alwayscoldmom

I am guessing that you aren't coming back to Anchorage before you leave on Thursday but if you do I wanted to recommend you try Sack's café. (Between 3rd and 4th on G street)

Don't be too worried we don't have that much snow left :) (Excellent pictures by the way)

Not going on the Spirit I am going on the Shadow in August. I am a huge fan of champagne (and sparkling wine) and I have to admit that Pommery is not my favorite (I will still be drinking it :D).

This will be my first time on SilverSea is this the only champagne they pour?

Tonya

I will be sailing with you on the 21st :D I love Alaska (and live in) and this is my first time on Silversea super excited!

I was going to suggest that you book bear watching out of Ketchikan and whale watching out of Juneau, but it looks like you already figured that out. I haven't been to Neets bay but last time I was in Ketchikan I did an excursion to Anan Creek. It was by far one of the best excursions I have done on any cruise! Saw both brown (grizzles) and black bears.

I think you are really going to enjoy Alaska. Maybe I will see you around the ship.

Tonya

You didn't say where you are cruising too. The cruise must start and end at the same US port. I know of one lady who was denied boarding in Seward, Alaska because she didn't have a passport. (The cruise ended in Vancouver Canada).

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Maracamama, several years ago we realized it was time to find a new agent/agency. Our TA at the time had sold his business and we were unimpressed with the new owners. We booked a World Cruise directly with a cruise line (not Silversea) and we had until the final payment was made to select and move the booking to a TA.

 

We asked friends if they liked their TA (I think that a TA can provide value that goes well beyond credits and such and can actually save you money in other areas and also can add other values) and we narrowed down a list to agents from various travel consortiums as well as a couple of independents.

 

I sent them each the same e-mail with the same set of questions and then noted that after they responded I would schedule calls with each of them. The questions varied and included not only what amenities they would provide but several other areas including their background.

 

Part of why I did it this way was to see how each TA prepared and the quality of their answers because that told me a lot about them. In essence it was like giving them an assignment.

 

I then did a phone interview with each of them.

 

From there I made my decision.

 

I was looking for a long term agent and not just for the World Cruise but certainly the World Cruise represented some significant revenue to them.

 

If you do this, do it thoughtfully. There is no need to make it time sensitive with some kind of edict. In fact, by not providing a specific time in my initial e mail query this was another way to get at their responsiveness.

 

Some do not agree with me on this but I find it very helpful to have a strong TA and not one that is based solely on amenities. There is a lot that goes into a World Cruise or for that matter most bookings that a TA can add tremendous value to.

 

I also think it is imperative that they have strong knowledge of the luxury cruise line industry and the companies they work with so they can not only offer solid recommendations to you but that they know who to go to if something goes wrong to make it right.

 

As savvy as I consider myself when it comes to cruising a strong TA can provide guidance that adds tremendous value and can save one plenty of money too.

 

Again, do the research and select a TA the way you might other vendors or for that matter if you were interviewing someone to work for you.

 

Keith

Keith~

I wanted to say I really appreciated your well thought out approach to selecting a TA! Thanks for sharing.

Tonya

It is going to depend on your carrier and who they have contracts with for roaming. ATT works just fine (it is who I have my cell service through). Sprint doesn't work very well. It is also going to depend where they are. My contractor has Verizon but it is hit or miss if he gets his call at my house in Anchorage when he is visiting.

As a side note make sure you send a notarized letter with the grandparents saying you are ok with them taking the children out of the country.