The Joy of Cruising Podcast

• The Chefs, Behind the Soul Food on the Soul Train Cruise

  Send us a textHello, passionate cruisers! This is Paul. I am delighted to welcome this week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, a special group of guests, The Chefs: Jerome Brown aka Chef Rome, the chef to the stars with over 35 years of professional cooking, the go-to chef for celebrities worldwide; Chicago Chef George Outlaw specializing in elevated soul food with bold and unusual food combinations; Chef Sondra (Dra) Rhodes bringing creole and southern country cuisine to your table; and, Chef Ricky Simpson, Jr., an Atlanta resident whose credo is “To enlighten people to a healthier way to make their favorite foods.”  We were introduced to The Chefs on our recent bucket list cruise, the Soul Train Cruise, which we raved about in our reflections of the cruise several weeks ago on Ep 165 The Soul Train Cruise. It was our first Soul Train Cruise; we enjoyed it so much that we booked for 2026. Immediately after we boarded the Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdamwe became aware of The Chefs albeit in an indirect way. In the buffet we noticed some soul food items; for instance, there was Rick’s Ribs. Then at the main dining room, throughout the menu was soul food and New Orleans favorites. Things came into perspective when we read the tent card on our table mentioning The Chefs return to the Soul Train Cruise (for the third year) along with short bios of each. I have hosted several fascinating celebrity chefs on The Joy of Cruising Podcast. This is the first time I get to host a team—each a celebrity chef in their own right.Support the showSupport thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/newSupport Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulthContact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.htmlBook Cruises http://www.thejoyofvacation.com/US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast)The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingCruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterruptedThe Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgainIntl Orders via Amazon

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• Cruise Tips TV, MSC Euribia Yacht Club, Middle East and the United Arab Emirates

  Send us a textHello, passionate cruisers! This is Paul. I am delighted to welcome back to The Joy of Cruising Podcast Sheri of Cruise Tips TV. Sheri is a special friend to me, having been featured in my first two cruise books, The Joy of Cruisinghttp://amzn.to/2EAMddF and Cruising Interrupted http://amzn.to/3seFU8y, and then being my first choice for the initial episode of The Joy of Cruising Podcast which she graciously accepted Episode 1. Sheri returned to the podcast for Episode 93. Today Sheri becomes the second podcast guest to make a third appearance on the show. Cruise Tips TV has its own podcast, Cruise Tips TV Unplugged, as well as blog, You Tube channel, IG and more. In fact, across all platforms Sheri and Cruise Tips TV is one of the mostly followed and influential cruise brands in the world. It's been over a year, so I wanted to catch up with Sheri, and especially to get her thoughts on her cruise to United Arab Emirates, which Cheryl and I will be visiting this spring on a land trip.  Support the showSupport thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/newSupport Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulthContact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.htmlBook Cruises http://www.thejoyofvacation.com/US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast)The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingCruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterruptedThe Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgainIntl Orders via Amazon

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  53:29
• Greece, Dr. George Alexakis, Tourism & Hospitality Professor

  Send us a textHello, passionate cruisers! This is Paul. This week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, I am proud to welcome Dr. George Alexakis, a former colleague of mine from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. George is a Hospitality Professor at FGCU, and he did some collaboration with the organization I led, which was the Office of Continuing and Off-Campus Education. George and I always had a good rapport given our mutual interests—not just in continuing ed but hospitality, which I had taught at my prior institution. George taught cruise management classes and led several cruises with students. He also garnered a reputation for putting together annual land trips to his homeland of Greece, popular with students, faculty, and the southwest Florida community.  Dr. George Alexakis is a lifelong tourism and hospitality professional who began his career managing his family’s restaurant and banquet operations in Ontario, Canada. He went on to serve as a hospitality consultant and marketing manager for the renowned firm, Cini-Little International. Today, he is a full professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, where he teaches courses in culturally responsible tourism, sustainability, and a variety of other courses. An accomplished speaker and educator, Dr. Alexakis has presented across the globe on topics such as dynamic communication, exceptional customer service, and human resource development. He has taught in Italy, the Caribbean, Israel, and aboard major cruise ships. He holds a doctorate in higher education with a concentration in hospitality, a hospitality master’s, and a hospitality and tourism bachelors. A prolific scholar, George has authored numerous articles and book chapters in the fields of tourism, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Each summer, he plans a tour for travelers to have an authentic experience of Greece—off the beaten path and beyond the postcard views. Very fluent in Greek and deeply connected to his heritage, George collaborates closely with a professional tour director and local guides to create unforgettable cultural experiences filled with heritage, storytelling, and—of course—fun. He proudly refers to himself as the “Mayor of Fun.”Find Dr. Alexakis OnlineEmail: [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/george7alexakisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralexakis/Support the showSupport thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/newSupport Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulthContact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.htmlBook Cruises http://www.thejoyofvacation.com/US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast)The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingCruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterruptedThe Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgainIntl Orders via Amazon

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  55:40
• LadybugTravels: Adventurer on a Year-Long Cruise

  Send us a textHello, passionate cruisers! This is Paul. I am delighted to welcome this week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, Belencia Wallace, creator of Ladybug Travel of Facebook, Instagram, and with its 55k following on TikTok, which is where I met her. I was amazed to learn Belencia decided last year to leave her professional career to embark on a full year at sea. Belencia sails on a variety of Royal Caribbean ships and estimates her one-year journey to cost approximately $100k. When Belencia’s The Joy of Cruising Podcast episode airs, she will have completed more than half of her yearlong journey. We not only want to hear all about what the adventure has been like but—inquiring minds want to know—what’s next after her one-year adventure is over! Ladybug is a passionate traveler and former healthcare administration professional who has embarked on an extraordinary one-year sabbatical to explore the world by sea. Starting her journey in October 2024, she meticulously planned every detail of her grand adventure without the assistance of a travel agency, showcasing her organizational skills and love for exploration. Over the course of this year, Ladybug will cruise along the East Coast, the enchanting Caribbean islands, and the rich cultures of Europe and the Middle East. Her voyages encompass popular destinations and hidden gems alike, allowing her to indulge in diverse experiences while connecting with fellow travelers.Ladybug brings a unique perspective to her travels. Her dedication to service and attention to detail enhance her journey, as she navigates new environments with a keen eye for culture and community. Follow Ladybug on her continuous cruising adventure as she shares insights, stories, and breathtaking photographs from around the globe, inspiring others to pursue their own travel dreams.Find Ladybug Travel online:YouTube: @officialladybugtravel TikTok:  @ladybugtravel Instagram: @officialladybugtravel   Facebook: @ladybugtravel Email:  [email protected] the showSupport thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/newSupport Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulthContact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.htmlBook Cruises http://www.thejoyofvacation.com/US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast)The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingCruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterruptedThe Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgainIntl Orders via Amazon

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  54:39
• Raquel & Vincent, Sailing Around the World

  Send us a textHello, passionate cruisers! This is Paul and this week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast I am delighted to welcome Racquel and Vincent, two cruisers who have never been on a cruise ship. Yes, you heard that right. All of you, well the vast majority of you—I know we have listeners who aspire to take their first cruise—the vast majority of you have been on cruise ships, yet unlike most of you Racquel and Vincent have cruised around the world. Confused? Well, with respect to mainstream cruising, it is true that Racquel and Vincent have never been on a cruise, however, people who live a lifestyle similar to theirs i.e., sailing around the world, are also called cruisers, hence the confusion.  For background, Racquel had a nomadic upbringing and has always been passionate about authentic living and marching to the beat of her own drum. Little did she know that her life journey would lead to living on a boat and circumnavigating the globe. After working as a therapist in London in 2021, Racquel found herself in a challenging position when the clinic she was working at lost funding. This setback pushed her to start her own private practice online, and move back to her native home of Mallorca, Spain. Not long after, she met her partner, Vincent, who had been living on his boat for the past several years. She made a bold decision to join him and try digital nomadism at sea. Racquel began working remotely while living aboard a sailboat.  Since then, Racquel and Vincent’s life has been a whirlwind of adventure. They spent one summer sailing the Balearics, then a winter surfing in Portugal. They then bought a larger boat, completed a full refit over the course of a year in the Canary Islands, and in November 2024, she and Vincent crossed the Atlantic Ocean and are now traveling through the Caribbean as part of a circumnavigation journey. Their experiences combine remotely maintaining professional careers—Racquel as a therapist and Vincent as a software engineer—with the realities of full-time cruising, including adapting to different cultures and managing life at sea. Now, they’re in Martinique, exploring the Caribbean, and plan to spend the next two years discovering the islands before heading into the Pacific Ocean. Racquel and Vincent are slowly travelling, enjoying learning new cuisines, cultures and individuals as they go. Find Racquel and Vincent Online & Vincent onlineYouTube: SailingMenyrInstagram: @sailingmenyrSupport the showSupport thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/newSupport Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulthContact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.htmlBook Cruises http://www.thejoyofvacation.com/US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast)The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingCruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterruptedThe Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgainIntl Orders via Amazon

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