Cruise & Travel Videos

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10 Fears & Questions About the Carnival Dream (Answered!) 🚢

Thinking about sailing on the Carnival Dream? 🤔 We had a lot of questions and a few fears before we set sail on our 6-night Caribbean cruise from Galveston, Texas. This video answers your biggest questions before you go!

A photo of the Carnival Dream cruise ship.
The beautiful Carnival Dream, looking perfect in Cozumel, Mexico! 🚢

We dive into everything from the ship’s age, addressing if a vessel from 2009 feels old or worn out, and if there are enough sun loungers, hot tubs, and pool space to go around. We also tackle the question of our Deluxe Oceanview stateroom #1402 and whether having two washrooms is overkill or a game-changer. 🤯 We get into the practical details on the Carnival Dream, including the number of plugs in the cabin and our experience with the ship’s laundry facilities and their costs. 🧺

We also give you our honest opinion on the complimentary food options, the variety, and our take on the Carnival Dream’s theater and its sightlines. 🎭 We cover what our view from Deck 1 was like, whether the AC kept the cabin cool enough, and if the crowds felt too busy in the common areas. 👫

🚢 Ship: Carnival Dream ✅ Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line ⭐ Departure Port: Galveston Texas ✨ Itinerary: 6-Night Round Trip Western Caribbean Cruise 📍 Ports of Call: Costa Maya, Belize, Cozumel

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, this video is designed to get you all the answers you need before you book your trip! ✅

Watch our video for the full answers: https://youtu.be/rCR2FBXqIeQ

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Grand Princess Ship Tour: Your Ultimate Deck-by-Deck Walkthrough Awaits! 🚢✨

Planning a cruise on the magnificent Grand Princess? Or simply love exploring cruise ships from the comfort of your home? You’re in for a treat! We’ve just dropped our brand-new, comprehensive video tour of the Grand Princess, taking you on an unforgettable journey through every corner of this beautiful vessel.

At Northern Viking Explorer, we know how exciting it is to get familiar with your cruise ship before you even step aboard. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate Grand Princess Ship Tour – Full Walk-Through! In this video, we’re going from the top deck to the very bottom, showing you everything there is to see.

What to Expect on Your Grand Princess Journey:

Join us as we explore the ship’s most iconic and popular areas! We start high up, checking out the fantastic Sports Court 🏀 and the relaxing Oasis Area Hot Tubs. Then, we make our way to the serene The Sanctuary and the invigorating Spa Pool for some adult-only tranquility.

Of course, no cruise tour is complete without a look at the pools! We’ll give you a full view of the lively Neptune’s Reef and Pool, the comfortable indoor Calypso Reef and Pool, and the more secluded Terrace Pool. Don’t forget the tasty bites at Slice and Salty Dog Grill nearby! 🍕🍔

As we head indoors, prepare to explore the ship’s classic and sophisticated interior. We’ll stroll through the peaceful Piazza (the heart of the Grand Princess) and grab a coffee at the International Cafe. You’ll also peek into the elegant Princess Theater 🎭 and see all the main dining rooms, various specialty restaurants, cozy bars, and vibrant lounges perfect for every mood. We even visit the self-serve laundromat (because, let’s be real, sometimes you need it!). 😉

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser on the Grand Princess or a seasoned sailor, this video is packed with details, tips, and incredible views to get you excited for your next adventure.

Ready to explore? Watch the full Grand Princess Ship Tour here:

WATCH THE GRAND PRINCESS SHIP TOUR NOW!

Don’t forget to like the video, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and let us know in the comments what your favorite part of the Grand Princess is! Happy cruising! ⚓

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How to See Mendenhall Glacier on a $9 Budget: A DIY Guide for Your Juneau Trip

Planning a visit to Juneau, Alaska, but want to avoid the expensive, crowded tours? This guide is for those who like to walk or hike. In our latest YouTube video, we show you exactly how to do a full Mendenhall Glacier excursion for just $9 per person. That’s a fraction of the cost of a typical tour, which can easily be upwards of $75. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

This budget-friendly guide is perfect for independent travelers and cruise ship passengers looking for an authentic and affordable way to experience one of Alaska’s most stunning natural wonders. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have an incredible adventure, you just need a little local knowledge.

Here’s how the trip works and what you need to know to do it yourself:

  • Step 1: Get on the Bus. From downtown Juneau, you’ll take the public city bus (Routes 3, 4, or 8) to the Dredge Lake Road bus stop. The bus fare is only $2 per person each way, and it’s a scenic ride that takes about 45 minutes from the cruise port.
  • Step 2: Take a Short Walk. The public bus doesn’t go all the way to the visitor center, but it drops you off at the closest point, a 1.5-mile walk away. The walk is beautiful and on a paved path, taking about 30 minutes at a brisk pace. It’s a great way to stretch your legs and get an up-close look at the Alaskan wilderness.
  • Step 3: Explore the Glacier. Depending on the parts of the park you want to visit, you may have to pay a $5 fee. Have a closer look at the website for the fee areas.

Essential Resources for Your Trip

Before you go, it’s always a good idea to check for the most current information, as schedules and fees can change. Here are the official links you’ll need to plan your Mendenhall Glacier adventure:

Ready to See How It’s Done?

This trip is not just a budget hack, it’s a more authentic way to see Juneau’s famous glacier on your own terms. Watch our full video guide to see the entire journey, from bus ride to the incredible views at Nugget Falls.

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/DwHbE1Cmibo

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FREE Grand Princess Food – What’s Included on Your Cruise 🍕🍝🍦

One of the biggest questions people have before booking a cruise is what food is actually included with your fare? On our recent Alaska cruise aboard the Grand Princess, we made it our mission to try as much included food as possible and capture it all on video so you can see exactly what’s offered.

From the Horizon Court buffet, where we enjoyed breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, to Slice Pizza and the Salty Dog Grill, there were always plenty of casual bites available. We also stopped by Coffee & Cones for soft-serve ice cream and checked out the International Café for snacks and light meals throughout the day.

Of course, some of our favorite dining experiences were in the main dining rooms: Botticelli, Da Vinci, and Michelangelo. We ate several meals here, including breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, and the variety of dishes always made for a special experience.

Every single one of these dining options was included in the price of our cruise fare – no extra charge. While we couldn’t possibly eat everything, this video gives you a great look at the wide range of complimentary food available onboard the Grand Princess.

📺 Watch the full video here: FREE Grand Princess Food – What’s Included!

Whether you’re planning a Grand Princess sailing or just curious about cruise dining, this walkthrough will show you exactly what you can expect when it comes to included food.

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Carnival Cruise Line Introduces CHEERS! Zero Proof – A Great Choice for Non-Drinkers

Carnival Cruise Line has introduced something new that I think is a fantastic option for anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol but still wants to enjoy a wide variety of specialty beverages while cruising. The new CHEERS! Zero Proof package brings together an impressive lineup of non-alcoholic drinks, making it easy to indulge in fun and flavorful options without feeling left out.

What really stands out to me about this package is the variety. It includes handcrafted zero-proof cocktails, frozen drinks, smoothies, bottled protein shakes, milkshakes, energy drinks, juices, sodas, premium coffees, teas, sparkling water, and even alcohol-free beer and sparkling wine. For those of us who like to sip on something special during a cruise but prefer non-alcoholic options, this package makes that possible with both convenience and value.

I also like how Carnival designed CHEERS! Zero Proof as a true companion to their existing beverage packages. While the original CHEERS! package is perfect for those who enjoy cocktails, beer, and wine, and the Bottomless Bubbles package is focused mostly on soda, CHEERS! Zero Proof feels like the middle ground many guests have been asking for. It delivers something extra with its wider range of alcohol-free choices.

At $29.99 per person, per day, the package covers the full length of the cruise and is intended for individual use. Some items, like alcohol-free beer, sparkling wine, and certain mocktails, may require you to be 21 or older, but otherwise there’s no minimum age to enjoy the package. It’s already available for pre-cruise purchase online and will be rolling out onboard very soon.

Overall, I feel like CHEERS! Zero Proof is a great choice for anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol but still wants to enjoy the specialty drink experience that makes cruising even more fun. From frozen treats to energizing protein shakes, there’s something in this package for every mood and moment on your Carnival cruise. 🚢🥤✨

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The Truth about the Grand Princess – Our Likes & Wishes (Grand Princess Review)

Thinking about booking a cruise on the Grand Princess? In this detailed review, we share our honest thoughts, highlighting both what we loved and what we wish had been a little different during our Alaska sailing aboard the ship. 🚢❄️

Our Grand Princess review dives into the full experience, starting with the ship’s overall layout and amenities, followed by a look at our obstructed ocean view cabin. We’ll also take you through the included food and restaurants, as well as the variety of entertainment and activities we enjoyed throughout the cruise. Whether it’s dining at one of the complimentary venues or catching a show in the evening, you’ll get an authentic look at what life onboard is really like.

We wanted to create a transparent and helpful review that shows the true highlights of sailing on the Grand Princess, while also pointing out a few areas where we think there’s room for improvement. If you’re considering this ship for your own future adventures, this video will give you the insights you need to make a confident decision.

👉 Watch the full video here: The Truth about the Grand Princess: Our Likes & Wishes (Grand Princess Review)

If you’ve sailed on the Grand Princess before, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Did your experience match up with ours?

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Grand Princess Alaska Cruise – Final Sea Day Sailing Through the Inside Passage | Day 7 🛳️🌊

Our incredible 7-night journey aboard the Grand Princess is coming to a close as we sail through Alaska’s breathtaking Inside Passage back to Vancouver. Day 7 was a perfect mix of relaxation, entertainment, and behind-the-scenes experiences that made for a memorable final day at sea.

We started the morning with a delicious breakfast in Botticelli’s Dining Room before attending a fun and lively culinary demonstration that had us laughing and learning new cooking tips. A special moment came as we honored the hardworking kitchen and wait staff who made our cruise so enjoyable. Next, we took an exclusive galley tour to see the ship’s behind-the-scenes operations, truly fascinating for any cruise enthusiast.

Throughout the day, we admired the beautiful cakes displayed at the buffet, enjoyed a classic pub lunch featuring fish and chips, and watched a lively juggling show in the Piazza. Our evening was capped off with one last fantastic dinner in Botticelli’s, followed by the Grand Princess Farewell Variety Show in the Princess Theatre, a perfect celebration of the voyage and the memories made.

Sailing through the Inside Passage, even on a gray day, offers stunning views of mountains, islands, and wildlife that remind us why Alaska cruising is such a popular adventure.

Don’t miss this final day of our Grand Princess Alaska Cruise. Watch the full video to experience the magic yourself!

Watch the full Day 7 video here: https://youtu.be/-1y01UFhoC4

🛳️ This post is part of our Grand Princess Alaska Cruise series featuring ship tours, port days, dining experiences, and more from our 7-night round trip from Vancouver, BC.

📍 Ship: Grand Princess
📍 Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
📍 Departure Port: Vancouver, BC, Canada
📍 Itinerary: 7-night Alaska Cruise (round trip from Vancouver)

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🏋️‍♂️ Grand Princess Fitness Center Tour – Complimentary Cruise Ship Gym Walkthrough

Take a tour of the Grand Princess fitness center, the ship’s complimentary gym located on Deck 15 at the front inside the Lotus Spa area. The gym is on the smaller side but adequate for most guests, featuring free weights, benches, strength machines for upper and lower body, treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, and more. Most equipment is from trusted brands like Star Trac and Precor.

During our sailing, the gym hours were 7am to 10pm, providing plenty of time to fit in a workout while enjoying your time onboard the Grand Princess.

Whether you want a full gym tour or are just curious what a cruise ship fitness center looks like, this walkthrough shows you everything you need to know about the Grand Princess gym.

📍 Watch the full tour here: Grand Princess Fitness Center Tour – Cruise Ship Gym Walkthrough 💪

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🎰 Grand Princess Casino Tour – A Walkthrough of the Ship’s Grand Casino

Embark on a virtual tour of the Grand Princess Casino, a vibrant venue offering a variety of gaming options. Located on Deck 6, this lively casino features numerous slot machines and table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps, along with a full-service bar to enjoy your favorite drinks while you play.

In our latest video, we take you inside the Grand Casino to showcase its layout and the gaming experiences it offers. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a curious newcomer, this walkthrough provides a comprehensive look at what to expect when you visit the casino aboard the Grand Princess.

📍 Watch the full tour here: Grand Princess Casino Tour – Cruise Ship Casino Walkthrough 🎰

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🚋 Explore Skagway with the Classic Skagway Street Car Tour

If you’re visiting Skagway, Alaska on your cruise, one of the best ways to dive into the town’s rich history and charming sights is the Skagway Street Car Tour. Join us as we take this fun and informative 90-minute ride aboard a classic streetcar, exploring all the key points of interest in Skagway, including historic landmarks and scenic lookout spots 🏞️.

The narrated tour is perfect for history buffs and casual explorers alike, bringing to life the story of the famous Klondike Gold Rush and the vibrant culture that shaped this beautiful Alaskan town 🏔️. It’s a unique way to see more of Skagway beyond the typical cruise port experience.

Watch the full tour here to get a front-row seat on the Skagway Street Car and see why thousands of visitors recommend this excursion!

📍 Watch now: Skagway Street Car Tour

Whether you’re cruising with Princess Cruises, Holland America, or another line, this tour is a must-do when in Skagway.

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