After Over A Hundred Years It’s Still One Of The Manmade Wonders Of The World
There are several options available in booking a cruise that takes you through the Panama Canal. The most popular cruises originate on one coast and end on the other. Miami to San Diego or the return are the most common itineraries. The second are Caribbean cruises that go half way through the Panama Canal and return to the Caribbean. These are very popular and tend to be less expensive. The last are repositioning cruises. They include end of season cruises moving ships from Alaska to the Caribbean in the fall or back to Alaska in the spring, or South America cruises heading to the Caribbean or Europe.
Following are several sample listings online this weekend.
Please Note • Todays cruise industry is incredibly dynamic with new itineraries and special deals changing daily. With endless possibilities and ever changing offers it is nearly impossible to stay up-to-date. This series will regularly highlight new offerings we think you might find interesting. Most links here will take you to individual cruise line websites where you can search for specific cruise offers. We do not receive any discounts or commission from travel or cruise companies.
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From lost civilizations to some of the greatest natural wonders, cruises can help you explore the world in luxury. Explore your cruise options using these convenient links:
Probably the most isolated state capital in the United States and one of two that you cannot drive to (Hawaii). It is also one of the most frequented cities on Alaska cruise itineraries. Besides being isolated and the states capital it also has a much to offer.
Where Your Ship Docks
Norwegian Pearl tied up at the AJ Dock
Docking facilities stretch from the waterfront right at the foot of the historic district for a mile southeast along the Gastineau channel. If you are lucky and your ship docks near town you are only steps from shops and restaurants. There is however no cruise terminal or public facilities readily available at the dock. Restrooms are available at the public library just a block from the Red Dog Saloon along with a number of stores and restaurants. There is also a shuttle service provided from the docks down the channel but it is not free (currently about $2 each way).
Transportation
Historic downtown Juneau
Besides the official dock shuttle there are taxis available at reasonable rates. To get to Mendenhall Glacier we would recommend the public bus service that departs from near the cruise ship docks. Current round trip fare to Mendenhall NPS Visitor Center is $30 per person. Outside of the historic district Juneau is actually a very large city in geographic size. If you really want to see the wider area there are also rental car agencies near town.
Money
Alaska is a state so the currency is the U.S. Dollar and most credit cards are welcome. You will also find a number of ATM machines available.
Mendenhall Glacier
Attractions
Don’t miss “The Whale Project” fountain with water shedding off a full size humpback whale a short walk from downtown..
Wander the streets of Juneau’s historic district, shop, visit the infamous Red Dog Saloon where Wyatt Earp lost his guns in a poker game. Within just a few square miles, browse multiple museums and an arts centers celebrating Alaska’s Native heritage. See multiple totems, the Ancon Mural, visit the fascinating DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery and be sure and go out to Mendenhall Glacier. Stop by one of Travel Juneau’s visitor information sites for a Downtown Walking Tour Map and be your own guide!
Take a cable car up to a mountain top high above the city or take a helicopter out to the Juneau ice field and walk on a glacier. Go salmon fishing or whale watching, there’s more to do than will fit in a day.
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Cruising Alaska is probably on most peoples bucket list. All the major cruise lines offer itineraries as do a number of the smaller cruise companies.
A cruise ship approaches Hubbard Glacier
Cruising up The Misty Fjord towards Dawes Glacier
If you’re looking for a cruise recommendation Alaska’s glaciers is high on most lists. Alaska has a lot to see and almost any cruise will be a memorable experience but there are differences to understand.
First, some information on the general environment. Coastal Alaska has a limited number of ports and locations so there is a lot of cruise similarities. The major cruise ports are Skagway, Juno, and Ketchikan and each has a lot to offer and all are very popular with passengers. There are also a couple of less visited stops with the most common being Hanes. Another common stop on Alaska itineraries is Icy Straight Point. Both of these are more opportunities to take tours than an actual destination port. There are also a couple of “cruise only” destinations. The first is the Misty Fiord which is usually a half day of cruising up thru the narrow fiords. The other is Hubbard Glacier where the ships cruise up near the face of the glacier. There is also the port of Seward and it is the farthest north of the itineraries with most one-way cruises going it up to Seward with it being a jumping off point for trips to Denali with it being a start of the Alaska Rail Tours.
Hubbard Glacier calving
Mendenhall Glacier 2007
Cruising Alaska has a lot to offer from coastal mountains, to whales and wildlife but the most spectacular sights are the glaciers. That should be a major consideration when selecting a cruise line and an itinerary. Because the number of ships allowed to go up near to Hubbard Glacier are limited it’s recommend that your first priority is to select a cruise that includes Hubbard with second preference being Dawes glaciers. Hubbard is a huge glacier that terminates into a bay and is famous for “calving” huge sections into the water constantly. In addition the bay is filled with icebergs and flowing chunks of ice with seals being a common sight.
Mendenhall Glacier 2018
Mendenhall Glacier is another popular destination and usually all you need is a local bus from Juneau. The glacier is a National Park including a good visitor center and great hiking trails and it really is only a half hour bus ride from town. Almost all Alaska cruise passengers have an opportunity to visit Juneau so add this glacier to your list.
Dawes Glacier
Up on the Juneau Ice Field
A third glacier of particular note is Dawes Glacier located at the end of Tracy Arm Fjord. It also terminates into water with calving being a frequent event. Unfortunately it is not on many ship itineraries because there is also a limit on ships allowed all the way up this fjord. Tracy Arm Fjord is a branch off the Misty Fjord and while cruises often include Misty Fjord, few make it up to Dawes Glacier.
A fourth frequent glacier opportunity is a helicopter tour up on the Juneau Ice Field. These tours are available from Juneau as well as Skagway. One tip that can save you some money is to book the tour on your own rather than thru the ship. You can call using U.S. cell service at most points near the popular towns and often book at the last minute. The tours only take a couple of hours so it is easy to fit into a port day.
Glacier landing
Again regardless of which cruise line you prefer you need to pay attention to the available itineraries and try to get a cruise that includes either Dawes or Hubbard. Most cruise offers will list Hubbard on the cruise itinerary but you will probably have to make some inquiries if Dawes glacier is on an itinerary.
Helicopter tours up to a glacier in the Juneau ice field are usually available in Juneau or Skagway.
One of the most popular cruise itineraries, Alaska has much to offer including glaciers, whale watching, spectacular scenery, history and native culture. If you’ve considered cruising, you couldn’t pick a better cruise itinerary.
Mixed Street Art Wall in Norway. This is a more recent trend in many cities in Norway. Standing nine feet tall this is only a segment of a block long wall of interesting street art in Stavanger. Soon available in giclée prints in several sizes, custom printed for each individual order on archival, museum grade paper using fade resistant inks.
Drop by regularly as we offer up street art treasures and interesting graffiti from cities around the globe. Celebrate a world of travel captured in images selected for their creativity.
Please Help – We would really appreciate your input. While we’re still working out the details of offering our Travel Prints from The Intentional Traveler’s home website the overall response has been very encouraging from our online store. Printing street art has always been of interest as a decorative art form and we would love to hear your thoughts?
Let’s Stay In Touch – We know that subscribing to yet another email list is the last thing you want to do, but we promise to make this worth your while. Give us a try and see what we have to offer.
Villefranche-sur-Mer or just Villefranche is a picturesque town on the French Riviera featured on many cruise itineraries. The town itself is between Monte Carlo and Nice with Cannes only a little farther (19 miles) away. The quant waterfront is lined with cafes and restaurants and stretches from the marina, where the tenders tie up, around a natural harbor past a number of beautiful beaches. Its nearness to Monte Carlo and Nice is probably one of its biggest attractions for the cruise lines as it affords them a number of tour opportunities. But even if you book a tour don’t pass up spending some time at a cafe or restaurant on this remarkable waterfront.
Where Your Ship Docks
The waterfront
While Villefranche has one of the best protected harbors on the Riviera it has no docking facilities that can accommodate cruise ships. This is a tender port where you land at the visitors center right in town. The visitor center offers maps, good advice on getting around and has good public facilities.
Transportation
Villefranche is an easy town to walk around in with plenty of shopping opportunities and good restaurants, but the streets do climb steeply up from the waterfront. Less than a half mile around the waterfront is the train station where you can catch one of the frequent trains to Monte Carlo, Nice or Cannes. They run about every twenty minutes and a trip to Monte Carlo takes only fifteen minutes and costs around €7.00. So before you sign up for that expensive tour consider some exploring on your own.
A cafe across from the visitors center
Currency
The French currency is the Euro and you should not expect them to accept Dollars or Pounds in Villefranche. Credit cards are widely accepted and there are ATM machines available as well.
Attractions
The biggest attraction is the Riviera itself. Famous beaches, casinos, yachts at anchor and of course French cuisine. With Cannes and Nice to the west and Monaco only seven miles to the east a train trip is a fast and inexpensive way to see the glamour of the Riviera up close.
There are also a number of reasons to simply stay in Villefranche:
Just as you exit the visitor center next to the dock, to the left is Citadelle Saint-Elme a thirteenth century fortification which also now houses the Les Musees de La Citadelle – Located inside the citadel these free art museums include the Volti featuring some beautiful bronzes. The citadel also includes some amazing lookouts and a nice garden.
Villefranche Beach
Beaches of Villefranche – All the area beaches are public and free. The most famous and the most beautiful, is the Plage des Marinières right in the center of town. The beach is over a half mile long and be aware that topless sunbathing is common.
Rue Obscure – A historic walking and mostly covered alley. This underground street is an interesting place to stroll and includes several levels with lighted vaulted ceilings.
Chapelle de Saint-Pierre des Pecheurs – Beautiful chapel right on the harbour with an interior decorated by Jean Cocteau.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild – A villa, museum and fantastic gardens located on the opposite side of the harbor. Admission is about €15 but well worth it.
Fort du Mont Alban – If you are into hiking, a climb up Mt. Alban overlooking the harbor and Nice to the west is worth the as it stands over 600 feet above the harbor and the views are fantastic. The fort itself, built in the 16th century, is not open to the public but is still impressive from the outside.
Monte Carlo map showing train station, Casino Park and Palace.
In the Caribbean there are a couple of cruise departure locations but the Caribbean’s busiest cruise port is San Juan Puerto Rico. This port provides a large natural harbor and perhaps the largest international airport in the region. San Juan is a big metropolitan area with beaches, resort hotels and casinos but the focus for most visitors is Old San Juan. Located just a short walk uphill from the cruise ship piers, it is a great destination to spend some time exploring
Puerto Rico is an American possession and while there have been a number of movements for independence the Puerto Ricans seem to be happy with the status quo. Unfortunately in the last couple of years this island has been seriously impacted by a devastating category 5 hurricane and more recently a series of earthquakes. We’ve been in and out of San Juan a couple of times since and the signs of rebuilding and repairing are everywhere.
Where Your Ship Docks – Cruise ships usually dock at one of three piers along a strip on the harbor side of historic Old San Juan. The three piers have passenger terminals with a number of shops, cafes and restaurants across the street on the waterfront. There are no issues with walking in and out of your cruises terminal and taxis are readily available.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This port has a cruise terminal with built-in provisions for passengers using wheelchairs like ramps and elevators.
Port Area Characteristics – This port has an average wheelchair infrastructure typical of large cities. The port area has moderate inclines in sidewalks. Intersection crosswalks may have curbs or other wheelchair obstacles. Old San Juan does have some hillsand narrow sidewalks but generally no curbs at intersections.
Transportation – San Juan provides a free trolly that goes to the Old San Juan city center. If you are going to be spending a day or two in San Juan and want to see the countryside a rental car is probably your best choice. Rates range from $30 to $50 a day. Taxis are readily available and a trip to the airport from the cruise piers should run about $25 – $30.
Currency – They use the U.S. Dollar and major credit and debit cards are welcome. ATMs are also plentiful.
Attractions – The old city is the big attraction – use the free trolly to spend time visiting Old San Juan’s incredible fortifications and the historic town itself. There’s plenty of interesting shops to explore along with bars, cafes and restaurants. There are also a couple of Puerto Rican rum distilleries that provide visitor tours as well.
History – San Juan is one of the most fortified ports in the Caribbean dating as far back as the early sixteenth century. In 1508, Ponce de León founded the original settlement, Caparra on the island. In 1521, the settlement was abandoned and moved to a site which was called at the time “Puerto Rico” (meaning “rich port”). Constructed in 1521, Casa Blanca served as the first fortification of the new settlement and was residence of Ponce de León descendants. La Fortaleza was built in 1533, followed by the construction of a battery at “the Morro” overlooking the protected harbor. Plans for the castle portion of San Felipe del Morro were made in 1584. Extensions to the Morro, plus construction of El Cañuelo, and El Boquerón, were begun in 1599 and the complete fortification of the city began in 1630 and was concluded by 1641. The addition San Cristobal fort was completed by 1771.
Old San Juan National Historic Site was established in 1949 to preserve historic fortifications in Old San Juan. The historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and La Fortaleza along with the San Juan National Historic Site were then declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Thanks to a number of groups working to preserve the Old Town, today it represents one of the largest examples of Spanish colonial towns anywhere in the New World today.
What to expect on your port days in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the heart of the Caribbean. Where your ship docks, getting around, historic forts, Spanish colonial architecture, food and culture.
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