I was only in for a couple of years, but in that time I went around the world twice in two different directions (though probably half of those were air miles). They still teach celestial navigation because you never know when the GPS system will flake out on you; and I took it upon myself to take the extra effort to be the best celestial navigator onboard. However, don't ask me to pick out Antares or Arcturus now! But when you do it every day, you know where to look automatically; there are several certain stars that become your friends: you know their names, and you know which gap in the clouds to look for them to get that extra glimpse you need to get a good fix.

But actually, at a high altitude location in a place like Arizona, you're better off for stargazing than in the middle of the ocean wilderness. Also, the sunsets are better closer to land, than out in the middle of the ocean; though I have seen the green flash a few times!