If you've been interested in Virgin Voyages' kid-free cruising but wanted to see some new itineraries, we've got great news. Today, Virgin has announced that their latest ship, Brilliant Lady, will be setting sail to destinations all around North and Central America, including quite a few surprises...
Alaska always had that mystical appeal in my eyes. I had often dreamed of its awe-inspiring landscapes and formidable fauna. After spending most of my adult life sitting on school benches with my nose in my books, I finally got to plan my first “adult” vacation and my heart was dead set on visiting the Final Frontier. I was only recently introduced to the wonderful cruising world, yet, exploring the 49th state by sea seemed like the obvious choice...
Cruising Norwegian Encore in Alaska is as much about the places you visit as the things your see passing by your verandah. Sipping hot coffee and watching wildlife pass by one day and exploring old mining towns or taking mountain hikes the next - there is so much to see. On our seven night cruise, we start by departing Seattle and sailing through Alaska's Inside Passage toward Juneau and then Skagway...
The last time a large cruise ship was in Alaska was September of 2019 - until now. That might not matter to some, but if you’re one of the 8,500 residents of Sitka, AK, the return of cruising is the ability to breathe again. Just like when cruising returned to the Caribbean in early June of 2021, it was Royal Caribbean Group that was first to bring that oxygen to the community, this time in the Last Frontier, with Serenade of the Seas and her 2,143 guests.
In a move that most had written off as impossible in 2021, a bill has been passed by both houses of Congress with bipartisan support. Oh, and once signed by President Biden, that bill means that Alaska cruises can resume in July!
Hopefully cruising will resume in the coming months, right around what should be the Alaska cruise season. Unfortunately, even if cruising returns soon, the Mendenhall Glacier, quaint buildings of Ketchikan's Creek Street, and Juneau's Mt Roberts might not be on your itinerary. Canadian and US laws and even CDC restrictions are putting the Alaska cruise season in jeopardy, but there are six things that might save it.
Regardless of where you're cruising, we always recommend getting a passport. Frequently though, there is some confusion about requirements for Alaskan cruises, since they sometimes leave from the United States (mostly Seattle) and visit Alaska, also part of the United States. Because of the Passenger Vessel Services act, an old law that restricts non-US flagged ships from traveling only to US ports, your cruise will make a stop in Canada, and as such, you'll need a passport or other proof of citizenship. This means...
Alaskan cruises visit many small towns and in general they've no shortage of ways to take in the beautiful scenery. The largest city you might visit when cruising Alaska is the capital city of Juneau. While visiting the capital may lead you to look for adventures in the city, beautiful Mount Roberts can be enjoyed in several ways, and is just steps from your ships gangway...
Passengers traveling with many cruise lines enjoy White Pass Scenic Railway when visiting Alaska, but now the largest cruise company in the world will own it. This week Carnival Corporation & plc announced they are purchasing TWC Enterprises Limited's White Pass & Yukon Route division in Skagway, Alaska.
