Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Family Friendly Excursions in Ketchikan, Alaska


Ketchikan is a great port for wildlife viewing. It's also a great location to explore the Tongas forest or the Misty fjords. 





All Ages

Lighthouse, Totems, and Eagles Tour- Board a motor coach for a scenic drive through Ketchikan on your way to meet the captain and crew of your vessel. Relax in a heated main cabin or enjoy the open-air observation deck. During your cruise you will see eagles, Totem Bight State Park, Vallenar Rocks Wildlife Viewing Area and historic Guard Island Lighthouse. Along the way you will also learn the maritime history of the region.

Duration: Around 3 hours



Adventure Cart Expedition- Hit the mountain trails of Alaska for an off-road adventure of a lifetime. Enjoy unparalleled views of the Tongas National Forest, Behm Canal, and the Inside Passage as you traverse the forest trails at a comfortable pace. Eagles, deer and bears are frequently sighted on this tour.

Duration: Around 3.25 hours

**While there is no minimum age for this excursion, the minimum weight is 40 pounds. Cart drivers must have a valid driver’s license.




Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show- Learn all about the life of a Lumberjack in Alaska during this entertaining show.

Duration: Around  1.5 hours

Note: This short excursion and its close proximity to the cruise ship pier allows for you to book another excursion in addition to this or enjoy the day on your own in Ketchikan.



2 and up

Misty Fjords Sightseeing- Enjoy an unforgettable flight aboard a floatplane and see majestic fjords, cascading waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, all while learning about the history of the area.

Duration: Around 2 hours



4 and up

Snorkeling Adventure- After receiving a brief orientation, suit up in a warm state of the art wetsuit, with hood, boots and gloves and then hover among Alaska’s diverse marine life. See mute-colored starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and the giant sunflower star.

Duration: Around 3 hours



5 and up

Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour- Join an adventure of a lifetime aboard the Aleutian Ballad, as seen on Discovery Channel’s - The Deadliest Catch. As you head out on the calm waters of the Inside Passage, your seasoned crew will begin fishing and you’ll be up close to all the action! Crabs, octopus, eels, sharks, rockfish and prawns are all a possibility, as the crew demonstrates their expertise. Be on the lookout for whales, eagles, porpoise, and seals along the way. This educational and interactive experience is perfect for all ages and is packed with stories and adventures shared by the men and women who risk their lives fishing the Bering Sea.

Duration: Around 3 Hours



Alaska Fishing and Wilderness Dining- Gear up for an authentic fishing excursion in the unspoiled wilderness of Alaska's southeastern coastline. This tour is customized for any interest and skill level with just five guests per skiff. You’ll experience the thrill of bottom fishing and the exhilaration of landing rockfish, red snapper, lingcod or even a Pacific halibut. Then experience an outdoor culinary adventure as the camp cook prepares your freshly caught fish served atop a saffron-infused bouillabaisse.

Duration: Around 5 Hours



11 and up

Canopy Zip Line and Rainforest Tour- Board a motor coach for a scenic 25 minute drive out of Ketchikan to Knudson Cove. After receiving instructions and safety equipment from the guides, head out to the zip lines. Enjoy glimpses of bald eagles and the ocean below as you fly through the air completing between 5-9 zip lines. Afterwards you can ride an all-terrain vehicle up to a 50’ climbing tower where guides will show you how to climb safely to the top.

Duration: Around 3.5 hours



12 and up

Bear Country Wildlife Expedition- View Black Bears in their natural habitat in at the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary using a system of trails and elevated boardwalks. Bald eagles, seals and other wildlife join the bears and can usually be seen feeding on the fish. At the end of the trail guests see birds of prey close up at the Alaska Raptor Center, our a historic sawmill and watch a Master Totem Carver at work.

Duration: Around 3.25 hours

Ready to book your Alaska adventure?  Request a quote 














Thursday, June 21, 2018

How to Travel Together and Stay Friends Webinar

Traveling with friends and family can be a lot of fun. It can also be a total nightmare. 

This webinar will lead you through the key actions and decisions so you can travel together and stay friends. 

You'll learn: 
- Vacations Options Ideal for Groups
 - How to Make Decisions 
- The Important Conversation You Must Have 
- How to Save Money 

For a copy of the workbook that goes with this webinar, click here.



Ready to plan a group trip?  Request a quote 

Carnival Horizon Review and Tour

I sailed on the first North American sailing of the Carnival Horizon in May 2018. The ship is gorgeous!

Here's a tour of most of the areas: 



Overall, I thought the cruise was great. Some of the highlights: 
  • Pig and Anchor - I love the new BBQ concept and the brewery. The cocktail menu was interesting. The beers were great. The food was very good. The P&A offers an included lunch on sea days and an a la carte menu for dinner each night. The dragon fries with beef brisket were delicious. I like that they have a guitar player there each night, but it's a little awkward to listen. If you want to be able to see him, you have to sit at one of the tables for dining. I wish they would add speakers outside so you could relax and listen. 
  • Vintage Pop show - This is one of the best show I've seen. I thought they couldn't top Flick on Vista and they did. I was smiling from ear to ear the whole time. 
  • The live entertainment - One of the reasons we cruise Carnival is all the night time fun. This ship delivered. All the live musicians were terrific. 
  • The food was good. I crave Guy's Burgers and the huevos rancheros from Blue Iguana. 
  • For a large ship, getting on and off went very smoothly
  • The Lido deck got very crowded so I was glad we had upgraded to Havana to have access to the private pool during the day. I was happy to see they were checking everyone to make sure they were Havana guests. 

Ready to book a Carnival Horizon cruise?  Request a quote. 

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

What's the difference between a Disney Cruise and a trip to Walt Disney World?


Be sure to take advantage of my special Disney Cruise On Board Credit offer - if you are booking direct with Disney, you are leaving money on the able. 

Family Friendly Alaska Excursions in Juneau, Alaska


Juneau is the Capitol city of Alaska. It's the largest city of the common cruise ports. The Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching are very popular. 



All Ages



Alaska Salmon Bake, Mendenhall Glacier & Hatchery- Learn about salmon at the Macauley Hatchery and see the adult spawning salmon (in season). Visit Mendenhall Glacier, and see exhibits, videos and enjoy a panoramic view from the Visitor’s Center. Next enjoy all-you-can-eat salmon, plus sides and dessert. Finally guests can walk to Salmon Falls and pan for gold or watch the spawning salmon.

Duration: Around 4 hours


Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Family Friendly Excursions in Skagway, Alaska

Skagway is a popular port on Alaskan cruises. It's a small town with lots of hiking trails and access to flightseeing, river rafting, and beautiful scenery. Here's the Trips with Angie recommendations for family friendly excursions. 

All Ages
Dog Sled Discovery & Mushing Camp- Learn all about this Alaskan pastime, ride in a custom built summer sled led by a team of huskies afterwards visit with the animals and interact with them in their camp.
Duration: Around 3.25 hours

White Pass Summit Excursion- Ride aboard an old fashioned rail car on your way to the summit of White Pass. Along the way you will learn of the history of the Gold Rush while enjoying such sights as Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, and Dead Horse Gulch.
Duration: Around 3 hours