Samantha-Fabulous Adventures Travel

06/22/2026

Think travel agents are a thing of the past?

Think again. 😏

In this week's blog, we're sharing why using a travel agent for Virgin Voyages can actually make your vacation easier, smoother, and sometimes even come with extra perks.

Spoiler alert: It doesn't cost you anything extra.

Read the blog and see why we're such big believers in having someone in your corner before you sail.

Listen, I know what you're thinking. Of course I'm going to tell you to use a travel agent. I own a travel agency. But honestly, if you're sailing Virgin Voyages, there are some very real reasons why working with a travel agent can make your experience better. And the biggest one is this: It doesn't...

06/16/2026

Before you book a Virgin Voyages cruise, make sure you ask one simple question: Is there a group rate available?

Many travelers book directly without realizing they could be missing out on extra savings, Sailor Loot, bar tab offers, or pricing that was locked in months ago. In this clip, Samantha explains why checking for a group rate could save you money before you hit that book button.

Have you ever found a better cruise deal after booking? Let us know in the comments!

06/15/2026

Do you book direct or use a travel advisor?! 👀

Before you hit that “Book Now” button, Kelly and I are spilling all the tea on why you might want to rethink that decision!

From extra perks and Sailor Loot to avoiding those lovely hold times with Sailor Services, we’re talking about what a travel advisor actually does!

Watch now on Spotify: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/a0SE2F6f03b
Watch now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XMCkD3xY6YA

Thinking about booking Virgin Voyages? Before you click “Book,” the...

06/15/2026

A first-time cruiser got called down to security over something he had no idea wasn't allowed onboard.

Read the blog and make sure you're not packing the same thing. 🚢👇

If you're planning your first Virgin Voyages cruise, knowing what to pack is important. But knowing what not to pack can save you a lot of headaches once you arrive at the port. This topic actually came from a recent experience with an influencer I invited onboard. Travel Foodie Guide was sailing on...

06/12/2026

Sitka-you nailed it!
We booked a shore thing through Virgin Voyages and it was called Coastal Expedition and Fin Island Feast. I highly suggest this excursion! First, the tour was literally on the dock next to the boat. No long bus rides! The excursion instructions said to bring an extra pair of socks so this kinda scared me a little…are the whales jumping in the boat?! Why are my socks getting wet?! Are the waves so high they come over the top of the boat?! The tour company had everyone dress in waterproof gear, pants and jackets. I will tell you that stuff is hard to get on, but sooo well worth the struggle. Stayed dry and warm!!
We then had to put on life jackets and I felt like the stay puff marshmallow man!! After the life jacket went on you couldn’t move anymore!! We felt like Randy in A Christmas Story when he couldn’t put his arms down!!
We boarded a small RIB boat, it looks like a small expedition boat and off we went into the sea dressed and ready for anything and everything! We had two guides: The captain and a naturalist they were both excellent, very knowledgeable, and loved what they did! It showed in the stories, history and nature talks we had. We saw 3 grey whales 🐳 together, porpoises 🐬, sea otters 🦦 , bald eagles 🦅. We also saw and learned a ton about the rainforest and all the fauna and the best April Fools joke ever created!
Lunch was on an island in a lodge and it was just lovely!! We ate prime rib, crab, 🦀 and salmon. Followed by my favorite part of it all roasting marshmallows and eating s’mores by a campfire 🔥 ! Day complete! Returned to the dock and the port, took all our clothes off and enjoyed the port.
The port is super cute and has fun shops and food!
Alaskans?! What is the fried bread you speak of?!! I need this in my life!! Daily!!
Duck fart count: 2
Whales: 6.5
Porpoises: too many to count
Bears🐻: 0 🤬
Sea otters🦦: 2
Bald Eagles 🦅: lost count!! Sooo many
Orcas: 0 🤬
Jellyfish 🪼: too many to count

I should mention the excursion was with Allen Marine and they have other excursions. Look them up and use them! This was so well done.

06/11/2026

Not all of the best food on Virgin Voyages is where you'd expect. 👀

A few of my favorite hidden gems are up on the blog.

If you've sailed with me before, you know I love talking about food. And while everyone always wants to know which restaurant is the best, some of my favorite Virgin food tips have nothing to do with the restaurants people spend months trying to book. These are the things I find myself getting over....

06/09/2026

I don't know who needs to hear this, but Tuesday is a lot more enjoyable with ocean views and someone else making your cocktails. 🍹😎

Just saying.

06/09/2026

A tequila tasting in Cabo San Lucas took an unexpected turn when one person in our group kept getting WAY more tequila than everyone else. 😂🥃

If you're planning a Virgin Voyages cruise, a Panama Canal cruise, or a trip to Cabo, this might be the funniest tequila tasting story you'll hear all week.

06/08/2026

Cheers to Endicott Arms! And no Dawes Glacier, we couldn’t make it upstream bc of too many ice cubes!

06/07/2026

Ketchikan, you were a hot mess!
First, we scheduled an excursion with Virgin and it was canceled due to low capacity. We had to scramble for another one. We picked another one and then had to beg Virgin to see if all four of us could fit on there. Virgin confirmed the night before that all four of us could be on the same excursion. Kelly was walking out the door to go and she got a phone call from shore things and they said the Captain(of the excursion, not Vv) called and you can’t go on the excursion. So we had about 15 minutes to decide what to do and the only thing left in the shore things was Misty fjords and I’ve already seen them so I said I don’t wanna do that . So we decided to wing it and find something at the port. If you decide not to do an excursion with the cruise company you’re sailing, Ketchikan has a lot of options right in the port that you can choose from. We ended up getting on a whale watching tour and it was actually magnificent and wonderful. The guides were knowledgeable and excited to be there.The nice part was it was only two hours so we had plenty of time to explore the town.
On the whale expedition we did see humpback whales, sea lions, many bald eagles, jellyfish, and starfish. The last two were a bonus at the end. Things I underestimated about Alaska…how cold it is. And no sun! We froze our butts off on that tour. We sat on the top deck and wind whipped our faces. 😳 I would do it again in a heartbeat! The company we used was Eagle One Enterprises. Highly suggest this company!
The town however, left a lot to be desired in the food department, as most of the food joints were closed. We tried to eat several times and most were closed or short staffed bc it was a “low volume day”. What does that mean you ask? It means only the small ships were in port and there was about 6800 of us. As opposed to 13000 on the highest day. A lot of the restaurants were closed near the pier. Honestly if you want to make some money go open a hot dog, food joint in the summer and you will kill it.
Even though we had a hard time finding food we had the best time as always bc we just go with the flow! Met some locals, had a drink at the Moose Lodge(first time ever going to one), ate at Annabelle’s(Amazing)and walked creek street. All around weird wonky day turned out great!
Also at dinner at Pink Agave I saw 2 whales playing around in the wild! Super fun!
Wild life count:
Whales 🐳: 3.5
Sea lions 🦭: 7
Bald Eagles 🦅: 10
Jellyfish 🪼: too many to count
Starfish: 3
Dolphins 🐬: plethora
Today Sitka!