63-yr Anniversary
Reunion Planning Update
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The details for our proposed 63rd Reunion Snake/Columbia river cruise are finalized. I changed the departure date originally proposed from 18 June to 10 June in order to capture a significantly reduced fare, as the 10th is the last cruise before American’s “high season” begins. I hope this does not adversely affect anyone, but will allow even more of us to attend. I will be mailing this to the entire class, both as a reminder and because it may have opened the cruise to others because of the date change.
In that regard, these are the folks who expressed a desire to take the cruise: Blaisdell, Boyington, Bronson, Brush, Diver, Douglass, Farquhar, Glaza, Hart, Head, Higgins, Hopkins, Liggett, Meinhart, Newcomb, Smith JT, Waddle and Yates--some 36 souls so far. I hope you can all make it and hope a few more can join us. Now to detail.
The cruise is 10-18 June 2023, from Spokane (Clarkston WA) to Portland (Astoria OR). You are reminded that pricing quoted does not include airfare. This direction was chosen to facilitate the ease of finding good inbound and outbound flights. American Cruise Line has recently added a fly from anywhere option in the lower 48 to your departure and home again for a flat rate of $495 each (in addition to the cruise pricing). You can, if you wish, choose your own transportation instead. The first night offered is the day before boarding (9 Jun) when you will be put up in a hotel next to the Ship’s dock before boarding on the 10th to start the eight day cruise. There is also an optional Hell’s Canyon two night pre-cruise package available for a Jet Boat Adventure in the deepest canyon in North America.
I refer you to my three attachments to this letter. The First Attachment defines the Group Policy for Individuals covering most benefits and your deposit requirement of $500 each, plus cancellation policy. Jenny and I have already made our deposit, which freezes our group fares against expected rate increases.
The second attachment in that letter is the Group Pricing Quote per person. This may appear a bit pricey, but is on the low end of American’s normal rates throughout North America. Consider the exceptional benefits listed in Attachment One and also the post trip gift card refund in Attachment Three. Additionally, American will refund us one free berth for the first ten bodies paid, and an additional berth refund for the 24th body paid, based on the average of all the group reservations combined. This will be dispersed to you by our personal check as soon as received and could account for another $200-300 refund per person depending on participation. Final payment must be made by February 10th, 2023.
My Third Attachment defines a gift card PER CABIN refunded to you, also post-cruise, by our booking agent, Online Vacation Manager. Necessary contact information, e.g., our personal agent Kristina Pham is also in my Second Attachment. She will take care of all your travel requirements and is most efficiently contacted by e-mailing her to set up a telephone appointment.
There is a wealth of additional information available at Americancruiselines.com. Scroll into and around the site to find our specific cruise (Snake/Columbia River). Our ship is the “American West” a boutique 70 room 100 passenger paddle wheeler, that allows a degree of intimacy and camaraderie not easily found in today’s travel world. A virtual tour, plus room and deck plans are also available on that site to help with your cabin selection.
Every personal report I have had from American Cruise Line passengers has been extremely complimentary with virtually no exceptions to any part of the cruise they purchased. All thought it money well spent. Considering we are adding several days of spending personal time with our brothers and sisters, you couldn’t keep me away.
When you make your decisions and complete your deposits with Kristina, please drop us a line so we know you are OK to go. Because we expect to comprise up to 50% or more of all passengers on the ”West”, Please make your deposits to guarantee your cabin ASAP. If you have any additional questions, please don’t be hesitant to ask.
You recently received some forms from Kristina at the Online Vacation Center, asking that you print, complete and mail them back to her.
I just got off the phone with American Cruise Line and want to share the info I received:
The outgoing flight flies to Lewiston ID (ten minutes from the hotel we will be staying at the first night). American will book you either on Delta or United, which ever gives you the most convenient flights, including the return trip out of Portland. Preliminary information suggests they will book us together with other members of our group if desired. Delta bookings require a stop at Salt Lake enroute. There is only one flight from Salt Lake to Lewiston (LWS) on June 9th, departing at 1100 and arriving at 1144. United bookings are direct out of Denver. United has only one flight on June 9th to Lewiston (LWS), departing at 1120 arriving Lewiston 1253 (2+33). There are numerous flights out of Portland, but I assume American will put us all on the same booking if desired, so I'm not really concerned about which flight they choose for us. American does provide no cost transfers between plane and hotel and ship and airport.
For us "locals", they will book you out of Colorado Springs, but, of course, you would have to stop in Denver. Jenny and I are going out of Denver and intend to hire a driver for delivery to the Airport and pick up on return. That still leaves room for two more couples with luggage who can share driver expense with us.
Since I may be able to book for any/all of you, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP IF YOU WANT TO SHARE OUR RIDE TO THE DENVER AIRPORT, so I will be prepared if offered the opportunity tomorrow.