The GoSmart Journal

Travel Stories, Tips & Inspiration

Expert insights from our travel specialists — cruise guides, destination deep dives, and insider tips to plan your perfect getaway.

Where History Meets the Wild, Sitka Alaska

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Where History Meets the Wild, Sitka Alaska

Your complete guide to one of Alaska's most storied and spectacular cruise ports. If your Alaska cruise includes a stop in Sitka, you are in for something that goes well beyond a typical port day.

European Travel

European travel can literally be a transforming experience, from history to art to architecture to food, and you go back home a truly different person from a unique, bucket list destination vacation.

Juneau, Alaska: What Every Smart Traveler Needs to Know Before Their Alaska Cruise

History, shore excursions, insider tips, and the honest advice your cruise line brochure won't give you.

Europe Is Changing the Entry Rules for Americans

The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is coming, and if you have a European trip on the horizon, now is the time to get informed.

Take a Ride on the Scenic Railway of the World

Imagine climbing nearly 3,000 feet above sea level in just 20 miles, clinging to the edge of a granite mountain with nothing but blue sky and a river valley far below. That’s the White Pass & Yukon Route, and it’s one of those travel experiences that genuinely stops you mid-breath.

Ketchikan, Alaska: Alaska's First City Awaits You

If Alaska had a greeting card, it would look a lot like Ketchikan. This little city packed onto a steep hillside welcomes you with totem poles, colorful houses built on stilts, eagles circling overhead, and the smell of fresh saltwater. It's the first port of call on most Inside Passage Alaska cruises, and for good reason. It sets the tone for everything Alaska is supposed to be.

Jimmy Buffett’s Legacy: How Margaritaville Became a Global Lifestyle Brand and Cruise Experience

Jimmy Buffett was more than a musician—he was the creator of a cultural movement

The Ultimate Guide to Alaska Inside Passage Cruises in 2026

From glacier calving at Hubbard to whale watching in Juneau, everything you need to know about booking the perfect Alaska cruise this season — including our top 5 ship picks.

River vs. Ocean Cruises: Which One Is Right for You?

They're both cruises, but the experience couldn't be more different. We break down pacing, ports, pricing, and who each style is perfect for.

Phyllis Norton

Mar 1, 2026

4 min read

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