Travel!

“STAYcations” was a word I heard last year to describe what people did when the economy went south.   Folks would give up plans to travel anywhere, choosing instead to “stay” close to home and do things which didn’t cost as much money.

 Well, the travel industry is hurting too - and their loss can be your gain.  Take our family for instance.

 We were looking for something very fun to do in a one-week block before school started (we have three sons at home in school and two sons who recently graduated from high school who are serving in the armed forces).   I wanted something that would be memorable and affordable.  My wife wanted something that would give us lots of choices and lots of time together.   She wanted to be pampered and I wasn’t opposed to the idea!

 

So we found a 7-day cruise to Alaska from for $599/per person!   This was significantly less than what they charged several years ago.   This cruise was on the Princess Star and started and ended at Pier 91 in Seattle, so we didn’t have to buy a one-way airplane ticket somewhere.  My fears about cruises were this: I would be required to run around in a tuxedo and bowtie, dance and have to always be digging into my pockets looking for bills to tip people.  

 I’m here to tell you I never wore a tux, I never danced (but my wife danced with my boys) and I never gave a bill to anyone!

 What did we get for our money?

• Five star lodging & room service
• Five star dining
• Five star entertainment
• A chance to see Alaska (and Canada)
• A whole week together, but with many options!

There were about 6-7 restaurants onboard, two theaters, numerous dance floors, swimming pools, hot tubs, spa, salon, gym, basketball court, coffee bar, cocktail lounges, art gallery and auction, retail stores, photographers, places to read a book, take a nap, run a mile - even a hospital.

 Did we get seasick?  Not really.   One day the seas off Canada were slightly rolling and two of my sons spent two hours feeling slightly queasy.   That was it.

 Our routine as a family was simple: I told the boys they had the freedom to do anything they wanted all day long, except they must use the buddy system (so they would spend time with one another) and we had to all eat dinner together at night.  Turns out we spent a lot more time together than that! 

 Did we dress up?   Yes!  But only two nights - they were called “Formal Dinners.”   On the second such night we stopped by one of the many ship’s photographers and had a formal picture taken.  The rest of the dinners were called “Smart Casual” and we enjoyed a tie-free evening!   The boys loved ordering a five-course dinner each night and learning to be gentlemen.  In the mornings while Bev and I enjoyed a buffet breakfast, some of the boys would lay in bed and order breakfast delivered…as much as they could eat!   They were in heaven!

 Were there other costs?   Yes - alcohol, specialty coffees, spa services and of course gifts, all cost extra.  There was a one-time, week-long gratuity that I paid for each of us which cost about $75/per person.  That $75 was shared by our waiters, maître d’, stateroom cleaners.  But think about it for a second.   How much would it cost one person JUST to go to Seattle, book a 5-star hotel, eat at a fancy restaurant three times a day and attend a musical at the 5th Avenue?   A lot more than the $96.29/per per person per day it ended up costing me.   Plus you are on a massively huge ship with 2,500 other guests and 1,000 crew members from over 25 different countries!   It was a screaming-good deal!

 Did we go ashore?  Absolutely.  Our ship visited three Alaskan ports and also Victoria, B.C.   There were shows to watch ashore, shops to browse, souvenirs to buy and it was fun to see Alaska together.

 Would we do it again?  In a heartbeat!  In fact, we are already planning our next cruise: we’re thinking, Greece!

 I called this our “STAY-TOGETHERcation.”  And we made some great family memories.

 Who do I recommend for Alaska Cruise?   I used Wes Ewing: wes@cruiseexpertstravel.com at CruiseExperts Travel, Ltd. and would use him again.   It was very easy to book and enjoy the week of your life!   You can reach Wes at:

1-800-565-2784 ext 28
Fax: 604-737-1672
2979 West 41st Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia V6N 3C8

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