Congratulations to Matt Failor from the Gold Rush Dog Tours camp for achieving Tour Guide of the Year!
Season’s Best Alaska Shore Excursions Chosen by Princess Cruises Passengers
2008 C.R.U.I.S.E. Service Awards Recognize Importance of Exceptional Service by Local Tour Operators, Guides and Dock Representatives.
Matt Failor
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (October 2, 2008) – As Princess Cruises wraps up another successful Alaska cruise season, the line has announced the winners of its ninth annual C.R.U.I.S.E. service awards, which recognize the best shore excursion experiences in Alaska and the Northwest as determined by Princess passengers.
The awards acknowledge the importance of local tour operators and their staff and the vital role they play in a passenger’s Alaska cruise experience. The most popular tours, individual guides and dock representatives are determined by passenger surveys taken throughout the season, and are chosen from the extensive line-up of more than 200 Alaska shore excursion options offered on Princess ships.
“The Alaska tour operators we work with do a wonderful job of continuing Princess’ culture of service once passengers go ashore,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “It’s always gratifying to receive so many positive comments about the experiences passengers have on their Alaska shore adventures. These awards are to recognize and thank those who make the shore experience special for our visitors.”
The C.R.U.I.S.E. program is the longest running customer service program in the cruise industry. The Alaska awards were begun in 2000 and cap off a season-long effort to recognize the role that Alaskan-owned tour partners play in passengers’ cruise experiences. Tour Guide of the Season and Dock Representative of the Season award winners receive $100, a letter of commendation, a plaque, a ship tour and lunch onboard with their family. Operators of the Shore Excursion of the Season receive a plaque and a letter of commendation, a tour of the ship, and lunch onboard for company officials.
The 2008 winners include:
Juneau:
- Co-Shore Excursions:
- Alaska’s Whales & Rainforest Trails, Gastineau Guiding Company
- Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour, TEMSCO Helicopters
- Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition, Alaska Canopy Adventures
- Co-Tour Guides:
- Jami Likins, Gastineau Guiding Company
- Matt Failor, Gold Rush Tours/TEMSCO Helicopters
- Dock Representative:
- Aubrey Reece, TEMSCO Helicopters
Ketchikan:
- Co-Shore Excursions:
- Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour, Commercial Fishing Adventures
- Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure, Snorkel Alaska
- Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition, Alaska Canopy Adventures
- Co-Tour Guides:
- “Kiwi” Allan Brann, Commercial Fishing Adventures
- Rob Holston, Lighthouse Excursions
- Dock Representative:
- Jill Gates, The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
Kodiak:
- Near Island Sea Kayak Adventure, Orcas Unlimited Charters of Kodiak
- Sue Rohrer, First Group
Seattle:
- Best of Seattle, Gray Line of Seattle
Seward:
- Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise, Kenai Fjords Tours
- Whitey Van Deusen, Trails North
Sitka:
- 4×4 Wilderness Adventure, Greenling Enterprises
- Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest, Allen Marine Tours
- Justin Horn, Sitka Tours
Skagway:
- Dog Sledding & Glacier Flightseeing, TEMSCO Helicopters
- Klondike Rock Climbing & Rappelling, Alaska Mountain Guides
- Takshanuk Mountain Trail by 4×4, Takshanuk Mountain Trail
- Mike Fortney, Chilkat Guides
- Nicki Bunting, Skagway Street Car Co.
- Rebecca Hylton, White Pass & Yukon Route
Valdez:
- Columbia Glacier Cruise, Stan Stephens Cruises
- Chris Arrate, Keystone Outfitters
Vancouver:
- Capilano Canyon’s Natural Beauty, Rockwood Adventures
Victoria:
- Enchanting Butchart Gardens, Gray Line West
- Norman Archer, D’Costa Ports of Call
Whittier:
- Blackstone Glacier Adventure Cruise, Prince William Sound Cruise & Tours
Link to the original Princess News Post
