Travel Expert

Kimberly Ainsworth

I had a late introduction to travel but have been making up for lost time since then! I was 25 years old the first time I set foot on a plane...I went to Lake Tahoe. My second plane ride was to an all-inclusive resort in Runaway Bay, Jamaica, about 6 months later. My third trip was across the pond in a move to Norway, where we lived for 4 years. Two of my children were born there. My family has always traveled with my husband’s work, living in The Netherlands, Norway, Ecuador and across the United States. Family vacations have always been a priority for us. When the children were very young, our vacations centered around beaches. As they grew, we branched out and alternated beach trips with Disney vacations. I didn’t take my first cruise until 2011. Our kids were growing up, and we were looking for a vacation that we all could enjoy. Cruising seemed like a great choice because it offered the opportunity for us to travel together, but the flexibility of separate activities, as well. The kids were thrilled that they could hang out away from us, both with and without other kids on the ship. My husband and I were thrilled to able to have “couple” time, in the middle of a family vacation. I researched and planned each excursion, and we were able to truly experience the differing cultures each port offered. Additionally, cruising provided us guaranteed warm spring break weather, so we were sold! Cruising became an activity our teens actually looked forward to doing WITH us! As they have gotten older, we’ve also added other land trips as family vacations, including New York, Washington, DC, national parks and Europe. Our children now share our love for travel and love to spend time with us traveling. Also, with older children, my husband and I have been able to take more COUPLE’S VACATIONS, and I’ve also branched out into GIRLS’ TRIPS! I love trip planning and research and always work hard to make sure I’m getting a great trip at a great price. Over the years, I’ve also helped many friends and family plan their adventures. Now, I’m excited to help you plan your travels, as well!

I've traveled extensively throughout the United States and especially love trips to New York City and Disney World, when they are offering the FREE DINING PLAN! In the past 8 years, I have cruised throughout the Caribbean and to Alaska on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. Researching and planning each of my cruise excursions has allowed me to visit amazing ports and given me awesome experiences! Living in Ecuador, we were able to explore the country's natural beauty, including mountains, jungles, volcanoes, thermal baths and indigenous markets. Living in Europe fueled my love of travel there. In addition to Norway, I've spent time in Ireland, England, Scotland, The Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Cyprus, Mallorca, the Canary Islands and Greece. In 2015, I toured Israel for 9 days. It was truly the most amazing trip I've taken. My next adventure will combine my love of cruising and Europe. I'm taking a 10 day Italy/Greece cruise in 2019, as well as a land tour to Rome and Venice at the end of the cruise. Traveling in Europe is rewarding but can be exhausting, especially when you are constantly changing hotel and trying to cram in as much experience as you can each day. I'm looking forward to unpacking in my cabin, having to be back onboard the ship at a set time for some daily rest’ as well as sleeping in the same bed each night! My travel wishlist includes a Norwegian cruise around the Hawaiian Islands, Peru(Machu Pichu), a weeklong adventure in Costa Rica, Cabo, Iceland and a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest during the Christmas Markets, with a stopover in Prague on the way home!