Travel scene: ALASKA The view is nothing but gorgeous

CRUISE DISCOUNTS FOR TEACHERS, FIREFIGHTERS,

POLICE OFFICERS AND MILITARY

Washington Post March 19, 2007

Attention teachers, firefighters, police officers and active duty military personnel. Travel Direct Corp. has a " Salute to America's Finest" discount on more than 150 Holland America cruises. For example, a seven-night Caribbean cruise on the Westerdam departing Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Oct. 22 starts at $499 per person double (plus $71 taxes); rate usually starts at $673. Book at 800-365-1445. 

eMediaWire Newswire, March 14, 2007

Travel Direct Corporation, today announced their 3rd Annual "Salute To America's Finest" promotion. Travel Direct's cruise travel consumer web site www.cruisedirectonline.com is offering over 150 special Community Appreciation Fares with cruise vacations priced from as low as $179.00 for Teachers, Firefighters, Police Officers and Active Military. (including US Coast Guards, Merchant Marines, National Guard & Reservists). The promotion is valid for selected cruises booked between March 15, 2007 - May 15, 2007.

These special fares are offered for over 150 select sailings of Holland America Line to the Alaska, Amazon & Southern Caribbean, Asia, South Pacific, Australia & New Zealand, Canada & New England, Caribbean, Southern Caribbean & Panama Canal, West Africa & South America, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, and South America, There are also a series of "coastal" cruises from San Diego to Vancouver starting at $179 per person for a 3 day cruise. Other cruises vary in length from 7 to 22 days.

Here is an example of how much Teachers, Firefighters, Police Officers and Active Military personnel can save:

October 22 - Westerdam - 7 Night Western Caribbean was $649. Community Appreciation Fare: $499 Brochure price $1,544.Saving was up to 58%, now up to 68% off brochure price.

Last year the offers were such a huge success that Cruise Direct Online has nearly tripled the number of sailings, ships and destinations offered. Plus, new for this year, are a series of 40 Alaska & Yukon Cruise Tours. Alaska Cruise tours range from 10-17 nights and include your 7-night Alaska cruise. Most cruisetours feature an inclusive tour into Denali National Park, a 6.3 million acre park home to Mt. McKinley and one of the largest wildlife habitats in the world.

Reservations are available by calling the company at 800.365.1445.

To qualify for the Community Appreciation Fares guests must show proof of employment as a teacher by supplying Teacher's Certification, union card or letter from principal on school letterhead with deposit. Firefighters, Police Officers and all branches of active military (including US Coast Guards, Merchant Marines, National Guard & Reservists) must show proof of eligibility by faxing a copy of official ID. Must be able to show ID at pier upon request.

DollarWise digs up no-stress getaways that don't require any arrangements or decisions except what's next on the fun list.

 By Jennifer Mulrean

Somewhere in our quest to do more, vacations morphed into “extreme adventure.” Traditional all-inclusive vacation packages were dissed as unimaginative and unadventurous -- the default territory of blue hairs and honeymooners.

But the do-it-yourself approach to vacationing, complete with jam-packed itineraries, can leave you needing a vacation to recover from your vacation. Why not sign up for a trip where your every need is anticipated and catered to; where the goal is to settle in for the duration and -- gasp -- actually relax?

All-inclusive vacations are “popping up all over,” says Kathy Sudeikis, travel agent and national vice-president of American Society of Travel Agents. “It’s really a way to get your arms around the pricing,” she says. “Usually they’re a good value -- they may not be cheap, but they’re a good value.”

While many of these vacations still fall into the traditional categories of cruises and Caribbean beach resorts, I also spotted caving trips in Belize, cooking schools in Italy and dude ranches all over the United Sates. Turns out that “hassle-free” need not mean “adventure-free” after all.

To be sure, “all-inclusive” means different things to different tour operators, Sudeikis warns, so read the fine print and ask questions about what you’ll be expected to pay for out of pocket. On cruises, you can generally expect to pay for drinks and shore excursions, for example, while some resorts include even the tips for hotel staff.

Hassle-free vacations seem to fall into one of four general categories, and we've included some resources to help you start your research. In most cases, all you really have to do is show up.

Cruises, reinvented
The original all-inclusive, cruises are sometimes disparaged as nothing more than floating buffets and extra-long shuffleboard tables. But the cruising industry has worked hard to reinvent itself as a venue for active, adventurous trips suitable to families and thrill-seeking young adults.

On Royal Caribbean’s cruises you can climb an onboard rock wall, work on your golf swing or become certified in scuba diving. Disney’s Cruise Line includes “Mouseketeer Training,” an underwater playground and various other Disney-themed activities for children, along with spas, wine tastings and cooking demonstrations for the adults.

And if you’re looking to surround yourself with likeminded travelers, cruises offer plenty of smaller niche-market sails, including those for gays and lesbians, adults-only trips and the kids-focused programs a la Disney and Carnival’s Paradise.....

No matter which cruise you pick, travel experts generally agree you shouldn’t pay full price for your passage.

“It’s a perishable product,” Sudeikis says. “Hotels can have guests arriving any night, but once a cruise sets sail, that’s it.”

This means cruise companies have a greater incentive to wheel and deal. Many of them offer “kids cruise free” deals, for example. Try sites such as Cruise Direct {Online}, which boasts a searchable database of 12,000 cruise deals and discounts. The site also posts cruise reviews, ship ratings and photos of cabins.... To read the entire article, click here...

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A shipload of cruise bargains for fall travel—plan ahead and save

By Jason Cochran

July 24, 2003 —  With kids back in school but hurricanes a minor worry, Caribbean cruises that cost $1,100 in July go for $500 by October. Here’s our selection of several outstanding autumn bargains at sea, all from the cruise brokers named for each offer (and only from them), including all port charges, per person double occupancy in inside cabins (outside cabins add about $100 more).

( Editors note: among several listings was this mention of us )

$727 FOR SEVEN NIGHTS IN HAWAII

After recent convulsions in the industry (including the bankruptcy of American Hawaii Cruises), the big Norwegian Cruise Lines makes Aloha State cruises affordable again with weeklong romps on the Star through the Hawaiian islands (the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu), plus a stop in Kiribati and a day at sea. She’s the largest cruise ship to sail Hawaii thus far and does it every Sunday in November (that’s five departures) from Honolulu. Get this deal, which mixes well with a few days’ stay on Waikiki Beach, from Cruise Direct Online (800/365-1445, www.cruisedirectonline.com)

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ARTHUR FROMMER'S BUDGET TRAVEL MAGAZINE

December/January Edition — From the cruise brokers named for each item below come these bonanzas in boating, all of them for sailings in January, February, and March 2003. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy in inside cabins, and unless stated otherwise do not include airfare.

Checklist!  ( Jan/Feb 2003 edition )