Since we started accepting reservations for the Michael W. Smith & Friends Cruise - we've been getting some consistent questions.  After this past week's Cruise Chat I thought that it might be helpful to answer the 5 most often asked questions. So here we go:

• I've never been on a cruise before and the concept is a little scary.
• What are the best excursions at each stop?
• What is different about a Smitty Cruise as opposed to a normal every week cruise?
• What was your favorite moment on the 2007 Cruise to Alaska?
• How is the 2010 cruise DIFFERENT than 2007 to Alaska and 2008 to the Caribbean?

As I think about those questions I just think about how my experience on the cruise was completely unique because I made it that way.  So I'll try to answer all of those questions in my blog below.  Hope this helps out.  I'll be asking Smitty, his manager, Chaz, and even an every day cruiser who joined us in 2007 to respond to these same questions in coming weeks, then you'll be able to see how many different responses there are.

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#1:  I've never been on a cruise before and the concept is a little scary.

• Before the 2007 cruise I never thought I would ever go on a cruise.  I was the type of person that liked to go somewhere for a vacation and stay in one spot exploring that location and just relaxing.  Also the idea of being on a ship was a little daunting and hard to imagine.  I just didn't think that cruising like that would be for "me".
• Well, I was wrong.  As you'll see from my responses below, the cruise was amazing.  Stopping in each port let me explore each town and see things I've never seen.  To understand that response you need to know that I've lived in 13 states in my life.  I had been to every state in the United States except Alaska and Montana (I'm still trying to get to Montana).  So, I've seen a lot of things traveling the U.S., but Alaska was just something "different".  I've never been to a place that when you look in the sky and see "birds of prey" flying around they're not buzzards, they are bald eagles.  As you're cruising up the inside passage you're surrounded by mountains that are 2,000 feet high right next to the water.  It's just stunning.  No pictures capture the scope of the entire trip.

#2:  What are the best excursions at each stop?

• That's a hard question to answer because there are so many different excursions that cater to different people with different tastes.  If you're a shopper, there are excursions for that; if you're an adventure sports junkie, there are excursions for that;  if you're looking be pampered, there are excursions for that too.  And that's in each stop.  So, I'll write what MY experience was and it is not the only thing to do, I just write from my own experience - and I had an AMAZING time in each port.
  

Juneau, AK:

• The State Capitol.  I didn't schedule an excursion in Juneau because I knew what I wanted to do.  I had decided a long time ago that when I go on vacations I like to go the opposite direction that the tours go.  I like seeing the towns for what they really are.  For me, that's fun.  So I decided that if the crowds were going to the right, I'd go left.  So I went into town and split away from the main street tourist stops (I went through that area on my way back - and don't get me wrong those stores, shops, and restaurants were pretty amazing). 
• I probably walked 4 to 5 miles off the beaten path.  While on my walk I found what for locals in Juneau might just be "another" pizza place but for me was a really cool place that I can not wait to go back, there wasn't a single "cruiser" in the place, it was full of locals; Bullwinkle's Pizza.  Then I kept on walking and found the High School, some residential areas, a city park, and as I was just walking along I came up next to this large but not "over-the-top" white house that looked a little out of place inside a normal residential area.  It was the Governor's mansion.  At that time we had no idea that Sarah Palin would become a player in National politics, but there was her Governor's mansion in Juneau.  Next, I just kept walking and just had an amazing time. 
• As I came back into downtown I visited a bunch of the tourist places, but my favorite was when I took a cable car up to the top of the mountain next to the port.  The skies were clearing and I was able to take in some of the most amazing images I've ever seen (and I'm scared of heights, so it was a big deal for me).  After getting back on the ship, it was pretty cool sitting on the deck and watching sea plane after sea plane land on the water bringing people back from their excursions.
  

Sitka, AK:

• A frontier town of Russian descent.  This was by far my favorite stop on the cruise.  We were "tendering" at this stop which means that you have to get on these little boats off the ship and then those little boats take you to the dock because the port isn't big enough for cruise ships to pull up to a pier. 
• I got up very early and was one of the first people off the ship, which meant that I was able to start walking into the town before all of the shop owners and excursion folks were up and running.  There's just something that smells good while a town like this is "waking up".  The air was sooooo clean that my body almost didn't know how to process it.  It was easily the cleanest air that I've felt in my body.  Just the right humidity and temperature.  Was amazing.
• As I was walking I did have some work to do so I needed to find a "coffee" place that would hopefully have some wireless internet.  And I found one - The Highliner.  (I actually just looked down at my desk and realized I'm drinking out of my Highliner coffee mug right now, ha!)  Sitka just felt a lot like where I went to High School up in western Maryland.  Just a small town that even though it has a ton of tourist traffic it just hasn't grown too much. 
• After spending a while walking around this pretty awesome town and seeing Bald Eagles all over the place, I went back to the ship and had a hot stone massage while looking out at all of these little islands that had homes built on top of them.  The best way for me to describe Sitka is Fiji with pine trees.  All of these little islands dotting the water, all with little and large houses built on top of them and private docks.  It's very much like in the movie The Proposal which was set in Sitka - a lot of the locals have to take boats to town, not cars.
  

Hubbard Glacier, AK:

• There are no excursions while visiting the glaciers in the bay, but Hubbard Glacier dwarfs the ship and you can NOT miss this.  It's impossible to describe in words.  Just imagine 300 foot walls of ice falling into water and you get to hear and see it happening.  On this year's cruise we're going to Glacier Bay - which is even more massive in scope because there are just so many tide glaciers to look at each with their own personalities.
  

Ketchikan, AK:

• This is a frontier town built around the logging, fishing, and gold industry.  Ketchikan was bigger than Sitka but smaller than Juneau.  I rented a scooter here and drove all over the place - exploring the outer areas of the town.  It really was awesome.  Again Bald Eagles flying around everywhere.  I do have to be honest I didn't get to explore Ketchikan as much as I would have liked because I had to get back to the ship as we were preparing for our first-ever "Smittyoke."  But I was able to do my gift shopping in Ketchikan and found this amazing little local shop to buy some spices and cooking oils for my wife.
  

Victoria, British Columbia:

• At this stop I got off the ship and again just walked around what is one of the most beautiful stops.  We arrived here after our farewell show and it was the last stop.  So walking around Victoria was like a big exhale.  To put it in perspective this trip had been planned for nearly 12 months so it was a celebration of a sort for me.  We had made it through the week and had, had such a great time. We arrived in Victoria as the sun was going down and it was definitely a beautiful city built around an amazing night-life.  The entire city lights up beautifully and I again just spent some time walking and exploring.

Excursions Overall:

• As you can read above I didn't do ANY, and had an amazing trip - but I can say that this summer my wife, daughter, and I are planning on doing several - I do feel like I missed some amazing experiences, but this time with my wife and daughter joining me I want to do even more!  I'm planning on going dog sledding, whale watching, and to the top of the mountain in Juneau again.

#3: What is different about a Smitty Cruise as opposed to a normal every week cruise?

• This answer is actually simple.  Everything.  First and foremost I'm a fan who is lucky enough to get to work with Michael W. and his entire team.  The first tape I ever bought with my own money was PROJECT.  I grew up listening to Smitty music, so I come at these cruises from a fan's perspective.
• The cruise in its entirety is full of concerts and experiences that are unlike anything you'll ever see on a tour.  At a normal concert Michael normally has to try and fit his entire career of songs, new and old, into 2 hours of time.  On the cruise we have concerts that are more topical - things like (subject to change):

• Welcome Concert:  This is the first night when you're on the ship as we're heading out from Seattle.  All of the "Friends" and Smitty are there to get the week started.
• Worship Concert:  A full worship Concert experience; imagine your favorite Worship songs performed by Smitty, Max, Natalie, and Matthew all in at one concert; then make it better by having that moment and walk outside from the show and you're looking at these mountains right next to the ship.
• Rock Out Concert:  This is Michael's concert where he gets to play all of the hits from throughout his career.  The last couple cruises this concert has included songs that Michael doesn't perform during normal concerts that much anymore.  It's full of rarities.
• The New Stuff Concert:  This is when you get to listen to Michael performing songs that are from his most recent albums, and this year will probably include Michael previewing many of the songs from the album that he's releasing later this fall.
• Matthew West Concert:  Matthew will be performing his concert that will include hits like The Motions, You Are Everything, Next Thing You Know, Only Grace, and many more.  He's also been known to write new songs on the cruise, so you'll probably get to hear something that you've never heard before.
• Natalie Grant Concert:  Natalie's night will include her singing her hits and sharing stories from her ministry and career.  Will be a very special concert.
• Henry Cho Comedy:  Henry will be sharing his comedy throughout the cruise and we promise that by the end of the cruise you'll understand this phrase better:  "Bless Your Heart"  ;-)
• Max Lucado:  One of the finest and most motivating teachers of our times – Max will be weaving his messages at special moments throughout the cruise.
• Devotions:  John and Beverly Sheasby will lead the daily cruise devotions for anyone who wants to participate.  On most days there will be a time of learning through devotions and a great way to start the day.
• Smittyoke:  Ever want to get on stage and sing WITH Michael.  This is your chance.
• Smingo:  Pretty obvious what this game is, but you'll get to win special memorabilia from throughout Michael's career.  All while benefitting Samaritan's Purse and their Alaska missions.
• Fellowship:  With the entire ship being the Michael W. Smith & Friends Cruise, you'll have something in common with everyone on the cruise.  It's not that often that you'll get an opportunity to meet and share with so many people.  We look forward to spending the week with you.
• Special Surprises:  We're not going to tell you EVERYTHING That is going to be going on we want you to be surprised.

So, What Makes The Smitty Cruise Different?  All of the above is in addition to other normal cruise shows and activities that you get to experience.  The best thing about cruises is that you get to make the trip what you want.  We'll make sure that there is PLENTY to do and you'll have plenty of options.

#4:  What was your favorite moment on the 2007 Cruise to Alaska?

• That's easy, the fellowship.  or maybe it was the Worship concert, well then there was Smittyoke.  I don't know... maybe it wasn't so easy.  The entire event was pretty amazing.  It's just hard to describe any one thing as better than another.
• But I must say what I remember most is the little moments.  Sitting at breakfast on the Lido deck by myself having a couple people that I didn't know ask to sit with me; then talking about our lives and just sharing with them - then looking out the window and seeing Humpback whales jumping out of the water and slapping their tales.
• Another "moment" was during the Worship concert in a quiet moment listening to Michael's family start singing a chorus from their section, Then leading the entire theatre, before Michael even started from the stage.  THAT WAS A MOMENT that you don't get to experience at any other concert - then imagine walking out of that concert and seeing bald eagles flying and mountains surrounding you.  ANOTHER MOMENT.
• Then of course the entire Smittyoke concert was something unexpected, we laughed and we cried as people got up on stage, dedicated songs to wives and friends while singing with Smitty.  I could go on for hours.

#5:  How is the 2010 cruise DIFFERENT than 2007 to Alaska and 2008 to the Caribbean?

• Both of those cruises were pretty special.  I will never take anything away from them, but this year's 2010 cruise is going to be unlike any other.  Partly because this time we're taking the entire ship with us.  The first two cruises were only half the ship.  So not everyone on the cruise was in our "group".  Whereas the 2010 cruise is entirely our ship, all of the guests on the cruise are booked to join us.  That allows us to have even more special events, activities, on the ship.
  
• For example – watch for a special “album premier” concert by an artist we haven’t even announced yet! We're working on our plan now and we don't want to share EVERYTHING that we're doing but we can tell you that things are just going to be different and even better.

That's all I have for now, I hope that the above words paint a better picture for what you are going to experience on this year's cruise. I hope that it makes you understand what you're "IN FOR" if you are joining us.  See you in just over 4 months.  This is going to be a vacation unlike any other, we can't wait to see you in July.

:::Rooms are still available, but some categories are selling out, so don't delay book now:::

For More Information and to Talk to Someone about Booking Your Trip Call Our Partners @ Inspiration Cruises:
1.800.247.1899
or go to
www.inspirationcruises.com

 

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