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Trips and Ships Luxury Travel

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Winter Garden, FL 34787

Horizons West / West Orlando

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Find the best cruise for you

Featured cruise deals, cruising guide, why take a cruise vacation.

If you have a place on your bucket list, chances are, a cruise will get you there – provided the destination is along a coastline or inland waterway. Cruises cover the world, taking millions of passengers each year to regions such as the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean and even Antarctica. Cruising offers a tremendous value, with trips that include your lodging, meals and entertainment – all rolled into one. Some luxury cruise lines even offer fully inclusive vacations, which cover drinks and tours ashore. And best of all, cruising means seeing the world conveniently after unpacking only once.

Cruises also provide a wonderful option for families, with many ships offering things like waterslides, mini-golf courses and fun clubs for kids, tweens and teens. While most are free, nursery programs can cost extra. Planning is easy: Pick your destination and the right ship (and line) for your travel style. The cruise line makes it simple, offering packages to help you save on extras like alcohol, shore tours or even airfare.

Travelers say they choose to cruise because cruising often costs less per night when compared with land vacations at a hotel, where they'll have to book -- and pay for -- every extra.

What are Tips for Finding Cheap Cruises?

If you're a flexible traveler, you'll have a better chance of finding cheap cruises. Take a cruise that doesn't sail over the summer or holidays, when prices are highest. Book an inside cabin, or take your chances with a "guarantee cabin," ideal for passengers who aren't picky about their stateroom location but really want the lowest price available. Book cabins on lower decks, which often come with lower prices than those rooms on higher floors – that is staterooms over suites.

Cruise brands such as Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International offer rates that might drop as low as $75 per person per night -- and sometimes even lower.

If you want a real bargain, consider a transatlantic or repositioning cruise. These cruises are one-way or open-jaw trips, that start in one port and finish at another. You can score a deal sailing from Florida to Europe, for example, or even from New York to Florida. Just be aware, you'll probably have to pay a bit more for airfare to return.

What are Tips to Finding Last-Minute Cruise Deals?

While being flexible date wise will always get you the best last-minute cruise deals, it's particularly helpful if you live near a cruise port and can quickly drive there. That way you'll probably be able to jump on those deals that might pop up just a week or two before the ship is scheduled to sail.

Or if you don't have flexibility with either departure dates or embarkation locations, be willing to compromise on exact destinations. This will allow you to find a wider range of last-minute deals traveling to locations in their off-season or so-called shoulder season.

Do plenty of research and know what your ideal cruise is and costs on average, so both are already on your radar. When you see it drop, pounce! (Many cruise lines update pricing several times per day, so preparation is crucial.)

Best cruises in 2024

There's truly a cruise style and ship for everyone, and that has never been more the case than in 2024, as vessels continue to come in an array of sizes – from riverboats and expedition vessels to the largest-ever mega ships. And it's not an exaggeration to say some are loaded with so many activities that you couldn't possibly enjoy them all in a single sailing.

Families will find plenty of options and activities onboard big ships, which have transformed cruising, making the vessels as exciting as the destinations themselves. The Caribbean is always a great option for families, offering lots of sunshine, great beaches and culture. Alaska, famous for its incredible vistas and abundant wildlife, is also a solid family cruise option. Consider cruise brands such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and even Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line for a great multi-generational voyage.

Or on the smaller side, by comparison, river cruising remains a hot ticket item this year, with exciting routes that send eager guests down the Danube or Rhine rivers in Europe or to lesser-frequented locations, like the Mekong River in Cambodia or Vietnam, or soon the Magdalena River in Colombia. Popular river cruises embark in timeless cities like Amsterdam, Budapest and Lisbon. River cruise lines to consider encompass Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises, Tauck, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Riverside Luxury Cruises, as well as American Cruise Lines for a domestic alternative.

If you're an adventurer at heart, an expedition cruise might be best for you. These voyages, often onboard small ships (only a few hundred passengers tops), offer an intimate experience that brings passengers right up next to glaciers, whales, penguins and iguanas. Ships visit tiny spots all over the world – from pole to pole – including the Arctic, Alaska, Australia, Greenland, the Galapagos and, of course, Antarctica. Passengers will spend their time zodiacing, kayaking, hiking, biking and exploring with expert guides and knowledgeable naturalists. Expedition travelers love cruise lines such as Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, UnCruise Adventures, Silversea, HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), Ponant and Quark Expeditions, as well as an ever-expanding list that now even extends to Seabourn and Viking.

But for the most decadent form of travel, luxury cruises offer all-inclusive experiences onboard small to median-sized ships (usually under a thousand passengers) with perks like butlers, high-end amenities and personalized, intuitive service, not to mention the finest dining at sea. Ships often feature luxury touches like marble and crystal decor, intimate spaces and beautiful spas. Because luxury ships tend to be on the smaller size, they can often reach off-the-beaten-path destinations bigger ships simply cannot access -- ports like St. Tropez or Guadeloupe. If you're looking for a luxury cruise, consider Crystal, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Explora Journeys, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and upcoming Four Seasons Yachts.

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Alaska Trip Reviews

How long are land transfers? What can I do before I board my ship? What activity options are available? Our collection of Alaska trip reviews will help you plan the best Alaska cruise or land adventure. To learn what Alaska wilderness travel is really like read on for firsthand accounts of Alaska trips , travel experiences, expert insights and trip testimonials rating the quality of ships and lodges, food, guides, activities and the overall AdventureSmith experience.

Who Writes These Alaska Trip Reviews?

Expert Reviews are written by our expert crew. Our Adventure Specialists visit Alaska multiple times a year to bring you honest reports from firsthand expertise. These Alaska cruise and land tour reviews are not hour-by-hour accounts but a review about the trip as a whole. They may list highlights or standout moments, but their goal is to share honest information, practical knowledge and pro tips to help visitors researching Alaska to make an informed purchase and have an even better time.

Travel Journals are written by real travelers like you! Some of our guests loved their vacation so much they told us what they thought so we could share it with you. For fun personal stories and daily journal entries from travelers, look for the author “AdventureSmith Traveler” or use the sidebar filter and select “Travel Journal.” Get ready to be inspired for the journey ahead.  Remember, AdventureSmith travels beyond The Last Frontier, so be sure to view our worldwide trip reviews to many of our other exciting destinations.

Will You Have a Similar Alaska Experience Compared to These Alaska Travel Reviews?

Weather and wildlife in Alaska are unpredictable, so our advice is always to come to Alaska prepared for anything. We can’t promise perfect weather or these exact same wildlife experiences, but the beauty of Alaska is, you may see and experience something even better! What our Alaska travel reviews will do is describe the general cruise and land-tour experience that can be replicated so the advice is useful to you as a reader: things like the daily schedule of activities, meals and accommodation review. We understand you are researching a destination and strive to provide a helpful trip review.

Testimonials: What Our Alaska Travelers Are Saying

We send hundreds of travelers to Alaska each year and love receiving traveler comments, critiques and testimonials about their vacations! We take our guests post-trip evaluation forms and publish them as easily digestible testimonials. Scroll to the bottom of the page to read some Alaska trip testimonials: CliffNotes-style Alaska cruise and land tour reviews with a range of categories featuring a star rating system. If testimonials exist for your trip, ship or wilderness lodge they will also be listed on the specific trip page and accommodation page.

Is Your Specific Question Not Answered in These Alaska Trip Reviews?

We make it easy to get your Alaska questions answered quickly. After reading any of our Alaska cruise and land tour reviews, simply leave a blog comment at the bottom of the page and an Alaska specialist will reply via comment then provide follow-up! You can also contact our Adventure Specialists directly by using our  contact form  or by calling 1-877-620-2875. We are Alaska experts—here to help you research, select, book and prepare for your travel with firsthand insight.

MORE ALASKA RESOURCES : Alaska Trips Alaska Trip Reviews Best Time to Visit Alaska Alaska Travel Guide Alaska Small Ship Cruises Alaska Big Ship vs Small Ship Small Alaskan Cruise Lines Glacier Bay Cruises & Tours Alaska Inside Passage Cruises Alaska Whale Watching Cruises Alaska Yacht Charters Luxury Alaska Cruises Alaska Family Cruises Alaska Cruise Deals Alaska Tours Visiting Denali National Park Alaska National Park Tours

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Learn from two AdventureSmith experts about identical sister ships Nat Geo Venture and Quest. Tips on choosing your cabin, what the food is like and why choose to sail aboard.

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Alaska Trip Reviews & Testimonials from Our Travelers

Had an absolutely amazing time! Staff were fabulous, energetic, passionate and kept us busy and safe at all times. We chose a small boat trip as we wanted to get as close as possible to Alaska...

The spontaneous whale watching, nearly every day at some point, made the trip memorable. That the captain could slow down and maneuver in an area to extend our viewing is not something that could happen on an aircraft-carrier-sized cruise ship.

The care this company has given to preserving the pristine quality of the wilderness while still showing clients the best the area has to offer, and a comfortable stay is really top drawer.

This was, for our trio, a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. We saw amazing sights (the endless coastline devoid of signs of habitation; the wildlife; the glaciers; the enormous sky fringed by epic peaks and clouds), and we experienced them together. We are already planning our return!

Trip was great. The crew was amazing, and the food was a very nice surprise. I wanted to hike as much as I could, and this ship seemed to meet that.

This trip exceeded our expectations! Everything was so organized and went so smoothly. I would highly recommend Adventure Smith for any trips. All the details were clearly explained and each step of the way went very smoothly.

Had an absolutely amazing time! Staff were fabulous, energetic, passionate and kept us busy and safe at all times. Enjoyed all the activities and the variety to choose from. We attached the trip to a Canadian holiday so Alaska was the perfect choice. We chose a small boat trip as we wanted to get as close as possible to Alaska and were after the adventure activities.

Accommodations Review

Only downside for us was cabin noise from engine. Difficult to hear TV.

Meals Review

We loved everything.

Crew & Guides Review

All guides were fabulous. Dawn did her role very efficiently. We had Cailie and Kate the majority of the time and found them knowledgeable, efficient and genuinely wanted us to have the best time of our lives and we did. Lexie was fabulous getting us places on the skiff. All staff were amazing.  

Traveler Advice

Would tell people it’s the only way to see the inside passage!

Featured in this Traveler Review

• Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise with 2 Days in Glacier Bay
• Camp Denali Adventure

The advance literature proclaimed the company sought to exceed our expectations, and they all did in every category. From the ship, the southern Alaska passages, the activities, the Un-Cruise company, down to every individual crew member, every part of this "adventure" was much better than we had imagined. As one example, we were surprised almost immediately buy how engaging and helpful the crew was. Not once did we see a crew member annoyed by a needy passenger or a question asked too many times. That must be a company goal!

The Wilderness Explorer was great. Although the cabins were small, we had what we needed and the public spaces were sized to handle the passengers comfortably, and there were so many activities we didn't spend much time in our rooms. The ship cruised smoothly in the inland passages, and even an overnight relocation cruise didn't interrupt sleep. Most enjoyed any kayaking activity off the boat. The launch/retrieve platform is an awesome modification, and probably what makes launching 10-15 kayaks in a short time possible. We greatly appreciated being able to rent the slogging boots on the boat.

No complaints whatsoever. We even had a pastry chef on our ship.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Might be tempted to say AdventureSmith over prepared us, given the extraordinarily good weather we had. We had only one day of rain in the entire week, and then it was in the 50's. Almost 70 in Glacier Bay for glacier kayaking. Personal to Aaron Gaines:  Thanks for the little 50th anniversary gift you had left in our cabin. On that Friday (Aug 7) we got to celebrate by kayaking in front of a glacier, on a beautiful day, with ORCAS swimming about a quarter mile away! Priceless!  

• Northern Passages with Glacier Bay & Sitka
• Wilderness Explorer
• UnCruise Adventures

Alaska Wildland Adventures is a top notch company. All employees were excited about their jobs, friendly, helpful, eager to share their knowledge about the area, wildlife, etc.. The care this company has given to preserving the pristine quality of the wilderness while still showing clients the best the area has to offer, and a comfortable stay is really top drawer.

The Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge was gorgeous! Very impressive facility, in a breathtaking environment. Wildlife sightings very exciting. Activities were well planned, with excellent and knowledgeable guides. Backcountry Lodge was excellent in every way with the exception of the challenge of not having bathrooms in the individual cabins. Hiking to the bathroom in the middle of the night (in a place where they were concerned about bear encounters !) might be OK at scout camp, but not so much as a middle age or older adult.

Elias was very thoughtful, pleasant, knowledgeable, in every way a perfect gentleman, constantly showing awareness and thoughtful concern for the welfare, comfort, and pleasure of his clients.

• Alaska Wildland Collection
• Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
• Kenai Backcountry Lodge
• Kenai Riverside Lodge
• Alaska Wildland Adventures

This was, for our trio, a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. We saw amazing sights (the endless coastline devoid of signs of habitation; the wildlife; the glaciers; the enormous sky fringed by epic peaks and clouds), and we experienced them together. My 91-year-old father-in-law was the inspiration for the trip and he came away with his expectations blown out of the water. While he'd done small ship cruises in the past, he'd never done one in Alaska. My husband and I (we're in our 50s) had never done either a cruise or Alaska, so it was an ideal introduction for us. We are already planning our return!

We went early in the season and it was soggy and sometimes cold, but we had plenty of gear and places to retreat to when we needed to get out of the elements. The crew was exceptional--they were friendly, knowledgeable, skillful, companionable, and very down-to-earth. We only had 35 people aboard the Chichagof Dream and with a crew of 25, we got to know everyone and felt very at home. The crew was quickly devoted to my independent and social father-in-law and made sure he was comfortable, heard, and cared for. They were just such great company. What a remarkable week it was for us!

We were lucky to wake up to sunny skies for the fjords of the Tracy Arm. Seeing a pretty big glacier calving soon after arrival was exciting and amazing, but just sitting in a day boat in front of the glacier for an hour or so was amazing for its serenity. A seal or two left its floe to swim nearby. And the Tracy Arm itself, with its soaring cliffs and roaring waterfalls was spectacular! The open bridge policy was a big hit with all of us; it was a kick to be able to stand with Captain Michael B. (who's a terrifically experienced master seaman, author, and cut-up) and look at charts and the passing view.

Very comfortable room in the AA cabins. Cozy, clean, unfussy, perfect. We dipped into the ship library many times; the resources enhanced our experiences for sure. The open bridge policy was a big hit with all of us; it was a kick to be able to stand with Captain Michael B. (who's a terrifically experienced master seaman, author, and cut-up) and look at charts and the passing view.

Our naturalists on board, Maggy and Kam, were informed, upbeat, and as excited about wildlife and the natural beauty around us as any of the passengers. Their enthusiasm stoked our own! Our cultural guide, Kelli, was likewise fantastic and easy to talk to. On shore in Kake, we loved Fallen and could've listened to her stories all day long (even though it was pouring down rain most of that day). We came away with a real appreciation for Alaska's landscape, history, and the Tlingit culture.

Andrew B. was responsive to my questions before and after booking. This trip was an investment, for sure, and I appreciated Andrew's help with finding something as affordable as possible. AdventureSmith was the go-between for us and Alaskan Dream Cruises. It was great to have someone to talk to about arrival and departure times.

Take packing advice seriously (my father-in-law didn't). Definitely take advantage of the rain gear on board. 

The baker on board was some sort of savant--breads, cookies, and desserts were irresistible. The main chef was also outstanding. All the food was made to order and the stewards were happy to accommodate any and all requests (even those off the menu).

• Glacier Bay & Island Adventure
• Admiralty Dream
• Alaskan Dream Cruises

Trip was great. Could not have asked for better weather. The crew was amazing, and the food was a very nice surprise (very accommodating, plentiful and tasted great). The whole group got a long really well. I wanted to hike as much as I could, and this ship seemed to meet that.

[I most enjoyed] the longer excursions (e.g. full day hike) and kayaking (a first for me). St. James Bay was extremely beautiful, and I'm glad we spent the whole day there. Hiking Mt. Riley in Haines was also a highlight (challenging hike, with a rewarding view up top). Can't say I enjoyed any of it the least, but if I had to choose, there were two days where we really only had one off the boat activity. Days when we got off twice were much more enjoyable. More full day excursions should be offered when the boat is anchored in the same place all day.

Ship was tiny, but had everything that was needed.

All of the dairy free options were great and I really appreciated the effort the galley staff and stewards put in.  Harry's soups were great. More than enough food to keep you full all day.  

Captain Andy was a great leader (fun, enthusiastic, knowledgeable) and his leadership showed throughout the crew.

Excellent, I had everything I needed.

This trip exceeded our expectations!  Everything was so organized and went so smoothly.

All meals were terrific!

The guides we used were Thomas and Mary.  They were so enthusiastic and knowledgeable  which made the hikes more enjoyable.

I would highly recommend Adventure Smith for any trips. All the details were clearly explained and each step of the way went very smoothly.

Pack layers as temps vary.

• Denali Backcountry Explorer

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

Top-Rated Alaska Trips

If our Alaska trip reviews have inspired you to travel start exploring your next vacation here. These Alaska tours and cruises are consistently rated top trips by our travelers. Start exploring our trips, then let our Adventure Specialists be your ultimate Alaska cruise guide to selecting and booking your route. Our team is known for personalized service, unbiased knowledge and first-hand on Alaska trips and small ship cruises. Come explore with us! 

The 6-day Sea Wolf Glacier Bay Adventure aboard the historic 12-passenger Sea Wolf is the only small ship cruise entirely inside Glacier Bay National Park. Paddle among glaciers, hike in old growth rainforest, explore tidal inlets and cruise among whales in Glacier Bay.

Enjoy 2 days venturing farther than 99% of visitors into Glacier Bay National Park. Plus, Tracy Arm, Frederick Sound, Icy Strait and Chatham Strait. Choose between two 76- & 84-guest Wilderness expedition ships as your home base.

The 7- or 8-day Alaska Wildland Collection is a seamless Alaska adventure promising remote and in-depth exploration of the Kenai Peninsula. Easy access from Anchorage, short travel times, fun activities and special youth rates make this a great family travel option.

Contact Us - Alaska Trip Reviews

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Ships and trips travel overview.

With so many travel options out there, it can be overwhelming.When you work with one of our Ships and Trips Travel Professionals you benefit from years of experience working as "value interpreters" for our clients. Our business is not about selling you...

Based in Sacramento, CA, Ships and Trips Travel is a medium-sized hospitality company with 300 employees and a revenue of $6.0M.

Ships and Trips Travel's Mission Statement

To understand what is important to you, to ensure that the recommendations we make meet your needs, and that we aren't imposing our preferences on your vacation. We spend as much time as necessary with each client, providing support and service before, during and after your travel.

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Viking Polaris cruise ship review: A comfortable ship for adventurous cruising

Editor's Note

Viking Polaris is the ship that bucket list dreams are made of.

The sturdy, 378-passenger ship in the Viking fleet is rated Polar Class 6, so it can take you to the ends of the Earth, no problem. It's tricked out with Zodiacs, two submersibles, kayaks and a speed boat, so remote islands and narrow bays won't keep you from close encounters with wildlife and nature.

Checking off worldwide wish-list destinations like Antarctica, the Arctic and the Great Lakes also comes with style. The ship boasts four onboard restaurants and a breathtaking spa that's open to all. Cabins are cozy and spacious with seating nooks by floor-to-ceiling windows, large (for a ship) bathrooms with heated floors and thoughtful touches for the perfect adventure, like a drying closet and two sets of binoculars.

Public lounge areas are so inviting, with comfortable seating and light-filled spaces thanks to tons of windows, that you'll be glad to kick back with a book, a puzzle or a drink after an incredible experience ashore. And the crew members do all they can to make you feel right at home, remembering your name and greeting you warmly whenever they see you.

Viking might be inspired by Nordic sailors of yore, who explored the world in their bare-bones longships — or the rugged 20th-century explorers whose portraits line the walls of the ship — but Viking Polaris' creature comforts would make all those hardy men and women rethink their travel choices. You won't regret yours if you choose to make this gorgeous little ship your home base for vacation adventure.

Overview of Viking Polaris

At 30,158 tons, Viking Polaris is small by ocean ship standards. The biggest megaships are eight times larger. But it's actually the largest vessel in the adventure-focused subset of ocean ships known as expedition ships , and it holds an unusually large number of passengers for such a vessel: 378 spread across 189 cabins and suites.

This means that while you'll enjoy the intimacy and personalized service of a small ship when you're on board, not to mention the additional onboard venues the extra space allows, you will need to wait your turn when going ashore in some destinations such as Antarctica, where only 100 people are allowed onshore at each landing site at a time.

In addition, the ship is for adults only; you must be 18 years or older to sail. Not that you should expect a bunch of partying 20-somethings on board. Viking caters to a 55+ crowd, and the majority of its guests are retirees in their 60s and 70s. The cruise line also has a huge fan club. More than half the guests on my Antarctica cruise were repeat passengers who adore Viking's ocean and river cruises, and you'll find that to be true on most sailings.

Related: Viking Explorer Society cruise loyalty program: Everything you need to know

Viking positions its expedition vessels between the over-the-top, completely all-inclusive luxury ships that go to off-the-beaten-path places such as Antarctica and the hardier, no-frills classic expedition ships. It focuses on a comfortable onboard environment with accessible adventure options.

The ship is upscale, but not ornate or stuffy, and its public spaces are inviting rather than impressive. Think of the ship as the living room designed by your friend with good taste instead of the formal sitting area where you're afraid to touch the expensive decorations.

Many amenities are included in the fare — Wi-Fi; all dining, wine and beer with lunch and dinner; a gorgeous thermal suite with a pool and hot and cold therapies; kayak and special operations boat tours; two-layer jackets to keep; and boots and waterproof pants to borrow in polar cruise regions — but you will still need to pay extra for cocktails (either a la carte or with a beverage package), gratuities, spa treatments and submarine rides.

Of the 250-plus crew members on board, 20-plus are expedition staff: scientists, specialists (biologists, geologists, naturalists, etc.), mountain guides and kayak guides. They are on board to scout and set up landing sites, lead kayak tours, conduct science experiments from the ship, spot wildlife, and give lectures about the flora, fauna and geography of the area. They're generally helpful individuals, happy to answer your questions and take photos of both guests and wildlife to share.

The ship has seven passenger decks, with the lowest, Deck A, the Zodiac and special operations boat loading zone, and the highest, Deck 6, being an open deck. (The highest Deck 7 is off limits except during the weather balloon release party.) The ship is small and it doesn't take long to get anywhere, though it does take a few days to get the hang of where things are on board and how to get from point A to point B. Unlike on many ocean cruise ships, you might need to walk down passenger corridors to reach certain lounges.

The ship is unusual in that it has an operational science lab on board where the ship's research scientists collect data to share with its global partners (such as NOAA and the University of Western Australia). In addition to the Zodiacs and kayaks common on expedition ships, Viking Polaris also carries two six-passenger yellow submersibles (playfully named George and Ringo — get it?) and a Special Operations Boat (a 12-seater speed boat with surprisingly comfortable seats and easy boarding).

All these vessels are stored in The Hangar, a water-level storage area that speeds up the deployment time of all the ship's watercraft. Here, too, the cruise line has created a spacious and comfortable boarding area that functions without gangways and with the latest biosecurity technology, such as a boot washing machine. The setup makes it easier to both get on and off ships and keep Antarctica clean.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

What I loved about Viking Polaris

The nordic spa.

You don't expect a full-blown gorgeous spa when you're adventuring to Antarctica, but Viking Polaris provides not only a beautiful facility but also one that brings the destination in. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the salon and thermal suite area allow you to watch for whales or seals as you enjoy a pedicure or soak in a hot tub.

Even better, the thermal suite is free for anyone to use, so if you get chilled on a wet kayak ride, you can warm up again in the heated pool or pamper tired muscles with a mix of hot and cold therapies. (If you've never dumped a bucket of cold water on your head after 15 minutes in a dry sauna or rubbed snow on your body in a steam room, I highly recommend trying it.)

The two-room fitness center is also larger than I expected for an expedition ship and enabled me to keep up my workout routine every morning.

Big kudos go to the spa staff, who are super sweet and helpful. Igor tailored my personal training session to my specific requirements and body needs, rather than giving me some standard plan. Joksim led a surprisingly intense (for a cruise ship) yoga session and then gave me an incredible massage a few days later, working out every knot from my neck to my feet.

If nothing else, stop by the spa reception desk daily to grab an inspirational quote — almost like a fortune cookie — from the bowl of colored cards. It will set the tone for your day.

Safety protocols

I admit I was a tad nervous about the thought of sailing to a place as remote as Antarctica. What if we got stranded ashore during a landing? What if the Zodiac broke down halfway back to the ship?

While any expedition cruise involves a certain degree of risk, the Viking crew members put me at ease with the knowledge that they've prepared for every possibility. Two of the expedition guides even led a briefing about the ship's safety protocols. We learned that the team brings ashore a ton of survival gear at every landing, including tents, thermal blankets, food and water rations, a desalination machine, a satellite phone, crevasse extraction equipment and even a portable toilet. (The latter is only used for true emergencies, so use your cabin bathroom before you head off the ship.)

Zodiac, SOB and submarine drivers are always in radio contact with each other and the ship, and they stay far away from marine animals and icebergs (which could potentially tip over and cause trouble). The crew gives guests clear instructions about how to get in and out of the ship's boats and someone is always there to give a hand.

All cruise ships in Antarctica follow the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators' rules for safe and environmentally responsible tourism. Viking Polaris's crew takes IAATO protocols seriously and works diligently to keep Antarctica pristine.

They sanitize boots going to and from shore, as well as the walking poles they provide, and advise guests against bringing anything unnecessary (snacks, tissues, etc.) to shore so nothing unsanitary ever touches the ground on landings. They even checked and vacuumed all the expedition gear we brought from home, including hats, gloves, goggles and camera bags.

The ship itself is built with all kinds of redundant systems, water-tight doors, and fire-detecting and -fighting equipment. It also carries "ice cubes," large floating boxes filled with group survival gear for up to five days should the ship have to be abandoned.

It's unlikely that something will go wrong on your cruise, but it's comforting to know that the ship and crew are totally prepared for nearly any emergency.

Every cruise line will tell you its crew is the best, but the friendliness and helpfulness of Viking Polaris' crew are palpable from the moment you step on board. Crew members you never met somehow know your name and say hello every time you pass them on board. My cabin stewards always pop out when we walk down the hallway and ask us about our day. They didn't even bat an eye when my travel companion and I had to try on five expedition jacket sizes to find the right fit.

The dining staff goes above and beyond; Santosh asked us what food we liked on the first day, and had our Indian chickpea curry waiting for us the very next day. One member of the dining team not only fetched a specific flavor of ice cream from the galley for my friend but brought her a second bowl the following day without being asked. The restaurant manager personally reached out and sent me a plate of desserts the day I was sick and holed up in my cabin.

Whenever there are a lot of people wildlife watching on the outer decks, a crew member always seems to turn up with cocktails or spiked warm beverages. What seemed like the entire housekeeping team showed up to the cruise's dance party one evening and unabashedly boogied down to get guests on the dance floor.

The expedition team members are always happy to answer questions, take your photo or lend a helping hand, and their lectures are always funny and engaging, even if the topic is dry. I was also impressed at the way they set expectations and rules for the guests in a lighthearted, digestible way without getting preachy or patronizing.

The crew absolutely set the tone for a friendly onboard ambience and it makes the long trip that much more enjoyable.

What I didn't love about Viking Polaris

Lack of announcements.

I've been on enough high-end cruises to know that the nicer ships don't like to pipe announcements into your cabin. However, I'd love a bit more communication from the bridge on Viking Polaris.

We missed the captain's one daily announcement almost every evening because we were inside our room and couldn't hear it. It's only when one of us would say, "Is someone talking in the hallway? Oh, wait, it's the captain!" that we would make a mad dash across the room to open the door to catch the last 15 seconds of whatever he was saying about the weather and the sail ahead.

I'd love a bell or some kind of alert to open our door, even if the announcement itself isn't piped into the room.

I was also surprised to note that Viking crew members almost never make the "whales off the starboard bow" announcements to alert passengers to wildlife viewing opportunities. I was chagrined when I learned that I had missed some active whales because I was attending an indoor briefing and had no idea that anything interesting was happening out of doors.

Schedule feature in the app

I love a good cruise ship app ; it makes navigating a ship and the daily schedule so easy. Viking's app has many useful features, including your ship's deck plans, the daily activity schedule, the ability to make reservations and even a photo download section.

However, I heard the same complaint over and over about one aspect of the app: There is no schedule view that allows you to superimpose your reservations (spa, dinner, landings, boat rides) with the onboard activities.

That might not seem like a big deal, but expedition cruises are surprisingly busy. On any day, I might have scheduled a landing and a kayaking tour, but don't want to miss the science lecture back on the ship. I was constantly flipping back and forth between the two separate schedules, trying to time my bookings correctly.

Other cruise line apps have a "favorite" feature, where you can select the onboard activities you don't want to miss and add them to a personal calendar that also contains your bookings and reservations. I'd love to see Viking add this as a feature to its app.

Viking Polaris cabins and suites

On Viking Polaris, you'll either stay in a balcony cabin or a suite. Regular and deluxe balcony cabins are essentially identical, except that the deluxe version is on decks 3 and 4 and comes with additional priority reservations, while the regular version is on the lower Deck 2.

Lower-category suites (junior suites and penthouses) are also on Deck 4, while the top-tier suites, Explorer Suites and the one Owner's Suite, are on Deck 6.

The ship only has two Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant/wheelchair-accessible cabins; both are junior suites on Deck 4.

If you're accustomed to ocean cruising, you'll notice that the balconies on Viking Polaris are not your standard verandah external to the ship. Instead, they are a style employed by many river ships (and some new Royal Caribbean , Celebrity Cruises and Atlas Ocean Voyages ships), where the entire external wall of your cabin is made up of two glass window panes. With the touch of a button, the top pane slides down (like a car window) and your room becomes the balcony, with fresh air wafting in. You can even lean on the lip of the bottom pane of glass, or rest your coffee cup on it, as if it were a balcony railing.

Blackout shades can also come down at the touch of a button, but if you just need to block the sun a little, a gauzy curtain can be drawn across manually.

This style of room works well in cold polar regions where you are unlikely to sit out on a balcony for long, but do want to bring in fresh air from time to time or take a photo without a window in the way.

I was a big fan of our 215-square-foot Deluxe Balcony cabin because it felt cozy without being cramped. In Viking style, its design has Scandinavian influences with blond woods, fairly minimalist furnishings and a homey (rather than hotel-like) feel.

My favorite aspect of the cabin was the small L-shaped leather couch, tucked into a corner behind the shelving unit that separates the sleeping area from the sitting/desk area. Instead of feeling like the sitting area is smaller than the ones found on other ships, it becomes an inviting nook where you can curl up with a book while admiring the view. The coffee table comes in handy when you order room service.

The desk/vanity across from it looks like a simple tabletop but has two secrets. One is, the top lifts to reveal a storage area for jewelry and other small items, and two is that its X-shaped legs are useful for removing stuck-on expedition boots (move the chair so you can stick your foot through the top of the X and use it as leverage to pull the tight boot off).

The sitting area is smaller than you might expect because more space is smartly devoted to the dressing area on the other side of your bed. Here, you'll find an L-shaped wardrobe with two hanging racks, two large drawers, two small drawers, a top shelf, two small shelves, a cubby for shoes and the safe. A hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers are provided for your onboard use.

The two sides of the closet open from the middle and can be tricky to pull open. One cruiser reported draping hand towels over the top to keep the doors slightly ajar to make them easier to open with her arthritic fingers.

The wardrobe is spacious, but my travel companion and I brought so much extra gear for our two-week Antarctica cruise (more medicine than I usually bring, long underwear and thick wool socks, etc.) that we maxed out the drawer space in the cabin and would have been happy with an additional drawer or two. For example, I kept all my warm-weather accessories (hats, gloves, goggles, etc.) in a bag on the closet floor because I didn't have a drawer to store them.

Next to the wardrobe is a brilliant addition on Viking's part — a drying closet. Cruisers on Viking Polaris keep all of their Viking-provided outdoor gear (boots, waterproof pants, two-layer jackets) in their cabins. If they, or other items, get wet on outings, you hang them up in the drying closet and push a button to turn on the heat, and they dry out before your next adventure ashore.

Pro tip: Check the drying closet regularly to make sure the heating element is still on. It does turn off eventually, and you'll need to hit the button again if your drenched belongings aren't dry yet.

Other nice touches in the cabin include a carafe of water, a minifridge with complimentary soft drinks refilled daily, a Nespresso coffee machine, a corkscrew, small snacks (bags of nuts and milk chocolate), two pairs of binoculars for use during the cruise and a few books themed to polar exploration. The room's phone is on the desk, as are Quiet Vox headsets for use on tours (these aren't used much in Antarctica).

The twin beds can be pushed together into a king, and the woolen throw blankets at the ends are a nice touch, especially if you want to snuggle on the couch with the window open. The movable nightstands each have one drawer and an outlet with a 110-volt, 220-volt, USB and USB-C outlet, as well as a wireless charging station. Each side of the bed has a reading light and a bedside light on the leather headboard.

The 55-inch interactive TV is hung on the wall opposite the bed. It has live TV channels, as well as free on-demand movies, a Viking channel to watch lectures and briefings you missed, and information about your cruise, personal schedule and onboard account. You can also make dinner, spa and shore excursion reservations via the TV.

I would have loved a couple of metal hooks on the wall, but you can bring your own because the textured walls are magnetic (but not the wood veneers outside the bathroom).

The bathroom is lovely, both for the spacious shower with a long ledge for storing toiletries or propping up a foot when shaving and for its heated floors (good for warming your toes and also for drying wet gloves). The glass shelves are small, but two generous drawers and shelf space below should accommodate all your toiletries.

Viking provides its own Freya brand of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand cream and body lotion in large 2.7-ounce bottles, as well as 30 SPF sunscreen, two sun-protection lip balms, shower caps, vanity kits and bar soap. In the bathroom, you'll also find a shaver outlet, tissue box, cups and a toothbrush holder.

Related: Viking cruise cabins and suites: A guide to everything you want to know

Viking Polaris restaurants and bars

Viking Polaris is a small ship with a big appetite; it features four distinct dining venues plus room service. Meals at all restaurants on Viking Polaris are included in your cruise fare.

The restaurants are inspired by the cruise line's Norwegian heritage, so you'll find more smoked fish and Scandinavian pastries than you will on most other cruise lines. For a true Norwegian dining experience, you'll want to spend time at Mamsen's, where you can nibble on Norwegian specialties, such as waffles topped with brown cheese and hot dogs on flatbread.

Note that while vegetarian dishes are available at every meal on board, Polaris is definitely a ship that focuses on meat more than vegetables and vegetarian proteins. Gluten-free diners appear to be well taken care of; the bakery even posts a list of all the gluten-free bread products available (including pancakes, waffles and pizza).

On Viking Polaris, beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner are complimentary. During special events, such as sailaway on embarkation day, or arrival at Antarctica, the crew might come around with trays of complimentary cocktails. You can choose to purchase the Silver Spirits beverage package if you plan to order more than a drink or two daily, or you can pay for individual drinks a la carte.

Restaurants

On expedition voyages, the World Cafe buffet venue is the most popular eatery. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is appealing for its variety of meal choices and its casual dress code. When you're in and out of cold-weather layers, sometimes you simply don't feel like dressing up for a formal meal.

Breakfast has everything you need to fuel up for the day, from healthy options like a made-to-order omelet station, yogurt, fruit and muesli to more decadent choices like pastries, breakfast bread pudding and pancakes. True to Viking's Nordic tradition, morning options also include a selection of smoked fish, deli meats and cheeses. Waiters will bring you tea, hot chocolate and juice; each table is already set up with coffee.

At lunch, you'll find a selection of hot food, usually including a carving station with a featured protein, a soup, pasta and some kind of fish and vegetarian option. The salad bar has a good selection of fixin's (though it's lacking in protein) plus a few cheeses daily.

Carbo-load at the bakery, where you'll find breads (including soft pretzels), pizza (try the Norwegian goat cheese version), daily hot sandwiches, cookies and other desserts. Don't miss the gelato stations with toppings bar or the made-to-order counter with new dishes daily, such as a fajita bar.

If you don't see what you're looking for, don't hesitate to ask one of the dining staff either behind the buffet counter or walking the seating area. Crew members brought us plain grilled chicken to top a salad, a vegetarian "meatball" when the meatless options were lacking and coconut gelato when it didn't appear at the ice cream bar.

Dinner is a similar affair with hot options, pizza, a made-to-order counter (often a noodle soup), a Caesar salad bar with additional pre-prepared salads and desserts, including a nightly warm option (like peach crumble or bread pudding) and Coldstone-style mix-in ice cream rolls. The main addition is a nightly sushi bar and seafood buffet (lots and lots of crab legs) in the back by the Aquavit Terrace on the port side of the ship.

I loved that if you're lingering over a meal toward the end of service, a waiter will come by and alert you that the buffet is closing, so you can grab seconds or dessert before it's too late.

On the far starboard side of the World Cafe is the Grill. It serves sandwiches by day (multiple types of burgers, veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches and tuna steak) and cooked-to-order meats at night (steak, brisket, burgers, swordfish). You can ask for sides from onion rings and French fries at lunch to roasted potatoes and asparagus at night, or forage for accompaniments from the rest of the buffet.

We spoke to a few diners who said the default is to cook the meats well, so if you prefer yours medium or rare, be very clear about that.

Viking Polaris' two sit-down restaurants are The Restaurant and Manfredi's, both on Deck 1 and only open for dinner. The Restaurant is a typical cruise ship main dining room with a menu split into always-available classics and the daily dinner menu that changes each evening. It's a three-course meal (though you could order more) with starters, mains with sides and dessert.

The daily menu might include leek and potato soup or beef tartare as a starter, seared sesame-crusted tuna or roasted veal medallion for a main, and peanut butter cheesecake for dessert. Note that many of the menu items at The Restaurant will also be available at the World Cafe upstairs.

Always-available dishes include Caesar salad and chicken soup, beer-marinated chicken and New York strip steak, an iced vanilla parfait and a cheese plate.

Manfredi's is the ship's Italian restaurant and the hottest dinner reservation on board. It's less accommodating of walk-ins so make your bookings early. If you have a special occasion to celebrate, you'll want to do it here.

The menu is divided into many sections and can be overwhelming at first, but it's not as complicated as it looks. Starters include antipasti, caprese salad, beef carpaccio and asparagus topped with a poached egg. You also have a choice of two soups. The pasta selection is not to be missed, especially the gnocchi in a gorgonzola cream sauce. You can ask for half or full sizes and enjoy the handmade pasta as a starter or main.

Main dishes come in two varieties. Piatti unici come as complete dinners with a protein and vegetable side, while secondi piatti are only the protein and you choose your sides. For example, I ordered the sliced grilled duck breast and it came plated with a salad, but if I'd ordered the Florentine steak or grilled tuna, I would want to also order some sauteed mushrooms or new potatoes with truffles and rosemary.

Don't worry — you can order sides even if you choose a pasta or pre-assembled dish as your main.

Desserts include tiramisu, panna cotta and pistachio cake, as well as a selection of gelato. I'd recommend the pistachio cake with a scoop of vanilla gelato.

Most cruisers can make one reservation at each restaurant prior to the cruise, but suite guests can make two to four pre-cruise reservations per venue, depending on the suite category booked. Anyone can make additional reservations online or try their luck with a walk-in if there's space available. We've heard it's easier to get seats at The Restaurant than at Manfredi's.

If you have a large group, you can reserve the private dining room between The Restaurant and Manfredi's. It seats 12 at one long table and is surrounded by racks housing the ship's wines. It's ideal if you want to have a rowdy group dinner without disturbing other diners, but it's a poor choice if you enjoy the scenery during dinner as the room has no windows.

Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, Mamsen's is a cute cafe serving Norwegian specialties inspired by the recipes of the mother of Viking's founder. The stars of the show here are the Norwegian waffles you can top with sweet brown cheese, berry compote or chocolate sauce, hot dogs served on flatbread, pea soup and open-faced sandwiches.

Viking's expedition ships do not serve a fancy afternoon tea like its ocean ships do, but you can find scones with clotted cream and jam served here in the afternoon.

As a special treat, the dining staff might host a barbecue lunch on the top deck (6) on a day when the weather is sunny. It's a fun, festive alfresco meal, but you won't get much notice and might have to adjust your landing times if you don't want to miss it.

Our barbecue was a meaty affair with chicken wings and pork ribs as an appetizer and a choice of steak or sea bass, with baked potatoes and cole slaw, as a main. We were initially told there was no vegetarian option, but the server came back saying they could get a veggie burger from the grill. If you're looking for something lighter or more vegetable-forward, the World Cafe remains open.

Room service is complimentary and available around the clock. Your room steward will leave you a breakfast card to hang outside on your door knob, for delivery between 6 and 10 a.m. Choices include beverages, fruit, yogurt, cereal, pastries and bread, cold cuts and cheeses, eggs, pancakes and breakfast meat.

The all-day menu is in a leather binder on your cabin's coffee table. It's a limited menu, which includes salads, soups, mains (steak, poached salmon, southern fried chicken), sandwiches (caprese, beef or veggie burger), spaghetti, a cheese plate and dessert (vanilla cheesecake or bourbon pecan brownie). You can call your order in on your in-room phone.

Everyone agrees that the fried chicken and the chicken noodle soup from the room service menu are not to be missed.

I'm not much of a drinker, but the bars and lounges on Viking Polaris are so comfy and inviting that I found myself looking forward to a pre-dinner cocktail or evening hangout in one of the ship's bars more than I do on other cruise lines. Viking guests can either purchase drinks a la carte or buy the Silver Spirits beverage package. All passengers can order complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner.

The cocktail menus at the bars are composed of standard drinks, but bartenders can make you your favorites off menu if they have the ingredients. We successfully ordered Pimm's Cups and Lemon Drops, but a Dark n Stormy and Moscow Mule were no-go's because the ship does not carry ginger beer. (And here I thought a Dark n Stormy would be a perfect Drake Passage drink!)

My favorite bar for atmosphere is The Hide on Deck 1. It feels like a speak-easy because you can only access it from Deck 2's forward stairwell or elevator.

You open a heavy door that looks like it belongs on a submarine to enter a dimly lit space with slanted windows on either side with views close to the water line. The clusters of couches and easy chairs invite confidences with newfound friends, while the oversized cushion chairs by the windows will tempt you into an afternoon nap, lulled by the rocking of the ship. The large columns at the front of the space actually house the anchor chains.

It also has a speakeasy-style bar, serving liquor-forward drinks (either your favorite liquor straight or on the rocks or with a light mixer, like soda water). You won't find wine, beer or daiquiris here. The small bar is only staffed for a limited time each evening after dinner.

For views, you can't beat the two-deck Explorers' Lounge on decks 4 and 5. Both levels face the front of the ship with floor-to-ceiling windows and wraparound views. When you want to look for whales but don't want to brave the wind, the Explorers' Lounge is a great choice. The bar is on the lower level, but both levels offer cozy seating, both facing the windows and in conversation nooks.

An equally cozy spot is The Living Room on Deck 5. It has a bar but serves more as a comfortable hangout space with a library, digital game tables, puzzles and a large TV showing Viking channels.

As is common on this ship, glass windows run the length of both sides of the space so you're never far from the scenic views. Events like team trivia take place here. The Living Room's bar opens early, should you be looking for coffee drinks from an espresso machine, and closes mid-evening.

The Aquavit Bar between the World Cafe and Aquavit Terrace serves diners at the buffet restaurant, as well as guests relaxing in the aft solarium space. It closes at the same time that dinner shuts down.

The Viking Bar on Deck 1 is your pre-dinner drink spot when you have a reservation at The Restaurant or Manfredi's. It's only open during dinner hours, from 5:30 (half an hour between the restaurants open) to 9 p.m.

If you need a quick cuppa or to refill your water bottle, self-service coffee/tea/water stations are located around the ship. You'll find them on Deck 2 outside The Aula and outside Expedition Central and in the World Cafe.

Viking Polaris activities and entertainment

As the crew likes to say on Viking Polaris, the ship has no official entertainment staff because the outdoors is providing the main entertainment on an expedition cruise. The ship's Grand Central station for outdoor adventure activities is The Hangar. That is where you will board the ship's Special Operations Boat or Zodiac boats (rigid inflatable motorized rafts) for cruises, landings and to be taken to waiting kayaks and submersibles (named Ringo and George because the subs are yellow).

The Hangar is arranged so it's as easy as possible to board the Zodiacs. No gangways are employed. Instead, you step from an open door onto a step in the Zodiac and then into a boat, with at least two crew members assisting you in and out every time. The Hangar also employs a state-of-the-art boot brushing and sanitizing machine (imagine walking your feet through car wash bristles) to make it easy to clean boots on the way to and from polar landings.

Viking does not schedule polar plunges for safety reasons (both yours and Antarctica's), so you will not cross that activity off your bucket list on a Polaris sailing.

Even though your focus will be on shore and sea excursions, you'll still find plenty to do on board.

Viking puts an emphasis on enrichment and education, and you'll find yourself often in The Aula, the theater based on a famous Norwegian lecture hall. It has a giant video screen that can roll up like a garage door to uncover the huge windows behind it. Warm throw blankets in every row are a cozy touch.

Here, the expedition team will give daily briefings about weather conditions and upcoming landing sites, give talks on the area's wildlife or culture, and show documentaries and videos related to the destination.

Some talks (including an entertaining one on nautical superstitions) are held in the Hide. Arrive early because seats are limited, and latecomers might have to stand in the back or sit on the floor.

The ship also has a science lab, and guests can participate in real experiments and data collection during their voyage. You can find an interactive map and often an expedition team member to talk to at Expedition Central on Deck 2.

But it's not all serious edutainment. A dance party with some complimentary cocktails is held in The Living Room one evening and a music variety show takes place in The Aula.

On the more relaxing side, Viking Polaris has a world-class Nordic Spa with a gorgeous thermal suite. The thermal suite features numerous hot and cold therapies (including a snow room, sauna and a hot tub with an open window to the polar breezes outside), a therapeutic pool and stunning views through floor-to-ceiling windows. It's the perfect place to warm up after a cold Zodiac ride or landing, so it can get crowded in the afternoon.

Book a mani-pedi or style session at the salon, and you'll also be able to take in the views while you're pampered.

Spa treatments have a Nordic twist, but you'll find all the massages, facials and body treatments you could want. Try the Hygge massage in a warm "sand" bed — it's a Viking specialty. My Nordic stone massage was one of the best massages I've ever had, and my masseur, Joksim, knew what my stressed-out body needed and worked out all my knots. Ladies should note that many of Viking's spa therapists are men if that's something that makes you uncomfortable.

The two-room fitness center is small by big-ship standards, but it still manages to fit three treadmills, two elliptical trainers, two stationary bikes, an erg, resistance machines and weight benches with free weights. In the group exercise space, you can take classes, use the yoga and bosu balls on your own, or access a range of digital exercise classes on the large-screen TV.

The gym is most crowded early in the morning before the day's briefings, lectures and expedition activities get going. If you want to work out with the crew, time your workout for prime dinner hours.

The ship has multiple outdoor spots for nature gazing and alfresco relaxation. The Bow on Deck 3 is a great forward-facing spot to look for whales or watch the ship's arrival at a landing area. It's adjacent to the Shelter, a covered spot to take refuge from the wind or rain (and occasionally snag an Irish coffee on a special occasion).

The Finse Terrace on Deck 2 aft, outside The Aula, has two fire pit areas for serious chilling.

The Aquavit Terrace on Deck 5 aft has a warm pool surrounded by lounge chairs and covered by a retractable glass roof. The glass window at the end of the pool opens up, so you can swim out to an uncovered section of the pool. On either side are two outdoor tubs — one hot, one cool. There's nothing better than soaking in a hot tub on a sunny Antarctic day with snow-covered mountains and icebergs all around you.

The promenade on Deck 5 is a lovely place to walk, though you'll have to go down to Deck 4 and back up again at the front of the ship to complete the loop. Deck 6 is an open deck where you can lounge on warmer itineraries or scan for wildlife on cold ones.

If you want to buy gorgeous Norwegian sweaters like the expedition crew wears, adorable penguin beanies and the softest stuffed puppies, visit the Nordic Shop on Deck 3 midship when it's open. It also sells items you might have forgotten, such as toothpaste or hand warmers. The hottest items here are the Antarctica patches you can attach to your Viking-provided jacket. If you want one, come when the shop opens as they can sell out.

Guest services include a medical center on Deck A, a travel consultant (to book your next Viking river, ocean or expedition cruise) on Deck 3 across from the shop and guest services desks on Deck 1 outside Manfredi's.

Guest launderettes on decks 3 and 4 have washers and dryers, irons and ironing boards, and detergent is provided. Be sure to set a timer and remove your items promptly. The launderettes are popular on long cruises.

Viking Polaris itineraries and pricing

Viking Polaris currently spends the North American winter in Antarctica and the summer in the Great Lakes , transitting between the two in the spring and fall. The one-way repositioning voyages take passengers along the coast of Chile, through the Panama Canal, along the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. and Canada then into the St. Lawrence Seaway.

In 2026, the ship will spend the summer months sailing Iceland and Greenland cruises in the Arctic instead of the Great Lakes.

Viking expedition cruises tend to be long, and many itineraries are combinations of multiple cruises that could be booked separately. Travelers pressed for time can book a seven-night Great Lakes sailing, but the shortest Arctic and Antarctic cruises are at least 12 nights. Many itineraries are two weeks or longer. To sail between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the Great Lakes to Ushuaia, Argentina, at the southern tip of South America takes just over 60 days.

A 12-night Antarctic Explorer cruise starts at $11,995 per person in the lowest-tier Nordic balcony cabin. A weeklong Great Lakes cruise starts at $5,995 per person. A 12-night Arctic sailing starts at $13,995. Fares go up for more popular sail dates and for larger and higher-category cabins.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking ship

What to know before you go

Required documents.

Required documents will vary depending on your cruise destination, but you will definitely need a passport.

If you're traveling to Antarctica or the Arctic, you will need a medical form signed by a doctor, clearing you to travel. Submit that at least 30 days prior to sailing. You must also fill out a form pre-cruise to request the correct size of jacket, pants and boots for your expedition.

Viking automatically adds a $17 gratuity per guest, per day, to your onboard bill. It is shared among the room stewards, waiters, galley staff and housekeeping. If you must change the amount, you can do so at Guest Services; you're always welcome to leave additional tips in cash or hand them to your favorite crew members.

I asked, and it is acceptable to tip expedition staff, in addition to waiters, bartenders and room stewards. Spa treatments do not automatically add a gratuity to your bill, but you can leave a tip when you're signing after your treatment.

Wi-Fi is included in the cost of your cruise. Viking uses a VSAT satellite terminal to provide the connection, and it was impressively good. I was able to make several WhatsApp Wi-Fi video calls back home from Antarctica, and though the image wasn't perfect, I could still show my kids penguins swimming off the side of the ship.

Carry-on drinks policy

Viking has a generous alcohol policy. All passengers are allowed to bring alcohol and other beverages on the ship with them, and they won't be charged a corkage fee, regardless of whether they drink their beverage in their room or in a lounge or restaurant.

Smoking policy

Viking Polaris is a nonsmoking ship, and you cannot smoke indoors or on most outdoor decks. The only place you're allowed to smoke cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes is in the designated smoking area outside on the starboard side of Deck 6.

If you're cruising in polar regions, you should also be aware that smoking is not allowed ashore anywhere in Antarctica or in Svalbard in the Arctic.

Viking Polaris has two self-serve launderettes on decks 3 and 4. Each features multiple washers and dryers you can use free of charge; detergent is provided. Irons and ironing boards are also available, but you can only use them in the launderette.

Alternatively, you can send out clothes to be washed and dried, pressed or dry cleaned for a fee. A bag is provided in your room, and you can select regular two-day service or same-day service for a 50% surcharge. Prices are per item, not per bag.

If it's been a while since you've used communal laundry rooms, you will need to dig deep and remember your college laundry etiquette. Set a timer on your cellphone so you can switch your laundry promptly. Fail to do so and another guest is likely to dump your wet laundry onto the ironing board.

We overheard several heated discussions about who had rights to which dryers and when. Don't wait until the last day of your trip to do your washing, as that's when the launderettes are the busiest.

Electrical outlets

Viking Polaris is a 21st-century ship, so you can expect more than just one outlet. Each nightstand features a three-part power strip with a U.S. 110-volt, European 220-volt, USB and USB-C outlet, as well as a wireless charger, should your phone have that capability (mine did not). Note that when you plug a charger into the 110-volt outlet, it blocks the regular USB outlet, but not the USB-C.

The desk area has two 110V and two 220V sockets. There's also a 220V outlet outside the bathroom, should you wish to plug in your own nightlight, and a shaver outlet inside the bathroom.

The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar. You won't be paying for much — mainly souvenirs, drinks and spa treatments. You'll be asked to provide a credit card, and your onboard bill will be charged to that account.

Drinking age

The drinking age on board is 21, regardless of where Viking Polaris is in the world.

Expeditions are casual affairs. You will be so anxious about bringing the correct polar gear that onboard attire is almost an afterthought.

Daytime attire on the ship is a mix of casual outfits based on the weather (jeans, slacks, sneakers, etc.) and adventure attire (leggings, fleece vests or jackets, athletic pants). One guy on our Antarctica sailing was often seen in a tropical shirt and shorts. The spa's changing areas are small, so you'll also see people walking the ship in their bathrobes or workout wear on their way to and from the Nordic Spa.

If you don't want to change for dinner, your casual daywear is appropriate at the World Cafe in the evening. No one will blink if you show up in a fleece jacket and hiking pants or athletic leggings and a top. Only swimwear, PJs and true exercise attire (like a sports bra with bike shorts) would not be acceptable. And, yes, we did witness a guest being ever-so-politely encouraged to leave the World Cafe when he showed up in his bathrobe.

Related: Antarctica gear guide: What you need to pack for a trip to the White Continent

If you wish to dine at The Restaurant or Manfredi's, you are supposed to step it a notch. Viking considers evening dress in the restaurants "elegant casual" — aka, no jeans. The suggested attire is slacks and a collared shirt for men and nice slacks, a skirt or dress for women. However, we saw diners dressed more casually (fleece jackets and jeans) in both restaurants, and no one said a word.

Viking Polaris does not have any formal evenings, so leave your cocktail dresses, suits and neckties at home.

Bottom line

If you want to visit the ends of the earth without giving up creature comforts, Viking Polaris is the perfect ship for you. Its large-for-expedition size means the ship is loaded with attractions, from multiple restaurants and lounges to an expansive spa, spacious cabins and dedicated spaces for enrichment activities. Its state-of-the-art Hangar allows travelers of all abilities to access off-ship adventure and its expedition team to set up water- and land-based activities as quickly as possible.

However, if you want to spend as much time as possible off the ship in polar regions, you might do better, especially in Antarctica, with a ship that carries closer to 100 passengers. The trade-off is that you might have to choose a ship that has fewer frills and amenities than Viking Polaris.

Plus, it's unclear that any expedition ship has a crew as friendly, knowledgeable and helpful as the folks who work aboard Polaris. They make the trip more special than any ship designer or rare penguin could ever do.

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I've traveled on all 5 Disney cruise ships. I have 2 clear favorites, and there's only one I'm not in a hurry to book again.

• My family and I have been on nine Disney cruises and all five ships.
• We love the fleet's two smallest ships, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic.
• Although we had a great experience on board Disney Wish , it was my least favorite ship to travel on.

I've been on nine Disney cruises with my husband and two teenage sons. We've sailed on other cruise lines including Carnival, Celebrity, MSC, and Royal Caribbean , but Disney Cruise Line is always our top pick.

Stellar service, subtle theming, top-notch kids' and teen programs, and a dreamy private island in the Bahamas are some of the reasons we keep returning.

So far, we've been on all five Disney Cruise Line ships — Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish. We'll soon have more ships to explore, with Disney Treasure planning to set sail in December and Disney Destiny set to embark on its maiden voyage in 2025 .

Out of the five ships we've been on, two stand out as favorites, and there's only one I'm not in a hurry to travel on again.

My favorite ships are Disney Wonder and Disney Magic

Disney Wonder and Disney Magic are my favorite ships in the Disney Cruise Line.

They have nearly identical deck layouts and are the fleet's two smallest ships. Some may see this as a negative, but I prefer the smaller, more intimate size and the ease of getting around the ships.

Disney Wonder also has my favorite Disney Cruise Line restaurant, Tiana's Place. It offers a delicious, Cajun-inspired menu and a fun "The Princess and the Frog" theme. There's even a lively floor show with jazz music.

I love Disney Magic , too, but I thought it was more dated and in need of an update than Disney Wonder.

I also didn't love the Magic's Rapunzel-themed restaurant nearly as much as I love Tiana's Place.

The food at Rapunzel's Royal Table was just so-so, but the entertainment and theming more than made up for it. The in-person appearance of Rapunzel and Flynn, capped by a lantern processional to the tune of "I See the Light," was glorious.

Although Disney Wish was great, it was my least favorite ship to travel on

Although I had a great experience on board Disney Wish, it was my least favorite ship to travel on.

The Wish is unarguably beautiful — everything is sparkling new, and the atrium is decked out with a life-size Cinderella sculpture — but I thought the layout was a little clunky.

I may have felt this way because many of Disney's ships are laid out very similarly, and after nine cruises, we're pros at finding our way around.

Disney Wonder and Disney Magic have nearly identical deck layouts, as do Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Disney Wish, however, is laid out much differently.

Unlike the other Disney cruise ships we've been on, Disney Wish doesn't have a specific area for adults-only lounges.

Instead, the adults-only bars and lounges, which are off-limits to kids after 7 p.m., are scattered throughout the ship. This means the Wish doesn't have that true kid-free haven that the other ships have.

I also found that many parts of the ship, from the dining rooms to the pools, felt crowded

For all that criticism, my family and I enjoyed sailing on Disney Wish . But now that we've crossed it off our list, we won't be in any hurry to jump on board again unless the route is one we can't pass up.

Correction: June 7, 2024 — An earlier version of this story mislabeled a photo of Disney Wish as Disney Wonder.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

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Celebrity ascent: the best dining, amenities and more on celebrity cruises' newest ship.

Top-notch eateries, adults-only areas and entertainment options stand out.

Celebrity Ascent Review

Megan duBois

Key Takeaways

• There are 32 different dining and drinking venues on board, from Le Voyage by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud to the line's iconic Martini Bar.
• The onboard entertainment is incredible. The "Awaken" show combines popular music with acrobatics and lasers, while Ascent After Dark: Shine the Night invites cruisers to don metallic or sequin outfits for a deck party under the stars. 
• The Solarium adults-only pool area is a relaxing spot with comfortable lounge chairs, a pool and hot tubs; head to Eden for delightful cocktails and optimal sunset views.

You can think of Celebrity Cruises as the more adult cousin of Royal Caribbean International – which makes sense, considering both cruise lines are owned by Royal Caribbean Group. With all of the recent buzz around both brands, I was excited to sail on Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, in its debut month. I embarked out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December 2023.

The 17-deck, 141,420-ton ship has 1,646 staterooms and can carry 3,260 guests at double occupancy. At 1,073 feet long and 128 feet wide, the ship has plenty of space for upscale amenities, edgy entertainment and incredible dining venues. The Edge Series ship also has more than 1,400 crew members who hail from 60 different countries around the world.

As an avid cruiser who has taken more than 50 ocean and river voyages on almost a dozen cruise lines, I found Celebrity Ascent lived up to the hype. The ship itself is stunning, and each area has a distinct vibe. I loved the ample amount of food and drink opportunities – there are 32 different venues – and the standout onboard entertainment was like nothing I had seen before on a cruise ship.

Find your perfect cruise

Celebrity Ascent itineraries

Celebrity Ascent sails around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean over the next few years. Summer 2024 brings Ascent to Mediterranean ports of call in Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. The Mediterranean season ends in October 2024, with a 13-night transatlantic sailing departing from Barcelona, Spain.

Late fall and winter sailings depart from Fort Lauderdale. The Caribbean season runs between November 2024 and April 2025. It includes seven- to nine-night voyages calling on ports like Aruba , Bonaire and Curacao ; Bimini, Bahamas ; Labadee, Haiti; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands ; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic ; and St. Maarten and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In late April 2025, it's back to the Mediterranean for the 2025 season between May and October. Ascent then returns to the Caribbean for sailings in late 2025; destinations include southern Caribbean locales, plus the Panama Canal and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Similar Caribbean sailings are also on sale for early 2026.

Who should sail on Celebrity Ascent?

Celebrity Ascent, like its Edge Series sister ships, caters to adults traveling together. The overall vibe of the ship is upscale and modern, with plenty of places to grab a drink, enjoy a meal and watch a show. Couples can enjoy an elevated date night in Le Grand Bistro, while the aptly named Sunset Bar – which overlooks the rear of the ship – is the spot to be with a cocktail in hand as the sun sets into the horizon. This bar was easily my favorite spot on board; I spent most afternoons here enjoying a cocktail.

The deck parties, of which Ascent After Dark: Shine the Night is the premier event, are a fun time – but they aren't so loud that guests can hear the bass thumping in the staterooms below. Shows at The Theatre are fully immersive, with incredible technology and great music that had me dancing in my seat.

If you are traveling with children, know that there aren't many places on board for kids to just hang out and be kids. The Camp at Sea kids club is crammed into a small area on Deck 3, away from the main Grand Plaza and The Martini Bar.

Cruises on Ascent can be expensive, but Celebrity often runs deals on sailings. Without any promotions, sailings around the Mediterranean in 2024 and 2025 may run between about $1,000 and $5,600 per person. In comparison, 2024 and 2025 Caribbean voyages may cost between about $2,000 and $4,400 per person before discounts. (Note: Cruise rates can change frequently, based on demand and availability.)

The stateroom

There are over two dozen different stateroom styles on Celebrity Ascent. The smallest (and usually cheapest) rooms are the Inside Staterooms, which offer between 181 and 202 square feet of space. For solo travelers, the Single Inside Staterooms offer the same amenities as a double occupancy room, but with a smaller 103-square-foot layout and no single supplement fee at booking.

Ocean View Staterooms are slightly larger, at 200 to 242 square feet. There are three different room styles; the main difference among them is the size of the window. Options range from small windows in the middle of the wall to large, floor-to-ceiling picture windows.

Ascent's balcony cabins are quite varied, but the majority are Infinite Veranda Staterooms, where the balcony is actually a uniquely designed window that can be opened to let the ocean breeze in. There is a set of glass doors that can be drawn to make this space more private, as well.

Concierge Staterooms allow guests access to a dedicated concierge staff and exclusive onboard events. AquaClass cabins all feature the infinite balcony design, plus unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite, complimentary dining at Blu restaurant, fitness classes and a spa concierge.

Celebrity Ascent's suites are all part of The Retreat, the line's ship-within-a-ship concept where cruisers have access to an exclusive restaurant, a sun deck with a pool, a lounge and a dedicated crew. Suites range in size and style, from smaller 319-square-foot studios to massive two-bedroom suites offering more than 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space.

When I sailed on Celebrity Ascent, I stayed in an AquaClass stateroom. The main living space had a king-size bed, which was cozy after long days of exploring the ship and nights spent on the dance floor. I found the cabin's couch a bit uncomfortable, but there was plenty of storage space in the large closet and drawers. Conveniently, the bed was high enough to fit my suitcases under.

Because this was my first time in an Infinite Veranda room, I was interested to see how the balcony actually worked. After pressing a button for the window to roll down, my room instantly filled with humid air – not the sea breeze I was expecting. The air conditioner also turns off when the window is down, so it takes a long time for the room to cool off again. I only opened the window once because of this. For me, the extra veranda space served as more of a sitting area to take in the views than a spot to enjoy the ocean breeze.

My stateroom's bathroom was spacious, with a larger-than-usual standup rain shower. I also loved the eco-friendly bath amenities, which smelled divine. I used the in-room bathrobes and slippers every day of the cruise.

I loved that my AquaClass stateroom came with some amenities that are not included in other Infinite Veranda rooms. There were two yoga mats, two bottles of water that were refreshed daily, a welcome bottle of sparkling wine, an umbrella, binoculars, complimentary shoeshine service and a pillow menu. AquaClass guests also have unlimited access to the spa's thermal suite, complimentary fitness classes and a dedicated spa concierge. I went to the thermal suite daily to enjoy the heated loungers and steam rooms.

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Best amenities on Celebrity Ascent

On Celebrity Ascent, you'll never be bored. Over just a few days, I was able to participate in game shows and dance parties, sit back and enjoy live music, and spend some time by the pool. While I don't gamble, the casino always seemed to be full when I walked by, and someone was always cheering about hitting the jackpot.

For live entertainment, be sure to catch Flash Flair Fusion, the nightly bartending performance at the Martini Bar. Meanwhile, the Theatre hosted three main shows during my sailing: "Residency," "Awaken" and "Bridges." (Based on my experience, "Awaken" is the production to prioritize.)

Additionally, The Club hosts most of the ship's game shows and some smaller live music events. I loved hanging out at this venue; it was never overly packed with people, and the games were pure fun. I even got called up on stage to participate in one of the games and ended up winning a Celebrity Cruises-branded hat.

For some outdoor fun, hit the onboard pickleball court. Or, head to the Rooftop Garden, where float pools face the ocean and plenty of comfy seating awaits. I loved how lush this space felt, thanks to all of the live plants surrounding the seating areas. This is also the spot to catch movies at night.

If you're looking for an even more unique place to hang out, head to The Magic Carpet. This bright orange, glass-encased bar hangs out over the side of the ship and is the perfect spot for an after-dinner drink. The Magic Carpet can move up and down the side of the ship, docking at select decks for a set amount of time. I loved hanging here at night as the ship was pulling out of port to see the islands light up and watch other ships pass by.

When planning out your evenings, keep in mind that it can be a trek to get from one onboard activity to the next – especially when there is very little time between many of the major scheduled events. One night, I started in The Club to watch a game show, then immediately had to get to the Theatre. After the theater performance, I had to walk the entire length of the ship and take the stairs to get to the night show in Eden. Then, after Eden, it was time for the Shine the Night deck party. By the time I got back to my stateroom, I was exhausted.

Best dining venues on Celebrity Ascent

There are 32 different spots for food and drinks on Celebrity Ascent, including four main dining rooms; four casual complimentary eateries; eight specialty restaurants; 14 cafes, lounges and bars; and two exclusive venues.

Included with the base fare are meals at the four main dining rooms, all of which serve the same menus every day, plus a small exclusive menu that's tailored to the theme of each restaurant. (For example, if you're dining in Cyprus, there is a small list of Cyprus-exclusive dishes that highlight Mediterranean cuisine, while the Normandie restaurant serves up French favorites.)

Other restaurants included in the cruise rate are Eden Cafe & Bar, which serves light bites and sweets; Mast Grill, offering burgers and salads; and Oceanview Cafe, a buffet open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For an additional cost, head to specialty dining venues like the stunning Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, which is great for date night; Le Grand Bistro, a fun take on a classic French Bistro; or Eden Restaurant, which features an entirely plant-based menu.

My favorite specialty dining option – and overall favorite restaurant on the ship – was Raw on 5. It features stunning chilled seafood towers, fresh sashimi and hot dishes like fresh lobster and shrimp wontons. Each dish was prepared beautifully, the service was top-notch and our table next to the window offered great views.

However, one restaurant I would skip is Fine Cut Steakhouse. It is a pretty standard steakhouse, and nothing on the menu really stood out to me. The upscale ambiance was also diminished by music floating in from the nearby Grand Plaza and Martini Bar (think: everything from One Direction to Cher). While both artists are great to hear while sipping a martini in a public space, I don't want to hear them while dining at an expensive restaurant.

Best excursions on Celebrity Ascent

Travelers cruising to the Caribbean should book a beach outing. There are abundant excursion options in St. Maarten and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands . If you're into local brews, try the Small Group: Brewery & Beach Tour Philipsburg, St. Maarten .

On a past Mediterranean cruise, I explored both Florence and Pisa, Italy, while docked in the Italian city of Livorno. Celebrity offers a similar excursion aboard the Ascent. The day trip includes a scenic drive through the Tuscan countryside; exploring Florence and seeing the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo; and a trip to Pisa to see the iconic learning tower. In Rome , consider doing an all-day tour where you can see the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and St. Peter's Square.

Regardless of where your cruise is headed, you may choose to explore ports on your own instead. If that's the case, be sure to give yourself enough time to get back to the ship. I always try to return at least an hour before the scheduled sail away time.

Overall impressions of Celebrity Ascent

When it comes to ships that cater to a mostly adult audience, Celebrity Ascent really has it all. From stunning common areas to incredible dining and entertainment, I was never bored on this ship. What I loved most was the wide range of entertainment, from pop-up music around the ship to full-blown experiences that need to be seen to be believed. The food on the ship is a step above most other major cruise lines, and the number of dining options is great, especially for longer sailings.

While I loved my room's location and amenities as a whole, I found the Infinite Veranda design to be a bit of a waste. When I did use it, my room got hot quickly and took a while to cool back down. I would consider booking a traditional veranda cabin next time, or a stateroom with a large picture window to save some money without sacrificing the ocean views.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Megan duBois has been covering travel, cruising and theme parks for over five years. She has taken more than 50 cruises, has traveled to four continents and more than 25 countries, and has visited a dozen theme parks around the world. Her work appears online and in print in major publications like U.S. News & World Report, Travel + Leisure, The Points Guy, Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes and more.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• The Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
• The Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean
• The Best Solo Cruises
• Cruise Packing List: The Essentials Chosen by Experts

Tags: Travel , Cruises

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Road Trip Essentials

Alissa Grisler and Amanda Norcross May 29, 2024

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

The Best Travel Medical Insurance of 2024

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Seven Corners »

GeoBlue »

WorldTrips »

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Medical Insurance Plans.

Table of Contents

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners

Buying travel insurance is a smart move for any type of trip, but you may not need a policy that covers everything under the sun. If you don't need coverage for trip cancellations or delays because you're relying on your travel credit card to offer these protections, for example, you may find you only need emergency medical coverage that works away from home.

Still, travel medical coverage varies widely based on included benefits, policy limits and more. If you're comparing travel insurance plans and hoping to find the best option for unexpected medical expenses, read on to learn which policies we recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term travel insurance usually describes a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes coverage for medical expenses as well as trip cancellations and interruptions, trip delays, lost baggage, and more. Meanwhile, travel medical insurance is coverage that focuses on paying for emergency medical expenses and other related care.

Travelers need international health insurance if they're visiting a place where their own health coverage will not apply. This typically includes all international trips away from home since U.S. health plans limit coverage to care required in the United States.

Note that if you don't have travel health insurance and you become sick or injured abroad, you'll be responsible for paying back any health care costs you incur.

Many travel insurance policies cover emergency medical expenses you incur during a covered trip. However, the included benefits of each policy can vary widely, and so can the policy limits that apply.

If you're looking for a travel insurance policy that offers sufficient protection for unexpected medical expenses, you'll typically want to choose a plan with at least $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical care and at least that much in protection for emergency medical evacuation and transportation.

However, higher limits can provide even more protection from overseas medical bills, which can become pricey depending on the type of care you need. As just one example, Allianz says the average cost of emergency medical evacuation can easily reach up to $200,000 or more depending on where you’re traveling.

Your U.S. health insurance policy almost never covers medical expenses incurred abroad. The same is true for most people on Medicare and especially Medicaid. If you want to ensure you have travel medical coverage that applies overseas, you should purchase a travel insurance plan with adequate limits for every trip. Read the U.S. News article on this topic for more information.

The cost of travel medical insurance can vary depending on the age of the travelers, the type of coverage purchased, the length of the trip and other factors. You can use a comparison site like TravelInsurance.com to explore different travel medical insurance plans and their cost.

• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Overall
• Seven Corners: Best for Families
• GeoBlue: Best for Expats
• WorldTrips: Best Cost

Coverage for preexisting conditions is available as an add-on

Easy to purchase as needed for individual trips

Relatively low limits for medical expenses

No coverage for trip cancellations or trip interruption

• Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Up to $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage loss and damage
• Up to $600 in baggage delay insurance
• Up to $1,000 for travel delays
• Up to $10,000 in travel accident insurance
• 24-hour hotline assistance
• Concierge services

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Purchase comprehensive medical coverage worth up to $5 million

Coverage for families with up to 10 people

Low coverage amounts for trip interruption

Medical coverage options vary by age

• Up to $5 million in comprehensive medical coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency evacuation coverage
• Up to $10,000 in coverage for incidental trips to home country
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for terrorist activity
• Up to $500 in accidental dental emergency coverage
• Up to $100 per occurrence in coverage for emergency eye exams
• $50,000 in coverage for local burial or cremation
• 24/7 travel assistance
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment per traveler
• Up to $500 for loss of checked baggage
• Up to $5,000 for trip interruptions
• Up to $100 per day for trip delays
• Up to $50,000 for personal liability

Qualify for international health insurance with no annual or lifetime caps

Use coverage within the U.S. with select providers

Deductible from $500 to $10,000 can apply

Doesn't come with any nonmedical travel insurance benefits

• Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $25,000 for repatriation of mortal remains
• $50,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment

High limits for medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation

Covers multiple trips over a period of up to 364 days

Deductible of $250 required for each covered trip

Copays required for medical care received in the U.S.

• Up to $1,000,000 of maximum coverage
• Up to $1,000,000 for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $10,000 for trip interruptions
• Up to $1,000 for lost checked luggage
• Up to $100 per day for travel delays
• Up to $25,000 in personal liability coverage
• Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19
• Ability to add coverage for your spouse and/or child(ren)
• Repatriation of remains coverage up to overall limit
• Up to $5,000 for local burial or cremation 
• $10,000 to $50,000 for common carrier accidental death

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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Luxe Advisors

Our expert luxury travel advisors, ``an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.`` - benjamin franklin.

Owner, Travel Advisor, Travel Marketing & Business Strategist

Specialties: Premium and deluxe expeditions, exotic destinations and Luxury Travel.

MEET THE LUXE TRIBE

In days gone by, travel agencies were limited to being a walk-in order taker for your holiday. Now, however, the game has changed. Over the last decade, Trips & Ships Luxury Travel has evolved from a transactional travel sales team into something completely new: a boutique, custom travel design house built on long term relationships with our clients and travel industry professionals.

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All of this is possible due to high levels of customer service and attention to detail at every step of your journey — ensuring it remains undisturbed by any unwanted surprises.

LUXE Travel Advisors

``i’m thrilled to offer you access to myself and my team for a personalized strategy planning session. there are very few agencies that can match our experience when it comes to travel expertise and real education``, client testimonials, great time first cruise.

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Sibling Group

Greece unsurpassed beauty.

I do not have much international travel experience, so I was looking for a travel agent that did. In that, I decided to team up with Angela to plan my trip to Greece. She has been there many times and I found that so helpful to plan. She was professional, offered her experienced opinion and ultimately, the trip was amazing.

Make the world a smaller place

We are still in India, I am loving it, the people are so nice. It amazes me how people in US are so frightened. I keep getting messages about, are you afraid, bet you can’t wait to come home, I would never go there. I guess I asked you if I was safe, but I was still going. Anyway, thanks for encouraging me. I look forward to going home and opening peoples minds. You have an awesome job, Angela you make the world smaller for people, you open people minds, hearts and change lives for the better.

They have all been great

She is efficient, reliable and informative. Also a pleasure to talk to when needed. I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

It has been awesome. Her detail and follow through are excellent. Never had any negative issues with many trips booked through her. Becki has booked trips to Asia, Europe, South America, Holy Land , Australia and New Zealand and Iceland for us I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Caribbean Queen

I'm currently working with Becki for my 5th time for a cruise coming up February 2020. Becki always goes above and beyond to make sure everything is right for those of us in our group (I've been going on the Bead Cruise that she is the travel agent for). She's patient and always available to help answer any questions from the most basic when I was a cruise newbie to more involved issues. Becki is a superstar and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her!

A top notch travel planner

Great planner, organized, on top of schedules. No worries when Becki is handling our trips. We've never been caught with an unexpected problem. Becki has booked trips to South America, Europe, and Asia for us, as well as many cruises. All in all, over 20 trips. I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Lost passport but still had a great time

Becki was great to work with. I didn't know the first thing about planning a trip to Thailand. I gave Becki a list of things I wanted to try and do and she put together a great itinerary. She was happy to make any changes and was very responsive answering any questions I had. Our guides while in country were exceptional. In Bangkok, our guide would tell us about the history of the city and when we visited the temples he would walk with us and tell us interesting facts about where we were. In Chang Mai we lost our passports the morning we were supposed to get on a plane to Krabi and as a result our guide came 2 hours early and helped us file a police report then took us to the embassy to get temporary passports. We missed our flight so he helped us change our plane tickets and book a 2 hour Thai massage making what could have ruined our trip into a highlight. I can't thank Becki enough for taking the stress out of planning a trip like this. I will be using her again! I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Organized, fun trips for the whole family!

I love working with Angela. She had lots of creative ideas and personal insights about our destinations that I never would have known about if I had tried to plan the trips by myself. I trust Angela’s advice completely!! Angela also helped us get home when our flight was cancelled and we weren’t able to get through to the airline. She’s the best!!!

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Truly Experts

After working in the travel industry for 17 years, I am very picky about who I use to coordinate our travel. Angela just booked a Mediterranean cruise for my family and I couldn't have been happier with her superior knowledge and outstanding customer service. We also attended a humanitarian mission last summer that Angela coordinated. I was so impressed with entire experience! I would recommend Angela and her company to anyone.

Europe Adventure

Angela helped us plan a multigenerational cruise- we went on a Royal Caribbean cruise and Angela was extremely helpful. She had great suggestions and was very accommodating. Angela is an expert in planning travel and helped us with the details that I would overlook. She gave us excellent suggestions on where to stay prior to the cruise and advised us on all of our transfers. She told us where to go for dinner and what shore excursions we should try. Vacations can be expensive and we wanted an expert to help our family and that's what we got! Thanks to Angela all 9 of us had a fantastic time with countless happy memories. Thank you Angela. We are planning our next vacation with her! We highly recommend Angela and are grateful for her guidance!

France was a dream

Just wanted to let you know that my daughter and I had a great trip to France! Everything worked out beautifully without the stress of making all the arrangements myself as I have done before.??????? We took the option of going to the beaches of Normandy have been there before but I was anxious for my daughter to see them as my father was part of the first assault on day. We had a great tour guide, Jonathan Holburn was was very knowledgeable, helpful and funny.

Keeps on Getting Better

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The Greatest Travel Agent

I LOVE having Angela's experience and help in our planning for corporate events on a budget. She has also helped with several personal trips, and can't imagine going somewhere new without input from her. She knows just about everything about every place we might go!

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