Alaska,Fishing and Cruising :it can’t get better than this.

Princess Cruises Creates New Alaska Cruise tour Just for Fishing Fans in 2011

14-Day Cruise Vacation Package Includes Excursions to Some of State’s Most Famous Fishing Grounds

Princess Cruises has introduced a new Alaska cruisetour option just for fishermen (and women) as part of the 2011 season. This new 14-day land/sea vacation includes special excursions just for anglers, with opportunities to cast their lines in some of the state’s premiere fishing spots.

Participants on the new tour can try their hand at salmon fishing in the Inside Passage from Ketchikan, bottom fishing for halibut near Juneau, and river fishing on two Alaskan rivers — the Kenai and Talkeetna — on excursions from Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.

“Fishing is such an iconic part of the Alaska experience, that it made sense to offer a special tour especially for those who want to focus their time on the sport,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “We include a variety of fishing experiences so our passengers can get a taste of the array of fishing opportunities found throughout the state.”

The new fishing cruisetour includes a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise through the Gulf of Alaska featuring scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, plus two nights at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and one night in Anchorage. Participants will not only enjoy fishing tours throughout their vacation but also scenic travel via Princess Rail and a Natural History Tour in Denali National Park.

Fishing excursions include:

Alaska Sportfishing Expedition (Ketchikan) Participants can experience the thrill of fishing in the “Salmon Capital of the World” in the calm, protected waters of the Inside Passage. Passengers will travel in a large, heated cabin cruiser and can test their salmon sportfishing skills on a five-hour expedition to troll for king salmon, pink salmon, chum salmon, and silver salmon, depending on the season.

Halibut/Bottom Sportfishing Adventure (Juneau) This excursion takes a small group on a journey to experience bottom fishing for halibut, Pacific cod, arrow-tooth flounder and nearly a dozen species of rockfish, depending on the season. The five-hour experience includes fishing in 180 to 350 feet of water with bait or plastic lures near the ocean’s bottom. Bottom fishing appeals to anglers of all experience levels, as fish are easy to hook and usually very abundant. During the trip to the fishing grounds, participants may also spot some of the region’s other wildlife, including whales and sea lions.

Kenai Upper River Sportfishing (Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge)

Famed for its trophy-sized fish, the beautiful upper Kenai River is one of the finest recreational areas in Alaska. Tour participants can experience world-class fishing surrounded by dazzling mountain scenery aboard a non-motorized drift boat or raft. Anglers will be catching either sockeye salmon, Dolly Varden or rainbow trout, according to the season.

Alaska Sport fishing (Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge) Both experienced and novice fishing fans will enjoy testing their luck on the Talkeetna River. Anglers will travel by boat to a secluded fishing spot in the shadow of Mt. McKinley, where they will cast for king, silver or red salmon, rainbow trout, grayling and Dolly Varden, depending on the season. An experienced guide will steer the group to the area’s optimum fishing holes.

All tours follow fishing seasons and regulations as determined by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). Fishing licenses are not included in the package price; participants can purchase appropriate licenses at each location or directly from the ADF&G. Passengers must be at least 12 years old to participate in the cruisetour.

Fares for the new fishing cruisetours begin at $3,248 per person, based on double occupancy.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent at 1-800-308-3077 or , by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

This winter we’re heading back to the Caribbean, all the way to Montego Bay, the second largest city in Jamaica. Montego Bay is a tourist destination known for its famous beaches and clear, turquoise waters. And what better place to experience the exotic Caribbean charm than Sandals Montego Bay Resort.

With its white-sand beaches, casual mood and upscale setting, Sandals Montego Bay Resort is the perfect getaway for couples! Sandals resorts are known for being the best place for two people in love. It’s one of seven Sandals resorts in Jamaica, but it’s also the original Sandals. This is where it all started!

Magnificent and historic, Sandals Montego Bay Resort is home to Jamaica’s largest private beach. The unending shoreline and tropical gardens is where the beach –

and the fun – go on and on. It has four pools, seven restaurants, five whirlpools and five bars, including a swim-up bar. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Sandals Montego Bay Resort is part of Sandals’ “Stay at 1, Play at 3″ program. Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Carlyle are the other two resorts you can take advantage of while staying in Montego Bay. That’s a total of 17 restaurants, 12 pools, 10 whirlpools and 12 bars available to you during your entire stay.

And these luxury vacations include land sports, fitness centers, unlimited scuba, private offshore islands, luxurious accommodations, motorized water-sports, top-shelf drinks, entertainment, tips, gratuities and hotel taxes, as well as the Caribbean’s best beaches! No other resorts on the planet include so many options!

If you love great beaches, shopping, and authentic island adventure, Sandals Montego Bay Resort is just for you! To learn more information about the Sandals experience and to take advantage of Sandals’ specials going on now! Call today to book your All Inclusive Resort at Sandals at 1-800-308-3077.

Destination Spotlight:Walt Disney World

Sometimes referred to as “the most magical place on Earth”, Walt Disney World Resort is the world’s largest and most visited resort. Located in Orlando, Florida, the resort is home to four theme parks, two water parks and 23 on-site themed hotels, with several other attractions for recreation and entertainment.

Probably the most famous theme park within Disney World is Magic Kingdom, with Cinderella’s Castle being the focal point of the entire park. Top attractions here are the Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, it’s a small world, Space Mountain and more! And for an extra cost, make sure to call ahead for reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table so you can enjoy a dinner with Cinderella herself!

Epcot theme park is home to Future World and the World Showcase, and is often referred to as a permanent World’s fair. You can truly dine around the world at Epcot’s World Showcase. Eleven pavilions represent eleven different countries, and contain shops and restaurants from their respective country. And every night, Epcot puts on an award winning show, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, which features fireworks, lasers, fire and water fountains, with a beautiful background score.

Formerly known as Disney-MGM Studios, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is all about show business. From Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular to Sounds Dangerous to The Great Movie Ride, the attractions here are all based on Hollywood, either by showing special effects, giving behind-the-scene looks, or simply based on a movie or television show. And every night you can catch Fantasmic in the open-air amphitheater, featuring Mickey Mouse and many other Disney characters in a story full of fireworks, lasers and water effects.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is exactly what it sounds like: an animal park, which is centered around animal conservation. It is the largest single Disney park in the world. Animal Kingdom has several walk-through exhibits, an indoor theater, amphitheaters and a conservation exhibit. And it’s full of different animals. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is located in the park’s 33-acre wildlife reserve, and here you could even catch a glimpse of the giraffes or zebras from your room’s balcony!

With two water parks and several other attractions in addition to the parks, Walt Disney World Resort has something to offer everyone. There are so many hotels and accommodations available, to fit any budget, as well as over a hundred dining options to help feed even the pickiest eater. And don’t forget to stop by Downtown Disney. Shopping, dining and entertainment are in over-abundance at this outdoor complex, which is completely free of charge.

Walt Disney World Resort vacations are good any time of the year. Breaks from school, holidays, or vacation-time entice families to head to Disney for quality time together. And couples find Disney World to be one of the most romantic places on Earth- many proposals happen right in front of Cinderella’s Castle!  Walt Disney World Resort is currently offering a Free Disney Dining Plan for certain dates of booking and travel in 2010 and 2011. Make sure you take advantage of this special offer by Disney and take your family where dreams come true.

Disneyland® Resort Exclusive

Buy 2-day Disneyland® Park Hopper tickets and get 2 FREE!

Disney is introducing World of Color, a new nighttime spectacular at Disneyland® Resort. World of Color is grand-scale entertainment that will transform Paradise Bay at Disney’s California Adventure® Park into an epic stage for choreographed water and fire, lights and music. Guests will be immersed in favorite Disney and Disney • Pixar stories as animates scenes splash across an unbelievable wall of water created by nearly 1,200 fountains.

Book your reservation today by calling 1-800-308-3077 to speak to your Disney Travel Specialist.

“Let the Memories Begin”

Disney Parks & Resorts, in coordination with its new “Let the Memories Begin” consumer campaign, is adding to the experiences those guests receive at Disney parks by developing new and updated attractions in California and Florida, new vacation opportunities on Disney Cruise Line, a new luxury resort in Hawaii, and new ways to explore the world with Adventures by Disney.
At Disneyland Resort, “World of Color,” the new nighttime spectacular presented in Disney California Adventure, brings classic Disney and Disney-Pixar animation to life with nearly 1,200 powerful fountains, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fire, music and special effects. Next up for the continuing expansion of Disney California Adventure is the first major attraction based on the modern Disney classic, “The Little Mermaid.” The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure will treat guests to a musical retelling of the classic motion picture. Guests will get to visit Trident’s world under the sea. The attraction represents the next big milestone in the ongoing expansion of Disney California Adventure. Disney California Adventure also now features Silly Symphony Swings, a Disney-flavored version of the traditional swing ride themed to the tornado finale of the classic Mickey Mouse cartoon “The Band Concert.”

Goofy’s Sky School

Also at Disney California Adventure, Goofy’s Sky School will join the fun along Paradise Pier in 2011. The coaster attraction is inspired by the 1940 cartoon short “Goofy’s Glider,” and the theme is a flying academy with Goofy as the instructor. Guests will enjoy all the dips, twists and thrills as Goofy tries to teach a group of novice pilots how to soar through the sky.

Mickey’s Soundsational Parade

At Disneyland Park, Disney characters will stomp down Main Street, U.S.A. in a new parade called “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade,” which brings to life some of the most beloved melodies from Disney films. Live musicians will amplify the fun and colorful dancers will entertain guests to the tune of a syncopated drum line, twinkling cymbals, steel drums and more. Mickey Mouse and some favorite Disney characters will encourage members of the crowd to join the giant jam session.

Two themed suites opened in 2010,

Also at Disneyland Resort, renovations continue at the Disneyland Hotel, including a new pool and water play area, enhancements to the existing pool, a new restaurant and bar, and a re-theming of the hotel’s three guestroom towers. Two themed suites opened in 2010, the Fairy Tale and Big Thunder suites, and a third new suite is under development. They join the existing Mickey Mouse and Pirates suites.

“Star Wars” galaxy using 3-D technology

At Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, a revamped Star Tours 3-D Adventure, bridging the period between the two “Star Wars” trilogies, will make its debut. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue will take flight in 2011 and take guests to thrilling destinations throughout the “Star Wars” galaxy using 3-D technology.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Also at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Animal Kingdom in early 2011 will feature a new add-on experience, Wild Africa Trek, which will take small groups of adventurers on personalized, guided excursions that include a bushwalk through unexplored areas of the forest, home to many species of wildlife, along with over-landing in customized vehicles across an animal-filled savanna. To complete the journey, guests will experience a taste of Africa while viewing wildlife from a specially designed observation station.
At Epcot, new dining venues at the Italy and Mexico pavilions opened in August and September. In August, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria called Via Napoli opened in the Italy pavilion. Operated by Patina Restaurant Group, the same restaurateurs who run the pavilion’s Tutto Italia restaurant, the 300-seat pizzeria features wood-burning ovens named for volcanoes in Italy. The 14,000-square-foot space includes indoor and outdoor dining. Meanwhile, the Mexico pavilion this month welcomed guests to La Hacienda and La Cantina de San Angel – two restaurants under one roof. La Hacienda is a 250-seat restaurant serving romantic dinners beside World Showcase Lagoon while La Cantina is a 150-seat quick-service restaurant serving both lunch and dinner.

Disney Channel Rocks!

At Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Channel Rocks! is set to debut this fall as a live, rock-concert-style show that celebrates great music and great friends through hit songs from popular Disney Channel original movies and series. Disney Channel Rocks! will feature music from a variety of Disney Channel hits, including the “High School Musical” series, “Camp Rock” and “StarStruck.” The show – at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – will follow a format that is similar to “High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Right Here! Right Now!”
In the Magic Kingdom, Rapunzel, along with Flynn Ryder from the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated feature “Tangled,” will begin greeting guests of all ages in a new interactive “play and greet” offering in Fairytale Garden this October. The movie opens Nov. 24 in theaters nationwide.
The newly relaunched ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort continues to add more athlete enhancements in 2011 with the addition of the new Hewlett-Packard Photo Creation Center inside the renamed HP Field House at the complex. The creation center will allow athletes, coaches and fans to create and design an assortment of uniquely customized posters, photo albums, and materials to commemorate their sports experience.

Disney Cruise Line will introduce Disney Dream

Meanwhile, as previously announced, Disney Cruise Line will introduce Disney Dream, its newest and largest ship, set to launch in January 2011. The Disney Dream, slated to set sail on its revenue cruise on Jan. 26, 2011, from Port Canaveral, Fla. The 4,000-passenger ship will feature three-, four- and five-night Bahamian itineraries. Meanwhile, the Disney Wonder in early 2011 will feature new West Coast itineraries, including, for the first time, Alaska cruises sailing from Vancouver. Disney Wonder also is scheduled for cruises out of the Port of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, before and after the summer Alaska cruises.

Disney is building Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina

On the island of Oahu, Disney is building Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaii that includes traditional hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas. The property is located on 21 acres of oceanfront property in Ko Olina, 17 miles from Honolulu International Airport and approximately 30 minutes from Waikiki. Aulani draws its inspiration from the traditions and heritage of the people of Hawaii. Walt Disney Imagineers, with the help of local architects, artisans and historians, are weaving Hawaiian stories into the buildings, interiors, art and gardens of the resort. Upon completion, Aulani will include 359 traditional hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas with views of the ocean, mountains and the lush grounds.
In 2011, Adventures by Disney, Disney’s family tour operation, will debut new seven- and nine-night Egypt itineraries to its existing programs covering such destinations as Italy, South Africa and China.   The pyramids and the sphinx in Giza, a Nile River cruise, and days and nights in Cairo are all part of the experience. In 2011, Adventures by Disney will offer 25 itineraries, six to 13 days in duration, on six continents.

Beyond 2011

Beyond 2011, Disney Parks has already announced new attractions for its parks and cruise line, including Cars Land, a 12-acre expansion themed to the Disney-Pixar blockbuster “Cars,” and scheduled to open in 2012 at Disney California Adventure. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, at Walt Disney World Resort, is scheduled to open in late 2012 with family suites themed to Disney and Disney-Pixar animated films. Disney Fantasy, the sister ship to the Disney Dream, scheduled to set sail in 2012. Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom is in the midst of a multi-year expansion that is the largest in history of the flagship park at Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort. For more information on Disney Parks & Resorts.

Capt Bob

After a popular debut last year, Princess Cruises is again offering Alaska cruise-tours designed for families. These tours incorporate features not usually included in a cruise-tour package, such as the opportunity to learn about dog mushing at the Iditarod Headquarters, pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park, and a campfire experience.

The 12-night family cruise-tours include a seven-night “Voyage of the Glaciers” cruise plus a five-night land tour. The land segment also features such family-friendly extras as daily breakfast, a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and a dinner-theater performance. At sea, Princess’ offers a Junior Ranger program for children in Glacier Bay National Park.

The cruises are aboard Diamond Princess or Coral Princess, and the land itinerary includes stays at three of Princess’ wilderness lodges — one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. The tours are offered on 34 departures with both northbound and southbound itinerary options.

Fares start at $1,648 per person for the first and second berths and $1,246 per person for the third and fourth berth passengers. For more information on Alaska-Denali Tours please call your Avoya Travel Representative today at 1-800-308-3077.

Capt Bob

Travel Smart and Cruise By Capt Bob is an Independent Affiliate of Avoya Travel-American Express. An Authorized Independent Affiliate of America’s Vacation Center.

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