When was the last time we did something for the first time? Well, today was the first time our obstructed ocean view cabin (aka our cabin with a porthole) was turned into an inside cabin. As I've said in the past, not all first time experiences are wonderful, life changing ones, but finding the satisfaction in them simply because they are virgin territory has served us well in the past. I'm trying to hold on to that thought tonight, as the ship rocks and rolls and huge waves crash against the side of the ship just inches from my head. Trying to...
It was not a promising day, weather-wise. In fact, this morning it rained quite hard at times, but the real issue was the strong wind from the northwest that never abated. We had originally considered two options for today; the first was to put our floaties into the water just west of the tender pier and float down to the public beach, or at least as far as the Kia Ora Resort. That didn't sound feasible...the wind would be pushing hard against us the entire way. Our second option was to take a boat shuttle over to Tiputa Village on the other side of Tiputa Pass, but we reconsidered that when we saw the white caps in the Rangiroa lagoon and huge waves in the pass. If we did get to Tiputa Village and, for some reason, the boat shuttle was shut down, we'd be stuck there and would need to take a flight to Raiatea in two days to catch the ship. No, thank you.
In the end we decided to eat a second breakfast (always a satisfying option) and went up to the Panorama Buffet. We could sit outside on the terrace behind the buffet, but only at the first row of tables; the second row was getting wet from the blowing rain. There we sat, and sat, and sat, watching the huge list the Pacific Princess was experiencing in the wind. The ship must not have been at anchor... it was turning and drifting constantly, and there was a marked difference in the distance between the top of the railing and the horizon on one side narrowing and then changing the other way on the other side. I assume the thrusters were being used to keep it in place (no need to ruin that new anchor chain!), but it made for an entertaining view as we turned first port to shore, then aft, then starboard. Entertainer Jere Ring came and sat with us and we enjoyed a long, fun conversation (always the case when Jere is involved).
Eventually the rain stopped, and we went down on the Promenade Deck to watch the tender operation up close. They were certainly bouncing on the waves, but we thought we should go to shore, just to walk down to the pension Chez Josephine with its deck located right on Tiputa Pass, to watch the waves and any possible dolphin activity. We packed up two beach towels and our Tilley hats in case the rain picked up, and walked down to the tender pontoon.
That was as far as I got. Watching the tender move up and down against the pontoon convinced me almost immediately that I did not need to have a Hinano on the deck at Chez Josephine's that badly. I had a massage scheduled for this afternoon and did not want to be seasick for it. I encouraged G to go anyway (he did) and I returned to the cabin, suddenly finding myself with an unscheduled part of the afternoon. Apparently, other passengers were also deciding to stay on board, and I know at least one excursion, probably the drift diving, was cancelled this morning and by afternoon the remaining excursions were also cancelled.
I was stopped by our new cabin steward, Lerio, before I even got in our cabin door. She explained that, due to the high winds expected this evening and into tomorrow (oh joy!), our porthole cover had to be closed and latched down. I always knew that this was a possibility, and had heard of it happening during stormy days at sea, but this was our first experience with it. Sure enough, we are closed up tighter than a submarine in here tonight and I am a bit trepidatious about just how bad the weather might get. I am so grateful to Princess for moving us into our cabin in "the dungeon" for these cruises. Well, actually, when we added this cruise and the January 7th cruise, we booked this specific cabin. But we wouldn't have known how much we'd appreciate it in rough seas unless we had been upgraded to it starting October 19th from our originally booked inside cabins.
Cruise director David was making an announcement just as I stepped into the cabin, about new activities added to the afternoon schedule due to the cancelled excursions and the bad weather. I decided instead to use the "alone time" to color my hair. I was overdue, but had considered just leaving it until the hotel in Papeete. When presented with this opportunity, I couldn't resist. This was the hair color I had bought at the Carrefour near Papeete, L'Oreal brand, and the instructions inside were only In French. However, I have 20 years of experience at this, and needed to know only how long to leave it on (and 30 minutes is 30 minutes in French or English!). That kept me busy for a while, and then a while longer for me to use toothpaste to scrub a bit of it off the bathroom sink. It was a good project for the afternoon, and now I am set at least through WalMart in Hawaii.
Monday Night Football was being shown in the Casino Lounge starting at 3:15pm, so I went there for 25 minutes just before my massage. If I've said it once I've said it 100 times: "Only a free massage at the Lotus Spa on a cruise ship could keep me away from a Broncos football game!!", but...well, who ever would have guessed that would actually happen. Part way into the first quarter I made my way up to the spa. (So excited was I!!!).
I had requested massage therapist Nina from Poland, because next-tablemate (last cruise) Kathy had had three massages from her and raved. Well, I see why. I've never had the best luck with spa treatments on cruises, but the main reason (aggressive pushing of spa products) wasn't even the slightest issue today. I receive a therapeutic massage every two weeks at home, and have been missing them quite a bit. Nina was small but mighty and took care of any residual aches and pains from our ATV excursion.
I returned to our cabin with just enough time to shower before I met up with G in the Elite Lounge. We got our wires crossed- I spent time on Deck 10 for a painfully windy sailaway in hopes of seeing Rangiroa dolphins one last time- but bar waiter Nick brought me the message that G had given up waiting for me and gone down to the Casino Lounge to watch the Broncos game. Ugh...they had been behind 20 to 7 when I had returned to the cabin after my massage. That certainly changed in the 3rd quarter and we enjoyed watching those three TDs in quick succession but, after the second interception in the 4th quarter, accepted the inevitable and went to dinner in the Club Restaurant.
We had just soup and sorbet and made it to the 7pm comedian's show. He was...okay. 'Nuff said. Lead vocalist Lanie sprained her ankle in the welcome aboard show this cruise and we haven't had a production show since while she recovers. Honestly, this ship is bouncing so much tonight I'm not certain a production show could be safely performed. We exited the Cabaret Lounge right into Christmas caroling in the atrium. I have never had such a fun caroling experience on a cruise. The intimate size of the Pacific Princess makes experiences like that so much more home-y.
The tropical island night is being held tonight, but in the Pacific Lounge instead of on the pool deck, due to the weather. I can't think of a worse place (at the top of the ship in the very front) to be right now. At 9:40pm we are back in our cabin. It's not good but it's the best we can do. We love this small ship, but openly admit that, on rough seas, it doesn't provide the most comfortable ride.
I'm not certain I'll even get wifi tonight to get this post published, since the ship is bouncing like a cork and may not be able to hold on to a satellite signal. I also have photos and videos to add, but they'll have to wait until we return to Papeete in (just) five days.