Traveling Troubadour
    Cruises & Tours

                 
 

 

Traveling Troubadour proudly presents

Cruising and Geocaching in the
Great Land of Alaska

August 16-23, 2015! 

with optional land tour (only available in combination with cruise)
August 23-29, 2015

Celebrate 15 Years of Geocaching at the final Block
Party event in Seattle, then join

   (For More info on the Block Party - Click here!)

MaxB on the River in Alaska!


Maxine Brown is excited about the opportunity to host this Alaska Cruise!
 

Maxine & Warren (MaxB on the River) have been caching since 2003 and are best known for their Travel Bug Group Tours. They have moved over 25,000 happy trackables for 35 million safe miles.  Their caching adventures have included visiting all 50 states and 17 countries.  In 2014, they hosted a fun and fantastic geocaching tour, for forty people, to Ireland with Traveling Troubadour. 

Maxine is planning some special private activities, caching opportunities, and an event in Juneau on the trip. 

Onboard meetings and activities relating to Geocaching will be presented by MaxB on the River!
(You must reserve through Traveling Troubadour to be a part of this private group and attend our private onboard events.)


Watch in awe as we sail out of Vancouver onboard Holland America's ms Oosterdam, bound for
forested isles, icy-blue glaciers and charming frontier ports! Breathe the fresh air as we thread through the Inside Passage where
fir forests slip by seemingly close enough to touch. Experience the wonder as whales, puffins and Glacier Bay National Park's active
tidewater glaciers come into view. Travel back in time to a land where Ice Age giants dominate the landscape.
Where whales, moose, bear and eagles roam free.  This truly will be the trip of a lifetime!
 

By Sea:

Day

Port

Arrive

Depart

Sunday-August 16, 2015

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

-----

 5:00 p.m.

Monday-August 17, 2015

Scenic cruising Inside Passage

Tuesday-August 18, 2015

Ketchikan, Alaska

 7:00 a.m.   3:00 p.m.

Wednesday-August 19, 2015

Juneau, Alaska

 9:00 a.m.  10:00 p.m.

Thursday-August 20, 2015

Skagway, Alaska

 7:00 a.m.    9:00 p.m.

Friday-August 21, 2015

Scenic cruising
Glacier Bay National Park

 7:00 a.m.    4:00 p.m.
Saturday-August 22, 2015

At Sea (Gulf of Alaska)

   
Sunday-August 23, 2015

Seward (Anchorage),  Alaska

 6:00 a.m.
 

 

We begin our cruise adventure in:  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

If you were able to enjoy the final Block Party in Seattle the day before, on Sunday morning you need to make your way to Vancouver. Vancouver has been rightfully acknowledged as one of the world's great cities, beautifully situated between majestic mountains and the Pacific Ocean.  As you approach the cruise dock, perhaps you’ll have time to find a few caches before boarding our luxury cruise ship and preparing for a journey of a lifetime! Boarding begins around 11:30 a.m. and there is an included buffet lunch onboard.  Cabins should be ready around 1:30 p.m.  You will want to be onboard no later than 4:00 p.m.  We will be sailing out of the harbor at 5:00 p.m.!  Once you have settled into your cabin, had a bit of time to explore the ship, and participated in the required life boat drill, you will be invited to join us at our private group “Welcome Aboard” gathering.  This is where you will meet your host, MaxB, and the others in our group.  Our group will then move on to the dining room, where we have reserved tables for the evening meal.  This is a great place to get to know others in the group and to share your geocaching adventures of the day!


As we cruise through the Inside Passage the shimmering waterways, towering mountains and ice-blue glaciers of America's last true wilderness will unfold before you.  The fabled Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world, and one of the few where deep-draft vessels can sail close to steep mountain walls. The scenery is unbelievable, with forests in a hundred shades of green, tumbling turquoise glaciers, and evocative towns loaded with history, culture and adventure. With most of Southeast Alaska accessible only by boat or plane, the Inside Passage is a lifeline to the outside world. All day long it hums with activity.  An on-board naturalist will be on hand to present intriguing commentary throughout your cruise. 
Cozy up in a teak lounge chair and watch Alaska's majestic scenery glide by.  Keep your eyes open, you never know when an eagle will soar overhead or a pod of orca whales will appear!

 

Ketchikan, Alaska

Known as "Alaska's First City," Ketchikan is Alaska's southern most port and the first major town pioneers and prospectors came to heading north. Built out over the water and climbing weathered stairways, Ketchikan clings to the shores of Tongass Narrows and drapes the mountains with a cheerful air. Geocaches abound with over 20 within 2 miles of the cruise dock. You could start with Ketchikan’s most favorite cache “Rene's B-day Totem Pole Multi” – GC1T466, where you visit three amazing totem poles in about a one block radius in the downtown Ketchikan area that are a must see on your cruise.  Other main attractions include a visit to Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village. We took these pictures on previous trips to give you an idea of this beautiful place. The picture on the right was taken from the pontoons of our plane when it landed on a mountain lake in the Misty Fjords.   The picture on the left is Creek Street. Upon our return to the ship, with time to relax and refresh, we have a 2nd private group time scheduled with host MaxB presenting a topic related to geocaching.
 

 

Juneau, Alaska

Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on the Gastineau Channel, the town of Juneau, Alaska's capital city, has the massive Mendenhall Glacier and the immense Juneau Icefields at its back door. Juneau is the place to let your imagination run wild. There’s no end to the adventure because of the long daylight hours. Walk around town visiting the rustic shops and searching for the wide variety of caches. Climb aboard the Mt. Roberts Tramway for a great spot to hike, shoot a souvenir photo, and complete the Earthcache – “What do Juneau about Glaciers?” GC1EQTX . Explore the lush Tongass National Forest. Get out and kayak, dogsled, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee or fish. MaxB will be posting a late afternoon event giving cruise participants a chance to meet local cachers.

Skagway, Alaska

Gold prospectors passed through Skagway en route to the Yukon, with a mandatory ton of supplies to be hauled with them over the steep and treacherous Trail of '98. Today, you can still ride the antique White Pass & Yukon narrow-gauge railway up through silvery-purple rock faces, past Deadhorse Gulch to Fraser British Columbia, to see what it was like back then. As you ride the train, take time to complete the British Columbia Earthcache – “The Tormented Valley”.  MaxB will be taking the White Pass Rail & Yukon Expedition, that visits the Yukon Territory city of Carcross, completing at least 1 of the 4 quick caches found there.

Take your time, explore the nine caches in town, and poke into every little store from the Trail Bench to Lynch & Kennedy's Dry Goods. The Red Onion Saloon, with its honky-tonk piano and costumed barmaids, is a treasure trove of memorabilia featuring pictures of Klondike Kate, Peahull Annie and other vintage characters. To complete the picture of those rip-roaring days, visit the nostalgic Trail of '98 Museum. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park boasts restored buildings and wooden boardwalks that invite you to take a stroll into the past.

                                       (Many of the shore excursions at the various ports have caching opportunities that MaxB will be researching.)

Glacier Bay National Park

As a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay National Park protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in concert with an ever-changing glacial landscape. How does it feel when a monumental chunk of ice splits off a glacier and crashes into the sea? The sound is like thunder. The impact shoots water hundreds of feet into the air. You hold your breath as you catch the moment on film. Then you wait for it all to happen again. And it does. Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world!

As we cruise the bay, there are 3 Earthcaches that can be completed from the ship. Late afternoon, MaxB will again be hosting our 3rd private activity of the cruise.

 

Gulf of Alaska Cruising
As we make our way to Seward, the port for Anchorage, we will enjoy a day of cruising in the Gulf of Alaska.  Watch for wildlife, wonder and the kind of beauty that makes your heart stand still.  In this part of the world whales breach, eagles soar, and pristine beauty can move you to tears.  Sit back, relax and breathe in the fresh air. Enjoy your beautiful floating palace and this natural wonderland for one more day! Our “Farewell Party” will be our last private activity and chance to interact with MaxB on the River before reaching Seward early Sunday morning.

 

Seward, Alaska
The cruise portion of our adventure ends in Seward (Anchorage) Alaska.  Anchorage, beautifully situated on Cook Inlet and surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, is a hub of activity with everything from fine restaurants and frontier saloons to museums and art galleries.  It is from here that those of you who have chosen to continue on the land tour will prepare to immerse yourself in the wonder, magic and mystery of the Great Land of Alaska.  If you are not able to continue on the land tour, consider extending your stay in Anchorage, taking advantage of the abundance of geocaching opportunities.

 

 

By Land:
                                         
(
Land tour is only available in combination with cruise.  MaxB on the River will be on the cruise portion only.)

Sunday, August 23, 2015 - Seward/Alyeska


Upon our arrival, you will enjoy a free morning in Seward and lunch aboard our ship.  Then say "hello" to your Tour Director and set off  on a scenic motor coach tour to the beautiful Alyeska Resort. 

 

 

Monday, August 24, 2015 - Enjoying Alyeska

While enjoying Alyeska, you might want to take the tram to a high shoulder of Mt. Alyeska ridge line or head over to the Seven Glaciers restaurant and check out the view. Dropping away at your feet are chutes that in winter become ski runs with names like Gearjammer and Chili Dog. The town of Alyeska tucks into the base of the mountains and off in the distance glints the Turnagain arm of the Cook Inlet. The town is also a great place for hiking, horseback riding, or taking a trip on the Alaska Railroad.

 

Tuesday, August 25, 2015 - Anchorage
Enjoy a memorable journey aboard your deluxe motor coach as you travel to Anchorage, Alaska's most cosmopolitan city. Anchorage flaunts its mountains: The Chugach seem to rise just like that out of the backyards of city's eastern neighborhoods. So much of the rest of the scenery is water. The west of the city is bounded by the Cook Inlet, the north and south by its two major branches: the Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm.  En route to Anchorage you will take a cruise on board the mv Ptarmigan to within 300 yards of Portage Glacier for fantastic views of the blue-white icebergs that decorate Portage Lake. The cruise is narrated by an on-board US Forest Service representative.

 

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 Anchorage/Denali
In the morning, board the spacious domed railcars of the McKinley Explorer® Rail and sit back and enjoy the ride to Denali!  You will have an unforgettable two-night stay in the
Denali area, exploring Alaska's most renowned and unspoiled wilderness. With the long daylight hours, there's plenty of time for exploration! Spend your first night relaxing, and enjoying your surroundings at our gracious Denali gateway lodge.

 

Thursday, August 27, 2015 - Denali National Park
The next morning you will take the full Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali Park. Get to know Alaska as few ever do. Denali National Park and Preserve is a park of international significance. It features North America's highest mountain, 20,320-foot tall Mount McKinley. The Alaska Range also includes countless other spectacular mountains and many large glaciers. The park was established as Mount McKinley National Park on Feb. 26, 1917. The original park was designated a wilderness area and incorporated into Denali National Park and Preserve in 1980. It is the largest continually protected natural ecosystem in the world. Watch for moose, sheep, caribou and bear and marvel at massive icefields.

Every turn on the Park Road brings a new wonder as you journey miles into this astounding wilderness preserve with your knowledgeable driver/guide. Watch for ptarmigan, Alaska's state bird, in the open valleys. See golden eagles patrolling the higher elevations and ridge tops. And listen to ravens, magpies and gray jays chattering in the brush. With any luck, you'll see grizzlies crossing braided streams, Dall sheep traversing rugged cliffs and moose foraging in upland meadows. And this unfolding adventure leads to the lofty, isolated grandeur of Mt. McKinley itself - a wonder to behold.  Later hike, river raft, flightsee or just relax at your cozy lodge.


Friday, August 28, 2015 - Denali/Fairbanks

Today you’ll head for Fairbanks, Alaska's Golden Heart City, and take a step back in time aboard the Riverboat Discovery (lunch included).  Say a fond farewell to your Tour Concierge and enjoy your last night in this magical land as you prepare to leave the next morning with many fond memories of a most incredible vacation!

 

Saturday, August 29, 2015 - Tour Ends
Today you will transfer from your hotel to the Fairbanks airport to board your flight home.

** Please note that meals, except for the one lunch noted, are NOT included on the land tour.**


 

Almost sold out!  Please don't wait to reserve!

Pricing and Reservations - Click Here!

 

***Note:  All U. S. and Canadian citizens must carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the duration of the cruise.***
 

Questions?  Call Lynette at (540) 887-8491

For questions about the caches please e-mail MaxB here !


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