Greetings all.
Yes we are getting a little ahead of ourselves here, but we are working on a 7 day Alaska group cruise leaving right after the Seattle AFTE meeting in 2014. Some members have already expressed interest, so I put a quick page together aftecruise.org (http://aftecruise.org).   We will start booking at the Albuquerque meeting.
Thanks!

What is the cost of this cruise going to be?

Rick,

That is a very welcome idea.  Pay no attention to the b'day girl.  She canplan and save like the rest of us.   :-0

Oh yeah...Happy Birthday, Problemsolver!!!   You may be another year older but you are also 365 days wiser.  :-00

Count me in Ricky!!!  Mark

Quote from: Justine Kreso on May 15, 2012, 07:03:39 AM
What is the cost of this cruise going to be?

Virgin cruiser I can tell! Like Titanic  :o Estate rooms range from steerage to first class (closets with no windows to suites with balconies). Cost is up to you. I will tell you that rates will be discounted from what is on the internet as we will have group rates (along with other perks).

Sounds like an AWESOME trip!!  Guns and boats!!! :-00

Quote from: Rick Wyant on May 15, 2012, 09:18:42 AM
Virgin cruiser I can tell! Like Titanic  :o Estate rooms range from steerage to first class (closets with no windows to suites with balconies). Cost is up to you. I will tell you that rates will be discounted from what is on the internet as we will have group rates (along with other perks).

No...been on cruises...and there has always been a price! Range, yes...but always a price. I looked at the website you posted and they are showing no cruises to Alaska in May 2014..........

You can't book 'til a year out, so they are not up yet. We were just seeing how much interest there would be. The link was for some ballpark numbers (2012,2013) or you can email the travel guy on my page.  

Quote from: Rick Wyant on May 15, 2012, 09:47:00 AM
You can't book 'til a year out, so they are not up yet. We were just seeing how much interest there would be. The link was for some ballpark numbers (2012,2013) or you can email the travel guy on my page.  

OK!  I looked up May this year and next year and Princess doesn't seem to have any Alaskian cruises at all going on.  I'm assuming their Alaskian cruises are on the more reasonable side...not these $2500-$4500 ones I'm seeing  :o  I'd be interested depeding on lots of maybes, including the est. cost!  Definitely a fun idea.

Bill, since Rick posted this on my birthday I think I win a [made up by me] prize in which my cruise is paid for by AFTE 2014.  :laugh:

Happy Bday! Don't give away our surprises Justine! But yes, there might be a cabin giveaway/raffle. I will post some approximate costs for the group rate on the website soon, but price will go down as we start booking next year. Standby to standby.
R

How about the host committe gets the cruise for free?  >:D

Prices will start at about $600 (room, food, nightly entertainment) base rate per person for the week with inside(no window) cabin, to over $1000 per person and higher for an ocean view.  Cheap primarily due to off-peak season (variable weather) and group rate discount. Ballpark.....

I think by that time, I will be due for a nice vacation, so count me (and the husband) in for two definite maybe's.  :)

Been waiting for this info Rick! :) I'm so in!!!!

Wendy

Quote from: Jill Therriault on May 15, 2012, 03:20:35 PM
...so count me (and the husband) in for two definite maybe's.  :)

Now THERE is a committment, Jill.    ;D

I'm in, providing that I get to go to the seminar that year. 

Rick, if the committee decides to have a cabin as a raffle prize, would it be possible to make the raffle open to all AFTE members, not just those that are allowed to attend the annual meeting?  That would be a surefire way to bring funds in.

Tk

Online raffle? Now that is "uncharted waters" ha!

Also, if you want to put your name on the list (even the definite maybes) we can start on the initial headcount: email ettravel@q.com. 

I think Tori introduced a great idea....not just for the cruise.  Most agencies and individuals are facing budget constraints, so winning a raffle for a free room or registration fee might be the only way to get to attend.  I agree that opening up some raffles would generate a greater interest (participation) to produce greater interest ($ in the bank).

And to get back on the topic - off-season or not, it is on my bucket list - definitely yes!

BTW,
Although I am still working out the kinks on my weather machine. It has been dry and sunny for two weeks, temps 60-75. (2014 will be this time)

My wife and I are interested in the cruise as well.

My hubby and I are a definitely maybe...depending on whether I get to attend the seminar that year.

Tk

Okie Y'all.  Princess will be announcing rates for the May 17th 2014 sailing from Seattle to Alaska within the next month. We have about 20 AFTE members that have already expressed interest. The more bookings, the more upgrades and discounts that will be available. If you are interested in email updates, email "Tom Cruise" at ettravel@q.com or you can visit www.aftecruise.org (http://www.aftecruise.org).
Tom is giving a Q&A session at the 2013 Albuquerque meeting and he will be manning our 2014 booth there during the week to answer any questions.
stay tuned for updates
Thanks!
Rick

A few more details below. Remember there will be a complete presentation in Albuquerque.

"The Golden Princess, will depart Seattle on Saturday, May 17, 2014, cruise to Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan, Victoria, and return to Seattle on May 24, 2014.  This is a fantastic cruise itinerary to see the best of the "Inside Passage" Alaska.  The announcement from Princess on the 'group' prices will be released next week on March 14th.  I will then send out prices on specific stateroom categories such as Inside (no windows), Ocean View (window), or Balcony stateroom.  Prices range accordingly and I will reserve an arrangement of various stateroom categories with prices for the AFTE group. To add your name to the email list contact ettravel@q.com"

Hello,
The website (http://www.aftecruise.org/) has been updated with the cruise schedule. The AFTE group rates have been announced and one member has already booked. Contact Tom (ettravel@q.com) for more info. He will be sailing as well to help anyone out who needs it. 

Also, the AFTE 2014 host committee will provide transportation to the cruise terminal from the Westin hotel Saturday am.

More soon.
Thanks!

I must be blind Rick . . . bad deal for a FA Examiner . . . I found the itinerary, but can't seem to find the rates.
CMC

Rates are announced, but not posted on the forum. Too many options and prices to make sense on a webpage. Email "Tom Cruise" for that.  Sorry for confusion.
R

Greetings all,
The deadline to book the AFTE cruise after the Seattle Meeting will be Jan 15th. In addition, my Dad has arranged some better prices, which are retroactive to those who already booked. Yaay!


Details for the cruise are still on the webpage: aftecruise.org

Out of curiosity, how many AFTE people have booked so far?

Unfortunately we're probably not going to be able to do it  :'( .  Between maternity leave and a possible trip to France next year I'm not sure about a second week-long vacation in 2014. 

Bummer!


I think we have 30 or so rooms booked, but I will get a hard count.

Rooms at special group rates are still available although the deadline has passed.
go to AFTEcruise.org for contact info.
R

Anybody want to go halvsies on a room?  I'm pretty unobtrusive, as a rule.