Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Nuliaq Mean?
- Seasickness?
- Trip lengths?
- Emergencies?
- On-board activities?
- Best times of year?
- Combined groups?
- Group sizes?
- The menu?
- Special dietary needs?
- Children & pets?
- Getting to Valdez?
- What to bring?
- Pricing?
- Dates Availabe?
- Credit Cards?
- Contacting Us?
What does Nuliaq mean?
Nuliaq (pronounced new-lee-ack) is an Inupiat (Eskimo) word
that means "Sea Wife","True Wife" or "True Love".
The name is a reflection of the love of cruising we have enjoyed with
our clients since 1985.
Will it be rough -- will I get seasick?
It is extremely unlikely you will get seasick. Nuliaq is a large, stable
vessel and Prince William Sound has a myriad of coves and miles of protected
waters. We will find you a quiet passage if you feel you will be uncomfortable.
How long are your trips?
They can be as long as your schedule allows. We recommend 4 days minimum
because of the variety of activities, distances and sights we cover. Most
clients charter for 4 to 7 days their first trip. Repeat clients usually
want longer trips after their first charter with us.
Can we be contacted on the boat in an emergency?
Yes, usually by a call to the marine operator or the Coast Guard. Our
cell phone works out in the open areas, but usually not at night when
we are anchored in a secluded cove.
What will I do on a boat all day?
Many first time cruisers don't know if they will really like living on
a boat. After the first day they usually can't believe how fast the day
went. We are lways within sight of land and the pristine scenery is continually
changing. Usually a simple "What's that over there?" gives the
captain an excuse to explore another cove, hike an alpine ridge, or chack
out a good beach combing spot.
We've been cruising Prince William Sound for 16 summers and always end
the season with a list of new places to explore the following year. See,
"What Others Say" or
follow the link to the Nuliaq
News.
When is the best time to view whales
and bears, and catch salmon or halibut?
May - Young sea life, halibut, rock fish, bears, birds
June - Halibut, rock fish, whales, young sea and bird life, bears
July - Halibut, salmon, bears, whales, sea and bird life
August - Silver salmon, whales, bears and sea and bird life
Will you put us with another groups?
No, we do not mix groups. Different people have different agendas. Although
it is more economical for four people than for two, we believe your experience
will be more rewarding if you are doing what you enjoy with people you
want to share your time with.
How many people can we bring?
It depends upon how much privacy you want. Nuliaq is certified for 12
overnight. Generally, groups range in size from 2 to 6. We have two staterooms
that each accommodate 3 people (one double and one twin bunk)and the master
stateroom with one queen-sized bed. Additional sleeping room is available
on the two large convertible dinettes in the pilot house and salon.
Do we have to fish and eat seafood
all the time?
Only if you want to. We pride ourselves in our menus and are happy to
cook your catch. We can satisfy the health or junk food addict, seafood
freak or the meat and potato lover.
I have special dietary needs. Will
this be a problem?
We have a compact but full-sized galley and have served a variety of foods
over the years. Unless you require rare or exotic foods, chances are you
will have no problem as long as you advise us ahead of time. Our only
caveat is that we do operate out of Valdez which is a small town and sometimes
special foods are not available.
What about bringing children and pets?
No pets. Period. We try to provide a pleasant, relaxing cruise in an adult
environment. We prefer not to take young children we do not know. (We
do require that everyone under 13 years old wears a lifejacket at all
times on deck.) Children can feel bored and restricted. Coupled with the
confines of a boat, it could be a difficult trip for everyone..
How do I get to Valdez and the Nuliaq?
Era Aviation has several 45-minute flights a day from Anchorage. You can
also drive to Valdez from Fairbanks (7 hours) or Anchorage (6 hours).
There is daily bus service from Anchorage to Valdez and 3-day/week service
to Valdez from Fairbanks.
What should I bring?
We provide all food, linens, and fishing gear. We do not provide liquor.
We also have many games and books onboard. Bring your camera and lots
of film plus casual, comfortable clothing for temperatures between 50
and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It is cool near the glaciers and it can be
windy on the water in the afternoons. Waterproof boots are handy, but
not essential. If you do not have any waterproof gear, we keep a couple
extra rain jackets, pants and boots you may use. 
What are your rates for Summer 2007?
|
The Following rates are for trips of 4 days or
less:
|
|
|
Number
of People
|
Price
per person per day
|
| 2 Passengers | $700/person/day |
| 4 or more passengers | $600/person/day |
|
For special events or longer trips
please email or call us for a price quotes
|
|
Do you have any dates available this summer?
To check our Summer 2007 schedule call us at (907) 458-8283.
We are not set up to take credit cards at this time.
How can I get in touch with you?
Although we have phones and email, when we are at sea during the summer
it may take up to a week for us to get back to you. You can leave a message
for us on our Valdez phone (907) 835-8283 during the summer. In
the winter (September - May) you can reach us through (907) 458-8283
in Fairbanks. We check our email daily when in Fairbanks or at the Valdez
dock. We do not have access to our email while away from the dock.
If you need a price quote for your special group or have additional questions,
please feel free to contact us by filling in the form below. (We will
not pass this information on to anyone else.)