Cruise Experts Travel’s Exclusive Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruisetour Deals

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Vanny

Taku Glacier excursion. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

Aaron Saunders of From the Deck Chair, one of my favorite blogs on cruising, recently wrote a post Why You Should Cruise – Now. Other than that cruising is a great way to travel, he points out there are deals to be had, right now.

Aaron explains, “The cruise industry has been negatively impacted by the terrible events of January 13, and it’s not just Costa who’s feeling the pinch. Bookings are down across the board, and in a move to stimulate new bookings, many cruise lines are offering up some fantastic fares, deals, special perks and onboard amenities in an effort to entice passengers to book passage with them.”

Aaron isn’t in the business of selling cruises, however, he recognizes that what’s being offered now by many cruise lines is rare. After all, cruising already is great value.

And we’ve got deals; exclusive ones for Royal Caribbean Alaska cruisetours that can save you upwards of $600. At the very least, you’d save $200. Plus, to further enrich your vacation experience, we are also throwing in a free shore excursion.

As well, Royal Caribbean is offering some oceanviews for the same price or less than an inside stateroom.

A colleague who has been in the industry for over 10 years said he’s never seen pricing like this since 9/11. I can certainly say I’ve never seen pricing like this since I started with Cruise Experts Travel back in 2009.

So, are you looking to make that dream Alaska vacation come true with a great Royal Caribbean cruisetour deal? Call our office at 1-800-565-2784.

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Princess Cruises Reduced Deposit Sale

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Vanny
Princess Cruise in Glacier Bay, Alaska

The Island Princess in Glacier Bay, Alaska.

We understand that sometimes you really want to go on that Alaska cruise, but you’re unsure whether you can, but you’d like to put a deposit down because you most likely can go, but you don’t want to not have that money on you just to hold something that may not happen even though it’s fully refundable up to a certain date, but you’re afraid that space may be gone by the time you’re certain you can go. We understand. These BUTs are, well frankly, a pain in the butt.

That’s why we’re offering reduced deposits for all Princess cruises. That means you can reserve your spot on any Princess cruise for a fraction of the price. Instead of 25% of the cruise fare, the deposit is $100 per person. PLUS you’ll get a $325 value coupon book.

There’s no catch. Just like a regular deposit amount, if you know before the final payment date that you can’t make your cruise, cancel. No penalty. Full refund.

Find all Princess Alaska itineraries here. Have questions? Call our office at 1-800-565-2784 to take advantage of this limited time offer.

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Qsine on Celebrity Infinity

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Coleen

My parents went on a cruise to South America recently. Why am I writing about it here, a blog about Alaska cruises, you ask? Because they sailed onbard the Celebrity Infinity, which goes to Alaska this season.

If you’re sailing Celebrity, you definitely have to try Qsine if available. It’s all the rave and I’ve been told by some clients they couldn’t get a reservation as there were no spots left a couple of days into their sailing.

The takeaway tip here is to reserve your specialty restaurants as soon as possible; don’t wait.

My parents had a wonderful time at Qsine, as have other clients who’ve tried it. With my parents’ permission, here are some pictures they shared.

Persian (chicken)

View of Chilean fjords while dining in Qsine.

Mediterranean

Looking for more information or to sail aboard the Infinity? Contact me at 1-800-565-2784.

Coleen Allen
Cruise Specialist
CruiseExperts Travel
————————————————-
t: 604.737.8100 –ext. 114 | 1.800.565.2784
e: ColeenA@CruiseExpertsTravel.com
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Welcome aboard Rocky Mountaineer!

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Vanny
“Extraordinary memories are born that weaves through mountains and canyons, rivers and rainforest, breakfast and lunch. Travelling only by day and often at just 40 kilometres per hour, not only will you have time to catch every detail of the jaw-dropping landscape, but also catch your breath. You’ll make friends that last a lifetime. And make plans to come back again and again. The Society of American Travel Writers has called Rocky Mountaineer the ‘Best Train Experience in the World’. And quite honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

– Randy Powell, Rocky Mountaineer’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Rocky Mountaineer is a train tour operator that offers 5 different routes in the beautifully rugged Rockies region of Canada, 4 of which visit UNESCO World Heritage sites Jasper and Banff National Park.

Cruise Expert Joanna Chen had a chance to go on a Rocky Mountaineer rail tour, a fabulous addition to a cruise vacation she advises. She says that if you’re going to make a trip all the way to the Pacific Northwest, this tour would make your vacation all the more extraordinary. After all, National Geographic has recognized the train tour as “One of the World’s Greatest Trips.”

Take a look at some of Joanna’s photos from her experience and prepare to be awed!

The video below summarizes Rocky Mountaineer’s RedLeaf, SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf Services. Joanna enjoyed GoldLeaf Service!

Interested in combining your Alaska cruise with a journey through the Canadian Rockies? Call our office at 1-800-565-2784.

Posted in Alaska Cruises, Alaska Cruisetour, Experiences by the Experts | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

For the Active Person, Sail Royal Caribbean

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Vanny
Icy Strait Point

Zip lining in Icy Strait Point. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean. Used with permission of Icy Strait Point and Huna totem Corporation.

Two of the cruise ships sailing Alaska this year are Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas and the beautifully renovated Radiance of the Seas. As the line that caters to the activity-oriented cruiser, it’s only fitting that both are equipped with a rock climbing wall! Cruise Specialist Wes sailed aboard the Radiance last year and in his post he opines:

“Everything looks great and fits seamlessly (those that don’t know about the dry dock wouldn’t know, which I guess is one of their design objectives). The newly added electronics really make the ship feel like it’s brand new, state of the art. This includes the outdoor movie screen, flat screen TV’s in every cabin, as well as touch screen navigation systems in most corridor junctions throughout the ship; these are used for both ideas of activities happening now or soon as well as to map your way.”

It seems there’s so much going on a Royal Caribbean ship, passengers would be lost without the television screens reminding them of the many daily activities onboard. Here’s a sample of things to do on the Radiance.

  • Adventure Beach
  • Adventure Ocean®
  • Art Gallery
  • Aurora Theatre
  • Bombay Billiard Club
  • Calcutta Card Club
  • Casino RoyaleSM
  • Cinema
  • Game Arcade
  • Optix Teen Disco
  • Champagne Bar
  • Hollywood Odyssey
  • Jakarta Lounge
  • Lobby Bar
  • Schooner Bar
  • Scoreboard
  • Singapore Sling’s
  • The Colony Club
  • Vortex Night Club

Does a Royal Caribbean cruise sound right for you? Then you don’t want to miss out on our offer: 50% reduced deposit and up to $200 onboard credit.

Notice, this ends today, so call 1-800-565-2784 to secure your spot and you won’t miss out.

Posted in Alaska Cruises, Alaska Cruisetour, Announcements, Experiences by the Experts, For New Cruisers | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Holland America’s 3 New Alaska Cruisetours

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Vanny

With the addition of three new cruisetours this year, Holland America’s Alaska selection of cruisetour itineraries cater to the traveler who wants to see and experience it all to one that would like to see as much as possible in a shorter time frame.

ms Zuiderdam

ms Zuiderdam in Alaska

The new cruisetours last 9, 10 and 11 nights. Choose to venture into the land tour first then enjoy a relaxing cruise (southbound cruisetour) or vice versa (northbound).

Denali Sampler 9-nights (Northbound or Southbound)
This is Holland America’s first ever one-night Direct to Denali adventure, great for those with limited time who seek the essential Denali experience. Here’s the southbound itinerary!

Day Description
1 Anchorage, Alaska
Arrive at your downtown hotel
2 Anchorage, Alaska / Denali, Alaska
Board the luxurious McKinley Explorer train to Denali, check into your lodge and explore on your own this evening
3 Denali, Alaska / Seward, Alaska
Enjoy some of Alaska’s most spectacular scenery to Seward via luxury motorcoach where you will embark your ship. Enroute enjoy lunch at Settlers Bay Lodge.

Cruise Portion:

Day Port name Arrives Departs
3 Seward, Alaska 8:00pm
4 At Sea
5 Glacier Bay, Alaska
6 Haines, Alaska 6:30am 9:00pm
7 Juneau, Alaska 8:00am 6:00pm
8 Ketchikan, Alaska 11:00am 7:00pm
9 Inside Passage
10 Vancouver, British Columbia 7:00am

Express Tours U1 (Northbound or Southbound) & U2 (Northbound or Southbound)
U1 lasts 10 nights, while U2 lasts 11 nights. The itineraries only differ in that for U2, you would stay a night extra in Denali. This is the line’s first ever roundtrip Seattle cruiestour.

Here is the U1 southbound itinerary.

Land Portion:

Day Description
1 Seattle, Washington, USA
Arrive at your airport hotel where you will be staying the night.
2 Seattle, Washington, USA / Anchorage, Alaska
Fly to Anchorage and spend the night at your downtown hotel.
3 Anchorage, Alaska / Denali, Alaska
Board the luxurious McKinley Explorer train to Denali, check into your lodge and explore on your own this evening.
4 Denali, Alaska / Seward, Alaska
Board a motorcoach for Seward where you will meet your ship. On the way, enjoy lunch at Settlers Bay Lodge. Enjoy some of Alaska’s most spectacular scenery to Seward where you will embark your ship.

Cruise Portion:

Day Port name Arrives Departs
4 Seward, Alaska 8:00pm
5 At Sea
6 Glacier Bay, Alaska
7 Haines, Alaska 6:30am 9:00pm
8 Juneau, Alaska 8:00am 6:00pm
9 Ketchikan, Alaska 11:00am 7:00pm
10 Inside Passage
11 Vancouver, BC to Seattle, WA 7:00am

*Day 11 disembark in Vancouver and then ride a motorcoach to Seattle on the same day.

Express Tour U3 – 11 nights (Southbound or Northbound)
Stay three nights and two days in Denali, one of Alaska’s top attractions on this new cruisetour!

Here’s the southbound itinerary

Land Portion:

Day Description
1 Anchorage, Alaska
Arrive at your downtown Anchorage hotel.
2 Anchorage, Alaska / Denali, Alaska
Today, board the luxurious McKinley Explorer train to Denali, check into your lodge and explore on your own this evening
3 Denali, Alaska
Venture deep into Denali on the Tundra Wilderness Tour, the best way to see wildlife and Mt. McKinley.
4 Denali, Alaska
Explore on your own with an entire free day in Denali.
5 Denali, Alaska / Seward, Alaska

Cruise Portion:

Day Port name Arrives Departs
5 Seward, Alaska 8:00pm
6 At Sea
7 Glacier Bay, Alaska
8 Haines, Alaska 6:30am 9:00pm
9 Juneau, Alaska 8:00am 6:00pm
10 Ketchikan, Alaska 11:00am 7:00pm
11 Inside Passage
12 Vancouver, British Columbia 7:00am

Which of Holland America’s new cruisetours interest you most? Want to learn more? Call 1-800-565-2784 today and you`ll be able to take advantage of our RICH Holland America offer on now. You don’t want to lose out as this phone-in only deal isn’t offered often. Actually, it ends today!

Posted in Alaska Cruisetour, Announcements | Tagged | Leave a comment

Phone for the Best Deals

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Vanny

Cruise Experts Travel Office SignYou’ve browsed our site for itineraries and prices. You see an itinerary you like and the date you want to go. You would like a quote. You have two options. 1) Submit an email quote request and 2) Phone our office 1-800-565-2784.

To get the best price and value at the time you’re searching, always call our office. What you see may be gone even just two hours later. We understand that sometimes email is just easier. Having said that, even if you initially contacted our office by email, you should make sure that you speak to a Cruise Specialist right away.

The best prices are not always advertised. For example, you may be able to get an even lower price simply based on where you live!

You can find out faster whether what you want is still available. While you’re on the phone with your Cruise Specialist, they can check right then for availability. They can apply your deposit to secure your stateroom, too and you won’t have to worry about losing out on that perfect spot.

Got questions? Have you seen an itinerary you like? Not sure what you’d like to see? It’s okay, that’s what we’re here for. Call an Alaska Cruise Specialist at 1-800-565-2784.

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Maybe You Are an Oceania Cruiser

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Vanny

Oceania Regatta docked at the Port of Vancouver in 2011

Oceania won’t be in Alaska this year, however, as mentioned in a previous post, Regatta is returning next year!

The Oceania Cruiser

  • around 55 or older
  • looking for a quiet, relaxed and upscale environment onboard
  • exquisite cuisine is imperative when traveling
  • wine enthusiast

Although I don’t fall into the 55 or older category, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy sailing aboard Regatta. First, I appreciate the artistry needed to create something that looks too beautiful to to eat combined with the talent needed to put ingredients together that get my taste buds singing. Second, I’m a budding wine aficionado. Lastly, probably the most important, when I’m on vacation, I want to feel relaxed in a quiet and upscale ambience. Oceania sounds like it’s very suitable for me.

If you haven’t been onboard an Oceania ship, maybe these photos will whet your appetite. Taken on a ship tour last summer while Regatta was docked at the Port of Vancouver.

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2013 Oceania cruises are available for booking now. Looking for more information? Call our office at 1-800-565-2784 to speak with a Cruise Specialist.

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Our Holland America Promotion

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Vanny

Holland America Line promotion

Receive from Cruise Experts Travel $50, $100, or $200 onboard credit when you book a Holland America cruise in Alaska.

What is onboard credit?
It’s money we give you to spend on the ship.

What can be purchased with onboard credit?
You can use your onboard credit towards anything that is applied to your onboard account. specialty dining, shopping onboard, wine or cocktail purchases, spa treatments, or even gambling.

Is the onboard credit offer ongoing?
No, it isn’t. It expires soon. Call 1-800-565-2784 to speak with an Alaska Cruise Specialist and not only will you get the onboard credit, but we’ll also give you a $450 value coupon booklet AND you’ll have more room selection to choose from the sooner you book.

How is the amount of onboard credit determined?
It depends on the type of stateroom that is booked.

For cruises…
$50 for inside staterooms
$100 for oceanview, balcony and suite staterooms

For cruisetours….
$100 for inside staterooms
$200 for oceanview, balcony and suite staterooms

Also if a suite is booked on tours Y1 to Y6, D1 to D7, U2, E3, you’ll receive $200 onboard credit for booking with Holland America, plus an additional $200 onboard credit for booking into one of these tours. Wow!

What about upgrades?
On certain departures, you’ll get a free upgrade meaning for the price of an oceanview, you’ll get a balcony stateroom. This applies to tours Y1 to Y6, D1, D3, D5, D6 and D7.

Looking for more information or ready to book your Alaska cruise? Call 1-800-565-2784.

ms Zuiderdam

ms Zuiderdam in Alaska

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Photos of Cruise Ship Leaving Port of Vancouver

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Kassandra

On a few occasions, I send some of my clients pictures of their ship as it leaves Vancouver on its way up to Alaska.  It’s beautiful watching them go out under the bridge.

These are of a Holland America ship – of course, the ships look the same from here.  My camera isn’t the greatest and the pics were taken below on a hot day so they aren’t as crisp as you’d actually see them but they’re a hit nonetheless. Hope you enjoy.

cruise ship leaving port of Vancouver

cruise ship leaving port of Vancouver

cruise ship leaving port of Vancouver for Alaska

cruise ship leaves Vancouver for Alaska

Kassandra Gehry
CruiseExperts Travel
————————————————-
t: 604.737.8100 –ext. 203| t: 1.800.565.2784 | f: 604.737.1672
e: KassandraG @CruiseExpertsTravel.com
Cruise Specialist
Posted in Alaska Cruises, Experiences by the Experts, Vancouver | Tagged , , | Leave a comment