Live from the Westerdam-Join the "Pearls of the Pacific" gang's South Pacific Cruise

[Lizzie68]

Did I hear our good captain promise to throw the Greek officer overboard if we don't get the better weather he predicted for tomorrow? :D

 

Nasty weather from the Beautiful, Elegant Westerdam.

 

 

Hoping to hear that today is much improved. For your sake, not just for the Greek officer, LOL.

[kazu]

Hoping to hear that today is much improved. For your sake, not just for the Greek officer, LOL.

 

 

Out on the balcony LIzzie. It's still dark but the wind sure is whipping. I have a very bad feeling that there was no need for a wake up call. Time will tell very soon.

 

 

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[1of4]

Out on the balcony LIzzie. It's still dark but the wind sure is whipping. I have a very bad feeling that there was no need for a wake up call. Time will tell very soon.

 

 

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:eek: :mad:

 

sorry to hear this as the sun has FINALLY returned to my part of Canada and we can see the garden growing! Your pool pictures yesterday reminded me of the Westerdam Lido pool between San Diego and Victoria last year. DS wanted to swim but I wouldn't let him but it never closed either.

[kazu]

:eek: :mad:

 

 

 

sorry to hear this as the sun has FINALLY returned to my part of Canada and we can see the garden growing! Your pool pictures yesterday reminded me of the Westerdam Lido pool between San Diego and Victoria last year. DS wanted to swim but I wouldn't let him but it never closed either.

 

 

We have arrived. The cove/bay we are in is somewhat protected and calmer. Tenders are out for testing. They are bopping for sure but it is calmer here. If I don't report back, you will know we got off. LOL.

 

A gloomy morning here in Rarotonga.

 

 

But it looks like the sun is trying to come out.

 

 

 

Second tender on our side is down. Can it be? Is it possible? Fingers crossed.

 

 

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[MsABGilroy]

They're lowering the tenders on the port side!

 

 

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[Lizzie68]

Yay!! Enjoy your time ashore.

[kazu]

Those tenders are really bouncing around

 

 

 

 

 

https://vimeo.com/163166691

 

Sorry, I tried to upload a video but don't think it worked. Might be my internet so I will leave it in case it does for all of you.

 

Captain has changed position to try to give the tenders some protection but with the way the ship is moving, I think it is hard to hold position?

 

 

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Edited April 17, 2016 by kazu

[kazu]

They are lowering another tender so it looks like we could be a go. It's going to be a bumpy ride. I think the ship is closer to shore than we were originally told - at least I hope so. No announcement yet.

 

So, in the meantime - here is the On Location for today..

 

 

 

 

RAROTONGA IS CANCELLED.

 

WE ARE ON THE CRUISE TO NOWHERE.

 

Captain has tried everything and gotten the ship as close as he could but it is too dangerous. They are attempting a medical disembarkation and then we are leaving. Ship cannot hold anchor. Captain has tried everything and stretched the ship's capabilities as much as he can.

 

Sincere apologies of course. It would be a rough trip for an able bodied person. I feel sorry for the person in the medical disembarkation. I've been watching that tender and it is really struggling.

 

 

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[kazu]

Dear Captain,

 

If you are reading this thread, any chance we could get to Raiatea and overnight there? Please? Pretty, please?

 

Can't blame a girl for asking, can you?

 

 

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[Lizzie68]

Oh no!! But better safe than sorry, and your video did work, Jacqui. How many days have you been at sea now?

[Vict0riann]

Another glass of bubbly is in our future, it would appear. The tenders could not get through the opening to the pier. It must be very shallow where the reef crosses the opening. I guess all our donations will stay on board, too.

[kazu]

Here is tonight's menu

 

 

 

Sun is coming out but the tenders are rocking.

 

This is all of Rarotonga that we will see...

 

 

 

 

 

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[Vict0riann]

There is a small motorboat that seems to be making its way out to us, perhaps to pick up the medical emergency. Also the officer of the watch has called for someone to go immediately to the medical room, perhaps the husband?

[Vict0riann]

And tender 16 is heading for the opening again..... And they made it! Maybe things are changing.

[MsABGilroy]

Captain announced it's too rough for tender operations. They need to offload a medical emergency patient and that will be all.

 

Welcome to the island glimpse cruise!

 

 

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[kazu]

Oh no!! But better safe than sorry, and your video did work, Jacqui. How many days have you been at sea now?

 

This will be day 7 at sea.

 

NOW SOME GOOD NEWS!!!

 

Captain Van Eerten read my plea. He is contacting our next port of call to get permission to arrive a day early and overnight there. YAY!!!

 

He needs permission from immigration, the port, etc. But it is all in the works.

 

He so reminds me of Captain Gunderson in some respects as Capt. G did the same thing on the Prinsendam.

 

Fingers crossed. Our next port is Raiatea and we dock there so an overnight would be good. Have a private tour booked there with Bruno with what could become day 2 in Raiatea.

[kazu]

There is a small motorboat that seems to be making its way out to us, perhaps to pick up the medical emergency. Also the officer of the watch has called for someone to go immediately to the medical room, perhaps the husband?

 

That was my thought.

[PirateShark]

Raiatea was my favorite stop on our cruise in 2014. Lots of cultural significance and ruins if you like that kind of thing. Also the place where I bought all my vanilla :) We took a jeep tour through the interior and wish we had more time. If you are lucky enough to do an overnight, I envy you.

[kazu]

In case anyone thinks the captain is being cautious, here are a few more pics of the tenders.

 

 

 

 

And a couple of videos (another attempt)

 

https://vimeo.com/163173210

 

https://vimeo.com/163173950

 

Medical evacuation was a success. They were met by ambulance and are being flown to Australia. It was the husband called (next door neighbours have a GFS) as he had gone back to the cabin for something that had been forgotten.

 

The additional tender was lowered as tender 11 lost an engine.

 

The donations for Fanning Island were off loaded successfully here. It was quite the deal to find an island that would accept them as Customs did not want to be bothered on many islands. San Diego refused to store them for another ship to deliver.

 

The Red Cross here has taken the items. Some things will go to other islands in need but some of them will get to Fanning Island.

 

Captain is going to cruise around this island to give us a glimpse of it.

 

We are going to arrive in Raiatea around 9 pm but I'm not sure if that is tonight or tomorrow night. Since we had a sea day between here and Raiatea, I am guessing it is tomorrow night.

 

 

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[canadianbear]

The seas did look very rough and I am sure it's difficult for the Captain to make the decision but as we all know it is for the passenger safety. Thanks for all the photos. Hope you get your overnight in Raiatea.

[Vict0riann]

Medical emergency at pier.

 

 

Intrepid lifeboat 16 maneuvering through the gap.

 

 

 

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[kazu]

Medical emergency at pier.

 

 

Intrepid lifeboat 16 maneuvering through the gap.

 

 

 

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Great pics Ann!!! You must have a great telescopic lens!

[SilvertoGold]

This is a port that is so often missed! Better than ending up on a reef, though, as has happened in the past!

 

Thought you were going to make it, but Raietea is a great place and you can dock there with ease. Hope you get an overnight.

 

Your Captain is really super!

[rafinmd]

Great pics Ann!!! You must have a great telescopic lens!

 

And a steady hand.

 

Roy

[kazu]

This is a port that is so often missed! Better than ending up on a reef, though, as has happened in the past!

 

Thought you were going to make it, but Raietea is a great place and you can dock there with ease. Hope you get an overnight.

 

Your Captain is really super!

 

Yes, being stranded on a reef may not have been the best experience with the winds and currents out there today.

 

I have a lot of respect for our captain. He is a professional.