Vancouver

Sunday, September 30th
South Pacific Day 1
ms Westerdam
Vancouver, British Columbia
Arriving: 7:00 AM
Departing: 4:45 PM
Chance of Rain - 60 Degrees

Vancouver is our favorite World City, and sailing into Vancouver under the Lions Gate Bridge is one of the great cruising experiences. We aren't going to miss it. We set the alarm at 5:00 to check the ship's position. Still well out to sea. Back to sleep. Up again at 6:00. Time to go up top.

It was an extraordinary morning. The top deck wet and the air still heavy with dew, the full moon low in the Western Sky, the faintest light of daybreak to the East, Venus and the stars above. First light had yet to penetrate the dense canopy of Stanley Park, dark in silhouette. The Lions Gate, lithe and graceful, cables and towers lit against the dawn. It looked like we would barely clear as we glided safely under and beyond. Making the turn into Coal Harbor, the sun rose to Port as the moon set to Starboard, the sleek steel and glass skyline of Vancouver got taller as we drew closer. Approaching the pier at Canada Place, the captain spun Westerdam 180 degrees and backed her into the slip, smooth and silent, 82,000 tons of grace.

As much as we love Vancouver, we've been here and done that, many times. It's just like a hang out Sunday at home. Ted and Tres walked down into Gastown to find a sports bar with the Seahawks on TV, but they came up a little short (pun intended) against the Rams today. Nancy and I toured the new Fairmont Pacific Rim. We did our errands and had the last great cup of coffee for the trip. Cafe Artigiano baristas have won every Canadian barista championship ever contested and have placed in the top ten in the World Barista Championships five times. Yes, it's that good.

United States Border Control was in full force at Canada Place. Think about that for a minute and you will understand why we didn't understand. Since our next port of call is in the United States, USBC required that all passengers disembark the ship to be cleared, even if they didn't intend to disembark the ship in the first place. Tres offended the border officer, though not in the way he intended, but we were all cleared to reboard the ship.

The sun appeared and disappeared through the streaky clouds, but the chance of rain never materialized. We sat on our verandahs and watched the sea planes take off and land against the backdrop of Stanley Park and the Coast Mountains until sailaway as Westerdam pulled away from the pier and the city, rounded the park, and slipped back under the bridge bound for the ocean.

Next Stop: Astoria, Oregon

South Pacific

Saturday, September 29th
Seattle, WA

Got out of town on a boat
Goin' to Southern islands.
Sailing a reach
Before a followin' sea.
She was makin' for the trades
On the outside,
And the downhill run
To Papeete.

Inspired by Crosby, Stills, and Nash, we are off again, this time in search of the Southern Cross.  This isn't about discovery or adventure.  It's not about natural wonder or urban splendor.  Not a glimpse into the past or a peak at the future.  This is all about rest and relaxation.  Sun and sand, soak and surf, novels and naps.  It's a slow boat to nowhere, and we are onboard.

We are sailing aboard the Holland America Line ms Westerdam.  HAL is the hometown cruise line and the Westerdam has homeported in Seattle for the summer Alaska cruise season.  Seattle is the Gateway to Alaska and the Portal to the Pacific.  Holland America has always been my favorite line to sell as a Travel Agent, and now I am part of the team as a Pier Agent.  I have been working the docks at Pier 91 seeing passengers on and off the Westerdam, and the other Dam ships, as they come and go to Alaska.  It has been a fun and rewarding job, but the payoff starts today, Day 0 of 35, from Seattle to San Diego, via the South Pacific.

This is a Friends and Family cruise, and we are both.  I am bunking with Nancy, Tres and Ted are two doors down.  We are on Deck 7, the Rotterdam Deck, in Deluxe Verandah Suites, sailing in style with double-wide cabins, five-piece baths, walk-in closets, and deck seating for six.  We are just aft of amidships, across the hall from the Neptune Lounge.  It's not a bad way to be.

We are looking forward to a month at sea, but we will miss you all and hope you will follow us along the way.  We will see you in November sporting suspiciously dark tans, and the wide grins that only the ultimate escape can inspire.


Saturday, September 29th
South Pacific
Day 0 - Embarkation
ms Westerdam
Seattle, Washington
Departing:  4:00 PM
Clear Skies - 70 Degrees

Boarding the ship was like the last day at camp.  This is the final weekend of the Seattle summer cruise season, and I am taking off early.  Hugs and well wishes all around as I said goodbye to my ShoreOps friends and colleagues for the off-season.  It will be an extended goodbye for some sailing with us as far as Vancouver.  Hope they have enough crew left to work the docks tomorrow!!!

It is Indian Summer in Seattle and the Gods have graced us with just one more perfect day for our Seattle Sailaway.  Just enough clouds to add interest to the sky, streaks of sun still kissed with the warmth of summer, crispy-cool fall air with a taste of the sea.  Paradise is still well ahead of us, but it doesn't get better than this.  We climbed up to the Observation Deck to see the backdrop of the city as Westerdam turned out of Elliott bay and North up the Sound.  For one night only, we have front row, Port verandah seats, for the golden glow of sunset.  It's all downhill from here, sunrise to Port heading South.

Next Stop:  Vancouver, BC