1954 Central Warriors,

At the May Reunion, there was a lot of conversation between our group about getting together again for another cruise. And a number of the group expressed an interest in crusing to Alaska with classmates.

After researching several cruises, Red Davis found one that he feels fits the requirements as discussed at the reunion:

2010 Cruise to Alaska

William "Red" Davis

"This all got started when I made an announcement at the reunion about how much fun we had on the only cruise (2006) we had made, and maybe it was time to get started on another. My wife, Jeanne, volunteered to get the ball rolling and that is what we are doing.

The people we talked to at the reunion mostly wanted a week-long trip and cost was a factor for some so even if the weather won't be as warm then the costs are lower in mid-May. So here we go, we'll have a great time and I hope we can get a nice group of classmates headed north.

May seemed to be best suited for our needs as it is somewhat cheaper to book than June and July and round trip costs to Seattle are a lot less than cruising to Anchorage and flying back to Vancouver or Seattle.

The recently renovated Golden Princess is back at sea looking better than ever

Golden Princess to Alaska

Princess Cruises (Golden Princess) offers a round trip from Seattle to Juneau, Alaska and back. It departs on Saturday, May 15 and returns on May 22. Those dates were chosen because they do not run into Memorial Day which would make it harder to get airline tickets at reasonable rates.

If you're checking out this cruise on the internet, it is Itinerary #5013.

Princess Cruise Contact

Our contact for this Princess cruise is Joel at Cruise Planners/American Express
(866-791-5171). Ask for Cruising Warriors.

Our rates for this cruise range from $699 for inside cabin, $949 for ocean obstructed view, $1079 for a balcony cabin to $1,249 for a mini-suite. Of course, all prices are per person and there is a port fee of $150 for the trip. Rates may change from time-to-time.

By booking through Cruise Planners, you'll receive a $50 per stateroom on-board credit and dinner for two at one of the specialty restaurants on ship. This is only available through Cruise Planners.

If you have any difficulties, you can also get in touch with us (William "Red" and Jeanne Davis. We've already booked a mini-suite and feel it is a really good deal. Everyone will book their own reservation through Joel, but I would like for you to let me know so I can keep up with our list. He did suggest that you ask for the Starboard side of the ship for a better view, however, he said that it may not make that much of a difference on this cruise. If you make your deposit, you have until March 1, 2010 to cancel at no cost.

Dining Options

There are several dining options on the Golden Princess: First (6 PM) or Second (8:15 PM) which are set times each night with a set table. Or, Anytime Dining lets you eat at any time between 5:30 - 10:00 P.M.

In addition, there are two specialty dining rooms that charge a fee ($20-25 per person)
and take reservations.

Of course, on the ship there are also a number of other casual dining options including a
24-hour buffet, late-night bistro, a burger & hot dog grill and 24-hour room service.

If you're so inclined, you can also indulge in afternoon tea with sandwiches, pastries, cookies and tea.

Seattle Hotel Reservations

It is definitely recommended for most people to arrive in Seattle at least a day earlier
than when we sail on May 15. If you arrive late, the ship sails anyway.

At this time, since we don't know how many people will be spending the night in Seattle before boarding for the cruise, we'll continue to check out hotel reservations through the cruise line at discounts. Our agent says that you can probably purchase air tickets cheaper on your own than going through them, however they are available that way.

See you in Seattle in May 2010."

Red and Jeanne Davis
Bdavis70810@aol.com
225/756-5572 (h)