How 'Bout A Little Alaska Weather??

How Bout A Little Alaska Weather?

Just looked at the weather in Alaska today and they were showing at 1PM the temperature to be 60F degrees with 37% humidity. Doesn't that sound inviting? Well, The Travel Factory Gang is going to be going there in about a month, and with 100+ degree weather like this in Abilene, it can't come too soon!!

As I have reported a few months ago, this is scheduled to be another banner year for visitors to our great 49th State. Cruise Lines International Association estimates that 1.165 million guests will be visiting the state from cruise ships. These numbers were taken from 34 ships who are operated by major cruise lines who are members of CLIA. This doesn't count Alaska's small ship cruise lines who are showing an increased demand from the six companies that have scheduled 265 sailings on 20 ships.

Several cruise lines are coming back after a few years away. One of them is the Windstar Cruises which hasn't had a presence there in 20 years. Lindbland Expeditions has a family-friendly cruise program for their Alaska guests this year.

As you know, Princess has been in the Alaska market for many years. I started using them with my Travel Factory Gang trips back in the middle 90's, primarily at that time because of the land package on the interior of Alaska. They built their own lodges for their guests, and designed and produced the rail cars they've been using ever since that has the wrap-around windows. They have 7 ships in that market and are planning on putting one of their newest ships, the Royal Princess, in the Alaska market next year. It will be the largest ship in the Alaska market. And guess what????? I already have a group booked on that ship for July 8, 2019, so if you are of a mind to go, consider going with The Travel Factory Gang and get your reservations in early. Because it is already selling, the early worm not only gets the best prices, they also get the best located staterooms.

Norwegian Cruise Lines newest ship, the Norwegian Bliss, departs for its first Alaska itinerary in June. We were on the inaugural sailing out of Los Angeles this past weekend, and it is an awesome ship. Built for the Alaska market, she is the largest NCL ship at 145,000 tons carrying over 4,000 passengers. Like all new ships, she is absolutely beautiful inside and outside with an inside observation deck that has glass windows from floor to ceiling the width of the ship, perfect for viewing the glaciers.

The Bliss is a great family-friendly ship with activities galore for the entire family. The water parks, slides, and tubes are exciting. One feature that they have and no one else has the the electric car race track, and one can get to speeds up to 30 miles per hour. They have about 15 dining venues and bar locations and the food this last week was outstanding. The featured show in the theater was Jersey Boys, and the next night we watched a new production, Havana. They have the typical Alaska itinerary with the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, with a stop at Sawyer Glacier, and a return stop at Victoria, British Columbia. Get your money down on a fantastic experience!!!!

You can explore your options with the experienced agents at The Travel Factory. Our next years group is the 25th we will have enjoyed exploring in the Alaska market. Other agents have also sold Alaska every year, and are well-versed on that market, so give us a call at 698-1421 or better still, drop in for a visit at 4150 Southwest Drive at the Plaza at Park Central between Rosas and Chick-Fil-A.