It doesn’t seem so long ago…
November 18, 2001. We were at the Sheraton Arlington Park, just wrapping up the second Midwest FurFest. We gathered with our family and friends in a ballroom there, and before one and all, takaza and I pledged our love for one another in a celebration of our commited relationship. It was a magical night, and one that we will never forget.
The tenth anniversary of that event is coming up, and we have decided that we want to celebrate in style. And just like before, we would love to do it with those who are dear to us. Dan and I would like to invite all of our friends to join us on a fabulous cruise to Alaska! Things are very much in the formative stages, but the one thing that we’ve learned is that booking a year out is a Very Good Idea. Even better, booking early allows you to make down payments on your ticket, which suddenly makes this a viable option.
Here’s what we’re looking at: Cruising from either Seattle or Vancouver on an 6- or 7-night cruise through the Inside Passage of Alaska in July of 2011. Depending on what accommodations you select, the cruise will be between $1,000 – $2,250 per person (the former for in interior stateroom, the latter for a suite with a balcony). There will also be the cost of plane fare to/from the embarkation city, whichever it will be. And while this may sound like a lot of money, if you pay it in installments over 12 months, that may make the cost much more attainable.
Once we get an idea of how many people we might be talking about and what the group might be looking for in terms of shipboard activities, shore excursions, and accommodations, we’ll talk to a travel agent and get the best possible deal that we can.
So…who’s in?
I will have to talk it over with the other half, but it sounds like a great time. Will keep you posted.
And congrats!
Happy anniversary! We sailed the Inside Passage from Vancouver (on Holland America) in 2002, and loved it. A travel agent may not be the best way to go. You can find discounted cruises at a number of web sites, including Online Vacation Center, Vacations To Go, and Cruises Only. And there are lots of good reviews at Cruise Critic.
Enjoy!
I’m all about Cruise Critic – I’ve found a ton of useful information there already! And we’re not ruling out booking online, but the complexities seem to get a little hairy and if we wind up with a large-ish group we’re going to want a third party to handle funds. We’re definitely keeping our options open.
I’m definitely hoping I’ll be able to join you.
Happy anniversary!
It just so happens that 2011 is also our 10th anniversary (March 31, 2001). Before I did the whole midlife crisis job quit/school thing, we were planning on doing a cruise to celebrate. Those plans were set aside, but that doesn’t mean we can’t resurrect them.
We are interested, but mark us down as a definite “Hmmmm.” We will have to see about my job situation, and what my vacation allowance will be. If all that works out, though, we would like to come.
I admit I’m rather tempted by this… And once again, it would be relatively easy for me to get to where the cruise ship would leave from – which means I’d save on the flight cost there 🙂
So many awesome things coming up at a time when I have no idea where I’ll be working, living, or how much vacation time I’ll get (or not get, probably :P)
Totally worth it!
You’ll have a great time! I did this in May 2004 with Princess Cruises. Be sure to take a cruise-tour (which explores interior Alaska by bus) instead of just a boat cruise (which only briefly stops at the ports).
Things to see:
* Vancouver: Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge or Lynn Canyon
* Coastal: float plane glacier fly-over, pan for gold, Mendenhall Glacier, White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, Glacier Bay
* Interior: Susitna River jet boat trip, Mt. McKinley, central Alaska railroad to Fairbanks, helicopter landing on a glacier, sled dogs (in the summer, the huskies pull an ATV), Trans-Alaska Pipeline, El Dorado mine
Warning: it ends up being a very expensive trip, but one that you’ll always remember!
Re: Totally worth it!
Yep, we’re definitely expecting it to be on the expensive side, but if we’re going to go through the effort of doing a cruise, we don’t want to diminish it by trying to do it on the cheap, you know?
The reason we’re looking at July is because, well, that works well for us 🙂 Also, from what I’m reading in the shoulder seasons (May and August) the quality of the weather drops off precipitously. I’m OK with paying a little more if it gives us a chance at better weather.
We’re getting a lot of guidance from and who made a similar trip a few years back. We’re definitely going for a suite with a balcony on the aft end of the ship, and also there WILL be a shore excursion involving sled dogs 🙂 Everything else is up for grabs, and I appreciate your suggestions (the boat on the Susitina River sounds pretty awesome). We’ll see how it all works out.
One more thought…
if you opt to go in May (as I did), the rates are a little lower than the summer, which means extra money to spend on an upgrade to a nicer cabin, or more shore trips.
I went with an interior cabin (no windows), as I felt that I’d spend a lot of the time in the public areas of the ship, where there were always good views. In hindsight, I should probably have gone with a room with a balcony.
Oh, and bring a warm jacket and gloves! It gets very cold on the water when the wind gets up.
Funny, your tenth coincides with our fiftieth……your tenth in November, our fiftieth in September. I’m sure the differing forty years to come for y’all will be as happy as those that have given us the satisfaction that you and Ruth have achieved every parents’ wants…….happy lives, happy families.
WHAT?!
YOU are not doing this AGAIN!!
Last year was hard enough scheduling 10 GOH’s and making sure their panels went smoothly, I ABSOLUTELY FORBID you inviting everyone back PLUS THE GOH’S FROM 2001!!!!
I worked tirelessly for………….
……oh wait….
OH, its the anniversary of you two………well…um……
er…..CONGRATS!!