Texas Ski Council

2011 TSC Summer Expedition
ALASKA CRUISE
September 6-13, 2011
Expedition Coordinator – Andrea Yowman

Carnival Spirit, Seattle – Seattle

Tuesday 6 September to Tuesday 13 September 2011

Cruise Itinerary

Carnival Spirit

Ports of Call

Sea

The 15th largest state in the US, and the largest in the Pacific Northwest, this coastal city and seaport has numerous claims-to-fame including being the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix and grunge music. Seattle is also home to a slew of fairs, festivals, galleries and museums.

Seattle's mild, temperate marine climate allows year-round outdoor recreation, including walking, cycling, skiing, snowboarding and hiking through its lush forests.

Tracy Arm Fjord

One of the most spectacular cruise destinations on earth, Tracy Arm Fjord is actually made up of two separate fjords. Both fjords are over 30 miles long and one-fifth of their area is covered in ice. With hundreds of waterfalls, giant chunks of falling ice and a huge variety of native wildlife, you won’t even want to blink as you cruise past this natural wonder.

Skagway

As your ship approaches Skagway, you'll see the town resting peacefully at the base of a river valley bordered by the Coast Mountains. The mountains, ranging from 5,000- to 7,000-ft. in height, seem to rise straight up from the saltwater fjord. Once on land, the streets of Skagway draw you back over 100 years, when this idyllic native fishing village was overrun by hordes of prospectors. Today, wooden sidewalks, old-fashioned saloons, quaint gift shops and horse-drawn carriages serve as reminders of the Alaskan Gold Rush days.

Juneau

Juneau, Alaska is considered by many to be the most beautiful capital city in the nation. Checking in at just a little over 3,100-square-miles, Juneau qualifies as the biggest American city - geographically, that is. The terrain is hilly and winding, and narrow streets present a small-town quaintness existing side-by-side with cosmopolitan sophistication. You'll find great shopping, fine restaurants and superb museums.

Ketchikan

A popular destination along Alaska's famed Inside Passage, Ketchikan is teeming with Native American culture. Home of the largest concentration of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people in the state, this extraordinarily beautiful city on Revillagigedo Island boasts the world's largest collection of totem poles, and an equally impressive selection of museums and cultural centers featuring Native dance, carvings and artifacts. Ketchikan's calm waters and surprisingly gentle climate make it a favorite of sports fishermen.

Victoria, BC

Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and a major tourism destination seeing more than 3.65 million visitors a year. Downtown Victoria is always abuzz with its concentration of night clubs, theatres, restaurants and pubs. It is also the perfect addition to an already amazing Alaska cruise.

Shore Excursions

In each port of call, there is an extensive selection of shore activities from which to choose. Everyone will find something attractive, whether it’s a modest city tour or a demanding adventure.

Following, as a sample, are some of the favorite shore excursions for each port call.

Favorite Excursions in Seattle

§  Boat, Bridges, & Billionaires

§  Future of Flight & Boeing Factory

§  Grand City Tour by Land & Sea

§  Seattle Essentials

Click here to see details of all excursions in Seattle (4).

Favorite Excursions in Juneau

§  A Taste of Juneau

§  Mendenhall Glacier & Wildlife

§  Taku Glacier Lodge Flight & Feast

§  Bike & Brew

§  Mendenhall Glacier & Salmon Bake

Click here to see details of all excursions in Juneau (36).

Favorite Excursions in Skagway

§  White Pass & Yukon Railway

§  Steam Train Adventure

§  Glacier Discovery by Helicopter

§  Eagle Preserve Wildlife Adventure

§  Best of Skagway

Click here to see details of all excursions in Skagway (33).

Favorite Excursions in Ketchikan

§  Canopy & Wildlife Expedition

§  “Deadliest Catch” Fisherman’s Tour

§  Misty Fijord Flightseeing

§  Misty Fijords & Wilderness Explorer

§  Alaskan Chef’s Table

Click here to see details of all excursions in Ketchikan (29).

Favorite Excursions in Victoria

§  Famous Butchart Gardens

§  Victoria by Double Decker

§  Secret Garden & City Lights

§  Twilight Craigdarroch Castle

§  City Lights, Wine & Chocolate

Click here to see details of all excursions in Victoria (10).

Pre / Post Trips

Pre Cruise: Seattle

Saturday 3 September to Tuesday 6 September (Labor Day Weekend)

Post Cruise: Vancouver

Tuesday 13 September to Friday 16 September. (Details to follow)

Ship Profile

Carnival Spirit

Carnival Spirit is the floating resort that ushered in the Spirit-class ships with innovations such as the two-level promenade and the reservations-recommended steakhouse. Her greater speed -- and the fact that most of her staterooms have ocean views, and of those, the majority have balconies – make Carnival Spirit the perfect ship for extra-special itineraries like Alaska. The delicious dining, wide variety of onboard activities and endless entertainment options on Carnival Spirit make complete a cruise experience like no other.

For more detail see:
http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_spirit/default.aspx?shipCode=SP

Ship Amenities

Dining

§  Carnival’s Total Choice Dining

§  Full American breakfast each morning or continental breakfast in bed

§  Full course lunch and dinner each day

§  Casual dining options at our lido deck restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner

§  24 hour pizzeria

§  24 hour frozen yogurt and soft serve ice cream

§  24 hour-a-day complimentary stateroom service

§  Complimentary early evening sushi bar*

§  Reservations only elegant Steak House option for dinner (additional charge)*

Entertainment

§  Special “Captain’s Celebration” Party”

§  Karaoke club

§  Late night comedy shows

§  Late night deck party

§  Full gambling casino including a wide variety of slots and table games

§  Wide range of entertainment, including different “spectacular stage shows” every night at sea.

Wellness

§  Spa Carnival® program featuring healthy meal choices

§  Wide range of spa treatments (additional cost)

§  Complimentary access to Spa Carnival fitness center, steam room and sauna

§  Specialty fitness classes, i.e., Pilates and Spinning (nominal charge)

Services

§  Internet café and Wi-Fi capability (additional charge)

§  On board cell phone service (International roaming charges apply)

§  Swimming pools and whirlpools

§  Carnival Waterworks to refresh and cool off on deck*

§  Complimentary deck chairs

§  Serenity Adults Only retreat*

§  Briefings on the highlights of the ports of call

§  Duty-free shopping on board

§  Use of the ship as your hotel

§  Spacious air-conditioned staterooms, among the largest afloat featuring Carnival’s Comfort Bed

§  Carnival Youth Programs with specially trained counselors - Camp CarnivalSM , Circle “C”SM and Club O2SM

Staterooms

Prices are quoted for staterooms of types 4B (Inside) and 8B, 8C, & 8D (Balcony View)

Stateroom 4B (Inside)

Staterooms 8B, 8C, & 8D Balcony View

Stateroom locations and Deck Plans are at
http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_spirit/default.aspx?shipCode=SP