News from the Cruiselines
Scroll Down
to view news from companies
in the Alaska cruise trade
"Un-cruise" Expedition Ships and Upscale Yachts
Sail Alaska, Hawaii, Sea of Cortés, Pacific Northwest
Travelers searching for an un-cruise adventure with InnerSea Discoveries and American Safari Cruises may now browse one combined website detailing the line’s active adventures aboard expedition ships and upscale yachts. The company’s new website, www.innerseadiscoveries.com, merges un-cruise adventures for both brands into one comprehensive website.
“Bringing the two brands closer together into one website will help travelers compare and choose the right match for their group size, activity level, travel style and budget,“ said Tim Jacox, executive vice president of sales and marketing.
Highlights of the new website include a search function to “Find Your Perfect Un-Cruise.” Visitors can search by destination, brand, interest, departure date or ship. Four upscale yachts and three expedition ships sail in Southeast Alaska on seven- to 21-night voyages. The yachts of American Safari Cruises also sail in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, the Hawaiian Islands, Washington and British Columbia and the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Special interest sailings include kids’ adventures, photography and culinary/wine theme cruises.
Norwegian Cruise Line Announces 2013 Sailings;
Third Ship Added to NCL Vessels Cruising Alaska
Norwegian Cruise Line has as announced the company's Alaska cruiseship deployment for the 2013 season with the addition of a third ship in Alaska. Norwegian Sun will sail seven-night one-way itineraries between Vancouver, B.C. and Whittier, Alaska. The vessel will join Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl, marking the first time NCL has offered three ships in Alaska since 2009.
"Alaska, with its extraordinary beauty and wildlife, continues to be an extremely popular summer destination for cruisers and therefore there is a lot of demand for increased capacity and more varied and unique cruises," said Kevin Sheehan, the company's chief executive officer.
In Alaska, beginning May 20, 2013, Norwegian Sun’s northbound itinerary departs Vancouver, British Columbia and will cruise the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier and make stops in Alaskan favorites Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau. On southbound itineraries from Whittier the ship will cruise the Inside Passage, Sawyer Glacier and Hubbard Glacier, as well as making stops in Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Icy Strait Point.
The announcement notes further that beginning May 18, 2013, Norwegian Jewel will sail a series of 18 seven-day Sawyer Glacier itineraries from Seattle, WA every Saturday with stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia. Norwegian officials note that the Jewel "not only offers a fantastic itinerary, but also brings extra fun for the kids with Nickelodeon family programming." Norwegian Pearl begins a series of 18 seven-day Glacier Bay itineraries from Seattle, Washington every Sunday with stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska; along with Victoria, British Columbia.
New for the 2013 summer season in Alaska are four cruisetour options which provide the opportunity to combine a pre or post-cruise land package with Norwegian Sun’s cruises from Whittier, Alaska. Ranging in length from four to six days, the Cruisetours feature two nights in Denali National Park and are fully escorted by local Alaskan tour guides for the most authentic experience possible. Highlights of the cruisetours also include a stop at an Iditarod sled dog musher’s house (on four and five-night tours), along with a ride on the Alaskan railroad. More details on the Alaska Cruisetours will be available in early 2012.
More information about Norwegian Cruise Line and its Alaska programs is available from www.ncl.com.
American Cruise Lines Will Cruise Alaska in 2012!
American Cruise Lines has announced it will enter the Alaska cruise market in 2012 offering 12 seven-night to 11-night cruises.
Beginning June 2, 2012 American Cruise Lines will offer several different Alaskan itineraries, including round trip cruises departing from Juneau, Alaska, and one-way cruises between Juneau and Seattle, Washington. Season opener will embark from Seattle June 2; season closer will commence from Juneau August 25.
Which of the 100-guest ships among the company’s fleet will be selected for Alaska cruising has not yet been determined but, says the company announcement: “New and returning passengers can expect all the modern onboard amenities – oversized staterooms and bathrooms, private balconies and elevators, along with exceptional locale-inspired cuisine and highly personalized service.”
About American Cruise Lines: The company operates the newest fleet of small ships in the industry and offers more than 20 unique itineraries along the inland waterways and rivers of the Pacific Northwest, the Mississippi River System, the East Coast of the United States and now the Inside Passage to and within Alaska.
For more information visit www.americancruiselines.com or call 1-800-460-4518.
Princess Cruises Will Add Alaska Ship in 2012
After two years operating just three ships on its "Voyage of the Glaciers" route in Alaska, Princess Cruises has announced it will return a fourth vessel to its signature itinerary for the 2012 summer season. This makes for a total seven-vessel deployment in 2012, more than any other cruiseline.In addition to the more northerly "Voyage of the Glaciers" option, Princess has traditionally also scheduled Inside Passage round trips from Seattle and San Francisco to Southeast Alaska and return.
For more information, contact Princess at 1-800-PRINCESS or visit www.princess.com.
BC Ferries Offers Summer Service to Prince Rupert;
Connects With Alaska Ferries For Sailings To Alaska
BC Ferries has ramped up its service for summer season travel between highway-accessible Port Hardy at the northerly end of Vancouver Island and Prince Rupert. One of the line's newest vessels, Northern Expedition, operates the Inside Passage route.
The 15-hour journey aboard the vessel follows the rugged B.C. coastline and offers stunning vistas of unspoiled wilderness. The relaxing voyage (north or southbound on alternate days) often entertains travellers with sightings of bald eagles, porpoises, whales and other west coast wildlife.
The 150-metre Northern Expedition features 55 modern staterooms, and accommodates 600 passengers and 130 vehicles. The day-cruise boasts spacious passenger areas such as the Canoe Cafe, Vista Restaurant and the Raven and Aurora Lounges with a comfortable and stylish atmosphere.
Alaska-bound passengers can connect at Prince Rupert with Alaska Marine Highway System ferries for near-daily departures to Ketchikakn and Alaska ports north.
For more information contact BC Ferries at 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779) or visit
www.bcferries.com.
.
Princess Continues Fully Digital Travel Documents
The timely digital documents include anemail series filled with personalized pre-cruise information, a downloadable Princess Countdown ConnectionTM widget that delivers useful and entertaining information to a passenger’s computer, personalized online luggage tags, and customizable shore excursion eBooks. The change from printed information to fully digital documents applies to all North American passengers.
Adventure Line Maple Leaf Gives 1% for the Planet
Cruises and cruise-tours can be an eco-friendly way to travel, notes
one cruise executive whose company is active in the BC/Alaska cruise
scene. For example, Kevin Smith's Maple
Leaf
Adventures is a tour organization that
offers Alaska
adventure cruises aboard a sailing ship. and is the first cruise
company in the world to give one percent of its Alaska ecotour revenues
to conservation through "1% For The Planet."1% For The Planet, set up by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and Craig Matthews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, is an alliance of businesses who donate a percentage of sales (not profits) to environmental conservation. It currently has 961 company members who donate to 1,628 environmental organizations worldwide. Musician Jack Johnson is a member, as are clothing companies Patagonia and Mountain Equipment Co-op.
Maple Leaf Adventures’ tours are similar to Galapagos cruises or African safaris, but instead explore the islands, fjords and rainforests of southeast Alaska. Wildlife viewing, nature interpretation and cultural history are paramount. A small group of guests travels aboard the 92-foot classic schooner Maple Leaf and on frequent shore explorations, accompanied by expert naturalist, chef, captain and crew.
“We’re thrilled to see Maple Leaf Adventures leading the way in the travel industry,” says Terry Kellogg, executive director of 1% For The Planet. “Experiential travel can be good for the planet, when it’s done on a small scale, with strong environmental ethics, and enriched by opportunities for guests to learn.”
For more information, contact Maple Leaf Adventures at 1-888-599-5323 or visit www.MapleLeafAdventures.com
.