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December 23, 2006

'Tis the Season- Our Bear Cares Gives Back

Petersburg, Alaska also known as “Little Norway,” is a favorite port among our guests. That’s why when the “Our Bear Cares” team went looking for ways to give back to the areas we travel we were pleased to support the Petersburg Marine Mammal Center (PMMC).

The PMMC among many things focuses on public education of humpback whales and other marine mammals of Southeast Alaska. Their efforts help in the recovery and preservation of Alaska’s natural wonders. The PMMC serves and is served by their capable interns. So, when Cruise West asked PMMC how we could help, the intern program developed into a natural fit.

The “Our Bear Cares” Committee was delighted to donate $10,000 to help fund the PMMC Internship Program for 2007 and beyond. “Our Bear Cares,” is supported by the Company and by donations from our guests. The program places resources and measures behind ensuring responsible travel practices that protect the natural state of the environment. By partnering with local organizations like PMMC that are already making a positive difference we along with our guests can connect with the areas we travel.

To view this short video on the presentation
of the donation and interview that followed
click the "play"button.


Chesna Sullins is a Cruise Specialist with Cruise West and is the Alaska liason for the Our Bear Cares Committee.  Her efforts in coordinating this donation and ongoing relationship are appreciated by all of us at Cruise West.  Thank you, Chesna! 


Posted by Chesna Sullins on December 23, 2006
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December 13, 2006

Russia and Japan Photo Albums

Recently,  I posted a Ring of Fire photo album, submitted by Quyana Member Brian Cleverly.  In that post, I received a nice comment from another guest on that same cruise, named Mike Bowles.  Mike and his wife, Sharon, traveled on our Ring of Fire cruise  this year.  Mike has given me permission to share their photo albums with you.  There's are two wonderful Ring of Fire Albums and a newly posted Ring of Fire-Japan album. 

After you've looked at these, I'd highly recommend spending some time looking at their other albums.  They've posted albums for Costa Rica, Maine, Yellowstone, Chile, and Egypt.  All of the albums are wonderful and Mike relayed to me that he welcomes your comments and/or label corrections on any of the images in his albums. You are also welcome to download any of the photos.  

We are a few months away from launching our own, hosted photo album service.   In the meantime, I'd love to hear from other Quyana members who've posted similar albums.  We love seeing the real thing!

Thank you, Mike & Sharon, for sharing your adventures with us.  Your albums make for a great armchair vacation.

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on December 13, 2006
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December 01, 2006

My Anchorage

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 guests visit. This week's post is submitted by Andy Compton, Exploration Leader Land Manager.

Q: What is your connection to Anchorage, AK?
A: My family moved to Anchorage when I was 7 years old. I attended most of elementary, junior high, and high school in the Anchorage Public Schools. Since college I have returned to Anchorage to work for Cruise West.

Q: Do you have a funny story or little known fact about Anchorage you’d like to share?
A: Hmmm... so many to choose from! Anchorage is loaded with wildlife. The Department of Fish & Game estimates the Anchorage moose population at around 1200. With this in mind, we encounter them all the time. In high school I was on the Cross-Country Ski Team. I remember during one race I was skiing up a very steep hill. It was about 9 kilometers into a 10 kilometer race and I was struggling. About 3/4 of the way up I look up to see four racers coming down the hill. Considering that it was a one-way race course I knew something was wrong. As they come flying by me a moose came over the hill toward me. In a split second I was heading down the hill praying I didn't fall. The only other thing I remember was skiing up that blasted hill one more time!!!

Q: What is your favorite time of year in Anchorage and why?
A: May and September are a wonderful time in Anchorage. In May we typically have some of the best weather of the year. In September the rainbow trout fishing is at its peak! The fish have been gorging themselves on salmon eggs and spawned salmon and have reached their peak in size and weight. In both May and September, there are a lot fewer visitors in town. This means that visitors can explore town without the crowds that hit town in the mid-summer months.

Q: Is there a particular food or song that reminds you of Anchorage?
A: PIZZA!!! Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria creates the best pizzas in Alaska if not the entire Pacific Northwest! Additionally they handcraft over a dozen different beers which rotate all the time. Live music the first Thursday of each month caps it off. There are no reservations available, and on a weekend you have to wait upwards of two hours for a table.

Q: What is on your “must see” list for visitors to Anchorage?
A: Anchorage is a very diverse area loaded with things to do. For me it's all about the out of the way places. I love going up to Glen Alps and Flattop Mountain where you can have a fantastic look out on the city, especially around sunset. I will also bring visitors to the Alaska Native Medical Center for their world class displays of Alaskan Native Art.

Q: Is there a favorite activity that you enjoy in Anchorage?
A: THE IDITAROD!!! The first Saturday in March the Iditarod Trail Sleddog Race kicks off in Anchorage. It is loads of fun. Thousands hit the streets of downtown Anchorage and it is a wonderful atmosphere.

Q: Is there a particular restaurant that you’d recommend for visitors?
A: The Anchorage dining scene is very unique in that many of the best restaurants are situated in strip malls, commercial parks, and other off the beaten path locations. My personal favorite, aside from the aforementioned Moose's Tooth, is Kincaid Grill. It offers fantastic cuisine, a solid wine list, and a great "bring your own" wine policy!

Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: The quality of life is head and shoulders above what many other places offer. Anchorage is home to some of the greatest people you will ever meet. Though the population is up to 280,000 people, there is still a small town community feel. If I leave my car running while getting a cup of coffee in the wintertime, I know it will be there when I get back. If I get a flat tire, I know somebody will pull over and help. It is simply a great place to live and visit!
Cruise West guests visit Anchorage when they travel on our Voyage to the Bering Sea, Coastal Odyssey , Glacier Wonderland  or Best of Both Worlds cruises.  Anchorage is also the home base of our land tour program.  If you'd like to learn more about Anchorage, consider visiting the Anchorage Convention and Visitor's Bureau website.

Posted by Andy Compton on December 01, 2006
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