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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.

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

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.

Collette Baker
Collette Baker
May 31, 2026
14 min read
Europe Is Changing the Entry Rules for AmericansDestinations

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.

Collette Baker
Collette Baker
May 31, 2026
8 min read
Take a Ride on the Scenic Railway of the WorldDestinations

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.

Collette Baker
Collette Baker
May 9, 2026
12 min read
Ketchikan, Alaska: Alaska's First City Awaits YouDestinations

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.

Collette Baker
Collette Baker
Apr 22, 2026
8 min read
Jimmy Buffett’s Legacy: How Margaritaville Became a Global Lifestyle Brand and Cruise ExperienceDestinations

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

Lisa Evans
Lisa Evans
Apr 10, 2026
8 min read
The Ultimate Guide to Alaska Inside Passage Cruises in 2026Cruise Guides

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.

Collette Baker
Collette Baker
Mar 12, 2026
6 min read
River vs. Ocean Cruises: Which One Is Right for You?Cruise Guides

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
Phyllis Norton
Mar 1, 2026
4 min read
From Side Hustle to Six Figures: A Travel Advisor's First-Year PlaybookAgent Tips

From Side Hustle to Six Figures: A Travel Advisor's First-Year Playbook

Three GoSmart advisors share exactly how they built six-figure travel businesses in under 18 months — and the mistakes they wish they'd avoided.

J&
Jill & Robert Adderly
Feb 24, 2026
10 min read
Thanksgiving Cruise 2026: Skip Cooking Forever – Cyber Monday Deals LiveHoliday

Thanksgiving Cruise 2026: Skip Cooking Forever – Cyber Monday Deals Live

Put This on Your Holiday List RIGHT NOW: A Full-Family Cruise for Thanksgiving 2026 (And skip the insane grocery store lines and Turkey prep stress)

GoSmart Travel
Nov 30, 2025
3 min read

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