Ketchikan Students Learn About
The Visitor Services Industry
September 17, 2004
Friday
Ketchikan, Alaska - This week
fifth-grade Ketchikan students are visiting magnificent cruise
ships as part of a Visitor Services Industry Curriculum established
8 years ago by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District.
Under the leadership and vision of Dean Vincent and the late
Kris Geldaker this program of study was developed and later adopted
in Sitka and Juneau.
Tour Guide Kelvyn
Photo courtesy Mark O'Brien, Houghtaling 5th Grade Teacher
Each school has a box of curricular materials, sample menus and
daily newsletters from a ship, writing extensions, math extensions,
and a selection of literature with nautical or sea-ocean themes.
Children can examine careers on board, science as applied to
pollution control, and national origin - as many ships have over
60 different nations represented in their crew.
Culmination or central to the
learning is a tour of a cruise ship. The nine members of the
Northwest Cruise Ship Association have all provided tours over
the years. Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity,
Norwegian, and Crystal Cruise Lines among others, have given
Ketchikan's 5th Grade students quality learning experiences during
the season.
Andi Skultka and Shermeli
Malabanan at the pool on Sapphire Princess.
Photo courtesy Mark O'Brien, Houghtaling 5th Grade Teacher
Students usually board a vessel and have a group photo taken
by a ship's photographer. The group is then split into two groups
for a tour. The 45-minute tour visits the public areas of the
ship including the sports decks, gym and spas, restaurants, libraries,
kids game areas, theaters, and the atriums. Sometimes, depending
on Security levels in place, children may visit the bridge or
engine control room as well as the galley areas. Student groups
at times have been able to witness ice carving in the kitchen
areas and show or musical practice in the theaters.
Demetrius Milne on
the Sapphire Princess.
Photo courtesy Mark O'Brien, Houghtaling 5th Grade Teacher
After the tour a 20-minute question and answer period is held
and the students have an opportunity to ask their questions.
Afterwards it's time for lunch in grand style - such as pizza,
hot dogs, burgers... or occasionally a visit to the Buffet in
one of the ship's restaurants.
Students enjoying view.
Photo courtesy Mark O'Brien, Houghtaling 5th Grade Teacher
Many shipping lines also provide souvenir items for the students
as well.
This Fall from Houghtaling
School Mr. Larsen and Mr. O'Brien's classes had a tour on the
Sapphire Princess, while Ms. Morris' class joined Ms. Hanson's
Class from Holy Name School for a tour onboard the Norwegian
Sun. Students were picked up at school by coaches provided by
Princess Tours and Gray Line of Alaska.
Friday the Tongass School of
the Arts and Sciences joins the Charter School for a tour on
the Norwegian Star.
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