North Pacific Crossing
Highlights
Oh dear, along with everyone else on board we thought we were dreaming! But it was real. 3 am (yep, that’s in the morning, just before sunrise) and the @Captain’s voice was penetrating every nook and cranny of the ship making an announcment. "Ship emergency - crew to Deck 6. Emergency crew to Deck 6."
That timestamp of predawn assured it wasn't a drill and after yesterday's "technical difficulty" he certainly had our attention. Didn't quite know what would be next - but made sure we knew where all the evacuation stuff was housed and was taking a mental inventory of our warm clothing and its location.
Didn’t have too much time to stew over it because within 15 minutes he was back in everyone’s room announcing that smoke had been detected in the galley and all was now under control. Apparently (as we learned later in the day), the galley actually runs 24/7 on the roster for food prep and service, and any detection of smoke (in any area of the ship) is treated very seriously.
Oh dear, along with everyone else on board we thought we were dreaming! But it was real. 3 am (yep, that’s in the morning, just before sunrise) and the @Captain’s voice was penetrating every nook and cranny of the ship making an announcment. "Ship emergency - crew to Deck 6. Emergency crew to Deck 6."
That timestamp of predawn assured it wasn't a drill and after yesterday's "technical difficulty" he certainly had our attention. Didn't quite know what would be next - but made sure we knew where all the evacuation stuff was housed and was taking a mental inventory of our warm clothing and its location.
Didn’t have too much time to stew over it because within 15 minutes he was back in everyone’s room announcing that smoke had been detected in the galley and all was now under control. Apparently (as we learned later in the day), the galley actually runs 24/7 on the roster for food prep and service, and any detection of smoke (in any area of the ship) is treated very seriously.
Needless to say we were a little later awake, but not so late that we missed breakfast in the #Concerto Dining Room. My resolve to avoid the "buffet" was strong - as previously noted, not a big fan of the "buffet" push and shove.
The sea presented us with a larger swell today - not so much wind and white caps - just the persistent rise and fall of the ship. Makes walking along the corridors a little challenging and definitely need to hold onto the rails. Temperature maximum was displayed at 3 degrees - and although l it seems warmer outside than yesterday, but our balcony is unusable - too cold to stay out any longer than for a dash.
After my two #fails yesterday, @Mac was in charge of the selections today and Cruise Director @Dan’s "Life as a crew member" was fun and informative. He took us on a virtual tour of the ship and answered all those questions about working conditions, contracts, living conditions, dealing with being away from family, quarters, recreation and food etc. Comforting to know there is an international agreement that now protects all workers, regardless of the home port of the ship and that improved conditions are in place for people in all positions on the ship.
Not sure I could do the prolonged hours, day in, week in, that make up these contracts - but I gueess there is more to fhe story in terms of job opportunities for certain nationalities or for certain job types, that we really don't quite get. Have found myself shaking my head at some of the 10 hour shifts the staff put in and then had a little laugh because I know that there are some #education staff who definitely continue to put in crazy hours - I do remember it - hope someone is looking after their work life balance!
Many of the outside decks continued to be closed today because of the bumpy ride. Admitting that we took a little "equilibrium" rest this arvo - just had that headache, vague, disoriented feeling associated with motion sickness. Couldn’t see much out of our windows as we made progress 500 nautical mules south if the #Bering Sea because we were enveloped in a deep fog. Meant that the fog horn of the ship blasted every couple of minutes for quite a few hours in a row and perched here on Deck 15, right above the bridge, that blast was like a metronome as a background to our rest.
It did the trick though and we emerged eager for dinner - we had skipped lunch (but not our afternoon champers in the room) and had regained our sea legs. Which I think must have been hollow after one skipped feeding station visit, because we both ordered dessert at dinner. My first of the cruise. Um, no so for @Mac ... he has been a regular.
Timed our dinner perfectly for our date in the #Princess Theatre.
Kym Purling - now that was some show - absolutely loved this stunning piano concert with this Australian entertainer. Not sure what to really say about his nationality though - it was the background to his journey. His story was woven onto his show. He was an orphan of the Vietnam War and was one of the first international adoptions in Australia. Reared by loving South Australian parents, his love and talent for music was nurtured from an early age.
He has performed all over the world, has been the musical director and arranger for the likes of Engelbert Humperdinck and Barbra Striesand, has directed Broadway shows including Miss Saigon, Footloose and 42nd Street, has his own three piece show band and you couldn’t help but be in awe of the philantropic work that he champions in both Vietnam and Nepal, offering musical opportunities to young people.
He was full of energy on stage, gave off that aura of absolutely loving his life, was proud of his heritage, his story and his accomplishments. He absolutely mesmerised the audience and brought the house down and his arrangments that not only included the orchestra members but showcased their indidual talents. Absolutely, my unchallenged favourite show to date!
We were buzzing!
The turning the clock forward an hour as we reach the International Date Line certainly mucks up your sense of time. Combine that with the fact that the decks are closed and that you're making progress across the ocean in a fog and do not venture outdoors means that all the hours seem the same.
Found ourselves only just thinking about hitting bed as it ticked over one am - and fell into bed hoping for a smoother sea day, with the possibility of some fresh air. Fingers crossed the @Captain doesn't feel lonely and experience the urge to have a chat through the night.
Weather: fog, 7 degrees
Steps: 3 349
Weather:
Steps:
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