Famil of a lifetime! TravelManagers agents share highlights from a Cunard cruise in Alaska

Famil of a lifetime! TravelManagers agents share highlights from a Cunard cruise in Alaska
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Four personal travel managers (PTMs) have enjoyed the famil of a lifetime onboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth through Alaska.

    Highlights of the trip included dining on freshly caught local salmon, getting up close to Alaskan coastal brown bears and whale-watching from the balcony of their stateroom.

    The group embarked in Vancouver aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth and spent nine incredible days enjoying as many experiences as possible both onboard and ashore as they sailed to Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan.

    Vikki Southern, who is based in Mount Pleasant WA, described the experience as “an absolute marvel.”

    Al fresco dining, Alaskan style: (L-R) PTMs Julie Painter, Vikki Southern, Michelle Smith and Jennifer Jones enjoying fish tacos in Sitka.

    The dining experience aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth exceeded the expectations of the famil group, which included (L-R) TravelManagers’ Jennifer Jones, Julie Painter, Michelle Smith and (2nd from right) Vikki Southern.

    “To board a ship and travel to one of the remotest places in the world is an experience like no other, from the sheer beauty of the Alaskan forests, mountains and glaciers to the rich history and incredible wildlife,” Southern, said.

    Life onboard the Queen Elizabeth proved to be something of a revelation to Southern, who says she had expected to find an older passenger demographic.

    “There was a surprising number of young couples, a few families and plenty of fit older people – we had a lot of fun,” Southern, said.

    “There was plenty to keep us entertained on sea days, from live entertainment to dance lessons, spotting wildlife from the deck of the ship and attending lectures by professionals on all things Alaska.”

    “Alaska is so huge and there is so much more I want to see: more wildlife, more time on land and yes… more cruising!”

    Latest News

    • Partner Content

    My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse 

    Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse?  ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]

    Partner Content

    by Travel Weekly

    Travel Weekly
    • Aviation

    Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport

    Emirates has unveiled a glimpse of its future with the news of a new base at  Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai overnight. Also referred to as the Dubai World Central, the airport is undergoing an AUD $53.3b refurbishment. Once complete, it will become the city’s main international hub with five parallel runways and 400 […]

    • Destinations
    • News

    APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

    APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

    • Cruise
    • Luxury
    • News

    Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

    Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

    • Luxury

    Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

    Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]