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Conclusion of the 2024 Tales of the South Pacific Voyage
Embarking on a journey through the South Pacific with Cruise Specialists was nothing short of magical. Over 51 days, Holland America’s Zaandam took us across some of the world’s most breathtaking islands, filled with rich cultural encounters, crystal-clear waters, and lush tropical landscapes. READ MORE →

Concluding Voyage of the Vikings
It was rough seas today, so a number of people decided to stay on board. We braved the tender and took a cold walk around this small village. READ MORE →

Voyage of the Vikings - Greenland, Iceland & Norway
We were treated to a day of scenic cruising up and down the Tasermiut Fjord to see breathtaking views of icebergs, a glacier and even a rainbow! We have travelled many times in the Norwegian fjords and although the Icelandic ones are similar, each fjord is unique. The Tasermiut Fjord has very steep sides and a good deal of ice floats around it, making for magnificent photographs. We hosted an extra chat time today offering Cruise Specialists guests a chance to take in the views while we chatted and were pleasantly surprised as to how many people stopped by! 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 →

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 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 →

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 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 →

2024 Princess World Cruise, Chapter 4
as we reflect on the past 111 days. The days and weeks seem to become a bit of a blur, filled with good and exciting memories that melt into each other, reminded of our awesome journey as we look at the thousands of photos that were taken, and as we reminisce and laugh at the wonderful memories with our CS passengers during chat times! READ MORE →

2024 Island Princess World Cruise - Chapter 3
This Segment consisted of several Sea Days in groups of four to seven days. The first question that came to passengers’ minds was to wonder if they will be bored or if they will enjoy Sea Days, have time to participate in the events set up by the crew, or to get caught up on some reading that has been put to the side while we were visiting various ports. READ MORE →

Grand Australia Voyage Journal, part 4
Follow along with Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts, Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer on Holland America’s 94-day Grand Australia & New Zealand Cruise aboard Volendam. READ MORE →

5 Must-See European Ports
Have you been dreaming of exploring Europe? We don’t blame you! From historic cities and silver screen cameos to breathtaking beaches and awe-inspiring ocean views, Europe is home to some of the world’s most incredible destinations. With so much to see and so many fantastic attractions, a cruise is a great way to soak up multiple cities in one easy vacation. When you book through our agency, you’ll have the expertise of a professional on your side. We can protect your vacation with travel insurance and help you understand all cancellation and refund options available. Looking for inspiration? Read on to discover five of our favorite European ports to explore on your next cruise adventure. READ MORE →

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Guest Contributor

Guest contributors to Travel Leaders have diverse backgrounds in publishing, travel, and vacations. They live across the globe and bring unique, first-hand experience to their writing.
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Justin Gibson

Justin Gibson grew up in the Dallas suburbia, but has since been transplanted to the D.C. area. He was schooled at Southern Methodist University, which was nice. He currently works as a copywriter, but longs to attempt riding a bull.
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Dayna Engberg

Dayna is an MBA who left a starchy job in finance to pursue the wild adventures of being a travel writer. She has since gotten caught in a blizzard in the Canadian Rockies, lost a shoe on a camel trek across the Sahara Desert and crashed a jeep in the Mexican jungle. She maintains that bad luck makes for excellent stories.
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Guest Contributor

Justin Gibson

Dayna Engberg

Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer

Kirsten Ulmer and Alex Tokar

Keith and Susie Boyland

Kim Jackson

John Bell