Why I Ask About What You Don't Want

In every planning conversation, I ask a question that surprises people: "Tell me what you don't want."

Most travel planning starts with dreams. Mine starts there too — but the dream list only tells me half the story. The don't-want list tells me the rest. "I don't want to feel rushed." "I don't want a cabin with no light." "I don't want to eat every meal with strangers." Those answers are pure gold.

Here's why: a trip rarely fails because of what was missing. It fails because of something that was present and shouldn't have been — the wrong ship, the wrong pace, the wrong room. Protecting you from the wrong trip is exactly as important as building the right one.

So when we talk, don't be polite about your dislikes. Bring them. They're one of the best planning tools we have.