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Alaska Cruising
by Lisa Groza on January 29, 2010 |
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Early in my traveling career, an older, wiser and more well-versed lady asked me, "Who said adventure has to be uncomfortable?"
I was thinking about that statement recently when I was cruising with a group of 60 Azumano guests in Alaska on our 1st Annual Spring Fling cruise. It was after midnight and I was in my stateroom nestled against down pillows in a fluffy spa robe waiting for my smoked salmon plate to be delivered by room service.
Our group had just experienced the most fabulous day. It was one of those days you recall when you need a happy place to go to in your mind. You know, during hypnosis, meditation, Costco on a Saturday...
The day was crisp and clear enough to see the powerful curved horns of a mountain goat high on the cliff. A whole panorama of mountain peaks and glaciers unfolded as we sailed through Glacier Bay. Closer to the ship we saw whales spouting and Arctic terns circling. Light backlit great mountains of ice, turning them crystal blue and perfect for pictures. Thundering masses of glacial ice peeled off - calving is what it's called - in a regular rhythm.
That night at our Spring Fling group's private cocktail reception in the Crow's Nest lounge, we had more spectacular views as we cruised through the tidal waters heading for Sitka. Azumano's guests chatted excitedly about the unbelievable day. Even veterans of Alaska cruises talked about the perfect day. First timers were in awe, speculating about their shore-side adventures the next day in Sitka. Will we see whales? How hard is the bike ride to the rainforest? I knew that the bike ride started at the parking lot of the Theobromo chocolate factory, so it didn't really matter what happened after that!
Our guests started out relaxed - no long drive to Seattle, no circuitous path trying to find the pier, no circling for parking or heaving the bags out of the car. We included a comfortable motorcoach with many convenient pick-up points in Salem and Portland. Our guests hopped onboard, were given snacks and a Welcome Aboard gift, sat back and relaxed for the ride to the pier in Seattle and our ship, the ms Amsterdam. At the pier, the load of cruise luggage was whisked away to magically appear in the staterooms - no schlepping required!
Throughout the week, our guests stopped by Azumano's Hospitality Desk to ask questions about shore excursions, report on the day's adventures and ask about dining options, an activity that was never in short supply.
We experienced 7-Nights exploring Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Victoria and Glacier Bay (who could forget it?) and a day or so of wonderfully relaxing sea days. The trip ended with an effortless departure from the ship ahead of many of the other passengers and a coach ride home. It was gratifying to hear our guests comment that they enjoyed the cruise group because all the details were taken care of and all they had to do was 'show up.'
That's how we like it. We organize it for you - you just show up for the adventure! Adventure comes in many forms. Why not make it comfortable?
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