The enterprise of journey is booming in Seward

Going to Seward in April is totally completely different from a midsummer go to.

There’s no visitors and no downside discovering a spot to park. The streets are large open, with out {the summertime} throngs watching the Mount Marathon race or buying and selling fish tales on the Seward Alehouse.

But there’s a hum within the air. The entire neighborhood is gearing up for a giant summer season. Downtown, there’s a brand new new cruise ship dock underneath building. Also, the Harbor360 Hotel is underneath building, including extra rooms on the water.

The Alaska Sealife Center is open for guests and its workers is busy with its analysis and rehabilitation applications. The AVTEC (Alaska Vocational Technical Center) campus hosts college students from across the state.

There’s a brand new course at AVTEC this yr, taught by native brewer Greg Haas. It’s a enterprise class, but it surely provides a glimpse into some distinctive experiences for vacationers in search of one thing fully completely different. In truth, the scholars are competing for a $20,000 prize in a “Shark Tank” format, sponsored by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Port Partner program.

Several of Haas’ college students honed their enterprise concepts whereas engaged on the bigger tour boats that function between March and October.

Kenai Fjords Tours and Major Marine Tours began springtime wildlife cruises final month. Both provide a 20% low cost for Alaskans who wish to get out on the water and see birds, marine mammals and the placing landscapes of Resurrection Bay.

Sailing on Major Marine’s Skana earlier this month, everybody had on a number of further layers for the four-hour cruise of Resurrection Bay. The longer cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park don’t begin till May. But there’s nonetheless loads to see on the shore and within the water.

Though the ship has two heated decks, everybody needs to face exterior to get a very good take a look at the ocean lions hauled out on the rocks or the Dall porpoise taking part in within the ship’s surf as we make our manner up the japanese shore of the bay. You positively want hat, gloves and an additional layer to fend off the ocean breeze. Have a raincoat helpful, as sprinkles are a typical incidence!

Captain Chris Danzl has a very good eye for wildlife, along with his skipper duties. It was uncommon to see a humpback whale in April. Danzl maintained a respectful distance and tracked the whale for a number of minutes close to Fox Island earlier than transferring on to see sea lions hauled out on the rocks.

Danzl apologized that it was just a little early to see puffins, however there have been 1000’s of white kittiwakes nesting alongside the steep cliffs alongside the shore. In the water, there have been 1000’s of black widespread murres on the brink of dive for his or her meals.

The bigger boats provide an amazing alternative to get nearer to nature. That’s a giant a part of Seward’s attract — and a few of Haas’ college students wish to leverage that in new methods.

Clay Lambert is a former fourth grade instructor. He’s spent summers as a ship captain for smaller excursions of Resurrection Bay. Now, he’s constructing a brand new 36-foot touchdown craft in Palmer to launch his personal firm, Wild Fjord Tours.

“Ours will be the only boat of its kind in Seward,” mentioned Lambert. “We offer a more personal experience on the water.”

Lambert will solely take as much as six folks to see glaciers and wildlife. “With a new boat, we have all the bells and whistles — plus we can land on the beach,” he mentioned.

Haas teaches the category, however he additionally took the course when it was supplied beforehand by Seward businessman Tom Tougas. For a number of years, Tougas supplied the category in Seward by way of the University of Alaska. But this yr, Haas designed the curriculum with AVTEC.

Haas took the course as a result of he needed an off-ramp after he retired from the U.S. Coast Guard. As a house brewer, he was trying to hone his abilities and make his beer desires come true together with his enterprise: Stoney Creek BrewHouse.

Haas’ college students vary from excessive schoolers to senior residents, however all are enthusiastic about their plans to contribute to the neighborhood in Seward. And then there’s the $20,000 prize for the “Shark Tank” problem.

Kat Georgia was a kayak information in Seward when the wheels began turning about constructing a enterprise. Then she labored with Marathon Helicopters on the Seward Airport.

There have been numerous steps in between, however the finish result’s a yurt at Bear Glacier, on the western shore of Resurrection Bay.

“It’s called the Iceberg Inn at Bear Glacier and it’s accessible only by helicopter,” mentioned Georgia. “People want to slow down and have a more intimate experience with nature.”

A go to to the yurt contains the round-trip helicopter journey, entry to a wood-burning cedar sauna and guided kayak journeys on the Bear Glacier Lagoon.

“We even offer elopement packages for the right adventure-loving couple,” Georgia mentioned.

Tours and actions for vacationers are an vital sector for Seward. But it’s not the one one. Students in Haas’ class have particular plans for year-round greenhouses, a lumber yard, infrastructure for Seward’s vibrant arts neighborhood and an previous tour bus that’s been renovated right into a retail house.

Heather Bardarson and her husband are constructing out Seward’s solely full-service automotive store. But she additionally rents out her residence in the summertime and strikes her household into their camper.

“I would love to own some cabins and not have to move my family in the summer,” mentioned Bardarson. “My dream is to have a modern Scandinavian-style retreat.”

Haas’ class at AVTEC, with its consideration to element on the enterprise of enterprise (money stream, insurance coverage, employment points and a transparent marketing strategy) helps college students hone their concepts and improve their possibilities of success. And one in all them could get a $20,000 “Shark Tank” increase!