Why You Might Love Explora Journeys in Alaska (Even If You've Never Heard of Them)
There’s a ship that hasn’t sailed Alaska yet. It won’t until 2027. And we’re already talking about it. Here’s why EXPLORA III ended up on our Alaska Shortlist - and who it’s right for.
Why You Might Love Azamara in Alaska (And Why the Itinerary Is the Whole Point)
A traveler told us she finished her Alaska cruise feeling like she'd barely gotten there before it was time to turn around. Here's the itinerary we'd recommend instead - and why 11 nights changes everything.
Why You Might Love Virgin Voyages in Alaska (Even If You've Never Thought of Yourself as a Cruiser)
Most cruise lines bring their standard product to Alaska and add a few whale-watching lectures. Virgin Voyages asked a more interesting question. Here's what Brilliant Lady actually looks like up north - and who it's right for.
Your Brain Is Already in Alaska. Here's Why That's a Good Thing.
Psychologists have found that anticipating a trip triggers a dopamine release that can outlast the vacation itself. Here's what that means for the Alaska trip you keep putting off.
Inside a Client Proposal: How We Found the Right Japan Cruise for a Couple Who Needed It Most
They came to us with a non-negotiable: Okinawa. One partner has Japanese heritage. The other has been hearing her father's stories about the island her whole life. Here's how we found the right cruise - and what we told them wouldn't work.
The Best Gift You Can Give Your People This Holiday Season Is a Ship
Someone else handles the food, the gathering spaces, the entertainment, and the cleanup. Everyone shows up to the same place and actually gets to be present with each other. That's what a festive season cruise looks like.
We Don't Really Sell Luxury. We Sell This.
63% of affluent travelers say unique experiences are their primary motivation for travel. Just 1% cited status. Here's what that means for how we think about the word "luxury" - and what we actually look for instead.
What Happened When Our Client Had to Cancel Her Alaska Cruise (And Why She Got Every Penny Back)
She had been planning her first Alaska cruise for almost a year. Then her doctor told her she needed surgery. Here's what happened next - and why she didn't lose a penny of her $7,000 investment.
Why Your Team Needs You to Leave
There's a story a lot of leaders tell themselves about why they can't take a vacation. Here's the uncomfortable truth: staying isn't leadership. In many cases, it's the thing holding your team back.
Why 10 Days Might Be the Most Important Number in Travel
It takes the average American four days to stop thinking about work on vacation. For a week-long trip, that leaves less than half your time actually resting. Here's the case for going longer.
The 4-Night Way Into Luxury Cruising (And Why Everything Is Already Done For You)
Four nights. Ocean-front suite. Every experience pre-arranged before you board. Here's why Explora Journeys' shorter sailings might be the most effortless introduction to luxury cruising you'll find.
The Mediterranean in Winter Is the Best Travel Secret Nobody's Talking About
More than ten years ago, we sailed the Mediterranean in November. We had it almost entirely to ourselves - and it quietly changed the way I think about travel.
Five Cities. Seven Nights. Zero Check-Ins.
Five destinations. Seven nights. Zero check-ins, zero airport runs, zero "who has the booking confirmation." Here's the mental math that convinced our clients to ditch the land trip.
You Have a Financial Advisor. Why Don't You Have a Travel Advisor?
You trusted an expert with your portfolio. You trusted one with your legal work. So why are you still spending Sunday nights comparing cabin categories? Here's what a travel advisor actually does.
Why Alaska Should Be On Every High Achiever's Radar (And Why We Almost Missed It)
We tried to get to Alaska in 2025. We waited too long and lost the sailings we wanted. Here's what we learned - and why 2027 might be your year.
Untethering in Progress …
It took seven full days on a ship before I stopped mentally composing emails I couldn't send. Here's what I've learned - and what I'm still figuring out.
Why Group Retreats are the New Client Retention Strategy
Most retention strategies are built around the product - better content, better tools, better onboarding. What they're missing is the one ingredient that creates loyalty that actually lasts: shared experience. This post makes the case for group retreats as a retention strategy across three audiences - coaches and consultants, professional associations, and small business owners - with data on what retention is actually worth and why a ship at sea is one of the most effective containers for the experience that makes people stay.
How to Price Your Coaching Retreat So Your Clients Say Yes
The anxiety coaches feel about pricing a retreat isn't really about the math - it's about the frame. And the frame is entirely in your control. This post walks through what a cruise retreat actually costs (with real numbers), why the all-inclusive model changes the pricing conversation entirely, and the specific framing moves that make a retreat investment feel like an obvious yes for the right clients. For coaches ready to stop underpricing their retreats and start designing them with confidence.
🚩 First Mate's Log: Why People Come Back From Retreats Different
You've seen it: someone goes away for a retreat and comes back shifted - clearer, quieter, more decisive. It's not the agenda that does it. It's the environment, the removal, the space to finally think. This post explores why retreat transformation is real, what it actually looks like when it happens, and why a ship at sea is one of the most powerful containers for it. For coaches, association leaders, professional development directors, and small business owners who've wondered whether a retreat is really worth it - this one's for you.
Venue Scouting Report: Could the Scarlet Lady Host Your Next Professional Retreat?
Before co-founding Untethered Voyages, Elizabeth Pochop spent years as an Executive Assistant - sourcing venues, managing group travel, and making sure events actually worked. Here's her honest evaluation of the Scarlet Lady as a professional retreat venue, through both lenses: the EA who knows what breaks when the venue isn't right, and the retreat planner who knows which ships do something genuinely different. Strong yes - with a few things every planner should know first.