Find Help In Navigating Through All The Cruise Deal Offers During Wave Season

Find Help In Navigating Through All The Cruise Deal Offers During Wave Season

Searching for and evaluating all the cruise deals on offer during wave season, especially senior, family or group offers, has always been challenging.  But a new Cruise Finder at Cruise Direct Online just made the process a little easier. This new tool will help cruise travelers find the cruise that is best suited to their individual needs. Cruise Travelers can compare up to 4 offers side by side helping consumers navigate the complicated cruise travel marketplace.

Wave Season is the annual cruise sales period from January to March when a majority of cruise vacations are sold both by online and traditional "Brick and Mortar" travel agents.

The new information can be found at http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/cruiseconnect.htm , and offers features such as:

• cruises from up to 24 brand-name cruise lines
• side-by-side comparisons of ships, sailing dates
• compare the ports-of-call
• read  a "Cruise Critic" cruise ship and cruise line review
• find discount prices, special offers for seniors, families
• see if you qualify for resident rates based on where you live
• Are you in the Military or community service, such as a Teacher, EMT , Police Officer or Firefighter, you may qualify for special rates
• sruise tips, answers to your questions and expert advice
• all on one easy to read page. Compare and save!

To show you how it works, Cruise Direct Online chose 4 cruise lines ( Disney, NCL, Royal Caribbean and Carnival ) and 4 cruise ships ( Disney Wonder, Norwegian Sky, Monarch of the Seas and Carnival Sensation)  that sail to the Bahamas to compare side-by-side. Prices varied from $229 to $519 for an inside cabin on a 3 day cruise in the same general time period ( August ) and remarkably one cruise came out on top, charging only $215 for a 4 day cruise out of Port Canaveral.  One extra day at a cheaper price! You can also read about what others who sailed on these ships had to say. 63 cruise reviews in all. You can choose any destination or cruise ship to compare side by side to 4 others. The results can be found at http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/cruiseconnect.htm

There is also a section for first-time cruisers 'What to know before you go" with tips, a cruising guide and travel advice. 

If you've never cruised before, you probably have a boatload of questions. That's why you need this indispensible first-time cruiser's guide, filled with useful cruising tips, expert advice, and more.  Find answers to your most pressing questions, get advice on how to choose the perfect ship, cruise line, and stateroom, use the cruise destinations guide to plan your trip, and learn more about the action-packed activities that await onboard. Get your sea legs before you sail with these first-time cruiser tips.
How do I know I am getting a good cruise deal?

Consumers spend countless hours surfing the internet in search of the best cruise deal. Every web site they visit proclaims to have the best deal. But how do you know that's true?  For most web sites, it's nearly impossible to tell if you're getting a great cruise deal or not. That's because there are many variables that affect the price and value of your cruise experience.

Ever cruise ship is different. Some are new, some are old. Some are big. Even gigantic, like the Oasis or Allure of the Seas with nearly 6,000 people on board. Others are more intimate, like Windstar's Wind Surf with 150 guests.

Prices, onboard amenities, accommodations, entertainment all vary from ship to ship. The itinerary isn't often the same. It can be very confusing.

So, the new Cruise Finder allows consumers to compare side-by-side up to 8 variables for the same destination and number of days sailing. Would that help consumers make more informed choices? The information provided with the Cruise Finder makes the cruise travel marketplace more transparent than ever before, so it is easier to evaluate the value and cost of cruising.

Compare cruises from brand-name cruise lines, view side-by-side comparisons of ships, the itinerary, cruise review, traveler rating, sailing dates, discount prices, special offers and cruise tips.  View photo's of ships and staterooms, public areas and more. Check out the onboard activities and shore excursions.  

After reviewing the data, you can choose to book online or speak with a professional travel agent who can help you determine which cruise best meets your vacation and budget needs. 

Exercise Extreme Caution Before Bargain Shopping For A Cruise Vacation

We pride ourselves on being savvy bargain hunters. Online coupons, online discounts, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Cruise Tuesday and the ease in how we comparison shop on everything from a blu-ray DVD player to a cruise vacation has made it faster than ever for consumers to hunt down bargains. However, there are some things that are more important than just getting the cheapest cruise deal.

Cruise travel is a perfect example. There’s an array of online travel companies offering cruise deal quotes.

Travelocity, Expedia, Priceline, or Cruise Direct, just to name a few.

Although there is an appeal in convenience and a supposed bargain, cruise travel isn’t a one-size-fits-all vacation. The “right” cruise for you involves much more than cost; much like an electronics buyer doesn’t just consider cost when purchasing a new 50 inch 3-D HD TV. If typing in your criteria and clicking the “buy now” button on the cheapest 3-D Television you can find sounds unwise, then planning your cruise vacation this way should seem just as misguided.

Of course, cost should be a consideration when booking a cruise, but consumers should also consider:

Determine the Vacation Value

“You get what you pay for” is an apt adage for just about anything we purchase these days. What one cruise travel company touts as a bargain vacation is usually nothing more than a cruise line offering an inside cabin, at the very bottom of the ship, next to the disco and miles of walking to the nearest elevator to get to the ship's dining room or entertainment venues. Cruise costs are priced based on the deck and location of a cabin and the type of accommodation: inside, outside, balcony or a suite.  Book the wrong sized cabin for your family and for 7 days you may feel like sardines in a can.  And, you can't ask for another room like at a hotel, because the ship likely to be sold out. Many cruises will appear to be similar, visiting the same ports-of-call, but the shipboard amenities, size of accommodation, caliber of food and service, even the most subtle variation can result in a significant cost, value, and benefit difference.

Determine What Your Travel Needs Are

There are many types of Cruises: adventure and wildlife ( Alaska ),  sunshine and shopping ( The Caribbean ), exotic ( Asia and the Far East ), cultural and historic ( Europe ).

Each of these types is also available in dozens of unique itinerary variations. Some cruise ships cater to an older crowd ( Holland America ),  others to party-hardy cruisers ( Carnival ). Some are more family-friendly ( Royal Caribbean, Disney ).  It might seem daunting to evaluate the benefits and features associated with each type of cruise, but that is truly the only way to guarantee that you obtain the best cruise for your specific need.  Opting for the cheapest cruise, regardless of whether it actually meets your need, can actually ruin you vacation plans.

Consult with a Knowledgeable and Experienced Professional

A cruise vacation, or any vacation for that matter, when purchased correctly, can lead to a fun, exciting and most memorable experience.  However, it is also costs a lot of your hard-earned money, and you want to make sure that every dollar is going toward an experience that is best for you and your family.

A cruise travel expert can help you navigate the waters, lay out the best travel options, and recommend a cruise that bests accommodate your needs.  Best of all, if you have a question or concern about your vacation, you aren’t limited to speaking to a telemarketer or looking up the answer at an online “FAQ” page.

Think Twice Before Buying A Cruise Direct From The Cruise Line

Want to book your cruise directly with the cruise line? Think again.

Calling the cruise line does not always result in the lowest cost or the right choice.  It does, however, mean that you will connected to a call center and the person answering the phone is never the same person when you call again.  As with any telemarketing organization, there is often high turnover in these positions, so you might never develop a relationship you can rely on, nor get the answers you seek.

When you are considering a cruise vacation, you probably want to count on a travel agent to assist you in understanding the many options available. For instance, what type of cabin should you choose? Should you pay for travel insurance or not? Should your teenager kids have their own cabin? How large a cabin do I need? Do I really want a balcony cabin at a higher cost? Why should I choose this cruise ship over another? 

You won't get those answers from the cruise line. You see they represent only their product. They aren't going to help you compare their offerings to others in the business. The telemarketer on the phone may only be interested in getting you to book as quickly as possible, so he or she can get on to the next person waiting in the queue.

Although it is possible that you might attain the best price directly from the cruise line, it is also likely that you might not. More importantly, you might get what appears on the surface to be a better deal, but on closer examination is not as good as you originally thought.

You may qualify for a special rate based upon where you live, or based on your age ( seniors of kids ). You may be serving in the military, a community service worker: teacher, firefighter, or police officer. There are special offers out there just for you.  But if you don't know to ask for them, you won't get them, as often the cruise line's telemarketer doesn't volunteer that information. Their interest is self-serving. Get you to book a cruise at the highest cost possible.

Travel agents, on the other hand, especially those that specialize in cruise vacations have a lot of clout in the industry. They are able to negotiate group rates and offer you a cruise vacation, one that fits your needs,  that costs hundred's of dollars cheaper than you can by going to the cruise line direct.  And, you don't even have to belong to the "group" to get the deal. Anyone can "Book In" and pocket the savings.

Travel Agents earn a commission (10-15% of the cruise fare) when they sell a cruise. If you book direct from the cruise line, guess what?  The cruise line is not going to cut the price, and pass the savings onto you, even though they pocket that commission as extra profit.  In most cases travel agents do not charge for their services, so why not take advantage of their knowledge and experience and get your 15% worth.

Your travel professional has spend quality time with you, knows you and understands your needs. Someone at the cruise line you have never talked to before might not know enough about you to recommend the best choice for your cruise vacation.  If they don’t know you, how will they know what to recommend?  A cruise travel advisor who knows you and your family needs is in a much better position to make sure you know which cruise line, ship, itinerary and price meets your needs.

So, if you are wondering if you might get a better deal on your cruise vacation if you buy direct and cut out the middleman. You won't.

Booking Direct With The Cruise Line. Good or Bad?

COMMENTS AND OPINION FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

So, your thinking about going on a cruise. Good. Now's a great time to go. Looking for a great deal?...who isn't.

Starting to search the Internet, visit some 3rd party sites, read the blogs for advice, do some social networking, or just reading the latest ads.

You've seen those ads. Lots of them. All over the internet. Cruise lines that entice you to book directly with them online. You get flyers and brochures via snail mail ( postal service ) and your inbox is cluttered with message after message, about this deal or that.

So, your hooked. You visit the cruise line's web site. Perhaps give them a call.

The call center agent tells you that it is easy to book your cruise online. You can do it yourself. It's really easy. 

But wait just a minute. Your about to make an Alaska cruise and tour purchase of $1000.00 or more per person. This is no under twenty-five dollar book purchase. You will be giving out your credit card number and personal information to someone likely part of a very large call center. Call centers have hundred's of telephone order takers. Turnover is huge. If you call again, you're not likely to speak the the same person. And some call centers aren't even based here in the good old USA. Your phone call may be outsourced overseas. Now, your personal information and credit card number is in India or some other foreign country.

So, now that you've spoken to the cruise line, you still think your cruise vacation plans are in excellent hands. Think again.

Cruise lines offer direct bookings because they save the commission that a travel agent gets if he or she handles the reservation. Do you think because their operating costs are less, they will reduce the price, because you booked direct. Not really.  The travel agent's commission is built into the price you pay, no matter if you book direct or go through a travel agent. You don't save a penny more if you book direct.

With direct bookings, cruise lines lower they operating costs by having a staff of order-takers in their reservations center. Most are commissioned salespeople with little knowledge of the destinations, cruise ships and services you seek. Their goal is simple: Try to get you to book the cruise as quickly as possible, so they can go on to the next call. After all, the more sales they close, the more money they make.

Do you think a commissioned salesperson has your best interest in mind?

Imagine what happens when you make a direct booking. You pass on your most personal information and you receive an e-mail delivered confirmation. That's it. The computer is now your "agent" and will notify you when your final payment is due, and tell you that you have to go line, fill out a lengthy profile information form, and print out your own boarding pass and final documents.  Efficient yes. Personable, available and as helpful as a real person. We don't think so.

Of course, you do have an alternative. Your Travel Agent.

Travel agents represent all the cruise lines - they don't promote one particular cruise line over the other. Choosing the right cruise experience for you is their number one priority.

Don't have a Travel Agent? Ask your neighbor, or friend to recommend one. Or, visit the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) website to find one.

 

Pick an agent who has sailed on most of the popular ships to many of the world's most interesting ports of call, so he or she can give you recommendations from first-hand knowledge and experience. Pick an agent that specializes in providing professional advice on planning cruises. Just cruises. These agents know their business, focusing exclusively on providing the best cruise experience to their guests.  Offering clear, objective information to take the guesswork out of selecting a cruise.

Your travel agent is there to provide service. Period. He or she will take the time to help you plan your cruise vacation. They will compare what each cruise line offers. They will advise you about the cruise line and ship that best meets your needs. They are the only ones who will objectively review the advantages and disadvantages of cruising with this line or that. Booking directly just gets you a singular biased point-of-view. That's all.

Travel agents are involved in positively outrageous guest service.  They provide expert advice, not just a flood of information. They are a wealth of knowledge. Offering sound advice about ports, sightseeing options and even dining options. In addition to vast product and destination knowledge, travel agents have pricing incentives and advantages not necessarily offered directly by the cruise line to consumers.

To insure your every want and need is met, travel agents continually attend seminars at sea, taking classes and learning everything there is to know about the cruise industry. Travel agents  travel "round the world", visiting ports of call, inspecting ships, go on cruises, sample and critique shore excursions... They are constantly communicating, learning and passing on that knowledge and information to you.
 

They understand your needs. They give you good solid advice you can count on. They are knowledgeable of what's on offer. They are able to get you exceptional value for your cruise.
 

Your travel agent once engaged:

• May be able to offer you group rates ( without joining a group! ), free upgrades, shipboard credits and other amenities or discounts.  
• They receive daily faxes from the cruise lines offering special promotions, not offered by call centers,  so be sure to ask if there are any special offers available.
• Will offer the best possible cruise options based on your lifestyle, interests, budget, travel experience, etc.
• Will review the proper immigration/passport/birth certificate documentation necessary for your cruise.
• Arrange any special needs -- such as a handicap-designed stateroom, or a special diet.
• Inform you of your dining choices and ask if you prefer early or late seating , or "freestyle" dining where you can dine with whom you want, when you want... and arrange for any special occasions you might be celebrating like a birthday or anniversary. 
• Explain the importance of travel insurance to cover the unexpected such as trip delays, missed cruise connections and lost or delayed baggage.
• Give you General Information materials that cover over 18  "Things to Know Before You Go". 
• Point out your stateroom on the deck plan ( select deck plans available online ).
• Inform you when final payment is due and the deadline to request air deviations and arrange pre-or-post cruise land packages.
• Advise you about tipping; packing; clothing; flights and schedule options; shore excursions, etc.
• They want you to feel confident- and excited- about the choices you have, no matter if this is your first cruise or simply seeking a new adventure.
• They'll help you choose the cruise that's right for you--whether you're traveling alone, with children, or with a group of relatives or friends.
   

Booking direct only offers whatever the cruise line offers.

Travel agents are your advocate, offering a variety of options and sound advice, and that saves you time and money. Who is your advocate if you are dealing directly with the cruise line?

If you have read this far, we know you are seriously thinking about going on a cruise. Good. as we said, now's a great time to go. And we know your looking for a great deal.

When it comes to advice, there's a ton of it out there. Some good, Some bad, some, not very accurate. Cruise line call centers don't offer much advice at all. Everywhere on the internet, people these days have to put their two-cents of an opinion, out there for view. Some call that social networking. But how can you separate fact from fiction? What if, you could read detailed and comprehensive cruise reviews from professional travel writers and your fellow cruise travelers. Now that's a place to start.

But some sites have tens of thousands or more articles or reviews to read. You'll be there all night.  As a matter a fact several nights just to find what you want, then who knows how long to filter out all the information and mis-information. That's a daunting task you know you don't have time for. You should visit places like, cruise report or cruise reviews online. All good resources, but not your ultimate destination.

If you want an honest and complete, unbiased view of the cruising experience, see you travel agent.

Proactive Physical and Online Promotions Capitalize on Heightened Consumer Awareness for Expected $47+ million in New Cruise Sales

CLIA, CRUISE LINES AND TRAVEL AGENCIES GENERATE MILLIONS IN SALES DURING 2010 “WORLD LARGEST CRUISE NIGHT

Proactive Physical and Online Promotions Capitalize on Heightened Consumer Awareness for Expected $47+ million in New Sales, Over $6 Million in Potential Commissions

Fort Lauderdale, FL — November 15, 2010 — If sales during World’s Largest Cruise Night 2010 (WLCN) are any indication, consumer confidence is on the rebound. CLIA member cruise lines and travel agencies report an expected $47+ million in sales resulting from WLCN events on October 13 and virtual promotions throughout October, generating over $6 million in potential commissions, according to a new survey of participants*.

“Consumers across North America have responded strongly to World’s Largest Cruise Night, the cruise industry’s largest annual promotion, and to the many outstanding offers from CLIA member travel agencies and cruise lines,” said Bob Sharak, CLIA’s EVP, Marketing & Distribution. “This is a strong signal that the innovative vacation experiences and remarkable value offered by the cruise lines, combined with the marketing and promotional efforts of CLIA member travel agencies results in a successful sales formula. The result is a win-win-win situation for cruise lines, travel agents and, especially, the traveling public.”

CLIA agents reported that over 50,000 consumers attended physical WLCN cruise events held by a record 1,432 agencies this year. The events were diverse and held in travel agency offices, hotel ballrooms, restaurants, corporate offices and other venues. The CLIA travel agent survey reveals that agencies offering such physical WLCN events have already generated, or anticipate generating, a total of 21,475 bookings for an estimated $26 million in sales, potentially yielding more than an estimated $3 million in travel agency commissions. Over 95 percent of agents who registered to participate with a WLCN event indicated that they did so, a similar participation level as 2009.

CLIA introduced the Virtual WLCN option in 2007, expanding it into a month-long opportunity for agents this year. Nearly 3,200 agencies participated in 2010, sending email invitations to consumers inviting them to visit their customized WLCN Web site with cruise line videos, agency contact information and special offers. Agents surveyed project over 19,000 bookings and nearly $21 million in actual and future sales as a result of the leads and contacts generated through four weeks of Virtual WLCN participation. According to participating CLIA travel agencies, CLIA’s 2010 online and traditional WLCN events combined are projected to generate nearly 41,000 bookings and $47 million in sales, resulting in a more than $6 million in potential travel agency commissions.

“CLIA’s travel agent members and the cruise lines responded to WLCN like never before, recognizing the opportunity to build the foundation for a highly successful year ahead. It is obvious that their promotions and WLCN marketing initiatives resonated with a huge, untapped desire on the part of a broad range of consumers to shake off economic worries and travel again,” said Sharak. Participating cruise lines and agents echoed CLIA’s enthusiasm. Joni Rein, vice president of worldwide sales for Carnival Cruise Lines, said: "The WLCN event was a huge success for us as we took twice the number of bookings that day as compared to last year's event. We believe much of that increase was due to the exclusive booking offer we made which included best available upgrades, along with shipboard credits on our European sailings. That clearly helped our travel partners close the sale and earn more commissions. We were pleased that so many partners participated and demonstrated their interest in Carnival Magic's European program."

Scott Brandner, manager of sales promotions at Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, said: Uniworld was excited to participate in this year’s WLCN event and it was a resounding success.  During the week after WLCN, we saw significant bookings made in conjunction with the cruise night and our phones were buzzing! Each year we see a significant rise in our number of bookings in conjunction with WLCN and we look forward to next year."

“For the past three years, Cruise Planners has taken CLIA’s World’s Largest Cruise Night and turned it into a week-long event. This year demonstrated our largest participation ever, with over 10 nationwide live cruise nights, 50 virtual cruise nights, 200,000 direct mail pieces, 300,000 emails and 20 cruise line presentations. The theme, appropriately, was the ‘The Greatest Cruises on Earth,’ complete with various cruise line ‘shows’ and unique consumer benefits. Preliminary results show very strong double digit increases in deposited bookings over 2009 – but, historically, the true value of this event will be felt for months to come with even more incremental bookings. We could not have orchestrated such a successful event without the strong support of CLIA in terms of offers, online videos and agent training,” said Terri Burke, MCC, CTC, senior vice President, relationship marketing for Cruise Planners/American Express.

Candie and Dick Steinman, two Cruises Inc. Independent Contractors who founded Gateway Cruise and Travel Club in Fort Myers, Florida, felt that World’s Largest Cruise Night not only helped them gain business, but also gained them credibility in their community. “Having representatives from Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises join us for World’s Largest Cruise Night showed our Gateway community members that we are knowledgeable and respected in the cruise and travel profession. We received a lot of interest in future cruises after our event, and are meeting with a group this week to discuss future bookings, and a possible family reunion group!”

And, Charlie Funk, of Just Cruisin Plus in Nashville, commented: "We promoted WLCN to our 7,000 email subscribers. We used a drop-in format from 3:00 to 5:30 pm and had about 50 people attend. We took reservations and deposits for about $28,000 from those who attended over the next two days and have booked more since. In addition, we booked and deposited about $20,000 from those who received the email about the event, could not attend and asked us to extend the promotions we were using at the event. In a time when some agencies are reporting slower call traffic, we have been quite busy."

In 2009, travel agents report that WLCN drew consumers to 1,309 travel agency events that generated an estimated 40,000 bookings, $45 million in cruise sales and a potential $5.9 million in travel agency commissions. In its first year in 2005, CLIA’s WLCN promotion attracted 25,000 consumers to 400-plus agency events, generating an estimated 7,273 bookings, $9 million in cruise sales and $1.2 million in travel agency commissions.

# # #

About CLIA

The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America's largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 25 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel agencies. .

Cruise Line and Ship Ratings, Rankings and Reviews. Where To Find Who's Best Online.

From movies and books to restaurants and travel destinations, in today’s world, we all want to know what someone else thinks or has experienced before we try or buy. The same holds true for cruise vacations. Potential passengers want to know how cruise lines rated among seasoned travelers, how cruise lines rated among professionals in the industry, and how cruise lines rated in the media.

So how can consumers get a hold of cruise line ratings or find out how cruise lines rated in specific categories? Look no further than the web.

There are several informative websites available today offering everything from ratings and reviews to feature articles, on just about every cruise line across the country, if not the world.

Using these websites to find out how cruise lines rated is a great tool to use before you choose a cruise line or cruise ship. This is an especially important tool for first time cruisers, as ratings can give you an excellent idea of exactly what to expect before you board.

When cruise lines are rated, a wide variety of elements are considered such as the type of ship, size of ship, destinations, accommodations, amenities, activities, entertainment, price, service, excursions, ports of call, passengers, etc. In most cases the rating system is on a scale of 1 to 100, with  100 meaning “Outstanding.” In other cases, stars are used to rate cruise ships. Five star cruise ships offer the utmost in luxury.

Some of the top sites to find out how cruise lines rated include:
http://www.cruisecritic.com/ ,  www.cruisereviewsonline.com ,  http://www.cruisereport.com/ ,  http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/ , and http://www.cruisemates.com/

Cruisecritic.com offers more than just ratings and reviews, this site has several search functions to help you find everything from bargains and discounts to theme cruises, and exotic itineraries. The site also includes features, news, planning tools, and a variety of cruise message boards where fellow cruisers can exchange stories and information. http://www.cruisecritic.com/

Cruisemates.com offers two types of ratings: star ratings and value ratings. Star ratings are based on one question — “how good is this ship?” One star is the worst, five stars is the best. Cruisemates.com takes everything from age and accommodations to food, service, and entertainment into account when rating the
worlds cruise ships. Value ratings or “thumbs up” ratings are all about the “Bang for your Buck.” Five thumbs up means the ship is an excellent value while one thumb up means you won’t find much of anything that resembles a value here. http://www.cruisemates.com/

Ratings, rankings, and popularity contests — at Cruisereviewsonline.com find out which cruise ships are at the top and which ones are not. Get other information on cruise lines, as well as information, ratings and rankings on embarkation ports, and ports of call. http://www.cruisereviewsonline.com/

Cruisereport.com offers the lowdown on cruise lines from A to Z. Unbiased reviews, cruise searches, quotes, and feature articles are just a few of the sites extras. You can also search for “the perfect cruise,” and browse through news pieces about cruising. After checking out their ratings and reviews, you can also search for discounts and deals. With more than 50,000 visitors per month,  http://www.cruisereport.com/ has information on roughly 8,500 current sailings.

Cruisedirectonline.com relies on reader surveys to help keep ratings in check. In addition to offering information on how various cruise lines rated in all categories, visitors to the site will find top ten and top thirty lists, as well as feature articles about the best of the best in the world of cruising. The site has other information about discounts, as well as information on roughly 12,000 sailings. Cruise Direct Online has been featured in Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine, and on MSNBC, CNBC, MSN Money, and more! http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/
Source:
http://www.allaboutcruisesandmore.com/cruise-lines-rated

Family Cruisetours of Alaska. Full of memories and loaded with fun.

Specially Designed Family Cruisetours of Alaska Add a Variety of Included Extras Especially for Families

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (September 9, 2010) -- After a popular debut last year, Princess Cruises is once again offering special Alaska cruisetours designed just for families. These unique tours incorporate a variety of features not usually included in a cruisetour package, such as the opportunity to learn about dog mushing at the Iditarod Headquarters, pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park, and enjoy a fun campfire experience.
The 12-night family cruisetours include a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour. The land segment also features such family-friendly extras as daily breakfasts, a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and a dinner theater performance. At sea, families can also take advantage of Princess' many onboard programs especially for children, including a special Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National Park.
"Alaska is the perfect place for a family vacation," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "There are amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, awesome scenery and lots of active adventures. With this in mind, we wanted to make it easier for family groups to plan the perfect Alaska experience with activities that will appeal to many ages and interests."
Passengers can choose to sail aboard Diamond Princess or Coral Princess, and the cruisetour land itinerary includes stays at three of Princess' own wilderness lodges -- one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. The tours are offered on 34 departures with both northbound (#FUN) and southbound (#WOW) itinerary options.
The following special extras are included in the 2011 season tours:
Daily Breakfast -- Everyone in the family can start their morning off with the most important meal of the day.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center -- Wildlife appeals to all ages, and families will be able to see a variety of animals such as bears, elk, bison, moose, caribou, musk ox, coyotes and eagles with a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This non-profit organization takes in injured and orphaned animals and gives a permanent home to those that can't be returned to the wild.
Iditarod Headquarters with Dog Sled Ride -- En route to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, family members will enjoy a stop at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla. Here travelers can learn about mushing and its importance in Alaskan culture. The center offers the opportunity to meet sled dogs and see them at work with wheeled cart rides.
Evening Campfire Experience (Mt. McKinley) -- An evening campfire near the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is the perfect way for families to end the day, complete with treats such as s'mores and hot chocolate, plus unique Alaska stories and songs. Music of Denali Dinner Theater (Denali) -- This rollicking musical comedy tells the legend of the first expedition to the summit of Mt. McKinley, accompanied by a hearty, family-style meal featuring smokehouse ribs and Alaska salmon.
Experience Denali with Alaska Geographic Tour (Denali) -- A more intimate tour of Denali National Park, this special excursion includes a variety of interactive experiences, including an enhanced view of the Denali ecosystem and current research taking place. The narrated bus tour takes guests 15 miles into the park to a beautiful river valley where they embark on a short walk to the historic Savage River Camp, where they can participate in a number of hands-on activities.
Sourdough Expedition Breakfast (Denali) -- While fueling up for the day with an Alaskan roadhouse-style breakfast, guests experience an unforgettable journey up Denali through breathtaking images in Laurent Dick's Climb Denali. Participants have the opportunity to meet this real mountain climber and ask questions about mountain climbing.
Riverboat Cruise and El Dorado Goldmine Tour (Fairbanks) -- Families can enjoy traveling on an authentic sternwheeler for a fully-narrated cruise along the Chena River and try their hands at gold panning at the El Dorado Gold Mine, where they will learn about Alaska's gold mining history.
Fares for the Alaska Family Cruisetours start at $1,648 per person for the first and second berths, and $1,246 per person for the third and fourth berth passengers.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through this professional travel agent, by calling 800.365.1445, or by visiting the company's website at http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com/