February 20, 2007

Wildlife List from South Pacific

On each cruise, our Exploration Leaders keep a wildlife list.  I was fascinated by the list from the Spirit of Oceanus' recent South Pacific cruise through Tahiti and the Society Islands, called Island Sanctuaries.  Below, is the abbreviated list and some random photos from the trip.  A nice way to escape winter! 

Bora Bora Crested Tern Fairy Tern Tupa Crabs Bottlenose Dolphin Moorish Idol Convict Tang Tahitian Petral Longnose Butterflyfish Trumpetfish Pig Reef Heron Fruit Dove Myna Burd Orangeband Sturgeonfish Giant Clams Bird Wrasse Lei Triggerfish Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse Lesser Golden Plover Harrier Hiva Oa Marquesan Swiftlet White-Tailed Tropic Birds Marquesan Reed Warbler	Rangiroa Tuamotus Greater Frigate Bird Grey-back Tern White tip Shark Black tip Shark Unicorn Fish Cornet Fish Moray Eel Titan Triggerfish Goldrim Tang Achilles Tang Cleaner Wrasse Raccoon Butterflyfish Takapoto Blue Triggerfish Picasso Triggerfish Pinktail Triggerfish Whitetip Soldierfish Surge Wrasse Peacock Grouper Redfin Butterflyfish Blue Damselfish Bullethead Parrotfish Bridled Parrotfish Redfooted Booby Brown Noddy	Motu Oa & Ua Huka Little Tern White Tern Gray-back Tern Sooty Tern Brown Booby Masked Booby Magnificant Frigate Bird Black Noddy Marquesan Fruit Dove Marquesan Swiftlet Fakarava Clown Fish Powder Brown Tang Grouper Blue-Jaw Triggerfish At Sea Flying Fish Buller's Shearwater Fatu Hiva Manta Ray Wild Goats White Capped Fruit Dove

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on February 20, 2007
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)

February 07, 2007

Meet The Avid Cruiser

Back in September, we invited Ralph Grizzle, a.k.a The Avid Cruiser, to join us on a cruise/tour from Denali National Park to Ketchikan, Alaska.  Ralph chronicled the entire trip on video and we've since created a wonderful, online video presentation of his cruise. 

View Ralph's  "Small-Ship Snapshots" video production.

MEET RALPH:

I'm Ralph Grizzle, editor of The Avid Cruiser magazine. I've been writing about travel on cruise ships for more than a decade. My job since the early 1990s, in fact, has been to travel on cruise ships and write about them in order to help you make informed decisions about your own cruise travel.

I know what you're thinking: That guy has a great gig. I don't deny it. Cruising is a great way to see and experience the world, and I am lucky that as a journalist, I chose the cruise industry as a my speciality.

In the interest of full disclosure, I want you to know right up front that I am a fan of Cruise West. In fact, I find that among my professional peers (the cruise industry press corps) that Cruise West is often ranked as a favorite, if not the favorite, cruise line. That's quite an endorsement considering that we cruise on dozens of ships year-round.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the experience Cruise West's small ships can offer you. I first sailed on Spirit of Endeavour in the Sea of Cortez. The year was 1999, and I was impressed with not only the educational aspects of the journey but also the casual atmosphere aboard ship. No pretense, no hint of haughty service or pushing of products such a photographs and pricey shore excursions. True to its mission, Cruise West provides an "up close, personal and casual" travel experience.

I've created a series of "Small Ship Snapshots," comprised of photos and short videos that you may view through your web browser. Each series highlights a particular journey that I've experienced with Cruise West.

I've also designed my site for those who have experienced Cruise West. If you belong in that category, please bookmark this page for future reference and sign up to stay informed about updates to these pages. My intent for experienced Cruise West guests is to create a sense of community here on these pages, and I'm hoping that you will participate with your own stories and photos of your Cruise West travels.

So come on in, and let's explore a world of life-enriching travel on Cruise West.  And please feel free to contact me directly by e-mailing rgrizzle AT avidcruiser.com with your comments or questions.

Oh, and true to the spirit of full disclosure, my favorite beer while in Alaska is Alaskan Amber, though I have very fond memories of the Spruce Tip Ale from Haines Brewing Company.

Happy travels, Ralph 

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on February 07, 2007
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(1) | Trackbacks(0)

February 02, 2007

Shooter Video

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on February 02, 2007
PermaLink | Share Your Thoughts on This Post Here(0) | Trackbacks(0)