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Top 4 Princess Alaska Adventures for 2009

July 11th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in Princess Cruises, alaska cruise tours, alaska cruises, alaska cruisetours
You can now experience the renowned beauty of Alaska and the Canadian Rockies by land and by sea, following the release of Princess Cruises’ latest tour packages.
Priced from $1499.00 per person for an 11-night holiday, the packages combine an array of cruises exploring Alaska’s breathtaking coastline and fjords with the choice of more than 45 land tours taking in the vast wilderness of the Rockies and Alaska.

Vacation options featured in Princess Cruises’ new Alaska and Canada 2009 brochure:

New 14-night Ultimate Rockies Adventure, combining a seven-night Gulf of Alaska or Inside Passage cruise through Alaska’s remote waterways and fjords with a seven-night Canadian Rockies land tour. The land tour features two nights at Jasper enjoying the beauty of Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon, as well as overnight stays in some of the world’s most beautiful hotels - the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

New 18-night Ultimate Rockies and Alaska Adventure including a seven-night Gulf of Alaska cruise, a seven-night Canada land tour featuring Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise and a four-night Alaska land tour with accommodation in Princess’ own Wilderness Lodges in Denali and Fairbanks.

13-night Rockies Grandeur tour including a seven-night Gulf of Alaska or Inside Passage cruise and a magnificent six-day tour through the Canadian Rockies from Calgary to Vancouver. The landtour includes a memorable ride on the Rocky Mountaineer rail service to from Jasper to Kamloops taking in the spectacular sites of Pyramid Falls and Little Hell’s Gate.

11-night Alaskan Adventure tour combining a seven-night Gulf of Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Whittier with a four-night land tour to Denali and Fairbanks. Prices start from $1499 per person based on double occupancy*.

The leader in Alaskan cruisetours, Princess Cruises takes travellers through the state’s remote beauty in its own rail cars, featuring wraparound dome glass ceilings for the ultimate views, with accommodation offered in custom-built lodges superbly positioned in the wilderness.

In Canada, Princess’ memorable holidays feature one of the world’s most spectacular rail trips, the Rocky Mountaineer, as well as some of its most renowned hotels, including Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

*subject to availability, conditions apply. Airfare and hotel packages also available.

Cruise Lines International Association Releases 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study

June 19th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in CLIA, Cruise Information, Cruise News, Cruise Research, alaska cruises

Cruise Lines International Association Releases 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study

33.7 million Americans intend to cruise in next 3 years

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- June 18, 2008 -- Driven by satisfied customers eager to travel more, despite the uncertain economy, the cruise industry is well-positioned for continued growth and success. Continuing to play an essential role in generating the industry’s sales are the nation’s travel agents, especially those with CLIA certification. These are some of the conclusions to be drawn from the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study released today.

The biannual survey of American consumers, first conducted in 1986, identifies American consumer demographics, attitudes and intentions as they relate to leisure travel and specifically to cruising. Research was conducted online in March and April 2008 by TNS, a leading market research firm. A total of 2,426 U.S. residents were interviewed.
This year’s findings reinforce previous studies in painting a picture of a healthy, in-demand cruise industry fueled by vacationers with broader travel interests than non-cruisers and whose satisfaction with cruising is based on perceived and realized value. In 2007, 9.57 million Americans took a cruise vacation representing 76 percent of the total 12.56 million guests carried on CLIA member cruise lines. Based on this year’s study, 33.7 million Americans stated intent to cruise within the next three years.

“Given the current economic climate, we are particularly pleased to see that American cruisers remain bullish on the industry. Their high satisfaction with a wonderfully diverse cruise product drives their intention to take more cruises. In fact, cruisers represent the ideal travel prospect, because of their broad interest in all types of travel and willingness to spend on what they perceive to be high value experiences,” said Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. “This fact is not lost on CLIA’s nearly 16,000 travel agency members who continue to be the industry’s invaluable distribution system and consumers’ most reliable source of assistance and service in planning and booking vacations.”

Among the findings on travel agent use:
• Among all of those in the cruise target market (25+ years of age and incomes $40,000 or more), nearly three in five (56%) have used a travel agent for any purpose.
• Travel agent usage has declined slightly but some of the apparent decline may be due to confusion on the part of consumers who reported using a Website without knowing that it was actually a travel agency’s online service or Website. • About three-quarters (74%) of cruisers book at least some of their cruises with travel agents.
• Cruisers use travel agents at higher rates than non-cruisers (60% vs. 44%), especially Luxury cruisers (76%).
• Travel agent usage varies by age, with seniors the best customers, followed by Baby Boomers and then Gen-Xers.
• Cruisers still represent prime customers for travel agents; most (78%) use travel agents for at least some travel arrangements, but especially for a cruise (74%).
• Cruisers are also far more likely than non-cruisers to use an agent for other services as well: by air (51% cruisers; 37% vacationers), for hotels (55%; 38%), and for rental cars (35%; 24%).
• The telephone remains the most popular communication between agents and consumers, however, it’s important to note that Internet usage, primarily agency Websites, is growing rapidly. Email, 800 number usage, and in-person visits remain almost stable, each growing by 1% over the last survey.
• Two-thirds of all travelers consider professional designation/accreditation as a cruise expert, such as CLIA’s Cruise Counsellor Certification, to be extremely/very important – but, as expected, is even more important to cruisers (75%) than non-cruiser/vacationers (56%) – particularly luxury (81%) cruisers.

Other key findings of CLIA’s 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study:
• Consumer interest in cruising continues to be strong despite downward pressure on travel in general due to the economy and fuel costs; 77 percent of past cruise vacationers and 55 percent of vacationers who have yet to take a cruise expressed interest in doing so within the next three years.
• CLIA survey respondents who indicated a “definite” or “probable” intent to cruise within the next three years represents almost 34 million adults from the target market (at least 25 years of age with a minimum household income of $40,000), which is good news for not only the cruise industry, but also for travel agents who can cultivate new customers.
• 94.8 percent of all cruisers rate their cruise experience as satisfying with 44 percent claiming the highest “Extremely Satisfying” ranking making a cruise among the very best in meeting and exceeding guest expectations.
• The general profile of the 2008 cruise vacationer is upscale (with a median household income of $93,000), educated (69 percent have a college degree) and the median age of cruisers is now 46 years old, down from 49 in 2006, which shows that cruise vacations continue to appeal to younger travelers.
• Travelers most frequently name the Caribbean as their cruise destination of choice (43 percent) with Alaska, Bahamas, Hawaii, Europe and the Mediterranean/Greek islands also top choices.
• Cruise vacationers agree (80 percent) that a cruise is a great way to sample destinations that they may wish to visit on a future land-based vacation.
• The cruise line utilization and the consumer awareness of more than 30 domestic embarkation ports adds strong inducement to future cruising: 72 percent cite additional “close to home” ports as increasing their likelihood to cruise. Respondents cited the convenience of being able to drive to the ship (71 percent), saving money by not having to purchase air travel (67 percent) and avoiding the hassles of flying to embarkation points (64 percent) as primary benefits of “close to home” cruising options.
• Cruise vacationers are the premier leisure traveler. Cruisers travel 39 percent more per year non-cruise vacationers, they take 2.9 annual leisure trips on all types of vacations by both land and sea (21 percent or nearly one in four of their vacations are by cruise), and they typically spend 50 percent more on their vacation travel than a non-cruise vacationer.
• Both past cruisers (69 percent) and cruise prospects (56 percent) recognize a cruise vacation as providing very high value for the vacation dollar. Those who have experienced the inclusive nature and service of a cruise vacation rank cruising as the best vacation value.
• Typical vacationers, including cruisers (75 percent), travel in pairs, usually with spouses, with the proportion of family travel with kids under 18 steadily growing (25 percent in 2008 from 13 percent in 2002).
• Travelers, including cruisers, consider destination as the most influential aspect of choosing a vacation.
For more information about CLIA’s 2008 Market Profile Study, visit www.cruising.org.

(CLIA) 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study Released

June 11th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in alaska cruises, cruise market research, cruise reviews
Driven by satisfied customers eager to travel more, despite the uncertain economy, the cruise industry is well-positioned for continued growth and success.

This is one of the conclusions to be drawn from the Cruise Lines International Association's(CLIA) 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study released today.

The biannual survey of American consumers, first conducted in 1986,identifies American consumer demographics, attitudes and intentions as they relate to leisure travel and specifically to cruising. Research was conductedonline in March and April 2008 by TNS, a leading market research firm. A total of 2,426 U.S. residents were interviewed. This year's findings reinforce previous studies in painting a picture of a healthy, in-demand cruise industry fueled by vacationers with broader travel interests than non-cruisers and whose satisfaction with cruising is based onperceived and realized value. In 2007, 9.57 million Americans took a cruise vacation representing 76 percent of the total 12.56 million guests carried on CLIA member cruise lines.

Based on this year's study, 33.7 million Americans stated intent to cruise within the next three years.The study also shows that travel agents, who sell the great majority ofcruises, remain a vital part of the industry and are perceived by travelers as providing the best service in vacation and cruise planning. The majority of cruisers (70 percent) reported that professional designations, such as CLIA'sCruise Counsellor Certification, would influence their choice in selecting atravel agent to plan and book their vacation. "Given the current economic climate, we are particularly pleased to see that American cruisers remain bullish on the industry.

Their high satisfaction with a wonderfully diverse cruise product drives their intention to take more cruises. In fact, cruisers represent the ideal travel prospect, because of their broad interest in all types of travel and willingness to spend on what they perceive to be highvalue experiences," said Terry Dale, CLIA's president and CEO. "This fact is not lost on CLIA's nearly 16,000 travel agency members who continue to be the industry's invaluable distribution system and consumers' most reliable source of assistance and service in planning and bookingvacations," he continued.

Among the key findings of CLIA's 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study:

-- Consumer interest in cruising continues to be strong despite downward
pressure on travel in general due to the economy and fuel costs; 77
percent of past cruise vacationers and 55 percent of vacationers who
have yet to take a cruise expressed interest in doing so within the
next three years.

-- CLIA survey respondents who indicated a "definite" or "probable" intent
to cruise within the next three years represents almost 34 million
adults from the target market (at least 25 years of age with a minimum
household income of $40,000), which is good news for not only the
cruise industry, but also for travel agents who can cultivate new
customers.

-- 94.8 percent of all cruisers rate their cruise experience as satisfying
with 44 percent claiming the highest "Extremely Satisfying" ranking
making a cruise among the very best in meeting and exceeding guest
expectations.

-- The general profile of the 2008 cruise vacationer is upscale (with a
median household income of $93,000), educated (69 percent have a
college degree) and the median age of cruisers is now 46 years old,
down from 49 in 2006, which shows that cruise vacations continue to
appeal to younger travelers.

-- Travelers most frequently name the Caribbean as their cruise
destination of choice (43 percent) with Alaska, Bahamas, Hawaii, Europe
and the Mediterranean/Greek islands also top choices.

-- Cruise vacationers agree (80 percent) that a cruise is a great way to
sample destinations that they may wish to visit on a future land-based
vacation.

-- The cruise line utilization and the consumer awareness of more than 30
domestic embarkation ports adds strong inducement to future cruising:
72 percent cite additional "close to home" ports as increasing their
likelihood to cruise. Respondents cited the convenience of being able
to drive to the ship (71 percent), saving money by not having to
purchase air travel (67 percent) and avoiding the hassles of flying to
embarkation points (64 percent) as primary benefits of "close to home"
cruising options.

-- Cruise vacationers are the premier leisure traveler. Cruisers travel 39
percent more per year than non-cruise vacationers, they take 2.9 annual
leisure trips on all types of vacations by both land and sea (21
percent or nearly one in four of their vacations are by cruise), and
they typically spend 50 percent more on their vacation travel than a
non-cruise vacationer.

-- Both past cruisers (69 percent) and cruise prospects (56 percent)
recognize a cruise vacation as providing very high value for the
vacation dollar. Those who have experienced the inclusive nature and
service of a cruise vacation rank cruising as the best vacation value.

-- Typical vacationers, including cruisers (75 percent), travel in pairs,
usually with spouses, with the proportion of family travel with kids
under 18 steadily growing (25 percent in 2008 from 13 percent in 2002).

-- Travelers, including cruisers, consider destination as the most
influential aspect of choosing a vacation.

-- Travel agents continue to play an important role in planning and
booking cruises and travel: 42 percent of respondents say agents
provide the best service, up from 40 percent in 2006; 59 percent are
extremely or very satisfied with agents, with overall satisfaction of
93 percent; 78 percent of cruisers use travel agents for all types of
travel planning as compared to 44 percent of non-cruise vacationers.

A Podcast with Terry Dale, president and CEO, discussing CLIA's 2008Cruise Market Profile Study, can be downloaded at:http://msilver-pr.com/terry_dale_interview.mp3

For more information about CLIA's 2008 Market Profile Study, visitwww.cruising.org.

What about the doctor on board?

June 2nd, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in alaska cruises, doctor on a cruise
What about the doctor on board?

( editors note: here are soem excerpts from a great article from Australia we thought you might wat the read)

Ask the ship’s doctor aboard one of the world’s premier cruise liners, Sun Princess, if he has ever had to airlift anyone off the vessel and he looks at you quizzically.

“Why would you?” is the implication, as he explains that the medical centre offers all you would find in a hospital emergency department ashore, including digital X-rays, blood tests, theatre, autoclave, defibrillator and full intensive care.Apart from a hospital, there is nowhere else you would find such a comprehensive medical set-up.

“We can do most things on board,” says Colin Cameron, in what could win the annual understatement award. His role as senior doctor responsible for the health and welfare of more than 2000 passengers and 900 crew means he must be GP, emergency physician, intensivist, anaesthetist, surgeon, pharmacist, radiologist, pathologist and even, occasionally, psychiatrist.So a dramatic airlift is relegated to the realms of TV soapies.

“We would have to be within helicopter distance of shore and we would have to be sure we were airlifting the person for the correct reasons and that the facility there had the ability to do something we couldn’t do,” Dr Cameron says. “There is no point in airlifting someone ashore to a shack in South America just because you can.”

A visit to the medical centre, which is buried on deck four, is a bit like going down the fabled rabbit hole. Leaving the 10 upper decks that are the main hive of activity for passengers, you descend a spiral staircase and emerge into a scene peppered with the unexpected.The first surprise is the doctor himself. Sailing in Australian waters on the Sun Princess, which is now based in Australia, you expect to see a bronzed Aussie medico but Dr Cameron is a fair-skinned Scotsman with a broad Glaswegian brogue.

He was working in intensive care medicine in the UK when he was gripped by a desire to see the world. Several intense interviews and tests later, he was taken on by global Carnival group, which includes Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, Cunard Line and others in its stable.

The company’s extensive reach means the 40-year-old has been to every cruise ship destination in the world, from Alaska to Antarctica.He finds his job intensely interesting because of the mix of medical cases he sees. His specialist training in surgery and intensive care in Glasgow has proved essential for his job, which he describes as a combination of general practice and emergency medicine.His day can bring the need to deal with respiratory infections, tonsillitis, wound infections, cellulitis and broken limbs to managing patients who have had a stroke or a heart attack.

In a single session, he can consult patients ranging in age from seven to 93 years old. Although being a doctor aboard a cruise ship might sound romantic, Dr Cameron stresses that it is no holiday.“When you are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and someone has crushing heart failure, there is nowhere to hide and there is no ambulance to phone,” he says. “You have to do the job or someone dies, so it is not for the faint-hearted.”

The medical care, as with the rest of the services provided on board, is impeccable. If a patient urgently needs to see a specialist, Dr Cameron will phone ahead to the next port of call to arrange for one to meet the ship and treat the patient ashore. The patient can then usually carry on cruising and Dr Cameron will continue the management of the patient aboard.“We don’t disembark people unless we absolutely have to, we generally manage all medical conditions on board so people can continue their holiday,” he says.

He laughs when asked if some passengers might save up their routine visit to a doctor until on board the ship.“Sometimes we see some people who seem to have not seen a doctor for a long time and suddenly decide at the end of the cruise that they have got money left and they want to have the medical experience on board, so they come and see us,” he says.

The centre uses private billing and although passengers cannot claim from Medicare because they are out of Australia, they can recoup costs through their travel insurance.

Having been greeted by a Glaswegian doctor, the next surprise is the extent of the medical centre, a warren in which another room pops up as quickly as you leave the last behind. There are consulting rooms, four wards, a fully equipped operating theatre, pharmacy, X-ray room, nurses’ station and intensive-care facility.There are also two waiting rooms which seems like overkill until you learn that the doctors see an average of 30 patients a day. They are triaged by a nurse immediately after they arrive in the centre and the non-urgent cases are then seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

The centre, which has two doctors and three nurses, is open for two two-hour sessions every day but in the case of an emergency, passengers can dial a number and reach the doctors who are on 24-hour call.They do not usually do “home visits”. “If anyone is ill enough to see a doctor, I think they should really be down here,” Dr Cameron says. “And if they are so unwell they can’t leave the cabin, then that is even more reason to bring them here.”

The centre has a mini- ambulance, all contained on a rapid-response trolley, which is used to ferry the seriously ill back to the mini-hospital.“If you are going to have a cardiac arrest, have it on a cruise ship,” Dr Cameron says, noting that the doctors can be at the scene within two minutes. On port days, he and his medical colleague take it in turns to go ashore but at all times there must be one doctor and one nurse aboard. After work, Dr Cameron goes for dinner with his family — his wife and six-month-old son accompany him on all his cruises — and often takes in a show in the ship’s 550-seat Princess Theatre.

His ranking with 3.5 stripes on his epaulettes elevates him to the loftiest echelons aboard, taking his place on the executive committee beside the captain, chief engineer and passenger services director, who have half a stripe more stitched to their shoulders.His status affords him a suite with a lounge, double bedroom and bathroom. “I see quite a few emergencies,” he says. “Some days you can see none and sometimes you can see two or three.”His working life of being on call 24 hours every day for four months straight is compensated for by the two months of time off that follow each stint on board. “Then I generally try a land-based holiday,” he says with a chuckle.

Based now in Victoria, he plays golf and goes fishing, walking and driving.“You miss things like cooking and driving and doing normal things like cutting the grass,” he says.

It is the end of the tour and it is time to scurry back upstairs. But just when you thought it was safe to take the lift to deck 14 in your hurry to meet your friends in the Topsiders Bar for a cocktail, the doctor materialises beside you.“Take the stairs,” he counsels, “it’s healthier.”

Guests Delve Deeper Into Alaska Wilderness with Cruisetour Extensions

April 12th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in Royal Caribbean, alaska cruise tours, alaska cruises
Guests Delve Deeper Into Alaska Wilderness with Cruisetour Extensions

Announcing its 20th consecutive season in the region, Royal Caribbean International last week unveiled its 2009 Alaska cruise season.

Vacationers to the “Last Frontier” can choose from 10 distinct itineraries, ranging from seven to 15 nights, on 57 sailings departing from San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Seward (Alaska), and Vancouver.

On select itineraries, guests can extend their Alaska adventure with a Royal Caribbean cruisetour to go deeper inland. Royal Caribbean’s 2009 Alaska cruises and cruisetours open last week for booking.“Royal Caribbean International is the premier cruise line for active vacationers to discover Alaska,” said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International.

“Royal Caribbean’s history of sailing the region has allowed us to continue offering some of the most compelling and robust vacation experiences in Alaska. Our cruisetours take our guests’ experience to the next level and make a Royal Caribbean Alaska vacation truly memorable.”Guests will sail aboard one of three Royal Caribbean ships deployed in the region in 2009: Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Rhapsody of the Seas.

Radiance-class Radiance and Serenade are considered among the world’s most gracefully-designed cruise ships and feature the 10-story glassenclosed Centrum, offering spectacular vistas of the coastal landscape. Vision-class Rhapsody offers a more intimate cruise experience and a wide range of onboard amenities.Guests on Radiance of the Seas can extend their vacation with one of 21 Royal Caribbean cruisetour options for a more immersive Alaska experience.

Ranging from three to seven nights, cruisetours combine a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise with inclusive activities, transportation and hotel stays, all escorted by an experienced Adventure Specialist. A new seven-night cruisetour itinerary will give guests a more comprehensive Alaska adventure, highlighting Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. On 19 cruisetour options, guests will enjoy a segment aboard the Wilderness Express, Royal Caribbean’s luxurious, glass-domed railcar, offering unobstructed views of Alaska’s terrain.

During the day, guests can opt for a rejuvenating session in the onboard Day Spa, or capture an unparalleled birds-eye view from the top of the line’s iconic rock-climbing wall.

Onboard every Royal Caribbean ship, guests can enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service, award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, top-rated Adventure Ocean kids programming with teen-only spaces fleetwide, and Royal Caribbean’s Gold Service Standard of friendly and engaging service from staff and crew.

Additional highlights of Royal Caribbean’s 2009 Alaska Cruise Season include:
• Radiance of the Seas will alternate seven-night itineraries departing from Seward and Vancouver, while Serenade of the Seas will offer a seven-night, round-trip itinerary from Vancouver.
• Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas’ itineraries will feature a visit to Hubbard Glacier, the largest glacier in North America and the only advancing glacial formation in the state.
• Sailing round-trip from Seattle, Rhapsody of the Seas will feature cruising through the Inside Passage and up the narrow 32-mile Tracy Arm Fjord in order to reach the 200 feet-high Sawyer Glacier. In addition, guests will enjoy a full-day call at Victoria, British Columbia, one of the highest rated overall ports of call by past guests.
• Guests on Serenade of the Seas also can extend their vacation with a three- or five-night Whistler or Canadian Rockies cruisetour out of Vancouver. The three-night Whistler cruisetour features a train-ride to visit the 2010 winter Olympic destinations of Vancouver and Whistler, while the five-night Canadian Rockies package features the picturesque Lake Louise.
• Royal Caribbean also will make 38 calls at Icy Strait Point in 2009, more than any other cruise line. As the only wilderness port of call in Alaska, Icy Strait Point is adjacent to the largest Tlingit Native American settlement, and claims the world’s longest zip line measuring at 5,330 feet in length.

For more information visit Royal Caribbean International

Cruise for Free as a Group Leader: The Best Kept Secret in Travel!

April 5th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in alaska cruises, group cruise deals, group cruises
Cruise for Free as a Group leader: The Best Kept Secret in Travel!

2009 Alaska Group Cruises. Save and Sail.

Did you know that you can cruise for free and save as much as 70% off brochure rates. And earn extra cash when enough people cruise with you? Organizing an Alaska group cruise or cruisetour is easy, fun, and hassle free.

Cruise tours offer the best of both worlds, combining a seven-day cruise with a three- to eight-night stay on land. All you have to do is decide where you'd like to go. Here is information about Alaska's favorite places. From it's historical towns and cities to its National parks, Alaska has something to offer everyone.

Friends & Family Groups

Friends & Family Cruises are so much fun. Have a large extended family or just a small group of friends? Are you a member of a golf or tennis club, bridge club, dance club, a member of Rotary, Lions, Elks...Perhaps a member of a condominium or homeowner's association. No matter what, a cruise is a "time of your life" experience that is even more fun when you travel with a group of people you know.

There is such a variety of cruise ships, itineraries and theme cruises available there is a cruise to fit both your interests and your budget!. So, get together with people you know who would love to cruise, give us a call and we'll take care of the rest.

Your group will have a great cruise at great prices plus, added amenities will that make your cruise even more special.

Special Group Pricing
Group and Mini-Group Rates

Here's a neat way to earn a free Alaska cruise.

All you need is a few friends or family willing to travel together on the same sailing, and a reason to do it--say a family reunion, birthday, graduation celebration, club outing, or just for fun.

Sometimes a group starts as just two couples and before they know it, they've invited enough people to eliminate their own cost of cruising.

What's a cruise group? The magic is in the numbers!

Most major cruise lines that sail to and from Alaska, including Princess, Carnival, Holland America, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, generally define a "cruise group" as 16 people occupying eight cabins (third and fourth passengers in a cabin don't count toward the total). The sixteenth person, or the person who organizes the bookings (in "cruise-speak," the group leader or tour conductor), earns the free fare--although port charges, taxes, and airfare must be paid. For some off-peak sailings your group may earn a free fare for every eighth, tenth or twelfth person.

You could earn an exclusive " mini-group" rate for as low as 6 people occupying three cabins.

TIP: If you and your group want to sail during peak sailing seasons, you'll need to book your trip at least 12 to 8 months in advance. However, cruise lines need less notice (three to six months prior to embarkation) for off-season sailings.

Cruise lines are best able to accommodate groups in the beginning and end of the Alaska cruise season ( May and September ), when they are most flexible (and have the most cabins to fill)

Family Reunions

Choosing the perfect family reunion vacation means pleasing young, old and in between; creating memorable experiences for everyone; and still keeping within budget. A cruise offers the solution to this vacation dilemma for more families every year. With an extensive selection of programs for all ages, the all-inclusive nature of a cruise and the deals that are regularly available - including "children sail free" specials - families are realizing that cruising is an affordable way to get together and make everyone happy.

Cruises have long been known for catering to passengers, and that includes the younger set who has its own activities, parties and kid-friendly menus.Highly trained youth counselors supervise youngsters ages three months to 17 years (depending on the line and the itinerary) through age-appropriate activities. Fun is the operative word for all ages on a cruise. Activities include face painting, pizza parties, karaoke, talent shows, video games and computer fun, mini-Olympic-style events and sporting tournaments.

Other programs are designed to make education fun through hands-on activities and entertainment focusing on the destination's nature, heritage and the international experience.In addition, several lines provide babysitting services.

A cruise also is a great opportunity to share some "quality" family time. After spending the day doing what interests them individually, family members can reunite at dinner to share their experiences and enjoy a family show or film. Some lines feature programs that enable children and parents to play and learn together.Best of all, parents can enjoy their time knowing the children are enjoying themselves in a safe and secure environment.

Here are some examples of groups who have taken a cruise:

Friends & Family gatherings
Alumni Groups
Corporations
Church Groups
Clubs & Organizations
School Groups
Weddings or Anniversary parties
Family Reunions
School Reunions
Family members
Friends
Social clubs
Health clubs
Volunteer Organizations
Alumni Organizations
Music clubs
Dance clubs
Aerobic clubs
Bingo players
Fund raising
Professional organizations
Country Clubs
Senior Citizens

What do I have to do to cruise for free?

Here's an example of the free cabins you can earn for a 7 night group cruise (based on double occupancy):

If you have 16 guests in your group, you earn one free guest
If you have 32 guests in your group, you earn two free guests
If you have 48 guests in your group, you earn three free guests
If you have 64 guests traveling in your group, you earn four free guests

There are virtually no limits to how many free guests you can earn!
(Two free guests = one free cabin)

What you do with the free cabins is entirely up to you. Here are some examples:

Cruise for Free and Earn Cash

You can keep the all of the benefits for yourself. This means when multiple cabins are earned, you can cruise for free and opt to take the extra credit in the form of cash.( cruise line regulations permitting )

Spread the Wealth Across the Group

Apply the cash value of the any credits to all of the cabins in your group to create an additional discount for everyone. The additional discounts are paid after your group returns from the cruise.

.....or apply the credit towards the purchase of shore excursions (city tours, snorkeling adventures or a helicopter rides) or spend it on gifts such as fruit baskets, or wine.

Important Notes:Port charges, taxes and government fees, fuel surcharges and other add-on costs such as airfare and air taxes are not included in the free cabins. Each cruise line has their own group policies and they vary from line to line

Alaska Group Q & A

How many guests are required to make a group?
As few as eight staterooms, or 16 guests, can qualify as a group. Mini-Groups as low as 3 couples. The larger your group is, the greater the savings.

What are the advantages of an Alaska group booking?
You can negotiate for extra value, complimentary staterooms or stateroom upgrades, and amenities like a complimentary bottles of wine or shipboard credits.

Is planning well in advance important?
Yes! The earlier you start planning for a group, the greater the opportunity to enjoy greater savings and more amenities. When it comes to planning your vacation, it is service that is our priority. Consult an experienced and knowledgeable Cruise Travel Advisor with the know how to help you get the most out of your vacation.

Cruise Travel Advisors make sure all the details of your cruisetour are taken care of and that your experience is a memorable one.

What's included in the price?
Your cruise fare will include stateroom accommodations, sea transportation, all your meals, entertainment and on-board activities.
What's not included?
Generally speaking, depending upon cruise line, air transportation, shore excursions, medical services, items of a personal nature such as bar beverages (except coffee, tea, or milk with meals or when expressly specified) gift shop purchases, photography, beauty salon/barber shop and spa services, gambling and service/porterage gratuities are not included in the cruise fare. Also not included are charges for passports, visas, inoculations, laundry, travel insurance, postage, telegrams, telephone calls and surcharges, any items of a personal nature, Guests are urged to read the cruise lines brochure and cruise line confirmation from the cruise line for complete details on what is or what is not included.

How does the cost compare to a resort?
The economies are evident. Not only because our prices are competitive, but because many of the services that resorts charge extra for are complimentary aboard our ships: meeting rooms, coffee breaks, meals, afternoon snacks, AV equipment, entertainment, theme parties, sporting events and many daytime activities, to name just a few.

How are private functions handled?
Your group's functions and cocktail receptions can be held either in public rooms or in private suites. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres can be provided at an affordable cost (gratuity included).

What about dining arrangements?
You may have , depending upon availability, all your group's members seated in one area of a dining room, with either assigned or open seating.

How are on-board purchases handled?
Drinks, spa services, shore excursions and shop purchases can all be charged to on-board accounts. You may either set up a master account for your group, or leave it up to individual participants to establish and settle their own accounts.

How can we handle tipping?
Gratuities for your group's dining room staff and room stewards are prepaid prior to sailing. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to all purchases in bars and lounges.

Are telephone and fax services available?
Yes, anyone from your group can telephone directly from their stateroom. In addition, worldwide telex, radiogram or fax services are available from most ships. The guest will be charged at applicable ship-to-shore rates. And aboard many ships, you will find internet access via the ship's satellite system.

Service At Sea
For Groups of 50 or more, Cruise Travel Advisors can provide professional escorts, who take care of all your group needs at sea. They make sure your staterooms are in order. They provide coordination with the ship's staff for all meeting facilities, making sure they are set-up and prepared for you. They can arrange special tour excursions and private visits to the Galley and Bridge.

Where can I get more information or a quote for an Alaska Group Cruise? Call Alaska Cruise Travel Advisors today: 800.365.1445 for more information and a detailed quote, or simply fill out our Group Request Form: Click Here

May & September: Best Deals To Alaska

April 2nd, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in Alaska wildlife viewing, alaska cruise tours, alaska cruise vacations, alaska cruises, alaska cruisetours

If you are considering an Alaska cruise, you can choose from a wide array of ships and itineraries.

There are two main Alaska itineraries. One is a round-trip Inside Passage cruise featuring a glacier visit (such as Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm or Hubbard Glacier) and port calls at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

Some itineraries may include Sitka, Haines, Icy Strait Point, Prince Rupert or Victoria.

Or consider a one-way cruise between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier (near Anchorage) with calls at several Inside Passage ports and glacier viewing in Prince William Sound or Yakutat Bay (location of Hubbard Glacier).

Cruise rates do not vary much for similar staterooms, and most lines offer specials cruise prices in May and September. If you don't mind taking a chance on the weather, some great deals are on offer.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES: This is a casual, family-oriented cruise line and Carnival's 'Fun' ships often attract a high number of first-time and younger cruisers. The line is known for good children's facilities. Carnival Spirit (2,124 passengers) sails mostly seven-day one-way cruises between Vancouver and Whittier, with glacier viewing in Prince William Sound and stops at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka.

CELEBRITY CRUISES: An upscale cruise line which offers both a sophisticated ambiance and good facilities for children and teenagers. The fleet's ships feature modern decor and gourmet cuisine. Mercury (1,870 passengers) sails seven-day round-trips from Vancouver with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka and Hubbard Glacier. Millennium (1,950 passengers) offers seven day one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward.

CRUISE WEST: This Seattle-based line offers a casual atmosphere on board its small ships which travel on a variety of itineraries that explore less-travelled waters of the Inside Passage, Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. Evening presentations are designed to enhance the daytime sights and activities which include wildlife viewing by Zodiac. Spirit of Oceanus (114 passengers) offers 12-night voyages between Vancouver and Anchorage.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE: This premium line offers spacious, immaculate ships with a high level of personal service. HAL's distinctive dark blue-hulled ships have classic lines, contain extensive artwork and are finely appointed with amenities. HAL has been a major presence in Alaska since 1973 with extensive infra-structure supporting land tour and shore-side activities for its passengers. HAL currently bases five mid-sized ships in Vancouver throughout the summer. Servicing the Inside Passage on seven-day round-trips are the Ryndam and Statendam (1,258 passengers), with visits to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Glacier Bay. Servicing one-way line cruises between Seward and Vancouver are three ships -- Zaandam and Volendam (1,432 passengers) and Veendam (1,258 passengers)

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE: This mainstream line is an industry leader in innovative cruising, offering unstructured dining in its many restaurants and a casual dress code. Ideal for families, NCL is home-porting one ship in Vancouver this season. The Norwegian Sun offers seven-day round-trip cruises from Vancouver which stops at Tracy Arm, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

PRINCESS CRUISES: This Los Angeles-based company appeals to all age groups with its well-designed ships featuring an abundance of private balconies, attentive service and extensive children's facilities. Five Princess ships are sailing from Vancouver this year, four of them on one-way cruises between Vancouver and Whittier (Anchorage). A unique 14-day round-trip cruise from Vancouver is being offered on Tahitian Princess, an intimate ship carrying 670 passengers on an extensive itinerary that includes Glacier Bay and the major Inside Passage ports as well as Kodiak Island, Seward, Valdez, Sitka and Victoria. One-way Gulf of Alaska cruises between Vancouver and Whittier are available on sister ships Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess (2,670 passengers) and on sister ships Coral Princess and Island Princess (1,970 passengers). This seven-day itinerary takes you to Glacier Bay, College Fjord in Prince William Sound, and the Inside Passage ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. The company's extensive services in Alaska include luxury rail service to custom-built wilderness lodges.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS: This luxury line made its Alaska debut in 2000, where it currently positions Seven Seas Mariner, which accommodates 700 passengers -- all in outside suites with a balcony. It offers mostly seven-night Gulf of Alaska cruises between Vancouver and Seward and one round-trip cruise from Vancouver. Ports of call include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka, with glacier viewing in Tracy Arm.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL: RCI's modern megaships feature a casual atmosphere and the company's hallmark rock-climbing wall. Family suites, a large playroom and teen centre make these ships ideal for passengers with children. RCI has a strong presence in Vancouver with Serenade of the Seas (2,500 passengers) sailing seven-day round-trip cruises from Vancouver with stops at Skagway, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier. Radiance of the Seas (2,112 passengers) sails seven-day one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier.

Celebrity Cruises’ 2009 Alaska Program

April 2nd, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in Alaska wildlife viewing, alaska cruise tours, alaska cruise vacations, alaska cruises
Celebrity is offering the industry's first roundtrip Alaska cruise out of Los Angeles.

Hubbard Glacier is the reigning beauty in Celebrity Cruises' Alaska, where the breathtakingly rugged splendor of the natural world meets the comfortable sophistication of a top- notch cruise. Guests on all three Celebrity ships that will sail in the region in 2009 will have the opportunity to gaze at the glacier, which is the only advancing glacier in Alaska. Hubbard Glacier is but one of countless must-see sights in the region, and much of Alaska's coastal magnificence is featured in Celebrity's 2009 season there. Unique cruisetours will afford guests the opportunity to experience inland Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, and Whistler, British Columbia. Celebrity Cruises' 2009 Alaska sailings opened for sale today.Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Mercury, and Celebrity Millennium will sail Alaska in 2009, from a total of five ports.

The season's cruise highlights include the following:
-- Celebrity is offering the industry's first roundtrip Alaska cruise out of Los Angeles, with a 14-night roundtrip "Ultimate Alaska" sailing on Celebrity Mercury. The voyage includes visits to five Alaska ports as well as Seattle, Washington and Victoria, British Columbia, on April 27. Immediately following that cruise, the ship will sail a 13-night "Ultimate Alaska" voyage from Los Angeles to Vancouver, also visiting five Alaska ports, among others.

Celebrity Millennium will sail the line's first 10-night roundtrip-from-Vancouver sailing with an "Ultimate Alaska" voyage on September 18, visiting six Alaska ports and one Canadian port.

At the core of Celebrity's 2009 Alaska season is a series of seven- night sailings between May and September that include stunning views of Hubbard Glacier, with the itineraries varying between the three ships.

Celebrity Infinity will depart Fridays roundtrip from Seattle, visiting Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. Nearly all of these sailings also feature a call at Icy Strait Point, giving guests the opportunity to experience Alaska's only wilderness port. -- Adjacent to the largest Tlingit Indian settlement and home to the historic salmon cannery and carefully restored museum, Icy Strait Point offers numerous shore excursions, including flightseeing, whale watching, sport fishing, biking, kayaking, and rides on the world's longest zip line, which measures 5,330 feet in length and includes a 1,300-foot vertical drop.

Celebrity Mercury will depart Sundays roundtrip from Vancouver, calling at Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan, and cruising the famed Inside Passage, one of National Geographic Traveler's highly rated destinations. In Juneau, the "Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and Feast" excursion lets guests board a floatplane and enjoy 50 minutes of flightseeing over five glaciers before landing at the historic Taku Lodge for a King salmon feast.

Celebrity Millennium will cruise between Seward, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia, departing on Fridays, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, and cruising the Inside Passage.

In Ketchikan, guests can taste local seafood in an intimate setting with the "Alaskan Chef's Table" excursion.

Celebrity Mercury will reprise its popular 2007 and 2008 wine cruise with an 11-night sailing from Vancouver to San Diego, California on October 12, 2009.

Celebrity Mercury will continue to alternate between three- and four-night Pacific Northwest sailings out of Seattle in September and October, with calls at Nanaimo and Victoria, British Columbia.

In Victoria, the "Butchart Gardens, Wine and Chocolate" shore excursion gives guests an introduction to the city's charms, including the renowned Butchart Gardens and a unique wine-and-chocolate-pairing experience at a local winery.Combining a cruise with a multi-night, land-based journey enhances the Alaska experience. In 2009, Celebrity is increasing its cruisetour offerings.

Highlights include the following:
A total of 21 Alaska cruisetours are available to guests sailing seven-night voyages on Celebrity Millennium out of Seward and Vancouver.

In 2009, these offerings include a new seven-night post-cruise tour through Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park and Fairbanks, Alaska.

Three Canadian cruisetour journeys (two Canadian Rockies and one Whistler) are available to guests sailing seven-night voyages on Celebrity Mercury out of Vancouver. A five-night Canadian Rockies package featuring rail travel on Rocky Mountaineers' RedLeaf will visit Calgary, Banff and Vancouver. A three-night Whistler package features rail travel on Rocky Mountaineers' Whistler Mountaineer Coast Classic and visits the 2010 Winter Olympics sites of Vancouver and Whistler.

To learn more about Celebrity's 2009 Alaska and Pacific Northwest cruises and cruisetours, guests are encouraged to visit http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for "The Top Cruise Ships in the World," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers' poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice- class ship in 2011. For more information, call 800.365.1445or visit http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com

Walking Tour of Skagway A Good Bet

March 30th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in Skagway, alaska cruise tours, alaska cruises
THE Goodtime Girls Walking Tour on a Princess cruise of Alaska takes you back to the Gold Rush days, when prospectors stopped off in town to get lucky with the ladies. Nowadays, the tour of Skagway promises “madams”in lavish costumes to escort you through the streets and alleys before ending up at the Red Onion Saloon, once a real-life brothel but now a thoroughly respectable pub, restaurant and museum. Other new excursions on Princess cruises this summer in Alaska include a day’s crab fishing in the Bering Sea, glass blowing in Skagway and a five-course dining day in a private club in Ketchikan, where gourmets can munch their way through a meal of locally-caught seafood.

New Things To Do On An Alaska Cruise

March 30th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in alaska cruise tours, alaska cruise vacations, alaska cruises

Here are excerpts from a Vancouver Sun article we thought you would find interesting.

Spring marks the approach of a new Alaska cruise season and each year brings changes -- new ships, new itineraries and an ever-growing array of activities, both on board and in port.

This year one of the most exciting new itineraries being offered is on the Tahitian Princess. This mid-sized ship carries 670 passengers and is sailing 14-day roundtrip voyages from Vancouver throughout the summer. If you make just one trip to Alaska, this is the cruise to take.

Not only does the ship pull into the popular ports of call -- such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway -- it visits quieter ports such as Russian-founded Sitka and scenic Valdez, nestled at the base of the Chugach Mountains on the shores of Prince William Sound.

The ship even stops at Kodiak Island, a place better known for its large fishing fleet and even larger brown bears than as a port of call for cruise ships.

Tahitian Princess (sister ship to Pacific Princess) offers cruising at its classic best. You won't find water slides or rock-climbing walls on board this ship, but you will be able to relax in the poolside whirlpools or pamper yourself at the spa, or sink into an easy chair in the wood-panelled library, or simply enjoy the attentive service provided on this elegant ship.

With fewer onboard distractions, you can focus on the scenery, which includes a daytime visit to Glacier Bay -- a cruise highlight with its numerous tidewater glaciers and a thriving population of humpback whales. The ship even cruises down the west coast of Vancouver Island and pulls into Victoria before returning to Vancouver.

Tahitian Princess is part of the Princess Cruises fleet of ships, which has been offering cruises to Alaska since 1969 when the company first chartered the Princess Patricia, a Canadian Pacific steamship.

The timeless appeal of cruising the pristine fjords of the Inside Passage is still a major incentive to board a ship bound for Alaska, but the activities pursued by passengers have changed considerably.

With the average age of passengers steadily dropping, the list of adventurous shore excursions is increasing. Gone are the days when most passengers boarded tour buses for a passive view of the local sights.
Today a typical day in port might include ocean kayaking past a tidewater glacier, flying over an icefield in a helicopter and landing at a sled-dog camp to try your hand at mushing across a glacier with a team of dogs trained to run in the famous Iditarod Dog Sled Race.

Whale-watching is offered in several ports, most notably Juneau -- where humpbacks feed throughout the summer in nearby Stephens Passage and Lynn Canal.

While it's possible to see a humpback whale from the ship, you're much more likely to see these gentle giants up close on an excursion boat that takes you to specific spots where they are known to feed. Half-day excursions are on board specially built vessels equipped with waterjets for speed and manoeuvrability.

While an onboard naturalist provides commentary, the whales can be viewed from inside a comfortable cabin with large windows or from the boat's upper deck.

Another reason to go on a whalewatching excursion is the chance to get out on the water in a small vessel -- an experience that's especially appealing to anyone who dreams of one day cruising up the Inside Passage to Alaska in their own boat. We have been fortunate to cruise these waters in a 35-foot sailboat and one night at anchor, when the air was perfectly still, we could hear the thunderclap sound of humpbacks smacking their tails on the water. The next morning we motored up Stephens Passage, the main channel leading to Juneau, where we watched feeding humpbacks blow puffs of mist into the air and occasionally arch their backs out of the water as they prepared to do a deep dive. Huge icefields crown the mainland mountains bordering Stephens Passage, where floating ice sculptures drift seaward from tidewater glaciers.

Princess Cruises offers an extensive selection of Alaska shore excursions that can be reviewed and booked online before you board the ship. If you like the idea of taking a customized excursion with a small group of friends or family members, Princess now offers passengers the opportunity to book a private whalewatching boat in Juneau for a party of up to 10 people.

CRUISING WITH KIDS
Unlike taking your children to a theme park for your family vacation, a cruise to Alaska is treating them to a big slice of real life. Wildlife, in fact. In the course of an Alaska cruise, your children will have the opportunity to view humpback whales, rafts of sea otters, black bears feeding at salmon-spawning creeks and Pacific white-sided dolphins leaping in the bow wave of your ship. To enhance what your children are seeing, a park ranger comes aboard the ship in Glacier Bay (which is a U.S. national park and preserve) to explain the dynamics of glaciers and the species of animals that inhabit this region. Even supervised activities in the ships' playrooms focus on Alaska and its natural wonders.

Most of the major cruise lines have youth facilities on their ships and a trained staff to handle large numbers of young passengers. The minimum age for participating in youth programs is usually three years, but some ships also offer private babysitting at an hourly rate. (Be sure to check these details with your travel agent, for they vary with each cruise line.)

Holland America Line offers a wide range of onboard activities for their junior cruisers, and one of the most popular is their cooking school.

There are also shore excursions geared to kids but most excursions can be enjoyed by the whole family. These include canoeing, kayaking and rock-climbing in a mountain pass near Skagway. Forest hikes can be enjoyed with an organized group or on your own. Skagway has several excellent trails that are a short distance from the cruise docks, and at Juneau you can take the tramway to the top of Mount Roberts for spectacular views and a selection of easy hiking trails.

In Ketchikan a fun event for families is the lumberjack show, in which two teams (one representing British Columbia, the other Alaska) pit their logging skills against one another. These crowd-cheering contests include pole climbing and log rolling. A popular eco-adventure in Ketchikan is the Bear Creek Zipline Course, which accommodates kids five and up on its cable ziplines, suspension bridge, mountain slide and tarzan-style swing. And when your family returns to the ship after an active day in port, the evening promises elegant dining and live entertainment for the adults while the ship's youth counsellors keep the kids entertained in their own fun zone.


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