Gaither Alaska Cruise

[jwcoopusa]

One thing that is neat in Juneau and free is the Shrine of St. Therese which has a lovely labyrinth to walk and some of the best scenery to boot. It was another place where I saw whales.

 

St. Louis Sal

 

Thanks for heads up on this location, SLS! I went to their website and found some very interesting history, as well as the faith-based information.

 

http://www.shrineofsainttherese.org/

 

I hadn't seen this when researching Juneau. Glad you shared.

 

-jwcusa-

[cruznon]

As I read this , I wondered what a Gaither is... Then reading on, they are a gospel singing group, correct? Just curious...

Hope you have a great cruise!

[jwcoopusa]

As I read this , I wondered what a Gaither is... Then reading on, they are a gospel singing group, correct? Just curious...

Hope you have a great cruise!

 

Actually, the "Gaithers" is a GROUP of gospel singing groups - and individuals - if that makes any sense. Bill & Gloria Gaither are the core, but through the years they've drawn a multitude of gospel groups and individuals around them that make any Gaither Gathering a production which - to the faithful - must not be missed. Each production features different groups and individuals, while the "Homecoming" gatherings try to bring ALL the performers together.

 

Here's a link to some of the featured artists: http://www.gaither.com/artists.php My personal favorite is Ernie Haas and the Signature Sound - which unfortunately are not scheduled for this cruise - but the Gaither Vocal Band is #1A on my list. And Lynda Randle is #1AA, if I must.

 

If you'd like to watch some of their performances, here are some links you might follow:

 

Ernie Haas & the Signature Sound

This is a YouTube video with The Signature Sound AND The Gaither Vocal Band teaming to sing "I Then Shall Live." Take the time to watch it and you'll be treated to one of the best gospel sounds ever.

Lynda Randle

A YouTube video with Lynda singing "I'm Free." This lady will find you with your mouth open in awe at her rich voice. I double-dog-dare-you to watch her w/o feeling.....

 

Yeah, I know. I'm kinda off-topic here, but I just want those who've never experienced the Gaithers to have a chance to find out what a great cruise is going to include. We're so blessed to be included in this particular one.

 

-jwcusa-

[DFD1]

Bill and Gloria Gaither have created an empire by bringing great gospel singers and groups together all around the world in large concerts.

 

The Gaither Homecoming concerts have played Belfast, Sydney, London, Israel and all of the major markets in the US and are a regular feature on several cable television stations. They sometimes draw 20,000 people or more.

 

They are major marketers of gospel dvds and cds.

 

They do complete charters twice each year on HAL, one to the Caribbean and one to Alaska. They always sell out at premium prices.

 

Bill and Gloria Gaither, both of whom are fine song writers, have had a remarkable impact on the increased popularity of gospel music around the world.

[Overtime4me2]

jwcoopusa,

 

ENJOY your Gaither cruise to Alaska!!!! 1999 was my very first cruise and it was a Gaither cruise on the Statendam. I have wonderful memories and had a concert every night! It was awesome. I promised myself to go again within a year or two and life got in the way. I finally made it on another cruise last year (not Gaither). Wanted to do it again this year with Gaithers, but with the prices being so good, I got a better deal for 2 weeks on the Ryndam. I will definitely be thinking of you though as you'll be on your cruise the same week we are on our first week. I'll miss the great music. I heard from the Gaither site that your cruise is also going to be a video-taping which will be fun!

 

We were fortunate enough to cruise with Jake Hess and also the Goodman's in 1999, who have since passed on.

 

ENJOY!!!! :)

 

 

[jwcoopusa]

j I will definitely be thinking of you though as you'll be on your cruise the same week we are on our first week. I'll miss the great music. I heard from the Gaither site that your cruise is also going to be a video-taping which will be fun!

 

We were fortunate enough to cruise with Jake Hess and also the Goodman's in 1999, who have since passed on.

 

ENJOY!!!! :)

 

Overtime4me2,

 

Thank you so much for your thoughts and comments.

 

We would have loved to cruised with both Jake and the Goodmans, and are somewhat disappointed that Ernie Haas and the Signature Sound are not on this cruise, but count our blessings, nonetheless. We greatly admire Lynda Randall, as well as the Gaither Vocal Band, and of course, Bill & Gloria.

 

The video shoot is going to be interesting. It will be held on the Lido Aft Deck, of which we have no knowledge............yet. It is @ 2PM on the day we had planned to experience the White Pass Summit Rail trip, but since we've ridden the steam railway to Silverton, Colorado, that White Pass trip won't be all that missed..............

 

The Gaither scheduling does pose somewhat of a dilemma for us, as many of their events conflict with shore excursions we had hoped to make. (Including the video shoot, as mentioned above) We consider it a blessing, however, to have such enjoyable problems!:o

 

Again, thanks for your thoughts and comments. Best wishes on your own cruise. (And trust me, I appreciate your comment about the prices on other cruises being so enticing...............)

 

-jwcusa-

[minus]

Just wondering why they would close the bars & casinos?

[jwcoopusa]

Just wondering why they would close the bars & casinos?

 

I'm assuming because this a faith-based cruise, the faiths of which as a rule does not support the use of alcohol or gambling.

 

Just guessing..............

 

-jwcusa-

[DFD1]

It is a faith based cruise charter. The music is traditional gospel. If one enjoys gospel music, those in this group are about the best in the business.

[Overtime4me2]

Overtime4me2,

 

Thank you so much for your thoughts and comments.

 

We would have loved to cruised with both Jake and the Goodmans, and are somewhat disappointed that Ernie Haas and the Signature Sound are not on this cruise, but count our blessings, nonetheless. We greatly admire Lynda Randall, as well as the Gaither Vocal Band, and of course, Bill & Gloria.

 

The video shoot is going to be interesting. It will be held on the Lido Aft Deck, of which we have no knowledge............yet. It is @ 2PM on the day we had planned to experience the White Pass Summit Rail trip, but since we've ridden the steam railway to Silverton, Colorado, that White Pass trip won't be all that missed..............

 

The Gaither scheduling does pose somewhat of a dilemma for us, as many of their events conflict with shore excursions we had hoped to make. (Including the video shoot, as mentioned above) We consider it a blessing, however, to have such enjoyable problems!:o

 

Again, thanks for your thoughts and comments. Best wishes on your own cruise. (And trust me, I appreciate your comment about the prices on other cruises being so enticing...............)

 

-jwcusa-

 

Just wondering how your cruise went? I hope you enjoyed it. I thought of you and actually "saw" the Zaandam on the day you were supposed to be in Skagway and the weather caused you not to make it. We were supposed to be docking in Haines and due to high winds.....we didn't make it either, but while we were waiting outside of Haines, the Zaandam went by. I took a couple of pics of it.

 

We had a great time on our 14 day cruise on the Ryndam. I hope you had a great time on your Gaither cruise.

 

We're going to a GVB concert tomorrow (on the 11th)....can't wait!!

:)

[jwcoopusa]

 

Just wondering how your cruise went? I hope you enjoyed it.

:)

Thanks for asking! I'm recovering from knee replacement surgery right now, so haven't spent much time on the 'net, but plan to do a comprehensive report on the experience sometime "soon."

 

Yes, we were disappointed not to have gotten to spend time in Skagway - nor Victoria, as it turned out - but the Gaithers made it up to us by providing extra concerts. That's the one thing I regret - but yet DON'T regret - about the cruise. We were enjoying so many Gaither gatherings of one sort or another that we missed some of the cruising experiences such as passing by other cruise liners and such. But would I trade it for the Gaither stuff? Na uh!

 

In fact, as a result of the Gaithers not being able to do most of their Alaska Homecoming Video in Skagway itself, they did a more extensive video shoot on the aft deck of the Zaandam during our trip through the Tracy Arm. Although the experience was cold, wet, and windy, it was outstanding, and we were blessed with an extended period of Gaither magic with an Alaska backdrop. (For a Gaither description and links to some pics, visit http://www.gaither.com/events/newsdetail.php?newsid=82)

 

A fine rookie experience, it was. We hope it wasn't our last........

 

-jwcusa-

[Overtime4me2]

Thanks for asking! I'm recovering from knee replacement surgery right now, so haven't spent much time on the 'net, but plan to do a comprehensive report on the experience sometime "soon."

 

Yes, we were disappointed not to have gotten to spend time in Skagway - nor Victoria, as it turned out - but the Gaithers made it up to us by providing extra concerts. That's the one thing I regret - but yet DON'T regret - about the cruise. We were enjoying so many Gaither gatherings of one sort or another that we missed some of the cruising experiences such as passing by other cruise liners and such. But would I trade it for the Gaither stuff? Na uh!

 

In fact, as a result of the Gaithers not being able to do most of their Alaska Homecoming Video in Skagway itself, they did a more extensive video shoot on the aft deck of the Zaandam during our trip through the Tracy Arm. Although the experience was cold, wet, and windy, it was outstanding, and we were blessed with an extended period of Gaither magic with an Alaska backdrop. (For a Gaither description and links to some pics, visit http://www.gaither.com/events/newsdetail.php?newsid=82)

 

A fine rookie experience, it was. We hope it wasn't our last........

 

-jwcusa-

Yes, please do post a review, that would be nice!

 

Glad you enjoyed it. I know they do a really nice job of concerts and small venues with individual artists throughout the cruise.

 

We too were disappointed in not making Haines, but that's how it goes sometimes. What happened in Victoria? Bad weather there too?

 

Looking forward to your review! :)

[2bout2c]

Something of interest for all Holland America Fans. "Love in Any Language" was written by a Gaither regular guest, Sandy Patti.

[Old Thorny]

My drinkin' days are long gone and my grandkids have got all the $$ I might use in the casinos, so HAL wouldn't like me much on a regular cruise anyway. But I don't mind my $$ going to the Gaithers, as we've always found ways to go to their concerts at VERY high prices, considering..............

 

In fact, we've booked seats in Tulsa for the Gaither Tour there in November.

 

Thanks for the observation, though.

 

-jwcusa-

 

Just can't get enuf' of those gospel folks, I guess...............

 

jwcoopusa,

 

We (my wife & I ) are booked on the Alaskan Gaither Criuse this coming August (2011). We'd love to hear of your experiences.

[RuthC]

jwcoopusa,

 

We (my wife & I ) are booked on the Alaskan Gaither Criuse this coming August (2011). We'd love to hear of your experiences.

jwcoopusa hasn't posted to Cruise Critic in almost two years.

Don't be surprised if your request is not answered.

[Old Thorny]

I come from a land down under.

We are heading for our first cruise and it is a Gaither Alaksan Cruise this August. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

[Old Thorny]

Thanks, RuthC

 

I'd really like a full run down on what to expect.:rolleyes: