Alaska 2006:

Everyone's Dream

Destination

If you haven’t already done so, this is the time to book Alaska. Suppliers are reporting that bookings are brisk — so don’t get left out in the cold. Alaska is everybody’s dream destination, and even if clients have been there before, there’s plenty more to see and do in this vast Last Frontier.
Because of its size, Alaska is ideal for visiting by ship. Nothing can beat the experience of sailing close to spectacular glaciers and seeing (and hearing) them calve. Wonderful wildlife, such as bears and eagles, can be seen up close. And cruise/tours provide the best of both worlds, combining scenic sailing with land based adventures.
We asked several cruise lines to give us a look into their Alaska 2006 programs — and from all indications, it’s going to be a season to remember.

Carnival Cruise Lines: Alaska ‘Fun Ship’ Style!

After completing its 10th year in Alaska, Carnival Cruise Lines is ready for 2006, when its Alaska cruises will again be operated by the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit.
“Alaska is one of the world’s most popular cruising regions and while many cruise lines operate in The Last Frontier, only Carnival does it ‘Fun Ship’-style,” said Vicki Freed, senor vice president, sales and marketing.
“An Alaska cruise aboard the Carnival Spirit combines opportunities to view majestic scenery and magnificent wildlife with a variety of comprehensive facilities and features available on this spectacular ‘Fun Ship.’ And more than 100 different shore excursions provide guests a chance to experience Alaska ‘up close and personal’— everything from ‘adventure-type’ tours like helicopter flightseeing and snow shoeing to more traditional excursions such as salmon bakes and gold panning.”
Moreover, said Freed, the Carnival Spirit’s high percentage of balconied staterooms, indoor and outdoor promenades and ample teak decks provide excellent viewing of calving glaciers and indigenous sea plant and animal life.
“We’re very excited about this year’s Alaska season and encourage guests to book early to reserve their spot on this unforgettable vacation experience,” said Freed.
Carnival’s 2006 Alaska itineraries encompass 7-day Glacier Route cruises operating northbound from Vancouver and southbound from Whittier/Anchorage Wednesdays between May 17 and Aug. 30. Ports of call include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka, along with opportunities for cruising Lynn Canal and Prince William Sound.
Additionally, three Glacier Bay cruises operating roundtrip from Vancouver will be offered May 10, and Sept. 6 and 13. In addition to two full days cruising the Inside Passage, these voyages feature visits to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Guests can also customize their Alaska vacations with optional 3- and 4-night land stays operated by Holland America Tours, one of the region’s leading tour operators.
Freed added that there’s a wide variety of dining, entertainment and activity options at sea, including special menus featuring freshly caught local seafood. Kids can partake in just-for-Alaska activities included in the line’s top-rated “Camp Carnival” program.

Holland America Line: ‘Bolder than Ever’ for 2006


Paul Allen, vice president of Alaska marketing and sales, calls Holland America’s 2006 Alaska season “bolder than ever” with eight ships (three Vista-class), 159 departures, 29 CruiseTours and three ships departing from its homeport, Seattle.
“To truly experience the best of Alaska, your clients should combine a cruise and land tour,” he said.
Allen particularly cited Holland America Line’s Great Land and Glacier Discovery CruiseTours, which emphasize four areas — Yukon, Arctic, Kenai Peninsula and Denali — in combination with the glacier experiences, popular ports and scenic cruising of the Inside Passage.
The Yukon offers two spectacular parks, Tombstone Territorial Park near historic Dawnson City, and Kluane National Park, a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site outside of Whitehorse. Tombstone features unique geological features and boasts both the Boreal Forest and sub-Arctic tundra. Rugged Kluane has five of the seven tallest mountains in North America and offers a variety of excursions, from hiking to rafting Class III and IV rapids on the world-class Tatshenshine River.
Allen said that the line’s extensive Arctic Program includes a number of ways to get above the Arctic Circle.
“We have a set of CruiseTours to Prudhoe Bay and the Arctic Ocean along the Dalton Highway, considered by many to offer the state’s best wildlife viewing. Others may extend their Alaska vacation with a flight to Gates of the Arctic National Park and Anaktuvuk Pass. The Nunamiut Eskimo way of life can be explored on an excursion led by a local guide. Wilderness fans can opt for the Brooks Range Expedition, combining light hiking and a river float trip near Gates of the Arctic.
New for 2006 is a scenic Cruise/Tour of the Kenai Peninsula and Homer, featuring fjords, mountains and the wildlife of Seward, Homer and Cooper Landing on the Kenai River, with numerous excursion options.
“Our business development managers are happy to help Home Based agents find the best Cruise or CruiseTour option for your clients,” said Allen.

Princess Cruises: Adds to Gulf of Alaska Cruise/tour Program

“In 2006, we’re reaffirming our commitment to the fantastic Gulf of Alaska itinerary,” said Jan Swartz, Princess’ senior vice president of customer service and sales. “Not only are we dedicating our newest and most amenity-filled ships to this route, we’re also adding space to our premiere Denali-area wilderness lodges for our cruise/tour passengers. Additionally, we’ll continue to offer passengers more time in the ‘Great Land’ with our successful Direct to the Wilderness ship-rail-lodge transfers.”
Seven Princess ships will ply the Alaskan waters in 2006. Two of the line’s newest vessels — Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess — add more staterooms, mini-suites and balconies joining Coral Princess and Island Princess on Princess’ signature “Voyage of the Glaciers” itinerary. Between them, these four ships offer nearly 2,100 standard balcony cabins and 750 mini-suites. In addition, Sun Princess and Dawn Princess offer a 7-day, four-port Inside Passage route from Seattle, and Regal Princess continues to sail from San Francisco on a 10-day Inside Passage cruise.
“The addition of Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess to our Voyage of the Glaciers program gives Princess the youngest and most innovative fleet sailing the Gulf of Alaska. These beautiful vessels are perfect for enjoying the stunning scenery of Glacier Bay National Park, the 16 glaciers of College Fjord, the incredible Inside Passage and southern ports. And only Princess offers these two attractions plus at least two nights in the Denali area on every cruise/tour,” she said.
For the second year, cruise/tour passengers will spend more time in the wilderness with the line’s exclusive Direct to the Wilderness rail service, accommodating guests’ desire to spend more time at Alaska’s most popular inland attraction. This program transports passengers direct to the heart of the Alaskan wilderness, arriving the same day they disembark by providing a direct rail link between the Whittier cruise terminal and the line’s own Denali-area wilderness lodges.
In Denali, Princess’ two popular area lodges — Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge — will offer more rooms, dining options and outdoor areas.

Norwegian Cruise Line: A Winning Combination

Norwegian Cruise Line is looking forward to an exciting Alaska season.
“There is no better combination than Alaska and NCL,” said Andy Stuart, executive vice president of marketing, sales and passenger services for NCL.
“With three spectacular ships sailing the most dramatic coastline on earth, NCL offers passengers the freedom to relax in casual attire, enjoy breakfast in bed or dinner at 9 p.m. and discover the stunning scenery and wildlife for which Alaska is best known — all on one extraordinary vacation,” said Stuart,
The Norwegian Star will sail 7-day Glacier Bay cruises from Seattle starting May 7, while the Norwegian Wind sails 7-day Sawyer Glacier cruises from Vancouver starting April 30 and the Norwegian Sun, 7-day Sawyer Glacier cruises from Seattle.
“Thanks to NCL’s Freestyle Cruising, guests can forget about everything except having fun and enjoy a one-in-a-lifetime Alaska cruise adventure,” said Stuart.
He added that exciting tours and sightseeing adventures and activities await clients at each port city — from the Ketchikan Duck Tour to the Rainforest Ropes and Zip Challenge Course to a Mendenhall City and Glacier Tour.