Welcome to Anchorage, Alaska!

It's been a long day but we're finally in Alaska and tomorrow we'll board the Regent Seven Seas Mariner in Whittier! This 13-day adventure from Alaska to Russia to Japan is the Northwest Passage portion of Regent's Grand Asia Pacific tour.

We left home on the East Coast earlier this afternoon and touched down in Anchorage around 8:00 pm. We wish we had some more time to enjoy the sights... hopefully we'll come back soon to enjoy more of Alaska.

All we had time for this evening was a nice dinner at the Glacier Brewhouse (at 5th Avenue and H Street, directly across the street from the Westmark Hotel). It was just getting a bit nippy outside when we walked over to the restaurant. It is so warm and inviting inside! This is probably due to the fact that there are some large fireplaces in the open space, as well as a brick oven! The servers were very friendly and told us what not to miss the next time we get to Anchorage. (Photo courtesy of Glacier Brewhouse.)

When in Alaska, the king crab is a must, so we indulged in Bering sea red king crab served simply with lemon and drawn butter. It was delectable! We washed it down with some homemade cream soda and I couldn't resist ending the meal with the restaurant's signature bread budding topped with carmalized pecans and Yukon Jack sauce. Mmmmm! Heavenly!

By this point however, the time difference was catching up with us and we headed back across the street to the Westmark Hotel where we are staying for the evening. This property is actually owned by Holland America. Since this is the beginning of off-season, the hotel is very quiet and we got a terrific king room on a high floor for just $89/night. The rate included highspeed Internet access. That's always appreciated when traveling! (Photo courtesy of Westmark Hotels.)

It's pitch black out now, but we're looking forward to waking up to a beautiful Alaskan vista in the morning. Then, it's off to Whittier to meet the Mariner!

The Anchorage skyline as seen from our balcony at the Westmark Hotel.

Photos by Leonard Hospidor, unless noted otherwise

Holiday Cruises to the Caribbean & Mexico

With the summer slipping away and September in full swing, now is the time to snag one of the remaining staterooms aboard a handful of luxury cruise ships sailing the Caribbean and Mexico during the 2006 holiday season. There's still availability on a variety of 7- to 32-night voyages.

Cruising the tropics during the holidays can be a great way for your family to spend some real quality time together.

Crystal Cruises Mexican Riviera
12 nights aboard the Crystal Symphony from San Diego or 14 nights from Los Angeles
December 21, 2006 – January 4, 2007
Los Angeles, CA / San Diego, CA / Cabo San Lucas, Mexico / Acapulco, Mexico / Zihuatanejo, Mexico / Puerto Vallarta, Mexico / Mazatlán, Mexico / La Paz, Mexico / San Diego, CA / Los Angeles, CA
From $5,715 per person

Crystal Cruises Caribbean Holiday
14 nights aboard the Crystal Serenity
December 22, 2006 – January 5, 2007
Miami, FL / Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos / Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands / Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles / Gustavia, St. Barts, French West Indies / St. Johns, Antigua, West Indies / Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies / Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies / Oranjestad, Aruba, Dutch West Indies / Miami, FL
From $6,570 per person

Cunard Dreamer’s Western Caribbean
7 nights aboard the Queen Mary 2
December 23 – December 30, 2006
Fort Lauderdale / Montego Bay, Jamaica / Georgetown, Grand Cayman / Mahahual, Mexico / Cozumel, Mexico / Fort Lauderdale
From $1,599

Oceania Cruises Caribbean Pearls
12 nights aboard the Regatta
December 21, 2006 – January
Miami / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Gustavia, St. Barts, French West Indies / Roseau, Dominica / Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies / St. John’s, Antigua, West Indies / Tortola, British Virgin Islands/ Samana, Dominican Republic / Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos / Miami
From $2,599 per person

Regent Seven Seas Mexico
8 nights aboard the Mariner
December 18 – 26, 2006
Los Angeles / San Diego / Cabo San Lucas, Mexico / Mazatlan, Mexico / Puerto Vallarta, Mexico / Los Angeles
From $2,748 per person

Regent Seven Seas
10 nights aboard the Navigator
December 18 – December 28, 2006
Fort Lauderdale / Nassau, Bahamas / Cozumel, Mexico / Costa May / Belize City, Belize / Santo Toma / Roatan Island / Key West / Fort Lauderdale
From $3,837 per person

Regent Seven Seas
11 nights aboard the Voyager
December 18 – 29, 2006
Fort Lauderdale / Gustavia, St. Barts, French West Indie / Philipsburgh, St. Maarten / Roseau / Bridgetown, Barbados / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Island / Great Stirrup Cay / Fort Lauderdale,
From $4,917

Seabourn Caribbean Holiday (Grand Voyage)
21 nights aboard the Pride
December 16, 2006 – January 6, 2007
Bridgetown, Barbados / Gustavia, St. Barts / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale / San Juan, Puerto Rico / Charlestown, Nevis / Portsmouth, Dominica / St. John’s, Antigua / Philipsburg, St. Maarten / Gustavia, St. Barts / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Frederiksted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $8,015 per person

Seabourn Legendary Christmas 2006
7 nights aboard the Legend
December 19 – 26, 2006
Fort Lauderdale / San Juan, Puerto Rico / Gustavia, St. Barts / Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe / Bridgetown, Barbados
From $4,639 per person

Seabourn Caribbean Holiday
14 nights aboard the Legend
December 19, 2006 – January 2, 2007
This itinerary begins with the Legendary Christmas route and then continues on to:
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / St. John, US Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $8,576 per person

Seabourn Caribbean and Panama Canal
28 nights aboard the Legend
December 19, 2006 – January
This itinerary begins with the Legendary Christmas cruise, the Caribbean Holiday cruise, and then calls on:
Belize City, Belize / Hunting Caye, Belize / Roatan, Honduras / Puerto Moin, Costa Rica / Fuerte Amador, Panama / Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica / San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua / Caldera, Costa Rica
From $9,880 per person

Seabourn Christmas Pride 2006
7 nights aboard the Pride
December 23 – 30, 2006
Fort Lauderdale / San Juan, Puerto Rico / Charlestown, Nevis / Portsmouth, Dominica / St. John’s, Antigua / Philipsburg, St. Maarten
From $4,639 per person

Seabourn Christmas Pride 2006 and New Year’s Pride
14 nights aboard the Pride
December 23, 2006 – January 6, 2006
Start off with Seabourn’s Christmas Pride itinerary and then continue on to:
Gustavia, St. Barts / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Frederiksted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $8,576

Seabourn Caribbean, Mexico & South American (Grand Voyage)
32 nights aboard the Pride
December 23, 2006 – January 24, 2007
This is Seabourn’s Christmas Pride and New Year’s Pride itineraries, plus:
Puerto Moin, Costa Rica / Fuerte Amador, Panama / Guayaquil, Ecuador / Callao (Lima), Peru / Paracas Bay (Ica / Nazca), Peru / Arica, Chile / Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile
From $11,900 per person

Seabourn Legendary New Year 2006/07
7 nights board the Legend
December 26, 2006 – January 2, 2007
Bridgetown, Barbados / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / St. John, US Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $4,893 per person

Seabourn New Year’s Pride
7 nights aboard the Pride
December 30, 2006 – January 6, 2007
Philipsburg, St. Maarten / Gustavia, St. Barts / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Frederiksted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $4,893 per person

SeaDream Yacht Club Christmas Cruise
9 nights aboard the SeaDream I
December 20-29, 2006
Buenes Aires, Agentina / Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay / Montevideo, Uruguay / Puerto del Buceo Yacht Club, Uruguay / Piriapolis, Uruguay / Punta del Este, Uruguay / Buenes Aires, Argentina
From $5,199

SeaDream Yacht Club New Year's Eve Cruise
12 nights aboard the SeaDream I
December 29, 2006 - January 7, 2007
Buenos Aires, Argentina / Punta del Este, Uruguay / Ilhabela, Brazil / Ilha da Gipoi, Brazil / Parati, Brazil / Ilha do Cabo Frio, Brazil / Buzios Town, Brazil / Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
From $6,399

SeaDream Yacht Club Christmas Cruise
7 nights aboard the SeaDream II
December 23-30, 2006
Bridgetown, Barbados / Union Island (Mayreau), St. Vincent and the Grenadines / Bequia, Grenadines / Castries, St. Lucia / Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe / Gustavia, St. Barthelemy / Jost van Dyke, British Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
From $4,299

SeaDream Yacht Club New Year's Eve Cruise
8 nights aboard the SeaDream II
December 30, 2006 - January 7, 2007
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas / Gustavia, St. Barthelemy / Marigot, St. Martin / Charlestown, Nevis / Basseterre, St. Kiss / Josts van Dyke, British Virgin Islands / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
From $7,199

Silversea Caribbean Holiday
14 nights aboard the Silver Shadow
December 21, 2006 – January 4, 2007
Fort Lauderale / George Town, Grand Cayman / Ocho Rios, Jamaica / Oranjestad, Aruba / Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles / Los Roques, Venezuela / St. George’s Grenada / Castries, St. Lucia / St. John’s, Antigua / Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $7,465 per person

Windstar Cruises Barbados Holiday
7 nights aboard the Wind Surf
December 23 – 30, 2006
Bridgetown, Barbados / Pigeon Island, St. Lucia / Nevis / St. Martin, French West Indies / St. Barthelemy, French West Indies / Iles Des Saintes, French West Indies / Bridgetown, Barbados
From $2,399 per person

Windstar Cruises St. Thomas Holiday or New Years
7 nights aboard Wind Spirit
December 23 – 30, 2006
or
December 30, 2006 – January 6, 2007
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / St. John, US Virgin Islands / St. Barthelemy, French West Indies / Tortola, British Virgin Islands / Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
From $2,249 per person

Windstar Cruises Barbados New Years
8 nights aboard Wind Surf
December 30, 2006 – January 7, 2006
Bridgetown, Barbados / Castries, St. Lucia / Tobago / Bequia, Grenadines / Roseau, Dominica / Kingstown, St. Vincent / Mayreau, Grenadines / Bridgetown, Barbados
From $2,549 per person

Windstar Cruises Costa Rica Holiday or New Years
7 nights aboard Wind Star
December 23 – 30, 2006 or December 30, 2006 – January 6, 2007
Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica / Curu (Reserve), Costa Rica / Tortuga Island, Costa Rica / San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua / Playas Del Coco, Costa Rica / Quepos, Costa Rica / Marenco (Drake Bay), Costa Rica / Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica
From $2,499 per person

Prepping For A Cruise

I’m the type of mega-planner who obsesses over every detail. That being the case, getting ready for a 14-day cruise is quite an adventure! Our vacation aboard Regent's Mariner starts in about seven days, so last week I focused on documents, getting the house ready and giving instructions to our dog sitters. Here are a few of my tips…

Temporarily suspend mail service. You can do this online at www.usps.com, by calling 1-(800) 275-8777 or by filling out PS Form 8076 and returning it to your local post office. Mail can be held for three to 30 days.

Temporarily suspend newspaper delivery.

Pay bills in advance, if necessary. Check payment dates on upcoming bills and pay early, schedule an automated payment or call the company to make other arrangements.

Alert credit-card companies. If you’re traveling even a short distance from home, it’s a good idea to alert your credit-card companies. If unusual charge activity occurs, some companies will actually freeze your account until they can contact you regarding the validity of the charges. Call the (800) number on the back of your credit card and have the representative make a note in your file.

When I called American Express to let them know about our forthcoming trip, they offered to enroll us in the Payment Flexibility plan. Basically, this allows you to have a revolving line of credit for travel-related charges or larger purchases. It gives an extra bit of flexibility when you’re on the road for extended periods of time. The plan is free and AmEx credited our account 2,500 Membership Rewards points just for adding this new feature to our card.

Purchase foreign currency. Since we’ll be in Russia and Japan, I stopped by my local American Express Travel office and purchased a small amount of rubles and yen… not the best rates but it’s convenient and I wanted a small bit of local cash in my wallet.

Pet locator chips. If your dog or cat is not already micro-chipped, consider having this done prior to your voyage. Make sure your pet caretaker has the (800) number for the locator service and the chip identification number. Of course, let’s hope you never need to rely on the chip to find your dog or cat, but the peace of mind it gives me is well worth the price.

Documents. Make copies of your passports, credit cards (front and back), airline tickets, cruise documents, hotel confirmations and anything else of that nature. Put a set of copies in each piece of luggage and make sure someone at home (a family member or friend) also keeps a set as a back up. Make sure your pet sitter has the contact info for your vet and another backup pet sitter in case an emergency crops up. And, make sure your house sitter or pet sitter knows your security alarm code and how to arm and disarm the system.

Your itinerary and your luggage. Print your itinerary on a sheet of paper and add all your contact information (how to call the ship, your cell numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.). Place a copy of this itinerary in each piece of your luggage. In addition, fold a copy and insert it behind the contact information in your luggage tags. This way, even if your outer identification tag comes off your suitcase, the airline can still determine whom the bag belongs to and how to get it back to you quickly.

We're on track for our trip and this week I'm working on our shore excursion sight-seeing plan. While we're definitely taking part in one of Regent's excursions in Siberia, we will probably do our own thing in Alaska and Japan, for the most part. More to come soon...