I have an Alaskan cruise in September. I just got two tickets from Rochester to Seattle on UAL (2 for 1 deal).

I now need to get from Seattle to Vancouver on September 1 (in the PM) and return from Anchorage to Seattle on the 12th.

Any suggestions on how to do this cheaply?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks

William

there is a comfortable direct bus from Seattle airport to Vancouver which costs little (no miles though )

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 07-05-2000).]

You may want to check out Amtrak's Cascade service between Seattle and Vancouver. I think it costs about $27 each way. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/pubtran/casc...mtrakcascades/

The Quick Shuttle bus is the easiest option. US$35 o/w Sea-Tac to Vancouver (the fare in C$ is lower). 8 departures daily.
www.quickcoach.com

Amtrak's Cascade service leaves Seattle annoyingly early at 0745. Later services are bus or train to Bellingham and bus the rest of the way. Airport<==> Seattle rail station by shuttle is about $8 or so (I just posted this to rec.travel.usa-canada and rec.travel.air earlier this week). There is a bus option if you have time. Amtrak apparently earns AS miles.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/pubtran/casc...mtrakcascades/

As for ANC-SEA, check with the cruise line to see if they have one-way tickets back down as there are pax flying up for the cruise back down. Otherwise check www.AA.com and www.Alaskaair.com They are the only 2 games in town.

What ever you chose, remember cruise ships do not wait. If your later, you are out of luck.

Having said that, the bus is fine. Gives you chance to view some of the great NW. Flying, just skips that but gives you getter speed.

Take lots of "money" if you can. The cruise to Alaska may be the one with some of the most expensive shore excurision options. Taking a helicopter to a glacier and having a walk about. Then taking a float plane and landing on a lake...sitting and watching the eagles. Take a leisure "white water" raft down from the Mindenhaul Glacier, sample some local brew and reindeer meat. Don't forget the nearly free museums in most of the little towns. Seals in Glacier Bay, whales to be sighted along the route. A great cruise! Bring a poncho.

A number of airlines do SEA-ANC, although all but Alaska only fly once a day-- most are red-eyes from ANC around 1:00am. I found flights on Delta, Continental, United, and American once a day, plus ridiculously frequent service on Alaska. Most showed a fare of $235 one way.

TWA flies ANC-PDX if you're looking for Aviator miles. Canada 3000 does ANC-YVR for $180 plus lots of tax.

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 07-05-2000).]

wharvey and terenz:
<<Otherwise check www.AA.com and www.Alaskaair.com They are the only 2 games in town.>>
United, Delta, and Continental are still flying that time of year from anc - sea although their schedules are fairly limited (mostly night flights).

Canada 3000 is a charter and limited schedule carrier that carries a lot of package tours between vancouver and anchorage. They have fares as low as ~$150.00 rt (you would just throw away the return and bus it both directions from and to sea) - availability is often limited and depends upon the space that is left unsold from the package tours. http://www.canada3000.com/

One way, Alaska offers a fare of ~$250 (rt about $320)anc-sea but this is limited to evening and night flights. You could also try to see if you can get an open jaw for the itinerary sea-yvr-anc-sea, but I expect it won't be much less than the combined one way prices for the routes or ~$350 to $400.

If you haven't purchased your United tickets yet you might try to see what the open jaw rochester-sea(or yvr)-anc-sea would run you if travel to Alaska is permitted on the 2 for 1 deal you are getting. Flying from up here it seems that most of the cost of joint tickets or any fares to the east coast are mostly taken up by the Alaska segments and the segments in the lower 48 make up a small amount of the total cost of the ticket.

And, yes, remember to bring raingear. Although the last few days no poncho has been needed up here, 72 degrees and very sunny, this is definitely not the norm. The first week of September was very nice here last year.

Good luck,

Jerry

WOW... thanks guys and gals...

My first day here ... and all these responses. Thanks for all the feedback ... it is greatly appreciated.

Our cruise actually starts on September 4th... so have plenty of time to "sightsee" in Vancouver... would appreciate any suggestions on what not to miss.

Yeah.. seems like the only flights on the major carriers leave Anchorage at 1 or 2 in the morning... not quite looking for that.

Thanks for all the help.

William

Don't be dissapointed the "majors" all leave at 1:00am. I fly this route often and unless you are looking for status tier miles alaska is a partner of many of the majors (AA,CO,NWA and a few more HP maybe?) and you can earn miles with your preferred carrier. There are two considerations 1)price 2) miles. As far as price, as they say in brooklyn, "foget about it". There is no discounting on this route. As for miles the large number of parters (of alaska) is a good thing.