This is an offer that any tourist who wants to see Alaska should consider seriously. "Thanks to a special opportunity through Elderhostel’s travel partner," the company announced April 28, 2009 that guests signing up for its popular “Inside Passage Up Close” 8 - day trip who fly from Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington,D.C. and other cities would get free round trip plane tickets to Juneau, the takeoff city. Are there catches? Of course.
Free Airfare Offer Applies For Only 2 Trips
The free airfare offer only applies to two trips: Aug 10–18, 2009 and Aug 24–Sep 1, 2009. The price per person for the land portion starts at $4,379, and when Elderhostel’s Website was checked April 28, this lowest price was available only on the later departure. For the Aug 10 departure, there was already a waiting list at the lowest land portion price.
The lowest price on board the ship "Spirit of Discovery" was for a cabin with this description: “Double and single occupancy, main deck, two single beds and large view window, 110 sq. ft.; Cruise West's Category A. Single has a double bed rather than twin and is located on the bridge deck.”
The first upgrade available cost s $4579 on the Aug. 10 trip and is for “bridge, lounge or main deck, two single beds and large view window, 92 sq. ft.; Cruise West's Category AA.” On both trips, the most expensive choice is $5379 for a “deluxe” cabin on the bridge deck with a TV, refrigerator and large view window.
Nevertheless, Elderhostel and other companies clearly are offering large incentives for summer vacationers to go on costly small ship voyages to Alaska and other attractive destinations. This Alaska journey goes, in the senior tour company’s words, “through deep glacial fjords, spectacular coastal mountains, and the lush temperate rainforest while exploring the region’s spectacular natural scenery and rich indigenous history.”
Elderhostel Activities in Alaska
Elderhostel promises that tourists will view “glaciers and humpback whales up-close and study totem poles in the rainforest and icons in a Russian Orthodox church.”
As is always the case, there is an educational component to this Elderhostel trip. Experts who are on the ship “narrate the scenic highlights and give in-depth analysis of the geology, history, wildlife and ocean process” connected with America’s largest state.
Bottom line? This sounds like a fabulous Alaska cruise and might be a big bargain when airfare is included. But before deciding, it would be wise for travelers to check what the airfare costs from their home city to Juneau.
Grace Lichtenstein - I prefer "seasoned" to "senior" but whatever term you use, I have been an outdoor adventurer for most of my adult years. I am a cycling ...
