Most Alaska cruise itineraries depart from either Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia. Both are fantastic cities in the Pacific Northwest with lots of things to see and explore. (Check out my one-day Seattle destination guide here!) You can’t go wrong, right? Before you pick an itinerary at random, though, it’s important to realize that choosing the city you depart from isn’t arbitrary. There are differences that could impact your entire vacation experience – from the sights you see in Alaska to the time you spend in the airport. I’ve sailed to Alaska from both of these ports ..read more

If you’re going on a cruise to Alaska, odds are you’ll be making a stop in Juneau. Alaska’s state capital is a hub of activity and a super popular port of call on pretty much every Alaska cruise itinerary. When I visited Juneau last summer on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, I had a really hard time deciding what to do while we were in town. Shore excursion options abound – from flightseeing to dogsledding to walking on a glacier. Here’s the rundown of how we ultimately spent our day in Juneau – and what I’d love to do the next time I return. What to Do in Juneau on a Port Day Hang w ..read more

With passport turnaround times being completely out of control right now, you might be wondering if you can cruise without a passport. Short answer? Yes. Long answer? Look. I’m just gonna say this now: everyone should have a passport. Even if you don’t ever plan to fly overseas, a passport is an important form of identification – not to mention solid proof of US citizenship. But if you don’t have one right now, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the cruise life. There are plenty of cruises that don’t require a passport. And some of the itineraries are really cool. Check them out below ..read more

Everyone is entitled to enjoy their cruise vacation. After all, cruising is the best possible vacation there is. That’s why I’m a Special Needs Group Certified Accessible Travel Advocate. It means I do my very best to ensure my clients requiring wheelchairs or mobility scooters will have the vacations of their dreams. The good news is, there are a lot of wheelchair friendly cruises out there. Which makes cruising an excellent choice for travelers with mobility issues. So what are the features of a wheelchair friendly cruise? Let’s cover some highlights of what you should look for before you b ..read more

I’ve been yammering on about my Virgin Voyages cruise, but I haven’t talked much about what I did while I was in port. The five-night Dominican Daze itinerary stops in Puerto Plata, a city on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. With so much activity going on at the Puerto Plata cruise port, it’s entirely possible to have an amazing time without going on a shore excursion. But you’d definitely be missing out on the island’s natural beauty if you didn’t venture out beyond the port. Here’s what I did with my fleeting few hours in Puerto Plata. (Spoiler alert: I jumped off some waterfalls ..read more

Some people may say that cruising isn’t for the introverted. But as someone who self-identifies as an introvert, I dispute that assertion wholeheartedly. Just because you need alone time to recharge your batteries doesn’t mean you shouldn’t – or can’t! – enjoy the cruise life. In fact, I think cruising is one of the best ways for introverts to see the world. Sure, there’s plenty of activity going on around the ship, but there are plenty of opportunities for silence and solitude as well. If you’re an introvert who’s contemplating a cruise, allow me to convince you to set sail. Here are my top ..read more

Miami is a hugely popular departure port for cruise ships. It serves as a homeport for a dozen major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, and Celebrity. So naturally, I’ve taken a cruise or two that starts and ends here. But because I live in San Diego, my direct flight options to Miami are limited. There’s only one flight home for me, and it usually departs around 8pm – a full twelve hours after I’ve disembarked. Which leaves me with plenty of time to explore what the Magic City has to offer. If you find yourself in Miami with a few free hours after your cruise but before ..read more

Are you looking to get some cruises on your calendar in 2023? Then you’re in luck, because it’s Wave Season! From January to March, you can find some of the best cruise deals of the entire year. That can mean anything from deeply discounted fares to free land or airfare to included amenities such as Wi-Fi or beverage packages. If you’re looking to cruise this summer or fall (or even Christmas!), NOW is the time to book. Not only will you get the best cruise deals, but if you wait much longer, ships will start to fill up, and then prices will skyrocket. Supply and demand, you know? H ..read more

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I’m an advocate for packing light. But it’s also important to pack smart. That means cutting down on unnecessary items in your luggage to make room for the real cruise essentials. What are cruise essentials, anyway? In my view, they’re things that are impossible to find on board and can help you if you’re in a bind. Basically, if you forget them, it can really put a damper on your cruising experience. Check out this list of my top cruise essentials to find out what you need to bring on a cruise. My Top Cruise Essentials Travel Noise Mach ..read more

Happy New Year! I just spent the holidays on a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Mexican Riviera. Our itinerary included stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta, as well as three full sea days to explore everything that Navigator of the Seas has to offer. Figuring out what to wear on the cruise was a bit of a challenge. When we departed, Los Angeles was chilly and drizzly, but the beaches along the Pacific Coast of Mexico were sunny and 80 degrees. While planning my capsule wardrobe, I specifically looked for items I could layer to create a variety of outfits. And when XCVI offered ..read more