May 1, 2026 In 1897 throngs of gold seekers poured into Skagway in search of the precious metal. At the time, Skagway was no more than a lawless jumble of tents but by the turn of the century it was a bustling town. Surrounded by the Taiya Inlet and the Coast Mountains, Skagway sits atop… Read more

April 30, 2026 Glacier Bay National Park is the gateway to the largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier which measures 76 miles long and plunges 1,200 feet into the depths of the bay. Its immense beauty and phenomenal blue hues are enchanting, even from afar. But it’s when our cruise ship draws closer… Read more

April 29, 2026 Until our trip to Antarctica last year, I considered Prince William Sound to be the one of most beautiful places on earth. With that said, it still should be on any nature lovers bucket list. Seas like mirrors, reflecting the deep green of the forest and the stunning snow-covered mountains surrounding you… Read more

April 28, 2026 After sailing eight days, seven-time changes and 3,200 miles we arrived in Whittier, Alaska from Hakodate, Japan. Nestled in the base of the Chugach Mountains, surrounded by snowcapped peaks and glistening glaciers, the tiny town of Whittier lays waiting to be discovered. Gateway to the magnificent Prince William Sound, a host of… Read more

April 26, 2026 If you placed a map of Japan over a map of the North American east coast, the eight Japanese ports we visited would stretch from Miami to Nova Scotia. Most maps — whether printed or on Google — distort the size of many countries. That’s why Africa might look the same size… Read more

April 20, 2026 Hakodate is last port off call on Hokkaido, the northernmost of the four main Japanese islands. Sapporo is probably the best-known city on the island as host of the 1972 winter Olympics. Hakodate was the first Japanese port to open to foreign trade in 1854. Just across the street from the cruise… Read more

April 19, 2026 Aomori is one of the easiest cruise ports to navigate in Japan. The main docking area Shin Chuo Wharf is located right on Aomori Bay, directly in front of the city center. The iconic triangular building you see in the photo above is the Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center that has an observation… Read more

April 18, 2026 I made a mistake. On April 15th, I told you that I thought Shimizu was the friendliest city in Japan. Now I am convinced that Miyako is the friendliest city. Perhaps it has to do with its past. You may remember watching it on TV, on March 11, 2011, a massive tsunami… Read more

April 16, 2026 For years Yokohama’s Osanbashi cruise terminal has been the primary port for cruises calling on Tokyo. Ships reach it first and pay less for pilot services. And until recently Tokyo’s original cruise terminals were blocked by a bridge too low for today’s cruise ships to pass under. From the Yokohama pier, it… Read more

April 15, 2026 Today we docked in Shimizu, Japan, a beautiful port considered the gateway to Mount Fuji. I think Shimizu must be the friendliest city in Japan. As soon as we left the ship, a large group of Japanese volunteers helped us with directions. Crossing guards were ready to stop the non-existent traffic when… Read more