Cruise Specialists is celebrating a big milestone and we’re inviting you to join us on our 30th Anniversary Alaska Cruise!
We could throw a party, pop some bubbly and scribble on a sheet cake…but why would we do all the work when Holland America has a whole on board staff that will blow away any after work happy hour we plan!
It’s not like our team to think small, so once again we’re celebrating with an Alaskan Cruise! In fact, we had over 400 guests join us for our 20th anniversary. 
We’re offering some great prices and exclusive excursions on our July anniversary sailing from our home in Seattle!
Alaska is also one of the quintessential cruise destinations. Along with the Caribbean, Alaskan cruising helped give birth to the modern cruise industry as it exists today.
For more than 40 years now, cruises have been departing from Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle bound for the cities and towns of Southeast Alaska every week between May and October. But there’s only one way to truly immerse yourself into this land of contrasts for what it is, and that’s by taking a Cruise Specialists hosted cruise!
This year we’ll be joined by Henk and Lucia Barnhorn, who will just be arriving back from hosting our 2017 Holland America World Cruise.
Exclusive Excursion
Everyone should get something special to celebrate an anniversary and it’s more fun with friends, so here’s a little of what we have planned.
Butchart Gardens
Located just south of the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal on Vancouver Island, this stunning botanical garden will capture your attention for hours and has a fascinating history to boot.
In fact, this area is so spectacular it was the inspiration behind Epcot’s flowering gardens!
The gardens are still owned by the original family who began designing it in 1906.
Jennie Butchart was the chemist for the family business, but her passion was gardening. In 1906, along side Isaburo Kishida she began to create the first of 6 gardens on the property, the Japanese.
That only served to increase her ideas and as Mr. Butchart emptied his limestone quarry in 1908, she began having topsoil hauled in to line the floor, creating what is now called the Sunken Garden. One of the first things she planted was a row of poplars to block the view of the concrete factory, and those trees remain. He loved that her designs helped to support his own bird watching passion.
Later, they gifted the garden to their grandson Ian Ross for his 21st birthday. He revitalized the garden and the couple’s home, beginning to host events like the symphony to open it up to the community.
By the 1920s, more than 50,000 people a year were visiting Jennie’s garden, and today visitors number over one million each year.
In 2004, it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada and is now over 55 acres.
High Tea at Victorian Gatsby Mansion
Next on our excursion is another special treat. Overlooking the Inner Harbor, the Gatsby Mansion is not only a step back in time, but a step up with a sophisticated afternoon high tea.
The early Queen Ann style building is now a boutique hotel and restaurant, built in 1890 by Robert Pendray it was originally called Huntingdon Manor and that’s how you’ll find it listed in the phone book once again. It was re-named for a period by another owner as “Gatsby Mansion” after the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.
During high tea, you’ll enjoy a selection of loose leaf teas from Darjeeling to Early Grey to be served along side your delectable finger foods.
- Berries with elderflower syrup and mint
- Scones with Devonshire Cream and local honey
- Baked ham croissants
- Salmon and asparagus finger sandwiches
- Chicken liver pâté with rosehip jelly
Of course that’s just a small taste of the fun you’ll have on this Alaska cruise, along side our wonderful hosts and team!
Don’t miss out! Read more about the celebration on our recent press release >>
Contact one of our experts today to begin planning your getaway.
(888) 993-1318
One of the great families who joined us for our 25th Reunion Cruise.
L to R: Ellen Bethel, Kathleen Mayo, Nita Louise Mayo, Kate Bethel, John Mayo, Jack Mayo
