Ketchikan Cruise Port Guide: Misty Fjords, Orcas and What to Do
One day in Ketchikan on an Alaska cruise? A travel advisor’s guide to Misty Fjords by boat or floatplane, wildlife, totem parks, Creek Street and port tips.
Field Notes
Princess vs. Celebrity Alaska Cruisetours: Which Is Right for You?
Princess or Celebrity for your Alaska cruisetour? A travel advisor compares Glacier Bay, lodges vs. local hotels, coaches and rail so you can choose.
Which Polar Expedition Cruises Are Truly All-Inclusive? (And What’s Included Beyond Food and Drink)
Which polar expedition cruises are truly all-inclusive? Compare parkas, boots, kayaking, tips and charter flights on six lines, plus what still costs extra.
Seeing Alaska Beyond the Big Cruise Ships
When you mention Alaska, most people on the East Coast picture a big cruise ship gliding through icy water. That’s one way to see it. It’s far from the only way. This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Alaska is…
Are Guided Trips Worth It? 5 Myths I Hear All the Time
Traveling with a guide often gets a bad rap. Many independent travelers picture rigid, crowded, expensive bus tours where you follow the group and never get a minute to yourself. I’ve traveled both ways, with guides and on my own. In May 2026 I sailed to Svalbard solo with Quark Expeditions, with an expedition team…
What Watching Wildlife in Svalbard Taught Me About Expedition Travel
On my May 2026 expedition to Svalbard with Quark aboard Ocean Explorer, I saw three polar bears, walrus, puffins, seals and a minke whale. We reached pack ice at 82° north. Those are the headline moments, and I understand why people want to hear about them. But when I think about what that trip taught…
What I Packed for Svalbard in May (and What I’d Change)
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. I only link to gear I packed and used myself. Here’s everything I brought on my May 2026 expedition to Svalbard, all laid out before I packed it. Nearly all of it earned its spot….
Antarctica, the Arctic or Alaska: Which Polar Trip Fits You?
“I want to go somewhere icy” is one of my favorite things to hear. It’s also where a lot of people get stuck, because the three big polar regions feel nothing alike once you’re there. Here’s how I help travelers choose. Antarctica: the bucket-list trip When: November to March, the southern summer. Getting there: Most…
Svalbard in May: What to Expect
I traveled to Svalbard in May 2026. People keep asking me what it’s really like to visit that early in the season, so here’s my short answer. The sun doesn’t set By May, Svalbard is in the midnight sun, with daylight around the clock. It’s disorienting in the best way. You can step out on…
