The travel blog
Trip reports, honest reviews, and points & miles news from around the world — written after actually staying, sailing, and flying.
Dawes Glacier & Endicott Arm: Your Guide to the Alaska Glacier Day
The Dawes Glacier is the stop for 2026 cruises, given the landslide in the Tracy Arm Fjord. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your Glacier Day!
Sitka on Brilliant Lady: The Dock, the Shuttle & a Curated Day
Sitka is one of my favorite cruise ports, ever! Here are my tips and tricks to make the most of your day on shore!
Ketchikan on Brilliant Lady: Docking, a Walkable Day & Top Excursions
Ketchikan is one of the most popular Alaska ports on any itinerary. Here’s how to make the most of your day on shore!
Prince Rupert Cruise Port Guide: Cow Bay, Grizzlies & the Canada Stop
Prince Rupert is a lesser-known port in British Colombia, Canada. Here is how to make the most of your stop here on your next cruise!
Seattle Cruise Port Guide: Your Pre-Cruise Day Before Alaska
Sailing to Alaska from Seattle? Here’s a full guide to the city to make the best of your vacation!
Carnival Freedom Embarkation at Port Canaveral: Terminal, Parking, and Timing
Carnival Freedom sails from Terminal 6 at Port Canaveral. Here’s the terminal address, 2026 parking rates, arrival timing, and MCO transfer options.
Ensenada Cruise Excursions: Best Tours & What to Skip
A travel advisor ranks the Ensenada shore excursions worth booking, the La Bufadora vendor gauntlet, and ship vs independent picks.
Vancouver Cruise Parking: Where to Park and Costs
A travel advisor's guide to parking at Canada Place for your Alaska cruise, with rate ranges, park-and-stay hotels, and money-saving tips.
Things to Do in Victoria: Cruise Port Guide
A travel advisor's guide to a short late-evening cruise stop in Victoria, BC, covering Ogden Point, Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbour, Fisherman's Wharf, high tea, why the stop exists, transport, prices, and what to skip.
Things to Do in St. Thomas: Cruise Port Guide
A travel advisor's practical guide to St. Thomas cruise ports, Magens Bay, Paradise Point, Charlotte Amalie shopping, the ferry to St. John, snorkeling, and taxi prices.
St. Maarten Cruise Port: Things to Do & Tips
A travel advisor's practical guide to the Philipsburg cruise port, Great Bay boardwalk, Maho Beach plane spotting, Orient Bay, the French side of Marigot, water taxi, snorkeling, and taxi prices.
Things to Do in Skagway: Cruise Port Guide
A first-person Skagway cruise port guide covering the White Pass railroad, Gold Rush history, the walkable downtown, dog sledding, prices, and what to skip.
Things to Do in Sitka: Cruise Port Guide
A first-person Sitka cruise port guide covering the totem park, Alaska Raptor Center, Fortress of the Bear, Russian history, sea otter tours, prices, and what to skip.
Things to Do in Santorini: Cruise Port Guide
A travel advisor's guide to Santorini on a cruise: cable car vs donkeys, Fira and Oia, the tender-line crunch, sunset buses, wine, prices, and what to skip.
San Juan Cruise Port: Things to Do & Tips
A San Juan cruise port guide from a travel advisor and cruise YouTuber. Old San Juan, El Morro and San Cristobal, beaches, Bacardi, El Yunque, food, taxis, and what to skip.
Things to Do in Rome: Cruise Port Guide
How to spend a cruise day in Rome from Civitavecchia. Transfer options, timing risk, the big sights, prices, and when to just stay in the port town.
Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta: Cruise Port Guide
A cruiser's guide to Puerto Vallarta: the Malecon, Old Town, Los Muertos Beach, tequila tasting, the Marigalante, taxi prices, and what to skip.
Nassau Cruise Port: Things to Do & Tips
A walkable Nassau port-day plan from a travel advisor and cruise YouTuber: Junkanoo Beach, Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle, the straw market, rum and conch, and whether Atlantis is worth it.
Things to Do in Naples: Cruise Port Guide
A travel advisor's port guide to Naples on a cruise: walk the historic center, eat real pizza, trains to Pompeii, taxi prices, safety, and what to skip.
