Shannon Blackler, The Travel Agent Next Door

06/06/2024

I just spent the evening with learning about all Exoticca has to offer…and boy am I excited! 😍

Exoticca is a small group or private group travel supplier that offer amazing itineraries to over 350 destinations and over 65 countries around the world…and their pricing is phenomenal….and INCLUDES Air!!!!!!! ✈️

This is a game changer for those who want a guided or semi-guided tour option to exotic destinations, or even a self guided option with air included! No other supplier is doing it like this.

I haven’t even mentioned the amazing promo they are running right now! Book now and receive up to $4500 (based on double occupancy) to use toward future trips booked with Exoticca! 💰

I’m already planning my next trip with Exoticca! Message me today to get more details and let’s book your next dream vacation with as well!!!

22/05/2024

🤩 NEW Brilliant Lady Itinerary Spotlight - LAUNCHING TOMORROW 🤩

📍Itinerary: Gorgeous Antigua, St. Kitts & Bimini (9 Nights)

🛳 Ship: Brilliant Lady

📆 Dates: March 12-21st, 2026

On this 9-night voyage from Miami, you’ll visit the

On this 9-night voyage from Miami, you’ll visit the Dominican Republic, Antigua, and St. Kitts & Nevis, with a final stop in Bimini before returning to Miami. Bimini, a small island in the Bahamas, is home to our exclusive beach club. Spend the day exploring the turquoise waters by jet ski or snorkel, or just relax poolside and vibe to the beats of our resident DJ.

🛳 Day 1: Miami, Florida 🇺🇸

🛳 Day 2: Sailing Day 🌊

🛳 Day 3: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic 🇩🇴

🛳 Day 4: Sailing Day 🌊

🛳 Day 5: St. Johns, Antigua 🇦🇬

🛳 Day 6: Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis 🇰🇳

🛳 Day 7-8: Sailing Day 🌊

🛳 Day 9: The Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas 🇧🇸

🛳 Day 10: Miami, Florida 🇺🇸

As your Virgin Voyages Gold Tier First Mate, I can get you booked on this once-in-a-lifetime voyage and this incredible Brilliant Lady itinerary goes on sale on Thursday, May 23rd.

Contact me today to to take advantage of this amazing, Adults Only Offer and snag your spot on this 2026 sailing which drops tomorrow!!!

21/05/2024

DEAL OF THE WEEK FROM OUR FRIENDS at

FREEDOM OF THE SEAS, 8 NIGHTS SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN FROM FT. LAUDERDALE, DEC 7, 2024

Exclusive TTAND Pricing: Category 4D (balcony) from $1,573 CAD taxes included

Includes one specialty dining evening for two guests and $50 onboard credit per stateroom.

Price is CAD, taxes in, per guest, double occupancy, cruise only.

Public pricing at $3,331 CAD taxes included!!!! Look at that savings!!!!! Message me for details!! 🛳️

21/05/2024

Exciting news for my Newfoundland clients!!!! ✈️

We're pleased to announce the return of WestJet's non-stop service to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and the introduction of its new, non-stop route to Calgary International (YYC) 🤩

✈️ Direct service Deer Lake ↔️ Toronto starts May 16

✈️ Direct service Deer Lake ↔️ Calgary starts May 18

✈️ With connections to points beyond!

“We are delighted WestJet has returned to YDF, enhancing travel options for the people in our region. Our vision is to be “a leading regional airport in Canada, maximizing connections, opportunities and travel journeys for people, businesses and the communities we serve,” said CEO Tammy Priddle. “We are committed to maximizing business development and air service development is a key objective. The welcome return of WestJet and their additional new route is evidence of our effort to achieve our goals.”

Read our media release on this exciting new service here:
https://bit.ly/3yhR1nQ

06/05/2024

🤩 NEW Brilliant Lady Itinerary Spotlight 🤩

📍Itinerary: Brilliant Lady LA Mermaiden (5 Nights)

🛳 Ship: Brilliant Lady

📆 Dates: April 7th to 12th, 2026

This 5-night round trip MerMaiden sails from one of the most dreamed about cities in the world — Los Angeles. View the iconic Hollywood sign on a gorgeous hike, or soak up the scene in funky Venice Beach before sailing to Santa Barbara. Next, head down to sunny San Diego — a city that truly embodies the essence of West Coast living, over to Ensenada, Mexico, then back up to the City of Angels

🛳 Day 1: Los Angeles, California 🇺🇸

🛳 Day 2: Sailing Day 🌊

🛳 Day 3: Santa Barbara, California 🇺🇸

🛳 Day 4: San Diego, California 🇺🇸

🛳 Day 5: Ensenada, Mexico 🇲🇽

🛳 Day 6: Los Angeles, California 🇺🇸

As your Virgin Voyages First Mate, I can get you booked on this once-in-a-lifetime voyage and this incredible Brilliant Lady itinerary goes on sale on Wednesday, May 8th.

Hurry, contact me today for more details, as when this goes live on May 8th, it is expected to sell out fast

05/05/2024

🤩 NEW Brilliant Lady Itinerary Spotlight 🤩

📍Itinerary: From Cali to Canada (8 Nights)

🛳 Ship: Brilliant Lady

📆 Dates: May 3rd to 11th 2026

This 8-night North Pacific passage departs from LA over to Catalina Island then sails north to San Francisco. Next you’ll visit Astoria, Oregon, then cross the Canadian border to Victoria, British Columbia where besides the abundance of activities, Victoria is arguably one of the most photogenic cities in North America. After, you’ll end in Vancouver — a must-visit for every traveler.

🛳 Day 1: Los Angeles, California 🇺🇸

🛳 Day 2: Catalina Island, California 🇺🇸

🛳 Day 3: Sailing Day 🌊

🛳 Day 4: San Francisco, California 🇺🇸

🛳 Day 5: Sailing Day 🌊

🛳 Day 6: Astoria, Oregon 🇺🇸

🛳 Day 7: Sailing Day 🌊

🛳 Day 8: Victoria, British Columbia 🇨🇦

🛳 Day 9: Vancouver, British Columbia 🇨🇦

As your First Mate, I can get you booked on this once-in-a-lifetime voyage and this incredible Brilliant Lady itinerary goes on sale on Wednesday, May 8th.

Hurry, contact me today for more details, as when this goes live on May 8th, it is expected to sell out fast

05/05/2024

🤩 NEW Brilliant Lady Itinerary Spotlight 🤩

📍Itinerary: Hollywood Sunsets to Mexican Horizons (7 Nights)

🛳 Ship: Brilliant Lady

📆 Dates: April 26th to May 3rd, 2026

This 7-night journey departs from Los Angeles, starting with a full day of self-care and soaking up the sun while sailing to Cabo San Lucas. The next day you’ll arrive in Mazatlan followed by Puerto Vallarta, a regular on many “World’s Best” lists due to its splendid beaches and world-renowned food and drink scene. After, you’ll have two more days to relax on the ship before returning to LA.

🛳 Day 1: Los Angeles, California 🇺🇸

🛳 Day 2: Sailing Day 🌊

🛳 Day 3: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 🇲🇽

🛳 Day 4: Mazatlan, Mexico🇲🇽

🛳 Day 5: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 🇲🇽

🛳 Day 6-7: Sailing Day 🌊

🛳 Day 8: Los Angeles, California 🇺🇸

As your Virgin Voyages First Mate, I can get you booked on this once-in-a-lifetime voyage and this incredible Brilliant Lady itinerary goes on sale on Wednesday, May 8th.

Hurry, contact me today for more details, as when this goes live on May 8th, it is expected to sell out fast

02/05/2024

Life is better when you arrive home from one trip with another one booked to look forward to! ❤️

Sitting onboard NCL Escape in the French Riviera; drink in hand and researching my next vacation! 🛳️

01/05/2024

Happy Travel Agent Day to all my amazing TA friends and colleagues!!!!! 🎉

You are all amazing!!!!

30/04/2024

What a fun day making pizza at Mammamia Pizzeria with Chef Pasquale!!!!

27/04/2024

A few more from our day in Greece!!! 🇬🇷

27/04/2024

Another day, another beautiful port!!!! Welcome to Corfu, Greece!! !🇬🇷

The weather today has been beautiful and hot! We got off early and caught a hop on hop off bus around the island.

Then we got off at this historic fort and explored Old Town Corfu. We got our steps in shopping and exploring and wandering back to the ship!

Enjoying a quiet Vibe in the shade and still admiring the views before our departure in an hour or so! .patten .lynne.thomson

26/04/2024

What a beautiful day in Dubrovnik, Croatia 🇭🇷

Our first stop on the cruise did not disappoint! The terracotta roofs from above was so beautiful and the architecture of the fortress was unbelieveable. So much culture at every turn.

It was a little chilly today but nice for wandering and climbing all the stairs!!!!

Now back relaxing onboard and waiting to depart for our next port and adventure! 🛳️

24/04/2024

Port views for days 🛳️

All ready for departure from Civitavecchia for our 11 night med cruise! It’s been a long time coming. Our view from the (unusually quiet; missing and Kelly) Vibe!

24/04/2024

We have made it onboard Norwegian Cruise Line NCL Escape here in Civitavecchia for our 11 night Mediterranean Cruise! 🛳️

The check in here may have been the smoothest and most efficient I’ve ever had! We got to the port at 10:30am and were on board having lunch before noon! We selected later check in time and obviously missed the mass chaos of the first boarding groups! That will be the plan going forward!

Loyalty to a specific cruise line (and of course being a Travel Agent) comes with its perks as well! We had all these goodies waiting for us in our stateroom when we arrived…with still more to come during the next 11 days! 🎉

We weren’t successful with our bid to upgrade to the Haven but trying out a Club Balcony instead of the usual Standard Balcony has proven to be a new favorite as well! ❤️

Now please excuse me while I head to the Vibe for a drink and a soak in the hot tub! 🍻

I’ll be posting as we go along but if there’s something you want to see onboard (or in one of our ports), drop me a comment and I will do
My very best to get you the content! Room tours….buffet…dining….Vibe….you name it!!!

23/04/2024

Another fabulous day in Roma!

20/04/2024

Early mornings in Roma!

20/04/2024

All Antico Vinaio! The must visit sandwich shop!!

Check out TravelwithSailorChick17’s video.

20/04/2024

This one was definitely worth the wait!

Our first dinner in Rome was at in the Trastevere neighborhood..a short walk from our airbnb.

The lineup was a little long but not as long as I had seen it in some posts and it actually moved pretty quick!

We ordered the Hot Foccoccia and the Fried Artichoke to start. We also shared the Cacio e Pepe and the Carbonara. Both were delicious but quite different than the pasta we’re used to obviously!

We finished up with a Tiramisu to share which was amazing!!!!

One of our many must try food places has been checked off the list!

19/04/2024

We’ve made it to Rome! A few from the trip.

We first flew from YYC to Paris in Premium Economy on the Dreamliner. I will say…I may be ruined for life. It wasn’t the lie flat seats in Business (I WILL try those some day) but the value, and more importantly the service in PE is another level! Not to mention the comfort! If you want to upgrade your experience on your next vacation, this is the way to do it!

Then we arrived in Paris. Honestly didn’t love the setup there and definitely not mobility friendly so something to keep in mind. We got off the plane to a steep set of winding concrete stairs to a Bus…that took us to the terminal!

After that wild experience..I followed it up with another wild experience of about 2 minutes of sheer panic when I couldn’t find my passport. It was safely locked in a zipper compartment of my purse that even I couldn’t find! Take that pick pockets!

The inside of the airport was more of the same chaos. From security to food options and even the one bathroom in the terminal! I didn’t even attempt that one after my husband did and reported back…”not good”! Be warned…they board several flights from the same gate in succession (and late) with the same chaos we have now come to expect! Kinda glad we axed Paris on this trip! The airport was enough!

And then we boarded our plane (in row 26…NOT in Premium Economy and took off for Rome! We flew in over the beautiful mountains of Switzerland (we didn’t know it at the time…more on that in a second) and over the Mediterranean Sea!

Upon landing we checked our phones for our air tags and the status of our checked luggage! They didn’t immediately update right away and we began to think this was YYC 2.0! Then mine updated. Phew! All good! Then I hear John say “um…mine is showing in the bush….in Switzerland…that’s not good”!

But a short time later his also updated and his was there too! (They also must have been left on the tarmac at the dreaded Paris airport in the rain…because they were soaked).

So Hello Rome! All you gotta do is beat Paris…shouldn’t be hard!!!

19/04/2024

Always great running into fellow Travel Agents…especially the ones you’re lucky to work and collaborate with every day!

So great to see Champagne & Promises Travel Planning during my stopover in Calgary!

We were busy enjoying the lounge and we’re now up in the air and well on our way enjoying Premium Economy!

If you would would like to chat about booking some extras or upgrading your experience on your next vacation…let’s chat!! ✈️

So much fun to run into a fellow agent and friend!!!

Safe travels my friend… can’t wait to hear all about your voyage!!!

When travelling it adds to the experience when you have a lounge pass… ask me how!

☎️ (403)352-1758

23/03/2024

The countdown is on and we’re getting Europe Ready!!!! Getting client packages ready for an amazing group who will be travelling with us in a few weeks! I LOVE when I get to share my love of travel with so many friends and take these journeys together!!!! Stay tuned for our upcoming adventures!!! 🛳️