Every one of these sailings will include a $100 ship board credit for the cabin PLUS a $100 beverage card per stateroom.

Discovery Cruise & Denali Adventure is 12 days aboard ms Statendam from $1,29 pp for an inside cabine for May 16th, June 13, Jul 11, Aug 8 and Sept 5th. 

Receive a $100 shipboard creidt AND a $200 beverage card per stateroom.

On the 14 day Alaskan Adventurer cruise aboard ms Amsterdam, an inside cabin is priced from $1,999 pp on Jun 14, Jul 12 and Aug 9, 2010. 

Every one of these sailings will include a $100 ship board credit for the cabin, complimentary dinner for two at the Pinnacle Grill and one complimentary massage per person. 

• 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.

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.

• 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.

Homer, located on the pristine waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet, boasts a unique landform the locals call "The Spit." Fifteen thousand years ago , the thick ice that covered the bay bull-dozed a five-mile-long gravel bar into the surrounding waters. When the ice retreated, the bar remained. Today, it hosts a picturesque settling where visitors can stroll and shop.

It's easy to see why the Kenai Peninsula is a favorite even among Alaskans. The lush, primeval forest host legendary rivers running with salmon. The glistening waters of glacier-scoured Kenai Fjords National Park are home to whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea otters. The Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge and Kenai Wildlife Refuge provide more seabird habitat than anywhere else in the world. Imagine exploring these wonders on an optional wildlife cruise through Kachemak Bay with lunch at the Rookery Restaurant. Or try kayaking or halibut fishin.

This exciting Homer and Kenai Peninsula cruisetour takes you far off the beaten track with just one group of fellow travelers. Experience the enchanting Land's End Resort at the tip of the Homer Spit, the second-longest salmon-filled Kenai River. The optional activities from Homer spotlight the world-class halibut fishing, the charm of the local artists' colong, and more natural beauty than almost anywhere else in Alaska. Come experience the best of Alaska all in one place.

Shopping:

-Gold-nugget jewelry and items carved from jade -Woven baskets of beach grass, bark or baleen -Native seal-oil candles, beaded mittens, fur mukluks and hand-carved masks -Alaskan delicacies - canned and smoked salmon, wild berry products and reindeer sausage

Be sure to look for the "Made in Alaska" logo, which indicates an item genuinely produced in Alaska. The Silver Hand logo identifies the item as a Native Alaska handicraft.

Explore a subarctic landscape of saw-toothed peaks where wooly mammoth and scimitar tigers once roamed. This remnant of ancient Beringia preserves sites dating to Alaska's earliest habitation and protects unspoiled habitat for migrating caribou, foraging grizzlies, soaring eagles and travelers in search of a more personal wilderness experience.

Travel through the millennia with your fellow adventurers. Your seldom seen destination, an hour-and-a-half outside of Dawson City, invites exploration. Tombstone Park, a spectacular, untrammeled region, has stayed wild for two billion years. Here, where the first human inhabitants crossed over a primeval land bridge, archaeological sites unveil timeless treasures, unique geologic features reveal unbounded nature, and captivating mammals and birds bring it all to life.

Imagination soars to the pinnacles of the park's namesake mountain.

Curiosity stirs at the sight of unique permafrost landforms. Diverse ecological niches from carpeted tundra to naked, dragon-backed ridges soothe the soul. And our informative driving tours and guided hikes immerse you in scenic splendor. The vistas are endless, the valleys are broad, and wildlife is all around you. See it, feel it, and never forget.

Many of North America's early inhabitants depended on the Yukon River, the mythical "highway of the North." Today you can follow in their wake, passing First Nations settlements, 1890s gold stakes, and abandoned sternwheelers.

Holland America offers a unique experience.  Board our own mv Yukon Queen II for an exclusive day cruise through 102 miles of unspoiled scenery and local lore. Watch for bear and caribou foraging at the forest's edge. Catch a glimpse of moose wading in the shallows. Glide past rock cliffs where peregrine falcons nest. Disembark in Eagle and take a short walk to the nearby Visitor Center. Here you can learn more about the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve that protects a storied segment of the Yukon River.

General Travel Tips

• Make sure your passport does not expire within six months of your date of travel. Some countries insist that your passport be valid for at least a six-month time period.
• Place an envelope in one of your checked bags containing copies of your passport, birth certificate and a back up form of photo I.D. in case your passport is lost or stolen.
• Place a copy of the detailed itinerary of your trip inside each piece of luggage. If your luggage is lost, this will help the airline locate you while you're traveling.
• If you are on Medicare and traveling outside the United States, be aware that Medicare does not cover any of your medical bills abroad. It's a good idea to get a travel protection policy that will cover these costs.
• Plan at least a day or two after your return home before scheduling any commitments; you may be tired after your journey.

Don't Forget

• Stow away some antibacterial wipes-they're a convenient way to clean up on the go.
• Bring a voltage converter with you, along with an adapter (to fit electrical plugs into foreign outlets). Note that some adapter kits don't include converters.
• Pack an extra pair of prescription glasses or contacts in case they are lost or broken.
• Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are a must. Never pack new shoes.
• Wrap a long strip of duct tape around a pencil and bring it along for the ride. Duct tape is the magic fix for everything from torn suitcases to a broken sandal strap.

Click here for over 50 posts with helpful travel tips and advice.

Remote and undisturbed, the Arctic presents a landscape of such austere beauty it's like a different world. Follow the legendary Trans Alaska Pipeline as it snakes across hundreds of miles of open tundra. Scan the horizon for Dall sheep, grizzly bears and mirgrating caribou. Under a sky that never darkens, the Arctic is a haunting symphony of rock, sea and ice. And, not far from the Arctic Ocean, Fairbanks lives large on the Alaskan frontier.

Day Trip to Prudhoe Bay

This personal wilderness experience spotlights the Brooks Range, the North Slope Oil Fields at Prudhoe Bay and the outskirts of Gates of the Arctic National Park. It takes you to the top of the Arctic Ocean shimmers under the Midnight Sun. Traveling the Dalton Highway, the Trans Alaska Pipeline's famed Haul Road by motor coach, you'll cross the Yukon River, stop at the Arctic Circle sign for a souvenir photo, and marvel at how far you've come. Imagine losing count of caribou and seeing more bear, sheep, swans, geese, ducks and eagles than you ever imagined. It's no wonder this is the top-rated wildlife tour in a state frimming with mammals and birds.

With the continuous daylight of the Midnights Sun, a Far North adventure is truly unique.

You haven't fully experienced Alaska unless you've been to Denali National Park. Its boundaries encompass an amazing six million acres -- the size of the state of Massachusetts. Home to Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak soaring an unbelievable 20,320 feet into the sky, the Park hosts an array of wildlife -- from moose, caribou, Dall sheep and grizzly bears to gray wolves and red foxes. Located only one mile from the Park's entrance, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is the premium riverside accommodation in the area. An expansive deck overlooks Denali National Park and the Nenana River -- the ideal spot to relax, visit with friends and savor the exquisite landscape. And now, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge has more rooms, and more seats available on related rail tours. Use our availability search to find and book a room online, or use our Alaska tour selector to find and book a Denali rail tour.

Don't let the term “Wilderness Lodge” fool you! Each of our hotel guest rooms is comfortably appointed with two double beds, two queen beds or one king bed, television and telephone -- just in case you want to catch up with the outside world. Outdoor hot tubs afford commanding views of the Park and Nenana River while you relax and indulge in a soothing soak. Princess' premiere accommodations far outshine the average Alaska lodge!

Dining is always a treat at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. Enjoy spirits, appetizers and casual fare on the river view deck or inside at the Base Camp Bistro. Try King Salmon Restaurant for sophisticated cuisine and panoramic views. Or, hang with the locals at Lynx Creek Pizza and Pub and indulge in a huge pizza and pint of our very own Denali Red micro brew. No Alaska lodge experience is complete without some authentic cuisine and entertainment.

For those who are on the go, we have Rapids Restaurant. Featuring quickly prepared sandwiches and the like, it is the perfect option for those who dont want to wait. And be sure to experience the Music of Denali -- a dinner theatre featuring a hearty Alaskan meal and a rollicking musical comedy that recounts the first ascent of Mt. McKinley. No Alaska lodge experience is complete without some authentic cuisine and entertainment.

Part of the allure of Denali National Park is that you never know what you might see. Princess professionals at the Tour Desk are available to arrange a tour into the Park for a glimpse of its impressive ecosystem -- ask for the Tundra Wilderness Tour or Natural History Tour. Or perhaps you'd like to go river rafting, horseback riding or take a flight via airplane or helicopter for a unique perspective of this immense wilderness preserve. We also provide shuttle service hourly from 7 am to 7 pm between the Lodge and the Denali National Park Visitors Center, the Wilderness Access Center and Horseshoe Lake for $5 roundtrip per person. After a day of adventure, return to your cozy wilderness lodge for some peaceful Alaska sleep.

The 12-night cruisetour offers the best of Alaska by land and sea and includes a variety of special features not usually included in a cruisetour package. Families will have the opportunity to travel on a jetboat, pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park, and experience what Alaska is like in the winter when it's many degrees below zero.

The cruisetour (number: FUN) is offered at a 25 percent discount for all berths, so all members of the family are included in the special pricing.

"This is really the ultimate family vacation," said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. "Alaska is a wonderful travel destination with kids, so we wanted to make it easy and affordable to plan the perfect Alaska experience for everyone in the family."

The Family Fun cruisetour includes a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour featuring one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. 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.

In addition, the following special extras are included in the tour:

Daily Breakfast -- Everyone in the family can start their morning off with the most important meal of the day.

Direct-to-the-Wilderness Rail Service with Lunch -- Princess' acclaimed Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service gets families to their wilderness lodge faster, and includes lunch aboard the train.

Three Rivers Jetboat Tour (Mt. McKinley) -- An exhilarating alternative to taking a motorcoach to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, this tour travels from Talkeetna to the lodge by jetboat, with stops along the river to view historic encampments and learn about the native wildlife.

Arctic Blast (Denali) -- Family members can experience winter in Alaska -- in the summertime. This special chamber is chilled to wintertime temperatures, so visitors can find out what happens to hot water when it is thrown in the air and whether soap bubbles can survive the cold.

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 Alaska with Alaska Geographic Tour (Denali) -- A more intimate tour of Denali National Park, this special experience 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 experiences.

Denali Sourdough Expedition Breakfast (Denali) -- While fueling up for the day with a family-style, 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 Cruisetour (#FUN) start at $1,743 per person for the first and second berths, and $1,191 per person for the third and fourth berth passengers.

Here are just a few of the most popular places where others have been "togethering":

• Hawaiian Islands
• National Parks 
• Galapagos
• Beaches Resorts 
• Alaska 
• Orlando Florida
• Costa Rica

Take advantage of discounts and even free travel, when you put together a travel group.

This is because of how the sunlight passes through the ice and what happensto the sunlight.  Sunlight looks white; however, the light is really made up of all the colors of the rainbow.  You may recall seeing this when using a prism in middle school science classes.  Each of the sun's colors have different wavelengths, or amounts of energy in them.  When the sunlight tries to go through the solid glacier ice crystals the sun gets broken up into lots of colors.  Red and yellow have very little energy and the thick ice soaks up the red light more than it soaks up the blue light. The blue light has enough extra energy to get away from the solid ice crystals without getting absorbed or soaked up.  This is why the only color people see is the blue color that escaped.

Best Glaciers of Alaska:

• Grand Pacific Glacier (Glacier Bay National Park): Three intimidating walls of ice surround boats that pull close to the glaciers.
• Exit Glacier (Seward):  It towers above like a huge blue sculpture, the spires of broken ice are close enough to breathe a freezer-door chill down on watchers.
• Western Prince William Sound: On a boat from Whittier, you can see a couple dozen glaciers in a day. Some of these are the amazing tidewater glaciers that dump huge, office-building-size spires of ice into the ocean, each setting off a terrific splash and outward-radiating sea wave.

BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether floating down the Colorado River or climbing the Great Wall of China, families participating in Adventures by Disney vacations will connect with the world - and with each other - during a variety of guided group travel experiences spanning six continents in 2010. Created specifically for families, Adventures by Disney itineraries lead guests through the history and culture of each destination while providing unique experiences and exclusive access along the way.

Entering its fifth year, Adventures by Disney designs tours with the family in mind and provides educationally-enriched experiences so even younger travelers understand, appreciate and have fun in their new surroundings. These hassle-free vacations, rooted in the service and quality of family travel leader Disney, provide distinctive opportunities and special touches to make memories that last a lifetime.

"We are able to offer vacation experiences to some of the most fascinating places on earth, literally bringing history to life for our guests," said Don Gross, Vice President, Adventures by Disney. "Each itinerary is carefully planned, creating a vacation that includes the most iconic and must-see sites as well as off-the-beaten path excursions. In fact, guests often tell us the hardest part about the trip is choosing the adventure."

The Disney Difference

From snorkeling with sea turtles in the Galapagos to discovering Europe's classic history, each itinerary is as matchless as its surroundings. Yet one aspect holds true for every trip: the special touches that are collectively called "the Disney difference" . . .

Adventure Guide: Part storyteller, ambassador, concierge and role model, Adventures by Disney's highly-trained Adventure Guides are the friendly hosts and travel specialists who lead guests on every trip. With two guides assigned for every group (of up to 40 people), travelers receive individual attention to ensure a fun and enriching vacation.

Junior Adventurers: Young travelers are transformed into Junior Adventurers - seeing, hearing and tasting things that they might otherwise not have experienced. The immersive activities created just for kids allow young travelers to learn and have fun in places like museums that aren't always as entertaining for the younger set. For example, at the Louvre in Paris, the Junior Adventurers play an Art Detective game throughout the museum with their Adventure Guides, while adults take a privately guided tour with an art historian. In addition, the Adventure Guides are expert storytellers and are trained to create fun and unique, locally-based experiences for the kids. On almost every departure, there is also a Junior Adventurers night, in which the kids have a special evening experience with their Guides, while the adults get a quiet evening on their own at the resort.

Local Experts: An authentic Tuscan chef, a naturalist from Costa Rica, a Chinese tai chi master - these local experts share a passion; they live and breathe the local history and culture of their destination. They are an integral part of every Adventures by Disney vacation. They join guests to share their stories and provide an "insider's" perspective to each destination.

VIP Access: Travelers vacationing with Adventures by Disney receive VIP experiences that are practically impossible to schedule on their own. Special entry to otherwise crowded sites, unique accommodations (like castles in Ireland and Germany, a dude Ranch in Yellowstone and at the base of a live, active volcano in Costa Rica. Guests also get backstage access of celebrated performances like "The Lion King" in London. These are just a few of the exceptional moments woven through each itinerary, promising expedited service and a broader knowledge of each destination.

Adventures by Disney's 2010 destinations include 19 global itineraries:

Asia & Pacific

• Enchanted China - China: Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai and Hong Kong
• Safari to South Africa - South Africa: Cape Town, The Garden Route and Kapama Game Reserve
• Discovery Down Under - Australia: North Queensland, Ayers Rock and Sydney
  

British Isles & Europe

• Cities of Knights and Lights - England and France: London and Paris
• The Emerald Isle - Ireland: Dublin, Killarney and Shannon
• Once Upon a Fairytale - Germany: Heidelberg, Trendelburg, Rothenburg and Munich
• Alpine Magic - Italy and Switzerland: Stresa, Zermatt and Lake Lucerne
• Viva Italia - Italy: Rome, Tuscany and Venice
• Bella Italia - Central Italy: Sorrento and Florence
  

Latin America

• Path to Pura Vida - Costa Rica: San Jose, Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park
• Treasures of the Galapagos - Ecuador and Galapagos Islands
• Sacred Valleys and Incan Cities - Peru: Lima, Sacred Valley and Cusco
  

North America

• Spirit of America -Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pa., and Williamsburg, Va.
• Quest for the West - Wyoming: Jackson Hole, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
• Southwest Splendors - Arizona and Utah: Sedona, Grand Canyon and Moab
• Backstage Magic - Southern California: Hollywood and Disneyland Resort
• Golden Path to Yosemite - Northern California: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and San Francisco
• Taming the Last Frontier - Alaska: Fairbanks, Denali National Park and Kenai Peninsula
• Rocky Trails and Mountie Tales - Montana and Canada: Glacier National Park and Banff National Park

For more on Adventure by Disney, visit www.luxurytour.com

You can already book your 2010 Alaska cruise tours. At Atlas we hold hundreds of groups, which mean better priced and added value for our customers including shipboard credits, specialty dining experiences and more.

The good news is that if you book early and price go down before you make your final payment, we can adjust the price, and by booking early, you ensure you are getting the best cabin location. Call 800-942-3301 to speak to an Alaska Cruise tour specialist.         

Q.  I'm confused about luggage, specifically carry on. Is my purse considered a carry on item? How about my husband's camera case? My husband wants to bring his computer, it is slightly over the 12x11x6 Is this a problem?

A.  #1.  A purse or camera case is not considered a carry on. You can still have a separate carry-on bag.

#2.  As far as your husband's computer, carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you on motorcoaches and other transportation. If it is a very minimal difference, (1 inch,) then it should still fit in the overhead without a problem, but these measurements are given to ensure you will not have any issue while touring.

Services offered include services of 24/7 agent for any last minutes changes, pre-trip travel advice such as what vaccines are required, embassy contacts, weather and currency information.  They also offer assistance for last minute changes, such as cancelled or delayed flights, making hotel reservations or ground transportation reservations. Benefits include coverage in the event of cruise line, airline or tour operator default (financial default non applicable to all suppliers) Coverage for sickness, injury or death of immediate family member. Terrorist incident that results in loss of life or major damage to property, by any person

With a good policy, you receive 24 hours assistance replacing lost or stolen documents such as visas, passports or tickets. Cash advance for travel or medical emergencies. They can also help you locate English speaking medical specialists, facilities and assistance with medical evacuations anywhere in the world.

They will provide you with baggage and personal effects loss coverage, baggage delay coverage and luggage tracing services. They have a bilingual staff for telephone interpretation for medical or legal emergencies.

If you purchase your travel insurance within 15 days of making your initial deposit your coverage will include pre-existing conditions which applies to the first $25,000 of trip cost.

Whether a child gets the flu, or a close family member has a medical emergency, travel protection has a plan that will protect you before or during your vacation. The right kind of insurance is essential. It will provide you with peace of mind, medical evacuation in case of an emergency, baggage coverage, flight delay and flight cancellation coverage.

In addition to these services some insurance policies also provide a concierge service which is available to assist you with restaurant reservations, event tickets, tee time reservations and floral services.

This is only a brief description of some of the benefits and travel services provided. All policies and coverage may vary, and may not be available in all states. There are also expanded coverage plans that offer business related covered reasons for trip cancellation and interruption, and other that let you cancel for any reason.

At times it is best to purchase the insurance with the tour operator or cruise line as part of your package, where on other occasions you can save money and get better coverage medical and evacuation coverage. An experience agent can explain your options to that you can purchase the best policy for your individual needs.

Good travel insurance isn't always expensive. We have negotiated excellent policies exclusive to Atlas, where rather than paying by age, which can add up for seniors, everyone is charged a flat amount base on the cost of the trip.

You never forget them — the vivid impressions from your first visit to Alaska. A 10-story crystal-blue river of ice in Glacier Bay National Park, icebergs calving into the tidewater with a thunderous crack. The spectacular and untamed wildlife, from a nesting eagle high in a Sitka spruce to a family of brown bears foraging along a rocky beach. Your first glimpse of the soaring, silent magnificence of Mt. McKinley. It’s everything you ever imagined — and all you traveled so far to see. This is one of life’s greatest adventures. One you’ll want to plan carefully so you don’t miss a thing.

Alaska Cruises Starting from $64

Starting from $64 per person, per day
                                                    Family of four starting from $1,499

• Celebrity Millennium: 7-night Northbound/Southbound Alaska
  Departure dates: 7/17/09, 8/28/09, 9/4/09, 9/11/09

Cruisetours starting from $99 per person, per day

• Celebrity Millennium
  Departure dates:
  8/21/09   Tour #5
  8/28/09   Tour #3
  9/04/09   Tour #8
  9/11/09   Tour #20

Under $93 per person, per day
                                                  Family of four starting from $2,099

• Celebrity Infinity: 7-Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier
  Departure dates: 7/3/09, 8/14/09, 8/21/09, 8/28/09, 9/4/09
• Celebrity Millennium: 10-Night Ultimate Alaska
  Departure date: 7/31/09
• Celebrity Mercury: 7-Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier
  Departure date: 7/12/09

Before You Go

• Secure Your Home: Cancel all newspapers, pay bills and consider what to do about the mail. You can ask your Post Office to hold it while you’re away, or get someone to look after your house.  Put some lights and a radio or TV on a timer. If applicable, park a car in your driveway.
• Be prepared:  Bring an emergency contact list, including the telephone numbers of your insurance people, credit card issuers, and home numbers of close relatives or friends, in case of an emergency.
• Back up important information: Copy or scan your travel documents – passport, travelers, identity and vaccination card and credit cards – front and back. Make two sets of copies, leave one at home or with a trusted person, and store the second in a secret place in your suitcase. If your wallet is lost or stolen, you will have all the information and phone numbers you need. If you choose to scan your documents, send them to your email address. In case of a problem, you can access them from any business center or cybercafe in the world.
• If you have a black or blue suitcase, you may want to wrap brightly colored electrical tape or ribbons around the handles of check luggage to make it easy to identify, OR use colored luggage tags.
• Just in case your luggage is lost, make sure you have your name, address and phone number on each piece, so that the airline can contact you. We suggest using a work address rathern than home whenever possible.
• Medications: Remember, all medications and vitamins must be in their original containers when traveling. You can ask your pharmacist to label small bottles with just enough medication in for your trip. Always carry these in your carry-on. Also, take a few days extra supply, in case you are delayed coming back.

Useful Items When Traveling

• Sun glasses
• Pen & small notepad
• Small retractable umbrella
• Sun block
• Chapstick
• Package of wipes or bottle of hand sanitzer
• Plastic bags. Take various size zip-lock bags – the heavier duty the better. They are great for packing things that might leak, like shampoo and lotions, and come in handy again for dirty clothes, the beach, etc.
• Camera with extra film or memory cards
• Chargers for any electronics you may be bringing (such as Ipod, camera, cell phone, labtops, etc.)
• Small bag packed into your suitcase. This can be used to carry souvenirs.
• Book or magazine
  

Many clients wonder what the differences are when traveling with a budget, first class or deluxe tour operator. As we have discussed in previous posts, a lot has to do with the type of accommodations used, the location of the hotels, the number of people on the tour and how much is included in the price (i.e. sightseeing, meals, etc.)

Today our focus is to explain the difference in meals.  In most cases, on a budget tour you will receive continental breakfast. This is a basic breakfast of usually consisting of cereals, pastries, juice and coffee. Once you take a first class tour and above, breakfast is normally buffet. This offers the widest choices, quickest service and as much or as little food as you desire.

Budget tours rarely include dinners, and when they do, it is normally in the hotel. First class tour operators offer a combination of both hotel dinners and some dining at local restaurants. However, there is usually a limited menu. It includes 3 to 5 courses with a more limited choice of appetizer, entrees and desserts. We are not suggesting the food is bad, on the contrary, frequently the limited menu includes the chef's freshest market specials of the day and takes less time to serve.

Dining is a delightful and integral part of the travel experience when traveling abroad. Deluxe and luxury operators select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit, and offer full choice of menu to include a starter course (hot & cold appetizer, soup or salad,) main course, dessert and beverage. You’ll savor a delectable assortment of classic dishes and regional specialties. Many meals include wine with dinner and at times entertainment.

Regardless of which tour you book, gratuities to the wait staff are included. For lunches and evenings that meals are not included, the knowledgeable tour directors can assist you in finding dining options based on your the type of food you want to have and your budget.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site that holds a list of outstanding cultural or natural universal value such as, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It could be a monument, building, mountain, forest, lake, desert, complex or city.

So how is a site selected?

Only countries that have signed the World Heritage Convention, pledging to protect their natural & cultural heritage can submit nominations for properties on their territory to be considered for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

A nominated property is independently evaluated by several Advisory Boards. Once a site has been nominated & evaluated, the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee makes the final decision. One per year, the Committee meets to decide which sites will be inscribed on the World Heritage list.

The program aims to catalogue & preserve sites of outstanding importance, either cultural or natural, to the common heritage of humankind.

There are currently 878 World Heritage Sites in 145 countries. These include 679 cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed properties.

You may have visited a place in the U.S. already, not realizing it was a UNESCO site such as the Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon, Yosemite Yellowstone or Olympic National Park.

Click here for a full list of site.

I have seen 20 sites in 9 countries, so only 858 to go, but I have to say that certain countries do not interest me AT ALL, so my goal would be to see at least half of the UNESCO sites while traveling the world.

How many UNESCO sites have you visited?

• Click here for Swine Flu talking points
• Click here for U.S. Travel's statement.
• Click here for the CDC website with more information on Swine Flu.

For all travelers, CDC recommends the following steps to help you stay healthy:

• Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including a seasonal influenza vaccine. The seasonal vaccine is not expected to offer protection against swine flu viruses, but it can protect against seasonal influenza viruses which may still be circulating in Mexico and the Southern Hemisphere.
• Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies. See Pack Smart in Your Survival Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel for a list of what to include in your travel health kit.
• Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
• Check if your health insurance plan will cover you abroad.  Consider purchasing additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick.  For more information, see Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.
• Remember that U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability, and resources to evacuate or to give medications, vaccines or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.

Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of swine flu

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.  This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading.
  • Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner (with at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. (Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.)
• It is important to follow the advice of local health and government authorities.  You may be asked to restrict your movement and stay in your home to contain the spread of swine flu.

If you have specific questions about the swine influenza cases see http://www.cdc.gov/contact/  or call 1-800-232-4636, which is 1-800-CDC-INFO.

To learn more about travel health, visit www.cdc.gov/travel.

More information will be provided as the situation develops. Please continue to check our website on a regular basis for updates.

Slacks/jeans, a sweater or fleece, a lightweight jacket and a raincoat are versatile clothes for touring in Alaska, and comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in are a must! If you plan to spend a lot of time on deck viewing glaciers and wildlife you should consider packing a pair of long johns, gloves, and a scarf. A warm coat and heavy socks are essential if your itinerary includes a visit to a glacier.

Dressing in layers will prepare you for both cool and warm weather.  In the mornings, you may start off wearing an undershirt, sweater, and rain jacket. Throughout the day you can add or subtract layers as the weather permits. 

Alaska is a more “relaxed” destination so casual and comfortable are the style preferences. Even in the best restaurants you will find people dressed in jeans.  Tennis shoes are a must but you may also want to bring climbing and hiking shoes for nature walks, hiking trails and to participate in rugged adventures.  Don't forget the rain gear because rain is common in Alaska during the summer months and it has the extra benefit of holding in body heat to keep you warm.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack:

• Flat, rubber-soled walking shoes for on board
• Sturdy but comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken, or hiking boots for onshore
• Short and long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Shorts, slacks and jeans
• Tee shirts
• Thick socks
• Sweater or fleece
• Light and heavy-weight jackets
• Long johns, gloves, scarf and hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Camera, lenses, batteries and plenty of film
• Telephoto lens
• Copies of your travel documents that should be safely secured in your in-room safe while traveling

By packing properly you will enjoy a variety of seasons all wrapped up in one great vacation! Of course by checking with www.weather.com about a week before you go on your trip can help you determine what you need to take with you as well, but still take a few extra warm clothes just in case it rains or the temperature drops unexpectedly.

Planning to travel in a group?

•  Four color tri-fold brochures or Four color flyers which can be used as 
   hand-outs or mail-outs to prospective participants
•  Power Point Presentations for group level meetings to explain the
   program to possible participants
•  Presentation by a member of our group department to local South
    Florida organizations

The ship usually has a naturalist throughout the cruise spotting wildlife, so make sure and listen out for this, and go on deck - don't try to see everything from inside the ship. It is warm, but you tend to miss all of the action. 

Here's a list of list of popular whale watching tips to keep in mind to improve your odds of seeing whale while in Alaska.

Should you bring a laptop while traveling?

This is a personal question that really depends on many things. What you’ll be doing, where you are going and how long will you be traveling?

I would like to share some guidelines that may help with your decision.

Reasons you should bring a laptop:

You can email your family and friends. Having your laptop, you can email your loved ones back home. This is something you could do at most internet cafes, which is a much nicer atmosphere than your hotel room. Most cafes around the world do offer free Wifi when you order something. Not all cafes have free Wifi; some do have a small charge. Newer cruise ships also offer Wifi, but make sure and purchase a package, as usage rates can be high.

You can download all your photos. You can download your digital photo right to your laptop. This will keep your camera’s memory stick free everyday. This will allow you to capture that favorite photo. If your memory stick is full, you would lose that favorite photo moment.

Keeping a journal of the cities you visited. Sometimes we see so much on our vacation that we tend to forget something. Keeping a journal along the way will allow you to never forget. It also allows you to post your travel blogs in writing.

Calling home for free (or very cheap) with Skype. For mere cents per minute you can make calls to landlines and cell phones from all over the world with Skype. It allows you to call from any web-enabled laptop. It’s a great way to keep in touch over the phone.

You can get lots of local information. Many laptops today have maps, directions, schedules and must-see sites for key cities. Maybe you would like get tickets to a play or need to get those directions to a restaurant. You can get all the information you need right from your laptop. Usually it’s much better than carrying around big guidebooks.

You can work. Even though we are on vacation, sometimes we still have our work on our minds. Maybe you have an on-line business and need to be kept informed. Having your laptop with you allows you to still work.  

Reasons you should keep your laptop home:

It could get lost, stolen or damaged. Where you are traveling really depends on the risks, which could range from mild to extreme. Getting your laptop insured by home or travel insurance is really not likely. Most insurance companies won’t cover you unless you pay a very high premium.

It’s extra weight to carry. If weight is an issue then you may want to keep it home. Depending on where you are traveling, you would need to bring your power adapter and any plug in devices to operate your laptop.

Surfing the internet. As we all know, the internet can be addicting. You could spend hours surfing the web, when we should be enjoying the experience of the city that you paid to see.

Checking in at the airport.  Our new airport regulations require us to open our carry bags to get through security. When you are traveling with your laptop, you will have to remove your laptop from the carry case for security inspection, so allow extra time for check-in.

You need to base your decision on where you are going. The more remote destinations you are traveling to, the less likely you will find a Wifi connection. Some remote islands will probably only have a dial up connection, which would probably be very slow.

The biggest consideration is whether you feel you actually need a laptop. Some people absolutely need to stay connected. If you decide to bring it, I would recommend a soft case to protect it. I would use a water-resistant case. Remember to never stow your computer in your luggage.

Contributed by: A Sternberg
angie@atlastravelweb.com

The story had a nice ending, as Mr. Elliott was able to get the client a full refund, but not all stories end this way, and clients lose thousands of dollars for not asking the right questions prior to making a reservation.

Be aware of penalties! At Atlas, when we book reservations for our clients, not only do we provide them with a confirmation, but also the Terms and Conditions for each supplier, as cancellation penalties vary for each company. At times, there are 3 to 5 pages of "conditions" for the client to read over, but all of this is done prior to booking the reservation, so you have no surprises down the road.

Furthermore as the article mentions, if there is any chance you may have to cancel your trip, a consolidator is not the way to go when booking airline tickets, as their penalties are usually higher than booking with the airline or suppliers directly.

Final thoughts...no one can anticipate or predict the future. Be prepared and have piece of mind, by purchasing travel insurance for every trip! Suppliers such as Travel Guard & Access America offer add-ons to several of their plans that allow you to cancel for work reasons or even cancel for any reason, and receive up to 75% of your penalties back. Many cruise lines and tour operators offer their own version of cancel for any reason policies, but in some cases rather than money, you receive vouchers for future travel.

It can all be a bit confusing, so make sure to consult a travel professional to help you select the best coverage to protect your investment.

Click here to read the article published on CNN.

For more information on the pros & cons of booking airfare separately from a vacation, click here.

50% off select Alaska cruisetours 50% reduced deposit 50% off for 3rd/4th guests on select sailings $50 Interior to Oceanview upgrades on select Alaska cruises Add an overnight stay for $50 per person at a deluxe downtown Vancouver hotel

Itinerary/Sail Date	Inside From	Savings	Deposit Amount	3rd/4th guest
7-Day Northbound Glacier Discovery Cruise from Vancouver	$499	44% off	50% off	FREE
7-Day Southbound Glacier Discovery Cruise to Vancouver	$499	44% off	50% off	FREE
7-Day Northbound Alaska Cruise via Hubbard Glacier from Vancouver	$499	50% off	50% off	FREE
7-Day Southbound Alaska Cruise via Hubbard Glacier to Vancouver	$599	33% off	50% off	FREE
7-Day Seattle Roundtrip Alaska Explorer Cruise on the ms Westerdam	$599	40% off	50% off	FREE
7-Day Seattle Roundtrip Alaska Explorer Cruise on the ms Amsterdam	$599	33% off	50% off	FREE
7-Day Seattle Roundtrip Alaska Explorer Cruise on the ms Zaandam	$629	37% off	50% off	FREE
7-Day Vancouver Roundtrip Alaska Inside Passage Cruise on the ms Statendam	$599	33% off	50% off	Call
7-Day Vancouver Roundtrip Alaska Inside Passage Cruise on the ms Veendam	$599	29% off	50% off	Call
7-Day Vancouver Roundtrip Alaska Inside Passage Cruise on the ms Ryndam	$649	28% off	50% off	Call
7-Day Vancouver Roundtrip Alaska Inside Passage Cruise on the ms Volendam	$649	28% off	50% off	FREE
7-Day Vancouver Roundtrip Alaska Inside Passage Cruise on the ms Zuiderdam	$749	25% off	50% off	FREE

Itinerary/Sail Date	Brochure Price	Inside From	Outside Upgrade	Onboard Credit
12-Day Northbound Denali Adventure Cruisetour #11 - 9/6/2009	$1,899	$949	Add $100	Bonus $200
12-Day Southbound Denali Adventure Cruisetour #12 - 9/9/2009	$1,999	$999	Add $100	Bonus $200
12-Day Northbound Double Denali Explorer Cruisetour #13 - 9/11/2009	$1,999	$999	Add $100	Bonus $200
12-Day Southbound Double Denali Explorer Cruisetour #14 - 9/14/2009	$2,149	$1,069	Add $100	Bonus $200

Restrictions apply. Subject to availability at the time of booking. Offer is capacity controlled and can be withdrawn at any time. Please call for details.

What's Included on an Alaska Cruise Tour?

A cruisetour combines both a land and a cruise vacation, to get the most out of your time in Alaska. It also provides the best opportunity to see wildlife.

Glacier Bay, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula are some of the places included on a cruise-tour. Choose from 3 to 8 night packages combined with a 7 day cruise. 3 Nights provide a quick overview...the more time you have, then you are able to enjoy at least 2 nights in each area. Optional excursions range from rafting and heli-hiking to trekking across a glacier, fishing or flightseeing.

What's included varies upon which Cruise Tour you select, but in general, this is what is included on your Alaska vacation:

On the Alaska Land Portion

• Hotel Accommodations - normally in picturesque lodges
• Sightseeing (Some tours may have an Escort or Guide through the trip)
• Transportation via motorcoach or luxury rail
• Transfers and Baggage handling

The Cruise portion of your trip will include

• 7 Night Alaska Glacier or Inside Passage Cruise
• Deluxe Accommodations on the ship
• All meals onboard including 24 hour room service
• Coffee, Tea, Milk, Juice, non-bottled water
• Entertainment, casinos, piano bars, comedians, Broadway-style shows
• Onboard Activities and Kids programming on most ships
• Port charges, taxes and fees

Your Alaska Cruise Tour DOES NOT include:

• Meals or drinks on the land portion of the Cruise Tour
  (unless specified in the itinerary)
• Gratuities onboard the ship
• Shore Excursions and Sight-seeing tours in Alaska
• Special Spa Services or Casino Gaming
• Beer, wine, spirits or bottled water
• Travel Insurance
• Airfare

There are some great specials running with various cruise lines on both Alaska cruises and Alaska cruise tours. Please read through our blog, or call a travel specialist for more details.

Salmon spawn late July and August so your chance of seeing bears improves these months. Bald eagles also feed on salmon, so this time is also great for bird watching. Other types of birds include hawks, puffin, ducks and loons. Wildflowers also bloom in late July/August.

Early June there is more wildlife viewing as young are born, and migrating to better feeding areas in the summer. If you are interested in seeing other wildlife such as Moose, Caribou, Dall sheep, Arctic Fox, mountain goats and bears, try to extend your stay to include a few nights in Anchorage or Denali National Park.  

Summer Solstice is June 21st, which is the longest day of the year. Many festivals are held throughout Alaska.

To avoid Alaska mosquitoes, travel in late July or early August. The evenings are normally a bit colder, which ward off the bugs.

Port Sail Date Itinerary Rate Vancouver 5/06/09 Glacier Bay Alaska $799 Vancouver 5/13/09 Alaska Northbound $629 Anchorage 5/20/09 Southbound Alaska $619 Vancouver 5/27/09 Alaska Northbound $629 Anchorage 6/03/09 Southbound Alaska $699 Vancouver 6/10/09 Alaska Northbound $699 Anchorage 6/17/09 Southbound Alaska $699 Vancouver 6/24/09 Alaska Northbound $799 Anchorage 7/01/09 Southbound Alaska $779 Vancouver 7/08/09 Alaska Northbound $829 Anchorage 7/15/09 Southbound Alaska $869 Vancouver 7/22/09 Alaska Northbound $869 Anchorage 7/29/09 Southbound Alaska $829 Vancouver 8/05/09 Alaska Northbound $829 Anchorage 8/12/09 Southbound Alaska $829 Vancouver 8/19/09 Alaska Northbound $839 Anchorage 8/26/09 Southbound Alaska $839 Vancouver 9/02/09 Glacier Bay Alaska $799 Vancouver 9/09/09 Glacier Bay Alaska $769

Carnival reserves the right to re-instate a fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per guest per day, if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel.

Terms & Conditions:
Cruise rates are in U.S. dollars, per person and based on double occupancy. Offer is non-transferable, and has no cash value. Farecode must be requested to receive promotion. No name changes. Government taxes and fees are additional for all guests. Full deposit required at time of booking. Combinable with fun select rates only. Minimum purchase in category BL, with a minimum stateroom assignment 8A. Offer is capacity controlled and is not combinable with any other discount or promotional offer. Rates are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Sailings within range may be slightly higher. Buy an oceanview guarantee stateroom and get a balcony guarantee stateroom at the oceanview rate. Valid on new bookings only made between 2/16/09-2/28/09. Applicable on 2009 Carnival Spirit Alaska sailings. Category restrictions apply. Offer expires at midnight EST on Saturday 2/28/09. Blackout dates may apply. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply. Request fare code PBG. Ship's Registry: Panama.

All-inclusive Fares

Kids Sail Free 2009

Regent offers you great savings as your child or grandchild sails free onselect sailings this summer. Book your suite today, and share these unique experiences!

For adults who want to share their travel adventures our complimentary Club Mariner Youth Program (available onselect voyages) is designed for age groups 5 - 8, 9 - 12 and 13 - 17 and is supervised by a staff of experienced and enthusiastic youth counselors. Young travelers will enjoy all kinds of exciting, interactive activities.
 

Kids Sail Free to Alaska

Departure Dates

Fares from $3,995 per guest representing up to 40% savings!

Seven Seas Mariner June 17, 2009 June 24, 2009 July 1, 2009 July 8, 2009 July 15, 2009 July 22, 2009 July 29, 2009 August 5, 2009

Kids Sail Free to Europe

Departure Dates

Fares from $4,750 per guest representing up to 35% savings!

Seven Seas Voyager July 24, 2009 August 14, 2009 Seven Seas Navigator July 24, 2009 August 14, 2009

Before You Go:

Research:  Do your homework and find out what each area is known for and decide what items you'll look for. Find out what similar items sell for. If you are considering pictures or other items to decorate your home with your travel finds, take measurements, then pop your tape measure into your travel bag. Bring a fabric swatch if needed as well. If you plan on having garments custom-made in the Orient for example, pack a favorite item to copy. Also research customs, GST and VAT tax refunds, shipping large items, and other important rules. Thailand and China, for example, are known for antiques, but you'll need appropriate paperwork to bring them home. In Europe when you make a purchase you must fill out the tax refund form supplied by the ship. You pay the full price, but when you leave Europe there is usually an area in all major airports called 'VAT Refund' after you have cleared security. You take the tax forms to be stamped and drop them in a box. In one to two billing cycles you should see the tax refunded back onto your credit card. If you are traveling on an escorted tour, your tour manager can give you tips on the best places to shop. On a cruise, they normally hold presentations and replay them on the ship channel in the cabin, with shopping tips on each port as well.

Shopping Strategies:

Local markets offer a rich travel experience, and a treasure trove of shopping options. Here are some bargaining tips to make that a more rewarding experience:

Get the Lay of the Land - Be Strategic:  Stroll around, take in the colors and the smells of the market while checking around prices on similar items. Watch how merchants interact with their customers. In Italian markets you'll encounter a hard sell; merchants in Arab markets often bargain after you've shared a cup of tea.

The Art of the Deal: Start by offering half the quoted price. Your merchant will tout the value of his handicrafts and bring the price back to almost the original. Split the difference. By the 3rd round your price will likely be about 75% of the original. Instead of haggling again, count out your cash until you reach slightly less than his price. You should have a deal. If the merchant is aggressive, step away. Likewise there is no need to be rude to the merchants, as they are only try to make a living.

Consider Shipping Your Items Back Home: The most difficult part is waiting a few weeks for your items to arrive if you are overseas, but with airlines charging for additional baggage weight, shipping can save you money. Just make sure to insure the package if it is breakable.

In the end, the important thing is that you enjoy the experience and keep in mind, more important than the exact cost will be priceless travel memories derived from your new-found treasures.

We'd love to hear about some of your shopping strategies?

Contributed by: S Brage

Want to see MORE of Alaska

Reserve an Alaska cruisetour by 30-Apr-2009, and boost your onboard experience with a $200 onboard credit.* Use it for the Casino Royale^SM, the Fitness Center & Day Spa, shore excursions or any other onboard spending. Offer not available to online bookings. To receive your ship board credit, call 1-800-942-3301.  Bookings must be made by March 21, 2009.
Promotion code:  MYU5

Atlas is pleased to introduce the Princess® Alaska Wilderness Sale featuring new cruisetour itineraries – roundtrip from Seattle! Incredible fares & free upgrades!

Experience the glaciers, wildlife and mountains of the Great Land during Alaska's 50th year of statehood. Don't miss out on these new deals conveniently from Seattle. With the Alaska Wilderness Sale, you can experience an unforgettable Princess Alaska cruisetour vacation in 2009 for a fraction of what you’d normally pay. You’ll understand why Princess is consistently named “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” by readers of Travel Weekly. Here are some highlights of this sensational sale: Convenient new roundtrip Seattle cruisetours, featuring a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise and a land tour with stays at both Denali-area wilderness lodges Princess Direct-to-the-Wilderness® same-day rail service between Princess wilderness lodges and the ship Free stateroom upgrades and incredibly low fares Airfare included between Seattle and Anchorage at either the beginning or end of the cruisetour, meaning even more convenience since you only need to book travel to and from Seattle Alaska’s top two attractions – Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park – on every cruisetour These offers won’t last long – don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy the Alaska land-and-sea vacation you’ve always dreamed of... with Princess. Call for incredibly low rates during the Princess Balcony Bonanza sale.

Most people visit Europe to see the famous sights they’ve always heard about. But an equally important part of any travel experience is to savor the real flavor of a city or country. Stay where the Europeans stay, eat where the Europeans eat, and share the European view of Europe.

Book a 2009 Cosmos vacation between January 2, 2009 and March 3, 2009, and you will save $100 per person on the land only price.*

$100 per person discount applies to Cosmos Europe, United States & Canada trips.

*Book a 2009 Cosmos vacation and receive $100 off per person on the land only price. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between January 2, 2009 and March 3, 2009 for travel through December 31, 2009. Offers not valid with one-another or with any other offer except Journeys Club. Applies to new 2009 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

Have more questions?  SkyMiles members can contact the Delta SkyMiles Center at 1-800-323-2323 or the number on the back of their membership cards. WorldPerks members should continue contacting the WorldPerks Service Center at 1-800-44-PERKS (or the number on the back of their membership cards).

When planning your Alaska cruise, you will have three basic itineraries to choose from:
 
--  Inside Passage:  Ships sail roundtrip from Vancouver or Seattle to the southeast panhandle of Alaska.  Cruises usually include famous Glacier Bay National Park, home of 16 magnificent glaciers.  Sailing roundtrip often makes your airfare cheaper since you embark and disembark in the same port.
 
--  Gulf of Alaska:  Working north from Vancouver, the south central coast of Alaska is added to the Inside Passage.  Ships sail one-way between Vancouver and Seward, the closest port to Anchorage.  Your embarkation and disembarkation points are different, but you have the opportunity to see much more of Alaska's spectacular scenery, including the glacier-clad Gulf of Alaska.

-- Alaska Cruise Tours:  Combine 7 day Voyage of the Glaciers cruises with land packages ranging from 4-to-10 days touring the interior of Alaska. Take in the magnificent scenery via luxury rail and stay at picturesque Princess Wilderness Lodges with a minimum two nights at Denali National Park. It's the premier way to see it all — by land and by sea.  Discover this majestic terrain with its endless horizons, dramatic nature and inspiring vistas. Sail to Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, and visit the Inside Passage’s three picturesque ports of call — Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway — before heading inland.

All cruise lines are running great promotions for Alaska. Best rates can be found for May and September cruises.

Featured Cruise Line: Princess

Alaska Wilderness Sale! Unprecedented fares to Alaska from Seattle from $1,099 pp! Cruise tours include riding the Direct to the Wilderness rail, spending nights at Denali and Mt. McKinley lodges, taking a natural history tour, plus spending a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers. Your clients can also get FREE upgrades from Interior to Obstructed and from Ocean view to Balcony. Book by February 28th. For more information about the cruise tours, please call 800-942-3301. For fare and upgrade information click here.

Too many cruises and cruise tours to choose from? Keep in mind our agents are just a phone call or "live chat" away to help you find the best value and itinerary.

Here are some of the best rates Princess is currently offering for Alaska cruises.

DIAMOND PRINCESS®

7 DAYS Gulf of Alaska - Sail from Anchorage to Vancouver DATE(S) INTERIOR OCEANVIEW BALCONY MINI-SUITE May 16, 2009 $499 $999 $999 $1199

SAPPHIRE PRINCESS®

7 DAYS Gulf of Alaska - Sail from Anchorage to Vancouver DATE(S) INTERIOR OCEANVIEW BALCONY MINI-SUITE Jun 6, 2009 $649 $1199 $1199 $1399

STAR PRINCESS®

7 DAYS Alaska Inside Passage - Sail roundtrip from Seattle DATE(S) INTERIOR OCEANVIEW BALCONY MINI-SUITE Jul 5, 2009 $899 $1499 $1499 $1799

ISLAND PRINCESS®

7 DAYS Gulf of Alaska - Sail from Anchorage to Vancouver DATE(S) INTERIOR OCEANVIEW BALCONY MINI-SUITE Sep 7, 2009 $549 $1099 $1099 $1299

The U.S. Tour Operators Association reported that for the 5th straight year, Italy placed first as the most popular international destination for vacation packages and tours. Modern Bride's annual "World Best Honeymoon" survey showed Italy has even beaten out Hawaii as the #1 honeymoon destination.  Recommend Magazine's Readers Choice awards also listed Italy as the #1 destination. Croatia and China were the hottest up-and-coming countries for tours and travel packages. We were surprised not to see Dubai on the list.

Lonely Planet's top 10 destinations: #1 U.S. with emphasis on National parks and Hawaii;  #2 Mexico, with an emphasis on Mexico City and the Pacific Coast; #3 Argentina; #4 Japan; #5 India & #6 Canada (tied);#7 Australia #8 China (tied);#9 Spain and #10 France.

Frommers recently released its top destinations for 2009, focusing on international destinations that are affordable and seeking the newest "hot spots".  Washington D.C.; Waiheke Island, New Zealand; Saqqara, Egypt; Lassen Volcanic National Park, California; Istanbul, Turkey; Civil Rights Trail, USA; Cartagena, Colombia; Cape Town, South Africa; Berlin, Germany;  Belfast, Northern Ireland; Angkor Wat, Cambodia; Waterton National Park, Alberta, Canada

According to TripAdvisor, the top three predicted hot spots for North America travel are Florida, North Carolina and Alaska.

At Atlas Cruises & Tours, we are seeing a number of trends. Italy continues to be very popular. Consumers are booking specialty travel packages including river cruises, cooking and wine vacations, as well as religious travel. Several dates for the 2010 Passion Play are already sold out. We have been doing several blogs about sustainable travel in the past 6 months, as we are finding consumers more concerned in traveling with suppliers that are environmentally conscious, as well as the desire to visit destinations threatened by climate change such as Antarctica, Alaska, Galapagos and Machu Picchu. Cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska and South America are up, and we except a surge in Europe cruises, as air prices should be coming down considerably, and cruise lines are offering aggressive fares. For those staying close to home, National Parks, Canada & Hawaii are up as well.

Where are you planning to travel in 2009? We'd love to hear your top 3 list!

In order to be a good travel agent, you need education so that you can pass the information on to your clients. The Travel Institute has certifications that take about 6 years to complete, as you are not eligible to participate unless you have been in the business for a certain amount of time. Cruise Lines International has a 3 step certification process up to a ECC (Elite Cruise Counselor) You have to be in the business a minimum of 10 years to participate in the program as well as conducting various ship inspections. There are also various destination & product specialists programs, seminars, conventions & trade shows throughout the year.  Our office has speakers from various preferred partners come in at least twice a month, to ensure we are up to date with new products or changes.

So the next time you book your vacation, keep in mind that travel agents are trained professionals with your best interest in mind, and there is no additional cost to you to book through an agent. In fact, agents will always save you time (& time is money!) and also in many cases, get you a better price or added amenities.

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Common question asked by clients

Answer:

You would be surprised how many things can be packed and not exceed 50 lbs. There are some wonderful no wrinkle, light weight fabrics for traveling and you don't need a pair of shoes for each outfit. When staying in the same hotel for more than 1 night, you can take advantage of the laundry facilities they have to offer.

Make a list before packing and make sure to mix and match outfits. Always pack tightly. Scarf or jewelry can change the look or a blouse. Packing loosely will waste space and cause clothes to wrinkle from moving around. Use all the space you have available to you, such as putting socks & under garments inside of shoes.

You can get a great packing list from Frommers.

Keep in mind that the airlines are changing their restrictions and charges often these days. Make sure and go to their web site or call a couple of weeks before travel to get the latest information.

There are exceptions, especially with adventure trips or luxury travel, where preliminary documents are sent, as well as personal registration forms to be filled out.

You will of course always receive written confirmations from us for your records.

Day 1 with the budget and first class tours is "always" the overnight flight to Europe, arriving on Day 2 - this means Day 2 is your first hotel night.

Day 1 with the Deluxe & Luxury Tours is the day you arrive in Europe to start your tour.

With US and Canada tours, day 1 is the day your tour begins.

With other exotic destinations such as South America, Asia and Australia, please check with you agent, as there could be as many as 1 to 2 days for the flight over.

In most cases, booking your own airfare is fine, but I want to remind you to keep a few things in mind.

When you book airfare with the cruise or tour operator, transfers are included to & from the airport. When calculating how much money you are saving, make sure & factor in the additional cost for transfers.

Tours can cancel due to lack of participation. If you book your own air, we suggest booking a tour that is "guaranteed" to operate. Many suppliers have added hundreds of guaranteed departures on their popular tours.

If you experience a problem with your flight being cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, when you book your airfare along with your travel packages, you will have assistance in booking the next available flight to meet up with your trip. If you book your flights online, how difficult will it be to get someone on the phone to assist you in rebooking another flight?

Insurance is another consideration. If you book your own air, normally the cruise or tour operators insurance will not cover the value of your flights. Make sure to speak to an agent about outside insurance coverage so that your entire purchase is protected.

Book early & save. Many suppliers offer air promotions for bookings made well in advance.

On many occasions we do advise our clients to buy airfare separately, but make sure to take the time to discuss your options with an agent to ensure you are receiving the best value.

I told her they would be delivered by UPS to her home address on Monday.

This is 8 days prior to her departure.

She was satisfied with this and we ended the call.

She called back about 10 minutes later and asked where the documents were being mailed to. I told her they were on their way to her address in Chicago. She said, “But I’m in Rhode Island”.

I asked why she did not advise me of this and she said, “We always spend our summers in Rhode Island”

Okay, so now I need a crystal ball with all of the other hats I wear! I was supposed to know this??

I told her I would see what I could do and called the supplier to ask if another set of documents could be generated and mailed out.

This reservation was made with a Luxury Tour supplier and they agreed to send the documents directly to her Rhode Island address.

If this were a supplier other than a Luxury Tour operator, a duplicate set of documents would have a fee to generate and the overnight mail would have to be paid for by the client.

Please think of your travel agent as one of your circle of family and friends. Keep us in mind to notify us of any changes in your life. Give us your airline schedule if you make your own airline reservations; give us all contact numbers and dates when you’ll be at another location. Don’t think you’re bothering us with trivia. Our job is to give you the best customer service we can, but to do this we need your help.