Becky & I recently returned from a vacation in Alaska, part of which included a 7-day cruise from Seward (Anchorage) down the inside passage to Vancouver. While we’d taken several cruises before (including one from Vancouver north to Seward), they’d all been on Holland America. That Alaska cruise was 15 years ago. This one, we chose Norwegian Cruise Line. We traveled with our son and two grandsons (ages 12 & 10). Great ages to travel.
Norwegian treated us well and, since I’m a veteran, we got a nice discount on the cruise, along with a few more formalities.
On the first day at sea, all veterans were invited to a reception. It included free “horse douvers” as well as drinks. I didn’t partake in either (it was only noon; too early for me to start drinking).
After the initial “welcome aboard and thank you for your service,” the cruise director passed the microphone. There were more than 50 of us veterans in attendance. As the mic went from veteran to veteran, I was moved by all the military vets from all branches—both men and women—and their service. No WWII vets, but a couple of Korean War vets, a plethora of Vietnam and Vietnam-era vets, and a handful of GWOT vets.
The guy sitting next to me was with his wife (my wife, Becky, was with the grandkids). After he told the group he was active Navy (tin can), I looked over and whispered, “Active Navy, really? And you chose a cruise for your vacation?!”
Without skipping a beat, he turned slightly toward his wife, tilting his head, his eyes darting to make sure she was looking the other way, and grinned. “For my wife.” We both smiled, knowing that was the right decision.
From experience, I know how difficult it is trying to explain to someone a sailor’s love of the ocean. But when you can experience it alongside your loved one … they “get it.”
Anyway, this blog post is not about Norwegian, though I will tell you how impressed with how they treated us (both us veterans and us as a family).
No, this blog post is about memories, reminiscing, and sharing my Navy stories with my wife, my son, and my two grandsons …
Meanwhile… Back Home in Florida
You probably heard about the global technical issues caused by the software “bug” in the CrowdStrike software system (anyone ever heard of this company before the problem?) which melted down the airline industry. Our flight to Alaska (through Atlanta) was during this latter part of the problem. So, besides the normal “night before travel anxieties,” we were worried about getting stuck in Atlanta because of the continued fallout with Delta. The fact that the prior two days of flights from Atlanta to Anchorage had been canceled didn’t help.
But long story short, our first leg from Gainesville to Atlanta was on time. Our flight from Atlanta to Anchorage was only 30 minutes delayed. Hallelujah.
The weather in Alaska was much different than back in Florida. Temps were in the 60s & 70s, while Gainesville, Florida experienced mid-90s with high humidity.
Oh yeah. There was a hurricane making its way through the Gulf and into north Florida at the time. Fortunately, it skirted north of our house—we had a tree down in our backyard, but no damage to the house. Just something I’d take care of when we get back.
Clean, Clear Air; Whales, Seals, Eagles
During the cruise, I spent as much time as I could outside on multiple decks. Unlike Kitty Hawk (I worked on the flight deck in V-1 Division / Crash from ’75-77) which had big yellow compartment signs everywhere, it took me a couple of days to figure out how to find my way around the ship and what was located on which deck.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. There’s no comparison when it comes to the clear, clean air while at sea. The constant, gentle breeze and the sunsets … did I mention those before?
One of the other Navy veterans on the cruise mentioned he was going to stay up and head to the stern to watch the phosphorescence churned up by the props at night. I thought about it, but being in Alaska … in the middle of summer … it doesn’t get dark until o dark thirty, way past my bedtime.
We took a “Whale watching” excursion and saw a few whales—it was okay. But the real excitement was while aboard the cruise ship and spotting whales (Humpbacks) off the port side. They didn’t breach, but we spotted them diving (the tail “fluke”). I had my Canon camera with a long lens, so I was in hog heaven.
It took me back to my time aboard the Hawk, in between flight ops, when we’d spot whales off the side of the ship. Of course, back then, we didn’t have cell phones or cameras with long lenses. Still, it was a sight to behold, watching these gracious creatures cruise alongside us in the crystal-clear blue ocean water.
Berthing Compartment
We chose an inside stateroom; we knew we’d only sleep there and not spend much time in the room itself, so why pay extra for a view we’d probably never use. And I can tell you without a doubt, the stateroom was much larger than my middle rack in my Navy berthing compartment.
The weather gods were with us on this trip (no complaints). The seas were calm. Though at night, there was a gentle roll back and forth that I remember from my days aboard the Hawk.
One big difference … there were no flight operations on this cruise. While I missed the excitement of the flight deck, I didn’t miss the loudness of launches and recoveries while trying to sleep—back in the 70s, the V-1 Division berthing compartment was on the forward 03 level, directly below the flight deck and Cats #1 & #2.
It was much quieter on this cruise and at an age approaching 70, sleep is a little more important these days than it was back in my 20s.
Unlimited Chow
Kitty Hawk had, I believe, five galleys, including the CPO mess & the Officers Wardroom. No bars, though. In comparison, the Norwegian Jewel had 16 dining “options,” and at least 15 bars.
Bars … to be honest, I believe all non-US Navy cruise ships typically try to “entice” you to upgrade with what they call a “Drink package.” The temptation was there, but since we were with the grandkids, we decided against spending the extra fortune. Instead, we’d order a beer or a glass of wine during dinner.
I will tell you the food was good—not exceptional, but good enough. But for the most part, I always remembered the chow aboard Kitty Hawk was also good, and plenty of it. I never went hungry during the Navy, which I’m thankful for. My dad talked about “C-rations” during WWII. I’ve got a lot of Vietnam veteran friends who also stated that while on patrol, food was not always available, especially for extended patrols.
“MREs?” I don’t think I need to mention those … Just sayin’.
I will tell you I took advantage of the unlimited buffet selections, usually during breakfast and lunch. But when I returned home, I pleasantly discovered I’d only gained a pound. I guess a lot of hiking in Alaska before the cruise and a lot of walking in Vancouver after the cruise burned those few extra calories.
Cruise Booze
During Westpac ’75 (correct me if I’m wrong), I think we had one “steel beach” picnic on the flight deck. But, of course, no booze. I do remember when we were heading home in December 1975, we could order up to a gallon of tax-free liquor prior to docking. I also remember an announcement early in the morning the day we returned to San Diego that anyone that ordered a “drink package” could pick it up, but not to consume any while aboard.
Yeah, no drinking … right!
Let me pause here for a short tangent and share one of my favorite stories about my good friend, “J.J.”
One reason I am no longer in the Navy is because as a petty officer, one of my less than glorious duties was to stand watch at the Afterbrow when the ship was docked at port.
To make a long story longer, one night I had the dog watch: 0000 to 0400 (12:00 a.m. ‘til 4:00 a.m.). As you might guess, sailors have a reputation for drinking and most bars around the port closed at 0200.
About three o’clock one morning while on watch, I spotted an obviously inebriated sailor walking up the Afterbrow. He was swaying to and fro and as he got closer, I recognized him as a friend of mine.
We had nicknamed him J.J. because when in port, he always seemed to have a bottle of Jack Daniels in one pocket and a bottle of Jim Beam in the other.
It is against Navy regulations to bring liquor on board and is punishable by up to thirty days in the brig with nothing but bread and water.
J.J. was staggering up the Afterbrow, grinning from ear to ear with a bottle in each pocket. When he got to the ship, I stopped him and started my Navy lifer lecture.
“Now J.J., you know bringing liquor on board is against regulations. I’m supposed to report you and have you thrown into the brig. But you and I have been through a lot together on the flight deck. So this is what I’m going to do: I’m going to turn around and I want to hear two splashes.”
I was going to give J.J. a break. After all, he was my buddy and a fellow flight deck director.
I turned my back and after waiting a few seconds, I heard a gentle “kerploosh, kerploosh.”
I turned around, planning to give J.J. another lecture about bringing liquor on board. He was still there, swaying side to side, grinning ear to ear, and … completely barefoot.
J.J. had tossed his shoes overboard.
He did what I asked, so I decided that since no one else was around, I had to let him pass. I have to admit that was really funny.
From that episode, I’ve since learned: what you want to hear, what you think you hear, and what you actually hear are not necessarily the same.
Liberty Calls
When on an Alaska “inside passage” cruise, there are several port calls. We took advantage of those, but to tell you the truth, the cost was more than a month of nights out in PI. But you know what … we were with grandkids and at this point in my life, those special memories are worth the cost.
One thing I enjoyed the most at these ports—aside from the time with our son & grands—was watching the dock workers (“Civilian Boatswain’s Mates”) work their magic mooring the ship. When we were preparing to get underway in Ketchikan, there was one dock worker in particular; he was stocky and looked like an Alaskan native. He lifted the 2” mooring line over the post, over his head, yelling to the ship’s onlookers, “Look at me! I am strong!” He then tossed the line into the water, finishing with, “Are you not entertained?”, a line from the movie Gladiator. All those watching this show from the stern were hooting & hollering. It was quite funny.
I always enjoy it when the ship pulls out of port, heading out to sea again—Haze Gray & Underway. The fresh air, the calm seas, and the sunsets are nothing less than magnificent.
As someone once mentioned, “I’m just one small being on one ship in one ocean on one planet in one galaxy in one universe; yet surrounded by all this awesome beauty, I feel I’m on top of the world.”
Why a Cruise?
I’ve only been on three different cruise lines: Holland America, Norwegian, and the US Navy. I’ll be the first to tell you that after the Navy, I didn’t take a cruise until 2008—31 years after my discharge. Even though my wife & kids mentioned it a couple of times, my response was, “been there, done that.”
My wife and I are in our “go-go” years.
There’s a saying that after you retire, your first 10 years are “go-go” years; your next 10 years are “slow-go” years; and your next 10 years are “no-go” years. There’s a bit of truth to that.
But as we get older (I call it “seasoned”), we know we’re losing some friends and some family to various illnesses.
My good friend, Ernie, a former Marine, always says, “I’m in a foot race with the Lord.”
I certainly understand. So, we’ve decided to take advantage of travel to see family, friends, and a little more of this world before we can’t travel anymore.
Making the most of what we can while we can. Solid advice from my dad, who died at age 68, way too young.
Until we meet again,
Andy
Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books, including his Navy memoir, Three Years, Eleven Months, and 29 Days… But Who’s Counting? His first novel, NEVER FORGET, is available free for download (PDF, eBook format). Adkins also writes a weekly blog, “A Veteran’s Journey.”
Previous Blogs mentioned in the Post:
- #128—Into the Aftermath
- #67—Flight Ops: A Day in the Life of Crash & Salvage
- #101—From the Flight Deck: Indescribably Beauty
- #40—Midrats … and Other Navy Chow
- #49—Westpac ’75: After Six Months, We’re Coming Home
- #20—Port Call: Philippines
- #41—Haze Gray & Underway
- #22—The Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go Years
Hey Andy, As I remember, we had a USO show on Nov. 7th of 75. I couldn’t be there due to “other commitments” in Subic Bay. Maybe you could cover that in one of your posts. I’ve always wondered how that went for you guys on board. “Round eyes” entertaining us, almost at the end of our cruise. I haven’t even thought of that term for 45+ years. I’ve never used it either, but I obviously heard it many times.
Anyway, the USO show seemed like a more wholesome aspect of our cruise. I was sorry to have missed it.
Same here. I was working night shift. I watched them walk off the COD when they landed, grabbed a couple of photos from atop the Crash truck, then headed to my rack. I didn’t see the show, either. The only thing I have are the few photos in the Westpac ’75 cruise book.
Good times! As always, great information, commentary, and perspectives. V/r Brian PS-I have just returned to normal schedule and will get back to reviewing your book that I havent touched since June along with all the other issues that need attending.
Thanks, Brian. Let me know what “normal” means. I’ve been all over the place, too. I started working on the sequel, but haven’t written anything in more than a month. But life is great! No complaints.