Cruise Alaska's Inside Passage

A group of Organ Music Lovers is planning an Inside Passage cruise this July
23. This 7-day cruise departs from Seattle with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan,
Sitka and Victoria, BC.

A large 3-manual Allen Theatre Organ is brought aboard Holland America's ms
Westerdam where our group will be treated to several private concerts and
workshops throughout the cruise by a special guest artist.

Even if you're not into organ music, join our group and save $$ for this
once in a lifetime cruise.

Contact or 503-238-3791 for more information.

Are you going to be offering pre or post tours. The experience Music
Project in Seattle as well as an Organ recital imediately preceeds your
cruise in Seattle. Also are you aware of the following about the
Westerdam?
Commissioned in 2004, Westerdam is the third and most recent of Holland
America Line's Vista class of ships. She's one of the larger liners
on the ocean, with room for 1,848 passengers and 800 crew. The ship
dotes on her maritime roots, with classic and contemporary art
depicting the romance and tradition of the high seas, particularly the
Dutch influence on the U.S.'s sea-going past. Colors used throughout
reflect sea, shore, and sun, with crisp navy carpets and cherry-wood
railings in elevator areas, dark blue and sandy shades in cabins, and
eye-squinting sunset tones in lounges. Even the brass stools at the
Lido Bar reflect the briny deep -- they are scaly monster fish
reminiscent of the denizens of the seas, announcing "Terra
Incognita" on ancient maps.
Why Westerdam?
Tradition: Westerdam reflects the line's passenger-cruise history
going back to 1873, when iron steamers sailed the Transatlantic. Though
today's cruiser expects a more casual experience, some things
haven't changed. Expect opulent surroundings, classic early and late
seatings, formal nights, and more chocolate at the midnight dessert
extravaganza than anyone needs.
Art: This ship is a floating gallery, with millions spent on
museum-quality art and antiques. A major theme is Dutch exploration of
the Americas in the 17th century. On deck, whimsical watery asides take
over, while in the spa an ancient wine amphora graces a niche in one
wall while medieval-style dolphins frolic beside the water.
Bars and lounges: With a dozen nightly hotspots passengers can choose
from martinis in the forward-facing Crow's Nest atop the ship, cigars
and cognac in the clubby Oak Room, or poolside concoctions at the Sea
View.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PORTS OF CALL

Seattle, Washington


Seattle has shopping, fine restaurants, attractions galore, good air
service, culture, and a wide range of accommodations-more, in fact,
than you'll be able to take in on just a short pre- or post-cruise
visit. It is very much a water-oriented city, set between Puget Sound
and Lake Washington, with Lake Union in the center. Practically
everywhere you look, the views are of sailboats, cargo ships, ferries,
windsurfers, and anglers.




Juneau, Alaska


Photo: John MacDonald
Juneau's a great town. Fronted by the busy Gastineau Channel and
backed by 3,819-foot Mount Juneau and 3,576-foot Mount Roberts, its
location is beyond picture perfect. But it's the city's quirks we
appreciate, like the fact that it's the capital of the state but is
completely surrounded by water, forest, and the massive Juneau
Icefield, and is therefore unreachable by land. Or the fact that the
whole town lies at the base of a landslide zone, and has numerous
treeless hillsides to prove it. Or that at one time a bull terrier
named Patsy Ann was the official town greeter, trotting down to the
docks whenever a ship came in. (Long dead now, there's a bronze
statue of her in Marine Park.)





Sitka, Alaska

Small ships can thread in through narrow Peril Strait, which separates
Baranof and Chichag of islands, but the big cruise ships have to sail
around Baranof into the open Pacific. This minor inconvenience-and
the fact that Sitka lacks docking facilities for megaships, requiring
that they send passengers ashore in tenders instead-means the town
sees a lot fewer cruise ship visits than Juneau, Ketchikan, and
Skagway. Because of this, it retains a more residential feel than
similar-sized towns in Southeast, and a combination of location,
multicultural heritage, an adaptive economy, and sheer local pride keep
it just plain beautiful to look at, and remarkably little changed since
the old days: Historic photographs bear a remarkable resemblance to
today's city.




Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan sits just north of the Canadian border, and like many border
towns it wears its mercantile heart on its sleeve. They call it
"Alaska's first city" because it's the first port visited on
most northbound cruises, but the way people throng the port area's
gift shops, you'd think it was the last chance they had to use their
credit cards before Judgment Day. Here's our advice: Walk down the
gangway, take three deep breaths, and say to yourself, "I do not need
to shop." Instead, walk right past the shops and head for one of the
town's several totem-pole parks or take an excursion to Misty Fjords.
When you get back you can spend a little time poking around the
galleries and shops on Creek Street.




Victoria, Canada


Cruises that start in Seattle or San Francisco typically visit Victoria
on the way up to Alaska. Located on Vancouver Island, this lovely
little city is the capital of British Columbia, and appropriately so as
it's almost more British than Britain, with gorgeous Victorian
architecture and lovely gardens among its main attractions. Take a tour
around the island and you'll see gorgeous homes, stately government
buildings, and views that include the snowcapped mountains of
Washington State.

On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 08:13:35 -0800 in rec.travel.cruises, "Terry
Robson" wrote:

group of Organ Music Lovers is planning an Inside Passage cruise this July
23. This 7-day cruise departs from Seattle with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan,
Sitka and Victoria, BC.

make sure it hits juneau on friday, when there are theatre organ
concerts in the lobby of the state office building (yes, and it
sounds great there --- it was where we could install it to keep
it from being sold out of town!). it's a kimball with a full
toychest.

On Sat, 04 Mar 2006 23:08:03 -0900,
(Dennis P. Harris) wrote:

On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 08:13:35 -0800 in rec.travel.cruises, "Terry
Robson" wrote:

group of Organ Music Lovers is planning an Inside Passage cruise this July
23. This 7-day cruise departs from Seattle with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan,
Sitka and Victoria, BC.

make sure it hits juneau on friday, when there are theatre organ
concerts in the lobby of the state office building (yes, and it
sounds great there --- it was where we could install it to keep
it from being sold out of town!). it's a kimball with a full
toychest.



We actually have a specific time just for our group to see, hear and
play the marvelous Kimball in Juneau! We will be there Wednesday at
4:30 pm if anyone wants to join us.

Terry

Thanks for outlining the highlights of sailing on the Westerdam.
Sometimes it's hard to make people realize what an incredible value
cruising is. It is truly the best vacation value around!

Don't forget the visit to Glacier Bay National Park. Getting up close
to the glaciers is quite an experience.

Regarding the pre and/or post tours, could you please tell us more
about Music Project Seattle?

Terry

On 4 Mar 2006 12:35:29 -0800, "travelexpert"
wrote:

Are you going to be offering pre or post tours. The experience Music
Project in Seattle as well as an Organ recital imediately preceeds your
cruise in Seattle. Also are you aware of the following about the
Westerdam?
Commissioned in 2004, Westerdam is the third and most recent of Holland
America Line's Vista class of ships. She's one of the larger liners
on the ocean, with room for 1,848 passengers and 800 crew. The ship
dotes on her maritime roots, with classic and contemporary art
depicting the romance and tradition of the high seas, particularly the
Dutch influence on the U.S.'s sea-going past. Colors used throughout
reflect sea, shore, and sun, with crisp navy carpets and cherry-wood
railings in elevator areas, dark blue and sandy shades in cabins, and
eye-squinting sunset tones in lounges. Even the brass stools at the
Lido Bar reflect the briny deep -- they are scaly monster fish
reminiscent of the denizens of the seas, announcing "Terra
Incognita" on ancient maps.
Why Westerdam?
Tradition: Westerdam reflects the line's passenger-cruise history
going back to 1873, when iron steamers sailed the Transatlantic. Though
today's cruiser expects a more casual experience, some things
haven't changed. Expect opulent surroundings, classic early and late
seatings, formal nights, and more chocolate at the midnight dessert
extravaganza than anyone needs.
Art: This ship is a floating gallery, with millions spent on
museum-quality art and antiques. A major theme is Dutch exploration of
the Americas in the 17th century. On deck, whimsical watery asides take
over, while in the spa an ancient wine amphora graces a niche in one
wall while medieval-style dolphins frolic beside the water.
Bars and lounges: With a dozen nightly hotspots passengers can choose
from martinis in the forward-facing Crow's Nest atop the ship, cigars
and cognac in the clubby Oak Room, or poolside concoctions at the Sea
View.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PORTS OF CALL

Seattle, Washington


Seattle has shopping, fine restaurants, attractions galore, good air
service, culture, and a wide range of accommodations-more, in fact,
than you'll be able to take in on just a short pre- or post-cruise
visit. It is very much a water-oriented city, set between Puget Sound
and Lake Washington, with Lake Union in the center. Practically
everywhere you look, the views are of sailboats, cargo ships, ferries,
windsurfers, and anglers.




Juneau, Alaska


Photo: John MacDonald
Juneau's a great town. Fronted by the busy Gastineau Channel and
backed by 3,819-foot Mount Juneau and 3,576-foot Mount Roberts, its
location is beyond picture perfect. But it's the city's quirks we
appreciate, like the fact that it's the capital of the state but is
completely surrounded by water, forest, and the massive Juneau
Icefield, and is therefore unreachable by land. Or the fact that the
whole town lies at the base of a landslide zone, and has numerous
treeless hillsides to prove it. Or that at one time a bull terrier
named Patsy Ann was the official town greeter, trotting down to the
docks whenever a ship came in. (Long dead now, there's a bronze
statue of her in Marine Park.)





Sitka, Alaska

Small ships can thread in through narrow Peril Strait, which separates
Baranof and Chichag of islands, but the big cruise ships have to sail
around Baranof into the open Pacific. This minor inconvenience-and
the fact that Sitka lacks docking facilities for megaships, requiring
that they send passengers ashore in tenders instead-means the town
sees a lot fewer cruise ship visits than Juneau, Ketchikan, and
Skagway. Because of this, it retains a more residential feel than
similar-sized towns in Southeast, and a combination of location,
multicultural heritage, an adaptive economy, and sheer local pride keep
it just plain beautiful to look at, and remarkably little changed since
the old days: Historic photographs bear a remarkable resemblance to
today's city.




Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan sits just north of the Canadian border, and like many border
towns it wears its mercantile heart on its sleeve. They call it
"Alaska's first city" because it's the first port visited on
most northbound cruises, but the way people throng the port area's
gift shops, you'd think it was the last chance they had to use their
credit cards before Judgment Day. Here's our advice: Walk down the
gangway, take three deep breaths, and say to yourself, "I do not need
to shop." Instead, walk right past the shops and head for one of the
town's several totem-pole parks or take an excursion to Misty Fjords.
When you get back you can spend a little time poking around the
galleries and shops on Creek Street.




Victoria, Canada


Cruises that start in Seattle or San Francisco typically visit Victoria
on the way up to Alaska. Located on Vancouver Island, this lovely
little city is the capital of British Columbia, and appropriately so as
it's almost more British than Britain, with gorgeous Victorian
architecture and lovely gardens among its main attractions. Take a tour
around the island and you'll see gorgeous homes, stately government
buildings, and views that include the snowcapped mountains of
Washington State.

On Sun, 05 Mar 2006 09:40:10 -0800 in rec.travel.cruises, Terry
Robson wrote:

Regarding the pre and/or post tours, could you please tell us more
about Music Project Seattle?

Experience Music Project is a museum funded by Microsoft founder
Paul Allen, who collected a lot of Jim Hendrix and other rock
memorabilia (Hendrix was born and raised in Seattle, and his band
was called the Jimi Hendrix Experience, whyfore the Experience
Project) and had a lot of money to throw at a Frank Gehry
building built for multimedia extravaganzas.

Admission isn't cheap (adults $19.95, seniors $16.95), and I
recommend at least a half day, because many of the exhibits are
highly interactive, many of them toys for adults *and* kids. It
may not quite fit your organ group, since it features blues,
rythm n blues, rock n roll, and pop music. At the Seattle Center
right next to the Space Needle (the monorail passes through the
building).

Easiest way to get there from downtown hotels is on the monorail
from Westlake Center.

http://www.emplive.org/explore/index.asp

Some of the synthesizer exhibits allow multiple players. You
might find yourself playing in a percussion toychest with total
strangers and having a great time.