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It was perfect.

The wind was at our back for the first 24 hours. We timed the tides to get the greatest benefit. The wind calmed down to nothing for the exposed ocean crossing sections. (It was a little lumpy but doable.)  But, by far, the biggest victory of the trip north, ninety-two hours straight through to Ketchikan was that the main engine ran perfectly. 

Several months ago, you might remember seeing the pictures and the videos, the engine was still in pieces. Over the winter we rebuilt the reverse gear, adjusted the main bearings, poured new bearings for the connecting rods, tightened the wrist pin bearings, machined the crankshaft and installed a new flange on it, built a new air plumbing system, and a million other small fixes to make everything run. To see it in action, running that smoothly was amazing.

We made a lot of other small changes this winter too, like a new step in the skiff, fans to help dry wet foul weather gear, a rebuild of the inside of the oven box (rusted through from years of use in a salt water environment, not from Christine baking muffins.) We did a lot of good work.

When we began this life with the David B twenty-one years ago, transits to Ketchikan were not like this. In the early years, we made multiple stops along the way, going to towns to buy stuff to fix things when necessary, and patching things back together. Over the years it’s gotten easier, and we’ve gotten better at knowing what to do in the winter months to make the transit and the season smooth, but despite all that, I still spend a lot of spring worrying.

To see it all come together, and to have a perfect transit north, makes me excited for the season ahead. I made the transition to summer over ninety-two hours to Ketchikan.

Fair Winds,

Jeffrey
Captain of the David B

P. S. If you are inspired to join us, just contact Sarah. You can see our current 2026, 2027, and 2028 schedules here: https://northwestnavigation.com/schedule-and-rates

Glacier Bay National Park is one of those places that changes how you look at things. 

I’ve been traveling in Glacier Bay for years aboard the David B, and it still asks me to slow down. The light, the ice, the scale of it—it’s not something you take in all at once. It reveals itself over time. 

That’s part of why we created our Glacier Bay photography workshop. 

Aboard the David B, we move at a pace that allows for noticing. Not just passing by something beautiful, but returning to it. Watching how the light shifts. Waiting to see what changes. Giving yourself the time to make a photograph that feels like your own. 

This isn’t a trip where everyone lines up for the same shot. 

It’s a space to explore how you see—whether you’re just beginning with a camera, or you’ve been photographing for years. 

On this trip we’re joined by two wonderful photographers, Alan Sanders and John D’Onofrio. 

They guide, they answer questions, and they share how they approach their work—but just as importantly, they support you in finding your own way of seeing. 

We also go ashore in exquisite locations. 

These aren’t rushed stops. They’re moments to walk, to look closely, and to spend time in a place. 

You have time to wander with your camera, to pause to sketch out an idea, or simply sit with a scene. 

The pace allows for different ways of working—and for each person to follow what draws their attention. It’s often in these quieter places that your photographs begin to take shape. 

Part of what makes your experience different is how we move beyond the David B. 

Our skiff is stable and open, allowing us to travel into smaller inlets, along shorelines, and into places larger boats simply can’t reach. It opens up opportunities to work closer to the landscape, to observe wildlife, and to find quieter vantage points.  

There’s time in the field, and time to sit with your images. 

We make sure to spend part of each day in Lightroom, talking through editing choices and watching how an image begins to take shape. 

We also spend time sharing images together. 

Our show-and-tell sessions are relaxed and thoughtful, and often really inspiring. It’s a chance to see how differently each of us experienced the same place.  

One of my favorite parts of the trip comes at the end. 

You choose an image you’ve created, and we print it onboard. There’s something really meaningful about holding that photograph in your hands—something that came from your own experience in this place.  

Life aboard the David B is part of it too. 

With just eight guests, there’s space for conversation and for adjusting our days as conditions change or wildlife presents itself. And at the end of the day, we gather around the table for a meal and talk about what we saw. 

Glacier Bay rewards attention. 

This workshop is about giving yourself the time and space to meet it there—and to come away with photographs that feel like your own. 

 

Here is a video version of this email with even more photos to enjoy!

Sincerely,Christine
Owner – Chef & NaturalistP. S. If you are inspired to join us in 2026, just contact Sarah. You can see our current 2026, 2027  and 2028 schedules here: https://northwestnavigation.com/schedule-and-rates

 

Brown Bears at Pack Creek – photo by Alan Sanders

We still have plenty of spots to join our preview of the photography workshops we have scheduled on the David B for 2026. Join Jeffrey and Christine along with our instructors John and Alan, as they share the different types of Photography workshops that we offer in Alaska, Glacier Bay and the San Juan Islands.

It is a chance for you to ask your questions of our instructors and crew in a live Zoom event. But even if you can’t join us that evening, feel free to register and I’ll send you the replay.

Zoom Event Details
Date: Wednesday, December 3rd
Time: 5pm PT/6pm MT/7pm CT/8pm ET
RSVP: email me for the Zoom link invitation.

Also, we’re excited to host two additional live events in 2026: 

These are a great way to meet us, learn more about our trips, and ask questions. We love seeing familiar faces join in, too! If you’d like to sign up, contact me, and I’ll make sure you get the details. You can also check out our YouTube channel to see recordings of past events. 

Sincerely,

Sarah

P. S. Our 2026 season is already half sold out! If you want to be a part of our next season, just contact me. You can see our current 2026 and 2027 schedules here: https://northwestnavigation.com/schedule-and-rates

 

Reflections from the David B

Well, it’s suddenly October, and our 2025 season is now behind us. It’s hard to believe that our 20th season has come and gone! As I reflect on the adventures and memories we shared this year, I want to begin by thanking everyone who joined us. We say this often, but it’s true — the only reason Jeffrey and I can keep making our trips so special and carry forward the David B’s nearly 100-year legacy is because of you. 

We know there are lots of options for small-ship cruises in Alaska, and when you choose to travel with us, we’re truly honored. It means a great deal that you value the uniqueness of the David B and the incredible nature and wildlife we encounter along the way. Your enthusiasm keeps us energized and excited for each new season. 

As we look toward spring, we’re already gearing up for 2026. Many trips are already sold out with both returning and new guests, and knowing we’ll be seeing you again makes the off-season even more meaningful. 

Like every year, our winter projects list is long! Some of this year’s tasks include work on the David B’s engine’s main bearings, a rebuild of the wood cookstove, modifications to our custom skiff, and plenty of painting and varnishing. Jeffrey and Matt have already built a new winter cover for the boat so we can work on deck while the wind blows and the rain falls. We’ll be sharing updates, videos, and photos throughout the off-season to keep you connected with our behind-the-scenes work.

Beyond boat projects, we’re also excited to host two upcoming Zoom Q&A sessions: 

These live sessions are a great way to meet us, learn more about our trips, and ask questions. We love seeing familiar faces join in, too! If you’d like to sign up, contact Sarah, and she’ll make sure you get the details. You can also check out our YouTube channel to see recordings of past events. 

Looking further ahead, we’ll continue to host our annual Open Boat Tours on April 18th and 19th. These 30-minute tours are by reservation and give you a chance to explore the David B, ask questions, or simply catch up with us. Again, reach out to Sarah for reservations and details. 

So once again, from all of us — Jeffrey, Sarah, Matt, and me — thank you for an incredible 2025 season. Whether you sailed with us or simply enjoy following along through our newsletters and social posts, we appreciate you. Here’s to reminiscing about past adventures and preparing for new ones ahead! 

Fair Winds,

Christine and the crew of the David B

P. S. Our 2026 season is already half sold out! If you want to be a part of our next season, just contact Sarah. You can see our current 2026 and 2027 schedules here: https://northwestnavigation.com/schedule-and-rates

You are excited for your upcoming trip to Alaska, but then something happens. A family member dies or you suffer an injury and your doctor restricts you from traveling. So, when people call to cancel their reservation at the last-minute, one of my first questions is, “Do you have trip insurance?”

In every welcome letter, I share with passengers our cancellation policy and urge them to get trip insurance. Having trip insurance makes all the difference when the unexpected happens. Also, if you have aging parents or a serious health condition you might want the peace of mind that comes along with procuring trip insurance. 

I am not a trip insurance specialist, so I point passengers towards a couple of trip insurance providers for them to compare rates and coverages. I encourage them to get “cancel for any reason” and “evacuation” coverages. Trip insurance premiums and coverages tend to be the best when you first make your reservation and become more expensive as the trip date approaches.

Without trip insurance, if you must cancel less than 90 days before the trip sails and are already paid in full, then we cannot refund your payments. If the trip is more than 90 days away, we allow passengers to reschedule and that way we still have time to sell the now open spot on that trip. We always strive to do our best and be flexible for passengers, all while running a small business.

I do my best to assist passengers making a claim with the insurance company in what is already a difficult time for them. When a passenger has trip insurance, I can provide them with a letter officially canceling their reservation, a statement of what they paid and that the reservation has not been transferred to another date or passenger.

 

Overlooking the David B at Fords Terror

We think that adventures on the David B are a once-in-a-lifetime experience and therefore would hate to have you cancel for any reason. I can understand that trip insurance is another expense that adds to the cost of travel, but it is minor compared to losing your entire trip payment due to an unplanned event or injury. Trip insurance can provide you with some solace and get your money back so you can reschedule and ultimately join us at a later date. 

Sincerely,

Sarah
Reservations, Shore Support and Cat Staff