Our 2025 Trips In Review
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2025 was a year that proved one thing very clearly: you don’t need unlimited money to travel often — you need a strategy.
This year, we cruised to the Bahamas, tackled major theme parks, planned a bucket-list Alaska adventure, and turned a single timeshare deal into multiple trips — all while staying intentional with our budget and long-term goals.
At The Travel Home, we focus on real-world travel: what trips actually cost, how points and promotions fit in, and how to stretch opportunities further than most people realize. This 2025 travel wrap-up is a full overview of every major trip we took, how we booked them, what worked, and what we learned along the way.
If you’re looking for inspiration and practical takeaways, this is our complete 2025 in review.
A Year Built on Strategy, Not Spontaneity
Unlike years where trips happened last minute, 2025 was intentionally planned well in advance. We focused on:
- Leveraging promotions and bundled deals
- Saying yes to trips that created multiple future trips
- Combining points, cash, and timing to maximize value
- Choosing destinations that aligned with our interests (theme parks, unique experiences, efficient travel)
That mindset shaped everything that followed.
February 2025: Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas
Our first big trip of 2025 was a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas aboard Independence of the Seas — and it’s one of the best examples of how unconventional deals can pay off when you understand the fine print.
How We Booked It
This cruise came from a Hilton timeshare promotion. Here’s what the deal included:
- $450 total cost
- 50,000 Hilton Honors points
- A free Royal Caribbean cruise
- Three free nights at a Hilton destination of our choice
Eligible destinations included:
- Orlando
- Las Vegas
- Myrtle Beach
- Hilton Head
- Park City
- Washington, DC
- Gatlinburg
- Virginia Beach
- New York City
This single deal ended up fueling multiple trips across two years.
The Cruise Experience
Independence of the Seas was a great fit for us:
- Easy embarkation
- Plenty of onboard entertainment
- Relaxing sea days paired with Bahamas ports
Cruising continues to be one of the most cost-effective ways to travel, especially when the cruise fare itself is essentially free.
Turning One Deal Into Multiple Vacations
One of the biggest travel wins of 2025 wasn’t a destination — it was how far we stretched one opportunity.
Orlando Stay (Taken in May 2024)
As part of the original Hilton deal, we chose Orlando Seaworld for our three free nights, which we used in May of 2024. That stay required attending a timeshare presentation, which is always something to consider carefully before booking.
During that presentation, we were offered:
- Three additional nights for $199
- A $100 Visa gift card
We accepted — not because we wanted a timeshare, but because the math made sense for us.
Choosing Virginia for 2025
For the additional three-night stay, we selected Virginia, which we used at the end of August 2025. This choice aligned perfectly with our interests and allowed us to turn a low-cost hotel stay into a full theme park getaway.
This is a great example of how timeshare offers can be leveraged without buying, as long as you:
- Know your boundaries
- Understand the commitment
- Only accept deals that align with trips you already want
We never intend to purchase, we always set a 90 minute timer and we always schedule the early time.
August 2025: Virginia Theme Park Getaway
Our late-summer Virginia trip was centered around theme parks, making it one of the most fun and efficient trips of the year.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens is one of the most underrated theme parks in the U.S. The combination of:
- World-class coasters
- Beautiful landscaping
- European-themed lands
- Animals and animal encounters
makes it a standout park, especially for adults.
Military members get 4 free tickets annually to Bush Gardens / Seaworld
Kings Dominion
Kings Dominion rounded out our Virginia trip with:
- A strong coaster lineup
- Easier park navigation
- Shorter lines compared to larger parks
Of the two this was my favorite! There’s a cool water park inside the park, lots of cool rides for everyone, and many awesome coasters of which Twisted Timbers is my favorite.
This trip proved that you don’t need to go to Orlando or California for great theme park experiences. Kings dominion is now owned by six flags so you can use your annual pass to enter.
October 2025: Walt Disney World & Universal
No travel year would be complete for us without Disney or Universal, and October was the perfect time to go.
Why October Works So Well
October offers:
- More manageable crowds (outside peak holiday weeks)
- Seasonal offerings, you can see Halloween and Christmas in one trip if you plan accordingly
- Better weather compared to summer
We planned this trip carefully around:
- One park per day
- Strategic Lightning Lane usage
- Staying on-site for nearly free
Disney continues to evolve, and 2025 reinforced how important planning is if you want a smooth experience.
We opened a Marriott, JetBlue and Universal Rewards card for this trip. Our Universal card got us two cups for the park with free refills, discounts at all locations and a $100 gift card all for no annual fee. The Marriot card got us 5 free nights with a $95 annual fee. This allowed us to stay at a deluxe resort on Disney property at the Swan and Dolphin. The JetBlue card had no fee and awarded us enough points to fly to Orlando for free.
January Trip Planned: Alaska Adventure
While our Alaska trip takes place in January, it was fully planned in 2025 — and it deserves a place in this review.
For this trip we are staying one night at the Chena hot springs and three nights at Borealis Basecamp. We opened an Alaska Airlines credit card which paid for our round trip flights, this card has a $0 annual fee.
Points, Promotions, and Smart Spending in 2025
One of the biggest themes of 2025 was stacking value.
We combined:
- Promotional travel offers
- Cash deals that created future trips
- Careful destination selection
Instead of looking at trips individually, we looked at them as a connected travel strategy.
This approach allowed us to:
- Reduce out-of-pocket costs
- Travel more frequently
- Say yes to trips we might otherwise skip
Biggest Travel Lessons From 2025
1. Not All “Timeshare Deals” Are Bad — If You’re Strategic
We never recommend buying a timeshare, but carefully chosen promotional offers can create outsized value if you’re disciplined.
2. Theme Parks Don’t Have to Be Orlando-Centric
Virginia proved that amazing parks exist outside the usual hotspots.
3. Planning a Year Ahead Changes Everything
Our Alaska trip alone showed how much smoother travel is when you plan early.
4. Transparency Builds Better Travel Decisions
Tracking real costs helped us decide what was actually worth repeating.
How 2025 Shaped The Travel Home
Every trip this year influenced the direction of The Travel Home.
2025 pushed the brand toward:
- Honest cost breakdowns
- Beginner-friendly points education
- Theme park strategy guides
- Real-life travel pacing
This year wasn’t about luxury for the sake of luxury — it was about accessibility, planning, and intention.
Why 2025 Will Always Stand Out
2025 wasn’t about checking boxes. It was about making smart decisions that created momentum.
One cruise turned into multiple trips. One presentation led to a full theme park vacation. One year of planning set the stage for bucket-list travel.
That’s the power of intentional travel.
