July 2005 "OFFICIAL" CC Group To Alaska!!

[Host Caroline]

I'm going to be hosting an "official" CC group cruise to Alaska next summer -- will Princess ever get their rates out I'm thinking Diamond Princess from Seattle in July 24 or July 31 time frame to take advantage of Salmon runs and optional tours to Anan Creek from Ketchikan to watch the bears fishin' for their dinner!

 

If you're planning on heading north to Alaska next year anyway, or are easily enticed by breathtaking scenery, fantastic shore activities and the added "plus" of cruising with one of our great Cruise Critic groups, stay tuned for further details..

 

Host Caroline

Awesome Alaskan Adventure on the beautiful Diamond Princess- July 2005

You'll have a whale of a good time!

 

[This message was edited by Host Caroline on 05-24-04 at 10:31 PM.]

[Brneyznfl]

Caroline this sound great! Can't wait to hear the details! I've never been on Princess or sailed to Alaska. This would be wonderful! Here's to hoping you pick July 31st!

 

Jan

 

 

NEXT CRUISE - MIRACLE 2/13/05!

 

Triumph, Inspiration, Holiday, Explorer of the Seas, Granduer of the Seas, Glory, Conquest, Sensation

 

[FlorenceItaly]

Oh dear...do I dare??? I just minutes ago booked the CB for Sept 2005. Well, I must "entertain" this cruise, LOL. Keep me posted.

 

Marie

 

HAL - MAASDAM - June 2004/Canada/New England

RCI - Mariner of the Seas,

Sept 2004(CC Group Cruise)

RCI - Rhapsody of the Seas

October 2004

 

 

RCI Majesty of the Seas - Spring Break, March 2005

Celebrity Mercury, April 2005

Caribbean Princess, Sept 2005

(CC Group Cruise)

 

[Host Caroline]

Stay Tuned! I'm buggin' the boss and she's buggin' the agencies.. group rates aren't out yet but will post here, there and everywhere when they are!!!!

 

What's up on July 31, Brneyznfl???? Couldn't we talk you into July 25???

[booth22]

Why not back 2 back cruises... twice the fun! Either way, count us in! The 24th works better, but we aren't picky!

[marvholly]

Put me on the list. I have been looking for Alaska for the entire immediate family for next summer at the end of July or early Aug and especially at Princess as I would prefer a RT Vanc/SEA as I am buying and this keeps the air down.

 

Holly

 

M/S Boheme 11/69

Rhapsody 2/77?

Azure Sea 3/89

Panama Canal 11/90

Mexican Riviera 3/98

Carnival Triumph 12/99

Carnival Spirit 12/01

NCL Dream 11/17/02

Celebrity Mercury 6/1/03

carnival Victory 3/28/04

 

[Brneyznfl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Host Caroline:

What's up on July 31, Brneyznfl???? Couldn't we talk you into July 25???<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

It's very annoying and it gets in the way of my cruising sometimes..it's call my job LOL There are only certain times of the month that I can take off.

 

Keeping my fingers crossed! I would love to go to Alaska with a group! I've sailed with several CC group cruises and they are so much fun! If you're a single like me, it's really ideal because you will already "know" people when you get to the ship and you don't have to worry about finding others to hang out with. I've made some great friendships from the group cruises.

 

Jan

 

 

NEXT CRUISE - MIRACLE 2/13/05!

 

Triumph, Inspiration, Holiday, Explorer of the Seas, Granduer of the Seas, Glory, Conquest, Sensation

[mii]

I am all for the back to back as someone suggested. That will make double the fun.

 

 

Marilyn

[Kayla's Mom]

We jusr booked the Island Princess northbound for August 2005, but we are waiting to see how your groups rates are, Caroline. We'd be up for the 25th, but prefer the 31st.

 

Thanks. Can't wait!

 

RCCI Legend of the Seas to Alaska 8/02

NCL Star to Hawaii 04/04

[Host Caroline]

OHH.. back to back? that would be awesome.. or get off the Diamond and on the Sapphire on Sunday????? I'm also working with a friend in Seattle to get us group rates for a two-night precruise package in Seattle for those who want to come in early AND with some tour operators I know in Alaska to get some special tours (purely optional, of course) lined up

It's been 8 years but the old "travel agent" juices are startin' to flow again

Did you see the port times? We have about 12 hours in both Juneau and Skagway???!

Several people I work with are already going.. this will be one great group!!

 

Host Caroline

<font SIZE="1">Join me on the beautiful Diamond Princess in July 2005 for Cruise Critic's Awesome Alaskan Adventure --You'll have a whale of a good time!

 

Sept 04-Royal Hounds Mariner of the Seas

Feb 05-Partae Pirates Carnival Miracle

One can never have too many days at sea..</font>

[Lynda90]

I know the prices are not available yet, but is there a website to view the schedules and itineraries?

 

Thanks

[Host Caroline]

The Princess website didn't have '05 up yet yeterday but they are pretty much the same as this year from what I've read. The itinerary for the Regal from San Fran will alternate instead of changing as much I think but hoping Diamond is the same.. I chose that one for the awesome port calls time.

 

Host Caroline

<font SIZE="1">Join me on the beautiful Diamond Princess in July 2005 for Cruise Critic's Awesome Alaskan Adventure --You'll have a whale of a good time!

 

Sept 04-Royal Hounds Mariner of the Seas

Feb 05-Partae Pirates Carnival Miracle

One can never have too many days at sea..</font>

[booth22]

Caroline, hopefully prices come out soon! We were planning a friends and family cruise for next summer to alaska (5-12 people depending on dates, prices, ect.) and this is right up our alley! We were thinking end of july and you read our minds! And the extra days in seattle sound great as well... Keep us posted on dates and prices as we are checking the boards constantly for updates.

 

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover."

 

Mark Twain

[LEtue]

This announcement from Princess was posted on another cruise mesaage board....

 

5/24/2004

 

PRINCESS' 2005 INSIDE PASSAGE PROGRAM FEATURES MORE SAILINGS ON WEST

COAST'S LARGEST AND MOST AMENITY-FILLED VESSELS

Convenient Roundtrip Voyages Offered from Seattle and San Francisco

 

Princess will offer additional Alaska Inside Passage cruising in 2005,

with more sailings on its convenient roundtrip itinerary from Seattle

on the new Sapphire Princess and sister ship Diamond Princess -- the

largest and most amenity-filled vessels to sail on the West Coast.

They are joined once again by Regal Princess' popular sailings from

San Francisco.

In total the line will offer 53 departures on three itineraries, all

featuring the convenience of easily accessible home ports. These

roundtrip cruises complement Princess' other 2005 Alaska option, the

"Voyage of the Glaciers" Gulf of Alaska itinerary, available on four

ships. With the Inside Passage program, passengers enjoy an easily

accessible U.S.-based discovery adventure that also offers the

opportunity to add a land tour to the Canadian Rockies or take

advantage of the many attractions in the ships' home ports with pre-

or post-cruise stays in Seattle or San Francisco.

 

"The debut of Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess last year really

made our Inside Passage cruises a phenomenal addition to our Alaska

program," said Alan Buckelew, president of Princess Cruises. "This

year we've added even more sailings to make these cruises available

for additional passengers who want an easy and carefree way to enjoy

the best of the Inside Passage."

 

Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess Sail From Seattle

 

Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess return to Seattle to offer a

seven-day roundtrip voyages calling at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and

Victoria, plus cruise through the dramatic glaciers, rock walls and

waterfalls of Tracy Arm and the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Diamond Princess

will offer 20 voyages on this itinerary departing on Saturdays between

May 7 and September 17, 2005, while Sapphire Princess will offer 19

voyages departing on Sundays, beginning May 15 and continuing through

September 18.

 

Regal Princess from San Francisco

 

Regal Princess will offer 14 departures between May 8 and September 15

on a 10-day Inside Passage itinerary roundtrip from "The City by the

Bay," San Francisco. Passengers have a choice of itineraries that

feature calls at Victoria, Juneau and two other scenic Alaska ports

that rotate between Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway or Haines. All voyages

also offer premiere glacier viewing in Tracy Arm.

 

Canadian Rockies Cruisetours

 

Passengers who would like to add to their vacation have three Canadian

Rockies tour options designed to coordinate with Inside Passage

cruises from Seattle. Princess' escorted itineraries take guests to

the heart of these spectacular mountains with visits to Banff, Jasper,

Calgary and Kamloops, along with other local highlights. The 12- and

13-night packages feature stays at the area's premiere Fairmont resort

properties such as the Chateau Lake Louise, Banff Springs Hotel and

Jasper Park Lodge.

 

The Seattle-based Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess offer Inside

Passage passengers the opportunity to enjoy the Alaskan scenery from

the comfort of the West Coast's largest and most amenity-filled

vessels. These "gems" of the Princess fleet feature such innovations

at themed main dining rooms -- Italian, Asian, Southwestern and

steakhouse. Other popular features include the largest Internet Café

at sea, multiple show lounges, a wedding chapel, Lotus Spa, a

multi-room youth center, and Princess' trademark balcony staterooms,

perfect for enjoying the dramatic glacier views.

 

Early booking fares for Inside Passage voyages start at $899 for

cruises and $2,599 for Canadian Rockies cruisetours.

 

One of the best-known names in North American cruising, Princess

Cruises is a global cruise and tour company. Part of Carnival

Corporation (NYSE: CCL), its current fleet of 14 ships sail on

approximately 150 different itineraries around the globe, calling at

more than 260 ports on all seven continents. Additional information is

available through a professional travel agent.

 

 

Linda

 

Carnival Miracle 11/07/04

 

Jewel of the Seas 11/20/04 - Thanksgiving Journey on the Jewel

http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=47

 

Brilliance of the Seas 6/5/05 - Mediterranean

http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=51

 

[Host Caroline]

The press release came out Monday and we checked with Princess- they still don't have group pricing out yet. Since individual bookings are open, it should be any day now. "The boss" is on top of it!

 

Caroline

[Italy52]

Caroline By individual bookings, do you mean that I can book my 8/05 Seattle to Seattle trip now? I haven't found anything on websites nor have I heard from my TA stating that prices are out.

[LEtue]

Caroline,

 

I agree...it should be any day now. At least they are finally releasing info

 

Carnival Miracle 11/07/04

 

Jewel of the Seas 11/20/04 - Thanksgiving Journey on the Jewel

http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=47

 

Brilliance of the Seas 6/5/05 - Mediterranean

http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=51

 

[Italy52]

Caroline Disregard my previous post. I called Princess this morning and they stated that 2005 pricing and itinerary for Seattle-Seattle cruises will not be out until June 4th.

[Lynda90]

So far, everyone who has called Princess has gotten a different answer. Wish they would get a firm answer that is given to all. (a bit of venting).

 

Lynda

[Italy52]

Lynda I'm with you. When I called Princess today the rep. said she had received a memo stating that June 4th would be the date. She even pulled up the memo on her computer to verify the information she was giving to me. We are presently holding a back-up reservation on RCCL's Radiance of the Sea. Would like to cancel it but won't until we have our Princess reservation cast in stone. I just don't understand what the hold up is all about.

[Lynda90]

Thanks, Italy. That sounds official. I will be on my last day on Diamond to Alaska on 6/4. I'm hoping they will release the info to us while on board. I plan to put a $100 deposit down on future cruise. Two more days!

 

Lynda

[Italy52]

Lynda Best wishes for a wonderful cruise, good weather, and many happy memories. Can't wait to hear all about your trip.

[NightOne]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Host Caroline:

I'm going to be hosting an "official" CC group cruise to Alaska next summer -- will Princess _ever_ get their rates out I'm thinking Diamond Princess from Seattle in July 24 or July 31 time frame <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Why not also consider the Sapphire Princess?

 

It's the newer ship and you know how people like to book the newest ships. If the itinerary stays the same as 2004 then it does Ketchikan as the 1st port rather than Juneau and continues the ports from a south to north. Similar to a Voyage of the Glaciers. Completely debatable, but I think it is has a better itinerary than the Diamond.

 

Just a thought.

 

 

Time until Sailing

[jemingway]

This sounds good to me as long as it is July 24, rather than a later date. Couldn't go the next week.

 

JV The 4 stages of cruising: planning, anticipation, experience and reflection.

[Lynda90]

Italy,

 

Thanks for your good wishes. I will try to post something while I'm on the ship. Hopefully, the internet connection will be working. I am soooo excited. Especially with the suite upgrade.

Lynda