IAJGS2016Discussion Mailing List: Cruise Opportunities for Seattle Conference Announced

[Chuck Weinstein (Co-chairs]

Please read the entire email before responding.  If you wish to book one of
our cruises, the booking information is at the bottom.  Due to limited
availability, our travel agent will have to take deposits on a first-come
first-served basis.  First of all, I want to thank all of you who indicated
to me that you were interested in taking an Alaska cruise either before or
after the Conference in Seattle, next summer. When we sent out the message,
we hoped we might get 20 or 25 responses, enough to put together a group of
about 40-50.  I received over 60 responses, indicating an interest from a
total of over 130 people, including spouses and families (and, in at least
one case, neighbors)  Due to the timing of cruises available, many of the
cruises we looked at were already close to or completely sold out.  We
determined that by booking through Sharon Furlong, a travel agent who is
very experienced with Alaska cruises, we could offer each cruiser a
personalized experience based on their interests.  There is no additional
charge for this service, and she will make you aware of discounts available,
which may include retired military, AARP, former cruisers, etc. In addition,
depending on the size of each group, the cruise lines involved will make a
contribution to the Conference as a sponsor.  Instructions for booking
follow the descriptions of the cruises.  All cruises depart from the Seattle
Ship Terminal Pier 91, which is a convenient 10 minute cab ride from the
Conference hotel.  As noted, some of these cruises have specials for people
who book quickly.  In order to make the cruises available to the most people
possible, we have decided to offer three choices:
 
Pre-Conference Cruise
 
A Pre-Conference Cruise departs Seattle, Friday afternoon, July 29, 2016 at
5:00 PM, returning to Seattle on Friday morning, August 5, 2016 at 8 AM
onboard the Celebrity Solstice.  The seven day itinerary is scheduled to
take you to Ketchikan, Alaska, Tracy Arm Fjord (cruising through the fjord
and glaciers), Juneau, and Skagway, Alaska on the northbound route and
cruising the Inside Passage with a port call in Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada on the return leg.  This is a family-friendly cruise with many
amenities available for children.  Prices start at $1299 per person, double
occupancy for an inside cabin.  For cabins with an ocean view or a balcony,
the prices are higher.  Note these fees do not include approximately $200
per person in taxes and port fees, and any other amenities you may wish to
purchase.  The Celebrity Solstice receives top ratings consistently from
people who have taken cruises on it as reported by
http://www.cruisecritic.com, which ranks cruise ships based on objective
measurements of quality and allows individuals to rank ships by quality, as
well.  By the way, this website offers a lot of great information, whether
this is your first cruise or your hundredth.  There are additional costs for
more than two people in a cabin and prices are not guaranteed until the
cabin is booked with a deposit of at least $500. For all cruises alcoholic
beverages, specialty coffees , specialty restaurant, spa services, shore
excursions, photographs, WI-FI  and medical services  are available to
purchase at an extra charge onboard added to your shipboard account.  Prices
are not firm till the day of booking. Deposit is due at the time of booking.
 
Two Post-Conference Cruise Choices
 
We have elected to offer two post-conference cruises, both departing Seattle
on Sunday, August 14 at 4 in the afternoon and returning Sunday, August 21
in the morning.  Boarding begins at 1:00 PM and you must be aboard by 3:30
PM.  Both ships appeal to slightly different clientele, so you may wish to
consider this.
 
The Ruby Princess offers a variety of opportunities for a family oriented
cruiser.  Departing from Seattle, the itinerary includes port stops at
Ketchikan and Juneau, a morning  cruise around the Tracy Arm Fjord, a day in
Skagway, and a day in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on the return.
Rates begin at about $950 per person, double occupancy and to that, you must
add about $225 in taxes and port fees.  If you put down a refundable deposit
of $500 per person by October 29, there is a price reduction on this cruise.
The Ruby Princess is also rated highly on www.cruisecritic.com.  For all
cruises alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees , specialty restaurant, spa
services, shore excursions , photographs, WI-FI  and medical services  are
available to purchase at an extra charge onboard added to your shipboard
account. For all cruises alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees , specialty
restaurant, spa services, shore excursions , photographs, WI-FI  and medical
services  are available to purchase at an extra charge onboard added to your
shipboard account.  Prices are not firm till the day of booking. Deposit is
due at the time of booking.
 
The Holland America Lines' MS Amsterdam departs Seattle and offers a more
adult-oriented cruise.  Holland America is a preferred choice for
distinguished and experienced cruisers, but it is not expensive.  Port stops
include Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, Alaska, plus Victoria, British
Columbia, Canada, as well as a cruise around the mouth of the Hubbard
Glacier, and around scenic Stephen's Passage on the Inside Passage and
around Puget Sound. Rates start at $1,179 per person, double occupancy, with
port charges and taxes of about $255.   For all cruises alcoholic beverages,
specialty coffees , specialty restaurant, spa services, shore excursions ,
photographs, WI-FI  and medical services  are available to purchase at an
extra charge onboard added to your shipboard account.  For all cruises
alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees , specialty restaurant, spa services,
shore excursions , photographs, WI-FI  and medical services  are available
to purchase at an extra charge onboard added to your shipboard account.
Prices are not firm till the day of booking. Deposit is due at the time of
booking.
 
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE BEAUTY AND GRANDEUR OF ALASKA. FROM THE EPIC
LANDSCAPES AND THE INCREDIBLE WILDLIFE TO THE HISTORIC AND COLORFUL CULTURE,
THE GREAT LAND IS A DESTINATION THAT WILL INSPIRE, AWE, AND LEAVE YOU WITH
MEMORIES YOU WILL NEVER FORGET.
 
Booking Your Cruise
 
We have made exclusive arrangements with Sharon Furlong , a Travel Agent who
has  over 30 years  of experience with Sharon's Travelers, an affiliate of
Incentive Connection Travel, to book cruises on behalf of the Conference
attendees.  She has already reserved a limited number of cabins for each
cruise for conference attendees and their families and friends.  You may
contact Sharon Furlong by Email at sharonstravelers [at] hotmail.com, or contact
Sharon directly at (631) 357-7947 for voice or for text messages.  Please do
not call her between the hours of 6 PM to 9 AM, Eastern Time (GMT-4), as
this is her cell number.  Sharon is the owner and she will personally handle
your booking. Please do not contact the Conference chairs or IAJGS, as
Sharon has all the information available on these cruises.
  
When you Email Sharon, please use the subject line: IAJGS CRUISE. If you
text her, please mention IAJGS Cruise at least once in the exchange.  If you
have food requirements (Kosher, Vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.), please
mention that in your Email or text. Sharon  will require your full legal
name as stated on your passport, for all traveling with you in your cabin,
DOB, Residence of what Country, mailing address ,airport departure city,
Passport number and expiration date. Please note you must be 21 years or
older to be in a cruise cabin or have a connecting room cabin with an adult.
Single people in a cabin will pay a double cabin rate. Please look and make
sure your passport will not be expiring before  March, 2017, or you will
have to renew your passport now to take the cruise in Aug 2016.  US and
Canadian citizens will not require a visa, but citizens of other countries
may require a Canadian visa for all cruises that stop in Victoria. A Credit
Card will be the form of payment for Deposit and final payment with the
cruise lines. If you are interested in doing anything other than staying
aboard the ship during port calls, Sharon can recommend shore excursions for
what you are interested in doing and seeing.  For those of you who are
looking for a package that includes both the cruise and your air fare to
Seattle, Sharon can help with that as well.  In addition, for those of you
who expressed interest in a longer or different cruise, Sharon can help you
make those arrangements as well.
 
Please note that if you book through another travel agent or through the
cruise lines direct, the conference will not get credit for your travel.
Sharon will offer you the lowest prices available to the general public at
the time of booking.  
 
What's Included in a Cruise price: 
 
Taxes and fees are included in your final booking prices.
Your choice of inside, ocean view, balcony or suite accommodations
All meals onboard including 24 hour room service
Coffee, tea, milk, juice and non-bottled water
Onboard entertainment including shows, discos, comedy clubs, bars, lounges,
etc.
Age appropriate kids programming for toddlers, kids, and teens.
Use of all fitness facilities, pools, hot tubs, sports courts, 
 
Not Included:
 
Airfare and transfers to the ship
Gratuities
Casino gambling or Bingo
Meals in any alternative or special dining restaurants or venues
Soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffees, or alcoholic beverages
including beer, wine, spirits.
Shore Excursions and sightseeing tours
Spa or Salon Services
Items of a personal nature like souvenirs, photos
Travel Insurance (recommended)
 
Thank you for your interest.  We look forward to seeing you in Seattle and
enjoy a lovely cruise!  Bon voyage!

Janette Silverman
Chuck Weinstein
Phyllis Grossman
Co-Chairs 36th Annual IAJGS Conference on Jewish Genealogy
August 7-12, 2016, Seattle, WA
Co-chairs [at] iajgs2016.org
www.iajgs2016.org
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