As we returned to the Seabourn Quest after a short walk there, a few drops of rain sprinkled down. That, amazingly, is the only rain we’ve seen as we traveled from Wrangell south toward Vancouver.
The living is good aboard the Quest. This 450-passenger luxury ship carries a crew of 335. We’ve almost gotten used to crew members calling us by name. This is at least our fourth Alaska cruise, and we’re visiting some places where the big ships don’t fit.
We spent much of Monday anchored in Rudyerd Bay, in the area of Misty Fjords National Monument. Scottish-American naturalist John Muir compared it to Yosemite, and we could see why.
Tuesday we entered Canada officially and docked at Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Despite living for many years in B.C., this was our first visit to Prince Rupert.
We took the advice of a friendly volunteer greeter, and visited the beautiful garden set in the foundation of the town’s original courthouse (if we got the story right). The volunteers who created this sunken garden, looking a little like a miniature version of Victoria’s famed Butchart Gardens, should have a great sense of accomplishment.
We also spent some time in the Aboriginal (First Nations) museum before returning to the ship.
We viewed an abundance of majestic scenery as we continued through the Inside Passage toward Alert Bay.
We anchored Thursday and went ashore by tender to walk the wooden boardwalk in Alert Bay.
It appears to be a quiet village with little left of the commercial fishing industry that once was a driving force in the local economy.
The cruise itinerary has been enjoyable, the ship is luxuriously appointed, and our suite is roomy and comfortable, complete with a balcony and a bathtub. The employees, from the captain to our cabin attendants, are friendly and welcoming.
Why, then, do we not see another Seabourn cruise in our future?
The answer can be summarized in two words: food and price.
At the outset, we want to be clear that will make no disparaging comments about Seabourn. It’s obvious they offer a fine product. We just think we get more bang for our buck on Oceania.
The food aboard Quest, while satisfactory, lacks variety, and doesn’t measure up to Oceania’s high standards. Lunch in particular is a culinary wasteland, unless you’re satisfied most days with hamburgers and hot dogs.
All cruise lines have their devoted fans, and we would never try to convince anyone that Seabourn isn’t the best line for them.
We’ve enjoyed the ship and now look forward to disembarking in Vancouver tomorrow and playing tourist for a couple of days before we return home.
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