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June Challenge Post 2 – Cruise + Celebrity Chefs (Cooking Goal goal)

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Immediate Home Solutions

For my second dream purchase from the ActiveRain Point Store, I’m going big, really big, Alaska big: with a 2026 Oceania Culinary Cruise featuring celebrity chefs (because I love to cook high end meals) and exclusive food-focused experiences. Oceania has announced four of these specialty voyages for 2026, and the Alaska (where my wife & I got engaged) itinerary immediately caught my attention.

It’s the perfect blend of natural wonder and gourmet indulgence. This isn’t your typical cruise buffet. We're talking world-renowned chefs, interactive culinary programming, and hosted shore excursions that bring you up close to both the land and the local cuisine.

We’d cruise through places like Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Hubbard Glacier, savoring Alaska’s pristine beauty while attending onboard cooking classes, curated tastings, and wine pairings.

One of the best parts? We’d have the chance to go on culinary excursions off the ship: maybe a salmon bake near a waterfall or a visit to a local smokehouse to learn how Alaskans preserve their seafood harvests.  We also want to take part in a dog-sled.

Here’s how the dream adds up:

  • Oceania Alaska Culinary Cruise (Veranda Stateroom): $5,800

  • Roundtrip airfare for two to Vancouver: $1,200

  • Total cost: $7,000 (or 70,000 points)

This trip would be the ultimate way to combine two things we absolutely love, travel and food. There's something deeply inspiring about seeing glaciers and wildlife one day, then learning to prepare king crab risotto the next. For us, this cruise would be a celebration of life, flavor, and the kind of shared experiences that stay with you forever.

If there’s a way to eat your way through Alaska in style, this is it. And yes—I'm spending the points!

Posted by

With Enthusiasm,

Jeffrey M. Richman

Comments(16)

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Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Jeffrey now that's my kind of cruise!  You two will have so much fun enjoying the sites and the delicious food.  Which celebrity chefs will be aboard?  I enjoy watching, creating (and eating) delicious food!  Good use of your AR Points June Challenge - Spend those Points!!

Jun 12, 2025 08:25 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hi Jeffrey... you and I both wrote today about culinary dreams... except mine was for Paris. I don't do boats or ships as I suffer from motion sickness when on water... but your trip sounds amazing.

Jun 12, 2025 08:43 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

 Jeffery M - Sounds like a great trip- Look around  Robert Vegas Bob Swetz   he moved to Alaska and we have not heard from him in quite a while, he is missed. This sounds like points well spent- You and your wife should enjoy this wonderful trip 

Jun 12, 2025 08:58 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Jeffrey Richman this sounds like an amazing cruise, and Alaska is the perfect destination.

Jun 12, 2025 09:55 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Jeffrey Richman ,

Sounds like a fabulous trip! We went to Alaska on a cruise and loved it..I like the smaller ships like Celebrity, Seaborn and Oceania!

Jun 12, 2025 01:05 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks so much for sharing this fantastic glimpse into your dream cruise, Jeffrey Richman. I really appreciate how you combine your love of travel and food in such a vivid way. It makes me want to jump on that ship with you! 😊 Your vivid details and enthusiasm truly brought the experience to life. Thanks again for sharing!

Jun 12, 2025 02:33 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Jeffrey- suffice it to say ActiveRain members like to eat! Right, Nina Hollander, Broker I love how you want to spend your points. You''ll be seeing a beautiful part of this country and eat your way through it. 

Jun 12, 2025 05:36 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Jeffrey - talk about "food for thought".  This is a hearty maybe even meaty offering that you're serving for this month's challenge.  Bon appetit.  

Jun 13, 2025 05:24 AM
Jeffrey Richman
Immediate Home Solutions - Myrtle Beach, SC
Creative Real Estate Specialist

Hi Anna "Banana" Kruchten,

I'm not sure which chef's will be on the upcoming cruise.  I don't think that they've released that information yet.  I will say that I'm enjoying spending those points!

Jun 13, 2025 07:22 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Good!  Keep on spending!!  It's fun.  And I need to find some time to get mine done too!

Jun 13, 2025 10:11 AM
Jeffrey Richman
Immediate Home Solutions - Myrtle Beach, SC
Creative Real Estate Specialist

Hi Nina Hollander, Broker,

I will be sure to check yours out.  I spent about 2 months in Paris over 20 years ago and it was fabulous.  If//when you go, you'll love it.

Jun 13, 2025 07:53 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Jeffrey Richman hi Jeffrey... I lived in Paris for several years... so I know exactly how fabulous it is.

Jun 13, 2025 07:56 AM
Jeffrey Richman
Immediate Home Solutions - Myrtle Beach, SC
Creative Real Estate Specialist

Hi Hannah Williams,

Alaska is probably my favorite cruise that I've been on before, but now with chefs, oh my!

Jun 13, 2025 08:13 AM
Jeffrey Richman
Immediate Home Solutions - Myrtle Beach, SC
Creative Real Estate Specialist

Hi Dorie Dillard Austin TX,

It's great that you've been there.  It's wonderful, isn't it?

Jun 13, 2025 08:21 AM
Jeffrey Richman
Immediate Home Solutions - Myrtle Beach, SC
Creative Real Estate Specialist

Hi Lew Corcoran,

My wife and I love to travel, but we're foodies too.  This is an opportunity for us to combine some of the things that we love.

When I go, I'll take a few bites for you!

Jun 13, 2025 08:22 AM
Jeffrey Richman
Immediate Home Solutions - Myrtle Beach, SC
Creative Real Estate Specialist

Hi Kathy Streib,

If I eat the entire time, I might miss some of the sights.  As it is, I'm going to bring my "stretchy pants" because I know that I'm probably going to put on some poundage from eating so much!

Jun 13, 2025 08:24 AM
Jeffrey Richman
Immediate Home Solutions - Myrtle Beach, SC
Creative Real Estate Specialist

Hi Michael Jacobs,

Thank you for the well-wishes!

Jun 13, 2025 08:25 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Jeffrey! This sounds like a wonderful dream—an unforgettable blend of adventure, love, and culinary magic in the place where your story together began. Here’s to savoring every moment, every bite and every breathtaking view. Bon voyage to memories (and meals) you’ll treasure forever!

Jun 29, 2025 07:30 PM