5/26/2012 & 6/2/2012 C@ Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska B2B Group Cruise

[Einstein]

Flying RT to Seattle won out as the price was too good to turn down. :boogie: From what I was seeing the cost was about half as much as the Vancouver RT. Also looked into the open jaw for our friends parents who will most likely be joining us and it was indeed a REAL Eye Opener at almost 2X the price with a 12+ hour flight out and multiple stops. After giving them the info I believe they will be onboard for the Back 2 Back and put a few $$$ back in their wallet. After the Holidays it will be time to search out some hotel deals thru Priceline. :clap:

 

[nieciez]

Also looked into the open jaw for our friends parents who will most likely be joining us and it was indeed a REAL Eye Opener at almost 2X the price with a 12+ hour flight out and multiple stops. After giving them the info I believe they will be onboard for the Back 2 Back and put a few $$$ back in their wallet.

E, I've been playing with the idea of changing the first leg of the cruise to a fly into Fairbanks and doing a Princess Cruise Tour. But WOWZA, between the open jaw air and the higher cost of the land portion of the trip vs 7 days on ship...I think I will leave it as a B2B. As much as I would LOVE to see the interior of AK right now I don't think I want to spend that much money with also fronting the family cruise this year. But, one day.

Our best air options are also RT into Seattle. So far it looks like our best bet would be out of BWI on Southwest but I wont be 100 percent sure until the return schedule is open in a few weeks. Once it is open I plan on booking it Danno!:boogie:

 

[Einstein]

E, I've been playing with the idea of changing the first leg of the cruise to a fly into Fairbanks and doing a Princess Cruise Tour. But WOWZA, between the open jaw air and the higher cost of the land portion of the trip vs 7 days on ship...I think I will leave it as a B2B. As much as I would LOVE to see the interior of AK right now I don't think I want to spend that much money with also fronting the family cruise this year. But, one day.

Our best air options are also RT into Seattle. So far it looks like our best bet would be out of BWI on Southwest but I wont be 100 percent sure until the return schedule is open in a few weeks. Once it is open I plan on booking it Danno!:boogie:

I was astonished at the cost of the Land Portion and addition air cost as well Denise and I know they were as I saw there eyes pop out of their head when I gave them the difference in pricing. :madd: I told them prior to doing the number crunching that cruising was still the BEST bang for their $$ and they now get the message. :einstein:Like U both of US want to do the land portion as well someday but I believe that day will come when we have MORE time and can do a bit of it on our own versus with the cruise line packages. :whistle:


100% agree on the air thru Seattle on SW as that looks like the BEST option. :doubleup: Only reason we did Delta is we had a companion ticket and FF points as well as 2 bags free because of the Delta AMEX. I think the bus option thru Princess will be the best and most $$$ friendly option although I am still going to look at outside sources for additional pricing between Seattle & Vancouver.

The Cascade Train with Amtrak is a nice option with some VERY picturest views and they have a late afternoon departure from Seattle to Vancouver. The return trip from Vancouver is also in the late Afternoon so the only issue there is it would require an overnight in Seattle before flying home on Sun. the 10th. That may NOT be ALL that bad as I am NOT keen on Red Eyes anyways. :whistle: Time will tell on what approach we venture down there.

 

[Einstein]

29 Weeks and Counting Gang!!!

Another Week closer To "The Voyage of the Glaciers Cruise"
and we get Birds Eye Views like these...

College Fjord

Hubbard Glacier

Glacier Bay National Park

Don't Miss out as the Clock is Ticking!!! :doubleup:
​

 

[Jeanie]

E, I just love seeing these photos, so pretty

 

[Einstein]

So how MANY glasses of V8 will we need for our Glacier viewing days on the corner Aft gathering spot for the Group??? :scratch: The fruit is just garnish.

 

[maw]

Hey E. I think we will need some hot chocilate too. Know Red will need her tea. Daw now has her air to Seattle on SW.(She was given a ticket for letting someone have her seat on way home from Radiance. and they extended it yesterday for her.)

 

[Einstein]

Hey E. I think we will need some hot chocilate too. Know Red will need her tea. Daw now has her air to Seattle on SW.(She was given a ticket for letting someone have her seat on way home from Radiance. and they extended it yesterday for her.)

Gr8 News on DAW getting their air lined up maw. :boogie: YES indeed we will need Hot Chocolate, Tea, Coffee, OJ, and some Danish and Donuts. :doubleup: Now how do we get the Oatmeal maw??? Perhaps some bubbly for some Mimosa's will also be required. Then some room service with Pizza and Chicken Soup for Lunch and of course a Bucket of Beer for paw if we can keep him in one place for an hour or so. :clap:

 

[nieciez]

That is GREAT that Brenda and Jim have their air...my return flight date on June 10th isn't open yet to book on SW...

 

[nieciez]

Well, I went out on a limb....and I hope it doesn't come back and bite me LOL. I noticed that you could book one-way and it seemed there was no additional advantage if you booked "round trip" in the fares. So, I booked our departure air on Southwest on May 25th to Seattle...came to $389 for both of us. Now when June 10th opens up and I can book our return!

Now I just have to decided on how we want to get to and from Sea to Van.

 

[maw]

E we can bring some packets of instant oatmeal and borrow hot water from Red or I know some people who can get around ship pretty fast and they can hit the buffett for it.. I need to get on booking out air fare but will wait until Brenda picks the flight. I guess we can use the bus transfer. Jenn checked it out for us.

 

[ShipMaven]

Now I just have to decided on how we want to get to and from Sea to Van.

If you want motorcoach, have you checked Quick Shuttle? They run frequently, have comfortable motorcoaches and offer senior fares if you qualify age-wise.

 

[nieciez]

Yep, that was one of my options Mary Ann....didn't know if Princess transfers might be better (if they are offered).

 

[maw]

Haven't checked super shuttle -have not had real good luck with them lately-they will say they can transfer scooter and then at last minute takes arguments to get it done. Thanks for suggestion Mary Ann.

 

[Jeanie]

Denise, congrats on your air booking

 

[ShipMaven]

Haven't checked super shuttle -have not had real good luck with them lately-they will say they can transfer scooter and then at last minute takes arguments to get it done. Thanks for suggestion Mary Ann.

You're welcome, Maw. This is Quick Shuttle, not Super Shuttle. Very different.

 

[ShipMaven]

Yep, that was one of my options Mary Ann....didn't know if Princess transfers might be better (if they are offered).

Princess will only offer transfers on sailing day - earlier only if you've booked pre-cruise hotel with them.

 

[Einstein]

28 Weeks and Counting Gang!!!

Another Week closer To "The Voyage of the Glaciers Cruise"
and we get Birds Eye Views like these...

College Fjord

Hubbard Glacier

Glacier Bay National Park

Don't Miss out as the Clock is Ticking!!! :doubleup:
​

 

[maw]

I got busy and booked our flight to Seattle on SW -one way-not open yet for after June 1. I talked with Princess and determinded they would not transfer us to Vancouver on 25th-so think we may be trying Qucik Shuttle Mary Ann suggested. At least we can get on to Vancoouver. I will be listening for hotel suggestions in Vancouver. and a good place for dinner. on 25th. Gosh now why am I so excited and this is all 6 months away.

 

[Jeanie]

Maw you have every right to be excited, I know I would be