Talk Travel: How to cruise Alaska with a crowd and other questions answered

The Washington Post’s travel writers and editors recently discussed stories, questions, gripes and more. Here are edited excerpts:

Q: I’m looking for advice for Alaskan cruises in July for an extended family of 70-somethings, 40-somethings, and one 7-year-old. None of us are experienced cruisers but are looking for something exceptional to celebrate my mom’s 70th birthday.

A: Just about every major cruise line, and lots of smaller ones, offer Alaskan itineraries. Figure out your budget, desired cruise length and embarkation city. Leaving from one city and ending the cruise in another will likely cost considerably more in airfare, so you may prefer doing a round-trip cruise. For first-timers, a round-trip cruise on a traditional cruise ship from Seattle or Vancouver into Alaska’s Inside Passage may fit the bill. Look at Holland America, Celebrity, Princess, Norwegian and Carnival.

— Carol Sottili

Q: My family was planning a vacation to the Caribbean for spring break. The original plan was scuba and chilling on the beach, but I’m now wondering if there are any organizations sponsoring “service” vacations — helping with clean up, re-building houses, etc.? We’d pay all expenses, of course. Spring break isn’t until March but it sounds like some places could still be needing help?

A: That’s a difficult question to answer. Habitat For Humanity has a registry of volunteers for rebuilding efforts, but it notes that shelter, food and water are now in limited supply. New volunteers would strain the situation. “Volunteers from outside the immediate area will be needed,” it notes, “now is just not the time.” In other words, it’s too early to plan a volunteer vacation, but in a few weeks we should know more. I think by March there will be plenty of opportunities to help.

— Christopher Elliott

Q: I have a budget, have about ten days vacation and am flexible on destination. We’ve traveled a lot, and so I am open to suggestions on where to go next. Is there a website for this type of open-ended-destination search? Everything I find, I have to enter a destination to get pricing.

A: Try www.airfarewatchdog.com.

— C.S.

Q: We are headed to Thailand and are wondering if there are there any islands, attractions or resorts you recommend near (ferry-distance) Phuket?

A: A friend of mine who is married to a Thailand native just returned from Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort Spa, a 20-minute speedboat ride from Phuket, and had nothing but good things to say.

— C.S.

Q: I’m supposed to go to Puerto Rico in November. I’m hoping it will still be possible. However, knowing that we might have to postpone, is there anywhere else you would suggest in the meantime? I have small kids and we’re looking for a fun but easy trip.

A: Cancun, Mexico, or Jamaica would be alternatives.

— C.S