Nancy – Training and Transportation Supervisor

I first started working for in 2002 as a driver-guide in Ketchikan, Alaska. I had recently graduated from college and wanted to take one year off before I committed to graduate school. I saw an ad for AlaskaTourJobs.com on the internet and I applied on a whim. I had applied after the training deadline, so I didn’t think I had a chance. Once I had an interview, things moved pretty quickly. I interviewed on a Thursday, accepted the position that Friday, quit my job in New Jersey on Monday and I landed in Ketchikan Thursday afternoon, only one week after my interview! I really enjoyed my time down in Southeast Alaska, I still miss swimming in the frigid water, the sunsets, the mountains rising right out of the ocean, the fishing, the smell of the rainforest, the way it can rain sideways, front ways, upside-down, etc.
But after four years of driving the same 35 miles of road on the island, I was ready to see more of Alaska. I chose to apply to Fairbanks because of its location. I was not disappointed. Because I had been a driving instructor in Ketchikan, I was asked if I wanted to come up in February and train drivers in Fairbanks. I thought moving to Fairbanks in February sounded like a great adventure, so I did. I was a driver-guide and a trainer in Fairbanks for two years, before I accepted my current position as the Training, Safety and Transportation Supervisor.
Working for Princess and Holland America has been an amazing experience for me. I have gotten a chance see so much of Alaska as I drove my coach down several different highways. I’ve met some amazing people, both co-workers and guests, and have formed lifelong friendships with many of them. I’ve also gotten to take 14 cruises with Princess. I’ve actually been to every continent with Princess (including Antarctica – twice!!) and have gotten to see so much of the world, from walking with penguins, snorkeling in Bora Bora and the Great Barrier Reef, catacombs in Italy, safaris in South Africa, riding a camel at the Pyramids of Giza, going to a Chilean rodeo, getting lost at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, just to name a few. I’ve really enjoyed working for Princess and Holland America, whether it’s been showing guests around this great state, helping new drivers learn to drive a motor coach, or working on helping things run smoothly in the office, I can’t think of a better way to have spent the last 7 summers of my life.