Vacations To Go

Dear Mr. Sterling,

Alan Fox has returned from an Alaska cruise on Silversea's Silver Moon and his third and final report is below. To skip straight to Vacations To Go's cruise discounts and deals, please scroll down.

Gliding slowly across the blue water near Ketchikan on a warm, sunny day is about as relaxing as it gets -- until it's your turn to watch four fishing rods and grab the first one that moves.

"Was that a tug?!"

The last excursion of my cruise on the Silver Moon was the most anticipated. I love to fish, though I only manage to wet a hook every few years.

On this rare, perfect-weather day, there were six anglers in the boat, and the captain said we'd rotate the opportunity to watch the rods through the group, giving each of us a chance to catch a fish.

Somehow, I ended up last in the rotation, meaning five people had to catch a salmon (or miss a strike) before my turn. That gave me plenty of time to be present, to breathe in the fresh air, drink in the beauty of our surroundings, and absorb as much of the moment as I could.

I'm not very good at any of those things, but Alaska makes it easy.

Eventually, my turn rolled around and I was lucky -- landing a salmon in this setting is a moment of joy you will never forget.

Back at the marina, our fish were filleted, frozen and shipped to us in the Lower 48. This definitely won't beat the price of salmon at the local market, but I'm guessing it will taste much better.

Ketchikan is Alaska's southernmost cruise port, a blend of Native heritage, natural beauty, and frontier charm. Colorful buildings perch on stilts along historic Creek Street, once a red-light district, now a boardwalk of shops and galleries. Totem poles tell the stories of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. Humpbacks and orcas hunt the waters of the Inside Passage from late spring through early fall, bears fish the creeks, and salmon return each summer in astonishing numbers.

After Ketchikan, our final full day was spent at sea, with a workout in the morning and a trip to the spa (finally!) in the afternoon.

I take my time packing for a cruise as I tend to forget entire categories of clothes -- socks, shoes, PANTS!

Packing to return from a cruise takes me about 15 seconds, so I'd feel guilty letting my butler labor over it, but it was nice of her to offer.

In that last, long twilight of our Alaskan visit, I watched from the Panorama Lounge as we glided past densely wooded shorelines and small fishing settlements, through narrow channels with calm seas and dramatic scenery. Eventually, we approached the remote and beautiful coastline of British Columbia, with its lush rainforests and steep cliffs.

In the morning, we disembarked in Vancouver, one of the most beautiful cities in the world and one of my favorites. Scenic, sophisticated, friendly and livable, Vancouver is the perfect place to start or end (or both) your Alaska cruise.

We spent a couple of days at the Marriott Parq Vancouver, where concierge Leo can get you in anywhere. We did a lot of walking and particularly enjoyed lunch on the water at The Vancouver Fish Company on bustling Granville Island, a lively waterfront hub known for its public market, shops, eateries, and arts scene. We sampled the famous rotisserie chicken at Homer St. Cafe in stylish Yaletown, a trendy neighborhood with chic boutiques and a wide range of dining venues.

From prior visits, I recommend Gastown, a historic district with cobblestone streets, shops and restaurants and the beloved Gastown Steam Clock, which plays the Westminster Quarters chime with steam-powered whistles. I also suggest Stanley Park, with lush forests, winding trails, and sweeping views of the city's skyline.

Vancouver is a mix of sophistication, beauty and hospitality, well worth a visit even if you're not cruising.

It's easy to consume a lot on a vacation as packed with experiences as this one, but it takes a little longer to digest.

As I look back at this cruise, I take comfort in knowing that a place as majestic and magnificent as Alaska still exists in the world, vast and pristine. I think of the glorious combination of days in the wild and nights of fine dining and entertainment. And I appreciate the kindness and attention shown to us by our amazing butler, Maritess, and so many members of the staff and crew of the Silver Moon.

I have been fortunate to sail on several 6-star vessels during my career and each and every one ranks much higher in customer service than the very best of hotels and resorts, but the service on the Silver Moon was the finest I have ever experienced.

There is an esprit de corps among the staff and crew that translates into the seamless delivery of customer care, a heartfelt hospitality. It starts at the top with Captain Julian Albici and Hotel Director Johann Van Der Heever, then resonates throughout the vessel. It is a reflection of the culture of Silversea itself.

If there was any downside to this vacation, it's that we joined the Silver Moon only for a moment, but what a moment it was.

Alan Fox

There's still time to lock in a last-minute discount before the Alaska cruise season ends in October, but you'll have more cabin selection if you take advantage of the early-booking discounts for the 2026 season.

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 and Alaska, please click here.
Click to watch videos of Hubbard Glacier, humpback whales and a bald eagle.
To see my earlier reports from this cruise, please click first or second.

Next, I'd like to show you the latest deals we've negotiated to save you money on 13 top cruise lines. Our 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 shore excursions and beverage packages.

Carnival is offering our customers discounts of up to 81%. Plus, pay a 50% reduced deposit and get an onboard credit of up to $100 per cabin on select sailings. Book by August 24. See dates and prices.

Princess is offering Vacations To Go customers big discounts -- save up to 69%. Plus, pay a reduced deposit starting at $99 per person and receive shipboard credits of up to $385 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. Book by August 24. See dates and prices.

Explora Journeys has provided Vacations To Go with newly reduced rates and exclusive discounts with savings of up to 77% off. Plus, get onboard credits of up to $300 per suite on select sailings. Prices include gratuities, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, select specialty restaurant dining options, and unlimited internet. Book by August 26. See dates and prices.

Holland America is offering our customers huge discounts of up to 61% along with shipboard credits of up to $250 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. Book by August 29. See dates and prices.

Norwegian is offering our customers huge discounts of up to 87% along with free pre-paid gratuities on select balcony and suite cabins and shipboard credits of up to $200 per cabin on some 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. Book by August 31. See dates and prices.

HX Expeditions is offering savings of up to 51% on cruises to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galapagos Islands and other places. Fares include meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and guided shore excursions. Book by August 31. See dates and prices.

Royal Caribbean is offering our customers huge new discounts -- save up to 75%. Also, receive shipboard credits of up to $50 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. See dates and prices.

Celebrity has reduced rates by up to 83%. Plus, get shipboard credits of up to $200 per cabin, a free Classic beverage package and unlimited internet access on select sailings booked at eligible rates. In addition, the third and fourth guests pay only port fees and taxes when sharing the same cabin with two adults on some departures. See dates and prices.

Celebrity also unveiled new itineraries for 2027-2028. For dates and prices, click here.

Regent is providing exclusive discounts to Vacations To Go customers -- save up to 77%. In addition, receive shipboard credits of up to $400 per cabin on eligible sailings and for a limited time, children ages 17 and under sail free on select itineraries. See dates and prices.

Windstar is offering our customers discounts of up to 83% on select cruises, with exclusive rates on a variety of itineraries. See dates and prices.

Silversea has reduced rates on a variety of cruises by up to 83%, with specially reduced pricing on select sailings exclusively for Vacations To Go customers. Plus, receive shipboard credits of up to $700 per cabin on select departures. Your Silversea fare includes gratuities, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and unlimited internet. See dates and prices.

Ponant is offering Vacations To Go customers exclusive savings of up to 55%. Prices include gratuities, select alcoholic beverages, unlimited Wi-Fi and one shore excursion per person at each port of call. See dates and prices.

Celestyal is offering our customers discounts of up to 82% off their Mediterranean voyages departing from Athens, Greece. Prices include gratuities, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages during meals and 250 MB of basic internet. 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) Bahamas, 7 nights on MSC Cruises, departs New York (Brooklyn) Sep 28, starting at $388, save 70%, FastDeal # 40429

2) Caribbean, 7 nights on Royal Caribbean, departs Tampa Nov 8, starting at $522, save 62%, FastDeal # 45470

3) Mexico, 7 nights on Princess, departs Los Angeles (San Pedro) Nov 8, starting at $549, save 62%, FastDeal # 17255

4) Caribbean, 7 nights on Celebrity, departs Tampa Nov 30, starting at $581, save 61%, FastDeal # 43046

5) Transatlantic, 11 nights on Norwegian, departs Southampton Oct 20, starting at $709, save 90%, FastDeal # 16003

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

7) Eastern Canada & New England, 10 nights on Virgin Voyages, departs New York (Manhattan) Sep 23, starting at $885, save 89%, FastDeal # 13322

8) Caribbean, 7 nights on Disney, departs Port Canaveral Oct 18, starting at $1,934, FastDeal # 16605 (Disney does not provide brochure rates for this cruise, so we are unable to show a savings percentage.)

9) Mediterranean, 11 nights on Azamara, departs Barcelona Nov 11, starting at $2,029, save 78%, FastDeal # 12972

10) British Isles, 7 nights on Ponant, departs Edinburgh (Rosyth) Oct 4, balcony starting at $6,850, save 44%, FastDeal # 14301

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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