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The folks at Abercrombie & Kent pride themselves on running a premier luxury travel tour company, combing cultural exploration and opulent accommodations. Here are 10 reasons why cruising the Bering Sea aboard Clipper Odyssey is a life-changing travel experience.
The Journey
Cruising aboard Abercrombie & Kent's Clipper Odyssey is not about magic shows, pool deck parties or themed casino nights -- it's about an exotic adventure. This ship specializes in intimate adventurous getaways with only 116 passengers allowed per cruise. Onboard this ship, you'll experience luxurious lodgings and delicious dining, but the emphasis here is on the journey. Their voyage into Alaska's hidden passage is an extraordinary cultural and spiritual exploration of America's last frontier.
Little Diomede, Alaska
Little Diomede, AK, is as far as you can go in North America; a small island that's virtually uninhabited, only a few hundred people call Little Diomede home. Without ports, the only way to the island is via small motorized boats, and the crew of the Clipper Odyssey arranges unique visits to this town at the edge of civilization. The people who live on this island can teach us all a thing or 2 about sustainability; they live with minimal environmental impact and are extremely resourceful. While here, you'll experience performances of traditional song and dance, expressions of oral history for a people who for many years did not have the written word.
The Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is the gateway to Russia, and the only way to experience its beauty properly is from the deck of a ship. Cruise ships are the only civilian vessels with permission to visit both sides of the "ice curtain." Crossing the Bering Sea also means crossing the International Date Line -- while technically you may be losing an entire day of your life, we guarantee you'll feel like you've gained infinitely more in this vast aquatic wilderness.
The Hunt
In the Russian village of Lorino, the Eskimo population still depends on the successful hunting of whale and walrus. Because of its environmentally responsible way of life, this village is allowed to hunt a certain number of whales each year. Experiencing the Eskimos' joy of the hunt, knowing that it provides for their sustained way of life is a rare and awe-inspiring experience. The rituals that accompany a successful hunt include singing and dancing; the town appeases the whale's spirit and demonstrates respect for its sacrifice.
The Exploration
There are several off-ship excursions that are unique to Abercrombie & Kent. At Russia's Itygran Island, also known as Whale Bone Alley, whale bones seemingly grow out of the ground in an Arctic, organic Stonehenge. On St. Matthew's Island, miles of Arctic tundra beg to be explored on foot. While frozen for most of the year, a multitude of wildflowers pop in the late spring and summer. The natural beauty of St. Matthew's is pristine -- it's uninhabited by people, but the tiny island is home to more than 50,000 seabirds.
The Freshest Ingredients
One of the joys of cruising on a smaller ship like the Clipper Odyssey is that, unlike other mega cruise ships, the captain and crew can bring in specialty dinners. When the waters are flush with fish like halibut, the captain and crew will pull in huge catches -- upwards of 70 pounds to freshly prepare for dinner. The chef is as flexible as he is talented, changing the menu on a dime in order to create fresh and innovative dishes.
A Satisfying Snack Run
The combination of a small number of guests and a spontaneous crew produces some exciting snack runs. Aside from your start and end dates, the schedule onboard the Clipper Odyssey is flexible. This includes the captain and crew heading to shore in order to treat guests to local delicacies and snacks. For instance, you may wake up one morning to fresh donuts lovingly prepared by a small Alaskan bakery, instead of the scheduled omelet buffet.
Providenya, Russia
Providenya was once a Soviet military town; now it's Russia's entrance to the Arctic. Here you'll get a firsthand account of what a Russian Cold War frontier town was like and see how, today, there's an amazing blending of Russian and Eskimo cultures. Guests of the Clipper Odyssey enjoy an exclusive cultural performance; the dance symbolizes the merging of Russian and Eskimo customs.
For the Birds
There are over 50 different species of birds in the Bering Sea. The islands are covered with birds' nests, including those of kittywakes, speckled, short-tailed and puffins. The towering cliffs provide excellent real estate for these species, and you'll want to pack your binoculars over your evening dress -- remember, expedition cruising is more about what you'll see than what you'll wear.
Majestic Mammals
Walruses, sea lions and whales populate the waters and islands of the Bering Sea. The number of different species existing in an environment that is almost completely untouched by humans is a rare and overwhelming experience for any traveler.
