'Twilight' Series fans to sail away to Alaska next summer, the skinny on the 'Twilight' Fan Cruise

April 12, 12:09 AMTwilight ExaminerAmanda Bell

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Nestled nicely on the list of up-coming conventions for fans of the hit Twilight series will be the 2010 Twilight Fan Cruise (also known as the Alaska Twilight Cruise & Convention at Sea for Twilight Fans), and guess who's on board (little pun)? None other than our lovely and dependable fan-friendly castmates Ashley Greene and Kellan Lutz.

In order to get the most up-to-date details on this event, I got in touch with none other than the president of Cruises, Cruises, Cruises, Inc., and "captain" of the up-coming Twilight voyage, Linda Wolf.

Here's what she had to say.

Q: So, tell me a little about what Twilight fans can look forward to on the cruise?

A: First of all, Twilight Fans can look forward to [a] Question and Answer Session, Autograph Session, Photo Shoot, Costume Ball and Contest, Original Game Shows like Twilight Jeopardy and Cullen Family Feud, Parties, Movie Viewings, Vendors room and meeting other Twilight Fans from all over the world. We will get to hang out every night and dance and sing Karaoke and just have fun.

Q: What sets you apart from other conventions?

A: What sets this apart from land-based conventions is that the convention is held on a luxurious cruise ship which is, for all intents and purposes, a floating resort hotel. Rather than spending a weekend at a hotel in a major city, your "hotel" takes you from port to port so that everyday you see something new and beautiful. And Alaska is called "The Great Land" for a reason. It is truly spectacular! We schedule our Twilight events so that they do not conflict with our times in port. There are so many things to do in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria that we want our passengers to go ashore and experience Alaska and Canada. Unlike a land-based convention, all of your food is included. I have found it difficult to find good food at some of the shows I've been to and when I do I often find I just don't have the time to eat. This is not good. We humans need to eat to keep up our strength so we can spend long days and nights having Twilight fun. The other thing that sets us apart is that we will be a Private Event on board. Only those passengers who book through our agency will be issued passes to the Twilight Events. We are a more intimate convention because, instead of 1000-3000 people in attendance, we plan to have about 500, or so. Also, just being on the cruise makes people more relaxed and since there are 7 in which to spread out the activities so you are not rushed.

Q: I hear you've just booked a couple of special guests... can you tell me about that?

A: So far we have booked Ashley Greene (Alice) and Kellan Lutz (Emmett) to sail with us. These are two lovely people who are very gracious with the fans . . . Will there be more special guests? Could be...

Q: Will the special guests be on the entire cruise, and, if so, will they be mingling about the ship with fans?

A: They will be on board for the entire cruise. I am sure our passengers will see them out and about however we ask our passengers to be respectful of them.

Q: What gave you the idea to book a cruise for this convention, and how difficult was it to coordinate such an effort with a major cruise liner?

A: I am working with one of the world's best cruise lines, Holland America Line. They have been very supportive of our project. I have done several large groups with them before and they have always been a pleasure to work with. There is a lot of coordination between their main office in Seattle, the ship, and us. It takes months of planning to make sure we can have the public rooms that we need for our Private Events, the tables for the group dining, the use of the ship's photographers and AV techs and more. It's a group effort and we are all team players.

Q: Have you gotten a fair amount of bookings, so far, or are you expecting it to wait until events like TwiCon are over first?

A: We are getting new bookings everyday and they are coming in from the United States and from around the world. We are still early in the game but the response so far has kept my staff and me working overtime!

Q: I understand you've done this type of convention at sea for other popular series such as Star Trek and the Beatles. How successful were they, and how did the fans respond to those events?

A: As I mentioned, we have done other themed-cruise events throughout the years including Star Trek Conventions at Sea. Our biggest one had more than 700 passengers to Alaska on Holland America. It was a great event. The ship's staff couldn't have been more accommodating. The Alaska towns were very welcoming. The weather was good. All in all it was an out-of-this-world experience for one and all!

Q: Your booking information says that you are sensitive to the economic times that we are currently in, and that you will be allowing for payment plans and low-start deposits on the outset. Also, this was your rationale for waiting until 2010 (in hopes that things will shape up this year). Can you tell me a little more about that decision and how you think this will help Twilight fans who hope to come?

A: At first I was planning to do the Twilight Convention at Sea in August of this year. But I soon realized that with today's economic conditions being what they are, people need time to plan and save up for this. That's when I decided to move the event to August of 2010. We want as many fans as possible to be able to sail with us. That's why we are arranging customized payment plans for each passenger without interest or service fees. The plans are set up to pay monthly but if you have to miss a month...that's fine. As long as the balance is paid by May 20, 2010. An inside cabin starts at $1049 per person; the Convention Fee is $150; the taxes are $130...which equals an amount of $1329 per person based on double occupancy. After paying the $200 deposit, your monthly payment would be approximately $86 per month. When you think of it like that...it makes it more affordable. Twilight Fans are encouraged to bring family and friends with them even if they are not Twilight Fans. They do not have to pay the Convention Fee but can still enjoy the cruise to Alaska. My staff and I will work hard to make sure that the Alaska Twilight Cruise and Convention at Sea is the best event ever! This is a business venture...to be sure...but it is also a "labor of love" for the Twilight Saga.

Alaska, food, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz .. Sounds like a pretty good time, don't you think? The cruise sets sail on August 8, 2010 from Seattle, Washington. For more information on the cruise, see here.

What do you think? Will you try and go on the Twilight Fan Cruise? Comment below and let us know!

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