Home from Alaska

Once in Seward, Silversea docks at the Dale R. Lindsey Alaska Railroad Intermodal Facility.

Our journey home from Alaska started with disembarkation from the Silver Nova on Thursday morning shortly after docking in Seward. Silversea had earlier provided forms for us to complete in order to gather information about our post-cruise plans, such as onward travel arrangements and specific flight times. We received detailed instructions with our assigned time for disembarkation on the last night of the cruise and were directed to put our luggage outside the suite for staff to collect. The procedure was smooth and well organized. Once we bid farewell to our Butler Sharad and Suite Attendant Jayson, we stepped ashore at 7:30 in the morning with carry-on bags in tow for the short walk to the Silversea-chartered train waiting nearby that would take us directly to the Anchorage Airport.  

World-class scenery was ours to enjoy onboard the chartered Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic Train.  

The cruise line had chartered the Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic Train which featured one class, bench seats for two on either side of a fixed table. We had reserved seats together in Car 3 with our friends, but it wasn’t full so there was plenty of room to stretch out. Soft drinks, coffee and tea were complimentary while breakfast and alcoholic drinks (if anyone wanted one at 8 o'clock in the morning) were available for an additional charge. The Coastal Classic route from Seward to Anchorage was particularly scenic, especially the portion along the Turnagain Arm, which is a waterway leading into the northwestern part of the Gulf of Alaska. The train also traveled away from the Seward Highway, offering us views of glaciers and alpine meadows in the backcountry which were not readily visible from the road. An added bonus for us was the presence of a very pleasant Alaska tour guide. She assisted all passengers with questions about their journey or what Anchorage had to offer short-term visitors.

A suburban street in Anchorage doubles as a runway and most homes have their own airplane.

I knew that Alaska has a significantly higher number of private pilots per capita than any other state due to its unique geography and infrastructure, which makes air travel essential for many communities. With 82% of Alaskan communities inaccessible by road, flying is the primary means of transportation for both essential services and personal travel. What I didn’t know was that we’d be privileged to have a front row seat as the train passed a number of single-engine airplanes in a residential neighborhood located near Anchorage's Cange Street. This area is unique because a small airstrip called Sky Harbor Airport also doubles as the street. A number of homes in this neighborhood have built-in airplane hangars which give residents direct access to the runway from their properties. Like a kid in a candy store, I was glued to the window!

The Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center is close to downtown Anchorage attractions and amenities.

The 107 mile-journey to Alaska’s largest city took us about four and a half hours. Upon arrival at the airport, we were transferred to the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center located downtown. All our luggage had been taken separately from the dock in Seward and was being held in a secure, roped-off area. We were asked to first locate and identify our bags before scheduling our shuttle ride back to the airport. As our flight was due to depart at 8:15 that evening, we reserved two seats for the 5:00 PM bus ride. There were any number of suggested activities to occupy our time that afternoon, including visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum or the Alaska Zoo. By this time, it was early afternoon. And after a week of being pampered, first things first - it was time for lunch.

With 50 beers on tap, Humpy's Alehouse was a great place to experience Alaskan hospitality.

Checking out the city map given to us on the Coastal Classic Train, we decided on Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse which we could walk to as it was less than two blocks north of the civic  center. Humpy’s is a popular, casual, and lively downtown bar and restaurant, known for its live music, extensive beer selection, and casual atmosphere. It's a favorite spot for both locals and tourists, offering a taste of Alaskan culture with a focus on local cuisine and entertainment. We entered through the back door located off the large outdoor patio, which we assumed was a popular place during the Alaskan summer months. The place was packed but luckily we found an open table close by, I actually had to get up and close the door to shield us from the cold. Humpy’s specializes in dishes like halibut tacos, halibut and chips, and various other seafood options and also offers a wide selection of beers, including Alaskan brews and craft beers from around the country. I think the group had our fill of fine dining as everyone ordered a hamburger with fries and a Diet Coke. Returning to the civic center, we opted to sit tight for the remainder of the afternoon, catching up on emails and charging our devices until it was time to return to the airport later in the day.

I happily spent my time at the Anchorage Airport plane spotting any number of arriving cargo flights.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) isn't your typical airport. Anchorage is situated within a nine and a half hour flight of 90% of the industrialized world, making it an ideal stop for cargo flights crossing the Pacific Ocean or traversing the Arctic. Cargo carriers can maximize their payload by refueling there. The airport consistently ranks among the top five busiest cargo airports worldwide and is the second busiest in North America (after Memphis). Major carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL all have hubs there. The airport offers unique allowances for foreign cargo carriers to transfer freight between aircraft without going through customs and other trade regulations. This enables seamless consolidation, sorting, and redirection of shipments. Beyond its global role, ANC is vital to the State of Alaska, ensuring the delivery of essential goods like food and medicine to communities inaccessible by road. Anchorage's location between the US and Asia also made it a crucial stopover during the Cold War for both military and civilian planes. This historical significance contributed to significant infrastructure development at the airport. Built to withstand extreme weather, the airport features facilities like a 12,400-foot runway and advanced systems for de-icing and weather monitoring. ANC has also been recognized with multiple awards for its exceptional snow removal capabilities, which ensure year-round operations. 

Our Delta One cabin aboard the B767-300 ER that took us from Anchorage to Atlanta after the cruise.

We boarded our Delta flight to Atlanta at 7:35 PM and took seats 2B and 2C together in the center section. There were 26 seats in the forward Delta One cabin spread across seven rows with single seats situated next to the port and starboard windows. We took off at 8:30 in the evening and flight attendants soon began the dinner service which was rushed, but impressive nonetheless. Cocktails were served first, accompanied by a ramekin of mixed warm nuts and the dinner service soon followed. The starter was a small Shrimp Cocktail, followed by a Mixed Green Salad of Cucumber, Grape Tomatoes and Parmesan with a Blood Orange Dressing. We had selected the Mashama Bailey’s Beef Short Rib with a Spiced Kanni Sauce, Garlic-Thyme Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Carrots and Scallions. The entrée portion size was generous and it was delicious. We were delighted to note that Delta was offering a cabernet sauvignon from the Jordan Vineyard & Winery with dinner. This full-bodied California Cabernet is one of our favorites and it paired beautifully with the Short Rib. The service concluded with a Chocolate Torte. Afterwards, I took advantage of the lie-flat bed and rested for several hours before we touched down in Atlanta at 7:15 the following morning. As luck would have it, we pulled into Gate A21 and our flight to Raleigh was departing from Gate A24. That rarely happens in Atlanta.

The connecting flight left on time and we returned home later that Friday morning with more great memories shared with good friends.

Until next time…safe travels.