True West Historical cruise interest forum

[Sheldon M Perlin]

To all of you folks who would like to be added to the list of interested parties for our upcoming cruise to Alaska (The last frontier) please use this forum to add your Name and e mail. Tentitive date will be July 2010 and will try to coincide with or very close to the Soapy Smith event in Skagway. Skagway is on our port of call list. We have a blog "Western Cruise" and a discussion forum put up by Jeff Smith called "Historic Alaska cruist for True west". You may add you name to this forum, or you may contact me by e mail at [e-mail] or [e-mail]. We are generally available 24/7 at toll free# 1-877-724-2483.

[Odessa Red]

Many times I can fly Southwest from Ontario, CA to SEATAC for $49 to $99 online booked fare..I go there frequently to see my daughter...however, if the cruise rates only go down $48 if we fly ourselves into SEATAC, then it really makes better sense to just book the entire fare (air/cruise) with you. Am I understanding it correctly?

I have to discuss Inside cabin or Ocean view with him....do you accept Paypal for payments?

[Sheldon M Perlin]

Hi Odessa,
Let me clarify. It was my understanding that a lot of folks will have to fly into seattle. Since not everyone lives in the same area, we tried to make it easy by having the cruiseline set up a combination cruise/air package. This package has two different parts. One is the Cruise price that is seperate from the Air fare. The reason for this is that the Cruise line will guarantee getting you to your ship on time. Part of that pricing is the $48.00 transfer fee that will get you from the airport over to your ship and back to the airport upon your return from the cruise so you can make your return flight. If you elect to make your own flight arrangements than you will have to follow these guidlines. In order to get to the ship on time and make use of the transfer fee. You must arrive at SEA no later than 1PM in order to catch the transfer transportation to the ship. The earliest departure time from SEA can be no earlier than 11:30am to allow the transfer vehicle to get you back to the airport to make your fight. In other words you must make your flight arrangements to arrive at SEA before 1PM on 07-04-2010 and depart SEA by 11:30am or later 07-11-2010. This way you can take full advantage of the transfers. If you elect to fore go the transfer and go it own your own then the 48.00 fee is removed from your cruise fare. The Cruise port is approx 17 miles from SEA. The ship will be at pier 91 and you must board between 12 noon up to 3pm. The ship gets underway at 4:pm... Please call me at 1-877-724-2483 (toll free) if you need more info. Would love to talk with you..
Unfortunatly "no pay pal" we deal directly with cruise lines on a secure line.

[Sheldon M Perlin]

Hi Bo, It is true that there are other charges involved when going aboard ship, Just like going to a Hotel or resort, but there is so much that is included it will amaze you. OK, a simple can of soda does not cost $8.00. Here is a break down of approx. costs depending on Cruise lines but pretty much standard.
Here is a quick look at what all the little "extras" can cost: Subject to change:

Soda: $1.50 (approx)
Domestic Beer: $3.50
Imported Beer: $4.25
Cocktail: $4.50 and up
Glass of Wine: $3.50 and up
Bottle of Wine: $18.00 and up subject to change
Ice Cream Cone: $1.50 + Depends if specialty ice cream shop.
Shore Excursion: $35 to $150
Massage: typically $75 to $125

Also bear in mind that most cruise lines automatically add a 15% gratuity to any drink purchase
A soda card is also available for about $4.50 a day. This is for unlimited soda.
of course that is plus gratuity. Which bye the way is well worth it because you will be treated like Kings and Queens once your get on board.

[Odessa Red]

Thanks for the information Sheldon...that clears it up perfectly. While I know my way around Seattle, I think it is much better to use the complete package and not have to worry about all the bookings, transfers, and times...this way it's all done for us. $48 is nothing in the big scheme of things!

Gads if I drank unlimited soda for a day, I think I'd probably get sick! lol Prices are reasonable and sound typical for conveniences outside of home and the grocery store!

Sounds like I need to get a few more breedings booked to my stallion soon! lol

[Sheldon M Perlin]

Odessa, although we have,for the time being, locked the cruise prices under our agency name, The air fare cannot be locked in. The air fare is changing constantly & the air lines will not lock in pricing for us. Since this is a cruise/air package (meaning cruise line handles all the arrangements for flights and transfers), the cruiseline will require that the entire package be paid in full, This locks in all air prices. If you just want to use the locked in cruise fare, then all that is needed is a deposit within three days of booking and hopefully we will still be able to get a favorable air fare when the time comes provided air space is available. One good bit of information. Our agency is always monitoring prices and should the Cruise fare decress, the cruise line at our request will,in most cases, make an adjustement. Sorry for the sad info on flight fare, but we have no control on how air lines conduct business. We all have to pay for convienance and I guess having the cruise lines handle Pre and Post travel arrangement saves us all a ton of time and research. I.E. if you choose an ocean view cabin the cost is 1512.71 and want to fly as part of the package then the air fare would be additional cost at the going air fare rate unless locked in. The rate yesterday was 329.00 RT leaving from LAX. Me thinks your stallion will be one happy stud...

[Odessa Red]

LOL...it gets more complicated by the minute!...ACK!...so those balcony, ocean view, and regular room rates you quoted earlier do NOT include the air fare then?...I thought it was an entire package deal with cruise, airfare, and transportation to and from the airport to the ship. I've just never been on a cruise before so I have no idea how these things work.

Yep, I'm hoping more clients book their mares to him for spring season. I've been sick so I have't been actively marketing him lately...time to get on the ball!

[Sheldon M Perlin]

Odessa, from one "X" law enforcement person to another.. I know this sounds confusing and it isn't as bad as it sounds. We rarly do airline booking because most folks either fly in on their own or drive to the ports. In this case,with the possibility of many travlers, the cruise line will handle everthing. The cruise fare is locked in for us for the next 40 days as well as the airport transfer. If we haven't booked my reserved space by then, the line may take back my inventory. Unfortunately the air fare is always additional. I hope you can go. Please book early, once things get rolling my reserve of 16 cabins will not last long.. Alaskan cruises sell out just about every time. Keep a keen eye out for updats on the ship, Also keep checking my web site and the special page for your group for updates.. It's really easy to cruise, Call me, give me your information, pay your deposit or full fare is flying with us, then just sit back and let us and the cruiseline work it all out. Your excitement will grow every day your cruise gets closer. It is hard to put into words about cruising, I Just don't think those words are in the dictionary yet.

[Odessa Red]

I certainly can't pay over $3000 in full right now for a cruise set for July...I have other trips and high end horse shows booked prior to this cruise...and Christmas, too. Even if I was able to pay full fare, then I'd worry I wouldn't be able to get a plane to fly to SEA or the airfare would be so high I couldn't afford it at the time I needed to book it... as awesome as it would be to go now I'm getting to wonder if this is something I can swing...I know the cruise is certainly beautiful and worth it, but that's alot of money any way you look at it...and I haven't fully discussed it with the hub in all the excitement of the dreaming of it!

[Bungalo Bill]

Folks, I am not a salesman for the cruise lines, but I have to say that if you have never been on an ocean cruise you owe it to yourself and spouse to go at least once in your lifetime. We rode on the Dawn Princess and the food was fantastic and available just about all day long. Yes, you will pay for drinks at the bar but the prices are moderate, and in fact less expensive than at our local Indian casino. There is a "black tie" dinner near the beginning of the cruise and another near the end, so bring your fancy duds. (Formal dress is requested but not required at these.)

That was our experience last year. It was the most relaxing and carefree time we ever enjoyed. I am going to do my best to convince the wife that we need to go to Alaska again this year. She wants to go to China.

[Sheldon M Perlin]

Bill, Thank you for the great push on this. We love ya for it...For those folks who have been land lubbers, "YOU HAVEN'T LIVED, UNTIL YOU'VE CRUISED"
Bye the way Bill, we can help you with China.. Give me a call at 877-724-2483 (toll free) or write me at [e-mail].

[Sheldon M Perlin]

Bo, Thank you for your support. Someday I may have the honor to meet and break bread with you and Belle. I was sorta hoping it would have been on this cruise.

[Sheldon M Perlin]

Reb, Other than the Carnival Estacy's laundry room catching on fire about 12 years ago, I do not recall any fires. And that fire was under control immediatly.
I'm not saying things don't happen, but it's not only Ships..Fire is certainly a threat any where you go,stay or travel. Boats, Planes, Hotels. I guess I am just partial. I have been Cruising since 1985 and before that a destroyerman in the United States Navy. I will agree with you that there are some of us that are frightened of the water just as some of us are frightened to fly. But for the most part all of our modes of travel are safe be it Ships, Planes, Trains, Automobiles and yes Horses. Once again, thanks for your input and probably scaring the hell out of a lot of folks that were interested in going LOL!!!