3/14/2019
Choosing An Alaska Cruise ItineraryA cruise to Alaska is high on the list for many wanting to see this most beautiful part of the world. In fact, aside from the Caribbean, Alaska is the most popular destination for first time cruisers.
A cruise to Alaska is perfect for anyone new to cruising, not only for the exceptional scenery and adventure the area offers, but also because a large part of the itinerary is through the Inside Passage, the protected waters that stretch from northern Washington to Alaska's Panhandle. These waters make for much smoother sailing than on open ocean. In fact, ALL Alaska cruises go through the Inside Passage. This may have you concluding then, that all itineraries are pretty much the same. Not entirely accurate - you do have a number choices. 1/10/2019
My Experience on the Royal ClipperIMAGINE yourself on the teak deck of a timelessly elegant clipper ship, a warm breeze blowing in your face as the crew unfurl 54,000 square feet of sails above you.
You begin to tingle head to toe. As you sail into the sunset, you sigh when you realize this is one of the most incredible experiences you have ever had. 12/12/2018
3 New Exciting Cruise Ships Coming In 2019Earlier this year I wrote about all the new cruise ships being launched in 2018 and 2019. They included Seabourn's all suite ship the Ovation, Scenic's Eclipse Discovery yacht, Viking's fifth ocean cruise ship Orion and Ponant's new explorer class Le Laperouse and Le Champlain ships, the Celebrity Edge and Holland America's Niew Statendam which launched in December and the mega ships launched by Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.
Not to be outdone, Amadeaus, AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, Avalon Waterways, CroisEurope, Crystal, Emerald Waterways, Uniworld and Viking launched or will launch new river ships. A lot of new ships. Very exciting! 11/28/2018
On The Edge!This last week I had the opportunity to sail on Celebrity's newest ship, the Edge. Over the last 12 months I attended a number of webinars to learn more about what the ship had to offer, and hands down, she is impressive.
The build up to the inaugural was exciting, but seeing everything in person is an unmatched experience. Being one of the first to see this ship with everything brand spanking new was especially sweet! From beautiful neutral colors and jewel tones to innovative staterooms and distinctive venues and experiences, the Edge is quite the ship. 10/3/2018
Zodiak MomentsAs the saying goes, big surprises come in small packages. Zodiak excursions do just that - surprise, excite and treat you to once in a lifetime experiences.
There are a number of special places in the world that are only accessible by zodiak, or skiffs - small boats designed to take a small number of people into places that bigger ships (and even small ships) just can't get to - places where there are no ports or no docks. For most people, their first introduction to Alaska includes a cruise through the Inside Passage, with stops most often in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. Icy Straight, Haines and Sitka are occasional replacements for one of the "big 3", as I call them.
Each of these stops offer unique experiences that highlight the best things about Alaska: Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, salmon fishing and the 14,000 totem poles in Ketchikan, Russian history in Sitka, bears in Icy Straight and exploring the Yukon from Skagway. These are just a few examples of special memories that are created in the Last Frontier. While I often recommend these cruises, I also point out that when 3-5 ships are in port at the same time, especially during the peak summer months, it does get crowded. And thus it would be remiss of me not to mention the quieter ports of call. 8/2/2018
48 Hours In St. Petersburg, RussiaThe star attraction on a Baltic cruise for most people will be St. Petersburg, Russia. It was for me. I'd seen plenty of pictures of the iconic sites, which truly intrigued me, but I was also very curious about the people and what was "beyond these sites". What was it like to be in Russia?
Two full days touring St. Petersburg didn't make me an expert by any stretch of the imagination. But along with the seeing the iconic sites, I did get a glimpse of the beyond, behind the scenes if you will. For this I am grateful. I did not know what to expect, and while I had a few preconceived notions, I went with open eyes. 7/25/2018
My Baltic Cruise ReviewOn July 4th, we sailed out of Copenhagen, the beginning of our 9 night Baltic cruise. We were treated to sunny days the entire cruise, and though I rarely let weather hinder my experience, I must admit that not having even one drop of rain was quite special.
A Baltic cruise had been on our wish list for a number of years, and this itinerary and timing fit perfectly into an already planned visit to Germany. In all honestly I would have preferred a smaller ship (a much smaller ship!) as it would have reduced some of the transfer time, but none the less, we packed in a lot of experiences. A Baltic itinerary is not one I would describe as relaxing. It is however, incredibly interesting, very rich in history, with each port offering unique experiences. Following are the highlights. 7/10/2018
A Fairytale Land Of CastlesThis article was written by AmaWaterways. Stepping through the Loire Valley is a bit like stepping back in time – way, way back to a time where fairytale princes and princesses lived among kings and queens and nobility in grand, extravagant castles.
Novelist Henry James once described the Loire Valley as ‘the land of Rabelais, of Descartes, of Balzac as well as good dinners and good houses.’ Indeed, life is sweet in the Loire Valley – the food, the wine, the beauty of both the land and the many châteaux and the brushes with royalty and celebrated historical figures. 6/17/2018
Where To Find Elbow Room On Big ShipsMajor mainstream cruise lines have all recently introduced new ships, the 4000 plus passenger mega-ships. The Bliss from Norwegian Cruises, the Symphony of the Seas (the largest ship in the world) from Royal Caribbean, and the Horizon from Carnival, among a few. They are the "hottest" thing in cruising, especially for those who see cruise ships as their vacation destination. What's the attraction? Exciting new amenities - race tracks, laser tag, water parks with unbelievable crazy slides, zip lines, new foodie venues including breweries and restaurants galore. And the list goes on. These mega-ships may not be your normal type of cruise or vacation, especially for those who prefer the intimacy of a small ship experience. There may be times, however, where a big ship experience is the best option for the group traveling, for example a multi-generational family or groups with a wide variety of budgets and interests.
The secret? You can get a similar small ship luxury experience on a big ship. Here's how: Is there any more perfect pairing for wine than a blend of classical romance and legendary chivalry? The French town of Bergerac is equally renowned for its role in the love story of Cyrano de Bergerac as it is for its fine wines (not to mention elegant chateaux and a historic medieval center).
5/24/2018
When Is The Best Time To Book My Cruise?(Updated post from May 2016) Photo courtesy of Azamara Club Cruises
When is the best time to book my cruise? A very common question, one I get at least 50% of the time when booking ocean and river cruises. The answer? It truly depends on you, the type of traveler you are and where you want to travel. Flexible? Not at all concerned about a getting your choice of itinerary, sailing date, cabin or cabin location? Live a short distance from the cruise port? Then yes, you could wait until closer in to the sailing date. You may find a last minute "deal", as cruise lines prefer to sail with as many cabins filled as possible. Watch out though, as they aren't always what they first appear to be. And if airfare is involved, air tends to be more expensive the closer in to travel dates. One of the things I love about cruising is waking up in a new port every day. One of the things that leaves me yearning is waking up in a new port every day. Certain ports just deserve more time to explore.
The picture above of the Sydney Opera House is just one example. If you left port at the normal 5 pm sailing time, you'd miss this amazing icon so beautifully lit up . So much action starts after the sun sets! I know a lot about cruising and the different brand personalities. The brands also do a wonderful job promoting themselves and their styles. I have found, however, the best way to get authentic insight (aside from taking the cruise myself) is from you, my clients. I love hearing about personal experiences. Everyone brings a different perspective to the table, and this is the best way to learn and truly understand how to match the right experiences - on and off the ship.
Dear friends and clients Kim and Maria are seasoned cruisers and global travelers and are not afraid to go off the beaten trail to explore more authentic, less touristy areas. "Go where the locals go" fits them perfectly. We met on on board a transatlantic trip while looking for exciting options in Reykjavik. Their recent Celebrity cruise had an extended stay in New Orleans, and I thought it would be fun to share their experiences with you (written by them and sharing with their permission of course!). My learnings are at the end. When you are looking to explore unique and intimate ports of call, look no further than small ship cruises. With under 600 passengers, ships are small enough to sail into areas that big ships can't even dream of. But don't be fooled - small ships offer big and unforgettable experiences. Here are eight destinations that have caught our attention. Photo courtesy of Star Clipper Cruises
Photo courtesy of Ponant A good number of new ships are being launched in 2018 and 2019, with more coming in 2020.
This year will bring Seabourn's Ovation, Scenic's Eclipse Discovery yacht, Viking's Orion and Ponant's new explorer class Le Laperouse and Le Champlain ships. Celebrity is showcasing the new Edge and Holland America is introducing the Niew Statendam, the sistership to the lovely Konigsdam. Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean all have new mega ships. Picture courtesy of Star Clipper Cruises This picture above gets many a conversation started.
"Ohhhh, I want to do that!" I agree. Nothing like cruising along beautiful sunny coastlines, hearing the sound of waves below and the winds above filling out the sails. And one can't forget simply relaxing on the teak decks of a tall sail ship. Addicted to your smartphone? Chances are pretty high that your answer is YES! And I'm sure your spouse, children and friends would say the same. In fact, I recently saw a statistic that over 50% of teens feel they are addicted to the phone, and on average we check our phones 75-100 times per day - texting, email, Facebook, Instagram and all those other apps. Wow, right?
Do you need time in a NO PHONE zone? Check out these fun, active (and healthy) vacation experiences - perfect for families needing time away from technology, time to re-connect (but equally great for singles, couples, friends and even affinity groups). So much fun that no one will miss that phone (guaranteed at least for a several hours but usually all day if not longer)! It was only a few years ago that I noticed only few articles about Lisbon and Portugal in general. Truly an under the radar destination. Fast forward to 2018 and Portugal is now high on the list of emerging destinations, with Lisbon quickly becoming a favorite city to visit.
Photo courtesy of European Waterways When you think of cruise lines, which ones to come to mind?
More often than not, the big cruise lines are mentioned. Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity and so on. Given the amount of advertising they do - TV ads, magazine ads, celebrity endorsements, social media, etc., it's not surprising they are top of mind. 1/9/2018
My Take On Small Ship CruisingPhoto courtesy of Sea Dream Yacht Club There is a lot of excitement these days in the world of cruising with all the new ships recently or soon to be launched. Much of this excitement is focused on the mega ships - the ones with 4000+ passengers. I must say, they are beautiful, with all the "latest and greatest" on board, new technology, new restaurants and even a race track on the top deck of the Norwegian Bliss coming in May. Imagine that!
As an avid cruiser, I understand the lure of all these amenities. The ships have become destinations in of themselves. Perfect for a certain group of travelers. Under the radar, though, are plenty of small ship cruises. New ships and new itineraries, for those seeking a very different experience from the bigger ships. Adventure, expedition, luxury, river, sailing, yachting - as small as 12 passengers up to about 700 - lots of options to be had! 11/12/2017
Waking Up From The Winter SlumberMost people considering a trip to Alaska travel between May and September, with mid-June through mid-August being peak season. These are the warmer months, the days are longer, the snow has melted, the whales have migrated north and are putting on great "shows". Alaska's interior becomes more accessible. It's a beautiful time.
It's also a time when the cruise ships start arriving with thousands of passengers. During the peak months some ports can have 3-4 ships in at the same time, disembarking 5-8000 passengers. The beauty offered during these months unfortunately also comes with crowds. Why not give yourself plenty of elbowroom and see Alaska from a different perspective? Explore the Inside Passage on a spring-time small ship cruise. 10/18/2017
The Butler Did It!We hire companies to clean our homes and our pools. We have people who cut our lawns, trim our trees, run our errands, wash our cars. We even take our pets to day spas. These services make our lives easier and better every day, right? So why not do the same on vacations? You deserve it. Vacations are special- a time to reconnect with yourself, spouse or partner, a time to celebrate special occasions, a time to simply unplug. Transform your vacation and pamper yourself by
having the butler do it for you!
Photo courtesy of Linblad Expeditions
A few weeks ago I wrote about seeing puffins in the wild, and what surprised me the most about these birds was how small they are. Being the size of a duck, puffins are bit difficult to observe from 15 decks up. This made me think about a number of other wildlife encounters that are best experienced on a small ship cruise. In fact, some of the best wildlife viewing around the world is on a small ship.
8/3/2017
Want To See A Puffin Or Two?
I saw puffins for the first time in Alaska. Beautiful, colorful, adorable, funny little creatures.
We were cruising along the Kenai Peninsula, near the Fjords National Park, when we came across a fairly large breeding colony. Thousands of birds sitting on the cliffs, floating on the water, flying with their short wings flapping crazy fast. Their "crash" landings were quite funny (especially after learning they don't hurt themselves!). Quite a memorable moment. What surprised me the most about these birds? |
Laurie Marschall - Owner and Founder
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