Alaska Cruisetours Online Announces their 2011 Alaska Cruise and Cruisetour Programs

Alaska Cruisetours Online Announces their 2011 Alaska Cruise and Cruisetour Program br /br /Twenty Two Ships from Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise Lines to Offer Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage Sailings for 2011 including new Alaska offers from Disney Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises. br /br /Ninety Eight Cruise Tour Choices Give Travelers Many Ways to Enjoy the Wilderness; Affordable Options Start at Just $299 for Three Days at Denali National Park.br /(May 03, 2010) -- Whether it’s mushing dog sleds across glaciers or flightseeing over the Arctic Circle, Alaska Cruise tours Online will offer guests an unrivaled Alaska adventure vacation in 2011. br /br /Travelers can choose a seven-night northbound or southbound itinerary between Vancouver, Whittier or Seward, Alaska, via the Inside Passage, or a seven-night roundtrip Alaska itinerary from Seattle. As well as a 10 Alaska cruise from San Francisco. br /br /Alaska Cruisetours Online 2011 Alaska programs offer travelers a full range of cruise and cruise tour options from 7 cruise lines, whether they want to just cruise the Inside Passage, Gulf of Alaska or visit ports-of-call such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Sitka, Anchorage, Homer, Haines or Kodiak, Alaska. br /br /On select itineraries, guests will enjoy a day ashore at Icy Strait Point near Hoonah, the largest Tlingit Indian village in Alaska. They can visit the Native Heritage Center to learn Tlingit history and culture through exhibits and live performances. They can also go wildlife watching, flightsee above Glacier Bay, book a charter fishing excursion or ride the world's longest zip line.br /br /Guests can also explore; Vancouver, Victoria or Nanaimo, British Columbia in Canada. Most cruises feature scenic cruising in Glacier Bay, the Tracy Arm fjord and past the Hubbard Glacier – North America’s largest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.br /br /Alaska native guides, naturalists and park rangers come aboard at key times to share their knowledge of local culture, history, glaciers and wildlife with guests. There are more than 250 optional shore excursions so travelers can maximize their Alaska experience with everything from sea kayaking and wildlife watching to history, art and cuisine. Guests can go mushing across a snow-covered glacier on a dog sled in Juneau or and cheer on lumberjack teams in Ketchikan as they compete in events such as axe throwing and log rolling. In Skagway, guests can choose to hike the first two miles of the Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of gold rush history, and raft down the Taiya River and then voyage from Icy Strait Point to Point Adolphus, the region’s premier whale watching destination, on a whale and marine mammals cruise.br /br /Guests can also choose to explore Denali National Park in depth, plan independently, or take a fully escorted cruise, or venture off the beaten path. The season opens for sale May 13th with special rates that include adding three days at Denali to a cruise for just $299. br /br /“Alaska Cruisetours Online 2011 Alaska cruises and cruise tours offer travelers a variety of ways to take in Alaska’s wonders, from mild to wild. They can explore by cruise ship, deluxe motorcoach, glass domed private rail cars and even by float plane.” br /br /The 2011 lineup offers 10- to 15-night cruise and land vacations that combine a seven-night cruise with a pre- or post-cruise tour into Alaska's majestic and wild interior. Guests can explore the Alaskan frontier aboard signature deluxe motorcoaches and glass-domed train cars, which offer dazzling glass windows, affording guests sweeping vistas and breathtaking views of Alaska’s untamed landscape as it unfolds. br /br /Most packages feature overnights in Denali with included activities into the National Park for the chance to spot grizzly bear, caribou, wolf, moose and dall sheep – known as the “Big Five” – and include overnights at charming and rustic lodges. With Princess cruises exclusive Direct to the Wilderness program, guests step right from their ship onto luxury railcars that transport them directly to the Denali area. br /br /The season includes a total of 326 Alaska departures aboard 22 ships sailing during May to September.br /br /New to Alaska cruising for 2011 is Disney Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises.br /br /Disney Cruise line will sail north weekly on roundtrip Vancouver cruises to picture-perfect Alaska and guests can behold all kinds of wildlife, from bald eagles and bears to sea otters and whales—and surrender to scenic nature views, ice-blue glaciers, gushing waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and pristine fjords.br /br /Disney Cruise Line's 7-Night Alaskan Cruise sails aboard the Disney Wonder to where fur traders and gold prospectors once walked, where land animals and sea life abound. From the historic gold-mining town of Skagway to the ice fields of Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier, the Alaska amp; Pacific Coast ports of call offer a magical adventure. Ports of call include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Tracy Arm and Vancouver, Canada—plus 2 days at sea.br /br /For a more luxury cruise experience, Oceania offers for the first time 10, 12 and 14 day Alaska cruises.br /br /nbsp;"America’s largest state, Alaska truly knows no bounds. Stretching beyond the imagination, it is a land of staggering natural beauty. Virgin forests blanket the hills, snow-mantled mountains soar high into the sky, and ancient glaciers creep toward the sea, oblivious to the passage of time. Even the cities, so youthful and spirited, blend in seamlessly. Alaska remains a beacon for those who hold Mother Nature dear, and Oceania's Regatta will explore from north to south, even calling upon Anchorage itself and charmingly remote Kodiak."br /Oceania's Regatta will cruise the breathtaking fjords of the Inside Passage and the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska’s unique treasures unfold. Guests can stroll the wooden sidewalks of Skagway, an authentic gold rush town. Ride a horse drawn trolley through Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Learn about Tlingit Indian traditions and totem poles in Sitka. Hike along Mendenhall Glacier on the outskirts of Juneau, the state capital. Explore the glaciers of College Fjord and natural wonders just outside Seward. The deeper you delve into Alaska, the more amazing its culture and beauty become.br /br /Featured Cruise Linebr /br /For 2011 Princess Cruises combines a seven-day "Voyage of the Glaciers" cruise with three to eight additional nights on land exploring Alaska's interior. Travelers can choose from four types of land and sea packages -- Denali Explorer, On Your Own, Off the Beaten Path and Connoisseur. All Princess cruise tours include the company's exclusive wilderness lodges, rail or motorcoach travel, plus the top two attractions in the state -- Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, where visitors spend at least two nights exploring the wonders of this area.br /br /Cruises -- Princess offers three itineraries to the majestic glaciers, historic towns and scenic waters of Alaska with sailings from seven to 10 days.br /br /Voyage of the Glaciers -- The line's famed Gulf of Alaska route between Vancouver and Whittier (for Anchorage) features calls at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway with daylight cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and the 16 glaciers of College Fjord (or Hubbard Glacier on southbound sailings). Diamond Princess and Coral Princess sail on Saturdays and Island Princess offers new Wednesday departures for a total of 54 sailing choices between May 18 and September 17, 2011.br /br /Inside Passage from Seattle -- Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess offer convenient weekend departures on seven-day roundtrip itineraries from Seattle along the scenic Inside Passage with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, B.C. Passengers will enjoy dramatic glacier viewing in either Glacier Bay National Park (Golden Princess) or Tracy Arm (Sapphire Princess). The two ships will sail on 37 departures between May 14 and September 17, 2011. br /br /Inside Passage from San Francisco -- Sea Princess again sails from the "City by the Bay" on 10-day roundtrip cruises. The ship offers 13 voyages from San Francisco featuring the scenery of Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm, stops at Victoria and Juneau, plus two other calls in Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Sitka or Icy Strait Point. Departures sail between May 10 and September 7, 2011. br /br /Cruise Tours -- Princess cruise tours offer passengers a complete land and sea Alaska experience with vacations ranging from 10 to 15 nights. All cruise tour options include at least two nights in the Denali National Park area, stays at Princess' own riverside wilderness lodges, and a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers sailing including Glacier Bay National Park. br /br /Denali Explorer -- Featuring multiple nights at the line's own Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and/or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, these tours also offer the exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service between the Whittier cruise terminal and the dramatic Denali National Park area. Most also offer the opportunity to explore Fairbanks or Anchorage.br /br /On Your Own -- A new option for independent-minded travelers, these tours offer a more affordable and flexible way to see the Heart of Alaska. Tours do not include any pre-planned excursions, giving travelers time to create their own experience.br /br /Off the Beaten Path -- For those who want to explore Denali and beyond, these tours offer options to the Kenai Peninsula with stays at Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park with stays at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge. Passengers can even choose to venture to the state's far north into the Arctic Circle and Prudhoe Bay.br /br /Connoisseur -- These cruise tour options offer the services of a professional tour director and additional time for passengers to experience the Great Land. Travelers can choose from more of these extended itineraries in 2011, with most meals and enhanced sightseeing options included as well.br /br /Gulf of Alaska cruises and cruise tours for 2011 are available for reservations on May 13, 2010. br /br /Fares begin at $649 per person for an inside cabin for seven-day cruise only voyages, and $948 for an inside cabin and a 3 night land stay for cruise tours. br /br /Rates do not include government fees and taxes. All cruise lines reserve the right to impose a fuel surcharge at anytime, even after the cruise or cruise tour is fully paid for. At the present time, there are no fuel surcharges.br /For more information visit www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com or call 800.365.1445 for more information.div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-8010053278465088492?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

What’s on your bucket list?

BUCKET LIST TRAVEL

15 can’t-miss adventures

“What’s on your bucket list?”. Here are some must-visit travel ideas.

Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson received critical acclaim for their stellar performances in “The Bucket List,” last fall’s hit movie about a dying man’s list of “things to do before you kick the bucket.”

Here is our spinoff on this idea: “bucket list travel.”

15 Bucket List travel ideas

1. Experience the Sistine Chapel (Rome, Italy) – Art lovers will claim (perhaps rightly so) that you can’t say you’ve truly lived until you’ve gazed upwards to see Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” coming to life on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Pre-book tickets to the Vatican Museum to see this and other masterpieces—and avoid the lines.

2. Tour the Elephanta Caves (Mumbai, India) – Carved out of solid basalt rock, the historic Elephanta Caves are located on a small island off the Arabian Sea, an hour away (via boat or ferry). These caves are a religious relic dating back to the 5th century and are intended to represent the heavenly mountain residence of Lord Shiva.

3. Shower under the Blue Lagoon waterfalls (Reykjavik, Iceland) – Take the “Iceland from Below” tour and conclude this underground adventure of Iceland’s lava tubes by frolicking about in the Blue Lagoon’s milky-blue green water and therapeutic waterfalls.

4. Catch the Cabaret at Moulin Rouge (Paris, France) – The oldest cabaret in Paris, made famous by the paintings of Toulouse Lautrec, will enchant you with can can dancers who show off their “joie de vivre” on a nightly basis. Arrive via private luxury car and enjoy the outstanding Belle Epoque cuisine before the show begins.

5. Hike through Oahu’s Valley of the Rainbows (Honolulu, Hawaii) – Explore lush rainforests deep within the beautiful Valley of the Rainbows on an exclusive, expertly-guided group tour. Nestled below towering trees and surrounded by seven waterfalls, this exotic paradise features the largest collection of palm tree varieties on earth.

6. Get acquainted with ancient history (Athens, Greece) – Take a three day tour of ancient Greece, with stops in Athens, Olympia, Corinth, Delphi and more. If you’re not a history buff, you’ll become one after seeing the site of the first Olympics, archaeological remains in Delphi and ancient Acropolis.

7. Escape to Hidden Valley (Manila, Philippines) – Hidden Valley’s bewitching rare orchids and other exotic flora flourish in a 110-acre crater 300 feet deep. Believed to have been formed by a violent volcanic upheaval thousands of years ago, Hidden Valley is located between two mountains. Take a dip in the naturally-heated volcanic waters.

8. Smile at Mona Lisa (Paris, France) – Take a guided tour of the top ten masterpieces hanging in the Louvre, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous enigmatic portrait, Michelangelo’s sculptures, Venus de Milo and more.

9. Fall in love with Niagra Falls (Ontario, Canada) – For thrills without spills, hop onboard the famous Maid of the Mist Steamboat. This sturdy vessel navigates waters at the base of the Falls, taking you as close as you can safely get into the deluge pouring from the cliffs above. The rush of water rings in your ears as the mist makes raingear (provided) a necessity.

10. Roam the Coorong sand dunes (Adelaide, Australia) – Discover the serenity and beauty of Australia’s famous Coorong wilderness. The sand dunes, wetlands and the mighty Southern Ocean are unforgettable in their natural state, but you’ll also be charmed by the quiet landscape of the small coastal towns you’ll see during a guided eco-cruise.

11. Sip tea & nibble on scones at Grosvenor House (London, England) – Enjoy tea and little cakes in the original home of the Duchess of Bedford, lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria, who was credited with inventing the very British tradition of “taking tea.”

12. Scuba dive through famous shipwrecks (Aruba, Caribbean) – Dive in and explore Aruba’s many famous shipwrecks, including the Antilla wreck, one of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean. Take note of fascinating coral formations and get up close and personal with stingrays, moray eels, manta rays, barracudas and yellow tail.

13. Glide midair through the Canadian Rockies (Jasper, Alberta) – Hop on the famous Jasper Tramway, the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada, for unprecedented views of six mountain ranges, glacial fed lakes, the Athabasca river and the scenic mountain town of Jasper. The adventure begins at an elevation of 4279 feet and ascends to 7472 feet above sea level.

14. Watch a Lesedi tribal dance (Johannesburg, South Africa) – Enjoy a feast prepared by the natives of Lesedi, a multicultural tribe located an hour’s drive from Johannesburg. See the Zulus with their fighting sticks; the Xhosa with their perfectly-thatched rondawels and distinctive white blankets; the rhythmic drums and whistles of the Pedi tribe; the conical straw hats of the Basotho; and the colorful homes of the Ndebele.

15. Get married in Vegas (Nevada, US) – Whether you want to tie the knot with as little fanfare as you might receive when ordering a cheeseburger or say your nuptials in the same building where Elvis and Priscilla exchanged theirs, Vegas is the place for quick and quirky weddings.


What's on your bucket list?

Top 4 Princess Alaska Adventures for 2009

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.

May & September: Best Deals To Alaska

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.

Alaska: the value of northbound cruisetours

Alaska

The value of northbound Cruisetours

You probably know you can take an Alaska Cruisetour northbound or southbound.

But did you know that northbound cruisetours are typically priced between $150-$500 less than the southbound version?

That's money you can use to help upgrade from an inside all the way up to a premium outside stateroom—or from a mid-outside stateroom to a verandah suite!

Or use the savings for shopping or for once-in-a-lifetime shore excursions—such as the Juneau Taku Glacier Lodge, Feast & Flight by Floatplane, or Four Glacier & Dog Sled Helicopter Adventure.

You can also use these savings to extend your Cruisetour with Fairbanks or Anchorage post-packages, such as the Brooks Range Expedition out of Fairbanks or the Alyeska Resort with a Kenai Fjords cruise out of Anchorage.

Many guests like having the cruise portion first because it gives them time to relax and rejuvenate before the more adventurous land portion of their vacation, allowing them to fully appreciate all that they'll experience in Alaska.