I recently sailed Alaska's 7 Day Alaska Itinerary out of Vancouver on the Disney Wonder. We had stops at Dawes Glacier, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. The weather was amazing-70's and 80's many days in the ports and really clear weather until the last day at sea. We saw whales, porpoises, seals, and bald eagles without ever even leaving the ship. It was an incredible experience for my children.

The ship was perfect-a great size for Alaska with plenty of activities, great cabins, and the food was excellent. The crew treated my kids so well and we loved seeing our waiters every night in the different dining rooms.

We had a great time, but there's a few things I wish I had done differently:

• We tried to do character photos early. The lines are LONG at the beginning of the week but by the last few days the lines were much shorter and my kids were much happier after a short wait to see the characters!


• I scheduled too many shore excursions. We booked the glacier cruise, 2 excursions in Skagway, 1 in Juneau, and another in Ketchikan. A few days before the cruise we canceled our excursion in Ketchikan (and weren’t charged for it) and I’m so glad we did. By the time our last port rolled around my kids were ready for a little more freedom and to be able to explore at our own pace. They napped when we pulled into port so when they woke up we explored the town on our own and had a great time.


• We didn’t book a balcony. It’s better to go to Alaska in an interior room than not go at all, but it would have been great to have splurged and been able to use the balcony while my kids napped! From our window we saw whales, porpoises, seals and of course icebergs! The visibility from a balcony would have been even better.


• I didn’t pack swimsuits for my kids. Really, I had no idea kids would be swimming in the pools in Alaska! But we had several warm days and the pools and splash areas were used every day. We managed to grab my oldest a swimsuit in port and she got to use the pools for the last few days.

Let's skip to the good part! There are 4 things I was glad I did that made our cruise just a bit more enjoyable.

• We chose Disney Cruise Lines over other cruise lines. I’ve sailed on six different cruise lines, 2 of those in Alaska (now 3!). There’s nothing that compares for a family vacation than Disney Cruise Lines! The kid’s clubs, character experiences, family activities like crafts, animation classes, family dance parties, theme nights really set Disney apart from all the other cruise lines. There was something for all ages to participate in all day!


• I booked the glacier explorer at Dawes Glacier. I was worried my kids (ages 2 and 4) were too young to appreciate it but they were amazed by being so close to a glacier and watching seals float around on icebergs! The deck hands even brought an iceberg onto the boat and gave each child their own piece to eat and play with. We bundled them up to up on deck after we reached the glacier and they were able to watch it calve. We got MUCH closer to the glacier and wildlife than we were able to on the ship.


• We chose early dining. My kids absolutely loved the rotational dining! Their favorite drinks were on our table when we arrived each night along with crayons and a kids menu with coloring activities. Tianna’s was so fun with the Mardi Gras parade and it was such a neat experience to see our artwork come to life in Animator’s Palate! However, with the time difference, I know if we had late dining they would have been too tired to enjoy any of it.


• We packed costumes for Frozen Night. The deck party is so fun and you even see all of the moms and dads really having the best time and singing along! Frozen night happens on glacier viewing day, so be prepared at both dinner and after dinner for special Frozen activities!

I've sailed Alaska 3 times on 3 different cruise lines! I would love to help you plan your next Alaska or Disney cruise! Jessica@VincentVacations.com

 

Your travel planning just got easier

What is a travel agent and why do I need one?

Utilizing a travel agent may seem as old-fashioned as suitcases without wheels, but rest assured that travel agents are a significant part of the travel industry. Travel agents and consultants provide an invaluable, and often free, service to ensure that your vacation, honeymoon, or destination wedding is the trip of your dreams. If something does go wrong, you have someone to call, text, or email who is in your corner and can contact airlines, resorts, or tour companies on your behalf.

A few things you should know about travel agents:

• There is no fee for my services. I work off of commission, just like the online companies you have most likely booked with before. When you book with an online agency, they receive a commission from the hotel or resort. When you book with a local travel agent, we receive the commission instead.


• I provide personalized service. During a consultation, I will ask you questions about your travel plans and preferences to help ensure that the resort, tour, or destination matches your travel style and expectations. I know what resorts have nightlife, and what resorts offer a quiet, relaxed vibe. The same goes for different cruise lines and itineraries as well!


• Itinerary customization. Want to visit several cities in Italy? I can book all of your hotels and transportation for you AND help you decide how long to stay in each city. Dreaming of a destination wedding? I’d love to help you with that. Taking the kids to Disney and not sure what dining plan you need? Let’s visit and I can help you weed through those decisions.


• The lowest prices. I have access to discounts and specials to help you get the lowest price. Find a lower price online? The vendors I work with value travel agents and are wiling to match online pricing if a lower price is found.


• Flexible payment options. I can often accept low deposits with final payments due 45-60 days prior to the dates of travel.


• Knowledge is power. As a travel professional, I am constantly working to keep my knowledge up to date. I participate in ongoing education and love to learn about new destinations and resorts! Travel agents visit resorts and destinations so that we have first hand knowledge of the places we send our valued clients.

Contact me for a free consultation or quote for your destination wedding or vacation!

Experience the nostalgia and elegance of the American Queen Steamboat Company

Luxury River Cruising on American Waters

The authentic paddlewheel boats, the sense of nostalgia, the culturally immersive activities and entertainment, the locally influenced menus-this is what makes the American Queen Steamboat Company truly something special. If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing the gems and jewels of America’s rivers and lakes, this is the experience you’ve been looking for!

What sets them apart?

American Queen Steamboat’s all-inclusive, culturally immersive concept and fleet of vessels sets them apart for the seamless experience they provide. They currently have 5 vessels cruising America’s lakes and rivers. While each has it’s own personality, they all share the nostalgic working paddlewheel, beautiful gingerbread details, well-appointed staterooms, and theaters where the culture and history of the river comes alive.

Look at these beautiful vessels! Can you imagine cruising down the Mississippi in this?

What’s included?

American Queen has thought of everything. They want you to have a seamless experience and once you set foot on the boat you don’t need to spend another penny to thoroughly enjoy your vacation. Everything has been taken care of for you! They’ll even deliver your luggage from your hotel room right to your cabin on board.

Every American Queen itinerary includes:

• 1 night pre-cruise hotel with breakfast


• Transportation from the hotel to the vessel on embarkation day with luggage porterage


• All meals with a culturally immersive menu with steak and lobster included


• Unlimited drinks on board including unlimited wine, spirits, specialty coffee, and soda


• Guided tours in each port


• Daily entertainment and enrichment with local influences


• A fleet of bicycles on board to use in ports


• Pilot house tours


• Unlimited wifi on board

Meals including unlimited spirits and wine are included.


Daily entertainment including educational opportunities are included.


Every port includes unlimited touring. Upgrade to Premium Excursions for a customized experience.


Well appointed cabins on every ship.


Comfortable and well appointed cabins on every ship.

How should I dress for my cruise?

Leave your formal wear at home! Every American Queen Steamboat itinerary has a country club casual dress code. You can be casual and comfortable while still enjoying a beautiful dinner and after dinner show every evening.

What rivers American Queen sail?

With 35 itineraries on 7 different rivers, there’s a destination for everyone! If you’re interested in blues, gospel, historical homes, the Civil War, or the stories of General Ulysses S. Grant or Mark Twain-there’s a perfect itinerary for you! River itineraries include the Mississippi (both the upper and lower), Snake, Ohio, Illinois, Columbia, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers.

Can I customize my experience?

Every guest should consider customizing their cruise experience through Premium Excursions or pre and post stays called “City Stays”.

Premium Excursions give you an opportunity to immerse yourself more deeply into a specific destination or interest. Examples of Premium Excursions may include a swamp tour, southern plantation tour, golf, cooking experience and more. Book these in advance with your travel agent to ensure your spot on these special opportunities.

Another way to customize your experience is to spend more time before and after the cruise in city of embarkation or debarkation. City Stays include accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities.

Email to start planning your luxury river cruise: Jessica@VincentVacations.com