Seniors-Only Cruises Offer Trips To Alaska
Seniors at Sea will lead three escorted cruises - for seniors only - along the coast of Alaska next summer. And it’s not too soon to sign up, since participation is limited to 30 per cruise.
The first seven-day cruise aboard a Norwegian Cruise Lines ship will leave Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 30.
Unlike some cruises, this program will include an educational component. Participants can attend seminars on Alaskan geology, wildlife, history and culture.
Prices begin at $1,134 (based on double occupancy); transportation to and from Vancouver is not included. For information: (800) 743-8680.
It’s nice to be noticed
Kudos to the Stratford Manor Inn (360-715-8441) in Bellingham, for being picked as one of the country’s top-rated bed-and-breakfasts and inns by the American B&B Association. It’s the lone B&B in this region to make the list.
Here’s a deal
A free coupon book with discounts of up to 50 percent at Bellingham-area tourist-related businesses is available by calling a toll-free number.
The off-season discounts are good through May 15. Call the Bellingham-Whatcom County Visitors Bureau, (800) 487-2032 (you’ll get voice mail, so just leave your name and address) and ask for the Off-Season Travel Discount Coupon Book, or e-mail to tourism@bellingham.org.
No ordinary modems here
Those who need to be plugged in while they are in Seattle will find the latest high-tech hook-ups at the Hotel Vintage Park.
The hotel collaborated with Microsoft and Atcom/Info to make laptop computers with multimedia software, on-line services, games and office software available to guests.
Guests can either access their existing e-mail accounts, or can set up temporary e-mail addresses during their stay at the hotel.
For information: Hotel Vintage Park, (800) 624-4433.
Hard to imagine in December
Those who see a whitewater rafting experience on their New Year’s list of resolutions can get a free brochure from Hughes River Expeditions, listing next spring’s schedule of trips and the rates.
Hughes River Expeditions leads trips down Hells Canyon, the Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Salmon River, as well as a few further afield in Oregon, Nepal and Turkey.
For a free brochure, contact Hughes River Expeditions, P.O. Box 217, Cambridge, ID 83610 or call (800) 262-1882.
A free brochure is also available from Nichols Expeditions, which runs whitewater rafting trips through the lower gorge of the Salmon River. The Utah company focuses on mountain biking and rafting trips in Utah, but also leads adventure travel tours in France, Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Arizona and Alaska.
For a copy of the brochure, call (800) 648-8488 or e-mail info@NicholsExpeditions.com
Where Darwin did his thing
The High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore., is taking reservations for guided field excursions May 15-24 to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Guides and naturalists from Special Expeditions will accompany the travelers. Highlights of the 10-day trip include cruising on the Polaris to the Galapagos and shuttling ashore on a Zodiac raft.
The expedition begins and ends in Miami and cost ranges from $3,700 to $5,480, depending on accommodations. Deadline is Jan. 9; to register, call the High Desert Museum, (541) 382-4754.
Portland on a budget
Visitors to the Rose City can take advantage of reduced hotel rates through February.
A dozen Portland hotels are offering off-season discounts for lodging.For information, call the Portland Visitors Association, (888) 606-6363.
, DataTimes