Despite it being more than a year away, planning ahead and booking soon might be the only way to get on some of these cruises!

An eclipse is a life-changing event.

Why is Eclipse Cruising the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

For a long time, solar eclipse cruises were something only done by small, boutique cruise lines or charters at exceedingly high prices. However, the 2017 eclipse that went across the USA sparked a real interest in eclipses for many Americans. In 2024, a few lines offered an eclipse cruise, which we were a part of, and they were a smash hit. Now a growing list of cruise lines are unveiling total solar eclipse cruises for August 2027.

The rising popularity of eclipse cruises means that lines, such as Princess, are selling out of the itineraries for 2026, and cabins on 2027 sailings are moving just as fast. In the past, we observed an increase in cost the closer eclipse cruises got to the departure date, so if you are interested in doing one, you’ll want to get a deposit in as soon as you can.

Important!

The safest way to secure the best price is to book now but with a REFUNDABLE deposit. Typically, cruise prices will increase over time, sometimes significantly. In the rare event the fare goes down, having a refundable deposit makes it much easier to reprice to the lower cost.

The 2017 eclipse that started the craze.

What Cruises are Available?

Here are some of the announced total solar eclipse sailings for July 2027. Since this is the hottest type of cruise right now, we expect more to be coming. 

Regent Seven Seas has a 2027 solar eclipse cruise. For an exquisite time, Regent is one of the best in small luxury cruising. If you’d like to learn more about the Regent experience, check out our look at it.

Virgin Voyage’s Eleven-night sailing out of Barcelona will be a fantastic time, as they are making sure to be out at sea for the Eclipse proper, as well as going along to Portugal and Morocco.

Cunard is offering a solar eclipse cruise on the Queen Victoria with a ton of stops at beautiful European ports. Departing from England, you will get a wide variety of places including France, Portugal, and Spain.

For something truly unique, Viking River Cruises is offering a Solar Eclipse cruise on the Nile in Egypt. Experiencing ancient Egypt and a cosmically powerful event all in one trip. But don’t get your hopes up as they are currently sold out. But you can still hope spaces open up.

How Do I Get in on the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

If you want to learn more about what sailing a solar eclipse cruise is like, and why it’s one of the hottest cruises right now, check out our blog post of our experience on Princess Cruises off Mexico’s coast. 

While we expect other lines might join in on the eclipse craze, these are available now. They are all selling out quickly. So, if you are even thinking about this, consider reaching out to us to help get pricing and put down a refundable deposit to lock in your cruise now! 

The post What is the Hottest Cruise for 2027? appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Set to sail out of New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle, the Brilliant Lady will be set to traverse the coasts of North America. As the first ship in the fleet that can pass through the Panama Canal, she can explore areas that Virgin hasn’t yet sailed.

There is more excitement as the Brilliant Lady will be sailing Alaska in 2026.

The newest sister ship arrives for Virgin.

New York and Miami

The Brilliant Lady starts her new voyages in New York City, setting out to Bermuda, Bahamas, Boston, Canada, and the Carolinas, bringing Virgin Voyage energy to whole new regions.

Finally, as winter arrives, Virgin’s new Brilliant Lady will make her way down to Miami to do some Caribbean sailings before making her way through the Panama Canal, a very popular itinerary.

Don’t miss out on her MerMaiden Voyage!

Los Angeles and Seattle

In 2026, the new Brilliant Lady will settle arrive at the west coast, doing sailings out of Los Angeles to Cabo and other western Mexican ports. As the Alaska sailing season kicks off, she’ll make her way up to Seattle where she’ll travel among whales and glaciers for the 2026 season.

While the Brilliant is exploring Alaska in 2026, the Valiant Lady will move into the Northeast U.S. ports.

The Brilliant Lady’s New Dining

The soon-to-be four Virgin ships are all built on the same model, with fairly small differences. The biggest change with the Brilliant Lady is the new take on the Razzle Dazzle restaurant. Scarlet Lady wowed us with Lucky Lotus, Virgin’s take on Chinese cuisine. On the Brilliant Lady we will be introduced to Rojo, Virgin’s new Spanish-inspired restaurant.

Classic Spanish fare like croquets, churros, and more take center stage with this new restaurant. Additionally, look out for Virgin’s new dinner show, Up With a Twist, that will be debuting on the new Brilliant Lady

You can never go hungry on Virgin Voyages

Entertainment on the Brilliant Lady

The shows on the different Lady ships are all different, and the Brilliant Lady is no exception. Expect new shows like Red Hot and Out of Time. As well as new pop-up entertainment around the ship.

Additionally, there are new parties to get excited about. Their new Electric Party will be a glowstick-inspired romp, complete with UV lighting to get that electric glow going. Additionally, there will be big changes to Scarlet Night, so get ready to experience something truly magical.

Cabin Changes on the Brilliant Lady

To squeeze through the Panama Canal, Virgin needed to move the lifeboats inward on the Brilliant Lady. As a result, there is a new category of cabin, the Slightly Smaller Sea Terrace. The balcony is considerably smaller. The comparative cabin sizes for a regular sea terrace and a slightly smaller sea terrace is the same. The difference is the balcony on a regular is 40 square feet but will be only 9 to 10 square feet on a slightly smaller. All slightly smaller sea terraces are on deck 8.

To make up for this shortcoming, Virgin put a second hammock on each slightly smaller balcony. A change that the hammock-lovers among us are very excited about. The price will be lower than a regular sea terrace.

If you are interested in booking a cruise on the new Brilliant Lady, feel free to reach out to us anytime!

The post Virgin Voyage’s New Brilliant Lady – What We Know So Far appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Solo travel is becoming one of the most popular types of travel, yet travelers are often plagued with much higher per person costs. Solo travelers are well aware of the dreaded single supplement. Most cruise lines and tour groups require a solo traveler to pay the same as two people sharing a room. This is the 100% single supplement. However, it is possible to find offers that reduce the price of traveling solo. These are the best solo deals available right now.

AMAWaterways. Ever dreamed of a European River cruise?  They are delightful! Book select sailings by March 31 and there is NO single supplement! Explore the Rhine, Bordeaux, the Danube, Moselle and more. You may the same rate as anyone else! Follow this link to explore AMAWaterways solo specials. Before you book, check with us as we can often add additional perks or savings.

It’s no secret we love AMAWaterways.

Beautiful Strasbourg

Looking for an Ocean Cruise? Solo Travel Deals

Regent Seven Seas, one of the world’s most luxurious and all-inclusive lines has reduced single supplements for solo travelers on select voyages. Find one you like and check with us before you book to see what we can add on to enhance your experience.

We are fans of Virgin Voyages. Solo travelers can find reduced single supplement offers from Virgin here. Be sure to check with us before booking as we have many perks and tips to offer. Virgin invites solo travelers to a group dinner early in the cruise, and has other opportunities for singles to meet new friends.

Upscale lines Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Oceania, Seabourn and Ponant are offering select sailings with no single supplement to destinations around the world, including Alaska, Greece, New Guinea, Norway, Iceland, Pitcairn and Easter Islands, Spain, and Polynesia.

Morocco

Solo Travel Deals: Land Based Tours

Two of the best choices for solo travel deals are G Adventures and Intrepid. These tours are very popular with single women as you travel safely with a very small group and guide.

However, if you’d like your own space, you can pay for an individual room on most of our trips.

Intrepid Travel is known for treating solo travelers well. They specialize in small group travel to fascinating destinations. It is perfect for solo travelers. In fact, half or more of Intrepid’s travelers are singles.

Intrepid will pair you with another solo traveler of the same gender. If you wish to room alone, the upcharge is reasonable.

Intrepid’s motto is Go Solo, But Not Alone. The average Intrepid trip has about ten people on it – people of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world. You are guided by a local guide who knows the backstreet bars, cool tapas joint and hidden galleries. They’ll give you tips for your free time exploring, and introduce you to locals. They can help you travel safely.

Intrepid truly covers the world with travels to the polar regions, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, pretty much anywhere you want to go.

Puffins in Iceland!

G Adventures is another great choices for the solo traveler. Known for offering National Geographic and Jane Goodall journeys, they charge no dreaded single supplement. You travel safely with a small group and guide. Visit destinations off the tourist trail such as Pakistan, Tibet, and Madacascar. They too will match you with another traveler of the same gender. And, for a small amount more, you can have your own room. Now they offer “Solo-ish” trips you can choose from too. Everyone in the group will be a solo traveler!

It’s a wonderful world and you can travel solo safely and affordably if you know where to look.

The post Solo Travel Deals Available Now appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Once you’ve booked your cruise, you can breathe a sigh of relief. You are going love it, but knowing what to expect and what to bring can bring can feel daunting, even for the experienced cruiser! That’s why we’re here to share our best cruise ship tips.

Tip 1: Luggage Tags

A few weeks before your cruise most cruise lines will email you paper luggage tags that you are expected to print out at home and staple onto your bags. These are essential so the crew knows which cabin to take your bags to. However, few of these tags survive their first encounter with airline baggage handling!

We play it safe by using reusable plastic tag holders. You print out the cruise baggage tags, fold them, and slip them into the plastic sleeves. Problem solved!

And remember to leave them on your bags during the cruise as the crew will use them when you disembark.

There are many holders available with metal bands rather than plastic loops. We think the plastic ones hold up better. But either will work.

Visit here to see our recommendations for some to buy.

Tip For Virgin Voyage Sailors: No luggage tags needed (except your regular tags, of course). Just bring your bags to the terminal and the porter will tag them before transporting them to your cabin.

Tip 2: Magnets? Really?

One of our best cruise ship tips is magnet hooks. Really.

Almost all cruise cabin walls are metal. This means magnets are your friend for organizing your cruise stuff. We use heavy-duty 100 pound hooks because they can hold tote bags, drying swimsuits, jackets, whatever you want! There can be a lot of paper on a cruise, keep it in sight with these. Make sure you get magnet hooks that hold at least 25 pounds. If you want help finding some, visit our Cruise Essentials post.

Pop a few into your suitcase. You’ll thank us later.

Tip 3: Keep Your Cruise Card With You

On most cruises, your plastic cruise card is everything-your door key, your credit card, and your ID. We use a lanyard to keep it with us at all times. There are MANY styles to choose from.

Remember, with Princess Cruises you will have a Medallion instead of a card so read below for options on Princess. And on Virgin Voyages you’ll have a nifty little bracelet.

Tip 4: Are You Sailing on Princess?

If there is a Princess Cruise in your future, they now use Princess Medallions instead of cruise cards. They do everything from opening your cabin door to charging things to your account. You can even order a drink and they will use it to find you and deliver it to wherever you are. It connects to your phone or other device and makes it easy to message others in your party. We think they are pretty cool.

Of course, Princess Cruises sells holders and lets you purchase personalizations.

The Princess Medallion is almost the exact same size as an Apple AirTag, so you can use AirTag accessories to keep your Medallion safe.

Tip 5: Door Decorations and Celebrations

A popular cruise ship tip is magnetic door decorations. With so many cabins it can feel a little like a maze to find yours. Because of this, people like to decorate their doors with magnetic signs and decorations. Fortunately, they are easy to find and make.

Also, if someone in your party is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, retirement, etc. make sure to ask your travel advisor request a bit of celebration. Frequently, the ship’s staff will decorate your door to help celebrate. And if you want a bigger celebration, mist cruise lines have party packages you can purchase.

There are many magnetic door decorations that can be customized to suit you and your party.

Tip 6: Passport Cases

Most cruises must visit at least one foreign port, which means a passport is important. We like to keep ours in a passport case. We like a style that allows you to also carry a little cash, a credit card, and your cruise card all in one place. Handy for when you are taking those shore excursions. Also, RFID blocking is a big plus.

Tip 7: One of the Most Important Cruise Ship Tips: Medications

If you take medications, bring two weeks MORE than you need for your trip, because you never know what might happen. Bring them in your carry-on bag.

Also, we keep pictures of our prescriptions on our phone in case we need an emergency refill somewhere. Finally, we suggest you keep a hard copy of your eyeglass prescription.

We always also bring sunscreen, ibuprofen and over the counter allergy medications because they can be pricey while traveling. Besides, who wants to waste vacation time shopping for medications?

Finally, your ship will have a small shop that sells basics like aspirin, band-aids, and sunscreen, but they tend to be pricey.

Tip 8: Worried About Seasickness?

If you are concerned about seasickness, here are some suggestions. Please know seasickness can happen, but modern ships are bigger and have very effective stabilizer systems.

• Bring ginger candy, as ginger is known to help fight seasickness
• Anti-nausea wristbands and Dramamine are popular
• Scopolamine patches, though you need a doctor’s prescription

Remember, the ship has a doctor and small medical facility. In the unlikely event you experience severe seasickness, don’t hesitate to pay a visit.

Tip 9: Power Strips

Cruise cabins are notorious for not having enough electrical outlets for today’s gadget-obsessed traveler. Bring a power strip. But be sure it is NOT surge protected as many cruise lines will confiscate those and return them to you at the end of the cruise.

If you are sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, beware as they have banned all power strips.

We reviewed our favorite power strips in this post.

Tip 10: Protect Yourself

The pandemic caused many people to consider the importance of purchasing travel insurance, for good reason. Seniors often do not realize that Medicare does cover emergency medical care when traveling abroad. We discuss the importance of travel insurance and what to consider when choosing some.

Tip 11: Your Cabin Attendant

Here’s an important cruise ship tip. When in need, ask your cabin attendant. We are amazed how many people come back from a cruise complaining there were not enough hangers in the closet. When we ask “Did you ask your cabin attendant for more?” they often say, I didn’t think to. Here are things you can ask you cabin attendant for assistance with on most cruise lines:

• More hangers
• More water (be careful as some cruise lines charge you for this)
• Changing the bed from a queen to two twins or vice versa
• Removing the panel on the balcony so you can socialize with your friends next door
• Tape
• A mattress topper

More

If you enjoyed our top cruise tips, you can learn more by checking out these posts:

Cruising the Panama Canal

Cruise Planning Tips

Airfare Secrets: Getting the Best Price on Airfare

Travel Discounts Because of Your Job

Take a Solar Eclipse Cruise

We do receive a small commission from items purchased through these links.

The post Top Cruise Tips appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Research shows that the average person who plans their own trip spends over 30 hours researching it. That’s almost a whole work week and many people spend more time than that! As travel agents, we devote ourselves to knowing which cruise will be the best cruise for each client, while also saving them time and money.

How can you avoid wasting time and money on your cruise planning, and get to relaxing sooner? Here are some amazing cruise planning tips.

There are 18 cruise lines and almost 800 cruises in Alaska alone – that’s a lot to research. Save yourself time by working with an expert to pick your cruise..

Tip 1: Before You Choose a Cruise, Think!

The most important cruise planning tip is to think before you book! Don’t jump at the first low price or pretty social media post. Ask yourself, what are you looking to get from your cruise. Are you looking for the best cruise line for your family? Or perhaps a romantic trip for two with no kids? Is there a destination you have in mind?

The most important question to ask yourself is what is your budget? Since the pandemic, many travelers have decided to upgrade their travel and splurge on something they might not have before. But it’s about what works for you! We often see people jump at a low advertised price without realizing they will end up paying more in the end than if they had booked a higher priced cruise that included more. We often prepare spreadsheets for our clients so they can compare apples-to-apples.

If you are using a travel advisor, and you should, tell them clearly what you want so they can help you plan your perfect trip.

Questions to answer for planning your cruise:

• Who is traveling? There are cruise lines that specialize in kids and others that don’t allow children. Will it be multi-generational? Cruising solo is popular, is that you?
• Are you restricted to certain dates? If so, you might want to engage a travel agent (also known as a travel advisor), at no cost to you, who can quickly scan your date range and tell you what is available.
• Do you have certain destinations in mind or do you just want to cruise? Alaska is extremely popular and there is much to know to maximize your experience.
• Do you have a budget? See Tip 2.
• When you stay in a hotel do you stay at a Four Seasons, a Motel 6, or something in between? Cruiselines have the same types of differences in luxury and quality. As part of your research, make sure you know you are getting the cruise you want. The more you tell your travel advisor, the better they can match you to the right cruise.
• Make a list of what you will want, such as:
  • Wi-fi
  • Specialty dining
  • Drinks (many lines charge extra for soft drinks as well as wine, alcohol, etc.)
  • Gratuities. While technically optional, you should pay them. They can be as high as $20 per person per day as only a few crusielines include them in the price.
  • Spa services
  • Shore excursions
  • Room service. Many lines charge extra for this.

Tip 2: Consider Value Over Price For A Cruise

All too often, travelers get drawn in by a low advertised price, only to find out at the end of the cruise they owe money for all sorts of things. Watch for items like crew gratuities, wi-fi, soft drinks, even coffees and dining! These costs all add up, and this doesn’t even include shore excursions. This doesn’t mean cruising isn’t a good value–it is!

Speaking of the value of cruising, we often see people who have sticker shock over the price of a cruise. Then they compare a comparable land vacation and realize the value of a cruise.

If you’re planning a cruise, that more expensive looking choice may be a better value. Look behind the curtain of a “good deal” and make an informed decision. We’ve seen far too many people book a “cheap” cruise, then end up spending more money on all the extras, than if they had booked a “more expensive” cruise that included more. Don’t let that happen to you.

We prepare spreadsheets for our clients who are choosing between different cruises so they can see the actual cost and value of each.

Several cruise lines engage in more honest pricing. They will include beverages, Wi-Fi, port fees, crew gratuities, specialty restaurants, and sometimes even shore excursions. Booking a cruise with one of them can result in a much better and more relaxing experience.

Virgin Voyages includes more with Fair and Flexible pricing

Tip 3: How to Choose a Cruise to Get the Best Price?

This is one of our best cruise planning tips. While last minute deals still exist, nowadays the cruise lines often make the best offers to those who book early. We always suggest booking as early as you can with a refundable deposit. With a refundable deposit, it’s easier to get the price reduced if the price drops later. Or, worst case, cancel the booking and start a new one.

Tip 4: Booking The Cruise

Once you’ve decided what cruise you want to take and when you want to take it, now it’s time to book it. That’s not where the stress ends though.

When COVID hit in 2020, we had quite a few clients booked on cruises. Some of these cruises cost tens of thousands of dollars! Worse, they had not purchased travel insurance. After lots of work and hours on hold, we were able to get all of our clients a refund. People who had booked cruises themselves, had to fight for refunds on their own.

Good travel agents fight for their clients in those situations. Car crashes, job loss, and personal or family illness can happen to anyone. By working with us, we can make it easier for you to recover your money if something goes wrong with your trip. And of course it is why we always recommend purchasing trip protection.

Many people are not aware that it doesn’t cost you anything extra to book with a travel agent. There are exceptions to that, as some travel agents do charge an upfront planning fee, but many, like us, do not. In addition, the travel agent will have your back if things don’t go right.

Working with a travel advisor can be the best way to choose a cruise.

Tip 5: Best Cruises for Families

We think a cruise is the perfect way for a group of friends and family to travel together. We’ve done it many times. Everyone gets to the same place at the same time. On board, you can spend as much, or as little, time together as you wish.

It’s great for multi-generational travel as the kids can have fun all day in the children’s program while Mom and Dad visit the spa and Grandma and the aunties play pickleball or take a painting class. Or, all the adults can just sip margaritas by the pool. Some groups only see each other at dinner because they are so busy with their own activities.  And the children’s programs are so much fun it can be hard to get the kids to leave at the end of the day.

The ship’s photographers will be happy to take as many pictures of your group as want with no sitting fees. You only pay for the pictures you want. No obligation!

Finally, if your group is large enough, there may be extra perks and discounts available. A good travel agent can not only help you choose a cruise but can save you many headaches by keeping track of what all the aunts and uncles and nephews and nieces want.

Popular cruises for families are the Royal Caribbean (RCCL) and the Disney Cruise Line (of course). But don’t overlook cruises like Celebrity and Princess who have excellent children and teen programs. Princess especially in great for Alaska and we consider the Princess Plus program to be one of the best values in cruising.

Tip 6: Cabin Selection on a Cruise

Some people care passionately about their cabin location, others not so much. If you don’t care, you can often choose to book a “guarantee” cabin at a slightly lower price. This means they guarantee you a cabin in that category such as a balcony or suite, but you won’t know which exact one it is until just before you board.

When choosing a cabin, here are some things to think about:

• Who will share what kinds of cabins? If the kids are teens, you can book a balcony cabin for the parents and an inside cabin, across the hall, for the kids.
• Do you need the cabins to be close together? Do you need the cabins to have a connecting door?
• Does the cruise ship sail up a coastline? (We’re looking at you, Alaska) If it does, then one side of the ship is going to have far better cabin views than others.

Tip 7: Best Cruises for Adults

Cruise planning tips for sailing without children. Two cruise lines do not allow children at all: Virgin Voyages and Viking Ocean.

Other cruise lines allow children but you will find fewer, depending on the season and itinerary. These include Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, and Oceania. We like Azamara for its extended stays at many ports.

Newcomer Virgin Voyages is winning every award in sight and is winning over veteran cruisers from other lines. Check out our posts about sailing on Virgin.

We also are big fans of Cunard, which offers a sophisticated experience. You can actually sail between New York and England, often for less than the price of flying business class. Seven nights of great food, entertainment and accomodation–and no jet lag!

Tip 8: Upgrades

In the not-too-distant-past, veteran cruisers would sometimes experience the “Upgrade Fairy,” meaning the cruise line gave them a free upgrade. Nowadays, that is incredibly rare. More and more cruise lines have programs in which you make blind bids on upgrades should they become available. Some examples are Princess Upgrades, Royal Caribbean’s Royal Up, Virgin’s Level Up, and Celebrity’s Move Up.

We hope these cruise planning tips help you choose your cruise. If you need suggestions for getting the price on airfare, check out this post.

Check out this recent New York Times article describing why so many people of all ages are taking their first cruise.

If Athens is on your itinerary, be sure to read our article about one of the best museums in the world, the Acropolis Museum.

Ready for More Great Travel Tips?

Every week we share our favorite travel secrets and tips. You can view them all here.

The post Amazing Cruise Planning Tips appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Dive in and discover new deals that will help you cruise on the cruise line that keeps winning award after award. There are Virgin Voyages deals galore that can be stacked: Free Bar Tab, 80% off the second sailor, solo deals on virgin voyages, and a bigger paid in full discount.

Best of all, you can combine them!

Relax and Refresh on Virgin

Virgin Voyages Deals: The WAVE Season Sale that Lasts until January

Veteran cruisers know that Wave Season, when some of the best offers of the year occur, starts in January. However, always willing to break the rules, Virgin has jumped ahead of the line and begun their Wave Season offer right now. And it can be combined with some of their other amazing deals.

With The Wave you get BOTH:

• 80% Off for a Second Sailor on eligible cabins
• Free Bar Tab – Up to $300 in Free Drinks depending on the length of your cruise

You can use this credit to enjoy premium cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees and more.

Check with us for restrictions and pricing

AND these offers can be combined with the use of a My Next Virgin Voyage (MNVV) certificate—and we have some for you. It also combines with the Pay in Full Offer. What’s an MNVV? Keep reading.

Virgin’s Food Wins Major Awards and You Never Pay Extra for Specialty Dining

Another Virgin Voyages Deal: Up to 10% Savings If You Pay-in-Full

If you choose to pay the full balance at the time of booking you save up to 10% more off your cruise fare. This option can be combined with the Wave 2025 offer but is only available on select cabin types and itineraries.

To qualify for the Pay in Full Discount, a booking must meet these requirements:

• Be fully paid, covering the complete invoice amount (including voyage fare, taxes, and fees), within two hours of making the reservation.
• Be made at least 180 days before the sail date.
• Eligible Cabins for the “Paid in Full Discount” Offer are:
  XL Sea Terrace, Central Sea Terrace, The Sea Terrace, Limited View Sea Terrace, The Sea View, and The Insider. Lock-it-in cabins are excluded.

The “Paid in Full Discount” Offer is combinable with the Wave 2025, My Next Virgin Voyage (MNVV), and Affinity Circles (Groups).

Virgin Arrives in Alaska!

Virgin’s newest ship, the Brilliant lady will set sail for Alaska in and you can grab a cabin now. Sailings from seven to twelve days out of Seattle and Vancouver from May through September 2026. And don’t forget Virgin will start sailings from Los Angeles too!

Have a Whale of a Time with Virgin

My Next Virgin Voyage Certificates (MNVV)

My Next Virgin Voyages (MNVV) certificates are one of the best deals you can get in cruising. They are certificates you can only purchase while sailing on Virgin. However, because they can be transferred to another person once, and because they represent such great perks, we buy up batches when we sail with Virgin so that we can share them with our clients. These certificates involve a $300 deposit that is applied to the cruise price.

• If you book a cruise of 4-5 days with your MNVV: You get $150 discount off the price of your cabin and $150 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit) 
• If you book a cruise of 6-8 days with your MNVV: You get $200 discount off the price of your cabin and $200 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit) 
• If you book a cruise of 9 days or more with your MNVV: You get $250 discount off the price of your cabin and $250 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)

We have a limited supply of MNVVs, though we try to restock whenever we can. If you are interested in using one of our MNVVs, please reach out to us to learn more about the process.

Great Solo Deals from Virgin Voyages

Virgin has long been recognized by solo travelers as a great cruise line. The open accepting atmosphere makes everyone feel welcome. And now, finally, there are solo deals on Virgin Voyages–dozens of them.

The post Fantastic New Virgin Voyages Offers appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Eagerly Awaiting 2026

Virgin Voyage Alaska 2026 Season Details Revealed

Get ready for an exhilarating adventure as Virgin Voyages opens the door to its highly anticipated Alaska itineraries aboard the stunning Brilliant Lady! These wonderful 7 to 12-night voyages promise breathtaking scenery, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and immersive shore excursions that will leave you spellbound.

Here’s what you need to know about Virgin Voyages Alaska cruise.

Do You Have an Alaska Fron(tier) Pass?

For the last year, people had the opportunity to buy a $500 refundable deposit pass so they could early book Alaska 2026 before the general public. If you have a pass, you can get special savings from now until November 12th! To use the pass, reach out to your First Mate or call Virgin directly.

Click Me for Information on Alaskan Itineraries

Inaugural MerMaiden Voyage May 21–28, 2026

The Brilliant Lady embarks on her spectacular MerMaiden voyage from Seattle on May 21. This special journey will whisk you away to Ketchikan through the stunning Tongass National Forest, before making a stop in the culturally rich town of Sitka, which was famously the backdrop of the movie The Proposal!

The adventure continues through the breathtaking Tracy Arm Fjord and visits charming Prince Rupert in British Columbia, before returning to Seattle.

You Moose Go to Alaska

Twelve Nights: Alaska Awe from Vancouver to Seattle

The Alaska Awe sailing takes place May 11-21, 2026. It starts in beautiful Vancouver Canada and ends in Seattle, sailing the Inside Passage, to Ketchikan, Sitka, cruising Hubbard Glacier, Skagway (with a late-night visit!), Juneau, and Icy Point Straight.

Alaskan Glacier Blues & Coastal Views

Sail seven nights June 4-11 or in August round trip from Seattle. You sail the famed Inside Passage, visiting Ketchikan, Sitka, cruising Tracy Ann Fjord, visiting Prince Rupert B.C. before returning to Seattle.

Seattle, Juneau & Canadian Coasts

In May and August, you can sail round trip from Seattle for seven nights. You sail the famed Inside Passage, visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, cruising Tracy Ann Fjord, visiting Prince Rupert B.C. before returning to Seattle.

Ketchikan

Inside Passage Alaska & Canadian Coasts

In June, enjoy twelve nights round trip from Seattle and seeing it all!

You will sail the famed Inside Passage, visiting Ketchikan, Sitka, sailing Hubbard Glacier, historic Skagway, Icy Straight Point, Haines, and visiting Prince Rupert and gorgeous Victoria B.C. before returning to Seattle. The trip will be more special with late night stops in Sitka, Skagway, Haines, Prince Rupert, and Victoria.

Foodies–This One’s For You: Inside Passage Eat & Drink Edition Virgin Voyage Alaska

The cruise line that has won every award in sight will host July seven night sailings from Seattle will feature special food and drink celebrating the region. Visits to Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracey Arm Fjord, and Prince Rupert will make this an amazing week.

Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, Ketchikan & More

September 3-11, the Brilliant Lady sails for eight nights from Seattle to Vancouver. You’ll also sail Icy Point Strait, Tracey Arm Fjord, and Ketchikan.

You’ll have a late-night visit in Sitka, which is only accessible by air or water. Sitka was originally inhabited by the Tlingit people, When Russians arrived and claimed the area, they named the area New Archangel, and it became the capital of Russian Alaska in 1808. Russia sold Alaska to the United States on October 18, 1867, with a transfer ceremony held in Sitka on Baranof Castle State Historic Site.

Here’s the Virgin Voyages Alaska 2026 Schedule

2026 Sailing Dates:

If you want to make an Alaskan booking, make sure to reach out to us and get everything in order!

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Condé Nast Traveler named Chicago the best American big city to visit. Not only did they rave about Chicago, but they also hailed it as one of the ultimate holiday season destinations – and we’re wholeheartedly on board with that! So, without further ado, here’s our guide to Christmas in Chicago!

Bursting with boundless energy, a Chicago holiday season is unlike any other. Here are some of our cherished Chicago holiday events and traditions! With its vast array of top-notch restaurants and bars, spectacular museums, shopping havens, and exhilarating events, your Christmas in Chicago will surely help you make great memories. Thanksgiving in Chicago is fabulous too! 

Christkindlmarkt are always a magical experience you don’t want to miss!

The European Christmas Market in Chicago

Chicago has a European-style Christmas market! We think the Christmas market is a must visit for any Chicago visitor. Officially called Christkindlmarkt, the original is on Daly Plaza, although two other locations have been added as well. Modeled after the European Christmas markets, it has vendors from Germany. Looking for Krampus items? You will find them here! 

And not only can you buy great holiday gifts and ornaments, but it’s also a fun place for a drink or a snack. You will find candies, cookies, pretzels, potato pancakes, sausages, and more.  You must try the gluhwein, a mulled wine you can get in an adorable souvenir mug.

Once you Have enjoyed the Market, it’s only a couple of blocks to Macy’s where you can check out the famous holiday tradition, the Macy’s holiday window displays.  

Chicago Christmas Shows

Of course, you can see A Christmas Carol and the Nutcracker, but there is also Christmas with C.S. Lewis and plenty of other holiday shows.

And if you have been wanting to see Hamilton, it is back through January 28.

If the symphony is more your speed, make sure to check out the perennial favorite at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Christmas Parades

Chicago has terrific parades. We love the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on November 23^th, because they light the magical lights on Michigan Avenue as the parade proceeds south; but the Thanksgiving Day parade is awesome too.  

Always on the first Sunday in December, make sure you don’t miss the Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade, which helps do fundraising for the Toys for Tots charity which helps bring joy into the lives of underprivileged children across the country. Motorcyclists are encouraged to join, with the entry fee just being an unwrapped toy donation. 

Less a parade, but no less spectacular, check out the Morton Arboretum’s Illumination display. 

New Year’s Eve

Finally, New Year’s Eve always brings great fireworks off Navy Pier. These fireworks can be enjoyed by anyone with a clear view of the pier, but you can get up close and personal on the pier itself. 

If you’re the party type, a lot of Chicago hotels hold New Year’s parties, but perhaps the biggest, most famous of them is the one held at The Drake Hotel, just off Michigan Avenue.

Chicago’s many bars and restaurants also will be hosting their own parties. There are so many choices, you’ll have a hard time just choosing one! 

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A white Christmas is not your speed? Looking to escape the winter blues? Or are you just looking to take advantage of the kids being off of school for a while? Change the Christmas trees for palms and consider one of the many popular destinations for a Christmas vacation.

Cruising for a Tropical Christmas

While last-minute cruise deals are much harder to find than in the past, they still exist. You do need to be flexible as to dates and cabins. 

Virgin Voyages Bimini Beach is beautiful.

Richard Branson’s new cruise line is winning every award in sight and they do things differently. Virgin Voyages has done away with the main dining room and buffet; every night is specialty dining with 20+ eateries.  And there is no extra charge for any of them! Virgin fares include crew gratuities, wi-fi, group fitness classes, gelato-style ice cream, and much more.  No one under 18 allowed but adults are encouraged to embrace their inner child. Virgin sails the Caribbean out of Miami. Contact us about December sailings, and we will put together some special offers not available by booking directly through the website.

Celebrity Cruises, the upscale cruise line known for its food and excellent service, still has space.  When you sail in December you enjoy traditional holiday meals created by a Michelin-starred chef and decorating with no prep or cleanup. You experience festive holiday shows and carolers. Everyone gets to enjoy downtime during the holidays to spend with those who matter most. Corks pop on New Year’s Eve.

We love Princess Cruises because it not only offers a high-quality cruise experience, but also lets us help you pile up the perks. The December 16 sailing of the new Sky Princess looks especially fun for a tropical Christmas. If booking Princess be sure to consider the high-value Princess Plus add-on.

A Hawaiian Tropical Christmas

If you’re looking to stay in the U.S. for Christmas, look no further than Hawaii for a tropical Christmas vacation.

Hawaii Wants Visitors

After the devasting Maui wildfires, tourism to Hawaii has understandably declined.  As a result, flights and accomodations are much more inexpensive than usual.

Now the islands are asking for the support of the traveling community and are making excellent travel offers for the holiday season. Also, you can our Best Hawaiian Travel Tips. We also share how to choose the best Hawaiian island to visit.

Christmas in Mexico

Because of its strong Christian traditions, Mexico is a fantastic place to get into the Christmas spirit without dealing with the Christmas weather.

A Tropical Christmas in Brazil

As another strongly Catholic nation, Brazil knows how to do Christmas. While not as famous as their Lent celebration, Carnival, there is a lot to do in Brazil for Christmas. And the weather is warm enough to hit the beaches.

Attending a “Missa do Galo” (Midnight Mass) at one of Rio’s historic churches, such as Candelária Church or the Metropolitan Cathedral can be ver memorable.

Merry Christmas for the Santa Chamelon

Subdued Tropical Christmas Choices

If you are looking for a relaxing tropical vacation with fewer Christmas-themed festivities, consider traveling to some of the non-Christian parts of the world. Malaysia and Vietnam offer beautiful views and beaches without decking the halls.

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The post You Can Still Have a Tropical Christmas in 2024 appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

It’s early in the morning, you need to get to Grandma’s house before the cousins or you’ll never hear the end of it. You can’t even remember if you packed a toothbrush, and the security line is 5 miles long. You’ve overpaid for your ticket last minute and you know that you’ll get no sleep on the plane based on the number of crying babies surrounding you now. Don’t let this nightmare become a reality when you travel for this Thanksgiving Day!

Holiday travel is famous for being terrible!

Breaking the Bank on Air

Airlines have continued to raise prices, and there is always a Thanksgiving Day travel price hike. While the airlines will set the prices, there are a few ways to get the cheapest option available.

Don’t be choosy about the airline. I know you have a stockpile of frequent flyer points (we do too!), but because of the way airlines manage their flights, some routes can be hundreds of dollars cheaper with different airlines! It always pays to check.

Look it up on Google Flights and Get Notified. Set your dates in and ask Google Flights to update you when the price drops. Air rates fluctuate quickly, so snag a good price when you see it!

Fly Early or On Thanksgiving Day. For Thanksgiving Day travel, everyone is trying to get in and out on the few days before and after the day itself. If you can fly a few days earlier and make a little vacation of it, consider doing that! Also, Thanksgiving Day itself tends to be very quiet, because everyone has already been through the travel nightmare.

Don’t let the airlines rake you over the coals.

Simple Things Add Up

Even something as simple as wearing slip on shoes for the security checkpoint can help save your sanity. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to streamline the process for yourself. Put your laptop in an easy to remove place and have a pocket dedicated to tickets and IDs. Throw some of your favorite snacks into your carry-on days before the trip as a welcome surprise. But no liquids, of course.

If you fly much at all, it’s worth it to get TSA Precheck. This lets you get into a faster security line. It costs very little and can make the experience so much better. And you get to keep your shoes on!

Also, check the benefits on your credit cards because many will rebate you the money you spend on TSA or Global Entry if you purchase it using that card. By the way, if you ever fly internationally, Global Entry makes return to the U.S. a breeze. Global Entry only costs $15 more than Precheck, and TSA Precheck is included.

Think Outside the Box

Thanksgiving Day travel is a uniquely American problem. Other countries celebrate Christmas, but Thanksgiving leads to lots of travel within the United States. I know it’s tradition to have the casserole out of Aunt Carol’s weird ceramic cow bowl, but it’s a golden opportunity for international travel.

Find a place outside of the US where everyone could meet up and have a dinner together in Italy or Spain. Sure, it’s not traditional, but you can find some great deals and opportunities for international travel when almost every other American is cramming into a single house for Thanksgiving. And Spanish ham is amazing!

Nearby Canada celebrates Thanksgiving but in October, so maybe spend the U.S. Thanksgiving in Toronto or Quebec. Poutine goes great with turkey.

Use Technology

While we’re thinking outside the box. Consider skipping the problems of Thanksgiving Day travel altogether. There are many ways to connect over the internet, and a webcam is a lot cheaper than an airline ticket!

Create a menu with recipes and have everyone make a smaller portion at home, then connect with everyone in an online call. Plus, you won’t need to pretend to like Aunt Karen’s veggie dip with cottage cheese and marshmallows.

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We share our favorite travel secrets and tips every week. You can see them all here.

The post Don’t Be a Turkey: Thanksgiving Day Travel 2024 appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.