Know Why U Believe?
Adventure with us! See magnificent Alaska, Canada, and God’s Creation as you cruise and learn! Our 2022 TSCM Cruise: Know Why You Believe (KWUB) features daily face time with Tom Short of Tom Short Campus Ministries (TSCM), author of Takin’ it to Their Turf and 5 Crucial Questions About Christianity.
There will be opportunities to learn as we tour the beautiful Alaska Inside Passage and Canada! At each port stop, there will be plenty of sightseeing and free time to explore on your own, during our lengthy stops ashore.
Tour Dates:
Sunday-Monday, May 22-30, 2022
Cruise Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Sunday - Arrival in Washington
Arrive in Seattle, Washington, celebrating in 2022 the 60th Anniversary of the Space Needle, with the world's first and only revolving glass floor lounge featuring unique views of the skyline and city below. Get to know your fellow KWUB cruisers from across the U.S. and Canada.
Day 2: Monday - Sail Away, Sail Away
Board our ship, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, and sail beyond downtown and the Space Needle. Thrill to a unique view from high above Elliott Bay. A fabulous group dinner and much laughter and fun await!
Day 3: Tuesday - Seminars by Sea
Our seminars may not be the kind you’re used to, as they're often outside on deck as the world sails by! Have an iced tea or a lemonade with friends, and catch the late afternoon sun, as you learn and interact with our teachers. We’ll use the gorgeous wonders of Creation off our bow as our teaching tablet!
Day 4: Wednesday - Sitka, Alaska
Nearly 5,000 square miles in size, Sitka’s sparse population holds less than 10,000 people, but in a gorgeous location, rich in scenery and history. Visitors can hike, fish and kayak among the native Tlingit people, captured by the Russians than sold to the Americans.
Beautiful Sitka holds two dozen attractions on the National Register of Historic Places, seven of which are also National Historical Landmarks.
Day 5: Thursday - Skagway, Alaska
Visit gorgeous flora and fauna along Skagway's Lower Dewey Lake and Yakutania Point Trails. We've time enough to also walk the Gold Rush Cemetery Trail.
Skagway has a population of less than 1,000, and you can reach them via our outreach opportunities today. There will also be hours to picnic and relax, within some of the most magnificent scenery in North America.
Day 6: Friday - Endicott Arm Fjord
Stunning Endicott Arm in the Fords Terror Wilderness Areas features breathtaking, rugged mountains dotted by deep valleys and towering waterfalls. The Arm extends over 30 miles long, with nearly one-fifth of its area covered in ice, girded by this narrow fjord’s tidewater that holds massive iceberg shelves that “calve” from Dawes Glacier to crash into the sea.
As the Quantum of the Seas explores the fjord, look sharp for bear, deer, mountain goats, eagles and harbor seals!
Friday - Juneau, Alaska
Cable car thousands of feet high atop Juneau's Mount Roberts, go whale watching on an excursion, or chip a little ice off in person from Mendenhall Glacier (called by the locals “Sitaantaagu”).
Shop in port and meet Juneau’s fascinating residents, too—they and we can only travel to this island capital city by boat or by plane! The scenery is incredible, as is the opportunity to share with local people who are open to the gospel—they spend their lives serving tourist visitors. This will be our afternoon to serve them, although we’ll “strengthen” ourselves with some shipboard buffet dining first!
Day 7: Saturday - Seminars by Sea
Meet with Tom and also enjoy fellowship activities, entertainment and games, and surprises at sea aboard the fun-laden Quantum of the Seas. Visit the North Star Capsule, SeaPlex and the Quantum Solarium and Spa, dine and relax, as we sail past mountain ranges, forests and teeming wildlife.
Day 8: Sunday - Victoria, Canada
After learning and fun with the group in the morning, stroll the picturesque port city of Victoria in the afternoon. Explore the Empress Hotel, tour Parliament or dine in Chinatown. Stroll the city by day and by night and enjoy beautiful Butchart Gardens.
Day 9: Monday - Seattle, Washington
Depart the Quantum of the Seas to fly home (reluctantly) to sort through photos, study notes, and a lifetime of memories and friends with TSCM’s 2022 KWUB Cruise!
Cost: Based upon your choice and style of cabin
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$1695 per person, double occupancy, for a Category 4U Inside (With Virtual Porthole) Cabin
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$1895 per person, double occupancy, for a Category 2N Outside (Ocean View) Cabin
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$2495 per person, double occupancy, for a Category 2D Balcony Cabin
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A limited number of Suites are available, inquire about style and pricing
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All costs are for double occupancy, single room occupancy has a surcharge, ask about our cabinmate matching service!
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Costs are $2295 for an inside cabin, $2695 for an ocean view cabin and $3540 for a single balcony cabin or ask re: a cabinmate
Included: 8 days and 7 nights of first-class cruise accommodations, all cruise costs, port and government taxes and shipboard gratuities, huge daily buffets and restaurant dining, thank you tour gifts, ministry and discipleship from the TSCM team, and some expert guide commentary on site.
Not Included: Airfare** and first night's hotel in Seattle. See the FAQ below for details.
** We assume you will want to make your own flight arrangements, and perhaps cash in airline miles, and our TSCM team will gladly work with you to find the best airfares and assure you arrive and return on time. Groups of 10 or more will receive assistance with group airfares.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why travel with TSCM?
TSCM Tours provides numerous tour benefits. Guests will enjoy teaching and encouragement on tour from Tom Short and the TSCM team. Everyone wants to cruise Alaska, and we will point out the wonders of Creation as we go. Our cruise host, Royal Caribbean, will provide outstanding quality lodging, including delicious, abundant meals and marvelous entertainment.
How do I purchase the right airline tickets?
Our TSCM Tour Director is able to help you find and book travel. We will help you find convenient flights to meet us in Seattle. Remember, this might be a great trip for cashing in those airline miles!
Do I need a passport and visa?
No visa is required to travel from the United States (for U.S. Citizens) to Alaska and Canada. Your passport will be valid identification to visit Victoria, Canada in person.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Royal Caribbean's chefs will gladly take you through their menus and their many options without gluten, dairy or etc. as well as a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian and keto choices.
Do I need cash on tour?
We suggest about $15 per day for incidentals. Obviously, you’ll need to pay for any souvenirs you want to bring home. Most places we visit will accept U.S. credit cards and/or U.S. dollars.
What about Internet access?
Internet service is available for a surcharge at sea but it can be costly. Ports of call will have free WiFi, however, and Royal Caribbean has a chat feature ($1.99 per day) you'll want to install on your phone, to know what "the gang" is up to at sea by day and by night. "Hey, I'm heading to the Lido Deck for the live music show at 3 PM if you want to join me!"
What about my electronic appliances?
Your cruise ship cabin will have several outlets for 120-volt appliances. Prior to departure, we will advice you on everything you need to bring for a safe and convenient tour.
Can I arrive early or stay late?
Our TSCM Tour Director can assist with early and late flights and lodging in Seattle.
What is the registration process?
If you are interested in learning more about our cruise, fill out the online registration form by selecting LEARN MORE above (it takes less than one minute to complete your tour registration). There is no obligation for registering, we will simply touch base for you to learn more.
Please note: We expect our tours to sell out in full! Your place on tour is not guaranteed until you pay the initial deposit for your cruise cabin. Also, the ship may sell out all their cabin space, long before we plan to fill our tour!
When are payments due?
Deposits are welcome today and going forward, with balance of payment due by February 15, 2022. We accept deposits until the tour (or the ship itself) sells out in full.
What is your cancellation policy?
Most cruise deposits are fully refundable. Balance of payment is subject to cruise cancellation penalties and TSCM will hold the cruise as long as the minimum requirement for cruise cabins (8 to form a group) is maintained.
Should I purchase travel insurance?
Please consider getting your own travel insurance for the tour and your healthcare needs. TSCM does not provide travel insurance, however, a large number of credit cards and health insurance plans fully or partially cover needs of travelers. Check with your credit card and health insurance providers, and if you still need guidance, the TSCM Tour Director can recommend travel insurers (most tour members have adequate coverage and need no special added coverage to travel to Alaska and Canada). Royal Caribbean Cruise Line also offers insurance for the cost of the cruise itself.
Is this a physically demanding trip? How much walking will we do?
We anticipate hosting mature young people up to seniors and plan to accommodate everyone. Bring good walking shoes for the tour daily, however, because the ship itself is sizable and you'll want to be in shape to enjoy stunning nature hikes ashore.
What about questions not in this FAQ?
Contact our TSCM Tour Director for any special needs, logistics questions, travel help, or to ask for anything at all. We are delighted to welcome you and to help you. Please e-mail TSCM at tours@tscmweb.org.