Well, this update is overdue (thanks for the nudge Lori!) but what a great week it was!
I flew to Anchorage where I was to spend the night and then drive down to Seward the following morning. The company put me up at a cute little hotel just a snowballs throw from the airport and what made it great for me was that there was a lake dedicated to house float planes right behind the hotel. I find myself greatly attracted to them and in the past I have had many opportunities to fly in the when working Alaska. I spent a good part of my free time walking the lake on the evening I arrived and the morning of departure just checking out the planes and watching them fly in and fly out – it so entertaining!
My dream plane! Foundair Bush Hawk made in Canada.
The following morning, after my stroll of the lake, I did the 2 and a half hour drive down to Seward to meet the ship. The ride would have been one big photo opportunity, had I had kept my camera handy and the lady driving me was able to stop. But how delightful it was. We passed the train that many of our guests took to come to Anchorage after they departed the ship. And it’s the same train that would shuttle about 250 of our guest down to meet the ship later that day. I had been able to take the train once in the distant past and I remember enjoying it.
When I arrived at the ship it was raining cats and sled dogs and remained that way for the remainder of the day and the weather outlook was not at all good for the upcoming days. However, the following day when the highlight of the voyage arrives early in this itinerary, we were to visit spectacular Hubbard Glacier and spectacular it was! The rain clouds parted and and our visit was one of my best ever. There was some considerable fog which at times was dense and detracting from our view. But then, at other times the fog added to the visit. You can see below a photo of a “ghost ship” (Holland America’s Volendamn) which was sharing the bay with us for part of the visit.
Look carefully at the bottom of the photo to see the ghost ship!
The glacier really put on a show for us! I missed a truly awesome caving with my camera but our videographer was able to get the incredible shot! Although something wasn’t right in how he formatted the copy he gave me to post was unable to play. I have asked him to redo it and send it to me but that will take some time. It was one amazing shot and the glacier caved at other times as well.
Spectacular Hubbard Glacier. The fog lifted as we departed.
Some great caving but it wasn't the big one.
The next few days were rainy and the clouds were low which mostly affected our stop in Juneau because all but one of the plane and copter flights had to be canceled. I felt bad for our guests but in Alaska this, of course, does happen from time to time. We were able to get more flights out of Skagway so many of our guests were able to get re-booked to fly.
I hadn’t been on the Navigator in eight years and just last December it came out of a month long dry dock where our company put over 20 million dollars into its’ refurbishment. I have to say I was so very impressed as, like our other two ships they are all far better and more beautiful now than they ever were under our previous ownership. One of the special ship features I like is that since the Seven Seas Navigator will continue to sail Alaska into the future our company placed many outdoor heaters in the Pool Deck Dining area and also on the aft “cocktail” deck which is behind the Galileo Lounge which makes sitting and reading or sightseeing most comfortable.
Our final port was Ketchikan and we experienced a beautiful day with the return of the sun. Thanks to a last minute cancellation and the kindness of one of our guests, I was able to hop on an adventurous off-road tour with or guests. It was a gas and the scenery very nice. The mix of an adrenaline rush and the close sighting of a bear made it a memorable experience.
One aspect of the voyage that was extra special was that there were three large multi-generational families celebrating life and each of them were impressive. Most impressive was “Milton’s” family, which had about 20 in the group headed by Milton who was quite a character. He at 94 still goes to work each day, as a lawyer. The group had special T shirts and bags and were all so much fun and were having such a great time.
The final day was our sail down through the Inside Passage and the day was absolutely perfect! Our resident lecturer, Terry Breen spoke from the bridge and provided so much wonderful and meaningful information. In fact, she did a total of four superb lectures and provided daily commentary – all without a note. All of what she does adds so much to the overall Alaskan experience which, I believe, separates Regent from other cruise lines. Terry also sails on our South American cruises.
Terry Breen, author and speaker on board Seven Seas Navigator.
That last night I was invited by members of Milton’s group to join them on the aft deck behind the La Veranda for dinner. The food, the company, the scenery and the setting sun made it an unforgettable evening.
Inside Passage
The day of disembarkation included an early sail into Vancouver and Captain McNeil invited me up for coffee as we made our approach. It was sunny and clear. I had only met the Captain briefly once before and had heard a lot of great things about him. It was a pleasure meeting him and also seeing an old friend, the General Manager Frank.
I left the Navigator with the conviction that they have something special going on board with an overall great team and positive atmosphere. I don’t know when I’ll work there again, but it was sure a wonderful experience to get back there.
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