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TRAVEL BLOG


Finding the Right Glacier Cruise
An Alaska glacier cruise is about much more than one glacier or port. Your itinerary, ship, cabin, time ashore, and quiet moments between activities will all shape what you remember about the experience. At My Senior Travel Buddies, Monique helps travelers look at the entire vacation so they can feel comfortable and confident about their choices before booking. A beautiful photograph may inspire your trip, but the most meaningful Alaska vacations usually come from selecting a

Monique Kiefner
Sep 145 min read


Should You Add a Cruise Tour to Your Alaska Itinerary?
Choosing an Alaska cruise tour can be a wonderful way to experience more of the state, but it is not automatically the best choice for every traveler. The right decision depends on how much vacation time you have, your preferred pace, how you feel about changing hotels, and whether visiting Alaska’s interior is high on your wish list. An Alaska cruise provides a memorable look at the state’s coastal regions, including glaciers, charming port towns, wildlife-viewing opportunit

Monique Kiefner
Sep 145 min read


Best Time to Cruise Alaska for the Experience You Want
The best time to cruise Alaska depends on what you want most from your vacation. Long daylight hours, quieter ports, glacier scenery, family schedules, cooler weather, and time in Denali can all point to different sailing dates. Although many Alaska cruises may look similar online, it is important to consider more than the month you travel. Your itinerary, departure port, cabin, ship style, budget, and travel companions will shape your experience just as much as the time of y

Monique Kiefner
Sep 145 min read


What Does an Alaska Cruise Really Cost?
The cost of an Alaska cruise begins with the cruise fare, but that is only one part of the overall vacation. Flights, itinerary, cabin selection, shore excursions, and additional hotel stays can all affect your final budget. At My Senior Travel Buddies, we help travelers understand the complete picture without making the planning process feel overwhelming. Two cruises with similar advertised fares can result in very different overall costs. The best choice is the one that fit

Monique Kiefner
Sep 144 min read


Inside Passage Vs. Gulf of Alaska: Finding Your Best Route
An Alaska cruise can look simple online until you begin comparing sailings that visit many of the same places. A round-trip Inside Passage cruise and a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise can both include beautiful ports, glacier scenery, and relaxing days on the water, but they create very different vacations. Start by thinking about the type of trip you want, rather than which route looks more impressive on a map. Consider your available vacation time, comfort with flights and tr

Monique Kiefner
Sep 145 min read


Best Whale Watching in Alaska
Whale watching in Alaska is an unforgettable experience that will transport you to another world. I’m a guide in Alaska and a former year round resident and I can tell you that seeing whales in the wild waters of Southeast Alaska is something you don’t want to miss! Once you’ve heard a whale breathe, you’ll want to keep hearing it over and over as long as possible. Even if you are on a cruise and think you don’t need to go on a boat tour from a cruise, I want to encourage you

Monique Kiefner
Sep 8, 20254 min read


Seniors, Take A Spectacular Trip to Switzerland
If you're looking for a vacation that's both beautiful and exciting, then a trip to Switzerland is the perfect destination for you. So,...

Monique Kiefner
Sep 8, 20259 min read


Top 3 Canadian Rail Trips For Seniors: Exploring Captivating Landscapes
Canadian Rail Trips Are you a senior citizen with an insatiable wanderlust and an eagerness to discover the breathtaking landscapes of...

Monique Kiefner
Sep 8, 20257 min read


Best National Parks in the USA for Seniors
As a senior citizen, there is no better time to embark on an adventure to explore the best national parks in the USA. These remarkable...

Monique Kiefner
Sep 8, 20259 min read


Do you need Travel Insurance for Alaska?
Travel insurance is not the most exciting topic in travel planning, but it’s an important one to think about and not just for international travel. Travel insurance is an important consideration if you're planning an Alaska trip. What is Travel Insurance? Travel Insurance is coverage that you purchase in advance of your trip that protects you from unplanned additional costs or money lost due to circumstances beyond your control while on your trip. This includes things like ai

Monique Kiefner
Sep 8, 20254 min read


Alaska Mosquitoes: How Bad Are They and How to Survive Them?
Any time you venture into the great outdoors, odds are you may have to contend with nature’s little nuisances. While Alaska does have a reputation as a mosquito haven, it really depends on the time of year and the part of the state you’ll be exploring. If your plans during the summer months include traveling to coastal towns like Juneau, Skagway, Whittier or Ketchikan or better yet through the Inside Passage on an expedition cruise like those run by National Geographic-Lind

Monique Kiefner
Sep 8, 20256 min read


How to Travel as an Older Adult
1. Always ask about senior discounts. It never hurts to ask, and it could score you some good deals that aren’t even advertised. 2. Go in...

Monique Kiefner
Aug 28, 20253 min read


Best States for Seeing All the Fall Foliage
Fall colors are so fleeting that you don’t want to miss them. The turning of the leaves in autumn is one of nature’s most spectacular...

Monique Kiefner
Aug 28, 20255 min read


What is 'Juice Jacking' and Tips to Avoid It
Planning to travel? No doubt you'll have your cell phone or another portable device, and you'll need to re-charge it at some point. If...

Monique Kiefner
Aug 26, 20251 min read


How to Get Access to Airport Lounges
For the budget-conscious traveler, airport lounges may seem a frivolous spend. Often perceived as an exclusive perk to first class...

Monique Kiefner
Aug 4, 20253 min read


What is Alaska's Inside Passage?
Alaska’s Inside Passage is a breathtaking coastal route that stretches along the state’s southeastern edge, winding through a maze of narrow waterways, forested islands, and deep fjords. This scenic corridor spans roughly 500 miles from the northern tip of British Columbia to the Gulf of Alaska, offering some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in North America. Sheltered by a series of islands, the Inside Passage provides calm, protected waters, making it a popular route fo

Monique Kiefner
Jul 28, 20252 min read


Experience the Midnight Sun
Every summer in Norway’s Arctic, a phenomenon occurs where the sun never sets below the horizon, even at midnight. Learn more about the Arctic summer daylight that can last up to four months.

Monique Kiefner
Jun 24, 20252 min read


Top Tips for Avoiding Roaming Charges
Avoid roaming charges when on international trips with these 8 hot tips.

Monique Kiefner
Jun 24, 20252 min read


6 Reasons to Consider a River Cruise for your Next Vacation
Maybe you’ve seen those ads on TV, the attractive couple sitting on the deck of a beautiful river boat, glass of wine in hand, as the...

Monique Kiefner
Jun 20, 20245 min read


How to be a Savvy Travel insider
Travel is fabulous! You love the fun of planning a trip, doing your research, talking with your trusted travel advisors (Monique and...

Monique Kiefner
Jun 20, 20243 min read
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