CruiseTipsTV Unplugged - Cruise Tips and More

Is it worth sticking with one cruise line for the loyalty perks? Should you tip extra when gratuities are already included? And how can you enjoy Alaska ports without spending a fortune on excursions? This week, we're answering your questions! We're also chatting about Iceland packing, Panama Canal cruises, Vancouver before your sailing, cruising with teens, and our family's cruise bucket list. We...

What's it really like to experience Alaska by land AND sea? This week, Junior joins me to recap our 11-night Holland America Alaska CruiseTour, from Fairbanks and Denali to our southbound cruise aboard Nieuw Amsterdam. We're talking about the McKinley Explorer, whitewater rafting, ATVs, Glacier Bay, our favorite shore excursions, incredible wildlife, what surprised us about the land portion, and w...

Great Tides Waterpark is officially open at Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay, and we tried it ALL! In this episode, Junior and I are sharing our firsthand experience - from Tidal Tower and the cliff jumps to the Wandering River and swim-up bar. We'll talk about our favorite slides, what's included, food and drinks, what to bring, and our best tips for making the most of your day at Great...

What's it really like to cruise Alaska with Disney? Wendy is back from her Disney Alaska cruise and joining us to share the experience! We're talking about the pre-cruise Vancouver hotel, the ship, food (honest thoughts), entertainment, ports and excursions, what Disney does differently in Alaska, and who we think this cruise is best for. Wendy also shares what surprised her, what she'd do differe...

In this episode of CruiseTipsTV Unplugged, we're recapping my hosted voyage aboard Oceania Vista from New York to Atlantic Canada and Iceland. We chat about what it's really like to cruise solo, my favorite ports and excursions, what surprised me about Iceland's weather, and the must-do tours I'd recommend if Iceland is on your bucket list. Whether you're planning an Oceania cruise or just dreamin...

It's another listener Q&A episode, and you all brought some fantastic questions! I n this episode, I'm answering everything from what to pack for an Antarctica expedition to whether cruise line loyalty programs are really worth it. We also chat about first-time solo cruising on Princess, planning excursions in the Caribbean and Japan, what it's like traveling through Japan if you're tall, and my t...

Fresh off Star Princess, we're comparing notes on everything from food and entertainment to excursions, cabins, and overall cruise experience. In this fun father-and-son-style review (well, mother-and-son in our case!), Junior joins me to share his perspective as a young adult cruiser—and let's just say he had strong opinions, especially when it came to the food. We talk about our stateroom, favor...

This week on CruiseTipsTV Unplugged, we're joined by travel rewards expert and NerdWallet travel writer Sally French to talk about her first Alaska cruise aboard Star Princess. Sally shares her biggest surprises about Alaska, favorite experiences from the cruise, thoughts on staying active while traveling, and practical tips for getting the most value from your vacation using points, miles, and tr...

In this CruiseTipsTV Unplugged Q&A episode, we're answering your cruise questions on everything from Norwegian Luna and MSC Cruises to Japan trip planning, Alaska wildlife viewing, Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships, and even traveling to Japan with toddlers. We compare Princess and Viking in Japan, share our favorite spots on NCL Luna, discuss whether MSC might be right for your travel style, an...

Fresh off our press trip aboard Norwegian Luna, Sheri and Junior are sharing their honest first impressions of NCL's newest ship. In this episode of CruiseTipsTV Unplugged, we talk about what's new on Luna, the attractions and spaces that stood out most, the food we loved, and what the experience is really like for teens and families. From the Aqua Slidecoaster and Moon Climber to dining favorites...

We're recapping our fully hosted Japanet cruise aboard a Viking ship — from Yokohama and Tokyo to unforgettable ports like Yakushima, Nagasaki, Amami Oshima, and Jeju, South Korea. In this episode, we talk about the fully guided travel style, the all-inclusive Viking experience, the cultural performances and excursions that made this trip unique, and who this type of cruise is really best for. If...

Virgin Voyages has made some big changes lately, and if you haven't looked closely, you might miss them. In this episode, I'm joined by my travel advisor partner Wendy to break down what's really different, what it means for your cruise, and whether Virgin still delivers that signature "almost all-inclusive" experience people love. We're covering the new fare structure, what's no longer included,...

This week on CruiseTipsTV Unplugged, we're diving into your questions straight from our Facebook community! We're talking best balconies on Sun Princess, the cheapest times of year to cruise, Alaska and Europe cruise tips, and a whole lot more. If you've got a cruise coming up, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you plan smarter and cruise better. Don't miss the latest news and u...

In Haines, Alaska, the wilderness doesn't just surround you… it watches. In this episode of CruiseTipsTV Unplugged: Alaska Lore & Legends, we explore the story of the Kushtaka, a shape-shifting presence said to mimic human voices and lure people into the forest. When a routine walk along the Chilkat River takes an unexpected turn, the line between explanation and something more begins to blur. Bec...

Haines feels peaceful. Calm. Almost untouched. But spend enough time here, and you'll start to notice something else… A quiet imbalance. A subtle absence. A town that nearly slipped away. Haines, Alaska is still here. But it came closer than you think to becoming a place people only remember. This episode is a narrative exploration of Alaska's history, culture, and folklore, based on publicly avai...

Thinking about a Disney cruise but not sure which ship to choose? In this episode of CruiseTipsTV Unplugged, we're joined by Sam and Brian from the DCL Duo to break down the different classes of Disney Cruise Line ships—and what makes each one unique. We cover the Magic, Dream, and Wish classes, how the onboard experience has evolved over time, and who each ship is really best for. Plus, we dive i...

A fire. A figure in the window. And a legend that refused to disappear. Long before Sitka became a cruise destination, a castle stood above the harbor. Inside, a tragic love story ended in mystery… but did it truly end?  This episode is a narrative exploration of Alaska's history, culture, and folklore, based on publicly available historical records, oral traditions, and multiple secondary sources...

In Part 2 of our New Zealand cruise series, we take a deep dive into our experience sailing aboard the beautiful Discovery Princess. We're sharing a full ship review, including our thoughts on the cabins, dining, entertainment, and overall vibe of the ship after spending 8 nights onboard. From buffet favorites to specialty dining highlights, we'll talk about what impressed us—and what didn't. We a...

A legendary saloon. A piano that defined the room. And a performer some say never truly left. This is the haunting story of Professor Phineas Poon. This episode is a narrative exploration of Alaska's history, culture, and folklore, based on publicly available historical records, oral traditions, and multiple secondary sources. Details are presented for educational and storytelling purposes and may...

What does it really take to reach Pinnacle — the highest loyalty tier in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society? In today's episode, I'm joined by Joyce, one of our most dedicated Royal Caribbean cruisers, who just achieved Pinnacle status — a milestone that very few cruisers ever reach. We're breaking down: What Pinnacle status actually includes How many cruise points (and sea days) it takes to...

This episode is a narrative exploration of Alaska's history, culture, and folklore, based on publicly available historical records, oral traditions, and multiple secondary sources. Details are presented for educational and storytelling purposes and may reflect differing historical interpretations. Legends and traditional stories are shared respectfully and in context. This podcast is independently...

This special episode is a narrative exploration of Alaska's history, culture, and folklore, based on publicly available historical records, oral traditions, and multiple secondary sources. Details are presented for educational and storytelling purposes and may reflect differing historical interpretations. Legends and traditional stories are shared respectfully and in context. This podcast is indep...

Cruising as an older teen or young adult can feel… awkward. You're too old for the kids club, not quite an "adult cruiser," and trying to figure out if cruising is actually fun at 18–25. In this episode, we break down exactly what cruising is like for older teens and young adults — the good, the weird, and what no one really talks about. We cover: Whether cruising feels awkward at this age (and wh...

New Zealand has a reputation for being breathtaking—but what is it actually like to experience it by cruise? In this episode, I'm sharing a port-by-port review of my New Zealand itinerary, including Waiheke Island in Auckland, a pearl farm and beachcomber cruise in Picton, Lord of the Rings filming locations in Christchurch, wildlife encounters in Dunedin with Nature's Wonders, and scenic cruising...

This episode is a narrative exploration of Alaska's history, culture, and folklore, based on publicly available historical records, oral traditions, and multiple secondary sources. Details are presented for educational and storytelling purposes and may reflect differing historical interpretations. Legends and traditional stories are shared respectfully and in context. This podcast is independently...