Why choose Princess Cruises in Alaska for land tour or land cruise package

From Princess Cruises site:  Journey into the pristine waters of the Great Land with Princess Cruises, voted the “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” six consecutive years by readers of Travel Weekly. From soaring snowcapped mountain peaks to magnificent glacier-rimmed fjords and colorful marine life, you can see it all on an Alaskan cruise with Princess. Sail our breathtaking Voyage of the Glaciers cruise to the Gulf of Alaska or journey through the Inside Passage. Each cruise offers dazzling glacier-viewing opportunities and also visits charming Alaska ports, immersing you in the flavors and cultures of “America’s Last Frontier.”

 

From Princess, What's a Cruisetour?

A seamless land and sea vacation – three to eight days exploring the Alaskan wilderness, including at least two nights at Denali National Park and stays at Princess-owned wilderness lodges, plus a seven-day cruise along Alaska’s picturesque coast.

 

Princess lists some highlights of their land & sea cruisetour vacations:

•        Two or more nights at Denali on every Princess cruisetour, enjoying the treasures of the area and Mt. McKinley

•        A full day sailing Glacier Bay National Park, plus more glacier viewing at Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord, on every Princess cruisetour
•        Exciting Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service between your ship and Denali - where the majestic Alaska heartland unfolds before your eyes*                      •        Unbelievable wildlife viewing – bears, moose, caribou, bald eagles, Dall sheep and more
•        The comfort of wilderness lodges owned and operated by Princess, at the doorstep of legendary national parks
•        Hundreds of optional activities, like fly fishing, river rafting, kayaking, nature hikes, ATV adventures, dog-sledding and more

*On Your Own options do not include Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service.

 

Learn more about Alaska National Parks from Princess:  http://www.princess.com/learn/destinations/alaska/why_visit_alaska/national_parks/index.html

 

From Vivian:  Of course, my favorite cruise line has always seem to sway to Princess Cruises … “the Love Boat”.  Even a single person like myself, loves that feeling it gives !

Been years back, but I have taken classes with Princess; and the biggest thing that stood out with me and their teaching, was that, with Princess land packages, there will always be a fantastic beautiful view.

When first going to Denali, I recall, for their property in Denali, they were the first that offered “hard top” on their property; so when you wheeled your luggage, the wheels were not rolling in the dirt.  Also love the main lodge for everyone to come in and just lounge around.  Also, the creek, right off the public deck !

Also know, you can purchase Princess hotels in Alaska, without the cruise.  They have a special department.  Call me !

 

Isn’t it time you took your Princess Cruise/Tour ?  And confirm your 2013 today !

 

If you are already booked, can you have the cruise lines new Promo Offer or Lower Rates ?

Save yourself time ... Know the rules !

 

To get Promo offers, you must book on the certain dates outline in their rules. Their computer tells them when you booked, so they can’t force this !  Just like they can’t go back, and give you a promo offer that was available the week before you bought !  GO IMMEDIATELY TO THEIR RULES … Usually it says, for “new bookings only”.

Know this about Royal Caribbean … If you cancel and rebook, their new offer is automatically “null” to you; they do not put the promo on your booking till “after” they have gone over it to see that all rules were followed).  Just imagine folks who buy on their own and cancel, only to their cruise and discover that they are not going to get the amenities !

Know this about Carnival …  85% of the cruisers today are buying a Carnival product that is 100% non-refundable, so you would have to cancel and loose deposit, then rebook !  Sadly, folks who buy their cruise with Carnival, on their own, do not know the rules !

Do yourself a favor, STOP looking at “all promos”, once you are booked, unless you are contemplating purchasing an additional cruise !

If you still want to look, GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE RULES, and see if your cruise is applicable, before getting excited that you just might qualify.

 

In most cases, the only chance you have at saving money, once you have booked, is if there’s a lower rate ! 

And if you have already paid in full, then it’s time to forget the lower rate opportunity ! 

LOOK … THERE’S AN EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE !   If you bought a Carnival Early Saver Rate, you can have the lowest qualifying rate available, up till 2 days from sailing.

POSSIBLY ANOTHER EXCEPTION.  Royal Caribbean (and other cruise lines) may allow you to upgrade (but no return money) !

Again, do yourself a favor, once you have paid final payment - STOP looking at rates, unless you are hoping to get to a higher category at a lower rate !

 

However, if you are NOT paid in full, the next question to you is … Which cruise line are you on ?

Holland America or Princess.  If they are offering a “Flash” promo, only new bookings can have this. 

Carnival.  Super Saver, Instant Saver, and Easy Saver Rates are Not price protected; this means, no price reduction !

Other cruise lines, call if you see a lower rate before final payment!

 

However, remember, be sure the LOWER RATE IS IN YOUR CATEGORY !  Check online, to specifically know, the price for your category !

Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Princess.  Just cause they have a sale, it does not mean your category is not on sale !  Yet often, you might be able to upgrade if it is a higher category !

Royal Caribbean "caution".  There are times, when there are select lower rates that might not be applicable to an offer you originally bought.  You could easily have them change you to the new offer and automatically loose the offer you had originally bought !  Could be a Crown & Anchor offer; a booking you made onboard; a Senior or Resident Rate.  Problem is, this happens often; beware playing with Royal Caribbean after you originally buy or buy onboard !

Carnival.  If the offer is in a higher category, Carnival will usually allow you to upgrade, even if it’s a Super Saver, Instant Saver or Easy Saver Rate.  This rules could change !

 

Please remember, those last minute sales (after you have paid final payment), these are so the cruise line can get rid of this left over space (this helps keep your price down); it’s often cabin locations that folks don’t want.  Why not give these folks a lower rate ?!


If I did not answer your question or the scenerio you come up with, let me know, and I can add this to this article.

 

 

Which Caribbean Resort

My cruise clients often ask, if I were to opt for a resort in the Caribbean, instead of a cruise, which one ?

Just pictures 100’d of emails a day from the cruise lines.  Now add 100,000 resort emails on top of that !

Thankfully, with specializing in one of area of travel for 21 years, with cruises, I have been able to experience over 110 cruises (variety of cruise lines and river cruises and destinations all over the World !   Trying to visit all the resorts in the World, or even, just in the Caribbean, would take 4-5 life times !

In honesty, the best way to know and choose from all that is available, like cruises, is from reading about what all the famouse travel critics and travel writers say !  Like Frommers , Froders, Gene Sloan and more !

And then your next step would be to purchase your package, through your agent (and yes, we too now, purchase and service land tour packages for our cruise clients), who in turn, purchases your package from a company who has personally checked out these resorts (and often grades them on their site).  Such tour operators as Apple Vacations, Fun Jet Vacations, Travel Impressions, and more !  Before even calling your agent, you can visit the websites of these vendors, first hand, online.
Sample offers:  http://ebm.e.travimp.com/c/tag/hBRB$P2B7u-H5B8whWkNMl0GwvZ/doc.html?t_params=

 

Enjoy some of these helpful articles I found online.

 

22 pages of info – provided by Travel Weekly:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-resorts-in-the-caribbean

10 best All Inclusives

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_5650.html

10 best All-Inclusives for families

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=how%20many%20resorts%20in%20the%20caribbean&source=web&cd=25&cad=rja&ved=0CFUQFjAEOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.familyvacationcritic.com%2F10-best-all-inclusive-family-resorts%2Fart%2F&ei=8OEHUeqUNoXD0QGG2oCYCw&usg=AFQjCNHaMqKStsSEtNVVa9ygUnuXaqFMng&bvm=bv.41524429,d.dmQ

Top 10 resorts for Families

http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/international/10-best-caribbean-resorts-for-families/

7 Caribbean resorts to go all out for families

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/travel/07familycaribbean.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

10 best affordable Caribbean destinations

http://travel.usnews.com/Rankings/Best_Affordable_Caribbean_Destinations/

25 budget Family Resorts

http://www.familytravelnetwork.com/articles/best-budget.asp



Before you decide to consider venturing off to a resort, call me !  Love to hear your personal reasoning !