You Know You're an Alaska Interpreter When...

Two CareVacations Sign Language Interpreters returned from their recent assignment on an Alaska cruise and wanted to share a little insight on exactly what it means to be an ASL Interpreter in Alaska! 

Lindsey K. Doin' What She Does Best... in Alaska, Of Course!

You Know You Are an Alaska Cruise Interpreter When…

1. While interpreting an excursion you get peed on by Alaskan sled dogs. 
2. You interpret in a room at -46 degrees that is attempting to simulate Iditarod racing conditions. 
3. While interpreting on the sun deck you find yourself in multiple layers of clothing, including a rain poncho and the gloves and scarf you just purchased from the on-board shopping center. 
4. You could give a lecture on the formation of glaciers in your sleep, and in fact you do to your bunk-mate/team interpreter in the middle of the night. 
5. You can sign ‘LOOK WHALE’ faster than any interpreter on the planet. 
6. Words like Tlingit and Haida become part of your everyday vocabulary. (Pronounced Cling-It and Hide-A) 
7. You suddenly find yourself becoming very excited over the whale tale, totem pole, and moose charms your clients have collected for free at every port. 
8. You are an expert at interpreting any and all Sarah Palin jokes. “You Betcha!” 
9. Free coffee has never been more appreciated. Between [in]terp[ret]ing turns, the warm coffee is necessary to keep the fast fingers from freezing

And finally... 

10. You start to wonder just how many more film cases of gold flakes you’ll need to pan for to be able to pay for your own Alaska vacation.

THANK YOU, LINDSEY & JAMEE!

About CareVacations: Serving the cruise industry for more than 20 years, CareVacations is the leading provider of mobility scooters, wheelchairs, Oxygen, and other special needs equipment for cruise passengers with disabilities and aging travelers. Working hand in hand with all major cruise lines and disability experts, and partnering closely with the travel agent community since 1988, CareVacations name is synonymous with trust, reliability, and quality. Our team is comprised of the best and most knowledgeable experts from their respective cruise industry-related fields, and combined with our longevity and reputation for excellence, CareVacations has helped enable thousands of cruisers experience their dreams of travel and adventure come true. Our services are available in cruise ports around the world and our customer service representatives are available to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

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