Friday File: Why Cruisers Go To Alaska

As another Alaska cruise season comes to a close, it’s appropriate to reflect on what draws cruisers in particular and tourists in general to the 49th state. The main attractions — at least from our two visits, the most recent on the Star Princess — are mountains, glaciers and wildlife…and not necessarily in that order.… Continue reading Friday File: Why Cruisers Go To Alaska

The Denali Debate Known To Cruisers

We’ve been lucky enough to visit Alaska twice, in 2009 and earlier this year, both times while cruising on Princess ships, first the Coral Princess and then the Star Princess.  On both occasions, we heard the tale of the Mount McKinley versus Denali name debate, which was new to us. On both occasions, we concluded… Continue reading The Denali Debate Known To Cruisers

Friday File: The Anchorage Museum

If you’re on an Alaska cruise that takes you to Anchorage between now and the end of the season, there’s still time to see Arctic Ambitions: Captain Cook and the Northwest Passage at the Anchorage Museum. For us, the museum trip was recommended by Guy Glaeser, the Princess Cruises expert on Alaska, and it turned… Continue reading Friday File: The Anchorage Museum

Alaska Adventure A Lesson For Fear

ALASKA — As she climbed onto the ATV, she wondered if her arthritic hands would allow her to complete an hour-long trip through the bush without crashing, or at least without more than the usual pain. She’d experienced this type of fear before, like being afraid of heights and climbing into a helicopter to see… Continue reading Alaska Adventure A Lesson For Fear

Six-month World Tour On Insignia

Now before you dismiss spending $40,000 on a cruise, at least give it a little thought. That’s the tab for the new Oceania around-the-world cruise on the Insignia, leaving in January 2017 and returning that July. Come to think of it, has anybody seen a cruise longer than six months, anywhere? It seems that 180… Continue reading Six-month World Tour On Insignia