Cruising Aboard the Silver Nova

This is a sight we were not privileged to witness on our brown bear excursion in Icy Straight Point, AK.

We were still cruising when we awoke on Sunday morning, and enjoyed a leisurely room service breakfast in our suite before heading out to try our luck at Team Trivia. Sadly, we lost again, but it was fun to watch how excited and competitive some adults can actually get over a simple game. The ship docked in Icy Straight Point by 11 that morning and we soon gathered for the day’s “Brown Bear and Spasski River” excursion. We boarded a coach from the dock and traveled through Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Tlingit Indigenous settlement. After arriving in the Spasski River Valley, we walked along gravel paths through the old-growth forest and over a few wetlands to no less than three elevated viewing platforms overlooking the river valley. The tour was conducted by a guide who was quite knowledgeable about the area's wildlife and ecology. Our tour also included the presence of several armed guards as an additional safety measure.This area is a prime habitat for brown bears (also known as grizzly bears), and the chances of seeing them are good during the summer months when the salmon are running. Unfortunately, we were there in the latter half of May and didn’t see a single bear, which leads me to question why Silversea even offered that excursion at that time of year. 

The beautiful Atlantide Restaurant has a focus on seafood and steak served in elegant surroundings.

Upon returning to the ship, we gathered for lunch at The Grill on Deck 10. Afterwards, we joined other passengers in the Panorama Lounge for a game called Liar’s Club. This was originally an American television game show which featured a panel of celebrities who would offer explanations of unusual objects. In this iteration, staff members told sometimes outlandish stories defining obscure words and we passengers voted to determine which one was telling the truth. It made for a laughter-filled afternoon. Dinner that evening was at Atlantide, the Nova’s largest dining venue which can accommodate up to 270 guests in a spacious and elegant setting. The room has a modern design with warm tones, fluted glass , a beautiful chandelier and a natural stone floor, all of which created an upscale atmosphere. Our waiter Joel was friendly and efficient and the food was delicious. It proved to be an excellent choice.

The train journey took us from lush forests at lower elevations to rugged and rocky terrain at the top.

The ship docked in Skagway at 7:00 AM on Monday morning. That city served as a crucial gateway and boomtown during the Alaska Gold Rush of 1897. It was a major point of entry for stampeders heading to the Klondike goldfields. The town experienced rapid growth and became a lawless frontier town, characterized by its "boomtown" atmosphere. The "White Pass Summit” excursion took us on a scenic, 40-mile round trip train ride to the White Pass Summit (at 2,865 feet above sea level) in vintage rail cars with large picture windows. It retraced the historic Klondike Gold Rush route, offering stunning views of mountains, gorges, waterfalls, and the Skagway River. Built during the gold rush itself, the railway played a crucial role in the transportation of supplies and ore. The  narrated excursion pointed out significant landmarks we passed along the route such as Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch. The only drawback was the loud-mouthed New Yorker seated nearby who talked incessantly with her friend throughout most of the journey. On a brighter note, Monday was our wedding anniversary and we were pleasantly surprised after returning to the ship to find that Shared had made sure our suite was decorated and an anniversary cake had been delivered. We were most appreciative of this very nice Silversea gesture.

Ocean-view dining indoors or alfresco is available in the Silver Nova's lovely La Terrazza Restaurant.

That evening’s dinner took place at La Terrazza. This is a unique dining venue on the Silver Nova that transforms from a casual buffet during the day to an elegant and sophisticated Italian restaurant at night with an extensive à la carte menu. Designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, La Terrazza provided stunning views of the horizon that offered a truly immersive experience of the destinations the ship visited and the waters on which she traveled. This feature was accentuated by the asymmetrical design of the restaurant, creating a curved layout on the port side and running to the ship's aft on the starboard side. Although we didn’t choose to dine there, La Terrazza also boasts an outdoor terrace that can accommodate up to 90 guests, allowing for alfresco Italian dining when the weather's cooperative.

The glacier's vibrant blue ice, and its dramatic landscapes offer an unforgettable experience.

Tuesday was another sea day as we sailed further north, yet it was highlighted by splendid glacier sightings near Yakutat City. Located at the head of Yakutat Bay, the Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America, stretching 76 miles long and 7 miles wide. The massive mountain of ice displays shades of blue and oftentimes green as the sun pierces through its bulk. It was a captivating sight. Captain Alessandro Zanello expertly maneuvered the Silver Nova as close to its impressive 400-foot-tall face as possible. In fact, he slowly executed a 360 degree turn so that all passengers lined up on both the port and starboard railings could appreciate the spectacular and impressive sight. Glacier viewing  was a highlight of our cruise. The sheer scale of the glacier, coupled with its vibrant blue ice, was an unforgettable and memorable experience.  Later in the evening, we returned to Atlantide and enjoyed another sumptuous meal coupled with friendly and excellent service. 

The shops and restaurants in relocated Valdez are overlooked by majestic glaciers and mountains.

On the last full day of the cruise, the Silver Nova pulled into her berth at Valdez at 9:00 AM. This coastal city is tucked into the deep shores of Price William Sound. Its open scenery is one of unspoiled wilderness, majestic mountains, tidewater glaciers and deep green rainforests. We had no excursions planned for that day and took a late morning walk. It was rather disappointing and looked quite depressed with open lots and some abandoned buildings. I later discovered that was because the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake had devastated the original townsite of Valdez, prompting its relocation to a more stable area four miles away. Returning to the ship, we had lunch at The Grill and, upon reaching our suite, discovered that Sharad had pulled our suitcases out from under the bed and also cleaned them for us. Just another unsung perk of Silversea travel. Our final dinner aboard was taken at La Terrazza and it was as good as our first. Packing up for our morning departure occupied the balance of the evening.

What a wonderful week it was, exploring Alaska and appreciating the diversity of its landscapes and its stunning beauty. But, all good things must come to an end. I'll tell you all about our journey home in a future post.

Until next time...safe travels.

T