‘Welcome Aboard Regent and the Last Frontier’

(17 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Jo Ann Buening

La Crosse, WI

Alaska Destination Specialist and Travel Expert

Alaska became a state of the union on January 3, 1959, the same day I was born. I must have been destined to make this my specialty and over the years, I have developed a passion for Alaska! My first visit to ‘The Great Land’ was in the mid ‘80s. Fast-forwarding to the summer of 2021 finds me having completed my 14th visit to Alaska. These journeys have included both sea and land; each time I visit Alaska, I see something different and every time I return, I think, ‘when can I go again?’ There is something intriguing about Alaska that draws me back, time and time again. I’m not sure if it’s the crispness in the air, (I’ve been told you get more oxygen when in Alaska); maybe that’s why I feel so good when I am there, or maybe it’s the friendly people who live in Alaska, or maybe it’s the pristine beauty, or maybe it’s the way life seems to pass so much more slowly in Alaska. Whatever it is … it’s a place I want to return again and again. I have a PASSION for Alaska! When shopping for a trip to Alaska, I equate it to going to the grocery store and trying to find the ‘plain’ French dressing in the salad dressing aisle. It’s pretty difficult; there are WAY too many choices. That’s where I come in. When you are thinking of traveling to Alaska, e-mail me, give me a call or come and see me. I will ask you qualifying questions about what you want to see and do during your visit and will help you find the French dressing (or in this case, the best trip to Alaska!!) Alaska is a very large state (it would cover 1/5 of the lower 48); it’s difficult to see too much of it in one visit, as one inch on a map may result in eight hours of travel time. Since I’ve visited and traveled so much in Alaska, I will be able to help you find the trip that is right for you and your capabilities. Some clients want to stay busy the entire time, while others want to sit back and just enjoy the beauty of Alaska. I will be able to guide you and help you make good choices. I will not only help you make the choices that are right for you, I will assist you during the entire process, including trip research, trip booking and then, about one month prior to your departure, prepare you for your trip. Should you have questions or want assistance with choosing shore excursions, I am happy to assist. Whether I have experienced the shore excursion during one of my travels to Alaska or if one of my clients has, I will provide you with what knowledge I can. I’ve sent several hundred travelers to Alaska and would love to assist you with this ‘trip of a lifetime’, whether it is your first visit or a return visit to see more. Did I mention that I have a PASSION for Alaska? In addition to the hundreds of individual travelers I have sent to the Great Land, I’ve organized several multigenerational groups, including those up to 54 travelers, to this destination. Alaska is a wonderful choice for a multigenerational trip to mark a milestone birthday or anniversary – or for a family reunion. There is something for everyone – young and young-at-heart alike. On the cruise, almost everything is included (accommodations, food, entertainment and more). I help to make it a very easy trip for the group leader as well, as I make the arrangements and take care of the details. All of these groups have been a great success and I have received many referrals (from my happy clients) for their friends and relatives who have subsequently called me to plan THEIR Alaska adventure. I look forward to helping you plan an amazing trip to this beautiful destination. Did I mention that I have a passion for Alaska?

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Re-boarding my Regent ship in Skagway.

Are you looking for a very special experience that leaves you refreshed, relaxed and feeling pampered? Do you have a milestone birthday or anniversary to celebrate? Let Regent Seven Seas Cruises take you away. This past summer my husband and I wanted a special way to mark our anniversary and so we selected Regent and sailed on the Seven Seas Navigator (a ‘luxury-class’ all-inclusive 490-passenger vessel) from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Depending upon the type of cabin booked, you may receive a complimentary pre-night hotel (as we did) in Anchorage. This allowed us a day to rest after our flight to Alaska as well as an opportunity to experience the city. A two-hour transfer was included the next day from Anchorage to Seward where we boarded the ship. What is labeled a ‘transfer’ is actually much more because the scenery traveling along Turnagain Arm is so beautiful.

Upon boarding the ship it was apparent we were in store for a wonderful experience; the attention to service and detail were outstanding. Our butler, Leslie, was very attentive, but not intrusive and some items with which he assisted: delivering our daily canapés, providing room service from the dining room menu and helping rearrange spa appointments.

Our itinerary included Seward, cruising Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, the inside passage and a three-night stay in Vancouver, BC. The cost of our shore excursions was included in each port of call. These excursions were not pre-selected by Regent, but chosen by us. There were several complimentary selections for each port of call, plus some additional offerings (i.e. helicopter rides) with an additional cost, but offered at a discounted rate, compared to other cruise lines.

My favorite excursions were in Sitka and Juneau. Sitka, the capital when Russia owned Alaska, is a city where they are really trying to keep the Russian influence alive. Since we were on a small ship, we were able to actually dock rather than having to ‘tender’ (take small boats from the ship to the pier). Our visit was on the 4th of July and the community was preparing for their parade; all ages were coming out to celebrate.

In Sitka we chose the excursion ‘Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest’ - on a 100-passenger (enclosed) boat with only Regent passengers onboard. During our three-hour journey we saw sea lions, sea otters, whales, a bear and several varieties of birds.

In Juneau we selected a four-hour excursion, ‘Flavors of Juneau’, with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier. The scenery here is very beautiful in July when the flowers are in full bloom. This Juneau shore excursion continued with the Chez Alaska Cooking School where we enjoyed a cooking demonstration as well as samples. Again, it was a Regent exclusive experience, which ended with tasting and touring at the Alaska Brewing Company.

Since Regent is an all-inclusive experience, we enjoyed wine with our meals, whether in our cabin or in one of the restaurants onboard, plus other alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages we selected. The entertainment in the evening was a very nice surprise, including Cirque de Solei, a Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel, plus a Tribute to Broadway.

Our trip ended with a three-night stay in Vancouver at the Pan Pacific Hotel, located in the Canada Place building, adjacent to where the cruise ships dock. It was very easy to disembark, collect our bags and take the elevator up to check in. The location is perfect to explore this cosmopolitan city and we decided to use the Vancouver Trolley “hop on, hop off” tour as our transportation. Riding it for 2 ½ hours for the full city tour educated us as to where we wanted to spend more time (for us - Stanley Park and Granville Island).

This was an anniversary neither of us will forget. Whether Alaska is on your wish list or you prefer another part of the world (Regent sails to many countries and destinations with its three ships and a fourth being built), I would love to assist you in arranging your ‘trip of a lifetime’ and creating memories that you will never forget.