Hi Everyone,
With less than nine months to go until the next World Beard and Moustache Championships, 224 members of Beard Team USA have already announced their plans to make the trip to Alaska. We are also expecting most of the European beard clubs as well as new groups from new countries to come too. This is going to be huge!
At the end of this message, I have reproduced my earlier message containing the details on the planned group trip, with a few changes. Here is some additional information you should have at this time:
Deadline for cruise ship reservations -- Carnival Cruise Lines has given us until September 27 to reserve space on the cruise ship at current prices ($799 per person for an inside cabin, $999 per person for an "oceanview" cabin). After that date, you can still reserve space as long as the cruise is not sold out, but the prices may go up. To reserve space you need to call Carnival at 1-866-721-3225 and make a deposit of $350 per person. Tell them you want to book a cabin under group reservation no. 3ZB109, which is for Beard Team USA. The deposit is fully refundable if you cancel by Feb 26. The balance is due the cruise line by Feb 26.
Changes to program -- There are two changes to the program planned for our stay in Anchorage. 1) The local Lions Clubs are concerned that they will not have enough volunteers to host all of us for various Alaskan adventures on Thursday. However, there is a huge variety of activities and excursions available from various companies in Anchorage which vary considerably in cost. The organizers will help you find the right activity to suit your taste and budget. 2) Instead of the 26-Glacier cruise on Sunday, the Anchorage Visitors and Conventions Bureau is organizing an excursion to the Portage Glacier which will be followed by "Beer and Brats" at the Cold Creek Mine.
Airfare -- Airfares to and from Alaska next May are probably cheaper than you think, given all of the publicity about the struggling airlines. I suggest you consider booking your flights soon, as the fares could easily go up.
Here are some fares I found today at www.kayak.com for round-trip travel to Anchorage in May (dep May 19, return May 26) including all taxes: from San Francisco $531, from NY $574, from Chicago $517, from Baltimore $512, from Denver $490, from Seattle $417, from LA $557.
For those going on the cruise, here is what I found for airfare to Vancouver on May 13, returning from Anchorage on May 26: SF $448, NY $643, Chicago $580, Baltimore $660, Denver $530, LA $495. (If you are going on the cruise, note that you must check in for the cruise by 4 pm on May 13, so be sure you flight gets to Vancouver by 2 pm on May 13 at the latest. It would be much safer to fly in on May 12 and spend the night in Vancouver. You also might save a little money by flying to Seattle on May 12 and then taking the bus to Vancouver.)
If you are already in Seattle you can take the bus to Vancouver for $55 and then fly one-way from Anchorage to Seattle on May 26 for only $208.
RV rentals in Anchorage -- Some people in our group are considering exploring Alaska by rental RV following the championships. If you are thinking of doing this, you should know that ABC Motorhomes is offering a 50% discount for rentals next May if you book and pay in full by October 31. A 30-foot motorhome rents for $100 per day. See http://www.abcmotorhome.com/specials.html
Raising money for the trip -- Several of our members are seeking sponsors in their local areas to help them pay for their trip to Alaska. One of our members, Atom Shock, has started a blog for this purpose. Check it out: http://shocksalaskanbeardquest.blogspot.com/
Please keep me posted on your plans and let me know if there is any additional information you would like. This is going to be a blast. Keep those beards and moustaches growing. Go USA!
Cheers,
Phil Olsen
Founder and self-appointed Captain
Beard Team USA
