Vacations To Go

Dear Mr. Sterling,

Alan Fox is cruising in Alaska and his first report is below. To skip straight to Vacations To Go's cruise discounts and deals, please scroll down.

Alaska humbles even the most seasoned traveler.

Towering glaciers crack and crash into blue-green water, bald eagles snatch salmon from mirror-like fjords, and snow-capped peaks rise to endless skies.

Alaska is a land where whales breach beside your boat, huskies race across ancient ice, and primeval forests guard secrets older than time.

Every moment in Alaska feels wild yet profoundly peaceful, as nature takes center stage and silence is more powerful than sound.

I am writing today from Silversea's luxurious Silver Moon, en route from Seward to Vancouver on a 7-night Alaska cruise. Silversea is to cruising what Alaska is to natural beauty -- unbeaten.

I arrived in Anchorage three days before the cruise and eased into the Alaska experience at Alyeska Lodge, a 40-minute drive from the airport. Alyeska is Alaska's best and most comprehensive ski resort, cozy and comfortable with good restaurants and hiking trails and a tram that leads to jaw-dropping panoramas.

There's no skiing here at this time of year, but ski resorts make great summer destinations too and I wanted to get as far into nature as possible. With more than 18 hours of sunlight each day of my stay, there was plenty of time to explore.

One highlight was a visit to the nearby Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where rescued bears, moose, wolves and bison are among the residents. A short drive later, I found myself at Portage Lake, where chunks of glacial ice float in milky-blue water.

Just downhill from Alyeska, I explored the quaint village of Girdwood, enjoying raw oysters and king crab legs at Basecamp Restaurant. I also had time to visit a couple of Anchorage's finest dining establishments, Ginger and Simon & Seafort's. Two thumbs up!

Alas, all great pre-cruise visits must come to an end, and I returned to Anchorage to board a motorcoach for Seward, the embarkation port, a 2 ½ hour drive that many consider to be among the most beautiful on earth.

The town of Seward was named after William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.

William H. Seward was the driving force behind the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. Though the $7.2 million deal (two cents per acre) was ridiculed at the time as "Seward's Folly," it later proved to be a visionary move, as Alaska became a source of vast natural resources and strategic importance.

Following the Seward Highway from Anchorage, the road winds along Turnagain Arm, a stunning stretch of waterway framed by green mountains crowned with snow. If you're lucky, you might spot Dall sheep perched on a rocky ledge or a beluga whale in the silvery water.

The tidal range in Turnagain Arm is among the largest in North America, with water levels changing as much as 30 to 40 feet between high and low tide. This is one of only 60 places in the entire world where bore tides can be found.

A bore tide is a rare and dramatic natural event in which a single, powerful wave surges up a narrow inlet against the outgoing tide. It can reach heights of 6-10 feet and travel at 10-15 mph, stretching for miles. As it rolls in, it creates a deep, rushing roar, drawing surfers, kayakers, and onlookers alike.

Leaving the coast behind, our motorcoach rolled through fertile valleys, passing snow-fed rivers and lakes and deep forests. Waterfalls spilled down mountainsides, and every bend revealed another postcard-perfect view. The journey between Anchorage and Seward is not just a drive -- it's an experience that stirs the imagination about what is to come.

And suddenly, there it was, the Silver Moon, gleaming white in Seward's colorful harbor.

Check-in at the Silver Moon was so well organized, I almost wanted to do it again.

Mere moments after stepping down from the motorcoach at the pier, I was standing in the Dolce Vita lounge with a welcome-aboard glass of champagne. The ship's main bar is elegant and relaxed, perfect for a pre- or post-dinner drink or socializing throughout the day.

The Silver Moon is a 6-star vessel, elegant and intimate, carrying a maximum of 596 passengers with spacious, all-suite accommodations. There are eight restaurants and five lounges and bars, a full-service spa, well-equipped fitness center, theater, and a small casino.

With a fleet of 12 ships, Silversea is the ultra-luxury and expedition brand owned by Royal Caribbean Group, which also owns Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Boasting a nearly 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio, service feels intuitive and seamless -- your butler remembers your favorite drink, and waiters greet you by name. Suites are spacious and elegant -- most with private verandas -- and the atmosphere is relaxed yet sophisticated.

Dining is world-class, with globally inspired menus and fresh, regional ingredients. Enrichment programs, like the S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) initiative, immerse guests in local culture and cuisine. Onboard, lounges are serene, the spa indulgent, and every interaction warm and polished.

Small ship size means access to off-the-beaten-path ports, often with fewer crowds and deeper exploration. Whether you're watching glaciers calve or sipping champagne at sunset, Silversea delivers luxury that feels personal, thoughtful, and quietly extraordinary.

We met our butler and got a glimpse of the many ways she planned to pamper us on our voyage. We respectfully declined her offer to unpack our bags before setting out to explore the ship from bow to stern.

At 7:00 pm, we slipped gently from the dock into Resurrection Bay, en route to the Gulf of Alaska and Hubbard Glacier. The main event was about to unfold.

Alan Fox

To see itineraries and prices for the Silver Moon, including discounts up to 65%, please click here.
To see all Silversea cruises that visit Alaska, please click here.
For more about Silversea and a list of all their ships, please click here.
For a slideshow of my photos of the Silver Moon, please click here.

As an interline customer of Vacations To Go, you are eligible for exclusive cruise discounts of up to 90%. Click here to see these departures.

To customize your search for interline offers by cruise line, region, ship, length of cruise, departure port or port visited, click here.

Next, we've arranged some fantastic offers for our customers with 14 different cruise lines. These deeply discounted offers may include free amenities or shipboard credits, which are as good as cash on the ship and can be used toward onboard purchases, like internet and beverage packages.

Royal Caribbean is offering our customers huge new discounts -- save up to 75%. Also, receive shipboard credits of up to $150 per cabin on select sailings. Children ages 12 and under pay only port fees and taxes when sharing the same cabin with two adults on certain departures. Book by August 15. See dates and prices.

Seabourn has reduced rates by up to 50%, plus get new exclusive pricing on last-minute cruises and shipboard credits of up to $1,300 per cabin on select departures. The upfront fare of a six-star Seabourn vacation includes gratuities, open bars and fine wines at lunch and dinner. Book by August 13. See dates and prices.

Emerald Cruises has discounts of up to 73% in destinations like the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. The upfront price includes gratuities, airport transfers, some shore excursions, Wi-Fi and a selection of soft drinks, beer, wine and cocktails. Book by August 19. See dates and prices.

Cunard is providing our customers discounts of up to 58% along with shipboard credits of up to $700 per cabin on select sailings. Exclusive pricing is available on a variety of itineraries to the Caribbean and much more. Book certain suite categories and receive free drinks and free gratuities on a variety of sailings. Book by August 22. See dates and prices.

Oceania is offering Vacations To Go customers discounts of up to 77%, plus newly reduced rates, pre-paid gratuities, shipboard credits of up to $1,100 per cabin, free specialty dining and unlimited internet access on select sailings. See dates and prices.

Virgin Voyages is an adults-only line providing fantastic discounts of up to 85% to Vacations To Go customers on a variety of sailings. In addition, receive onboard credits of up to $450 per cabin on select departures. Prices include gratuities, select non-alcoholic beverages and unlimited internet. See dates and prices.

Princess is offering Vacations To Go customers big discounts -- save up to 70%. Plus, pay a reduced deposit starting at $99 per person and receive shipboard credits of up to $85 per cabin on select sailings. Also, the third and fourth guests pay only port fees and taxes when sharing the same cabin with two adults on some departures. Get drinks, Wi-Fi and pre-paid gratuities on certain voyages booked at eligible rates. See dates and prices.

MSC Cruises is offering huge discounts to our customers -- save up to 72%. Also, receive free drinks, free Wi-Fi and shipboard credits of up to $300 per cabin, plus Kids Sail Free on the brand new MSC World America and on a variety of upcoming sailings booked at eligible rates. See dates and prices.

Azamara is providing huge discounts to our customers -- save up to 81%. Also, receive exclusive pricing on a variety of upcoming sailings and shipboard credits of up to $1,000 per cabin. Rates include gratuities and drinks. See dates and prices.

Holland America is offering our customers huge discounts of up to 61% along with shipboard credits of up to $100 per cabin and pre-paid gratuities for two on select sailings. Pay only port fees and taxes for the third and fourth guests in the stateroom on certain voyages, and receive all of the following perks on cabins booked at eligible rates: 1) a signature beverage package for two, including select alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, 2) a specialty dining package that includes up to three meals at select venues, 3) a free Wi-Fi package for two guests and 4) a shore excursion credit of up to $600 per cabin. See dates and prices.

Holland America also unveiled new Alaska itineraries for 2027. For dates and prices, click here.

Windstar is offering our customers discounts of up to 82% on select cruises, with exclusive rates on a variety of itineraries and a $100 per cabin onboard credit. See dates and prices.

Norwegian is offering our customers huge discounts of up to 87% along with shipboard credits of up to $200 per cabin on select sailings. Plus, cabins booked at eligible rates come with up to 300 minutes of internet per person and a $50 per cabin shore excursion credit on each excursion booked through the cruise line. The following optional offers that involve additional fees are also available: 1) an unlimited open bar for two, 2) a specialty dining package that includes up to five meals for two guests at select restaurants and 3) friends and family pay only port fees and taxes when sharing the same cabin with two adults on certain departures. See dates and prices.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering Vacations To Go customers exclusive discounts of up to 50% on its cruises in the South Pacific islands. Plus, get shipboard credits of up to $200 per cabin on select sailings. Prices include gratuities, unlimited internet, select beverages and specialty restaurant dining. See dates and prices.

Let Vacations To Go help you on your next cruise with Disney Cruise Line. Book now and pay a 50% reduced deposit on select sailings. See dates and prices. Plus, Vacations To Go can help plan an exciting stay at Disney Parks and Resorts in Orlando. See dates and prices. Or, plan a family-friendly tour designed for all generations with Adventures by Disney. See dates and prices.

As always, all offers in this newsletter are for new bookings only and subject to availability. Restrictions may apply, and some free amenities and shipboard credits may apply only to eligible rates. Past guests of some cruise lines may see better rates on select sailings.

Here are today's Top 10 Cruises, brand-new specials from the world's best cruise lines. Click the FastDeal # for details.

1) Caribbean, 7 nights on Princess, departs Galveston Nov 2, starting at $639, save 54%, FastDeal # 10608

2) Bahamas, 7 nights on MSC Cruises, departs New York (Brooklyn) Oct 19, starting at $412, save 64%, FastDeal # 41493

3) Caribbean, 7 nights on Holland America, departs Miami Nov 15, starting at $629, save 53%, FastDeal # 20544

4) Mexico, 7 nights on Royal Caribbean, departs Los Angeles (San Pedro) Oct 24, starting at $492, save 69%, FastDeal # 49272

5) Caribbean, 7 nights on Celebrity, departs Miami Sep 7, starting at $688, save 61%, FastDeal # 41743

6) Greek Islands, 7 nights on Silversea, departs Athens (Piraeus) Oct 25, suite starting at $4,650, save 71%, FastDeal # 41694

7) Caribbean, 7 nights on Oceania Cruises, departs Miami Nov 28, balcony starting at $2,170, save 79%, FastDeal # 29191

8) Arctic, 9 nights on HX, departs Reykjavik Sep 1, oceanview starting at $6,846, save 39%, FastDeal # 15637

9) Mediterranean, 12 nights on Regent, departs Istanbul Oct 19, suite starting at $7,799, save 75%, FastDeal # 21272

10) South America, 11 nights on Scenic Cruises, departs Rio de Janeiro Oct 11, suite starting at $7,938, save 61%, FastDeal # 13898

For the best last-minute cruise specials in the next 90 days, please visit our world-famous 90-Day Ticker.
To search for discounts of up to 85% on cruises departing more than 90 days, use our Find a Bargain tool.

To save up to 40% with escorted tours, click here.
For river cruises up to 50% off, click here.
For discounts of up to 50% at hotels and all-inclusive resorts, click here.
For the lowest rates on Africa safaris from budget to luxury in quality, click here.

Once you've found a FASTDEAL, call us at 800-338-4962 (US and Canada) and a cruise counselor will attend to your needs. International customers, please email or call us at +1-713-974-2121.

Please email me your comments, suggestions and questions at alanfox@vacationstogo.com and I will respond the same day.

If you enjoy our newsletter, please forward this email to family and friends.

Sincerely,

Alan Fox
Executive Chairman
Vacations To Go
5851 San Felipe Street, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77057

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