August 16, 2007

New Photo Gallery is Live

We are so excited about our new photo gallery.  Several weeks ago, we quietly released it to our website.  Many of our Quyana Members (past guests) have loaded their photos to the gallery.  Our CEO, Dick West has also loaded his South Pacific cruise photos to the web.  There's a E-Postcard feature as well as the ability to send a link of your entire album to your friends and family.  The gallery is still in beta mode and we'd love to have your feedback.   What's working?  What needs improvement? Email us and share your thoughts with us.

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on August 16, 2007
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(2) | Trackbacks(0)

May 27, 2007

Tracing America’s History Along the East Coast

Saturday, May 26, 2007 – Exploration Leader Donald Leadbetter

The Spirit of Nantucket is currently deployed on her Cradle of Colonial America cruise, which follows parts of the Intracoastal Waterway north from Charleston, heads into the Chesapeake Bay, and finishes up in Alexandria on the Potomac River, next door to our nation’s capital. In addition to retracing the steps of some of our country’s initial colonists, we also visit several sites associated with our nation’s great tragedy, the War Between the States, or the Recent Unpleasantness, as we southerners call it (apologies - I grew up in Memphis!). Leaving Charleston, we sailed by Ft. Sumter and were thrilled to be joined by special guest speaker Richard Hatcher, the senior historian at the fort. Rick regaled us with detailed recountings of the vital roles the Fort played in the Civil War. The war started when secessionist troops fired on the Union garrison stationed there, and the eventual fall of the fort to the Union was a great symbolic tragedy for the South.

After a night at sea under a beautiful blanket of stars, the Nantucket spent this morning sailing up the Cape Fear River. Just off the Cape in the open Atlantic, the Frying Pan Shoals are the final resting home of countless ships that have foundered upon its shallows over the last 400 years. Tonight we’ll carefully make our way around the shoals! On the way up river this morning on the way to Wilmington, naturalist Tom Stanley pointed out numerous graceful wading birds such as herons and egrets, and historian Jim Williams explained the important role the Cape Fear River and nearby Ft. Fisher had as a conduit for supplies for the Confederacy. We spent a gorgeous afternoon docked on Wilmington’s waterfront, just catching the tail-end of a Saturday morning Farmer’s Market. Wilmington was bustling today as families enjoyed a beautiful day on the river, gearing up for Memorial Day weekend celebrations.

Now we’re heading downriver, back out to sea where we’ll turn north and head for Beaufort, North Carolina. Explorations ahead include the historic Jamestown Settlement; St. Mary’s City, the first capital of Maryland; Annapolis, home of the U.S. Naval Academy; and Alexandria, where we’ll dock in the shadow of our capital’s monuments. There’s no better way to explore our nation’s past than from a ship, just like the great explorers and colonists of yore!

Posted by Donald Leadbetter on May 27, 2007
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(1) | Trackbacks(0)

May 03, 2007

Cruise Report from Japan

Posted by Andy Compton on May 03, 2007
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

August 09, 2006

My Petropovlovsk

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 Elena Lassal, our ship's agent in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Russia.  

---

Q: What is your connection to Petropavlovsk?
A:  I was born in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy and live here all my life.
 
Q: Do you have a funny story or little known fact about Petropavlovsk you'd like to share?
A:  It is interesting (to my mind) that inside our town there is a seal rookery (in winter time, as in summer they go to Japan). Several years ago it was a fish plant, now it doesn't work. I live about 2 km within that rookery and at night, when it is calm in the street, I can hear the roar of seals. It's really cool.

 
Q: What is your favorite time of year in Petropavlovsk and why?
A: Summer, because we have little sun and warm here. Winter lasts about 8 months. As the first snow falls in October and melts in May.
 
Q: Is there a particular food or song that reminds you of Petropavlovsk?

A: King Salmon, red caviar, Kamchatka crab and Kamchatka beer are visit card of Petro. Yes, there is one nice song that in Kamchatka the weather is bad for half a year.
 
Q: What is on your "must see" list for visitors to Petropavlovsk?
A: The valley of geysers, volcanoes, Nalicheva valley, beautiful nature - in Kamchatka. But in the town - several nice monuments (to St. Peter and Paul, Vitus Bering (founder of Petro), Chapel,etc); Orthodox church; Local Lore and Military Museums, view point.
 
Q: Do you have a favorite area of the city?
A: Yes, view point, city beach, the Hill of Love (favorite place for young couples) 
 
Q: Is there a favorite activity that you enjoy in Petropavlovsk?
A: Mountain biking, diving, walking in summer and cross-country and down-hill skiing, snowboarding in winter. 
 
Q: Is there a particular restaurant that you'd recommend for visitors?
A: "Russkaya gornitsa" (in Russian style), "Vechera na hutore" (in Ukrainian style). 
 
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: Citizens of Petro prefer to spend their summer holidays outside, making shishkobab, sunbathing, swimming in warm lakes, picking mushrooms and berries. I also like to go to the ocean to watch beautiful waves and killer-whales or make round the Avacha bay tours.

---

The Spirit of Oceanus calls on "Petro" as part of our Ring of Fire cruise. If you'd like to learn more about Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy consider taking a look at the Wikipedia entry on the region.

Next week, we'll be on the other side of the Pacific, exploring Seattle, WA through the eyes of the most important person in our company, Susan Holland, Payroll Coordinator.

Posted by Elena Lassal on August 09, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

August 04, 2006

Voices from Alaska- Wilderness Cruising

We are pleased to share with you a recorded narration from Cruise West Exploration Leader Peter Rumm.  Peter has spent many summers in Alaska and by far, his most enjoyable was spent exploring the waters of the Inside Passage on our Wilderness Inside Passage cruise. 

To hear the recording, simply press the play button on the far left or, download the mp3 file to your iPod and enjoy at your leisure.

 

MP3 File

Posted by Peter Rumm on August 04, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

July 28, 2006

All Things Great and Small

Submitted by Exploration Leader Peter Rumm.  Peter has traveled far and wide with Cruise West, including Alaska, Mexico's Sea of Cortes, Columbia & Snake Rivers and California Wine Country.

---

While we cruise through the Inside Passage and elsewhere in the Pacific, we impress our guests by spotting some fantastic wildlife. Six hundred pound brown bears, black bears, moose, wolves, coyotes, killer whales, Dalls porpoise and humpback whales just to name a few. In the mean time we are constantly surrounded by awe inspiring scenery. This combination has made cruising in Alaska and the Inside Passage one of the most popular cruising destinations in the world.

While we are out in the field with our guests, it gives us great pleasure to also refocus our guest’s attention on the smallest of creatures, some are reviled, like the banana slug that’s eats fecal matter off the forest floor along with other plant life. They are hermaphroditic, with their sexual organs located on their neck, which means they mate both ways simultaneously. It gives a whole new meaning to term “necking.”

(More...)

Posted by Peter Rumm on July 28, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

July 14, 2006

Glacier Bay National Park

Daily Adventure Update- Submitted by the Spirit of Discovery - currently on our Wilderness Inside Passage voyage in Alaska.

---

What the Ice Reveals . . .

Be prepared for a full day of sightseeing in spectacular Glacier Bay with a National Park Ranger and Huna cultural interpreter on board. Birders will delight at the variety of species that are found in these waters and we have good chances for an array of wildlife encounters. Mountain goats, harbor seals, brown and black bears are all at home here, and in recent years, moose sightings at the southern end of the bay have become surprisingly more frequent.

Throughout the day, we’ll see some of the most majestic sights of our tour. The Marble Islands are just one of the areas designated for protection of nesting birds and no natural predators live here. Because of their isolated geography, it is an ideal site to conduct studies. Research on the traditional native practice of harvesting gull eggs, and the interactions between different species continue to provide researchers with new insight.

We will arrive at the head of Tarr Inlet where the Grand Pacific and Margerie Glaciers make their great journeys from mountains to the water’s edge. While you look at these giant rivers of ice, think about what Captain George Vancouver or John Muir thought when they stumbled upon these giant faces that took up most of what is now Glacier Bay.

Following Tarr Inlet, we will continue our glacier viewing and wildlife encounters as we make our way back down the West Arm of the bay.

Throughout the last 200 years, many glaciers in Glacier Bay have undergone massive retreat. Over 65 miles of new terrain have been uncovered, inspiring much international research concerning plant and animal succession and adaptability.

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on July 14, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

June 29, 2006

Orchids, Macaws and Monkeys

Taken from yesterday's journal of the Pacific Explorer.  The ship is currently on Day 6 of their Coast to Canal cruise, which travels from Panama to Costa Rica.

---

Yesterday, we visited visit Golfo Dulce, which translates literally as “sweet gulf.” The eastern shores are protected by islands and peninsulas which form a perfect harbor within the gulf.

We spent time at Casa Orquídeas Botanical Gardens. This is a private botanical garden cultivated by long-time local residents Ron and Trudy McAllister.

The McAllisters have lovingly landscaped this homestead for over 20 years. They first planted fruit trees simply to survive. As self taught botanists, they have amassed a wonderful collection of tropical fruit trees, bromeliads, cycads, palms, heliconias, ornamental plants, and more than 100 varieties of orchids, where their garden gets it’s name.

Our naturalists led walks around this beautiful garden area. The walks involve general nature observation and appreciation of the exotic and native plants here in this wonderful place. All of the walks cover the same terrain and are rated as easy. There are benches around the garden for breaks. Some of our guests chose  to explore Casa Orquideas on their own. While others relaxed onboard or took time to swim from the boat. 

 

(More...)

Posted by Pacific Explorer on June 29, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

June 21, 2006

My Bering Sea- Part III

After sailing from Diomede our next stop was Provideniya and Novoye Chaplino on Russia’s Chukotka Peninsula. Built during the height of the Cold War era, Provideniya was everything I ever imagined a communist city would look like. We sailed in under foggy conditions to what appeared to be a ghost town of cold concrete buildings lacking any frivolity in design or color. The city seemed so neglected with buildings in total disrepair and long forgotten by the far off government. They have a great little regional museum though. Our tour culminated at the Performing Arts Center, to be entertained by the children of Provideniya. To me it was as if all the color had been sucked out of the town and had been concentrated in the regional costumes the children were wearing, with brilliant plumage, rosy red cheeks and shy smiles they sang and danced for us.

We departed Provideniya in our transport vehicles to travel across the very bumpy tundra towards the Yupik village of Novoye Chaplino just a few miles away. I don’t believe these vehicles had shocks and sitting in the back seat I swear that my kidneys ended up somewhere near my ears! As we traveled north the weather began to improve and sun came out for a beautiful afternoon. A photo stop provided the opportunity to walk up a hillside for a shot of the sweeping mountains and tundra that greeted the chilly arctic waters. Looking down at the ground there was beauty in the starkness dotted by tiny flowers of heather and dwarf azaleas. The villagers greeted us and showed us around town. Drifting on the wind was a slightly putrid smell and I saw many a nose wiggle. We soon saw the source lying on the beach, the remains of a whale carcass that had been killed by the villagers in April. Whew!

As we were making our way back to the school gym we heard a rumbling sound getting louder and louder. I turned to see a Russian tank making its way into the center of town. I think we were all a little shell-shocked at first, thinking uh oh, what did we do? What will we do? We are in Russia, how do we get out of this situation? You could have heard a pin drop we were all so quiet and then a sigh of relief when it was explained to us that the two not so friendly looking occupants just wanted to get a look at us. We were as much a curiosity to them as they were to us! One of the guests, eleven-year-old Kevin was a huge military buff and his dad asked our guide if they could look at the tank close up. After translating a few of us were invited to climb aboard to look around. The next thing we knew we felt the gears shift and we were tearing across the tundra on the top of a Russian tank! The rush of adrenalin had our hearts beating fast as we crossed creeks and permafrost on our ride it was exhilarating if not a little bit terrifying. I was sitting next to Cruise West President and CEO Jeff Krida and we kept looking at each other and asking can you believe this? When we came to a stop we all slid off the tank wearing perma-grins and still reeling.

Our day was winding to end, but not before the community came together to dance for us, and show off the strength challenges they compete in at the annual Eskimo Olympics. We were welcomed with tea, cookies and traditional subsistence foods to sample. I was brave enough to taste the boiled walrus meat and native plants, but I just couldn’t stomach the raw sea urchin! I have been forever changed for having traveled to these communities and interacting with the people who live there and I am thankful for the chance to make a childhood dream a reality.

---

Karen Kuest is one of our Product Managers for the US Fleet. She manages several our of West Coast itineraries, so if you've traveled with us to Alaska, British Columbia, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Karen ultimately planned your trip. Karen got her start in the travel business behind the wheel of a motorcoach in Alaska. A woman of many talents, Karen can change a tire, route a ship or narrate on the migratory patterns of the tufted puffin with the best of them!

Posted by Karen Kuest on June 21, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

June 14, 2006

My Bering Sea-Part II

In June of 2003, I was back in the Bering Sea this time sailing from Nome to Anchorage. Again, I was going to be visiting places that just boggled my mind. I grew up towards the end of the Cold War era and I remember the abject terror that was struck into every Americans mind of the thought of a nuclear war. Growing up on the west coast of Washington State I was aware of the fact that geographically there are only a few miles separating the United States from Russia and that there were listening devices and missiles pointed at us just waiting for the signal. Mine was part of the collective sigh of relief when Gorbachev came to power and we saw the melting of the Cold War fear. Now I was going to be there.

There being Little Diomede, whose inhabitants saw their families divided when the Iron Curtain, or the Ice Curtain as it was referred to in the north, went up along the international border and International Date Line that runs between US owned Little Diomede and Russian owned Big Diomede. Families that had previously been able to cross the two miles of ocean separating the two islands and countries were now irrevocably divided by politics. Eventually the residents of Big Diomede were removed from the island and relocated to the Russian mainland. We arrived on a cloudy day to see this little village perched precariously on the side of a very rocky little island. We were met by grown adults who were to be our tour guides but were soon usurped by some precocious 12 year olds who were anxious to tell us about life on the island. They led us up a rocky incline to show us where they gather Murre eggs and how they have to be on the lookout for arctic fox that get on island during the winter and will steal the eggs that part of the staple diet of the Inupiat. Polar bears that travel on the sea ice that closes in around Diomede in the winter are a also a danger. We saw the evidence of their existence in the drying hides and freshly cleaned skulls lying about.

To be continued next Wednesday...

---

Karen Kuest is one of our Product Managers for the US Fleet. She manages several our of West Coast itineraries, so if you've traveled with us to Alaska, British Columbia, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Karen ultimately planned your trip. Karen got her start in the travel business behind the wheel of a motorcoach in Alaska. A woman of many talents, Karen can change a tire, route a ship or narrate on the migratory patterns of the tufted puffin with the best of them!

Posted by Karen Kuest on June 14, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

June 13, 2006

A "Misty" Experience

 Yesterday, I received a small email, from the Hotel Manager, Amy Moriarity, on the Spirit of '98 with a note that said  "Thought you might enjoy these photos."   Well, this email definitely epitomized the cliche about big things in small packages.  I opened the email and discovered these touching photos of the wedding ceremony for our guests,  Frank & Marion Elkins.

I immediately emailed the Spirit of '98 to get the rest of the story.  Frank & Marion were kind to allow us to share their special ceremony with the world.   "We are 86 years old. We thought being married on the Spirit of '98 would be unique and memorable. And it was !"

Captain Yurina, who performed the ceremony in Punchbowl Cove, which is inside Misty Fiords National Monument,  reported that it was a perfect day for a wedding.   "Weather perfect 70 degrees and clear skies. Nearly all 88 guests attended."

There was a small reception following the wedding, with a lovely cake prepared cake prepared by Chef d'Parte, Julie Miller.   

I'm told that our Captains perform 6-8 wedding ceremonies in Alaska each summer (which is the only state where they can legally perform ceremonies) but, often renew vows for couples on all of our itineraries.   Love Boat, we're not...but we do love it when our guests think highly enough of us to celebrate their special events onboard. 

As I continued to piece Frank & Marion's story together, I learned that they'd been planning this event through their travel agent, Jean Dunfee and their close friend, Sheila (pictured in the photo).   Flowers, cake, champagne and other special arrangements were handled by these ladies.

We are honored that Frank & Marion shared their wedding with us and allowed us to share it with you.

Best wishes to the bride & groom from all of us at Cruise West! 

---

Submitted by Leigh Strinsky, former Captain and now Manager of Online Initiatives

 

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on June 13, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

June 11, 2006

Two Frog on Nantucket

Submitted by Cruise West Quyana Member, Sonja Keohane (you'll have to visit her site to understand the Two Frog connection)

---

Good Day,

My husband and I have just returned the day before yesterday from our fourth cruise aboard the Nantucket Clipper. On this latest cruise, we sailed from Alexandria, VA to New York. We have enjoyed all of our cruises aboard the Nantucket Clipper and this one was certainly no exception, this was 10 days of heaven!

We were very happy to see our friend Bill Ewen, the on-board historian, on this cruise, as we always enjoy Bill's expertise and love of the water and ships. Bob Lippson, as on-board naturalist was also a treat, as we had heard about him from Bill but had not had the opportunity to sail with him before.

Both Bill and Bob provide a wealth of information that enhances the cruise experience to the point where a cruise without them would be lacking much that makes the trip enjoyable for us..

We took this same cruise in the fall of 2003 except that the itinerary was in the reverse. I thought you might be interested in my photographic chronicle of the cruise. I will add more photographs taken from this last trip as soon as I have the new ones organized.

You may see my photographs here:


This page has an index of photos from two of our other Nantucket Clipper cruises, one to Troy, NY and the other to the Islands of Long Island Sound.

We look forward to sailing with you again.

---

We are delighted that Sonja wanted to share her site with us.  Not only does she feature her cruises on the Nantucket Clipper, but if you dig a little deeper, you'll find poetry, a great photo album of East Coast Tugs and other artwork.  Thanks for sharing, Sonja!

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on June 11, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(1) | Trackbacks(0)

June 07, 2006

My Bering Sea- Part I

The Bering Sea- A Childhood Dream becomes Reality

During my seven years here at Cruise West I have had some incredible opportunities to travel to places that people rarely think about. Those far off places you hear about as a child growing up but never in you wildest dreams imagine that you will ever get there. For me it was the Bering Sea.

I was fortunate enough to be involved in our very first foray into the area when we purchased the Spirit of Oceanus in Singapore and brought her over to the US. I had to contact US Customs and Immigrations and the US Coast Guard to facilitate the clearance of the vessel in Adak, our very first US port of call far out in the Aleutian Islands. Adak, a place I had read about when studying World War II history and could only picture in my imagination. I have a degree in history and I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to do more research on this area and to work with a vendor to build a tour for our guests when the vessel arrived. I soon learned that there isn’t much on Adak and that includes US Customs and Immigrations agents. To clear the SOO, Cruise West needed to fly the agents out to the island. This meant chartering a flight to get them there and back. There was extra space on the flight and imagine my surprise when I was invited to go along and then join the ship. I was thrilled. I was going to see our brand new ship AND be able to cruise from Adak all the way into Whittier, visiting places like Dutch Harbor, Geographic Harbor and Kodiak along the way.

To be continued next Wedneday...

---

Karen Kuest is one of our Product Managers for the US Fleet. She manages several our of West Coast itineraries, so if you've traveled with us to Alaska, British Columbia, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Karen ultimately planned your trip.  Karen got her start in the travel business behind the wheel of a motorcoach in Alaska.  A woman of many talents, Karen can change a tire, route a ship or narrate on the migratory patterns of the tufted puffin with the best of them!

Posted by Karen Kuest on June 07, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

June 05, 2006

Haunted Sonoma

I just can't resist sharing this movie with you.  It is a hoot! 

I've been to Sonoma several times while on our California Wine Country cruise.  In the past, I've spent most of my time shopping and tasting wine & cheese.  This fall, I may just have to find Carla Heine and get a glimpse a the real Sonoma.

I also like the website that is hosting this movie.  It's called Turnhere.  They have hundreds of independent film makers submitting edgy clips from cities around the U.S.  I have to admit, some of them are a bit far out, but I did like this one.

Within a few weeks, we'll be hosting our own video clips as well.

Stay tuned!

---

Submitted by Leigh Strinsky, former Cruise West Captain and now, Manager of Online Initiatives.

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on June 05, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(1) | Trackbacks(0)

May 30, 2006

Back for her 16th Trip!

Submitted by John Kreilkamp, Vice President of Alaska Operations.

---

Yesterday my family got a treat.

Quyana Member, Ila G. arrived in Anchorage for her 16th cruise with Cruise West.   She has sailed on almost all of our cruises and Prince William Sound is her favorite (her 4th trip to this area). Each year, she celebrates her birthday by giving herself a cruise with Cruise West.   Because I had a previous engagement with my visiting family, I asked Andy Compton  to take her out to dinner but to bring her over for a glass of wine first.  He did and Ila delighted us all...she was in her prime....she held court over the gathering of my 12 relatives and they realized that they had met a rather significant person in history.

What makes her so special?  Ila is a nuclear physicist.  Not just any nuclear physicist but a pioneer physicist.  Beginning in 1948, she worked at the Los Alamos research lab and was there for 34 years...she witnessed several atom bomb detonations in the Nevada Desert, she knew Robert Oppenheimer.  She was one of the first women to work at the Los Alamos site in the post war development of the Bomb.  Ila is fairly unpretentious...she disdains those who thought their work was too important.  She recalled with a devilish wink when Oppenheimer went into a local restaurant with shorts on one day for lunch and the waitress, who noticed he was not wearing the required apparel refused to give him service....no slacks - no service.

Ila is celebrating her 82nd birthday with us on the Spirit of Columbia this weekend, she almost missed her cruise with us after last year's heart attack.  Her doctor advised her not to go...but she told him if she was going to go, she would rather have it be in front of a glacier in Prince William Sound.

The Sheraton Anchorage upgraded her to a Jr. suite and last night she thoroughly enjoyed her Copper River Salmon at her favorite restaurant in town.

---

Posted by John Krielkamp on May 30, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(2) | Trackbacks(0)

May 22, 2006

Nutrient Rich Waters of the Inside Passage

Submitted by Cruise West Exploration Leader, Peter Rumm

---

One afternoon while on the Wilderness Inside Passage Itinerary, we were off the coast of Baranof Island near Red Bluff Bay. After five years of cruising and exploring this area I am still awestruck by the scene Mother Nature presents. We noticed a whale spout or two very close to shore, there were harbor porpoise feeding near the whales, as if that was not enough a pod of killer whales passed by. Salmon were jumping out of the water everywhere as if nature was providing an endless fountain of fish. The mountains behind this scene were snow capped and reached 4,500 feet straight up for from sea level. The scene could not have been have been dreamed up or perhaps only by the artist Wyland himself. But such scenes do exist and we soaked it up with the warm sun on our faces and we became lost in time transfixed by an abundance that was Eden like.

Why so much life in one place? Often our guests expect these deep dark cold waters to contain less life than other places they have visited such as Hawaii or the Caribbean. But nothing could be further from the truth. The cold waters we cruise through support some of the greatest varieties and abundance of marine life found anywhere in the world. We commonly see lions main jelly fish with diameters of about a foot or more, however they have been documented at 8 feet across with tentacles over a hundred feet long! The giant pacific octopus with a world record of 600 pounds, although they average 50-90 pounds are found in the waters of the Inside Passage. Often while exploring the intertidal zone we come across sea stars (star fish) the size of dinner plates and bigger! My friends and I found an 11-foot long squid, dead, on Cape Fanshaw one summer. And historically just off the coast of Alaska, the largest animal on the planet, the blue whale use to be frequently spotted, unfortunately due to poor stewardship and over hunting the sighting of blue whales in the gulf of Alaska are now fleeting and unconfirmed.

(More...)

Posted by Peter Rumm on May 22, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

May 04, 2006

Jan's Journal- Day 6 Port Townsend

Victoria had been beautiful and very European, reminded me of my heritage, still being a UK citizen. The option of stay later in the town was appealing so we stopped and ate at a Tapas bar downtown before making our way back to the Endeavour. Several other guests had stopped and eaten good old fish and chips and had a pint of English Beer. One night out was good; we had a chance to really feel and see the life of Victoria, walking back to the vessel was so pretty with the evening lights twinkling over the Capital building .

We woke early next day to some bumpy weather, the Straits of Juan de Fuca are renown for being a little wild and they lived up to their reputation! Still a few were in the lounge for coffee and a spot of breakfast although the cups and plates not quite so full in-case of spills. By 9:00am the weather had turned brighter as we entered into the Harbor at Port Townsend. Waiting at the dock were several tour guides dressed in Victorian garb and looking very fancy with feathered hats, with information packets in hand. We had an open day, we could take the tour or stay on board or wander at our pace, we chose to take the tour.

(More...)

Posted by Jan Sheeley on May 04, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

April 27, 2006

Jan's Journey- Day 5 San Juan Island

It was a beautiful day 5 morning, the water was pristine and the wind low and soft. Copper gave the wake up call at 7:00 for those that wanted coffee and breakfast in the lounge early riser already eating some thing cooked in the dinning room. With coffee in hand it didn’t take long for Meriwether and Copper to start their wonderful chatter about marine life as we cruise through the picturesque smaller San Juan Islands.

First spotted on the port side are a couple of harbor seals resting on the rocks at the edge of the water, way above them high on very rocky steep cliffs are breeding Pelagic Cormorants. We know they are breeding because the feathers ( sorry, plumage) on their rear are speckled. There are so many of them the rock looks like it has a black coat covering the normally white color. The next cry is from a wary Bald Eagle… high in a bare topped tree… first one then two then three spreading their wings and taking off over the vessel, showing off the white tail and majestic heads feathers. They fly so close overhead we can see the yellow curve of their beaks. As we slowly wind around the beach as close in as possible, we spy a huge Bald Eagle nest, a mass of twigs and branches collected by the birds it looks like the whole top portion of the tree is taken over by this home. I am just so impressed with the closeness to our natural environment we have been able to get and the ability to be so intimate with the local marine and bird life.

(More...)

Posted by Jan Sheeley on April 27, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

April 23, 2006

Jan's Journey- Day 4 Victoria

Did I mention that no matter what time you get up the EL’s are at the bow of the boat with binoculars looking and sharing the wildlife they are seeing! Today was an early start, the sky a little heavy but no rain drops falling. About 7:00 am we round the curve and enter Victoria harbor. The beautiful buildings, and pretty boats quite the picture with the Parliament Building and the grand Empress Hotel waiting at the dock.

Captain Mike carefully maneuvered to the dock where we lock into position and lower the gangway. We are ready for our trip to Butchart Gardens by 8.30 and waiting for the red double-decker bus to collect us. John Robert, the driver of the bus, stops at the dock to collect us, the excitement of the day begins as we try and make our way up a short hill out of the marine area. The bus doesn’t quite make it so back we roll to try again, several tries later it is threatened that we have to get out and push the bus to the top of the hill. With cheers we make it over the brow and roll on to Butchart Gardens. There were several engineering tips from the guests for the driver recommending future auto shop repairs!

(More...)

Posted by Jan Sheeley on April 23, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

April 21, 2006

Jan's Journal- Day 3 Nanaimo

The Canadian Gulf Islands spread across the skyline as we dock at Nanaimo… a quaint Victorian town on Vancouver Island. An early start meant breakfast, coffee and off by 8.00! Our Crew busily put up the gangway while two very distinguished Canadian Mounties, and several townspeople were ready with maps and local papers to greet us. We all wanted a picture with the Mounties so they patiently stood while Meriwether snapped the shots. The jackets made sure we were all wide awake; scarlet red really stands out in the early morning light.

The morning was chilly but our guide Nick from tour guides “Tracks” was bravely in just shirtsleeves. Our group was the adventure group, which meant a longer walking trip and more stairs. Yes, we were the largest group…again the true colors of Cruise West travelers shone. Our walking trip took us around the town looking at the historical buildings and sites of interest. Nanaimo began with the First Nations People but was later added to when coal was discovered and mined. British coal miners were brought over by Hudson Bay to start the mines and share their expertise. We learnt just how many tunnels and passages there were…many, they traveled in a fan like plan out from the city center and even as far as Protection Island which was well into the bay. Nick was full of great information, for example the local theater was scheduled to be built for 5 million dollars but unfortunately the foundations capsized into unmapped mining tunnels forcing the cost to almost triple. We were able to visit the only remaining Bastion, built with no nails and standing three stories high. The Bastion was a refuge, a military storage facility and office for the miners to buy supplies and get paid.

(More...)

Posted by Jan Sheeley on April 21, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(2) | Trackbacks(0)

April 20, 2006

Jan's Journal- Day 2 in Jervis Inlet

 
The Endeavour is so quiet and smooth; it’s just a delight to be aboard! We awoke on the second day to the bow of the vessel pushing its nose to the banks of Jervis Inlet and into the cascading waters of Friel Water Falls. The Inlet, a giant granite wall fjord, carved by ice has its waters up to 1200 feet with vertical sides straight down. It is so exciting to drink the first morning coffee looking up at 1000 feet of spraying water.

After poking our nose into the falls we were back on our way up the inlet, gliding along Copper and Meriwether chatted about the wild life we may see and the birds that are common to the area. No sooner had they mentioned mountain goats than someone spotted three white specs high on the cliffs…Mike, our Captain immediately slowed the vessel down and slowly turned round so we could grab the binoculars and look up to where the goats were sitting on the rocks. Mike came down with his massive camera lens and took pictures while we were chatting and viewing real up close wild life!! Once everyone had taken pictures and had seen plenty we slowly moved farther into the fjord. Young and mature Bald Eagles rose high above us; Copper explained the differences so we would know later on as we saw more wild birds on our travels. 

(More...)

Posted by Jan Sheeley on April 20, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

April 17, 2006

Jan's Voyage to British Columbia

Cruise West ... up-close, personal and casual from the marketing department’s perspective. This is a log of my very first Cruise West sailing experience to our Pacific Northwest Coastal Escape to British Columbia onboard the Spirit of Endeavour.

With a warm smile and a welcome handshake our trip began. Our land crew (in Cruise West blue) took our bags and led the way to our first check in, chatting easily with a smile on their lips. Moments later with name tags attached, passports checked and coffee in hand we board the bus leg to the Spirit of Endeavour.

The SOE waits patiently while Captain Mike Fleming invites all aboard…returning passengers get hugs while new and excited passengers handshakes, top of the gangway Hotel Manager Mark shows us in and demonstrates direction to the right cabin. It all feels so friendly and warm! The whole process is smooth, fast and extremely friendly…already I see how this up-close experience feels good.

This is the Pacific Northwest and it is spring so water drops are softly falling but the spirit is strong and the journey gets underway. Business comes first, we all gather for a safety program and life jacket demonstration in the main lounge, followed by crew introductions and first mini lecture from Meriwether and Copper, the Exploration Leaders of the trip. It takes but two minutes before Copper is on the mic giving a running historical commentary of the Ballard Locks as we pass through on the way to the Puget Sound.

(More...)

Posted by Jan Sheeley on April 17, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(4) | Trackbacks(0)

April 03, 2006

Amazing Alaska Photo Album

We've found a fantastic series of photos on Flickr and wanted to share them with you. Flickr is a website dedicated to hosting an online photo albums and we've found that several of our Quyana members have posted images of their trips.  One album, submitted by Jeremy Keith really stands out.  What I like most about it, is his perspective.  He really captures the essence of Alaska in a way that is rarely photographed. Interesting angles and close-ups made me fell like I was right there, standing on the deck beside him.  Jeremy and his family traveled with us in May 2005 on our Goldrush Inside Passage cruise aboard the Spirit of Endeavour. To take a look at Jeremy's album, just click on his photo- you'll be taken straight to his slide show. 

 

 

When I wrote to Jeremy to ask permission to share his photos, he also mentioned that his wife, Jessica created an online journal of the trip. Jessica's journal, Impossible Alaska,  is inspiring.  What Jeremy has captured in photos, Jessica has captured through words.  Here's an excerpt from her journal:

 

 

(More...)

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on April 03, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(3) | Trackbacks(0)

March 29, 2006

White Day in Japan

Submitted by Exploration Leader Melissa Smith, currently aboard the Spirit of Oceanus in Japan

---

March 14, 2006

A white blanket of snow drapes over everything today. Great big snowflakes fall from the sky. We have several children aboard this trip so the guests and I revel in watching them have snowball fights and try to catch snowflakes with their tongues.

This gift of white is very appropriate as today is White Day in Japan.

February the 14th is St. Valentine's Day in the United States as well as Japan. However on Valentines Day in Japan their gift giving tradition seems to vary a bit from ours. In Japan it is traditional for the females to give gifts of chocolate to the males. It is not considered proper for a woman to be overt with her feelings. The custom is that she is to give chocolate to the gentleman she’s sweet on and giddy choco (compulsory chocolate) to all the men surrounding him.

(More...)

Posted by Melissa Smith on March 29, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

March 27, 2006

The Rhythm of Japan

Posted by Melissa Smith on March 27, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

February 14, 2006

The View from the Wheelhouse

Day 4- Island Exploration

Through the eyes of our Second Mate aboard the Spirit of Endeavour

After a pleasant morning of wildlife viewing just north of Loreto, the guests sat down to an informal lunch. The Captain negotiated the small islands to find the perfect anchorage just off a perfect white sandy beach. The water was a beautiful aquamarine near shore and transitioned to a deep sea blue as the water deepened.

We saw meandering porpoise just off the bow as the ship settled into its anchorage. Seabirds such as terns and pelicans soared along the coastline with a poetic grace that soaked the soul.

With light winds blowing, and the sun shining so wonderfully, the ship’s launches shuttled the guests to the beach. It didn't take long to see kayakers exploring the volcanic shoreline that book ended the stretch of beach we laid claim to. Hikers were working their way through the arroyo and amongst the cactus to check out the flora. Snorkelers were being guided to the undersea world of hundreds of species of small fish. And, of course, their were those that saw the value in just taking in the sun in a lounge chair and forgetting their worries as the warmth of the sunshine blanketed them with peace.

This is how we spent Tuesday. It was a good day.

Posted by Kristian Strinsky on February 14, 2006
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

August 11, 2005

Whales and Watermelon

Submitted from the field by Exploration Leader, Meriwether Gill

Day Five- Point Adolphus & Gustavus

Thursday August 11, 2005

Right after the wake-up call, the search began. We were searching for humpback blows and we hit the jackpot! We spent all morning with an active group of 8-10 humpback whales feeding in the nutrient rich waters of Icy Strait. The highlight of the morning was an unexpected triple breach and numerous caudle peduncle throws (intense tail slapping on the waters surface)! Cameras were clicking at rapid speeds to capture all the excitement.

(More...)

Posted by Meriwether Gill on August 11, 2005
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)