Glaciers calving, humpbacks breaching and – somewhat unexpectedly – sunbaking on deck.
A group of Aussie travel agents discovered there’s plenty to fall for while cruising Alaska’s spectacular Inside Passage aboard Viking Venus.
There are tough days in the travel industry… and then there are days spent sailing past glaciers, spotting whales and sipping something chilled aboard the beautiful Viking Venus.
A group of lucky Australian travel agents recently swapped their desks for one of the world’s most spectacular waterways, experiencing Alaska’s legendary Inside Passage aboard Viking’s elegant 930-guest ocean ship.
And Alaska certainly knew how to surprise us. Yes, I was lucky enough to be on board too!
By day two in Valdez, expectations of beanies, thermals and icy winds had been temporarily abandoned as temperatures hit a balmy 20 degrees and we found ourselves sunbaking on deck – in Alaska!
Definitely not something any of us had thought to add to the itinerary.
From the moment Venus slipped away from Seward, the scenery came thick and fast: snow-dusted mountains, tumbling waterfalls, tiny islands and vast stretches of wilderness where the only neighbours appeared to be sea otters, seals, eagles and, if we were lucky, whales.
And lucky we were.
The undisputed wildlife highlight came while sailing off Icy Strait Point, when humpback whales began breaching right before our eyes.
Watching these magnificent creatures launch themselves from the water against a backdrop of mountains and wilderness was one of those goosebump-inducing, pinch-me travel moments that no brochure – or Instagram reel – can quite capture.
And if the whales weren’t enough, while the actual bear hunt didn’t bear fruit (ouch!) there was a bear on the bus coming back to the ship (ok, seen from the bus, let’s not get too carried away!)
The glaciers were another scene-stealer, with enormous walls of ancient blue ice and the thunderous crack of calving ice providing yet another reminder that Alaska really does like to show off.
When the agents weren’t glued to the scenery, they were busy discovering what makes Viking such a distinctive way to cruise.
With no children, no casinos and no mega-ship bells and whistles, Viking Venus is all about understated Scandinavian style, spacious public areas, exceptional food and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
There was, naturally, plenty of opportunity to sample the ship’s dining – purely in the name of research – from destination-inspired dishes and excellent seafood to some dangerously tempting desserts.
The entertainment also provided some great moments with a fab ABBA show, a Beatles tribute and a 60’s night – congrats to our team who came first in the music trivia competition!
For the agents onboard, the voyage was far more than an enviable escape. Experiencing both the destination and the product first-hand provides the kind of knowledge that simply can’t be gleaned from a screen.
And after sunshine, spectacular glaciers and humpbacks putting on the performance of the trip, selling Alaska might just have become a whole lot easier.
So how impressed were our travel agents?
Here are a few of their comments when asked about their standout moments:
Lisa Tjandi Hunter Travel Group, Newcastle:
“Forget lions and tigers – we’ve got whales and bears! Our trip has been absolutely amazing.
“We watched humpback whales bubble-net feeding right in front of us and spotted a beautiful bear wandering through a stream.
“Combine that with the visual spectacle that is Hubbard Glacier, the pure fresh air and salmon in abundance and you’ve got yourself your very own live action episode of National Geographic!”
And of the Viking experience…
“Travelling with Viking Venus never feels overcrowded and visiting the less frequented ports felt like we were the first visitors in years to these gorgeous towns.
“On board the tasteful lounges and dining rooms maintained a warm inviting feel making every space feel like your own private space.”
Kerry Nolan, Helloworld Travel, Newcastle:
“There are too many highlights to list – hearing the thundering crack of Hubbard Glacier. Meeting excited Alaskan huskies before a thrilling dog sled ride in Seward. Being in the right place at the right time to see whales breach and bubble feed in the pristine waters of Icy Strait point. Unforgettable moments that will stay with me forever.
“The beautiful interiors of the ship are warm and comfortable – understated luxury without feeling overly formal. The family feel on board and how welcoming, kind and friendly the staff are.”
Jenni Newphry, Hunter Travel Group, Newcastle
“What surprised me was the many opportunities on board – you can be as busy or as chilled out as you choose. The amazing variety ensures every guest is able to enjoy their cruise their way.
“There’s a wide variety of entertainment, the dining options are great, plenty of quiet nooks to relax in or get together with friends.”
Main image courtesy Crystal Venus, RACT Travel Hobart
