The worst thing that could happen to a cruise ship, besides the fact of hitting an iceberg, is rough seas. The ocean is an uncontrollable force to be feared and to be fascinated by. Its energy can move the largest of ships just with a simple wave of water. Out to sea, you are at the mercy of this power. And so it was for most of our trip as the rolling waves swayed this massive ship from side to side despite the stabilizing technology. The bulkheads creaked and groan while the ship rocked back and forth with gentle lifts and drops.
Those that call the seas their home could be seen scattered across the waves as spouts of spray escaped blowholes from a pod of whales. The never-ending dance between submergence and air played out with the giants of the world. Though none dared to breach the surface, they too know the power of the ocean.
The consequences onboard resulted in the cancelation of dance shows for fear of twisted ankles and musicians putting away their instruments before wrong notes. The pools resemble their brethren the ocean and waves did laps and crashed against the sides. But food and spirits are still enjoyed around tables while watching portholes fill with the sight of the ocean one minute and the open sky the next.
A couple who were on their fourth cruise to Alaska around this same time of the year stated they have never seen it this rough, as most sails are typically smooth and non-eventful.
If you are not prone to being seasick, the only annoyance is the occasional misstep down the passageways and maybe keeping a sharper eye on your wine glass.
The sky is gray, the sea is gray, the rain drops in and out, and the world smells of salt. But home and work feel a million miles away and that is what a vacation is ultimately for.
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