As to why: Because Echo/Alexa does much more than play music at home. She gives news briefs/weather, sets alarms and timers, turns lights off, reads kindle/audible books. Of course, she can't turn lights and appliances on/off or set the thermostat in a TS so I'm not convinced she's needed on vacation, but she is so useful to my disabled DH at home I thought he might like to have her along when we travel.