Even if you're well educated on foreign transaction fees and how to avoid them with a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card when you travel abroad, a sneaky new Uber feature may thwart your fee-free international spending strategy.
29.01.2025 - 15:07 / thepointsguy.com
Holland America will outdo itself again in 2026 with superlong itineraries, including twists on historic Alaska and Mediterranean sailings.
The line announced Wednesday even more epic itineraries for the 2026 cruise season, including voyages to the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and Hawaii. Of these, one pays homage to a bygone Holland America itinerary; another will ply waterways rarely traveled by cruise ships.
All of the sailings are part of the line's Legendary Voyages itineraries, which range from 27 to 45 days and focus on a singular region. Additionally, they offer special onboard programming and activities that highlight the area's history and culture. (Looking for an even longer sailing? Try one of the line's Grand Voyages.)
Shorter iterations of these cruises were available in previous years — and many sold out quickly. The 2026 itineraries will feature ports and experiences not offered on past sailings.
Among the newly announced 2026 itineraries is the 28-night Legendary Arctic Circle Solstice voyage aboard the 1,924-passenger Noordam. The ship will depart Seattle on June 7 and visit 13 ports throughout British Columbia and Alaska.
This reenvisioned itinerary will include two full days of scenic cruising through the Inside Passage, ideal for spotting wildlife such as whales and seals. The ship will navigate the narrow channels of British Columbia, including Seymour Narrows, Johnstone Strait, Bella Bella and the Grenville Channel.
These routes were historically used by steamboats during the gold rush days of the 1800s. Over time, the routes lost their luster as vessels grew in size and could reach Alaska faster via the open ocean. Holland America will give guests a rare opportunity to sail this historic Inside Passage.
As the ship makes its way through the channels, it will hug the coastline along the Great Bear Rainforest, home to abundant wildlife. Cruisers might catch a glimpse of coastal gray wolves, Sitka deer and the rare cream-colored Kermode bear, or spirit bear, considered sacred by the Tsimshian people.
Long stays in port offer more time to explore the waterfalls and dramatic cliffs along Keystone Canyon in Valdez and Juneau's Mendenhall, Taku, Eagle and Herbert glaciers. Mountain-fringed Valdez sees few cruise ships, partly due to the time it takes to reach from Vancouver and other Alaska cruise hubs. Remote ports like Nome and Dutch Harbor are also on the itinerary.
Passengers will also cruise through the Bering Strait into the Arctic Ocean. Noordam will be positioned in the Bering Sea above the Arctic Circle for the summer solstice on June 21 — the longest day of the year, providing 24 hours of daylight.
Fares for the Legendary Arctic Circle
Even if you're well educated on foreign transaction fees and how to avoid them with a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card when you travel abroad, a sneaky new Uber feature may thwart your fee-free international spending strategy.
Social media is becoming ever more important to trip planning. According to the travel industry news site PhocusWire, a whopping 57 percent of people use social media to plan at least some part of their trips. And while there are plenty of posts out there that could inspire your next vacation, Airbnb recently compiled a list of properties that went viral on TikTok in 2024 — and this 100-acre ranch in Beaumont, Texas, will make you want to book a trip to the Lone Star State ASAP.
Food and travel go hand-in-hand. When you get out and explore the world, you should taste all the flavors your new destination has to offer. However, the U.S. is a pretty big place with lots of diverse food offerings. So, to help you narrow down the best places to tickle your tastebuds in America, Clarify Capital created a list of the top food destinations in the country.
Heads up, San Diego. For the first time ever, Royal Caribbean will be basing a cruise ship in the port, starting in October 2026.
February is the perfect time to book a last-minute getaway or get ahead on planning your spring break trip. This month, there are tons of amazing travel deals to take advantage of, whether you're seeking a warm island vacay or an exhilarating ski weekend. Book a trip with Exoticca and see savings of up to 50% off on tours in gorgeous countries around the world. Wave season is still in effect, so don't miss out on major cruise deals—like Celebrity Cruises' savings of up to 75% off on cruise fares for the second guests in a duo, on top of free room upgrades. There are only a couple of days before Valentine's Day, and if you're looking to impress a special someone this year, plan a spontaneous Valentine's Day staycation through Marriott at one of our readers' favorite hotels across the country. Plus, some of these Valentine's Day deals run past February 14. When it comes to these amazing February travel deals, you simply can’t lose.
Heathrow is taking the art of the private lounge to a new level with an upgraded terminal where VIPs can peruse pieces from the likes of David Hockney, Tracey Emin, and Francis Bacon.
If you’re hoping to say "sea you real soon” to Captain Mickey or Minnie, Disney Cruise Line has exciting voyages on tap in 2026.
Feb 7, 2025 • 5 min read
Disney Cruise Line's lineup of family-friendly cruises is already packed with exciting itineraries across the globe, but it's about to get even more exciting in 2026. On Thursday, Disney revealed its summer 2026 sailings, including the introduction of a second ship to one of TPG's favorite Disney cruise destinations.
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