SureFooted Travel

Let's make the most of our vacation days!

Tag: cruise (page 1 of 1)

Kindle travel reading by the pool
September 19, 2020 / 0 Comments

Kindle travel Guide

Kindle travel = reading bliss!

When I actually am traveling (yes, side-eye to you, 2020), my Kindle is always in my carry-on. Here’s my Kindle travel Guide to help you get the most out of your Kindle travel experience.

Kindle travel: for the love of books

I’m a lifelong reader. I love the smell of books and the feel of one in my hands. In fact, my mind can clearly summon the unique smell of the Book-Mobile. The Book-Mobile was an RV-sized library on wheels. To my delight, it pulled into town in the decades before we had a community library. It was a  warm, snug place of magic!

These days, my Kindle has won me over. Some book traditionalists might say I’ve “gone to the dark side” by reading on an e-reader. I say:

My Kindle is my most-treasured item in my carry-on!

In this Kindle travel Guide I share:

  • how to enhance your travel with a Kindle
  • how my Kindle helps me boost my travel fund
  • the six types of Kindle books to travel with
  • my favorite Kindle travel bag
  • what Kindle travel gear to pack in your carry-on

Read more

2016 Skagway White Pass & Yukon Railway railroad stream
The White Pass & Yukon Railway winds through forests and past rushing streams. We caught this great view of it while on our van tour into the Yukon.
September 16, 2020 / 0 Comments

White Pass & Yukon Railway in Skagway

The White Pass & Yukon Railway: the star of your Skagway port day

We love to visit Skagway, Alaska, on our Alaskan cruises. Skagway highlights include the Skagway Brewing Company pub, shops featuring Alaskan artisans, and picturesque scenery via a journey on the White Pass & Yukon Railway.

The White Pass & Yukon Railway is a fitting excursion for all ages and will especially appeal to history buffs and photographers. Read more

Ketchikan Totem Bight State Park clan housee
Many families shared the clan house, and their accommodations were much more spacious than the four of us sharing a verandah stateroom!
September 6, 2020 / 0 Comments

How to Choose Excursions in Alaska Cruise Ports

What are the best ports and excursions in Alaska? And how do I see them all?

“I want to see everything I can since I won’t ever get back to Alaska again,” I anxiously thought while planning our first Alaskan cruise. I felt overwhelmed with trying to figure out which excursions in Alaska to choose in each port: Read more

Ibotta balcony sunset cruise ship
There's no better way to end a day than watching the sunset from our balcony. To us, cruising is the most relaxing way to vacation!
January 21, 2019 / 0 Comments

How I earned over $300 for my Travel Fund via Ibotta

Again in 2018, I had a good experience using the Ibotta shopping app to boost my travel fund.

I added $301.54 to my travel fund in 2018!

This was all money earned by using the Ibotta shopping app. (It’s not money that I siphoned off from paycheck earnings.)

(This post contains an affiliate link. If you use my link to join Ibotta, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. I thank you for your support of SureFooted Travel!)

In this post I’ll share:

  • what trip I’m saving for
  • how to use the Ibotta app
  • how to maximize your travel fund
  • why we’re pushing back our big trip to 2020 or later

Read more

Yukon Territory British Columbia from Skagway
The bus stopped for a photo opp as we made our way from Alaska into the Yukon Territory, British Columbia.
December 10, 2018 / 2 Comments

Excursion to the Yukon Territory from Skagway

A Delightful Day in the Yukon Territory

On our most recent Alaskan cruise, we elevated our Skagway excursion by booking an excellent tour that took us into Canada’s Yukon Territory by bus. Then the bus dropped us off at the train station in Fraser, British Columbia, and we returned back to Skagway via the White Pass & Yukon Railway.

Other than whale watching, our excursion to the Yukon Territory from Skagway is probably my favorite excursion yet on our Alaskan cruises.

Below are three reasons why this excursion to the Yukon Territory from Skagway knocked it out of the ballpark for us. Read more

Tundra Wilderness Tour Denali National Park Polychrome Pass
On the Tundra Wilderness Tour, your tour bus eases around the steep curves of Polychrome Pass in the interior of Denali National Park.
October 15, 2018 / 0 Comments

Six Unique Alaska Itineraries for Scenic Beauty

Alaska Itineraries for New or Returning Cruisers

A first-time visit to Alaska can feature some must-see cruise ports and cruisetour features. A return visit to Alaska can delve into lesser-seen locations.

In either case, you’ll enjoy scenic glacier viewing and Alaska itineraries that highlight some of the best the state has to offer.  Read more

Peggy's Cove lighthouse blue sky
We hired a private driver to take us out to Peggy's Cove during our cruise stop in Nova Scotia.
October 7, 2018 / 2 Comments

Eclectic musings on fall and fall travel

Happy fall from Dana at SureFooted Travel!

This Dana thanks my fellow blogger, Dana from The Four Seasons of Us,  for tagging me to participate in the Fall Tag that was created by BossGirlBloggers .

The idea is that we write about fall by answering the ten questions below. This is a departure from my usual travel writing and current series on Alaska. But I’ll put a travel blog spin on the answers as best as I can.

Plus, you’ll get to know me a little better too. Read more

Ibotta groceries money
Pay me to buy toilet paper? It's a no-brainer.
October 25, 2017 / 2 Comments

Saving money and points: July – Sept. 2017

I’m working toward my travel goals:

  • enough money in my travel savings account to cover the deposit of a (hopefully) future British Isles cruise
  • enough frequent flier points on Southwest to cover a return trip to Vegas*

How did I do in the third quarter of 2017?

*Spoiler alert: We’re going earlier than planned!

Read more

whale watch Juneau spout
You'll see and hear nearby whales spouting.
April 3, 2017 / 1 Comment

Book your whale watching excursion in Juneau

During our three previous Alaska cruises, we had booked only one of our Juneau whale watching excursions through the cruise ship. On that excursion, yes, we saw lots of whales.

But we didn’t enjoy being on a boat with so many others (about 40 people). They rushed to the railings and windows and held up their tablets and cameras, blocking the views of those of us trying to see around them.

Humanity. UGH!

For not much more money per person, we’ve had great nearly private excursions by booking our whale watch excursions with a local company. Read more

anchorage shopping
We met this gang outside of one of the many shops near our Anchorage hotel.
October 22, 2016 / 0 Comments

What to do in Anchorage on a cruise

Visiting Anchorage on a cruise that begins or ends nearby

Most one-way cruises begin or end in Seward or Whittier, which are 2-4 hours from Anchorage. If you are taking a one-way cruise, you may be flying into or out of Anchorage. The good news is that Anchorage provides plenty of opportunities for dining, shopping, and walking.

Here’s a heads-up: your experience in Anchorage may be impacted by whether it is at the beginning or end of your cruise tour. Read on for our experiences, dining recommendations, and considerations.
 Read more

glacier mountain Alaska
Your glacier viewing is nestled in mountains and rolling clouds. Both Holland America and Princess visit Glacier Bay National Park.
September 28, 2016 / 2 Comments

Wondering which cruiseline to use for Alaska?

Most cruiselines travel to Alaska – which to choose?

Most major cruiselines offer cruises (and/our cruisetours) to Alaska. Only five have permission from the National Park Service to enter Glacier Bay National Park: Holland America, Princess, Carnival, Norwegian, and Crystal.

To narrow your choices further:

Holland America and Princess have the longest history and most experience in Alaska.

Read more

September 23, 2016 / 0 Comments

Welcome to SureFooted Travel!

Why I started SureFootedTravel.com

I enjoy the trip planning as much as the trip taking. I look forward to sharing my travel knowledge and experience with you!

Several of you have let me know that you are planning a trip to one of my favorite destinations – Alaska! We’ve done three Alaskan cruises (two included land-based cruisetours) and are planning a return trip. So I’ll be starting with helpful Alaskan cruise advice.

Glacier Bay National Park travel

Enjoying the glacier viewing at Glacier Bay National Park

What you’ll find at SureFooted Travel

  • Alaskan cruise advice – I have lots to share!
  • inspiration for fun, educational, scenic, and active trips
  • admittedly, our trips are pretty tame – comfy accommodations, planned itineraries, sightseeing, hiking, wine tastings, antique stores, art galleries, etc., with nightlife at a casino or Irish pub
  • how I maximize value and vacation days
  • getting your animal fix on a trip when traveling without your pets
  • which splurges I recommend to include in your travel budget

What you won’t find (AKA please-move-along, nothing-to-see-here, folks)

  • extended travel – due to our jobs and our pets, two-week trips are our max these days
  • adrenaline-pumping adventure travel – no, never, don’t make me think about it (see why I’m calling this SureFooted Travel)
  • unplanned trips – not knowing where we’ll sleep tonight = (shudder!)
  • icky places – nightclubs; B&B’s with doilies and shiny floral bedspreads; hot tubs (People Soup? No, thank you.)

Future trips in the planning stages

  • return to Alaska (cruise) – lots still to see: more glaciers, salmon run (with bears?!), Seward
  • Las Vegas – love that Irish pub in the New York, New York casino
  • British Isles (cruise) – to celebrate our upcoming 25th anniversary

Bucket List

  • all 50 states
  • Glacier National Park (Montana) (not to be confused with Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park)
  • Galapagos
  • Australia
  • New Zealand

Recent travels:

2016 – Alaska (cruisetour departing from Vancouver)
2015 – Bahamas (cruise), Bermuda (cruise), Las Vegas
2014 – Alaska (cruise departing from Seattle)
2013 – Riviera Maya (all-inclusive)
2012 – Orlando (Harry Potter!), New England/Canada (cruise)
2011 – Southern Caribbean (cruise)
2010 and prior – Alaska (cruisetour departing from Vancouver), Las Vegas, Florida Keys (Key West to Key Largo road trip in a rented convertible), Western Caribbean (cruise), Ireland, Nashville (graduate school)
Plus:
Bradenton, FL (1-3 trips per year)
Conferences (brief sightseeing): Phoenix, Charleston, Dallas, San Francisco, San Diego
Long weekends: Chadds Ford/Kennett Square, Hocking Hills, Dayton, Philly/Lambertville, Toronto, Bedford, Nemacolin

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