking the latest international headlines, he craves the feeling of unearthing something valuable, something that gleams brighter than any spreadsheet cell.
And he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. He’s actually panned a few nuggets of gold himself, proof that sometimes the greatest treasures are found off the beaten path.
So, yes, Mike’s the king of cruise planning and the master of B-roll footage. But he’s also a Lego maestro, a crime-solving enthusiast, and a gold-panning Indiana Jones in disguise.
He reminds me that travel isn’t just about ticking off destinations; it’s about embracing the unexpected, the quirky, the downright adventurous.
And who knows, maybe on our next trip, he’ll unearth a hidden gem, a secret waterfall, or even a long-lost Lego set, all thanks to his insatiable curiosity and a heart that beats to the rhythm of discovery.
Passionate Adventurers, Cruising Connoisseurs
Kristina and Mike, a husband-wife duo, thrive on exploring the world together.
They navigate bustling streets and ancient ruins, seeking local gems and cultural encounters.
From savoring street food to forging lifelong friendships, their adventures brim with authenticity and shared laughter.
But their wanderlust takes on a different form at sea. As seasoned cruisers with over 20 voyages under their belts, they’ve sailed the Caribbean, Mexico, and even conquered the Panama Canal.
They love the convenience and endless possibilities each cruise offers, always chasing new discoveries and unforgettable moments.
What we share
Travel Tips
Cruise Tips
Vacation planning
Port Information
Destinations
Home Port info
New Cruiser info
Tours
Budget Travel
Travel Stories
Packing
Travel Advise
Gallivanting Souls
What can we do for you?
Mike Sullins
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Ready to dive into the Mexican Riviera with us? Join us as we explore the vibrant streets and hidden gems of La Paz, and maybe even make some furry friends by swimming with sea lions in the wild! 🐬🌴
Follow me on [your favorite social media platform] for live updates, breathtaking photos, and maybe even a surprise sea lion selfie (if they’re cooperative, of course!). 😉