Why a Vacation Planner Is One of My Favorite Travel Tools
If you know me at all, you know this about me:
I love lists.
Lists give me a sense of calm. A sense of control. And honestly? A sense of accomplishment when I get to check something off.
So it probably won’t surprise you to learn that every vacation we take comes with multiple lists — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My List-Loving Travel Personality
Before every trip, you’ll find me with lists for:
- Things to pack (and double-check before we leave)
- Things we must remember before heading out the door
- Groceries to pick up once we arrive (when we’re staying in a condo, cabin, or house)
- Activities, shows, excursions, and “don’t forget to do this” moments
Lists help me feel prepared — and when I feel prepared, I can actually relax and enjoy the trip.
The Planner I Created for Our August 2025 Cruise
For our upcoming August 2025 cruise, I decided to take my love of lists one step further and created a vacation planner specifically for that trip.
This planner includes:
- Dinner reservations
- Hotel stays before or after the cruise
- Show times and important dates
- Space for daily notes and reminders
- Plenty of room for questions like: “What are we doing for breakfast?” or “What time should we be back onboard?”
Having everything in one place makes such a difference. Instead of digging through emails, screenshots, or apps, I can flip to one spot and see what’s coming up.
It keeps me organized — and keeps everyone else from asking, “What’s the plan again?”
If You Love Vacation Planners Too…
If you’re someone who thrives on organization and lists like I do, I’d love to share this with you.
You’re welcome to reach out and I can send you a blank vacation planner that you can fill in yourself.
Or, for a small fee, I can customize a planner specifically for your trip — tailored to your destination, itinerary, and travel style.
It’s perfect for cruises, theme park trips, road trips, and longer vacations where there are lots of moving parts.
And If You Need Help With the Travel Plans…
If those lists start to feel overwhelming — or you’d rather have someone help you create the plan in the first place — don’t forget:
Using a travel agent costs you absolutely nothing.
I’m here to help with booking, timing, options, and details — so you can focus on enjoying the journey (and checking off your lists).
If you’d like a planner, help with your travel plans, or both — reach out to me anytime.
And be sure to read the full blog on my website for more details!
— Gretchen Leneaye
