Cruise Beyond the Brochure

Alaska Cruises • Expedition Travel • River Cruises • Small Ships

Honest advice, thoughtful planning, and practical cruise insights to help you find the right travel experience.

View of snow-covered mountain peaks reflected in the calm water of a fjord, with a cruise ship docked along the side of the water.

From the Logbook

Stories, observations, cruise reviews, wildlife encounters, and practical advice for travelers who believe the journey is about more than the ship.

Person with long hair and glasses looking at a sunset over water from a ferry or boat, with landscape and hills in the background, and part of the boat's white structure visible.

What Surprised Me Most About Star Princess

Food, Medallion technology, accessibility observations, and who I think this ship is right for.

Why I Finally Rode the White Pass Railway After Five Visits

Apparently I needed five trips to Skagway before trying one of Alaska's most iconic excursions.

20 Things First-Time Alaska Cruisers Don't Know

Practical advice that can make your cruise more comfortable, more memorable, and less stressful.

Explore the Logbook →


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About Pascale

Before becoming a travel advisor, I spent nearly 16 years in public safety communications and previously worked as a zookeeper.

Those careers taught me to pay attention to details, solve problems, and help people navigate unfamiliar situations with confidence.

Today, I use those same skills to help travelers find the right Alaska cruise, expedition voyage, river cruise, or small-ship adventure for their interests, priorities, and budget.

Pascale Smith overlooking a tidewater glacier during an Alaska cruise while researching experiences for future travelers.