Princess Donates $10,000 to Alaska History Association

Princess Donates $10,000 to Alaska History Association
Published on Modern Agent: December 20, 2007

Princess Cruises and Tours donated $10,000 to the Alaska Natural History Association to help the organization continue to develop educational programs for national parks and other public lands. The association, which soon will be known as “Alaska Geographic,” is recognized for creating hands-on educational programs in Denali National Park and statewide, plus producing tour booklets that interweave images and stories of the wild. The association has worked with Princess to co-develop a tour of the Denali area for passengers and is working with the line to establish a training program for Princess driver/guides. Princess Cruises will offer an extensive Alaska program in 2008, with eight ships sailing through the waters of the “Great Land.”

The line will offer 136 departures aboard vessels that range from 670 passengers to 2,670 passengers. Itineraries include Gulf of Alaska cruises and cruise-tours plus round-trip Inside Passage sailings from Seattle and San Francisco. Seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruises can be combined with one of 34 land tour options that include Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park.

To make your reservation on a Princess Alaska Cruise or Cruisetour, contact A Room With A View - Cruise & Travel

HAL Starts Kids Culinary Program

Holland America Starts Kids Culinary Program
Published on: June 18, 2007

Holland America Line is launching a kids and teen Culinary Arts Center activity program. Taking advantage of the fleetwide million-dollar show kitchens, the premium line now offers classes that teach kids and teens how to make dishes from breakfast to dinner. The program, which launches this summer, offers complimentary 45-minute classes. All kids, tweens and teens are welcome to attend whether or not they are registered for the Club HAL and teens program. Kids under eight years old will learn to make Bear Tracks (Alaska theme cookies), fruit leather (fruit roll-ups), ice cream sandwiches, salad people art, and Denali Peaks (Alaska theme scones). Kids eight and over will make soft pretzels, granola bars, pita chips and hummus, and saltwater taffy.

Class topics and times will be communicated through daily programs and Club HAL programs. Teens are also welcome to attend adult culinary demonstrations. As a part of the line’s $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative, Holland America Line spent more than $13 million to create and install the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine, which is offered on every sailing of its 13 ship fleet. The Culinary Arts Centers features theater-styled venues with large overhead plasma video screens and a large cooking display counter. More than 60 top chefs, wine experts and cookbook authors will sail in each year, and classes and demonstrations will be offered on every sailing.

Contact Amy at A Room With A Viewto make your reservation!

Princess Plans Five Gulf of Alaska Ships in 2008

Princess Plans Five Gulf of Alaska Ships in 2008
Published on: April 26, 2007

Princess Cruises announced that its 2008 Gulf of Alaska program will feature five vessels. Sailing in Alaska for the first time, the 670-passenger Tahitian Princess will debut a new longer “Connoisseur” route that includes the chance to view the famous brown bears of Kodiak, explore “Alaska’s Little Switzerland” at Valdez, and view wildlife from Seward, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Princess ships will offer 73 Gulf of Alaska sailings and eight departures of the new Connoisseur voyages throughout the May-to-September season. Ships on the Gulf route include Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, Coral Princess and Island Princess, each returning for another season of the seven-night “Voyage of the Glaciers” cruises between Vancouver and Whittier. Tahitian Princess will operate 14-day roundtrips from Vancouver. The seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruises can be combined with one of 34 different land tour options for a cruise-tour including the state’s two most sought-after destinations on every departure — Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park.
All of the line’s 2008 Gulf of Alaska cruises include calls in Glacier Bay. In addition, travelers headed to Denali arrive earlier with Princess’ exclusive “Direct to the Wilderness” rail service to and from Whittier. The 2,670-passenger Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess will be deployed on 37 voyages departing Saturdays from Vancouver or Whittier and featuring calls at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway with daylight cruising of Glacier Bay and the 16 glaciers of College Fjord. In addition, the 1,970-passenger Coral Princess and Island Princess will offer 36 sailings on the same itinerary, departing on Mondays. The Tahitian Princess’ Connoisseur voyages include new port calls at Kodiak, Seward, and Valdez in addition to visits to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Victoria, with daylight cruising of Glacier Bay. Tahitian Princess will sail on eight voyages departing on Thursdays from Vancouver. Gulf of Alaska cruises and cruise-tours for 2008 will be available for reservations starting May 14, with early-booking fares beginning at $649 for a seven-day voyage and $1,399 for cruise-tours.

For more information or to book your Alaskan Adventure, call Amy at A Room With A View.

Celebrity Cruises Opens 2008 Bookings

Celebrity Cruises Opens 2008 Bookings
Published on: April 16, 2007

Celebrity Cruises has opened 2008 bookings for its Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Northwest and Panama Canal seasons as well as for some 2009 sailings. The Celebrity Infinity will bookend her Alaska season with “Ultimate Alaska” itineraries. The first is an 11-night itinerary northbound from San Francisco on April 28, 2008, arriving in Vancouver on May 9. The second is southbound out of Vancouver on Sept. 19, 2008, with a 14-night itinerary that arrives in San Francisco on Oct. 3. Both sailings feature ports of call in Alaska and British Columbia; the southbound trip includes stops in Washington and Oregon.

The Celebrity Millennium will kick off its 2008 Alaska season with a 14-night “Ultimate Alaska” itinerary, sailing roundtrip from San Francisco on May 5. On May 19, Celebrity Millennium will sail an 11-night West Coast and Alaska cruise from San Francisco to Vancouver. The Millennium offers another 14-night “Ultimate Alaska” sailing on Sept. 22 from Vancouver to San Diego. The Celebrity Mercury will sail a 14-night “Golden Gate to Alaska” cruise from San Francisco to Vancouver on April 27. Between May and September, Celebrity Infinity will sail seven-night Hubbard Glacier itineraries roundtrip from Seattle. Celebrity Millennium will alternate between seven-night northbound and southbound sailings between Seward and Vancouver. During the same months, Celebrity Mercury will sail seven-night Hubbard Glacier itineraries roundtrip from Vancouver before an eight-night trip from Vancouver to Seattle on Sept. 14. Before the Alaska season, Celebrity Mercury will sail three seven-night and one eight-night Pacific Coastal cruises roundtrip from San Francisco beginning March 29, 2008, with stops in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. The eight-night itinerary also visits Monterey, Calif.

At the end of the 2008 Alaska season, Celebrity Mercury will offer three- and four-night Pacific Northwest sailings roundtrip out of Seattle. On Oct. 13, Celebrity Mercury will sail a nine-night wine cruise from Vancouver to San Diego, featuring stops in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California, including an overnight stay in San Francisco. On Sept. 19, the Millennium will present a three-night British Columbia cruise roundtrip from Vancouver. On March 16, 2008, Celebrity Mercury will sail a 12-night Hawaii cruise from Honolulu to Ensenada, featuring overnight stays in both Honolulu and Kailua Kona, Hawaii. On Oct. 6, 2008, the Millennium will sail an 11-night Hawaii cruise from Ensenada to Honolulu, featuring overnight stays in Lahaina and Honolulu. On Oct. 22, Nov. 6, and Dec. 19, 2008, and on Feb. 28 and March 15, 2009, Celebrity Mercury will sail 15-night Hawaii itineraries roundtrip out of San Diego. The November sailing features an evening sail around Mount Kilauea, and the October and December sailings include an overnight in Lahaina, Maui. On April 13, 2008, Celebrity Infinity will sail a 15-night Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco, with stops in Jamaica, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico. On April 20, 2008, Celebrity Millennium will sail a 15-night Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco. Celebrity Infinity will sail a 16-night Panama Canal cruise from San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 3, 2008. Celebrity Infinity will also sail two 14-night Panama Canal cruises from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego on Oct. 19, 2008, and March 29, 2009, and a 13-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 2. Celebrity Mercury will sail a 14-night Panama Canal itinerary from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 21, 2008, and return west on another 14-night sailing between the same cities on Dec. 5. In 2009, Celebrity Mercury will sail transcanal sailings between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego on Jan. 3, Jan. 17, Jan. 31, Feb. 14 and March 30.

To be treated like a Celebrity on your next cruise, give Amy at A Room With A View a call!”

RCCL Announces 2008-2009 Itineraries

Royal Caribbean Announces 2008-2009 Itineraries
Published on: April 16, 2007

Royal Caribbean International this week opens bookings for 2008-09 for Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii cruises. Included in the lineup is a second year-round ship in Los Angeles. Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas will alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean roundtrips from Miami. Liberty will sail on Saturdays, and Freedom on Sundays. The Mariner of the Seas will alternate Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, which will depart every Sunday from Port Canaveral. Prices for seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages begin at $599 per person, double occupancy. The Adventure of the Seas offers seven-night roundtrips from San Juan. Through April 2009, travelers can choose from two itineraries going as far south as Barbados. Prices for Southern Caribbean cruises begin at $649. From Fort Lauderdale, four- and five-night Western Caribbean are being offered on Enchantment of the Seas or the Voyager-class Navigator of the Seas. Three- and four-night Bahamas itineraries will be operated by the recently revitalized Majesty of the Seas, sailing roundtrip from Miami, and the Sovereign of the Seas, roundtrip from Port Canaveral. Prices for three-, four- and five-night Caribbean cruises start at $279.

From Los Angeles, the Vision of the Seas will sail every Sunday on seven-night Mexican Riviera voyages. Monarch of the Seas will offer three- and four-night Baja cruises. Prices for Mexican Riviera cruises start at $239. In early and late summer 2008, Royal Caribbean offers five itineraries to Hawaii. Radiance of the Seas will operate one eastbound and one westbound 10-night cruise between Ensenada and Honolulu. In addition, Serenade of the Seas and Radiance together will offer three 15-night Hawaii itineraries roundtrip from San Diego. Hawaii cruises start at $1,399. Also in summer 2008, Royal Caribbean offers more than 55 voyages to Alaska. Radiance will take guests on seven-night north- and southbound itineraries between Vancouver and Seward. Rhapsody of the Seas returns to Seattle cruising on seven-night “Alaska Fjords & Glacier” voyages and Serenade of the Seas will sail a seven-night roundtrip itinerary from Vancouver visiting Hubbard Glacier. Both Radiance and Serenade will each offer a 14-night “Ultimate Alaska” voyage. Alaska cruises start at $749. The company also offers 20 pre- and post-cruise Alaska land packages.

To make your reservation on a RCCL ship, contact Amy at A Room With A View!”

Thinking About An Alaska Cruise in 2007?

There’s no time like the present to get planning! I’ve had quite a few requests for Alaska cruises or cruisetours this week. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising since most people have already taken their winter getaway or have their spring break vacation booked. Now it’s time to concentrate on trips during the summer months.

Even though there are more and more ships doing Alaska itineraries every year, I personally feel it’s best not to wait until the last minute to book. Unless you have been fortunate enough to visit Alaska before, you really want to be able to choose the best itinerary for your Alaska cruise.
For most people, an Alaska cruise or cruisetour is a once in a lifetime vacation (although the number of repeat visitors to Alaska is increasing.) If you are considering an Alaska cruise for 2007, you should either be booked by now or should be planning on booking soon. You might object and say that you see lots of availability when you search online. My response would be that there are great itineraries, okay itineraries and not so good itineraries out there. Guess what fills up first? Add to that if you have a specific date or timeframe that you can only travel during, or if you only want to sail on one cruise line/ship, or if you want a specific type of stateroom or even cruisetour. Then you really need to get moving. It’s good to be specific about what you want from your vacation, but it also does limit your options when booking.

Another objection to booking may be that you think you’ll find a last minute deal or the pricing will be better close in. Well, yes, you may find a last minute deal, but guess what? It’s most likely on the not so good itinerary or ship. While that may be okay for someone seeking a warm weather, last minute getaway to the Caribbean, it’s really not best for a destination driven cruise itinerary, like Alaska. Why not choose while the choosing is good? In most cases, if the price drops after a cruise is booked, we are able to lower the price before the final payment is applied.

Here are some other reasons to book early (or now!)…

Take advantage of early booking pricing. Yes, there really is such a thing. As space gets more limited on a ship that is selling well, the price goes up (not down.)

You’re traveling with your extended family or friends or a group of some type and you want to be near each other or on the same flight.

Flights to Seattle, Vancouver or Anchorage from your gateway city are limited or expensive.

You have a strong preference for your type of stateroom or dining time.
At first you may think, what’s the big deal about the dining time? Maybe you are traveling with children and really need to have an early dining time? Or perhaps you want to get the most out of your port days and don’t want to rush back to the ship for an early seating. If you feel strongly about this, don’t wait or you risk the chance of not getting what you want.

Speaking of staterooms, I highly recommend splurging on a balcony stateroom for Alaska. Even if you normally take the least expensive inside stateroom, you may want to at least upgrade to an oceanview. But, there’s nothing like having your own private balcony or veranda on a cruise. This past summer when we took our Alaska cruise, there were so many times that we ran out on the balcony to quick see some scenery or wildlife. And, we’re not even the type to spend a lot of time in our stateroom. However, had we not had a balcony, we would have missed quite a bit while getting ready in the morning or for dinner in the evening. It was also wonderful pulling in to port early in the morning. To be able to wrap up in the robe furnished by the cruise line and sit out on the balcony taking in the beauty of Alaska while sipping hot coffee or cocoa delivered by room service. Where else can you do that!? One evening, our entertainment was simply watching for whales on our friends balcony that was directly off the stern of the ship. We’re normally the type that goes to the shows, or lounges or casino in the evening. With Alaska, it’s a whole other type of trip.

If you haven’t already, feel free to view my Alaska cruise photos posted on Webshots (look under the Links category.) Or, contact me for more information and to make your reservation for an Alaska cruise or cruisetour!

Amy Johnson
A Room With A View - Cruise & Travel
262-424-8982 or 920-420-0435
aroomwithaview@wi.rr.com
www.aroomwithaview.joystar.com

Princess Cruisetours Explore Five Continents

Princess Cruise-Tours Explore Five Continents
Published on: March 15, 2007

Princess Cruises now offers a collection of cruise-tours on five continents. By combining a cruise with a land journey, Princess passengers can create a seamless land and sea adventure. There are 14 cruise-tour itineraries in such diverse locations as Asia, Australia, Canada/New England, Europe and South America. In addition, the line now features more than 20 cruise-tour choices in Alaska. Cruise-tours now can be booked on Princess’ Searchlight online tool. The function can search simultaneously by a variety of criteria — including destination, date, ship, travel sequence and duration — and instantly displays the results.

Princess worldwide cruise-tour choices include four tour options in Australia that can be combined with a 12-day Australia and New Zealand cruise or a 31-day Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific Voyage. Angkor Wat is once again open to travelers and forms the highlight of Princess’ new “Bangkok and Angkor Wat” cruise-tour. The six-night tour features stays in Bangkok, the northern city of Chiang Mai, and Cambodia’s Siem Reap. This tour combines with a 16-day Bangkok/Beijing cruise for a full 23-day adventure. Other land tours are offered in China, South America, Ireland, Tuscany, the Danube region and Canada/New England. In Alaska, Princess features 10- to 16-night land/sea vacations.

All Princess Alaska tours offer at least two nights at either of the two Denali-area Princess wilderness lodges. Passengers can travel directly to their Princess lodge from the ship with “Direct to the Wilderness” rail service. The Alaska cruise-tours include accommodation at five wilderness lodges.

For more information or to make your reservation, call Amy at A Room With A View - Cruise & Travel.

Princess Offers Alaska Cruisetour Sale

Princess Offers Alaska Cruise-Tour Sale
Published on: February 21, 2007

Princess launched a new “Alaska Wilderness Sale” offering savings on cruise-tours. Special rates on select cruise-tours feature discounts of up to $500 per couple off of Princess’ early-booking discounts. Sale prices for an 11-day cruise-tour begin at $1,399 per person for a Gulf of Alaska cruise with a land journey into Alaska. The sale pricing is available through March 31, and covers select cruise-tour departures throughout the May to September season.

“We want to encourage passengers to take advantage of Princess’ expanded Alaska capacity during this busy booking period,” said Jan Swartz, Princess’ senior vice president of customer service and sales. “This is a great time to finalize vacation plans as we’re offering a wide range of sailing dates and stateroom categories on sale.”

Princess will feature its largest ever Alaska fleet in 2007, with eight ships sailing through the scenic waters of “The Great Land.” The vessels range in size from 670 passengers to 2,670 passengers, including five ships dedicated to the Gulf of Alaska route. For the first time, Princess will feature mid-week Gulf departures aboard the smaller Pacific Princess. The Gulf of Alaska cruises can be combined with one of 22 different land tour options for a cruise-tour that includes Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, plus the company’s “Direct to the Wilderness” rail service to/from Whittier. Princess’ 2007 Gulf of Alaska season features a record 78 calls in Glacier Bay, and Princess says its ships will carry more passengers to Glacier Bay than any other cruise line.

Celebrity Unveils New Alaska Shore Excursions

Celebrity Unveils New Alaska Shore Excursions
Published on: February 9, 2007

Celebrity Cruises is offering new Alaska shore excursions that let passengers glide along the Alaskan coastline in a 20-foot fishing boat, travel by float plane to Anan Creek for bear-viewing, or tasting the wines and cheeses of British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. Overall, Celebrity offers more than 158 Alaska shore excursions. Beginning in May, the Celebrity Infinity, Summit and Mercury will sail seven-, 10- and 14-night Alaska cruises from Seattle and Vancouver. The vessels also cruise through the Inside Passage and beside ice-blue Hubbard Glacier.

Celebrity also offers pre- and post-cruise land options in the Pacific Northwest with the Summit and Infinity. The Summit’s pre- or post-cruise itineraries range in length and destination, and include highlights such as Fairbanks, Seward and Denali National Park, home of Mount McKinley. Seventeen cruise-tour packages include segments on Celebrity’s glass-domed railcars, the Wilderness Express. Guests sailing on the Infinity’s Hubbard Glacier cruises can choose from four fully escorted cruise-tour options. The five-night Canadian Rockies packages visit cities including Vancouver, Calgary, Kamloops and Banff, with each including two days of rail travel and meals in Rocky Mountaineer’s RedLeaf Service railcars. The three-night Whistler cruise-tours include stays in both Whistler and Vancouver.

HAL Alaska Tours Now Are Roundtrip from Vancouver

HAL Alaska Tours Now Are Roundtrip from Vancouver
Published on: February 7, 2007

Holland America Line “Glacier Bay & Great Land Grand Tours” now arrive and depart from Vancouver, B.C. The 19- and 20-day cruise-tours, which combine a seven-day cruise with a land tour, previously started in Vancouver and ended in Seattle or visa versa. “Flying in and out of Vancouver, B.C. has made these cruise-tours much more convenient for guests, which has increased their popularity. It greatly improves the ability to make excellent air arrangements,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.

The tours include two nights in Denali, Dawson City, Whitehorse and Anchorage and the 20-day cruise-tour. Guests may opt for small group exploration of Kluane National Park, home of five of the seven tallest peaks in North America; Tombstone Park near Dawson; and the heart of the Alaskan Interior, Denali National Park. Grand Tours also include one night in Tok, Fairbanks and Skagway. The “Glacier Bay & Great Land Grand Tours” start at $3,499 per person, double occupancy.