Today was the day for a 5 hour scenic cruising. Many ships go to Glacier Bay but our ship was scheduled to see the Tracy Arm. I'm not really sure of the difference. The scenic time was from 5:00 am to 10:00 am. We woke up at 5:20 and were on the deck by 5:30. We were very surprised to see so many people up already. We got a nice table right at the window and then we took turns going out on the deck. It was so cold I knew we wouldn't stand there all that time. It looked like we had entered a fjord with steep mountains on each side. After a few minutes I started noticing something in the water. As we continued I realized they we ice burgs. I heard an announcement that we were not in the Tracy Arm but a different glacier fjord. Had we been up earlier we would have seen the ship try to enter, but due to so much ice
we had to turn around, so that is why we went up to this glacier. It was very beautiful. The fjord ended at the glacier so we could only get so close, then the captain turned the ship around a couple times so everyone could see, then we went back out. I think our scenic cruising only lasted until 7:30 or so. I suspect Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay are more amazing than what we saw, but our trip was beautiful too.
We are at sea the rest of today and tomorrow, then we get to Victoria. So in the meantime we eat, and eat some more, and some more, take naps, read books, etc.
Just got an announcement from the captain. Gale winds ahead, secure everything in your cabin and hold on to the rails while walking! Yikes! I hate that! I guess the swells are suppose to be 3-5 meters- isn't that 9-15 feet? Help! I just applied another patch, hope it works soon!
So now we have been at it for 7 hours or so. Oh me, oh my! Scary, sickening and also kind of disoriented. It is now worse than last week. The ship moves back and forth and side by side. It pounds, makes you feel like you are on a roller coaster. We hear all the noise from bangs, rambling, doors crashing, and occasionally you here people woo-ing. I think it makes people feel insecure. This may just be what could dampen my spirits about cruising again. But my past experience has been good, so it may just be these oceans we are going through. If I was allowed off and could fly home I might just take them up on offer. It is really that bad!
But at the same time, Alaska is breathtaking!
Ok, so another "hit" of some kind. Maybe just hitting huge waves, but it feels scary. We have been told to secure all of our belongings. Unfortunately, I would love to get off the ship. I'll just hope tomorrow is a good day.
We went to a special steak house for dinner ( a gift from our travel agent ) sadly, we are eating so much that we never seem hungry, and with ship in movement, waiters dropping things, etc. so, on a better day we would have enjoyed it more. The food was very good and in a quiet environment, and near a window....not sure if that was a good choice seeing the huge waves.
........So, now being the next day, we heard that the waves last night were 25 ft. and winds of 65 knots (55 mph?) they closed off the top deck of the ship due to it being too dangerous. Talking with experienced cruisers, no one has been on a ship with this rough of seas!
But don't the girls look cute and happy!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
