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Cruise Specialists Blog - Cruise Reviews, Updates & Inspiration

USA CRUISE REVIEWS

Holland America Line Pole to Pole Recap
We finished all our port visits and spent three days at sea before arriving in Ft Lauderdale to complete our 133-day loop. It is the longest cruise Holland America has ever sailed, covering 28 countries, 68 ports, and almost 32,000 nautical miles. Some guests are ready to go home, others are actually staying on for the next voyage that will head back up the East coast and end in Montreal. We are happy to end with the incredibly positive experience we have had. Volendam has been a wonderful home away from home for 4 plus months and we could not have asked for a more friendly, capable crew than we have had. There is a certain camaraderie aboard this ship that we appreciate. The staff clearly like each other and work as a team. We were told that there is a crew survey that is meant to measu READ MORE →

Alaska Arctic Circle Summer Solstice Cruise
Excited guests from all over the USA and Canada were joyfully greeted at the port of Seattle by many of our Cruise Specialists agents and staff. Our group was allowed early embarkation in order to attend a welcome party in the Crow’s Nest. Each of our guests received a wonderful array of gifts for the voyage – tote bags, water bottles, unique pins and a notebook. Drinks and smiles flowed as we met our guests - and for some, they also got to meet their agents for the first time too. We later bid the Seattle team a fond farewell and Westerdam slipped out into the Puget Sound and headed north. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Canada and New England
Although we are down to our last 10 days of this voyage, they will be very busy. We still have 6 ports to visit! So, only a few sea days to fit in all those final cocktail parties, Mariner Recognition events, farewell dinners, and perhaps tearful goodbyes to new friends. Our final cocktail party for our Cruise Specialists guests was a lovely affair. About two thirds of the group attended and stayed more than an hour past the official end. They were really having a wonderful time and since it is our last party, perhaps the last chance for some of these people to easily get together. We love that they like spending time together! READ MORE →

Why Virgin Voyages Was the Perfect Family Cruise (without the kids)
When people think “family vacation,” they imagine staterooms packed with children’s toys, pool decks full of splash zones, and kid-friendly dining options. But for our recent Caribbean escape aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, “family vacation” took on a whole new meaning—one filled with gourmet dining, rooftop workouts, cocktail classes, and curated shore excursions. READ MORE →

A Seasoned Cruiser’s First Cruise with Holland America
At Cruise Specialists, our team of Cruise Consultants brings personal experience and honest insight to help our clients find their perfect vacation at sea. Many of our consultants are avid cruisers themselves—and today, we’re excited to share a first-hand account from one of our own: Matthew Spencer, who recently sailed with Holland America Line for the first time. READ MORE →

3 Unexpected Cruise Guests Perfect for Ovation of the Seas
When you think of a Royal Caribbean cruise aboard the Ovation of the Seas, you might picture families with kids or groups of friends soaking up the sun. But this innovative Quantum Class ship offers far more than meets the eye. Whether you're traveling as a couple, traveling with a mobility device, or cruising solo, Ovation of the Seas delivers an unforgettable experience designed for you. READ MORE →

2024 Tales of the South Pacific Chapter 1
It feels like our adventures on the 51-Day “Tales of the South Pacific” aboard Zaandam just began, and yet, we are now already at the end of October! Here is an update of the first leg of this incredible voyage. READ MORE →

Voyage of the Vikings - Bar Harbor, Sydney, Corner Brook and Red Bay
Boston is steeped in history, impressive statues and storytelling plaques. We highly recommend a visit to this beautiful city. We walked more than 10 miles each day and used local buses and the subway system. Public transport in Boston is easy to use and inexpensive. READ MORE →

Scenic Glacier Bay, Homer, Haines and Skagway
There is the city of Homer and then there is The Homer Spit. Our tenders took us to the small boat harbor on The Spit - a very narrow, 4 plus-mile-long peninsula, jutting out into Kachemak Bay. Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, there is a gorgeous view in every direction. READ MORE →

Discover Juneau and Misty Fjords
Welcome to the Capital of Alaska, Juneau. It is perhaps the busiest of the Alaskan cruise ports, with 4 ships joining us today which will be typical almost every day during the summer season. We estimated 16,000-18,000 cruise passengers tour the area. READ MORE →

Conclusion of the 2024 Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice Voyage
We were pleasantly surprised at how nice a town it was. As our last port, we had planned a tour with our Cruise Specialists guests that included a farewell lunch. We started with a fun Vintage Trolley tour around the city. Our guide knew everyone and everything about the area and had a great sense of humor, keeping us laughing throughout our tour. READ MORE →

Discover the Charm of Alaska
As we approached Hubbard Glacier, the weather gods were pleased with us, as it was a truly spectacular day. Sun shining, moderate temperatures, and no wind made it perfect to be outdoors. READ MORE →

Contrasting Rugged Kodiak and Bustling Anchorage
Last evening was our Cruise Specialists Cocktail Party, which was very well attended - 80 out of 110 Guests enjoyed an open bar with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. It was quite a congenial group, staying well beyond the scheduled time. READ MORE →

A Spectacular Start to Our Alaskan Adventure
Our journey began in the charming Queen Anne section of downtown Seattle, just a few blocks from the Cruise Specialists office. After a delightful visit with our colleagues, we spent Friday and Saturday wandering around the city, taking in all the iconic sights of Seattle. READ MORE →

Discover Alaska: The Ultimate Frontier Adventure Awaits!
Nicknamed "The Last Frontier," our 49th state has it all. From breathtaking landscapes to unique wildlife and rich history, Alaska is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. READ MORE →

Seward, Dutch Harbor and Nome
Here we are today, once again standing in front of the beautiful SeaLife Center complex. It is an aquarium, a wildlife response unit, an educational center, and a sophisticated research facility. It has become a focal point for tourists and tour groups. The rest of the town looks very much the same to us. It had a rugged frontier feel to it back then in 2004 and still does today. That feeling was magnified by the dense fog that covered everything at our arrival. READ MORE →