Mr. Husband has been thinking about a trip to Alaska for some time. I am usually the planner in the Pandey household, and Alaska wasn’t on my list for the near future. However, a phone call from his long-time friend sealed the deal. This opportunity seemed as good as it could get, so I happily agreed, even though it was their family vacation. Knowing him, I was confident he would find time and balance to be with everyone.
We had 18 people flying in from various places. It was interesting to see how flight delays and cancellations impacted our plans, lodging, car rentals, moods, and the daily functioning of the group. At least we all managed to arrive a day before the cruise, so that worked out. The ship wasn’t huge, but it was big enough to be enjoyable. Cell phones didn’t work, so we all quickly adapted to using the app within the next 24 hours. Over the next seven days, we enjoyed each other’s company, food, ports, shopping, hanging out, taking pictures (or should I say too many pictures), sitting on the deck, playing games, having conversations, and drinking endless tea and other adult drinks. Some of us had met before, while others were new acquaintances, but by the end of the cruise, we were all happy to be part of each other’s lives.
The food manager, servers, and cabin crew made the trip wonderful. I was sad to leave them on the last day, as they always did their jobs with big smiles.
Regarding the dream trip, we visited three ports: Juneau (the capital), Skagway (with a population of around 1,000), and Ketchikan (the Salmon Capital of the World, with a population of 8,200). We explored the town centers, took some typical tourist tours, but didn’t get to see the real Alaska. The town centers were filled with jewelry and souvenir shops catering specifically to cruise passengers. We spent much more time on the ship than on land. The three towns seemed designed to please tourists, and we didn’t experience much of the local culture. Most of the people we interacted with were summer employees.
The best part of the trip was the company and the fun. We all ate, drank, danced, chatted, relaxed, and generally had a great time. With someone else taking care of cooking and cleaning—something that rarely happens—it was a big success in that regard. For Mr. Husband’s dream of experiencing the true Alaska, we will need to make another plan.
A georgette Banarsi for Glacier Bay sailing. I brought this saree for the formal dinner but ladies decided to wear saree for the photoshoot having Glaciers in the background.
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