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This tiny Alaskan town is preparing for its first cruise ship visit ever

The Alaska village of Larsen Bay - with a population of 87 - will have its first luxury cruise ship visit this summer. Kodiak city harbourmaster Lon White said it's the first time he can remember a cruise liner visiting one of Kodiak's outlying villages, the Kodiak Daily Mirror <a href="http://bit.ly/2DKXGEM" target="_blank">reports</a>. Village Mayor Alice Aga said the ship's stop will allow residents to supplement their income at a time when the Icicle Seafoods processing plant will be closed. Jobs in the village depend almost entirely on tribal and local government administration when the plant is closed. “The community is really excited,” Aga said. "This is a high-end cruise." The SilverSea cruise will be a 12-day Alaska trip costing US$9900 (NZ$13,684) per person. It includes luxury ocean-view suites, a spa and fitness centre, fine-dining restaurants and a personal butler. Aga said village leadership is working with SilverSea to plan activities for the tourists. Officials are considering a tour of the village and fish cannery, a lesson in the preparation of traditional foods, a hike to the village reservoir, a kayak trip and a demonstration of how to process salmon and deer. "We're just hoping that we can pull something together that's presentable and represents our community," Aga said. Aimee Williams, director of Discover Kodiak, said developing a tourism programme on short notice in a village where none existed before is a challenge. "We're struggling a little bit, because we don't have a lot of touristy things to do over there," she said. "We're working with them step-by-step." Aga said village leadership is working with SilverSea to plan activities for the tourists. Officials are considering a tour of the village and fish cannery, a lesson in the preparation of traditional foods, a hike to the village reservoir, a kayak trip and a demonstration of how to process salmon and deer. "We're just hoping that we can pull something together that's presentable and represents our community," Aga said. Aimee Williams, director of Discover Kodiak, said developing a tourism programme on short notice in a village where none existed before is a challenge. "We're struggling a little bit, because we don't have a lot of touristy things to do over there," she said. "We're working with them step-by-step." Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a> Image credit: Instagram@krimsonfromkodiak

Cruising

Volunteering as a dog handler in Alaskan Iditarod race

For Christchurch woman Libby Harrop, Alaska has become her second home. She has just returned from Alaska where she volunteered at this year's Iditarod, "the last great race on Earth". For the last two years, she has travelled to the icy American state to be a dog handler in the world famous sled trail race. "It never crossed my mind that little old me would go to the Iditarod," she said. <img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/37672/dog-sled-in-text_497x280.jpg" alt="Dog Sled In Text"/> Christchurch woman Libby Harrop with Norwegian dog sled rider Joar Ulsom, wearing Harrop's Delphi Lavender logo. She first visited Alaska in 2013 and said the highlight of the trip was visiting a dog shelter and learning about the dog sledding huskies. "I realised then I had some hankering to do this," she said. "I've always liked the cold, the north, the Antarctic, exploring, the wild… I thought, 'Let's actually do something about it. Don't just sit and dream, what a waste of time'." Harrop's interest in sled races began when she read about the 1925 serum run to Nome as a child, in which a dog sled relay transporting medication across Alaska saved the town of Nome from an epidemic. "I read about it in the '50s and it peaked my interest, and I've been interested ever since." Researching Iditarod online, she became a sponsor for one of the riders, tracking the 2015 race from New Zealand. The following year Harrop went to Alaska as part of a tour group where she became a dog handler in the Iditarod race for Norwegian riders rider Ralph Johannessen last year and Joar Ulsom this year. Harrop said dog sledding was "like the All Blacks" in Alaska. Held in March each year, thousands gather for Iditarod in which riders and their 16 dogs traverse 1700 kilometres across white Alaska, taking around eight to 12 days to complete. Support crews, including Harrop, flew to the mandatory stops for the riders and their dogs, which were small villages on the trail, some with populations as small as 10. This year, of the 76 racers hitting the snow, Ulsum came fourth, completing the trail in just under eight-and-a-half days. As a dog handler, Harrop's main job was to keep the dogs – including beautiful Siberian huskies and Alaskan malamutes – calm while they lined up to start the race. Harrop said the friendly Alaskan people and their "snow from seashore to seashore" wilderness was "incredible". "It's so different here from in New Zealand. "You have no idea what -45 [degrees Celsius] is like … it is so cold, it's unbelievable, but so invigorating." Each trip was "not a cheap expedition", costing around $25,000 all up, but she said it was worth it. She said mushing in the white wilderness and playing golf on the frozen-over Bering Sea were life-changing experiences. At home in Christchurch, Harrop owns Delphi, a lavender oil product line. She is a regular at the Riccarton Farmer's Market, which is now an official sponsor of her favourite rider and friend Ulsom, who uses a Delphi lavender product as massage oil for his dogs. "I didn't think I realised what I could do and how much I really enjoyed doing this sort of thing. "Honestly, I'm getting on, I can't do it forever, I'll keep doing it 'til I can't do it anymore. "I've already booked the next year," she said. Written by Monique Steele. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Retirement Life

My first time cruising on an Alaskan adventure boat

"Good morning Safari Endeavour. There are some humpback whales on the port side of the boat." Normally if someone woke me on the first day of my holiday at 7am, they would be on my list. However, the voice speaking to me over an Alaskan cruise ship intercom had quite a different effect. Rather than rolling over grumpily and covering my head, I was on my feet and out the cabin door in seconds. The excitement was just the start of a week-long cruise that would give me a close-up look at some of the most inaccessible parts of Alaska. As the snow and icebergs started to melt in mid-July, I - and 33 other passengers - set off from Juneau for a round-trip adventure cruise. Unlike many other cruises in the area, American Safari Cruises' ship Safari Endeavour does not make the usual stops at Alaskan towns. The cruise is for people looking to experience the Alaskan outdoors and scenery, and not for those wanting to shop. With extremely limited mobile and internet reception, passengers need to prepare to step away from work and fully embrace holiday mode. From day one, the captain and crew emphasised that flexibility was the key to the trip; destinations would be dependent on the weather, and where animals were spotted. They didn't know where we were going, but they knew it would be good, they said. And they were right. From the moment we left port, the trip was chock full of wildlife. Along with many more whales we came across bears, moose, seals, sea lions, eagles, puffins, sea otters, mountain goats, and deer. Glacier Bay, Alaska's National Park, was our first stop and an amazing introduction to the area. Park rules limit the number of boats, so the wilderness atmosphere is maintained. The land seems untouched, and the crispness of the air was unlike anything I'd experienced. Adventure arrived in the form of hiking and kayaking each day. I also tried paddle-boarding, though I wasn't as daring as a fellow passenger who used the opportunity to have a dip in the icy waters. The swim was probably not by choice. I have visited beautiful lakes and rivers before, but kayaking among icebergs and glaciers was unique. For many passengers, Alaska was a bucket list item. When they disembarked many said the cruise went far beyond their expectations. Can you put the same thing on your bucket list twice? Each day ends with an Alaskan sunset (at midnight) and begins with snow-capped mountains. There were times when I could just stand alone on deck watching the empty landscape, and an hour would pass without my noticing. The state is frequented by huge numbers of cruise ships, some hosting thousands of passengers, however, Safari Endeavour sleeps, at most, 86 and the chances are your fellow passengers will be like-minded. <img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28939/image__498x245.jpg" alt="alaska cruise" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> As well as the viewing decks, there is an open bar in the lounge, a dining room, hot tubs and a sauna, a sundeck, exercise equipment and a library with DVDs to play in your room. There is a wellness programme with yoga and walks around the deck. Without doubt, the exercise is necessary, because the buffet breakfast, three-course lunch and dinners can't be avoided and the choices are too good. The baking constantly available at the bar and pre-dinner appetisers like battered brie, and salmon dip on crostini, are also irresistible. With invisible cleaning fairies constantly at work returning to my room at night to find my bathroom clean, my bed made and a chocolate on my pillow added to the hotel quality comfort and care. The cruise company, Inner Sea Discoveries, markets these smaller trips as 'Un-cruises' - a slice of adventure amid luxurious surroundings. For anyone wanting to try out their cruising legs and see Alaska, this trip is without a doubt the way to go. Written by Amelia Romanos. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>. Related links: <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/09/po-unveils-plans-for-biggest-ever-cruise-ship/">P&O unveils plans for biggest cruise ship ever</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/6-things-to-expect-if-your-cruise-hits-a-storm/">6 things to expect if your cruise hits a storm</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/09/i-saw-the-best-of-europe-on-an-imperial-danube-cruise/">I saw the best of Europe on an Imperial Danube cruise</a>

Cruising

79-year-old cruise passenger spends night in Alaskan forest after being left behind

A 79-year-old cruise passenger has had an unexpectedly long shore excursion after her Princess Cruise ship left without her. The Coral Princess docked in Juneau, Alaska, but the Canadian holidaymaker got lost on a trek that should have taken two hours, and the ship departed, leaving her behind. She was forced to camp in a forest near the East Glacier Trail without any appropriate gear and surrounded by black bears. After noticing she hadn’t returned, rescuers scoured the area but could not find the woman. The next morning, she hiked to a nearby visitor centre, tired and wet but uninjured. She was then driven by police to an airport where she was flown to re-join the cruise ship. “She is a strong lady, and she knew what she was doing,” Princess Cruises port manager Kirby Day said. “She did all the right things except for making one wrong turn.” We’re glad to hear this brave lady was found safe and sound! Have you ever been left behind by a cruise ship? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/5-reason-to-stay-onboard-when-your-cruise-is-in-port/">5 reason to stay onboard when your cruise is in port</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/13-things-to-do-to-make-the-most-of-a-river-cruise/">13 things to do to make the most of a river cruise</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/5-golden-rules-for-safe-shore-excursions/">5 golden rules for safe shore excursions</a>

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This tiny Alaskan town is preparing for its first cruise ship visit ever

Volunteering as a dog handler in Alaskan Iditarod race

My first time cruising on an Alaskan adventure boat

79-year-old cruise passenger spends night in Alaskan forest after being left behind