Alaska Sternwheeler Cruise
aboard the new, elegant
Empress of the North
8-Nights Roundtrip Sitka: July 25-August 2, 2004
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Sitka; Welcome Dinner; Live Entertainment
Arrive in Sitka on your own. Airport transfer to hotel is included. Greet your fellow passengers at a Welcome Dinner and enjoy live showboat-type entertainment. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Peril Strait; Sitka, Alaska; Raptor Center
Morning motorcoach tours to the Raptor Center, an authentic totem site and then to Saint Michael's Cathedral. Visit a Tlingit clan house to witness native ceremonial dances. Also, see the New Archangel Dancers perform traditional Russian folk dances. Late afternoon, board the Empress the North, settle into your stateroom and cruise through Peril Strait. After a gourmet dinner, enjoy our first onboard show.Day 3: Le Conte Glacier; Petersburg; Wrangell narrows
Cruise into Le Conte Bay, home of the Le Conte Glacier. After lunch, arrive in Petersburg, a working fishing village that proudly displays its Norwegian heritage. Witness a colorful performance of the Leikarring Norwegian folk dancers. Tonight, we enjoy fine dining and entertainment as we cruise Wrangell Narrows, a breathtaking waterway accessible only to small ships.
Day 4: Ketchikan; Lumberjack Show; Misty Fjords
After breakfast, port-call in the lively fishing town of Ketchikan. Witness a lumberjack show, tour the Totem Heritage Center and visit the Deer Mountain Fish Hatchery. Afterward, have time on your own for shopping and exploring. Tonight, enjoy fine dining and entertainment as we cruise in Misty Fjords National Monument.
Day 5: Wrangell; Chief Shakes Island; Stephans Passage
Port-call in Wrangell. Travel by motorcoach to Chief Shakes Island and then to Petroglyph Beach to view ancient Tlingit petroglyphs. Afternoon cruising in Frederick Sound for whale watching. Tonight, stroll down memory lane and enjoy live showboat entertainment as we cruise into Stephans Passage.Day 6: Tracy Arm; Juneau; Mendenhall Glacier; Salmon Bake
Cruise into Tracy Arm Fjord, with close-up views of South Sawyer Glacier. After lunch onboard, port-call in Juneau and have time on your own for optional activities or exploring historic downtown. Late afternoon, board motorcoaches to Mendenhall Glacier. Feast at an authentic Alaskan salmon bake. Reboard the Empress for a night of showboat entertainment.
Day 7: Skagway; White Pass & Yukon Railroad; Lynn Canal
Arrive in Skagway. Board the White Pass & Yukon Railroad to follow the famous Trail of '98 gold rush route to the Yukon. At the top of the pass, board a motorcoach to visit Liarsville and pan for gold. After lunch onboard, have time on your own to explore or for optional activities. Cruise through Lynn Canal as we enjoy dinner and timeless tunes for dancing and romancing.Day 8: Glacier Bay; Icy Strait; Point Adolphus; Captain's Dinner
Today, enjoy a full-day excursion into Glacier Bay National Park, designated as a World Heritage Site. Here you may see the full length of 3-mile long Margerie Glacier. Reboard the Empress and cruise through Icy Strait and past Point Adolphus, a prime feeding ground for whales. Tonight, celebrate America at the gala Captain's Dinner and enjoy entertainment in the Golden Nugget Showroom.Day 9: Disembark Sitka
Early morning cruising before disembarking in Sitka around 9 a.m. Airport transfer included.
Cruise Map
Cruise Rates
Stateroom Selection Cruise Rate You Save Group Rate DD Value w/ Verandah $3,599 $247 $3,449 C First Class Stateroom $4,099 $592 $3,357 CC First Class w/ Verandah $4,479 $649 $3,680 CS First Class Single w/ Verandah $5,549 $810 $4,589 BB Superior w/ Verandah $4,949 $475 $4,274 AA Vista Suite w/ Verandah $5,269 $507 $4,562 ES Empress Suite w/ Verandah $5,539 $534 $4,805 OS Owners Suite w/ Verandah $5,779 $557 $5,021 All rates are per person, double occupancy. Add $149 per person port charges/ground handling and fees including tax. Prices good through January 28, 2004.
$300 deposit per person is due at time of booking after which cancellation penalties will apply (see below).
The Empress of the North Cruise Experience
An Alaska cruise aboard the Empress of the North is a cruise experience like no other. Aboard this genuine paddlewheeler, you will feel as if you've been transported back to the 19th-century heyday of sternwheeler travel, when voyages were grand events and vessels were designed to be "floating palaces." And yet, you will also enjoy all the comforts that you expect from a modern, deluxe ship.
The Empress is the newest cruise ship in Alaska and the first authentic, paddlewheel-driven cruise ship to return to the Inside Passage in more than a century. Elegant and unique, the Empress boasts state-of-the-art design and navigational equipment, along with a superior level of passenger amenities. All staterooms feature private bathrooms, color TVs and DVD players, as well as large picture windows for unrestricted views of the passing scenery.
Throughout the tour, an on-board historian provides an enriching interpretation of the historic and cultural points of interest and the fascinating wildlife. Enjoy sumptuous meals served by an attentive staff in the elegant Romanov Dining Room. In keeping with her sternwheeler heritage, the Empress of the North features live showboat-type variety entertainment, from Big Band to traditional folk dancing and Broadway favorites.
This 8-night itinerary departing July 25 sails roundtrip from Sitka showcasing the best of Alaska-including the outstanding White Pass and Yukon Railroad. Discover the advantages of deluxe, small-ship cruising as you explore winding fjords, cruise up close to towering glacier faces and glide past some of the continent's highest mountains. Stop in lively frontier towns and enjoy fascinating shore tours. Spy on unparalleled scenes in nature, such as the humpback whale as it tosses above the water and back, friendly sea otters cutting through the waves and majestic bald eagles soaring overhead. These are just a few on the impressive list of wildlife species frequently spotted.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
RESERVATIONS: To secure reservation, contact IRT's Tour Desk at (800) 478-4881 or (502) 454-0277. Fax: (502) 458-2250. Click here to e-mail your reservation request.
DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS: A deposit of $300 per person is required to secure a firm reservation. All Deposits are due within five (5) days from the date of booking, and may be made by check or credit card. Reservations will not be considered firm until deposit is received. For reservations made less than sixty (60) days prior to departure date, full payment is due immediately.
CANCELLATION CHARGES: If you cancel, and we receive your written cancellation (90) days or more prior to departure, a full refund less a handling/administrative fee of $100.00 per-person will be made. For written cancellations received less than ninety (90) days prior to departure, the following per-person cancellation fees will apply, regardless of resale:
· 89 to 60 days the fee is 25% of the applicable gross cruise tour fare;
· 59 to 45 days the fee is 50% of the applicable gross cruise tour fare;
· 44 to 30 days the fee is 75% of the applicable gross cruise tour fare;
· 29 days or less prior, or for no-shows, the cancellation fee is 100% of the applicable gross cruise tour fare.
Since the resale of cancelled space will likely result in a lost opportunity to sell other space, the cancellation fees are due regardless of resale. These fees cannot be applied to future bookings.SINGLE OCCUPANCY RATES: are based on Stateroom Category. Single occupant cruise rate for Superior Staterooms and Suites is 200%. Fares for 3rd passenger (including children) in same stateroom with two full-fare passengers is 50% of selected stateroom category.
FINAL PAYMENT: Full and final payment is required to reach our office seventy five (75) days prior to cruise departure. If full and final payment is not received on time, space may be released and the re-booking will then be subject to current availability. For all reservations made less than seventy five (75) days prior to the departure, full and final payment must be made immediately. For all reservations made within 72 hours of departure, final payment must be made by Certified Check or credit card. Reservation is not confirmed until paid.
Final Payment, Initial Deposit and on board purchases may be made by check, American Express, Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Final payment is considered as the total balance due after the initial deposit, not including on board purchases.
LATE BOOKING: We welcome last minute bookings and will do everything possible to accommodate you. However, late bookings require special service. Reservations received within thirty (30) days of departure will require a credit card or other prepayment to secure last-minute confirmations. If you are booking thirty (30) days or less prior to the cruise departure, a $25.00 per person fee will be charged to cover administrative costs and priority handling of payments, special preparation and mailing of documents.
CHANGES: A fee of $25.00 per person must be charged when confirmed arrangements are altered at traveler's request after the original confirmation has been issued. If such change involves a change of date of departure and occurs less than ninety (90) days prior to departure date, then the applicable cancellation fees for released cruise space will also be charged. No service charge or change fee will be made for adding "additional" add-on tours, air or upgrade in stateroom category. Name changes are considered cancellations and are subject to cancellation fees.
REFUNDS: Refunds cannot be made on unused shore excursions, tours, transfers or individual features voluntarily canceled or omitted by the passenger. Any other refunds, if applicable, will be made for the value of such non-cruise features, or land tours, less applicable cancellation fees. Refunds due as a result of air or add-on tour itinerary changes initiated by traveler or travel agent will only be processed after date of cruise departure. All claims and adjustments must be applied for in writing within 60 days of completion of cruise and will be refunded to the client through the original booking agency.
DOCUMENTATION: Documents include vouchers for prepaid services, air tickets (if applicable), detailed itinerary, and baggage tags. Final travel documents will be sent approximately thirty (30) days before cruise or tour departure. For last minute bookings, documents will be sent on receipt of final payment or will be available on arrival at vessel at commencement of cruise. Please note that late final payments may delay your receipt of documents. The charge for replacing lost or destroyed documents is $25 per set.
INSURANCE: We strongly recommend that all passengers protect themselves with tour insurance to cover costs in the event of cancellation. Upon booking (or in advance upon request), we will send a brochure about Travelex tour interruption/cancellation insurance. We recommend purchasing coverage immediately upon booking. In order to cover pre-existing conditions, coverage must be purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit.
BAGGAGE: It is recommended that you travel with no more than two pieces of checked luggage. Neither AMERICAN WEST STEAMBOAT COMPANY nor The Society of International Railway Travelers is responsible for loss or damage to your baggage. Baggage insurance is strongly recommended.
EXTRA COST PROVISION: Weather or mechanical reasons can occasionally affect scheduled arrival or departure of flights, motor coaches, rail cruise, or tour transportation. If, due to weather or other uncontrollable reasons, you are required to spend an additional night, en route to or from the cruise, you will be responsible for your own hotel and meal costs. If airline schedules change after original air reservations, and would require an overnight before and/or after the cruise, such expenses or subsequent airfare changes are the responsibility of the client.
CURRENCY: All fares are quoted and payable in US dollars.
WHEELCHAIRS: Due to limited capacity only two wheelchair passengers can be accommodated on each cruise departure.
PRICE INCLUDES: All transportation as specified in the cruise and tour itinerary; cruise ship accommodations in the category selected based on two people sharing a stateroom; all meals and entertainment on board ship and sightseeing as described in the day-to-day itinerary.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Gratuities to ship and airport personnel, waiters, drivers and escorts; liquor or items of a personal nature. (Port Charges/Ground Handling & Fees including tax are priced separately to also include admissions and costs of planning and administration.)
CRUISE VESSEL STATEROOM ASSIGNMENT: We will make every effort to honor requests for specific staterooms; however, specific staterooms are not reserved until the deposit or final payment is received. We reserve the right to alter stateroom assignment.
FARE AND POLICY CHANGES: Cruise and tour rates and prices quoted in this brochure are those in effect at the date of printing. The company reserves the right to amend reservation policies or increase the cruise or tour fare.
CRUISE ITINERARIES / SHORE TOURS: Under certain circumstances it may become necessary to amend, substitute or cancel scheduled tour programs and/or planned stops at ports of call due to unforeseen circumstances. The Company reserves the right to make these changes whenever necessary, without prior notice to passengers, and without adjustment of cruise fare.
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-IRT-4881
www.irtsociety.com
