As we step into 2025, it is a great time to look back on the big milestones of the past year. I want to share one of our biggest achievements from last year. One of the highlights was the Alaska Cruise with a Swaminarayan group of 260 members aboard the Norwegian Bliss. It stands out as a great example of careful planning, smooth execution, and heartfelt service. Though the experience was in July 2024, its impact lasted well beyond that month.
I am sharing this experience today because it shows what makes Flamingo Travels special. Our ability to handle large groups, respect religious needs, and create memorable trips even when things get tough. Join me as I look back at this amazing journey through the beautiful waters of Alaska. As you read, I hope to take you to the heart of this experience and inspire your next adventure with Flamingo Travels.
With 260 Swaminarayan devotees from the USA, London, and India, this 7-day Alaska cruise on the Norwegian Bliss was held in July 2024. The group was led by Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj – the spiritual leader of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. Alaska Cruise Vicharan 2024 was a unique blend of spiritual devotion with natural beauty.
Organizing a group tour for 260 devotees was a challenge that required careful planning and seamless coordination. From the beginning, our team focused on covering every detail to meet the precise needs of the group. To kick off the preparations, a pre-cruise Recce was conducted in February 2024. We took special permission from Norwegian Cruise Line to tour the Norwegian Bliss during its one-day stop in Los Angeles. A team member from Ahmedabad along with 4-5 other group members based in the USA, was a part of this Recce. They looked at every part of the cruise, from cabin layouts and decks to the dining spaces. They also ensured that there were spaces for activities like prayer, meals, and recreation.
Planning a group tour on a cruise is very different from planning a tour on land. You need to think of everything before you start sailing. The planning was detailed and thorough to make sure everything went smoothly. Extra care was taken with dietary needs, which were specific and tied to religious beliefs.
Our team of five split the tasks: one handled food, another took care of stay, and the third and fourth team members looked after logistics and other vital aspects. Our senior management member focused on the needs of Acharya Swamiji Maharaj and other Sants.
Communication was vital. We used multiple ways to keep everyone informed.
The Norwegian Bliss, a 1,094-foot-long ship, was perfect for this spiritual and adventurous trip. Spacious balcony cabins allowed everyone to soak in the beauty of the stunning glaciers and landscapes of Alaska. Special spaces were set aside for morning and evening prayers, Guru Purnima celebrations, and Raas Garba. The observation lounge, Garden Café, and entertainment options onboard added to the experience. All this ensured that the group had moments of leisure and joy when not engaged in spiritual or group activities. The modern features and spacious layout of the ship perfectly fit our group, offering all the amenities we needed for a fulfilling trip.
One of the key highlights of this tour was the customized meal arrangements. The cruise line did something they rarely do – they gave us a dedicated chef coordinator – who used to coordinate with our four chefs to work in their kitchen. Our meal planning was specific to the last detail. We planned every meal carefully, listing exactly how much of each ingredient we needed – like how much flour to make rotis and which spices for the vegetables. It helped the ship’s kitchen prepare fresh Swaminarayan food for our guests throughout the tour. The cruise chef coordinator and team were flexible and adjusted to our needs. This made it easy for us to deliver the customized meals to our group. A dedicated food counter was set up exclusively for this group. This way, everyone in our group could eat home-style, traditional food during the trip.
Spirituality was the core of this journey, and we made sure it was felt in every moment. Our daily routine was based on spiritual activities. Morning aartis were held in Manhattan Room (Deck 7) from 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM, and evening aartis at American Dinner (Deck 17) from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. With the help of cruise staff, we organized lively raas garba events on the observation deck, which was a hit! Everyone joined in dancing and celebrating their shared faith and culture. The entire deck transformed into a vibrant space of traditional dance and music, creating one of the most memorable evenings of our tour. The cruise staff was helpful and friendly. They helped set up every event and made sure everything was in place.
Our trip through Alaska’s Inside Passage explored some of the most stunning spots. The shore excursions were a great addition to the spiritual activities on board. Those who wished to engage in shore excursions had pre-booked their slots in advance. We carefully planned these excursions in designated time slots to ensure a smooth and organized experience for everyone. The route had incredible stops, as below.
Let us be honest – not everything was smooth sailing!
The global airline IT outage in July 2024 was our first big challenge. With group members flying from the USA, London, and India, the system crash caused major flight delays. Our team worked nonstop, coordinating with airlines and helping members rebook flights to make sure everyone got to Seattle on time for the cruise.
One of our biggest last-minute tasks was loading a large truck filled with important religious items like malas, prayer mats, texts, and Prasad. The cruise staff was cooperative and handled everything carefully, making sure it was done quickly despite the limited time. The real challenge was organizing these items onboard. We had to store prasad, religious texts, and prayer materials in a way that kept them safe and easy to access for daily use.
To add a personal touch, we gifted all guests a unique red backpack on the second day, following evening prayers. This practical gift, which folded into a compact pouch, was well-received and became a cherished memory of the trip.
The warmth and appreciation of this group made this tour even more special. On the final day, in a touching gesture, the group honoured each Flamingo team member with a shawl – a moment that will stay with us forever. What made us especially happy was hearing how much everyone enjoyed the Raas Garba event and our planned shore excursions. The group appreciated how we took care of all the little details – from their daily prayers to their meals – making them feel at home even at sea.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on our special Alaska Cruise Vicharan tour. The Flamingo team and our amazing volunteers worked hard to make everything perfect. From planning before we set sail to taking care of every detail during the cruise, they made sure everyone had a wonderful time. Our guests were touched by the warmth and care shown throughout the journey. The memories created during this cruise will stay with us forever, and we are grateful to both the organizers and Flamingo staff who made it all possible. Thanks to their hard work, everyone on the cruise had an amazing time.
Looking back, this wasn’t just another cruise – it was a perfect blend of spiritual devotion and holiday fun. Managing 260 people, organizing daily prayers, arranging special meals, and exploring Alaska together – it all came together beautifully. The Alaska Cruise Vicharan 2024 was more than a tour. It was a spiritual trip that brought people together through faith, adventure, and meticulous planning. Flamingo Travels is proud to have been a part of this extraordinary journey. Thanks to the friendly staff on the Norwegian Bliss ship, our helpful team, and most of all, our happy guests who joined us, this trip was one we will always remember. Making this trip special for everyone made us happy. We cannot wait to plan more wonderful trips like this.
Book your Alaska Tour Packages with Flamingo Travels now, contact us today!
