Kampai! Tokyo to Vancouver - RSSC Explorer 4/13/2024 - 5/1/2024

[forgap]

Oh my!  The Kuril Islands, Russia 

[CardowMD]

That is a gorgeous site!

[forgap]

Saturday,  4/20/24 (Day One) & Saturday 4/20/24 (Day Two) - At Sea

 

We are crossing the International dateline so we have two Saturdays this trip.  We have been pushing the clocks forward each day and, last night we pushed forward two hours and lost a day.  

 

The highlight of our day yesterday was the connoisseur wine lunch.  

 

We had an impressive menu with impressive wine pairings, too.

 

Of course, I then required an impressive nap.  We did manage to take in the show by the guitarist. 

 

The weather has been bleak, cold, and foggy.  However, the sea has been relatively calm.  Because of this the ship seems crowded with passengers sprawled out in all the public venues.  La Veranda added tables for two all along the side of the entry  corridor as the outdoor dining venues re compromised. 

 

We usually have lectures and activities scheduled throughout the day.  I’ve missed much of this as I’ve been immersed in a good read.  

 

I wanted to mention how impressed I am with the staff on this voyage.  I have frequented the lost and found drawer at reception three times.  I had a gold bracelet drop off my arm in Compas Rose.  I thought it was lost forever, but it was turned into lost and found.  Then I lost one hearing aid ($$$) and that was turned in as well, much to my relief.  Yesterday I lost my reading glasses and they were also turned in.  I’m usually not addle brained like this so I’m blaming it on my scapalomene scopolamine patch!

 

The Captain just announced that we are missing our next port, Dutch Harbor, as customs officials can’t fly in to clear the ship due to the weather.   They have added Homer, Alaska as a bonus port.  I think  we will have six sea days in a row.  

 

Today will be busy with a crossing the international dateline event,  the upper tier Seven Seas Society event, and an ABBA dance party.  I don’t hunk anyone can say they are bored!

 

PS - in my mid cruise comment card, I noted there wasn’t an orchid in our suite.  Look what appeared!  RSSC is the best!  

[Gcto]

2 hours ago, forgap said:

 

 

 

PS - in my mid cruise comment card, I noted there wasn’t an orchid in our suite.  Look what appeared!  RSSC is the best!  

and remember....when the orchid is placed on the ground....rough seas ahead....  🙂

 

[PhD-iva]

On 4/14/2024 at 3:09 PM, organizedhome said:

Thank you for all the different perspectives; I’ll take the comments under advisement—but rest assured, we are delighted to be aboard.   

I appreciate your perspective and observations posted (on this non-private forum). They are helpful to others to evaluate onboard conditions, which are always subjective.
I hope that you are able to resolve your concerns and to enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[forgap]

Sunday, 4/21/24, Monday, 4/22/24 - at sea

Tuesday, 4/23/24 - Kodiak, Alaska

Wednesday, 4/24/24 - Homer, Alaska

 

I’m playing catch up now after spending the bulk of our sea days asleep.  I lost my voice for several days and then that morphed into a terrible cough.  I had Covid tests with me so I knew that it wasn’t Covid. I finally went to the infirmary to get some cough medicine and the Doctor confirmed that this particular virus lasts about three weeks.  OTC cough medicine did the trick and I’m off and running again.  

 

We arrived in Kodiak on Tuesday in a foggy mist.  We cleared customs in a very organized and orderly manner.   We had an excursion to the Ft. Abercrombie State Park, but reconsidered hiking given the weather and my diminished lung capacity.  I decided to try a walkabout after lunch and hopped on the tender to the port.  

 

However, I misjudged the “mist” which was more like light rain.  I didn’t even get up the ramp before I turned around and went back to the ship.  

Homer, Alaska was our bonus port and, even though the town was just waking up from the winter, they welcomed us with open arms.  

The town was larger than I expected with all the amenities that you would expect in a small city.  Of course, the population swells in the summer with wall to wall tents and caravans.   Homer is known as a halibut fishing destination but its breathtaking beauty is the real draw, in my opinion.  

 

Regent had put together some excursions which were quickly filled up, but they also had four shuttle busses come in from Anchorage to run a circuit around the city.   This was actually a pretty good tour with “down home” commentary from our bus driver.   We opted to do the tour and return to the ship.  

 

We had partly cloudy skies throughout the day and our sail away was stunning.  

[forgap]

Thursday, 4/25/24  Seward, Alaska

 

We arrived to beautiful party cloudy skies and crisp air.  It was about 40 degrees but colder in the wind.  We went on a wildlife cruise and hit the jackpot…orcas, humpback whales, otters, seals, mountain goats, eagles.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Wow!  Wonderful photos!

[RELS]

23 hours ago, forgap said:

We went on a wildlife cruise and hit the jackpot…orcas, humpback whales, otters, seals, mountain goats, eagles.  Enjoy!

 

Amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing them.

 

We're on a wildlife cruise from Seward in May. I hope we get this lucky!