Cruise Vacations Winnipeg's Blog

Best Alaskan Cruises for All Types of Travelers

Alaska is one of the most beautiful and diverse cruise destinations in the world. Its charms—snow-capped mountains, fjords and glaciers, hiking trails through rain forests, animal life ranging from brown bears and orca whales to American bald eagles—lure nature lovers and photographers, families and retirees, and those on a budget as well as people looking to pull out all the stops with a luxurious vacation. Dozens of yacht companies and cruise lines ply Alaska's Inside Passage so there is a perfect experience waiting for everyone.

Best on a Budget: Norwegian Sun Vancouver to Whittier

Being on a fixed budget shouldn't stop you from cruising Alaska. Norwegian Cruise Line's 2,002-passenger Norwegian Sun is sailing from Vancouver to Whittier and back all spring and summer with per person rates ranging from $399 to $679. There are plenty of cruises in the mid-$400 range. While Norwegian Sun is one of the line's newest ships (she was launched in 2001), it's in good shape and the itinerary includes all the highlights like Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. Norwegian offers complimentary children's programs for kids ages 3–17 so this ship is a popular choice for families. The cruise line also offers a variety of affordable add-on land tours to Denali (home of Mount McKinley), which are led by local Alaskan guides.

Best for Honeymooners: Silversea Silver Shadow Vancouver to Seward

Silversea's Silver Shadow is the best option in Alaska for the honeymooning couple. This intimate all-inclusive luxury ship caters to just 382 guests and a dedicated butler tends to each and every suite. Book the Owner's Suite with its large veranda (the perfect vantage point for spying whales and other sea creatures), floor-to-ceiling glass doors, living room, and separate dining area. You will definitely be pampered! This Vancouver to Seward itinerary (and reverse) covers Alaska's "greatest hits" like Ketchikan, Tracy Arm, Sawyer Glacier, Juneau, and Sitka.

Best All-Inclusive: Regent Seven Seas Navigator Vancouver to Seward

Like other cruise ships, Regent's Seven Seas Navigator calls on some of the most popular Alaskan ports and sites like Ketchikan, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Hubbard Glacier. There are two things that set Regent apart from the others though: First, the line has sailed Alaska extensively so the ship's officers and crew are incredibly knowledgeable about the area. Second, Regent offers the most all-inclusive cruise experience available so if that's what you're looking for, you can't do any better in Alaska. Regent's all-inclusive fare includes free unlimited shore excursions, complimentary beverages onboard (including wine and premium spirits), pre-paid gratuities, ground transfers, and an in-suite mini-bar setup that's replenished throughout the cruise. Certain dates also offer free roundtrip air and a one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel package.

Best for Nature Enthusiasts: Un-Cruise Adventures Juneau to Ketchikan

The popular Inner Reaches Eastern Coves itinerary from Juneau to Ketchikan (and reverse) is available in two flavors: luxury (aboard the lines two high-end boats Safari Endeavour and Safari Explorer) and adventure (aboard Wilderness Adventurer, Wilderness Discoverer, and Wilderness Explorer). Onboard naturalists shepherd you to the Tracy Arm fjord, the twin Sawyer Glaciers, Thomas Bay, Patterson Glacier, Wrangell Narrows, Kiksetti Totem Park, Behm Canal and the surrounding Tongass National Forest, and Misty Fjords National Monument. With just 36 to 86 guests, Un-Cruise Adventures makes it easy to get close to the wildlife. You'll explore via skiff and kayak and do your fair share of hiking on land. Get ready to see brown and black bears, mink, deer, wolves, harbor seals, otters, eagles, arctic terns, pigeon guillemots, humpbacks, orca, Steller sea lions, porpoise, and so much more.

Best for Foodies: Celebrity Solstice Seattle Round-Trip

Cruising to adventurous Alaska doesn't mean skipping out on finer ship amenities, and that includes fine dining options. The 2,850-guest Celebrity Solstice offers a variety of excellent restaurants. Some are included in your cruise fare while others—like Murano, Tuscan Grille, and Silk Harvest—cost an additional small fee per person. If you think you'll want to dine at the specialty restaurants throughout your cruise, consider purchasing a specialty restaurant dining package. Solstice offers a variety of roundtrip itineraries out of Seattle that call on Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Best for Retirees: Holland America Oosterdam Seattle Round-Trip

Holland America is a strong leader when it comes to Alaskan voyages geared toward retirees. The Seattle round-trip aboard the 1,916-passenger ms Oosterdam offers gorgeous views of the waterways from Puget Sound to Southeast Alaska with visits to Tracy Arm, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia. The ship focuses on exemplary service, fine dining, a Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine, accessible shore excursions, and onboard activities geared toward mature adults.

Best for Families: Disney Wonder Vancouver Round-Trip

A terrific option for families who want to cruise Alaska but aren't sure if the destination will hold the interest of the youngest in the party is Disney Wonder. There's always something to do aboard a Disney cruise! The ports include standbys like Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Onboard the 2,400-passenger ships there's the formal youth clubs that offer organized activities for a variety of age groups, character meet-and-greets, Broadway-style shows, three pools, and so much more. You'll pay a premium for the Disney brand but your kids will love every minute of the cruise.

Best for Intellects: Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Sea Lion, Sea Bird Juneau to Sitka

Lindblad Expeditions, in partnership with National Geographic, has two 62-passenger vessels—Sea Lion and Sea Bird—sailing its Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness itinerary. You'll start off in Juneau to visit Mendenhall Glacier before moving on to Tracy or Endicott Arm, Sawyer Glacier, and Dawes Glazier. Day three calls upon the small town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island, the surrounding waters of which are idea for humpback whale sightings. Next is Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait, Point Adolphus, and Inian Pass. A unique aspect of this itinerary is a full day spent inside Glacier Bay National Park where there's a good chance you'll see calving glaciers. Lindblad naturalists and National Geographic photographers lead daily explorations as well as informative lectures onboard the ship in the evenings. You'll learn as much as you can about the history of Alaska, its native Indians, topography, and wildlife.

Found in the South Bohemian Region of the country is the lovely village of Chotoviny, wherein the newly-refurbished and historical Zamek Chotoviny is located.

This Czech destination primarily promotes itself as one of the best Tabor destinations for retreats, weddings, exhibits, conferences, trade shows, conventions and seminars. Get a glimpse of this gorgeous site in this travel clip shot by the Uncage the Soul Productions, in which the uploader says,
 

Zamek Chotoviny, a luxurious destination located in the heart of Europe, is surrounded by the beautiful Czech landscape in the quiet town of Chotoviny and rests on 100 privately fenced acres complete with a French garden, and a historic English park.
 

So speak with our travel reps today to begin your travel plans in the Czech Republic!

Tower of London

Free tours depart every half hour or so from the Middle Tower. They are conducted by the Yeoman Warders, better known as Beefeaters, dressed in resplendent navy-and-red (scarlet-and-gold on special occasions) Tudor outfits. Beefeaters have been guarding the Tower since Henry VII appointed them in 1485. One of them, the Yeoman Warder Raven Master, is responsible for making life comfortable for the ravens (six birds plus reserves) that live in Lanthorn Tower. It's an important duty, because if the ravens were to desert the Tower, goes the legend, the kingdom would fall. Today, the Tower takes no chances: The ravens' wings are clipped.

So contact us now to get started with your next trip in London!

Photo credit

Typical French Bread

Helmed by Chef Marcus Eaves, L’Autre Pied serves excellent modern European meals that are full of passionate flavors.

Start your meal with ravioli of confit pheasant that goes with a savoy cabbage and satisfy your hunger with a roasted partridge breast as well as confit leg that comes with a choucroute, mini-game pie and mustard sauce. Get more info on this London resto, wherein main courses start at £26.95, in this overview provided by L’Autre’s main website:
 

Our style of dining is relaxed and comfortable but with a quiet sophistication that allows you to savor beautiful food in an unpretentious environment. Recently the very talented Andy McFadden took the helm in the kitchen and has lived up to his reputation as a rising star on the culinary scene since taking the top position… The cuisine and techniques employed are far from simple. Imaginative dishes burst with exciting flavors and are presented with precision - almost as works of art.
 

So contact us now to get started with your next food trip in London!

Photo Credit

From Lithuania to Latvia and Estonia, Pavel Levchenko has perfectly captured his Baltic cruise experience in this video we’re featuring today. You could only book the Baltic Sea cruise during summer, and this already allows you to visit the ports of Riga, Stockholm and Tallinn.
 

So contact us today to get started with your next cruise trip!

My wife and I recently escorted a group of clients on a Galapagos cruise and then followed by a trip to see Machu Picchu - or rather I "almost" saw Machu Picchu.

I injured by achilles tendon at the Quito Airport and hobbled around on it for two days until we arrived at Cusco, on the door step of Machu Picchu.  I called for a doctor as it was getting increasingly difficult to ignore the leg.  That was the beginning of the end of the trip for me.  At the clinic in Cusco the diagnosis was torn achilles and the treatment was said to be surgery.  That is when i followed the insurance protocall and got the clinic administration person to "call RBC Insurance - Assured Assistance" phone number.   That is all took. Both the clinic and I were in conversation with RBC and I understood what I should do and they knew that they would be paid for the services they had provided me.

I was returned home in the next two days as my wife continued on with the group to be awed by the image of Machu Picchu we have all become familiar with in pictures but this time "for real"!

As a younger man I was not in hte habit of purchasing any travel insurance - since getting into the travel business it has become a given that we insure ourselves.  I am so glad I had insurance that worked the way we tell people it works when we sell it to them.

Talley Abbey, Carmarthenshire

If your kids are eternal fans of farm animals or if you yourself has this secret desire to become a one-time farmer, then a farm stay at the 4-star Cwmcrwth Farm is recommended.

This humble rare breed farm provides you the priceless opportunity to not only escape the city life but also discover the scenic parts of Wales. Its self-catering holiday cottages are the ideal accommodations to give you your much-earned R&R with a quick reconnection with nature and of course, farm animals.

Learn more about this Welsh farm as it is featured by Daily Mail UK Travel correspondent Liz Stout (“Piggies in the Middle: Mud and Magic on a Family Farm Break in Cosy Carmarthenshire”). Here’s an excerpt of her travel post:
 

But even as you sink deep into Welsh mud, a cosy style of accommodation is always waiting for you. Four-star family-friendly rooms are available in delightful barn conversions. The Hayloft sleeps four, while The Coach House and a converted milking parlour each sleep six… Rare breeds take centre-stage at Cwmcrwth Farm – in particular Rob’s collection of rare Oxford Sandy and Black pigs. Hundreds of piglets snuffle around – pure heaven for my animal-obsessed seven-year-old daughter, Tallulah… For the next three hours my children go to work, catching turbo-charged piglets, stroking Daisy the extraordinarily tame sheep and feeding dewy morning grass to Derek and Toffee the ponies.
 

So contact us now to get started with your next trip to Wales!

Photo Credit

Located in Boise County is the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, which is run by the non-profit organization Bogus Basin Recreation Association. This part of Boise National Forest becomes most popular during skiing season, which starts at Thanksgiving up until April 15.

Take a good look at this ski area, and see if you, too, would like to have some fun at Bogus Basin by watching this video uploaded by Peak Travels. The creator of the clip further shares some of his thoughts right here,
 

Bogus Basin Ski Area is located just north of Boise, ID. This unique non-profit resort is Boise's backyard winter playground. We were treated to a bluebird day and really nice groomers. Check out Bogus Basin and see why the locals love their resort.
 

So contact us now to get started with your next adventure in Idaho!

We just recently connected or rather didn't connect through Quito, Ecuador to Lima on LAN.  LAN we learned cancelled our flight from Quito to Lima and we ended up staying the night in Quito, after much confrontation with the counter - at their expense and travelled on the next day where we met Marguerite our local guide.  You could tell she was a seasoned pro and this was to become ever so clear when we checked into the Lima airport for our LAN flight to Cuzco.  She turned "there are no more seats" and "get out of the group line of zero and get into the other line of a thousand" into here are your boarding passes and luggage tags.  Have a good day. 

Lesson:  Don't accept the first offer/request and local guides that speak the language and know the ropes can save you hours and hours of your time.

We just recently connected or rather didn't connect through Quito, Ecuador to Lima on LAN.  LAN we learned cancelled our flight from Quito to Lima and we ended up staying the night in Quito, after much confrontation with the counter - at their expense and travelled on the next day where we met Marguerite our local guide.  You could tell she was a seasoned pro and this was to become ever so clear when we checked into the Lima airport for our LAN flight to Cuzco.  She turned "there are no more seats" and "get out of the group line of zero and get into the other line of a thousand" into here are your boarding passes and luggage tags.  Have a good day. 

Lesson:  Don't accept the first offer/request and local guides that speak the language and know the ropes can save you hours and hours of your time.