Glacier Bay

Sunday, May 5, 2024

How disappointing to wake up and look out the window and see nothing but rain and low hanging clouds.  Definitely a case of deja vu from our previous trip. 😞 We stepped outside briefly on "our private deck" which was protected from the elements, but the crew had removed the four chairs that we "borrowed" from the pool deck so we didn't linger long.

Google maps showed we were just entering the inlet leading to the glaciers and although we hadn't seen them, most likely the Glacier Bay park rangers were already onboard the ship. 

Bob and I went up one deck to the buffet and it was packed. We finally found a table by a window in the corner behind one of the crew stations and took turns getting our food. We had almost finished eating when Jon and Michelle joined us. Had the weather been cooperating, I would have rushed to get out on deck to enjoy all of those gorgeous mountain views. But with the steady rain, we were in no hurry. I had a second and then third cup of coffee and we just sat there looking out the window.

As the ship got further down the channel, Bob left and moved down to the protection of the promenade deck. Michelle and I just continued to sit at our table and look through the lido windows. (I can't remember what Jon did!)

A Bob selfie.

Trying to take photos through the glare of the windows streaked with rain was pretty much hopeless but I did it anyway. 

I used the park map to record where we were so I could refer back to identify my photos.

John Hopkins Glacier...through the streaked, rain spattered window.

Eventually Jon, Michelle and I decided to join Bob but wouldn't you know it, in the short time I took to go back to the cabin to get my coat I missed seeing an eagle floating by on an iceberg!

Luckily Bob got the photo I wish I would have taken!

With our warm coats and blankets, we got comfy on the padded lounge chairs and just sat and enjoyed the view...or at least what there was of it. From previous visits I knew we were missing the majestic mountains hidden by the clouds and I was sorry that Jon and Michelle's first visit to Glacier Bay was shrouded in clouds.

Sea otters floated by ever so often but with the low light, my camera didn't do a very good job of capturing a photo.

The Grand Princess was just pulling away from Margerie Glacier as the Zaandam was getting close.

Grand Princess

The four of us spent quite a bit of time sitting on the promenade deck as the Zaandam approached the Margerie Glacier and then slowly did a 360º turn so each side of the ship had a chance for a good view. The advantage to the promenade deck was that we could easily cut through the ship to get to the other side. The disadvantage was that it became a very popular place and our view from the lounge chairs was often blocked and we were "forced" to stand up! 😆

Our lounge chair view on the promenade deck before reaching Margerie Glacier...

...compared to the promenade deck while we were AT the glacier!

Jon and Bob

Margerie Glacier zoom view.

Closeup of ice at the base of the glacier.

These waterfalls looked like they were spilling out of the clouds!

A zebra iceberg!

Margerie Glacier

Bob's iPhone + binoculars photo.

The bow was also open while we were in Glacier Bay but not even the split pea soup that was being served there was enough to entice me to stand outside on the wet, cold, windy day.

The afternoon is a bit of a blur as I am writing this post, but while Bob was playing ping pong I went out on "our private deck" around 3 pm (based on the time stamp on my photos!) and happened to see the Glacier Bay park rangers leaving the Zaandam to go back to the park headquarters. I saw a few otters as they floated by, but again no amazing photos. I think I saw a couple of whale spouts, but nothing close enough to even point my camera in that direction. I'm not sure why we didn't attend the park ranger program on the World Stage at 1 pm. I'm sorry now that we missed it.

The large overhang made "our private deck" a dry place to enjoy the views. If only we (meaning Bob & Jon) didn't have to keep running up the stairs to borrow chairs from the pool deck.

The boat coming to pick up the park rangers who had spent the day on the Zaandam.

Waving goodbye!

And off they go...

Our final dressy night of the cruise was scheduled in the main dining room. I would have preferred to have a slightly later dining time (5 pm is just TOO early) but other than that I have no complaints about our dining arrangements. Having a table right by a large window and sharing the time with good friends made dinner each night something we looked forward to.

The main stage entertainment featured Jesse Kazemek and his wife doing a Beatles tribute show...the exact same show we had just seen a little over two months ago on the Koningsdam. I can't say the show was amazing, but living through the Beatles era meant I knew (almost) every word to every song so it was a fun evening. The chocolate surprise was also held at 9:30 that evening but after over-doing it at the last chocolate event we decided we were better off not attending! 😏

The clouds lifted enough by sunset to give us one clear photo of the day!