Under 2 Years Until Alaska--Preliminary Information

Yes, in just a little over 4 weeks we leave for our Hawaii cruise, but I'm already a couple of vacations ahead. Unlike some people :) we have to save up for our trips.

We have decided to do another cruise to Alaska in late August of 2013. I'm putting out the preliminary information now to gauge interest in getting a group together. The final dates for the 2013 cruises will probably be released in March and that will be when we will lock in our cabin. We will be putting down a credit toward a future cruise while we are on the one in Hawaii.

This is the one we have chosen:
--it is on Holland America
--it is a 2-week round trip out of Seattle, currently leaving on Fridays
--we will probably go to Seattle 2-3 days early to do some sight-seeing
--it is not a back-to-back cruise where you visit the same ports each way
--here is the itinerary:

F--depart Seattle
S--at sea
M--Ketchikan
T--cruising Tracy arm (Twin Sawyer glaciers)
W--Icy Strait Point
T--at sea
F--Anchorage
S--Homer
S--Kodiak
M--cruising Hubbard Glacier
T--Sitka
W--at sea
T--Victoria, BC
F--Seattle

--there is no option for land tours on this cruise and it does not do the interior of Alaska
--tentative leaving date would be the last week or so of August, cruising into the first week of September---2012 prices for the cruise are approximately $2100 for inside room per person, and $2400 for oceanview room per person--probably add an extra 10% for 2013

David Williams always says that for Alaska you figure that your shore excursions and on board costs (tips, bar tabs, laundry and souveniers) pretty much equal the cost of your cabin. He's probably pretty close. Alaska shore tours are not cheap, but they are wonderful. We plan on taking lots of whale, bear and other nature watching trips. If you add in the float planes, helicoptors, and glacier landings, you can really add to the cost, but most people think it is worth it. Alaska really is a unique destination.

If you are remotely interested in going, let me know and I will put you on an information list to keep you updated. The more the merrier. We would love to have a bunch of our friends and family join us. I will not be your travel agent, but I can possibly help with roommate matching and travel information.