Monday, September 9, 2019 - Pacific Ocean - Alaska Bound

Monday, September 9, 2019

Sunset as the sun sinks into the Pacific last night.

I slept well as usual.   Today is a day at sea.  It is cloudy and misty. 

This ship is very new, just a year old.  Employees are upbeat and welcoming.  Everything gleams.  No dirt, dust or rust.

This morning we attended a video presentation on Alaska.  It turned out to be a poorly disguised advertisement for their shore excursions.  We learned a few tidbits but having done our research on the port cities and booked our excursions while back home we could have passed on this presentation. 

Next we attended an audio presentation on marine mammals of Alaska.  The location where it was held was somewhat loud with people chatter so that wasn’t a great experience.

I’m looking forward to taking a ride on the go-carts.   I know I have ridden on bumper cars at the Blue Hill Fair but I don’t think that I’ve ever ridden in a go-cart.  Maybe I should say it looks especially fun because a tiny part of the track goes out and is suspended over the side of the ship!  They are way up on the top of the ship so we went up to check them out.  Since it was a cool drizzly afternoon not many folks were riding.  We will save that for another day.  This is a bonus because now I get to continue to look forward to it.

I haven’t said much about the ship.  Since we are on such a low, low deck (5 of 14 passenger levels) we feel very little sway but we do occasionally hear a noise that to me sounds like when an airplane is putting down its landing gear.  

The observation lounge and eating areas are up on decks 15-16.  Up there you do feel a gentle sway.  It doesn’t seem to be an issue for anyone.  Our friend Dawn does wear a small patch behind her ear and that has anti-seasickness medicine.  The ocean is calm, no whitecaps or swells in sight.  Today the view is limited to ocean and clouds.

I am loving the concept of cruising.  You travel everyday but don’t have to make connections or move luggage.  There are multiple locations for dining.  Some are included with your passage and some are “select”.  As part of our cruise package we are able to dine at 3 select restaurants free.  Tonight we will check out the Texas BBQ.