Nautical Notes with Ashley

31/05/2024

Our big 3-day sale with Princess is almost here! What does that mean for you... lots of onboard credit for you to use towards excursions or anything else on-board like a relaxing massage. This sale only happens once a year June 6th -8th through Expedia Cruises only. Let me help you plan your next Princess vacation! DM me for more details.

19/02/2024

Have you ever wanted to sail on Royal Caribbean or want to go again? Well, I have the sale for you! On March 7th and 8th, we are having an exclusive sale with Royal Caribbean. You can only get with us—lots of on-board credit and special pricing that only Expedia Cruises can offer.

Look at the difference in price on this cruise going to the Caribbean on the Oasis of the Seas, leaving July 12th, 2025, 8-day cruise in a Balcony Stateroom... The public rate for 2 people is $5441... Expedia Cruise's price for 2 people is $4355 plus on-board credit. There are many more offers like this. PM me for more details!

08/02/2024

27/01/2024

Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is known for it's beautiful totem poles and the amount of rain they get. Fun fact the city is completely run on rain water. They don't have city water.
The town is very close to the port. Actually, most ships dock right by the town you just have to cross the street. Some of the other ships dock just right out of town, 5 to 10 min walk. The downtown area is very nice and there is some great shopping. If your ship is in one of the docks farther away, grab some Jellyfish donuts and eat it on the way. They are some of the best donuts I have ever had! Don't wait too long because they do run out 😊

The first time we went to Ketchikan, we went to the Great Lumberjack show. It was a lot of fun! I know some of the farther out ships provide transportation there. The show is located in the downtown area.
After that, we walked over to Creek Street. Cutie little street built on stilts over the river, local shops owned by Alaskan Natives. During high tide, you can see sea lions swimming in the river trying to catch the salmon.

The second time we came, we went to Totem Pole Park. You have to get to the park by bus or taxi. I recommend taking a tour, they drive you out there and guide you through the park telling you about the Totem Poles and the history of the area. The park is beautiful!

Let me know if you have any questions.
If you want to add anything, put it in the comments.

23/01/2024

Skagway, Alaska

This is probably one of my favorite ports. It's small, quaint, and stunningly beautiful. The town is about a quarter-mile walk from the ship dock. It's an easy flat walk into town, or a shuttle will pick you up at the ship and take you into town. I believe the shuttle is around $5 a person.

The first time we went here, we rode the White Pass railroad. They pick you up right by the ship dock; then they will either drop you off in town or back at the ship after. This train ride is so beautiful!!
If I do it again, I would recommend doing the excursion where you ride the train up and then take the bus back to town. This way, you can see more of the valley instead of the same thing on the way up and back down. If you decide to take this excursion, you have a passport and bring it because you enter Canada. Either way you go, you won't be disappointed with either excursion.

The second time we went here, we took a bus (the same route the bus on the way back from the train uses) up to the Yukon Suspension Bridge. You will need your passport for this excursion as well. Don't forget to get it stamped at the bridge. This bridge is beautiful! They have lots to walk around and see other than crossing the bridge. I wish we could have had more time to explore. If you have kids, they give them a scavenger hunt to keep them busy; they get a prize at the end. This excursion also included a salmon bake. The salmon bake is located in Lairsville, AK. The salmon bake was ok. They didn't de-bone the salmon very well, so I had quite a few bones to pick out. There were a lot of flies everywhere, unfortunately, so it made it hard to enjoy this part of the stop. They had a little skit that gave you the history of the town and a place to pan for gold, but that was only opened at certain times. We mostly just hung out in the gift shop to escape the flies. Sadly, the salmon bake was disappointing, but the bridge was worth seeing.

If you're looking for an excellent snack to eat while you are back in town shopping. I would recommend getting an Elephant Ear from the Doughboy. Yummy! Also, don't miss the sail away from this port. It's one of the best in the world!

Comment below if you have something to add.

DM me to let me help you plan your perfect Alaskan Vacation!

20/01/2024

The number one thing everyone asks me is what to do in each port stop on their cruise so I figured why not make a page I can share with everyone. 😊

First post since it's Almost Alaska Cruise season... Juneau, Alaska.

The first time we went to Juneau we went to Mendenhall Glacier. We just got off the ship and took a local tour. One nice thing about doing it this is that you can spend as much time at the Glacier as you want vs only the hour or two they allow with the ship. Just make sure you know what time you have to be back on the ship.
The booths are just by the docks, they are wood stands and will say Mendenhall Glacier on them. They also sell Whale Watching tours so it might say that as well. There really isn't a company name on it. Once you get over there you can look around and they have buses running every 15 to 20 mins to pick you back up. If you can make sure you hike down to nugget falls. It's a mile there and a mile back. The trail is pretty much flat but it is definitely worth going down to see it. The trail is easy to find. It's well-marked and if you can't find it the park rangers will show you where it is. They also have great visitors center to walk around and a video to watch.

The second time we went there we went on a gold mine tour with the same company. They take you to these old abandon mines and you get to go in the tunnels and see how they mined when the village was opened. Then we all got to mine our gold. We also did the Juneau Tram... it was raining when we went up but it was still beautiful! When you get to the top they have a visitors center and a theater that has local Alaska natives talking about the history of Alaska. There are also hiking trails up there as well. Make sure before you head up go grab so free rain ponchos by the coffee shop inside the tram loading building. You don't have to ride the tram to get the free ponchos.

When you get back if you are hungry and want great Halibut, I recommend going to Deckhand Dave's Fish Tacos. The best fish tacos I have ever had. They have Fish and Chips too. My parents had those and they said they were very good as well. This is in Juneau in the downtown area. Or if you like oysters they had a very busy oyster bar next to there. The Alaskan fudge company is really good as well if you like fudge and chocolates. Juneau is a great stop for shopping. Whatever you decide to do Juneau won't disappoint!

Let me help you plan your perfect Alaskan Vacation. DM me for more info or visit my website https://www.expediacruises.com/en-US/AshleyMuir/

Other website links
https://www.goldbelttram.com/
http://www.deckhanddaves.com/
https://alaskanfudge.com/

30/12/2023

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28/12/2023

Walk along cobblestone streets filled with delights. Pedal through historic town squares. And revel in moments that last a lifetime. When you step aboard AmaWaterways, each day brings a genuine smile that warms the heart. Every river is a new culture that inspires, and each course is a moment to savor and share.

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27/12/2023

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23/12/2023

Planning an eight-day Ireland itinerary might sound overwhelming. There are so many great places to see, but you can't see the entire country in a week. It's a magical land filled with natural landscapes, centuries-old buildings, castles, world-class pubs, and warm hospitality – and let's not forget the folklore and traditions.

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21/12/2023

People who live near the Mekong River will tell you that they call it Mother, because it is from her that all life flows. Its very name comes from the Khmer word “Mae” which means “mother” and like any good and loving parent, the Mekong, which spans more than 2,486 miles, nurtures and connects her many children, from China, to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

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20/12/2023

Take a non-stop Alaska-sized adventure from ship to shore. Go from gliding along a glacier on a dog sled to taming the tide on the FlowRider® surf simulator. All this and more awaits onboard thrill-filled Royal Caribbean game-changing ships.

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20/12/2023

All smiles in the British Isles. Hurry to get up to 40% off cruise fares and a free room upgrade.* Plus, your 3rd & 4th guests sail free!* Dial up the family time with enchanting castles, scenic countrysides and activities everyone will love on a Princess cruise.

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18/12/2023

This is your early access pass to incredible offers on wonderful cruise vacations around the world. Book now to beat the Wave Season rush and secure your preferred itinerary while the options are still plentiful.

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16/12/2023

When nature chills your plans, forcing a spontaneous change of course, your journey can turn more spectacular than anticipated. That was the scene south of the Antarctic Circle when Silver Endeavour delivered experiences beyond its guests’ dreams.

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15/12/2023

Take this game-changing ship from the Northeast to Perfect Day at CocoCay with Royal Caribbean. Vacation goals meet next-level whoas on Symphony of the Seas®, sailing from Cape Liberty for the first time in 2024.

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13/12/2023

It doesn’t take long to get a little lost in Paros—in all the best ways. Standing on the deck of my small ship, the MV Galileo, as we pull alongside the pier, the main port bustles around me. Minutes ago, we were sailing along on water so blue it looked like it came from a paintbrush, a voyage amidst a watercolor.

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11/12/2023

It is one of the most spectacular sights you’ll find anywhere across the vast reaches of the far north. Backed by snow-capped mountains, we sail very slowly along calm, aquamarine waters.

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10/12/2023

Book your next dream cruise with Azamara and receive up to $2000 off per stateroom!* Explore today and take advantage of this limited-time offer of incredible savings on select 2024 sailings!

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09/12/2023

Irresistible rhythmic drumming, swirling dancers in gorgeous silk robes, and children waving banners greet cruise ships arriving in Japan’s ports. There’s such enthusiasm, it’s almost as if cruises hadn’t been visiting for centuries, rather than returning after just two and a half years of restrictions on tourism.

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08/12/2023

How to Beat the Rush of Wave Season

Whether you're drawn to the Caribbean's sun-soaked beaches, the majestic landscapes of Alaska, or the cultural treasures of Europe, Wave Season promises an array of options to suit every traveler's taste.

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24/11/2023

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23/11/2023

Viking offers small ship destination-focused itineraries across seven continents, taking you closer to the places you want to explore in comfort, with more time in port. Onboard, you can experience Viking’s award-winning service, all-veranda staterooms, the most al fresco dining on the seas and more. Secure your ocean voyage with a $25 deposit by November 30, 2023.

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20/11/2023

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19/11/2023

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17/11/2023

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15/11/2023

Book by November 30 and save $500pp on 2024 river cruises of 7+ nights. This offer will also be available for 2025 river cruises once they go on sale in mid-November. Plus a FREE Superior drinks package on 2024 and 2025 river cruises.

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14/11/2023

Our BLACK FRIDAY SALE is NEAR! We’ve got some of the best offers available right now on award-winning cruise lines sailing to incredible destinations around the world.

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