The storm has passed! Captain Philippe did a wonderful job keeping the Mariner steady last night, despite the bad weather. The ship dipped forward to aft all night but once we got used to the rhythm, it was no problem.
This morning we woke to a stunning sunrise and very calm waters! (We still haven't gotten used to the time change, so we're getting up between 5:00 am and 6:00 am every day! We're actually having to wait to see the sun rise!) We've developed a pattern: We wake up early and head to the Observation Lounge on Deck 12 to have a continental breakfast and read a bit. We then pop down to the Coffee Corner on Deck 6 to check our e-mail and make some phone calls using Skype. (More on that in another blog entry.)
Today was our first full sea day as we sailed the Shelikof Strait and headed toward the Aleutian Islands.
There was lots to do, including several lectures. One was given by Laura Brands of Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society. She discussed the migration track of the gray whale, showed slides and explained what we all should look for while gazing the sea from the Observation Lounge.
Regent favorite, Terry Breen, was also onboard. She's Regent's in-house "destination specialist" and she's been with the line since 1999. Her first lecture of the cruise was titled Alaska – The Last Frontier. Terry is an anthropologist, storyteller and the author of The Cruiser Friendly Onboard Guide to Alaska's Inside Passage. This book is a must-have if your travels take you to this corner of the world.
Stargazer Jon Lomberg presented a sensational lecture about the Northern Lights and the green flash phenomenon (seeing a brilliant flash of green as the sun rises or sets).
Hollywood insider Barry Weitz is also onboard the Mariner and he talked today about The Talent Agent today.
Honestly, there are so many activities aboard the Mariner that you'll never be able to do everything. Every day during our cruise, guests got together in the conference room on Deck 6 to discuss world events. Since so many countries were represented, the conversation was passionate and eye-opening.
This morning, Mariner executive chef Quinn McMahon also presented the first of several cooking demonstrations. Add that to dance class, an art lecture, trivia and bingo, fitness classes with Jacquie (the Mariner's shipboard trainer) and your day can get very busy!
Tonight is also the Captain's welcome reception in the Constellation Theater and formal night. We'll be dining at Signatures, the French restaurant under the auspices of Le Cordon Bleu. More on that later.
Photos by Leonard Hospidor
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