September 30, 2006
My Ketchikan
This post is part of our series, "My Hometown" These posts will feature the hometowns and local connections that our employees have with the ports that our small-ships visit. This week's post is submitted by Larry Johansen, our Southeast Division Land Manager.
Q: What is your connection to Ketchikan?
A: Ketchikan is my hometown. My family first came there when Woodrow Wilson was president. Alaska was still a territory and people lived close to the land. They still do. I was taught to fish and hunt by my grandfather who lived off the land to feed his family. Encounters with wildlife were common, respect for the land was a lesson taught early.
Q: Do you have a funny story or little known fact about Ketchikan you’d like to share?
A: Ketchikan is a town on an island. To get there today you need to land on a nearby island and take a short ferry ride from an airport built in the 1970's. Before that time jets could land only as close as 40 miles from Ketchikan at an old WWII airbase on Annette Island. From there they would fly to Ketchikan aboard amphibious aircraft called Grumman gooses. They took off on land and landed in the water in front of town. Sometimes the pilots would "forget" to mention that the aircraft was capable of landing in the water and sometimes first-time visitors would arrive in town with a "thrill".
Q: What is your favorite time of year in Ketchikan and why? A: May in Southeast Alaska is the nicest time to visit. It’s the driest time of the year and the scenery is the most photogenic with lots of snow still on the tops of the mountains. Lots of daylight and fewer crowds too.
Q: Is there a particular food or song that reminds you of Ketchikan? A: In Ketchikan there is a berry bush that grows abundantly here that is called a salmon berry. The fruit
is ripe in two colors- bright red and bright orange. In the case of bright orange they look a lot like caviar. There is a bird called the Swainson's Thrush that has a particular fondness for these berries. The
song of the Swainson's Thrush is beautiful ululating spiral of a song that fills the air in the spring. When I hear the Swainson’s thrush it reminds me of home.
Q: What is on your “must see” list for visitors to Ketchikan?
A: The totem art in Ketchikan is outstanding. The art traces its hearth to the area. The collection scattered through town, and its two totem parks, is the most concentrated collection in the world.
Q: Do you have a favorite area of the city?
A: Creek Street in downtown Ketchikan is a fun place to people watch and walk around. In the late summer you can see salmon jumping up the rapids on the creek and watch the local kids try to catch them before they head up stream.
Q: Is there a favorite activity that you enjoy in Ketchikan?
A: Ketchikan used to be known as the Salmon Capital of the World. The fishing is great anytime of the summer. I was there a couple weeks ago and landed three salmon one of which was a nice King Salmon. Ketchikan is usually at the end or beginning of a trip to Alaska and adding on a night or two here would allow time to drop a line for a day.
Q: Is there a particular restaurant that you’d recommend for visitors?
A: I always liked Annabelle’s Keg & Chowder House. It’s been around for many years and has a good lunch and dinner menu. It just feels comfortable.
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: Bring a rain jacket but don’t be discouraged if it does rain. I played little league baseball in Ketchikan and we never cancelled a game due to rain. Not that it wasn’t raining but rain never stopped us from doing anything!
Most of our fleet passes through Ketchikan on our
Gold Rush Inside Passage cruises and on our classic
Inside Passage cruises. If you'd like to learn more about Ketchikan, consider visiting the
Ketchikan Visitor's Bureau website.
Posted by Larry Johansen on September 30, 2006
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September 26, 2006
Stunning Alaska Photo Album
Last week, we received another modest email from a guest. Here's an excerpt: "My husband and I took an Alaskan Inside Passage Cruise with Cruise West in August 2006. We've put our photos from our trip on our website..." Turns out, the photos are from Patty & Bill Hankins. In the interest of full disclosure, you should know that they are professional photographers. That said, they were not compensated in any way by Cruise West for the trip and in fact, we didn't even know that they were onboard. It really is a compliment that they would even choose to travel with us!
Here's what the landing page on their photo site says:
We chose this particular cruise for a couple of reasons. The Spirit of Endeavour is a small cruise ship,with a capacity of 102 passengers. This allows the ship to go where the big cruise ships can't, and generally to get closer to the wildlife and the scenery. Also, we went in August on the cruise that stops at Hyder, AK, in the hopes of seeing bears as they fed on the salmon heading upstream to spawn. It was our first trip with Cruise West - we had a great time, and Captain Mike did a fantastic job getting us close to the wildlife.
They've also provided a nice page on tips and tricks for photographing Alaska from a Cruise Ship. I was definitely inspired!
Thanks to Patty & Bill for sharing their work with us.
Posted by Leigh Strinsky on September 26, 2006
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September 22, 2006
Wine Woot, What a Hoot!
I found a fun wine site and wanted to share it. I first found the site because a Washington winery, Pepper Bridge is the featured wine of the week (I keep tabs on Washington wineries because we visit Walla Walla on our Columbia/Snake River Cruise). Walla Walla's local news station, KNDO/KNDU has a great story posted on their site right now.
The site is called wine.woot.com. Their slogan is: One Wine, One Week and so, every week, they feature a single wine for sale at a great price. They share stats on who's purchasing the wine, how many bottles they are selling and allow for commentary. What a fun approach to selling wine! Their unstuffy approach is refreshing and the wine that they sell is darn good!
Enjoy!
Posted by Leigh Strinsky on September 22, 2006
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September 21, 2006
Christmas On Attu Island
With the Fall season upon us and Winter around the corner, we are often asked where our small-ships spend their winters. The smallest of our ships, the Spirit of Alaska and Spirit of Columbia will end their fall seasons come home to Seattle for the winter, but our larger (relatively speaking) operate almost year-round. The Yorktown Spirit will be in the California Wine Country, the Nantucket Spirit in the Caribbean, the Spirit of Endeavour in Mexico's Sea of Cortes and Pacific Explorer will be in Costa Rica & Panama. Our largest, ocean-going vessel the Spirit of Oceanus is enroute to Japan, by way of the Aleutian Islands.
Her current journey is the subject of this post. Sometimes, we reposition or "dead-head" our vessels to their next destination. This means that we batton down the hatches and make a straight course for the next port. Other times, we find clients who want to charter the ship and create a custom cruise. It's essentially a private cruise, sold by a third party to their exclusive guest list. The Spirit of Oceanus is currently on such a charter.
On September 8, in Whittier, Alaska, a group of birders, hosted by Victor Emmanual Nature Tours (VENT) boarded the Spirit of Oceanus. Their ultimate destination was Attu Island, which is at the westernmost end of the Aleutian chain. Attu is know for it's world-class birding and many of the guests on this cruise are adding birds to their "life-list" that can only be found in this region. VENT is posting the daily log from the trip on their website. It's a great read- even if you are not a birder. Be sure to check out the photo gallery.
One of my favorite stories- unrelated to birds, is that of the interaction with the Coast Guardman serving at the USCG Loran Station on the island. This duty station is consider to be "isolated duty" an understatement! Therefore, the "Coasties" are only assigned to the station for a year. Connections to the outside world are made through internet, mail pouches and television. But visitors are rare. On Monday night, there was an early Christmas party onboard the Spirit of Oceanus. The honored guests were the Coast Guard Station members.
Here's a quote from the Exploration Journal that describes the event:
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This evening concluded with our Christmas in September celebration for thetn.JPG)
Coast Guard, who rarely get visitors in December. The Coast Guard had already been beyond hospitable to us and had shuttled us back and forth to the distant Japanese War Memorial in their pickup. They even helped out with a rare bird chase at one point. So it was a real pleasure to throw a party on their behalf. A Christmas tree had been decorated and the entire lounge was bedecked with decorations befitting Christmas. Dick and Don performed Christmas carols and led us in some group singing. Group gifts were handed out to each of the Coast Guard personnel (who serve one year on remote Attu) and thank you plaques were exchanged with the ship. The Cruise West kitchen went above and beyond on dinner and hors d’oevres. The Coast Guard guys don’t get many visitors, so it seemed like the chance to dine with us, hang out at the bar, and joke around off the base were welcomed. At least we hope so! We went to bed with visions of sugarplums (and Asian rarities) dancing in our heads.
Tomorrow, the Spirit of Oceanus leaves Attu for Petropavlosk, Russia. The birders will be headed home and our Ring of Fire trip begins. After that, it's on to Japan, Vietnam and the South Pacific. Adventure awaits our guests and crew, but my guess is that the crew's fondest memories of 2007 will include their days at anchor off Attu Island.
(More...)
Posted by Leigh Strinky on September 21, 2006
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September 18, 2006
Walking Sharks?
It's all over the news- off the coast of Indonesia, scientists have discovered two species of walking sharks and eight new types of shrimp. One of the best articles is on the National Geographic News website. Be sure to check out the picture. Very unusual!
Here's a quote from the article:
The two new shark species are particularly exciting, Troeng says.
The sharks are about 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.2 meters) long and walk along the shallow reef flats on their fins, preying on shrimp, crabs, snails, and small fish.
"If they get spooked they can swim away, but the thing that stands out is their walking over the bottom," Troeng said.
What a find! While we don't actually travel to this area of Indonesia, we get pretty darn close on our South Pacific cruises. Our guests do spend quite a bit of time snorkeling and diving- who knows what we might see? My guess is that everyone will be carrying underwater cameras and keenly watching for these amazing new sharks.
Brings new meaning to the term "land shark" doesn't it?
Posted by Leigh Strinsky on September 18, 2006
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September 15, 2006
My San Francisco
This post is part of our series, "My Hometown" These posts will feature the hometowns and local connections that our employees have with the ports that our small-ships visit. This week's post is submitted by Betsey Shapiro, one of our San Franciso based staff members.
Q: What is your connection to San Francisco?
A: I was born and raised in the Bay Area, and went to college in San Francisco, where I met my husband. We were married in San Francisco on a bluff overlooking the bay.
Q: Do you have a funny story or little known fact about San Francisco you’d like to share?
A: The fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco, at the Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park
Q: What is your favorite time of year in San Francisco and why?
A: The fall is the best time of year in San Francisco. The chilly summer fog is gone, and it’s actually the warmest time of the year.
Q: Is there a particular food or song that reminds you of San Francisco? 
A: Sourdough bread, of course. Fresh Dungeness crabs in the winter.
Q: What is on your "must see" list for visitors to San Francisco?
A: There’s almost too much to list. Lombard Street, the Italian neighborhood of North Beach, Chinatown, the view from Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge, taking a cable car, shopping around Union Square, Golden Gate Park and the Haight/Ashbury district, the musical revue “Beach Blanket Babylon.”
Q: Do you have a favorite area of the city?
A: Union Square for the theaters and shopping, especially during the Christmas season. The stores have great window decorations, and there’s a festive atmosphere .
Q: Is there a favorite activity that you enjoy in San Francisco?
A: It’s a toss-up. Either visiting the food shops, restaurants and farmer’s market at the Ferry Building, or watching the Giants at AT&T Park.
Q: Is there a particular restaurant that you’d recommend for visitors?
A: The Beach Chalet on a sunny day. It’s a historic building at the end of Golden Gate Park, facing the ocean. Upstairs is a restaurant and brewery with great ocean views, and downstairs is filled with 1930’s murals painted by the Federal Works Program, as well as historical displays of Golden Gate Park.
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A:San Francisco is a great walking city, and there's very good public transportation as well.
Our ship, the Yorktown Spirit, visits San Francisco on our California Wine Country cruises. If you'd like to learn more about San Francisco, consider visiting the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Posted by Betsey Shapiro on September 15, 2006
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September 11, 2006
Alaskology Blog
I have to admit it, I'm a picky blog reader. I spend a lot of time looking for fun blogs, that might relate to our cruises. I do this, because I think that the way you really learn about a place is through the people who live there. Local voices are much more interesting than paid fluff meant to sell on a visitor's bureau website. Problem is, there are very few really good blogs about the destinations that we visit. Well, today, I found a really fun blog called Alaskology. It's written by Steve Edwards, of the Anchorage Daily News. Steve talks about what's going on in Anchorage, hikes he's taken, how we feels about the weather, basically, whatever strikes his fancy. That's Steve's picture on the left (hope you don' t mind, Steve!) If you want to get inside the head of an Alaskan, this is a fun blog to read.
Back to my admitted blog snobbery. I'd love to be proven wrong. Do you have a really great blog that we should know about? Send me an email and let me know: leighsATcruisewestDOTcom
Posted by Leigh Strinsky on September 11, 2006
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September 06, 2006
My Washington, D.C.
This post is part of our series, "My Hometown" These posts will feature the hometowns and local connections that our employees have with the ports that our small-ships visit. This week's post is submitted by Jeff Krida, President & CEO of Cruise West.
Q: What is your connection to Washington, D.C?
A: Alexandria, VA/Washington, DC - finished High School; met my wife, Rebecca, of 38 years; went to college, and got my first job there with American Airlines.
Q: Do you have a funny story or little known fact about Washington, D.C. you’d like to share?
A: Many. A place I enjoy is the Torpedo Factory on the Potomac River at the foot of King Street in Old Town Alexandria. That's what it was and what it made in the 1940's. In the 1970's it was converted to artist's work/studio lofts where the public can meet the artists and buy their art. It's a great old building in a beautiful spot, but it is a turnaround in use and purpose that provokes thinking about "turning guns to plowshares" when and where we can.
Q: What is your favorite time of year in Washington, D.C. and why?
A: Springtime in Washington, DC is a sea of flowers. It is also the best time to be comfortable with the weather. Nearly everywhere in D.C. in the spring is bright with flowering beauty and the reassurance of re-birth and freshness. I have had many "What a Day for a Daydream" moments in D.C in the springtime, literally tiptoeing through the tulips.
Q: Is there a particular food or song that reminds you of Washington, D.C.?
A: Chesapeake Bay Bluefin crabs steamed in Old Bay seasoning, Maryland Silver Queen white sweet corn on the cob and ice-cold beer, all spread out on newspapers, enjoyed with family and friends. I am tasting it while I am writing this!
Q: What is on your “must see” list for visitors to Washington, D.C.?
A: There's sooooo much! There are three places I like to go when I am back "home". Two you know about and the third you should seek out and find. Spending a few quiet moments with Honest Abe looking down the Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument and toward the Capitol on up The Mall from his chair is overwhelmingly humbling while you ponder the depth of his selfless greatness compared to our own personal drives and ambitions. Walking around the Tidal Basin through the Japanese Cherry trees approaching "the wise one" standing at the center of the rotunda in the Jefferson Memorial is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. My personal favorite, however, is a very small park right on the south bank of the Potomac, just north of the 14th Street Bridge on the George Washington Parkway where a sculpted monument to soldiers and sailors lost at sea suspends cruising gulls by the tips of their wings lightly touching a breaking wave.
Q: Do you have a favorite area of the city?
A: I still love Georgetown and spent lots of time there as a college student. It is a neighborhood within a city and its scale is comfortable. But I also enjoy the Adams Morgan neighborhood just off Connecticut 
Avenue behind the Washington Hilton. It is eclectic and international with restaurants and residents of every ethnicity spewed between residential row houses, florists, bookstores and markets. It is a colorful, tasty and alive place.
Q: Is there a favorite activity that you enjoy in Washington, D.C.?
A: I can't stay away from the art museums: the National Gallery, the Renwick, the Corcoran, the Phillips Collection where you can have the whole room to yourself with Renoir's "The Boating Party" that is bigger than life. I still like an hour or so in the main reading room under the Rotunda in the Library of Congress. The sweet pleasure of a quiet hour in that place is to long for in our busy lives, and after all, we all own it so why not enjoy it!
Q: Is there a particular restaurant that you’d recommend for visitors?
A: Maybe not for the exquisiteness of the cuisine, but I really enjoy The Dubliner at The Hotel Phoenix near Union Station. It is a genuine Irish Bar where you can sing a few choruses of "The Wild Rover" over a great dish of shepherds pie and tip a pint of Guinness, and everyone there is your friend.
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: There is never enough time to enjoy all the great things of Washington, D.C. and most of them are as enjoyable time after time as they were the first time you did them. Go there, often - and remember, most of it's yours!
Our ship, the Spirit of Nantucket, visits Washington, D.C. on several itineraries. This fall, we'll visit as part of our Chesapeake Bay & Hudson River cruise and our Colonial America & Battlefields of the Civil War cruise. In 2007, we'll call on Washington, D.C on our Cradle of Colonial America and Historic Chesapeake Bay cruises. If you'd like to learn more about Washington, D.C., consider visiting the Washington, D.C. Convention and Tourism Corporation.
Posted by Jeff Krida on September 06, 2006
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September 02, 2006
Baby Hippo Finds Mother
This post has nothing to do with Cruise West- but we just loved the story and couldn't resist sharing. It made us smile and hope that you enjoy it also.
My father-in-law is one of those guys who seems to be on everyone's email list. He always forwards the jokes about the old folks' homes, the kid-who-says-exactly-the-wrong-thing stories, and the send-this-to-twelve-people-or-else emails.
Today's email was better than average: the hippo who adopts a turtle as his "mother". So adorable - in the wake of post-tsunami disaster, a 1 year-old hippo adopts a turtle... the pictures are just heartwarming.
So I followed up on this one - turns out there's a LOT of attention on these two - a movie, a book, and a
blog where you can learn a lot more and catch up on these two and many more fascinating creatures. NPR is even
following their story.
Don't miss the stick balancing game they play together.
Mark Belanger is the Technology Program Manager for Cruise West- which means that anytime you see Cruise West represented out on the web or through email, Mark was in some way involved. From time to time, he'll be unraveling the mysteries of the internet, how we use it to enhance our products and services to you and sharing hippo love stories.
Posted by Mark Belanger on September 02, 2006
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