Masaki -

OK put us, (Frank and JoAnn) and our friends Dick and Nancy down. The other couple opted out, so we are 4. Let us know what you need in the way of deposit when you need it.

JoAnn - it will be fun sharing this excursion with you and and Frank and your friends. Can't wait to see John and Glenda again too!

This excursion really sounds like fun, but it will be the same day as the Tracy Arm excursion, won't it? From what I've read so far, I think we will want to do Tracy Arm. May try and see some whales and other wildlife on one of the excursions out of Sitka.

I will look forward to seeing your photos of the whales (as well as the bears)!

Dena

OK folks - talked to Orca again. I'm going to try to give them a list of people that are going on this whale watching trip and have them call on their own to Orca to give CC numbers (the other option that they gave me is for me to take down everybody's CC numbers and to fax it to them but since some (most?) of you don't know me personally, you may not be comfortable doing that).

So with that in mind, I need a list of everybody's full name who's coming on this trip. For people with big groups (like Joanna and Olivia), I'll need a full list of everybody you're planning on bringing - I'll send the complete list to Orca and they'll be individually responsible for calling Orca to give them their CC numbers.

Now, some other points of clarification. There is a $25 cancellation fee if you cancel your reservation after placing one up to 72 hours prior to the trip - after which, no refund. We will be putting down a 50% deposit at this time - which is 1/2 of $99.75 (awaiting final confirmation of the price but it appears that way) per person.

Dena - I'm not sure that it is the same day as Tracy Arm. My understanding is that the Tracy Arm excursion is on the day that the Mariner is cruising Tracy Arm, not when the ship is in Juneau. You can still come with us if you like!

Masaki

Dena - it sounds like the Tracy Arm excursion starts while the Mariner is cruising and disembarks in Juneau. The description says you arrive in town in plenty of time for an afternoon tour.

Masaki, that sounds fine. My last name is Novick (which I think you know).

Sheri Kahle
Let me know what I need to do re: deposit, and if you need more info from me!
Thanks for doing all this work Masaki!!

Masaki and Andrea, thanks for the info. Doing both excursions may be a lot for one day but I would hate to miss the fun! I think we'll go with just Tracy Arm for now, but if we reconsider in the next couple of days, I'll let you know. Thanks!

Dena

Kathy - we are excited to see you guys again too. John and Glenda are also looking forward to seeing you again. You will enjoy Dick and Nancy, they've been our best friends for almost 40 years now, and even though we moved across the Country, its never changed.

Sheri - I didn't know you were going on MUSH, or if I did, I had forgotten. Will look forward to meeting you - we enjoyed your Parents this last summer on the Dover-Monte Carlo trip, very sweet, delightful people, we talked to them several times.

Dena,

We did the Tracy Arm excursion in July '05 and then Capt. Larry at 3:30. We arrived back at the Mariner at 1:15 or so, had plenty of time for lunch and to walk down to the Orca office.

We had pre-planned to have dinner insuite as the day started early (had to meet at 7AM) and we returned from Capt Larry about 7:15.

Both were outstanding, wouldn't have missed either! So it's doable, depending on what time Capt. Larry is scheduled.

I wonder if we can talk Captain Larry into swinging by Tracey Arm on the way home from watching the whales ;)

Wrong direction I believe!

What is the Tracey Arm excursion? Is there another opportunity similar to it on another day?

Tracy Arm excursion leaves from the ship on the morning we are doing Tracy Arm. Check it out on the website. I have never done it before, as I enjoyed TA from the ship both times. But this year I am going to try it, hoping to see something new.

Olivia - I was hoping to do that too. Never done Tracy Arm before. Should be interesting.

THanks for the names, folks! Keep them coming!

Masaki

It's the morning we are cruising Tracy Arm and returns us to the Juneau dock so you'd book afternoon tours in Juneau.

Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer

Duration: 5 Hours.
Seated.


Join us for an exclusive opportunity to see the very best of the Tracy Arm wilderness area, and an exciting close-up view of the majestic Sawyer Glaciers.
You'll board a, high-speed catamaran directly from the Seven Seas Mariner. Relax in the warm, spacious cabin, surrounded by large windows as your experienced captain guides you past curious seals resting on floating icebergs and extraordinary up-close views of South Sawyer Glacier.
From the topside observation decks, you'll simply adore this unforgettable sensory experience. At times, you can feel immense spires of ice break from the glacier and crash into the sea. Before leaving Tracy Arm, you'll view the beautiful North Sawyer Glacier, which cannot be approached by large cruise ships.
While exploring the length of this ice-carved fjord, you'll cruise beneath cliffs that rise 4,000 feet above the jade-colored sea. There will be frequent stops to view and photograph wildlife, including Pigeon Guillemots, Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, and on occasion, Mountain Goats and Black Bear. Feel the mist on your face as the vessel maneuvers almost directly under a plunging waterfall.
Departing Tracy Arm, the onboard naturalist will relate interesting information about the area, called "one of the most dramatically stunning fjords of Southeast Alaska" by naturalist John Muir. Enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages served by your friendly Alaskan crew on the cruise from Stephens Passage north to Juneau.
Provided: Binoculars and snacks.
Please note: To fully enjoy the outside observation deck, dress warmly and bring a rainproof jacket, hat and gloves. Vessel is equipped with restrooms. The tour will disembark next to the Seven Seas Mariner in downtown Juneau. A hearty snack will be served onboard the catamaran upon arrival, so those participating in an afternoon tour need not worry about lunch. This tour is available from June onwards.

I am not a "hearty eater early ", and not an "early bird" either, so even tho' I ate a small continental breakfast on board, (COFFEE being most important!), pastries on catamaran, small sandwiches on CAT, I was ready for some lunch on Mariner, knowing that we wouldn't have dinner until 8:00+PM. Capt. Larry serves some smoked salmon,etc. snacks (didn't count for me!) I would plan on some kind of lunch somewhere!

So Masaki, what time have you scheduled Orca?

Masaki,

My last name is Case.

Thanks again for organizing this!

Masaki:

Frank and JoAnn Ridolphi
Dick and Nancy Croxall

Confirming our names.

Masaki: Here are the Mondae names:

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Mondae (Tony and Joanna)

Dr. and Mrs. Jerald Pietan ( Mary and Jerry)

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Taylor ( Bob and Suzanne)

Mr. and Mrs. Francis I. duPont, III ( Rip and Linda)

Ms. Elizabeth Minor (Liz)

Mr. and Mrs. John L. McWilliams, III (Jack and Kathy)

Will send CC info to them asap when I get number from you - thanks so much for all your work!!

Thanks guys for the names!

What was Ken's last name again?

gf (Kathy) - what time did you get back to the dock after the Tracy Arm expedition? We're going to need to probably take 2 different boats.

Masaki

OK - for those of you that will be gone soon, the first draft of the passenger list went out to ORCA tonight.

If you have already given your last name to me, please feel free to call 1-888-733-ORCA (6722) to place your deposits.

The office is open from 9:30 am to 3 pm Alaskan time (which is an hour behind California time and 4 hours before Eastern time). I have asked them to be on the look out for the phrase "MUSH cruise" but if they don't recognize it, please tell them that you're arriving on the RSSC Mariner on September 2, 2006. I would encourage you to place the deposits by the end of the month as they warned me that prices may change depending on if fuel costs continue to go up and they can only guarantee the prices for this month only.

Masaki

Masaki,

I believe we returned about 1:15, allowing plenty of time for lunch and walking to the Orca office for a 3:30 tour. Their shuttle bus will probably pick you up at the ship since you're a charter, although you do have to pay the balance at the office, so maybe not.

Oop, I forgot to give our names!

Karen and Mark Stanek

Masaki, what time is our tour and how long is it?

Same question I had Karen - I think 3-4 hrs but wondering if we go out in the morning or afternoon??

I am hoping morning! If we don't go til the afternoon and it's 3 to 4 hours long, I will never make dinner ;)

I probably won't make dinner either - but I could make it by Party Time.

I think somewhere above Masaki said that we don't dock in Juneau until like 1:30 or so and the tour would start at 4:00 and they would have us back at the ship at 7:30. We thought of that too, guess there will be a lot of us having a late dinner that night! Decided not to give it up, just eat late.

Who has the biggest suite? We could have a dinner party with a "come as you are, wear sweat pants" theme!

Or order room service and leave our doors open - sort of a variation on a progressive dinner - and yes we can wear comfy grubs!!!

Okay, I'm all paid for! I think I even spoke with Captain Larry himself.

Joanna, that is a great idea!!

I just called and spoke with Captain Larry as well. He seems like a great guy! So great in fact, that he will be dropping in here to discuss the different times that the whale watch can be arranged. If anyone has any questions, this would be the perfect time to ask them!

Larry mentioned to me that he also has an earlier 2:00 time, which would get us back to the ship about 3 1/2 hours later, (I think that's what he said)

I'd go for Joanna's idea - sounds fun.
But I'd also go for and prefer an earlier departure time so that we get back to the ship earlier. If he has a 2:00 time, maybe we can do that, then since we are in Juneau until 11:00, there is time after we get back and after dinner to even walk into town and hit the Red Dog Saloon - thats a must! Its just a dive, but a lot of fun. :pass: :pass:

OH I love the 2 pm idea JoAnn!!!!

Hello everyone
We have had to make some adjustments to our schedule so I am working to set a time that will work for everyone and still have time for you to make dinner. Wit out going into all of the scheduled time changes I am planning now for the whale watch tour to depart town at 3:00 PM which would return to your ship at 6:30 PM. With your ship arriving at 1:30 PM this allows time for you to get to our office to finalize the paper work. I am not sure what the dinner times are but hopefully this will work for every one.

You will be going to Tracy Arm prior to your arrival in Juneau. It will take the Mariner about 2 1/2 hours to travel from Tracy Arm to Juneau. Tracy Arm is a beautiful fjord and well worth the time to see it. Watch for bears on the beaches.
Capt. Larry
orca@alaska.com
888-733-6722

Hi Captain Larry and welcome! It was a real pleasure speaking with you this afternoon. 3:00 sounds good to me :)

Hi Larry: Enjoyed chatting with you today and look forward to 9/2 - Joanna

Larry, I took the liberty of adding your picture under your name and what a handsome photo it is :)

(And he has a wonderful voice) Capt Larry: - I sent you my email but incase I goofed it is joannapv@aol.com Thanks! Joanna

Peter & Mark for the whale watching only - Thanks!!