Page 4 www.lux-review.com LUX 2022 Travel & Tourism Awards Celebrating its 50th year anniversary in 2021, Stan Stephens Cruises began back in 1971 as North Star Marine Charters, operating fishing and hunting charters on its first boat, the 26-foot motor vessel, Mary Helen. Initially, the company was run by the husband-andwife team, Stan and Mary Helen Stephens, however, the company has since become a family affair. In 1978, Stan Stephens Cruises provided its first tour to the Columbia Glacier – an excursion that would change the face of the company for good. Since that very day, Stan, Mary, their daughters, and team have worked tirelessly to develop their operations and increase awareness of Valdez and the Sound amongst travellers. Stan Stephens Cruises has an extensive and fascinating history. Since its founding, the company has strived to protect the environment, and has taken the conservation of the unique eco-system seriously. However, on Good Friday 1989, an incident would change the lives of many of the Prince William Sound’s residents. One of Exxon Corporation’s tankers, the Exxon Valdez, ran aground on Bligh Reef during a voyage from Valdez, Alaska, to California. This resulted in a catastrophic oil spill, in which 11,000,000 Explore the ice-carved landscape of Valdez, Alaska with Stan Stephens Cruises, as you plunge into the scenic world that lies ahead. From viewing magnificent glaciers to spotting orcas, the company’s excursions through the calm waters of Prince William Sound are truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Indeed, for up to eight hours, Stan Stephens Cruises frees you from the mundane day-to-day and transports you into a breathtaking environment where you can truly be harmonious with the natural world. Jan22210 Stan Stephens Cruises Leading Glacier & Cruise Tours of the Year - Alaska gallons of North Slope crude oil spread across the sound, leaving 1,300 miles of shoreline, as well as adjacent waters, polluted. Some of the Stan Stephens Cruises fleet played a role in the clean-up efforts and were some of the first to carry response observers to the site. It is safe to say that over the years Stan Stephens Cruises has cultivated a team of local experts – indeed, the Stephens family lives in Valdez year-round. Moreover, the staff are all from Valdez or elsewhere in Alaska, which ensures a level of unbeatable customer service, as the company encourages guests to directly interact with the team to ask questions or learn about the local area. Additionally, each staff member makes an investment of time to sustain and better the community by volunteering with associations that support the local commercial fishing and tourism industries, community, and the environment. Be it the 7.5 to 8-hour tour of the Meares Glacier or the 6-hour Columbia Glacier Cruise, Stan Stephens Cruises endeavours to provide an awe-inspiring experience. For example, tours offer guests the opportunity to view some of the local wildlife, including sea otters, harbour seals, sea lions, humpback and orca whales, porpoise, eagles, puffins, cormorants, and more. En route, the captain details the immense history of the Prince of Wales Sound, from the early explorers, gold and copper mining, oil shipping, commercial fishing, and the 1964 Earthquake. Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has had a great impact on the company, the upcoming year is set to be filled with exciting new prospects. Stan Stephens Cruises have taken the events of the past few years as a chance to look internally and redevelop its operational steps, safety protocols, cleaning processes, and staffing. This season it is looking forward to hosting new guests from across the globe, welcoming them to the striking habitat. Contact: Colleen Stephens Company: Stan Stephens Cruises Web Address: https://www.stephenscruises.com/
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