Alaska is just a hop, skip and a cruise away from Seattle, Washington. If you are considering attending the 36th Annual IAJGS
Conference on Jewish Genealogy, August 7-12, 2016, at the Sheraton Downtown in Seattle, also think about taking a seven day cruise to Alaska either before or after the conference.

Conference organizers are exploring cruise options and would like input from those who are interested in taking one of these cruises.  A cruise would not be a conference event, but would be a great opportunity to turn one’s conference experience into a wonderful vacation to remember for years to come. If there is sufficient interest expressed before October 5, we will proceed with our plans and let you know when we have finalized arrangements.

The cruise would leave from the Seattle Cruise Terminal and take the Inside Passage along the southeastern coast of Alaska.  Typically, these cruises  offer spectacular views of coastal glaciers , forests and wildlife of southeastern Alaska. These are family oriented cruises with many activities available on board the ship and on shore for all ages and abilities.

Stops may include Ketchikan, Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway, and either Vancouver or Victoria on the return trip.  If a sufficient number of people book together, the price will be discounted.

Prices start around $900 per person, double occupancy for an inside cabin, including cabin and meals, and a variety of accommodations are available on board these fully equipped cruise ships. We expect there will be options for those who keep kosher, either pre-packaged kosher meals or vegetarian meals.

One cruise option  would depart Seattle either July 28 or 29th, (Thursday or Friday), returning to Seattle on August 4 or 5 (Thursday or Friday).  The other option would be a cruise departing either August 15 or 16 (Monday or Tuesday), returning August 22 or 23.

If you are interested, please respond to Chuck Weinstein directly at chuck@iajgs2016.org, before October 5 and let us know what you think.

Please let us know of your interest and:

• schedule preference for either before or after the conference,
• number in your party,
• how many would require kosher meals