Disney turns cruises into fun family getaways

It won't be “Steamboat Willy,” but there will be Mickey Mouse ears atop a hulking ship in Puget Sound waters this summer. For the first time, the Disney Wonder, one of Disney's fleet of four family-friendly cruise ships, will sail to Alaska from Seattle.

Disney, others turn cruises into family getaways

The Disney Wonder ship, shown here in Tracy Arm, Alaska, returns to Alaska for its second season this year. The atrium grand entry area of the MS Amsterdam cruise ship, operated by Holland America Line, is shown as the ship sits docked in Seattle.

My Turn: Juneauites, just think of them as 'Cruise $hips'

The way I see it, Juneau has two seasons - studded tire season and tourist season. Watching the downtown merchants and cruise dock employees make ready the port for a summer of opportunities is something worth noting.

Flash sales attract adventure-seeking, bargain-loving travelers

Step away from the computer for a moment and ask yourself these questions: Are you interested in the Spruce Point Inn because the Maine resort is on your life list or because it's on sale at SniqueAway for $159 a night? Is the real appeal the seaside hammocks and the Adirondack chairs or the thrill of the get?

Travel flash sites: It's all in the timing

Flash sale websites are on a tear, with more new companies (or old ones with the trendy feature) jockeying for our vacation days. This subspecies of travel planning has even spawned its own aggregator, EveryLodge, which launched this month.