ALASKA CRUISE
August 21, 2010
See the information on bus transportation from Spokane to Seattle at the bottom of this page!
PRE-CRUISE INFORMATION LETTER
The pre-cruise information letter is a must-read for everyone joining us on the Alaska Cruise!
Plan now to join the Washington Rural Letter Carriers on a fabulous cruise with Holland America Line to beautiful Alaska to experience icy-blue glaciers and charming frontier ports including Juneau, Sitka & Ketchikan.
Take a hike on the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Take a stroll through old growth forest in Sitka National Historical Park or shop the downtown district. Try a flightseeing trip to breathtaking Misty Fjords National Monument in Ketchikan and finish the trip by visiting the famed Butchart Gardens - a brilliant tapestry of color spread across 50 blooming acres in Victoria, B.C.
There are countless options - you can do as much or as little as you want.
As a special inclusion for our group, on the day of arrival we will be given a warm welcome with a private party for just the rural carriers, their families & friends!
In addition to the private party, each cabin will receive a $100.00 onboard credit!
Book Early!
The ship carries only 1400 guests and there are only 150 verandah suites on the ship.
To see the layout of the ship, go to Holland America Line and under "Onboard our Ships" you'll see the ms Rotterdam.
Itinerary
We will be departing Seattle, Washington @ 4:00 PM on August 21, 2010.
The Emerald City of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is known for its stunning waterfront. "Catch" a salmon at Pike Place Market, ride to the top of the Space Needle, sample a local microbrew in funky Fremont, or down a cup of java in the coffee capital of the world.
Day 1 will be enjoyed at sea.
Explore the ship and enjoy all the fabulous amenities the ms Rotterdam has to offer! See the ms Rotterdam for details.
On Day 2 we arrive in Juneau, Alaska at noon.
Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on the Gastineau Channel, the town of Juneau has the massive Mendenhall Glacier and the immense Juneau Icefields at its back door. Juneau is the place to let your imagination run wild. Explore the lush Tongass National Forest. Visit the rustic shops in town. Or get out and kayak, dogsled, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee or fish. There's no end to the adventure because of the long daylight hours. Climb aboard the Mt. Roberts Tramway for a great spot to hike and shoot a souvenir photo.
On Day 3 we will be cruising the Hubbard Glacier!
Come face to face with a gigantic wall of ice that fills your view and extends for miles in either direction. It's a titan on the move, advancing faster than almost any other glacier on the continent. When it reaches saltwater at Disenchantment Bay, the imposing architecture of this behemoth measures five miles in width and 40 stories in height, dwarfing even the largest ships. As you glide along this sparkling blue marvel, watch for seals basking on ice floes, listen for the loud, deep rumble and wait for the mighty crack and thunderous crash. At any moment, you could be witness to an eternal drama as natures hand sculpts icebergs before your wondering eyes.
On Day 4 we arrive in Sitka, Alaska at 8:00 AM.
The onion domes of St. Michael's Cathedral are your first clue that Sitka was once a Russian settlement - the colonial headquarters of Count Baranof, no less. Discover the echoes of its heyday at a performance by the New Archangel Dancers. Be greeted by Tlingit native people, then stand on the spot where the United States took possession of Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million, less than two cents per acre. The dramatic setting in the shadow of Mt. Edgecumbe is one of the loveliest in the Great Land. Take a stroll through old growth forest in Sitka National Historical Park, shop the downtown district, and poke around the Sheldon Jackson Museum for a close-up look at some of the city's most prized arts, crafts and Russian relics.
On Day 5 we arrive in Ketchikan, Alaska at 7:00 AM.
Built out over the water and climbing weathered stairways, Ketchikan clings to the shores of Tongass Narrows and drapes the mountains with a cheerful air. Besides the main attractions - Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village, try a flightseeing trip to breathtaking Misty Fjords National Monument--a transformational adventure not to be missed. These deep water fjords left by retreating glaciers left granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls cascading into placid waters. The souvenir photos you'll take from the pontoons of the plane are worth the trip alone.
On Day 6 we arrive in spectacular Victoria Canada at 6:00 PM.
A touch of England awaits: afternoon tea, double-decker buses, the famed Butchart Gardens - a brilliant tapestry of color spread across 50 blooming acres.
On Day 7 we arrive back in Seattle at 7:00 AM.
You won't want the trip to be over, but you'll be leaving the beautiful Pacific Northwest with memories that will last a lifetime!
CONTACT:
Terri Horch or Rick Biel 27 E Augusta AveSpokane WA 99207 Phone - (509) 327-9585 or (800) 848-3488
Prices start at just $1029pp!
Check the flyer for pricing options.
*Note: Ship and Itinerary subject to change.
Note: If you are flying into Spokane for the convention, there is a bus available to take you to Seattle for the cruise. After the cruise, you can fly home from Seattle International Airport. Terri Horch with Travel Leaders can help you with travel arrangements.
Contact Terri at thorch@travelleaders.com
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