On January 7, 2026, Oceania Cruises formally announced a transition that many seasoned travelers—and advisors—recognized as a natural brand progression: all new reservations will move to an adults-only (18+) onboard experience. This wasn’t a surprise pivot. It was a confirmation.

For more than two decades, I worked in the fine-wine business with Southern Glazer's Beverage Company, an environment where precision, relationships, and execution matter. During that time, I was frequently asked to curate trips to wine country—California, the Pacific Northwest, and destinations abroad. These weren’t casual getaways. They were high-expectation experiences designed for clients, executives, and trade partners who valued access, authenticity, and flawless delivery.

Every spring, there’s a short, high-impact window when travel stops feeling like a transaction and starts feeling like a moment you can actually live inside. The light changes. Cities come back online. Sidewalk cafés reclaim their real estate. And in a few places, the season itself becomes the headline—brief, specific, and impossible to replicate if you miss the timing.

Every year, I see high-performing executives, sales leaders, and entrepreneurs wait too long to request time off, only to discover the best windows are gone, calendars are full, and airfare has doubled. Meanwhile, the most strategic professionals quietly secure extended vacations by aligning PTO with holidays, long weekends, and organizational planning cycles.