Bourques Go the Distance

11/09/2025

Small Gift for Big Service: Cruise Cabin Steward Thank-You Ritual 🤍

Your cabin steward does more than we sometimes notice:
• Refreshes your cabin each morning
• Replaces towels & toiletries daily
• Evening turndown service
• Sets up extra beds or bunks for children
• Brings items by request (extra hangers, blankets, pillows)
• Keeps your room feeling cared for the entire cruise 🌊

Gratuities are already included and shared among the hardworking crew — but we like to add a small personal thank-you as well.

At the start of the cruise, we give a small tip.

At the end, we give a cultural gift that’s light and easy to pack. + final tip together.

🎁 Our go-to gifts:
🇨🇦 Maple candies, eco totes, Canada keychains or a hat
🇵🇭 Dried mangoes, small coin purse, or a colorful bandana

It’s our way of sharing a little piece of home and appreciating the care we receive daily. This is NOT required — just something meaningful that feels right for our family 🤍

Like this tip?
Follow for more cruise inspiration, practical travel ideas, and real family cruising experiences. ✨🚢

11/08/2025

📦 The Worst Day of the Cruise… Disembark Day 😭🚢

Let’s break down how this day actually works:

The night before:
🧳 Place your checked luggage outside your cabin by the assigned time (usually before 10PM).
This allows the crew to transfer it off the ship for pickup at the port.

Your Disembark Time:
⏱️ Cruise lines assign times. Some by loyalty status, some by deck.
✨ If you have a same-day flight (ideally after 12PM) → request the earliest slot.

Want to walk off early with your luggage?
🎒 If you can carry/roll all your bags yourself — you can leave during the self-assist walk-off window.

Our Tips:
✈️ Flying same-day → Book flights after noon & choose early disembark.
☕ Not flying same-day → We take our time and enjoy breakfast at the buffet.

🚪 But remember → Cabins must be cleared usually by 7:00AM so stateroom attendants can prep for the next sailing (yes — new guests board the same day you leave!).

Have you ever cried inside your sunglasses on disembark day… or is that just me? 😅💔

11/07/2025

Look how fun!!! Air Canada.

11/07/2025

Travel is not only for fun but also to help those who need it the most.

Canada’s flag carrier stepping up to bring relief to Jamaica.

Well done Air Canada.

10/28/2025

Hahaha. My friends just love me so we all have fun. Lol.

What's the best group trip you've ever been on... and what was the worst? 😬

We asked a travel expert to share her best tips for making sure your group trip goes off without a hitch—including why you should always pick a group leader. Get her advice in the comments.

10/25/2025

Unlimited Soft Serve? Say less. 🍦😎

My kids on a cruise: “Breakfast? Nah, I’m on my 3rd cone.”
Me: same. 😂

Because cruise calories don’t count, right? 🚢✨

➡️ Follow for more cruise memes and tips that’ll make you want to set sail again! ⚓️

10/23/2025

🇨🇦 Stay ready wherever you roam. 🌎

These Canadian travel emergency numbers belong in your phone before takeoff! ✈️📞

Save them.
Share them.
Stay safe. ❤️

📷: Travel.gc.ca - Travel advice from the Government of Canada

10/21/2025

🌍 We’ve partnered with Welcome Pickups! 🚘

To make travel smoother for our friends and community, we’ve teamed up with Welcome Pickups - so you never have to worry about where to book a reliable shuttle for your trips and adventures.

✅ Reliable drivers
💰 Competitive prices
🚖 Available in 360+ destinations worldwide

Here’s the link to book your next ride
👉 https://www.book-online-transfers.com/en/bourquesgothedistance-airport-taxi

What are you waiting for? Let Welcome Pickups take the stress out of your next transfer! ✈️

10/21/2025

🚢 Cruisers, how do YOU track your onboard spending? 💳

𝕋𝕠𝕡 5 𝕋𝕚𝕡𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕄𝕒𝕟𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 ℂ𝕣𝕦𝕚𝕤𝕖 𝔹𝕦𝕕𝕘𝕖𝕥 ⬇️

1️⃣ 𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓹𝓪𝔂 𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓒𝓪𝓷 – Internet, gratuities, photos, entertainment, and specialty dining. This way, once you’re onboard, it feels like you’re cruising for free!

2️⃣ 𝓒𝓪𝓼𝓱 𝓓𝓮𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓲𝓽 𝓞𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 – Some cruisers put down cash instead of a credit card, so it works like a debit account. ✅ If you don’t spend it all, the remaining balance can usually be refunded back in cash at the end of the cruise.

3️⃣ 𝓒𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴 𝓝𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓵𝔂 (𝓸𝓻 𝓐𝓵𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽) – Review your account on the app or TV. Every night might feel too much, but at least check two nights before disembarkation. If you wait until the last night, expect long lines.

4️⃣ 𝓢𝓮𝓽 𝓪 𝓓𝓪𝓲𝓵𝔂 𝓑𝓾𝓭𝓰𝓮𝓽 – Decide how much you’re comfortable spending per day and track it. It’s easy to lose track when charges are “just a tap away.”

5️⃣ 𝓦𝓪𝓽𝓬𝓱 𝓞𝓾𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓔𝔁𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓼 – Specialty coffees, drinks outside your package, arcade plays, or shore excursion add-ons can sneak up on you. Stay mindful of these little charges.

✨ Want to cruise worry-free? Start tracking your expenses early — your future self will thank you!

👉🏼 Follow us for more cruise travel tips and tricks.

10/20/2025

🚢 Cruise Talk 101: Do You Speak Ship?

🅃🄷🄸🄽🄺 🅈🄾🅄’🅁🄴 🄲🅁🅄🄸🅂🄴-🅁🄴🄰🄳🅈? 🄻🄴🅃’🅂 🅃🄴🅂🅃 🅈🄾🅄🅁 🅂🄷🄸🄿 🅃🄰🄻🄺! ⚓️

1. Port — Left side of the ship (facing forward).
2. Starboard — Right side of the ship.
3. Bow — Front of the ship.
4. Aft — Back of the ship.
5. Midship — Middle section of the ship.
6. Deck — Floor level on the ship.
7. Bridge — Where the Captain steers.
8. Cabin — Your room onboard.
9. Tender — Small boat to reach shore.
10. Muster Drill — Mandatory safety briefing.
11. Embarkation — Boarding the ship.
12. Debarkation — Leaving the ship.
13. Itinerary — The route or port schedule.
14. Shore Excursion — Activities at port.
15. Sea Day — Day spent entirely at sea.
16. Gangway — Ramp to board or leave the ship.
17. Cruise Card / Medallion — Your room key, ID, and onboard payment.
18. Lido Deck — Pool deck area.
19. Galley — The ship’s kitchen.
20. Stateroom Attendant — The crew member who takes care of your cabin. 🛏️

🎯 How many of these do you already know before boarding?

📲 Follow for fun, family-friendly cruise tips, lingo & behind-the-scenes secrets! 🌊✨