First up for us this morning was breakfast in the dining room. Headwaiter Roberto seated us at a window-side table. Although it's always nice to dine with the sea rushing by just below the window, there was really nothing to see this morning. We were cruising south through the Gulf of Alaska, and due to the overcast skies, we couldn't see land even though we knew it was off the port side of the ship.
We had a Cruise Critic get together at 9am. I had sent out invitation letters again yesterday to several ship's officers, and G had specifically asked naturalist Jules and dance captain Jessica if they would attend. We were thrilled to have Captain Binetti, the Food and Beverage Manager, the Customer Service Manager, the Cruise Director and Jules and Jessica make an appearance. These people are so busy and it's always nice when they can take the time to attend even a short bit of our get togethers. Those passengers who just joined the ship yesterday are hoping for a repeat of last week's same weather for this cruise. I don't mean to be greedy, but so are we.
We then grazed the buffet a bit. Today's lunch special was a sushi and Asian food theme. By 1pm the sun was beginning to make an on-again off-again appearance...maybe we'd get lucky and be able to see Hubbard Glacier (scheduled from 5:30pm to 8pm) in the sun. Or not.
And speaking of stupid questions (we were, weren't we?), we heard another one this morning. A lady in the buffet was grumbling out loud about how we weren't seeing glaciers NOW, during the day. Why was that? Um...maybe because of where they are located? Princess might be experts in Alaska travel, but even they can't move mountains and glaciers to better position them for daytime viewing.
G went to the Veterans gathering on board at 2:30pm. Feeling a laziness brought on in part by the continuing grey skies, in part by the chilly air and in part by the simple fact that there was nothing I had to do, I lay down in the cabin for a short rest. Half dozing while watching on old movie on TV, at 3pm I was awakened by the sudden sound of very loud engines approaching the ship on its starboard side. Sure enough, the Southeast Alaska pilot was coming on board to direct the ship into Yakutat Bay and up to Hubbard Glacier.
Photo 1: fruit and vegetable carving demonstration this morning in the atrium
Photo 2: sushi display in the buffet at lunch
Photo 3: land ho, on the starboard side. Our first glimpse of the southern head of Yakutat Bay at 3pm
Photo 4: Southeast Alaska pilot coming on board as the Island Princess entered Yakutat Bay