inspiring itineraries
7 Day Maui Itinerary
Maui is the perfect island for just about everyone. If it’s romance you’re after, Maui is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and a more laid-back pace of life. For the adventure seekers, there are numerous national parks, thrilling hiking trails, and spectacular scenery from above. And for families, pristine beaches, a family-oriented culture, and ample opportunities to explore. This is an island that invites you to experience it on your own time, but here is a fantastic itinerary to give you a bit of structure, and help you pack in as much as possible.
Trip Highlights:
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Sunset catamaran trip from Kaanapali Beach
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Horseback riding trip through Paniolo country
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Drive the epic ‘Road to Hana’
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Go snorkeling at Kapalua Bay
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Humpback whale watching
Day 1
Arrive at Kahului Airport, and make your way to the baggage claim where you will be welcomed with a traditional Hawaiian Lei ceremony. Nothing starts off a Hawaiian holiday off right than a touch of Aloha. After you’ve picked up your rental car, a beautiful 45-minute drive will have you arriving at your resort perched on the golden sands of Kaanapali.
Day 2
After a leisurely breakfast, head north for a morning snorkeling session in one of the most beautiful beach resort areas in America. Kapalua Bay is a crescent-shaped beach with calm surf, and an underwater wonderland teeming with parrotfish, vibrant yellow tang, and green turtles. Just before lunch, hop back in the car and head south 30 minutes to the charming village of Lahaina, once the capital of Hawaii and filled with eclectic art galleries, ice cream shops, and authentic Hawaiian restaurants.
Day 3
Today is the perfect day to lounge poolside or take your favorite book down to the beach to disconnect, unwind and rest up for later. After lunch, your shuttle will pick you up for an exciting afternoon of humpback whale watching. Tonight, enjoy fire performers, mesmerizing dancers, and an authentic Hawaiian Luau.
Day 4
Take to the skies today on a breathtaking helicopter tour of the emerald green West Maui Mountains and the shores of mysterious Molokai Island. Keep your eyes peeled for cascading waterfalls. Spend an afternoon at your leisure enjoying your resort.
Day 5
Saddle up, it’s time to go explore ‘paniolo’ (cowboy) country! Upcountry Maui is home to rolling green ranchlands and the Haleakala, the island’s highest peak. Take a leisurely trail ride through beautiful pastures, and then spend the afternoon wine tasting in Kula and Makawao.
Day 6
After an early breakfast, it’s time to pack the car and head out on one of the most iconic road trips in the world: The Road to Hana. This jaw-dropping journey will take you over 59 bridges and more than 600 sharp curves and hairpin turns. This trip is not about the destination, but the journey. Stop in at farm stands, funky cafes, and markets along the way. Opt to stay in Hana for the night or make a full day of it and make your way back to your resort at the end of the day for a relaxing dinner.
Day 7
After yesterday’s long road trip, you may want to stay closer to home and relax on the beach. Or head into the rainforest and spend part of your strolling through Pu’u Kukui Watershed Preserve, the largest private nature reserve in Hawaii. Take a stunning sunset catamaran tour right from Kaanapali Beach and enjoy live music and fresh cocktails. Return back to your resort for a sumptuous dinner and get a good night’s sleep before you head home tomorrow.
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Alaskan Cruise
Escape to America’s Last Frontier. A land where oversized ravens and majestic bald eagles soar above staggering mountain ranges, glacial landscapes, and alpine meadows, bursting with color and contrast. With eight national parks to explore, and adventure around every corner, the itinerary options are endless. From Denali National Park to Ketchikan, onwards to the cosmopolitan city of Anchorage to the historic rails of the Alaska Railroad, Alaska offers up infinite itinerary options.
Trip Highlights:
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Cruise Glacier Bay National Park
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All Aboard the White Pass & Yukon Railway
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Take a flightseeing glacial tour
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Go panning for gold and shopping for artisan goods in Juneau
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Stroll around Ketchikan’s legendary Front Street
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Enjoy a traditional High Tea in Victoria’s inner harbor
Day 1
After spending a night or two exploring the ‘Emerald City’, step onboard your home for the next week, as your Alaskan cruise departs with Seattle’s iconic landscape in the backdrop.
Day 2
Your first official day at sea gives you the opportunity to explore all of the incredible amenities your ship has to offer. Take in the sea air on a stroll around the promenade, lounge around your well-appointed stateroom, or enjoy a coffee in one of the many lounges onboard.
Day 3
Juneau, famous for gold nuggets the ‘size of beans’, is also the jumping-off point for epic flightseeing, whale watching excursions, the Juneau Tram, and countless other adventure-focused activities. The town itself is one of the largest in Alaska and boasts a number of boutiques and shops teeming with locally made Alaskan crafts.
Day 4
Arrive in Skagway, the gateway to the goldfields, and the shortest route to the Klondike during the Gold Rush era. The population swelled to a whopping 20,000 people during the late 1890s but is a quaint town of 1,000. Skagway is the perfect place to take a historic gold rush tour or spend a half-day on the picturesque White Pass & Yukon Railroad.
Day 5
Today you wake up cruising into the pinnacle of your trip, Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, national reserve, and designated biosphere reserve. Have your camera at the ready to capture jaw-dropping views of glaciers, turquoise waters, humpback whales, and other sea life.
Day 6
Ketchikan, once a thriving fishing and logging town, is beloved for its colorful boardwalks, stilted homes and shops, and rich Native American heritage. Be sure to visit the Totem Heritage Centre where more than 30 original totems are on display, representative of the Tlingit and Haida peoples. As the gateway to Southeast Alaska, Ketchikan is also ideal for anyone looking to experience activities like halibut fishing, ocean kayaking, and hiking.
Day 7
Founded in 1834, Victoria is a charming port city with a walkable inner harbor, beautiful city parks complete with weeping willows and prancing peacocks, and myriad antique bookshops and cafes. Be sure to make your way to Butchart Gardens, Beacon Hill Park, and take High Tea at the Fairmont Empress.
Day 8
Arrive back in Seattle and disembark from your cruise. Extend your stay and explore more of the Pacific Northwest, or make your way to the airport to head home to tell friends and family about your unforgettable trip to Alaska.
Southern Caribbean Cruise
If you’re an avid cruiser, you’ve likely waded into the warm waters of the Bahamas, played on Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, or wandered the Old Town of beautiful San Juan. Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries offer up plenty of stunning ports of call. Go for the trifecta and step onboard a port-intensive Southern Caribbean cruise where historic coastal towns, rum plantations, and culturally diverse islands await the curious cruiser.
Trip Highlights:
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Visit World UNESCO Heritage Sites
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Tour sugarcane plantations & rum distilleries
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Lounge on the world’s most pristine, white, and pink sand beaches
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Experience healing in natural sulfur springs
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Hike through lush rainforests and up volcanos
Day 1 - San Juan, Puerto Rico
After spending a night or two taking in the sights of Puerto Rico’s Old Town in San Juan, it’s time to board your cruise bound for the Caribbean’s southern jewels. Settle into your stateroom, and once you’ve unpacked, head to the top deck to enjoy the ‘Sail Away’ soiree.
Day 2 - St. Thomas
Wake up in one of the world’s most postcard-perfect harbors. The lush, steep hillsides of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas are speckled with beautiful little bungalows, cottages and Black Beard’s castle often referred to as the ‘Williamsburg of the Caribbean.’ If you’re in the market for diamonds and good rum, the capital’s main shopping district doesn’t disappoint. If you want to escape the crowds, a quick transfer will take you to Sapphire Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
Day 3 - St. Croix
An overnight sail will have you waking up in St. Croix’s turquoise waters, lush rainforest off in the distance. St. Croix was once known for its highly productive sugar cane fields and is home to some of the most well-preserved Victorian-Dutch architecture in the Southern Caribbean. No trip to this island is complete without a visit to the Cruzan Rum and Captain Morgan distilleries.
Day 4 - St. Maarten
Step off the ship onto one of the most culturally and most linguistically diverse islands in the entire Caribbean. Over 80 languages are spoken in St. Maarten, with more than 120 nationalities living on both the Dutch and French sides of the island. With ample to do here including treks through tropical parks, secluded beach bathing, and historic ruins to explore, it’s amazing such a tiny island packs so much in.
Day 5 - St. Lucia
Mountainous, picturesque, and idyllic, the volcanic island of St. Lucia is a favorite port of call amongst nature lovers, couples seeking romantic landscapes, and those who like a little adventure. Take a catamaran tour around the island to appreciate the splendor of the Pitons. Or head to Soufriere, the jumping-off point for Sulphur Springs, a place renowned for its healing powers. Rainforest walks, quaint colonial towns, sumptuous Creole and Caribbean cuisine, and a sophisticated island vibe make this an island you’ll definitely want to visit again.
Day 6
Wake up on the white sandy shores of Barbados. Get out and explore sugarcane plantations, tour historic plantations, or travel 170 feet below the surface of this island paradise and tour Harrison’s Cave. Find adventure at the center of the island on a thrilling 4x4 ride through the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, or take an excursion to Tortuga and check out some of the best underwater wrecks in the Caribbean.
Day 7
St. Kitts is your final port of call before you cruise back to Puerto Rico. A haven for eco-tourists, kayaking, sailing, hiking, and animal encounters are just a few of the activities you can enjoy when you step off the ship. Nevis, the sister island to St.Kitts is a quick ferry ride away and worth a wander.
Mayan Riviera
If you’re looking for a quieter, but more activity-rich alternative to Cancun, you’ll want to head an hour south where paradise stretches from Puerto Morelos down to Tulum. Beautiful beaches, palm-fringed shores, ancient ruins, and calm seas are just a few of the highlights you’ll find in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. Between the months of early December to early April, the Mayan welcomes all those looking to trade in those chilly winter months for a week’s worth of sunkissed fun.
Trip Highlights:
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Channel your inner Indiana Jones and explore ancient Mayan Ruins
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Go swimming, snorkeling, and diving in cenotes
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Take a sunrise stand-up paddleboard tour
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Go shopping on 5th Avenue in Playa Del Carmen
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Get adventurous in Mexico’s best adventure park
Day 1
Arrive at Cancun airport where you be met by your resort representative. A transfer will take you an hour south to the lobby of your five-star all-inclusive resort. Unpack, refreshen up and get yourself into full-on relaxation mode - you are on vacation!
Day 2
Enjoy a fabulous breakfast spread at your leisure. Next, head to the watersports kiosk to grab some snorkel gear for a morning underwater session. Need something a little faster-paced? Consider renting a jet ski, or if you’re feeling really brave, get a bird’s eye view of the Mayan Coast as you parasail. After lunch, slow things down a bit, snag yourself a comfy beach chair, and enjoy an afternoon of basking in your vacation glow.
Day 3
After an early breakfast, your tour guide will meet you in the lobby to escort you on a multi-site tour of Mexico’s most impressive Mayan Ruins. Your stops will include a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site Chichen Itza and Chunyaxché, one of the oldest and longest inhabited Mayan Kingdoms. Enjoy a picnic lunch here before you head off for your next site. Tulum, a popular resort area, is home to a pre-Columbian walled city and a final stop on your archaeological journey. You will arrive back at your resort, in time to get freshened up for dinner.
Day 4
Ready to spend another day out in nature? One of the biggest draws for the Mayan Riviera is the more than 6,000 cenotes found here. A cenote is a natural spring sitting in what is called a ‘geographic depression.’ For spiritual folks, the Mayans believed these springs were sacred sites, and are often thought to be places of healing. Your guide will collect you from your resort lobby, take you to a number of well-known cenotes, and return you mid-afternoon or early evening.
Day 5
Spend part of the day around the resort at leisure. Spend the day chatting up new friends around the swim-up bar, play a game of beach volleyball, or sit by the pool and enjoy spending a morning doing exactly what you should; relaxing. Take in tonight’s resort entertainment and dance the night away.
Day 6
After breakfast, hop into a shuttle and head to the charming coastal town of Playa Del Carmen. Make sure to spend some time on 5th Avenue or Quinta Avenida, a colorful five-mile shopping district complete with galleries, craft boutiques, and souvenir shops. You can stay in town and have lunch at an authentic Mexican ‘restaurante’. A shuttle will bring you back to your resort, just make sure you know the schedule ahead of time.
Day 7
Calling all thrill-seekers! For those that want to get their hearts racing, a day in Xplor Adventure Park will have you careening across the canopy on one of 14 hair-raising ziplines. The adventure activity options are plentiful and include things like ATV’ing, snorkeling, trekking, and underground cave exploring. This can be an all-day affair or a half-day outing; it’s up to you. After your guide brings you back to your resort, spend your last night enjoying an intimate dinner. Wake up early for a tranquil sunrise stand-up paddleboard session to get you in a peaceful mindset before catching your flight in Cancun.