An Alaskan Adventure - Scrapbook cruise and tour Sept 2019 - deposit and information
An Alaskan Adventure – September 2019
You’ve seen the promo, you’ve dreamt about icy waters and glaciers. But now it’s here! We are so very extremely excited (we’re so excited that doesn’t even make sense!) to announce the details for TMD’s Alaskan Adventure.
We have worked tirelessly tweaking our plans to give you the very best tour experience possible and can’t wait to share this experience with you! We hope you’ll join us!
We’re offering three tour options to ensure you are able to find the best fit for your cruising/Alaskan adventure.
In addition, we know that this type of adventure is better shared with friends and family so have also formulated an option for your non-crafting friends and family! Yes! They can come along too and do everything we crafters do, except of course the crafting parts of the tours. Win/Win! And we’ve changed the price accordingly!
So…. what are our options?
Option A is our starting point. You can’t do anything else without this! It includes all flights to and from Auckland/Vancouver, all accommodation plus the cruise.
Option B follows on from option A and takes us inland. We’ll visit Denali national park and the Fairbanks area with the hope of seeing bears and the Northern lights, visiting another craft store (providing it’s still there, eeek) and allowing you some time to do some fun Alaskan activities of your own choosing.
Option C caters to those who are after a taste of the Alaskan wilderness and includes a day visit to an Eskimo village and to see some polar bears in their natural habitat. This day trip, additional to the main tour is not cheap, but it will be the experience of a lifetime. Option C can’t be done unless option B is also chosen.
Want to find out more? I know you do!!!
Option A. Depart Auckland 5th September return 17th September
Our trip departs Auckland arriving in Vancouver for 3 nights allowing a day of sightseeing (on your own) and a day of scrapbook shopping (as part of the group tour) before boarding the Holland America MS Westerdam to cruise the inside passage on an 8 day journey.
During the cruise we will get to visit a variety of amazing places, including Glacier bay where we might even see some ice calving. We’ll also have 3 classes by Trina during the down times at sea. The itinerary has been planned carefully to ensure you get the most of your time at sea, enjoying the ship and seeing the stunning icebergs/glaciers.
Our cruise itinerary is as follows:
Day One - Vancouver, depart 4.30pm
Day Two Cruising – classes
Day Three - Ketchikan
Day Four – Juneau
Day Five – Skagway
Day Six – Glacier Bay
Day Seven – Cruising (possible class/es)
Day Eight – Seward
Option A finishes in Seward, where those leaving us catch a flight back to Vancouver and onwards home to NZ.
Option B Departs Auckland 5th September, returns 25th September
Those staying on will then take a coach to Anchorage, overnighting there before catching a train through to Denali National Park. Overnighting in Denali, the next morning we take a coach tour through Denali National park where we will experience the best of Alaskan wildlife (Trina is hoping to see her favourite animal – bears!).
We spend another night at Denali before heading to Fairbanks where we hope to see the Northern Lights and can do our own tours such as visiting the hot springs and gold dredging, plus as a group we plan on taking a half day trip to see the local craft stores (Michaels anyone?).
We stay in the Fairbanks area for 2 nights before beginning our journey home from Fairbanks to Auckland NZ.
Option C - during option B's stay in Fairbanks
For those who are bear crazy like Trina, you can take our third fantasy option of a day trip to visit Polar Bears in their natural environment, also stopping by an Eskimo village. For those not taking this option, you will be able to explore the local area at your own leisure. The cost of this depends on the number of participants who go.
Please see below for costings.
Please note the options must follow each other. i.e. you can only do Option B if you do Option A. You can only do Option C if you do Option B. Costs for options A and B are separated for ease costings. If you choose Option B this is not an additional cost to Option A but is it's own cost from the beginning of the trip to the end of the trip.
Costs:
The following costs are based on twin share and if you are crafting
Option A: $6060 NZD
Option B: $9199 NZD
Option C: $ TBC but approx. $3500-$3900 NZD in addition to option B, depending on numbers.
The following costs are based on twin share rates if not crafting.
Option A: $5700 NZD
Option B: $8750 NZD
Option C: $ TBC but approx. $3500-3900 NZD over and above tour option B, depending on numbers.
All pricing is based on twin share in an inside cabin. If you wish to have a single cabin we can arrange this for you at an additional cost.
If you would like a cabin with an ocean view or balcony, we can happily arrange this upgrade for you at an additional cost.
If you’d like to take advantage of the twin share pricing, but don’t have a travel companion, we will do our best to match you with someone suitable. Please ask and we’ll get onto it for you.
When booking please advise us of which type of cabin/twin/single share you are requesting.
Deposits of $100 NZD are required when you book and will become non-refundable in October 2018. A further $1000 NZD will be required at that time, and then full payment by 6th June 2019.
Once TMD has your deposit, your details will be passed to our agent who will then get in touch with you directly for the information required to arrange your bookings and all ongoing payments will be made directly to them.
Please advise Susan (our agent) of any dietary requirements when booking or medical information we may need to know in case of an emergency.
Additional costs not included:
Travel Insurance mandatory (including personal, medical in fact the works! This is Alaska!)
VISAS (if applicable)
Breakfast after cruise
Meals not included on the tour
Additional personal tours
Passports
Drinks
Personal spending
Excess Baggage
Personal Items
Wifi (our hotels may have this, but it is an additional cost on the cruise)
Bring list items for classes
Vaccinations (if needed)
Anything not included in the tour
I want to come! How do I book?
You are here! Place your order to secure your booking and pay your deposit (refundable until airfares are booked as per details below). Trina will then pass your details to our agent Susan who will contact you for all the required details. It’s that easy.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Trina McClune on trina.mcclune@gmail.com
Terms and conditions:
*T&Cs apply. Prices are per person, twin share in NZD and based on Inside stateroom/s as stated. Surcharges apply to other stateroom categories. Package is subject to availability. Valid for sales to 31 Mar 2019, unless sold out prior. Fares are subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to do this at any time. Airfares are based on flying economy class from Wellington/Christchurch and Auckland with Air New Zealand airlines. Please note that airfares are only available to book 320 days in advance and is based on current airline schedule and times. Airline schedules may differ at time of booking and we will endeavour to book the most suitable airfares if changes occur. Once airfare prices are confirmed Friday 26th October a further deposit of $1000 NZD will be required and full payment due 18th May 2019. Full passport names are required at time of booking and dates of birth. Upgrades on flights maybe available but would only be confirmed in October.
A refundable deposit of $100 NZD per person is due within 3 days of booking. Strict cancellation and amendment fees will apply. Escorted package price is based on 15 passengers travelling and if numbers fall below this level, a surcharge will apply. Escort travelling is subject to minimum numbers attending. – 3rd and 4th Person rates may be available – land only prices are subject to availability and must be confirmed with Trina McClune. If for any reason Trina McClune can’t travel due to an unforeseen circumstance a replacement will be provided.
Prices based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at 29 May 2018. Changes in exchange rates may occur and we reserve the right to adjust prices accordingly. Events beyond our control, such as currency fluctuations, changes to the price of aviation fuel or changes to the cost of services and facilities may result in the prices charged to you being different. Prices are based on payment by cash or cheque only. Payment via Credit Card/Paypal or other means than cash/cheque may incur an additional charge. Q MasterCard: Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. We welcome American Express Card members. Membership Terms & Conditions apply. Further booking conditions apply, please ask us for details.
Please note price excludes – any additional domestic New Zealand flights, Travel Insurance, Canadian Visas, shore excursions, drinks, shopping and items of a personal nature. Additional baggage on flights. Polar bear exclusion.
FAQ’s:
Q: Can I extend travel or meet you in Vancouver?
A: Yes, this may be possible. After booking as above, please speak to Susan regarding your options and what if any additional costs you may incur.
Flybuys – you will receive Flybuys if the card is in the name of person travelling please provide the number on the booking form. You can redeem your points for Flybuys voucher as payment for this package.
American express – you can change your Amex points for payment of this package
Travel Insurance – Helloworld Upper Hutt can provide you with Insurance – we would recommend you get the Insurance with the October payment to cover once the deposit is non-refundable. Their insurance is with Allianz.
Airpoints – can be earnt please provide the number on the booking form - Airpoints cannot be used as payment unless you have the land only price which is subject to availability
Special Meals – all requests will be provided to the suppliers – we will need to let the airline/cruise line know.
Passports – must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from our cruise due to the ship requirements
Q: Are shore excursions included in the price?
A: No, these are not included in the price – Trina will advise what she is booking and you can choose to book the same or alternative options.
Q: Do I have to do the same sightseeing as the group
A: No please feel free to do your own activities but there is no reduction in the costing.
Q: I don’t live in Auckland, can I still join in the fun?
A: Of course! We’d love for you to join us. If you are coming from another country, we will reduce the tour cost by the cost of airfares and meet you in Vancouver – you’ll need to buy your own tickets to Vancouver. If you live outside of Auckland, you can meet us in Auckland for our initial flight.
Q: Are we escorted the whole way?
A: Trina will be on the trip from beginning to end of option B and will help along the way with any questions, organisation etc. We have been talking with our travel agent and are hoping she will join us so that those who leave at the end of option A will have someone to travel back with. This will be confirmed closer to the time.