Sea chaplain eases cruise fears

  • Kristi O’Harran / Herald Columnist
  • Thursday, April 8, 2004 9:00pm
  • Local News

Most folks don’t go on a cruise so they can go to church.

But in case they desire a bit of the Bible, Bob Bradford of Arlington is at their service.

What a great gig.

Bradford has been a chaplain on 41 cruises, from South America to Sweden.

I was particularly interested in talking to him because to celebrate my upcoming 30th wedding anniversary, we’ll be sailing to the Caribbean with a dozen friends.

Tell me about the job, the food and the shopping, I asked Bradford.

He was more than happy to answer my questions. Bradford is planning to market a series of travel stories, from planning your first cruise to touring in port. I soaked up his expertise like a sponge off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico, our last port stop, where we plan to swim with dolphins and go snuba diving.

That’s right, snuba diving. A company called Sea Trek puts a helmet on your head and pumps oxygen inside, so your hair doesn’t even get wet as you stroll along 20 feet underwater. I’ll up my dosage of anti-anxiety medication to help me face tight quarters and airplane rides and attempt to snuba with one of those underwater toss-away cameras.

I’ll drop by and show you the pictures.

Bradford, 78, received his master’s degree from the University of California and his master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from American Baptist Seminary of the West in California.

While serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he met his future wife, Betty, and they married in 1945. She goes on every cruise with him.

He was on the national staff of the American Baptist Churches USA and retired in 1988 as executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Northwest.

Bradford was an agent for Holland America Line who also books card-playing bridge experts and lecturers. On board, the chaplain does morning ecumenical services and helps in the infirmary when there are serious illnesses or deaths. He conducts Bible studies with Indonesian and Filipino crew members, and is available for one-on- one counseling.

Other than that, he feasts in the main dining rooms, gets gorgeous top-deck rooms or inside cabins with no portholes and sometimes leads tours in port.

Talented passengers and performers often participate in the services. On a recent cruise to South America, a blind harmonica player lent his talent for the service.

For fun, the Bradfords spend part of each December in Hawaii and, go figure, pay for their own cruises; they’ll be heading soon to Alaska. They’ve taken their three children and their grandchildren on ocean trips.

Forming lifelong friendships has been a pleasure, Bradford said. They have cruised with Elliot Roosevelt, late son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; Lady Bird Johnson and her family; Dr. Michael Burke, doctor for the prince of Saudi Arabia; and an ambassador to Rome.

On several occasions, Betty Bradford spoke about her experiences. At 4 years old, her family escaped from Russia into China. After living in Harbin, China, for eight months, the family emigrated to America.

"She gets standing ovations," Bradford said. "And she has heard me speak so often, if I fainted, she could pick up the message in mid-sentence and continue."

The couple seldom unpack before heading back to sea.

"I can’t think of a place I wouldn’t go back to," Bradford said. "It’s all so fascinating."

Cruising wasn’t my first choice for our anniversary vacation. I’m afraid I’ll gain 10 pounds, won’t like the crowds, will dislike drinking processed seawater and won’t get a lounge chair at the small pool.

And what if I get seasick?

Bradford countered that going on a cruise is like joining a new community, with church services, artworks, a casino and neighbors. He even picks up souvenirs for children in his neighborhood at portside shops or takes advantage of duty-free purchases on the ship.

The Bradfords don’t gather knickknacks anymore. Bob Bradford says you collect for 25 years, then dust for 25 years.

I’ll be looking for magnets and key chains in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

"You’ll love it," Bradford said. "You get spoiled on a ship."

At sea, we’ll see.

Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.

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