The Cruise Genius (Scott Lara) Interested in booking a cruise or all-inclusive resort vacation? Be sure to Email: slara1961@gmail.com

Here’s my recent tv interview on WJXT, Channel 4 in Jacksonville. I always enjoy sharing tips, cruise deals and cruise news. Click on the link below: https://www.news4jax.com/video/last-minute-summer-cruise-deals Scott Lara, The Cruise Genius    

I was just looking at a Facebook page where someone asked which is better, a travel agent or a personal vacation planner? The responses came in highly in favor of personal vacation planners! Here’s the dealio. I highly respect personal vacation planners (PVP’s) who are employees of the cruise lines. …

My friend Josh and I just returned from an amazing 5-day cruise on the Jacksonville-based Carnival Elation. Here are a couple highlights and comments: 1. Embarkation was a breeze. Josh and I parked at the Parking Mall directly across the street from the cruise terminal. Great shuttle service and very …

I wanted to quickly post a Carnival Elation update that I found to be interesting. Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald occasionally posts a breakdown of ships passengers by VIFP level. Thanks to the staff of the Carnival Elation for providing this information to me on my current Carnival Elation …

Here’s my latest Carnival Elation update as we are about to pull into Nassau. Happy Thursday! I have to say that of all the Carnival cruises I’ve sailed on, this has rated to be one of the best. Perfect weather!!!! An old Navy buddy from the 80’s and his wife …

I always get a kick out of my friend Doug Parker of Cruise Radio https://cruiseradio.net/ when he reports, “15 minutes from the pier to the ship” when he sails on cruises. So I timed it for myself at the beginning of this 5 day cruise on the Carnival Elation. I only …

The day has arrived, I’m sailing on the Carnival Elation today! I realize that I’m extremely fortunate that I live only 15 minutes from the Jacksonville-based Carnival Elation! It always amazes me that people travel hundreds, if not thousands of miles to sail on “my ship!” With the recent 2.0 …

You know it, I know it, and the American people know it. The number 1 reason why people cruise is the food. Sure, the ports of call, no cooking, no cleaning, no taking out the trash, but food ranks high up there when I cruise. After I turned 50, I …

Living only 15 minutes from the cruise port in Jacksonville has its benefits, because I’m going to be sailing on the Carnival Elation soon! When the Carnival Fascination was homeported in Jacksonville, my wife and I took advantage of sailing on her quite a bit. That’s how I earned Platinum …

I highly recommended The Parking Mall for safe and secure cruise parking in Jacksonville. The Parking Mall is less expensive than parking at JaxPort and you can see the ship from the parking lot. The shuttle service is prompt and courteous. Check them out and say “The Cruise Genius” sent …