Category: Cruise Tips

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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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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 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 Obstructed Oceanview Cabin Tour – E224 on Deck 8 (What to Expect)

If you’re planning a cruise on the Grand Princess and considering an Obstructed Oceanview Cabin, you might be wondering exactly what you’re signing up for. We recently returned from a 7-night round-trip Alaska cruise from Vancouver aboard the Grand Princess and stayed in Cabin E224, located on Deck 8. In our latest video, we give you a full walkthrough of the cabin so you can see it for yourself before you book.

🎥 Watch the full cabin tour here:
👉 Grand Princess Obstructed Oceanview Cabin Tour – E224

Our video covers the cabin layout, storage space, bathroom, TV, and most importantly — the window view. While labeled “obstructed,” we were pleasantly surprised by how much ocean we could actually see. This could be a great budget-friendly option if you want some natural light and a glimpse of the sea without paying for a full oceanview or balcony cabin.

We also show the power outlet setup (for those of you bringing tech gear), and talk about the overall condition of the room. The Grand Princess is an older ship, but we found the cabin clean and comfortable for our week-long journey through Alaska.

If you’re on the fence about booking an obstructed cabin, this video will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your cruise. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more Alaska cruise tips, cabin tours, and vlogs from our Grand Princess adventure!

🛳️ Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
📍 Ship: Grand Princess
📍 Cabin: E224 – Obstructed Oceanview, Deck 8
📍 Itinerary: 7-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver

Enjoy the tour and happy cruising! 😊

🛒Click Here to Book the Grand Princess with Princess Cruises (Affiliate)

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10 Fears and Questions We Had Before Our Grand Princess Alaska Cruise (Answered) 🚢❄️

Planning an Alaska cruise can be exciting, but it also comes with plenty of unknowns, especially if you’re sailing on a ship for the first time. Before we boarded the Grand Princess by Princess Cruises for our 7-night round-trip Alaska cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia, we had quite a few questions and concerns.

We weren’t sure what to expect from an older ship like the Grand Princess. Our cabin was an obstructed Oceanview stateroom (E224) and we didn’t know if we’d be able to see the ocean at all. We had questions about the number of power outlets, the food options outside of the buffet and dining room, whether the pools and hot tubs would be warm enough, and even if we’d be able to get into our cabin early on embarkation day.

There were also rumors online about plumbing issues, and we received an unexpected email from Princess Cruises before our trip offering us the chance to switch sailings in exchange for onboard credit, which definitely raised some concerns about whether the ship was overbooked or if something was wrong with our room.

To help others who might be wondering the same things, we created a video that answers all of these questions based on our own experience aboard the Grand Princess.

🎥 Watch the full video here:
👉 10 Fears & Questions Before Our Grand Princess Alaska Cruise (Answered)

If you’re booked on the Grand Princess or considering an Alaska cruise with Princess, this video offers a first-hand look at what you can expect, from food and entertainment to stateroom details and embarkation tips.

We’ll also be sharing more from this sailing including a full cabin tour, ship tours, daily vlogs, and plenty of cruise tips, so stay tuned for more.

Thanks for reading and happy cruising! ⚓🌲

🛒Click Here to Book the Grand Princess with Princess Cruises (Affiliate)

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Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Full Ship Tour – Explore the Ship Before You Sail

Planning a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas and want to know your way around before you even step onboard? You’re in the right place! In our latest video, we take you on a full ship walk-through so you can get familiar with the layout, amenities, and hidden gems of this amazing Voyager-class ship. 🚢✨

In this detailed Adventure of the Seas ship tour, we begin at the top in the Blue Moon Lounge and Crow’s Nest, where you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the ocean 🌊👀. From there, we take you to the pool deck, FlowRider surf simulator, mini golf course, sports court, and even a little-known secret bridge overlook that’s a must-see for curious cruisers. 🏄‍♂️⛳️

As we make our way to the lower decks, we guide you through all the main public areas including the Sapphire Dining Room, the lively Royal Promenade, Lyric Theater, and the impressive Studio B Ice Rink. ⛸️🎭 And to finish off the tour, we take you right to the helipad, where you’ll get a front-of-ship view that many guests don’t even know they can access! 🚁👓

🎥 Watch the full tour here: https://youtu.be/mIpz1cKHiVc

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned Royal Caribbean fan, this walk-through will help you hit the ground running (or relaxing!) on day one. 🧳🌴

Make sure to subscribe on YouTube and follow along as we explore more cruise ships, ports, and travel tips! 🚢📹

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Exploring Fort Frederik in Frederiksted, St. Croix: A Historic Caribbean Landmark

If you’re visiting St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, and want to experience a fascinating piece of Caribbean history, Fort Frederik in Frederiksted is a must-see. Also known as Fort Frederiksted and Frederiksfort, this mid-18th-century Danish masonry fort sits right on the waterfront at the western end of the island, just steps from the Frederiksted cruise port.

In our latest video, we explore the grounds of Fort Frederik, taking in the striking red walls, brick-paved courtyard, sea battery, and historic interior spaces. The fort offers breathtaking views of the deep water bay and is easy to reach for cruise visitors looking for a quick and meaningful stop.

Inside the fort, you’ll find historic rooms that once served as kitchens, detention cells, and the commandant’s quarters, all surrounding a brick-paved courtyard. Its rich history reflects the Danish colonial era and several significant events that shaped the island.

If you’re looking for an easy excursion off the ship with plenty of character and ocean views, Fort Frederik is the perfect place to explore.

What You’ll See in the Video:
🏰 Touring Fort Frederik’s courtyard and historic rooms
🌊 Waterfront views of Frederiksted Harbor
⚓ Convenient location just steps from the Frederiksted cruise port

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/it4i-LoJHos to see this unique Caribbean landmark for yourself.

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