Small Ship Cruise
Large ships aren’t the only way to take that cruise
vacation, however. Whether you are planning your fist trip or are an
experienced voyager, you may want to consider booking aboard a small
cruise ship for a different experience—especially in Alaska! Companies
such as Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West (where I worked as a Cruise
Coordinator and Naturalist for three years) specialize in showing you
not only ports of call but also the wildlife of Alaska up close and
personal in a way only a ship of 120 feet or so can. Sit at sunset,
dappled pink sky dripping into the sea, listening to the humpback whales
breathing in spouts of vapor around your ship, have your breakfast
interrupted as the ship deters into a small inlet for a special look at
a brown bear spotted fishing in a nearby creek, or even experience a
“bow landing” on a remote island for special exploration.
Be aware however that although the food will be
good, there is usually a bar but no casinos, no live bands or dance
clubs, no swimming pools, no “black tie” dressing for dinner and it is
the small staff on hand (and not professional entertainers) who organize
or provide any evening entertainment. In other words, the entertainment
will remind you more of a big family get together than a Broadway show! The whole atmosphere of the small ship, in fact, is likely during your
voyage to grow into the relaxed, casual and friendly environment of a
large family gathering. Even the staff and passengers are likely to
grow to know each other by name, and often passengers are even welcome
on the bridge during daylight hours (except in tricky navigational areas
and at the officer in charge’s discretion). Though small ship cruising
is not for everyone, it is a breathtaking step into the Alaskan
wilderness that you just can’t take on a larger vessel, and I personally
consider it the best maritime way to really “see” Alaska and its
wildlife.