First Annual ARKANSAS TRAVEL BUGS Cache 'n Cruise

June 4, 2008

We're excited to announce the first-ever geocache cruise event by the Arkansas Travel Bugs (if you geocache, you're an honorary member, and you don't have to be from Arkansas to participate)! For the first event, we couldn't imagine a better itinerary than Alaska - where nature is in her finest and where caching can truly be an adventure!

There will be specially hidden caches in each port. The caches will contain a secret code that you'll need to obtain in order to score a "find" on your cache list. Find all the hidden caches along the way to earn your special event T-shirt, available only to those who log all the finds. Of course, we know you're on a CRUISE and you want to see Alaska's scenery, so we'll make the special caches relatively quick to find (so long as you're on your toes!) and there will be multiple caches in each port so everyone won't stampede on their way to the same spot! The number of caches hidden will be determined by the number of participants (for example, a smaller group won't have to have a large number of special caches in order to prevent this from happening, while a larger group will need a larger number of caches to find in order to ensure that one can't just follow along with the crowd and find the cache). There may be some special awards given for best group t-shirt, etc. (TBA).

THERE WILL BE A GENERAL EVENT T-SHIRT provided for each cruiser, but the special T-shirt must be earned!

The cruise will be onboard the luxurious Carnival Spirit (if you've sailed Carnival before, this is NOT your average Carnival ship - she's tailor-made for Alaska and Hawaii cruises and provides a more upscale atmosphere than most of Carnival's other ships). The rates start at only $480 per person plus port charges and taxes (based on double occupancy - details below).

Here's your itinerary:

There will be caches hidden within walking distance from the pier in Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka that will count toward your T-shirt goal. There will also be caches in Whittier but we will be awarding T-shirts on Tuesday prior to our departure port so these won't be included in the T-shirt requirement. Of course, once you find your event caches, you can continue on to enjoy shore excursions OR keep hunting for caches in the area as there are a HOST of them available that will take you to some of the most beautiful parts of the Alaskan wilderness.

There will be a second group of cachers that will be stay on in Alaska for a special land tour that includes Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park. Details to be announced regarding itinerary and prices as this is a custom group and our details are being worked out for this group. That group will include rail travel to Denali/Mt. McKinley - there are caching opportunities that will take you to some of the most spectacular scenery in Alaska! If you're interested in the extended stay, please let us know (you don't have to commit to anything - yet!).

YOU MAY BRING ALONG FAMILY/FRIENDS. We're looking forward to great opportunities for fellowship and fun, so the more the merrier! There's no limit to how many cabins you can book - provided we have the inventory. Currently, there are 60 cabins being held, 20 in each category (inside, oceanview and balcony) - so book early to ensure your cabins are available as we cannot guarantee the prices once we've filled our inventory.

For a TENTATIVE reservation, please fill out the form below and a travel agent will contact you to go over the details of the trip and if you decide to go, you can put a deposit (fully refundable until March 1, 2008 so you have plenty of time to change your mind) on your cabin. To book a triple/quad cabin or to make actual cabin selection now, you must pay the full deposit of $350 per person; while those with double occupancy can elect to pay only $50 per person down with no further payment due until Jan. 2, 2008 (at which time, you must pay or have paid a total of $350 per person). The final balance is due no later than March 15, 2008.

Group Air: We will be working with the airlines to obtain the lowest possible fare for our group out of Little Rock, or you may book your own air, or tell the travel agent to book the air through the cruise lines (transfers provided free of charge by the cruise line but the air fare is higher). We anticipate a fare of approximately $550 per person because this is considered an "open-jaw" trip; not a true round-trip as we're flying into one city and returning from another. For the second group of cachers, there will be an alternate return date available for the group (based on the majority's choice of date of return). If your dates don't coincide with the group, we can still help you arrange your air arrangements. SOME have suggested a roundtrip from Little Rock to Seattle (taking the shuttle up to Vancouver, relatively inexpensive), with a one-way from Anchorage to Seattle. We're looking at many options, so we'll keep you posted on the air option for the group for those interested.