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Thursday, February 18, 2010

The Alaska season is just a few months away! From May through September, cruise ships sail to scenic Alaska on a variety of itineraries.

New Itineraries in Alaska for 2010.

• Holland America - ms Amsterdam sails a new 14-day itinerary round-trip from Seattle, May 17 to September 6, 2010. The Alaskan Adventurer cruise includes three Glacier viewing days at Tracy Arm for the Sawyer Glaciers, Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay. Rare port calls include Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak along with the popular Inside Passage ports of Skagway, Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, Alaska plus Victoria, BC.
  
• Celebrity Cruises - Infinity will sail new, seven-night Alaska Tracy Arm fjord cruises round-trip from Seattle, May 21 through September 17, 2010. Infinity will sail the spectacular Tracy Arm Fjord with its steep walls to reach the Sawyer Glaciers. Port calls include Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska plus Victoria, BC. Departing Fridays from May 21 through September 17, 2010.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

We all know the famous question: “Are we there yet?” Traveling by plane with kids does not have to be draining. Here is a checklist to help right from the planning stages of your trip so you will arrive at your destination excited and ready to have fun.

Start by making things easier – If your budget is a little flexible, the best practice is have as few connections as possible. Book direct or non-stop flights whenever you can.

Make sure you arrive at the airport early so you are not stressed while finding parking, checking in and getting through security. Realize that traveling with young children always takes longer to walk through the airport than you expect.

Have your children carry their own bags with snack and entertainment items. Even toddlers can wear backpacks or use rolling bags and they like the responsibility. You may also want to carry on any favorite stuffed animal to avoid a problem if the checked bag gets lost.

Bring a favorite pillow to help your children sleep on the flight and on while on vacation. Airlines no longer supply everyone with pillows on flights.

Have some healthy snacks packed. Don't rely on the schedule of the flight attendants for food. Bring some paper cups and buy a bottle of water after you get through security. Some people take an empty water bottle and fill it after getting through security, saving money and the wait in line to purchase water.

Bring your own entertainment. Do not count on the movie selection being appropriate for children or being something that can hold their attention. Here are some suggestions for the different age groups:

• Older Babies and Toddlers - nested containers, sets of things to put into containers, Busy Boxes with hand activities and moving parts, board books, blanket, stuffed animal
• Pre-Schoolers - books, stickers and activity or coloring books, crayons, lap-sized wipe-off easels and pens, post-it notes, scotch tape, magnetic letters or dolls & metal tin
• Young School Age - books, comics, stickers and activity or coloring books, small magnetic puzzles, travel-size Etch-a-Sketch, Go-Fish cards, books on tape, miniature worlds: little houses with figures, hand-sized playsets, LeapFrog Leapster- fun games and assisted reading
• Older School Age - books, activity kits, blank paper for drawing, Hangman, or Xs & Os, deck of cards, travel size board games, Mastermind: a great game for age seven and up, cribbage set, small Lego sets, hand-held toys with the sound turned off, electronics (iPods, games, DVD players, used with headphones). If you do not have a DVD player, they can be rented at many airports.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

As you get ready to travel?

Here are some tips to give you peace of mind while you are away and make sure you do not make your house as a target of opportunity. These are some simple precautions from the experts.

• Be mindful of who is around when you are discussing your trip - there is no need to let too many people know or draw attention to the fact your house might be empty for a period.
• The best deterrent is to have someone housesit. If that is not possible, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take in the newspaper, mail, and any other deliveries and keep an eye on the house. Give them your trip plans and an emergency phone number so they can reach you in case of an emergency. You can also arrange with the post office and newspaper to suspend delivery for the time you are away.
• Lock doors, windows and secure sliding doors (a metal rod or a broomstick in the sliding door track is an inexpensive lock), as well as the garage, the basement, and the attic. Some people even disconnect the power to motorized garage door openers.
• Move any valuables from plain sight.
• Check on your appliances, unplug anything that doesn't need to be on while you're away. Lower air conditioning/heating units to energy-saving levels.
• Set timers to turn on lights if you do not have someone staying at the house.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Alaska has a new cruise port. Icy Strait Point is a one-stop shop for many of the things people go to Alaska to see. Located on the same Island as Hoonah, Alaska's largest Huna Tlingit village opened to non cruisers on day trips from Juneau in 2008, but the vast majority of its visitors come on cruise ships. Visiting Icy Strait independently requires a twenty minute flight from Juneau. Icy Strait's wildlife tours will almost guarantee seeing animals. Whale-watching tours have had sightings 100% of the time so far and on wildlife-viewing trips last season, bears were spotted 85% of the time.
What also sets Icy Strait apart is that it is owned and run by locals and indigenous Alaskans.  Icy Strait is not only about wildlife. Its tribal dance show is highly rated by visitors. Since this is the site of a former fish cannery, its sportfishing trips take aspiring fishers to some of the best spots in southeast Alaska.
A cozy museum occupies the cannery that once sent salmon to all parts of the US. Guests can walk around a restored canning line and learn about the history of commercial fishing in southeast Alaska as well as about Alaskan history and native culture.
In a refreshing change, this is not a port with seven identical-looking watch and jewelry shops lining the main street. There is no main street. There are shops set in the restored cannery that sell everything from slamon jerky to locally made crafts, but no two stores offer the same products. Another nice feature is that passenegrs can walk right off the dock and onto a pristine nature trail. Also right off the dock is an eternal flame where passengers can listen to an elder Tlingit talk about Tlingit traditions, such as why it's good luck to throw the cedar wood chip given to every Icy Strait Point visitor into the fire.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

What was once a one-time adult experience has become a repeat vacation for all ages.In the mists of Alaska, gigantic glaciers calve with a rumble that vibrates inside the bodies of the cruisers who witness it, building to a roar and a crash as the blue ice meets the sea. Pods of orcas play, sea otters float on their backs and the mountain ranges extend to eternity. It's a real learning opportunity. Humanity is the exception to the rule in the wilderness. And it is the universal appeal of the spectacular beauty and otherness of Alaska-coupled with its quality as an adventurous destination-that has made it particularly attractive to families.
Families particularly enjoy rafting or visiting sled dogs in a mushers camp and in Ketichikan, the trip to the Tlingit totem carvers ends up with an invitation for members of the audience to wear ceremonial clothing and participate in tribal dance.
Park rangers and Native Americans also come on board to interpret the glaciers and explain the Alaskan way of life to children and adults, and several cruise lines bring local storytellers and Alaskan craftsmmen on the ships. All ships make sure aspects of its kids and teen programs offer a real insight into Alaska's biology, culture and history.
Formerly considered a once-in-a-lifetime destination, Alaska has become a repeat vacation. The memories are fantastic. There's such an adventure component and something for every age group. The scenery is remarkable and the animals along the inside passage relate to what the children are seeing on television and at Sea World.
Princess has newly announced a 12 night cruisetours for families - a seven night Voyage of the Glaciers with a five night land tour that includes a night at Mount Mckinley, two nights in Denali Park and two in Fairbanks, plus a jet-boat ride and panning for gold-offered at a 25% discount for all berths. Transportation to the land tours is exciting in itself, with grizzlies and caribou spotted from the trains