Dreaming of Alaska

What's it Like to Cruise Alaska?

Many Alaska cruises start in Vancouver, BC, Canada. We arrived a few days before boarding and explored Vancouver, including a day trip to Butchart Gardens in Victoria.

Vancouver has a beautiful and efficient cruise terminal. This was our first glimpse of our ship as we prepared to board.

Once onboard, I always like to explore the ship. This is the Sea View Pool at the stern (rear) of the ship.

Soon after boarding, all passengers are required to report to muster stations for a mandatory safety drill.

Sail Away! I like to find a cozy spot to watch while the ship leaves port - the outer decks were crowded but the Crow's Nest Observation Lounge was wide open!

Next up - we headed to the Main Stage where Cruise Director Stephanie provided an overview of our itinerary.

We chose to have our first dinner in one of the specialty dining venues - The Pinnacle Grill - featuring recipes by Chef David Burke. On the right is his Candied Bacon - amazing!

Alaska cruise itineraries typically include a couple of sea days - cruising the scenic Inside Passage and sailing among glaciers. There are plenty of things to do on board - we took a tour of the kitchen!

Ketchikan was our first port of call - it's a beautifully scenic spot.

Alaska offers many unique onshore experiences; in Ketchikan we went out on one of the Crab Fishing Boats featured on The Deadliest Catch.

Our captain stopped for a bit and our boat was surrounded by eagles. Wow!

Alaska is a very popular destination with lots of cruise ships. We were tag-teaming these Princess ships during our week on the water.

Next port of call was Juneau. We headed for a whale watching cruise followed by a visit to the Alaskan Brewing Company...

Here's a quick video of our Whale Adventure!

That same day our daughter and her husband visited with sled dogs!

Next day we docked in Skagway. We took a beautiful drive into the Yukon Territory, then boarded the White Pass Railway back to Skagway - deemed one of the most beautiful railway journeys in the world.

We went a bit farther than required - our driver wanted us to see this gorgeous spot! Photos or it didn't happen, Right? On board the White Pass Railway - tracing the route of prospectors during the gold rush

Our next "stop" was actually a spectacular day at sea, cruising Glacier Bay National Park. A couple of honest to goodness Park Rangers boarded the ship early in the morning and were on hand all day for lectures and narration of this magnificent spot.

My favorite photo of the trip, of Margerie Glacier. This view was from our Verandah!

We sailed out of Skagway during the Violet Hour - this was our final port of call. Last day on board was a sea day, headed for Seward and disembarkation.

Holland America is known for its food. We really enjoyed our onboard dining - which featured Alaskan fare nightly. Here is our party of 6, captured by one of the professional photographers onboard.

That last day on the Westerdam, we spent a lot of time on the observation deck - our favorite spot on board.

Many northbound cruises end either at Whittier or Seward, Alaska, and passengers are transported either by coach or rail back to Anchorage. It's a 3-hour drive filled with scenery.

We extended our Alaska stay with a visit to Kodiak Island, where the daughter of our travel companions lives. We stayed at a lovely B&B; this was the sunrise view from our room.

We really enjoyed our time in Kodiak; it was beautiful and restful and fascinating. and we saw lots of wildlife, including the pink salmon running and the beginning of the silver salmon run.

Sea Lions! Puffins!

Eagles! Sea Otters!

Many flights leave Anchorage fairly late in the evening; that left time for one last adventure before heading home - flightseeing to Denali National Park. There's a flight service which will transfer passengers between Anchorage's airport and their float plane docks - and they will store luggage if necessary. Highly recommended!

Our pilot landed our 10-seater on a glacial lake... We were fortunate to glimpse Mt. Denali in the distance - it's frequently shrouded in clouds.

I hope you've enjoyed this photo-journal and I welcome your feedback. Just comment on this blog - I look forward to hearing from you!

Catch the Wave (It's Wave Season!)

WHAT IS WAVE SEASON?  

The New York Times describes Wave Season as an "annual deal-making ritual," during which "cruise-goers can snap up savings that generally aren’t available the rest of the year." USA Today says: "wave season remains a peak time for cruise lines to include free upgrades, onboard credit, and other incentives." Wave Season coincides with the winter months after the new year when a full year beckons, and when those living in colder climates long to catch some rays, this time of year is typically one of the busiest for booking travel. During Wave Season, extra incentives or special promotions are offered to encourage would-be travelers to book. Offers may include upgraded staterooms, free air, reduced deposit amounts, beverage packages, prepaid gratuities, or generous discounts. While promotions are offered year-round, Wave Season offers to tend to provide travelers the most benefits and the best value. Wave Season promotions are provided by all sorts of cruise companies, from Ultra-Luxury to Expedition - and frequently apply to cruises scheduled through 2022. Booking early has its advantages - best choice of staterooms and extended-time period to pay for a trip. My consortia, Virtuoso LTD, has put together a helpful list of Wave Season offers, which I've summarized below. I'd love to help you plan a special trip AND a great value - please let me know when you're ready to book!

Wave Season Promotions

AmaWaterways - WAVE Triple Savings Promotion - on select 2020 sailings, up to $2,000 savings per stateroom plus stateroom upgrade and onboard credit. Offer expires 3/31/2020

American Queen Steamboat Company - "Rollin' On The American Rivers" - Opportunity to save significantly on staterooms; savings range from $400 - $5,800 depending on cruise date and stateroom category. Offer expires 3/31/2020

Azamara - Save up to 40% on select cruises between 4/14/2020 and 11/21/2021. Offer expires 2/29/2020

Celebrity - Sail Beyond Event - save up to $400 per stateroom and choose one: unlimited drinks, $150 onboard credit, unlimited wifi, or prepaid gratuities. Offer expires 3/4/2020

Crystal Cruises: Reduced deposit of $100 on 13 select Mediterranean cruises between April and August 2020. Offer expires 3/4/2020

Cunard: Upgrades on Us, Plus Free Drinks Package for Grill Suites, plus 50% reduced deposit and included gratuities on a wide range of sailings for 2020 & 2021. Offer expires 2/27/2020

Holland America - "View & Verandah" - Choose from 500+ sailings and receive Free Stateroom Upgrades, Free Onboard Spending Money (up to $500 per stateroom) free/reduced kid's fares, 10% off select shore excursions, 50% reduced deposit. Offer expires 2/28/2020

Hurtigruten - "The World is Waiting" - Save up to 30% on select 2020, 2021, and 2022 voyages to Alaska, Antarctica, Iceland, Greenland, Central & South America, Norway, and the Northwest Passage. Offer expires 2/28/2020

Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions - Treasures of Japan - May 30 - June 7, 2020 sailing - $3,000 air credit based on double occupancy. Offer expires 2/29/2020

Princess - Best.Sale.Ever - $100 deposit, Premier Beverage Package, Unlimited WiFi, pre-paid gratuities. Offer expires 2/29/2020

Regent Seven Seas Cruises - Celebrate Luxury Perfected - receive up to $1,000 in onboard credit for select voyages in 2020 and 2021. Offer expires 3/31/2020

Royal Caribbean - 60% off second guest and kids sail free - Offer expires 1/31/2020

Seabourn - Signature Savings Event - for select sailings, offer may include suite upgrades, shipboard credit, internet package, 50% reduced deposit, and in Alaska, a free zodiac shore excursion. Offer expires 2/28/2020

Silversea - Bonus Savings Days - up to $1,000 in savings on select voyages. Offer expires 2/28/2020

UnCruise - 2020 Adventure Savings - Save up to $1,000 per couple for 7-day sailings on select voyages. Offer expires 2/28/2020

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection - 100th Anniversary Celebration Event - Save up to 30% on select 2020 voyages. Offer expires 2/29/2020

Virgin Voyages - Sailor's Loot - Up to $400 in Onboard Credit. Offer expires 2/14/2020

Windstar Cruises - Small Ship Big World Savings - on select voyages; choose one: up to $1,000 in onboard credit, up to $300 airfare credit or unlimited wifi. Offer expires 2/28/2020

Have I Got A Deal For You!

Virtuoso Travel Week On Tour - Los Angeles

Unique Champagne Service, courtesy of the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel

We are back home after a few days in Los Angeles at Virtuoso's Travel Week on Tour, during which nearly 150 professional Travel Advisors met with 80+ travel suppliers, in a "speed-dating" format - followed up by a day of professional development (with a good measure of fun in the mix.)

One of the questions I frequently am asked is "Are there any good deals out there?" So fresh from meeting with so many suppliers, many of whom are currently offering promotions, here you are!

• Silversea - Currently offering free air for many itineraries, including Europe and Australia (and reduced business class fares) - must book by March 31, 2019
• Lindblad Expeditions has several promotions including free/reduced air for some itineraries, 50% discount for first child and second child free on Alaska itinerary, complementary bar tab and gratuities on several sailings
• Seabourn Two-Week Sale - March 25th - $500 deposit Verandah Suite Upgrades (subject to availability,) Onboard credit
• Windstar Cruises Beyond Ordinary Savings Event - Guests choose between onboard credit, prepaid gratuities or free wifi. Windstar has a partnership with the James Beard Foundation - and has themed cruises with world renowned-chefs onboard...
• Norwegian Cruise Line - Free at Sea - guests choose up to five offers including Beverage Package, Specialty Dining Package, Internet Package, $50/passenger credit toward shore excursions in each port, 3rd & 4th guest sail free. (Promotion is limited to specific sailings)
• Royal Caribbean - 30% off - must book by March 31, 2019 - applies to sailings between 4/1/2019 and 4/1/2020
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises has two Alaska offers: Limited Time Alaska Savings, with up to a $1,500 per suite discount, or Ultimate Alaska combining Alaska Cruise with Rocky Mountaineer land adventure; savings of up to $6,000 per person
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has a free air promotion coming up
• AmaWaterways has a Fly Free to Europe program available with select sailings; must be booked by September 30

If you are interested in further exploring any of these offers, please let me know - I'd be delighted to match you with a wonderful experience!

Happy Travels,

Joan

Golfin' On The River

What are you looking forward to as spring approaches? I know that many of you play golf, and also that many of you are interested in river cruising. Wikipedia says: “Golf, unlike most ball games, cannot and does not utilize a standardized playing area, and coping with the varied terrains encountered on different courses is a key part of the game.” Golfer friends of mine delight in playing courses new to them while traveling. But did you know that there are river cruise companies which offer rounds of golf as excursions during their European itineraries? How special would it be to combine a river cruise with hitting the links in totally new destinations? This article introduces a couple of options to do just that! FORE!

PS - if you have golfer friends who might be interested in combining a river cruise with a unique golf experiences, please share this article with them! Thanks!

Challenging Golf Courses. On the River. In Europe?

Yes Please! With the May 2019 introduction of the AmaMagna on the Danube River, a comprehensive Golf Concierge program will be available to cruise guests. This program includes transfer from the ship to the country clubs, transfer of your golf clubs from course to course, cleaning the clubs, greens fees and golf carts, and some meals at the course. The itinerary includes games at up to five courses (depending upon whether the guest chooses a land package before or after the river cruise.) Courses included are:

• Pannonia Golf and Country Club, in Hungary: https://golfpannonia.hu/en
• Penati Golf Resort, Bratislava: https://www.penatigolfresort.sk/en/
• Diamond Country Club, Austria: https://www.countryclub.at/
• Hartl Resort, Germany: https://www.quellness-golf.com/en/golf-resort.html
• Albatross Golf Resort, Czech Republic: https://albatross.cz/cs/

The Concierge Golf Program is offered on 21 sailings during 2019 - and if not everyone is a golfer, not to worry - the daily activities offered on board are available for the non-golfers in your party.

If that's just too much golf, Uniworld offers a single round of golf during many of its Paris and Normandy itineraries, at the Golf de Etretat Marine Course in Normandy: https://golfetretat.com/

Of course when not on the course, you'll be staying in a beautiful floating hotel room as you travel between towns and villages, and be treated to excellent dining experiences and local beers and wines. If you are part of a regular foursome, or active at your golf club, think how much fun it would be to share an experience like this with your golfing partners?

Golfing is one of many special experiences now being offered by river cruise companies - they've historically offered cruises focused on beer, wine and even cognac - as well as more culinary focused themes. There are river cruises geared toward family travel (including a Disney partnership,) Jewish Heritage Cruises, and during December, cruises stopping at many of Europe's charming Christmas Markets. There's really something for everyone - I've truly enjoyed my two river cruise experiences and am really looking forward to the next two I've already got on the books (and really hoping to experience the Christmas Markets myself, too!)

I would love to help you choose a river cruise - please call or email when you're ready to plan.

See you on the river,

Joan

Let Hawaii Happen!

Aloha - today is a day that has been anticipated by many for a long, long time: Southwest Airlines is now selling flights from the 8 California cities to Hawaii; the new destination has rolled out with remarkable sale fares - and other airlines are matching the special rates. So if you've dreamed of visiting Hawaii (and chances are, you have!) why not contact me now to plan your visit to this American Paradise? As a certified Hawaii Destination Specialist, I would be delighted to help you plan! Read on for free or budget-friendly activities in Hawaii...joan@tastefulvoyages.com

Something Free in Waikiki? Absolutely!

With so many free things to do in Waikiki, there is really no reason to fork out a lot of cash on activities. From torch lighting and hula shows to hands-on classes in Hawaiian arts and crafts, this visitor “Mecca” has a lot of offerings to keep you busy – and entertain and educate at the same time!

Here are some of my favorite “free” or inexpensive things to do in Waikiki...

1. Aloha Friday at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki - Each Friday afternoon, the Hyatt presents a Polynesian show with hula dancers, a Samoan fire-knife dancer and hands-on demonstrations of lei making and Polynesian art tattooing. Other afternoons during the week bring cultural classes like ukulele playing and storytelling...and you don’t have to be staying at the resort...although it is a lovely choice!

2. Kuhio Beach Torch lighting and Hula Show – Four nights each week at sunset, the blowing of the conch shell summons folks to the Kuhio Beach hula mound near Waikiki’s famous statue of Duke Kahanamoku. There, you witness a traditional torch lighting ceremony followed by an hour of free, feel-good hula by talented local dancers and entertainers. 

3. Royal Hawaiian Band Concerts – Founded by King Kamehameha III in 1836, this one-of-a-kind ensemble serenades crowds with songs of the islands – past and present. Look for them each Sunday afternoon in the bandstand inside the 500-acre Kapiolani Park. The park itself is a fabulous free attraction, popular with picnickers and joggers.

4. Royal Hawaiian Center Classes & Entertainment – Take ukulele or hula lessons, learn how to make traditional Hawaiian quilts, weave a lei using fresh tropical flowers or try your hand at the art of lomi lomi massage, all at this multi-level shopping center. It also presents live music and hula shows most evenings...open to the public! See www.royalhawaiiancenter.com for schedules.

5. Sunset on the Beach – Waikiki Beach turns into a huge outdoor theater presenting free, family-friendly movies on a 30-foot screen about once a month. Late afternoon, live entertainment kicks things off, with vendors and food trucks selling affordable and “ono” (yummy) eats. Be sure to check the online schedule at www.waikikiimprovement.com 

6. Wildlife and Fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village – There’s no charge to watch the Hilton’s wildlife experts feed the penguins and turtles that live on its grounds. On Friday evenings, the resort presents visitors and locals alike with an Oceanside fireworks show, which is best viewed from the beach....a colorful and exciting way to have fun for free in Waikiki!

7. People-Watching – This is my own favorite pastime in Waikiki so I thought I would add it. Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures and you will see just about everything you could imagine – and more that you couldn’t even dream up! Visitors from Asia will be on the beach early in the morning practicing Tai chi and exercise...Street artists line Kalakaua Avenue in the evenings, providing some incredibly original “selfie” opportunities (don’t forget to tip!) and older couples in their matching Aloha-wear walk hand-in-hand next to surfers and goth-looking youngsters...Take it all in!

Keep in mind that you don't need a passport to visit Hawaii...and rental cars are typically quite reasonable - another favorite activity is to drive the perimeter of the island, stopping as the spirit moves you - perhaps near Pipeline on the North Shore to watch daring surfers ride the huge waves - or sampling freshly prepared Garlic Shrimp and Shave Ice at the Shrimp Trucks near Haleiwa - or standing over the beautiful Waimea Bay - or driving Tantalus and Round Top Drive for breathtaking views, or visiting the Byodo Inn, a replica of a Japanese Buddhist Temple in the Manoa Valley... Don’t let the fear of “I heard Hawaii is super expensive!” keep you from planning that vacation! I am well informed on these, and many more, free and budget-friendly options to keep you going from sunrise to sunset! Just do it! 

Hang loose,

Joan