Cruises

Some of the best deals of the year roll out during September. As the peak summer travel season ebbs, deals spring up for the fall months–and beyond.

Then there’s the Permanent Fund Dividend deals. USTravel is rolling out some great deals in a one-day extravaganza on Sat., Sept. 18.

Mark the date now–and make plans to stop by the Dimond Center. In addition to one-time-only savings, USTravel is giving away a boatload of travel prizes (literally), including: a Caribbean cruise for two, trips to Hawaii and Puerto Vallarta–and much more.

Some of the standout travel bargains include:

a. Spring Break cruise to Mexico, as little as $545 per person, double.
b. Maui vacation for four: as little as $963 per person (quad) includes air and seven nights condo.
c. Costa Rica escape, $1,620 per person, double includes air and six-day holiday.

Watch the website for more details. you don’t want to miss this event on Sat., Sept. 18. Our friends at USTravel are keeping the BEST deals UNDER WRAPS until the VERY DAY!

Follow USTravel on Facebook and Twitter .

Had a great visit over the July 4 weekend. Above, even the kids race to get those fresh fish to your table–whether in bare feet or Xtratuffs (HA! This was a “pink salmon relay race” we attended)!! Lots of salmon, bears and a fairamount of water sports! Plan now for the big fishing events between now and Sept. 5. Let’s review:

a. The Halibut Derby is on through Sept. 5. There are weekly prizes, plus a grand prize of $15,000 cash. Get your ticket ($10/day, $50/season) at the Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn. We like that place. It’s where we stayed on our recent visit.

b. Silver Salmon Derby. Wow. Another $15,000 first-prize, plus weekly prizes. This derby kicks off on July 24–so go get your gear and plan your trip to Valdez!

c. Women’s Derby. This is the 6th annual Women’s Silver Salmon Derby–and it’s just for one day: Sat., Aug 14, 2010. The registration is $50, in addition to your regular derby ticket. But there are lots of extra bells and whistles that come along with the fee. Of course, i wouldn’t know…since I don’t qualify. HA!  Check it out HERE.

In between your fishing dates, make plans to see the Whitney Museum, on the Prince William Sound Community College Campus. This is an incredible collection gathered over decades when the Whitney’s had a store and trading post out on the highway. There are furs, artifacts, carvings, mounted wildlife models–and much more. We basically got talked into visiting — and it was worth the trip. Learn more HERE.

No visit to Valdez is complete without getting out on the water–whether it’s fishing, a cruise to the glacier or a paddle in an ocean kayak! For glacier cruises, look no further than Stan Stephens Glacier Cruises. Choose from a cruise to both Mears and Columbia Glacier–or to just Columbia Glacier. On the kayak front, we cruised with Pangaea Advenutres out to the Shoup Glacier. FUN! Nearby Anadyr Adventures offers  a unique freshwater adventure to Valdez Glacier.

Fly, drive or sail to Valdez. If you’re coming from Fairbanks, Valdez is a straight shot down the Richardson Highway. From Anchorage,you can take a quick 50-minute flight on Era Alaska. Or,  you can drive up and over the mountains to Glennallen, then back down to Valdez. Or, you can sail across Prince William Sound on the Alaska Marine Highway to/from Whittier. Great fun. Great sailing!

Learn more about your adventure to Valdez!  Let’s go fishing!

Daytrips, multi-day itineraries and recommendations!