Join Christine & Jeffrey Smith and Sarah Kirkish for our David B Experience: 2026 Season Preview + Live Q&A
This recorded Zoom event is designed to give you a real feel for what it’s like to travel with us on our small-ship adventures (just 8 guests onboard). We walk through our upcoming trips, where we go, what a typical day looks like, and then answer many engaging audience questions. In this video, you’ll learn about:
- – Where we cruise in Alaska: Misty Fjords (Ketchikan), Juneau/Admiralty Island, Tracy Arm & Fords Terror, and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
- – Fall trips in Washington: the San Juan Islands out of Bellingham ~ A brief look at the David B (built in 1929) and what life onboard feels like
- – Daily adventures: skiff rides, kayaking, hiking, tide pooling, photography, journaling, wildlife watching ~ What meals are like onboard (and how we handle food allergies / dietary needs)
Q&A highlights include:
- – Gluten intolerance and other dietary accommodations
- – Our custom skiff (group capacity + beach access ramp) & how we use it
- – Activity levels (most active vs. more mellow options) + Pack Creek beach walk details
- – Kayaking: how we decide when it’s a good day + how we help guests get in/out easily
- – Solo travelers, cabin options, and the single supplement
- – “What’s a typical day like?” (coffee, pastries, breakfast, excursions, happy hour, dinner timing)
- – Communications & emergencies: Starlink, VHF, inReach, and evacuation resources
- – Weather + what to pack (especially real rain gear and rain pants)
- – Bugs (usually minimal in Southeast Alaska)
If you want to learn more, see our current availability, or ask questions about which trip is right for you, feel free to contact us through our website: NorthwestNavigation.com. Thanks for watching — and we hope to see you aboard the David B.
- Revisiting Photo Memories
Revisiting Photo Memories Tidepool Barnacles – photo by Christine Smith People often ask what I do with all photos I take during the summer. It tuns out that sorting and processing photos from the previous season is one of my favorite off-season pastimes. In those images live memories and connections — and sometimes surprises. Details I didn’t notice at first. Small stories waiting […]
- David B Winter Engine Update
David B Winter Engine Update Videos Jeffrey with the HandiBot taking digital measurements of the damaged part of the crankshaft. Before we dive into trip news and winter plans, I wanted to share a quick peek at what’s happening in the engine room. As you might expect with a nearly century-old diesel, every winter […]
- Explore Our 2026 Photo Workshops: Alaska Fjords, Brown Bears, Glacier Bay & San Juan Islands
2026 Photography Workshops Season Preview Get a behind-the-scenes look at our 2026 Photography Workshops aboard the M/V David B. In this preview, we explore all three of our small-group photography trips: Alaska’s Fjords and Coastal Brown Bears Glacier Bay Photography Workshop San Juan Islands Photography Workshop You’ll meet our crew and instructors, learn how each […]
- 2026 Photography Workshops Preview – Zoom Q&A event on December 3rd
Reminder – 2026 Photography Workshops Preview – Zoom Q&A event on December 3rd 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 […]
- Reflections on Our 20th Season Aboard the David B
Reflections on Our 20th Season Aboard the David B 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 […]
- The Need for Trip Insurance
The Need for Trip Insurance – When life has other plans and cancels your David B Adventure. 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 […]
- High Drama in Glacier Bay & Pack Creek Photo Passenger Highlights
Glacier Bay Photography Workshop Highlights The Fairweather Range – photo by John D’Onofrio We wanted to share the following thoughts about our Glacier Bay photography workshop from one of our instructors, John D’Onofrio. High Drama in Glacier Bay By John D’Onofrio As always, I was filled with anticipation as we rounded Point Gustavus and headed up […]
- Meet Earl at Pack Creek
Meet Earl at Pack Creek A faux studio portrait of Earl (created in Lightroom) – by Alan Sanders This spring we met a celebrity during our Pack Creek Photography Workshop, or maybe he’s just a young, hungry bear trying to make a name for himself. Either way, we’re happy to feature him in our newsletter […]
- San Juan Islands 5-day Workshop
San Juan Islands Photography Workshop Mount Baker – photo by John D’Onofrio We wanted to share the following thoughts about our San Juan Islands 5-day photography workshop from one of our instructors, John D’Onofrio. Archipelago of Dreams: The San Juan Islands I’ve been photographing the San Juan Islands for more than 30 years, and I’m still newly amazed at […]
- 20th Season Begins
On Thursday, April 24th, the David B and her crew departed Bellingham’s Squalicum Harbor and is currently heading north through the Canadian Inside Passage to Ketchikan. We had a lovely turnout last weekend with many folks stopping by to tour the boat and talk with the crew during our spring open boat. It is humbling […]