Your First Cruise Is to Alaska. Here's What We Want You to Know.
You chose Alaska for your first cruise. Here's what we want you to know before you board - from packing layers and binoculars to booking excursions early and giving Alaska room to do its thing.
Alaska Through Five Senses: What Nobody Tells You Before You Go
Every photo you've seen of Alaska is true. But photographs only tell you what Alaska looks like. Here's what it actually feels like - through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch - from two advisors who just came back.
Which Alaska Cruise Line Is Right for You? Here's How We Think About It.
The right Alaska cruise line depends entirely on who you are and what you want from the trip. Here's how we think about matching travelers to the right ship - with honest notes on the lines we recommend most.
Why Alaska Is Actually the Perfect Place to Take Your First Cruise
Our answer to "where should I start with cruising?" is almost always Alaska. Here's why the geography makes the case - and why a cruise is actually the easiest way to experience one of the world's most extraordinary destinations.
Alaska Ports Decoded: When to Book a Shore Excursion (And When to Go on Your Own)
Do you have to book a shore excursion for every Alaska port? No. But knowing which ports reward independent exploration - and which ones really need a guide or a vehicle - makes the difference between a great day and a frustrating one.
When Should You Cruise Alaska? A Month-by-Month Guide (From People Who've Actually Been There)
The right time to cruise Alaska depends entirely on what you're looking for. Here's our honest month-by-month breakdown - from wildflowers in May to the Northern Lights in September - with firsthand notes from our own July sailing.
3 Reasons to Start Your Alaska Cruise in Vancouver (And Why We Always Arrive Early)
If you're planning an Alaska cruise and you have a choice between Seattle and Vancouver - choose Vancouver. We just did it. Here's why it wins, what to do when you get there, and the U.S. law that makes Canada a required stop anyway.
Notes from the Co-Founder Who Hugged a Bear
I knew Alaska intellectually. I'd spent months helping prepare other people for it. And then I got there. Here are the moments I didn't see coming - and the ones I keep thinking about.
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.
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 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.
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.