Live from the Maasdam-14 night Alaska

[maureencruiser]

That night, the Captain announced we would be facing the remnants of Hurricane Lester. He predicted winds of 35 knots and 10 foot swells with heavy rain. He said (three times) that the ship could withstand it. Was he convincing us or himself?

 

They tied down all the deck chairs.

 

 

And, out came the sick bags.

 

 

It was pretty bad, but we made it through the night.

[maureencruiser]

Friday

 

Friday was Sitka day and I had an excursion to go see otters! Sea otters!

 

Up in the buffet, things weren't looking good.

 

Everybody was walking sideways and plates and coffee cups were sliding off tables.

 

The listing didn't concern me, but, the leaking did.

 

Water was coming through the ceiling and dripping onto the counters below.

 

 

The floor was covered in towels.

 

Periodically, I'd hear a crash from the galley as a tray full of something fell onto the floor.

 

The bowl full of eggs never had a chance.

 

 

Finally, they brought in some officers to inspect things.

 

 

They promptly shut down that side of the buffet.

 

We weren't allowed out on the decks, either.

 

[maureencruiser]

We were delayed getting into Sitka because of the storm and it was miserable there, dreary and raining.

 

I wouldn't have been disappointed if they canceled the excursion, but, it was on.

 

Here I am holding an eagle feather.

 

 

There was a lot of mumbling and grumbling going on. We couldn't see anything, the windows were so fogged up. Nobody went upstairs to the observation deck.

 

 

The only wildlife I saw for the first two hours was Raylene.

 

 

They were doing the best they could, passing around samples of trees, kelp, etc.

 

I was thinking if we returned to town, I could get some shopping in.

 

Then, finally, a whale waved us over to watch him.

 

 

Just as quickly, he was gone.

 

[maureencruiser]

But, luckily for us, dreary and rainy seemed to be what this whale preferred.

 

He kept breaching, over and over again.

 

And, I kept missing it.

 

 

Come back!

 

 

He did and I missed it again.

 

 

Here he was pretending to be a shark.

 

 

Due to my continuous shooting, I took 1956 pictures out on the water. Most of them looked like this.

 

 

A decent shot of his tail.

 

[maureencruiser]

I almost caught him again.

 

 

 

Finally! I got him!

 

 

 

 

 

He was like clockwork, every 3 minutes, he would breach then dive. The naturalist would say he should breach again in 15 to 20 seconds and he would. It was like they hired him when they realized the tour was going sideways.

 

Like clockwork.

 

 

 

 

Edited to add: I think this is him, it might be Nessie.

[maureencruiser]

Eventually, we left him to try another spot.

 

Not a breach, but, a good look at a whale.

 

 

For this tail, I was actually too close.

 

 

Back on dry land, it was a beautiful day in Sitka.

 

 

If you were a marine animal, that is. If you were a Maureen animal, not so much.

 

 

The last picture of me in Alaska. From here on, it would all be downhill. And, when I say downhill, you know I mean Canada. That comment was for Andrew only. All you other Canadians, hold your hate mail. I love Canada, some of my best friends are Canadians.

 

Yes, that's exactly what this ship needs, more water.

 

 

The storm had the crew so turned around, they didn't know what day it was.

 

[maureencruiser]

As we left Sitka, the Captain announced the weather would be worse tonight, winds at 50 knots and 15 foot swells.

 

As the ship started to toss, I went out looking for a rollicking good time with some like minded individuals. I figured if the ship was going down, I wanted to have fun while it did.

 

Not much was going on at The Mix, so, I had another Lemon Drop.

 

 

Everybody is right, they are better without the sugar rim.

 

Walking was hysterical, you were like a mountain climber one minute and being flung in the opposite direction the next. Not good for bad knees, though.

 

Maybe there was more excitement up in the Crow's Nest on Deck 12.

 

 

 

No, not really.

 

We could see a water spout from up there, though.

 

After dinner, I was feeling a little green around the gills, so, I retreated to my cabin early. I watched part of Season 1 of Six Feet Under, maybe not the best choice. :D

 

I was rolling in my bed from one side to the other. Sleep was not to be had. I kept picturing the aft getting wrenched away from the rest of the ship and just drifting away. Finally, around 4am, things abated and I fell asleep.

[maureencruiser]

Saturday

 

Saturday is a sea day- I finally caught up, I'm finally posting live!

 

It's actually been 18 hours since I ate, a first on any cruise ship.

 

I headed to the breakfast buffet, they were closed, but, I needed a cup of coffee. Good to see Henry is still alive and kicking.

 

 

I decided to just have a little fruit.

 

 

Yeah, right! I hit the Dive-In for a burger and fries. You can see the weather has improved.

 

 

A cloud shaped like a whale! I take that as a sign that I will return to Alaska. Of course, it could have been shaped like a French Horn and I would interpret it the same.

 

 

So, I just returned from Win a Cruise Lottery and $20,000 bingo.

I won neither. :eek:

 

At this point, I only have 20 minutes left on my internet plan, so, I will probably save that for Facebook. Those of you that are Facebook friends know I've been posting there 2 days ahead of CC already. :D

 

Tomorrow, we are at Victoria, BC and then I fly home Monday, arriving at midnight. I will post from home whatever adventures I have in my beloved Canada and American airlines. See you in 2 days.

[scluvsrain]

Great report! Loved your photos. You chose tours wisely and were richly rewarded.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[themerle]

Thank you for taking the time to share your cruise with us, Maureencruiser! I have loved all of your post and pictures. I love going to Alaska and really wanted to take this cruise this year on the Maasdam. I feel like I got to go just looking at the pictures. I'm hoping maybe next year will be my year to go again but this time on the 14 night cruise! Thanks again.

[oaktreerb]

Wonderful pictures and blog. We were on the sailing before yours and I must say, you had more fun! The whales, the bears, the ice water plunge! Loved going along with you!

[erewhon]

Thank you again for taking us with you during your adventures.

You have had a fabulous time.

 

Safe travel home.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

Maureen, this has been an engaging, varied and fun "live from" to follow - Thank you so much for sharing your adventures, and mis-adventures with us!

 

I love that the review has concluded with a Henry sighting :p

 

If you create a photo album that we can access I'd love to spend some time poring through an expanded range of your excellent photos - you truly have a natural knack for photography!

 

Thank you again for bringing us along :D

[gambee]

The trip of a lifetime, it was really nice to catch up! Awesome pics :)

 

 

I look forward to the day that we actually get to go to Alaska :)

[ibfishing2]

Great! thx

[kazu]

Great live thread :). Thanks so much for taking the time and $ to share with.

 

Safe travels home to you.

[A&L_Ont]

Saturday

 

I headed to the breakfast buffet, they were closed, but, I needed a cup of coffee. Good to see Henry is still alive and kicking.

 

 

A cloud shaped like a whale! I take that as a sign that I will return to Alaska. Of course, it could have been shaped like a French Horn and I would interpret it the same.

 

 

 

Tomorrow, we are at Victoria, BC and then I fly home Monday, arriving at midnight. I will post from home whatever adventures I have in my beloved Canada and American airlines. See you in 2 days.

 

Do you have any photos of Henry breaching? I'd hate to see what he'd put in the barf bags. :D Amazing whale cloud too. Enjoy your time in Canada. ;)

 

Yes Maureen you can tease me, but when you get home please finish reading my review and you will see what I did to make your request come true.:)

 

Safe travels and I look forward to your final updates when you get home.

Edited September 11, 2016 by A&L_Ont

[Tinknock50]

Enjoyed every bit of your journey!

 

Thanks!

[Yorkvillain]

Incredible and hysterical review. Well done Maureen.

[easyboy]

Enjoying your photos!

[hcocchi]

I had a great trip with you; the pictures were great and I can't wait until you go on another trip, that I can tag along. Thanks again Helen

[cynt]

Safe travels home my friend. Loved it!

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Caribbean Chris]

I'm going to miss my regular "Maureen fix"... Being on board with you really added to the fun. Travel safely.

[A&L_Ont]

Hi Maureen,

 

I hope you made it home safe and sound.

[msweeble1]

I loved your review!!!! I'm going to miss reading about your adventure! I can't wait until your next cruise!!!

 

Debbie