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Update: Cruise West is no longer in business but I still recommend small ship cruising in Alaska if you want to get close to nature.
As we planned for our anniversary, we decided to go on the trip of a lifetime. For me that meant several days in the heart of Denali National Park taking
pictures of mountains and wildlife. For Melissa that meant a cruise. We compromised and decided to do both.
I bought enough film for the Denali part of our trip and assumed I would take a few snapshots during our cruise as the world slipped by.
We boarded the Spirit of Columbia and were off for a five day, four night cruise.
We initially chose Cruise West since they specialize in small ship cruising that gets close to nature. They delivered in every respect.
I seriously underestimated the film I would need for the cruise. The natural splendor of Prince William Sound is truly amazing.
The first day out we saw a Kittiwake Gull colony, several bear cubs playing in tall grass, bald eagles feeding and in flight, and a black bear sow pulling salmon out of a waterfall to feed her cub. We had a wonderful time.
The next morning we awoke in College Fiord, where we cruised up to the face of Harvard Glacier.
We saw huge chunks of ice fall into the water and finally a 120 foot tower of ice fell away from the face of the glacier in an explosive crash of water and ice. The whole week went like that.
Our on-board naturalist and cruise director would call us out on deck every time there was some new natural wonder to observe, and she would explain what we
were seeing.
When we weren't on deck, we would hang out in the ship's lounge, our floating living room.
Three excellent meals were served every day in the dining room. For those who wanted to eat breakfast early or late (or both), continental breakfast was served in the lounge from 6-9 AM. Excellent snacks were served every afternoon in the lounge.
I thought I would enjoy the cruise but it wouldn't be nearly as interesting at Denali. I was wrong, wrong, wrong.
I had a great time on the cruise and hated to see it end!
If you want to get close to nature, on a small ship with a casual atmosphere, we highly recommend Cruise West. There is more at this site at the Spirit of Columbia page. You can also go to the Cruise West web site or call 800-888-9378 and ask for a brochure.
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