Cruising South East Alaska on the Island Spirit
Riddle: What’s larger than a fishing boat, smaller than a typical cruise ship, has a
captain, a chef, a naturalist, a bartender, kayaks, pontoon boat, state rooms and views of abundant Alaskan wildlife?
Day One Juneau
06/05/2013
My face is plastered against the window. What I wouldn’t give to be able to hang the camera outside this airplane window to capture Juneau’s blue skies highlighting vibrant snow-covered mountains. This is one gorgeous airport setting.
Arriving in Juneau brings back memories. My husband was a commercial fisherman on a purse seining salmon boat on Kodiak Island, Alaska in the mid seventies. Our honeymoon was spent hiking Denali prior to going to Kodiak where I worked at a cannery while my new husband was on the fishing boat. I’ve retained fond memories, but had forgotten the full extent of the beauty this state has to offer.
We’ve returned to Alaska to begin our eight night small ship cruise through the Inside Passage, beginning in Juneau and ending in Sitka. Our ship is the Island Spirit, a 128 foot vessel that can accommodate up to 32 guests in 17 staterooms.
We hope to see a Fantasy Cruises sign so we can recognize our pickup. It’s better than that. I look over and see the sign – held by Captain Jeff, the skipper and owner of the boat – the guy in the pictures and the video on www.smallalaskaship.com.
Although Jeff doesn’t always do pickups, we quickly see that this is a ship where all crew members multi-task to ensure the best quality experience for guests. We find the crew to be efficient, but also relaxed, fun and bringing diverse experience to share with all of us. We have the added bonus of meeting Captain Jeff’s wife, Catherine and daughter Lauren who are travelling with us this week.
Although Jeff doesn’t always do pickups, we quickly see that this is a ship where all crew members multi-task to ensure the best quality experience for guests. We find the crew to be efficient, but also relaxed, fun and bringing diverse experience to share with all of us. We have the added bonus of meeting Captain Jeff’s wife, Catherine and daughter Lauren who are travelling with us this week.
Even the naturalist doubles as our bartender for nightly happy hour, which is very conducive to asking questions about our daily experiences.
Before departing, our cruise includes a tour of the Alaska State Museum which gives us a foundation in the history and culture of the Tlinkits - Alaskan natives of Southeast Alaska. The short walk to the museum also allows us to get acquainted with some of our shipmates.
It immediately becomes obvious that the typical cruise decisions of how much extra money to spend will be minimal on this trip. There are no lists of add-on excursions, and happy hour cocktails, wine at dinner and tours at stops are included. There’s time for extra excursions in various ports if we choose to do them, but the cruise doesn’t sell or hype them. There’s a nice balance between structure and down time to explore towns, shop or just relax. It’s an atmosphere that allows for a great experience with little cost above the price paid for the cruise itself.
Our ship, the Island Spirit, is comfortable, roomy and well designed. Cabins include private bath with shower and sink and a large chest of drawers including an area to hang clothes. Three large picture windows look out just above the water so we don’t miss the amazing scenery even when we’re in our cabin. There are no interior cabins on this ship. Everyone has windows, which open for a nice breeze. Unlike the plane, here I CAN lean out of the window to take pictures right from our room or I can appreciate the scenery from various decks.
It immediately becomes obvious that the typical cruise decisions of how much extra money to spend will be minimal on this trip. There are no lists of add-on excursions, and happy hour cocktails, wine at dinner and tours at stops are included. There’s time for extra excursions in various ports if we choose to do them, but the cruise doesn’t sell or hype them. There’s a nice balance between structure and down time to explore towns, shop or just relax. It’s an atmosphere that allows for a great experience with little cost above the price paid for the cruise itself.
Our ship, the Island Spirit, is comfortable, roomy and well designed. Cabins include private bath with shower and sink and a large chest of drawers including an area to hang clothes. Three large picture windows look out just above the water so we don’t miss the amazing scenery even when we’re in our cabin. There are no interior cabins on this ship. Everyone has windows, which open for a nice breeze. Unlike the plane, here I CAN lean out of the window to take pictures right from our room or I can appreciate the scenery from various decks.
One and two levels up, we have plenty of area to be outside and a large lounge with bar to enjoy fellow passengers or just relax. The boat is cozy, but with plenty of open space. There’s no feeling of claustrophobia here. It’s like a floating B & B with a large living room and huge windows – but the view keeps changing and is consistently breathtaking. Here’s the view from the elliptical exercise machine on the top deck.
When leaving Juneau, I look at our itinerary but am reminded that Captain Jeff will adjust based on weather, wildlife, tides and where the big cruise ships are not. With our small group of less than 30, adjustments can be made quickly to take a detour to pull to within touching distance of gushing waterfalls, or to linger while the whale surfaces.
Dressing for dinner means grabbing a jacket or a fleece so we can rush outside if a whale, eagle, bear, sea otter, porpoise or sea lion is spotted.
Pre-dinner cocktails promote interaction with other passengers, and appetizers are good and plentiful. Tonight’s dinner is salmon with blueberry sauce – all local and prepared by the professional chef on board. I notice that passengers with special dietary needs are nicely accommodated.
Large cruise ships generally find a town to stop in each day and sail at night. On the Island Spirit, we anchor each night so sleep is quiet, we miss no scenery, and each morning, we wake to the serenity of a different gorgeous bay.
Day 1 ends with satisfaction and anticipation. This is one of those days when I know that I’ve lived the day to the fullest. Can it get better? It’s been an ideal, memorable day on all levels. I look forward to more incredible scenery, wildlife, and getting to know the crew and the other passengers better. I’ll continue to enjoy experiencing all that Southeast Alaska and the Island Spirit have to offer.
Dressing for dinner means grabbing a jacket or a fleece so we can rush outside if a whale, eagle, bear, sea otter, porpoise or sea lion is spotted.
Pre-dinner cocktails promote interaction with other passengers, and appetizers are good and plentiful. Tonight’s dinner is salmon with blueberry sauce – all local and prepared by the professional chef on board. I notice that passengers with special dietary needs are nicely accommodated.
Large cruise ships generally find a town to stop in each day and sail at night. On the Island Spirit, we anchor each night so sleep is quiet, we miss no scenery, and each morning, we wake to the serenity of a different gorgeous bay.
Day 1 ends with satisfaction and anticipation. This is one of those days when I know that I’ve lived the day to the fullest. Can it get better? It’s been an ideal, memorable day on all levels. I look forward to more incredible scenery, wildlife, and getting to know the crew and the other passengers better. I’ll continue to enjoy experiencing all that Southeast Alaska and the Island Spirit have to offer.
IF YOU GO:
Company Name: Fantasy Cruises
To book or for more information:
Email is fancruz@rockisland.com
Web page: www.smallalaskaship.com
Phone: Call 1-800-234-3861. Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. M-Saturday Eastern Daylight Time. (Booking offices are based in Florida.)
Cruise Dates & Itineraries: The Island Spirit cruises from early May through mid-September. At beginning and end of season, guests can join Captain Jeff from Seattle to Juneau when he brings the ship to Alaska, or from Juneau to Seattle when he returns at end of season. Available dates and itineraries for the entire season are listed at www.smallalaskaship.com.
Packing: Plan to dress in layers. Our attire ranged from shorts and t-shirts to sweatshirts and jackets (either rain or warm winter jackets are handy). Alaskan weather can vary considerably – during the same day. Hiking boots were handy. All aspects of this cruise are casual. No ties or heels are needed.
Technology/Equipment: Bring your camera. From scenery to wildlife, photography opportunities are endless. Cell, Tablet, Laptops: Cell phone coverage and internet are spotty at best and the world survives without us knowing what is happening “on the outside”. Politics, religion and red vs. blue take a far back seat to pontoon rides with the onboard naturalist or taking a picture of a flock of fishing bald eagles from the low perspective of a kayak. Most guests on the Island Spirit brought cell phones, tablets and/or laptops and checked in with family or businesses at various stops.
A large screen television in the lounge area is periodically used for movies and/or documentaries about what we’re seeing.
Ship Name: Island Spirit
Ship Specs:
Length overall: 128 feet
Passengers: Up to 32 in 17 staterooms each with private bath & shower
Beam: 25 feet, 6 inches
Draft: 7 feet
Fuel Capacity: 6,000 gallons
Water Tankage: 1750 gallons
Water Making Capacity: 2000 gallons/day
Maximum Speed: 17 knots
Tonnage: 122 tons
Hull construction: Aluminum
Engine: 2 Caterpillar V-8 1200 hp
Guest & public areas powered by battery at night for quiet and efficiency
Fin stabilizers & reshaped hull provide extra stability & cruising comfort
Company Name: Fantasy Cruises
To book or for more information:
Email is fancruz@rockisland.com
Web page: www.smallalaskaship.com
Phone: Call 1-800-234-3861. Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. M-Saturday Eastern Daylight Time. (Booking offices are based in Florida.)
Cruise Dates & Itineraries: The Island Spirit cruises from early May through mid-September. At beginning and end of season, guests can join Captain Jeff from Seattle to Juneau when he brings the ship to Alaska, or from Juneau to Seattle when he returns at end of season. Available dates and itineraries for the entire season are listed at www.smallalaskaship.com.
Packing: Plan to dress in layers. Our attire ranged from shorts and t-shirts to sweatshirts and jackets (either rain or warm winter jackets are handy). Alaskan weather can vary considerably – during the same day. Hiking boots were handy. All aspects of this cruise are casual. No ties or heels are needed.
Technology/Equipment: Bring your camera. From scenery to wildlife, photography opportunities are endless. Cell, Tablet, Laptops: Cell phone coverage and internet are spotty at best and the world survives without us knowing what is happening “on the outside”. Politics, religion and red vs. blue take a far back seat to pontoon rides with the onboard naturalist or taking a picture of a flock of fishing bald eagles from the low perspective of a kayak. Most guests on the Island Spirit brought cell phones, tablets and/or laptops and checked in with family or businesses at various stops.
A large screen television in the lounge area is periodically used for movies and/or documentaries about what we’re seeing.
Ship Name: Island Spirit
Ship Specs:
Length overall: 128 feet
Passengers: Up to 32 in 17 staterooms each with private bath & shower
Beam: 25 feet, 6 inches
Draft: 7 feet
Fuel Capacity: 6,000 gallons
Water Tankage: 1750 gallons
Water Making Capacity: 2000 gallons/day
Maximum Speed: 17 knots
Tonnage: 122 tons
Hull construction: Aluminum
Engine: 2 Caterpillar V-8 1200 hp
Guest & public areas powered by battery at night for quiet and efficiency
Fin stabilizers & reshaped hull provide extra stability & cruising comfort