Ports

A cruise to Alaska isn't complete without amazing tours. From helicopter rides over towering glaciers to wildlife excursions and dog sledding adventures, there's no shortage of activities for all interests. 

However, before making any reservations, you might wonder whether booking directly through your cruise line or through a third party is worth it. 

One curious cruiser took to Facebook to ask what others typically tip their tour guides in Alaska, sparking a heated discussion.

Tipping is a controversial topic, whether in a restaurant, bar, or cruise shore excursion. At the end of the day, there’s no universal rule. The right amount depends on the service received, tour length, and budget. 

Cozumel, Mexico, welcomed over 4.6 million cruise passengers in 2024, making it one of the most popular ports of call in the Western Caribbean. Itineraries vary from short 4-night getaways to weeklong cruises that call at other ports in the Western Caribbean like Costa Maya and Roatán, Honduras. 

Stuck between a cruise to The Bahamas and one that sails further south to the Caribbean?

While cruises sail all over the world, from Alaska to Northern Europe, Asia, the Mediterranean, and even the South Pacific, if you are looking for a tropical getaway, you are probably debating between The Bahamas and Caribbean. 

It can be hard to decide, especially since both promise white-sand beaches and fun shore excursions. Plus, you will find cruises to both year-round. 

If you are cruising to Honduras, you docking in either one of two ports: Mahogany Bay or the Port of Roatán. The two cruise terminals are located about five miles of one another on the island of Roatán, which is located about 35 miles off the northern coast of Honduras. 

A popular stop on Mexican Riviera cruises, Puerto Vallarta, is a historic city nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre mountains. Known for its colonial charm, food and beaches, there are many things to do in this sunny locale.

If you’re looking to cruise the Caribbean Sea, chances are that you’ll be looking at itineraries that include stops in the Virgin Islands. These lush islands are breathtakingly gorgeous, perfect for beach bums and nature lovers alike. While there are thousands of tiny islands that make up the Virgin Islands, there are 7 main islands that attract most of the area’s tourism. 

The Bahamas passed a new restriction on cruise ships that requires all passengers over the age of 12 be fully vaccinated in order for the ship to visit any port, including private islands.

The new order goes into effect beginning September 3, 2021 through November 1, 2021.

The rule prohibits a ship from going to any Bahamian port unless:

First-time cruisers to Alaska want to see glaciers and eagles and salmon and bears – but they don’t always know which port is best for the activities they want to do.

Not all weeklong Alaska cruise itineraries feature the same ports, so you need to know which destinations should be tops on your list. You don’t want to travel all that way to find out that your ship stops in Sitka, when your dream excursion departs from Icy Strait Point.