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View of Alaskan fjords through a cruise ship porthole – insider perspective from a senior officer at sea

The Smart Sailor’s Notebook

Insights from the bridge. Truths written in salt.

Not a guest’s guide. Not a brochure.

A sailor’s survival map.

“After years at sea as a senior officer, I began keeping notes. Quiet ones — the kind born from watching too many guests make the same missteps, from knowing which itineraries turn dreamlike, and which merely look good on paper. The Smart Sailor’s Notebook gathers those observations: when to book, what to question, how to choose a ship that aligns with your soul. These pages were never meant to sell a cruise — only to help you sail it wisely.”

Vega Mare author signature graphic, representing expert maritime insight and narrative authority”
Seagulls flying above the sea, symbolizing cruise planning and navigation through unpredictable waters

Sharp Turns & Safe Harbors

Selected posts to guide your first steps

From the Senior Officer's Drawer

Silhouette of a senior cruise officer offering expert travel tips from behind the bridge

The full collection of practical notes for smarter cruising

This is the full archive of stories in The Smart Sailor’s Notebook.
From planning with purpose to navigating onboard rhythm, these entries offer guest-focused insights drawn from a senior officer’s years at sea—shared to help you sail with more clarity and confidence.

Maritime compass illustration representing cruise itinerary navigation and smarter guest decisions
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