As the ancient city of Rome dwindled to a speck on the horizon, social media sensation Elaina St. James was not just setting sail for a Mediterranean escapade but also embarking on an intricate voyage into the realms of high-seas content creation.

And now, the vlogger—whose moniker as ‘OnlyFans’ Favorite MILF’ reverberates across digital platforms—is sharing navigational tips for fellow creators voyaging through the sometimes turbulent waters of online influence.

Ever the strategist, St. James didn’t merely opt for any stateroom but invested in an upgraded haven with an expansive deck. “I visualized crafting Instagram Reels and TikToks against a kaleidoscopic backdrop of Mediterranean blues and distant islands,” she shares. To this end, her wardrobe—a curated collection of streetwear and bikinis—was meticulously planned to dazzle against these scenic vistas.

While St. James’ virtual cart was brimming with essentials, a travel-friendly collapsible tripod, phone holder, and battery-powered light emerged as her holy trinity of content creation. “The tripod stood its ground, but the battery light? Less luminous than I had anticipated,” she critiques, reminding creators that not all gear is created equal.

Unpredictable variables snuck in, like uninvited guests, even on a voyage designed for leisure and luxury. “Wind and humidity joined the ensemble, alongside startling sounds and an erratic internet connection,” St. James notes. Her advice for digital navigators? “Anchor yourself with an international phone plan. The ship’s Wi-Fi, it turns out, was a labyrinthine minefield that blocked key sites, costing me both time and revenue.”

In retrospect, would the social media siren make the same choices again? “In hindsight, a more concentrated experience—perhaps five sun-soaked days on a Greek island—would’ve been idyllic,” she muses. But St. James, ever the forward-thinker, is already charting her next course. “Spain beckons, but then again, so do the Bahamas. So, all aboard for the next chapter; it promises to be an exotic one.”

As she deftly navigates both the azure waters and the fluctuating algorithms of our digital age, Elaina St. James offers more than travel inspiration; she provides a course in Digital Voyage 101, reminding us that the journey, with all its trials and tribulations, is as meaningful as the destination.

• Be sure to follow Elaina St. James on Twitter (X) at @ElainaStJames