In The Icy Strait

Tuesday, June 21st Midsummer's Day.

An Alaskan Pilot will embark today to help navigate the ship through Chatham Strait and on to Icy Strait Point where we will anchor. Late in the evening after passengers have returned to the ship we will sail again through the Icy Strait and the North Inian Passage.

It’s slightly misty this morning but with the promise of a good day. It’s Midsummer’s day. We breakfast in style in the Grand Dining room. Here you are seated by the waiters, a crisp white napkin is placed in your lap and a menu in your hand to choose your meal. After breakfast we go up to the Resort deck. Here the deck sides are enclosed with glass windows. The two swimming pools occupy the center of the deck. At one end there are four large spa hot tubs. Padded sun loungers, three deep, are placed along the decks. A Pool Butler looks after the area and keeps it tidy. There are large yellow towels for the hot tub soakers and swimmers and blankets for keeping off the cold winds. The winds are pretty cool but the suns broken through the thinning clouds.

‘Himself’ wanders off to continue his whale watching. Later he announces that He’s already seen several brief sightings. Nancy and I eventually find the least windy spot on the ship with some comfy chairs on the deck overlooking the hot tubs. Nancy pulls out her knitting and I read. The sun’s rays soon warm us and coats and blankets are soon shed.

At around 3pm the ship anchors at Icy Strait Point and passengers can go ashore via the ships tenders. Dave is the only one of us who ventures ashore at this excursion. There are woodland walks, a very small township with craft shops featuring artisan crafts and giving an insight into native Tlingit Indian culture.

It’s Midsummers Day and we’re quite far North. The sun, that’s been very warm and for most of the day doesn’t set tonight until 10.15 pm. The evening sky has few clouds and the sunset is spectacular we watch the sun set from the deck before heading to the Michaels Lounge for a nightcap.