CruiseTipsTV Unplugged - Cruise Tips and More

Cruise news gets a little weird this week! A residential cruise ship runs into serious financial trouble, leaving passengers scrambling in Cambodia. A cruise ship collides with not one, but TWO cargo ships. And Carnival's new "Crew Love" tipping stickers have cruisers scratching their heads.

Join Mr. CTTV and Junior as they dive into these stories, plus the bizarre case of an Arizona surgeon whose vacation ended before he ever boarded Norwegian Jewel. We're also talking about a passenger confrontation over a canceled port visit, some surprisingly inexpensive cruise deals, and a few other stories you might have missed. It's cruise news, rumors, unusual passenger experiences, and a bit of humor, all from two guys who love cruising and aren't afraid to have a little fun with it. Got a strange cruise story or an interesting rumor? We'd love to hear about it!

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What's it really like to cruise from Alaska to Japan? We're sharing our experience aboard Holland America's Westerdam, from the ports and unpredictable weather to all those days at sea.

Plus, why this cruise meant so much to our family.

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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 also touch on how a DUI can affect entry into Canada and where to find official guidance before planning your trip. Thanks to everyone who sent in a question! See you on the high seas.

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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 whether we'd choose to do a CruiseTour again.

Plus, Junior shares his take on experiencing Alaska as a young adult. Holland America hosted us on this CruiseTour. As always, all opinions, experiences, and recommendations shared are our own.

Links to our Alaska packing videos and Shore Excursions Group tours can be found here:

Rainforest walk and zodiac cruise: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/tour/rainforest-island-adventure-ketchikan/akktatacrsrnf/?id=1369368

Helicopter tour with glacier walk: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/tour/juneau-helicopter-icefield-tour/akjncoshelice/?id=1369368

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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 Tides.

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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 differently, and whether the Disney experience is worth the extra cost for an Alaska vacation.

If a Disney cruise to Alaska is on your wish list, this episode will help you decide if it's the right fit for you and your family.

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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 dreaming about the Land of Fire and Ice, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips.

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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 thoughts on MSC Yacht Club, Holland America's Club Orange, and Virgin Voyages' new Alaska sailings.

You'll also hear my recommendations for ports like Key West, Grand Turk, Barbados, Loreto, and La Paz, along with packing tips for a Bahamas cruise, ideas for cruising with teens on Royal Caribbean, and a few of my favorite ways to enjoy sea days when trivia isn't your thing.

As always, thanks for sending in such thoughtful questions—and if you'd like your question featured in a future episode, be sure to keep an eye on our CruiseTipsTV Facebook community for the next Q&A post! Shop our favorite cruise essentials on Amazon 👉 Visit our storefront: https://urlgeni.us/amazon/KRMDO Visit us on AmazonLive! https://www.amazon.com/live/cruisetipstv

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, favorite meals, the restaurants that stood out, the Alaska excursions we loved, onboard entertainment, and who we think Star Princess is best suited for. Whether you're considering Star Princess for Alaska or just curious how this newest Princess ship stacks up, you'll hear two very different perspectives from the same sailing.

And yes, somehow we also spend a surprising amount of time talking about steak.

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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 travel rewards.

Whether you're planning your first Alaska cruise or looking for ways to travel smarter, Sally offers a fresh perspective on one of cruising's most unforgettable destinations.

You can find Sally on Instagram at @savewithsally and listen to her on the Smart Travel podcast from NerdWallet.

Shop our favorite cruise essentials on Amazon 👉 Visit our storefront: https://urlgeni.us/amazon/KRMDO Visit us on AmazonLive! https://www.amazon.com/live/cruisetipstv