Smaller Ship Cruising

You don’t like the idea of spending your holiday with hundreds or thousands of people?  I have the solution for you – smaller ship cruising.  These are available in sizes from under 100 people, more like a personal yacht, up to 1000.  Areas of cruising are all over the world and types of vessels are motor vessels and sailing vessels.  Most can be chartered for private cruising, if you have your own group.  Let’s look at some of them:

1. American Safari Cruises are small luxury intimate vessels carrying 12 to 36 guests.  Covering Alaska, Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, Hawaiian Islands, Pacific NW and Columbia and Snake Rivers.   
   

   Courtesy American Safari Cruises

2. American Canadian Caribbean Lines are vessels from 84 to 100 guests.  These are flat top with bow ramps allowing them into small coves in Central America, Intracoastal Bays, Great Lakes, Canals, Rivers and Coastal New England.
3. Aranui is a freighter to Paradise cruising the Marquesas Islands.  She carries 100 passengers and  2,000 lbs. of cargo.  A unique way to see the South Pacific
4. Through the Greek Islands there are 2 Greek lines – Zeus Casual Cruises with 1 ship carrying 42 passengers and Variety Cruises with 1 ship carrying 18-21 passengers.  Smaller is definitely better in Greece.
5. Elegant Cruises & Tours has 2 vessels-one carrying 62 passengers and one 104.  They offer many itineraries such as the Adriatic, Azores, British Isles, Western Med, Transatlantic, and some expedition cruises to Patagonia, Falklands and Antarctica.  Family owned and run make these vessels worth checking out.  In addition to the motor vessles, they have Sea Cloud sailing vessel carrying  64 passengers and River Cloud  on the rivers carrying 88 passengers visiting the rivers and waterways of Europe.    
   

   Elegant cruises in Croatia

6. Fantasy Cruises has one small yacht sailing from Seattle, WA up to through the local waterways and into Canada.  Get up close and personal with nature with only 32 passengers.
7. The Crown Blue Line offers self-skippered cabin cruisers in Holland, Ireland and New York State.  Many different sizes will accomodate family and friends to go as you wish.
8. Lindblad Expeditions are an adventure cruising company all over the work.  North America, Central America, Galapagos, Antarctic, Europe, Egypt and the South Pacific.  All the way from 40 to 100 guests, all of these vessels with give you memories for a lifetime.  The land portion of the trips are filled with adventure.    
9. The Hurtigruten in Norway and on up to Russia and Finland  any time of the year have motor vessels from 164 to 674 passengers.  They are the most knowledgeable about the far north and offer authentic Scandinavian travel, both on water and land.        
   

   The Hurtigruten Cruise Line in Norway

10. Orion Expedition Cruises to Antarctica carries 106 passengers in comfort.  She is like a small mega yacht taking you on adventure cruises.
11. Quark Expeditions have icebreaker adventure ships doing Antarctica with helicopters, zodiacs and rubber boots.  Nose to nose with nature.
12. SeaDream Yacht Club has 2 luxury vessels carrying 110 passengers.  These are great for charters  for business groups or friends.  Her itinerary is the Caribbean, Mayan Riviera and Med.               
    

    Sea Dream Yacht at Monte Carlo

13. Star Clippers are beautiful sailing vessels in Tahiti, Far East, Caribbean, Med and ocean crossings.  One vessels carries 227 passengers and one has 170.  Quiet gentle sailing to small little islands in warm and sunny places.       
    

    Star Clipper Sailing Ships

14. The Moorings have a fleet of yachts for sailing yourself or you can hire a captain and chef and just let someone else do the work.  Their itineraries are the Caribbean, Mexico, Bahamas, Florida,  South Pacific, and Europe.  All sizes and types of vessels.
15. Windjammer Barefoot Cruises.  Wonderful sailing vessels from years gone by.  You can help hoist those sails or let someone else.  All you need is a swim suit and toothbrush.  The Islands of the Caribbean welcome you to warm lagoons and dazzling beaches.
16. Windstar Cruises.  Luxury sailing vessels  with 148-312 guests.  Be pampered  in the warm and sunny Caribbean, Central America and Panama Canal, Europe, the Greek Isles and Transatlantic

Let me help you see the world in an intimate personal vessel.

North to Alaska … See those Huskies go …

“There are things that are done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their tales that would make your blood run cold”…. Robert Service

Maybe not the “last frontier” but a land of history, mystery, adventure, and fun.  “How does one get to Alaska?”, I have been asked.  Many want to go by train.  But the train doesn’t go  north and south from Canada to Alaska.  It does run from Whittier to Fairbanks, east and west.  So, what are our options?

CRUISE LINES.  There are a number of large ships and a few smaller ships who go from San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver, BC.  There is also the Alaska State Ferry that goes from Bellingham, WA.  Let’s talk about each of these:

• From San Francisco is 10 nights round trip to the Glaciers and back.  Very few ships do this.  They go outside the Passage because of the distance so they can go faster.
• From Seattle.  Many ships are now doing this route round trip to the Glaciers and back in 7 nights.  Because of the old Jones Act, they have to make a stop in a foreign port – usually Victoria or Prince Rupert, Canada-for a few hours the last night.  These ships must go at least one direction outside the Passage.  The water can be rough and you miss the most beautiful part of the trip. 
• From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 7 nights to the Glaciers and back..  The most ideal because you get the inside passage.  This route has very narrow channels with majestic mountains.  You just watch for hours as the ship winds it’s way past small villages, sometimes dolphins and often whales.
• From Vancouver, BC to Seward or Whittier, Alaska or reverse for 7 nights and fly one way.  This way you get more glaciers, plus you can add on a land tour to Denali Park or even on up to Fairbanks before or after the cruise.  This is the most ideal especially if you will only go once in your lifetime, which is doubtful.  Once you see this magnificient place, you will want to go back.
• At this time there are 2 small ship companies doing cruises out of Juneau, Alaska.  This is a wonderful way to get up close with nature.  No big ship amenities, no dress codes.  Only amazing sites along the way.
• The Alaska State Ferries allow you to drive your car onboard, get a cabin or sleep on the deck.  Stopping in several ports, this is transportation only.

When to go North?  The cruise ships only go from early May to mid September.  The Ferries go all year long.  Summer has almost 22 hours of daylight.  Summer solstice is June 20th when it is the longest daylight of the whole year.  Party time in Alaska.  No one goes to bed.  No one is tired.  Daylight energizes you.  Winter is just the opposite – not much daylight.   Summer weather is unpredictable so go prepared for anything.  You don’t want to miss the sights.  Take a rain poncho in case of a shower any time in the summer.  Winter, take your warmest clothes.  Every season has its own amazing sites.  February has northern light displays that will mesmerize you. 

What do see and do?  There are many different areas in Alaska from the Kenai Peninsula to the Arctic Circle.  This list is only a fraction of what adventure awaits.  Having a car is a good idea and can be rented in Anchorage.  You can also rent motor homes and even have them awaiting you at the pier if you are disembarking a cruise ship.  There are a few places you can’t  drive direct but have to put a car on a ferry.

• The Kenai.  This is a long peninsula in Southwest Alaska.  The main town is Homer.  This is the halibut fishing capital of the world.  Trophy-sized halibut are caught here, but the best tasting are smaller ones.  You also have the Kenai River, famous for salmon fishing.  Many charter companies will give you a thrill.  Wildlife abound and watch for the moose and bear on the roads.  
• Whittier is the end of the cruise for one cruise line.  From there you are put on a train and taken to Denali Park.  Along the way you pass   amazing sites in your dome train car.   Seward is the end for other cruise lines and you can take a motor coach around Portage Bay on your way to Anchorage.
• Anchorage is the capital.  A beautiful city with great restaurants and shopping.  From there head North to Katmai National Park to see bears as they are feeding on salmon.

At Anchorage take the train to Fairbanks.  A slow ride past small villages, towns and amazing scenery.  Pass Palmer where they grow the biggest cabbages in the world because of all the daylight.  Get off in Talketna and go salmon fishing.  Then take a small plane over Mt. McKinley (weather permitting) and land in Kantishna.  This was the last place to buy supplies before heading into some of the mining fields.  Visit Mirror Lake and on a clear day see a picture perfect image of Mt. McKinley. 

Take a bus ride from Kantishna out to Denali Park.  Spend a couple of nights and feel the wilderness.  Visit a sled dog camp and hear the stories of these amazing dogs who absolutely love to run.  Then get back on the train and end in Fairbanks.

There are many things to do and see in Fairbanks.  There is the Discovery paddlewheeler on the Chena and Tanana Rivers stopping at Susan Butcher’s sled dog camp as well as the Binkley’s native Chena village showcasing many of the native tribes in Alaska and their crafts.  Along the river hear the stories of the fish traps, the gold mining adventures and the sights of Alaska.  Here is where you catch a small plane and fly over to the Arctic Circle and get your certificate.  Visit North Pole, Alaska, part of the pipeline and even KJNP-”the radio station at the top of the nation”. 

From Fairbanks you can drive south and visit wonderful historic places such as Tok, Chicken, Dawson City, Whitehorse, Skagway and the capital Juneau.  This part of your journey would not be complete without knowledge of the Gold Rush of 1898.  Read Pierre Burton’s books and gain an insight into that historic time of our country and the fever that brought thousands from all over the world to risk their lives for gold. 

Alaska, a wonderful place to vist where they speak English, the dollar is good, the food is wonderful and you feel at home instantly.  Your cares melt away as you come face to face with nature.

Europe Bound..but for the Euro

Travel to Europe on US Dollars!!!

There has never been a better time to visit Europe.  Let me count the ways.

• What kind of travel do you like to do?  Have you ever taken a cruise vacation?  This is a wonderful comfortable way to see Europe.  You pay up front in US dollars, both for the cruise and the excursions in your ports of call.  You sleep in the same bed every night and visit many different cities and countries.  You can even combine the cruise with a land tour before or after the cruise.  Or fly in early to the embarking city or stay later in the disembarking city.  Then we can book you a tour, book your hotels all prepaid in US. dollars.  There are different kinds of cruises – big ships, small ships, river boats, sailing vessels.  One is just right for you. 
• Another way to prepay in US dollars is to do a land tour with a company who specializes in Europe.  There are many.  Some give you total service from meeting and greeting to saying good bye.  For first time travelers this is a very comfortable and fun way to travel.  Many tour companies now keep you in some towns for 2 or 3 days and really give you a chance to see everything. 
• If you don’t want the fully guided tour, we can get you a rental car and/or train tickets and you can tootle on your way.  The main thing is that at some point in each city, get a tour from the Information Office in each city.  The saddest thing I have seen are people wandering around cities and have no idea of the history or anything about the buildings.  You may never go there again, so get someone to tell you.
• Don’t take too big a bite when you go.  Better to see just a small area fully than to jump from country to country just to say you have been there.  Check the distances and decide how you will travel between them.  Depending on when you go, prebooking a hotel may be necessary.  The good ones fill up quickly and sleeping in a train station isn’t the most comfortable or safe.  Again, these can be prepaid in US dollars.
• Why are you going to Europe?  Heritage tour?  Are there war stories in your family, then visit the battle fields?  Religious tour?  Taking your family to stay in a villa in Italy or France?  Church group going to Israel or Turkey?   Needing help with a group tour? 

Whatever your reasons, however you want to go, just don’t let the money stop you.  Call me to pre book as much as possible and enjoy your journey.

In The Beginning There Was Cruising

What is your opinion about the cruise Industry?  Maybe I can shed some light.

Starting with Noah’s Ark, people have floated on the water.  All kinds of vessels, all kinds of bodies of water.  We just love floating around the world. 

Contrary to those who have served in the Navy, today’s cruising is very comfortable, informative, entertaining, and can be the ultimate vacation.  But it is like a pair of shoes, if it doesn’t fit you, you won’t be happy.  How do you know if it fits you? 

First of all, you need professional assistance.  As the highest certified professional in the industry, I am constantly monitoring all the cruise lines and all the ships in each company.  Just because your neighbor or Aunt Suzie cruised on a particular ship does not mean it is right for you.  I build a personal relationship with you to find out as much as I can to put you on the best fit.  Each time you cruise, those criteria may change and I have to know how to change you.  So, let’s start with the basics.

There are about 4 different classes of cruise lines, in my humble opinion.

• Luxury
• Premium
• Mass Market
• Assorted miscellaneous types

LUXURY – From very small yacht-type vessels to very large ocean liners, these are set apart by the ratio of staff to passengers.  Also, the inclusions such as wine with meals, stock bars in the cabins, suite-type accommodations, included shore excursions, high quality linens and bathroom amenities. Some overnight in ports of call.   Many longer cruises that are better suited to the older passengers, Just simply, like a more luxurious resort or hotel, the level of service is superior.  Definitely an adult only atmosphere.

PREMIUM – A small number of companies in this category.  Ships of various sizes, interesting ports of call with some overnights, high ratio of passengers to staff, may have some limited children’s programs, champagne on boarding, high quality service and food.  Pricewise, a step down from the Luxury brands

MASS MARKET – Larger ships, more family orientated, lots of onboard activities, many places to eat, busy and active ambience and priced for the maximum population.  Many newer ships and new builds coming all the time.  Great for goups of all types with meeting room capabilities.  Generational groups with activities for all ages. 

ASSORTED MISCELLANOUS TYPES – In this category you have

• River cruises both in the US and around the world
• Sailing vessels
• Paddle wheelers
• Small ships in many places around the world
• Theme ships such as Disney Cruise Lines
• Expedition-type ships
• Barges in the US and France-self guided or escorted

We will explore these in depth in future postings.  In the meantime, remember to get a CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) certified professional such as myself to assist you.  I know the industry and the industry knows me!!!